Jennifer Lawrence produces and stars in No Hard Feelings, a laugh-out-loud, edgy comedy from director Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys) and the co-writer of Bad Teacher.
On the brink of losing her childhood home, Maddie (Lawrence) discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to “date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy, before he leaves for college. To her surprise, Maddie soon discovers the awkward Percy is no sure thing.
Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) in Columbia Pictures NO HARD FEELINGS.
No Hard Feelings is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #NoHardFeelings
John Wick: Chapter 4 is just around the corner! While fans are already excited to see the fourth installment of the assassin epic on the big screen, movie critics and fans invited to the film’s advance screenings are hyping it up even more with their early reactions!
The latest sequel from director Chad Stahelski follows Keanu Reeves’ John Wick as he finds a way to take down the High Table after the events that led him to become an Excommunicado. This time, Wick travels across the globe, fighting his toughest foes yet, in a quest that would lead him to the film’s big bad, Marquis de Gramont. Alongside Reeves, Lawrence Fishburne, Lance Reddick, and Ian McShane are also reprising their roles. Joining them are Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada, Clancy Brown, Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, and Bill Skarsgård.
Check out the early reactions to John Wick: Chapter 4 below:
#JohnWick4 is, at least from a technical pov, one of the greatest Hollywood action movies ever made. It's visually gorgeous w/ stunningly complicated & creative setpieces. I honestly don't know how they safely did some of these scenes. It's a towering artistic achievement. pic.twitter.com/LljisftZBp
It's like a Greek epic that's, yes, full of unparalleled action (and guns), and the set pieces are phenomenal. But it's also about relationships and love. What a breathtaking, heartrending story! I can't wait to see it again. pic.twitter.com/n5cJjWa73B
#JohnWick4 is action cinema at its finest. This breathtaking, bloody and ballistic ballet delivers a bone-crunching crescendo to one of the greatest action franchises of all time. Pure power, #JohnWick4 is as exhilarating as it is exhausting. Reeves' Wick transcends icon status. pic.twitter.com/1tn6syfz6E
#JohnWick4 is an action-packed, bloody, kill-fest, and that's what makes it good! I normally don’t love so much action in my movies but Stahelski makes every frame count. Yes, it’s ridiculous. Yes, it’s video game logic. Yes, it’s extra as hell. Yes, I will be watching again! pic.twitter.com/D56ODsTTcq
Brawny, bold & badass, #JohnWick4 brilliantly balances vested stakes with an absolutely spectacular, high octane thrill ride. A soaring, searing, scorching chapter in the saga. The wildest time you’ll have at the movies this year. A pure adrenaline rush. pic.twitter.com/eUmJRfnwJw
#JohnWick4 is a bloody good time. Great action and fight sequences. Donnie Yen is an INCREDIBLE addition to the franchise. He's a highlight of the film. Lots of surprises in this one that's going to deliver a divisive ending. See this one in IMAX. pic.twitter.com/MMCW54KydQ
DREAM THEATER, an American progressive metal rock band composed of James LaBrie (vocals), John Petrucci (guitars), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), John Myung (bass), and Mike Mangini (drums), will be performing live at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the “Top of the World Tour” concert on Thursday, May 4, 2023. The show starts at 8 p.m.
In 2019, the two-time Grammy nominated quintet embarked on a sold-out tour in support of both “Distance Over Time” and the 20th anniversary of “Scenes from a Memory” planned to stretch well into the next year. Nevertheless, a Global Pandemic foiled those plans. The musicians found themselves at home with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they’d just finished construction on Dream Theater Head Quarter—a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage, and creative hive. It proved to be a Godsend for recording, Pandemic or not.
“The tour had just stopped, and we were on hold,” recalls John. “We weren’t going to sit around and do nothing though. I broke in DTHQ with my solo record and a Liquid Tension Experiment record, so we absolutely felt like we could do a Dream Theater album there. It’s our home, and it sounds great. Looking ahead, I don’t see any reason why we’d go anywhere else to record. After being pent up for so long, we were all just happy to be playing, writing, and doing what we love together. The ideas flowed. Everyone brought his A-game. To a degree, it was influenced by revisiting “Scenes from a Memory” on the last tour as well as incorporating modern elements from Distance Over Time. Despite the state of the world, we were in a positive headspace.”
(Photo Credit: Rayon Richards)
“It was awesome to have our own place,” Rudess grins. “We didn’t have to deal with the pressure of being in a studio with time limits. I could sit, compose, take my time, and deliver what I feel is some of my best work.”
With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via ZOOM on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency.
Despite the COVID 19 pandemic the band kept the music going, creating another incredible studio album, highlighted in their current world tour.
On their fifteenth album, A View from the Top of the World, the New York quintet rush forward at full speed again with seven tracks equally steeped in articulate arrangements, groove-laden guitars, and skyscraping melodies. The tracks included in the album are; The Alien (9:32), Answering The Call (7:35), Invisible Monster (6:31), Sleeping Giant (10:05), Transcending Time (6:25), Awaken The Master (9:47), and A View From The Top Of The World (20:24).
The band won a GRAMMY award for “The Alien” in the Best Mental Performance Category, and for almost four decades together, Dream Theater continues to spread their mind-boggling and jaw-dropping performances all over the world.
“We approach every album like it’s our first,” adds LaBrie. “It’s been such a great ride, but we’re not going to stop. These guys are my brothers. We’ve been through ups, downs, and everything in between. To be able to experience this together is beyond words.”
The studio album’s single “Invisible Monster” hinges on a head-nodding mid-tempo trudge offset by cinematic keys, lyrical shredding, and a sweeping refrain. “It’s about how anxiety plagues people,” Petrucci explains. “It’s like there’s an invisible monster beating you. You don’t see it, but it’s haunting you all the time.”
The cinematic “Sleeping Giant” reaches its apex with some signature solo trading between Petrucci and Rudess. It pairs this virtuosity with yet another chantable refrain uplifted by LaBrie.
“Transcending Time” translates “the flow state” into a sonic rollercoaster. Elsewhere, Petrucci employs an 8-string guitar for the first time on the simultaneously crushing and soaring “Awaken The Master.” However, the title track remains not only the crown jewel of the record, but a crown jewel in the band’s catalog.
A 20-minute epic of uncompromising scope, “A View from the Top of the World” highlights the interplay of the group as it twists and turns through lush keys, gravity-defying guitar, brain-numbing rhythms, a moment of heavenly reprieve, and vocal fireworks.
“We went in with the goal of writing a crazy epic,” grins Petrucci. “There’s no ballad on the record, but ‘A View from the Top of the World’ does have a breakdown in the middle. It helps create a story and dynamic flow. I was thinking of people doing dangerous things like surfing 80-foot waves, slacklining across canyons, deep sea diving, scaling Everest, and climbing up mountains free solo. I’m always like, ‘What drives you to do that?’ One wrong move, and you’re dead. Besides being addicted to adrenaline, it makes them feel more alive—perhaps the most alive they’ve ever been. I wrote this along the lines of when you’re on the brink of death, you’ve never felt more alive. Our extreme is being in this band. We’re just not going to die while doing it,” he laughs.
In the end, the view right now is pretty good for Dream Theater.
“When you hear this, I hope you get the very best Dream Theater has to offer,” Rudess concludes. “We tried to build a vital sonic experience. None of us have slowed down. If anything, we’re moving faster.”
“Even with everything going on, this was meant to be positive,” LaBrie elaborates. “We can’t wait to get back out in front of everyone and play these tunes.” – Rick Florino, June 2021
“Music has the power to speak to you on an emotional level,” Petrucci leaves off. “If we’re connecting with listeners emotionally through this record, I don’t think we could ask for anything more.
In all their songs, the listeners can really feel not just only the technicalities of the band but also the passion and the musicianship that they are putting into their odd music, heavy riffs, and rock rigs just to connect to their listeners emotionally.
Their upcoming concert in Manila will be promoted by Ovation Productions with TAPGO TV as official media partner; tickets at P7250, 6750, 5750, 4750, 2750 (plus ticketing charges) are available via Ticketnet.com.ph
Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are back for Netflix’s comedic whodunnit Murder Mystery 2! In the sequel, Sandler and Aniston reprise their roles as Nick and Audrey Spitz, who must solve another elaborate mystery as official private detectives.
Watch the new clip for Murder Mystery 2 below:
In this short clip, we see the Spitzes arrive in paradise after being invited by their friend, the Maharaja Vikram, to his wedding. After landing on the private island, the couple is greeted by Vikram and his fiancée Claudette, and a lot of kisses ensue. But as the initial trailer already revealed, the wedding will be upended by the kidnapping of the Maharaja, and it’s up to the Spitzes to find him– a new mystery that takes the couple to Paris!
Image courtesy of Netflix
Alongside Aniston and Sandler are Adeel Akhtar and John Kani, reprising their roles as Maharaja Vikram Govindan and Colonel Ulenga. Also joining the cast are Mark Strong, Mélanie Laurent, Jodie Turner-Smith, Kuhoo Verma, Enrique Arce, Dany Boon, and Zurin Villanueva.
Directed by Jeremy Garelick, Murder Mystery 2 starts streaming on Netflix this March 31.
Owen Wilson channels the beloved TV painter Bob Ross in the official trailer for the film Paint. Check it out below:
While one can clearly see the Bob Ross impression, Wilson plays the fictional character of Carl Nargle, Vermont’s most popular TV painter. Thinking that he has everything, Nargle’s life is turned upside down when a younger, better artist steals everything that he loves.
The film is directed by Brit McAdams and it also stars Michaela Watkins, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Ciara Renée. Paint is set for a US release in cinemas on April 7.
DITO Telecommunity, the country’s youngest telco player, is providing greater entertainment options by partnering with Prime Video, leveling up the digital lifestyles of its more than 13 million subscribers.
Prime Video is a video-on-demand streaming platform that is now available in the Philippines. It is undoubtedly gaining popularity among Filipinos, with countless award-winning movies and TV shows available in its streaming library.
If you enjoy staying home and indulging in home entertainment like binge-watching movies and TV shows, this promo is for you! DITO is bringing adventure, fantasy, action, drama, romance, and comedy right into your hands, as DITOzens can enjoy a bonus 30-day subscription to Prime Video Mobile Edition.
Here are five exciting things you can expect from DITO and Prime Video:
Amazon Originals. Get access to critically acclaimed and award-winning TV shows and movies. Prime Video is not only a video streaming service that distributes licensed TV shows and movies, but it also produces original content. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power are just some of the TV shows you can enjoy from its wide list of Amazon Originals.
Support local content. Aside from English blockbuster movies and TV shows, Prime Video also streams locally produced content like Drag Den with Manila Luzon, Big Night, How to love Mr. Heartless, and Whether the Weather Is Fine. You can anticipate the first-ever local Amazon Original, Comedy Island: Philippines, premiering in 240 countries this 2023. Thus, it is the perfect time to try out and discover new Filipino series and movies to add to your favorites, as DITO’s Prime Video Mobile Subscription promo runs until May 24, 2023.
Bonus 30-day subscription. When you purchase any of the DITO Level-Up Packs — Plan 99, Plan 199, Plan 299, Plan 499, or Plan 999 — you will receive a link to the bonus subscription voucher for Prime Video. Once the voucher is activated, you can now access more than 26,300 movies and more than 2,700 TV shows that you can binge-watch wherever and whenever you want — all of these are free for a month!
Content for all ages. With the wide array of TV shows and movies available on Prime Video, you are sure to find the perfect lineup for your binge-watching or movie-night sessions. As a matter of fact, Prime Video has one of the largest streaming libraries. So whenever you are in the mood for some drama, comedy, or any other genre you can think of, you will find something from Prime Video’s massive list of options. There is also a lot of content available for children, including Hotel Transylvania, The Boss Baby, Cinderella, and many more.
TODO Na DITO streaming experience. As the only telco provider that offers Auto Pay and Advance Pay, DITO ensures that Level-Up plan subscribers have hassle-free and seamless streaming experiences without worrying about topping up and expiring data promos. You can pay for your promo in advance using Advance Pay or if you prefer to have your promo auto-renewed with unused data and calls carried over to the following month, you can avail of Auto Pay. With these offers, you can enjoy your favorite Prime Video shows and movies without interruption.
DITO is proudly connecting different Filipino communities by continuously providing entertainment opportunities. With the partnership between DITO and Prime Video, millions of Filipinos can access excellent streaming content through unmatched value-for-money services. Subscribe to any of DITO’s Level-Up Packs and download the Prime Video Mobile app to start streaming your favorite movies and TV shows! To learn more about DITO Level-Up Plans, visit https://dito.ph/level-up-promos.
In celebration of the National Women’s Month, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performs under the baton of Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng on March 17, 2023, Friday, 8pm, at the CCP @ The Metropolitan Theater.
The seventh installment of the 38th concert season, the program features pieces by female composers such as Marie Jocelyn Marfil’s Pyagsawitan “Wedding and Harvest,” National Artist for Music Lucrecia R. Kasilag’s “Festival” from Philippines Scenes, and Denise Santos’s The Light of Extreme Darkness.
The PPO will also play Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Serenade to Music, accompanied by a 16-voice choir, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony Number 7 in A Major, Op. 92.
Guest conductor Dr. Shangkuan-Cheng is the incumbent president of the Philippine Choral Directors Association, and the artistic director of the Las Piñas International Bamboo Organ Festival. She is an associate professor at the University of the Philippines College of Music, teaching conducting for both graduate and undergraduate music students. She is currently the Philippine representative to the Asia Pacific Choral Council and the Asia Choral Association.
Shangkuan-Cheng has a degree in music from the University of the Philippines, a master’s from the Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and a doctorate degree in musical arts from the University of Michigan. Conductor Shangkuan-Cheng has performed with various international orchestras in South Africa, Germany, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Spain, Vietnam, Portugal, and Singapore.
She has gained numerous awards including the Phyllis Curtin Career Entry Award from the Yale School of Music, the Margot Fassler Award and the Hugh Giles Prize from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music for her conducting, first prize at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Graduate Conducting Competition. She participated as a fellow at the Levi Barbour Fellowship from the University of Michigan.
Tickets for the concert are priced at Php1,500, Php1,200, Php800, and Php500. For tickets and inquiries, call the CCP Box Office 8832-3704 or email customercare@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). Follow the official CCP social media accounts in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for latest updates.
National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin’s award-winning Filipino dance masterwork, ENCANTADA, returns to open the 2023 dance season.
A collaboration with Joey Ayala for music, Al Santos for libretto, and National Artist Salvador Bernal for production design, ENCANTADA features the artists of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Professional Artist Support Program and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.
To celebrate Earth Month, ENCANTADA goes on stage at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on April 14-15 and at the Metropolitan Theater on April 21-22, with evening shows at 7:30 PM and matinees at 2:00 PM.
Presented by the Metropolitan Theater, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Carmen D. Locsin Foundation, the production was last staged in 2011 to critical acclaim, garnering 10 Gawad Buhay Awards, including Best Modern Dance Production, Best Choreography, Best Musical Composition, Best Production Design, as well as citations for Georgette Sanchez-Vargas for Female Lead Performance and Carissa Adea for Female Featured Performance. Both of them will reprise their roles for the current 2023 production.
Also joining the cast is Kris-Belle Paclibar-Mamangun, former member of Cirque du Soleil, who will be alternating the role of Babaylan with Carissa Adea.
The season continues with Alice Reyes’ RAMAHARI (Sept. 15-16), CARMEN AND OTHER SPIRITS (Oct. 27-28, Nov. 3-4), a mixed bill featuring Alice Reyes’ CARMEN and new works by young Filipino choreographers, and the celebration of Paskong Pinoy with PUSO NG PASKO (Dec. 2-3, 8-9).
Subscribe to the 2023 Dance Season and celebrate the best of Filipino artistry and talent!
As of March 5, “Suzume” has nabbed a total of 14.04 billion yen (US$104.73 million) and now ranks as the 15th highest-grossing film released in Japan ever.
Opening March 8 in Philippine cinemas, watch Makoto Shinkai’s coming-of-age anime film set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where the protagonist, Suzume must close the doors causing devastation.
About “Suzume”
On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—
“Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation.
Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.
—The stars, then sunset, and the morning sky.
Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky…
Never-before-seen scenery, encounters and farewells… A myriad of challenges await her on her journey. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Suzume’s adventure shines a ray of hope upon our own struggles against the toughest roads of anxiety and constraints that make up everyday life. This story of closing doors that connect our past to the present and future will leave a lasting impression upon all of our hearts.
Drawn in by these mysterious doors, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.
Watsons Philippines is launching the “Dare To Be” campaign in the country to encourage young women to go beyond stereotypes and stand with other women to discover the best version of themselves.
This follows the success of the Asia-wide “The New Beautiful” campaign that inspired a heightened awareness of holistic beauty. Watsons continues to advance the cause of gender equality with its 90 million female Watsons Club members in the global community.
Watsons believes that everyone has the power to transcend their own limitations and break the stigma that society puts upon them. As a brand trusted by 90 million women in Asia, Eastern Europe and Middle East, Watsons’ “DARE TO BE” campaign can reach millions and inspire confidence in them.
In an interview survey of 11,000 women conducted by A.S. Watson, over 50% of women described themselves as “unconfident”. The “DARE TO BE” campaign seeks to change this by featuring women who are breaking down boundaries and leading the way for others.
“Women have the strength to be the best version of themselves and to transcend societal limitations,” said Malina Ngai, CEO of A.S Watson (Asia & Europe). “Watsons is committed to empowering women to find their faith in themselves. We know they can DARE TO BE bigger than any barrier, bolder than any bias, and stronger than their struggles.”
In line with the International Women’s Day theme, “Embrace Equity,” the campaign strives to support BRAVEHER, BOLDHER and STRONGHER Women in a cause of gender equality that embraces women from all walks of life.
Nurturing“BRAVEHER” Women in Healthcare
Watsons inspires women to be BRAVEHER with the “Women in Medicine” programme, a long term partnership with Operation Smile to train female to conduct surgery for children suffered from cleft lips and palates
During COVID-19, the bravery of frontline healthcare professionals inspired many to follow this meaningful career path.
Through the Watsons and Operation Smile partnership, Watsons has supported Operation Smile’s “Women in Medicine” initiative. Through this initiative, Operation Smile aims to provide educational pathways for women to be global leaders in health care. In support of this initiative, Watsons has sponsored all-women medical programs in low-and-middle income countries to help educate women on advanced medical practices; empower women to become leaders in global medicine; expand opportunities for women health care workers in different specialties; and elevate cleft surgery and comprehensive care.
Since the partnership’s inception, A.S. Watson Group has sponsored over 6,000 free corrective surgeries to Operation Smile through the Group’s Give a Smile signature global community programme.
Kathy Magee, Co-founder and President of Operation Smile says, “We appreciate the tremendous support from Watsons for the Women in Medicine Initiative to empower women to take on leadership roles in the medical field. Once we mentor these women and equip them with advanced surgical skills and specialty trainings, these women create new opportunities for the next generation of female leaders in health care.”
Empowering “BOLDHER” Women in their Community
Watsons inspires women to be BOLDHER and be the best version of themselves by breaking the stigma that society puts upon them
In the Philippines, Watsons partnered with the SM Group to support more young achievers in the community.
Through this partnership, both Watsons and SM Group aim to create activities that will inspire more achievers and women across all ages to pursue their dreams and their aspirations for the betterment of the community and their future in different fields.
Through the “Dare To Be” campaign, Watsons empowers women to discover the best version of themselves as they also live healthy and beautifully while achieving their goals and dreams.
Enabling a “STRONGHER” Generation of Women
Watsons empowers women to make the community STRONGHER
Throughout the month, Watsons will be actively engaging the community of Watsons shoppers through a series of events, workshops, and mentoring opportunities led by key women opinion leaders who have created their own success by defining it on their own terms.
In Malaysia, Watsons is inviting a fashion model with vitiligo (an appearance altering skin condition), a para-cyclist and a CEO from a women-focused charity to share their personal stories and health & beauty tips.
In Thailand, Watsons is promoting women empowerment through its “Green Ribbon” campaign to help more women to unleash their potential.
There are more programs in Asia which inspire confidence and empower women to look good, do good, and feel great about themselves. Interested parties can find out more at www.watsonsasia.com
For more information, follow @watsonsph on Instagram, like @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and follow @watsonsphilippines on TikTok.
