I can't believe that as much I want to give at least good credit for this flick, it seems, it earned big. It fooled a lot of people as the box office reports says and the long line I saw here at SM.. Everybody was kinda ecstatic about it. Geez, anyway, I should have watched End of Watch instead.
Of course, everybody loves the first Taken, like me.. Can't deny the surprising action role by Liam Neeson about saving his daughter from human trafickers.. I thought, well a second one should be done, at least it's either Brian is into something in trouble again through a different situation or discover how he learned those "skills" from his past missions. Sort of a prequel..
Sad to say, none of them happened in this sequel. I am surprised that they claim it has a bigger budget which I felt not, it doesn't look like one.. Except maybe for those grenades, and a lot of car crashes and one explosion.
Well, destination was Turkey which I thought cheaper doing a flick there than in Paris.
The sad part was the plot itself, Brian and exwife was taken this time by the father of those kidnappers in the first taken and thinking of brining their corpse in their son's graves! For short, they somewhat want revenge. Oh well, another sad part as much Maggie Grace looks better this time, quite hot frankly, all she did was to run, get some clothes and drive like hell.. Then Famke Jansen, she did was scream, breathe, more breathing, fake dead and yeah, alive. Such beautiful women and good actresses wasted their well talents in this flick. I hope the writing and screenplay allowed them to do more.
Poor directing, as a good name shows as Olivier Megaton, it has a bad reputation of making bad flicks. Transporter 3, Columbiana and this one.. Luc Besson shouldn't give anymore damn scripts or projects for the mean time to this director. Let's say, Luc should go back into directing, action ones, not drama ones. Poor pace, less gore or not even blood, and yes, action scenes were fuzzy.. Even the car chase as well, maybe since the cars and SUV were high end brands, even the cab was a benz, the budget went to those cars.
Anyway, the only saving grace of this film was Brian, give credit to Liam Neeson. His moves still stands, going from the first Taken and I love what he said in the end, it made me laugh. It's like he is letting the main villain live, go home and stop the nonsense anyway since he can beat the hell out of them. If not, he will go on killing and he's tired of it. That was top notch acting with a poor script.
Well, I can't cry over that 180php was gone into thin air, not really that much. I rather watch well, the first one all over again and enjoy every scene at that flick. Not in this one.
Yes, sad to say, they are now thinking for a third one..
What will be this time? Maybe Brian's buddies will be taken this time and needs his help.
Ah definitely, he will find the villians, he will search for them.
Of course, he will kill them.
As I love Japanese Culture, from it's place, weather, language or even their media, and yes, even food. However, it doesn't mean I love all their dishes. I only love, their fried foods, rice, ramen, miso soup and teriyaki or sukiyaki perhaps. But not sushi. Geez, I also eat sushi but in the most rare times. The last time I ate one was 1 year ago and I ate one because it's part of the eat all you can menu. I ate a lot, it felt me full and yeah not really enjoyable.
However, after watching this documentary, damn.. I will eat sushi only in that place. =)
Indeed as Jiro admits, he dreams of making new sushi even in his dreams. Damn, that's how passionate in doing his job, even he's 85 years old. Going 86 perhaps this year.
The story goes as one famous sushi restaurant in Tokyo headed a shokunin great in making Sushi or great itamae (Sushi Chef). His name is Jiro and it shows how his restaurant works, how his relationship with his 2 sons guiding them of operating his Sushi restaurant and how delicious is his menu of Sushi. The pressure of his 2 sons following their famous Father footsteps and how they will continue his legacy if he's gone.
Narrated by Jiro himself and his 2 sons, plus a food writer, they narrated the journey of how Jiro started, then how he works until gain recognition of getting 3 star Michelin rating (yes, the wheel brand for cars) for his restaurant.
Interestingly, his restaurant is under a subway station and it has only 10 chairs. Plus some tables but it's not really big. However, to eat there, you need to make a reseravation for at least a month (now it became 3 months reservation!). The restaurant has no restroom, because that's how small it is. They don't cater or have other dishes than sushi and yes, no appetizers. No soy sauce in other sushi dishes they offer.
The only flaw I can see in this film, the lack of foreigner recognition of Jiro's greatness. I mean he was recognized by Michelin but no interview from a foreigner, or at least one great foreigner chef. Although they show some pictures of famous chefs eating there, it's just it will add awe or awesomeness to how great this dude done, just serving sushi.
The great thing about this documentary is Jiro's family. Don't look for their wives or children which I don't know if they have one, but the passion they put in just making sushi. Jiro secret is simple, just do the same thing everyday and find ways on how to improve your craft. He even said that until now, he haven't reached perfection. Damn, 85 years old, already recognized of the best chef and it's restaurant as well, still admits hasn't reached the peak of his creation. His mindset will really inspire people to do their best in what they do. Whatever you do in life and love what you do as Jiro admits, you will not be tired of doing the same thing and continue to improve and perfect the craft. I thought businessmen or empire holders are the best in this earth because of what they earn or hold, or even inspiring people now like artist, actors, or peformers.. This one is special because of the craft he have, simple craft as it looks, just making Sushi.
There were many great facts I discovered in this film, like sushi is not only with seaweed wrapper and rice plus meat. The mouthwatering sushi that shows in slow motion on how it's done. How apprenticeship works in Japan and how the sushi business works. There were a lot to really fascinated about watching this documentary and yes, I won't be surprised if you want to go there and spend 30,000 yen for a 19 part sushi course. That's around $375, not bad. =)
The sad part of the film, as they admit.. It's getting hard to service quality sushi if the ingredients were difficult to get. As evident in climate change and yes, over fishing, the vendors or fish suppliers were having a hard time to get the best fish for the best sushi. This was evident in one scene there, the shrimp supplier was not able to give the order asked because they were only 3 kilograms available for the whole fish market!
They were asking if the government can regulate fishing for young fishes or avoid overfishing. Jiro describes in his old times, great tuna is available right away when the market opens at the morning. Now, it's hard to get one, especially companies making sushi available in every single store in Japan. His sons describe sushi was really expensive going back old days.
I can say, well.. This documentary is a must for food lovers or even those who are not. It's my first time to watch a japanese documentary but well it's produced and directed by an american company, it is still a good documentary to watch. Although not great because it's a specific topic is discussed, not everybody loves sushi, even me. But definitely, if you're hungry for sushi or a food lover, watch this documentary. It will not fail your taste buds. =)
I pray and hope like his son's wish that Jiro can make sushi forever! But if not, I confidently say, Jiro sons will able to continue his legacy, even if it will be not the same as his father's works.
But simply making good sushi that he father taught them.
Look at his younger son, same sushi and place, just a different atmosphere but same result. Customers coming in.
He's a 2 star Michelin rating restaurant anyway. Not bad.
Besides, the inspector who ate at the original restaurant tasted the same good sushi without Jiro serving the patron.
That's legacy perhaps.
Maybe Jiro can just dream sushi all the time.
I'm kinda missing this thing. =) Ah di naman natin paguusapan si Griffith, the manipulative villain ni Guts sa Berserk. This was the name I gave to my Ipod Touch 32GB model. I got this thing out of a deal at yun, why I chose it? Let's say nainggit ako everytime I can see a person playing some apps there and some watching some flicks! Damn I hope I can have that.
Thanks to that deal, well I got it! Jailbreak agad and put some apps at unang app na addict ako? Plants vs. Zombies! hehe Grabe, until now ata memorize ko pa ang mga strategy ko every level at take note, talagang pinuno ko yun collection ng plants dun. Then another app na naaddict ako, not Angry Birds or even NBA 2K12, hmmmm Ultimate MK 3! Kahit si Rheg nagulat na may ganun game. hehe Damn, this game gave me the nostalgic feeling of playing it since Sega days. Grabe, I can't believe na maaddict pa din ako, lalo na to get all the endings of the characters of the game. Kahit mahirap gamitin yun character, sige gamitin na lang ng smarts. hehe
When I got the thing, I placed right away yun Ishield just to protect it from scratches. Definitely, that Ishield protects the unit, ilan beses ko na kasi nahulog at ayun, parang bago pa din yun Itouch. hehe Saka walang gasgas lalo na kung ilalagay mo sa bulsa yun Itouch. I called it Griffith kasi damn, that thing is tempting. From the apps at definitely, sa sounds! Can't believe na maganda yun tunog niya, at siyempre maganda pa headset ko kaya sulit siya. Crisp and clear sounds kaya pang audiophile pa to, paano pa kaya pag ang headset ko eh westone or Klipsch? Dagdag mo pa yun wifi capability niya kaya naaddict ako sa kakainternet.. Sometimes nga di ko na nabubuksan yun computer ko lalo na kung internet lang hanap ko, aba edi dito na lang ako maginternet! As you see, sa FB or twitter, I use this to tweet or check FB, laking tulong din pala. Better yet to have a smartphone in the future.
The best thing I loved in this thing, VLC player, TT movie player and movie player apps! Although as much it can play all the movies I have, it can't. Pero masaya manood dun kasi maganda ang quality and pag avi or 800mb yun file, perfect dun. Yun nga lang maliit lang yun screen. Lalo na kung ang file eh 1GB pataas, hang na. hehe I thought that Iphone 4S or IPAD 3 will play these big files pero in this player, proven it won't. It's quite sad but sulit na siya.
Hay, I kinda miss this thing, sad to say I need to let it go. hehe But in the future, at lalo may bago na Itouch na dual core na with a bigger screen and same nipis, aba yun ang hihintayin ko dito. This time, with cool colors and design, I'll definitely go to the 64GB model. Dito ko na ilalagay yun sounds ko, all of them! hehe I hope it's quite cheap, pero malamang sa unang labas dito, mahal.
Definitely, around 90%-100% of my movie collection with the same apps I used before, ay magplay na dito. Dapat lang! hehe
The reason I let go of this thing, siyempre, something better will come.. Medyo matagal ko na nga hinihintay to pero they say it will come next week.. Damn, I'm so thrilled to have that. Let's say this one is Ipad Mini in 7inches. Cheaper and it has the features I want lalo na as a movie or media player. Since wala pa ang Ipad mini at galaxy tab 7 inches is kinda expensive, let's go to a cheaper yet dependable brand.
Can't wait to see that fire.. =)
Ah I'm not worried anymore with Griffith, he's in good hands. hehe Yun susunod na makukuha ko na Ipod touch na bago, I have already a name, since like Griffith, transformed into a monster.
Femto will be a nice name.
A song written by me, the rhythm should be jazz type of sound with piano, sax and jazzy voice of course. =)
Just trying...
So Much Love
The night is young so dearly
The table is set so lovely
But this night is yours,
that I can surrender.
Your hair, black as night.
It seems to be alright.
Your eyes sparkle, like a candle lights through.
Oh, baby I can stare all time at you.
There is so much love.
So much love for you.
So much love that can't handle only by me,
it's so much love that for us..
Your smile lights up between us..
I kinda melt away.
I can't help but smile all night to you,
coz I can't live without you!
We make this night special,
by holding this together!
Through sweet talking, singing, and some dancing.
Eating our hearts out, and pure loving.
There is so much love.
So much love for you.
So much love that can't handle only by me,
it's so much love that for us..
(some solo piano and sax)
So much love for you and me,
please, oh baby..
So much love for you.
So much love from me.
So much love...
So much love for you and me!!
The reason I don't smoke was because of him. =) Very graphic yun nakita ko dati like he's in sick, spitting blood dati especially nung teenage years pa siya.. I saw that and said to myself because of that graphic effect of smoking which na tinigil niya din eh di talaga ako magyoyosi. I still stand that decree until this moment. No regrets about it and kahit peer pressure na matindi coming from work or other people, no way I'm going to smoke.
But other than that, siyempre idol ko naman si Kuya in other ways. Like his built, addict sa pagpapalaki ng katawan even he still feels maliit pa daw. He's well built already. Another, if there's a great example of coming back in life eh kahit di naman siya tapos ng college, mas malaki pa kinkita niya sa min magkakapatid! hehe It's all due to hard work, smarts and preseverance. Sipag at tiyaga talaga in layman's terms. Even sa dami ng experiences niya from different companies eh or different ventures na pagdaanan niya eh he end up sa kanyang long standing business. Cellphone business. How many times na ako nayaya niya? Around 3 na, pero in the end eh nagsama naman kami for some time, 3 years. I know it's a worthwhile business relationship with him eh ganun talaga, iba yun trip ko saka nagkamali lang ako ng diskarte for the 4th year of running the biz. At nagkataon pa nawala ang great job na gusto ko pa naman. Alat na talaga.
Saka bilib din ako sa tibay ng loob ni Kuya, with all the misfortunes and losses, he's still standing and doing the same strategy all over again. He just don't quit kasi siyempre inspired to do a living not only for himself but also for his family. =) Kaya talagang I can't rebutt in some things kasi well, he's doing it for his family. I can give him advice all day but he's still the one will decide what's good for his family. Marami ako natutunan sa kanya, from sales, dealings with customers at siyempre sa mga tao mo. Diskarte sa negosyo, financing na din and dealing with suppliers, at san mo hahanapin ang suppliers din, at paano din ang working relationship with them. Ika nga niya, sa negosyo lahat ng aspeto malasin ka na o bad shot na, wag lang ang relationship with your suppliers. Tama nga siya, aba kung bad shot ka sa kasyoso mo o supplier mo, aba wala ka ibebenta. hehe
Despite some troubles lalo na this year for him, I know he will do a lot for the good decisions for the upcoming times. Sana he can handle the finances well for his family needs at the business needs na din. I know he has a strong faith dahil lourdesian at never questioned God for everything bad happen to him. Kahit kinukulit niya ko magexcercise aba, don't worry tol, I just need some funds at equipment, may video na ko ready, magiging fit na din ako. Wait and see. hehe
Tol, kahit malayo agwat ng edad natin eh nagpapasalamat pa din ako na ginabay mo ko sa buhay. Kahit di mo naman ako nagpapagsabihan like other brothers do, looking over your younger brother, alam ko naman ang reason eh. Lalo na may pamilya ka na, as I always see you naman, I don't need some advices na or sermon siguro. I can handle myself and due to the events that happened to you. Pains and joys that you've experienced and luckily, surviving these hard times. I hope one day, you'll understand that it's really better to live in separate ways. It's not I don't love you or like living here together, but it's better for your family. Peace na din at walang titingin talaga sayo, lalo na si Mommy. hehe
I hope and pray always na magkaayos na kayo, alam mo na kung sino sila. hehe At I pray for the success ang longevity of your business and I hope it will grow kung di naman same venture, other profitable venture. You can always approach me for some help, wag lang siguro talaga sa pera. hehe Sorry tol na din kung I failed you before, lalo na sa mga magkasama tayo sa shop. Kung ano yun nasabi mo sa kin, ok lang yun, di naman ako galit or whatever, tapos na yun. It helped me a lot, at sana coming from you din.
Continue praying to God at yes, just come close to him and di lang bagay na physical na bibigay niya sayo. The one you really need, peace of mind. Pray everyday and do good na din sa ibang tao, kahit simple tulong sa iba, malaking bagay na yun for him. Jesus will guide you all the way and yes, Holy Spirit will give you strength and wisdom that you need each day. =)
Lourdesian ka at you need to be strong to your faith, hope and love. hehe I always pray naman to Prong na he'll guide you and sila Ate Jen at Jeleane. Speaking about them, aba dont' worry. I love Ate Jen like my Ate at lalo na ang una kong pamangkin si Jeleane, I'll see what I can do to help her in the studies.. I hope jeez iba na ang HS ngayon, sakit sa ulo. hehe At siyempre guiding her as she grows old.
I don't know if I was able to really come close to you, but what I feel for these past years..
I did come close to you, Kuya Alpro! I'm really proud of you! =)
Very ironic, sana iba na lang pangalan mo, pero sabagay yun Al panalo eh. Pati sa chicks dati nung HS! hahaha Joke
I hope I was able to watch this in 3D! Damn.. Anyway, I can't believe that the first Judge Dredd flick made forgettable because of this one. That flick lead by Sly. Yes, that flick made forgettable, especially with it's story line and dialogue and crappy effects. Great thing, a good director, screenwriter and great cast remade this film into a great action packed one!
Watching this film made special when Dad came along! Yes!
To start this, let's go what it can improve or some bad factors for it. One big flaw, I hope that black dude has dialogue or some action when he was taken by Dredd and Anderson, but he's quite shy at those scenes. He's very stagnant and kept me annoyed in some minutes with that dude. Another flaw, well Ma-Ma should have some action scenes how really scary b*tch she was but well.. It lack some action from her. One thing, not really a flaw or bad one, but can't help the coincidence of the story to Raid Redemption ( highly recommended flick! ) but anyway, their are 2 different stories, and Dredd is a high octane scifi action flick! Raid Redemption is a high octane action flick! See the difference?
Story goes well in the near future which it looks like quite present time except for tall and battle proof buildings. Mega City is at chaos and violent, riots and crimes all around the city. Justice System appointed Judges to execute the law! They are the Judge, Jury and Executioner, all in one person.. They are quite equipped with the lawgiver pistol and fully armed gear. Judge Dredd was tasked to answer a call from a one building who reported 2 dead skinned men dropped from a high floor. Judge Dredd also needs to assess Anderson, a promising Judge needs to pass this test to become a fully woman Judge. She has low grades in tests and exams but well, she has a quite promising ability, psychic ability!
After checking the corpses, they discovered that the building is a factory making SLOMO, a slow moving addicting drug. Unfortunately, it was headed by infamous Ma-Ma and controls the building. Nevertheless, she closed the building and ordered the heads of the Judges.. Judge Dredd and Anderson has no choice but to go up, survive and finish Ma-Ma if possible.
It's like Die Hard, Raid Redemption with cool action scenes and great 3D effects into one slick film.. As I can say.
First, I give credit to the writer and director of the flick. As they wish this flick will at least do good at the box office to make up for a sequel as they promised. Unfortunately, even in a low budget sci fi flick, they didn't do well in the box office and left us fans, critics hoping with another Dredd flick. The pacing and dialogue was cool, especially what Dredd says, monotone but he's simply a killing machine. Even the Evil Dredds came out, they have good dialogue. The black dude also done his part, and yes, Ma-Ma was really a b*tch. Anderson, yeah she has the touchy and dramatic dialogue, smart too. For the director, give him credit for using the 3D sequences good, especially the slow motion scenes and even the dropping of Ma-Ma. How about the action scenes? Fantastic, gore and violent! Damn that's what I'm looking for in a sci fi flick, not much confusing plot but pure adrenaline action.
Second, yes the effects team should give credit, like the first scene which Dredd attacked the gang, wow even it's cut at SM cinema in a R-16 rating, that was a good shot.. I was having fun at those dudes who just took SLOMO and they were really stunned that Dredd shows up. The lawgiver! Damn, that's quite possible pistol that we can do now. Voice activated changing bullets and modes. I thought that one shot was flare but it was a scattering molotov bombs!!! You can see that in the trailer. I love how it works if somebody tried to use the lawgiver, ask that black dude. =) Yes, the scene which they used the chaingun to a floor that was scary and pulse setting scene, Dredd and Anderson were kinda lucky. Even the first scene! Damn, it was clever but well.. Sometimes trailers give you the wrong plot. But all I can say, not bad for a low budget flick. The setting was well shown, the future setting and it was not really complicated like Total Recall.
Lastly, the actors! Karl Urban is really into action flicks, except for pathfinder.. I find him fit in action flicks! Even in RED, he's damn good.. He is definitely fit for Dredd or if there is a sequel, just find him again. All other unknown actors, even that black maniac dude, give credit to them. Ma-Ma (Lena Headey if I got it right) give her credit for being such a villain and b*tch! =) Great thing that Dredd gave her something to bring at her grave. The evil/bribed Dredds! Interesting how they fight each other and how they worked. Ah yes, if V was better with the mask all the time in the movie, definitely, for this flick, it's better to have Dredd wearing that big dark helmet all the time. Although you wish you can see his face at least for few seconds, nah as they are faithful to the comic, they just leave it there. Ah yes, don't forget, smart, yet feisty and hot Olivia Thirlby! Damn.. As much you want her in the sequel in case, she will not be there as the comic suggest. Damn, her portrayal and her psychic skills really shown in the flick, delivered it just right and I hope I can look forward in other films with her in the screen. I just got UNITED 93 and let's see what she did there. =)
Definitely, worth keeping if this is the first and the last. Forget what Sly did. Wow this year even with some crappy action flicks, definitely this year has more good action packed flicks! This is one of them and yes, for a long time, a real violent scifi flick. I'm not sure I'll consider Underworld but this flick, is more sci fi, a different universe.
Judgment is coming!!!!!!
"Ma-Ma is not the law. I am the law!" -Dredd
At last, Yes!!! Wala na.. hehe Nakaalis na ko.. Grabe, geez.. I'll just wait for my back pay. Sad lang, wala pang work. This month, I'll be looking for work na at least malapit. Medyo lie low muna sa Makati place and yeah, at least a safe place. I'm not sure if I can get a job really near sa min, but better to try than nothing. =)
I'm still waiting for the gadget that at last will read any movie file I have!!! And some good features, in a great price. Kahit di sikat ang brand but definitely, panlaban sa big brands. This month, I won't rest that much because I need to work right away due to funds at siyempre ibang binabayaran. Pero talagang susulitin ko na tong pahinga na to, especially my job will be the same, di pa ko nagreach ng point to really get the dream job. Few small steps and more waiting time, I'll be there.
No more posting at Multiply, bahala na sila!!! hahaha Mukhang maghahabol na lang ako sa pagpost at the end of the month for this. Just giving myself a break.
UST will win the championship!!!! Sana. hehe Hmmm what else, I just want to start at the right track starting this month. Kung madapa, edi tayo ulit, move on or sort of. For this month, I'll just enjoy the short rest I'll have and take on the challenge.
Nothing will happen to me if I stay just here waiting something to happen, besides he gave it already those simple things I need. I hope next week, I'll work to something will connect me to my dreams.. Naks, at yes, I'll be an old fashioned way.
Can't wait what will happen by next week, for now..
Eto muna, simply pahinga.
Go USTe!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)
