Gifted: A very special big-screen present for families, from 20th Century Fox!

So many thoughts are swirling on my mind and I just don't know how to start this movie review. All I know is that I absolutely loved Warner Brothers Philippines / 20th Century Fox Philippines latest gift for my family and I: invites to the exclusive premier night screening of 'Gifted' movie. Let me try to jot down some of the things running into my head right now: 

1. Kenna make my heart sing? She sure ken! I can't believe that my newest life idol is a little girl in the person of McKenna Grace! Her superb, truly flawless acting makes my heart sing, and one blog post is not enough to describe how she has mesmerised us viewers! A breath of fresh air, she truly deserves this role. She just has the most beautiful face I've ever seen, and keep it up little girl, you will soon be the next big star, with the face of a blonde Anne Hathaway. If stats for Google searches for McKenna Grace skyrocketed, you can attribute some of it to me. I loved this young superstar in the movie; I could not think of any other child actress who can give life to "Mary" the way she did. Plus, her chemistry with her onscreen uncle, Chris Evans is arresting that you forget it's a movie; you'd think they've known each other for McKenna's lifetime. And Mary, that mathematics doyen and her two missing front teeth couldn't get any cuter! (Since I went ballistic googling about McKenna Grace who portrays math prodigy Mary after seeing the movie, I've watched a few of her promos for the movie and with her wits and mature stature, her real nature isn't far from her big screen persona). I am certain once you see this heart-warming movie, you will fall in love with this precious, endearing and vivacious little girl too! 

2. Chris Evans as Frank Adler. He and his sexy, rock-hard abs didn't appeal to me back when he shot into stardom as the cocky 'Human Torch' from the Fantastic Four franchise. When he moved on to becoming an Avenger (and how he betrayed Tony), I truly abhorred him. So how ironic is it that I have now fallen in love with Chris Evans in his humble role and yet I have fallen in love with him? In the movie, Chris Evans shows a surprisingly gentle side to him as he portrays the guardian and uncle of math prodigy, Mary Aileen. Since I can't spoil it all for you, let me just share this still, from of my most favourite scenes!

3. Jordan Ellenburg. What I loved about this movie apart from how it grips your heart, is how factual its phantasm is... how truly profound the struggle of a single uncle is, how his beauty shines through the magic of what makes his niece extra special. Thanks to Jordan Ellenburg who has shared not just his mind but also his heart to make the movie dynamic and realistic, the movie lets you into the reality of how it is to have a gifted child, and the struggles of those who truly care, versus those who just see a resource and aim to exploit it, for the so-called greater picture. Indeed, quite a lot to digest. And I can't even digest a basic algebra problem! 

4. The Navier Stokes. Now, on to more stuff my puny brain and I just can't handle. This movie puts on the microscope on an unsolved mystery in the world of mathematics, one of the six problems left out of the seven Millenium Prize Problems yet to be explained. This involves how pressure, velocity, temperature and density of a moving fluid are related. Such a beautifully mysterious concept was chosen by the movie writer, Tom Flynn because of the important consequences it could have in the real world if it were solved, such as the physical phenomena, turbulence, which is of critical importance to engineers and scientists. Concepts like this are still not fully understood in terms of mathematical equations, and perhaps the solution to the Navier-Stokes would shed light to this. And this is why, ladies and gentlemen, I stick to hosting and writing. I do not understand one bit these bizarre symbols and all. All I know is that this movie is a solution to all your blues; watch it; more than a movie it's like a big, big hug to all those whose life centres around a young child, gifted or not, and the sacrifices it entails and the mistakes and triumphs along the way. 

I am no mathematical doyen, but I am a self-declared movie virtuoso; for it doesn't take a genius to know if a movie is worth the spend! For a feel-good and truly delightful time with your loved ones, watch Gifted in your favorite Ayala Mall soon! I would highly suggest you enjoy it soon at my newest favorite Ayala Mall, The 30th!

Thanks for dropping by; hope you like my review as much as I loved the movie! Please do click on these other links below, for more about my life and experiences as a Gifted (I'd like to think that, LOL) professional events host / emcee: 
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Disturbia? Disturb... Yeah! My Movie Review for the best psycho-thriller film ever, 'A cure for wellness'

Hauntingly beautiful. Doesn't this image just haunt and taunt you?

Driving along C5 Avenue daily for work, I noticed lately the billboard promoting the movie, ‘A Cure for Wellness’ and from the title alone, I found myself so intrigued by this film. Days after I couldn't get that billboard ad off my brain, I was extended invites by 20th Century Fox's awesome Mae Vecina and President, Francis Soliven. My family and I were simply so happy and blessed to be able to watch this film with my family. The movie will give you the kind of jolt you need for this Valentine's week! And guys - trust me, if you want your girls clinging to you all through the film, bring her to this to cap off Valentine's week! 

Going back to the movie, which boasts of all the elements of a thriller only a notch higher, this promises an intense, almost alluring richness that will tell you that something's up. I appreciated the cinematographic aesthetics as the film takes places in a remote, palatial asylum, that like a wave, drives you in and then suddenly pulls you down. It follows the story of Lockhart, a young and ambitious Wall Street guy whose life spirals down after anomalies sprung from his apparent achievements and this sends him chasing their firm's head honcho, only to find himself in an accident, and then locked up, learning that like the rest - he belonged there. 

Like the rest contained in there looking for the ‘cure,’ he struggles for breath, for sanity as he is drawn deeper into the darkness - and I mean this also figuratively. Lockhard strives to still take heart while he treads upon sinister secret after vile secret of the place, even saving the enigmatic Hanna, a child of incest, portrayed by Mia Goth (shining in her absurd, eyebrow-less beauty, making her perfect for the role; same girl from the movie Nymphomaniac, yet another psycho-sounding film). Love story brewing? Well, that is for you to find out! It's now open in cinemas nationwide and my friends are raving about it too after diving deeper in this ‘evil spa,’ peppered with amusing scenes (like who can forget those aqua aerobics frames), let it drive you mad with excitement!

Do you have an illness? Well, if you do have an EEL-ness, this movie sure to cure it. As in make your heart stop. Sounds eerie? More like EEL-ie... Yes you can expect deliciously absurd images like this that tickle your fancy... and frenzy! Eels in a tub... anyone??? Can be rather romantic!

Arson... nefarious... incest... insanity... and perhaps you can throw Love in the mix. In the movie, you will certainly find all the things that we pretend we don't like all in one film; or just one thrilling ride! I guess since I cannot destroy the film for you and tell you the story, let me just relate it with my life. Maybe the reason why I was so drawn to this splendid film was because like them, I too am looking for a cure. The fulfilment of a dream you just can't seem to give birth too.You know it's there, within, but you just can't let it out. You keep running in circles, keep using excuses and at the end of the day, and during the wee small hours of the morning, it's there, it continues to haunt you, and will you prevail over it? Or will I never get hold of the cure that i know is right in front of me - but I just have so many reasons for not doing it. Prodding deeper, you don't have to go to the exquisite setting, the Swiss Alps to realize that we all live in an asylum. On the greater scheme of things, isn't what this world is all about? Monsters lurk in every corner, and no one gets out of here alive. I mean, think about it. 

Back to my journey, I am at a point wherein I have tried every single 'cure' but I find myself back to the basics... that nothing can truly 'cure' me until I finally accomplished what as a child I have known myself to do. Right now, I pester myself with excuses, instead of writing and writing like how I want it. The problem is, I don't do the same thing again and again... like what this guy had done... 

I don't know about your journey, but this movie right smack reminds me about mine. Enjoy, and for once, go insane. You know you want to. 

From Darkness to Light: Assassin's Creed ignites the big screen this 2017 (A Movie Review)

Lightyears better than a recent highly-anticipated movie (let’s just say my expectations were so high until I went ‘Rogue’ for this movie was a total sleep-inducer), Assassin’s Creed is certainly the movie that we all should watch out for this 2017! This snapshot should excite you as it harks us back to enigmatic Andalucia, Spain, 500 years ago... 

Thanks to the wonderful guys from 20^th Century Fox (shoutout to Sir Francis Soliven and Ms. Mae Vecina), my family and I were treated to a night of thrill, an experience like no other especially since the Assassin’s Creed VIP screening was held in a Dolby Atmos theater, making us feel like we were running and fighting alongside the movie’s awesome characters!  Adapted from Ubisoft's successful video game franchise, Assassin's Creed truly 'kills' it! Since I know you will all watch Assassin’s Creed, I won’t 'kill' it for you with spoilers; I will simply summarise its best points with my C.R.E.E.D.:

Creativity – clever at every manner you look at it, what I liked about it the most was how it entwined history with fantasy! The Assasins and the Knights Templar were real people. It all began with the Hashashins of Nizari Islam from which the term ‘assassin’ originates from. On the other side of the spectrum were the Knights Templar, by contrast, was a Christian order established for nearly two centuries during the Middle Ages. Officially sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church, Templar membership included some of the most important and feared figures of the age, and the group held enormous power and influence until its dissolution in 1312. Its sudden disbanding at the height of its power led to a belief that the organisation had simply gone underground, where it continued to exert its influence. ‘C’ may also stand for Covert… and Cosplay! Speaking of Cosplay, here I am posing with the Assassins… as their newest recruit, perhaps? 

Resonance – I am not just talking about the total experience, that delights your senses at every scene. Yes the Dolby Atmos theater complemented the experience. But more than the outward sensibilities, I loved how the movie resonated the most complex ideologies and problems that have beset mankind for years. Underneath all that perfect cinematography and action scenes (thumbs up for the awesome stunts), what gave the movie heart was the depth of the issues: violence, obedience, Free Will. Indeed, is it truly right to fight for freedom, the chance to decide for ourselves, or would the world be a better place under one ruler?

Excitement – the movie has been more than what you’d expect from a video game adaptation. Excitement at every angle, the movie would keep you at the edge of your seats! Makes me wanna take up Parkour and Spanish lessons Pronto!

Engagement – Jeremy Irons, who played the role of Alan Rikkin, made me think when he spoke of how the Knights Templars had manipulated the world through the centuries using Religion, Politics and now, Consumerism and Science. It really makes you think… hasn’t such really been the case? Perhaps we are all just accessories and spectators of the few who run the show; that we are all powerless unless someone decides that it is our 'time.' I guess we will never know who runs the show; all I know is that you can't miss Assassin's Creed for you'll agree with me that it's one spectacular show!

Direction – In terms of cinematographic value, the movie was such a pleasant delight. Michael Fassbender did not just give justice to his role, Cal and his ancestor, Aguilar, but also gave him character. Fassbender, by the way is one of the producers of the film (so he has so much to prove not just as the lead actor). I would say all the characters were superb, the stunts were seamless (that it made me want to actually try those at home, LOL) and the story, fluid. What I did expect though, was a more defined ending, for my mind was processing all the action, but couldn’t reconcile the closing scenes of Cotillard and Fassbender. I think they could’ve added more dialogue. Here's another provocative scene from the movie... 

Please watch Assassin’s Creed when it opens this JANUARY 4, 2017! For a complete experience, best to watch it in your favorite Dolby Atmos or 4D cinema, and get your family, hoodies, swords and knives ready for the most thrilling action film of 2017! Thanks for visiting!
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