"xXx: Return of Xander Cage" Races to IMAX PH Cinemas Jan 18

Extreme action returns to IMAX! Paramount Pictures' xXx: Return of Xander Cage starring Vin Diesel will open in IMAX cinemas across the Philippines on January 18, 2017 simultaneous with the film's debut in regular theaters.

(Watch new TV spots of xXx: Return of Xander Cage at https://youtu.be/mllxOAvjzRo and https://youtu.be/eEKEoSlbL34.)

"Split" -- Hailed as Shyamalan's Most Terrifying Film

Writer/director/producer M. Night Shyamalan returns to the captivating grip of The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs with Universal Pictures' Split, an original film that delves into the mysterious recesses of one man’s fractured, gifted mind.

For the film The Guardian calls “a masterful blend of Hitchcock and horror,” Shyamalan's has assembled a strong cast led by James McAvoy (X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future of Past), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch), Betty Buckley (The Happening), Haley Lu Richardson (The Edge of Seventeen) and Jessica Sula (Recovery Road).

In Split, though Kevin (McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities—each with unique physical attributes—to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey (Taylor-Joy), Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him—as well as everyone around him—as the walls between his compartments shatter apart.

Moviegoers were first introduced to the mysterious and intricate universe of M. Night Shyamalan in 1999 with the worldwide phenomenon The Sixth Sense, which was followed by such blockbusters as Unbreakable and Signs.

The filmmaker began a new chapter in 2015 with his terrifying The Visit, which grossed almost $100 million worldwide. Following the same model as that movie’s production—and to allow for complete creative freedom—Shyamalan made the decision to return to his independent roots by self-financing Split.

“I want to make something new with every single film by doing something that nobody’s ever done,” Shyamalan says. “That’s exciting for me, and it’s also dangerous and problematic, especially when selling it to the world.”

With a more intimate setup, Shyamalan was able to primarily focus his energies on the story and character development by eliminating some of the noise and variables that come with a larger film. “It’s easy to knock me out of my comfort zone, which is a reason why I make smaller movies,” Shyamalan says. “That way I can turn down certain factors so I can hear that creative voice telling me if something we’re doing is off track.”

Shyamalan’s filmmaking style also goes beyond a single genre. “Each film is uniquely his own,” says executive producer Steven Schneider. “He weaves together folktales, legends and other narratives, and blends them with his background and experience. All of his films cover complex themes and characters, and I was amazed by the depth of Split.”

Schneider believes audiences will not only be entertained by Split, but they will be challenged by it. “My hopes are as ambitious as Night’s that the film’s strength in storytelling will spark debate about the complexities of human identity,” he says.

Split is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

"Passengers" -- Year's First Visually Stunning Film

“It’s always good when you can create your own world,” says director Morten Tyldum, who creates a new vision of space travel in Passengers, touted to be the first visually stunning film of 2017. “I’m a huge sci-fi fan, and I also have such respect for the genre, so I wanted to try to do something that had never been done before.”

In the film, Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence) and Jim (Chris Pratt) are two strangers who are on a 120-year journey to another planet when their hibernation pods wake them 90 years too early. Jim and Aurora are forced to unravel the mystery behind the malfunction as the ship teeters on the brink of collapse, jeopardizing the lives of the passengers on the greatest mass migration in human history.

#GiveMoreWithHuawei grants kids’ Christmas wishes

Sharing on social media meant anew this Christmas as thousands of Filipinos participated to help less fortunate children this Christmas through #GiveMoreWithHuawei. Over Php 250,000 worth of donations were received by the kids of Concordia Children’s Services Inc. through a social media fundraising campaign -- turning the quirky and creative photos of Filipinos doing the double O pose uploaded on social media into Christmas presents.

The movement gathered Huawei fans, employees, partners, and social media personalities to use their creative #OO photos as a currency to donate. Indeed, social media sharing has been given a new and better meaning by the mobile device giant.

Jennifer Lawrence Embarks on an Interplanetary Journey in "Passengers"

One of Hollywood’s most gifted actresses, Academy Award-winner Jennifer Lawrence stars in Columbia Pictures' new futuristic thriller Passengers opposite Chris Pratt.

In the film, Aurora (Lawrence) and Jim (Pratt) are two strangers who are on a 120-year journey to another planet when their hibernation pods wake them 90 years too early. Jim and Aurora are forced to unravel the mystery behind the malfunction as the ship teeters on the brink of collapse, jeopardizing the lives of the passengers on the greatest mass migration in human history.

"Sing" Vies for Best Animated Motion Picture, Original Song at Golden Globes

Sing, the new musical comedy from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, is up for two major honors at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards happening on January 10, 2017.

The critically acclaimed and box-office smash film is vying for Best Motion Picture - Animated and Best Original Song with Stevie Wonder's “Faith.”

(Watch the lyric music video of “Faith” at http://youtu.be/q6MblFLHi1E.)

Reacting to the double nominations, Illumination founder and Sing producer Chris Meledandri said, “From Santa Monica to Paris, the entire Illumination team is overjoyed. On behalf of my producing partner Janet Healy and our exceptionally talented writer director Garth Jennings as well as everyone at Illumination Mac Guff and our partners at Universal, I want to thank the HFPA for recognizing the work of all of the artists who created SING as well as the legend Stevie Wonder for giving us ‘Faith.’”

"The Great Wall" Displays Character Posters for Main Cast

The principal cast of Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures' fantasy, action-adventure The Great Wall takes the spotlight in newly-released character posters for the film.

Getting the star treatment are Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau and Jing Tian. Check out the new one-sheets below and watch The Great Wall in Philippine cinemas on January 25, 2016.

Blah Blah Blogs: Obligatory New Year Post 2017

Its another year to annoy you with my opinions and aspirations for the new year.

ladies and gents here is another New Year Obligatory Post of 2017.

2016 (the year that should not be named) has been a year wanted to be forgotten because of the changes and death  it has brought to everyone. It was the year of the great elections here in the Philippines and the United States. And with a twist of history, Duterte and Trump won. The Olympics happened in Rio and we got a silver ending our 20 year medal drought. Nations and boarders become more tense and World War 3 is becoming more of a reality.

Reese Witherspoon "Sings" for Under-appreciated Mothers

Rosita is a selfless homemaker and mother of 25 piglets who wants to remember what it feels like to be something other than a mother and wife. Oscar Best Actress winner Reese Witherspoon is Rosita's talking and singing voice in n Universal Pictures and Illumination’s musical comedy Sing.

(Watch the featurette Be Like Rosita at http://youtu.be/3_VK-rdsnZo.)

More Asian Actors of "The Great Wall" Get Their Character Posters

After revealing the posters of the principal cast last week, Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures have now launched the character one-sheets of The Great Wall's supporting cast, including two Chinese pop sensations starring in the fantasy-adventure.

Check out the new posters below and watch The Great Wall in Philippine cinemas on January 25, 2016.

Directed by master Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, The Great Wall stars Matt Damon as William Garin, a battle-scarred mercenary and master archer taken captive by a secret army of elite warriors known as The Nameless Order. In a vast military outpost called the Fortress City, they fight to protect humanity from supernatural forces upon one of the greatest defensive structures ever built: The Great Wall.