on films, books, food, restaurants, favorite haunts in Metro Manila (and now, Philadelphia)...
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| rants and raves on films, books, food, restaurants, favorite haunts in Metro Manila (and now, Philadelphia)... |
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Thursday, October 02, 2003 One Minute Reviews (Review-lets? Review-itos?) B-Movie with Famous People RANT View From the Top (2003) Why Gwyneth Paltrow would go and make a movie as blasse as this “reach for your flight attendant dream” formulaic piece is beyond me. Nothing in it is funny. At all. And Mike Myers’ cross-eyed flight attendant trainor is a dreadfully tiresome bore. Romantic lead wasn’t even a generic but pleasantly handsome guy, but rather some strangely plain-looking almost unattractive fellow dug up from who-knows-where. Nothing going for this movie, I’d rather watch made-for-TV Tori Spelling fare (“Mother May I Sleep With Danger,” “Co-Ed Call Girl”). At least I’d get a lot of good, albeit unintentional, laughs. Overpriced Café Food RANT Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (G/F Greenbelt 4, Makati) I take back what I previously said about the food in this place being good. Bad choice to have lunch here in a lame attempt at a budget lunch. Spent PHP600+ for two people -- for a pasta dish (creamy fusili with mushrooms and chicken), salad (good old Caesar’s), sandwich (roasted chicken in focaccia), iced tea and a house ice blended creamy fatty drink. Could have spent the same amount of money in Café Bola and at least *felt* like I got a better deal. And their house blended drink isn’t too good, interesting twist with ground up coffee beans, but the ice wasn’t well blended enough for me and lent a strange crunchy icey texture to the whole drink. Enjoyable Movie with Annoying Actress RAVE Down With Love (2003) It seems to be in vogue to dislike Renee Zellwegger. Because she’s too bubbly? Because she gained weight for Bridget Jones’ Diary and managed to lose it all overnight? Because she managed to move from annoying Empire Records ditz to Hollywood heavyweight? Because she gets to costar with cuties like Ewan McGregor and Hugh Grant? In any case I don’t find myself strongly positioned in the Anti-Renee Camp, and I did manage to enjoy the film even with her in it. I love the texture of the film, the ultra-saturated Technicolor of every shot, the outrageous costumes of yesteryear. Great chemistry between Renee and Ewan, lots of corny but apt double entendres, excellent supporting cast. Storyline got a little convoluted and tedious towards the end, but the movie was generally good fun. And the two leads did a nice little song number in the end. Mediocre-But-I-Like-it-Anyway Café RAVE San Francisco Coffee (Libis, Quezon City) Nothing really great about this café, but always find myself suggesting return visits. Maybe I like the fact that they always have current editions of the International Herald Tribune (just so I can pretend to be smart enough to read it). And there’s always a lot of parking, especially now that Hotshots is closed. And it’s a clean well-lit place. Other less desirable coffee options along Libis are Starbucks (too run down), Seattle’s Best (too far from the parking area, very few seats), Gloria Jean’s Coffee (not too enjoyable previous experience in another branch), and McCafe (it’s McCafe!). Great Filipino Fiction RAVE Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan This book was a bargain, for just a little over PHP100. A little on the thin/short side though. Interesting and original plot—children are being murdered left and right by a serial killer (interesting and original for Philippine literature). It’s up to a duo of Jesuit Priest-slash-CSI-types to save the day. Take note this book was written before the explosion in CSI’s world wide popularity, so no one can accuse it of riding on the CSI trend. I highly recommend this book, but I’m not sure where it can be found aside from the UP bookstore. Creepy Children’s Book RAVE Coraline by Neil Gaiman Storyline is actually pretty creepy. For a children’s book. Actually a little too creepy. Don’t think I’ll make my younger siblings read this. Consistent with most of Neil Gaimain’s other writing, quick, enjoyable read. Not his best, not a must have, but still worth the money. posted by wys | 11:43 PM 0 comments |
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