Movie Opinion of the Week - Silver Linings Playbook

                                                      courtesy of www.funpop.com

    Silver Linings Playbook doesn't fall into the mold of your cookie-cutter romantic comedies. Minutes into watching the film, I was dumbfounded whether what was unfolding before my eyes was a serious-themed or light-hearted story. As it turned out, the movie captured both moods. There were amazing performances all-around by the cast. Jennifer Lawrence deserves all the acting accolades she garnered for her role in this film. Bradley Cooper is one of the few stars in Hollywood who can be taken seriously by pinch-hitting as a dramatic actor, then switching back to being the comedic actor he is known for. Great supporting cast in Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, and the returning Chris Tucker (I've never seen this guy act outside of the Rush Hour franchise, and its a welcome treat to see him so.) The director David O. Russell beautifully encapsulates the story exploring the theme of mental illness into an endearing story. Who knew that depression and bi-polar disorder could be turned into a movie along the lines of As Good As It Gets, another great romantic comedy which happens to delve on obsessive-compulsive disorder. But that's the closest similarity Silver Linings Playbook has with As Good As It Gets, as they different beasts from each other from an overall standpoint. Silver Linings Playbook is one of the best romantic comedies and dramas in recent memory. I think this movie deserves be classified into a genre of its own, being a pseudo-drama and romantic comedy in one. 

Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2013 - An Opinion

                                                                      Image courtesy of www.worlds50best.asia

           The inaugural Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2013 list was just announced the other day. Out of the top 50 restaurants all over Asia that made it to this prestigious list, not a single Philippine restaurant was in sight. It's disappointing to find out that the local restaurant scene isn't up to the standards of the organizers of this list. In my opinion, I think the restaurant landscape in the Philippines has never been more dynamic, with  new establishments opening in the recent years generating buzz among local foodies. It's a wonder why we have not been picked up in the culinary radar while our neighbors in Thailand (2 restaurants in the Top 10) and Vietnam (1 restaurant in the list) are represented. 

Although countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, and Cambodia were not represented in this list as well, but come on, didn't Anthony Bourdain hail our lechon as "The Best Pig Ever"?! 

                                Image courtesy of www.elarZ.com

Was not our Halo Halo named by Time Magazine as the "best legal high"?! 

                                                Image courtesy of www.newasiancuisine.com

      My opinion is for our local chefs to push the envelope to define a cuisine that one can call truly Filipino. We've got a treasure trove of culinary talent waiting to break through the barrier to become internationally known (some have already broken through, but curiously still unrecognized). In the coming installments of this annual list, who knows, we might find a Filipino restaurant creeping through the ranks.