REEL DEAL: 47 Ronin REVIEW

Admit it, you missed Keanu Reeves and his movies which some became cult classics and blockbusters, he did made a movie last year with "Man of Tai Chi" which he also directed but we would like to see him shine as the lead, and his latest "47 Ronin" is coming to theaters this January 8 in the Philippines with a band of brotherhood, mythological creatures, and a lot of sword fights in the time of feudal Japan.

Japan back then was indeed mysterious yet refined. With a high regard for the Bushido code and the Samurai Chivalry, the society is a mix of the honorable warriors but also of a dark underbelly and enchanted creatures that does not mix well together. With the Japanese culture rich with traditions, mythologies and ceremonies, 47 Ronin showed these in a fashionable way but sometimes may be dragging especially who are not familiar with the culture.

Based on the legendary 47 Ronin, it is a fantasy-action that is visually entertaining and presents the culture and politics in a very fashionable light. The 47 who lost their master seek vengeance and justice goes trough a lot with the goal to restoring the honor and showing loyalty to their fallen daimyo.

MUSIC LYF: Lea Salonga's Back With The Playlist The Repeat

If you missed the first two nights of "The Playlist" last December like me, Lea Salonga treats fans and music lovers to another session of her 35th anniversary concert happening at the PICC Plenary Hall this Coming January 18, 2014 at 8PM.

This will be a one night repreat so this would be the best time to get tickets after being busy with the Christmas season. There will be a lot of suprises and a great line up of songs that everyone will love from her classics to unlikely hits sung with her style.

For tickets you can contact TicketWorld at 891-9999.

LAKBAYAN: Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu Tops Hot New Destinations List in 2013, According to Google, CNN

New Filipino-owned Swiss Hotel is Second Most Googled Destination in the Philippines

Filipino-owned Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu is the second most Googled destination in the Philippines, according to Google’s 2013 year-in-review search list. As first reported on CNN, the Zeitgeist is Google’s year-ender report and lists the hottest travel destinations by country.

The annual Google report captures the trends and interests of people all over the world, including new favorites among Filipinos.

Sky Ranch in Tagaytay and Tubbataha Reef in Puerto Princesa were ranked the first and the third respectively. Pico de Loro, Tugawe Cove Resort, Potipot Island, Amana Waterpark, Misibis Bay, Nuvali and Laiya resorts rounded up the ten spots that Filipinos were most interested in learning more about.

REEL DEAL: Kimmy Dora Ang Kiyemeng Prequel REVIEW

Kimmy Dora has finally reached its final film, it both sad (knowing that everyone love these twins) and happy (for "upgrading" Pinoy Comedy Films to interesting and quality movies) for the franchise which concludes the trilogy with Kimmy Dora Ang Kiyemeng Prequel. Euegene Domingo proved her versatility and charm with the chaotic yet lovable twins Kimmy and Dora Godonghae.

I have to say that the trilogy is composed of different styles of comedy with slapstick, horror-comedy, black comedy, etc. found in a scene in the movie which would cater to all audiences. It would be fitting that it ends its franchise at the MMFF, which is the biggest movie festival in the country (well, movie lovers are either compelled to or authentically love the movie). As I belong to the one who loved the first (but not have seen the second), I made it part of the limited films I'll see for MMFF.

  

Now back to the Godonghae twins, which have won the hearts of the viewers and the first Pinoy film that was successful in doing promotion on social media, they kept the same strategy and finds new ways to keep viewers entertained. Production value is probably the most "bongga" among entries as it made cool effects and production design. And of course it would not be complete without the suprise cameos of stars which also includes the producer Piolo Pascual.

REEL DEAL: No Difference In Love, Straight or Gay in "Geography Club"

Finding one’ true identity and standing up for it happens in high school for Russell, a guy with boyish good looks and affable personality in the endearing, funny coming-of-age movie “Geography Club.”

Winner of the Audience Award as Best Feature Film and Best Performance by an Actress (Meaghan Martin), “Geography Club” navigates not just on gay relationships becoming the new normal but also takes on the comic everyday mishaps where teens are usually caught: trying to be liked by everyone while being beholden to no-one’s dreams and desires but our own.

Five Tips for a Dengue Free Holiday

As soon as the air takes on a chilly nip, the radio plays Christmas songs and the streets explode with colorful lights, you know that the holiday season is just around the corner. By this time, we say goodbye to typhoons (although a couple might try to sneak through) and expect good, cool weather until January of next year. What doesn't leave, however, is dengue which has now become a year-round issue. Falling ill with the infection amid the merriment of the season is not only a depressing thought but a real concern, since most of us will be exposed outdoors (doing our shopping, attending parties, hearing the early morning Mass) more than the usual. Fortunately, we can arm ourselves with a handful of precautions against dengue-lamok. Here’s a list of them:

REEL DEAL: Jackie Chan Back In Full Blast In Latest "Police Story" Movie

Millions of Jackie Chan fans worldwide grunted when it was announced that the action maestro is about to retire from action films. But recently, Chan had been doing the rounds promoting his latest action movie, “Police Story 2013” set to open in cinemas (Philippines) this January 22.

Now, Jackie Chan is once again in full action mode orchestrating his stunts in “Police Story 2013.”   Chan began as a stuntman in Chinese action movies and became his country’s action star in the 70s with his action comedy films such as “Snake in the Eagle's Shadow” and “Drunken Master” prior his big Hollywood fame in the 90s.

John Lloyd, Toni Reunite In First Ever Sitcom Together

In the Kapamilya network’s newest sitcom that’s set to make waves as the new year kicks off, blockbuster star John Lloyd Cruz and favorite multimedia sweetheart Toni Gonzaga will be starring in a their comeback as a duo with the launch of the all-new “Home Sweetie Home”.

The two stars have long been expressing their excitement for the project’s kick-off, which has been much anticipated over the past months as John Lloyd and Toni will finally be breaking even more barriers venturing into "Home Sweetie Home". 

Toni was especially surprised to hear the news that she was to be cast in this new hilarious sitcom, excited that her and John Lloyd will be taking on television together for the first time.

“This will be our first time together on TV, so I hope everyone will get to be a part of it. I hope they enjoy,” Toni said in a report with ABS-CBN News. The last time the two shared the screen was in their side-by-side stint in the movie “My Amnesia Girl” in 2010.

REEL DEAL: The Other Woman

With Philippine movies having their share of "kabit" movies, I guess it would be interesting on another story but with hopefully a whole new light with infidelity, women, men and all its complications.

“The Other Woman” stars a powerhouse cast of women led by Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton and Nicki Minaj.  In the movie, a woman learns that she’s part of a love triangle, so she teams up with the spurned wife in order to exact revenge on the cheating husband.

Interesting line up of women for this movie, fun comedy and also gathering of these gorgeous women makes men and women excited for it. 

"The Other Woman" will open very soon from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Meet & Greet BARNEY & enjoy Tee-Rific Games & Surprises!

Before the much awaited Barney's Birthday Bash happening at the SM Mall of Asia, you can catch the lovable purple dinosaur with a Meet and Greet at several malls in the Metro!

Jan 11, 2014- SM Mall of Asia, 2PM & 5PM

Jan 12, 2014- Eastwood Mall, 2PM

Jan 12, 2014- Venice Piazza @ McKinley Hill, 5PM

Buy your Barney Birthday Bash tickets now to get Meet & Greet Passes. Only Limited Meet & Greet Passes are available. For more details, call Vivre Fort Entertainment at (02) 470 6956/ 668-9535.

Get your tickets for Barney's Birthday Bash happening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 22-26 and February 1 at Waterfront Hotel Cebu via SM Tickets at www.smtickets.com or call 470-2222.