Angels and Demons: Classic yet unorthodox; Thought provoking yet untrue.

I was bored, and in an attempt to learn classical or medieval literature, I ended up exploring the triumphs and conspiracies thrown against the world's major religion. During lag times, left alone in my room, I developed a hobby of logging into my free HOOQ account, and thanks to GlobePH (Globe Telecom / Tattoo) for the unlimited movies. However, weird as it sounds, I was quite on the historical theme and conspiracy issues lately, so I decided to watch again Ron Howard's, "Angels and Demons", starred by Tom Hanks, which is an adaptation of author Dan Brown's popular book. Mr. Brown who also wrote "The Da Vinci Code" and "Inferno" is one of my admired authors. I admit, I was (and still) interested in reading science fictions and documentaries tackling about conspiracy theories, catholicism and history. These themes are captivating and sends a thrill to the bones, it makes the readers or viewers analyze and even provoke you to conduct research thereafter. What is important (for me) is that whatever we learn, watch or study, we still keep our values and morality in place. There will always be an issue of sensitivity and morality when it comes to personal choices but ‘respect’ comes in the middle of the discussion. After all, each one of us is entitled of self expression.
Watching A&D again on a rainy aftee. #DanBrown #novel #AandD #HD #streaming

A photo posted by Rotsen (@wotzentiger) on Jun 19, 2015 at 2:45am PDT
It is indeed nostalgic to watch this movie again, although I can recall viewing much of the movie highlights and trailers online, about half a decade ago. This movie had so much criticism and blatant prohibition, which I guess just added to the audience adrenaline to wait and watch for its release last 2009.

Summary from megashare.sc states: Despite his notorious relationship with the Church, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is once again called upon to decipher the clues to a catastrophic conspiracy. The Pope has died, and before conclave can begin to determine his successor, the four preferitti (primary hopefuls for the papacy) are kidnapped. An ominous threat of their hourly demise, along with the complete annihilation of Vatican City, is issued as an elaborate revenge scheme for a persecuted group known as the Illuminati. With their meager time limit steadily counting down, Langdon, accompanied by beautiful physicist Vittoria Vetra, must travel throughout Rome to unravel the carefully hidden signs that will lead them to a terrifying adversary, a harrowing discovery, and the shocking truth

Angels & Demons is a 2009 American thriller film directed by Ron Howard and based on Dan Brown's novel of the same name. It is the sequel to the 2006 film, The Da Vinci Code, also directed by Ron Howard. The novel was published first and The Da Vinci Code followed it. Filming of Angels & Demons took place in Rome, Italy, and the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.
Tom Hanks reprises his role as Professor Robert Langdon. Producer Brian Grazer, composer Hans Zimmer and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman also return, with David Koepp coming on board to help the latter. As of 2015, the film remains Hanks' only live-action sequel. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_%26_Demons_(film)

My favorite character of the story, awkwardly, is the carmelengo himself, Ewan McGregor. The role as the Vatican’s  carmelengo means that he is the    administrator of the property and revenues of the Holy See. Formerly, his responsibilities included the fiscal administration of the Patrimony of St. Peter. As regulated in the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, the Camerlengo is always a Cardinal, though this was not the case prior to the 15th century, according to the article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camerlengo_of_the_Holy_Roman_Church . He was so good at his role, that it was so convincing. Later towards the end of the movie, its a surprise that he was the villain although he seem to have faked the heroic helicopter jump to save Vatican from undue annihilation. For Dan Brown, as always, I think he wrote a very captivating novel which made it to the silver screen.

On the other hand, Prospect Magazine of UK commented:  One online article says: As a believer in the enjoyably awful, I would recommend this book wholeheartedly if I could. But it is mainly just awful. Nevertheless it is still almost worth reading. In the publishing world they have a term, “pull line,” which means the few words of apparent praise that you can sometimes pull out of a review however hostile. Let me supply that pull line straight away, ready furnished with quotation marks: “The author of The Da Vinci Code has done it again.”, as published in their website: http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/arts-and-books/dan-brown-inferno-clive-james-da-vinci-code

By the way, I am a Catholic, and will always be a believer and follower of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church-- well, to the best that I can. I watched this movie online through my megashare.sc account, dedicated to free video streaming.

Book review: Charlie Sparks, 2015

My review of Cy Tan ’s Charlie Sparks: A Sorcerer’s Tale

Finished reading this book around first week of June 2015. I ordered it right from the author, sent via LBC and paid via PNB. So much of the info, let's get into what this book has to brag! Foremost, it’s well written by a Filipino author, @cyrilltan when he was 11, he is even younger than me to date, a Linguistics Major from UP and a daydreamer too. This book will leave you on hook with its plot, a combination of love, friendship and betrayal. I could have finished reading this entire novel on one weekend or overnight but it took me 3-4 days because I was prolonging the excitement, thus giving myself enough time to guess what will happen the next chapter. The different emotions stirred within each character makes it more appealing and sometimes, frustrating. Each character was given an equal opportunity to become stars of their own. The names of the characters were surely been well researched, but what I like is that it includes some Filipino names as well.

As I advance chapter by chapter, probable ideas on what will happen next are forming. However, it is still so clever for the author to go beyond what I have imagined. I know for some the adventures about mythological characters, fallen angels, vampires and magic are common, but in this book, it becomes no less than being unique. After all, it’s 100% Filipino-made, it made me proud that books of such caliber are written and illustrated by a ‘kababayan’.

The illustration inserted in every vital parts of the story were put into life by the hands of amazing Oliver Barcelon. It pictured the essential parts of the story and had given the readers more thrill. I was once questioned about the originality of this book. I answered, both Yes and No. In my opinion, it is not original in the sense that (of course) the characters and events of this story are about angels, dragons, magicians, and all other folklore similar to filipino literature. A wide reader might give an instant version of his ending, or somehow predict the end of the story. But I assure you guys, it won’t disappoint you. Yes, it is original because of the twist and turns embedded in each chapter, added by exact amount of humor, disgust, romance and dedication. You’ll end up both petrified and amused.

I am definitely recommending this book to everyone, especially to the filipino youth and children, or even adults with hearts and imagination that of a child. Lastly, the ending was quite expected as a hint was given during the middle chapters, but the events that preceded the ending will make you want to read more, and more. I wish a Book 2 will be written by Cyrill. A movie will even be more rewarding. I say, this good read is 9/10 simply because 10/10 is just so mainstream. Kudos and congratulations Cy. I am proud to be a friend and a fan of yours.