Get Ready for a Wild Adventure When ‘Joy Ride’ Premieres this November on Lionsgate Play Four unlikely friends who find themselves entangled in an unforgettable international escapade in this irreverent comedy.

 

What if your business trip turned into the wildest adventure of your life? From Adele Lim, the co-screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride is a riotous and bold comedy that embarks on a wild journey of identity and self-discovery.

When Audrey's (Ashley Park of Emily in Paris) business trip to Asia takes an unexpected turn, she calls upon her childhood best friend Lolo (Sherry Cola), whose irreverence and chaotic energy add a unique flavor to their adventure. Joining them are Kat (Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu), a college friend who has become a famous Chinese soap star, and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), Lolo's eccentric cousin. Together, these four women navigate a series of outrageous and hilarious events that challenge their perceptions of friendship and belonging.

In a time where representation and diverse storytelling are gaining more recognition in the entertainment industry, Joy Ride offers a refreshing take on Asian characters. Written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao (both known for their work on Family Guy), Joy Ride reframes the Asian narrative we usually see in dramas with audacious humor reminiscent of  The Hangover and Bridesmaids. 

On how the film coincided with her reflections on identity, Ashley Park told Vanity Fair, "What I really connected to was that I was first starting to reflect on being in an industry and in a world that was very much built by and for white people or people who didn’t look like me. I really connect to all of the negotiation that Audrey goes through to find a way to be genuinely ambitious and excited to be in this world that she really had no part in at first. And also just the fact that she really—it wasn’t that she was trying to ever deny being Asian, but she just really had never faced that part of her identity and was fine with it. I think that it really mirrored that time in my life too."

On how Joy Ride brings much-needed Asian representation to the raunchy comedy genre, Stephanie Hsu told The Hollywood Reporter, “When I was watching all of the comedies growing up, I never understood any of the cultural references, like they felt so far for me, and I think the very special thing about this one is there’s so many cultural specifics for the community that we can laugh at ourselves, laugh at each other, but we’re not the butt of the joke.”

Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride when Joy Ride premiers in November, exclusively on Lionsgate Play. 

WHAT IS A HERO? WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY,” OPENING ONLY IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 16

 

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

The man you knew, the story you didn’t. “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” opens only in cinemas October 16. Tickets now available! 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/eZlCiJDqzt8?si=8yeR6kZ51FwiDAxQ 

Christopher and Dana Reeve’s dedication to curing spinal cord injury and improving quality of life for individuals, caregivers and families impacted by paralysis continues through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Join the community and get involved today at christopherreeve.org/donate 

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Official synopsis: 

The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, and his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the benchmark for the superhero cinematic universes that dominate cinema today. Reeve portrayed the Man of Steel in four “Superman” films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. 

After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care – all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera and dedicating himself to his beloved family.

From the directors of “McQueen,” Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, this film includes never-before-seen intimate home movies and an extraordinary trove of personal archive material, as well as the first extended interviews ever filmed with Reeve’s three children about their father, and interviews with the A-list Hollywood actors who were Reeve’s colleagues and friends. The film is a moving and vivid cinematic telling of Reeve’s remarkable story. 

In cinemas October 16, “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company. #ChristopherReeveStory 

About “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story”

The film is directed by Ian Bonhôte & Peter Ettedgui. Written by Peter Ettedgui, and co-written by Ian Bonhôte & Otto Burnham.

Produced by Lizzie Gillett, Robert Ford and Ian Bonhôte. Featuring Alexandra Reeve Givens, Matthew Reeve, Will Reeve

“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” is produced by Passion Pictures (“Searching For Sugar Man,” “The Territory”) and Misfits Entertainment (“McQueen,” “Rising Phoenix”).

New York-based production studio Words + Pictures financed and also produced the film. Words + Pictures, founded in 2021 by Connor Schell, is led by the creators and producers of the “30 for 30” series, the Emmy Award-winning “The Last Dance,” and the 2017 Oscar-winning “O.J.: Made in America.”

Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”

SEPTEMBER 2024 MOVIES Don’t miss these movies, opening in cinemas in September !

 

#Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice

September 4 - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe

Directed by: Tim Burton

Trailer, Trailer 2

In “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. 

#SpeakNoEvilPH

September 11 - Speak No Evil (Universal Pictures) 

Cast: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, and Scoot McNairy

Directed by: James Watkins

Trailer

When an American family is invited by a charming British family they befriended on vacation to a weekend in their idyllic country estate, a dream holiday is planned. Soon it warps into a psychological nightmare as not everything is what it seems. An intense suspense thriller from Blumhouse, “Speak No Evil” stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, and Scoot McNairy.

#TransformersOne

September 18 - Transformers One (Paramount Pictures) 

Voice cast: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, with Laurence Fishburne, Jon Hamm

Directed by: Josh Cooley

Trailer, Trailer 2

“Transformers One” is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. In the first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie, Transformers One features a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, with Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm.

#TakleeGenesis

September 18 - Taklee Genesis: Worlds Collide (Warner Bros. Pictures) 

Cast: Paula Taylor, Peter Corp Dyrendal, Wanarat Ratsameerat, Nuttacha Jessica Padovan

Directed by: Chookiat Sakveerakul

Trailer

During the Vietnam War, the US Armed Forces built a large Radio Research Field Station (RRFS) at Ramasun Camp. It’s believed to be a test site for the warp-speed teleporter by the name of “Taklee Genesis.” Stella (Paula Taylor), a single mom experiencing a twist of fate, receives a call from her childhood friend Ith (Peter Corp Dyrendal) asking her to return to her hometown to care for her critically ill mother Duangphon (Jenjira Widner). Stella left Ban Don Hai when she was a child after testifying that her father had mysteriously disappeared in a forbidden forest, to no one’s belief. Now back in her hometown 30 years later, Stella receives a call from her missing father asking her to bring him back. 

*Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.* 

Darkness unfolds in the latest Blumhouse thriller, “Speak No Evil.” Unleashing horror in PH cinemas on September 11

Producer Jason Blum got a call from an executive who saw a thriller that got under his skin, and was eager to see this film. The movie was the 2022 Danish film, Gaesterne, and the screenplay went on to be the inspiration for the latest Blumhouse thriller Speak No Evil. “I’m always glad to be the guy who gets the call when someone sees something disturbing— if it ruins your day, call me!— so I arranged to see it and I was floored. As it unfolded, I recoiled with each new revelation, and when it was over, I couldn’t shake it. I believed that in the right hands, an English language reinterpretation could be a very memorable, very unsettling, very special film,” Blum says.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/InvnbXX0VV8?si=jByoNRTk_JF_x0se

Speak No Evil follows an American family who befriends a British family, and subsequently gets invited to a vacation on their idyllic British farmhouse. Not all is what it seems though, and soon enough the family’s dream getaway turns into a nightmare. To helm the film, Blum turned to horror writer-director James Watkins, who saw the potential within the material. . “I loved the sly and relatable conceit: people on holiday questioning the direction of their lives and befriending a couple who they think might hold the answers,” Watkins says. “The film really hooked me on a thematic level: its exploration of how modern society shackles us with rules and how we struggle to negotiate them.”

The film explores these themes through the Dalton family, Americans living in England, consisting of parents Ben and Louise, and their pre-teen daughter Agnes. Ben and Louise are struggling with their sense of distance from each other, while having crises of identity. “The Daltons, particularly Ben, have been ground down by life, or at least, their lives don’t match up to the packaged perfect lives they are daily told they should be living by the feeds on their devices,” Watkins says. “‘Affluenza’ used to be the term – people who have lots of material things but are still struggling emotionally. Ben is particularly troubled. He feels that he’s past his prime, on the scrapheap. He’s not sure how to negotiate the modern world and its new codes,” Watkins says.

A chance to get away from it all takes the form of a British family: Paddy, who is the charismatic head of the household, Ciara, his wife, and their mute son Ant. “Paddy opens a door for Ben that makes him wonder: is there a better way of living? But when they visit the farm so Ben can live out these fantasies of rural authenticity, things aren’t quite what they imagined. The film becomes a kind of ‘check your privilege’ morality tale: Be careful what you wish for when you are complacent about your security and comforts, when you’re feeling trapped by ‘social norms’ and when you want to loosen up and find your animal self. You may think you want danger. But when real danger comes, do you even know how to deal with it?” Watkins continues.

Darkness unfolds as Speak No Evil arrives in Philippine cinemas on September 11, from Universal Pictures International.

Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG) and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates on “Speak No Evil.” Connect with the hashtag #SpeakNoEvilPH.

OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18

 

Transformers One

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

“This was a lot of fun,” said Chris Hemsworth in the new “Cast Featurette” for Transformers One. In the first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie, Hemsworth voices Orion Pax. 

Brian Tyree Henry, who voices D-16, teased: “We get to see all these characters be elevated in a completely different way than we’ve seen them before.” 

Meet the rest of the voice cast in the new featurette here: https://youtu.be/8MLS-aGiohE 

Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. Besides Hemsworth and Henry, Transformers One features a star-studded voice cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, with Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm.

Get to know the characters you’ll meet when you watch Transformers One, in cinemas September 18. 

ORION PAX (Chris Hemsworth)

ORION PAX is a dreamer, a young bot not yet the OPTIMUS PRIME he is one day destined to become. Rebellious and restless, he’s charitable to a fault and sees the best in everyone, including his enemies. But he is also really, really not great at playing by Cybertron’s strict rules. Getting into endless scrapes with his best friend, D-16, Orion Pax may be charming and cheeky, but he is also curious about the history of Cybertron – and may well prove critical to their future. “There’s gotta be something more I can do,” he tells D-16. “I can feel it.”

D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry)

In some ways, D-16 is the most trusting of all the young Transformers – a rule-follower who accepts his lot in life. On the other hand, he is destined to become MEGATRON – the most ruthless of all Transformers. For now, though, D-16 is aware of his limitations – like all Iacon’s miners, he doesn’t yet possess a Transformer cog that’ll let him take on another form – and idolizes his leader, Sentinel Prime. He has a deep sense of principle and belief that crimes should be punished, but is also best friends with Orion Pax, a constant source of trouble. “If we survive this,” D-16 tells him, “I’m going to kill you!” 

B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key)

B-127 is a loyal, excitable motormouth who is an endless source of joy and fun. While he may seem naïve and overly optimistic, B-127 has a resilience that means he can cope with pretty much anything and is the glue holding things together when friend-groups start to fracture. One thing you should know about B-127, he would like for you to call him “B” although he is working on a few other names for himself. His current favorite? “BADASSATRON.” 

ELITA-1 (Scarlett Johansson)

Incredibly capable and a natural-born leader, ELITA-1 is hungry for the recognition she deserves. In her day job, as one of the upper management staff overseeing the unruly miners in the Energon mines – not least rogue tearaway Orion Pax, who she calls, “Mr. Zero-Seconds-Since-My-Last-Accident” and D-16 – she exudes a ruthless efficiency and competence. But there’s more to this ambitious careerist than meets the eye. Supremely agile in combat, and with a wicked sense of humor lurking under that starchy exterior, ELITA-1 is possessed of a goal and drive to go somewhere – she’s just not quite sure where exactly that is yet. 

SENTINEL PRIME (Jon Hamm)

After single-handedly thwarting the Quintesson threat after the Primes fell, SENTINEL PRIME is the “Hero of Cybertron.” Not only is he the leader of all the Transformers, SENTINEL is also quite the consummate showman, boasting a presence, intelligence and charisma that are almost as awe-inspiring as the lightning-fast boot jets that propel him gallantly through the air. A commanding figure and always undeniably cool under fire, as D-16 always says, “Just trust in SENTINEL PRIME.”

ALPHA TRION (Laurence Fishburne)

As the Transformers archives will tell you, at the dawn of their time, there was “our gracious and powerful creator, Primus.” To protect the universe he’d created, Primus sacrificed his life force, transforming himself into the planet Cybertron. And, from within its core, he birthed the first Transformers, known as the Primes – the most powerful warriors of them all. ALPHA TRION is a brave, noble and wise ancestor who has defended Cybertron from the dastardly Quintessons for thousands of cycles.

DARKWING (Isaac C. Singleton Jr.)

An imposing bot, DARKWING runs the Energon mining operation on Cybertron with a massive metal fist, treating its workers, including Orion Pax and D-16, like they’re nothing. But if he works them hard in the mines, DARKWING might yet find our two young heroes working him hard in the other place he loves to dominate: the track. With the famous Iacon 5000 race across the city looming, this aggressive competitor is going to have to use all his dirty tricks if he’s to outspeed and outmaneuver the newbies to the high-octane spectacle that Sentinel Prime says decides who is “truly more than meets the eye”. 

AIRACHNID (Vanessa Liguori)

Able to transform into a lightning-fast drone and packed with an arsenal of razor-sharp arms she can use to spike her prey before dragging them up into the sky, AIRACHNID is the ultimate hunter. But what makes her truly terrifying are her creepy body movements and the multitude of inescapable eyes that click open and closed all around her head. Should you ever ask her to keep her eyes open, AIRACHNID will tell you coldly: “They always are.” Should you ever hear her laugh, meanwhile, you’ll never forget its terrifying timbre. This is one bot to avoid at all costs. 

SHOCKWAVE (Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)

Already displaying some of the scientific smarts that will later come to define his work, SHOCKWAVE has a penchant for experimental weaponry, loving nothing more than to jab his captives with shock sticks to wake them up. Part of The High Guard, the most legendary warriors in all of Cybertron, he has absolutely no time for nonsense. 

SOUNDWAVE (Jon Bailey)

Flanking Shockwave, SOUNDWAVE keeps all enemies in line for The High Guard, this pair of metallic muscle reporting to Starscream, the de facto boss of this decidedly rough interstellar crowd. Like Shockwave, SOUNDWAVE is able to fly and represents a formidable adversary in battles both in the air and on the ground. But by far his most impressive attributes include being able to scan electrical impulses to see if people are telling the truth, and the fact that he can decimate metal with his waves of sound. Hear them at your peril. 

JAZZ (Evan Michael Lee)

He will later go on to become one of Optimus Prime’s true right-hand allies, but when we meet his youthful version in Transformers One, JAZZ is working alongside Orion Pax in a rather different capacity. Under Elita-1’s somewhat strict management style – “Ready positions, rust buckets,” she orders them, “Let’s go!” – Jazz, Pax and D-16 are just three of the young miners excavating Energon down in the Iacon mines – an arduous and physical daily task made all the more difficult and dangerous thanks to the power source’s seriously unstable and absolutely explosive nature.

STARSCREAM (Steve Buscemi)

As leader of the banished Cybertronian High Guard, STARSCREAM sits proudly on his throne and lives by a simple mantra: “All that counts is the strength of one bot over another!” These are prophetic words from Megatron’s eventual, and most opportunistic, lieutenant. As ruthless a fighter STARSCREAM is on land, his aerial combat skills are tough to match – even on Cybertron.

Transformers One rolls out into Philippine cinemas on September 18. Transformers One is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Join the conversation with the hashtag #TransformersOne and tag @paramountpicsph 

About Transformers One

Directed by: Josh Cooley

Based on Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures 

Story by: Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari 

Screenplay by: Eric Pearson and Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari 

Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Zev Foreman, Olivier Dumont, Bradley J. Fischer, B.J. Farmer, Matt Quigg 

Producers: Lorenzo di Bonaventura, p.g.a., Tom DeSanto & Don Murphy, Michael Bay, Mark Vahradian, p.g.a., Aaron Dem, p.g.a.

Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International” 

WELCOME TO THE AFTERLIFE: JENNA ORTEGA, JUSTIN THEROUX, MONICA BELLUCCI & WILLEM DAFOE TALK ABOUT JOINING “BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE”, IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 4

 

Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder and Justin Theroux in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

Photo Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh

Director Tim Burton is very happy with the new cast and characters in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” sequel to his 1988 horror-comedy classic “Beetlejuice.”

The celebrated director appreciated that everyone was collaborative. “It’s like we’re doing this thing that nobody really knows what we’re doing – and within that framework, everybody is trying to make it something,” says Burton. “It was a joy to be on the set and go, ‘Hey, try this. Try that.’ And they all tried stuff.”

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/4kv5AC2po5A 

Get to know the new characters in the world of “Beetlejuice”, and find out what their actors – Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe – think about joining the “Beetlejuice” family.  

Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

Astrid Deetz (Jenna Ortega)

Astrid Deetz is Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) 16-year-old daughter and granddaughter of Charles and Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara). Astrid is still struggling from the loss of her dad, and her particular style and viewpoint are not appreciated at the boarding school she is currently attending. Astrid is having a challenging time finding her way. Making matters worse is her mom’s fame from her television show – which Astrid believes is basically a sham. So, it’s no wonder that heading to a small town with her mother and grandmother is not exactly what she had in mind. 

“I’ve done this a couple times now, where I’ve joined a franchise that I never pictured myself joining,” says Ortega. “So, definitely, go back, do your homework, study.” Ortega is “really, really grateful” to be a part of the world of “Beetlejuice.” “It was such a privilege, and I don’t know what I did to be in this position or be on this project,” she says. “But it felt like I was thanking my lucky stars for it every day, because it was like a dream come true. And I was working with all of these people that I respected and admired and looked up to for years, and they were all so wonderful. And I got to work with one of my favorite directors again, which is incredible.” (Burton directed some episodes of “Wednesday,” in which Ortega starred as the titular character, and for which both got Emmy nominations.)  

Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

Rory (Justin Theroux)

Rory, an all-around sensitive guy, is Lydia’s manager – helping her host her show, “Ghost House with Lydia Deetz” – as well as her fiancé. He’s also a bit of an operator, professionally, and is eager to further Lydia’s career, in addition to helping her become the better version of herself he envisions (which she might not see herself).

Of his character, Theroux says, “I think of him as always being in his own movie, his own soap opera. And he’s that type of character that I love, which is he’s insincere and slightly dim. And I love that in a person, someone who’s always trying to find an angle into anyone in the book.” 

And of being cast in the sequel, he shares, “It was fun… It was mostly goofing around. And like all great films you enjoy doing, there was a lot of laughter between takes. This is such an incredible cast. I came onto the set one day and we were shooting a big scene, and they had this little tent set up for us where they had chairs: Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe… And I just thought, ‘Well, this is a deep bench of great actors.’” 

Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

Delores (Monica Bellucci) 

Delores is a figure from Beetlejuice’s past – which is pretty long, considering he’s been dead for centuries. Delores has returned and is currently trying to track down the Juice in the Afterlife.

“My character says a lot without really speaking that much. I felt really like a mime,” says Bellucci of Delores. “I’m so honored to be part of this amazing cast, and to enter into Tim’s fantastic and magical world… the atmosphere on set is very calm and beautiful. And his energy, it’s really inspiring for everybody.”

Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe)

Wolf Jackson was an actor who died on the job while playing the tough, no-nonsense character of Frank Hardballer. The television show Hardballer had a good run in the ’70s, and then a short-lived revival in the ’90s. Continuing to “live” his character in the Afterlife, Jackson is now the head of the Afterlife Crimes Unit. 

“He’s the crime unit guy, an investigator. In his life before he died he was an actor, and maybe not such a good one. But he did make some action movies… and he prided himself very much on his ability to do his own stunts,” says Dafoe about his character. Of working with Burton and the returning original cast – Keaton, Ryder, O’Hara – Dafoe shares, “With the returning cast and their relationships, I’m a supporting role and I’m on their turf. But that’s okay. I was happy to come and be a part of their world… To be in the room with them is to be in the room with people who are excited to be back together and playing around. So, it was a real pleasure.”

In “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Keaton), Lydia’s (Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. The sequel’s screenplay is by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (“Wednesday”), story by Gough and Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (“The LEGO® Batman Movie”), based on characters created by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, creeps into Philippine cinemas on September 4. #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice

Join the conversation using #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice

Photo & Video Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures 

Samsung Expands Circle to Search to Galaxy A Series and Galaxy Tab S9 FE Series

 

Built upon Samsung-Google collaboration, Circle to Search brings a seamless search experience to more Galaxy users

SEOUL, Korea – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced the availability of Circle to Search with Google for select Galaxy A series, furthering the democratization of mobile AI to even more devices in the Galaxy ecosystem. This enhancement underscores Samsung and Google’s continuous dedication to providing the best of mobile technology to as many users as possible. Following Circle to Search’s availability on the selected Galaxy A series, the innovative search experience will also come to Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+, where large displays and Galaxy S Pen bring a new dimension to discovery. 

Circle to Search has quickly become a fan favorite since launching on the Galaxy S24 series, offering a transformative experience of discovery that goes beyond traditional search methods. As it expanded to more Galaxy devices, including the latest Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6, Circle to Search has continuously evolved to enhance its usability and intuitiveness, including adding full-page translation, homework help, and QR and barcode scanning capabilities. Now, with Circle to Search on the Galaxy A series and Galaxy Tab S9 FE series we’re bringing the ability to ask more complex questions about what you see to      even more of Samsung's product lineup.

"These updates unlock new possibilities for the Galaxy A series and Galaxy Tab S9 FE series and reinforce our commitment to providing cutting-edge technology for more Galaxy users," said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. "We are dedicated to bringing best-in-class AI technology to a broader audience, empowering users with the option to work more efficiently, create more freely, and enjoy richer, more personalized interactions with their devices."

Circle to Search is a new way to search anything using a simple gesture – without switching apps.      When Circle to Search is enabled, users can simply circle, highlight or tap anywhere on the screen to select the text, image or video they want to search. This feature — the result of a deep collaboration with Google     — embodies the company’s long-standing commitment to openness and collaboration. With AI-powered results offering rich information and context, Circle to Search elevates the search experience to a new level of ease and excitement. 

For more information about the Galaxy A series and Galaxy Tab S9 FE series, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/

AYALA MALLS CINEMAS CELEBRATES GHOST MONTH WITH A SPOOKY LINEUP OF HOLLYWOOD CLASSICS FOR THEIR ANNUAL “THRILL FEST,” FROM AUGUST 21 TO SEPTEMBER 3

Watch old favorites “Interview with the Vampire,” “Gremlins,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Towering Inferno” where they’re meant to be seen – on the BIG screen! 

Photo credit: Ayala Malls Cinemas

In some Asian cultures, the observance of Ghost Month every August is a time-honored tradition. It is said that during this time, the spirits of the dead come to visit the living. In celebration of this tradition, this year’s Thrill Fest by Ayala Malls Cinemas has been dubbed “Thrill Fest: The Ghost Month Classic Film Series” – and it boasts a spine-tingling lineup of thriller movies. 

Starting August 21 until September 3, Ayala Malls Cinemas will showcase a formidable (and frightening!) lineup of classic Hollywood horror and thriller films that are celebrating their anniversaries this year – offering cineastes a rare opportunity for a limited time only to watch “Interview with the Vampire” (30th anniversary), “Gremlins” (40th anniversary), “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (40th anniversary) and “The Towering Inferno” (50th anniversary) the way they were meant to be seen – on the big screen. So get ready for two weeks of chills, thrills, and unforgettable moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Get ready for a terrifyingly good time at the movies this Ghost Month. Here’s a quick guide to this year’s Thrill Fest lineup of remastered classics:  

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (Available August 21 - 27)

30th Anniversary. Released in 1994

Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, Antonio Banderas

In “Interview with the Vampire,” 200-year-old vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt) shares his story with reporter Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater), chronicling two centuries of desire, love, yearning, grief, terror, ecstasy and regret. Based on Anne Rice’s popular 1976 novel of the same name, this movie adaptation was nominated for two Academy Awards.  

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

GREMLINS (Available August 21 - 27)

40th Anniversary. Released in 1984

Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton

In the idyllic small town of Kingston Falls, struggling inventor Randall Peltzer (Hoyt Axton) returns home with an unusual pet, called a Mogwai, as a gift for his son Billy (Zach Galligan). Taking care of the Mogwai is simple as long as they follow three important rules: Keep the Mogwai away from water, don’t expose him to bright lights, and never feed him after midnight. But the rules are broken, and the consequences literally multiply at an alarming rate. Written by Christopher Columbus (“Home Alone” 1 and 2, the first three “Harry Potter” movies), “Gremlins,” though involving creatures that can be frightening, is a fun watch for the entire family. 

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (Available August 28 - September 3)

40th Anniversary. Released in 1984

Starring: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, John Saxon

A man who was murdered returns as a hideously scarred monster in the terrifying nightmares of his killers’ children who, one by one, are starting to die in their sleep. This classic horror film and its iconic villain, Freddy Krueger, were created by horror slasher genre genius Wes Craven (the “Scream” franchise). 

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

THE TOWERING INFERNO (Available August 28 - September 3)

50th Anniversary. Released in 1974

Starring: Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire

Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) is the architect who designed the 138-storey Glass Tower, the tallest building in the world. But during the dedication ceremony for the skyscraper, an electrical short circuit starts a fire. San Francisco Fire Department chief Michael O’Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) arrives on the scene to help put out the fires, but with inadequate wiring that causes more fires, and the building being too high for such an emergency, will the people at the Tower survive? Directed by John Guillermin (known for another Hollywood classic “King Kong”), “The Towering Inferno” won three Academy Awards. 

Exclusive cinematic experience

The Thrill Fest offers moviegoers an exclusive cinematic experience – the featured classics are currently not available on popular streaming platforms, and can be watched, for a limited time, only at Ayala Malls Cinemas, and at an affordable price too! For only P200 - P250, cinema patrons can rediscover old favorites in the following participating cinema branches: 

Glorietta (P250)

Greenbelt (P250)

Circuit (P250)

Market Market (P250)

Fairview Terraces (P250)

Feliz (P250)

Trinoma (P250)

UPTC (250) 

Manila Bay (P250)

Harbor Point (P250)

Solenad (P250)

Ayala Center Cebu (P200)

Centrio (P200)

Capitol Central (P200) 

With state-of-the-art facilities, including plush seating, generous legroom, cutting-edge laser projections, better images and superior audio technologies like Dolby Sound and Dolby Atmos, Ayala Malls Cinemas enhance the movie-watching experience, ensuring that viewers enjoy watching movies in the best possible environment.​ 

In addition to the premium cinematic experience, Ayala Malls Cinemas offers movie lovers a chance to rediscover (and, for the younger ones, discover!) timeless masterpieces. Who says old movies can only be seen via streaming on usually small and mobile screens? Films, especially those created before the age of smartphones, were created for the big screen, the cinema. So hurry and book your tickets to the Thrill Fest now! 

Make sure to catch the festival’s four classics – “Interview with the Vampire,” “Gremlins,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Towering Inferno” – during their limited festival run in Philippine cinemas from August 21 to September 3. For more information on screening schedules and to book tickets, movie enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the Ayala Malls Cinemas FB and IG pages. You may book your tickets in advance by visiting www.sureseats.com or any of the participating cinemas. 

THE ROUNDUP: PUNISHMENT - Delivers Heart-pounding Action, Rib-tickling Fun, with a Deadly Villain

By : Edgar Allan Yu 

"The Roundup: Punishment" is an action-packed, humorous movie that delivers a decent story about the high-stakes world of illegal online gaming. Starring the formidable Don Lee, this film packs a punch both literally and figuratively.

From the opening scenes, the movie grabs your attention with its thrilling pace and well-choreographed fight sequences. Lee, known for his powerful screen presence, does not disappoint, delivering a performance that is both physically impressive and emotionally nuanced.

While the storyline may not reinvent the genre, it provides a compelling narrative that keeps you engaged throughout. The blend of action, comedy, and glimpses into the underground gaming community make for an enjoyable cinematic experience. Some scenes were shot in the Philippines, particularly Angeles City, Pampanga. I was amused when I heard some Tagalog words spoken by the actors.

Overall, "The Roundup Punishment" is a solid addition to the franchise, bolstered by Lee's commanding presence and the film's ability to balance intense moments with lighthearted humor. Fans of the genre will find plenty to appreciate in this entertaining and well-executed movie.  

ALIEN ROMULUS brings back the better plot points of the first two films

By : Edgar Allan E. Yu 

The latest installment in the Alien franchise, "Alien Romulus," has breathed new life into the iconic sci-fi horror series. With its dark, gruesome, and gritty tone, the film masterfully captures the essence of what made the original Alien movies so captivating.

One of the standout elements of "Alien Romulus" is the talented young cast, who bring a fresh energy to the franchise. Their performances, combined with the abundance of terrifying facehuggers and xenomorphs, create a sense of imminent danger that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. And the one who's got the best story arc is the artificial being called Andy.  

The film's standout scene, specifically the no gravity sequence, set in the eerie weightlessness of space, is a true highlight, showcasing the directors' ability to craft suspenseful and visually stunning set pieces. And the third act, where they introduced that unsettling humanoid creature only adds to the overall sense of unease and dread that permeates the entire film.  The use of practical special effects mixed with some CGI is also noteworthy, as it made the film more believable.  

Overall, "Alien Romulus" is a must-see for fans of the Alien franchise, as it expertly blends the best elements of the past with a bold new direction that is sure to captivate audiences. The Director, Fede Alvarez, is clearly a huge fan and he gave proper homage to the previous films. Now it's time for me to rewatch all the past Alien films.    

Introducing the New Samsung Shop App in Southeast Asia and Oceania: Delivering Greater Value to Customers Wherever They Are

PRESS RELEASE

 

Samsung elevates online shopping for users in the Philippines with a personalized experience with App-exclusive deals

Samsung Electronics Philippines Co. – Samsung Electronics announced the availability of the new Samsung Shop App across select markets in the Southeast Asia and Oceania region, as part of its strategy to elevate and simplify the online shopping journey for Samsung users and fans.

The Southeast Asia and Oceania region continues to see a significant volume of purchases for electronic products made online. According to a study conducted by Samsung in August 2023, 42.6% of respondents in the region bought electronic devices or home appliances online in the past three months. As such, e-commerce remains an important channel for Samsung to expand its reach and growth to customers that are doing more of their shopping online. 

After its launch last year in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Samsung Shop App is now available in the Philippines; with plans to launch in more markets across Southeast Asia and Oceania. With the Samsung Shop App, users are provided with exclusive access to offers available only on the app. At the same time, the app is also able to personalize offers made available to users depending on their interests, while ensuring they can stay on top of the latest deals of Samsung products via timely notifications in the app. 

For users making purchases through the Samsung Shop App, flexible payment options such as easy installment payments simplify the purchase process. Users can also easily view delivery details and do real-time tracking for orders made. As a feature benefit, users also have Official Samsung Warranty when purchasing products on the Shop App. At the same time, users can benefit from the Samsung Rewards program, which lets users easily earn and redeem points on every purchase made through the Samsung Shop App.

“Online shopping has always been a promising avenue to reach our customers, and the increase in online shoppers in the region, including the Philippines, tells us there is merit in creating more accessible shopping platforms. As we are continuously seeking ways to improve our customer experience, our goal with the launch of the Samsung Shop App in the Philippines is to bring our products that can help elevate work and play to more Filipinos, and allow them to seamlessly discover the best personalized deals suited for their unique needs and individuality,” says Min Su Chu, President of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO).

Immersive, app-tastic shopping experiences

With Samsung Shop App, Samsung is elevating the online shopping experience for customers and fans, all from the comfort of wherever they are, in the following ways:

An optimized shopping experience on mobile devices: The Samsung Shop App will be available on both Android and iOS devices, with a mobile-optimized user interface that is user friendly, as well as a curated selection of the latest Samsung consumer electronics products available for purchase through the app, with the catalog of products available for purchase to be expanded in the months to come. In Q4 of this year, tablet users can take advantage of their larger screens for an optimized shopping experience.

Real-time order status updates: Customers who make purchases on the Samsung Shop App can view details of orders made and receive real-time delivery notifications. For all purchases, customers are entitled to free shipping.

Personalized recommendations: The Samsung Shop App will be able to offer personalized content and recommendations for Samsung products, including easy comparisons between users’ current devices and the latest models offered, as well as accessories for owned products.

Exclusive discounts for students: Students from the Philippines will be able to save big on Samsung devices with exclusive discounts and offers for purchases made through the Samsung Shop App.

Samsung Members-only benefits: Through the Members App, Samsung Members can be directed to exclusive Members-only discounts, offers, and experiential perks, along with the ability to earn additional loyalty benefits, on the Samsung Shop app. 

Exclusive in-app promotions for all: As part of the Samsung Shop App launch festivities, Samsung customers and users will be able to take advantage of a discount of ₱1,000 off with minimum spend of ₱10,000 using the code APP1KPH upon checkout. Promo is available now until December 31, 2024. 

Enjoy the latest deals on the new device releases like the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6 and wearables like the Galaxy Watch7 Series, Galaxy Watch Ultra, and the Galaxy Buds3 series powered by Galaxy AI. Consumer Electronic products like Bespoke AI Home Appliances, Samsung AI TVs and Smart Monitors are also up for grabs. Check out the best deals today at the Samsung Shop App.  Users can also take advantage of Flexible Payment Options: Pay in monthly installments at 0% interest up to 36 months using HSBC, Metrobank, BDO, & BPI credit cards.

Samsung Shop App is available on the Google Play Store, and the App Store. To download and install the Samsung Shop App and take advantage of the promotions on offer, please visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/apps/samsung-shop-app/, or scan the QR code to download. 

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-195164 

RETURNING TO BEETLEJUICE: DIRECTOR TIM BURTON, MICHAEL KEATON, WINONA RYDER AND CATHERINE O’HARA TALK ABOUT WORKING ON THE ICONIC FILM’S SEQUEL “BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE”, IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 4

 

Michael Keaton, as the iconic Beetlejuice, and director Tim Burton on the set of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

Photo Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh

Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

The Juice is loose, Baby! 

Back once again in his signature black-and-white stripes, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) – the trickster demon and shapeshifting bio-exorcist – finds a way back to the Deetz family (particularly Lydia, his one who got away), oozing his signature kind of dead(ly) charm, to create chaos, raise a ruckus, and otherwise just be his ghoulish and ghastly self, in the sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” directed by Tim Burton, with original cast members Keaton, Winona Ryder (Lydia Deetz) and Catherine O’Hara (Delia Deetz) joining newcomers Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci and Willem Dafoe.  

“It’s great when you see people that you haven’t seen for a while, and then you go back into it,” says Burton. “I didn’t realize it’s been like decades. You know, it felt like yesterday, and it’s quite amazing when that happens. It was great. Honestly, it was strangely emotional seeing them all together again. But that’s what made it a special thing.”

After the first movie, released in 1988, there was lots of talk about a sequel and different ideas were thrown out over the years, but nothing really clicked for Burton. “And so, all this time goes by, 35 years, and what really got me interested and excited is… life,” says the acclaimed director. “It’s like, what happened to the Deetz family? You know, it’s 35 years later, what happened to Lydia, this interesting teenager? And so you start to use your own life experience: you’re an interesting teenager. What happens when you become an adult? Do you have children? What are your relationships like? What have you become? Things happen to all of us as we get older and change – relationships, children – all those things. That was the nucleus of it for me that got me back interested in it – what happened to the Deetz family. It was quite emotional for me to revisit these characters.”

In “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. The sequel’s screenplay is by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (“Wednesday”), story by Gough and Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (“The LEGO® Batman Movie”), based on characters created by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/4kv5AC2po5A 

On returning to one of the most iconic characters he’s ever played, Keaton says, “I was nervous, really nervous, because the choice that I made, that was a big leap. It was a risky move that happened to have worked. So then, you think, ‘Oh geez, can I pull that off again after all these years?’ I think there was way more pressure on this one – we didn’t really want to mess this up. I was very nervous about it and me. But we hope we got there. I think we did.” 

Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder and Justin Theroux in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

Photo Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh

Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

Of his fellow original cast members, Ryder and O’Hara, Keaton adds, “I was praying they would be back in it; you really need Catherine and Winona. To have them back was really fun. Winona is the sweetest and she just fit right back in… And Catherine’s a pal of mine – this is the third time we’ve worked together. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For Ryder, who plays Astrid, making the sequel felt “startlingly similar. I don’t want to say even better, but… Well, these are the same characters, but they’re just older. Having been through the first one and the effect that it had, there was pressure in coming back to it, but there was also this complete trust, because it’s Tim. And also, I was going into something really, really brilliant and really special, because I’d been there when I was 15. And that’s all Tim, and that’s all Tim’s heart. His heart is just so fun, and it’s such a beautiful playground of emotion and humor, and everybody lives inside of it. You get to live in it for that time and it’s a really, really beautiful place to be.”

Besides having a lot of fun in the first movie, O’Hara, who plays Lydia’s stepmom Delia, waxes nostalgic for the world of “Beetlejuice” for another special reason. “I met my husband [production designer Bo Welch] on the original, so that’s my first thought when I think, ‘What does that movie mean to me?’” she shares. “He designed the sets for the first movie. And Tim made him ask me out. So, I love them both.” Working with Burton, Keaton and Ryder on the sequel was “so fun! Like no time has passed,” says O’Hara. “It’s got the same great, loose, fun vibe that the first movie had. And that comes from the top… Tim and his great producers, who let him do what he does best.”

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, creeps into Philippine cinemas on September 4. #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice

Join the conversation using #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice

Photo & Video Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures 

THE HORROR CONTINUES. “SMILE 2” TRAILER OUT NOW. ARRIVING IN PH CINEMAS ON OCTOBER 16

It will never let go. Fear is spreading in “Smile 2,” starring Naomi Scott. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/V2KwsIaZM6w

  

“Smile 2” haunts Philippine cinemas on October 16.

About Smile 2

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control. Smile 2 is produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Parker Finn, Robert Salerno, and written and directed by Parker Finn. Starring Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Ra?l Castillo, Dylan Gelula, Ray Nicholson

In cinemas October 16, Smile 2  is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #Smile2 @paramountpicsph

Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures”

WHO’S NEXT? WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “KRAVEN THE HUNTER”

 

The hunt is on. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is one of Marvel’s most iconic villains in Kraven the Hunter, in Philippine cinemas on December 11.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/Tu1MTm4MWuU

About Kraven the Hunter

 

Kraven the Hunter is the visceral, action-packed origin story of how and why one of Marvel's most iconic villains came to be. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe), starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared. 

Directed by J.C. Chandor with story and screenplay by Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway, based on Marvel Comics. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and David Householter.

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott and Russell Crowe. 

Opening in Philippine cinemas on December 11, Kraven the Hunter is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #KravenTheHunter

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

FAVORITE K-ACTORS CAST LED BY DON LEE IN THE HYPER ACTION-COMEDY THE ROUNDUP: PUNISHMENT Now Showing Exclusively at SM Cinemas

 

The Roundup: Punishment follows three years after the synthetic drug case roundup in Korea, beast cop Ma Seok-do (Don Lee) and Metro Investigations are busy chasing down criminals who are dealing drugs through a delivery app, when the app distributor is found dead overseas. The team soon realizes that this case involves a huge illegal online gambling business. 

In the Philippines, ex-special forces mercenary Baek Chang-gi (Kim Moo-yul) monopolizes Korea’s illegal online gambling business by means of abduction, confinement, assault, and even murder. Meanwhile back in Korea, IT genius CEO Chang Dong-cheol (Lee Dong-hwi) is hatching even bigger plans. Chang Dong-cheol, the CEO of QM Holdings, is an industry luminary who has made a name for himself as an IT genius, the role is played by Lee Dong-hwi who is popularly known for his role in Reply 1998.  

The Roundup series has been known for introducing captivating new villains for each of its films. Actor Kim Moo-yul plays Baek Chang-gi, the main villain and never-before-seen character of The Roundup: Punishment. Praised as the most formidable villain in the Roundup series history, Kim plays his character with perfect action, performance, and appearance. Don Lee says “Kim is an actor who has perfect action skills, acting performance, and appearance. I can’t imagine anyone else playing Baek,” emphasizing that Kim was a perfect fit for the role.

Actor Park Ji-hwan comes back with his signature role, Jang I-su, first introduced in The Outlaws (2017), making him a well-known scene-stealer in Korean cinema. Jang I-su was re-introduced in The Roundup (2022) as Ma Seok-do’s unofficial crime-fighting partner, breathing charm and comedy into the series. Jang I-su is now an irreplaceable, beloved character in the series, along with Ma Seok-do. Coming back to his role in The Roundup: Punishment, Park will be one of the main leads in the film’s story.

Along with Jang I-su, the Metro Investigations will be back. Showing off their tight teamwork, the team will join Ma Seok-do in rounding up the illegal online gambling business as his trusted partners. A new team, the Cyber Investigations, will join in on the bigger scale of rounding up criminals in both the Philippines and Korea. Actress Lee Joo-bin (Queen of Tears) plays Han Ji-su, and actor Kim Shin-bi (Flex X Cop) will play Gang Nam-su, adding in refreshing new energy to the film as the Cyber Investigations team members.

Distributed by Black Cap Pictures, “The Roundup: Punishment” is now showing exclusively at SM Cinemas with specially priced tickets – 275 in Metro Manila and 230 in provinces.   

Follow Black Cap Pictures on FB  @BlackCapPictures, IG @blackcappictures, YT @BlackCapPictures and on TikTok  @blackcappicturesinc

 

 

CHANNING TATUM WAS THE ONLY CHOICE FOR THE MYSTERIOUS SLATER KING, SAYS DIRECTOR ZOË KRAVITZ FOR “BLINK TWICE,” OPENING IN CINEMAS AUGUST 21

 

Channing Tatum as Slater King in #BlinkTwiceMovie 

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

To play tech billionaire Slater King in her feature film directorial debut “Blink Twice,” Zoë Kravitz immediately wanted Channing Tatum. At the time she didn’t know him, but she wanted to see him do something unlike anything he had ever done before, and thought he would be a perfect match for Slater. His naturally good-natured demeanor would lure the audience – and Frida (played by Naomi Ackie) – onto the film’s mysterious island.

In the psychological thriller “Blink Twice,” when tech billionaire Slater King (Tatum) meets cocktail waitress Frida (Ackie) at his fundraising gala, sparks immediately fly. He then invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. But as strange things start to happen, Frida begins to question her reality. She’ll have to uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/aCuT-klGby4 

When the script got into Tatum’s hands he found it both “exciting” and “terrifying.” Slater offered up a new challenge for him in that he would have to inhabit a person who was nothing like him. “Almost every dude I’ve ever played I’ve had some sort of connection to them,” he says. “There’s nothing really to love about Slater. There just isn’t, he’s a full psychopath.”

But Tatum was also intrigued by the possibility of doing something daring, and in Kravitz he found an eager collaborator in challenging himself. “We’ve talked about lots of different versions of Slater,” he says. “The one thing that we both agreed upon is that we didn’t want to do the, the very stereotypical movie moment in a thriller where you reveal the bad guy.”

Naomi Ackie as Frida in #BlinkTwiceMovie

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Finding her Frida was a “whole other journey” for Kravitz. “It’s a hard part,” Kravitz says. “She’s many things at once. You kind of never really get a real handle on who she is. How manipulative is she? How unaware? Is she the villain? Is she the victim? There’s so many different elements to that character.” Casting director Carmen Cuba offered up an option: Naomi Ackie, star of films like “Lady Macbeth” and “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Kravitz was not as familiar with Ackie’s work, but once she watched her projects like “Master of None” and “The End of the F***ing World” she was blown away. “I was like, ‘What a beast!’” Kravitz says. “And also her face is like so cinematic.”

Ackie remembers that what was supposed to be an initial chat with Kravitz turned into a two-hour conversation around the ideas of the film. “There was a lot that conversation brought up for me around the idea of the pursuit of power, about sexual assault, but also about Frida’s want for something more,” Ackie says. “Her relationship with the symbol of power that is Slater, how that affects her and that gives her blind spots to certain things. There’s many different things going on at the same time about how people are interacting with each other when it comes to these ideas of status and money, and they’re all abusing it in one way or another. We talked about Frida as quite an interesting, imperfect character, and how that made her a really interesting victim.”

 

In Tatum, Ackie found a supportive partner to play off. “I think there was an awareness for both of us that we were tapping into some really hard sh*t,” Ackie says. “His character as this awful guy who does really f***ing awful things, and my character as someone who is suffering from those awful things. Those aren’t easy, so we had to balance it with silliness and goofiness and making sure that everyone felt safe.”

Of Ackie, Tatum says she’s “probably one of the more talented people I’ve worked with.” He adds: “You walk into a scene and you’re like, man, this is kind of a hard scene. And she’ll just walk right through it. Like, not a problem at all.”

Don’t miss “Blink Twice,” distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, opening only in cinemas August 21. #BlinkTwiceMovie

Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures” 

A whimsical and emotional journey awaits as “The Wild Robot” reveals a new trailer. Featuring the voices of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, and more

Lupita Nyong’o (best known for her roles in Star Wars, Black Panther, and most recently A Quiet Place: Day One) goes on an unexpected adventure in the latest animation from Dreamworks, The Wild Robot. The film is based on the #1 New York Times bestselling novel of the same name from Peter Brown, and directed by Chris Sanders, whose works include beloved films such as Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon.

Watch the trailer here: https://tinyurl.com/3r39p8zp

The robot Roz (voiced by Nyong’o), finds herself stranded in the wilderness and unsuited for the journey as a machine for futuristic city life. . “I hope that audiences relish the beauty, adventure and emotion of this movie,” Nyong’o says. “It’s not afraid to pull at your heartstrings, and I hope audiences enjoy that ride. Ultimately, the message of The Wild Robot, both the book and the film, is that kindness is an innate quality we should hone, and there’s value in staying true to yourself while embracing change.”

The Wild Robot is ultimately a story of life, loss, and unexpected bonds, as Roz is thrust into the role of a parent when a baby gosling, Brightbill, hatches and bonds with her. Voicing Brightbill is Heartstopper actor Kit Connor, with him bringing complexity to the role. “Brightbill is on a journey of self-discovery,” Connor says. “At the start of the film, Roz is an unfeeling robot. Brightbill teaches her about kindness and love, and in turn, their mother-son relationship continues to grow stronger as the story progresses. Their evolving connection not only brings warmth to the story but also emphasizes the power of empathy and understanding in overcoming challenges. And that love and kindness that Roz learns eventually helps them both succeed. Throughout the film, we see him growing more confident and learning to love the things that make him different.”

Step into the world of The Wild Robot as it opens in Philippine cinemas on October 9. 

About “The Wild Robot”

From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot. 

The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. 

The Wild Robot stars Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (Us, The Black Panther franchise) as robot Roz; Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) as fox Fink; Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek, Best in Show) as opossum Pinktail; Oscar® nominee Bill Nighy (Living, Love Actually) as goose Longneck; Kit Connor (Heartstopper, Rocketman) as gosling Brightbill and Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once, this summer’s The Fall Guy) as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island. 

The film also features the voice talents of Emmy winning pop-culture icon Mark Hamill (Star Wars franchise, The Boy and the Heron), Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, The SpongeBob Movie franchise) and Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible films, Pulp Fiction). 

 

Opens in Philippine cinemas on October 9. Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG) and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates on “The Wild Robot.” Join the conversation with #TheWildRobotMoviePH

Photo and video credit: “Universal Pictures International”