Bohemian Rhapsody movie review

Queen's biopic should not be missed. This generation should know and learn from the life of Freddie Mercury, more than his music that connected the world for decades.

Aside from the resonating hits like Somebody to Love, Bohemian Rhapsody, Bicycle Race and more, we are given stories behind each song, putting Queen grounded and inspiring us to be true and fight for what we dream and love. Rami Malek's performance on Freddie Mercury is so candid that you'll imagine FM being alive again. From the hair to the clothes and mannerisms, I think he nailed it!

Freddie Mercury is a hero and a legend not just in music but in life. Though he has shortcomings to the people around him, he still managed to accept himself and be humble towards them to regain their affection and love. His songs have connected to everyone deeply that's why his story can relate to us in any point in our lives.

And during the Live Aid performance, I felt that I've had to jump on my seat and sing along and join the crowd like every Queen song is an anthem for the world. I was teary watching every moment of the concert unfold and the feeling is surreal. Watch it below.

You can find the sing-along version of Bohemian Rhapsody in theaters now. Distributed by 20th Century Fox.

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Incredible trailer for the Incredibles 2!

Disney and Pixar is making new waves in the release of the trailer of The Incredibles 2!

In this new adventure, our favorite superhero family balances work and homemaking as Bob was left with the kids as Elastigirl takes off to fight crime with a new villain. Watch the trailer below:


Awesome and incredible is definitely how to put it and here are a few takes on the trailer:

Violet gets control as a bigger sister for Dash, teaching him about proper table manners.

Felt poor for Bob when his ego was stepped on as the government solely chooses Elastigirl for the job.

New house, new life! Dash loves mom's new job.

Bob's parenting skills which many can relate to.

There's Edna Mode, darlings. Nuff said.

And at least we know now that Frozone already knows where to find his supersuit.

Watch The Incredibles 2 in theaters this June!

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Slideshow: New Avengers Infinity War posters

April 25 is the official release date for the biggest battle of the world's mightiest heroes. Led by the first Avenger Tony Stark aka Iron-Man, Marvel has released 22 new posters of our favorite characters that will stop the universal threat called Thanos.

See the rest of the Avengers and their super allies — Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange, Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Chadwick Boseman as King T’Challa/Black Panther, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel voicing Rocket and Groot, Paul Bettany as Vision, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Dave Bautista as Drax, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine, and Benedict Wong as Wong.

...

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film, which is produced by Kevin Feige. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay. “Avengers: Infinity War” opens in Philippine cinemas 25 April 2018.

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A QUIET PLACE movie review

If you are not fond of silent movies, you will love how genius A Quiet Place is. This thriller with John Krasinski and Emily Blunt gets you still in your seats and will have you motionless for about 95 minutes throughout the duration of the movie.

These are the reasons why this brilliant picture should be watched by thrill seekers:

1. The deafening silence is riveting. From the beginning of the movie up to its end, you will be in a quiet setting that you won't dare make a sound.

2. You are not safe with a small movement or a shriek from your seat. It is also very much advisable for you to turn off your cellphone or into airplane mode so any sound will not

3. Demogorgons and aliens combined. Stranger Things and Aliens movie fans can clearly see what I am talking about when they see the movie starting April 11.

4. Everybody is in unison with their reactions to what's happening in the movie. Simple shots and events in the lives of the Abbotts introduce danger that would give the same reaction to the faces of each viewer.

5. John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are quiet great parents.

6. This movie would be a great video game franchise including the story background. Just like Sims only scarier and intense, dark and exciting.

See A Quiet Place and #StayQuiet in cinemas starting April 11.

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A visit at the Bl. Ivan Merz Reliquarium

Today is Holy Monday and a blessed day to visit the Bl. Ivan Merz Reliquarium Home of Sacred Relics in Marikina City. A small home turned into a mini-museum of sacred relics from all over the world.

You will be required to take off your foot wear when entering the Reliquarium to maintain the cleanliness and sanctity of the place. Take a glimpse of the relics or say a little prayer of your special intentions.

There are more than 1,000 relics found inside the Reliquarium, the third most in the Philippines. And the relics are coming from the bodies, vestments, place of birth, missions and my favorite section, from the Holy Land. It also includes relics from the apostles, and early Christians recognized for their holiness.

Relics are arranged according to the date of saints' feast days from January 1 to December 31. I learned that St. Rita of Cascia's feast day is also my birthday.

Relics of St. Rita of Cascia - Feast Day - May 22

You can also recognize some relics coming from famous saints like these from St. Pio de Pietrelcina, St. John Paul II, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Valentine, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. Faustina Kowalska.

Relics of St. Pio de Pietrelcina and St. John Paul II

Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

  
But the center of the Reliquarium is the relics from the cross of the Crucifixion and there are secondary relics on the nails and thorns used in the passion of Christ.

Relic of the Holy Cross

Bl. Ivan Merz

Bl. Ivan Merz is of Bosnian descent, born December 16, 1896. He fought during World War 1 and decided to be a layman. He took the perpetual vow of chastity and devoted his free time to the Church. A young missionary and taught about Christianity to young Croatians until he died on May 10, 1928 (feast day).

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 22 2003 and declared him as Apostle of the Youth. He was then recognized by Pope Benedict XVI for his holiness by mentioning his name in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation: "Sacramentum Caritatis."

Bl. Ivan Merz is the perfect patron saint for young people, youth ministers, military personnel, philosophers, philologists, students, educators, liturgists, theologians, devotees of the Holy Eucharist, and lay faithful engaged in Christian apostolate.

He is also a powerful and compassionate intercessor when it comes to academic or professional examinations, dental and lung illnesses, couples who seek for a child and HIV/AIDS victims.

Bl. Ivan Merz Center and Reliquarium is open every Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 7pm. There is also no entrance fee. They've open it for Holy Week 2018 that's why we are lucky to visit it today. Here is the schedule for this week:

Holy Tuesday - Pabasa, 7am onwards
Maundy Thursday - 7am - 11pm
Good Friday and Black Saturday - 7am to 7pm
Easter Sunday (April 1 and 2) - CLOSED

* Office and Reliquarium resumes operation on Tuesday, April 3.

A visitor gets a certificate, a scapular and a stampita with the prayer to Bl. Ivan Merz. You can leave a letter where your prayer intentions will be included in every day masses for the whole year.

Visit the Bl. Ivan Merz Center and Reliquarium at SE Narra cor Champagnat St, Marikina Heights, Marikina City. Near St. Scholastica's Academy and C&B Mall.

For more information about the Reliquarium, prayer requests, religious items and souvenirs, you can contact them via:
Phone: +63 2 6212230, +63 956-1253804
Emal: vp.ivanmerz@gmail.com
Facebook Page: ivanmerzcenter

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PACIFIC RIM UPRISING movie review

From 2015's blockbuster Pacific Rim, comes a sequel that I am not sure that we really needed it or not.

But for new viewers like me that wasn't able to catch the first movie, I'd say that Pacific Rim Uprising is beginning to be a Michael Bay Transformers franchise in the making. With the high CGI visuals less Michael Bay explosives that Pacific Rim has, in fairness to the latter is that the story picks up from the former movie. A good refresher for everyone who are eager to watch Jaeger robots battling Kaijus. Also the "uprising" was only made by a single person. How can they make Charlie Day into an antagonist?

I am not a fan of epic speeches but I think Scott Eastwood has the most natural acting in the whole movie. Maybe that's why I didn't watch the first part either. For John Boyega and Cailee Spaeny, the partnership may have worked better. I just don't get the connection.

You might be wondering if there will still be Filipino pride inside the movie. Well, Manila has a good airtime long enough to be noticed.

If you really like Pacific Rim and would not agree to this review, you can watch Pacific Rim Uprising starting on March 31.

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PAUL APOSTLE OF CHRIST movie review

30 years following the death and resurrection of Christ, Emperor Nero of Rome has sent off Roman soldiers to capture Christians most especially the apostles to stop the spread of Christianity throughout the land. Saul, now known Paul, was captured and in an attempt to be rescued by Luke, a movie is chronicled on Paul's wisdom and teachings on love and Christianity.

Paul, Apostle of Christ gives us a chapter on the Book of Acts in the New Testament. Under the reign of Emperor Nero of Rome, we see the brutal and heartless treatment of the empire to those who profess their faith in Christ. It is amazing to hear familiar verses like 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as Luke and Paul talk in prison.

The drama might be lengthy but it is full of lessons that you can use in life. Understanding that the path to heaven is a difficult way but we believe that there's light at the end of darkness. Following the ways of Jesus, we will be experiencing suffering before we see His glory.

This film stars Jim Caviezel as Luke, gaining his popularity in faith-based films following The Passion of the Christ, French actor Olivier Martinez as Mauritius Gallas and Game of Thrones, Alumnus James Faulkner in the titular role.

Paul, Apostle of Christ is an SM Cinema exclusive movie. Starting March 23, experience the love of God and learn the Gospel in SM Cinema Director's Club that is equipped with cozy and state-of-the-art La-Z Boy chairs for everyone. Know screening schedules and reserve seats at www.smcinema.com for better cinema experience.

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UNSANE movie review

Reality is more terrifying than the paranormal.

Unsane's thrilling plot begins when Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy) was involuntarily confined into a mental institution and being followed by her greatest fear. An estranged boyfriend David Strine stalks and follows her to the institution where she is then drugged and isolated that the stalker can get his control over her. Following Valentini's story inside the facility raises discomfort and excitement that you would be sitting hard at the back of your seat. Some things might go predictable, but have something to bite on when things go unexpected.

Though unconfirmed, it also angers me how insurance companies and hospitals go hand-in-hand in turning the money around where people are made victims for their business. Instead of helping for the cure, they create milking cows from us which is a bigger problem.

The movie is shot entirely on an iPhone without compromising the aesthetics and quality.

Directed by Steven Sodenbergh, Unsane is coming to SM Cinemas this March 21.

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A WRINKLE IN TIME movie review

What if we could snap to the universe just like that?

Well, I would ask, what if I can get back my time just like that? A Wrinkle In Time tried to be an exciting family movie. If not only for Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling who were cast in this film, I am not sure if I would be looking forward to it. A Wrinkle in Time also tries to be very intelligent that kids would not be able to comprehend and turned out boring instead.

And too young for a love plot for Meg (Storm Reid) and Calvin (Levi Miller)? I think so. I just thought that it was okay to have companions in the space adventure, but the love angle is too early to tell. Charles Wallace played by Fil-Am actor Deric McCabe had a better character than Meg and Calvin.

Sorry, 2 out of 5. For amazing visuals at least.

A Wrinkle in Time is now showing in cinemas. Distributed by the Walt Disney Company (Philippines)

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BLACK PANTHER movie review

I didn't have a lot of expectations because I barely new Black Panther as a superhero but this movie is the most awesome to date. A glorious movie for the African and black American race that even the trailer has put us all speechless for its awesomeness.

Starting it would just like be any other Marvel movie until you enter the kingdom of Wakanda which has all spectacular and amazing stuff happening from a person to the whole community. A stunning presentation of technological capabilities with a heart. Not only that it gives a great importance to the culture but it also gives its way to women of power and great contributions to society.

For example, Shuri (Letitia Wright) shows her intellectual strength with her great inventions. Little as she would look like, her talented brain has been recognized and apprecited by her ruling brother -- a very good sense of equality between man and woman in the movie. Okoye (Danai Gurira) keeps her promise and loyalty to the throne, Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) reminds where T'Challa's heart should be. T'Challa's mother Ramonda, though won't be able to fight for her son, was able to give way to unity with other kingdoms which is also a very important thing.

The female members of the Dora Milaje are equally strong and gives the voice to women to fight for what's right and have the power to defend themselves even one of the strongest of their kind like Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan).

Black Panther also displays the rich African culture through its wonderful costume design. When you look closely on the bright fabrics and accessories, the diverse patterns are very well detailed. Even the warfare are also exceptional that made fire weapons primitive. This was the coolest Marvel movie yet.

Black Panther is now showing in cinemas nationwide in 2D, 3D and IMAX formats. Bring everyone, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. :)

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Off to a great spectacle with THE GREATEST SHOWMAN posters

When a visionary fulfills his dreams, great things happen. See the character poster of The Greatest Showman released by 20th Century Fox featuring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron, and Rebecca Ferguson.

"This is Me" wins Best Original Song in the recent Golden Globes. Song written and composed by Academy Award winners from La La Land.

The Greatest Showman features powerful original music and songs that celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman” tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Opens January 31 in Philippine theaters, distributed by 20th Century Fox (Philippines).

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FERDINAND movie review

Though it's the Year of the Dog, FERDINAND the Gentle Bull is the most adorable animal to open 2018. Bring your kids to this funny and family-friendly animated feature that will help them understand that it is not what your environment perceive you to be but it is really what you exude from the inside.

I never knew that John Cena's voice would be as gentle as Ferdinand the bull as it made him perfect to voice out the character. The movie includes a lot of funny moments that the whole family would enjoy. It would take you to a journey of the individual and put you to an emotional roller coaster that is light to the heart.

This is not a boring movie, actually. Let out the child in you and cherish every moment while watching it. I enjoyed most the dance-off between the horses and the bulls that is totally hilarious. Some scenes may be predictable but overall, bringing the kids to watch it is worth it. Don't forget to stay a little longer during the credits as it may hint for a part 2, I hope.

Ferdinand is now showing in cinemas, distributed by 20th Century Fox (Philippines).

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