Movies: SM Cinema Celebrates the Brilliance of Philippine Cinema with Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018

Get ready to witness world-class Filipino films at SM Cinema with the premiere of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2018! With their existing partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), SM Cinema fully supports the local film industry as they feature these 8 shortlisted movies that will bring unique cinema experiences to their audience.

Ever imagined a life without the Internet? In Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi, a girl named Norma is suddenly diagnosed with Electromagnetic Hyper-sensitivity. She is then forced to move to the province to start a new and simple life, away from everything she has been used to for so long. The movie is directed by Jun Robles Lana and stars Sue Ramirez, Jameson Blake, and Marcus Paterson.

The romantic musical Bakwit Boys features four musically-gifted brothers. When a chance at stardom is presented to them, their relationship is tested as they deal with love, heartbreak, success, and failure. Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, Bakwit Boys stars Vance Larena, Devon Seron, Nikko Natividad, Ryle Santiago, Mackie Empuerto, and Kiray Celis.

Director Adolfo Alix, Jr. tells a story inspired by the ongoing war against drugs in Madilim ang Gabi. Renowned actors Gina Alajar and Phillip Salvador star as a couple whose son, played by Felix Roco, has gone missing and is feared to have been a victim of the deadly war.

Pinay Beauty tackles the ridiculous beauty standards set by today’s society. In a journey to self-love and self-acceptance, Annie (Chai Fonacier) is dead set on doing everything to transform into her ideal “beautiful” self. The movie also stars Edgar Allan Guzman and is directed by Jay Abello.

Small town secrets are unearthed in Signal Rock when Intoy (Christian Bables) tries to help his embattled sister abroad win a child custody case. The movie is helmed by Chito Roño.

When a man hires a woman to keep him company, he doesn’t expect to become attached to her. The Day After Valentine’s stars Bella Padilla and JC Santos and they are back to give a heart-wrenching performance on the big screen under the direction of Jason Paul Laxamana.

Vhong Navarro stars as Benedict in the comedy movie Unli Life. After his break-up with the woman he loves, Benedict drinks a mysterious beverage given by a bartender (Joey Marquez) that transports him back in time where he hopes he can win back his ex-girlfriend (Winwyn Marquez). Unli Life is directed by Miko Livelo.

In We Will Not Die Tonight, an underpaid stunt woman played by Erich Gonzales is forced to fight for her life when a supposed big-time deal goes wrong. The movie also stars Alex Medina, Maxine Eigenmann, and Paolo Paraiso under the direction of Richard Somes.

Catch the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino from August 15-21 at any SM Cinema branch near you. Awarding of winners will take place during the PPP Thanksgiving Night on August 19. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Events: Deadpool 2 Fan Screening

We were thrilled to have been invited to a very special Deadpool 2 Fan Event, which was hosted by SM Cinema and held at the Skypark at SM Aura, last Friday, May 11, 2018. 

Cosplayers came in dressed as their favorite Deadpool characters, while fans joined in the games and enjoyed a collection of Deadpool merchandise. 

As if that was not a great way to enjoy a Friday night-everyone also got to see the new Deadpool 2 movie! ~The first screening in the Philippines might I add and all I can say is that the film, definitely delivered. As it takes the merc with a mouth to a bigger playing field with more conflicts, new mutants and a whole new adventure-you aren't really sure which way its going. Full review up soon! 

You can catch Deadpool 2 as early as May 15 at 5PM for early screenings. Regular screenings will be on May 16. 

Click HERE for MORE PHOTOS! 

Movies + Events: Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Masinag

It's a great time for local indie cinema indeed! With social media bringing back "Heneral Luna" after it was taken out of theaters. To memes on films like "Honor Thy Father" and recently that 'fishball scene' from "Ma. Rosa" all over Facebook. As well as groups like Revenge.PH and Cinema '76 holding indie film screenings, the future looks bright for our local cinema. 

I'm overwhelmed that SM City has also given the rare opportunity for its patrons to view the internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza's award winning film and to meet the filmmaker up close during the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Masinag. 

The festival showcased Director Mendoza's 2015 internationally acclaimed film- "Taklub" which won the 2015 Cannes Film Festival Ecumencial Jury Prize Special Mention. The festival had students as its primary audience, and I'm happy to say that my nephew was among the participants. Looking forward to discussing the film with him (I know I'm such a geek). Hopefully exposing High School students to award winning films will inspire them and who knows may even influence a new generation of film enthusiasts. 

Taklub is the story of three characters, including Bebeth played by Nora Aunor, coping and surviving the aftermath of the horrendous Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). It is co-produced with the Department of Environmental and National Resources (DENR). 

Another highlight of the festival is the Film Appreciation Workshop after the Taklub screening. In the hour long workshop, the audience got a glimpse of the different elements -acting, directing, cinematography, script writing that went into this magnificent film as discussed by no less than Director Brillante Mendoza himself. The aim of the activity is to guide the audience in understanding and appreciating the film Taklub as a medium of art and communications. 

A launch was attended by prominent members of the local community from government officials, school officials and students, as well as film enthusiasts. This was held a day before the festival. During the program, SM City Masinag paid tribute to Director Mendoza for the many honors he has brought to the country and members of the media were also given the chance to interview him. 

A post work me, sans make-up geeking out with the man of the hour- Direk Brillante Mendoza himself. :) 

Movie News: SM Cinema joins GMovies roster of theater partners

Yehey! SM Cinema is now part of the roster of theater partners of GMovies! I've used GMovies before and I know the convenience of just going through the app to buy your tickets in advance, 

Was also featured as a member of their week way back in 2014! You can read on that here. 

SM Cinema, the country’s largest chain of movie houses, has joined GMovies roster of theater partners, giving users of the mobile movie booking app a faster and easier way to buy tickets from any of over 300 SM theaters nationwide anytime at their convenience.

For the SM Cinema partnership, Globe Telecom’s mobile money solution GCash will initially be the exclusive payment gateway for GMovies users. GCash will be used in tandem with ePLUS, SM’s integrated e-wallet and loyalty system to give SM Cinema patrons another way to enjoy the movies.


At present, SM Cinema operates over 300 2D and 3D screens, 8 IMAX Theaters and 13 Director’s Club Cinemas for a total market share of over 50 percent.

“We are always looking for ways to provide the best experience for our customers, thus, it is a big win for GMovies to have SM Cinema on board since it gives our users from all over the Philippines more options to choose from.  With SM Cinema as a partner, GMovies now covers 77 percent of movie theaters nationwide,” said Glenn Estrella, Vice President of Globe Digital Ventures which offers GMovies.

“This is just the start of a more dynamic partnership with Globe and its services. Both our companies are committed to providing a more convenient and rewarding access to entertainment. ePLUS with SM Cinema and GMovies with GCash will work together towards building a cashless society,” said Sahara Jean Garnica, Assistant Vice President, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. managing ePLUS.

GMovies is an all-in-one solution for movie tickets on the go. It is the only platform in the Philippines that aggregates movie ticket booking capabilities for multiple cinema chains. The mobile app allows users not only to purchase movie tickets and reserve seats at their favorite cinema whenever they want and wherever they may be but also keeps them updated with the latest and upcoming blockbusters to hit the theaters. It can be downloaded for free from App Store and Google Play.   

To purchase seats from SM Cinema, simply select the movie schedule, branch, and preferred seat/s; select GCash as payment option; and input your GCash account information and confirm transaction. The user will receive an e-ticket via email which will also be saved in their phone gallery. For ease of access, patrons can just go straight to the cinema and tap their e-ticket at the ePLUS reader. This is all made possible through the integration between GCash and ePlus. 

SM Cinema will go live in GMovies website and Android app beginning June 22. The iOS app will follow after two weeks. For more information about GMovies, please visit www.gmovies.ph.

Start enjoying blockbusters at SM Cinema via GMovies!

Movies: TWO WAYS TO ENJOY THE MAGIC OF MOVIES AT SM CINEMA

There are so many movies coming out! Just click on the Movies tab and you know what I mean! :)

When we talk of the magic of the movies, we are not only referring to unforgettable films, but also the amazing experience we have watching these in theaters.  While home entertainment has become part of our lives, there is nothing like viewing films with family and friends in cinemas with wall to wall giant screens with state of the art picture quality and a world-class sound system.

And the good news is that SM Cinema has innovative ways of enhancing the movie experience at its IMAX and Director’s Club Cinema in select SM Cinemas nationwide.  More than that, these two very different types of cinemas cater to the tastes of two very different types of moviegoers.

With an exciting line-up of blockbuster, adventure films such as Marvel’s X-Men Apocalypse this May, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and Finding Dory this June, SM Cinema invites you to the world’s most immersive movie experience at IMAX and to indulge in the comfort of your personalized theatre at Director’s Club Cinema.

If you like an over the top, larger than life movie experience, IMAX Theatres are for you. Located at SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM City North EDSA, SM Southmall, SM City Clark, SM City Cebu and SM Lanang Premier, it offers the world’s most riveting and innovative movie-going experience.

Whether 2D or 3D, IMAX’s state of the art dual projection system delivers crystal clear, life-like images that create a visual feast so real, as if the moviegoers are part of the movie. Combining it with IMAX’s digital re-mastering enhancement process, which enhances hundreds of details in every frame of the movie, the images are 60% brighter and 40% greater in contrast than any other regular cinema.

With its wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-ceiling curved screen, IMAX fills even the viewers’ peripheral vision with increased viewing angles up to 70 degrees - regular cinemas only show 54 degrees on average - so fans get to see more of the entire movie set. Spacious private spaces are also rewarded to IMAX moviegoers -- from the guests’ very own ticket booth to their own snack counter.

If you prefer small, intimate private screenings with friends or colleagues, the Director’s Club Cinema is for you.  Located at the SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, SM City BF Parañaque, SM Megamall and SM Seaside City Cebu, it is your dream escape into a world where you are the movie star.

With only 40-50 seats per theatre, the Director’s Club Cinema is a perfect retreat from jam-packed movie houses. Yet, screen size of each room equals that of a regular cinema, the Dolby sound system creates powerful, moving audio through their overhead speakers. With its very own concierge and lobby, you are sure to enjoy the exclusivity offered only to Director’s Club Cinema guests.

It’s the best way to avoid large crowds and indulge in a luxurious movie experience at your very own private theatre. Here, you can sink into your personal and plush leather recliner, and enjoy a complimentary bowl of freshly popped popcorn. If still craving for a movie snack, you can select from a specially created menu for Director’s Club Cinema guests – a quick push of a button summons your own butler to receive and conveniently deliver the order to your seat -- all while watching the movie of your choice.

Expand your movie horizons at the IMAX Theatres or step into luxury cinema at the Director’s Club Cinema, and enjoy the innovative and personalized theatre experience at SM Cinemas. Purchase your tickets now at www.smcinema.com or dial 470-2222 for more information. Follow and like SM 

Cinema on twitter @SM_Cinema or on facebook at facebook.com/SMCinema.

Movie Review: Hail, Caesar!

At first glance, "Hail, Caesar!" is a movie about making movies and the crazy circus that goes on behind set doors. Told in a colorful comedic satire, set in 1950's Hollywood, from four-time Oscar-winning filmakers Joel and Ethan Coen's "Hail, Caesar!" is one of a kind, delivering hilarious screens from veteran actors and actresses, all the while keeping an unspeakable political secret right in the heart of Hollywood. 

Josh Brolin is Eddie Manix, a Hollywood 'fixer' tasked to make sure production is on schedule and that the studio's stars stay away from scandalous headlines. It is interesting to note that there was a real Eddie Manix who was an American film studio and executive producer. Like his on-screen persona, the real-life Mannix disguised details of the star's private life to maintain a clean public image, remember this was 1950 and they were definitely no Kardashians here.  

Hail, Caesar! Is a colorful comedy with a dash of Golden Age Hollywood Razzle-Dazzle, complete with a singing and tap-dancing, sailor clad Channing Tatum, a mermaid Queen Scarlett Johanssen, an over-the-top cowboy in Alden Ehrenreich (you might have seen him last in "Beautiful Creatures") and of course, the eponymous Caesar himself, the studio's biggest star, the impressionable Baird Whitlock, played by George Clooney. 

The film opens with a 'day in the life' of Eddie Mannix as he goes around Capitol Pictures, solving one crisis after the other, but probably the most challenging one is when Baird Whitlock is abducted by a mysterious group called 'The Future'.  

Now it falls on the 'Hollywood Fixer's' shoulders to make sure Baird returns safety, all the while escaping the clutches of gossip columnists and identical twin sisters (as if dealing with one isn't enough) Thora and Thessaly Thacker, both played by Tilda Swinton. 

I really enjoyed the set production, the costumes and the song and dance numbers in the film. Kudos to the respective departments handling these, it was authentic and really gave the feel of 1950's Hollywood. I know that there has been many changes over the years, with the rise of Public Relations handling the news worthy and/or gossip surrounding today's celebrities and it was nice to be acquainted with a more conservative Hollywood. Its also surprising to know how much studios get involved in the personal lives of their prized stars. 

You might get confused, (I was at first) about the underlying political themes in the movie. I was only able to grasp at what was going on due to my knowledge of the upcoming movie Trumbo's plot. So you guys might want to read up on that first before seeing the movie. 

While I was really impressed with the set design, the costumes and the production numbers, I felt that the comedy was a little flat, don't get me wrong I did laugh in a number of scenes but not as much as I thought that I would. 

7 out of 10 Stars. Hail, Caesar! is still a Coen Brothers experience you should catch in the cinema. Although it did lack the humor it initially marketed, the impressive, interesting and colorful characters make up for it. With an all-star ensemble portraying characters they normally wouldn't- (over-paid, spoiled celebrities), Hail Caesar! is an interesting historical and socio-political film, which you don't have to take too seriously. That's where the genius of the Coen Brothers comes in, they find humor in what could be dark themes. You leave the cinema feeling light and happy but you have also stumbled on a film rich in topics your teachers would have you writing a paper about. 

"Hail, Ceasar!" cinexclusively shows in SM Cinema on March 16 onward. For ticket inquiries or more information log on to www.smcinema.com  

Kids and Adults show Snoopy Love during The Peanuts Movie Press Screening

Sunday, January 4, 2016, as the metropolis still slept, savoring the last day of the Christmas Holiday, both kids and adults flocked to SM Megamall's Cinema 1 to catch the Press Screening of Snoopy And Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie. 

I thought it was just going to be another regular Press Screening but we were all surprised when the man...err beagle of the hour appeared! 

Kids and adults lined up to have their photo taken with the lovable and imaginative pooch. I myself debated whether to just let the kids have the photo-op, but I ended up with a few snaps with Snoopy :) which is all over my Instagram ( @ica_cheng ) :) 

Snoopy even cozied up to some of the kids in the cinema! Now this photo is for keeps! And yes, the movie was in 3D, hence the glasses. Talk about the 1950's comics jumping to live in 3D on the big screen right? 

Aside from the appearance of the Snoopy mascot (which was a real hit, by the way), movie-goers can also avail of these super cute Peanuts tumblers! Just look at that smile on Charlie Brown's face! 

The tumblers are available in SM Cinema's Snack Time :) I got Snoopy! 

My full review on Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie is already up in the blog! 

http://pchengphotography.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-peanuts-movie-beautiful-nostalgic.html

A warm, nostalgic and fun-filled movie for the whole family,  “Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie” will open this January 8 (Friday) in Philippine cinemas nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. 

*Pardon the photos, as we didn't bring the DSLR. We did our best with our camera phones* :p 

Grab Your Popcorn! SM Cinema Opens in SM Center Angono!

If you have been following the blog, you know that I write a lot of movie reviews and I have always believed that films should be enjoyed in the movie house, because they were made for it. 

So, I'm really happy and excited that SM Center Angono has just opened their very own Cinema! :)

Just in time for Star Wars The Force Awakens too! You can read on my non-spoiler review here! 

SM Cinema completes the movie entertainment experience in Rizal with 4 new fully digitized cinemas in SM CenterAngono. The cinemas boast of its crisp digital surround-sound system and crystal clear images that convey that best theatre experience. Promising to deliver optimum movie-watching, each theatre will cater to 200 patrons in a stadium-like seating, making certain that all patrons will enjoy the view from any seat they choose. As a standard in all SM Cinemas, SM Cinema apportions an area dedicated to PWD to accommodate all varieties of guests.

Instead of the traditional ribbon cutting, the ceremony had  used the giant clapper to commemorate the opening of the cinema. 

Complementing the newest cinema branch on the block is SM Cinema’s official snack and merchandise arm, Snack Time. Snack Time will serve popcorn, drinks, and other snacks, along with the latest movie merchandise that fans will surely love to collect.

The 4 theatres in SM Center Angono will round off a total of 306 SM Cinema screens found across the entire nation. Reaching out to every corner of the country, SM Cinema secures its location in Rizal with cinemas in SM Taytay, SMMasinag, and SM San Mateo. SM Cinema is the Philippines’ largest cinema and exhibition brand with 60% of the country’s total market share.

Enjoy Marvel Movies for only P50.00 in Select SM Cinemas!

Remember that Cornetto commercial "San Makakarating ang P20.00 mo?" (Where is your P20.00 going to get you?). I ask you the same question with "San Makakarating ang P50.00 mo?" 

Well apparently you can re-watch and enjoy your favorite Marvel movies in all the glory of the cinemas PLUS get an extended look at Ant-Man before it hits cinemas on July 15. 

Marvel's Super Hero Mania is available at select SM Cinema Branches: Mall Of Asia, North Edsa, Megamall and Manila. 

Promo is available from July 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12! 

History In The Making: Rurouni Kenshin Manila Red Carpet Premiere

I'm proud to say that yesterday we were part of history, as we were among the hundreds of fans who attended the Rurouni Kenshin Red Carpet Procession at the Event Center at SM Megamall. 

Whether they were event pass holders (thank you SM Cinema for not capitalizing on the event) corralled in barricades or fans who waited for hours behind barricades to greet their Idols, or the hundreds more who we're looking on from the floors above-there was a lot of love and enthusiasm for the franchise. 

It was also interesting to note that there was no specific profile for the Rurouni Kenshin fan. The event was not filled with screaming adolescent girls but was instead filled with different people from different ages and from different walks of life-and they were all fans! They were not just curious onlookers pretending to be fans just to see what was going on. 

One thing I failed to include in My Rurouni Kenshin Journey was that I got to meet different generations of Rurouni Kenshin fans. 

The realization dawned on me during the Rurouni Kenshin DVD Launch which was also organized by Sato Takeru Philippines and Amuse Philippines. I got to chat with the fans during the event and discovered that (Gasp!) these guys were still in College and were a good 5-10 years younger than me! 

I found out that they were of course fans of Sato Takeru who was playing Kenshin Himura, while I on the other hand have been a fan of the late 90s anime, which was a good 13 years ago more or less before getting to know (and become a fan of) Takeru Sato. 

It is overwhelming to think how the franchise continues to live on, gathering fans from different generations, allowing Himura's legacy to live on.

 The essence of that legacy manifested itself in that event, so much so that it was palpable and tangible in the air. 

We arrived at the Event Center at 3:30 in the afternoon, due to having had to do errands in the morning. At this time Paul and I haven't had any sleep yet and it was way beyond our sleeping time since we work the night shift. 

The line was already pretty long by the time we arrived and I was pretty bummed out that we weren't going to get good spots but Lady Luck was on our side when one of the members of the Production Team told us we could already enter the event through a side entrance that had no lines! 

So we did get the spot we wanted but the PRESS were actually stationed in front of us and that meant having our view blocked by big a** video cameras and when I say Press this was the PRESS with local stations like ABS-CBN, GMA 7, TV5, there, as well as Rappler, MYX and even HERO TV. So imagine trying to enjoy the program with their humongous video cameras in front of you! 

Paul was telling himself that next time we attend and event like this without PRESS/MEDIA Passes - he was bringing a step ladder!

Once inside the enclosed area for Event Pass holders we pretty much had to wait for more than hour or maybe it was two hours before the program started. 

We were wondering amongst ourselves whether the program would start on time (Japanese time) or start late (Filipino Time) - it ended up being the latter. 

So when the program finally started, our very own Rurouni Kenshin Live Action Cosplay Group awed and impressed the crowd with their costumes and how they acted out their characters. I even saw a post that the Japanese Staff were very impressed as well. I for one was very impressed how they stood for so long during the program. Kudos!

Special shout out to Jin Joson who cosplayed Kenshin! (^^x 

Tickets to the special screening of Kyoto Inferno were given to fans who were able to answer trivia questions from the series. Unfortunately our position was not accessible to the host - so we lucked out of that. I have to admit though that I was impressed that the crowd knew the answers to the questions, it's good to know that there were real fans out there. 

By this time, I had already accepted that we weren't groin to be able to watch the screening of Kyoto Inferno after the event and for those of you who got to read My Rurouni Kenshin Journey blog post you'd know that I tried oh so hard to get passes, even having my heart broken in the process. 

I'm a very optimistic person and I always try my best to look at the bright side of things. 

So even if we weren't able to catch the screening of Kyoto Inferno last night, I just told myself that we weren't in the best physical condition to enjoy the movie since we were about 24 hours awake by that time. It maybe a coping mechanism but at least it helps me get through right? 

Will definitely jump at any chance or opportunity to catch the earliest screening of the movie possible. 

Going back to the event, when the guests of honor finally arrived, it was such a big production of having each of them alight from vans being greeted at the door and of course all hell broke loose ad they walked across the red carpet and met fans, signing Rurouni Kenshin memento, pieces of paper or anything that could be signed. 

I'm pretty much torn coz I have a whole lot of Rurouni Kenshin stuff I could have had signed but chose to leave home because of the guidelines that were released for the event; (no selfies, no asking for autographs, etc) so yeah -pretty much torn. 

When the director and cast finally reached the stage (it took some time since they really went out of their way to greet fans and sign autographs. It was so nice to see their own personalities and how they interacted with the audience. 

Director Keishi Otomo was so nice - he even mentioned getting friend requests on Facebook just introduce yourself- he says - are you sure you want to open that can of worms? :P

He encouraged the fans to come and see the film and enjoy. 

And Munetaka Aoiki was just hilarious in person, as he really is Sanosuke Sagara. He got the  crowd cheering: Sano! Sano! And it was just so cute how he was doing his best to speak in English <3 And of course they all spoke some Tagalog words which always brings out cheers from us Pinoys.

Emi Takei was so beautiful and kind, she really went out of her way to sign autographs. It was so cute to know she shared that this was her first time attending a movie premiere outside of Japan and how overwhelmed she was with the response of the people. 

Black Butler Movie Review

Before I go on with this movie review I'll go ahead and say it - I have not seen the anime nor have I read the Manga. So this review will be from the eyes and perspective of an Otaku who will be seeing this franchise first through the live action movie. 

And in this day and age of all sorts of adaptations you have to start somewhere right? 

So here are my INITIAL thoughts of the movie - the adaptation was really well made, it was not cheap, the sets were very elaborate from breathtaking gardens, to colorful night carnivals. The fight scenes were well executed, none of the corny predictable trying hard martial arts bit. I have to admit though that the movie got a bit draggy during the climax, like they really squeezed every bit of what they could. It was still an enjoyable movie even for someone who's not really familiar with the franchise. 

Set in a world ruled by two kingdoms- The East and The West, which looks like a modern Victorian England littered with mobs, arms dealers, human traffickers and drug lords. 

Shiori/Kiyoharu Genpo (Ayame Gouriki) is a descendant of the noble family Phantomhive in England, runs the prestigious Funtom corporation but aside from his CEOish duties he also has a double life as a Queen's watchdog. Which means going on fun missions such as investigating a mysterious series of mummified murders of high ranking members of the government. 

More than just tea: As a butler Sebastian can bring you everything your heart desires - for a price. 

Kiyoharu investigates and brings along his faithful butler who can defeat a whole gang of armed mobsters just with a butter knife and he also gets up after being shot in the head oh-did I forget to mention that he is no ordinary butler as he is the devil himself.  

As a young child, Kiyoharu's parents (who are all but royalty) are murdered in front of him. In order to seek revenge, he makes a pact with the devil, who will serve him (as a butler no less) but the service goes beyond normal butler duties and involves pretty much being his personal army. The price? Of course - Kiyoharu's soul, once he is able to extract revenge on those who killed his parents. While Kiyoharu and Sebastian infiltrate private clubs and break in Laboratories, they don't realize that the true danger is actually closer than they think.  

Who is behind all the gruesome murders? Will Kiyoharu get his revenge? Will Sebastian consume his soul? These are just some of the burning questions that go on in the movie - and you'll just have to watch to find out :P 

Along with the impressive sets the movie also showcases great talent and acting from Ayame Gouriki as the deadpan Kiyoharu and Hiro Mizushima as the devilish butler Sebastian. 

Hiro Mizushima as Sebastian.
I wouldn't want to use that butter knife with my bread. 

Although riddled with cliches and as mentioned earlier, the climax got too draggy, as they tried to insert thought provoking themes on the goodness and evil of humans (as often seen in Anime) but I think that given it was a movie and not a 24 series anime, there really was not that much time to squeeze in all those deep questions and realizations on the nature of humans. 

Guns and Gothic Lolita. Mizuki Yamamoto as the Maid Rin

Whether you're a fan of the anime or you just want to check out the movie, it will be a fun treat with a date or maybe with friends. :)