Thursday, October 29, 2015

Will You Swear Off - The Force Awakens Spoilers?



Back in 2005 I was the victim of a very bad 'Spoiler' incident, at the hands of my husband no less (we were not even dating then). I was reading The Half-Blood Prince (Book 6 of Harry Potter) when Paul, along with a good friend borrowed the book and placed a piece of paper in between the pages. When I got the book back, I unfolded the paper and this was written on it:

Shape kills Dumbledore. 

I was so furious, I remember screaming & wanting to pull my hair out, even now 10 years later I could say that it's the worst thing that my husband has ever done to me. 

Spoilers has become part of our everyday lives, especially now with Social Media being a landmine for spoilers. Now there are tons of memes wishing ill will and even death to anyone foolish enough to post spoilers online. 

Now with the much awaited continuation to the Star Wars saga - The Force Awakens making it's way to the Philippines December 17, 2015- day earlier than in other countries! This of course gives way to many potential spoilers making it's way to the internet even before fans in other countries will get the chance to see the film. 



 saw this petition going around for Star Wars fans to not post any spoilers for at least a week to give time for everyone to watch the movie.

I think that this is actually a good idea given that I myself know what it's like to be the victim of being 'spoiled'. I write reviews and blog posts for movies and TV shows on the blog and my social media accounts and I am careful to make sure that they're spoiler free, just as a courtesy to fellow fanboys and fangirls. 

So now that we know that we all know that The Force Awakens will be shown earlier in the Philippines (yes, that information is accurate you can stop hyperventilating) will you join me in the fight against the Dark Side-errr-Spoilers? 

You will agree and share this post with your friends and loved ones. (That was a lame attempt at a Jedi mind trick-let me know if it works). 



“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow the official social media accounts of Star Wars in the Philippines, namely, (FB) StarWarsPH, (Twitter) @starwarsph and (Instagram) iamstarwars_ph. #TheForceAwakensPH

Team June: Photoshoot


The shirts that they've wearing says it all - this team - this accomplishment is worth fighting for! The statement tees which were originally a fund raising project for a sibling of one of our colleagues who became ill (she's now doing better) served a double purpose for their best team photoshoot when they bagged the coveted best team title for the month of September.




I know that June has been working hard to reach this goal & it has been a long wait for the team - they are after all the first team in their line of business to achieve this goal.

So - on a Saturday morning team June proudly wore their statement shirts posed & smiled for the camera for their Best Team Photoshoot after all - it's fighting for.


Click here for more photos!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Year Of Spy Flicks Ends with "SPECTRE"


2015 has been a big year for "spy movies" from Mission Impossible's Rogue Nation, the adaptation of the TV Classic Spy series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and yes-even the real life Cold War Thriller: Bridge Of Spies (even if it was the 'spies' who needed saving-from an Insurance Lawyer always no less). Of course you can't have a year of spy movies without 007 himself which brings us to the 24th James Bond movie - SPECTRE. 

It was important for the film makers that in the creation of SPECTRE that it would be bigger and bolder than it's predecessor -the $1.1 billion global phenomenon Skyfall. 

Daniel Craig, of course, is back for his fourth outing as 007, while the characters of Q (played by Ben Whishaw) and Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) both return after their reintroduction to the series in Skyfall. The new M (Ralph Fiennes) also returns.




The chance to explore all these characters’ stories was of vital importance to Sam Mendes, who is back for a second stint in the director’s chair. “It all starts from character with me,” begins the Academy Award®-winner, “and I wanted to explore all sorts of different aspects of the characters that I’d left behind in Skyfall. We had populated MI6 with a whole new generation of people — a new M, a new Moneypenny and a new Q. I wanted to let those relationships develop and grow.”
For actor Daniel Craig, the remit for SPECTRE was even simpler. “We wanted to be better than Skyfall,” he says. “It is as simple as that. We didn’t have a choice; we had to be bigger and better. With Skyfall, we set something in motion and we wanted to go a bit further with it and experiment a bit more.”

Bond was rejuvenated at the end of Skyfall. “He had a sense of new beginnings,” continues Mendes, and this had a profound effect on SPECTRE. In the new movie, the world’s most famous secret agent is an entirely proactive character, in control of his own destiny. He has a focussed mission from the outset and nothing, and no one, is going to stand in his way.
With SPECTRE, EON Productions’ Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, long-serving producers of the franchise said “I think this film is very much about the empowerment of Bond,” says Broccoli, “and with Daniel portraying the character, he does this with such enormous integrity that we really feel what he is going through, emotionally as well as physically.”

Bond’s proactive nature has given the filmmakers plenty of scope in terms of location and narrative ideas. The film sees a cryptic message from the past, which sends 007 on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the widow of an infamous criminal. When overseas, Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of a sinister organisation known as SPECTRE.

This infamous organisation has featured in six previous Bond films — Dr No, From Russia With Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Diamonds Are Forever — introducing a whole host of villains. The latest film, however, sees the organisation reimagined for the 21st century.

“What we’ve got here is a kind of creation myth at play,” says Mendes. “We are not adhering to any previous version of the SPECTRE story. We are creating our own version. Our film is a way of rediscovering SPECTRE and the super villain, setting him up again for the next generation.”
Craig concurs. “Having SPECTRE in the film opens up lots of avenues for us to explore,” the actor says. “Having this organisation allows us to be both traditional while also bringing in something very new.”


Of course while working on this blog post I was also listening to Sam Smith's 'Writings On The Wall' which is of course featured in the movie! You can listen to the song on Spotify. :) 

Opening across the Philippines on Friday, Nov. 06, “Spectre” will be distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Johnny Depp delivers incredible performance as real-life Boston crimelord in 'Black Mass'



Three-time Oscar nominee Johnny Depp brings his A-game in the Scott Cooper helmed gangster-thriller 'Black Mass'; based on the book by Dick Lehr & Gerard O'Neil. While Black Mass delivers "shock" value when it comes to the surprise and violent execution-like-killings (hence the R16 rating) that are so sudden and frequent that you end up expecting somebody will die throughout the film.

The plot may have suffered in part because it is based on actual events that span a number of years so it lacks the basic rising action - climax  formula to keep you at the edge of your seat.

What Black Mass does accomplish is a cast of colorful & complicated characters (probably because they are actual people) its exhilarating to explore their psyche. To top it off these flesh and bone characters complete with the bells and whistles of a complex mind are portrayed by a talented cast of actors.


I've always said that Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk in Marvel & Netflix's Daredevil was a villain that terrified me - well now I can say that I can add Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger to that list. I would not want to get on their bad side.

The film effectively portrays Bulger as a complicated character, he is loving to his mother, to his son and even to an elderly neighbor & yet he is incredibly cruel & violent to those he considers a threat.

Early reviews of the movie were already praising Depp for his portrayal of Whitey Bulger -some critics even calling it 'his best' and after seeing the movie I would have to say that it is more than just Depp's acting which makes the fear go down your spine - it is the transformation into the character as well.

Bulger & Depp could not be any more physically different with Bulger's bright blue piercing eyes & balding 'white'-blond hair to Depp's dark eyes & a head full of dark locks. Depp stepped into character by not only wearing contacts & going through make-up for the balding look but even sporting a gap in his teeth to match Bulger's. 

Johnny Depp as Boston Mobster Jimmy 'Whitey' Bulger.


Depp is no stranger to transforming into characters he portrays from Edward Scissorhands, to Willy Wonka to the Mad Hatter but it is in playing a Boston crime lord where Depp (as a colleague of mine said) "completely disappears" as himself.

Another interesting angle in the film is that it seemed to lack the traditional protagonist & antagonist roles. A line in the movie which caught my attention & in my opinion describes my early sentiment goes something like this: "We went from playing cops & robbers to becoming them; the thing is, in the playground you can't tell which is which and that happened in real life too."

There seems to be a very thin line between being on the right side of the law and fighting against it and that was crossed a lot of times in the movie.

Which brings us to another interesting character in the film - Joel Edgerton's FBI agent John Connoly, who in his blind ambition played a hand into creating the King Pin that Whitey Bulger became its ironic how he started with good intentions and in a sense dug his own grave in the end. Another interesting character to analyze.

Joel Edgerton as FBI Agent John Connoly with Depp's Bulger.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

BSC CSAW Family Day



Growing up, we've always had "family day" activities in school, they had different names - Felowship Day, School Fair, whatever it was called on paper, it had the same goal and objective - to build camaraderie. I have long since graduated and have left family day activities as memories in old photo albums but I never thought I would encounter it again, outside of school and in my adult life - I forgot how much fun it was. 

In celebration of Customer Service Aprreciation Week or CSAW (pronounced as "see-saw" as we would fondly call it) -the culmination of a whole week of fun games and activities was a good old Family Day in a Carnival-Sportsfest fashion.



Set on a Saturday morning after work, colleagues and co-workers gathered in a covered court where colorful stalls offering free food and fun games with prizes awaited. Participants had their faces painted with colorful designs and the happy memories immortalized by going to the Photobooth. 

It didn't take long for the program to start (complete the singing of the Philippine National anthem) and when it did everyone had a great time over classic parlor & relay games such as Maria Goes to Market Calamansi Relay and Sack Race among others. Did I mention that there also beautiful muses who strut their stuff and showcased their quick wit in a little surprise Question & Answer portion. While the parlor & relay games gave everyone the chance to play & participate, it was the Volleyball & Basketball games which the crowd looked forward to. Co-workers who were also athletes in their own right strapped in their gear and set off in heated battles. 




I was never into sports - being a nerd & bookworm all my life. Needless to say I did not contribute anything to the Sports sections of the school newspapers I was a part of. So even if I had no interest in sports nor could I following the scoring or rules I still had fun watching & cheering on colleagues as they displayed their physical & athletic prowess. 

There were beautiful babies and cute children which brought some extra joy to the already joy filled court. The kids had fun with the cotton candy, pop corn, carnival style games and of course - the face paint! It was nice to meet these cuties who my colleagues work so hard for, to be able to proved them with a beautiful future. 




Winners and MVPs were awarded with medals and trophies while eager attendees won home appliances in an ever exciting raffle. I'm happy to say that I took home an oven toaster :) 

It may not have been the usual family day with your immediate family, where the dad's were the ones who played Maria Goes to Market complete with a required shaking of the hips, while the moms nag for you to get something to eat but it was a different kind of family day, the kind you spend with your other family and that would be your family for work. :) 

                                              Click HERE for over 300 photos Photos! 


Friday, October 16, 2015

BLACK MASS: Ensemble cast bring Boston Gangster & FBI deal to the Big Screen


Paul and I watch a lot of CI (Crime & Investigation) on cable, it's one of our go-to channels. One of our must watch shows are the ones about Mobsters and Gangsters. Watching these real life godfathers deal with their 'business' on the streets of New York or Boston, in prison or in fact any city for that matter can be really shocking. The rampant crimes, the gruesome murders, all of it seem to be part of a Hollywood movie. 

In keeping with tradition-I'm really looking forward to the Scott Cooper helmed "Black Mass" based on the book by Dick Lehr & Gerard O'Neil (of which I have been trying to get a copy of but have had no luck so far, if you know of or have any idea where I can get a copy, please let me know). 

The book,  Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, is about the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger. The film stars Oscar® nominee Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger and Joel Edgerton (“The Great Gatsby”) as FBI Agent John Connolly. 
For more than a decade—until his capture in 2011—Boston’s most infamous crime lord, James “Whitey” Bulger, was hunted by the FBI, surpassed only by Osama Bin Laden at the top of the Bureau’s Most Wanted List.


Edgerton and Depp as FBI Agent John Connolly and mobster Whitey Bulger.
Conolly and Bulger were childhood friends.

In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the true story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history.
“Black Mass” also stars Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game”) as Whitey’s brother, Billy Bulger, who is a Massachusetts State Senator; Jesse Plemons (AMC’s “Breaking Bad”) as Whitey’s longtime partner in crime, Kevin Weeks; Sienna Miller (“American Sniper”) as Whitey’s lover, Catherine Greig; Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey”) as Lindsey Cyr, Whitey’s former girlfriend and mother of his only child; Rory Cochrane (“Argo”) as Steve Flemmi, another member of the Irish mob; Julianne Nicholson (“August: Osage County”) as John Connolly’s wife, Marianne; and Adam Scott (ABC’s “Parks and Recreation”) as FBI Agent Robert Fitzpatrick.

Cumberbatch and Depp as brothers on different paths on Black Mass.

Another thing I'm looking forward to in Black Mass is to see two of my favorite actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Depp play as very different brothers. Depp a mobster and Cumberbatch a Senator. What more drama can you ask for right?

Early reviews are praising Depp for his performance as Bulger, some even calling it "his best". 

Opening across the Philippines on October 21, “Black Mass” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger.



Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Guillermo del Toro brings Gothic Romance in Crimson Peak



It's already mid-October and it seems that people are starting to get ready for Halloween and of course that also means - Scaaary Movies!

Actually I'm not a big fan of scary movies and for a feature of GMovies that I did I mentioned that I am not a big fan of the horror genre. Despite my lack of affinity for scary movies I was curious about Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak I mean who wouldn't? He is an acclaimed director with titles such as Pan's Labyrinth, the Hellboy movies and a personal favorite Pacific Rim under his belt.

Aside from the films' power director drawing my interest the movie also boasts of a stellar cast that are no scream queens (and that is a compliment).

Tom Hiddleston leaves the Marvel Cinematic Universe behind to take on the role of Sir Thomas Sharpe.

Probably one of the few villains that people actually love-Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe played of course by Tom Hiddleston is the charming and mysterious Sir Thomas Sharpe. Hiddleston has had fans swooning over his gentleman and knight-in-shining armor persona which has been the subject of a lot of memes littering cyberspace. It is probably this real life quality that makes Hiddleston perfect for the role.

Mia Wasikowska who we saw in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is strong willed budding writer and heroine Edith Cushing who falls in love with Thomas Sharpe, she is then whisked away to the Baronet's home and soon Edith finds herself dealing with more than just ghosts and a haunted house.

Mia Wasikowska leaves Wonderland to play Edith Cushing. 
  

Two time Academy Award Nominee Jessica Chastain is Lady Lucille Sharpe, the calculating and sinister sister to Hiddleston's Thomas.

Two time Academy Award Nominee Jessica Chastain is Lady Lucille Sharpe. 

If you are tired of the usual hand held video (complete with camera shake) horror story or the senseless and ghastly slasher movies then Crimson Peak brings a lot of new elements to the proverbial horror table. del Toro creates a manifestation of ghosts, unlike anything we have ever seen, that is sure to keep you awake at night or to keep you looking over your shoulder during the day.    

One of the things to look forward to in Crimson Peak is the setting of the movie, it really is a Gothic Horror Romance. The beautiful costumes and detailed set pieces will transfer you to a long ago time, ago when people rode the Ford Model T, listened to phonographs and wore corsets to hide their tummies.   


The film is Rated R16 and there is a reason for that since Peak has enough blood and gore to satisfy fans who have come to associate it with the horror genre and an intriguing mystery that will keep you guessing and a horrific twist which would have scandalized the ladies in their parlor rooms during their afternoon tea. 

Crimson Peak is unlike any other horror story yet, its rich and detailed setting is a breath of fresh air, the story is character driven and fortunately the actors and actresses deliver strong performances. 
The intrigue and mystery will keep you glued and the horrific scenes will have you cowering in your seat. Peak is a visual treat and a refreshing take in the Horror Gothic Romance genre. A must see for fans of Horror movies and even those like me who shy away from Halloween movies-it's that good. 

Crimson Peak is now showing in cinemas and is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures. 
   


   

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Foodpanda: Making Food Delivery Easier


Sometimes we have fully booked weekends of gigs and events that Paul and I don't mind staying home for the weekend. When we stay home for the weekends I usually write for the blog while Paul works on photos. Aside from that we watch a lot of TV. 

You have to admit that one of the best things about staying at home is getting to let your hair down (so to speak) wear pajamas, a comfortable shirt and go around in slippers. The only thing missing-Food!!!

Of course sometimes staying at home you would be too lazy to do anything and that includes cooking and the solution to that? FOOD DELIVERY! Paul and I often have pizza delivered. Aside from just having food delivered when you are lazy here are the Top 5 Occasions that call for Food Delivery!


  1. HUNGER -pretty obvious. 
  2. Surprise Guests - you never know when friends would suddenly drop by and its not always that they bring food or you have something to serve them with. 
  3. Food Shortage - sometimes opening the ref to find it empty is not always a bad thing; its also the perfect excuse for you to have food delivered. :) 
  4. Home Celebrations - Birthdays and celebrations do not always mean that the traditional Filipino style spaghetti is on the menu. You can be adventurous and try something new by having it delivered to your home!
  5. TV/ Movie Marathon - as you can see from the photo above, the recent Walking Dead Marathon and Season 6 Premiere called for a pizza!

Foodpanda is a great app that makes having food delivered to your home so much easier! From your location a number of restaurants that offer home delivery is made available to you. You can easily order, place payment safely by choosing your own preferred payment method. You can also give your own rating for the service. The Customer Service at Foodpanda is fast and makes things more convenient.  Another great thing about Foodpanda are the vouchers that allow you to save on your orders! :) 

So see - staying at home is not so bad at all and its not like you need any more occasions to have food delivered - you just do! And with the foodpanda app - it just makes it easier and more exciting! No more waiting on the phone in long queues, everything is done with just clicking on your smart phone. 


Monday, October 12, 2015

BRIDGE OF SPIES Review: Tom Hanks & Steven Spielberg team up for this Cold War thriller


I've always LOVED History and even if I no longer get to sit in a classroom and listen to my teachers; I still get to enjoy movies based on beautiful stories that weren't in our History books and with a master director such as Spielberg on the helm and Award Winning actor Tom Hanks in the lead you cannot go wrong.

A few months ago we saw The Man From U.N.C.L.E. which is a more colorful and lighter take on the Cold War along with the insanely handsome spies who skillfully dance from one side of the Berlin Wall to the next.

Bridge Of Spies is a more textbook accurate (as it is based on actual events) movie of the bleak and desolate conditions of the Cold War, the 'you-get-showered-with-a-rain-of-bullets- if you cross the wall kind of brutal reality. Where 'spies' are old men caught unawares in their underwear and without their false teeth.

While Uncle was a movie to entertain. Bridge of Spies is a movie to educate and to inspire.


Tom Hanks delivers another (as expected) impressive performance as Brooklyn Insurance Lawyer James Donovan who is given the task of defending alleged Russian spy Rudolph Adler who is played by actor Mark Rylance.

In a surprise twist, Uncle Sam finds himself planning a classic prisoner-exchange (between Adler and Powers) when their very own U2 pilot Gary Powers is shot out of the sky while doing a reconnaissance mission and the man to do the job-none other civilian than James Donovan. Now Donovan is doing a dangerous tango from one side of the Iron Curtain to the next as he tries to appease not just one but three governments and tries to bring home not one but two Americans.   

Rylance was a surprise crowd favorite and stole the show with his stoic and nonchalant attitude (perhaps a requirement for spies?) were both endearing and subtly funny, you would end up rooting for him.   


It takes a while for the actual juicy part of the story (the tense negotiations) to take place but the scenes leading up to it are all relevant and are not boring or dragging at all. I really enjoyed the flight and escape sequence which was very detailed and intense.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Tala's Dedication day and 1st Birthday Celebration



As the last quarter of 2015 kicks in, we were tapped by our friend Pep's to cover her daughter's dedication day and 1st birthday celebration.  Ica and Peps worked together back in 2012.

We came from work which is typical of us, we almost got lost as we were hunting for Luyong Restaurant in Marikina, as our navigational app was not giving us accurate location, but we were able to get there with the help of the locals (Thanks to the gas boy!).

At first I went through the motions of shooting a family event, but Tala (the celebrant) had an easy smile triggered by her favorite Tita (thank you po).  Eventually she warmed up to me and before I knew it, she got familiar with me and she would smile whenever she saw me. 


We really relish and enjoy being part of family events and life milestones, which is why we make it a point to capture memories and to immortalize them in photos. 

Thank you to the Galaeran family for making us a part of Tala's beautiful dedication and First Birthday celebration! 

Click HERE for MORE photos! 




Thursday, October 8, 2015

FREE Sky Cable Channels! From October 9-18


Last July this year, TV addicts & coach potatoes rejoiced as Sky Cable offered FREE channels in celebration of their 25th anniversary. As certified TV addicts and coach potatoes Paul and I were thrilled about this news, even our extended family was enjoying some extra channel surfing through the FREE channels. 

Now the FREE Channels are back! From October 9-18! 

I remember that Paul was complaining because during the week of the free channels we had gigs and events lined up so we weren't able to fully enjoy the channels :( -so it's a good thing that we get another chance! 

Speaking of 'enjoy' we just loved (and enjoyed) C.I. (Crime & Investigation) so much that we had it added to our monthly package for only P20.00 (per month) and it's the best P20.00 we spend! 

The whole family got so addicted to C.I. my in-laws had it added to their packages as well. Now Sunday lunches include a discussion on the latest C.I. show. 

So make sure to sit back and enjoy some pretty long TV binge watching! 

#FREESKYChannels 





Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Movie Review: The Walk: A Beautiful Cinematic Experience



I was 15 years old when the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were attacked on that fateful day in 2001. It was an unspeakable tragedy and to me the Twin Towers became a symbol of death and hate but what I didn't know that even before the towers were completed, on August 7, 1974 something beautiful happened between the void where the two towers stood. 

For years, French high wire artist Phillipe Petit has obsessed and dreamed of placing a rigged wire between the two towers and walk across it. 

I am eternally grateful for the chance to have been able to witness Philippe's beautiful and empowering story through Academy Award winning Director and Visual Story teller Robert Zemeckis' (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Cast Away) 'The Walk'. 


The movie has one single goal and drive for Philippe to be able to accomplish his 'le coup' or what would be known as 'the artistic crime of the century'. It was very smart for the writers to have this focus which prevented the film from becoming dull and boring. In fact there was no dull moment in the film, it was fast-paced and surprisingly hilarious. I honestly was not expecting it to be funny but it was. Just an added treat to an already beautiful movie. 

The film has an Ocean's Eleven feel to it as Philippe (played by the ever charming and super cute -okay so obviously I have a crush on him - Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his Merry band of international recruits make their plans to infiltrate the World Trade Center. Apparently, rigging a wire between two buildings is easier said than done. 


Actual photo of Philippe Petit who walked between The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City at the age of 24 on August 7, 1974. 




Another reason to watch "The Walk" would be to witness the skill and digital wizardry that took place in recreatung the towers . This offered production designer Naomi Shohan and visual effects supervisor Kevin Baillie their greatest production challenge on “The Walk.” Ultimately, their work is a combination of an extremely large stage set and months of digital recreation.

The movie also uses impressive color isolation techniques as well as breath taking graphics which will Kaw you feel as through you are walking on the wire yourself. 

In the movie, Philippe doesn't like using the word "death" and I believe that in a way this also reflects on the fate of the towers, that despite the tragedy that happened, we should all know and remember that one day, on the very top of that building a man made a dream come true and inspired so many people for many years and across many generations. 

Rated PG, the movie can be enjoyed by everyone from the ages of 8-80! It is a cinematic experience you should not miss and a beautiful story you should come to know of. 


10/10 ⭐️

A beautiful, breath-taking, inspiring and surprisingly hilarious story of following your dream...no matter how many miles you travel or how many city ordinances you break. A must-see movie for dreamers and in truth, there is a dreamer in each one of us. The only question is at what lengths (or heights) are we willing to go to make them into a reality. 

Opening across the Philippines in October 14, “The Walk” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.








Monday, October 5, 2015

Fear The Walking Dead Finale: Save the Best for Last


While Walker fans anticipate the return of The Walking Dead they were given the opportunity to sink their teeth into a different kind of Walker Universe and go back to the beginning so to speak. To a time when people still went to school you can still watch videos on your smart phone. 

While the series does not tackle the origin of the virus, fans are introduced to a whole new set of characters in a different location; from the backyard woods of Georgia to the concrete jungle of Los Angeles. It's important to note that it's also the largest city in the US and a larger population always means more bodies and more bodies mean more walkers. 

It's interesting to note that the first episodes didn't really provide that quench for more walkers. We do see the un-dead in a more fresh state than their decomposing counter parts in The Walking Dead

As society collapses, we see the military try (and fail) to control the situation come on, we all know where this is going but in the middle of the apocalypse is a family drama who despite their dysfunction and 'un-likeliness to survive the apocalypse' stick together. 


The series starts strong with a view of society before it collapses upon itself with the descent of an unknown virus and enemy. We have Travis and Madison who are both teachers and currently dating. Travis has a son, Chris from a previous marriage. Madison has two children, drug addict Nick and strong willed Alicia. As the riots break out, Travis brings both his families together and meet the family of Daniel Salazar along the way. 

As the series progresses to weaker middle episodes, we see the differences in how the characters handle the apocalypse. Travis (ever the optimist) still sees the infected as human and can't bring himself to kill them. (You need to have a talk with Rick) while Madison and Daniel understand that you have to take extreme measures in order to survive. 


The military come in and take control of the situation but of course we know that control is one thing that doesn't happen. The six episode first season escalates into a strong season finale where we see the Walker action we've been waiting for and maybe, an awakening for Travis that has been long overdue. 

It may have taken some time for the action and excitement to pick up but Fear the Walking Dead ends with a strong finale which has renewed the faith for fans who may have lost interest along the way. The Walking Dead starts in a few days of course, we are all excited for that and now I'm also looking forward to season two of Fear The Walking Dead as well. 

Sam's First Birthday



It's funny how the people you knew way back in College have a funny way of coming back in your lives and I feel really blessed that we still get to see our friends from Hugh School and College, I guess it's one of the perks of not moving away from Antipolo. 

A couple of weeks ago we were asked to cover Sam's first birthday. Sam is actually the nephew of one of our College friends and his mom was a batch lower me in College. It was nice to see familiar faces and get to see family and friends come together to celebrate a milestone in little Sam's life.

Happy Birthday Sam!

More photos here!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Dare. Dream. Take 'The Walk'



I am grateful for the chance to discover beautiful and amazing stories through movies and one that I am looking forward to is the story of French high-wire artist Philippe Petit, who in August 7, 1974 made an unauthorized walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. 

The unauthorized feat, also known as 'the artistic crime of the century' and to which Petit refers to as 'le coup' was 1,350 ft (450 meters) above the ground. Petit used a 450 pound (200 kg) cable and used a custom-made 26-foot (8 meter) long, 55 pound (25 kg) balancing pole. His walk lasted 45 minutes, making eight passes along the wire. All charges for his 'le coup' were dismissed (apparently it's illegal) in exchange for him performing for children in Central Park, Petit was 24. 



“We were not able to shoot between the two towers of the World Trade Center, of course, because, sadly, they don’t exist anymore, but we were able to replicate them in a way that I think is an enormously loving homage to those buildings,” says Joseph Gordon-Levitt, star of the upcoming “The Walk.” Directed by Academy award winner and visual story teller Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Cast Away) the film promises to be a 3D and IMAX visual experience unlike any other. 

Recreating the towers offered production designer Naomi Shohan and visual effects supervisor Kevin Baillie their greatest production challenge on “The Walk.” Ultimately, their work is a combination of an extremely large stage set and months of digital recreation.


“When I first heard this story, I thought, ‘My God, this is a movie that A: should be made under any circumstance, and B: should be absolutely presented in 3D,” explains Zemeckis. “When you watch a wire walker, you always have to watch by looking up at him. You never get the perspective of what’s it like to be on the wire. Our film will follow Petit’s story but will ultimately put you on the wire, walking with Philippe, and by presenting it in 3D, it is going to be spectacular and very emotional.”



Spectacular, emotional – and exciting, with a driving plot of near-misses and almost-catastrophes as Petit and his ragtag team pull off the impossible. “I love the idea of a guy – a performance artist – who pulls off this great caper,” says Zemeckis. “The caper is illegal, it’s dangerous, but it doesn’t hurt anybody. It seemed like something out of another time – you don’t really see stuff like that anymore. It was almost like a fable.”


Opening across the Philippines in October 14, “The Walk” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.