Selasa, 31 Mei 2011

Stardust: Movie Review


One of my favorite movies, Stardust, lives up to expectations and delivers so much more. It succeeds as both a fantasy film and as a romantic comedy. While Stardust is usually compared to other films, it is essentially unique.


Based on the graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and adapted to the screen by writer Jane Goldman and writer/director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake),Stardust is an adventure with a romantic theme. It tells the tale of sweet and naïve Tristran (Charlie Cox) who is in love with a vain and self-involved woman named Victoria (Sienna Miller). When she’s not accepting advances from the oh-so-irritating Humphrey (Henry Cavill), she’s enslaving Tristran along.
One evening they witness a falling star, and Victoria issues him a challenge: if in one week he can retrieve the star and bring it back to her, she will agree to marry him. Problem is the star has fallen on the other side of the “heavily” guarded wall that borders their village, and which no one dares to cross. What the villagers don’t know is that it’s also the entrance to another dimension — a magical kingdom known as Stormhold.
But Tristran, full of hope and eager to please, ventures forth. He finds the star, only to discover that it’s actually a young woman, Yvaine (Claire Danes). Unfortunately, he’s not the only person after the star’s charms, which include immortality. The witch queen Lamia (played superbly by Michelle Pfeiffer) is also after her as is the (only-living) male successor to the thrown of Stormhold, Septimus (Mark Strong), who seeks the ruby necklace in her possession which will declare him the new king of the land

Stardust is a charming movie that will please any number of audiences. The acting and writing are both excellent and engaging. The chemistry between Danes and Cox is perfect and their exchanges are sweet  full of witty dialogue. In one of the film’s highpoints, Danes delivers a declaration on the definition of love with the same wide-eyed wonder she demonstrated in Romeo and Juliet. However, it is Robert De Niro as the pirate Captain Shakespeare and Pfeiffer who steal the show. Indeed, De Niro’s scenes are worth watching the whole film for. No wonder I love De Niro so much, he’s such a legend.

This movie was made to be a cult classic. There are several pop cultural references, including a shot lifted directly from Lord of the Rings. I just love the cinematography, makes me want to go there and take pictures all day if that is possible. I’ll never get tired watching it over and over again. Really worth watching.

Jumat, 27 Mei 2011

LG Optimus 2X is a Genius! :) Beat that!





What is the most common thing that any person who’s always on the go should have that can help make their lives easier especially if they always count on internet? Nowadays, a person can never go wrong with internet and it’s a plud factor if you have it wherever you go, it can be really handy and smart phones are the perfect answer to that. LG introduced a phone that will make every smart phones feel insecure. It’s a GENIUS phone. I’m quite excited to have one, if ever I’ll be lucky enough to win it but using my futuristic mind ability, I can see myself holding it and using it, It feels great held in hand, not particularly modern like other smart phone which I think is an edge, some smart phones can be so baffling to use you just don’t want to use it anymore because you tend to nosebleed with all the applications, but with LG Optimus 2x, it offers  exceptional screen, one of the best screen displayed which is called Nova. A pleasant on-screen keyboard, high performance and multi-media options that can be really exciting, and of course I’m eagerly jumping for joy since Gingerbread upgrade capability is within reach with LG Optimus 2x! What I really love about this utterly genius phone is that it has a long battery life which is 1500mAh! Unbelievable right? I always go after gadgets that has a long life, I can use it much longer.


What else can we expect from LG Optimus2x? well I can feel some cockiness in me since there’s a lot of things to brag about this genius phone and I am writing this in a sense that I feel like owning this kind of genius phone is like a dream come true, this is the first dual core smartphone with 4-inch display and 1080p video recording. In case you’re wondering how much power can be used. Well, for starters, let’s imagine ourselves using it right now, we’ve got both full 1080p tv out via HDMI and video capture through an 8 megapixel primary camera and let me say that again, 8 megapixel! Paired with a 1.3 mega pixel cam front for face to face calling just inb case you love talking to your loveones face up. This is really awesome right? Who wouldn’t want a genius phone like this?

LG Optimus 2x has topped the market when it comes to performance and luckily not when it comes to price.  Due to this excellent portion of price and offered qualities, this will surely be a great competitor on the market as one of the best mid-range smart phones available.


I know there’ll be hundreds of us who’ll be rooting for this giveaway and I can only hope, pray and cross my fingers that I can be one of the lucky 10 most creative bloggers who’ll get to own LG Optimus phones, they will announce the winners on July 7, 2011, a week after my birthday, it can still count as a birthday present for me yippee! ?

I can't contain my excitement anymore! :)



Like LG's facebook page and visit their official website as well. http://www.lg.com/ph/ :)

Optimus is more than just smart. It’s genius. Visit lgoptimus.ph for more information!

Kamis, 26 Mei 2011

Pirates of the Caribbean: On stranger tides movie review


Johnny Depp is back as Jack Sparrow alongside a new cast of characters in the fourth instalment of Pirates of the Caribbean.


In this film, Jack Sparrow has found the Fountain of Youth, and all he needs now is a ship to get there. He unwittingly partners with Angelica, his former lover, who has been impersonating Jack in London. She essentially kidnaps him and takes him aboard Blackbeard’s ship. Angelica has recently learned that Blackbird is her father. And despite his soulless reputation and magical sword which he uses for no good, she is grateful just to have a dad.


Blackbeard and his crew set out with one goal in mind: to find the Fountain of Youth. And they use Jack as their guide. But their journey has become a race; two other ships are heading in the same direction—Captain Barbossa and his crew, as well as the Spanish. But before they can reap the benefits of the fountain, they need a few tools: two silver challises and a mermaid’s tear. But acquiring a mermaid’s tear isn’t easy. They’re violent, powerful creatures, not to mention tough. They don’t shed tears of sorrow, so making them cry is a difficult and sometimes impossible task. But really, the first mermaid that I saw there looks like Amanda Seyfried and I’m really amused. They’re all beautiful but when they get to attack the humans, they look like piranhas :)


The title of this film “On Stranger Tides” didn’t really make sense. The logical title should have been “The Fountain of Youth” because that was what the movie was about. While Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom’s absence does leave a significant hole in the cast, the clever action sequences offer up enough entertainment to make the movie worth seeing. Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is not the best of the Pirates franchise, but it’s not the worst either. I hope the next installment of this movie would be more action packed and a little less talking. I still love Johnny Depp :)
watch the official trailer here:

Jumat, 20 Mei 2011

Pepsi Pinas: A whole new taste of cola :)


When I received the email of 7-11 regarding another new product that we, as Lauch Box members, should try and write a review, I can’t wait till I get my hands on this cola. I am so giddy to try Pepsi Pinas.  In fact I am always giddy and excited to try out different products, this is something new for me and I’m liking it so much. :)


When I get to drink, it tastes good enough for me. As always, Pepsi leaves no after taste and is refreshing especially when you get to drink it ice cold. It will really quench your thirst or your hunger to elude that summer heat in you. I’m not saying this because of hype and all, we all know that Pepsi is one of the leading names in colas but when it comes to food and beverages, quality and taste really matters and we have to give credit to Pepsi because they always try to innovate their products, so I’m really hooked on trying out new ones :)
So, get a taste of Pepsi Pinas now at any 7-11 branch near you, SRP is P21.00.
TASTE: 8/10
PACKAGING: 9/10
VALUE: 9/10



This is a sponsored Article/Product Review courtesy of 7-11 Philippines.
Visit their facebook page 7-11 PHILIPPINES or check their site -> http://launchbox.7-eleven.com.ph/ :)

Interview with the Vampire: Movie Review



You should probably know, Louis, (the main character) narrates the film as it goes along as he is getting interviewed.
Firstly, it is nothing like Twilight and nothing like an old school vampire film. Well actually it has aspects of an old school vampire film and is slightly cheesy, but makes up for it by being epic. It’s basically about a man (Louis) who lost his wife in childbirth and now only wants to die, so he tries everything to get someone to kill him as he doesn’t want to commit suicide, but a vampire call Lestat gives him the option of being turned into a vampire by making it sound glamorous, explaining how he’ll never grow old and live forever and such. So Louis accepts his offer, which frankly I didn’t understand considering he wanted to die and all. Anyway, after a few years of being a vampire, Louis decides he doesn’t want to eat humans, so he eats rats (ew) but then in a moment of weakness, bites a child whose mother died of the plague, Lestat walks in on him biting the little girl and freaks him out, so he leaves.


What Louis doesn’t realise, that the little girl isn’t yet dead when he leaves her. Later that night, he comes home to find the little girl in a bed asleep, but slowly dying. Lestat then pressures Louis into letting him change her into a vampire as well. At first the little girl, Claudia, is confused but is soon to accept the two men as her family. The years pass, and obviously, none of them age. Claudia stays as a little girl and begins to hate the fact that she will never grow up. In one scene, we see her looking at a woman bathing through a window which yes, I know sounds weird and pervy, but you actually see how much she wishes she could change places with the woman. She lashes out at Lestat and Louis for changing her, and wants to know which one did it but they both refuse to tell her. Claudia is far more fond of Louis to Lestat, as he treats her more like a daughter, where as Lestat treats her like a student. It comes down to Louis to explain to her how she really became a vampire. She goes mental at him, but forgives him, where as she can’t forgive Lestat and seeks revenge on him. I won’t give you details on that, it would spoil the surprise. Claudia and Louis then set off trying to find other of their kind and after years and years of trying, they finally meet a group of vampires. Again, I will not give you details as it would ruin the film.



The films comes a fairly sad and upsetting ending, but actually has a comical twist. Anyway, yeah, if I were you I’d watch it. It’s actually so good! I know I probably haven’t described it very well, but it is amazing. Oh, and if you like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Kristen Dunst, you HAVE to watch it. I love them all, but this is definitely the best thing I’ve ever seen any of them in!!!!

Beastly: Movie Review


Based on the book by Alex Flinn of the same title, this movie follows the trials and tribulations of a young boy, Kyle, who is outwardly good looking, cocky, arrogant, and about to get a taste of what it’s like to not be so blessed.  Kyle’s world turned upside down, and inside out, when he ticks off a witch who puts a curse on him.  Now he has one year to find someone who can love a beast which is him.


This movie (as well as the book of the same title) is a re-telling of the classic love story of Beauty and the Beast.  I enjoyed this movie. The acting was decent, the settings were great, and of course I love the plot. You know, a girl or boy loving someone who is less attractive or popular, I know it is a cliché kind of story but for the longest time, this kind of stories still made people fall in line in theatres.  Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale aside from Cinderella. I still need to read the book of course, and the list grew longer, indeed I have more pile of books to read and sadly, I haven’t done my share on reading this past few weeks.
I think that one of the biggest qualms people will have with the movie is that Kyle isn’t so much “Beastly” as “different” which in Kyle’s world different is beastly.  From the trailers (or the movie poster picture above) anyone can tell that his face is scarred, there are slight boils, and lacerations; whereas according to the book (I have read some portions and yes, I’m a cheater) Kyle had the challenge of also growing fur (like a beast).  I think they changed it in the movie for special effects sake, and for modernity rationale. I mean we all know some people could be really a critic as if making a movie is that easy.
In order for me to know if they did a great job on adapting the book, I have to read it first but the film was good. I think I’m bias since I love both Vanesa Hudgens and Ales Pettyfer but judging from what I have seen, it’s worth watching anyway. I’ve seen worse but this, not at all. They clicked and you will have the “kilig” moments when you watch the movie.

Hershey's Nuggets: Simply Delectable!



Hershey’s Nuggets is Hershey’s chocolate at its best. They are mouth-watering delights that are satisfying and extremely yummy. Each nugget is intended to be two bites of rich, pure chocolate as only Hershey can provide.


Launched in the 1980’s, Hershey’s Nuggets were originally individual treats only, sold in special single packages, but now they are available in multi-packages.


Three pieces of this thick, individually-wrapped candy equals a serving, and that works out to be about more or less 200 calories, but talk about a tasty 200 calories with no regrets, simply delectable, a treat for all.


There are a couple of things I specifically enjoy about Hershey’s Nuggets. First, it is made with milk chocolate and not a substitute or other cocoa source. This is the good stuff, the chocolate that sets your taste buds to extreme joy. Second, because they are thick bites, one Hershey’s Nugget is really all you need to satisfy the craving for chocolate or to make you feel like you’ve a special treat after dinner, or whenever. They actually last longer for me than many other chocolate treats as a result. This is one of my favorite chocolates and the fact that they have it on a grab n’ go pack of 3′s simply makes it worth carrying everywhere you go. Available in Milk Chocolate, Creamy Milk with almond and Cookies n’ Cream! :) So what are you waiting for? grab your Hershey’s Nuggets now :)
Gotta love the original Hershey’s Nuggets.



TASTE: 9/10
PACKAGING: 9/10
VALUE: 9/10

P.S.
This is a sponsored Article/Product Review courtesy of 7-11 Philippines. Visit their facebook page 7-11 PHILIPPINES or check their site -> http://launchbox.7-eleven.com.ph/ :)





Tom Cruise Movie Overload: Film Reviews


This movie blew my mind. The raw human emotion of both Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman is worth watching. After so many years of looking forward into watching this movie, I finally get to watch it. The story is all about a doctor [Cruise]. His wife [Kidman] -- after smoking pot with him -- reveals that she had once contemplated an affair while they were on vacation. During her confession he is called with the information that one of his patients died. This event eventually sparks off an evening of sexual frustration ending with his infiltration of a masked orgy.


The writing for the film -- also done by Kubrick -- is simplistic and bold. One scene that deserves real credit is the scene in which Bill and Alice smoke pot. Beginning with high ramblings and ending in a powerful monologue delivered by Nicole Kidman. The book at which this movie is based on is called Dream Story. The film is so dreamlike it is hard to completely comprehend. For example, there is a part in which a model who is hitting on Bill at a party says. “Don’t you want to go where the rainbow ends?” and later on, Bill enters a costume shop called ‘Where the Rainbow Ends’. At the party there are lights hanging from the walls, also at the costume shop, were the same lights hanging from the ceiling.
One thing that really gave off the ‘dream’ essence was the fact that at 0ne moment, Bill exits a shop, enters a taxi, and gets off at his stop. It is implied as he traveled a distance, but in the background of the next shot, the shop that he just left is in the background.
You wouldn’t notice this if you were just watching the movie, as a matter of fact it doesn’t even play it like a ‘dream’ but instead like a story. One might put the fact the the shop was on the other end of the street off to bad directing but Stanley Kubrick doesn’t make mistakes. He means for these things to be in the final cut of the film.

This is a film with a happy ending and a clear moral conclusion, but we have to go on an unusual journey to find it.  It was misunderstood in its theatrical release, but like most of Kubrick’s work from ’2001′ on it has gradually won over critics and cinephiles.  For this reason, I call it a classic — a truly adult film.

I thought Tom Cruise was confused in Eyes Wide Shut, but was I wrong! :)
David Aames (Tom Cruise) has it all: wealth, good looks and a gorgeous woman (Cameron Diaz) on his arm. But just when he’s found true love with warmhearted Sofia (Penélope Cruz), his face is horribly disfigured in a car accident, and he loses everything … or does he?
Vanilla Sky is directed by Cameron Crowe, and this is a remake of a Spanish film called Open Your Eyes. Once again, an American director is remaking a foreign classic, however, this is not so bad compared to others of that same movie-topic.

There are little clues to the real idea behind this whole story that you kind of have to look at, and at first you’ll be totally confused but if you can look past all the confusion and look at the clues underneath it all, you’ll find a real, brilliant message from the story and lessons of course.
The message is that the world we live in, is it just a dream, and if so how far do our dreams go, until they become nightmares. David Aames is a douche who thinks he’s got it all, but then in a quick second he loses it all, and creates this world of fiction where everything is perfect, and means something. What does reality consist of? This film searches for those answers and although they may not be telling you them right in the open to your face, it’s the idea of looking at everything and thinking is where the real beauty of this film lies.

Tom Cruise does a lot with David Aames here, and it’s not easy stuff to do in the first place. Cruise has to play this narcissistic asshole, that goes through a whole bunch of transformations as he starts to have no idea just exactly what the hell is going on. His character gains a lot of depth, and many of the more emotionally intriguing scenes are from Cruise, and his crazy performance. Penelope Cruz is very likable here as Sofia, and you can see why Cruise’s character fell in love with her after all. Cameron Diaz deserves credit as Julianna, and brings out the films best performance because her character is so disturbing, and crazy that you almost feel like she is a big nightmare. There’s also some nice little side performances from the likes of Jason Lee, Kurt Russell, Timothy Spall, and the always creepy in any filmTilda Swinton.



The movie’s pretty much about a super spy guy played by Tom Cruise…who’s accused of going rouge. While he’s running from other hit men, the government and other crazy people. He runs into Cameron Diaz at the airport…she basically becomes a witness with everything and is forced to stick by his side.


The film centers around June Havens, a fairly uninspiring Cameron Diaz, who ends up in the middle of a secret agency war against a seemingly mentally unstable Agent named Roy Miller (Tom Cruise). Roy needs to protect a highly powerful new energy source from getting in the wrong hands, while at the same time protecting June from getting killed every time she makes one erroneous decision after another. But seriously who could be as stupid as June, who continuously puts herself and Roy in danger because she just doesn’t use her brain? It seems as though the writers just stuck with the idea that the girl should be dimwitted rather than just parodying the typical spy genre’s elements to make it entertaining. Of course the film revolves around an insider traitor, though the film never really gives you any sense of ambiguity taking a great ingredient of surprise from the entire experience. Knight & Day is just a straightforward action film; no thought or brains needed as the car explosions and body count keep distracting you from the lack of inventiveness. Oh well, who wouldn’t resist Diaz and Cruise anyway?:)



This poster says it all, really, but I’ll elaborate. Usually I love Spielberg for his action, family values, cute kids and alternately weepy and triumphant scores. But in this case, I can’t figure out hat went wrong. I was bored, really bored with this movie, I literally fell asleep.
War of the Worlds stars Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, Dakota Fanning as Rachel Ferrier, Miranda Otto as Mary Ann and Tim Robbins as Harlan Ogilvy. The 2005 film was directed by Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg. The screenplay was written by Josh Friedman and David Koepp, from the novel by H. G. Wells. The movie is a production of Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Amblin Entertainment, and Cruise/Wagner Productions.

10 Things to Buy in Antipolo

photo courtesy of Click the city
From the best places to go to Antipolo, let’s now check out what we can buy at the famous Pilgrimage city. Whoever thought that traveling never included spending on something special is deeply mistaken. Loosen up your purse strings and open your native “bayongs” (shopping basket) for some of Antipolo’s special treats.


1. Kasoy – Bring home a kilo or two of cashew nuts in “binusa” (dry roasted), “inadobo” (deep fried with garlic) or raw varieties.


2. Mangga – Hed to Antipolo for “kaings” (50-kilo baskets) worth of mangos freshly harvested from local farms.
3. Suman sa Ibos – Unsweetened sticky rice wrapped in softened coconut or banana leaves never goes wrong with “latik” (coconut milk caramel) and a cup of “kapeng barako” (native strong, dark coffee).


4. Pottery – Visit Lanelle Abueva-Fernando at Crescent Moon Gallery for her collection of earthen masterpiece.

Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo
5. Artworks – A quick stop at some local galleries will immerse you in the high art of paintings and sculptures, Antipolo-style.


6. Religious Items – From commercially produced images of the holy ones to handmade rosaries from local community coops, you’re sure to get your share of religious treasures from Antipolo.


7. Sineguelas – Also known as Spanish plum, are already a steal at P50.00 a kilo. As the summer wears on, the price goes down as supply increases dramatically.




8. Kalamay – Antipolo is reputed to have the best kalamay ever. This sweet sticky rice cake tooped with dark sweet coconut glaze provides very satisfying delight in every bite.

9. Benernal/Upland Rice – This variety, grown by the Dumagaat and Remontado tribes people of Antipolo, is fragrant like Jasmine rice, but short grain in size. Benernal is said to be rich in beta-carotene and a good source of fiber.

10. Binuho – Otherwise known as “suman sa buho”, is sweetened glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes and seasoned in coconut milk. It goes well with “salabat” or ginger ale.


So, there you have it :0 I hope you’ll have a wonderful time when you go to Antipolo plus don’t forget to buy souvenirs :) Enjoy!