MOVIE REVIEW: No Escape

For our next review, we're going to follow this one up with another unusual thriller. One I said we'd watch for the good Asian representation, and that there would be no bloodshed for this one, given that we had just finished watching a different sharp-looking thriller namely, Fresh.

Are buddy-cop movies still a thing? I mean, this movie kind of flirts with the idea — but it’s way too intense to be called fun. It's a Pierce Brosnan and Owen Wilson-starrer, No Escape!

poster from impawards.com

Like any good Bond film, No Escape opens with a high-stakes, heart-pounding scene that’ll have you gripping your seat. But unlike Bond, this isn’t a fun adventure — it’s chaos. There are knives, gunshots, and bodies everywhere. No gadgets or cool one-liners here.

The story then shifts to Owen Wilson and his family, who’ve just relocated to an unnamed Asian country for his job. Along for the ride is Pierce Brosnan, who claims he's there for vacation. Think of it as an aging James Bond meets an Owen Wilson family-man character. It's an odd but interesting pairing.

Soon, things take a turn when Owen Wilson, trying to get the morning paper, learns there’s been no word from his company since their arrival. What follows is a violent uprising by rebels, and before long, their hotel is under siege. Wilson, as a regular guy with no spy skills or charm, does his best to keep his family safe — and his frantic attempts to protect them are as thrilling as they are nerve-wracking.

There are some standout moments, like the roof-deck escape, which is as satisfying as it is suspenseful. And when Brosnan swoops in to save the family, pulling off a truly Bond-esque escape (with the help of his sidekick, Kenny Rogers — yes, you read that right), it’s one of the film's most enjoyable, witty moments.

One thing that really sticks with you, though, is the mantra Owen Wilson and Lake Bell (his wife) repeat as they race to stay ahead of their captors: "We need to stay ten steps ahead." It’s their guiding principle, and it keeps them moving as one — even with their kids in tow. Every time the children (looking at you, Lucy!) made a move that added to the suspense, we were on the edge of our seats, holding our breath.

The one hiccup, however, comes with the ending. The boat scene and the border crossing felt rushed and left us with more questions than answers. But I guess that's how it goes in life-threatening situations — you just focus on survival and don’t worry about the details.

Still, despite the ending, No Escape is a thrilling ride. We’re probably staying away from thrillers for a while though...

Also, Owen Wilson did say “Wow!” at one point. Glad they kept that in. But not so glad about the travel anxiety it’s now given us. After watching this, flying overseas now feels a little too close to a Final Destination movie. Trauma's real.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Lovely Bones

I first came to Peter Jackson through The Beatles: Get Back, so I wasn’t prepared for how The Lovely Bones would hit — and wow, it hit.

Movie Poster/Still

Watching it with my lovely one helped me cope, at least a little.

(The Lovely Bones, with my lovely one. Had to.)

The film was a chilling, disturbing, and gut-wrenching trip. Disturbing was watching Susie get led to that underground pit — we had our lungs out screaming at the screen for her not to go. Gut-wrenching was the sister’s tense, heart-racing chase scene with Tucci’s Gacy/Dahmer hybrid of a character. And chilling? Every moment Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz were on screen and just… not vibing.

(Or maybe I’m just used to seeing her spark with Brendan Fraser and real-life partner Daniel Craig. Man, the screen’s gonna miss Craig’s Bond.)

The blend of dreamy fantasy with real-world horror was unexpected, and honestly, a breath of fresh air in terms of storytelling. But what's really striking about the film is how it avoids sexualizing Saoirse Ronan’s character, focusing instead on her emotional depth and journey, which is both rare and incredibly refreshing in this genre.

Needless to say: watch it! 

But make sure you’re not alone, okay? 

Thanks for this recommendation, and of course, watching it with me, lovey!

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Most Obnoxious Male Character (Day 7)

For a movie series that is dominated by male characters, there will always be that one guy that annoys you the most. That guy can make you cringe more than any of Roger Moore's obvious stunt doubles can possibly do.

For this entry, I'm going to pick Truman-Lodge from my favorite Bond film, "Licence to Kill".

Truman-Lodge was Franz Sanchez's chief accountant. He was in-charge of Sanchez's finances which was a tall order considering that Sanchez is a drug kingpin a la Gustavo Fring of "Breaking Bad". However, this film was made in 1989 so the inspiration from Sanchez was most likely Pablo Escobar.

What made Truman-Lodge so obnoxious was the fact that there was no proper introduction for the character.  By the time Bond.went to the Casino, we started seeing Truman-Lodge talking about some business/financial matters with Sanchez in the office. No other new information about him was presented. It wasn't even revealed why a young accountant would be handling the finances of a drug kingpin (It was revealed actually but the scene was cut from the final output.)

Like Truman-Lodge, Heller who was Sanchez chief security was also introduced to us. However, unlike Truman-Lodge, Heller was given the spotlight for us to know the character.

By the film's end, Truman-Lodge was killed by Sanchez after giving off a sarcastic remark to the drug kingpin about the spoiled finances because of Bond's interference in the lab.

Much better handling of a character similar to Truman-Lodge would be seen in "Goldeneye" through Boris Grishenko. He had a proper introduction and we got to know his motives and intentions leading to his exit. 

However, it would not be the same case for a similar character (Gustav Graves' technical assistant?) in "Die Another Day". As of today, I still have no recalling of that character even though I have watched that film multiple times.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Daniel Craig Scene (Day 6)

"Spectre" was the first film I watched in the theater. Other Bond films were watched only on TV presentations or released copies. And how I loved watching "Spectre", especially when the white dots appeared for the gun barrel sequence, the first proper one for a Craig film!

However, my favorite Bond film wouldn't be from that scene. It would have to be from the scene that led to the events of that film, the very last scene of "Skyfall"!

The scene was just perfectly built up. From the reveal of Eve as Moneypenny and Mallory as the new M to the reveal of Bond meeting M in his office. Although it was a kind of a fan service moment, it was subtle and very much not like the fan service moments sprayed all over "Die Another Day" and "Spectre" through the countless references to previous Bond films.

What made it so memorable was the fact that it was the first time we saw Bond and M talking in the traditional office since "The Living Daylights" in 1987.

In "License to Kill", only Moneypenny's office was shown, while in the Brosnan films and Craig's first two, M's office was always redecorated and changed into something new.

This scene helped build up the interaction between Bond and the new M for the coming films, what's left of Craig's contract, at least. They even have the naval painting in the wall above M to match the details making it easy to accept Mallory as the new M.

This scene was the best scene to close for a great Bond film, "Skyfall", while also transitioning it to the next entry in the series, "Spectre" which would have the established MI-6 regulars - Bill Tanner, Moneypenny, Q, and M.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Pierce Brosnan Scene (Day 5)

Excuse the delay, here's the entry for the fifth day!

I really find the Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan eras very much alike. For the films in these eras, you suspend your disbelief high enough so that there's won't be frequent eyebrow raises. 

There was Sir Roger's "Moonraker". while there was Pierce's "Die Another Day". In terms of the action, there were "Octopussy" and "Tomorrow Never Dies". In terms of villains who were equal to Bond, there was Francisco Scaramanga for Sir Roger while there was Alec Trevelyan for Pierce. 

With that, we should go to my favorite Pierce Brosnan Bond moment and this would definitely be an action scene since the action, gunfights, brawls, and machine guns were commonly seen in this era of movies. 

My favorite would be Bond going up against Gustav Graves in a fencing match. This happened in the film "Die Another Day". Investigating what really happened in the mission in the pre-title sequence, Bond was led to Graves who was dealing counterfeited diamonds. 

Although this scene gave the Madonna cameo, I had to pick this one as my favorite since it was one of the most memorable and watchable moments of the film. "Die Another Day" was not a very good outing but it was very entertaining while having the potential of a good one. One of the reasons for the film having some rare praises would be due to this fight scene. 

Watching the fight, you would be reminded of Bond and Goldfinger's golf match and also the swordfight scene in Moonraker. Very fitting since it was a 40th-anniversary offering. 

The fight choreography was also done superbly. The actors were believable and not suspicious at all with all the stunts. It was really great to see Pierce Brosnan kicking the butt of a much younger villain who was very athletic and as tough as a Robocop. 

Gustav Graves was also good as a villain. Having a villain that could match up Bond physically every once in a while could be really great for the sake of the action scenes. 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Timothy Dalton Scene (Day 4)

Timothy Dalton is my favorite Bond actor. His two Bond films are easily in my Top 5. Needless to say, this pick is going to be an easy one. 

Of his two Bond outings, I liked License to Kill better. During its time, it was the one among the other previous Bonds. It was the first one not to have an Ian Fleming title. There were no megalomaniac villains, humorous reactions, and ultimately, there wasn't any mission at hand. 

"The Man with the Golden Gun" had the chance of having Bond go out on something that was not a mission. He was out to go after Scaramanga whom he thought was paid to kill him. However, there was also the conflict concerning the Solex Agitator and guess what, the man behind that conflict was also Scaramanga. 

As for "License to Kill", this film had no sub-plots. Bond was out to seek the killing of Felix Leiter's wife and Leiter's own casualty. Plain and simple. No missions, for now, M. Not until I avenge my best buddy, Felix Leiter. 

That made it stand out among the other entries. 

During the middle part of the film, Bond was in the fictional location, Isthmus City, in Franz Sanchez's casino. He posed as a very able player to catch Sanchez's attention and he was right. He was then about to meet Sanchez.

And this next scene would definitely be my favorite. Bond and Sanchez having a conversation. They even threw a very subtle "Bond. James Bond." introduction, although it was left unattended b Sanchez. 

Sanchez wanted to know what Bond does for a living, and asked if he was a "problem solver". Bond, gathering his wits, replied that he was a "problem eliminator". Timothy Dalton's delivery of that scene really caught my attention because it seemed that every aspect needed to make that scene perfectly aligned. The grit was present, the dedication to play the part too, but most of all, the hair was so overly done, it made the scene shine brightly. 

It was also during this meeting that Bond displayed some good spy stuff when he took a glimpse at Sanchez's window to gauge how much of a trouble it would be for him. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Roger Moore Moment (Day 3)

My favorite Roger Moore moment as 007 would have to be the final showdown with Francisco Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun".

Although there were lots of massive Bond moments during the Roger Moore era, which gave seven films, this has to be the one for me. 

Options included the Crocodile Jump in "Live and Let Die", the meeting with Lazar in "Golden Gun", and the Union Jack moment in "The Spy Who Loved Me." Amazingly, those were just from Roger Moore's first  three Bond films. 

Ever since the Bond movies blew up big time during the Sean Connery era, fans had toyed with the idea 9f Bond being matched up with someone who could be his equal. After numerous extravagant villains from Dr. No to Blofeld, and Dr. Kana nga, it was time for Bond to face Scaramanga.

Scaramanga was Bond's equal in the sense that they were both the best in their field (an assassin versus a secret agent), their towering physique, and their ability to fight for what they'd think would be the best for them. 

Roger Moore inside Scaramanga's fun house in "The Man with the Golden Gun" from onenewspage.com

Scaramanga tried to trick Bond by giving him the advantage of having the Walther's six bullets against his Golden Gun's one. With the help of his fun house, Bond was down to his last possible shot. Thankfully, he thought of making the environment work to his advantage.

I won't spoil that for you anymore. You'd be doing yourself a favor watching that final battle between the two assassins. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite George Lazenby Moment (Day 2)

George Lazenby was Bond for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" after Sean Connery chose not to star as the secret agent.

My favorite moment on that film was when Bond called Draco, Tracy's father, after having some disagreements with M for the rescue of Tracy.

The conversation was set in Bond's office which was already shown earlier in the film when he has packed his spy stuff memento from previous missions. Once again, the setting was used as a place for Bond to cool down and clear his mind after a heated conversation with his boss.

George Lazenby as James Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Bond dropped the line "Bond. James Bond." in this scene as he was talking to Draco. It was such a cool macho moment for Lazenby's Bond because, for the second time in the film, he has shown that he can go rogue and be against M's orders.

Not that going rogue is highly recommended for subordinates, however, this proves that having a license to kill is also having the license not to kill, as M would say In Spectre. With that, it sends the message that we can still stay true to our duties and responsibilities while being discerning of which things are of high importance.

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Sean Connery Bond Moment (Day 1)

While everybody is in quarantine and on lockdown, I thought of giving this challenge a go.

First up is Favorite Sean Connery Scene. With 7 films to choose from, there's definitely a lot to choose from.

Among all the explosive action scenes and pun-filled remarks, my favorite had to be the Moneypenny scene in From Russia With Love.

From Russia With Love started with the new threat from SPECTRE and the defector, Tatiana Romanova, that had been known to M. M.asked for 007's presence through Moneypenny.

Unaware of the tension due to the situation and of M's presence, Bond enters the room playfully.

Moneypenny (left), M (center), and Bond (right) in From Russia with Love from bamfstyle.com

"Now for my next miracle...".as he tossed his hat to the hat stand, completely shocked and quite embarassed seeing M witness his mischievous side.

The scene had nothing more than that fun entry of Bond into the mission. It showed the personality of Bond when he has not yet been handed his mission. I think I like that because it gave us a chance of humanizing Bond and not think of him as an emotionless blunt instrument for MI6.

Secret Guilty Pleasures of the Macho Men

In this day and age of gender equality, both men and women are now considered to have the same possibilities and capabilities. Now, no one can be superior over the other as men and women are now standing over the same ground. Unless, of course, you are under a chain of command, there will be someone superior to you.

Since that is already the case nowadays, now may be the right time to reveal that the macho men also have its own share of guilty pleasures left unknown to friends, colleagues and sometimes, even partners. Some of these “secret” guilty pleasures may be a taboo or an uninvited habit for others. But, hey, that is the exact reason why they are called “guilty pleasures”, am I right?

Guilty pleasure is generally defined as something that you may enjoy, or that you are highly interested in, despite it having issues (considered unusual, and sometimes, disgraceful). Here are some of your macho men’s deepest and most secret guilty pleasure.

1. Grooming Investments

            Just like the women, men also want to have their own beautiful face. However, their definition of “beautiful” is simply just to look clean, rugged, and classy, however, they may like it each day. Classy macho men have their old reliable pomade for their pompadours, while rugged macho men have their beard-growing solutions for their facial hairs. Whatever they want to achieve, these macho men give efforts to achieve the look that they want.

2. Shopping Galore (shoes, suits, and everything else)

            Aside from grooming, macho men also invest in what they want to wear. From top to bottom, you will see the dedication that a macho man has with regards to his attire. Whether there is an on-going sale on clothing or not, a macho man will eagerly spend his earnings just to have the shoes of his dreams, may it be a sneaker, a loafer, or an Oxford one.

3. Movies/TV Series

            Macho men also have their own soft spots. You can always see them cry when a beloved hero from a movie or a TV series falls to his death when the TV couple he is rooting for breaks up and ends their relationship and most especially when the long wait for the next movie or season in the series is extended. 

          Ladies may have cried over Tracy's death in How I Met Your Mother, but they are not alone. Men have shed tears too for that show (although I can only say for myself, I'm betting other men who have watched the show shed some, too) - tears of sadness which soon after turned into tears of joy after Ted finally got his chance to ask Robin again after a long time. #TedxRobin

4. Girlfriend’s Vlog Subscriptions

            For those macho men who have girlfriends, chances are that they will adapt to the habits and interests of their partner. With that, due to the growing number of video bloggers, or vloggers, here in and abroad, it is safe to say that it is the new trend; whether you may like it or not, the vlogs that you make your macho man watch with you will surely leave a mark on him. He will become more updated to your subscriptions, whatever the topic is.

5. Girlfriend’s Skin Care

            Bless those girlfriends who want to show care for her skin. Thank you for sharing the ups and downs of keeping the skin healthy and fresh-looking. Men have secretly loved the chance idea of having a 10/10 face and skin. The only drawback of this one is that this may become too much sometimes and may eventually lead to narcissism. 

Do not let your guilt eat you up having these guilty pleasures. Just enjoy living your life, folks! Good vibes no matter what yours is!