(...continuation...)

I was just kidding ;) She was on the phone?with her boyfriend, maybe. The palm flashing came with a gesture she needed a moment. So I gave her that. She wasn?t rude at all. In fact she was very gracious and accommodating. I was told I could leave my luggage in the meantime as she couldn?t show me my room yet. I could EITHER go out and eat or something OR stay at the lounge fronting the reception and just watch her. Well, 1) waking up early for the 7am flight, I didn?t have time to make me breakfast AND with just Tuc (it?s like M.Y. San Fita only rectangular and salted) and cola (well, a host of others available too like some ginger concoction for instance?kidding) served as in-flight snack, I could almost hear my little pets shouting ?Feed us!?; and 2) knowing that me staying and watching her?the receptionist?until 2pm would compel her to decline tips from guests checking out; I felt constrained to do the former.

So I went out for brunch not knowing exactly where to. The five-day pass afforded me to just take any mode of transport wherever bound. I took the same route back getting off at a metro station with connections to other metro and tram lines. Aah, I was at Wenceslas Square (Mustek Metro stop). The longest square?actually it?s more like a boulevard than a square?I?ve seen so far, it?s a vibrant area of hotels and hostels, restaurants, shops, bars, and clubs? buildings whose facades were adorned with many interesting details (I?ll leave the rest of the describing to the ever so reliable Google Search).

I walked and walked rummaging around for a not-so-intimidatingly-looking restaurant and now starting to realize that the cold?s actually bearable despite the minus six temperature?coz it?s not windy. It wasn?t hard to find KFC! With free wifi, I was busy with my iPhone while falling in line. Until it was my time to order. Knowing perhaps I?m a tourist, the service crew talked to me in English. I was surprised myself that even with my totally-not-cotton-tips-deprived ears, I had to make him repeat what he said. He perhaps mistook it as me having trouble understanding English. So he repeated what he said very slowly this time, one second pause after every syllable. What I did next made his face turn sour and a little red and him looking intimidated. Now a little disoriented, he prolly thought, ?So, people speak English also in Papua New Guinea. I should have known.? LOL! I enjoyed my finger-lickin? good meal while raking in occasional curious, friendly and sometimes expressionless stares from the apparent locals.

I walked down the wide, a little icy sidewalk?filled with tourists and locals thickly wrapped for the season?going in the direction of this building dominating the top of Wenceslas Square I later learned to be the National Museum. I took pictures, grabbed a relatively cheap map and headed back to the hotel excited how my room?s gonna look like. A very spacious room with a carpeted floor, a comfortable single bed, a clean spacious toilet?twas beyond decent I couldn?t complain.

I took a shower, rested for a short while, tried the very slow wifi at the hotel lounge with the receptionist smilingly looking at me from time to time?either flirting or checking if I?m leaving yet which would have meant faster torrent download for her, AND got ready for this mall not so far away from my hotel. Now at the mall (prolly twice the size of SM Makati) in Praha 10 where most of the people if not all were locals?Czechs, I leisurely walked around both people watching and restaurant hunting. I already looked at a million faces and found a restaurant but I still couldn?t pinpoint distinctive facial features of the Czechs.

It?s supposed to be a Czech restaurant but strangely, it was serving food based on fish/seafood. I ordered paella. And well what can I say, it was edible.

I headed back to the hotel, engaged in a tug of war for wifi speed with the now more mature-looking and librarian-dressed receptionist, and opened my Rough Guide to Prague for the first time before retiring for the night.

I went to sleep in a joyful mood, enriched with the wisdom revealed that day, ?Don?t go to Prague if you want to eat paella."

...to be continued...

Pictures here



Travel/Humor: Prague I: The Arrival
By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted March 9, 2010

Everyone was telling me it?s not a good time to go to Prague, with winter at its peak. But I went anyway.

For somebody with perhaps the cheapest fare onboard, I had the best seat. Thanks to automated check-in, I could change my seat assignment. Just why would they make available a window seat next to the business class seats to a frugal passenger? Well they did. And so I had the best seat as far as I knew.

From up the clear sunny skies of this Eastern European capital onboard KLM city hopper, the snow-capped city was evident. With the weather forecast for the coming days reaching even double digit minuses, a nice enjoyable sight-seeing seemed unlikely. Until we landed. Luggages arrived two minutes after. Two minutes after WC, Facebook update, and Euros-to-Crowns currency exchange from tourist-trap Travelex (I later found out I could have 700+ crowns more had I exchanged my Euros from any of the change shops at the centrum. Well as a consolation, I thought I helped keeping this Travelex employee Edna Mode look-alike witchdoctor in the flesh away from her voodoo dolls--saved a lot of people that wronged her from experiencing excruciating pain brought by feeling stabbed with pins).

And so along with other tourists and home-coming Praguers, we hit the snow-lined road to the centrum aboard Bus 119. I happened to sit on a seat facing a Praguer who intermittently looked at me?either wondering why I have dark hair, Big nose, brown eyes and brown skin; trying to find out if I were Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Korean or Burmese; or perhaps, wondering if we even celebrate United Nations and if I ever got to wear the Czech national costume. Tired of guessing whatever?s going on in his head, I busied myself with the sights not really worth beholding.

Until we reached the last stop. As he stood up to get off, he was helpful enough to tell me that it was the last stop although I?d know eventually anyway. As I thanked him, he gave me a friendly gesture in an approving smile?like saying ?Vítat a? k Praha.? Aaah, Czech hospitality.

So after that bus ride, a metro ride and a tram ride?a million stops total?I finally reached my hotel at around 10 o?clock. Check-in to start at 2pm, I wasn?t entertained by the receptionist at all. As I started talking, she flashed her palm and said: ?Talk to the hand.? LOL.

...to be continued...

Pictures here



Travel: Cologne, Germany (August 7-9, 2009)
By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 8/25/2009

I agreed to get away with a bunch of complete strangers save for Lily, an Indonesian I met once while attending Crossroads. She, her friends (Irma and Loe, Indonesians also) and Danny (Irma's Dutch friend) were scheduled on a road trip to nearby German cities during the weekend. I had to decide to trade picnic with Pinoy friends we planned just the day before with this last-minute temptation almost right away which had to disappoint them--Pinoy friends. And so we hit the road less than 24 hours later. From Amsterdam, it took more than an hour to get to see cars with Ds printed on their plates this time, "careful-of-crossing-animals" signs, tree-lined highway and picturesque countryside--hints you're in Germany already. Though a handful of Ferrari's, Maserati's, and Porsche's made us eat their hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, our travel time was even shorter than we and the navigator had estimated. Thanks to our relatively aggressive driver from time to time breaking traffic rules--you'd hear him say often "Nobody saw that!?." Cologne--home to the impressive gothic church, the Dom, whose claim to fame's its elaborate architecture, enormous scale and the fact that it took almost forever for it to be completed--was our first stop. Swarmed with tourists and a seemingly young populace, the city's alive even at wee hours of the night. Around the Dom on a breezy summer Friday evening around 10pm, you'd see groups of undisruptive drunk young men and women gaily bantering and singing while greeting passersby and onlookers with accommodating smiles. This is alongside many tourists sporadically wearing a cheese smile and sporting the peace sign, couples settled everywhere or walking holding each other's hands, groups of mostly young backpackers of varying nationalities (sounding like speaking in tongue) and everyone else--FCologners and not. And around this time, there were still a lot of restaurants open. An all-you-can-eat restaurant, quite a walk from the Dom, serving delectable wide-ranging Asian dishes provided us with something for digestion that night. I had some lumpia and bami cooked in the same fashion as our pancit with vegetables and chicken.

At past midnight, along the streets of I-don't-recall-anymore-what, you'd see students, office people and everyone else either young or young-at-heart lining up at club entrances. From jazz to hip-hop, Western to Mediterranean, there's plenty to choose from. Though jazz was what had gotten my groove on, it was hip-hop that got me moving and moving all night long--or maybe just until 4am when we already had to have McDonald's which sold Quarter Pounder 20 Euro cents cheaper than in Amsterdam. Sleep was quick for by 10 in the morning, we were already traversing the lengths of the vehicle-free, abundantly peopled streets not far from the Dom going in the direction of yet another all-you-can-eat restaurant. This time, a Chinese restaurant inside a shopping mall half the size of SM Makati (or Amsterdam's de Bijenkorf) serving again wide-ranging and of course unlimited dishes. I only ate a little--a little bit of everything served, that is. Moments later, we were at the train station and in two minds--Bonn or Düsseldorf? The train was jam-packed but still had enough seats for every paying passenger but not for the luggage of some Chinese occupying three others. Diplomacy paved the way to freeing two seats for us leading to an interesting talk with this guy yet in his 20s but already on his way to getting a PhD. We got off at a Bonn station and as the train signaled to leave, we hurriedly boarded back thinking of Koblenz instead.

A beautiful small city and just like Cologne, Koblenz is along the mighty river Rhine. We were greeted by tempting large slices of pizza inside the station an escalator and steps away from the platform and by a helpful single old lady enthusiastic about telling us what to do and where to go though with a big sigh for we came on not so sunny a day and Saturday at that. Save for the apparent tourists mostly aged, the city was sparsely peopled--it's a Saturday after all--bringing off a tranquil feel you'd want to buy your retirement home here. A walk to the river showed a number of striking buildings adorned with interesting details, flowered balconies and lines of houses screaming affluence. By the river, two big river cruise boats laid in wait with a long queue of eager aged (perhaps war veterans) passengers. On the other not-so-distant side of the river Rhine, beautiful blocks of buildings, houses and what-have-you of white and other earthy colors, rise. A walk back to the train station revealed a strikingly very old walled castle on top of a hill just meters away from the station. This, we climbed up to see no more as we had to head to Dusseldorf. Missing the connecting stop for Dusseldorf, we headed back to Cologne instead.

Back in Cologne and tired of all-you-can-eat's, we sampled German sausages, some Turkish fast food with something close to "home"--fries--by the narrow webbed streets near the River Rhine. We lazily spent not so short a time sitting on the benches along the paved trail by the river where bikers, strollers, and hikers passed by. Despite the jolly jeers and cheers of already dancing drunks just nearby, sitting there was very relaxing. Until it was time to head back to the hotel. No clubbing that night, which disappointed the girls. The following day was either Bonn or Dusseldorf. My asking "we're going to Bonn?" woke them all up. So Bonn it was. I decided.

Almost a ghost town, Bonn on a Sunday almost noontime was sparingly peopled. We just walked and walked, ate sandwich then walked and walked yet again until we came across an Indonesian woman. With her were her two sons--the older one was the one who overheard the girls talking in Bahasa. We were invited to their house for a tea and there we spent the remainder of our time before driving back to Holland.

Germany I must say is an all-over beautiful, clean country having surprisingly a lot to offer. I wasn't disappointed. And spending time with complete strangers was rather comfortable and fun. I can't wait for me to be tagged along wherever is next. After all, they're strangers to me no more.

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Movie Review: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Rating: 6/10
Directed by: Tim Story
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 06/16/2007

Huge persuasive advertising bringing about excitement and high anticipation, the Silver Surfer looking strikingly sleek in the trailers, everyone else talking about this movie not opting for any movies to watch but this and ultimately not having much of a choice as almost all movie houses are showing just this movie, not to mention the gorgeous leading actress; name every reason why you should watch this movie, this movie has it. But does it live up to its hype? I don't think so.

Yeah it's better than the first of the series yet not enough an apology for how bad the first turned out to be. In fact, it's still disappointing. Talk about great action, this movie does it in precision but does not really have it in abundance. Talk about solid special effects, it's at par with other great rival comic book movies--the big guns like Spider-Man, Batman and X-Men. But lacking character development, cheesy script with despicable and campy gags push this movie down to just another comic book movie.

It seems Hollywood's getting more and more obsessed nowadays with the 'look/style' shelling out huger amounts than ever to ensure its success (not to mention advertising and marketing) brushing aside substance, which what really gives lasting admiration in my opinion. Watching this movie and listening to the actors deliver their cheesy, childish, gawky lines was giving me this discomfort soon developing into a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will for not being hinted beforehand that the movie's target audience are the Cartoon Network fans--as how it appeared to be.

The saving grace is the Silver Surfer brought to life with real intense precision true to the Marvel Comics character beloved by fans worldwide. Thanks to the visual effects house Weta Digital. But apart from the precision of the dimensional representation, the Silver Surfer's appeal comes from how a multifaceted and tragic a character he is. Heroic having sacrificed himself to serve Galactus in order to save his planet yet destructive coz in so doing, he's annihilating all other worlds. Looking at the world and humanity in an outsider point of view but still feeling compassion, Silver Surfer's an interesting and fascinating character you would want the movie to revolve just around him. Yet to the dismay of many, the movie is still all about the Fantastic Four now dealing with the downside of being famous and a celebrity also neglecting yet another interesting character Dr. Doom.

Looking forward not to the third installment but to a Silver Surfer movie sometime in the future.

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TV Series Review: Prison Break (Season 2)
Rating: 8.5/10
Directed by: Kevin Hooks, Brett Ratner, Michael Watkins
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 5/27/2007

Prison Break's Season 2 premier episode seems not to have sustained the momentum of the Season 1 conclusion but inciting viewers to think about what happens next, the succeeding episodes don't fail to engage the viewers.

Picking up from where Season 1 left off, the plan of breaking out is realized. And Linc, Michael, Sucre, C-Note, Abruzzi, Haywire, Tweener, and T-Bag are on the run. Agent Mahone, officer in-charge, is into the pursuit mission. From simply getting invisible to digging up what will make one invisible and disappear is what can sum up this Season's goings on. That's just Plan B for Michael and Linc, who slowly knowing nips of details about Steadman's ?murder,? have high hopes about Linc?s case turned around if only with tangible substantiation of his innocence. That?s aside from keeping their loved ones safe at the same time. Tweener and Haywire are off the loop not long after the break out. So is T-Bag who has this time to dejectedly suffer the consequences of his unfriendliness toward Abruzzi back in Season 1. Now all the others, including T-Bag who manages still to be on the loop, head toward the spot where the huge sum is buried hinted by the incapable, almost a fugitive himself, the aging Charles. Minus Abruzzi also who opts for revenge than leaving immediately with his family.

Feeling betrayed and used, Sara who?s unwillingly just brought into this whole mess returns to her addiction before she comes to realize she may have been made an accessory to the crime but never betrayed. And Warden Pope, who Michael deceived, cleans up his ranks and soon opts for retirement. Bellick, laid off as a result of the clean up, partners with Roy resolute to pursuing the escapees for the reward money. And the partners having knowledge of the huge sum settle not just for $100,000 per head, thus, join the gang in their journey toward the site of the far bigger sum.

With their names now in the America?s most wanted list, also all authorities notified of the escape and Mahone being on the case who by the way is as smart as Michael, not getting caught seems unworkable. And twice is it unworkable for Linc and Michael who also have the people behind Linc?s conviction to elude. Slowly we see the fugitives ensnared one by one. In the end, somebody?s plan again is carried out but with side misfortune that serves as a premise to the succeeding season?s storyline. It hints of more exciting tough stab of breaking out again.

Season 2 delves into the individual lives of the inmates hinting viewers of rationale behind some of the characters? conduct. Especially that of T-Bag?s. New characters are put in as every episode slowly sheds light to Linc?s frame up. One of which is that of Filipino actor Reggie Lee?s Agent Bill Kim?a character who will be despised for sure.

Improved acting is one thing in plain sight amongst the cast. Although less exhilarating than Season 1, intelligent writing is still carried on. Witty turns of phrase with a tone of sarcasm from T-Bag?s character bring about silent snickers.

Apart from Heroes, Prison Break is still the most worth-watching TV Series to date. The adrenaline rush is still there. It still is very addicting.

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Movie Review: 300 (2007)
Rating: 8/10
Directed by: Zack Synder
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 03/13/2007

Shot almost entirely indoors, the Zack Snyder?s film adaptation of Frank Miller?s graphic novel ?300? brings memory of ?Sin City?, the Quentin Tarantino (well, alongside Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez) film adaptation of the graphic novel of the same; hip and visually remarkable. Artistic in its noir-ish quality, it?s truly a visual feast for the eyes. Fighting scenes are superb making all other action/war movies look like girls? catfights (now that?s sexist). Never has an epic war movie been this violent, brutal, enthralling and eye-popping. Yes it lacks character depth yet that?s something not expected of a movie like this anyway. This testosterone-charged flick gets you off your seats in intense excitement. Kickass fighting, fighting and more fighting is what this movie is all about. Though it may offer not much story to tell, its spectacle deserves awe and appreciation.

Based on fictionalized history, this ballsy film accounts the glorious and tragic battles of the 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas in the point of view of the Spartan soldier, Dilios, during the time Persian King Xerxes demands tribute and submission of all kingdoms. A Persian messenger heads to Sparta to relay the message. Outraged, Leonidas kicks the messenger down into the chasm alongside his men. Anticipating retaliation from Persia, Leonidas devices a battle plan he introduces to the priests who in turn consult the Oracle about it. The Oracle disapproves of the march against Persia but Leonidas dismisses this and prepares his men even without the council?s sanction. Thus marking the start of the many battles the stuck-up Spartans won mostly. Impressed by the Spartans? victories by far, Xerxes approaches Leonidas personally promising affluence and power if only Leonidas will bow down. At home, Leonidas? wife, Queen Gorgo, gathers support for Sparta to send reinforcements.

Frank Miller, growing up, first came across the Spartans when he saw ?300 Spartans,? a 1962 film by Rudolph Maté. His subsequent research brought him to the clashes between Xerxes and the Greeks. His graphic novel ?300? is mainly about the Battle of Thermopylae but adorned with fictitious events and creatures/characters saving him from disparagements on the precision of his depiction. The Persian King Xerxes is interestingly portrayed as an obscure individual with streamlined eye brows, longer nails, even wearing make-up different from what History books make us picture him. A manifestation some postulate of Miller?s being a homophobe.

Spartans here are depicted as the perfect warriors being very well-trained, fierce and fearless taught never to retreat nor surrender and dyed-in-the-wool to combat. Violence here is massive in the stylized battles. Heads, limbs cut off, bodies pierced by spears and raining arrows and blood squirting immeasurably are all shown unrestrictedly and excessively as if it won?t be at the mercy of censorship. It?s a helluva war movie. This is apparently all that Miller fans ever wanted it to be. Dragging scenes to facilitate character development would have been a bore especially for a movie like this anticipated to be all about quickly getting on with beheading, skivering, and bloodletting. But the movie, more than just a battle, talks about sacrifice. Leonidas and his men are doomed to fail from the start. Knowing his 300 men can?t overthrow the countless Persian army, he knows they?re on a suicide mission. Yet he presses on sentient himself of this foolish mission?s upshot? igniting and uniting the whole country.

A triumph, the movie is about giving the audience the chance to experience something different?the battles, the landscape, the feel. It is set to become a classic looking handsome a compilation of meticulously accomplished images joined together to create a film. I don?t know how much of the film has been faithful to Miller?s ?300? but it?s reminiscent of ?Sin City,? which is believed to really have been. This film with its excessive, never-before-seen, exquisite violence, aside from its noir-ish look, ear-breaching musical score and vainglorious, kick-ass turns of phrase, is a must-see. Yeah!

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Movie Review: Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Rating: 8.5/10
Directed by: Gabor Csupo
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 02/21/2007

Its advertising campaign may have misled many, necessitating moviegoers with excitement to catch it on its first day of showing hoping for a wild special effects fantasy film, yet the film doesn?t fail to blow them away. I, for one, am more-than-satisfied a misled moviegoer. Yes the film does feature gigantic monsters, magic and fairy tale might but only in small nips. It?s not all about enchantment as what it has been campaigned to be about but the expanse of one?s imagination and the mind?s possibility to process responsibility, love and grief. It may not be the film many anticipated it to be but its moving and compelling story makes them reconsider and have them glued on to their seats deeply appreciating this heartbreaking production in the end. The film effectuates a sense of warmth and good feeling.

Jesse is a middle school boy living with a financially struggling family and is coping with bullies at school. Considering all his other siblings are girls, he grows isolated not mingling with anybody even in school and just preoccupies himself with his artworks. Leslie, a new girl in school who defeats all the other boys in a supposed ?boys only? race, tries to befriend him but he shows no interest in her. Persistent, Leslie is able to draw him by offering a stick of gum. The two start hanging out together and eventually become best friends. This marks the start of them spending the time together venturing into the woods and eventually making a whole world?Terabithia.

The film doesn?t bank on special effects in raking appreciation but on developing characters that are definitely going to stay in the audience?s system long after the movie has ended. Compelling, the film has achieved developing two intelligent characters that will be remembered and loved. Impressive acting from a cast of youngsters is what bowled me over the most. Anna Sophia Robb gives Leslie a vibrant life giving a definite and sharp performance. Josh Hutcherson as Jesse is as always concentrated and focused. Bailee Madison as Jesse?s younger sister May Belle surprisingly amused me with her convincing performance, reminds me of Holden?s little sister Phoebe in ?Catcher in the Rye.? She?s definitely going a long way.

The film touched on Jesus and the Bible in one of the discussions these youngsters have. A number of people may dissent Leslie?s views on this sensitive topic but the film sides nobody anyway. This one scene, which others consider a flaw, just further establishes the recognition that these youngsters have a mind of their own.

This film shouldn?t be missed.

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Movie Review: Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Rating: 9.5/10
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 02/20/2007

Truly a break from a flood of conventional movies in the previous months, ?Pan?s Labyrinth? is refreshingly remarkable and impressive and is such an achievement in filmmaking, easily becoming one of my all time favorites.

In 1944 Spain, Ofelia is brought to a military outpost right in the middle of a forest to join her viciously violent army stepfather, the fascist Captain Vidal. Joining her is her feeble widowed mother now bearing the captain?s son. Faced with her stepfather?s cruel worldview, Ofelia recoils into a magical fairy tale introducing her to a world she is told was once her domain?she?s a princess. Now to reclaim her rightful throne, she must perform a series of daunting tasks that a crafty faun has convinced her to carry out. Hence, the film posts a dichotomy between reality and fantasy that?s aimed at illustrating the uplifting and comforting power of imagination, as well identifying real life?s monsters by confronting fascism in WWII-era Spain.

Children?s imaginations have always fascinated storytellers but rarely have the imaginings of a child been fused into inspiring and creepy perfection as with Guillermo del Toro?s ?Pan?s Labyrinth.? That is if we?re taking the happenings here as just a product of the imaginations of the 12-year old girl protagonist. The film creates confusion in the sense that it ends without clearly telling whether all the fantasy characters and events exist only in the imagination of Ofelia, or if she?s the only person aware of all of them. The confusion here is intentional and probably necessary. In the end, no matter how you want to believe things here unfurl, it is emotionally draining.

The clear-cut distinctions between reality and fantasy result to the audience following two sections that don?t interlock keeping them glued the more until the end. Beautifully shot, well written and very well acted, this film is one addition to a growing number of films by Mexican directors making movies that are unconventional thus starting a trend.

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Movie Review: Casino Royale (2006)
Rating: 8.5/10
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 11/27/2006

Early negativism and questioning reactions to starring Daniel Craig as the new Bond started to proliferate even before it was announced. Displeasure and disapproval to casting this blond as Bond were evident in various internet polls. In MSNBC?s Who Should Be the Next Bond Poll, Craig ranked the 7th getting 12 times less the votes of Pierce Brosnan. Oh well, until Bond was named. And the name is Craig, Daniel Craig. In protest, websites like Danielcraigisnotbond.com and the now disabled Craignotbond.com have openly been urging a boycott of the new Bond film. Even after the latest Bond film could be shown, negative reactions still lingered. Partly, blame can be put on Sony just ditching Brosnan who?s by the way rumored to have $41M asking price. Or maybe on the idea of many that Craig is just not good a Bond.

Indeed, Craig is NOT a good Bond. He?s a GREAT Bond! Best Bond since Timothy Dalton (of course that?s objectionable). More manly, we see a rugged Bond who is refreshingly not much relying on gadgets engaging on an excitingly rare hand-to-hand combat. You think you know Bond. Not until you see this reinvented Bond.

It?s back to the basics in Martin Campbell?s ?Casino Royale.? We are introduced to a Bond before he holds his license to kill and just elevated to the ?00? status. His first 007 mission brings him to Madagascar to spy on a terrorist Mollaka. As things don?t go as planned, Bond investigates on his own to track down the terrorists connected to Mollaka. He is led to the Bahamas encountering Dimitrios and his girlfriend, Solange. He realizes that Dimitrios is involved with Le Chiffre, financier of the world?s terrorist organizations. Intelligence reveals Le Chiffre plans to raise money through a poker game. Le Chiffre losing spells his organization?s letdown. Now Bond is assigned to play against him and so the fate of the world depends on this poker game.

Exploring the early career of 007, ?Casino Royale? offers a lot of top-notch action other Bonds sure couldn?t carry out. Craig?s James Bond is rough, dangerous, full of energy, swift and more real. He?s totally the Bond we wanted others to be but never were. And ultimately, this new Bond flick is a drama happening inside Bond explaining or justifying how he has become a womanizer as we all know him to be. There?s just no denying ?Casino Royale? gives new life to the Bond franchise clichéd in its previous offerings.

Maybe it?s time Daniel Craig?s detractors give up the hoo-ha. Coz hey let?s face it, he?s the ?best? Bond, James Bond.

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Movie Review: The Prestige (2006)
Rating: 9/10
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 11/05/2006

Just a few movies make you really think and leave you thinking even after the lights go up. ?The Prestige? is an intellectually ballsy movie that?s among them. Startlingly sharp, this movie will keep you guessing until the end and at some point, make you feel it?s too much for your brain to comprehend.

The onset justifies the growing bitter rivalry between the two apprentices of Cutter (Michael Caine) a magician who conceives, steals and modifies magic tricks but prefers to carry them out behind the scenes. Now performing magicians themselves, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) try to edge out each other by surmounting the other?s acts reaching to a point of sabotaging each other's performances. Robert, always outdone and driven by jealousy now witnessing Alfred?s most recent act he accedes to be the greatest magic trick he has ever seen, fritters some time discovering the mystery behind it. Still unsure how Alfred carries out this one trick, Robert is led to Nikolas Tesla?s (David Bowie) invention which easily spells success and recognition in his succeeding performances, ensnaring Alfred to a crime thus convicting him effectively and securing Alfred?s ?defeat?. Twice as cunning, Alfred realizes the design, gets away with the crime and emerges to be the true Prestige.

The story?s twists and turns enhanced by the astute storytelling technique keep your brain cells engaged. Dragging scenes accomplish effective character development fostering compelling storyline and characters which by the way are also portrayed very intensely and maturely. From being Wolverine, a big step up is evident in Hugh Jackman?s acting who this time around gives a standout performance. He and the rest of the cast carry out sneaky performances effectively revealing multiple faces furthering the illusion. Thanks also to its top notch director Christopher Nolan and his brother Jonathan Nolan who both have since ?Memento? provided evidence of their skillfulness.

A refreshing break from sequels, prequels and movies of recycled materials, ?The Prestige? is by far the best film this year.

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Movie Review: Crank (2006)
Rating: 6.5/10
Directed by: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 9/30/2006

It?s totally crazy, raw and stupid?that?s a good thing. This is one so unHollywood a Hollywood mayhem you?d wanna start a chaos inside the moviehouse in heart-pounding excitement. Swift, non-stop and wildly aggressive, ?Crank? sets a new standard for action movies (making others look so old). You?d never thought a movie that is pointless, and with no redeeming value can be well, so fun. It?s excessively unreasonable and stupid, and that?s the whole point of it. This is a rare in-your-face, over the top action that knows what it wants and knows how to get it done. Dementedly original!!

The ?Transporter? star Jason Statham plays the professional assassin Chev Chelios who wakes up realizing he has been injected with a high-tech poison, which a doctor later says should kill him within an hour. Not unless he keeps his adrenaline pumping. Thus off he goes to seek for revenge on Ricky Verona (Jose Pablo Cantillo) who admits injecting the poison onto Chev while seeking for ways (making out in public included) on how to keep his blood pressure from going down.

It?s the breakneck editing that makes the ride so engaging. Its brutal turbulence and foul language make it a perfect movie for anybody who has just undergone detox, a dating couple, priests and nuns, and children below 13. Daym, I?m just kidding.

What?s so beyond me, Lion?s Gate didn?t seem to have promoted this movie at all.

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Movie Review: Cavite (2006)
Rating: 7/10
Directed by: Ian Gamazon, Neill dela Llana
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 8/31/2006

This review appears in the December 2006 Issue of Our Own Voice.Click here.

In a movie that took just 10 days to make and with just roughly a $7,000 budget, one would think there's not much to anticipate. But with creativity and an inventive idea, this movie takes micro financed filmmaking to the next level. Only Blair Witch Project (1999) thus far, pulled off a similar feat under similar circumstances. With the advent of digital technology, filmmaking becomes more and more accessible even to newcomers, Ian Gamazon and Neill dela Llana. A perfect blueprint for filmmaker hopefuls who don't have the means and armed only with an idea, Cavite is bold, cunning and develops into a convincing thriller.

A movie that will keep foreign tourists away from Cavite?or worse, the Philippines as a whole?Cavite is more than just a political thriller. It exposes the deteriorating outskirts of Metro Manila, and projects its, thus vindicating what critic Claire Danes wrote about Manila; a piece that earned her a persona non grata status. Though some shocking claims in the movie about the country are exaggerated and inaccurate, disturbing scenes reveal realities that undeniably exist. Filipinos are either unaware or apathetic to the point of ignorance.

Adam (Gamazon) works at a San Diego Harbor as a Security Guard, which allows him an inordinate time for video games and a sure fire way to grow a noticeable paunch. His mother calls from the Philippines with the news that his father has been killed in a bus bombing. His girlfriend in the meantime has decided to have an abortion, informing him only after the fact. Bombarded by bad news, Adam flies home to attend his father's funeral. He arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and is waiting to be picked up. When a cell phone rings, an Abu Sayyaf member on the other line informs him that his family has been kidnapped by their group. Now Adam is forced to follow their instructions or his family will be killed.

On a public jeepney, as instructed, Adam is led down the streets of Cavite City . He is introduced to the populated city slums where the toilet is just mostly anywhere, solid wastes float alongside children swimming in swamps, children ready to sell themselves for prostitution abound, and extreme poverty is sweeping. On foot, Adam is tested in ways both silly and horrendous as to how far he will go to save his family. He later learns that the whole misfortune is to a certain extent linked to a vendetta for an act his father committed years back. In the end, Adam is made to do something he'll never forget.

The movie illustrates how severe extremist rebels can be and how far they can go just to see their plans carried out. The movie both rationalizes and criticizes terrorism in the country. The film exposes the decades old rationale, " Mindanao belongs to the Muslims" to support terrorist tactics legitimizing a call for Jihad (Holy War in defense of the Islamic faith). A lapsed Muslim himself, Adam counters with an interesting definition of Jihad: "I struggle everyday of my life to better myself. That's Jihad, not the way you do it."

The retelling of the many atrocities committed on the Muslim people in Mindanao by the military and the lack of government reforms maintains interest in the film's narrative. Without taking sides, the movie in the end shows Adam's girlfriend Dana (Dominique Gonzalez) explaining her reasons for ending her pregnancyt: "I panicked when I found out I was pregnant. You know, I'm ashamed for saying this and I'm even ashamed for thinking this, but I can't have a baby that's Muslim. I never thought I'd have to say that but I can't help the way I feel."

The film's flaws are evident; the filmmakers' budgetary constraints notwithstanding. The script's lapses in the grammatical use of Tagalog is irksome. For a Filipino moviegoer, listening to a speaker's intonation and unacceptable accent can be an uncomfortable viewing experience. Errors in translations show up in the English subtitles. But all these are barely discernible to most viewers of foreign films and can even be dismissed if one thinks about what this movie has accomplished: an exposé of the country's ills via a terrorist vendetta plot.

Though already seen in various horror films, Cavite 's edgy camerawork with no known focus is fitting, thus notable, enhancing the distress suggested by the situation. Gamazon, as Adam, the protagonist, somehow scores an almost convincing portrayal of a victim terrorized by fear and the unknown. Add to that the raw third world setting, which elevates the audience's dread of the unknown. Whatever message the filmmakers wish to impart to their audience, it is channeled tactfully, and avoids the temptation to being preachy.

This review appears in the December 2006 Issue of Our Own Voice.Click here.



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TV Series Review: Prison Break (Season 1)
Rating: 9/10
Directed by: Kevin Hooks, Brett Ratner, Michael Watkins
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 8/21/2006

Originally planned for just a 13-episode run, Prison Break was extended to 22 episodes stretching it to a full season run. The undeniable popularity propelled Fox to do so. A break from cheesy and mediocre TV shows and series flooding the boob tube lately, Prison Break is a gem that really stands out. Though seems to have just borrowed the plots of Alexander Dumas? Count of Monte Cristo and Stephen King?s Shawshank Redemption combined, Prison Break is still very addictive, engaging, and engrossing.

Intelligent and well written, every episode carries importance revealing stimulating pieces to solve the beguiling puzzle of who really murdered the brother of the Vice President of the United States. Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) is accused of this murder and was sentenced to death and is now waiting at Fox River prison facility for his execution. Though with the evidence all pointing to him as blameworthy, Linc (as he is called) asserts he never committed the crime and maintains that the evidence was planted. Convinced by this, the structural engineer Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), Linc?s brother who goes by his middle name as his last name, staged a bank robbery pleading guilty eventually knowing he?d be put to the same prison facility. He earlier designed an escape having tattooed his entire body with the structural design and details about the facility determined to salvage his brother from the anticipated execution.

As Fish?s (Michael Scofield is referred to as) plan step by step unfurls, more and more inmates dig the scheme, thus more and more enlist themselves seen sometimes to pose as a threat to the success of breaking out. Meanwhile, the brothers? childhood friend now a lawyer Veronica Donovan (Robin Tunney) works outside to unravel the mystery behind the murder as she herself is eventually convinced of Linc?s innocence. Season one ends with the realization of the plan and a teasing revelation of the conspiracy behind Linc?s conviction. This storyline has been exploited many times but has always been refreshing and gripping even though only slight deviations have been employed on some. Though far-fetch, the storyline is made persuasive by the weaving subplots that integrate some real life drama carried out by first-rate writing.

Part of the success of the series can be attributed to the compelling performances of its cast. Wentworth Miller is convincing as the confident, composed, clearheaded, and sometimes masterly Michael Scofield. John Doe star, Dominic Purcell takes on Lincoln Burrows acting out enigma, despair and elation with ripeness. Robin Tunney as Veronica Donovan is immersed bringing about a sincere performance and so are most of the rest of the cast members.

The musical score stirs up memories of Shawshank Redemption?s musical scoring composed and imagined perfectly and prudently to complement the emotions of the different scenes.

Receiving a number of citations from different award giving bodies and brandishing a growing viewership the world over, Prison Break Season 1 has spawned a follow-up (Season 2) which premieres August 21, 2006 in the US. Local channel Crime/Suspense currently airs Season 1 episodes back-to-back.

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Movie Review: The Ant Bully (2006)
Rating: 6/10
Directed by: John A. Davis
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 8/7/2006

A genre only Disney seemed to have an interest in years back now seems to be a bee in everyone else?s bonnet as well. A report says 30-40% of the films released and to be released this year will be family-oriented. In effect, you?ll see more kids disturbing your watching on weekends. This year?s nth movie of this genre and the nth movie as well released with a technique Pixar pioneered, The Ant Bully is another movie you?ll be watching together with kids you don?t know bursting in laughter here and there even on scenes that don?t seem funny at all. Well, for movies like this, they?re the target market after all.

The shortest full-length animation this year with just 90mins running time, The Ant Bully is just another cartoon movie with not much inventiveness to offer. The ants you see in this film call to mind Antz (1998), to which some of them might have starred in already. You see, they just look alike. The theme is close to that of Over The Hedge?s (2006) with a similar setting and coincidentally, a similar villainous exterminator. As it?s based on a children?s book by John Nickle which I haven?t read, we can only speculate how much of the idea was original. Well, you be the judge.

The movie tells the story of Lucas, a bullied geeky youngster. His bully is bigger than he is so in turn he can?t retaliate. He turns his frustration on creatures smaller than him?ants?causing a big disorder in their colony. The Ant Wizard Zoc (voiced by Cage) in the meantime comes up with a potion to make Lucas shrink to their size so they could eat him. A terrible flood in the colony pushes Zoc to continue on with his plans. Lucas is now brought to the ant tribunal for his trial. The wise Ant Queen decides to make Lucas live with the ants and become an ant himself. Hova (voiced by Roberts) volunteers to oversee Lucas. This marks Lucas living the life of an ant and eventually thinking the way ants do.

Its storyline and script still inferior to that of any Pixar (still to beat) movies, the movie boasts on a message that attempts to preach the whole world touching on Karl Marx's ideas criticizing conformity, selfishness and pushing on teamwork without neglecting individualism and specialization. It also poses a political message. The Head of the Ant Council laments: "To attack without provocation, without reason, because they can?it's barbaric."

Gone are the days when voice talents audition for the role. Now we have roles appointed to the stellar voice talents. At least for productions outside Pixar. As a result, not so compelling voices deliver the lines. Take the case of Nicholas Cage taking on Zoc and that of Julia Roberts? taking on Hova. They were dreary and at times, bland. The majestically dull delivery of lines of Meryl Streep as The Queen could be easily done by just anyone her age (almost). Anyway, they weren?t really paid for their voices, but more for their names. Nevertheless, the casting agent actually scored big in choosing Bruce Campbell to voice Fugax, a haughty hunter ant. In him is where the movie really comes to life. By far only Pixar and old school Disney are best at casting who (not Who) as who.

Not to be denied though, animation was top-notch being crisp, visually fascinating and engaging. It sure wasn?t cheap. But this does little in making this movie really memorable and moving it out of the norm of "Just Another Cartoon Movie."

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Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Rating: 6/10
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Reviewed By: Jonathan O. Susvilla
Posted 7/14/2006

Exhibiting the most impressive opening turnout thus far (despite the PG-13 rating in the US), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man?s Chest proves to be more entertaining than the prequel yet lacks zest. Indeed it?s funny. To people who don?t want to think, that is. Capt. Jack Sparrow?s character, which drew on an Oscar nomination for Johnny Depp in the first installment, is rather hideous than adorable. Keira Knightley, Oscar nominee for pulling off an impressive acting in Pride and Prejudice, this time shows off more of her cleavage than her acting prowess. Orlando Bloom is confused if he?s doing comedy or drama. Everyone seems to be just toying with their roles?oh well, it?s comedy after all?except for Billy Nighy who takes on Davy Jones (well, thanks to CGI) and Naomie Harris as the Voodoo Priestess.

The movie picks up exactly where the first installment left off. Initially a bit incomprehensible (which is good), the script later deteriorates as obviously the creativity of the writers saturates. The movie?s late parts resort to slapstick scenes stretching the movie to 2 hours and a half ending with a cliffhanger?their way of telling you are necessitated to watch the final installment but you have to wait for a year. Some scenes are just replications of the first one. And oh, Mackenzie Crook?s character (Ragetti) with an eyeball that literally pops out, truly that?s funny. But I?ve already seen that in Hercules (The Fates).

Noteworthy are the special effects, the best since LOTR. You see Davy Jones acting even though you don?t see Bill Nighy?s face at all. Jones? crew, a bunch of pirates sworn to lifelong servitude, appear rather interesting than scary?that?s a good thing. The giant octopus called the ?Kraken? isn?t that impressive though. Anaconda is more scary and believable.

Just a few including Jerry Bruckheimer was seeing a movie based on a Disneyland attraction/ride can turn out HUGE. Now we have this sequel which is even bigger?at least in the box office. And there?s one more they?re helming to be shown next year. Are you watching the third installment? I am, just for the heck of it.

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