The Talbot Odyssey - Nelson Demille

Category: Books

Genre: Fiction / Thriller

Author: Nelson Demille


For 4 Decades, Western intelligence agents knows about a terrible secret. World War II may have been over but the secrets remain. The Russian planted a mole inside the CIA with the code name: Talbot. Different theories were explored. Then a street smart ex cop, named Tony Abrams begins to uncover the danger that lies ahead as everyone looks blindly for Talbot who can be anyone.

What started as a simple spy hunt became a desperate battle to save United States of America. Is an intricate web of lies and deception. The highest betrayal of a nation. For forty years Western Intelligence agents have known a terrible secret.

Ever since I read Nelson Demille’s Charm School I have committed myself to read his books. And I had fun in the middle page of the book where the action really began. It’s like I couldn’t put the book down as I was already engrossed with reading and wanting to know what would happen in the end. It's an interesting read and an interesting mix of an ex cop and the CIA guys. Good read for those into spies. :)

Quote I Like:

There are basically 5 ways to hunt - baiting, trapping, stake-outs, beating the bush and decoying. It depends on the animal you're after, the season of the year, and the terrain. With the human animal you can use all methods in any season and terrain. Just keep in mind that when the human animal approaches, he may take any form, including the guise of a friendly animal. He may have a cheery hello or ask for a cigarette.

Robin Hood - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Adventure

Writer: Brian Helgeland

Director: Ridley Scott

Producer: Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Relativity Media

Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max Von Saydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston, Eileen Atkins, Mark Addy, Matthew Macfayden, Kevin Durand, Scott Grimes and more.

Tagline: The untold story behind the legend.


My favorite century, 13th (because of the number) in England, Robin Longstride and his hood confront the corruption in a local village which lead into the uprising of different lords and barons against the crow.


I love the movie. That I can probably watch it over and over again. I know a lot of things were not exactly "real" or wasn't based on history and other flaws... however from someone who doesn't pick up with history and tis and tat... it's still a good movie to watch. Great acting and cinematography. It has some parts that were emotional and were somehow thought provoking.

Please relax on the history. Of course to historians or people who are particular about things like that it's a  disappointment.

Quotes I Like:

Robin: If you're building for the future, you need to keep your foundations strong, laws of the land enslave the people to a king who demands loyalty but offers nothing in return, I've been to the South of France, Palestine and back, you build a kingdom the same way you build a cathedral from the ground up!

Robin: Rise and rise again until lambs become lions. 

Sisterhood of Travelling Pants 2 - 2008

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Romance

Director: Sanaa Hamri

Writer: Elizabeth Chandler, Ann Brashares

Producer: Alcon Entertainment, Alloy Entertainment, DiNovi Pictures

Cast: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Rachel Nichols, Tom Wisdom, Rachel Ticotin, Leonardo Nam, Michael Rady, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Blythe Danner and more.

Tagline: Some friends just fit together.


Carmen travels with her friend Julia at Vermont for a play, Lena also travels for a course in drawing, Bridget travels to an archaeological dig in Turkey while Tibby is working over at a video rental and editing her documentary. Each on their own travels, setting off in another chapter of their journey as they send the "pants" via mail to each other and sharing their experiences.

 I enjoyed the characters.... I enjoyed the traveling part  a lot. And of course the friendship they shared. ;) This is a wonderful heart warming movie about friends.... and girls all weaved into one movie. :) Of course the scenes in Greece was my favorite part. :)

Carmen: Sometimes I like to think that the pants got lost on purpose. That this was their final gift to us. Bringing us back together. Back to a place of forgiveness, and love, and in understanding that what we shared was all the magic we could ever need. And as we spent those last few moments of summer, looking out at the blending of sea and sky, I realized it was a color I knew very well. The softly faded, essential blue of a well worn pair of pants. The pants had brought us together again. The rest is in our hands.

Green Lantern - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Fantasy / Adventure

Director: Martin Campbell

Writer: Greg Berlanti, Michael Green

Producer: Warner Bros. Pictures, De Line Productions, DC Entertainment

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Tim Robbins, Jay O. Sanders, Taika Waititi, Angela Bassett, Mike Doyle and more

Tagline: One of us.. becomes one of them.

A test pilot, named Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) was granted a mystical green ring that gives him superhuman powers. The source of power is from the Green Lantern Intergalactic Corps and he was admitted as member of the peace keeping squad of the universe.

I watched this with the LEAP Team. Which makes it great. We all came from our graduation weekend somewhere in Antipolo and our Coaches and our co-Leapers were with us to bond.

This movie sure has similar indications about the "Galactic Federation of Light" which makes it really cool for me. I'm not much of a comic fan... but I've heard the movie sticked to the story based on the comic. The movie isn't that amazing... however it brought a deep storyline about fear and will of humans.

Quotes I Like:

 Tomar-Re: Billions of years ago, a race of immortals harnessed the most powerful force in existence: the emerald energy of willpower. These immortals, the Guardians of the Universe, built a world from where they could watch over all of existence: the planet Oa. They divided the universe into 3600 sectors, a ring powered by the energy of will was sent to every sector of the universe to select a recruit. In order to be chosen by the ring, it is said that one must be without fear. Together, these 3600 recruits formed the intergalactic peacekeepers known as the Green Lantern Corps.

 Hal Jordan: The one thing a Green Lantern is supposed to be is fearless. That isn't me...
 Carol Ferris: You have the ability to overcome fear!

 Tomar-Re: Your will turns thought into reality. To master the ring you must learn to focus your will and create what you see in your mind. The ring's limits are only what you can imagine.

Hal Jordan: What is that?
 Tomar-Re: It is the energy generated from the central battery. It's power comes from the will of every living creature in the universe. This in turn charges your lantern which in turn charges your ring. Even your suit is comprised entirely of energy.
 Hal Jordan: What's with all the green?
 Tomar-Re: Green is the color of will. The guardians harnessed will because it is the strongest source of energy in the universe.


Hal Jordan: He said the ring would have not chosen me if it hadn't seen something.But I don't see it. Carol Ferris: I see it. I always have. The ring did not see that you are fearless. It saw that you have the ability to over come fear. It saw that you are courageous. And you are, just like your dad.

 Hal Jordan: You know... there is a saying in my planet, we say 'I am only human'. We say it because we are vulnerable, we say it because we are afraid, but that does not mean that we are weak.

 Hector Hammond: How wonderful that all it took for you to grow is the end of the world!

 Tomar-Re: Of all the Lanterns who have ever worn the ring, there was one whose light shined brightest. At first his humanity was thought to be a weakness, and yet it proved to be his greatest strength.

 Sinestro: Though his time wearing the ring has has been brief, Hal Jordan's defeat of Parallax will be remembered as long as the Corps exists. His actions are a reminder of why the ring chose each of us - to overcome fear, and destroy evil wherever it may hide. As Lanterns we must fight with all our will. Our wills have not always been united. It's time they were.