Tag: Streaming

Feel the Love This Holiday Season with These Heartwarming Christmas Romcoms on Lionsgate Play

The holidays are here! Twinkling lights line the streets, carols bring cheer to every corner, and the warmth of love fills the air. Whether you’re coupled up or embracing the single life, there’s no better way to enjoy the festive season than with a lineup of romantic Christmas comedies.

Lionsgate Play brings the magic of holiday romcoms straight to your screen. Here are five charming picks that will warm your heart and add a little kilig to your Christmas celebrations.

Here are four Christmas romcoms on Lionsgate Play that will fill your heart with all the kilig this holiday season.

1. Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas

Looking for a musical twist to your holiday romcom? Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas has you covered.

On her first Christmas without her father, Zoey (Jane Levy) wants to make sure her family’s holidays are extra special. However, she soon learns that it’s a more challenging task than she thought — even with the help of friends and her boyfriend Max (Skylar Astin). Add to that her unique ability to hear people’s innermost thoughts through song, and you’ve got a recipe for a fun and heartfelt holiday watch. Can Zoey create a Christmas worth singing about?

2. Bridget Jones’s Diary

No holiday romcom list is complete without this timeless classic.

Follow the lovable but clumsy Bridget (Renee Zellweger) as she navigates work, love, and the holiday season in this beloved classic. With her mother constantly pressuring her to find a man, Bridget is torn between the charming but irresponsible Daniel (Hugh Grant) and the uptight but endearing Mark (Colin Firth).  Set in the backdrop of Christmas and New Year’s, this iconic rom-com will have you laughing and swooning at the same time.

3. Christmas Made to Order

What happens when the pursuit of a picture-perfect Christmas leads to unexpected romance?

When architect Steven (Jonathan Bennett) is tasked with creating a perfect Christmas for his client, he enlists the help of Gretchen (Alexa PenaVega), an expert in holiday decorations. As they spend more time together, Steven realizes that maybe the perfect Christmas isn’t about perfection after all. This heartwarming movie will make you believe in the magic of the season and finding love in unexpected places.

4. My Christmas Inn

Dreaming of a snowy, small-town Christmas? My Christmas Inn delivers just that.

Jen Taylor (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) has left her busy city life to take care of her aunt’s quaint inn in Alaska. As she adjusts to small-town life and helps with the holiday celebrations, she also finds herself falling for a local man (Rob Mayes). But when her job calls her back to the city, Jen must decide between her career and love. How will this Christmas love story unfold?

5. Christmas Magic

Looking for a story with a touch of fantasy? Christmas Magic will tug at your heartstrings.

After a devastating car accident, successful event planner Carrie (Lindy Booth) wakes up in Central Park, she meets Henry, her spirit guide, who assigns her a final task before passing on: helping widowed restaurateur Scott Walker (Paul McGillion) save his failing business. Using her expertise, Carrie transforms the struggling eatery while forging a connection with Scott and his young daughter. But with a ticking clock and Christmas Eve as her deadline, Carrie must juggle growing emotions, her mission, and the chance to earn her wings.

Cozy Up for a Romantic Holiday Movie Night

No plans for date night or a holiday hangout? Grab your favorite blanket, brew a warm cup of cocoa, and let the magic of Christmas unfold with these delightful romcoms.

Stream these heartwarming holiday films now on Lionsgate Play via PLDT Home and Smart. Whether you’re after laughter, love, or a touch of Christmas spirit, these movies are sure to brighten your holiday season.

December 13, 2024
Step Into the Spellbinding World of Kang Full’s ‘Lightshop Keeper,’ Now Streaming on Disney+

Kang Full, the creative genius behind the hit K-Drama Moving, returns with another mesmerizing tale Lightshop Keeper. This Disney+ original series invites viewers into a mysterious world where six strangers converge at a light shop hidden at the end of a shadowy alley. As the boundaries between the living and the dead blur, secrets unravel in a genre-bending story filled with suspense, heart, and Kang Full’s signature touch.

Starring South Korean superstars Ju Jihoon and Park Boyoung, this highly anticipated series is set to captivate fans with its rich storytelling and unforgettable characters.

From Webtoon Visionary to Global Icon

Kang Full’s journey began long before the world discovered his exceptional talent. A pioneer in webtoons, he first made waves in 2002 by self-publishing his works online, redefining how stories were told in the digital age. With his unique blend of supernatural intrigue and deeply human themes, Kang Full’s creations quickly found a loyal fanbase.

In 2023, he achieved international acclaim with Moving, a Disney+ series that became a cultural phenomenon and solidified his reputation as one of the greatest storytellers in K-Drama history.

The Magic of Kang Full’s Storytelling

What sets Kang Full apart is his ability to weave intricate plots with relatable, multidimensional characters. Whether it’s the extraordinary individuals of Moving, the eerie inhabitants of Apartment, or the time-warping heroes of Timing, his narratives transcend genres to explore profound themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption.

At their core, Kang Full’s stories are about humanity—our fears, hopes, and the connections that bind us together. Even in fantastical settings, his characters grapple with universal struggles, making his tales resonate across cultures and audiences.

A New Adventure: Lightshop Keeper

In Lightshop Keeper, Kang Full once again showcases his unparalleled storytelling prowess. This gripping 8-episode series delves into the lives of six strangers who stumble upon a mystical light shop. As they confront their deepest struggles, they find themselves in a world suspended between life and death.

The series stars Ju Jihoon as a man caught in the throes of his own miseries and Park Boyoung as a woman whose life seems worlds apart but is destined to intertwine with his. Together, their journey uncovers the mysteries of the light shop and the truths that could set them free.

Why Lightshop Keeper Should Be Your Next Binge-Watch

With its compelling narrative, stellar cast, and Kang Full’s unmatched ability to blend fantasy and emotion, Lightshop Keeper promises an unforgettable viewing experience. Fans of Moving and new audiences alike will be drawn into this spellbinding world where every twist and turn reveals something deeply human.

Ready to embark on a journey that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural? Don’t miss Kang Full’s latest masterpiece, Lightshop Keeper, now streaming exclusively on Disney+. Let the light guide you to a world of mystery, magic, and redemption. Watch Lightshop Keeper now!

December 6, 2024
Streaming Review (Disney+) — The Expertly-Made First Four Episodes of ‘Lightshop Keeper’ is Setting Up Some Big Thrills

Disney+’s new K-drama, ‘Lightshop Keeper’ boasts an exciting creative team behind it: the webtoon artist-turned-screenwriter Kang Full, who gave us the Disney+ hit ‘Moving’, and Kim Hee Won, a reliable and excellent actor who is making his directorial debut with this show. ‘Lightshop Keeper’ is a psychological horror that makes full use of its unusual release schedule. The first four episodes drop at once with the last four episodes being released, two episodes every week. It’s a timing that fits the show’s big concept and immersive storytelling. The first four episodes actually plays out like one big pilot and the audience needs to be patient because each episode feels separate from each other until the explosive revelation at the ending of episode four that connects everything together so elegantly.

Each episode centers around one or two characters (with other characters having a minor appearance) as they navigate through their daily lives as supernatural forces seem to hover around them in a near-empty suburb at the outskirts of Seoul. Connecting each story are the supernatural creatures that are haunting each character and a light shop that is open all through the night that somehow manages to draw everyone in. The light shop keeper, played by Ju Ji-hoon (of ‘Kingdom’ and ‘Hyena’ and ‘Jirisan’), who calls the spirits “strangers.”

Interestingly enough, Park Bo Young (‘Strong Girl Bong-soon’) is also always a constant but she’s perennially in the intensive care unit of a hospital but she too is aware of the strangers. For the other characters, there’s a group of students that revolve around Hyun-joo (Shin Eun-soo) who is constantly running into the strangers and is also a regular visitor of the light shop, buying bulbs for her mother (Lee Jung-eun of ‘Parasite’). There’s a man (Uhm Tae Goo of ‘Concrete Utopia’ and ‘Night in Paradise’) who comes home late at night on the last bus and sees a woman (Kim Seol-hyun of ‘Summer Strike’ and idol group AOA) sitting at the bus stop bench every night he heads home. When he finally gets curious enough to ask her, things start to get really frightening. Kim Min-ha of ‘Pachinko’ plays a screenwriter who takes a lease in a house surrounded by unoccupied homes so that she can write in peace but there’s a door in her home that is locked, and a frightening presence is lurking just around her. At night, her peace is ruined by a student played by Kim Ki-hae, who must walk the dark alleys on his way home and he sings to himself to keep from getting scared.

Each one takes center stage in each of the four episodes, except for Park Bo Young and Ju Ji-Hoon, who are a constant in the show. It features each character’s lives as they are hounded by these strangers. What the strangers want seems different for each particular stranger, but the show and Kim Hee Won’s competent direction makes each episode visually stunning and full of suspense and tension.

The show’s slow burn approach, creating the world and developing each character can be quite challenging for some viewers who want things to be explained quickly but the show is confident enough that these frightening scenes and sets up are enough of a treat until it’s ready to unravel for us. Everything makes sense by the end of the fourth episode and while Park Bo Young’s character and her relationship to all these characters become clear, Ju Ji-Hoon’s light shop keeper and his knowledge of the strangers and his own mysterious past is still kept mysterious and in the dark.

It’s a pretty dark story to tell just a few weeks before Christmas but it plays off a nice contrast to any of the more holiday-friendly choices that might be sent our way. It’s very well-made horror and with Kang Full’s exploration of the superhero genre in ‘Moving,’ there’s definitely going to be sound profound explorations on mortality and death that’s bound to happen in this show. With the foundations that have been carefully and meticulously laid out in the first four episodes, I’m sure that the last four are going to be as explosive and as enjoyable.

My Rating:

Light Shop Keeper is now streaming on Disney+! Click here to watch it now.

December 6, 2024
Viu Philippines December 2024 Content Highlights

As the year draws to a close, Viu Philippines is gearing up to deliver a spectacular lineup of content to end 2024 on a high note. From highly anticipated Korean dramas to binge-worthy variety shows and exclusive series, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this December. Whether you’re looking to cozy up with heartwarming romances, immerse yourself in thrilling mysteries, or catch up on the latest Asian entertainment, Viu has you covered for a holiday season filled with unforgettable stories.

Viu Original

Family By Choice | For binge-watching

Though not bound by blood, three friends, who shared their teenage years together like family, reunite after a decade. Emotions surge as they reminisce about their first love, which they had cherished but never openly acknowledged.

How to Spot a Red Flag | New episodes every Monday and Tuesday

In a world of fakery and pretension, can true love prevail between a mysterious second-hand bag seller and a true crime geek, especially when the girl’s charming first love reappears?

Viu Original How to Spot a Red Flag revolves around Cha Fontanilla’s (played by Belle Mariano) catfishing experience. After discovering that Matt Flores (played by Donny Pangilinan), an online friend she met in a forum, isn’t who he says he is, she finds out that the young man is real, but he isn’t the one chatting with her. The real Matt investigates the matter and discovers that his close friend, JR Valdez (played by Jameson Blake), stole his identity and has been chatting with Cha. But instead of exposing his friend, Matt agrees to pursue Cha to help JR set up a date with her. At the same time, Cha also ends up having feelings for Matt.

Brewing Love | | New episodes every Monday and Tuesday

Tiki-taka romance between a tough and outspoken woman who used to be in special forces but now working at a liquor company and a delicate and meticulous brewmaster man, while they start their journey to create brand-new beer

Korean Drama

The Tale of Lady Ok | To premiere November 30

Ok T ae Young, a female slave in the Joseon Dynasty becomes a legal expert while concealing her true identity as a slave. Despite her struggles, she is dedicated to helping others. Her life takes a turn when she meets Cheon Seung Hwi, a traveling storyteller who falls in love with her at first sight.

Korean Variety

Handsome Guys | To premiere December 2

The Handsome Guys bring a never-before-seen combination of personalities, showcasing a unique chemistry. Expect genuine laughs with Handsome Guys on Sunday. First episode guest on Handsome Guys is Jin from BTS. More information to follow.

Rented in Finland | To premiere December 7

What unfolds when four of Korea’s biggest stars swap their city lights for the raw wilds of Lapland, where even electricity and running water are a luxury? Brace yourself for a hilarious journey as the City Boys experience the self-sufficient lifestyle of local residents.

Universe League
Watch Universe League

Universe League begins as 42 players compete for their dreams! With the players divided into TEAM BEAT , TEAM GROOVE, and TEAM RHYTHM, the battle for the Prism Cup and their debut takes place. The directors of each group, none other than Lee Chang Sub, YUGYEOM, EL CAPITXN, TEN, and YANGYANG, help the players hone their skills and develop teamwork. Which players will win the league and become idols?

Chinese Drama

Smile Code
Watch: https://www.viu.com/ott/ph/en/vod/2523242/Smile-Code

Stand-up comedian Gu Yi juggles her life as an office worker by day and a performer by night. She has no grand ambitions other than making her every audience laugh. One evening, however, she notices a man sitting in the front row who refuses to crack a smile, no matter how funny her jokes or how engaging her interactions. Outside the show, he is equally unresponsive to her charms, which leaves her feeling unusually defeated. Liang Dai Wen has been trying every trick to make himself laugh — keeping a journal, reading novels, watching girl group performances, even snagging tickets to stand-up shows. Yet, suffering from alexithymia, he struggles to feel and express typical emotions. No matter what happens, he simply could not produce “reactions. ” And so, a woman determined to bring humor to the world and a man who can’t laugh, thus begins their unexpected love story.

Asian Drama

Pluto | First GL series on Viu Philippines, starring Namtan and Film
Watch: https://www.viu.com/ott/ph/en/vod/2445229/Pluto

Ai-Oon has to break up with May, the girlfriend of her younger twin sister– Ob Oom to fulfill the last wish she asked for before getting into an accident on her own wedding day and falling into a coma. However, when Ai-Oon meets May, there are 3 things that surprise her. The first thing is that May is a girl, the second thing is that she is blind, and the last thing is that Ai-Oon’s heart races when May kisses her.

Tagalog Dubbed

Flight to You | December 2

Cheng Xiao, the only female captain of air cargo at Luzhou Airlines, was transferred to another department due to the company’s restructuring. Unexpectedly, she faced harsh criticism from Gu Nanting, the strict manager of the flight department, who believed she was unfit to be an outstanding captain.

Midnight Romance in Hagwon | December 3

Daechi-dong is known as the top educational hub in the country. Hye Jin started as a part-time tutor during her college years. As usual, she was working late into the night preparing for her class when she was suddenly visited by her former student, Jun Ho. Jun Ho had resigned from a major corporation and returned to Dachi Chase as an instructor, where Hye Jin also teaches. A midnight romance begins as Jun Ho reenters Hye Jin’s life.

Under the Gun | December 5

When Ko Gun, the son of Korea’s renowned Hold’em expert Ko Jun Ha, saw his family on the brink of financial ruin, he embarked on a mission to restore their reputation. Along the way, he crossed paths with Se Young, a charismatic young woman from a wealthy background. Despite their differing ambitions and origins, a passionate romance ignited between them.

The Player 2: Master of Swindlers | December 7

The Masters of Swindlers are back in the game. A group of experts in deception from all walks of life—scammers, hackers, fighters, and drivers—have joined forces to punish villains and seek justice in their own unique way. Ha Ri, the mastermind and leader of the group, devises the plans for their operations, while Byung Min, the hacker, manipulates computer networks with his “Mighty Hands.” Jin Woong, the fighter, possesses extraordinary combat skills that enable him to take on a hundred opponents, and Je Yi, the newest member, joins the team as a fearless driver. This time, a mysterious woman invites Ha Ri into a war of swindlers. Will she become their ally or their enemy? The ultimate team of players is back for an even bigger game this year, setting the stage for an exciting team-play scam!

This December, Viu Philippines proves once again why it’s a go-to platform for Asian entertainment lovers. With its diverse lineup of dramas, variety shows, and exclusives, there’s no better way to make the most of the holiday season. So, grab your popcorn, gather your loved ones, and let Viu transport you to a world of excitement, laughter, and inspiration to close out 2024 with a bang.

December 5, 2024
Streaming Review (Disney+) — Unglamorous Gangnam: First 2 Episodes of ‘Gangnam B-Side’

Wanting to show “the shadow of Gangnam,” director Park Noo-ri takes a gritty and brutal approach to showing the popular party district of South Korea in her new Disney+ series ‘Gangnam B-Side.’ The show is an 8-episode mini-series with 2 episodes released every week for 4 weeks. It’s a crime drama that is centered on a woman, Jae-Hee (Kim Hyeong-Seo), who is on the run from the dark underbelly of Gangnam for what she knows about a series of disappearances in the area. On the case is Kang Dong-woo (Jo Woo Jin), a detective who has no friends in the police force after he exposed corrupt police officers a few years prior but has a personal connection to Jae-Hee, as she happens to be friends with his troubled daughter. Adding more chaos to the mix, Jae-Hee’s pimp, Gil-ho (Ji Chan Wook) is trying to protect her by coming after the man who has ordered for her to be found. Rounding up the players is a new young prosecutor (Ha Younkyoung), who appears to be swayed by the politics of corruption in the justice system and Noh Joon-Seo (Jung Ga-Ram), a drug-addicted idol who is connected with the underworld and is after Jae-Hee.

In the first two episodes, Park Noo-ri takes her time to establish the harsh world of secret clubs, heavy drug use, and prostitution. She takes time to deglamorize the party scene of South Korea and is adept at giving us the decadence and brutality of this world. As the show is made and exhibited in Disney+, it’s not afraid to get very violent and very risque, with very overt displays of drug use and heavy implications of sex.

In fact, the more familiar members of the cast – Ji Chan Wook, Ha Younkyoung, and Jung Ga-Ram – take radical transformations to play outside of their type. Ji Chan Wook is menacing as the outlandish street enforcer, Gil-ho. He smokes, he wears fur coats and makes use of his physicality to do some hard-hitting action scenes as he ruthlessly beats up anybody who gets in his way. The usually bubbly and cheerful Ha Younkyoung is the guarded prosecutor with a stern and no non-sense aura. Jung Ga-Ram, on the other hand, is menacing as an idol who may or may not be sober in most of his character’s scenes. This alone brings a lot of excitement to the show as we are watching some of K-Dramas most reliable performers do something outside their wheelhouse.

A lot of K-Dramas in this genre shows us the corruption amongst cops, so this is nothing new. From the way the first two episodes are presented, it seems that Detective Kang Dong-Woo is prepared to face off against the whole force to protect Jae-Hee and the first two episodes tease that maybe we’ll be seeing him teaming up with Gil-Ho in later episodes, which will be quite interesting to see. After all, they are both strong and competent yet opposites of each other in the law, though they both are men of integrity.

What Jae-Hee knows is yet to be revealed and no one knows she has it on record on her phone except for Noh Joon-Seo. This is a crucial plot point that will keep the show thrilling and suspenseful until next week. The loose cannon here is the prosecutor, Min Seo-Jin. She seems tough and a scene plays out where she’s asked to do as she’s told so she can rise in the ranks fast but she’s not afraid to demand that she insists on being properly compensated. The casting of Ha Younkyoung is perfect here because you expect her to be a good guy, and she might still be, but the fact that you aren’t sure yet by the end of the second episode adds to the thrill.

The first two episodes of ‘Gangnam B-Side’ shows off all the strengths of the series. It’s got a great cast, great action scenes, interesting characters, and a thrilling plot. If it maintains this, it’s going to be a fun 4 weeks.

My Rating:

Gangnam B-Side is now streaming on Disney+! Click here to watch it now.

November 11, 2024
The Duality of the Cast of ‘Gangnam B-Side’ Comes Through at their Press Conference

Last week, ClickTheCity was invited to attend the press conference of Disney+’s latest action-packed crime Kdrama ‘Gangnam B-Side.” In attendance was the main cast of the show: Jo Woo Jin, Ji Chan Wook, Ha Younkyoung, and Kim Hyung Seo, and director Park Noori. The show is a gritty, hard-hitting crime series that is set out show the other side of the glamorous Gangnam district, known for its cosmopolitan flavour and its club scene.

The show centers around Kim Hyung Seo’s character, Jenny. A woman on the run as she has something people are willing to kill for. Jo Woo Jin plays a police captain who is hated by the police force for giving up corrupt officers and is now searching for Jenny because of her connection to his daughter. Ji Chan Wook plays a street enforcer and pimp, who seeks to protect Jenny from those who are out to kill her. Ha Younkyoung plays the new prosecutor who finds herself caught in this intricate web and her own agenda is still quite unclear at the get go.

The show’s first two episodes is fast-paced and thrilling and it’s not afraid to show the darker side of South Korea’s fancy party district. The violence is brutal and the presentation of drug use and the implications for sex are heavily shown, which makes it tougher and braver than most Kdramas out there. Ji Chan Wook and Ha Younkyoung play characters so far removed from their usual roles.

In fact, the duality of the stars were in full display as they came up on stage when called for photos and showed their usual lively and bubbly selves but when the host would ask them to give an action pose or a fearsome pose, they’d quickly get into character. The person on screen in the show is so far removed from the persons present at the press conference.

Kim Hyung Seo was the most giddy and excited amongst the cast. She admitted that she was so busy shooting that she was thrilled that she was going to meet “new people.” When describing her character, Jenny, she could only say “a mystery” as she was scared of spoiling anything. “She seems fragile and unstable,” she says and then stops herself explaining that she had accidentally slipped and said a story point in a previous interview and so now she is being very careful. Everyone laughs and doesn’t press her for more.

The lead of the show, and the one who seems like the moral center, Ji Woo Jin plays Kang Dong-woo, who he describes “a character with fiery passion for justice” and “a real adult who you’d want to be on your side.” He shared that director Park Noori, who he has worked with before, asked him to portray the character with a very heavy presence and so he gained 18 kilograms to take on this role. “I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been,” he said, but he seems to have lost it all as he was praised by the host that he’s like a shapeshifter.

The most notable transformation for the show is that of Ji Chan Wook. Always the gorgeous leading man, Ji Chan Wook is now playing a gritty, frightening underworld enforcer. He smokes in the show – I wonder if his endorsements will be affected – and he wears outlandish costumes. Ji Chan Wook explains, “He is dressed to standout. He is styled to appear more dangerous.” When remarked that he looks so different and exudes an aura so contrasting to his usual cookie-cutter roles, Ji Chan Wook gives credit to the make-up team, the stylists, and the cinematographer. He explains that there’s always a wound or scar on my face to show how dangerous his world is and he can only do so much to be someone he’s not. “A lot of my transformation is due to the great work of my team,” which is such a refreshing approach for his answer.

To prepare for her role, Ha Younkyoung interviewed retired prosecutors and really studied their culture and what they go through all the time. She was praised for her eloquence and diction in the previews of the episodes and she said it was due to the way the character is written, “My character doesn’t speak much but when she does, it’s a lot of jargon and it’s long so I had to practice and make sure I got it right.”

Director Park Noori has made a name for herself for directing the financial crime film ‘Money’ and it is there she got to work with Jo Woo Jin, who she immediately tapped for the role of Kang Dong Woo. She cast Kim Hyung Seo after an audition and knew she had her Jenny after Kim read the first line. “I cast her after she read the first line and I went and rewrote the screenplay with her in mind.” In casting for the street enforcer Gil-ho, Park Noori also said that she and her mother are fans of Ji Chan Wook and she wanted to explore a different side of his personality by offering him the role. She is also quoted for saying that his action sequences are “near perfect.”

The fight scenes in the first two episodes of ‘Gangnam B-Side’ are really exciting and full of energy and Ji Chan Wook and Jo Woo Jin commit to the exercise fully, creating action scenes that are fast-paced and brutal. When asked how he approached these “near perfect” fight scenes, Ji Chan Wook states that he is “more interested in the story of the action sequence.” He asks why is the character fighting in the scene and what weapon is he using. He is focused on the story of the fight to help him execute it well. On the other hand, Kim Hyung Seo had to do a lot of running in high heels and they “shot for 10 hours” and when she got hime she saw that she lost a lot of weight and she was happy about that.

Despite all the funny interactions and the care the actors and director shared about the show, at the end of the day, ‘Gangnam B-Side’ is still a dark tale about the unseen underbelly of South Korea’s party capital. Park Noori wanted to show the “shadow of such a bright place.”

If the first two episodes are any indication and if the level of secrecy from some of the actors about the nature of their roles give us a hint, this 8-episode series is going to be something to watch out for.

November 9, 2024
TV shows & movies coming to Prime Video in November 2024

As November 2024 rolls in, Prime Video is set to delight audiences with an exciting lineup of TV shows and movies. From highly anticipated premieres to binge-worthy new seasons and film releases, there’s something for everyone this month. Whether you’re in the mood for thrilling adventures, heartwarming dramas, or laugh-out-loud comedies, Prime Video’s November offerings promise endless entertainment. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming to your screens!

Blind
November 5, 2024

Blind tells the story of Ryu Sung Joon (Ok Taec-Yeon), a detective known for his sharp instincts and dedication to solving difficult cases. However, his life changes drastically when he is faced with a series of murders that seem to be connected. In his quest to uncover the truth, Sung Joon finds that these cases are more complicated than he imagined, involving a huge conspiracy and a dark secret hidden behind them.

Citadel: Honey Bunny
November 7, 2024

Citadel: Honey Bunny has a riveting narrative that fuses the pulse-pounding elements of a gritty spy action thriller with the heartwarming allure of a love story, all set against the vibrant tapestry of the ‘90s. Honey Bunny is the Indian series within the Citadel Universe.

My Old Ass
November 7, 2024

In this fresh coming-of-age story, an 18th birthday mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott (Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). But when Elliott’s “old ass” starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t do, Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love, and what’s becoming a transformative summer.

Look Back
November 8, 2024

A theatrical adaptation of the manga published in Jump+ in 2021, Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the artist popularly known for Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, narrates the beautifully intertwined story of two young girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, connected by their earnest desire for manga and the unfortunate incident that upends their lives. Following their journey, their shared love for manga, and the shocking event that shatters everything between them.

Cada Minuto Cuenta S1
November 8, 2024

September 19, 1985. An 8.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Mexico City, causing one of the country’s greatest tragedies. In the first hours, a doctor and his nurses become unexpected heroes as they work tirelessly to rescue those trapped beneath the General Hospital, a journalist reports on the disaster as she traverses the city, and a family attempts to reunite amidst the rubble.

Cross
November 14, 2024

Starring Aldis Hodge, Cross is a crime thriller series that follows ALEX CROSS, a decorated D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist who faces a sadistic serial killer leaving a string of bodies strewn around the city. As Alex and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), track this killer, a mysterious threat from Cross’ past appears, aiming to destroy what he’s done to keep his grieving family, career, and life together. Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill also star; Ben Watkins serves as showrunner.

Cruel Intentions
November 21, 2024

In this new adaptation, Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, a Washington, D.C. -adjacent university, where reputation means everything, fraternities and sororities are the gold standard, and two ruthless step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont, will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Greek Life system, they’ll do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation – even if that means seducing Annie Grover, the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Hearts will be broken, loyalties will be tested, and secrets will be revealed in this modern-day royal court that is Manchester College.

Saving Grace
November 28, 2024

Saving Grace is the Philippine adaptation of the award-winning Japanese drama Mother which has also been successfully remade in China, France, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and Ukraine.

A teacher struggling to find her purpose in life impulsively kidnaps a young student who’s being abused and mistreated by her own mother. When this simple act of saving turns into a national manhunt, she does everything in her power to protect the child; as she realizes that the person who needs saving the most is herself.

Julia Montes, Janice de Belen, Sam Milby, Christian Babbles, Jennica Garcia, Ellise Joson, Eric Fructuoso and Sharon Cuneta topbill the series which also introduces Zia Grace.

Oshi No Ko
November 28, 2024

A live-action of the globally popular manga franchise comes to Prime Video worldwide.【OSHI NO KO】is one of the biggest manga series to be adapted as a drama series and a movie. The anime that aired in 2023 was lauded and appreciated, attracting attention for its accurate depiction and true to the original storyline, delicate and beautiful drawings, along with innovative and fresh live scenes.

With so many exciting shows and movies arriving on Prime Video this November, your watchlist is sure to grow longer. From captivating new series to blockbuster films, there’s a variety of content to enjoy throughout the month. Be sure to stay tuned to Prime Video for these can’t-miss releases, Don’t miss out—grab your popcorn and start streaming!

November 5, 2024
What’s New On Netflix This November 2024

Netflix has been continuously bringing us great content to stream on our favorite devices. Whether it’s a compelling drama with interesting characters, a thrilling title that keeps us at the edge of our seats, comedies that give us our much-needed dose of laughter, or just anything that keeps us entertained on the couch or on the go, we surely can count on the streaming service’s rich library of shows and movies.

If you’re the kind who needs to plot your binge-watching schedules for the month, worry not, because we’re giving you a rundown of the most awaited shows and films on Netflix Philippines this month. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on a cinematic journey with these must-watch titles arriving on Netflix this November 2024!

Your Top Pick This Month

Arcane: Season 2 (Series)
Launch Date
Batch 1: November 9
Batch 2: November 16
Batch 3: November 23

Alliances are forged, allegiances are smashed and fresh dangers emerge as the battle between Piltover and Zaun inspires both glory and heartbreak.

Tears & Triumphs

JOY (Film)
Launch Date: November 22

Based on a true story, this drama follows three pioneering British scientists in the ’60s and ’70s and their struggle to develop IVF — against all odds.

The Empress: Season 2 (Series)
Launch date: November 22

As dark clouds gather over the Austrian Empire, the need to produce an heir for the throne puts Franz and Elisabeth’s marriage to the test.

The Piano Lesson (Film)
Launch date: November 22

A brewing battle over the fate of an heirloom piano threatens to tear a family apart in this drama based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Senna (Series)
Launch date: November 29

Fascinated by cars since childhood, Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna became a sports legend — until tragedy struck, changing Formula 1 forever.

Kilig Corner

Mr. Plankton (Series)
Launch date: November 8

A man with little chance for happiness and his ex, the unhappiest bride-to-be, are forced to accompany one another on the final journey of his life.

Un/Happy For You (Film)
Launch date: November 14

When his ex suddenly shows up in town, a chef plots to get even with her for leaving him — but might just end up trying to win her back.

Marry YOU (Series)
Launch date: November 16

Sparks fly when a bachelor living on an island and looking for love meets a government employee who is opposed to the idea of marriage.

The Trunk (Series)
Launch date: Coming in November

A secret marriage service is uncovered when a trunk washes up on the shore, revealing the strange marriage between a couple in the thick of it all.

Holiday Watch

Meet Me Next Christmas (Film)
Launch date: November 6

On a quest to meet the man of her dreams, a hopeless romantic races across New Y ork City to find a ticket to a sold-out Pentatonix Christmas concert.

The Merry Gentlemen (Film)
Launch date: November 20

A big-city dancer stages an all-male, Christmas-themed revue to save her parents’ small-town bar — and meets a guy who might have all the right moves. Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine.

Our Little Secret (FIlm)
Launch date: November 27

After discovering their significant others are siblings, two resentful exes must spend Christmas under one roof — while hiding their romantic history.

More For Your Must-Watchlist

Barbie Mysteries: The Great Horse Chase (K&F Series)
Launch date: November 1

Barbie Mysteries: The Great Horse Chase (L-R) Abby Trott as Barbie “Malibu” Roberts and Diamond White as Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts in Barbie Mysteries: The Great Horse Chase. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024

Best friends Brooklyn and Malibu race across Europe to solve a mystery when a show horse is stolen while they’re on vacation in the English countryside.

Babylon (Film)
Launch date: November 4

A movie star, a striving ingenue and an aspiring producer chase fame, fortune and fleeting glory amid the glamorous debauchery of late-1920s Hollywood.

Love Village: Season 2 (Series)
Launch date: November 5

With over-the-hill vision, sleep-disrupting snoring and plenty of drama, mature singles move into a traditional house in Okinawa searching for true love.

Bank Under Siege (Series)
Launch date: November 8

Spain, 1981: When armed men hold up a bank and take hundreds hostage, a reporter races against the authorities to uncover the true motive for the heist.

Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley (Documentary)
Launch date: November 13

He had one chance to show the world he was still the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Discover the story behind Elvis Presley’s triumphant ’68 comeback special.

Beyond Goodbye (Series)
Launch date: November 14

After a tragic accident takes the love of her life, Saeko feels oddly drawn to a stranger — who, unbeknownst to both, received her late fiancé’s heart.

Cobra Kai: Season 6: Part 2 (Series)
Launch date: November 15

With the global tournament approaching, Daniel and Johnny work to rebuild their team. But old enemies and new threats stand in the way of victory.

Tokyo Override (Series)
Launch date: November 21

When a lonely hacker gets entangled with a group of underground couriers, they uncover the dark truth lurking beneath Tokyo’s seemingly perfect facade.

Spellbound (K&F Film)
Launch date: November 22

When a powerful spell turns her parents into giant monsters, a teenage princess must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it’s too late.

The Madness (Series)
Launch date: November 28

After a media pundit stumbles upon a dead body deep in the Poconos woods, he finds himself framed for the murder of a notorious white supremacist.

With this fantastic lineup of new movies and series, Netflix is sure to keep you entertained throughout November 2024. So, grab your popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and get ready to indulge in these binge-worthy titles. Happy streaming!

November 1, 2024
Streaming Review: ‘Outside’ is a Well-Crafted Domestic Drama Disguised as a Zombie Movie

From the opening scene of ‘Outside,’ writer/director Carlo Ledesma already lays the groundwork for his approach to the zombie genre. A beat-up van carrying four dirty, exhausted passengers pass through an empty highway flanked by sugarcane fields tells us everything that we need to know: the zombie apocalypse has already started, and this family is on the run. The film begins and they’ve already witnessed and experienced things. What exactly? While some of these events are spoken about much later on in the film, Ledesma expertly weaves in what the audience already knows about zombies to let our imagination do the work. It’s only from the cast’s performances that informs us how intense it all is. Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzales, Marco Masa, and Aiden Tyler Patdu play the family and as we see them arrive at an old hacienda, we know what they’ve been through must have been hell.

And from here, this is what makes ‘Outside’ so refreshing. Ledesma knows the audience have expectations and continues to subvert it at every turn. You are expecting a zombie hoard but instead, he hits you with a complex domestic drama turned thriller all set in the backdrop of a zombie movie. Because while there are zombies, they are not the scariest thing in the film. For the pillars of this family – Sid Lucero’s Francis and Beauty Gonzales’ Iris – are not in good terms and their children, Masa’s Joshua and Patdu’s Lucas, are bearing the brunt of it.

Set in a broken-down hacienda somewhere in Negros Occidental, Ledesma uses the beautiful architecture of the house amidst the grand expanse of the sugarcane fields surrounding the mansion as a battleground for a broken family. Francis and Iris’ marriage is falling apart, and it unfortunately happens during a zombie outbreak. Tensions are high and moving back into Francis’ ancestral home reignites horrible memories of his traumatic youth with an abusive father.

The film unfolds slowly, establishing the deep hurts that have been embedded in each character, for even the children are not spared from the backlash of all of this emotional turmoil. Francis is trying to keep his family together while Iris is just looking for a place to feel safe and as the constant presence of zombies continue to complicate the already-tense situation, every emotion is amplified and pushes the characters to their limit.

‘Outside’ goes beyond the zombie genre and manages to intersect and weave in various plots – the domestic drama, psychological horror, and zombie movie – into one narrative. For those expecting a high-paced thriller, you might be disappointed (though there is one exceptional action-packed sequence at the start of the second act that is exquisitely choreographed and executed) as the film is more interested in developing and building up its characters.

Sid Lucero and Beauty Gonzales are wonderful at holding this whole film together. The film centers around the two of them and their battle of wills. Lucero handles Francis’ breakdown with all the layers that it requires so that it never feels like a caricature or some easy psychotic episode. He works on every individual dimension of his character’s burden: protecting his family, dealing with his trauma, reconciling with his wife, losing control, redefining the home he never wanted to return to. Gonzales, on the other hand, is a woman struggling against her lack of options. How does she get away from her husband with her kids when he has the key to the van, a gun, and a strong desire to keep everyone together. I was surprised by how this film was able to communicate how trapped some women must feel inside a broken marriage. While the zombies have taken multiple metaphors over the course of half a century or more since their appearance in the medium of cinema, this was the first time I saw the zombies as a metaphor for all the external forces that keep women in a failing marriage.

While I feel that the film could use a simpler plot – there are scenes that are there where I feel they only serve to offer new choices for Francis and Iris – what I love about ‘Outside’ is that it never goes out of its way to scare you. It is so confident that the dramatic situation is already tension-filled and frightening that it doesn’t go overboard in the filmmaking to scare you. No inorganic jump scares or overbearing music or crazy camera angles. It’s just clean, beautiful filmmaking that’s focused on character development that’s pushing the story forward. The fact that the film is well-acted, and the elements are fit for horror is just icing on the cake.

My Rating:

Outside is now streaming on Netflix! Click here to watch it now.

October 20, 2024
REVIEW: Unrestrained Absurdity: A Review of ‘Kinds of Kindness’

The director of captivating absurdist films such as ‘The Lobster’ and ‘The Favourite’ and ‘Poor Things,’ Yorgos Lanthimos goes deeper into the absurdity with his latest film, the triptych ‘Kinds of Kindness,’ which opened to limited release worldwide before finding its way to Disney+. At 164 minutes, the anthology of three loosely related short films (connected mostly by theme) feature actors that the director has worked with in the past – Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn – as well as Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, and Mamoudou Athie all playing different characters in each of the three segments.

In the first segment, “The Death of RMF,” Plemons plays a man whose life is controlled down to its most tiniest details by Willem Defoe’s eccentric wealthy corporate overlord-type. The relationship between Plemons and Defoe is romantic, though Plemons’ character is married to Hong Chau and Defoe is living with a woman (Qualley). When Plemons is unable to carry out a task that he was instructed to do, he is cut off from Defoe and he finds himself lost and directionless until he meets Emma Stone’s character, who seems strangely familiar.

“RMF is Flying” is the second segment where Plemons plays a policeman who is distracted by the loss of his wife (Emma Stone) who is missing out at sea. But when she is found and returns home, Plemons begins to suspect that the woman who looks like his wife is not his wife. As the policeman tries to keep his distance, the wife will do anything to try and convince him that she’s really her. Things take a very bloody turn as the policeman makes unbelievable demands.

The final piece, “RMF Eats a Sandwich” centers around Emma Stone’s character who is working for a cult, led by Willem Dafoe and Hong Chau. Stone, along with Plemons, goes around the city searching for a messiah-like figure but secretly, she takes trips to visit her home to leave gifts for her daughter. When she is spotted by her daughter and her husband (Joe Alwyn), one thing leads to another and she finds herself breaking the tenets of the cult just as she is about to come face-to-face with the messiah (Margaret Qualley).

All three stories are told with the signature style of Lanthimos, with the cinematography and musical score that is set to distort your experience of the story by highlighting the weirdness of each scene. The dialogue is more reminiscent with Lanthimos’ older work like ‘The Lobster’ and ‘Killing of the Sacred Deer’ as the film reunites him with his co-writer Efthimis Filippou, who has a gift for creating extremely stilted, awkward dialogue as evidenced by the movies aforementioned. In ‘Kinds of Kindness,’ the literal, non-nonsensical word and phrase choices are apparent, but the actors are able to deliver it with more emotion than in ‘The Lobster’ or ‘Killing of a Sacred Deer.’ But with all these cinematic elements working in conjunction, the film is intellectually demanding as one has to really peel off the layers of artifice to get at the meat of the films.

Hong Chau and Jesse Plemons in KINDS OF KINDNESS. Photo by Atsushi Nishijima. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

It’s the leaning into the formalist aesthetic that Yorgos Lanthimos is really an expert at and it makes his films so enjoyable because they come off as really unexpected and irreverent, which makes them really, really funny. It’s a deadpan humor that forces you to just laugh because otherwise you’d feel bad about yourself because what these movies have in common – the interconnected theme that weaves in and out of the three films – is the dangerous determination of the human spirit. In all three films, the main characters – Plemons in the first two movies, Stone in the final one – all are driven to the point of being blinded to anything else like logic, morals, dignity, rationality. There’s a passionate need that drives these characters forward and they come bulldozing into every moment and creates more havoc and chaos that creates a cynical and jaded look into modern human nature.

Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley in KINDS OF KINDNESS. Photo by Atsushi Nishijima. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

Lanthimos creates a satire with ‘Kinds of Kindness,’ and he is making fun of all of us with our unyielding loyalty to the things we hold dear: religion, idols, conspiracy theories. What makes it all work is that he never takes it too seriously but his actors manage to make it all feel so real without every losing the tonality of the film being a satire set in the absurdist mode.

I’ve been told, ‘Kinds of Kindness’ is Lanthimos’ English work that feels closest to his Greek work and I’m glad for a taste of it (as his earlier Greek films are hard to come by over streaming). I love his other works, though, with Poor Things being one of my favorite cinematic experiences last year. While watching Kinds of Kindness on my iPad via Disney+ may not be ideal, the fact that it is less of a spectacle and more of an intellectual exercise makes it suitable for the medium.

My Rating:

KINDS OF KINDNESS is now streaming on Disney+. Watch it here and experience the absurd brilliance of Yorgos Lanthimos!

October 9, 2024