Saturday, November 24, 2007

Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda features Jack Black as Po the Panda who is a kung fu fanatic whose shape doesn't exactly lend itself to kung fu fighting. In fact, Po's defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest of all the animals in ancient China. That's a problem because an evil Warrior named Tai Lung has escaped from his prison, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophesy naming Po as the "Chosen One" to save the day. A group of martial arts masters are going to need a black belt in patience if they are going to turn this slacker panda into a kung fu fighter before it's too late.

Showing Summer 2008

Heroes: Cautionary Tales

As Season 2 Episode 9, “Cautionary Tales” commences, things are heating up. The connection between Peter and his new buddy Adam Monroe (aka Takezo Kensei) has been revealed in “Four Months Ago”, as well as the fate of poor D.L. (You would think a guy who can phase anything could handle a bullet, but apparently not so much.) Meanwhile, Mohinder seems to have completely given in to the ways of The Company and his boss, Bob, who is selling himself as a good guy (and succeeding). And let’s not forget, all is not right in the Bennet household — but then again, what’s so new about that?
Claire and HRG clash over West and Claire’s pep rally because, let’s face it, all the world’s wars can be traced back to what happens at pep rallies. Unbeknownst to the Bickering Bennets, Mohinder and Bob have arrived in sunny California with Elle to deal with the HRG problem. And oh yeah, did I mention that Elle is Bob’s daughter? In any case, they better hurry, because the Bennets are splitting town. Well, that was the original plan, anyway, and when you work (or used to work) for the Company, things have a way of changing fast.
Claire and HRG clash over West and Claire’s pep rally because, let’s face it, all the world’s wars can be traced back to what happens at pep rallies. Unbeknownst to the Bickering Bennets, Mohinder and Bob have arrived in sunny California with Elle to deal with the HRG problem. And oh yeah, did I mention that Elle is Bob’s daughter? In any case, they better hurry, because the Bennets are splitting town. Well, that was the original plan, anyway, and when you work (or used to work) for the Company, things have a way of changing fast.
Back in New York, Matt Parkman and a rejuvenated Molly struggle with normalcy. Matt has also discovered a new facet of his power, a new ability he is not entirely reluctant to use on those close to him, like another certain Parkman. The power comes in handy when Matt goes back to an incarcerated Mama Petrelli for some answers. So who exactly is Adam Monroe, and what does he want with the last woman in the picture, the redhead? Victoria Pratt is her name, but what is her game?

“Cautionary Tales” is what we’ve all been waiting for ever since Season 2 commenced nine weeks ago. There is major progression in the HRG-Claire-Company storyline, something we’ve all been waiting for, and the arrival of which comes through like a breath of fresh air. The hectic pacing of the California storyline as HRG struggles to save his family, intercut with the somber, contemplative mood of the Hiro storyline, results in easily the best episode of Season 2 so far.

And how does it end?

Heroes: Four Months Ago


Ah, it’s Fall, when the clock falls back one hour, and Heroes does likewise, only more ambitiously: it rewinds back to four months ago, where we pick up with our heroes as they are coming out of their Season 1 finale haze. Most people said that the finale was too anti-climactic, lacking in the oomph they had been expecting. I disagree. I believed it ended as it should — with a slight bang, but not the wild free-for-all that would have made the show silly or, dare I say it, too “comic booky”. But nevermind all that. Let’s find out what our heroes have been up to — or, actually, what they were up to…
So what exactly happened after Nathan grabbed Peter and flew into the sky? Nothing we didn’t expect. After they reached safety, Nathan let go, Peter went ka-boom, and both brothers, as well as the city, were spared. Peter then used his flying powers, caught Nathan, and took him to the hospital. There, he met Elle and Bob. Or, more precisely, he met one of Elle’s energy blasts.
At the Company’s facility, Peter gets a most indecent proposal from Bob: they can take away his powers for him; all he has to do is agree, which he readily does. We also learn more about Elle, namely that she likes to play, and she’s picked Peter as her new playmate. She’s very friendly that way, Elle is. It’s during his stay at the Company’s facility that Peter meets a new friend. His name is Adam, and he has plans. Big plans. Saving the world type plans.
Still at the hospital, a badly scarred Nathan is confined to his bed, his entire body and face horribly disfigured. Of course, Mama Petrelli is of little help, informing Nathan that Peter is dead, before turning her “charms” on Nathan’s wife, Heidi. It’s a good thing for Nathan that there is someone out there who can survive almost anything, including nuclear radiation scarring and poisoning. Now if only Peter can bring that someone over to Nathan…
The other unanswered question of the episode is: how did poor D.L. bite the bullet? He actually survived that bullet, as it turns out, but surviving Kirby Plaza and Linderman is nothing compared to Niki’s quest to rid her family of Jessica forever. Bob claims to have the answer, but then again, Bob claims lots. Micah, meanwhile, wants to start a superhero group, sort of like the Fantastic Four, minus one. D.L. will have nothing of it, and has already landed a hot job. Literally.
Finally, we witness the birth of Maya’s powers, and it’s not pretty. Fortunately for our mass murderess, the church is a very understanding place. That is, until Jose Law comes calling. As I heard it, Alejandro has always wanted to go to New York, anyway.

And what of Matt Parkman, everyone’s favorite beat cop who, last we saw, was shot to pieces and dying? Um, I have no idea. Parkman is mysteriously missing from “Four Months Ago”.

Also MIA for this episode: Sylar, Matt Parkman, HRG and family, and Hiro.

Heroes: Out of Time

When we last left our heroes, Sylar and the Wonder Twins have made their way to American at last; Hiro’s betrayal of Kensei was returned in kind; HRG and Mohinder continues to go in different directions when it comes to The Company, even as Mohinder gets a new partner in the newly minted Niki. Meanwhile, Matt and Nathan have discovered why Molly calls Maury, aka Parkman Sr., “The Nightmare Man”. And finally, after leaving Ireland for Canada, Peter and Caitlin have found themselves somewhere unexpected — one year in the future, where a vision of doom awaits them.
In Feudal Japan, things are heating up. After delivering that love-tap to the back of Hiro’s head in the previous episode, Kensei reveals his evil master plan: help White Beard take over Japan! Muahahahahaha! Et cetera, et cetera. Fortunately it’s hard to imprison someone who can freeze time. Will Hiro step up to the plate and do what needs to be done? Will he finally fulfill his destiny as a hero? Can he muster up the courage to stop his childhood hero? Is Japanese sake delicious? How many questions can I ask in a row? One word: KA-BOOM!
Back in the present, the heroes are converging: Matt and Nathan arrives at The Company to “protect” Bob from Maury. Unfortunately for Bob, Matt is, well, he’s Matt.
Meanwhile, the creepy West has become even creepier by inviting himself to breakfast at the Bennet household. (When I do it, they call it stalking; when West does it, it’s cute. Go figure.) And what’s a dose of inane plotting if it doesn’t involve scenes of Claire and West making out on the couch while listening to sweet tunes? Oh by the way, West, have you met Claire’s dad? He has the oddest glasses, not to mention a digital camera that looks just line mine. Coincidence? I think not!
Trapped one year in the future, Peter and Caitlin are rescued by men in hazmat suits. Explanations abound: The “Shanti Virus” has run amok in the future, killing 93% of the population, and forcing the rest to live in quarantine. Yes, you heard it right. The Shanti Virus.
As in Mohinder’s little sister Shanti Suresh, who died of the virus years ago, and who Mohinder could have cured with his own blood, as he did young Molly Walker. The virus, incidentally, can also strip heroes of their powers, though it tends to have some nasty side effects — like, you know, death. Mama Petrelli, who is proving very resourceful if not unkillable, shows up on year from now to lend a hand, as well as reveal important information about Nathan’s fate to Peter.

MIA for this episode: Sylar and the Wonder Twins, and Monica and the New Orleans brood.

Heroes: The Line

What is The Company? I’m glad you asked. The Company is a untrustworthy, and some would say evil, private concern bent on doing something nefarious to people with powers. You know, people like you. Interested? The answer is Yes, apparently, as in no time Monica is performing her “memory” trick for Mohinder in The Company’s facility. Enter Bob, who wants to see if his version of The Cure can stop Monica’s powers, and he wants Mohinder to do the deed. See, this is what working for an evil corporation gets you, Mohinder. HRG could have told you that.
Speaking of which, HRG and the Haitian are in Russia, where HRG has an unscheduled appointment with an old “friend”. You know, the last time I said Hi to one of my friends by gun whipping him, we didn’t speak for ages. It’s a good thing HRG’s old buddy is more understanding. But then again, handcuffs and a gun will loosen some tongues. And oh yeah, a superpowered fellow who can steal your precious memories at will might have had something to do with it. Man, HRG really wants those paintings! (Must be because he saw his own death in one of them…)
Claire tries out for the cheerleading squad, but is rebuffed by Evil Cheerleader Debbie because, well, she’s Evil and whatnot. Damn you evil cheerleaders! It’s a good thing West is around to crack jokes. Oh, West, he’s such a wise guy. But he does prove helpful and together the lovebirds hatch a devious plan to knock snotty Debbie down a peg or two. Those wacky kids and their wacky ideas. What will they think of next? Watch out, Debbie, up in the sky — it’s not a bird, it’s not a plane, it’s … a flying mugger?
Back to more interesting things. Sylar and the Wonder Twins continue on their way to America, where Sylar puts the moves on Maya while Alejandro is enjoying some siesta in the backseat of their stolen ride. Or did he? Maybe Sylar was just going for her brain. He’s got a thing for brains, that Sylar. Alas, their entry into the States is blocked by a wall of gun-toting Texas cops who attacks their car like pissed off gorillas in the Congo.
Meanwhile, in Love in the Time of Samurai news, Hiro’s messages in a bottle continues to regal Ando on the story of how he, Yaeko, and Kensei attacked the warlord White Beard and his army of thousands in Feudal Japan. First they have to rescue Yaeko’s father, which as it turns out wasn’t all that hard, although Hiro’s continued infatuation for Yaeko proves more difficult to shake, something that our time-tripping hero is beginning to realize, especially when he literally snatches her out of Kensei’s arms. Oh, Hiro, I don’t think you should have done that, bub, I just don’t think you should have done that, especially to a guy who can’t be killed, and who will probably live a long, long time…
MIA for this episode: Matt Parkman and Nathan Petrelli. Niki Sanders gets a brief cameo, while Peter Petrelli and Caitlin bookends the episode, the latter appearance by the kissing duo setting the stage for the second season’s major story arc. Hint: New York City is in trouble again

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Prison Break: Photo Finish / Vamonos

When an inmate is found murdered, Whistler becomes the prime suspect and Michael must prove his innocence in order to save his life; Michael demands evidence from Susan that Sarah is alive, or he will cancel the escape; Lincoln and Sofia monitor the guards' morning rituals; Mahone gets an offer that may get him a ticket out of Sona.

I absolutely loved these two episode. It brought everyone to their "A" game. The reaction that Michael gave when he found out about Sara; Lincoln doing everything to get his son, this includes lying; T-Bag helping Michael; Mahone confronting his demons and a chilling cliffhanger.

House MD: Whatever it Takes

House is recruited by the CIA to help diagnose a deathly ill agent with an unknown illness. The agent's medical case is being spearheaded by Dr. Samira Terzi, who offers up very little information about the agent's history or previous assignments. With limited information to go on, House uses some unorthodox methods to try to crack the code and determine a diagnosis in time to save his mystery patient's life. Meanwhile, Foreman faces resistance from the remaining six fellowship candidates when they question his judgment and argue over the diagnosis of a female drag car racer who passed out after a race.

It was slow but ok. I, truly, love the scene where Wilson thinks that House is lying about the CIA. ^_______^

My Life: I'm Feeling Better

For the past week, I have been feeling a little off. It's due to my health condition, I caught the flu from my students, and it has been affecting my lifestyle. I can't eat, teach, and above that I can't speak clearly. Anyways, I'll try to keep you all updated with my life.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Saw 4

Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead. Upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) and Agent Perez, arrive at the depleted police precinct and help veteran Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) sift through Jigsaw's latest grizzly game of victims and piece together the puzzle. However, when SWAT Commander Rigg, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), is suddenly abducted and thrust into the madman's harrowing game, the officer has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of interconnected traps...or face the deadly consequences.

Rigg's citywide pursuit leaves a wake of dead bodies, and Detective Hoffman and the FBI uncover long hidden clues that lead them back to Jigsaw's ex-wife Jill (Betsy Russell). The genesis of Jigsaw's evil is unveiled, exposing the puppet master's true intentions and the sinister plan for his past, present and future victims.

I just watched the movie and it did answer some of my questions and by the end of the film I was shocked. Now, I have new questions and hope that Saw V will deliver more surprises next year

Alien Vs Predator: Requiem


Take a look at these photos for the 2nd movie of Alien Vs Predator. It is said that they will stick back to the films original roots meaning less CGI. Which is good news for horror flick lovers. But until the movie opens hope you enjoy the pictures

House MD: Mirror, Mirror

Foreman returns to the hospital and is assigned to oversee House's team candidates. A man is mugged and suffers from a respiratory arrest. He has no memories of who he is, but instead reads the personality of the most dominant person in the room, applying it to himself to create a temporary identity. His accuracy of being a judge of character intrigues House, who manipulates the man to judge others and ultimately judges whether House is more dominant than Cuddy.

House didn't want Cuddy to rehire Foreman, and they get into a power struggle. To waste Cuddy's time, House tells the people in the cafeteria that the food was poisoned, and they should all go to the clinic. Then he orders unnecessary expensive tests for the uninsured clinic patients. In retaliation, Cuddy replaces House's vicodin with laxatives. House responds, "I know when my Vicodin isn't Vicodin. Do you know when your birth control pills aren't birth control pills?"

House realizes that no one is going to back down. (His exact quotation is "No one's going to be happy here... and Cuddy's going to end up pregnant.") So House tells Foreman he got him another job somewhere else. At first Foreman claimed that he was miserable working with House again. But when the patient was mirroring Foreman, he said that he liked being here. Foreman decided he did like being here, and he says he doesn't want House to get him a job somewhere else.

Foreman suggests that House and Cuddy both talk to the patient at once, to see which one the patient would mirror, to see which one is dominant. The patient tells them both to shut up and says that Cuddy has "great ya-boos" (breasts). House takes this as confirmation that the patient is mirroring him (although Cuddy initially tries to claim that's something she might have said as she has always considered her breasts to be one of her best features). When Foreman sees that the patient thinks House is dominant over Cuddy, he considers taking that other job, although Wilson suggests that House was lying when he said he got Foreman another job.

House MD: Guardian Angels

While having a seizure, a funeral-home cosmetician hallucinates that she's being violently raped by one of the corpses she's working on. Later in the hospital, she acts as though her dead mother is in the room with her. Meanwhile, Cameron offers advice to one of the seven candidates for House's team; Foreman has lunch with Cuddy.
  • House greets the candidates from his office through a speaker phone and says "Good morning, Angels". This and other lines reference the TV series Charlie's Angels, in which Charlie always addresses his female 'Angel' agents via speakerphone. He also refers to Dobson as "Bosley", the bumbling male sidekick of the three Angels.
  • House refers to Jeffrey as "Big Love." This is a reference to the HBO series Big Love about a Fundamentalist Mormon in a plural marriage. As the first one is called like that by House, Amber Volakis (played by Anne Dudek) is called "cutthroat bitch" by House also.
  • House gives a "rose" (actually a peony) to each candidate he does not fire. This references The Bachelor.

The Dark Knight: Joker Pic

Here is a closer
picture of Heath Ledger as the Joker in the 2008 film and Batman Begins sequel THE DARK KNIGHT

The Dark Knight introduces a new version of the Joker, based on the villain's original appearances in comic book lore. The character Batman also becomes more of a detective, dealing with the escalated situation from the end of Batman Begins as well as the dilemma of his vigilante crusade.

Food to Love: Fried Calamares


Fried Calamares

Amounts to serve 4:

3/4 kg (1-1/2 pounds) calamares (squid)
1/2 kg (about 4 cups) flour
1 liter (4 cups) olive oil
Salt

Remove the squid heads, tentacles, ink bags, fins and skin. Wash them thoroughly under running water, drain them and slice them into rings. Salt them, dredge them in the flour and shake them one by one to remove excess flour. Fry them in plenty of hot oil until they begin to turn golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

Smallville: Lara

Clark learns that Kara is in Washington, D.C. looking for the crystal from her ship. Kara learns the exact location of the crystal, but it is not there when she arrives. Clark confronts her in a club, but she flies away. With Jimmy's help, Kara follows a path to Lex's mansion, but Agent Carter is waiting. Using kryptonite handcuffs, Carter takes Kara back to Virginia. Using a kryptonite truth serum, Carter attempts to learn about Krypton, but Clark interrupts him and saves Kara with Lionel's help. Clark shows Lana that he has Kara's crystal, which contains his birth mother's DNA.
Helen Slater, 1984's Supergirl, guest stars as Clark's mother from Krypton. It's fun to watch the two Supergirls in a scene together.

Smallville: Action

While filming takes place on the Warrior Angel movie on the Kent farm, Clark saves lead actress Rachel Davenport (Christina Millian) from a car crash. After some researching by Chloe, it is discovered that someone is trying to kill Rachel, because they believe her character should die, like she does in the comics. Clark's secret is uncovered by the attacker when he is witnessed stopping a bullet intended for Rachel; he attempts to kill Lana in hopes that her death will make Clark see his true destiny as Earth's savior. Lana is revealed to be the one who kidnapped Lionel Luthor, and when he is finally freed Lionel informs Lana that he knows she kidnapped him.
After watching this episode I was shocked to see Lana's hidden side and I was thinking to myself I can't believe she would do this. Hmmm.. Let's wait for future episode. By the way, I love the gift Rachel gave to Clark at the end. ^___^

Smallville: Cure

Chloe learns that Dr. Curtis Knox has a surgical cure for those affected by meteor-rocks, so she sets up an appointment knowing a side-effect could be memory loss. John Jones shows up at the Kent home and warns Clark that he cannot trust Kara. John explains that her father, Zor-El, attempted to assassinate Clark's father. Clark is told to find Kara's crystal before she does, but he side-tracked fighting Knox who is attempting to take Chloe's heart and transplant it into the woman he loves. Lana uses the $10 million she stole from Lex to buy surveillance equipment to spy on Lex.
Sorry I couldn't update on Smallville in a while but I will be reviewing all of the episodes I missed. Dean Cain guesting on this episode has been a long request of fans and they finally get to see him against Tom Welling. It was a great episode

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Prison Break: Interference


This is mostly a transition episode which sets up what promise to a thrilling and awesome 2 hrs of prison break next week but still "Interference" is an amazing episode. Quick paced, intense , exciting with the suspense...everything in it.
Interference probably refers to the block Michael`s plan hit: The guards. I`m really starting to love the intrigue around Whistler. The new inmate recognizes him and call him and call him McFanden! Who the hell is he???
Also I was really happy to see Mahone adds his part of the plan and I`m wondering what`s in that cooler Linc showed to Sofia. Next week will be an epic 2 hours!!

Manhunt 2


Within a secret research facility, Daniel Lamb is one of many scientists working on the 'The Pickman Project' led by Dr. Laura Whyte and Dr. Pickman. The project deals with various controversial experiments and when the funding is cut, the facility is shut down. Dr. Pickman and his colleagues decide to continue anyway and move the whole project underground. Among some of the scientists still on board, Daniel Lamb agrees to become one of the many guinea pigs. However, an unforeseen defect appears in many of the subjects and they are sent to the Dixmor Asylum for the Criminally Insane. During his time, Daniel becomes confused and brain washed with paranoia, questioning what part of his life was real or imaginary. Six years later, a freakish lightning storm knocks out the asylum's power resulting in the whole security system to shut down. Daniel decides to escape, but isn't the only inmate coming out of his cell. This is where the gameplay begins.

Shortly after the game's retail release, Russian hackers have been able to create a hack for the PSP version of the game that removes Rockstar's game-censoring "filter" system - different degrees of blurring. This hack, applied to an legally(or illegally)-obtained disk image of the game, essentially reverts Manhunt 2 to its original, AO-rated form. A similar hack works for the PS2 version.

GAME

The high-concept thriller takes place in the near future, when mind-control technology has taken society by storm. In this dystopian world, the ultimate online simulation environment is humans remote-controlling other humans in mass-scale, multiplayer online gaming.

Butler plays Kable, the No. 1-ranked warrior in the highest-rated game, called "Slayers." With his every move tracked by millions, Kable's ultimate challenge is to regain his identity and bring down the system that has imprisoned him.

It is reported to be released 2008.