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 videos I found.
#1 Streaming wars cost Hollywood a lot – Just years ago, Hollywood companies made heavy bets on streaming believing it would be the new gold standard of business as well as a new gold mine waiting to release immense profits. Today, Hollywood ended up collectively losing a lot of money and their streaming moves added a lot of complexity and new problems to their business. Along the way, millions of customers stopped subscribing to the streaming services of Hollywood. What happened behind the scenes and who were the only business winners in the middle of the streaming wars? Find out in Midnight’s Edge in-depth analytical video below.
#2 Retrospective look at Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann – As a young boy, I saw the sci-fi Western adventure movie Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann and I ended up getting intrigued about its story and the ending. Even by today’s standards, this film’s core concept remains very weird or totally unique as it had lots of motorcycle thrills, cowboys with their guns, and a very unusual approach on time-travel and its consequences. To find out more about the 1982 movie, watch the selected videos below.
#3 You, Me and the Movies react to The Punisher (1989) – Remember when Dolph Lundgren played The Punisher in a low budget movie released in 1989? Even though a lot of people rejected it, the film remains important as it helped the Marvel Comics assassin start entering mainstream entertainment. Two more Punisher movies were released in the 2000s and then a TV series about The Punisher was established. To find out how Dolph Lundgren performed as The Punisher, watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.
#4 Ashleigh Burton reacts to Lethal Weapon 3 – When Lethal Weapon 3 was released in cinemas here in the Philippines in 1992, it unsurprisingly became big hit with local moviegoers and Mel Gibson was already popular among Filipinos. I missed out on the film’s cinematic run but managed to watch it on home video. If you want an enjoyable look back at Lethal Weapon 3 but you don’t have time to watch it entirely, watch Ashleigh Burton’s fun reaction video.
#5 PatmanQC examines Hook – Were you able to watch the Steven Spielberg film Hook when it was first released in cinemas in 1991? I missed out on its theatrical run (note: it opened in February 1992 here in the Philippines) but managed to watch it on home video and later played the video game adaptation on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). That’s right! Hook had video games back then and if you want to discover more about them, watch the in-depth retro gaming video of PatmanQC below.
#6 Hamas misinformation debunked! – Let me remind you all the truth about Palestinian terrorist group Hamas…they are terrorists funded and supported by Iran and Qatar, they committed genocide against Israel and foreigners on October 7, 2023, and they are pure evil, greedy and barbaric. Hamas is also responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians (who did not join their terrorism activities) living in the Gaza strip. As America and Israel joined forces to provide humanitarian aid directly to the Gaza residents, Hamas became desperate with their tactics, lied about what happened, and they have the Islamo-Leftist mainstream news media outlets to propagate the deception worldwide. Fortunately, the misinformation of Hamas has been debunked. Watch the CBN video below.
The troublesome Russian streamer Vitaly Zdorovetskiy won’t be leaving the Philippines any time soon as he will be formally charged for what he committed in public recently, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). He was presented to the media in the presence of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will have to stay longer in the country to face criminal charges for harassing and insulting Filipinos for content.
Remulla said Zdorovetskiy will not be deported until such time that a final verdict is handed down by a Philippine court.
“Babala na rin ito (This is also a warning). People have to take responsibility for the content they create. It is not a license to shame or to hurt or to besmirch anyone,” Remulla said in a press conference in Quezon City.
Remulla said the Russian, arrested April 2 in Pasay, is under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration “as an undesirable alien and a flight risk.”
At least five criminal charges were filed against Zdorevetskiy, including a case in Boracay Island where he allegedly insulted a windsurfing instructor.
“He has been making vlogs and making money out of disrespecting people. But not in our own land. We will not allow him to insult and disrespect any Filipino,” Remulla said.
During the press briefing, the moderator had to remind the Russian to behave after he was seen murmuring and making gestures apparently aimed at the DILG chief. Remulla said he heard Zdorevetskiy cursing at him.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the way the local authorities are handling Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will send a strong message to troublesome foreign streamers that they will be held accountable if they harass locals while staying in the Philippines? Do you think Congress should pass new laws to deal with problematic vloggers and live streamers? Should the national government be more active in dealing with streaming platforms whose account holders include troublesome streamers and vloggers? Do you think the government Russia will do something about the arrested Vitaly Zdorovetskiy?
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.
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?
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
Foreign entities that provide digital services to their customers here in the Philippines will have to pay their fair share of taxes as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., recently signed into law Republic Act Number 12023 (RA12023) which imposes the 12% value-added tax (VAT) on foreign digital service providers (DSPs), according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law on Wednesday a measure imposing a value-added tax (VAT) on foreign digital services providers (DSPs).
A priority measure of the administration, Republic Act (RA) 12023 imposes a 12 percent VAT on foreign DSPs, such as Netflix, Disney, and HBO, to generate additional revenue for the government.
In his message, Marcos said the new law would level the playing field for local providers.
“If you are reaping the rewards of a fruitful digital economy here, it is only right that you contribute also to its growth. After all, whether you are a small tech startup or a global tech giant based halfway around the world, if you are making money here in the Philippines, you’re a part of our community, and with that comes a shared responsibility,” Marcos said.
According to the President, about PHP105 billion in revenue is expected to be collected in the next five years due to RA 12023.
The amount is enough to build 42,000 classrooms, more than 6,000 rural health units, and 7,000 km of farm-to-market roads, the Chief Executive noted.
Additionally, 5 percent of the revenues generated by the law will be allocated to the local creative industry.
“This means our artists, filmmakers, musicians, the very people who fill our platforms with storage and the content, will directly benefit. It ensures that our creative talents are not just surviving in a competitive digital market, but will be allowed by fairness and progress,” Marcos said.
The President thanked the legislators for passing the measure even as he called on companies covered by the law to support and heed the rules of the Act.
‘Fair and square’ tax policies – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said the new law is expected to address revenue losses by clarifying the taxability of non-resident digital service providers and addressing the ambiguity in the previous law.
“We believe in the importance of creating an environment where our digital services providers, whether they are nonresident or local, operate under fair and square tax policies,” Gatchalian said in a statement. He said the new measure does not mean a new tax imposition.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the new law will be good for the economy of the Philippines? Do you think that the foreign digital service providers will somehow raise the subscription rates and fees for their customers here in the Philippines in response to the new law?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
As some of you are already aware, I fully stand with Israel which is very connected with my uncompromising faith in the Lord. I keep on praying to Him for Israel to overwhelm its enemies, rescue the hostages and recover from the effects of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks committed by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. I can assure all of you that nobody from the evil Islamo-Leftist mob, nobody from the pro-Palestine radicals and nobody from any evil society would stop me from supporting and loving Israel.
Now, on with the topic at hand…
In recent times, YouTuber travelingisrael.com published a compelling, explanatory video titled The Nazis and the Arabs of Palestine: the Untold (yet Documented) connection which you can watch below.
Decades before Bill Clinton forged an evil union with Yasser Arafat in the 1990s, the people of Palestine were allied with Adolf Hitler and the Nazis as both of them shared a powerful hatred towards the Jewish people. This is a chapter of world history that does not get discussed too much, nor has it been significantly taught in academies around the world.
Travelingisrael.com’s video and explanations are backed with facts, archived photos and videos, and solid references of historical information. You might be surprised to realize that there were indeed Muslims who served with the SS, that the leader of the Arabs of Palestine Amin al-Husseini lived in Berlin for a number of years and met with the murderous Adolf Hitler (who views Arabs as an inferior race but still became fond of Islam which has similarities with Nazi ideology). All these and more historical details and facts await you in the video below.
Always pray to the Lord in support of Israel, its government, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its stakeholders. Pray to Him so that the evil axis of Iran-Hamas-Hezbollah and the pro-Palestine extremists will be stopped significantly. Learn to love and bless the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
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.
#1The precise differences between Christianity and Islam, Lord Jesus and Muhammad, and the Holy Bible and the Quran explained – The YouTube channel HolyLandSite is a favorite of mine as it has published a lot of very credible and detailed explanatory videos about the Holy Land in Israel, Christianity, the Jews and how everything is connected with the Holy Bible (the Word of God). In the recent video they published recently, the precise differences between Christianity and Islam, between Lord Jesus and Muhammad, and between the Holy Bible and the Quran are explained in detail by Pastor Todd. I strongly recommend watching the video below…
#2 The deep hatred of the Palestinians towards Israel explained – There is no doubt that hatred, violence and murder are core values that the Palestinians have been oriented with while living under very evil leaders (murderer/terrorist Yasser Arafat is just one of them). To date, there are very few Palestinians who overcame their evil orientation and pushed back against their evil leaders to become good people. In the video below, YouTuber Oren explains in detail why so many Palestinians grew up with hate and live by hate towards Israel and its people. Lastly, I should state once again that the Palestinians are a displaced people, are NOT natives of the land of Israel and they caused trouble when they occupied Jordan and Kuwait.
#3 Remembering the past video game company Working Designs – It has been almost twenty years since American game company Working Designs closed down and ended their business. For the newcomers reading this, Working Designs is best known for localizing several video games from different Japanese companies for the North American market and among their best known releases were Lunar: The Silver Star Story, Lunar: Eternal Blue, Dragon Force and Magic Knight Rayearth. Their business history is very interesting to examine and for your viewing pleasure, posted below is one video about Working Designs’ legacy and another video about their games released across different platforms.
#4 Man of Steel video reviews, analysis, trivia and reaction videos – The cinematic universe of DC Comics superheroes that started in 2013’s Man of Steel is officially over and the newest film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom won’t match its predecessor’s massive commercial success. Unofficially referred to as the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), the past cinematic universe of Warner Bros. had a very inconsistent record of commercial and critical results. That being said, it is high time to go all the way back to the very beginning with Man of Steel (starring Henry Cavill as Superman) through a series of varied videos I found for you to watch.
#5 DeepStar Six videos – Believe it or not, way back in 1989 there was not one, not two, but three movies that had underwater settings. One of them was DeepStar Six which was directed by original Friday The 13th movie director Sean S. Cunningham and, for some reason, was released in cinemas here in the Philippines with the title “Alien from the Deep.” While it grossed less than Leviathan and was made for a fraction of the budget of James Cameron’s The Abyss, DeepStar Six still has a long-lasting following and different kinds of videos about it were made. You can watch what I found below…
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 Son of Hamas Co-Founder Denounces Palestinian Terrorist Group – This video recently published by the channel of CBN News (under the Christian Broadcasting Network) must be seen in full. Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef, blasted the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas without hesitation. He defected from the terrorist group in the late 1990s and secretly worked with Israel’s security services to expose and prevent several Hamas terrorist attacks. He later gave his life to Christ and wrote a 2010 autobiography titled Son of Hamas. This is the YouTube video that pro-Palestine fanatics and the terrorists themselves are afraid of. Please share this video to others.
#2The Transformers: The Movie (1986) nostalgia – Like many people of my generation, I was a fan of The Transformers animated TV series. Then in 1986, a theatrical feature called The Transformers: The Movie was released in cinemas in some parts of the world at a time when Internet connection and social media were not yet common. That same movie became a must-see in our village as soon as it was made available for rent on video tape format. My friends and I had a lot of fun watching it and thanks to the advances of technology, a 4K Blu-ray of it is now available. Of course, The Transformers: The Movie was notable not only because it was the first feature-length Transformers production but also because it had the death of a major character and it marked a turning point in the lore of the Transformers which was reflected subsequently on TV. That being said, there are lots of retrospective videos, retro reviews, reaction videos and more of it on YouTube which you can see below…
#3 Examining the mental instability of climate change activists and believers – Like many others, I prefer to live in an environment that is not very dirty and has abundant clean air. Of course, that does not mean I believe in the movement of climate change which itself has armies of zealots and extremists who disrupted societies with their radical activism while spewing distorted views about many things in order to impose their agenda on others. That being said, one has to wonder how all that unrestrained activism impacted the mental health of each and every climate change believe and why could they not stop doing their stupid acts of public disruption. Fortunately, Sky News Australia made a video about that and you can watch it below…
#4 The ignorance and stupidity of pro-Palestine LGBT people exposed – As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, a lot of pro-terrorist, pro-evil and pro-Palestine rallies have happened around the world which includes zealots of the Satanic Left. Among those zealots are homosexuals and members of the LGBT people who shamelessly supported the Palestinian terrorists in varied ways. What is clear, however, is that the pro-Palestine LGBT rallyists do not even realize that homosexuality, transgender beliefs and the LGBT lifestyle in Palestinian society are NOT acceptable and these would get them into trouble (torture, imprisonment and even death). These same LGBT supporters of the Palestinians collectively attacked Israel which itself has LGBT rights and freedom established. As it is a fact that Leftists always go together with terrorists, the LGBT people’s support for the Palestinians (a displaced people who have no stake in the land of Israel at all) clearly showed their embrace of evil as well their ignorance and their acts of stupidity. It seems the LGBT activists sold their souls to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas as well as the corrupt Palestinian Authority (PA). To learn more, watch the Sky News Australia video below…
#5 The wickedness and violent nature of the pro-Palestine activists revealed – There is a lot of anti-Semitism and hatred towards Israel that happened in the form of protests around the world. Recently in Washington, DC, a mob of pro-Palestine activists clashed with the police officers just outside the office of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). One of those activists is a Democrat (referred to the Democratic Party as “our party”) who spoke directly to the camera (starts at 0:53) as seen in the Sky News Australia video below. What is clear here is that these pro-Palestine activists in America have been brainwashed to hate Israel, to hate the Jewish people while loving the terrorists also. They have been brainwashed to be violent, to live with delusions and believe in lies. Not only that, there was another pro-Palestine protest in Germany that turned violent and resulted in the injuring of over sixty police officers. Democrats and other Satanic Left elements always go together with terrorists. In fact, the pro-Palestine believers themselves are gradually becoming new terrorists. Watch and learn from the videos below…
#6 G.I. Joe nostalgia – If you are a long-time fan of the G.I. Joe entertainment franchise or if you are a newcomer who is just starting to discover more of the said franchise, then you should check out the reruns (first video posted below) of full episodes the 1980s animated TV series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero at Hasbro’s official YouTube channel. By the way, check out my two retro comic book reviews of G.I. Joe by clicking here and here. Now, enjoy the G.I. Joe videos below…
#7 You like Team America: World Police? – I never saw the 2004 movie Team America: World Police but I saw a few puppetry shows and films when I was a little boy. Recently, YouTuber Minty Comedic Arts posted a trivia video of it which made me remember the time back in 2004 when I saw movie posters of it during a visit at the local cinema. If you are a fan of the film or if you are just discovering it, watch the videos below…
Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! Way back in 1954, the original Godzilla movie (Japanese title: Gojira) made its debut in theaters in Japan. Not only did it make a huge impact with moviegoers, it paved the way for more Godzilla movies (which compelled Hollywood players to join in), imitators and made a solid contribution to global pop culture.
Of course, the original Godzilla film was decades before I was even born and as a boy, I got to watch on home video “Godzilla 1985” which was a Westernized version of The Return of Godzilla (1984). Then in 1998, I saw Roland Emmerich’s twisted version of Japan’s giant monster.
Going back to the original film from 1954, an American version of it was released in 1956 under the title Godzilla: King of the Monsters which was a recut version that had actor Raymond Burr in it as an American journalist witnessing events. That American version, which I saw partially by chance on cable TV, only made me want to see the 1954 original Godzilla movie intact.
That being said, I acquired a copy of the Godzilla (1954) Blu-ray fromCriterion Collection and I can say I am really enjoying it. It definitely is a very good addition to my collection of Blu-ray movies.
The cover of the Godzilla (1954) Blu-ray release from Criterion Collection.
To begin with, posted below are the specs from the Blu-ray.com page…
Video
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC (24.01 Mbps)
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Audio
Japanese: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Subtitles – English, English SDH
Discs -Blu-ray Disc, Single Disc (1 BD-50)
Playback – Blu-ray: Region A
The back of the Criterion Collection Godzilla (1954) Blu-ray. Pay close attention to the details because you will get a lot of stuff to enjoy with this one added into your Blu-ray movie collection.
I really enjoyed the 1954 movie directed by Ishiro Honda and I can talk more about it in detail in a future retro movie review. Going back to Criterion’s Godzilla (1954) Blu-ray, I can say that the company did a great job not only with the restoration and audio, they also loaded the disc with a whole lot of content that will appeal strongly with dedicated Godzilla fans as well as the newcomers who wish to learn more about Japan’s giant monster, its legacy and place in global pop culture. The disc also has a restored copy of Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1956) but I strongly recommend you watch the 1954 film first and foremost.
The extra stuff in the disc contains a lot of content for you to enjoy. There are interviews with certain cast and crew members, an illustrated audio essay about the tragic Lucky Dragon No. 5 vessel, an audio commentary by David Kalat, and more.
When it comes to the physical aspect of Criterion’s Godzilla (1954) Blu-ray, the packaging is both nicely done and inspired. I just love it whenever I opened the set to get to the disc, an image of Godzilla folds and forms in shape for your viewing pleasure. The set also has a booklet that contains really interesting information. Very clearly, this is so much better than streaming!
I really like this excellent packaging by Criterion Collection. Very clearly better than streaming!
For the dedicated Godzilla fans as well as enthusiastic film buffs and collectors of movies on physical media, Criterion’s Godzilla (1954) Blu-ray is highly recommended! This is currently the best way to enjoy the classic movie in the comfort of your home!
Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! Back in the late 1980s, I saw the 1988 version of The Blob – let’s refer to it as The Blob (1988) – on home video and it turned out to be a fine mix of thrills, scares and science fiction concepts that ultimately became fun to watch. Being young at a time when Internet connection and online research were not yet available, I was not even aware that The Blob (1988) was a remake of the 1958 original Blob movie that starred Steve McQueen.
If you who love the late 1980s Blob movie and if you have been looking to add something to your home entertainment collection of Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray movies, be aware that the Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-ray of The Blob (1988) is now available in the market and you can order it online right now and have it delivered to your home. The new release by Shout Factory! is loaded with features and it has native 4K visuals.
The Blob (1988) 4K Blu-ray cover.
To put things in perspective, posted below are the technical specs from The Blob (1988) 4K Blu-ray page at Blu-ray.com. The said website highly recommended it in its review.
Video Codec: HEVC / H.265 (84.99 Mbps) Resolution: Native 4K (2160p) HDR: HDR10 Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50)
Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing, Reversible cover
Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A
Having seen both the 1958 and 1988 versions of The Blob, I can say to the newcomers and movie buffs reading this that you can’t go wrong with either version. I enjoyed both movies and I can say that each film has distinctive attractions for viewing. The Blob of 1958 is more sci-fi and has very little horror elements.
However, if you want thrills, the 1980s culture, stronger horror elements, stronger sci-fi elements, the creative approach done by director Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont on reimagining The Blob‘s concept, and the great-looking practical effects (note: the blob effects were made with physical stuff and a lot of man-made work without computers), then The Blob (1988) is the definitive choice. Take note I mentioned thrills as the movie has some fast-paced scenes that happen from time to time as you watch it. Considering its use of sci-fi concepts mixed with action, The Blob (1988) really stood out among the many horror movies released by Hollywood throughout the 1980s. I should also state that the remake has Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, Jeffrey DeMunn, Joe Seneca, Candy Clark and Donovan Leitch Jr. in its cast.
As a 4K Blu-ray collector, I plan to acquire a copy of The Blob (1988) 4K Blu-ray in due time. I was already aware of the Blu-ray release from 2019 but I waited for the 4K version to be made.
If you want the best enjoyment possible from watching The Blob (1988) Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-ray, I highly recommend you avoid watching movie reaction videos and the spoileriffic retro movie reviews posted by YouTubers.
For decades now, I have been living in Alabang and I witnessed how much Muntinlupa City modernized along the way. Bordering Barangay Ayala Alabang is Filinvest City (formerly called Filinvest Corporate City) which itself is home to several business or facilities such as the Filinvest Tent, Commercenter, Acacia Hotel Manila, Crimson Hotel, Westgate and, of course, the wildly popular place to be in – Festival Mall.
For the newcomers reading this, Festival Mall opened in May 1998 with its initial name Festival Supermall. Way back then, out of pure curiosity, I entered the mall for the first-time ever during its soft opening on May 1, 1998 (Labor Day here in the Philippines) as I was already looking for a new place and new discoveries at a time when I got tired of Alabang Town Center (ATC).
Being very new back then, Festival Mall’s presence of retailers or tenants was not yet dynamic as there were still businesses inside that could not open in time for the mall’s opening. I do remember walking down seeing lots of vacant retail spots covered with signs such as “opening soon”, “coming soon” and the like. Back in those days, the Philippine economy and society itself were dampened by the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.
As the months passed by, more businesses opened and Festival Mall’s early attractions include the X-Site Amusement Center (which already had the indoor roller coaster) and, of course, the brand new cinemas which had several screens operating at a very spacious area on the top floor. I still remember seeing lots of people lining up for tickets and seats to watch Armageddon which ended up as the highest grossing movie of the world in 1998.
Indeed, for more than a decade, Festival Mall’s original cinemas became a favorite destination of mine to watch movies in Alabang and I definitely was not alone. I also remember the times when the said cinemas attracted a whole lot of moviegoers when the annual Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) opening day (every December 25) happened resulting in long lines. Watch the YouTube videos below…
As you can see in the above videos, Festival Mall’s original cinemas was a hot spot for moviegoers. It should be noted that the mall is strategically located in close proximity to the Alabang Viaduct and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) which ensures visibility to motorists and accessibility to commuters on a daily basis. The old cinemas were also a hot spot for a variety of small businesses selling different kinds of food and drinks to moviegoers and others who just passed by.
Festival Mall at 25
This past May, Festival Mall turned 25 and its anniversary was highlighted with special events as well and publicity through the media. There were these Festival Mall 25th anniversary feature articles that got published in different newspapers almost simultaneously. In the commemorative article that got published in the Manila Bulletin, President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation Josephine Gotianun Yap was quoted which goes as follows in the excerpt below. Some parts in boldface…
“We would not be where we are today without the unwavering support of our customers, merchants, suppliers, and employees who have journeyed with us through the years. It is humbling to think that when we first opened the mall, we only had 30 stores and no anchor supermarket. But thousands of visitors came on our first day, attracted by our amusement centers, cinemas, and food court. And now the mall has 800 tenants and eight leading anchor stores. We value our collaboration with major retailers, which has enabled us to bring together SaveMore, Ace Hardware, Robinson’s Department Store, Handyman, Shopwise, H&M, Decathlon, and Landmark all under one roof. As we build on its strong foundations for the future, we see Festival Mall continuing to serve as a place where time stops for making memories with family and friends,”
As seen above, the Filinvest Development Corporation executive clearly referred to the original cinemas which was one of the early attractions of Festival Mall way back in 1998. As mentioned earlier, Festival Mall today has more modern cinemas located at the expanded area on the same floor but several meters away from the original cinemas. So how does Festival Mall’s original cinemas look like nowadays? Watch the video below…
Yes, indeed the mall’s original cinemas have turned depressing. There are much less customers who pass by the area and many of the businesses that operated within have closed down! As I personally found out, Festival Mall is still using a few screens at the old cinemas for moviegoers while leaving the many others closed and left in the dark. If you think about it carefully, what does the mall management have in mind with regards to all of those cinema seats, sound systems, projectors, screens and other pieces of equipment inside each and every closed screen of the original cinemas?
A closed screen at one end of the original cinemas of Festival Mall. Just imagine what is left of all the hardware (examples: projectors and speakers) and seats inside.
This was a premium place to watch movies at. It had more comfortable seats and better equipment that made the cinematic experience more immersive. It was here where I saw 2001’s Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
This is where I used to buy movie tickets for many years. For some time now, the selling of movie tickets here has stopped. To buy tickets, you have to go to the modern cinemas of the mall several meters away by foot at the same floor.
Apart from seeing more of the screens of the original cinemas closed down, the number of small-time businesses that sold different kinds of food and drinks are also gone which is depressing. Those businesses offered moviegoers different choices of what to eat or drink apart from the usual popcorn and drinks sold by the cinema’s concessionaires. I do remember a certain business joint that sold really good coffee (both hot and cold) that is also affordable.
There used to be different kinds of small business joints that sold a variety of food and drinks located on the floor spots at the original cinemas area. Those businesses have since closed down and left.
I remember the times I bought popcorn and drinks at this place before watching a movie. Now there are no food, no drinks and no people selling to customers anymore.
With the way things are right now, walking through the original cinemas area of Festival Mall is lonely and depressing to do. The area is almost lifeless and it easily is the saddest place inside the mall which itself has become a major attraction for shoppers and families. I can only wonder if Festival Mall’s management has any plan to revive the original cinemas area. Will they someday renovate at least a few of the screens and install brand new seats and other equipment to accommodate more moviegoers? Do they plan to attract new businesses to occupy the vacant commercial spaces and floor spaces near the old cinemas?
It would be nice to know if Festival Mall’s management or Filinvest itself has any plan to revive commerce at the original cinemas area which is now the saddest and loneliest part of the mall.
To be very clear with you all reading this, I never worked for a shopping mall nor have I ever worked in the movie theater business. I am a long-time resident of Alabang who often visits Festival Mall for purchasing needed items, dining and availing of services. Watching movies at Festival Mall used to be a big reason for me to spend time at the mall. I know for a fact that operating movie theaters is difficult and attracting people to watch movies on the big screen is tougher because of streaming. It does not help that the COVID-19 pandemic convinced people that watching new movies at home via streaming is the new standard which also made them think that movie theaters are unnecessary.
As a movie enthusiast, I can say out loud that watching a movie inside the cinema is still the best and most definitive way to enjoy watching. The movie theater experience can never be matched by streaming nor could the biggest HDTV at home could ever come close to the size and visual impact of a cinema screen. That being said, I can only hope that Festival Mall could someday revive the movie experience and commerce at their original cinemas area. They already have the modern cinemas at the expanded area but those are only 4 screens.
If you are living here in South Metro Manila and you have been to Festival Mall several times before, what do you think the mall management should do about their old cinemas? Is Festival Mall your favorite place to watch movies in? Do you think that hosting multiple film festivals – both foreign and domestic – each year would justify renovating the old cinemas of the mall?
Author Carlo Carrasco 