The First and Last Philippine Premiere Screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: A Decade of Magic Comes to a Conclusion

The Philippines is one of the first few countries to first see the epic finale for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 before it officially comes out on July 14, 2011. Yours truly got the privilege to be invited to such screening by the wonderful folks at Warner Bros. Philippines, and all I can say is I was both excited, thankful and blessed to be able to watched the epic finale of the film series I grew up with in glorious IMAX Theater 3-D!

After a decade of following the story through a span of seven films, the story of "the boy who lived" has finally ended tying all lose ends in this second part for the Deathly Hallows. It is both the first and last of Harry Potter in the Philippines as the President of Warner Bros. Philippines said before the Philippine premiere screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in the IMAX Theater SM Mall of Asia. First in the sense that it is the first Harry Potter film to be completely in 3-D (or converted into one) and first that the Philippines is one of the selected countries to first see the film after UK; and last in a simple sense that this is the conclusion to the Harry Potter film franchise. 

What also add up to the already spectacular film experience brought by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is the crowd and my fellow bloggers. It is always fun to talk to people with similar interest and passion. We talked about what would be the next Harry Potter film. Will it be a sequel, prequel or a highly improbable remake? That and many film, blogging and geeky stuff. But once the film started rolling it seems like we all barely knew each other as it is a rule of thumb to just sit back and enjoy the film.

If you have followed all seven Harry Potter film which started back at 2001. Man 2001! I was already at my teenage years back then and this sure is one of those film that will go along the ranks of Lord of the Rings, Last Castle, and Toy Story, my favorite films of all time. Definitely check out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in theaters nationwide by July 15, 2011.

The Last of Dirty Harry - I Mean Harry Potter

Just a few hours from now, yours truly will be able to watch the epic conclusion of the similarly epic story of "the boy who lived, Harry Potter. I am not really a book person so I have no idea how it would all wrap up, and I want it to be that way. Don't wan to be spoiled as well so I have stopped myself from listening or reading any spoilers.





It has been what? Ten years? Man, ten years. We literally see this boy grow from that innocent child to the now bad ass and dirty-looking Harry Potter. Just look at all those scars, wounds that he got since his first scar on his forehead. I would like to keep this short as I am getting prepared for it. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will officially be out in theaters nationwide by July 15, 2011. For anyone who grew up watching this film series, it is a no-brainer...they will watch this epic finale. Myself included. Will get back on reviewing films after this film.

Awesometastic 3-D Sequel: The Philippine Red Carpet Premiere of Tron: Legacy

A little while back yours truly, together with various Metro bloggers attended the Philippine red carpet premiere of Tron: Legacy over at the IMAX Theater in SM Mall of Asia. One of the last but definitely not the least, biggest 3-D film of the year will hit major cinemas nationwide today December 17, 2010. So why not end the weekend with a digital bang with Tron: Legacy.



It was a reunion of sort for most Metro bloggers as they populate the IMAX Theater in SM Mall of Asia for the Tron: Legacy premiere. Like what I've said earlier it is one of the biggest 3-D film of the year. I have seen the original 1982 Tron film a three/four months ago and was really excited to see what Walt Disney can bring to the table on a classic title which seems to haveended back in 1982. Not really a big surprise it was really good. As seen in various film trailers and being able to see some of its selected scenes (20 mins.) of Tron: Legacy back at Tron Night last Octobe, the hype surrounding Tron: Legacy is just right for the film delivered in flying neon orange, black, blue and white colors.

You can check out my full written film review for Tron Legacy over my updated spoiler-free movie review blog here:



Tron: Legacy (2010) Movie Review

The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Film Experience

A big thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines for giving us the opportunity to see the first part of the last Harry Potter film franchise in IMAX Theater SM Mall of Asia last November 17, 2010. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is currently on all major cinemas nationwide (Philippines) and the rest of the world. It is a definite must see movie.

I was then thirteen when I first saw the first Harry Potter film The Philosopher's stone so I technically grew up watching this film franchise. I am really thankful that I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books published (or listened to it since I am into audiobooks) as I saved myself from being spoiled on what will happen on this final leg of the film. What makes the viewing experience more worthwhile is having a good company with you as you watch. I was once again reacquainted with the Metro movie bloggers in this IMAX HP7 premiere screening. I really miss hanging around and socializing with them during various events, hope to get back to the local blogosphere scene in the days to come.

Photos by Azrael Coladilla.

Harry Potter picks up where the last three movie drops off, by taking a more darker tone and hoplessness feel to it. Hopelessness in the sense that everything seems to go against our protagonists, beloved characters dying and odds of winning diminishing. Of course in the back of our minds we know that there would eventually be a happy ending and that is what we are looking forward to on the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part by 2011. I recommend Harry Potter for all the fans and movie goers who grew up and followed the series. It is a great film to watch this weekend, or anytime of the week especially if you are free with your Hogwarts loving friends. It is not in 3-D though which doesn't take anything away from the film. Forcing the film to be in 3-D might eventually ruin the film like what recent movies did lately. If it is not meant to be 3-D then don't make it in 3-D. As the popular saying goes "If the thing isn't broken, then don't fix it."

Catch my full written review later of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 on CMAQUEST.

Clash of the Titans Movie Philippine 3D Premiere

Clash of the Titans (the 2010 remake) has recently premiered in Glorietta 4 cinema 1 in full 3D. This movie event is not possible without the people from Warner Bros. Pictures (Philippines). The Clash of the Titans stars Sam Wortington, whose stared in the popular blockbuster record breaking 3D movie Avatar takes the role of Perseus in this reboot of the classic demigod versus Gods movie of the same title. Movie enthusiasts and bloggers were there to experience the movie.




For the Clash of the Titans synopsis, trailers and movie posters check them out here at Clash of the Titans - The New Titans of 2010 Teaser and Posters





After enjoying some great treats from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and from other sponsors, the movie goers struggle to find good seat inside, which is a completely different epic adventure for them. Lucky for us, we got a nice view and seat inside Glorietta's "THE" Cinema 1 and thus having the chance to reserve some good seats for our fellow bloggers who're still outside.



Guess you've already known what happened to Medusa with this pic. Sorry not the 2010 version hahaha. Perseus with Medusa's head on the classic Clash of the Titans (1981) version.

After the movie, we had a few talk regarding the difference of the the 2010 Clash of the Titans movie and its classic 1981 counterpart. I can barely recollect what happened in the classic version for I was still in grade school when I first saw the classic 1981 stop-motion Clash of the Titans, which made me curious to know what "DID" happened on the first one (in sort of a refreshment). Some of them advised me to hit the books rather than to refer to the 1981 movie. The 1981 movie was also loosely based on the Greek mythology's story of Perseus, so if one is to carefully do a movie review or make references, then the book is one's best resource. Well, since I haven't read the original Greek mythology story of Perseus and the Argonauts, or recall the entire 1981 classic or seen the modern adaptation of it through Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief then I will have to approach this movie (review the Clash of the Titans movie) as if it was really my first with partially disregarding the previous ones (which could I could be blame for as being lame hahaha) which you can later see in my movie review at Pinoy Movie Blogger



Now this is the right one! The dreaded Kraken of the 2010 Clash of the Titans. With these kinds of movies it makes me crave for epic Greek Mythology inspired movies or tv series like The Odyssey (1997), hmm why not! Let me get my hands on that another classic.

Well you just have to see my personal verdict regarding the movie here but let me just share to you that this is one of those movies that is worth the effort of seeing on the big screen. Clash of the Titans will be released in almost all Philippines theaters by April 3, 2010 so check your local movie listing guys. This movie is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.



Special Thanks to Azrael Coladilla for these photos of me on the Philippine 3D Premiere of Clash of the Titans in Glorietta'a Cinemas 1

Alice in Wonderland Philippine Digital Premiere and Pinoy Movie Blogger

March 03, 2010 was the official Philippine movie premiere of Walt Disney and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and yours truly (plus one, my brother) was there, together with the rest of the Metro bloggers. I will also introduce my new movie review blog which I named Pinoy Movie Blogger.





I invited my brother to watch the Philippine digital premiere of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland in SM Megamall in Ortigas. Actually I asked a couple of girls to watch with me but eventually was turned down because of their work and the drive back to Cavite, so I ended up asking my brother to accompany me. It is his first time to see a movie in 3D so I am a bit excited for him (but the IMAX Theatre is a still the best choice if you are to watch 3D movies).





After leaving from Dasmariñas City at around 4 in the afternoon we managed to arrived at SM Megamall at around 6:30 which is just right for the ticket says screening starts at seven but as usual it was moved until 8:00 pm.







The quality of the photos are a bit shaky and poor because I used my cellphone to take some snapshots of the premiere. The rechargeable battery has reached its limits plus my digital camera is already busted. Hope it could still be fix.



Me with the lovely Miss Sharon Yu. According to Azrael, Ms. Yu is the brand ambassador of SM Cinema so yours trulay (though mesmerized as he was back then) manage to take a picture of the lovely face of SM cinema.

I was also reunited with some of my Metro blogger acquaintances and was secretly happy because they commented that I am gaining weight (my target this year). After chatting for a short time we decided to proceed to the cinema. After handing us the 3D glasses we found a nice spot on the upper area of the theater and waited... and waited, until the hosts arrived to start off the premiere.



Eventually there was this raffle game and luckily my ticket number was drawn and so I was able to claim a t-shirt printed with Alice in Wonderland text with the image of the 10/6 Mad Hatter hat at the back.



We finished the movie and was entertained with its overall visuals and story but my review will be seen in my new blog which you can visit later. After taking some group pictures together with fellow bloggers we called it a night and went home. I believe it was around 12 midnight when we arrived home... and now my review and my movie blog...



I am the Pinoy Movie Blogger

I have always been fund of watching movies (aren't we all?) and finally after quite some time I have finally managed to make a blog dedicated to my favorite past time which is watching movies. May they be on the big screen or official movie DVD/CD/Blu-ray Disc if I am in the mood to watch a movie (which is most of the time I am) then I will do so. If only I can share my sentiments and opinion about the classic and new movies that I've watched and this is where Pinoy Movie Blogger comes in. You can find my movie blog at pinoymovieblogger.blogspot.com, I know movie blogs are nothing new in the blogosphere and I am not that much of a film experts but as a common person who can relate with the rest of the movie going netizens I think my review about movies could help them in some strange sort of a way (hehehe Check the Pinoy Movie Blogger FAQs here).

So it is (blow-by-blow account of the) events and personal blog is to CMABLOGS and for my movie review you can read it at Pinoy Movie Blogger and for my very first movie review entry here is Alice in Wonderland (2010) Movie Review.

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince IMAX Premiere in SM Mall of Asia Experience

July 15, 2009 (Wednesday) - Yours truly was invited in one of the most anticipated movie of the year, the sixth installment of the Harry Potter movie series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince which is premiered on the IMAX Theater in SM Mall of Asia.





The day started with me leaving for Cavite at around 4:00 in the afternoon and by 5:30 arrived at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City and saw Cath along the way and join Ria for a mud pie cake delight at T.G.I. Fridays. We were later joined by Ryan and had a couple of talk.



Cath, Ryan and Ria.

Finally we arrived at the venue where cocktails were served and met up with other invited bloggers at the Harry Potter 6 screening. After some chit chat we were directed to proceed to the IMAX Theater to watch the much anticipated movie. IMAX 3-D glasses were handed out and got ourselves a nice seat for the movie.

The emcee told us about that the seventh movie will be released next year in two parts. The first part of the Harry Potter 7 Deathly Hollows (Hope I got that right) will be shown at around November of 2010 and the second part will be on July 2011. After that news, the movie started to roll and we braced ourselves for an amazing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince IMAX 3-D experience (Well, the first few parts to say the least. See it for yourself at the nearest IMAX 3-D Cinemas near you).



Will make a movie review soon on my movie blog which has now been buried with so many movie back logs but will soon make it active. All I can say is that the movie left me hanging but the 6th movie is an essential part of the progress of the film for this is where you're doubts and suspicion will finally be answered (if you have followed the Harry Potter movie series).



Chris A. at the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in IMAX Theater in SM Mall of Asia

After the event, we (the bloggers) rallied up outside the IMAX Theater and took some more pictures and decided to call it a night. It was another fun-filled bloggers movie event courtesy of the great people from Warner Bros. and SM Malls.



Bloggers at the Harry Potter 6 premiere at the IMAX Theater in SM MOA, Azrael taking the shots.



More Photos of the event can be found at my HP6 Premiere Here:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince IMAX SM MOA Premiere

Jam-Packed Ice Age 3 TriNoma Digital Cinema Screening Event

July 02, 2009 (Thursday) - Yours truly signed up for the bloggers spreadsheet for the screening of Ice Age 3 in TriNoma in North Edsa and was excited because of (1) it is a movie event, and (2) I'm going to be back in blogging events. So here is my fun-filled unforgettable experience in Ice Age 3 shown in TriNoma's New Digital Cinema....





What is this Digital Cinema anyways? Read the rest below to find out what's this new movie experience Trinoma has in store for all movie goers...

The day starts with me getting all worked up with this movie premiere because this will be the start of my being active again to blog events after that somewhat bit long hiatus last June. As schedule conscious as I was I left for Cavite at around 3:00 in the afternoon which still still took me until 5:30 pm on the road which got me a bit worried because according to the spreadsheet the events starts at 6:00 and I was still on the train (MRT) that time but thank goodness I made in time. I wandered around until Az sent me an sms telling me where the show is which I think I missed while I was wandering around (how clumsy can I get at times wahahaha). Finally saw this large are where new and old media starts to populate.



After the small hassle I finally got my media pass and premiere ticket for the Ice Age 3 premiere

I encountered a small problem upon checking my name on the list of bloggers who signed up, my name somewhat was missing in action which was a shock really because all the while I know I signed up for it so was really surprise (and believe me I will not trek all the way from Dasmariñas Cavite just to gate crash and new that I am not welcome). I'm no gatecrasher so this bothered me, thank goodness Azrael saved my neck and talked to the right people but later this was resolved as I confirmed my name on the list and they probably forgot to enlist some of the registrants on paper (which is still odd). After which I felt a bit troubled but managed to get my drive and mood back as other bloggers and popular faces starts to arrive....





There were nice drinks and snacks provided for everyone in the pre-screening show...



One popular cosplay icon in the Philippines has also attended the Ice Age 3 premiere, Alodia Gosiengfiao. It is my first time seeing her in person for I have only seen her in various anime blogs, websites, and anime-related magazines. So basically I was a bit star-strucked because of her beauty and title but immediately snapped out of it and managed to take a picture of the very lovely Miss Alodia Gosiengfiao, Philippine's Cosplay Queen.



Chris A. with Alodia Gosiengfiao in Ice Age 3 Trinoma Digital Cinema



Alodia Gosiengfiao joins the bloggers at the Ice Age 3 TriNoma Digital Cinema premiere



Azrael Coladilla, Ronald Guanzon, and Alodia Gosiengfiao, three popular figures of anime, cosplay, toys, and events in the Philippines in the Ice age 3 premiere.

Mascots always have an effect to children and movie enthusiasts alike which TriNoma "let loose" in the pre-screening show.



Ice Age 3's Scrat(male) and Scratte mascots were mobbed by children and media for a photo opportunity.



..and of course yours truly will not let this past as I take the chance to take a photo with Scrat and Scratte mascots for the Ice Age 3 premiere.

Celebrities with their children also were seen in the Ice Age 3 Philippine Premiere in TriNoma. Some familiar faces were Iya of the former Studio 23 I.T. show Digital Tour...



Epi Quizon on Ice Age 3 Trinoma Digital Cinema



Chris A. with Bearwin "The Bear" Meily on TriNoma Ice Age 3 Digital Cinema Premiere

After the pre-show we were all directed to TriNoma Digital Cinema Cinema, Cinema 4 to finally see the much awaited third sequel of the popular Ice Age 3.



Ice Age 3 TriNoma Digital Cinema screening snacks were provided by Fish & Co.. See Also Fishing The Market For a Bountiful Catch! The Fish & Co. Experience



Well I won't spoil you with the plot of the film but I guarantee you will be entertained with Ice age 3. Will also provide a review of this movie in my movie blog which will soon be running up smoothly. You can check it out here:

Pinoy Movie Blogger



TriNoma's Digital 3D Cinema experience was another new experience for me and looks promising so if you want to experience what I am talking about then try TriNoma's Digital Cinema yourself. This is Chris A. blogging out.


See more photos of the Jam-Packed Ice Age 3 TriNoma Digital Cinema Screening Event on My Ice Age 3 Trinoma Digital Cinema Screening Experience Facebook Album

Monsters VS Aliens - A Monsterrific First IMAX Experience

March 26, 2009 (Thursday) - Got a message from my plurk through Az, asking me if I am available to go see the DreamWorks' MONSTERS VS ALIENS movie at the IMAX Theatre ot SM Mall of Asia, and I said a strong "YES, I can!" or was that "YES, I am!"?



It was around 4:00 pm that time and that got me a bit worried because of the expected traffic that probably and will awaits me. So I immediately hurried up and got on the bus at around 4:40 pm in the afternoon and as expected a heavy traffic got on the way. I am a big movie and animation fan so I will not miss out on this this IMAX Theatre first. I was really worried because by 6:45 I am still on the bus but is already a couple of kilometers away from SM Mall Of Asia. I was hoping that I could still catch the beginning of the animated film and luckily I did. And here is my movie review of Monsters VS Aliens.



As much as possible I would like this movie review be spoiler free so here goes. The story begins with a California girl Susan Murphy and her seemingly perfect life and will soon be married to a "devoted" news anchor named Billy, until a large meteorite called the "Quantonium" plummeted down on the soon to be bride. All was seemingly okay after that event as she rose from the rubles with just a ruined and stained dress. In her wedding day, after she "walk the isle" and she suddenly glowed in neon green which later made her hair turned all white and finally growing as tall as 49-feet 11 inches. Out of nowhere, military guys appeared and tranquilized the ginormous white hair Susan.



She soon wakes up at a confinement where she met the four monsters which the government has secretly hid with conspiracy an other blah blahs, an area so secret that the mere saying of its name is deadly (You'll know what I'm saying when you see the movie). The first monster was the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B. who has no need for a brain; the brilliant yet mad scientist, Dr. Cockroach, PH.D (-Insert mad scientist laugh here-); The macho half-fish, half-ape Link or the Missing Link; and finally the 360-foot grub who link can only communicate with, Insectausaurus.



Susan Murphy's name was change to a new "scarier" monster name... Ginormica, well because she's ginormous hehehe. After a few months of confinement, they were later given the opportunity to be free once they save the Earth from destruction by beating the Alien Robot sent by a not so intelligent life form named Gallaxhor. How where they able to defeat the Aliens? What happened to the "love story" of Susan and her soon to be husband? Can the monsters soar to new heights? You can only know the rest of the story once you've seen the awesome animated movie.

This is one of the movie trailers for Monsters VS Aliens





After the film, the bloggers rallied up outside the IMAX Theatre after surrendering the IMAX 3D shades. Photo Op Time!





Azrael Coladilla at Monsters VS Aliens Premiere in IMAX Theatre, SM Mall of Asia



Me!, Christopher "Chris A." Aquino (I also blog at CMAQUEST: An Infotainment and Magazine Blog) at the Monsters VS Aliens Premiere in IMAX Theatre, SM Mall of Asia



Jori of Jori's Entertainment Journal making the lovable 360-foot grub Insectosaurus post at the Monsters VS Aliens Premiere in IMAX Theatre, SM Mall of Asia.



Me with Arci Muñoz (StarStruck), local celebrity at the Monsters VS Aliens Premiere at SM Mall of Asia


I highly recommend this movie, and will give it a four thumbs up if I am like Insectausurus. As I recalled I first saw some posters and trailers of Monsters Versus Aliens, and my first impression was that Monster VS Aliens is not going to be a good animated movie but after seeing it on an IMAX Theatre (which is also a first to me) I appreciated the dedication of the production, the plot, the graphics, the acting, and the lesson of accepting what one truly is and capabilities are, and the value of friendship regardless of the appearance and what other people might say against you.

Monsters VS Aliens is a movie which appeals to everyone (young and old). Every bloggers who watched it (whom I talked with) all gave it an awesome two thumbs up. My first monsterrific IMAX Experience is with a greatly crafted story of friendship and courage, which is Monsters VS Aliens.



Special Thanks To Azrael for the Photos
My Multiply Photos for the Monsters VS Aliens Movie Screening