Original Poem: Looking Back

Last Monday (July 23), I had dreams of someone that I haven't seen or spoken to in a very long time. When I woke up, I thought I would write a poem about it. Hope you enjoy, and please, DO NO COPY. If you want to share it, make sure it is credited to me.

Sorry if the photo is not the best quality. I just copied and edited it in Paint :)

Let me know what you think in the comments :)

Bwakaw (2012)

Coming Out Late in Jun Lana's Bwakaw

by Francis Joseph A. Cruz

Jun Lana started his career in film writing screenplays for directors Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Maryo J. de los Reyes, among others. In the several years where the country was starving for quality films, he penned films like Diaz-Abaya’s Sa Pusod ng Dagat (In the Navel of the Sea, 1998), Jose Rizal (1998), and Muro-ami (1999), tasteful alternatives to the crass titillating films that were being produced by the dozens.

Interestingly, Gigil (2006), Lana’s directorial debut, capitalized largely on babes clad in bikinis, parading both their bodies and loose morals in the beach. He then dabbled in various other genres, directing disposable horrors like Mag-ingat ka sa… Kulam (2008) and Tarot (2009) and sleazy dramas like Roxxxanne (2007) and My Neighbor’s Wife (2011) for various studios and producers. The career of Lana became a prime example of initial promise gone wrong. His latest, Bwakaw, seems to be his belated apology for the misdirection of his career.

Bwakaw is about Rene, a gay old man (Eddie Garcia) who only came out of the closet when he’s already very old and is now coping with the loneliness dealt by his delayed decision. The film is movingly sincere. Lana molds Rene not from stereotype but from accurate perceptions of how a man would be had he lived his life as a lie and decided only to admit his reality when he barely has any years left to enjoy it. Garcia understands the specific nuances of the character he’s portraying. He does not pepper his portrayal with gags and cheap imitations. Instead, he allows his performance to be subtle and low-key, resulting in what essentially is a quiet triumph in acting.

Lana smartly plays Rene’s repulsion towards his friends and acquaintances as the core of the film’s humor. He also purposefully manifests Rene’s repressed guilt with a beautiful sideplot involving a failed romance. While the film’s depiction of an old man’s loneliness is already astute and affecting, it still forces more storylines than the film’s elegant pacing can manage. The result is a screenplay that is a bit too busy and a bit too lenient to the many contrivances in plotting.

The screenplay’s excesses are thankfully grounded by Lana’s surprisingly restrained direction. Set in San Pablo, the film remarkably incorporates a very provincial laidback appreciation of time, perhaps the only thing that both tortures and gives hope to the film’s impossible protagonist. A less sensitive director would rush to forward the story, relish in the big dramatic moments, and exploit the storyline of the titular dog. Lana, on the other hand, allows the story to crawl, to stagger and earn the emotions that have been repressed by the abundance of silence and the occasional jokes.

Delightfully unhurried, Bwakaw manages to make stretches of quietude and nothingness both entertaining and meaningful. It also helps that the film’s images are composed, lighted, and framed exquisitely. The music is sparse but elaborate, starting with light strumming of a native instrument before evolving into something more hopeful, following the eventual restoration of Rene’s faith in life.

The film’s final frame, a long shot of a street where Rene is walking as a former flame drives his tricycle by totally ignoring the old man, is painfully lovely. It depicts a life where fairy tale endings do not exist especially for people who are most susceptible to melancholy yet notwithstanding that, living it still seems to be the most gratifying choice.

(Cross-published in Twitch and ABS-CBNnews.)

COMIC CON 2012

So I made it back to San Diego and it was still awesome! Although I wish Jonty could have gone since it would have been more fun with him there. Anyway, just wanted to share with you guys some photos from my recent trip to Comic-Con 2012. Above you can see the MARVEL Booth which displayed the "Hall of Armor" from the upcoming Iron Man 3 movie. My friend Gerard who was with me called it. When we were on the way there, he predicted that Marvel would display Tony Stark's armors. I think it's so cool that you can see Marks I-VII in the photo :)

Below are photos in chronological order :)

When you go to Comic-Con, prepare to WAIT IN LINE. Seriously, not for the non-fan. You will be bored. Falling in line in Comic-Con requires a certain type of passion. That's the only way you can be patient. For Preview Night, we got there at around 12:30 and we waited until 5:30. Not cool... But entering the halls of Comic-Con washes the pain away!

You'll never know who you'll run into so be sure not to be shy. I saw G4TV's Blair Butler (who also wrote a 4 issue limited series for Image called HEART) She happens to review comics for G4 also and she's a cool geek! I really like her comic book recommendations. 

Behind me is the side of the MARVEL Booth. They're displaying MARVEL NOW! (It's their relaunch this October. See Cyclops? His eyes are shaped like an X!

Crazy prices for comics right? But tell me, where can you get a 9.8 copy of X-Men 1 and a 9.6 of the 1st appearance of Iron Man? ONLY AT COMIC-CON!

With CHEW Artist Rob Guillory. He's a really nice guy! Can't wait for the Chew TV Series to come out! Rob was also interested in visiting the Philippines :)

I just had to have my photo taken with the SILVER SURFER! I saw this dude last year and he's awesome! SILVER PAINT YO!

This is Axel Alonso. He just happens to be the Editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics! :) Booyah! Tall guy too! I couldn't believe no one was talking to this man! Seriously... Axel's doing an amazing job. I told him I'd support MARVEL NOW all the way.

Forner WWE Champion JEFF HARDY!!! SWANTON BOMB!!! Aww yeah!!! 

Slave Leias reunion

This is Sergio Aragones. He writes and draws Groo. I'll put him in "One of the Nicest Guys" list. We actually talked about his visit to the Philippines a looooong time ago. He said he was great friends with the legendary Alfredo Alcala :)

Thought the X-Men and Tales of Suspense prices were crazy? These are even crazier. Behold, Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman graded at 5.5 and a copy of Detective Comics #27, the first appearance of Batman graded at a super high grade of 6.5 for a golden age book! Yes, more than half a million each! Men in suits were behind this glass case and asked me if I wanted to hold it. Damn... drool... drool... drool...

My dream comic... AMAZING FANTASY #15

This year at Comic-Con, I attended more panels. I had to stay in 2 panels just to get in Marvel's Cup 'O Joe panel. It was worth it! Jeph Loeb was hilarious!

This is Olivier Coipel. He's a French superstar artist for Marvel and I love his art! Super love his art! 

They were displaying the Batmobiles outside Comic-Con so I decided to visit the exhibit and check out the badass Batman cars. Behind me you'll see Christian Bale's Tumbler and below you'll see my favorite Batmobile which was Michael Keaton's. Love the Keaton Batmobile. SUPER BADASS! That's THE Batmobile.

Badass right? 

Dinner with my Comic-Con friends! Next to me are Philip and Kristine Tan, Gerard Poa and Kristine's cousin Oliver. We hung out with them last year and this was a mini-reunion. Philip took us to this awesome seafood restaurant that served super awesome clams!

I met Anthony Bourdain! I met him at the DC Booth since he wrote a comic book called "Get Jiro" which was sold out in Comic-Con. I got his autograph on my notebook.

Presenting the debut of the Mark VIII from the upcoming Iron Man 3 movie! I'm not into the gold though... I think it's too much gold for my taste. We'll have to wait and see how cool it is.

Lucas Scott! Este, Chad Michael Murray. I was a fan of One Tree Hill when I was in college. I have to admit. Chad's promoting his comic book EVERLAST. I got Misha a copy with his autograph.

Also in attendance is SUPERSTAR Leinil Yu and LEGEND Alex Nino :) I think this picture is awesome! (Nil, feel free to get this pic :) )

RVD! Nuff said.

Do you guys watch Ancient Aliens on the History Channel? :) This guy is awesome! Love watching him on that show! "TSOUKALICIOUS!" Hahaha!

With the coolest and nicest guy in MARVEL COMICS! I swear, this man is just way too awesome! CB CEBULSKI Ladies and Gentlemen. He brought me inside the Marvel Booth!

With the 2012 Eisner Award BEST WRITER! MARK WAID! 

Was I the droid he was looking for?

Guys, if you're planning to go to the 2013 Comic-Con, please feel free to ask me questions and I'd gladly give tips! All I can say is that Disneyland is NOT the happiest place on earth... It's the San Diego Comic-Con!

Can't wait for 2013? You're in luck! Why don't you join the National Book Store NEW YORK COMIC-CON Promo? :) Click on the banner on the top page for more details :)

Movie Review: The Lincoln Lawyer

Wow, I really enjoyed this movie! The case was sick and disturbing at times, but the story itself was incredible! Matthew McConaughey was absolutely magnificent!

He is starting to become one of the actors that I look up to, but I still don't see why people are in love with him ;) In this movie, he was a very well-known, successful lawyer in Los Angeles. He seriously had a lot of connections and no one could touch him. Or so I thought.

He took on a new client who was wealthy and obviously could pay him good. At first, I thought he was just a greedy lawyer. However, as the movie progressed, Matthew McConaughey gave Mic Haller incredible dimension in his character. There was a point in the movie when the opposing lawyer asked him what side he was on. I totally agreed.

Without giving anything away, Mic Haller was in a tight situation between winning the case for his client or doing what he thought was right. At the end, I admired his power. I thought something tragic might happen or he might die, but thankfully, he was safe, even if he got shot before the movie ended.

Overall, I loved this movie and the way McConaughey portrayed the character. I know this was based on the book, but I don't think I would be reading it. I was satisfied with the movie.

Tell me in the comments, have you seen this movie? If not, do you plan on seeing it now after this review? I promise it is worth it ;)

Pink Spotlight (6): So Many Free Books on Amazon

Seriously, isn't is awesome how many free books there are in Amazon? This week, I've got some more free reads, won an ARC, and received some awesome swags for being part of a street team. Check them out!

First, I won the ARC for Rift by Andrea Cremer from Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads. I really didn't expect to win, but when I got the email saying I did, I was ecstatic!

Next, I received an awesome swag package from Regency Rockstars for being part of the street team. The best part? The PINK tote bag with my NAME on it spelled correctly!!

The next 6 books are free on Amazon. Click the covers if you want your copy :)

That's it for now! Let me know what you've gotten this week in the comments below or if you've read any of the books mentioned here.

P.S. Sorry for posting this late. I've been so busy moving and I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. Anyway, have a nice day!

VBT Review + Giveaway: Blood and Whiskey by Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

Title: Blood and Whiskey
A Cowboy and Vampire Thriller
Author: Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Pages: 347
Buy Link: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb:

Wanted: Lizzie Vaughan, Dead or Alive. Relationships are always hard, but for a broke cowboy and a newly turned Vampire, true love may be lethal. After barely surviving an undead apocalypse in The Cowboy and the Vampire, Tucker and Lizzie hightail it back to quirky LonePine, Wyoming (population 438), to start a family.

But she's got a growing thirst for blood and he's realizing that mortality ain't all it's cracked up to be when your girlfriend may live forever. With a scheming Vampire nation hot on their boot heels and a price on her head, how far will Lizzie and Tucker go to protect their unlikely love?

Blending evolution, religion and an overly sensitive cow dog named Rex, Blood and Whiskey drags the Vampire myth into the modern west, delivering double-barreled action, heart-pounding passion and wicked humor.

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

This book was slow for me until I was probably about 200-300 pages in, when the "astronomers convention" arrived in town. Finally, the story picked up and things got going. Before then, I think it was safe to say that I hardly wanted to read the book. For this review, I thought maybe another character breakdown would be appropriate. If you haven't read my review of the first book, see The Cowboy and the Vampire.

Tucker - he wasn't as idiotic in this book, but he was just as whine-y. He was the kind of character who had something in his mind but then voiced something else out. I felt bad for him throughout the book though. He'd seen more than he probably cared to see in his lifetime. Too many deaths and the revelation that his girlfriend was a Vampire who needed to feed on humans to survive.

T: "Feel better?"
L: "I do."
T: "You got a little bit of some poor bastard right there on the corner of your mouth."

Lizzie - she was pregnant and as dead as the last book. However, in this book she was stronger and more resolved that she would take on the responsibility of being the new queen. Her strength and courage was admirable. Her humanity still stayed with her, which was probably something for Tucker to be grateful for.

L: "Do you ever, you know, take a look when I'm dead? Does it turn you on to have a naked corpse next to you?"
T: "Woman, don't be gross."

Elita - I loved her! Her cruelty was just purely entertaining. Becoming better than her kind definitely worked for her. I loved it when Tucker left her "presents" :) She was as feisty as ever.

Tucker: "You're all blood-suckers. What difference does it make what hrllish womb you popped out of?"
Elita: "Sorry, cowboy, I was hatched."

He scribbled a note on the back of a junk mail envelope and walked back to the bedroom, dropping it next to Elita's head: Sorry about them burns. Left you a present in the barn. Don't be gentle, they tried to kill you. Call when you're done. Lizzie is in trouble. Tucker.

Elite: "It's okay to scream. I enjoy the melody of terror when I feed. I have to say, it's been a long time since I've had a father and son. I'm practically orgasmic just thinking about your shared blood flowing into me." 

Rex - this dang dog was just adorable. He was tougher than any, and very loyal. He was like a K9 soldier next to Tucker. I loved that the authors personified him in the books. For example, he would always sit in the driver's side of Tucker's truck as if he could drive.

Tucker's Dad - he was the comedic relief of this book. Every time he spoke, he was just comical. I was hopeful that he would go through with the hand that he was dealt, but I was disappointed that he chose another path in the end.

Lizzie and Lenny listened in on the one-sided conversation.
Tucker: "Yes, I know what time it is...Yep, I know how old you are, too. Seventy-five. Although sometimes you bitch like you are a hundred...Yes, good manners would have been to quit trying after ten rings, but in all fairness, I learned my manners from you...Yes, you would be smart to cut me out of your will...Are you done yet? No? Okay let me know."

Lenny - he was mad at Tucker for a while, but then finally succumbed and made up with his friend. Seriously, this guy was the most resourceful in all the books I've read. Cayenne peppers in the frying pan and a gallon of water = explosives? Truly amazing.

Lenny: "Jesus, Tucker, you okay?"
Tucker: "You damn near diverted me into a pancake."

Overall, I liked the first book more, but this book had more of the action and roller coaster emotions.

As with the first book, I've decided to give away my copy for someone else to enjoy :) Click here if you would like to enter to win the first book. This giveaway will end at the same time, on August 10, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHORS 


Clark Hays grew up in Montana in the shadow of the Tobacco Root Mountains. In addition to his fiction work, he is a cowboy, a published poet and occasional food critic. Recently, he was nominated for Pushcart Prize for short fiction and not so recently for a Rhysling award for poetry. Clark brings a deep knowledge about the modern west, weaponry, country music and existentialism to his writing. 


Kathleen McFall grew up in the heart of Washington, D.C. She worked as a petroleum geologist and, later, as a journalist, and has published hundreds of articles about scientific research, energy and natural resources. An interest in the overlap of science and mysticism are an essential aspect of her fiction writing. She received an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship for fiction writing. 


Learn more at http://cowboyandvampire.com/ and www.facebook.com/cowboyandvampire