Movie Review: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017)

Fifteen years after it began in the underground complex known as The HIVE and through trials and extreme horrors faced through the course of five movies - IT FINALLY ENDS and the journey of the woman known as "Alice" comes to a close, as Director Paul W.S. Anderson and his wife/ star Milla Jovovich finally bring everything full circle with "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" - the sixth and last film in the Resident Evil Movie franchise that sees our heroine making a final stand against the Umbrella Corporation when an opportunity to undo all the damage they have done with the T-Virus outbreak makes itself present and brings all parties back to where it started - Raccoon City.


RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER - International Trailer #2
Set a few weeks after the events of the 2012 film "Resident Evil: Retribution", The Final Chapter sets up Alice in the desolate wasteland of what was once Washington D.C, now infested with hordes of T-Virus infected zombies and bio-weapon monsters. An encounter with her old Artificial Intelligence computer enemy called "The Red Queen" gives a glimmer of hope in the form of an antidote to the Virus - which is the key to stopping all the devastation and destruction Umbrella has left in their wake. Unfortunately for Alice, she must travel back to Raccoon City and The HIVE - where everything began for her and the Umbrella Corporation. Travelling back to the city and encountering allies and enemies new and old alike, Alice makes her last desperate attempt to stop all the evil Umbrella has done and put an end to things once and for all.

Movie Review: The Maze Runner

Movies based from books and novelizations seem to be a growing trend these days, and much of the film adaptations take some liberties and deviate from the source material to present something that's genuinely faithful but fresh for the cinematic experience. The same principle holds true for The Maze Runner -  a film based from the book by James Dashner.

As a film that sets the stage for a series of movies based on Dashner's other works, this is one adventure directed by Wes Ball that I wasn't expecting to get into or see, but am pretty glad I did thanks to 20th Century Fox PH. If you need some insight on what to expect, here's the review for reading and contemplation on what this young adult suspense and action vehicle can offer to its audience.

Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The summer blockbuster movie season of 2014 has officially begun... And it's led by the release of a sequel of a film everyone's been waiting for and featuring a familiar webslinging hero of Marvel returning to the big screen!

Of course, I'm talking about your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man... More specifically Andrew Garfield back as Peter Parker and his alter ego in Marc Webb's sequel to his 2012 reboot of the Spider-Man franchise with "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"!

As the second film in the rebooted franchise after Sam Raimi's epic trilogy and based on the life of Marvel's flagship character, Sony Pictures and the filmmakers behind this project have up the ante and gone through great lengths to make this sequel more daring, action-packed, and full of all the emotional twists and turns that goes with Spidey's complicated life as a hero. The themes of responsibility, hope, and heroism still lie intact, as does the love and chemistry the wall-crawler shares with his loved ones, New York City, and of course his flame and love interest played once again by Emma Stone, Gwen Stacy.

With a new primary villain to face in the form of Electro (Jamie Foxx), some deep secrets related to the disappearance of his parents, and the mysterious return of an old childhood friend in Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) Peter's tangled web just got a lot more complicated to navigate... With tons of adventure and danger to face as his heroic alter ego. After mixed emotions from the first reboot entry, I can truly say this film redeems and steps the game up impressively, while adding a few nods to the source material and swinging viewers into a new treatment of the legend on its own thread.

So without further delay, here's my review for ASM 2, and Special Thanks goes to Columbia Pictures PH, Sony Pictures, and Marvel for bringing this film to our shores!

Movie Review: The Lego Movie

"EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! EVERYTHING IS COOL!"

If you needed to sum up The Lego Movie in a few words (if not for the AWESOME POSTER seen here), then its those lines above from the amazingly catchy song "Everything Is Awesome!!!" sung by Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island, which is featured prominently in the movie featuring those lovable construction bricks and directed by 21 Jump Street directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Truly a Lego fan and collector's dream movie come true, The Lego Movie appeals to the kid in you, and interlocks bricks of every kind in an epic type adventure that sees one ordinary guy teaming up with powerful Master Builders in order to save the Lego universe from an evil tyrant bent on keeping things glued together.

That premise, along with an all star line-up of amazing voice talents and some wacky bizarre building block fun makes this movie AWESOME in every sense of the word!

Also, here's a pic from the official Philippine premiere of the film last February 3 (with me dressed as Lego Batman)!

Now here's the review for "The Lego Movie", and Big Thanks goes to Warner Bros. PH again for the advanced screening!

Movie Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

On it's second week, this film still continues to pursue the clear message of embracing life for what it is.

Ben Stiller has been known for his comedies and antics with hits like Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, and The Night at the Museum films. However, his latest movie entry takes a seat back at just pure laughs, and shows us a little insight on what life can be like if we dare to live it out without having to recoil to our wildest fantasies and safety nets.

Based on James Thurber's short story of the same name, Ben Stiller's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is actually the second time the work has been adapted into film, with the very first treatment starring Danny Kaye and directed by Norman Z. McLeod released way back in 1947. Directed, produced, and starring Stiller himself in the titular role, the 2013 film is a very different narrative from the source material, but shares the very unique message that you can't live out life unless you break away from your shell. Here's the review for this literal "change of pace" movie, and thanks goes to 20th Century Fox PH and Warner Bros. PH for the screening!

Movie Review: Grudge Match

It's a new year and a new set of movies to look forward to in the coming months ahead, and midway into January there's been a lot of films I've caught that are fun and entertaining to watch. One of them happens to be a Sports Comedy film I've anxiously looked forward to since it was announced last year, and it stars two Hollywood legends who have more than set the bar in their respective careers, but have chosen to do this as both a tribute and jab at arguably their best films centered around the main characters they play who are professional boxers.

I'm talking about none other than Peter Segal's "Grudge Match", which came out last Christmas in the US and finally makes its way to international territories like the Philippines this week. Starring Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro, two former boxing rivals come out of retirement after 30 years to finally settle their feud and put past issues and demons behind them... Whether it means tearing each other apart before the actual match takes place! Presented by Warner Bros. PH, this is one film that will definitely entertain fans of "Rocky" and "Raging Bull", so here's the review to this stellar old man fight now out in cinemas!

Movie Review: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

One year has passed since fans were brought back to Middle-Earth thanks to Peter Jackson and Wingnut Film's adaptation of "The Hobbit" - J.R.R Tolkien's prequel novel to The Lord of The Rings Trilogy that Jackson successfully adapted into three critically acclaimed films from 2001-2003. Made into a prequel trilogy itself, the first chapter entitled "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" was released last year, and saw the titular character Bilbo Baggins brought into service as a "Burglar" by Gandalf The Grey and a company of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield. Their quest is to reclaim the lost Dwarven kingdom of Erebor, filled with riches and taken by the mighty dragon Smaug. That journey started down the path as any origin tale would, introducing us to memorable characters as well as bridging the events that would eventually connect to the events depicted in the LOTR movies years earlier.

Now, in the eve of 2013 and as the holiday season officially arrives, we resume the journey with Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves, with the second installment of The Hobbit Trilogy - "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug". Much like its predecessor, the film will be available in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D screenings, as well as the brand new format introduced with "An Unexpected Journey" last year - High Frame Rate or HFR. Much like most High-Definition Television sets, this immerses the audience in an almost real-time setup, with the movie playing as if it were happening live before the audience. Truly rich and luscious to behold, it's a fine option to pick if you want something different, and I personally saw the latter thanks to a special premiere screening at IMAX 3D.

Either way you choose to see this, if you love fantasy and adventure, then look no further and see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The film is here to marvel and dazzle you with tales of good versus evil, and the tried and true heroic quest to reclaim lost lands against evil and fiery beings of legend and lore. If you need more convincing, here's a quick review, and thanks goes to Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema for the screening earlier this week.

Movie Review: Thor: The Dark World

Thor is back... And wields his trusted hammer Mjolnir once more to dish out some heavy Marvel Movie action in the big screen. The God of Thunder and heir to the throne of Asgard's latest adventure has made its impact overseas two weeks before it's premiere in the US, and I am fortunate to have seen it, both in 3D and 2D screenings that have only cemented my belief that Marvel Studios has certainly planned things properly with the fans in mind. It's great to say that as the second film of "Phase Two" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is a film worthy of the standards built by its predecessors, and directed by the talented Alan Taylor of Game of Thrones fame.

So without further ado and already taking past $100 Million on its first weekend overseas, here's my review for "Thor: The Dark World" - An action-packed sequel that delivers on Thor's promise to return and in a great way. Those who want to shy away from SPOILERS, best be warned already and don't be reading this review... Especially those in the US, where the film opens on November 8.

Thanks goes to Walt Disney PH, Columbia PH, Marvel, and Ayala Malls for the screening in 3D last week prior to Halloween, and seeing the 2D screening just this weekend only solidified my opinions that you can't go wrong seeing this epic Marvel film.

Movie Review: The Wolverine

 He's the best at what he does... And what he does isn't very nice.

Once again reprising the role that helped make him a bonafide superstar in Hollywood, Hugh Jackman returns as the X-Man Logan, and proves without a shadow of a doubt why he's the man that deserves to be called "Wolverine". Since his last full appearance as the feral mutant in the 2009 X-film spinoff "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and making a cameo in 2011's "X-Men: First Class", there's been more questions than answers as to where the X-Men's most dangerous member would go next, and now we get the answer in an adaptation that explores a part of his life that's based from one of the most memorable arcs in the Marvel Comics character's long and documented comic history.

Definitely departing from the typical superhero film route and taking itself more seriously like that of a Japanese noir action movie, The Wolverine is the latest spinoff film that explores the character's time in Japan, as well as battling personal demons and new foes in the form of yakuza, ninjas, samurai, and more hidden enemies with a bone to pick with the X-Man. It's your formula for the kind of action and setup seen in the genre... Only with Wolverine in it, and adds subtle ties to his part in the X-Men film franchise, particularly with one thread that carries over from X-Men: The Last Stand. Does this movie scream berserker rage or something else? Find out in this review, and special thanks goes to 20th Century Fox PH and Ayala Cinemas for the Special advanced 3D screening!

Let's Go, Bub.

Movie review: Pacific Rim

Growing up, I enjoyed a lot of fantastic things like Super Robots and Comic Book characters clashing against evil and monstrous forces out to threaten the human race. There's been plenty of times I've been fortunate to see these fandoms converge, but usually to an animated and small screen audience that saw lots of potential and concepts explored that gave rise to dreams that someday we'd see things like these in a real life setting.

And literally in awe-inspiring fashion, Guillermo del Toro initiated that dream in the silver screen with "Pacific Rim" - a monstrous film that sees Giant man-made Robots known as "Jaegers" fighting against titanic scary creatures called "Kaiju". Basically a love letter to the fans out there who love Japanese Monster movies and Giant Robot and Tokusatsu/ Hero shows, this is an American production by Warner Bros. and Legendary that's both huge and ambitious in scale. However, the end result is an epic that's stellar and breathtaking in nature, and anyone who wanted to see titanic forces unleashing their fury on a earthly setting certainly won't come home disappointed upon seeing this.

After seeing the RP advanced screening courtesy of and thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines, I'm here to review what is certainly already one of 2013's BEST blockbuster films, and it was definitely worth the wait! 

Movie Review: World War Z

Since the dawn of the zombie movie genre, fans and horror enthusiasts have seen various stories and interpretations of our favorite undead freaks, with the slow and shambling "walkers" populary portrayed in the George A. Romero movies to the freaky running ghouls that add more tension and pressure in films like 28 Days Later/ 28 Weeks Later and Zack Snyder's 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake. In fact, AMC's popular television series adaptation of "The Walking Dead" has helped spread awareness and love for all things survival horror, adding social commentary to a world where humanity is forced to stare themselves in the mirror and decide how to live in situations where society has crumbled and the dead outnumber the living.

One author who has gained popularity for his portrayal of such a post apocalyptic world is Max Brooks, who's written the popular "Zombie Survival Guide" and a collection of zombie apocalyptic warfare history with "World War Z". The latter novel, published in 2006, depicts Brooks' fictionalized self as a United Nations officer who travels the globe and interviews various people who have survived and experienced fighting the undead in a war that has spanned for over a decade. Suffice to say, the book was impressive and I loved every bit of it... Which is why it's no surprise that Hollywood decided to make a film based on the book, with Hollywood heartthrob and star Brad Pitt attached as its lead.

Premiering last June 2 and now showing in international theaters such as the Philippines, the film version of World War Z depicts Pitt's character in the same role as Brooks, but is vastly different plot and action wise as the circumstances play out more to explain the beginning of the outbreak and how humanity struggles to contain it. SPOILER WARNING of course goes out to those who want to see it with a fresh mind intact, so read at your own risk before engaging with the undead first hand. Special Thanks goes to Solar UIP Philippines for the special screening, and now here's the review to one of 2013's most anticipated summer blockbuster films!

Movie Review: The Hangover Part III

I enjoyed the first two Hangover movies, and despite being inane and moronic at times, it was hilarious to see the unfortunate group that is "The Wolfpack" get into all kinds of trouble. Director Todd Philipps carved out a sleeper comedy hit with "The Hangover" in 2009, and returned for mayhem in Bangkok in "The Hangover Part II" in 2011. Now that a third installment, "The Hangover Part III" has stepped into the picture, what could possibly happen to Phil, Stew, Doug, and their special friend and Wolfpack brother Allen? All kinds of things from the looks of the trailer alone, and this final installment in "The Hangover Trilogy" takes the group to numerous locations and back to where it all began... Las Vegas.

Special Thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines and Ayala Cinemas for the special screening a few days prior to this review. That being said, it's time to speak on "The End"... aka The Hangover Part III.

Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Prepare to "Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before" once more, as J.J Abrams and his ragtag crew of cast members return to the U.S.S Enterprise for another interstellar adventure across space with the new Star Trek film, Star Trek Into Darkness!

After successfully rebooting/ reestablishing ties with the Trek franchise with the 2009 film "Star Trek", Abrams and his studio Bad Robot Productions have proven their worth and reintroduced Gene Roddenberry's brainchild into the new generation. By injecting action and danger ala Star Wars (which he will direct Episode VII of in 2015) and reestablishing Trek lore firmly with an alternate reality based on The Original Series timeline, we have fresh faces to root for and more spaceventures to look forward to.

As the title to the sequel suggests, Into Darkness pushes things into a very dark place, and it's not only a great sequel... but possibly the best Trek film in recent memory! Certain SPOILERS be contained here in this review, but I won't SPOIL THE OBVIOUS TWIST (If you haven't figured it out already that is from leaks and web info alone). Coming from an old school Trekkie like myself, I'll be forward and frank with my thoughts on this stellar film.

Special thanks goes to Solar Entertainment Corporation, United International Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Bad Robot Productions for the special premiere screening on IMAX, and delivering an EPIC SEQUEL worthy to "Live Long and Prosper".

And without further ado, here is me punching it to the review proper!

Movie Review: Oblivion

Going on its second week and playing conventional and IMAX theaters, the film known as "Oblivion" carries a lot of themes that buffs of the Science Fiction genre will easily recognize. Set in the near future where the planet Earth is a mere shadow of its former self, Hollywood actor and action man Tom Cruise stars as Commander Jack Harper - a mechanic and drone repair man in the near future who is forced to question his reality when truths about his life and Earth surface. I saw the film last week in IMAX, and it's definitely got something to show for the summer list of movies for 2013.

Special thanks again goes to Solar UIP and Universal Pictures for for the screening!

Movie Review: G.I.Joe: Retaliation

As a kid of the 80's, I've been lucky enough to enjoy and appreciate most of the cartoons and TV serials of that time, which have gone on to become legendary shows in popculture history. Two that quickly come to mind as definitive childhood moments of the era are G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero and The Transformers. Both properties belong to Hasbro, and have sold commercially well thanks to its humble beginnings as toys and action figures, later on expanding its reach thanks to the aforementioned animated series and comic book tie-ins released by Marvel. Decades later, these franchises have stood the test of time, evolving into recognizable brand names and even getting their own live action feature films.

While Transformers was the first to get its own movie and inevitably spawn two sequels, The Joes and their mortal enemy Cobra soon followed with their own live action flick - G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra. An origin flick serving to establish the franchise for a new generation, the film starred the likes of Channing Tatum as Conrad "Duke" Howser, Dennis Quaid as General Hawk, Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as The Doctor/ Cobra Commander, and Ray Park as Snake Eyes. Directed by Mummy director Stephen Sommers, the film was pretty far from the source material, but still managed to entertain and pick up some good numbers to warrant a sequel. Hence, G.I. Joe: Retaliation was given the greenlight, with Jon M. Chu directing it and starring the likes of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Bruce Willis.

Did it succeed and do better than its predecessor? Find out with this review.

UPDATE: Special Thanks again goes to Solar UIP, Paramount Pictures, Hasbro, and ToySoldier OneEighteen for the special advanced screening last March 25th at SM North EDSA IMAX at the RP!!!

Movie Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

It's almost hard to believe that it's been over a decade since Peter Jackson adapted the works of J.R.R Tolkien into live film and turned it into what we now know as The Lords Of The Rings Trilogy. Despite some differences and offshoots from the source material, all were favorable and brilliant adaptations to behold in a cinematic scale, and it set the trend for a legion of Tolkienites to explode on the scene and adore everything and anything that has to do with Middle-Earth and its inhabitants.

Now, another adventure is afoot with the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The first film in a new trilogy once again set and designed by Peter Jackson and his team of filmmakers from Wingnut Films Limited, the film explores the events preceding that of The Lord of the Rings, centering on a young Bilbo Baggins, as he is thrust into an adventure by Gandalf with a company of Dwarves that will forever change him and the rest of Middle-Earth forever.

Now for the review. Special thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines for the advance screening on IMAX!

Movie Review: Rurouni Kenshin

Nearly four months after it was released in Japanese theaters, the epic film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's "Rurouni Kenshin" has graced audiences in the Philippines. Initially working through a licensing and distribution process, the film finally came through to our shores as an exclusive in SM Cinemas. Much to the delight of fans of the beloved samurai manga/ anime series, it will be shown retaining its native Japanese language and is complete with English Subtitles. 

Now, after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, this period piece detailing the story of a wandering samurai atoning for his past is finally here. Was it worth the wait and does it deliver to its fanbase? Find out in this review.

Movie Review: Argo

Films based on true events are usually hits or misses, for the sole fact that they can either dramatize a series of real-life events well or exaggerate it in a manner that blows everything out of proportion. Having a good director and filmcrew that does their research properly will keep things in line without sacrificing much on historical fact. Thankfully, that's what I found in Argo - a film by Ben Affleck that depicts the true life rescue operation of six U.S diplomats by C.I.A operative Tony Mendez during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979. Released last week in the US and set to open this week in the Philippines and other territories, there are many reasons to say why this could possibly be one of this year's sleeper hits, and this review will show why that is. Special thanks goes to Warner Bros. Philippines for the screening!

Movie Review: The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne franchise finally continues this month with a new installment in the saga now playing in theaters via "The Bourne Legacy". Directed by the series' mainstay screenwriter Tony Gilroy, this film based on Robert Ludlum's action-drama espionage series is the first spin-off title, with Matt Damon not reprising his role as main character and star Jason Bourne. Instead, the spotlight now focuses on a new character, Aaron Cross, who's played by the equally talented and tough-as-nails actor Jeremy Renner. Last seen as the sharpshooting superhero Hawkeye in Marvel's The Avengers, Renner aims to fly to solo and fight for his survival in this film, with Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton also co-starring as scientist Dr. Marta Shearing and Ret. USAF Colonel Eric Byer. With the decks stacked with proven hollywood stars, does this film compliment or offshoot the franchise?

SPOILERS of course, so read on at your own risk and find out in this short but sweet review.

Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Threequels rarely show that there's redeeming value for a franchise other than big box office numbers. Spider-Man 3 proved that some years ago, and there's rarely been any continuation of a story or movie that ended on a high note with expectation or promise. As such, it's a very big surprise and achievement to witness the final chapter to British-American director Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight saga with the film "The Dark Knight Rises". The film places an ending to the franchise that began with 2005's Batman Begins and escalated with 2008's The Dark Knight, and all plot threads and storylines built within the events of those two films culminate into one grand epic presentation, presented in both conventional and IMAX formats. 

Having seen the film during its official IMAX premiere in the Philippines, I'm going to tell you now that this review will be littered with SPOILERS. I'm a big fan, collector, and yes even a cosplayer of The Batman, so take heed and be cautious if you want to see the film for yourselves without any differing opinions. All I'm going to say now is that if you're a fan of the superhero or have seen any of the two previous, you owe it to yourself to see this one. Special thanks goes out to Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema for the invitations. That being said, I give the review for TDKR.

SPOILER WARNING. A Fire Will Rise.