Better than Streaming – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Commercenter announces March 15, 2025 closure of its cinemas, promises something new coming

March 7, 2025March 7, 2025carlocarrasco

Commercenter, the nice sprawling shopping mall located in Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa, recently announced via social media that its 4-screen cinemas will be closing on March 15, 2025 and still they promised something new is coming.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire social media post announcement by Commercenter. Some parts in boldface…

To our amazing moviegoers, thank you for every laugh, tear, and unforgettable moment we’ve shared at Commercenter Cinema over the years. ❤️🎬 Your presence and memories will always be part of our story, and we’re beyond grateful for the journey.

While our curtains will officially close on March 15, this isn’t the end. Something exciting is on the way to Commercenter and we can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned! 😉✨

For transparency, posted below is the screenshot of one of the images that came with the social media post of Commercenter.

For the newcomers reading this, the cinemas of Commercenter opened in the late part of 2014 and its cinemas each had nice and comfortable seats with a good sound system and screen. Each cinema has over a hundred seats to accommodate moviegoers.

I myself saw lots of movies at Commercenter from 2014 to 2023 (note: I have not seen movies inside any cinema for 2024). While I cannot recall all the films I saw inside the cinemas of the sprawling mall, I saw the following there: Sound of Freedom (read my movie review by clicking here), Wonder Woman (my review here), The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Write About Love (my review here), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Deadpool, Deadpool 2, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, X-Men: Apocalypse, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Aquaman, Terminator: Dark Fate, The Batman, Jurassic World, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (my review here) to name some.

*The last movie I saw at Commercenter was Sound of Freedom.*

In my experience, watching movies inside Commercenter was fun and comfortable. The mall is a short drive away from home and there are nice restaurants and stores inside. After watching a movie, I could enjoy a meal at Sigekiya Ramen or at The Black Pig or at Akrotiri, have coffee at The Coffee Syndicate or at The Bingsu. Or buy a snack at ASSI Fresh Plaza.

As such, it is really saddening to learn that Commercenter’s cinemas will be closing down soon. I can only speculate that not enough moviegoers in this post-pandemic age could support the cinemas of the mall and not enough private groups booked the cinemas for their events or gatherings. It seems to me that streaming – which became the new standard of watching movies since the COVID-19 pandemic – is a factor as well. Lastly, Commercenter charged P400 per ticket for foreign movies which is quite expensive for local moviegoers.

By adding Commercenter’s closing cinemas to the already closed old original cinemas of nearby Festival Mall, that would combine to a total of fourteen closed screens/cinemas. Festival Mall still has its 4-screen modern cinemas while Alabang Town Center’s cinemas are still operating. Without Commercenter as a movie venue, people living within Filinvest City and in the nearby communities will have to visit ATC and Festival Mall for the movie theater experience within Alabang.

*The cinemas area at the 2nd floor of Commercenter.*

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City who frequently saw movies at Commercenter, how do you feel about the March 15 closure of the cinemas? If you could still remember, how many movies were able to watch at Commercenter in all? What was the most memorable cinematic moment you had inside Commercenter’s cinemas? What could be the new thing Commercenter promised?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 55

February 5, 2025November 19, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 VKunia’s Akira reaction video – In recent times, I published blog post that had several videos of reviews, analysis and exploration of the 1988 anime feature film Akira. This time around, I posted for your viewing pleasure the Akira reaction video of VKunia. What I like about it is that VKunia herself is quite reactive to what was shown. Watch her reaction video below…

#2 Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise reviewed and analyzed by Cinemology 101 – Way back in 1985, the ambitious anime feature film Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise was released in theaters and eventually made its way into the West with English translation in the cinemas in 1988 and on home video a few years later. While I was not exactly entertained by it on home video, I still was left intrigued by its highly imaginative world, art and animation quality that was comparable in some ways with Akira. YouTuber Cinemology 101 (AKA The Cinemologists) posted its review and explanatory video of the film which is very comprehensive to watch.

#3 Hong Kong Action cinema of the 1980s revisited – If there is anything I miss from the 1980s, it is the dynamic action that came in different styles from the Hong Kong action movies of the time. By comparison, I am disgusted with Hollywood’s so-called modern approach of recording action that involves shaky camera handling and the quick cuts on editing. In Hong Kong action movies, the filmmakers recorded action with stable camera handling and using the right angles to capture the action visibly and clearly. Watch and learn from the video below…

#4 PatmanQC examines Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time arcade – Back in 1991, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time was released in the arcades and it became a big hit for Konami as it earned the approval of the critics and the coins of many gamers who paid for bouts of fun. The game was designed to be very playful and it also had a lot of stuff that resonated with TMNT fans. To find out who were responsible for the game and what inspired their work, watch the in-depth video by PatmanQC.

#5 Lunar games retrospective by Xygor Gaming – In case you missed the news, the first two Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) of the Lunar series – Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue – will be released for modern consoles in a package on April 18, 2025 called Lunar Remastered Collection. If you are fond of Japanese RPGs of the 1990s or if you want to discover what the Lunar series is about, watch the in-depth retro gaming retrospective video by Xygor Gaming.

#6 Sorority House Massacre explored by GoodBadFlicks – Recently, it was revealed that the 1986 horror movie Sorority House Massacre will be released on 4K Blu-ray this coming April. I never saw the movie but heard that it was criticized for being too familiar with a certain slasher horror movie from 1978. Regardless, you can learn about it by watching GoodBadFlicks’ explanatory video and perhaps it can provide insight as to why the movie is being released on 4K Blu-ray.

#7 US President Trump’s efforts against illegal immigration make waves overseas – Even though I am not an American citizen, I personally oppose illegal immigration. I simply believe that no government should ever let lots of foreigners to trespass into the country, violate the national sovereignty and consume taxpayer-funded resources. It is a great thing that Donald Trump is officially back as US President and this early, his efforts fighting illegal immigration is making a lot of impact even overseas. The Leftist leader of Colombia gave in to Trump in humiliating fashion, and you can learn all about it in the Sky News Australia video below. Lastly, let me remind you all that illegal aliens are criminals by default, and they certainly are NOT refugees.

#8 Palestinian discredited! – By now, many of you should know that I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish state. Let me tell you the truth that Palestine never started as country, never started as people but rather it started as a name imposed by the evil Roman empire on Israel centuries ago. The Palestinian identity only started in the 1920s, and the Palestinians have a history of chaos, violence and disruption. History and the facts are on the side of Israel, not the Palestinians. Watch and learn from the video below…

#9 Assorted videos of The Matrix – If have seen 1999’s The Matrix, do you personally consider it to be the most revolutionary action movie of all time? Was it the most definitive movie of 1999? Or have you forgotten much about it? If you are feeling nostalgic about the movie, watch the videos below.

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Better than Streaming: Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray now available

December 6, 2024December 3, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

Have you been searching for something intense, action-packed and thrilling to add into your collection of 4K Blu-ray movies? Be informed that Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray is now available on the market and you can order it online right now.

*This is what Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray looks like.*

Posted below are the technical details of Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray sourced from its Blu-ray.com page,

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265 (62.89 Mbps)

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

Japanese: Dolby Atmos

Japanese: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, Spanish

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50)

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

For the newcomers reading this, Godzilla Minus One is the Japanese-produced Godzilla movie from Toho, directed by Takashi Yamazaki and released in 2023. It was a commercial and critical hit, and it even won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. I previously wrote about Godzilla Minus One prior to its release in cinemas.

Due to the fact that Toho’s acclaimed giant monster movie was never released in cinemas here in my native Philippines, pursuing Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray is the next option for me. I really wanted to see the film in local cinemas for the genuine in-theater experience of watching a Japanese-produced Godzilla film. For some reason, Toho did not release Godzilla Minus One in Philippine cinemas even though they released Shin Godzilla in the country in 2016. For the meantime, I have my Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Gojira (1954) to enjoy before my 4K Blu-ray of the latest Godzilla film finally arrives.

If you have decided already to order a copy of Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray, click here.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema or movies in Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 42

November 20, 2024November 12, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back, my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 Ashleigh Burton’s Logan reaction video – Finally, after posting several X-Men-related reaction videos on her YouTube channel, YouTuber Ashleigh Burton posted her reaction to the great movie Logan. As it is a great film, you must watch it entirely first. If you have seen it already, then I urge you to watch Burton’s reaction video below.

#2 Woke Hollywood continues to freak out over Donald Trump’s comeback as US President – Remember all those many Hollywood elitists who went all out to fool Americans to vote for Commie Kamala Harris for US President? A lot of them plus Hollywood media are still freaking out over Harris’ loss to Donald Trump (who pulled off the greatest American comeback ever). Watch the videos from Midnight’s Edge and RK Outpost below. Pay close attention to the details.

#3 1990s explanatory video about the Fighter’s History – Street Fighter II case – Back in the 1990s, Capcom USA sued Data East over the video game Fighter’s History for infringing on Street Fighter II. As part of its efforts defending Fighter’s History, Data East released to the media an explanatory video (lawsuit exhibit video) which was recently posted on YouTube for millions of people to watch for the first time ever. Watch it now.

#4 Examining Final Exam – Have you ever seen the 1981 movie Final Exam? It was a low-budget, independently made slasher horror movie that looks inspired by Halloween (1978), Friday The 13^th (1980) and even National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978). While it is a fact that the movie faded away into obscurity for decades, it suddenly gained attention among film buffs arguably because of its 2023 release on 4K Blu-ray format. Apart from that, Final Exam has a very interesting story of production and execution, and you can learn more about it in the two videos below.

#5 Spotlight on Predator 2 – While it is clear that the 1990 sci-fi action movie Predator 2 does not match the greatness of its predecessor, it still aged well and clearly succeeded in expanding the lore of the Predator entertainment franchise. It also established very creatively the link between Predator and the Alien film franchise. That being said, it is not surprising that the movie became the subject of several YouTubers’ retro movie review videos and movie reaction videos. Before you watch the selected videos below, I encourage you to watch the film first in case you have not seen it. Otherwise, enjoy the selected videos below.

#6 Halo 2 remembered – Twenty years ago this month, Microsoft launched Halo 2 on the original Xbox console with massive hype and success. I could never forget the excitement leading towards its launch followed by the fun I had playing the single-player campaign. The only problem I had with Halo 2 was the abrupt ending. Regardless, Halo 2 is still memorable and if you feel nostalgic about it, watch the video below. Remember, this is a look back at the time when Team Xbox invested a lot not only on Halo 2 but also on making Xbox fans happy with exclusive content.

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Better than Streaming: Reagan Blu-ray set for November 19, 2024 release

October 30, 2024October 22, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

If you are looking for new movie about America’s iconic President Ronald Reagan to watch in the comfort of your home, be aware that the Blu-ray disc (with DVD and digital copy) of the film Reagan (2024) will be released on November 19, 2024, according to a Blu-ray.com update. The good news here is that pre-orders for it are already being accepted online and you can go for it by clicking right here. The movie was directed by Sean McNamara.

*Reagan Blu-ray disc includes DVD and digital copy.*

In this movie (released on August 30, 2024 in cinemas), Dennis Quaid played the iconic Ronald Reagan. The supporting cast includes Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan (the First Lady), Jon Voight as Viktor Petrovich, Robert Davi as Leonid Brezhnev, and Kevin Sorbo as Rev. Ben Cleaver.

The official description is as follows: From dusty small-town roots, to the glitter of Hollywood, and then on to commanding the world stage, REAGAN is a cinematic journey of overcoming the odds. Told through the voice of Viktor Petrovich, a former KGB agent who followed Reagan’s ascent, REAGAN captures the indomitable spirit of the American dream.

To see what the film looks like, watch the official movie trailer below.

In my honest view, Ronald Reagan is clearly the most defining President of the United States not only in the 1980s but in the entire 20^th century as he used the full might of his office to push back hard against Communism while also lifting Americans up from the social downturn and rebellious norms that hurt the nation since the 1960s.

Reagan is known for reviving patriotism and economic progress (focused on capitalism and the Reagnomics policies) in America. It has been argued again and again that had Reagan never been US President, America would have fallen deeper into turmoil and the Communists would have gained ground in the Cold War.

1980 US Presidential Election material from Ronald Reagan’s campaign. The words “make America great again” was spoken by him long before US President Donald Trump’s time. If you think about it carefully, Reagan was an ordinary American who became President of the United States.

It was only right that a proper movie about President Reagan was made. Of course, knowing the traditions of Hollywood, I am anticipating that creative liberties were taken in order to make the cinematic narrative work. I am based here in the Philippines and it is frustrating for me that this movie was never released in local cinemas. That being said, I am closely watching this as a possible addition to my Blu-ray movie collection.

Looking back at the official trailer above, it looks like the filmmakers did a good job making Dennis Quaid look, move and sound like President Reagan. The movie looks like it has a strong focus on the Cold War through Reagan which really interests me.

*US President Ronald Reagan in real life.*

*The cinematic President Reagan played by Dennis Quaid.*

If you have decided already to order a Blu-ray copy of Reagan (2024) this early, click https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Bluray-Digital-Dennis-Quaid/dp/B0DD4TJ22G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XZMN2Z03MD8G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3WIBMiQTkIXx7uutUYH9GT–2x-l0tZxtmapMDbe8ufduasK8Istd2Nxxh7cVJpX0P70CpRuvF-LKNFuGN-k0ZVOC2F4VTHlmqiO_gPSiCaceNMw6j0fkY1c5ekbdRo2_Z__BTJgJz3YLsXu1ANHa-XSdBYrnbEZF7yj1ahj7BUJjbTBaNzMRbkT7ZMWo6VX8TmnU1D0r0dJFJf71C_TGLfYe1uZO8_obxYEZg5_EOI.jT_iOpHGaFFdBp8gV4xtKfr9P-Ab9LygXH0kwEyXe-k&dib_tag=se&keywords=Reagan&qid=1729589526&sprefix=reagan%2Caps%2C525&sr=8-1

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 33

September 25, 2024September 10, 2024carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 Google in legal trouble in America – Did you notice how overwhelming power Google really is in business as well as in your daily lives? Are you aware that Google made multi-billion Dollar deals with its competitors to ensure its dominance on search, online advertising and other forms of business? Google is now in legal trouble with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in America and ColdFusion’s video below is a must-watch!

#2 Games to look forward to while subscribing to Xbox Game Pass – In recent times, there were changes on Xbox Game Pass (XGP) implemented by Microsoft which I did not like (click here and here to learn the details). If you own an Xbox and you still have not yet subscribed to XGP, you should decide first based on how much you can afford to pay the new rates (note: there are different tiers to subscribe to in Game Pass), what kind of games you really like and how much time you can spare for playing in the comfort of your home. If you are into adventure gaming, then the video by YouTuber Skycaptin 5 below is a must-watch for your reference. Take note that one of the games shown has yet to be released and a few of the games may require the Ultimate tier of XGP.

#3 A look back at Amazing Spider-Man movies of Sony Pictures – Do you have any fond memories of the two movies that had actor Andrew Garfield as the cinematic Spider-Man? I saw The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) in the cinemas and I can say that they never thrilled me nor satisfied me as much as the first two Spider-Man flicks of Tobey Maguire. Those movies directed by Marc Webb were not terrible actually but flawed works. Whether you loved or felt disappointed with the two Amazing Spider-Man movies, I urge you to watch the analytical video by YouTuber Owen Likes Comics below.

#4 25 years of the American launch of the Sega Dreamcast – It has been over twenty-five years since Sega launched the Dreamcast console in America. In gaming history, the date of September 9, 1999 is still remembered as the time when Sega really made a very serious effort to re-establish trust with American gamers and they made record-setting numbers in the first 24 hours. As such, it was no surprise that “25 years” or “25^th anniversary” videos about the Dreamcast suddenly appeared on YouTube and posted below are videos I selected for your viewing.

#5 You, Me and the Movies’ video reaction of Clash of the Titans (1981) – Whenever I search YouTube for movie reaction videos about the 1981 film Clash of the Titans, not too many pop out for some reason. If you are interested to see the film but don’t have the time or money to watch it in full, then the reaction video by You, Me and the Movies should entertain you.

#6 The fall of Circuit City explained – Way back in 2001, I visited a branch of Circuit City in California. I visited because I was curious and also interested in video games and also movies on DVD format. What I found was a variety of consumer electronic products and the presence of TV units with built-in DVD drives caught my attention. It was my one and only Circuit City visit and many years later, their brand re-emerged when there were these widespread news reports about its bankruptcy and liquidation. If you want to learn about the rise and fall of Circuit City, watch the video below.

#7 GoodBadFlicks’ comprehensive video about The Blob (1988) – The Blob remake of 1988 has always been very entertaining to watch. Not only does it have a really solid story to tell, it has a fine blend of spectacle with well-crafted action/stunt scenes and top-notch practical effects. On 4K Blu-ray, the movie looks better than ever and it is worth purchasing. When it comes to the making of The Blob (1988), the best video to watch online is the one from YouTuber GoodBadFlicks which is posted below for your viewing pleasure.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 32

September 11, 2024September 5, 2024carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 Popcorn in Bed’s Logan reaction video – I saw Logan three times in different cinemas – the first viewing on IMAX – here in the Philippines in 2017. The movie is still great to watch as it carries the R-rated vibe of 1980s Hollywood action cinema and it remains Hugh Jackman’s greatest performance as Wolverine. Unsurprisingly, Logan is the subject of several YouTubers’ movie reaction videos and in recent times Popcorn in Bed released its own reaction video which I really enjoyed watching. If you have not seen Logan, I urge you to watch it first before seeing any reaction videos. Otherwise, Popcorn in Bed’s video is posted below for your enjoyment.

#2 Sega Lord X’s Retro Awful video – I’ve been having retro gaming fun on my Xbox Series X this year with Grandia, Grandia II, Contra, Gradius, and Elevator Action Returns to name some. I am also enjoying the Atari 50 Collection Xbox copy as well. When it comes to old games that are not fun or are simply terrible, Sega Lord X published a video about which games from the past to avoid. Watch the video and pay close attention to the games shown.

#3 Chuck E. Cheese documentary – Have you ever heard of Chuck E. Cheese? It started as a restaurant that had a clever blend of entertainment (arcade games, amusement rides and musical shoes) with dining that attracted families. It also became known as a fun-filled place to have wholesome parties at. Although I have visited the United States many times, I never got to visit a single Chuck E. Cheese branch nor was there ever an opportunity for me to try the food they cooked.

Chuck E. Cheese (original name: Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theater) was established in the late 1970s by Nolan Bushnell, the same man who founded Atari. The restaurant chain went through several developments and changes as each decade passed by. The most comprehensive video about Chuck E. Cheese that I found is from YouTuber Bright Sun Films and you can watch it below.

#4 Angry Video Game Nerd’s (AVGN) 3DO console video – If you are into video games for a long time, then you might at least have heard of the failed 3DO (formally called the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer) game console which was notable for its multimedia approach with gaming. The console was also known for not having a strong lineup of video games and for launching with a very high price. As a part of retro gaming culture, the 3DO is the subject of many retrospective videos by YouTubers. The one retrospective 3DO video that I found entertaining to watch is that of the Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) which you can watch below. Be warned of brash humor and foul language.

#5 Minty Comedic Arts’ “The Version You’ve Never Seen” videos – YouTuber Minty Comedic Arts is great with making entertainment trivia videos and he has attracted a lot of viewers from around the world. Apart from trivia videos, he is also good with “The Version You’ve Never Seen” videos which provide viewers a captivating new look at movies that could change the way they perceive them. Since there are many, I selected three for your viewing pleasure. To see more of these kinds of videos, visit Minty Comedic Arts’ YouTube channel.

#6 ESPN’s “Nobody came closer to ending the Bulls’ dynasty than Reggie Miller’s Pacers” video – When I look back at the 1998 NBA Playoffs, I could never forget the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the eventual repeat champions Chicago Bulls. Both teams played hard, there were a few games that concluded with a high level of suspense, and the series went to a full seven games. Apart from seeing Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller doing their on-court heroics, it was a unique experience to see NBA legend Larry Bird coaching the Pacers (note: Bird led the Boston Celtics to NBA Playoff victories over the Chicago Bulls when Jordan was much younger). To see a detailed and engaging retrospective about the Bulls-Pacers series of 1998, watch the video below.

#7 Ashleigh Burton’s Citizen Kane movie reaction video – Citizen Kane is one of the most revered American movies ever made. Starring and directed by the late Orson Welles, the movie dramatized the story of fictional media tycoon Charles Foster Kane while showcasing many creative filmmaking techniques that influenced other filmmakers through the decades. Citizen Kane was one of the very first Blu-ray discs I ordered through Amazon and I occasionally replay it. Among the many movie reaction videos of Citizen Kane posted on YouTube, Ashleigh Burton’s own reaction should be seen. Before you watch Ashleigh Burton’s video below, I encourage you to watch the classic movie first.

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Are you nostalgic about Jaws 3-D (AKA Jaws 3) right now?

August 30, 2024August 18, 2024carlocarrasco

Way back in 1983, I had my first-ever 3D viewing experience inside the movie theater here in the Philippines. I saw the movie Jaws 3-D (AKA Jaws 3) on the big-screen using disposable 3D glasses and the theater was packed with lots of moviegoers who screamed from time to time.

If you are not familiar with movie history, Jaws 3-D was the 3^rd movie of the Jaws movie franchise which itself started with the classic 1975 movie directed by Steven Spielberg. While the 1978 sequel Jaws 2 did not come close to matching the commercial success of its predecessor, it still managed to gross over $200 million worldwide and arguably influenced Hollywood movie studios to invest in making sequels to achieve summer box office success. Jaws 2 also propelled the rise of movie-related merchandising which paved the way for deals between movie studios and business entities.

When the 2^nd Jaws sequel was proposed, producers David Brown and Richard Zanuck had the concept of spoof titled Jaws 3, People 0. National Lampoon writers were even commissioned to make the script. The Jaws 3 comedy project was shot down by Universal Pictures as a result of Steven Spielberg’s threat that he would never work with them again if they approved it.

Along the way, there were technological breakthroughs for cinematic 3D viewing which led to the short revival of showing movies in 3D in movie theaters. The Jaws 3 project was turned into a 3D-focused cinematic experience with a concept about an aquatic amusement park that falls into chaos as a result of a large great white shark that infiltrated it. Prolific production designer Joe Alves was hired as director and the cast includes Dennis Quaid, Bess Armstrong, Louis Gossett, Jr., Lea Thompson and Simon MacCorkindale. Even SeaWorld got involved and allowed the filmmakers to use their brand.

Jaws 3-D was released in cinemas on July 22, 1983 and had a franchise-best opening weekend with $13.4 million. Its global box office gross was around $88 million.

When I first saw Jaws 3-D inside the movie theater, I was a young boy and simply enjoyed it for what it was. I occasionally replayed the movie through the years on cable TV and home video, and I eventually realized that the film was indeed very flawed and clearly inferior to its predecessors with regards to quality and storytelling. Jaws 3-D was simply made to give moviegoers a thrill ride inside the cinema with 3D viewing in mind as the moviegoers followed the 3D viewing revival trend of the early 1980s. When it was released on cable TV and home video, the movie was re-titled as Jaws 3 to reflect the lack of 3D effects.

Even though it was inferior to the first two Jaws movies, Jaws 3-D remains a popular movie subject to explore and there are several videos on YouTube that reflect that. If you are interested in Jaws 3-D but you don’t want to spend precious time and money watching it entirely, then you should watch the movie reaction video by You, Me and the Movies below.

If you want to learn more about how the movie was made, how it all started and what kind of technologies were used to make the 3D effects happen, watch the two retrospective videos below from Oliver Harper and Layton Eversaul.

If you are into movie trivia, then Minty Comedic Arts’ video below is recommended.

By the way, you must have heard that Jaws 3-D is now available in 4K Blu-ray format. Before you make the decision to purchase it, be aware that Universal used artificial intelligence (AI) to make it. Depending on how you want your movies to appear in 4K resolution, the results could turn you off. Watch the videos below from Jeff Rauseo and MidLevelMedia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Have you ever seen Jaws 3-D? If you did, were you able to watch it inside the cinema or at home? Did the movie inspire you to watch movies in 3D? Do you think that the current 4K Blu-ray of Jaws 3-D is not worth purchasing?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Better than Streaming: Amusement tax will not be imposed on Filipino films in Muntinlupa City for the next 3 years

August 13, 2024August 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks and movie buffs!

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the City Government approved an ordinance establishing a moratorium on the collection of the amusement tax on Filipino films (note: movies produced by Philippine companies/organizations) within the city for the next three years, as reported by the Manila Bulletin. The ordinance was signed into law by Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

In short, local companies here in the Philippines whose films are shown in theaters within the jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City could earn more as the amusement tax won’t be imposed for most of the year for the next three years while the cinema operators themselves can benefit along the way.

I say most of the year because the moratorium does not cover the time period of December 25 to January 7 which is precisely the time when the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) happens.

To put things in perspective, read the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report posted below. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon and the City Council approved an ordinance granting a three-year moratorium on the collection of amusement tax from Filipino films in the next three years.

The Muntinlupa City Council passed and Biazon signed Ordinance No. 2024-229 “Declaring Moratorium on the Collection of Amusement Tax for Filipino Films in the City of Muntinlupa from January 08 to December 24 of every year for the next three (3) years.“

Under the existing Local Government Code, “The province may levy an amusement tax to be collected from the proprietors, lessees, or operators of theaters, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, boxing stadia, and other places of amusement at a rate of not more than ten percent (10%) of the gross receipts from the admissions fees.”

In February, the Metro Manila Council adopted the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution No. 24-11 “Declaring a Moratorium on the Collection of Amusement Tax for Filipino Films in Metro Manila from January 08 to December 24 of Every Year for the Next Three Years.”

In the Muntinlupa ordinance, it was stated that the MMDA resolution “was adopted to recognize the importance of the local film industry in promoting cultural and economic development and in response to the appeal of the local filmmakers to boost the film industry after the impact of the COVID-i9 Pandemic on the production and exhibition of Filipino Films, and the dominance of foreign films.”

Under the ordinance, all cinemas in Muntinlupa can avail of the moratorium on the collection of amusement taxes for Filipino films from Jan. 8 to Dec. 24 of every year for the next three years.

When it comes to the state of cinemas within Muntinlupa City, Commercenter has four screens and I noticed over the past two months that only 2 or 3 were operating during my visits there. Over at Festival Mall, their 4-screen modern cinemas are fully operating but their original cinemas (located several feet away by foot on the same floor) are still dark and depressing as only 2 or 3 screens (out of ten screens) were operating almost all the time.

As for the cinemas in Alabang Town Center, they seem to be operating normally and continue to attract a steady amount of moviegoers.

Going back to the approved moratorium, it remains to be seen if it could lead to a potential reduction of ticket prices in relation to Filipino movies within Muntinlupa. Even if ticket prices get reduced, would it be enough to convince people to come to the Muntinlupa cinemas and buy tickets for the cinematic experience. There is also the factor of the quality of Filipino movies showing in Muntinlupa movie theaters plus the factor of foreign movies.

As a resident of Alabang who saw lots of movies in the local cinemas, I noticed that Muntinlupa City is lacking when it comes to hosting film festivals (note: the annual MMFF does NOT count). Special events about movies focusing on variety, quality and artistry being held in Muntinlupa can help cinema operators attract moviegoers as well as the enthusiastic film buffs.

Perhaps the City Government or barangays could someday organize a special event of short films made by Muntinlupa-based filmmakers and have such films screened in local cinemas. Organizing another film festival showcasing films by independent filmmakers from around the country and having them screened in theaters within the city could help too.

Still on the topic of Filipino movies, when will the time come when the major local movie producers will have premieres of their new movies held in cinemas here in Muntinlupa and give locals the chance to see their favorite movie stars in person?

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about the 3-year moratorium approved by the City Government of Muntinlupa? Do you think that cinemas in Muntinlupa are losing money? Do you think the newly approved moratorium could be disadvantageous to the City Government in terms of revenue?

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Better than Streaming: Do you have Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray in your collection?

June 24, 2024December 19, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

Decades ago, I saw on home video Cloak & Dagger (1984) which turned out to be an entertaining film to watch as I was already playing games on Atari 2600 and the arcades. After replaying by chance on cable TV years later, I finally bought myself the 4K Blu-ray and it sure was fun to watch it all over again. Check out my retro movie review of it by clicking here.

*The front of my copy of Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray.*

*The rear with the details that can be read.*

For the newcomers reading this, Cloak & Dagger (1984) is a movie that involved then video game giant Atari in the creative process. The movie’s plot is not based on Atari’s arcade game of the same name (previously titled as Agent X).

Cloak & Dagger (1984) its own original plot of espionage about a young boy Davey (played by Henry Thomas, the star of Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial) who witnesses a murder and receives an Atari 5200 cartridge of the game Cloak & Dagger that contains something very important. This in turn makes him a target of armed henchmen who won’t stop until they get him. Due to his reputation of being too playful and living with his wild imagination as a spy, people don’t believe Davey’s claim of witnessing a murder. This film happens to be inspired by the short story “The Boy Cried Murder” written by Cornell Woolrich.

*Cloak & Dagger in arcade form. Atari released it in the form of an arcade conversion kit aimed at arcade machines of certain games of its competitors.*

The Cloak & Dagger arcade game can be played on your game console with the Atari 50 collection software (over 100 games). This screenshot I captured while playing it on my Xbox Series X console running Atari 50.

A few weeks ago, my copy of the Cloak & Dagger 4K Blu-ray arrived and it came with two discs: One 4K Blu-ray disc which contained the movie in native 4K (scanned in UHD from the 35mm film) resolution of 3840 x 2160p. The other disc has the same movie in HD (1920 x 1080p) plus the extra stuff which can provide viewers and Cloak & Dagger fans a good amount of important content which will help them learn what the video game elements in the film are, what inspired its creative process and why the film is very unique by today’s standards. There is also an informative new interview with Henry Thomas.

Since then, I saw Cloak & Dagger in 4K twice on my Xbox Series X and its 1080p version on a standalone Blu-ray disc player. Cloak & Dagger in 4K looks better than ever as the picture quality is better, images look sharper and clearer, the colors are vibrant, the small visual details (which were not visible in lower resolution before) are more noticeable now, and film grain structure has been preserved intact!

*The two discs. The one on the right is Cloak & Dagger in 4K.*

As for the story itself, I still find it engaging and enjoyable to watch from start to finish. Cloak & Dagger is clearly a production of its time as it carries clear Cold War references – the Soviet Union and Iran are the evil forces told in very subtle fashion – as well as video game elements and brands (note: ColecoVision even appeared in this Atari-influenced movie) that dominated America’s console gaming market long before PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox arrived. For a movie aimed at parents and children, this one has really intense violence as it involves shooting and even some elements of terrorism.

Ultimately, I got a lot of enjoyment from my Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray and I highly recommend it to Cloak & Dagger fans, gamers, physical media collectors and anyone who loves watching movies in the comfort of home. Cloak & Dagger (1984) is a very unique and fun movie that Hollywood does not make anymore. You really should see it.

In case you are interested or if you have made up your mind, you can order a copy of Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray by clicking here.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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