Immerse in Comfort and Luxury at the New Director’s Club Cinema in SM Southmall

(Press Release)
Get ready to experience movies like no other as SM Cinema’s premier movie theatre opens in Las Piñas. Each Director’s Club Cinema has 48 Ferco leather recliners, strategically-situated pods for improved privacy, an in-house butler service, and an exclusive food menu for the utmost comfort, luxury, and convenience to keep you glued to your seat.

Utilizing the latest technology in digital surround sound and quality projection, the theatres are equipped with the full audio atmosphere of Dolby Atmos, featuring moving audio that flows in breathtaking realism, and the latest CP2320-RGB pure laser projectors from Christie - both bring extraordinary clear-cut audiovisuals to hype up the senses with every blockbuster title. 

The new Director’s Club Cinema at SM Southmall opens just in time for the release of the most anticipated movie of the year, Avengers: Endgame. Catch your favorite Super Heroes as they work to restore order back to the universe.
To further celebrate the opening of the newest luxury cinema in the south, SM Cinema will be giving free popcorn and drinks for every Director’s Club Cinema ticket purchased from April 24 to 28.
For more exciting offers and bookings, visit the SM Cinema website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema app through the App Store and Google Play.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for more information and updates!   

SM Cinema opens 333 screens across 64 branches nationwide for Avengers: Endgame!

(Media Release)

The coming of the most anticipated movie of the year is fast-approaching and SM Cinema is gearing up for the massive battle about to come! After more than a decade, everyone is anxious to watch the epic finale to this story that we have been following since 2008. This is why from April 24 to 28, SM Cinema will be showing Avengers: Endgame in all SM Cinema branches – and by “all” we literally mean all schedules of the 333 screens in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao!
You can catch the exciting comeback of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as they take solo spotlight in all Digital 2D, 3D, SM Cinema IMAX, Director’s Club Cinema, Event Cinema, and Megascreen Large Format cinemas in any of the 64 SM Cinema branches across the country.
No time to watch it during the day? We’ve got you covered as SM Aura Premier and SM Mall of Asia host 24 hour, non-stop screenings of Avengers: Endgame from April 24 to 28! 
Avengers: Endgame starts right after the grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and left the Avengers ranks in fractures. The remaining Avengers are then compelled to take one final stand to attempt to save the world and defeat their greatest nemesis once and for all.
Is the excitement over Avengers getting you hyped? Well we have more good news for you because ticket pre-selling has already started; so, book your tickets now and be among the first in the world to see the movie! Skip the lines, get the best seats in the house, and save as much as P20 by getting your tickets via www.smcinema.com or the SM Cinema App. Make sure to also subscribe to SM Cinema on facebook.com/SMCinema, twitter.com/SM_Cinema, and Instagram.com/SM_Cinema so that you don’t miss the latest digital promos and online activities.
Avengers: Endgame is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Trinh Tran, Jon Favreau and Stan Lee are the executive producers, and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay.

HELLBOY - Hell, Yeah ! Oh boy ! Oh boy ! It's Hellboy !

This is a reboot of the legendary half-human, half demon superhero. Previously we had two movies (2004, 2008) by Guillermo Del Toro which starred Ron Perlman as the titular hero. This time, David Harbour (Stranger Things) is Hellboy.

Many critics are hating this latest itiration of the devil/hero. Calling it the worst movie of 2019, and the worst superhero movie ever. On the other end, there are some who are loving it, saying it's a fresh take on the character. And it is more faithful to the source material. This film is based on the graphic  novels written by Mike Mignola. 

I'm not exactly a fan of the character but I did enjoy the first two movies. This one, I didn't love, but I didn't hate it either. It's not as bad as haters are calling it. There were some scenes that are quite enjoyable. Some of the CGI are good, others not so. Some jokes are funny, while others are laughable. Call it weird, crazy, gory, etc., but that's the world of demons and monsters where Hellboy is. The best part of the movie is David Harbour who looks good as Hellboy. 

Other notable cast members are Milla Jovovich as Nimue, the Blood Queen, Ian McShane as Professor Broom, Daniel Dae Kim as Ben Daimio, Sasha Lane as Alice Monaghan, Thomas Haden Church as Lobster Johnson, Penelope Mitchell as Ganeida. Directed by Neil Marshall, and Written by Andrew Cosby. Rated R. From Summit Entertainment. Now showing !        

MISSING LINK - Charming, Funny, Clumsy

From the makers of Coraline, Paranorman, and Kubo and the Two Strings, now comes Missing Link. A feisty explorer named Sir Lionel Frost (Jackman), who's belief in the existence of the Loch Ness monster made him a laughing stock of the Optimate's Club, is out to prove to everyone that these legendary creatures do exists. When he received an anonymous letter  regarding a bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest, he sets out to hunt for the creature. Turns out, the letter was written by the sasquatch himself, Mr. Link (Galifianakis). He's the link between humans and beasts, thus he was given that name. He has been alone for most of his life and wants to meet other beings like himself. He asked Mr. Frost to take him to a Shangrila in the Himalayas to meet his distant relatives. Thus began their adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, Ms. Adelina Fortnight (Saldana), a female adventurer joined them in their quest. Together they faced life and death situations in their quest for "Shangrila".   

I was not familiar with this movie when I was invited for the advance screening. I just went in without any expectations. And I'm glad I did ! The film is very colorful, funny, and engaging. Mr. Link is a sasquatch like no other. He's not the typically angry and dangerous apeman. He is naive, funny, and a little bit clumsy. Laika sets itself apart from other big animation studios as they make use of stop-motion animation blended with CGI. Each frame is meticulously crafted to bring forth a picture of tremendous grandeur.

Featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis, Zoe Saldana, and Emma Thompson.
Written and Directed by Chris Butler. This is the fifth film from Laika Studios, which took them about five years to make. Rated PG. Now showing in Philippine cinemas !      

FRIEND ZONE - the perfect movie for friends and/or lovers !

I was not really into Thai movies, until last year when a friend recommended that I watch this movie called Bad Genius. That movie opened my mind to explore films which showcases Thailand's people and culture.

Friend Zone, released in Thailand last Valentine's Day, is said to be the highest-grossing Thai film of 2019. Palm (Naphat Siangsomboon) has been friends with Gink (Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul) for the past 10 years. In highschool he confessed his feelings for her, but she only wanted to be friends. She tells him off whenever he breaks up with his many girlfriends, or when she fights with her current boyfriend. One day, out of the blue, Gink asked Palm what if they become a couple ? Will it be the start of a romantic love life, or will it end their long years of friendship ?

That is the premise of this movie. And along the way, the audience become witness to the bond between Gink and Palm. Their laughs, craziness, adventures, and misadventures. They have perfect chemistry and one can't help but hope that they go beyond their "friend zone". But the question is : Will they, or won't they ? 

In the cinema during the advance screening, (almost) everyone was cheering, giggling, and some were even crying. It was a rollercoaster of emotions ! I highly recommend that you watch it with your friends, or significant other. The two lead stars have some resemblance to Philippine actors Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano.

The movie has a music video which features singers from China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines' Claudia Barretto (sister of Julia Barretto). From the producers of Bad Genius and Brother Of The Year. Directed by Chayanop "Mu" Boonprakob. Rated PG. Now showing in the Philippines and 13 other countries.  

PET SEMATARY - Better, Darker, Scarier !

Pet Sematary is a remake of the 1989 movie adaptation of a Stephen King novel written in 1983.
Now thirty years after, comes the second iteration. I've always been a fan of Stephen King, so I was looking forward to seeing this one.

Dr. Louis Creed relocated from the city to the county with his wife Rachel and their two kids. Soon after they discover a Pet Sematary in the woods near the family's new home. When their cat was found dead, an old neighbor, Jud Crandall suggested they bury it beyond the pet sematary, which started an irreparable damage that brought horrors upon the Creed family.

The Directors and Writers  made some changes to the characters and story, so as to update it and not tell the same thing. And I'm glad they did ! It still has the same major plot points, but they made the movie darker and scarier. 

Most of the cast gave solid performances - Jason  Clarke as the grieving father, Amy Seimetz as the wife who's got a back-story with her sister, and John Lithgow as the old neighbor of the Creed's. But the one who stood out was Jeté Laurence who played the 9 year-old Ellie. She was able to deliver all the qualities that her role required from her. I wouldn't go to details so as not to spoil it.

The first half of the movie seem slow for me, as there wasn't much happening. But the second half picks up really well, and there's no stopping from there. There were really intense moments and I found the ending quite disturbing. If you liked the first one, you will enjoy this one as well. 

Directed by : Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer. Written By: Jeff Buhler, Matt Greenberg. Rated R. From Paramount Pictures. 

SM Cinema Assembles Filipino Marvel Fans for Avengers: Endgame

News Release

The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, Avengers: Endgame.

This April, SM Cinema is standing with Earth’s mightiest heroes as the Philippines’ largest film exhibitor kicks off its Avengers: Endgame campaign.

SM Cinema and The Walt Disney Company Philippines has recently launched the Avengers: Endgame Experience interactive exhibit at the SM Mall of Asia – Event Atrium. Marvel fans got a chance to stand with Earth’s mightiest heroes and avenge the fallen ones at the Avengers interactive exhibit to celebrate the movie’s arrival in the Philippines.

SM Cinema has put together an exciting lineup of activities for mall-goers and fans alike! Walk through the entrance of the New Avengers Facility, heed the call for new heroes, and stand with our remaining Avengers. Test your strength and endurance in the different Activity Zones: shoot the arrows like Hawkeye and Black Widow at the Bullseye Station, measure your strength like Hulk and Thor at the Power Up Station, lead the team like Captain America at the Train Like Cap Station, and endure to the end like Iron Man at The Armory Station.  Don’t forget to take a photo at the famous Avengers emblem found at the heart of the Avengers: Endgame Experience. Cap off your training at the New Avengers Facility and show your support for Earth’s mightiest heroes by taking home premium merchandise from Toy Kingdom and The SM Store.

Finally, save all of humanity and get the full Avengers: Endgame Experience when SM Cinema’s interactive exhibit goes around the country on these dates: April 2 to 14 at SM Mall of Asia, April 16 to 28 at SM Megamall, and April 13 to 19 at SM City Clark. You can also answer the call and stand with Earth’s mightiest heroes online using the hashtags #AvengersAtSM and #SMCinema.

Catch Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame beginning April 24 at SM Cinema, SM Cinema IMAX, and Director’s Club Cinema branches nationwide. Skip the lines, get the best seats in the house, and save as much as P20 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.

Avengers: Endgame is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Trinh Tran, Jon Favreau and Stan Lee are the executive producers, and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay.

Get Electrified with “SHAZAM!” in IMAX at SM Cinema !

"Say my name, so that my powers may flow through you."

(Media Release)
DC superfans, say the word as SM Cinema brings you an exciting and electrifying IMAX experience with the newest superhero in town, the magnificent "Shazam!"

As Billy Batson lives what he thinks is a normal 14-year-old’s life, shouting out “Shazam!” changes all that as he turns into an adult Super Hero, Shazam. Given by an ancient Wizard, Billy tries to discover Shazam’s superhero abilities with the help of his foster brother, Freddy. Now that there is a great danger approaching them, Shazam has to master his abilities to fight evil brought by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

The film features Zachary Levi as Shazam, Asher Angel as Billy Batson, Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman, Djimon Hounsou as the Wizard and Mark Strong as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

The origin story of Shazam becomes more electrified and more action-filled in SM Cinema’s IMAX theatres as it will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality for the complete The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, will create an immersive movie experience for the Super Hero fans and feel like they are part of the adventures of Shazam.

Catch Shazam! starting April 3, 2019 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!