The Dx Matilla Show

Lifestyle Monday: Staycation at the 6-star Maxims Tower
Photography Tuesday: A Day at the Bund
Anything Goes Wednesday: The Mind Museum at Taguig
Tech Thursday
FOOD FRIDAY: P.F. Chang's Philippines out to change the game
DEX N MUT: BEST BULALO IN TOWN: Bulalo with rice all you can

Review: John Carter (Philstar.com)

Posted by DX - - 0 comments

By Dexter Rodrigo Matilla

MANILA, Philippines - John Carter’s mission is not to save the day and win the girl. No, that would be too easy. Rather, his herculean task as he makes his big leap from the pages of Edgar Rice Burroughs 100-year-old novels and into the big screen is to both win the new generation of film “critics” over and launch Taylor Kitsch as the next big action star.

Because based on film trailers and stills, it’s easy to dismiss director Adam Stanton’s “John Carter” as another all-special effects action film that borrows elements from some of the more successful sci-fi films of the past decade. And in some moments, it seemingly does. When we first meet John Carter, he is a 19th century Virginia man who has seen his share of action in the Civil War and is apparently being “recruited” to fight once again for a cause even though Carter insists that whatever debt he has to society, it is already paid in full.

[ Read More ]

Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Philstar.com)

Posted by DX - - 0 comments

By Dexter Rodrigo Matilla

(Philstar.com)

Whenever a movie comes out and it makes reference to the World Trade Center attacks, in part or in whole, a question of whether it is “too soon” should probably be considered. After all, that was just over a decade ago and the images of that day may still be vivid in the minds of people all over the world—even more so for those who lost someone dear to them on September 11, 2001.

It is a coping mechanism of sorts, perhaps, that has stood true throughout time. People somehow find solace in entertainment, movies in particular, when tragedy strikes. It is for them a means of remembrance and in this instance, a way of honoring the innocent lives lost.

In “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”, Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) honors the memory of his father, jeweler Thomas Schell (Tom Hanks) by simply finding the lock to akey he believes was left for him by the only parent he believes truly understands him. Oskar, as the audience will soon realize, is a hyper-active boy who’s wise beyond his years and his extremely loud behavior in the film tends to be incredibly close to being overbearing. His mother Linda Schell (Sandra Bullock) is left to deal with Oskar’s quirks mostly by her lonesome and this means letting the young boy go off on his journey across all five boroughs of New York City to find the person whose last name is written on the envelope that contained the key.

[ Read More ]

Review: My Week with Marilyn (Philstar.com)

Posted by DX - - 0 comments

By Dexter Rodrigo Matilla

(Philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - Hollywood's obsession with Marilyn Monroe is undeniable and the various biopics and documentaries centering on the gone-too-soon sexpot is evidence of it.

I got to watch "Norma Jean & Marilyn" on HBO prior to the Philippine press screening of "My Week with Marilyn" at the Greenbelt 3 MyCinema and while two actresses--Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino--were needed to bring the enigmatic titular character to life in the former, it was enough for one Michelle Williams to endear Marilyn to me in this reincarnation by The Weinstein Company.

But while Monroe remains the centerpiece of this film, the narrator this time is upstart twenty-three year old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), the son of an esteemed art historian, and one who definitely doesn't need the salary yet nevertheless shows perseverance in landing a job in the next Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) film.

[ Read More ]

Skullcandy is ready to rock as it launches its 2012 collection

Posted by DX - - 0 comments

Filipinos love music. Period. And our taste in music spans across a wide range of genre. Nowadays, the brand and style of headphones or earphones one uses is a statement all to itself and with the launch of Skullcandy's latest line, there's now more reason for Filipinos to love music and be stylish at the same time.

“Filipinos have extensively patronized our products. The love for music and style is so intertwined, it’s fascinating,” says Skullcandy’s Business Development Manager, Kris Altenburger. He adds, “Even Ellen Degeneres confirms (on Twitter) that some of the best singers are actually from this part of the globe. In addition, Filipinos are renowned creators and consumers of music, and there is definitely a natural affinity between the Philippines and Skullcandy.”

Skullcandy’s line of products involves earphones and earbuds, on-ear headphones, and over-ear headphones. Some headphones come with built-in microphones that can be used with multimedia phones, or MP3 players. Similar to the headphones, earphones can be customized for that perfect fit, as some have interchangeable buds. They also offer optimum sound, from controllable subwoofers, to noise-reduction headphones, to iPod controls.

Ron Basilio, Marketing Manager of Rains International Corporation, Skullcandy’s local distributor, shares his thrill for the expansion plans. “We are in touch with many retail outlets, malls, and specialty shops to make Skullcandy accessible for more Filipinos to enjoy. We live and breathe music, so there’s always a need for quality audio products, and that’s what we have for them.”

Skullcandy is now widely available in 59 stores nationwide. This 2012, Rains International projects that it will be located in at least 300 stores within Metro Manila, and 50 stores in the provinces.

“Skullcandy’s partnership with Rains International reinforces our commitment to further expand the brand and align ourselves in markets that reflect our passion for sound, sport, and fashion. We believe Rains has the market experience, knowledge, and reach that will enable our goal of becoming a music and fashion staple among Filipinos,” Altenburger says.

Living up to its mantra, “every revolution needs a soundtrack,” Skullcandy comes fit for everyone with different lifestyles. The skull logo has become an icon, a rebellion that demands a control for a personal music experience.

And now, my faves in no particular order:

ICON2 Gridlock w/mic

Agent Terje

Aviator Brown

Aviator White

FMJ Chrome w/mic

[ Read More ]

Video: Federer, Djokovic on the helipad of Burj Al Arab

Posted by DX - - 0 comments

A handout picture made available on February 26, 2012 from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship shows world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Swiss Roger Federer (L) pose for a picture at the helipad on top of the Burj Al-Arab Hotel in Dubai ahead of the ATP Dubai Open that will start on February 27. (Photo by Ho/ Dubai Duty Free Open == Restricted To Editorial Use - Mandatory Credit "afp Photo /" - No Marketing No Advertising Campaigns - Distributed As A Service To Clients ==/AFP/Getty Images)

Well it's been a while since my last post. I have been very busy with a lot of things including my photography studio and settling in at Philstar.com.

I just came across this video today and I thought it was really cool. World number one Novak Djokovic and world number three Roger Federer on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab to promote the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

I had actually planned on going this year after a high school friend of mine invited me last year. After being bummed out big time by Federer's withdrawal from the 2011 Shanghai Masters, which I saw live, I thought the Dubai Championships be the best chance of seeing him, Novak, and maybe even Rafa. But then again, there's always next year. For now, enjoy the vid. And whatever rumor is floating around that Novak and Roger aren't exactly in good terms should be squashed as it's clear they respect each other a lot.

[ Read More ]