...because every relationship is different..

On this rainy Sunday afternoon, we decided to take a break and see a movie... with nothing really exciting out here now (ASTRO BOY is still not out yet) - we went to see Dieta Mediterránea on the basis of the poster alone... the food theme enticed David, and for me, the draw is that it is a SPANISH film... so, if nothing else, I knew I would at least enjoy hearing Spanish...

The movie was absolutely DELICIOSO... it was TRULY more than a movie about someone with a PASSION for food... for cooking... so much was thrown into the film that it satisfies you in every way... from the three main characters, right down to the supporting casts - the acting is all superb... the relationship between the three characters was borderline unreal - and yet, the actors and the director, made you feel otherwise... it's so real that I was even rooting for the three of them to stay together!!!

Truly a well written, well acted film... very much recommended...

Bastidors

During one of my rummages through Antique shops in Manila, I came across these wooden male Angels... I was told they are called Bastidors and that they were originally made (for altars in churches and homes alike)and popular in the 19th Century Spanish Colonial Times....

So far, this is the only INFO I have gathered on them: Originally the faces are made of IVORY or Porcelain... and as you can see, there is a torso, articulated hands and arms... and a skirt type lower body -- as most were dressed in robes...The ones I got above are definitely reproductions -- as it is all made of wood... they appeal to me not only because they are MALE ANGELS but also because they fit right in with my very own MENSAJERO bois...
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY INFO ON THESE THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME???

Finally... somebody listened!!!!

PENELOPE CRUZ Wins An Oscar -- and I could not be HAPPIER!!!
as I blogged about the her movie -- Vicky, Christina, Barcelona -- Hollywood finally got it right, and put Penelope Cruzin a movie that showcases her raw talents, instead of the usual, pretty girlfriend roles -- something that Pedro, Almodovar (check out Volver, where she was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar & All About My Mother) and other foreign directors (see Jamon, Jamon & Abre Sus Ojos), have always known and done so...

Vicky Christina Barcelona : Movie Review

Over the weekend, I finally got to see Woody Allen's latest film - yes, it has just come out here - "Vicky Christina Barcelona" I was dying to see this film because I am a BIIIG FAN of Spanish Actress, Penelope Cruz and I read soooo much POSITIVE reviews, if not RAVES, about her performance here....

At first I was getting antsy as 1) I realized her name is not even one of the title characters names... and 2) almost 3/4 of the film before she actually came out.... But BOY - it was totally worth it... she made the film come alive even more.... her PASSION... her FIRE.... one of the few HOLLYWOOD films that actually knew how to use and showcase her talents.... for the most part, in other films, only her beauty comes through....

This is not to say that Scarlett, Javier and the other actors were not worth watching...everyone was just right on with their portrayals.... and this is one of those WOODY ALLEN films that really HIT all the RIGHT SPOTS... But it IS Penelope's film... she is the LIFE of the whole film - displaying so much raw emotions -- happiness, sorrow, hope, desperation.... an OSCAR, or at least, a nomination - I HOPE!!!

and I MUST say, having set the movie in Barcelona's BEST and most beautiful places was an added BONUS for me... seeing Las Ramblas, Gaudi's Parc Guell, La Sagrada, Barri Gothic, etc... was almost like being there again... and if you did not know any better, one can actually assume one is watching an ALMODOVAR film -- in English....

PoCoYo - A New Favourite!!!

how could I have missed this cutie, POCOYO??? I was turned on to him while searching for a few VINYL TOYS to add to my collection... so far I have only see PLUSH toys of him though.... but I have really fallen for him and his friends...

Check out this YOU TUBE of them (Promos from first and second seasons) - I guarantee - you too, will fall for them....


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according to WIKIPEDIA:
Pocoyo (Pocoyó in Spanish) is a pre-school animated cartoon series about a young boy who dresses in blue and who is full of curiosity. Viewers are encouraged to recognise situations that Pocoyo is in, and things that are going on with or around him. Pocoyo's world is set in a 3D space, with a plain white background and has no backdrops.

Two series (or seasons, to use the North American term) have been produced, each consisting of 52 seven-minute episodes. A future third series is on hold as the makers wish to embark upon other projects, one of which may be a Pocoyo movie.
Characters
* Pocoyo: The eponymous main character of the series. He is a young boy who is full of curiosity and loves to play games, as well as discover new things. He is always shown wearing blue clothes and a hat. Pato, Elly and Loula are his friends. He is (always) four years old; his "birthday" (when he inevitably turns four again) is October 14.[6] Pocoyo's name was provided by David Cantolla, one of the creators, after his daughter used it in her nightly prayers. "Pocoyo" roughly translates to English as "like myself".[7]
* Pato: Pato is a yellow duck who wears nothing but a small green hat. Pato means duck in Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, and Papiamento. A favourite amongst the young children due to his enjoyable dancing. Although friendly, Pato is the most fussy and impatient character (indicated by his beak that bends in an angle when disappointed or shocked); on occasion he completely loses his temper, jumping up and down and quacking furiously.
* Elly: A pink elephant who always wears a blue back-pack, but despite her size she is a graceful and gentle character, capable of ballet dancing. She usually rides around on her scooter.
* Loula: Pocoyo's orange-yellow pet puppy and companion.
* Sleepy Bird: A teal-coloured bird. She does little but sleep, and usually flies with her eyes closed. Named "Pajaroto" in the Spanish version (reportedly named after a Zinkia employee nicknamed "Maroto", and bearing a strong resemblance to him), and "Pájaro Dormilón" in the Latin American version.

Each character has its own distinctive dance, and most episodes end with the characters dancing.