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Because I couldn’t wait for April 2012, I bought George R.R. Martin’s second book, A Clash of Kings. Mind you, the paperback wasn’t that expensive at P312. You can even find a good deal buying a set at a price similar to that of a paperless office software. Just in case you’re thinking to gift your friends with one.

I’m currently at page 132. Each chapter was devoted to a certain character who would shape HBO’s sequel to “A Game of Thrones”. The book opened with a comet slashing through the sky, bringing tides of sorrow and fear to the seven kingdoms as their respective leaders and houses try to seize control of the Iron Throne. A background on the three Baratheon brothers – Robert, Stannis and Renly – was provided through Maester Cressen, who acted as their keeper when their father died at sea. Everything else are waiting to unfold. The story was quite unpredictable – you don’t know who would die or live to see the end of things.

A game of thorns

December 10, 2011 Now showing

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Season 2 of the Emmy-award winning HBO series “A Game of Thrones” is 4 months away. It will be back on spring, April 2012, while in the story, from where we had left it, winter was about to visit the north. Ned Stark (Sean Bean) was dead, leaving behind him a family that was torn apart by other people’s lust for power and ultimate greed.

We don’t know what would happen to Arya, a princess in boy’s clothing and the youngest daughter of Ned Stark who can duel with a sword, shot an arrow and ride the horse even without equestrian helmets, after she narrowly escaped persecution from her dad’s enemies. There’s a slew of characters that would play major roles in the next season: Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Cersei Lannister (Lena Heady), Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Lord Baelish (Aidan Gillen), and dragon lady Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), the sorceress Melisandre (Carice van Houten), Margaery Tyrell (Tudors alumni Natalie Dormer) and the loathsome manipulative daddy Lannister, Tywin (Charles Dance) would be introduced and given more airtime in the next season.

Let’s see how the story would unfold from where we have left it – the spoiled brat boy who became a king, the traitor Baelish, the Baratheon brothers, the lone survivor of the Targaryen clan, the fate of the Stark boys and the witty dwarf Tyrion Lannister. Of course, everyone wants Tywin, the equally cunning twins Cersei and Jaime, dead. One thing for sure, alliances will be forged and broken, and heads will roll as usual.

While waiting for season 2 to debut, a trip back to the popular books of George R.R. Martin, “A Song of Ice and Fire”, would definitely fill in the gap and make the wait worthwhile.

Four hours of tragedy

November 27, 2011 Now showing

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My weekend was apparently spent on watching tragic love stories, all complementing the glum weather outside. I am not exactly a sucker for romance movies, but I get to appreciate those that have been infused with comic/humor. I have always liked and adored “Confessions of a Shopaholic” (Isla Fisher), “My Bestfriend’s Wedding” (Julia Roberts), “Leap Year” (Amy Adams), “You’ve Got Mail” (Meg Ryan) and “Morning Glory” (Rachel Adams). They are not absurdly romantic, no soppy lines and banal messages. The stories were well-crafted and the direction was simply superb.

But so far, none of the recent romantic movies were able to survive the cynics’ critique, not even the taste of mere moviegoers. I’ve seen “One Day” which starred Anne Hathaway & Jim Sturgess and the 2006 flick “Griffin & Phoenix” of Amanda Peet & Dermot Mulroney. The only difference between the two, aside from the obvious age differences of the cast members, was that Hathaway and Sturgess took 20 years (or equivalent to 20 Julys – their fixed dating anniversary) to realize that they were meant for each other. Peet and Mulroney took less than a year and a dinner date to figure that one out.

Both movies injected some humor and wit. But somehow, they failed in that department as they came in either too melodramatic or tried hard to be funny and cute. The stories dragged until the end where they killed both heroines – and my sanity too.

A Clash of Kings

A game of thorns

Four hours of tragedy

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