Costume, Critter, Candy 2

Happy Halloween!

New drawings, set two of two.

Frankenstein Vs. Franken-Castle

DC’s patchwork man versus Marvel’s reanimated vigilante. I wanted to draw this since last year.

Ten Jokers

I chose just ten: Hyena (Amalgam), Joker (New 52), Joker (Elseworld’s Finest), Joker (The Dark Knight Returns), Joker Junior/Tim Drake (Batman Beyond), Joker/Martha Wayne (Flashpoint), Joker (Main/New Earth), Bianca Steeplechase (Thrillkiller), Joker (The Batman), Joker (1,000,000).

Young Justice Halloween

Superboy and Impulse didn’t have normal childhoods, so Robin and Wonder Girl suggested that they go trick or treating together.

LNA, Demidragons

Lexy, Nance and Argus as fantasy warriors. It’s the annual Halloween cosplay, and this year, they’re trying out something different. Lexy is Bladesmith (the impervious swordsman!), Nance is Shadowdance (the shapeshifting spy!), and Argus is Reignbow (the alchemist archer!). Happy Halloween!

Siblings get filthy—and rich

(Published Oct. 30, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

“Dumpster-diving” brothers Jimmy and John DiResta have no problem getting their hands dirty, rifling through people’s discarded items. They transform garbage into “classy junk” that become profitable collectibles.

“Whatever we find, we let it decide what it wants to be,” Jimmy told Living Stars in a phone interview. “We find it, we fix it, we sell it,” added John. Their penchant for scavenging and recycling could be traced back to their father’s “addiction” to flea market items. On Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Money” (Thursdays, 9 p.m.) they demonstrate their combined expertise turning trash into cash, which they’ve been doing for years.

How different are your design sensibilities?

John: Jimmy teaches design at a visual arts school in New York City. His furniture designs are really wild. Compared to them, my pieces look like Fred Flintstone made it. His designs are more interesting but I’m funnier.

What specific knowledge and skills are most useful for you?

Jimmy: I have an education in design and all my life I’ve been designing and building. I taught myself welding [and] using woodworking tools. You need to have a certain love to get started and a tenacity to figure things out.

John: I’m married 23 years with three kids, three dogs, a rabbit. That’s my education.

Have fans created stuff inspired by your show?

Jimmy: I haven’t seen any finished pieces, but a lot of people are always asking me how I made this or that.

What’s been the toughest thing to redesign, so far?

John: We tried to reinvent the pogo stick.

‘Time’ bandits

Time really is money in the science fiction-drama “In Time,” written and directed by Andrew Niccol (“Gattaca,” “The Truman Show”). In this radically changed reality, the archetypes remain the same, but as with most of Niccol’s other worlds, the film shows deeper truths about humanity and society.

This alternate, futuristic realm has familiar social divisions and ills, a flawed place where time has become the main currency. A person’s remaining days can be seen as a glowing digital display on the forearm, telling just how much time is left before the body expires. Time is much desired, as people can be eternally youthful, or can accomplish much for themselves or their families.

Protagonist Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) knows just how precious it is because he’s no stranger to harsh realities growing up. “Inheriting” the near-immortality of a wealthy bar patron (Matt Bomer), Will soon spends his newly acquired time on different thrills, and is introduced to the privileged but bored young woman, Sylvia (Amanda Seyfried).

“In Time” takes its sweet time when fleshing out the main characters, which are actually simple and typically Romeo and Juliet-esque. They go on Bonnie-and-Clyde-ish time heists, redistributing the wealth a la Robin Hood. While avoiding the smug thug Fortis (Alex Pettyfer) and the unrelenting time cop Raymond (Cillian Murphy), Will and Sylvia become outlaw heroes, their activities expectedly affecting the ages-old system. Despite its predictability, it’s still a smart and insightful film, one worth spending some time and money on.

“In Time” opens today in Metro Manila.

Age Difference

It’s that time of the year when I reflect on my life again, at least more than usual, since I’m going to be older again soon.

I’m still discovering the difference between growing up and growing old, but more importantly, I’m learning the importance of knowing when to be accepting, and when to be defiant.

I’m still not a religious person, and I don’t claim to know everything. That’s just how I am. It still irks me when some people preach “enlightenment” to me or claim that their gods are speaking through them. You have beliefs, fine. But don’t tell me I’m doomed because I don’t have or want the same belief system.

I still consider myself lucky to be living in this particular age. Art can be seen quicker, information is mere clicks away, and communication is much easier. Everything’s become files on different formats. But I consider myself fortunate that I’ve been exposed to traditional, old school disciplines as well.

I know how heartbreak feels. You get over things and move on, eventually, because you don’t really have a choice sometimes. But pain can be fuel, and you’ll realize sooner or later that you should cherish and enjoy what you have.

I continue to be grateful. I’m glad that I can both write and draw. I’m glad that after writing for work, I can relax my mind by switching to artist mode, which allows me to use a different set of instincts. I’m glad that I constantly learn new things, whether it’s a technical ability or information that I can use later.

I’m thankful for my loved ones and real friends, generous people who are just there to inspire and teach me. I don’t know if I contribute anything to their lives, but I thank them for bearing with me and my temperaments. I also thank my bosses, who trust me enough to do the job.

I prove myself every day. I can say that I continue to work hard. I didn’t have opportunities handed to me by influential relatives. I didn’t sleep with anyone to land a job. I didn't destroy anyone to accomplish my goals. I always wish I could be better at the things I do, but I also congratulate myself when I feel I deserve it. It’s healthier that way.

‘Real Steel’: Hugh Jackman, robot whisperer

(This appeared in the Oct. 16-31 issue of The Fortnightly.)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

In the predictable but moving science fiction-sports flick “Real Steel,” Hugh Jackman plays loser robot-boxer operator Charlie Kenton, whose estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) reluctantly reunites with him for the duration of one summer. Sure, the iffy trailer didn’t really promise anything spectacular, and its brief shots of fighting robots looked silly. But the Shawn Levy-directed film pleasantly surprises; its effects-enhanced action parts gel seamlessly with the ingratiating father-son yarn.

In that reality, Charlie was a competent boxer, but human fighters were eventually replaced by remote-controlled, mechanical ones. He tried adapting in vain, entering his robots in matches at the oddest venues, but they almost always end up in pieces. Charlie also ends up owing people (some of them scummy, shady types), but he manages to sneak out on them just in time. Everything changes with the arrival of Max, who isn’t exactly thrilled to be spending time with his absent and mostly self-centered dad. Max later discovers a discarded sparring robot, Atom, whose “shadow” function allows it to imitate the movements of humans in its proximity.

It proceeds as expected. Max upgrades Atom by integrating some parts from the surviving components of defeated robot boxers. Soon enough, Atom is trained by his “coach” Charlie. The automaton starts boxing bouts with dance numbers, motion-capturing Max before fighting in small competitions. Atom becomes a sensation, attracting the attention of fans and foes alike.

“Real Steel” lets Jackman play another flawed but redeemable man’s man. Charlie is initially a fellow you wouldn’t want to deal with, an unreliable, disconnected guy who has no compunctions whatsoever with signing away his custody rights for the right amount. He is, however, charming, especially to Bailey (Evangeline Lilly), his boyhood friend, trusty mechanic, and occasional cuddle-buddy. Jackman gets to do some action scenes via his “coaching” gig, but he’s also impressive in less-rowdy and more emotional scenes.

He shares a good rapport with promising young actor Goyo, who resembles former child actor Jake Lloyd a bit. Goyo’s plucky Max doesn’t get irritating; his impish but often-resourceful character is properly conveyed, and complements Charlie well.

The fantasy-scifi elements connect adequately with the familiar and familial tale, the technological wonders just mostly presented as advanced and expensive gizmos that don’t really radically change society’s basic human relationships outside the ring. The boy and the robot share an “Iron Giant”-ish bond, but strangely enough, the machine’s “secret” isn’t really clearly expounded on.

Anyway, it doesn’t really focus on the details and science of the robot fighters’ tech. The robots look and move great, though, their slam-bang fisticuffs engaging enough whenever they’re focused on. Those flashy moments balance out the underdog and redemption drama, making “Real Steel” surprisingly steely.

Legion of Plastic Heroes

Oh, wow. Legion toys! Back in December of 2005, I blogged, “DC Direct, please make more affordable figures with more points of articulation like the ones Toy Biz is doing. Please do it soon. You've got over seventy years' worth of characters at your disposal. Start with the post-Zero Hour Legion of Super-Heroes. Fanboys and fangirls the world over will eat 'em up. You'll make lots of money.”

Almost six years later, it’s not DC Direct but Mattel that’s releasing an incredible-looking action figure set of the pre-Crisis Legion. Sweet. But it’s priced at US $180. Man. I won’t be getting it; I quit collecting action figures some time ago, but I’m still finding it great that there’s a Legion set! So fricking cool!

‘Glee’ back to basics, gayer than ever

(Published Oct. 17, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Season Two of the uber-popular “Glee” series can best be described as uneven, its story lines and guest appearances sometimes derailing proper character development and plot progression. While some characters were very clearly developed, such as gay teen Kurt (Chris Colfer), some members of the New Directions glee club practically disappeared into the background, only focused on again when performing less-significant or perfunctory tasks.

The on-again, off-again feud between the group’s mentor Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and Coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) has also gotten tiresome and forced. Every truce is short-lived, as Sue always finds inane reasons to torment the glee club. She’s despicable one minute and unbelievably generous the next, making it harder to take the character seriously. Sure, it’s “Glee,” but she’s just gotten way too cartoony!

The show, however, sensitively tackled religion, sexuality and bullying in some of the better-written episodes last season. Kurt’s growth is constant and consistent; his best moments are easily those that involve his insightful discussions with his straight dad (Mike O’Malley), confrontations with the closeted gay bully Karofsky (Max Adler), and interactions with his first boyfriend Blaine (Darren Criss).

One of the gay-friendliest ongoing American shows, “Glee” also revealed in the previous season that the mean and manipulative cheerleader Santana (Naya Rivera) is a lesbian and has real feelings for her best friend Brittany (Heather Morris). Also, Kurt and Blaine’s relationship was focused on a lot, the couple’s scenes often neatly accompanied by reimagined songs, including Criss’ popular version of “Teenage Dream” and the pair’s memorable rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

The first three episodes of the third season are addressing story concerns more, finally focusing on long-ignored characters like Mercedes (Amber Riley) and Mike (Harry Shum Jr.). Core relationships are being emphasized, and some rivalries are being utilized, at last.

But Rachel (Lea Michele) needs to be toned down a bit. She’s gotten really annoying for being overly competitive and selfish—remember when she sent potential rival Sunshine Corazon (Charice Pempengco) to a drug den? And now she’s running for class president against her friends. Rachel’s not a character you’d always root for, so let’s hope the writers remedy that before she becomes truly irredeemable.

Music-wise, “Glee” needs more original songs. There’s no shortage of good covers by the cast, but there are opportunities to create and launch more exclusive music.

The addition of Criss is a wise move; the charismatic and gifted actor-musician is contributing substantially to the show. Hopefully, the winners of the “Glee Project,” Damian McGinty and Samuel Larsen, will also add positively to the existing dynamic.

“Glee” season three airs Wednesdays, 9 p.m., on ETC and Jack TV.

Loki won’t be low-key

Tom Hiddleston was interviewed by CBR about portraying Loki again in the upcoming “Avengers” movie. Very intriguing. He describes working under the direction of Kenneth Branagh in “Thor,” and more recently, Joss Whedon in “Avengers.”

“The thing about the two of them is that they actually share more than you might first imagine, weirdly. Joss is a huge Shakespeare buff and Ken’s actually a closet comic book fanboy. True story. But also they both have a kind of pan literacy about storytelling and mythology and literature and comics and they understand classic tropes of storytelling, narrative arcs… and they’re also both just immensely passionate people. Really good at leading, really good at inspiring actors and all of that stuff. So… everyone has a different artistic fingerprint. Ken has a very classical warmth about him… and I think ‘Thor’ is both warm and classical in tone and Joss is really interested in comedy, as well, within a Sci-Fi context. He had this huge canvas where superheroes are teaming up to save the world, and he’s brave enough to make it funny.”

That reminds me of Joss’ handling of Buffy and Firefly. Now I’m really interested. Can’t wait for May, 2012.

Costume, Critter, Candy

Halloween drawings! Set one of two.

Black Lanterns Vs. Marvel Zombies

The reanimated corpses of DC heroes meet the hungry ex-heroes of a doomed Marvel reality.

Endless Glee

A teenage Dream is singing “Teenage Dream,” backed up by his warbling siblings Desire, Destruction, Death, and Delirium.

Doomsday

Nigh-unstoppable alien berserker!

Sister Grimm Vs. Black Alice

Teen magic-wielders Nico Minoru and Lori Zechlin fight before becoming BFFs.

Mild mirth

Classic Disney cartoon characters return in the short and silly “Winnie the Pooh,” an effective reminder that most animated films from bygone eras used to be simpler--narratively and visually--but are still quite imaginative. While contemporary animated features are usually faster-paced, intricately rendered, and much, much louder, the new “Winnie the Pooh’s” uncluttered style and laid-back vibe offer viewers something else entirely.

Barely an hour long, the film reintroduces the honey-loving bear and his (stuffed) animal friends, each possessing a distinct personality: Winnie is nice and determined, if quite dim; Tigger is confident and hyperactive; Eeyore is lethargic and defeatist, and so on. Their shared adventure first involves replacing Eeyore’s lost tail, which later leads to other less-expected but funny quests.

“Winnie the Pooh” is cute but often strange; adults with some familiarity may view the characters and their predicaments differently now. Its lack of a fourth wall becomes integral to the story; words and letters creatively become part of some scenes. The characters seem to have dimness in common, but in this innocent and kid-friendly world, their shared naivete inspires most snicker-worthy situations.

The film could’ve been longer; even preceded by the animated short “The Ballad of Nessie,” the film still feels too short. Despite that, it serves as a clear enough introduction to Pooh’s uniquely simple but comfortable world. By the way, stay during the end credits and wait for an extra scene.

“Winnie the Pooh” will be screening exclusively at Ayala Cinemas starting Oct. 19.

Grand, ghastly ‘Game’

(Published Oct. 13, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

It may take the uninitiated some time to identify with and root for likeable characters in the dark fantasy series “Game of Thrones,” which is based on the fan-favorite “A Song of Ice and Fire” books by George R.R. Martin.

The various inhabitants of a medieval-looking realm have a long and complicated history: Ned Stark (Sean Bean) is a just and trusted right-hand man to King Robert (Mark Addy), ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. One of their exploits involved usurping the throne from a mad king, whose children were exiled to a distant territory.

One of the exiles, Viserys (Harry Lloyd), arranges the marriage of his sister, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), to the nomadic warlord Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) as part of the scheme to amass an army and return home.

Unknown to the king, his wife Cersei (Lena Headey) has been having an incestuous affair with her brother Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). The secret was revealed in the first episode, its discovery by Ned’s son Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) becoming the catalyst for a number of pivotal events.

Despite having several unsympathetic characters, “Game of Thrones” has intriguing underdogs that stand out in most episodes: Ned’s illegitimate son Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is a brave, selfless warrior; Ned’s tomboyish daughter Arya (Maisie Williams) speaks her mind and aspires to be a great swordswoman; Robert’s dwarf brother-in-law Tyrion (recent Emmy winner Peter Dinklage) is a cunning strategist.

“Game of Thrones” has a grand tale, but there are pacing and editing hitches. Anticipated scenes are sometimes left out, while some parts noticeably drag.

But the first season creates a vast, often violent world with clashing cultures and politics, and ghastly supernatural creatures. Its scandals and betrayals also stir things up accordingly. The warring factions have been established, and some characters have already lost some battles (and their lives)—heralding an even deadlier, more epic “game” in the next season.

“Game of Thrones” will have a season one marathon on Oct. 15, 10 a.m. on HBO Signature, and on Nov. 12, 10 p.m. on Max.

Words and Pictures

Been writing advertorial copy and reviews for days, so it’s relaxing to just switch off and draw, read, and watch TV shows and videos. Oh, I just saw the new Avengers trailer. Man, I can’t wait. Please, please be awesome.

Speaking of awesome, I gotta announce this. Some of my movie reviews will be appearing in The Fortnightly, a new publication available for free at upscale shops, hotels, resorts, and hospitals, among other places, according to Editor in Chief Lester Hallig. My other movie reviews will be exclusively written for my blogs, and my other articles and reviews continue to appear in the Entertainment section of the Inquirer. My thanks to all the cool and generous people who continue to ask me to write for them.

Mutant Fission

The Schism mini is over. Woverine leaves Cyclops’ mutant island nation Utopia and plans to start the mutant school in New York anew, to be called The Jean Grey School for Higher Learning this time.

I’m just wondering, how many students will it have? Some of the Young X-Men were seen leaving with Logan, so they’ll probably continue their schooling, which was interrupted by anti-mutant attacks and their move to San Francisco.

I’m still siding with Cyclops; with very few remaining mutants, the younger ones need to be more involved in their kind’s protection and survival. I hope that Cyclops will deputize background characters (Avalanche, Stinger, Alchemy, etc.) and make them full-fledged X-Men to compensate for the departure.

The indie film that could

(This appeared in the Oct.1-15 issue of The Fortnightly.)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Megahit comedy “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” distinctly fuses gender identity topics with fantasy situations, a daring combination that mostly works. Co-written by Raymond Lee, Michiko Yamamoto and director Jade Castro, the film is campy and caricaturish, and while it doesn’t pedantically lecture its viewers on sexuality and gay empowerment, it does enlighten through its creative handling of gender topics.

Its protagonist Remington (Martin Escudero) used to mock obvious and suspected gay men when he was a kid, until he was “cursed” to become a homosexual by a mourning stranger (Roderick Paulate). Just when the older Remington finds himself attracted to a pretty lass, Hannah (Lauren Young), he changes from manly kanto boy to effeminate queer almost overnight! Soon enough, he’s well-versed in gay-speak, and is sexually drawn to his male best friend, Jigs (Kerbie Zamora). He gets doubly confused when he realizes that openly gay men in his town are being targeted by a bizarre serial killer.

“Zombadings” is largely about the sudden transformation of Remington; the titular gay zombies only appear and wreak havoc much later. The film has undoubtedly sparked discussions on the genetic factors and the fluidity of sexuality, but the story declares that either you are or aren’t. Remington is, or was straight, considers gayness a burden until he discovers that it’s not bad and almost accepts it. But Hannah convinces him that he’s meant to be straight, presumably because she fancies him, so they race against the clock to find a similarly mystical solution to the “problem.”

While it often equates gayness with fey mannerisms, it still has some “butch” characters in Jigs (who can be categorized bisexual) and a few closeted men. Escudero is pleasantly surprising as the dichotomized Remington; the actor embodies the hunky teen heartthrob one minute, and the swishy, sashaying diva the next. It’s amazing that he can pull off both expressively.

Zamora is charming as the tricycle driver and Remington’s oldest buddy. He’s a little uneven, acting-wise; an important revelation during that intense staircase scene with Remington needed better delivery. Still, Escudero has more chemistry with Zamora than with Young, although the straight couple still comes off as cute and believable.

The project benefits from the involvement of Janice De Belen and John Regala, who play a cop and a panciteria owner, respectively. The actors shine as Remington’s understanding and supportive parents, and figure in some of the more absurd moments. Just as outstanding is Paulate, who plays a gay character once again, but one that’s shrouded in mystery. Eugene Domingo, as Hannah’s grieving mother, also delights with her somewhat enigmatic character.

Situations depicting Remington’s sexuality-shifting are consistently hilarious. The onslaught of the zombies, however, dampens the hilarity a bit. The climactic confrontations could’ve gone smoother, too. “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” is far from flawless, but it still mostly entertains and endears with its strange and silly take on gender identity crisis.

Imprecise ‘Number’

It’s easy to like Anna Faris. Seemingly devoid of vanity, she makes wacky, dumb or clumsy characters watchable and even endearing, some forgettable movies notwithstanding. She similarly brings the bubbly blonde Ally Darling to life in the romantic comedy “What’s Your Number?”—it seems tailor-made for her as well, as she has a seeming comfortability with awkward situations. She’s still able to offer necessary depth, despite some scenes that some may find less than flattering.

And it’s a slightly offbeat rom-com role: Ally’s non-stop bombardment of embarrassments stems from her reaction to a fashion magazine article about the average number of sex partners. She tracks down her exes with the help of her ever-flirty musician neighbor Colin (Chris Evans), whom she helps with ditching one-night stands the morning after. She hopes to end up in wedded bliss with one of her former lovers, but she discovers to her dismay that there’s always a dealbreaker.

“What’s Your Number?” is formulaic and predictable; if you’ve seen the trailer, you practically know the sequence of events already. Still, it isn’t dull, as Faris and Evans (not a bad tandem) are joined by Blythe Danner, Faris’ real-life spouse Chris Pratt, Andy Samberg, and Joel McHale, among other actors in small roles.

In true romantic comedy fashion, the touted pairing eventually find themselves falling for each other, but routinely, some lies have to be exposed first. Things subsequently become serious and tedious, but it manages to elicit a few more laughs just before it ends.

It has adequate characterization, making the main characters’ bond appreciable. Faris does well, as usual, Ally’s generally improbable situations aside. And the movie’s silly but often perceptive tackling of the sex issue amuses, even when you already know some of the funniest parts.

“What’s Your Number” opens Oct. 5 in Metro Manila.

Secret monster showdowns

(Published Oct. 3, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Like most successful fantasy TV shows, “The Vampire Diaries” has its own unique mythology. Now on its third season, it can only be truly appreciated by viewers who followed it from the very beginning. The characters have gone through several major changes, and the show has evolved far from its simpler teen romance-monster drama roots.

Season one introduced and developed vampire siblings Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder), both smitten with the human teen Elena (Nina Dobrev), who resembles their lost vampire lover Katherine (also played by Dobrev). Together with a few trusted friends, Elena discovers the long-hidden history of their town Mystic Falls, which also happens to be home to werewolves, witches and monster-hunters.

It was pretty derivative, but the show turned darker and layered by season two. The second season’s nearly epic stories often brought the more heroic characters together to fight a war against a barrage of powerful foes. Mystic Falls was besieged by the remorseless Katherine, scheming sorcerers, vengeful werewolves, and undying “original” vampires. The romance angles were still there, although not as focused as the battle strategies and unfolding intrigues (one big revelation after another involving the villains’ connected pasts).

Season three of “Vampire Diaries” starts with the bloody rampage of Stefan, now the henchman of his former enemy, the vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus (Joseph Morgan). Deceased characters from the early episodes also return as phantoms visible to Elena’s brother Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). Elena and her allies are still reeling from their last supernatural showdown, which scarred each of the combatants differently.

“Vampire Diaries” is humorless, unlike other ongoing monster-centric shows like “Teen Wolf” and “True Blood.” Its mythology has also become so complex that the current episodes may alienate new viewers. But its consistently serious tone, its intricate vampire lore, and its ever-expanding menagerie of beasties continue to reward unflinching devotees.

“The Vampire Diaries” season 3 airs Tuesdays, 8 p.m., on ETC.

Look Sharp

Some cool comic book encounters. New drawings.

Daken Meets Shatterstar

Badass bisexual brawlers! Wolverine’s son Daken and Longshot’s rumored son Shatterstar. This really should happen soon.

Cheetah Vs. Tigra

Feline fisticuffs! This was inspired by the one-panel confrontation in JLA-Avengers # 4.

Surviving the ‘Awkward’ phase

(Published Sept. 29, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

High jinks and histrionics abound in “Awkward,” MTV’s new teen comedy series about a misunderstood girl and her daily survival routine. The half-hour show developed by Lauren Iungerich paints a pretty stylized picture of high school and teenage debacles, but it’s easy to identify with the uncomfortable situations and certain campus archetypes.

“Awkward” follows the misadventures of the nearly invisible but attractive Jenna (Ashley Rickards), who starts an intimate relationship with the sweet jock Matty (Beau Mirchoff). But they belong to different cliques, and Matty asks her to keep quiet, so she reluctantly keeps their “friends with benefits” status a secret.

Jenna figures in an accident at home, but her misfortune is misinterpreted by her schoolmates as a suicide attempt.

Calling it a “misunderstanding of epic proportions,” Jenna explains her side in vain, and tries to ignore the judgmental or sympathetic stares. She sometimes has to contend with the mean cheerleader, Sadie (Molly Tarlov), and even has to humor the inept guidance counselor Ms Marks (Desi Lydic).

But Jenna still secretly fools around with Matty from time to time, happy for the temporary intimacy that their secret arrangement allows them. Her insecurities return soon after they part ways, but while Jenna feels a little unwanted, Matty’s close friend Jake (Brett Davern) starts noticing her.

The show’s voiceover narration is nowhere near as insightful and emotive as in “The Wonder Years,” but its sensitive and sometimes caustic musings make Jenna a solid and sympathetic teen underdog you totally root for. Each episode isn’t entirely comedic; it deliberately utilizes dramatic moments to emphasize the main character’s more serious turning points.

Jenna’s troubles are made “real” by promising young actress Rickards, subtly giving the character the necessary naivete, occasional confidence, and charming awkwardness.

“Awkward” airs Sundays, 11 p.m. on MTV.

Learning, Pageturning

Some spoilery comic book stuff:

1. Schism is heating up; I’m glad that it’s not an event title with infinite tie-ins. It’s only 5 issues long, and the few Generation Hope issues are optional, so it’s not a burden on the wallet. The X-Men are dividing a la the superhero community in Civil War, but this story is more straightforward and more focused. I’m currently siding with Cyclops, whose argument makes more sense than Logan’s.

2. Kevin Keller, the Archie universe’s first openly gay guy, is getting married! In the more grown-up world of Life With Archie, Kevin is a war hero and will be marrying his Mr. Right in a tale written by former DC editor and scribe Paul Kupperberg. Life With Archie # 16 will be released in January. In the meantime, you can read about younger Kevin in the ongoing miniseries, two issues of which are out now. Cool that the character used to be an awkward kid, and dreams of following in his colonel father’s footsteps.

3. They’re Hal Jordan-ing Wanda Maximoff in Avengers: Children’s Crusade! Finally. They’re calling it the “Life Force,” which took control of the Scarlet Witch, resulting in the disassembling of the Avengers and the decimation of mutantkind. Good issue with some annoying parts. During the X-Men-Avengers confrontation, Rogue threatens Ms. Marvel: “Don’t make me take the gloves off, Carol!” Whaa--?! Rogue destroyed her life, atoned, and was forgiven! Not cool. That part could’ve been written better.

Girl, gun, grandiosity

In the solid revenge thriller “Hanna,” the titular character is tasked to assassinate a target connected to her past. Raised by a superb ex-CIA operative, Erik (Eric Bana), the 16-year-old Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) soon leaves her secluded home in Finland, where she was rigorously trained in hunting and killing. Her first and only mission is to eliminate the cold-blooded--and plaque-free!--CIA agent, Marissa (Cate Blanchett), Erik’s pursuer and the unrepentant killer of Hanna’s mother.

Her first contact with the outside world carefully planned, the seemingly vulnerable Hanna is detained at a CIA facility in Morocco, where she soon demonstrates her lethal abilities in tight (if overly arty) action sequences. Believing her mission accomplished, Hanna escapes and befriends a vacationing family, before proceeding with her planned reunion with her father in Germany. Marissa, however, has plans of her own that just might ruin their pre-organized itinerary.

Ronan previously worked with director Joe Wright in “Atonement,” their comfortable synergy still obvious in “Hanna.” Ronan continues to improve as an actress, able to convey precious nuances that make her ideal for the unique role. From home-schooled innocent to methodical executioner, Hanna is made intriguing by the emphatic Ronan.

The film has science fiction elements that somewhat diminish the character’s mystique by explaining away (and a little belatedly) that Hanna was truly designed for such tasks. The revelations and their repercussions are pretty by-the-numbers, but overall, “Hanna’s” distinctly strange coming-of-age aspects and spirited action scenarios blend splendidly.

“Hanna” is an Ayala Cinemas exclusive opening today, Sept. 28.

Yay, Gay

Sean Maher, who previously played Dr. Simon Tam in Joss Whedon’s “Firefly” and “Serenity,” and a current cast member of “The Playboy Club,” recently came out of the closet in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He and his partner of nine years have two children.

“I have these beautiful children and this extraordinary family, and to think in any way shape or form that that’s wrong or that there’s shame in that or that there’s something to hide actually turns my stomach… What would [my daughter Sophia] think if I said, ‘Oh honey, you can’t come with me to work because they don’t know I have an adopted daughter and they don’t know that I’m gay.’ My children and our family, I’ve really never been as proud of anything in my life.”

The actor knew that he was gay even before getting acting jobs in the late ‘90s, and was in the closet when he was doing “Firefly,” but considered his castmates his “family.”

Congratulations and thanks to Mr. Maher for his courage and honesty!

Hilariously ‘Horrible’

You don’t see Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell regularly portraying power-mad, abusive characters at all, so it’s pleasantly surprising that they do exactly that just this once, translating quite enjoyably in the comedy “Horrible Bosses.” Joined by Kevin Spacey, who’s done quite an array of memorable villains already, they form a terrible triumvirate targeted by their favorite victims, played by Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, and Charlie Day.

“Horrible Bosses” follows the abused subordinates’ similar plights, longtime friends who, coincidentally enough, are being pushed to the limit by their different, unapologetically wicked bosses. They hire a guy they believe to be a hitman, actually a “murder consultant,” Motherf***er Jones (Jamie Foxx), but end up following their own less-than-brilliant revenge plan.

It’s a treat to see Aniston in the sexy, over-the-top role, and it’s hilarious to see her predatory ways rebuffed by the dental assistant played by Day (whose role is just a little smarter than his regular “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” character). Spacey expectedly does fine as the manipulative and paranoid character, while Farrell is memorable as the extremely insensitive boss and drug-addled martial arts fan. Bateman and Sudeikis have almost interchangeable characters, good-natured pushover guys with dark sides.

Often entertainingly lewd and crude, the movie’s darkly comic situations offer a strange, cathartic escapism. The bumbling antiheroes and their awful antagonists have enough thigh-slapping encounters, and the endeavor benefits from the visible rapport between its actors, as well.

"Horrible Bosses” opens today in Metro Manila.

Raise your slush cup

TV sensation “Glee” gets the big screen treatment in “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie,” collecting some of the cast’s best (and a few forgettable) covers during their live performances in various venues. Now, it’s understandable that the mega-successful show has spawned a movie; it’s definitely the right time to milk it. But to have it in 3D? Well, that is quite the baffling mystery.

It’s strictly for the “Glee” fan; the actors are in character, but don’t expect any addendum to their storylines. Instead, real fans of the show are featured between numbers. Some are affecting, some are pretty dull, but the most enjoyable fan segments by far are those featuring a young boy, Kellan Sarmiento, the “Mini Warbler” emulating Blaine a.k.a Daren Criss’ dance moves.

The performances aren’t consistently captivating. The good ones include Criss and the Warblers’s numbers, Santana’s (Naya Rivera) rendition of “Valerie,” and Artie’s (Kevin McHale) dream sequence/interpretation of “Safety Dance.”

Not as exciting are “Firework” by Rachel (Lea Michele), the cast's version of "Born This Way," and for some reason, Brittany (Heather Morris) delivers a less-than-kinetic version of her Britney Spears song-and-dance number. Other performances are pretty much the way you may remember them from the show, only magnified several times and with better definition. As for the 3D, well, there’s the confetti near the end, fleetingly enhanced tiny bits in all their floating, shimmery glory.

“Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” opens today in Metro Manila.

Long Live the Fourboot Legion

Grownup Legion! Dawnstar, Element Lad, Phantom Girl, Chameleon Girl, Bouncing Boy, Star Boy, Superman, Tyroc, Night Girl, Sensor Girl, Polar Boy, Lightning Lad, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Brainiac 5, Sun Boy, Blok, Tellus, Earth Man, Duplicate Damsel, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Lightning Lass, Wildfire, Mon-El, Colossal Boy.

Effervescent f-buddies

“Friends With Benefits” initially revels in its somewhat edgy and cynical anti-romcom humor, but ultimately and expectedly, it becomes exceedingly familiar and formulaic. Still, it’s snappy and sexy; Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis sizzle as new friends turned f-buddies, hitting it off effortlessly and agreeing to periodic sexual activity minus the proverbial baggage. You see the complications coming, of course, but this particular arrangement still charms and mystifies.

Dylan (Timberlake) and Jamie (Kunis) are recently single professionals introducing each other to their worlds, intimately knowing each other in more ways that one. They enjoy the expectation-free relationship, attempting to pursue romantic interests elsewhere but failing miserably when it comes to finding the ideal partner. It’s futile; we all know they’ll get emotionally confused after getting it on repeatedly, it just takes them time (and pushy relatives) to realize that they can totally be a legit couple.

The characters are cute and easy to like, even when some seem to whine a lot. Things are kept lively with biting relationship humor (poking fun at clichéd romantic comedies), equal opportunity objectification (by the gay guy played by Woody Harrelson), and hilarious pop music references (involving John Mayer, Semisonic, etc.).

As for gripes, it’s not very believable that Dylan, hailing from LA, is bewildered by and unaccustomed to flash mobs. And when the lovers’ inevitable couple drama happens, things proceed routinely, the forced friction depriving the corresponding scenes of wit. But while it doesn’t break out of the mold (it would’ve been more interesting had the story ventured into riskier territory), “Friends With Benefits” still manages to explore its uniqueness, before deciding to be just like everything else.

“Friends With Benefits” will be having daylong sneak previews on Sept. 19 and 20 in Metro Manila.

Kinnear channels Kennedy, finds the man ‘fascinating’

(Published Sept. 15, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

“I’m walking while talking,” says American actor Greg Kinnear during an exclusive phone interview with the Inquirer. Scheduled for a long drive the next day, Kinnear takes the opportunity to talk about a recent project while enjoying his “sunny and gorgeous” afternoon in Santa Monica, California.

The multitasking actor is promoting the Emmy-nominated History Channel miniseries, “The Kennedys,” airing in Asia on September 19-22 (9 p.m. in Manila). Kinnear is pleased that he’s been nominated for his portrayal of President John F. Kennedy, a figure he describes as “fascinating.” He considers playing JFK (or “Jack”) a rare acting break.

“It was an incredible honor,” Kinnear says. “Jack was president when I was born, and he was assassinated at the exact age I was when I took this job. In a strange way, I just always felt a connection to him, not only because I admired him and thought much of his legacy, but it’s a pretty fascinating human story as well when you consider these incredible relationships he had with his brother, his wife and his father.”

Kinnear first became known as host of the comedy clip show “Talk Soup,” in the early 1990s. He branched out to acting, his performance as a gay artist in the 1997 film “As Good As It Gets” earning him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. He has portrayed radically different roles since, and is thankful for the diversity.

“It’s what I most hope for,” he says. “I kinda like biographies a lot, stories about real people. I’ve done it four, five times. I also like comedy. I thought I’d be making more of that in my career. But I get to do some of that, too.”

Kinnear reveals that researching JFK’s speech patterns and body language was quite easy. “What was very helpful was the large existing archive of film interviews and press conferences,” he says. “Many of his great speeches were filmed or recorded. He recorded many telephone conversations, and you could get some sense of his cadence and sound in all that.”

The actor believes JFK would have made an impressive leader even in a different era: “He’d make a great president today. He was really trusted by the public. I don’t think people realize how terrifyingly close the world was to nuclear war at that time. He was very smart; he was able to prevent that from happening. He’s a fascinating guy who lived through an extraordinary period in time.”

He adds that actors do take some liberties when interpreting the roles, but that “The Kennedys” was carefully created. “I’m not a historian, but I feel an obligation to follow the template of what was real, true and honest,” Kinnear says. “Robert Dallek, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, wrote ‘An Unfinished Life,’ which is unequivocally the best book that’s ever been written about the family and Jack’s administration. There is virtually nothing in the show that isn’t in his book. He’s one of the historians on the show; he vetted the script, so that was good enough for me.”

Kinnear is proud of the show’s 10 Emmy nominations. He and costar Barry Pepper are competing in the category, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries. “Barry [is] unbelievable as Robert Kennedy,” Kinnear gushed. “His performance is staggeringly great work. He took the role and owned it!”

The actor also praised Katie Holmes for her Jackie Kennedy portrayal. “I had worked with Katie before, in Sam Raimi’s ‘The Gift.’ I was ‘killing’ her in the woods when I last worked with her. Jackie Kennedy was the hardest role to take on, and I have the greatest respect for her for doing it justice.”

Kinnear is set to appear in the comedy, “I Don’t Know How She Does It” with Sarah Jessica Parker. He has no plans of returning to TV on a regular basis, but is not ruling out the possibility on account of the onset of prestigious programs. “Cable channels are creating remarkable shows now … so I’m bullish about it. They’re doing some great stuff.”

Pestilence dispatched

Steven Soderbergh’s smart disaster flick “Contagion” chronicles the apocalyptic rise of a mysterious disease, tracking a number of perspectives differently affected by its onslaught. Oddly enough, this film may as well have been the implied story during the end credits of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” where a virus decimates the human populace on a global scale.

The cast is unquestionably impressive. Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard and Jude Law play besieged characters that react to the unprecedented outbreak, each privy to a different side of the catastrophe. Not everyone survives it; some of them aren’t around for long, but the survivors’ tales offer realistic consequences, as well as insights into human behavior.

It should be frightening, but it mostly isn’t. It connects on a cerebral level; the sometimes-loosely connected tales are a welcome challenge. Your mind grasps the simultaneous upheavals but strangely (and sadly), not every story elicits sympathy or concern. The overall tragedy registers, but there’s very little empathic connection to the more personal misfortunes. The viewer’s attention is too split to really care for all the characters, but to the actors’ credit, they perform their assigned tasks admirably.

TV show asks hard questions

(Published Sept. 9, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

If you witness ethically dubious individuals mistreating others, how would you respond? ABC News’ fascinating “Primetime: What Would You Do?” asks the tough questions, pointing its hidden cameras at manufactured scenarios. Using credible actors, it gets intriguing answers from real people, who react differently to the given situations.

Hosted by veteran journalist John Quiñones, the program tests random “subjects,” presenting them serious quandaries that may lead them to do the right thing, or to ignore the whole incident altogether. The show’s actors are assigned to misbehave at the expense of others, unknown to baffled bystanders.

Each experiment is carefully planned, and sometimes requires the participation of some “regular” people. In various establishments, these scenarios unfold, often prompting vocal civilians to intervene and protect strangers (the actors) from getting victimized or exploited. At a nearby monitor room, the host observes the ongoing potential debacles with behavior experts, who periodically chime in on the body language of certain persons.

In one episode, the show staged a predicament at a pastry shop. A rude store clerk insults and shortchanges a blind woman, which enrages a number of real customers. The more protective witnesses stand up for her, angrily protesting the shamelessness of the clerk. When interviewed by the host minutes after the conflict, the surprised customers thought that it was the natural, immediate reaction to such offensive behavior.

Another segment is inspired by “Wedding Crashers,” about a pair of trespassing freeloaders. Two of the show’s actors pose as friends of the newlyweds, who are aware of the “prank.” During the real reception, the actors flirt with female guests and partake of food and drinks, but they’re inevitably discovered.

Before things truly get out of hand, the host makes an appearance, and explains the test to the unwitting but pleasantly surprised participants. Interestingly, the show sometimes asks tougher questions by changing actors. In similarly disconcerting spots, the race or gender of the “character” is changed to see if people react differently to such factors.

The disparate responses to the staged encounters are often revealing and enlightening. The near-skirmishes are unpredictable, translating as genuine drama that uplifts or discomfits.

“Primetime: What Would You Do?” airs Mondays, 10:30 p.m. on Studio 23.

Live-Action Assembling

Some “Avengers” teaser pics have been released. I found these on CBR, and a Tom "Loki" Hiddleston interview posted on MTV Splash Page. He talked about working on action scenes with his co-stars:

“It’s so funny because we’re all so gentle with each other. With Robert [Downey, Jr.] I was like, ‘Shall I squeeze a bit harder?’ And he was like, ‘Just squeeze baby, squeeze. Keep squeezing, baby.' And then Chris Hemsworth had to properly tackle me, [he asked] ‘Shall I just nudge you in the shoulder, mate?’ And I’m like, ‘Just take me out buddy, otherwise it’s going to look rubbish,’ and you kind of get a kick out of the physicality of it and then you wake up every morning going ‘Awww, I've got a few cracks.’ But it’s fun! We’re making the ‘Avengers,’ you know. It’s too much fun.”

That part with Robert Downey is funny. And interesting images, so far. I do hope that they include other unannounced Avengers characters, which can be played by less-popular actors (think Iceman in the first X-flick). The roster is okay, though. I hope these versions of Black Widow and Hawkeye become likeable, human heroes. It’s in Joss Whedon’s capable hands, so yeah, we’ll probably see that happen.

Fang feast

“Fright Night” is an enjoyable remake of the campy horror classic, updated quite nicely and a fun breather from the more “serious” monster flicks. Anton Yelchin is the new Charlie Brewster, a former geek dating the hot girl (Imogen Poots), and a witness to the bloody feeding frenzy of his vampire neighbor (Colin Farrell).

Like the original, this new version by Craig Gillespie is pretty simple and predictable, but the revived boy-versus-vampire yarn amuses. It’s still funny at the right parts, the humor given a more contemporary spin by screenwriter Marti Noxon, who used to write for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” There are pacing and editing flaws, however; awkward pauses and unnecessarily prolonged moments drain the suspense out of a few scenes.

It’s an impressive cast, despite the less-than-complex roles. Cristopher Mintz-Plasse plays Charlie’s vampire-hunting friend Ed; Toni Collette tones it down but is still good as Charlie’s doubting single mother. David Tennant, fan-favorite former Doctor Who, expressively plays Peter Vincent, now an ill-mannered Las Vegas illusionist and a reluctant participant in Charlie Brewster’s war.

“Fright Night” opens today in Metro Manila.

Disturbing relevance

Depressing but rightly so, the David Schwimmer-directed drama “Trust” follows the victimization of a young teen and the aftermath of her ordeal. Tackling relevant issues mostly effectively, the film’s powerful performances compensate for some narrative lapses.

It’s immediately distressing: a young teen, Annie (Liana Liberato) forms an online friendship with a stranger, “Charlie,” whose charming persona easily reels in the unwary youngster. Meeting up with her admirer at a mall, Annie discovers that it’s a much older man, but the silver-tongued cyber-predator convinces her to keep him company anyway. Annie’s father, Will (Clive Owen), is later informed of the horrific situation, shocked and enraged that his daughter was assaulted.

Unnerving and discomfiting, “Trust” establishes its characters firmly through believable portrayals. One can’t help but feel sickened as well, thanks to Liberato’s strong and versatile interpretation of Annie. We see her gradual and heartbreaking transformation from sweet, promising girl to teenage cautionary tale, and the young actress manages to assert a variety of emotions quite convincingly.

Owen, meanwhile, is characteristically astounding; you can feel him simmering in disbelief, weakened by guilt, and become understandably obsessed with exacting vengeance. His character’s work scenario feels forced (he handles an underwear campaign with ads of sensualized, scantily clad young women, to add more obvious conflict to his situation), but Owen just incredibly exemplifies a helpless father living his worst nightmare.

“Trust” is an Ayala Cinemas exclusive opening on Sept. 7.

LNA, Ten Years Ago

Before it was a graphic novel, “Lexy, Nance & Argus” was a comic strip that debuted ten years ago in Pulp, a local music magazine. Back in mid-2001, I pitched it to publisher Vernon Go and then-managing editor Annie Alejo. I was given two pages monthly, and the strip appeared in nine issues. Those 18 pages eventually became the first few chapters of the “Sex, Gods, Rock & Roll” one-shot, published in December of 2004.

I’m still very thankful for that opportunity. I’ve mentioned that a number of times already through the years in different blog entries. The comic strip led to a writing job at a magazine, which led to writing for a broadsheet, and so on. So as a commemoration of sorts, here are a few things that I remember fondly about its creation ten years ago.

The designs of the characters are a mix of influences; I wanted a simple, cartoony style, something that resembled the animated MTV shows of the time, but with a textured, daily comic strip feel to it. I was pleased with the final designs--distinct enough from each other, but still subject to visual change through clothes and hairstyles. They were easier to draw, but I could still control the details I wanted.

I used gray markers to give tonal value to those pages. The intensity varied from issue to issue; sometimes the gray tones translated as brown or yellow because of printing reasons, but I found the variations cool, nonetheless.

I photocopied and stapled all the parts together and gave them to comic creator friends. I once told Gerry Alanguilan that it was my “Wasted,” in the sense that doing it felt very cathartic. I was getting disillusioned with a lot of things prior to that point, and it was a chance to vent about what I thought was wrong with the world.

Doing it was also partly inspired by Carl Vergara’s “One Night in Purgatory,” which centered on a “forbidden” and conflicted relationship. I found myself creating characters that spoke to me, that had secret connections that fascinated me. I’ve always found secret, underlying connections between people fascinating. I often imagine this unseen web connecting real people through sex and sexuality, affection or attraction. So I wrote about these mostly carefree 20-somethings, whose shared “adventures” often led to self-discovery.

My other plans for Lexy, Nance, and Argus were realized through the comic book, three years later. It seems like yesterday, too, but so many things have happened since then. Looking at it now, there are parts that I wish I could change or improve. Still, I’m happy and always grateful that many people connected with it profoundly.

Supersuit Reboot

Superman’s new suit, finally revealed in this behind-the-scenes image from Comicvine. Yep, no red “underwear” like the recent Jim Lee redesign. This movie version looks contemporary enough, and Henry Cavill looks superhero-y handsome and hunky, so the change isn’t really a big deal. This actually looks more promising than that grim, dark promo pic that was released some weeks ago, the shadowy one that conveniently obscured the pants area. Now let’s cross our fingers that the film’s more entertaining than the less-than-action-packed 2006 reboot.

Speaking of ending eras, I just read the final issue of Flashpoint. Touching last few pages, uninteresting premise notwithstanding. It’s no secret that the DC Universe restarted again in that issue, its continuity rebooting anew just like it did during the history-altering events of Crisis, Zero Hour, and Infinite Crisis. I miss “my” DCU already, the Secret Six book and characters most of all. It’s a little annoying that some of my favorite heroes and villains are gone for now or made over to look like ‘90s Image characters. But I still hope that the experiment succeeds and that the change gets more people to read comic books.

Discovering ‘Hidden Cities’ with Anthony Morse

(Published Sept. 1, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

“Hidden Cities” host Anthony Morse is mum about his itinerary in the Philippines, but is “excited” to finally tour the country where he has some of the “most vocal” fans.

Shortly after his arrival at the New World Hotel in Makati on August 11, Morse gladly talked about the History channel show and its Filipino viewers. “I’m really excited to be doing an episode here because some of our most loyal fans are from the Philippines,” he said. “They offer encouragement as well because I’m new to this TV world.”

Morse, 31, previously hosted the four-episode initial season, which brought him to a number of Asian destinations. The second season is also being shot in Asia, and will begin airing in November. Morse is accompanied to lesser known or forgotten locations by the show’s director, cameraman and sound man.

“We’ve already completed six episodes; there are eight,” Morse revealed. “The Philippines is the seventh and we have a really good feeling about it. We go to the less-traveled areas and destinations, so we’re going to be looking at various periods of Philippine history.”

Describing himself as “a talker” since he was a kid, the host was chosen among numerous hopefuls, the last applicant with the “Asian face” and adventurous attitude.

“They had an announcement saying they were searching for a host,” Morse recounted. “They said, ‘Do you like to travel, learn about history, interact with people?’ I thought, ‘Yeah! You get paid to do that?’ So I applied online. Here I am a year and a half later.”

Morse already had a familiarity with some Asian cultures prior to landing the hosting gig. He lived in Chiang Mai from age 3 to 18. “I was born in Southern California,” he said. “When I was three, my parents moved back to Chiang Mai. My mother’s people are Rawang, one of Burma’s several ethnic minority groups.”

Doing season one made Morse even more inquisitive about ancient civilizations. “A lot of these places we went to have been officially documented but because of their remoteness, they haven’t had the thoroughness of study or research done on them. So there’s still a lot to be discovered. ‘Hidden Cities’ can introduce these places to the general public.”

He added that things “with an element of mystery” in the modern world amazes him. “Throughout Asia, communities are living in a way that they’ve been living for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Of course, they’ve adapted to technology. They’ve got cell phones, MP3 players, television sets. But they still managed to retain a lot of their traditional practices. That’s neat to see in this day and age.”

Morse finds it easy to immerse himself in different cultures, thanks to early exposure. “I think the biggest thing is to go into all these experiences with the mind-set that different isn’t bad,” he said. “Different is different. Since I was a teenager, I recognized that, so I did away with those predetermined views. We’re not there to offer some kind of political critique on the country. It’s really educational!”

Still, he was unprepared for some demands of the job. “One thing that was kinda awkward, it was my first time stripping down to my boxers on TV,” Morse said. “We went to this old bathhouse in Nanjing, China. We’re filming and all of a sudden the director says, ‘I want you to take the whole spa treatment like the ancient workers.’ There was this guy in his underwear, he’s got a wet towel that he’s wrapping around his hand and then he’s just beating and pounding you! But the most difficult thing is when you have ‘off’ days. It can be a combination of things. Energy levels are dipping down for the day so the ability to have a laser-like focus on the camera can be tough.”

Challenges aside, Morse considers the job a unique and empowering one. “That’s one of the rewards of travel,” he said. “It really does enrich your life. I’m not the same person I was 10 years ago.”

“Hidden Cities” premieres November 23, 9 p.m.on History