Entertainment Journals PH

Pennywise is back and Filipinos also joined the hype. After a record-breaking $123 million opening in the United States, it also debuted strong here in the country. It  opened to PHP 50.18 million across 213 cinemas.

Although not as huge as Vice Ganda or Sarah Geronimo, it is a safe statement that Vhong Navarro is still a draw among moviegoers. Together with a mainstream-friendly concept, his new feature Woke Up Like This  with Lovi Poe opened to a strong PHP 60 million on its first week.

Coming off their success with Finally Found Someone, another Star Cinema feature is bringing them some cash. Love You to the Stars and Back starring Joshua Garcia and Julia Baretto has now grossed PHP 60 million after 7 days of showing in the country. That's a fine number for the love team's second movie ( Vince and Kath and James  ended its run around PHP 100 million in last year's MMFF) which can be compared to the performance of LizQuen's Everyday I Love You which was their second love team movie after the success of Just the Way You Are. More update soon. Source:  Star Cinema

As you might have already known, Kita Kita  has now passed PHP 300 million and 100 Tula Para Kay Stella opened to PHP 60 million (first five days). Those were numbers in line (or even higher) with Star Cinema's lineup  Can't Help Falling in Love, My Ex and Whys, Dear Other Self, and Finally Found Someone . Dear Star Cinema, quality brings quantity. Star Cinema's movies tend to go big on its first week then drop hard on its second week. That is because of (1) fans flocking out on its opening week and (2) so-so reviews that hurt word-of-mouth. Kita Kita,  without star power, opened strong on its first week but managed to continue its business weeks after thanks to good word of mouth. 100 Tula  is also expected to leg out with its solid buzz. Yes, all of I've mentioned has a intriguing concept (Yes, let' count the concept of Can't Help Falling in Love ) but it is not enough to do maintain strong business. The whole movie needs to be good and that is where Kita Ki...

Here are my quick reviews for these movies/tv shows along with my grade: 1. 100 Tula Para Kay Stella (2017) Review: JC Santos and Bella Padilla lead a compelling story that forgot its love story. 3/5 2. Dunkirk (2017) Review: Nolan at his finest, heart-pounding survival story presented like you're wearing a VR headset. Must-see in  IMAX. 4.5/5 3. Baby Driver  (2017) Review: Together with its technical superiority and killer score, awesomeness becomes a likely Oscar contender. 4.5/5

The Philippine Cinema's hot streak continues. After the success of Kita Kita and Finally Found Someone , Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino  begins its showings. Leading the pack is the Bela Padilla-JC Santos romantic movie 100 Tula Para Kay Stella . Jason Paul Laxamana's romantic drama grossed PHP 60 million in its debut week. That's higher than the first five day gross of Kita Kita  which collected PHP 50 million at the same point. This one is also getting huge buzz among its tagret demographic which is a good sign for it to leg out after the PPP season. A total north of PHP 150 million seems possible while recapturing the success of Kita Kita  is uncertain at this point with strong competition coming in the next few weeks (although Kita Kita managed to break out amid strong competition with Finally Found ).

The hype is not dying down. Thanks to the continued strong word-of-mouth, Kita Kita has now made PHP 200 million in the country. The last time something like this happened was Heneral Luna  back in 2015.

This will be a short update. Star Cinema and Viva Films' Finally Found Someone  has reached PHP 100 million in four days. This is a strong number so far albeit lower than It Takes A Man and A Woman . Nevertheless, with the help of Sunday business (which is typically strong), the Sarah Geronimo-John Lloyd Cruz romantic comedy is bound to atleast hit PHP 135 million+ in five days which is still a big win not just for Finally Found  but also for Kita Kita  which is also still raking millions. A good week for the local box office industry. Source: Star Cinema

While surprise hit  Kita Kita is now on its way to PHP 100 million, another romantic movie is about to hit the theaters -  100 Tula Para Kay Stella  starring Bela Padilla and JC Santos. Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana ('The Third Party'), this romantic comedy has the capability to break out the way Kita Kita  did. Also, Bela Padilla and JC Santos (breakout star from the TV series 'Till I Met You') are much more popular than Alessandra De Rossi and Empoy Marquez. Can it replicate the success of Kita Kita ?

Beside the KathNiel, LizQuen, and AlDub, the Sarah Geronimo-John Lloyd Cruz tandem remains one of the strongest tandem in the box office. Their lastest offering Finally Found Someone proves this.

It's a busy week at the box office. Sci-fi epic Valerian and the City of the Thousand Planets  and Kita Kita  lead the box office.

Studios traditionally show footages/trailers of their upcoming films on the San Diego Comic Con and this year did not fail us. Here are the trailers for DC's Justice League, Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok , and more!

The Princess of Themyscira just showed how it should done. DC's Wonder Woman  has now passed PHP 520 million in the Philippines' box office as of July 1. That bests the final numbers of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice  which previously has the throne as the highest grossing WB film in the country.

After a steady opening day, Transformers: The Last Knight  collapsed on full week numbers continuing the franchise fatigue in the country ( Fast & Furious, Pirates, & Despicable Me ). The fifth-quel opened to PHP 165.9 million which is lower than Age of Extinction (PHP 240M+) and Dark of the Moon (PHP 209M).

The cast of 'The Revengers' together with its director, Joyce A. Bernal As I've said on my previous article, the Vice Ganda-Pia Wurtzbach movie which is now titled The Revengers , is already sealed as a huge blockuster hit. The only problem it could have is a huge competition from Justice League  which is just a week/2 weeks away from it. And that's even a question since both will target different audience. Now that it's entering MMFF 2017, it has already sealed another milestone: to be the highest grossing local movie of all time.

Die Beautiful The MMFF committee has just announced the first four entries to this year's festival and it's a complete reverse of what we've gotten last year.

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) committee just announced the first four of the eight entries that will join the festival this year. These films will debut on December 25. Here are the entries:

Bumblebee and his gang may be hitting an all-time low box office in the U.S. but it seems to be holding better here in the Philippines.

Wonder Woman  has been a big blowout for Warner Bros. in the country. It is already the second highest grossing film this year in the country, just behind the record breaking  Beauty and the Beast . But this is just the appetizer: Justice League  is the main dish.

Gru and his Minions takes the lead this week amid lower returns. Despicable Me 3  opens to PHP 93.6 million (est. $ 1.9M). That's far cry from PHP 188 million ($ 4.2M) opening of Minions (2015)  and $ 2.9M  of Despicable Me 2 (2013) . 

Here are the trailers for the upcoming local horror titles: Star Cinema's Bloody Crayons  lead by Janella Salvador, Elmo Magalona, Sofia Andres, Diego Loyzaga, Jane Oineza, Maris Racal, Yves Flores, Empoy, and Ronnie Alonte & Viva Ent.'s Ang Pagsanib kay Leah Dela Cruz starring Sarah Lahbati, Shy Carlos, & Julian Trono. Bloody Crayons Ang Pagsanib kay Leah Dela Cruz ( June 28)

In a summer season lead by blockbusters  Wonder Woman  (PHP 400M+) , The Mummy (PHP 85M+), and Pirates 5 (PHP 150M+) and upcoming movies such as Despicable Me 3  and Transformers 5 , Star Cinema managed to get a space in the current crowded marketplace with Can We Still Be Friends?

The smiles at Warner Bros. must have been continuing. Wonder Woman  has now passed the PHP 400 million mark in the country.

Wonder Woman It's a wonderful week for Warner Bros. Coming off from the disappointing King Arthur: Legend of the Sword , the studio is back on top again with Wonder Woman .

Americans maybe tired of Johnny Depp's work but overseas seems not. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (named as Salazar's Revenge  in the country) opened to a strong PHP 90.1 million here in the Philippines. The fifth installment improved over the previous film On Stranger Tides which opened to PHP 63.1 million (it was also the first film to be in 3D). This is impressive for a decade old franchise. Ticket inflation and the rise of number of theaters can also be factored. With Wonder Woman already setting records on its opening, expect a drop from here. A final gross around PHP 150-160 million seems likely.  Guardians of the Galaxy Vol .2 dropped 72 percent this week with PHP 2.79 million. In five weeks, the Marvel superhero ensemble has already collected PHP 313 million. The Wall  opened this week with PHP 2.09 million. Updated box office for The Fate of the Furious  has now it at PHP 382 million. Philippines Box Office May 24-31, 2017...

Her time has come.

Here are my quick reviews for these movies/tv shows along with my grade: 1. Wonder Woman (2017) Review: Patty Jenkins delivers a great  Wonder Woman  movie with good characterization, awesome scenes and an inspiring hero that is timely in our time. It is worth noting that it is a better kind of fun movie that gets comedy from the characters' personalities. Overall, this non-arguably the best DCEU movie yet. 4/5

In a surprising turn of events, Our Mighty Yaya did fine business on its opening week while Star Cinema's Dear Other Self  looks like it disappointed.

It was just confirmed today  (May 30, 2017) that Liza Soberano is the new Darna . After a long wait of finding out who will replace Ms. Angel Locsin in the iconic superhero. I can already smell the controversy it can surround but box office wise, it makes sense.

If Hollywood has Kevin Hart and Melissa Mccarthy as bankable artists in comedy, Philippines has none other than Vice Ganda. Last Friday, he dropped the news of having a new movie with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. It's very safe to say that it's going to be a huge hit form Star Cinema.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 It's the time of the year when everyone is anticipating a new Marvel movie. This time its the sequel to the surprise breakout hit of 2014. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opened to a strong PHP 159.32 million. See more of the breakdown below:

After a strong $ 3.2 million opening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2  last week, the healthy (not huge) box office looks to continue this May. Alongside the openings of Alien: Covenant, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and Pirates of the Caribbean 5 , the local cinema has also something to compete. Regal Entertainment will release Ai Ai Delas Alas' Our Mighty Yaya. Jodi Sta. Maria's star power will be tested with Dear Other Self.  Also, war movie Ang Araw sa Likod Mo  and thriller Bliss  will try to capture audience. Here's our forecast: Our Mighty Yaya (May 10) Comedy Queen Ai Ai Delas Alas has been one of the most bankable movie stars of the local cinema. Starting with the record-breaking Ang Tanging Ina  (which was the highest grossing film at that time), her movies with this type of setting work well in the box office. On paper, Our Mighty Yaya  will be a box office hit but this time, it's not simple as that. It is worth noting that most of her...

This July, witness another big scale movie coming from Christopher Nolan, the director of 'The Dark Knight Trilogy', 'Inception', & 'Interstellar'. This time, his making a war movie Dunkirk which features the evacuation of 400,00 Allied soldiers from the harbor of Dunkirk, France. Watch the trailer below: 's  Dunkirk  which stars Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh, and Harry Styles will be in theaters this July 2017. 

Disney finally released the first look in Star Wars: The Last Jedi  which will be released in theaters this December. Meanwhile, get a look at the next local feature Luck at First Sight  starring Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla which will be in theaters on May 3.

Here are my quick reviews for these movie/tv show along with my grade: 1. Can't Help Falling in Love  (2017, Romance) Review: Solid performances from Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla carried the forgettable plot of Can't Help Falling in Love . It has some pretty enjoyable moments and will surely please the fanbase. It's a kind of movie you will smile inside the theater and forget after leaving the theater. Grade 2.5/5 2. Kong: Skull Island (2017, Action) Review: It's kind of bold to see Kong take the famous brand to a different take. It is also worth noting the movie's music and cinematography which is unique for a generic blockbuster movie. You might only find something missing on the movie's characters. Overall this reboot is a fun, crazy, and solid adventure that leaves you wanting more (and yes, there's a crossover coming). Grade 3/5

Kathniel's power is back. Their latest romantic comedy Can't Help Falling in Love sets Black Saturday records with a PHP 33 million opening day gross. This is the highest opening gross for a local movie opening on a Black Saturday. This was previously held by John Lloyd Cruz-Sarah Geronimo three-quel It Takes A Man and A Woman  which opened to PHP 32.6 million four years ago. Meanwhile, Universal pic Fast and Furious 8 opened to strong numbers.

It's a calm in the box office before the storm comes (the trio consisting of  The Fate of the Furious, Can't Help Falling in Love, & Boss Baby ). Beauty and the Beast  easily remained on the top position earning PHP 24.99 million this week.

Disney reports that the tale as old as time has now grossed PHP 667.46 million is now the highest grossing film of all time in the country beating last year's Captain America: Civil War . Every year, the country's all time highest grossing movie gets replaced. Can Beauty and the Beast  be beaten this year (again)? Here are the movies that has the potential to steal that record:

Will this finally turn things around for the DC Extended Universe? Watch the first official trailer below: Justice League  will be in theaters this November in 3D.

According to the press statement release by ABSCBN, Angel Locsin will no longer play the titular hero. Read the official statement below:

It's two straight weeks of strong box office ( Logan  and Kong ) and this week's no different with the debut of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (2017) . The tale as old as time starring Emma Watson in the titular role opened to a magical $5.9 million in the country. This is the fourth biggest opening in the country, according to Disney. The opening also beats the total numbers of The Jungle Book, Cinderella and Alice in the Wonderland  in the country. It wouldn't be surprising if it holds next week and $ 10 million is very likely for this film. Thriller Get Out opened decently with $80K across 50 screens. Philippines Box Office, March 15-19, 2017 Source: Deadline

After last week's strong debut for Logan ( est. PHP 100M), the good times in the box office continues to roll. This week, its Kong: Skull Island who delivered strong numbers on its opening.

For the Kid's Choice Awards , WB decided to place a new trailer for Wonder Woman  which will be in theaters this June. The trailer previews the origin of the world's most famous woman superhero and more! Watch the video below:

Star Cinema has found its new cash cow love team. My Ex and Whys starring Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano has now reached PHP 341 million worldwide.

Here are my quick reviews for these movie/tv show along with my grade: 1. My Ex and Whys  (2016, Romance) Quick Review: My Ex and Whys  moves to a not so Star Cinema route but ends with a very Star Cinema route. If it wasn't for the performances from Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil and a strong direction by Director Cathy Garcia-Molina, it would have been a generic Wattpad movie. Grade: 3/5 2. Riverdale (S01E06, "Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!") Quick Review: Archie finally gets a better storyline this week. The adventures of Betty and Jughead remains the most interesting part. Veronica continues her Veronica attitude. It's interesting that Riverdale  presents the stories of different characters in the community rather than focusing on the mystery of Jason's death alone. Grade: 4/5

It was an easy weekend for My Ex and Whys  as its moved past $5 million (where $4 million came locally). Meanwhile, holdovers fell hard as Rings  opened decently in the box office. Rings took the first place among Hollywood titles with PHP 15.42 million ($307 K) in 158 theaters. It's in line with the openings of Ouija: Origin of Evil ($300 K) . With stiff competition coming, it's likely that it ends around $500 K. Erotic drama Fifty Shades Darker  added PHP 8.81 million ($175 K) this week. In three weeks, it has already locked PHP 168.5 million ($3.3 million) which can likely match its predecessor's $ 3.5 million gross by the end of its run. Keanu Reeves' John Wick Chapter 2  made PHP 4.23 million this week with a total of PHP 84 million in its three weeks in theaters. Sources:  Box Office Mojo

KatNiel's new movie, Can't Help Falling in Love , will be released this April according to  Push . The film is also said to be lighter than their previous effort, Barcelona: A Love Untold  which raked a ton of money although lower than Crazy Beautiful You . If the release date will remain, it will face some tough competition with Universal's The Fate of the Furious   and Disney Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 . Can they survive?

As of 5 PM today (February 18, 2017),  Star Cinema  is reporting that LizQuen's My Ex and Whys has now passed the PHP 100 million mark. It took Vince and Kath and James  the whole MMFF season to reach this mark. Even previous LizQuen's efforts Just the Way You Are  and Everyday, I Love You  ended its run at this numbers close to PHP 100 million. Sunday numbers could push the number up to PHP 120+ million.

Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele once again dominated the local box office with Fifty Shades Darker with a $1.8 million opening. Meanwhile, John Wick: Chapter 2  also gets some love in the country

The day has come.  My Ex and Why's starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil opened to a strong PHP 31.5 million on post-Valentines Day. This is the highest grossing non-Vice Ganda opening day gross for a local movie in almost a year. Full report below

Here are the official nominees for the 2017 Academy Awards:

It's a so-so week in the box office. Critically-acclaimed and Golden Globes winner  La La Land opened to solid numbers as well as Patriots Day. Star Cinema hasn't released any numbers for Extra Service  which is not good for the action comedy movie. Here are the box office numbers for the following movies as of January 15, 2017. This is an incomplete list (with Box Office Mojo no longer posting a list):

Here are my quick reviews for these movies/tv show along with my grade: 1.  Hidden Figures (2016, Drama) Quick Review: Powered by strong performances by Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, Hidden Figures  is an uplifting, powerful story that presents the importance of small roles in making history. Grade: 4/5 2. Sing (2016, Animation) Quick Review: Sing  is a fun, sweet and charming movie that you can always expect from an Illumination Entertainment feature. This may not reach the heights of the animated classics but it's worth your time. Grade: 3/5 Photo Source: Collider, IMDB

Star Cinema's action comedy Extra Service  opened to $19,300 in 21 theaters in the U.S. Box office numbers overseas are usually rare so there is no apples-to-apples comparison that can be given. There are still no reports for its domestic numbers.

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Star Cinema has dropped the teaser trailer for My Ex and Whys starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, one of the most popular love team in the country. Their previous efforts, Just the Way You Are and Everyday I Love You , both managed to reach the 100 million mark. That's a fine number for their start up. Now, it will be interesting if they can improve on these numbers. The KathNiel love team did it with their movies (from Must be Love to Pagpag  or She's Dating the Gangster ). Can they too? Liza Soberano has seen a huge buzz over social media last year. It also has a great schedule. Can these factors turn this movie to a bigger success? But before we all discover that, Watch the teaser here: My Ex and Whys  will be in theaters on February 15, 2017 Note: February 14, 2017 seems like a better opening day for this one. It can be boosted by the couples who will prefer to watch a movie on Valentines Day. But anyways, Crazy Beautiful You and Always Be My Maybe  deliver...

Vince and Kath and James . Source: CNN Philippines Star Cinema once again topped the MMFF season. Vince and Kath and James  lead the box office over a close Die Beautiful (December 25-January 3, 2016) . Overall MMFF box office was down almost half from last year when Beauty and the Bestie  and My Bebe Love  broke records and with a longer theatrical run.

The MMFF season has ended and the MMFF committee decline to release the box office data of the entries but they have released their official stadings in both Metro Manila and Provincial theaters. Here they are:

Assassin's Creed. Source: IGN The MMFF season has ended (early) and the box office is back to normal. Fox's  Assassin's Creed  took up the first place followed by Sony's Passengers . Meanwhile, Mang Kepweng Returns  was up to a solid start.