Pulse

Eat Out Now! 115 Manila Restaurants We Love

2012-12-05T18:56:00.000+08:00

I usually wait for Chrostmas eve before I open gifts but make sure to peek, smell and shake to separate the perishable.

But when Eat Out Now! 115 Manila Restaurants We Love was delivered to the clinic wrapped in see through plastic and decked with a ribbon, I knew I couldn't wait twenty days.

This book caught my eye when I read it in a blog and considered giving it to Zara's husband as a present. Now, I have to think of something else as I'm sure Zara, who got the same gift, will share her copy with him.

I've started reading it as I'm interested to know how many I've tried, if the reviewer shares my opinion about the restaurant and also because I'm eager to try what I've been missing.

Thanks again ZsaZsa for this divine gift! You're right, we do share the same interests!

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Trouble with the Curve

2012-12-03T20:31:00.001+08:00

When LV and her husband Zach visit from Cebu, they bring me lechon and ask me for restaurant recommendations. When they did, I realized I have nothing new to offer because I haven't been eating around much. Or, if I have, going for favorites instead of trying out new ones. Zach asked if I was still writing articles and I said it's mostly about movies now.

Trouble with the Curve tells the story of an aging baseball scout whose relevancy to the job he once dominated is questioned by much younger blood with more sophisticated equipment. It also talks about coming to terms with getting older, parenting and relationships.

I first got acquainted with Clint Eastwood in the 1980's when he was best known as Dirty Harry. Over the years, he has not lacked in movie projects because he did not limit himself to playing action here as his choices spanned genres. I loved him in Bridges of Madison County and then again in In the Line of Fire. He has also proven himself behind the camera. In this movie, he plays the role of grumpy old man with health and relationship issues very well. He is ably supported by Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams.

While much of the movie is about relationships, it is still very much a movie about baseball; a sport like any other where experience and raw talent can trump sophisticated equipment and marketing anytime.

Talking to Zach and LV made me realize I miss food blogging. I hope that I'd be able to do more of that in the future.

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What I Want for Christmas

2012-12-01T23:59:00.000+08:00

A 3 inch Vinylmation. I am currently infatuated with Vinylmation after a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland in August 2012. This is at the top of my Christmas list. I would love a blind box but would appreciate anything a giver would choose.

Ticket to an afternoon show of Disney on Ice, preferably lower box VIP. Transport me to the happiest place on earth!

Pepper money. I love Pepper Lunch beef pepper rice. It's my comfort food.

Pepper Lunch PadCalendar. I don't really like planners but this I love.

The Avengers DVD. I really enjoyed watching this movie, even considered watching it again but my busy schedule got in the way. I also want to watch this with Dad at home as I'm sure he'd love it too.

VMV Hypoallergenics Surf and Turf Facial. I'm really low maintenance. A facial once a month at VMV Hypoallergenics is my only indulgence.

Shang Cineplex gift certificates. I watch a movie at least once weekly so this would be a welcome treat especially with MMFF coming soon.

The Diary of Darcy J. Rhone. I loved Something Borrowed and Something Blue so when this was announced by Emily Giffin, I definitely got excited. Too bad though that it was only released as an ebook in the US.

Kobo eGift card. For my ebook purchases.

Fully Booked, PowerBooks or National Book Store gift certificates. There are books that I'm interested in that are not available in ebook format or if available, not accessible locally.

Some time off. Enough said.

What about you? What do you want for Christmas?

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Rise of the Guardians

2012-11-30T16:18:00.000+08:00

After a tense and busy week (for some of us, two weeks), the inspectors turned in their report and told us to go out and celebrate. Happy to oblige, I rushed to Pepper Lunch and a movie.

Rise of the Guardians tells how iconic characters Santa Claus, The Sandman, The Tooth Fairy, The Easter Bunny and Jack Frost band together to defeat a common enemy, The Bogeyman, and keep children safe.

The idea of putting these characters together is not entirely new because we've seen the other characters play support to Santa Claus in many Christmas movies. This time around, all characters were given equal opportunities to do wonders. It's like a Christmas version of Avengers.

In a Facebook shout out, S4 raved about the movie as it was shown ahead in Singapore. In fact, she liked it so much, she would have watched it a second time that same day.

I couldn't agree with her more. The writers were able to seamlessly connect these mythical characters in a storyline that warms the heart and is not at all predictable. There were many laugh out loud moments and the animation was outstanding.

Rise of the Guardians is reason to celebrate. It was so good some of the audience clapped when it ended.

Make sure to watch this and stay until the end credits to see additional sequences.

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24/7 In Love

2012-11-22T19:58:00.000+08:00

It's been a busy week and so would be next week that I promised myself I'd watch a movie as soon as my schedule eases up a bit. It was easy to choose 24/7 In Love because I've been interested to see it since seeing its trailer. It boasts of a stellar cast, all of them capable of headlining movies of their own, so the movie is also great value for money.

Seven stories complete the movie, each of them unique and interesting, talking about love, relationships, forgiveness, etc.

For me, standouts were Zanjoe Marudo who plays a gay man confused about his feelings for his best friend and Piolo Pascual who plays a mentally challenged individual. Maja Salvador was also very funny in the episode she shared with Diether Ocampo.

Fans of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson would be happy to see them back together, at least on the big screen. I realized that I am a fan when I thought that their episode was taking off from where one of their movies ended.

The episode I enjoyed the most was that of Zanjoe Marudo and Bea Alonzo, largely because of their chemistry and ease with each other and because the story was unconventional.

The episode of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla anchors the movie and integrates the other episodes. While the young leads have few scenes together, they hit all the right kilig buttons.

I think that only Star Cinema can pull off this kind of a movie because of the significant star power they have in the studio. In fact, I think they could have added more episodes but was limited by the length of the movie.

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Breaking Dawn Part 2

2012-11-16T22:22:00.001+08:00

I've read all the books and seen all the movies and so I was not going to miss the last one of The Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 2.

The producers made the right decision splitting the last book into two movies because there is enough material for four hours. Between the two, I appreciated Part 1 better as it had more interesting situations. I realized while watching Part 2 that I've completely forgotten about the book and was clueless to what was happening on screen. I think that was a good thing; otherwise I would have been bored. After all, it's difficult to get creative when there's but one way to kill a vampire. To keep it interesting, there was just increasing degrees of violence with each decapitation. I wonder if that's what turned off the mother and daughter team seated beside me as they left before the movie ended. It was rated PG, after all. The few laughs were mostly courtesy of Taylor Lautner who plays wisecracking Jacob.

When I saw the previous films, I was amazed at how many went to see the movie. That wasn't the case this afternoon. Maybe many were like me, whose interest waned with each book.

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Suddenly It's Magic

2012-11-08T20:53:00.001+08:00

I wanted to watch Suddenly It's Magic yesterday but was disappointed that my preferred time slot has been sold to a block screening. Zara laughed out loud while I talked to the man handling the reservations on the phone as I was trying to convince him to let me in. I had a feeling it was a star who booked the theater for friends. Curious, I went to the cinema anyway to find out who. It turned out to be a fan event and that Mario Maurer would be there. I almost asked if I could watch the movie still but was afraid it would get my photo into Facebook.

I finally got what I wanted today, watched the movie between clinic time and a dinner meeting and I must say I had a fun time. I loved how it featured Ilocos, showcasing the best of the province from food to natural and man made wonders. The cinematography and production design were excellent. Anybody watching the movie would feel a yearning to visit Ilocos. And Thailand too for that matter, though majority of the movie was set in Ilocos.

Watching the movie made me reminisce about time spent in Ilocos, particularly in Sitio Remedios, where the character of Mario Maurer stayed.

Of the actors in the movie, I was most impressed with Joross Gamboa. I laughed out loud at almost all the scenes he was in. I must say he's a fine actor as I've seen him in dramatic roles too. When he was starting out, he didn't too well in the talent quest. It amazes me how he endured more than his batchmates. His experience proves to me that hard work and perseverance pays and that with it, you can change your path.

Mario Maurer and Erich Gonzales have chemistry though Erich looks older because Mario has such a baby face. I like the scenes where they traded dialogue in their native language yet the difference didn't deter them from communicating.

The story is simple. It spoke of dreams, priorities and sacrifices. The dialogue was easy to understand. I particularly like the bit about the love of our life as compared to the life that we love.

I'm glad no block screening stopped me from seeing the movie today. I understand now too why fans would reserve an entire cinema to watch a movie starring Mario Maurer.

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Skyfall

2012-11-05T20:15:00.001+08:00

Things would have been a lot different today had it not been for a phone call last Saturday. You see, I'd forgotten about a talk I was supposed to give today and only remembered last Saturday when the organizer called to remind me. I had 36 hours to prepare but that was nothing compared to the fallout if I were a no show today. Like many scenes in Skyfall, the latest James Bond starter, I was saved in the nick of time.

Skyfall follows the adventures of James Bond and also tells us part of his past and gives us a clue about his future.

It's unlike any other James Bond film because here, we see a rusty, aging Bond. While it's a novelty to see Bond catching his breath in between fight scenes or chases, the concept is not entirely new as it reminded me of the last Die Hard.

When Bond's backstory was presented, it reminded me of Batman's. I noticed many other parallels between the two, gadgetry being one of them. The villain reminded me of The Joker too.

The movie was technically well made. I felt like I was on a multicountry tour as it shifted locations. The cinematography and production design were exceptional. The fight scenes, chases and other action sequences were brilliantly shot.

While the chase on top of the rooftops in Turkey was amazing, it didn't feel original because it was also just recently showcased in Taken 2. The scenes in Macau and Shanghai were better because it showed the two locations in new ways.

The phone call last Saturday saved me. The rush may have crashed my laptop too but I don't think I would have the time or the energy to watch Skyfall if I were a no show at the symposium . This is a must see for all, James Bond fan or not.

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Wreck It Ralph

2012-11-01T18:00:00.001+08:00

I decided to stay behind in the metro while my family trooped to the province because of a patient. I thought of watching a movie to pass the time. Unfortunately, my favorite mall was closed so I walked to the one nearest it. Not familiar with the cinemas, I asked the elevator girl directions. During the walk from the elevator to the cinema, it seemed that the family I shared the elevator with were trying to overtake me. When I saw the lines for the cinema, I missed right away my perks as an E-See club member (phone in reservations, E-See lane, familiarity with the cinema, etc.).

Wreck It Ralph was well worth the time I spent lining up and watching a movie outside my comfort zone. Animation was superb, the colors and attention to detail wonderful. Lessons about goodness, love and relationships were in abundance. The relationship between Ralph and the racer reminded me of Monsters' Inc. While there were laugh out loud moments, I found myself tearing up at the end.

The new characters were a joy to discover but it was nostalgic seeing old favorites of gaming once again. I hope young audiences get acquainted once again with PacMan, Qbert and the gang.

I loved the product placements as they were cleverly placed.

While the family was ahead of me in purchasing tickets, I didn't see them at the 3D screening as they opted for the 2D one. I think that it was because 3D was more expensive. For the price I paid, I missed my favorite cinema again when they handed me the glasses as they were very ordinary compared to the expan-D ones I've grown accustomed to.

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A Secret Affair

2012-10-24T06:34:00.001+08:00

As soon as I said bring it on, I just got busier. Be careful what you wish for, the universe seemed to say. I expect it to let up in a few days' time but today, I just have to unwind. After all, aside from taking on other doctors' responsibilities, I've been both secretary and doctor in the clinic since Monday.

A few minutes before settling down to watch A Secret Affair, I got three calls in succession that there is still some unfinished business to take care of. Thankfully, we agreed to do something about it first thing tomorrow as I was already out of the hospital.

Though not completely, the movie made me forget about the hospital at least for the better part of two hours. How could I when they were just a text message away? Thankfully, no calls came through. My phone was on silent, by the way.

Because it stars Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay, some think that the movie would be just be a rehash of No Other Woman. I assure you that it's not but I'm not giving any plot details away.

The movie was composed of mostly women and we saw examples of women getting what they want or settling for less. There were instances of women empowerment too although some degenerated into catfights . The movie did not have any strong male character. All the males in the movie were portrayed as philanderers, thinking more with their dicks rather than their heads.

I love how the movie is true to the times, showcasing new occupations, new lifestyles, social media and talking in a language that is current. I love Walang Hanggan but I don't get it when Daniel talks like he's in a 1950's film.

Of the cast, I am most impressed with the mother and daughter team of Jaclyn Jose and Andi Eigenmann. I don't think anyone could have played Andi's character as good as she did.

I love the ending because it's quite unusual for a Tagalog movie. It shows that the filmmakers have realized that the Filipino audience has matured.

Don't miss this. Take some time off as I did. You know what they say about all work and no play.

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Alex Cross

2012-10-20T06:00:00.000+08:00

Anticipating more work beginning today, it was either a facial or a movie yesterday. But because the clinic couldn't fit me in their schedule anymore, it was Alex Cross who kept me company yesterday afternoon. The movie is named after the main character, a police officer who knows criminals better than anymore. He takes on a very sinister character with wicked moves and ideas.

Having seen many violent action films before, there is little that surprises me still. There was one instance though in this movie where I cringed and put my hands over my eyes. I think it deserves its R-13 rating because of the violence, sex, nudity, etc. Some scenes though appear to have been cut.

The character created by James Patterson is not actually new to Hollywood as he was essayed in the past by Morgan Freeman. I expect to see more of the character as I think that's what the plans of the producers are in hiring a new actor, somebody a lot younger who can deliver punches as much as play mind games. Plus, it was like they were starting the character over by presenting his back story.

While the movie was thrilling, it was predictable. I knew right away who was responsible.

That said, I'm ready for work. Bring it on!

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The Great Steak Out

2012-10-19T13:13:00.001+08:00

Zara and I do not particularly like the same kinds of chocolates or find the same men attractive, Brad Pitt for one, but we both love a good steak. She's out of town, apparently for a medical conference, but I know better. Why would she bring Clarence along if she wasn't thinking about another honeymoon? Since she's been away, I've been doing her work for her. Add another globe trotting friend to the equation and you'd know how busy I am.

To reward myself somehow, I chose The Great Steak Out at the Village Tavern over shopping at the SM Megamall mallwide side. After all, all steaks are priced at 40% off.

I ordered the cheapest steak on the menu, Marinated Flank Steak 8 oz (PHP895). It was served with baked potato, black beans, steak sauce with A1 steak sauce and Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce on the side. I asked for medium well and it was perfectly tender and juicy. There was no need for any seasoning as it already tasted very good. I was also very impressed with the serving size as it's big enough to share. The baked potato provided contrast. French fries may be sustituted. I don't really like beans so I'd skip that.

If Zara were here, I'm sure she'd be right across me enjoying her own steak. Forty percent off is difficult to pass up. She would probably be happier too as the beans are served in chocolate syrup.

If you want to try it, don't hesitate as the promo runs for a limited time only. I'm sure you will be satisfied.

Argo

2012-10-18T23:50:00.001+08:00

I thought today would be a long day, what with work from 630am to 3pm and a meeting at 630pm. But the meeting got canceled for the nth time, leaving me with enough time to watch a movie.

Argo tells the story of the rescue of 6 Americans from Iran during the hostage crisis. How they managed it is what made the movie compelling to watch.

It also made me realize the risks people take for love of country and the common good. I salute them who put themselves behind.

Period films always amaze me, particularly how production can recreate the past in the setting and costume design. This was amazing. There was nothing to remind the viewer of the present.

I didn't however appreciate how the film was shot, particularly the zoom ins and outs and the motion shots as they gave me eye strain. But don't let that put you off the movie because it was wonderful.

My meeting's been reset for next week. I wonder if it will push through. If not, I have several movies in mind.

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This Guy's in Love with U, Mare!

2012-10-10T18:58:00.001+08:00

Biscuit, the manager I work closely with, says he has noticed a pattern and that if Wednesday means coding for him, it's a movie day for me. He's probably right as most movies open on Wednesday.

That said, today is the first screening day of This Guy's in Love with U, Mare! and I'm happy to have seen it on its first day.

This Guy's in Love with U, Mare! tells the story of a guy whose boyfriend broke up with him because of a girl. How he seeks revenge and hopes to win his man back is what the rest of the movie is all about.

I think this is the funniest movie I've seen in years. Each scene had me laughing out loud and hard. Vice Ganda is a wonderful comic; his timing and delivery were spot on. Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano were also impressive.

And to think that the subject of the movie would have been unspeakable before and still unacceptable to some people today, kudos to the filmmakers for not shying away from the subject and for delivering a heartfelt movie.

This is so much better than Praybeyt Benjamin, the top grossing Filipino film of all time. I wouldn't be surprised if this tops that.

This is one Wednesday I'll surely remember.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

2012-10-08T20:06:00.001+08:00

With the homework already submitted to the bosses and an unexpected free afternoon, I celebrated by watching The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I wanted to see it because it was based on a book which I haven't read by the way, the trailer looked promising and because Emma Watson is in it.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age movie which deals with first love and first kisses but also with more complex issues such as homosexuality, bullying, etc.

The movie was written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, who also wrote the book. I assume that the movie is faithful to the book and just how the author imagined it while he was writing it. It's definitely on my reading list.

The movie's pace is so slow that I think some will find it boring.

I was very impressed with the young leads. All their characters were complex but they nailed the parts. The only time I remembered Hermione Granger was when Emma Watson's character whipped out glasses and put it on her male co-star. The hair and clothes helped in the transformation from the nerdy Muggle to the young misfit.

I watched the movie for only PHP 51, the rest paid for with points, just one of the perks of an E-See Club member.

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Taken 2

2012-10-05T23:25:00.001+08:00

In between studying for the boards, I'd play Minesweeper to recharge. Believing in all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, I watched Taken 2 after quite a productive meeting and before buckling down to my homework.

Taken 2 follows the adventures of an operative who lost and recovered his daughter from a sex slavery ring in Taken. This time around, he is hunted down by the family of the men who kidnapped his daughter.

The movie has the requisite fight scenes, chases but was not much different from the first one as far as the plot is concerned. The things Liam Neeson character does are incredible bordering on the unbelievable. Taking down all those villains by his lonesome even after he could have been assisted by the authorities is a prime example.

The movie lasted slightly longer than 1 hour as there really wasn't much going on.

That said, my homework is waiting.

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Hotel Transylvania

2012-10-03T21:20:00.001+08:00

Today was quite eventful, what with an emergency meeting called by the bosses and the subsequent meetings that followed. Needing a boost, I didn't consider other options and decided right away on an animated movie.

Hotel Transylvania tells the story of a vampire and his goal to keep his daughter safe from humans. How he manages to, or not, is what the rest of the movie is all about.

The animation was awesome, the attention to detail incredible. It was just not laugh out loud funny as I expected it to be.

The moral of the story is universal. Love makes us do incredible things, from both ends of the spectrum. Ultimately though, love prevails and makes us do the right thing.

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Of All the Things

2012-10-01T23:59:00.000+08:00

I haven't seen a movie in a while so I had plenty of options but only enough time to watch just one. I hesitated initially with Of All the Things because when I saw the trailer, I felt that Regine Velasquez and Aga Muhlach look tired and old for a romcom. Having enjoyed their previous starrers, I watched it nonetheless and was not at all disappointed.

The secret I think lies in the story. Regine and Aga were cast in roles close to their age who dealt with real world issues. Kilig moments were few and far between. It was dragging in some parts but overall enjoyable.

There were product endorsements in the movie, some cleverly placed, others in your face. Chiz Escudero has a cameo. I didn't particularly like it because I feel that he's in all sorts of media to get mileage. While Jinggoy Estrada was in Kimmy Dora: Ang Temple ng Kiyeme, I didn't consider that awkward because Jinggoy being an actor felt right at home. Camarines Sur was also featured and this might have some relation to Aga Muhlach's political plans.

Of the actors, Aga Muhlach and Gina Pareno stand out. Gina Pareno was very effective as the social climbing mother of Regine Velasquez as I didn't like her character from start to finish. Aga Muhlach effectively essayed the role of a bar examination flunker. In the scenes where he showed hurt, anguish and vulnerability, which made me cry by the way, I was reminded that he is one of the more gifted actors of his generation. Too bad his roles do not allow him to show off his acting mettle more often.

Chemistry wise, Regine Velasquez and Aga Muhlach still got it.

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The Mistress

2012-09-12T19:16:00.002+08:00

I must have seen all of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo's films and yet when I chance upon them on cable, I watch them over and over again. Their team up has withstood the test of time because of their chemistry and their indivudual abilities.

Anticipating toxic days ahead, I made sure to watch The Mistress today on its first day. My only worry was it might be mostly about Bea Alonzo's character.

Although the movie is called The Mistress, the movie focuses on both its leads' characters and both actors shine, proving once more that they're the best actors of their generation. While some actors need help from witty dialogue to act up, John Lloyd and Bea have mastered the art of acting with their eyes and body language. In this movie, they tackle serious adult issues and show the audience that they've grown up.

This is a must see for all John Lloyd and Bea fans.

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Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin Road Show

2012-09-07T23:59:00.000+08:00

If I could, I would go to the happiest place on earth all the time. But if that isn't possible, there are other options to enjoy Disney magic.

Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin Road Show is one such example. The smile never left my face as I watched Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy find friends for their talent show. There's something for everyone, all ages included. The kids would enjoy watching Tigger bounce. The girls would marvel at Cinderella and the boys would certainly appreciate the characters from Toy Story. As in all Disney performances, the background, props, music, choreography etc were excellent.

It was a fun way to end a busy week. I can't wait for Disney on Ice.

Thanks to Ensogo, I got my seat, lower box VIP, for PHP1290 instead of PHP2150.

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I Do Bidoo Bidoo

2012-08-31T23:59:00.000+08:00

Because I really wanted to see I Do Bidoo Bidoo and it was not showing in my comfort zone, I ventured out to my second favorite cinema and even declined Zara's lunch invitation. I was not disappointed.

I Do Bidoo Bidoo tells the story of a young couple from two very different backgrounds. How their families come together is what the rest of the movie is all about.

The story is told largely through the songs of the Apo Hiking Society, somewhat like Mamma Mia. The songs chosen were very appropriate for the movie yet it felt that Apo has more to offer because of its extensive songbook. The songbook extends beyond what Apo recorded as the Apo were also songwriters who penned hits for Gary Valenciano and Hajji Alejandro, among others. My favorite songs/scenes in the movie were Di Na Natuto, Batang Bata Ka Pa and Nakapagtataka. I felt though that some songs should have been done in the original arrangement.

This is a must see. I hope they release this on DVD too so that many others can enjoy it.

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Hope Springs

2012-08-23T23:59:00.000+08:00

I didn't make it in time for The Expendables sequel but knew right away that I couldn't go wrong with Meryl Streep's new starrer, Hope Springs.

With Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell in the cast, I expected something similar to It's Complicated, another Meryl Streep film with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin completing the triangle.

Hope Springs is totally different. Although billed as a dramedy, I think it was more drama than comedy. After all, the movie dealt with painful issues in relationships such as lost intimacy and falling out. Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep were perfectly cast as the elderly couple battling these issues with the help of Steve Carell who plays their counselor. I can't think of any other actor who would have been better suited for Tommy Lee Jones' character. He rocked it. I've seen Meryl Streep in many other movies but in each one, she never fails to prove why she's deserving of all the accolades. She was awesome. As for Steve Carell, he was limited by his character and his previous roles. Everytime he appeared on screen, I expected a wisecrack but it didn't come because it would have been out of character.

As for the theme of the movie, it was weird watching an elderly couple reconnect, particularly in the bedroom.This is a must see as I don't think the topic has been explored in an entire movie before.

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Saltimbanco

2012-08-12T23:59:00.000+08:00

Between the two of us, it was S2 who was more excited to see Saltimbanco. She asked me if I wanted to go and since I've never seen a Cirque du Soleil performance before, I agreed.

Thankfully, at the time of our purchase, BDO was offering 20% off the ticket price. That got us very good seats indeed, center, not too near or too far that we would have to crane our necks to see the performance.

The show was awesome. I particularly enjoyed the pantomime and trapeze performances. The bit where they asked for some audience participation was also laugh out loud funny. It was also a visual feast, the costumes were wonderful, the colors vibrant, the acts jaw dropping. I haven't fully recovered from disbelief when they would start yet another incredible act.

At the ladies' room during intermission, someone commented that Varekai was better. I think the reason she felt that way is you can never recreate the magic that you feel the first time you see a performance. That said, while I enjoyed Saltimbanco, I don't think I'll watch a Cirque du Soleil performance yearly in order to preserve that sense of wonder and excitement.

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The Bourne Legacy

2012-08-10T23:30:00.000+08:00

I have not seen any of the Bourne movies because I don't really like Matt Damon. A patient suggested I watch them before seeing The Bourne Legacy which I was interested in because it was shot in Manila. I didn't have time to do that though.

The movie started interestingly enough with some backstory about the program and recurring characters. However, for someone who has not seen the previous installments, it was a little difficult to follow the dialogue.

The last few minutes were devoted to scenes shot in Manila. Unfortunately, the scenes were shot mostly in Old Mania and so failed to show the many things that the country could offer. Although Palawan was featured, the scene in the fim didn't give it justice.

I was surprised when it ended because I thought it was just warming up.

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Brave

2012-08-01T23:59:00.005+08:00

The weather was terrible today so classes were suspended. Children didn't necessarily stay home. Instead, they watched Brave. Normally, on schooldays, the afternoon screening is populated by adults, particularly senior citizens. Today, there was an abundance of children.

Brave tells the story of a Disney princess. In recent years, Disney has changed the characters of the Disney princesses, making them more independent and strong willed in keeping with the times. It's also different from most stories because there's hardly a love angle in the story or a Prince Charming. Instead, the story focuses on the relationship between the princess and her mother, the queen.

But while the conflict lies between mother and child instead of the usual father vs princess dilemmas in other Disney princesses' movies, the same values of love, compromise and communication are espoused in Brave.

The lessons are important to both young and old. On this rainy afternoon, outside school, Brave allowed children to bond with their parents while learning a few lessons here and there.

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