Miss Potter (2006)

Director: Chris Noonan
Written By: Richard Maltby Jr.
Lead Actors: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson
Genre: Biography, Romance

Synopsis:

          The life of Miss Beatrix Potter spends her childhood years and grown to be an extraordinary woman in London. At the age of 32, she's unmarried and living in grandeur lifestyle under the roof of her parents trying to be in the upper class society. As a young child, she created a world with her animal friends, bringing into life drawn with stories to tell. She was so determined to be single, that made her turned down all her suitors. The milestone of her life changed into blossoms as she published her first story book, assisted by Mr. Noman Warne, the first time publisher. Eventually, the two souls being together fell in love along the process of printing and publishing the manuscript. 

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Review:
          The film depicts the life story of Beatrix Potter as portrayed by Renee Zellweger, a romance that will capture your attention. Along the success of her published children books.

          Renee Zellweger had acted so superb in carrying herself with manner of grace. The act so refine during the old-fashioned days in London. On the other hand, Ewan Mcgregor (Norman Warne) showed his craft of being so gentle to assist for the publication of the Beatrix's manuscript.

          The flow clarity of the movie lines were so classic, that you can even feel the inner thoughts portrayed by the characters. You can even feel amazed that Beatrix gifted author to draw her animal friends, at the same time writing a story tale of her creations.

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         Chris Noonan had directed a very entertaining film for the viewers to easily comprehend the scenes. It illustrated the flashback of Miss Potter's childhood years, to picture out how it all started to be a writer. The background was so appropriate to movie goers to travel along the beautiful sceneries terrain in country side of London.

          The highlight had laid into plot, when Beatrix invited Mr. Norman Warne and his sister that is annually held Christmas Party in their house.  The typical costumes had showcased the old ways of life during the year of 1910. In the middle of the party, Miss Potter and Mr. Warne had the opportunity to know each other. 

          The music background from a music box "Let me teach you how to dance" blended the love atmosphere between the two souls; Mr. Warne sang the lyrics as he takes Miss Potter to dance. The moment made you feel the love. It is the open window to have the marriage proposal. Renee Zellweger outshine the single moment dancing right after the party had ended, tears run through her eyes. 

          The story runs smooth as it plays nearly ending of the movie, when Mr. Warne got seriously ill. Eventually Beatrix didn't have the second thought of going back to the city and see Norman. The only thing that made me feel hanging, the film didn't show the last dying breath of Mr. Warne. It was cut short with bad news, but surprisingly Noolan's style of directing the film showed the stages of grief as effectively acted by Renee Zellweger.  

          At the ending of the film, it was really a promising character for the viewers to be inspired in a true to life story while dealing with the challenges. Personally speaking, Miss Potter is worth to watch with the family and friends. The life with determination to choose of what's best to take forward without regrets from the past.


Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Runtime: 93 minutes

Life in the Graveyard

         Early morning last 28th day of October, my siblings and I went to graveyard of our loved ones; it is simply for the reason of cleaning up the area after the year of last visit. It is a tradition for Filipinos to set the date bound to the public cemetery and give respect to the people left us behind, believing that there is life after death. 

 

 

      Beforehand, we lit a single candle at the tomb. Then we started to remove the grasses and dirt’s cluttered in the fences. It took us hours to wipe out the unwanted materials stained the surroundings. We don't mind the abrasions incurred in accomplishing the task. 

        Traditionally seen in white painted rectangular boxes, a very unique yard compared to other countries. The statues in different forms at the head of tombs, tombs are elevated from the ground and altars installed in the graveyard. 

         The residents of Baguio City used to do the same act as we've done for the day in Baguio Cemetery. It is fascinating to see people re-painting the graveyards, offer prayers, and even install temporary mini stores to sell things.  

Maria went to City Market

      I am a Baguio boy, going to the Baguio Public Market with my "lola" (grandma) was the most memorable to roam around the market. That's the usual routine of grandma, look after her shoe shop adjacent to the side of Maharlika. Riding a jeepney along Magsaysay Road, then call the driver's attention for  stop sign at the market.

        There is no other way for lowlanders to spend time buying local products in this market. Some of the local commodities that can be bought are: veggies, strawberries or ube jams, peanut brittles, choco flakes, local wines, native bags or accessories, broomsticks, and so forth. If you don't have enough money in peso bills, you can have money exchange in black market. Moreover, black market offers imported dry goods.  

Strawberry Farm

Some people await "ber" months; it starts in the month of September in Baguio City. During these months' period, strawberries are starting to be abundant in public market especially on December onwards. Fresh strawberries are so popular for some lowlanders, since it is one of the domestic commodities in the city. The sellers used to pack the fruit in boxes, nowadays it is segregated depending on its sizes slid in a styrofoam containers wrap with transparent plastic sheets.  Another, this kind of berry is commonly produced into jams and likely, they are transported to different places for reselling it or bring it home for their loved ones.

How about harvesting strawberries in the farm land? If you wish to experience to harvest of your own berries, you can take a ride to La Trinidad. Take a peek some souvenirs, such as knitted clothes, tribal-like key chains, and strawberry-like coin purses and among others.  

     

 

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

          When I was in High School student, I was a choir member. We had the chance to sing praises here in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Kisad Road Baguio City. If you happen to book yourself in nearby hotels, try to visit the church.  

March-in-Place in SM Baguio

In SM Baguio, a soldier mannequin is fixated at upper ground level of the mall. It draws me towards the area, seeing a photo exhibits on how to be soldierly in PMA (Philippine Military Academy).

The Day of the Dead

Across the country, the Halloween is celebrated differently. In America, children used to visit house to house to ask for candies or sweets, a trick or treat. Some of them wear halloween costumes to make it more realistic, especially for pre-schoolers having a party.

Most likely, some personnels in establishments wear scary clothes and bloody makeups. In SM Baguio, I saw these halloween masks: dracula, witches, white lady and the like.

For Filipinos, the hallowed tradition of visiting their dead loved ones in public or private cemetery. There is no other way of ignoring the special day, taking the chance to travel back to their hometown.  The family, relatives and friends lit candles in their tombs with flowers and offer prayers.