After leaving fans on a breathtaking cliffhanger, Synduality Noirwill return with all new episodes starting January 8.
Set in the year 2242, part one of Synduality Noirstunned viewers with the disappearance of fan favorite characters Aoi Koga and Noir, only to double down on the shock factor with the exciting unveiling of a new Magus called Mystere at the end of the last episode. Powerful and skilled enough to best even Silver Storm, not much else is known about this dangerous new character.
Slated to return with new episodes on January 8, Synduality Noir part one followed a group of humans forced deep underground in the wake of a terrible catastrophe known as the “Tears of the New Moon” incident. After life in their underground city began to collapse, the humans were once again pushed to the surface, where a threat known as the Enders roamed, looking to kill any humans they discovered. With their lives at risk, groups of people came together to create tight-knit settlements in various locations on the surface, relying on unique energy sources to power them and keep them safe. But with resources ever-dwindling, a group of brave individuals known as Drifters ventured out into the open, battling the Enders and mining energy sources.
Synduality Noirpart two will join an ever-growing library of exciting Japanese anime content available on Disney+. Fans of unmissable Japanese storytelling can subscribe to Disney+ today to enjoy access to other captivating series including: PHOENIX: EDEN17, an adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s seminal work that takes viewers on a dangerous extraterrestrial adventure to a new planet filled with nothing but misery; Ishura about a chaotic world experiencing a power struggle between demigods following the death of the Demon King; Gannibal about a newly relocated police officer who discovers a horrifying secret about the residents of his village,and much more!
Stream part one of Synduality Noirnow on Disney+ and begin streaming part two on Disney+ starting January 8.
“Migration” tells the story of a duck family that takes flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other. While dad Mack (voiced by Nanjiani) is content to keep his family, the Mallards, safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam (Banks) is eager to shake things up and show their kids – teen son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and duckling daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal) – the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.
But as the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other – and themselves – than they ever imagined.
An adventure for the entire family…
Nanjiani joined the movie because he felt that the film is something that families can enjoy together. “I just thought that, at its base, ‘Migration’ was a really good family movie,” he says. “And I felt that we are at a time when films like this, that are for everybody, just don’t get made anymore.”
Plus, it didn’t hurt that he got to work with people he admired! “To be able to work with [Illumination founder and CEO] Chris Meledandri, [writer] Mike White and Elizabeth Banks was very exciting to me,” continues Nanjiani. “Then Awkwafina, Keegan Michael-Key and Danny DeVito got cast, which was a great bonus that I hadn’t expected, but the main reason I wanted to do it was because I felt it was a movie everyone could enjoy.”
Banks was also excited to be part of the Illumination family because of the studio’s previous works – especially because they are movies that everyone can enjoy. “I wanted to be a part of ‘Migration’ because I think Chris Meledandri is a genius and Illumination films speak for themselves,” says Banks. “They are all just incredibly distinct, so I knew ‘Migration’ would be really funny and subversive, and that it would be both for kids and adults.”
… that’s also a love story!
Family dynamics aside, also at the heart of the movie is the relationship between couple Mack and Pam, whose philosophies about how best to live life happen to be polar opposites.
Says Nanjiani, “I think Mack is proven right in that there is a lot of danger out there, but Pam is also right about the need to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. They really learn from each other, and I believe that most great movies with two main characters are about that – about completing each other. So, I find ‘Migration to also be a romantic story with parts where I get emotional because it’s about a husband and wife finding ways to reconnect and rediscover their passion for each other. It’s truly about two people who love each other, falling in love again.”
Banks agrees and adds that the adventure the Mallards go on is the key to Mack and Pam achieving a balance. “I believe the story is about that sense of adventure as much as it is about this couple truly connecting and leaving the sort of humdrum of daily life,” she says. “And almost in the style of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith,’ their adventure brings out the notion of them having to work together to solve the problems they will encounter along the way. There is a real tango in the film to achieve that because I feel they have become a bit disconnected. One of the things I most enjoyed about the film is that I think a lot of couples will see themselves in this movie, apart from the family adventure.”
A life-affirming message
Apart from bringing joy to audiences, Banks also points to the movie’s message as an inspiration. “I also wanted to be a part of a movie that had this message about shaking ourselves out of our nest and getting back out into the world, showing how necessary adventure is for the soul – especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is when we made the bulk of the film,” she shares. “I truly believe in the message of this film. I love it!”
Nanjiani agrees. “This film talks about the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and living your life, and also about how relationships and families have to keep evolving,” he says. “Here we see that even though this couple has been together for many years, they end in a new place.”
And just as important, the film is visually stunning and fun to watch. “Migration is so fun!” says Nanjiani. “And it truly is a gorgeous movie.”
Watch “Migration” with your family and loved ones when it lands in Philippine cinemas January 17, 2024, from Universal Pictures International. #MigrationMovie
Gear up for full battle action as Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween- Destinyarrives in Philippine cinemas on January 17. Based on the best-selling manga, “Tokyo Revengers” by Ken Wakui, this action-packed film takes us once again to a time traveling quest with Takemichi to prevent the current timeline as he failed to prevent Hinata being killed.
The much awaited sequel sees the cast reprise their roles as the battle continues. Takumi Kitamura plays the protagonist Takemichi Hanagaki. Formerly adrift and purposeless, he travels to the past to what he claims is his peak era, to a violent event known as Bloody Halloween, to prevent the sequence of events that lead to the future murder of his beloved Hinata Tachibana, played by Imada Mio.
Celebrate the new year with a delightful musical time-travel experience! Spotify’s Playlist in a Bottle is back, and listeners can now go on a nostalgic journey by revisiting the tunes that captured their hearts a year ago.
Back in January 2023, Spotify invited listeners to create their musical time capsules by choosing songs that resonated with them at that moment in time. And starting today, January 4, fans will get those long-awaited capsules to look back on the music they loved and reflect on how their listening evolved through the year. Here’s how it works:
Choose “Claim Your Playlist” where you can look back at what songs were sealed in your musical time capsule.
Save and listen to your complete 2023 Playlist in a Bottle!
And that’s not all, users can also create an all-new Playlist in a Bottle that can’t be opened until 2025. Users will answer questions like “What song brings out my alter-ego?” and “What song describes my relationship status?” to help curate their playlist. This year, they’ll also be able to write a note for their future selves. Here’s how to do it:
Select where you want to store your playlist – it could be an actual bottle, a snowglobe, a flip phone, a tiny bird’s nest or a rice cooker… Even a dumpster!
Complete a series of song-inspired prompts like “A song that reminds you of your favorite person,” “A song your great-grandkids will be confused about,”“A song you put your friends on to,” and more!
Draw a note for your future self, capturing something you want to remember about this moment when your capsule is delivered next year.
Finally, “seal” your musical time capsule and post your #PlaylistInABottle sharecard to your favorite social channels!
Spotify transformed music listening forever when we launched in 2008. Our mission is to unlock the potential of human creativity by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by these creators. Everything we do is driven by our love for music.
Discover, manage, and share over 100 million tracks and 5 million podcast titles, for free, or upgrade to Spotify Premium to access exclusive features including improved sound quality and an on-demand, offline, and ad-free music listening experience.
Today, we are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with a community of more than 551 million users, including 220 million Spotify Premium subscribers, across more than 180 markets. We are also the largest driver of revenue to the music business today. https://newsroom.spotify.com/
That warm and fuzzy feeling we get when a loved one unexpectedly says “Libre ko na!” over meal times is a pleasant surprise that makes us feel special and cared for.
Fortunately, McDonald’s has us covered with McSavers Mix & Match – now with NEW sulit options to delight not just our cravings, but of those we hold dear, too! Anyone anywhere can treat their friends and family to McDonald’s without breaking the bank.
Starting at P 79, customers can choose among the craveable crowd-favorites – Regular Fries, McSpaghetti, Burger McDo, McCrispy Chicken Sandwich, McCrispy Chicken Fillet with Rice and the much loved 1-pc Mushroom Pepper Steak.
To complete the Mix & Match order, they can also select from a range of improved side options – NEW 12 oz Iced Coffee, NEW 16oz Iced Tea, NEW 16 oz Coke, Sundae, Apple Pie and Coke McFloat.
Indeed, there’s an excitement bubbling up inside at the thought of bonding moments over snack time without having to worry about the bill. So when you feel like spending feel-good moments with your inner circle, McDonald’s McSavers Mix & Match lets you say “Tara, libre ko na!” without hesitation.
Make snack times with family and friends more delightful with NEW and affordable sulit snack options. Get your pairings now from any McDonald’s branch near you!
For more information about prices and combinations, follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all McDonald’s announcements.
Kick off 2024 with thought-provoking programmes from documentary, January 6th on Discovery Channel, to extreme confectionary challenges on TLC’s Candy Land. Tune in to HGTV’s Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa Season 3 for home improvement ideas and tease your taste buds on AFN with the premiere of Heart 2 Heart KitchenSeason 5 and A Taste of Festival.Catch some of nature’s most impressive predators in Animal Attack Rate on Animal Planet and much more!
Discovery Channel
January 6th Premieres Saturday, January 6 at 9pm
Experience a first-hand look at the events that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, featuring interviews with members of Congress and exclusive accounts from police officers and first responders.
Gold Rush Season 14 Premieres Monday, February 26 at 9pm
The ambitious gold miners from the hit series Gold Rush are in for a make-or-break season that shifts the balance of power forever. After 10 years working in the Klondike, 28-year-old mining prodigy Parker Schnabel is at a crossroads. He must decide whether to play it safe and scale back his operation or risk it all on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire historically gold-rich virgin ground. It’s a massive gamble that could bankrupt him or deliver hundreds of millions in profit and cement his place as one of the most powerful miners in the region.
TLC
90 Day: The Last Resort Premieres Thursday, January 11 at 10.50pm
90 Day couples who have reached their relationship breaking points head to a paradise resort for a group couples retreat. With everything on the line, each couple will have to decide if they will stay together or move on alone.
Candy Land Wednesday, February 7 at 9pm
Host Kristin Chenoweth challenges teams to create eye-popping and heavenly confectionary showpieces for judges Nacho Aguirre and Aarti Sequeira as they vie for the grand prize of $25,000.
HGTV
Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa Season 3 PremieredTuesday, January 2 at 10pm
Flip or Flop‘s Tarek El Moussa draws upon his enormous success from flipping over 300 homes to help novice renovators get in the game. He provides beginners hungry to make it big with a foundation for creating profitable flips and avoid bank-breaking flops.
Celebrity IOU Season 4 Premieres Friday, February 2 at 10pm
Hollywood A-listers express their deep gratitude to people who have impacted their lives by surprising them with home renovations. The celebrities get hands-on with Drew and Jonathan Scott to imagine a design plan and create beautifully customized spaces.
AFN
Luke Nguyen’s India Premieres Thursday, January 25 at 9pm
In his next adventure Luke navigates Southern India discovering the cuisines, sounds, smells, and colours creating the perfect stage for this exceptional series of exploration. With breath-taking mountain backdrops to small towns, hectic cities and sacred waterways, Luke ventures into the diverse and colourful society that is India.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with AFN
Monday to Friday, February 5 to February 23 at 7pm
Titles include:
Heart 2 Heart Kitchen Season 5(premiere)
A Taste of Festival (premiere)
Eat China Season 2
Mean Street Gourmet
Axian Small Town Foodcation
Animal Planet
Animal Attack Rate Premieres Monday, February 26 at 8pm
Animal Attack Rate is the ultimate countdown of nature’s most successful killers. Whether for defense, mating rivalry, food, or for survival; there’s a long list of animals that will attack. But which is the most dangerous? This archive series travels the world searching for and calculating the risk of a deadly assault by our gnarliest predators, ambushers, and defenders.
After a two-week break from most local cinemas during the Metro Manila Film Festival, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” will return to the big screen on January 8.
The James Wan-directed superhero sequel, which also stars Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman and Amber Heard, has so far grossed more than $255 million at the global box office.
Producer Rob Cowan encourages fans to watch the movie on the big screen, for the best experience. “We were incredibly lucky on ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ being able to continue the story we began in a film that the world embraced,” says Cowan. “And on the page, we really had a super-sized project, pulling out all the stops, making everything as big as we could, charting a journey as varying and different as possible through multiple worlds we were visiting for the first time… This film really is something you need to experience inside a big theater with a huge screen… because there’s just so much to look at.”
Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Directed by James Wan, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is produced by Peter Safran, Wan and Rob Cowan. The executive producers are Galen Vaisman and Walter Hamada.
The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jason Momoa & Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, based on characters from DC, Aquaman created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents An Atomic Monster / A Peter Safran Production of A James Wan Film, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” is now showing in cinemas.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #Aquaman
Anyone But You, which opened in the United States just before Christmas, opened in several overseas markets over the weekend, including in the United Kingdom and Australia, where the film is primarily set. Anyone But You has earned a total of $33.5 million dollars, with a few markets still lined up for the film’s opening, including Spain, France, Italy and the Philippines, where it opens in cinemas January 17, 2024.
“I think audiences want to see movies that are relevant, authentic, and cinematic – but most of all, fun,” says Gluck, a fan favorite in the genre, thanks to previous works including Easy A and Friends With Benefits.
In Anyone But You, Sweeney (Euphoria) and Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) play romantic enemies who have to put aside their personal vendettas and pretend to be a head-over-heels couple in order to keep the peace at a wedding they’re both attending. The film also stars Alexandra Shipp, Darren Barnet, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown and GaTa.
About Anyone But You
In the edgy comedy Anyone But You, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) look like the perfect couple, but after an amazing first date something happens that turns their fiery hot attraction ice cold – until they find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
Directed by Will Gluck, co-written by Gluck and Ilana Wolpert. Produced by Gluck, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Joe Roth, and executive-produced by Sweeney.
Cast includes Sweeney, Powell, Alexandra Shipp, Darren Barnet, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown and GaTa.
Opening in Philippine cinemas January 17, Anyone But You is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #AnyoneButYou
It is all systems go for the highly anticipated Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 Grand Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 13 and 14. Twenty-six (26) teams from across the Asia Pacific region will compete in Dota 2 and VALORANT for the coveted Predator Shield and their share of the $200,000 prize pool.
The question is: How will Filipino teams fare in the tournament?
For Dota 2, iconic teams Blacklist International, Execration, and defending Asia Pacific Predator League champions Polaris Esports will be joined by the winners of the Philippine qualifiers, Made in Philippines.
For VALORANT, Team Secret, one of the most renowned teams in the VCT Pacific League, will be alongside Oasis Gaming and ZOL Esports, who both qualified during the Philippine Finals.
“It will be anybody’s game. Predator League is the stomping ground of the region’s up-and-coming esports talents. We are excited to see who is hungry enough for the victory to overcome the competition and win the Predator Shield,” said Sue Ong Lim, General Manager at Acer Philippines.
The two-day event will be filled with action-packed gaming, meet-and-greet sessions with Predator ambassadors, and performances by top Filipino artists, including Acer ambassadors Sarah Geronimo and SB19.
“January 13 and 14 will be an esports and entertainment spectacle like no other. We have prepared so many exciting activities and awesome surprises that everyone will surely enjoy,” said Princess Laosantos, Senior Marketing Manager at Acer Philippines.
For more information and updates about Predator League, visit www.facebookcom/PredatorGamingPhilippines or the official website www.predator-league.com.
About Acer
Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top ICT companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. As Acer evolves with the industry and changing lifestyles, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software and services will fuse with one another, creating ecosystems and opening up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. Acer’s 7,700 employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.
When a procedural mix-up sees the son of a wealthy Korean conglomerate owner get parachuted into a new role with the police’s Violent Crimes Unit, the heir will use his vast fortune and unique skills to solve some of the city’s biggest crimes in Flex X Cop, a new Korean crime drama coming January 26 to Disney+.
After years of spending his family’s fortune on whatever his heart desired, a mistaken arrest sees Jin Isoo get thrust into a new position at Gangha Police Station’s Violent Crimes Unit 1. Used to getting whatever he wants, Isoo initially butts heads with the department’s leader Lee Ganghyun, but as the weight of his new responsibility begins to set in, Isoo will rise to the occasion, using his unique skill set and vast wealth to bulldoze through departmental bottlenecks, helping the team solve cases and bring offenders to justice.
Starring Ahn Bohyun (Yumi’s Cells, Itaewon Class) as conglomerate heir and new police inspector Jin Isoo and Park Jihyun (Reborn Rich, Do You Like Brahms?) as team leader Lee Ganghyun, Flex X Copis written by Kim Bada (My Name, Life Risking Romance).
