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In the months that followed, we couldn’t get Otso out of our minds. What the hell was that, and why did we like it? We know that it’s about the writing process, but who is the writer? Is it Lex, the Fil-American aspiring scriptwriter played by Vince Tañada (who actually co-wrote the screenplay of Otso)? Is it Brent (Gabby Bautista), Lex’s bright and nosy 10-year-old neighbor who critiques his script-in-progress? Is it Alice Lake, the seemingly all-knowing owner of the building who also happens to be the actress Anita Linda (and is played by the actual Anita Linda, whose real name is Alice Lake)? And when she tells Lex, “You don’t have a mother, but I have played mother to Fernando Poe, Jr, Joseph Estrada, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, and I can be your mother…” is she just being a batty old lady, or is she giving us the key to crack the code of Otso?

Read our Best Filipino Films of 2013 series at InterAksyon.com.

This is a match we have hoped for for over a year, it starts in a few minutes, and WE’RE NOT WATCHING. Too intense, makes us nuts. However, we will follow the scores and post updates from our friends Dorski (who named her son Kevin Roger) and Mike A (who may have to sedate himself).

Join our liveblog! Post your updates and observations in Comments.

The net! Win at the net!!

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Dorski: Federer serves first, gets the first point. Nadal drinking and fastidiously aligning his bottles before getting up to serve.

Game 4. Nadal serving. 40-40!!! Advantage Nadal…does his running/sliding from one end of the court to the other and gets the point. 2-2.
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Movie #5 was Breakfast at Tiffany’s, our umpteenth viewing. Movie #6 was Take the Money and Run, also our umpteenth viewing.

This review was inspired by Monsterpiece Theatre’s stunning production of Me, Claudius.

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Me, Cookie Monstress, watch Me, Frankenstein for one reason: Aaron Eckhart. Harrum-nom-nom-nom. Aaron Eckhart, best known for Two-Face, brilliant at playing super-articulate assholes (In the Company of Men, Thank You For Smoking) and he have granite-y handsomeness me love. Aaron look like Nikolaj Coster Waldau, me think they twins. Me still mad he not punch anyone in the face in stupid White House attack movie Olympus Has Fallen. Why? Why?

No, wait. Me have other reason for watching Me, Frankenstein. We in Church of Whedon love demon-slaying and angels vs demons stuff like the one with Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer. Cookie! Me not watch Underworld movies but the makers of those bake this one, too. Instead of vampires fighting werewolves, gargoyles fighting demons. Original!

Aaron Eckhart play Frankenstein’s creature in 21st century. For someone 195 years old and stitched together from parts of eight corpses, him hot! Mmmm, six-pack. He not eat cookies, me think. In case you finicky, creature’s dad is Frankenstein so that his name, too. Frankenstein monster delicious as long as no smell of putrefaction. Me hate that.

Demons in suits led by Bill Nighy out to get him so they can figure out reanimation technology. Why they need that, demons have no powers? Gargoyles led by Eowyn of Rohan try to stop them. Yes, scary statues in cathedrals are really forces of good. Gargoyle general is son of Bruce Willis in crap Die Hard in Russia. Mmmm, cookie! Demons can be destroyed with sacred objects like swords with gargoyle sigil or holy water.

Me ask: Why not bombard demons with holy water cannon? Oh right, this dumb movie. But fun! in bananas way. Mmm, bananas. Me like bananas but me like cookies more. There should be Aaron Eckhart cookies and Nikolaj Coster Waldau cookies.

Me recommend Me, Frankenstein if you like Aaron Eckhart, Nikolaj Coster Waldau, demon-slaying and popcorn with extra butter. And cookies. Sesame Street, please don’t sue me. Mary Shelley, maybe you should sue Me, Frankenstein but creature in public domain. Oh right, it’s Frahnkensteen!

We’re giving away a round-trip ticket to any Tigerair domestic destination in this month’s Tiger Traveller: Heritage Sites of the Philippines photo contest. Here are the earliest entries. To join the contest, read the rules.

Photographer: Raphael Angielo Castellano
Description: Calle Real, Iloilo
While in Iloilo for the holidays, I ended up in the old part of the city because jeepney routes have apparently changed or I simply forgot which jeep goes where. Walking around, I had to stop and take a picture of this building with my iPhone because it looked like Main Street in Disneyland.

A quick Google search revealed that the entire area is being restored and preserved under the supervision of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council.

Photographer: Janis Mae Narvas (taken using a Lenovo A516)
Place: Monumento, Caloocan City, January 21, 2014
Commuters going to and fro the Camanava and Bulacan areas must be surprised to know that it’s actually possible to observe the famed Bonifacio Monument up close. On a whim, I went there to see Guillermo Tolentino’s magnum opus, only to be met by the scorn of jeepney drivers coursing the busy thoroughfare and the mockery of the traffic aides. Nonetheless, the awesome view was worth the danger I faced in crossing that crazy rotonda.

Keep sending your photos. The next set of finalists will be posted on Tuesday.

This contest is sponsored by Tigerair Philippines. To find out more about Tigerair deals and promos, follow TigerAir Philippines on Facebook and Twitter.

First, call out sexism in red carpet coverage.

Then demonstrate certain qualities of awards season.

The Smatterist notes the intricate embroidered details in the costumes on Game of Thrones.

Sansa’s wedding dress tells the story of her family. Her mother was from House Tully, whose sigil is a fish; her father’s House Stark is symbolized by the direwolf.

And she marries into House Lannister of the red and gold lion.

Read about it at The Smatterist. Thanks to Ricky for the alert.