Movie Review: It: Chapter Two

Sequels have a lot of expectation and hype riding into them that it makes for quite the unpredictable ride. Rarely does it manage to overshadow the experience the viewer has with the first movie, and on the flip side it can also act as an extension of said experience to bring more answers or closure to the journey we take watching a story unfold. Thankfully director Andy Muschietti knew that much and what he was signing up for when he took on the job of helming Stephen King's popular 1986 supernatural horror novel "It", and the 2017 movie adaptation proved to be the proper introduction to the "main course" that would this year's "It: Chapter Two" - which sees "The Losers Club" all grown up and returning back to their childhood hometown 27 years later to put an end to the demonic clown that preyed on their fears once and for all.

Thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures, I was able to catch the much anticipated sequel (along with some nifty new trailer surprises) this past Monday, and I was more than ready to see Pennywise the Dancing Clown come back and deliver some unsuspecting horror induced fun. It took two years for audiences to wait out what would happen when friends return to confront their "Boogeyman" from the past... And what happens when old memories locked away resurface and forces you to literally confront your past? This film answers it all along with scares that are DEFINITELY not for the faint of heart  - so be warned when walking into this along with a solid adult rating!

Movie Review: X-Men: Dark Phoenix

It's the end of an era for fans of the X-Men Movies franchise, as the curtain call comes with the release of this long awaited final entry to the "revised timeline" saga of films that began with 2011's "X-Men: First Class". After a number of reshoots and delays that postponed production of the movie, "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" finally graces theaters worldwide and picks up right where the last mainline entry left off - putting the X-Men right at the top of their game and becoming worldwide heroes and celebrities. However as the title suggests, one of their own becomes unstable and a danger to everyone she is close to - leading to a conflict that will test and break the very foundation of the team and everything they have done to help and protect their fellowman.

Thanks to 20th Century Fox Philippines, I was able to watch this final installment at the studio's office for a private press screening - and it was both an X-citing and emotional experience since this is truly the end of an era. With Disney's purchase of Fox and all of its assets, Marvel's Merry Mutants are now going to be incorporated into the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe when the proper time comes. It's just a matter of waiting for that moment to happen... But at least with Dark Phoenix, we have a true ending that while isn't quite the perfect sendoff many expect and wanted, it's still something to watch if you have been following and keeping tabs with this cinematic universe and storytelling that helped build the foundations of the superhero movie genre we all know and love today.

So without any more delays and diving straight into the review proper - here's my thoughts on "X-Men: Dark Phoenix".

Movie Review: X-Men: Days of Future Past

2014 started out as something to look forward to with promise, hope, and potential, especially with the numerous blockbuster film franchises and sequels hitting theaters throughout the year. The comic book movies in particular were especially stacked, with not one but FOUR movies laid out in the year's schedule, and all of them Marvel films featuring extraordinary superheroes and characters.

Now comes one of the most anticipated sequels in 20th Century Fox's long running X-Men film franchise, which brings together an ensemble cast of stars and the return of the man who directed the first two installments of the franchise. Yes, old and new generations literally crossover for the very first time, in a film that sees Bryan Singer back at the helm for the live action adaptation of one of the most controversial and beloved X-Men stories of all time - X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Having already opened in various international territories, the film is possibly THE BEST X-Men film ever with the array of talents and mutants starring in this tentpole wonder. Seeing the film last Wednesday, I can truly say this is something any X-Men fan, newbie, and those who have had numerous issues with past films in relation to continuity, will definitely want to see.

Here we go with the Review! Possible SPOILERS AHEAD, so read at your own risk! Special Thanks goes to 20^th Century Fox PH, Warner Bros. Philippines, SM Cinema, and The Philippine X-Men Team for making the premiere screening on May 19 such an Xciting Xperience!