The Cabin in The Woods (2012)

I do not remember this film being aired in Philippine cinemas, but it was on cable last week and we managed to see it from beginning to end. It’s the stuff of nightmares!

It’s summer and five college friends decide to spend it in a remote cabin owned by Curt’s (played by Chris Hemsworth) cousin. They use Curt’s dad’s trailer – the Rambler. They drive for hours and reach a place where there are no other cars, and no other visible human activity. They stop by a small gasoline station/fish and tackle store and get a very cold reception from the proprietor.

The cabin itself is unassuming. It does look a bit rundown from the outside, but inside it looks quite cozy and isn’t cramped at all. It’s also very near a clear lake, and has electricity to boot. By all appearances, it’s the perfect vacation.

Unknown to the young barkada (group of friends), they are being manipulated. Even Jules’ (Curt’s girlfriend) decision to dye her hair blonde before the trip wasn’t her decision alone. Behind the scenes is a group of technicians monitoring their vital stats, watching and listening to everything that happens in the cabin. They also seem to know how it’s all going to end.

So early in the show the viewers already know that all of it is a setup. But what’s not clear is why. Is it a reality TV show? Are the horrors real? Is there chance for survival? All these questions, and more, are answered by the end of the show.

The film is altogether creepy, and bloody. You’ll feel disgust over the office workers who have the gall to bet on which horror will be triggered and eventually kill the young offerings. But you also kinda understand that they’re just looking for a way to enjoy their unusual jobs. Then when you finally understand why the five characters need to die, you don’t know whether to root for the survival of the remaining two, or wish them dead. Very interesting.

I’m not a horror fan, but this film was entertaining.

34th Manila International Book Fair 2013

The 34th Manila International Book Fair 2013 starts today, and runs until September 15. Just like last year, it’s being held at the SMX Convention Center, at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Reminiscing the 33rd MIBF

Last year’s MIBF loot was one of my biggest book hauls, ever. But the experience itself was epic.

I was diagnosed with Slip Disc in August 2012 and spent a month resting and getting help for it. Though I wasn’t fully recovered yet, we braved the rains and checked out the 33rd MIBF on its last day. It was raining so hard that traffic was bad on a Sunday. It was dark when we got to MOA, and parking was another obstacle. We could not park too far from the SMX because walking would have been difficult for me – and for all my companions because it meant being drenched in the rain.

So we entered SMX like we just had a cold shower. There was no time to spare either as the fair was closing in less than two hours. We made it inside after about 15 minutes because my back was already giving me a lot of pain. I had to stop every few steps to rest. So the only booth I got to navigate was the National Bookstore’s. And I was such a princess too, I found a chair to rest on while browsing some stacks, and then I gave the sales personnel a list of books I wanted to get. They were so helpful and understanding too.

Exiting the fair was another challenge. Luckily, there was a wheelchair we could borrow! Why didn’t we think of asking for one as soon as we arrived?! But the best thing about this experience was appreciating all that the boyfriend was willing to do for me. He was so patient, and didn’t mind having to go all the way back to return the wheel chair. The girls were with us too, and that’s always fun.

But how’s my progress in reading last year’s loot?

I’ve probably gone through half of the books I got. Hopefully the boyfriend had better progress on his stash of graphic novels.

Plans for the 34th MIBF?

I’m still not sure if I’ll be going this year. I really am trying to cut back on expenses, and having a huge TBR pile just makes it harder to spend a lot on more books. But I’ve never regretted spending on books. So I’m not closing my doors to the fair, but as mentioned in my September’s Here post, I’ll have to

Edit book collection/audit TBR pile. Will not go to the NBS sale or the MIBF without first doing this.

I already missed the NBS sale.

What about you? Will you be going to the Manila International Book Fair? What books are you hoping to snag?

FUBAR: Mother Russia on KickStarter

 

Stalingrad. 1943. One baby. One rifle. Two million zombies. FUBAR PRESS's first stand alone graphic novel: MOTHER RUSSIA.

 

If I had $500 to spare, I would back this project with the highest reward package. I know that since Walking Dead became a hit TV series, people have been more open to stories and films telling of a zombie apocalypse. Before World War Z, the movie, I wouldn’t have given a second to checking them out though. Before then, zombies remind me too much of the awful movie that was Night of the Living Dead.

Too bad I don’t have dispensable $500 at the moment. I’ll actually settle for the lower packages as long as I receive the printed book, but it would be nice to receive original artwork as well.

I wouldn’t flip through this book while vacationing in Corregidor though, amidst the ruins of military barracks. Nor would I read it while in a cemetery. Though not intended to scare readers, it just might prove to be too creepy. I’d rather read it in the comforts of home, or in a brightly lit space, maybe even beside large wall water fountains to invoke serenity and calm. Hehe. 

Anyway, what do you think of the plot?  Are graphic novels something that interests you?

Now You See Me (2013)

This is definitely one of the better films in 2013.

Now You See Me is about four individual acts who were brought together by an unknown benefactor to perform great feats of magic as one team – The Four Horsemen. They’ve got quite the special treat for the audiences for their finale act – giving away money they just robbed from a bank.

Each magician had his/her own expertise - J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg of The Social Network fame) looked like the typical street magician who works with cards. Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher, Confessions of a Shopaholic) is the sole female, and was a great escape artist. Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) is the youngest, and used sleight of hand not just to entertain out on the streets, but to rob people too. Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) completes the quad, a mentalist who goes on a tour and blackmails his victims with their deep dark secrets.

It takes a year to complete, but the four perform a series of acts that will earn them prestigious spots to an elite and secret circle called The Eye.

Dylan Rhodes is the overworked FBI agent assigned to solve the mystery of the Four Horsemen’s Paris bank heist. Working with him is Alma, a French researcher from Interpol. She knows a lot about The Eye. Thaddeus Bradley wanted to become a great magician, but perhaps due to lack of talent, he built a lucrative business in exposing magician’s tricks instead.

The Horsemen made known their gratitude to their sponsor and financier Arthur Tressler. He stands to make a lot of money as their shows are sold out to huge crowds. But they had a special finale just for him on their New Orleans show. Justice.

For their final show in New York, they take a huge safe full of money right under the FBI’s nose, and give all the contents away to their loyal fans. Authorities (and the audience) think they’re one step ahead of them, but in truth they are exactly where they needed to be. The Horsemen get away, but the feds get to arrest someone caught red handed with all the real money.

But the true mystery is in the fifth horseman. Who brought them together? Who stands to benefit from all these acts? Throughout the film there are clues, and it was wonderful to piece them together and come to the surprising conclusion.

Now You See Me tells you that sometimes looking too close makes you see less. Don’t be too engrossed in the details that you miss the big picture. And the real magic happens before the act.

Enjoy the trailer:

A Storm of Swords - A Song of Ice and Fire Book 3

Contrary to my plan after reading A Clash of Kings, I didn't take a break from the series by picking up a lighter title. Instead, I waited a few weeks before getting right back on the horse and read through Book 3: A Storm of Swords.

Winner of the following awards: Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel (2001), Nebula Award Nominee (2002), Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2001), Ignotus (2006),Geffen (2002)

 

I find it hard to write about it now, without spoiling the story for those who have neither read the book nor seen the TV series. So maybe I'll just list the things or moments that I really liked:

• Sansa continues to be gracious and strong despite what she's gone through. She is married off to someone she never expected but she maintains an act to ensure her survival. I still fear for her now, especially when she finds herself in the hands of somebody who has betrayed her parents in the past.
• Tyrion continues to surprise me. He does appear to be more honorable than most, and kind-hearted. You almost want to really wish that his marriage becomes a happy one. What happens to him next, is a big question. 
• Arya plods on in her never-ending journey home. She might have seen her brother Robb, and her lady mother, had she not been captured by the outlaws, but it might have also meant her death at the Red Wedding. It is so hard to imagine her as a ten-year old (or is she nine?) with the way she thinks and acts. She has definitely aged beyond her years.
• Dany, the last Targaryen, continues her quest for an army big enough to conquer Westeros again. Here she comes face to face with slavers and begins to teach them a lesson they would sooner forget. She also learns about a betrayal; loses a trusted knight, but gains a new one. 
• Littlefinger proves to us just how cunning he could be. We will hear from him, for sure.
• We finally find out who sent the man to kill Bran in his sleep, and I must admit it was not on my list of suspects. Just before it was revealed in the books, I was actually thinking about it. Who started this war? It's finally been answered!
• Jon Snow is a man of the Night's Watch. He is also his father's son. He will play a bigger role yet in the biggest battle the realm has ever engaged in. My heart was broken as he held the dying Ygritte in his arms, but it also confirmed to me how honor and duty and the Stark words that are truly important to him. I did not doubt what his decision would be in the end, he will always choose what was right. 
• Stannis and the red woman. Stannis is lucky to have a loyal man in Ser Davos. But he also seems stupid in his complete devotion to the red woman. I do not trust her. She claims to be of the Light, but she employs dark arts to achieve her goals. Everyone recognizes it but King Stannis.
• Bran continues his journey with the young Reeds and Hodor as his protectors. He finally goes beyond the wall, with hardly anyone knowing that the rightful heir to Winterfell was still alive.
• Robb, the King in the North. I love Robb! I hate that he actually did start losing the North even more when he let himself be weak and marry another woman. I like her TV wife better because I got to know her. In the book, he just came back married. Was she really worth the ire of the Freys of the Twins? But he redeemed himself to my eyes when he continued to make sounds plans - he was definitely on his way to another victory. One that would have assured of his hold on the North. He was also more than aware of the threat to his throne, and sought to secure it should anything happen to him. I loved him for issuing a decree to debastardize Jon Snow and proclaim him heir of Winterfell before Sansa. It wasn't a judgment against Sansa, but rather a move to ensure that a Stark ruled the North, and not a Lannister.
• Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer. I hated his guts. But I think I might just change my mind about this one. Perhaps his time in captivity, and the loss of his sword hand has taught him a much needed lesson. His confession about what led to him killing King Aerys already gave him plus points. But his actions when he got back to King's Landing is earning him even more. Perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye.
• Roose Bolton and the Freys. I just knew something was up. I hope they burn in hell! Haha!  

All in all I really enjoyed reading this one. I found myself looking forward to getting a few chapters in after work each day. Sometimes I even hit myself for sleeping too much instead of staying awake enough to finish a chapter (Hah!). :) I'm not done watching Season 3 yet, I stopped because I wasn't ready for all the blood and the bad news. But now that I've read it, I think I'm ready to see it on screen. 

But what lessons in life do we get from all this?

• There is evil out there, but there's also a lot of good. And good comes from unexpected places, and people you would think incapable of it.
• There is no clear distinction between hero and villain. 
• We must consider the consequences of our actions. 
• Think very carefully before breaking an oath. Some promises are made to be broken, but not all.
• Help comes to those who need them. We should also learn when to ask. 
• You reap what you sow. So spread some love and kindness, you'll never know when you're gonna need them back. 

 A Storm of Swords seems to be the best book so far in this series, and it's left me itching to start on the next one. 

Wicked in Manila - Teaser

Looks like I'll be seeing Wicked with friends from work. We just haven't decided how much we're willing to spend for our seats. It is so funny, the conversations around it. Haha!
In the meantime, here's a short video a friend of mine prepared for Pinoy Wicked fans out there:

 
Checkout Qritiko on Facebook for more videos of live concerts and events: http://Facebook.com/Qritiko

Wicked in Manila - 2014

Wicked, the Broadway Musical, is finally coming to Manila! Tickets will start going on sale at Ticket World. 

Apart from lifting the above ad image from the Ticket World website, I also got their seat prices, for your convenience:

I am so tempted to get an Emerald ticket, but that means going by myself. Haha! I really don't have cash lying around for this, so I sure hope tickets don't run out before I can save up. Also no idea how many shows there will be and whether they are flying in existing cast members. 

Can't even begin to imagine how the set would look like (black lights most likely, but hopefully real bright costumes and make up for Elphie and her friends), and I don't want to search for Wicked clips on YouTube. Hehe.  

Anyone out there who can share more information? Who's going? 

I read the book Wicked just last year and couldn't stop gushing about it. :)