Samsung Galaxy SII: Take control with just your voice

Nowadays, cellphones are such essential parts of our lives that we take it anywhere with us. And even when doing something else, when our mobiles beep or ring, we take it upon ourselves to multitask and answer our phones while working, cooking, and even driving.

But we all know that's dangerous, right? Good thing the Samsung Galaxy SII lets you text or answer the phone hands-free.

The Samsung Galaxy SII handset

With its Say N Go Voice Solution, all you need to do is just double tap the home key and take charge by uttering just a few words. And you can even compose messages and notes and send them to the intended recipients by just saying, "SEND!" Easier than "Abracadabra," right?

To explain the feature further, click here to watch a video from Samsung's Facebook Page. To know more about the amazing things the Samsung Galaxy SII can do, visit Samsung's product page here.

Indeed, Samsung Galaxy SII gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Look Ma, no hands!"

Php250 instead of Php500 worth of meals at Little Asia via PilipinasBestBuys.com

Voucher-buying is so in nowadays that people scramble to get the best deals on food, beauty, gadgets, and leisure items. PilipinasBestBuys.com is one of those sites that give you amazing discounts and treats for the things that you desire.

And today, it gives you Php250 instead of Php500 for food and drinks at Little Asia!

All you have to do is buy the voucher at PilipinasBestBuys.com and you get to enjoy 50% off on Php500 worth of food and drinks. Have a feast of Chinese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Malay, and Filipino food at slashed-off rates.

Check this out to know more about the deal and to avail of the voucher. Little Asia branches are at Greenhills, Tomas Morato, and Venice Piazza at The Fort.

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank: A witty indie film about indie filmmaking

Rare are those times that I get to watch a fun and witty Pinoy film like Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank. It may be short, running at around an hour and a half in total, but it's got loads of awesome moments.

The movie is basically a critique on indie filmmaking and its romanticizing of poverty in the Philippines. It opens with a scene where indie film director Rainier (Kean Cipriano) and producer Bingbong (JM de Guzman) brainstorm and review scenes for their indie film "Walang Wala" while production assistant Jocelyn (Cai Cortez) imagines each sequence as they are narrated by the two. With the hopes of bagging awards for the indie movie they will make, Rainier and Bingbong tap in Eugene Domingo to portray their film's central character, a mother from the slums who will sell her child to pedophilia.

The next scenes are pretty much insinuations of how indie filmmaking is behind the camera: the dream (or illusion) and promise of recognition in and outside the country, the negotiations between production and actor, and the real yet cruel side of poverty that these films don't really show its audience. The film presents it in the form of satire, the truth disguised as a chewable tablet. I consider it somewhat of an eye-opener to those who think that filmmaking is a glamorous job -- while it does reap you awards, the process of creating it from start to finish is where the adventure lies. And this film shows it, "as is where is" -style.

Eugene Domingo simply shines in this movie. It's impossible for me to think of another actress who can do what she did here (well, Cherry Pie Picache does come close to a second. Mercedes Cabral probably would, too, though I have to see her first in Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me). Kean and JM were fun to watch as the young director and producer, respectively, deluded by their ambition to be at par with -- and even surpass -- other indie filmmakers who have won accolades here and abroad.

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, for me, raises the bar in storytelling. Writer Chris Martinez and Director Marlon Rivera really did moviegoers a huge favor by releasing this movie full of wit and charm. They, as well as Ms. Domingo and everyone behind it, truly deserve their awards. Watch the film and you'll see why.

Afterthoughts on Captain America: The First Avenger

The last movie before the big Avengers film, Captain America: The First Avenger had a lot of fans of the Marvel franchise in excitement, me included.

Unfortunately, it didn't hold a candle to Iron Man. I guess that was my peg.

Most of the scenes were from the 1940s, when a scrawny, forever-beat-up guy named Steve Rogers aimed to be enlisted in the US Army to fight during the Second World War. Because of his frame and a series of physical maladies (including asthma), he never got to join the force. It wasn't until a doctor, who saw his kind heart through his physical appearance, made a way for him to be a hero -- a superhero, that is.

After being given a superserum, his body changes, stamina and fighting skills and all, and he eventually becomes the poster boy of America's bravest during World War II. A battle against one of Hitler's right-hand men, the Red Skull, eventually leaves Captain America frozen for almost 7 decades in the Arctic. He is taken in by SHIELD agents led by Nick Fury, who is planning to assemble a group of superheroes to defend the modern world.

From a viewer who has little knowledge in the Marvel Universe other than Captain America is their biggest character, I found the movie okay but not as good as, say, Iron Man. There were cheesy moments in the film that could have been done better, in my opinion. Save for the fact that he was always being bullied, there wasn't enough for me to anchor myself to Steve's character. I dunno, probably because it's the treatment, because it was the 40s that the storytelling seemed to pace quite slowly for me.

But well, the easter egg after the credits got me glued to my seat.

Chris Evans looked quite the part. It was amazing how the CG made him into Steve Rogers pre-superserum injection. Kinda like Benjamin Button, if you'd recall. His acting was quite okay. I couldn't say the same for Hugo Weaving, though. I thought that he was more British than German (which he is in real life). When I close my eyes listening to the Red Skull, I hear Elrond. Even Agent Smith. Where's the German accent?

I think the person who stole the show here was Tommy Lee Jones as Col. Philips. He had quite a presence in the film, as well as some of the best and funniest lines.

Despite the storytelling setbacks, Captain America is still a film to watch, as it serves as a prelude to The Avengers. Hopefully, his character is given more substance here, especially that's he's supposed to be head-to-head with Tony Stark. Now that's an encounter I'd like to see.