Movie Review: The Eye (Remake)

In the endless string of Hollywood remakes, another movie suddenly shows up in our midst. The Eye stars Jessica Alba, which in my opinion still looks hot as always, even when blind. In the film , she plays a blind musician who gets a cornea transplant. This in turn makes her see things out of the ordinary - then she suddenly learns that the former owner of her eyes has a certain ability to see the dead. While the premise was good, the movie however lacks certain substance and plot that we usually look for a horror. Or maybe if you're someone who just enjoys thrills and scares, then you might possibly enjoy. If not for the stunning Jessica Alba, I would have never watched this film. The Eye (Remake): 5/10

Movie Review: Shutter (Remake)

I first heard of the movie Shutter by my friend Onch, who has a thing for watching Asian movies. Since I had no other else to watch that time, I prepped up myself and watched the original 'Shutter' movie from Thailand. To my surprise, I got creeped out and truly enjoyed the film. That was 2004, now another American remake finds its way in the theaters. While it provided good out-of-your-seat moments and good scares, the original, in my opinion is still the best. One thing I find irritating is that why they always find Japan is the subtle setting for these kinds of films. I guess for them the Asians are the most scariest. Nearly every shot of the film is like the original, even the twist in the end. It's a good watch, but it's not worth watching again. Shutter (Remake): 5/10

Birthday Greetings!

I just want to send a shoutout to my little sister, who is celebrating her 21st birthday. Happy Birthday, Joanna Victa Adina Ortiz... "saka na regalo ko"

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone! Good luck finding those eggs! ;-)

Paintball

Last Thursday, I had the chance of joining my colleagues in a game of Paintball organized by our company as a means of relaxing and having fun for their employees. Heading over near Dubai Creek for the game, we immediately dressed up and started heading to our designated sides to start the game. There were three games: one was to shoot all opponents, second is we must take a white flag and take it our enemies’ base and lastly a game involves protecting our ‘king’ from getting shot. The first game went well, until I got caught and I had to surrender. The last two games were a blur. Even if I was all ready to shoot all the way, my googles keep fogging up, that's why I spent most of my time wiping them. Grr. Anyways, there's always a second time. After the game we had a little eat out, but I spent most of my time taking pictures with my colleagues. Here's some of them:

This is me getting ready, with Hazem looking from the back

Me, Hazem, Irish with Jamshed

The winners of the game

Mr. Bond and Spider-Man

The PC Magazine Editorial Team

With my crazy half Irish

Most Awaited Films of 2008 No. 6: The Strangers

Release Date: May 30, 2008

Starring: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Laura Margolis, Glenn Howerton

Directed by: Bryan Bertino

What's it about? Lock the doors. Assume you're safe. The horrifying events that took place in the Hoyt family's vacation home at 1801 Clark Road on February 11, 2005, are still not entirely known.Champagne. Rose petals. Candlelight. It was supposed to be a night of celebration for Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt (Scott Speedman). But after leaving a friend's wedding reception and returning to the house, everything had collapsed for the happy couple.Then came a 4 a.m. knock on the door and a haunting voice.Is Tamara here? Writer/director Bryan Bertino explores our most universal fears in The Strangers, a terrifying suspense thriller about a couple whose remote getaway becomes a place of terror when masked strangers invade. The confrontation forces Kristen and James to go far beyond what they thought themselves capable of if they hope to survive. Trailer below:

Most Awaited Films of 2008 No. 5: Sex and the City

Release Date: May 30, 2008

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Chris Noth, Jennifer Hudson, Lynn Cohen

Directed by: Michael Patrick King

What's it about? "Sex and the City" is coming to the big screen in a feature film adaptation of the hit HBO television series. The film will follow the continuing adventures of the series four main characters - Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda - as they live their lives in Manhattan four years after the series ended. Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon are all on board to reprise their roles, while the film will be written and directed by Michael Patrick King, who executive produced the original television series. Additionally, Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and Jason Lewis will return as the women's love interests. Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls") has also joined the cast of the film and will play Carrie Bradshaw's assistant, a new character to be introduced in the film. Trailer below:

Most Awaited Films of 2008 No. 5: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Release Date: May 22, 2008
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, Karen Allen, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
What's it about: For more than 25 years, audiences have been enraptured by the exploits of Indiana Jones. The film trilogy -- Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade -- garnered 14 Academy Award nominations, won 7 Oscars, and grossed over $1,182,000,000 at the box office. The films are among the most popular films ever made and have become a legendary part of film history. This movie is the 4th installment in the series. Trailer below:

Most Awaited Films of 2008 No. 4: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Release Date: May 16, 2008

Directed by: Andrew Adamson
What's it about: The characters of C.S. Lewis' timeless fantasy come to life once again in this newest installment of the "Chronicles of Narnia" series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically transported back from England to the world of Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them. One year after the incredible events of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct, Narnia has been conquered by the Telmarines and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy. The four children will soon meet an intriguing new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. Trailer below:

Most Awaited Films of 2008 No. 3: What Happens in Vegas

Release Date: May 9, 2008
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corddry, Lake Bell, Michelle Krusiec, Dennis Farina, Krysten Ritter, Jason Sudeikis, Queen Latifah, Zach Galifianakis
Directed by: Tom Vaughan
What's it about? Set in Sin City, the storyline revolves around two strangers who wake up to discover they got married sometime during the previous night's drunken festivities, with one of them winning a huge jackpot on the other's quarter. The couple set out to undermine each other and claim the coin, only to fall in love along the way. Trailer below:

Most Awaited Films of 2008 No. 2: Speed Racer

Release Date: May 9, 2008

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Hiroyuki Sanada, Richard Roundtree, Ji Hoon Jung, Benno Furmann, Kick Gurry, Paulie Litt, Roger Allam

Directed by: Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski

What's it about? Born to race cars, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized—the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speed’s thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company’s maniacal owner (Roger Allam) but uncovers a terrible secret—some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won’t drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line. The only way for Speed to save his family’s business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed teams with his one-time rival—the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)—to win the race that had taken his brother’s life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible. Trailer below:

Most Awaited Films of 2008 No. 1: Iron Man

Release Date: May 2, 2008.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub, Leslie Bibb, Bill Smitrovich, Nazanin Boniadi, Micah Hauptman.

Directed by: Jon Favreau.

What's it about? Based upon Marvel's iconic Super Hero, "Iron Man" tells the story of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. Upon his return to America, Tony must come to terms with his past. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. Trailer below:

Work overload

Work was pretty heavy this month. Aside from doing my monthly 'TechPulse' column, I have 43 product reviews to finish. I'm not complaining or anything... I'm simply overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to finish. But it's ok, I'm halfway through. Lately, all i have done is simply go to work, then home then work again. While some may think I may be losing my mind due to excessive working, the fact is I love what I do and that's the good thing, right?! I also can't wait to have my first vacation back to the Philippines since leaving last May 2007. I'll again be bombarded by relatives who keeps on expecting gifts that I apparently should have for them - not that I'm buying them - "Ano ka, sineswerte?".