A very good friend of mine sent a link to this supposedly awesome Green Lantern movie teaser. Being a fan of GL, I promptly clicked to view the said trailer.

While watching the video, I immediately felt the usual and familiar hollywood flare. Then around halfway through, I realized where the familiarity was coming from… this one is actually a fan-made-trailer.

And quite a good one at that. Its really a well crafted combination of “technically modified” clips taken from previously released movies, TV shows and trailers. Some of the scenes I was able to recognize from the trailer are from:

• Firefly
• Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer
• Planet of the Apes
• Dragonball Evolution Trailer
• The Day the Earth Stood Still
• Smallville
• GI Joe Trailer
• Contact
• Star Trek Enterprise
• Star Wars Episode III
• Iron Man
• Star Trek Trailer
• The Chronicles of Riddick
• Escape from Witch Mountain Trailer
• Matrix Revolutions
• The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian
• Superman Returns Trailer

Unfortunately, there really isn’t a movie about Green Lantern. Well, at least not yet. Rumors have it that maybe 2010 would be the year for one. But at this point, nothing is confirmed yet.

Not to take away anything from trailer creator (Jaron Pitts). But he did a very descent job of threading clips together and superimposing effects to have Nathan Fillion come out as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. The only possible downside could be that most of the clips he used came from very popular scenes. This may tend to estrange some people once they recognize the original.

From the boob tube to the silver screen!

One of Nickelodeon’s best animated television series gets turned into a live action film. Avatar: The Last Air Bender is the story of a boy named Aang and his adventures as the Avatar - the reincarnated spirit of the planet. Having the ability to master all of the elements (Water, Earth, Fire and Air), its his duty to keep the world in harmony. 

The show is not only highly rated and popular; garnering 5.6 million viewers on its best-rated showing, but has also been nominated and won various recognitions including a Primetime Emmy. This series is so popular that it has spun various program inspired merchandise. Among others, these products includes action figures, a trading card game, three video games, stuffed animals, and two LEGO sets.

The upcoming live action film is based on the first season of the animated show and is scheduled for release by Paramount Pictures on July 2010. The cast has been selected and actual filming already begun this year. The big screen version is adapted, directed and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. 

There are now a lot of discussions and criticisms regarding the cast selection for the movie. Much has been said, but I still think its going to boil down to how Shyamalan remains loyal to the original story line; and how much of a personal influence he would eventually exert on the film version.

This series is a personal favorite of mine, and I sincerely hope the film doesn’t suffer the same fate as the recent Dragon Ball movie.

No, this is not about Jack Bauer or the award winning TV series.

Its about the Metro Rail Transit or MRT (specifically MRT-3 at EDSA) going on 24-hour operations starting this June.

The management of MRT-3 announced that they plan to have the 24-hour operations in place seven days a week. The extended hours are primarily aimed at serving call center agents and other workers in the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sector. As they normally work on night shifts and get to leave office at around midnight and 4 a.m.

I myself would be looking forward to this development. With the schedule I’m currently keeping at work, hopping on the MRT for my daily trips might prove to be more prudent.

I just wish they get to maintain the trains and tracks enough. I believe these were not designed to withstand sustained 24/7 operations.

Also, I hope the extra hours don’t cost the MRT administrators too much, that they lose money rather than earn it. Otherwise, this entire thing might end up as one of those short lived government “experiments”.

Practically everyone is familiar with the phrase “toilet humor” and what’s usually associated with it.

But have you ever heard of “toilet horror”?

Uncanny as it might sound. That terminology might now be applied to something which actually exists.

A Japanese company is now advertising a new literary experience – a horror story printed on toilet paper.

Yup! Thats right… on toilet paper!

And take note, the story is not your usual run-of-the-mill-so-and-so-horror tale. Its actually a novella written by noted Japanese author Koji Suzuki (he’s the one responsible for works like The Ring, The Ring 2, Ring 0, Dark Water, etc).

Apparently, Japan is a country where ghosts are traditionally believed to hide in their toilets. As a matter of fact, toilets in Japan were traditionally tucked away in a dark corner of the house due to their religious beliefs. And parents would tease children that a hairy hand might pull them down into the dark pool below.

The nine-chapter story by K. Suzuki titled ”Drop” is set in a public restroom and takes up about three feet (90 centimeters) of a roll. This means the story can be easily read in one sitting and is printed numerous times in a single roll. Each roll is slated to sell for 210 Yen  ($2.20) and is being marketed as “a horror experience in the toilet.”

I really hate it when photography enthusiasts like myself get reprimanded for shooting at public venues or events.

For anything private, I understand and respect the rights of the owners, organizers and even those arrogant security guards. As a matter of fact, I personally try to veer away from shooting anywhere near something regarded as private.

Some of the things I’ve been prevented to shoot can easily be deemed as ridiculous. The more “memorable” ones would be landmarks at public parks, stained glass windows, open-air events for the public, food that I actually ordered, garbage dumps, oh- and my special favorite… Manila bay sunsets!

As hard as it would probably be, I could try to understand and comply with this preposterous prohibition system. If only it applies to everyone! What really bothers me, is that this peculiar system seem to exempt foreigners and those using point-and-shoot or “smaller” cameras. Well, this is at least how most security personnel ignorantly implements it. But really now, can somebody please explain to me… what IS the difference?!!!

Never the less, being the relentless hobbyist — I will again give it another try and do some practice shooting next weekend. The event (click poster below) I stumbled upon should provide enough interesting and hopefully exciting action shots to capture. 

Hopefully, this event turns out to be a “photographer-friendly” one.

Anyway, for anyone interested to join, just let me know if you want to meet up before the event.