Monte Carlo: Movie Review

First and foremost, I totally love the setting of this film. This movie will take you to the most exciting and exotic places in Paris and Monte Carlo without having you leave the comfort of your seat or couch for that matter. Places that I really want to visit someday soon. Hopefully. Monte Carlo stars the most beautiful girls up to date like Disney's Selena Gomez (Grace) and Gossip Girl ladies (Meg) Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy (Emma). I really love the cast plus they also have Andie Macdowell in the cast, I remember watching her in St. Elmo's Fire. 

Now, Monte Carlo feels very Disney-like to me. Girls dream about being a princess or living that life. And this movie definitely fits those criteria. Directed by Thomas Bezucha the film tells the story of three young women who go to Paris after one of them graduates from high school. The main star is Grace (Selena Gomez) has just graduated from high school. For a couple years she’s been saving up to go to Paris with her best friend Emma (Katie Cassidy). Right after graduation, her mother Pam (Andie MacDowell) and her boyfriend Robert (Brett Cullen) tell Grace and Robert’s daughter Meg (Leighton Meester) know that they are going to get married. Both Pam and Robert feel that a little sisterly bonding should take place and Grace is told that Meg is going to be joining her on her trip to Paris.

Meg’s mother had passed away and she’s what I would call depressed and unhappy with life. So basically she’s a real downer and Grace isn’t particularly thrilled she’s going to join them. When they arrive in Paris, the tour that Grace has scheduled isn’t exactly a good one. They rush thru everything and eventually, when they’re on the Eiffel Tower, their tour winds up leaving without them. In the rain they make their way to a hotel where they use the bathroom. Much to their surprise an heiress by the name of Cordelia Winthrop Scott (also played by Selena Gomez) enters and the similarities between her and Grace are almost perfect. So Grace is mistaken to be Cordelia.

Now that Grace is thought to be Cordelia, they are given the opportunity to travel to Monte Carlo where Cordelia is scheduled to auction off a beautiful necklace to benefit school children in foreign countries. I could go more into the plot, but I think you get the idea of where this movie is heading and getting there is the fun part.

This is another romantic comedy that will make you smile after watching it. It’s the type of movie that’s going to appeal to the young teenage girl crowd, but if you like the good romantic comedies, you’ll find yourself enjoying this one.

Selena Gomez is at that stage in her life where she’s trying to make the transition from tweenage actress to a young adult actress. I will say if she continues to pick movies like this one she’s going to be fine. She’s a good actress and really helps to carry this movie. The casting of Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy was a perfect fit and all three of them do a great job.
I enjoyed the fact that each of the young women had their own stories to be told in the film. Meg, who is down on life learns to find meaning in life and throughout the movie you see the frown gradually turn into a big smile as she finds love with an Australian by the name of Riley (Luke Bracey). Katie Cassidy’s character has a relationship with Owen (Cory Monteith) back in Texas and as the movie goes on, their relationship strengthens and both of them come to realize how much they mean to each other.

There’s really nothing bad I can say about this movie. It’s sweet, it’s got heart, and it’ll make you laugh. The movie isn’t for everyone, but if you give it a chance, it’s a fun movie to watch. 

watch the trailer here:

Bottoms Up at Dairy Queen

Honestly speaking, I have fallen in love with Dairy Queen the moment I first tasted their ice cream. It keeps getting better. My experience at Dairy Queen has always been pleasant. I love their interior, pleasant in the eyes plus their crew are always very accommodating. 

I really love their Rocky Road Blizzard, it never fails to brighten up my "not-so-good" day especially those hectic days in the office. Their blizzard really melts in your mouth not in your cup plus I love the nuts in it then I also love their Double Cocoa Shake, I can order it a dozen times without getting tired in it. 

The thing that makes me hook with Dairy Queen is that it's not too sweet. The flavor is just right which can make you really hook in it. I also love their DQ cakes, something different and unique. They also say that it's also perfect in your healthy diet since almost everyone tends to crave for ice cream every now and then. 

McDonald's

McDonald's has always been a household name to everyone especially to children. I remember when I was kid, I'll always ask my mom to buy me McChicken with large fries and up until now, I still love it. But in return, I'm the one who loves to buy my mom McChicken to my mom for pasalubong. 

Today, McDonald's has a lot of treats to offer their loyal customers and I'm one of them. When I'm busy at work and doesn't have that much time to eat out or find and think of a place to eat, without thinking I just go to McDonald's. I always order Chicken Fillet with rice (P50.00) with drinks, regular fries (P25.00) then hot fudge sundae (P25.00) and voila! I have the perfect lunch to make it through the day.  

I guess I will never get tired of eating at McDonald's. Even if I'll have grandchildren someday, I'll ask them to take me to this chain every now and then. It's cheap, it's delicious and worth it.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2

The first thing you need to know about the last instalment of the Harry Potter movie series, is that you will cry. And I’m not talking about getting a tad teary towards the end, or maybe needing to blow your nose once - no, tears will literally stream down your face. Well at least if you have a heart, that is.

On  to the movie itself however - the first thing you will immediately be exposed to, is the opening sequence for this film, and in a word it was: powerful. The dark tone established by the first part was maintained well (although I do feel the overriding feeling of “desperation” and the tension/release of the first movie was missing - which was a slight letdown) and the new musical riff for this movie was absolutely glorious - it opens the movie nicely. The Battle of Hogwarts itself (which comprises a majority of the movie) was rather spectacular, and if the special effects team for the Harry Potter saga is not acknowledged at the upcoming Oscars, I will be bitterly disappointed - I can’t really say much more on this, because to put it simply, the effects are so astounding that I can’t describe them with words. It is here that the movie really regains the old magic of the early films, where you are truly immersed in the world of magic. Although the battle between Molly Weasley and Bellatrix Lestrange was much too short - but for the most part, the battle itself was quite brilliant, and its climax is breathtaking.

In terms of the development of the characters within this movie, two of the central characters that have been with us throughout all of the movie, really shine in the second instalment. Harry stands out as the stoic, brave yet vulnerable hero, who has finally learned to accept his fate and has grown amazingly since his portrayal in the first film - and he has never been more believable or loveable then here and he finishes on a fantastic note. Snape also becomes the emotional target of this film, with his death and his memory sequence in the Pensieve perhaps providing the two best handled scenes in the entire movie (Alan Rickman did an amazing job here) and really providing that essence of grief that the movie lacked until this point. I do feel that Ron and Hermione should have been given slightly more screen time (although Grint and Watson did well with what they had, Watson especially has grown into quite a good actress).

The same can be said for the other secondary characters in relation to the battle of Hogwarts - many of the characters we love die, and yet we only see a few of these deaths occur, and we see very little fighting that does not include Harry himself. However Maggie Smith must be applauded for her portrayl of Professor Mcgonagall which was outstanding throughout the battle sequence - she really displays the character exactly how Rowling wrote her in this novel, and you can’t help but feel like a proud Gryffindor while watching.

As you leave the theatre, it really does hit you that this is the last Harry Potter film we will ever see being released (well at least for quite a while) and you feel like a part of you has ended. It really gives you a very hollow feeling for a moment. You do start to think about how Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have all grown alongside you, and you think about the implications of your own growth - it feels like the book has finally closed. However as my friend pointed out - Harry Potter is magic, and magic can last forever.

watch the trailer here:

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

I saw Transformers: Dark of the Moon today and it’s a pretty good movie to say the least, I recommend it to people who saw the first two. 

Basically, the plot evolved on Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) who is not enjoying his veteran life with new girlfriend Caty (played by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley). ‘Thankfully’ he gets wrapped up in another ancient plot to destroy the world once more by, you guessed it, the Decepticons. The Autobots, the glorious US army and Sam and, for some reason, his girlfriend, must team up once again to save the world and kick some metal. Yes, A lot of metals I must say. I reason why I’m having second thoughts on watching this movie is that when I watched the first two series, I tend to cry every time one of the Autobots gets into trouble like Bumblebee. I know it’s part of the story to put some twist in it but just the same I can’t help it, I tend to feel emotional.

Dark of the Moon is kind of a combination of Transformers 1 & 2: it has some of the things that made the first one great but this is compensated by a lot that made the second one not that great. There’s a lot of fighting going on, this time in 3D. What I don’t like is the “parts” when Sam sits through two and a half hours looking up and screaming at everyone in slow-motion and 3D which is just a bit too much. I mean there are a couple of times he could be in no use at all with his robot friends like Bumblebee. But apart from some excellent cinematography, this is just another Revenge of the Fallen. As in really. Honestly speaking, I wish Megan Fox is still part of the movie, I mean I didn’t feel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at all, what’s with the pouty lips anyway? I mean she does it on purpose? to completely imitate Megan Fox? That’s not really a good idea.

The best scene so far for me is when Optimus Prime killed Megatron in the final scene and also Sentinel. A little sad though. Another scene is when Sam and Bumblebee are chased by two Decepticons on the highway causing mayhem and eventually on of the coolest shots I’ve ever seen in a film.

watch the trailer here:

Sweet November: Movie Review

“This is it. Life will never be better, nor sweeter than this.”

It is a wonderful movie. It’s inspiring and thought provoking on how we should live our lives and who we should share them with.

The story evolves on Nelson Moss (Keanu Reeves) is a selfish San Francisco workaholic who devotes all of his considerable energies to his job as a hotshot ad agency wizard. He is driven by his cell phone, watch, and wall of TV monitors. His girlfriend (Lauren Graham) is just another object in his collection of things and she knows it. And his best friend Vince (Greg Germann) is a mirror image of his own worst qualities — thoughtlessness, insensitivity, and greediness.

While taking a driver’s test, Nelson asks a stranger, Sara Deever (Charlize Theron), for help with an answer. She’s thrown out of the examination room, told not to return for a month, but she doesn’t turn him in. Later, she demands that since she can’t drive, Nelson should give her a ride home. She even makes him an odd proposition: he can move into her funky apartment for a month and let her take him under her wings. After he loses a key account, is fired from his job, and his girlfriend walks out, this bewildered soul is ready to try anything. “I have a special ability to help men with problems,” Sara assures him as he moves in for the month of November.

Sadly I feel that it had an ending that was less than what it should have and could have been.  I detest bad endings, but this movie is worth watching.

watch the trailer:

Kamayan sa Mang Inasal

Another week has passed and it's another Saturday fun weekend with the family, when we're almost home, we suddenly felt hungry when we pass by Mang Inasal. We decided to stop over and eat our dinner there.

Whenever we get to eat at Mang Inasal, it's always a fun-filled rice marathon dinner or lunch. I can't help but admit that I really love eating here, it feels home and the unlimited rice is a big plus. That night we ordered our usual orders. We ordered PM2 (Grilled Pecho Chicken) with Sinigang soup, rice in banana leaf then of course unlimited rice for only P99.00. What more can we ask for? When you're eating a mouth watering food like this, it is highly encouraged to eat with bare hands, "mag-kamay na tayo!". I also love my very own "sawsawan". Soy sauce, calamansi and sili then voila! perfect for chicken.

After that, I get to count how many cups of rice I got and guess what, I had 3 cups of rice. Unbelievable.  When ordered Sorbetes Baso P25.00 for dessert. Selecta Ice cream in three flavors which is ube, chocolate and cheese. Just right. 

My verdict for my favorite restaurant? I will never get tired of eating here, perfect for family bonding eat out. Totally worth it eating here. 

Love as I see it

Love can be defined in many ways, as for this picture, I chose Friendship as one of the many forms of how I SEE LOVE. A friend is someone that everyone needs, someone you tell EVERYTHING, someone that is always there, who will always listen to you, who will never leave you in the dust, who will help you and support you through thick and thin, who will stand by your side and will never let you down and lastly a friend is someone who will accept you for who you are and will bring out the best in you. 

We've been friends since college and I must say we've been through the happiest and toughest times. Up until now, we stay strong and we never lose contact with eahc other despite our hectic schedules. Time makes friendship stronger and that's how I see Love through our FRIENDSHIP. :)

This is my entry to “Love as I see it". A project of www.islandrose.net flowers Philippines.

Visit their website at http://www.islandrose.net/ and their facebook page as well. :)

Chow Time at Chowking

If there's a Chinese food restaurant that I can eat over and over again that I will not get tired of, it's got to be Chowking.  I like their simple menu that doesn't confuse the customers and the prices are very reasonable. Whatever food that I order in their menu, it's always bound to be a winner. I know that my tummy will get stuffed.

We ordered Chowfan with siomai which is my favorite together with the chili paste that they are famous of. For me their chili paste is the best sauce for siomai. 

Plus we also tried our their added star on the menu which is the Chinese style fried chicken. I have to admit I was a little too excited with the fried chicken and thankfully, I wasn't disappointed when I get to eat it. Their fried chicken is good. "Parang chicharon sa lutong!" Really crunchy and tasty and you don't even need the gravy because it has some distinct taste on it. 

Chowking gave a whole new meaning Chinese foods and I must admit, I will always enjoy eating here.