REEL DEAL: “THE PYRAMID” Unlocks Ancient Terror (Poster and Trailer Reveal)

In "The Pyramid," a team of U.S. archaeologists unearths an ancient pyramid buried deep beneath the Egyptian desert. As they search the pyramid's depths, they become hopelessly lost in its dark and endless catacombs. Searching for a way out, they become desperate to seek daylight again. They come to realize they aren't just trapped, they are being hunted.

Produced by Alexandre Aja and directed by Gregory Levasseur (known for their thrilling works in "The Hills Have Eyes," "P2," "Mirrors") "The Pyramid" is a horrifying, hair-raising tale of explorers cursed who dared to enter the ancient wonder.  The movie stars Ashley Hinshaw, Denis O'Hare and James Buckley. 

The film follows a cast of characters who enter a newfound pyramid in the Egyptian desert. However, as they begin exploring the labyrinthine structure, they quickly realize that what they are actually standing in is a sort of prison – and what that prison is keeping trapped inside is something more nightmarish than any of the explorers could’ve imagined.

REEL DEAL: Liam Neeson, A Notorious Outlaw In “A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST”

Undisputed blockbuster action hero Liam Neeson stars as notorious outlaw Clinch Leatherwood in Universal Pictures' new comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West” (opening exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide on Sept 3.)

In the film, after sheep farmer Albert (Seth MacFarlane) backs out of a gunfight, his fickle girlfriend leaves him for another man. When a mysterious and beautiful woman named Anna (Charlize Theron) rides into town, she helps him find his courage and they begin to fall in love. But when her husband (Liam Neeson), a notorious outlaw, arrives seeking revenge, the farmer must put his newfound courage to the test.

Producer Scott Stuber recalls how Neeson's casting came about: "For our ultimate foil, we sat around like little kids saying, 'I hope we can get someone like Liam Neeson. Wouldn't that be amazing?'" Turns out that they didn't have to dream. "I've been lucky enough to have worked with him before, and he was a fan of Seth's, so it was a terrific get."

Actor-writer-director Seth MacFarlane knew that Clinch was pivotal to “A Million Ways to Die in the West” because the character had to be believable. He explains that Neeson was the man for the job: "Clinch is a character that has to seem like he is in a drama for everything to work. He is a bad guy who has to be dealt with: a real situation. That's an anchor that you have to have in a comedy like this. You have to believe that the bad guy's a legitimate threat, and Liam did that masterfully."

Prior to meeting with Neeson, MacFarlane had an idea of what kind of accent he wanted Clinch to possess. The Irish-born actor had similar thoughts. MacFarlane says: "I love Liam's speaking voice, so when he came in I thought, 'God, I hope he doesn't do a Western accent.' He just has such a resonant, powerful speaking voice. The guy can read the phone book, and you sit up and take a listen."

Recalling his rationale for playing Clinch as a Northern Irishman, Neeson offers: "A few years ago, my kids came home from school and said, 'Dad, you're on Family Guy!' So I watch, and Seth lampooned me as Liam Neeson doing a Western, strangely enough, and what my accent would be like. So, when we agreed to do this, I said, 'I'll only do it, Seth, if I can play it in my Northern Irish accent...as homage to Family Guy.' So he agreed."

Neeson discusses how he brought his background to the story: "Clinch is a classic baddie in the Western tradition; he's a gunslinger. I'm from the north of Ireland originally, and I've made him very pure and broad Northern Irish. I imagine his real name was probably Trevor McBraid, but he changed his name to Clinch Leatherwood when he came to the Wild West."

The performer found working with MacFarlane to be an enjoyable experience, commending: "Seth's quite a remarkable Renaissance young man. He's always up and breezy, and open to suggestions and ideas. If he doesn't like them, he'll say so, and if he does then he'll incorporate them. He's very acute at giving you a note. If a beat isn't working in a scene, he'll change a line or suggest something for you to try."

“A Million Ways to Die in the West” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Converse Reveals New Fall Collection for 2014

September is the start of the Fall season which also means a great line up of fashion that comes in all forms and sizes. And for this season Converse Inc. debuts their Fall 2014 Converse All Star collection featuring new silhouettes and elevated detailing. Featuring a sleek monochromatic look, the new Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber protects from rainy day weather and music festival mud pits. 

The new collection involves the collaborations with artists, fashion and music icons which they have been doing to make one of a kind and unique pair of sneakers. One of these collections include DC comics and the Simpsons. Check out the complete collection in the Manual To Lyf facebook page.

DepEd Statement on the shooting incident at PNHS

The Department of Education offers its sincere condolences to families who lost their loved ones following yesterday’s shooting incident at Pangasinan National High School (PNHS). We are one with them in this time of bereavement and are deeply saddened as we count, among those killed, our very own teachers and members of the DepEd family.

We at DepEd condemn all forms of violence especially as they occur in schools. We maintain that schools are zones of peace where the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and personnel are of utmost importance.

While classes at PNHS remain suspended today, our field offices are working closely together with other agencies and offices in dealing with the situation. We commit to foster a sense of normalcy by providing the necessary psychological interventions to the community of PNHS. We enjoin local authorities to persevere in ensuring that justice prevails

MUSIC LYF: OPM boy band 1:43 has grown up

When the boy band 1:43 started four years ago, quite a handful of detractors didn’t mince words in saying that they were K-Pop spin-offs, that they didn’t have the range to become successful music performers. They immediately dismissed the group as flash-in-the-pan, something that the audience would forget as soon as another hot male group comes along.

Three best-selling albums, a string of monster hits, multi-million views of their music videos on Youtube, and hundreds of jam-packed performances across the archipelago later, 1:43 members Anjo Resurreccion, Argee Golding, Gold Aquino and Yuki Sakamoto have not only proved their detractors wrong. They have also exceeded expectations by become one of the country’s most successful (and most desirable) music groups in recent memory.

REAL DEAL: If I Stay REVIEW

Imagine if you have that dramatic feeling of "The Fault In Our Stars" and the music vibe of "Begin Again" and you will come up with with a amazing movie IF I STAY. An adaptation from the best-selling book of Gayle Forman, this tear-jerking film will touch hearts in a whole new level.

From a road tragedy which leaves Mia in a coma and her "spirit" wanders around contemplating on her life, she faces the biggest decision in her life. Growing in the life of music, cool parents, and a unique talent and appreciation  of classical music, it makes us also wonder and reflect on our own lives if we are really living the lives we wanted.

Judging the things one has gone through life, it has that heavy feeling of being bounded to the family which was lost, and the ones that are left in the world. The movie also brings two polar music genres of rock and classical without overpowering each other. The music definitely adds up to the drama and emotions of the characters.

MUSIC LYF: John Legends Gives His All This September

The overwhelming success of John Legend’s ballad, “All of Me” lifted from his current million-selling album, will give him the opportunity to get up close and personal with his fans worldwide via this tour.

Multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter and Ohio born John Legend revealed that his show will feature him in an intimate and acoustic setting, highlighted by guitar/vocal accompaniment as well as a string quartet. Fans can expect to hear John perform his smash single, his current single: “You & I (Nobody in the World)” and his first hit single, “Ordinary People.” To recall, Legend got another Grammy as Best Male R&B performance for his single “Heaven” and throughout his career, John Legend has worked to make a difference in the lives of others. He started gaining momentum through a series of similar collaborations with established artists, adding vocals to an impressive list of chart-topping hits including West’s “All of the Lights,” Jay-Z’s “Encore” and back-up vocals on Alicia Key’s 2003 song “You Don’t Know My Name.”

REEL DEAL: A Million Ways To Die In The West REVIEW

From the success of TED, Seth McFarlane sets out into another movie that sets into a frenzy of comedy which is offensive yet entertaining. He now goes into the inspiration of western movies with "A Million Ways To Die In The West".

For this movie, it goes beyond Ted with the roster of casting like Liam Neeson, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried and Neil Patrick Harris as the main characters. This is also a rare time, Theron goes into comedy knowing that she is more of sci-fi and action than making people laugh. Same goes with Liam Neeson which brings that seriousness into the plot.

Seth produces, directs and writes the story as he also injects his own brand of comedy like he did with Ted, Family Guy, and American Dad. This is also one of the movies Seth stars personally which he rarely happens as he is busy doing voice overs.

ART IS A BANG: Musikal at CCP

The Cultural Center of the Philippines brings together the well liked original Filipino musicals in a single evening featuring the original cast and the best musical theater performers. A gala event billed as MUSIKAL! A Musical Theater Celebration of CCP’s 45th takes place on September 5 and September 6, at 8:00 pm at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). The musical revue features excerpts from “Rak of Aegis”, “Rama Hari”, “Maxie the Musical”, “Katy!”, “Caredivas”, “Noli Me Tangere”, “Magsimula Ka”, “ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal”, “Bluebird of Happiness”, “Rock Supremo”, “Rivalry”, “Lorenzo”, among others.

REEL DEAL: Amanda Seyfried, The Heartbreaker In “A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST”

Amanda Seyfried (“Les Miserables,” “Red Riding Hood”) stars as Louise, the woman who would break the hero's heart in, Universal Pictures' new comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West” (opening exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide on Sept 3.)

In the film, after sheep farmer Albert (Seth MacFarlane) backs out of a gunfight, his fickle girlfriend, Louise (Seyfried) leaves him for another man. When a mysterious and beautiful woman named Anna (Charlize Theron) rides into town, she helps him find his courage and they begin to fall in love. But when her husband (Liam Neeson), a notorious outlaw, arrives seeking revenge, the farmer must put his newfound courage to the test.

The filmmakers wanted to find an actress who was right in the "Goldilocks" zone, someone who could express that artful balance between a woman whom you don't really want the guy to end up with because she's not the nicest person, but a character who still has enough redeeming qualities that you don't think the guy is an idiot for pining after her. Someone "just right."