Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

---------------------------------------------------
STOP! If you have NOT watched the film, stop reading NOW. This post contains SPOILERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
---------------------------------------------------




I went to see this movie armed with only my affection for the first two installments and the hope that despite the seemingly absent promotion or buzz, it would live up to the glory of its predecessors.

Normally, I would have known much about a movie before I finally watch it but this one seemed off the news radar and mine as well. It's bizarre because the second film had the media noise of a highly-anticipated film. This one is a prequel and yet, I did not even know that it's playing in theaters already! I wondered whether this was because it wasn't as good as the first two, and even its makers knew it, thus, they no longer bothered to promote. Hmmm.

But I was over-thinking things. Whatever the reason for its low-key existence, Rise of the Lycans was a good film. It told the struggles of Lucian and Sonja, the love story that basically brought the rise of the Lycans...and Celine...and the entire Underworld franchise. Because it was set at a different time and intended to show how the war came about, it was filled with fighting much more than the first two. I thought it wouldn't be as good because Kate Beckinsale wouldn't be in it but Rhona Mitra, the actress playing Sonja and who bears an easily noticeable resemblance with Kate, did well. The resemblance and the stubbornness of both women's characters supported the claim in the first film that Viktor converted Celine because she reminded him of his daughter. Michael Sheen was the critically-acclaimed actor that he was, as always.

Perhaps, it could also be that I (and Popo and Val, my two movie-mates) liked the film much because we really did not have that much expectations. One thing's sure though: after the watch, we were so excited for Underworld IV. We even had speculated about the story (we were kinda sure there would be a fourth). Mine is, the next one will center around the time Celine was made into a vamp and the supposed death of Lucian. The next title? Underworld: The Rise of Celine. =) Hehe. Corny. Regardless of the title though, I'd still be watching. ;)


---------------
Photo credit: Yahoo!

The New Logos

I know the financial crisis is taking a toll on everyone's lives. Still, some creative ones are able to make smiles and LOLs off it. Which is good. Because after all the worries, our weary spirits need a dose of the best medicine. =)

THE NEW LOGOS

Received these thru email from my colleague. Thanks, Chao. =)

Sugarsweet

If you got a man who, after becoming the country's most powerful man, goes back to you at the end of the day AND...

...kisses you with heartfelt affection

...dances with you like this

...and looks at you this way

...you must be one heck of a woman!

----------------

Photo credit: Yahoo!

For the Record

Dear Children and Grandchildren:

Please know, that while I write this post, I am watching CNN where the inauguration of US President-elect Barack Obama is being shown live. It is Tuesday, 20 January 2009, 11:30pm local time, 10:32am Washington time. Members of the US Congress have just been ushered in to the event venue and other VIPs have started coming in as well (camera pan: Ted Kennedy).

I am - at this very moment - oceans away from the actual event but nevertheless witness to a story your history/political books discuss and hopefully, describe with justice. I hope you understand what his inauguration means for you...for all (camera pan: Michelle Obama and Laura Bush leaving the White House and getting into a car).

In case you want to know, the mood right now in the US (camera pan: President-elect Obama and Pres. Bush leave the White House together then get into the waiting car) is "ebullient", as fellow blogger from Willow Manor kindly nailed the mood. I can feel the feeling all the way here.

I will leave the rest of the story for you to discover. (Gotta get back to watching full-time now.) =)

Love,

D

Tayong Dalawa

This new TV series that will premiere tomorrow looks quite promising. As far as I can remember, I think it's the first time that a story features the PMA (Philippine Military Academy). Oh, well, in a good light, that is.

The plot smells so fresh, for a change. ;) Two young men share the same name, and more. I don't know how to put all the sub-plots together, but the trailers wonderfully weave them into one grand story. Dramatic. Intriguing. Interesting. (More on the story here.)
The cast is indeed powerhouse. Award-winning actors and actresses support the three leads (Kim, Gerald, Jake), who, despite being relatively new, seem able to hold their own against their veteran co-stars. The acting in the trailers is impressive.

I hope Tayong Dalawa (The Two of Us) lives up to its promise. Am looking forward to a quality local series.

Katy Perry's One of the Boys

This was part of my wishlist last Christmas and thankfully, among the many I listed, my colleague chose to get me this one. Considering that the CD's hard to find (around here, that is), I appreciate the choice more.

The CD rocks.

I have been singing the songs and swaying to the beat of singer-songwriter (again!) Katy Perry's "One of the Boys" CD eversince.

I came to know Katy through a personal music vid Taylor Swift made using "Hot N Cold", one of Katy's tracks in the album. Taylor seemed to enjoy the song so much (more on that in a later post), it made me curious enough to google the song and finally meet Katy and her music. Besides, the song itself was head-bangin' good.

Katy is a talented artist. Her lyrics can be naughty ("I Kissed A Girl", "Ur So Gay") but these are balanced by sensible ones like "Lost" (quite relevant to me, at this time, hehe). I also like "Self-Inflicted" despite being a tale of a battered woman's acceptance of her pitiful state, and folly.

Overall, the album is a gem. A must-hear. Two thumbs up! ;)

Taylor Swift on CSI

Oh.my.gosh.

Taylor Swift will guest on C-S-I!!! Goodness.

Can you believe it? The first time I learned about the cameo (by accident through a blogsearch), I thought it was a joke. A hoax.

I mean, it's just too good to be true! My fave country star and my fave science series combined? Soaringly fantastic!!!

According to MTV, CSI's TPTB (The Powers That Be a.k.a the people behind the show) learned of Taylor's interest in the series through an MTV interview. Apparently, TPTB's interested enough in her that they could not pass up the opportunity. Wow.

Go, Taylor!!! So looking forward to the episode.

(Gotta stop, I'm running out of exclamation marks!!!)

------------------
Photo Credits: IMP Awards and MTV

Lessons Learned

What are we here for really?

I have come across many answers. The meaning of life can, after all, be different to different people.

I believe that we are here - on earth, living and alive - to, among others, experience. To feel, to smell, to touch, to see...to learn. Whatever for? To feed the soul. (Unless you don't believe you got one. Oh, Edward. Hehe.)

And so, before I risk walking into beliefs or spirituality (or vampirism), may I just say that what I'm really trying to do is introduce a new label for this blog. =) =)

The label, "*Lessons Learned", will contain lessons I learn (or re-learn) as I coast through life.

Today, I'll start with this one which recent events have re-taught me:

If it's not yet time, don't push it. Things will fall into place at their own pace.

Picture Perfect

Isn't Taylor lovely in this coat? Makes me want to wear one (love the color!). Too bad the outfit is not tropical. Hehe.

-----------------------

Photo credit: People.com

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The movie is worth the awards buzz surrounding it: original story, fantastic acting (what else can you expect from a Brad Pitt and the Virgin Queen Cate Blanchett?), amazing make-up, quality script, and effective humor.

The movie is the epitome of quality moviemaking.

It's Raining Curls!

Anne Shirley once said (somewhere in the Anne of Green Gables series) that babies are such bundles of joy. And that exactly was how my toddler cousins were to me when I went home for Christmas: little tots whose innocent antics were a wonder (and often funny) to witness.

Below are three of those tots, who amaze me more with their cute head of curls:

1. Angelo was the supernice little guy. He had no problem being hugged and kissed and cuddled despite us meeting for the first time. And... he always posed for the camera like a pro!


2. Sam is the sweetest. Her English grammar is amazing, considering her non-English first language. It was cool to talk to this sweetie because her replies to your teasing questions make sense. She's going to be really smart.


3. Kim is the athletic type (her father's in the Army, hehe). Her pursuits are often running around, and 'getting physical'. An older cousin would squeeze and shake her in the shoulders but while other toddlers might have cried, she would just love it. =)

Ah, three little tots, three different personalities. It would be a wonder seeing them grow. ;)

--------------

These cuties are courtesy of my second cousins. Photos published with their permission. :)

First Week

Hmmm, this is not good. Only one post in the first week of the year?!? Tsk. Tsk.

The irony is, there was much to tell this past week. Well, I did try posting but I had "blogger's block" (online version of "writer's block", hehe). I only got to a few words and could proceed no longer. ): Ah, never mind. I may not have been able to write about my vacation highlights but the memories are safely stored and will be cherished in detail in this blog in their own time. ;)

----------

Fox News reported tonight that 700,000 jobs were lost in the US in December (alone!). Now, there goes my 2009 hopes. Or, not. Hehe. Hopefully that was the last, and none (or no significant number) comes up this month, or the next or the next or the next. Amen. =)

Happy New Year!

A very happy, prosperous and productive new year, bloggermates! =)

2009 personal wishes:

1. End of the global financial market crisis
2. End of the global financial market crisis
3. End of the global financial market crisis
4. End of the global financial market crisis
5. Etc.

Am I too obvious? Hehe.

I hope you guys are lovin' the first day of 2009. I am. =)