BLACK MASS movie review

Johnny Depp plays America's Most Wanted James "Whitey" Bulger in the crime-drama BLACK MASS, directed by Scott Cooper under Warner Bros. Pictures.

One that is most significant in this movie is emulating James Bulger himself which has been done to Johnny Depp. The makeup was done very well and we cannot deny Johnny Depp's portrayal is very good. Sometimes I think that he is Mr. Burns. Johnny Depp's stylist pretty did a good job copying Bulger's features.

Johnny Depp and James Bulger

In fact, the character is very petrifying. His acts and how he threatens the people around him, even without words, the angry look from Bulger's eyes guarantees a bullet to your head. A scene is totally gruesome so if you're so sick to look at things, you better cover your eyes and just focus on the story.

The story is very interesting and we just hope that gangsters never existed. It gives absolute danger not just to the people involved but to the community where they belong. But instead of letting these gangsters roam around the community, it is better that we report them to authorities. It is not just lives that they take but hopes for the families of those who were killed, the corrupted minds of the youth that joins them and the resources that were supposed to be utilized for more productive things.

BLACK MASS opens October 21 in theaters and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures (Philippines). The ensemble cast also includes Joel Edgerton (“The Great Gatsby,” “Zero Dark Thirty”) as FBI Agent John Connolly; Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game”) as Whitey’s brother, powerful State Senator Billy Bulger; Rory Cochrane (“Argo”) as Stephen Flemmi, Whitey’s closest partner in crime; Jesse Plemons (TV’s “Fargo”) as Whitey’s main henchman, Kevin Weeks; and Kevin Bacon (“Crazy, Stupid, Love,” TV’s “The Following”) as FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles McGuire. Rated R16 for some violence and drugs.

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Be "pabebe" and stay overnight in Luxent Hotel

Pabebe couples now have the chance to spend an overnight at the beautiful Luxent Hotel just by posting their photo doing the "pabebe wave" popularized by ALDUB (Alden Richards and Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza).

Here's how to join:

1. Send only one of your pabebe couple selfie at experiencetravelandlivingmag@gmail.com with your names until October 23, Friday.
2. ExperienceTravel.Ph Facebook page will post a photo album on October 25, Sunday.
3. Contestants must share the album to their Facebook timeline
4. The most number of "shared photos" will win the game.
5. Announcement of winner is on November 5, 2015.

Lucky winner will get an overnight stay at the Luxent Hotel with free breakfast. Remember the important dates: October 23 - deadline of submission, October 25 - uploading of entries, and November 5, announcement of winners. Good luck to everyone!

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Celebrate Quezon City's 75th anniversary in different spots

There's so much to go to without going too far from Metro Manila. And in the region's largest city, Quezon City has a lot more to offer than getting with the stars and good food. For the city's 75th anniversary, take time to visit some of its good spots.

Did you know that inside University of the Philippines alone, you can learn a big chunk of history and be amazed with heritage wonders? Founded in 1908, the University of the Philippines was the result of the Secretary of Public Instruction, W. Morgan Schuster’s recommendation to the Philippine Commission, the upper house of the Philippine Assembly. Act 1870 authorized the Governor General to establish the University of the Philippines in the “city of Manila, or at any point he may deem most convenient.” The UP was to give “advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences and arts, and to give professional and technical training” to every qualified student regardless of “age, sex, nationality, religious belief and political affiliation.” MORE HERE

We've toured around UP and went to the Vargas Museum which was named after former politician Jorge Vargas. It contains authentic Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo paintings which are part of Mr. Vargas' collection. It is delightful to know more about history not taught in school and get close encounters with works of great artists like Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo.

When you go to the third floor, there is an exhibition by Mr. Mark Salvatus. One hall plays a video with music by the Philippine Army band.

Vargas Museum facade

Me in front of Amorsolo's artwork

The Vargas Museum also holds different exhibits every now and then. We were lucky to catch the last day of Hand Made Violence by Bembol dela Cruz. It emphasizes the idea of acquiring illegal guns, their description and how they are portrayed and perceived by people who own them.

We also went to the two churches found inside the campus, the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice and the Church of the Risen Lord. Two Christian churches, a Catholic and a Protestant one, that we are able to realize two contradicting beliefs perform adjacent to each other.

Church of the Risen Lord (Protestant)

Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (Catholic)

Before the sun sets, we reached the Carillon, the only bell tower inside UP Diliman, next to the Aldaba Hall. It used to play during Carlos P. Romulo's time and it is used for playing music and heard throughout UP Diliman. It originally consisted of 46 tuned bells in a 130-foot tower and was restored after World War II. MORE BITS HERE

UP Carillon

Probably the most prominent imagery of the University of the Philippines is the Quezon Hall where the famous UP Oblation stands tall. It also houses many of the administrative offices for the entire university. Behind it is where the annual Lantern Parade is assembled. MORE HERE

Lastly, we went to the PAGASA Astronomical Observatory where we can check latest astronomical phenomenon and for further studies. Sadly that the sun is still shining but if you have time or looking forward to see the heavenly bodies, visit the observatory at your convenience.

The day is not enough to tour around UP and explore. But if you're tired and want to relax a embrace cityhood again, you can stop at UP Town Center just along Katipunan and give in to your cravings.

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Celebrate Quezon City's Diamond Jubilee this weekend!

The City Government of Quezon City invites everyone to explore and appreciate the greatness of the city in it's 75th founding anniversary this weekend, October 10-11 at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Aside from the area's wonderful history, Quezon City is also considered the City of Stars and these stars will shine with a great concert to entertain all spectators.

This is also a great way to celebrate the -ber months, starting with a Mardi Gras at 4PM followed by a Grand Parade of Lights at 7PM. The following day, enjoy dazzling lights with a rocking concert at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Dubbed as QCRocks @ 75, rock bands and musicians gather for a spectacular show including Parokya Ni Edgar, Rocksteddy, Barbie Almalbis, Yolanda Moon, Pulso, Giniling Festival, Musical O and Maude. Hosted by Robi Domingo and Joyce Pring. Entrance is for free and gates open at 6PM.

For more information about the event, you may follow the following hashtags:
#iloveqc Tweets

#qc75 Tweets

#qcrocks75 Tweets

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PAN movie review

Warner Bros.' PAN is a good family movie and gives us new definition of how we know Peter Pan. Watch it starting today and it's better experienced in 3D.

We've seen so many Peter Pan inspired movies but in this re-imagination of JM Barrie's story, we are introduced how Peter (Levi Miller) came to Neverland and how things came to be before how we know about it today. Now we think that Peter Pan may have a pirate past, getting along with Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) and Captain Hook (Garrett Hedlund) in the latter. And there would be a lot revelations that we will discover throughout the process.

At the start, we see Peter is not very different from any other kid and WB gave more of the history of his childhood. The story is set during WWII and he experienced a lot of hardships not just with war.

Levi Miller as Peter

The real 3D treat in Pan is right after 20 mins when we travel to Neverland. Blackbeard will show us the harsh part of the island but trying to connect with the millennial audience by chanting a Nirvana song. On the other hand, he gains friendship with Hook, once a charming lad that just wants to be free.

The common Peter Pan elements reveal themselves one by one. Nevercrocs, Mermaids, Redskins, and lastly the fairies complete the full Peter Pan experience. Let's hope to get a sequel to relive the fun in the fights against Peter and Hook.

PAN - Main Trailer

Sometimes, to truly understand how things end, we must first, know how they begin.Watch the NEW TRAILER for PAN - in cinemas October 8th!

Posted by Warner Bros. Pictures (Philippines) on Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Distributed by Warner Bros. Philippines.

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THE WALK movie review

If you are afraid of heights but love to conquer dreams, THE WALK is the movie for you. This is another movie that will transport you back in time and in New York City when the World Trade Center is erected. Joining Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) in this heart-stopping and incredible journey is also a walk in the clouds after trials and obstructions. This involves witty comedy and a little drama, filled with encouragements to believe and pursue your dreams.

Opening in 1973 in Paris where entertainment is simple and totally Bohemian. Joseph Gordon-Levitt projects great French accent in this one. It also provided cool nostalgic experience with black and white screens at the beginning and colors in slowly as the movie progresses.

You can also differentiate the fashion between Paris and New York during that times. Costumes clearly express the culture that time with the bell bottoms and hippies and all elements in between.

Now let's talk about "the walk." It is another thrilling IMAX 3D experience as it immerses you into Petit's shoes. It successfully lifts your emotions and to the clouds above the World Trade Center towers with the frightening height in CGI. The cold theater matches it perfectly.

The climax is filled with "OMG, Luhluhluhluh" and "oh sh*t." Your teeth gnarling, you want to cover your eyes but you can't. Sometimes you feel air as if you are hanging on the edge, weakens the knees and heart for a bit.

But still you want to catch your breath, holding your arm rests firmly, hoping that he'll be able to fulfill his dream.

THE WALK also stars Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz, Steve Valentine, Charlotte Le Bon, Clement Sibony, Caesar Domboy and Benedict Samuel. Directed by Zemeckis, the screenplay is by Robert Zemeckis & Christopher Browne, based on the book “To Reach the Clouds” by Philippe Petit, and produced by Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, and Jack Rapke.

Distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines and will start playing October 14 in theaters.

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Are you acrophobic?

I think I am a little bit when it comes to very close encounters of heights. And I don't know if I can take the view when I see THE WALK especially when it is in 3D in cinemas starting October 14. I hope that you could also get the chance to see this film and bring the following reasons:

1. It stars Joseph Gordon Levitt, he's played in Inception, 500 Days of Summer and this time, he played Philippe Petit who gets to cross New York's World Trade Center towers. But of course, it no longer exists that it leads us to #2.
2. The World Trade Center is resurrected in this movie -- as a medium that allowed one to fulfill his mad dream. Based on actual blueprints of the WTC, the Twin Towers again will reconnect the whole world, not because of the tragic fate, but for quite a thrill.
3. Speaking of Philippe Petit, some of us would not know that this will be based on actual events. We will revisit that great moment when he tried to cross via high-wire stunt, and how was that made possible. We'll get to know the character more and have a two perspective about him and the people around him.
4. The high-wire walk is an exciting stunt in itself. It may be an old acrobat stint, but inserting a little bit of reality story makes it greater.

Those are just a few reasons why you have to spend a few bucks for great movie. Will serve you a review in a few days. But you can check the trailer below:

The film also stars Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz, Steve Valentine, Charlotte Le Bon, Clement Sibony, Caesar Domboy and Benedict Samuel. Directed by Zemeckis, the screenplay is by Robert Zemeckis & Christopher Browne, based on the book “To Reach the Clouds” by Philippe Petit, and produced by Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, and Jack Rapke.

*distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines.

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