THE PACIFIC depicts the true accounts of the lives of three US marines – Private First Class Robert Leckie, Private First Class Eugene Sledge and Sergeant John Basilone – while they are stationed in the Pacific during the height of World War II. Halfway around the world, the marines face a brutal enemy, extreme deprivation, as well as fight their own mental and emotional battles. The series explores the true human cost of war.

While the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning HBO miniseries Band of Brothers told of the experiences of a company of Army paratroopers in Europe, THE PACIFIC follows the 1st Marine Division at the forefront of many of the hardest-fought battles of the Pacific War.

With a whopping $200-million production budget, THE PACIFIC is the most expensive HBO miniseries in history. Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman once again teamed up to bring viewers this realistic, heart-wrenching and epic 10-episode series.

THE PACIFIC premieres in a special two-episode premiere on Saturday, April 3, 9PM. New episodes every Saturday, 9PM. Check out www.hboasia.com for schedules.

- Maris Mortel

The holiday season is almost here and what better way to spread Christmas Cheer than to help other people! Brigada Eskwela, a really awesome non-government organization that helps less fortunated children get their much needed books, is having a fund raiser to help their institution. They’re gonna be selling tickets for the much-awaited movie, Twilight for P250. It’s not a premiere screening but you still get to enjoy it even more knowing you’ve helped other people! Plus, it’s a block screening so it’s sort of exclusive.

Details are as follows:

WHAT: A block screening of Twilight. This is based on the bestseller by Stephanie Meyer. (A block screening is NOT an advanced screening. It is simply a regular screening that was blocked off for a particular group. Each ticket is P250.  
 
WHEN: November 21, Friday. 830 pm. The screening time will be confirmed on the week of the showing because we don’t know yet the running time of the movie, and Galleria has not finalized the screening schedule.
 
WHERE: Cinema 1 (THX) Robinson’s Galleria.
 
Other details:
1. The final screening time will be confirmed by the ticket seller on the week of the block screening.
2. Viewers need to be at the theater entrance 30 minutes before the screening time.
3. Seats will be on a first come, first served basis. There will be no reserved seats, not even for KaEskwela members.
4. The ticket is good for one screening only. The theater has to be completely vacated after the block screening.
 
OOOPPSSS! Sorry. TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD-OUT! A big thanks to all those who bought tickets for this block screening.

Michi

Hold on, back up a minute, I know I’m all being Barney-like and stuff but seriously, WANTED is a cool film. I really recommend you to watch it if you’re looking for mind-numbing action. It’s been a long time since I’ve last seen a good testosterone-packed movie and WANTED did not fail to deliver. Although, James McAvoy did disappoint me a bit in the film for not being able to pull-off the once-corporate-slave-turned-avenging-mercenary. Even after everything he went through in the film, the transformation of his character in the end still seemed forced. It was like an altar boy trying hard to be tough and edgy. He paled in comparison to Edward Norton’s transformation as Tyler Durden in FIGHT CLUB. But all in all, James was cute and funny in his own way. Also Angelina Jolie was, as always, perfect in her portrayal as Fox, the gun-slinging-sexy-slayer. If anything, she’s the most interesting part of the movie (but then again, if you’re a boy you’d probably be concentrating more on the fight scenes and whatnot). All in all I give it B. Trust me, it’s a movie you’d regret not seeing on the BIG screen.

Well…I have.Plenty of times. And sure, that person and I eventually move on from the topic (especially after he sees me, staring blankly, mouth-open, furrowed eyebrows and all) but still, after the initial conversation, you can’t help but wonder… what are my top three movies?

And so to stop this repetition of torture, I think we owe it to ourselves and to those people who ask us to really think about this and write those movies down. Hey, your list may change in the years to come but a tentative record of your favorite movies beats a dumb, “ummmmm…” any day. Although, I guess for any movie-loving-goer like you it’s so so so scary to make a list because, at the back of your head you’re always thinking, well what if next year Quentin comes up with an even awesomer film? Well, my friends, all I can say is… that’s next year! But the question is now. So think of the present people and LIST UP! I mean, list down. (Darn you Barney!)

I’m taking the first step and here’s my list!

1. FIGHT CLUB (Directed by David Fincher)
A lot of guy friends ask me, “You’re such a dude, why do you like that film?”to which I answer “Well duh! (and no it’s not because of Brad Pitt) it’s Edward Norton!” Seriously though, I love love love Fight Club because the direction is just flawless. The script and the way Edward Norton plays t his character are AMAZING. Plus for such a testosterone-driven film, the movie is romantic (stay with me here) on it’s own way because it captures every person’s longing for escape from the numbing truth of reality. Now doesn’t that just blow you away? (And yeah, it doesn’t hurt that Brad Pitt stared in it also.)

2. V FOR VENDETTA (Directed by James McTeigue)
I know, I know— “Whuuut?! Another guy film!” But before you say anything, first of all, Yes I am a girl and this is not a guy film! (Well, it is in the slash-revenge-blood-spilling-everywhere kind of way) I included V for Vendetta for several reasons. One because I’m an English Lit Major and I love alliteration! Two, because of this line “While the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power” and three, because when you watch this movie, hoping and working for a better future for our country seem less futile.

3…Umm ok I haven’t really thought of the next three…Fine! I admit. I’m still saving those three spots for awesomer movies.But hey at least I tried.

Now it’s your turn! Drop me a line and tell me what you think!

Michi!