Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Back to Narnia

I came across this in Yahoo when I was browsing through the 2008 most anticipated movie list. What a coincidence since I am currently reading this book in the Chronicles of Narnia. This I think is the most appropriate movie to make after "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" because this story happened only after a year since the return of the 4 Pevensie children to England. The synopsis from Yahoo! movie page goes as follows:

One year later, the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1,300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct and Narnia has been conquered by the Telmarines and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy. The four children will soon meet a curious new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding, as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. With the help of the kindly dwarf, a courageous talking mouse named Reepicheep, a badger named Trufflehunter and a Black Dwarf, Nikabrik, the Narnians--led by the mighty knights Peter and Caspian--embark on a remarkable journey to find Aslan, rescue Narnia from Miraz's tyrannical hold, and restore magic and glory to the land.

I am so excited to see this movie. The 4 children are still played by the same actors (a little grown) and they added a very dreamy actor by the name of Ben Barnes to play Prince Caspian. And might I add that Peter Pevensie is becoming quite a dreamy lad himself. This movie is set to be release in May 16, 2008 directed by Andrew Adamson. To see the trailer, click here.

Another picture of Prince Caspian (played by Ben Barnes).

Isn't he dreamy? Although I think he needs a military haircut to complete the dream (fantasy).


(pics above taken from yahoo movie page)

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Sweeney Todd


Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a broadway Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim that first hit the stage in 1979. This was recently transformed by Director Tim Burton into a movie which is nominated for several Golden Globe awards. Johnny Depp portrayed Todd while Helena Bonham Carter portrayed Mrs. Lovett. Let me start off by saying that I really like this movie a lot. A bit gory but in a non gruesome kind of way. Throat slitting and blood gushing was definitely shown but in a way that was necessary in the story. The story is about Todd returning to London seeking revenge on Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman aka Professor Snape) for falsely jailing him many years prior to get to his wife. Upon Todd's return, he sets up lodging and a barber shop upstairs of Mrs. Lovett who recognizes him and had this unrequited love for him. Todd killed several men and the bodies were served on Mrs. Lovett's Meat pie shop. He was able to eventually kill Judge Turpin and was killed himself in the end. In the process, he killed his wife who was still alive but crazy and Mrs. Lovett for insinuating that his wife died. Such a tragedy!!!

The flow of the story was effortless, the acting was superb, the costume becoming of the characters and the singing was good considering that Depp and Carter are not singers. But the younger cast members sang quite wonderfully. Specially Johanna (Jayne Wisener) and Tobias (Ed Sanders). Of all the cast members, I think Carter had the weakest voice.
This my friend, is a must see movie specially for the broadway enthusiast. And please, let us give Depp that Golden Globe and Academy that he so deserve.

(picture above taken from Yahoo movie page)

Saturday, December 08, 2007

China

THESE ARE SOME PICS I HAVE TAKEN FROM MY RECENT TRIP TO CHINA WITH MY MOTHER.

A FAIR PROSPECT OF THE ORIENTAL PEARL OF TV & RADIO TOWER IN SHANGHAI FROM THE "BUND". THE BUILDINGS AROUND THE TOWER WERE JUST BUILT WITHIN THE LAST 10-15 YEARS. THE "BUND" IS THE AREA ALONG THE RIVER WHERE WESTERN BUSINESSES AND BUILDINGS WHERE FIRST ESTABLISHED.


A WONDERFUL SHOT INSIDE THE REED FLUTE CAVE IN GUILIN. IT IS BLUISH CAUSE THEY PUT IN BLUE LIGHTING FOR EFFECT.


THIS IS WHAT I AMUSINGLY REFER TO AS THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE VENETIAN GONDOLIER. THIS WAS TAKEN ALONG LIJIANG RIVER IN GUILIN.


MAGNIFICENT PEAKS IN GUILIN. THESE MOUNTAINS ARE THE RESULT OF MILLIONS OF YEARS EROSION.


TERRACOTTA SOLDIERS AND HORSES OUTSIDE OF XIAN. THERE ARE STILL A LOT LEFT UN-DUG AND UN-RESTORED AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE BACK. THE SOLDIERS AND HORSES WERE IN COLORS WHEN THEY FIRST WERE DUG BY ARCHEOLOGIST IN THE 70'S . NOW EXPOSURE TO LIGHT HAS FADED THE COLORS.


A VIEW ON TOP OF THE ANCIENT CITY WALL IN XIAN. BUILDINGS TO THE RIGHT ARE OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY AND CAN BE AS TALL AS THEY WANT TO BE BUT STRUCTURES TO THE LEFT NEEDS TO BE SHORTER THAN THE WALL. THEY WANT TO PRESERVE THE TRADITION OF THE CITY WALL BEING THE TALLEST STRUCTURE AS IT WAS IN ANCIENT TIMES. XIAN WAS THE CAPITAL OF THE EARLIER DYNASTIES AND IS LOCATED SOMEWHAT IN THE MIDDLE OF CHINA.


ONE OF THE INNER BUILDINGS AND COURTYARD INSIDE THE FORBIDDEN CITY. PERHAPS THE RESIDENCE OF THE EMPRESS DOWAGER? :-) I DON'T KNOW.


TEMPLE OF HEAVEN IN BEIJING. ONLY THE EMPEROR PRAYED/MEDITATED HERE IN ANCIENT TIMES.


IN FRONT OF THE TIANANMEN SQUARE IN BEIJING. "TIANANMEN" MEANS THE PEACEFUL HEAVEN'S DOOR.


GREAT WALL OF CHINA. NO EXPLANATIONS NEEDED HERE. CAN YOU SPOT MY MOTHER???