Hotel Review: Stonestown Suites, Cagayan de Oro City

An hour away from the airport, Stonestown Suites provides its guests a home away from home.

Peacefully located away from the busy CDO downtown, visitors are sure to enjoy a restful stay in this humble hotel. Stonestown Suites can be proud of its very spacious rooms, rooms where small parties or gatherings can be celebrated. Rooms also feature a studio-type condo look with a functional mini-bar and lots of cabinets, shelves, and drawers to use.

SS, however, does not have an elevator. People are then forced to stretch their legs in going up and down the stairs. Don't you worry, motivational posters about exercise and environmentalism are posted everywhere to ease the exhaustion (lol).

The hotel partners with a fully-equipped gym where guests can have an early morning or evening workout. Breakfast is also catered by a partner cafeteria just beside the hotel.

Stonestown Suites does not offer a grand experience unlike its nearby competitors. However, its friendly staff and well-maintained rooms deserve a gold medal.

My take: ★★★☆☆

Hotel Review: Castle Peak Hotel, Cebu City

Castle Peak Hotel deserves its title of being one of the best hotels in the Queen City of the South.

A cab away from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, your 250-300 Php will get you to this very pleasant abode. A stone-throw away from the busy districts of the city, Castle Peak hotel provides its guests a nice and restful stay which is very similar to the rest you get at home.

The hotel is equipped with excellent amenities. All facilities are well-maintained. A cozy resto is awaiting at The 9th for guests to enjoy. The dipping pool is made more refreshing with a great view of the city. The gym has equipment in good working condition.

Breakfast served in buffet was great. Viands vary everyday from local delicacies to innovative dishes.

Some of the rooms, though, might need renovation or an update with equipment (e.g. aircon & TV). I'm sure though that those priced higher would be more satisfying. Nonetheless, I spent 4 nights sleeping very well.

If by chance you get to visit Cebu, a night's stay at Castle Peak Hotel will surely entail you to a pleasant experience, enriched with hospitable & warm staff.

Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow

Edge of Tomorrow is a movie so carefully sewn together to produce a masterful craft.

Officer Cage must find a way to destroy an alien enemy in a way only he can fully understand and experience. Or is there anyone else out there who knows exactly what he's going through?

Looking at the trailer, I initially thought this was a prequel or sequel to Oblivion. Thankfully, it was an entirely different movie which is by far better than Tom Cruise's previous blockbuster.

Adapted from a Japanese soft novel, the film adaptation of Edge of Tomorrow will surely satisfy those who have craved for an action-packed summer film. The title, though, doesn't seem very catchy. It's rather mysterious which may draw or push away audience. The only way to fully appreciate the title is for one to watch the film and see for himself.

The opening scenes reminded me of Gyllenhaal's Source Code. Action scenes reminded me a lot of Starship Troopers. But to my surprise, EoT had its own surprises. There were lots of light moments to lighten up the hardcore atmosphere; because once the action sets in again, viewers will have to settle sitting on the edges of their seats.

Edge of Tomorrow might be Summer 2014's flagship action flick. Though there were moments that you will be tempted to fast forward to the fight scenes, I believe that all transitional stages were necessary to fully understand the film. The twists will enlighten you & help in putting things together.

Edge of Tomorrow is a tiring movie to watch. You're gonna need the energy to cope with the happenings & scenes. But do not falter, for at the end of the film, you're sure to enjoy that smile on your face.

My Take: ★★★★☆

This is how you play it!
(c) giantfreakinrobot.com

Resto Review: Glenn 50's Diner, Baguio City

The cold street of Leonard Wood features a number of good places to chillax (chill & relax) in Baguio, Philippines. But among the pubs & restos comes the most delightful surprise: Glenn 50's Diner.

Glenn 50's Diner brings people back to the past. The staff's uniform is 50's-inspired; the walls are made alive by posters of classic movies & all-time favorite Hollywood celebrities; the 50's music make you wanna literally yell in happiness while eating; and the chairs & tables make the experience very nostalgic. 

The food will remain as its best asset. Everything on the menu is surely worth giving a try. Just make sure you have lots of space to fill in that tummy because a serving for one can satisfy two. 

What's most delightful about this resto is the price. Here, we found out that the pocket does not have to suffer to gain an awesome dining experience. For similar restos in the Metro, that is difficult to prove. 

This resto deserves a trophy for it does not just satisfy the tummy; it gives people a very unique and wonderful feeling of living in those days which, for most of us, just exist on TV. 

My Take: ★★★★★

If one of these days you manage to visit Baguio City, make sure you allot at least one meal to spend in Glenn 50's Diner for a satisfying blast to the past!

THE PANCAKE SANDWICH
with AVOCADO SHAKE

Movie Review: Maleficent

Angelina Jolie makes a stunning comeback in Disney's Maleficent.

Last year, we discovered the story of the huntsman in Snow White & the Huntsman; we also took a glimpse of the evil queen in Mirror Mirror. This year, Disney brings us the story of Maleficent, the evil witch in the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

I have not seen Sleeping Beauty in full length so I cannot make any comparison of the cartoon with this one. I've been reading mixed reviews on this film; some expressing utter disappointment. Below are unbiased observations on this craze with a very limited fan-base.

Straight to the point, if they did not cast Angelina Jolie for the role, this movie won't deserve all the attention it is getting. Jolie brought the Yin & the Yang in Maleficent very much alive. All other members of the cast are forgettable.

There are moments that will make you smile, the kind of smile you give to a stranger. A polite smile, a smirk. It doesn't even try to give its audience a good laugh (I think it doesn't intend to). But in the end, I think  the film is successful in trying to relay the message that EVERY SAINT HAS A PAST & EVERY SINNER HAS A FUTURE (or the other way around for that matter).

Disney surely is experimenting a lot lately. They are exploring possibilities & are aggressive about playing with different elements. They were successful in shooting right through the hoop for most attempts (like Frozen); I'm not sure, though, if they are happy with the target they hit with Maleficent. 

The best reason why I'm thankful for this movie is that it was able to send a magical welcome hug to the Lips we all have missed.

My Take: ★★☆☆☆

Disclaimer: Not a character from Guardians of the Galaxy.
(c) hollywoodreporter,com

Movie Review: X-Men Days of Future Past

Following the applauded X-Men First Class, avid fans & frustrated mutants are set for another satisfying adventure in Days of Future Past.

Wolverine is sent 50 (or so) years ago in the attempt of endangered mutants to save their kind. The goal is to stop Raven (Mystique) from killing Bolivar Trask, whose death had sparked the hunting, and eventually the end of the X-Men.

Many fans clamored in delight after seeing Days of Future Past. Sure enough, this addition to the X-Men chain topped the rest of its predecessors. 

Director Bryan Singer was able to balance brain & muscle with the alternating fight scenes & necessary conversations. Opening the movie with the terrifying image of improved sentinels surely set the expectations high. Some viewers, though, may not appreciate the long chit-chats between the young Professor X and Magneto. 

The winning piece in this film might be the idea of showing the world who Mystique really is. One can not be blamed if he thinks this was supposed to be Origins: Mystique. Thanks to Jennifer Lawrence, of course, for spicing up the screen & giving justice to the cold-blooded, warm-hearted Mystique. 

There was nothing special with the visual effects, like the previous X-Men films. Except maybe for that "very quick" scene somewhere in the middle. I am not very sure if the absence of blood helped the film or made us feel that there was something missing. Otherwise, the effects were A-okay.

It is almost impossible for fans not to be satisfied with how Days of Future Past ended. It somehow was able to give the X-Men franchise a very strong boost to remind the world that they still exist. I just don't know if it was enough to bring back the excitement that most people had for it before.

My Take: ★★★★☆ 

BREAK IT DOWN!
(c) liveforfilms.com