The Bourne Identity (2002)

Director: Doug Liman
Written By: Tony Gilroy, W. Blake Herron & Robert Ludlum
Lead Actors: Matt Damon, Franka Potente & Chris Cooper
Genre: Action, Suspense

Synopsis:

           A man was found at the Mediterranean Sea 60 miles South of Marseille. He is experiencing retrograde amnesia, trying to find his real identity. Along the course of looking the real truth, Jason Bourne ( Matt Damon) acquainted with Marie Helena Kreutz. Eventually, both went to Zurich to retrieve what is in silver box deposited in the bank. The mystery started and the life became complicated, since the Treadstone under the umbrella of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was looking for to them. They aim to terminate Jason Bourne to conceal the anomaly of the Treadstone operation.

Photo Credit: http://www.umn.edu/

Review:

          A stormy weather in Mediterranean Sea near Marseille, the fishermen on a board in the sailing boat rescue a man afloat in the strong waves of the body of water. The man (Matt Damon) sustained a gunshot wound at the upper back area, particularly at the left lateral scapula and at the right medial border of the scapula. One of the Italian fishermen aided him by removing the bullets. Further ocular inspection of the body, the fisherman noticed a scar at the hip area, he incised and found approximately 3 inches length of penlight-size laser; it shows the bank account number in Zurich. The man awakens that seems disoriented, concluding that he is manifesting amnesia episode. Moreover, he speaks fluently in different languages. I appreciate the multilinguistic skills, it shows how good the lead actor Matt Damon in uttering the proper enunciating the languages. In my mind, why does it need to incise a healed scar. The bottom line, the film story will be ended if the fisherman didn't recovered the details from that object. After a few days staying on the boat, Jason Bourne decided to take off in the pier to search further.    

          Assuming that he is empty-handed traveling through riding on a train. He decided to sleep on a bench in the park, and then the policemen approached and asked the identification documents from him. The confrontation escalated that he executes his ability to defend himself. The night after the incidence, he went straight to the bank. At first, he thought that his identity will be found from the silver box. But then, he got confused for having numerous passports with different names and nationalities, currencies from different states and a gun. Then he rushed to pack his things in a red bag and leaves the gun.  I feel strange that a gun can be deposited for safety keeping in a bank. 

          When Jason Bourne sensed that the police are looking for him, he goes straight into the US embassy. In the embassy, an officer tried to stop him but Bourne outwits them. In my opinion, they had seen Bourne in the building but the policemen didn't give order to the others to encircle the vicinity.

          After going down from the edges of the building, Bourne persuade a woman (Marie Helena Kreutz) with car parked at the back of the building. Jason offered her to an initial payment of $10, 000 to bring to Paris and be paid another $10, 000. Marie was hesitant to help him, since the police car passed-by and suspecting was the one they are looking for. She needs the money agreed to go along with Bourne's travel plan, ignoring the fact that it would be a danger idea. The portrayal by Franka Potente is very convincing as she had the conversation with a stranger.

          A strong personality of Alexander Conklin (Chris Cooper), the leader of Treadstone showed his power to deploy three assassins to chase and eliminate Jason Bourne. Since Jason failed to kill Wombosi (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), the Treadstone need to conceal the truth behind that mission. The film shows a well-organized networking to activate the invisible assassins. 

          As Bourne and Marie arrived in Paris, they proceed to his apartment. Marie has the chance to leave him having $20, 000 is enough, but she decided to go along with Bourne. Since the Treadstone identified her as a gypsy. Getting into his apartment, he started to investigate any clues for his identity. Then he redialled his phone, checking any traces of having last call. Then he found out that he has reservation in Regina Hotel with the name of Michael Kane. At the end of the line, Kane died in a vehicular accident. Then suddenly one of the assassins (Castel) tried to kill him, Bourne successfully pinned down the man and asked any information that may lead them to something, but the man run through and jumps out from the building. While Marie was in hysterical for knowing that Castel's bag contains pictures and description of them. Then shocked of what she had witnessed. Both escape from the scene, while assisting Marie moving out from the building.

          The Treadstone manages to bluff Wombosi by putting a false dead body in the morgue. Wombosi went to the morgue, he strongly believe that the body is not the one who attempted to assassinate him. Both Bourne and Kreutz followed after in the morgue, but the dead body was moved out. Prior to that, they made a tactic to get essential informations in Regina Hotel. I find it entertaining; Marie had a simple conversation by obtaining information in the Hotel. On the middle of the street, the newspaper headline that Wombosi died and Bourne figured out that he is an assassin. The next thing happen, Jason and Marie decided to hide in France. The place belongs to Marie's stepbrother (Eamon) lives.

          The night staying the house, Bourne decided to have a new life with Marie. In the following day, the Eamon's dog is nowhere to be found. Then Bourne asked Marie, Eamon and children to hide in the basement. Bourne with Eamon's shotgun exiting from door's entrance, he shot the explosive tank to distract Professor (Clive Owen). In the field, Bourne got the chance to shoot Professor and opened-up about the background the Treadstone. Eventually the assassin died, Bourne persuaded Marie to move away for safety. It is very inspiring moment saying good bye and losing hope not to see each other again. 

          Finally, Bourne makes a call to Conklin to meet with him, that's one of his strategies to track down the Treadstone Headquarters. There is no second thought, Bourne confronted Conklin and the Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) pointing the gun to them, he started to remember the lost memory of his real identity and the mission for not killing Wombosi. The reason, Bourne can not do his task because Wombosi's children are in the yacht. Wombosi awaken and shot Bourne twice at the back before jumping off to the open sea.  Afterwhich, Bourne wanted to be free from the shadow of Treadstone as requested to Conklin. Jason Bourne noticed that the conversations was tap in the radio, he managed to flee by killing two people. The last assassin named as Manheim shot to death Conklin, then Abbott shutdown the Treadstone. Then he presented the end of the project operation and proposed Blackbriar as the next operation. The ending showed that Marie had her own scooter's venture in Greece, as Bourne suddenly showed up. It was really a happy ending for the couple.

          The flow of the film directed was very entertaining in terms of the stunts acted by Matt Damon. The music blended during the fight scene, it adds interest to the viewers.

Rating: 9/10
Running Time: 1 hour and 56 minutes

Pep Talk in CAFe' by the Ruins

         After a half-day of of dealing with some documents in Baguio City Hall, I invited my buddy to continue our pep talk in Café by the Ruins. It easy to search the place, you just go straight forward exiting from the City Hall. Passing through the flag pole, move across at the main road, and then turn to the right side. The distance for about 2 minutes to the area, specifically along the Chuntug Street.  A cup of coffee with some bread to munch, the best place for a cozy chat moment with a friend.

Certified Green Thumb

After more than 2 years of waiting, I had seen my first chili plant bear its fruits from India. I brought this plant from Antipolo City, a gift from our rider in Handicap International Philippines last June 2010. The plant was transported so carefree not to break any branches, traveling back home to Baguio City.

The chili pepper plant was really one of a kind, since its fruit is color black. It is not the usual color of green or red planted in the backyard. The black chili brings more hot taste as condiments to food.

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. 

www.imdb.com

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.

http://en.wikipedia.org

         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.