Category: TV

  • WATCH: ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ to Brighten Up the Season Through Disney+

    Just in time for the much-awaited launch of Disney+ here in the Philippines, Marvel Studios is set to release The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special this November 25. To excite fans of the MCU, Marvel has released the first trailer for the upcoming special presentation.

    Watch The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special below:

    As the trailer reveals, Peter Quill or Star-Lord had been sad ever since Gamora’s death, while it seems that the Gamora from the past who has traveled to the present time in Avengers: Endgame, did not join the Guardians of the Galaxy.

    To try and cheer up their captain, the naive Mantis and Drax decide to bring him a special present– Kevin Bacon who starred in Quill’s favorite film, Footloose. But of course, the two Guardians do not realize that they’re literally kidnapping the actor. Meanwhile, we also get to see a new look at Groot, who seems to have grown up some more since Thor: Love and Thunder, and the cute Cosmo who could very well be a new member of the GOTG family.

    James Gunn’s holiday special promises to be a fun and heartwarming presentation that naturally comes with the beloved MCU franchise. Filipino fans can finally watch Disney+ exclusives starting this November 17. Learn more about the new streaming platform here.

    Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

  • WATCH: ‘The Fabulous’ Trailer Fuses Fashion & Romance in a K-Drama

    The Fabulous, Netflix’s new K-drama that centers in the fashion industry, has dropped its official trailer! As the trailer teases, the new show will follow four best friends trying to chase their passions that put them alongside the fashion elite as they navigate their careers and relationships.

    Watch the trailer for The Fabulous below:

    In the series, four friends pursue their dreams in the fashion industry, and at the same time, romance buds between two of them– the handsome photographer Ji Woo-Min and Pyo Ji-Eun, who has always dreamt of working in the fashion industry but is always met with hardships in her job.

    The Fabulous stars Chae Soo-bin, Choi Min-ho, Lee Sang-woon, and Park Hee-jung. It is directed by Kim Jeong-hyeon from a script by Kim Ji-hee. The series will start on Netflix this November 4. Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

  • 8 Disney Films You Can Catch on Disney+ from November 17

    Disney+ is finally coming to the Philippines this December! Carrying a vast selection of films and shows from iconic brands such as Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Star, and of course, Disney, making your pick right away could be a struggle. But if you’re a big fan of the magic that Disney has given viewers across generations, then this list has you covered!

    Below are eight Disney movies that you might want to watch when Disney+ becomes available!

    1. Encanto 

    Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto tells the tale of the Madrigals, who live in a magical house in a town hidden in the mountains of Colombia. Magic has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when the magic that gives her family power is put in danger, it will be up to Mirabel to save it.

    2. Pinocchio (2022)

    Academy Award winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live-action and CGI retelling of Pinocchio. Follow the adventure of the wooden puppet Pinocchio who was brought to life and treated by his creator and the woodcarver Gepetto as his real son. This adventure takes Pinocchio on a journey to becoming a real boy.

    3. Disenchanted

    A sequel to Enchanted, Amy Adams returns as Giselle who has just moved her growing family with Robert to the sleepy suburban community of Monroeville. Longing for that happily ever after, Giselle accidentally turns the suburbia into a real-life fairy tale and must correct her mistake before it compromises her family’s future happiness.

    4. Hocus Pocus 2 

    Another Disney classic that recently got a sequel, Hocus Pocus 2 brings back the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters for more comedic mayhem. When someone lights up the Black Flame Candle once again in the present day, it’s up to three high school students to stop the witches from spreading more chaos.

    5. Raya and the Last Dragon 

    Raya and the Last Dragon takes viewers to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together in harmony long ago. But when an evil force threatened the land, dragons sacrificed themselves to save the humans. Five hundred years later, this evil returns and the lone warrior Raya embarks on a journey to find the fabled last dragon to save the day.

    6. Frozen II 

    The sequel to the hit Disney animated film follows Elsa, Anna, and the gang as they venture into the unknown to find answers about Elsa’s past. The perilous journey takes them to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle, to track down the mysterious force that calls out to Elsa.

    7. Aladdin (2019) 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foyufD52aog

    The live-action remake of the classic Aladdin revisits the story of the charming street rat Aladdin as he seeks a brighter future with the help of the Genie he finds hidden inside the magic lamp. His adventures will lead his to cross paths with the courageous Princess Jasmine, who is also determined to find her place in the world.

    8. Beauty and the Beast (2017) 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Nl_TCQXuw

    Another live-action and CGI remake of a beloved Disney film, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle who enters the mansion of the monstrous Beast after her father gets imprisoned inside. Soon, Belle discovers that the Beast has a heart, and she may be his only chance to return to his human form.


    Besides these Disney movies, fans in the Philippines can look forward to a variety of original feature-length films, live-action and animated series, short-form content and documentaries from Hollywood to Hallyu including our iconic brands Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star. 

    For more information, visit www.DisneyPlus.com 

    ALSO READ
    Disney+ Coming to the Philippines This November: What We Know So Far

  • Whimsical and campy, ‘The School for Good and Evil’ subverts fairy tale narratives and ask you to question deeper

    ‘The School for Good and Evil’ presents itself as a fairy tale, complete with a narrator (by no less than Cate Blanchett), magic and mystical creatures, and an adventure centered on true love and friendship. It even goes as far as creating a world where fairy tales are true and that the stories are crafted in a mystical land where students are taught how to be good or evil so that they can create new stories to inspire the world.

    While the film, directed by Paul Feig and co-written by Feig and David Magee (based on the book series of the same name by Soman Chainani), is filled to the brim with CGI-heavy moments of sword and sorcery and high fantasy, it also carries a tone that is whimsical, tongue-in-cheek even. It feels purposefully light-weight in its presentation, as if it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which may have been problematic if seen in the cinemas but watching it at home on Netflix gives it the right tonal atmosphere.

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    Photo: Netflix

    After all, there’s never really any sense of danger to the film. The two protagonists, the best friends Sophie and Agatha (Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie, respectively), live as outcasts in the village of Gavaldon. Touted as a witch, Agatha is almost attacked in an alleyway but is rescued by her best friend, who lives in a chaotic home with a stepmother who cares not for her and a father oblivious to her troubles. Reminiscent of other fairy tales like Cinderella for Sophie’s home environment or the fact that the two young girls like to frequent a bookshop that’s reminiscent of Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

    When Sophie makes a wish to be a student in the School for Good and Evil, she and Agatha end up there and find themselves in quite a quandary: Sophie, who wishes to be a princess, is left at the School for Evil while Agatha, who didn’t want to go in the first place, is placed in the School for Good. The depictions of good and evil are very one-dimensional. They have uglification classes for the school of evil and, in the school for good, they have classes for beauty, which involves smiling and how to use it as a weapon.

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    Photo: Netflix

    It is actually quite contrived if it weren’t for Agatha’s suspicion that something is amiss. Feig is not afraid to lay it all on thick, with big stars as the professors such as Charlize Theron as Lady Lesso, the dean of the School for Evil, and Kerry Washington as Professor Dovey, the dean of the School for Good. The two big stars, as well as Michelle Yeoh in a smaller role yet manages to pop in every scene she’s in, seem to understand the campy tone of the whole film. They are in on the joke and are having a lot of fun in the process and it amplifies the campy mood of ‘The School for Good and Evil’ but it also underscores Agatha’s complaints about the world.

    Because as light and as frivolous as ‘The School for Good and Evil’ can be, it manages to question the morality of this world, the one-dimensional look into the binary of good and bad. In the process, it manages to serve as a sort of criticism against performative acts of goodness and questions deeper into how things are. It subverts the ideas of fairy tales and opens up doors to understanding the gray areas.

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    Photo: Netflix

    While big stars like Theron, Washington, Yeoh, and Laurence Fishburne are having fun playing whimsical, it is Caruso and Wylie who are pushing the deeper thoughts of the story forward. Caruso is delightful as her portrayal of Sophie is one of utter belief in the ideology of the world of fairy tales while Wylie is the opposite, questioning everything and fighting against the facade of the things in front of her. Their chemistry grounds the film because it’s their friendship that is at the center of it all.

    Yes, it’s light and easy and doesn’t take itself seriously. But that is what makes it enjoyable. It’s like a refreshing antithesis to the Harry Potter series and the seriousness of its later releases. It’s perfect for younger audiences and it’s not something I wouldn’t mind seeing more of in the future.

    My Rating:

    5 stars - Don't Look Up review

    .

    —

    The School for Good and Evil is now streaming on Netflix.

    ALSO READ
    ‘The School for Good and Evil’: Q&A with Stars Sofia Wylie and Sophia Anne Caruso

  • K-Drama Series “Curtain Call” to Launch on Prime Video in the Philippines on October 31

    Prime Video Philippines announced today that it will launch the highly anticipated K-drama Curtain Call on October 31. Starring Kang Ha-neul, Ha Ji-won, Go Doo-shim, Sung Dong–il, Jung Jis-o, Noh Sang-hyun, and Kwon Sang-woo, the new tv series revolves around people involved in a scam of a man given the special mission of making a terminally ill grandmother’s wish come true and the man’s struggles to maintain his cover.

    Couple Poster Ha Jiwon Kang Haneul web EG

    Synopsis:
    To fulfill the last wish of a dying woman from North Korea, an actor is hired to deceive her, pretending to be a grandson that she barely knows but longs to meet. However, he struggles to maintain his cover as he starts to fall for a stunning woman who must not learn his secret.

    Ja Geumsoon, born in Hamgyeong province in the northern part of Korea in 1930, was separated from her husband and child while fleeing from the flames of war. She sets up ‘Nak-Won Inn’ in South Korea, hoping to meet her separated family again someday when the ceasefire line between the two Koreas disappears.

    After 15 years in South Korea, Geumsoon meets a man who understands her, and she starts a new family. ‘Nak Won Inn’ flourishes under her management as South Korea’s economy grows and it becomes the prestigious ‘Hotel Paradise’. Time passes and Geumsoon has 3 children in South Korea who could one day inherit the prospering hotel business. However, she learns that her son, who has left North Korea, also has a son. She hopes to meet this grandson before she dies.

    Character intros:

    Yoo Jaehun (Kang Ha-neul)
    – A person full of self-love and self-esteem, he has a positive and optimistic personality. Although he grew up as an orphan, he believes that doing what makes him happy is more important than money, which led him to become an actor. He hopes to star on TV to show other orphans that they too can become whoever they want, despite their background. But this is a big dream, and he has yet to even get past his small town’s local theater. He doesn’t let this get him down as he believes that the right opportunity will come to him eventually.

    In order to survive, he takes on a variety of part-time jobs. He immerses himself into each
    job with the idea that these experiences can help him in future acting roles. Believing that a true professional is one who tries their best, he naturally becomes a jack of all trades and impresses others with his professional-level skills in just about every field. So when he takes on the role of a North Korean at his local theater, he gets noticed by a man who offers him a once-in-a-lifetime role —to become an old woman’s North Korean grandson… in real life. He has no choice but to accept the offer, and as with any job he takes on, he becomes the perfect
    grandson. But a problem arises when he falls in love with the woman’s niece. As his head and his heart fight for control, will he be able to successfully see the end of this three-month play?

    Kang Ha neul Teaser1 8
    Kang Ha-neul

    Park Seyeon (Ha Ji-won) – Seyeon is Geumsoon’s youngest grandchild and general manager of Paradise Hotel. She losther parents as a child and believes that she is the only one in her family who can rightfully take over her grandmother’s hotel. While others from conglomerate families were attending prestigious foreign schools, she attended a local university and worked part time at Paradise Hotel, learning almost every aspect of the business.

    Unlike her peers, she grew up with, she can relate to people of different backgrounds. She uses public transportation for her everyday commute, but has no problem taking a quick weekend trip to New York to see her favorite broadway show. Seyeon believes she’s the only one of her siblings who can truly lead the hotel, unlike her eldest stepbrother who left Korea to attend an American university and her older stepbrother who couldn’t care less about the family business. And as the only biological granddaughter, Geumsoon dotes on her more than
    her brothers. Will she be able to fight back her feelings and join forces with her stepbrother to save the hotel? Or will she end up having to marry her ex-fiance in an effort to win against her eldest stepbrother?

    Bae Dongje (Kwon Sang-woo) – Heir of distribution chain conglomerate, Samwoo Group. Bae Dong Jae, born into a wealthy family, is described as very handsome with an aura of royalty. He has his own firm logic and
    conviction in his words, so he is a man of the kind who never listens to nonsense. His words and actions are always bold, although they are not very considerate of others’ feelings. However, Bae Dong Jae gets shaken by something he has lost in the past.

    Ja Geumsoon (Go Doo-shim) – Geumsoon married and had a child in her late teens. But while traveling to the South to avoid war, she was tragically separated from her family. She opens an inn with the hope of reuniting with her family. She named it “Paradise Inn” to provide a bit of paradise to those affected by the war and those with nowhere to go. This was the start of what is now one of Korea’s leading hotel chains. She meets a businessman staying as a guest at Paradise Inn who had fallen in love with her despite all she’s been through, eventually winning over her heart. Together they start a family with the birth of their son, and with her husband’s help, she buys land to convert her small inn into a hotel which soon becomes the best hotel in Korea.

    Life with her new family blooms with the success of her hotel and her son’s growing family, until she receives news that her previous husband had died but their baby had survived. After multiple delays of the reunion of families separated by the war, in 2000, she meets her grandson whom her son had had later in life. She can’t forget the moment and the feeling of his tiny hands in hers. But this would be the last time she sees them. Her husband and his family passes away in the ’80. The only family she has left are her grandchildren in the South. She has three months left to live, and her only wish is to meet her grandson one last time.

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    Ha Jiwon

    Jung Sangcheol (Sung Dong-il) – The former manager of Paradise Hotel and the right-hand man of the general manager. He has a noble, neat face, straight posture, and a soft voice, reminiscent of an English gentleman. But he has a past one could never imagine. Growing up an orphan, he had become a gangster in order to survive. Until one day, he puts his life on the line to save Geumsoon, who was being threatened with a knife. To repay him, Geumsoon takes care of him and nurses him back to health. As he recovers, she hires him to work for her at her hotel. It was then he decides that he would devote his life to her. He knows everything about Geumsoon more than her own family does. So when he learns of her past, he uses his connections to locate her grandson in the North. But when they discover his whereabouts, he’s no longer the young and innocent child he was during the
    reunion. After defecting from the North, he had become a smuggler and drug dealer in order to survive. Would a reunion between Geumsoon and her grandson really be the best for her? But when news of Geumsoon’s declining health arises, Sang-cheol suddenly gets an idea —what if he hires an actor to play her grandson? He has just the perfect person in mind…

    Seo Yoonhee (Jung Ji-so) – No-name actress who lives life to the fullest and member of the super-elite. An unknown theater actress but a super-elite who enjoys her life. As a fellow performer in a troupe with Yoo Jae-hun, she is loved by the director due to her fluidity in playing any role, along with her tremendous script memorization and unique agility.

    Ri Moonsung (Noh Sanghyun) – The real grandson of Geumsoon. He is a smuggler from North Korea and a gangster belonging to a Korean-Chinese drug organization. He turned against the organization and
    inflicted numerous casualties, then disappeared.

  • Disney+ Coming to the Philippines This November: What We Know So Far

    Disney+ is finally coming to the Philippines this November! Disney has officially announced that the streaming platform is coming to the Philippines this November 17. They have also revealed the subscription plans which start at P159 per month.

    Check out the pricing for Disney+ below:

    Disney Plus Pricing 1

    The Mobile Plan is for P159 monthly or P1,150 annually while the Premium Plan is available for P369 monthly or P2,950 annually. Depending on the plan, subscribers can enjoy their favorite titles on different devices, including smartphones and tablets (Android or iOS), smart TVs such as Samsung and LG, and connected TV devices including Google TV and other Android TV OS, Apple TV 4K and  Apple TV HD, and Chromecast.

    Disney+ is now home to numerous pre-existing titles from Disney, as well as original shows and movies exclusive to the platform. Aside from your Disney favorites, Disney+ also streams titles from other big franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar movies. They also have compelling documentaries from National Geographic and Korean titles for fans of K-dramas.

    Check out some of the titles you can enjoy on the platform soon:

    • Disney+ Originals and exclusives like Marvel Studios’ WandaVision, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,  Moon Knight and Loki; Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor; Hocus Pocus  2 and the upcoming Willow and Disenchanted 

    • Korean content such as Big Mouth, Snowdrop, BTS: PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA,  IN THE SOOP : Friendcation, Soundtrack #1 and Doctor Lawyer 

    • Blockbuster films from Marvel Studios including Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War,  Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Black Panther, Thor: Love and  Thunder, and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special 

    • All 12 Star Wars movies including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and  Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker  

    • Access to iconic Walt Disney Animation Studios’ movies including the Oscar-winning Encanto, the live action reimagining of Pinocchio, as well as animated classics including Aladdin, Beauty  and the Beast, Frozen, Mulan, Raya and the Last Dragon, The Lion King, Zootopia and more.

    • Heartwarming and powerful storytelling from Disney and Pixar, including Lightyear, Turning  Red, Soul, Luca, Coco, and more 

    • Documentaries and specials from National Geographic including Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted,  Limitless with Chris Hemsworth, Running Wild with Bear Grylls, and more 

    • A specially curated Star content selection including Emmy Award® winning series Grey’s  Anatomy, Dopesick, NCIS and reality TV hits The Kardashians and more 

    • Other movies from franchises including the X-Men, Predator, Night at the Museum, Home  Alone, and well-loved animated series like The Simpsons and Family Guy 

    • Premium live events and video-on-demand from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

    • The newest season of Emmy award-winning singing competition series, The Voice

    You can now pre-register for Disney+ here. For the latest updates, follow Disney+ Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • WATCH: Prime Video’s ‘Mammals’ Trailer Teases James Corden’s Dramedy Series

    Prime Video has just released the official teaser trailer for Mammals, a new series starring James Corden, Sally Hawkins, Melia Kreiling, and Colin Morgan. The clip teases a dark dramedy revolving around the show’s main characters.

    Check out the teaser trailer for Mammals below:

    This new show unwraps the lives of two pairs of couples who have their fair share of secrets and highlights the complexities of modern marriage. It follows the chef Jamie who has a shocking discovery about his pregnant wife, and seeks the help of his brother-in-law, Jeff, to search for answers. Along the way, Jamie will also discover the cracks in the relationship between his sister and Jeff.

    Directed by Stephanie Laing and written by Jez Butterworth, Mammals is set to premiere on Prime Video this November 11. Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

  • ‘The School for Good and Evil’: Q&A with Stars Sofia Wylie and Sophia Anne Caruso

    Get whisked away into a world of fairy tales when The School for Good and Evil drops on Netflix tomorrow!

    Based on the bestselling book series of the same name by Soman Chainani, The School for Good and Evil tells the story of the best friends Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie). While Sophie has always dreamt of becoming a princess, Agatha has always had the makings of a witch, but when the two are taken to the School for Good and Evil, they seem to have been sorted into the wrong schools: Agatha in the School for Good and Sophie in the School for Evil. As the duo tries to correct this mistake, a mysterious figure tied to Sophie surfaces, threatening to destroy the school and the world beyond entirely.

    Watch the trailer for The School for Good and Evil below:

    Before the film drops on Netflix this October 19, we got to chat with its lead stars Sofia Wylie who plays Agatha, and Sophia Anne Caruso who plays Sophie, through a virtual roundtable interview. Check out the highlights of the interview below:

    What life lessons from the film did you pick up when shooting?

    Sofia Wylie (SW): I think there are so many wonderful lessons in this movie. Something that I think I learned, was how beauty comes from within. Even though that’s so cheesy, it’s really so true. Growing up in this industry, I didn’t necessarily feel like I was the standard for beauty in a lot of my life, and I kind of struggled with accepting myself for what I am and what I look like, but as Agatha has this journey of self-love and self-discovery, I feel like I was also mirroring that journey while we were filming too.

    Sophia Anne Caruso (SC): I think that the film has a lot of lessons in it. It was a long shooting process, and it was a difficult shoot in all the best ways. But a big theme in the movie is friendship and how powerful that is, so to have an awesome co-star by my side who also became a friend really proved that message to be true!

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    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    What were your personal favorites when it comes to fairytales, and how did they resonate with you growing up?

    SW: I think my favorite fairytale had to be The Little Mermaid. I was such a big fan of mermaids growing up. I would pray to God every night to make me a mermaid and wake up in the morning and I would place my finger in my sink with some water, and I would wait for about 5 minutes. Did I ever turn into a mermaid? That’s a secret I can’t tell, but I just wish I could be something more than just human. That’s always been a big dream of mine, to be this out-of-this-world thing.

    SC: I always liked Alice in Wonderland growing up… I liked the idea of her, jumping down the rabbit hole and exploring a whole different world.

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    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    How was the casting process for the film?

    SW: My journey in booking the role of Agatha for this movie was long. I had a meeting with some of the producers of the film, I was really interested in being a part of it. I did, I think maybe two or three self-tapes? Before I got the call to have a chemistry test with Sophia Anne and Paul Feig.

    After that, I think I waited for… I don’t really know how long, I felt like an eternity. But then I finally got the call that I had booked the role of Agatha and we were still in quarantine during that time so we didn’t know when the filming process would actually begin, but it ended up beginning about a year after I found out that I was going to play Agatha. So it was a really long process because of that but once I started filming, it felt like no time had passed at all and I was really ready to go. I had a really wonderful co-star to work with every single day, so it was a really wonderful process.

    SC: My journey of getting this job started with meeting with Paul Feig. He and I were talking about the different work that we want to do, and I asked him if he had anything that we could work on together. He mentioned this project, then I made a tape for him then I tested with Sofia.

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    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    Director Paul Feig encouraged you to have your own input on your characters’ looks. What were the elements that you added to your character?

    SW: Renee [Ehrlich Kalfus], who was our wardrobe was so incredibly collaborative, as well as Paul Feig, he was really wonderful in allowing us to have a say in what we wanted to look like, how we wanted to act, what we wanted the environment to feel like and be– which was not something that I have ever experienced before, a very different environment to be a part of.

    I think for me, as Agatha, I was able to incorporate my dream princess desires into her princess transition regarding hairstyles, as well as not allowing her curly hair to become straight. I did not want that to be a representation of what a princess should be, that her hair becomes straight if it’s curly. Her hair can still be curly and untamed and be out there, and that doesn’t take away from any form of princess-ness. The gowns are beautiful and I’m glad I got to send a lot of my personal aspirations.

    SA: Everything was super collaborative, and I think we’re all on the same page anyway for the looks. Renee, the costume designer, we shared a lot of mood boards and we have a lot of the same imagery on there, so it was really great.

    —
    The School for Good and Evil is directed by Paul Feig, and it also stars Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Laurence Fishburne, Jamie Flatters, Kit Young, and Rob Delaney. The film starts streaming on Netflix this October 19.

  • ‘Batwheels’ Premieres Sunday, October 16 on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and HBO GO

    Cartoon Network and HBO GO announced today Batwheels will officially zoom onto television screens beginning Sunday, October 16. The series will premiere on Cartoon Network’s Cartoonito preschool block on weekends at 9.00am (SGT), and stream on the same day on the Cartoonito hub on HBO GO. Also, enjoy Cartoonito Asia’s latest playlist of Batwheels video clips here.

    HBO GO Batwheels 1e

    Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Batwheels marks DC’s first-ever Batman preschool series, offering young viewers a high-speed, vibrant CGI-animated iteration of the Caped Crusader. Little ones and their families will ride along with an amazing team of super-vehicles—Bam (the Batmobile), Bibi (the Batgirl Cycle), Redbird (Robin’s racecar), Buff (the Bat-Truck), and Batwing (the Bat-plane)—as they help Batman, Batgirl, and Robin keep the streets of Gotham City safe. Whether it’s facing down the Legion of Zoom or one of Gotham City’s notorious Super-Villains, the Batwheels will use their incredible gadgets and creative teamwork to save the day.

    The all-star voice cast includes Ethan Hawke (as Bruce Wayne/Batman), AJ Hudson (as Duke Thomas/Robin), Leah Lewis (as Cassandra Cain/Batgirl), Jacob Bertrand (as Bam), Jordan Reed (as Redbird), Madigan Kacmar (as Bibi), Noah Bentley (as Buff), Lilimar (as Batwing), Kimberly D. Brooks (as The Batcomputer), Mick Wingert (as Moe and The Joker), Xolo Maridueña (as Snowy) and Gina Rodriguez (as Catwoman). Based on characters from DC, Batwheels is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Animation services provided by Superprod Studio.

    Meet the Batwheels in the Philippines

    In Manila, everyone will have a chance to ‘meet’ the Batwheels in person at U.P. Town Center and Ayala Malls The 30th. From October 29 – November 1, Batwheels characters Bam, Redbird and the Joker van, Prank will be wheeling in and joining in the Halloween festivities! Visitors to the malls – in their best superhero outfits – can have their pictures taken with the Batwheels fleet. Participants posting the most creative photos on their social media pages stand to win an exclusive Cartoon Network Batwheels goodie bag. Follow Cartoonito Asia Facebook and Instagram accounts for details of the contest.

    HBO GO Batwheels 6c

    In addition, children can enjoy an interactive Batwheels experience with the ‘Batwheels By You’ online game on the Cartoon Network Asia website. Engaging and encouraging creativity, ‘Batwheels By You’ gets the little ones busy colouring and creating their very own Batwheels team. The game is free to play.

    Underneath the superhero adventures, Batwheels will teach children about what it means to be a hero through its unique “Hero” curriculum. The curriculum aligns with Cartoonito’s Humancentric Learning framework that encourages kids to become the best version of themselves. Every Batwheels episode will demonstrate a different character strength – self-awareness, concern for others, perseverance, and courage, among others – in overcoming personal and interpersonal challenges and will model how heroes contribute to the greater good. 

    HBO GO Batwheels 8a

    Batwheels will also showcase the value of friendship and teamwork and illuminate the rewards of these skillsets. Moreover, the series will teach children that while each vehicle has super abilities, the more important capacities that fuel their heroism are rooted in their intrinsic character strengths, knowing how to be a good friend and ability to work as a team. Parents can learn more about the Batwheels hero curriculum and access resources such as the pages here, to help extend the learning offscreen by visiting the Cartoonito Asia website.

    For the latest updates on Batwheels, follow Cartoonito Asia on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, as well as HBO Asia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Stream or download Batwheels from October 16on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store. 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.

  • Precious Paula Nicole Pops Off as the First Drag Race Philippines Superstar

    After an exciting two months of Pinoy-flavored mini and maxi challenges, fierce runway looks, and regular doses of drama, Precious Paula Nicole bested 11 other Filipino drag queens to become the Philippines’ first-ever Drag Race Superstar. 

    The hit global drag phenomenon “Drag Race Philippines” historic first season premiered on August 17, 2022, on discovery+, HBO GO, and WOW Presents Plus featuring 12 of the fiercest, most fabulous Filipino drag artists from all over the world competing for the crown. 

    The Precious Bicolana Queen and member of the drag group “Divine Divas”, first entered the werk room in a campy ensemble reflective of her playful personality. From the beginning of the competition, she showcased true creativity, uniqueness, nerve, and talent which helped her gain the title of president and number one competitor at the Ru-lections. Her ‘Regine Velasquez’ performance garnered praise from the “Asia’s Songbird” herself during the OPM Divas: The Rusical and her Pearl of the Orient Seas look proved that she could serve eleganza extravaganza. Quickly enough, Precious Paula Nicole became a crowd favorite especially when her heart shone through during Twinning! as she transformed her youngest brother into a drag queen. She not only showcased the best of Pinoy drag but also embodied the Filipino spirit of unconditional love and dedication to family. 

    “Life is precious and so are we. Let’s continue to inspire and let’s continue to love”, said Precious Paula Nicole in the finale of “Drag Race Philippines” Season One.

    The other finalists also served their remarkable talent and tenacity. Eva Le Queen, best known for her Snatch Game performance as comedian Rufa Mae Quinto, brought out the Tampalpukean in every viewer, gaining the respect of many for her poise and wisdom. Marina Summers, a fan-favorite who served sultry summer looks, charmed the country with her wit and humor. Finally, Xilhouete, respectable drag mother to many, wow-ed the fans with not just couture-inspired looks but also her determination and will to be worthy of one of the spots in the finale. 

    In the finale, viewers were welcomed by the S1 queens of “Drag Race Philippines” and an electric performance by “Drag Race Philippines” host, Paolo Ballesteros. The Miss Congeniality title was bestowed to Lady Morgana before the final four showdowns. Kicking off the final lip sync battles were Eva Le Queen and Precious Paula Nicole followed by Marina Summers and Xilhouete. It ultimately came down to Precious Paula Nicole and Marina Summers who performed Sirena by Gloc-9 for the crown. Precious Paula Nicole secured her victory, receiving a one-year supply of ONE/SIZE beauty cosmetics by Patrick Starrr and 1,000,000 pesos powered by Kumu.

    With its healthy dose of creativity, ingenuity, and drama, the first season of “Drag Race Philippines” has garnered global attention. Though the season may have ended, fans can rewatch all episodes on discovery+, HBO Go, and WOW Presents Plus.

    “Drag Race Philippines” is produced in the Philippines by Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc in conjunction with World of Wonder Productions, Inc. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles serving as executive producers on the series.Download and subscribe to discovery+ available across multiple platforms, including connected TVs, web, mobile, and tablets. For the latest updates and promos, follow discovery+ on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. “Drag Race Philippines” is 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. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe, and Skycable. Follow HBO GO on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.