SRR Extreme 2023: Spine-tingling scares before the holidays

WARNING: Contains major spoilers.

Continuing the tradition of the Shake, Rattle and Roll trilogy during the holidays, Regal Entertainment Inc. presents the new line up of scary movies that puts the variety of film experience Filipinos were accustomed of. And this year, they have come extreme with three stories that are worth watching. I was happy to attend and gala night on November 26 at Market! Market! cinema in BGC and sharing my thoughts about this set. Themes were almost all Gen Z, I think, in general.

Glitch (by Joey De Guzman)

A demon captures vulnerable children's attention as their families were slowly torn apart through technology. In the modern times, Iza Calzado is a busy mother that no longer believes in prayers while she displays the Nativity scene in time for Christmas. Her daughter was lured by "Gary The Goat" in a kid's show and it was invited into her home with a bewitching chant. None that she is aware of but the goat is actually a demon that hurts and kills the people that disagree with the child. Appearing as a friend to the child but actually a punisher in disguise. The story gives a religious premise which is already predictable.

Lesson: Don't spoil the kids with gadgets and monitor what they're watching. 6/10

Mukbang (by Jerrold Tarog)

A group of social media influencers gather in a "dream collab" hosted by a couple. While they enjoy their stay in a collab mansion, feast on a delectable meat lovers buffet, their personalities change one by one. Strange as it seems, it was just ignored until they discovered they're in a monsters' lair that transfigures to their victims and eats human flesh to stay immortal. This movie is a balanced mix of fun, Gen Z spirit, a non-cringy romance and horror that social media savvies will enjoy. 8.5/10

Rage (by Richard Somes)

An alien life form from the meteor shower infests and transforms a provincial barrio into an angry zombie district that kills everyone in sight. In this story of survival, Jane de Leon and her friends try to escape the place through all means. This zombie-slasher segment knows how to do it. 8/10

Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Extreme stars Iza Calzado, Paul Salas, Jane de Leon, Jane Oneiza, Paolo Gumabao, with social media stars, AC Bonifacio, Ninong Ry, Esnyr, Phi Palmos, and more. Opening this Wednesday, November 29, only in theaters nationwide.

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New Line Cinema's horror thriller "The Nun II" scares up strong number at the PH box-office

New Line Cinema’s “THE NUN II” – the next chapter in the story of “The Nun,” the highest-grossing entry in the most successful horror franchise of all time, “The Conjuring” Universe – landed at the top of this weekend’s box office, coming in at #1 in its debut and taking in PHP 90 million in the Philippines. Directed by Michael Chaves and produced by Peter Safran and James Wan, “The Nun II” opened on September 6.

A WBD representative stated, “This weekend’s success is a testament to the high want-to-see factor of fans of “The Conjuring” Universe, the evergreen franchise that continues to frighten cinemagoers around the globe. New Line Cinema has become the ‘haunted’ home of horror, and ticket buyers were back for more of the iconic Demon Nun, continuing its evil trek across Europe. We are excited by these impressive opening numbers and anticipate that great word of mouth will continue to drive business in the coming weeks as we head into Halloween.”

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THE NUN 2 movie review

Last Tuesday, I was really prepared to watch the latest from the demon nun in The Nun 2. Valak returns to bring terror in a new movie from James Wan and Warner Bros. Pictures. I almost forgot that we are watching in IMAX so it will give Valak's biggest face on screen to scare us.

Upon entering the theater, Valak also sets the mood to the moviegoers. She poses to fans and gave those devilish grins and gestures while we snap on our phones. Even the catering by Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema were on theme with black pasta (which I called Goth Spaghetti), brownies, meat balls on tomato sauce and red tea. Valak also went inside the theater with the faceless nuns for a promotional photo op with all of us who will see it first in the Philippines.

The movie in general is a horror feast. Valak has become more creative and brutal in raising terror around her and towards Sis. Irene (Taissa Farmiga). She also challenges the faith of the protagonist as producer James Wan wants to approach this from the first installment, which has become a consuming power for Valak.

Speaking of being brutal, Valak and those she possesses give an unimaginable pain and suffering to those she murders. You can vividly remember the possessions and paranormal manifestations and how solid the attacks and bloodshed are. The jump scares were expected but still are thrilling and pareidolia can also haunt you even after seeing the movie. 

Examples of pareidolia in The Nun 2 are two of my favorite scenes.

I love how they did it with the magazines that were blown by air forming the image of Valak. It was so creatively done.

Valak's image on the wall somehow tells the characters that evil is living with them.

Saint Lucy's life / legend is also the subject of the movie. A version different from what I know but it says that holiness will save us from evil. It had a beautiful stitch on the movie and somehow gives the power of returning to faith. Even Sis. Debra's (Storm Reid) faith was even challenge but conversion came to her in the time she least expected and eventually believing in a miracle.

The Nun 2 is really one for the books. You have to stay till the end as it weaves the connection of The Nun in The Conjuring universe. We are also introduced on how the movies are connected and telling the story chronologically. The Nun 2 is now showing in theaters nationwide.

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Director Michael Chaves Invites Fans to "The Nun II"

In a newly released video, “The Nun II” director Michael Chaves shares that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the “The Conjuring” Universe, adding that “The Nun’s” demonic Valak is hands-down his most favorite movie monster of all. He then proceeds to invite all horror fans to watch “The Nun II.”

New Line Cinema brings you the horror thriller “The Nun II,” the next chapter in the story of “The Nun,” the highest grossing entry in the juggernaut $2 billion “The Conjuring” Universe. As a treat to fans of scary movies, “The Nun II” will hold simultaneous midnight screenings in participating cinemas on September 6 (also the film’s opening day). Fans can get their tickets now at https://www.nun2.com.ph/
“I'm really excited for audiences to see this movie, and I think that it is nightmarishly scary,” says Michael Chaves in an interview provided by the studio. “I love the theater-going experience, especially with horror movies. Being in a packed theater with friends and strangers is such an incredible and powerful experience. Along with the scares, it is filled with truly unique set pieces and a compelling story that takes characters whom we love further on their journey and into really hard places while making tough choices. The times that I've seen it with an audience have been really special and exciting, and I can't wait for moviegoers to see this film.”

On his fascination with Valak, Chaves shares, “I think that the Demon Nun is one of those iconic movie monsters. I mean, you see it on a poster and it’s like a little bit of a throwback to Dracula. You see a little bit of Pennywise. You see a little Nosferatu. It's so timeless and has such an iconic look. It's one of the ultimate horror movie icons and one of the ultimate movie villains. With this film, I just wanted to take it further. I wanted to explore the manifestations. And I also just wanted to dig more into the story, or at least the myth or the theories, of what its origins could be. I think it's really important to do that, but to never be too specific. I think that part of the mystery and part of not knowing what it is, that’s really powerful. It's what makes it truly scary.”

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The original cast reunites for the epic conclusion of INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR

What has the Lambert family been up to since we last saw them in Insidious: Chapter 2?

When last we met the Lambert family, astral projectors Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Dalton (Ty Simpkins) had survived multiple trips into The Further. Dalton had been kidnapped by a demon… Josh had rescued him, only to be trapped in The Further while a ghost possesses his body in our world… that ghost, in Josh’s body, had rampaged through his house, trying to kill his family… and Dalton had ventured back into The Further to find his real father and bring him back.

Patrick Wilson

“After the second film, I felt there was nothing more to be done or said or explored with the Lambert family,” says Wilson who, aside from returning as Josh Lambert, also marks his directorial debut with Insidious: The Red Door, opening across Philippine cinemas July 5. “I had saved my son, been saved myself, been possessed; I had gone through just about everything you can do in a horror movie. The biggest question that I asked, and that I wanted to pose to the audience, was what happens to a family after ten years, when you’ve been hypnotized in order to forget your family trauma?

“In hindsight, that’s probably not the healthiest way to deal with trauma: ‘It didn’t happen, you’ll forget this.’ I wanted to unpack that,” Wilson continues.

In Insidious: The Red Door, the epic conclusion to the terrifying saga of the Lambert family, the story picks up as the original cast reunites for the third chapter in the family’s saga and fifth and final film in the blockbuster horror franchise, following two prequels. Ten years after the events of the second film, Josh and Renai (Rose Byrne) have divorced, as Josh struggles to piece together a life that seems to have major holes he can’t fill. Dalton, now a young adult, is heading off to an East Coast art college, and has a strained relationship with his father.

Rose Byrne

“It’s stilted because of the events that have happened, and they don’t really know why,” says Wilson. “They have missing chapters – holes in their memory – and there’s resentment from Dalton’s side. Two men who can’t quite express their desire to make their relationship better because they don’t know where it went wrong. And yet they’re tied together in more ways than one, and Insidious fans know exactly what that means.”

“I love the fact that we were able to bring the original cast back together to bring the Lamberts’ saga to a close,” says producer Jason Blum. “Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, of course, but also Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson and Andrew Astor. Getting to see how the cast has aged – especially the actors who were children and have grown into young men – underscores the heart of the story for me: that this is a family finding their way as they move through their lives.”

Lin Shaye

Ty Simpkins

Reuniting the cast became a central pivot point of Wilson’s direction of the film – his reason for wanting to do it, and later, a driving force in his vision for the film.

Says Wilson, “I wanted the movie to feel like it closes out the Lambert trilogy – if you’ve seen the first two movies, you get a feeling for them – but I’ve shown it to people who know nothing of the Insidious franchise, and I know, you don’t need to see those movies to understand.”

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Russel Crowe takes on the actual exorcism files from the Vatican

Soon on Philippine cinemas, Russell Crowe plays the titular role in Columbia Pictures’ supernatural horror thriller The Pope’s Exorcist, inspired by the true story of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican.

Inspired by the actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican (Academy Award®-winner Russell Crowe), The Pope’s Exorcist follows Amorth as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden. Watch the trailer below.

The film is directed by Julius Avery, screenplay by Michael Petroni and Evan Spiliotopoulos, screen story by Michael Petroni and R. Dean McCreary & Chester Hastings, based on the books “An Exorcist Tells His Story” and “An Exorcist: More Stories” by Fr. Gabriele Amorth.

The cast is led by Russell Crowe, Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe and Franco Nero

The Pope’s Exorcist is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

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Scream is rated R-16 without cuts!

Paramount Pictures has just announced that its US No.1 box-office hit Scream will hold special sneak previews in selected cinemas nationwide on Tuesday, February 1st. Horror fans are advised to check with their favorite theaters for the screening hours and ticket prices.

Scream, which opens wide in Philippine cinemas on February 2, has been rated R-16 Without Cuts by the Movie & Television Review & Classification Board (MTRCB). Fans are guaranteed to see the film in its integral, original version, complete with all the “strong language, gore, and graphic depiction of murders.” As Ben Travis of Empire Magazine writes, “In an era of elevated horror, it's a gloriously gory basement party.”

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James Wan's new horror flick Malignant opens today

“Malignant” is the latest creation from “Conjuring” universe architect James Wan (“Aquaman,” “Furious 7”). The film marks director Wan’s return to his roots with this new original horror thriller. This new terrifying world open in Philippine theaters today, November 24.

In the film, Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities. Watch the trailer below

One of the things that fans love about James Wan as a filmmaker is the distillation of fear, exploring what creates and causes fear. In a James Wan movie, the details are not complicated, but those little details are effective. And this trademark is all over “Malignant.”

“I feel I recognize the different degrees of scares, from my bloodier more shocking movies like `Saw,’ to the creepier ones of the `Insidious’ and `Conjuring’ films,” explains Wan. “Part of the fun is to traverse between these levels of frights, and the key is to present them in a fresh and unique way. That’s what I tried to do with `Malignant’—lull them in with a familiar structure, and then hit them with something weird, unique, crazy, and wonderful.”

“Malignant” stars Annabelle Wallis (“Annabelle,” “The Mummy”), Maddie Hasson (YouTube’s “Impulse,” TV’s “Mr. Mercedes”), George Young (TV’s “Containment”), Michole Briana White (TV’s “Black Mafia Family,” “Dead to Me”), Jacqueline McKenzie (“Palm Beach,” TV’s “Reckoning”), Jake Abel (TV’s “Supernatural,” the “Percy Jackson” films) and Ingrid Bisu (“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” “The Nun”).

Behind the scenes, Wan was joined by his frequent collaborators, director of photography Michael Burgess and editor Kirk Morri (“Aquaman,” “The Conjuring 2”), production designer Desma Murphy (art director, “Aquaman,” “Furious 7”), as well as costume designer Lisa Norcia (“Insidious: The Last Key”). The music is by Joseph Bishara, who has composed the score for all seven films in “The Conjuring” Universe, among many others. 

“Malignant,” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a WarnerMedia Company.

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Netflix & Chills this October

We're halfway through October and the Halloween spirit is around the corner. If you're up for terrifying and spooky nights with your family this quarantine, check out Netflix's offerings that will give you goosebumps.

Keep your doors locked and watch out for gruesome and hell-raising slasher movies. Hide under the sheets or keep the lights open for some great horror. See the full slate and more while you browse on your Netflix app.

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MOVIE REVIEW - The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

The third installment of The Conjuring franchise dubbed The Devil Made Me Do It gives a new level of chills as it chronicles one of the most controversial paranormal cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Starting by saving the life of a young boy, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) takes themselves beyond anything they've seen before, and for the first time in US history, that Arne Cheyenne Johnson's (Ruairi O'Connor) murder case in 1981 claims demonic possession as a defense.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga

Different from the previous The Conjuring films, we also witness Lorraine's insidious ways dealing with the spirit realm, confronting evil and saving lives. She can now transport and immerse herself into the essence of other people, even the dead to investigate on the stories and reasons of demonic activities.

Though there are less jump scares, there is a little bit more blood, witchcraft, new tests. They even exhibited the scary actual recordings connected to this case by the end of the movie. If you're going to find Annabelle, you'll sure do.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is now showing in theaters and you can also stream it via HBO MAX. Directed by Michael Chavez based on the files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, written by James Wan. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. 

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M. Night Shyamalan's OLD

Are we all excited to go back to the beach after locking in our homes for more than a year because of the pandemic? But what if the beach brings more danger than staying indoors? M. Night Shyamalan's imagination again came to play in his latest thriller, OLD, which will be playing in theaters soon.

This new movie is about a family who unwittingly goes to a mysterious secret beach that causes them to age rapidly. When we all are looking for the fountain of youth, you definitely won't want to go there.

In the trailer, we could already see what are the scary things that may happen if you visit this beach. It was very unfortunate to what happened to this family. Watch the clip below.

 

OLD opens in theaters July 23, starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Aaron Pierre, Thomasin McKenzie, Rufus Sewell, Embeth Davidtz, Abbey Lee, Eliza Scanlen, Ken Leung, Alex Wolff and more. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan and based on the graphic novel Sandcastle written by Pierre-Oscar Levy and Frederick Peters.

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The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” reveals a chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for the soul of a young boy, then takes them beyond anything they’d ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return to star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, under the direction of Michael Chaves (“The Curse of La Llorona”). The film also stars Ruairi O’Connor (Starz’ “The Spanish Princess”), Sarah Catherine Hook (Hulu’s “Monsterland”) and Julian Hilliard (the series “Penny Dreadful: city of Angels” and “The Haunting of Hill House”).

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” was produced by James Wan and Peter Safran, who have collaborated on all the “Conjuring” Universe films. Chaves directed from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (“The Conjuring 2,” “Aquaman”), story by James Wan & David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, based on characters created by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes. Serving as executive producers were Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Michael Clear, Judson Scott and Michelle Morrissey.

James Wan behind the scenes of The Conjuring 2

The behind-the-scenes creative team reunited “Conjuring” Universe contributors, including director of photography Michael Burgess, production designer Jennifer Spence, costume designer Leah Butler and composer Joseph Bishara, along with the director’s editor from “The Curse of La Llorona,” Peter Gvozdas, and editor Christian Wagner (“Furious 7”).

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is the seventh film in the “Conjuring” Universe, the largest horror franchise in history, which has grossed more than $1.8 billion worldwide. It includes the first two “Conjuring” films, as well as “Annabelle” and “Annabelle: Creation,” “The Nun,” and “Annabelle Comes Home.”

New Line Cinema presents An Atomic Monster/Peter Safran Production, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.” It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Watch the trailer below

 

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THE GRUDGE (2020) movie review

Once you enter the house, it'll never leave you.

The curse follows investigators and kills them one by one in the Hollywood adaptation of the Japanese horror The Grudge. Given the scares and mysteries that help Detective Muldoon (Andrea Riseborough) to solve the case, this movie somehow lacks the Ju-On trademark characters. It focused on solving the mystery with an open ending and it seemed longer than the whole 94 minutes with a slow story development.

Andrea Riseborough in The Grudge (2020)

The Grudge (2020) is now showing in SM Cinemas nationwide. Follow @smcinema and download the app to check out screening schedules or book in advance.

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DOCTOR SLEEP movie review

I actually watched Stanley Kubrick's The Shining first in time to prepare for the next chapter, Stephen King's Doctor Sleep. I must say that this was way more exciting, not really much of a horror movie but a psychological thriller that you can enjoy. I think that it made The Shining a prerequisite for you to understand more about this movie.

Providing that much reference to The Shining, it can stand on its own, less the overused symmetrical shots from the movie but still paid good tribute that you can connect the dots in Doctor Sleep. Here, they call "the shining" as "magic" and this provides new vision of a person's death or spirits.

Ewan McGregor as Danny Torrance

Ewan McGregor, who plays Dan Torrance, started off as a wasted individual, whom you'll suspect that he really had a trauma within almost 40 years after "The Shining." But he takes you on an adventure on how he endures a new phase of his life while still "shining."

Doctor Sleep opens in cinemas in the Philippines starting November 7 from Warner Bros. Pictures. #DoctorSleepMovie

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5 Movies... 1 terrifying week for Sine Sindak 2 at SM Cinemas

5 horror flicks from Crystalsky Multimedia Inc will be playing from October 23 - 29, 2019 as Sine Sindak returns to SM Cinema in time for Halloween. Horror aficionados will experience this limited-time for PHP 120 for a single screening and PHP199 for unlimited pass everyday.

Watch these five movies for your fright fix. A preview of Deadsight was held last night at the Director's Club which I really love their new La-Z Boy chairs. Deadsight is about a partially blind man and a pregnant officer work together to escape their town through swarms of the living dead. In my opinion, this looks like Bird Box, A Quiet Place and Resident Evil rolled into one. This has been more drama than a horror flick.
A holiday romance gone wrong, Evil’s Curse is the story of a young backpacker falls in love with a girl who is possessed by demons.

Doorlock is a creepy story about a woman’s escape and struggle from a stalker.

In The Only Mom, a family moves into a haunted colonial-house and finds their lives turning upside down.

An alienated and awkward high school girl finds her sinister alter-ego in the mirror in Look Away. I am really looking forward to this as the trailer gives a very freaky identity switch.

 
 To amplify your scary cravings, an interactive Horror House in partnership with Asylum Manila from October 19 to November 3. A special promo is also offered via the GrabPay App. Single-movie tickets can be availed through GrabPay for only P99.

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IT CHAPTER 2 movie review

The Losers Club is back in Derry in Stephen King's It: Chapter Two are about to bring us the creeps from childhood and bring them back in a more terrifying way.

In 27 years, every one has separated and moved on with their lives to forget the horrific clown. However, Mike has summoned them back as more persons go missing and Pennywise (Bill Skarsgaard) might return soon. This has started when a man was disbodied after he was tortured by a bunch of homophobic boys at the beginning of the movie.

Now back to the Losers. It's amazing to see that they had huge resemblances to their adult selves. And to know that every child has specifically pointed who will portray them in It: Chapter Two is uncanny. Bev grew up to be Jessica Chastain, Bill to James McAvoy, Richie to Bill Hader, Mike to Isaiah Mustafa, Ben to Jay Ryan (some coin him as Ben Handsome), Eddie to James Ransone, and Stanley to Andy Bean. You can find the perfect casting in the adult versions of the Losers Club.

Isaiah Mustafa, Bill Hader, James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Jay Ryan for It: Chapter 2

If you've seen the first trailer of It: Chapter Two where Bev returns to her old home and met an old lady named Mrs Kersh, there are more horrors in store for each member of the Losers as they all went back to remember their childhood days in Derry. There are also a lot of Easter Eggs that you might discover especially when you've read the book which has more details of scary stuff. I was actually covering under the sheet, thanks to my seatmate who offered to share his blanket so I can cover, aside from that the Powerplant Cinema is cold.

Easter eggs and a good cameo would not be enough for It fans especially if they read the book. But if you're in for Pennywise's evil laugh and sharp teeth and some mystery findings, you'll enjoy this flick that's playing in theaters now. It's a 3-hour horror ride so you better pee before anything else.

It: Chapter Two is based on Stephen King's novel and directed by Andy Muschietti under Warner Bros. Pictures.

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THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA movie review

Warner Bros' The Curse of La Llorona is another horror flick to watch out this summer and it will give you chills and even be scared of brides and crying ladies in the dark.

 

Following an old Hispanic legend about a murderous mother who suffered from infidelity, the Curse of La Llorona threatens a social worker and her kids who were drawn into the supernatural realm. I was actually almost covering my eyes in the anticipation of something might happen to the children in the movie but more scared when the ghost of La Llorona appears to capture their innocent lives.

Roman Christou (Chris), Linda Cardellini (Anna), Jaynee-Lynn Kinchen (Sam)

In the climax of the movie, managing a way to end the curse could be a tedious work and tried to inject a bit of humor through a former priest Rafael Olvera (Raymond Cruz) which spoils the scares. But it's more exciting when you'll find out that there's a special connection in James Wan's horror universe. Find out why when you see the movie.

The Curse of La Llorona has special sneak previews today and tomorrow, April 22-23 in cinemas. Opening May 1 in theaters nationwide, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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