Iconic actor David Carradine, 72, best known for his work in the Kung-Fu television series and the Kill Bill movies, was found dead in his Thailand hotel room earlier today.

A maid reportedly discovered the actor’s naked body hanging inside his hotel room closet. He was in the city of Bangkok for the filming of the movie Stretch.

This is an end that I never imagined for one of my favorite actors and martial artists.

David was fairly successful in his acting career – with hundreds of film, television and stage performances to his credit. He is also famous for various Tai Chi instructional videos, enabling the ancient Chinese martial art to reach millions of people, from all walks of life.

I was very young then, but when Kung-Fu: The Legend Continues first aired on television, I followed the series religiously because of him. There was something irresistible about his calm aura and quiet yet compelling voice. He also performed his martial arts sequences with grace, ease, and confidence in his abilities.

When I heard that David was selected to play Bill in lieu of Warren Beatty in Quentin Tarantino’s action-packed, blood-drenched revenge feature Kill Bill, I was so happy that the former was given another shot at mainstream movies in his later life.

David’s mysterious death was most unexpected. Police and investigators believe this to be suicide, but his manager thinks otherwise.

The actor’s personal life was arguably more volatile than one would expect from his serene, charismatic onscreen persona. He had a history of alcohol and drug use, and had time and again entertained thoughts of taking his own life. He was married and divorced multiple times.

Rest in peace, David. You are a legend who will continue to live on the screen and in your fan’s hearts.

“Hi. My name is Violet. And I was born in a world you may not understand.”

Ultraviolet, a futuristic science fiction and action movie starring Milla Jovovich, finally opened in our local theatres last Thursday. I got my first chance (read: free time) to watch it today, and so I did.

The movie premiered early last month so I have already come across quite a number of reviews posted around the Internet, most of them not quite so favorable.

It would seem that the trailer promised a dynamic futuristic and action-filled movie, accentuated by a rocking soundtrack, as based on the use of Jem’s highly compelling song, 24. Most people were probably disappointed with the final product.

I ended up approaching Ultraviolet without any high expectations, with the exception of seeing engaging combat sequences spiced up with sci-fic elements. In this aspect, I was satisfied, although a lot of the fight scenes used CGI enhancements and effects.

It was still fun to watch Violet change from one outfit and hair color to another, manifest weapons from thin air, dodge bullets like she was break-dancing, and slash through the air with her sword as if she was straight out of a wuxia movie.

Milla Jovovich was an excellent choice for the beautiful, graceful, smart, tough and ferocious Hemophage warrior. I have always adored her since she played Leelo in The Fifth Element.

Cameron Bright, who had a haunting performance opposite Nicole Kidman in the controversial film Birth, appeared in an underdeveloped role that failed to optimize the use of his innate acting talent. As the laboratory child and human weapon Six, he was fairly suitable and showed surprising depth.

Nick Chinlund plays the Vice-Cardinal Daxus, the head honcho of the nefarious government ArchMinistry. His megalomaniac lines were enough to make me cringe.

Aside from the entertaining, albeit repetitive, fights, I liked the overall dystopic atmosphere of Ultraviolet, which uses a stark, eye-catching palette in its costumes and sets.

The musical score, which emanated from the orchestra pit rather than the mosh pit, was surprisingly good, too, but not anything groundbreaking.

The official Ultraviolet site provides the following film synopsis:

Set in the late 21st century, a subculture of humans called Hemophages has emerged who have been genetically modified, giving them enhanced speed, incredible stamina and acute intelligence.

To the government’s dismay, more and more of the population are being transformed, and they have set out to rid the world of this new subculture that they deem menaces to society.

One rogue warrior is bent on protecting her race – and seeking revenge on those who changed her life forever. With fierce fighting skills and chameleon-like abilities, Violet (Milla Jovovich) sets out to destroy a government-designed time bomb that will eliminate all Hemophages.

To Violet’s surprise, the deadly device is a nine-year-old boy, who was raised in a laboratory and goes by the name Six (Cameron Bright).

As it is Good Friday, television networks aired shows and movies that were not part of their daily programming schedule.

One such instance of this was the airing of the 1998 Filipino film Jose Rizal over GMA-7 this evening.

In the movie, the life and works of Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal are recounted through a series of non-linear flashbacks as he stands trial for rebellion, sedition and illicit association against the ruling Spanish government. The story takes place at Fort Santiago in December 1896.

The film reflects on various aspects of Rizal’s life: writer, propagandist, lover, friend, son, brother, doctor and the man who inspired a revolution.

The hero’s own experiences and tribulations are extensively juxtaposed with the scenes in his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

The Philippine Post Magazine has an article on Jose Rizal that provides some interesting tidbits of information as well as a straightforward synopsis.

V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose so let me simply add that it’s my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.

Evey Hammond: Are you like a crazy person?

V: I’m quite sure they will say so.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November
The gunpowder treason and plot
I know of no reason why
The gunpowder treason should ever be forgot

Thus begins the deliciously dark, futuristic and stylized tale that is V for Vendetta.

V for Vendetta was originally a graphic novel for the DC Vertigo line by British writer Alan Moore.

This was adapted and produced for the silver screen by brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski of The Matrix fame. The movie was directed by James McTeigue.

Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V for Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) who was rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as “V.”

The title character was played by Hugo Weaving, who worked with the Wachowski brothers in all installments of The Matrix trilogy as arguably the most delightful of all computer viruses, Agent Smith.

Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression.

As Evey uncovers the truth about V’s mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself – and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.

Today, I was able to watch the movie in one of our local cinemas, as V for Vendetta opened a few days ago.

My initial expectation was that, given my Matrixorientation on the Wachowski brothers, it would be a full-throttle action film, teeming with digitally-enhanced kung-fu sequences and slow-motion exchanges of bullets and knives between protagonists and
antagonists.

Instead, I got more than I bargained for. There were political conspiracies, hidden agenda among dramatis personae, an almost invisible line between good and evil, and an unforgiving philosophy that anarchy may be a bloody yet potentially successful path in the ever-elusive quest for freedom.

What’s more, there was a low-key yet ultimately heartbreaking love story, with a message that “only celluloid can offer” happy endings.

Hugo Weaving‘s V was, simply put, cool.

He was a lover of the arts, a true gentleman and, yes, a pretty decent cook.

From what I have noted of his fighting style, he was not a Yuen Wo Ping-trained kung-fu fighter like Neo, but more of a close-range combatant, using lightning-quick bare-handed and dagger attacks that remind me so much of Aikido techniques popularized by Steven Seagal.

Although we never got to see his uniquely expressive visage, Hugo’s body language and voice established his character’s deeply complex persona very well on the screen.

Natalie Portman‘s Evey started out as an ordinary working girl who was pushed around a lot

In the course of the movie, she grew into a brave and determined woman after undergoing a highly painful and traumatic interrogation process.

I confess that I expected Evey to develop into a futuristic G.I. Jane of sorts, with the moves and weapons to kick lots of ass, but, hey, blame it on the crew-cut.

A lot of people probably expected V for Vendetta to be a futuristic British Matrix and ended up getting disappointed. However, comparing it with any other film would not be doing V justice, as it stands all by itself in extolling the idea that, in the right time and place, anarchy and cool just might go hand in hand.

Conceal me what I am, and be my aid
For such disguise as haply shall become
The form of my intent
~V, quoting Viola in Act I, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

I was so delighted to finally get my hands on a discounted copy of Asia’s answer to Charlie’s Angels: So Close (2002), also known as Chik yeung tin si.

I spent just a little over two dollars for my very own original video CD of this movie.

The film stars three of the hottest female leads in Hong Kong cinema: Qi Shu (Jason Statham‘s leading lady in 2002′s The Transporter), Wei Zhao (Stephen Chow‘s leading lady in Shaolin Soccer) and Karen Mok (Tracy Lee in the 1996 Black Mask production).

So Close begins when a crooked businessman brings in a pair of high-tech assassin sisters, Ai Lin (Qi Shu) and Ai Kwan (Wei Zhao), to murder his older brother so he can take over the family’s business empire.

When a determined policewoman, Inspector Yat Hong (Karen Mok), starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together, the businessman realizes that he must destroy all evidence – including the assassins and the cop.

The three women are left to fight for their lives, while helping each other, albeit reluctantly at first, along the way.

Happy, happy, happy birthday, Mommy!

My paternal grandmother turns 78 years old today. Before I went on my scheduled trip, I called and greeted my grandmother.

I was back in town in time for the last two evening screenings of Jet Li‘s martial arts swan song Fearless, also known as Huo Yuan Jia.

This film tells the story of Chinese martial arts master Huo Yuan Jia (1869-1910). Yuan Jia was the founder and spiritual guru of the Jin Wu Sports Federation, which exists until today.

The story begins with a young Yuan Jia, who was born with asthma, aspiring to become a powerful martial arts master just like his father (portrayed by the magnificent Collin Chou), who owns and runs the Huo Wushu school.

Yuan Jia eventually got his wish as he grew up. He defeats the Master of the Zhao Wushu school, their family’s primary rival in their hometown of Tianjin, as well as the powerful Master Chin, said to be the best fighter in Tianjin. He becomes the undisputed martial arts champion of their town.

Vengeance from Master Chin’s family, however, leads to a tragic fate for Yuan Jia’s own family. The champion became an aimless wanderer and ends up close to death in a distant rural town where he is cared for a blind girl named Moon. He stayed in this serene farming community for several years.

Upon his return to Tianjin, Yuan Jia discovers that so much has changed since he left, and that China has been dubbed as “The Sick Man of the East.”

This gave him the impetus to accept the challenge issued by undefeated American strong-man Hercules O’Brien (Nathan Jones) to all Chinese fighters. With his more serene outlook in life and an infinitely clearer understanding of the principles of Wushu, Yuan Jia defeats Hercules, restores the badly bruised honor of China, and gains worldwide acclaim in the process.

In the days that followed, Yuan Jia’s loyal friend Nong Jin Sun decides to close his restaurant business in Tianjin and use his money instead to build the Jin Wu Sports Federation. Yuan Jia is named the organization’s leader and guru.

Yuan Jia’s celebrated victory gains the attention of a group of businessmen from various parts of Asia and Europe. They challenged Yuan Jia to fight four of the best warriors from their own countries. Yuan Jia accepts this challenge. He also asks Jin Sun to take over the Sports Federation after the fight.

This fight pits Yuan Jia against the British boxing champion, the European fencing champion, a highly skilled German military officer and the undefeated Karate hero of Japan, Anno Tanaka (deliciously and delightfully brought to life by Shido Nakamura).

Unbeknownst to all the fighters, especially to Yuan Jia and Anno, this match will not only decide their own fate as warriors, but will also make a strong statement about the destiny of the countries they represent.

I enjoyed Fearless very much, mainly because of the beautiful, brutally raw fight sequences.

The martial arts choreography was far from stylized or embellished with camera tricks – what I saw were fighters willing to give and take actual punishment. Wire work was rather minimal, too.

What is also pleasing was that Jet Li had to fight against quite a number of opponents skilled in a wide variety of styles – from wrestling and boxing, to fencing and Karate, among many others. The action sequences really gave Jet many opportunities to showcase his excellent Wushu skills.

The film also reminded me of the 1973 Bruce Lee classic Enter the Dragon, wherein he incorporated his own philosophies on martial arts and life as a whole into the message of the movie. That is, at one point, Bruce’s character says: “My style, you can call the art of fighting without fighting.”

In much the same way, Jet Li sends a message that violence is not the answer to everything and that revenge only leads to more bloodshed.

In a nutshell, being fearless is not about rushing blindly into a fight, but having the courage to settle the conflict before someone gets hurt.

Today is the first local screening day of Jet Li‘s movie Fearless, also known in other parts of the world as Huo Yuan Jia, which is the name of the film’s protagonist.

I was supposed to watch Fearless tonight, however, something came up and I was forced to cancel my plans.

To make me feel better, my father borrowed a video of Unleashed, Jet’s 2005 movie that was originally entitled Danny the Dog.

Unleashed also stars Hollywood veterans Morgan Freeman as the kindly blind piano tuner Sam and Bob Hoskins as the ruthless gang leader Bart.

I loved the brutal, in-your-face martial arts sequences in the film. No excessive wire work or wuxia allusions this time around – only a raw, earthy forcefulness in each punch and kick delivered by both the protagonist and his enemies.

Amazon.com provides a good skinny on Unleashed:

Luc Besson wrote and directed the stylish thrillers La Femme Nikita and The Professional; though he didn’t direct Unleashed, the script has his trademark fusion of outrageous sentimentality and over-the-top violence.

Hong Kong action superstar Jet Li stars as Danny, a man raised to be a brutal attack dog by a nasty gangster named Bart (Bob Hoskins) – when Bart removes Danny’s collar, Danny pulverizes everyone in the room.

But a chance encounter with a blind piano tuner, Sam (Morgan Freeman), reveals to Danny the possibility of a less brutal life, and when a retaliation attack gives him the chance to escape, he does – but Bart won’t let him go that easily.

The fighting in Unleashed is effectively jolting; Li and fight choreographer Yuen Wo Ping have purposefully stripped away the smoothness of most movie combat (especially with a genuine martial artist like Li) with raw, unnerving results, especially when juxtaposed with the sweet and earnest scenes of Li regaining his humanity with Freeman and his step-daughter (Kerry Condon).

This freewheeling cocktail of bloody noses and ice-cream cones isn’t for everyone, but fans of both Besson and Li will leave satisfied.

Today, I got to watch a screening Memoirs of a Geisha at one of the local mall theaters.

I had read positive and negative reviews of the movie and went to watch it, surprisingly, without any biases.

I have yet to read the book, so I was pretty much a tabula rasa, which I suppose was a good thing.

The film has great music and gorgeous cinematography that reminded me a lot of Zhang Yimou’s Hero (Ying Xiong).

The actors and actresses were very well chosen for their respective roles. My favorites are legendary Chinese actress Li Gong as the cruel, envious, love-to-hate-her geisha Hatsumomo and Japanese actor Koji Yakusho as the caustic, scarred yet very appealing Nobu.

The scene in the entire movie that really impressed me was Sayuri’s spotlight dance, wherein actress Ziyi Zhang was clad in a flowing white kimono with very, very high geta to match.

The blue light, snow effect, haunting music and Ziyi’s powerful choreography in that particular sequence were just mesmerizing. The picture I posted in this entry is from that particular scene.

Earlier today, I hauled myself off to the beauty parlor and stayed there for the better part of three hours.

I emerged with golden-bronze nails, as yours truly became her manicurist’s token guinea pig for a brand-new shade of polish that they had just acquired.

Half an inch or thereabout was trimmed off my hair, to clean up the little imperfections that have been haunting the ends of locks for quite a few weeks now. I was so impressed with the way my hair was treated with a teeny bit of serum and blown dry to a shiny, straight finish.

Since I was a good girl and got myself out of the house, I treated myself to an early dinner of baked ziti. The sauce was all-natural tomato. I had Valentine-red raspberry iced tea for my drink.

After eating, it was off to watch Underworld: Evolution.

The movie opened locally last Thursday and I just had to watch it first chance I got. Well, I wasn’t disappointed today!

I have been madly in love with Bill Nighy, who plays the immortal king Viktor, since the first installment of the Underworld saga back in 2003. I was practically squeeing with delight when I saw him in the prologue, in shiny battle armor and full-on warlord mode.

Underworld: Evolution was definitely more exciting than the first film. The action was practically nonstop since the first scene.

It was great to see a buffer, more badass Selene take matters into her hands and kick the bejeezus out of powerful lycans and vampires alike.

Amazon.com has the following movie summary:

Better action, a bit of sex, and gorier R-rated violence make Underworld: Evolution a reasonably satisfying sequel to 2003′s surprise hit Underworld.

Looking stunning as ever in her black leather battle gear, Kate Beckinsale is every goth guy’s fantasy as Selene, the vampire “death dealer” who’s now fighting to stop the release of the original “Lycan” werewolf, William (Brian Steele) from the prison that’s held him for centuries.

As we learn from the film’s action-packed prologue, William and his brother Marcus (Tony Curran) began the bloodline of vampires and werewolves, and after witnessing centuries of warfare between them, their immortal father Corvinus (Derek Jacobi) now seeks Selene and the human vampire/lycan hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) to put an end to the war perpetuated by Victor (Bill Nighy), the vampire warrior whose betrayal of Selene turns Underworld: Evolution into an epic tale of familial revenge.

Right now, I am too awestruck for words.

Just look at the really pretty blue poster below and commence dying with my most heartfelt blessing. Then I will die right along with you.

This is, of course, for the movie SPL: Sha po lang. It is a dark, gritty and violent crime action-drama.

And I am truly, madly, deeply in love with it.

The fact that the magnificent Donnie Yen is in the film is immaterial and irrelevant. Even more so that he is clad in black leather.

The greatest conspiracy of the past 2000 years is about to unravel…

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher.

Solving the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci…clues visible for all to see…and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion – an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.

The Louvre curator has sacrificed his life to protect the Priory’s most sacred trust: the location of a vastly important religious relic, hidden for centuries.

In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who appears to work for Opus Dei – a clandestine, Vatican-sanctioned Catholic sect believed to have long plotted to seize the Priory’s secret.

Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory’s secret – and a stunning historical truth – will be lost forever.

Before anything else, a very Merry Christmas to one and all!

The Da Vinci Code reintroduces readers to Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, who first appeared in Angels & Demons.

With the attention that the book has attracted over the years, it is more or less expected that a film version will come out soon enough.

After much speculation from fans and detractors alike, the movie adaptation of this novel will premier in May 2006.

The 28 December 2005-2 January 2006 Asian edition of Newsweek magazine contains a very nice feature article on the film as well as some gorgeous photographs of the cast and the sets.

I have taken the liberty of scanning in the images, as I want to share these with people who are waiting for the movie with bated breath (as I am).

The casting can be described as no less than powerhouse. I particularly loved how Silas was portrayed, at least in the stills.

Enjoy!

Sir Ian McKellen as Sir Leigh Teabing

Alfred Molina as Bishop Manuel Aringarosa

Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon and Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu, with the Mona Lisa‘s stand-in

Paul Bettany as Silas *fangirls*

Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu and Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon

Probably due to the fact that I am such a big fan of the Hellsing anime and manga series, someone e-mailed me a most interesting link: Imagine Casting: Hellsing.

So far, the unconventionally handsome but very appealing and debonair Vincent Cassel is leading the fan voting race for the role of Alucard.

I have to say that this choice is right on target, pun intended and in more ways than one.

Below are pictures of Vincent, examples of how he will possibly look like as Vlad Tepes and, later on, the Jackal-wielding No-Life King.

The blue sky must be forever tall and forever clear. That’s the way the world should be.

~ Gentatsu Takatsuki, in conversation with Shigure Takimi, Rurouni Kenshin: Ishin Shishi no Requiem

I was able to meet my longtime friends Genefel and Melody at SM Megamall last Wednesday night for a good old gabfest over hot and cold cups of Starbucks java.

We talked straight for three hours and would have continued until dawn. However, I had to get back to my hotel to prepare for my early morning flight while Gen and Mel both had work the day after.

They gave me the most amazing metal chandelier earrings adorned with glittery crystals. Arigatou gozaimasu again!

I arrived from Metro Manila on Thursday, following a quick, uneventful airplane journey.

The moment I got home, I could not help but immediately pop my newly acquired copy of Rurouni Kenshin: Ishin Shishi no Requiem (Requiem for the Ishin Patriots) into my VCD player.

The movie has a simple, straightforward story that would be appreciated even by someone who is not familiar with the Rurouni Kenshin mythos.

I absolutely loved the charismatic and noble Shigure Takimi, one of the movie’s central characters and arguably Ishin Shishi‘s primary driving force.

His noble warrior’s philosophy and driven, staunchly patriotic character reminded me very much of Katsumoto, brilliantly portrayed by Ken Watanabe, from the 2003 Tom Cruise starrer The Last Samurai.

Yesterday evening, I received an e-mail from the organizers of the National Novel Writing Month that I have been officially accepted and listed as a participant.

NaNoWriMo 2005 will be my first year in the project, so I am really looking forward to all the novel-writing excitement and mania that will ensue when November rolls about.

I have just finished watching the 1984 rebellious teen dance flick Footloose. I am still adrenaline-high from grooving along to 1980s hit songs such as Footloose and Holding Out For A Hero.

I found myself browsing for updates on one of next year’s most awaited movies, The Da Vinci Code. The film’s teaser-trailer is downloading as I write this.

The aforementioned international bestseller by Dan Brown has a prequel that, in my humble opinion, also deserves its own time on the silver screen: Angels & Demons.

The first Robert Langdon novel has just as much action and suspense as its successor. The setting is The Holy See itself, which vastly increases the intrigue factor.

Here are casting choices for my dream Angels & Demons movie:

Robert Langdon – Tom Hanks
He wins by default.

Vittoria Vetra – Angelina Jolie
The physicality and the outfit called for in her Tomb Raider character just about prepared her for this role.

Max Kohler – John Hurt
He has the depth and talent to give life to the tortured, genius Konig (“king”).

Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca – Benicio Del Toro
Charismatic and intelligent, with just the right mix of earthiness, sensitivity and underlying menace.

Cardinal Saverio Mortati – Paul Sorvino
This is a difficult one, but I will go for a seasoned actor with Italian roots.

Commander Olivetti – Robert De Niro
He may be a bit too short and a bit too old, but his earthy toughness would wonderfully complement Del Toro’s enigmatic chamberlain.

The Hassassin – Oded Fehr
Highly dangerous in more ways than one, with sex appeal to boot.

Gunther Glick – David Wenham
He has the range to go from bumbling (Carl in Van Helsing) tabloidish reporter to all-business (Faramir in The Lord of the Rings trilogy) Pulitzer aspirant.

Chinita Macri – Queen Latifah
I will give this role to my most adored African-American actress. She can very well pull off the no-nonsense, strong personality of the BBC camerawoman.

Finally, I will go for Alfonso Cuaron as director. His dark, deep vision suits the overall mood of Angels & Demons quite well.

The soundtrack will constitute mostly Gregorian chanting, in the likes of Gregorian: The Dark Side.

Here is the plot of Angels & Demons from the author’s official website:

When world-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol – seared into the chest of a murdered physicist – he discovers evidence of the unimaginable: the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati…the most powerful underground organization ever to walk the earth.

The Illuminati has surfaced from the shadows to carry out the final phase of its legendary vendetta against its most hated enemy…the Catholic Church.

Langdon’s worst fears are confirmed on the eve of the Vatican’s holy conclave, when a messenger of the Illuminati announces he has hidden an unstoppable time bomb at the very heart of Vatican City. With the countdown under way, Langdon jets to Rome to join forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and mysterious Italian scientist, to assist the Vatican in a desperate bid for survival.

Embarking on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra follow a 400-year old trail of ancient symbols that snakes across Rome toward the long-forgotten Illuminati lair…a secret location that contains the only hope for Vatican salvation.

An explosive international thriller, Angels & Demons careens from enlightening epiphanies to dark truths as the battle between science and religion turns to war…

Happy, happy, happy New Year!

May the passing year leave us with memories to cherish, lessons to remember and greater hope for the coming year. Likewise, allow me to extend my warmest, albeit belated, Christmas greetings to each and every one.

To all my beloved friends and visitors, I am wishing that the blessings of the New Year be with you and yours. May these knock early, stay late and leave the gifts of Joy, Hope, Peace and Fortune behind.

During Christmas break, I found a copy of the 2000 Witchblade television series pilot and promptly bought it.

That was actually the first time I came across the television series, although I have been a fan of the comic book since it was first released in the early 1990s.

One of my most prized possessions, comics-wise, is the Witchblade Deluxe Collected Edition (Issues No. 1 to 8), which was a gift from my dearest Owlfriend.

Anyway, I have promptly discovered the magic of Eric Etebari, who gave Ian Nottingham a very seductive and sinister aura.

If only all stalkers would be just like him!

Amazon.com has this studio description of the television series:

In this adaptation of the Top Cow comic book, Witchblade is the story of a New York detective, Sara “Pez” Pezzini, whose search for justice brings her into contact with the Witchblade, an ancient, intelligent, living weapon so powerful it can battle Earth’s darkest evil forces.

Week in and week out, Pez employs her skills as a police detective to fight crime. She finds she must employ the Witchblade to combat a much greater and frighteningly organized conspiracy of evil that threatens the very soul of humanity.

As Sara tries to keep the secret of the Witchblade, do her job and have a personal life, she finds that her most formidable adversary may be the Witchblade itself.