Marvel has officially announced their Phase Three line-up. And it's been causing geeks to scream in excitement.[hit the jump to continue]

Marvel Reveals Upcoming Phase Three Films

Marvel has finally revealed their Phase 3 plans with several projects that will excite all its fans. The line-up include: stealing back the spotlight with an enormous slate of its own.  Here’s the overview of Phase 3:
Captain America: Civil War will hit theaters on May 6, 2016.
Doctor Strange will arrive on November 4, 2016.
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is due on May 5, 2017.
Thor: Ragnarok hits theaters on July 28, 2017.
Black Panther arrives on November 3, 2017 starring Chadwick Boseman.
Captain Marvel will be released on July 6, 2018.
Inhumans is coming on November 2, 2018.
Avengers: Infinity War - Part I arrives on May 4, 2018 followed by Part II on May 3, 2019.
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Benedict Cumberbatch is Marvel's Doctor Strange

It's official; Benedict Cumberbatch is Marvel's Doctor Strange. Yeah other sources and sites have been reporting it as a done deal already, but in truth, Cumberbatch was still in talks when those reports came out, and now, the "officially confirmed" part just came right now. It's been no secret that the title series Doctor Strange will be part of Marvel's Phase three which begins with Ant-Man on 2015. Just days ago, Cumberbatch was in final negotiations with Marvel to play the title character, now the deal has been finalized, and he will soon be playing Marvel Cinematic Universe's sorcerer supreme. [hit the jump to continue]

FDCP Launches the Sineng Pambansa Horror plus Film Festival at SM Cinemas this week

The Film Development Council of the Philippines, in partnership with SM Cinema, will present the Sineng Pambansa Horror plus Film Festival, which opens on October 29, 2014 and will run until November 4 in all SM Cinema branches nationwide.  The entrance fee will be at regular admission prices. [hit the jump to continue]

Dark Horse Graphic Novel POLAR: CAME FROM THE COLD being eyed for a film adaptation

Constantin Films is joining forces with Dark Horse Entertainment to turn the graphic novel Polar: Came from the Cold into a feature film.  According THR, Constantin preemptively snatched up Jayson Rothwell’s spec script for the project.  The Victor Santos penned and illustrated graphic novel has been in stores for almost a year now and focuses on a guy named Black Kaiser, an expert assassin who has to come out of retirement when he’s targeted by a group of younger hitmen. [hit the jump to continue]

Disney loses John Carter rights

Walt Disney's adaptation of Edgar Rice Burrough's "John Carter" was a massive critical and box office disappointment. Which obviously led to Disney's rights to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter series of sci-fi novels, being reverted back to Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., which intends on moving forward with further films. [hit the jump to continue]

James Wan Returns to Horror with The Conjuring 2; Will He be Directing a DC Movie as well?

Nobody can deny how last year's The Conjuring was such a horror masterpiece. Its director James Wan has always been best known as one of the more recent masters of horror, having pioneered the Saw franchise and also directed such hits as Insidious. Recently, Wan has shifted to the action genre, as he is directing the upcoming Fast & Furious 7. Now, James Wan has announced that he is returning to horror, with the sequel of The Conjuring. [hit the jump to continue]

WB plans Minecraft Movie; eyes Shawn Levy to direct

Warner Bros. had acquired the rights to adapt the ridiculously popular video game Minecraft into a film with Roy Lee (The LEGO Movie) producing alongside Jill Messick (Mean Girls). Night at the Museum director Shawn Levy is being eyed by WB to direct the adaptation. The open-world game is from Swedish indie developers Mojang AB, and allows players to create a world with textured cubes.  Different modes have the players either fighting for survival or they can simply build away without any restraints aside from a lack of rounded corners. It's possible that this project will try to catch the same lightning the Lego Movie did, what with all its success. But then again, The Lego Movie was made by the amazing duo of Chris Miller and Phil Lord, who are known to make gold out of seemingly thin ideas (The 21 Jumpstreet movies, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs). Shawn Levy's other films include Real Steel, Date Night, This Is Where I Leave You, The Pink Panther (remake), and The Internship. And that simply means that we may not set the expectation levels too high for this project.

Hasbro Planning to take My Little Pony to the Silver Screen

Hasbro Studios is making a push to bring My Little Pony’s popularity to the big screen in 2017 with Ice Age: Continental Drift’s Joe Ballarini penning the script. According to Variety, Hasbro is using its Allspark Pictures label for this one, just like with Jem and the Holograms.  Hasbro will produce and finance the film in house, and is already talking to studios regarding distribution options. [hit the jump to continue]

Disney announces new animated project Moana

Walt Disney Animation Studios has revealed plans for “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated comedy-adventure about a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest. "Moana" is expected to hit theaters in late 2016, and will be directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin”). [hit the jump to continue]

Ang Huling Cha-cha ni Anita at the Cinematheque this week

This week at the FDCP Cinematheque, the award-winning film "Ang Huling Cha-cha ni Anita" will be screened from October 21 to 26, 2014, with screening skeds on 3:30 and 5:30 PM, and on the weekend, screening sked is on 1:30 and 3:30 PM, with admission only at P100. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Bldg., Solis St., Iloilo City (near BPI Iznart). [hit the jump to continue]

Is Jena Malone playing Robin in Batman v Superman?

Several sources have confirmed that Jena Malone will indeed appear in the upcoming DC film "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", but there’s been no confirmation on which DC character will she be portraying. While I would personally think she would be great as the Superman villainess named Livewire, all the commonly-buzzing speculation points to the idea that she might be playing the character named Carrie Kelley who is best known as the female version of Batman's sidekick Robin. [hit the jump to continue]

Warner Bros. Officially Reveals Upcoming DC Cinematic Universe Movies; Justice League, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Shazam, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Suicide Squad

Warner Bros. has finally revealed its full list of upcoming DC Movie projects with their target release dates, which confirms a Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Cyborg stand-alone movies. Included in the list is The Flash, starring Ezra Miller as the title character, which confirms that the cinematic DC universe indeed will not be connected with the CW TV network DC universe. The news also revealed that a Green Lantern reboot is in the plans to be done. [hit the jump to continue]

Marvel's Civil War Storyline to be Used in Captain America 3; Robert Downey Jr. to have a role

There's always been some anticipation and rumor actively buzzing around whatever Marvel does with its cinematic universe. One of the earlier rumors was that the Civil War storyline would be used for the third or the fourth Avengers movie. Now, it is confirmed that the Civil War storyline would be used for Captain America 3. In Marvel's Civil War, the Superhero Registration Act mandates that anyone with superhuman abilities register with the U.S. government and agree to act as law enforcement.  Captain America opposes the legislation, but Iron Man supports it, setting up Downey to play the villain. [hit the jump to continue]

This week at the FDCP Cinematheque: Mga Anino ng Kahapon

This week at the FDCP Cinematheque, "Mga Anino ng Kahapon" will be screened. It is about a family coping with the challenges of schizophrenia. It stars Agot Isidro and TJ Trinidad who play married couple Irene and Ed, both nurses. The film is written and directed by Alvin Yapan (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, Debosyon, Rapture of Fe) and produced by Vim Yapan/Alem Chua Productions in partnership with Janssen Philippines.

The screening runs this week, from October 14 up till October 19, 2014 with 3:30 and 5:30 PM screenings up till Friday, and 1:30 and 3:30 PM screenings on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is only at P100. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Bldg., Solis St., Iloilo City.
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Brillante Mendoza and Nora Aunor filming a Yolanda Typhoon Movie entitled "Taklub"

The Nora Aunor and Brillante Mendoza team-up proved to be a great blend with the movie "Thy Womb". Now both superstar actress and award-winning director are once again working on a new movie entitled "Taklub" which is about the tragedies caused by super typhoon Yolanda when it hit several Philippine provinces last year.

"Taklub" will chronicle what has transpired on Tacloban, including several other provinces affected during the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda (Hai Yan). The title of the film --"Taklub" may refer to the name of the place, Tacloban. I also connotes 'takluban' (to cover, to be covered in) [hit the jump to continue]

Robert Downey Jr. Recants Iron Man 4 Confirmation "

News stories on whether Iron Man 4 is a go have been confusing. Here's why: When Robert Downey Jr. appeared in the Ellen DeGeneres show last Tuesday, and gave a positive "okay, yes" response to the question of him doing Iron Man 4. This quickly spread all the news giving official confirmation for Iron Man 4 and that Downey will be in it. However, he later appeared in the Late Show with David Letterman saying the complete opposite: "There's no plans for an 'Iron Man 4'"[hit the jump to continue]

Casy Affleck to star and produce Boston Strong

The 2013 Boston Bombing was one of the biggest tragedies of the United States last year. A book by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge entitled "Boston Strong" chronicled the effect had on the city as a whole, and the massive manhunt that ensued after the tragic bombing. Now that book is being made into a movie with the same title. "Boston Strong" will be produced and will star Casey Affleck, with a screenplay by Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy. "Boston Strong" marks only the second project thus far on which Affleck is a full-fledged producer, with the other being his 2010 Joaquin Phoenix documentary I’m Still Here.  As an actor, Affleck is currently shooting the Coast Guard drama The Finest Hours for Disney and recently wrapped John Hillcoat’s ensemble Triple Nine.  He’ll next be seen in Christopher Nolan‘s Interstellar. 

William Shatner to cameo on the latest Star Trek

James T. Kirk fans rejoice! Shatner is back in the Star Trek universe for a cameo role in the upcoming third "new" Star Trek movie series. Shatner's appearance in the rebooted franchise has long been talked about several times but have often been dismissed as rumors or unconfirmed, unfinalized plans. Now, plans have been clear that Shatner will indeed be onboard. And as Shatner himself tweeted on his twitter account: "I'm baaaaccckk!!!" [hit the jump to check out the spoilerrific details of this cameo]

Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge from the Holocaust this week at the FDCP Cinematheque

This week the FDCP Iloilo Cinematheque presents a screening of an eye-opening documentary entitled "Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge from the Holocaust". A one-hour documentary about that chronicles an intricate international plan of rescue and resettlement that saved 1,300 Jews from certain death in Nazi concentration camps. This intricately-well-research documentary by Russell Hodge, Cynthia Scott-Johnson, Terry Irving, and Jenny Gebhardt is narrated by superstar Liev Schrieber (The Sum of All Fears, Ray Donovan). The screening runs this week, from October 7 up till October 12, 2014 with 3:30 and 5:30 PM screenings up till Friday, and 1:30 and 3:30 PM screenings on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is Free. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Bldg., Solis St., Iloilo City. [hit the jump to continue]

The Purge 3 Officially Announced

The Purge has always been a horror-thriller franchise concept that is full of promise for series franchise longevity. The second one proved that to be true, and also showed us that it's a powerhouse that is just getting started. Blumhouse Studio, Platinum Dunes and Universal, did not take too long, and has recently announced the sequel. The Purge 3 is slated to release the film next year.

Writer/director James DeMonaco will return to pen the script, though his participation as a director has not yet been announced.  DeMonaco said in an interview: “I never imagined that The Purge would become the phenomenon it has become and I am thrilled to continue my collaboration with Blumhouse, Sebastien Lemercier, Platinum Dunes and the great team at Universal in building The Purge into a worldwide franchise.”

Spielberg ang Hanks Collaborating for a Cold War Spy Thriller

"Let's do this, Steven!"

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are together once again, working on a movie, and this time, it's going to be a Cold War spy thriller. In addition to that, the script will be written by the Coen Brothers. The movie tells the true story of James Donovan, an attorney who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.  The film will also star Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and Alan Alda, and will shoot on location in New York and Berlin.

The Spielberg-Hanks combination had always been a perfect blend that leads to cinematic success, just look at their previous films; Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, and The Terminal. And with a story from the Coens, that's surely something to look forward to. Spielberg has recently already begun principal photography. The yet-to-be-titled film will be released in U.S. theaters October 16, 2015.

Cine Europa 17 Films for the Weekend

The Cine Europa 17 film festival is down to its last two days with a parade of beautiful, thought-provoking films, all for free, from Europe. And so far, looking back at the week's progress, we here in Iloilo can confidently claim that it was such as success.

The festival continues this weekend, and one of the films to be featured is the British movie entitled "Metro Manila" directed by Sean Ellis which was UK's bet for last year's Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards (Oscar Awards). That is one movie I highly recommend. Cine Europa ran from September 30 till October 5, 2014 at the Cinematheque Iloilo, and it is free of charge. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Bldg., Solis St., Iloilo City (near BPI Iznart, East West Bank Iznart, and Landbank Iznart). [hit the jump to continue]

The Cine Europa 17 Day 4; The Reception Evening will be expecting Distinguished Guests in Attendance

The Cine Europa 17 film festival is already on its Day Four, but today is the formal reception event for the festival, with cocktails to be served at Cinematheque Iloilo. It will be attended by EU Delegation representative Ms. Jennifer Buan-Robles, Senior Press & Cultural Affairs Officer of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with Fleur Edens, Mike dela Rosa, FDCP Philippine Film Export Service Office (PFESO) Executive Director, and many other distinguished guests. The cocktail will be followed by a screening of the Dutch film "Mees Kees Op Kamp" directed by Barbara Bredero.

Cine Europa 17 ran from September 30 till October 5, 2014 at the Cinematheque Iloilo, and it is free of charge. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Bldg., Solis St., Iloilo City (near BPI Iznart, East West Bank Iznart, and Landbank Iznart). [hit the jump to continue]

Cine Europa 17 Day 3

The Cine Europa 17 film festival continues today with three films, from Switzerland, Austria, and Bulgaria. Cine Europa runs from September 30 till October 5, 2014 at the Cinematheque Iloilo, and it is free of charge. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Bldg., Solis St., Iloilo City (near BPI Iznart, East West Bank Iznart, and Landbank Iznart). [hit the jump to continue]

T'yanak Teaser tease the New Look of the Mythical Monster

Weeks ago, we talked about Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes' return to the world of the Tiyanak with the movie "T'yanak" now a teaser trailer was released, giving us a glimpse of what the Tiyanak creature might look like. The video does not exactly give us the look of the monster in its full visual glory. It is a mere (by definition) teaser just to give us the idea of what to expect in the movie. Personally, I'm hoping that the movie will not involve too much heavy visual effects and CG effects, so as to focus on the suspenseful and dreadful tone itself. [hit the jump to continue]

Cine Europa 17, Day 2

The Cine Europa 17 film festival continues today with three films, from Slovakia, Denmark, and Hungary. Cine Europa runs from September 30 till October 5, 2014 at the Cinematheque Iloilo, and it is free of charge. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Bldg., Solis St., Iloilo City (near BPI Iznart, East West Bank Iznart, and Landbank Iznart). [hit the jump to continue]