Now Showing in the Philippines: 4th week of February

On the last week of the love month of February, the following movies are showing in the Philippines:

• Jack the Giant Slayer [New]
• Silver Linings Playbook [New]
• Stoker [New]
• Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story (Filipino Film) [New]
• Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
• A Moment in Time (Filipino Film)
• Warm Bodies
• A Good Day to Die Hard
• Beautiful Creatures
• Safe Haven
• Lincoln

Can't wait to watch the new films this weekend.

Angry Birds Toons will finally premier on March 16 and 17

I know this entry is a bit off topic for this blog, but I'm just a fan of the Angry Birds Animation.  The birds don't say anything, but I still get entertained by the simple story and animated shorts.

Rovio, company that created and published Angry Birds, always release animated shorts before their game release.  The animation shorts they release are so darn good, that I was thinking they should make angry birds animation series full time, finally my prayers have been answered an animation series will start soon.

The Angry Birds and Bad Piggies are just so darn cute, I will watch the series and hope they will have a long running season.  It reminds me of roadrunner show, when I was a child.

Dingdong Dantes topbills 'Dance of the Steelbars'

The story of world-famous Dancing Inmates of the Cebu Penitentiary becomes the inspiration of the film "Dance of the Steelbars," which stars Kapuso prime actor Dingdong Dantes on the lead role.

The film shows stories inspired by actual events in the Filipino prison, the struggles that inmates experience and their quest to feel human again. Dingdong plays the role of Mando, a convicted murderer who denies his passion for dancing just to prove his masculinity. But a series of events will lead him dance the dance of the steelbars.

Joining Dingdong are Irish actor Patrick Bergin (who played the husband of Julia Roberts in "Sleeping With The Enemy"), Joey Paras, and Ricky Davao. The film is produced by Portfolio Films in partnership with GMA Films.

"Dance of the Steelbars" begins showing in Philippine theaters this May 22nd.


[via Reyn's Room]

Lincoln: Movie Review

I was able to watch Lincoln movie on its first week in Philippine cinemas.  I heard lots of praise and good reviews about this movie.

They were right about some of the things about the movie.  But giving it that high of a rating is a bit misleading in my opinion.  Sure, its a good portrayal of a president and a good movie direction.  But for the story, I find it a bit dragging.  Also, the dialogue, I had to crank up my old English knowledge in this movie.  I often times, find myself on certain scenes trying to catch up on what they are saying.

Be warned, this is a good movie but none of the great drama you would expect from a historical movie.  You may see Abraham Lincoln as he really is during that time.  He isn't a saint, although, they depict him as a man holding the highest office at the time when the US is in crisis (The civil war).

You will see him as a father, a husband, and a politician.  Him dealing with the usual problems of dealing with his distraught wife, a son wanting to join the army, and a problem in his work.

The movie setting takes place in last few months before the end of the civil war.  Lincoln knew they will win the war and crush the rebels.  But he also knew, he made some decisions that will be questioned and make his efforts be for nothing after the war.  That is why, in this movie, he made a deadline to have the constitution amended to abolish slavery in the US, in just a month.  In the movie, we will see the effort they make to have congress pass the amendment.  Which is almost apparent, that this still happens today in Philippine politics.

How are the visuals?

The visuals are good, but not that great.  It is a period movie, so the props and sets are good.  The costumes are a good fit for the period.  It's mostly camera work and a few computer effects I think.  Overall, the visuals are good.


How is the story?

The story is a bit dragging, most of the time I find myself thinking of leaving the theater for a while, but can't do it because I may be lost on the story progress when I come back.  The story is good, but dragging.


How is it overall?

I rate this movie, 2.5 out of 5 stars.  The reason, is I find the story dragging.  Some of the audience fell asleep, and others out of boredom left the theater.  Sure, we laughed at some of the scenes and felt sad on the sad moments.  But those are not enough if only 25% of the movie you feel that way.  Most of the time, you are just trying to concentrate on the dialogue, so you won't get lost in the story.

This movie is a hit or miss for the Philippine audience.  And I bet, most probably a miss.

Now Showing in the Philippines: on 3rd week of February

The following movies are showing in the Philippines on 3rd week of February:

• Moment in Time (Filipino Movie)
• A Good Day to Die Hard
• Beautiful Creatures
• Safe Haven
• Warm Bodies
• Lincoln
• Chinese Zodiac
• Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
• Anna Karenina

Enjoy the week with these movies in cinemas.

Walking Dead season 3 continuation shown on Fox

The Walking Dead season 3 continuation is being shown on Fox Channel.  I don't know, if the story will be more intriguing in the coming weeks.  The latest episode is a kind of a let down, from the cliff hanger ending it had on the first half of season 3.

All I can say is, a lot has happened on the latest continuation episode, but I felt it lack something.  Well, hope the next episode will be much better than this week's episode.

Now Showing in the Philippines on 2nd week of February

Movies now showing in the Philippines:

• Moment in Time (Filipino Movie)
• Safe Haven
• A Good Day to Die Hard
• Bullet to the Head
• Mama (Horror)
• Flight
• Chinese Zodiac
• Warm Bodies
• Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
• Upside Down

Some cinemas are not showing Upside Down anymore.

Chinese Zodiac Movie Review

I was able to watch Chinese Zodiac on its second week, before Chinese New Year 2013, on Feb 10.  I wasn't expecting much, but watching it made me reminiscent of the good old Jackie Chan movies.

For me, this is a recommended movie to watch with the whole family .  Not for small innocent kids, but teens may enjoy this film.  This is in par with the Armor of God series of more specific Operation Condor movie.  In the movie, Jackie Chan still uses Mitsubishi as his mode of transport.  He still has the trademark method of eating chewing gum.

How was the Story?

The story has a very simple plot.  The reluctant hero or anti-hero gets involved on a greedy wealthy businessman.  He is good at stealing, and is even proud of his profession.  The story starts as good, then somewhere along the way it gets confusing on a new character just arriving and I never get how she got involved on that part.

Story is good enough, hey, it's a Jackie Chan movie, this is one of the better written story than Mister Nice Guy.  That even has a worst ending than this or the Medallion has an even worst ending than Mister Nice Guy.

The story narration has a start and has an end, and some secondary character story mixed in the main story.  If you aren't a fan of Jackie Chan, and more of a story buff, then I suggest stay clear of this movie.  

How are the Visuals?

Visuals are good, this is a real action movie, none of those CGI stuff. Well, there could be some CGI, but not on the stunts.  The fight sequence are the ones you would expect from a Jackie Chan movie, flowery flowing movements, and almost realistic fight scenes.  When Jackie Chan kicks or punches, he gets hurt on the contact point.

There are fight scenes or action sequence that has never been done before in any film.  Such is the trademark of a Jackie Chan film.  Visually the movie is adequately pleasing.  I still think this movie, is trying to capture the 90's style of movie direction, only with today's latest technology put in the mix. 

How was it Overall?

Overall, it is a 4 out of 5 stars.  Story was okay.  Action was adequate.  Visuals are good.  I enjoyed watching Jackie Chan's last action movie, where he does his own stunts.  

This is the kind of movie, I will watch even though I know the story isn't all there.  I get to see a world where beautiful things happened and people of different nationalities are all there.  Can you imagine modern pirates with different nationalities?  Only in a Jackie Chan movie. 

I laughed multiple times watching this in the cinema.  Other audiences, I was with inside the cinema, laughed also with me.  If you are trying to forget your problems for a while and what a good laugh and action.  Then, this is the movie to watch, just throw away the serious and clear story aspect of the movie.  

Mama (Horror): Now Showing in the Philippines

This movie is interesting, it has the name of Guillermo Del Toro on the poster.  I like the way he directed Hellboy, movie.  So I think the theme of this movie could be in par with his imagination on creating some of the characters in Hell Boy 2, which are not in the comics.

Mama movie is not directed by Guillermo Del Toro, but will probably be given justice by the one directing it.  I'm sure it will stand up to the Guillermo Del Toro brand name of movies.  Although, I got sleepy on the movie, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark.

This movie might be just what a horror movie should be.  Do horror movies always involve an innocent couple? A child and a paranormal being?

Story revolves on 2 kids living in the woods, then "rescued" by a couple to live with them, but the kids are not alone, they bought someone with them.

Broken City: Now Showing in the Philippines

This is another crime drama, involving politics.  Based on the trailer I have seen, a politician (Russell Crowe), had his wife followed by a cop (Mark Wahlberg) whom he trusts.  Somewhere down the line, it gets complicated and the cop gets in a jam.

This is a movie to watch if your in to political thrillers and a bit of action.  Broken City is currently on its first week of showing in Philippine cinemas.

Upside Down: Now Showing in the Philippines

When I first saw the trailer of this movie, in a cinema, I was blown away by the concept and visuals.  It's like a Romeo and Juliet movie, with a twist that two worlds co-exist, they are upside-down each other.  Hence, the title Upside Down, because of two worlds atop of each other.

I have to admit it's a great movie concept, I just hope it's good as it looks.  I will probably watch this movie, if there are no other contenders for the week.  And there seems to be none that can top this on my weekly watchable list.

Rumor Confirmed: Sarah G Live will have its finale episode this Feb. 10

It is confirmed, Sarah G Live will have its final episode this coming Sunday (Feb. 10) Chinese New Year.  I guess, it's a way for her to have something new after the Chinese New Year.

According to ABS-CBN, she will be a Judge to this new show: The Voice of the Philippines.  Also, Sarah Geronimo is a very busy talent, since she will be doing a film with JL (John Lloyd Cruz) entitled, It takes a Man and a Woman.  And as I said in a previous blog, she will also have her own drama anthology.

I guess, I have to fill my Sunday nights with something else.

Rumor: Sarah G Live will have its last episode this coming Sunday

Sarah Geronimo's show Sarah G. Live is rumored to have its last show this coming Sunday.  This is the show I watch compared to MGV (Magandang Gabi Vice), which I try to avoid as much as possible on TV.

Well, according to some, the change could have been to accommodate new shows, some say the Pilipinas Got Talent is going back, so Sarah G Live has to go.  Others say, Sarah will still have a show, an anthology show to display her acting chops instead of just singing.

Oh how, I will miss Sarah G Live on Sundays.  If they can cancel a show, I was hoping it is the show (MGV) after the Sarah G Live was the one gets cancelled.  That one is just tasteless, and bleh, in my opinion. 

I'm sure, the rumor of Sarah G to be made as a drama anthology has more weight, than the other reasons floating around.  The show, Pilipinas Got Talent is a limited length show anyway, so Sarah G will be back after the Pilipinas Got Talent season.  I'm sure that is the case.

Bullet to the Head: Now Showing in the Philippines

Bullet to the Head is a Sylvester Stallone movie.  Another action packed movie, involving revenge to the person who murdered someone close to them.

I think, this could either be a good movie, or a terrible one.  I can't actually tell, just by watching the trailer.  I am skeptical about action movie heroes that make movies after a long hiatus.

I wasn't able to watch "The Last Stand", an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, for the same reason.  But I would probably watch a Bruce Willis movie that is coming in a couple of weeks, "A Good Day to Die Hard".  Even though, I didn't like the previous installment of the Die Hard franchise, I will probably watch the latest installment of Die Hard.

Back to the Stallone movie, so, if your a Sylvester Stallone fan, then this could be a movie for you.

Corpse love: 'Warm Bodies' movie review

Another zombie movie? Yes, but this time, it's different.

"Warm Bodies" is a poignant tale which started when an unusual zombie "R" (played by Nicholas Hoult) developed his feelings towards human survivor Julie (played by Teresa Palmer) in a zombie attack.

Unusual because zombies don't think and have no emotions. But "R" (all he could remember is that the first letter of his name is R) is different from others, and Julie noticed it during her stay at R's place.

The clever lines and bits of physical comedy make the film interesting and pleasing to watch. When I thought the genre was exhausted and overused, "Warm Bodies" pumped in some fresh blood and brought me earnest yet affable affection on this romantic farce.

Moviegoers on my side and on my back kept on laughing at scenes deemed to be serious on R's part, nevertheless those were truly laughable.

Even if the romance is just undead, "Warm Bodies" is funny, fresh, exciting, not mentioning the substantial strength of the two main characters, and features charming moments to keep it alive.

 And oh, I just love the soundtrack!

 My rating: 8.5/10

[via Reyn's Room]

Currently showing in Philippine Cinemas

On the first week of February, the following movies are showing:

• Warm Bodies
• Les Miserables
• Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
• Life of Pi
• Chinese Zodiac
• Gangster Squad
• Seduction (Filipino Movie)
• The Man with the Iron Fists
• The Impossible
• Parker

Additional movies after 3days (Change Picture):

• Mama (Horror)
• Bullet to the Head
• Broken City
• Upside Down

Enjoy these movies this coming weekend.