Zombies in classic literature?
It’s funny how ‘fads’ could abruptly change things in our world.
When “Twilight” came into the big screen, I was almost surrounded by vampire-related books in bookstores, merchandise, clothes, body ointments (have you seen the body glitter product? oh dear…) and more! Once I was a very amazed and awestruck of everything vampire related. They were either sophisticated, sexily lustful, mighty intelligent or brashly handsome, I would readily let them suck my blood anytime! But now, with mainstream vampire genre going around, these ‘creatures’ has lost their appeal to me.
And just now, I found out zombies are also taking over parts of literature.
Personally, zombies are icky, gross and plainly the ultimate example of the walking undead. These creatures are often the things to shoot at in games and they are just the brainless dead meant to be ignored or destroyed when pestered by them. Recently, they had taken in a new ‘persona’, if I may call it that way, since they have weaved their way through classic literature and some recommendable readings.
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance – Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Zombie Jim: Mark Twain’s Classic with Crazy Zombie Goodness
- The War of the Worlds Plus Blood, Guts and Zombies
Gaah! What the heck is happening? Though in a way, I was mighty intrigued since I was so bored in reading anything created by Jane Austen, I wasn’t able to finish a single book of hers. LOL. Maybe, with this ‘version’, the result would be different. 
There are other intriguing literary titles that had taken a slight shift to current pop mainstream genres. You can check out:
I have a feeling this could aid non-bookworms to actually pick up a book and read. As a former officemate said, “with such fine reading, ahhh…there’s hope yet for literacy he he”. 
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To all my women friends…
To all my “girl friends”… I would like to greet everyone Happy International Women’s Day!
Every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated with a different UN theme. This year, 2010, the UN theme is “Empowering women can break the cycle of hunger and poverty. Daily, women are on the front line against hunger”.
Even if we are in times of modernization, where women walk side by side with men to continue the circle of life, there are still parts in this world wherein women are seen as low-lifes, not worthy of rights, and are abused.
International Women’s Day 2010 – Women: the Front line Against Hunger
Please send or forward this message of solidarity.
Let us support this women empowerment to fight hunger.
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Award Winning Japanese Movies
Every year, Japan Foundation Manila holds Eiga Sai. A Japanese film showing session for japanese language enthusiasts or for anyone who appreciates japanese flicks. Theme of films show would depend on the association. One time, it was all love stories, the next were horror flicks, and so on.
This time though, there seem to be a change in plans since documentaries have now taken the line-up of the said event.
As usual, Japan Foundation Manila has teamed up with Shangri-la Plaza and UP Film Institute to showcase Video Act! Japanese Documentary Film Now!” absolutely FREE. These are a combination of real life facts based on political, cultural and social issues in Japan.
NOTE: To view schedule of films, please click on image on left.
Here is a synopsis of each of the 5 award winning japanese films to be shown.
This year’s offering brings an especially satisfying choice of 5-films starting with the film shot in the Philippines titled, ‘Basura’ directed by Hiroshi Shinomiya. The film presents the lives of impoverished residents thriving to live and make a living in Smokey Mountain, a huge garbage dump site in the Philippines. This movie follows the life of the trash scavengers that the director covered and interviewed in his previous films.
‘A Normal Life, Please!’, directed by Tokachi Tsuchiya blows the lid on the Japanese government’s gradual easing of labour regulations, as an overworked truck driver takes up the flight for worker’s rights in Japan. The film won the 2009 Best Documentary in the 17th Raindance Film Festival in London and the Muhr Asia Africa Awards of the 6th Dubai International Film Festival.
‘Chain of Life – the Artistry of Mokuhanzome Kimono’, directed by Kaori Ishii, examines the life of an artisan who uses cherry blossom wood stamps to transform a solid piece of fabric into a kimono. This piece of fabric used the oldest dyeing technique in history, called Mokuhanzome wood print dyeing. Although this technique had once become almost extinct, in the artisan’s eyes, it appeared as something entirely new; and, that was where his exploration of the technique began.
The film ‘A Permanent Part-timer in Distress’ directed by Hiroki Iwabuchi chronicles the lives of freeters – a Japanese term referring to educated young people between the ages of 15 to 34 who are forced to work low-paying, unskilled part-time jobs. It also explores Iwabuchi’s journey as he becomes a spokesperson and lobbyist for the rights of freeters in Japan.
Finally, ‘The Sparkle of Fragments’, directed by Shinji Takahashi narrates the story of mentally ill patients at the Hirakawa Hospital attending plastic arts workshop. Most of them had never made any drawings before, but have gradually attached great importance to practice art as an irreplaceable act for their existence. The film won an Audience Award for Documentary at the 2008 Veseol International Film Festival of Asian Cinema in France.
Of course, all films will be shown with English subtitles. For detailed screening schedules and inquiries, please access the Japan Foundation, Manila website: www.jfmo.org.ph or call the JFM telephone numbers (+632) 811-6155 to 58.
NOTE: To view schedule of films, please click on image found above.
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Alice in Wonderland
The movie, Alice, is currently showing today at the malls. Much as I would want to go to the movie theaters right now, the concept of traffic and early work day tomorrow does not appeal to me so I’d wait for the weekend to watch.
Alice in Wonderland Story
Before I do so, I’m doing a bit of review on the alice in wonderland story. I was given a book many years ago by some relatives and since then, I grew to understand alice in wonderland story bit by bit. Most of the modern versions are simpler and far more understandable and some can be considered children’s book material. The original Alice story consisted of very long poems and some complex logic from characters. It takes time for one to appreciate the non-children’s version of Alice but it’s one literature that will definitely transcend for all time.
Just recently, my favorite ebook provider, WOWIO, emailed a newsletter of various alice in wonderland summary collection. I couldn’t believe there are so many versions of Alice already!
There’s a hi-resolution version of the original manuscript, a heroine on comics version, a mother and wife role, a remix warrior and others! It’s pretty amazing!
You can also try to check out this other Alice collection!
Read on people! They’re cool! :d
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