Author: Abraham Doctor

  • Found Footage Horror: A Brief History & 10 Films to Get You Started

    Jump scares and compelling plots may be crucial to making effective horror movies, but what makes these films really stick even after you’ve finished watching is the idea that they are more than just fiction put together for the screen.

    The more the film blurs the line between fact and fiction, the scarier it becomes when you think about it. This is why exorcism movies or films about curses are extra creepy when they overlap your religious and cultural beliefs. It’s even creepier when these movies actually pull their stories from real-life events.

    But it’s not always just in the idea, as a horror movie can also suspend your disbelief through the way that it is presented. This is where found footage horror comes in, the subgenre that ditches cinematography for shaky shots and blurry imagery to trick our minds into thinking that what we’re seeing is real.


    A short history of found footage films

    The first film considered to bring birth to the subgenre is the 1980 cult classic Cannibal Holocaust. The disturbing and gory flick by Italian director Ruggero Deodato depicted a group of documentary filmmakers who tried to film cannibal tribes in the Amazon rainforest but became food themselves.

    Was it effective in pushing realism? Well, Deodato was actually charged with the murder of his actors in the film, and had to prove in court that everything was made with practical effects.

    While it is the pioneer of the found footage technique in filmmaking, Cannibal Holocaust really gained its notoriety mostly because of the graphic violence and the controversies that came with it. But in 1999, there was an independent film that really emphasized the effectiveness of found footage in the horror genre: The Blair Witch Project.

    The Blair Witch Project
    Photo: ‘The Blair Witch Project’ trailer

    The film followed three filmmaking students as they take a hike into a forest in the hopes of documenting a local legend known as the Blair Witch. What ensues is a nightmarish experience with something sinister waiting for them in the shadows.

    After the success of The Blair Witch Project, the found footage subgenre was soon saturated with titles. After all, the technique allows for the films to be cheaper and easier to make. But while there are lots of bad films that piggybacked on the success of the subgenre, there are also some nice gems that are worth checking out post-Blair Witch Project.

    If you want to dive deeper into found footage horror, we’ve listed down ten movies you need to watch to get you started.

    10 Found Footage Horror Movies You Need to Watch

    1. Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

    After a film crew goes missing while documenting the cannibal tribes of the Amazon rainforest, a rescue team had been sent to investigate. What they find are footage of what happened to the filmmakers– mutilated and devoured by the cannibals in gut-wrenching and gruesome ways. Needless to say, if you’re weak in the stomach, you should skip this flick.

    Cannibal Holocaust
    Photo: ‘Cannibal Holocaust’ trailer

    2. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

    Filmmakers Heather, Mike, and Josh brave the woods of Burkittesville, Maryland to find the truth behind the local legend of the Blair Witch. After being lost in the forest, the group’s journey gets more dangerous by the second, with an unseen evil stalking them at every turn. The film may lack in horror spectacle, but the actors’ performances really made this a spine-chilling experience to watch.

    3. Noroi: The Curse (2005)

    Noroi: The Curse is the found footage film to check out if you’re a fan of that classic Asian horror. The film tells the story of a paranormal researcher who disappeared after his house burned down and killed his wife. Through the recordings of his cameraman, the scary story behind the tragedy begins to unfold.

    4. REC (2007)

    This Spanish movie which had an American remake titled Quarantine, fuses found footage horror with a zombie thriller. It follows the reporter Angela Vidal who is making a report about the fire department when they were called in to attend to an emergency at an apartment building. What should have been a rescue operation becomes a nightmare when an old woman starts attacking and biting people, infecting them with her violent fits.

    5. Lake Mungo (2008)

    Presented in a mockumentary style, Lake Mungo blends a ghost story and a true crime tale. After the death of Alice who drowned while swimming, her family begins to experience unexplainable things. As they investigate Alice’s secret double life, the answers lead them to Lake Mungo.

    6. Paranormal Activity (2009)

    Paranormal Activity is another successful film from the subgenre that spawned six sequels. The story follows the couple Katie and Micah who are being terrorized by a demon in their home. Micah then sets up cameras around the house, capturing the violent attacks from their tormentor.

    7. Creep (2014)

    Another must-watch found footage film, Creep succeeds as a psychological horror rather than just resorting to visual terrors. It follows the struggling videographer Aaron who accepts a job to film a man with an inoperable brain tumor for his unborn child. But as he spends more time with this man in a remote cabin, Aaron soon realizes that something is very wrong with his client.

    8. Hell House LLC (2015)

    Five years ago, a malfunction at a horror house attraction led to the death of 15 people. This movie follows a crew of filmmakers as they try to uncover the truth behind the tragedy through its only survivor and the remaining footage from inside the house.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ40kOmOgEI

    9. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

    This Korean film is one of the more modern horror titles to rise from the subgenre. In Gonjiam, a group that runs a horror web series decides to make their next episode inside an abandoned asylum, but they would soon discover that the evil they would encounter would be far more than what they bargained for.

    10. Incantation (2022)

    Incantation is the latest found footage horror film to make a buzz among the international audience. Hailing from Taiwan, this title tells the story of a mother who is trying to save her daughter from a curse that she and her friends had unleashed years ago. Aside from thriving through the technique, Incantation also takes it a step further by making viewers feel that the film could also curse them.

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    Exclusive Q&A: ‘Incantation’ Director & Stars On Mother Buddha, Avoiding Taboos, and More!
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    Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

  • Exclusive Q&A: ‘Incantation’ Director & Stars On Mother Buddha, Avoiding Taboos, and More!

    The Taiwanese horror film Incantation instantly became a hit when it dropped on Netflix, taking the viewers by storm with its creepy found-footage format and spine-chilling premise.

    While it has been out for almost a month now, the title continues to gain popularity, especially with the TikTok crowd amplifying the viewers’ collective fear surrounding the film.

    For the uninitiated, Incantation is a found-footage horror film that follows a woman named Ro-nan, as she tries to save her daughter from a deadly curse that she and her friends had unleashed years ago.

    Netflix has given us a chance to virtually sit with the film’s director Kevin Ko, and its stars Tsai Hsuan-yen, who played the protagonist, Ro-nan, and Kao Ying-hsua who starred as Chi-ming, the counselor at the foster care center. Below are the highlights of the interview.

    Incantation 7
    From Left to Right: Director Kevin Ko, lead actress Tsai Hsuan-yen, and actor Kao Ying-hsua.
    (Photo courtesy of Netflix)

    The True Story Behind Incantation

    Incantation further fuels the suspension of disbelief among viewers with their claim that the film is based on a true story. According to director Ko, the movie was inspired by an incident in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2005 where a family was said to have been possessed by deities.

    “When I heard about this situation in Kaohsiung, I wasn’t there to note much about it,” shared Ko. “It was something scary for me, that I didn’t want to know too much. So I wanted to keep the same feelings and same elements in the story of the film that you see.”

    Meanwhile, the incantation and the Mother Buddha from the film were purely fictional according to the director, so you’d have less to worry about if you accidentally chanted with the film.

    Incantation 4
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    The Horror of the Holes

    The film is sure to disturb those with trypophobia and claustrophobia as holes seem to be a recurring theme in the film. Asked if it was deliberate, the director shared it was the idea of the unknown that comes with these holes, that he utilized to evoke fear among the viewers.

    “When I was making the film, I was thinking about what was the most terrifying elements to people,” explained Director Ko. “And it is something invisible, intangible, and something unknown. So for example when you see the film, there’s a tunnel, it’s dark inside. You see the Mother Buddha, it’s dark inside, and you see the hole in their bodies. It feels like you may be sucked inside the hole, and realize that something may come out of the hole. This kind of unknowing is the more terrifying element in the film.”

    Incantation 8 1
    Photo: Incantation trailer

    On Playing the Cursed

    Actors Tsai Hsuan-yen and Kao Ying-hsua shared that the filming is not as scary as what we see on screen, or at least they didn’t feel it as they were focused on making the film convincing to the audiences.

    “When I was making the movie, I had two roles. I have to play the role, and at the same time, I needed to be the cameraman,” said Hsuan-yen. “So these roles kept me in balance on set. I tried to think about how to make it realistic and convincing in front of the camera.”

    Incantation 5
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    Ying-hsua agrees, adding that he did get scared when he finally watched the movie.

    “When I read the script, when I was on set, I wasn’t terrified or scared. I just tried to make it very convincing. We wondered how many people would believe that it is true, and it turned out many people do believe it is true. So it was surprising to me, when I watched the film, I also felt kinda scared as well. I also had nightmares after watching the film,” the actor said.

    Treading Over Taiwan’s Taboos

    While the film is fictional for the most part, the director and the cast also talked about how they were careful not to break real-life taboos when they were filming.

    Incantation 3
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    “We do have a lot of customs and religious taboos in Taiwan, especially in filmmaking,” said Director Ko. “We did have a lot of rituals and ceremonies before the filming process. We also have religious advisers on site to make sure that we do not break into any Taoist taboos. Also after filming, we would check if everyone is fine.”

    As for the actress Hsuan-yen, she shared that she went to a famous temple in Taipei and got an amulet which she carried around during and after the filming. Meanwhile, Ying-hsua responded with: “I got my Lord Jesus so I got nothing to fear.”

    Incantation 2
    Photo: Incantation trailer


    What were your reactions when watching Incantation on Netflix? Did you also avoid their “Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma… Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma… Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma…” chant? You can share your thoughts about the film on My.ClickTheCity.com or connect with us via  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

  • Kisetsu Weekend Buffet at Hotel Okura’s Yawaragi Offers Rich Spreads of Grilled Seafood, Sushi, & More

    We just had the chance to experience the new Kisetsu Weekend Buffet available at Hotel Okura‘s Yawaragi restaurant!

    Located on the fifth floor of the luxurious hotel, Yawaragi greets diners with its monolithic interior and palace-like ambiance. Guests can easily relax and enjoy a hearty meal at the restaurant with it spacious seatings, a bar on one side, a pianist playing music on the other, while sumptuous spreads await at the far end of the room.

    Yawaragi Restaurant

    The gourmet buffet was launched on July 17 in celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month with its name “Kisetsu”, meaning “seasons”, upholding the culinary philosophy of using ingredients in the prime of their flavors. The weekend buffet lets you enjoy a rich Japanese fare, as well as Filipino and Western selections to satisfy differing palates.

    Here are some of the highlights of the Kisetsu Weekend Buffet at Hotel Okura:

    Seafood Section 1

    The gourmet buffet offers a bountiful selection of sizeable seafood– from oysters to loaded crustaceans that you can have grilled at their robatayaki counter. Also available at the counter are tender and sumptuous skewers of marinated meat and poultry.

    Grilled seafood 1

    If you seek authentic Japanese fare, you can also indulge yourself in their lineup of chilled A-grade sashimi flown from overseas and their homemade futomaki and hosomaki rolls– with each roll really bursting with that fresh and flavorful umami. Other Japanese delicacies you can enjoy at the buffet are tamagoyaki, grilled tuna teriyaki, pork katsu, and a hearty hotpot with salmon, chicken, and shrimp.

    Sashimi
    Maki 2

    If you love fritters, then you can frequent their tempting platters of tempura, comprised of shrimp, vegetables, and mushrooms coated in crispy batter.

    Shrimp Tempura

    Seeking to sink your teeth into savory meat? The carvery counter offers a sumptuous Australian beef you can dress with red wine jus and garnish with marble potatoes and seasonal vegetables. They also have sections dedicated to salads, fruits, cold cuts, cheese, and bread.

    Australian Beef 2
    Cold Cuts Cheese and Bread

    Other international dishes we got to enjoy are the beef goulash akin to our very own caldereta, a meaty lasagna, and some seafood paella.

    Of course, dining on this fancy buffet would not be complete without some fancy drinks on the side. Enjoy a free flow of alcohol such as Henriot champagne, sake, red wine, white wine, and a selection of local and Japanese beers. They also have sodas, coffees, teas, and a selection of juices including coconut juice that you can sip out of the shell.

    Bar counter

    On Sundays, they also have Yawaragi bar carts where the bartender brings the bar next to your table and fixes your cocktail right there and then. You can choose from Tokyo Mule, Tokyo Mary, Japanese Whisky Ginger Highball, and Sake Tea Cocktail.

    Bar Cart

    As you enjoy the food and drinks, the dessert bar will also remind you to leave room for dessert. Aside from their dorayaki, mochi, and other bite-sized confections, one will surely delight in their decadent lineup of cakes which include the minty Pistachio Opera, the nutty Black Sesame Cake, the creamy Irish Profiterole Cake, and the melt-in-your-mouth Cherry & Chocolate Cake.

    Cake Pistachio Opera
    Cake Black Sesame scaled

    Make the most of your weekend and enjoy a filling feast at Hotel Okura Manila’s Yawaragi Restaurant! The buffet is available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The lunch buffet is open from 12 noon to 3 PM, while the dinner buffet is open from 6 PM to 10 PM.

    For a Friday or Saturday lunch, the buffet is priced at P2,750 nett per adult, and P1,375 nett per child. Meanwhile, Sunday lunch buffet is available for P3,850 nett per adult and P1,925 nett per child. For the dinner buffet from Fridays to Sundays, prices are P2,950 nett per adult person and P1,475 nett per child. The price is halved for children aged 6 to 12, while kids below 5 years of age can eat for free.*

    One-day advance reservation is highly encouraged. For inquiries and table reservations, call +63 917 842 9067, email yawaragi.service@hotelokuramanila.com, or book online: https://bit.ly/BookATable-Yawaragi.

    For more information, visit the Hotel Okura Manila website. You may also follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be updated on their latest promos.

    —

    *The following prices are introductory prices, available until August 14 only. The Friday lunch buffet will also stop operating starting August 12. For the updated pricing, click here: hotelokuramanila.com/offers/kisetsu-weekend-buffet.

  • Lea Salonga & Malia Pyles Talk Filipino Representation and More in HBO’s ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’

    New lies are made, new secrets surface, and a new generation of Liars must uncover the truth behind the bloody murders committed by the new A in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, streaming on HBO GO this July 28.

    Instead of a full reboot, Original Sin is set in the universe of the original Pretty Little Liars series, with the events taking place in the town of Millwood where new characters face a mysterious menace familiar to fans. This time, the teens are pursued by a new killer taking the alias of A, for the secrets that their mothers have kept since they were teens themselves.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnXgKHt—w

    What’s no longer a secret about Original Sin is that our very own Lea Salonga stars in the show as Elodie, the mother of one of the latest Liars, Minnie “Mouse” Honrada. Elodie is described as an overbearing mother who is trying to keep her daughter safe from past trauma.

    Salonga’s on-screen daughter Mouse is played by Filipino-American actress Malia Pyles. The cast also includes Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Maia Reficco, Mallory Bechtel, Sharon Leal, Elena Goode, Eric Johnson, and Alex Aiono.

    We recently had a chat with Salonga and Pyles in a virtual roundtable interview where the two stars shared details about the show, their characters, and more. Check out the highlights of the interview below:

    Malia, how excited were you when you heard that Lea was playing your mother in the series?

    Malia: I’ve been gushing about her in all of these interviews. But seriously, you can go back on my Instagram– I don’t know if I’ve shared this with you, Lea– I made a post for International Women’s Day, I would say in 2016 or 2017. And in that post, where I was posting pictures about the women that inspire me, one of those photos was of you.

    HBO GO Pretty Little Liars Original Sin Lea Salonga
    Courtesy of HBO GO / HBO Max 

    I definitely didn’t have to have a lesson about who Lea was. First of all, I’m a huge Disney princess fan. Also, [Les Miserables] was the soundtrack of my childhood. My parents didn’t raise me on normal music, they raised me on [theater music]. So Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, those two roles, they meant everything to me. And to get to a point in my career where I had the opportunity to work with her, especially to work so intimately with her, it’s just a dream come true, really.

    Lea, were you able to inject your own parenting style into the role of Elodie?

    Lea: It’s not so much that I have a lot of the freedom to do whatever I wanted, because the character is the character. I think her parenting is a result of this character’s circumstances and what she has been through as a younger person. So all of that will be made much more clear, and I think then we will understand why all of these characters are the way that they are, as a result of things that happened in their lives as younger people[…] But I think there will always be some sort of instinctive maternal thing anyway that will just kick in regardless of whatever this character is doing.

    Malia, how did it feel to transition into the thriller or horror genre?

    Malia: I am a huge fan of horror and slasher, and so I was so ready to sink my teeth into this. And I felt so supported by our creative team. We came into rehearsals and our director for episodes 1 and 2, she had a storyboard for us and it depicted a lot of different elements of horror as well as different references to horror films, and so it was clear to me that this was a very visual medium that I was getting myself into.

    HBO GO Pretty Little Liars Original Sin Malia Pyles 4
    Courtesy of HBO GO / HBO Max 

    In tandem with the delicate and nuanced issues that we cover, there’s also this huge external horror that follows and terrorizes these girls and their families, and so it’s really lovely to find the balance of that. I think when exploring trauma so intimately, it’s been helpful to have the horror medium as the backdrop because it almost makes that internal horror that these girls are experiencing more tangible.

    I know growing up and coming of age in high school, everything feels so big and impossible at times, and so it was just a testament to how smart our creative team was, exploring this known IP with a different lens. I think it just heightened all the drama so much so in a really beautiful way. And it’s really fun as an actor, and also just as a viewer of drama and horror.

    Lea, what made you decide to join the project and how did you get the role of Elodie?

    Lea: In this case, I had to actually audition, so it was not like ‘Would you like to take this role?’ It wasn’t like served on a plate. I don’t know how many actors were up for this, but I know it was the beginning of September, I auditioned for it, and sent everything to my manager who then sent everything to the creative team to see if I would be the right person for it.

    HBO GO Pretty Little Liars Original Sin Sharon Leal and Lea Salonga
    Courtesy of HBO GO / HBO Max 

    There might have been something that I did [when I was a teenager] that had some mystery and some detective work and some horror in it, but that was so long ago. Certainly nothing like this, for something like HBO. This is something, I guess, new, and I don’t think I’m an actor that’s necessarily associated with scary things? As I’m normally associated with things made for families or for children, or big musicals where there is a tragedy but not necessarily something like this. I think it’s just one of those things that I just totally left out when I auditioned for it.

    And I’m somebody that tends not to choose horror as an audience because I watched The Ring, and that kept me up for so many nights that it ruined the horror genre for me. So it’s kind of karmic, that I ended up on an HBO show that’s horror, slasher, and frightening. It just happened that way, and I just feel very very fortunate.

    Lea, aside from the original series, and you and Malia’s involvement in the series, what do you think will make the show appeal to Filipino viewers?

    Lea: First of all, there are four of us Filipinos in the show. Besides myself and Malia, we have Emily Bautista and Sharon Leal who is actually one of the mothers– she’s not playing Filipino but she is Filipino. She’s really Filipino, and in our conversations on set, it’s very obvious that she’s Filipino, at least it’s obvious to me.

    Second, even though this is a horror-slasher show, at the center of it, there are these five young women, and how their own families figure in this show. We see mother-daughter dynamics from all of them, from all of these young women, and their mothers are very much involved.

    HBO GO Pretty Little Liars Original Sin 2
    Courtesy of HBO GO / HBO Max 

    We see that there’s dysfunction within families. That there are secrets that mothers keep from their children and vice versa. You know when you’re growing up and you’re a teenager, I remember thinking there are things that I have to keep from my mom. And as I get older and as I’m having conversations with my mother, I’m like ‘How on Earth did I not know this?’

    So I think what’s going to appeal to us Filipinos, is watching how these families and how the members of each of these families interact with one another. And how one member of the family affects another, and how trauma affects one generation versus another, and how each of these families deals with this common enemy, that they have to figure out how to combat[…] We love family drama, and there’s an abundance of that here.

    Malia, were you able to watch the original series, and did you pick up any pointers when working on this new show?

    Malia: I was a big fan, it came out when I was 10. So I was definitely at an age where maybe I should not have been watching it? But I think what the original show does really well is that it does deliver truth and adult themes among these teen girls who are discovering things about themselves and there’s something deeply relatable about that for all ages.

    So I remember growing up and watching it, and just thinking how beautiful and iconic these girls were. Also for me in particular, I’m queer and I’m also Filipino, so Shay Mitchell had a huge impact on me, being a Filipina and also playing a queer character. I think it resonated so deeply with me and so it’s been incredible to be able to fill those shoes, in one way or another– continue that Filipina representation in this show, in this universe in particular. And now it’s not [like before when] Shay was the only person of color onscreen in that show. We have such a diverse cast, and we’re representing so many different stories, and it’s been really lovely to not only be able to be something for my people but then also learn from these other girls, and their backgrounds, and where they come from.

    It’s really cool, and also just getting to call myself a Liar, it’s just been a dream of a lifetime.

    HBO GO Pretty Little Liars Original Sin Jordan Gonzalez and Malia Pyles
    Courtesy of HBO GO / HBO Max

    —

    Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin streams on HBO GO this July 28. All seven seasons of the original series are also available for streaming on the platform. Subscribe to HBO GO now at www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store on your device for as low as P99.70 per month.

  • Inspired to Renovate? Here Are 8 Home Improvement Shows You Can Stream Right Now

    One of the big investments that most of us work hard to achieve is to have our dream home– a property that would not only cater to our needs but would also keep us comfortable and at peace. Our own space with a design that isn’t only functional, but also bears that calming atmosphere we all need after a hard day’s work.

    So whether you’re already planning for that future home or you’re inspired to revive your house with a makeover, then this list is for you! We’ve rounded up some TV shows that will inspire you to turn your average property into that beautiful home you’ve always wanted!

    Tiny House Nation

    If you lack space in your home but still want to make it as presentable and functional as possible, then you should check out Tiny House Nation. Show hosts and renovation experts John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin travel across America to showcase small abodes and their inventive inhabitants. The two also help out other homeowners in turning their small spaces into livable, space-saving houses. Stream it on Netflix.

    Fixer Upper

    Couple Chip and Joanna Gaines, who own a home renovation and redecoration business in Texas, take on the mission to turn fixer-uppers into showplaces! From the floors to the furniture, the couple will not only fix any part of the building that needs repairs, but also make sure that the home will wow with its design. Stream it on Discovery+.

    Love It or List It

    A home makeover show with a twist, Love It or List It features designer Hilary Farr and realtor David Visentin. While Hilary Farr redesigns the homeowners’ property, Visentin will show them around other houses, then at the end of the episode, the owners must make the decision if they’ll stay or move out of their home. Stream it on Discovery+.

    Holmes Family Rescue

    Mike Holmes continues his work from his original show, Holmes on Homes, but this time, he now has his children beside him. The Holmes family’s mission in every episode of the show is to rescue homeowners by fixing their properties that have been botched by their original contractors. Stream it on Discovery+.

    Home Town

    Married couple Erin and Ben Napier take home improvement to the next level by transforming their whole town of Laurel, Mississippi. While the two give modern and affordable updates to the historic houses in their town, the show also gives the viewers a look into the couple’s colorful life together. Stream it on Discovery+.

    Interior Design Masters

    If you enjoy the pressure and tension of competition shows, then Interior Design Masters is the next show you might want to check out. From model homes to a hotel to other commercial establishments, a group of interior designers must compete to turn these places into amazing spaces for a chance to win a contract with a top London hotel. Stream it on Netflix.

    Dream Home Makeover

    Studio McGee is known for their luxurious and minimalist take on interior design. In their Netflix series, Shea and Syd McGee’s design firm transform family homes, transforming them into posh spaces that would meet the property owners’ criteria of a real dream home. Stream it on Netflix.

    Celebrity IOU

    Celebrity IOU is a home renovation show that features A-lister stars! Twins Drew and Jonathan Scott join forces with big celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Viola Davis, and Jeremy Renner to beautify homes. In each episode, the twins do home makeovers for people that have made an impact to the celebrity guest’s life. Stream it on Discovery+.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ebd5q0vQQE

    Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    —
    Homestream images from Dream Home Makeover, Home Town, and Zooey Deschanel on Twitter.

  • Russo Brothers, Ryan Gosling, & Chris Evans Talk About ‘The Gray Man’ Action Scenes & Humorous Lines

    The Russo Brothers’ new spy thriller The Gray Man is set to drop on Netflix this July 22, and while fans could expect some epic, action-packed sequences, the film also promises to further entertain fans with the directors’ brand of humor.

    In The Gray Man, Ryan Gosling plays the CIA operative Court Gentry, aka Sierra Six– a highly-skilled Agency-sanctioned mercenary who becomes the target of the psychopathic Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), a former CIA cohort that is now hellbent on taking him down.

    The film also stars Ana de Armas, Regé-Jean Page, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Henwick, Dhanush, Wagner Moura, and Alfre Woodard.

    In a recent press conference for the Netflix film, the directors and cast of the film answered some questions about the creation of the movie, its characters, the action scenes, and the film’s funny moments. Check out the highlights of the Q&A below:

    What would you say sets The Gray Man apart from other spy thrillers?

    Joe Russo: Well, this is a modern story. I think that, you know, Bond is about 60 years old at this point and Bourne’s about 20 years old and this film is connected in a lot of ways to some issues that are going on in the world right now. The character is exceedingly existential, quite funny, and we just find that it fits our sense of humor. And, you know, it’s the kind of film that, you know, we feel would work well with today’s audiences.

    For Ryan Gosling, is The Gray Man one of the films that have required the most of you physically, and how was your training for this movie?

    Ryan Gosling: Yes. There was, as you can imagine, a lot of training for the film. But, yeah, I had, you know, an incredible amount of help. There was an amazing stunt team. You know, at first, they sort of went through all these different styles of martial arts and sort of tried to curate it for you and the character. And then we had this amazing advisor named Chili Palmer, who’s an ex-Delta Force member. I tried to just sort of join myself at the hip with him. He had all these, you know, amazing tactical advice, but also these really amazing ideas.

    The Gray Man 1
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    How do you balance the comedic moments and the action-packed serious ones? Do you prepare differently depending on the tone of the script?

    Gosling: Well, I think yeah, you prepare differently. It depends on the filmmakers. The Russos have a really cool process– one I’ve never done before– where at the beginning of the film, we sat with all of the department heads, and they put the script up on a big screen, and everybody, you know, sort of starts talking about it as they work through it. And at first, it makes it not precious and very collaborative. And also, it really gets you on the same page, literally. You know what movie you’re making. And it just became clear that we were kind of shooting for the stuff that I grew up loving in the ’80s and ’90s that had a kind of sense of humor about itself.

    It also helps because, you know, it’s not often that you find yourself, like, falling through a trap door and end up in a well in some guy’s Czechoslovakian apartment. So the fact that you can comment on that, you know, that the Russos sort of open it up, that you can sort of say in the movie, “Okay, this is, you know, this was unexpected,” [LAUGHS] it sort of helps, you know? And it gives you a gear in the movie that you don’t have in a lot of other films. So, you know, this was kind of a unique process in that way, but I really enjoyed it.

    For Chris Evans, would you say playing such a complex role as Lloyd gives you a more liberating experience as an actor?

    Chris Evans: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, playing a villain is always a little more fun, you have a little bit more freedom, you get a lot more jokes, but working with the Russos is what gives that sense of trust and freedom. You know, when you trust the filmmakers, you’re more willing to take risks, and certainly a character like this demands risks. So, without the Russos and the relationship and rapport we have, I don’t know if I would have had such a rewarding experience. Look at that? Brought the lights up. Brought the lights up.

    The Gray Man 3
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    Did you work with Chris Evans in developing the comedic side of Lloyd?

    Joe Russo: Yeah, I mean, it’s really important to us to work with the cast on the scripts. We want them to have emotional ownership over the characters. And everyone here is a great storyteller, as well as an incredible actor. They all have an amazing wealth of experience. And, you know, we encourage all of our collaborators to bring that to the table. You know, the script, for us, Anthony and I like to prepare so that we can throw things away. That’s a really, it’s an old adage in filmmaking, so we’re always available to what’s happening in the moment.

    If there’s something organic or funny, or if somebody says something funny, it doesn’t matter where it comes from, if it works with the character and it works with the story, we’ll try it. And everyone here brought dialogue, jokes, you know, character accents in a way that really filled out the film and made it much more colorful.

    For Ana de Armas, what was with The Gray Man that made you want to join the cast?

    Ana de Armas: Many things. I was very, very excited that the Russos thought of me and as soon as I got on the Zoom call with them and they presented this character for me and the story, I was in. And I wanted to work with Ryan again, I wanted to work with Chris again, and all this amazing cast behind me.

    And the character, I just loved it. I love who this woman is and all her background and training and her mentality and how badass she is and how fearless she is, and all of that.

    The Gray Man 5
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    What was the hardest part in filming the Prague sequence?

    Joe Russo: All of it.

    Anthony Russo: Yeah, every single element of it. You know, the Prague sequence, we needed a large section of the city to pull that off. That sequence starts in a major city square, and it continues through a chase throughout the city, so it was very complex. And, you know, just to give you an example of how hard it was, there’s a tram that the Gray Man gets on and Ana’s character is sort of chasing it in a car and there’s a lot of other mercs around and it careens through Prague, and in order to shoot that sequence, we were using actual trams in Prague.

    We built a bus that was designed to look exactly like a tram but ran on wheels because sometimes we needed to run the tram faster than the tram could actually go, or we needed to take it down streets that didn’t have tracks, et cetera. And then we also had a tram that was located at a lot in Prague that was stationary that we would sort of shake, and we had blue screen around it. So, you’re building the sequence through all those different locations, we’re shooting with our main cast, we’re shooting with stunt performers for the portions that are too dangerous, and it was a very complex process to build that.

    We’re grateful to everyone in Prague, Prague’s an amazing filmmaking center, they have an amazing crew there, and the people are very supportive of filmmaking. So, you can only pull something that complex off at a place like Prague.

    The Gray Man 4
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    Why did you decide to shoot it on location instead of in a studio?

    Joe: It would have been tough and required a lot of VFX. I mean, that is a very tactile sequence, you know? And you know, it’s interesting, whenever you go into a town, we did this with Winter Soldier, we shut down a freeway. We went back to Cleveland, our hometown, to shoot the movie and everyone was very happy, and then we shut down the freeway for two weeks and…

    Anthony: I was gonna say, they weren’t that happy. That was short-lived.

    Joe: I don’t think we can go back to Prague or Cleveland, but we’re very grateful that we were able to shoot on location.

    Is it possible that we’ll get more stories in The Gray Man universe?

    Anthony: Look, part of our motivation to assemble a cast like this, an amazing cast like this who can embody so many interesting characters, was the hope of creating sort of a universe that you wanted to follow all of them, either forward or backward from this moment in time that we caught in this first movie. So yes, hopefully, there will be more stories to tell in The Gray Man world.

    —
    You can stream The Gray Man starting this July 22 on Netflix.

  • MCU’s Russo Brothers Say Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man’ Could Spawn a Spy Thriller Cinematic Universe

    The Russo Brothers’ new spy thriller The Gray Man is set for release on Netflix in a few days, and while fans have yet to see the film, the directors have already teased the possibility of it growing into a cinematic universe.

    The Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony Russo, are best known for directing Avengers: Endgame for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so the idea of the two growing another cinematic universe would surely elicit excitement among fans of the directors and the spy genre.

    In a recent press conference for The Gray Man, Anthony Russo shares that they’ve designed their new film with the possibility of producing sequels, prequels, or spinoffs in mind.

    “Look, part of our motivation to assemble a cast like this, an amazing cast like this who can embody so many interesting characters, was the hope of creating sort of a universe that you wanted to follow all of them, either forward or backward from this moment in time that we caught in this first movie. So yes, hopefully, there will be more stories to tell in The Gray Man world,” Anthony Russo explained.

    Based on the book of the same name by Mark Greaney, The Gray Man tells the story of CIA operative Court Gentry, aka Sierra Six, a highly-skilled Agency-sanctioned mercenary. But tables have turned and Gentry finds himself as the target of the psychopathic Lloyd Hansen, a former CIA cohort that is now hellbent on taking him down.

    Ryan Gosling stars as Sierra Six while Chris Evans plays the villain Lloyd Hansen. Also part of the all-star ensemble are Ana de Armas as the badass agent Dani Miranda; Bridgerton‘s Rege-Jean Page as the ambitious agency Group Chief Denny Carmichael; Jessica Henwick as the cunning Deputy Group Chief Suzanne Brewer; Wagner Moura as the talented counterfeiter Lazlo Soza; Dhanush as the ruthless Avik San; Alfre Woodard as the former bureau chief Margaret Cahill; Julia Butters as the young Claire Fitzroy; and Billy Bob Thornton as the creator of the Sierra program, Donald Fitzroy.

    The Gray Man will start streaming on Netflix this July 22, 2022.

  • 10 Horror Movies with the Most Ridiculous Monsters and Killers

    Horror movies have gifted us with some of the scariest and most iconic monsters and killers in pop culture, including Chucky, Michael Myers, Jason, and Pennywise just to name a few. But the movie genre has also given life to some of the most ridiculous killers that one could think up– objects and animals that you wouldn’t think could ever hurt you, like fluffy bunnies and rolling tomatoes!

    On this list, we’ve rounded up some movies with monsters that are so weird and bizarre, they would probably not scare you, but they’re still worth considering if you’re in for the entertaining absurdity!

    10. Black Sheep (2010)

    Sheep have always been portrayed as helpless prey, but this movie tries to change our minds with its fluffy yet bloodthirsty sheep that crave human flesh. Set in New Zealand, the film centers on herds of sheep who are turned into carnivorous creatures by a mad scientist. Worse, one bite from such monsters and you will be turned into the human-sheep hybrid, Weresheep!

    9. Jack Frost (1997)

    A year before the family-friendly live-action Jack Frost movie was released, a horror take on the classic tale was put in cinemas with none other than the most well-known snowman as its monster. This killer snowman, complete with a carrot nose and twigs for eyebrows, is created after a serial killer gets melted by chemicals and is fused with the snow on the ground. Revived as a snowman, this monster can shoot sharp icicles, roll and crush things on its path, and can even enter a victim’s body!

    8. Thankskilling (2009)

    Thanksgiving takes a dark turn in the low-budget comedy-horror movie Thankskilling, which features a killer turkey… literally. Named Turkie, this crass, demonic bird was first summoned by a Native American who wanted to kill all Caucasians. Five hundred years later, a group of teens crosses paths with Turkie, who goes on a killing spree to fulfill his purpose.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z70Wr9nE41U

    7. Night of the Lepus (1972)

    If you think sheep and turkey are not non-threatening enough as animals to be turned into movie monsters, then Night of the Lepus and its enormous rabbits will beg to differ. Due to the growing bunny population, a West-American town decides to inject the rabbits with a serum that will control their birthrates, but as with many creature features, the experiment goes wrong and the small, fluffy animals turn into giant, carnivorous creatures ready to devour people.

    6. The Stuff (1985)

    We all know how devouring desserts too many is never good for our body, but the satire horror The Stuff takes this to a whole new level. An alien “stuff”– a white substance akin to ice cream, finds its way to the dessert market where it quickly became a hit! But the catch is, this sentient substance can turn people who eat it into mindless zombies before the stuff eats them from the inside.

    5. The Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong (2013)

    Charles Band is the man behind two of the most bizarre horror movie franchises. The Gingerdead Man is about a dead killer whose ashes had been baked into a gingerbread man, fusing his spirit into the pastry. Meanwhile, Evil Bong is about a malevolent bong that traps stoners inside its sinister Bong World. If these movies’ monsters aren’t ridiculous enough, Band also made a crossover flick where the two creatures wreak havoc upon more victims.

    4. Rubber (2010)

    You may have seen films where a car is haunted or is being used by a killer as a murder machine. In the comedy-horror meta film Rubber, however, the big villain is a lone car tire. The film, which declares in its opening scene that it is a homage to “no reason”, features the car tire named Robert who just suddenly gained consciousness. After discovering that he has psychokinetic powers, Robert goes on a killing spree, making people explode with his mind.

    3. Slaxx (2020)

    If you think all the ridiculous movie killers were born over a decade ago, and no more would follow suit, then you’re dead wrong. Slaxx is a 2020 film from the streaming platform Shudder which puts trendy consumers at the mercy of a killer pair of jeans. When Libby McClean gets hired into Canadian Cotton Company, she thought it was a dream come true, but it all turned into a nightmare when a possessed pair of pants begin to murder people inside the store.

    2. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978)

    We know food could kill– as The Stuff depicts– but we always imagine that it’s through ingestion that food can become a sinister threat. In Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, however, the soft fruit actually kills by any means, including rolling around and squashing people on its path! Of course, you do not expect that this film will actually scare you with a tomato (Boo!), but the film being a parody film might make it worth seeing for fans of the genre out there.

    1. Killer Condom (1996)

    It has been a well-established trope for horror slashers that when two people participate in sexual intercourse, it is often followed by their deaths. In this comedy-horror film, intercourse is inevitably followed by a bloody mess because the culprits are condoms with sharp teeth! When New York gets plagued by these creepy creatures, it is up to Detective Luigi Mackeroni to put a stop to these bizarre attacks.

    Killer Condom

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  • 10 Most Nominated Shows at Emmys 2022 & Where to Stream Them

    The list of Emmy nominees this year is out, giving us a roundup of the most promising programs that blessed our TVs and streaming platforms in the past year. If you’re on the lookout for the next bingeable series to add to your watchlist, then the Emmy nominations could be a handy guide!

    On this list, we’ve rounded up the most nominated TV shows at this year’s Emmys and where you can stream them here in the Philippines!

    1. Succession

    25 Nominations | Stream it on HBO GO

    The satirical series Succession follows the dysfunctional Roy family, who own the global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo. When the health of their patriarch Logan Roy begins to deteriorate, the family members fight for control over the company. Filled with tensions between billionaires trying to find their own place in the world and the Roy’s family legacy, Succession finds success in its rich writing and interesting roster of characters.

    2. Ted Lasso

    20 Nominations | Stream it on Apple TV+

    This comedy-drama from Apple TV+ follows the story of Ted Lasso, an American college football coach who was hired to coach the English Premier League soccer team AFC Richmond. The team’s owner, Rebecca Welton, hopes that Lasso’s lack of knowledge and experience will make the team fail as part of Rebecca’s revenge plan on her unfaithful ex-husband. But through Ted’s charm and amiable personality, he might just pull it off.

    3. The White Lotus

    20 Nominations | Stream it on HBO GO

    Part murder mystery, part social satire, The White Lotus revolves around the guests and employees at an exclusive Hawaiian resort. The show follows a number of rich and privileged tourists enjoying a piece of paradise in Hawaii. While facing their individual troubles, the vacationers’ days begin to grow grim which ultimately leads to a mysterious murder.

    4. Hacks

    17 Nominations | Stream it on HBO GO

    Another dramedy from HBO, Hacks serves as a critique of the comedy world while telling a heartfelt tale. The show follows the legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance, who needs to reinvent her aging quips to keep her job at the Palmetto Casino. Deborah’s manager then sends her a new head writer, Ava, a young comedy writer who has trouble finding work due to her arrogance. The unlikely team-up soon becomes a mentorship where Ava helps Deborah revive her act, while Deborah helps Ava work out her attitude and personal problems.

    5. Only Murders in the Building

    17 Nominations | Streaming on HULU (Not yet available in PH)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V1rQdXXXyI

    In Only Murders in the Building, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short play three strangers obsessed with true crime. Little did they know, they would find themselves wrapped up in one after a murder happens at their Upper West Side apartment building. The trio then uses their combined knowledge of true crime to find the culprit, but they would soon realize that they could become the killer’s next target.

    6. Euphoria

    16 Nominations | Stream it on HBO GO

    Starring Zendaya, the HBO drama Euphoria follows a group of young adults navigating their life in high school, experiencing struggles involving their identity, traumas, self-harm, drugs, family, love, and sex. The show’s main protagonist is Zendaya’s Rue Bennett, a recovering drug addict who just went out of rehab, facing many challenges as she tries to find her place in the world.

    7. Barry

    14 Nominations | Stream it on HBO GO

    This black comedy series follows the titular character, Barry Berkman, who finds himself at a crossroads in his life. A US Marine and Afghanistan veteran from Cleveland, Barry now works as a hitman and goes on a trip to Los Angeles to take down his next target. But when he joins a class of aspiring actors, Barry finds a new sense of purpose, and he ends up juggling his criminal life and acting life.

    8. Dopesick

    14 Nominations | Streaming on HULU (Not yet available in PH)

    This 8-part drama series is based on the non-fiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy. It focuses on America’s “epicenter” of opioid addiction, involving Purdue Pharma, the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Justice, and the affected individuals and families. It details the legal case against Purdue Pharma and their development, testing, and marketing of the drug OxyContin.

    9. Severance

    14 Nominations | Stream it on Apple TV+

    This sci-fi, psychological thriller offers an interesting premise: technology can now separate your memories within the workplace and outside of work. The series follows Mark, an employee of the technology corporation Lumon Industries, who agrees to be part of what is called the “severance” program, dividing his memories into two parts. But soon, Mark begins to uncover a dangerous conspiracy from both sides.

    10. Squid Game

    14 Nominations | Stream it on Netflix

    Netflix’s hit survival thriller from Korea, Squid Game, made waves around the world with its quick rise to fame. The series revolves around a deadly competition orchestrated for the entertainment of the wealthy. It follows the story of Seong Gi-hun, a man drowning in debt who gets invited to join a mysterious tournament for a chance to win 45.6 billion won. However, the whopping prize also meant higher stakes, as the challenges eliminate the players by killing them off.

    The Emmy Awards will be airing on September 12, 8 AM (Philippine time) on NBC and Peacock. Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

  • Everything You Need to Know About ‘Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area’

    Are you ready for the biggest heist in Korea?

    Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area is coming to Netflix this Friday! The new show is the K-drama adaptation of the hit series from Spain, which follows a gang of thieves taking over the Mint of a unified Korean Peninsula.

    Watch the trailer for Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area below:


    Synopsis

    Set in a fictional Korea where the borders between the North and the South have been removed, this series follows the criminal mastermind known as the Professor who gathers a group of professionals to pull off the biggest heist in the mint of the unified peninsula.

    Clad in red jumpsuits and traditional Hahoe masks, the group must handle their hostages from inside the mint while the authorities surround them from every corner.

    The series is directed by Kim Hong-sun and written by Ryu Yong-jae. It is based on the Spanish TV series Money Heist or La Casa de Papel created by Álex Pina.

    Cast & Characters

    • Yoo Ji-tae (When My Love Blooms) as the Professor
    • Jung Jong-seo (The Call) as Tokyo
    • Park Hae-soo (Squid Game) as Berlin
    • Lee Hyun-woo (The Liar and his Lover) as Rio
    • Lee Won-jong (My Unfamiliar Family)as Moscow
    • Kim Ji-hun (Flower of Evil) as Denver
    • Jang Yoon-ju (Citizen Deok Hee) as Nairobi
    • Kim Ji-hun (Chimera) as Helsinki
    • Lee Kyu-ho (The Good Detective) as Oslo
    • Kim Yunjin (Confession) as Seon Woojin
    • Lee Joobeen (Doctor Lawyer) as Yun Misun
    • Park Myung-hoon (Parasite) as Cho Youngmin
    • Kim Seung-o (Graceful Friends) as Cha Moohyuk

    On adapting the Spanish series into a Korean Drama

    In a recent press conference for the series, writer Ryu Yong-jae and director Kim Hong-sun shared their first impressions on the original series and how they ended up making a Korean adaptation for it.

    “When I watched season 1 and 2 of the original Spanish series, I was very much intrigued, and I became a big, big fan,” shares Ryu. “So I was sure I wanted to make a remake of it. And because it’s a Netflix original series, I can’t just buy the copyright for it, they have to offer me the job. And we knew that we could twist this into a Korean tale, and we pondered a lot. And then, we showed our plan to the original creator and we talked a lot with Netflix, and we were able to make it into a Korean tale.”

    Director Kim also adds: “I saw the original for the first time in 2018, and I thought that there were so many characters in the show, but what’s amazing is that all of them have their own personalities and charms, and it was just so fun to watch them all. And I knew that the characters would be very intriguing whenever and wherever they would be placed in. So I thought, if we translate the background and characters into something Korean, I thought we could give birth to something novel. And that’s how we started.”

    Money Heist Korea 4
    Photo: Jung Jaegu/Netflix

    A unique tale set in a unified Korea

    Asked what their comments are on the premise of this Korean adaptation, actress Kim Yunjin says: “Well, the original series is so popular, so I was unsure of whether we should actually make it in the start because I felt a lot of pressure. But unfortunately, Korea is the only divided country left on the world and we were able to create something by compressing all the good essence of the original and writer Ryu actually created a really beautiful script. And reading the script, I thought that I would be able to do this because the script is so good.”

    The Professor, Yoo Ji-tae also says: “It is a show with great fandom, I know, but a great story would be told well in any situation, any country, I thought. And Korean content is now beloved by so many people around the world, and that is probably because Korean content creators have really clever ideas and smart approaches. And that
    was of course done on this show as well. I mean, our own charms and our own sense of humor are all infused in the show.”

    The meaning behind the Hahoe mask

    Money Heist‘s mask based on the Spanish artist Salvador Dali has become iconic since the rise of the show’s popularity around the world. Now, the Korean version of the Money Heist gang will be wearing the traditional Korean mask of Hahoe.

    Berlin actor Park Hae-soo explains the meaning behind the new disguise: “In Spain, the Dali mask was used to send the message of freedom, and in Korea, we used the Hahoe mask from the Andong area, and Hahoe mask has some significance to it. It is embodying the criticism of the powerful, and it has the sense of humor in it as well. And when the mask was first brought to me, I actually felt this sense of overwhelming power when the mask is worn by every member of the cast. It has different angles from the center and from the side as well. I mean, the look that the mask is portraying from different angles may seem quite different, so that is something that intrigued me.”

    Lee Hyun-woo who plays Rio also shares how the mask gives him confidence during filming.

    “When you put on the Hahoe mask, people can’t see your facial expressions. So somehow, I got a little more confident so I could act a little more boldly when I’m behind the mask. And when we’re in the red jumpsuit altogether and when we’re standing together, that kind of uniformity gives that camaraderie. So I felt backed up and I felt more energetic when I was wearing the red jumpsuit,” said Hyun-woo.

    The Professor and Seon Woojin

    In the original series, we got to see the complex relationship between the Professor and Spanish Police Inspector Raquel Murillo. In the Korean adaptation, the heist’s mastermind will go against Seon Woojin.

    “Seon Woojin is a senior inspector at the Gyeonggi Police Crisis Negotiation Team,” explains actress Kim Yunjin. “As a negotiator in the joint task force team, she is really excellent in her own prowess and she is really calm and cold-hearted. And she is looking into the weakness of the robbers to finish the situation as soon as possible.”

    “Woojin and the Professor actually have something in common. They do not want any harm on anybody. So Woojin doesn’t want to go for armed repression. She wants to finish things in peace. With ideas and conversations, she wants to address the situation peacefully. So I think in that sense, Woojin and the Professor have something in common. And Woojin is a single mom on the outside of the joint task force and she is having a custody dispute with her ex-husband. And what makes her heart broken is that her mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s, and she has to deal with the big crisis while taking care of her sick mother as well,” Yunjin adds.

    Money Heist Korea
    Photo: Jung Jaegu/Netflix

    A very different Tokyo joins the team

    Jun Jong-seo who starred opposite Park Shin-hye in The Call, will be playing Tokyo in the new series. According to the actress, she really wanted to play the role of Misun, but naturally, she got the role of Tokyo. She also shared that the Korean version of Tokyo will be the most different from the original character.

    “She is a Gen Z, she’s in her 20s, and the realistic elements of those in her 20s are reflected on the show,” said Jun Jong-seo. “She is the most pure, I would say, and she is so much into the conviction of the Professor so she doesn’t get distracted, she’s very stable, and she is just focusing on one goal. And she is trying to lead everybody
    to go to that goal, so she is not a troublemaker.”

    Moscow and Denver’s tight-knit relationship

    Korean actor Lee Won-jong plays Moscow, the dependable father of Denver, who hopes for a better future for his son. According to Won-jong, he also feels father-and-son relationship between the two characters even from behind the scenes.

    “In our shooting process, the most difficult actions were played by my son Denver,” says Won-jong. “And there were so many dangerous scenes. He was rescued from the wall, and in that moment, I was really holding onto
    him really tightly because I didn’t want him to get hurt. So I kind of felt this fatherly love towards Ji-hun naturally.”

    Money Heist Korea 3
    Photo: Jung Jaegu/Netflix

    Denver’s actor Kim Ji-hun also agrees, saying “I’ve been in many projects, and I’ve acted as a son many times, but he was a dad that really cared for me like I was his real son. I could really feel that love. So I could open up to him really fast, and he was a dad that really pulled at my heartstrings. It was just natural that we felt this love towards each other. He talked about us hugging after a dangerous scene, I think it was the first scene where there was an explosion of the wall. Moscow comes out from the explosion and he almost died, well I wouldn’t say that, but I could feel that in my ears because the explosion was so loud, it looked so realistic. So I just had to go and hug him.”

    Will Money Heist: Korea beat Squid Game?

    During the global press conference for Money Heist: Korea, Park Hae-soo who played Cho Sang-woo in the hit Netflix series Squid Game and is now playing Berlin in the new series, was asked if he thinks that Money Heist: Korea will beat Squid Game in popularity.

    Hae-soo answers: “I’m not quite sure how it will unfold, but what I want to tell you is that there is a really big strength in Money Heist Korea. That is the great ensemble of the great cast. And the show is set against the backdrop of the divided nation and there are some emotional conflict that is inherently embedded in the storyline. And I think the global audience will be able to find joy in watching the show. And we have great artists and creators in Korea, and Squid Game actually followed the path of these creators and I’m sure Money Heist Korea will follow the same path and create more opportunities for the people who are following. So I really hope to see great progress in that regard going forward, and I’m sure that we’ll see that coming.”

    Money Heist Korea 2
    Photo: Jung Jaegu/Netflix

    Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area starts streaming on Netflix this June 24, 2022.