The Art of Letting Go

Saw this last night with my friends. Should've known that it'll only take a bunch of silly-nilly girls to whittle down the profound to the profane. Zac Efron is seriously one hot stud muffin.

And he's also a great actor to boot! Him acting all by practically his lonesome is classic. The boy knows his drama stuff. The movie itself is even commendable. The twist was a good play, but I kinda caught drift of it already when Charlie woke up alone in the cemetery.

It was, however, a fresh perspective to see how Charlie's relationship with Sam (the younger brother who passed away) still grew from beyond the grave. It gives the idea that relationships don't end with death. Okay, kind of counter-productive with the concept of letting go, but sometimes when you're not ready to give up on the memory of someone, it's a good belief to have that somehow the person's still with you, watching you and talking you thru the good and the bad.

I've never lost someone. Yet. And I know it will kill me when I do. I'd probably do a Charlie and meet up with my dead everyday to banter with them at sunset. But like what Charlie went thru, a solid point of letting go must happen, and it will eventually, when everyone involved is ready. It may take a few years. Heck, it may take a blossoming love life to do it, but the moving on and letting go will always happen.

Charlie St. Cloud visually portrays the art of letting go and getting on with life, without belittling the grief one goes thru with the loss of a loved one. For me, it means the grief is just as important as the letting go.

Can I Have This Dance (Musings of an HSM Fan)

As old as I may be now, I'm still a major High School Musical fan. Yes, major. No, not because Zac Efron is hot. Okay, not JUST because Zac Efron is hot. (Hello, people, how can you not see/hear/feel the brimming talent of the boy?!?!)

But seriously, HSM is one of Disney's most recent success stories. Since taking over cable television, The Disney Studios have been lying low in terms of teenage-girl-friendly full length features. I guess they figure they've got the exact niche crowd they want on T.V., so why spend the time and effort in going big screen when you've got an underling like Pixar to do all the work for you.

The Studio decided to take the risk on High School Musical and when the first movie was released on The Disney Channel back in 2006, it was an instant hit! I mean, sure, we've had one or two Moulin Rouges and Chicagos belting out a few show tunes in the movies before HSM came out but this one had kids in it! All original song, perky-happy dance moves and regular high school student drama.

The first movie talked about moving out of the box friends and family (with all the love they have to offer) try to lock you into. It featured nerds that hip-hop'd, hoopstars that baked, and jocks that sang. It made Vanessa Hugens, Ashley Tisdale and (of course) Zac Efron household names, starting their red carpet success stories in Hollywood. You just can't beat the Disney eye for talent.

With so much hype and merchandise sales from the first release, Disney followed it up with the second, and moved it the drama step further. This time they showed how different can have its advantages... and privileges. But let those get in your head and you'll find yourself alienated and alone.

Then the third, the one that was specifically made for the big screen. Just saw it a few hours ago, of course on Sky Cable's Disney feed. What I like best about the third installment is its message that it's okay to be in conflict when you're on a journey of self discovery.

All great values hidden craftily into the storyline and soundtrack of the HSM Series.

My favorite song out of all three is "Can I Have This Dance."

It's like catching lightning,

The chances of finding someone like you

It's one in a million

The chances of feeling the way we do

And with every step together,

We just keep on getting better

So can I have this dance, (can I have this dance)

Can I have this dance?

I know it's cheesy, gross and overly teenager, but if you haven't seen any of the movies, I truly recommend it on a bland Sunday evening. At least for a few hours, you get to be young again. Wonder if any of the local theatre groups have license to stage the plays... Audition, anyone? :)

ABvertising

I pass this billboard of JAG near Nagtahan, northbound on Lacson, daily on my way home.

It's the one with Robin Padilla, halfbody, good as naked with his shirt undone, 6-pack exposed in all its glory, leaning back on a car I think. Can you say distracted? Thank God, I'm not the one driving.

But seriously, after you've seen it in on a daily basis, you get to study what the ad is all about. It's for JAG's weather beaten jeans. Go ahead, take a 2nd, 3rd and 4th look at it... there's barely any demin to be found on. Heck, hardly any sort of textile is in the picture. Its all Robin and his 6-pack abs.

This brings up the question, does ab-vertising work? I wonder how sales of JAG for this particular item is doing. Or maybe their goal wasn't to sell just this SKU but the whole JAG brand in general.

However, I am reminded of this one ab-vertisement that's forever carved in my brain.Zac Efron on Rolling Stone. (*wipe laway away, ladies*) Although I wasn't able to get a copy of this issue, I would've loved one just for the sake of staring into those baby blues and that delicious cut! Ok, so fine, Rolling Stone always has scantily dressed celebrities in the mag, but I think Zac Efron doing the cover ushered in a new generation of giddy girls like me to be part of the Rolling Stone potential market.

I think ab-vertising works in terms of imagery and brand building because sex sells. Not exactly sure how it translates to actual sales but maybe a JAG or Rolling Stone marketer will stumble unto my site and give us enlightenment.

So 'til then, let's have fun drooling.