The Ang Panday movie got the major awards from the recent 35th Metro Manila Film Festival - Philippines 2009 awarding ceremonies. This include the Best Picture and Best Actor awards.
Actor and senator Bong Revilla received the Best Actor award for Ang Panday earlier tonight. Moreover, veteran actress Sharon Cuneta bagged the Best Actress award for Mano Po 6 which also got a special recognition award. It also received the Best Director award (Joel Lamangan).
Star Cinema's "I Love you , Goodbye," got the 2nd Best Overall Picture followed by "Ang Darling Kong Aswang." World champion boxer Manny Pacquiao's movie "Wapakman" ended at the bottom of MMFF's list in term's of ticket sales.
The Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards went to Phillip Salvador for Panday and Zsa Zsa Padilla & Heart Evangelista for Mano Po 6, respectively.
Other MMFF movies include "Shake, Rattle, and Roll XI" and "Nobody, Nobody, But Juan." Philippine movie goers have until the first week of Januray 2010 to catch the rest of the Metro Manila Film Festival movies in movie theaters nationwide.
The Canon PhotoMarathon winners has just been announced a few weeks after the event in Tagaytay.
The winners are:
Check more about it here.
UP Oblation Run
The UP Oblation Run is in season again! Those who await for it every year or for those who are just curious, it's on December 15, 2009 (Tuesday). Get fit and ready your brawns for the crowd at Palma Hall (AS Walk) in University of the Philippines (UP Diliman).
We are not sure yet which issue/cause they would be carrying this year. It's most probably a toss up between the Maguindanao Massacre or the current state of Martial Law in the same location.
Eclipse Poster is Out
After the Twilight sequel blockbuster New Moon, another Twilight saga is on the horizon.
Coming June 30 of next year, Eclipse promises an interesting development between Edward and Bella - they're getting married, or are they?
The Eclipse movie poster has circulated around the internet which stirred-up further anticipation of the movie.
And this is the 3-in-1 blog of Canon Photo Marathon, UP Oblation Run, and Eclipse movie poster.
After getting a lot of flack again from a number of film critics just like its predecessor Twilight, I think New Moon deserves to be compared to the former instead.
From someone who got to watch New Moon without watching Twilight, I think the movie was actually a good one for its target audience - the romantically inclined movie goers.
Although the die-hard book lovers would expectedly point out missing scenes, I believe that the story line was able to hold viewer interest throughout the movie's twist and turns.
I particularly liked the werewolves-protect-Bella-from-vampire shots and the brief action sequence where Edward had to defend Bella (Kristen Stewart) from the elder vampires. Weird enough, a visionary affirmation from Alice was anough to give them freedom.
Bad Scenes
Anyhow, the movie obviously had some lousy scenes as well highlighted by the dreamy sequence where Edward was running after Bella in the woods in jestful . . . slow . . . mo . . . tion. I think it was the most 'cheesy' and unnecessary scene in the movie. It should have been edited-out. Period. (it caused the viewing audience last night to break out it laughter, or perhaps in disgust).
As many girls shriek at Jacob's abs (Taylor Lautne), his acting abilities was the lousiest among them all. You can feel in his facial gestures alone, the unnatural expression of his supposed love for Bella required from the script.
Funny Observations
Guy viewers accompanying their girlfriends should just watch out for the moviehouse-girly-shrieks everytime Jacob removes his shirt. :)
I also observed that Edward Cullen and Bella seem to use the same lipstick. :)
New Moon
The movie also stars Dakota Fanning with a few minutes of exposure and red eyes. Regular movie screening of New Moon starts today locally. This sequel's running time was also obviously longer than Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight.
Generally, New Moon is a feel good romantic-fiction fantasy between humans, werewolves and vampires. The closing scene was successful in instilling a strong anticipation among the viewers and fans. Edward and Bella supporters are surely looking forward on the third installment.
Basically a cartoon movie with a heart, AstroBoy touches the human heart with the concept of self-sacrifice for the another's betterment.
Programmed with the memory and emotions of a real child, AstroBoy was in search of his destiny after being made to realize that he was not a real boy. His experiences later on made him a stronger, more resolute 'person,' emotionally and otherwise.
The movie illustrated a number of life lessons from social acceptance to belongingness and father-child quality time, among others. The CGI showcase of the movie is at par with other latest movies with a slight inclination towards darker hues.
Thank you to TV5 for the movie invites.
AstroBoy Movie Trailer:
Don't expect an truly awesome move or something similar that you want to watch all over again but it's a nice movie for children and the whole family. AstroBoy fans wouldn't be disappointed as well.
Get positively wiped out watching Whiteout (or White Out for SEO purposes) :) - an action-thriller suspense movie situated in Antartica.
Aside from a shooting spree at the very start, the film developed albeit slowly giving the viewers enough tour of the majestic ice land in the southern part of our globe. It also established major characters of the film especially Kate Bekinsale who starred as US Marshall Carrie Stetko.
It all begun when Stetko and Dr. John Fury (Tom Skerritt) found a deadman on ice to which the cause of death posed a lot of question. It was also Antartica's first homicide.The most isolated landmass on Earth
90° S. latitude, zero E. longitude
Six million square miles of ice
Six months of darkness
Temperatures at minus-120 degrees
Winds at 100 miles per hour
And in the quest to answer this question, they found unexpected answers which led to more mystery, discoveries and eventually, betrayal.
All this amidst, Stetko's haunting past and a seemingly developing relationship with Gabriel Macht (Robert Pryce).
White
It was a refreshing action-thriller movie set in Antartica. Something different for a change. It also tried to show how it is to live life surrounded by ice as paralleled to US Marchall Stetko's personal sentiments.
Black
I believe the Kate Beckinsale hot shower scene (and the moments before it) was a good 5 minutes for the male audience, but I think was not necessary for the movie nor the story. It was an obvious attempt to leverage on Kate Bekinsale's physical attributes to boost ticket sales.
Equals...
Based from a book, I believe nonetheless that Whiteout was able to maintain a fairly good balance of story, thrill, and action all throughout the movie.
I give Whiteout 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend you to watch it for the above-mentioned reasons. Just watch out for some bloody and finger-amputating scenes you might have to bear with (and of course, the bonus shower scene for the guys).
A Dominic Sena film, Whiteout is presented by Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Dark Castle Entertainment.
G.I. JOE: Rise of The Cobra is your typical out-of-the-comic action adventure film who brings the story to the movie screen. But don't worry, you won't be disappointed.
It would most probably satisfy what most of the audience would expect out of G.I. Joe movie - a highly fictionalized story and a lot of CGIs; but still enjoyable to watch.
The best part for me would be the Paris urban road chase. It's fast, heart-pumping, awesome, and certainly gathered some shrieks from our movie housemates.
Story-wise, I believe it was able to establish what it wanted to tell about how the GI Joes and Cobra would come about. Snake Eyes had a simple but deep character to portray.
This prequel was for the most part, made to establish the story for the sequel. And with that, I expect the part 2 to be more bombastic and engaging. This is what I am excited about.
Thanks to TV5 Shake mo TV mo for the special screening invite of G.I. JOE: the Rise of the Cobra
Watch G.I. JOE: Rise of The Cobra and enjoy. Don't think much. :)
Harry Potter 6 - the Half-Blood Prince, despite getting mixed reviews from fans and movie-goers, created a new Philippine cinema record.
Posting a grand P104.77-million four-day opening weekend (July 16-19) in 310 movie screens nationwide, Harry Potter 6 is now the all-time biggest four-day movie opening weekend in Philippine history (surpassing 2007’s “Transformers’ at P103.87-million) as announced yesterday by Warner Bros. Philippines general manager Francis Soliven.
It also broke the fastest time (four days) for a “Harry Potter” film to breach the P100-million milestone (outpacing 2007’s “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” which achieved the feat in five days).
The series is now the undisputed most successful franchise ever in local history, with an accumulated gross of a staggering P959-million (surpassing the “Spider-Man” franchise’s P910.32-million overall take).
SM Mall of Asia (including IMAX) led the box-office champion with a magical gross of P8.70-million. Close to its heels are SM North EDSA (including IMAX Digital) at P7.79-M, Trinoma (P5.68-M), SM Megamall (P4.11-M), Glorietta 4 (P3.86-M), Gateway (P3.67-M), Power Plant (P3.14-M), Eastwood (P2.98-M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.74-M) and Shangri-la (P2.54-M).
Completing the Top 20 cinemas are Alabang Town Center (P2.48-M), Robinsons Ermita (P2.33-M), Ayala Cebu (P2.09-M), SM Cebu (P2.08-M), Robinsons Galleria (P1.99-M), Festival (P1.91-M), SM San Lazaro (P1.79-M), Greenhills (P1.75-M), Market Market (P1.59-M) and SM Fairview (P1.57-M).
“...we know the best is yet to come with the final two `Harry’ movies in 2010 and 2011,” Soliven added.
Indeed the last two Harry Potter movies are expected to deliver much.
If you are a Harry Potter fan and you didn't like my title, let's see how you'd react to my friend Spanky's "Harry Potter and the Half-Asleep Audience". :)
Nonetheless, I didn't fall asleep. I watched and listened so intently as not to skip an important word or phrase uttered by the characters in the story. I was then so thrilled to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince because I think the trailer was made of awesome compared to all the previous series'. It left in me the impression that it was action-packed and full of magic. See the trailer here.
This is aside from the fact that I am watching the movie in the San-Miguel IMAX Theater in SM MOA, a surprising first for me.
Two hours after the movie, I was still expecting a major showdown of magic of some sort. I told myself, ok, they have around half-an hour left to amaze me. :) And suddenly, just when I though it was about to come, the credits showed.
I asked my friend beside me if that was it and am I really seeing the credits! (that the movie was over)!
The others conclude that it was anti-climactic. True, but I guess these are all the reactions one would get from the non-book readers. We didn't know what will happen and we expected much.
The book readers, perhaps, were happy with the results and knew what is to come. The movie stayed true to the book and ended in such manner. Ron and Hermione took the back seat and was not involved in the story in any major aspect. I would like to believe that book 6 was meant to invest in the story and plot build-up for the last, book 7.
The movie's cinematography was outstanding, expectedly dark and 'Harry Potterish.' In IMAX, the first half-hour or so was in 3D Imax mode.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie is the sixth installment in the Harry Potter movie series from Warner Bros. Pictures. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint once again takes on the roles of Hogwarts students Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
The movie rendition of the seventh book will be divided into two parts with the first one to be shown on November of next year and the last one on July 2011.
I expect the first part of book seven to push us at the edge of our seats and leave us hanging again similar to what happened in this half-blood prince movie review.
See you again after 16 months for the next Harry Potter movie!
IMAX SM North Edsa opens today as the second IMAX-equipped theater in the Philippines. Powered by digital projection and theater systems, the proprietary technology is said to be better than the conventional digital systems.
Today, July 16, the IMAX Theatre shows Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
with exclusive IMAX 3D scenes.
For movie inquiries & reservation of tickets, you may call 929- 5452 or 924-4274.
For inquiries and screening schedule, log on to www.smcinema.com
or you can email SM IMAX at imaxnorthedsa@smsupermalls.com.
After SM North Edsa's IMAX, what's next?
Barely three days to go and the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince would be shown worldwide as millions of fans await the movie. It would be remembered that the movie was intentionally delayed by about half a year from the original date.
And as the day comes nearer, Warner Bros. Pictures reveals the main poster of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Dark Secrets Revealed).
Along with the poster, is the unspooling of the second featurette, which highlights Harry Potter and Dumbledore's relationship in this exciting sixth installment in the Harry Potter movie series.
* The images and trailer used in this article are from Warner Bros. Pictures and used with permission.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie will open in conventional theaters and IMAX on July 16th by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
TriNoma recently opened its Digital 3D Cinema through the newly upgraded Cinema 4. It targets to deliver a three-dimensional awesome experience for the movie goers. 
Indeed, after trying it out last week with a special screening of Ice Age 3 - Dawn of the Dinosaurs, the characters were almost alive with vivid visuals and clear surround sound. I missed Ice Age 2 but it was great seeing Manny, Sid, Diego, and Scrat again in this third installment of the film. Vocal talents Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Queen Latifah are also back to give life to these characters.
With new friends Buck the weasel and Scratte (Scrat's new love-interest), the movie gets more interesting as well. Generally, it was a good movie for the entire family. Surely the kids would enjoy the continuous fun and adventure prevalent in the scenes while the adults would appreciate its story.
Aside from the great movie experience I expected from a digital 3D cinema technology, I was surprised with the Lazyboy chairs for the VIPs at the back of the theater. We sure hoped to have been allowed to try it even for a minute. Nonetheless, the regular chairs we were on were something as well with its reclining back seat and spacious leg room and intervals.
It also felt like a movie studio such that we enjoyed the angle even if we were seating at the backside. It was later that I surmised that our location at the back of the theater might have been the best one since it is where the lazyboy chairs were located as well. :)
So the next time you are in the digital 3d cinema 4 of TriNoma for a movie, you know where you should be seated. :) Reserve a seat through www.sureseats.com.
Is the IMAX Theater in Mall Of Asia too far for you because you are living north of Metro Manila? Then fret no more!
On July 16, 2009, after opening the very first IMAX Theatre in the Philippines at SM Mall of Asia, SM Cinema is opening another IMAX Theatre at SM City North EDSA!
It would be equipped with IMAX's digital projection and theater systems powered by proprietary IMAX technologies that can put you, the audience, IN the movie. It is better than conventional digital systems, just as IMAX's film-based system is superior to conventional ones.
Through IMAX digital projection technology, images are delivered crystal-clear and the digital sound is laser-aligned. The customized theater geometry also maximizes the audience’s field of view.
All these together makes up the moviegoer’s IMAX experience.
Also, catch the following upcoming movies only at the new IMAX Theatre SM City North EDSA:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – July 16, 2009
with exclusive IMAX 3D scenesHarry Potter begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He then discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince." This brought him to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.
Under The Sea 3D – August 2009The diverse coastal regions of Southern Australia, New Guinea and the Indo-Pacific areas gets an underwater look. The impact of global warming on the oceans are also shown.
A Christmas Carol 3D – November 2009A retelling in animation of Charles Dickens classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of the three mysterious Christmas apparitions.
Avatar 3D – December 2009A band of humans are pitted in an adventurous battle against a distant planet's indigenous population.
For 2010March 2010 - How to Train your Dragon 3D
May 2010 - Shrek Goes Fourth 3D
Hubble 3DFor movie inquiries & reservation of tickets, you may call 929- 5452 or 924-4274.
For inquiries and screening schedule, log on to www.smcinema.com
or you can email SM IMAX at imaxnorthedsa@smsupermalls.com.
In two weeks, the IMAX opens at SM North Edsa!
I expected a lot from the Transformers sequel Revenge of the Fallen. Action wise, I got what I was looking forward to, and even more so. It was action-packed from start to finish.
The fight scenes were impressively done and the cinematographer almost went over the edge with all the CGIs and the cameras in full 360 degree swing most of the time. Some may observe that it might have been overdone but I liked it, it was what I expected from a Transformers movie and it provided the 'awesomeness' factor.
Among the battle scenes (aside from the war at the movie's ending), the first clash between Megatron and Optimus Prime in the forest, the transformation of Devastator in the desert, and BumbleBee's fight against Rampage and Ravage were the most outstanding.
The movie also introduced a number of new Autobots and Decepticons in the movie from Jolt to the twins Skida and Madflap, and from Jetfire to the Fallen.
However, the storyline suffered much in so many instances in an effort to explain things. It tried to say too much and miserably failed in the execution of the twist and turns.
I was not able to accept how the overly-done funny antics by Sam's mother and the college-classmate-side-kick-guy could mix smoothly with the movies' mythical theme.
And the highlight of this tragedy was when the primes talked to Sam in his unconciousness in shadows and sunset light.
But then again, I loved the movie for its superbness and I want to close this review on a positive note. :) The musical score was admirable! That's what I'm talking about. Astounding sounds that fit an awe-inspiring movie.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a science fiction film directed by Michael Bay with Steven Spielberg as executive producer. Shia LaBeouf once again took the role of Sam Witwicky with real-life broken fingers and Megan Fox as the beautiful girlfriend Mikaela who always looks dazzling and barely perspired amidst running through miles of sand in the desert.
The upcoming Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Jim Broadbent will be showing soon.
Together with the latest trailer, the movie also comes the unveiling of the four banner artworks which features Harry and Professor Dumbledore, Ron and Ginny, Hermione and Professor Slughorn, and Draco and Professor Snape.
Voldemort starts to tighten his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts no longer seem to be safe. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more focused in preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching.
They work together to find the key unlocking Voldemort's defenses. Dumbledore also recruits his old friend and colleague Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.
At the same time, the students are under attack from a very different adversary. Harry finds himself drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. On the other hand, Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her. All that while, Hermione is jealous but determined not to show her feelings.
Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
*The images were provided by Warner Bros. Philippines.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie will be showing nationwide on July 16th, by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
This is judgement day. In contrast to the three previous Terminator movies which was first set in the 1980's, Terminator Salvation is set in the time when machines ruled the world and the humans struggle for survival.
Here, the viewers were given a peek of how John Connor played his part at the onset stage of the resistance and how his influence can actually lead the human resistance against Skynet and its hoard of Terminators.
Terminator Salvation is said to start the series of Terminator movies that would complement the latter two Terminator movies as this one fits the puzzles of Terminator I.
With the younger Kyle Reese meeting his 'older' son John Connor, Terminator fans' questions of what could have happened in apocalyptic 2018 has been answered in parts.
Christian Bale portrayed John Connor's character fittingly well in this war-themed movie. The love-hate relationship with newcomer Sam Worthington in Marcus Wright character was also an interesting angle in the movie.
I should say Sam Worthington has a great potential in the industry.
I admire the great effects and execution of cinematography in the first two-thirds of the movie, specially the 'awesomeness' of the giant terminator at the explosive gasoline station scene highlighted with two motorcycles coming out of its legs. (Transformers soundtrack start).
And with that level of expectation, the latter part was a disappointment starting from inside-the-Skynet sequences up to the end. The story-line and scenes were just too simplistic and predictable for the climax.
That aside, the movie gets a thumbs up and I am looking forward the upcoming two more installments in the next few years.
Other stars include Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese, Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor (previously for Charlotte Gainsbourg) , and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams. It's a Columbia Pictures movie and the film was directed by McG. Credits to TV5 for the special screening invite.
The origin of the X-Men saga revolved around Wolverine's story, his supernatural healing powers, and how he acquired his adamantium claws. Hugh Jackman once again reprises the leading role of Wolverine, this time not yet as an X-Men, but as the independent mutant.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine tried to stay true to the general tone of the X-Men comic books but made it as its own by injecting minor twists and turns to make the story more interesting and being successful at that.
Together with brother Victor Creed (Sabretooth), Agent Zero (Daniel Henney), Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), Bradley (Dominic Monaghan) and other mutants, they formed Team X led by William Stryker (Danny Houston).
Moreover, the story played with the emotions of the different characters from the basic familial instincts between Logan and his brother as played by Liev Schreiber. In more than enough scenes, it showcased how the two complemented and contradicted each other. Needless to say, the fighting scenes were complicated and technically praiseworthy.
The first bite of betrayal came when death met schoolteacher Kayla Silverfox, played by Lynn Collins. She was Wolverine's love interest. The incident begotten revenge that led to the answers of many of Logan's questions.But the most essential emotional circus is that of his own. Logan, who eventually became Wolverine, was not really resolved as to who he is or who/what he should be. It was an internal battle of his own animal or his human side.
Many a mutants were also introduced from the sidelines such as the eye-blasting Cyclops, Quciksilver, Iceman, and the Gambit (Taylor Kitsch).
There was one technical glitch though towards the end. In a scene where the mutants were running away from the 'island' and was about to load a helicopter, the CGI rendition was a failure. I can't believe it passed through production because for such an untrained eye such as mine, I was able to see it; much more by them.
The movie can be considered a not-too-distant prequel from the past three X-Men movies. It was able to give more justice and somehow explain Wolverine's nature and attitude in the three X-Men movies. On the other hand, the upcoming sequel is something to be looked forward to as how things would further develop and complicate.
Aside from the heart pounding action scenes, the movie is a great watch with visually stunning effects, awesome stunts and interesting story twists. Directed by Gavid Hood and produced by Ralph Winter, it is not only for the comic-book or X-Men fans created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby but for the action-loving genre altogether.
A film brought to you by Twentieth Century Fox, watch X-Men Origins Wolverine in the big screen, opening May 1, 2009 in Philippine Theaters.
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