Aquaman: Movie Review and Press Conference Recap

Christmas season is finally here, and along with it a rollout of what came this 2018 and what were among the best and brightest things many of us had the privilege of experiencing this year. Chief among these is Warner Bros. Philippines bringing one of the most anticipated films to our shores just before the year closes in AQUAMAN - the long awaited DC Films movie starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and an all-star cast of talents that have banded together under the direction of "Saw", "Insidious", and "The Conjuring" franchise director James Wan (who directs his very first superhero film as well).

Just swimming towards its third week in theaters after opening quite early and ahead of US territories, Aquaman has performed EXCEPTIONALLY WELL in Philippine cinemas - grossing over P230.4 Million in its opening weekend AND surpassing 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as a result. Worldwide, it has grossed $383 Million, and is undeniably one of the BEST DC Films to be made by Warner Bros. alongside Wonder Woman. The success of course is due to the charismatic performance of Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/ Aquaman - who first debuted as the character in a slight cameo in 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and then joining his fellow heroes to battle a common threat in last year's "Justice League". Momoa's characterization of Aquaman - a hero born to an Atlantian queen and human father, is simply embodied in the word "AWESOME". He's the kind of hero who never backs down from a fight and while seemingly an outcast is determined to do the right thing when it matters and emerges as both hero and king by the film's conclusion. Not since Robert Downey Jr.'s take as Tony Stark/ Iron Man have we seen a vastly different take on a familiar comic book icon, and Momoa can lay claim to the fact that HE IS AQUAMAN because of his performance in this movie.

While Momoa headlines the show as The King of the Seven Seas, his supporting cast is also the reason why this live-action superhero film shines. Amber Heard stands by Arthur Curry's side as Mera - a fellow Atlantian and princess who helps Aquaman realize his destiny and guides him to become the hero he is meant to be. Nicole Kidman and Temuera Morrison also star as Arthur's parents Atlanna and Thomas Curry - two people from two different worlds who were never meant to meet and fall in love, but they did and produced a child who would become a representation of what is good in life in both land and sea. Willem Dafoe plays the role of Vulko - the counselor of Atlantis royalty who teaches and mentors Arthur to become the warrior he grows up to be. Patrick Wilson stars as Orm - the half-brother of Arthur Curry who seeks to challenge his birthright as king of Atlantis and become "Ocean Master". Likewise, Yahya-Abdul Mateen II becomes a very personal enemy to Aquaman after their initial encounter and takes up the role of his nemesis, Black Manta.

AQUAMAN – Final Trailer – in cinemas December 12
For all its brilliant casting and direction, Aquaman also bolsters one of the most impressive CGI works and special effects that can be made today - bringing to life the world of Atlantis and the rest of the undersea waters that make up the different kingdoms featured in this adventure. Wan and crew spare no expense in imagining something as beautiful as the capital city, while also digging deeper into Aquaman lore and displaying the horrors seen in The Trench. There's just plenty to talk about and it's better to watch it come to life, as well as the world hopping that Arthur and Mera go through to find King Atlan's trident to help save not only the surface world, but the rest of Atlantis from a war that may very well destroy both worlds as a result.

Undoubtedly one of the BEST superhero films to be made because it FINALLY puts to rest all the jokes unfairly pointed at Arthur Curry since time and memorial, Aquaman is just simply made to be seen by fans and newbies because it is rich with adventure, spectacle, and awesomeness. It puts DC back in the map in making a solid footing to the superhero movie market, and I can't wait to see what comes next in DC Films. Also, I got to go to the Grand Hyatt Hotel press conference and see Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and director James Wan themselves before the Aquaman Fan Meet at SM Mall of Asia last December 11! You can see bits of that in my Facebook page in photos, as well as a Facebook Live Video too!
Aquaman is NOW SHOWING in theaters in The Philippines and Worldwide! I'd highly recommend seeing it in IMAX 3D too - it is simply gorgeous!

 Rating - 5/5

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

If you told me years ago there would be a Spider-Man movie featuring all the different kinds of webheads and wallcrawlers out there today in comics - I would have been beside myself and freaking out at how exactly that would come together. Fortunately - seeds were planted by Marvel and comic book writer Dan Slott on how to exactly get around this problem by actually bringing ALL SPIDER-MEN AND WOMEN TOGETHER in the 2014 comic book crossover called "Spider-Verse". That storyline saw every conceivable variation and alternate universe Spidey come together to battle a common threat - and through that narrative came the possibility of actually adapting the concept for cinematic purposes and having more than just Peter Parker and his alter ego appear in the big screen.

Fast forward to 2018, and Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Marvel have put together something that is undeniably one of the most AMAZING films to feature our friendly neighborhood hero and everything that he stands for - "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse". The first animated Spider-Man film to expand on the character and his other alternate counterparts, Into The Spider-Verse does feature Peter Parker, but puts most of the spotlight to young and relative newcomer Miles Morales - better known to comic book readers as the other hero to bear the name Spider-Man! First appearing in the Ultimate Marvel Universe and created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli, Miles is the heart of this animated feature - serving as the main character and thread that tells one huge yet special story of a power, responsibility, and what makes Spider-Man such a beloved character throughout the world.

Thanks to the folks at Columbia Pictures Philippines, my teammates of Spider-Verse PH and I, along with a few good friends got to see a VERY SPECIAL advance screening of "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" a few days ago, and I was literally BLOWN AWAY not just by the visuals and the fact it was pure fan service, but because it is a true LOVE LETTER to all of us Spidey fans who have adored, admired, and idolized the character and what he stands for. Spidey Co-Creator Stan Lee, who passed away earlier this month, would have been VERY PROUD to see this movie if that's any indication of how great this is.

What makes this movie different is what makes it so AWESOME. Check out my thoughts on "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" below.

Movie Review: Creed II

It's been three long years since the young and energetic Adonis Johnson Creed stepped into the boxing ring and carried on the torch passed on by his mentor/ "Unc" Rocky Balboa in 2015's "Creed" - the very first spin-off film of the long running "Rocky" film franchise and one that follows the career and journey of a new fighter who inherits two legacies from two former rivals turned friends. The first film's director, Ryan Coogler of "Black Panther" fame, made a daring attempt at continuing the Rocky Saga through fresh eyes - this time through the late Apollo Creed's son and how he rose through a huge challenge to carve his own legacy while honoring his father's at the same time.

Fast forward to 2018, and a sequel that was only natural to happen comes forth delivering not just the next chapter for Adonis Creed, but also a fight that acts as continuation of the fight that took his father's life and changed his mentor Rocky Balboa forever. "Creed II" pits the young boxer against Viktor Drago - son of "Rocky IV" antagonist and Russian Boxer Ivan Drago - the man who killed Apollo Creed in an Exhibition Match 33 years ago. After climbing to the top of the mountain and becoming WBO Champion, Donnie's life turns upside down with this very personal challenge - one that complicates his progression as a fighter and soon to be husband and father. As his girlfriend/ fiancee Bianca becomes pregnant with his child and his relationship with his "Unc" Rocky becomes strained over choosing to fight the Dragos, Creed must learn to rise beyond his own demons and his father's shadow to fight for what is more important in his life than anything else.

Movie Review: Ralph Breaks The Internet (Wreck-It Ralph 2)

As one of the break out hits of 2012, "Wreck-It Ralph" was a surprisingly awesome and loving tribute to video game fans worldwide - telling the story of the titular character who is the villain in the game "Fix-It Felix Jr." yet yearns to become a hero. It was filled with nods and cameos from popular and obscure video game franchises that sent hearts flying - and the retro gaming presentation of Ralph's gaming world inside a fictional arcade joint called Litwak's Family Fun Center & Arcade was just a touch of nostalgia that appealed to the inner gamer inside all of us. I even reviewed the film, and as a gamer myself I absolutely LOVED IT.

Fast forward to six years later, and a long awaited sequel finally sees release in theaters and brings Ralph and his best friend Vanellope von Schweetz back for a new adventure that is BIGGER than any one of them can imagine - exploring the INTERNET. The aptly titled "Ralph Breaks the Internet" is Disney's 57th feature length film and sees Ralph and Vanellope traveling to cyberspace to acquire an object that will save "Sugar Rush". What they discover however is all the kinds of things and temptations the World Wide Web will bring - including most of all the power of "Social Media", the convenience of eBay, and the numerous memes and online games that populate and preoccupy the lives of netizens worldwide. The sequel also sees cameos and appearances by familiar characters - from Disney's numerous Princesses to the characters and wonders from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises . This animated film is LITERAL eye candy and it delivers so well with its luscious visuals and 3D animation.


Disney's Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks The Internet | Trailer 2
John C. Reilly returns to provide the voice of the heroic yet very clingy and insecure Ralph, who pretty much is in the center of the reasons why he and his best friend have to travel to the interwebz to seek the item for Sugar Rush. Sarah Silverman also returns to be Vanellope, and she is festive and lovable and glitchy as ever! Also joining the cast is Wonder Woman herself Gal Gadot, who voices a new character in Shank - a superb racer girl from the online game Slaughter House. There are tons of voice actors to name and credit in this film, but they all deliver their A game, and this was certainly the all-star animated crossover that got a WONDERFUL Disney treatment tackling themes from gaming and net life combined!

Overall would I recommend Ralph Break The Internet? ABSOLUTELY! I love Ralph's adventures and this cements itself as another Disney franchise in the vein of Toy Story and The Incredibles that I'd love to see more films of! Catch it in theaters c/o Walt Disney Studios Philippines!

Rating - 5/5

Movie Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Two years after the release of the very first Fantastic Beasts film, a dark chapter that many have anticipated and waited for in J.K. Rowling's "Wizarding World" film series finally reveals itself in theaters - continuing the adventures of the eccentric yet clever Newt Scamander as he investigates a case given to him by mentor and former professor Albus Dumbledore. Of course, that case revolves around one "Gellert Grindelwald" -  a Dark Wizard who wanted to orchestrate a revolution that could have grave consequences in the world of magic and beyond.

That in itself is the premise of "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" - the second of a planned five movie prequel series set before the events of the Harry Potter films and featuring heroes we haven't known and those younger and well before their time in the Potter films. Directed by veteran franchise director David Yates, The Crimes of Grindelwald acts as an "Empire Strikes Back" sort of sequel - giving more emphasis to Grindelwald and his portrayal in the big screen by the ever talented Johnny Depp. After being revealed at the end of "Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them" when his "disguise" as Pecival Graves (played by Colin Farrell) was blown by Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), Depp's Grindelwald is in full force and free to act as the unopposed dark magic user with plans to wipe out the old Wizarding order and supplant it with his own. This in turn leads to a series of events that has returning characters Tina Goldstein, her sister Queenie, and the No-Maj friend of Newt, Jacob Kowalski.

Also returning in this sequel is Ezra Miller - who reprises his role as the lost and angry Credence. Seeking to find answers and the love of his lost family, the film shifts its focus away from 1920's America and into Europe - where much of the story takes place in Paris and London. Harry Potter fans will also get to see a familiar name in Nagini - the future snake pet of Lord Voldemort who still retains her humanity and acts as Credence's closest friend in the Fantastic Beasts timeline.


FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD - Final Trailer
Playing of course the young Albus Dumbledore is veteran actor Jude Law - and he is an exceptional presence as he is one of the main links between the Fantastic Beasts series and the Harry Potter films later on in the Wizarding World timeline. His story is quiet interesting and further establishes more of the future old headmaster of Hogwarts' past, as well as his complicated relationship with Grindelwald. Speaking of pasts, Newt's old flame Leta Lestrange also makes her debut in the series, as does Newt's own brother and Leta's fiancee Theseus Scamander (played by Callum Turner).

As with the previous film, Fantastic Beasts is definitely another chapter in magic and wizardry no JK Rowling or Harry Potter fan will want to miss. There's more to the story down the line, but this dark chapter is another ride you will not want to miss if you want to see more of the Potterverse. It is now playing in theaters - courtesy of Warner Bros. Philippines!

Rating - 4/5

Movie Review: Overlord (2018)

Few movies manage to capture that sense of thrill, unpredictability, and a plot that sounds pretty straightforward and B-Movie like yet surprisingly comes out as one of the sleeper hits of 2018. That's Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot Productions' "Overlord" in a nutshell - a War Horror film produced by seasoned director J.J Abrams and directed by Julius Avery that tells the story of a group of paratroopers that are dropped into Nazi territory the day before D-Day to take out enemy towers... Only to discover something more sinister is at work that could change the course of the war if unleashed.

Overlord Trailer

From the onset - Overlord looks like your typical World War II film with Germans conducting ihumane  experiments to turn their soldiers into superhuman weapons, but it becomes more involved and personal as the story runs its course. You follow the story of Pvt. Ed Boyce, his commander Corporal Ford, and a ragtag band of surviving American soldiers as they are dangerously airdropped in enemy lines to conduct an important sabotage mission. What follows is a lot of tension, collusion with an unexpected ally, and a lot of dread that could make for a nice shooter and stealth game. I've compared much of the movie to the classic iD Software game "Wolfenstein", and it shows with its action, pacing, and concepts that remind me of the Nazi shooter that sees all kinds of enemies and monstrosities out to kill you as you march to defeat Hitler and his soldiers.

Now the comparisons to Wolfenstein aside, Overlord makes for one heck of popcorn movie with its good share of gore, dirty comedy, and stuff you'd expect from Abrams' produced films. The protagonist Boyce played by Jovan Adepo is likeable and it's definitely Abrams giving another young actor his shot at stardom. Corporal Ford is played by former hockey player Wyatt Hawn Russell, and he's a pretty strong and awesome deuteroganist character too. The main baddie is Game Of Thrones' own Pilou Asbaek - who shows his demented and twisted side like Euron Greyjoy by playing the Nazi commander Captain Wafner. All these elements make for some good casual war horror movie fun in Overlord - with the Nazi zombie monstrosities giving standard gruesome fare that you root for the heroes to shoot and dispose of before they get killed grotesquely.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend Overlord to fans of War films, Horror Movies, and those who want to see Abrams and his company succeed in yet another experiment that has potential to spin-off to other sequels. I definitely would like to see more of these movies and adding some monsters and horror fare like in the vein of Cloverfield is always welcome. Big thanks to UIP Philippines and Columbia Pictures Philippines for bringing this movie to our shores! The film is now playing in cinemas around  the Philippines.

Rating - 4/5

I'M BACK! Updates, Cosplay, and Game Review: Spider-Man (PS4)

Yes folks... I'm BACK and with a video game review to highlight that fact! After a brief hiatus and reevaluation of things in the past few months, I've decided to blog ever so often rather than force it on a daily basis (see my news site Pop Culture Crusader). As it is, I've gotten so busy with work, cosplaying, and multitasking on a lot of things can only been done so much, and it's time to give myself a bit of break on putting pressure on myself to blog on a daily basis... But here I am again missing the blogsphere and writing again as I prepare for my next set of adventures! I'll try to be more active on this site with my personal entries aside from movie and game reviews - so that being said: here we go with the first entry in a while!

Movie Review: Ant-Man and The Wasp

Sometimes it pays to be the little guy among the bunch of heavy hitting superheroes with their own movies, and in the case of Marvel Studios' 2015 film "Ant-Man" - the gamble to introduce a size-changing superhero who also happens to be the creation of Stan "The Man" Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby paid off in spades when it was introduced as a concept that was part superhero flick/ part heist movie. Originally under the direction of Edgar Wright, the "Ice Cream Trilogy" director also wrote the screenplay alongside Joe Cornish. However, Rudd left the project in 2014 due to creative differences - with Peyton Reed stepping in to take over directing duties and bringing the final product to the big screen on July 2015. Opening to critical acclaim and with veteran actor/ comedian Paul Rudd emerging as a hilarious and awesome casting choice for the main role alongside a stellar supporting cast that includes Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, and Michael Douglas, a sequel was definitely happening... And it has finally arrived in theaters!

Thanks to Walt Disney Studios Philippines and Marvel Philippines, I got to see the aptly titled sequel "Ant-Man and The Wasp" last week - which brings Peyton Reed back in the director's seat and Rudd and Lilly reprising their roles as the titular Pym Particle using heroes. With a great balance of action, drama, and comedy, this is one Marvel Cinematic Universe film that definitely deserves to be put out there following the emotional impact of the previous MCU movie, Avengers: Infinity War. No spoilers will be served on this review of course... But I will say that this is an ASTONISHING SEQUEL. Here's my full review for the movie, which is now playing in theaters!

Movie Review: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

It's been three years since fans returned to the island of Isla Nublar and saw a theme park with dinosaurs realized anew with "Jurassic World" - but like its predecessor "Jurassic Park" two decades ago, something amiss happens that causes any concept of controlling dinosaurs to be overruled and the human made attraction piece destroyed in the process. It took guts to retell Steven Spielberg's in a brand new film series that reignited interest in the franchise, but the 2015 was very successful and sequels were definitely going to happen as a result of that success.

Fast forward to 2018, and Spanish director J.A. Bayona takes over from fellow director Colin Trevorrow in continuing the story with the new follow-up called "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" - set exactly three years after the events of "Jurassic World" and seeing fans revisit the dinosaur inhabited island one last time as it faces the threat of destruction through volcanic eruption. Familiar faces return in Chris Pratt,  Bryce Dallas Howard, and even a cameo by veteran Jurassic Park movie star Jeff Goldblum - who reprises his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm. Naturally, there's more to just saving the dinosaurs and getting them off an island - as those with hidden agendas act on their own interests once again that sets up a formula for chaos and destruction because of man's own hubris and selfishness.

Thanks to UIP Philippines and Columbia Pictures Philippines, I got to see the film in IMAX 3D and it was simply another breathtaking experience to see all the dinosaurs in action - from the Tyrannosaurus Rex to Blue the Velociraptor! Much like its predecessors, Jurassic World falls on the category of giving viewers and dinosaur fans a chance to see these creatures brought to back life in the big screen millions of years after they became extinct. Does it hold up to its promise of bigger and better? Check out the review below!

Movie Review: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Even famous smugglers and a certain "scruffy nerf herder" need an origin story to tell the tale of their early adventures, and a famous Star Wars character like Han Solo is certainly no exception to this rule. After The Walt Disney Company bought the rights to Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise, they set plans to not only make new movies continuing the story set in a galaxy far, far away - but also a series of "spin-offs" that would feature events set in between that main films that have come and gone through the years. The first of these was in 2016 with "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" - which came before the events of "Episode IV: A New Hope" and showed just how the Rebel Alliance got their hands on the plans to the Galactic Empire's most dangerous weapon - The Death Star.

Fast forward to 2018, and now the second spin-off film finally graces theaters. Telling the story of a younger Han just before his days as an outlaw and the self-proclaimed "best pilot in the glaxy", Solo: A Star Wars Story undewent many changes and development hiccups before it finally saw the light of day in cinemas. Originally under the helm of "The Lego Movie" directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the movie eventually came under the direction of veteran Hollywood director Ron Howard. The end result is a film, without putting too much expectation into it, very entertaining and serviceable - fitting into the Star Wars mold nicely and presenting an origin story that should please fans of Han Solo as well as his pals Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and their "piece of junk" ship in the Millennium Falcon.

Thanks to Walt Disney Studios PH I got to see the film early on in the week before it opened, and again during its opening day. Here's my quick review and thoughts on a pretty good spin-off, which you should definitely catch in theaters!

Movie Review: Deadpool 2

Ever since he made the "R-Rated" schtick look cool and awesome with his 2016 superhero landing hit film "Deadpool", The X-Men Movies spinoff was destined to have a sequel with Ryan Reynolds back in the role as "The Merc with a Mouth" along with some new elements added to make it more bombastic and insane than ever. How about adding Josh Brolin as Cable, and Zazie Beetz as Domino? Not enough - HOW ABOUT X-FORCE?! That's going to put in more chimichangas up the ass than anyone ever asked for - and with the return of Weasel, Dopinder Colossus, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and of course Wade Wilson's sweetheart Vanessa, there's a lot riding in this follow up that should make fans very happy.

Thanks to 20th Century Fox PH, I got to see this AWESOME SEQUEL not once but TWICE - for the worldwide celebrated "Deadpool 2 Fan Event" last May 11th, and then on May 15th a day before the movie opened officially in theaters! Words cannot describe how much of an experience that was for me and my pals - and I got to do an impromptu cosplay of Cable as he appears in the film. He's a total badass, and Josh Brolin getting to play ANOTHER comic book character after wielding the Infinity Gauntlet AS THANOS in Avengers: Infinity War just blows my mind!

So now going on Week 2 (with the film earning a WHOPPING $300 plus million in the worldwide box office), here's my review on Deadpool 2!

Movie Review: Avengers: Infinity War

Everything has led up to this moment.

For the past decade we've been treated to a historic cinematic superhero journey of epic proportions - starting with Robert Downey Jr. putting on his armored suit and becoming Iron Man; Chris Hemsworth lifting that mighty uru hammer Mjolnir as Thor and introducing us to the kingdom of Asgard; Chris Evans emerging as the finest Super Soldier hero the world has ever known and wielding the shield as Captain Americ; And inevitably the gathering of Earth's Mightiest Heroes together in one solid team-up film in "The Avengers" that literally opened the door to new possibilities. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has truly been quite the ride... And now it faces its ultimate test with the arrival of Thanos and his quest to gather the Infinity Stones in "Avengers: Infinity War".

In other words - this is THE film celebrating 10 YEARS of the MCU, as well as all the heroes we've come to know and follow with their respective storylines finally converging in this event that threatens the universe as we know it. Together with the rest of the world, we've all waited for ten long years for things to come together like this, and to see characters like Doctor Strange and the Guardians of the Galaxy interact with Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the rest of the Avengers is quite the spectacle. Years of patience and perseverance paid off, and Kevin Feige and his team from Marvel Studios deserve all the credit and accolades they get for making this entire thing possible.

After seeing the film a couple of times, I can honestly say that everything here will shake you to the core. We've been so used to our heroes coming out of any situation unscathed... But they've never faced a threat like Thanos - and he is very much an unstoppable force that will test our heroes AND the audience as well as you watch this two and a half hour flick directed by The Russo Brothers. Again, EVERYTHING has led up to this moment, and here is my review of "Avengers: Infinity War".

Naturally, this may contain SPOILERS, but "Thanos Demands Your Silence", so that's a fair warning and I will go light with the reveals.

Mini Reviews: Rampage, A Quiet Place, and Mazinger Z: Infinity

April has been one BUSY MONTH, especially with fantastic movie releases and the impending arrival of a certain Marvel Studios film 10 years in the making! I haven't had time to properly review the films I've seen (unless you follow my Instagram account!), but I figured now would be the perfect time to give some short thoughts on some of the films I've enjoyed seeing in theaters - two that I've only caught up in recent days and missed on opening week!

Naturally, these may contain SPOILERS, so read at your own risk!

Movie Review: Pacific Rim: Uprising

It's been five years since the world got its first big taste of a Hollywood "Giant Robot vs Giant Monster" showdown with Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" - and that science fiction adventure flick dared to present concepts seen in Japanese mecha anime and monster films meshed into one single universe - where humanity stood in the brink of defeat against the invading Kaiju coming from deep under the Breach. To combat against these monsters, mankind created monsters of their own in the Jaegers - giant robots that could only be manned properly by two pilots who shared their thoughts and memories together via a "neural handshake". As seen in the events of the 2013 original - humanity won and defeated the Kaiju invaders, although without great sacrifice involved in the process.

Fast forward to 2018, and the adventure continues with "Pacific Rim: Uprising" - which now falls under the direction of Stephen S. DeKnight and starring "Star Wars" movies star John Boyega as Jake Pentecost - the son of Idris Elba's Stacker Pentecost from the first film. Much like the first film - this has giant monsters attacking mankind once again with humanity once again ready to fight them, yet there is a twist involved that adds new conflict and struggle that the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps must deal with in order to survive. Thanks to Columbia Pictures Philippines and United International Pictures Philippines, I got to see this sequel and thoroughly enjoyed it. How good was it? Check out my thoughts after the jump below.

Movie Review: Ready Player One

There are certain films that have the ability to suck you in with a good premise - let alone something that has just about every conceivable popculture reference and easter egg you can find from your favorite movie, video game, or cartoon from the past three decades that have literally made an impression in geek culture and hobbydom as we know it today. That honor certainly goes to "Ready Player One" - directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg and based on the 2011 novel of the same name by writer Ernest Cline. More than just your typical dystopian video game movie, this is a visual spectacle of the rarest kind - that transports viewers to a virtual reality world filled with all kinds of treats, but also gives us an adventure in the form of one young kid's desire to find the ultimate easter egg that leads to hidden treasure, but ultimately becomes a journey of self-discovery, friendship, love, and a better future.

Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines, I was able to catch "Ready Player One" earlier before the Holy Week - and true enough to my nostalgic popculture heart I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF THIS FILM. As a gamer and kid from the 80's, this has all kinds of references, treats, and nods that shows just how far we've come along in the history of popular culture - and this has arguably become one of my FAVORITE Steven Spielberg films ever! Below is my review for this sensational eye candy of a science fiction film - which is best viewed in IMAX to get the full and immersive visual experience!

Movie Review: Tomb Raider

Reboots can be tricky business depending on how it's executed, and the same applies to films based on popular video game properties. They're a hit or miss thing depending on audiences who have either followed the source material or not - but fortunately for this particular game franchise it's a legend that is well known in both cinematic and gaming history. Lara Croft, better known as the main protagonist of the eponymous "Tomb Raider" series, has returned to the big screen - yet it is no longer the series starring Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie. Instead the new film is a "Reboot" incorporating elements of the brand new video game series which itself is a reboot, and playing the brand new Lara is another Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander - bringing to life brand new legend and origin story that shows us how this particular Croft made her bones in adventuring.

Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines, I was able to catch the much anticipated reboot adventure last week in IMAX. It's definitely a treat for those who like to watch something simple, practical, semi-realistic, and full of adventure! As a gamer myself (and wearing a Playstation shirt in the local premiere) Here's my review for "Tomb Raider" - now playing in theaters.

Movie Review: Red Sparrow

Imagine a world where your whole life was making it big in ballet and trying to provide for a loved one - completely ripped away by an accident and forcing you to pursue a career elsewhere that involved learning the art of seduction and manipulation using your body and carefully navigating through a world of lies and intrigue to survive. That's pretty much the gist of "Red Sparrow" - a film adaptation of author Jason Matthews' 2013 book of the same name, and starring rising Hollywood actress and Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence in what is possibly her most daring role in any film yet and reuniting her with her "The Hunger Games" movies director Francis Lawrence to boot.

Thanks to 20th Century Fox Philippines, I was able to catch this Spy Thriller on IMAX - a format that's well deserving of a film of this caliber thanks to its location hopping settings in places like Slovakia, Hungary, Vienna, Budapest, and London. If you enjoy other movies of this genre like the Bond, Bourne, and Jack Ryan films, then you'll feel right at home with Dominika Egorova - who follows in the footsteps of other femme fatales yet doesn't exactly start off as a willing participant into the "Sparrow" program. You want something different with Jennifer Lawrence, this is one project that's giving her renewed attention and exposure in a new light. Here's a small review on why I think it's fresh and a must see.

Movie Review: Black Panther

Superhero films have become the norm in the Hollywood film industry this day and age, and that has much to do with the success of Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe - which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year after beginning an ambitious and daring project of uniting several films together under one shared continuity. That began with 2008's "Iron Man", which bore fruit as Robert Downey Jr. took to the skies as the armored alter ego of Tony Stark and helped inspire the events that led to the assembly of the Avengers. Today the MCU is in the middle of "Phase Three", and this year will bring three more films that will add more stories and characters to the growing film dynasty of the Marvel Universe - including the long awaited solo movie of the fictional superhero known as the Black Panther - the identity of the protector and defender of the fictional African nation known as Wakanda.

Thanks to Marvel Philippines and Walt Disney Studios PH, I had the chance to see one of the most anticipated films for this new year a few days early before hitting theaters - which is on Valentine's Day in the Philippines! As a dedicated comic book collector and follower of the MCU, I've been looking forward to T'Challa's solo film for a long time - more so with the recent raving reviews brought about by critics and viewers alike who got to see early premieres and screenings c/o Marvel. Now that the movie is about to debut this week everywhere worldwide, I can honestly say without spoiling that this is a VERY DIFFERENT kind of superhero film - culturally significant for an African based superhero like this and transcending the basic premise of good versus evil as tradition and ideology clash in a battle for a nation and the future.

Movie Review: Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)

It's been a couple of years since the first and second Maze Runner films left a lasting impact on film audiences - introducing us to a beloved set of characters who escaped from a seemingly isolated maze, only to discover a sinister organization was manipulating them from behind the scenes and experimenting on them to find a cure for a virus that turns humans into zombie like creatures. It's a formula that makes for intriguing sci-fi suspense and adventure, which is why a lot of expectation and excitement is riding over the third film of the series - "Maze Runner: The Death Cure" - which has finally opened in theaters and serves as the final chapter to the movie series based on the books of the same name by James Dashner.

Thanks to 20th Century Fox, I got to see this thrilling installment this week - and I highly recommend it for fans of the series. It is a satisfying conclusion, but if you need more input - check out the review below!