Chinese na Makulit

A Tale as Old as Time in BEAUTY & THE BEAST 3D

2012-01-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

One of the most popular and enduring romantic adventures the world has ever known became one of the most ambitious and entertaining animated motion pictures ever brought to the screen with Walt Disney Pictures' 30th full-length animated feature, ''Beauty and the Beast” which is coming to Philippine theaters for the first time in 3D.

This classic fairy tale about a beautiful young girl and her encounter with an enchanted beast has long fascinated and intrigued storytellers, filmmakers and their audiences. Through the artistry and imagination of the Disney creative team, an inspired song score by two Academy Award®–winning songwriters and the contributions of an enormously talented vocal ensemble, this age-old fantasy took on exciting new dimensions that are only possible through the magic of animation.

The "Beauty and the Beast" story is indeed “a tale as old as time" with variations on the central theme going as far back as Greek mythology. In 1550, Italian author Giovan Straparalo wrote the first account of the story as it is generally known. The tale grew in popularity during the 18th century with books by French authors Madam Le Prince De Beaumont and Madame Gabrielle di Villeneuve. In 1946, acclaimed French director Jean Cocteau used cinematic imagery and lyrical expression to bring this story imaginatively to the big screen ("La Belle et la Bete").

"Doing your own version of 'Beauty and the Beast' is as much a tradition as is the story itself," says producer Don Hahn. "Part of the fun is that each generation and culture adapts this story to be its own. The themes––you can't judge a book by its cover, and beauty is only skin deep–– are as relevant today as ever."
Screenwriter Linda Woolverton agrees, "The lessons of this story are truly timeless, especially for kids growing up today. It tells them to look beyond the surface and beyond materialism and that what is in their hearts and souls are the things that really matter."

The release of "Beauty and the Beast" in 3D comes at a time when both the art of animation and the 3D process are enjoying their greatest popularity.

All of the filmmakers and artists who have been involved with the 3D transformation of “Beauty and the Beast” are in unanimous agreement that they take pride in being part of the great legacy of this iconic film. As stereographer Robert Neuman says, “It’s amazing to be able to take these great movies like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’ and give audiences a new way to see them again. Even if they're seeing it for the first time, or the one-hundredth time, this is a whole new experience for audiences.”

“It’s a privilege, really, and an honor to be able to bring this movie out,” says Don Hahn. “‘Beauty and the Beast’ has always been special in the hearts of the audience. From the first sneak previews that we did at the New York Film Festival, when it was still unfinished, to the original release, it’s always received a really warm reception. It’s great to go back and relive it now.

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Beauty and the Beast” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND” Embarks in IMAX 3D

2012-01-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

Believe the impossible, discover the incredible as New Line Cinema's “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” embarks on an adventure of a lifetime in IMAX 3D! The film will be shown in local IMAX 3D cinemas, as well as digital 3D and regular theaters starting Thursday, Feb. 2.

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Hutcherson and Michael Caine, “Journey 2” takes moviegoers on a fun and fantastic new adventure to parts unknown, a place so remote it has lain hidden for centuries … and, when found, is almost impossible to escape.

Upon seeing the script for “Journey 2,” director Brad Peyton says, “I never imagined doing it small. Right away, I knew it had to involve land, sea and air, with creatures, caves, storms, underwater battles and aerial chases, and all of it set against the most incredible, breathtaking terrain. That meant utilizing the latest and best technology, to deliver something special in the 3D realm that the prequel ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ helped to establish.”

In 2008 that film broke ground as the first narrative feature to employ the Fusion System, a sophisticated digital 3D camera rig developed by James Cameron and cinematographer Vince Pace, and subsequently used on “Avatar.” Not surprisingly, the “Journey 2” filmmakers returned to the Cameron Pace Group for state-of-the-art strategies and equipment to capture the depth and scope Peyton wanted to achieve in a range of real-world environments.

“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is a New Line Cinema presentation, will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Underworld's Vengeance and New Directors

2012-01-26T17:31:00.000-08:00

Columbia Picture’s fourth and most spectacular instalment in the hugely popular “Underworld” franchise, Underworld Awakening, brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as the first movie also in the franchise to shoot in 3D.

The millennia-old battle between Vampires and Lycans rages on in stunning 3D. Taking the celebrated saga’s signature action and mayhem to a new level, “Underworld Awakening” pits the legendary Vampire warrioress Selen, (Kate Beckinsale) against her most powerful adversary yet, just as she discovers a shocking secret that will change everything she has ever fought for.

The filmmakers have taken the extraordinary risk of reinventing and reinvigorating an already hugely successful, internationally acclaimed property. They have transported their Vampire and Lycan characters into a contemporary, human dominated world in which they are hunted to near extinction, adding excitement of cutting edge 3D technology into the mix.

Vengeance Returns
Set 15 years after the conclusion of “Evolution,” “Underworld Awakening” adds new characters and new rules to the story. “I think the hardcore fans are going to find a more action-packed and, to a certain degree, more violentUnderworld than they’ve seen before,” says Lucchesi.

“Selene’s rougher in this movie than she’s ever been. She’s capable of greater violence. It’s a very strong dramatic story and extremely well-acted. We’ve set a high bar with the earlier films and I think the audience will find this really intriguing.” The updates take the story out of its mythological past and place it squarely in the world of the science-fiction action thriller. “It doesn’t take place in our past or present or future,” says Richard Wright of Lakeshore. “It takes place in its own version of all three of those temporal periods.”

Coatsworth believes the film succeeds on both levels and will be able to stand on its own as an exciting and entertaining film. “You don’t have to have seen any of the other Underworlds to appreciate it. I think a new group of people who enjoy action films and 3D will be a big part of our audience.”

New Directors with Edgier Vision
A number of filmmakers were considered who demonstrated an interest in the Underworld franchise but it was trimmed down to two Swedish Directors who, have previously directed separately as well as together, have known each other since they were children.

Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein both had co-directed a really interesting film called `Storm,' which seemed to us to have been heavily influenced by `Underworld’. “We could see from watching their earlier movie that they understood how the heroine was set up, the way that the film was shot, the camera movements, the color palette, everything,” says co-producer Richard Wright. “Then they gave us a very detailed presentation book that showed us what they thought the movie should look like. It was obvious these guys were going to bring a lot to the party.”

The directors were well aware of all the work that been done to create the series through the previous three installment and had the utmost respect for the franchise. The pair’s primary concern, says Stein, was being able to bring new, compelling elements to the screen while preserving the best of the past. The timeless archetypes of werewolves and Vampires remain. The biggest difference is in the balance of power, according to Stein.

Opening across the Philippines in January 2012, “Underworld Awakening” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.
Visit www.columbiapictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games.

UNDERWORLD Sequel Awakens to no. 1 Spot!

2012-01-25T08:07:00.000-08:00

The 4th installment of the “Underworld” francise, took the no.1 spot at the Philippines box office for the Jan20-23 frame, they grossed P49.72M in 4days. The sequel slew the competition with a nationwide gross of a stunning P49.72-million opening weekend, this according to Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Columbia Pictures which distributed the film locally.

That phenomenal bow marks the biggest opening ever for the “Underworld” franchise, as well as the most successful debut so far this year for any title, local or foreign.

Rolling out in 155 screens across the country, “Awakening” posted its biggest receipts in SM Mall of Asia (P 3.03-M), Trinoma (P2.85-M), SM North EDSA (P2.35-M), SM Megamall (P2.24-M), SM Cebu (P1.90-M), Glorietta 4 (P1.61-M), Greenbelt 3 (P1.54-M), Newport (P1.52-M), Alabang Town Center (P1.276-M) and Power Plant Mall (P1.274-M). Completing the Top 20 cinemas are Ayala Cebu (P1.18-M), Eastwood (P1.15-M), Gateway (P1.11-M), Robinsons Ermita (P 988,965), Gaisano (P 940,048), Market Market (P 838,236), SM Clark (P 739,563), SM San Lazaro (P 705,278), Greenhills (P 693,888) and Sta. Lucia East (P 636,938).
In the US, "Underworld Awakening" also opened in first place with $25.4 million, good for a $8,252 per theater average.

Now showing across the Philippines in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular theaters, “Underworld Awakening” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

UNDERWORLD AWAKENING to be shown in IMAX 3D on Jan 20

2012-01-17T09:36:00.000-08:00

IMAX Corporation and Sony Pictures Entertainment recently announced that “Underworld Awakening,” the fourth installment in the popular supernatural-action franchise produced by Lakeshore Entertainment along with creator Len Wiseman, will be released to IMAX digital theatres simultaneously with the film's worldwide release on Friday, Jan. 20. The latest chapter in the Underworld saga marks the return of Kate Beckinsale in the title role of Selene and is the first of the series to be filmed in 3D and released in IMAX.

"Underworld is one of Screen Gems' most important franchises, so it's important to us to present the movie as its fans want to see it: on the IMAX screen," said Rory Bruer, president of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing.

"The Underworld franchise has established a dedicated fan following and we think `Underworld Awakening' will serve as a terrific kick off to our robust 2012 film slate," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of “Underworld Awakening” will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

“Underworld Awakening” brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as the first film in the franchise to shoot in 3D. Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

Directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, the film is produced by Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Len Wiseman, and Richard Wright. Len Wiseman wrote the initial story for “Underworld Awakening” which is based on characters created by Kevin Grevioux and Wiseman. The screenplay was written by John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczyinski, Allison Burnett and Wiseman.

Opening across the Philippines on Friday, Jan. 20 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular theaters, “Underworld Awakening” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.columbiapictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games.

Rainbow Run on January 29!

2012-01-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

Register now and avail of the 5+1 promo! The free is applied to the lowest priced category!

Hurry and invite your friends to be fit, be healthy and RUN!

Promo is valid from January 1 to January 29 2012. Everyday registration is open for Rainbow Run starting Jan. 13 at ROXand Jan 16 at Venice Piazza, Mckinley. Lots of freebies awaits!

20TH CENTURY FOX 2012 movie lineup

2012-01-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

20th Century Fox anchors in 2012 with big screen adaptation of classic favorites from television andbooks, phenomenal movie franchises and a novelty of ideas captured in unparalleled 3D technology employed by the Fox lot.

The returning cast of “Alvin and the Chipmunks” strikes a third in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” where Dave (Jason Lee) is on board a luxury cruise liner with the gang for a well-deserved break. Incidentally, they find themselves in a deserted island after going overboard during the trip. Thinking that they have found a tropical paradise, they soon found out that they are not alone.

From the life-affirming bestselling memoir “We Bought A Zoo” by Benjamin Mee, director Cameron Crowe translates Mee’s inspiring journey on screen with much poignancy. Starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johannson, Elle Fanning and Thomas Haden Church, the movie is a story of triumph over adversity to save Dartmoor Zoo in order to save the lives of the exotic animals that were destined to be put down.

Infused with electrifying 3D effects, “Darkest Hour” director Chris Gorak whose unforgettable art direction includes “Fight Club” and “Minority Report” gives the audience anew a movie experience like never before. Starring Emile Hirsch, Max Minghella and Olivia Thirlby, the group is in Moscow when they were suddenly trapped in an alien attack catching all off guard. It soon becomes apparent that the aliens have an impenetrable defense and the humans are left helpless.

Supervised by George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic,
“Star Wars Episode 1: the Phantom Menace” undergoes meticulous technological and artistic conversion for its long-awaited 3D movie release. Navigating within a galaxy far, far away, the movie conversion is set to deliver most of the Saga’s amazing scenes from the peaceful planet of Naboo to nearby ally and warring galaxies.

Tom Hardy and Chris Pine face a kind of war that’s hard to admit defeat when they both find out that they are battling for Reese Witherspoon’s undivided attention in “This Means War.” Inseparable since they were kids, both became the best CIA operatives (Pine and Hardy) who now turned against each other andstart utilizing their technical skills to defeat one another.

“Chronicle” asks what are you capable of? Directed by Josh Trank, the movie is reminiscent of hit thrillers shot in real time documentary-style such as “The Blairwitch Project” and “Cloverfield.” Three high school kids unwittingly took matters into their own hands when they suddenly acquire special powers after being exposed to a mysterious substance from the woods and their darker sides soon begin to take over.

Coinciding with Titanic’s centennial year since sailing, James Cameron’s “Titanic” will be re-released in 3D which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Rose DeWitt Bukater (Winslet) is a 17-year-old, upper-class American who falls for a free-spirited young passenger named Jack Dawson (DiCaprio). Once he opens her eyes to the world that lies outside her gilded cage, Rose and Jack's forbidden love begins a powerful mystery that ultimately echoes across the years into the present and not even thesinking of Titanic can come between them.

From television’s classic black & white tubes, “The Three Stooges’” hilarious slapstick goes all color on the big screen brought about by the dynamic filmmaking duo Farrelly Brothers. Starring Will Sasso, Sean Hayes and Chris Diamantopoulos, this is the story of three orphans named Larry, Joe and Moe remotely raised by nuns. But time came when they have go out into the world to save the orphanage from being shut down. Hilarity ensues when the world collides with these three nitwits as they raise money for the orphanagethe only way they know how.

Known for his visceral presentation of the future from his movies “Alien” and “Blade Runner,” Ridley Scott’s latest 3D vision of the future will soon be revealed in “Prometheus (3D).” Starring Michael Fassbender (“X-Men: First Class”) and Charlize Theron (“Aeon Flux”), the film introduces a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest and most dangerous corners of the universe. Testing their physical and mental limits, they soon discover that they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

From the pages of Seth Grahame-Smith’s “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” stars Benjamin Walker directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Like the pop-novel mash-up on which the movie is based, the movie follows Lincoln from his boyhood on the frontier through his assassination by John Wilkes Booth and beyond. Young Lincoln, having learned that his grandfather and mother were killed by vampires, vows to kill every last blood-sucker in a country that is crawling with them.

From the hugely successful “Ice Age” franchise, the endearing fun troupe of Manny and Ellie themammoths along with Diego the saber-toothed tiger, Sid the sloth, Scrat, possums Crash and Eddie are back. In “Ice Age: Continental Drift (3D),” Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences -- a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all.

Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn reunite in “Neighborhood Watch” about a man who moves from the big city to the suburbs, and worries that his life will be boring now he’s away from the excitement of themetropolis. But after signing up for the local neighborhood watch patrol, he’s soon thrust into uncovering a massive conspiracy.

Based on the best-selling kid-friendly book by Jeff Kinney of the same title, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid:The Last Straw” finds Greg Heffley in a dilemma over his wimpy ways. Having realized that hard habits are hard to break, Greg couldn’t just make his father understand that he will never change being wimpy despite efforts to make his son toughen up.

A follow up on Luc Besson’s 2008 surprise hard-core action film “Taken,” Liam Neeson’s character Bryan Mills shares more of the action with Maggie Grace’s Kim in “Taken 2.” Mills, having been captured by a nemesis whose son was killed exacts revenge and lays the burden on Kim to save her parents.

Watch out for these exciting movies by 20th Century Fox this year in your favorites cinemas!

WALANG HANGGAN premieres January 16 on ABS CBN Primetime

2012-01-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

The highly anticipated Primetime Bida series “Walang Hanggan” have premiered today, January 16, 2012. The drama series showcased a powerhouse cast composed of two queens of Philippine cinema namely Susan Roces and Helen Gamboa, the “eternal love team” of Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta and the first onscreen team up of Julia Montes (also known as Clara) and Coco Martin.

The powerhouse cast of Walang Hanggan features the undying love of three generations which would start with the love triangle of the Virginia (Roces), Margaret (Gamboa) and John (Eddie Gutierrez), will continue with the ill fated lovers Marco (Gomez) and Emily (Zulueta) and lastly with the young sweethearts Daniel (Martin) and Katerina (Montes), also inspired by the book Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

This is the first time that Susan Roces, Helen Gamboa and Eddie Gutierrez will team up in a prime time series. Both Susan and Helen is excited for this teleserye drama and is looking forward to how the audience will like the new drama series. Susan Roces plays the generous and self sacrificing older sister to Helen Gamboa who is the exact opposite. Eddie Gutierrez is the secretly in love bestfriend to Susan Roces but would marry Helen Gamboa instead.

Dawn and Richard will rekindle their love onscreen as Marco Montenegro, the confident and assertive only son of Joseph and Margaret Montenegro who fell in love with Emily Cardenas, the kind and light hearted daughter of a worker in the Hacienda. After a long time, Dawn and Richard revived their love team onscreen. According to Dawn, it was indeed hard to turn down the role because of how great the story is.

Coco Martin and Julia Montes will start a new love team in Walang Hanggan. This is the first time that Coco will be doing a “full love story” and he is more than excited about this challenge considering he is working with the best actors and actress in the series. Julia is excited as well and shares that she is blessed to work with high calibre actors as early as sixteen years old.

Completing the powerhouse cast are well regarded actors Rita Avila, Melissa Ricks, Joem Bascon, and Paulo Avelino; with the special participation of Eddie Gutierrez and Joel Torre. The series is ofcourse directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and Trina Dayrit.

Walang Hanggan, ABS-CBN’s biggest teleserye offering this 2012 starts January 16.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked Movie Review

2012-01-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

The Munks are about to unleash their third grandest and most spectacular adventure in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” where the vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a remote island. As the ‘Munks and Chipettes scheme to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.
The new home leads to character-changing adventures, on a scale new to the boys and to the “Alvin and theChipmunks” films. As the story opens, The Chipmunks, Chipettes, and their eternally beleaguered guardian, Dave Seville, are en route, on a luxury cruise liner, to the International Music Awards. Alvin, of course, cannot resist wreaking havoc on this ultimate playground. He attempts to steer the vessel, takes over the hot tubs, and dons a tuxedo – secret agent style – to work the baccarat and blackjack tables.

The third and most spectacular adventure of the Chipmunks has finally arrived. Alvin and the Chipmunks has had much longevity, I think because how the audience really liked the Chipmunks, not only their music but also their characters. The Chipmunks and Chippettes team up in Chipwrecked and find the most extraordinary adventure of their lifetime. The movie is best for the kids because of the simple plot and light hearted theme. Though some of the music is for the adults. Key to the movie’s theme is about the Chipmunks growing up, and how hard it is for a parent – in this case, Dave – to let the chipmunks be independent. Director Mike Mitchell adds, “But kids (and chipmunks) are going to grow up andthey’re going to be independent. It’s inevitable, of course. I think that idea is going to resonate with kids and parents. Everyone can relate to the story, even though it’s a singing/dancing/adventure-seeking Chipmunk movie. And, who hasn’t gone on family vacations? They’re wonderful nightmares!”

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Movie Review

2012-01-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room... until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large - Professor Moriarty - and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective. Holmes' investigation into Moriarty's plot becomes ever more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London and across Europe, to France, Germany and finally to Switzerland.

I remember the first time I watched the movie, I can only say one word. GENIUS. And even up to the second film, I can only tell of Holmes brilliance or rather, Downy’s brilliance in portraying detective Holmes. The idea of the 19^th century politics, economy and warfare is the made the base of Holmes case more complex. Though I haven’t read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books, I am amazed at how he made Sherlock a genius in his field with considerable skills and at the same time creating an equally genius match in the form of Professor Moriarty. I’m not exactly sure if the movie followed the book by I like how Director Guy Ritchie created Sherlock Holmes capability of knowing the next move thru the slow motion stunts. I am in doubt too if this is the last instalment of the Sherlock Holmes series and I am basing this thru the ending of the movie which is a must see.

Sherlock Holmes is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

SHERLOCK HOLMES 2 Continues Global Box Office Success (Opens Jan 8)

2012-01-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law returns as his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”

Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” continued its strong run through the holiday frame, with exceptional numbers at both the domestic and international box offices.
The international performance is made even more impressive by the fact that the film is tracking better than 2009’s blockbuster “Sherlock Holmes”—which grossed $315 million internationally and $524 million worldwide—with “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” still to be released in many major international markets. The announcement was made January 4 by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” has earned more than $265 million worldwide, with an estimated $140 million and counting on the domestic side. Internationally, the box office numbers are pacing ahead of the first “Sherlock Holmes” in the same territories in the same time frame, with the new film yet to open in 25 markets, including the Philippines, Australia, China, Brazil, France, Spain and Japan.

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie returned to direct “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” the follow-up to the smash hit “Sherlock Holmes.” The sequel reunited producers Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. Bruce Berman and Steve Clark-Hall served as executive producers. The film also stars Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly, and Rachel McAdams. “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” was written by Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were created by the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and appear in stories and novels by him.

(Opening across the Philippines on Sunday, Jan. 8, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.)

Warner Bros 2012 Line Up (Dark Knight Rises, The Hobbit, etc)

2012-01-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

Twenty twelve is shaping up to be another banner year for Warner Bros. whose upcoming line-up consists of the formidable tent-pole releases (“The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Hobbit”), blockbuster sequels (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sherlock Holmes 2”), potential franchise-starters (“Jack and the Giant Killer,” “Dark Shadows”) and prestige titles (“Gravity,” “J. Edgar”). With all these surefire bets, what's not to like?

The Dark Knight Rises. The epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Marion Cotillard, as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes the first of two films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

Wrath of the Titans. A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) —the demigod son of Zeus (Liam Neeson)—is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. But Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades (Ralph Fiennes) makes a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus.

Jack, the Giant Killer. An ancient war is reignited when a young farmhand (Nicholas Hoult) unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. “X-Men's” Bryan Singer directs.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. In this follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the new 3D family adventure begins when young Sean (Josh Hutcherson) receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist. Unable to stop him from going, Sean’s new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze who's still struggling with his curse as the devil's bounty hunter. He is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a young boy from the devil. At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider, but it is the only way to protect the boy - and possibly rid himself of his curse forever.

Dark Shadows. Director Tim Burton brings the cult classic series to the big screen in a film featuring an all-star cast, led by Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter.

Rock of Ages. The film adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more. Tom Cruise leads the powerhouse cast.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, this drama starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock tells the story of one young boy’s journey from heartbreaking loss to the healing power of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of the tragic events of September 11.

J. Edgar. During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) would rise to be the most powerful man in America. As head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country. The Clint Eastwood film explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often swayed by the darker side of power.

The Apparition. When frightening events start to occur in their home, young couple Kelly (Ashley Greene) and Ben (Sebastian Stan) discover they are being haunted by a presence. Their last hope is an expert in the supernatural (Tom Felton), but even with his help they may already be too late to save themselves from this terrifying force...

The Lucky One. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive—a photograph he found of a woman he doesn’t even know. Learning her name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door. Despite her initial mistrust, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Gangster Squad. A colorful retelling of events surrounding the LAPD’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time. The film stars Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling as the LAPD’s Sgt. John O’Mara and Jerry Wooters; Sean Penn as real-life mobster Mickey Cohen and Emma Stone as Grace Faraday, Cohen’s moll and the object of Wooters’ attention.
Rivals. Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis play rival politicians in a small congressional district in South Carolina.

Argo. Based on true events, the film chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. Ben Affleck stars and directs.

Burt Wonderstone. Steve Carell and Jim Carrey star in this comedy that deals with rival stage magician teams in Las Vegas. The titular Wonderstone, is one half of a two-man group who has to rediscover his love of magic after the loss of his partner.

Prisoners. A desperate father (Michael Fassbender) turns vigilante and abducts the man he suspects is behind the disappearance of his eight year old daughter and her best friend, after cops fail to find the little girls.

Gravity. A 3D space film about the leader of a team posted at a remote space station. While he (George Clooney) and a female colleague (Sandra Bullock) are traveling outside the space station, the other team members are decimated by debris from an exploded satellite.

THE GAME IS ON in “SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

2012-01-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law returns as his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, in Warner Bros.’ new action-adventure “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” (Catch the film’s Special Content Trailer here).

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Around the globe, headlines break the news: a scandal takes down an Indian cotton tycoon; a Chinese opium trader dies of an apparent overdose; bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna; the death of an American steel magnate… No one sees the connective thread between these seemingly random events—no one, that is, except the great Sherlock Holmes, who has discerned a deliberate web of death and destruction. At its center sits a singularly sinister spider: Moriarty.

Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead, and moving perilously close to completing his ominous plan. If he succeeds, it will not only bring him immense wealth and power but alter the course of history.

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie returned to direct “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” the follow-up to the smash hit “Sherlock Holmes.” The sequel also reunited producers Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. Bruce Berman and Steve Clark-Hall served as executive producers.
In her first English-speaking role, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, who gained international attention in the Swedish film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” plays a mysterious Gypsy named Sim, who becomes allied with Holmes and Watson in their quest to stop Moriarty. Jared Harris (TV’s “Mad Men,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) joins the cast as the notorious Professor Moriarty. Stephen Fry (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) plays Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s decidedly eccentric older brother.

Returning from the first film, the cast also includes Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler; Kelly Reilly as Watson’s bride, Mary Morstan; Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade; and Geraldine James as Holmes’s long-suffering landlady, Mrs. Hudson.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” was written by Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were created by the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and appear in stories and novels by him.

Ritchie once again collaborated with the behind-the-scenes team from the first movie, including director of photography Philippe Rousselot, production designer Sarah Greenwood, editor James Herbert, costume designer Jenny Beavan, and composer Hans Zimmer.

Opening across the Philippines in January 2012, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Coming Soon: GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE

2012-01-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

Nicolas Cage reprises his role as Johnny Blaze in Warner Bros.' new action-thriller “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.” In this gritty new vision for the character, directed by Neveldine/Taylor (“Crank”), Johnny is still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter – but he may risk everything as he teams up with the leader of a group of rebel monks (Idris Elba) to save a young boy from the devil… and possibly rid himself of his curse forever.

“Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” is written by Scott M. Gimple & Seth Hoffman and David S. Goyer, with a story by Goyer based on the Marvel Comic.

The producers are Steven Paul, Ashok Amritraj, Michael De Luca, Avi Arad, Ari Arad; while the executive producers are E. Bennett Walsh, David S. Goyer, Stan Lee and Mark Steven Johnson.
Joining Cage in the cast are Ciarán Hinds, Violante Placido, Johnny Whitworth, Christopher Lambert and Idris Elba.

Opening across the Philippines on February 2012, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Get to know Scarlet Johansson in "We Bought a Zoo"

2012-01-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

In Cameron Crowe’s inspiring new film,” We Bought A Zoo,” Scarlett Johansson plays Kelly Foster, a plucky and hard working young woman who is dedicated to her job as a zoo keeper and passionate about the animals in her care.

Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) buys the zoo, Rosemoor Animal Park, in order to give his family a fresh start in life. His wife Katherine has recently died and he is looking for a new direction for himself and his two young children. Running and restoring a dilapidated zoo is ostensibly an odd choice and Mee definitely takes on more than he bargained for. With the help of an eclectic staff and with an assortment of adventures along the way, the family works to return the run down zoo to its former glory and to heal their own pain.

Q: What type of woman is Kelly in this movie?
A: “Kelly is incredibly driven and focused. She has dedicated her entire life to her job and she actually says in the film, ‘I don't have a life, this is my whole life. I come here from morning to night and my friends are out enjoying themselves with different guys and going to bars. I don't do any of that stuff.’

Q: What was the appeal and challenge of this character for you?
A: “What I love about Kelly is that she’s so totally matter of fact. There’s nothing about her that’s vindictive. She doesn’t really want anything from anybody except for an honest day’s work and I appreciate that sentiment. I have never had the opportunity to really play a girl who’s very pure and straightforward in her thinking.”

Q: Did you have anything in common with Kelly and what did you bring to her?
A: “Well I’ve always been someone who’s been a bit of a caretaker for my family and friends. I guess for me it was about infusing the character with a softness. There can be a tough edge to that type of female. Often women who are running a business are portrayed in films as tough broads and she’s not like that.”

Q: What was it like working with Matt Damon?
A: “I've always wanted to work with Matt. He is an incredible dramatic actor; there's something very ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ about him. He's got a Cary Grant quality about him. He is also hysterically funny. We laughed so much on the film, we could barely get through our takes. There’s nothing about Matt that is at all movie star-esque but he really is a true movie star. He is warm and welcoming.”

Q: Were there any scary moments for you with any of the animals?
A: “Well you don’t go onto a film set knowing that you're going to place 70 snakes in a bucket thinking ‘this is a normal job’ (laughs). We all had to get in there and recapture an escaping shipment of exotic snakes: including pythons and anaconda and other non-venomous snakes. But I was fine because I had reptiles as a child. Now I do have dogs at home – a Chihuahua and a kind of Golden Retriever.

Q: What is the film really all about do you think?
A: “I think the story is about challenging yourself and coming out on top through hard work and perseverance. It shows that anything is possible. I know that sounds like a bit of a trite message, but I think there is a lot of truth in it.

Q: Although there is bereavement, the film is very positive isn’t it?
A: “I think this film is about human connections. We don't just have one big adventure in life; life is an adventure in itself, with all of its grief and surprise and romance and possibility. I've certainly experienced loss and most people that I know have experienced some form of loss. It causes you to be introspective and to grow. You grow from loss.”

With more than a decade of work under her belt, four-time Golden Globe nominee and BAFTA winner Scarlett Johansson is one of Hollywood’s most talented young actresses. Born and raised in New York, Johansson won worldwide recognition at the age of 12 for her performance in Robert Redford’s “The Horse Whisperer.” She also starred in films She received rave reviews and a ‘Best Actress’ Award at the Venice Film Festival for her starring role in “Lost In Translation.” Her film credits also include “Ghost World,” “The Man Who Wasn’t There,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “The Other Boleyn Girl,” “In Good Company,” “A Love Song For Bobby Long,” “Match Point,” “The Spirit,” “Girl With A Pearl Earring,” “The Island,” “The Black Dahlia,” “The Prestige” and “Iron Man 2.”

“We Bought A Zoo” opens January 18 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Young Stars Shine in FOX Family Films

2012-01-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Innately talented young actors Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller shine brightly on their own footing in upcoming movies from 20th Century Fox – “We Bought A Zoo” and “The Descendants.”

In “We Bought A Zoo” starring Matt Damon and directed by Cameron Crowe – Elle Fanning, Maggie Elizabeth Jones and Colin Ford take turns in keeping that familial warmth of the movie where Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) buys a house with a zoo in order to give his family a fresh start in life. What begins as a rather impulsive fantasy turns into a daunting life-changing journey that is exciting, emotionally taxing, exceedingly labor intensive, often hilarious but ultimately more rewarding than even he could have ever imagined.

Elle Fanning, plays the young bubbly beauty Lily Miska, who lives and helps out at the zoo and its restaurant. When the Mees move in, she becomes fascinated with Benjamin’s teenage son Dylan. “Lily lives in her own world,” says Fanning, who celebrated her 13th birthday during production of the movie. “ Dylan is like an exotic creature to her. She starts wearing makeup and tries to flirt with him, but she doesn’t really know how because she’s never had a crush on a boy. Lily tries hard to impress Dylan.”

To portray the Mee children, the filmmakers conducted a nationwide search and online open casting call before eventually deciding on Colin Ford, and relative newcomer Maggie Elizabeth Jones, both natives of Atlanta, Georgia.

Colin Ford’s Dylan is having a difficult time in his new environment. “He doesn’t see eye-to-eye with his father,” says Ford. “Dylan defies him – he’s a real smart aleck – and does anything to get underneath his skin.”

Currently making waves for her role as Rosie is Maggie Elizabeth Jones as the daughter of Matt Damon, who is full of joy, imagination and optimism. She’s an old soul who’s almost like a caretaker to her beleaguered father. Jones recently made her acting debut in “Footloose.”

On casting these three wonders, “Sometimes it takes months to find the right kids but we found fresh young actors who did not have a lot of cute habits from doing a lot of movies or commercials or television shows in which the characters have to be cute. We try to capture real life as best we can in movies so it is important to find actors who are natural. Colin Ford, who plays Dylan Mee, had a few credits but he had not done a lot of work and was great. Maggie Jones had barely done anything but she has a very strong relationship with her mother, who rehearses with her on her lines. That girl is one of the most prepared actresses I’ve ever worked with. And of course Elle Fanning was wonderful as Lily. The kids all helped us to tell a real story about parenting,” director Crowe shares.

Shailene Woodley who appears with George Clooney in “The Descendants” has recently won the Spotlight Award in the recently concluded Hollywood Film Festival. In addition, her remarkable and in-depth take as the rebellious daughter of Clooney in the movie earned her numerous nominations such as the Golden Globes (Best Supporting Actress), Gotham Awards (Best Ensemble Performance) and Independent Spirit Awards (Best Supporting Female).

Based on Kaui Hart Hemmings’ acclaimed debut novel, “The Descendants” sees Matt King (George Clooney), a husband and father of two girls, who must re-examine his past and navigate his future when his wife is in a boating accident off Waikiki. He awkwardly attempts to repair his relationship with his daughters - 10 year-old precocious Scottie (Amara Miller) and rebellious 17 year-old Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) - while wrestling with a decision to sell his family’s land.

Finding two young actresses who were capable of holding their own against Clooney in the roles of his two willful and defiant daughters Alexandra and Scottie, who resent Matt for never having been an involved parent until now is key to the film’s emotional core. For Alexandra, director Payne ultimately chose Shailene Woodley, best known for the television series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”

Woodley was thrilled because, by the time she auditioned, she was already in love with the story. “It’s a heart-wrenching journey about growth,” she comments. “I love how everybody in the story grows in their ability to love, grows in maturity, in figuring out their individuality and who they are as a family.”

Even though Matt King is trying to re-establish a connection with his kids, he finds youngest daughter Scottie a complete mystery, almost an alien life form, with whom communication of any kind is an iffy prospect. To find a young actress who could handle the humor and heartache of playing a pre-adolescent eccentric, Payne saw more than 300 girls from around the country. He still hadn’t found the right candidate with shooting about to start.

That’s when he encountered Amara Miller, a promising nine year-old newcomer from Pacific Grove, California. He received an e-mail with her videotaped audition and recalls that “about a minute into it I just said, ‘oh that’s her.’ I don’t need to see her. I knew that she was the one. I just knew she would show up. And like many things in life, she did, but in the most unpredictable way.”
Adds producer Jim Burke: “Amara walked on the set like an old pro. She’s a natural. She’d never been in a movie before but she was amazing.”

For Payne, working with Miller – his first time directing a child in a major role – was no different from the adult cast. “The great thing about working with Amara is that I didn’t have to treat her like a little girl. I could just tell she was an instinctive actress. I could just say, ‘No, do it more like this.’ Or, ‘Please put a small pause between these two lines.’ The way to treat people in general, and actors in particular, is to tell them the truth,” he sums up. “I was always able to do that with Amara.”

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hello 2012!

Happy New Year readers! I thank God for the year that was, 2011. So many blessing have come our way, so many struggles and trials that made us stronger and made our faith more powerful too. I pray that as the new year enters, we will all together learn from our mistakes, hate less and love more the things and situations thrown to us. Let us welcome 2012 with a smile :)

~ Cathie

Meet Alvin and the Chipmunks in the malls!

2011-12-15T02:01:00.000-08:00

The chipmunks and the chipettes are back with an all-new adventure that takes them back to the forest in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.” Having gone domesticated, famous, pampered and civilized – the chipmunks are relearning the ways of the wild while Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is on a quest to find them.

20^th Century Fox gleefully joins the holiday merriment in malls with the chipmunks characters – Alvin, Theodore and Simon. Currently touring in SM malls, the mascots will next be seen in SM Clark and SM Pampanga (Dec. 11), SM Bacoor (Dec. 14), SM Southmall (Dec. 15), SM Calamba and SM San Pablo (Dec. 16), SM Dasmarinas & SM Molino (Dec. 17), SM Manila (Dec. 18), SM Muntinlupa and SM Sta. Rosa (Dec. 19), SM Taytay (Dec. 20), SM Fairview (Dec. 21), SM Masinag (Dec. 22), SM Batangas and SM Lipa (Dec. 23).

The latest Alvin film “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” brings more adventure, music and mayhem as Alvin and the troupe run amok in a luxury cruise liner that brings them to a deserted island where they survive on their own instincts and tricks.

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” opens nationwide (Phils.) on January 8 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Tom Cruise Stunts in Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol

2011-12-14T23:29:00.000-08:00

Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, an IMF agent tasked to stop a nuclear attack, and clear his name and his agency. Together with fellow IMF agents, Ethan , escaped the prison, climbed buildings, braved the sand storm in Dubai, and even drove the BMW i8. The action packed thrill ride movie is also filled with mind-boggling stunts of Tom Cruise and the rest of the cast.

Stunt 1 – Jump from the Hospital Window

Ethan slips out of a fourth-story window and, while Russian operatives wait for him to give up, grabs his belt, leaps from the building ledge, slides down a nearby power line to the roof of a moving van and rolls off safely onto the street. “That was actually one of the most challenging stunts of the whole movie, as far as difficulty goes,” says stunt coordinator Gregg Smrz. “We rehearsed that on stage over and over and over, until it was just old hat, and then went and put it into place. Tom nailed it in just a few takes.”

The key word here is: “Tom.” That stunt – only a sign of things to come for the audience as they watch the rest of the film – was performed by Cruise himself as was the case throughout the movie. “Tom wants to do everything,” says Smrz, “even when he doesn’t have to. There are shots where the producers were really getting nervous, and he wanted to take it further and further. I told him, ‘Tom, nobody is going to know it’s not you. There’s no reason for you to do this – your double could do it and you can watch.’ He just looked at me and said, ‘But I’m having fun.”

Director Brad Bird concurs: “I agree with Tom that when the real guy is there, you get something extra, and the audience can feel it. It’s not just that you’re seeing the actor’s face, but somebody like Tom adds intensity to it because he’s an actor. When he falls, he shows you the fear of somebody who’s suddenly being dropped. It’s a performance and I think people can tell the difference.” Cruise is intimately involved with every step of the stunt process. “He loves action films, and he takes them very seriously and does his homework,” says Bird. “He’s a stunt coordinator’s dream because he invests himself completely. He wants to understand every aspect of how you execute a stunt, how it’s planned. By the time the day arrives to do the stunt, he’s completely prepared. He’s made to order for this kind of movie.” Adds Paula Patton, “It’s why he’s the perfect Ethan Hunt. He’s fearless. He lives for danger and excitement and doing the impossible, which he’s done his whole career.”

The rest of the cast followed Cruise’s example, both in work ethic and in the desire for a realistic experience for the audience, performing many of their own stunts as well, particularly in the fight arena.

Stunt 2 – Parking Brawl

Another intensely complicated stunt sequence in the film, involving one of the most complex sets ever built for an action movie, appears as Ethan fights with Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist) to recover the cheget, the Russian nuclear launch briefcase, to prevent the start of a nuclear holocaust. The two battle it out in an old-fashioned fistfight in a 3D automated parking garage with machinery and automobiles constantly on the move.

“That went along with our desire for this movie to not fire a lot of guns and unleash a ton of ordinance,” André Nemec explains. “Josh and I talked about setting an old school fistfight in a crazy environment. I recalled a conversation I had with an architect friend, who told me about these automated parking garages. So, Josh and I went online and found one that VW had. We were looking at pictures of it and thought ‘This literally could be the most insane environment for a brawl,’ then pepper in playing hot potato with a nuclear briefcase - wild.”

Special Effects Supervisor Mike Meinardus and his crew then spent the next six months building the set, which was fully operable. The structure held the 35,000 pound, 78 foot tall center column, supporting two 23 feet paddles, each of which weighed over three tons. The completed set held about 70 cars, 18 on each level, which were best set in place using the machinery Meinardus had built to use shooting the scenes – the paddles themselves.

The action for the incredibly complex sequence was mapped out by Brad Bird in an animatic; a simplified animation used to plan each step of the sequence. “It’s an extraordinary exercise in three-dimensional thought,” says Bissell. “It’s a tremendous testament to Brad’s ability to introduce the geography of the set,” co-producer Tom Peitzman adds. That trait, no doubt, comes from the director’s keen ability to visualize the way he would in animation, producing the kind of fantastical shots Bird is known for. But for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, the director took the kind of approach necessary for live action stunts. “He didn’t want things just to be magical,” says Burk. “He wanted everything to feel authentic and real.”

For that, Bird wisely turned to his visual effects supervisor and stunt coordinator for advice, both of whom were eager to pull off what Bird envisioned, while still helping him stay in the realm of reality. The two would negotiate with Bird to hit the mark. The shots were rehearsed with Cruise’s stunt double, to plan out camera moves and program the operation of the paddles, but filmed, of course, with Cruise and Nyqvist doing their own work in every shot. An immense amount of care was taken to protect the actors in the dangerous maneuvers with the operating paddles and the minimal deck surface to stand on between cars. “Each paddle weighs 6700 pounds and there’s only about ½ inch clearance between the paddle and the decks, so it’s like a giant sheer,” says Meinardus. “When it was running, we’d have sirens and safety meetings, to make sure that nobody was rappelling between there.” Adds Bird, “It was a great tribute to the whole team to pull that off because it takes incredibly precise coordination.”

The pair of actors were suspended from cables, picked to the ceiling of the warehouse, as well as to the ends of the paddles to prevent accidental falls between vehicle platforms and to guide planned jumps. Cruise, at one point, makes a three-story leap from a deck level into a car on a moving paddle, slowed at the end of his fall by a decelerator. “It was very challenging work, coordinating their moves and finding safe places to set the cameras,” says 2^nd unit director Dan Bradley, who shot the sequence.

There are a lot of other amazing and unbelievable stunts in the movie that you should watch out for. Below are some of my favorites stunts in the movie.

The Sand Storm Chase

The Climb to Burj Khalifa

The Girl Fight

Guy Ritchie brings more adventure in Sherlock Holmes Sequel

2011-12-14T22:09:00.000-08:00

“Case reopened…” Those two tantalizing words at the close of 2009’s “Sherlock Holmes” promised audiences that more adventures lie ahead. Now Warner Bros.' “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” fulfills that promise, bringing the legendary detective back to the big screen in a new action-packed mystery that reunites the stars and filmmakers behind that worldwide hit.

Director Guy Ritchie says, “I was very keen to return to Sherlock Holmes’ world because the experience of making the first movie was so positive, both personally and creatively. There were a myriad of story possibilities in revisiting this character because he has so many interesting facets. His idiosyncrasies almost transcend description, so I wanted the opportunity to explore that more, while giving audiences something they hadn’t seen.”

Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” had redefined Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic character for a new generation, with Robert Downey Jr. creating his own unique incarnation of the role, alongside Jude Law as Holmes’ friend, partner, and occasional foil, Dr. John Watson.

Producer Joel Silver states, “There was a kind of magic that came out of the dynamic between Robert and Jude as Holmes and Watson, and this film gave us a chance to take that up a notch. In the first movie, we had to give audiences the time to get to know the foibles of the characters. Coming into this movie, we had already laid the foundation, so we could launch right into the action, which is bigger, funnier and more explosive in every sense of the word.”

“First and foremost,” Robert Downey Jr. adds, “we wanted to maintain the visceral tone that was part of Guy’s original vision, while presenting Holmes with an even more difficult case, one that would challenge his considerable skills.”

That challenge arises out of the threat from a redoubtable adversary, one whose name is familiar to anyone with even a passing knowledge of the Sherlock Holmes canon: Professor James Moriarty.

“We needed a mystery that raises the bar for Holmes, so we pitted him against his most famous foe,” notes producer Susan Downey. “At the end of the last film, Sherlock fleetingly learned of Moriarty from Irene Adler. In the time elapsed, he has become increasingly obsessed with what Moriarty is up to and has only begun to realize the breadth of his plan.”

Producer Lionel Wigram comments, “Moriarty is the greatest criminal mastermind in the world. He is a genius—albeit a mad genius—but because he is so brilliant, Holmes may have met his match.”

Ritchie emphasizes, “Because they are intellectual equals to a degree, there is the sense that this is a game that is stimulating to them both. In this way, they actually need each other, and that idea is authentic to the books. Holmes needs Moriarty as much as Moriarty needs Holmes.”

As the vastness of Moriarty’s conspiracy unfolds, it broadens the scope of the action beyond the confines of London, to France, Germany and on to Switzerland. Ritchie affirms, “Our narrative enabled us to spread our wings across Europe to expand the topography and tapestry of the story.”

Wigram says, “It also allowed us to add a different flavor to the mix that dovetails nicely into what was happening at the end of the 19th century, politically, economically and especially in terms of industry. It was the beginning of the modern age, where we see the seeds of the military-industrial complex, with bigger and more powerful weapons and more efficient warfare.”

With a changing world on the brink, there is danger afoot. For someone who knows how to stir the pot, however, there is also tremendous opportunity to grasp untold wealth and power. Only Sherlock Holmes has deduced that Professor James Moriarty is the one stoking the fire…and it is only a matter of time before everything boils over.

Opening across the Philippines in January 2012, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Train Live in Manila 2011!

2011-12-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

Train rocked Araneta Coliseum last night, Dec 8, 2011 when they performed and entertained thousands of their fans with their rock music and remarkable voice. Train is composed of Patrick Monahan (vocals), Jimmy Stafford (guitar, vocals) and Scott Underwood (drums, percussion).

Six Cycle Mind, front act

Angel and I were given a chance to watch Train perform live in Araneta (special thanks to Earth & Alex). We enjoyed Train’s performance from start to finish! Eventhough I am not familiar with most of the songs, I found myself swaying and dancing to all of their songs.

Train has made its mark on music history with their Grammy Award winning song “Drops of Jupiter (Tell me)” and chart-topping singles “Hey, Soul Sister”, “Marry Me”, “Meet Virginia” and “Calling all Angels”. Now, with their fifth album, Save Me, Save San Francisco, Train has channelled their early days, revisiting the roots of rock sound that has made the band such a tour de force.

Save Me, Save San Francisco pays homage to the Bay Area metropolis, San Francisco. It is an autobiographical account of Train’s beginnings and embodies the soul of Train as a band. The album taps into Train’s organic sound, recalling the blues and folk-infused rock that put the band on the map from the start.

The crowd was so hyper all night and Pat's interaction with the crowd made it more fun!

Pat, went down to the crowd and held their cameras.

Handpicked Trainettes to sing and dance.

He let's the crowd see their facing while singing.

He was this close!

The crowd rocked and cheered with Train’s fantastic voice and music and also enjoyed the giveaways by the band. Train will be coming back next year and will also release a new album, probably by the second quarter, so that’s something to watch out for.

Google Doodle: Diego Rivera

2011-12-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

Google Doodle today is a homage to Diego Rivera, a Mexican painter with the longest name one could have. Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez was born November 8, 1886. Besides from being a painter, he was also an active communist. His murals helped established the Mexican Mural Movement in Mexican art. - wikipedia.org

Lion King 3D a New Dimension

2011-12-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

“The Lion King” is one of Walt Disney Animation Studios' first hand-drawn 2D animated classic to be revamped with the latest 3D technology. Filmmakers decided to bring the classic back to the big screen and into fans’ homes in a whole new way, immersing audiences into the world of the Pride Lands.

“The 3D aspect of a film can help to better tell a story,” says 3D stereographer Robert Neuman. “We used it in the way a composer uses music to score a film, having it echo the emotional content of the story. Getting the chance to add 3D to ‘The Lion King’ and to work with the original filmmakers to ensure the use of depth reflected their vision and enhanced their story was an incredible opportunity.”

Producer Don Hahn, along with the original directors, Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers, viewed every single image of the film during the 3D conversion process, providing direction on depth queues as well as final approval on the shots during dailies. Additionally, a handful of artists who worked on the 3D conversion process also worked on the original release of “The Lion King.”

The conversion required a team of more than 60 3D artists from multiple disciplines, including lighting, layout, effects and software engineering. Together, they defined a new dimension for “The Lion King,” returning to the original CAPS files (the compositing software program) and painstakingly working to establish the perception of depth necessary to establish the third dimensionality to the imagery. Overseeing each step, Neuman created the 3D Script for the film, which involved mapping out the depth levels of each layer given to establish the 3D effects. With some scenes holding more than 100 composited layers of elements and artwork, there was a rich source of material to work from, which allowed the artists to bring out even greater 3D detail and volume to the film.

One of the more challenging characters to convert to 3D was Zazu—Mufasa’s chief of protocol—with his wings and beak requiring several layers of 3D depth. The most difficult sequence to convert within the film was Scar’s villainous song “Be Prepared,” because it contained several effects shots and a multitude of characters, including hoards of his hyena henchmen.

From start to finish, the entire conversion project took four months—a remarkably quick turnaround, given the complexity of imagery and the wide variety of animal characters within the film. “What was exciting for me was the prospect of using our technology to create a fusion of the beauty and charm of traditional animation with the immersive quality of 3D cinema and see an entirely new art form emerge,” says Neuman. “In this way, no matter how many times they had enjoyed ‘The Lion King’ in the past, we could give audiences the thrill of seeing it once again…for the first time!”

“With this new 3D release, audiences will experience ‘The Lion King’ as they have never before,” says Sara Duran Singer, senior vice president of post production for The Walt Disney Studios. “They will be immersed in the savanna and surrounded by the exciting images and incredible new 7.1/3D Disney mix by Academy Award® nominee Terry Porter (“Beauty and the Beast”). It’s not to be missed!”

Opening across the Philippines in Dec. 14, “The Lion King 3D” is distributed locally by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Zac Efron celebrates New Year's Eve!

2011-12-05T22:10:00.000-08:00

Zac Efron joins the ensemble cast of Gary Marshall's holiday-themed comedy “New Year's Eve” as Paul, a confident young bike messenger who shares an adventure on the last day of the year with Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer), a shy and overlooked secretary.

The young actor shares his thoughts on the film and the beloved holiday as he answers these three questions:

Q. Your character, Paul, is extremely fun loving. He meets the opposite of him in Ingrid. Paul really helps her come out of her shell, doesn't he?

Zac Efron: Yeah. Paul is just this energetic, kind of cool, fun-loving character. I dunno, he’s like me on a good day (laughs). He just wakes up and he’s very excited about New Year’s. You can tell he just wants to party, he’s all about having fun. He meets his counterpart on New Year’s Eve, Ingrid is this very closed lady. You can tell she has probably never really celebrated New Year’s, ever. She’s just so quiet and meek. I dunno, I guess they just latch onto each other. Their fates are intertwined. Ingrid tells Paul that he can have 4 tickets to this midnight New Year’s Eve ball, if he helps take her around New York and helps her complete her list of resolutions – which she hasn’t completed in God knows how many years. And she came to the right place, because Paul’s the man (laughs), he can take care of anything. So he takes on this challenge and pretty soon they’re jetting off to all 5 boroughs on a Vespa, taking care of these resolutions. And some of them are pretty impossible, so Paul has to use his imagination, he can’t just take everything too literal – he’s gotta improvise!

Q. I heard you and director Garry Marshall had a code word during the shoot?

Efron: (Laughs) The first thing Gary asked me wasn’t about character or motivation, it was, “What’s our code word?” I’m like, “Code word!?” He’s like, “Yeah, you’ve gotta give me a code word, so if you need anything you just say the code word. Then I can talk to you in private.” I’m like, “That’s brilliant, a code word?” He goes, “Where are you from?” I reply, “San Luis Obispo,” and he goes, “That’s the code word, anytime you need to talk to me, just say San Luis Obispo.” I was like, “I love this guy,” (laughs) he’s just awesome, really cool.

Q. Do you have your own New Year’s resolution, or personal goal?

Efron: My resolution is to just stop talking about going and doing things, all the adventures I want to have in life, and just really go and do them. I’m 24, I’m not getting any younger. I want to go climb all these mountains, I wanna hike the Appalachian Trail, I still haven’t gone sky-diving – I promised myself that I’d go sky-diving when I was 18, and I still haven’t done that. I wanna check out China, India, there’s all these things I wanna go do. So I’d say that’s my resolution, just to go and get lost, do some Indiana Jones stuff (laughs).

“New Year’s Eve” celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, in intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year.

The film also stars Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Ryan Seacrest, Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara.