Jumat, 20 Mei 2011

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 clichĂ© 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 (PenĂ©lope 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!

Senin, 09 Mei 2011

Jumat, 06 Mei 2011

10 Places to Visit in Antipolo

Since I live in Antipolo and living there gives me the easy access to the best destinations at the city let me enumerate some of the nice places to go to at Antipolo, so pack your cameras and traveling shoes for a trip that’s sure to be worth it.


1.National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, also known as the Cathedral Parish of the Immaculate Conception is the center of religious activities all year round for Antipolo and devotees from all over.


2.Via Dolorosa is a modern-day way of the cross featuring life-sized stations of the cross – a favorite stop for pilgrims during the Lenten Season.


3.Boso-boso Church is the remains of the very first built in the region by the Franciscan missionaries who arrived in Antipolo in 1578. A small chapel serves the community these days but the centuries old masonry and stonework of what used to be the grand old church still stand. 



4.Hinulugang Taktak waterfalls has and always be identified with Antipolo. The waterfalls has been declared a National Park and now contains picnic cottages, a swimming pool, pathways and walks that afford a nice view of the dramatic falls. 


5.Mt. Purro Nature Camp is located in Barangay Calawis of Antipolo. The place is an ideal destination for camping, tribe games, nature hikes, and other environmental activities. 



6.Pacem Eco-Park was established by Assumption Antipolo to help raise concern for the environment. It features an eco-center, a mini-forest, wildlife sanctuary, aviary, and pond. 



7.Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain is a haven in a rainforest located in Barangay San Jose, Boso-boso, Antipolo. The two-hectare sanctuary provides individual prayer cells, prayer huts, and a chapel as well as private rooms for an overnight stay. 


8.Crescent Moon Gallery offers pottery lessons in this little nook along Ascension Road in Antipolo. The 5,000-squre-meter lot was transformed into a beautiful secret garden with a cafĂ© using its own pottery pieces to showcase house specialties like the Alagao Lumpia. 

9.Overlooking Manila is also popularly known as “Eagle’s Nest”. The row of restaurants and upland resorts that have a spectacular view of Metro Manila. 


10.Pinto Gallery is a contemporary art space developed by neurologist and art patron Dr. Joven Cuanang since the late 1970s. It is a venue for exchanging exhibitions for modern contemporary art. 


There you have it :) I’m sure you still have plenty of time this summer to check out this amazing places here in Antipolo which is just across the metro :) You don’t have to go that far :)

Tayo na sa Antipolo! :)