I was seven years old when i watched my first movie. Vividly, i still remember my father putting the book like Betamax tape inside our then, technologically advanced Betamax Player. I still remember how butterflies seemed to flock around, flying inside my stomach. I was excited, yes; and probably nervously anticipating what’s in store in the following minutes. Perhaps i have known in my gut that something magical and extraordinary will start to happen; so magical and so beyond my small, confined thinking, that the event would leave a lingering imprint in my memory.

The movie was Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory.

No words would ever be enough to describe how wondrous the effect of such magic happening before a seven-year old kid’s eyes. My heart was so full, my mind racing with thoughts and possibilities. The experience changed me; it awakened something absolutely positive and inspiring, it opened my mind to a different world, so beautifully different to our small country town where amazing things happen, where the streets seem to have a life of its own, where men lived to find their dreams. That such a world existed, that such a world is achievable became the guiding light on which my life’s path began to unravel.

At seven years old, i became a dreamer.

I became a dreamer and a movie addict.

Twenty one years later, that kid who lived in that small country town is still a movie addict. I am no longer just a dreamer though as i have learned throughout the years that dreams are merely the starting point of even greater things; now, i am actualizing those dreams and taking the right path.

Hopefully.

Because at 28, i still am weak. I falter a lot. And i still depend on movies to awaken something magical; i still watch a a good movie to pump up my creative juice; i still go back to watching a movie everytime solitude beckons.

And this is where my list starts.

1. Schindler’s List
I wasn’t able to watch Schindler’s List when it was first shown and won the awards it so richly deserved back in 1993. So when i got the chance to watch it the first time two years ago, i know that i will be swept away. And i was. The depth of the story and the value placed on life, on human life, is extraordinary. The movie is not about war or the Jews or the Nazis. It is about hope and about the triumph of the human spirit. Quote:Whoever saves one life, saves the whole world.

2. Malena
The first thing that drew me towards the movie was of course the beautiful Monica Belluci. Ms. Belluci is one of the greatest beauty i have ever seen on the screen (forgive me, i just have to say that). I could write a hundred poems just describing her beauty. So casting her to play that mysterious and seemingly perfect Malena Scordia who captivates every man who lay eyes upon her, young and old alike, was perfect. It is a movie about sensual awakenings, yes. But to me, Malena is more about the evolution of a young man’s perception of the world; how he has come to realize that the world can be cruel and irrational and unjust and that one must do his best to be positively different, to start something that is good.

3. La Mala Educacion (Bad Education)
I have been a long-time fan of Pedro Almodovar’s film making. His movies are dark, comedic, and yet deep, thought provokin... ]]> ~alfredluarca http://alfredluarca.deviantart.com/journal/14074839/ http://alfredluarca.deviantart.com/journal/14074839/ Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:27:29 PDT
My subscription has run out and i hope i would be able to get one soon as looking through updates without the thumbnails could become a really tedious task especially when you have 900+ unopened new submissions to look over after days of not being able to check in.

Will update soon....

Shout out and personal greetings to my most favorite people here in DA:



]]> ~alfredluarca http://alfredluarca.deviantart.com/journal/13086311/ http://alfredluarca.deviantart.com/journal/13086311/ Fri, 25 May 2007 08:44:59 PDT
Almost four weeks ago, i suffered from Urinary Track Infection which was caused by my NOT drinking enough water for so long a time (i usually drink C2 Iced Tea). For more than a week my fever was terrible as it shoot up to 40+ Centigrade; everytime my fever shoots up, i suffer from an almost hallucinatory state where i begin to imagine things and my mind just wont stop grinding aside from the fact that i felt like i was being burned at the stake! (Yes, it was really, really terrible)

And on the fifth day of my illness, i just couldnt bear it anymore and my fever shoot up to the highest and i told my mom and my cousin to bring me to the hospital. After 8 gruelling hours of waiting and some initial laboratory testing, we finally got a room. They gave me injections of liquid paracetamol to lower down my fever. Thankfully, that helped a lot. I stayed in the hospital for three days and undergone so many tests as the doctors wanted to make sure its just UTI thats actually attacking my system. Thankfully again, all my tests were okay.

BUT eventhough i was out of the hospital, the week that followed was still not too well. I still had some occassional fever attacks. Basically, i wasnt STILL feeling my topmost.

It was only this week that i began to feel that im regaining my old self again. Thank the high heavens.

^^^

CHANGES!

Obviously, due to what ive gone through, i decided to change my lifestyle and began to be more concerned about my health.

1. I drastically reduced my smoking. From my usual, gee, how many packs of cigarettes a day TO just 5 sticks per day.

2. I began to really drink 8 glasses of water per day and totally abandoned drinking C2 Iced Tea.

3. I began sleeping earlier than my usual bedtime which was around 4am then. (Now its strictly 1-130am)

4. I stopped skipping meals which i was really guilty of before i got sick.

5. I began to really eat REAL food.

6. I promised myself that i wont be drinking alcoholic beverages anytime soon OR i wont drink if dont feel like drinking or if i feel that my body isnt just conditioned to drink.

7. I began to see that i abused myself; let my work abused me; and how i allowed the people around me abuse me. (And it is to be put to a STOP!)

8. Most importantly, i began to appreciate my family more. I realized how much they love me and how greatly they treasure me. That really made an imperative impact on how i view life now and how i willed myself to change my self-destructive lifestyle.

^^^

I so missed my great artist friend Angelles who have also been away for the past weeks. Glad youre back now Gells and hope we could see more great art from you in the coming weeks.

^^^

TRIBUTES

I just want to profusely thank the ever so generous STOCK ARTISTS here on DA who have shared their art to aspiring artists such as i am. Your works have truly aided in the delivery of the messages that i would want my works to put across.

I salute all of you and i am ever so thankful.


~alfredluarca http://alfredluarca.deviantart.com/journal/12522870/ http://alfredluarca.deviantart.com/journal/12522870/ Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:08:00 PDT Prelude