3D videos in Youtube

Realized some Youtube videos can now be viewed in 3D mode. Good thing I didn't throw away the 3D glasses that came with the MBLAQ CD, Blaqstyle 3D version.

Speaking of MBLAQ, JTuneCamp has turned on the 3D option for their "Cry" music video.

Happy New Year 2012

Hmmmm....Interesting

I was watching a Bloomberg show featuring Facebook's Mark Zuckerburg and decided to Google "Mark Zuckerberg is a "... this is what came up:

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And that's from Google's recommendations based on other people's searches... not mine.

Movie: Dayo

Studios:	Cutting Edge Productions
Release:	December 25, 2008
Genre:	Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
MTRCB Rating:	GP
Websites:	http://www.dayomovie.com/ http://dayomovie.multiply.com/

My Rating:

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

This is probably the only movie in the Metro Manila Film Fest this year that I wanted to see. There are other good movies no doubt, the award-winning types - but Dayo is the only one I'd pick if I want to be entertained.

The story's good. I had a good laugh at a number of scenes. The dialogue makes me cringe whenever TagLish is used though, and that's because I hate uber TagLish in general. The graphics are fine ... I have to say the background has been drawn better than the characters. The sound is a bit off ... I am not sure if it's the theater or the film itself.

On the musical scoring - the music taken separately, per song, are good. They do not however always fit well with the movie. There are parts of the story where the music fails to work with the visual stimuli in pulling the viewer into the world of the tale being told. The use of Philippine musical instruments is commendable, but the music as used in the movie does not help in inspiring awe the way the African chants and intruments did in Lion King. There are times that the music ended up as "noise".

On continuity, I would like to know how Anna was able to convince her father and his minions in helping Bubuy get out of Elementalia. After dragging Anna away, they later appear out of nowhere in one battle scene and this time they are helpful creatures... and no explanation was given for the change of heart.

All in all, the movie is actually engaging because of the story, and I am willing to forgive the TagLish and the odd scoring if the makers of the movie don't do it again in whatever movie they plan to do next. And I do hope that they make another movie.

Ballet Manila Production: Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang

December 27, 2008

This show is meant to be enjoyed by children as well as adults.  Lola Basyang uses the device of a grandmother telling stories to her grandchildren in order to present three fairy tales. 

Despite the use of Filipino in relating the stories, the tales being told are not necessary of Philippine origin.  One tale is derived from Chinese legends, another starts looking like a Filipino myth or legend, but the presence of large felines would suggest another country. The last story, though looking like something happening in 19th century Manila, could easily be inspired by a European tale.

The mood and feel of each story is different, and each part is also directed by a different person.  The first tale had drama, the second had adventure and was the one that optimized the theater's capability the most, and the last one, which I adored, was a comedy.

One should be ready to look at the side or back of the theater, as actors may be making their entrances from there.  The part where two of the leads exit by a "flying" platform, as well as the large dragon/snake circling the theater are sure to impress kids and the kid at heart.

The performances weren't flawless (I have a little problem with the facial expressions of some of the performers), since half the performers are still students (I think), but it was very good and entertaining.

Movie: Twilight

Studios:	Summit Entertainment, LLC
Release:	November 21, 2008
Genre:	Drama, Romance, Thriller, Adaptation and Teen
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality.
Website:	http://www.twilightthemovie.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

Basically a teen drama movie

I did not read the books. You'd think I would have since I enjoy reading juvenile literature like Harry Potter, adored the first 3 books of Ann Rice's Vampire Chronicles, and am a fan of the short-lived TV series "Kindred: the Embraced". I did not read Meyer's books simply because everyone else seems to be doing so.

I just waited for the movie and dragged my friend who has a crush on Pattinson to see it... thinking that if I liked it, I'd buy the book.

The first half is a sleep inducing drag, full of teen angst. I would think that had I been immortal, I would engage in much more interesting activities than matriculating. And if I was Edward Cullen, who's stuck with a teenager's body, I would find falling in love with a mortal teen a cradle-snatching act.

The action finally came in the second half of the movie, but the movie was over even before I got warmed up.

My verdict is that either this movie sucks compared to the book, or the book itself sucks.

I'm still not interested in buying myself a copy of the book.

Movie: Bolt

Studios:	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release:	November 21, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure, Comedy and Animation
MPAA Rating:	PG for some mild action and peril.
Website:	http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/bolt/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

Refreshing - despite being another dog movie

Bolt is endearing. Rhino the hamster is borderline annoying when he's going "over the top", but is still funny. Mittens the cat I'm not so crazy about as a character - she's not supposed to be cute anyway... but I did feel for her when she talked about being abandoned by her human owners.

The funny scenes are undoubtedly those that deal with Bolt's supposed superpowers... or lack of them in the real world.

What really carried this movie though is the heart of the dog who loves his human. This thing is a given in most dog movies, yet Bolt tells us that such stories never go out of style.

Movie: Madgascar: Escape 2 Africa

Studios:	DreamWorks Animation
Release:	November 7, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure, Comedy, Animation and Sequel
MPAA Rating:	PG for some mild crude humor.
Website:

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	B
Story:	B
Acting	B
Direction:	B
Visuals:	B

Decent Sequel

I had fun watching the first movie, and I found this movie funny as well.

The penguins were hilarious as usual, the monkeys were once again useless, and the lemurs still annoy me.

The gags here are probably just as numerous as those in the first one, but not many are as memorable. Don't get me wrong, this movie is still very entertaining, although you may forget some of the stuff you were laughing at once you leave the cinema.

Movie: Max Payne

Studios:	20th Century Fox
Release:	October 17, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure and Adaptation
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong language.
Website:	http://www.maxpaynethemovie.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating: B-

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

Story needs development

As expected from a movie based on a video game, the main characters here spend a lot of time shooting other people.

To its credit, there were some attempts at a creating a story, but for one who does not play the videogame, I left the theater with unresolved questions about the supernatural beings.

The movie ended before anything satisfactory happened in the story.

Movie: High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Studios:	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release:	October 24, 2008
Genre:	Musical/Performing Arts
MPAA Rating:	G
Website:	http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/highschoolmusical3/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

The first HSM was better

This movie is bigger than the first High School Musical because it had a bigger budget that allowed for better props, costumes, and dance numbers.

It does not have a better story. Not one that would be given justice in a 1 1/2 hour movie anyway.

The introduction of new characters to an existing 6-member main cast took its toll on character development. I couldn't find myself caring much for the three new characters. The Sharpay wannabe is just catty but not as lovable as Sharpay is, the Troy replacement lacks charm, and the I can't decide what the role of the third kid is because I didn't see much of him.

I love the dance on the roof top where Gabriella teaches Troy how to waltz. I love the "Right Here Right Now" duet. Yet the music humming through my head as I left the theater was music from the first two TV movies of the franchise.

Sharpay and Ryan once more had their own broadway worthy number, but "I Want it All" isn't as catchy or easy to sing along with as "Fabulous" and "Bop to the Top" were.

The movie isn't totally crap, but it is disappointing as follow up to the original. The first one didn't have a big budget, but it had more heart.

Movie: Tropic Thunder

Studios:	DreamWorks
Release:	August 13, 2008
Genre:	Comedy
MPAA Rating:	R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material.
Website:	http://www.tropicthunder.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

The Movie that poked fun at everybody

This movie poked fun at everything Hollywood - shamelessly, and no one's sensitivity was spared.

It's a delight finding the Hollywood cliches in the main cast ... the actor making a comeback, the consumate method actor, the comedy guy trying his hand in drama, the newbie who might be the next big star if the movie becomes a hit, and the rapper who wants to cross over to acting.

The pseudo trailers, advertisements, and music videos were hilarious in exaggerating how actors shoot for a best actor award through gay roles or playing mentally retarded people, and how hip-hop music of late show mostly girls' buttocks. The Satan's Alley trailer was a winner.

The "getting kidnapped by a group of drug dealers led by a child" part was very corny, and I guess this might be a common story line in action movies, which is why the writers used it in this movie as well.

Movie: Eagle Eye

Studios:	DreamWorks
Release:	September 26, 2008
Genre:	Drama and Thriller
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language.
Website:	http://www.eagleeyemovie.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

Too much like other movies

Terminator's Skynet has as sister with a Grudge and creates an Enemy of the State.

The trailer and the first half of the movie are probably the good parts. The moment you realize the villain is an overzealous, patriotic in a twisted kind of way supercomputer, things start to go 'blah'. It doesn't end well either ... I'm still wondering why the nameless soldier who helped shut down Eagle Eye was never shown as one of those people who got medals.

Given the premise, the makers could have woven a better story instead of churning out a movie that reminds one of Enemy of the State and Terminator, and fails to be memorable enough to stand out on its own. It's probably not the makers' intention, but all I could think about while watching this movie is "I just discovered Skynet has a sister".

Movie: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Studios:	Universal Pictures
Release:	July 11, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure, Suspense/Horror, Thriller, Adaptation and Sequel
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and some language.
Website:	http://www.hellboymovie.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

Better than the first one

Del Toro delivers a visual feast here as he did in the first Hellboy and in Pan's Labyrinth.

The story has loopholes, much like the first one, but the visual effects and action made up for it.

I like this better than the first Hellboy movie, although I'm not a fan of using the serious elf character element in the story as I consider these creatures as overused in fantasy movies of late.

Movie: Wall-E

Studios:	Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney Feature Animation
Release:	June 27, 2008
Genre:	Animation, Comedy
MPAA Rating:	G
Websites:	http://www.pixar.com/featurefilms/walle/ http://www.disney.co.uk/DisneyMovies/Walle/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	B+
Story:	B
Acting	B
Direction:	B+
Visuals:	A

A true family movie

Take an Asimov-inspired tale of a robot left alone on a devastated earth, add the graphic capabilities, humor and story-telling genius of Pixar, and you've got a heartwarming tale narrated mostly by cute beeps and one-word phrases.

Anyone who could remember the 80s could not help but think that Wall-E's look and even his inquisitive personality is reminiscent of Johnny-5, the robot from the movie "Short Circuit" (1986).

Relying mostly on visual cues and changing the tone of voice, most of the dialogue here consists of repetitive one-word phrases. One is impressed how one word, like "Wall-E", could mean many things depending on how it is said.

The Asimov fan in me loves how the movie touches on the issue of man's destructive tendencies, and the irony that cleaning up and/or rebuilding the planet is the legacy that man will leave to his creation - sentient robots.

This is one movie that kids will truly enjoy without having to wonder why the adults are laughing at phrases that they could not relate to, and parents won't have to worry about having to explain to their tots some not-so-innocent innuendos inserted into the dialogue. And yes, adults can still enjoy the movie despite the lack of reference to the 70s, 80s and early 90s, or green humor in the dialogue.

Movie: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Production Co.:	Lucasfilm Animation, Lucasfilm, Ltd.
Distributor:	Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Release:	August 15, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Animation
MPAA Rating:	PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking.

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

Only a Star Wars Fan would sit through this

I love the Star Wars franchise and have bought books and watched movies even when some of them fall on the crappy side - like this one.

The opening sequence sounded like a Hasbro toy advertisement that it took me a couple of seconds to realize the movie had already started.

The graphics and story weren't that memorable at all. I bet the animators could tell you there's some technological advances in this movie, but I watched this movie in a moviehouse to be awed by graphics on widescreen - which didn't happen. It felt like watching a TV cartoon. A 2d full feature cartoon by Disney is by all means better than this one in terms of story and character development.

Heroes Season 3... the Villains are coming

Welcome to Level 5... where evil resides.

Just so no one forgets, the 3rd season of NBC's Heroes will start in September in the U.S., and the producers are building up the hype. On the TV show's site are the previews/trailers and the webisodes (that no one in the Philippines could watch, by the way), the cast have been in ComicCon 2008, and anyone who's in Hana/Samantha's list started getting e-mail messages last August 5.

The first e-mail I got shows a link back to the Primatech website's Assignment Tracker 2.0. My browser has some trouble loading the page but it's supposed to be an interactive map showing the supposed locations of "posthumans". The August 8 and 11 messages egged people to participate in the "disruption" activity. The August 14 message pointed to the 9thWonder message board.

Heroes: Villains premieres on 9.22.08:

I sure hope C/S picks it up soon. If I have to rely on StarWorld, I don't think I'll be seeing Season 3 in the near future considering that they are only starting to show Season 2.

Movie: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Studio:	Universal Pictures
Release:	August 1, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure and Sequel
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for adventure action and violence.

My Rating:

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

Missing Weisz, and other things as well

I did enjoy this movie, although I found it a bit disappointing compared to the expectations I had upon entering the cinema.

To call a cursed emperor a mummy just to fit this story in the franchise is stretching things to start with. Makes one wonder what exactly qualifies as a mummy. The Evie of the first movie would probably nitpick on that detail.

Which brings me to comment on Bello's portrayal of Evie as compared to Weisz'. Bello's Evie is a warm, earth woman character - which is not bad, really. It's just far from the prim and proper Evie with a wild streak that I've become fond of in the first two movies.

Also, Bello's Evie is such a supporting wife that the character is in danger of becoming a supporting role rather than the major character that had a head of its own and used to have petty fights and arguments with Rick.

I miss Weisz, but I guess Bello and Fraser also look good together as husband and wife, and Bello and Ford could pass as mother and son. Funny though that Fraser still ends up looking like Ford's much older brother instead of his father.

The story spent too much time presenting to the audience how Rick and Evie are adjusting to early retirement. The movie therefore becomes boring in some places.

The story of the emperor is a familiar one as it is based on the myth surrounding a historical character, the same way the characters of the first 2 movies were loosely based on ancient Egyptian notables. If you had watched "The Myth" and "Forbidden Kingdom" movies, as well as the National Geographic feature on China's first emperor, then you'd easily identify this "mummy's" tale as just a variation of those.

This movie's story has some big holes, like: was it necessary that the mummy be brought to life by Rick and Evie?; if the presumably pregnant Zijuan reached Shangri-La right after escaping from the cursed emperor, but Li is now a young adult - when exactly did they become immortal? is Shangri-La and the temple guarding its location such deserted places that only Zijuan is guarding the first one and only yetis could be found in the latter? if the O'Connells have been living in England ever since the 2nd movie, why is Alex speaking very much like an American? if Rick and Evie are still sweet with each other, why would Alex accuse his parents that they haven't been a family for a long time? who encased the emperor in a terracotta figure and buried him and his army if Zijuan cursed everyone of them? if Lin had been guarding the tomb for years, how could she not know about the decoy?

As for the mummy presented by this movie... I don't find him as menacing as the Eqyptian one despite his supposed control over the elements. The main fight scene also lacked the fear element as they placed some comedy there. Although the comedy would make anyone laugh, it also made the scene awkward ... the movie was already making a parody of itself. I keep thinking how awesome the fight scene could have been if they managed to instill dread instead at the spectacle of the undead fighting each other - tirelessly, as they feel no fatigue or pain.

What I liked about the earlier movies, especially the first one, is that despite the comedy, the movie still managed to sneak in some "frights" that made it deserving of its title. This movie is afraid to frighten its audience.

The special effects were good, but not much improved from the first 2. When the emperor breathed fire, it looked like they used a hose to do it; the CG skeletons were more funny than frightening ... which is sad, really. The skeletons' impact in the movie is just as bad as that of the Scorpion king in the 2nd one ... I can't help but think that the elements do not blend well into the movie. The terracotta army was cool though. How I wish I've seen a battle scene between the ancient Chinese armies that is similar to that in Hero or the Myth.

Li wasn't allowed to act much ... and although he hasn't exactly appeared in best actor worthy roles, I know he could do more based on what I've seen him do in Hero, The One, and Forbidden Kingdom (where I realized he could do comedy). They didn't even fully utilize his martial arts skills.

To this film's credit, the bad guys' motive for resurrecting the "mummy" sounds much better than the Nazi army's reason for hunting the crystal skull in the Indy 4 movie... and a cursed power hungry Chinese emperor's much better than a South American ET unable to go home because it literally lost its head.

Movie: The Dark Knight

Studios:	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release:	July 18, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure, Crime/Gangster, Adaptation and Sequel
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace.

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	B+
Story:	B
Acting	B+
Direction:	B
Visuals:	A

Compared to recent superhero movies from Hollywood, this movie has got to be the most frightening.

Many scenes with the Joker are on the disturbing side - where even threats are just as frightening as the deed. This superhero installment is on the brink of being a horror movie. You would not want a kid to watch it ... especially one who frightens easily. It earns its PG-13 rating.

As hyped, Heath Ledger does a good job of portraying a criminal ... someone who deserves to be in the most wanted list. That said, I must say that the rest of the cast also did a good job... it is just unfortunate that Ledger's death would dictate that most press would center around his acting in his last movie.

The twists and turns of the story make this movie. And whether this existed as early as the script, or enhanced by the director or actor, or maybe polished by editing, it has to be commended. Along with the breath-taking action that sometimes border on "stretching it too much", one also finds some meat into pondering what goes on in the minds of the characters... which is a plus for people like me who like shows like "Criminal Minds".

The story is far from the perfect thriller though where the objective is keep the viewer wondering what will happen next. There are certain things that by their mere inclusion in a scene lets you know that it is a set-up for what comes after.

To the movie's credit, the set-up does not fully give away how the next logical step will commence. For example: suddenly putting another person in the same cell as Joker is setting up a scene for Joker's escape ... you just don't know how that person will bring that about until it has actually happened ... you can always guess.

This is probably one of the best Batman movies ever made. However, best does not always mean enjoyable. My favorite is still Batman Begins. That one had heart that I could not find here.

Movie: Mamma Mia!

Studio:	Universal Pictures
Release:	July 18, 2008
Genre:	Musical/Performing Arts and Adaptation
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for some sex-related comments

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

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

When I heard that the musical based on ABBA songs was going to be a movie, I was excited. Which means I waited a long time for this movie to come out. The trailer promised a fun movie, what with Meryl Streep singing and dancing on screen.

I have to admit that although I enjoyed this movie, it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. The trailer already contains snippets of most of the good numbers. There are scenes that are on the verge of boring, and musical numbers that make one cringe.

I must say that all scenes that have all or any of the three primary male characters are hilarious. Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard and Pierce Brosnan remain in character even to the end of the movie where they have a musical number with Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Christine Baranski. Especially Colin Firth.

Now while the three guys are cool throughout the movie, Streep, Walters and Baranski were most of the time acting like the middle aged mother characters that movie teens would be embarrassed to have their friends see. There are some moments that are supposed to be funny but I just end up cringing at the execution.

The story is probably not original, but it's not that old that it wouldn't work here. It's the shift to the song numbers that isn't always working. As with most musical movies I have seen, and that even includes the tween High School Musical movies, I expected the shift from dialogue to song to be seamless. Mamma Mia sort of fails in that area. One wonders if this is due to direction or editing.

Amanda Seyfried was good. The actor portraying her boyfriend is handsome, but his screen presence kind of fades beside Amanda. It may be intentional, as Sky is not really a major character.

Greece is wonderful, although the white walls and blue window frames of the Villa Donna hotel makes me chuckle because it reminds me so much of some pictures I've seen of Batanes.

Gossip and gossip blogs

Was looking up the RSS feeds of some gossip blogs and saw something interesting.

Someone supposedly hacked into Miley Cyrus' e-mail account and got hold of the pictures she sent to Nick Jonas (I'm supposing it's from the "sent" folder). Perez Hilton has posted two of the pictures on his site ... one of them with Miley wearing a shirt and taking a shower. It's the wet t-shirt look she's aiming for I guess. She wears absolutely nothing under the white t-shirt. Perez Hilton could not confirm if they're real photos (not photoshopped). The link to the post HERE. Interesting... I think Vanessa Hudgens was also around 15 when she photographed herself wearing undies (or less).

----------*-----------*----------

PerezHilton has improved over the years. He's become smart about keeping himself out of lawsuits - without losing the edge. Plus: he's accumulated enough celebrity fans to make his birthday a fundraiser. Andddd.... he's finally decided to stick to one user friendly layout ... there was a time when he changed website layouts weekly.

Another blog I like visiting is Just Jared. He's almost as fast as Perez Hilton on dishing out the news but he stays on the safe side (Perez tends to add mean comments). I think he tends to look for pictures or videos first then post them with accompanying remarks.

I also look up local gossip blogs.

Chikatime was one of them till they closed down July 4. I think some pissed off socialite threatened them. Gonna miss that site. Admittedly, they were a bit mean when attacking people, and they probably got meaner as they gained popularity, but I find their articles very informative. I don't watch local TV gossip shows anymore, so I get my weekly dose from them. They keep tabs on celebrities and socialites ... with some of the people mentioned I have never even heard of prior to being featured in their posts (usually the latter kind since middle class me definitely does not move among their crowd).

Chuvachienes is still up, though. They just have the annoying ads that keep popping up. Also, they stay on the safe side.

I guess the fearless gossip blogs left are those maintained by people living outside of the Philippines.

Brian Gorrell's blog, which started out as an expose on Delfin Justiniano "DJ" Montano, has now morphed into a gossip blog about the supposed shenanigans of certain high society personalities. He was living in Australia early this year, but now he's tapping his posts from Canada.

Encouraged by other bloggers, Kitty Go has started her own blog early this year. "When Chic Hits the Fan...Chic Happens" is a commentary on Manila's social climbers, and is delightful to read. Ms. Go lives in Hong Kong.

If you regularly read those blogs, they'll point you to other similarly entertaining sites.