Iron Man Experience debuts at HK Disneyland
DISNEY PARKS’ first Marvel-themed ride, Iron Man Experience, made its grand debut on Jan. 11 at Hong Kong Disneyland. At the new ride, innovator and pioneer Tony Stark (also known as Iron Man) staged the Stark Expo in Tomorrowland to take guests on an adventure, starting with closely examining innovations old and new from Stark Industries. There are opportunities to meet Iron Man in person during the adventure, and to try on the Iron Man armor virtually. The grand finale is boarding a special Expo-edition Iron Wing flight vehicle and flying alongside Iron Man in the Hong Kong sky for a panoramic view of the Hong Kong Stark Tower and battle against the evil forces of Hydra in the immersive multi-sensory motion experience.
Local filmmaker triumphs at Active Vista film fest
SEYMOUR SANCHEZ, an advocacy filmmaker and freelance writer, bagged the Audience Choice Award for his short film a story about a new custodian’s challenges, at the recent Active Vista International Human Rights Film Festival. In the film, Inocencio replaces the previous keeper of a wealthy family’s vacation home. He meets his boss, and is informed that the family will be there for the holiday. He starts cleaning the place in preparation for their arrival. The caretaker is caught off-guard when the owner’s son returns one night, with his fraternity brothers, who had other plans in mind. The festival features short movies that share compelling stories of people whose freedoms and rights are trampled upon and give voice to those who suffer in silence. The same film previously won second place in the short fiction category of the Sixth CAM International Festival for Short Films in Cairo, Egypt. It likewise received the Golden Philippine Eagle Festival Director’s Choice Award and Best Actor trophy for lead actor Rolando Inocencio in the short film category of the Third Singkuwento International Film Festival, co-organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). It was screened at the 22nd Annual Filipino International Cine Festival (FACINE) at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco, California and at the International Film Festival Manhattan at the Producers Club in New York City. Sanchez is a former producer for News and Current Affairs programs at CNN Philippines, Solar News, and TV5. He is a graduate of Ricky Lee’s 14th Scriptwriting Workshop and Brillante Mendoza’s First Film Directing Class. He is now a communication and film professor at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB), Far Eastern University-Manila, and College of the Holy Spirit-Manila.
Animax offers same-day telecasts
ANIMAX ASIA has lined up a series of anime — from hit blockbusters to brand new series airing on the same day as Japan’s telecast. The latest anime to air right after its broadcast in Japan are Gabriel Dropout and BanG Dream!. Gabriel Dropout is a comedy series revolving around a delinquent angel who descends to earth to learn more about humans in order to show them the right path in life. Unfortunately, during her time in the human realm, she picks up bad habits including video game addiction and utter laziness. Will she ever find her way back to her angelic roots again? Gabriel
Dropout airs every Monday at 11 p.m., on the same day as Japan. Also premiering this month on same day as Japan is musical anime BanG Dream! The 14 episode series is part of a bigger franchise, which has multiple adaptions including manga, CD singles, music videos and games. The show follows Kasumi, who has been searching for the “beat of the stars,” a rhythm she heard one night as a child looking up at the sky. In high school, she chances upon a star-shaped guitar in a pawn shop, then meets with four other girls who have been searching for a similar feeling — together they can produce magical sounds unlike anything she could be capable of on their own. Will they be able to find a stage for them to stand on and perform? BanG Dream! premieres on Jan. 22, and will air every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., on the same day as Japan. Animax is available on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Digital TV Channel 73, and Dream Channel 07.