REVIEW: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

After so many years, there is still a lot of clamor for transformer movies which rakes in millions of dollars in the box office. Despite having to change some of the lead  human characters,  the real stars are still the transformers.

And with such extensive lore, there are still a lot of stories that can be produced and transformers to be introduced. Though Optimus Prime and Bumblebee remain as crowd favorites for the franchise and should always have an appearance. 

This time we are now introduced to the Maximals in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, wherein we are also introduced to two new human characters, Noah Diaz and Elena, each being a specialist in their own fields. Maximals take the form of beasts which are bound to protect a certain key that is connected to a big villain in the franchise, Unicron. New favorite autobots for me is Mirage voiced by Pete Davidson, which has that comedic connection and charisma among all of the robotic aliens for the film.

World Vision’s 2021 in review: More than 300,000 Filipino children directly assisted

Christian relief, development, and advocacy agency World Vision in the Philippines recently released its Year 2021 impact report highlighting milestones of directly assisting thousands of  children and reaching millions of children through its various child-focused and community-based programs and advocacies implemented in over 30 provinces across the country.

World Vision National Director Rommel V. Fuerte shared, “In seeking and bearing witness to God’s kingdom, the ministry that we have built with all of our partners directly served more than 300,000 children by end of our fiscal year 2021. This is while the five national policies on child well-being World Vision has influenced to benefit  more than 32 million children in the Philippines.”

“God has been faithful to each and every one of us for enabling us to do so much, despite the limitations and challenges in year 2021,” said Eduardo C. Jimenez , last year’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees for World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. “We praise Him for giving us the opportunity to work alongside thousands of partners and volunteers across the country to make this happen.”

REVIEW: Huawei FreeBuds 4

Huawei continues its Freebuds line with the Freebuds 4 which seems not far in terms of design yet has indeed shown upgrades to the previous features. As part of the Huawei ecosystem, it is important that earbuds should also mirror the innovations of the new releases such as the mate series, tablets, and more.

For this new phase of the Huawei Freebuds, it continues its aesthetic of having a round case as the most practical and most optimized shape to help in charging, connection, and also in grip use. 

Available in two colors, silver frost and ceramic white, it keeps it simple for those choosing polar colors as preferences. The case is also slightly smaller compared to its predecessors which is hardly noticed unless you compare it with measurements. Though I would also love that they can have it in black and red like in the previous versions.

Huawei Y7a REVIEW

Today we review one of Huawei’s most affordable smartphones that comes with a lot of cool features. The Huawei Y7a might be in the entry-level price point but has a lot of features that can be compared to mid range and flagship phones.

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It’s their way of getting customers who have a spending range for entry level but has impressive features and design. This gives them a wider range of consumers who can also experience the Huawei ecosystem starting with a smartphone.

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And this has been the tradition with the Huawei Y series which is dedicated to the young (in age or at heart). And it did focus on attributes that reflect what the youth would want and do with their smartphones. These are design, camera, multitasking, and gaming. 

Netflix Review: The Umbrella Academy Season 2

Since cinemas are closed for now, yet we want to talk about entertainment series and movies now available in streaming sites like Netflix, let me introduce a new segment which talks bout shows and films on streaming networks such as Netflix. For it's first review let's talk about the second season of the Umbrella Academy. Just a warning before you continue that this might contain spoilers, so 

Created by Steve Blackman, based on the comics by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, the first season created big buzz on its release last year. With an initial first season of ten episodes brought excitement with its black comedy, heroic actions, and complicated family relations which is the show's formula to be on top of the Netflix's series chart.

GMA Affordabox Unboxing and Review

GMA Network in celebration of their 70th anniversary rolls out the new GMA Affordabox which is their own digital TV receiver. Finally after so much speculation and anticipation from the public, they finally revealed and are now selling the Affordabox in key areas in which digital signal is present.

Though digital TV has been in the country for quite some time now, having a digi-box for a network helps in getting more viewers. GMA also expanded their frequency with 3 channels for the Kapuso network - GMA Network, GMA News TV, and Heart of Asia.  For only P888, the Affordabox also has some other features along with the digital TV reception. And these are:

Cuddle Weather - The "Marupokpok" Movie Of The Year

With PPP just around the corner, the lin up for this year is exciting with a spectrum of stories and approach with storytelling and direction. And one of the favorites is the sexy romantic film Cuddle Weather. This is one of the first three movies announced for the festival which stars Sue Ramirez and RK Bagatsing.

This debut movie of Rod Marmol is also lucky to be part of the nationwide movie festival working with great actors like Sue and RK. Known for being a writer and a spoken word artist, this is expected to bring in hugots and engaging lines. Sue for the second time joins PPP after last year's Ang Babaeng Allergic Sa Wifi. While RK is gaining popularity with his morning soap opera Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit.

Cuddle Weather is the story of two prostitutes Adela and Ram where Adela is the expert of the trade while Ram is a new kid in the flesh industry. Spearing us from the usual flashbacks about their past, which will be unveiled eventually throughout its course. Adela and Ram makes good money but also struggles with their own weaknesses, love.

IT Chapter Two - How Can Evil End?

After waiting for two years, it is time for us to go back to the town of Derry where a group of kids made an oath to stop IT after its 27 years of slumber. We had s scarefest with the first IT movie which brought new life to the classic Stephen King novel.

Now for chapter two, it will now introduce a grown up gang who have their own lives outside Derry. But when It comes back after decades of slumber, it again wrecks havoc on the small town and its residents. These incidents will eventually call the group back to finally kill the murderous clown or they will be killed by him.

With their own separate lives outside the troubled town, they have forgotten some of the memories of the most traumatic experience of their lives. Catching up with their own lives looks very fun and nostalgic, however it takes a turn to horror as Pennywise the clown plays with the groups fears and frustration.

So Connected - Janella and Jameson Made Romace Click!

Love Stories in the millennial times are actually more complicated with the influence of technology. With most of us, especially myself, immersed in the digital lifestyle, finding romance comes unexpectedly yet comes with a lot of risks. So Connected brings that story to film and aims to connect.

This movie will also debut the new love team of Janella Salvador and Jameson Blake. Though this may seem to be a litmus test for the pair, they shown in roadshows and presscons that there is something interesting with their pair as Trisa and Karter.

So Connected tells the story between Karter (Jameson) and Trisha (Janella), in which Carter loses his phone and ends up with Trisha. With a special app that links the two together, Carter sets off to find her and gets to know Trisha who thinks Carter is her soulmate. However complications arise with issues of privacy, viral videos, and the toxic hate on the internet were brought up with their budding romance.

Avengers: Infinity War - Epic In All Proportions!

We have been waiting for almost a decade for an epic movie that would make new records at the box office and Avengers: Infinity War is that movie. As #ThanosDemandsYourSilence, we like to make this review spoiler free as respect for its filmmakers, fans, and even regular movie goers and of course it is the right thing to do.

A quick recap of the last few movies shows the direction going to this movie. The pivotal Civil War tested the Avengers with members in great conflict with their principle. Of course there is Spider-Man Homecoming that brings the spider hero finally part of the MCU. Black Panther is the last film to complete the roster of heroes who is set to face the biggest threat that comes from space, Thanos. From the earlier Avengers movies, his appearance has already hyped fans for the future encounter. But it was not immediate and we only see him in post-credits. Now he has arrived and we have mixed emotions.

True to Marvel Cinematic Universe fashion, action and comedy is the main reason why we love the film. Yet there have been also some dramatic scenes that were also yet incredibly moving, as certain death/s are imminent. The race to the infinity stones has never been so very tense as the objective of obtaining them would come with a heavy price and various ways of fighting.

Rampage - Wrecking Its Own Destruction

Big  does not always means better. 

We know that size matters but depending on what is big. Definitely if you have animals that are almost the size of Godzilla on the loose, there should be something that they can destroy. That is why we have Rampage.

Based on the computer game, which the main objective - go berserk and destroy all things in its path. Had made its way to its own Hollywood version and starring the highest paid actor of recent years, Dwayne Johnson.

We have seen him recently in Jumanji and having another movie with him headlining again confuses us if this is San Andreas meets King Kong. And it seems we will always see him in roles that is tied to the military or the police because of his appearance.

Well the film in summary is about animals exposed to a gene altering serum which makes them ginormous and out to make rampage on a city. The challenge is how to stop them comes at the cost with many weapons and property damage.

A Quiet Place - Scary Silence That Makes You Mad In Fear

Preapare for ultimate silence.

Dystopian films may have been too saturated these days but there is still room for one more which was is shockingly silent.  A Quiet Place is a film by John Krasinski who also stars in the film along with his wife Emily Blunt. And it was shockingly quiet inside the cinema when I watched it 2 times.

Set in future where sound sensitive creatures caused rampage and the Abbot family strives to survive in their remote home. The setting may not be global like other films but it takes silence to a maddening level with sudden music scores that will induce a heart attack.

With silence also means less dialogues for the actors which will test their acting prowess in may situations. Millicent Simmonds, who plays the daughter,  is actually a deaf-mute actress who helped the cast in learning the American Sign Language. Despite less spoken words, it gives way to more action and suspense that the film actually delivered.

REEL DEAL: CHiPs REVIEW

Police/CIA comedy has been way overused by Hollywood, which is probably the biggest challenge of the latest film by Dax Shephard who wrote and directed his latest comedy CHIPS with Michael Peña.

Based on the 70s - 80s series, the film brings the combination of the two actors into an operation which is hindered by their own personal dilemmas. One is a divorced cop who is trying to win back his ex-wife and the other is a sex addict who goes undercover for the California Highway patrol. The two eventually are teamed up to protect the streets yet take a detour to take care of CIA work. 

Dax Shepard directs, writes and stars in the film which I think is too much and may have gravely affected the film. Despite his expertise on action and film making, the movie could have been better in a lot of ways. However I still like Michael Peña for his role here which he played good, however there are parts of his lines or jokes which I think is a regional reference, which is quite hard to laugh about.

REEL DEAL: Hail, Caesar! REVIEW

What was hollywood fifty to sixty years ago? That can be perfectly described in the comedic satire of old Hollywood in “Hail, Caesar!” exclusively at SM Cinema beginning March 16. It stars George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, and Channing Tatum.

The world’s biggest movie star (Clooney) is kidnapped and his abductors called, “the Future” who demand a great ransom for his safe return. It will take the power of Hollywood’s biggest names to solve the mystery of his disappearance. Set in the early 1950’s when Hollywood was at its golden age, the movie is a parody of the motion picture industry when its glamorous façade began to show visible cracks and the major studios were faced with the growth of its new rival: Television. 

REEL DEAL: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 REVIEW

This movie premiered in the Philippines on my birthday April 30 which many marvel films also make their opening day in the country. Though I was not able to see it on my actual birthday, I am happy to see one of the most successful comic book movie franchise.

Though I am a big fan of the previous trilogy, I love the sequel of this reboot more than the first one.  With the new story focusing on Peter Parker's history and his early years, including his first love Gwen Stacy. 

The sequel brings the mystery behind Peter's parents who were associated with OSCORP which has been linked to the enemies of spidey. The movie is also brings three villains like Electro, Green Goblin and Rhino into a single movie. Expect a lot of action and explosions with this sequel as action scenes become more intense and moving with the fast paced fighting. I felt so disturbed and amazed at the same time which made me want to see the next movie now!

REEL DEAL: Dallas Buyers Club REVIEW

With oscars over, the spotlight are now with the nominees of the Academy Awards or Oscars. One of which was DALLAS BUYERS CLUB starring Mattew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner. Like most of the oscar nominees, it is a period movie set in the mid 80s about Ron Woodrof who was diagnosed with HIV and was given a month to live.

But Ron was determined to live and will do anything to survive. He went to extremes with unapproved medicines, trying treatments overseas etc. But the interesting part is how he made his treatment an opportunity for him to do business and set up the "Dallas Buyers Club". The topic of HIV/AIDS is actually just the tip of the iceberg as many characters becomes involved in this booming business.

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack, Dallas Buyers Club is also a comeback movie of Jared Leto to acting after a 5 year hiatus. The thing that is a shocker to everyone is the disturbing weight loss of Ron (McConaughey) and Rayon (Leto) which is unbelievably thin and brings scary truth of the effects of drugs and the HIV/AIDS complications.

REEL DEAL: Mama REVIEW

In our movies we have seen all kinds of ghosts and monsters that have haunted our imaginations in our lifetime, yet it would be rare to find that ghoul that will can scare us and also touch our hearts at the same time. This is what Guillermo del Toro's Mama shown as a thriller fantasy movie.

Two girls were found in a cabin 5 years after a gruesome tragedy. They now live with their uncle and start a new life with them. However, how they survived 5 years without anyone is a mystery to them as well of the one they call "Mama" disturbs the new family they now have. Having a mother figure for a ghost may not scary when you think about it, but this movie will make you think otherwise.

REEL DEAL: Race 2 REVIEW

I was never a fan of Bollywood film until last 2011 when I saw the blockbuster movie "3 idiots" which I consider one of my best films of all time. And after that I appreciated the beauty and wonder of Indian films that goes beyond the song and dance numbers which I could consider very well made some even better what hollywood can do.

And this year might also be a year to start watching more of them with SM Cinemas bringing them here and to be shown on the silver screens. To start of the year is an action-suspense movie "RACE 2" starring Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ameesha Patel, and Rajesh Khattar. Directed by Mustan Burmawalla/ Abbas Burmawalla

The story of Race 2 is set in the lush locales of exotic Europe, with a backdrop of gambling and Casinos. A fast paced thriller that takes the legacy of 'Race 1' forward, with high octane action, combined with thrills and twists that have a roller coaster effect, and edge of the seat excitement. 

REEL DEAL: Ted REVIEW

From the makers of animated series Family Guy comes a adult comedy that makes a crossover with a fairy tale twist. Ted tells a story of a teddy bear that came to life because of a wish of a young boy named John.

John (Mark Walberg) grew up and so did Ted (to be a rude and perveted bear) and now on a four year relationship with his girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis). Ted's personality and attachtment with John attracted conflicts with his relationship. Ted is the first movie from the creators of Family Guy and American Dad, which features some of its voice actors like Seth MacFarlane, who voices Ted and Mila Kunis as Lori. 

REEL DEAL: The Raid Redemption REVIEW

Really don't judge a book (film) by its cover. This has been proven when I saw the screening of the Indonesian Action Film, The Raid: Redemption (Serbuan Muat in Indonesia). The film is under the direction of G.H. Evans and stars the rising Indonesian actor, Iko Uwais. The Raid is the 2nd film of G.H. Evans and Iko Uwais together. Their first film is Merantau, released in 2009, and is considered one of the best martial art films. Like Merantau, The Raid also features the pencak silat, an indigenous fighting style created in Indonesia. Aside from pencak silat, The Raid incorporates different fighting styles. The cast is actually composed of professional martial artists from different disciplines.

The film is presented by METANTAU FILMS and XTZ FILMS in association with Celluloid Nightmare. The film is about an elite team of cops tasked to raid a rundown 15-storey apartment and remove its owner, a notorious drug lord called Tama. The apartment has never been touched by the police before and is now a sanctuary of infamous gangsters. The team infiltrates the apartment but a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover. Tama orders the lockdown on the building. While the team has been stranded on one of the building’s floors, Tama solicits the aid of notorious criminals to defeat the special unit.