Quick Bytes..

film talk =)

I love to watch foreign language films (and at the jologs level, koreanovelas and such, hehe) and my favorite are French films. There's just something with their lilting way of speech.. Music to my ears! No matter if I can barely understand the characters' conversations. Hehe! My major requirement for watching a foreign film then is that it should be dubbed in English or at least, have video captioning. Though the latter is quite distracting and takes my eyes off the movie and unto reading. Tsk!

Brad Renfro and Heath Ledger are DEAD!

Last week I was stunned with the news that Brad Renfro died. The cause? Probably drug-related as he had drug problems for the past few years. The night before he died, Brad was drinking with friends, and was later overheard snoring. The next day, he was dead. And guess what? He was just 25, such a young age to die! I have always loved him in The Client and Apt Pupil but since he was out of the limelight for quite a while, his death was not that hard to bear. And yes, I'm usually this sentimental about dying! I was 25 early last year! Imagine if I died, I would not have felt what it is like to just BUM around o_O Anyway, more info about Brad Renfro's death HERE. The Associated Press and other news services got it all wrong -- they were preparing Britney Spears obituary (article HERE) but instead we now have two young promising actors dead. Life.. you really never know what's gonna happen!
.
Obviously, the more shocking news (which constricted my heart!) was Heath Ledger's death TODAY! Yes, THE Heath Ledger of Brokeback Mountain fame! He was only 28, and his death was what prompted me to write this post. I was still recovering from Brad's death when this one hit me! Heath's death I couldn't believe coz he wasn't really into drugs and stuff. In fact, he has become quite mature ever since he had a baby girl (Matilda) with Michelle Williams. Unfortunately, the Aussie couple separated last September 2007. The last time I saw Heath (personalan na ah! hehe) was early this year in the trailer of The Dark Knight (a Batman movie) where he is the Joker. He was really good -- menacing, crazy, creepy, diabolical Joker -- he had it down pat! A very promising, talented actor he surely is. And now, he's dead?? *shakes head*
.
The cause of his death, again, might be drug-related.  Heath was found in his bed, naked and face down, surrounded with prescription pills. Media outlets are reporting the pills found were sleeping pills. But his family said he was not the kind to take his own life so this must be an accidental death. Heath was sick with pneumonia so the drugs and pills he might have taken reacted adversely, causing his death. For now we don't know but an autopsy is scheduled tomorrow to rule out foul play. Heath was filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (that's his creepy character in the photo, hanging himself) when he died. I wonder who'll take his place in the movie now that he's dead. Lastly, I strongly feel something's amiss with Heath Ledger ever since he separated from Michelle Williams. He had been doing creepy, strange and depressing roles (a hard core drug addict in CANDY, psycho Joker in TDK, and now hanging himself in The Imaginarium). I wonder what's really wrong.. More info about his death HERE and HERE.

BUSTED!

One movie theater customer was caught taping a newly released local movie using a hidden spy camera. If he were successful in his attempt, pirated VCDs and DVDs of that hit movie would be in the market right now. Thank god he was busted! Here’s a question for you: do you watch films outside movie theaters? If yes, do you legally rent movie DVDs or do you “borrow” the film online. Me? The latter is my answer! Hehe! Sshhh.. ;p
.

The X-Files Movie!!!

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE! Or should I say the sequel to The X-Files Movie is out there?? Gosh! I can't believe that ten years after the first film and six years after the show went off the air, The X-Files finally returns to the big screen with Fox Mulder and Dana Scully! I'm sooo excited!!! =) The new movie doesn't have a formal title yet, and rumors about its plot say the movie will dump the long-running "mythology" plotline. Whaaattt?? Says Chris Carter, the show's creator, "We spent a lot of time on (the mythology) and wrapped up a lot of threads. We want a stand-alone movie, not a mythology conspiracy one." Hmm, I'm not sure if I like this development. I LOVE THE ALIENS ANGLE!!! =( For more details, read HERE. The picture at left is the first photo out of the movie's filming. This is HOT news!

Sweeney Todd is coming!!!

If you’re like me who’s a Johnny Depp fanatic, I’m sure you have your favorite Johnny Depp movies and favorite moments in those films. Me? I loved him in the scary Sleepy Hollow and in the fun, fun, fun Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! I know most of you loved Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, true, he was great there but.. I just loved him more in Sleepy Hollow as Ichabod Crane and as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I still can’t decide which film I loved most, lol! In Sleepy Hollow, he played a constable who investigates the murders done by the Headless Horseman. Here’s my favorite dialogue from the film:
.
Katrina Anne Van Tassel (his love interest): Will you take nothing from Sleepy Hollow that was worth the coming here?
Ichabod Crane: No. No, not nothing. [pauses]
Ichabod Crane: A kiss, from a lovely young woman, before she saw my face or knew my name.
Katrina Anne Van Tassel: Yes, without sense or reason. {CUTE HUH?? hehe}
.
Anyway, I can’t wait to watch Johnny Depp again! Sweeney Todd is set for a Christmas-time release. For more info about this dark (yet entertaining) movie from Tim Burton, go visit the official Sweeney Todd movie site. You can also visit Sweeney Todd on MySpace. Yes, boys and girls, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is there too. Come, and join the fun! Lol!
.

Sweeney Todd!!!

OMG guys!!! I just watched a movie the other day, and guess what’s the new fantastic trailer we saw?? None other than Johhny Depp’s tale of revenge, Sweeney Todd! The actor teams up with Tim Burton again for the silver-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical thriller. Other stars in the film include Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. And you have to check out Buzznet's cool take on this dark movie -- you are allowed to confess whatever bad deed you have done! You can write about it, submit a video you made about it, or if you're like me who's been a good girl ever, ever since (and have nothing to confess, hehe), just watch the confessional videos there =) There is also a Sweeney Todd Confessional hotline where you can call to confess your darkest secrets ever. Here’s the number: 415-830-3166. Ain’t it cool?? I love it when movies are promoted like this!
.

.
Sweeney Todd is set for a Christmas-time release. For more info about this dark (yet entertaining) movie from Tim Burton, go visit the official Sweeney Todd movie site. You can also visit visit Sweeney Todd on MySpace. Yes, boys and girls, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is there too. Come, and join the fun! Lol!
.

smokin' hot Jessica Alba!

WOW!!! Jessica Alba in leather lingerie and chaps! Who would have thought that leather can be this sexy?? These smokin' hot photos of Jessica are from her photo shoot for the upcoming Sin City 2, where she plays an exotic dancer. Ohlala! Thanks to OnlyJessica.com for the photos =) Currently, Ms. Alba has two movies out: Good Luck, Chuck (a raunchy romantic comedy) and Awake (a psychological thriller).

THE MIST!!!

YES!!! The Mist by Stephen King will finally hit theaters this November 21! That’s tomorrow guys! =) Why am I excited?? Coz I’m an avid Stephen King fan! I collect his books, and my collection is almost complete. But I think it will never be complete unless he will stop writing, hehe! My favorite book of all time was his collection of short stories entitled Nightmares and Dreamscapes. I love the fact that Stephen King’s version of “horror” isn’t just all about blood and gore. I love the fact that he explores the evilness of humans. And for me, that’s the scariest part of all coz we deal with people all the time. Yikes! =(
.

So what’s The Mist all about? Imagine going to your town’s grocery store and then suddenly it’s surrounded by an otherworldly mist. You want to go out but you realize there are dangerous creatures out there -- creatures that will rip you apart. What will you do? If you stay inside the grocery, you’re still gonna be eaten once the creatures enter. Or you may die at the hands of your fellow fear-crazed humans. If you go out, is there a chance you’ll survive? That will be answered if you watch the movie ! *shiver* Don’t forget the scary trailer okay?? Guaranteed to give you goosebumps, promise!
.

LiLo's rehab affair!

OMG! I can’t believe I’m blogging about Lindsay Lohan! But man, you gotta hand it to this gurl coz it seems that nothing is off-limits to her. Even while in a rehab facility, Hollywood’s poster girl of bad behavior managed to get caught in a scandal, with a married man no less! Lindsay was called a ‘home wrecker’ by a woman who claims that Lindsay slept with her husband while he was in the same drug rehabilitation facility with the 21-year-old actress. The woman was apparently a British heiress and her husband is Tony Allen, a 40-year old musician and father of two. Mr. Allen already denied his wife’s claims and told the media that he and Lindsay are “just friends”. Oh come on! That’s so cliché! Who believes that crap line nowadays huh??

The Eye

.
Hey everybody, look what I got! It’s the first poster of The Eye, an upcoming movie of Jessica Alba! =) Is the poster cool or what?? And d@mn creepy as well! How would you react if there’s something irritating stuck in your eye, and when you take it out — OMG it’s a hand! Man, I would go ballistic! And be traumatized forever, lol Anyway, for those not still aware what’s The Eye all about, it is Jessica Alba’s first foray into the thriller / supernatural world. It is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong movie Gin Gwai and tells the story of a blind violinist (Jess) who, after receiving a double cornea transplant, begins to see dead people. It will open on February 1, 2008.

Jessica Alba sued!

I don’t know how true this "article" is (being in a satirical website) but it sure got my attention! And I'm sure the title above got your attention too. So, what was Jessica Alba sued for? Let’s just say this could be on the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Lol! According to the plaintiff, Robert Nathor of Cleveland, “Jessica Alba knows she has a responsibility to her fans to have sex on camera, and yet she continues to shirk her responsibility. She has given us nothing.” Another plaintiff, Kevin Rosston, adds: “We all expected by now that there would be a [sex] tape of Jessica all over the web ... We thought the deal was that we’d see crappy movies like ‘Good Luck Chuck’ and ‘Fantastic Four 2′ and in return a sex tape would be ‘leaked’ online soon...” OMG! Imagine the audacity of these guys?? Do they have nothing better to do?? And is this for real?? Lol! Nathor says with finality: “I had no choice left but to claim my rights as an American male media consumer in court.” If you want to read the full *funny, stupid* article, it’s here.

Guerilla Filmmaking: Filmmakers in The Making Workshop

In its quest to strengthen the filmmaking movement in Mindanao, Alchemy of Vision and Light Film and Television Productions will once again conduct the Guerilla Filmmaking: Filmmakers in The Making Workshop on October 6‐7, 13‐14, and 20‐21. The Guerilla Filmmaking Workshop is one of the highlights of the annual Mindanao Film Festival which is held every first week of December. Already on its 5th year, this digital filmmaking crash course deems to capacitate Mindanao filmmakers, film enthusiasts, students, and people who wish to tell their story through an alternate medium of cultural and artistic expression.

.

The workshop contains specially designed modules on story development, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, producing and digital non-linear editing. Limited to a maximum of 30 participants, this intensive workshop offers hands‐on‐ experience, to ensure effective involvement and collaboration. Short films produced by the participants will automatically compete in the Mindanao Film Festival.

.

Registration fees are as follows: Non‐students Php 5,500.00* Students Php 3,500.00* * Inclusive of a Guerrilla Filmmaking Handbook, a workshop kit, certificate, Tshirt, ID, snacks (am & pm), and your very own short film! Deadline of registration will be on October 5, 2007. Hurry!

.

For registration and other details of the Guerilla Filmmaking workshop, visit Alchemy of Vision and Light Film and Television Productions at 2nd floor 59‐B Aala Building, F.Iñigo St. (Anda Davao City or call (082) 225‐3456 and (082) 225‐4199.

Critics Rant!

In this blog, I do occasional movie reviews and even reviews of computers games I tried, especially if I like the movie or game. I almost never do a “real” critic coz I just blog about the movies I liked and not the movies I watched but did not like. Also my reviews are once in a while thing. If you need a comprehensive review of movies, tv shows and games, you can go to CriticsRants.com =)

“Critics Rant! movies with attitude” is a movie, tv show and video games review site. You can come the site and talk about your favorites movies and tv shows. You can even win DVDs just by giving your opinion! Or by signing up for the Daily Rant! Newsletter. The DVD Give-Away is done daily, very generous of Critics Rant if I may say so =) So, if you like doing movie or show reviews, be a part of CriticsRant.com – you might even become the favorite critic there! Lol!

Lindsay Lohan’s rehab affair!

OMG! I can’t believe I’m blogging about Lindsay Lohan! But man, you gotta hand it to this gurl coz it seems that nothing is off-limits to her. Even while in a rehab facility, Hollywood’s poster girl of bad behavior managed to get caught in a scandal, with a married man no less! Lindsay was called a ‘home wrecker’ by a woman who claims that Lindsay slept with her husband while he was in the same drug treatment facility with the 21-year-old actress. The woman was apparently a British heiress and her husband is Tony Allen, a 40-year old musician and father of two. Mr. Allen already denied his wife’s claims and told the media that he and Lindsay are “just friends”. Oh come on! That’s so cliché! Who believes that crap line nowadays huh??
.
Apparently not Mr. Allen’s wife, Stephanie. Coz if you believe the rumors, she threw him out of their home in Savannah, Georgia already. “She has had it,” a source tells the Daily Mirror. “They tried forever to have kids. She went through IVF three times and suffered two miscarriages, and when they finally got two beautiful babies, he hooks up in rehab with a girl half his age.” The source further tattles, “He is trying to live out this rock star fantasy at 40. All Stephanie wanted was for him to be a good husband and father.” If these were all true then shame on you Lindsay! But then, we know how tabloids are, always exaggerating… Hmm!

succession and stuff

Hey guys! I just watched Rogue Assassin with Jet Li and John Statham, and the movie rocks! The script is great with two twists at the ending. It involves the FBI, Japanese Yakuza and Chinese Triads so expect lots of stunning action scenes! =) Anyway, while watching the movie, I noticed that both the Japs and Chinese have this traditional succession thingy going on. The bosses appointed their own sons and daughters to succeed them in the event of their death. And this kind of practice is also pervasive in their real-life businesses.
.
If you go to Japan or China, you'll find that companies are managed by generations of the same family. Nothing really wrong with that except if you have black sheep or a bad apple in the family (and there is always one!). Since you're bound by culture to let your children succeed you, the bad apple sometimes takes control of the company over an obviously better non-family employee. Unfair life huh? Anyway, if you don't like to have a problem in your company on who to promote first or who will succeed you, better use a succession planning software. Yes, there is a software that does that and its called eSuccession. The software was designed to let companies implement succession planning in a very practical and staged approach. Now, there'd be no talk of favoritism! =)

Zero is More!

Do you love to make homemade movies? You know, throwing random pictures into the mix and adding some text + music – and voila! A unique one of a kind film! If you are full of creative juices then enter Coke Zero’s “Life as it should be” campaign! Visit their site and use their black and white film clips. Mix it up with your own brand of making movies then submit your work and compete with other budding filmmakers. Currently, the highest rated video is by “The Porn Star”. Can you beat him/her?? Send your video now! I just did so look for it and tell me what you think =)
.

PISAY the movie

This is just a brief post and definitely out-of-topic =) Most of you already know I'm from Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus and I've told countless stories of our unique experiences and heavy curriculum (college-level) there. Pisay has been one of the most memorable part of my life (though my UP college life is still the best, hehe) and now, there's a movie about it! Sa Pisay Diliman nga lang ang setting. This is directed by Auraeus Solito (NO relation to me, I think!) who made the critically-acclaimed Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros. Direk is from Pisay Diliman Batch86. However the movie's setting is not during his time but amidst the chaos of Martial Law in the early 1980s. The story revolves around eight teenagers in Pisay as discover themselves and go through the joys and pains of adolescence. Even if you're not from Pisay, you can easily identify with the highschool scenarios and adolescent boo-boos, hehe! Here's the fun trailer:

what do the autobots and decepticons eat??

If you don’t know what the title is about, you definitely do not belong to my generation! Ahihi! OR you’re not a moviegoer and thus never heard of TRANSFORMERS the movie where these two classes of being star. Tsk, poor you! You’re missing a lot, I tell you. And I will tell you what you’re missing as you read on and scroll down :p Since this is a food blog, I must relate the spectacular robots movie to food, hence the title. Ahihi! And I promise to try to answer THE question before this post ends =) The picture at left is the symbol of the Decepticons.
.
Transformers opened last Wednesday here in Davao City though I heard that it just opened last July 4 in the US of A, supposedly in time for their Independence Day. I haven’t got the figures yet whether this cartoon adaptation is another summer blockbuster like Pirates 3 and Spidey 3. It is now on its second week here in Davao and as you might have guessed, I watched it yesterday hence this post today o_O Anyway, Transformers is far from being a perfect movie or even just a great movie like Spidey 2 (the best in the trilogy I must say!) which perfectly meshed CGI wonders with well-developed characters and plot. BUT Transformers has the BEST-EVER CGIs I have ever seen in my entire life!!! It was sooo clean, sooo detailed (you can see reflections in the metal parts!), sooo perfectly integrated into the “live” environment and people. And man, even the sounds while the robots transform or when they communicate is perfect! The special effects team had it down to the last music note. This might sound like cliché’ but you really have to watch the movie to see and hear what I’m describing. Even just for effects, your money would be worth it!
.
Aside from the take-your-breath-away CGI, the movie is also funny. Really! As in adult humor funny (“Sam’s happy time”, “I love women to work on my engine”) with lots of PG-13 sexual innuendoes and geeky funny with nerd inside jokes. These moments are expertly woven into the movie for the right-on-target comic relief. This movie is really for entertainment purposes with a somewhat pro-US flavor (USA = saviors of the world; Russia, China and Nokor = enemies). There are lots of chases, explosions, loud music, dramatic cinematography, cool war machines, and best of all 5 Autobots and 6 Decepticons battling it out for Allspark!!! Man, the way they transform (even when fighting!) was really awe-inspiring. Simply perfect! (I really can’t stop noh??) But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since the CGIs were done by LucasFilm’s Industrial Light and Magic. You know, the team who did Starwars, d’oh! :p I must admit I watched the movie twice in one seating. I just couldn’t get enough! Transformers is like the movie version of the pink eye-candy stuff I just couldn’t resist, ahihi! =)

.

And one last thing, Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime is a casting coup! HE is Optimus Prime, hands down and no questions asked. His authoritative, gravelly, fatherly voice is simply perfect. Woohoo! And by the way, Megatron (Prime’s archenemy) is voiced by Hugo Weaving (he’s V in Vendetta and Mr. Smith in The Matrix) who really sound sinister and scary. And now, the REAL last thing: I loved Starscreem’s tranformation the most – from land to air and back as robot to stealth plane, man, AMAZING! You really must see the movie, like, right now so you can also drool over the astounding effects. If you miss this movie, you’re missing one of the milestones in the CGI history. So shoo and go watch this movie now!

P.S. I really don’t know what the Transformers eat.. They pee lubricants so they must eat/drink lubricants too right?? Watchatink?

FEARLESS!

.
Despite my recent grrrr moment with friendster blogs, I'm fearless enough to post again! Okay, not totally fearless, but hopeful enough that none of my posts will be deleted again *sniff* yeah, I'm a crybaby! So what?? I really liked that post of mine! And also J! Teehee! *see below* And I know I couldn't reconstruct it the way it was originally made but I'll try.. Coz it was part 1 of a 3-part series ("the 11-7shift") and I'm actually done with the 2nd & 3rd parts! But what good will posting the last 2 parts when there's no part 1?? Argghhh! So useless crying and yakking over this! MUST. GET. BACK. TO. WORK.
.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Most of you probably watched Jet Li's last martial arts film FEARLESS already and was touched (!!) by it. As for me, I was certainly moved.. to tears! Hehe! Yeah, I'm a crybaby lagi! Get over it :p The movie is now on it's 3rd week here in Davao (still showing in Gaisano Mall, anywhere else guys?) which just proves how popular it is. I think the story was fitting enough to be Jet Li's last martial art's movie. There's nothing really new with the fight scenes (well, except probably for the one held atop his province's "skyline" against the bully who beat him up so bad during his childhood) but the essence of the movie was sooooo touching and worth remembering. For me, the movie was actually a LOVE STORY. There's the undying love between friends (I hope I'll have a rich bestfriend who will sell his business to finance my dreams, hahaha!), parents, family.. A love story involving a beautiful blind woman so skillful in cooking (yum!!), love for country and its native sport/art (wushu!!), and the greatest love of all -- loving yourself back again after you realized how baaad, eviiil, selfish, sinful and revengeful you have been in the past. Hhmm, now that I'm writing this, I've realized the movie is also about redemption.
.
I'm not really a big fan of martial arts film and thus, it was my first time to see Jet Li as an antihero (at least until the middle part of the movie) and the "bad guy". Was he ever a bad guy before? It was also my first time to see him DIE!! Did he ever die before? Man, I was like wtf?? He's dying! Martial arts movie heroes don't die! At least until they vanquished the mortal enemy or enemies. But in this movie, there's no typical enemy bent on world domination or some lofty evil dream. The mother of Jet Li's character said it well that our greatest enemy lies within ourselves. It is within our power when to use restraint, violence, forgiveness, etc, etc. Thus, we can only conquer our greatest enemy when we are humble enough, when we are able to emphatize, etc, etc. The movie sounds like a psychological mumbo-jumbo but it works for me. There are great fighting scenes, touching scenes, some pretty sceneries, and best of all wabsie & me learned a lot. D ba labs?? Hapit man diay kahilak, hehe! :p
.
Yes, this is a food blog and no, I'm not digressing from my theme. This is not a movie review! Really, this is not. Hehe! In fact, this post has everything to do with food. If only Jet Li's character listened to his Japanese opponent during their wonderful tete-a-tete, he would not have died. WHY? If you saw the movie, you'd know! :p His Japanese opponent-turned-friend tried to teach him the intricacies of the Japanese Tea ceremony and the different flavors of teas. But his character disregarded the idea saying it was unfair to judge the tea (same as comparing different fighting styles) as they have different redeeming values. Thus, his tongue does not know the intricate characters of each tea. His tongue is unable to distinguish different teas, all teas are the same for him. Thus when he was being poisoned through tea, he was totally unaware. IDIOT!! Thus the ultimate lesson of Fearless is KNOW YOUR TEA!! or.else.u.will.die.a.yucky.death.vomiting.and.all.ughh!! Told ya this is a food blog! Teehee!
.