CROCODILE ISLAND** , directed by Shixing Xu, Simon Zhao

A plane crashes somewhere in the ocean on a deserted island. Lucky for the few who made it out alive – or so they think. Aside from having no water and no rescue team in sight, there is little hope. But there's another problem: a huge crocodile lives on this island, and when the croc discovers them, the terrified group runs. In fact, most of this film’s action comprises running away from this very hungry creature. But it’s not just the croc that comes after them, there are gigantic spiders whose webs catch the human prey.

There is a father and his daughter, a pregnant girl and her fiancé, a selfish bad boy and a nerd. But the characters are flat; we really don’t care if they get eaten by the croc. Suspense is totally lacking because we know what the croc is going to do once he opens his mouth.

Certainly, this is no “Jurassic Park”. The film never shows the croc eating the poor souls who end up in his mouth. Nor do we ever see the croc using his tail to batter anyone. Dare I say these actions would have added some gruesome excitement to the film. The film plays out like a horror spoof.

          The best actor in the film was the crocodile.

#CrocodileIslandWellGoUSA

3 DAYS IN MALAY *** A Powerful War Film Directed by Louis Mandylor

                                                   Inspired by true events

This gritty war film vividly conveys the horrific consequence of being ambushed by the enemy - in this case - the Japanese. War planes attack an American airfield base; the allies’unpreparedness leaves corpses in the wake as some run for cover.

Without much notice, the marines are sent on a kill mission.

The Japs descend on them like locusts. The outcome is a disaster. 

By the time help arrives, it's too late. Only 3 men survive.

There’s an important back story here: the two protagonists, John Caputo, (played by the director himself) was once a boxer with a past he keeps hidden. James (Donald Cerrone) and Caputo knew each other in childhood.

James played by Donald Cerrone

Caputo (right) played by Louis Mandylor

Haunted by a broken friendship, Caputo goes from the boxing ring to this marine corps to find his former friend. Their conflicts both small and major were never resolved. Ironically, it's  on the battlefield where their issues come to light. James’s decades-long grudge against Caputo disintegrates.

 

What makes the film uniquely memorable is the friendships formed off the field. It serves them well as they deal with the undeniable terror on enemy terrain. Mandylor gave great attention to each marine's character. Their emotion is palpable.

"3 Days in Malay" is not a dry tell-what-happened account.

It lives real before our eyes.

#3daysinmalay@WellGoUSA 

FIST OF THE CONDOR ****

 Directed by Ernesto Diaz Espinoza*****

A Chilean film  set in the 16^th century.  

Focused on the the empire’s fall to invading conquistadors, the film vividly shows what lengths marital arts masters and their proteges will go to to safeguard a sacred book detailing the secrets behind their superhuman fighting techniques.

The action is incomparable, even  hypnotic at times whilte showing the prowess of the protagonist who must fight an equally skilled expert who want this book. No ordinary martial arts film, the theme of passion and loyalty rises to the fore, embedded in dramatic music composed by Claudio Rocco. The score, the landscape and the unpredictable events transport the viewer into a heightened level of supreme suspense. A female expert teaches the man she chooses to fight against his enemy. Armed with sayings from this master and the other master who is killed early on in the film, the victor employs daunting techniques to vanquish the enemy.

Kudos to Marcos Zaror for being a hero on screen and in his role.

 trailer video 

GREEK HOTELS

Read more of my travel features on Greece on this blog and many more published on SMR Culture Plus

Athens Center Square Hotel

  

Everything but "square"!  

by Nancy Snipper  

It’s a breath of fresh air the minute you step into the spacious bright lobby of Athens Center Square Hotel. Of course having the large colourful paintings of Corinna O’Brien on the walls (and in the rooms) adds to the happy feeling.  

This recently renovated hotel, owned by Dorina and George Stathopoulou conveys a sparkling family ambiance. Ilias and Olga at the front desk, and Irini – who bartends on the sensational rooftop terrace are pure fun. Their impeccable service adds to guest-gusto satisfaction. This superbly located hotel offers casual trendiness with oodles of class. I loved the neon glass exterior that grabs your eye with its various colours, and the doors of the hotel are completely camouflaged in painted fruit images. The fun is instantaneous – the minute you step on the welcome mat and the “doors of fruit’ open up to reveal the interior lovely lobby. 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Eight floors each sporting their own interior brightly coloured rooms that reiterate the colours of fruit – found in the fruit market just outside the hotel along with the artist’s paintings are oh so comfort and über-clean.   

 

 Wood and spanking new grey bathrooms in that new kind of dark textured tile with huge glass shower doorsare such a welcome luxury after a long plane ride or roughing it in the islands.

 

Some rooms have acropolis views, but no worries if yours doesn’t for on the rooftop terrace you get an outstanding 360 degree view of Athens! That’s where you can sit on top of the world while ordering your drinks at the cozy bar.

 

The location, as mentioned is unbeatable. It's set on a square off bustling Athinas Street (there’s a fruit market facing the hotel and antique shop with tons of wares displayed right on the square's sidewalk).

 

This colourful street takes you right into Monasteraki – Athens labyrinth flea market where everything is sold. The acropolis and fancy, pedestrian-only Ermou Street is just 10 minutes away on foot which connects to Athens heartbeat hub – Syntagma Square. You can catch the airport bus there or go to Monasteraki to take the train there.

I can’t think of anything wrong with this hotel other than making you fat with its sensational breakfasts (included in the room price). 

 

Webpage:

www.athenscentersquarehotel.gr 

 

Hermes Hotel and Plaka Hotel – also owned by the Stathopoulous are nearby too, so if Athens Center Square Hotel is fully booked, reserve at one of them. Read my article, “Athens Hotel Hotties” to find out about these great hotels.

 

                                 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thursday, 19 September 2013

Vagia Hotel, Aegina Island

                                                            by Panayiotis Chaldaios

In the heart of the picturesque fishing village of Vagia, a 30 minute  walk from the Aphaia ancient temple and a 5 minute  walk from the sandy beach, we created a traditional hotel to act as a base for those who want to discover the beautiful island of Aegina.

Built in traditional Aeginian architecture Vagia hotel’s rooms and gardens are stone paved with Karystos stones. Our rooms with stone build beds are overlooking the Ancient Temple of Afaia and the blue waters of the Saronic Gulf. TVs and refrigerators with mini bars can be found in all the rooms while Wi-Fi is free.  

Our guests can enjoy home baked pies, different cakes and delicacies such our own organic marmalades as breakfast, a breakfast that changes almost daily! You can also enjoy finger food and Grappa, Ouzo or wine from Aegina vineyards!  

 

Hotel Vagia features a large stoned terrace, shadowed from a pergola holding harbour trees that produce grapes in the summer. Picturesque spots can be found throughout the hotel such as pergolas overgrown by bougainvilleas, as the hotel is surrounded by lush gardens. The terrace can be rented for special occasions such as weddings and we take care of the catering!  

 

Reviews about our hotel can be found on TripAdvisor, where we are rated as one of the finest hotels on Aegina!  

Our family hotel is situated 12km from Aegina, 3km from Agia Marina and 2km from Souvala.  You can also rent bikes and cars directly from our hotel. 

Do not hesitate! Give us the pleasure of having you as our guests!  

Panayiotis, Maria and Stelios

Hotel recommended by Nancy Snipper  -- here's why:
 

Surrounded in floral splendour, this is the place to stay on Aegina Island, especially if you want to be away from the hustle of the main port. Peaceful and inviting, this lovely hotel is sweetened not just by birdsong, and the scent of jasmine, but also by the wonderful personality of your hosts, Notis and his mom Maria. She makes the best chocolate cake on the island. It is only a short stroll from beautiful Vagia Beach and is close to other island attractions: Mesagros, Aegina Marina and Souvala.

Temple Aphea tops the mountain and I hiked up there from the hotel.

My room was spacious and comfortable. The balconies are really cozy and the views stupendous.

Trip Advisor

Tel: 6951708121, 6955413993, 2297071179 

Email: mr_chaldaios@yahoo.com  

Skype: chaldaios 

Website: http://vagiahotel.gr/   
 72 Vagia Avenue | Aegina Island Greece, Vagia 18010, Greece

Facebook: Vagia Hotel, Aegina Island  

 

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Rastoni Hotel, Greece

  

by Nancy Snipper

 

Aegina’s beautiful respite 

 

 

Rastoni in ancient Greek means ‘relaxing’, and this paradise nook, near the port of Aegina Island (a one-hour ferry-ride from Athens) is a short easy walk up from the buzz below. Yet the serenity is sublime. My room at Rastoni – a boutique hotel – overlooks a courtyard spilling over in floral growth; and at every turn along the stone pathways, vistas of trees, the still blue waters of the Aegean Sea and the gentle peaks of the Peloponnese greet the eye.   The scent of jasmine wafts up; my senses are steeped in an oasis of tranquility.
 

 Japanese-style room 

View from Japanese-style room

 All this appears from my room; Japanese-style door shutters fronted with glass doors open up to a stunning balcony.  I am staring out to the ancient site of Kolona Hill, topped by a single sixth-century partial column of the Temple of Apollo.  This inspiring panoramic view is enriched by the fact that the hotel used to be a property for farming the pistachio – a nut for which Aegina is renowned. 

 There is a pastoral pleasantness here, and fact that Rastoni has selected a style of design that is Japanese/Thai makes the entire premise Zen in feel. Here the oriental fuses with the Greek; the lobby has preserved an ancient Greek wall found during the archeological excavation of the site.

Lobby with preserved ruins

 

Twelve enormous rooms remarkably harmonize in colour and décor with the setting.  Built in 2004, Rastoni offers 12 rooms - each impeccably furnished in varying styles with fitting monikers: country, rama (tropical in flavor with its own loft), Barbados (still sporting Oriental touches but influenced by the Caribbean) and Japanese – which is my room (#6 ).   

My bed, topped by a ceiling fan, has a thin cotton canopy overhead. It drapes diaphanously to the floor and is tied to the bed posts with tassels. The head rest is simple in line and curve. Wood carved with oriental floral reliefs enriches the wood and cane furnishings that are most pleasing.
               

 Of course Rastoni comes with all those modern amenities (air conditioning, TV, Internet), but they don’t take away from the idyllic ambiance that wraps each guest in a cocoon of calm.
 

 I want to stay here for a very long time!  

Rastoni‘s website is: www.rastoni.gr   

For reservations, email:  info@rastoni.gr  

Telephone: +30 22970-27039

 

 

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FREE PUPPIES by Christina Thomas and Samantha Wishman ****

 AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENTARY FILM  

Rescuing dogs is an act of love with hand-on hardships.

In several Southern US states, there are no rules for saying or neutering dogs. States including Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas and Wyoming the absence of law has created an extreme overpopulation of dogs. Rescue Centres are few and given no funding. The poorer the state, the more the problem proliferates.

Warrior women form a dedicated team to find strays, owners that can’t care for their dogs and abusers.

The film gives great insight into the plight of rescuing dogs and finding homes for them. These women don’t stop. Tirelessly giving all the time they have to the rescue cause. some even cut the chain a dog is tied to in order to give him a new free start in life.

Up against politically indifferent politicians, they don’t give up. Heart- breaking yet inspiring, “Free Puppies” is a must-see documentary.