January 31, 2017

RINGS poster brings back Samara's ghost


Samara Morgan (Sadako's American counterpart) emerges again from the TV set and set to kill viewers in terror in the released poster of RINGS. I've tweaked it a little bit in Photoshop so that the TV really glows.
In this continuation of the Rings franchise, a young woman (Matilda Lutz) becomes worried about her boyfriend (Alex Roe) when he explores a dark subculture surrounding a mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after he has viewed it. She sacrifices herself to save her boyfriend and in doing so makes a horrifying discovery: there is a “movie within the movie” that no one has ever seen before…

Directed by F. Javier Gutierrez (Before the Fall), Rings stars Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Aimee Teegarden and Bonnie Morgan.

Opening across the Philippines on February 22, Rings is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.
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WHY HIM? movie review

Could have been the best holiday for the whole family, Ned Fleming (Bryan Cranston) was served by an unexpected Christmas present by meeting his daughter's fiance, Laird Mayhew (James Franco), a young billionaire and owner of a multi-million company. The whole holiday season was transformed into a hilarious and challenging moment for all of them. A nerve-wracking Christmas treat, WHY HIM? opens in theaters February 1 from 20th Century Fox.
As Laird (Franco) tries to win his fiancee's parents, the Flemings were having double thoughts on their daughter's choice for a future husband. The comfort and fortune could win them but his uncontrollable demeanor might not be really appropriate to the family's orderly and cultured image. Plus, an almost-too-private habitat that is too high-tech for the Flemings would take them time to adjust.
As for a father-son-in-law relationship, you can predict that it will not be a very good one. But in the end, despite all the contradictions of "values" between both of them, you will learn how to accept people beyond what they barely show you. The almost-sexual moments between Bryan Cranston and Megan Mullaly can take you leap out of your seats. The special appearance of Kiss is surreal. They totally blended in with the other casts, the wonder of having old rock metal artists in family films.
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January 27, 2017

Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Manila celebrations for Chinese New Year



5-star Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Manila hosts the Chinese New Year celebration with grand welcome to the Fire Rooster this weekend.
The lobby is decorated with trees made of upcycled materials made by artist Jevie Pagpaguitan, whom started it with 2 of his friends and later on building his own empire of upcycled materials turning them into good aesthetic use. There are also merchants that are selling Chinese goods and charms that can bring luck, fortune or anything that you want good to come in your life.
Spring Village at Crimson Hotel
Charms and crystals for good fortune

Delectable buchi

Crimson Hotel's CNY-themed cake
This Sunday, January 29, they are having a Chinese New Year Sunday Brunch Buffet at the Grand Ballroom featuring Feng Shui expert Joseph Chau. He will give tips and forecast for this new lunar year for every one that will attend this grand feast.
I was lucky to hear a few forecasts and tips for this year and I am thankful that the Year of the Rat is one of the lucky signs. There is also good fortune as the eldest son in the family and I can't wait what this year will bring.
Suckling Pig served during the CNY Sunday Brunch Buffet
If you want to know Mr. Chau's forecasts and fortunes, you may avail Crimson Hotel's Chinese New Year Sunday Brunch Buffet this Sunday for only PHP 1,588++ per person. There are many courses that you will enjoy like the suckling pig. You will also get the chance to win a staycation at the hotel's Presidential Suite for 4. Call 863-2222 local 1612 for reservations.

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Check out Beauty and the Beast character posters



Fresh off the press are Disney's Beauty and the Beast character posters. I am really excited when March comes as this is one of the movies I am really waiting for.
Here's Belle (Emma Watson) and the Beast (Dan Stevens)
Here are the other cast of the magical musical:


Relive the magic of this timeless tale with a new song from Celine Dion entitled "How Does a Moment Last Forever" and the new rendition of theme song by Ariana Grande and John Legend. Here it from the video below:

Beauty and the Beast opens March 15, 2017 and the first of seven films of Walt Disney Pictures. And will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International. Like it on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow on Twitter, @disney_phil; and on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #BeOurGuestPH.

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January 25, 2017

THE GREAT WALL movie review

One of the legends about the Great Wall of China is it served as protection of the Chinese from conquering tribes and nations. Little we know that there are a lot of legends about the Great Wall and Matt Damon presented one of the epics that is believed to have spared the Chinese nation from alien creatures. Now showing in cinemas.
You will be delighted with the production value on creating a large Chinese equipped with impressive warfare and amazing tactical moves. In this case, there is equality among the citizens. Men and women fight against enemies alike using their acquired skills in training. Even the next general was a woman when no man questioned her capabilities. However, I think a dialogue speaking about honor or pledging over their lives is a very Japanese thing.
I think that it's better to watch this on 3D when the graphics are really okay and for you to appreciate the details on each of the cut. Costumes, props and even the sets are very detailed. There are just some things that you might not imagine if the movie is set more than thousands of years ago and for a war setting that uses modern technology to fight.

Anyway, it not a waste of time to watch The Great Wall. In fact, it's very amusing to see. You will be amazed with the Chinese, really, with all the fighting stuff going on. Some of the things are discoveries and expedition-related - by the way, Matt Damon is a Western soldier who continued the search for black powder and ended up in the monster-threatened China.
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January 19, 2017

A peep in FIFTY SHADES DARKER character posters


Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey shows more openly in these Fifty Shades Darker posters:
Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan relive the sensual relationship of Anastasia and Christian where they continue to discover new things about them and try to revolve issues of Christian's past.

Fifty Shades Darker opens in cinemas February 8 and distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines.
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January 18, 2017

xXx: The Return of Xander Cage movie review


Vin Diesel comes back as Xander Cage in the latest installment of xXx entitled "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage" now showing in cinemas. Thank you Jam 88.3 and Columbia Pictures for the special movie screening invite at IMAX theater.
When the world knows he is already dead, Xander Cage surfaces and takes on a mission with a new team that will save everyone from control of greed and terror. On assignment, he meets another members of the xXx program and teaming up with them would be a tough job -- as what his handles, Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), wants them to do.
The movie is still as action-packed from the previous installments with elements that seem very familiar to everyone. Some stunts are a surprise and never before seen I think. However, I got some issues on some continuity in scenes so I find it odd that they have passed it to the last edit. I guess Vin Diesel has enjoyed doing this a lot and trying to squeeze in some jokes but I think he is better with the serious tone. Ruby Rose and Deepika Padukone are really serious bad-ass ladies and ready to pull the trigger on anyone.
If this movie could have been more hi-tech in surveillance equipment and all, Nina Dobrev would be another serious genius in the movie. Making her a sweet looking nerd.
There is a very special appearance of Miss Universe 2015 first runner-up, Miss Colombia herself at the beginning of the movie. The role might have been more interesting when they got her as the leading lady and they come to the Philippines (oops spoiler!) to shoot the movie.

xXx: The Return of Xander Cage is also available in 3D while I suggest you can be all right to watch it in 2D. Directed by DJ Caruso. Also starring Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Tony Jaa, Toni Collette, Rory McCann and a special comeback by Ice Cube.
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January 12, 2017

LA LA LAND movie review


Bringing in the the classic feels in this movie, La La Land takes you to the nostalgic era with the likes of West Side Story, Grease, Breakfast at Tiffany's and more. It gives that old, romantic feeling but the story is very familiar -- chasing dreams. That's how Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) wants us to pursue.
On the third time teaming up with Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone proved that she can be very versatile in trying a musical which did not disappoint. Same goes with Ryan Gosling. Their chemistry is perfect and they make you feel in love in a very light way. Mia and Sebastian tell you a great love story that will keep you hooked on every scene.
La La Land is sort of a very familiar movie to you as it provides scenes that may be reproduced from other great older movies. Each musical sequence is a treasure that came from famous musicals. When you talk about scoring, the opening song is a breath of fresh air. Although in a stressful traffic setting, seeing a beautiful day in front of you and our characters is a cool start. Hear more of La La Land OST here.
Opening scene (Another Day of Sun)
I don't want to spoil the last part for those who haven't seen it yet but it was a quick punch for me. It will leave you exclaiming why such thing happened when all is going perfectly. But one thing I learned is that life still goes on and you'll make regrets but you will be able to remember every bit of your life happily.

La La Land is winner of 7 Golden Globe awards including Best Actor (Ryan Gosling), Best Actress (Emma Stone) and Best Picture and nominated for 14 Academy Awards. Still showing in cinemas.


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January 4, 2017

COLLATERAL BEAUTY movie review


Happy new year! I haven't posted a lot in the past 8 months but I would like to make sure that starting the year would open a lot of good for us. Starting with the latest film with Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Michael Pena, Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, and Kiera Knightley in the movie called Collateral Beauty. Opening today in cinemas, I highly recommend this to everyone to look forward and see the bigger and better picture in every thing that is happening to us.
SYPNOSIS: When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy he retreats from life.  While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death.  But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.
Time, Love and Death played very well on this one. They actually like speaking through you and not to the characters that are portrayed in the movie. When the story is served in front of you, you feel like everything is relatable. I actually cried in many parts. The movie gives so many metaphors and again hits you right on the spot. Congratulations to Allan Loeb for writing this in such a way that made you realize and appreciate these three things in our lives. Moments are derived from sadness and it takes us to be happy, just learning how to appreciate time and love. It also makes us prepare for Death, be ready and accept when it arrives.

From Warner Bros. Pictures, Collateral Beauty is directed by David Frankel.

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