Thursday, April 28, 2016

Events: Satchmi Vinyl Day




I can't believe it's already been a year- since Satchmi's Vinyl Day - (which we absolutely had a blast in by the way) and here we are looking forward to this year's Vinyl Day! :D 

Click HERE to check out what went down during last year's Vinyl Day. 

You can expect awesome live music from these amazing artists :) 

If you've been following the blog then you probably already know that we're big fans of Reese Lansangan, B.P. Valenzuela, Jensen and the Flips and Moonwlk. Of course, we're also looking forward to seeing  Taken By Cars, Ciudad, She's Only Sixteen and The Ransom Collective. Bonus points when we get to know other amazing acts. :) 

You can check out Satchmi's Vinyl Day playlist on Spotify so you're more than ready for Saturday. 
Click HERE for the playlist. 















We're really looking forward to the Shawarma Bros. food truck - especially Paul :P 




Looks like Paul is going to have more than Shawarma to look forward to with this pomade collaboration of Satchmi with Felipe and Sons and Eight Wolves, rightfully dubbed "The Groove". 

Paul is a big fan of Pomade and he will surely love this-more so its in his favorite color. Yes, Orange is his favorite color. I'm also loving the Vinyl look :)   



Something new this year is the LIVE ART from different artists, like Kara Pangilinan of Details Ink and Raine Sarmiento. These talented artists will be having booths, make sure to drop by and check them out! 

Kara Pangilinan 

(c) Rian Sarmiento 


Inviting everyone to come and drop by Vinyl Day 2016- admission is F R E E!!! See you there! 

Vinyl Day is happening at UP Town Center. Record selling will begin at 12 NN. Live Performances will be from 4:00 PM - 12 MN. :) 

#Satchmi #VinylDay2016 







Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Movie Review: Captain America: Civil War




More than just your run-of-the-mill superhero movie, Civil War leaps from the comic book pages to the big screen and succeeds in being more than just an action-packed flick, writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely create the most comprehensive chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by playing on the dynamics of the characters and creating a relatable emotional conflict which will draw audiences in. 

Marvel knows their strengths and play on it, like 'Hulk on a rampage', directors Joe and Anthony Russo are able to seamlessly combine the darker themes in the movie with incredible action stunts (in my opinion, the most ambitious ones we've seen) and laugh out loud moments. The stellar cast all gave strong performances; this may be the best Marvel ensemble movie yet. 


Non-Spoiler Review

The film opens in another edge of your seat Avengers mission in Largos, this of course ends in catastrophe with a whole lot of collateral damage. The UN takes notice and sends Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) to let the Avengers know that the government is taking over. Through the Sokovia Accords, the Avengers will now be reporting to the UN, who will be taking charge of the group, and will essentially be the ones saying when and where the Avengers will be deployed. 

The group is immediately split in half, with Captain America (Chris Evans) leading the side of not being under the government's thumb and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) who insist that in the wake of the death and damage of their missions, need to be checked. 

Things become more tense when Steve Rogers' (Captain America) old 'frenemy' Bucky Barnes AKA 'The Winter Soldier' (Sebastian Stan) is framed for a bombing in the UN. The Captain rushes to find Bucky, in an effort to reach him before the governement does. This very action makes him a rebel on the run, with Falcon and Scarlett Witch on his side, as well as a few new recruits, #TeamCap faces off with #TeamIronMan, Black Widow, War Machine, Vision and a recruit of their own. 



This big clash, probably the biggest fight scene in superhero movie history-yet and probably the number one reason which makes me want to see the movie again is the best! 

I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just leave it at that-okay? 

I might come up with a spoiler review and we can talk about it then. :) 


The directors took a chance with a less traditional storyline with the third act of the film. While the big face off between the groups is happening, an unknown evil is lurking in the shadows, in the form of Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) who has been hunting for secrets to Bucky's past. While he is nothing but a mere mortal with no extraordinary powers, he believes that: 

'An empire destroyed within itself, is destroyed forever'  and with this belief, the Avengers may face their greatest threat yet. 

Through careful planning Zemo sets the stage for an emotional climax in the film, one where Rogers and Stark face off in a gut wrenching battle that makes you feel as though, you are watching your two best friends go through the worst fight and then wanting you to choose a side. 


There is a well meaning and thoughtful approach to the different characters, giving them more depth, instead of just having them beat each other up. With the past two Avenger movies we have already seen a friendship between Rogers and Stark, one that goes along the lines of mutual respect but in Civil War, we see two friends face off, after being put against each other by circumstances beyond their control. 

10/10 Captain America: Civil War is everything a Summer Blockbuster should be-and more! 

Opening across the Philippines on April 27-Marvel's “Captain America: Civil War” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow the official social media accounts of Marvel, namely, (FB) MarvelPhilippines, (Twitter) @marvelstudiosph and (Instagram) @marvelphilippines and use the hashtags #choosewisely, #teamcap, #teamironman.



Monday, April 25, 2016

Album Review: DEAREST


Dearest- a term of endearment, to mean 'most loved' and indeed, Alternative Indie band "Dearest" can be your next "most loved band". With their catchy guitar riffs, led by the soulful singing of vocalist Jackie Francisco, accompanied by harmonies, Dearest brings a sound that is uniquely their own. 

Their debut self titled is a treasure trove of songs, which includes a wide variety of musical styles and execution that keeps the album both fresh and diverse, no matter how many times you listen to it. 

With ten original tracks and four B-Sides (just shows how hardworking and industrious they are) 'Dearest,' is going to be your next most played album. 

The first track is the empowering "Don't Call Me Back" which is definitely no Taylor Swift break-up-song. The catchy electric guitars showcase technical skills and a precision only skilled musicians can execute, immediately transport you to the band's world. Then Jackie Francisco starts belting out a powerful vocal range, you just have to stop and admire her control and delivery. 

As someone, who grew up singing in the choir, I always appreciate a good dose of vocal harmonies as it instantly elevates any song (in my opinion) and we get a good dose of this with "Dearest". 


"Chameleon" is another catchy track-I dare you not to get last song syndrome from:

"I'm a cha-cha-chameleon
I'll be your anything
I'm a cha-cha-chameleon
I'll be your everything" 

The track has a B-Side acoustic version, (Bertato Version-to be exact) where we hear a male voice, giving the song a new twist. Speaking of the B-Side versions in the album, I just have to say that as a reformed gamer (Paul gave up video games to focus on photography) the husband loves the 8 bit version of "If We Dare" it's vintage gaming music at its finest and Paul can't help but bop his head along. Kudos to the band for looking at new creative ways and means to give the album variety and who thought that looking into gaming music can do that. 

We have yet to see the band perform live but we are loving their music so much, that we'll make sure to jump at the first chance of seeing them in a gig. From their self titled debut album alone, I can say that this is another underrated band who does not lack in real talent, far from it- they are talented musicians who are ready to take the local indie scene by storm. 

They describe their album as-

"-a record of how we have grown. Each song chronicles a different time in the three years we have spent together...

Every song is a moment expressed in words, sounds and silences. You are listening to who we were, who we are now, and everything in between." 

The album is beautifully packaged in brown paper, once opened, it has a folden up blue paper which contains song lyrics, carefully designed with doodles and sketches to give it a more personal touch. Something I always appreciate versus a manufactured look. 

Dearest is your new favorite band waiting to happen. Their skills as musicians will captivate you in their own unique world, one which they reinvent and keep fresh with their undeniable talent and a drive to be their own band and play their own music. 

4 out of 5 stars. Make sure to follow Dearest on their social media sites. 

deardeardearest on Facebook. 

@deardeardearest on Twitter and Instagram. 

To get a copy of their album, you can message the band on Facebook or email them at deardeardearest@gmail.com 


Movie Mews: TEAM IRON MAN BATS FOR RESPONSIBILITY IN “CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR”



Robert Downey Jr. returns as the godfather of all Super Heroes, Tony Stark and leads Team Iron Man in Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War.”

Tony Stark is a different man—he’s made an honest assessment of the recent events with Ultron and, in a shocking conservative turnaround, is in agreement with world governments that the Avengers should be regulated. This move pits Iron Man against Captain America on a political level but their personal conflict runs deeper—and down a more dangerous path than either could have ever anticipated or imagined.

The actor explains what it means when Iron Man and Captain America find themselves at odds in the film’s story. “You don’t want to see these two characters create a tear in the fabric of their relationship because you know how pervasive it can be,” says Downey. “So it gives you a fair amount of shatter to play with. I’ve always liked the idea of how do you recover from that. What has to happen for there to be any sort of homeostasis by the end of a rift like that between Steve and Tony?”

Joining Team Iron Man in his fight against Team Cap are fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. members Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Col. James “Rhodey”Rhodes/War Machine, T’Challa/Black Panther and The Vision.


Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow is played by Scarlett Johansson for the fifth time. Despite Natasha’s loyalty and friendship with Steve Rogers since the early days of the now-defunct S.H.I.E.L.D., she disagrees with his position and in a surprise move joins Tony Stark’s team, in support of governmental oversight. Always strategic in her thinking and heroic in her actions, Black Widow is an asset that Tony needs—but one that he cannot control.

A recently christened Avenger is Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes aka War Machine played by Don Cheadle. “As a new member of the Avengers, we find Rhodey trying to figure out how to still be on the side of his friends who are these self-appointed protectors of the universe and at the same time still maintain his military standing and try to abide if he can by the letter of that law,” says Cheadle.


For Paul Bettany, returning to role of The Vision after the birth of his character in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” was exciting as it provided the opportunity to expand and explore more deeply the fascinating character. “What I love about Vision is that he’s on his own quest, which is to understand human beings,” says Bettany. “Right now he realizes that real loyalty has got to come through love. If new facts come to light, his allegiance could change because he’s existing with logic and only with logic. So I think that he’s very intrigued by what love is and what affection is and is trying to figure that out because I think it’s the most human of qualities. I really like that; it’s sort of moving because not having that quality makes him dangerous and I think he’s aware of that.”

One of the most anticipated additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making his debut in “Captain America: Civil War,” is T’Challa aka Black Panther. Describing Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman offers, “He is a paradox. He is so aware of and so connected to a tradition and lineage. Yet, he is a forward thinker, a maverick. He is very strategic. You never know quite what he’s going to do next, so there’s a certain mystery about the character. At the same time, he’s a public figure. Known by everyone but known by no one.”

Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd and Frank Grillo, with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl.

Anthony & Joe Russo are directing with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The screenplay is by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens across the Philippines on April 27.

Marvel's “Captain America: Civil War” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow the official social media accounts of Marvel, namely, (FB) MarvelPhilippines, (Twitter) @marvelstudiosph and (Instagram) @marvelphilippines and use the hashtags #choosewisely, #teamcap, #teamironman.

Movie News: TEAM CAP FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM OF THE AVENGERS IN “CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR”


Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” begins and ends with its lead character Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans). After another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.

“It’s the first time Steve doesn’t really know the answer,” says Chris Evans. “It’s always pretty cut and dry for him to know which side of the coin to fall on but this one is tricky because this conflict is a little more akin to a day-to-day struggle that we all go through where there are no clear lines between what is right and what is wrong. There’s just a point of view, and I think it’s hard for him to understand what the right thing to do is and what his role is this time around.”

Steve Rogers’ Team Cap consists of Sam Wilson aka Falcon, Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier, Scott Lang aka Ant-Man, Clint Barton aka Haweye and Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch.


            For Sebastian Stan, getting the chance to play the fan-favorite character for the third time was a welcomed surprise. “They could’ve done anything with the character,” says Stan. “But I was really happy as an actor because I felt like I got a chance to play a lot of different colors. The Winter Soldier is a little bit in the middle in this film; you see flashes of Bucky Barnes. Things are coming back to him and he’s learning about himself. At the same time, he’s no longer that same guy. He’s always going to have that Winter Soldier shadow over him going forward.”

            A fully initiated Avenger now, Anthony Mackie plays the Falcon who has become Steve’s right hand man on the team.  “In this movie you see Falcon in more of an authoritative role,” reports Mackie. “It’s not so much him following Steve or Steve giving demands. He’s more of an ally and more of a companion to Steve. He has more input on the missions and what’s going on.”


            Clint Barton played by Jeremy Renner returns to the mix. “For Hawkeye, it’s really like a direct link from ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ into ‘Captain America: Civil War,’” says Renner. “When we last left Hawkeye, he went back to see his family. That was where he was the entire time until the Avengers started fighting. So he comes out of retirement, if you will, when he is asked to come help out Steve.”

            Elizabeth Olsen returns as Scarlet Witch, now a full-fledged member of the Avengers team. But after a messy mission in Lagos results in collateral damage, the government steps in, creating a situation where Scarlet Witch has to choose a side. “Basically it ends up being this argument politically about whether or not the Avengers follow their own rules or if they should follow the government rules and become a government-regulated union,” explains Olsen. “At that point of the film, Wanda’s more terrified of causing harm to people than choosing a political side. She ends up fighting with Cap’s team. It was more about being accepted and less about actual political beliefs.”

            Another new face on the Avenger team is Scott Lang aka Ant-Man. For actor Paul Rudd, making his first crossover into another franchise was a bit surreal for the actor. “It’s been a real trippy experience so far and amazing,” says Rudd. “When we shot ‘Ant-Man,’ I thought, it’s amazing, it’s great, it’s really fun, but we were also kind of working in a bubble. When I showed up here for the first time and was doing a scene with Captain America and Falcon and all of them, I turned into a bit of a 10 year old. It was pretty strange and really cool. For the first time I thought, ‘Man, I really am part of it,’ and it’s exciting.”

            Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd and Frank Grillo, with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl.

            Anthony & Joe Russo are directing with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The screenplay is by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

            Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens across the Philippines on April 27.

            Marvel's “Captain America: Civil War” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures.  Follow the official social media accounts of Marvel, namely, (FB) MarvelPhilippines, (Twitter) @marvelstudiosph and (Instagram) @marvelphilippines and use the hashtags #choosewisely, #teamcap, #teamironman.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Movie News: HIGH-OCTANE ACTION IN NEW “JASON BOURNE” TRAILER


The new, explosive trailer of Universal Pictures’ highly anticipated action-thriller “Jason Bourne” has just been unveiled and may be viewed at https://youtu.be/HpBIsK_LX3M.



            Matt Damon returns to his most iconic role in Jason Bourne. Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, once again joins Damon for the next chapter of Universal Pictures’ Bourne franchise, which finds the CIA’s most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows. 

            For “Jason Bourne,” Damon is joined by Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel and Tommy Lee Jones, while Julia Stiles reprises her role in the series. Frank Marshall again produces alongside Jeffrey Weiner for Captivate Entertainment, and Greengrass, Damon, Gregory Goodman and Ben Smith also produce. Based on characters created by Robert Ludlum, the film is written by Greengrass and Christopher Rouse.



I actually have a paperback copy of 'The Bourne Identity' which I have only started reading recently. My mom used to say that she read the books, (yes, they are actually a trilogy of books) way back when. This may come as a surprise, since it's my dad who has always influenced when it comes to pop culture, but my mom can be 'cool mom' sometimes. 

'The Bourne Identity' was published in 1980 and is written by Robert Ludlum, 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum' were also penned by Ludlum. I might start looking for the first movie after reading the book, then who knows, reading book number 2 and watching movie number 2 (and so on...) might follow. 

            Opening across the Philippines on July 27, 2016, “Jason Bourne” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.



Movie Review: Bastille Day


While the terrorist attacks on Paris are still fresh in our memories, "Bastille Day" takes this recent memory and turns it into a second rate action film. 

Handsome American pickpocket Michael Mason (Game of Thrones' Richard Madden) bites off more than he can chew when he steals a bag with a bomb in it. Unaware of the bag's contents, Micheal disposes of it and when it explodes it kills innocent bystanders. 

Unhurt and confused, Micheal escapes and is now pursued by the French government and the CIA as a terrorist. Micheal must prove his innocence, even if that means working with an unorthodox CIA agent, Sean Briar (Idris Elba).


The camera work was amateurish, making an entire chase scene on the rooftops a dizzy one, despite it being an intense and exciting bit in the movie. The audio was a bit off for me, I couldn't seem to understand the dialogue every now and then, as if it wasn't in sync with the film. 

As of the shaky camera wasn't enough, Michael and Briar suddenly try to develop this odd pair, cop duo, only the chemistry isn't there and the jokes don't stick. It seems that they're just trying too hard, it's sad. 

The only thing going for the film is the Paris setting, which is refreshing and that I like the two actors, not in this film, obviously. 

5 out of 10 the film has it's action and suspence which may be enjoyed by the regular movie goer. 

 “Bastille Day” opens April 20 in theatres nationwide from Axinite Digicinema. 


               

Movie News: Action-Thriller "The Magnificent Seven" Launches FirstTrailer


Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ and Columbia Pictures’ “The Magnificent Seven” starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke.  Watch the film's first trailer that has just been launched here at





With the sleepy town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters,
gamblers and hired guns – Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the
town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

Written by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk, “The Magnificent Seven” is produced by Roger Birnbaum and Todd Black, with executive producers Walter Mirish, Antonine Fuqua, Bruce Berman and Ben Waisbren.


For those of you who don't know, the film is actually a remake of the 1960's American Western "Majestic Seven" -which is of course a take on Akira Kurosawa's 1954 film "Seven Samurai".

I just love that they used "House of the Rising Sun" in the trailer, the classic 1964 hit from The Animals is given a new twist by The Heavy Young Heathens. 

Opening across the Philippines on Sept. 21“The Magnificent Seven” is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.





Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Movies: The Secret Life of Pets" Spill Their Secrets in New Posters


From the studios that gave you “Despicable Me” and “Minions,” Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have unveiled new character posters for their upcoming animated film, “The Secret Life of Pets.”

The selection of cute character one-sheets reveal each of the pets, their names, and just a hint of their personalities.

For their fifth fully-animated feature-film collaboration, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures present “The Secret Life of Pets,” a comedy about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work or school each day.



Comedy superstars Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet and Kevin Hart make their animated feature-film debuts in “The Secret Life of Pets,” which co-stars Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Jenny Slate, Bobby Moynihan, Hannibal Buress and Albert Brooks.

Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy produce the film directed by Chris Renaud (“Despicable Me”), co-directed by Yarrow Cheney and written by Brian Lynch and Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio.

Opening across the Philippines on August 24, “The Secret Life of Pets” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.