TRAVEL TO MOVIES: EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: STORY OF FIRE SAGA

Director: David Dobkin

Cast: Will Ferrell , Rachel McAdams , Dan Stevens , Pierce Brosnan , Olafur Darri Olafsson , Demi Lovato , Mikael Persbrandt , Natasia Demetriou , Jamie Demetriou , Melissanthi Mahut...

Plot: When aspiring musicians Lars (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) are given the opportunity of a lifetime to represent their country at the world's biggest song competition, they finally have a chance to prove that any dream is a dream worth fighting for. Two small-town singers chase their pop star dreams at a global music competition, where scheming rivals, high stakes and onstage mishaps test their bond.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eurovision_song_contest_the_story_of_fire_saga

My Movie Review: The movie is surprisingly good and better than expected thought it's going to be a raunchy comedy that doesn't served but with some twisted fate it hit all the right notes:0 Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga is captivating when it needs to be as terribly funny when it push beyond limit giving us something we don't know we need- heartfelt comedy! Sigrit and Lars are Icelandic singing hopefuls who started dreaming of joining the contest since they were children which is very relatable I'm too wanted to be a singer when I was very young inspiring when characters like them are fully realized the two are memorable with distinct traits! The sing-along in their night party was one of the highlight with spontaneous singing that make you wanna groove A La Pitch Perfect Rif-Off full talent blast in a showcase its really enjoyable:) It was so cute and clever to see in the final credits with the name of the actors are shown with the flag of the country they were born so good to know there's a real Eurovision Song Contest:)

Critics Consensus: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga contains inspired ingredients and laugh-out-loud moments, but they're outnumbered by the flat stretches in this overlong comedy. Will Ferrell is his goofy, outsized self but Rachel McAdams brings charming sweetness to this delightfully silly comedy. Eurovision falls well short of a laugh a minute, but it has some uproarious moments that something like Holmes & Watson lacked. A high-concept, low-brow romantic comedy that overstays its welcome by at least a half-hour and can't decide whether it wants to buy into or satirize incomprehensibly popular European singing contest. As a plausible work of art, it deserves nul points, but it's still film of the week, no contest. Make no mistake: this is an A to Z Will Ferrell movie, but with its zany humor taken just a notch down. It moves towards emotional territory, balancing between rom-com and inspirational storytelling. Interesting detour in Ferrell's body of work. Eurovision Song Contest is filled with lavish and often hilarious production numbers... Instead of tribute it settle for being decent Ferrell vehicle:)

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eurovision_song_contest_the_story_of_fire_saga

TRAVEL TO PLACES: PHILIPPINES-- SALCEDO VILLAGE

My Personal Experience: I went to Salcedo Village in Makati City this year January 26, 2020, together with my sister. We went there to see the different side of the town's hidden sanctuary:) Salcedo Village is packed with working professionals on weekdays' while quiet on weekends' that when it reveals its true beauty and artistic individuals alike find way to capture spent times!

Salcedo Village

Salcedo Village is one of the villages constituting Barangay Bel-Air, established in the late 1950s as a commercial and residential community. The village is said to have been named after Juan and Felipe de Salcedo, Spaniards who take part of the Lopez de Legazpi expedition to the Philippines in 16th century. Surrounded by the skyscrapers of Makati Central Business District, it stands out with lush community where work and lifestyle coexist harmoniously! Within Salcedo Village also lies a variety of dining options, along with world-class international schools, fitness centers, shops, and everything a sophisticated community would ever need:) Being a part of Salcedo Village amidst a fast-paced business district is like getting the best of both worlds: laid-back lifestyle and urban convenience as kids, bikers, dog-walkers find leisure!

Source: https://primer.com.ph/feature/2019/02/15/salcedo-village-makati-street-guide-2019/

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: WASP NETWORK

Director: Olivier Assayas

Cast: Penélope Cruz , Edgar Ramírez , Wagner Moura , Gael García Bernal , Ana de Armas , Leonardo Sbaraglia , Julian Flynn , Gisela Chipe , Tony Plana , Harlys Becerra , Nolan Guerra

Plot: In the late 80s and early 90s, rebel groups based in Florida enact violent attacks on Cuba to protest Castro's influence, bombing hotels, murdering innocent beach goers. In retaliation, the Cuban government deploys an elite group of spies to take down the terrorist groups from the inside. Five of those spies ultimately face life sentences at the hands of the American government on the charges of murder and espionage. Written and directed by Olivier Assayas. Starring Penélope Cruz, Edgar Ramírez, and Gael García Bernal.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wasp_network

My Movie Review: The movie is such star-studded spy thriller with fascinating dramatization about the crucial historical moments of Cuban-American relations in the '90's that get tangled:0 Wasp Network started on a typically sunny morning in Havana, Cuba, Rene Gonzalez waves goodbye to his wife and young daughter, before heading to an airstrip, stealing a small plane and flying to Florida leaving behind a life of near poverty while his wife Olga is left to eke out a living working in tannery and lying to her daughter about father’s status as traitor to his country! The film portrays a vast array of historic figures, from Gerardo Hernandez (Gaël Garcia Bernal) and Juan Pablo Roque (Wagner Moura) to Salvadoran terrorist Raul Ernesto Cruz Leon (Nolan Guerra) and anti-Castro militant Luis Posada Carilles (Tony Plana) but most René González! Whether it’s the limited development of characters like Hernandez and Ana Margarita-Martinez the film settles for portraying recollection of how things played out in decade-long intelligence! Ana De Armas still shine I'm developing a crush this actress' she's beautiful and very effective:)

Critics Consensus: Wasp Network's talented cast makes this spy drama hard to ignore, even if the mystery at the heart of its story-line is too tangled for its own good. Visually, the appeal of Wasp Network is undeniable - all warm, colorful, open spaces, elegantly shot and peopled with beautiful actors. The intrigue could have used some of that heat, too. If there is a snag, it is that the characters are sometimes mysteries not only to each other but to us. Wasp Network is playful propaganda. I liked its style. The cast is outstanding, but Alma aside, they are Hispanic, not Cuban, and as such they are all over the place with their accents and credibility. One can see the craftsmanship and skill with actors that Assayas has honed for the last three decades in the film's best moments, even if it adds up to something of a disappointment. Here, though less electric, effortlessly conveying almost matter-of-fact rationality characteristic of Assayas's dialogue. The film as a whole is equally direct in mood though not in structure discursive. Olivier Assayas tells the story so skillfully, with a superb cast and top-notch production values:0

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wasp_network

TRAVEL TO PLACES: PHILIPPINES-- THE PICASSO LOBBY GALLERY

My Personal Experience: I went to The Picasso Lobby Gallery this year January 26, 2020, together with my sister. We went there to take photos and get a glimpse on their artistic lobby:0 The Picasso is such a creative space it helps you to explore your inner artist even in sitting on the sofa I start to create a narrative' reading a newspaper or lifting the stability ball in their gym!

The Picasso Lobby Gallery

The Picasso is an upper-middle-range boutique located in a safe, quiet part of Makati near shopping, dining and corporate offices. As its name suggests, the property was conceived as a tribute to the famous Spanish artist, with artsy decor and a variety of references to his life and work throughout. Large rooms have modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, LCD TV, iPod docks and rain showers and feature fully equipped kitchenettes and balconies. On-site amenities include a popular restaurant, a bi-level gym, a meeting room, and a small business center. Additionally, the property also offers access to on-site partner facilities such as an art gallery showcasing local artists, a nail and hair salon, and a spa. Spacious fitness center with cardio and strength-training machines as stylish restaurant on-site plus airport transfer service for fee!

Source: https://www.oyster.com/makati/the-picasso-boutique-serviced-residences/the-hotel/

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: LOST BULLET

Director: Guillaume Pierret 

Cast: Alban Lenoir , Nicolas Duvauchelle , Ramzy Bedia , Stéfi Celma , Sébastien Lalanne , Pascale Arbillot , Alexandre Philip , Arthur Aspaturian , Patrick Médioni , Stephen Scardicchio , Rod Paradot , Damien Leconte , Thibaut Evrard , Anne Serra , Lino Lenoir , Sam Feuer (Voice)

Plot: A convicted car mechanic is recruited to work for the cops, pimping police vehicles for high-speed chases. But danger will follow him fast. Mechanic Lino is passionate about ram cars, but when faced with dirty cops, he's given a deal he can't refuse. He must put his passion at their service in order to avoid prison.

Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10456740/

My Movie Review: The movie is a thrilling high speed ride with fast-paced action mayhem that give a satisfying flair and story to follow with someone being framed and must prove innocence to serve justice' to good officer friend who has been shot in Netflix’s Enjoyable French Actioner! Lost Bullet is excellent in entertaining its audience in my opinion with a tight deeply execution of action sequences when the cast are very effective and add good value they make it all work! Former Stuntman Alban Lenoir stars in Guillaume Pierret's feature debut as Lino who's genius mechanic given a jail term for his part in a bungled jewellery store heist and under the wing of a detective soon put in situation were his accuse as chase by the police- must find a lost bullet! Keep your expectations modest and you get more than this action-packed thriller is a summer surprise- explosive and keep you on your toes as fast cars and quick fists come hand in hand:)

Critic Reviews: It's probably one of the best Gallic action movies to come along in a while. This impressively lean French thriller wastes nothing in its quest to deliver the goods. It may not reinvent the standard action formula, but Lost Bullet's relentless pursuit of genre thrills offers a satisfactory low-rent diversion. The story is never groundbreaking, but neither does it undermine the movie's action. Lost Bullet, or Balle Perdue, falls into the latter category; it's a bland, thin, formulaic genre vehicle that sticks around just long enough to be grating before speeding off to an overlooked fate among Netflix's crowded thumbnails. Netflixable? “Lost Bullet” will make you yell “Oh putain, oui!” Even if you don’t speak French, the balls-out French cars-and-criminals thriller “Lost Bullet” will teach you the only three words you need to review it. "Oh putain oui! or as we say in the States “Aw HELL yeah!” Mad Max in the South of France!

Sources: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lost_bullet_2020 https://rogersmovienation.com/2020/06/22/netflixable-lost-bullet-will-make-you-yell-oh-putain-oui/ 

TRAVEL TO PLACES: PHILIPPINES-- ALTRO MONDO CREATIVE SPACE

My Personal Experience: I went to Altro Mondo Creative Space this year January 26, 2020, together with my sister. We went there to take good look to the mini art exhibit within our hotel:) It's been a while since I saw art pieces so this a nice experience indeed also nice way to start the year with new prospective and new vision- creative space alike' change how we see things!

Altro Mondo Creative Space

Altro Mondo Creative Space’s flagship gallery at 1159 Chino Roces Avenue is a state-of-the-art exhibition space dedicated to showing the most cutting-edge contemporary art and sculpture in the country. Since 2010, Altro Mondo has hosted solo and group exhibitions from Filipino and international artists that constantly push the envelope of what it means to be a contemporary art gallery in the Philippines. Altro Mondo continues to expand its horizon by including fresh and new artists to their roster every year. In 2014, it began its artist residency program in Bulacan to hone the skills and talents of seven young artists from the Bulacan State University. The residency program aims to provide young artists with a studio space, a capable mentor, art supplies, and an exhibition schedule for every year under the mentorship in any of the two Altro Mondo galleries. Altro Mondo • Creative Space • Open Mon to Sat – 10:00am to 7:00pm:)

Source: https://altromondo.ph/about-us/

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME

Director: Olivier Megaton

Cast: Edgar Ramírez , Michael Pitt , Anna Brewster , Sean Cameron Michael , Nathan Lynn , Sharlto Copley , Patrick Bergin , Leandie Du Randt , Norman Anstey , James Richard Marshall

Plot: As a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. Graham Bricke (Edgar Ramírez), a career criminal who was never able to hit the big score, teams up with famous gangster progeny Kevin Cash (Michael C. Pitt), and black market hacker Shelby Dupree (Anna Brewster), to commit the heist of the century and the last crime in American history before the signal goes off.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_last_days_of_american_crime

My Movie Review: The movie is a dystopian action thriller that simply set bar low having 0% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score but is still one of its most popular movies and most watched now! The Last Days of American Crime is taking risk putting action fast without having a decent plan to push through what's great about this is spontaneous action but no sense of it's achievement! Edgar Ramírez is looking tough and rough in this sci-fi heist action fantasia about the future of American fascism that often strike with explosions that hit and turn's resulting in few casualties! Michael Pitt and Anna Brewster are introduce to me I never knew this actors exists although its not their first time' this is the time they were recognize as eventually make name in more films:) What I like about this film is how gripping and gritty the action performances as I found myself having a fun watch it is a movie you can turn your brain off and watch the twist unfold its turns:)

More Description: The Last Days of American Crime is a 2020 American action thriller film directed by Olivier Megaton from a screenplay written by Karl Gajdusek, based on Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini's 2009 graphic novel of the same name. It stars Édgar Ramírez, Anna Brewster, Michael Pitt, Patrick Bergin, and Sharlto Copley. It was panned by critics, who labeled it as one of the worst films of all time, and also noted the film's release as unfortunate for coinciding with the George Floyd protests, due to its violent content and depictions of police brutality, and as of July 2020 holds a rare 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In 2024, the U.S. government prepares to activate the American Peace Initiative (API) signal, “synaptic blocker” that will prevent the population from breaking the law. In Detroit, Graham Bricke leads a crew of bank robbers including his brother Rory, who begins a prison sentence. The API signal is tested while Bricke’s crew robs a bank, and one of the thieves Rory has killed himself in prison!

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Days_of_American_Crime

TRAVEL TO PLACES: PHILIPPINES-- THE PICASSO BOUTIQUE RESIDENCES

My Personal Experience: I went to The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences this new year January 26, 2020, together with my sister and her husband. We went there to stay-cation for two days and explore the city in a light as this part of Makati has hidden gems we found closer! The Picasso is more than a hotel its a place that breath art in walls and allow creativity to flow:)

The Picasso Boutique Residences

The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences- The Art of Great Stays! Explore fascinating design, flawless comforts, and the art of great stays only at The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences. Ideally located at a prestigious address in the city where everything from bustling business centers, exceptional dining spots, entertainment establishments and trendy shopping malls are easily accessible' making The Picasso as perfect for all kinds of guests and travelers!

Source: https://www.picassomakati.com/