MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: A matter of 'interesting' dialogues

About a month ago, my partner required me to see the latest Woody Allen offering, Midnight in Paris.  He said, “It is theeeeeeee best movie of its genre in the last 10 years!” A few days later, when he asked whether I'd seen the film – !to which the answer was negative, of course - he exclaimed, “It is an absolute deeeelight, Darling! I'm telling you! It's a MUST-seeeeeee!” Enthusiasm still freshly brewed, I thought. It must be pretty special.

Now my brush-off did not mean that I was not at all intrigued. Words are, to this couple, as holding-hands is to most, and the last three years has been about learning to take his comments in stride. During countless occasions through-out our relationship, I have been, perpetually, a victim of rich sarcasms and saucy superlatives. So, call it a tact to build up the suspense towards the thrilling and lengthy discourse after the fact, or the inevitable moral debate – for whilst both conscious of our similarity in tastes and views on most relevant subject matters, my partner is a prodigal follower of his own faith.

Midnight in Paris turned out to be not a matter of discussion or quotes, however, but a matter of dialogues. As true as our inclinations lean towards the artistic, I gather my limited technical knowledge of the arts will not give justice to the surprising juxtapositions in the plot, that writing a review would simply be pretentious and unconvincing. Furthermore, I have no wish to be branded as one who blasphemes against Ernest, Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali, and all of the 1920's iconic players. And to say that it is an intelligently thought-of screenplay would further defeat the writers graceful and insightful tone.

Coffee friends at CBTL

My best friends and I met at a coffee shop in college.  And every time I remember the incident, I can't help but smile at the strong-coffee-for-strong-girl conversation that ensued shortly after.

Kai's always had her OVERSIZED cup straight up:  Long Black with NO room for milk,while, Betina's choice was always with cream and sugar.

Fifteen years later, we still meet at coffee shops, take our coffees the same way, as we keep track of each other's changes.

Exceptionally Homely at the Grand Prix Hotel and Suites Manila

One most singular trait of Filipinos, based locally or abroad, is their having close ties with their families.  Sprung from the matriarchal (patriarchal?) concept of society, handed from one generation to another since the time of Lapu-lapu; of Rizal, Bonifacio and Aguinaldo; of Ninoy, Cory and Noynoy;  culturally,  is as convenient in its economy as the tabo (dipper) in the bathroom, or the kwek-kwek  lined up beside the Baclaran Church every Wednesday.  The Gran Prix Hotels and ResortsGrnad Prix Hotels and Suites currently sprouting branches in the busiest cities in the country - particularly in Pasay, Manila, Cubao, Tarlac, Cebu and Boracay - noticeably treasures the Filipino's valuation of hospitality. 

They invited 12 bloggers, for an overnight party, at the Gran Prix Hotel and Suites, Manila on May 7, 2011, through Orange Magazine TV. Located along Mabini Street in Ermita, the low-rise Tesoro building bespoke with the rest of the city about its faintly echoing ancestry – with a quaintness depicting the period after WWII had broken loose whilst women had not.

Upon my late entrance, the receptionist, donned in a simply cut tailored suit, her hair tied up in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, flashed a coquettish smile, unmistakably an epitome of my ate (elder sister), as she extended her hand in a manner graceful as a ballerina to direct me to the elevator. Sixth floor she said. I could choose who to room with at the sixth floor, I recall her gentle instructions. I was the 9^th guest to arrive and was given a Superior Room with the fabulous Alex Dizon.

Although I found the amenities of Gran Prix Hotel and Suites Manila to have the grace of comfort well thought of, it was not until after dinner that I recognized its priceless well-meaning.

The FAST5 Experience of the IMAX Virgin

Rio, an exotic paradise rich in culture and drug lords, one that rapes its splendor from inside itself- that is how it was shown in the story – is the setting of FAST5. The fifth installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, the movie is about a team of American car thieves' cleverly pulling a $100M​+ job, while on the run from US authorities, against one of the most exceptionally corrupt businessmen in Brazil.

Incidentally, a friend was invited by Solar Entertainment to a special screening of FAST5 Rio Heist, set on May 2, 2011 at the IMAX theatre in SM Mall of Asia. Fortunately, we happened to talk a week prior in which it was mentioned that the invite included a “+1”. Proudly admitting of being an IMAX virgin, it definitely was not accidental that the “+1” privilege was awarded to me.

Now, Fast and Furious had always satisfied the audience with sexy cars, exciting road stunts and exhilarating chases; testosterone induced, muscles clenched bashing sequences; and, of course, unpredictable twists in the plot injected with more than a small dose of humor, romance and irony . FAST5 Rio Heist is greatly telling in this way, leaving the audience wanting more and looking forward to the next Fast and Furious episode.