Monday, August 27, 2007

Bourne Ultimatum - 2007

Category: Movies

Genre: Thriller

Directed by: Paul Greengrass

Taglines: This Summer Jason Bourne Comes Home

Cast: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Joan Allen and more..

Based on a book by Robert Ludlum.

A review and overview of Bourne Ultimatum the last of the Trilogy written by Robert Ludlum and directed by Paul Greengrass.

A London-based reporter named Simon Ross is trying to unveil the Operation BlackBriar- the upgrade of the Private Treadstone series in the newspaper columns. In the course of doing so, Jason Bourne is once again brought out from hiding when he decides to meet up with Simon Ross since they were followed and scanned. What Bourne got from the reporter Ross stirred up memories from the past and he must try to uncover his dark past while he tries to avoid the group that wanted him dead.

Love the action, the pacing of the story, the thrill or suspense, and the intelligent dialog. The movie makes you feel you are involved and gives you the feeling of "being-there-on-the-scene" because of the angle and how it was shot. It tends to be quite "dizzying"(or maybe I was just sleepy when I watched the movie because I was busy and lacked sleep the whole week) because he is always on the run and most of the scenes are somehow "running-away" or "running-to", a game of "hide-and-seek".

The Bourne Ultimatum should be a standard of how thrilling trilogies should end. BEST. BEST.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Angel in Black - Max Allan Collins


Category: Books

Genre: Murder Mystery

Author: Max Allan Collins


Overview and Review of the book Angel In Black by Max Allan Collins.


This is a Nate Heller case, a work of fiction by Max Allan Collins. Although, this book was based on facts and most characters are real but the real reason for the murder still remains a mystery.

This is about the infamous "Black Dahlia" case. A beautiful young girl named Elizabeth Short that ended up getting cut in half at a vacant parking lot. They called her the Black Dahlia. Nathan Heller with Fowley a reporter were the ones to be the first to arrive at the parking lot where Elizabeth Short ended up dead. It was a coincidence that Nate Heller knew her as well personally, but revealing their relationship might just end up of him being a suspect.

Basically, I really find it repulsive they way the girl was killed and all because it was detailed.... but I really like the twist and turns of the book... although the characters in the story specially the "mob tree" was quite confusing. Lots of names and all that.

All in all it was pretty intriguing... just gory.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Sweet Valley High - #104 - Love and Death in London


Category: Books

Genre: Teens



Creator: Francine Pascal


Overview and Review of Love and Death in London #104 of the Sweet Valley High Series.

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are working as summer interns for the London Journal, Crime department and they get assigned to petty cases in which they are weary of solving. I mean, most of the absurd cases were passed unto them. How boring can it be?

Then a series of murders breaks out and they decided to do some sleuth along and find out something about it. A princess also was also missing.... during those times...

The princess thing was kind of predictable but I'm still blind about the series of murders here. It has two more books that is in line with the story. Hope I get to read the rest of the two.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Sweet Valley High - #103 - Operation Love Match


Category: Books Genre: Teenage Series Created by: Francine Pascals

Overview and review of Operation Love Match Series #103 from Sweet Valley High.

This is book three of the sizzling three-part miniseries(#102 - Boyfriend War and #103 - Almost Married).

Mercury is in retrograde or so what Jessica and her friends believed, that's why her plans are backfiring against her.

Bruce Patman's parents Henry and Marie Patman are about to get a divorce, and Bruce is desperate to get both his parents back together. So, Bruce turns on Elizabeth and Jessica and makes them promise to help him.

Jessica reads in her horoscope that everything in her life might just go wrong, and sure enough everything backfires. Bruce then begins to wish that Jessica was never included in their plan.

Very funny as usual. kind of predictable but nevertheless entertaining... and a humorous read.


Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Step Ball Change - Jeanne Ray


Category: Books


Genre: Family & Relationships



Author: Jeanne Ray


Review and Overview of Step Ball Change by Jeanne Ray.

The narrator of the book named Caroline or sometimes called Minnie is 62 married to a lawyer(PD) named Tom and she happens to own a dance studio. Caroline loves dancing because for her it's the love of her life. She loves to teach dancing and loves to see the kids(she teaches) squeal with delight whenever they see her. Step Ball Change is a tap dancing step.

Caroline's daughter is about to marry the richest man in Raleigh named Trey Bennett and the couple Caroline and Tom are fretting about whose to pay half of the supposedly big wedding with 1000 guests. Imagine that! Caroline and Tom are not rich and their house is in danger of collapsing any day.

On the same night that Caroline learned about Kay marrying Trey she learns that her sister Henrietta or "taffy" is about to divorce her husband and she's coming over to stay with her. Caroline and Taffy are not close sisters, they always see each other as a competition when they were kids at least that's how Taffy sees her sister.

It's a great story about family and sisterhood. I had fun reading it because it's also humorous and a very light read. A charmer and a nice mix of characters, from lawyers to dancers, both black and white. Very very nice story.A charmer.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Into the Garden - V.C. Andrews


Category: Books


Genre: Psychological


Author: V.C. Andrews


Overview and Review of Into the Garden by V.C. Andrews

The fifth book of the series Wildflowers.

Four teenage girls named Misty, Jade, Star and Cat first came together in Dr. Marlowe's group therapy sessions. They began trusting each other for their most kept secret. They unraveled and shared their story to the rest of the girls bravely. But then Dr. Marlowe's group therapy sessions ended and they did not know whether they would see each other.

This book is narrated by Cat and is based on her own perspective. She kind of played the major role in this book.

Once again the four decided to come together one more time minus Dr. Marlowe and shared a pact with each other, that the four would share the REAL TRUTH and nothing but the truth to each other, and to hide no secrets. They called themselves OWP's (Orphan's with Parents).

It's kind of unthinkable what the four did in this story and managed to get away with it in the end thanks to Dr. Marlowe. I was completely mollified as to what they would do to their situation.

But the story ended pretty well though. Unpredictable plot. :)

Friday, August 10, 2007

Imay's - Bacolod



Category: Food


Imay's in Bacolod is one of the "must-try-it" restaurants in their place.

Everything is great about the place. The facade and the interior and even the background music suits the ambience (bossa nova songs). It's usually full when the clock strikes 8pm. People would probably eat here before partying.

Just like Hyskos they serve GREAT food and it comes inexpensively.


Cheese Sticks - Php 55.00

For appetizers, I tried their cheese sticks and when it arrived I was surprised because they made it differently compared to what I am used to here in Davao. In Davao cafe's they serve cheese sticks using the "lumpia wrapper", but here I think they use bread crumbs or something... I'm not sure. And you wouldn't dare say it's "bitin" because it's full of cheese.. super super. Soo... cheese lovers this is the treat for you. :)


Sizzling Tuna Belly


Since, I have a thing for "sizzlers" I ordered a sizzling bangus and sizzling tuna belly. Both, tasted great as in SUPER to the max (what an exaggeration, but really!). I really enjoyed eating at the place because the food was great hehe. (And you wouldn't worry about ordering a lot since the price is very affordable.)



Sizzling Tuna Bangus (veryy yum).






I have been eating sea foods and never veggies during my stay in Bacolod, so we decided to order two vegetable dishes.



We had the "Grilled Eggplant topped with tomatoes". I don't know how it is officially called. I'm sure anyone who hates eating veggie would love to try this because it is justttt sooo yummy!!.

Grilled Eggplant topped with tomatoes & Porbidang Kang Kong

We also had the "Porbidang Kang Kong". The name perked my interest. Maybe it is called "porbida" because it is hot and spicy at the same time. I'm a person who does not like hot and spicy foods that much (anything too much) but this one was just right. Another Yum! Super Super. I'm actually asking my mom to make this dish. Hehe.

Dessert: Guinamis and Blueberry Cheesecake.




So, I had blueberry cheesecake for dessert. Since, I am a cake person I just have to have a bit. Haha. It's also yummy.... i think all cakes for me are yummy. Not expensive also it's just Php55.00 (not bad cause in Davao this cost from 80-120).







I also had the guinamis. Full of sago and gulaman. ALmost like a halohalo but not quite. Just fine.






Thursday, August 9, 2007

Hyskos - Pala Pala - Bacolod

Category: Food & Restaurant

Review and overview of Hyskos in Bacolod, the City of Smiles.




Hyskos
is located near the seashore in Bacolod. It's in a place called "pala-pala" or "tulahan". There are a string of eateries or "karinderya's" in the place and Hyskos is one of the popular eateries who serves good food.





Pala-pala is a very unique place. They have the wet market at the back(very near), where you get to buy seafood at a very low price and have it cooked at an eatery, say for example, Hyskos. (But, you can order if you don't want the hassle of buying at the wet market).



I just love the Sizzling Blue Marlin! Lots of garlic with this dish and very yum just a tad too oily but we get to eat this once in a blue moon, so it's pretty much A-Ok.

I also like the crab meat which was fried with eggs I suppose. Very tasty and no hassle with having to open the crab and all.

I love the sinigang na bangus... as well.

They were all served YUMMY!!!! SUPER! DUPER! One good thing about the place was that it is not expensive.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Grand Regal Hotel - Bacolod


Category: Hotel

Grand Regal Hotel - Araneta-Singcang Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Grand Regal Hotel in Bacolod is conveniently located in front of their Gaisano Mall and it is just near two "pasalubong" centers called BongBong's and Merci, it is also just 5 minutes away from the airport.

It has 90 rooms and suites that are fully furnished in a modern classic style that provides a timeless comfort and convenience. They have a cable tv (which I often switch on to Disney Channel hehe), a mini bar, an ndd/idd phone, also individual safety deposit boxes, hot and cold shower and a business center.

Their breakfast buffet is good but it does not leave you a lot of choices, but nevertheless it is ok. I just love their service! They always smile and greet you when they chance upon you in the corridor. :)

Their facilities may not be that good and all... but I am giving them a 4 because of their good service! :)

Monday, August 6, 2007

Harry Potter - Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling


Category: Books

Genre: Fantasy


Author - J.K. Rowling




Review and overview of the last book of the Harry Potter series entitled Deathly Hallows.

No spoilers.

From the beginning the book would then immerse you into the magical world of Harry Potter (as usual). It's a book that I can hardly put down because I immediately imagined being there myself.

It started out with Harry leaving the Dursley's for the last time with the rest of the Order to help Harry go out of the place undetected by Voldemort.

A lot of action and a lovely adventure. You would learn a lot about Dumbledore's background and somehow I was quite disappointed with Dumbledore when I found out a bit about his background, but the ending made me admire Dumbledore even more.

I cried a few times over emotional (or I'm just too much of an emo and characters get attached to me right away) scenes. But then, in the end it left me with a good feeling about the characters I cried over.

The book mentioned a lot of things about death. How, it is just a transition to another world to the next... and I like the message about death here.

Of course, at the end it's a battle between Harry and Voldemort.

Very exciting, and immersing! :)

Sunday, August 5, 2007

What Renews You?

Kristina, you're renewed by purchasing power

You know that retail therapy is no joke. It works! Sometimes life's demands can make you feel like you have no choices, that you don't have as much control over things as you'd like. But when you set off to find yourself a terrific new outfit or that perfect touch for your home, you've got a world of choices. Thinking over your true tastes, trying different options on for size, and scoring that fabulous find are all little indulgences that erase life's irritations with ease. It's not that you're obsessed with the material world, it's just that buying the tiniest of trinkets or a gift for someone you care about can soothe your troubles away — without doing too much damage to your credit card statement.