The Amazing Spiderman Movie Review: The Amazing Spiderman Amazes; Exceeds Dull Expectation

 

     I never really intended to watch the Amazing Spiderman. I thought I have enough of the Tobey-Maguire trilogy that my mind can't hold another web-swinger movie. But my sister convinced me to do so, and I gave in reluctantly. 

     You can't help but compare the Amazing Spiderman to the first Spiderman. I mean, how can it surpass or even match the box-office record of the first? I was surprised though that they pulled it off pretty well. 

The Amazing Spiderman amazes (photo courtesy of www.google.com)

    The Amazing Spiderman is a well-balanced film. It's compact. It's fast-paced. It has the right ingredients. Either they did a good job or my expectations were really not that high. And so are the movie reviewers' and bloggers'.

     The re-telling in itself is more creative than expected. It took the moviegoers into a deeper story of his family background from way back childhood, the disappearance of his parents and the entrustment of Peter Parker to his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field); and of course how he was bitten. It's like "roots" were shown in this film unlike on the first where only the "trunk" was shown when Peter Parker was just bitten by the powerful spider, which was accidentally released, while on a field trip in a laboratory. 

     The acting of Social Network's Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone as the love interest and the rest of the cast is natural. The injection of comedy flare is noticeable, and it is not as mushy-sounding as the Transformers Dark of the Moon. 

     As for love interest, sorry, there is no Mary Jane "MJ" Watson here, but there is Gwen Stacey, who is Peter Parker's first love.

     The Amazing Spiderman also gave spectators good action scenes with an ugly lizard as the unlikely predator. Cinematography and the graphics are fantastic in a sense that the movie still showcases of new angles and position when we're under the impression that we have seen it all already. It was so convincing that you just want to freeze some moving shots and say, "that shot is good in poster".  

     The musical scoring seems to be just the same for the normal ears, yet its limitation is also its strength: it is focused, and you just don't need much complication. 

     The Amazing Spiderman gave no one-liner, "with great power comes great responsibility." Its lengthier version came instead in the form of his Uncle Ben's voicemail when Peter ran away after discovering of his new-found powers, and he was scolded for being irresponsible on not even telling them of where he was. 

     Perhaps what sets this apart from the other Spidey films is its bold effort not to shy away from the problem any superhero flick has: hiding the identity. This one is more focused on the struggle of personal issues, discovering and being dumbfounded of the powers, seeking for justice than merely hiding the identity. It's just entertaining to see the actor fumbling and finally able to freely control his amazing ability. 

The Amazing Spiderman lead Andrew Garfield: good performance (photo courtesy of www.google.com)

     The Amazing Spiderman is like a cool guy who is effortlessly good-looking yet smart but who is doing his homework and in fact hardworking. It seems that it was made with no pressure at all considering that the first Spiderman was amazing in box-office but director Mark Webb and his staff obviously dedicated a lot of hardwork. 

     If it were a medicine, it is with a right dosage. You'll be cured and satisfied. 

     

     Definitely, I'm raising my two thumbs up here as the Amazing Spiderman amazes.

The Amazing Spiderman Movie Review:  The Amazing Spiderman Amazes; Exceeds Dull Expectation

Five Exciting Reasons Why You Should Go to a Travel Fair

1)    Lots of Very Good Deal

     Travel Fair abounds with good deals. Usually, travel deals like impossible airline discounts and amazing travel packages (in partnership with travel tours and airline companies) are only available on the entire duration of the Travel Fair and Expo or in a first-come, first-served basis.

    

2)    Lots of Information

     If you’re sure that you’ll travel or at least want to get a very good deal but has not made up your mind yet, then a Travel Fair and Expo is a fertile ground for overwhelming information. From the America to the Asia and Australia, you name it! Local and International fact sheets are flying everywhere. Chances are you will know interesting information you haven’t known before and are worthy of Wikipedia entries. In my case, I learned more about the Galapagos Island, found out that there is a place on earth called Kingdom of Lesotho and got into an instant introductory class to Catalonia.

3)    Lots of Freebies and Prizes

     Travel Fair and Expo, just like any fair compete for your attention. You are a potential client. So, they concoct well-thought-of gimmicks from freebies to games to attention-grabbing entertainment which gives cool prizes: from fan to candies to yes, free accommodation and even plane fare.

4)    Lots of New Faces

     Yes, you can meet a lot of new faces to deal with either in business or pleasure, and even a friend or future travel partner.

5)    Breathe the Experience.

     Being n the Travel Fair and Expo is an experience itself. You may go here looking for discounts and budget travel, but I’m telling you, the preparation, efforts and energy of event organizers and booth/ pavilion participants are nowhere near cheap. It’s actually the opposite. Booths, presentations, games among others are extravagant to say the least. Pavillion designs are breathtaking for each has the purpose of bringing a part of the place and portion of the experience you can feel if you’re in that particular country, say Taj Mahal in India or the Senado in Macau or the beaches in Guam. Cultural Presentations are worth your attention.

     Lastly, you’ll have a wonder immersion on the host country or city. Whether it’s local or international; in Los Angeles, Shanghai or Yeosu, travel fair & expositions will give you hands-on feel and experience of what the place offers.  

Three Cliches that Still Work Today

      Here are three clichés, which no matter how often quoted by successful people during their lengthy inspirational speeches or a quick interview, whether a celebrated businessman or accomplished athlete, still proved to be effective lamppost in their journey which can be guiding light as well the to the path you want to take.

1.)  Dream Big.

     A saying goes, “aim for the start and you’ll hit the treetop, aim for the treetop and you’ll hit the ground.” Dreaming is free so you might as well do it big time. After all, what the mind conceives, the body will achieve.

2.)  Follow Your Heart

     Another classic adage goes, “do what you love most to do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The happiest, most fulfilled and most passionate persons in the world subscribe to this sage advice. Since they love what they’re doing, it reflects to their personality, and in return they can give so much love to the people around them. Unknowingly, they made a difference in such way.

3.)  You Can Make a Difference.

     Sure there are seven billion people in the world and that makes you just a small pixel in the big picture of population. You may think that whatever you’ll do is of no effect. It may be true but remember, in your life span, it was said that you will meet 10,000 people. Now, how’s that for no effect?

     Also, there’s such thing as ripple effect. Remember the person, you intensely admire today wouldn’t have inspired you had he believed that he or she can’t make a difference. You have the power to affect, effect and infect positive change to somebody close to you. He or she may do the same to her circle of friends and family. In time, that small undertaking may benefit a family, community and who knows, even the world. 

Vampire Diaries Star Ian Somerhalder mesmerized by El Nido, Palawan

The ever dashing Ian Somerhalder (photo courtesy of http://www.flicr.com/photos/)

    

     Early this year, Hollywood British actress Rachel Weisz visited El Nido, Palawan and was awed by its sheer beauty. This time, it was Vampire Diaries’ star Iwan Somerhalder’s turn to be mesmerized.

     “El Nido is one of the most beautiful places in the world; and incredible,”  was all he could quipped in a bevy of media persons from Manila with a sparkle in his blue eyes which can’t hide the obvious feeling of being overwhelmed by the natural wonder.

      In a separate interview with veteran entertainment columnist Ricky Lo, he similarly expressed, “I was in El Nido which is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Incredible!”

     When further asked on why he has this intense environmental advocacy, he replied, “It’s just part of me, of who I am and what I do. I think it gives me a great opportunity to bring the youth together and allow them to be inspired and be creative and sort of take control of the future because ultimately it’s theirs. The world will hopefully change for the better and we’re gonna do it and we will help the youth.”

     Somerhalder visited Manila, Philippines and the scenic Lagen Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines through his environmental preservation foundation, The Ian Somerhalder Foundation (TISF) in partnership with Penshoppe, a Filipino casual clothing line which he currently endorses.

     “A portion of the sales from Ian’s campaign will be donated by Penshoppe to TISF. The campaign will be formally launched later this June,” declared  Joyce Ramirez, head of PR Asia, which conceptualized Penshoppe’s All-Star campaign. The Campaign included A-list Hollywood actor Zac Efron, Gossip Girl TV Actor Ed Westwick, Thai matinee idol Mario Maurer and Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, the only rose among the thorns. Ramirez said that there's more to come.   

           

Vampire Diaris star Ian Somerhalder was recently mesmerized by El Nido, Palawan (photo courtesy of  http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos)

     El Nido is a first-class municipality situated at the northwestern tip of the province of Palawan, Philippines. It is 40 kilometers southwest of Manila, and 238 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan’s capital. El Nido is bordered by the Linapacan Strait in the North, the Sulu Sea in the east, and the South China Sea in the west.

     El Nido is famous for its pristine white sand. It is considered a showcase of Palawan’s geology and various wildlife. It is one of most important sites for biological diversity in the country and has been stated by the Philippine government as a protected area.

      Palawan came from a Chinese word that means “safe beautiful harbor.” Palawan is also where the famous Puerto Princesa Underground is located which was recently formally included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

"It's Incredible!" was how Ian Somherhalder described El Nido on his recent visit (photo courtesy of www.manilenio.com)

Related Links:

-Philippine Star

http://www.philstar.com/funfare/exclusivesarticle.aspx?articleId=811262&publicationSubCategoryId=70

-GMA Network News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/259230/lifestyle/people/ian-somerhalder-has-fallen-in-love-with-the-philippines

-The Entertainment Lifestyle website

http://www.theentertainmentlifestyle.com/2012/05/vampire-diaries-star-ian-somerhalder.html

-www.penshoppe.com

-TISF (The Ian Somerhalder Foundation)

http://www.isfoundation.com/

- Ian Somerhalder on twitter

http://twitter.com/iansomerhalder

Related Blog by Dorothea Benedict

-http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2012/03/rachel-weisz-wowed-by-el-nido-palawan.html

Puerto Princesa Underground River Finally Inaugurated as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature

     First, there was the worldwide voting. Second, votes were counted. Then confirmation of seven winners came. Finally, to cap the series of significant events, the inauguration of the New Seven Wonders of the World has come. On April 21, 2012 Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) was finally inaugurated as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature in Quezon City Circle, Philippines. No less than Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was present as the keynote speaker.

     The inauguration started with the unveiling of the N7WN marker. This marker would be installed at the entrance of the PPUR.

     Meanwhile, the awarding of the plaque signalled the official inauguration of the Underground River as one of the N7WN.

     Along with President Aquino and local officials, Bernard Webber, founder of N7WN was also present.

     President Aquino promised to spend one week of vacation in Puerto Princesa when his term ends in 2016.

            PPUR is the second to be inaugurated after Jeju Island in Korea. The other five wonders were The Amazon River in South America, Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu falls in Argentina/ Brazil, Komodo National Park in Indonesia and Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

Source:

Philippine Information Agency - www.pia.gov.ph

Manila Bulletin - http://www.mb.com.ph/

Related Dorothea Benedict in the North blog:

-         Rachel Weisz wowed by El Nido, Palawan 

(http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2012/03/rachel-weisz-wowed-by-el-nido-palawan.html)

-         IT’S OFFICIAL: Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature 

(http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2012/02/its-official-puerto-princesa.html)

-         Do YOUR Part to Make Puerto Princesa Underground River one of the Seven Wonders of Nature 

(http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2011/08/do-your-part-to-make-puerto-princesa.html)

 

 

Rachel Weisz’ Gift and Legacy

Beautiful Rachel Weisz gave a gift and legacy in the form of playground benefiting around 600 kids in San Andres, Manila (photo courtesy of Google Image)

    Rachel Weisz came to Manila on January to film the fourth instalment of the successful Hollywood movie Bourne, The Bourne Legacy. She ended up leaving a gift and legacy instead to about 600 kids. It is a playground in San Andres, Manila.  This was revealed by the film’s producer and director Pat Crowley and confirmed by Rachel Weisz’ Filipino co-actors in the film Lou Veloso and John Arcilla.

     “Everyday she came out and she saw the playground and she saw the kids in the playground. I think that had a lot to do with motivating her…that she always makes a contribution on every movie that she works on,” Crowley mentioned to a TV press.

     Crowley also shared that Weisz contributed Merry-Go-Round and new seesaw for the kids. He added that Weisz’ main concern was the safety of the kids as there were lots of sharp edges that can injure the kids.

     “We can do better for the kids,” is what Crowley remembered that Rachel Weisz have quipped.  

     Filipino architects Roy Lachica, Dan Fernandez and Kenny Yanga were commissioned to design the playground’s makeover. “Rachel approved the drawing we showed her before she left Manila.” Lahica said. “She wanted us to include rubber mats, because the floor area is all concrete.” It was completed on March 5, 2012.

     Meanwhile, Crowley also revealed that the “Bourne Legacy” will have a special screening here in the Philippines this year.

     “I don’t know if there will be a world premiere but definitely a special screening here for the people who were involved and people in Manila.

Producer Pat Crowly (rightmost) and Rachel Weisz Filipino co-actor in the film The Bourne Legacy (in suit) distributes school kits in San Andres Manila were they filmed for few weeks. 

Resources:

ABS-CBN News: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Manila Bulletin: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/353423/weisz-gives-manila-kids-a-new-playground

Inquirer Entertainment: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/33375/a-bourne-legacy

Rachel Weisz Online (unofficial fansite) http://www.rachelweiszonline.com/2012/03/weiszs-legacy-a-new-playground-for-san-andres/

Please check out the other Rachel Wiesz blog by Dorothea Benedict:

http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2012/03/rachel-weisz-wowed-by-el-nido-palawan.html

Cheap Japan: 4 Tips and Reasons Why Aussies bite in to Cheap Japan Travel

You can still enjoy Japan even on a budget (photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos)

  Australians have been responding to the Japan’s tourism lure which includes the campaign that going to the “Land of the Rising Sun” need not slashing out of your pockets.

     Japan’s recent tourism campaign both online and on their flyers underline the fact that flying to Japan is cheap, and you don’t have to exactly spend a fortune to experience the rich and diverse culture. And which country has become more interested about this than the friendly and laid-back Australian.

     You just simply need to know the whereabouts of the cheap thrill in this country of Sumo Wrestlers, Hello Kitty and with a high cost of living standard:

Cheap Japan Food. there is Depachika, Kombini and a convenience store.

1.)  Cheap Japan Food – Sure,  Japan has over 30 Michelin three-star restaurants but they also have Depachika, Kombini and convenience stores like 7-11.

Depachika is the basement food hall of department stores where you can find counter after counters of food products ranging from lunch boxes, sandwiches, pastries etc. (A wonderful TIP, Before closing, they usually give discounts up to 50% off).

Kombinii or convenience store offer a reasonably price meal and can be spotted anywhere in Japan.

In addition, eating at the TRAIN STATION, is one of the most time-saving options if you are in a hurry to go somewhere. Reasonably priced lunchboxes to-go, restaurants and cage can be found inside the train station. There are also popular options like fastfood chains, izakaya etc.

Lastly, there are the reliable 7-11 convenience stores where you can buy cheap but interesting foods like cheesecake, bananas and of course, a bottle of water.

2.)  Cheap Japan Stay – Aside from posh five-star hotels, Japan has Ryokan (Japanese inn), budget hotels and capsule hotels.

A hostel is popular with backpackers, they are basic and clean.

Plan ahead and book ahead, most budget hotels are fully booked during peak travel season especially during festivals.

Cheap Japan Transportation. to save on transportation cost, book in a hotel nearest to all the places you plan to visit (photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos)

3.)  Cheap Japan Transportation

Japan has very efficient rail transportation. There are two basic railways here: Japan Railways and Shinkansen or Bullet Trains

To save on transportation cost, book in a hotel nearest to all the places you plan to visit.

4.)  Cheap Japan Finds/ Cheap Japan Shopping

Nomi-no-ichi or Flea Markets which are mostly located in temple grounds and holy shrines

Licensed Duty Free Shops – where tourists will enjoy tax-free shopping

Cheap Japan. (photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/)

Useful Resources and Websites:

http://www.visitjapan.jp (Visit Japan)

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html (Japan National Tourism Organization)

http://web-japan.org (Web Japan)

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp (Embassy of Japan)

http://www.ptaa.org.ph (Philippine Travel  Agencies Association)

Please check out the other budget travel blog by Dorothea Benedict

6 Budget Travel Tips to lovely Ireland

http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2011/08/budget-travel-your-way-to-ireland.html