Its's NEW YEAR'S EVE

I just like to greet everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Have a blessed, meaningful, healthy and successful year ahead. BE SAFE... PEACE!

BIG MOVIES in 2012

These are the movies that i think would make it big in 2012 and that i can't wait to hit theaters.

1. Hunger Games - March 23, 2012 (click my previous post here)

2. Snow White and the Huntsman - June 01, 2012 (click here for my previous post)

3. The Dark Night Rises - July 20, 2012 (the title alone will make you want to watch it)
The new trailer is exclusively available on apple, just click here to watch it ( it's absulotely amazing, promise) or check it on youtube


4. The Avengers - May 04, 2012

5. Rock of Ages - June 01, 2012 ( I am not a fan of Tom Cruise but he is unbelievably awesome here)

6. The Amazing Spider-Man - July 03, 2012

Tobey Maguire might be the best Spider-Man yet but i am a fan of Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacey) and yes, no Mary Jane Watson

 7. The Bourne Legacy - August 03, 2012

I love Bourne movies with Matt Damon but Legacy is not a Matt Damon movie. Bourne Legacy will be starring Jeremy Renner, i love Renner and i am anticipating how he's gonna go with a Bourne movie. No trailer released yet.

And oh, they are filming in the Philippines.

8. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - December 14, 2012

I super love Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Peter Jackson's direction, so im exited with this movie. Check the Anouncement Trailer here.

9. Warm Bodies - August 10, 2012

I am a fan of book adaptations that's why i am looking forward to this. But the trailer was not yet released so i can't say anything about the adaptation. Sometimes trailer make or break a movie.

10. The Great Gatsby - December 25, 2012

There is so much rave about this movie starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan. An adaptation of the book wrote by F. Scott Fitzgerald, i believe this is his masterpiece. I haven't read it but i can't wait to watch it.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Im really hesitant to watch this but a friend of my husbands' gave us a ticket to a block screening by the Don Bosco Mandaluyong Batch '88 in SM Megamall.

This was directed by Brad Bird, who made "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille". I think he made a nice job here, great direction after doing animation films, he just might be "the next big thing". The opening was good and the cinematography was spectacular. The casting was great and the effects and gadget was just unreal. Well, the gadgets was overkill with the over emphasis to Apple, Mac and BMW.

As for the story, you just have to watch it, it's the the same Mission Impossible formula with a twist of James Bond. After the opening, it's a non-stop action. I don't even know when the climax is because all the action sequence, Moscow/Dubai/Mumbai was climatic, i felt that after each scene the credits will roll.

Tom Cruise looks good here - fine actually, im really surprised- after 15 years since the first movie. I like his stunts, smooth and dramatic- nice job for him, i heard he does his own stunts. He does a lot of running and boy, that man can run. I wonder if im watching MI or some olympic game. My only problem was when his not in action and just doing some dialogue and he was just standing there - he has this tuck in-chest out going on and him shirtless is weird.

Simon Pegg is funny - he provides some comic relief to a tense plot. Paula Patton is great, she provides a tough girl power not the usual delicate, blond agents. I just have a problem when she's running, she looks like running on a trendmill, not so smooth for an experienced agent. Then there is Jeremy Renner, i like him by the way, his character was mysterious at first and he does a good job of it. Well, that's the main four but i like to mention Josh Holloway, i thought this was a break for him after Lost but he was short-lived here i almost forgot he was in the movie.

What i like about Ghost Protocol is that the mission was accomplished with equal effort of the team not like the previous films with the over emphasis on Ethan Hunt. And if you notice, they have a reference from MI1 with the the smoke sign when Ethan was meeting a contact.

IMHO, Ghost Protocol was a good MI film next to the first one and there's a hint of a sequel in the end, J.J. Abram's really investing here- if this is still the same team, i would watch it. The ending and the opening is solid and delivers great entertainment. All the action sequence -Moscow/Dubai/Mumbai was done beautifully. I would say it is a "Mission Accomplished" - which by the way is ridiculous when Tom Cruise said it out loud.

Ukay-Ukay Finds

I love "ukay-ukay", well, because it's cheaper and stuff there are mostly one of a kind- like you won't bump into someone with the same dress you are wearing. Some items are still brand new, i think those are surplus from abroad. But you have to be really patient and put your energy into it because you have to really dig and choose for the best stuff. I hope the Bill that was passed on legalization of used clothes won't make ukay-ukay's prize go up. Good thing the bill ensure health safety, it says,

“All importations shall be released from the Bureau of Customs custody subject to the prior inspection and issuance of a health safety certification from the Department of Health.”

I wonder who would benefit more from that statement. I hate politics.

I bought mine in Lagro Quezon City, near Ilgesia ni Kristo Church. I also want to go to those really famous ukay zone, i heard those are somewhere in pasig.

When i was young, i really want to become a model but never came true. So i did my own photo shoot ha,ha - i hope i didn't do a crappy job.

Model : ME
Protographer: c/o Camera timer
Directed by: ME
Hair & Make-up: ME (not much to do since you could only see half of it :-)
Edited by: ME

The dresses are from P 100 to P 200

TEEN WOLF Discovery

Yeah, i kind of discover it for myself. I am out of shows to watch so i search the net for shows that i might like. I came upon Teen Wolf but at first i just pass it, i was like, "Teen Wolf? it's kind of obvious, right?. Then upon the process of surfing the net, it pops up again, oh wait! this kind of have a fan base but still underrated. So i made a double take and try it out.

Teen Wolf is a modern remake of the movie with the same title in 1985 with Michael J. Fox - i haven't watch it. It's a story of a teenage boy who was bitten by a wolf, who then became a wolf - that's not really hard to figure out, right? Then of course, this is high school there would would definitely be a girl, a sidekick, an enemy, an ally and bullies. But let me tell you, despite that same old plot and holes, this show is kinda of refreshing considering all those same shows out there that become too complicated with so many creatures/characters. First of all, they stick to the wolf mythology (i think, because im really not an expert), and they have a man wolf - girls be prepare for quite an abs coz a manwolf is most of the time, shirtless- but they also have an actual wolf. The visual effect is not that great because obviously they dont have the budget yet, season 2 might improve but it is not cheesy.

Most of all, i like the cast - you have to admit, they are quite an eye candy but besides that the chemistry and acting was good. Scott and Stiles' chemistry was the best, played by Tyler Posey and Dylan O'brien - Dylan is so perfect for Stiles, funny and hot and by the way, he has an account in you tube moviekidd826 . This show is refreshing but with dark and edgy stuff, i enjoy it sometimes i just can't help smiling. Sometimes predictable but it's fun and there is also a time of suspense like, "Whoaa, what just happen?". It might not look good on the outside but it has good stuff, they should improve the marketing but i heard the fan base is growing which is good because many viewers means more budget = good show just don't ruin the story but they should dig deeper to keep it exciting.

Season 2 will be in 2012, im not sure of the month but might be by mid of 2012, they already started filming. If you wanna know, they have a blog  - check it here. I really hope they don't ruin the story in season 2, some shows has the tendency to with the following seasons.

This is the trailer of Season 1

Breaking Dawn Part 1

This is a late post coz im deciding if im going to. But yes, i've decided, so here you go.

First of all, im a fan of Twilight but not really that Twi-hard. It increases my fascination with supernatural/paranormal/fantasy books and movies. I know there are many holes and flaws in the books but i tend to close my close - why? because it is so damn romantic ( cheesy even). So you have been warned, i am biased with this topic haha.

I reserve my ticket in Trinoma for the evening because i have girl's bonding with my friends during the day and Lovey and I will just meet later at Trinoma. I would be coming from Libertad to Trinoma and i miscalculated the time and in short, i'm late for our screening time. Lovey was a bit upset (not because his a fan, he just tag along coz i like it but he's paying and it's not refundable), he's like "let's get inside and watch watever was left and ask the staff to let us stay for the next screening" - well, that's not going to work, right?.. I was like "are you kidding? I know the whole story but im not going to start at the middle." But i made it in an apologetic and nice way because it's my fault. So we went home ( i was so sad), we live near an SM and will definitely be at the Mall to get home. When we got to the mall, Lovey was like " let's watch your movie, last full show is still on and you owe me." ha, ha. He really made my day, i just want to watch the damn movie in any cinema.

As for the movie...

Since they make a two part movie of the last book, they can fit a lot in almost five hours for one book. The wedding scene is a much awaited scene for the fans but goodness it took half of the movie. It's fun to read in the books but to take half of the movie for the wedding is kind of boring - or so my Lovey says because i can look at them for more than half of the movie haha.... it is really kind of boring. The first part is quite slow but the last part was building up and really good. I specially love the last part near the end and exactly the end not the ones in the credits.

The trio's acting has also improve here specially, Kristen/Bella. As Bella matures, Kristen's acting has also matured. I hope Kristen can be an awesome vampire in part two, i think she has the angst.  The ones who has not improved despite all this time, it's been 4 movies already, are emmet and alice - i just dont really buy them.

I will still wait for the part two and might even re-read the last book. Yes, i still want to read it, Stephanie's use of words in the books is really romantic. I know vampire/werewolf/teenage girl is overrated and Twilight didn't start all this but it sure hype it to a level of success - nobody can doubt that. If you can get past the sparkly/cold/marble vampire and werewolf thing, i dont recommend it, but you might as well enjoy reading it (it's addictive, beware haha). Like a beer, it doesn't really taste good but you can get addicted or something but, that's just me.

Love... Love... Love

I'm into quotes this days. Well, here's what i find all over.

Source: www.orkutluv.com



" Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart."  ~Kay Knudsen

"You learn to like someone when you find out what makes them laugh, but you can never truly love someone until you find out what makes them cry."

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker."

"You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." ~Dr. Seuss

"Love is like a mustard seed; planted by God and watered by men." - Muda Saint Michael

"You know you are in love when you see the world in her eyes, and her eyes everywhere in the world." - David Levesque

"Love is not blind - It sees more and not less, but because it sees more it is willing to see less." - Will Moss

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." - Bill Wilson

"A bell is not a bell until someone rings it, a song is not a song until someone sings it. Love wasn't put in the heart to stay, for love isn't love 'til you give it away." - Chanh Kha

"Love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear"

"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is  what makes the ride worthwhile."

"Love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear"

"I've learned ... that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them."

Two hearts intertwined...

Different views...

Different dreams...

Different needs...

Different wants...

Bound by a fragile string called LOVE...

Union as willed by GOD...

A journey in life...

May be pounded by the forces of nature...

May be struck by the fiercest lightning...

Yet two hearts bound by a delicate twine...

STRONG enough...

To stand the test of time.

- Jerome Bartolabac -



Fave quotes from Harry Potter

I'd like to share some of my fave quotes from Harry Potter books.

Technically, they all came from J.K. Rowling herself but i'd like to think of the characters. What can i say, i love Dumbledore, such a wizened man in - in all aspects.

NAIL POLISH GALORE

I am jobless at the moment, so i let myself busy with a lot of things and lately i got into manicure - which was not a hobby of mine previously maybe due to the time spent but as i said, recently i have some time to spare. I began to have a fascination with nail polish - only the affordable ones. By the way, i do my manicure all by myself  but i seldom do a pedicure because my shoes are mostly close type.

So, i like to share some nail polish that i have.

Color: VIOLET VELVET - the color is more of a blue. Having a hard time applying coz it dries easily. 2 coats

Color: CANDY CANE - 2 coats

Color: SEAL BROWN - 1 coat

Color: RED - 1 coat, i like this

Color: SEA GREEN - 2 coats, one of my fave

Color: GRAY STONE - 2 coats, the color is so light like a clear gray at first coat

Color: WINTERMELON - 2 coats

Color: TOUCH OF TAN - 2 coats, i also like this

Color: CAROLINA PEACH - 1 coat

I like Caress Nail Polish, it is affordable, price ranges from P23.75 to P35.00. For its price, it's quite creamy, easy to apply and i like the colors. I also like the color and texture of Sassy Nail Polish next to Caress, which is also affordable.

Eat-all-you-can @ Yakimix Tomas Morato

First of all, I love Yakimix.

My officemate and i went there during lunch and the place is not packed so we had no problem with reservations. The Tomas Morato branch is not a big place and i like the ambiance. 

I got some fried rice and vegetable, lots of raw meat for grilling, some seafood, veggie salad and lots lots of dessert - gush i am dessert person. I like the meat, bite size and lots of flavor, i ate a lot without really knowing about it - good for me, i am naturally slim person. But the seafood,  i ate only a piece or two, i am not really a fan of grilled seafood - i like them buttered specially the shrimp.

There are lots of  sushi that i have no idea about but my friend's a fan. So she ate lots of those - sushi, tempura, sashimi - and she said that those alone will make up for the price.

Let's get on with dessert, there are lots of cakes (ube, chocolate, chessecakes, choco mousse), tarts, brownies, salads, macaroons and a variety of ice cream with all sorts of topping (so make your own) and popsicles ( how awesome is that).  I try all there is except the brownies, im not really a fan of brownies. And when the waiter announce a last call, what have i not eaten yet? Oh, the fruits and some little cheesecakes again haha.

Love eating at Yakimix. But if you will go there during weekends and holiday, be sure to make a reservation because there might be a waiting line.

Branches:

Mall of Asia - Ground Floor, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia Pasay    tel no. 836-15-35/36/37

Tomas Morato - 2nd Flr, Forum Bldg., 270 Tomas Morato Avenue Q.C   tel no. 332-8073; 385-7500

Pasay - Hobbies of asia, Macapagal Blvd. Pasay    tel. No. 3878120; 3878112; 5566673

Greenbelt - 3rd Level Greenbelt Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Ayala Center     tel no. 475-5153

Trinoma - 4th Level, Trinoma Mall, Quezon City   tel no. 475-5154

Prices:
Eat All You Can – Php 580
Eat All You Can during monday to friday lunchtime except holidays – Php 499
Eat All You Can for Children below 4 feet – Php 380
Left Over Price per person – Php 699

Dinner via Prestige Cruise

This is a late post, we had this last September.

I got this promo from Metrodeal, this deal is a hit. I remember the web craze when this deal came out. That's why im so excited about it and got disappointed, i should have lowered my expectations.  So, i reserve mine for September- the reservation is so hard because thousand/s vouchers were bought.

In fairness to Prestige Cruise, since i reserve mine during those rainy seasons, they texted us a day before that the schedule is temporary due to tropical depression. But it was later confirmed on the scheduled day.

We got at the Bay Terminal at the Folk Arts Theater near Gloria Maris Restaurant. I was so giddy because i am thrilled of having dinner on the ocean with the city lights around and a live band. My bad that i make my reservation during rainy seasons - but it was really hard to make one. The waves are quite strong but at first  i like it, then came dinner. Aaahhh.... the food was so not good.

I would eat anyday in Carinderia Buffet (if you haven't heard of it, it's in V.Luna), i ate there once, not really appetising but better than what was serve by Prestige Cruise. Let's see, they serve a spaghetti, a beef something, a salad ( the sauce is awful) and a soup. We ate again on the way home, by the way.

To Prestige Cruise ( i hope someone there read this), i know i got half the price but the promo is marketing, you need to leave a good impression for future sales. The cruise is okay but do something about the food, i dont mean the quantity but the quality.

I would like to try another cruise (not Prestige unfortunately, until i heard a good change) and hope that the experience would be different.

SNOW WHITE and The HUNSTMAN

This is one of the upcoming movies for 2012 that i am looking forward - and of course the Hunger Games. At first because Kristen Stewart is in it and i like her. And then i saw the trailer - have you seen it?

It is amazing!

It is dark and clearly an action flick, not the Snow White we watch while growing up. Charlize Theron as the evil queen is so well done, the way she said her lines is so evil. She brought a new meaning to a villain - with class. Snow White was not really seen at the trailer, i kept wondering if this is about the queen or Snow White. Well, i hope the movie is as good as the trailer.

If you haven't heard, two Snow White movies is coming out in 2012. The other one is Mirror, Mirror with Julia Roberts as the evil queen and this version is clearly for kids. The trailer looks like a comedy and i have to say it is awful, if not embarassing. Here's the trailer, see for yourself.

 

HUNGER GAMES

Have you read the book? If you haven't, read it now, all three of it. They are making the movie adaptation of it. The casting is sure making a buzz.

IMHO, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss is working for me. I'm not quite yet sure of Peeta and Gale, i have yet to see the movie.

The trailer has been released and i like it, the story is on and they are not hyping the romance which is good. As much as i am a fantasy/paranormal romance fan, Hunger games is a dystopian thriller about survival and sacrifice and the author sticks to it - which i also like about the series.

Watch the trailer and see for yourself... as for me, i can't wait for March 2012.

First Time in BORACAY

Finally, Lovey and I got the chance to go to Boracay last August 2011. We took Zest Air Manila to Kalibo promo fare, that's P2,400 round trip for two - we're on a budget. I heard so many negative reviews about Zest Air, but fortunately we didn't have any problems at all. It's a long trip from Kalibo - next time ill book for Caticlan- you have to take a van for 1 1/2 hours from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port cost P200.00/head. Then ride a boat to the island for P30 and P100 for terminal and environmental fee.. i think, but when you go home the fee would just be P 25.00/head.

Since we are on a budget, i've look for a very affordable accommodation and found B and B Resort Boracay. It's located along the main road, corner of the street in front of Crown Regency, 3-min walk to the white beach, its pretty at the center of everything if you don't mind a little walk. Rates for low season is P600/night for the fan rooms and P1000 for the aircon rooms. The rooms are pretty basic but i love the place, there's a what you call provincial atmosphere to it, from our side of the cottage its peaceful coz there is a side near the main road so you might here vehicles passing by.

Besides from strolling the beach (the beach is worth the trip specially during low season - no rains just wind), buying pasalubong and waiting for the sunset (which is beautiful at around 5 to 6 pm), we went to Mt. Luho where you can see all of the land of boracay which is a pretty spectacular site. We took a tricycle from our resort for P150 one way, we are accompanied by my friend and her hubby so we are four. You can let the tricycle wait for you so that's P300 round trip - we'll its pretty far. But on the way back we just walk on the more short route to station 1 - but goodness that's seems far also, my feet hurts but i am not really use to too much walking. At Mt. Luho you'll pay  a fee of P60/head, there's a mini zoo and the view at the top is worth it, it's very beautiful.

We did'nt get to try other activities but next time we'll try it. Yeah, there will be a next time. It's my first time to ride a plane and i love it. Our plane to Kalibo is kind of small so it's noisy and our flight is evening so i can't see anything but our flight to Manila is in the morning and the plane was better. When we landed on the domestic airport - i'm like "more,more". When you're up there  and you look at the clouds and islands, there's a feeling of bliss and being blessed, this is mother nature and this is we're we live in, this is what God gave us. And when the plane went into the clouds, i'm quite hoping that Harry Potter might pop in a broomstick haha.

That's my Boracay trip and i love it, i hope to come back soon. Thanks to ms bless and staff of B and B Resort.

B & B Resort: bnbboracay@hotmail.com 09283245448

ATWAMANUKAN GRILL eat-all-you-can

My office mates scheduled a dinner and we decided - we'll i suggested it because i always see this new place on my way to the office. As i recall, Dampa sa Quezon Ave. was previously located there - i dont know if its with the same management and they just change the name but i think its fairly new.

So we went there and we arrived at around 6:30 pm, it's just along quezon ave near Averdeen Hotel and beside Punchline. We are the first customers (we are 13 exactly), dinner is 6:00 pm to 9:00pm. The place is an open area, there's a resort-like feel to it. Tables are located on a gazebo, i've seen two for the dining and another for the buffet. Each gazebo would accommodate at least 40 persons and they have a function hall for events and parties. 

As for the food, they are all Filipino cuisine nothing extraordinary but not bad at all. I thinks its okay and for the price of P 195.00 and 40.00 for bottomless ice tea, its fairly reasonable. What i like is that their food is on individual - i dont know what its called - charcoal stove, so the food is hot specially the soups. I didn't get all the name of the dishes, some are sisig, bopis, sinigang na baboy, sinigang sa miso, kare-kare, chicken lollipop, fried chicken, dinuguan, lechon kawali and there atleast ten more but i didnt get to taste. Desserts are the usual fruits  (watermelon and pineapple) and banana fritters, sweetened banana and ube (not pure).

If you get the bottomless ice tea, you dont have to call the waiters and you woudn't even notice you've drinking a lot of it because they keep on refilling it. One complain though, you can use all the plates you want but only one fork and spoon - that might be done also to other restaurant but we didnt know at that time and we reserve for 15 but arrived only 13 so there's an extra 2 at the table. One of my office mate use two sets of utensils, only one set of unused utensil was retrieved, so billing came and we are charged at 14. Naturally, there's argument  but it has been settled. The staff are attentive, polite but i guess they're not really that experienced yet.

IMHO, this is good when you're on a budget and want to have a really full meal, i just hope they add more to the desserts (i'm a dessert person). This is also good for parties on a budget, it also cost 195 with free use of the function room for a minimum of 50 persons. But if you're also celebrating an occassion and you have a guest of 10 or more, this is a good place, no-hassle for you.

^{Atwamanukan grill #1389 Quezon Ave.West Triangle Q.C.(beside Punchline)Tel.#376-27-48}

GAME OF THRONES on HBO

A Game of Thrones is the first book in A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of epic fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin.

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

The Dothraki, an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; Viserys Targaryen, a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister, Daenarys, to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

First of all, this adaptation is superb if not perfect of course. There are some modifications or additions but not deviations, so far they stay true to the books. I think the modifications was for the cinematic value because this is a new series which has a limited budget which also affects the fight scences ( i hope they give us more on season two coz season one has such a high rating). I hope also that they add more episodes, well this is a specialty TV it has lesser episodes than Network TV.

As for the characters...

Sean Bean as Ned Stark is very effective like when that important moment happens (no spoiler), the effect is profound, The starks children are good except for Bran (but thats just me), most of the children are hard on the jaw line but Bran is kind of soft for me. Kit Hartington for John Snow is not who i imagined while reading the books ( but Kit is hot...so its ok haha). Their mother Catelyn, i imagined her as beautiful, loving but strong (i didnt say the actress is ugly but i prefer a more distinct beauty, anyway she's been fought over by two strong man, make it three).

The Lannisters is spot on specially Peter Drinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Peter could have won an emmy for that role. I have a hard time accepting the actor cast as King Robert Baratheon, im not really digging him (sorry).

Emilia Clarke is a fine choice for Daenarys Targaryen, she may not be that young for the role but Daenerys is one of the characters whose development and maturity is very fast. If they'd go for a young actor, she may not be a believable queen material.

And I like Jason Momoa for Khal Drogo, very hot and very strong indeed. He's born to be Khal Drogo ( i just wish Khal Drogo is.... ok no spoilers... sigh)

Overall, the casting is superb. I like how the dialogues came out from the books, the attention to details and they stay true to the books ( they better do because if they dont, they will ruin a very good book). This is one of the book adaptation that you have almost nothing to complain ( just improve on the CGI coz this is fantasy genre), more like Lord of the Rings.

Im attaching the trailer...enjoy!

GAME OF THRONES...Song of Ice and Fire Book 1

"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."

In a world where the approaching winter will last four decades, kings and queens, knights and renegades struggle for control of a throne. Some fight with sword and mace, others with magic and poison. Beyond the Wall to the north, meanwhile, the Others are preparing their army of the dead to march south as the warmth of summer drains from the land. 

I like fantasy genre so AGOT was usually discussed on forums and reviews for the genre but i started to read it when i heard that they're going to make a TV series ( i love book adaptations). I'd say A Game of thrones or the Song of Ice and Fire Series will come to comparison to other fantasy book like The Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time but id say they are different on their own (that goes for LOTR, i haven't read Wheel of time yet). 

A Game of Thrones is a story of the Seven Kingdoms and the powerful families ruling it, struggling to control the Iron Throne by treachery, violence, greed and war - there's also romance somewhere there. What i love about GRR Martin is that he is very brutal, straightforward and very brave author i might say. He tells a story in a point of view of characters i love and also those i hate- that i think is great, coz i might understand the character and also the story more. There is no main characters, all the characters is part of the story and essential to the story. I say GRR is very brutal because he is so good that he let us love this character and then kick us in the ass by killing the character but still love him because i realized it is the right path to take for the character and the story and it is very human and realistic. Once you started to read there is no putting it down. 

This is not a read for the young ones but if you have an open mind go ahead and grab it. 

The TV adaptation outstanding (it's like the pages coming out on TV... almost) ...i will talk about it later.

HARRY POTTER.....THE END IS HERE

"Albus Severus..you were named for the two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."

So I've seen THE END... and it's bloody brilliant!

The movie pick up where Part 1 left off, I wont get down to details to avoid spoilers for those who haven't read the books. I watched it on 3D but whether you watch it on 2D or 3D it won't make the film any lesser or much more. I just like that movie experience for this last film where you can see them from head to toe, every ripple of muscle of the dragon (I have to say, the dragon is spectacular), every part of Hogwarts, you get the idea... yes?

This film has capture the ending to this great series more than what I imagined, of course all the details can not be translated to the movie but the main story was spot on and some deviation is very well done. This movie make me cry, not just those I expected to cry (specially near the end) but also moments throughout the film that its just so heartwarming it will make you cry (like when the dragon struggle for freedom..sigh)

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson), the friendship of the actor and the characters is visible it the movie. It's like really genuine, you can feel it. The acting and shade of the characters has matured, has grown relatively with the series. Seeing them on flashback while they were so little and cute is like seeing your child grown before your eyes. They really own the characters, breath life to them. You have to admit that at the beginning these three is the reason we follow the story both book and movie, so its sad to not see them again. Well, you could always look at their cute little faces on DVD and read the books ( if you haven't memorize them already).

Snape... oh snape, Alan Rickman could won a Best Actor for the character, it was heartbreaking. Snape's background was brilliant though it was just a few minutes, you can feel the emotion right to the bone. I think Snape is one of the very important part of Harry's destiny.

I have to emphasize the “Neville Moment”(you just have to see what it is), because in the last book Neville really stood up. So the Neville moment, it slightly deviate from the books but the result was amazing, it literally earn an applause in the cinema (which really deserves an applause, it was climatic).

Not just the main characters that are worth mentioning but also the supporting characters..well all the characters because they are part of the Harry Potter. Helena Carter (Belatrix) is a brilliant actress, love her at Gringotts. Molly Weasley is one badass mother (“not my daughter, you bitch! Haha). And Professor McGonagall, you rock! (thumbs up..). I love the scene at Hogsmeade with Aberforth Dumbledore, I got teary at the display of trust for Albus Dumbledore.

This movie has so much awesomeness. This is the final battle, so much fighting, so much people but well coordinated. There is not one moment where you don't know what's happening because of so much going on – it was brilliantly choreographed, directed and the effects is just amazing.

IMHO, they say its a children's movie/book – NO its not. It is a story for all, friendship, love, loyalty, trust and courage. The story of humanity here is very raw and realistic just added little...or more magic. I may be biased but that's just me... what do you think?

THUMBS UP to all who made Harry Potter and to J.K. Rowling, who started it all.

ITS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

APPLAUSE!!!!!!! ( we really applauded at the theater)

I'm attaching a photo i've taken from the cinema... (i dont know what happen but it came out like this).

Yellowcab Pizza-All-You-Can with IMAX

Pizza-All-You-Can with IMAX and Yellow Cab for P199 only.

Flavors include Yellow Cab Cheese or New york classic pizza.

Promotion is from July 14 to 17, 2011 only.

Valid for 1:00pm to 6:00pm movie screenings.

Valid only at SM North Edsa and Mall of Asia.

Just present your IMAX Tickets at the Snack Lounge to avail.

Buy IMAX Tickets online (P450) and be one of the first Pizza-All-You-Can Challengers (P199).

IMAX Movie in SM Mall of Asia: Harry Potter (Duration of the promo)

IMAX Movie in SM North: Harry Potter & Green Lantern (Duration of the promo)

For more information, please call SM North EDSA at 929-5452 or 924-4274 / SM Mall of Asia at 556-4629 or 556-0242

(Thanks to the source)

How amazing is that... I already got my ticket before this came out (click for refresher) so this is a bonus and my time fits right in. We'll try this, well maybe not me coz i can't eat that much pizza but Lovey can, so i'll let him eat as many pizza as he can :-)

Get your tickets now, it's gonna be awesome.

Ahhh, Harry Potter, i can't wait.

EXPERIENCE @ Crocs Mega Sale 2011

 

Have you been there last June?

I've learn about this from this blog (this has good stuff..check it out). Since i'm a fan of SALE, discounts and the likes ( actually i love those stuffs) and it is shoes. Put SALE and SHOES together and it's GAME ON.

So Lovey and I meet a friend in cubao 9:00 in the morning and took C5 route. OMG, the traffic is very heavy, it's like all the cars are going in the same place (or maybe they are, coz it's crocs 90% off).

It's a little rainy, we got there past 11:00 and omg!! again, the lines is soooo long as in long longs.

We alternately stand in that long line in the rain(not heavy) and then the sun in the afternoon for like three 3 hours. So when we finally got to the entrance, it's like winning the amazing race (hehe). Paid the P50.00 entrance fee and finally went in.

OMG (again), it's crazy inside, people and shoes are everywhere and it's kind of dim. We dug in the boxes, some styles are not on display and only one size mostly (i think of bad luck or something).
The talk there says they will replenish the stock late in the afternoon but im tried so choose on the available stocks.

Lovey got a Sta. Cruz and i got 2.

The next day i browse there facebook page and the prizes still go down (sigh!!!... oh well charge it to experience, i still got a good deal)

IMHO, as i've said it's a good deal and an experience. Next time if im not gonna be there early (as in first in line), i'll go the next day or last :-).

TRANFORMERS: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

We've watch the first 2 movies so it's a done deal that we watch the 3rd although i've read a few negative reviews. Anyway Lovey is a fan of the cartoon (original) and DC and Marvel for that matter. So we bought the ticket ahead of time to avoid long lines and get the nice seat. We tried the 3D in trinoma.

As for the cinema, we'll im a little bit upset about the 3D. It's suppose to come out off the screen but instead its like 3D inside the screen not like when we watched "Avatar" in IMAX north EDSA. So if you want that ultimate movie experience go to IMAX. But sometimes it also depends on the movie, if you'll watch on IMAX, do the research on the movie... it should be shot in 3D not converted to 3D.

Back to the movie...

I like Shia Labeouf (Sam) and John Turturro(Simmons), the chemistry is there. As for the new girl Rosie Whiteley(Carly), she's hot (imho...Megan Fox is hotter), but if her acting is just like Megan... i'd prefer Megan Fox. Anyway, the story behind the replacement of Megan is a little lame. Mikaela dump Sam....... really!!? The first 2 movies, they basically save the world together then dump him on the third?... they should have been more creative.

The effects is awesome really.... the story is..duh. The plotline is the same with Revenge of the Fallen, more action, new girl, additional villian/ally. Lovey complains that they should have focus on the characters and story of the TRANSFORMERS (co'z really it is titled Transformers), but they focus on a few names only.

IMHO, the first is still the best. Yes, the effects on the 1st is limited but the story is there. When Michael Bay was given a huge budget, he give us the action and the effects but leave the story behind. Just the same the trip to the cinema is still worth it...

IT ALL ENDS on JULY 15

"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well."-Albus Dumbledore

The end is near... i can't describe the feeling. Can't wait for it to come (is it July 15 tomorrow?... oh not yet..sucks) and also sad because it's the end. This series and the actors literally grow up before our eyes, well, i can still read the books and the watch the movie over and over again. See?... i love it, i already said it, right? I'm a fanatic...

For those who wasn't a fan ( and i'm sure there's only a few), i highly recommend this series books and movies both. There's not much book adaptation out there who live up if not outshine its source material, this one definitely is.

I already bought my ticket online. It's really easy and convenient, try it, just go to sm cinema website ( IMAX has a seat selection with additional  P20.00 for convenience charge).

I'll watch this on IMAX, i'll get back for the review. See you in theaters...