Showing posts with label columbia pictures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label columbia pictures. Show all posts

January 20, 2025

“Paddington in Peru” wins the heart of moviegoers with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score

As with the first two highly acclaimed Paddington films, Paddington in Peru has been garnering praises from audiences and film critics for its unique story, animation, and humor. Paddington in Peru sees the iconic bear in a brand new adventure as he tries to get back to his roots and solve a mystery involving his family in hist birthplace of Peru.
Variety talks about how Paddington in Peru will appeal to moviegoing kids, writing, “Paddington in Peru is, as any Paddington adventure should be, fast and buoyant and disarmingly sunny in a way that viewers who weren’t alive — or at least of cinemagoing age — for the 2017 release of Paddington 2 will lap up.”

Paddington’s thoughtful and beautiful animation was noted by The Hollywood Reporter, which writes, “Although returning players Hugh Bonneville, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin as the other three Brown family members make significant contributions along with Mortimer, no one can hold the screen with a hard stare like Paddington. He pulls off one his best here, a perfectly calibrated study in facial movement, lighting (particularly in the brown-gold glitter of his eyes) and comic timing.”

The BBC praises how Paddington in Peru maintains the heart of the story from previous films, even in the brand new setting. “Dotted with waterfalls and piranhas, double crosses and Inca riddles, the Browns' jungle quest is the subject of a wholesome, well-constructed, richly coloured adventure yarn with just enough of the eccentric charm, animated interludes and musical numbers that make the Paddington series what it is.”
Slant mirrors these sentiments, while also acknowledging the film’s message about familial roots and finding what home truly means. “While it’s never didactic or heavy-handed about its messaging, Paddington in Peru also offers an idea of Britishness that’s multifaceted and modern, as the titular bear celebrates his official status as a citizen of the U.K. while reconnecting with his Peruvian roots.

Set off with friends, family, and the wonderful Paddington, as Paddington in Peru arrives in Philippine theaters on January 29. Watch the trailer here:

August 2, 2024

Harold and the Purple Crayon comes to life starring Zachary Levi

Lil Rel Howery, Benjamin Bottani, and Zachary Levi set off on an adventure in Harold and the Purple Crayon
Countless families have enjoyed Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon since its publication in 1955. The book tells the story of an adventurous toddler who can create entire worlds with his purple crayon. The adaptation puts a twist on the story, as in the movie Harold has grown up in his fantastical world, and decides to draw a door into the real, modern world.

Producer John Davis talks about the adventure that Harold is thrust into in Harold and the Purple Crayon. “Harold and his friends are transformed from characters on the page to adventurers on a journey of self-discovery,” Davis says. “Their story is brimming with passion, imagination, and a sense of heart.” Watch the trailer:
Oscar-nominated director Carlos Saldanha had his children grow up to the tale of Harold and the Purple Crayon. “The original story is very simple and charming,” he says. “I really love the way that this movie takes it further. In the book, Harold is very sheltered, but coming into the real world exposes him to the harsh realities of everyday life. He discovers all these new emotions that allow him to become a more complete and fuller human character, all while retaining his innocence.”

Playing the role of the intrepid Harold is Zachary Levi, who feels that more than an adaptation, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a love letter to imagination itself. “There is no Harold without imagination,” Levi says. “The power of imagination is just as integral to the movie as it is to the book.” Asked what he’d draw if he had Harold’s purple crayon, Levi opted for convenience. “The airplane scene was a lot of fun,” he says. “Maybe I’d draw a plane.”
Zachary Levi lets his imagination literally take flight in Harold and the Purple Crayon
Levi’s co-star Zooey Deschanel also has a personal connection to the book as she also read Harold and the Purple Crayon to her kids. “I’ve been reading the book to my kids since they were really little,” says Deschanel. “It’s a much beloved book in my house, and I think this is the type of movie parents will want to go see with their kids.”

Director Saldanha finds magic in something as mundane as a crayon, and invites audiences to share that magic and rediscover the power of imagination. “Pick up a crayon, and the possibilities are endless,” he says. “With everything happening in our daily lives, we forget the power of the imagination, the power of believing, the power of dreaming, and the power of ‘drawing’ your way into a better place. This film invites audiences to rediscover that magic.”

Grab a friend and set off into a world of adventure as Harold and the Purple Crayon opens in PH cinemas on August 21.

August 2024 movies

Don’t miss these movies, opening in cinemas in August!

August 7 - It Ends With Us (Columbia Pictures)
Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate
Directed by: Justin Baldoni
“It Ends With Us”, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen, tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.

August 21 - Harold and the Purple Crayon (Columbia Pictures)
Cast: Zachary Levi, Jemaine Clement, Alfred Molina, Zooey Deschanel
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha
Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book’s pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life – and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends’ creativity to save both the real world and his own. “Harold and the Purple Crayon” is the first film adaptation of the beloved children’s classic that has captivated young readers for decades.

August 21 - Blink Twice (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Stars: Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Adria Arjona, Christian Slater, Geena Davis
Directed by: Zoƫ Kravitz
When tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) meets cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) at his fundraising gala, sparks fly. He invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. It’s paradise. Wild nights blend into sun soaked days and everyone’s having a great time. No one wants this trip to end, but as strange things start to happen, Frida begins to question her reality. There is something wrong with this place. She’ll have to uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive.

August 28 - Look Back (Encore Films)
Voice cast: Yumi Kawai, Mizuki Yoshida
Directed by: Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Based on the award-winning manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, creator of “Chainsaw Man.” “Look Back” is a heart-wrenching and impactful story of growing up, a story about the overly confident Fujino and the shut-in Kyomoto, who couldn’t be more different. Their love of drawing manga is the one thing connecting these contrary girls. One day, however, something happens to them that shatters everything…

*Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.*

June 28, 2024

Midyear movie treats this July

Don’t miss these movies, opening in cinemas in July!

July 3 - Despicable Me 4 (Universal Pictures International)

Stars: Steve Carrell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Madison Polan, Joey King, Stephen Colbert, Chloe Fineman, Pierre Coffin, Steve Coogan
Directed by: Chris Renaud

In “Despicable Me 4,” the blockbuster franchise begins a new chapter as Gru (Steve Carell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) and their girls – Margo, Edith and Agnes – welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. But it’s not all sunshine and roses for the family, as Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.

July 10 - Fly Me to the Moon (Columbia Pictures)

Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Ray Romano, Woody Harrelson
Directed by: Greg Berlanti

Starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, “Fly Me To The Moon” is a sharp, stylish comedy-drama set against the high-stakes backdrop of NASA’s historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Brought in to fix NASA’s public image, sparks fly in all directions as marketing maven Kelly Jones (Johansson) wreaks havoc on launch director Cole Davis’s (Tatum) already difficult task. When the White House deems the mission too important to fail, Jones is directed to stage a fake moon landing as back-up and the countdown truly begins…

July 10 - Marupok A+ (Where is the Lie?) (Ayala Malls Cinemas exclusive)

Stars: EJ Jallorina, Royce Cabrera, Maris Racal
Directed by: Quark Henares

Based on a true story that went viral on Twitter, “Marupok A+ (Where is the Lie?)” follows Janzen Torres (EJ Jallorina), a hopeless romantic who goes on a dating app and matches with the seemingly perfect Theo Balmaceda (Royce Cabrera). On the day of their first date, Janzen gets ghosted. This then leads to an intricately-planned web of deceit, lies, and catfishing. A sociopathic mastermind named Beanie Landridos (Maris Racal) is behind all of Janzen’s struggles.

July 17 - Twisters (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, David Corenswet
Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung

From the producers of the Jurassic, Bourne and Indiana Jones series comes “Twisters,” a current-day chapter of the 1996 blockbuster, “Twister.” Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years, who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi, to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better.


July 31 - Trap (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Stars: Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, Allison Pill
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan

A father and his teen daughter attend a pop concert, only to get caught in the center of a dark and sinister event. “Trap” is the next new thriller from the mind of M. Night Shyamalan, starring Josh Hartnett. “Trap” also stars Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Allison Pill.

*Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.*

May 30, 2024

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.

March 18, 2024

Experience the Win of A Lifetime. Watch the trailer of for Global Box Office Hit "Yolo", in cinemas April 17

Breaking the limits. Rising from the ashes. A fiery soul. YOLO, the inspirational comedy drama by director/writer/actress Jia Ling, opens in Philippine cinemas April 17.

YOLO tells the story of Le Ying (played by Jia Ling), who has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to “reconcile” with herself. Then one day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia Yin), who just may change her life. Watch the trailer below:

The film was written and directed by lead star Jia Ling, who became the highest-grossing female director in China in 2021 with her directorial debut film Hi, Mom, which, like YOLO, she also wrote and starred in.

YOLO, distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, opens in Philippine cinemas on April 17.

March 15, 2024

New "The Garfield Movie" trailer reunites Garfield with his father

Indoor cat šŸ¾ Outdoor adventure. Watch the new trailer for The Garfield Movie, starring Chris Pratt as the voice of everyone’s favorite lazy orange tabby. Also featuring the voice of Samuel L. Jackson as Garfield’s dad, The Garfield Movie opens in cinemas May 29.
Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.
Directed by Mark Dindal, from a screenplay by Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove and David Reynolds. Based on the Garfield® characters created by Jim Davis.

Produced by John Cohen, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, Steven P. Wegner, Craig Sost, Namit Malhotra and Crosby Clyse, with Jim Davis serving as one of the executive producers.

Led by Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield, the cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey GuillƩn, Brett Goldstein and Bowen Yang.

Opening on May 29, 2024, The Garfield Movie is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

March 5, 2024

Korean thriller Exhuma unveils new trailer

What lies beneath the grave? Find out when Exhuma, the hit thriller that broke box office records in Korea on its opening weekend, opens in Philippine cinemas March 20. 
Exhuma, starring Choi Min-Shik, Kim Go-Eun, Yoo Hae-Jin and Lee Do-Hyun, tells the story of two talented shamans, a geomancer and a mortician tasked to find a mysterious grave – and unknowingly unleash a malevolent force buried underneath. Watch the new trailer.
After suffering from serial paranormal events, a wealthy family living in LA summons a young rising shaman duo Hwa Rim (Kim Go-Eun) and Bong Gil (Lee Do-Hyun) to save the newborn of the family. Once they arrive, Hwa Rim senses a dark shadow of their ancestor has latched on the family in a so-called “Grave Calling.” In order to exhume the grave and relieve the ancestor, Hwa Rim seeks help from top-notch geomancer Sang Deok (Choi Min-Shik) and mortician Yeong Geun (Yoo Hae-Jin). To their dismay, the four find the grave at a shady location in a remote village in Korea. Unaware of the consequences, the exhumation is carried out, unleashing a malevolent force buried underneath.

Exhuma opens in Philippine cinemas on March 20, distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

January 3, 2024

“ANYONE BUT YOU” Opens in the Philippines January 17

Anyone But You, director Will Gluck’s new edgy romantic comedy starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, has charmed its way to the global box office.
The film, which opened in the United States just before Christmas, opened in several overseas markets over the weekend, including in the United Kingdom and Australia, where the film is primarily set. Anyone But You has earned a total of $33.5 million dollars, with a few markets still lined up for the film’s opening, including Spain, France, Italy and the Philippines, where it opens in cinemas January 17, 2024.

“I think audiences want to see movies that are relevant, authentic, and cinematic – but most of all, fun,” says Gluck, a fan favorite in the genre, thanks to previous works including Easy A and Friends With Benefits.

In the edgy comedy Anyone But You, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) look like the perfect couple, but after an amazing first date something happens that turns their fiery hot attraction ice cold – until they find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
Directed by Will Gluck, co-written by Gluck and Ilana Wolpert. Produced by Gluck, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Joe Roth, and executive-produced by Sweeney.

Cast includes Sweeney, Powell, Alexandra Shipp, Darren Barnet, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown and GaTa.

Opening in Philippine cinemas January 17, Anyone But You is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

November 13, 2023

Trailer for The Garfield Movie starring Chris Pratt is now available!

Good times are ahead as The Garfield Movie, starring Chris Pratt as the voice of everyone’s favorite lazy orange tabby, is coming soon exclusively in cinemas.

Watch the trailer below:

Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.


Directed by Mark Dindal, from a screenplay by Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove and David Reynolds. Based on the Garfield® characters created by Jim Davis.

Produced by John Cohen, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, Steven P. Wegner, Craig Sost, Namit Malhotra and Crosby Clyse, with Jim Davis serving as one of the executive producers.

Led by Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield, the cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey GuillƩn, Brett Goldstein and Bowen Yang.

Coming soon in cinemas, Garfield is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

November 1, 2023

Watch the new trailer of Napoleon

Joaquin Phoenix takes the crown. Watch the new trailer for Napoleon, from acclaimed director Ridley Scott, and starring Academy Award® winner Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine. The highly anticipated action epic opens in cinemas November 29. Also in IMAX.



Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar®-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte's relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.

Directed by Ridley Scott, with screenplay by David Scarpa, the action epic is produced by Ridley Scott, Kevin J. Walsh, Mark Huffam and Joaquin Phoenix.

Opening in cinemas November 29, Napoleon is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

August 24, 2023

Meet the residents of Concrete Utopia

Check out the newly released character posters of Concrete Utopia, starring Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-jun and Park Bo-young, opens in Philippine cinemas September 20.

While no one knows for sure how far the ruins stretch, or what the cause of the earthquake may be, in the heart of Seoul there is only one apartment building left standing. It is called Hwang Gung Apartments.

As time passes, outsiders start coming in to Hwang Gung Apartments trying to escape the extreme cold. Before long, the apartment residents are unable to cope with the increasing numbers. Feeling a threat to their very survival, the residents enact a special measure. Watch the main trailer below. Who do you think will be the final survivors?

Directed by Um Tae-hwa, Concrete Utopia is loosely based on Part 2 of the hit webtoon “Joyful Outcast” (“Pleasant Neighbors”). Concrete Utopia is a disaster thriller about the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The film will follow the story that begins when the survivors gather at Hwang Gung Apartments, the only building left standing in an earthquake-ravaged Seoul.

In cinemas September 20, Concrete Utopia is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

August 12, 2023

“CONCRETE UTOPIA” to be released in PH, opens in cinemas September 20

Concrete Utopia, a thrilling disaster film starring an ensemble of A-list Korean actors including Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-jun, Park Bo-young, Park Ji-hu, Kim Do-yoon and Kim Sun-young, will be released in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures.
The film, which opened #1 in Korea, will open in local cinemas September 20.

In Concrete Utopia, the world has been reduced to rubble by a massive earthquake.

While no one knows for sure how far the ruins stretch, or what the cause of the earthquake may be, in the heart of Seoul there is only one apartment building left standing. It is called Hwang Gung Apartments.

As time passes, outsiders start coming in to Hwang Gung Apartments trying to escape the extreme cold. Before long, the apartment residents are unable to cope with the increasing numbers. Feeling a threat to their very survival, the residents enact a special measure.

Check out the trailer below:
As the trailer and poster speaks for themselves, the survivors will have to go through mind-boggling thought processes, revealing the kind and dark side of human nature. Find out with us in the cinemas who will be the final survivors.

Directed by Um Tae-hwa, Concrete Utopia is loosely based on Part 2 of the hit webtoon “Joyful Outcast” (“Pleasant Neighbors”). Concrete Utopia is a disaster thriller about the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The film will follow the story that begins when the survivors gather at Hwang Gung Apartments, the only building left standing in an earthquake-ravaged Seoul.

May 15, 2023

Enter the Expanded Multiverse of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"

How do you follow up an Oscar®-winning animated feature which redefined what a CG-animated movie could look like, while introducing a new multicultural version of a classic Marvel superhero?
© Columbia Pictures
If you are part of the creative team at Sony Pictures Animation, you up the visual ante, take audiences to new places and offer surprising plot developments while never forgetting the emotional core of the story. Watch the trailer below:
“We took everything that we did in the first movie and cranked it to a whole new level,” says filmmaker Christopher Miller, one of the film’s writers and producers. “With this movie, we’re visiting different universes, and each universe has its own aesthetic and own artistic style. Each world is so different visually from the others, and the things that the people at Sony Pictures Animation and Imageworks have designed are limited by absolutely nothing. Anything you can imagine, paint and conceive, they can make an immersive 3D spectacle – and that’s often absolutely jaw-dropping.”
© Columbia Pictures
Producer Amy Pascal says, “This movie is a lot bigger and will have all the action that everyone’s looking for. But what I hope we’ll achieve is that the action sequences come out of character development and that you’re always telling a good story – we’ve been quite rigorous about that.”

“I think one point that comes across in the movie is that heroes exist in all cultures,” says producer Avi Arad.

Vision to the Power of Three

“What’s really inspiring is that each one of our new directors was able to bring something unique to the experience, a personal strength or viewpoint that was completely different from ours,” says filmmaker Phil Lord, also a writer and producer for the sequel.

“We’ve often joked about the fact that as a team of three directors, we each have our own individual superpowers,” says Joaquim Dos Santos, who directs the sequel with Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson. “Justin was the production designer on the first film, and has an amazing eye for design and knows how to push design especially when you’re visiting all these different worlds. Kemp is obviously an amazing writer. He has this fantastic backlog of work that has received every accolade and deserves even more because he’s an absolute virtuoso. My own background is as a story artist, so I am about telling stories through visual camera work. We are constantly checking each other’s work and showing each other what we are doing, and everybody has a say. It’s a very democratic process.”

A good old friend

“I hope audiences will feel like they’ve been reunited with a good friend,” says Peter Ramsey, one of the directors of the first film and now an executive producer for the sequel. “We want them to hold on tight as Miles goes through some really tricky and treacherous times. Most of all, I hope his journey comes across as powerfully and emotionally strong as it did in the original movie.”
© Columbia Pictures
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is coming exclusively to theaters on May 31, 2023, distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines.

May 3, 2023

Start your engines as “GRAN TURISMO” revs up with first trailer

High speed brings higher stakes. Columbia Pictures’ upcoming action-thriller Gran Turismo is the exhilarating true story of Jann Mardenborough, a gamer who became a real-life racecar driver.

Credits to: Columbia Pictures

In cinemas soon across the Philippines. Watch the trailer.

Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, the film is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.

Directed by Neill Blomkamp, screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin, based on the PLAYSTATION STUDIOS video game.

Produced by Doug Belgrad, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Dana Brunetti. The executive producers are Kazunori Yamauchi, Herman Hulst, Jason Hall, Matthew Hirsch.

The cast is led by David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner and Djimon Hounsou.

In Philippine cinemas 2023, Gran Turismo is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

February 26, 2023

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.

January 8, 2023

I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY movie review

For our first movie of the year, it's nothing but the biopic of one of the greatest voices in entertainment -- I Wanna Dance Somebody,  a movie about the life of the one and only Whitney Houston is already playing in cinemas. It could have been in theaters last Christmas but we have to give way to our local film festival.
Entering the cinema for the first time this year gives lot of chills especially if you're really in for an exciting movie. We've been waiting for IWDWS since the first trailer was released last October. From the writers of Bohemian Rhapsody, you can also watch out for a great show. The theater lobby of TriNoMa cinema 7 during the premiere last Thursday booms with Whitney's iconic songs and you really can't stop yourself from singing along.
IWDWS reveals lots about the life of Whitney Houston (Naomi Ackie). Nippy as she's called was pushed by her mother Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie) leading to a fruitful partnership with her good friend Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci). You'll admire Whitney's talent in making her songs bigger than the demos, delivering her amazing voice to the waves.  She also relates her songs to her experiences, women empowerment, and family. It's great to know the story behind each song and appreciate it to the core.

Whitney's life is not all fame and glamour. The movie takes you to her journey and relate to her. Her ups are glorious and downs drop to the lowest. You'll love her friends who wished her success and hate the people that brought her down. Bobby Brown and her dad were two different antagonists on her life and influences, at least she learned to fight and get up again. But old habits are hard to stop.
There are 22 songs that are featured in the movie, and you will ask to grab a mic like how you've seen Bohemian Rhapsody. Though some of the songs didn't finish all throughout, at least they were included in the list.

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is now playing in theaters, directed by Kasi Lemmons from Columbia Pictures.

October 28, 2022

Grumpy Tom Hanks in the trailer of "A Man Called Otto"

Discover what can happen when you let life in. See Tom Hanks as Otto in the official trailer of Columbia Pictures’ heartwarming comedy/drama A Man Called Otto, in Philippine cinemas 2023.
Based on the comical and moving # 1 New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower who is very set in his ways. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that will turn his world upside-down. Experience a funny, heartwarming story about how some families come from the most unexpected places.


Directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland), A Man Called Otto stars Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Cast Away), Mariana TreviƱo (Club the Cuervos), Rachel Keller (Fargo) and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Magnificent Seven). The screenplay is written by Academy Award® nominee David Magee (Best Adapted Screenplay, Life of Pi, 2012; Best Adapted Screenplay, Finding Neverland, 2004) based upon the best-selling novel “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. The film is also based on the Swedish film written and directed by Hannes Holm. The film is being produced by Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Fredrik Wikstrƶm Nicastro.

In Philippine cinemas 2023, A Man Called Otto is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

October 11, 2022

Shawn Mendes lends voice for Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

Shawn Mendes, superstar recording artist and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, brings Lyle, the singing crocodile to vocal life, in Columbia Pictures’ new musical comedy Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (in Philippine cinemas October 12).
Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action / CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.

Mendes describes Lyle as a character driven by love. “He just wants to have a family, a home, and feel connected to people,” says Mendes, “and love is the reason I sing, too – I sing when I feel comfortable, when I feel accepted. I relate to him a lot.”

“Hearing your own voice come out of an animated character is such a weird experience,” Mendes continues. “It can be a bit of an out-of-body experience to hear your voice coming out of a crocodile, he adds, but what he wasn’t expecting was how much the animators would capture of Mendes himself. “While I was singing in the studio, the animators were filming my facial expressions, and then animating Lyle to make similar facial expressions that I was making.”

The film features original songs performed by Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, and Constance Wu, written by the songwriting team behind The Greatest Showman, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
For Mendes, singing the work of Pasek and Paul brought to the fore the way that gifted songwriters can make the songs of a musical work a dual purpose, building on each other as part of a cohesive whole and also providing a discrete, joyful experience. “When you watch one of their movies or shows, you’re digesting the entire thing at once, and you may not realize just how smart they are,” says Mendes. “You don’t realize how complex and how beautiful these songs are, how lyrically astonishing they are, and how much effort they put into them. But when you’re in the recording studio, going through the songs, it’s an eye-opening experience,” he concludes.

August 2, 2022

BULLET TRAIN movie review

A film based on the book of Kotaro Isaka, Bullet Train gives a wonderful and energetic ride that takes us into a high-speed tour of emotions as well. You can't make a full stop as Brad Pitt and his co-stars present an explosive movie set in modern day Japan.
Ladybug (Brad Pitt) hopes to make a peaceful ride inside the bullet train but accidentally gets on collision with determined assassins with connected and conflicting objectives.
The most similar movie I can think of Bullet Train is Kill Bill by Quentin Tarantino. It doesn't hold back on showing the slices, gunshots and blood that almost get out of the screen. But David Leitch assures you that there'll be more. What I love about the movie is that it's injected with dark humor and unexpected twists that you will be hooked from start to finish. Glad that Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Joey King, Brian Tyree-Henry and more pulled of jokes and sinister banters that earns them love and compassion from the audience, at least for me. While I knew that Brad leads the movie, the other characters are lovable to hate.

Colors are so neon almost hypnotizing you to like the movie more aside from giving authentic Japanese vibes. Hot pink, lemon yellow and all you can associate a real Tokyo visual would probably present. Kudos to the production designer for doing a great job.
Bullet Train offers more surprises while it gives great action. There are also cameos that you wouldn't expect to be included which added to the flair that makes it unforgettable. You can't afford a blink of an eye when it's released in theaters August 10, 2022.

Photos from Columbia Pictures PH

Popular Posts