Nature vs nurture
We’re often told, “Be your own competitor.” That pithy expression proves to be more of a deadly annoyance for Will Smith in his latest actioner, Ang Lee’s “Gemini Man.” Nature versus nurture has always...
View ArticleKen Chan and Rita Daniela: These adorable ‘Baes’ break the mold
For much of his career, Ken Chan has been known for roles with predicaments that add to their increasing degree of difficulty. “My Special Tatay” and “Destiny Rose” immediately come to mind. In the...
View ArticleJazzy ‘Mabagal’ sweeps Himig Handog songwriting tilt
When we got a call from Star Music last month asking if we could join its panel of judges for the 2019 edition of Himig Handog, it felt like a hands-in-glove progression for us as an OPM aficionado. We...
View ArticleGloria in excelsis
ATLANTA, GEORGIA—We were happily shooting the breeze with the witty duo of Arden Myrin (who plays Regina Sinclair) and Irene Choi (Dixie Sinclair) on the Atlanta set of Netflix’s “Insatiable” when...
View ArticleWhy the world—the Universe, rather—is Pia’s oyster
Navigating the aftermath of a career-setting triumph can sometimes be a slippery slope. But Pia Wurtzbach, whose fairy-tale-like ascent to the Miss Universe throne in 2015 helped boost the country’s...
View Article‘Isa Pa, With Feelings’: Silence is golden
In the latest of his current run as a romantic leading man (“Exes Baggage,” “Ulan,” “Meet Me in St. Gallen”), Carlo Aquino accomplishes something not a lot of actors his age can do: Convey a myriad of...
View ArticleLee Dong-wook continues his ‘love affair’ with PH fans
The deafening “fan-demonium” that swept the cavernous Fashion Hall of SM Megamall early this month was a vivid indication of the continually evolving popularity of Hallyu luminaries like K-drama...
View ArticleFeel-good twist for KZ Tandingan’s groovesome ‘Imposible’
KZ Tandingan’s single “Imposible,” culled from her sophomore collection “Soul Supreme,” isn’t just notable for its funky, groovesome musicality. There’s something about its feel-good thematic optimism,...
View ArticleJudy Ann explores her dark side
Judy Ann Santos became famous for playing beleaguered heroines who overcome all types of adversity. But while the actress is happy with roles that are snug fit for her wholesome image and prodigious...
View ArticleArnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton on the evolution of ‘Terminator’
SEOUL—Arnold Schwarzenegger seemed like he was still in character for “Terminator: Dark Fate” when we met him and his costar Linda Hamilton early this week, along with five other journalists from all...
View Article‘Unforgettable’: Built-in appeal quickly overstays its welcome
Despite its canine-fueled appeal, Jun Lana and Perci Intalan’s three-hanky drama “Unforgettable,” starring Sarah Geronimo with a star-studded coterie of supporting actors, barely scratches the surface...
View Article‘Terminator: Dark Fate’: Women rule the roost in sci-fi franchise’s thrilling...
James Cameron did not set out to make a feminist statement by casting Linda Hamilton as a female action star in “The Terminator,” which was released 35 years before Tim Miller’s latest iteration of the...
View Article‘The Cry’: A mother’s worst nightmare comes to life
How does a 4-month-old baby vanish without a trace? We got the shocking answer in the screeners sent to us by AMC Networks’ SundanceTV, which began airing the chilling four-part mystery drama series...
View Article‘Island of Dreams’: Intoxicating mix of thematic, cultural spices
Don’t be misled by its title. HBO Asia’s eight-part drama anthology “Food Lore” is neither a cooking tilt nor a food program featuring another pig-headed, self-centered chef. But the show uses food as...
View ArticleGabriel Luna: From Ghost Rider to Terminator
SEOUL—It’s always fascinating to see how a cast of actors reacts to fans and journalists during press junkets. On our recent trip to South Korea to interview the kickass cast of “Terminator: Dark...
View Article4th German Film Week commemorates 30th year of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
If you’re a film buff who is intrigued by the idiosyncratic appeal of German films, you’re in for a moviegoing treat. The fourth edition of the German Film Week, which begins its seven-day run at SM...
View ArticleJacob Batalon on ‘Let It Snow,’ playing Spider-Man’s best friend and the OPM...
We always look forward to our one-on-one interviews with Hollywood celebrities because they enable us to glean beyond “curated” images and the characters that catapulted them to global stardom....
View ArticleSecond chances
The rom-com anthology “Modern Love,” which began streaming on Amazon Prime (primevideo.com) recently, boasts stellar names on its list of lead actors—from Tina Fey and Andy Garcia to Olivia Cooke and...
View ArticleWin some, lose some
There’s so much befuddling mystery surrounding the new films being trotted out on our big screens this week. Veronica Velasco’s mystery romance “Nuuk” has a Jason Bourne-channeling mystery guy who can...
View ArticlePia persistent
Pia Wurtzbach understands why people look up to her as someone worth emulating. But the beauty queen-actress also wants them to learn as much from their mistakes as hers. After all, even Miss Universe...
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