Jori's Entertainment Journal

New McDonald's TVC features AlDub and Kalye's Angels.

2015-10-26T18:20:00.000+08:00

The new TVC for Mc Donald's is now released but this time we got some few extra surprises. Here are some of the highlights of the TVC.

If you want to watch the full TVC, go to this link. Looking forward for more TVCs featuring the Kalye's Angels.

Maine Mendoza Dazzles in Meg Magazine

2015-10-26T07:44:00.001+08:00

This post doesn't really need an elaborate intro. So yes we will just go straight to the photos that features the dubsmash queen, Maine Mendoza on Meg Magazine's November issue. Just thank me later.

The photos are shared by BJ Pascual who is the photograher of the said shoot with stylings by Rainier Degala, makeup by Juan Sarte and Hair by Celeste Tuviera.

Catch more photos of Maine in Meg Magazine, soon to be available on your leading magazine stands.

Marian RIvera Goes Sexy for Ginebra's 2014 Calendar

2014-01-08T22:07:00.001+08:00

I may not be Marian's biggest fan, all I can say is this photos for Ginebra's 2014 Calendar is just damn good. Judge it for yourself.

She is indeed stepping it up. To hell with the haters. I may not like her but I'm giving her a thumbs up for these set. Good job ;)

Video: Because Ellen Adarna Wants you to Exercise

2013-11-07T22:27:00.001+08:00

A video is currently conquering the world of social media as the sexy model actress Ellen Adarna persuades everyone to get physical and be fit. Though the message is highly universal, it is definitely targeting all gentlemen. Why? See it for yourself.

I think the video is very effective... though possibly on a different way hehehe. More videos like this please ;)

Celebrity Chef Marvin Agustin Renews Contract with Knorr

2012-11-22T12:01:00.000+08:00

To everyone who don't know, Marvin Agustin is not just the same guy we know from all those teenybopper movies back in the late 90's. He is not just a grown man now but also a well established Chef and Entrepreneur. With his numerous restaurants opening, his reputation in the food industry had grown a lot and that is why Knorr think he is just the rightful men to endorse their products.

Last week in Patio Carlito, Whitehouse on 84th, online and traditional media are invited to witness Marvin renew his contract as Knorr's brand ambassador. Together with Knorr's Senior Brand Manager Miss Seanta Reyes, Marvin signed his new contracts in front of us showing his full confidence of the brand.

Chef Marvin an Ms. Seanta Reyes, Senior Brand Manager for Knorr, during the contract renewal

“It’s nice to promote something that you’ve been already using for a long time, inspired by the teachings of my mom, cooked and served well from the heart,” explains Chef Marvin. “Good food brings good friends and family together, so having Knorr by your side, is already an assurance that you have an ally in the kitchen, which I consider the heart of every home.”

Marvin is also happy to tell stories about her experience with Knorr prior to this endorsement telling that he has been using the products ever since the first time he learned how to cook from her loving mother Maria Teresa.

“The kitchen has bonded me and my mom in unexpected ways, and I am thankful that Knorr has given me this chance to share a part of myself to every mother in the country,” says the accomplished restaurateur-chef-actor. “Together with Knorr, we will provide modern-day Filipino families with dishes that respond to their needs, while making their cooking experience fulfilling, pleasurable and enriching.”

Of course the media is given the chance to try Chef Marvin's cooking, with the use of Knorr products. This is my first time to try his servings and they only don't look good but definitely taste good too. Definitely the right man for Knorr.

On the Scene: Goldilock Cake City Tour with Juday and Ryan

2012-11-18T23:37:00.000+08:00

2 weeks ago I attended the official opening to the public of Goldilocks Cake City. Together with some press we are toured around the facility including the events hall and the cake factory itself. Of course the tour won't be extra special if not for the special tour guides and Goldilocks brand ambassadors: Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.

For more details and photos about the tour you can visit my official entry on my food blog here. Nonetheless the experience is great. I enjoyed the factory tour and the cakes and food are mouthwatering. Maybe you should consider having your events in Cake City, I'm sure you'll love it.

Celebrate your precious occasions with Goldilocks and revisit the generations this brand built. Have a Goldi-good day to everyone ;)

Angel Locsin Hotness in the City: Rogue Magazine Feature

2012-10-28T00:31:00.000+08:00

So I just found this hot photo of Angel Locsin on her Facebook Fan page where she is posing provocatively in the streets of Japan. See the photo after the jump.

I love how the photo is taken. It is tastefully done. Probably one of my favorite Angel Locsin photos and she did look good on this one. The photo is from a set in Rogue Magazine October 2012 issue. Here is the cover.

Personally, the photo above is an enough reason for me to grab the magazine. I believe you should do the same.

Megan Young Up Close

2012-10-27T07:26:00.001+08:00

Just saw this on tumblr and it really makes me wonder why I didn't notice Megan Young before. She is really smokin' hot on this photos. She kinda looks like Pops Fernandez though.

Now, Megan is definitely on my watch list.

More Georgina Wilson Ginebra San Miguel Bikini Calendar Photos

2012-10-26T14:31:00.001+08:00

Like what I promised before. Here are more Ginebra San Miguel calendar images featuring Georgina Wilson of course on some lovely bikinis. Some of the photos looks weird or badly cropped but then again this is Georgina so I don't really care.

Oh please someone give me a opy of this Calendars! Calling sponsors! :P

See the 2 other photos here.

Georgina Wilson on Bikini for Ginebra San Miguel

2012-10-19T23:54:00.001+08:00

Just got this from a friend. Some fresh Georgina Wilson photos for Ginebra San Miguel. See the photos after the jump.

There is something weird with the thought of Georgina actually posing for a product like Ginebra but who would really complain. As long as the photos are these gorgeous, I won’t really mind. Will still look if there are more. Don't worry I'll share it ;)

It is Official: Jessica Sanchez Joins Glee as Recurring Cast

2012-10-17T01:53:00.000+08:00

Just like I always expected, it is official! TVLine announced that Jessica Sanchez will be joining Glee this season for a recurring role for at least 2 or more episodes!

It’s a done deal: Jessica Sanchez, whose monster pipes and near-perfect pitch carried her all the way to a second-place finish on Season 11 of American Idol, has closed a deal to recur on Glee, TVLine has learned exclusively.

Though to be honest, I'm not a big fan of Jessica but I believe that she is indeed talented. And when the American Idol concluded, I really predicted that Glee may offer her a role just because of the obvious reason -- she is young and charismatic. And I believe, Ryan Murphy knows how big her fanbase here in the Philippines and getting Jessica is definitely a good move like what he did before with Charice.

Now the question is what particular role will be given to her. Also according to TVLine, there are rumors that Finn will be getting a rebound girl after his big breakup with Rachel. Would it be Jessica? Why not right? And another question is if she will be playing a Filipino role or will they just make her the generic asian girl. Will her character be tied with Sunshine's role (Charice)? For now there are no details about Jessica's character on the hit drama. We will surely update you as soon as we get some news.

Marilou Diaz Abaya Died at 57

2012-10-08T21:41:00.004+08:00

I'm still a bit shock with the news I saw just minutes ago as a great legendary director pass away after fighting cancer for years. Here is the news courtesy by GMA NEWS:

Multi-awarded film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya passed away Monday evening after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 57.

This was confirmed by Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who performed final rites on Abaya at St. Luke’s Medical Center in The Fort Global City on Sunday afternoon.

A report on GMA News' "24 Oras" said Abaya died around 6:40 p.m.

This is indeed another big loss for our local cinematic industry. The genius behind the masterpieces such as Brutal (1980), Moral (1982), Jose Rizal (1998), Muro Ami (1999) and Bagong Buwan (2001) will always live in the hearts of everyone who loves her and her works.

3 years ago it is a big treat to have the chance to talk with this magnificent woman. And when I say talk, it is honest to goodness chat about cinema and film making. It is one of the most inspiring moment of my life. Though I never really got the chance to actually fulfill my dreams as a filmmaker, her memories will remain as a driving force when I finally embark on that road not taken... very very soon.

Direk marilou with Direk Sari

Rest in peace Direk. You will never be forgotten.

Apocalypto Star Rudy Youngblood Visits Manila Tomorrow

2012-07-09T21:35:00.000+08:00

Just got a call minutes ago confirming the news that Hollywood star Rudy Youngblood (Apocalypto) is arriving in Manila tomorrow morning. Youngblood is still known from quite few known movies but his performance in Mel Gibson's Apocalypto marks his first big break in Hollywood.

Rudy Youngblood as Jaguar Paw, a Maya Tribesmen who's on the quest of rescuing his own family
and his people during the fall of Maya Civilization. Rudy becomes an instant favorite for the crew for
his natural athletism enabling him to perform his own stunts.

Youngblood in MMA inspired film "Beatdown". When they say guys who can throw punches gets the girl...
believe it.

According to my source, Rudy will visit Manila to scout some possible locations for an upcoming movie. For now the details about the film is still kept under wraps. Maybe I can get more details in the coming days or weeks.

About Rudy:

Rudy Youngblood is a Native American of Comanche and Cree decent. Growing up, he never really called one place home, but went to school and graduated in the small town of Belton, Texas. As such, he is proud of his roots and small town up bringing. Prior to making his on-screen debut in Mel Gibson's Oscar nominated film, "Apocolyto"(2006), Youngblood worked as a laborer in a variety of fields. For instance, he toured for three seasons with Peter Buffet's Native American Dance/Theatrical Production, "Spirit-The Seventh Fire", as a warrior protector. After touring, it was his plan to join the marine core. However, in 2005, Youngblood decided to move to Los Angeles to create his own theatrical production. It was at this point he was cast for the lead role of 'Jaguar Paw' in Apocolypto. Youngblood spent weeks preparing for the filming of the movie, for which he had less than a month to learn the entire Yucatan Mayan language. In addition, due to his natural athleticism, he performed all his own stunts, including a death-defying 175 ft free fall during the waterfall scene. According to stunt coordinator Mic Rodgers, "Rudy is the purest athlete I've ever met. He has his head together and is totally on top of his game. If he wasn't an actor, he could very well be a stuntman." Youngblood also stared in other films, including the lead role as 'Brandon' in the 2010, MMA film, "Beatdown", a natural role for Youngblood considering he was no stranger to the world of mixed martial arts.

In his free time and when given the opportunity, Youngblood loves being able to speak and motivate youth across the country. To Youngblood, youth are the future, so he feels obligated and privileged to share his knowledge in hopes to motivate them and encourage growth. His recent travels to Canada however, have been more of a business venture. Youngblood, along with partners, are preparing to launch a Master Card that will be offered on all first nation reserves in both Canada and the United States. The cards purpose will be to help give back and bring development to all first nations’ people, as well as to those in the surrounding cities and communities. Included will be a theatrical show, which is in its creation process and will tour all major cities across the country for the cards promotion, Canada being the first launch. Along with the launch of the credit card, Rudy and his team will be launching the first ever casino app. A press release with further information on the app will be held in the near future. When it comes to cinema, Youngblood is currently working on several up coming pictures, side by side with the best in the business.

Youngbloods efforts and vast life experiences can be culminated into the following personal quote: "What you stand for is very important. Who you are is even more significant. If you don't know where you come from or who you truly are, then you're an empty vessel with no purpose. It has to come from the heart. You have to grow as a person, man or woman, and from within, to truly understand where it comes from. It's like reading a poem. You may read the words without a real understanding of its true meaning. You have to let yourself go, and be open minded to understand and find your own meaning. It's in this journey; you’ll find the right path to live your life, a life full of happiness. This is the way I live my life and this is my journey". Youngblood looks to himself for the inspiration and motivation to be a better person. He wants to do what he can for others so they to can make the right choices and learn from the wrong ones. Youngblood has spent much of his journey alone so has truly come to appreciate the company of others, an appreciation he attempts to pass to all he meets. He has learned from hardship and those lessons are valuable to whoever takes the time to listen.

The Raven Feature: Spotlight on John Cusack

2012-05-23T04:51:00.000+08:00

Acclaimed actor John Cusack portrays Edgar Allan Poe, one of literature's most fascinating authors, in Intrepid Pictures' new stylish, gothic thriller “The Raven.” The film will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma) starting May 23.
When a madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Poe’s darkest works, a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans) joins forces with Poe in a quest to get inside the killer’s mind in order to stop him from making every one of Poe’s brutal stories a blood chilling reality. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, which escalates when Poe’s love (Alice Eve) becomes the next target.

Cusack talks about “The Raven” in the following interview:

Q: What made you want to be part of this film and play Edgar Allan Poe?

John Cusack: I really liked James McTeigue. He’s a great director and had a really good vision. People have wanted to do a story about Poe for a long time, but biopics are tough. You can only do so many things with time and have to flash forward or backward. His creative life was so vast, that we thought we could put Poe as a character in his own stories.

The conceit of the story was smart and it allowed us to explore more of his works in a piece of fiction. This is Poe’s version of going mad and other themes he had, but it is also true to the source because he was a great master writer, a master of the English language, and a master poet. He also invented the detective genre, he was the godfather of goth, he wrote satire, and he also did burlesque. The movie got to show all of his sides.

Q: What kind of research did you do to prepare for the role? Was it difficult for you to find personal information?

Cusack: There were no telephones back then, so everyone communicated with letters. The great thing about researching him was that there are so many of his letters, which were incredibly revealing. That’s where you can see that there were very human parts of him and also a side that was at war with the world. He had all of these feelings of despair and loneliness, and a lot of passion.

I read many of the biographies and really liked Peter Ackroyd’s short biography Poe: A Life Cut Short. I immersed myself in Poe’s books, reading all of his stories to really get into him. What I respond to most in his works is when he is writing about that twilight space between waking and dreaming, and life and death. He’s always exploring that twilight space, where he’s attracted to these almost godlike female figures in his life. There is this eternal love mixed with death being in the room.

Q: Was there anything you found particularly interesting or surprising while doing your research?

Cusack: I wasn’t aware that he was conscious of his fame, but he was actually very famous when he was alive. I also didn’t know that he went to West Point and held a swimming record. I didn’t know to the extent that he was at war and competitive with other writers. I knew about his melancholy and sorrow, but I didn’t know about his brittleness and spitefulness. He really did feel like the world was his stage and he must conquer it. He said once that he wouldn’t put up with anyone he could put down. It has been said that he didn’t say one good word about another English writer, living or dead.

He really liked women and liked being adored by women. I think he felt competitive and threatened by men, because he didn’t really have many male friends. Many of the women in his life had died. His mother died in his arms of tuberculosis and he sort of found a step mother in a woman that was a friend of his. She died of tuberculosis too and he married his cousin who also died of tuberculosis. So it was really like he was taking his sorrow and turning it into all of these stories and creativity. When you play someone who is like an icon like this, it can get two dimensional after a while. You think of him as the sad Halloween guy, but when you research the life, you see that he’s writing satire and burlesque and science fiction. He had such a wild and crazy imagination. He was out there.

Q: Do you think The Raven will inspire people to give Edgar Allan Poe’s stories a try after watching the movie?

Cusack: I hope so. If it makes people want to read his stories again, that would be pretty cool. If they read his stories, they will be able to see what we were trying to do.

Q: Seeing as you were friends with Hunter S. Thompson, I was wondering if you thought about Hunter when playing this role? It seemed like you kind of channeled his manic energy in this.

Cusack: I knew Hunter really well and I can see Hunter in Poe. If you read the The Imp of the Perverse, you can see how much it influenced Hunter right there. There is the confessional aspect, with the embracing of the abyss and being drawn almost magnetically to it. There is also the courage to confront your demons in some ways.

Q: What was your fascination with Poe and why do you relate to him?

Cusack: It’s an interesting headspace and he’s an interesting character. We’re all sort of attracted to the abyss. Around Halloween, doesn’t everyone get into the supernatural, ghouls, and the underworld? It’s not something I want to stay in, but it’s a fun place to visit once in a while.

There are not many writers who try to think about what their worst nightmare is. Most people want to wake up and get away from it, but some want to go deeper. He just had this interesting mind and wanted to embrace the nightmare. His romance with the abyss makes him courageous, tragic, and sympathetic. We all have a bit of that in us and I thought it was fun to do for a limited time.

Before Angel and Marian: Vilma Santos as Darna

2012-04-29T11:31:00.000+08:00

Oh yes, to everyone who are still debating about who's the better Darna, Angel or Marian. Remember that there are others who came before them. And the most memorable among them is...

Governor Vilma Santos. So for a tribute, here's an artwork of the Governor as the superheroine created by Mars Ravelo which she portrayed on several movies in the 70's like Darna and the Giants (1973), Lipad Darna Lipad (1973), Darna vs. the Planet Woman (1975) and Darna at Ding (1980). It is so nice to see her back on that iconic costume even if it is just an artwork. Thanks to Joey Mariano for this wonderful artwork and for making us more proud about our local pop culture.

Prometheus Feature: Meet Elizabeth Shaw

2012-04-18T15:26:00.000+08:00

There has been a lot of speculation that “Prometheus” is a prequel to Scott’s highly acclaimed earlier film, Alien. The director wants to keep the story under wraps so that audiences view the film without preconceived ideas.

But he has admitted that there are links. In “Prometheus,” the mission is funded by Peter Wayland (Guy Pearce), the ageing head of a huge corporation. The action takes place 30 years before the story told in Alien.

Leading the Prometheus expedition is the character of Elizabeth Shaw, played by Noomi Rapace. From director Ridley Scott, who delivered the likes of “Thelma and Louise” and “Alien,” we can immediately expect a strong character to inhabit Shaw's spacesuit. And at the hands of Rapace, best known for her work in the tremendously-popular Swedish Millenium series, she comes alive as a new action heroine for the 21st Century.

Many characters evolve before actors are cast to play them, but not so Shaw, who was developed and refined in close collaboration with Rapace. Says Ridley Scott: “I find most of my inspiration from low-budget movies now. If we aren't watching movies, we close ourselves down. And there's a great output, suddenly, of Scandinavian films. More than a year ago I saw “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” because I'd heard it was successful. I was absolutely taken by it. Noomi was this very special little punk actress who I thought was definitely the real thing. Then I heard that she was in town in Hollywood, and I just called up her agent and said I’d like to meet her. She walked in and was a very elegant woman. I suddenly realised that I was dealing with a real actress, who can literally change her spots.”

Scott says that the approach to Shaw was intentionally very different from the approach to Sigourney Weaver's character, Ripley, in ALIEN. “We were determined to come in from a different direction because Sigourney was a kind of non-specific junior officer in ALIEN,” he explains. “What was she doing onboard? You think she’s going to die in the first act. Whereas Shaw, in this one, is a scientist that comes from the direction of, not just pure science, but actually of faith. Therefore she believes the foothold of everything is bound in the idea that we were created by something. Otherwise we’re such an accident of biology. We’re mathematically impossible, unless there was something pushing it around.”

Rapace says Shaw is more feminine than Ripley. “She's a scientist, an archeologist. I think that Ripley was way harder from the start, because she was alone. Shaw starts this journey to get with Holloway, and she loves him. They’re a team and they’re doing this together.”

Logan Marshall-Green plays Holloway. “They are a team,” he agrees. “If she’s the brains, he’s the legs. I wouldn’t go so far to say muscle but he’s the legs. He’s the one who leaps before he looks and sometimes it hurts them as a team but a lot of the times it’s helped them. He takes a lot of chances and so far so good. This mission is one of the chances.”

It's an attraction of opposites, he says. “As much as we're a team, we actually differ in our philosophies as to exactly what we want or we believe. She's the believer. I'm the scientist. I'm the skeptic. For lack of a better phrase, we complete each other. I think its what’s drawn the characters together romantically as well. It’s just this kind of respect - full respect - but my skepticism matched with her beliefs, her faith.”

Executive Producer Michael Ellenberg summarises: “These two are brilliant expert archeologists and anthropologists and they identify a series of connections on Earth that seem to suggest there may be not just life on other planets, but that life on Earth might have had something to do with this other life, and that maybe they're our creators.”

Rapace reveals that Shaw goes on a journey as the film progresses. “In the middle of the movie, something happens and she becomes harder and she becomes more like a warrior,” she shares. “She has to cut off some emotional ties to be able to survive. I think she goes from being quite innocent and full of hope and belief and going into something that is a bit darker. I think that all Ridley’s women are quite tough or they can stand up for themselves and they’re quite good at fighting back.”

Costume designer Janty Yates confirms that Rapace had a big hand in her character's costume decisions. “She always wants to be in a flight suit,” Yates laughs. “On the first day of shooting, we put her through so many different looks and so many very, very spacey looks, very, very modern looks, very French looks, very Japanese looks, all sorts, to try and get her to look timeless. And then she just said, 'Ridley, can I wear this?' He went, 'Yes, alright!'”

For Rapace, building Shaw meant building a backstory. “She lost her father when she was quite young,” she shares. “He was a missionary and a Christian. I think if something dramatic like that happens in an early age, it’s like you have two options. I think you can lose faith and you can go quite dark and you can start to think that everything is a punishment in a way. The other way, because she was a loved kid and he gave her the gift of belief and faith, is that she can just hold onto that and there’s a purpose with everything.”

Marshall-Green says he's had fun working with Rapace. “I rate my experience with working with actors on their work ethic,” he says. “Nobody has a better work ethic than Noomi. We got kind of thrown in to it together. We had to really show a history of being romantically and professionally linked. And I think she and I both had our eyes on the exact same prize, and hopefully it shows.”

The relationship between the two characters is, he reveals, absolutely integral to the film's themes. But rather than create it explicitly, he and Rapace have tried to imply it by infusing it with idiosyncratic detail. “Did she just feed him a frozen space raspberry?” he laughs. “Yes, she did!”

But bringing out the character's physicality also took a lot of training of Rapace's part. “When I did “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” I did a lot of martial arts,” she remembers. “I was doing kickboxing and tae bo because I wanted to be aggressive. This has been different because now I’ve been doing more running to be able to go on for a long time instead of having quick energy. I was thinking I want to be like an animal. I’ve been trying to train my body to make my body work for long so I can do long sessions.”

Embark on man’s bravest mission to a beginning that leads to an end in “PROMETHEUS 3D” when it opens June 6 in cinemas nationwide!

official release from 20th Century Fox

Alodia Offers you a Drink as Arisia

2012-03-28T23:01:00.000+08:00

It is one of those moments again when Jay Tablante (concept Photographer) produces another stunning artwork. So here's the queen of Philippine cosplay, Alodia Gosiengfiao as the Green Lantern from sector 2815, Arisia.

CREDITS
Make-up: Ara Fernando
Styling: Hannah Kim / Alodia Gosiengfiao
Art Direction: Joe Dy / Tonypet Sarmiento
CG Imaging: Genald Tungol
Digital Imaging: Ghani Madueno
Model: Alodia Gosiengfiao

This is definitely another win for Jay Tablante. His reputation as a concept photographer specializing in geeky themes makes him as one of the most favorite in the industry. I hope he never gets tired doing this job. I heard there's another one coming wit Alodia again. I'm absolutely waiting for that.

Cast Reveal: Carla Guevara-Laforteza for Atlantis Productions' NINE

2012-02-04T18:05:00.000+08:00

And here's a new update for Atlantis production's NINE. Another fine lady is joining the line-up in the persona of the stage actress extraordinaire, Carla Guevera-Laforteza.

Its been a while for Carla since the last time she played a role on an Atlantis production show. Now she is back on the company's fence now playing the role of Carla Albanese, mistress to Guido Contini who will be played by Jett Pangan.

But before Nine premieres on September 2012, Carla will be unleashing her pester power on 9 Works Theatrical's "You're a Goodman Charlie brown" playing the 8 year old cynical and crabby girl Lucy van Pelt. This lady is unstoppable. That is why I love her. Can't wait to see her intense performance once again on stage. Just a few days left Jori, just a few days left :)

Good News of the Day: Samantha Barks as Eponine in Les Miserables Movie

2012-02-01T10:42:00.001+08:00

And that means Taylor Swift is ultimately out of the role. Yes! According to Broadway World, Cameron Mackintosh himself announces the big news at the Manchester Palace after a night of performance of Oliver! where Samantha Barks is currently playing the role of Nancy.

Even Samantha is so surprised with Cameron's announcement but she is definitely more than happy about the news of reprising her role that she played during the Musical's 25th Anniversary Concert. In fact she is too happy that she tweeted this after the show:

Samantha is now joining the ensemble that includes Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean), Anne Hathaway (Fantine), Amanda Seyfried (Cosette), Aaron Tveit (Enjolras), Helena Bonham Carter (Madame Thenardier) and Russell Crowe (Inspecter Javert) to name a few. This is absolutely the best news I will ever hear today. Though it is not a guarantee that Swift is out of the movie and may still appear as another character, I'm just relieved that she is out of the role previously immortalized by the great Frances Ruffelle, Lea Salonga and Sutton Foster.

Sam Barks together with Nick Jonas as Marius in Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert

Les Miserables is set to start filming on March and initially announced to be released on December 2012 (or later outside US and UK) from Universal Pictures to be distributed by United International Pictures Philippines through Solar Entertainment.

Here is a clip of Barks performing on my own from the 25th Anniversary concert:

Now I can imagine that being transformed to a film with a stunning cinematography. Oh I can't wait to see it.

Cast Reveal: Eula Valdez as Claudia Nardi in NINE

2012-01-30T15:09:00.000+08:00

Oh Atlantis Productions you're such a tease. Another cast reveal for everyone. From the Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah fame: Eula valdez as Claudia Nardi.

Aaaarg I'm soooo excited to see this show already. September, where are you!!!

Dane Dehaan Talks About Teen Angst & Super Powered Tantrums in Chronicle

2012-01-28T17:58:00.000+08:00

Three ordinary teenagers suddenly become super powered after a strange close encounter with an unidentified object in “Chronicle.” The film introduces the audience to Andrew (Dane Dehaan), Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), three friends with different personalities each struggling to live their everyday teen life coping with school, peer pressure and social differences.

After being exposed to unknown entity, the friends acquired abilities such as Telekinesis and flight. By their mind alone, they can move or crush anything that goes on their way. At first, everything is just for fun but power hungry teens slowly succumbs to the dark side.

One of these teens could be you or could be amongst those close to us or our acquaintances. Dane DeHaan unleashes a powerful creeping performance as one of the lead stars in “Chronicle” and explains further his character, Andrew.

Q: Can you tell us about your character?

A: Andrew is a poor kid who comes from a rough family background. His mom is really sick and his dad is on disability from being a firefighter so for him, things are really tough. But his circumstances extend to other areas of his life as well. He is, by all means, a loser in school and not just a kid who goes under the radar, but the kind of kid that people really go out of their way to make fun of and bully. In that way he's a victim.

Q: Do you think he struggles with the responsibility of the power?

A: Yes, but it’s not a case of “How responsible am I going to be with this power?” I think he just really enjoys having power, messing around and finally having friends. It does, in the end, overtake him.

Q: Is it more fun to play a character that is conflicted?

A: It's always fun to play a complicated character, definitely. It's not always fun to go to dark places, but it's always fun to play a character who has such an extreme arc, who goes through so much. I don't think I've ever played a character like him.

Q: How was the dynamic with the other actors?

A: It's good. I always try to form some sort of relationship with the people I work with that mimics the relationship I have with them in the movie. I think we did a pretty good job of that. Michael, Alex and I have all become pretty close and friendly; we all have our inside jokes and we can poke fun at each other. We can hang out and have a good time. Doing that in our personal lives away from work has definitely had a positive influence on the movie.

Q: It's a strange mix of a big action movie with the sensibilities of a character piece.

A: Yes, I think the movie does an incredibly good job of taking the concept, somebody getting superpowers, and dealing with that in a very realistic way. If a group of teens in real life actually got superpowers they would mess around with it, see how much fun they could have with it and eventually it would probably all spin out of control because they've been given way too much power. I think the reality of it is what truly drew me in.

Q: What's it been like working with your director, Josh Trank, in his first film?

A: It was my first time working with a first time director. There is definitely an excitement and energy that goes along with that. I think that one of the cool things about the project is that we're all around the same age in real life. All of us are still beginning our careers in many ways. Even though all of the actors have done other movies and TV shows we still have a youthful, “go get 'em,” attitude. Josh matches that. In many ways he's much more of a peer than any other director. He's going through it for the first time, like us. There's definitely an excitement to that.

Q: There’s a really interesting shooting style to the film, with the characters filming all of the scenes – how has that been to work with?

A: It's great. It's another reason why the film is so inventive. It's found a way to do this kind of handheld stuff but used the reality of the circumstances to make it less dizzying and less gritty. It's really interesting how every camera movement in the movie is really motivated and grounded in reality, as much as the plot and the characters and all the other elements.

Opening across the Philippines on February 2, 2012, “Chronicle” is from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Mark Wahlberg Talks about Being a Smuggler in Contraband

2012-01-27T14:08:00.000+08:00

Mark Walhlberg sat down for an interview to talk about his latest movie offering where he plays Chris Farraday, a professional Smuggler. Read the transcript after the jump.

What drew you to this project?

I saw the original movie and really liked it a lot. These are the kind of movies I like to watch, with the kind of characters I like to play. Now our new thing is to try to find cool European films, obtain the rights and remake them.

Can you describe your character, Chris Farraday?

He is just a good, hard-working guy trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately, his brother-in-law is not the sharpest guy around so Chris has to go back and clean up his mess. This forces him back into the world of smuggling.

What do you like about Chris?

I like the fact that he is more of a thinker, even though he gets pretty violent in certain situations. The way he has to think and react in all those different situations really appeals to me.

He is in a world of criminals.

Yes, but he is nicer than the other guys in the movie and you want to root for him. Chris is definitely respected in that criminal world. He knows how to stick up for himself.

He would do anything to protect his family. Do you identify with him in that respect?

Absolutely. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to try to protect my family and provide for them. It doesn’t take a lot for me to get into that head space.

As a producer, how much input did you give the director on set?

You should always try to give the director the freedom and space he needs to do his thing. There are times when I find myself looking at the big picture, but considering that this is Baltasar’s (director) second go with the story, he knew this movie better than anybody else. I wanted to give him as much freedom as possible. It’s a fine line to walk.

What can you say of Baltasar Kormákur as a director?

He is great with actors. I thought that all of his choices were very smart and instinctive. He is really talented. Being an actor himself, he has a unique understanding of what’s going on in front of and behind the camera. He knows how to communicate with everyone and give encouragement. He’s also very easy to get along with. Baltasar really cares about his work. So, if anybody is not trying he is going to say something.

Would you like to work with him again?

All I can say is that if I could make the rest of the movies in my career with him, I would. I’m actually hoping to do another film with him in spring.

How do you see Baltasar’s future in the industry as a filmmaker?

Hopefully Hollywood, and bigger budgets, won’t spoil him. He is used to making small independent movies without all the bells and whistles.

Do you think his background of making small independent movies helped him on this film?

Batlasar managed to shoot this movie in 37-days. He did it with all the action and for the budget he had to work with. After CONTRABAND, I went and shot a comedy that took almost twice as long, with no action.

How would you describe CONTRABAND?

At the end of the day, it’s an action movie. But I also think it has many strong characters that separate it from similar action films.

How was it working with Ben Foster, who plays your best friend Sebastian, in the movie?

I’ve wanted to work with Ben for some time. He was my first choice for that part. The first time we met, we really hit it off. Just like Giovanni Ribisi, who plays Tim Briggs in the movie, he responded to the material. Ben Foster is an extraordinary actor and an intense guy.

What did you think Kate Beckinsale brought to the role of as your wife, Kate Farraday?

I thought she was great. I was thrilled when she came on board.

What do you think appealed to her about CONTRABAND that made her want to be a part of it?

When you get successful in a certain genre, it’s sometimes difficult to say “no” to those same types of movies. Kate wanted to get back to something real and gritty. She showed up and did a great job.

How did she surprise you?

I didn’t really know her. She comes off as this really sophisticated and elegant woman but she doesn’t mind getting in the mud, which she literally did on her first day of the shoot.

Mexican actor Diego Luna (Gonzalo) has a small but quite relevant part in the film.

Diego is awesome. I was a big fan of his and I was so excited that he was going to come and play this part for us. He is such a sweet and really talented guy.

You have some frantic moments with Diego in CONTRABAND. Do you enjoy shooting action?

I enjoy shooting the action and fight scenes. Especially if I’m hitting and not getting hit back, like in the scenes with Giovanni Ribisi. I have always been a huge fan of Giovanni’s work, too. He has a very strong presence in this movie.

The truth is that you have assembled quite an impressive cast for CONTRABAND.

We have a really great cast. It was one of those things that just came together. As a producer, I’m always fighting for the people I want. When you get an idea of someone for a role, it’s hard to veer off from that.

Most of the film was shot in New Orleans.

I love New Orleans. The restaurants are fantastic and they have great crews. People really work hard there. They are enthusiastic about it and care about the movies they are making. It’s a great town. I’m actually shooting another movie there right now.

You also shot some scenes in Panama. What was that experience like?

It was great because we didn’t have any restrictions. We got into a van and that was it. We ran around the city and shot some great stuff. That energy was awesome for the movie.

Contraband is now showing on all cinemas from Universal Pictures, distributed by United International Pictures Philippines under Solar Entertainment.

Cast Reveal: Cherie Gil as Liliane Le Fleur in NINE.

2012-01-24T10:53:00.000+08:00

Since I'm in a hurry, I'm just dropping this here. First cast reveal for Atlantis productions' NINE. And she is none other then...

My reaction: Oh My God!!!

Nuff said.

Coming on September 2012.

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo Joins Lea Salonga for God of Carnage Manila

2011-12-05T10:21:00.001+08:00

I'm still depressed because of the Youtube suspension thing last night that I totally lost all my drive to blog but this morning a news just came that gave me a slight tinge of hope. Remember last time, I announced that our very own International stage superstar Lea Salonga is doing God of Carnage next year in Manila. Though the anticipation for Lea is high. theater fans are also excited who will be joining her on the show. Well Atlantis already announced another cast for the show and guess who she is...

I'm completely speechless. God of Carnage is indeed the show to look forward next year. Now with these two female leads, I'm already having ideas who will be the two male leads. They should be equally as awesome as Lea and Menchu and I only have few on my list.

Lea Salonga Back in Manila Stage with God of Carnage

2011-11-11T00:11:00.001+08:00

After Atlantis Production announced all the musical lineup for 2012 now it is time to reveal the last show bringing back straight plays to the company's lineup of show next year. The announcement just came out of their twitter account just minutes ago and here is the much awaited reveal.

nd yes you read it right. Our very own international actress, Lea Salonga will be joining the cast as she return to local theater scene after the critically acclaimed Cinderella and Cats. To be honest I'm not really familiar with God of carnage but according to wikipedia it sounds like a very decent black comedy. And who wouldn't see this show? The fact that Lea is attached to it is enough reason to see this show.

I also find out that it will be also coming on cinemas this December 16, starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Cristoph Waltz and John Reilly. Am I seeing a pattern here Atlantis. Nah, maybe it is just coincidence haha. Oh well, either way, I'm still excited. Looking forward to see this. Now I really need to get a new job and I will be penniless next year.