A new teaser trailer for Marvel’s upcoming series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law has been released! In this new teaser, we get to see the struggles of the super-lawyer in the dating department.
Watch the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law “Date” teaser trailer below:
She-Hulk is the next spinoff series from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It follows the story of Jennifer Walters, a single, 30-something lawyer who discovers that she has the powers of the Hulk. Walters then becomes the go-to attorney for legal cases involving superpowered humans in the MCU.
The series is set for release on Disney+ this August 18. It is yet to be revealed whether the streaming platform will be available in the Philippines soon. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is joining Marvel’s slate of upcoming Disney+ series which includes Secret Invasion, What If…? season 2, and Echo.
I read the complete ‘Sandman’ graphic novels over fifteen years ago and it is one of my favourite graphic novel collections I’ve encountered. It’s literary. It’s profound. It’s magical. Neil Gaiman’s imagination is boundless and the art by Sam Keith and Mike Drigenberg was so different from the superhero comic books that I collected in the 90s. It was mature and elevated my opinion of comic books back in the late 90s.
For ‘The Sandman’ to finally be adapted into a television series was something I was nervous about. I’m glad to hear that Neil Gaiman was part of the creative team behind the show, which means that any of the changes would be approved by the writer of the source material. This is as important as the immense world-building that Gaiman did for the series.
There are quite a lot of notable changes – some characters have been gender-swapped, some are portrayed by actors of color, the show is set in the present-day whereas the graphic novels were set in the late 80s, and the like – but it never feels like a ploy for relevance nor does it take away from the story. In fact, it adds nuance and inserts additional layers into the work that I don’t remember from having read the series many years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83ClbRPRDXU
‘The Sandman’ is the story about an otherworldly being known as Dream or Morpheus or The Sandman. He is one of the seven Endless, immortal beings that are in charge of aspects of the universe. Dream is the lord of the sleeping world and king of dreams and nightmares. The first season of ‘The Sandman’ adapts the first two volumes ‘Preludes and Nocturnes’ and ‘The Doll’s House’ wherein Dream is imprisoned in the mortal world by a magician with the hopes of catching Death, Dream’s sister. While Dream is imprisoned, the dreaming world begins to fall apart and Dream must get out and restore the dreaming world to protect the waking world.
The rich world of ‘The Sandman’ is given a glossy, CGI-heavy treatment that departs from the book’s visuals in a drastic way. It took me about three episodes to get used to the bright, crisp visuals of the Netflix show. Sam Keith and Mike Drigenberg’s art style was something I’d describe as dirty, messy, and very dark. It was so well-suited to the material and such a great departure from the superhero comics that were so in vogue at the time.
The clean CGI of the show goes the opposite of that and so it took me a while to sync into this new look. The original art underscored the darkness of the material, but the refined visuals contrasted the heaviness of the show and it’s great because Dream is not an easy character to connect with.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Dream is an immortal being of immense power. He’s rigid and cold. He’s fascinating to watch because he’s so far removed from humanity and while it reads well in the comics, in the show, it can be a little off-putting. Tom Sturridge does a brilliant portrayal of this. He has the signature pout and that blank expression that betrays nothing. He carries all the gravitas and majesty that Dream should have and it’s mesmerizing.
But Dream is not an easy person to like and so the lush visuals and glossy treatment help humanize the world that Dream moves through and the characters that he interacts with creating a nice dynamic for him to play off of. The other characters keep him interesting until later on through the show when you begin to invest in him because you can finally understand what he must be going through.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
And that’s what is brilliant about this show. Dream is in charge of all our hopes and fantasies and our fears. As Dream sets out to restore the dream world back to its former glory, the show becomes a deep dive into some of the driving forces of the human race. It is a dissection of how we react and deal with the things that we want and the things we are afraid of and how different these things are for each person – whether human or otherworldly.
‘The Sandman’ is not a superhero television show. It’s a fantastical drama that delves more into philosophy and a study of human nature and other high concepts. It can be slow at times for people who are not keen on detailed and careful world-building. Being faithful to the books and with Neil Gaiman developing the show alongside David S. Goyer and Allen Heinberg, the show is more a showcase of the limitless imagination of Gaiman and how the world that he has built works. There’s not a lot of action. Instead its meditations on power, responsibility, mortality, and humanity.
To keep things interesting, the show is filled with magical moments and captivating characters. Other than Dream, the show is filled with memorable characters that populate this rich fantasy world. Of the many slight changes to the source material, three notable characters are played by women: Lucienne (Lucian in the books) is played by Vivienne Acheampong, Lucifer Morningstar is played by Gwendoline Christie (of ‘Game of Thrones’ fame), and Johanna Constantine (originally John Constantine in the books) played by Jenna Coleman.
All three actresses do memorable performances, with Coleman really capturing Constantine’s swagger and bravado and Christie adding quiet, otherworldly confidence to her portrayal of Lucifer but it is Acheampong who adds the most to the gender swap role. By turning Lucian into Lucienne, it creates a really interesting new layer into the relationship between Dream and his librarian. There is a warmth and a beating heart that the show needs in their interactions that might not have been there should they have kept Lucian as he was in the books.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
There is such a strong understanding of how much needs to change for the television version of this story. There is an awareness of the demands a viewing audience would have over the material versus a reading audience and I feel that this was addressed through the filmmaking of ‘The Sandman.’ The story is intact but the modernization of the material addresses real-world issues. As a fan of the original material, I’m enjoying the adjustments and marveling at how watching this show is bringing me back to the same wonder of reading the graphic novels but also opening my eyes to things I wasn’t aware of fifteen years ago.
I’m very happy with this adaptation and I can’t wait for the second season. This is not for those who are looking for something easy and light to watch. This is a show that will take its time to establish the vast and rich world of Dream and the Endless and it’s going to get even more dense and complicated as the show continues. I hope it continues. This is a dream I don’t want to wake up from.
My Rating:
––
The Sandman debuts globally on Netflix on August 5, Friday.
Maya Hawke of Stranger Things and Camila Mendes of Riverdale are teaming up in the upcoming Netflix film Do Revenge.
In its first teaser, we get to see Mendes as the queen bee Drea encouraging Hawke’s Eleanor to exact revenge on their enemies. Watch the teaser trailer of Do Revenge below:
Described as a “subverted Hitchcock-ian dark comedy,” the film follows the unlikely team-up of the former school queen bee and an awkward transfer student. Drea’s Alpha it-girl status in school goes up in flames after her sex tape gets leaked to the whole school, seemingly by her boyfriend Max. Meanwhile, Eleanor is furious to find out that she has to attend school with her old bully, Carissa. After encountering each other, Drea and Eleanor struck a deal to get back at their tormentors.
Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, Do Revenge also stars Austin Abrams, Ava Capri, Rish Shah, Talia Ryder, Jonathan Daviss, Maia Reficco, Paris Berelc, Alisha Boe, and Sophie Turner. The film is set for release on September 16.
Netflix has just released the trailer for their upcoming miniseries, Lost Ollie.
This first trailer gives us a glimpse of the wondrous and heartwarming adventure of the patchwork rabbit in his quest to return to his owner and best friend Billy. Watch the trailer for Lost Ollie below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U3BO8BoVhc
In the film, we see that stuffed toys have consciousness, and so when Ollie finds himself in a strange place, he embarks on a journey to get back home. In this mission, he is joined by two other toys: a clown in a suit and a pink teddy bear. Meanwhile, Billy isn’t giving up on Ollie either and is making his own efforts to search for his friend.
Based on the book Ollie’s Odyssey by William Joyce, the series is written and created for TV by Shannon Tindle, and directed by Peter Ramsey. It stars Jonathan Groff, Mary J. Blige, Tim Blake Nelson, Gina Rodriguez, Jake Johnson, and Kesler Talbot.
You can stream Lost Ollie on Netflix starting this August 24. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!
Priah Ferguson who plays the sharp-witted Erica Sinclair in Stranger Things, is set to face new kinds of horror in the upcoming film The Curse of Bridge Hollow.
Netflix has revealed some stills from the film, featuring Ferguson alongside Marlon Wayans, who is best known for his roles in White Chicks and in the Scary Movie film franchise. The duo will star as a father and daughter who must save their town from an ancient and mischievous spirit who breathes life into Halloween decorations.
Check out the photos for The Curse of Bridge Hollow below:
Directed by Jeff Wadlow, the film also stars Kelly Rowland, Lauren Lapkus, Rob Riggle, John Michael Higgins, and Nia Vardalos. The Curse of Bridge Hollow is set for release this October 14 on Netflix.
The Taiwanese horror film Incantation instantly became a hit when it dropped on Netflix, taking the viewers by storm with its creepy found-footage format and spine-chilling premise.
While it has been out for almost a month now, the title continues to gain popularity, especially with the TikTok crowd amplifying the viewers’ collective fear surrounding the film.
For the uninitiated, Incantation is a found-footage horror film that follows a woman named Ro-nan, as she tries to save her daughter from a deadly curse that she and her friends had unleashed years ago.
Netflix has given us a chance to virtually sit with the film’s director Kevin Ko, and its stars Tsai Hsuan-yen, who played the protagonist, Ro-nan, and Kao Ying-hsua who starred as Chi-ming, the counselor at the foster care center. Below are the highlights of the interview.
From Left to Right: Director Kevin Ko, lead actress Tsai Hsuan-yen, and actor Kao Ying-hsua. (Photo courtesy of Netflix)
The True Story Behind Incantation
Incantation further fuels the suspension of disbelief among viewers with their claim that the film is based on a true story. According to director Ko, the movie was inspired by an incident in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2005 where a family was said to have been possessed by deities.
“When I heard about this situation in Kaohsiung, I wasn’t there to note much about it,” shared Ko. “It was something scary for me, that I didn’t want to know too much. So I wanted to keep the same feelings and same elements in the story of the film that you see.”
Meanwhile, the incantation and the Mother Buddha from the film were purely fictional according to the director, so you’d have less to worry about if you accidentally chanted with the film.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
The Horror of the Holes
The film is sure to disturb those with trypophobia and claustrophobia as holes seem to be a recurring theme in the film. Asked if it was deliberate, the director shared it was the idea of the unknown that comes with these holes, that he utilized to evoke fear among the viewers.
“When I was making the film, I was thinking about what was the most terrifying elements to people,” explained Director Ko. “And it is something invisible, intangible, and something unknown. So for example when you see the film, there’s a tunnel, it’s dark inside. You see the Mother Buddha, it’s dark inside, and you see the hole in their bodies. It feels like you may be sucked inside the hole, and realize that something may come out of the hole. This kind of unknowing is the more terrifying element in the film.”
Photo: Incantation trailer
On Playing the Cursed
Actors Tsai Hsuan-yen and Kao Ying-hsua shared that the filming is not as scary as what we see on screen, or at least they didn’t feel it as they were focused on making the film convincing to the audiences.
“When I was making the movie, I had two roles. I have to play the role, and at the same time, I needed to be the cameraman,” said Hsuan-yen. “So these roles kept me in balance on set. I tried to think about how to make it realistic and convincing in front of the camera.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Ying-hsua agrees, adding that he did get scared when he finally watched the movie.
“When I read the script, when I was on set, I wasn’t terrified or scared. I just tried to make it very convincing. We wondered how many people would believe that it is true, and it turned out many people do believe it is true. So it was surprising to me, when I watched the film, I also felt kinda scared as well. I also had nightmares after watching the film,” the actor said.
Treading Over Taiwan’s Taboos
While the film is fictional for the most part, the director and the cast also talked about how they were careful not to break real-life taboos when they were filming.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
“We do have a lot of customs and religious taboos in Taiwan, especially in filmmaking,” said Director Ko. “We did have a lot of rituals and ceremonies before the filming process. We also have religious advisers on site to make sure that we do not break into any Taoist taboos. Also after filming, we would check if everyone is fine.”
As for the actress Hsuan-yen, she shared that she went to a famous temple in Taipei and got an amulet which she carried around during and after the filming. Meanwhile, Ying-hsua responded with: “I got my Lord Jesus so I got nothing to fear.”
Photo: Incantation trailer
What were your reactions when watching Incantation on Netflix? Did you also avoid their “Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma… Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma… Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma…” chant? You can share your thoughts about the film on My.ClickTheCity.com or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Amazon’s global streaming service Prime Video is set to bring more content tailored for its Filipino viewers!
Starting this August, Prime Video will be offering an exciting local content slate and a localized user experience for Filipino audiences. The streamer’s support for local production companies comes with their local marketing launch here in the country, created with Filipino producers and featuring Anne Curtis.
In line with this, Amazon Prime Video has announced their first local Amazon Original, Comedy Island: Philippines, which is produced in cooperation with Base Entertainment and is set to launch in 2023.
Meanwhile, viewers can soon be able to enjoy more local exclusive titles such as Big Night, How to Love Mr. Heartless, and Weather the Weather is Fine (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon). Pinoys can also get their fix of Korean content such as Nothing Serious and Toy Soldiers: Fake Men 2 The Complete; anime favorites such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen 0; US films such as Thirteen Lives and No Time to Die; Amazon Originals such as The Boys, The Terminal List, the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power; and so much more!
Aside from the Philippines, Prime Video also increased its investment for viewers in Thailand and Indonesia.
“We’re delighted to be increasing our investment in Prime Video for customers in Southeast Asia, making it a truly localized experience—from local content specifically sourced for our customers, to a localized user experience, and the first full-scale local marketing campaign,” stated Josh McIvor, director of International Expansion, Prime Video. “Our support of local production companies in Southeast Asia is a significant step towards our broader international expansion plans and our ambition to become the most local of global streaming services.”
Prime Video is now available with an introductory subscription price of P149 per month (promo runs until December 31, 2023), with a seven-day free trial. Visit the Prime Video website or download the Prime Video app on the Play Store or App Store.
Since its arrival here in the Philippines, 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 always on the lookout for Netflix’s latest releases, then look no further! We’ve listed down ten shows and films to anticipate and add to your watchlist this month of August!
When the Sandman, Master of Dreams, disappeared for a century, it changed both the dreaming and waking worlds forever. He then must travel across different worlds and timelines to correct the mistakes he had made.
This Korean action film follows a man who wakes up with no memories and must complete a dangerous mission orchestrated by a mysterious voice from a device in his ear.
This anthology series from Thailand tells eight terrifying tales set in school: A girl jumping to her death; a haunted library; canteen food made from human flesh; a headless ghost in the school warehouse; a devil-infested room; a vengeful demon in an abandoned building; and a classroom where only dead students attend class.
This film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical follows preteen Evan Goldman who navigates the complex social circles of his new school to pull off the coolest party for his Bar Mitzvah.
A new teaser trailer for Netflix’s stop-motion musical, Pinocchio, has been released!
We now get a better look at director Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson’s take on the classic tale, with the trailer finally featuring Pinocchio and his father, Gepetto. Watch the new teaser trailer for Pinocchio below:
The first teaser trailer for Pinocchiowas released in January but only revealed the Talking Cricket. Now, the new trailer shows us the grieving woodcarver Gepetto and the wooden boy he carved and treated as a son, Pinocchio. It also teased a story about “loss and love”, and a story that “you may think you know, but you don’t.”
While most may know the story of Pinocchio from Disney’s classic film, which is also getting its own live-action film this year, fans of Del Toro may expect that this story would be more loyal to the original source material, the novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi.
The voice cast of the film includes Ewan McGregor as the Cricket, David Bradley as Geppetto, Gregory Mann as Pinocchio, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson, Burn Gorman, Christoph Waltz, and Tilda Swinton.
The film will be released on Netflix and in select theaters sometime in December this year.
Exciting new episodes drop every Wednesday and for the first time ever, spin-off and after-show, Drag Race Philippines: Untucked, premieres August 19, 2022 with new episodes every Friday.
Who has what it takes to reach new heights, impress host Paolo Ballesteros and judges Jiggly Caliente and Kaladkaren, and race to the very top? Meet the queens vying to snatch the crown:
Brigiding
Brigiding is one of the most prominent names in the Philippine drag scene. She is known for her extravagant looks and show-stopping performances and has been featured in Pride parades and drag events both in the Philippines and abroad. She is also one of the founders of Drag Playhouse PH, a local drag content and entertainment provider.
Corazon
A crowned pageant queen with a list of titles on her sash, Corazon has jumped from one beauty contest to another competing in both male bikini contests and provincial Miss Gay events and talent shows. In addition to drag, Corazon is a makeup artist and a designer; creating looks for fellow drag and beauty queens alike.
Eva Le Queen
Eva Le Queen worked as an OFW in Singapore for eight years before giving up her corporate profession to follow her dream of becoming a drag artist. During the day she would work corporate, but at night she worked as a drag queen. Eva won 1st runner-up in Singapore’s Drag It Out All-Stars competition, only four months after she started doing drag. Eva’s Drag is inspired by literary and cinematic villains. Her strengths are in being both a comedy queen and her looks. Eva is a resident queen at Nectar Nightclub and is also one of the founders of Drag Playhouse PH.
Gigi Era
Gigi Era is the Diva from Down Under. Hailing from Melbourne, she is popular in the Australian drag scene for her death-defying stunts and fabulous real hair wigs. Gigi was a former dancer and airplane cabin crew member based out of Dubai. She is now back in the Philippines representing her hometown, Davao.
Lady Morgana
Marina Summers
Marina Summers is a fierce tropical queen known for her fish looks, hot body, exceptional dancing, and all-around performances. Her drag name stems from her love for the beach. Marina left her bucolic hometown of Nueva Vizcaya and moved to Manila to create content for one of the biggest film companies in the country. She began performing as a drag queen in 2019 and recently released her debut single I Have Arrived on Spotify and iTunes. She performs regularly at Nectar Nightclub and is another one of the founders of Drag Playhouse PH.
A proud Davao Queen who has been doing drag for more than 15 years, Lady Morgana is a true classic drag queen. With her spider lashes, high brows, creative wigs, and out-of-the-box costumes, Lady Morgana is known for her comedic and hosting skills, always making sure that her performances are sprinkled with love, laughter, and feelings. She works as a financial advisor during the day.
Minty Fresh
Minty Fresh serves looks that kill all day, every day. She is a model, designer, pop singer, make-up artist, and performer. A staunch supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights, she slays the stage weekly at Nectar Nightclub. Ariana Grande reposted Minty’s Lipsync performance on her Instagram story as she led hundreds of thousands of people in an election sortie in Manila.
Precious Paula Nicole
Precious Paula Nicole is one of the most known Filipino drag queens, having been in the drag scene for more than 11 years. She is a professional dancer and is also known for her comedy shticks and impersonation of divas such as Mariah Carey, Beyonce, and Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez. A STAR performer at O Bar, the premier drag club in the Philippines, she is a mother to a host of other popular drag queens.
Prince
Prince is known on social media for her make-up transformations. Before joining Drag Race Philippines, Prince was a Social Media Strategist and is relatively new to the Philippine drag scene. Prince’s drag is heavily-influenced by sci-fi and anime and believes that “extraterrestrial” looks have a space in Philippine drag. Prince is also one of the co-founders of Drag Playhouse PH. Aside from doing drag, she manages her own make-up and merchandise line.
Turing
Turing has been a professional drag artist for more than seven years, performing in one of the most known drag bars in the Philippines, O-Bar. A Broadway fan and a theater kid who used to be a cheerleader in college, Turing is known in the drag scene as a fierce dancer and a lip-sync slayer. She has openly discussed how drag has made her feel more comfortable in her skin, and is a strong advocate for body positivity.
Viñas DeLuxe
Viñas DeLuxe is a triple threat and an all-in-one package. She started doing drag while at university with a background in theatre that helped harness her sharp wit, performance skills, and knack for comedy. Viñas DeLuxe owns a wig business and has built a strong social media presence. She is also in a drag group called “the Divine Divas”, who gained popularity during the pandemic, mounting digital performances and live streams worldwide.
Xilhouete
Xilhouete is respected in the drag scene in Manila. She is the Creative Director and one of the owners of Nectar Nightclub. Xilhouete is considered a drag mother of many queens, especially those who are regular performers at Nectar. An entrepreneur, director, and artist, Xilhouete advocates for the legacy of the drag queens who have paved the way.
Who will have the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to win it all? Catch the first-ever Drag Race Philippines and enjoy an ever-growing library of exclusives, originals, and more with discovery+.
Drag Race Philippines is produced in the Philippines by Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc in conjunction with World of Wonder Productions, Inc. Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers on the series.
