Cool Random $#!+ Part Eight

AvX: She-Hulk and Gambit.
"Hey, Gambit! Wanna ditch this fight and grab a beer?"
"She-Hulk, chere, I'm really good at grabbing... beer."

Bought this a week ago. Love it. There's a character and corresponding basic info per page; some photos previously appeared in the Visual Dictionaries, but that's forgivable. Most of the movie characters are in it.

"Bill, isn't the Phoenix's arrival Annihilators business?"
"Surfer, be thankful we weren't there. Bendis would have killed us off-panel in the first issue."

This thesaurus retired a few years ago. But I still use it from time to time when I'm not online.

Thor was gloating about the Avengers movie, so Superman punched him.
"In my world, it looks like the dials go up to eleven!"

Black and White Drawings, One

Spider-Man and Black Cat

Pencil drawing, 2002. I gave the original 11" X 17" drawing to a company I was submitting samples to, in exchange for a Spider-Man movie ticket. One of the company's pencilers, Wilson Tortosa, was kind enough to hand me that ticket for the opening day screening at Megamall. I reviewed the movie immediately; it became my third published PDI article (May 13, 2002).

The Ancestors

Pencil drawing, Jan. 2001. Old characters from my universe. 

‘Revenge’ best served cold, sweet

(Published May 9, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

A young woman avenges her wronged father in “Revenge,” an addictive drama with lots of wish-fulfilment scenarios.

The show takes soap-tested situations and cleverly structures them to expand on the protagonist’s mission in every episode. There’s a never-ending list of villains that she must destroy without physically harming them.

Amanda Clarke (Emily VanCamp) has taken the identity of Emily Thorne, a rich young socialite. She returns to the Hamptons to systematically ruin the family responsible for the framing of her late father David (James Tupper), blamed for terrorism in the ‘90s.

Emily befriends the Graysons, getting close enough without arousing suspicion. She plots the downfall of the elegant but devious Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) and her philandering husband Conrad (Henry Czerny). Emily also targets the Graysons’ various accomplices that her father named in a letter.

The first few episodes focus on Emily’s well-planned schemes, elaborately humiliating specific persons from her list. The “game” becomes more intriguing when wild cards are thrown into the mix. Emily’s best friend from juvenile detention previously agreed to take the identity of Amanda Clarke, but her presence in the Hamptons complicates things. Another unexpected player is a charming con man whose activities often contradict Emily’s plans.

It’s easy to root for Emily, thanks to unending flashbacks that add bits and pieces of her suffering at the hands of the Graysons and their underlings. She’s also quite ruthless, attracting Daniel Grayson, Conrad and Victoria’s handsome son, who genuinely falls for Emily.

Stowe is incredible as the manipulative and condescending Victoria and VanCamp often utilizes a stoic facade that gives Emily an air of mystery.

It’s a familiar and worn-out concept, but it’s retooled appealingly. This particular revenge fantasy is sweet, a scandalous dish that’s consistently and rewardingly served cold.

“Revenge” airs Mondays (5 p.m.) and Tuesdays (5:05 p.m.) on Star World.

Marvel Ages

New drawings.

Uncanny X-Force

Drew this for a contact. Loving this new-ish team composed of Wolverine, Psylocke, Archangel, Deadpool, Fantomex, Nightcrawler and Deathlok. I included Fantomex's protege Genesis (a.k.a. Apocalypse's clone).

Original Avengers

The original comic book team members: Hulk, Thor, Giant-Man, Iron Man, Wasp. Enjoyed using my new markers on this.

CNN in town reporting live for ‘Eye On the Philippines’

(Published May 2, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

                    

“The Philippines is a very digital nation,” said Hong Kong-based CNN anchor and correspondent Anna Coren during a recent interview at the Shangri-La Makati.

She elaborated on ways that the network continues to stay competitive and accessible via a variety of platforms, and how Filipinos can get the latest news from the media outlet.

“People here are tech-savvy and social media-savvy,” she said. “CNN is very interactive. We have the official website (cnn.com). We have iReport, which is big now in “Eye On” coverage. We invite people in the Philippines and people who have traveled to the country to send in their stories. And people here can follow us on Twitter.”

Coren is in the country for CNN’s weeklong “Eye On the Philippines,” focusing on different aspects of Filipino life and culture. The live reports started Monday; several portions and interviews are airing this week.

Previously involved in “Eye On Thailand” and “Eye On Mongolia,” Coren is intrigued by Asia’s radically different cultures. “[‘Eye On,’] offers viewers an in-depth look at a country and its people.”

Coren enthused that people had been generally cooperative during her “Eye On” visits. She described Filipinos as “hospitable and warm,” and the country as a “place [with] so much potential.”

“There’s foreign investment coming in, which is why the world is taking notice of the Philippines. That’s also why CNN is focusing on your country,” Coren said.

Coren started as a reporter and presenter in Australia, and has been with CNN since 2008. “I certainly have an affinity with this region,” she revealed. “Coming to CNN is certainly stepping up. It’s a global news organization, so that’s where my interest lies, and I feel very much at home at CNN. Asia is important; it’s becoming a place that the rest of the world is watching.”

She interviewed, and was impressed by, Filipino singer Charice Pempengco last year. “Charice was fantastic,” Coren gushed. “She’s a pocket rocket—she’s amazing! She’s a beautiful girl. What a voice! She’s certainly a great export.”

Last week, Coren interviewed President Aquino for “Talk Asia,” airing on Friday. “He was very open and generous with his time,” she said. “He went through a range of subjects—the economy, corruption, poverty, contraception, his family. We covered it all. We certainly grilled him on certain points!”

According to the anchor, “Eye On” coverages and reports are seen in about 280 million households. A 10-member CNN team is currently in the country, covering different stories.

“Our focus is on business, the economy, politics, culture, the whole gamut. One of the stories is, ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ That’s a great government initiative. Another is the fact that the Philippines has become the call center capital of the world. And my colleague Andrew Stevens interviewed the Zobel de Ayala brothers.”

Coren noted that her visits across Asia have exposed her to disparate people with universal desires: “At the end of the day, everyone’s pretty much the same. They want the same things—a roof over your head, better quality of life.”

Live reports air daily until May 4 (7 a.m.) on “World Report.” “Eye On The Philippines” airs May 4 (11 p.m.),May 5 (6 p.m., 11:30 p.m.) and May 6 (8:30 a.m.). “Talk Asia: Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala” airs May 3 (12:30 p.m.); “Talk Asia: President Benigno S. Aquino III,” May 4 (5:30 p.m.), May 5 (8 p.m.), May 6 (6:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Thankful

Ten years and over 530 published articles later, I still feel lucky and honored to contribute to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. My sincere thanks, PDI!

I’m also grateful to my late editor, Sir Louie Camino, who asked me to keep submitting articles after using my first one, back in April, 2002. I also thank my other editors Ma’ams Emmie and Cora, Pam, Pennie and Ruey from the Entertainment, Super and Sunday Magazine sections for giving me assignments. My thanks to Inquirer Libre as well for using exclusive articles back in the early 2000s. I continue to learn and evolve as a writer, and continue to appreciate meeting and conversing with different people.  

New ‘Zaturnnah’ zips and zooms

(From the May 1-15 issue of The Fortnightly)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit            

National Book Award-winning comic book Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah introduced a unique super-heroine in the titular character back in 2002. A gay beautician, Ada, transforms into the sexy and super-strong Zsazsa Zaturnnah, thanks to a gender-bending rock.

Zaturnnah faced threats like invading warrior-women, a giant frog, and a horde of zombies in the first series. The character crossed over to other media in 2006; the newbie heroine was portrayed by Zsa Zsa Padilla in Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh, and by Eula Valdez in Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal.

The source material’s mythology continues to expand with a new sequel by author-artist Carlo Vergara. Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila is a three-issue miniseries that follows beloved characters Ada and Dodong, currently in a chaste relationship and adapting to life in the big city.

The first issue is an 85-page extravaganza; Vergara triumphantly brings back and further fleshes out Ada’s (and Zsazsa’s) world. New characters are introduced, among them the enigmatic Ginoong Lakas, and similarly mysterious super-foes.

Vergara imbues his creations with individuality and depth, finally focusing on missed opportunities. The new comic book touches on the characters’ more complex issues. Almost immediately, we witness Ada’s horrific, violent nightmare involving an ex. We also meet someone from Dodong’s past. Intriguingly, Ada and Dodong also come across potential new threats to their hard-won relationship.

The cleaner, more solid figures and linework showcases Vergara’s artistic growth. Even more impressive is his development as a storyteller; there’s clarity in his panels and his background details are well-placed and unobtrusive.

Vergara characteristically enlivens the scenarios with snappy, profanity-laced dialogue, reminding us that the book is intended for mature readers. Fans of the original series might find something missing in Kalakhang Maynila, specifically the riotous and unapologetically loud Didi. But there are two remaining issues and he might still reappear.

Nevertheless, Zsazsa Zaturnnah’s new adventure is promising; the humorous and dramatic scenes are inspired and surprisingly balanced, and there are more characters to care about in the newly expanded Zaturnnah-verse. 

Cool Random $#!+ Part Seven

Blade and Buffy team up.
"That's the Cullens' house. Just dust the sparklers after they run out. And Buffy, don't fall in love with the dreamy ones!"
"Hey! That only happened once. Okay, twice."

'80s comics. Rom, What If, Teen Titans, Crisis, Dazzler, X-Men. Ah, those were the days. By the way, those Dire Wraiths were dang creepy

"Hey, Barda, can I--"
"You are NOT borrowing my Mega-Rod!"

One of my old Rolling Stone mags. I love this special issue; it's got interviews with Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Joan Jett, Natalie Merchant, Shirley Manson, and other fantastic female music artists. And it has that cool cover gallery supplement, too.

Happy Avengers Month! They have a Hulk!

Thirst Quenched, Time Drenched

Thinking openly, et cetera.

April 27. Good stuff, great stuff, and some awful stuff during the week. Must rest and drink cold, cold water.

April 27. It's interesting that some people who come off as obnoxious online are surprisingly nice people in the "real world." But there really are people who are as disappointing as their online personas...

April 27. I often wonder how different my life would've ended up if I didn't meet certain people, or if I reacted to important situations differently. In that world, I'd probably be perfect. Or a Bizarro.

April 27. Enjoying this period of not worrying about things and people.

April 28. Sumakay ako ng bus kahapon. Grabe, ambilis. Ang pinapalabas na DVD, 'Avengers.'

Pinoy pride, world-class sensations

(From the May 1-15 issue of The Fortnightly)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Filipino ingenuity thrives in different industries. In this day and age, nothing’s stopping world-class talents from really making it big, especially in entertainment. They become inspirations for succeeding generations in showbiz’ various fields, reassuring countrymen that anything’s possible. Here’s a quick rundown of some of our most successful fellow Filipinos who have made waves, or continue to do so elsewhere.

Screen and stage sensations
Pinoy moviegoers and TV fans feel extra-proud when performers they rooted for back in the day impress and win over fans from other countries.

Tony-winning Lea Salonga proved her brilliance during her much-revered Miss Saigon run over two decades ago; the former That’s Entertainment regular would eventually land singing parts in beloved Disney films Aladdin and Mulan.

Oprah Winfrey’s teen discovery Charice Pempengco was dubbed “the most talented girl in the world” by the influential talk show host. The YouTube star soon recorded her self-titled debut album, briefly appeared in Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, and had a recurring role on TV series Glee as uber-talented Sunshine Corazon.

Arnel Pineda, meanwhile, started singing with local bands when he was in his teens. The former Amo and The Zoo vocalist’s recorded performances attracted the attention of American rock band Journey. By the end of 2007, he became Journey’s lead vocalist, recording an album and touring with the legendary ‘80s group soon after.

Over two decades ago, other local actors in internationally released films include Bembol Roco and Kuh Ledesma (who both played Indonesians in The Year of Living Dangerously with Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver) and Tetchie Agbayani (who had a role in The Emerald Forest).

Behind-the-scenes talents

Dynamic animated flicks require serious planning and imagination in different stages, involving some of the projects’ sharpest thinkers.

Pixar’s Gini Cruz Santos has animated scenes and several characters for big-screen favorites Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, and The Incredibles, among others. As an animator, she’s worked on particular sequences where she expounds on characters’ motions and nuances.

Santos’ colleague, fellow “Pixnoy” Nelson Bohol previously worked on Fox’s Titan A.E., and was responsible for co-creating the old town Radiator Springs for Cars.

Storyboard artist and director Ronnie Del Carmen previously worked on Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond. He won a Daytime Emmy for his work on the show Freakazoid! and is co-directing an as-yet untitled Pixar project that will be released in 2014. 

Pinoy filmmakers

Some award-winning Filipino directors continue to receive recognition in various international film festivals, aside from local ones.

Lav Diaz’s lengthier-than-usual films tackle social and political topics; the former journalist’s Batang West Side won various awards in the Singapore International Film Festival and the Independent Film Festival of Brussels in 2002. His Melancholia won the Venice International Film Festival’s Orizzonti Grand Prize in 2008.

Pepe Diokno’s debut film Engkwentro centered on vigilante killings; it was awarded the Orizzonti Grand Prize in 2009, and won the Best Asian Film (Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema) in the Jeonju International Film Festival the following year.

Brillante Mendoza, meanwhile, won the Best Director award for his controversial Kinatay in the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. 

The part-Pinoys

While they didn’t grow up in the Philippines, or are only half-Filipino (or less), there are certain celebrities who acknowledge their Pinoy roots, or are idolized nonetheless by Pinoy fans.

Comedian Rob Schneider, star of the Deuce Bigalow movies and the sitcom Rob, was often called “bastos” by his irate mother when he was a kid, Schneider recently told hosts of The Talk.

Actor-dancer Dante Basco appeared in the movie Hook and voiced fire-wielding Prince Zuko in the hit animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Currently playing a gay teen on Glee, singer-actor Darren Criss has a Cebuano mom and an Irish-American dad.

Fil-Am American Idol contestants Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco made Pinoys pay attention during the third season. Now, gifted Filipino-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez is getting consistent raves from AI judges, who also saved her from elimination recently. 

Awe-inspiring assemblage

No stranger to Marvel comic books and epic storytelling, director-writer Joss Whedon unleashes a grand yet still very accessible film that brings together a number of iconic superheroes and antiheroes. The much-anticipated comic book movie “The Avengers” can finally be seen in Philippine cinemas today (starting with midnight screenings at select cineplexes), over a week before the US release.

Running at two hours and a little over 20 minutes, “The Avengers” creatively elaborates on the shared universe introduced in key and extra post-credits scenes from previous Marvel offerings “Iron Man,” “Captain America,” "Hulk,” and “Thor.” 

Whedon cleverly connects those characters (played by Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth, respectively), and previously established SHIELD operatives Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Gathered into a formidable fighting force, the Avengers set out to foil a scheme co-organized by fallen Asgradian prince Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and some mysterious figures.

It’s characteristically witty. Whedon certainly knows how to play with an assortment of personalities, giving the hesitant teammates precious dynamics and enjoyable banter. Like the huge casts of his previous TV and comic book projects, the Avengers are still given ample space to breathe, each of them given moments to shine and to relate to other characters.

While it doesn’t have the pathos or poignancy of last year’s “X-Men: First Class,” it still has profundity; every character’s heroism or purpose is questioned and examined. It’s a simple adventure with complex characters, and they become a spirited team quite organically. “The Avengers” is a big action flick, too, impressing with its thunderous barrage of explosions and fisticuffs without losing its sense of humor. 

Cool Random $#!+ Part Six

Old X-Men: Asgardian Wars TPB. I only had the 1985 X-Men Annual when I was a kid, and borrowed the rest from neighbors and friends eventually. Bought this compilation in 1995. Still very enjoyable.

"We're watching 'Avengers'! In our first movie, Joss Whedon gave me the line, 'What happens to a toad when it's struck by lightning?' Remember that, Professor?"
"Storm, he was unhappy with that. You delivered it wrong."

Thanos meets Batman. That is all.

"Namor, I read Uncanny X-Men # 8. Great Neptune, you 'Imperius Sexed' that creature!"
"Silence! I shall brook no insult!"
"Aquaman's right. I read it. That was gross!"

DC-Marvel crossovers! I miss them. It's been a while since JLA-Avengers. By the way, that JLA-X-Men battle in All Access was kinda silly. Jean Grey vs. Superman? Yugh.

And There Came Days

Updates assembled!

April 21. AvX continuity problem. The first tie-in (New Avengers) clearly shows the Avengers jumping off the Helicarrier. But in AvX #2, the Helicarrier is attacked by Magneto and Colossus while the Avengers are still in it. Eh, confusing.

April 22. Avengers on Wednesday. Don't fail me, Joss Whedon.

April 22. Playing fave summer and summer-ish songs. Summer Rain (Belinda Carlisle), Stockton Gala Days (10,000 Maniacs), Hot in the City (Billy Idol), I Will Remember (Hard Rain), Suddenly Last Summer (The Motels), Mystery (Indigo Girls), and Endless Summer Nights (Richard Marx!), among others.

April 23. It's frightening that some people still keep using their gods to justify their homophobia. I feel sad for their gay brothers or sisters, relatives and friends.

April 25. Went to the nearby Imax and attended the midnight-ish screening of The Avengers. Big, grand, fun comic book movie. Funny, too!

Updated heroine, vanity thrills

From the April 15-30 issue of The Fortnightly)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

The first of two film interpretations of the classic fairy tale Snow White this year, the comedy-family flick Mirror Mirror campily but amusingly reimagines the hapless victim character into a feisty and more proactive heroine.

It doesn’t follow the long-recognized version of the young woman from the classic Disney animated movie and various media, although it reintroduces familiar elements from the earlier reinventions.

Director Tarsem Singh, known for his visually imaginative films such as The Cell and The Immortals, similarly gives a refreshing, if less striking iteration of the Brothers Grimm tale.

Gorgeous Lilly Collins as Snow White fits; yes, you’ll get past her thick eyebrows quickly, and she’ll even give off an Audrey Hepburn-esque vibe eventually. The vain Queen is played by pretty Julia Roberts, who takes some getting used to in outlandish garb, but radiates elegance, nonetheless.

Interestingly, the backstory is told in a stylized animated sequence. Snow White is menaced by the new Queen, the stepmother taking over the kingdom after the King’s mysterious disappearance. Confined to the castle for years, Snow White has no idea that the once-happy denizens are now agonizing over the usurper’s greedy governance.

Visiting Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer) finds himself accosted in the territory by seven recognizable characters, and reports the mugging incident to the Queen. Seeing the rewarding possibilities of partnering with the rich and handsome young man, she attempts to entice Alcott with the idea.

But Snow White, as expected, becomes a major obstacle, showing an interest in him during a costume party at the palace. Ordering her right-hand man Brighton (Nathan Lane) to get rid of her step-daughter permanently, the Queen proceeds with her cougar-ish scheme.

Mirror Mirror  has an artificiality to it that neutralizes any sense of immediacy. It’s approached in a very grandiose but cartoony manner; it’s no surprise that the less serious tone has its corresponding silly moments. The comedy treatment is quite accessible, but for those who might want their Snow White darker and more epic, there’s the new Snow White and the Huntsman action film in a few months.

But this more mirthful movie also favorably updates the story and characters, ditching the baggage that earlier interpretations have given the story. Here, Snow White’s not a perpetually naïve girl waiting for her hero; she actually rescues him the first time they meet. The seven dwarfs here aren’t hardworking miners; they’re bandits. And the Queen has some depth and humanity, despite her obvious inhumanity.

Also adding immensely to this film are the excellent and creative costumes by the late designer Eiko Ishioka. They’re not as exotic and fantastical as those seen in Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Immortals, but they’re still distinctly and remarkably dreamlike, and enhance scenarios appropriately.

The movie’s pacing can be challenging, however. Yes, it’s very artificial, but there are still unnecessary and repetitive parts. Still, it refreshes with its bold yet light take, delighting with its sillier moments, including a sequence devoted to the Queen’s very odd beauty treatment, and even a Bollywood-inspired song-and-dance number. 

Cool Random $#!+ Part Five

Some of my fave titles from 1991.

Chris Carrabba: "Thanks for the chat!"

X-Men Extinction team. The only one missing is Hope Summers.

Official Handbooks of the Marvel Universe! Got some issues of the classic and deluxe runs when I was a kid. I followed its revival in 2004; I have nearly all the themed Handbooks and Sagas, and the Essentials. Wish DC would collect their old Who's Who series and release a new one.

Ned Stark! Kind of. That's the only Sean Bean figure I own, so it'll do. Got that sweet G.O.T. paperweight last Monday. Thanks, HBO Asia!

Wonderful Now

Ancient comic book, recent review. Thank you, Wina Puangco! Here’s what she said:

Trizh was very, very excited about this graphic novel and after being stranded at the Starbucks in Town Center for two hours waiting for my ride home, I can see why. It's a brilliant graphic novel, really. It's able to talk about taboo in a way that is casual and that you are able to relate to because it's said so simply--no big, sweeping declarations of "awesomeness". The characters are marvelously written: even the side characters have claimed my affections and those affections are not easy to claim, let me tell you. Another thing that I admire Oliver Pulumbarit for is being able to talk about these big issues (sexuality, religion) without turning it into an impersonal discussion about these gigantic, vague ideas. He was able to translate the big picture into something personal, something that you can take home with you and mull over in the shower or while painting your nails. I am, for all that I have said, speechless.This graphic novel hit the spot. <33

Please, please pick it up if you can. :) 

Hawt in the City

With a squeeze and a sigh and that twinkle in your eye…

April 14. Working out again. Missed those exercise machines. Body's gonna hurt in the morning, but it'll hurt so good.

April 16. It's cool that 'Skins' co-stars Joe Dempsie and Hannah Murray are now on 'Game of Thrones.' They played two of my favorite characters on the older show (he played a tragic, lovable druggie; she played a bisexual girl with an eating disorder).

April 18. Loving the old-looking but still very functional exercise machines at the gym. Felt a bit better after over an hour of using mostly arm and torso machines.

April 20. I wanna swim. Swim. Swim. Swim.

War rages in new ‘Game of Thrones’ season

(Published Apr. 20, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Season one of HBO’s fantasy epic series “Game of Thrones” culminates in a full-scale war between the cruel usurpers to the throne and forces loyal to the martyred Ned Stark (Sean Bean), among other powerful factions.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” books, the series has several characters and houses established in the first season. Around the time of King Robert’s (Mark Addy) demise, his right-hand man Ned Stark discovers the incestuous affair between Robert’s wife Cersei (Lena Heady) and her twin brother Jaime Lannister (Nokolaj Coster-Landau).

Cersei and Jaime’s young child Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) usurp the throne and have Ned Stark killed, prompting the enraged Stark family to marshal loyal forces and declare war on the boy-king and his ilk.

Season two is now airing in Asia, a few episodes behind the United States. Still grim and foreboding, the first new episode of “Game of Thrones” was recently unveiled at 7th High in Taguig.

The episode wastes no time in showing different sides to the ongoing war. Ned’s son Robb Stark (Richard Madden) has become a capable strategist and continues to win big battles. He hopes to liberate his sister Sansa (Sophie Turner) from Joffrey’s clutches, and find their missing sibling Arya (Maisie Williams).

Arya, disguised as a boy, is befriended by an apprentice blacksmith named Gendry (Joe Dempsie), who happens to be King Robert’s biological son and the rightful heir to the throne.

Those tuning in for the first time will be lost; much has been established before and new characters are constantly introduced. But the familiar underdogs have enduring appeal: The dwarf Tyrion (Emmy winner Peter Dinklage) is a misfit who asserts himself in his nephew Joffrey’s new regime. Ned’s illegitimate son Jon Snow (Kit Harington) fights to prove himself. And young widow Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) now leads her fallen husband’s warrior tribe, uncertain of the future.

The supernatural aspects are used sparingly but effectively—Daenerys’ small dragons appear briefly, but the undead who threaten the woodlands have yet to make their presence felt again.

The many characters in the series keep the various connected conflicts interesting, and most of them are clearly defined by their noble or sinister agendas. It’s hard to predict which camp will claim victory, but this dark and massive “game” of cunning and strategy certainly continues to intrigue and perplex.

“Game of Thrones” season 2 will air Saturdays, 9 p.m., starting tomorrow.

Undercover, under pressure

Those familiar with the ‘80s teen drama series “21 Jump Street” may have scoffed when Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill were cast in the movie version. But surprisingly, this big-screen iteration is a riotous comedy that pretty much keeps fans’ memories of the original show intact.

Hill and Tatum play Officers Schmidt and Jenko, respectively, former schoolmates who later become buddies and fellow cops. Reassigned to a different h.q.--an old church situated at a familiar address--Schmidt, Jenko, and a few other cops are sent to infiltrate different high schools by Captain Dickson (rapper Ice Cube). They’re there mainly because they’re “Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus-looking mother-f—kers!”

Schmidt and Jenko pose as brothers, specifically assigned to track pushers and suppliers of a new and deadly drug. Formerly unpopular, Schmidt worries about fitting in. But to the partners’ surprise, school’s totally different this time. Jenko doesn’t fit with the popular kids anymore; they’re rich, artistic, environmentally conscious kids led by the charismatic drug-dealer Eric (Dave Franco).

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (“How I Met Your Mother”) and written by Michael Bacall (“Scott Pilgrim”), “21 Jump Street” smartly parodies worn-out but enduring school-centric scenarios, effortlessly subduing with caustic and crude humor. The odd couple rapport is inspired and the good cop-bad cop dynamic is reversed, giving both characters plenty of situations to bumble in. And while it’s not exactly the “Jump Street” that viewers may remember, there are unforgettable cameos that should make them happy. 

Also, Tatum, who sometimes comes off as iffy in more serious roles, fits well. Hill is effective, as expected, the role and some situations nicely reminiscent of his “Superbad” character and some of its more poignant parts.

This re-imagining is crammed with inanities and is obsessed with penis and drug jokes, but they’re consistently hilarious, and ultimately, the TV concept is properly and memorably reinvented.

“21 Jump Street” will have sneak previews on April 23 and 24 in Metro Manila, and will open on May 9. 

The Blob Squad!

New drawing. Ectoplasmic sidekick Slimer, energy construct Glomulus, and dimension-hopping Doop team up and get blobby!

Vaunted vessels

A movie based on a classic board game! Interestingly enough, the action-scifi flick “Battleship” is an “adaptation” that partly works. You’ll have to bear with the ultra-formulaic transformation of the main character--from unfocused loser to quick-thinking leader--but the action does get quite riveting, once attention to the annoying factory-issue protagonist’s foibles shifts to other details.

Much time is squandered on developing the generic potential hero, Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch), a previously directionless and laughable character that eventually becomes a Navy recruit. He inherits the responsibility of leadership, of course, after his older brother Stone (played by Alexander Skarsgard—how’s that for underwear model-looking siblings?) is killed during an alien invasion.

Now in command of a mighty vessel and its similarly tough crew, Lt. Hopper and company must figure out the invading forces’ weaknesses. And because their extraterrestrial enemies’ ships are extra-stealthy, the humans must find a way to locate them and literally blow them out of the water.

So there’s the boardgame connection. The alien’s missiles also “inject” themselves on their targets, looking like shinier variations of the plastic projectiles from the game.

“Battleship” is very simple; aside from the battles of the vessels, the hostile encounters between the humanoid aliens and the earthlings aren’t anything new. Despite that, it’s not so bad; it’s unabashedly a popcorn movie where America saves the day yet again.

By the way, prepare to experience a really bizarre déjà vu when pop star Rihanna, as crew member Officer Raikes, is shown getting hit in the face by one of the aliens. That’s just… weird. Still, she’s shown kicking butt; at least one of the two female characters gets to do that. Brooklyn Decker’s therapist character is the token pretty and feminine damsel, daughter to Liam Neeson’s intimidating and no-nonsense Vice Admiral Shane.

As for Kitsch, he’s actually pretty likeable here, especially if you ignore the first 30 or so minutes of his character bumbling and attempting to be a relatable everyguy who needs some validation. Other characters actually needed some backstory, because they’re practically switchable. Still, "Battleship" is unapologetically big and testosteroney, and amuses mostly with its massive, effects-aided battles.

After a century, Titanic’s truths are revealed

(Published April 13, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

A hundred years after Titanic went down, History Channel’s two-hour special, “Titanic Mystery Solved,” answers long-held questions about the sinking of the historic vessel.

In an exclusive phone interview with the Inquirer, Carl Lindahl, the cable network’s executive producer of historical programs, and writer-producer Rushmore Denooyer (right) said that this massive undertaking took nearly three years to finish.

“Previous expeditions only photographed the bow and the stern of the ship,” Lindahl said. “What was photographed and investigated was only 60 percent of what’s down there.  The remaining 40 percent that you’ll see here are segments of Titanic that no one even knew existed. You’ll see all the pieces and a map of the entire field of debris, which will forever be used by anybody who wants to study the Titanic.”

AUVs, or Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, scanned the wreck site. Gathered data were patched and “composited” onto a large image, Denooyer said. Crew members from different technical fields lent their expertise in the effort.

“The expedition was unique in a number of ways—in technology certainly, but also in the team’s makeup,” Denooyer added. “There was tremendous diversity [in the] groups and institutes that were involved… I don’t think any previous expedition has had such a broad and deep range of scientific and engineering [experts] and historians.”

Lindahl and Denooyer agreed that this collaboration was crucial to the painstaking task of studying thousands of pieces discovered over several square miles.

“The expedition took place at the beginning of fall in 2010, but planning started about a year before that,” Lindahl revealed. “After the expedition was over, it took a year and a half to analyze the findings. Literally hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours of materials had to be viewed, screened, analyzed and compared by all the different agencies that were involved in the expedition.”

The Titanic disaster is a unique enigma that has baffled and intrigued generations, noted both Lindahl and Denooyer. “I think the story of Titanic has an enduring appeal on human imagination for a number of reasons,” Denooyer said. “It’s symbolic in a way; man creates technology—we convince ourselves that it is so good that it’s more powerful than nature. And of course, when we think that we are eventually proven wrong.  It also has the human side of it where you can’t think about that night without imagining, ‘What would I have done if I had been there?’ I think that for all these reasons, it retains a hold on our imagination, and in a way, is timeless.”

“It fascinates people because it hits them on many different levels,” Lindahl added. “It’s human drama with a great loss of life, but it’s also a story of the failure of technology, of science that people thought then they had mastered.”

(“Titanic Mystery Solved” airs April 15, 8 p.m., on History Channel.)

From Dusty Clearbooks

Pantheon Heroes

Horuses, Baal, and other David Hontiveros characters from his old Alamat titles Pantheon and Avatar. Mixed media on water color paper, 2000.

Marvel Universe, 2001

Huge pencil drawing, 22" X 17" vellum. The X-Men, Avengers, X-Statix, Thunderbolts, Slingers, Clan Destine and other heroes are in there.

DC Universe, 2001

 Humongous pencil drawing, 22" X 17" vellum. JLA, JSA, Titans, Scare Tactics, Young Justice, Legion, and other teams. Man, I had so much free time back then.

Seasoning the Sun

Compiling status updates, as usual.

April 5. Summer, you're so not cool.

April 9. Habang naghihintay ng jeep, may lumapit na batang pulubi. "Pahingi pong pera." Sabi ko, "Wala, wala." Umiling ako. Pamasahe lang naman talaga pera ko, di pa ko nakaka-withdraw. Nangulit pa, kaya inilingan ko uli. Sabi ba naman, "Ang arte naman nito." Kaya sabi ko sa kanya, "Huwag kang ganyan. Ikaw na nga ang nanghihingi eh. Ang arte mo!" Tumigil siya pero maya-maya, bumalik at nag-make-faces ang loko. Sa loob-loob ko, sarap batukan ng mga magulang nito.

April 11. Just read AvX # 1. Win this already, mutants.

April 11. Avengers movie in two weeks. Please, please be awesome.

April 12. Naiyak sa kakatawa sa 21 Jump Street movie kanina.

April 12. While I'm not currently pursuing an art-related career, I'm glad that I can still draw between my writing jobs. My DeviantArt gallery now has 8,040 faves and 151 watchers.

Moments in Stasis

1989, Art Club members and friends

I was a teenage Jim Lee clone! Well, not entirely. My old style was influenced by him, Simon Bisley, and Jae Lee, so it looked weird. This was in 1991. Good thing the pages can't be seen clearly, haha.

With comic book artist and former teacher Whilce Portacio. This was during his signing at Filbar's Galleria, December 1991. 

Eight years later, I became one of his trainees. It was a big deal because he tutored me on penciling techniques for free. I learned a lot from those weekly sessions.

Fanboy Flashback

Old drawings, good memories.

Bat-foes, 1998.

I sent a copy of this via snail mail to Previews, a comic catalog, and it appeared in their "Previews Gallery" fan art section in 1999.

"Villains. You gotta love 'em. Aspiring artist Oliver Pulumbarit of the Philippines certainly does, and it shows. Check out this wicked blend of Batman foes. Menacing yet devilishly delightful. Pulumbarit's meticulous details on Gotham City's most fiendish outlaws convey just that, brilliantly capturing the reasons why we love the bad guys of comics just as much as their justice-driven counterparts."

Avengers Forever and Ever

Ancient Avengers drawing, April 2001. Pencil on 11" X 17" vellum. I included Agatha Harkness (who should've been given honorary status a long time ago), and Killraven and Thundra (who were also Avengers but from another reality).

Avengers Return

Old Avengers group shot, March 2000. Pencil on 11" X 17" vellum.

Rob Schneider, ‘liberated’ from the critics

(Published April 8, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Actor-comedian Rob Schneider is 48, and his age and height are sometimes the butt of jokes in the new sitcom “Rob,” where his character has to deal with his new in-laws’ incessant scrutiny.

His real-life wife, Mexican TV producer Patricia Arce, suggested the premise for the new show. The real Rob relates to his fictional namesake’s cultural immersion, thanks to his nearly year-old marriage and growing up in a racially diverse family.

“I got the Filipinos on my mom’s side and the Jews on my dad’s side,” Schneider said during a recent phone interview. “So the jokes are really good on my dad’s side of the family; the food is fantastic on my mom’s side. And it was nice because they loved each other and didn’t care about their religions as much as they did for each other. That’s very charming. I grew up in a terrific family.”

He’s done eight episodes of the show and sees it appealing to families, regardless of nationality. “There’s always some relative who’s not getting enough attention or who’s got a drinking problem,” he said.

“There’s a lot of potential there. Also, being on CBS, I think we can eventually get this show to be like a Mexican ‘All in the Family’ and talk about what’s happening in America. Hopefully, next season, that’s where we’re going.”

Schneider plays a landscape architect who marries a much younger woman, Maggie, played by Spanish actress Claudia Bassols. Playing his father-in-law is legendary comic Cheech Marin, Schneider’s “hero.”

The show, Schneider admits, is far from perfect and has received its share of criticism, but he ignores that. “If you’re too politically correct, you run the risk of being boring,” he said. “I’ve never been a darling of the critics… I look at that as liberating. I don’t have to worry about pleasing any of them!”

Schneider is discovering different approaches to humor as part of “Rob.” “There’s a Mexican comedian on the show, Eugenio Derbez [who plays Maggie’s uncle Hector], and he’s really funny, physically funny.”

Behind the scenes, he’s learning about cultural humor. “My wife has an incredible sense of humor,” said Schneider. “Talk  about politically incorrect, the jokes she tells me are horribly incorrect! It’s just about everything, but she says, ‘We can make fun of ourselves—but you better not!’”

The actor starred in “Deuce Bigalow” and “The Hot Chick,” among other comedies, and is adapting to the demands of his current TV project. “Honestly, TV shows are tougher,” he revealed. “I’m a perfectionist [but with TV], you don’t have the luxury. You’re taping a show and you’re done that night, that’s it. And not being in control of the whole process, that’s tough! I’m used to calling all the shots about everything. It’s a different animal here.”

Schneider admires Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Steve Martin, but his biggest comedic influence?

“The all-out funniest person I’ve ever seen is John Cleese from ‘Monty Python.’ There are many great comedians but nobody has made me laugh harder than John. He was like 6’6” and all funny! Just the way his body moved, how loud, narcissistic, and crazy he was! ‘Fawlty Towers’ is the best sitcom, the best show on television that I’ve ever seen. You were crying so much you couldn’t breathe!”

Schneider says he writes down his ideas as soon as he wakes up, and gives advice to aspiring comedians: “You have to be sneaky about it. That’s why they call creativity ‘the merciless mistress of innovation.’ It doesn’t always come to you; you have to coax it sometimes.  At the end of the day, do what you love. Do what makes you laugh!”

“Rob” will air Sundays starting tonight at 8:10 on BeTV (formerly AXN Beyond).

Jake '04

Just a page from my ancient comic book. Alien holy family, "drawn" by one of my characters, Jake Ylagan.

Loving, leaving ‘Mother’

(From the April 1-15 issue of The Fortnightly)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

It certainly reflects many real and saddening OFW tales, but the relentless tearjerker A Mother’s Story manages to illustrate some triumphs amid some disheartening truths. The titular mother is played by Pokwang, who’s mostly associated with comedic roles, but is nevertheless effective in her portrayal of an unsung and unappreciated breadwinner.

Pokwang’s Medy is a makeup artist, part of a local celebrity’s small entourage to the United States. She accepted the offer for extra cash, as she’s the sole working parent--her husband (Nonie Buencamino) is unemployed and a gambler, and her younger child has health problems. A chance meeting with an old classmate, Helen (Beth Tamayo), presents a turning point; Medy is persuaded into staying and working illegally, convinced that her sacrifice will ultimately benefit her family.

The money does pay for all their incurred debts and then some, although her husband and older child were initially baffled that she hasn’t elaborated on her change of plans. Medy’s US stay stretched to several years; she worked as a maid for lawyer spouses aware of her situation. She’s eventually discouraged from leaving the house, threatened with the possibility of arrest. But forming a bond with her employers’ young daughter keeps Medy from losing it.

 Medy’s story is mostly told through flashbacks, and it isn’t until she returns to her “abandoned” family years later that the movie transforms into a familiarly melodramatic sojourn. It’s totally unsurprising that her husband and teen son (Rayver Cruz) have become ungrateful wretches, and that she’ll be discovering painful secrets that will lead to mutual blaming and regrets.

Pokwang is inspired; it’s actually quite easy to believe her during the more depressing parts of her American “adventure.” Daria Ramirez competently portrays her once-demanding mother, as well--no, there’s no resemblance, so let’s assume that Medy probably looks a lot like her absent, unmentioned father character. It’s also a bit distracting that the actors portraying Pokwang and Buencamino’s children are Rayver Cruz and Xyriel Manabat, because none of them really look alike.

But the stifled relationships are nicely represented. Medy is spurned by her own son immediately after her return from her ordeal. Interestingly, the younger child is somewhat fascinated by the stranger she’s supposed to call mother, and is excited that she finally has one she can show to teasing classmates.

   

The film by John-D Lazatin deftly illustrates the reality of the sadder OFW and TNT stories, but it also reminds that while there are opportunistic characters everywhere, there are also those who are genuinely generous and understanding, whether they’re Filipinos or not.

A Mother’s Story also focuses on the reality of hardworking parents who must sacrifice time with their children to provide for their future, bearing with tough jobs, or even various indignities abroad.

While it’s quite redundant when dealing with the aftermath of Medy’s “abandonment,” and it resolves some problems too cleanly and almost unrealistically, A Mother’s Story gets the pained but exceedingly selfless working parent right, thanks mostly to the lead actress’ surprisingly powerful performance. 

Summer Droning

Some status updates, compiled. I impulse-posted a couple of times because I was really bored, but I deleted most of those updates. Still, I  kept that second one below. 

March 27, 2012

Only a few of my contacts still post to Multiply. Feels like a ghost town now.

March 27, 2012

If I had kids, they'd be awesome.

March 28, 2012

Cool, cloudy morning. Reminds me of school days when I'd just tune out and think of, er, stuff.

April 1, 2012

Body aches all over and I'm fricking craving pizza. But I'm more sleepy than hungry. So I'll just lie down and dream. My bed, you're not much, but you're soft and you're mine.

April 5, 2012

Was at the escalator. Some guy, a 30-something father, was taunting his son. "Bading ka ba?," he asked the boy. The kid responded, "Hindi po." The kid was shy and sounded embarrassed. The father got scolded by someone who's probably the lola. What a horrible idiot, that dad. Some people really don't deserve their kids.