Tag: Now Streaming

‘The Gray Man’ is fast, big, loud, and oozing with charm

There’s a scene in one of the many Eastern European cities that is used as a location in The Russo Brothers’ ‘The Gray Man’ that is really the pinnacle of what this movie has to offer. It’s a fast-paced action sequence that feels like it plays out for a good 15 minutes.

There’s a shoot-out in a public plaza that escalates into a full-blown war zone that involves a high-speed car chase with a tram, high-powered assault rifles, and a beautiful luxury sports car, while the lead character carries on a gunfight inside the train. It’s a huge setup with explosions and people almost getting run over, cars toppling over and exploding. It’s fast-paced and hard-hitting and the stunt choreography and camera coverage are incredible.

Watching this at the cinema in a special advanced screening makes me wish that people will get to watch this movie in this format rather than on their phones or laptop screens because it’s the kind of blockbuster spectacle that is made for the big screen.

‘The Gray Man’ has an old-school action film vibe, where the bad guys are completely lacking in nuance and the story is thin but the enjoyment comes from all the spills and thrills.

It begins with an introduction to our protagonist, Ryan Gosling’s unnamed character who is recruited by the CIA to become a dispensable killing machine, a Black Ops assassin with no record at all for plausible deniability. He is given the name Six and the film immediately jumps forward in time to his most recent mission, where he discovers that the change of guard in US politics meant the Sierra program that he is part of is being taken down and his life is in danger.

Now, on the run, he has to escape the new bosses at the CIA who are tying up loose ends.

But how do you catch one of the deadliest assassins in the world? By hiring the equally skilled and dangerous (and possibly sociopathic) private contractor Lloyd Hansen, played by Chris Evans. In less than 15 minutes, you have two of Hollywood’s charming and attractive leading men, Gosling and Evans, battling it out over Eastern Europe and it’s a joy to watch.

Gosling’s Six is a quiet, lone wolf type, though he is not above an occasional witty remark. We know how charming he can be from films like ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ and ‘La La Land’ but he tones it down for the gruff, silent killer type who grunts as much as he speaks but despite his frighteningly impressive action hero image in this film, there’s a relatability that he brings to Six that attaches himself to audience pretty quickly.

On the other hand, Evans is obviously having a blast playing the villain. He’s as charming as he is brutal and sadistic and cruel. And he’s also unafraid to bring out his excellent comedic timing for some really great comic moments that keep the energy up.

The film runs a little over 2 hours and surprisingly, there’s very little in terms of character development or a story arc. There’s no complicated plot nor any overly ambitious save-the-world narrative involved in this film. It’s a brawl and a gunfight and it’s loud and explosive. Everything from cars, trains, airplanes, and helicopters at some point explode or topple over. Our heroes get punched, kicked, stabbed, and even shot and still manage to carry on and fight.

And it’s this simplicity that gives ‘The Gray Man’ a hollowness to it – no real exploration of the abuse of government power, the effects of geopolitics on this scale, the cost and value of human lives – but it also makes it really easy to watch and really fun to just jump aboard on.

At the same time, directors Joe and Anthony Russo feel like they directed this film specifically for the Netflix viewer – people watching at home on their laptops or phones – and so they push the story down and ramp up the action and fast cuts and pacing so as to not allow the viewers to get distracted at all. Never is there a moment for you to press pause to answer the phone or to take a break to do house chores or online school work.

The film feels like they are aware that the medium this film will be shown, through streaming, means they can put what feels like a 15-minute flashback scene in the middle of the story, as they pivot the narrative towards a different direction.

There’s a freshness to the way this film is made because as big and loud as the film gets (and it constantly peaks) it doesn’t feel like it has to abide by any certain expectations as other films do. Of the many Netflix films I’ve seen in this genre like ‘Extraction’ or ‘The Old Guard,’ this is the one I feel really fits perfectly for streaming.

‘The Gray Man’ may not be deep or even moving, but it’s a whole lot of fun and the whole cast – from Gosling to Evans, to Ana de Armas and Jessica Henwick, to Rege-Jean Page, Alfre Woodard, and Billy Bob Thornton – it’s loaded with charisma and screen presence. I hope this becomes a hit because, as it is based on a series of books by Mark Greaney, they plan for this to be a franchise and I love to see more of it.

My Rating:

––

The Gray Man premieres on Netflix this Friday, July 22.

ALSO READ:
Russo Brothers, Ryan Gosling, & Chris Evans Talk About ‘The Gray Man’ Action Scenes & Humorous Lines
MCU’s Russo Brothers Say Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man’ Could Spawn a Spy Thriller Cinematic Universe

July 21, 2022
10 Workplace Sitcoms to Stream If You’re Missing the Office

As adults, we spend most of our days at the workplace surrounded by colleagues we treat as a community or even family, while we do our part and stay productive. But then the pandemic happened and we found ourselves separated by a remote work setup. While working from home has its many advantages, part of us also miss the office, its convenience, and the people that breathe life into it.

If you’re still working at home and are missing the workplace setup, then maybe you need to binge a show that will give you some laughs while recreating that office atmosphere! On this list, we’ve rounded up such shows for your much-needed dose of workplace humor.

The Office

The American remake of The Office is deemed one of the best comedy shows out there and for good reason. The series is presented as a mockumentary featuring the day-to-day shenanigans of the office workers at a paper company. The team includes the likable Jim, the shy receptionist Pam, the competitive salesman Dwight, and their high-energy boss Michael Scott. Stream The Office on Amazon Prime Video.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s workplace is a precinct and it follows a team of cops, each with their own colorful personality. The series’ main characters include the talented but childish detective Jake Peralta, his loyal friend Charles Boyle, the competitive Amy Santiago, and the seemingly cold captain Ray Holt. Stream Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Netflix.

The IT Crowd

The IT Crowd, as its title suggests, follows folks working in IT with the show poking fun at the knowledge gap between the IT crowd and people who can’t handle their computers. The show begins with Jen Barber who lied her way into being employed in the IT department of a business giant in London, despite knowing nothing about computers. She finds her office in the company building’s dingy basement, where she is joined by two socially-challenged computer “nerds” working as the company’s IT support. Stream The IT Crowd on Netflix.

Parks & Recreation

This series follows government employees at the Indiana Parks and Recreation department. The show mainly revolves around Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat who is trying to beautify her town by turning an abandoned construction site into a community park. But the simple mission is made complicated by her colleagues such as the selfish Tom Haverford and her anti-government bureaucrat boss Ron Swanson.

Scrubs

Scrubs is set in a hospital and follows a group of medical students in their internship. Most of the show is told through the unique point of view of the main character John Michael “J.D.” Dorian. Throughout the show, JD alongside his fellow interns Elliott Reid and Christopher Turk, as well as their colleagues at the Sacred Heart Hospital encounter challenging cases while navigating their relationships. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video.

2 Broke Girls

This show follows two broke girls Max and Caroline who are trying to find their ticket to success together. Max is a streetwise waitress working in a Brooklyn diner while Caroline used to be a rich girl who must now work as a waitress to make ends meet. When Max discovers that Caroline can bake delicious cupcakes, the two team up to kick off a cupcake business. Also part of the diner’s friendly faces are their boss Han Lee, the upbeat cook Oleg, and the old cashier Earl.

Abbott Elementary

Presented in a mockumentary format, Abbott Elementary follows the lives of teachers working in the underfunded, predominantly Black public school, Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. The staff includes second grade teacher Janine Teagues, history teacher Jacob Hill, substitute teacher Gregory Eddie, kindergarten’s Barbara Howard, and the tone-deaf school principal Ava Coleman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO-_7oi-61Y

Superstore

Superstore follows the megastore Cloud 9 employees and their daily grind filled with annoying bargainers, riotous sales, and boring training sessions. Hardworking Cloud 9 employee Amy is trying to juggle her responsibilities alongside her clueless manager Glen, the tough assistant Dina, the new hire Jonah, the sarcastic Garrett, and the sweet Cheyenne.

Mythic Quest

This series focuses on the office workers of the video game studio that produces the fictional MMORPG Mythic Quest. While building the fantasy world and sustaining the video game for the players seem quite the challenge, the minds behind Mythic Quest actually face bigger challenges within the office. The show’s roster of characters includes creator Ian Grimm, lead engineer Poppy Li, monetization head Brad Bakshi, and head writer C.W. Longbottom. Stream Mythic Quest on Apple TV+.

Space Force

Space Force is another series from the team-up of Steve Carell and writer Greg Daniels of The Office. In this Netflix sitcom, Carell plays General Mark Naird who was just tasked to helm the sixth branch of the US Armed Forces. As the head of the US Space Force, Naird must manage a chaotic team to bring the military to the moon by 2024. Stream Space Force on Netflix.

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July 20, 2022
Now Streaming: New Live-Action ‘Resident Evil’ Series from Netflix

A new live-action adaptation of Capcom’s popular horror video game franchise has just arrived on Netflix! Simply titled Resident Evil, the new series once again attempts in recreating the world that has been plagued by the T-virus unleashed by the Umbrella Corporation.

Watch the trailer for this year’s Resident Evil series below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIdjcDTc9Vk&t

The new series tells its story through two different timelines. It opens in the year 2036, where a woman spends her time roaming the ruined city streets, and observing the zombies and monsters that the T-virus has spawned. The story also follows the 2022 timeline, where half-twins Billie and Jade arrive at their new home located in the heart of Umbrella Corporation’s New Raccoon City.

The 8-episode series comes from Supernatural writer Andrew Dabb, and stars Ella Balinska, Lance Reddick, Tamara Smart, Siena Adubong, and Paola Núñez.

The first Resident Evil game was released in 1996, while its latest title and 8th major installment in the series, Resident Evil Village was released last year. The video game franchise has also been adapted for film and TV multiple times, including the 6-part movie series starring Milla Jovovich, the recent Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City film, and Netflix’s CGI miniseries Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness.

Resident Evil is now streaming on Netflix.

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July 14, 2022
Emmy Nominations 2022: ‘Squid Game’, ‘Succession’, & More Shows Compete for the 74th Emmy Awards
The nominations for the 74th Emmy Awards are out!

This year, HBO’s Succession tops the list for having the most Emmy nominations with a total of 25 nods, followed by Ted Lasso and The White Lotus each with twenty nods, Hacks and Only Murders in the Building each with 17 nominations, and Euphoria with 16 nods. Other notable titles include Netflix’s Squid Game which received 14 nominations, Stranger Things with 13, and Disney+’s Moon Knight with 8 nods.

In total, HBO comes out on top with 140 nominations, followed by Netflix with 105, then comes Hulu with 58 nominations, Apple TV+ with 51, and Disney+ with 34.

Announced through a live virtual ceremony hosted by JB Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Melissa Fumero (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), below is the full list of the 74th Emmy Awards nominations per category:

Drama Series
- “Better Call Saul” (AMC)
- “Euphoria” (HBO)
- “Ozark” (Netflix)
- “Severance” (Apple TV+)
- “Squid Game” (Netflix)
- “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
- “Succession” (HBO)
- “Yellowjackets” (Showtime)
Photo: Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’

Comedy Series
- “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- “Barry” (HBO)
- “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
- “Hacks” (HBO)
- “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon Prime Video)
- “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
- “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+)
- “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)
Limited Series
- “Dopesick” (Hulu)
- “The Dropout” (Hulu)
- “Inventing Anna” (Netflix)
- “Pam and Tommy” (Hulu)
- “The White Lotus” (HBO)
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
- Jason Bateman (“Ozark”)
- Brian Cox (“Succession”)
- Lee Jung-jae (“Squid Game”)
- Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
- Adam Scott (“Severance”)
- Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
- Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”)
- Laura Linney (“Ozark”)
- Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
- Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve”)
- Reese Witherspoon (“The Morning Show”)
- Zendaya (“Euphoria”)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Donald Glover (“Atlanta”)
- Bill Hader (“Barry”)
- Nicholas Hoult (“The Great”)
- Steve Martin (“Only Murders in the Building”)
- Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)
- Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
- Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
- Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
- Kaley Cuoco (“The Flight Attendant”)
- Elle Fanning (“The Great”)
- Issa Rae (“Insecure”)
- Jean Smart (“Hacks”)
Photo: HBO’s ‘The Flight Attendant’

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Colin Firth (“The Staircase”)
- Andrew Garfield (“Under the Banner of Heaven”)
- Oscar Isaac (“Scenes From a Marriage”)
- Michael Keaton (“Dopesick”)
- Himesh Patel (“Station Eleven”)
- Sebastian Stan (“Pam and Tommy”)
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Toni Collette (“The Staircase”)
- Julia Garner (“Inventing Anna”)
- Lily James (“Pam and Tommy”)
- Sarah Paulson (“Impeachment: American Crime Story”)
- Margaret Qualley (“Maid”)
- Amanda Seyfried (“The Dropout”)
Variety Talk Series
- “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
- “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC)
- “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” (HBO)
- “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (NBC)
- “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS)
Competition Program
- “The Amazing Race” (CBS)
- “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” (Amazon Prime Video)
- “Nailed It!” (Netflix)
- “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)
- “Top Chef” (Bravo)
- “The Voice” (NBC)
Television Movie
- “Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” (Disney+)
- “Ray Donovan: The Movie” (Showtime)
- “Reno 911!: The Hunt For QAnon” (Paramount+)
- “The Survivor” (HBO/HBO Max)
- “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas” (The Roku Channel)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- Patricia Arquette (“Severance”)
- Julia Garner (“Ozark”)
- Jung Ho-yeon (“Squid Game”)
- Christina Ricci (“Yellowjackets”)
- Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
- J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
- Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
- Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
- Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”)
- Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
- Park Hae-soo (“Squid Game”)
- Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
- John Turturro (“Severance”)
- Christopher Walken (“Severance”)
- Oh Yeong-su (“Squid Game”)
Photo: Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
- Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
- Hannah Einbinder (“Hacks”)
- Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
- Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”)
- Sarah Niles (“Ted Lasso”)
- Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
- Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)
- Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
- Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
- Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
- Toheeb Jimoh (“Ted Lasso”)
- Nick Mohammed (“Ted Lasso”)
- Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
- Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
- Henry Winkler (“Barry”)
- Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”)
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Connie Britton (“The White Lotus”)
- Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
- Alexandra Daddario (“The White Lotus”)
- Kaitlyn Dever (“Dopesick”)
- Natasha Rothwell (“The White Lotus”)
- Sydney Sweeney (“The White Lotus”)
- Mare Winningham (“Dopesick”)
Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”)
- Jake Lacy (“The White Lotus”)
- Will Poulter (“Dopesick”)
- Seth Rogen (“Pam & Tommy”)
- Peter Sarsgaard (“Dopesick”)
- Michael Stuhlbarg (“Dopesick”)
- Steve Zahn (“The White Lotus”)
Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Hope Davis (“Succession”)
- Marcia Gay Harden (“The Morning Show”)
- Martha Kelly (“Euphoria”)
- Sanaa Lathan (“Succession”)
- Harriet Walter (“Succession”)
- Lee You-mi (“Squid Game”)
Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Adrien Brody (“Succession”)
- James Cromwell (“Succession”)
- Colman Domingo (“Euphoria”)
- Arian Moayed (“Succession”)
- Tom Pelphrey (“Ozark”)
- Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Jane Adams (“Hacks”)
- Harriet Sansom Harris (“Hacks”)
- Jane Lynch (“Only Murders in the Building”)
- Laurie Metcalf (“Hacks”)
- Kaitlin Olson (“Hacks”)
- Harriet Walter (“Ted Lasso”)
Photo: Apple TV+’s ‘Ted Lasso’

Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Jerrod Carmichael (“Saturday Night Live”)
- Bill Hader (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”)
- James Lance (“Ted Lasso”)
- Nathan Lane (“Only Murders in the Building”)
- Christopher McDonald (“Hacks”)
- Sam Richardson (“Ted Lasso”)
Variety Sketch Series
- “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (HBO/HBO Max)
- “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Variety Special (Live)
- The 64th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)
- Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes (ABC)
- The Oscars (ABC)
- Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent (NBC)
- Tony Awards Presents: Broadway’s Back! (CBS)
Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
- “Adele: One Night Only” (CBS)
- “Dave Chappelle: The Closer” (Netflix)
- “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” (HBO/HBO Max)
- “Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special” (Netflix)
- “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga” (CBS)
Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman” (Netflix)
- “The Problem With Jon Stewart” (Apple TV+)
- “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” (CNN)
- “VICE” (Showtime)
- “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” (Disney+)
Host for a Reality or Competition Program
- Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness (“Queer Eye”)
- Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman (“Making It”)
- Nicole Byer (“Nailed It!”)
- Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary (“Shark Tank”)
- Padma Lakshmi (“Top Chef”)
- RuPaul (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”)
Outstanding Animated Program
- “Arcane” – “When These Walls Come Tumbling Down” (Netflix)
- “Bob’s Burgers” – “Some Like It Bot Part 1: Eighth Grade Runner” (FOX)
- “Rick and Morty” – “Mort Dinner Rick Andre” (Adult Swim)
- “The Simpsons” – “Pixelated and Afraid” (FOX)
- “What If…?” – “What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?” (Disney+)
Photo: Netflix’s ‘Arcane’

Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
- “The Boys Presents: Diabolical” – “John and Sun-Hee” (Prime Video)
- “Death + Robots” – “Jibaro” (Netflix)
- “Robot Chicken” – “Happy Russian Deathdog Dolloween 2 U” (Adult Swim)
- “Star Wars: Visions” – “The Duel” (Disney+)
- “When Billie Met Lisa” (Disney+)
You can find more nominations on the Emmys website. The Emmy Awards will be airing on September 12, 8 AM (Philippine time) on NBC and Peacock.
July 13, 2022
Now Streaming: Horror Flick ‘Valley of the Dead’ Features Zombies Made by Nazis

Spanish film MalnaZidos, also titled Valley of the Dead, is now streaming on Netflix! The horror-comedy flick is set during the Spanish Civil War where two conflicting factions must band together to put a stop to a zombie invasion unleashed by Nazis!

Check out the trailer for Valley of the Dead below:

With an hour and 42 minutes of runtime, the movie begins with a wedding celebration. The party is then interrupted by the arrival of a fascist troop led by a cold commandant, who gives the signal to gun everyone down. After donning their gas masks, they then unleash a mysterious gas that engulfs the corpses. As the film would soon reveal, this chemical begins the invasion of the undead.

Based on the novel Noche de Difuntos del 38 by Manuel Martín, the film is directed by Alberto del Toro and Javier Ruiz Caldera. It stars Miki Esparbé, Aura Garrido, Luis Callejo, Álvaro Cervantes, and Jesús Carroza. A video game adaptation for Malnazidos has also been released for PC and PlayStation.

Valley of the Dead is now streaming on Netflix.

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Homestream image from Netflix.

July 12, 2022
Shows and Movies Coming To HBO GO This July 2022

Are you always on the lookout for new shows and movies to stream? HBO GO has it covered! From award-winning comedy series and fantasy action dramas to new seasons of existing series, there are many to look forward to this July on the streaming platform.

Till Death

Premieres July 2

Directed by S.K. Dale, it centers on Emma who is stuck in a stale marriage with Mark. He surprises her when he brings her to a secluded lakehouse for a romantic evening on their 10th anniversary. Everything changes the next morning when she finds herself handcuffed to Mark’s dead body. Trapped and isolated in the dead of winter, Emma learns this is only the beginning of Mark’s twisted plan. In order to survive, she must fight the hired killers coming to finish her off. It stars Megan Fox, Eoin Macken, Callan Mulvey, Jack Roth, and Aml Ameen.

Rumble

Premieres July 9

Directed by Hamish Grieve, the film is loosely based on Monster on the Hill, a graphic novel by Rob Harrell. In a world where monsters are tame and monster wrestling is a popular sport, Winnie seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps as a manager by turning an inexperienced monster into a contender. It features the voices of Will Arnett, Geraldine Viswanathan, Terry Crews, Stephen A. Smith, and more.

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin

Premieres July 16

Directed by William Eubank, it follows Margot, a young woman who was abandoned by her mother as a baby. She then travels to a secluded Amish community with a documentary film crew seeking answers about her mother and extended family. It stars Emily Bader, Roland Buck III, Dan Lippert, and Henry Ayres-Brown.

Rap Sh!t

Premieres July 21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxp0Krp0pEg

Created by Issa Rae, the comedy series centers on two Miami-based rappers who try to find success in the music industry. It stars Aida Osman and KaMillion.

Blue Bayou

Premieres July 21

Written and directed by Justin Chon, it tells the story of Antonio LeBlanc, a Korean adoptee raised in a small town in the Louisiana bayou. He is married to the love of his life Kathy and raising his stepdaughter Jessie. Struggling to make a better life for his family, he must soon confront the ghosts of his past after learning that he could be deported from the only country he’s ever called home. It stars Justin Chon with Alicia Vikander, Mark O’Briend, and Linh Dan Pham.

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

Premieres July 28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBTCYk0gfsM

Developed by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, it is the spinoff of the Pretty Little Liars franchise and is loosely based on the parent series written by Sara Shepard. A series of tragic events almost ripped Millwood apart twenty years ago. In the present day, a group of disparate teen girls find themselves tormented by an unknown assailant and made to pay for the secret sin their parents committed years ago. It stars Chandler Kinney, Maia Reficco, Bailee Madison, Zaria, and Malia Pyles.

Panama

Premieres July 30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_FWx79_GNs

Directed by Mark Neveldine, a defense contractor hires an ex-marine to go to Panama to complete and arms deal. In the process, he becomes involved in the U.S. invasion of Panama. It stars Cole Hauser, Mel Gibson, and Jackie Cruz.

June 28, 2022
25 of the Best Tearjerker Anime Out There to Watch If You Need a Good Cry

It is no secret that Japanese anime has a lot of rich stories to offer, from exciting thrillers to epic adventures to just feel-good stories with humorous antics. But aside from these, some anime have also been notorious for their heartwrenching moments that had viewers wiping tears off of their cheeks!

If you’re interested in watching some tearjerker anime that would really give you the feels, look no further, as we’ve listed down 25 titles that you should watch right now if you really need a good cry!

1. Grave of the Fireflies (Film)

Perhaps Studio Ghibli’s most harrowing film, Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of siblings Seita and Setsuko as they try to fend for themselves during the onslaught of World War II. As the American’s firebombs continue to drop on the streets, the siblings’ survival gets slimmer by the minute.

2. Your Lie in April (Series)

Your Lie in April exhibits both the beauty and pain music can evoke. After his mother’s death left him traumatized, piano prodigy Kōse becomes unable to hear the sound of his piano and only sees the world in monochrome. Years later, he meets the lively violinist Kaori who slowly brings back the color to his life. Stream Your Lie in April soon on Netflix.

3. 5 Centimeters Per Second (Film)

A story about growing apart, Makoto Shinkai’s short film 5 Centimeters Per Second follows the encounters of childhood friends Takaki and Akari. When Takaki’s family moves to the other side of the country, the distance slowly chips away at their relationship. Stream 5 Centimeters Per Second on Netflix.

4. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (Series)

A tale of friendship and death, Anohana centers on Jinta and his childhood friends who all drifted apart after Menma, the littlest and most innocent of the group, died in an accident. Now a young adult, Jinta is soon acquainted with the ghost of a grown-up Menma, who asks him to grant her mysterious wish.

5. A Silent Voice (Film)

A Silent Voice follows a young man’s search for redemption he may not be worthy of. It tells the story of Shouya, a cruel elementary student who bullies his deaf classmate Shouko until she decides to change schools. Years later, Shouya is still haunted by his wrongdoings as a young boy and decides to find Shouko to make amends.

6. Your Name (Film)

Your Name takes the body swap cliché and turns it into a heartwarming, romantic tale. It follows Mitsuha and Taki– two teens living from different parts of Japan whose bodies suddenly started swapping. The more time they spend with the other person’s body, the deeper the connection between them becomes. A connection that soon turns into romance.

7. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (Film)

This film follows an aloof boy who seems to avoid social interactions, thus having no friends for most of his life. This changes when he accidentally reads a book in a hospital waiting room, which happens to be the diary of his popular classmate. The two then began to develop a connection after she reveals to him that she’s secretly suffering from a fatal pancreatic illness.

8. Clannad (Series)

In Clannad, the school delinquent Tomoya thinks that life is dull and wastes his time skipping classes. But his life takes a turn when he becomes friends with Nagisa, a girl who was held back a year due to a severe illness. When he learns that her dream is to revive the drama club, Tomoya joins her in her mission, meeting four more girls and helping them overcome their respective life hurdles.

9. Angel Beats! (Series)

Angel Beats! plays on the concept of a high school-like limbo, where the students must overcome the hardships they experienced in life before passing on. After finding himself in this limbo, Yuzuru is recruited into the Afterlife Battlefront, a rebel group fighting against an unseen god as payback for the members’ unfair circumstances in life. As Yuzuru navigates this new world, he regains more of his memories, and ultimately, discovers the afterlife’s true purpose.

Photo: Netflix

10. Violet Evergarden (Series)

Filled with heartbreaking moments, this anime follows the young ex-soldier Violet Evergarden, who is now navigating the post-Great War world. Assigned to a writers’ agency, Violet writes letters to connect people, while suffering from the pains of her own past. Stream Violet Evergarden on Netflix.

11. Orange (Series)

What if you can prevent the things that you will be regretting later in life? This is the premise of Orange, which follows the sophomore student Naho. One day, she receives a letter from herself ten years into the future, telling her of the mistakes and regrets she will be having in the future, including losing a person that she has yet to meet.

12. Elfen Lied (Series)

This sci-fi fantasy series touches on dark and serious themes such as discrimination, abuse, revenge, and jealousy just to name a few. It centers on the mutated species of Diclonius, who have a humanlike appearance but are dangerous killers. It follows the Diclonii Lucy who escapes from an experiment facility and wreaks havoc on the area. After getting injured, Lucy develops a second, childish personality called Nyu.

Photo: Amazon Prime Video

13. Steins; Gate (Series)

Steins; Gate explores the consequences of time travel. It tells the story of Rintaro Okabe who develops a time travel machine using a microwave oven. When the research organization SERN learns about this, they send men to retrieve the technology, killing Rintaro’s friend, Mayuri, in the process. Rintaro then tries to undo everything through his time machine, but saving her would also entail grave consequences. Stream Steins; Gate on Netflix.

Photo: Amazon Prime Video

14. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (Series)

This anime bares the horrors of a natural disaster, specifically an earthquake that leaves cities in ruins in its wake. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 follows the two young siblings, Mirai and Yuki, who were visiting a robot exhibition in Odaiba when a massive earthquake happens in Tokyo. Alongside the motorcycle courier Mari who is trying to get home to her own daughter, the two kids journey to the partly-ruined city to be reunited with their parents.

15. Wolf Children (Film)

Wolf Children tells the story of Hana who falls in love with an enigmatic man that could turn into a wolf. After bearing his two wolf-human children, tragedy struck leaving Hana widowed. The movie then follows Hana’s hardships as she raises the two children on her own, children who want to experience many things in the world but are hindered by their feral callings.

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June 22, 2022
WATCH: ‘Stranger Things 4’ Vol. 2 Drops Trailer Teasing a Big Battle with Vecna

We’re a few days away from seeing the end of Stranger Things season 4, with its second volume slated for release next month.

To keep the excitement among fans, Netflix has dropped the trailer for Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, which teases a war from all corners, as the divided members of the gang face the monsters spawned by the Upside Down– from the demodogs in Russia to Vecna and his deadly curse.

Watch the trailer below:

In the first volume of season 4, we were introduced to the humanlike monster Vecna, who curses students at Hawkins who suffer from their traumatic pasts. When Max becomes the next target, the gang at Hawkins scrambles to save her. Meanwhile, Mike, Will, and Jonathan are trying to find Eleven, who is trying to reclaim her powers by revisiting her painful memories at the Rainbow Room. Joyce and Murray are reunited with Hopper in Russia, where they discover demodogs that are being held in captivity. Volume 1 ended with the big revelation of who Vecna really is.

The question is, will our heroes prevail against this terrifying monster? Who will fall and who will survive? Find out when the new episodes drop this July 1.

Netflix’s Stranger Things is created by the Duffer Brothers. Its lineup of stars includes Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Maya Hawke, and Charles Heaton. Also added to the cast this season were Jamie Campbell Bower, Joseph Quinn, and Eduardo Franco.

You can stream the earlier seasons of Stranger Things only on Netflix.

ALSO READ
‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 Interviews: Darker Journeys, New Faces, and Vecna of The Upside Down

June 22, 2022
WATCH: Stranger Things 4 Volume 2 Sneak Peek Trailer Dives Deeper Into The Upside Down

After the epic episode that concluded Volume 1 of Stranger Things season 4, we cannot wait to see how the battle between Vecna and the gang will all play out.

To further excite fans, Netflix has dropped a sneak peek teaser trailer for the second volume of this season, giving us fleeting glimpses of the dangers the group has to face towards the conclusion of season 4. Watch it below:

Stranger Thing season 4 finds the gang divided, with the Byers and Eleven moving to California after the most recent events in Hawkins that took the life of Billy and Hopper (or so they thought). Mike and Dustin join a DND club, Lucas becomes friends with the jocks, while Max continues to keep to herself. But as they face new problems growing up, a new threat from the Upside Down emerges– the humanlike creature Vecna.

After unmasking Vecna in the last episode of Volume 1, we can only brace ourselves for the big face-off between him and Eleven. Stranger Things 4, Volume 2 will start streaming on Netflix this July 1.

ALSO READ
‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 Interviews: Darker Journeys, New Faces, and Vecna of The Upside Down

June 10, 2022
15 LGBTQ Movies and Shows to Binge On This Pride Month

The joyful celebrations in the streets filled with rainbow flags, balloons, and people in all sorts of colorful outfits mark the much-awaited month for the LGBTQ+ community– Pride Month. To further celebrate Pride this month even when we’re comfortable on our couches at home, we could catch movies and shows that are diverse, inclusive, and touch on the issues that are relevant and relatable to the queer community. Below are such titles to consider watching this Pride Month!

LGBTQ Movies

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer star in this Academy Award-winning film by Luca Guadagnino. Set in 1983, it tells the story of 17-year-old Elio (Chalamet) and doctoral student Oliver (Hammer). When Oliver interns for Elio’s father, the two young men discover an awakening within them that sparks romance upon their encounters. Stream it on Netflix.

Moonlight (2016)

The coming-of-age drama film Moonlight follows the young African-American man Chiron in his journey from childhood to manhood. Chiron transforms from a young boy neglected by his mother, to a teenager discovering his identity and sexuality, into a young man who must face his past relationships. The film stars Ashton Sanders and Mahershala Ali.

Pain and Glory (2019)

In Pain and Glory, Antonio Banderas plays an aging, gay film director who has been reflecting on his life since his body and mind began to decline alongside his plummeting career. In this state, the director recalls the tender moments of his past, remembering his loving mother, the love and loss he experienced along the way, and his journey in art and cinema– and how these all tie in to his gay identity.

Carol (2015)

Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett star in Todd Haynes’ Carol. In 1952, aspiring photographer Therese Belivet (Mara) gets captivated by the beautiful Carol Aird (Blanchett) who is searching for a doll for her daughter. When both their respective relationships begin to crumble, unexpected romance buds between the two.

A Fantastic Woman (2017)

In Fantastic Woman, transgender woman Marina who works as a waitress and a singer is forced to face the harsh judgments and intense scrutiny of the people around her as she mourns for the death of her boyfriend. Starring Daniela Vega as Marina, the film bagged the Best Foreign Language Film award at the Oscars back in 2018.

Love, Simon (2018)

Seventeen-year-old Simon Spier has not yet told his family and friends that he’s gay and a mysterious blackmailer threatens to out him to his entire school. To make things more complicated, he has fallen in love with an anonymous classmate he got to talk to online and is trying to uncover that person’s identity. Love, Simon stars Nick Robinson as Simon, with the direction of Greg Berlanti.

The Half of It (2020)

Alice Wu’s comedy coming-of-age romance film revolves around the shy, Chinese-American teen Ellie Chu. After football jock Paul makes her write a love letter for Aster, the girl he likes, Ellie soon finds herself in a very complicated position. While helping Paul become his best self as he tries to court Aster, Ellie has secretly fallen in love with Aster herself. Stream it on Netflix.

The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

Last year, Netflix released this binge-worthy horror trilogy based on R.L. Stine’s bestselling book series. It revolves around the mysterious massacres that kept happening in the town of Shadyside. When Deena finds out that her former lover Sam, becomes involved in these killings, she tries to uncover the truth behind the crimes only to discover that a sinister force is tying all these tragedies across different generations. Stream it on Netflix.

LGBTQ Shows

Heartstopper

Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels of the same name, this TV series which Oseman also created revolves around the romance between the young men Charlie and Nick. Attending a British all-boys school, the openly-gay Charlie is seated beside the school’s rugby star Nick, which starts a friendship turned romance between them. Stream it on Netflix.

Queer Eye

Queer Eye is a reality show filled with positive vibes from its Fab Five– fashion expert Tan France, grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness, food and wine expert Antoni Porowski, culture expert Karamo Brown, and design expert Bobby Berk. Together, the Fab Five changes the lives of people from different walks of life, giving them a full life makeover! Stream it on Netflix.

RuPaul’s Drag Race

This reality competition centers on RuPaul’s search for the next drag superstar. The chosen participants will have to compete in different mini and maxi challenges where they must exhibit their skills in different areas of drag performance until one drag queen remains! Stream it on Netflix.

Euphoria

Euphoria is the hit HBO drama that won Zendaya an Emmy for Best Actress. Zendaya plays Rue Bennett, a drug addict fresh out of rehab who has no plans of staying clean. The show follows Rue and the other teens around her as they navigate life, explore their sexualities, and face the challenges in their substance-strewn lives. Stream it on HBO GO.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

The reboot of the 80s cartoon is widely recognized and appreciated by the LGBTQ+ community for its queer representation. The animated series centers around Adora, an orphan who was raised as a soldier for the tyrant Hordak. One fateful day, Adora finds a magic sword that transforms her into the Princess of Power She-Ra. Realizing how evil Hordak is, Adora joins the rebellion against him. Meanwhile, Adora’s close friend Catra felt betrayed when she left Hordak’s army, leading Catra to pursue the path of evil. Stream it on Netflix.

Sex Education

This popular series explores different topics about sex and sexuality through its rich roster of characters. The series starts off with the socially-awkward student, Otis, teaming up with the whip-smart Maeve to set up a secret sex therapy clinic. Soon, they find themselves creating a movement to produce a sex-positive environment in their school. Stream it on Netflix.

Elite

This Spanish YA series is also full of LGBTQ relationships viewers would love to see develop on the backdrop of its soapy drama and murder mystery. It begins with three working class students getting a scholarship at a school for the elites. On top of their struggles to fit in, things become more complicated when one of the students in their school turn up dead. Stream it on Netflix.

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June 8, 2022