Luck, Pirates and Anthologies

I got to watch "Pirates of the Carribbean: At World's End" last night at Greenbelt. The best part is, it's for free! My friend was able to haggle a ticket for me from the winners of the company's collage-making contest (1st prize: 10 tickets).

Sadly there are a number of bad points about the movie. It was supposed to be the grand finale to the Pirates trilogy and yet the storyline, as much as Gore Verbinski wanted to input as much for the closure, dragged on some parts. Personally, the Calypso storyline should not be there. And Elizabeth Swann has a corny speech. But still even with all the bad reviews its getting from me, it was not truly a waste and it's still worth coming home late at 11pm on a work night. If you still want exciting sword swish-bucking action, go ahead and watch it.

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Before my friend and I met up at the cinemas, I went to Powerbooks to buy Tikman ang Langit: An Anthology on the Eraserheads. I was reading few pages of it two weeks ago when I was waiting at Megamall's Powerbooks for my college friends, and just decide to buy it when my salary arrives. I wanted the know more about the band and their fans views on why Eraserheads is "the" band of our time.

It took me sometime to look for the book and finally asked for help. The salesperson handed me the display copy and said it was their last stock (lucky!). I had MacArthur by Bob Ong on one hand already (I was supposed to buy that if I get impatient waiting for Tikman ang Langit) yet I ended buying both books last night. And that's PHP280 out of my pocket, merp. Good thing my movie is truly for free.

I have yet to read both books (maybe tonight or back home in Batangas this weekend) but I feel I'm not going to be disappointed even by just looking at their covers. I think both are by VPE Publications.

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Thinking Corner: Would you agree that Angel Locsin play the lead part in the localized Marimar?

EDIT (04/7-07): News was Angel Locsin turned down the offer/was not offered the lead role as Marimar. Then again, GMA 7 should not have thought of doing a remake of another "beloved" series

Shrek the Third

Put on the ogre mask and you're ready to go!

Of course, that is not what we (my friends and I) did yesterday at Megamall but we did watch the movie together with "kids of all ages". We were torn between Spiderman 3 or that, but since my friends doesn't want drama that day (it was our sort of girls-day out), I suggested Shrek. Which of course is a good choice since they have not watched its predecessor so there's no bias.

I really like Shrek 2 and watching Shrek the Third gives me a sort of justification that ugly creatures can be truly lovable. And fast-talking donkey (Donkey?). And suave, puppy-eyed feline (Puss in Boots). I wanted to post Donkey's picture of his rendition of the puppy-eyed look popularized by Puss in Boots, but it wasn't in Google finds so I cannot spoil you guys the highlight. Ooops!

I enjoyed the watching movie but I think it still has its shortcomings. I got really good laughs at the key scenes but some comic imputs are either a bit mature or just bland. Then there's the kiddie feet stomping on the back of your seat, or the cute child who thinks there is a musical chairs game.

News is, Shrek the Third got the 3rd-biggest opening for an animated film. Spider-Man 3 got in 1st place, followed by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest in 2nd.

Let's wait for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, shall we?

Shaider, Shaider love Annie..

Marky Cielo.

Ultimate Starstruck Survivor.

Shaider, Ang Pulis Pangkalawakan.

Honestly, what has world coing to?

At first it was Lupin and Super Twins (Sailormoon rip-off?). Now, GMA's going to make a local version of Shaider? Nooo!!!

Earlier, I was browsing through INQUIRER.net's biz news and in one of the article tackles an Eat Bulaga male host to leave the noontime show and will be appearing as a villain in GMA's upcoming "live action" remake of Shaider.

Although I have not watched any Lupin and Super Twins' episode, but catching their previews during channel surfing is enough to make me cringe and pray that the kids watching these shows won't be scarred for life. I don't know the network's reason for the local remake of the beloved anime and sentai (riding the stars and shows' popularity, I guess) and I was hoping they are not pushing their luck in creating "live action" version with poor storyline and talents. Not to mention cringe-worthy costumes, props and CG effects.

I am not demeaning our local TV industry as a whole and I believe in vying away from the boring telenovela formulas for fresh and creative TV shows for our audiences. Just take a look at Encantadia - even if I'm not a fan, I was impressed with the AU they created and the effectiveness of the concept of the show. Even the costumes are good enough to be included in the line of popular Halloween costumes.

I'm sure the network already thought of the impact they are going to make once they air the it but I hope they realize they will be receiving a lot of hate mails from Shaider fans when they air the bastardized version of the sentai.

I think "Alexis" is already rolling in his grave.

The shortest distance between two points..

I've been meaning to post yesterday but workload was just enough to keep me on my toes and fingertips - we were checking pending jobs left since Saturday. We had our company outing in an island off Pangasinan coast last weekend, and although the place is not perfect, the experience was great.

I usually check newspaper issues that I missed, that's what I did the minute I got back from the trip and put all my things away. I was glad PhilStar posted Mikaela Irene Fudolig's valedictory address on their Sunday(?) issue since I wasn't able to check it online. Her speech is entitled "Take not the road less traveled".

I was moved that there is still someone idealistic and optimistic about the future of the UP studentry. It made me remember what it is that makes me proud to be a former student of the university. Suddenly, it was like I was able to forget how selfish I have been or how angry I was at the world for some foolish (personal) problems I had and thought it might be the end of everything. I love it how she put on what UP students should be: ".. if we are brave, defiant searchers of excellence, we will go far. Explore possibilities, that others may get a similar chance."

Just a short background on Mikaela, she is "Only 16 years old, Fudolig is the youngest student to be graduated by the University in the recent years and one of only two admitted to UP Diliman without a high school diploma and without taking the UP College Admission Test."

Kudos to brillant minds and unselfish hearts. Forgive this silly girl for posting a bite of history on her blog.

(I will try to post some of my trip's mis/adventures on a later date though.)