The Dream Is Real. ~ Inception

WARNING: May contain spoilers!

I am the type of movie-goer who doesn’t like action films, and before watching anything I’m not familiar with, I usually watch the trailer first online so I have a good idea of the storyline. Anyway, a good friend of mine was raving about Inception since last week and asked me to watch it with him. So I googled it and watched the trailer. I also read a few notes on the movie, and a lot of times it mentioned that “You really gotta pay attention to get a full grasp of it.” Pretty intrigued on why reviews said that “it can be confusing for the weak-minded,” I was suddenly pretty hyped to watch it!

The film, directed by Christopher Nolan of “The Dark Knight,” is massively original (I would never thought of that kind of story ever!), engrossing, complex, and wildly entertaining. Headlining the movie is none other than Leonardo DiCaprio who plays the role of Dom Cobb, an extractor who specializes in reading people’s minds by lurking in their dreams. In the world of Inception, technology has been developed that allows dream-sharing or extraction – a technique through which several people can inhabit one’s dream world. This ability of Cobb made him the most wanted man in the world of corporate espionage. However, things took a turn when businessman Saito (played by Ken Watanabe) offered him to do the reverse of extraction: Inception – which plants a completely foreign idea into someone’s dream that could change the target’s personality forever. The real heart of the film is its emotional core (with all the sci-fi elements that came with it), as the protagonist is both a professional thief as well as a heartbroken man on the inside. I think the only reason the audience care about the conclusion is because we empathize with Cobb.

Several reviews compared Inception to Matrix, and I can understand why mainly bec of the killer fight scenes – the zero-gravity action is like nothing I have ever seen before!

Inception works on so many levels – although on most times you will find yourself asking what is real and what is imaginary. The line between those two is blurred, causing not only the characters in the movie, but the audience themselves to question such (“OMG dream lang pala ulit yun!”). The story goes as deep as 4 levels (a dream within a dream, within a dream, within a dream) and could at first render you confused (I did! Hehe). As the movie concludes though, this intricate setup pays off as each layer is unpeeled perfectly. So you really gotta pay attention!

Admittedly, Inception is not the easiest film to watch but Nolan did an AMAZING job in making it as understandable as possible. I think a psych major would best appreciate it as it deals with mind-reading and dreams. I am an IT by profession so pardon me if I had to watch it twice (hurriedly watched it again as soon as I got home) to fully understand some of the events. And when you do get a full grasp of the movie, trust me it’s truly worth it! The entire story is so perfectly written that each and every piece fits perfectly together to provide for a very satisfying tale. This will surely bag several Oscar’s – best movie of the year!!

Pro: Truly amazing storyline, fight scenes are a must-see!
Con: Can be confusing and may prompt you to watch it several times to fully understand each and every piece.

TTYL!

The BRO Code–Decoded!

I recently finished reading the book "The Bro Code," by Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother) and I find it generally amusing. The bond between men (or BRO's) has always been an interest to me, and this book laid out point by point the unwritten rules (now obviously written, lol) which each BRO need to honor as a tribute to their "brotherhood." I found most of these rules funny, and some I've already heard of. So here.. I handpicked a few never-before-written-rules from the book which had me re-think if Barney is indeed straight or not. LOL

 

Article 5: Whether he cares about sports or not, a Bro cares about sports.
* Come to think of it, I have never met a STRAIGHT guy who isn't interested in ANY sport. Or at least pretends to be interested, in the case of a closet guy.

Article 14: If a chick inquires about another Bro's sexual history, a Bro shall honor the 'Brode of silence' and play dumb. Better to have women think all men are stupid than tell the truth.
* Hear hear, trust us guys..we chicks (yes, I consider myself a chick, got a problem w/ that?) could tell whenever your exaggerating. Most of the guys I know (those I never dated, at least) are really bad liars.

Article 16: A Bro should be able, at any time, to recite the following reigning champions: Super Bowl, World Series, and Playmate of the Year.
* Hahaha! Well in our case here in the Philippines, NBA champ, UAAP champ and FHM's #1 Sexiest Woman of the Year.

Article 19: A Bro shall not sleep with another Bro's sister. However, a Bro shall not get angry if another Bro says, "Dude, your sisters hot!"
* This is one of the classics. Somehow, your Bro's family up to the second degree is part of the group called "The Untouchables." Not unless you're willing to get ousted in the brotherhood. lol

Article 22: There is no law that prohibits a woman from being a Bro.
* Thank you Barney for realizing that! We make excellent Bros. Why? Because we can translate and decode the confusing and contradictory rules that comprise "The Chick Code." So admit it guys, you freakin' need girl friends.

Article 27: A Bro never removes his shirt in front of other Bros, unless at a resort pool or the beach.
* (In slow motion, guy on the bench takes off his shirt -- while a bro on the pool side drooling over the chiseled body right in front of him) Hahahaha!

Article 34: Bros cannot make eye-contact during a Devil's Three-way.
* Oh my, that could turn ugly. LOL

Article 35: A Bro never rents a chick flick.
* That's because everything now can be downloaded via torrent; and the risk of being caught red-handed of a chick flick DVD is a social suicide.

Article 41: A Bro never cries (Exceptions- Watching Field of Dreams, ET or a sports legend right (only first time he retires)).
* And I'm sure we all disagree to this. But ET?? Crying over ET?? I am really starting to doubt your sexuality Barney... LOL

Article 44: A Bro never applies sunscreen to another Bro.
* Hahaha! 'Nuff said.

Article 45: A Bro never wears jeans to a strip club.
* Okay, this seriously puzzled me -- so what do guys wear on a strip club? Can a Bro reader enlighten me on this please?

Article 47: A Bro never wears pink. Not even in Europe.
* I have a close friend who likes pink gadgets, not pink shirts..so he's still in compliance w/ this article. LOL

Article 48: A Bro never publicly reveals how many chicks he's banged.
* Anyone who does that is not a Bro but a freakin’ ELF.

Article 60: A Bro shall honor they father and mother, for they were once Bro and chick. However, a Bro never thinks of them in that capacity.
* Totally agree. Just imagining that my parents were once a bro and a chick is just wrrrooooooong on so many levels.

Article 66: If a Bro suffers pain due to the permanent dissolution of a relationship with a lady friend, a Bro shall offer nothing more than a 'that sucks, man' and copious quantities of beer. A Bro will also refrain from pejorative commentary – desired or not - regarding said lady friend for a period of three months, when the requisite BACKSLIDE WINDOW has closed.
* This is also known as: (Read) The Three-Month Rule.

Article 75: A Bro automatically enhances another Bro's job description when introducing him to a chick.
* A Technical Support Agent = IT Consultant; Service Crew = Marketing Assistant; BUM = "Taking a Break." (Give us a break, if a chick is really into your Bro, she wouldn't care.)

Article 76: If a Bro is on the phone with a chick while in front of his Bros and, for whatever reason, desires to say "I love you" he shall first excuse himself from the room or employ a subsonic barry white-esque tone.
* Apparently, for some reason, saying "I love you" on the phone in front of other bros is humiliating. Whatever.

Article 77: Bros don't cuddle.
* Sure you do!

Article 83: A Bro shall, at all costs, honor the Platinum Rule: Never, ever, ever, ever "love" thy neighbor. In particular, a Bro shall never mix it up romantically with a co-worker.
* Ha! As  they say.. The workplace is a place for well..work! If you wanna play, do it in a place at least 500 kilometers away from your office. If your professional image is important to you that is.

Article 86: When a Bro meets a chick he shall endeavor to find out where she fits on the Hot/Crazy Scale before pursuing her.
* I knew it! Guys have a mentally-programmed numbering scale whenever they meet chicks. E.g. "Hey man I met this chick named Kat and she's a 9/10! 9 for being hot and 10 for being crazy." LOL

Article 88: If a Bro, for whatever reason must drive another Bro's car, he shall not adjust the preprogrammed radio stations, the mirrors, or the seat position, even if this last requirement results in the Bro trying to drive the vehicle as a giant praying mantis would.
* From my experience, about 70% of guys are obsessed with their cars. And I understand them because they treat it as an extension of their bedroom -- everything should remain untouched no matter what.

Article 89: A Bro shall always say yes in support of a Bro.
* In short: Walang laglagan!

Article 92: A Bro keeps his booty calls at a safe distance.
* To be safe, especially if one is committed, a guy should not exploit his sexcapades and spare his bro the responsibility to answer phone calls from another bro's girlfriends in wee hours of the night.

Article 99: A Bro never asks for directions when lost.
* Especially if you had to ask from a chick. Afraid of hurting your ego sweetie? As Rico Yan once said from the movie "Got to Believe" -- You can suggest but never direct! (Fine!)

Exception: A Bro may ask for directions for a hot chick who seems to know the area.
Exception: A Bro may ask for directions from a hot chick even if she also appears lost.
Exception: A Bro may ask for directions from a hot chick even if he is not lost at all.
-- Ayan diyan kayo magaling!! Tsk tsk!

Article 101: If a Bro asks another Bro to keep a secret, he shall take that secret to his grave. This is what makes them Bros, not chicks.
* I agree with this. That is why I have more bros than chick friends.

Article 113: A Bro abides by the accepted age-difference formula when pursuing a young chick:
Acceptable age difference formula
Chick's age = Guy's age divided by 2, + 7
(Shall add chart shortly)
* Interesting, isn't it?

Article 120: A Bro always calls another Bro by his last name.
* This has always been the norm especially in high school and I find it cute. Too bad though if your last name is too common like, Delos Reyes, or Antonio, or Dela Cruz.

Article 133: A Bro only claims a fart after first accusing at least one other Bro.
* Revelation: Chicks do it too. LOL

Article 136: When interrogated by a girlfriend about a bachelor party, a Bro shall offer nothing more than an uninterested "It was okay."
* Sounding bored just doesn't work anymore folks. Try a different approach like "Twas one hell of a night! I should've taken a video so I could have showed it to you."

Article 150: No sex with your Bro's ex.
* AHHHHH… THE RULE OF ALL RULES. We've seen a lot of failed brotherhood because of non-compliance to this article. And why is this considered the Golden Rule? Well, for some brotherhood (which I have no comment on) it's like uummm...tasting your bro too. And if you're really a bro not in a million years would you ever consider that.

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So there! I have an e-book of this so if any of you are interested in getting a copy, please post a comment so I can send it to you via email. If you are a chick, you may find some of the entries a little boring because it’s not something that we can relate to; but if you’re a bro – then this is a must-read! Keep in mind that, this set of rules is supposed to be UNWRITTEN so better have a good sense of humor before you start reading it.

TTYL!

Kat Antonio is in a relationship with NO ONE.

I joined Facebook more than three years ago, and back then the features are still pretty basic – the “relationship status” is already there just like in Friendster but I don’t edit it since my then-boyfriend doesn’t have an account yet and I only have less than 20 friends who doesn’t even care what I publish on my wall. This social networking site boomed in the Philippines just middle of last year and me and my then-boyfriend have long broken up for me to put an “In A Relationship” status in my profile.

The first time I set it to “In A Relationship” was back in late October and alas – less than a minute after and I think I got about 6-8 comments. And after an hour? I got 36 freakin comments and likes! Wow. Same thing happens to my other friends, who – whenever they change their relationship status, will get tons of reactions from people, some they’re not even close to.

That got me thinking: Why is it important to label our relationships and using sites like Facebook to tell the world whether you’re “In A Relationship” or “It’s Complicated?” What happened to JUST LIVING? Sure, we are proud of being in-love and shouting to every person we care about that we are happily taken is normal; but what about for failed relationships? Do you really want everyone to know that you’re going through a rough road? Are you willing to explain to every single commenter about what went wrong?

..Why do we feel more secured when things are labeled, is it plainly for everyone to know what your relationship status is, or is it because this is our way of knowing that we are both on the SAME PAGE with the other person?

Guess I’ll have to change mine to “Widowed.”

 

TTYL!