Flickr Updates
Mon, 14 May 2007 12:58:00 GMT

Last April 27, the Spindependence firedancing competition was held in Greenbelt 3, organized by Planet Zips, the leading community for zips firedancing.  My favorite performances were from friend Tsok, who did a cool upbeat performance using House music, and this girl who did an Enya interpretation.  They won third and second place, respectively.

I watched the event with photographer Project Manila where we saw other Flickr members covering the event.  After the competition, we moved to Xaymaca to meet other graphic designers for some beer and Brownman Revival.

Click here for more pictures.

My brother Doms graduated Computer Science from the University of the Philippines last April 21, while my brother Oliver will graduate in a few days from the UP College of Medicine.  My sister Angeli is now the only student, and (unfortunately) the only one from Ateneo.  Hehe!

I must admit I was a bit moved during Dominic’s college graduation in the UP theatre.  One reason was we both came from the same college, and the college valedictorian in their batch finished ECE, which was my undergraduate degree.  The videos and the speeches of the ceremony made me very nostalgic, and I’m proud to say I survived the most difficult department of the most difficult college in the university (naks).  It’s just weird that I didn’t feel this during my own graduation N years ago.  I was probably very excited then, which gave no room for nostalgic emotions.  Another reason was that Doms is not only my brother, but is also one of my closest friends and my current roommate.  We share the same circle of friends, and soon he’ll be working in my previous company, where good friend Shelley currently works.  Aside from being nostalgic, I also felt really proud that day.

Click here for more pictures of the graduation weekend.

Last May 5 was the opening of Santo-Santohan, Leeroy’s new solo exhibit at The Boston Gallery.  It was last year when college friends and I spent the holy week in Zambales, to visit Leeroy’s first major exhibit in Casa San Miguel.  The guy has gone a really long way, who just graduated cum laude in UP Fine Arts, major in Painting, though his forte is really in sculpture.

College friends Nana, Skeeter, and Peewee were there in the opening, and I invited college roommate Bob who came with Nei.  I also invited celebrity bloggers Ferdz and Rick, who also brought another blogger, Eky.  It was the first time that I met Ferdz and Eky, and the event somehow turned into an EB of bloggers.  Hehe.

Click here for more pictures of the exhibit opening.

During my last year in college, I shared an apartment with my brother and few friends, where we had a neighbor named Ramram, a very adorable and hyperactive 4 year old.  We would carry and swing him around, and he would scream as if he’s enjoying a fast rollercoaster ride.  Kids can really add a different glow to the most mundane of days.

Now, I’m lucky to live in an apartment surrounded by two cute babies.  Noel and Phoebe are cousins who live doors away from my current place.  Phoebe’s dad Timmy is one of my kainuman in the compound and source for House DVDs, while Noel’s dad Maxi is my source for updated Heroes episodes and will soon take me to one of his Airsoft tournaments.  My brother Doms, who’s a big fan of war movies (has seen Private Ryan a hundred times, and has DVD and VHS copies of the film) is planning to get into the hobby himself and will probably buy equipment soon with his first salary.

Noel and Phoebe are both two year olds who always brighten up the mood of the neighborhood.  I would get a regular kiss every time I leave for work, and there was one time when Noel cried because he wanted to come with me.  I wonder when I’ll be getting a baby for myself.  Hehe.

Click here for more pictures of Noel and Phoebe.

The clothing line of Pakners Rey and Skeeter had its launch last April 19 at the Habi Home, Serendra.  Pakshirt, the statement shirt brand that was successfully introduced in the last UP Fair, with the lines “Pakshirt” and “Pakshirt ka rin,” now offers new designs and hipper statements.  The country series is now available, which shows a flag of a country in front, and a funny statement at the back.

Sample statements are:  Tama ako, tama ikaw, pero MALAYSIA.  Para hindi makatakas si Bantay, ITALY.  Oh shit, oh God, OMAN.  Let’s just be FRANCE.  Etc.  Do visit Serendra and check out Pakshirt.

Click here for more pictures of the Pakshirt Launch.

I spent the recent Labor Day long weekend in Baguio City alone.  I worked and lived in this city for more than a year, and having a nostalgic trip alone was the perfect way to spend the weekend.  Former officemate Benedick offered his entire basement, which has a different entrance from his house.  I met his wife Judy and baby Clive (yep, from Clive Owen) for the first time, and we got to trade gigabytes of music and videos during my stay.  When I was still working for Texas Instruments, Benedick and I were the ultimate source of mp3s in the entire company.

I also got to meet Kenny, one of the very few remaining product engineers in our batch, since most of us already moved out of the company and are now based in Singapore.  I also met up with Juvy, the wife of Paolo, one of those who are now in Singapore, and got to see their baby boy Nico for the first time.  I also had a long night catching up with Sunshine, one of my closest friends in Baguio, who is a very talented acoustic singer in the city.

To complete my Baguio trip, I had breakfast in Café by the Ruins, visited my favorite Starbucks branch in Camp John Hay, had a Don Henrico’s meal (the first Don Hen is in Baguio), and took a walk in Session Road, which I used to do at the end of a long day when I was still living in the cold mountain.  I just miss and love everything about Baguio.

Click here for more pictures of my Baguio trip.

I had a mini reunion with laboratory mates from the university last May 7.  Ramil, who’s in his yearly visit in the country, treated Shelley, Reghz, and me for dinner at Teriyaki Boy Katipunan.  Later we moved to Bed Room Eastwood where we had some strong cocktails, and reminisced the good old college days.  Nerd as this may sound, half the time we were talking about signal processing, electronics, and the technicalities of photography.  The four of us are alumni of the EEE Department, and were all student affiliates of the UP Digital Signal Processing laboratory.  It really felt cool to be surrounded by great minds again!  Hehe.

Reghz and Ramil are working in the same software company, while Shelley and I used to work for the same IT company, before I moved to my current work.  I didn’t bring my camera that night, which was okay since it would look inferior compared to Shelley’s new IS camera and Ramil’s DSLR.  Hehe.  Ramil and Shelley posted some pictures in their Flickr accounts, though Ramil posted them in private mode.

Caliraya Lake
Mon, 02 Apr 2007 03:29:00 GMT

I had a quick summer starter with friends Jerry, Abi, Shelwin, and Van, at a surf camp in Caliraya Lake over the weekend.  I was hesitant of joining the gang at first because of many reasons: I failed to pick-up my sleeping bag from Metropole; I just got sick a few days earlier; I have an upcoming Camarines outing for the holy week; etc.  Good thing I still decided to go, and had one of the most exciting and at the same time most relaxing weekends in recent memory.

Most of the time was spent on frisbee, with tips and new techniques from pro-player Jerry, fresh from bagging major awards in the last frisbee tournament in Metro Manila.  Throwing and catching disc could be really addicting, and nothing gave a more outdoor feel than playing in an open field, with kite-surfers and windsurfers in the background.

A small part in the afternoon was spent trying out windsurfing, which was a really difficult activity.  A heavy sail and strong winds would require so much arm power and leg balance, that a few inches worth of water travel would already bring me to loud happy cheering.  With the natural high the wind and the speed were giving, I’m guessing soon, maybe I could pursue this hobby.

Grilling of food was so much easier since helpers and equipment were readily available, and a sari-sari store was nearby in case we’d run out of beer.  Our instant inihaw menu included tilapia, tomatoes, and liempo, which was just perfect for the atmosphere.  And while the metro was suffering the summer heat at night, we were enjoying the cold fresh breeze of the lake, with a bright moon to complement.  By sunrise I forced myself to wake up, hoping to get good pictures, but unfortunately the area was not a good site for both sunrise and sunset.

Only those doing water sports were familiar with the campsite, that’s why the area was never crowded, and meeting everyone in a friendly place with such few people was expected.  The most interesting were Verge, Van’s windsurfing trainer and equipment owner (Van’s windsurfing was the reason why the trip was organized in the first place), and Jay, the kite-surfer who later joined us in frisbee.  Hobbyists in the area were either successful doctors (in their 50’s or 60’s) or businessmen (those who actually own their businesses), which was just a valid observation, since hobbies with real expensive equipment could only be done by filthy rich professionals.  Since I already turned down the UP Intarmed program 9 years ago, that means my only chance of pursuing hobbies like windsurfing would be the latter.  But for now, my new cheap hobby of frisbee is enough.

By Sunday afternoon, Metropole already delivered my sleeping bag, and I was finishing a book, trying to ignore some sunburn pains on my back.

Click here for more pictures.

Caramoan Peninsula, Camarines Sur
Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:36:00 GMT

click here for more caramoan pictures

I spent the long weekend in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, a peninsula rich of clear waters, long stretches of white beaches, and lots of great islands which we explored for three days (4th day was spent in Naga, killing time in their spa and coffee shops).  I would love to write about my great vacation and brag about my dark tan (hahaha!), but there are just too many pictures to upload in my flickr account (including pics from my friends’ cameras), and of course relatively a lot of work to catch up with after the long break, not giving me time to write and organize my thoughts about the trip.

Anyhow, check my flickr site for more pictures in bigger sizes, that is, after I get to upload all of them.  Hehe.  Have a good day everyone!!
 

Grindhouse – this year’s Kill Bill and Sin City
Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:34:00 GMT

For 2007, only two movies entered the Top 250 Movies of All Time in IMDB so far.  First is the visual orgasm that was 300, and next is Grindhouse, the new collaboration of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.  Their last joint work was the recreation of Frank Miller’s Sin City, where Tarantino directed only a specific sequence, while Rodriguez directed the rest of the film.  This time, the brilliant duo made a two-in-one thriller, which is also a tribute to the B-movie slasher genre, as can be easily seen in the movie posters.  The two movies have fake trailers in between, just to further recreate the feel of two different movies shown in one cinema (which by the way is still the setup of cinemas in my home city, where the second film is called the “double”).

TV stars on big screen: Federico of Six Feet Under and Sayid of Lost

Kurt Russell as the crazy driver and serial killer

The first feature is Planet Terror by Robert Rodriguez, an action film about zombies breaking loose in a planet similar to earth, whose cast is led by Rose McGowan.  Planet Terror also stars Bruce Willis, and actors from two popular television series, Freddy Rodriguez of Six Feet Under and Naveen Andrews of Lost.  Quentin Tarantino’s share is Death Proof, which stars Kurt Russell as a stuntman who kills young women on the road.  The film also stars Rosario Dawson and Eli Roth, the director of the famous B-movie series Hostel (produced by Tarantino).  Robert Rodriguez is the only film director with two trilogies in his credentials – Desperado and, er, Spy Kids – while Tarantino is famous for noir cult films, such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and the Season 5 finale episode of CSI, where George Eads was burried alive.

With the creative concept of Grindhouse, the plotlines, the promised gore, and of course the directors, I’ll be the first one lining up when this one starts showing in local cinemas.
  

Remastered Blue album of Joni Mitchell
Tue, 06 Mar 2007 03:42:00 GMT

Today marks the first day of sale of the remastered version of Joni Mitchell’s 1971 album Blue, hailed as one of the greatest records of all time.  TIME magazine even included it in their list of 100 best albums of all time.  Joni is considered to be one of the most influential female singers in the past four decades, and many artists regardless of gender consider Joni a great influence.  The Lilith Fair ladies alone show hints of Joni Mitchell every once in a while – the storytelling poetry of Lisa Loeb, the shaking voice of Jewel, the emotions of my favorite female singer Sarah McLachlan, etc.
 

I first heard of Joni Mitchell in my favorite comedy series FRIENDS, where a remixed version of Big Yellow Taxi was used in the soundtrack.  Then I heard the song sampled in Janet’s Got ‘Til It’s Gone from the really great pop CD Velvet Rope (which I bought on sale), then later revived by The Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton for a romantic comedy movie.  Then I got a ripped copy of the album Clouds through my friend Skeeter, and then later on got more albums through friend, former officemate, and the new Soluziona basketball star Shelley. (Peace Shelley!)
I am not familiar with all of Mitchell’s works, but these are the three tracks I consider her best:

“A Case of You” from the album Blue (1971)
A Case of You tells a sad story of infatuation, and is one of those really lonely ballads that make you emotional during tipsy moments.  Diana Krall’s version of this song was highly praised by Joni herself.  Other favorites from the album are My Old Man, Carey, and All I Want.  Next to Big Yellow Taxi, I think Carey is the second most notable upbeat Joni Mitchell song.  Joni sings: I could drink a case of you darlin’ and still be on my feet.

“Both Sides Now” from the album Clouds (1969)
This song was recently in the mainstream music scene because of the film Love Actually.  Who would forget the tearjerker montage of Ms. Emma Thompson when she discovered the infidelity of husband played by the versatile Alan Rickman?  The lyrics of the song take us to a profound perspective on life and love, and carry a very moving melody accompanying the theme.  This may sound morbid, but my good friend Lye actually considers Both Sides Now her funeral song (mine would be Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen, hehe).  The song was updated to a more solemn and soulful version in Joni’s 2000 orchestra album.  Chelsea Morning, another track from the album Clouds, is also a favorite.  Joni sings:  It’s life’s illusions that I recall; I really don’t know life at all.

“Cherokee Louise” from the album Night Ride Home (1991)
Cherokee Louise is my ultimate favorite Joni Mitchell song – a relaxing acoustic tune I can always associate with long travels at night, just as the album title says.  (Most of my favorite songs give that same effect; the instant example I can think of is REM’s E-bow the Letter).  The lyrics however tells a sad tale of a character who lives in a tunnel, with lots of hidden meanings in between.  I also personally think that the album Night Ride Home is equally great as the critically applauded Blue.  This 90’s work is one of her later albums infused with jazz and the modern sound, which actually fits more to the taste of the younger generation, which I suppose includes myself.  Other favorites from the album are the tracks Night Ride Home and Passion Play.  Joni sings:  Cherokee Louise is hiding in this tunnel in the Broadway bridge.

Joni Mitchell is one unique artist whose talent ranges from painting to songwriting, and whose genre goes from folk to jazz.  I’m planning to buy the remastered Blue album as a Birthday present to myself, along with my “plan” to quit smoking (again).
 
 
War Movies
Fri, 09 Mar 2007 02:43:00 GMT

Recently I was able to watch three war movies on big screen – wars between musical divas, between ancient civilizations, and between desperate women.  All three films are based on previous works.

Dreamgirls is a singing drama based on a stage musical, which was very loosely based on the biographical story of the pop group The Supremes.  If you simply love any form of musical, then there’s no reason you wouldn’t appreciate this movie.  The production may not be as grand as Chicago, and the story may not be as magical as Moulin Rouge, but it still was one enjoyable experience.  Jennifer Hudson truly deserves her win in the supporting Oscar award, with her convincing acting and really powerful voice (though I was rooting for personal favorite Cate Blanchett).  I don’t think that Jamie Foxx was forgettable in the film as some critics claim, when in fact I thought he had so much presence in the movie, and the story would not be that compelling without his fine acting.  Eddie Murphy was great as the junkie pop star, and Beyonce had her few moments as well.

Good thing I watched Dreamgirls with fresh-from-MBA Che, since she was a member of the UP Singing Ambassadors during her undergraduate days, and definitely knows how to appreciate good music.  (We used to watch a lot of horror movies and go on impulsive food trips until she got so busy with MBA.  Good thing she’s back!)  I also think my mother would enjoy this movie since she’s a fan of Diana Ross and The Supremes.  All music lovers familiar with the era of The Supremes, Lionel Richie, the Jacksons, and all those old school Motown sound will enjoy this movie.

300 is a revolutionary action movie based on a graphic novel, which was loosely based on the historical Battle of Thermopylae, the Spartan war against Persian forces.  The movie is so great that it reminded me of so many great moments in recent filmmaking.  I just love everything about 300 – the choreography, the colors, the music, everything.  In the middle of the movie I was already thinking of buying the original DVD when it comes out.

For a moment I was wondering if Hans Zimmer did the musical score of the movie.  Good thing he didn’t, and the filmmakers wouldn’t be accused of doing a Ridley Scott.  In fact, a lot of the scenes reminded me of Scott’s 2000 epic Gladiator, especially the scenes with the yellow fields, with the queen and her son in the foreground.  Incidentally, those specific moments were said to be the only parts of the movie that weren’t taken from Frank Miller’s images.  In addition, 300 took advantage of a March release, to lead the blockbuster season and avoid the summer competition.  Gladiator used that same technique (so did the first Matrix), which I think is reasonable, since franchise sequels usually own the summer playdates, and there “might” be a chance that good films like Gladiator and 300 wouldn’t earn as much.

If Troy showed us three barenaked men in lousy battle scenes, this one gives us a hundredfold more with creatively choreographed and cinematically captured stunts.  Fight scenes were simply massive and breathtaking, the best since The Two Towers.  And only in the first Matrix and 300 was I amazed with the visual techniques of capturing fast action scenes.  The only minor downside for me was the macro shots of the movie, which was difficult to appreciate because of the texture.  Nothing still compares to the work of cinematographer Christopher Doyle in Hero.  But like Hero, almost every scene in 300 is a masterpiece.

My college friends and I were so excited for 300 that we had to watch it during its first day of release.  And what a great moment 300 was for cinema in this generation.  It even entered IMDB’s Top 250 list of best movies of all time during its first week, and got a standing ovation in its world premiere in Berlin.  This is one movie no cinephile should miss.

Notes on a Scandal is a suspense drama based on a best-selling novel.  The movie lasted only an hour and a half, but seemed so long because of the gripping suspense and really topnotch acting.  British Judi Dench and Australian Cate Blanchett play high school teachers in London who both lead desperate lives full of foul secrets.  The dirty laundry of all women in Desperate Housewives combined is no match to the psychological thrill of this very dark drama.  Tragedy and secrets unfold one after another, and the desperation of the main characters just gets into your face scene after scene.  Notes on a Scandal is simply a fine work of intelligent writing, well developed characters, and superb acting.

I watched Notes on a Scandal alone since I was certain it will only run for a week, and it’s hard to drag people in this relatively unknown movie (especially that it’s only shown in Greenbelt).  I’m really glad I caught the movie on big screen, though I must say it’s not the perfect film to de-stress with after a long day’s work.

Good thing it’s already the weekend.  Happy weekend everyone!
 
  
Audiophile
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:59:00 GMT

 
click image for details

American Idol Season 6 had its Diana Ross episode, and sadly I think the current batch is a little weak.  My top bet would be Melinda, though physically she doesn’t have the star appeal.  She has one of the best voice quality and most powerful range, and she is the most humble contestant in the batch.  Next personal bet would be Stephanie, who has this Toni Braxton and Beyonce thing going on.  Among the males, there’s no extraordinary candidate, but my quick favorites would be Chris and Blake.  During this week’s episode, some girl butchered the lyrics of Missing You, which I consider Diana Ross’s best hit.

My current favorite album is Undiscovered by James Morisson, which I recently discovered, thanks to recommendations by Dianne, Eugene, and Ferdz.  The album is a collection of mostly upbeat alternative tracks, and James’s sound reminds me of Gavin Degraw and some Maroon 5, with a jazzy voice quality similar to Jamie Cullum.  The first track alone is not to miss, Under the Influence, with its strong violin melody and happy tune, while the album track Undiscovered uses a vocal choir adding an excellent dramatic feel to the sound and lyrics.  Personal favorites are You Give Me Something, Wonderful World, This Boy, and The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore.  Undiscovered is one must have album.
   
        
My Birthday Week: from A to Ziggy
Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:39:00 GMT

My birthday week started with a mini picnic with close friends at the UP sunken garden, and ended with a whole day affair with Ziggy Marley.  Unlike last year when there was pressure to celebrate because of the quarter mark, hehe (I had a mini pasta party the weekend before, and climbed Luzon’s highest peak the weekend after), this time I had to slow it down.  Or so I thought.

Two nights were spent on my “new” sport, ultimate Frisbee, thanks to good friend Roselle who gave me a great beginner’s training. The midnight before my birthday was celebrated with former officemates (and now Frisbee buddies hehe) Van and Shelwin, having dinner in our favorite Mr. Kebab, and finishing beer in Quatro.  During the day itself, my best buddies at work Aisen and Oliver invited for lunch at SOMS Noodle House, the affordable Thai kitchen and one of my great food discoveries in 2006, and as a treat Oliver paid for the bill.  Former officemates also invited for dinner, to this place I’ve been advertising to them since last year – SOMS!  Since they were willing to go all the way to Makati from Ortigas during rush hour, I didn’t mind having my 2nd SOMS meal on my birthday.  Shelwin and Abi brought me a new Frisbee disc, and Jimelle paid for the bill.  I was so lucky not having to spend on meals on my birthday!  Late at night, I was meeting the end of the day with Lye and Skeeter, spending a nightcap in Ziggurat, finishing Indian food and watching the rain in front of us.  It felt great starting and ending my day with great friends.

By Friday, I got two surprise cakes from officemates (the latter was not actually a surprise since it’s part of our department’s tradition, but I’m still glad especially that they gave me a new issue of this great photography magazine).  And by Saturday, I spent the entire day with Nana, for the press conference of Ziggy Marley, and for his live performance in the Philippine Plaza.  In between the two events we spent the entire afternoon pigging out and window shopping, and by concert time more friends joined us, euphoric and alive because the son of the reggae legend was actually dancing and singing in front of our eyes.  Skeeter, who used to work for MTV, gave me VIP passes as a birthday gift, and Nana, as Chalk’s associate editor, got me Press passes.  It’s just the perfect time when birthdays and connections do matter.  Hehe!

 
Click here for more pictures

Instead of resting on Sunday, I had to wake up before lunch since I had a Calculus tutorial session in the afternoon.  This part-time job (and quasi-hobby) started in college, and until today I still get occasional invites for lectures and tutorials.  I’m glad I accepted this one, since the parents of my tutee were two of the nicest people I’ve met, and they remind me so much of my mom.  Aside from age, they have the same values and almost the same admirable treatment towards their kids.  In fact after the tutorial session, the three of us were still chatting over her homemade pansit and refrigerator cake, talking about universities, the corporate world, and parenting.  Meeting one such nice and humble couple was one great way to end the week.

By Sunday night, the stress of the entire week has consumed my entire body, and made me really sick.  I took two days off from work; good thing my brother Doms kept bringing me food every time he went home and would even text me if I wanted anything, and my brother Oliver who’s graduating in med school in a few months kept checking on me, and was my acting doctor.  For two days I did nothing but sleep on the couch, eat, listen to Elliot Yamin’s new album (sent by Ferdz as a birthday gift!), and watch tons of episodes of The Simpsons.

I’m honestly glad I got sick since I got to rest for two straight days.  Now it’s back to the real world, and back to work, with one year added to my age.  But then, I don’t think birthdays are all about changing a digit (or digits to some hehe) to one’s age, but it’s the way for the universe to tell us that we have another year to celebrate life.  And I really think it should be celebrated well.  Cliche as this may sound, here’s to more years of fun travels, great photographs, good music, excellent movies, and wonderful friendships!
 

Pre-summer Movies
Mon, 19 Feb 2007 02:21:00 GMT

The period before the summer season is usually dormant for film releases, when critics take their rest after the politics of the awards season, and viewers wait for the big blow of summer films.  This year’s summer line-up once again boasts of big names and franchises, most of which are third installments: Spiderman 3, Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, Ocean’s Thirteen, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Evan Almighty, Transformers, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Simpsons Movie, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Rush Hour 3.  My top picks would be Spiderman, Evan Almighty, Transformers (hoping it will redeem Michael Bay), and of course, Order of the Phoenix, the final appearance of the great Gary Oldman as my favorite Potter character.

Here are three promising films from three great directors, to be released before the summer season in Hollywood starts:

Sunshine, dir. Danny Boyle.  When the trailer of The Two Towers came out in 2002, I was raving inside the cinema because of two things – the sequel of the most powerful adventure saga is finally on its way, and the more important one, the trailer used the musical score of Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream.  Before I saw Donnie Darko, Requiem was my favorite movie of all time.  And until today, I consider it as one of the best musical scores ever made.  So when I saw the trailer of Sunshine during an Apocalypto screening last week, I was ecstatic to know that Danny Boyle was genius enough to use the same haunting musical score.  Boyle is known for using techno music in most of his films (Moby was all over The Beach, and Underworld’s first hit is always associated with Trainspotting), but he probably thought Sunshine needs a different touch.  At least in the trailer.  Sunshine stars Cillian Murphy, in a futuristic film about a team of scientists trying to ignite a dying sun.  Danny Boyle may have a knack for unconventional plotlines like the vampire virus, or a magical beach, or a dying sun, but he never ever goes wrong.

The Number 23, dir. Joel Schumacher.  The moment Jim Carrey turned down the lead role in Phone Booth, director Joel Schumacher must’ve thought he lost the opportunity to work with a great star, and should work with Jim in another project.  The result: the creepy The Number 23, where a man discovers everything about him is connected to the number 23, known as the number of the devil (2/3 = .666, hehe).  I must admit that during high school, Joel Schumacher was a favorite (Flatliners, Batman Forever).  My taste was so mainstream then, and I had no idea greater films exist outside Hollywood.  And I have always been a big fan of Jim Carrey films; he’s just so versatile that he can be a clown and heavily dramatic at the same time.  The Number 23 is a definite addition to his credentials, and the posters alone show a Jim Carrey we’ve never seen before.

Zodiac, dir. David Fincher.  If you think Tarantino is overrated as the modern day cult director, then David Fincher might be your man.  It’s been years since Fincher made his last movie The Panic Room, and Zodiac was said to have been researched and shot too long due to Fincher’s obsession with the original novels, which was based on real events in San Francisco in the 60’s.  The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey, Jr, as three characters – a comic book writer, a detective, and a news reporter – obsessed with the same serial killer, Zodiac.  Initial screenings showed mixed reviews, probably because similar plotlines are seen almost every day on television, and somehow it’s hard to par the fanbase of Gil Grissom after six seasons.  But I still plan to watch this, because of Fincher, and because the combination of Gyllenhaal, Ruffalo, and Downey in a serial killer film must be one promising spectacle.

The Number 23 and Dreamgirls open this week in Metro Manila theatres
 

Last Hurrah of 2006
Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:52:00 GMT<!–DATA[

Whitewater rafting.  A mixed group of my college and high school friends including my siblings went rafting along the rivers of Cagayan de Oro (bordering Bukidnon) the day after Christmas.  More than four hot hours was spent on 14 wild rapids, snake watching, cave trekking, floating in cave waters, and the “ceremonial” cliff jumping in the end.  View more rafting pictures here.

Three waterfalls.  Every holidays I go home to Iligan, known in this country as the City of Waterfalls, but it was still in high school when I last visited the waterfalls of the area.  Good thing my College friend Dianne spent a few days in Iligan; we were able to spend a day touring three major waterfalls with other friends.  We visited the historical Maria Cristina Falls, which was only showing half of the entire waterfalls.  The whole waterfalls can only be seen during weekends at specific hours of the day.  We had lunch on a huge rock near Mimbalot Falls, finishing the city’s famous lechon.  Then we went down the very long and tiring flight of stairs to Tinago Falls, swam in the deep blue waters, entered the cave behind the falls, and climbed the same flight of stairs, draining a day’s worth of energy.  Good thing Novy’s grandfather owns a beach resort; we had our dinner and few rounds of beer during sundown.

Mount Agad-agad. It was the idea of high school and college buddy Ronald to climb the highest peak of Iligan, which was one thing I wanted to do since my first and last climb in Mt. Agad-agad was also in high school. I thought it would be easier the second time, but the rain in the previous day caused the climbing part to be difficult because of the slippery trail. The hiking and climbing lasted for less than two hours, and it’s surprising that they already have a mini-park at the peak. After the climb we went for a swim in the spring pools of Timoga, perfect for our stressed muscles.

Aquamarine Park. My family also visited our lola in Ozamiz City, and had lunch in the recently developed Aquamarine Park in Misamis Occidental, just a couple of towns away from Ozamiz. The food was not extraordinary, but the place was very relaxing. Strong winds and clear blue sea. We weren’t able to visit the Dolphin Island because we all wanted to return to Iligan at the end of the day. There’s just too many movies and House episodes to catch up; spending a night away from home was not an option. Hehe.

That was my vacation, plus the badminton games with my family and with high school friends, the usual inuman and catching up with high school (and even elementary!) friends, and a few family gatherings.  More pics to be uploaded in my flickr site.

Now, it’s back to Manila, and back to the real world. Have a great and happy year ahead!!

  
Another iPhone entry
Mon, 22 Jan 2007 02:56:00 GMT

It’s already been over a week since Steve Jobs made his keynote and introduced the new Apple iPhone, but technophiles can’t seem to get enough of the unreleased gadget, making news, blog entries, and reviews every day.  Like most iPod fanatics, I was impressed with the product, but given that it doesn’t have 3G capabilities, I’d rather find a decent 3G phone and keep using my 30gig iPod.  I even think that if Palm Treo releases a 3G version, it would be the perfect phone, IMHO.  But then, it’s really too early to judge, when in fact only New York Times had the chance to actually hold the prototype (for barely an hour), while the rest of the world was only basing sentiments on written specs and other reviews, which are also based on, well, written specs.

Before the actual design of the iPhone was unveiled, this is how the iPhone looks like in the minds of fashion designers, Apple engineers, and iPod enthusiasts.

   
Concept iPhones: taken from the Apple Lounge website

Now a little digression.  After a minor hangover from Peewee’s despidida for her one month vacation in India, I just stayed in bed Saturday morning after a quick fix of hotdog and cheese omelet (I like putting cheese in almost all food I prepare especially omelet, hehe).  And after boringly organizing computer files, I was able to check the most played tracks in my iPod and Winamp.  (I still prefer Winamp over iTunes when using the computer).  Here’s how the summary looks:

1. Delicate – Damien Rice
2. 41 – Dave Matthews Band
3. Sexy Love – Ne-yo
4. Always on you side – Sheryl Crow and Sting
5. Here I Am (Kaskade Remix) – David Morales
6. High and Dry – Jamie Cullum
7. How To Save A Life – The Fray
8. Too Little Too Late – Jojo
9. Don’t Panic – Coldplay
10. Irreplaceable – Beyonce
11. Steppin’ Out – Kaskade
12. New York City – Norah Jones and Peter Malick
13. Home – Michael Bublé
14. Love On The Run – Chicane
15. I’m Not Missing You – Stacie Orrico
16. Slow Dancing In A Burning Room – John Mayer
17. No Ordinary Morning – Chicane
18. Because The Night – 10,000 Maniacs
19. The Beautiful Ones – Mariah Carey
20. Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
21. Pink Martini – Stephané Pompougnac
22. Oo – Up Dharma Down
23. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae
24. La Vie En Rose – Louis Armstrong
25. Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson

Classic favorites like Damien Rice, Dave Matthews, and Coldplay always seem to make their way to my ears, but I must admit current faves like Too Little Too Late and Irreplaceable are a bit overplayed recently.  Kaskade and Chicane made their way because when I’m in a party mood, I listen to House music, ergo, I listen to them every day.  And lastly, the tearjerker Always on your Side, the theme of my 2006, must be very overplayed last year.  Thankfully though, I think I already left that song (and year) behind.  And since I got a copy of Norah Jones’s new album Not Too Late, I’m guessing some tracks in the album will be in that list soon.  As a matter of fact I’m already beginning to like Wake Me Up and The Sun Doesn’t Like You.

Howell, I just don’t think my passion for music (and gadgets) will ever die.  Hehe.  A great week ahead!
  
2007 Australian Open
Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:52:00 GMT
 

Serena Williams and Marat Safin were my initial bets for this year’s Aussie Open – both champs in 2005, both unseeded in 2007.  Marat succeeded in reaching 3rd round, but lost to America’s comeback kid Andy Roddick.  Serena on the other hand was on a lucky streak, not having to meet Svetlana Kuznetsova and defending champion Amelie Mauresmo, almost securing her slot in the semis since both women in her half of the draws made early upsets.  She beat top seeds Nadia Petrova, Jelena Jankovic, and Nicole Vaidisova, and met up with Maria Sharapova in the finals Saturday.  It was their second final match since Wimbledon 2004, and just the same, it was a noisy game since both players are loud court groaners.  But unlike the Wimby, Serena won this time.

Nothing much has changed in men’s tennis after the exit of the greatest Andre Agassi.  Federer is still unbeatable, and broke Roddick’s hopes in a lopsided semis match, with Andy scoring zero in the 2nd set, losing to straight sets.  In fact it personally didn’t matter who would win in the other semis, since both Haas and Gonzalez are Open final virgins, and I’m 99% sure Fed could break any virgin’s dreams.  Federer seems stronger than ever, not losing to a single set in the entire tourney.  Roger got his 3rd Aussie Open title, and 10th grand slam title.
 

December Updates
Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:20:00 GMT
 

When I brought my mom and sister during the opening night of A Walk Back In Time in Intramuros last month, I told myself I should watch the semi-interactive theatre performance again, and definitely bring my camera.  Last Friday several college friends and I were able to experience yet another crash course on Philippine History in the perspective of Manila (specifically Intramuros), and as always Tanghalang Pilipino never fails to amaze audience with great production and world class talent.  Friend Skyzx was perfect as Sisa (who actually had fans around her after the play!), who later transformed into Inang Bayan during the closing sequence.  It’s always interesting to know that this country is so rich in culture and talent, but then disheartening that not everyone has the access, or is interested in the first place.  I believe A Walk Back In Time still has one or two more weekend runs in Intramuros, and it’s highly recommended to all (including non Filipinos).  And it’s shown for free!  (Next year I plan to catch their rerun of the very funny Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Musical, and the theatre version of Sionil Jose’s The Pretenders)

Last week I was able to catch the gig of brilliant friend Johnoy, the Dave Matthews of the country, in Fresca Bar (which during our long gone college days was still known as Tapika Bar).  It’s always great reminiscing to good old times with the music of Oasis, Hootie and the Blowfish, Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Matthews Band (of course!), and the more recent ones from Coldplay and Jeff Buckley.  Plugging: Catch Johnoy and some of the talented artists in the Pinoy rock scene in the once in a blue moon Beatles Night on December 18 in 70s Bistro.  It’s a night every audiophile in the metro shouldn’t miss.

Last Tuesday Hewlett-Packard had its Carnival-themed company Christmas party in Le Pavillon.  The hall was filled with booths of dirty ice cream, buffet food, and Nachos, all for free; and of course there’s the overflowing faucets of beer in one corner.  (French practice: Nous allons au Pavillon a Mardi, et nous maungons la glace et Nachos.  Haha!)  Some of my teammates and I chose to avoid the crowd and the expected long program and stayed in the lobby, where we got to enjoy our booze and smoke.  I wasn’t really planning on attending the party because it was a weeknight, but then the major prizes in the Christmas raffle really caught my attention (plasma TV, 80gig ipod, etc).  Sadly I didn’t get to bring home any of the major prizes, and instead got myself a new non-stick frying pan.  Not bad, hehe.

Last night I had my Christmas dinner with my circle from my previous company in Sherbee’s new Ortigas condo.  It’s always fun hanging out with great friends, and I’m glad we still keep in touch even after I left my old company.  And for our kris kringle, another item is scratched off in my Christmas wish list: a new pair of swimming goggles!  Thanks Julie!  (I got Abi the new Incubus CD and a spa gift certificate)

In 2004 I made a list of my favorite albums and singles of the year and for 2005 I made a quick list of my favorite albums.  This year, there are six albums that became personal favorites.  If you haven’t bought gifts for friends or for yourselves this Christmas, I highly recommend any of these.

Continuum by John Mayer
A definite first in the list is John Mayer’s new studio album since 2003’s Heavier Things.  Many may argue that Mayer’s first album Room For Squares is still his best work, but I personally think Continuum is just as great, or even better.  Room For Squares was the perfect shower companion which makes me sing my lungs out line after line of any track on the album; Continuum on the other hand is a less sing-able and more mature and personal take on Mayer’s music, and much more endearing.  Of course we still hear the signature upbeat sound of his guitars, but the theme is the selling point of the record.  Mayer sings “when you’re dreaming with a broken heart, the waking up is the hardest part”, which could probably be the saddest line in the history of breakup songs.  Continuum is also my bet for Album of the Year in the Grammy’s this year.  Favorites in the album are Heart of Life, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, Waiting on the World to Change, In Repair, and I Don’t Trust Myself (In Loving You).  Catch the two part season 7 opening of CSI Vegas, where John Mayer guested as himself and performed two tracks from the album.  (Digression: because of too many good TV shows right now – with Gregory House leading the pack – I wasn’t able to catch up with CSI and forgot how great the show is.  It definitely still is noir TV at its finest.  Thank you Shelley for the updated episodes!)

Chariot by Gavin DeGraw
This album was actually released more than a year ago, but I only got to hear the entire album this year, thanks to my college editor Egai.  This album is like Continuum but in Prozac, no wonder Bo Bice and Elliot Yamin used one of his songs in American Idol.  (Another TV related digression: I think 2006 is the worst year for Idol.  When I was expecting a Chris-Elliot finale, we were given a trying hard pretty face and a dancing old guy, hehe!)  This album is definitely going down in the history of alternative music.  Favorite tracks in the album are Belief, Overrated, Meaning, Just Friends, Nice To Meet You, and More Than Anyone.  Last year Degraw performed with John Mayer in a charity concert, with Andre Agassi as a major supporter and guest.  Man, that charity show would have been perfect for me!

Fragmented by Up Dharma Down
The first of two OPM artists in this list is Up Dharma Down.  The NU Rock awards Best New Artist is one unique act, whose sound is a creative mix of funky jazz and soulful alternative.  Around midyear I was so into their music, that I watched one of their intimate gigs and watched them perform in the MTV Pilipinas Awards, not to mention that both were during weeknights.  Favorite tracks are June, Pag-agos, Layag, and Oo.

The Powder Room Stories by Skarlet
Who would’ve thought that the reincarnate of Ella Fitzgerald is a Filipina?  Formerly the vocalist of the ska band Put3ska, and the reggae band Brownbeat All Stars, Skarlet is one hell of a terrific artist, whose talent really belongs to the jazz genre.  Her first solo record The Powder Room Stories is a perfect album of Big Band and vocal jazz.  Forget those Bossa artists who keep popping everywhere, this is what real vocal jazz is all about.  The opening track alone can transport you to the set of the Chicago musical, and her rendition of One Way Ticket to the Blues is one of the best I’ve heard.  Notable tracks are Anguish, a ballad she wrote for the guitarist of Color It Red after his 10 year old daughter succumbed to cancer, and Babae Ka, the only Tagalog song in the album.  Favorites are the upbeat Birdy Bop and Call Me, which on a first impression gave a Diana Krall feel.  Official release of Skarlet’s album will be on February 2007.

Corinne Bailey Rae by Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne is nominated for three of the four major Grammy Awards for this year, and I’m really hoping she’ll get the Best New Artist trophy.  Even the great John Mayer is a big fan, and writes about Rae in his blog.  Corinne’s first album is one masterpiece of relaxing soul music.  Favorites are Trouble Sleeping, Put Your Records On, Like A Star, and Call Me When You Get This.

In My Own Words by Ne-yo
I’ve never loved an entire RnB album since TLC’s Crazysexycool, and Ne-yo’s freshman work is definitely the bomb of 2006.  (Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake would be runners up in the bomb category this year.)  Modern rhythm and blues may always be associated with shallow lyrics, and this one is no exception, but it’s the sound that makes RnB what it is.  Danceable beat, hip mood, and funky melody.  In My Own Words is a prime example in that heap, and a big winner at that.  Favorites are Sexy Love, It Just Ain’t Right, and Get Down Like That.

See the 2006 Grammy Nominees here.

Hoping everyone is enjoying their holidays as well.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
  

October Movies
Mon, 06 Nov 2006 07:33:00 GMT

Last month, I was able to watch 2 foreign festival films, 2 local films, 2 Hollywood movies, and 2 black and white classics.  Here are some comments:

Goodbye, Lenin (Germany).  One of the four films in the recent German Film Festival, the comedy Goodbye, Lenin was one great cinematic masterpiece.  The tale of a son’s intricate attempt to cover the fall of the German Democratic Republic to protect his post-comatose mother was poignantly funny and emotional.  The treatment of the historical backdrop reminded me of Milan Kundera’s literary works, whose love and life stories usually cross with Czech’s breakage from communism and accounts of refugees.  Goodbye, Lenin was able to incorporate the fall of Berlin’s great wall and rise of capitalism, while maintaining a touching and very funny family story.  The great musical score sounded very familiar, which I later found out was done by Yann Tiersen, the same genius who created the music for Amelie.  Goodbye, Lenin is a must see.  5/5

Ninette (Spain). The play adaptation about an unusual love affair of two Spanish strangers in Paris started out promising.  For a story that was set both in Spain and France, the film turned disappointing as everything was shot in dull interior perspective, not to mention the old school humor and the dry pacing.  Ninette is one long dragging movie.  2/5

Txt.  Txt is about the spirit of a dead psychotic who haunts his ex-girlfriend through her mobile phone.  I was very interested in this film because of all the write-ups about the up and coming director.  The direction was indeed commendable – a lot of the style was very new in Philippine cinema, in addition to the modern editing that looks so Hollywood.  But despite the technical achievement, everything else was bad: the supposedly scary make-up, the musical score, the acting, and most of all, the plot and the script.  There may be a few scary moments, but over all it was a terrible film.   2.5/5

Kaleldo.  I was able to watch the premiere of this movie, thanks to my good friend Ben who designed the production of the film.  Kaleldo is about the lives of three sisters and the defining summers of their lives. This is definitely a better movie than Txt, and it’s a wonder why MTRCB graded Txt with an A, but Kaleldo was only given a B rating.  The cinematography of the film was topnotch.  Every scene was picture perfect, and neatly polished.  The acting was also superb; Cherry Pie should win an award in this movie.  The casting was also perfect, and I think the weakest performance was from Juliana Palermo, but was hardly noticeable since the character she played was also weak.  If there’s one thing missing in the movie, it’s the story which I felt wasn’t really pulled together.  There were too many symbolisms but turned out to be shallow.  Nevertheless, the movie was still worth seeing because of the production and showcase of fine acting.  Both Txt and Kaleldo prove that our country can definitely produce quality films, but as always, we need good material.  3/5

The Departed.  An obvious classic, this is my other Martin Scorsese favorite, aside from Goodfellas.  The movie’s complete with great acting from all the actors, Scorsese gore trademark, intelligent suspense, and an unpretentious script.  The Departed is currently the no. 65 best film of all time in IMDB’s Top 250 List, and I’m guessing it will not leave the Top 100 in a dozen years.  Hope Marty gets an Oscar this time!  5/5

The Prestige.  I would have seen the advance screening of this movie since my brother’s fraternity sponsored the premiere, but unfortunately I had to choose the outing of my department at work.  I may be a big movie fan, especially that The Prestige is one of the must see films this year, but a few days worth of advance viewing is nothing compared to a weekend at the beach, complete with 2 days worth of buffet food and relatively fun company.  Hehe.  Anyway, The Prestige is one exceptional noir, especially that it has two great actors playing two brilliant and mad magicians.  Chris Nolan may use a similar mood in all his films, but definitely he doesn’t stick to the same style, making his films unpredictable, and really captivating.  The rivalry story in The Prestige may be inferior compared to that of The Departed in terms of wit and suspense, but it is more engaging and personal.  5/5

Strangers on a Train (1951).  It was in the third season of CSI when Grissom mentioned this film as a reference to a crime, and since the day I saw that episode, I never stopped looking for a DVD.  Strangers on a Train is only my third Hitchcock experience (after Vertigo and Psycho), but I can say that if only I was born a generation earlier, I would have been a huge Hitchcock fan.  The movie is about a popular tennis player, Guy Haines, and the madman who offered to murder his wife in exchange for another murder.  The IMDB #85 film of all time is one smart thriller with witty and very interesting characters.  5/5

Ladri di biciclette (Italy/1948).  The movie The Bicycle Thief must be one pioneering work considering it was done in 1948.  The heartbreaking drama is about a poor family man and his quest for hope, which was broken into pieces after his lone bicycle was stolen.  A very depressing story that led to desperation, no wonder this film is mentioned in every critic’s list, not to mention landing #138 in the IMDB all time list.  4.5/5

Reference: IMDB Top 250 Films of All Time

I got to watch the Asian premiere of The Science of Sleep last Friday in the Cinemanila opening, and it was one great film!  Gael Garcia gave a very different and funny performance, and since the movie is from the same visionary who gave us Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, we sure have another mind-blowing drama.  The Science of Sleep (La Science des Rêves) is about eccentric and talented Stephane who confuses his dream world from reality.  All cinephiles should watch this brilliant movie.

Click here for Cinemanila schedule.

Sepoc Island and Eagle Point Resort, Batangas
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:47:00 GMT

more pictures here

2006 Offsite, October 20-21
Hewlett-Packard Philippines
Applications Development and Solutions Integration
 
  
Buko ni Shelley

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 02:58:00 GMT

Oh, Sandra Oh
Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:59:00 GMT

In the world of acting, seldom does it happen when both the character and the actress are deeply admired. And Sandra Oh’s Cristina Yang is just that, and definitely one of the hottest thing on TV today (at least for me, I’m still in the middle of Season 2, postponing the series after being blown away by Gregory House and Prison Break).

Without Yang, Grey’s Anatomy would seem like Melrose Place in scrubs. Don’t get me wrong, I think the show is actually good – multidimensional characters, well made script, and excellent drama. The soliloquies of Meredith Grey may border between cliché and profound, but the writers simply pull it off episode after episode. (Of course, nothing beats the depth of the narration of the alien mini-series Taken)

If there’s one thing I like least about the series, it’s when Dr. Grey’s character turns mushy and squeamish, and reminds me of the feeble Susan Myers of Desperate Housewives. Good thing Cristina Yang is there to save the day, ergo, to save the show.

Her sarcasm brings the series to a totally different dimension. Brutal yet witty remarks, and all out sincere humour. Now I understand why my favorite characters are the sarcastic ones: think of Chandler Bing (FRIENDS), Miranda Hobbes (Sex and the City), Claire Fisher (Six Feet Under), Daria (Daria), Jessica Zafra (real life), and my newly discovered king of sarcasm, Gregory House (House MD). They simply add intellect to the drama or humor, and give the show a great sense of unpredictability. Oh, Sarcasm Oh.

CRISTINA: Oh, it’s like candy, but with blood, which is so much better

Quickies:

• Kubrador was one powerful film, but more than anything it was a political and social statement. A film full of creative symbolisms, it’s definitely one of Jetturian’s greatest works, along with the infamous Tuhog.
   
• US Open is now in its semifinals. Agassi ended his historical run with a teary 3rd round exit; Nadal had the biggest upset, just when fans thought the 2006 saga that was the Nadal-Federer rivalry will continue in New York; and the grand slam was a season of strong comebacks – Safin, Serena, Hewitt, and the most anticipated Andy Roddick.
   
• Tomorrow will be my final exam for my French class. I can’t wait to finish this and move on to the next level. Even if it means adjustment in the budget because of the tuition, this language is simply worth it. J’aime la langue de francois. As they say, c’est la vie!

Happy weekend everyone!
  
  
Last Quarter Movie Preview
Tue, 19 Sep 2006 08:34:00 GMT

I have to say that the recent summer season for movies was disappointing.  I can’t pick a single favorite, compared to last year when we were loaded with lots of great goodies, with Batman Begins and Sin City leading the pack.  Good thing the last quarter of this year promises exciting new films.  Note that every year, almost all of the Oscar hopefuls are released during this period.

Here’s a list of 20 upcoming films to be released commercially in the last quarter of 2006:

The Departed (director Martin Scorsese, Leonardo de Caprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson).  It’s good to know that the Metro Manila screening for The Departed opens simultaneously with North America.  I’m excited to see this film primarily because of three reasons.  One, Jack Nicholson is being handled by Scorsese for the first time.  Two, this is the first Scorsese film adapted from an Asian film (Infernal Affairs).  And three, Scorsese hasn’t got any Oscar despite dozens of really great films (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Aviator, and my fave Scorsese film Goodfellas), and I’m hoping this one could be it (though critics are saying the chances are really slim).

The Queen (director Stephen Frears, Helen Mirren).  After the best actress win in the Venice Film Festival, critics are saying that Ms. Mirren is very eligible for the Academy Best Actress this year for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.  It’s also fascinating to know that early this year, the same actress portrayed Queen Elizabeth I in a television mini-series.  And since Stephen Frears made one of my all time favorite films (High Fidelity), this one should be a spectacle.

Sunshine (director Danny Boyle, Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans).  Cillian Murphy stars in a futuristic tale about astronauts sent to space to re-ignite a dying sun.  Sunshine is the new sci-fi movie from suspense filmmaker Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, The Beach).

Flags of our Fathers (director Clint Eastwood, Ryan Phillippe).  From outer space (Space Cowboys) to the boxing ring (Million Dollar Baby), the drama films of Clint Eastwood practically take place anywhere.  This time, it’s the World War II.  Let’s see how versatile this director can be, and if he can bring the Western style in the front line.

The Prestige (director Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, Michael Cane).  I’d have to say Chris Nolan is the most promising among this generation’s rising directors.  Memento is one of my all time favorites, and last year’s Batman Begins was undoubtedly the most celebrated film of the franchise.  Bale and Jackman star as magicians whose rivalry turned into serious murders.  Nolan must’ve enjoyed working with Caine and Bale since they were casted in The Prestige and the upcoming Batman sequel.  As imdb wrote for The Prestige, “it feels kind of like Wolverine dropped in to visit Batman.”

Marie Antoinette (director Sofia Copola, Kirsten Dunst).  An acquaintance once told me that every time Sofia Copola makes a film, the film becomes her.  It’s as if the film is celebrated solely because it’s from Sofia.  I haven’t seen The Virgin Suicides (though I bought the book), but I truly enjoyed Lost In Translation.  I just loved the portrayal of midlife crisis in the film, and the main characters’ dead air was just utterly convincing.  And now, with a figure such as Marie Antionette, I don’t think this film could be any Sofia at all.  Kirsten Dunst plays the famous queen of France.

Babel (director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal).  I’m guessing Babel is no different from Inarritu’s previous works, 21 Grams and Amorres Perros, where three different stories are connected by a single accident.  I love the tragedy, the drama, and the raw treatment in both films, and I’m expecting a lot from Babel, especially that Cate Blanchett is in it.

Volver (director Pedro Almodovar, Penelope Cruz).  Already shown in the Cannes Film Festival, this is Almodovar’s follow up to his engaging and pulled-off yet narcissistic Bad Education.  After seeing his great works All About My Mother and Talk To Her, expect another quasi-political feministic movie.

A Good Year (director Ridley Scott, Russel Crowe).  Ridley Scott may be popular because of his huge films (Blade Runner, Kingdom of Heaven, Black Hawk Down), but he’s also an effective storyteller of human drama (Matchstick Men, Hannibal).  After the award winning Gladiator, Ridley Scott joins forces once again with the talented Russell Crowe.  Crowe stars as an Englishman who inherits a vineyard from his uncle, only to realize that the daughter of his uncle returned from nowhere.

Casino Royale (director Martin Campbell, Daniel Craig, Judie Dench).  I can’t wait to watch this film after the controversial casting of Daniel Craig as the new 007 agent, and especially after the worst James Bond film ever, Die Another Day.  I have always been a fan of James Bond, but Die Another Die just destroyed the franchise.

The Fountain (director Darren Aronofsky, Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz).  A time traveling movie about a brave man’s quest for saving the woman he loves, The Fountain is Aronofsky’s film after the really captivating Requiem for a Dream.  Expect another poignant drama, and like Requiem, hopefully this one also gets a really powerful musical score.

Déjà Vu (director Tony Scott, Denzel Washington, Jim Caviezel).  Brothers Ridley and Tony each have a film this season.  Between the brothers, Ridley may be the more profound filmmaker, but definitely Tony is the cooler one.  After the successful Man on Fire, Denzel Washington and Tony Scott team up once again in a time bending thriller.

Bug (director William Friedkin, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr.).  William Friedkin has always been famous for films that involve mind games (The Exorcist, Rules of Engagement, The Hunted).  Bug is a psychological movie about a war veteran and a lady in hiding, set inside an isolated motel room.

The Nativity Story (Keisha Castle Hughes).  If Passion of the Christ is to Lent, then The Nativity Story is to Advent.  Featuring the youngest Oscar Best Actress nominee Keisha Castle Hughes (Whale Rider), this movie should be timely for the season.  Hopefully it will deliver.

Apocalypto (director Mel Gibson).  Speaking of Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto is Mel Gibson’s follow up to the best selling independent film.  It’s a historical epic about the Maya kingdom, in which the film was also done in the Maya language.

The Good German (director Steven Soderbergh, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett).  Good thing Soderbergh had enough fun after Ocean’s 11 and Ocean’s 12, and is now back to serious business.  George Clooney plays an American journalist looking for his mistress, played by my favorite actress Cate Blanchett.  The movie is set in Berlin after the world war.  (It’s just confusing that another film is aptly titled The Good Shepherd, making us think of German Shepherd.)

The Holiday (director Nancy Myers, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law).  After Something’s Gotta Give, expect another feel good movie from Nancy Myers.  The Holiday is about two women from different sides of the world who happen to have the same man problems.

Breaking and Entering (director Anthony Minghella, Jude Law).  Breaking and Entering is a coming of age film about a young architect played by Jude Law.  Minghella was the one who introduced Jude Law to the spotlight in The Talented Mr. Ripley, another all time favorite.

The Good Shepherd (director Robert de Niro, Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Joe Pesci).  The movie is about the evolution of the CIA, told by a founding officer played by Damon.  This will be Joe Pesci’s first film appearance after Lethal Weapon 4 in 1998.

Children of Men (director Alfonso Cuaron, Julianne Moore, Clive Owen).  Along with Babel, this is my most anticipated movie this season.  Children of Men was already screened in the recent Venice Film Festival, and has received good reviews.  First reason I wanna watch this film is Alfonso Cuaron.  Next is Julianne Moore.  And third is the make-or-break futuristic plot: the humans can no longer procreate, until a woman suddenly becomes pregnant, which may or may not give scientists the explanation to the biological mystery.

Reference: my all time favorite films as of August 2005

Many movies in the list might be shown in the Philippines in 2007, since some of them will only be in limited release in North America this year.  I just hope I get to see them before the awards season, and hopefully with minimal disappointment.  So, which ones do you plan to watch?
       
  
Five Islands, One Weekend

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 01:20:00 GMT

Five Islands, One Weekend.  Last week I took two days off from work to spend a long weekend in Visayas.  The trip started ala Amazing Race, since we only had 20 minutes for the Dumaguete ferry trip from the airport arrival in Tagbilaran.  Checking in our bags was not an option, so I had to stealthily wrap my cologne and fix my bag pre-xray to make sure the system saw it in top view (and the bottle wouldn’t look like a bottle).  The 4-day island hopping was perfect, which included five Visayas islands: Bohol, Negros (Dumaguete), south of Cebu, Sumilon Island, and Siquijor.  It was a weekend of connecting trips, clear waters, excellent food, and of course great company.

Sumilon Island.  The visit to the Bluewater Island Resort was very worth it; the sea trip alone was memorable since we had the resort ferry all for ourselves.  The high class resort is the island itself, which is developed by a Japanese realty company.  The infinity jacuzzi is now my favorite jacuzzi moment, overtaking the one in Linden Suites overlooking Ortigas.  The island boasts of food by a world renowned chef, shifting white sand, woods great for trekking, a mangrove lake for kayaking, an infinity pool, and clear blue waters.

Siquijor Island.  Thanks to Jesselle for the free accommodation in Princess Bulakna, a promising resort which formally opens next year.  The resort has modern artsy cottages, a three-level infinity pool (which was 3-week old when we got there), and a very rich landscape.  We might return next year when the resort opens its diving site, and hopefully when all the construction and landscaping are complete.  The mystical island is famous for caves, witchcraft, and historical churches, and reminds me of Camiguin because of its size, accessibility, and unspoiled nature.  Siquijor is definitely a must visit place!

more pictures in my flickr account.
  

The Dark Knight
Thu, 03 Aug 2006 05:14:00 GMT

With the tentative title The Dark Knight, pre-production for the sixth Hollywood Batman film has started.  Heath Ledger accepted the role of the Joker, and talks are going around that Philip Seymour Hoffman is being offered the coat of Penguin.  If ever that piece of news is true, I hope Oscar best actor Hoffman accepts the role; definitely he can par Danny DeVito’s performance as the disturbed sewer genius in Batman Returns.  If ever he does accept, it can be the start of his stereotype as an effective villain (after Mission Impossible 3), and Batman will be faced with two acclaimed actors from last year’s famous gay films (Hoffman for Capote, Ledger for Brokeback Mountain).  But for now, consider this Hoffman news as plain scuttlebutt (which we all hope to be true).  As for Heath Ledger, I’m just crossing my fingers he’ll give justice to Batman’s most popular nemesis.  Batman fans including myself were surprised with the decision, and a lot would actually prefer Paul Bettany, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, or Hugo Weaving to play Joker.  I personally think Heath Ledger is too serious an actor to be joking around with white powder all over his face.  We’ll see.

   
The last laugh: will Heath Ledger do a better Joker than Jack Nicholson?

   
Pray that Philip Seymour Hoffman accepts the Penguin role.

I just feel bad for Tim Burton, since the villains he used in his Batman films are recycled, and could probably erase his legacy in the Batman franchise.  I still love Tim Burton’s style, and I think Chris Nolan’s noir touch is just incomparable to Burton’s gothic treatment.  Each is simply a master in his own field.

But then, summer 2008 is still eons away.  For now, I’m hoping to catch the comedy musical The Producers in Glorietta this weekend.  Or give in to the invitation to watch Sukob again.  Hahahaha!

Good day everyone!
 

Up Dharma Down at Magnet Cafe
Fri, 11 Aug 2006 06:16:00 GMT

Up Dharma Down at mag:net cafe in Katipunan

For the past week their album was the only music I listen to at work (okay, sometimes I squeeze in Ne-Yo’s Sexy Love in my playlist).  The music of Up Dharma Down has such a unique jazzy and alternative sound, which is unusual in the OPM arena.  Their songs may be of pain and sadness, but the theme of their songs add emotions to the music.  After an accidental glimpse in one of their mall tours and their gig in mag:net cafe last August 8, I’m hoping to catch them again in the MTV Pilipinas Awards.  Their opening act in mag:net cafe was Paramita, a really cool trio with bitter yet edgy music.

Happy weekend everyone!

A Silent German Film with Radioactive Sago
Thu, 17 Aug 2006 02:51:00 GMT

  
Caligari and Radioactive Sago Project: a marriage made in creepy heaven

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari/1920).  Prior to the films sponsored by the Geothe-Institut, my only exposure to silent films was the Charlie Chaplin movies my parents used to watch during the Betamax days.  And I should say the opening movie of the 3rd German Silent Film Festival was my first ever encounter to a live band performing the musical score of a silent film.  And what a great cinematic experience it truly was!  (not to mention that I was star struck seeing the great Jessica Zafra inside the cinema!)

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari follows the story of murders in a village that may or may not be related to a mad scientist’s passion to somnambulism.  The slow percussions and jazzy sound of Radioactive Sago Project were perfect for the film; the tempo and mood complemented the theme and storytelling.  I very much agree to what Bert Sulat Jr wrote, that “The combination of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Radioactive Sago Project is a marriage made in creepy heaven.”  And a very well attended wedding at that!

Now I can’t wait to get a copy of Nosferatu, hailed as one of the best expressionist films alongside Caligari.  And of course, I can’t wait to watch the rest of the silent films, especially that Cynthia Alexander will be performing in one of the films.  I’m just glad I live in Metro Manila – a haven for affordable and accessible culture.

(Digression: last Monday, I got to watch the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards in VIP seats.  Great to see INXS and Mig Ayesa up close.  The performances of Urbandub and Up Dharma Down really rocked the PAGCOR Theatre.  And Dicta License’s tribute medley to Francis M was the night’s highlight, which was later joined by Francis himself, the year’s lifetime awardee.  Thanks to Skeeter for the tickets!  Again, talk about accessible culture in the metropolis.)

The German Silent Film Festival runs in Greenbelt every Tuesday.

Last Grand Slam of Andre Agassi
Tue, 29 Aug 2006 05:56:00 GMT

The first round of the final grand slam of the greatest player in the history of tennis was mind-blowing.  During the second set I feared that Andre Agassi would leave the US Open so soon because of the tight score.  Even though I was only tracking the real-time scores online (at work, hehe), I still felt the intensity and pressure of the game.  Romanian Andrei Pavel won the first set with a 6/7 score, and Agassi had a hard time winning the 2nd set, finishing after 66 minutes.  I actually thought it would be a breeze for my man since our namesake is also more than 30 years old, whose career high was only at the 2002 French Open when he reached the quarterfinals.  It seems like the other Andrei was also prepared, since Agassi’s win in the 3rd set was no ease either, with only six minutes short of the 2nd set, and having an identical score to the previous set, 7/6.  Good thing Agassi got the fourth set after only 31 minutes, and is now assured of at least two games in his farewell grand slam in New York.
 
Sadly however, Andre is unseeded after frustrating performances in the pre-open tourneys, so definitely he’ll be facing strong opponents in early matches.  On the second round he’ll be matched with the young Baghdatis (who almost toppled Federer early this year in Sydney), and as early as 4th round he might be facing America’s comeback player Andy Roddick (fresh from a new tourney win and a new coach).  It’s actually a tough season to be Andre’s last, and his exit might not be as fairy-tale as Pete’s final show.  But then, Agassi’s credentials are already beyond fairy-tale standards, and any form of exit is definitely a happy ending.

I look like a Malaysian F1 driver, haha!
Thu, 31 Aug 2006 02:54:00 GMT