Tanghalang Ateneo's JANUS SILANG 2 gives old-school theater magic

Janus Silang is an award-winning novel by Edgar Calabia-Samar adapted to theater by Tanghalang Ateneo, with direction of Guelan Varela-Luarca for the book 2 - Ang Labanang Manananggal at Mambabarang. This production is in-line with their season theme Performing Change. Janus Silang 2 plays at the Black Box Theater in the Fine Arts Annex Bldg in Ateneo De Manila University.

I like how they connected Ang Labanan... with a recap of the first book for the benefit of those who were not able to see it last year. And in this performance, experience old-school theater magic and immerse yourself in the magical world of elementals without much of the technology. The set will take you to different worlds and well utilized the small venue. It is a very different experience when you let yourself be in the story as the actors well portray relatable characters starting from Janus to the creatures.

Got myself very curious how they will they project certain manananggal things like putting its tongue out that turned out very amazing on how they did it. In this piece, the manananggal is different from what we knew as scary beast-like creature that feeds on children when the moon is full. Instead, it is in reverse with white, flawless creature as portrayed by Jenny Jamora. By the way, TA is exploring on inviting more professional theater actors in next productions that you should watch out.

Delphine Buencamino choreos and I remember Orosman at Zafira from DUP during the war scene and it never fails to draw passion and strength. It is always bloody great to see that kind of dance.

As the story involves technology, don't expect projections. It makes your imagination fly without computerized imagery that can only destroy the creativity of the team. But it has worked nicely for the team and the audience.

Si Janus Silang at ang Labanang Manananggal-Mambabarang playdates are September 20-23, 26-30, October 3-7, 10-14, and 17-21. Performances start at 7:30PM while Saturday matinee shows start at 2:30PM. For questions and additional details about the show, please contact Nichole Valdes at 09175906451.

Connect with Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo

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Watch the Maze Runner: The Death Cure teaser trailer

20th Century Fox won't let us wait for the finale of the Maze Runner saga as it releases its teaser trailer for The Death Cure.

Contrary to first rumors that the international release will be delayed because of an accident, Dylan O'Brien is back as young hero, Thomas, as he embarks on a mission to find a cure to the deadly disease known as "Flare."
Directed by Wes Ball, Maze Runner: The Death Cure also brings back Kaya Scodelario as Teresa, Walton Goggins as Lawrence and more.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure opens in theaters, and in IMAX, January 2018.

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Animal Mayhem in Peter Rabbit first trailer

Be ready to cuddle extreme fluffiness as Columbia Pictures has launches the first official trailer of Peter Rabbit, the new live-action/CG motion picture based on the internationally beloved series of books written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter.

Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers, now takes on the starring role of his own irreverent, contemporary comedy with attitude. In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor (Domnhall Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as they rival for the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Rose Byrne). James Corden voices the character of Peter with playful spirit and wild charm, with Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley performing the voice roles of the triplets, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail. Watch the trailer below:

The film is directed by Will Gluck from a screenplay by Rob Lieber.

Peter Rabbit is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

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VICTORIA & ABDUL to open in Ayala Malls Cinemas

Dame Judi Dench reprises her role as Queen Victoria and reunites with Academy Award-nominated director Stephen Frears (The Queen) in the royalty drama Victoria & Abdul which will be in Ayala Malls Cinemas starting October 4th. I am really excited about this as I've been watching royalty dramas and documentaries on Netflix like The Royals and The Crown.

This is a very interesting story about Queen Victoria and an advisor-turned-friend and also a very unlikely ally named Abdul whom the Queen finds favor as her teacher, her spiritual advisor, and her devoted friend. Victoria & Abdul humorously explores questions of race, religion, power, and the farce of Empire through the prism of a highly unusual and deeply moving friendship. Watch the magical trailer below.
The film also stars Eddie Izzard, Adeel Akhtar, Tim Pigott-Smith, Olivia Williams, Fenella Woolgar, Paul Higgins, Robin Soans, Julian Wadham, Simon Callow, and Michael Gambon.

Victoria & Abdul is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

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ICYMI: Tomb Raider FULL TRAILER with Alicia Vikander

Check out the first trailer of Tomb Raider featuring Oscar winner, Alicia Vikander and directed by Roar Uthaug. Tomb Raider opens in the Philippines March 2018.
In the film, Lara Croft is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished when she was scarcely a teen. Now a young woman of 21 without any real focus or purpose, Lara navigates the chaotic streets of trendy East London as a bike courier, barely making the rent, and takes college courses, rarely making it to class. Determined to forge her own path, she refuses to take the reins of her father’s global empire just as staunchly as she rejects the idea that he’s truly gone. Advised to face the facts and move forward after seven years without him, even Lara can’t understand what drives her to finally solve the puzzle of his mysterious death.

Going explicitly against his final wishes, she leaves everything she knows behind in search of her dad’s last-known destination: a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. But her mission will not be an easy one; just reaching the island will be extremely treacherous. Suddenly, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Lara, who—against the odds and armed with only her sharp mind, blind faith and inherently stubborn spirit—must learn to push herself beyond her limits as she journeys into the unknown. If she survives this perilous adventure, it could be the making of her, earning her the name Tomb Raider.

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GIRLS TRIP movie review

After stressing over mother! the other day, I managed to appear in the special screening of Girls Trip, a comedy featuring Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish which has put out all worries and bad vibes with the stresses of busy life. I had almost 2 hours of travel which was normally around 45mins to an hour.

Anyway, Ayala Malls Cinemas is the exclusive distributor of Girls Trip here in the country and showing on September 27. It is a story about 4 friends who were reunited and revisited their younger years travelling to New Orleans for the Essence Festival. They rediscovered their wild sides, their friendships rekindled and there's enough dancing, drinking, brawling, and romancing to make the Big Easy blush.

What's distinct to Girls Trip is that it's only played by black girls. No offense to the black community but I think I've seen it all in Sex & the City, How to be Single, Waiting to Exhale and Rough Night. The formula is really familiar and you have it very predictable. It's just the matter of delivery that put it above the rest with the humor of the four ladies. They all stand out in their own rights but it focuses more on Regina Hall's character about a woman in a shaky relationship. They had most of the fun but when Regina Hall shattered, they've also dropped low and only thing that binded them again is their long friendship and forgiveness.

The cameos of big music artists supposedly added spice and star factor to it but I don't know how to react to it. All you can say is get yourself prepared for the next Essence Festival.

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mother! movie review

When you talk about Darren Aronofsky's mother!, it requires different levels of understanding. It may be very confusing whether you'll interpret its context as how you've seen it or how you can assert it with deeper meanings. You may see it as pretty effed up movie but here are my takeaways for mother!:

You can be as paranoid as mother (Jennifer Lawrence) in protecting her belongings, in this case, her home. Who would like to let someone in their homes, take advantage of their belongings and bring in more over which you did not know? She can barely speak up and complain and take all control of everything but then she is always ignored.

You may see it and then question yourself why did you even watch this movie? There is a lot happening and elements which you cannot understand. Maybe the reason for it is just you just like to see a Jennifer Lawrence movie, which I can vouch that she acted very well here. Almost 2 hours you'll have extreme close ups of Jennifer Lawrence here.

Javier Bardem's character is also very confusing and maybe you'll hate him for why he allows things. Basically all the others can be hated in such a manner that you yourself would throw them out.

Or you can be a scholar to see that this is a retelling of a very familiar story. You have to see this to find out and I can discuss this with you.

mother! is showing in cinemas today.

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