November Musings: Mission Visayas, Batman: Arkham Origins, Thanksgiving, and the Holidays

It's been a while since I've posted anything on this personal blog, and November has been quite the busy month for me as it is. Besides celebrating a grand "Nameday" birthday, the Christmas season has arrived, and everyone's attention has been focused on the holidays and season's traditions that it's hard to believe that time is passing by us so fast.

In fact, much of the holiday spirit has been focused on helping the victims and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, and I have been fortunate enough to have participated in not one, but two charity events this month, helping usher in funds and donations for the relief efforts alongside my fellow teammates and heroes from Justice PH.

One adventure chronicling said relief efforts hails directly from November 23rd's "Mission: Visayas" event, held at Bonifacio High Street. Coming off a day after my nameday, this was a spectacular way to help and work for a cause, being heroes and symbols for others as well.

Justice PH: Mission Visayas
Here's some photo and video highlights from the event, where JPH joined forces with 12 Radio Stations, 20 plus OPM artists and bands, and Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary V.!

And on the gaming side, of course there was time to finally sit down and beat WB Games latest installment to the Batman: Arkham franchise - Batman: Arkham Origins. Suffice to say, it's a worthy and decent prequel to Rocksteady Studios' two stellar Batman games "Batman: Arkham Asylum" and "Batman: Arkham City", and new developer WB Games Montreal did an impressive job despite some quality issues and bugs found in the overall experience. I also have to hand it to the voice actors who played Batman and The Joker, namely Roger Craig Smith (Ezio Auditore from the Assassin's Creed series, Sonic The Hedgehog) and  Troy Baker (Joel from The Last of Us, Robin from Batman: Arkham City). This game may not be perfect, but it's still a damn good Batman game that must be played, and the boss battles alone make the experience worthwhile.

For more on that, do read my GMA News Online review on Batman: Arkham Origins.

And as November ends, here's some belated Thanksgiving greetings (like the Batman: Eternal teaser pic above from DC Comics), a happy bday wish to my late grandpa, Happy Bonifacio Day, and well wishes for the Holiday Season itself!

Movie Review: Thor: The Dark World

Thor is back... And wields his trusted hammer Mjolnir once more to dish out some heavy Marvel Movie action in the big screen. The God of Thunder and heir to the throne of Asgard's latest adventure has made its impact overseas two weeks before it's premiere in the US, and I am fortunate to have seen it, both in 3D and 2D screenings that have only cemented my belief that Marvel Studios has certainly planned things properly with the fans in mind. It's great to say that as the second film of "Phase Two" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is a film worthy of the standards built by its predecessors, and directed by the talented Alan Taylor of Game of Thrones fame.

So without further ado and already taking past $100 Million on its first weekend overseas, here's my review for "Thor: The Dark World" - An action-packed sequel that delivers on Thor's promise to return and in a great way. Those who want to shy away from SPOILERS, best be warned already and don't be reading this review... Especially those in the US, where the film opens on November 8.

Thanks goes to Walt Disney PH, Columbia PH, Marvel, and Ayala Malls for the screening in 3D last week prior to Halloween, and seeing the 2D screening just this weekend only solidified my opinions that you can't go wrong seeing this epic Marvel film.

The Walking Dead S04E01: "30 Days Without An Accident" Review

Finally... After months of excruciating patience and wait, The Walking Dead has returned, or is about return, to AMC and various television networks across the globe, bringing about its much anticipated 4th Season and continuing the ongoing story of survival of Rick Grimes and his group of survivors in a world ravaged by a zombie apocalypse. Now on its 4th season and going strong as ever, what other threats lie in store for the living in this savage environment? Plenty more, and that's what this review is going to explore and reflect on with the season premiere episode - "30 Days Without An Accident".