Maniac | We're lost without connection

"Once you begin to appreciate the structure of the mind - its modularity on a molecular scale, there's no reason to believe that anything about us can't be changed. The mind can be solved." 

- Dr. Mantleray

What if there are drugs that can help you hypothetically overcome and move on from your trauma permanently, however big it may be, will you try them? Maniac, named after the Norwegian series it was loosely based on, focused on two strangers, Owen Milgrim played by Jonah Hill and Annie Landsberg played by Emma Stone, who consented to a pharmaceutical trial and experienced an extraordinary connection in the process.

The limited series took place in a high-tech world with a retro vibe - retro-futurist as some reviews call it. The computers and other technologies looked different but the fashion and structures looked the same with what we have and actually likeable. The Japanese influence in the overall aesthetic gives a mood similar to Blade Runner - only not as chaotic, at least to me. The montage in the first episode with Dr. Mantleray's (played by Justin Theroux) voice-over generally explains the theme of the show.

Hypothesis: All souls are on a quest to connect.

Corollary: Our minds have no awareness of this quest.

Hypothesis: All the worlds that almost were, matter just as much the world we're in.

Corollary: These hidden worlds cause us great pain.

If you have seen the teaser, you might have thought that this limited series was really trippy because the characters were wearing gray overalls with changing flashing lights in a room. Once you start watching the episodes, you will find that the characters are participating in a pharmaceutical trial which aims to help them with their pain.

The concept is not difficult to grasp. The theme is about loneliness and the need to connect with people. It is about moving on and that the process can be as painful as facing the trauma all over again, because it's an essential part of the process.This series requires your attention because there are little details that are easy to miss - like the first time they almost met.

 Owen picked up the Rubik's cube which Annie threw

Wonderfully melancholic

Penny Dreadful Season 3 finale was also the series finale. Sadly, the series won't be returning with a new season, leaving some audience asking for more. The Blessed Dark (the last episode) showed us how the characters who we have followed since Night Work (first episode) embraced, fought for, and claimed their destiny.

There were some ways I would have wanted to change the choices made by the characters but in the end, I understood that the creators of Penny Dreadful would want to show that the characters could not do so much to escape their fate.

The opening scene of the last episode was utterly moving, preparing us for the ending we would not want to come. The lullaby was a warning that it wouldn't be a happy ending. But who was actually expecting for a happy ending when we knew from the start that the characters are doomed and scarred by their own sufferings? Part of the lullaby was from an old bedtime prayer for children.

When I was young

And scared of the world 

My mother would sing me a song 

A tune that I keep in a sacred place

Because I know that my life won't be long

It tells of the place where you go

When your time here on Earth is through 

A beautiful place we call heaven

Is it true? Please God I pray that it's true

'Cause once this land was heaven on Earth 

Green hills were all you could see

But now it's soot and steel and brick 

So it looks more like hell to me

And each day brings more and more suffering 

And each night is silence and fear

And I wake to the sound of your voice 

But you're not here, why aren't you here?

So now I lay me down to sleep

 I pray the Lord my soul to keep

Please let me die before I wake

So the Lord my soul, can take

Then maybe I'll finally find you

'Midst the beauty of paradise

And you'll sing not of dying but living

Wouldn't that be nice?

Wouldn't that be nice?

Some of the scenes that I love from the finale are as follows. Dorian Gray and Lily conversed about the consequences of immortality and losing the passion to live as time wears one out. In the end, Lily chose to leave Dorian and claimed her independence from men.

The team fought against Dracula to save Vanessa Ives.

Ethan and Vanessa finally met after being miles apart for a long time.

 Sir Malcolm asked Ethan if he wishes to stay. Ethan acknowledged his family in London.

¡Grandes peliculas!

I think I've said enough that I love watching films during our free time. There were weeks when we watched at least a film every night especially when the TV series that we've been following were on break. But when school works eat up my supposedly free time at home, there's no way that we could watch at least one. I came across films in Spanish language that were actually great. Most of these films fall under either the thriller or horror genre, and sometimes both. I am going to list them down here because someone who's looking for thriller/horror films to watch may stumble upon this post, so I'll share my suggestions. I will list them in no particular order and maybe I'll share some thoughts about them but not to the point of spoiling.

El espinazo del diablo. This film was from one of my favorite directors, Guillermo del Toro. It is about friendship, fitting in, revenge in a Spanish civil war setting. There was ghost haunting within the drama. If you've watched at least one film directed by Guillermo del Toro, this film feels familiar when you watch it.

El Cuerpo. This one is a thriller full of twists, you may or may not figure out until the end. I usually like guessing about motives of the characters in the film (in real life too, at times) and I may say that a lot of times my guess seems right. I did not fully guess the ending of this one because as I've said, it's twisted but engaging.

Films worth your watch

"What do you usually do on weekends?" our school head asked me yesterday. Aside from doing chores at home, traveling to malls for groceries or window shopping, we also spent our time watching movies and interesting series in the comforts of our own room. What's else there to do? We seldom go to parks because it's too hot outside, it's better to stay at home.

Before finally dozing to sleep almost every night, we would watch a film from horror, thriller, or romantic-comedy, or drama genre. It happens that we sometimes run out of films to watch, so we switched to continuing TV series we missed. Sometimes, my husband is too sleepy to finish what we started watching, so I ended up looking out for the film's ending on my own. I actually found pretty decent films that are worth your time and I'd like to share those here.

Dial A Prayer. This movie came out early this year. It is surprisingly nice, actually and does not only cater to Christians, but to the general audience. The story deals about facing the consequences of one's actions and second chances. This movie reminds me that when you're genuinely helping other people, that goodness will come back to you in ways you may never know. It takes faith to change. This may be slow-paced, but it's worth watching.

"So, where are we headed?"

Someday, This Pain Will Be Useful To You. Released in 2011, I think it's not too late for me to have found this gem. Firstly, the title suggests that it's a sad movie, but I liked it that it has a hopeful ending. The story is about a teenager who does not know how to socialize with people his age. He prefers to be alone and to not pursue college, which concerns his family. As I followed the main character through the film, I can say that I empathize with him when he finally accepted and knew what he really is. Slow-paced story but the soundtrack is great!

"Do you know how to dance?"

Before We Go. There has been a lot of stories about two strangers already. Richard Linklater's Before trilogy is one of my faves. This movie is actually likeable. The main characters are not flashy and their back stories can be believable. Upon seeing the movie, I got the feeling that I was part of their few hours of adventure. If you enjoy watching two people exchanging dialogues, you won't have a problem seeing this one, not to mention the interesting quotes from the characters. Chris Evans did great in acting and directing in this film.

"Well, what if you're wrong?"

I'll just share this three films for now with the song by Taken by Trees in the background. :)

On love and heartbreaks

It's funny how a lot of people can relate to the romantic-comedy film "That Thing Called Tadhana," as if heartbreaks are universal. Isn't it?

The story is about two strangers who met and embarked on an adventure based on impulsive decisions while talking about and relating their lives and lost love. The film was packed with conversations, so natural and simple. The use of swear words of Mace and Anthony (the characters in the film) made the conversations more appealing and honest. I guess people might have identified themselves in the characters because of this. And, it was not usual to watch a film that hit the mainstream cinemas with such use of profanity. A lot have been quoting lines from the film with funny hashtags. It's no wonder though because Ms. Antoinette Jadaone, the film director, won various awards for best screenplay.

The film also reminds me of Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy, it's just more relaxed and funny.

A scene from 'Before Sunrise'

So, are heartbreaks universal? And where do broken hearts go?

When you love and you have invested time, effort, commitment, and whatever on that love, it becomes a part of you, of your system. And when that love begins to move away from you or when something went wrong, the more you long for that love and your mind tries to find it, only to get an Error 404 in return, that's the time emptiness and sadness creep in. Thus, a heartbreak.

I don't know where broken hearts go but I do believe that it may take time, a new hobby, a new environment for them to find their way home. I knew some friends whose hearts are still healing and trying to get over their past relationships. It takes time.

A scene from 'That Thing Called Tadhana'

I used to imagine that having a heartbreak from relationships that did not work quite well would be a good experience. You know, the experience might make me stronger besides the pain. I used to think that maybe, I'd like to have one good heartbreak before finally meeting the one. But it did not happen, because I met the one soon enough. (And that's the reason why I cannot relate much to the characters in the film Tadhana.) We get pretty heartaches from our relationship - heartaches that won't cause us to move away from each other, instead, those cause us to choose each other no matter what, every time. Because that's real love, choosing one another even when there are ifs and buts.

I recommend the film to those who want to laugh and to believe in the power of tadhana, and please watch it in theatres instead of downloading it! Show your support to our local filmmakers. :)