The Shining by Stephen King (1977)

My Rating: 5/5

this book was terrific. i can’t help but comparing my family with Torrances as Overlook hotel caretakers and how we completely gone mad right after some darkest events from the past had slowly begun to unveil. an outrageous past that would badly affect inhabitants state of mind. All three of us (me, mama & uncle) soon to be the sacrificial lambs ravenously shared by hotel predators. of course, it’s going to be a biggest controversy in our family history if i started spilling out the whole schemes, so let me wander your colorful imagination instead. you as puppeteer in charge for this game.

i really liked the concept of the story. i admired how it was being created by legendary King. that type of story where it proves you that the most dangerous nemesis you’ve got to face is YOU. the transition of your well being alongside with the current strong influence of inexplicable whiff. then you are beginning to extract from shadow of memory how metamorphosis was developed in the first place, letting your viewers the freedom to magnify and systematically unravel the data from your head. just what Jack Torrance did to his readers (the books was written in omniscient POV) comparing his educational background with his predecessor named Gary and eventually introducing his almighty father. like father like son chronicles has been unfolded. consequently, he was engulfed by bad spirits of the Hotel & was forced to unmask his true self.

OMG! the wasp. the symbol of wasp in the entire book. 

“When you unwittingly stuck your hand into the wasps’ nest, you hadn’t made a covenant with the devil to give up your civilized self with its trappings of love and respect and honor. It just happened to you. Passively, with no say, you ceased to be the creature of the nerve endings; from college educated man to walking ape in five easy seconds.”

this is very relatable quote. 

it made me want to go back watching Netflix crime drama, MINDHUNTER. one of my favorite episodes was Ed Kemper’s revelations on his homicidal techniques and also the haunting of hill house. it’s not just about fucking ghost that scares, you know. the family history could be one, the reputation of hotel is another; the interconnection between these mysterious combo history definitely makes it shine.

PS: hey, blog!😁

Jessica Jones (s1, 2015)

Created by Melissa Rosenberg
13 episodes
@ Netflix
My Rating: 5/5

JESSICA JONES was part of Marvel Cinematic Universe under female creation and supervision of Melissa Rosenberg. Characters were based from Marvel comic books, Alias, only then Rosenberg and staff added Trish Walker on the scene making her the only living person Jessica has to protect. Trish "Patsy" Walker is an iconic hero "hellcat" in comic world and the possibility of these two blended together in one as sisterly best friends was great combination indeed. The first episode was not a typical show from MCU performing a series of heroic actions, in fact, it's about a woman who suffered from PTSD. Jessica had been controlled by this man who has an ability to let people do what he wants. The mind-control thing was hardest to overcome, albeit Jessica's super strength. She's been abducted by Kilgrave for almost a year. Subversive Jessica, however, managed to escape from him, quietly back in the hole, doing her niche as sole owner of "Alias Investigations," a small private investigative firm. She was regularly clad in black, leatherly jacket with boots on ready for a battle except that she avoided to go on hunting bad guys around the City that never sleep. The central theme span around sexuality, assault, rape and truama.

One of my favorite scenes from the show was in the middle of 4th episode when Jessica was throwing tantrums on these two dope blaming her on the incident she has no idea what was about. If you would like to get connected what it was, then I suggest to look for Avenger movie where the battle happens in New York. It was perfect scene that I'd like Jessica Jones rewarded for accurately heralding a point what every quirkless human being deserved to hear. The same thought had emerged when Government was hardly upbraided if a person ended up jobless or professors put on a blame if a student got bad grades. Although the latter part was susceptible to debate, it's all up to somebody how to win remarkably just like what she did. And David Tennant who played Kilgrave was perfect on his role. He was really  passionate and took Jessica to be his slave. I like his accent, and the way he articulates every poisonous requests thickened from his morbid breath... it's like a drug, yo. Hits really high when conversation goes like this (note: their confrontation was befallen unequal from the scene just to avoid spoilers):

Old woman: She's a slut! 

Killgrave: Why do you think Jessica's a slut? Rephrase it this way... What will you do if someone was calling you a hoe, barely acting like one in the first place? Tell me the truth. *threatening voice is on* 

Old woman: I want to slap them. 

Jessica: *directing Kilgrave to let the old woman free with no punishment*

Jesus Christ! Killgrave was a cray cray piece of shit you should restrain from hearing, otherwise you'll be literally drag down to hell. He would make the world span with the click of his purple tongue and Tennant did an amazing performance to prove he's one of a kind actor that could give justice to given character. Moreover, Krysten Ritter who played JJ was absolutely amazing actress. She was able to deliver her part effortlessly, and her charming countenance and active brows added points when she blurted out sarcasm and cursed weirdos crossing her way. That's why I was intrigued to get to know more of her acting style, perhaps I'll start with the show, "Breaking Bad," which I've heard it received a highest critical acclaim.

I liked it. I somehow see myself to Jessica, wearing sullen faces all day, determined to detach from drama unexpectedly brought by fate and lead her own methods without leaving a trace or two but the drinking habit is not normal for the eyes of normal person as me. She gulped whiskey for animation as baby sucked milk from mother cow for nutrition, but this fueled her fearlessly to catch Kilgrave right on the hook. When two began executing a scene it made the whole room purplish and quite menacing. Jessica spat great animosity and Kilgrave, on the other hand, displayed his obsession for taking over a giant fish out of frying pan. I wish I had seen more scenes from two of my favorite characters. As I've mentioned earlier, Rosenberg able to attached Patsy Walker which reasonably adds vibrant on the show. And Luke Cage with fragile heart yet unbreakable skin was a hot guy you don't want to miss from Marvel franchise. This show is a winner!

Stranger Things (s2, 2017)

Created by Duffer Brothers
9 episodes
@ Netflix
My rating: 3.8/5

Chapter One: MADMAX

Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak

Chapter Three: Pollywog

Chapter Four: Will the Wise

Chapter Five: Dig Dug

Chapter Six: The Spy

Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister

Chapter Eight: The Mind Flayer

Chapter Nine: The Gate

I think the list of chapters above will help you visualised what was going on the show. Season 2 is already out on Netflix, so see it for yourself if you're a big fan from the previous season. I was expecting more thrills to come out from this season since Eleven, a kid who has special or kind of strange power to control things in strange way, was overcome by Demigorgon the monster and we're more hyped to figure out how could she be able to escape out from the other dimension inhabited by these ugly carnivores. It was Eleven who's responsible for opening the gate that gives way for monsters entering the real world and continuously roaming around in Hawkins town looking for the next victim. It was El's high pitch scream which breaks the laboratory wall and opens up portal for the hostile to hunt. But whoever triggers her to scream that out loud it was her Papa, the enemy. To understand more what I'm talking about you should watch the first one before jumping to the second one. Simply logic!

Now that she has opened it, is there a way to close the gate through her own strenght and makes the world a better place?

Here's the pilot episode opens Will Byers gradual recovery after the darkest trauma he'd encountered in alternate-dimension. Will's perspective is the chief thing that will help us to get to know more about the slimy monsters, and it wasn't El's, so don't let your eyesight off from him. The other characters were sort of distraction and went sideways from main objective. One thing I don't particularly admire from new casting was MADMAX. The new image kiddo all the way from California. Her role on this show is somewhat sluggish and I was annoyed every time she steps into the scene like I was right at the corner thinking why it takes Demigorgon too long to gulp this character alive. I don't know exactly, but that how it turns out for me. What producers were being planned was making her an element to provoke other kids as a form of love interest and for testing one's loyalty. Like really? I think what they needed to improve was a compelling script for MADMAX become more acceptable. Max is good at skateboarding, but still not very entertaining.

Another new cast from the show, that was quite opposite from what I thought of MADMAX overall character, was Bob aka newbie superhero at Hawkins besides Hopper. It was bubbly Bob encouraged Byers family to fight for good and stay alive no matter what daily risks are kept shadowing. His wisdom and special talent in computer programming saved the world. I liked him. So I guess, whatever Maxine or Max or Madmax flaws on the show could be tolerable, because of him maintaining the balance.

Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister. You might be wondering who's sister are they referring to whom? It was El's. She's not her biological sister or anything connected by blood, but instead her company or other patient from Hawkin's Lab. Kali has that quirks same as what El is capable of doing and also her punk appearance represents as rebellion which influence El to become one. Seriously, this whole episode is another overrated. It ran a single episode to introduce this lil girl and, I think, it wasn't much needed to elaborate that longer than 45 minutes or maybe again the staff were trying to show us 80's style of punk. Like "Yow! This is how convincing, fearlessly bitchin' we are in 80's. Millennials, show us what you got." Nevertheless, I have my own theory about this girl for the upcoming season 3. I think she's going to team up with El and together be called as heroes the "mind blowers" or something to fight back the gigantic monsters. Be ready to scream out loud for more surprising events.

Now if you'll ask me who's my favorite character for this season then it goes to William Byers. This boy nailed it. I thanked Duffer Brothers for making him a star for this season, 'cause if you remember the last time he disappeared his character was almost getting killed or should I say almost next to nothing. I barely see his own potential in acting because he's been cocooned at doom unlike from his friends Mike, Dustin, Lucas who moved freely from their feet. Will played by actor Noah Schnapp was absolutely great the entire episodes. I liked him screaming his lungs out, terrified and all, convinced me that he was possessed by hideous parasites and that he simply wanted to live the way normal kids did in his neighborhood. His soft character makes you think that he deserves a better life. He's very very convincing indeed.

And my favorite episode would be Chapter Eight. This is the beginning of all suspense. All emotions were plainly laid on the table. All in all the show was really entertaining except the first four, the suspense level was high, very imaginative. The cinematography was perfect. The only thing that bothers me is maybe the new casting and its slow pace to maintain the thrill. So for now, 3.8/5. 

Rick And Morty (s1, 2013)

Created by Justin Roiland & Dan Harmon

11 episodes

@ Adult Swim
My Rating: 5/5

I've been very busy my whole life making school stuff (that's why you don't see me often doing some book updates), but somehow I managed to cheer myself up a bit by watching this adult animated show. It sort of a ritual habit at night, watching few episodes before prefinals due persistently knocked on my door. After all, earning at least passing grade is more important than dealing with own happiness. (By Jove!)

In pilot episode, here comes a narcissist scientist once uttered some striking line in deadpan manner that "School is not a place for smart people," and spending time with it, sitting around, listening to a guy in front of class is completely waste of energy, said he, as he supports his first statement above. I swear, I guffawed at this "unpopular" opinion he has been telling while facing at their ceremonial breakfast, whereas the rest of the family were ready on their best position for drawing back confrontations. What a start! This show is going to be my favorite this year and I can justify it by surmising its stimulating plotline: a constant flight to multiverse. The contents of the show has some mixtures of satirical and witty scripts, imaginative sketch and catchy catchphrase and, well, a lil bit of obscenity.

Wubba lubba dub dub!

My favorite character from the show is Rick Sanchez, of course. Without him there'll be neither craziest ideas evolved inside and outside this planet. He's an alcoholic, eccentric, mad scientist who often dragged his unintelligent grandson, Morty, from school through his rigmarole inter-galactic adventures. He's type of grandpa I want to have my own, insanely sophisticated person. However, the world is full of shit, but if there's someone who's willing to accompany you throughout this mess, I believe, it's going to be a marvelous trip. That's why I want to join forces with Rick and Morty even at slightest time I have left during the night. Lately, I've just realized that a quality time in explorations with someone, who has profound knowledge on stuff you don't have better understanding yet, for instance, an application to major subjects like science and math, are somehow a great opportunity to be aware of how does things work in the field. Morty kid is lucky to have his grandpa living with him on the same roof and am sure he's going to be smart person when he grew up. Hopefully, not same level with Rick geniuses have. Again, base on my own opinion, hands on exercise is better enhancement to our mind. No matter how foolishly it ended as long as we have enjoyed the process and learned something new. Go, grab it, motherf****r!

Episode 7: Raising Gazorpazorp

It's a sci-fi, comedy show and the episode that I couldn't forget from this season would be "Raising Gazorpazorp". I admit it has raunchy business occurred where Morty kid was involved, but, you know, puberty strikes when you're at your age of fourteen. His parents were aware of it and somehow proud of son's development relating to his body changes. Morty successfully brought sex robot souvenir from other planet and robot, Gwendolyn, labor a space alien, a baby boy that might turn into a monster and gulp each human being. Everyone gets panicking. Rick and Summer, Morty's sister, found out that Gwendolyn was from Gazorpian planet where women rule since passive aggression strikes. LOL Summer's debut on outer space was pretty hilarious and the best thing I've seen so far. The theme flips from Morty's parenthood to Summer's intellectual response about gender issues.

The show runs less than 30 minutes and the advantage of this series is that you don't have to watch it in sequence just to grasp each meaning. I loved it. And am currently watching the 2nd and last season. So stick with me and all together we talk about its progress in the animated world.

have you seen her?

When I was reading book and glancing on top of my wall looking some space for mental reenactment from crumbs of lines I've read, I came into a sudden halt. Here's Charice's indispensable feature, dashing a cute smile at my direction. Her youthful, bright face which I admired for the longest time of my life. A cut out picture from magazine I pinned long ago.

This is the right angle from where I was sitting.

She's been part of my musical chest before she'd gained international popularity and everyone close to me knew my addiction to her --- check on my playlist, group discussion I joined on facebook, person I frequently stalked on twitter --- it's Charice. There were times I couldn't stop daydreaming, standing on real stage next to her and singing one of my favorites from her released album, Pyramid. (And am still hoping it will come to reality, but that's not the point I'm writing this to catch attention. You wronged me.) A sudden utter astonishment shrouded over my once broken soul; mimicking, crooning along with her angelic voice outpouring inside my ears. Old days brought me tears.

It would be a transparent phony on my part if I refused to say I wasn't badly affected when she turned into lesbian. Of course, I was hurt. I could not even recall how many times I played her public interview with Boy Abunda, trying to convince myself that I heard it wrong, that she muttered incoherently out of her own delirium, that she was under depression and I want to scream to the press to leave her alone and be back when she's sober. But she admitted and comitted to it. She's tomboy.

Numerous ubiquitous critiques slammed her on internet (well, it wasn't the first time really). And some articles had released their phony congratulatory address for confessing and being truthful to herself. She's living a happy life that she's been hiding for too long. A part of me was happy, part of me was wounded.  One thing silly about the whole thing was I stopped my passion for singing. For real. I remembered when I was in High School joining a local singing competition, auditioning in X Factor, because she's one of judges and even performing ballad songs (Charice's favorites) live on stage at feast, school, everywhere. It was funny days that I could not help but stifled a laugh for trying to recall it in details. I suddenly felt awkward when my friends from HS teased me.

But I totally change. I only sing in karaoke at special occasion with limited and familiar crowd.

There's nothing wrong of being what she is. And I wasn't berating because of her sex identity, not that at all. It was the new taste dispensed me from her that she has changed her voice into more masculine. Her changes makes me baffled, that, for me, there's a special bond has been cut and gradually faded when she came out in public, appeared opposite as what she'd been before. My intense desire on her own recordings, especially the new ones coming out in the market has been waned. I seldom listened to her current embraced music, and sometimes I rolled my eyes when she's telling the media how deeply in love she is ('cause, for me, it was one reasons why), sometimes I stopped praising her performance; turned off TV and leave her be. It was stupid reactions. I want to hit my head so hard for being selfishly sore asshole and inexplicably childish toward a human being who was hoping for acceptance and respect. Then, this tweet shocked the hell out of me.

I cried. I cried. Let out a long sigh for what I have done. I knew even before her confession that she was endlessly mocked by those trolls, co artists, phonies. And I was able to defend her case until such time I was out of energy to crush those bashers one by one. If there's anything I wish dearly hear from her that is forgiveness. It's true saying: Saka mo lang makikita ang tunay na kahalagahan ng isang tao kung wala na ito. (You can only see the true value of a person, when he/she is gone.) I am so sorry, Cha, for not wholeheartedly accepting what you are, for being so selfish, fake flatterer, for not protecting you once (in your new suit). Sure, what I plainly say here was just only a small thing from "ordinary person as me", but you really mean a lot to me. Your disappearance in public makes me fidgeted. I badly want to hear from you and I hope that you've fully recovered from previous painful months you are in.

I missed your sweet voice. Maybe I was too attached on your delicate, little self, but, Cha, please, believe me this time ... I love you. It was foolish of me not to stick around with you. I missed you so much. Please, be back soon. And tell us you're okay.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1945)

My Rating: 5/5

After reading Holden's account of 3 days he had spent round New york, I began to miss watching Old Saul (James Franco) whom appeared to be a lazy dealer of weeds in action-comedy movie, Pineapple Express. If anyone of you knew the movie and liked it as much as I did, what about play electrical songs of your choice as mark of our friendship. It went me utterly crazy watching the whole thing dubbed, though. Here are our local TV stations have made extra effort dubbed foreign movies in Tagalog like Filipinos watching picture are so dumb enough to make out English words. Yeah, maybe that's the point, still you remained immobile and absolutely enjoyed the plot outline and all. So you're going to stick on the couch, watching. Anyway, Saul is not completely asshole. It was funny story and gory at the same time.

The book was written in first person, of Holden's own perspective, but if you are searching for articulate prose to cradle, I apologise to say it's not the one for you. There were numbers of profanities and inappropriate behavior of a teenager smoking, trying to be sexy, attempted to drink hard stuff but badly ended up with soft and went stark insane just thinking for ducks going away during winter. Where did the flock of ducks go away in winter, by the way? Too bad I live in this tropical country and am neither biologist to figure out where did they go to comfort their feathery soul. Unlike human creativity, we can provide radiator or collect wood for fire to warm up bodies, but what about ducks exactly doing in place covered with frost?! Yeah, the way Holden think makes you wonder the same thing. Makes you nuts, I mean. One funny thing I remembered was when he curiously asking himself what nun, an English teacher he just met, would think if she was reading sexy books, Eustacia Vye perhaps of Thomas Hardy's classical creation. I guess, it is the authors logical thinking too to write down in blurb as warning sign if seductive stuff like that exists, right?

Holden Caulfield was not slightly different from Saul I have mentioned earlier or was not different from anybody else, even me. He was kicked out from school many times, immature, usually bellyaching when he came across with these folly, pretentious phonies, and mentally bashing morons for being such moron. He's kind of bored on things conventionally existed that I could reflect myself to him as my male version. He's horsing around or teasing somebody whenever he's on best mood doing it, but that's not what the cover up there is really implying to. It's not what you think he is horseplaying all the time, but rather a carousel doodle.

Holden, on the other hand, is catcher in the Rye that whenever kid is about to fall from edge of the cliff he's right there supporting or helping kid be back playing in the rye without any harm. This is what he fancied his niche about, he was a catcher or children's protector. I really appreciate him for that. Her sister Phoebe, for instance, if Phoebe was old enough and have read his brother Holden short composition it would definitely make her bawl. No one is perfect and I'm glad Holden has golden heart remained which would untie him from mistakes. I am sure he has getting back, hauling his ass off to school and fulfills his ideal dream as... maybe a school teacher or whatever jobs close to the kids.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (1996)

My Rating: 5/5

Alright. It simply reminds me back or sort of déjà vu feeling from Stranger Things show I had recently watched, where a despicable Demigorgon dwelt in murky, wet and unpleasant Upside Down setting. A kind of story that could somehow relate to Neverwhere, because of its quick flip from place to another place, from lightness to blackness. But the only thing differ is that there's a large community has took fancy in living underneath London. That sounds gross, I know. London Below is accommodated by a thousands of ragged, bizarre beings ---- burglars, vagabonds, nomads, hapless ---- whose entire stinky image cannot be seen by ordinary eyes living in London Above. They're those low profile conventionally ignored by fastidious elites, extending one hand on the street begging for anything that could satisfy their needs. Gaiman is definitely a genuis hero in constructing a slots for them to be recognised as one group striving on same path, nevertheless clamored to live peacefully beneath the earth.

Richard Oliver Mayhew has pure heart and soul lived a normal life in London Above, managed a good job, and had beautiful fiancee until it all vanished in an instant after helping a young girl bleeding on the road whose name was Door. You will offer a hand too if you were in Richard's position, no doubt, but something... something uncontrollable volition that urges Richard to do such thing. What if he's the one? (a thought that might be playing, unexpectedly.) Afterwards Richard's life turned downright bemused, he was literally become invisible, ignored by people he used to work with. No one could see him except those who reside downside, and, so he was determined of finding Door, who's right to be blamed all his misfortune, hoping his life back to normal again.

Richard fumbled all the way to unfathomable chamber of madness uncertain what fate awaits him under. Is death could be sole answer from all his misery inflicted or is there any miracle that could save him as payback from all good things he's shown that angels above knew it all? The chap Richard reminds me completely from the guy who gave this book to me as a Christmas gift way back a year and a half ago. Weirdest --- I mean also the best--- thing though is that his name too appeared to be almost just like Neil himself, Nielbert. The latter and protagonist are both good-natured, trustworthy and a good friends. Richard few peculiarities are afraid of heights and claustrophobic. Two qualities to reconsider to withhold him from dangerous undertaking, but he did remarkable and unforgettable history anyway.

The story was lavishly twisted, mysterious and surprisingly hilarious to the bone. I laughed from clumsiness of our hero and amazed at the same time from what he turned out into. Door was also playing an important role that somehow taught readers to be brave enough to stand firm. She lost her family and I know exactly how it feels to be an orphan, but she endured the pain and become dauntless Lady of Temple And The Arch. Hunter too makes you believe that nothing is impossible. The plotline was completely ravishing, bright ideas oozed its way; ceaseless fights thud one's heart while reading it, the villains too were ridiculously eloquent. I freaking loved it. I missed everything from Above down Below. It somehow drag me to other grotesque dimension and cast about. I begged for more, because the ending will make the one left wonder. What happened to Anaesthesia? Is she really really dead? What about something magical on her beads? Tell me moreee.

She glanced at the little fires across the room. Then she looked back at Richard. She smiled again. "Do you like cat?" she said."Yes," said Richard. "I quite like cats."Anaesthesia looked relieved. "Thigh?" she asked."Or breast?"

One important thing I've learned from it was the hunger for something worthwhile, not repetitive, not convetional you ought to be doing every day. Somewhat an explorations that could help widen the horizon. Maybe this is reason why I loved reading a lot. I may be scarced from any resources needed, but books is one portal away from dome of nothingness. Books add color to a dull life. And I'm glad I've encountered Gaiman's rare stories on my reading challenge. Searching for more, yay!