Suits. Episode 12: "Dog Fight"

Question: How do you do a proper season finale?
Answer: Cliffhangers.

Yeah, baby. Cliffhangers. So there was a cliffhanger last episode, about the innocent guy who went to prison. This is the continuation of that.

I must say that the innocent guy subplot was rather interesting, but, in my opinion, not as well-written as I hoped it would be. It would've been cool if it was sort of like C.S.I., except from the attorney's point of view. The writing wasn't terrible, though. Just weak. And to think it was written by Aaron Korsh, the show's creator.

Plus the prosecutor looks like Forrest Whitaker.

Mike Ross, clearly all that photographic memory shit in your head has damaged your eyesight. Assuming they're both naked, no man with 20/20 vision would choose Jenny over Rachel. No, I'm just exaggerating. But still, I would choose Rachel any day. But you chose Jenny. And now look what it's done. All this sneaking-behind-your-best-friend stuff will never amount to anything.

You can see by his face that he clearly isn't happy.

Harvey Specter, you were great. As usual. Because you are too damn good-looking. You make us mere mortal men butt-ugly in comparison. Your face in itself is porn. It's a wonder where Donna got the strength to resist you.

And really, will you please explain the can opener joke next season?

PS. Dear USA Network: You know that thing at the beginning, which goes like, "Previously on Suits"? Drop it. Please.



*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC

Suits. Episode 11: "Rules of the Game"

Not one of the better episodes of Suits. This one was a bit... meh.

This episode didn't have one of the stories fleshed out as much as I would've wanted to. See, there's usually two stories for every episode, like one is Harvey's and the other is Mike's. And usually, both stories are fleshed out all right. Not this time, though.

The two stories in this episode are: 1) Harvey's Harvey, or his mentor, the District Attorney of New York;

"I look like an old douche."

and 2) the two sisters battling over their father's will.

Sister 1: "Bitch."
Sister 2: "Bitch."

Now some people might say, "But the second story's not about the sisters, it's about Louis and Harvey and the rules of the game, hence the title." Yeah, that may be true. But the previous episodes were also about Louis and Harvey, and yet the cases were fleshed out just fine.

Anyway, there seems to be a mini-cliffhanger for next week's episode, which also happens to be the season finale. Still, I don't think it's right to compromise a subplot for a cliffhanger. But that's just me.

And on a final note, that other attorney, Alexandra Leeds, is kinda hot.

Though she does look a bit mannish.

*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC

Cars 2. 3D

A lot of people don't like Cars 2. In the Rotten Tomatoes website, it's the Pixar film with the lowest rating. And I really don't understand the reason why, when it had:

1. Fast cars.
Three races. Japan, Italy, and England. That in itself is worth watching. Remember the first film of the Star Wars prequels, The Phantom Menace? The podrace sequence was the only scene worth watching.

'Cept for this face.

2. Three countries, three race tracks.
It's great to see Japan, Italy, and England, through the eyes of motorized vehicles. Japan is particularly colorful. Especially their toilets.

Psychedelic.

3. British spies.
And one voiced by Michael Caine. Named Finn McMissile. Not too James Bond-y, but a good name, nevertheless. And also, the hot female spy. I am ashamed to admit that I have a crush on a car. What?

Yup, that's her.

4. Great action sequences.
And I'm not talking about the race scenes. I'm talking about the spy action sequences. From the opening sequence itslef at the oil platforms, you know this'll be a super spy movie.

Just one of many action sequences.

5. Other vehicles aside from cars.
Now they have ships. Yes, that's "ships" as in "naval vessels". And also, jets. As in high-flying, supersonic, spy jets.

Ain't that the cutest little tugboat you've ever seen?

Ain't that the cutest little airplane you've ever seen?

Ain't that the cutest little choo-choo train you've ever seen?
Wait, that's a bullet train.

6. Feel-good themes.
... of friendship, particularly between McQueen and Mater (just realized that "Tow Mater" is a play on "tomato").

BFFs forever.

Now I think what Pixar fans are looking for is that heart-melting moment characteristic of previous Pixar films. Like Up, where you had something like, "Aaaww, look at that rotten old man with that cute kid." Or like Toy Story 3, where as I remember, I cried like a little kid. Nope, this movie doesn't have heart-melting moments on that level. But so did Toy Story 2. And A Bug's Life. And The Incredibles, which had just as many action sequences as Cars 2. But no one complained, right? So don't take it against Pixar for failing to tug at your heartstrings. Pixar is under no obligation to remain a cheesy feel-good animation company forever. In fact, they could very well choose to go another direction, and make more adult-oriented action films. That should silence all those cheesy critics who don't want Pixar to grow up.


Cars 2. USA. 2011.


Rating: Seven out of ten.



*some info from IMDb
pics from Wordpress, Can't Stop the Movies, Nerd Reactor, Blogger, Slant Magazine, Zap2It, and All Movie Photo here and here

Temple Grandin

Not another tearjerker movie.

I have heard of this movie since the awards season early this year. I thought it’d be loaded heavy drama, and I don’t like the idea of treating myself to a crying-fest even though it has the trophies to prove its worth. But I happily obliged myself to attend a private screening. It is, after all, an HBO award-winning original movie.

"That alone is enough reason to watch me."

Temple Grandin is the inspiring story of, well, Temple Grandin (Claire Danes), an American doctor of Animal Science and a person with high-functioning autism. That’s basically it. Just Google her watch the movie—less drama, more awe, a bit of tears, and lots of laughs.

It's a biopic, if you haven't figured that out yet. (Grandin and Danes)

I have to say I don’t like Danes very much, but for an actor to disappear onscreen and for the audience to see only the character is a feat not all actors can achieve—she did. Temple is a great (read: challenging) character to play, and you just can't help but admire her and the people who supported her. Meaning to say, the supporting cast also made waves, all of them worthy of note:

Julia Ormond as Temple's mother...

Catherine O'Hara as her aunt Ann...

And David Strathairm as her teacher/mentor.

The applause for the credit of making this movie a delight to watch goes to its director Mick Jackson. As an audience, to gain an insight to how Temple thinks in pictures and sees the real world, that was the significant element worthy of the praise and two hours of your viewing time. And I'm not just saying this (or writing this review) because she's "special".


Temple Grandin gets a seven out of ten, for equals parts visual creativity, brilliant acting, and that heartwarming element.



*photos from feelguide.com, tvguide.com, hbo.com, and Colorado State University: Behind the Scenes


**Catch Temple Grandin on HBO Asia premiering on September 2, 10pm.

***Special thanks to the Autism Society Philippines and HBO Asia for the private screening held at Quality Life Discoveries.

Suits. Episode 10: "The Shelf Life"

Okay, Mike Ross. Stop empathizing. We're already in the tenth episode. You should already know that the legal profession is the most rotten profession in the world. Stop being soft.

"I'm not being soft. I'm being nice."

Also, lie low. Stop attending Harvard events. This'll be your undoing.

Spot the poser.

Finally! The Mike Ross and Rachel Zane kissing scene. I've been waiting for this since the first episode. God. This better not be the last. I hope you guys have sex next episode.

Yeah baby.

*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC

Super 8

Super 8 is the new Goonies. And it's not just because of the kids. The entire movie has the same Goonies feel. The entire film is actually an homage to Steven Spielberg's eighties flicks, specifically Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Goonies.

That yellow jacket on the fat guy is definitely a Goonies nod.

When I saw this, I had no idea what it was about. Well, I had some idea.

1. It was directed by J. J. Abrams. 
Not just directed. Written and directed. I've never seen an episode of Fringe. But I have seen Star Trek, and I liked it. But after watching Super 8, Abrams now joins my list of "Directors I Would Watch With No Questions Asked". Yes, Abrams might be guilty of excessive use of lens flares, but you'll get used to it. It doesn't diminish the beauty of his images in any way. Just try to think of it as Abram's own personal watermark. Lens flares are his signature move, anyway.

"Problem?"

2. There was a train crash.
Yes, the train crash was the sort of centerpiece of the story. Everything revolved around it. The explosions might have been a bit excessive. But then again, I've never seen a train crash in my life.


And these were the things I did not know about:

1. It had a love story. 
Yes, that's right. A love story. One that had me giggling like a schoolboy. Elle Fanning is pretty. And for the record, she looks nothing like her sister Dakota.

I still don't know who's prettier, though.

2. It was produced by Steven Spielberg. 
And I'm not sure if the Goonies tribute was an ass-kissing move by Abrams as a thank-you to Spielberg for producing this film. But I think Steven's hand in the production is a sign that this guy Abrams is a great storyteller. Oh, wait. Spielberg also produced all the Transformers flicks. And I don't think it's because he thinks Michael Bay is a great storyteller.

"My multi-million dollar bank account says otherwise."

3. This is the best movie I've seen this year. So far.
I pride myself in having good cinematic taste, and I can say with conviction that Super 8 is one of the best original movies to come out of 2011. But the year isn't over yet, so we shall have to wait and find out. And maybe, if it weren't too sci-fi and alien-y, this should get a nod for a Best Picture Academy Award.


Super 8. USA. 2011.


Rating: Eight and a half out of ten.
Feeling like a schoolboy with a crush: Eight out of ten.



*some info from IMDb
pics from Cinema Knife Fight, All Movie Photo, and Odd Films



You may also want to read this review as remixed by Siege Malvar.

Ang Lalake sa Skeptic Tank

I've been meaning to write a review of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, but I was too busy banging myself with a spoon to actually bother spending more of my time on it than I already had watching it. The only reason I'm blogging about it now is because my boss is here and I have nothing to do, so I must act like I'm busy. Might as well write a no-brainer. Writing this review is moot and academic. I know I wouldn't be saving any of your time having either seen it or the movie's run is finally over by the time this comes out.

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is the movie adaptation of a really snarky blog entry. Or what should have been just a really snarky blog entry somehow managed to find enough producers to turn it into a sustained digital narrative. Great premise, fun idea. BUT STILL, NO STORY, NO INSIGHT.

The movie follows three characters as they suffer through pre-production of their "indie movie". Understandably, those who haven't had the experience of suffering through a pre-prod meeting finds this cute, and endearing in their "I'm a hipster, I have a Tumblr, that makes me an authority of style and good taste" way. But those of us who actually have to suffer through pre-prod meetings just got bored. So, yeah, you run through a scene several times in your head, you discuss the idea with the rest of the team, you imagine how the project would go if you consider other casting options, minor re-writes, major revisions, etc. The movie rambled on and on about it, and we forgive it because it's cute, it's endearing. It's shallow, it's snarky, but so what? Eugene Domingo is in it.

Which is the only thing good about this movie: Eugene Domingo. Eugene Domingo managed to turn herself into a character without turning into a caricature. The only reason why people sat through this movie long enough to finish it is to see what craziness Ms. Eugene Domingo will inflict on the audience next. This is a Eugene Domingo movie through and through, and she deserves to have a baby in Africa crated to the Philippines for her to adopt.

Otherwise, the movie is just an over-hyped affair that showcased its best scenes in the trailer. It lacks a plot, the two major characters are indistinguishable, and the jokes are too in-jokey to be effective. We get it, poverty is being depicted in a sick, pornographic way in cinemas. But do you really need to make a movie for that? And if so, now that you've made one, how did you make a difference? Yes, yes, we get the joke; we get the snarky reference to TROPES. Dammit, do you think we don't read TVtropes.org?

Ultimately, good cinema is good storytelling. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank is an example of a good telling, thanks to Ms. Eugene Domingo's brilliant comedic talent. Period. No story here, sorry. Unless you're willing to wade through shit just to prove it has one.

[Edit] As Sting Lacson requested for me to include pictures in this review, I have this instead. It's Ms. Eugene Domingo greeting me a happy birthday:

Suits. Episode 9: "Undefeated"

The cancer case. Emerson Petroleum v. Employees and Alumni of Apple Creek High School. But it's more than just that, really. It's Harvey Specter v. Travis Tanner. And in case you didn't know, the one with Michael Jordan on his speed dial wins.

Also, the one with the best hair.

And the other story in this episode: someone leaked a witness list to a rival firm. Turns out to be Rachel. Who was framed up. By Louis. Only it wasn't Louis Litt.

Three guesses as to who it was. 

So Specter gets a settlement for $2M a plaintiff, Travis Tanner flies his shit-eating grin back to Boston, and Rachel Zane gets re-hired... with a raise.

Plus an apology from Louis Litt.

And the pop culture reference for this episode: Terminator.

"Sarah Connor?"

*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC

Suits. Episode 8: "Identity Crisis"

This episode involves embezzlement. More specifically, embezzling funds from Stable Shelters, a sort of Habitat for Humanity kind of foundation. Which is headed by a girl who looks like Oprah Winfrey.

Nope, that's not her.

Louis Litt kills a witness. Not really directly. But he could still be considered the cause of death.

Nope, she's not the witness who died.

And now we go to the better part of the story. The story of Mildred Wisnewski Lola Jensen. And her father, of course. But who cares about a father who looks like a young Colonel Sanders?

Good thing she didn't inherit Colonel Sanders's beard.

So Lola is played by the beautiful Amanda Crew. Don't let the photos fool you, though. She's less girl-next-door and more girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo. Again, the pop culture references. I love it.

I also love her eyeliner.

And it's not just in reference to her eyeliner, either. She's really good with computers. So good that Harvey and Mike brought her into the embezzling case, to hack into bank accounts in Liechtenstein.

Because like Lisbeth Salander, she is really, really good with computers.

So good, in fact, that she managed to get Mike Ross into the Harvard Law School alumni database. Complete with an authentic diploma.

I also want a Harvard diploma. Just for the Latin text.

But of course, I don't want to end this post with a picture of a Harvard Law School diploma. So let's end it with a picture of Amanda Crew. One last time. And I hope she makes another appearance in a subsequent episode.

God. The smile.

*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC

Suits. Episode 7: "Play the Man"

Mock trial. Lesson learned: a good lawyer does not go to trial. He settles the case before you even get there. And also, Donna is a great actress. She doesn't play a role; she embodies.

She can do Demi Moore tears.

And you must be Harvey's old squeeze. Yes, that's a line from the Joker.

She's hot, but a bit skinny.

The alternate title of this episode should be "Everybody Gets Laid".

Lawyers...

...and non-lawyers alike.

*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC