Author: Press Release

Dream Theater bound for Manila with their “Top of the World Tour” Concert

DREAM THEATER, an American progressive metal rock band composed of James LaBrie (vocals), John Petrucci (guitars), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), John Myung (bass), and Mike Mangini (drums), will be performing live at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the “Top of the World Tour” concert on Thursday, May 4, 2023. The show starts at 8 p.m. 

In 2019, the two-time Grammy nominated quintet embarked on a sold-out tour in support of both “Distance Over Time” and the 20th anniversary of “Scenes from a Memory” planned to stretch well into the next year. Nevertheless, a Global Pandemic foiled those plans. The musicians found themselves at home with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they’d just finished construction on Dream Theater Head Quarter—a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage, and creative hive. It proved to be a Godsend for recording, Pandemic or not.

“The tour had just stopped, and we were on hold,” recalls John. “We weren’t going to sit around and do nothing though. I broke in DTHQ with my solo record and a Liquid Tension Experiment record, so we absolutely felt like we could do a Dream Theater album there. It’s our home, and it sounds great. Looking ahead, I don’t see any reason why we’d go anywhere else to record. After being pent up for so long, we were all just happy to be playing, writing, and doing what we love together. The ideas flowed. Everyone brought his A-game. To a degree, it was influenced by revisiting “Scenes from a Memory” on the last tour as well as incorporating modern elements from Distance Over Time. Despite the state of the world, we were in a positive headspace.”

(Photo Credit: Rayon Richards)

“It was awesome to have our own place,” Rudess grins. “We didn’t have to deal with the pressure of being in a studio with time limits. I could sit, compose, take my time, and deliver what I feel is some of my best work.”

With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via ZOOM on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency.

Despite the COVID 19 pandemic the band kept the music going, creating another incredible studio album, highlighted in their current world tour.

On their fifteenth album, A View from the Top of the World, the New York quintet rush forward at full speed again with seven tracks equally steeped in articulate arrangements, groove-laden guitars, and skyscraping melodies. The tracks included in the album are; The Alien (9:32), Answering The Call (7:35), Invisible Monster (6:31), Sleeping Giant (10:05), Transcending Time (6:25), Awaken The Master (9:47), and A View From The Top Of The World (20:24).

The band won a GRAMMY award for “The Alien” in the Best Mental Performance Category, and for almost four decades together, Dream Theater continues to spread their mind-boggling and jaw-dropping performances all over the world. 

“We approach every album like it’s our first,” adds LaBrie. “It’s been such a great ride, but we’re not going to stop. These guys are my brothers. We’ve been through ups, downs, and everything in between. To be able to experience this together is beyond words.”

The studio album’s single “Invisible Monster” hinges on a head-nodding mid-tempo trudge offset by cinematic keys, lyrical shredding, and a sweeping refrain. “It’s about how anxiety plagues people,” Petrucci explains. “It’s like there’s an invisible monster beating you. You don’t see it, but it’s haunting you all the time.”

The cinematic “Sleeping Giant” reaches its apex with some signature solo trading between Petrucci and Rudess. It pairs this virtuosity with yet another chantable refrain uplifted by LaBrie.

“Transcending Time” translates “the flow state” into a sonic rollercoaster. Elsewhere, Petrucci employs an 8-string guitar for the first time on the simultaneously crushing and soaring “Awaken The Master.” However, the title track remains not only the crown jewel of the record, but a crown jewel in the band’s catalog.

A 20-minute epic of uncompromising scope, “A View from the Top of the World” highlights the interplay of the group as it twists and turns through lush keys, gravity-defying guitar, brain-numbing rhythms, a moment of heavenly reprieve, and vocal fireworks.

“We went in with the goal of writing a crazy epic,” grins Petrucci. “There’s no ballad on the record, but ‘A View from the Top of the World’ does have a breakdown in the middle. It helps create a story and dynamic flow. I was thinking of people doing dangerous things like surfing 80-foot waves, slacklining across canyons, deep sea diving, scaling Everest, and climbing up mountains free solo. I’m always like, ‘What drives you to do that?’ One wrong move, and you’re dead. Besides being addicted to adrenaline, it makes them feel more alive—perhaps the most alive they’ve ever been. I wrote this along the lines of when you’re on the brink of death, you’ve never felt more alive. Our extreme is being in this band. We’re just not going to die while doing it,” he laughs.

In the end, the view right now is pretty good for Dream Theater.

“When you hear this, I hope you get the very best Dream Theater has to offer,” Rudess concludes. “We tried to build a vital sonic experience. None of us have slowed down. If anything, we’re moving faster.”

“Even with everything going on, this was meant to be positive,” LaBrie elaborates. “We can’t wait to get back out in front of everyone and play these tunes.” – Rick Florino, June 2021

“Music has the power to speak to you on an emotional level,” Petrucci leaves off. “If we’re connecting with listeners emotionally through this record, I don’t think we could ask for anything more.

In all their songs, the listeners can really feel not just only the technicalities of the band but also the passion and the musicianship that they are putting into their odd music, heavy riffs, and rock rigs just to connect to their listeners emotionally. 

Their upcoming concert in Manila will be promoted by Ovation Productions with TAPGO TV as official media partner; tickets at P7250, 6750, 5750, 4750, 2750 (plus ticketing charges) are available via Ticketnet.com.ph

For more details and updates about the concert please check the official website and Facebook Page of Ovation Productions at https://ovationproductionsmanila.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/ovationproductions/ .

#OvationProductions
#DreamTheaterTopOfTheWorldTour

March 9, 2023
5 Things to Enjoy with DITO’s Bonus Prime Video Mobile Subscription
DITO Telecommunity, the country’s youngest telco player, is providing greater entertainment options by partnering with Prime Video, leveling up the digital lifestyles of its more than 13 million subscribers.

Prime Video is a video-on-demand streaming platform that is now available in the Philippines. It is undoubtedly gaining popularity among Filipinos, with countless award-winning movies and TV shows available in its streaming library.

If you enjoy staying home and indulging in home entertainment like binge-watching movies and TV shows, this promo is for you! DITO is bringing adventure, fantasy, action, drama, romance, and comedy right into your hands, as DITOzens can enjoy a bonus 30-day subscription to Prime Video Mobile Edition.

Here are five exciting things you can expect from DITO and Prime Video:
1. Amazon Originals. Get access to critically acclaimed and award-winning TV shows and movies. Prime Video is not only a video streaming service that distributes licensed TV shows and movies, but it also produces original content. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power are just some of the TV shows you can enjoy from its wide list of Amazon Originals.
1. Support local content. Aside from English blockbuster movies and TV shows, Prime Video also streams locally produced content like Drag Den with Manila Luzon, Big Night, How to love Mr. Heartless, and Whether the Weather Is Fine. You can anticipate the first-ever local Amazon Original, Comedy Island: Philippines, premiering in 240 countries this 2023. Thus, it is the perfect time to try out and discover new Filipino series and movies to add to your favorites, as DITO’s Prime Video Mobile Subscription promo runs until May 24, 2023.
1. Bonus 30-day subscription. When you purchase any of the DITO Level-Up Packs — Plan 99, Plan 199, Plan 299, Plan 499, or Plan 999 — you will receive a link to the bonus subscription voucher for Prime Video. Once the voucher is activated, you can now access more than 26,300 movies and more than 2,700 TV shows that you can binge-watch wherever and whenever you want — all of these are free for a month!
1. Content for all ages. With the wide array of TV shows and movies available on Prime Video, you are sure to find the perfect lineup for your binge-watching or movie-night sessions. As a matter of fact, Prime Video has one of the largest streaming libraries. So whenever you are in the mood for some drama, comedy, or any other genre you can think of, you will find something from Prime Video’s massive list of options. There is also a lot of content available for children, including Hotel Transylvania, The Boss Baby, Cinderella, and many more.
1. TODO Na DITO streaming experience. As the only telco provider that offers Auto Pay and Advance Pay, DITO ensures that Level-Up plan subscribers have hassle-free and seamless streaming experiences without worrying about topping up and expiring data promos. You can pay for your promo in advance using Advance Pay or if you prefer to have your promo auto-renewed with unused data and calls carried over to the following month, you can avail of Auto Pay. With these offers, you can enjoy your favorite Prime Video shows and movies without interruption.
DITO is proudly connecting different Filipino communities by continuously providing entertainment opportunities. With the partnership between DITO and Prime Video, millions of Filipinos can access excellent streaming content through unmatched value-for-money services.
Subscribe to any of DITO’s Level-Up Packs and download the Prime Video Mobile app to start streaming your favorite movies and TV shows! To learn more about DITO Level-Up Plans, visit https://dito.ph/level-up-promos.
March 8, 2023
PPO Celebrates Women’s Month with Guest Conductor Dr. Shangkuan-Cheng

In celebration of the National Women’s Month, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performs under the baton of Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng on March 17, 2023, Friday, 8pm, at the CCP @ The Metropolitan Theater.

The seventh installment of the 38th concert season, the program features pieces by female composers such as Marie Jocelyn Marfil’s Pyagsawitan “Wedding and Harvest,” National Artist for Music Lucrecia R. Kasilag’s “Festival” from Philippines Scenes, and Denise Santos’s The Light of Extreme Darkness.

The PPO will also play Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Serenade to Music, accompanied by a 16-voice choir, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony Number 7 in A Major, Op. 92.

Guest conductor Dr. Shangkuan-Cheng is the incumbent president of the Philippine Choral Directors Association, and the artistic director of the Las Piñas International Bamboo Organ Festival. She is an associate professor at the University of the Philippines College of Music, teaching conducting for both graduate and undergraduate music students. She is currently the Philippine representative to the Asia Pacific Choral Council and the Asia Choral Association.

Shangkuan-Cheng has a degree in music from the University of the Philippines, a master’s from the Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and a doctorate degree in musical arts from the University of Michigan. Conductor Shangkuan-Cheng has performed with various international orchestras in South Africa, Germany, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Spain, Vietnam, Portugal, and Singapore.

She has gained numerous awards including the Phyllis Curtin Career Entry Award from the Yale School of Music, the Margot Fassler Award and the Hugh Giles Prize from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music for her conducting, first prize at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Graduate Conducting Competition. She participated as a fellow at the Levi Barbour Fellowship from the University of Michigan.

Tickets for the concert are priced at Php1,500, Php1,200, Php800, and Php500. For tickets and inquiries, call the CCP Box Office 8832-3704 or email customercare@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). Follow the official CCP social media accounts in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for latest updates.

March 8, 2023
ENCANTADA by National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin Returns this 2023

National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin’s award-winning Filipino dance masterwork, ENCANTADA, returns to open the 2023 dance season.

A collaboration with Joey Ayala for music, Al Santos for libretto, and National Artist Salvador Bernal for production design, ENCANTADA features the artists of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Professional Artist Support Program and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.

To celebrate Earth Month, ENCANTADA goes on stage at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on April 14-15 and at the Metropolitan Theater on April 21-22, with evening shows at 7:30 PM and matinees at 2:00 PM.

Presented by the Metropolitan Theater, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Carmen D. Locsin Foundation, the production was last staged in 2011 to critical acclaim, garnering 10 Gawad Buhay Awards, including Best Modern Dance Production, Best Choreography, Best Musical Composition, Best Production Design, as well as citations for Georgette Sanchez-Vargas for Female Lead Performance and Carissa Adea for Female Featured Performance. Both of them will reprise their roles for the current 2023 production.

Also joining the cast is Kris-Belle Paclibar-Mamangun, former member of Cirque du Soleil, who will be alternating the role of Babaylan with Carissa Adea.

The season continues with Alice Reyes’ RAMAHARI (Sept. 15-16), CARMEN AND OTHER SPIRITS (Oct. 27-28, Nov. 3-4), a mixed bill featuring Alice Reyes’ CARMEN and new works by young Filipino choreographers, and the celebration of Paskong Pinoy with PUSO NG PASKO (Dec. 2-3, 8-9).

Subscribe to the 2023 Dance Season and celebrate the best of Filipino artistry and talent!

For season subscriptions and ticket reservations, contact Kurt Copon at ardancephilippinesinc@gmail.com or subscribe online through google form here: https://forms.gle/9wMV1Vfw91orBcjo8

March 8, 2023
“Suzume” Passes 14 Billion Yen, Now The 15th All-Time Biggest Film in Japan

As of March 5, “Suzume” has nabbed a total of 14.04 billion yen (US$104.73 million) and now ranks as the 15th highest-grossing film released in Japan ever.

Opening March 8 in Philippine cinemas, watch Makoto Shinkai’s coming-of-age anime film set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where the protagonist, Suzume must close the doors causing devastation.

About “Suzume”

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—

“Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation.

Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

—The stars, then sunset, and the morning sky.

Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky…

Never-before-seen scenery, encounters and farewells… A myriad of challenges await her on her journey. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Suzume’s adventure shines a ray of hope upon our own struggles against the toughest roads of anxiety and constraints that make up everyday life. This story of closing doors that connect our past to the present and future will leave a lasting impression upon all of our hearts.

Drawn in by these mysterious doors, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”}

March 8, 2023
Watsons Launches “Dare To Be” Campaign, Empowers Women To Be BraveHER, BoldHER, StrongHER

Watsons Philippines is launching the “Dare To Be” campaign in the country to encourage young women to go beyond stereotypes and stand with other women to discover the best version of themselves.

This follows the success of the Asia-wide “The New Beautiful” campaign that inspired a heightened awareness of holistic beauty. Watsons continues to advance the cause of gender equality with its 90 million female Watsons Club members in the global community.

Watsons believes that everyone has the power to transcend their own limitations and break the stigma that society puts upon them. As a brand trusted by 90 million women in Asia, Eastern Europe and Middle East, Watsons’ “DARE TO BE” campaign can reach millions and inspire confidence in them.

In an interview survey of 11,000 women conducted by A.S. Watson, over 50% of women described themselves as “unconfident”. The “DARE TO BE” campaign seeks to change this by featuring women who are breaking down boundaries and leading the way for others.

“Women have the strength to be the best version of themselves and to transcend societal limitations,” said Malina Ngai, CEO of A.S Watson (Asia & Europe). “Watsons is committed to empowering women to find their faith in themselves. We know they can DARE TO BE bigger than any barrier, bolder than any bias, and stronger than their struggles.”

In line with the International Women’s Day theme, “Embrace Equity,” the campaign strives to support BRAVEHER, BOLDHER and STRONGHER Women in a cause of gender equality that embraces women from all walks of life.

Nurturing“BRAVEHER” Women in Healthcare

Watsons inspires women to be BRAVEHER with the “Women in Medicine” programme, a long term partnership with Operation Smile to train female to conduct surgery for children suffered from cleft lips and palates

During COVID-19, the bravery of frontline healthcare professionals inspired many to follow this meaningful career path.

Through the Watsons and Operation Smile partnership, Watsons has supported Operation Smile’s “Women in Medicine” initiative. Through this initiative, Operation Smile aims to provide educational pathways for women to be global leaders in health care. In support of this initiative, Watsons has sponsored all-women medical programs in low-and-middle income countries to help educate women on advanced medical practices; empower women to become leaders in global medicine; expand opportunities for women health care workers in different specialties; and elevate cleft surgery and comprehensive care.

Since the partnership’s inception, A.S. Watson Group has sponsored over 6,000 free corrective surgeries to Operation Smile through the Group’s Give a Smile signature global community programme.

Kathy Magee, Co-founder and President of Operation Smile says, “We appreciate the tremendous support from Watsons for the Women in Medicine Initiative to empower women to take on leadership roles in the medical field. Once we mentor these women and equip them with advanced surgical skills and specialty trainings, these women create new opportunities for the next generation of female leaders in health care.”

Empowering “BOLDHER” Women in their Community

Watsons inspires women to be BOLDHER and be the best version of themselves by breaking the stigma that society puts upon them

In the Philippines, Watsons partnered with the SM Group to support more young achievers in the community.

Through this partnership, both Watsons and SM Group aim to create activities that will inspire more achievers and women across all ages to pursue their dreams and their aspirations for the betterment of the community and their future in different fields.

Through the “Dare To Be” campaign, Watsons empowers women to discover the best version of themselves as they also live healthy and beautifully while achieving their goals and dreams.

Enabling a “STRONGHER” Generation of Women

Watsons empowers women to make the community STRONGHER

Throughout the month, Watsons will be actively engaging the community of Watsons shoppers through a series of events, workshops, and mentoring opportunities led by key women opinion leaders who have created their own success by defining it on their own terms.

In Malaysia, Watsons is inviting a fashion model with vitiligo (an appearance altering skin condition), a para-cyclist and a CEO from a women-focused charity to share their personal stories and health & beauty tips.

In Thailand, Watsons is promoting women empowerment through its “Green Ribbon” campaign to help more women to unleash their potential.

There are more programs in Asia which inspire confidence and empower women to look good, do good, and feel great about themselves. Interested parties can find out more at www.watsonsasia.com

For more information, follow @watsonsph on Instagram, like @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and follow @watsonsphilippines on TikTok.

March 8, 2023
Thick as Thieves: Meet the Misfit-Adventurers of “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves“

In the film, a charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.

Directed by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley, screenplay by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley and Michael Gilio. Story by Chris McKay & Michael Gilio, based on HASBRO’S DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Get to know the film’s characters with their individual profiles below.

EDGIN, The Bard (Chris Pine)

CHARACTER CLASS: Bard. Wordsmiths able to inspire people with the power of music and speech.

BACKGROUND: As a member of the Harpers Faction, Edgin swore an oath to protect the powerless and topple the tyrannical. He wasn’t entirely successful.

FIGHTING STYLE: Words are a Bard’s greatest weapon. Which is perhaps another way of saying that Edgin tends to rely on his best friend Holga when it comes to all the actual fighting stuff.

STRENGTHS: Charismatic, witty, a natural leader, skilled at making plans. Plan Bs, in particular. Loves telling a good tale. Has a beard some say makes him look, “Scoundrelly but professorial. Like a well-read fisherman with secrets.”

WEAKNESSES: He is a thief with a strong moral code. And would probably admit that, yes, that is something of a paradox.

TOP TRIVIA: A musical man, Edgin’s reinforced lute doubles as a cudgel when required. Which is good because that’s fairly often.

HOLGA, The Barbarian (Michelle Rodriguez)

CHARACTER CLASS: Barbarian. Fierce warriors capable of a combat state called ‘Battle Rage’.

BACKGROUND: A former member of the Uthgardt Elk Tribe, Holga was “a fellow resident of Rock Bottom” when she first met Edgin, having been shunned and exiled by her tribe for falling in love with an outsider.

FIGHTING STYLE: Barbarian Rage, Tavern Brawler. Astonishing power. Holga is fond of an axe but frankly capable of weaponizing a vegetable.

STRENGTHS: Unwavering loyalty, uncanny reflexes, awesome fighting skills. And a generous heart – if she’ll ever let you get close enough to see it. Having lost her first family, Holga will defend this band of misfits till the very end.

WEAKNESSES: Has a distinct tendency to punch first, ask questions later. Unlucky in love.

TOP TRIVIA: Holga’s favourite snack are potatoes. Cooked or raw, she’s happy.

SIMON, The Sorcerer (Justice Smith)

CHARACTER CLASS: Sorcerer. Masters of spells, their magic often born of a bloodline and a bit unpredictable.

BACKGROUND: Described as “a so-so sorcerer” by Edgin, Simon in fact happens to be a descendant of one of the greatest wizards in the lands. It’s fair to say he hasn’t exactly unlocked his full magical potential at the time of writing

FIGHTING STYLE: Doesn’t have one per se. Still, Simon can make a flame come out of his finger – and until you can do that, maybe you shouldn’t get too judgemental.

STRENGTHS: Endearing, persistent, brave when he needs to be, and intermittently capable of unleashing astonishing spells harnessing incredible Wild Magic. Sometimes those spells are even the ones he intended to unleash.

WEAKNESSES: A debilitating lack of confidence – a condition that can affect him romantically almost as much as it can in sorcery.

TOP TRIVIA: Simon once courted Doric. Wasn’t a triumph. Also, he’s not great around skeletons. Just an FYI.

DORIC, The Druid (Sophia Lillis)

CHARACTER CLASS: Druid. Reverers of nature able to harness its elemental power.

BACKGROUND: Doric is an embodiment of nature’s resilience, cunning and fury. Abandoned as a child, she was taken in by the elves of Neverwinter Wood, and now guards her adoptive community with a strength she draws from the Earth around her.

FIGHTING STYLE: Being a shapeshifter, Doric can take on the form of different animals, as well as classic monstrous D&D creature, the Owlbear. Exactly what they sound like, Owlbears are what you’d get if you crossed a giant owl with a giant bear. And you definitely don’t want to cross them as they “sleep on beds made of the bones of their prey”. Doesn’t sound very hygienic, or comfortable, but there you go.

STRENGTHS: Referring you back to that whole Owlbear thing. Oh, and she is also honourable, loyal and, being a tiefling, has magnificent horns.

WEAKNESSES: She’s not one for sugar-coating stuff, Doric. Tends to tell it like it is. You have been warned.

TOP TRIVIA: Doric is part of the Emerald Enclave, a resistance network of survivalists who maintain the balance between civilisation and nature.

XENK, The Paladin (Rege-Jean Page)

CHARACTER CLASS: Paladin. Holy warriors crusading in the name of good.

BACKGROUND: As a noble human Paladin from Thay, Xenk barely escaped the savage conquest of his homeland by the undead terror Szass Tam, when he was just a boy. He is now bound by a sacred oath of devotion to protect the innocent from the forces of evil. He once fended off a Beholder using only a sharpened gourd.

FIGHTING STYLE: Debonair, unperturbable, deadly. Unrivalled swordsmanship. Armed with a weapon that “gleams with divine radiance”. That is not a euphemism.

STRENGTHS: Stoic, honest. Saves Tabaxi babies from killer fish. Looks good in armour. “His eyes burn with unusual intensity,” apparently. Rather good-looking, in case you hadn’t noticed. Xenk also ages more slowly than a regular human, which is basically just rubbing it in.

WEAKNESSES: His longer life has given him the burden of perspective, which means Xenk can take himself a touch too seriously.

TOP TRIVIA: The words “Neither virtue nor blade shall break” are etched in Celestial – a beautiful, otherworldly language – on his daggersword.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #DnDMovie and tag @paramountpicsph

Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”

March 8, 2023
WATCH: Prime Video Releases Action-Packed Official Trailer for Global Spy Series Citadel

Prime Video debuted the high-octane official trailer for the upcoming epic spy-thriller series Citadel. The first season of the groundbreaking global series consists of six-episodes with two episodes premiering April 28 on Prime Video, and one episode rolling out weekly through May 26. The landmark, high-stakes drama is executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO and showrunner David Weil, and stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, with Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville. Citadel will be available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Eight years ago, Citadel fell. The independent global spy agency—tasked to uphold the safety and security of all people—was destroyed by operatives of Manticore, a powerful syndicate manipulating the world from the shadows. With Citadel’s fall, elite agents Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives. They’ve remained hidden ever since, building new lives under new identities, unaware of their pasts. Until one night, when Mason is tracked down by his former Citadel colleague, Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), who desperately needs his help to prevent Manticore from establishing a new world order. Mason seeks out his former partner, Nadia, and the two spies embark on a mission that takes them around the world in an effort to stop Manticore, all while contending with a relationship built on secrets, lies, and a dangerous-yet-undying love.

Richard Madden stars as Mason Kane, alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Nadia Sinh, Stanley Tucci as Bernard Orlick, Lesley Manville as Dahlia Archer, Osy Ikhile as Carter Spence, Ashleigh Cummings as Abby Conroy, Roland Møller as Anders Silje and Davik Silje, Caoilinn Springall as Hendrix Conroy, and more.

From Amazon Studios and the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, Citadel is executive produced by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Scott Nemes for AGBO, with David Weil serving as showrunner and executive producer. Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Scott Rosenberg serve as executive producers for Midnight Radio. Newton Thomas Sigel and Patrick Moran also serve as executive producers.

March 7, 2023
Miley Cyrus & Disney Reunite for the Disney+ Original Special Event: “Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)”

Disney+ will celebrate multiplatinum-selling recording artist Miley Cyrus’ highly anticipated eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation with an original special event, “Miley Cyrus ‒ Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions).” Miley Cyrus serves as executive producer on the music-focused performance special from Disney Branded Television and will showcase new music from Endless Summer Vacation, including “Flowers,” which has been No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for six consecutive weeks since its debut. Produced by Miley Cyrus, the award-winning creative production companyRadicalMedia, HopeTown Entertainment, Crush Management and Columbia Records, “Miley Cyrus ‒ Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)” is set to premiere on Saturday, March 11, at 2 a.m. PHT on Disney+.

Miley Cyrus takes the stage in this must-see, Disney+ music event, “Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions).” For the first time ever, Miley performs songs from “Endless Summer Vacation,” including her hit single “Flowers,” seven additional tracks from the album, one of her chart-topping classic hits and a special performance with Rufus Wainwright.

The global superstar’s cinematic performances are threaded with exclusive interviews in the famed Los Angeles house where Frank Sinatra once lived and where Miley shot the celebrated official music video for “Flowers.” With this special, Miley, who also serves as executive producer, opens the door to audiences around the world, providing insight into her new album and the person she is today. The “Backyard Sessions” are a series that Miley began in 2012 for her fans. Viewers were quickly taken with the experience of watching Miley and her band perform in an intimate, outdoor setting, and the “Backyard Sessions” quickly became a benchmark series. “Miley Cyrus ‒ Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)” serves as a continuation.

Endless Summer Vacation will be available globally, both digitally and at physical retailers via Columbia Records, on March 10th PT. Fans can pre order multiple configurations now, including black vinyl, exclusive red vinyl and an exclusive clear vinyl variant only available on shop.mileycyrus.com. Fans can also pre save the album on streaming services here.

“Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)” is produced by RadicalMedia, Miley Cyrus, HopeTown Entertainment, Crush Management and Columbia Records. Jacob Bixenman and Brendan Walter are directors, and Marcell Rév is director of photography.

March 7, 2023
“Wednesday’s” Jenna Ortega Takes a New Stab at Horror in “Scream VI”

For her performance Ortega was individually nominated for a 2023 Golden Globe award in the category of Best Television Actress Musical/Comedy Series and received a nomination for a 2022 Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series.

Now, Ortega returns as Tara Carpenter in Paramount Pictures’ new slasher thriller Scream VI, bringing together some familiar faces for a terrifying, sharp-witted, and bloody horror experience.

Scream VI finds Sam (Melissa Barrera), her half-sister Tara and their friends, twins Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding), having relocated from Woodsboro to New York City after the most recent Ghostface killings left them as the only survivors in their group of friends.

For Ortega, her character Tara doesn’t fit the genre’s so-called final girl mold. “It’s been really fun exploring her more in this film because I feel like I’m pulling out different traits,” she says. “I love that she’s more in touch with her feminine side and is a bit more sensitive. It’s very easy to make her cry and get under her skin. It’s also easy for her to grow unbelievably frustrated. Her older sister, Sam, is this stoic, strong, badass girl, which is also wonderful because we get to play off of each other.”

The story delves into how Sam and Tara are dealing with the horrors they lived through in entirely different and conflicting ways. “They’re like regular sisters that fight all the time and are sick of each other,” says Ortega. “Sam is the overprotective one, who is taking her job way too seriously. Tara’s this girl in college who wants independence and doesn’t want her sister hanging around watching her every move. There’s more friction, and the arc is more like a regular sibling relationship with ups and downs. Tara also has her journey of being in denial and not wanting to deal, choosing to move on with her life and not think about what happened ever again. Sam’s trying to get her to deal with it so that they can heal together.”

In Philippine cinemas starting March 8, Scream VI is distributed by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #Scream6 and tag @paramountpicsph

Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”

March 7, 2023