Last night, I hurried on home to try and watch at least parts of the six-hour marathon of Apocalypse: the Second World Wary by National Geographic to commemorate Pearl Harbour.

I managed to watch episodes 3-6 last night and let me tell you, it blew my head away!

Filled with clips from collectors and other various sources, it is the definitive documentary that gives you an insight peek on what really happened during World War II.

I love, love, love, love, loved this documentary! If there's a DVD out I would definitely get it. Not only did I learn a lot about this historic event that changed peoples lives, I also gained an insight on how and why this war had happened and how it became a world war.

Now I'm not sure if this series will be airing sometime soon [believe me, I've just checked tonight's and tomorrow's programme listing on National Geographic], please do look out for it in National Geographic! It's the channel's highest rating documentary ever [and believe me, it totally deserves all the top ratings].

Now I don't have my own war story to tell, but my mom tells me that her brother died during the war. He was sick at the time and since going out of hiding during the war is out of the question, he passed away. :(
Another story was about the LaSallian brothers that were killed in the chapel in the university grounds when the Japanese trooped in to the school.
Trivia: Manila, Philippines was the second most affected/destroyed city during the war after Warsaw, Poland.
So, if you want to learn more trivia, do watch this series!

I vow to read more about World War II and find out what was in the mind of the leaders that were involved at the time, of course I'll TRY not to be unbiased and read more about both parties: the Allies and the Axis.

Any suggestions on books, both historical fiction based during the time and also non-fiction books? Would really appreciate it if you could comment below with your suggestions and I'll see if those books are available in the bargain bins or in local bookstores here in my country.

So, it was supposed to be just a telly series that would alternate between Bones & Pushing Daisies. A little chick-type telly series which makes you feel all warm & fuzzy on some of their bonding sessions and jealous at the girls success in their careers, their indispensable incomes & having incredibly fabulous lifestyles & outfits to match!

This telly series was based on a book by Candace Bushnell [Think Sex & The City] and the story revolves around three central characters: Wendy Healy [not sure about the spelling of her surname], a successful movie executive at Parador Pictures, Victory Ford, a fashion designer struggling because of reviews for her past two collections & Nico Reilly, editor-in-chief of a successful magazine.

I was sooo hooked especially Joe/Victory's on again-off again relationship.
Such a shame the series was cancelled. Would've been nice to continue this.
Now off to watch some other new telly program to get hooked on! :)

Telly list.
Currently downloading: The Tudors Season 3 episodes 2-3. [episodes4-8 are queued]
Currently watching: Bones season 3.

And off to a friend's house tonight. Yay DSL! Hello long-delayed posts of videos on YouTube, reviews about events and photos.

Have a happy weekend everyone! :)

Latest hauls:
-- Taking 5 DVD [OMG been waiting SOOOOO long for this! Hello the Click Five!]
-- The Duchess and Carnivale [season 1 and 2 DVDs] --> is it just me or am I being biased to buying only period films?
-- Ronan Keating Live DVD [hurrah hurrah]
-- another copy of Boyzone: Back Again No Matter What Live 2008[because I'm scared the other one would be scratched the way I keep on playing it]

**Just wanted to post this --- OMG I shaked the hand of Joey Westwood. He's such a babe:**

The Tudors is a telly series that is currently airing in HBO [in Asia, anyway, Showtime for other countries] that has been airing for 2 seasons.



It premiered last night on HBO much to my delight. See, I've been watching this telly series for the past month now, and have gone through the two season and I just can't get enough! :)

It's a historical-based telly series, starring Henry VIII, yes, the notorious English king who had 6 wives. He is played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers [gorgeous guy] and his portrayal is definitely something to watch. He is GOOD!

I have blogged about season 1 before but having recently finished season 2, I was totally blown away. I cannot wait for season 3, which should be showing abroad starting this year.

Do watch it on HBO every Mondays at 11 :)

*sigh*

On another note, yesterday, as I was browsing through National Bookstore, I found myself another historical novel to add to my collection of English history novels:



It's titled "The Sixth Wife" by Suzannah Dunn. It tells the story of Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VII and her life after Henry's death -- her love affair with Thomas Seymour, and how she looked after Elizabeth after her father's death.

I'll post reviews once I finish the book -- this recent haul is currently in the TBR pile.

Can't English history be more interesting???

Rants:

• My trip to Batanes has been cancelled. : Zest Air does not fly to that destination anymore so I've asked for a full refund of the ticket. Downside? The refund will arrive in 15-30 days! What a long time to wait! :S
• My prom dresses has been borrowed. Wonder if I'll ever see them again?
• My weekend movie/telly show marathon did not go as expected. Only got to watch "My Best Friend's Girl" but it was not really worth watching. I was bored nearly the whole time. :

*******************

Raves:

• Went to Book Sale in Festival Mall last Saturday after mass. OMG they've got lots of titles that I was interested in: David Sedaris, Ann Brashares, Arthur Golden. They're a bit pricier than the other titles available but for a very good condition trade paperback, I think it's worth it. I went home with a copy of Sophie Kinsella's "The Undomestic Goddess"
• It was sale in Festival Mall also so I got a mass-market paperback copy of a book about Rembrandt for only P50.
• Got to watch an episode of Medical Investigation. Didn't finish the entire series though.
• Got invited to one of the most awesome weddings around. It was held at Fernwood Gardens last Feb 1st. The venue was absolutely exquisite, the food was also divine. Kyla performed a few songs too. =) Loved the waterfalls, fountains, and the exotic animals [parrots, swans, koi fish].

-- till the next time :) Hopefully I'll get to post some more stuff when I get my DSL connection at home.

Apologies for the late posting -- I haven't been progressing much in my Book/Telly Shows/Movie reviews. Probably because I haven't even finished watching a new movie or telly series in a while.

Last night, I got home early and popped on Medical Investigation Season 1 on DVD. I only got to watch the first episode, but it is so addictive, I am saddened that this series has been cancelled.



First aired in 2004 [and sometime 2005, 2006, I think in Star World], this telly series focuses on a team of doctors who specialize in infectuous diseases that may turn into full-blown epidemics. Think House MD meets CSI. This team is usually the only doctors who could run tests on the quarantined patients and represent the NIH [National Institute of Health].

I'm kind of surprised that this telly series didn't receive a huge following, but I'm a huge fan and if you see this DVD, go and watch it! :) It's one of those shows that makes me think. :)

I'll post more reviews of the episodes/whole series once I get to finish the other 19 episodes so till then :)

This is the latest telly show that I've been going crazy about. It revolves around the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, with headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. This group is dedicated to finding serial killers by thinking like a murderer.
Sounds like CSI? Well, it is a wee bit like CSI but it's much more interesting IMO.

In Criminal Minds, there are lots of red tape -- ie the local police has to file a report and formally invite the BAU to their crime scenes, so in each episode, there is an element of surprise. The BAU go to different states and encounter murderers, some of which are so sick, you'll look away from the telly.

I have been a fan of this series ever since I first saw it on Studio 23 that I had to get a copy of the DVD. Now, three seasons later, I can't wait for the fourth installment of this series! :) In fact, I'm more hooked on this more than CSI!

My favourite character is Dr. Spencer Reed -- he is a genius. He is the walking encyclopedia of the team and he can always remember what he reads. Gosh, I wish I could have that kind of talent.

Then there's JJ -- the liason officer of the team. She's the one who filters all the cases and basically decides which case the team should handle. Personally, I think that she is a bit biased in crimes regarding women -- missing, battered, raped, etc. She has a bit of a soft spot for that.

There's Morgan -- I think he's a bit aggressive and does not normally follow protocol. He has a past he'd rather forget [watch Season 2 for a background on that] which molded him into what he is.

Garcia -- She is the technical analyst of the team. And she is fast in searching for information on the unsubs or victims. She is awesome!

Rossi -- The newest character. He replaced Gideon and is the best profiler of the team. He came back to the BAU after a retirement because of his unfinished business.

And there's Hotchner -- a former field agent of the FBI, he is almost like the leader of the group.

And that sums it. :)

Overall rating for this telly series: 4.5/5
Do watch it if you can :)

I'm off to watch "The curious case of Benjamin Button", "Rome" season 1 and a few others.

Will post reviews on Monday.

Ta for now! Have a nice weekend!

Just thinking...

Is there not a comprehensive list of all the telly shows that had ever been produced? No, not just in our lifetime, but of all time!

Same goes for books.

I mean, wouldn't that be great? A chronological listing of all books that you know of so bibliomaniacs and couch potatoes like me will have a blast going through the list and eventually have our brains blown off with a whole lot of choices that you don't know what to choose.

Same goes for movies.

Just thinking -- that comprehensive list should be catalogued by language so it'll be easier to find.

Hmm...

I'd love to compile a list like that -- but maybe when I've got too much free time on my hands.

The weekend [as my normal weekends normally are], are full of bumming around the house and watching telly series.

This weekend, I engrossed myself in watching six episodes of season 1 of "The Tudors."

It stars Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, and is about King Henry VIII. It's very interesting although not always historically correct. However, it is worth your while if you are a telly buff and is fascinated with English history and the monarchy.

I had always been fascinated with English culture and everything about England. Hence, I literally screamed in happiness when I saw this DVD! *Sigh* Happiness.

I give this telly series a five out of five. :) I will watch the four remaining episodes of season 1 when I've got the time [which is probably until next weekend].



On another note, I am going to watch Michael Johns in Greenbelt on November 21st, Friday. Woohoo. I might go to his Glorietta show as well, who knows?

Gotta go.

With all the telly shows being show, which one would you watch and tune in the most?

With all the movies, coming out, which one would you spend big bucks to watch in the big screen or wait until a dvd comes out?

With all the books that you want to read, which would you choose first?

If you had all the time in the world, would you watch all the shows/movies shown? And would you read all the books that were ever published?

Time.

Ahh.. the restrictions of it.

Makes you wonder how much time is very, very important.

I really don't want to waste it.