this is the romance that Belle and the Beast are talking about

If you've seen Beauty and the Beast already, you might remember the scene where Belle mocks Beast about a book he is reading at the gardens. It's Guinevere and Lancelot, a romance within the story of King Arthur and the knights of the roundtable.

But enough of the Disney flick, Warner Bros adapts the story of the mighty Excalibur and an epic movie featuring Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law. This fantasy introduces a streetwise young Arthur who runs the back alleys of Londonium with his gang, unaware of the life he was born for until he grasps hold of the sword Excalibur—and with it, his future. Instantly challenged by the power of Excalibur, Arthur is forced to make some hard choices. Throwing in with the Resistance and a mysterious young woman named Guinevere, he must learn to master the sword, face down his demons and unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern, who stole his crown and murdered his parents, and become King.
Also featuring Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, and Eric Bana. Ritchie directs the film from a screenplay by Joby Harold and Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram, story by Joby Harold.

Here's the trailer for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, opening May 11, 2017 in theaters.

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JOE MANGANIELLO joins the SMURFS in new adventure

True Blood and Magic Mike hunk Joe Manganiello return to the movie screen voicing one of the key characters in SMURFS: The Lost Village from Columbia Pictures Animations. The young family man will take on Hefty Smurf - the strongest, muscular and gym going smurf but with a big heart. Excited to bring the character to life bringing him back his childhood and nostalgia as an adult. He can't wait to see the movie with his young niece who is also a big fan of The Smurfs.

Clumsy, Brainy -- and rivals Papa Smurf and Gargamel return in the full animated movie. Get to know our little blue friends below:

Clumsy (Jack McBrayer) is all heart… and all thumbs. He’s always eager to lend a helping hand or pitch in however he can – even if it might have been better if he’d just stayed home. Luckily, his good intentions and wide-eyed wonder make whatever mess he’s made utterly forgivable, and in the end, he always impresses us all. “He’s such a good fella – the kind of guy you want on your team, so long as your team doesn’t require hand-eye coordination or grace or ability,” McBrayer says. “If you need somebody with team spirit, Clumsy is your Smurf.”

Brainy (Danny Pudi). When the chips are down, there’s no more resourceful Smurf with a better idea to solve the problem. “Brainy’s the whiz kid on Team Smurf. He’s always trying to figure out how to solve a problem,” Pudi says. “He can get hyper-focused at times, but he has a very good heart and he does it for his friends.”

Papa Smurf (Mandy Patinkin). Kind and warm, Papa Smurf’s number one concern is the safety and well-being of the Smurfs and his beloved Smurf Village. “Papa is the patriarch of the Smurfs – he really cares about each and every one of them,” says Patinkin. “You might say he’s Papa Bear – even a little overbearing at times – but he’ll always be there for Team Smurf.”

Gargamel (Rainn Wilson). Equal parts dangerous and idiotic, Gargamel is the grandiose, self-important, iconic foil of the Smurfs. All he craves in this life is to be celebrated and revered as the most powerful wizard in the world, but the greatest obstacle standing in his way is his incredible ineptitude.

Opening across the Philippines on Friday, March 31, Smurfs: The Lost Village is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

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easier ways to become an environmental advocate with Luis Manzano

I was at Glorietta 4 this Thursday, March 16, and WWF Philippines was holding a fundraising activity in support of the advocacy programs lead by Marine Conservations Steward Luis Manzano. He spearheaded the activity called Individual Donor Programme to invite all mall goers to contribute to programs making communities sustainable and environmentally concerned.

With the IDP, people can contribute for one time or a lifetime to environmental conservation efforts in the Philippines by visiting WWF booths located in different malls. It will be a more convenient way for us to give back to our planet by providing support to activities like: promoting clean source of renewable energy, educating the youth on environmental conservation and helping slow or reverse climate change impacts. See the interview below:


Luis Manzano champions WWF's Marine Conservation Program that includes initiatives on sustainable fisheries plus food security, community-based ecotourism, and biodiversity conservation.

WWF Project sites include Tubbataha Reefs and Cagayancillo in Palawan, Donsol in Sorsogon, Mt. Iglit-Baco Mountain Range in Mindoro, Ipo Watershed in Bulacan and Hamilo Coast in Batangas. WWF-Philippines also conducts climate studies in 16 key cities around the country.

On March 25, join WWF-Philippines with the rest of the world in making a difference by turning off lights and reverse and slow down climate change as we celebrate Earth Hour. Center of activities is at SM Mall of Asia by the Bay earlier on and highlighting the event at 8:30 to 9:30 pm with the turning off the lights.

Learn more about the IDP and other WWF-Philippines programs via wwf.org.ph.

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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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