Because We Love Free Movies...

...we're doing this.

Nuffnang and Hapee Toothpaste will be holding a surprise movie screening this Friday. To win two invites, we have to do two things:

1. write a blog entry about what makes both Nuffnang and Hapee first-class; and
2. attach the badge provided at the end of the writeup

Allrighteythen. Let's do this.


1. What Makes Both Nuffnang and Hapee First-Class

Let's do Nuffnang first.

No Laos or Myanmar = First Class

American Icons: Randy Savage

Those who are old enough will remember "Macho Man" Randy Savage as part of the wrestling triumvirate of the eighties along with Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior. He also introduced most of us to the musical piece "Pomp and Circumstance" (a.k.a. the "Trio" section of March No. 1 in D). You will never know the feeling of being a genuine eighties kid until you've marched at your grade school graduation thinking you were Macho Man walking out to the ring.

And so before we say goodbye to Macho Man as he joins Andre the Giant in that huge Royal Rumble in the sky, here's a pic of him during Wrestlemania V, where he lost the WWF title to the Hulkster:

Holding hands with Hulk Hogan. (Alliteration of the year)

Randy Mario Poffo a.k.a. "Macho Man" Randy Savage. 15 November 1952 - 20 May 2011.



*some info from Wikipedia
pic from Shock Blast Media and Team Talk

Game of Thrones. Episode 7: "You Win or You Die"

First thing's first: This episode has the best girl-on-girl action so far.

As if showing some fruit would give it a PG-13.

And finally. The Game of Thrones has begun. Coincidentally, this is also the episode where the words "Game of Thrones" are spoken by a character.

And this is what you need to play the Game of Thrones:

Four Kings

Technically, three and a half.

Three Knights

Old. Young. And in-between.

Two Queens

Left: Beauty. Right: Bitch.

and One Knave

This guy really reminds me of Edward Norton.

We lose one more major character here. Also, because of Jason Momoa's excellent delivery of his declaration of war, Dothraki is now the new Elven.



*pics from VLC

Game of Thrones. Episode 6: "A Golden Crown"

Slight changes in the opening credits. This was actually since the last episode, but I only noticed it now.

The Eyrie. Not in the opening credits of the first four episodes.

Anyway, the alternative title for this review is "Three Eighties References in Episode 6 of Game of Thrones".

1. Cannibal Holocaust

Nope, that's not a human heart. That's a horse's heart. Now Daenerys is truly a queen.

2. G.I. Joe

Technically, Destro's head is silver. But I do remember seeing a gold-headed Destro toy once. And finally, we lose one major character. Good riddance to you, Viserys Targaryen. You are an annoying wuss.

3. The Goonies

Remember that scene from The Goonies where Chunk confessed his crimes to the Fratellis? That's exactly what Tyrion Lannister did. Peter Dinklage, you are still the best actor in this series.


Disclaimer: These eighties references are the author's sole opinion and in no way represent the opinions of HBO or George R.R. Martin. Although it would be totally cool if it did.



*pics from DVD in My Pants, Latino Review, Encyclopedia.com, and VLC

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. 3D

First, a review of the 3D, before we review the film itself.

Some of you may wonder if this is indeed a 3D film. It is. It's even real 3D, not that converted crap Hollywood keeps spewing out. But the 3D is so subtle, it's like it's not even there.

That is of course a safe way to make sure that the stereography is done correctly. As long as it's not eye-straining to watch, then that means it's good stereography.

Is it ever eye-straining to watch this face in 3D?

Nikita. Episode 15: "Alexandra"

What the hell is that facial expression supposed to be?
Sadness? Disappointment? What?

Sorry to say this, but I have lost interest in Lyndsy Fonseca. Yeah, she's still a pretty face, and if she stood naked in front of me, I wouldn't say no. But that's all she ever will be: a pretty face. She cannot act. Well, maybe basic acting. But that's about it. Without any acting ability, I don't think she'll be in any Hollywood flicks anytime soon. Not unless she improves, but I doubt it. This is more than halfway through the season, and she pulls something like this. Boo.

Nikita. Episode 14: "The Next Seduction"

"I never liked your short hair!"

Flashbacks of Nikita with short hair (see pic above). But aside from that, this episode kind of throws in everyone in the mix. That's Division + Gogol + CIA + Nikita. And Alex? Back home, flirting with that blonde DJ neighbor of hers.

The Vampire Diaries. Season 2, Episode 22: As I Lay Dying

Self-pity path to self destruction sans ring or sunscreen.

"Neither one of us is drunk enough for this conversation."

Damon ignoring death, wanting to die, and really dying to.... not. The threat of losing one of the Salvatore brothers is what emotionally anchored this second season's finale. But does Damon's hallucinations-slash-realizations mean he's dropping the badass sarcasm? Hopefully not. But the whole thing actually paved the way for Elena to kiss Damon, and not the other way around.

Pretty friendly "he's dying" kiss, if you ask me.

It would be kind of awkward (with a dash of guilt) for the two next season when they both know how they feel about each other, but then at the expense of Stefan. I think this is very interesting for Stefan, reverting to his old ways. It would give him more room to act and explore his brooding-ness, with probably a moral dilemma always in his face. I'm sure big brother Damon will take care of this like he always does.

Has Stefan really turned to the dark side, or is it just a show for Klaus?

It feels a little contrived that the build-up of Mama Sheriff knowing everything falls down to a simple confrontation with her vampire daughter. I would have imagined a more ingenious way of stepping in and messing up the gang's plans. I've always loved the mother-daughter's rocky-and-then-not relationship. But next season could see a change to that though, after a cheap-shot reconciliation.

You girls can do better than that dialogue and that hug!

The only good thing that came off the contrived Mama Sheriff meddling was Jeremy getting shot and dying. And after coming back to life (go witches!), he now sees dead vampires (people?), which could prove to be useful. I don't exactly see how this is going to change the fact that he's still human amongst the supernaturals. But it will certainly mess with his relationship with Bonnie; his dead ex-vampire-girlfriends are back.

T'was good riddance to you in the first season, Vicki. Tell me you're not your old self.

Wohooo! Anna. Is. Back! Now, it's really a wish come true to see you somewhat alive again.

Yes. Between Damon dying, Stefan going dark, the sheriff knowing everything, and Jeremy seeing dead vampires—this season of The Vampire Diaries clearly upped the ante on deaths and twists and turns. A lot of characters said goodbye, but for those who are still with us, we hope you don't die... yet.

• Alaric, for one, might be the Gilberts' guardian. Well, he is Elena's biological mother's husband, so it kinda makes sense. Plus, I think it will be good for Jeremy to have a man in the house.
• Elijah had been killed four times in this season alone. But a third season with the originals will not be complete without him. Someone should be in the business of pulling out daggers next season.
• Matt and Tyler are definitely going to be on some common turf next season even though they're absent in the finale. I think someone's going to get jealous or something.

And this is kinda off-topic and I don't know if I said this before, but the TVD soundtrack is really amazing.

'Til next season!

Game of Thrones. Episode 5: "The Wolf and the Lion"

A visual rhyme with the last shot from the previous episode.

For those of you who've been thirsting for blood, look no further. We have a lot here.

1. Bloody jousts. The Mountain (what a name!) slashes his steed's neck after he falls down. Not to worry, though, no animals were harmed in the making of this series (citation needed).



The sword fights were meh. Which means they were realistic.



2. An ambush on Lady Stark's party. And Tyrion hacks a man to death with the pointy end of his shield.



Such great power from a little man.



3. That fight where they try to bring in Ned Stark alive. I really hate that arrogant wretch Jaime Lannister.



Eeeewww.

So, to balance all the bloodshed (expect more blood in the upcoming episodes, because "winter is coming"), we bring you the gayest royal couple since Braveheart.

Shaving your partner is the highest form of love.

Nikita. Episode 13: "Coup de Grace"

This is the episode with some Georgian prince. Not Georgia the US state, but Georgia the European country. Anyway, I'd just like to say that Shane West is starting to grow on me. His acting is actually pretty good. Maybe he just gets better and better as the series progresses. Well, this is only about halfway through the series, so he could actually become way better in the season finale.