BEAUTY AND THE BEAST movie review

More than 25 years since we experienced the magic of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. And the live adaptation featuring Emma Watson (Belle), Dan Stevens (Beast / Prince), Kevin Kline (Maurice), Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gad (Le Fou) and more will not disappoint when it comes to theaters starting today. It was still as magical and the musical experience it presented more than 2 decades ago will have you inspired and bring back the memories of childhood and love.

Prepare for a grandiose production. Beginning with the provincial life to the Beast's castle, the set detailing is amazing. The castle, accentuated with gargoyles, leaves and coils present the luxurious life of the Beast Prince. Even the provincial life where Belle is, gives a relaxing feeling of the countryside but a rude and nosy neighborhood lies in secret despite the peaceful atmosphere.

The theme Ballroom scene is definitely more magical. Equally grand with "Be Our Guest".

The Ballroom

It will be the delight to hear the songs "How Can a Moment Last Forever" by Maurice, "Evermore" by the Beast, "Days in the Sun" by the young Prince, which are all well-sung and heartfelt by the artists. Emma Watson's keys were a bit lower than the previous versions that we know of.

I think Emma Watson is bit underacting the role. Just my opinion on the grand "Be Our Guest" performance of the dining ensembles. She's okay for the role of Belle had she given more feelings on many parts of the movie. Luke Evans is great! Playing the conceited Gaston and makes him a good villain. Even the animated objects are more felt than the lead role of Belle. But all in all, I still have to commend on the great production effort made on this.

On the gay issue of the role of Le Fou (Josh Gad), I think it doesn't really tackle on his issues and attraction to Gaston. It just gives a comic relief on his role other than being a sidekick of the latter.

Beauty and the Beast is best experience on IMAX 3D.

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THE NETHER review

For my first theater production of the year, I was invited to see Red Turnip Theater's The Nether which runs from March 10 - April 9 at Power Mac Spotlight Center in Circuit City.

Walking inside the Power Mac Center welcomes you to a big space resembling a mansion's staircase, showing a lavish life of the character. Then an interrogation scene about a crime that involves virtual fantasies and behavior which we may all fall into. A mind-blogging and relevant theatrical production that when seen by many, could teach us to what can and would go wrong when we abuse the power of technology today.

Bring yourself to a deeper consciousness with Bernardo Bernardo, Bodjie Pascua, TJ Trinidad, Jenny Jamora and Alba Berenguer-Testa in The Nether. It confirms the dangers of the vast and meaty online environment that is indeed scary, not just for children but also for adults. The protection that we can learn from it is well received, as how the author, Jennifer Haley, wants us to preserve.

A few shots after watching The Nether with the cast:

Watch this thought-provoking play from @redturniptheater #TheNether #theater #entertainment #internet

A post shared by Omar Itay (@ohmski) on Mar 9, 2017 at 5:26am PST

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KONG: SKULL ISLAND movie review

In the name of science, an expedition was sent to an untouched island where they believed "God has stopped creation." KONG: SKULL ISLAND gives an exciting adventure starting March 9 in theaters. Best experienced on IMAX.

Tom Hiddleston leads a group of scientists, soldiers, and adventurers into a commercially unexplored island where they discover massive creatures rule the land. Including Kong, a legendary ape that they sooner learn as a protector of the island and with a kind heart to those who doesn't harm him.

Since most of the creatures are primitive and massive, I was tucking on my seat on many parts. It might do the same to you as well when you watch it on IMAX. I also twitch when they walk on swamps and makes me weak every time they do it. The terrifying moment lasted for almost 30-1 hour. Visual effects are okay and I like the tribal representation of the island's legends using stone pillars forming images.

However, I found some booboos in the movie. After they had an encounter with the "skull crawlers" in the ape graveyard, Tom Hiddleston, and Brie Larson fell hard on the ground. A situation you might not be able to stand immediately. But they were already walking fine at the transition. Also when Brie Larson got swallowed by a skull crawler from Kong's hand, she gets out unstained by any skull crawler's blood or anything. I would say that this could pass to a 3.5 stars out of five.

You have to stay until the end credits for a little Easter egg featuring another huge monster that Kong will be encountering later on.

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Women's Month at Crimson Hotel Filinvest City

What better way to spend International Women’s Month than with Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila? March is filled with events that will spoil and let the ladies enjoy a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Dine or check-in in all weekends of the month and enjoy activities like Wine Pairing Seminar (March 4), Tai Chi Class (March 11), Vietnamese Cooking Class (March 18), and Basic Make-up Tutorial (March 25).

The ongoing Fit and Fab packages makes each one rejuvenated and refreshed with health and fitness programs. An overnight stay at Crimson Hotel promotes wellness inclusive of one-on-one health and fitness consultation with the gym instructors, invigorating in-room massage for 2, healthy breakfast buffet and a Detox set menu for two at the Deck Bar. More so, they also have a chance to win an overnight stay at Nurture Wellness Village, Tagaytay with full board meals, 30-minute acupuncture and 1-hour massage for 2, with healthy juice demo and organic farm tour. Just use the promo code “FitandFab” when booking online.

On International Women’s Day, March 8, be impressed with culinary techniques by the men as they will be assisted by the chefs at Cafe 8. Avail the Lunch buffet at PHP 1,235++ or Dinner at PHP 1,410++ to enjoy this special treat. Ladies also get a 50% discount on buffet prices only on this day.

Chào mừng bạn! Take your palate to a trip to Vietnam as we will partake on delicacies of the Dragon People from March 10-18 at Cafe 8. Learn and enjoy rich culture with a wide array of authentic Vietnamese specialties like Fried Tofu, Fresh Spring Roll, Vietnamese Pho, Crab Noodle Soup and more, created by three Guest Chefs Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngan, Tran Kim Hoang Trong and Vo Van Chien. It’s like living in Vietnam without leaving Manila!

Don’t forget to reward yourself with complimentary upgrade to a sparkling wine for ladies every afternoon as you enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge, added with live and soothing entertainment from the pianist from Mondays - Saturdays, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes #pianist #CrimsonFilinvestCity #CrimsonHotel #CrimsonMoments

A post shared by Omar Itay (@ohmski) on Mar 2, 2017 at 4:09am PST

For booking or more information, please visit the official website at http://www.crimsonhotel.com/manila/ or call (02) 863-2222.

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first look at MARY POPPINS

It's a younger nanny in the new Mary Poppins movie and Emily Blunt stars the role along with my another favorite of mine, Meryl Streep! It's a Devil Wears Prada reunion in this 1964 classic which starred by no other than Julie Andrews herself.
Based on the Mary Poppins stories by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins Returns comes from a screenplay by Life of Pi scribe David Magee, with Oscar-winning Chicago and Into the Woods director Rob Marshall at the helm.

Mary Poppins Returns is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material in PL Travers’ additional seven books. In the story, Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) are now grown up, with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen (Julie Walters), living on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) re-enters the lives of the Banks family, and, along with the optimistic street lamplighter Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda), uses her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Mary Poppins also introduces the children to a new assortment of colorful and whimsical characters, including her eccentric cousin, Topsy (Meryl Streep).

Opening across the Philippines in 2018, Mary Poppins Returns is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Philippines.

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CURE FOR WELLNESS movie review

An ambitious young executive is sent to retrieve his company's CEO from an idyllic but mysterious "wellness center" at a remote location in the Swiss Alps. He soon suspects that the spa's miraculous treatments are not what they seem. When he begins to unravel its terrifying secrets, his sanity is tested, as he finds himself diagnosed with the same curious illness that keeps all the guests here longing for the cure. - 20th Century Fox

If all wellness centers would be as disturbing as found in the Swiss Alps here, I wouldn't go in again. Lockhart (Dane DeHaan) fails to get far and retrieve the CEO with their huge business decision from the facility that encloses all those who believe that can cure their illness from just drinking water. More that it made me skeptical about purified water "really purified" as promised.

I've been twisting at every time he discovers a dark secret within the place. Plus, the gory presentation of "healing process" are too chilly. I just don't like seeing full bodies of people being used as "experiments." The darkness in this film is beyond that I can imagine though I admit being a fan of watching Linda Blair's Scariest Places on Earth.

It feels really weird after seeing it and you might not want to sleep immediately. I browsed in Youtube for about an hour until I retired to bed.

Cure for Wellness is now showing in cinemas. R-16 for scenes not suitable for younger audiences.

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HACKSAW RIDGE movie review

It is one of those you seem "just another war movie" but then I realize, it's not. Mel Gibson preaches on the love of God in the middle of a crisis in 2016's HACKSAW RIDGE starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Teresa Palmer and more. An incredible and heroic story of Desmond Doss, a US-Japan war veteran, coming in Philippine cinemas, February 22.

The first quarter of the movie talks about how Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) was raised in a God-fearing family and how he acquired a moral obligation on serving his country as a medic. His love life with Dorothy Schutte (Teresa Palmer) was an adorable one. Like how we would love our grandfathers tell their story of our grandmothers. It was a good and cheesy love story and will give you giggles and feels. The rise and fall of emotions hits you in the heart.

Teresa Palmer and Andrew Garfield as Dorothy Schutte and Desmond Doss

Being in the military is no easy for anyone, much so for Doss. His skinny physique has made him a joke as a member of the battalion but it did not stop him from pursuing his willingness to serve. Imagine a soldier never handled a weapon as his moral promise but then he fulfilled his obligation to the country and above to continue living for others and himself. His striking speech before the military court is the best I've heard:

Because when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, I took it personal. Everyone I knew was on fire to join up, including me. There were two men in my hometown declared 4-F unfit, they killed themselves cause they couldn't serve. Why, I had a job in a defense plant and I could've taken a deferment, but that ain't right. It isn't right that other men should fight and die, that I would just be sitting at home safe. I need to serve. I got the energy and the passion to serve as a medic, right in the middle with the other guys. No less danger, just... while everybody else is taking life, I'm going to be saving it. With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me to wanna put a little bit of it back together.

This will be Andrew Garfield's one of the most memorable roles ever. Saving 75 men from Hacksaw Ridge as Desmond Doss is very physically and emotionally challenging because we're talking about lives here. The dreadful conditions of war are two-way affecting us -- the people who fought on location and people left at their homes. It's also the things that people don't realize that's more valuable than killing. That wars don't bring any good.

* Hacksaw Ridge is nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director (Mel Gibson), Actor (Andrew Garfield) and Film Editing.

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