OH MY GOTH!!!!

TAR 12 - LEG 8

TAR 12- LEG 8

Teams find out that they were flying to Mumbai, India!
Huh? India again?


When they landed, they had to take an auto-rickshaw to a newspaper stall where they needed to purchase a copy of the Times of India newspaper and search for an advertisement containing the location of their next clue.
But they had to wait til 6am for the opening of the stand. Equalized again!


Still in the early dawn darkness at 6:00am, newspaper stand opened for business as the five Teams purchased copies of the Times of India newspaper. Teams began the arduous task of searching for their next clue hidden in the pages.
Vyxsin first found the small black and white advertisement directing them to Chauhan Tailors.
The last team to find the clue was Nateniffer( Jonathan & Jennifer).

Next clue: DETOUR

Detour choosing between Paste 'Em and Thread 'Em. In Paste 'Em, Teams made their way to a marked underpass and used the provided supplies to properly paste a 6-panel Bollywood movie poster onto the wall. When the advertisement was complete, they would receive their next clue. The poster panels were large and unwieldy, and if even one panel was out of alignment, teams could have to take them all down and start again. In Thread 'Em, Teams made their way to Dardar Flower Market and found a marked flower stall, where they had to create a traditional wedding garland by threading 108 flowers in an alternating pattern. When the judge decreed that the garland had been properly made, Teams needed to deliver it to a nearby bridegroom and exchange it for their next clue. Threading flowers was delicate work, but Teams with deft hands could find themselves moving ahead.

Speed BUMP: The Goths had to make their way to a Yoga Master and successfully perform a series of complex Yoga poses. When completed, they could continue on the race in hopes of making up the valuable lost time. It was amazing coz they finished it so quickly! They went to the Detour immediately catching up Nateniffer.




Nicolas & Donald and Ronald & Christina completed the Paste Task.
The annoying Ronald was back again scolding his daughter.

TK & Rachel and Kynt & Vyxsin and Jennifer & Nathan completed the Thread task.
It was Rachel who rocked this task. She was fast!
I love her!

Next CLUE: ttravel to a traffic island known as Kabutar Khana where the second U-turn of the race awaited

TK & Rachel, Nick & Don, and TK & Rachel chose not to U-TURN other teams. They all descended on Bharatgas Colaba Gas Service to encounter a Road Block. In it, one team member had to load a bicycle cart with six tanks of propane gas, pedal to the two addresses listed on their order slips, deliver three tanks to each address and then take a receipt from the homeowner's door as proof of delivery. Once their deliveries were complete, they had to hand the foreman their two order slips and two receipts to receive their next clue.

This was shocking coz the Gotha arrived first at U-Turn Map.
They decided to U-Turn Nicolas & Donald. They really thought that the grandpa-grandson team was still behind.


TK finished the RB first but followed quickly by Nick. They got their clues instructing them to take a taxi to the next Pit Stop at Bandra Fort. It was taxi race but Nick was so exhausted and almost passed out.
TK & Rachel was the 1st team to arrive and they won a vacation to St. Maarten.

2nd team- Nick & Donald
3rd team – Ronald & Christina

It was a gripping race between the Goths & Nateniffer.
I was worried for the two teams coz I like them from the start.
Kynt & Jen did the RB and they both made mistakes but it was Kynt who made the huge error. He forgot to retrieve the receipts.

So the 4th team was Nateniffer!
Last team: KYNT & VYXSIN – Oh my Goth they were eliminated!
But Phil awarded them as THE MOST FASHIONABLE TEAM EVER ON THE RACE!

CONTROVERSY & REALITY

I wasn’t planning to watch the sequel of this Juday-Ryan movie.
Honestly, I despised the first one. I find KKK a bit hammy.
Maybe because of Gina Pareno’s character and I think maybe the SRO crowd
in Megamall irked me.

Surprisingly in Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo I had a marvelous cinema experience. Thanks to Getzmo & MMDA for the free tickets. I watched this film in Podium. So posh!


I usually sit at the front row. I love to be near the screen. I want a full view with no distractions .The sequel opens with the real life sweetheart Judy Ann Santos & Ryan Agoncillo facing difficulties taking care of their baby, Rafa.

I really enjoyed the sweet bickering of the two in the film. It’s the reality to some Filipino couples.The chemistry between them is just so perfect.
Juday is a strong contender for Best Actress.
Last year I was rooting for Ryan to get the trophy but this time I’m not just rooting coz I strongly believe that he will win! Of course, there will be judges and I hope they will consider his superb acting.

You know what I prepared myself for Gina Pareno’s character. I really hate her in KKK.
It is amazing coz I like her this time. This multi-awarded actress is simply awesome.
What a striking supporting performance! She will win. No doubt about it.
Her lines are perfect for an unexpected guffaw.

Kudos to Joey Javier Reyes for his brilliant direction and a hilarious cameo role.
Reyes showed us a beautiful picture.
Every frame of the film is exhilarating with simplicity that captures an enigmatic pulchritude.
I love the Barcelona shots!

Another remarkable thing about SSS is the editing. Vito Cajili did the job. I couldn’t forget his wonderful editing in Jologs. Remember his style? He is amazing.

There is a huge controversy lately about SSS. What’s my opinion?
I’m an Ormocanon but I am not affected that much. I don’t speak Cebuano at home or in my work but I can understand it. I still respect the vernacular patois coz my folks are still using it.So the issue will only hurt if a person is sensitive with ethnic slurs. The writer just didn’t realize that it will create an issue.
The only disturbing thing for me is how they palpably poked fun to Bronson, the English speaking half-brother of Judy Ann in the film. Making fun of physical appearance is not a funny side act to me at all. It is just wrong.
I must say Bronson rocks!!!!! He stole the show!

By the way, I’m just curious about the PLDT Residential Directory in Spain’s hotel.
What’s it doing in there? Are these always present in every hotel in the world?

Sakal, Sakali, Sakloko is a great feel-good movie that you can watch again on a boring day. I strongly agree with its RATED A Approval.
I smell future awards.
I think I also smell a sequel.
Enjoy the film!



RATING : 4 /5 *

LAUGH TRIP WHEN YOU SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL

SHAKE – CHRISTMAS TREE



Well, masyadong pambata ang episode na ito. Ang matatakot lang naman eh mga 10 years old and below. When I was watching this episode may mga teens na nagsisigaw pero halatang mga KSP ang mga tili.So tumili na rin ako para asarin sila. Joke! Ha ha ha! In fairness, deserving talaga si Nash Aguas para sa Best Child Performer na award niya. Last year nanalo rin siya nito. Baguhan ang director nito na si Paul Daza nakikipagsabayan na rin siya. Siguro kung binigyan siya ng good script malamang mapapaganda niya ang episode na ito. Kasama rin dito sina Gina Alajar na at Boots Anson Roa na parehong pang-support lang, Lovi Poe na wala lang, John Lapuz & John Prats na nagpa-cute lang. Dahil nandito si Sweet expect nyo na na comedy horror ito. Too bad hindi ako masyado na shake sa episode na ito. Natawa nga ako eh.





RATTLE – BANGUNGOT

Itong episode na ito ang inabangan ko kasi si Mike Tuviera ang director. Isa siya sa mga fav young directors ko right now. Well, kakaiba ang script kasi parang bago. Di nakakatakot ang episode na ito na magsisigaw ka. Parang aftershock lang mararamdaman mo pagkatapos. Yun bang mapapaisip ka o ma-wo-worry what if sa iyo nga mangyari ang bangungot. Disturbing masyado ang ending na di mo makakalimutan ng ilang araw.
Effective ang acting ni Dennis Trillo, Pauleen Luna & Roxanne Guinoo dito. As usual creepy pa rin ang style ni Mike Tuviera. Gusto ko ang twist ng story kasi hindi predictable.Di naman ako na-rattle masyado pero OK ang episode na ito.




ROLL – ENGKANTO

Nakakasawa na ang ganitong story. Ilang pelikula na ba ang may ganitong tema? Di ko na mabilang. Ito ang panghuling episode kasi for sure ito ang panghakot ng audience para di muna mag-walk out in case na bored na sa 2 episodes na nauna. Teens ang target ng Engkanto at dito talaga sila makakakuha. Ang di ko lang maintindihan kasi nagtititili ang mga girls at “some teen gays” kahit di naman nakakatakot ang ilang eksena. Yun pala kinikilig lang sila kina Matt Evans, Mart Escudero, Melissa Ricks, Jewel Mische & Felix Roco. Alangan namang kiligin sila kay Jojo Alejar? Di naman ito kapanahunan ng That’s Entertainment. Ha ha ha! Ang galing ni Mother Lily kasi nagpagsama niya mga hottest teen stars na galing sa 2 big networks. Si Topel Lee ang director nito. Fresh from Ouija’s success di naman siya pumalya. OK maganda ang mga kuha niya. Creepy ang production design sa resort kaso di naman nakakatakot si Katrina Halili bilang engkanto Parang may gusto kang gawin sa kanya na iba pa. Ha ha ha! Kahit maganda kuha ni Direk di pa rin nakakatakot masyado sa mga adults. Wala lang. nakakatawa lang panoorin. Gusto ko lang tingnan mga Gothic costumes at make-up nila. Wala namang marunong umarte sa mga teenstars na ito. Sorry sa mga fans nila pero wala talagang emotions ang mga ito sa harap ng camera. Pero kung fan ka naman I’m sure makita mo lang sila sa big screen eh solved ka na. Yeah, na-roll ako sa kakatawa.

RATING : 2/5 *

SAYONARA JAPS ON THE 6TH LEG OF TARA 2

LEG 6 JAPAN - KOREA

Last leg the Desperate Housewives from Malaysia found out from Allan than the pit stop in Japan wasn’t really an official pit stop. “The race is still going!” Oh thanks God coz I don’t want them to be first. Instead another clue was given.
Clue: With $264 in their pockets, teams must now head to Hakata Port Ferry Terminal to catch a ferry to Pusan, South Korea. Their next clue is located outside the ferry terminal there.



As usual all teams were still jam-packed in the ferry. They all made despite of the tight sked. Arriving in Pusan, all teams must travel by taxi to Jongro and enter a Taekwondo school. Once there, they will receive training and must break through three wooden boards before they will get their next clue.




Hey, I think this a repeat of a previous Detour back in TAR Season 4. It was also in Korea. RoviMarc team was first again and they finished the task so fast….. but quickly followed by the Singaporean Gym Buddies(.zzzzzz… still a blah blah team so boring!)




Next CLUE: Teams must travel by taxi to the Jagalchi market, and look for a Golden Pig statue, where they will find their next clue. There, they will also find a Yield, which can be used on any teams that drop by after that.

OH MY GOD FIRST YIELD OF THE RACE!!!!!

I hate the boring gym buddies. They stole RoviMarc’s taxi.
Well, who knows Karma may bite later!
Lagot kayo mga boring na ewan!

Meanwhile, the other teams were really lost in Korea including Henry & Trinidad (to my surprise she was quiet the whole day) Maysakit ata ang loka? He he he!



The boring gym buddies arrived first at the Yield mat but they didn’t yield anyone.
They were followed by RoviMarc and chose not to Yield any team too.

Next CLUE: DETOUR

The next task was a Detour.SLITHER OR DELIVER In Slither, teams must look for the fish market in Jagalchi and fish out two tokens from a tank filled with live octopuses. Those not squeamish about large, eight-legged sea creatures would not have an issue with this task.

In Deliver, teams must go to a restaurant and deliver food on a tray to three different locations. They will then return to the restaurant for their clue. The problem is that while the delivery addresses would be provided, not all streets in Korea have names, making it hard to locate the right place.

RoviMarc did the Slither but the gym buddies were ahead already with the same task.

Meanwhile, the desperate housewives were still lost in Korea. All teams had finished the Taekwondo task but they were still searching for the school.

I love this comment from Rovilson during the Octopus task.
He told Marc: "It's like putting my hands down your pants," Ha ha ha! Hmmm…..



All teams have arrived at the Golden Pig one by one. When Daichi & Sawaka reached the Yield mat they decided not to Yield but later on regretted that they should’ve Yielded the mums. They chose to Deliver instead of Slither.



When Henry & Terri arrived at the Yield mat and unaware that Marc and Rovilson were ahead of them, the married couple chose to Yield their fellow countrymen.



Paula was surprised when they reached the mat.
Huh????? Yeah, it was a useless YIELD!



NEXT CLUE: Teams have to travel to Nurimaru Apec House for the next clue. The clue was simple but teams realized getting to the house was not that easy.

Yeah, most of the teams were confused. Except of course RoviMarc, they were first to find the clue box and the boring gym buddies were now behind. Ha ha ha!

Next CLUE: ROADBLOCK
Teams must now travel by taxi to Yogousan Park and look for the gate keeper. He will then hand a member of the team a key, which the team member must then use to unlock one of the many padlocks used to chain the main gate of the park.


Meanwhile Back at the market, Daichi and Sawaka soon realized that they didn’t pick the right Detour task. After wasting precious time, the siblings decided to take on Slither instead, but had difficulty finding their way back to the fish market.
The moms were catching up. Damn!!!!

When the Japanese team and the desperate housewives arrived at the Nurimaru Apec House, they were unable to find the entrance and end up running around the area.
The desperate housewives were really desperate coz they told the Japs to rush to the airport for their next clue. Sawaka inclined to follow but Daichi told her that they were just bluffing.

I really wanna slap the faces of the desperate housewives. Grrrr!!!

Eventually, Daichi and Sawaka came across the gate of the Apec House, and one of the locals told them to climb over the gate to get to the house. doubtful at first, the siblings eventually made their way in and to the next clue. Unfortunately, they also found out they were the last team to pick up the clue. WORRIED NA AKO!!!! Hu hu hu!!!!



First team to reach the roadblock gate! ROVIMARC!
First try on the lock. CLICK! Wow!!! Very lucky!!!
A retarded luck according to Rovi! He he he

Next clue: Proceed to the next pit stop Beomeosa Temple!

First team: ROVILSON & MARC! YES!!!!!!!( NO PRIZE THIS TIME! ) Hmmmmp!
Second team: ADRIAN & COLLIN ( blah blah! )
Third team : HENRY & TRINIDAD ( WHAT!!!????) – I conclude that if Terri is quiet during the race they will place higher OR maybe 1st!. He he he.



Fourth team : PAMELA & VANESSA (TIRED NA SILA)
Fifth team : PAULA & NATASHA ( STILL CHARMING)
Sixth team : duh….. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ANN & DIANE. I want them to be eliminated next!
Last team : DAICHI & SAWAKA.



What? They were last team? Pinch me! I couldn’t believe this! They were eliminated! Hu hu hu.
Sawaka sang a goodbye song on their final message. It was a sad song about the amazing race. I’m gonna miss the siblings. Sayonara for now.

RECYCLED HOPE

When I saw the trailer napa-wow ako kasi lumalaban na ang Pilipinas sa mga visual effects. Try ko kaya ito baka pwedeng ma-compare sa Transformers.



First 10 minutes. Bored na ako. Walk out na kaya ako?
Huwag sayang ang P130 na binayad ko.
Konting tiis pa baka maging interesting ang story.

Lumipas na ang 30 minutes. Wala pa rin. Bored pa rin ako.
Lalo pang naging magulo. Papasok ang isang eksena pero mapapatanong ka!
BAKIT? PAANO?
May mga punchlines pa mga Revilla sons! huh!? Siguro para mabigyan lang ng dialogues.Haayy… sampalin ko kaya sumulat nito ang corny kasi. Super cheesy mga hirit nila. Gusto kong batuhin ng popcorn ang screen.

May bakbakan na! Teka eh nakita ko na lahat sa trailer ito di ba?




Andaming mali nila. Pero ito mga napansin ko na natawa ako.
Maraming mga tinamaan na barrels with their so-so recycled guns. Pero di man lang gumalaw ang mga ito o nayupi. Basta doon lang nakatayo pa rin.
Tapos may isang scene ang little boy na ginamit niya ang isang bomb. Tinapon niya ito sa mga oxygen tanks so expect ko talaga huge explosion. Pero what the hell????
Shocked ako kasi ang isang fountain explosion lang. Yun bang fountain na sinisindihan tuwing New Year. Ganun lang. Gosh!!!
Then the funniest part ever eh yung fight ng mga robots ni Dingdong at Bobby Andrews.
Sabi ni Bobby: “Angelo wag natin idaan ang ating away gamit mga robots natin. Mano mano tayo suntukan na lang!” Ha ha ha!!!!! Gumawa pa kayo ng mga robots tapos suntukan na lang. Haaaayyy.. tipid pa sila ng mga stuntmen. Naubos na pala budget sa mga visual effects.

In fairness, pasado na visual effects pero di pa gaano ka-perfect. Siguro 5 festivals pa ang sasalihan ng Imus Productions mapapaganda na nila ito.
Sound effects??? Very poor.
Story? Terrible.
Direction? Ok naman mga kuha ni Mark Reyes kaso di niya lang napansin mga goofs.
Acting? Wala naglalaro lang sila.
Jennylyn? Cleavage lang pinagmamalaki.
Dingdong? Cute siya pero pa-tweetums lang ang role.



Akala ko recycled TRANSFORMERS ito pero STAR WARS wannabe pala.
Kudos sa mga producer sa pagggawa ng ambitious film na ito.
Bilib ako sa visual effects pero dahil di maganda ang story nakalimutan ko ang effort nila. Sayang lang.

WATCH THE TRAILER

RATING : 2.5 / 5 *

MORE FERTILIZER PLEASE!!!

BAHAY KUBO



Bahay Kubo kahit munti ang mga artista dito’y pagkadami-dami
Ano ba talaga? Kwento nito’y sari sari.
Drama, musical o comedy?
Haaay… pito-pito ba ito Mother Lily?

Ito ang una kong pinanood kasi promising ang trailer.
Well, first half natawa naman ako.
Magaling ang tandem nina Maria at Eugene.
Ang classic na Maricel Soriano aka Maria sa first half kwela talaga.
Pero chick flick ito malamang ma-cocornihan o maiirita ang mga brusko.



Andaming artista pero ilan lang ang nabigyan ng kinang.
Para sa akin of course magaling si Maricel pero di gaanong challenging ang role niya.
Si Eugene naman same role & acting pa rin kung ano siya sa mga movies ni Ai-Ai. She’s really funny. Pero ang role ni Shaina ang nag-shine dito.
Hanep lumuha ang dalagang ito parang gripo ng luha ang mga mata at nakakabibilib ang acting niya. Si Marian Rivera OK naman kaso di lang gaano ka-tough mga eksena niya. Nilagay siya dito para magpa-kilig lalo na sa mga scenes with Mark Herras. Si Yasmien naman cute ang role niya. Love ko siya lalo na yung fight scene niya with Maricel. Shocking yun kasi.
Nandito pala si Julius Babao. Ok siya ha! Huh? Hindi si Julius yun? Si Rayver pala yun?
He he he!



Ano bang di ko nagustuhan?
Ang editing at takbo ng story. Basta minadali na lang. Balance nga ang comedy at drama kasi first half puro tawanan then next half sunod sunod na iyakan na pinilit lang talaga ang mga crying scenes. Siya iyak kayo hanggang magsawa kayo. Ano ba?
Super predictable ang ending nito na mega corny pa.

Ang di ko lang maintindihan eh bakit ba andaming product placements.
Nakakairita kaya SA DAMI NG SPONSORS. OA NA! Kahit walang manood nito eh malamang bawi na sila sa budget nila.



Di kasi maganda ang direction ni Joel Lamangan. Nagmamadali siya. Basta makakuha lang siya ng eksena. Ganun lang puwede na. Ewan ko ba?

Panget pa ang musical score. Walang kadating-dating sa mga eksena.

Ang post-ending ang nagpa-asar sa akin. Napasigaw talaga ako ng WTF!!!!!!
Huh??? Bahay Kubo musical???

Well, di ko alam kung recommended ko ito.
Well, for fun lang panoorin nyo.
Pero wag nyo na lang pansinin mga technical details.


WATCH THE TRAILER

RATING : 2.5 / 5 *

ALMOST FOR THE GOTHS!

TAR 12 - LEG 7

This was another great leg with plenty of classic AR drama, thrill and stunning backdrop. Last leg, the teams finished the leg over a pretty wide time period. The starting clue instructed teams to travel by bus to the port of Split, Croatia for a ferry ride across the Adriatic to the Italian port of Ancona.



Teams found Fiats waiting for them in the ferry parking lot and clues instructing them to drive to the city of Empoli and find a small airfield. Natennifer really lucked out and got directions at a nearby gas station that provided the best route to Empoli. The other teams got directions from other sources and ended up taking longer, more difficult routes. TK and Rachel discussed a unique route via Rome with some locals at an outdoor cafe in Ancona but took off leaving their clue sitting on the table! Fortunately, they realized they did not have the clue relatively soon and after a frustrating, unsuccessful search of the car, decided to return to the restaurant. To their great relief, someone had set the clue aside for them. During their long overnight drive, teams were treated to messages from home delivered on special Blackberries provided with their vehicles.

Using their greater route, Jenn & Nate arrived first at the airfield in the early hours of the morning to find a “take a number” board and the news that the facility would not open until 7AM. Once back on the road, TK and Rachel also had a relatively quick route to Empoli via Rome and arrived second. I was so happy.





The two teams found that the next clue was a Roadblock requiring one team member to fly in an ultralight and direct the pilot in a 30 min search of the surrounding area for a clue to the next destination. Nate & TK did the RB. Nate quickly saw the clue – the word “VINCI” written in large white letters on a nearby field - and directed his pilot back to the airfield. After revealing this to an airfield official, they were given the actual clue instructing the teams to drive to Vinci and find Leonardo’s birthplace.




Around this time, Nick/Don and Ron/Christina both arrived at the airfield after their conflicting takes on the road closure detour. When learned that they had to “take a number” for the next task.! The smooth TK was in need of his own chill pill as he was unable to find the area with the “VINCI” letters and had to return empty handed for refueling prior to going out again for a second search. Christina went up next for her team and found the clue on the first try. However, Nick and Don decided to take the Fast Forward option.




FAST FORWARD: They were instructed to go to a nearby “studio” to participate in a typical “seafaring tradition.” To their surprise, this turned out to be getting a tattoo! The tats were quickly done and the team received their clue directing them to the PIT STOP in the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

Meanwhile, the overnight drive had not worked out well for the Goths. Vyxsin had done all the driving due to her higher manual driving skills.They arrived exhausted at the airfield in last place. At this point, TK had taken another ultralight flight and still not located the VINCI clue. Vyxsin went up for the team and found the clue on her first flight. TK was extremely bothered at this point but went up one last time and finally saw the clue allowing their team to move on to Vinci in last place.

At Leonardo’s birthplace on top of a beautiful Tuscan hill, they found the next clue indicating a Detour with the choice of “Invention” or “Tradition”. In the Invention task, teams had go to a nearby area of the birthplace grounds and assemble a working replica of a Leonardo-designed crane. They would then use it to lift a stone 1 foot off of the ground allowing a Leonardo mirror box to be placed underneath to reveal a clue on the bottom of the stone. In Tradition, teams had to travel down to a piazza in the nearby town to learn and correctly perform a traditional complex flag twirling/tossing routine.



Jenn & Nate decided to go for the flag tossing. Meanwhile, in nearby Florence, Nick and Don arrived at the mat after using the Fast Forward to achieve an outstanding Phil welcomed them and rewarded their first place finish with a Travelocity trip to Cancun, Mexico.



Back in Vinci, I find the flag tossing so difficult but using her innate cheerleader skills, Jen very quickly mastered the routine and coached her cute Nate in his performance. They went through it earning a “Si!” from the lead flagman who provided them with the next clue directing them to the mat at the Boboli gardens. Ron and Christina also arrived in Vinci and also decided on the flag toss. Nate & Jenn finished second followed by Ron & Christina. They headed on to Florence for a third place finish as the Goths arrived in Vinci. After checking out the crane, the Goths decided to try the flags and headed for the plaza as TK/Rachel arrived in town in last place.



Unfortunately, at this point, things began to go incorrect for both teams leading to a spectacular race to stay out of last place. I love the Goths & the Hippies. I want them to stay in the race The Goths’ bad direction-luck continued with a very tired, frustrated Vyxsin at the wheel trying to make it down to the plaza. This led to a their first real argument. Kynt told her to “stop the car”. Things went from bad to worse as Kynt attempted to drive and the car’s transmission failed. Vyxsin got back behind the wheel but they realized that the car was dead and nothing to do but head out on foot to reach the plaza.

TK and Rachel were the only team to decide on the TRADITION task and with cautious, quiet teamwork managed to complete it quickly. They headed away from Vinci for the mat, unfortunately the had flat tire! As they stopped to fix this, Kynt and Vyxsin easily completed the flag toss and headed back to find a replacement vehicle waiting for them.

The last few minutes of the race was really exciting.
Who will be the next & last team to step on the mat.

Both teams now raced for Florence but TK and Rachel managed to arrive first at the mat in fourth place. Of course I was happy to hear it. The surprised, exhausted Goths arrived shortly afterwards to Phil informing them of their last place finish. However, he informed them that this was the first non-elimination leg! He went on to describe a new non-elimination scenario in which they would be subject to a new twist “Speed Bump” task in the next leg.

LOST IN TRANSLATION IN JAPAN ( TAR ASIA LEG 5)

After finishing 1st place 3 legs in a row, my fav team Rovimarc were excited to read the first clue in New Zealand
NEXT DESTINATION: TOKYO, JAPAN
Racers must find Shiba Park, one of the nation's oldest reserves built around the Zojoji Buddhist Temple, for their next clue.



All teams got the same flight to the land of the rising sun.



I love this quote from Henry on their way to the airport. He said: “
"We're not movie stars, we're not dancers or singers, we don't host our own shows. We're not models," notes Henry. "We're different from most of them. That's just the way we are."

If you noticed the other teams they are bunch of models you know.

Meanwhile. My other fav team from Japan were very happy coz they’re coming back to their hometown. They had an advantage coz of familiarity with the location, but in understanding the Japanese culture and language as well.



They would like to help other teams if any of the teams approaches them except for one team. According to the siblings :
"We get along with them and we'll help them," said Sawaka. "Except for one. We won't help the moms." Her brother concurred . "The Malaysian moms are rude and it seems that everyone hates them." This sentiment was shared by some of the other teams as well especially Terri who called Dianne as the sneaky evil one. Outside she's the sweety sweety one but deep inside she's the devil." Bwa ha ha ha!!!!

Once they landed in Japan, all teams dashed immediately to the train station. Of course, the Jap team was first. Actually, they were hiding so that no teams could follow them.

Guess what? RoviMarc were the first team to get the clue at the park. Most of the teams were lost.

Next CLUE: Teams must now get on a rickshaw, a cart that is manually pulled by a driver, and direct it to the Sony Building in Ginza, for their next clue.



Rovimarc were clearly ahead but had no idea of the building instead they just followed the Jap siblings.

At Ginza Plaza, teams are welcomed by referees, who handed each team a Sony Handycam video camera. They must convince a member of the public to sing Sakura, a popular Japanese folk song about cherry blossoms. To verify the performance, teams have to record the performance and return to Ginza Plaza to have the recorded performance assessed.

I was wonderin’ coz the Jap siblings couldn’t find a fellow Jap to sing for them. RoviMarc already found a lady but she was terrible. She ate the words and they tried another fellow.
First team to finish this task was Daichi & Sawaka.





Next clue: If filming is not for everyone, it is now time for that perfect picture moment. Given a picture of a girl in a cosplay costume, teams must now head to Mark City shopping centre in Shibuya and identify the girl in the picture.
Cosplayers are anime fans who dress up as their favourite Japanese cartoon character. For this task, the girl each picture is different but there are over a dozen Japanese girls all dressed in the same costume. Teams must locate the girl from their picture.



All teams except Daichi & Sawaka had a hard time finding the girl coz the directions in the streets are in Japanese. They were lost in translation too.
But they found the girl eventually.
As usual, the race isn’t complete without the bickering of Henry & Terri.

Next clue: DETOUR
Teams must now take a Detour. In Catch It, teams must find a restaurant, which has containers of goldfishes in the front. Using a traditional paddle, teams must fish out 40 goldfishes to get their next clue. The catch is that the paddles are made from traditional rice paper, which break away very quickly when soaked in water.

In Cart It, teams must enter a dry cleaning shop and must pick up a kimono and deliver it to a local address. The task is simple but with the confusing alley ways in Japan, finding both the dry cleaners and local address would not be easy.

RoviMarc chose Cart and they asked a newspaper boy for the direction instead he gave him the wrong one. Damn!!! The dancing moms chose Cart too but they were just wandering aimlessly.

Despite changing tasks, Sawaka and Daichi were the first to the dry cleaners and to drop off the item. Granted, they were making this leg look really easy, but the siblings knew that this is one chance for them to beat the other teams, "Japan is the only point we can beat them esp. RoviMarc," according to Sawaka.

Next clue: ROADBLOCK

The next clue leads team to Icebar Tokyo, a bar that maintains an almost sub zero temperature. One person from each team must enter the bar and complete an ice puzzle. The puzzle consists of blocks of ice with alphabets in them, and blocks must be used to spell out a city in Japan, which will be their next destination.

First person to finish of course: Sawaka! It was an easy task for her.
Second person was Rovilson.



But it is Pamela and Vanessa who had the hardest time at the Icebar. Alone in the room without her sister's guidance, Vanessa couldn’t decode the blocks of ice. She was shivering coz it was very cold and she was very frustrated, a teary eyed Vanessa broke down and actually left the room "I have no clue. I don't know anything," she told Pamela, but when Henry arrived she finished the ice puzzle in the end. Henry cheated coz he looked at her answer. He received the clue as well.



Next clue: Teams must make their way to Shinigawa Train Station and travel, by bullet train, to Congress Centre in Fukuoka to get to their fifth pitstop.


Sawaka and Daichi were the first to get there but were disappointed to discover that the first train will only leave at 6 in the morning.
Naturally, this allows all teams to assemble at the train station and together, they hop on the first train which takes them 1100km to Fukuoka. Yeah Fukuoka was the answer to the roadblock.

Hanep ang mad dash ng mga teams sa Congress center. Unfortuantely, the first team to arrive was the hated team of Ann & Dianne. However, according to Allan Wu: KEEP RACING!!!!!!!!!!!

Bitin!!!! The next leg will continue next week!

FLAMBOYANT BUT INSIPID

ELIZABETH : THE GOLDEN AGE



I’ve seen the first movie Elizabeth that made Cate Blanchett an international star. Ever since I’ve been following her films. Indian Director Shekhar Kapur also did a brilliant job there.

After 9 years, here comes the sequel. They were reunited. So what happened?



If you are clueless with Queen Elizabeth I & England’s history, well I think you will like this film. But if you are a history buff, prepare your chainsaw and rip the filmmaker’s reel. This is a crud film for you.




Basically, the film just offers a lavish costume drama with some spectacular camera shots. It’s like watching Marie Antoinette again coz the costume designs and wigs are flamboyant.




Yeah, Cate Blanchett is still impeccable with her acting but c’mon Kapur! I thought you were talking bout her Golden Age. According to History, in 1585 Elizabeth is 52 years old. Cate Blanchett looks younger here. The chalk paste make-up is hilarious by the way.




Clive Owen is also here who plays the pirate captain Jack Sparrow. I mean Sir Walter Raleigh. He is too old for this role if you remember your history lesson. Clive is charming though.



I just wanna praise the small role of Samantha Morton as the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots. I had goose bumps watching that execution scene.



Of course I must not forget the talented Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham who dawdled here.



I was really eager to see the Armada but I was disappointed honestly. It was a horrible battle scene. The director didn’t take it seriously. The scenes are computer-generated but it was insipid.




I can’t say if this film is anti-Catholic or “I so adore my victorious England”!!!!
I don’t know. I’d rather zip my mouth with these religious & patriotic issues.


If you’re planning to watch this film, don’t refresh your memory with Elizabeth’s history.

RATING : 3 / 5 *