Anno Domini 2009

May it be joyful and bountiful, may it find you in the company of those you love...

I have nothing better to do presents: Gabriel- Theology Vampirica

General disclosure:

If you are a Puertorrican woman in your thirties, you know about the eternal struggle. Mostly all of the Island's pop fandom is forced to choose, or walk the path carefully. Allow me to explain:

Ricky Martin__________?_________Chayanne

I've mostly chosen ?, which means that between Ricky and Chayanne I'll always choose Brad Pitt. However, when there is no in between, I'll go for San Lorenzo.

The point is I guess, even if I find him easy on the yes, I am not a Chayanne Fan, so when they told me he was going to be making a mini series, I said good. When they told me the series subject was vampires I signed in with a trembling hand.

This will be a loooong one peoples...

I went into GABRIEL with low expectations, not because of their choice of cast (although Jose Luis Rodriguez sent a bad shiver down my spine), but because of my fear of a weak script. Other than Guillermo del Toro, I haven't stumbled upon a writer that could spin a horror flick in Spanish without turning it in to a ham and cheese sandwich. It is the peril of the Spanish language. Too old, too rich; and people tend to forget that vampires are malleable creatures, chameleons of sort whose business is adapt or die. I really feared to hear what these vamps had to say. I was bracing for the 18th century brain on the streets of South Beach. I was pleasantly surprised that the dialogue was neither excessively cliched, nor ridiculously casual ( I'm still struggling with TWILIGHT, I'm sorry, it was a traumatizing experience).

Still I couldn't believe how they managed to avoid all the trappings and pit falls of the genre while sticking to a classic story. I am not being negative about the production, but I did start with doubts, so my review is kind of a photographic exposure one... bring out the light outlined by the negative.

Lots of things could have gone wrong, for example, the supernatural within itself. Not only did we have vampires, but also witches, ghosts and psychics. However, the writer took all in consideration and triangulated the three women in a sort of maiden mother and crone formation that pushed the narrative forward. One character knows the past, the other deals with the present and the third woman looks into the future with the knowledge and strenght provided by her two confidants.

Another well balanced element is that of the original source of the vampire. In this case, this being a Latin American production, they gave the old European aristocrat it's well deserved twist as vampirisim is a curse born of a land tired of being bathed in the blood of the innocent victims of "La Conquista." It also fits perfectly with the idea of an battle that can span ages, the conquistador trying to eradicate a mongrel bloodline that thrives even as the world he once believed an empire slowly collapses and dies.

And then there is the point that separates this particular series from any other, a character exploration venue that Anne Rice learned to master with subtlety and hardly no other writer dares to tackle: the theological implications of eternal life in a mortal plane. I was hit unexpectedly by a tale of redemption that managed to give good it's place without turning out to be excessively preachy.

I've always had a problem with the portrayal of the forces of good in vampire fiction, specially when it comes to spiritual matters. Good is always represented by the hunter, or the priest, the problem with these characters is that somewhere along the way, they become failing archetypes. They either loose their way or their faith, and in turn, dig their own graves.

In GABRIEL, the power of good and evil are complementary in the scale of things. They manifest themselves no more in the realm of monsters and the supernatural, than they do in our own. Vampires are just thrown into the mix, they are no greater than the best of sinners or more mystic than the best of saints. They are creatures of choice and consequence. For the first time, since Anne Rice injected this piece of cannon into the vampire mythos, someone else has the stones to flesh it out. Vampires are body, spirit and soul, just like anyone under a Western Theological Dogma. The only difference resides in their souls being infected by an unwanted (well most of the time- it's not like everybody wakes up wanting to be a bloodsucker) demonic element that inflicts both upon body and psyche. Yet, this element, although powerful, is still ultimately bound to the self and that double edge sword of a gift that is Freedom of Choice.

The theme that holds this series together is not the quest for a long lost and unretreavable humanity- subject that plagues most of the "romantic" vampire subplots- but the coming of terms with a monstrous existance, via spiritual reconciliation. It's after all a story about chances, you know those that I'm a sucker for.

All and all the character development was excellent, the story, although traditional in a sense was well developed and the resolution.... well, I am not spoiling but as in all vampire stories witha tinge of romance- it is satisfactory.

The Quote: "El destino es la excusa de los debiles"/ "Fate is an excuse for the weak" -Padre Miguel

Billy

I have written way too many sad entries on this blog. I refuse to write another.

William Velez died today. He was a wonderful human being, an excellent teacher and the best Theologian I have met. He was once pastor and always friend. Quite the Renaissance man, he was also a gifted musician, with an inclination towards Tropical Rhythms and Jazz. His sense of humor was unparalleled and his interpretation of the Gospel raised more than an eyebrow once in a while.

He taught me that one must be ever fearful, never afraid of God and although it is fun to play the cynic once in a while, it is refreshing to believe that there is a bit of good in everything.

He embraced life freely, lived it whole heartedly, confronting those who believed Christianity must be worn with a frown. His idea of stewardship was that it is our privilege as sons and daughters of God to enjoy what this place has to offer, be it art, literature, travel, good food, friends and the occasional cocktail. Our only obligation lies on paying it forward, grateful of the talents we are granted.

There were few things that shocked him and his doors were open to all: crazy mofos, starving artists, goths, gays, straights with complicated lives, people who still lived in the 70's, Austin Power Fans, even stern Pentecostals who were willing to give it a try, 30 days, free of charge :p. After all, no matter where we come from or what we do to entertain ourselves between cradle and grave, at a given point we have all been "heavy laden and full of labor" and it is up to God to give us peace, break us and make us new and better and improve our capacity to love without question.

It was amazing to cross paths with you on this journey, it'll rock to see you again when we reach our final destination.

The quote:

As I said I will remember this man with the respect he deserves and avoid tears, there is absolutely no Bible verse I can quote that he couldn't dissect better than me so I'll reach for one of his comments in between sermons. Billy used to say he was waiting for the day to get hold of the "promised transformed body, 'cause then I mold myself like a GQ Model." Enjoy the ripped abs, bro :p

Can I get a Hell, followed by a NO!!!!!!!!

The following is a reprint from Variety Magazine, but before you get to it, excuse my rant... I'll be screaming for a while, really screaming, so pardon the caps

WWWWHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYY WOULD ANYONE IN THIS FORSAKEN PLANET BELIEVE THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO REMAKE THE CROW?

THEY TRIED TO CONTINUE THE FRANCHISE AND IT FAILED MISERABLY. BUT NOOOOOOO, ONE BLUNDER IS NOT ENOUGH.

I CAN SEE THE PITCH FOR THIS ONE...

WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF FRESH IDEAS GUYS... WHAT IS NEXT ON THE AGENDA?

DUNNO BOSS, WHATTABOUT TOSSING ACTION AND SUPERNATURAL INTO THE BLENDER. YOU KNOW SOMETHING ANGSTY THESE EMO KIDS CAN RELATE TO... WHAT ABOUT REFRYING THE CROW? THE CROW, YOU MEAN THE ONE WITH BRANDON LEE? MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW IT'S TOO VIOLENT AND TOO DARK. DON'T WORRY WE'LL WATER IT DOWN, THROW IN A LITTLE MORE CHEESE, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT ED CULLEN THING WORKED WONDERS FOR THE "NEO GOTHS" AND THEN WE'LL SHOOT IT DOCUMENTARY STYLE... ALA CLOVERFIELD!!!!! IT WILL FRIGGING ROCK. DON'T YOU MEAN FUCKING ROCK? HECK NO, THIS WILL BE PG-13, THIS WAY WE CAN TIE IT IN WITH BURGER KING.

SHOOT ME DEAD. I MEAN THERE ARE FEW THINGS IN MY GEEK UNIVERSE THAT I HOLD SACRED, AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM. JAMES O'BARR CREATED THE PERFECT GOTHIC TALE, A LOVE POEM WRITTEN IN VIOLENT STANZAS. ALEX PROYAS' VISION TRANSLATED IT BEAUTIFULLY TO THE SCREEN AND BRANDON LEE AND MICHAEL WINCOTT JUST DELIVERED. IT IS A STORY IN THREE ARCS THAT ENDS WITH A PICTURE OF DEATH AS THE FINAL RECONCILIATION. IT WAS NOT MEANT TO HAVE A SECOND INSTALLMENT, LET ALONE A REINTERPRETATION.

THE QUOTE:

"Quick impression for you: Caw! Caw! Bang! Fuck, I'm dead! "- HOPE THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO THIS IDEA

I'LL GO CRY NOW...

Norrington flies with 'Crow' franchise
Filmmaker to write, direct reinvention of series
By MICHAEL FLEMING

“The Crow” will fly again.
Stephen Norrington has signed on to write and direct a reinvention of “The Crow,” based on the comic created by James O’Barr.
Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media is negotiating with producer Ed Pressman to acquire the film franchise and finance the film.
Pressman produced the 1994 Alex Proyas-directed screen transfer, in which rock musician Eric Draven is murdered trying to rescue his girlfriend from thugs, and returns from the dead one year later to exact vengeance. Though the original became a gothic-style hit that grossed nearly $100 million worldwide, it is primarily remembered for a tragic accident in which star Brandon Lee was killed during filming.
For Norrington, “The Crow” deal marks the end of a long screen sabbatical. After making his breakthrough with the Marvel Comics hero “Blade,” Norrington took on a big-budget comic transfer with “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” Neither the director nor his star, Sean Connery, has made a film since.
Norrington said he felt demoralized by that experience, and the accomplished sculptor spent the next five years writing and working on his art. He made a deal to direct “Clash of the Titans” for Warner Bros., but left the project, he said, because he was “unable to excite Warner Bros. with my take, or influence the screenplay to any comfortable extent.” That pic goes into production early next year with Louis Leterrier at the helm.
Norrington resolved to focus on independent projects, and sparked to an approach on “The Crow” from Relativity production chief Tucker Tooley and Pressman. Norrington had a relationship with Pressman when they came close to making “Mutant Chronicles” several years ago. Both embraced Norrington’s vision of the antihero, which Norrington said will be different than the film Proyas made.
“Whereas Proyas’ original was gloriously gothic and stylized, the new movie will be realistic, hard-edged and mysterious, almost documentary-style,” Norrington told Daily Variety.
Norrington is repped by Endeavor.

Dixieland

I live in Florida, located in the Southern United States. However, after years of being the recipient of the New and the depository of the Old, Florida is no longer The South. It is too cosmopolitan, too artificial, too inviting. This is neither good nor bad, and by no means I am getting into deep rooted political discussions about whether or not the South is right or wrong in all it's idiosyncrasies. I'm just saying that living in Florida does not prepare you to face what stretches to the West as far as Texas and to the North as far as Virginia. It's a whole different ball game.

Our trip started somewhere around 5:00 AM on Thursday and it went without interruption from Wesley Chapel, Florida to Hamilton City, Georgia. It was a nice place to stop for coffee, after all it gave us a sense that our trip really started. A huge Confederate Flag waiving without a bit of shame announced our arrival to Dixieland . The coffee hit the spot as the temperature was dropping accordingly (we were going through part of the cold front that brought some snow to New Orleans that same day). Outside, impervious to the cold, a woman smokes a cigarette and talks to herself as the rain starts falling softly.

Reaching Hawpond Rd., we got the sight of cotton fields stretching for miles. The earth smells different, rich in minerals with shades of orange and brown we hardly ever see at home, where the best of the soil manages to have a touch of sand.

With some 5 hours ahead the trip divides between stretching stops, casual conversations, snacking, our enforced no cell phone policy, which dad kept breaking ( Dear Dad, the point of vacationing is leaving your job behind!!!!!) and quiet contemplation of billboards. I've always thought that bill boards speak volumes about a place and our way from Georgia to North Carolina seems to be the tightest fit of the Bible Belt.

God is in every other billboard along the road. Literally, Billboards signed by the Almighty. Sometimes He is gentle, reminding us all of John 3:16, others, He's all fury, shouting from high in big, bold, black letters that our sins will be visited upon our children.

Six cups of coffee, three stretches, four call backs, ten trivial conversations and forty billboards later, we arrived to the Smoky Mountain Tourist Center. It was cold, but bearable as the mountain range seemed to stretch into forever with the help of the mist left behind by the previous storm.

Maggie Valley proved to be quite the place to unwind, Eduardo really hit it on the head with this one. The air is crisp, the sun hides around four thirty, leaving it all enveloped in purple and soft blue until the night literally falls upon you in a matter if seconds.

We stayed at Castlewood a cozy, beautiful lodge right by Ghost Town (no kidding!!!) What can I say, the combination of people and place is hard to find anywhere else. As I said before, it only takes a little venture into the unknown to find the heart of Southern Charm and Hospitality.

As day broke, we were cheated off the promised snowfall by a sudden rise in temperature, but the ground was covered in frost and the sky clear of clouds as we made our way up to the Mountain. Had fun, even if the snow was not freshly packed, we got some pictures with white background, bonded over the several uses people of Spanish descent could give the word "creek"and let the day lazily go by before heading home again.

The South Carolina Border proved to be a Tourist Trap of Grand Design... did our best to avoid it.

Spent the night in Savannah, vowed to return, when time allows it.

On our way back home, our stop dujour was St. Augustine. We have been there before, but it was sort of a thank you note for Gramps, who was in excellent behavior through the trip. He loves the city and it's Seafood and thus, he was handsomely rewarded.

Now I'm back home, with all the responsibilities of a cell phone carrying fiend and still looking for a job. Whenever things look grim, I'll think about Dixie and how people just seem not to struggle against the tide, and yet they arrive the same way.

The quote, not really:

This trip was sponsored by "Werewolves at Cozy Creek" and "I hate you guys", which actually means I love you more than words can say.

The road to Nowhere presents... Family Vacation 2008

It happens at least once a year. Mr. Eduardo Zelaya, great soul and believer in the possibilities of the human spirit, graceful addition to our emotionally dyslexic clan via marriage to my little sissy, puts together a plan.

As it's known to all, the Road To... Interesting places is paved with good intentions and thus, in the Spirit of the Season, Eduardo has decided to carry us all to try and unwind, somewhere far, far away from Wesley Chapel. Don't get me wrong. I love my family to pieces, and I'm crazy about travel. It is the combination of both that's really worrisome.

The Santiago's are awesome for activities centered around a table, be it formal or informal dining, Monopoly, movie watching or general conversation, the brevity of the moment works some kind of magic that makes us feel better and closer to one and other. However, if you place us peas in a kettle for hours on end, it'll boil.

So far we've got

A grumpy Grandpa that has expressed his opinion in matters such as

• Psycho Killers in the Woods in South Carolina
• The excessive amount of sugary confections that come from Georgia, which he knows my father will consume in alphabetical order until there is no more
• Vampire cultists who pretend to be junkies who pretend to be voodoo kings in New Orleans
• The feeding habit of Catfish through all the Gulf Coast (don't get me started)

which will certainly guarantee at least half an hour rant about any projected destination other than Guanica, Puerto Rico.

Unfortunately Titi had to cancel us out due to illness. Her "briscas" playing antics and lively chatter will be missed.

Dad seems OK with it all, but the that's the way everything starts, until he gets all possessive about driving and such.

Mom... God bless her, she is a saint, He will have mercy on our souls just because she is there.

Lysania, pump up on the Prednisone, and get wild doing the Fast and Furious thing against the resident 84 year olds ( somewhere, somehow there is a geezer that will not be able to out walk you) and pleeeeeeease, be impressed by something!!!!

Eduardo, best of luck, since you are on the wheel in the Road to Nowhere.

Me? I'll make kick ass club sandwiches, catch up with some classics, take pics and make mental notes :p

29 hours and counting...

The quote:

"The family, that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor in our innermost hearts never quite wish to." -Dodie Smith

Terminator Salvation

Hi, it's me with the Girly Girl Pick of the month. It was either this or AUSTRALIA, but I find the idea of Nicole Kidman sporting a rifle so... unlady like.
Anyway, I've always been a fan of the Terminator Saga, even if I must confess I saw RISE OF THE MACHINES only once and I rather keep it like that in order to avoid the destruction of any false cherished memory.
I'm looking forward to this one with the same amount of anticipation and dread. I've just noticed that the only hard core
Sci-Fi movie franchise that has successfully avoided the traps of "time travel" is about to take a plunge into the most feared of plot devices : the alternative future. It looks good, but still this is one of those make it or break it things. In the mean time Christian Bale!!!!! yyeeeeeeaaaaahhh