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Will Ferrell voices abandoned dog in raunchy heartwarming comedy ‘Strays’, opens September 13

In this hilarious comedy “Strays“, Reggie along with three other adorable mischievous dogs strut the streets to go back home because he is certain that his beloved owner would never leave him on purpose. But once Reggie falls in with a fast-talking, foul-mouthed Boston Terrier named Bug (Oscar® winner Jamie Foxx; Ray, Soul), a stray who loves his freedom and believes that owners are for suckers, Reggie finally realizes he was in a toxic relationship and begins to see Doug for the heartless sleazeball that he is.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum, the comedy features a powerhouse comedic supporting cast—including Grammy winner Josh Gad (Beauty and the Beast) as Gus, a Labrador Retriever; Harvey Guillën (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish) as Shitstain, a Chihuahua; Emmy nominee Rob Riggle (The Hangover) as Rolf, a German Shepherd; Brett Gelman (Stranger Things) as Willy, a despicable Animal Control officer; Jamie Demetriou (Pinocchio) as Chester, a Bulldog; and Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) as Dolores The Couch, the inanimate object of Bug’s affection.

Upending audience expectations, Strays explores the saltier side of a man’s best friend but makes the audience care more about the characters with all its elements of love and loyalty in the midst of an emotional journey trying to find out the truth about humans. “What really surprised me was the heart and depth in the script, with fully developed characters,” Greenbaum says. “It reminded me of films like Stand by Me and Breaking Away, where friends become family.”

Ferrell was immediately amused by the concept of an R-rated dog film, but it was the heart of it that hooked him. “I immediately loved that the premise emulated a Homeward Bound type of dog movie with a journey behind it, yet it’s filthy and R-rated,” Ferrell says. “I remember thinking it could be really great and could be something we’ve never seen before. The audaciousness of the premise and the sweet, earnest relationships between the dogs surprised me.”

To play Reggie, Ferrell tapped into Reggie’s evolution from affectionate rube to confident hero. “Reggie is the ultimate glass-half-full kind of sweet little guys,” Ferrell says. “He wakes up with a smile on his face every day and just wants to have an owner who loves him. To play someone who just sees the best in everything and everyone was a really fun thing to do for me. There’s a real innocence, sweetness and earnestness to Reg, and it’s really fun to watch him describe fetch-and-fuck, this amazing, diabolical game. To have him explain it to his new friends and watch his world kind of collapse around him and realize that everything he believed in is now thrown out the window, was a really interesting and enjoyable experience.”

Strays, Ferrell says, is really a story about friendship, love, loss and the absurdity of life. “The audacity of the film is what makes it original,” Ferrell says. “It goes to a place that you don’t expect it’s going to go. That been said, there are real tender moments where Reggie, who’s walked through life with rose-colored glasses on despite living in horrible circumstances, is educated about what the real world is like. That intersection there is super sweet and really earned.”

From Universal Pictures International, Strays is rated R-16 by the local censors board and will open on September 13 in cinemas.

August 22, 2023
Experience the FIBA Basketball World Cup Spectacle with Pilipinas Live

Cignal TV’s newest innovative OTT streaming platform “Pilipinas Live” will broadcast all 92 games, from the opening live at the Philippine Arena, then at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Okinawa Arena in Japan, the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta, and up to the gold medal game at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Gilas Pilipinas, led by former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson is expected to elevate his teammates’ level, and deliver a performance to remember.

Meanwhile, the Philippines will be front and center of the action – showcasing its grit as it hosts the world basketball championship for the first time in more than four decades.

Aside from Clarkson, some of the world’s biggest basketball stars are also coming out with the United States leaning on Jalen Brunson and Brandon Ingram as the Americans aim to reclaim their position as the best in the world.

All games of the 32 nations will be broadcasted live and on demand via Pilipinas Live.

A HOLISTIC VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Pilipinas Live provides a comprehensive viewing experience, featuring Multi-Cam Viewing for basketball enthusiasts to witness every action from various angles, and Fan Stream Viewing that provides a distinctive perspective on the game’s action, empowering fans to express their own opinions instead of solely relying on traditional game commentators.

Extended game coverage, from the pre- and post-game are also featured on the app.

Subscribers can also join in the fun with its interactive features like in-game voting, polls, and quizzes during the game.

“Cignal has always been at the forefront of providing the best content for the Filipino sports fan. We recognize that our customers’ viewing habits have evolved: Filipinos are now more mobile, often watching on their devices while on the go. As a response, Pilipinas Live was developed to meet the increasing demand for live and on-demand sports content, while also providing an interactive viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.,” said Gerard Milan, First Vice President, and Chief Revenue Officer of Cignal TV.

It’s truly the ultimate sports viewing experience, as Pilipinas Live brings you right into the heart of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Catch all the action by subscribing for only PHP 99 per month. This special introductory offer is available until September 15th.

To download the app, go to Google Play or the App Store. You can also visit www.pilipinaslive.com to know more.

August 22, 2023
GCashToSchool Shopping Tips from Mommy Vlogger Isha Borromeo
The new school year is already in full swing and with it comes the excitement of back-to-school shopping for new supplies, gadgets, and even outfits. Balancing these expenses can be a challenge, but this year, GCash is your ultimate ally in ensuring you score all the best deals at unbeatable prices – all while giving you the chance to win big through its Back-To-School promo with daily chances to win Php 10,000.

When you #GCashToSchool, you can discover all the ways you can save more and win big! Simply shop and Scan to Pay or Buy Now, Pay Later with GCash through GGives or GCredit, and get the chance to spin the #LuckyQR on the app to be one of 10 winners daily of the Php 10,000 daily prize.

One of the best ways to make sure you kids are all set with everything they need for school is to take note of these tips from experts who have navigated the back-to-school season for more than just a couple of years, like mommy vlogger and content creator Isha Borromeo. Here, she shares 5 tips to help you!

1. Look through what you already have at home

The best starting point to your back-to-school shopping is to “shop” in your own homes first! Often, items from the previous school year—like pencil cases, scissors, and protractors—can still serve their purpose if they’re in good condition.

2. Set a budget for your back-to-school shopping

For when you really have to go to the mall to purchase brand new items, it’s important to set a budget and to stick to it. One of the best ways to do this is to divide your list into two categories: needs and wants. For example, a brand-new pencil case isn’t an immediate necessity if the old one still works!

3. Always opt for high quality supplies and gadgets

Throughout your back-to-school season shopping, durability should always be a key consideration. It might be tempting to buy what’s shiny and new, but it’s always wiser to opt for well-made quality items like backpacks, water bottles, lunch kits, and even gadgets from trusted brands that are known for their products’ durability.

It may be a bigger investment to purchase higher quality supplies, but they’re also more likely to last longer than one school year, saving you money in the long run.

4. Buy what you can in bulk

The strategy of buying in bulk offers a double benefit: cost savings and convenience. Some items to consider buying in bulk includes pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, and other office essentials – you’ll never know when your kids are suddenly going to need extra supplies, or replacements for lost items, so it’s always wiser to be one step ahead and have everything you need at home.

“It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of things you need to buy, but the truth is, you can actually find great deals for bulk purchases that’ll last you the full year!” Mommy Isha shares. “Having a stock of supplies at home can prevent last-minute, stressful shopping trips when something runs out.

5. Check for deals that will let you save big and win big

Back-to-school sales typically start between July and August, so you want to check on all the best deals that will let you save big. This year, GCash is offering exciting discounts and deals for students of all ages at shops like National Bookstore and Robinson’s Department Store for all their school supplies needs.

Additionally, you can revamp your kids’ wardrobes at shops like Penshoppe, Keds, Complex, Merrell, Sperry, Oxgn, Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Forme, Regatta, Bocu, and Memo.

How to Join the GCash Back-To-School Promo

Until August 31, 2023 at all merchants where users may Scan-To-Pay with GCash, they will be rewarded for their transaction and earn one spin per day on the Back-To-School #LuckyQR the next day at 12 NN. Here’s how!
1. Log in to the GCash app and tap the Back-To-School banner.
2. Select the lucky draw game banner on the main Back-To-School landing page.
3. If you’ve made a QR payment transaction the previous day, you’ll be directed to the lucky draw game page. Spin the wheel and receive a notification with your result and prize details if you win.
4. 10 winners of the Php 10,000 daily prize will receive their reward in their GCash wallet within 14 days.
Those who spin the Lucky QR may also receive consolation e-vouchers in real time which they can use through A+ Rewards platform on the GCash app. Vouchers include discounts for Mobaypay, NBA, Disney+, Spotify, Foodpanda, App Store, and Google Play Store.

With the upcoming school season approaching quickly, take note of these tips and maximize the opportunity to pay with GCash and win big! #GCashToSchool and download the GCash app today from the App Store or Google Play Store.

About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Finance App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines which is a part of the country’s leading digital solutions platform, Globe Group.

GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
August 22, 2023
MOVIE REVIEW: Emphasizing the teen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: a review of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’

First off, the animation of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ is just exquisite. Reading up on it, the creators were going for a more exaggerated design and wanted it to feel like a comic book, taking its inspiration from “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse.’ They wanted the film to feel like a sketchbook of a teenager and it works. The colors are vibrant and rich even if most of the film is situated at night and in dark, cramp spaces (like the sewers where the ninja turtles live). The motion is smooth and looks really good when the turtles start their ninja moves and acrobatics. It’s a visual feast that’s very gothic in a neon urban cityscape type of setting.

It matches the new tone and approach that director Jeff Rowe and producer (and co-scriptwriter) Seth Rogen takes for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For this movie, they put in full focus the fact that the turtles are teenagers. They look, talk, think, and act like teenagers. They’ve even played a bit with the history, telling the story all over again to be able to reimagine the turtles and their adopted father Splinter, who has become a recluse that is scared of humans and the outside world. It’s the perfect set up for a story that has shades of teen rebellion from a restrictive parental figure and discrimination for just being different (in this case, though, they are mutants and so the discrimination is believable and fair).

The film has a very youthful energy and is probably the most GenZ story and script I’ve ever come across. The language, the humour, the storytelling, they are all so akin to the distracted, self-proclaimed low attention span of the youth today. The plot moves along at breakneck speeds and never lingers, though it hits home when it has to. It never lets a story beat settle and build but rather hammers it in with a punchline or a visual snap.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ finds the ninja turtles – Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo – as well-trained ninjas that are living in the sewers of New York. Trained by their father figure Splinter, a mutant rat, so that they can hide from the world and never interact with humans, as teenagers, they are starting to dream and wish to be a part of the bigger world that they can only watch from a distance. It’s the nature of being a teenager to want to know their place in the world and, like any teens, they start sneaking out and disobeying Splinter’s orders to just have a taste of it.

When they are discovered by April O’Neil, a high schooler who has dreams of becoming a reporter, her kindness to the turtles inspires a plan. The ninja turtles plan to capture the criminal mastermind Superfly so that they can be regarded as heroes, and they can go out into society and even go to high school.

L-r, MIKEY, DONNIE, LEO, and RAPH in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and NICKELODEON MOVIES Present A POINT GREY Production “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM”

Except, Superfly, is a mutant and he has a whole band of mutants with him, and this complicates the story even further as the corporation that created the mutants in the first place is also after Superfly.

Aside from being action-packed and extremely funny, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ is also unpredictable and manages to bring the story in places I wasn’t expecting it to. What I appreciated most about the film is how – despite the foundations of any good versus evil comic book narrative that it initially takes – is that it manages to pull back, switch directions and realigns itself with its core message about family, about discrimination, and about what it really means when one decides to be a hero.

L-r, DONNIE, MIKEY, LEO and RAPH in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and NICKELODEON MOVIES Present A POINT GREY Production “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM”

For all of its great visuals, comedy, and action, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ is more than anything a coming-of-age story dressed up as an origin story as well. By focusing on the fact that they are teens rather than that they are mutants, which is important, or ninjas, which is just silly, the film finds a tone that it can operate on in a very comfortable level. It can get wacky, zany, and even grotesque and never loses its emotional punch.

L-r, DONNIE, LEO, RAPH and MIKEY in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and NICKELODEON MOVIES Present A POINT GREY Production “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM”

The voice acting is incredible with actual teens and kids voicing the four turtles: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr, Nicolas Cantu, and Brady Noon. The youthfulness really sells it and then they are supported by the likes of Aya Edibiri (as April), Maya Rudolph, Seth Rogen, John Cena, Rose Byrne, Ice Cube, Paul Rudd, and an inspired choice of casting Jackie Chan as Splinter. Splinter even gets a whole fight sequence that is inspired by some of Jackie Chan’s own stunts from his old movies.

Highly irreverent, wonderfully youthful and energetic, and surprisingly touching, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ was a huge surprise for me and I enjoyed every moment of it.

My Rating:

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM is opens August 23. Check the screening times and buy your tickets here.

August 22, 2023
Smart offers FREE livestream access to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

FIBA global partner Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will offer FREE access to every FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 game on the Smart LiveStream App from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.

Downloadable on the App Store and Google Play Store with no monthly subscription required, the Smart LiveStream App will enable Smart subscribers to enjoy a full homecourt advantage to watch all the excitement and drama of this prestigious spectacle anytime and anywhere.

To watch all 92 games, Smart subscribers simply have to connect to a Smart mobile data, TNT or PLDT WiFi while using the Smart LiveStream App.

The Smart LiveStream App is best enjoyed with Gilas Power 399, which comes with 48 GB for all sites and apps, and up to 30 GB access to FIBA Basketball World Cup games on the app.

THE BEST TIME TO BE SMART

“Now is the best time for Filipino basketball fans to be a Smart subscriber,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO and head of the FIBA local organizing committee

“With Smart, we are empowering our basketball-loving nation to make the most of our country’s historic hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Enjoy virtual front-row seats, as if you are there, to the world’s biggest stage in basketball by downloading the Smart Livestream app,” he added.

Subscribers and fans can witness and rally behind Gilas Pilipinas, bannered by Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson, as well as Team USA and other basketball superstars as they battle it out for FIBA supremacy.

As Clarkson and Slovenia’s Luka Doncic said on their recent commercial released by FIBA: “Once you put on your country’s flag-bearing jersey … nothing else matters.”

WORLD CLASS MOBILE NETWORK EXPERIENCE

Watching the FIBA games on the Smart LiveStream app is part of Smart’s efforts to bring the best basketball experiences to subscribers, powered by the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network, as cited by global network analytics firm Ookla for three consecutive reporting periods – in Q1-Q2 2022, Q3-Q4 2022, and Q1-Q2 2023.

Smart also teamed up with its technology partners Huawei and Ericsson to expand and permanently optimize its LTE and 5G mobile network coverage across all three venues of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, including the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Smart subscribers trooping to the venues can expect a world-class mobile experience not just during the much-anticipated games but also in the biggest concerts and events post-tournament.

Know more about how Smart subscribers can make the most of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 at https://smart.com.ph/Pages/smartfiba.

August 22, 2023
MOVIE REVIEW: Movies as Memoir: a review of ‘Aftersun’

Written and directed by Charlotte Wells, ‘Aftersun’ is her feature-length film debut and weaves a story that she calls “emotionally autobiographical.” She uses the language of film to recreate memories (while talking to other critics, it was mentioned that the film is not unlike Alfonso Cuaron’s ‘Roma’ or even Celine Song’s ‘Past Lives’). Told in a non-linear narrative structure and occupying two timelines and one figurative one, ‘Aftersun’ grapples with the strained relationship between a father, who may be suffering from depression, and his eleven-year-old daughter on a holiday in Turkey during the late 90s.

Told in varying formats, the film unfolds through moments of this pivotal holiday between Sophie and her father Calum and then interspersed with footage taken from a video camera that either Sophie or Calum uses to record parts of their trip. Later, we discover that Calum has separated from Sophie’s mother and is in-between jobs. There is a lot of love and affection between the two but there’s a chasm that’s between them as well – an unspeakable and unamiable thing that also hinders them from completely being there for each other.

While the movie seems innocent enough, there is always an element of danger hanging on every scene. While Sophie is well documented by the camera – she’s always in full view, her face and every gesture and reaction she makes is open for us to see – it is Calum who never seems to be in focus. He’s almost either turned away from the camera or is never at the center of the frame. It feels as if he’s always just at the periphery. He tries to be close to Sophie but also can’t completely connect. The camera will linger on Sophie but not so much with Calum.

The dangers come also in different forms. Sophie also befriends older English teens who are also vacationing in Turkey. She forms a friendship with another boy her age while playing arcade games, while from the teens, she watches them as they flirt with each other, drink, and talk about sex. Sophie is growing up and while there’s nothing in the filmmaking that highlights this danger – not the camera angles or the musical score – it is evident and always looming. Wells knows exactly what each scene could potentially lead to and she lays it out there, even if she doesn’t do anything with it. It’s always there inhabiting and permeating each moment of Sophie’s very observant nature, capturing and processing every thing she’s seeing.

So much so, that while she doesn’t exactly understand what her father is going through – this was the 90s, of course, so any discussion on mental health was veyr minimal and not at all prevalent amongst the younger generation – she sees it and this is another element of danger. From Calum’s inability to connect and bridge distances, in scenes where you feel like it is the last time you will see him, like in the way he walks into the darkness while getting drunk one night, or the way that he swims deeper into the ocean trying to rescue a diving mask. Charlotte Wells never says it, never names the monster, but deep down inside, just from the performances and the way naturalistic way Wells sets up a scene, it’s there.

What elevates the material even more is the exquisite performances by Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio. The bond between the two actors is palpable and makes each moment seem more real. Their banter and their little fights throughout this trip makes the relationship authentic and true. It’s why the emotional weight of the finale is so strong even if Wells chooses to never define anything so clearly.

When the film’s main timeline intersects with the future timeline, the older Sophie finding the video camera and you realise she’s remembering this holiday she had with her father, the story reaches full circles, and more questions open up that deserves our scrutiny and thoughts.

‘Aftersun’ is not an easy movie to take in. It’s every bit as funny and painful as any trip down memory lane. It carries with it unresolved feelings and unanswered questions. It’s about love sometimes not being enough and settles and lingers in the gray areas that are formed when dealing with people undergoing a hardship we don’t understand. The film makes full use of the medium of film and deservedly received some of the highest praise when it was released last year.

My Rating:

AFTERSUN is opens August 23. Check the screening times and buy your tickets here.

August 22, 2023
‘Concrete Utopia’ Unleashes Suspense: New Trailer and Star-Studded Character Posters Revealed!

Get ready for a gripping cinematic journey as “Concrete Utopia” paints a harrowing picture of survival after an unparalleled disaster. With the unveiling of the movie’s tantalizing trailer and iconic character posters, anticipation is at an all-time high. Dive deep into a dystopian Seoul, premiering in Philippine cinemas on September 20.

Disaster Strikes, Survival Begins

Directed by the visionary Um Tae-hwa, “Concrete Utopia” draws its intriguing narrative from Part 2 of the beloved webtoon, “Joyful Outcast” (aka “Pleasant Neighbors”). At its core, this disaster thriller unfolds the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake that leaves Seoul in ruins. Hwang Gung Apartments stand tall as the sole survivor amidst the devastation.

The heart-racing trailer leaves one pivotal question: Who among them will rise from the rubble? Are you ready to embark on this adrenaline-charged ride?

Meet Hwang Gung’s Key Players:

Lee Byung-hun: Taking on the pivotal role of Young-tak, the Apartments’ stalwart Resident Delegate.

Park Seo-jun: Embodying the character of Min-sung, he’s one to watch.

Park Bo-young: Portraying the indomitable Myung-hwa, she’s the heart and soul of this tale.

Delving Deeper: The Story of “Concrete Utopia”

Amidst a world shattered by a cataclysmic earthquake, the once bustling heart of Seoul houses a singular beacon of hope – Hwang Gung Apartments. As survivors flock to this sanctuary against the cold, tensions rise, leading to drastic measures. What will it take to ensure survival?

Witness the Odyssey on September 20

Brought to Philippine cinemas by Columbia Pictures, the local arm of Sony Pictures Releasing International, Concrete Utopia is an intense cinematic journey you wouldn’t want to miss. Connect with the hashtag #ConcreteUtopiaMoviePH

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}

August 21, 2023
MOVIE REVIEW: Quiet, intimate, and deeply moving, ‘Past Lives’ is an exquisitely made film propelled by great performances

There’s something poetic and lyrical about the way ‘Past Lives’ unfolds as a film. Writer and director Celine Song shows off her theatrical background by weaving a story that is so elegantly paced and designed that it could almost be a play, but the first-time director uses the camera to really get into the intricacies of these characters’ feelings and inner worlds that pushes against its theatrical mode and into the realm of cinema. It’s a very delicate three-person story that spans for 24 years and teases upon hundreds of past lives before.

The narrative follows the basic three-act structure and does it with such precision. It shows us only exactly what we need, and it never dawdles. It’s a tight story at 106 minutes. We begin with Na Young and Hae Sung, two classmates living in Seoul. They are best friends who compete over who gets the highest grades in class but also confides with each other and play all the time. They are undeniably each other’s first love but when Na Young’s family immigrates to Canada, the two must say goodbye. Twelve years later, the two reconnect. Na Young, who has changed her name to Nora is now working towards being a writer while Hae Sung just finished military service and is back in school. They communicate online, adjusting to the time differences and the connection is as strong as ever (though the internet connection isn’t always so). Life happens and they have to go their separate ways again until another twelve years has passed and this time everything has changed. Nora is now married to Arthur (as shown in the trailer) and is living in New York but Hae Sung is finally coming to visit and all the loose ends of their relationship will be tugged to test its limits.

‘Past Lives’ thrives in the personal and intimate. It has no sweeping statements about love or the immigrant life, which is a strong factor that plays out in Nora’s relationships with these two men: the man she knew when she was living in another country and the man she is now married to in her new home. The dialogue can sometimes play out like a piece for theater except that the actors – Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro – throw them out with such ease that it is believable. Their delivery has so much spontaneity that it feels real, even if it is so eloquent and articulate.

Photo credit: Jon Pack

And while the film is really just moments of talking, director Celine Song is very aware of how to use space and the camera to place these characters in the midst of their milieu. Song is so confident as to just let a quiet scene unfold like when Nora arrives at a writer’s residency in Montauk, and she explores the empty house she’ll be writing in. The textures of the production design play off with the lighting, the music, and even Greta Lee’s presence. Nothing majors is happening and yet it’s so importantly contextually for where Nora is at that point of her life – when she is finding space away from Hae Sung and the arrival of Arthur into her life.

As a director, Celine Song ensures the camera captures all the magnificent work her actors are doing. As a writer, she gives them an amazing amount of thoughts to articulate that never quite says what they really want to say in the first two acts. Much like real life, these characters are saying something but are desperately wanting to say something else. The subtext hangs heavy in the air but you can see it in the way each actor physicalizes their character’s inner world. It’s only in the final act that things that need to be said are finally let loose and it happens in the most powerfully staged scene possible – Nora, Arthur, and Hae Sung are seated at a bar and the two childhood friends can be honest with each other in Korean while the American husband can only wonder – and then, the big finale of the film, its one that is done in absolute silence but the emotions hang heavy in the air and in the stellar portrayal of Greta Lee.

‘Past Lives’ is a quiet, intimate, and very personal film. But it’s the way by which Celine Song treats the material that makes it feel big and universal. Honestly? It’s the kind of movies that I miss seeing in the cinema. A quiet, unimposing film that manages to find breadth and grandness in the most private of desires and dreams of individuals. There is a poetic elegance to ‘Past Lives’ that is amplified by an incredible musical score Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen and by the impeccable acting of Greta Lee, John Magaro, and Teo Yoo. I’d love for the three to get nominations in every award-giving body with Celine Song getting a nod, at the very least for screenwriting.

My Rating:

PAST LIVES opens on August 30. Check the screening times and buy your tickets here!

August 19, 2023
Ayala Malls Cinemas Lights Up Screens with FDCP World Cinema this August 23 to 29

From August 23 to 29, Ayala Malls Cinemas, in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and steered by Chairman Tirso Cruz III, will be offering a special curation of globally renowned films through their A-List Series. This partnership seeks to promote a diverse cinematic experience for the Philippine audience.

Aiming to deliver a rich cinematic experience, Ayala Malls Cinemas ensures that these world-renowned films are easily accessible to enthusiasts across the country. The series boasts award-winning gems from the Cannes Film Festival, BAFTA Awards, Oscars, and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

AFTERSUN, a BAFTA winner for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer and Director (Charlotte Wells) stars Paul Mescal whose work in the film earned him a nomination at this year’s Oscars while his co-star Frankie Corio received glowing reviews for her breakout role. Aftersun takes us through the lens of memories between father and daughter, Calum and Sophie. At a fading vacation resort, 11-year-old Sophie treasures rare time together with her loving and idealistic father, Calum (Paul Mescal). As the world of adolescence creeps into view, beyond her eye, Calum struggles under the weight of life outside of fatherhood. Twenty years later, Sophie’s tender recollections of their last holiday become a powerful and heartrending portrait of their relationshipas she tries to reconcile with the father she knew and with the man she didn’t, in director Charlotte Wells’ superb and searingly emotional debut film.

CLOSE is the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival (2022).Lukas Dhont’s second film is an emotionally transformative and unforgettable portrait of the intersection of friendship and love, identity and independence, and heartbreak and healing where Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele) are two thirteen-year-old best friends, whose seemingly unbreakable bond is suddenly, tragically torn apart.

CORSAGE is a fictional account of one year in the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria directed by Marie Kreutzer. On Christmas Eve 1877, Elisabeth (played by Vicky Krieps who also won the Best Performance in the 2022 Cannes Film Festival), once idolized for her beauty, then when she turns 40 and is officially deemed an old woman, she starts trying to maintain her public image.

RETURN TO SEOUL introduces newcomer Park Ji-Min who won 2022’s Best New Performance at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards along with Davy Chou who also bagged the Best Director award. The movie takes us along Freddie’s (Park) impulsive travel decision to visit friends at South Korea. Freddie returns to South Korea, where she was born, for the first timebefore being adopted and raised in France. She suddenly finds herself embarking on an unexpected journey in a country she knows so little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions. The film also stars favorite K-drama actors Oh Kwang-rok (Healer) and Kim Sun-Young (Reply 1988).

Committed to its vision of celebrating arts and culture, Ayala Malls continues to elevate the movie-watching experience for its patrons. With exclusive offerings such as these, film aficionados can anticipate many more cinematic masterpieces that you can only look forward to at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Book your tickets now at any of your preferred Ayala Malls Cinemas across the nation: Manila Bay Cinema, Greenbelt 3, Trinoma, Solenad, Capitol Central, Central Bloc, Centrio Cinema, Abreeza and Harbor Point. With tickets priced at P250 in Metro Manila and P200 in provinces, this cinematic fest is a must-experience.

Stay updated with the latest news by following Ayala Malls Cinemas on Facebook. Prepare for an unforgettable journey through the rich tapestry of global cinema, exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

August 18, 2023
Save Big with Groceries Day: foodpanda’s Spectacular Grocery Sale Happening on August 18 to 20!

Get ready for the most anticipated event of the year as online food and grocery platform foodpanda unveils Groceries Day – an extraordinary three-day shopping extravaganza happening from August 18 – 20, 2023. This is the ultimate opportunity for online grocery aficionados who know how to work hard and shop smart. Whether you’re an existing foodpanda app user or a fresh face in the foodpanda family, Groceries Day is your ticket to indulge in an unmatched experience of incredible deals and discounts on a wide range of grocery items, exclusively available on the foodpanda app.

“We are thrilled to announce Groceries Day, the biggest grocery sale of the season. This event is our way of giving back to our valued customers, offering them unparalleled savings and convenience in their grocery shopping experience,” says Danielle Eleazar, Head of Marketing at foodpanda Philippines.

Groceries Day offers customers incredible deals and discounts across an assortment of grocery items on the foodpanda app. This fantastic opportunity also allows customers to revel in big savings, with discounts of up to 70% and an additional P300 discount using the code: GROCERDAY.

In a unique offering, a bunch of your favorite brands have come together to make Groceries Day an unforgettable experience. Some of these awesome brands are Selecta and PepsiCo, serving up treats like Selecta’s Supreme Best Seller ice creams, Ruffles, Cheetos, FritoLay, Lay’s Truffle, and Quaker Oats. Not to forget, Nature Spring, URC, Colgate and Palmolive are also part of this exciting lineup.

“In today’s fast-paced world, we understand the struggles that come with traditional grocery shopping – the long queues, crowded aisles, and the endless search for elusive items. We know how precious your time is, and that’s why we’ve meticulously crafted Groceries Day to be the ultimate solution for all your grocery needs. Empower yourself as you navigate through our thoughtfully curated selection of products, each one chosen with your needs in mind. More than just an event, Groceries Day is a transformative journey into a new era of grocery shopping. Our unwavering mission is to arm you with the tools to shop smart, all from the comfort of your home.” adds Eleazar.

During this three-day extravaganza, customers can expect an array of exceptional deals and discounts, so they can save up on their grocery shopping. Whether you are stocking up on everyday essentials, planning a special meal for your family, or simply looking to save money, Groceries Day is the perfect occasion.

So mark your calendars for August 18 – 20, 2023, and join us on the foodpanda app to embark on a one-of-a-kind grocery shopping journey.

For more information about Groceries Day and the incredible offers available, visit https://www.foodpanda.ph/, where you’ll find a complete list of partner merchants and top necessities that will be part of this spectacular event. Also like and follow the official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube.

August 18, 2023