After his 2020 sci-fi film Tenet, Christopher Nolan is back with the new biopic Oppenheimer, which has just released its official trailer. The new film follows the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.
Watch the trailer for Oppenheimer below:
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin, Oppenheimer follows the eponymous man who was dubbed the father of the atomic bomb.
The film stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, and Rami Malek. Oppenheimer is coming to US cinemas on July 21, 2023.
Christmas is upon us, and if you still haven’t sorted out your gifts for the people you love, fret not! There are hotels in Metro Manila that offer curated holiday hampers and gift sets that would surely make your gift recipients feel even more special this season! Below, we’ve rounded up hotels in the metro that offer holiday hampers to help you with your gift shopping:
Their Santa Hamper is available for P7,500; the Sweet Indulgence Hamper is priced P11,500; and the Peninsula Gourmet Hamper is available for P19,500. See more details and order here.
Manila Marriott Hotel’s Holiday Hamper is available for P5,588 nett. It includes your choice of San Valley Cabarnet Sauvignon or Chardonnay, cacao tablea, Big Belly Santa, banana bread, 5 pieces of Holiday Cookies, roasted nuts, premium fruit mix, and a Marriott Hotel Manila mug.
Learn more about their holiday hamper here. For inquiries, contact them via +63 2-89889999 or through m.me/manilamarriott.
Emily Cooper is back for another season of Netflix’s Emily in Paris, streaming this December 21. Now in its third season, the hit Netflix show follows Emily as she faces more life-changing choices, involving her dream career and further complications in her romantic life.
Before Emily in Paris season 3 releases on Netflix, its stars Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Ashley Park (Mindy Chen), and Camille Razat (Camille) joined a virtual roundtable interview with the Philippine press where they talked about this season’s story trajectory, the growth of their characters, and more!
Check out the highlights of the Q&A below:
Can you share about your character’s growth this season?
Camille Razat: I think we get to see more of her work side, we see more of her at the gallery, being an artist. So more work side to that, and I would say there would be more love triangles and more complicated things.
Lily Collins: For me, you get to see me make decisions and then per usual, once I made decisions, they slightly become undone in certain ways based on experiences that happened. But there’s a quiet confidence about Emily this season and feeling more grounded in her skin and the city that I was excited to partake in.
Ashley Park: I think Mindy, in the first season, I don’t know if you’re a horoscope kind of person with you know, your star sign, your rising, mask, and your moon… But I feel like, in the first season, we really got to see Mindy’s rising sign, the mask, the [people’s] first impression of her as she gets to know Emily. In the second season, she grows closer to her and she gets to be vulnerable and we get to understand who she is on the inside, her moon. And I think that in the third season, she has to figure out how to navigate her past and present and not apologize for herself anymore and I think that we really see her star sign.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
How did the styles of your characters evolve across the three seasons of the show?
Ashley Park: I feel like, a lot. All three women, I feel like all of us have really found our identities, and they’re all becoming the women that they really want to be, and really trying to discover… We self-express through fashion, and I think especially for Mindy and also Emily, you know this is [Mindy’s] second year in Paris, and Emily, she’s within her first year, and we have a Parisian here. So, all of them are grounding on who they are in Paris, whether they lived there for a month, a year, or their whole life. I really feel like everybody’s found this chic tone this season, that’s very empowering. Especially watching it last night I felt like, even all of us are as bright and risk-takers as we want to be, or feel in that moment, there’s a really chic, nice undertone this season.
Lily Collins: And I think for me, specifically, there’s a more French quiet confidence about Emily’s wardrobe even though she’s as bright and bubbly. She’s being influenced by the women that she’s surrounded by. And feeling quiet and confident in her place in the city, it gets shown in her wardrobe. So it’s as big as you hope for, but at the same time slightly tailored down to feel a little bit more grounded.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
If there was an Emily in Paris spinoff where Emily gets a vacation someplace else, where would you like her to be?
Lily Collins: I would say… I have two places and I know what they think I’m gonna choose because I love Copenhagen and I think Emily in Denmark would be amazing. But I also think that Tokyo would be really fun, because for me, I love being in Tokyo because it feels like you’re in the past and the future at the same time, and for Emily to be surrounded by so much visual stimulation, I think would just be so fascinating and like another fish out of water experience. I think that would be so fun.
What can you say to the viewers out there who are doubting themselves in terms of taking a leap of faith in their career and romance, just like Emily did?
Lily Collins: I think not being afraid to fall is really important. I think letting go of control and not being afraid to not have it go perfectly is really important in order to succeed and go forward. And sometimes, you have to rely on others to lift you up, and that’s okay. So as long as you know that you have a support system around you to support you when things don’t go your way and to celebrate you when you do, it makes it that much easier.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
What are the important things about friendship that you’ve learned while working on this project?
Ashley Park: What I love about the female friendships in [the show], between us three is there’s no sense of judgment. I think that we all have our separate challenges and we go through different obstacles, and we didn’t even see eye to eye sometimes. And I think that the grounded support that comes into friendship, comes from this non-judgmental nature, in the spirit of just trying to be empathetic and being there for each other and I think that’s really beautiful.
Lily Collins: Yeah, and I’ve learned so much from both of these women on set, but really offset, about embracing who you are. Learning and growing, and not being afraid to ask for help or ask questions, being you. As simple as seeing you with and without your makeup, is the same as seeing you with and without knowing all the answers all the time. It’s like you’re being able to be vulnerable as well as strong, and that’s a beautiful thing and both of these women beside me on screen and off, they emulate that all the time, and I think it’s very inspiring.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
— Emily in Paris season 3 arrives on Netflix this December 21.
K-drama fans, here’s a new thrilling Netflix title starring Song Hye-kyo and Lee Do-hyun! A trailer for the upcoming series The Glory has been revealed, teasing an intriguing tale filled with revenge, childhood trauma, and confrontations.
Watch the trailer for The Glory below:
In this new K-drama, Song Hye-kyo (Descendants of the Sun) stars as Dong-eun, who harbors the painful memories of her being bullied and subjected to violence in her school. Now, 18 years later, she begins to take her revenge by driving all of the perpetrators and the people around them to the brink of ruin.
She encounters Yeo-Jung, played by Lee Do-Hyun (Sweet Home), who is another victim of a miserable tragedy. Circumstances will bring the two together, becoming co-conspirators in their own paths to exact revenge on the guilty.
The Glory is an 8-episode drama directed by An Gil-ho (Stranger) with a story written by Kim Eun-sook (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Mr. Sunshine). The series premieres on Netflix this December 30.
The holidays are just a few days away and with it comes our much-awaited and much-deserved celebrations, surrounded by our beloved friends and family. Of course, these moments are even merrier with a sumptuous feast on our dining tables come Christmas time.
But if you’re not the type to spend hours preparing dishes and cooking for your Noche Buena, you can always rely on hotels’ dining concepts that offer fantastic deals and promos. And if you’re on the lookout for such deals this season, then this list is for you!
Below, we’re listing down some of the hotel food promos that you can avail of just in time for the holiday festivities. Check them out below:
Devour a delicious a la carte menu curated by their creative culinary team. December 24, 7PM – 11PM (P2,500 net per person) | December 25, 7 PM – 10 PM (P2,500 net per person)
The Grand Kitchen
Enjoy a lavish feast of international and traditional Filipino dishes at the hotel’s interactive all-day dining restaurant. December 24 – 6PM – 10PM (P4,000 net per person) | 11PM – 1:30 AM (P3,000 net per person) December 25 – 12PM – 2:30PM (P4,000 net per person) | 6PM – 10PM (P4,000 net per person) December 31 – 6PM – 10PM with free-flow of red & white wines (P5,200 net per person) January 1 – 12PM – 2:30PM (P4,000 net per person) | 6PM – 10PM (P4,000 net per person)
The Cellar
Cherish the holiday moments over their 4-course menu with soulful rhythms from their live entertainment. December 24, 5PM – 11PM (P4,500 net per person) | December 25, 5PM – 11PM (P4,500 net per person) | December 31, 5PM – 11PM (P5,000 net per person)
No. 8 China House
Dive into festive set menus created by their Chinese chefs, which include their bestselling Peking Duck and other specialties. December 24, 25, 31, & January 1 – 11:30AM – 2:30PM (Price starts at P10,880 net for 4 persons) | 5PM – 10PM (Price starts at P12,880 net for 4 persons)
Pool House
Enjoy a 4-course meal featuring fresh-grilled specialties and cocktails December 24 & 25, 5PM – 11PM (P3,300 net per person) | December 31, 5PM – 11PM (P3,700 net per person)
The Peak
Experience The Peak’s exquisite 5-course menu with a breathtaking view. December 24 & 25, 5PM – 11PM (P5,500 net per person) | December 31, 5PM – 11PM (P6,200 net per person)
You can also check out their take-out holiday offerings here. Contact them through these numbers: +632 8527 0011, +632 5301 5500, or their mobile number, +63 998 950 1912 and email: restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com.
Cafe 1228 Enjoy all-you-can-eat dishes, a glass of sparkling, white, or red wine, free-flow of softdrinks, juices, and iced tea. December 24 & 25, 6PM – 10PM | December 25, 11AM – 2:30PM | December 31, 6PM – 10PM (P3,000 for adults, P1,500 for kids) January 1, 11AM – 2:30PM | January 1, 6PM – 10PM (P2,023 for adults, P1,500 for kids)
Jasmine Check out their 8-course set menu priced per guest, for a minimum of 2 guests. Christmas & New Year Set Menu – Set Menu 1 (P2,588) | Set Menu 2 (P2,888) Vegetarian Set Menu – Set 1 (P1,888) | Set 2 (P2,288)
See their full digital brochure here. Contact them via +632-88116888 ext. 3679 or 09178884194, and email them via fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com.
Oori December 24-25, Korean Christmas Set A (P2,500 net per person) | Korean Christmas Set B (P2,800 net per person) December 31, New Year’s Eve Menu (P3,000) | January 1, New Year’s Day Menu (P1,600)
S Kitchen Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, 6PM-8PM, 8:30PM-10:30PM (P3,900 net) New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, 6PM-8PM, 8:30PM-10:30PM (P3,900 net)
Vubble Festive Set Menu (P7,000 net per person)
Check out their full digital holiday brochure here. You can also contact them at +63 2 790 21800 or m.me/sheratonmanila.
This December, get pulled back into the immersive world of Pandora which has just become more expansive in the upcoming film Avatar: The Way of Water.
James Cameron’s sequel to his record-breaking blockbuster is hitting Philippine cinemas this December 14. As the trailer reveals, we’ll get to see Jake Sully and Neytiri as they raise their family in Pandora, but when a new threat looms close, their tribe must once again band together to protect their precious home.
Before the film arrives in cinemas this week, we’ve rounded up some interesting facts about the movie that you might want to know about! Check them out below:
1. It took thirteen years for the second film to come out, but with three more sequels in tow.
The first Avatar film came out in December 2009, so it took about 13 years for its follow-up to arrive in cinemas. But while it took that long, fans of the first movie are also promised three more sequels, with each sequel releasing every two years, expanding the franchise into a five-part film series.
However, director Cameron also noted that they might cut off this five-part film franchise into a trilogy if the sequel underperforms. “The market could be telling us we’re done in three months, or we might be semi-done, meaning: ‘OK, let’s complete the story within movie three, and not go on endlessly,’ if it’s just not profitable,” Cameron told TOTAL FILM.
Photo: Avatar: The Way of Water trailer
2. A new clan and a human kid in Pandora.
Two interesting details have been unveiled about The Way of Water. One is that there will be a new clan to be introduced, the Metkayina Clan who are reef-dwellers and are distinguishable with their slightly different skin colors.
Photo: Avatar: The Way of Water trailer
Another interesting detail is that there’s a human child running around Pandora alongside the Na’vi. In an interview between Empire Magazine and Cameron, it was revealed that the boy’s name is Spider, a human orphan that Jake and Neytiri had taken in to join their family.
3. Familiar faces and new characters.
The sequel has brought back many of the lead cast, such as Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang. Also joining them are new members of the cast such as Cliff Curtis who plays Metkayina’s leader Tonowari; Kate Winslet as Tonowari’s wife Ronal; Michelle Yeoh as Dr. Karina Mogue; Edie Falco as General Frances Ardmore; Jemain Clement as Dr. Ian Garvin; and Brendan Cowell as Mick Scoresby.
Meanwhile, the young cast includes Jack Champion as Spider, Jamie Flatters as Neteyam, Britain Dalton as Lo’ak, Trinity Bliss as Tukterey, Bailey Bass as Tsireya, and Filip Geljo as Aonung.
Photo: Avatar: The Way of Water trailer
4. Stephen Lang Sigourney Weaver have returned.
Those who can clearly remember the first film might have some questions about Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver’s return since they were supposed to be dead by the end of Avatar. Lang explains the return of his character, now inside an Avatar, and how the film addresses his resurrection.
“He’s a genetically-engineered autonomous avatar,” Lang told Empire Magazine. “He has been downloaded with the mind, the emotions, and even more interestingly, possibly the spirit of Quaritch. Now, that’s all pretty esoteric stuff. He comes with a full memory bank up until the time he actually undergoes the DNA transfer. So there are certain things that he doesn’t have any memory of at all. He has no memory of his death.”
Photo: Avatar: The Way of Water trailer
Meanwhile, Weaver who played Dr. Grace Augustine in the first film is back as Jake and Neytiri’s adopted teenage daughter Kiri, who was born of Grace’s Avatar and has a continued connection with her.
“There’s definitely a transfer of the curiosity and the love of nature,” Weaver told Screen Rant. “Grace much prefers to be in Avatar form and be out in the forest and studying things, and I think Kiri has a different way of expressing all that. She is just one with nature. And where that comes from, I’m not sure. But it’s very much in the script, and luckily in the movie, you will get to see her try to make more of a connection with Grace.”
5. The cast had to train in free diving, and Kate Winslet lasted the longest underwater.
It has been revealed that while filming The Way of Water, the cast had to perform inside giant water tanks frequently to make the underwater scenes appear more realistic on the big screen. As director Cameron told The New York Times, they hired the world’s best breath-hold specialists to help the cast learn how to “free dive” and stay underwater during takes.
And the cast delivered. Kate Winslet, particularly, held her breath for seven minutes underwater, beating Tom Cruise’s six-minute breath-hold stunt when filming Mission: Impossible– Rogue Nation.
Avatar: The Way of Wateropens in cinemas nationwide this Wednesday, December 14. Book your seats in advance and buy your tickets here.
Jollibee is making the holiday season sweeter with the return of their Choco Mallow Pieand their new dessert, the Choco Crumble Sundae.
The Jollibee Choco Mallow Pie is back with its signature crispy, golden brown pie crust that bursts with a combo of rich chocolate and fluffy marshmallow filling in every bite! The snackable treat is also available in 3 Pies To-Go and 6 Pies To-Go for bigger groups and cravings.
Meanwhile, the new Jollibee Choco Crumble Sundae made with KitKat offers a generous heap of KitKat Bits, Kitkat Spread, rich chocolate syrup, and crunchy chocolate coating on top of a creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream.
“What’s a holiday celebration without dessert or a sweet snack that every member of the family can indulge in? With the Choco Mallow Pie and Choco Crumble Sundae, we hope to provide customers with a truly enjoyable Christmas treats to complete every gathering. After 2 or so years, we’re finally able to get together with family and friends, so it’s time to indulge and give in to our sweet cravings for that all-out Christmas celebration,” said Pam Reyes, AVP for Marketing of Jollibee, in a statement.
Jollibee’s Choco Mallow Pie and Choco Crumble Sundae with KitKat are available for a limited time only. The Choco Mallow Pie is available for P49 while the Choco Crumble Sundae is priced at P55 (Prices vary). Visit www.jollibee.com.ph to find Jollibee stores near you. You can also order via delivery through the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, and #87000. You may also order via Drive-Thru and Take Out.
This Christmas, Filipino films are put front and center once more in cinemas with the latest entries of the Metro Manila Film Festival!
Comprised of eight films, this year’s MMFF entries were picked based on artistic excellence, commercial appeal, Filipino cultural values, and global appeal, with different genres ranging from comedy to horror to romance. Check out the eight MMFF movies that will arrive in cinemas nationwide starting December 25.
Directed by Mikhail Red Starring Nadine Lustre, Louise Delos Reyes, McCoy De Leon, and Jeffrey Hidalgo.
This upcoming horror movie follows the story of Lyra whose job is to review online content to make sure that the most graphic and disturbing content will be deleted from online platforms. While Lyra seems unfazed by the videos she sees every day, she secretly hides a deep trauma donning an apathetic face while doing her job.
Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina Starring Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi
This upcoming comedy movie tells the story of two exes whose paths crossed once again, but when they get involved in a crime, the duo must find a way out of their dilemma together.
Directed by Coco Martin Starring Coco Martin and Jodi Sta. Maria
Trisha, who had spent two decades in the US, comes home to the Philippines to try to move on from a recent breakup. Here, she stumbles upon a quirky boyfriend-for-hire business and signs a contract to spend a few days with a charming guy named Gibo, who promises to help heal her heart.
Directed by Joel Lamangan Starring Dimples Romana, Sean de Guzman, Jake Cuenca, and Tiffany Grey
A lawyer takes in the son of his former client after surviving a massacre. Soon, the complicated relationships between the family members would lead to the revelation of shocking secrets and harbored feelings.
With the holidays coming up, we can’t help but dream of the mouthwatering feasts that will grace our tables for our Noche Buena and Media Noche. Of course, when it comes to our biggest celebrations, the beloved lechon is always present to make such meals even more special, with its tender meat and that crispy skin!
If you’re on the lookout for places where you can order the roasted pig that will rule your celebratory spread, then this list is for you! Here are some of the places where you can order this holiday fave!
Contact them through these numbers: 8731-7551-52 / 8732-4116, or through Viber: 0917 622 1695. You can also message them on Facebook and Instagram. Visit their shop at the 3/F Foodhall, Fishermall, Quezon City.
Contact them at 032 2317615, or via these mobile numbers 0922 8268133 and 09274406891. You can also message them on Facebook and Instagram. See their prices here.
Contact them through these numbers: 0917 863 2282 and 0917 836 2282. You can also shop and check the prices through their website, www.abubslechon.com. For more updates, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact them through these numbers: 0917-189-6465, 0919-004-2865, and 029716465. For more information and updates, you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. See their prices here.
Contact these numbers: 0920 123 9999, 256-7150, 656-2005, 961-9934, or visit the Balai Mart website to order. You can also order through their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. See their prices here.
See their contact numbers per branch and price list here. You may also order through their website, lydias-lechon.com. For more information and updates, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
For Manila orders, you can contact them through 0908 873 4755, or visit their website www.zubuchonorders.com. For more updates, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. See their prices here.
To order, you can message them through 0917 866 0662. Click here for more details. You can check out their prices here, and follow them for more updates on Instagram.
Contact them through these numbers: 09188282647 (Gilmore, QC), 09167068223 / 09998785384 (Reposo, Makati), or 09266529702 (BGC, Taguig). For the latest updates, follow them on Facebook. See their prices here.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!
— Homestream images from Abub’s Lechon and Tatang’s Lechon.
The iconic adventurer Indiana Jonesreturns in the upcoming movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny! Lucasfilm has recently dropped the trailer for the fifth installment of the famous movie franchise. Check out the trailer for the new film below:
Indiana Jones has become one of the timeless movie icons thanks to the famous trilogy of films from the ’80s, namely, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In 2008, the franchise was further expanded with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to be followed by the upcoming The Dial of Destiny.
In this new film, Harrison Ford is back as the iconic archaeologist and adventurer. While the official synopsis for the movie has yet to be revealed, the trailer hints at looking back on Indy’s past, with action sequences featuring a de-aged Ford.
Directed by James Mangold, the film also stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Oliver Richters, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is set for a US release on June 30, 2023.
