Get ready to party with Max Original comedy series Rap Sh!t, from Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Issa Rae (HBO’s Insecure). The eight-episode season will debut with two episodes same time as the U.S. on Friday, July 22 on HBO GO, and continues with one episode each week.
Rap Sh!t follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group. The series also stars Jonica Booth, Devon Terrell and RJ Cyler.
Rap Sh!t is executive produced by Issa Rae and showrunner Syreeta Singleton, as well as Montrel McKay for HOORAE, Jonathan Berry and Dave Becky for 3 Arts Entertainment, and Deniese Davis. Rae also wrote the premiere episode and co-wrote the finale episode with Singleton.
Hip hop duo Yung Miami and JT of City Girls serve as co-executive producers, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas for Quality Control Films and Sara Rastogi for HOORAE. Rae’s audio content company Raedio handles music supervision for the series.
Stream or download Rap Sh!t from July 22on HBO GO. All five seasons of Issa Rae’s acclaimed series Insecure are also available on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for as low as ₱99.70/month. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
Cinemalaya has finally announced the competing full-length films and shorts for this year’s competition. The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. will return to holding on-site screenings for the 18th edition of the independent film festival, happening from August 5 to 14, 2022.
The full-length films in the competition were the finalists selected for 2020 and 2021 editions of the film festival, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, they could not finish their filming. Below are the 11 full-length films competing in this year’s Cinemalaya:
12 Weeks by Anna Isabelle Matutina
Angkas by Rain Yamson
Bakit ‘Di Mo Sabihin? by Real S. Florido
Batsoy by Ronald Espinosa Batallones
Blue Room by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagńalan
Bula Sa Langit by Sheenly Gener
Ginhawa by Christian Paolo Lat
Kaluskos by Roman S. Perez, Jr.
Kargo by TM Malones
Retirada by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz
The Baseball Player by Carlo Obispo
For the short feature main competition, the 12 finalists are:
Ampangabagat nin Talakba ha Likol by Maria Estela Paiso
Black Rainbow by Zig Dulay
City of Flowers by Xeph Suarez
Dikit by Gabriela Serrano
Distance by Dexter Paul de Jesus
Duwa-Duwa by Nena Jana Achacoso
Kwits by Raz de la Torre
Mata Kang Busay by Nińo B. Maldecir and Cypher John T. Gayorgor
Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico
See You, George! by Mark Moneda
Si Oddie by Maria Kydylee Torato
Roundtrip to Happiness by Claudia Fernando
The competing films will also be screened at select partner cinemas nationwide from August 10 to 17, followed by regional screenings in selected communities from August 22 to 29. The films will also have an online run from October 17 to 31 via the CCP Vimeo account.
The Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held on August 14 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
A major component of the film festival, the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, considered the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in the ASEAN region, also gathers some of the best films out there which will compete in various categories such as Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation. Finalists from the different categories will be screened from August 6 to 8, 2022 at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde, with the awarding happening on August 13.
For more updates and information, visit the CCP and Cinemalaya websites.
After introducing numerous versions of the friendly neighborhood hero Spider-Man through the multiverse, Marvel has now revealed its latest iteration of the web-slinger: Web-Weaver, the first gay Spider-Man who will debut at Edge ofSpider-Verse #5 this September.
According to Comicbook.com, the new character created by Steve Foxe and Kris Anka is a “not-so-mild fashion designer at Van Dyne” who will show us a very different kind of “Spider-Slayer”. While the character’s civilian identity is yet to be revealed, Foxe teased on Twitter that Web-Weaver’s fearlessly femme identity will be a unique step in terms of LGBTQ+ representation.
“Something I realized immediately when conceiving Web-Weaver is that he can’t–and shouldn’t–represent ALL gay men,” tweeted Foxe. “No single character can. His fearlessly femme identity is central to who he is, but it’s not the STORY…which you can experience for yourself in September!”
Anka also shared on Twitter her design and inspiration for Web-Weaver:
Web-Weaver my design for the brand new Spider, debuting in Edge of Spider-verse 5 pic.twitter.com/vl2qVUtGVq
Written by Dan Slott, Mark Bagley, and more, the new Edge of Spider-Verse limited series is set to begin publishing its first issue this August 3. The series will bring back classic Spider-Man variants such as Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Gwen, as well as introduce a slew of new Spidey variants from the Spider-Verse. The limited series will also set the stage for the new epic, The End of Spider-Verse slated for release later this year. For more details, visit the Marvel website.
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Netflix is making another attempt to adapt the hit manga and anime series Death Note, this time into a live-action TV show!
This comes with the announcement that the Duffer Brothers, creators of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, will be producing more titles through their new production company Upside Down Pictures. Among their slate of projects in active development is the live-action adaptation of the renowned title from Japan.
This will be Netflix’s second attempt at adapting the series following their highly-criticized 2017 film of the same name directed by Adam Wingard. Considering the success of Stranger Things, this will stir excitement from both fandoms.
Created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note follows the story of the high school student Light Yagami, who picks up a notebook that could kill people just by writing their names on its pages. Having a strong sense of righteousness, Light uses it to rid the world of criminals while his identity was kept under the name Kira. He soon captures the attention of the world’s greatest detective, a mysterious figure only known as L, who taunts him into a battle of wits where the winner will be the one to uphold their take on justice.
More details about the new Death Note adaptation are yet to be revealed. Upside Down Pictures’slate of projects also includes an adaptation of Stephen King and Peter Straub‘s The Talisman, a new stage play set within the world and mythology of Stranger Things, and a Stranger Things spin-off series.
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When director Taika Waititi took over Thor and gave us the enjoyable ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ the character had already been established in two solo movies and two Avengers movies. He had a lot to work with: a troubled relationship with his brother Loki, experience working with a team like the Avengers, and so on. In ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ he had carte blanche to change the tone of the movie and infuse Waititi’s own brand of humor, which breathed new life into the character and the franchise. It was carried over into the succeeding Avengers movies such as ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame.’
But in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ most of Thor’s storylines were given closure. He had relinquished his throne to Valkyrie and left the remaining Asgardians to start anew on Earth. He had lost his brother and the loss he experienced in ‘Infinity War’ found a sort of resolution by the end of ‘Endgame.’ He had redeemed himself.
Where can the character go now?
And this is where ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ ends up being a mixed bag for me. The first half of the movie depicts Thor once again as the blonde himbo, whose massive god-like ego is the crux of a lot of the humor. It’s good for a few laughs but it seems that the character is stuck in some cartoonish version of himself. This film is Thor’s eighth appearance in the MCU and while this iteration only really came to the fore in ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ it feels tired. It is as if the events of the previous movie didn’t have any effect on him and sometimes, he even seems dumber than before. Sure, it’s great for a few laughs but there’s just so much of it.
The first half of the film feels more like a sequence of plot points and funny gags that are interspersed with the actual story of this film. The more important parts of the story – that of the villain, Gorr, the God Butcher, and that of Jane Foster – don’t get as much screen time and that’s what I’m looking for as I come in watching a superhero movie. The jokes and the gags are great but not at the expense of the struggle and tension and the stakes.
Photo: Marvel Studios/Jasin Boland
Taika Waititi can definitely balance out tragedy and comedy in equal measure. ‘Jojo Rabbit’ does this exceptionally well. Even with all the jokes and gags of ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ we were able to see the bonds between Loki and Thor heal and Thor making the ultimate sacrifice by allowing Asgard to fall to save the Asgardians.
In ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ the romantic comedy aspects of the film undermine the pulsing heart at the core of Jane Foster’s story, which could have been a nice space for Thor’s character growth. Instead, Waititi leans deeper into the whimsy, which is unexpected and surprising, but it doesn’t help build up the love story of its two lead characters that when it hits the final act of the film, the resolutions of their character arcs don’t have as much weight as it could.
Because the latter half of the film is definitely far better than how the film starts, it’s only then that Waititi emphasizes the stakes. It doesn’t have the urgency or the drama that the scenes ask for. It’s such a shame because Christian Bale looks like he is having fun playing Gorr, and Natalie Portman nails each dramatic beat. In fact, Jane Foster has such an interesting character arc and shows great agency but the depth of Jane’s situation – taking the mantle of Thor and why – has no time to really build.
Photo: Marvel Studios
‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ has all the components of a proper comic book movie. It has the action and the special effects but they don’t really seem to be at par with ‘Thor: Ragnarok.’ It’s only really impressive and refreshing when Thor, Jane Foster, and Valkyrie take on Gorr. The choreography in those scenes are spectacular.
What ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ has proven is that Thor doesn’t seem to do too well on his own. As a character, he’s a team player who needs Loki or the other members of the Avengers for him to realize his own narrative potential. It isn’t until he meets Jane that Thor becomes remotely interesting, outside his whimsical, buffoonery. A character this powerful needs something to ground him otherwise there aren’t many places to go narratively.
Photo: Marvel Studios
Interestingly enough, the ending addresses this narrative demand but it didn’t need half of its 119-minute running time to get to that point. It’s fun. I had fun. But it’s not up there amongst the other MCU films.
Bow down to the most exceptional female warrior to ever live. Check out the first trailer of Columbia Pictures’ epic action-adventure The Woman King, rising soon exclusively in cinemas across the Philippines.
About The Woman King
The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, story by Maria Bello, screenplay by Dana Stevens and Gina Prince-Bythewood. The film is produced by Cathy Schulman, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Maria Bello and executive Produced by Peter McAleese.
Nanisca (Viola Davis) in TriStar Pictures’ THE WOMAN KING.
The cast is led by Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega.
In Philippine cinemas soon, The Woman King is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #TheWomanKing
True to the credo, “Adopt Don’t Shop,” Robinsons Malls Happy Pets Club aims to be part of the solution of animal homelessness and overpopulation of strays. Through its pet adoption program, The Gift of Furever Home, shelter and rescue animals are given the chance to have a loving and caring family to call their own.
Adopting, instead of buying pets from breeders and pet shops, is an act of compassion- a character Happy Pets Club members value. Once you adopt a cat or a dog, you are not only saving that animal’s life but you are also gaining a unique experience of unconditional love and companionship.
In collaboration with NGO and animal welfare group Pawssion Project, Robinsons Malls Happy Pets Club will be conducting a fun-filled Pet Adoption drive dubbed as Friends Fur Life, happening at Robinsons Novaliches on July 9, 10 AM- 5PM. The event will feature ten adorable shelter animals from Pawssion Project who are all healthy, sociable and in need of a Furever Home. To give these dogs a chance to a new and happy life, you may register as an adopter at this link: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsFurLifeAdoptionForm.
What’s more, Robinsons Malls Happy Pets Club in partnership with Handyman, Robinsons Supermarket, Daiso Japan, Quezon City Veterinary Department and Quezon City Animal Care and Disease Control Division has prepared a busy and worthwhile day for Quezon City pet owners, starting with fun games and giveaways; a Pet Talk on Responsible Pet Ownership; and sharing of pet stories by celebrities in the afternoon. Another event highlight is the free anti-rabies vaccination and free spay and neuter operation exclusive to residents of District 5, Quezon City. To know more, follow Robinsons Malls, Robinsons Malls Happy Pets Club, Robinsons Novaliches and Pawssion Project in Facebook and Instagram.
A little over a year since its launch and a few limited edition flavors later, Bubu Bars is back with yet another decadent dessert. To celebrate World Chocolate Day, they have introduced their newest flavor that took them seven months of R&D — Dark Chocolate Cacao Crunch (P220).
This deep, dark, and decadent bar is priced at P220 just like its older siblings. It is a rich dark chocolate vegan ice cream, covered in a thin shell of Auro 64% single origin dark chocolate topped with crunchy cacao nibs and a sprinkling of Maldon Sea Salt.
Just like its older siblings, it is priced at P220 per bar. It will be available at the Auro Chocolate’s World Chocolate Fair from July 6 to 10, 2022, and online afterward.
Auro Chocolate’s World Chocolate Fair is back for the third time for a five-day event. Sample limited-edition desserts crafted with Auro Chocolate at the Main Atrium of S Maison, Conrad Manila from July 6 to 10, 2022.
In a pursuit of vitality and Swiss hospitality, Swissôtel Clark opens its 10th restaurant to date, Ristorante di Verona, an authentic Italian restaurant using contemporary and modern culinary techniques. Verona is a province in Italy and known to be the setting of the classic romantic novel Romeo & Juliet. Ristorante di Verona is set to welcome guests and customers this 7 July 2022.
Ristorante di Verona interior
Situated in 5th floor of Swissôtel Clark, Ristorante di Verona offers guests a new concept of indoor and an alternative al fresco dining, overlooking the mountainous and natural view of the Zambales Mountain Ranges.
“We are overwhelmed by the continuous support that our guests and customers showed since the hotel’s soft-opening last 1 March 2022. We are fascinated with the warm acceptance to the #SwissHospitality and #SwissTastes concepts from us. After three months of soft operation, and as we continue to offer unique dining experiences for our guests, we are hoping for your continuous support as we open our 10th dining outlet in the newest vibrant destination within Clark – Ristorante di Verona.” said Tarek Aouini, General Manager of Swissôtel Clark.
While Swissôtel Clark opens yet another restaurant, it promises to deliver a range of culinary concepts that the guests will surely love. The opening of Ristorante di Verona marks another milestone, being the newest Italian fun-dining restaurant in Clark Freeport Zone.
Prosciutto San Daniele, melone
Great views, warm service and authentic Italian food – for those looking to enjoy a romantic vibe or a well comfortable but refined alfresco dining, Ristorante di Verona offers the best of both worlds. Be charmed by the dash of creative nature of the interiors, starting from the atmospheric windows and wall installations, spacious halls, private dining rooms, up to the contemporary architecture of the ceiling that takes customers back to the timeless aesthetics of Italy.
Insalata di mele, gorgonzola, balsamico di Modena 25 anni 550
Inspired by the Italian precision of fine-dining, Ristorante di Verona features an all-encompassing menu, starting from the aperitif to digestivo. Enjoy a different culinary approach to the eminently satisfying Italian dishes such as Prosciutto San Daniele, melone or Insalata di mele, gorgonzola, balsamico di Modena 25 anni 550, backed with the sound of contemporary Italian music.
To get the full experience, customers can choose from the rich-flavoured wines to accompany their sumptuous lunch or dinner. Ristorante di Verona offers more than 300 extensive wine selections sourced from various regions, including a 1958 Pio Cesare Barolo from Italy and a 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1er Cru Classe from France.
Ristorante di Verona’s signature cocktail Princepessa is a nice match to an eloquent dining experience. A simple, crisp and refreshing cocktail that is a sure hit to the senses.
Allow your palate to travel in different places of Italy with Ristorante di Verona’s very own Balsamic Reduction that is suitable for the most special occasions, to top off their Italian bread with a light and fragrant touch. Ristorante di Verona houses a 25-year old Balsamic Vinegar of Modena used mainly as an ingredient for reductions, following all the rules of a century old tradition.
To close out the decadent Italian meal, Ristorante di Verona offers selections of Digestivo, including Italian Herbal liqueur, a perfect after-meal digestif, and more than ten types of Grappas, a zero-waste wine-making process.
Heading Ristorante di Verona is an international-renowned chef Alessio Loddo, hailing from Sardinia, Italy. Starting his experience from the free-standing restaurants in Italy, he ventured in international regions as early as 2000s in Dubai, and has opened multiple Italian Restaurants on 5-star hotels all over the world, including BiCE Ristorante of Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Le Meridian Phuket Beach Resort, and La Gritta Restaurant in Bangkok.
Chef Alessio Loddo of Ristorante di Verona
He was also in-charge of quite a few Italian restaurants located here in the Philippines, including: Tosca Italian Restaurant of Dusit Thani Hotel Manila, Waterfront Cebu City, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Alabang, and Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay before joining Swissôtel Clark.
With 27 years in service, he has continuously embedded Italian heritage in cuisine, inspired by his roots in Sardinia. The place is known all over the world with its clear, pristine beaches, and its local Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, including cheese and wine selections.
Chef Alessio has been part of Swissôtel Clark since 2021, long before its pre-opening.
Swissôtel Clark, the newest destination in north Metro Manila, soft-opened last 1 March 2022 and offers 372 rooms and suites, and a total of 10 dining outlets to choose from.
Located at the ground floor of Hann Casino are Nasi, Kai, and Spice, offering specialty cuisines in Filipino, Korean, and Asian variations. Discover the newest casino-inspired nightlife destination in Clark, Bar 20, renowned for its themed nights and mixology-focused drinks menu.
Ristorante di Verona
Within Swissôtel Clark, guests can discover a selection of restaurants located in the area. First on the list is the signature European all-day dining restaurant, MARKT, embracing the Swiss heritage with a tribute to the atmospheric marketplaces of Europe through its open-plan, plaza-style dining concept. Facing MARKT is the laidback atmosphere of The Atrium, where guests can enjoy their choice of vitality-infused drink or a cup of coffee in a tropical-inspired lobby lounge. The Atrium is home to more than 40 collections of artisan gin and tonic, making it one of the biggest gin and tonic selections in the country.
Swissôtel Clark façade
Oma’s Dessert Bar, located just beside The Atrium, will surely satisfy the guests need for sweet-fix. Swiss Tropic, located at 5th floor of Swissôtel Clark, offers great food platter selections and a full view of the magnificent Zambales Mountain Ranges. With the mantra of “life is a journey,” Swissôtel aims to help the guests live well through its vitality offerings in every corner – rooms, food, amenities, and activities around and within the hotel.
Swissotel Clark is located at Lot 2A, Lot 2B, Lot 2E1 Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner Claro M. Recto Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023. For more information contact (045) 306 2000.
For more information about Ristorante di Verona, follow our official Facebook and Instagram pages at facebook.com/SwissotelClark and @swissotelclark for more updates and promotions.
Amazon Prime Video has finally revealed the trailer for the live-action adaptation of the comic book series Paper Girls. The new show will follow young girls who deliver newspapers in the ’80s as they find themselves caught between the warring factions of time-travelers.
Check out the trailer for Paper Girls below:
Created by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, Paper Girls follows four young girls who deliver newspapers to their neighborhood. One fateful morning after the Halloween of 1988, the girls find themselves transported into 2019 after getting caught in a conflict among time-travelers. The group must then seek the help of their future selves and find their strengths to return home while saving the world of the future.
Developed for television by Stephany Folsom, the show stars Ali Wong, Sofia Rosinsky, Fina Strazza, Riley Lai Nelet, and Camryn Jones. It is set for release on Amazon Prime Video this July 29, 2022.
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