Movie Review: รุ่นพี่ (Runpee) - "Senior" (Thai Film)

Genre: Teenage Romantic Ghost Film

Writer/Director: Wisit Sasanatieng

Cast: Ploychompoo (Jannine Weigel), Pongsakorn Tosuwan

Release Date: 03rd December 2015 (Thailand and ASEAN)

Runtime: 110 minutes

"This movie will change your beliefs about ghosts forever."

If you're looking for a film that has a different take on anything "ghost-related", then this is the kind of movie one must not miss.

Set in an old place of the royal one 50 years back, two teenagers must work together and play detective to unravel the mystery surrounding a boarding school. This pairing however, is not your usual boy meets girl deciding to save the world as Mon, the teenage girl played by Ploychompoo (or Jannine Weigel, Thai-German) has this very strange habit of smelling anything she touches - she could smell the spirits of the dead as well. Her partner on the other hand, is a mysterious boy she has never seen before. She calls him "Runpee" or "Senior" played by Pongsakorn Tosuwan . The story follows Mon and "Runpee" as they come together to solve old cases in the past. The two of them made a deal to perform a joint investigation on a murder that happened a long time ago. The princess at that time was brutally murdered and an old gardener was accused of committing the crime although he is seen pleading innocent - he was sentenced to death by firing squad. That's when spirits started to hover the building. Unusual noises and creepy feels all over. The spirits keep on crying for justice trying to ascertain the real killer. Mon and "Runpee" must search for all the evidences leading to the discovery and capture of the killer despite the twists and the turns.

The film's actors effective portrayal of their roles plays a major part as to why this film is a joy to watch. Ploychompoo and Pongsakorn blended so well like cookies and cream. The on-screen chemistry between them was as nice and as sweet as honey. I felt the connection between them that made me feel like a teenager once again together with the other youngsters inside the moviehouse. Moviegoers reacted to their precious and sweet encounters throughout the film. The supporting characters and their supporting stories moved me to tears a couple of times which proves of how well they played their parts. A ghost story that touches different aspects of human life and our connection with each other. Mostly with monologues which I find talented and clever, one could definitely relate to each of the characters as they move and grow along the film.

The individuals working behind the scenes are not to be ignored as they're as good as the actors with all of those special effects (graphics). Throughout "Senior", the effects were so cool and amazing that it was like experiencing what had transpired 50 years ago. The descriptions were beautifully and effectively illustrated that I myself got convinced to be watching a real ghost. It wasn't that artsy. It didn't strain my eyes. It was just a mix of basic computer graphics and storytelling. There was actually a scene where "Runpee" was exploring an old library on his own and by following him, I felt like I was going through those walls as well. Call it weird. Another indicator of an effective storytelling are the camera works. The film capitalized on panning and zooming with mostly medium shots to build the tension and anticipation of something to come and yet managed to be unpredictable.

This story, complete with effective performances on both acting and effects, is great for all those who need a break from their daily those of heavy drama. It's a ghost film yet packed with funny lines the Thai style accompanied by teenage take on love, friendship, struggles, and sorrow. A movie treat for every member of the family. Mon, with her relentless attitude on life despite her tragic family story, never backs down. She herself not only found a detective partner but friendship and love that transcends time - the kind that will truly last for a lifetime.

An 8/10 rating on my personal scale; go, sitback, relax, and see the movie. Definitely worth my 200 baht and yours too..8

Vehicle Reconditioning Means Responsible Driving

Orange means "slow down", red means "stop", and green means "go!" You must be familiar with all of those by now and you should. That's a great sign that one is responsible, not only as a citizen, but also, as a driver.

Being a responsible driver means so much as it doesn't affect only one's well being but of the others as well. Let us take into consideration the people who we see on the road every day. They cross the street, they patiently wait for a ride and they trust you with their lives as they get on the vehicle to be home, with you, behind the wheels. That's how significant your role is whenever you go out the streets and be part of a journey. You want to be one? Here's how.

First, you need to make sure that you and your vehicle are in great condition. Ask yourself if you're fit to drive. Next, properly and regularly check on your vehicle's level of performance. How you see your car will definitely be a barometer on how you treat it. If you see it as something providing you convenience, then you might just give it a little attention. If it is something you consider as a valuable possession, then you might just give it all your attention. Whatever it is, it's important to specifically maintain it for more reliability and higher resale value.

To start with, why don't you think of the word "visibility" as a top priority? After all, drving is seeing especially what's in front of you and not what's visible for you. Remember, eyes on the road! There are two things to consider - the mirrors, both the rear view and the side view mirrors and the windshield. For the rear view mirrors, avoid having too many decorations for they may hinder your sight. Same thing goes with your side view mirrors. They must be well-adjusted to suit you preference and they must be clean and clear. The windshield must be free from scratches, must not have cracks and must not be broken. If any of them appears and is present, have it checked and repaired by a car specialist. Once again, there's nothing to worry about since a car specialist may be contacted right away to provide you the service that you need. Your insurance provider is also there to help you cover most or all of the cost. Another thing to be taken into consideration are the headlights. Most vehicles on the road today have cloudy and discolored headlights. This seems to be a problem for this affects one's vision by 90% at night. An auto body repair shop can help you fix this at any time in just a short time. Safety first!

Safety on the road must always be implemented. It is a rule and it is a responsibility. We need to be attentive and we need to be involved. We should always remember that driving is not just a job but a devotion. We may not be able to avoid and prevent all road accidents all the time but it's a a goosd start to have control over it before it happens. You have the power. It's all in your hands. And here comes your signal: Go!

Auto Body Repairs Help Repair the Environment

Go Green! A very common phrase we have been hearing for the past few years which means, we need to act and come up with products that cause little to non-negative effects on our surroundings. It also means that it is time for us to do something and help save Mother Earth.

From water recycling to planting more trees, comes auto body repairs. Yes, that's right! Auto body repairs. So if you're thinking of replacing your vehicle or just parts of your vehicle, you better think again. By simply getting auto body repairs over vehicle replacements, you are helping the environment to stay cleaner, healthier, and friendlier to all of us living in it.

Now, you might be wondering how auto body repairs can do that. Well, that's easy! Auto body repairs have started the practice of recycling materials like paper, cardboard, and plastics. Old windshields have also been recycled to meet the needs of its clients and at the same time, protect the environment from damages caused by the hazardous pollutants in them. Instead of putting all of them to waste, auto body repairs use the materials again to lessen the amount of trash collected then create something new out of it. Dangerous chemicals that are present while in the process of achieving great results for you and for your vehicle are also being controlled as far as their emissions are concerned. Not only that, with auto body repairs, recycling isn't the only main theme but taking good care of the earth to stay around for long and be a haven for the next generations to come.

Auto body repairs offer a wide variety of services to meet your needs and satisfaction. These include paint touch up, bumper repair, windshield repair, wheel rim repair, paintless dent removal and so much more. Name it, they have it! What more can you ask for? Plus, they can all be completed quickly from two to six hours. Lastly, they are very affordable as they also work with most insurance companies. Getting a new vehicle? Not anymore...

So, let's be together as one and Go Green! You don't have to be an expert environmentalist to take part in an effort of making this world a better and greener place to live in. Be part of the change. Go to your nearest auto body repair shop and help repair the planet!

Operation: Opera, It's Technology! It's a Brand!

This article was written a few years back as an entry to the My Opera Writing Competition. It got past the first round winning over 350 other entries from around the world.

"INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY IS OPERA."

Technological Invention, who would have thought that these two words can actually be put together and who would have thought that they will soon be taken over by one simple word - Opera.

For decades now, people have been looking for technological answers to technological questions which seem to have no solution in sight. That's when the word "Innovation" comes in and that's why "netizens" - people of the computer/net world never stopped trying and inventing more ways to make this world a better place to browse in. They have come up with a lot of ideas - some were good, some were bad. Some were useful, some were useless and some were just some...but with the recent developments or discoveries in almost every aspect of the human race and of the computer world, these mind-boggling interrogatives are slowly getting what they are looking for - enter the picture, Opera.

The word "Opera" is fast becoming a household name. It could be like your pet or your bestfriend if you wanted to. After all, you could have it anywhere you go. With a single press of a button on your mobile phone, there you have it. The ever reliable Opera browser is not a phone call away. It's not even in Norway but just a touch away. Opera on the go (if I may say).

From the first release of which was called "MultiTorg Opera" in 1994 up to the latest "Opera 10", no one would be blind enough to notice of the so many features it has developed and produced. You must now be thinking that Opera in itself has undergone several "operations." You read that right. Remember the "Multi-Page" or "Tabbed Browsing" capability? Why not the "Proportional Scaling from 20%-1000%?" Or the Opera capability of "Saving Sessions." Yes, Opera can autosave sessions and automatically restore them when starting it the next time (even from a crash). What about the "BitTorrent" support running in Opera 9 (2006) and the "Speed Dial" feature in Opera 9.20 (2007) - a blank start page with a preview of preconfigured websites often visited? These are just a few of the so many things Opera can and has to offer. It is becoming the leader in browsing and software tech. Often imitated...just always imitated. "Technological Innovation in itself is Opera..."

Now, why do you think the world needs technology?

It's all in your hands and your Opera.

The Philippines Within A Thousand Years

Here's a speech that was delivered by yours truly back in 2000. It's been such a long time already and I can surprisingly still remember the piece. It took me some time though. Thought of sharing it with you.

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More than a thousand years ago, Dr. Jose Rizal wrote an essay in which he asked, what would become of the Philippines within a century. In this particular essay, he argued for the urgent necessity of basic reforms such as the institution of a free press in the Philippines and its representation in the Spanish Cortes, that is, if Spain wanted to preserve the Philippines as a loyal colony. Still, with the penetrating insight of a social analyst, Rizal more than just hinted at the independence that the Filipinos would eventually seek. It was just a matter of time and a questiom whether the separation between Spain and the Philippines would be marked with gratitude and love, or, hatred and resentment.

That question of course, would be answered less than a decade after the essay "Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años" was published in "La Solidaridad." Now, with our freedom having been finally won and our friendly relations with Spain having been restored, we ask, as Rizal once did, if not with the same insight, at least with the same urgency "What have we, as a nation gained and learned in the past century?" "What can we look forward to in the coming years, in the advent of the new millenium?"

It will perhaps be remarked that it is only with a certain kind of hubris that we can ever dare to consider the fate of  a nation in a thousand years when our puny lives barely last for a century. Pundits might even say that this exercise is laughable for a nation that sorely lacks the foresight to even plan for a decade. But we dare to consider such criticism by stressing that the import of this exercise lies not so much in our ability to foretell the future. Its value lies in providing us the opportunity to take stock of our readiness (or unreadiness) not only to face, but to rise up to the challenges posed for us by the rapid and revolutionary changes brought forth by the new millenium.

Moreover, is it not the case that the hubris of dreaming and planning for the future might very well be a necessary stage in the participation of people as well as individuals? The ability to anticipate and prepare for the future indicates a capacity to rise and break free from the captivity of needs, situations, and concerns. But when this rising to meet the needs turn into a fantastical flight of fancy, we have to open our eyes in the actual possibilities opened up by the present and held by the past. For the possibilities of the future and the realities of the present are ultimately grounded in the conditions of the past. There is indeed a lot of wisdom to be gained in that tired old truism, "Look forward to the future, be aware of the present, remember the past."

Remember the past? Why let ourselves be bogged down by the grievous errors of the past? Why let ourselves be mesmerized by the ---- accomplishments of the past? Why such a fixation for the past? Is this not ultimately counter-productive? Let bygones be bygones. A pre-occupation with the past only prevents us from as they say, "pole-vaulting" into the future.

Here, it is important that we recognize the distinction between a paralyzing fixation with the past and a productive, insightful remembrance of the past. It is the latter kind of relationship with the past that we advocate. Within this light, history is not seen as a barren collection of fossilized facts and details. Rather, it becomes a living conversation between the past, present, and future. Likewise, we become aware of the momentousness of our consciousness as historical beings. For why would we even raise the question of the significance of the next millenium if we had not some vague notion of our being borne by the tide of history?

Sadly, it is precisely this healthy sense of history that we seem to painfully lack as a nation. It has been noted again and again that we as people are characterized by the complacent forgetting of the past as if it were a heavy baggage that must be left behind in order to move forward. The fixation with progress, with the "high-tech" with the future becomes as it were the dynamo that grinds and dissolves into pieces whatever is tied up with the backward and unenlightened past.

We need to develop critical minds that do not seem to accept the bipolar opposition between the love and appreciation of the past and the future. It is a sophisticated mind after all that appreciates the beauty and truth of a paradoxical reality. A reality in which we cannot simply divorce the present and the future from the past.

What lessons then can we learn from our experience as a nation these past one hundred years - lessons which hopefully will enable us to face up to the challenges of the new millenium?

A lot has been said about the tremendous talent and capacity of the individual Filipino to do whatever it is to which he/she sets his/her mind. Just imagine the feats accomplished when those Filipinos combined their individual talents and skills to a collective effort. Yes! Who would have thought that these Filipinos would have the gall to declare their independence? Who would have thought that they would be able to come up with a constitution? Who would have thought that - almost a century later - they would be able to come up with a relatively bloodless revolution?

It is when it becomes clear in our minds that we stand and fall, live and die as one nation, that we are able to relish and experience our most glorious moments. If only we can hold this in our minds and not forget. If only we can hold this in our hearts and not forget.

From the very beginning of our history as a nation, we have always been an amalgam of many divers cultures. Whatever unity we have gained, it has not been and will not be, through an erasure and forgetting of differences. If only we can keep this in our hearts and minds and not forget.

In the face of the current dissatisfaction and disillusionment not only with our leaders but with the very institution of government, not only with the government but with the very fabric of our society, it would be a real eye-opener to realize that we can never remain as fence-sitters. We have to be vigilant and active. That is, if we sincerely desire the welfare of our society. If only we can keep this in our hearts and minds and not forget.

Amidst the arrogant proclamation of demagogues about their final solutions and shrill cries of prophets of doom about the futility of it all, it would be refreshing to humbly acknowledge that our work for freedom, justice, and peace never ends. And in all this, never to lose hope in molding a better nation and bringing forth a better world. If only we can keep this in our hearts and minds and not forget.

If only we can hold, keep, treasure all these things in our hearts and minds and not forget.

We may well be on a good and exciting journey, not only towards the new millenium, but also towards our maturation as a nation.