Ramadan

Today marks the first day of Ramadan here in the UAE (and every part of the world). It means Muslims must start the ritual of fasting before sunrise up until after sunset. Here, even if we have 6 hour work days, other non-Muslims must still be considerate to other people fasting. Maybe for me, it is a good way to lose weight (I hope). And this is probably a hectic work week for me, since my editor is not around, I'm in charge of everything... which also means that every fault the magazine has will be blamed on... well, on me. Wish me luck... ;-) Ramadan Kareem everyone!

Summer Movie Review 2008 # 12: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Hellboy is back and better than ever. Big red now battles enemies from the unknown in this second installment from director Guillermo Del Toro. Showing hints from creatures in Pan's Labyrinth, he creates another mystic world of the supernatural. He mixes humor with action combined with great storytelling. Truly, he is one of the better directors fully capable of doing these types of films. Ron Pearlman was a great character playing Hellboy, and Selma Blair compliments by playing fire starter Liz. Their chemistry was fun and full of humor. The story seems a little reminiscent of Blade II’s storyline. Still, it is one of the better comic book films to come out this year. A definite must watch for fans of the first one. Hellboy II: The Golden Army 8.5/10

Summer Movie Review 2008 # 11: Tropic Thunder

Hands down, this is simply one of the best comedies I've seen in a while. With an all star cast top billed by Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. It's hard not to laugh at some of the dire situations these people put themselves in. They play actors making a war movie in the mountains of Vietnam. When their prima-donna attitudes costs the director to lash out at them, veteran soldier Nick Nolte advises the director to take it to the extreme - have all the actors on set and film the movie in real life, only that it got too real. This is actually one of the better films I've seen this year. It's not the typical comedy where something happens and the audience laughs, it's made funny because of the situations and lines the characters engage in. With a load of cameos from Tom Cruise, Matthew Mcconaughey, Jason Bateman, Tobey McGuire, Alicia Silverstone and Jon Voight - this is a definite must-see for everyone. Applauses definitely go to Robert Downey, Jr for playing 'a dude playing another dude disguised as a dude'... Honestly, I can't stop laughing from start to finish. Tropic Thunder: 9/10

Homecoming 2008

Having had my annual vacation last June, I forgot to post some of the memorable things I did when I went back home. Here some of them:

Beans, Rais, Me and FJ

New additions to my DVD Collection

My two moms

Onch, Me, Beans and Raissa

Onch, FJ, Me and Raissa

Yes, I'm drunk

Yeah, I know. Me being drunk is not a good idea

Beans and Me with Nat at the background

ANI semi-complete

What are ya lookin' at?

The new love team

Me gettin' a facial

I don't usually drink, unless on special occassions

Staring blankly

The four faces of drunkenness

Me and Densie

Me and Glai

Rais and Me

Strolling around SM Clark

@ Starbucks

My grandma and granpa @ Manaoag

Me and my 'lola'

ANI Reunion Studio Shots

Summer Movie Review 2008 # 10: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

The O’Connell’s are back… with a new mummy… and a new Evy? While veteran Mummy actor Brendan Frasier still came along with John Hannah, a new bunch of cast members joined in for the new Eastern adventure. The plot talks of a Dragon Emperor entombed by a sorceress which, as always, was awoken again by the O’Connell’s. The story was typical and yet something was lacking in the way it was written. The film was written by Alfred Cough and Miles Millar, responsible for the Smallville series and the superb Spider-Man 2. However, this film feels like it was written with the action sequences in mind. Sure those scenes are spectacular, but it didn’t match the fun it had that the past two movies had. The performances were average and the new characters were actually just offered well nothing new… yes even the great Jet Li didn’t feel so great. It is a fun watch the first time, but that’s about it. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor: 5/10