Category: Movies

  • Film Facts: 5 Things to Know About ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

     The follow up to 2016’s Doctor Strange is finally coming to cinemas! In ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Dr. Stephen Strange who casts a forbidden spell, opening the multiverse that includes alternate versions of himself. He joins forces with Wong and Wanda Maximoff to face the threat to humanity, but their powers alone may not be enough.

    Excited to head to the cinemas to catch this latest MCU movie on the big screen? Here are some interesting film trivia and fun facts about ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ before you catch it in the cinemas!

    1. Doctor Strange currently has five film appearances, with the most recent one connected to the upcoming sequel

    Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness
Film Facts

    Marvel fans following the MCU have seen Stephen Strange, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, in Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and the most recent, Spider-Man: No Way Home. ICYMI, in No Way Home, Doctor Strange helps Spider-Man and in the process, tampers with the multiverse. The upcoming Doctor Strange sequel continues from the events that happened in No Way Home, with Strange going out to the madness that is the multiverse. 

    2. Also reprising their role in the MCU are Benedict Wong as Wong, Doctor Strange’s friend, and Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff

    Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness
Film Facts

    Both Wong and Cumberbatch starred in No Way Home, and for Multiverse of Madness, they are joined by Olsen who reprises her role as Wanda a.k.a. Scarlet Witch, which had its own series Wandavision on Disney+. The three will also be portraying alternate versions of their MCU characters who they will encounter when the doorway to the multiverse opens.

    3. The Illuminati will make an appearance in the film

    In this newly released promo clip by Marvel, at its 16-second mark we see Karl Mordo, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor say, ‘Stephen Strange, the Illuminati will see you now.’ In the Marvel comics, the Illuminati is a secret society of superheroes that also has multiple versions in the multiverse. Some of the Illuminati’s members include Iron Man, Professor X (who appears in the trailer), Mr. Fantastic, and Black Panther.

    4. ‘Multiverse of Madness’ is directed by Sam Raimi, known for directing and producing horror films

    This isn’t the first time the ‘Evil Dead’ filmmaker is taking on Marvel superheroes — he directed the Spider-Man trilogy, which starred Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Sam Raimi returns to directing for the big screen after a 9-year hiatus with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

    5. We’ll be introduced to queer Marvel character, America Chavez 

    In the film, the lesbian superhero is portrayed by Xochitl Gomez, popular for her role as Dawn in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club. Gomez had to bow out of BSC Season 2 when she landed the role in the new Marvel film. America Chavez a.k.a. ‘Miss America’ first appeared in comics in 2011, and the superhero has multiple superpowers such as flight, super speed, and superstrength.

    ALSO READ:
    WATCH: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Trailer Teases an Evil Sorcerer Supreme

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ opens in Phillippine cinemas on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Book your seats ahead and buy your tickets here.

  • Walt Disney Studios Excites with Movie Lineup at CinemaCon in Las Vegas

    During the recent CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Walt Disney Studio provided exciting details for its 2022 theatrical release slate from Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, and 20th Century Studios, including a first look at the “Avatar” sequel!

    The title of the “Avatar” sequel, which will open in theaters December, is “Avatar: The Way of Water.” Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive,  and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the film stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kate Winslet. To whet audiences’ appetites, the studio will re-release “Avatar” in theaters in September. 

    The teaser trailer drew highly enthusiastic responses from the CinemaCon audience. In addition, Zoe Saldana, who stars in both “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Amsterdam,” will be receiving the CinemaCon “Star of the Year” award at the “Big Screen Achievement Award” Ceremony on Thursday evening, April 28. 

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    From Marvel Studios: 

    Marvel Studios took the CinemaCon audience on a thrill ride through the Multiverse with footage from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” which opens in Philippine theaters next week, May 4. With the film, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Fans will journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.         

    “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll, Scott Derrickson and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron. 

    From Pixar Animation Studios: 

    CinemaCon attendees were treated to footage from Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature film “Lightyear,” which opens in Philippine theaters on June 15. A sci-fi action-adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.  

    The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne, and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison, and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. The film is directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”), produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), and features a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Batman,” “Up”).

  • New Movies in Philippine Cinemas this May 2022

    We’re making movie night plans much easier for you with this rundown of films opening soon in cinemas nationwide!

    In Cinemas Monthly 6 1

    From the highly anticipated Doctor Strange sequel to Tom Cruise’s return to the big screen as Maverick, here are the new movies in Philippine cinemas for the month of May.

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    Wednesday, May 4 
    BUY TICKET

    Doctor Strange journeys to the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse along with the help of mystical allies to confront a mysterious new adversary.

    ALSO READ:
    WATCH: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Trailer Teases an Evil Sorcerer Supreme

    Downton Abbey: A New Era

    Wednesday, May 18

    The global phenomenon return to the big screen, as the beloved characters from ‘Downton Abbey‘ journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa.

    DC League of Super-Pets

    Friday, May 20 [NOTE: The new release date of this film is moved to July 27, 2022]

    Best friends Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman share the same superpowers and fight crime in Metropolis. When Kypto’s BFF the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto rounds up other pets—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle, and Chip the squirrel—to master their own powers and help rescue the superheroes.

    ALSO READ:
    Keanu Reeves, John Krasinski, Kevin Hart, & More are Joining DC’s ‘Super-Pets’ Film!

    Top Gun: Maverick

    Wednesday, May 25

    Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell is now a trainer of a new generation of TOPGUN graduates for a special mission, which includes Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw, the son of his late best friend ‘Goose.’ Maverick faces an uncertain future and must confront the ghosts of his past, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it. 

    LOOT BOX: Click here for your chance to win limited edition goodies from TOP GUN: MAVERICK!

    ALSO READ:
    WATCH: Check Out ‘Top Gun: Maverick’s Behind-The-Scenes Video
    Here are Tom Cruise’s Recruits in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’


    [Note: release dates for movies in Philippine cinemas are subject to change without prior notice. For more upcoming movies, click here.] 

  • Warner Reveals First-Look of ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ and ‘Barbie,’ Confirms ‘The Batman’ Sequel

    Vengeance is returning to Gotham.  Warner Bros. Pictures made that revelation plus a couple of first-look debuts during the studio’s presentation April 26 at CinemaCon, the annual convention of movie theater owners held this year in Las Vegas.

    ‘The Batman’ Sequel

    Warner
Don't Worry Darling
Barbie
The Batman Sequel

    Warner announced that director Matt Reeves has begun scripting a sequel to “The Batman,” which he and Dylan Clark would also return to produce.  The news comes on the heels of the current film passing the $750 million mark at the global box office.  The announcement was made  by Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, and Reeves himself, who joined Emmerich onstage during his opening remarks.

    HBO Max recently announced a series centered around Colin Farrell as The Penguin, derived directly from the universe launched by the “The Batman.”  Reeves is currently reteaming with J.J. Abrams and DC universe veteran Bruce Timm on the streamer’s upcoming animated series “Batman: Caped Crusader.”  The filmmaker’s prior films include the hugely successful “Planet of the Apes” franchise, the acclaimed fantasy horror film “Let Me In,” and the sci-fi horror hit “Cloverfield,” among others.  Reeves’ additional credits include the popular TV series “Felicity,” which he co-created with Abrams, as well as the series “Ordinary Joe,” “Lift,” “Mother/Android,” “Away,” “Tales from the Loop” and “The Passage,” among others.

    ‘Don’t Worry Darling’

    Warner
Don't Worry Darling
Barbie
The Batman Sequel

    Director Olivia Wilde unveiled the first look at Harry Styles and Florence Pugh in the psychological thriller “Don’t Worry Darling.”

    In the film, a 1950s housewife (Pugh) living with her husband (Styles) in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company may be hiding disturbing secrets.

    During her presentation, Wilde shared the idea behind “Don’t Worry Darling,” which is inspired by “Inception,” “The Matrix” and “The Truman Show.” She calls the movie “a love letter to movies that push the boundaries of our imagination.”

    Slated to open in the Philippines this September, “Don’t Worry Darling” is Wilde’s follow-up feature to 2019’s coming-of-age comedy “Booksmart.”

    ‘Barbie’

    Warner
Don't Worry Darling
Barbie
The Batman Sequel

    A first-look image of the much-anticipated live-action adventure “Barbie” starring Margot Robbie was also revealed at CinemaCon.   The photo features Robbie behind the wheel of a pink convertible, flashing a megawatt smile and donning a polka dot headband.

    Directed by Academy Award-nominee Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with her partner Noah Baumbach, “Barbie” opens in Philippine cinemas in 2023.

  • New Movie This Week: The Bad Guys

    Plan your week ahead and choose which schedule of this movie opening this April 26, 2022, you’ll see on the big screen.

    The Bad Guys

    Adventure, Animation, Comedy | 1hr 40mins

    Directed by Pierre Perifel, it is based on the children’s book series of the same name by Aaron Blabey. It tells the story of a group of criminal animals who, upon being caught, pretend to attempt to reform themselves as model citizens as a new villain has his own plans. It features the voices of Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Anthony Ramos, Craig Robinson, Awkwafina, and more.

    BUY TICKETS

  • 10 Psychological Thriller Movies to Consider for Your Next Movie Night

    Thriller movies can utilize many tools to thrill viewers, such as terrifying antagonists, heart-stopping chase scenes, and fast-paced action sequences. And then there’s the psychological thriller genre, which is packed with movies that might use the same plot devices, but are mainly targeting the minds of the audiences often by using unhinged and disturbed protagonists, and building up paranoia and unrest before an often unexpected climax.

    If you enjoy disturbing yourself with secondhand anxiety through cinema, here’s a roundup of psychological thriller movies you might want to watch on your next movie night.

    Get Out

    Jordan Peele’s thriller-slash-commentary film begins with Chris, a young black man, who goes on a weekend getaway to meet his white girlfriend’s parents. While he feels uneasy that her parents don’t know about their interracial relationship, Chris would soon learn that there’s so much more he needs to be worried about, like surviving.

    The Lighthouse

    Director Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe as two lighthouse keepers who are trying to keep their sanity while being stuck on a remote New England island in the 1890s.

    Watch it on Netflix

    The Invitation

    After being invited to a dinner party by his ex-wife Eden and her new husband David, Will revisits his old home with his girlfriend Kira. But as the night progresses, Will gets the feeling that Eden and David are planning something sinister for all of the guests.

    Parasite

    In the Academy Award-winning film Parasite by Bong Joon-ho, a poor family slowly infiltrates a rich family’s home through a series of clever deceptions. But as more secrets unravel, they will soon find themselves facing unexpected consequences.

    Watch it on Netflix

    Shutter Island

    In 1954, US Marshall Teddy Daniels and his partner take a trip to Ashecliffe Hospital, an institution for the criminally insane located on a remote island, to investigate the escape of a murderer. But as he gets deeper into the case, a shocking conspiracy unfolds.

    Watch it on Netflix

    Memento

    In Memento, a man named Leonard tries to track down the criminal who raped and murdered his wife to finally take his revenge. But this becomes more challenging due to the fact that he suffers from a rare type of memory loss. While he recalls details of his life before the accident, he loses his new memories every fifteen minutes.

    The Silence of the Lambs

    The Silence of the Lambs is the acclaimed thriller that brought Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter to the big screen. It follows Clarice Starling, FBI’s top student, who interviews the notorious Lecter for his background in psychology and experience in psychopathy in the hopes that it could help her track down a dangerous serial killer on the loose.

    Gone Girl

    New York-based writer Nick Dunne seems to have the perfect marriage with his wife Amy. But on their fifth anniversary, Amy goes missing. With the public pressure and media frenzy pointing their fingers at Nick, the man’s innocence and the truth behind their marriage are slowly unraveled.

    Watch it on Netflix

    Joker

    The famous Batman villain’s solo film received high acclaim for its grounded story that veered away from the superhero genre. Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian who suffers from a disorder that causes him to laugh uncontrollably. As society continues to neglect and degrade him, Arthur soon descends into madness.

    Watch it on Netflix

    Jacob’s Ladder

    Jacob’s Ladder tells the story of Jacob Singer, a postal worker who still struggles to get past his PTSD after being part of the bloody war in Vietnam. During a trip on the subway, Jacob sees a tentacle from under one of the seats and he is soon plagued with visions of nightmarish creatures. Is this all in his head, or is there something more sinister at play here?

    ALSO READ
    15 Films with Plot Twists You Wouldn’t See Coming

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  • The Good, The Bad, and the Enjoyable: a review of ‘The Bad Guys’

    First off, I wasn’t impressed by the trailer of Dreamworks’ new animated full-length, ‘The Bad Guys.’ There was something so literal about it. A bunch of villains pretending to be good and, I’m guessing, they become good in the process. It came across as quite one-dimensional.

    When I got to see the film, I was completely blown away. First off, the animation is splendid. It has the sheen and gloss of a painting that moves. The texture and colors of the images are quite beautiful to watch. But even if it is almost painting-like in its execution, it doesn’t stop director Pierre Perifel to do some really frenetic action that will be super enjoyable to both kids and adults alike.

    What also drew me into the film is the intricate characterization of the cast. From the lead character, The Wolf, the charismatic leader of the criminal gang called The Bad Guys, to Mr. Snake, Webs, Shark, and Piranha. Each character is distinct, adorable, and unforgettable. It helps that the voice acting is really good. Sam Rockwell is slick and charming as The Wolf and Marc Maron plays off Rockwell extremely well as Mr. Snake. The cast also includes Awkwafina (Webs), Craig Robinson (Shark), Anthony Ramos (Piranha), Zazie Beets (as Governor Foxington), and Richard Ayoade (as the guinea pig narcissistic philanthropist Professor Marmalade).

    It’s a straight-up caper film with hilarious gags that are funny and unexpected. Some of the gags include Mr. Shark being so excellent at disguise that it leads to hilarious effects, aside from the fact that he is visually a shark in a disguise. Piranha is a crazy, hot head, and he’s not the smartest fish in the sea. Adding to the hilarity of the film is the idea that some animals can talk and act like humans while some animals are merely animals. And they all live in a world primarily populated by humans. Even the governor is a literal fox!

    The Bad Guys - Movie Review

    The highly unrealistic world creates a space for some amazing visual setups for the rather complicated capers The Bad Guys pull, some energetic car chases, and some cool action sequences. This world is so left-of-center and out-of-the-box that it allows you to empathize with the lead characters despite them being criminals. But the movie is also nuanced enough to take note that The Wolf and Mr. Snake would pay their bill at a diner right before they rob a bank.

    But further into the story, the movie pushes its nuances further and explores this idea about second chances and how dangerous stereotypes can be. It’s mentioned quite a few times in the film that you should never judge a book by its cover and the film manages to dramatize this wonderfully through its narrative and even choice of characters.

    The Bad Guys - Movie Review

    The Bad Guys – a wolf, a snake, a shark, a tarantula, and a piranha – all have bad reputations (as carnivores) but this is all a metaphor for something even bigger. The distorted reality of the setting allows for an interesting space to discuss the dangers of stereotyping and how we could easily force people into doing “bad things” just because that’s how the world perceives them.

    What’s great about ‘The Bad Guys’ is that it manages to do this in a series of narrative twists and turns that keep you at your seat and manage to surprise you at every turn without sacrificing any of the enjoyment. It manages to stay fast-paced and funny while still going deep into society’s judgmental attitudes. The added bonus? It works well for both kids and adults alike.

    The Bad Guys - Movie Review

    Rumors have it that ‘The Bad Guys,’ based on the books of the same name by Aaron Blabey, will be a franchise IP. That means there will be more stories about these characters (even though the film ends with a clear resolution). I actually love the idea because I’d love to see these characters again and see what else is in store for these ‘bad guys.’

    My Rating:

    5 stars - Don't Look Up review




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    ‘The Bad Guys‘ opens in Philippine cinemas on April 27, 2022. Buy your tickets here.

    ALSO READ:
    Dreamworks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys’ Brings Best-Selling Children’s Book Series to Life
    Awkwafina’s Voice Gives Life to Tech-Savvy Spidey in ‘The Bad Guys’

  • Fun Family Movie ‘The Bad Guys’ Screens in Philippine Cinemas this April 27

    Meet The Bad Guys in the new heist caper comedy from DreamWorks Animation that will open in Philippine cinemas this April 27. Packed with high-octane energy and sharp cultural references, the film represents a bold, stylish, new artistic direction for DreamWorks Animation.

    “The Bad Guys successfully tweaks the heist genre for families and commits to it with energy and cool embedded in everything,” DreamWorks Animation’s Margie Cohn says. “The nonstop energetic pace; innovative, gorgeous production design; cartoony elements in pristine CG animation; lighting; score; our perfect cast—it adds up to an immersive experience with a tone unlike any other animated movie.” 

    shark piranha snake fox tarantula THE BAD GUYS

    The Bad Guys brings together actors whose distinct voices brought to life the latest animated endearing crackerjack crew of animal outlaws about to attempt their most challenging con yet—becoming model citizens.  Leading The Bad Guys pack is Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf along with Marc Maron as Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark, Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha and Awkwafina at Ms. Tarantula.  Initially, The Bad Guys set out to fool the world that they’ve been transformed. Along the way, though, Mr. Wolf begins to suspect that doing good for real may give him what he’s always secretly longed for: acceptance. So, when a new villain threatens the city, can Mr. Wolf persuade the rest of the gang to become…The Good Guys?

    Mr. Wolf

    wolf THE BAD GUYS
    Mr. Wolf

    Charismatic, impulsive leader of the gang and gentleman thief, Mr. Wolf oozes coolness and charm. But deep, deep down he holds out hope that the world will one day accept him and The Bad Guys.  ‘He’s a con man, but cool and charming, with a crew. They do some bad stuff, but he’s soulful; he loves his crew, and ultimately, they all have a revelation about being good,’” Rockwell says.

    Mr. Snake

    the bad guys 1

    Expert safe cracker, and Mr. Wolf’s cynical best friend, Mr. Snake always has his guard up. When you’re born a snake, friends don’t exactly grow on trees, so Mr. Snake is prepared to do whatever possible to preserve and protect his “Bad Guy family.” Marc Maron agreed to tackle the role of Mr. Snake, he tapped into the worldview of someone who has been misunderstood since the day that he hatched. Maron says, “He’s a guy that’s got all the answers and gets things done. He doesn’t take crap from anyone.”

    Mr. Piranha

    mr piranha THE BAD GUYS
    Mr. Piranha

    Frenzied fish, and the “muscle” of the gang, Mr. Piranha is loyal, passionate, quick-tempered and wildly naive.  Ramos developed a deep affection for his hot-headed character. “It’s hilarious to play a character who is so short-tempered but so in touch with his emotions that he’ll start crying if he feels like something is wrong,” Ramos says.

    Mr. Shark

    mr shark THE BAD GUYS
    Mr. Shark

    Gentle giant and master of disguise. Mr. Shark is an apex predator of a thousand faces.  The film, Robinson says, has something for everyone: “Action, heists, giant meteorites that look like butts, car chases, disguises, laughter, therapy…and push pops.”

    Ms. Tarantula

    shark piranha wolf THE BAD GUYS

    As the gang’s only female member, she doesn’t cut the “Guys” any slack. When she encounters an un-hackable code, she goes into “beast mode”—employing her eight legs to achieve super-cyber decrypting speeds.  Awkwafina says. “It is symbolic of how we, as humans, see ourselves, how society does and how we embody that—until we realize that we don’t have to be defined by certain things. I like the way that The Bad Guys plays with aspects of good and bad. Those are two terms that we see misconstrued all the time. We see people that look bad but aren’t, as well as people who look good but aren’t.”

    A DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures International film, catch The Bad Guys on April 27 in cinemas nationwide.

    ALSO READ
    Film Facts: 5 Things to Know About Dreamworks’ ‘The Bad Guys’

  • Back to the Theaters with Ayala Malls

    From the latest installment of Fantastic Beasts in April to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in May and Lightyear in June, movie lovers are in for amazing experiences at Ayala Malls Cinemas. The lineup is packed with blockbuster titles fit for both the young and old. At 100% capacity under Alert Level 1, families and barkadas can marvel at the big screen once again with popcorn and drinks in hand. Groups can also block out cinemas for private watch parties or rent the venue for intimate live concerts, recitals, workshops, and other events.

    Back to the Theaters with Ayala Malls Cinemas

    What to expect at Ayala Malls Cinemas

    In compliance with the guidelines under Alert Level 1, vaccinated visitors may access the cinemas while observing the minimum safety protocols at all times. Guests 18 years old and above must present proof of complete vaccination upon entry to the theaters. On the other hand, minors are not required to show proof of their full vaccination status. Guests may bring snacks and drinks inside. All are required to wear face masks throughout the screening but may be removed only when eating.

    Back to the Theaters with Ayala Malls

    Customers may also host a safe movie screening for family and friends by booking a Private Watch Party at Ayala Malls Cinemas. Group rates start at P10,000 for the exclusive use of the theater and ticket admission for 25pax. Additional guests cost P400 per head. Furthermore, special food packages are available for an enjoyable movie experience that’s one for the books!

    Back to the Theaters with Ayala Malls

    Movie lineup: Get ready to book tickets!

    The second quarter of the year begins with two star-studded movies to catch this April. Currently playing in cinemas, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, and Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald—the powerful, dark wizard who is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Meanwhile, the action-comedy film, The Lost City, follows the unexpected adventures of author Loretta Sage, played by Sandra Bullock, along with her handsome cover model Alan, played by Channing Tatum. It also stars Daniel Radcliffe and Brad Pitt.

    Back to the Theaters with Ayala Malls

    May is the month of action-packed adventure, starting with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It is scheduled to screen on May 4, two (2) days ahead of the U.S. release. It headlines Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange, who casts a forbidden spell that opens a portal to the multiverse. Another exciting movie to look out for is Downton Abbey: A New Era in May. The much-anticipated sequel to the global phenomenon 2019 film Downton Abbey will be released exclusively at selected Ayala Malls Cinemas on May 18, 2022, two (2) days before its U.S. release. Next to screen on May 25 is Top Gun: Maverick starring Tom Cruise, an action-adventure sequel to 1986’s Top Gun and follows the life of a Navy’s top aviator as he confronts the ghosts of his past and deepest fears culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate. Top Gun will screen at the Cannes Festival on the eve of its worldwide theatrical.

    Back to the Theaters with Ayala Malls

    Finally, June 8 welcomes audiences to catch Jurassic World Dominion. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are joined by Oscar®-winner Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill in this epic conclusion of the Jurassic era. Screening on June 15 is Lightyear, the origin story of the beloved action figure Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) and his adventures to infinity and beyond. Also, a kid’s favorite is Minions with its latest installment, The Rise of Gru, screening on June 29. The story, set in the 70s, begins with a young Gru who discovers through a series of events that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

  • Film Facts: 5 Things to Know About Dreamworks’ ‘The Bad Guys’

    DreamWorks Animation, the studio behind beloved franchises such as Shrek, The Boss Baby, How to Train Your Dragon, and many more is set to release another exciting animated film this April 27 titled The Bad Guys.

    The upcoming movie revolves around a gang of animal outlaws–Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula– who are notorious for pulling off legendary heists. When they finally got caught, they are given the chance to avoid prison sentence, but only if they transform themselves into model citizens.

    Pumped up to see the film this Wednesday? Here are a few facts about the movie that you might want to know about!

    1. The film is based on a book series.

    The Bad Guys is based on the popular Scholastic book series of the same name that’s written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey. He is also known for the books Pig the Pug and Thelma the Unicorn, with the latter being adapted by Netflix into an animated musical.

    The Bad Guys
    Photo: Scholastic website

    2. A cast of ‘bad guys’.

    The voice cast members of The Bad Guys aren’t new to being the bad guys on films and TV. Sam Rockwell who voices Mr. Wolf played the villain Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2; Ms. Tarantula, Awkwafina was part of the team of thieves in Ocean’s 8; Craig Robinson who voices Mr. Shark is the Pontiac Bandit Doug Judy in Brooklyn Nine-Nine; Mr. Piranha’s voice actor, Anthony Ramos, is a corrupt FBI Agent in Liam Neeson’s The Honest Thief; while Marc Maron who voices Mr. Snake is also set to voice Lex Luthor in DC League of Super Pets.

    The Bad Guys 3
    Photo: DreamWorks Animation

    3. The film is director Pierre Perifel’s feature directorial debut.

    The Bad Guys is the first feature film from director Pierre Perifel. Prior to the upcoming film, he has worked as an animator on DreamWorks Animation films such as Monsters Vs. Aliens, Kung Fu Panda, and Shrek Forever After. He has also directed the short films Bilby and Le Building.

    Shrek Forever After
    Photo: Shrek The Third trailer

    4. The author wrote ‘The Bad Guys’ because his kids were made to read “boring books.”

    In an interview with Bianca Schulze for The Children’s Book Review, Aaron Babley shared the reason why he came up with The Bad Guys: “Predominately I have got two sons and they are 14 and 16 now but when they were young, when they were six and eight, my six-year-old had a series of unforgivably boring books sent home with him from school… Some of them were just so boring that they would make him cry and I thought you know what I just I could see every night I could see his will to read draining from him. So, I thought I’m going to write him something cooler than this.”

    The Bad Guys - Movie Review
    Photo: DreamWorks Animation

    5. Aaron Babley’s favorite character to write is Mr. Snake

    In the same interview, the author of the original book series also shared who his favorite character is: ” They are all my children obviously,” Aaron Babley began. “I love them so much but look if pressed if I had to choose, I would have to say Mr. Snake has always been—he’s my favorite to write because he’s the most complicated and he’s the most challenged by what they are trying to do. And it’s funny I have always in my head I have always thought of snake as being almost like a recovering alcoholic. He’s trying to stay on the path of being good, but he really struggles with it, and he keeps falling off and I think that it makes him so much fun to write.”

    The Bad Guys 4
    Photo: DreamWorks Animation

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