Ben Dares All

MUSICA FEUROPA 12 - A VIRTUAL CHORAL FESTIVAL  AND CONCERT OF CHAMPIONS  ALL SET FOR MAY 15, 22, 29 and 30 Musica FEUROPA, Far Eastern University’s annual choral festival with the European Union Delegation in the Philippines as its principal partner proudly presents Musica FEUropa 12,  a virtual series of concerts  for the first time on  May 15, 22, 29 and 30, 2021. Musica FEUROPA 12  will celebrate the power of music  with choral groups sharing  their virtual performances  to showcase both Philippine and European pieces for the  public to see, hear and enjoy. Musica FEUROPA  aims to elevate the standards of participating choirs by using the European guidelines for competitions. It prepares Filipino choirs to participate in European choral competitions and fosters an openness to cultural exchange.    The main purpose of Musica FEUROPA is to make it one of the definitive festivals in the choral circuit, first in...

(March 10, 2020) I know of the Bloodshot comic series (and his signature look) but I've never actually read an issue. I went in the movie blind and... was quite entertained. The first part had me going, yeeeeah, I've seen this before. Then I blinked and whoa! Still, I went, yeeeeeah, saw that before too... But they ramped up the visuals and the action and, yeeeeah, y'know, I'm totally into it now! Hehe Bloodshot is a surprise. A nigh unstoppable, action-packed surprise. Give it a shot!   (To those who saw it, confirm for me, the truck had flour? It would have been explosive then!)

(February 28, 2020) No extra scene at the end! It's tough to do to tongue-in-cheek modern fantasy. References are either too vague or too specific, which gets fantasy fans wary. Pixar's Onward mostly pushes those elements in the background, which makes for Swiss cheese world building, when you look at it too closely. No worries though, since the story is about kids and their parents (yes, it's NOT just about their dad. The mom has her time too). But then it's also not. It's about clinging to a fantasy, even the illusion of hope, and having to let it go in the face to reality. Yeah, even with the comedy (the bridge scene had the audience howling), I still cried. Once with tears (not at the expected part though) and twice with vision just getting blurry. When Onward tells you to feel the magic, it's really the magic of feelings. Darn you, Pixar, you did it to me again. (Just don't ever let me down the way The Good Dinosaur did.)

(February 15, 2020) Mid credits scene! Now they HAVE to make a sequel! Please please please! I'm more of a Sonic (Archie and IDW) comics fan but with all the media adaptations (Adventures of, SatAM, Sonic Underground, Sonic Boom) and various games, interpretations of the hedgehog are wildly varied yet acceptable. The film had the nods and references (art, food, game bits) for long time fans but this movie version is aimed to introduce Sonic to a younger crowd.   This one might be Sonic the H-----hog to some, since he lost some of his 'edge' without the dystopian upbringing and getting a less dangerous type of Robotnik. But he's still got a chunk of attitude and is keeping his cool (is the floss still in?) and, yes, he does look amazing with the electric blue lightning motif. You get smart remarks and decent action sequences. The studio played it safe for this introduction but they got the basic core. Hope we get the rest. I'm glad I didn't have...

(February 6, 2020) Again, secret bonus voiceover at the very end! Not essential but still funny. Don't be left hanging! I'm fine with changes in translating the comic medium to different media (say, the Young Justice show) but sometimes, some things somehow surprise. I won't say which details (howcouldyoudothistoher?!?) but some bits are quite positive (bestversionIveseensofaracutabovetherest). The Harley Quinn movie (if we're being honest, c'mon) is a blast. An explosively hot mess but that's her branding, role model or no. A bit better than Suicide Squad but, with the rating, the direct to DVD movie and show had a bit mores extra. The Birds of Prey might have deserved better but Harley Quinn herself is revving it up. Oh, movie Cassandra is Filipina?

(January 20, 2020) I will confess to not seeing the other Bad Boys movies.  Shame that Martin Lawrence didn't explode like how Will Smith did.  That new team they showed midway seems to be a launchpad to continue the franchise but I guess it wasn't good (or bad) enough for that.  Yeah, I did not feel a connection to this sequel.  

(January 18, 2020) My goodness, it's waaay too early in the year for a movie of the year candidate. But if there is to be one, the year is 1917. This movie is relentless! I swear, the director is showing off! Sure, he cheats sometimes but, my goodness, the detail, the pacing, the placing, the fear one is facing. Brace yourself for a nigh nonstop, heart stopping war drama that can't be topped (so far). There's even surprises along the way. Time might not be on their side but 1917 itself is timeless. A masterpiece that is truly 'moving'.

(January 18, 2020) Not very gentle but The Gentlemen is a man's man film. Or a guy's Guy film, because it's totally a Guy Ritchie movie. Convolution, confrontations, intrigue and excess, it's a trademark style that's furious, funny and in your face. Those familiar with Ritchie's films won't be surprised by the surprises because they already know they're in for a wild ride. For first timers, enjoy! (Though I still can't get over what they did to Henry, geez, haha!)

(January 18, 2020) It's Michael B. Jordan taking meaty roles to show he's not just a piece of beef, hehe. I feel that Just Mercy didn't actually lay the racial discrimination angle enough and was more of obstruction of justice. But, y'know, that might actually be a good thing, since this is based on real events and the less evidence of bigotry in real life, the better. Great drama. If only people didn't need to be reminded of the evils of being racist.

(January 15, 2020) I will admit to hiding behind my bag in terror while watching this new Grudge, haha. Yes, you KNOW when the jumpscares are coming but you still enjoy yourself (if you enjoy being scared out of your chair, that is, haha). Which is why, even though there's nothing really new introduced, The Grudge 2020 is still a frightful fun watch. (I mean, it's a remake, sequel, remequel. Expect the usual because expectations must be met.)

(January 12, 2020) Richard Jewell has the slow and deliberate pace of Eastwood's style. For an incident that sparked a explosion, the media circus and impact is quite quieter and more toned down than expected.

(October 22, 2019) Extra scene at the very end! Stay until all the credits are done! That said, Zombieland 2 Taps feels less sentimental than the first but has balanced humor all the same. It's silly but not stupid. And even the stupid is funny.   (and, my gosh, is Madison ever so funny!) (but my favorite part is still after the yeti crush. Double double tap!)

(September 3, 2019) The first part was better.  Somehow, the adults just didn't handle It as well.  Some changes were good, some were just strange. But Stephen King made an appearance so I guess he approved of all the changes.  

(August 11, 2019)   Extra celebration scene at the very end of the credits! Not story essential though.   I watched some Dora the Explorer (by osmosis) so I picked up on the broader jokes in the film. I was more excited about seeing Dora develop into a great action adventurer in her own right but it was the short high school hijinks that made me feel for her. More focus on either or would be great in the future. CGI Swiper pulls off a fantastic mister mugger fox, hehe Could have been much better with actual danger and less baggage.  I think I would have preferred the adventure aspect to have been played straight.

(August 7, 2019) Well, there's certain folks I would tell to watch this movie... but they might wonder why, hehe. At times, I too would like to throw my shoes and take the stairs. Well, maybe not throw my shoes, haha. The metaphors nestled in the film made me happy, hehe.     ---    After the Wedding pertains to more than just the celebrated event hoping to go through without a hitch.  It’s a dramatic take on desperation and manipulation, presented by the female leads who display their emotions in varyingly effective ways, to the point that relatability would reach an uncomfortable level.  There were several misleading moments where the audio hints at possible sinister happenings so it is slightly unsatisfying when expectations are not quite met.  Tossing your shoes and taking the stairs may alleviate your frustration at the secret keeping, though some secrets are more obvious than others.     The metaphors nestled i...

(August 2, 2019) It's nature gone wild and the wild unleashed! It's a good, old fashioned man vs wild done as an action horror thriller. Yes, lots of jump scares, hehe.   Make no mistake, the action and intensity barely slows to a 'crawl'. Watch it for a scream. A whole bunch of screams! Enjoyed this one.  And they aren't even mutated types of crocs. 

(July 31, 2019) Don't forget! Bonus scene at the END of the credits! With mid credits scenes too. (Are they trying to be a marvelous movie? They have the surprise guest star types for it. But if they're going to be DC-erning about it, then, no it's not black Superman. It's more midnight black. The Midnighter to be exact. Just minus the weakness) Enjoyed this one but it was more of a vehicle for Dwayne Johnson than Jason Statham.  Statham should have had more part of it. Also, that other wrestler stuck out a lot.  If he was going to be seen that much, he should have been given more to do.

(July 13, 2019) Yesterday was a breezy, gleeful experience. I wasn't there for the love story (why the heck did she do that then, at that point?! Seriously? Manipulative! Haha) but I imagined myself in Jack's shoes, dreaming up the possibilities in a world without certain elements (he could have done so much more! I swear!). Hearing the lyrics presented as such gave me a deeper appreciation for the impact of The Beatles on the world. Would have liked to see more of the sci-fi to it, Twilight Zone or no. The second manager was a hoot. Loved her. Ed Sheeran was a darling and I don't believe that he would have done that thing that he did. No WAY would he behave like that! Haha

(June 28, 2019) Best romantic comedy, action vacation movie of 2019! So far, anyway. Two extra scenes! One mid credits and one at the very, very end. The last one has repercussions that could affect real life, regretfully. Such a shame. This movie isn't a superhero movie, at least, not at the start. It's a Peter Parker movie and it's hilariously sweet. Just hormones with some the power and responsibility. Add Jake Gyllenhaal in a suit being awesome and, wow, complete package. The action is akin to a rollercoaster, swinging every which way but just going to the top. If possible, watch it with surround sound. The special effects are... unbelievable.   The first scene just kills it too. My goodness. Brings a tear to my eye.

(June 26, 2019)     I enjoyed the Annabelle sequel for the involuntary covering-my-face-with-my-bag and unavoidable manly screaming. Yeah, they're dropping the pretense of supernatural depth for a horror house thrill ride experience. Just watch it with (jumpy) friends for maximum enjoyment, hehe.   

(June 21, 2019)    Just a creepy song at the end.  Yeah, they removed the fantasy magic aspect of the story.  It's a regular machine goes berserk type of story.  Interesting kills.  Sorry to see Aubrey Plaza as a mom, haha.  Mark Hamill voicing Chuckie is just normal though.

(June 16, 2019) Turns out a didn't make a post about it because the live action movie wasn't very good.  Shame because Colin Farrell was in it.  Riding Dumbo while flying was ridiculous to see.  

(May 16, 2019) Avengers Endgame reference! Avengers Endgame refereeeeeence! Well, no, it's not really a reference. Just a coincidence. Because The Sun is Also a Star is about coincidences... or is it the stars aligning? The hook pulls you in, especially if you're a romantic or a cynic. Can you make someone fall in love with you in one day? Or less? There are steps listed and, well, whoa. Be prepared for some pretty montages and music. Also clutching your heart, haha. The guy is Korean btw. Korea has background history on hair? Interesting.

(May 11, 2019) I was wincing at the first three encounters (the historical and the unstable like ones) but after being desensitized, I was cheering at every creative kill, creature or otherwise.  Wick is unstoppable!  Prepare for War ping your sense squeamishness at violence.  First, you can't stand it.  Then, you want more, haha Mark Dacascos is still active!  Halle Berry though, eh.  She was trying to hard.

No bonus scene at the end! Just special credits.   Cried three times (well, two and a half times). Love all the callbacks. But, still, Infinity War was better.

Issue 12

11 Missing page 7 - Kenneth meets with Annie on the bridge

Issue 10