A SPOILER HEAVY Rurouni Kenshin Film Reaction: The Legend Could Have Ended Better

“We live by different standards.” - Shishio Makoto (paraphrased a bit from his line in the movie)

I’ll try to be not overly dramatic. Here are some facts straight up for those who have yet to see Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (TLE):
- If you have little to no Rurouni Kenshin (RK) background save for the first two films in this franchise, you will probably really like this film, and it will probably make you want to watch the anime and read the manga (which is a great thing).
- If you are a casual RK fan, then you will probably like this film as it generally maintains the spirit of the series, and you probably won’t mind certain nuances I’ll be pointing out here.
- If you are an RK fanboy/girl, you will delight in the fan service moments, but might feel a little on-the-fence about the whole thing. You will probably feel squeamish about some sweeping changes (and omissions), but still convince yourself it’s a good film because you can’t bear to say anything bad about anything RK.
- If you are as intense, as snobbish, and as geeky as me when it comes to RK, however, then several things will throw you off. Heck, you might not even like it at all. There’s a strong chance it will be your least liked entry in the trilogy. Don’t worry, though, because it surely isn’t as bad (read: debilitatingly sad) as the Seisouhen (Samurai X: Reflections) OVA.

Kenshin looking fierce as his legend ends.
(image from Warner Bros.)

Likes and dislikes. Let’s keep it simple.

Way Off-Topic: Rurouni Kenshin: Taika-Hen — A Simmer, but not yet an Inferno

I am not a film critic. I actually write almost exclusively about basketball. This post, therefore, will not talk about the finer points of filmmaking as observed in the second installment of the Rurouni Kenshin live action film trilogy — Rurouni Kenshin: Taika-Hen (Kyoto Inferno). 

Does Kenshin's second live action deliver the goods?

This is not a review. 

This is a reaction.

Off-Topic: Top 10 Bloopers of the 2012-2013 NBA season

Here's another light and trippy YouTube clip to distract you guys from the darkness and gloom looking down on us. 

You will see someone jumping over Nate Robinson, Enes Kanter's best attempt at doing The Worm, Chris Bosh videobombs, and, of course, Javale McGee. Here are the Top 10 Bloopers of the 2012-2013 NBA season!

A face only a mother (velociraptor) could love.
(screencap from the following YouTube clip)

Off-Topic: Which Pick-up Basketball Stereotype Are You?

Here's something light and funny for all you hoop nuts out there. I hope this can brighten your otherwise gloomy day (certainly brought about by typhoon Maring and the habagat).

Brought to you by the guys at Dude Perfect -- Which pick-up basketball stereotype are you?

Screencap from the following YouTube clip.

Off-Topic: So.. what did I miss?

A lot, apparently.

I was away from Hoop Nut for 99.9% of the past seven days for personal reasons of a medical nature. It was something absolutely urgent I had to attend to and, given how there was no wifi in the hospital at which my family was, wasn't really able to go online save for the few-and-far-between times I went back home to get some stuff and take care of other things.

It was maybe the longest I've gone without basketball maybe… ever. 

Beau Belga more than held his own against Zhang Zhaoxu
and the Shanghai Sharks.
(image by Paolo Papa/InterAKTV)

So, again, WHAT DID I MISS?

Let's list them down…

Off Topic: SMART Infinity + Erik Spoelstra = BIG DREAMS

Fil-Am coach Erik Spoelstra receives the Larry O'Brien trophy
after the Miami Heat bag the 2012 NBA Title.
(image from Getty Images)

Today is the launch of Erik Spoelstra as a prime endorser for SMART Communication’s Infinity line of postpaid plans.

The SMART Infinity line is targeted at subscribers who are craving for a more exclusive and personalized customer service experience. Subscribers to the SMART Infinity line are set to enjoy several perks like one’s own Infinity Management Officer (kind of like your own 24-7 personal customer service rep), the Concierge Service (for lifestyle assistance), a Vanity Number (choose-your-own number!), an automatic Back-up SIM Card, a yearly Birthday Treat, and the 24-7 Infinity Hotline.

This is the kind of subscription really tailor-fit for success, tailor-fit for people driven to become champions in their own fields, and tailor-fit for people who dream big.

Just like Erik Spoelstra, who, as we all know by now, is the first Asian-American to ever coach in the NBA and actually win a title. He has become the latest poster boy for Pinoys dreaming big and actually achieving it.

Because You Suck, Nameless Monsoon

So, apparently, there's more where this came from!
(from Kevin Durant's Twitter account)

This is about the changes in the remaining schedule of the 2012 UAAP Basketball Tournament's first round, and some images of basketball and/in the deluge.

Revised UAAP BAsketball Schedules (as of August 9, 2012):

Changes in the Seniors' Division Schedule.

Changes in the Juniors' Division Schedule.

Changes in the Women's Division

Basketball and this effin' Monsoon:

This guy tries to hang on for dear life on a basketball
post. He probably spent many sunny afternoons playing
in this particular street.
(image by Aaron Favila/AP)

Because covered basketball courts are a dime a dozen in the metro, they
are often used as temporary shelters for evacuees.
(image by Jay Directo/AFP)

These two guys probably never thought they'd hold on
to a basketball rim in this context.
(image by Noel Celis/Getty Images)

Oh kids. They will play whenever and wherever.
Basketball really never stops in the Philippines.
(image by Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)

Let us all remain resilient and united as we recover from this unexpected and unmitigated catastrophe. Time to put our hero hats on, guys! Game on!

Light Done Right: The adidas Crazy Light 2

The latest adiZero is here!

 Think the original Crazy Light is the best shoe ever? Think nothing could ever be lighter? Or better?

Think again.

Last June 7, 2012, adidas Philippines held the media launch of the newest addition to the brand’s library of hoops shoes. As always, they did all the right things in entertaining and informing the different members of the press and social media who were invited to the launch, which was held at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center inside the sprawling Ateneo de Manila campus.

Your Hoop Nut was there to help cover the event!

They unveiled their newest creation, the latest product and brainchild of the adidas Innovation Team and adidas advanced footwear concept designer, Robbie Fuller – the adiZero Crazy Light 2.

And this version of the Crazy Light improves on the original in practically all aspects.

A Little Off-Topic, But Still About the 2012 NBA Playoffs: Hoops Hiatus

I'm not the only one who'll miss the next few

days of the NBA Playoffs. Rajon Rondo just got suspended.

(image by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Many people tell me too much Coke is bad. Too much sugar. Too much caffeine. Too much of the chemical that corrodes teeth.

But I love Coke (I’m not exactly addicted to it. I drink Coke maybe thrice a week only. Believe me there are a ton of other people I know who consume it more often.) I think it tastes awesome (on the rocks, please). I think it makes me feel awesome.

Coke is a good thing.

But too much of anything, even a good thing, can turn ugly.

It hasn’t turned ugly, yet, but I won’t wait till that happens.

Blue vs. Green: The Dream Game MacBook Air Promo!!!

Sa Blue o sa Green? San ka?!
(image from InterAKTV.ph)

After the JUMP – find out what you have to do to win one of two MacBook Air units at stake in the Blue vs. Green: The Dream Game event!

What is this?

A simple promo where fans are asked to choose which team they are rooting for (green or blue) in the upcoming Dream Game on Feb. 5, 2012.

Fans are the asked submit a cheer for the said team.

Cheers submitted will be shown live on the microsite until the end of the

Game on Feb. 5.

2 Macbook Air units will be also be given away – 1 for a BLUE fan and 1 for a GREEN fan. Winners will be raffled from the microsite registration database.

Pumped Up Kicks: The Adidas Adizero Rose 2.5

The adidas adiZero Rose 2.5 meets the world today.

*Photos from the event are by me, while those of the shoe (the nice ones) and of Derrick Rose  are from Adidas Philippines.
*UPDATE (Feb. 7, 2012): I added two new images from SoleMovement.com. These are the team pictures for Team 3 -- the WINNING team in the Media Challenge.

After the JUMP – highlights of the Rose 2.5 media launch and what makes this particular shoe one of the most awesome finds out there.

The 2.5 is so light it keeps D-Rose
in flight much longer than most!

Off-Topic: Top Basketball Anime/Manga

Most of the main characters in Slam Dunk
(image from bestanimepicture.com)

Slam Dunk:

Slam Dunk was created by Takehiko Inoue. It revolves around one of the zaniest characters in all of manga-dom: Hanamichi Sakuragi. He tries to get into basketball to impress his crush, Haruko Akagi. As the story progresses, Hanamichi's natural physical gifst (height and athleticism) help him become part of the Shohoku basketball team. It's a classic underdog tale about someone who knows squat about basketball eventually becoming a great success. Hanamichi forms interesting connections with his teammates, as well as his rivals from other schools. Character development is really good. Animation is well done, especially since it was animated back in the 90s. My only gripe is that the anime didn't finish the whole story. One has to read the manga to see how Shohoku did in the Inter-high tournament. Definitely one of my all-time favorite anime series! Inoue even got a commendation from the Japanese Basketball Association for helping popularize basketball in Japan!

Off-Topic: Transform and Roll Out!!!

(image from starstoreblog.com)

The 3rd Michael Bay Transformers film, Dark of the Moon, is coming out in about a week's time here in Manila, and in anticipation for this MOMENTOUS occasion, I'll be detailing my all-time favorite robots-in-disguise. All from Generation 1 of course. 


AUTOBOTS:

How couldn't anyone like a VW Bug that transforms into a robot?! And a yellow one too.
Sure, there were times Bumblebee felt more like a bumbling fool, but I'd like to
think that was all part of his schtick.
(image from tfwiki.net)

Off-Topic: Did You Ever Collect Marvel Trading Cards?

Oh man I loved these when I was much younger. I believe I really got into collecting these way back in Grades 4 & 5. I remember getting most of the cards and keeping them until we moved. And then I don't remember anymore :(

Oh well, chalk one up for nostalgia: 

CHARACTER CARDS:

Oh man Cable was the MAN.
Big biceps + Big guns + "I don't care" swagger = Ultimate Anti-Hero
(image from Marvel.com)

Off-Topic: E3 2011's Best!

Where & When: June 7-9, 2011 at the LA Convention Center

I'm a video game buff, and am proud of it. I've never been to the Electronic Entertainment Expo, but I've always kept tabs on the happenings and big announcements. (If anyone wants to take me there next year, then just go to the Contact Me page :))

(image from forbes.com)

For this year's E3, here are the vids that made me salivate :

Off-Topic: There was a time I wanted to go to Bali

Got this story from a friend.

Basically, it goes like this:

- Two Filipinas travel to Bali, Indonesia via Singapore (AIr Asia) for holiday.

- They get stopped at the Bali airport for no apparent reason apart from the fact they are Filipinas.

- They get detained and questioned, with the Bali airport officials insinuating these 2 Filipinas might be drug mules. No proof. No red flags. Apart from the simply being Filipinas.

- They get searched. One girl is BODY SEARCHED. They are detained for about an hour and a half. For what? FOR NOTHING.

- The Filipinas are eventually released, but the bigger question is should they have been detained in the first place? HELL NO. As far as I'm concerned, their rights were violated. Crazy.

Who killed Rock and Roll on local Radio?

Bye Bye UR :(
(image from bluesasianetwork.com)

Underground Radio 105.9 is signing off today.

That's the radio station where my bro and his girlfriend work as DJs. It's also where they met and fell in love. And it is the only remaining dedicated rock station on Philippine radio. In a few hours it will be no more. Another station, another crew will take over the frequency. And they'll probably play something personally depressing, like bakya music or 24/7 bubblegum pop. A lot of people will like this new format.

But not me.

Off-Topic: Ateneo Lady Eagles bag their first Shakey's V-League crown!

The Lady Eagles celebrate a point
in their Game 1 win
(image by Taj Chupungco/Shakeys V-League)

The Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles notched their first ever volleyball title by beating the Adamson Lady Falcons, 24-26, 25-18, 25-22, 19-25, 15-11 yesterday amidst a packed crowd at The Arena in San Juan.

Ateneo swept its UAAP nemesis, 2-0, in the series.

Off-Topic: Do You Remember “Demolition?”

The original Demolition duo
(image from IGN.com)

When I was a young kid in the late 80s, there few things more fun than watching WWF Superstar Wrestling. It was a treat seeing big, burly men in wilder-than-my-imagination outfits slug out with each other in the interest of winning gold-laced-and-oversized belts and the adoration of fans.

Off-Topic: Fantastic Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy protagonists from 1-10
(image from the Final Fantasy wiki)

Basketball is clearly one of my obsessions, but another thing that takes up quite a bit of my free time (when I’m not teaching, writing, being a husband or being a dad), is video games. And the video game franchise that has captured my imagination most deeply?

Final Fantasy.

So I’ll take a break from basketball first (I’m still finishing up the postmortems for Orlando, San Antonio, New Orleans and Portland) and talk about this most excellent game series.

What makes this series of games so great? Where do I start?