Clone Wars

I watched this movie at the Cash&Carry cinemas on a weekday and around 4pm. I felt like I was at a private screening since the cinema was empty and I was at the best seat in the center. :-)

The trademark scrolling text at the beginning was replaced by a voice-over narrating the background of the story. The art is not that good and has been described by some as "watching a movie made out of Wii characters". There are quite a lot of action sequences and not too much depth to the actual story. The new character Ahsoka, who is Anakin's padawan, comes across as too conceited that she loses whatever endearing traits she might have. Despite what most adults say that is bad about the movie, this movie (rated PG) was really meant more for kids and seems to be quite an enjoyable hit for them. It is a full-length feature that is supposed to be a prequel to the upcoming animated Clone Wars series in Cartoon Network. I rate is as 2.5 stars.

sports tedbits...

...Congratulations to USA Basketball for winning the gold in Beijing! They are again on top of the basketball world after 8 years of continually being disgraced in international competitions...

...Team Philippines did not win any medal at all in the Beijing Olympics. A news article in Yahoo rubbed it in by stating that the Philippines is one of the more populous countries that competed and did not win any medal. This poor showing should make the POC and other sports officials do whatever they can to revamp, upgrade and strengthen Philippine sports programs in order to make sure that this does not happen again...

...The Beijing Olympics closing ceremonies were simply awesome! I thought that since Beijing already had an elaborate and lavish opening ceremony, they would try to save and come up with a simpler closing rites. I was so wrong... they had a great and grand finale that rivals what they did last 08/08/08! The Olympic flag was passed on to London's mayor and the Olympic torch was extinguished. I wonder how London will fare in their hosting of the Olympic Games 4 years from now? Beijing is definitely a tough act to follow...

...On a different note, U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has chosen U.S. Senator Joe Biden as his VP running mate. On CNN, I saw images of placards that have OBAMA-BIDEN written on them at a Democratic rally in Illinois. I found it weird and peculiar because one thing that immediately came to mind when I read OBAMA BIDEN was OsAMA BIn laDEN... Biden was a poor choice for Obama and highlights Obama's inexperience and unpreparedness in being president. If ever Obama does not become president, his choice of running mate will be a major reason why he didn't win...

...The U.S. (Tennis) Open starts on Monday and will be the new reason why I will be again up late until early morning...

robot love

WALL-E, or Waste Allocation Load Lifter - Earth-Class, is the only remaining functional robot in an abandoned toxic Earth. Through the years it/he has developed a certain personality and curiosity, as well as the beginnings of emotion. A spaceship arrives one day and deploys EVE or Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator. WALL-E and EVE subsequently meet and so begins a quirky yet simply entertaining robot love story.

The film is not your traditional comedy of play of words nor of wacky movement. It starts out almost like a silent movie since WALL-E doesn't really talk nor has anyone to talk to. The movie also somehow tackles topics like the environment, consumerism, obesity, albeight lightly and very indirectly. Overall, the movie is not that great but I give it props for originality and ingenuity. I rate the movie 3 stars.

"Presto" is the short animated film before the movie. It is about a magician and the starving rabbit who is part of his performance. Pixar films are usually paired with animated shorts that are quite funny. This one is no exception. :-)

...celebrity sighting: Kitchie Nadal at Greenbelt 3. Cutie!

tedbits...

...Nakapunta ako kamakailan sa bagong Terminal 3 o International Terminal ng NAIA. Ito na rin kasi ang ginagamit na terminal ng ilang mga domestic na biyahe. Malaki nga ang bagong terminal pero hindi pa lahat ng bahagi nito ay nakaayos na o ginagamit. Medyo nakakalito rin dito sa dami ng pasikut-sikot. Marahil ay gaganda pa at magiging mas epektibo at mahusay ang serbisyo dito pagkaraan ng ilang buwan...

...Natikman ko na rin sa wakas ang Hamdesal ng McDo. Masarap naman siya at halos pareho lang ng mga ibang pang-almusal na sandwich sa McDo sa bigat at lasa...

...Nakakapuyat talaga manood ng mga laro sa Olympics. Ang mga talagang pinanood ko ay ang mga laro sa basketball, gymnastics, at tennis. Bagaman gusto ko rin manood ng mga laro sa volleyball (beach at indoor) ay hindi ko kadalasan naabutan pag pianpalabas ito sa TV. Ang ilang mga laro tulad ng diving, badminton, at swimming ay ang iba ko pang napanood...

...Sa ika-28 ng Agosto magsisimula ang SALE ng National Bookstore...

Imperium

Robert Harris is a bestselling British author (Pompeii, Enigma) who writes historical fiction, and in Imperium he returns to ancient Rome to chronicle Marcus Cicero's rise to power. Cicero's household slave Tiro, who served as his personal secretary for 36 years, is the writer and narrator of this fictional biography. It tells of Cicero's early years of training and his gradual rise to political power Without money or an army to back him up, Cicero relied on his wits and oratorical prowess to subsequently claim the highest position in the Roman government.

Harris' writing is crisp and fast-paced. Cicero's story is intriguing in itself but Harris is able to add more suspense and drama, as well as paint a vivid picture of Roman politics, legal system and culture. I'm not exactly a fan of historical biography, and I just got the book because it was on sale at that time, but Imperium has got me hooked to this particular historical figure's story. The novel ends as Cicero becomes Rome's supreme consul and there will most likely be 2 more books to coming out to finish what Harris started. I rate this as 3.5 stars.

Private Iris

Private Iris is a local comic book for kids of all ages. Written by Jamie Bautista and with art by Arnold Arre, the comic series has mystery, secrets, action, and friendship among it's main themes. Released last April, it starts with Case 01: The Cashbox Caper. The lead is Iris Able, who is teased by her classmates "Private Iris" for being too reclusive, secretive, and aloof. Danton Cord is her classmate/friend who helps her solve "cases". Available in major bookstores, it aims to be a good and fun learning tool for young kids. Check out the website for more info! :-)

Pike Place Roast

I was able to try Starbucks' newest Pike Place Roast. It is not available in any of the Starbucks stores here, as far as I know. Thanks to balikbayan relatives who brought a bag, I felt like I was sipping smooth, fresh coffee in Seattle. :-p

"In 1971 this is where it all began- the site of our very first store in Seattle's Pike Place Market. With fresh-roasted beans sold out of bins, we changed the way many people experienced coffee. We continue to buy only the highest-quality coffee, carefully roast it ourselves and serve it to friends, neighbors, anyone who drops by. You're taking home the same amazing blend we brew in our stores every day. This is the kind of coffee that inspired us to open our doors all those years ago, and what we've loved sharing every day since."

tedbits...
...celebrity sighting: young British singing sensation Charlie Green at Greenbelt 3. I was able to recognize him because he has been singing and making the rounds recently at different ABS-CBN shows and has already become a familiar figure...
...the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies started at exactly 8 pm today (08/08/08)and it really was an awesome spectacle of lights and fireworks, music, art, Chinese culture and history, dance, drama, coordination and beauty! :-)