Expressing satisfaction with the exceptional synergy among his lead actors – Sul Kyung Gu, Doh Kyung-soo and Kim Hee-ae – “The Moon” director said, “They are all such skilled actors that even if they were acting separately, their emotions, tone, and manner were perfectly synchronized, which surprised me.”
In the thrilling and emotional space movie, Korea’s first manned mission to the moon ends in a tragic disaster when an explosion occurs on board. Seven years later, a second human spaceflight is launched successfully but a strong solar wind causes it to malfunction. One astronaut Sun-woo (Doh) is left stranded in space. Facing another fatal catastrophe, the Naro Space Center turns to its former managing director Dr. Kim (Sul) to help bring Sun-woo back home safely. In the film, each of the three main characters is in a setting that is different and away from the others.
Kim Hee-ae
Fortunately, according to the director, with the stellar performances of these talented actors, the audience can anticipate a chemistry that surpasses the distance of 384,000 kilometers between the Moon and the Earth. In The Moon, each character is separated by the Korean Naro Space Center (Sul), the vastness of space (Doh) and NASA in the United States (Kim), requiring the actors to convey their performances through communication and phone conversations without physically being in the same space. The director added that the actors approached the filming with emotions at a heightened level, allowing the audience to feel the powerful energy that carries the drama without getting exhausted.
Sul Kyung-gu
The Moon, a gripping, emotional, epic-action, and one of Korea’s highly anticipated films of the year, also stars The World of the Married’s Kim Hee-ae. It opens exclusively in Philippine cinemas August 16. It is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #TheMoonMoviePH
While we’re all excited to hear our very own Inka Magnaye voice the Scarab in the Philippine release of “Blue Beetle,” there are many other things to look forward to about the all-new Super Hero movie from Warner Bros. Pictures and DC. Read on to find out what “Blue Beetle” filmmakers think will get moviegoers even more excited!
Focus on family
Says director Ángel Manuel Soto of the close-knit Mexican-American Reyes family at the center of the film, “In this origin story, the family – contrary to other superhero movies where the hero keeps the secret from everybody around him – the secret really happens in front of the family. So, Gareth [Dunnet-Alcocer, screenwriter] always said, ‘Good luck trying to hide a secret from your mom in a Latino household, they always know!’ And we kind of like embraced that, so this made for a very unique journey where the family is part of the adventure, not a group of people or an object of rescue, but on the contrary, an integral part of the construct of this superhero.”
The humor
“Its tone is… it has to be funny,” says Mexican-born screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer “I’ve never met a Mexican person that wasn’t funny, so there’s no way the movie wouldn’t be funny. But what kind of funny it is, is wonderful, and I think it’s really inspired by the tone of the early Blue Beetle comics, where you have a hero that’s fallible.”
Fun with superpowers
Jaime Reyes’s experience as a new hero in a brand new suit is unique. “Can he fly? Yes. Is he strong? For sure. Are there big action sequences? Absolutely,” says producer John Rickard. “But it’s the special abilities of the suit, which are unlike anything else in the DCU, that make it so ridiculously cool, because it allows Blue Beetle endless superpowers. He’s literally a 20-something who has a suit that can create anything he can imagine. And so, what does this young kid do with these powers? He pulls from what he knows: pop culture. Things he knows in his everyday life. Our action sequences in ‘Blue Beetle’ are definitely inspired by a lot of gamer combos, which makes it feel like a video game come to life. Those who know will know.”
An all-original city for a new Super Hero
In “Blue Beetle,” recent college grad Jaime Reyes (Maridueña) returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero Blue Beetle.
In the comics, Jaime Reyes and his family live in El Paso, Texas, but the studio thought it would be a better idea to create an entirely new setting – a new place unique to the world of Blue Beetle called Palmera City. “They thought it might make sense to give Jaime and Blue Beetle his own unique city, much like Superman has Metropolis, The Flash has Central City. We loved this idea,” says producer Zev Foreman. “It suddenly got brighter; it suddenly got more colorful. It suddenly got the idea of water and how it combines with this place. The idea of the different sides of a place like Miami, in terms of the people that live there, the wealth that’s there, other things. It provided so many awesome opportunities to create a really unique environment in a superhero genre. And, again, it starts to inform the sounds, the music, the feeling, the lighting, all of these things, and I think it was an amazing choice.”
“Blue Beetle” opens exclusively in cinemas August 16.
From Warner Bros. Pictures comes the feature film “Blue Beetle,” marking the DC Super Hero’s first time on the big screen. The film, directed by Angel Manuel Soto, stars Xolo Maridueña in the title role as well as his alter ego, Jaime Reyes.
Starring alongside Maridueña (“Cobra Kai”) are Adriana Barraza (“Rambo: Last Blood,” “Thor”), Damían Alcázar (“Narcos,” “Narcos: Mexico”), Elpidia Carrillo (“Mayans M.C.,” the “Predator” films), Bruna Marquezine (“Maldivas,” “God Save the King”), Raoul Max Trujillo (the “Sicario” films, “Mayans M.C.”), with Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (“Monarch,” “Dead Man Walking”), and George Lopez (the “Rio and “Smurf” franchises). The film also stars Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories,” “Hocus Pocus 2”) and Harvey Guillén (“What We Do in the Shadows”). Soto (“Charm City Kings,” “The Farm”) directs from a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (“Miss Bala”), based on characters from DC. John Rickard and Zev Foreman are producing, with Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Garrett Grant serving as executive producers.
A Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation, A Safran Company Production, “Blue Beetle,” in cinemas starting August 16, is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #BlueBeetle #TeamKhajiDa
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, directed by Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines) and co-written by actor Seth Rogen, exceeded expectations and took in $43 million at the U.S. box office on its first five days, an impressive feat for the $70 million production. The film has also opened in a few international markets, earning a global total of $51.3 million. In the Philippines, Mutant Mayhem opens August 23.
The animated feature, which has been well-received by critics and moviegoers alike, currently has a 96% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a stellar A CinemaScore from audiences.
I’m not crying, you’re crying. Meet the turtle tots and watch the teenage mutant ninja turtles as babies:
“We’re over the moon with this opening.” Chris Aronson, Paramount’s Domestic Distribution Boss, told Deadline. “We exceeded pre-release expectations with this movie which has been a labor of love for a long time.”
This latest version of the beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features a star-studded voice cast that includes Jackie Chan, Rose Byrne, Hannibal Buress, John Cena, Ice Cube, Natasia Demetriou, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Maya Rudolph. The titular teenage mutant ninja turtles are voiced by real teenagers Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr, Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon.
In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, after years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.
In Philippine cinemas starting August 23, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #MutantMayhem #TMNTMovie and tag paramountpicsph
Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
The world of cinema has been painted pink as Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Barbie” speeds past the billion-dollar box office threshold. Just 17 days after release in North America and most international markets, this pop culture phenomenon has amassed a staggering $1.0315 billion worldwide. Of this, $459.4 million came from domestic theaters, with $572.1 million garnered overseas.
Greta Gerwig: A Pioneer in Cinema
‘Barbie’ also solidifies Greta Gerwig’s place in the annals of film history. With this monumental success, she becomes the first woman to cross the billion-dollar benchmark as a solo director. This milestone announcement was shared by Jeff Goldstein, President of Domestic Distribution, and Andrew Cripps, President of International Distribution, for Warner Bros. Pictures.
The public can glimpse the magic behind the scenes in a featurette titled, “Greta’s Vision” for “Barbie”. Watch the “Greta’s Vision” for Barbie in this featurette:
‘Barbie’ Shattering Expectations
In their statement, Goldstein and Cripps confessed that ‘Barbie’s’ unprecedented performance left them at a loss for words. In their words, the movie has blown “as distribution chiefs, we’re not often rendered speechless by a film’s performance, but Barbillion has blown even our most optimistic predictions out of the water. This is a watershed moment for ‘Barbie,’ and no one but Greta Gerwig could have brought this cross-generational icon and her world to life in such a funny, emotional and entertaining story, one that is resonating with all four quadrants of moviegoers and literally turning the entire world pink. Long lines and repeat viewings prove that movies are back in a big, big way, and we look forward to seeing just how far ‘Barbie’ can go in the real world.”
They hailed the success as a “watershed moment” for ‘Barbie,’ attributing its global resonance to Gerwig’s unique storytelling ability.
A Billion-Dollar Vision
Echoing this sentiment, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, Co-Chairs & CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, cited the exceptional teamwork that led to the movie’s overwhelming success. They highlighted Gerwig’s exceptional contribution, stating “A massive achievement like this is possible when you have an incredible filmmaking team, with cast and crew coming together to create a truly special moviegoing experience. Along with our partners at Mattel, and with the support of the entire Warner Bros. Discovery family, we are thrilled that audiences the world over are embracing the ‘Barbie’ movie in such a profound way. With ‘Barbie’ becoming the biggest film at the summer box office, Greta now joins an elite group of writer/directors whose singular vision has generated $1 billion at the global box office, a milestone that is testament to her brilliance and to her commitment to deliver a movie that Barbie fans of every age want to see on the big screen.”
‘Barbie’: A Record-Breaking Phenomenon
Since its highly-anticipated debut, ‘Barbie’ has not only met but surpassed every studio benchmark, setting all-time daily, weekly, and weekend records. It holds the distinction of being the fastest film to reach $400 million domestically and $500 million internationally.
‘Barbie’ continues to bring joy to audiences, showing exclusively in cinemas worldwide. In the Philippines, ‘Barbie’ is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.
Now showing in Philippine cinemas, “Barbie” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.
Join the global conversation about ‘Barbie’s’ historic success using the hashtags #Barbie #BarbieTheMovie
Guided by the masterful insights of artist-mentors such as Ricky Lee, Rody Vera, Jeffrey Jeturian, Issa Manalo Lopez, Raffy Tejada, and Ellen Ongkeko Marfil, Pelikulove introduces an enchanting anthology film that encapsulates the unfiltered viewpoints of the youth. “SHOUTOUT PINAS 2022” paints a tapestry of hope and creativity amidst contemporary challenges.
Mark your calendars for a cinematic treat. “SHOUTOUT PINAS 2022” graces the Cinemalaya Festival as an exhibition film on August 10, 2023. The curtains rise at the PICC Bonifacio Room at precisely 6:15PM.
SHOUTOUT PINAS 2022 follows two ad-makers working for an imprisoned politician, two documentarists on violence in killing fields, a lovestruck “manananggal” trying to break free, media people featuring the history of stolen national treasures, and five pandemic chat members figuring out their paths.
Viewers are in for an experience of wildly differing methods and tones as they hear the voices of the youth in stories presented during the pandemic in Pelikulove workshops.
Marfil, Pelikulove founder and creative head, stated : “I am really thrilled about this as this (anthology) was not part of the plan . Except that, the shorts were good and have much to say which is why I strung them into an anthology. I am thrilled because from shorts, the set of film and theater works is now a full- length film that hopes to reach and impact more.”
“The first inspiration really was the three Asian film anthology Southern Winds with Mike de Leon’s Aliwan Paradise decades ago. Kakatapos lang natin ng SONA. This one is like SONY- State of the Nation’s Youth,” added Marfil.
Tickets are now through Ticketworld and through (63 923) 359-6286.
The short film and theater works:
How to Make an Effective Campaign Ad Directed by Roman Perez, Jr. Written by Quiel Dela Cruz
Cast: Soliman Cruz, Karl Aquino, Gboy Pablo, Ethan Magnaye, Jerico Arceo, Yian Gabriel, Wilma Hollis, Sigrid Polon, Jackie Lyn Barcebal. In collaboration with Indiependente Films.
No Trespassing Directed by Julius Dela Peña and Dada Grifon Written by Dada Grifon
Cast: Ley Doronilla, Christine Fel Viernes, Milton Dionzon, John Arceo, Mary Jane Quilisadio, Wee Trinidad, Roem Ortiz, Ramil Satingasin Jr., Rose Fransz, Kathryn Baynosa, Jeffrey Lazaro, Kent Ontanieza, Harley Marion Opuan, Rodney Jarder Jr. In Collaboration with the University of St. La Salle Bacolod and La Salle Film Society.
When A Manananggal Loves A Man Directed by Niel Arkhe Azcuna Written by Raymund Barcelon
Cast: Jeanie M. Darantinao, Maria Cristina Macapagal, Justin Cabiara. In collaboration with IPAG and MSU-IIT.
Libro For Ransom Directed by Gab Hernandez Written by Ralph Morales
Cast: Danica Duno, Desiree Joy Briones, Raffy Tejada, Butchoy Ubaldo, Ralph Morales, Jasmine Medina. With Special Participation from Xiao Chua. In Collaboration with Giya Productions.
Quarantine 5 Directed by Sari Saysay Written by Andrew Estacio
Cast: Elmira Jasmin Broncano, Jobert Grey Landeza, Breco Halum, Ma. Quency Castillo. In collaboration with Sining Banwa of Bicol.
Shoutout Pinas 2022 is a culmination of Pelikulove’s dream to empower artists within a nurturing community of kindred artists through mentorship, fellowship and resource sharing.
More details of Pelikulove at www.pelikulove.com and FB page pelikulove.
Carlo Aquino and Charlie Dizon star as blue-collared workers determined to find bliss in “Third World Romance,” showing in cinemas nationwide beginning August 16 (Wednesday).
Britney (Charlie), an outspoken grocery cashier, and Alvin (Carlo), a laid-back grocery bagger, strive to be content and happy together despite the harsh realities of life.
But when Britney faces a tough choice between family and her own happiness, she realizes that nothing in life comes for free.
Can Alvin and Britney’s love thrive in a world where happiness continues to be a luxury?
“Yung mensahe ng movie namin, mahirap man maging masaya pero hangga’t may kasama ka na dadamay sa’yo magiging magaan ang buhay,” shared Charlie.
Meanwhile, Carlo described his character as laid-back but knows when to fight for survival. He said, “Chill lang siya pero lumalaban pa rin sa buhay.”
“Third World Romance” is directed by Dwein Ruedas Baltazar, the movie director behind “Oda sa Wala” and “Hello Stranger: The Movie.” The project is a co-production of Black Sheep and Anima.
When asked how the ‘hugot of raket’ plays in the film, Direk Dwein stressed that it is at the core of the story. “Mahalaga kasi ang raket ‘survival’ siya. Nakasentro dun ang conflict ng istorya, kung paano sila mabubuhay araw-araw,” she said.
“Ifo-front natin ang pag-ibig habang dini-discuss ang social issues, trabaho, at iba pang bagay na kinakaharap ng ordinaryong mamamayan,” she added.
The film also stars Ana Abad Santos, Gardo Versoza, Arachie Adamos, Iyah Mina, Esnyr Ranollo, Xilhouette, Brian Black, Lady Morgana, and Junjun Quintana.
Before its theatrical release, “Third World Romance” will be featured as Cinemalaya 2023’s closing film.
Witness the unfolding of Alvin and Britney’s “Third World Romance,” showing in cinemas starting August 16 (Wednesday). For film updates, follow Black Sheep on Facebook @BlackSheepABSCBN, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter @black_sheepph, and YouTube @BlackSheepPH and Anima on their social media accounts @animastudiosph.
The cast of “Meg 2: The Trench” also got a very welcome addition that helped supersize its cast – global action icon Wu Jing, star of five of the 10 highest-grossing films in China. “To be honest, I’ve always been terrified of monster films,” says Jing. “You can ask me to jump off a high-rise building, and I think that’s easier for me – but fighting a fictitious monster? That is something very hard for me.”
Lucky for Jing, it’s not all about fighting fictitious monsters. Part of the charm of “The Meg,” one of the biggest surprise blockbusters in 2018, was its sense of humor. “Meg 2” producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura admits, “There was a little bit of uncertainty with the first film how the comedy would play for the audience. But they really bought into the notion of ‘Let’s not take ourselves too seriously – let’s have some fun and some scares.’” He adds that for the sequel, everything is more: “This time around, we’ll have some more scares, a little more carnage in and out of the water, two globally popular actors in Jason Statham and Wu Jing, some new cast members, more action… and more Megs. It’s a balance between reminding them of what they really loved and the characters they loved, and then giving them a new experience.”
Looks like it’s mission accomplished for director Wheatley. Producer Belle Avery agrees that “Meg 2: The Trench” is bigger and more. She says that for the sequel, they’re “giving [audiences] more creatures, creating more personalities with the Megs and making more discoveries in the trench. I think that’s pretty important. You know, mankind has a tendency to destroy things, and we touch on that. But, it’s kind of like Jonas [Jason Statham] said in the first film, ‘Meg versus Man is a slaughter.’ So, you’re going to see a little bit of that in this one, too, but fun slaughter.”
In “Meg 2: The Trench,” Statham and Jing lead a daring research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Pitted against colossal Megs and relentless environmental plunderers, our heroes must outrun, outsmart, and outswim their merciless predators in a pulse-pounding race against time.
Jason Statham and Wu Jing lead an ensemble cast that also includes Sophia Cai (“The Meg”), Page Kennedy (“The Meg”), Sergio Peris-Mencheta (“Rambo: Last Blood”), Skyler Samuels (“The Gifted”), and Cliff Curtis (“Avatar” franchise).
“Meg 2: The Trench” is directed by Ben Wheatley (“In the Earth,” “Free Fire”), from a screenplay by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber (“The Meg,” “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”) and Dean Georgaris (“The Meg,” “Lara Croft: Toom Raider – The Cradle of Life”), and a screen story by Dean Georgaris and Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber, based on the novel The Trench by Steve Alten. The film is produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura (“The Meg,” “Bumblebee”) and Belle Avery (“The Meg,” “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”), and executive produced by Jason Statham, Cate Adams, Ruigang Li, Catherine Xujun Ying, Wu Jing, E. Bennett Walsh, Erik Howsam, Gerald R. Molen and Randy Greenberg.
Now showing in Philippine cinemas, “Meg 2: The Trench” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #Meg2
Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story Director Neill Blomkamp, whose credits include District 9 and Elysium, says that Jann makes a compelling character because his real-life story is an unbelievable series of dreams coming true. Like a lot of young adults, Jann seems more interested in playing videogames than with making something of his life, until he’s given a chance to play for real. “Jann is playing ‘Gran Turismo’ in his parents’ house when all of a sudden – after years – he sees the option for GT Academy,” Blomkamp explains. “Only then did he learn how to drive proper cars – how to hit an apex and exit a corner – everything he’d done intuitively inside the game, but had never been taught.”
Blomkamp’s way into the film was through a longtime love of cars—the merging of mechanics, engineering, art, and design—and that meant the exciting possibility of showing what these cars can do. “With a movie like this one, sometimes the temptation is to go all-digital. Shoot some background plates, do digital cars, drop your actors in from a virtual production environment. But in this case, everything is real, and I mean literally everything is real. When we portray an actor driving the car, they are actually going around the track pretty close to the speed that they should be going.”
David Harbour
Part of doing it for real was getting the real cars and shooting on the real tracks, including the Slovakia Ring in Slovakia, the Dubai Autodrome, the Nurburgring, the Red Bull Ring in Austria, and the Hungaroring; this latter track doubles for both the GT Academy (loosely based on Silverstone, the home of UK auto racing) and Le Mans.
And in the driver’s seat, Blomkamp had one other secret weapon in showing what it was like for Jann Mardenborough behind the wheel – and that was Jann Mardenborough himself, who served as the film’s stunt driver for the character of Jann. “The story is based on him, Archie Madekwe portrays him, and he’s the stunt driver who drives Archie’s car as the character based on him,” says Blomkamp. “It’s amazing – some very interesting meta thing happening there.”
Orlando Bloom
“It’s so surreal,” says Mardenborough. “The last time I was in Hungary, the track was packed with trucks for a race. This time, it was packed with trucks for a film being made about me. That blew my mind.”
Watch the inspiring true story of videogamer-turned-racecar driver Jann Mardenborough in Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story, opening in Philippine cinemas in August.
Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, the film is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.
Directed by Neill Blomkamp, screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin, based on the PLAYSTATION STUDIOS video game.
Archie Madekwe & Jann Mardenborough
Produced by Doug Belgrad, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Dana Brunetti. The executive producers are Kazunori Yamauchi, Herman Hulst, Jason Hall, Matthew Hirsch.
The cast is led by David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner and Djimon Hounsou.
In Philippine cinemas August 2023, Gran Turismo: Based on a True Storyis distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #GranTurismoMovie
Prepare to step into the shadowy world of “Cobweb,” a film shrouded in mystery and suspense. Before you enter this eerie realm, let’s arm you with some bone-chilling facts about the film. Uncover five riveting facts about this cinematic enigma that’s set to grip audiences from start to finish.
1. A Not-So-Imaginary Fear
“Cobweb” centers on eight-year-old Peter who is tormented by a mysterious, incessant tap-tap from inside his bedroom wall, a sound his parents insist is all in his head. This psychological narrative taps into every child’s fear – the fear of the unknown, the fear of being dismissed, and, perhaps most terrifyingly, the fear of their parents harboring a dark secret. Imagine being in Peter’s shoes—what if you heard the ominous tap, tap, tap every night? How will this chilling plot unfold? You’ll have to brave the film to find out.
Woody Norman as Peter in the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.
2. A Sinister Director’s Vision
If there’s one thing that distinguishes “Cobweb” from other thrillers, it’s the sinister vision of its director, Samuel Bodin. Rejecting a conventional approach to storytelling, Bodin crafts a world that’s far from normal, teetering on the edge of a chilling dream. He manipulates ordinary elements to evoke unease, painting a world where nothing is as it seems. A house that’s just a bit too large, doors that squeak unsettlingly loud, and an eerily overripe pumpkin patch – all these elements create a tableau that is both familiar and utterly strange.
Director Samuel Bodin of the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Jun Michael Park
Anchoring this vision is the central character, Peter, through whose terrified eyes we experience this distorted reality. This childlike perspective adds an additional layer of terror to the narrative, subverting familiar safety and comfort.
The director also uses clever sound design, using a simple yet haunting tap, tap, tap to drive the narrative and ratchet up the tension. This auditory motif serves as a constant reminder of the lurking horror. Interestingly, Bodin likens the movie to a “dissonant, wobbly nursery rhyme” and a “Halloween joke gone wrong,” cementing its status as a macabre twist on conventional storytelling.
3.A Stellar Cast Hailing from Distinct Backgrounds
The cast of ‘Cobweb’ brings an eclectic mix of talents that infuse the film with riveting performances. Leading the cast is Emmy-nominated Lizzy Caplan, whose diverse acting portfolio spans from dramatic roles to comedic performances. Known for her ability to infuse depth into her characters, she has been praised for her roles in various hit series including “Masters of Sex”, “Castle Rock”, and “Fleishman is in Trouble”.
Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea
In the role of Peter, we have UK-based actor Woody Norman, who has proven his remarkable talent in acclaimed films such as ‘C’mon C’mon’, and ‘The Electric State’. Norman’s authentic and touching performances have already earned him notable accolades such as the London Critics’ Circle Award for Young British/Irish Performer and a nomination for the Critics Choice Award for Best Young Actor/Actress.
Woody Norman as Peter in the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea
Bringing warmth and kindness to the film is Australian actress Cleopatra Coleman, renowned for her diverse roles in projects ranging from psychological thrillers like ‘Infinity Pool’ to romantic comedies like ‘The Right One’. Her magnetic performance in the Hulu series “Dopesick” was widely praised, cementing her position as a versatile and compelling performer.
Cleopatra Coleman as Miss Devine in the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea
Finally, adding to the stellar line-up is Antony Starr, best known for his character “Homelander” in the hit series “The Boys”. Starr’s portrayal of complex and intense characters has been critically acclaimed, earning him the Critics Choice Super Awards for Best Actor in a Superhero Series and Best Villain in a Series.
(L-R) Cleopatra Coleman as Miss Devine and Antony Starr as Mark in the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea
4. A Collaboration of Notable Talents from the 2018 Black List and BloodList
The screenplay for “Cobweb,” a feature film directed by Samuel Bodin for Lionsgate, was penned by Chris Thomas Devlin. The script earned distinction on the 2018 Black List, a prestigious collection of the year’s best unproduced screenplays, and topped the 2018 BloodList, a compilation of the best original horror scripts. This unique collaboration of talent brought a compelling narrative to the screen, further cementing Devlin’s reputation as a gifted writer in the horror genre.
Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea
5. A Grimm-esque Tale
Drawing inspiration from the dark and twisted tales of the Grimm Brothers, “Cobweb” creates a menacing aura around Peter’s parents. It’s a twisted tale imbued with a disconcertingly playful tone. At its core, the film is akin to a Halloween joke gone wrong. This twisted tale is filled with disquieting surprises and a creeping sensation of dread, much like biting into a poisoned birthday cake – definitely not for the faint-hearted. The film’s soundscape is crafted to mirror a wobbly, dissonant nursery rhyme. This distorted symphony enhances the unsettling tone of the movie, transforming it into a chilling horror tale.
Woody Norman as Peter in the Horror/Thriller film, COBWEB, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea
Ready to unravel its secrets? “Cobweb“ is set to reel you into a web of fear, uncertainty, and thrill. It masterfully blends the innocent fears of childhood with a creeping, pervasive horror, creating a thrilling journey that will keep viewers guessing until long after the credits roll. So, brace yourself, and prepare to be swept into the spine-chilling world of “Cobweb.” Who knows what you might uncover within the walls of Peter’s house?
The Moon director believes that Korean film technology has sufficiently advanced to create a distinctiveness from other space-themed films. “I wanted to create a film that not only demonstrates technical excellence but also fulfills emotional depth, believing that Korean cinema has grown enough to set itself apart from many other space-themed films,” he says.
In 2022, South Korea’s first lunar exploration spacecraft, the Danuri-ho, took flight, carrying out various scientific missions. With the successful third launch of the Danuri-ho in May this year, South Korea is already making significant progress towards becoming a space power. What makes The Moon special is that “it presents a story that is realistically possible under the technological prowess of Korea,” director Kim shares.
Another captivating aspect of The Moon is the intense survival drama built on thorough scientific verification and consultation. It depicts the isolation of astronaut Sun-woo (EXO’s Doh Kyung-soo) in the vast and unknown lunar environment, his determination to complete the mission, and the relentless efforts of former flight director Jae-gook (award-winning actor Sul Kyung-gu) to rescue him. Their solidarity surpasses the 384,000 kilometers between the Moon and Earth.
“The spectacle of the vast universe is intertwined with the story of humanity,” says Sul Kyung-gu of the appeal of the film for him. “It is a movie that gives hope, courage and comfort,” adds Doh Kyung-soo.
The Moon, a gripping, emotional, epic-action, and one of Korea’s highly anticipated films of the year, also stars The World of the Married’s Kim Hee-ae. It opens exclusively in Philippine cinemas August 16. It is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #TheMoonMoviePH
