Tuesday, July 30, 2024

AbeNida premieres at the Cinemalaya 2024 on August 10


 August 10 is the premiere date of "AbeNida," which stars Allen Dizon and Katrina Halili in the lead roles.

"AbeNida," a gripping drama, will be presented by BG Productions International with pride on August 10, Saturday, at 5:00 PM in Cinema 2 of Ayala Malls Manila Bay. The movie is available to the general public, and adult tickets cost ₱300, while student tickets cost ₱200.

The film "AbeNida," which stars Katrina Halili and the gifted Allen Dizon, is directed by the well-known Louie Ignacio. The moving tale of Abe, a woodcarver and artist, who loses everything when his wife marries someone else is told in the movie. Subsequently, Abe develops feelings for Cecile, a sex worker he confuses for his spouse and addresses as Nida.

"AbeNida" has received praise from all around the world and was most recently honored with the Best International Film Feature title at the esteemed 10th Emirates Film Festival. Two Best Actor honors, including one from the International Imago Film Festival of Civitella del Tronto in Italy, were given to Allen Dizon for his depiction of Abe. With a strong performance, Halili won her first Best Supporting Actress award, beating out competitors from Morocco, Egypt, Italy, and Syria.

Halili is the latest actress to be honored for her work in BG-produced movies, following in the footsteps of Best Actress winners Ai Ai delas Alas ("Area"), Barbie Forteza ("Laut"), and Nathalie Hart ("Siphayo").

Director Louie Ignacio has nothing but positive words for Allen Dizon's performance, stressing that he can't think of anyone else other than the indie circuit favorite to play the male lead.

In addition to Gina Pareño, Joel Lamangan, Leandro Baldemor, Ina Alegre, Vince Rillon, Kate Brios, Mimi Juareza, and Nella Marie Dizon, the ensemble cast is quite remarkable.

Along with being her 17th production, "AbeNida" is another noteworthy work by Madam Baby F. Go, who has previously worked on films including Lauriana, Homeless, Child Haus, Iadya Mo Kami, Lihis, Bigkis, Sekyu, Tupang Ligaw, Laut, Siphayo, Area, Balatkayo, Almost a Love Story, School Service, and Latay.

The producer-philanthropist is thankful to Louie Ignacio and his team, led by the capable line producer Dennis Evangelista. She is proud of the milestones the film has accomplished internationally and has a positive outlook towards its reception in the Philippine market.

Friday, July 26, 2024

Celine Dion Overcomes Stiff Person Syndrome to Sing at the Paris Olympics 2024


Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower, Celine Dion gave her first public performance since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome to cap off the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony.


This year at the Grammys, she made an unexpected appearance to deliver the final prize, to which she was met with a standing ovation. That was the start of a recovery that was finished tonight.

Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower, Celine Dion gave her first public performance since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome to cap off the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

This year at the Grammys, she made an unexpected appearance to deliver the final prize, to which she was met with a standing ovation. That was the start of a recovery that was finished tonight.

Dion was experiencing severe muscle spasms and rigidity from her uncommon neurological disease, which made it difficult for her to walk and perform. When the documentary "I Am: Celine Dion" debuted in June, she told The Associated Press that getting back needed therapy, “physically, mentally, emotionally, vocally.”

“So that’s why it takes a while. But absolutely why we’re doing this because I’m already a little bit back,” she shared
.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Looking back on 25 years of "The Matrix," Keanu Reeves claims the movie transformed his life


Celebrity actor Keanu Reeves recently went through a very emotional moment as he considered the 25th anniversary of his classic movie The Matrix. Keanu, who is well-known for playing tough guys, revealed a more vulnerable side when discussing the movie's lasting influence.

According to a popular media source, Keanu broke down in tears for a heartbreaking twenty seconds during his interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, clearly moved by the film's relevance. He conveyed his appreciation for the movie's life-changing impact on both his and innumerable followers' lives throughout the globe.

“The Matrix changed my life, and then over these years, it’s changed so many other people’s lives in really positive and great ways,” Keanu shared emotionally. “As an artiste, you hope for that when you get to do a film or tell a story," he added.

The actor continued, his voice filled with emotion, “So when you say these years, the amount of people that I have met who have said to me and been touched by The Matrix in such a positive way… It’s the best,” as per the source. He became an international superstar because of The Matrix, which also cemented his reputation as an action movie hero. Keanu was already a rising celebrity at the time because to roles in movies like Point Break and Speed. The Matrix, which was written and directed by Lana and Lily Wachowski, is now considered a science fiction cult classic and continues to influence upcoming filmmakers making similar movies.

Jennifer Lopez hosts an extravagant 55th birthday celebration in the Hamptons with a Bridgerton theme



On July 20, in the Hamptons, New York, Jennifer Lopez celebrated her 55th birthday in grand style with a Bridgerton-themed party that perfectly captured the spirit of the hit Netflix series.


Lopez took her friends and followers to a 19th-century English ballroom with orchestral accompaniment by posting an enthralling video montage on Instagram. The montage had moments of dance, music, and elegance evocative of the period play.

In the dramatic orchestral music-accompanied montage, Lopez was seen having fun with her guests, who were all costumed appropriately for the time period. The video ended with a dramatic scenario in which Lopez was shown blowing out cake candles against a starry night sky.

Lopez, known for her flair for grand celebrations, captioned the video with a nod to 'Bridgerton': "Dearest Gentle Reader… And a splendid evening was had by all." Adding to the allure of the historical-themed gathering was Lopez's mother, Guadalupe Rodríguez, who arrived at the venue with companions.

Ben Affleck, Lopez's spouse, was noticeably missing from the celebrations because they have been spending the summer apart. Even though they live far away, Lopez has been having fun in the Hamptons, sometimes with the help of Affleck's daughter Violet. The three were recently spotted spending time together, bicycling, shopping, and eating on a relaxed day in Southampton.

Although Lopez and Affleck were unable to celebrate their second wedding anniversary on July 16, Lopez's birthday celebration offered a lavish distraction that perfectly captured the grandeur and romance of a bygone era.

Michael Bay is developing an adaptation of the Skibidi toilet film



The legendary film director Michael Bay and former president of Paramount Pictures Adam Goodman are collaborating on a film and/or TV version of Skibidi Toilet, a line of absurd, SFM-made meme videos created by the "DaFuq!?Boom!" YouTube channel. This shows that even the brightest minds of our time can succumb to Gen Alpha brainrot.


Speaking to Variety, Goodman stated that he has discussed taking Skibidi Toilet to television and the big screen with the series' creator, Alexey Gerasimov. Goodman hinted that a program featuring human heads protruding out urinals and toilets would be the next Transformers or Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Furthermore, according to Goodman, the group is thinking of adapting Skibidi Toilet in a hybrid animated/live-action format with a look that's evocative of District 9 and John Wick.

"If we find a partner in this that really believes there's an opportunity for this to grow and to really see the storytelling grow and for this to be where we hope this can be, then film and TV seems like a natural extension for us," Goodman said in the interview. "We are absolutely in talks right now, both on the television side and the earliest conversations right now on the film side. But it's not a be-all, end-all for us.'

Even though it sounds completely absurd that one of the most well-known directors would be working on a TV adaptation of Skibidi Toilet, it makes sense considering how well-liked the series is and the money that can be made from merchandise sales and cross-media adaptations. Though it seems unlikely that what is essentially modern-day YTP will become the next MCU, it is not impossible for Skibidi to bring in a comparable amount of money for Gerasimov, Bay, and Goodman. 

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Lolo and The Kid Arrives on Netflix This August 7



A hustler and his adopted youngster conned the rich on a regular basis, but an opportunity to change their lives could break their unbreakable bond. Joel Torre, an award-winning actor, plays Euwenn Mikaell Aleta in the film, with Juan Karlos Labajo making a special appearance. Lolo and The Kid, directed by Benedict Mique, will be available on Netflix worldwide on August 7, 2024.

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Twitter Loves Widow's War




Widow's War, he cinematic new murdery-mystery show of the Kapuso Network is getting constant rave reviews on social media. A few episodes ago, the Filipino series had a major turning point when it was revealed who was Paco's killer.

Here are some of the top comments from Twitter:


"Oh I bet the audience were shocked and thrilled sa mga pasabog this week! The creators did such a good job subverting our expectations!" @slasherhimbo


"Now, I get it why Bea Alonzo took this project. Since Eerie, we haven’t seen much of this from Bea. And now, she is nailing this" @wilkiensonmuro


"I hereby conclude that Sam Castillo will be the actress starring in the Palacios Clan's bad dreams. 🤭


That Bea Alonzo supremacy just won't let up oh wow!" @AndieJi_


"Ganito ang tamang introduction. An entrance fit for a queen 🔥🔥🔥 Miss Jean Garcia is Aurora Palacios!" @TheMotherAurora


Widow's War revolves around the death of Paco Palacios, as well as the intrigue and deceit surrounding the people he left. 


Thursday, July 4, 2024

Why the 'Red Swan' Korean Drama is such a letdown


I am a Filipino. Sure, I may get mistaken sometimes for Chinese, Korean, or even Japanese, but most my parents are Filipinos.

However, a place is not someone's ethnicity. Therefore, any Filipino, unless he/she is living in isolation, can tell that the purported places in the Philippines were just made up. "Makati Business District" certainly doesn't look like some plaza in an idyllic setting.

Anyway, this is not the reason I dislike 'Red Swan'. I expected so much because Rain is a good actor and the 'Ghost Doctor' was entertaining.

However, the story and direction just felt so dry and cliche. I am doubly disappointed since Disney+ has high standards when it comes to having a series in their library especially Korean dramas.


The story is about a female professional golfer who married into a wealthy family and became a philantropist, ruffling feathers with her charitable works which cause her to become a target for assassination. Rain plays a former policeman who cross paths with her while searching for the hired killer who murdered his friend in cold blood years before, and he gets the inkling that those people after her are connected to that person.

I was only able to finish 49 minutes of episode one because I know that it will just focus on their love story. This is like an inferior version of the 'Blood Free', which is also on the platform.