Although there are websites that review movies, seldom have I found a website that reviews movie houses, especially in the Philippines. I’ve seen movies in different movie houses, some of which I often come back to because of the place, other times, of accessibility. There are many factors to consider in reviewing a movie house, or a cinema house, or a theater, or whatever politically correct name it should be referred to, but for all intents and purposes, I’m going to call it a cinema, since a theater is for plays, ballets, and operas, and a movie house may refer to the cinemas and the mall outside it, or simply a house made of movies. But call it with whatever floats your boat.

Greenbelt 1 Cinemas, Makati City
One of the oldest stomping grounds for kids in high school and college, this cinema has evolved in many ways, from a simple movie house, to one of a series of malls with specialty shops. First time I watched a movie here was when I was in high school, which was in the late 80s. They have remodeled the mall and cinemas since then. Now, there are better and nicer chairs that are very comfy, and the price is not too steep, an inexpensive way to escape reality. Leg room is ample enough for most tall people. Getting a ticket is easy but you have to take the escalator or stairs to go to the cinema itself as the ticket booth is at the ground floor whereas the cinema is at the second. I wouldn’t mind making this my regular cinema to watch my highly-anticipated movies. The only downside is that there are only two cinemas inside this movie house. It kinda limits your options. Whatever movie you choose to watch, you’ll be comfortable and won’t regret paying the price of admission. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10

Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, Makati City
A somewhat better version of the Greenbelt 1 Cinemas, these cinemas are equipped with nicer chairs and can accomodate more people. Leg room is about the same. Digital sound has become a standard in cinemas, such as THX, SDDS, DTS, etc. Price is a bit higher, though, than Greenbelt 1 cinemas, but I fail to see the difference. I don’t see why I should be paying more for a different ambiance when all I want to pay for is to be comfortable while watching a movie. In the dark. Where I won’t be appreciating the ambiance, anyway. Jologs encounter probability: 3 out of 10

Glorietta 1 Cinemas, Makati City
Formerly Quad cinemas, these cinemas are almost as old as Greenbelt 1’s and has undergone the same evolution as Greenbelt 1. But it has a lower Jologs encounter probability rating because they moved to Glorietta 4. Jologs encounter probability: 3 out of 10

Glorietta 4 Cinemas, Makati City
Chairs are comfortable, and much like the ones used in Greenbelt 3 cinemas. Again, digital surround sound is a standard. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10

Robinsons Galleria Cinemas, Pasig City
It’s been quite a while since I last saw a movie at this mall, but I always enjoyed going there, and the seats are nice. When Glorietta and Greenbelt were refurbishing their cinemas with new chairs, Galleria already had them. That’s all I can say about it. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10

Robinsons Place Ermita Cinemas, Manila
When this mall was new, the cinemas were great. However, they were neglected and were in disarray for a while. There was this weird smell you only…smell…with old cinemas. Good thing the Midtown wing was opened, which housed three more cinemas that are at par with the Makati cinemas. I’m hoping it stays that way. Jologs encounter probability: 6 out of 10

Gateway Cinemas 1 – 9, Cubao, Quezon City
Nice chairs, good sound, and ample seating capacity, Gateway cinemas are much alike Glorietta 4 cinemas. Jologs encounter probability: 5 out of 10

Gateway Cinema 10, Cubao, Quezon City
If you’re the type of person who can’t watch a movie without a comfortable chair, Gateway’s Cinema 10 has you covered. Aside from a limited 40 person seating capacity, digital surround sound, and free and unlimited popcorn and soda, this cinema has La-Z-Boy chairs. And if you’re not in the mood for popcorn and soda, they have a snack menu to choose from, for a fee. Only downside for this cinema is the price. But if it’s exclusivity you want, this is the cinema for you. Jologs encounter probability: 1 out of 10

Waltermart Cinemas, Makati City
A sleeper hit, if there ever was one for cinemas. Same price as the Greenbelt 1 cinemas, but better chairs with folding armrests. What’s better is that it is closer to my place than the Greenbelt 1 cinemas. Only downside I can think of is that they open late, and only 4 or 5 screenings per movie. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10

The Promenade Cinemas, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
I’m having mixed feelings with this cinema. It has high-backed reclining chairs with folding armrests, which is the same chair used in the United States cinemas I’ve been to, that I’m sure I also saw in other cinemas but forgot where it was, but not in the previously mentioned cinemas above. The price makes it even greater as it is also in the same ballpark as the Greenbelt 1 and Waltermart Cinemas. What prevented me from making this cinema my favorite is the fact that there were pieces of gum stuck underneath the folding armrests, which my shirt fell victim to. It reflects the people who watch movies there, and it casts a bad light on them. Jologs encounter probability: 5 out of 10

SM Mall of Asia Cinemas 1 – 6, Pasay City
Let’s see, leg room isn’t ample enough that you bump your knees at the back of the chairs in front of you every time you slouch, comfort level is at an all-time low, chairs aren’t really comfortable because of the lack of ample leg room, and the crowd you’re with isn’t really a crowd you’d want to associate yourself with outside the cinema. But, seating is always reserved. Obviously, this isn’t my favorite place to see a movie, but I did see a number of movies simply because I had no choice, the commander-in-chief said so. Many a time have I shushed people for talking too loudly, with their cellphone or themselves, in this moviehouse. It would be a miracle if you don’t hear a cellphone going off for a text message during a movie. Jologs encounter probability: 8 out of 10

Although I wanted to for a long time, I still haven’t seen a movie in IMAX. And there are new cinemas at Cash & Carry that I would also like to try, although I think it wouldn’t have any difference compared with Waltermart’s or Greenbelt 1’s. Location, however, will always be a factor when choosing where to watch a movie. And of course, the movie itself, if it is screening at your chosen moviehouse.

On a post script note, the Jologs encounter probability is just a made up rating. The closer it is to 10, the more likely you’ll be sitting beside someone talking loudly on their cellphone or amongst themselves, as if they were in their own living room, which means you would be pissed off watching the movie, missing out on the whole experience of the story because you were shushing left and right at the inconsiderate people around you. Those insolent pricks.

Finding Forrester:

No thinking — that comes later. You must write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is to write, not to think!

Ideas float and slip by, like mercury at room temperature. I’m pretty sure I had great ideas, but I cannot recall them, not even a hint of what it was, with only a few minutes passing by. Like a fleeting moment of enlightenment, suddenly drowned by the noise of the USB-powered fan on the table. What the heck am I doing?

Writer’s block, or blocks in general, are just that. Blocks. An obstacle trying to prevent one going from one place to another. How to overcome it is pretty easy, but the cause is much more of a mystery that will most likely depend on one’s DNA, physiology, psychological health, and emotional state, among others.

The usual suspects are depression, hunger, not enough time for one’s self, sleep deprivation, fatigue, lack of new things that stimulate and excite the senses, and sheer boredom. Your causes may vary, but that’s what I’m sticking with. Knowing the causes helps a lot in overcoming and preventing blocks from happening. Although blocks are more generally related with writing, it can also relate to creativity, and one’s wellness and perception.

So how do you get over the causes of a block?

For depression, a change in attitude is necessary. Have a mantra ready to be chanted on the onset of, or suspicions of an onset of, depression. A good mantra should help you keep your sanity and make your life more bearable. Of course, you don’t have to confine yourself with just one mantra. You can have as many as you want for as many things you need it with, like work, family, friends, enemies, world domination, etc.

Hunger is easily overcome by eating. But it would be better if you ate what you’re craving for. There are times when you’re craving for something but you just can’t put a finger on it, so to speak. Therein lies the rub. Just keep in mind the words trial and error. Get a little bit something of what you think you want to eat, and if it’s not what you think you wanted, get something else. Of course, the side effect is getting bloated before finding out what you truly wanted. There’s always tomorrow, though, so don’t rush it.

Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, is quite tricky as it needs time, and lots of it. This would also coincide with having time for yourself. One would need to manage time wisely, so as to allot ample amounts of time for both. However, one of the two gets sacrificed most of the time. What I would suggest is to give a chance to both. One day, choose sleep over time for yourself. If you end up depressed for not having time for yourself, then go ahead and try having some time for yourself, giving up sleeping time. There’s a big chance of you getting cranky for lacking sleep, but make it worthwhile so you won’t be as depressed as losing time for yourself.

For fatigue, rest is what you need. Of course, you don’t have to sleep to rest, although the best way to rest is to sleep. A few minutes of listening to some calming, relaxing music while sitting on a comfortable chair in a comfortable position should do the trick. If not, refer to the previous paragraph.

A change of atmosphere or environment greatly helps in re-stimulating your senses. Redoing your den, workstation, room, or whatever is a great way of breaking the monotony of working, either at home or in an office. It also kills boredom, if only for a few minutes, or if you’re lucky, hours. Buying something new also helps as it forces you to learn something new, especially if it’s a new thingamajig that came out a few hours ago. Just make sure it’s something you’re really excited about. And also, do not raise your expectations to an unreasonable level, so that you won’t get too disappointed. Research also on what you are planning to purchase, starting, or learning. Make sure you have enough time to learn the basics, or know the base features, just to set your expectations. And always try to find a good deal if you decide to purchase something. Money may not matter, but at least be wise enough to haggle, or hunt, for a lower price.

As for boredom, there are a number of things that you can do to overcome it. One is regularly visiting here, or reading daily webcomics. I wrote a few tips about it and how to kill it, somewhat. And you are not limited to what you can do here. It doesn’t matter if you want to do it or not, as long as you do it. And don’t be afraid to try out new things.

Getting around a block is easy. Finding out what causes it will need some time though. But the best way I can think of, IMHO, is to write about your block, which is obviously what I’m doing right now.

So I’ve been stumbling sites (using StumbleUpon) lately and I came across a website that shares the stupid things people say when calling in for some technical support. Some were insanely ridiculous, others were just downright idiotic. One thing it made me, though, was that it made me wonder if this still happens on a daily basis.

A few years ago, I was also one of the people in the receiving end of ignorance while trying to provide technical support. It’s not pretty, but it was quite enjoyable and very enlightening. You get to meet different personalities, some accommodating, some bull-headed.

Have we grown?
The site I was mentioning earlier made me think if people have grown smarter, technologically-wise, after a slew of very user-friendly Apple products and a plethora of a more intuitive GUI. I can’t believe I said plethora. So I thought about it, and honestly, I can’t really provide an accurate answer, unless I base it on my personal experience, which is an insignificant sampling, all things considered. So there’s not really much to do but speculate.

I therefore speculate that people SHOULD have grown more technically knowledgeable. Recently released versions of operating systems have become simpler and more user-friendly. Cloud computing is well on its way as more companies are embracing the model “software-as-a-service.” Web 2.0 basically is no longer a buzzword as more and more companies are developing, and making great headway in, web applications that are slowly becoming ubiquitous, as is the aim of every web company. Or that I’m just using buzzwords without a clue. Heh.

Trolls are still abundant. The only difference between then and now is that it is easier to be a troll and spread their dickeries everywhere than before. And yes, they have more buzzwords to use without having any sense of their meaning yet they still use it every chance they get. Teh horror, trolls are still with us.

Maybe the then-stupid people are wiser now, but I think they were replaced with clueless cloud users. Facebook may be too much tech for some people. Google Docs or Windows Live Spaces may be too complicated. God help us if people start calling for help to use MySpace properly. I know I’ve been humiliated by online apps simply because I did not read the fucking manual, or in this case, the website’s instructions.

What some people don’t get is that THEY DON’T HAVE TO USE THE SERVICE, unless they need it. All it takes is some effort to get used to the interface, to know its features, to do things simpler. Otherwise, it’s going to be like pulling teeth. Hard and painful, both for the user and the developer.

And with that in mind, to those who are still reading this, if you are using Internet Explorer 6, do yourself and the web developers a huge favor. Upgrade to a better browser.

Ramble on.