Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Mission Impossible:
Rogue Nation

Action star Tom Cruise returns as the IMF's most impossible agent, Ethan Hunt, in his ultimate mission yet and this fifth installment of the Mission Impossible films promises to deliver massive explosions in each and every twists and turns as well as impossible stunts in true Mission Impossible fashion as the clash between spies vs. spies reaches its boiling point.

In Rogue Nation, Hunt faces of against a secret organization called The Syndicate, bent ton eradicating everyone at the IMF and spread chaos to the world. Displeased from the IMF's actions that caused the American government to disband them, Ethan is fighting against the Syndicate on his own. As the story progresses, and with the CIA trailing down Hunt's movements, he seeks help from his old allies as well as a British spy working undercover within The Syndicate.

In true Mission Impossible fashion, Rogue Nation still has the same impossible formula that exhilarates fans new and old to the franchise; delivering suspense, thrills, and the drama fit for an action movie with unpredictable patterns. It's so unpredictable, you will never know which part will kick you the most but when it does, best to hold on to your seats, even to the part when Hunt hangs on to a flying airplane.

However, there are a couple of few drawbacks because while this is essentially focused about the enemy organization known as The Syndicate, this film knows little about the enemy organization because it keeps focusing more on the good guys doing impossible tricks to finish them off for good. And there's another drawback because just like what happened in Ghost Protocol four years ago, this movie is nothing but a promotion for BMW. One big example is the recently facelifted BMW M3 and in this film, Ethan Hunt's behind the wheel of the new M3 and this new car sacrificed its metal just to wow the crowd, like animals in the circus. That's pointless and this kind of marketing ploy with pit viewers wishing they want to have their own M3 just like in the movie. That's just the start because there are so many BMW's featured in this film. Think you can spot them all?

Anyway, with Rogue Nation, the Mission Impossible movies have been pushed to greater heights and while it has minor flaws, it still delivers the most explosive thrills for all the Mission Impossible films.

My rating: 3.9 out of 5

Let's Do The News! (July 31, 2015)

- A Palestinian child was burned to death in an arson attack led by suspected Jewish settlers in West Bank, Israel. The home where the 18-month-old boy and his family were residing was set on fire. Some say, the attackers firebombed the house and at the scene of the fire, the father managed to save his wife and the older son, but not the toddler. The arsonists left a graffiti near the burnt home.

- It is highly likely that the debris found on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion came from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, according to an Australian official. Could this piece solve the biggest aviation mystery of the world?

- Sources say that the airstrip being built by the People's Republic of China on a reef in the disputed South China Sea is the largest of its kind and would enable them to operate strategic bombers.

- DILG Secretary Mar Roxas is officially named as the candidate for presidency in the 2016 elections. The announcement was made by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan City.

- Solicitor General Florin T. Hilbay told the Supreme Court that the City of Manila violated the law in giving DMCI Project Developers, Inc. the permit to construct the controversial Torre de Manila building.

- A few days ago: an ultra-rare Aston Martin DB5, as seen in James Bond movies such as Goldfinger and Skyfall, crashed into a pole near Manchester Airport while trying to avoid an incoming Vauxhall Astra. The driver and his four-year-old son were severely injured.

- A certain article alleges that Subaru suppliers in Japan rely on gray market labor to produce parts for the Forester. Fact or bluff?

- Your favorite μ's members donning their movie outfits from Lovelive! The School Idol Movie are now in miniature Nendoroid Petit sizes. Each costs 833 Yen plus tax when they arrive this January and there are nine figures to collect. You'll never know which μ's member you'll get when you have one!

- Check out the teaser trailer for the upcoming Netflix original movie Beasts of No Nation, featuring Luther lead actor Idris Elba as a warlord in West Africa who lost his family in a civil war and became part of a mercenary gang who will turn him into a soldier. It will be available on Netflix this October 2015.

TTFN!!!

Clarkson, Hammond, and May to star in an Amazon original show

After months of speculation following the former Top Gear trio left the long-running car show for numerous setbacks, it's officially official that Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May will host a brand new motoring program exclusive for Amazon Prime subscribers.

Thanks to their three-season global streaming deal, the trio are now free to do whatever they want for their upcoming car show, coming to Amazon Instant Video this 2016, with shooting soon to be commenced. Former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman will be in charge of producing their new show.

With this new show, looks like the Clarkson, Hammond, and May trio are up against the show they've used to be, Top Gear, now run by the radio personality Chris Evans (with additional presenters to be announced soon) as well as Fifth Gear, currently airing on History Channel UK, which some of its presenters, Tiff Needell and Vicki Butler-Henderson, coincidentally used to be on Top Gear. It will be like a three-way battle of the motoring programmes we can expect.

PRESS RELEASE:

Amazon wins race to sign Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for new car show available exclusively for Amazon Prime members

Global deal sees trio reunite with first season scheduled to premiere in 2016

New car show joins Prime Video stable of critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series, adding to the largest selection of movies and TV shows of any video streaming service in the UK

Prime Video

London - 30 July 2015 – Amazon today announced that Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will reunite to make a new car show available exclusively to Amazon Prime members. The show will be produced by the trio's long time executive producer Andy Wilman.

The award-winning team have committed to three seasons as part of this landmark global TV deal. The first season will go into production soon and is scheduled to premiere for Prime members in 2016.

On working with Amazon, Jeremy Clarkson said: "I feel like I've climbed out of a bi-plane and into a spaceship."

Richard Hammond added: "Amazon? Oh yes. I have already been there. I got bitten by a bullet ant."

James May said: "We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn't it?"

"Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen, and we are excited to make that happen," said Jay Marine, Vice President of Amazon Prime Video EU. "Millions of Prime members are already enjoying our ground-breaking original shows. We can't wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016."

Customers can sign up to receive the latest news on this new show by visiting www.amazon.co.uk/GuessWhosBack.

Clarkson, Hammond and May will join top talent making Amazon Original Series that will premiere on Prime Video in 2015 and early 2016. These include Hand of God starring Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy) and Dana Delany (Body of Proof), Red Oaks starring Craig Roberts (Submarine) and Paul Reiser (Mad About You), The Man in the High Castle from Executive Producer of The X-Files Frank Spotnitz and Executive Producer Ridley Scott (Blade Runner), the company's first docu-series, The New Yorker Presents, as well as second seasons of the multi-Golden Globe-winning comedy Transparent, Mozart in the Jungle starring Gael Garcia Bernal (Rosewater) and Bernadette Peters (Smash), and Bosch, from Michael Connelly and starring Titus Welliver (Lost).

Amazon also resurrected hit British drama Ripper Street, starring Matthew Macfadyen (Spooks), Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones), Adam Rothenberg (The Divide) and MyAnna Buring (The Twilight Saga). Amazon produced third series of the Victorian crime drama launched in November 2014 to critical and customer acclaim; a fourth season of the show is now in production.

"This is a golden age of television, a great time for TV makers and storytellers," added Jay Marine. "Our approach is to give programme makers creative freedom to be innovative and make the shows they want to make. This is just the start, you should expect to see more world-leading talent and the biggest shows on Prime Video."

Prime members can enjoy Amazon Original Series and other Prime Video movies and TV shows using the Amazon Video app. The Amazon Video app is available on hundreds of devices including Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs and Blu-ray players from Samsung, Sony, LG, and Panasonic, the Xbox, PlayStation, and Wii game consoles, as well as on mobile devices like Fire tablets, Fire phone, iPhone, iPad, and Android tablets and phones. Customers can also watch online at www.amazon.co.uk/primevideo.

Image/Report: Amazon

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA MASTER Absolute NIne

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA MASTER
Absolute NIne

For those who are still busy enjoying with THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls, in mobile game and the anime series alike, there's still more to enjoy with 346 Production's finest as the latest album, "Absolute NIne" is here. As the title says it all; this album is rounded up by nine Cinderella Girls idols as seen on the game and anime alike. It has some of the familiar faces you love such as Uzuki Shimamura, Rin Shibuya, Kaede Takagaki, Miku Maekawa, and Mika Jougasaki, alongside the unsung idols in the world of Cinderella Girls such as Syuko Shiomi, Shiki Ichinose, Yumi Aiba, and Takumi Mukai.

With everyone present, nine of 346 Production's CINDERELLA PROJECT are performing the titular song Absolute NIne as well as their follow-up song つぼみ. There's also an audio drama part which lasts less than 20 minutes; and listeners can get to know more about these girls whilst on a summer holiday.

This is a must-have for fans not just for the CINDERELLA GIRLS but for THE IDOLM@STER series. Producers, time to get one of these...

CAST:

Uzuki Shimamura - Ayaka Ohashi
Rin Shibuya - Ayaka Fukuhara
Kaede Takagaki - Saori Hayami
Miku Maekawa - Natsumi Takamori
Mika Jougasaki - Haruka Yoshimura
Syuko Shiomi - Ru Thing
Shiki Ichinose - Kotomi Aihara
Yumi Aiba - Juri Kimura
Takumi Mukai - Yuko Hara

Let's Do The News! (July 30, 2015)

- Everyone in Metro Manila, especially establishments, local government units, and many others have been taken part of the Metrowide Shake Drill, which is the largest quake drill in the Philippine capital that started at 1030 hours Philippine time. This drill educates the public on what to do when a powerful tremor struck the capital such as protective measures, search and rescue operations, evacuation procedures, and many forms of actions that the public should do.

- The Iglesia Ni Cristo has filed a libel case against another expelled minister of the religious group before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office after the latter accused the church and its council members for being involved in various anomalies and alleged abduction of other INC ministers.

- According to the Liberal Party officials, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III made his choice on whom to endorse as his replacement for the 2016 elections and it will be DILG secretary Mar Roxas.

- Malaysian authorities told that it would be "premature" to speculate if the debris found on the island of Reunion comes from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

- - Chinese artist Ai Weiwei denied a six-month visa by the British government despite the claims he lied on his visa application form. Ai posted a letter on Instagram about his cancelled entry to the UK due to failure to declare his "criminal conviction".

- As the gaming industry are observing over the imminent downfall between Konami Corporation and Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima, one of the series' music composers named Rika Muranaka talked about the whole setback about why Kojima left during an interview at a certain fan podcast.

- Jaguar continues the teaser of their upcoming F-Pace crossover showcasing its series of torture tests by desert and by snow. The full car will be revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show and commence production at Solihull, UK.

- The upcoming Netflix-original Jessica Jones series is set to arrive by late 2015 according to reports. This upcoming 13-part Netflix original series based on the Marvel comic books will star former Doctor Who lead David Tennant and Breaking Bad's Krysten Ritter.

- Noontime show Eat Bulaga turns 36 and this show keeps going on strong with the best presenters in TV, the best segments, and its international status since this show spawned an Indonesian version.

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (July 29, 2015)

- The leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish party, HDP chairman Selahattin Demirtas, told that the Turkish and the Americans are making a "safe zone" in Syria in an attempt to stop the PKK separatists from forming their own territory during the fight against the Islamic State.

- One man was killed as at least 1,500 migrants tried to enter the Channel Tunnel in Calais, France, according to authorities, following British PM David Cameron's vow to combat the migrant crisis.

- US President Barack Obama vows his nation's willingness to strengthen economic ties with the African Union during his Ethiopian visit as part of his African Union tour. He is the first US leader to give a speech at the African Union HQ in Addis Ababa.

- According to a US research group, construction of a rocket launch site in North Korea may be complete and enable them to fire long-range ICBMs of a larger scale than before.

- The Senate will begin their investigation regarding Canada's alleged dumping of its waste in the Philippines, according to Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This investigation will also determine the risks these toxic wastes are.

- The Boy Scouts of America lifted their ban on gay adult leaders after 79 percent of its National Executive Board members voted for it on Monday but the policy allows church-sponsored units to maintain the exclusion.

- For the 2016 model year, the Chevrolet Colorado pickup now adds the long-awaited 2.8L Duramax diesel engine producing 181HP of power and 369lb-ft of torque. This diesel variant is available in both LT and Z71 Crew Cab and a choice of 2WD or 4WD, all come with a 6-speed AT with a standard automatic-locking rear differential. Thanks to the Duramax engine's torque, tow rating is 7,700lbs (7,600lbs for 4WD models).

- The Ferrari 488 Spider was unveiled and the open-top version of the new 488 GTB, served as the replacement of the 458, still comes with the same 3.9L Twin Turbo V8 engine producing 661HP of power and 560lb-ft of torque. The Spider model can go 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and onwards to 203mph, slightly slower than the hardtop equivalent.

TTFN!!!

Audi R8 - Second Generation

Since its launch in 2007, the Audi R8, named after a prize-winning Le Mans racing prototype, is engineered to be Audi's first bona fide supercar that can tackle against supercars in its ranks, but weirdly, it's just a toned-down version of the Gallardo. With the rise of the Lamborghini Huracan, looks like the Audi R8 supercar is ready for its make-up transformation by regenerating it to an all new model.

2016 Audi R8

At first look, you will notice that the new model looks similarly the same as the previous model it replaces but Audi insists that this is a brand-new car engineered from the ground up and it features some of the components derived from the Lamborghini Huracan. It's got a toned-down version of the same 5.2L V10 engine from the Huracan, a brand new space-age bodywork, and lots of brand new features. So the question now is, does this new model now have the sense of humor that the old model can't?

2016 Audi R8

Judging by the way the new model behaves, this new model still doesn't laugh in a comedic manner every time when it sees an old rich lady and her mute yaya tagging along on the public, and don't even think about finding the fun factor inside because for this all-new model, the manual gearbox has been thrown away and the only gearbox you can find is Audi's 7-speed S-tronic double clutch gearbox, the same as you can find on the Lamborghini Huracan. While enthusiasts are pining themselves on the manual gearbox's demise, this double-clutch gearbox works brilliantly with its 5.2 V10 engine developing 610PS of power and 560Nm of torque in the range-topping Plus variant. It will do 0-100kph in 3.2 seconds and onwards to 330kph, which is blisteringly more than what the Huracan pulls out in the bag. For fuel efficiency, the new model also comes with a device that can shut off its engines at a set of lights.

Thanks to the new Audi Space Frame, the new R8's tub features a blend of carbon fiber and aluminium, making it easier and repair and durable when you ding it on the bumps. It's the same blend that you can expect on the Huracan as well.

2016 Audi R8 interior

You might imagine that all four-wheel drive cars are more grippy than rear-wheel drive cars but for the new R8, it isn't. Thanks to its midship-engine 4WD layout, it still manages to be as tail-happy as possible and well-communicative on the bends thanks to its responsive electromechanical power steering system. Some say that this new R8 behaves like a sportscar rather than a supercar but that's just a compliment because even though it's a bewitching machine you can take out on the open roads, it's still very civilized.

On the interior, it's all about being driver-focused and nothing else because the sat-nav system is now located on the instrumental panel rather than a separate screen. That's sounds nice but be wary though that even though it features a blend of science-fiction and brute force, its sat-nav remains rubbish even when driving on ancient cities like Bologna or Intramuros or Jerusalem or any other ancient cities in history. You have to rely on your local knowledge get through your destination rather than relying on its sat-nav because pretty soon, you'll feel like you've been left behind in traffic or small gaps.

2016 Audi R8

Yes, the new interior can be somewhat problematic but nothing's more problematic than the price tag itself and it starts from 165,000 to 187,400 Euros. That's quite a lot for a supercar and you're going to spend more for some optional extras. So, despite the pricing, the all new R8 is a potent supercar that drives fast than the old model, handles better, and in the real world, well-mannered. The loss of the manual gearbox and its questionable interior sounds more of a let-down for some but nevertheless, the new R8 can surely be one of the best cars to drive this year.

Available colors: Dynamitrot, Ibisweiß, Vegasgelb, Camouflagegrun Metallic, Florettsilber Metallic, Mythosschwarz Metallic, Suzukagrau Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, Arablau Kristalleffekt, and Camouflagegrun Matteffekt.

Photo: Audi AG