Notes from April

( or the extension of the Notes from March)

MOVIES/ TV SERIES/ DOCUMENTARIES

• The Wind Rises- I was anticipating to see this after falling in love with 2 Studio Ghibli movies last month. The whole viewing experience was spectacular. Actually, I never thought that an animated movie could be this inspiring and emotional. What I love most about this movie was the way the movie used the transformation of Tokyo as a metaphor of the characters' transformations.
• From Up On Poppy Hill- This Studio Ghibli movie introduced me to a whole new world of 60s Japanese Pop. Furthermore, the movie made me appreciate the album "Kazemachi Roman" even more, as the movie gave context to the album's themes of nostalgia and moving forward. 
• Before Sunrise - A few months ago, I saw a video analysis of Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy on Youtube. The video analysis gave me high hopes that these movies are good. Sadly, I saw Before Sunrise and was a little disappointed that the movie wasn't as good as I expected it to be. I thought I'd love this movie because the movie contains the elements that I always look for in a movie- lots of walking, lots of talking, and beautiful sceneries. Nonetheless, Before Sunrise is a movie I'd still recommend, even to future myself, to watch on a Sunday evening.
• 13 Going on 30- Not my type of movie, but still nice. Perfect for Friday nights with friends.
• Four Weddings and a Funeral- Isn't it weird that there are movies that take you to a specific time of the day, or to a particular place? I read once that this movie is perfect for wet afternoons. I don't really know what wet afternoon means, but if it means a slow afternoon and people having their afternoon nap or tea party, I'd agree. Although I like Hugh Grant's character in Notting Hill, I did not appreciate his character in this movie. HAHAHA
• Friendzone- There used to be a time in my life when I spent my weekends watching or searching Thai movies. I never realised that watching Thai movie  was a mechanism i used to beat the stressful life of dealing with difficult people. Watching this, I realised that my taste for movies has changed- I don't find Thai movies as funny or as romantic as it was 7-8 years ago. If there's one thing that remained, I'd say that Thai movies still make it easier for me to destress from difficult people. HAHAHAHA
• Mahal Mo, Mahal Ko- Classic 70s Filipino films are the best. I enjoyed this movie because it was similar to solving a mystery, except that it's a romantic/ drama movie about a girl who has to choose between her past and her present. 
• Royal Britain: An Aerial History of the Monarchy- The most British of them all. Kidding aside, this documentary introduced me to the wonderful sceneries across the British Isles. The castles and palaces are interesting, but the English Moor and the Scottish Highlands are stunning. (This documentary convinced me to go to Scotland and see the Isle of Skye.) 

MUSIC

• Beatles 1- The ECQ gave me another set of reasons to appreciate Beatle songs. 
• She's Your Lover Now- Once upon a time, I asked my friend to share his opinion about this particular song. He said he felt sad for the singer. I felt the same.
• The Ghost in You- I discovered this one Sunday afternoon, while I was organising my stuff. Whenever I had to go out and do errands, I make sure to play this song. This song takes me to a slow afternoon somewhere far from the Philippines. 
• Never My Love- This particular version reminds me of 60s doomed lovers. A romantic song for doomed lovers. 
• They Don't Know and Soho Square- Kirsty MacColl is one of my favorite female singer-songwriters. It's nice to discover new versions of her classic songs. 
• I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better- This song reminds me of The Beatles. 
• Bleecker Street- The ECQ made us characters of Edward Hopper paintings- isolated, alone and sad. Bleecker street, although an old favourite, had a new meaning because of the ECQ. Suddenly, the song talks about, not of people from long ago, but of people who are staying at home because of the ECQ.
• Army Dreamers-  This song, in terms of its message, is similar to The Kink's Some Mother's Son. 

BOOKS

• Comet in Moominland- Louise Brealey read this on her Instagram Live. I'm so thankful for her because her MoominsatBedtime gave me something to look forward to during this ECQ.  I don't know about you, but the ECQ made me a little more anxious than the usual. To discover new characters who are as anxious as I am is a great relief. 
• Modern Love-  I only read this when I'm at the supermarket and waiting for my turn to pay for the things I bought. 
• My Dear Bessie: A Love Story in Letters- I'm not religiously reading this book. I only read this while on queue. 
• Dekada '70- My first Filipino novel in 2 years? Still reading the book because I'm not that motivated to spend time reading or doing anything aside from drawing and writing.
• The Wind Has Risen (as part of the book Modern Japanese Literature Volume 1)- I read this because of The Wind Rises. It's a realistic story about loving despite the inevitable death.  One thing I learned from this movie is the importance of having the courage to move forward, especially after a painful chapter in our lives.