Wednesday, February 27, 2019

ESCAPE ROOM - Solve puzzles, Escape the rooms, Save Yourselves !


(Media Release)
Solve the puzzle and survive “Escape Room” at SM Cinema!

Get ready for a mind-blowing psycho thriller as the latest SM Cinema offering, Escape Room, showcases puzzles, screams, and deaths.
Everyone definitely loves to join a game with a huge cash prize, but what if in the middle of the game, you discover that your life is at stake, and there is no way out? This is where Escape Room starts.


Six strangers take a challenge, and enter a mysterious escape room where they have to solve a series of puzzles in order to win a huge amount of money. However, as they continue to solve the puzzles, the simple game turns out to be an elaborate life-threatening trap. How will they survive this deadly game?
Directed by Adam Robitel, Escape Room features actors Taylor Russell as Zoey Davis, Logan Miller as Ben Miller, Deborah Ann Woll as Amanda Harper, Jay Ellis as Jason Walker, Tyler Labine as Mike Nolan, and Nik Dodani as Danny Khan.


Catch Columbia Pictures’ Escape Room starting February 27 at SM Cinema branches nationwide. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Friday, February 22, 2019

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON : THE HIDDEN WORLD - A fitting finale to the beloved tale of the boy and his dragon



One of my favorite and beloved animated series - How To Train Your Dragon, is coming to an end. The third and last chapter of the trilogy is upon us. In the first film (2010), we were introduced to the boy who befriends a young dragon, thus ending a centuries-old feud between dragons and humans. In the second part (2014), the young Viking vowed to rescue all dragons from captivity and give them a home in their tiny island of Berk. He also proved himself a worthy successor to his father as leader of the dragon hunters/riders. On this final chapter, their island is now overcrowded with all the saved dragons and they are faced with a new threat - Grimmel who calls himself a dragonslayer and wants to kill the last of the Night Fury.


Add to this, Hiccup's best friend Astrid, wants to go from friend to wife; while Toothless, the Night Fury, finds a female counterpart, which Astrid calls the Light Fury. The courtship between the two dragons is devoid of words, but is totally hilarious. 

It's a charming, funny, visually exhilarating adventure that will pull heartstrings from both kids and adults, especially those who have followed Hiccup and Toothless from the beginning. This final chapter gives a fitting finalĂ© to the trilogy, as the boy and his pet dragon both grow up, and face the possibility of losing each other. Will we ever see Hiccup and Toothless again ? We can only hope for the best.  

With the voices of Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Craig Ferguson, and Kit Harington . Written and Directed by Dean Deblois, based on the series of books by Cressida Cowell. Rated PG. From Dreamworks Animation.
Photos c/o United International Pictures.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Catch Toothless and Hiccup in their new adventure at SM Cinema !


(Media Release)
Fly High with “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” in IMAX at SM Cinema!

IMAX at SM Cinema takes you to greater heights as it brings the immersive movie experience to the audience to witness the epic conclusion of one of the most beloved animated franchises, “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”.
Now the new chief of Berk, Hiccup has created a safe haven for humans and dragons alike. Meanwhile, his adorable dragon, Toothless, discovers that he is not the only one of his kind left in the world when he meets a lady Night Fury, and both are quickly enchanted with each other. But all this is put to a stop when an infamous dragon hunter threatens to destroy their home. Now Hiccup and Toothless must go on a journey to find the Hidden World in order to save their tribe and everything they treasure.


Produced by Dreamworks Animation and directed by Dean DeBlois, the film features the voices of Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid, F. Murray Abraham as Grimmel, Cate Blanchett as Valka, and Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast.
The adventure of Hiccup and Toothless becomes even bigger and better in SM Cinema’s IMAX theatres as How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is digitally remastered for The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. With topnotch equipment and high-quality audio visuals, movie goers can feel like they are part of the dragon riding and fighting scenes.
Catch How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World starting February 20 at IMAX theatres, Director’s Club and SM Cinema branches nationwide. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Friday, February 15, 2019

THE LEGO MOVIE 2 : THE SECOND PART - Still funny, witty, entertaining !




The first LEGO Movie was a critical and commercial success, so it's no wonder we're getting a sequel. Emmet and his friends are now living happily in Bricksburg, when suddenly they are faced with a new threat - invaders from outer space called the LEGO DUPLO who are wrecking everything in sight.
Five years later their home has turned to a post-apocalytic world, much like a barren dessert land. Everything is no longer awesome, and the invaders took Lucy to their far-away planet. It's up to Emmet,  Batman, and friends to save Lucy and their home planet from these space monsters.

Most animated movies are made for kids, but these LEGO movies are really for kids and grown-ups of all ages. While most of the gags will make the young ones giggle, some of the jokes were intended for the older folks. There's plenty of references to other movies as well.

Although the second part is not as fresh as the original, it takes the story to bigger perspectives. There are new characters, new songs, and new adventures. It's still funny, witty, and over-all entertaining ! Written by the Directors of the original film - Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Directed by Mike Michelle. Rated PG. From Warner Bros. Pictures.





Feel the Captain Marvel Experience in SM Cinema !

SM Cinema Takes the Captain Marvel Launch to the Sky This February (Media Release)


SM Cinema is flying high with Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel this February as the Philippines’ largest film exhibitor kicks off its Captain Marvel campaign!
On February 14, SM Cinema launched the Captain Marvel Fan Experience at the SM City North Edsa – The Block Atrium. Marvel fans got a chance to crash-land to the world of Captain Marvel in an interactive exhibit to celebrate the movie’s coming in the Philippines.


SM Cinema put together exciting activities for mall-goers and fans alike! Walk through the asymmetrical entrance archs of the exhibit, featuring larger-than-life displays of Carol Danvers, her famous jetfighter, and her trusty sidekick Goose the cat. A few steps in and fans will be pumped up to see an incredible array of toy displays from Hot Toys and Filbar’s that will ignite the Captain Marvel fan in everyone.


Highlighted in the exhibit is Captain Marvel’s personal gallery and the 180° photobooth where everyone got to show the Captain Marvel in them. At the heart of SM Cinema’s exhibit is Captain Marvel’s famous emblem, which fired up everyone’s anticipation for Marvel Studios’ latest superhero origin film. Finally, cap off the Captain Marvel Fan Experience by taking home premium memorabilia from Toy Kingdom and The SM Store.
Fans also got to prepare for complete take off with Captain Marvel as SM Cinema brought the Captain Marvel experience straight from Singapore. The Captain Marvel Fan Event was broadcasted to mall-goers via livestream to jumpstart SM Cinema’s campaign.
Filipino fans got to take part in the fan event’s blow-by-blow coverage from SM Cinema with radio and TV personality Joyce Pring using the hashtag #CaptainMarvelAtSMCinema. Gracing the jampacked Captain Marvel Fan Event in Singapore were Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Gemma Chan, and directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.
The festivities are not yet over! Get the full Captain Marvel Fan Experience when SM Cinema’s interactive exhibit goes around Metro Manila on these dates: February 14 to 27 at SM City North Edsa, March 1 to 10 at SM City Southmall, and March 12 to 27 at SM City San Lazaro.
Catch Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel beginning March 6 at SM Cinema, SM Cinema IMAX, and Director’s Club Cinema branches nationwide. Skip the lines and get the best seats in the house by getting your tickets via www.smcinema.com or the SM Cinema App. Don’t miss the latest digital promos and online activities by subscribing to SM Cinema on facebook.com/SMCinema, twitter.com/SM_Cinema, and Instagram.com/SM_Cinema.

Monday, February 11, 2019

ComCo Southeast Asia sweeps 10 honors for impactful campaigns at the 54th Anvil Awards!



(Press Release)
Coming from a streak of local and international industry recognitions in just 3 years since its creation, trailblazing and fast-rising communications agency ComCo Southeast Asia harvested 10 metals at the recent 54th Anvil Awards organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).
The most-coveted Anvil award is given to outstanding public relations programs and tools after thorough screening and evaluation by notable industry professionals and multisectoral jury. Dubbed as the Oscars of PR, the Anvil has become an emblem of excellence in Public Relations.

ComCo Squadron with the much-coveted metals bagged for impactful campaigns. In photo are (from left): Ace Cruz, Brand Communications Manager; Joan Icotanim, Brand Communications and Administration Director; Jam Bufi, Brand Communications Associate; Christine Li, Internal Affairs Director; Rachel Syfargo, Brand Communications and Operations Director; Ferdinand Bondoy, Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director; Queenie Resmundo, Brand Communications Associate; Harvey Llamosa, Senior Executive Initiatives Associate; AC Recio, Senior Digital and Multimedia Arts Associate; and Gian Viterbo, Digital Solutions Lead.

ComCo Southeast Asia won three Gold Anvil Awards for “Igniting Talent – The Camp ComCo Mentorship Program” for  Specialized Public Relations Program; “Where Movies Come Alive and Move You – The SM Cinema Reel to Real Campaign” for Public Relations Tools: Exhibit and Special Event - Fan or Consumer Experience; and “Our Strong Connection – The Eastern Communications Internal Rebranding Campaign” for Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders - Employees.
The Agency bagged seven Silver Anvil Awards for “Kilusang Kontra Kuto led by Lamoiyan Corporation's Licealiz” for Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis - Youth / Children’s Welfare; “The Gift of Education: The AirAsia-World Vision See the World Initiative” for Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders - Consumers, Specialized Public Relations Program, Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis - Education, and PR Tools: Exhibit and Special Event - Fundraising; “Raising Awareness for Conservation through Art: WWF's "Art, Heart, Earth" Program” for Specialized Public Relations Program; and “Where Movies Come Alive and Move You – The SM Cinema Reel to Real Campaign” for Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders - Consumers.
Prior to the big win in the recently concluded 54th Anvil Awards, ComCo Southeast Asia, together with its clients, was also recognized in the global and local scene such as the Marketing Event Awards in Singapore, MarCom Awards in USA, 2018 and 2017 Quill Awards, 2018 Anvil Awards, Kidlat Awards, Mumbrella Awards, and Spikes Asia.
Now at the onset of its fourth year in the industry, ComCo Southeast Asia remains committed to its passion and mission to craft impactful and relevant campaigns for its partner brands and organizations, anchored on its three agency thrusts of Igniting Brand love, Igniting Social Change, and Igniting Talent. As shared by its Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director, Ferdinand Bondoy, “We are truly elated with the honor given to us by our peers in the industry because it validates the monumental work we’ve done for our clients, our partner brands and organizations. What we do in ComCo Southeast Asia is what we consider as our life’s work, hence we make sure we autograph it with excellence not just for client and industry recognition, but because the campaigns we run are real, and impacts the lives of people around us, and the society as a whole.”
To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, please visit www.comco-hq.com or follow www.facebook.com/comco.southeastasia.

ALITA : BATTLE ANGEL - Mind-boggling ! Jaw-dropping visual spectacle !



James Cameron's long-gestating pet project is now directed by Robert Rodriguez who also helmed Spy Kids, Grind house, & Sin City. Set in a post apocalyptic industrial world Iron City, Dr. Dyson Ido discovers a cyborg in a junk scrapyard and takes her home. After fixing and giving her body parts, he named her after his deceased daughter Alita. Alita wakes up with no memory of her past, thus begin her quest for her real identity.


The script is based on a series of Japanese manga comicbooks, co-written and co-produced by James Cameron. And the result is absolutely mind-blowing ! Although the story may not be that appealing to some, the action sequences more than makes up for it. Alita, with her frail-looking exterior is a bad-ass fighting machine ! And the visual effects are just stunning !

The film is filled with jaw-dropping action scenes which showcases Alita's martial arts skills. But it's not all action and nothing more. Rosa Salazar's motion-capture VFX performance makes Alita a believable character. And it translates well on the screen that you find yourself caring for her. 

Three Oscar winners are part of the cast - Christoph Waltz plays Dr. Ido, Jennifer Connelly is Ido's ex-wife Chiren, and Mahershala Ali as the dark lord Vector. While Keean Johnson is the male love interest. 

There is more to tell in Alita's adventures in the manga comics, and I'm excited to see them on the silver screen. This is the best manga-to-film adaptation to date ! Watch it on the biggest screen in your cineplexes. Best seen on IMAX ! Rated PG-13. From 20th Century Fox.  

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Captain Marvel is coming to SM Cinema this March !

(Media Release)
SM Cinema Brings the Captain Marvel Experience to Singapore


Fly high with SM Cinema this February as the Philippines’ largest film exhibitor brings the Captain Marvel experience straight from Singapore!
The highly-anticipated superhero film from Marvel Studios is crash-landing to the Philippines,
and SM Cinema is giving Filipino moviegoers another reel-to-real adventure as the country’s largest film exhibitor brings fans the Captain Marvel experience all the way from Singapore.


To kick off the celebration of the film’s arrival in the country, SM Cinema held the Captain Marvel Quiz Night on February 9 at the SM Aura Premier Sky Park where they gathered 10 pairs of the biggest Marvel fans from all over Metro Manila where they battled for the ultimate prize: tickets for two to Singapore for the Captain Marvel Fan Event at Marina Bay Sands on February 14.


SM Cinema is Walt Disney Company Philippines’ only exhibitor partner who will be bringing the Captain Marvel experience straight from the Captain Marvel Fan Event in Singapore to the Philippines with TV and radio host Joyce Pring through blow-by-blow updates on facebook.com/SMCinema and instagram.com/SM_Cinema and one-on-one interviews with Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Gemma Chan, and directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Fans will also get a chance to participate in the fan event by sending in their questions on Twitter using the hashtag #CaptainMarvelAtSMCinema.
Catch Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel on March 6 at SM Cinema nationwide. Skip the lines and get the best seats in the house by booking your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com, or downloading the SM Cinema App.
###

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Celebrate Valentine's Day at SM Cinema with Watch•Eat•Love !

(News Release)
Watch, Eat, and Love this Valentine’s Day at SM Cinema


Looking for a unique way to celebrate hearts day this year? Combining two of our favorite activities, Watch·Eat·Love by SM Cinema offers a romantic date experience as you watch movies and dine with your special someone in the luxurious Director’s Club Cinema.
On February 14, couples can choose from two SM Cinema exclusive movies to watch for the Watch·Eat·Love promo. New Life is a story of childhood infatuation growing into something much deeper, but life does not always go the way it is planned, and childhood friends Benjamin and Ava will soon have to face the unknown future. Accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle, Maximo’s life in the film How to Be a Latin Lover is turned upside down when his wife replaces him for a younger man and kicks him out of their mansion. He then hatches a plan to seduce a widowed billionaire to regain his lost status.
Along with two movie tickets, you can also choose two main course meals from their menu of Smoked Salmon Pasta, Bolognese Pasta with Meatballs, and Chicken Cordon Bleu with Mashed Potato and Baguio Beans. The package also includes either a half dozen red roses or a half dozen pink lilies. You can get all these for only Php 2,400.00 in all participating Director’s Club Cinemas in Metro Manila.
You can start booking online on February 4 or you may visit any participating Director’s Club Cinema branches starting January 31. To see the full list of participating branches, you may visit the SM Cinema website at www.smcinema.com. This promo is applicable to the last two screenings on February 14 only. Bookings done on February 14 must be at least 30 minutes before the screening of the chosen movie.
Director’s Club Cinema offers affordable luxury with comfortable seats and your own butler service. Just sit back and relax as SM Cinema gives you the best cinematic experience on this special day.
Go on the perfect movie date all year long and watch the latest movies in any SM Cinema branch near you. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

GREEN BOOK - An extraordinary tale of an unlikely friendship.

(Media release)
SM Cinema and Expression Music Philippines Celebrate the Life of Dr. Don Shirley with the release of ‘Green Book’


Witness the extraordinary power of friendship as Oscar Awards Best Picture nominee, Green Book finally arrives at SM Cinema!

In line with the release of the movie, SM Cinema partnered with Expression Music Philippines for the exhibit of the life of Dr. Don Shirley at the Event Cinema at the SM Mall of Asia. Several students of the Expression Music Philippines, a prestigious music school in the country, held a piano recital in the venue to pay tribute to the critically acclaimed film megged by Peter Farrelly.
Green Book features the inspiring true to life story of world-class African-American pianist, Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali). About to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South, he hires tough-talking Italian-American bouncer, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), to accompany him on his journey. Happening in an era plagued with blatant racism and segregation, the two form an unlikely bond as they face these challenges together, transcending all their differences.


Want to watch Green Book on your special day together with you loved ones? You can now rent a theatre for special celebrations by booking at  SM Cinema’s newest party venue, Event Cinema at the SM Mall of Asia. Get an all-inclusive event management with decorations, catering service and a wide selection of old to new movies for you to watch exclusively when you book a date at Event Cinema.
Catch Green Book on February 6 in select SM Cinema branches. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Congratulations to SM Cinema and ComCo Southeast Asia !

(Media Release)
SM Cinema’s Reel-to-Real campaign continues the winning streak at the 54th Anvil Awards


Following their international wins from the Marketing Events Awards in Singapore and the MarCom awards in USA, SM Cinema garnered prestigious awards yet again for its Reel-to-Real campaign, this time in the local scene, from the 54th Anvil Awards, dubbed as the Oscars of Public Relations (PR)!
Organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil Awards recognizes the best of the country’s public relations programs and tools. SM Cinema’s Reel-to-Real campaign took home the Gold Anvil for PR Tools: Exhibit and Special Event – Fan or Consumer Experience and Silver Anvil for PR Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders – Consumers.

The Reel-to-Real campaign is a comprehensive and integrated public relations program by SM Cinema that makes movies come alive, going beyond the big screen. Throughout the year, SM Cinema held events and activations for their moviegoers to kick off and cap off their cinematic experience.
The first of this was witnessed in SM Cinema’s ‘The Greatest Showman Sing-Along’ wherein they released an exclusive sing-along version of the film in select SM Cinema branches, allowing the audience to be part of the performances.
In line with Marvel’s three biggest 2018 releases, SM Cinema put up The Secrets of Wakanda Exhibit for ‘Black Panther’, the Ant-Man and the Wasp Not the Actual Size Exhibit for ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’, and The Avengers Hall for ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. Meanwhile, the Fan Event for Avengers: Infinity War turned into the biggest surprise when a live video conference with Avengers: Infinity War actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Karen Gillan and director, Joe Russo was shown on screen, allowing fans to interact with their idols.
SM Cinema also treated fans of Jurassic World, Superman, and Star Wars with the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Interactive Exhibit, the Superman 80th Anniversary Fan Event, and the Solo: A Star Wars Story Fan Fest. Putting up various interactive exhibits and quiz nights, SM Cinema engaged the moviegoers through unique and immersive fan experiences.
Lastly, SM Cinema gathered Deadpool cosplayers for a fan event when ‘Deadpool 2’ was released, with men in costumes even going around SM Aura to interact with mall goers. True to his character, Deadpool was seen taking selfies with fans, hanging out at the Han Solo photo wall, serving popcorn in Snack Time, and even joining in one of the screenings of his film.
For a premiere cinema experience, head to the nearest SM Cinema branch to watch the latest movies. You may also book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  Just stay tuned and follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!
ComCo Southeast Asia is the PR agency of SM Cinema.

Embrace Pumpkin Spice Latte Season in the Philippines with These Autumn Vibes Movies

  Sure, we live in the tropics, but who says we can't enjoy the cozy vibes of autumn? With the weather cooling down, it's the perfec...