I was able to watch a movie again last Friday and was happy to have that mini-break I wanted. And I was glad to find out that both SM and Trinoma were still showing Underworld: Awakening, as that was really what I wanted to watch. I punched out of work as soon as I can so I can catch the 6:20 PM showing at SM. I thought I was going to miss the beginning, but luckily I got there just as the screen turned to the first shot. Whew, talk about cutting it close.

So, I sat there thinking of all the good stuff I've heard and read about the movie and at the back of my mind I was thinking that this couldn't be as good as the first one. Sequels most often pale in comparison to the original. But IMHO, the movie did remarkably well of continuing the story of Selene and put another spin on it. The action was great and didn't lack the usual gore and blood that all Underworld movies before it had. The fight scenes were well choreographed and Selene's walk-then-fly-off-walls maneuver was like an acrobatic ballet. I liked it. Selene kicked ass and she did it all while wearing her signature tight leather/ rubber outfit. I think even walking in it is a feat in itself.

Some of the things I didn't like about the movie though, were the fact that Michael was not played by Scott Speedman. Selene's make-up is ugh! Her lipstick was like a frosted pink color that none of the other vampires had. A simple nude or pale pink lipstick would've worked if the goal was to make her look pale. Also, I didn't like that Eve looked more like Sadako than a hybrid. It was weird. Whenever I see her I had to remind myself that I'm not watching a horror movie.

All in all, Underworld: Awakening was a very good movie and one that I will watch again and again on DVD. Good thing the ending hinted of a possible 5th installment of the Underworld series. And I will definitely not miss it. I just hope they get back Scott Speedman for that.

Well, I'm on a roll here. I finished another book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, last weekend. It was an audiobook actually. I find that it's really hard to read on a moving train and that it makes me sleepy. So, I opted for the audio version of the book, which is a good thing as I could never have pronounced the names of people and places in the story correctly.

Anyhoo, I think the book is good. It's just a bit long-winded for me. There were too many characters and background info about them. I was already halfway through the book before the 2 protagonists met. I guess the good thing about having so many back stories about the characters is that you get to know them more, and thus, might endear them to you. Or something like that.

I do admit that I did feel that I needed to finish the book as soon as I could, and couldn't wait to get back to the story wheneve I needed to stop. But that only happened when Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist met and were tackling the mysterious disappearance/ death of Harriet Vanger together. Before that, I felt like skipping some parts of the book.

Although I didn't dislike the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I don't know if I want to read the rest of the Millenium Trilogy (as the 3 books in the series are called collectively). I guess, I'll just have to wait until the mood strikes me. For now, I think I'll watch the movie.

Last weekend I had a lunch and movie date (tagalog movie date) with my college barkada. I can't even remember the last time I watched a tagalog movie on the big screen. Not even an MMFF movie. Oh well...We've been planning this 'event' for at least 2 weeks, and we made sure that everyone's schedule was free on that day. Suffice it to say, no amount of planning can ever beat a spur-of-the-moment thing. So, only 3 of us were able to make it.

I arrived at SM Megamall past 1:30 pm, which was waaay past lunch time. Mercie was hungry and I was, too. We decided we wanted something Japanese, so we went to Bubble Tea. I didn't know they had rice meals there as I only order their Taro Milk Shake and Gyoza everytime. I was to hungry to care about the price of their meals (their food is quite pricey), so I ordered what looks good to me - Chicken Terriyaki Doria. Baked rice topped with melted, gooey mozzarella cheese and chicken terriyaki strips.

Chicken Terriyaki Doria @ Php185.00

the spread: taro milk tea, gyoza, and chicken terriyaki doria. YUMM!

After filling ourselves with delicious Japanese food, we went to the cinemas to buy our tickets. To what movie, you ask? In Your Eyes starring Claudine Barretto, Anne Curtis, and Richard Gutierrez. Yeah-hah, it's true. Good thing, though, Mercie has her citibank receipts so I only paid 60 pesos for the movie. Kind of makes watching it bearable.

For me, the movie was neither good nor bad. It was memorable. For one, cliches abound in this movie. Lines like "In time, you'll cope" (advice on the pain of breaking up) and "Kung ang tama ang makakapag pasaya sayo..." are some of the few that I cared to remember.

For another, you can't help but laugh or say "duh" on some of the scenes. IMHO, it just doesn't happen in reality! Even if you've asked your sister to marry your boyfriend to get him a green card or residency status, on their supposed wedding day, YOU don't ask them to kiss ON THE FREAKIN' LIPS!!! There were many instances in the movie that bordered on the insane - well, I exaggerate a little. But really, some scenes just needed to be more real.

Further, the two women were great in the movie, acting their part well, and were very believable (save for the insane scenes I just mentioned). But Richard Gutierrez was forgettable. In the face of two good actresses he was lost and fell flat. There were moments he just stood there and looked like he was reciting lines rather than acting them out. It was not good.

Lastly, the story was, as they say, controversial. In one scene my friend Errol said, "Anubayan, parang incest." I had to laugh out loud because it somehow felt like incest. xD I think that's what made it really stand out from the usual plots of tagalog movies. And the reason why it had good reviews all around. But for me, it's one movie too many. I'll skip the next movie that gets this thumbs up from the media. Or stay away from romantic dramas and stick with comedy, adventure, fantasy, and maybe even action movies.

The recently concluded 67th Golden Globe Awards, I must say, was a success. In that, many of my favorite people and show won, and because I laughed at almost everything Ricky Gervais said. What made him even more funny was his shameless, shameless plug on his own show and movie, The Office and The Invention of Lying.

For "Glee-ks" like me, Lea Michelle, Jane Lynch, and Matthew Morrison's loss in their respective categories was replaced with a more rewarding honor, Best Television Series for Comedy or Musical. This certifies that Glee is not just a flash-in-the-pan TV series, but a show worthy of all the hype and praises that it garnered over the last 13 episodes.

Of course, one of my favorite come-back star, Robert Downey, Jr., won for his performance as ace 19th-century detective Sherlock Holmes. I have yet to watch this movie, so I will reserve my comments for later. Although, I am quite sure that he brought the old stodgy Sherlock Holmes from the 19th century to the 21st century with his dazzling and witty portrayal.

For a complete list of nominees and winners go to the Golden Globe's official website:

I think that stylish Harry Potter star Emma Watson and luxury brand Burberry is the perfect fashion mix. She, along with her 17-year old model brother, is the new face of the famous brand.


I read that Emma likes to spend on designer clothes and accessories and has been seen on and off the red carpet wearing the likes of Rodarte and Chanel. So, becoming a model for a luxury brand should come as no surprise. Even the hard-to-please press loves her for her age-appropriate style and aplomb. I love her, too. She's so pretty she can make rags look cool.

Tron Legacy, the sequel to the original 1982 Tron movie, has been set for release in December of this year. I read that this was a much-awaited sequel ever since rumor spread in 1999 that there was going to be one.  Finally, in the 2008 Comic-con in San Diego, attendees were treated to a surprise showing of the teaser trailer (by Disney and IMAX) which they labelled as TR2N. In it the emblematic Light Cycle and Jeff Bridges, reprising his role as Kevin Flynn, was seen.

I barely remember much of the original movie from the reruns I've watched on TV. Although, I distinctly recall the Light Cycles (I just learned that this was the name of the motorcycles they used in the movie) and the glow-in-the-dark blue suits. And of course, Jeff Bridges. What makes Tron memorable is its use of computer animation. In fact, it was one of the first movies to ever use such technology. Despite this, the Motion Picture Academy (the organization responsible for the Oscars) refused to include Tron in the nominees for special effects saying they cheated for using computers. That's really funny now considering computer animation IS special effects.

Tron Legacy is still almost a year away, yet I feel that, like it's predecessor, it's a movie that should not be missed. If only to watch the effects and the movie in 3D.