Movie: Vantage Point

Studio:	Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
Release:	February 22, 2008
Genre:	Drama and Thriller
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, some disturbing images and brief strong language.

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	B-
Story:	C+
Acting	B
Direction:	B-
Visuals:	B-

Tracking a story from different points of view is a good idea for a thriller. However, part of what makes a good thriller is the gradual build up of action as pieces of the puzzle are revealed. By resetting the clock too many times though, this story lost momentum. It is easy to get tired of seeing the same thing over and over again that it even starts to become funny after a certain point.

This movie doesn't bomb though. It just wasn't great as it could have been given the big name actors it boasts of. The story itself, without the time reset device, would have stood on its own. The idea of using different vantage points, all starting from a specific time, would indeed add to the thrill factor - if only they picked the right order of vantage points to show.

Movie: Jumper

Studios:	Regency Enterprises, 20th Century Fox
Release:	February 14, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and Teen
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	C+
Story:	C+
Acting	B-
Direction:	B-
Visuals:	C+

The idea of Jumpers is intriguing. Too bad the movie didn't optimize the potential of the premise.

The trailer was "iffy", which should have warned me not to expect too much. But there is the participation of Jamie Bell, whose acting is always on spot whenever I get to see him in a movie.

Jamie was good although there was little he could do with the material given him; Samuel Jackson makes a cool, good villain (like he always does); and Hayden Christensen plays the lead character David, which he tries to portray as one cocky fellow but does not quite pull off. Although Christensen is lead, much of the drama scenes for the character David is given to Max Thieriot, who plays the younger David. This is a sci-fi action movie, however, so it's unfair to expect memorable, Oscar-worthy acting.

The movie enjoys showing off the "jumping" scenes, but apart from the special effects, the majority of the movie looks drab.

Although there is effort to explain certain situations or the appearance of new characters, the manner of exposition was either lame or begged for more questions. We are told that Paladins hate jumpers. Hate comes from fear, so what do Paladins fear from jumpers that they have to hunt them, preferably before they reach adulthood? Let's not forget logistics. Where in the world do the Paladins get their funding? If Griffin doesn't care much for helping David, why even introduce himself?

The movie also had loose ends ... David leaves Roland and Griffin stuck in hard to get away from places but we do not know if they eventually escape or die. Makes one wonder if the producers wanted the option to bring back these characters in the event that they get to make a sequel.

Website: Philippine National Bank

A sneak peek at the new look of our company website which was launched yesterday, Feb. 11.



I have at least 3 changes to make on the Treasury pages, but they didn't make the cut-off date.

Zelle: Akala Mo Lang

"ang OFFICIAL VALENTINE’S SONG para sa 2008" according to Ian (Lauron) ... if you're breaking up with someone that is. I may have misinterpreted the lyrics, so correct me if I'm wrong.



Lyrics: Akala Mo Lang

Pagyakap sa'yo ng mainit,
at pagkapit ng mahigpit.
Pagsama sa'yong mga gimik
at pag-amin ng aking pag-ibig.

Refrain
Masaya sayo'ng piling at sa'yong
pag-ibig.

Chorus
Pero di kita mahal, akala mo lang
Hindi kita mahal, hindi mo ba alam.
Pagpanggap ng aking pag-ibig,
at pangakong walang patid.
Iiwan ka ring sawi,
at aasa kang magbabalik

Repeat Refrain

Repeat Chorus
Bridge

Eh bakit anjan ka pa?
H'wag ka ng umasa pa

chorus:
Hindi kita mahal,akala mo lang.
Hindi kita mahal,hindi mo ba alam