Martin Lawrence on his "Ride or die, for real" friendship with Will Smith

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence – cinema’s bad boys of action-comedy – are back again in Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 27: Martin Lawrence and Will Smith attend the European premiere of BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE at Zoo Palast on May 27, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Gerald Matzka/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

“It’s magical to see them both together,” says Bilall Fallah, who directs with his partner Adil El Arbi, and are best-known as simply Adil & Bilall. “It’s unbelievable, the chemistry they have. It’s always surprising when you’re behind the monitors directing the scene and they come up with this genius golden humor – you sit back, relax, and see them perform.” When that magic happens, he says, his job is easy. “They’re the best duo on the big screen, and very unique.”

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 27: Bilall, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and Adil attend the European premiere of BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE at Zoo Palast on May 27, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

Smith says that his chemistry with Lawrence comes out of 30 years of respect for each other’s craft. “We both have grown and experienced a lot of life,” he says. “So, when we come together, the amount of respect and care, and concern for each other – it’s the only way to work.”

In the mid-1990s, Martin Lawrence and Will Smith did not know each other before Lawrence cold- called Smith to see if the star of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air would be interested in teaming with the star of Martin for an R-rated buddy cop movie. Lawrence had the script, and his sister, who was a fan of Fresh Prince, suggested that her brother call Smith. The result was not only one of the great pairings in movie history that changed their lives, but a real-life friendship too. “It’s the best phone call I ever made,” says Lawrence. “We had known of each other’s work, but we’d never met. When we did meet, there was a mutual respect and it was clear we had a connection. Even now, 30 years later, we are close friends. Even when it has been a minute since we’ve seen each other, we know we can always count on each other. Ride or die, for real.”

“Isn’t that what we all want? Someone we can count on no matter what?” adds Smith. “That’s part of the joy of these movies – bad boys for life is truly for life.”

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 24: Will Smith and Martin Lawrence attend the Riyadh Premiere of Columbia Pictures BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE in Riyadh on May 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Bad Boys: Ride or Die sees Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) in the biggest jam they’ve ever faced: when new evidence comes to light implicating the late Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) in a lifetime of drug-related crimes, the Bad Boys vow to clear his name… even if it means coming in the crosshairs of the cartel and the cops.

Adil & Bilall return to the helm of the movie after also directing Bad Boys for Life and notching the franchise’s best reviews from critics and audiences alike. “When we were 19 and studying in Brussels in film school, we were always dreaming of one day being part of Hollywood, and we were always joking that if one day we would be getting the chance to go to Hollywood, we’d want to make a Bad Boys movie – a Bad Boys 3,” Bilall laughs. “But obviously, we never really believed that it would happen up until we got to ask Jerry [Bruckheimer, producer] and Will. And we’re still pinching ourselves. We are fanboys, so it’s still a very surreal feeling.”

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MAY 22: Will Smith and Martin Lawrence attend the Dubai Premiere of Columbia Pictures BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Clint Egbert)

Don’t miss out on explosive action and laugh-out-loud humor Bad Boys style when Bad Boys: Ride or Die, distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, opens in cinemas June 5.

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Will Smith leads movie about Richard Williams

Two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith will portray an undeterred father who became an instrument in raising two of the world's greatest athletes.

The movie King Richard is based on the real story of Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus Williams, who had an extraordinary journey and vision in taking the two girls from the streets of Compton to the global stage to become legendary icons and changing the tennis sport forever. The profoundly moving film shows the power of family, perseverance and unwavering belief as a means to achieve the impossible and impact the world. Watch the trailer below.

Aunjanue Ellis (“If Beale Street Could Talk,” TV’s “Quantico”) plays the girls’ mom, Oracene “Brandi” Williams, Saniyya Sidney (“Hidden Figures,” “Fences”) stars as Venus Williams, Demi Singleton (TV’s “Godfather of Harlem”) stars as Serena Williams, with Tony Goldwyn (the “Divergent” series, TV’s “Scandal”) as coach Paul Cohen and Jon Bernthal (upcoming “The Many Saints of Newark,” “Ford v Ferrari”) as coach Rick Macci. The ensemble also includes Andy Bean (“IT Chapter Two”), Kevin Dunn (the “Transformers” films, HBO’s “Veep”) and Craig Tate (“Greyhound”).

King Richard is a Warner Bros. Presentation, A Star Thrower Entertainment Production, A Westbrook Production, A Keepin’ It Reel Production. Coming soon in cinemas.

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BAD BOYS FOR LIFE movie for International Popcorn Day at SM Cinema

SM Cinema presents Bad Boys For Life as their special movie offering for the International Popcorn Day last January 19 in SM Megamall. Poppy the Popcorn graced the event and danced to Tala and gave away free popcorn to movie audiences, not just for Bad Boys for Life but to all who watched on the same day in other cinemas.

Bad Boys for Life continues the story of Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence). Since this is their last case together, the story line contains a heart revealing Lowrey's past. Burnett also embraced a new chapter in his life. The bad boys' charisma, packed with ammunition and explosive stunts, Bad Boys for Life gives a good curtain call. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence made a great time in the conclusion of the series but we're still wanting for a sequel.

The team ensemble composed of Paola Nunez, Vanessa Hudgens, Charles Melton and Alexander Ludwig gives a refreshing spirit alongside Smith and Lawrence. The humor and kick-ass antics were very notable too. SPOILER: Vanessa Hudgens' action star image experiment did not escape the subtle HSM joke within the movie.

Overall it's a great movie that you can watch with friends or family (Parental Guidance is advised for violence).

Bad Boys for Life is now showing in SM Cinemas. Download the SM Cinema app for movie schedules and book your tickets in advance.

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ALADDIN 2019 movie review

The 2019 remake of the Arabian tale Aladdin is a feast to the eyes and gives pure nostalgia with fresh twist for everyone who've seen it before.

Featuring majority of the cast that makes Hollywood diversity alive, Mena Massoud's portrayal of Aladdin inks in the books. Naomi Scott's Jasmine also gave a more stronger character than the animated movie and puts women empowerment a concrete picture. Will Smith gave a credible Genie that has a hip hop and pop approach to our blue friend and they gave him a love interest! Who says magical creatures can't fall in love? However, the lovable Sultan was very serious and lost the connection to the audience. Marwan Kenzari's Jafar would be a more connection to the audience with his younger features than the animated counterpart.

Mena Massoud and Will Smith in Aladdin

Navid Negahban and Naomi Scott (Sultan and Jasmine)

Marwan Kenzari as Jafar

An ambitious production especially when they sang "Prince Ali" is what gave me the whole theatrical feels. It was so grand, better than "A Whole New World" actually, and all I can say is it's glorious.

Will Smith (Prince Ali)

With new songs from Alan Menken and the team, each of the characters were given quite a deeper meaning of their joys and obstacles. Jasmine's "Speechless" moves us to fight for what is right. We also felt Aladdin's sorrows in "One Jump Ahead." In "Friend Like Me" and "Harvest Dance," Mena Massoud wows us in his dancing skills -- it was also like Bollywood greatness combined with an HSM twist.

Aladdin is still showing in cinemas.

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Disney names Aladdin live-action cast

They got a new story about the street rat of Agrabah.

Disney finally casts Aladdin for it's live-action movie last D23 and we'll meet new characters portray the most-loved Arabian tale.

The “Aladdin” cast includes: Two-time Oscar® nominee Will Smith (“Ali,” “Men in Black”) as the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes to whoever possesses his magic lamp; Mena Massoud (Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”) as Aladdin, the hapless but lovable street rat who is smitten with the Sultan’s daughter; Naomi Scott (“Power Rangers”) as Princess Jasmine, the Sultan’s beautiful daughter who wants to have a say in how she lives her life; Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express”) as Jafar, an evil sorcerer who devises a nefarious plot to unseat the Sultan and rule Agrabah himself; Navid Negahban (“Homeland”) as the Sultan, the ruler of Agrabah who is eager to find a proper husband for his daughter, Jasmine. Check out this selfie by Will Smith during production:

Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Merwan Kenzari and Mena Massoud
at the set of Aladdin. (c) Will Smith

And they are adding new characters from what we knew more than 25 years ago. Nasim Pedrad (“Saturday Night Live”) as Dalia, Princess Jasmine’s hand maiden and confidante; Billy Magnussen (“Into the Woods”) as Prince Anders, a suitor from Skanland and potential husband for Princess Jasmine; and Numan Acar (“Homeland”) as Hakim, Jafar’s right-hand man and head of the palace guards.

Nasim Pedrad as Dalia

Billy Magnussen at Prince Anders

Numan Acar as Hakim

Guy Ritchie directs and will feature old and new songs from Alan Menken.

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COLLATERAL BEAUTY movie review

Happy new year! I haven't posted a lot in the past 8 months but I would like to make sure that starting the year would open a lot of good for us. Starting with the latest film with Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Michael Pena, Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, and Kiera Knightley in the movie called Collateral Beauty. Opening today in cinemas, I highly recommend this to everyone to look forward and see the bigger and better picture in every thing that is happening to us.

SYPNOSIS: When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy he retreats from life.  While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death.  But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.

Time, Love and Death played very well on this one. They actually like speaking through you and not to the characters that are portrayed in the movie. When the story is served in front of you, you feel like everything is relatable. I actually cried in many parts. The movie gives so many metaphors and again hits you right on the spot. Congratulations to Allan Loeb for writing this in such a way that made you realize and appreciate these three things in our lives. Moments are derived from sadness and it takes us to be happy, just learning how to appreciate time and love. It also makes us prepare for Death, be ready and accept when it arrives.

From Warner Bros. Pictures, Collateral Beauty is directed by David Frankel.

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SUICIDE SQUAD trailer made glorious by Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

Watch the much-awaited trailer of SUICIDE SQUAD from Warner Bros. Pictures. The worst of the worst have been assembled to save the world. Get to know the villains from Batman.

David Ayer collected the worst villains in the Arkham Asylum and they will be busting crime in return for a shorter prison term. Here they are:

Cara Delevingne as Enchantress

Jai Courtney as Boomerang

Jared Leto as the Joker

Jay Hernandez as Diablo

Karen Fukuhara as Katana

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc

Will Smith as Deadshot

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn

Also joined by Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flagg and Adam Beach as Slip Knot. Watch the trailer below. Harley Quinn I think gets most of the airtime and spotlight.

SUICIDE SQUAD trailer
The worst heroes in the most glorious trailer ever! The Suicide Squad takes over the city starting August 3, 2016 from Warner Bros. Pictures. #SuicideSquad
Posted by Ohmski on Tuesday, January 19, 2016

SUICIDE SQUAD opens August 3 in the Philippines from Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Death is inevitable with the SUICIDE SQUAD skulls!

Warner Bros. Pictures has rolled out the skull-themed character icons of DC's villains, also known as the SUICIDE SQUAD. Check out the artworks below and the combo poster and tomorrow, we will all witness the much anticipated trailer of this movie.

The film stars two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith as Deadshot; Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto as the Joker; Jai Courtney as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne as Enchantress. Completing the cast are Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc, Jay Hernandez as Diablo, Adam Beach as Slipknot and Karen Fukuhara as Katana. It will be directed by David Ayer.

SUICIDE SQUAD is yet to be rated in the Philippines and will open August 3, 2016 from Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Meet the cast of DC's Suicide Squad

An all-star roster of actors has joined Warner Bros. Pictures’ new action adventure “Suicide Squad,” bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The announcement was made December 2 by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” upcoming “Focus”) as Deadshot; Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” upcoming “Focus,” the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” upcoming “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.

In making the announcement, Silverman said, “The Warner Bros. roots are deep on this one. David Ayer returns to the studio where he wrote ‘Training Day’ and brings his incredible ability to craft multidimensional villains to this iconic DC property with a cast of longtime Warner collaborators Will Smith and Tom Hardy, and other new and returning favorites: Margot, Jared, Jai and Cara. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero.”

Ayer is also writing the script for “Suicide Squad,” which is being produced by Charles Roven (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”). Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.

The film is slated for release beginning on August 5, 2016.

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WINTER'S TALE movie review

I have this confusion with time-travelling movies but WINTER'S TALE is a not miss with loving individuals of all ages. As to learn not just to love but to be a miracle to others.

Being in the mythical New York in a different angels and demons battle, a person is caught in two time zones, one his present and his future and being able to fulfill his destiny. I just had to carefully draw myself in the settings and how clues were revealed one by one in the life of Peter Lake (Colin Farrell). I also had this icky feeling that sometime within that Pearly Holmes (Russell Crowe) will sing as Javert in Les Mis.

The story is something new to me and I really liked it too. It brings back youth to Colin Farrell and he has regained the matinee idol image in this movie. There is also balance in the roles of the supporting cast, and a pleasant script.

A love fantasy is very timely in this season and for those in love out there, Winter's Tale is written and directed by Akiva Goldsman and now showing in theaters. Distributed by Warner Bros Philippines.

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