Steven Spielberg's West Side Story teaser released on Oscars Night

Musical fans are in for a Christmas gift this year as Disney releases teaser of the remake of West Side Story, just in time of Oscars Night.

In modernized fashion, Spielberg's West Side Story is the adaptation of the Shakespearean love tragedy Romeo and Juliet and based on the award winning movie in 1961. Two feuding families became two warring gangs in New York City, the white Jets led by Riff, and Latino Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding.

Cast includes Ansel Elgort as Tony, Rachel Zegler as Maria, Ariana Debose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo, Rita Moreno as Valentina, Mike Faist as Riff and more.

Ansel Elgort as Tony, Rachel Zegler as Maria

Rachel Zegler as Maria

Let us all revisit the songs of Stephen Sondheim in the acclaimed musical like Somewhere, Maria, I Feel Pretty, the Jet Song and more.

The West Side Story will be in theaters December 10 and will be distributed by Walt Disney. Watch the trailer below.

 

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MORTAL KOMBAT Movie Review

If you're looking for a gore and bloody action, then Mortal Kombat is the movie that's right for you, especially if you're a fan of the video game, I guess.

Mortal Kombat basically was about protecting the earth against the occupation of the Outerworld champions led by Kabal and his monster force. On earth, MMA fighter Cole Young finds himself in his destiny to fight against Kabal, Bi-han / Subzero, Mileena and Kano. It is a fight to supremacy and peace in the universe with Lord Raiden and new found colleagues Sonya Blade, Jax, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao. 

Any movie like this is still better seen on the big screen. With its good sound, sets, costumes and special effects, some might less appreciate it in the home set up. The fight scenes are just in the normal human speed and not very martial-artsy which I think makes it more mortal. The lines are not cheesy, and there is also a hint of light humor but forgivable.

Mortal Kombat is now available via video on demand in HBO Max and in theaters where available.

 

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PETA's RAK OF AEGIS to stream soon

Gawad Buhay's multi-awarded musical from the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) comes to your home screens soon!

Rak of Aegis will stream for pay-per-view on ticket2me.net on July 31, Aug. 1, 7, and 8.

Written by Liza Magtoto, the musical features songs by the rock band Aegis such as Sinta, Luha, Christmas Bonus, Rockin' in the Cities, Munting Pangarap, Halik, Mary Jane, Basang-basa sa Ulan and more. 

The musical follows Aileen who dreams of becoming famous by posting song covers online. As she pursues her dreams she also helps her perennially flooded urban community. The musical opened on Jan. 31, 2014 and its most recent run closed on Sept. 29, 2019.

Directed by PETA Artistic Director Maribel Legarda, with musical direction, arrangement, and vocal direction by Myke Salomon, principal cast members from the past seven seasons include Aicelle Santos, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Isay Alvarez Seña, Robert Seña, Kakai Bautista, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, and Ron Alfonso.

The online stream is the banner project of PETA’s #TakePETAbeyondCOVID fundraising campaign.

 

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The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” reveals a chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for the soul of a young boy, then takes them beyond anything they’d ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return to star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, under the direction of Michael Chaves (“The Curse of La Llorona”). The film also stars Ruairi O’Connor (Starz’ “The Spanish Princess”), Sarah Catherine Hook (Hulu’s “Monsterland”) and Julian Hilliard (the series “Penny Dreadful: city of Angels” and “The Haunting of Hill House”).

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” was produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, who have collaborated on all the “Conjuring” Universe films. Chaves directed from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (“The Conjuring 2,” “Aquaman”), story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, based on characters created by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes. Serving as executive producers were Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Michael Clear, Judson Scott and Michelle Morrissey.

James Wan behind the scenes of The Conjuring 2

The behind-the-scenes creative team reunited “Conjuring” Universe contributors, including director of photography Michael Burgess, production designer Jennifer Spence, costume designer Leah Butler and composer Joseph Bishara, along with the director’s editor from “The Curse of La Llorona,” Peter Gvozdas, and editor Christian Wagner (“Furious 7”).

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is the seventh film in the “Conjuring” Universe, the largest horror franchise in history, which has grossed more than $1.8 billion worldwide. It includes the first two “Conjuring” films, as well as “Annabelle” and “Annabelle: Creation,” “The Nun,” and “Annabelle Comes Home.”

New Line Cinema presents An Atomic Monster/Peter Safran Production, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.” It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Watch the trailer below

 

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Meet your hosts for the 69th Miss Universe

Fresh off the press: Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo will host the 69th Miss Universe beauty pageant happening this May 16 in the Las Vegas (May 17 in the Philippines)

TV Host Mario Lopez also hosted the competition in 2007 when Olivia Culpo also won as Miss Universe in 2012. We're wondering how they will conduct the pageant in the age of social distancing and Covid-free set up.

Mario Lopez

Olivia Culpo

Are you thinking what happened to Steve Harvey? Steve respectfully answered to this announcement as people are clamoring about his absence.

Steve Harvey's statement on hosting the 69th Miss Universe pageant

I think that since he is in his senior, it would be just alright for him to take extra precautions to be safe from the coronavirus. However, his fun character and hosting will be anticipated in the 70th Miss Universe pageant.

The Philippines is rooting for Rabiya Mateo, our official candidate, to take home the crown! We wish her luck. Vote for your favorite candidates at the Miss Universe app. To vote for Rabiya in the Philippines, go to the Lazada.
 

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings trailer and poster out now

Marvel Studios continues on its Phase 4 of amazing superhero movies with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It has been reported that they had reactivated the @shangchi Twitter account over the weekend and they did not disappoint by releasing the trailer a day after.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings brings the origin of Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu and Brother Hand and will be played by Simu Liu. Shang-Chi is proficient in numerous unarmed and weaponry-based wushu styles, including the use of the gùn, nunchaku, and jian. He will be joined by Awkwafina as Katy, Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan, Florian Munteanu as Razor Fist, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung as Wenwu and more.

Simu Liu as Shang-Chi

Awkwafina as Katy

Tony Chiu-Wai Leung as Wenwu

Florian Munteanu as Razor Fist

Watch the trailer below and we will see Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings this September 3 in theaters. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.

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SM Stationery's Virtual Art Fest 2021

Discover your creativity when you attend SM's very first Stationery Virtual Art Fest happening all weekends of April and May online at www.smstationery.com.ph

They are offering workshops for different media like brush calligraphy, watercolor and abstract painting, as well as contemporary expressions like Doodle sketching and pop arts and crafts which everyone can enjoy and try. Here's what's in store for participants:

• Visual Artist and International Art teacher Majenta Ocampo will share her knowledge and have fun painting Easter Egg in Nordic and Mandalorian-Style.
  
  
  
  
  
• Create your water color wonders with licensed Professional Teacher and YouTube Art Teacher Aimee Fadriguela, who will show some watercolor painting techniques using Prismacolor Colored Pencils in designing canisters and bookmarks on April 25. Teacher Mangel of Pilot Pens, on the other hand, will share the Watercolor resist art painting in Batik-Bag Coloring with Pilot Pen Juice Paint Markers and Liquid Glue on April 10 and 11.
  
  
  

 

• Calligrapher and eco-friendly artist Kylee Tabil of Kyleegraphy, will share some tips on Basic Faux Calligraphy and how to design reusable Tumblers with their favorite quotes and lettering.
  
  
  
  
  
• Preschool Teacher Jillian Dungo will share her tricks on how to Glue Drawn Art using different colors of Elmer’s Glue.
  
  
  
  
  

Plus an added treat, workshop participants will be given special prizes and freebies at the end of the workshop.

The SM Stationery Virtual Art Fest 2021 is in partnership with Sharpie, Faber Castell, Artline, Prismacolor, Papermate, Titus, Craft Easy, Elmer’s, Tokyo Finds, Sakura, and Pilot. To register, visit the website www.smstationery.com.ph and follow them on Instagram and Facebook in smstationeryph for more info.

 

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