The RAMP at CROSSINGS in Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Takes more than combat gear to make a man

Takes more than a license for a gun

Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can

A gentleman will walk but never run

–Sting

A male model strides across the ramp wearing a coat, an umbrella in hand. While shooting, a different soundtrack in my head starts: “Englishman in New York” by Sting.  THE RAMP at Crossings, Daniel Hechter, DEBENHAMS even Marks and Spencer will do that to you even if it’s just clothes other men are wearing. Also Sting really IS set to invade our fair city on December 9, 2012. The venue was moved to SMART Araneta because of the previous venues’ policy on pine trees. It really does take more than combat gear to make a man. Sting takes a real stand for the environment.

Marks & Spencer at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Daniel Hechter at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fortunately looking more gentlemanly this holiday season is a lot easier. Brands like Ben Sherman, Mossimo Dutti, ZARA, Debenhams, Topshop, Mango, Warehouse, Gap, K & Co, Mico Boutique, Celine, Celio, Onitsuka Tiger, Bauhaus, Nautica, Ben Sherman, Original Penguin, and Anthem all came together for a fashion show entitled Season of Opulence held at the Shangri La Plaza Grand Atrium last November 18.

Daniel Hechter at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Daniel Hechter has the classic jacket in greys and blue shirts. The cut and fit seems to be slimming and comfortable at the same time. For someone always on his feet like me, the more comfortable sneakers paired with them also in grey are ideal. Thank you to French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Makalintal who explained that the brand is pronounced as: heshtehh. Martin also took some commendable pictures of the fashion show.

Daniel Hechter at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

The RAMP at CROSSINGS in Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

THE RAMP at Crossings has more contrasty color palette with black jackets and white shirts. The cuts are more reminiscent of an Italian style. It’s not all about the suits however, there’s also the casual shirt with vest, which looks great for a date night. There are also the tan shimmering jackets, which reminds me of places like Monaco or some high end resort in the Mediterranean.

The RAMP at CROSSINGS in Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

ZARA at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

ZARA definitely caught my eye with strong 70’s influence but still very much up to date. The vibe is very Lenny Kravitz, a rock star known for his retro style. The green plaid suit with a bow tie seems like a misfit on paper. Seeing the model wear it with a fedora hat also in green plaid is just plain cool, everything works. This is also the same brand that had the model pair an umbrella with a dark pea coat.

ZARA at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Mossimo Dutti at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Hats are not the only interesting accessory, satchels can also be seen in several brands. In the comedy blockbuster The Hangover, Alan Garner is a special child who describes himself as a ‘stay at home son.’ He was able to justify the satchel to men across the world in a way high-end designers have not. Actor Zach Galifianakis uttered his famous line to Bradley Cooper, “It’s where I keep all my things. I get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it’s not a purse it’s a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one.”

Mossimo Dutti at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Ben Sherman at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Ben Sherman may have the most wearable clothes for Phil. weather, in spite of being a British brand. According to Wikipedia, founder Arthur Sugarman based the brand on what “1960s London based modern jazz fans were eagerly buying: the Oxford-cloth American button down shirt brands.” This was because they were worn by visiting American jazz artists (who later on became legends) like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson. To this day you can still see the 60’s shapes, colors and that ‘jazz’ influence in the current Ben Sherman collection.

Ben Sherman at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Celio* at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Interestingly enough Sting came from a punk and reggae based sound in his POLICE days. When he started his solo career in the late 80’s he also developed a very strong jazz influence, which he combined with hip-hop, electronica. Now I understand that line. When you look good in these clothes, “A gentleman will walk but never run.”

For inquiries, contact 633-7851 loc.113 or log on to http://www.shangrila-plaza.com. Add Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook: shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage.

Celio* at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

DEBENHAMS at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Bauhaus at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Bauhaus at Shangri La Plaza’s Season of Opulence Fashion show last Nov 18, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

This time they have a video of their misdeeds from a cell phone. From left: Allan (Zach Galifianakis), Teddy (Mason Lee), Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Doug (Justin Bartha)

Written by

Jude Bautista

Whatever you think Hangover 2 has in store, it exceeds the mayhem of the original multiplied by ten. Hangover captured everyone’s inner demon to let go, get crazy and wild…THEN completely forget about it. It’s the bachelor party from hell that also has an element of mystery as the guys start piecing together what happened the morning after. When they discover a Canon point and shoot camera that took all of the pics during their wild night it shows them the gory details of what transpired. This time they have a video captured with a cell phone. The video is an example of the elevation of action and violence as their drunken party encounters riot police complete with shields, helmets and batons right in the heart of Bangkok’s red light district.

from left the bald Allan, Phil, the Monkey and Stu

There’s tremendous pressure for director Todd Phillips to equal the enormous critical and commercial success of the original. Hangover won a Golden Globe for Best Film – Comedy or Musical and had gross earnings of over 277 million while having a modest budget of 35 million. It has become the top grossing film of all time with an R rating. The film was so successful it launched the career of comedian Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, Justin Bartha and Ed Helms. Bradley Cooper was the only real leading man material before The Hangover took off. Bartha has had previous leading role in ‘The Rebound’ while Ed Helms is known for theU.S.version of ‘The Office.’ In one way or another, Phillips’ films explore the nature of male relationships, and in doing so he has worked with some ofHollywood’s biggest comedic actors, writing and directing such films as “Old School,” in 2003; “Starsky & Hutch,” in 2004; and “School for Scoundrels,” in 2006.  Phillips was nominated for a 2006 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on “Borat.”

Ed Helms as Stu gets married in Hangover 2

This time Dr. Stewart Price or Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married inThailandto his young fiancé Lauren (Jamie Chung). The setting is a spectacular resort with crystal clear waters, blue skies, and sandy beaches as the Thai family is well off. The coastal cliffs are very much like Palawan here in the Philippines. Before they leave Tracy (Sasha Barrese) Doug’s wife begs him to invite her brother Allan to the wedding. In spite of their good judgment they relent and even personally invite him. Stu (Ed Helms), Doug (Justin Bartha) and Phil (Bradley Cooper) go into Allan’s room and get the shock of their lives. The pictures from their wild bachelor party are all in poster sized prints and framed covering almost every inch of the walls. In the center on one wall is a giant Billy Joel poster from the ‘Glass Houses’ album. Allan describes himself as a ‘Stay at home son’. Later in the film Stu plays the guitar and narrates their misadventures to the tune of Joel’s ‘Allentown.’ He had a similar scene in Hangover one when he played the piano to sing about ‘Tiger dreams.’ Zach Galifianakis in real life is the one who incorporates piano music during his stand up routines.

There was a huge poster of Billy Joel's Glass Houses in Alan's room. i love this particular album too, I'm just as special as Alan.

More action, more chase scenes in Hangover 2 (L-r) ZACH GALIFIANAKIS as Alan, MASON LEE as Teddy, ED HELMS as Stu and BRADLEY COOPER as Phil in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ comedy “THE HANGOVER PART II,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Instead of a tiger for this version Allan becomes very much attached to an adorable monkey with remarkably human abilities. One of the most unforgettable action sequences is a car chase scene. Chow is at the wheel going a hundred miles per hour in the alleyways and crowded streets ofBangkok. The car hits a raw pig and bathes Stu in pig’s blood. The car then speeds over a ramp that makes it fly over a river. Chow being an international criminal screams while driving, “I have such an erection right now!”

Ken Jeong as Leslie Chow in Hard Rock sweat shirt

The nudity in both Hangover films is not confined to the ladies. Zach showed his unattractive and (overweight) backside previously. This time we get an even more generous helping of Ken Jeong’s full frontal nudity. Just as in Zach’s case it was anything but flattering, which makes it insanely funny. In an interview with Conan O’Brien he was asked if he’s had nude scenes apart from the movie.  Ken said, “Oddly enough no, they don’t like small dongs in porn. I’d think there’d be a micro fetish somewhere. No one’s really asked me. I’m oddly disappointed.” Conan noticed, “Yes, your laughing is turning into crying.” Ken replied, “But back to the vaginas!” They then talked about the ‘medical miracles’ (as Ken called them) they witnessed in Bangkok where they did tricks with the female organ.

From right: Chow laughs at Allan

Jeong is actually a medical doctor by profession and was cast in his first film “Knocked Up” directed by Judd Apatow. Seth Rogan later told him he got the part because he looked like a stressed out doctor “And I was” confessed Jeong. His character also has the most memorable lines. For this film in the beginning he tells the guys while laughing, “You guys texted me and said you’re looking to party. I picked you up with my boat and brought you here to Bangkok. We had a sick night bitches! Holla, City of Squalor!”

The gang in Bangkok's red light district (L-r) ED HELMS as Stu, BRADLEY COOPER as Phil and ZACH GALIFIANAKIS as Alan in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ comedy “THE HANGOVER PART II,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Zach Galifianakis

I’m not writing anything, their faces say everything.

Don’t miss Hangover2’s opening this week though.

Watch out for my full review.

As Peter Seller's would say "The Minkey.. The Minkey!"

Ken Jeong is actually a WWF wrestler

Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr. - left) discovers the road trip partner from hell, Ethan Tremblay ( Zach Galifianakis)

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

By now everyone who loves comedy knows Zach Galifianakis the hairy, pot bellied; ‘slow’ brother in law in the monster hit the ‘Hangover.’ His reddish, grizzly beard is so out of place in his insanely funny child like persona. What makes ‘The Hangover’ such a big deal was that it was both a hit in the box office and the critics. It won a Golden Globe in the Best Motion Picture, Musical or comedy category and also picked up a Best Screenplay nod (John Lucas and Scott Moore) at the BAFTA. The film earned 277 million dollars in ticket sales and took only 35 million to produce. Entertainment news sites and channels are already a buzz with the casting and shooting of ‘Hangover2.’

Robert Downey Jr.

In ‘Due Date’, Zach is paired with ‘Ironman’ Robert Downey Jr. who has had a lot of experience in the comedy genre himself. Most recently he showed his comedic talents in ‘Tropic Thunder’. And he has had a long list of comedies that he has been known for.

In ‘Heart and Souls’ he was able to talk, walk and show different personalities or souls who inhabit his body: an African American mother, an Italian gang member, a middle aged school teacher etc. Downey has also played Charlie Chaplin in the bio pic on one of the greatest comedians on film.

This time however, he plays the straight man to Zach. The difference in each of their styles of making people laugh is apparent. Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) is an expectant father desperately trying to get to the birth of his first child. Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) is an aspiring actor whose father recently passed away. Ethan manages to get on Peter’s nerves and get them off a plane. After nearly rubbing his hairy belly in Peter’s face, Ethan insists that he put away his cell phone before take off. Peter’s anger management issues surface and the two of them are booted out for causing a disturbance. The two are put on the ‘no-fly list’ and are forced to go to Los Angeles through a car rental. After losing his wallet Peter is forced to take the offer of Ethan to drive with him cross country.

Juliette Lewis plays Heidi the pot dealer

‘Due Date’ is another buddy / road film that is a sure fire hit. Jamie Foxx has a brief role as Peter’s ‘normal’ friend from way back. Rapper RZA is an airport screener. ‘Sonny’ is Ethan’s adorable small bull dog that Peter can’t stand. Director Todd Philips who made both the Hangover and Due Date gave himself a brief cameo. As part of the perks of being director he cast himself as the lover of Heidi who is played by the sexy Juliette Lewis. Philips also gave himself a cameo in Hangover as a guy caught giving ‘head’ to his girlfriend in an elevator. Just like the Hangover there are a lot of sick jokes, specifically about masturbation.

Zach and Rob at the Due Date premiere

A majority of the gags are also on marijuana usage. The timing is interesting and may be connected to the referendum on the legalization of marijuana in California. The gags may be all in good fun but it may also have a negative effect on the polls showing the state of mind of ‘pot heads’. The material is eerily similar to the real life pattern of overweight comics who reached superstardom only to die in a drug overdose. Famous comics like John Belushi and Chris Farley were ‘Saturday Night Live’ legends who died from a combination of alcohol and cocaine. Belushi made the ‘Blues Brothers’ movies in the eighties with Dan Aykroyd, while Farley had a string of hit films in the nineties with David Spade.

Let’s hope that Zach Galifianakis won’t spin out of control and get into a path of self destruction the way Belushi and Farley did. He’s on his way to making more movies and making more people laugh and appreciate his unique brand of humor. In ‘Due Date’ we see him more as an actor; he does his impression of Marlon Brando (as Don Corleone). He easily cries in a pretend scene with Julia Roberts, because he’s dying of cancer. There’s no question that Galifianakis has talent and loads of it. He happens to be a skilled piano player and often incorporates it in his stand up routine.

Ken Jeong on the cell was Zach's Leprachaun in the Hangover. The monkey on the right stars in Due date

Robert Downey Jr. himself has had his problems with alcohol and cocaine having been arrested and spent jail time after failing to go through rehab. He has since cleaned himself up and has revived his career with recent blockbusters. Rob was part of the notorious brat pack of actors that included Charlie Sheen. Sheen is now part of the hit series “Two and a Half Men”, whom Ethan idolizes in ‘Due Date.’