Thursday, September 27, 2012

TAKEN 2:LIAM NEESON UP AGAINST ANOTHER FATHER’S HELL-BENT REVENGE

TAKEN 2:LIAM NEESON UP AGAINST ANOTHER FATHER’S HELL-BENT REVENGE

“Taken 2” braces for a down-to-the-wire action sequence between two fathers, one exacting revenge and the other trying to keep his family alive. Liam Neeson reprises his role as Bryan Mills, a CIA operative with an unmatched set of skills who is pitted against Murad (Rade Sherbedgia) who in turn is hell-bent on taking down Mills and the rest of his family for the death of his son in Bryan’s hands.

“TAKEN 2” reunites Neeson with his co-stars Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace, who play Bryan's estranged wife and his precious daughter. “Bryan's a total superhero,” says Janssen, weighing in on what made audiences connect with the first film. “TAKEN really came at a time when people needed that in their lives, because it's about family and protecting your family. He's a very American hero.”


                       
 As heard in “Taken 2’s” trailers, Murad’s line “He slaughtered our men, our brothers, our sons. We will find him. We will have our revenge,” sets the tone for his role as the movie’s lead villain. Acclaimed character actor Rade Sherbedgia takes on the role, which director Olivier Megaton promises is “a far cry from your typical bad guy. Murad is pursuing Bryan for a big and very fair reason, which is that he wants his justice for his son, who died at Bryan’s hand.”

Unlike most movie villains, Murad desires neither power nor money, and he possesses no special training. “Murad is not a criminal by profession,” says Sherbedgia. “He is not a warrior. But he has made it his mission to extract justice from Bryan.”
 

Megaton looked at a number of actors for the role, and selected Sherbedgia after the actor sent some trial footage he shot himself. “While watching Rade’s footage, I was suddenly dropped into the reality of Murad’s situation,” the director enthuses. “And Rade adds so much to the movie, because he's a father, too. Liam is a father protecting his daughter and Rade is a father avenging his son.”
 
Bryan’s encounters with Murad are memorable, and Neeson is particularly fond of his character's final battle with the Balkan baddie. “Bryan, at this stage of his journey, is genuinely sick of killing,” says Neeson. “He has physically become a machine when he gets into the mindset of taking out these bad guys. I think his big worry is that the machine may take over from the human being. For the sake of his daughter, his ex-wife and his own soul, he wants to stop.”
 
Rade Sherbedgia is one of Croatia's best known and most highly praised actors, with a career on screen spanning more than four decades. HIs international breakthrough came in 1988, when he was cast by Menahem Golan to play a captain interrogating a woman who had saved thousands of children from the Holocaust in “Hanna's War.” He starred alongside Ellen Burstyn, Donald Pleasance and David Warner.

 
Forced to flee to Belgrade, Serbia after the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Sherbedgia performed in a number of Western European films before immigrating to the United States. Sherbedgia made an instant mark on Hollywood, starring in films such as “Mission: Impossible II,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Snatch,” “Shooter” and “Batman Begins.”
 
More recently, Sherbedgia played the role of Gregorovich, a renowned foreign wand-maker, in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” He had a key role in Angelina Jolie's debut feature as a director, “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2011.
 

“Taken 2” opens October 4 in more than 100 screens nationwide from 20th Century Fox thru Warner Bros.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

SIRENA MUSIC VIDEO: GLOC-9 feat. Ebe Sancel

I am not gay, but I found this video so touching. I admit, the first time I watch this video, I cried. Especially with what the father in this music video realized towards the end of the video. This video goes to show that we should never judge a person by his preference and decisions in life. We ought to have mutual respect and heart to discern which is right and wrong. Outside appearance should never be a gauge in order to judge a person.

What is important is that you don't hurt anybody physically, emotionally or psychologically. We must always follow the ten commandments and respect other people.


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THE THREE STOOGES: IN THEATERS ON OCTOBER 24



“THE THREE STOOGES” IN THEATERS ON OCTOBER 24

Peter and Bobby Farrelly, makers of knock-out comedies like “There’s Something About Mary,” “Dumb and Dumber” and “Shallow Hal” gas out another outrageous adventure comedy, “The Three Stooges.”

The Farrelly brothers, being introduced to the antics of The Three Stooges since kids following it on television has influenced their slew of blockbusters. Bringing it in to the contemporary setting recreating the classic and iconic Stooge sounds, the Farrelly brothers searched high and low for the right actors to play the Stooges and finally came upon Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes and Will Sasso.

In the movie, the Stooges are introduced as newborns being left on a nun’s doorstep. Bereft of the outside world growing up, the Stooges grew up stumbling their way to uncharted levels of knucklehead adventures. Years later, Moe, Larry and Curly have left the nuns bruised, battered and bewildered. Even worse, it looks like the orphanage will be forced to close its doors due to financial difficulties. But the three, employed as the home’s inept maintenance men, are determined to come to the rescue.

Out to save their childhood home, only The Three Stooges could become embroiled in an oddball murder plot... while also stumbling into starring in a phenomenally successful TV reality show. For the first time in their lives, the three make their way through the big city streets. As they try and save the day, Larry, Curly and Moe engage in plenty of their trademark antics, including a saturating situation involving bundles of wet diapers in a hospital nursery; more hallmark hilarity at a private, black-tie party at a splashy mansion; and Moe's newfound stardom on reality television.

On filming a full length as opposed to television’s shorts, Bobby shares that “Making this movie definitely makes me realize how hard it was to do what they were doing, and they never really got a lot of credit for it either. They did it for about 25 or 30 straight years and every one of those years they were under the assumption that this was their last year of doing it, so they kind of did it for cheap. They never got the A-list recognition that we feel they had coming to them.”

“ A lot of people are really routing for this movie, but there are also people who are Stooge purists who think it’s wrong that we are making it. They think it’s sacrilege that anybody would try to duplicate what these people did. Well first of all, we’re not duplicating what they did. We’ve come up with all new stuff and we’ve taken their characters, but my argument to that is, as Bobby said, that they never got the acknowledgement they deserved. They were always behind Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy and the Marx Brothers - they were considered second rate by the critics and public. But to us they were first rate and they were funnier than all those people, and we want to honor them by doing this movie,” Peter concludes.

Check out 20th Centufy Fox’s YouTube page for The Three Stooges trailer 



“The Three Stooges” opens very soon this October 24 in cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

SELENA GOMEZ: Stars in New film is While I'm Dead... Feed The Dog

 
SELENA GOMEZ: Stars in New film is While I'm Dead... Feed The Dog. She recently finished shooting the comedy, based on the coming-of-age novel While I'm Dead... Feed The Dog. She confessed she's not sure what genre it falls into.
 
It's a little edgy, a little dark. I've been saying it's a dark comedy, it's more of a comedy but there's a little bit of sexual stuff in it.
 
It's actually really hard to explain this movie. I've had interviews for it already and I'm just like, 'I don't know how to explain it'.










Tuesday, September 25, 2012

THE WOLVERINE First-Look Photo

THE WOLVERINE First-Look Photo

20th Century Fox has finally released the hi-definition first look photo of “THE WOLVERINE” starring Hugh Jackman and directed by James Mangold.

The movie is based on the celebrated comic book arc, The Wolverine finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.”

“ THE WOLVERINE” will be shown on JULY 25, 2013 across Philippine cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Seventh HIGH teams up with Mercato Centrale



Seventh HIGH teams up with Mercato Centrale


Seventh HIGH, the Metro’s ultimate event and entertainment venue, together with Bonifacio Global City’s famous weekend food market Mercato Centrale, launched their new partnership on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at Seventh HIGH’s The APEX Lounge to celebrate their venture on gastronomic feasting and partying.

Mercato Centrale has been well-known for being the foodie refuge every weekend in The Fort. It showcases our local delicacies and brings a tourist-friendly version of the country’s street food. After being energized with tasty binges, customers usually go to Seventh HIGH to let loose and party.


This partnership will tighten the circle of food-lovers and club-goers alike as Seventh High offers free entrance and free drinks for every PHP 500 worth of purchases from Mercato. All customers have to do is claim the redemption card at the Mercato Admin Booth and present it to vendors after buying so they can place stickers with respective purchased values. They can hand it over in any of the three Seventh HIGH outlets (APEX Lounge, Club, and Club Room) from Tuesday through Saturday in order to claim their free drinks.

If you love food and clubbing, drop by Mercato Centrale and Seventh HIGH to get the best out of a night out in The Fort. For inquiries and reservations, please contact Seventh HIGH at 0917 585 2164/856 1786 or email theoffice@7thhigh.com

Bato Balani Foundation Inc (BBFI) and Diwa Learning Systems Tribute to Teachers

Big Tribute to Teachers Set

Hundreds of educators from all over the country will converge on September 29 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Quezon City for A Tribute to Teachers.

A Tribute to Teachers, a project of Bato Balani Foundation Inc (BBFI) and Diwa Learning Systems, is the country's biggest and most anticipated gathering of educators. This year, it will carry the theme The 21st Century Filipino: A Filipino at Heart, Spirit, and Soul.

Saturnino Belen, BBFI Chairman and Diwa President says, "The teacher of the 21st century has become more important than ever. This is despite and because of the increasing use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as well as globalization of education in the Philippines. Since the 21st century learner is more exposed to these technological innovations, the teacher's guidance, wisdom, and love balance the high-tech with high-touch."

The event also celebrates the National Teachers Month, which recognizes the teachers' roles in nation building.

A highlight of the event is the announcement of this year's set of honorees for The Many Faces of the Teacher advocacy program, which seeks to inspire educators with remarkable stories of teachers' heroism.

The Many Faces of the Teacher is the yearly search for educators who have inspiring stories that may be shared for others to emulate. These stories include accounts of perseverance, purpose, and faith in shaping generations of youth. "The Tribute to Teachers and The Many Faces of the Teacher are programs which we hope can provide the needed morale boost for educators in this country," says Lorna Belen, BBFI President.

Pop princess Sarah Geronimo and Ballet Philippines' principal dancers Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero will lead the honoring of the teachers. Both Adea and Cordero are attending the event, fresh from their recent victory at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition, one of the world's most prestigious ballet competitions.

For more information, log on to www.diwa.ph

(BTW, our honorees are available for interview on September 28.  We have a very interesting set of honorees this year.  We have a duo who teachers in the mountains of Davao, a teacher from Sultan Kudarat who specializes in slow learners, an alternative learning system teacher from tuguegarao who teaches OSYs, tricycle drivers and housewife and finally a teacher who established a program to help students at risk of dropping out.)
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AIR ASIA: Free Seats Promo

Philippines’ AirAsia  extends its Free Seats promo on international destinations!

Fly to Macau, Hong Kong, KL and via Fly-Thru services from Clark to Australia and Asia at zero base fare.
 

The Free Seats promo on international destinations is available online at www.airasia.com from 20 - 23 September 2012, and guests will be able to travel from 1 April to 30 September 2013. 

Aside from Australia, the promo also offers all in fare, fly thru service via Clark International Airport to Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, and Jakarta in Indonesia from as low as P2,649; Phuket and Bangkok from as low as P2,649; Kuching, Malaysia from as low as P4,499, and Singapore from as low as P2,489.

THE CROODS



DREAMWORKS’ 3D “THE CROODS”

“The Croods” is a prehistoric 3D comedy adventure from DreamWorks Animation to be distributed by 20th Century Fox that takes us back to the beginning of time. In a previously undiscovered era known as the Croodacious – we find the Crood family when Mother Nature was still experimenting and the flora and fauna we know today hasn’t evolved yet is where the story all began.

At the center of this world is the Crood family, led by Grug (voiced by Academy Award® winner Nicolas Cage), an over-protective father who, like all dads, is doing all he can to hold his family together at a time when cataclysmic changes are happening. Together with his wife (Catherine Keener), kids (Emma Stone and Clark Duke) and ornery mother-in-law (Cloris Leachman) in tow, Grug guides his family through this spectacular environment, full of amazing creatures, to find a new cave to call home. Along the way, they encounter Guy (Ryan Reynolds), an imaginative and resourceful newcomer who takes risks and wholeheartedly embraces the promise of tomorrow.

Inspired to tell a story of how a family survives during tough times, directors Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders set the story in a prehistoric frame when they don’t have to worry about bills, but is concerned on how they would adapt to the world changing before their very eyes. “This is the world’s first family road trip,” says De Micco while Sanders shares that “Our cavemen are very gifted, they can run 40 miles an hour, can throw a rock many many miles and very physically capable, but mentally we have a lot of beginner minds.”

Take a look at the world’s first family – The Croods family photo: (from left to right)

 Thunk (Clark Duke): The middle-sibling who stands 6-foot and weighs 9, 320 pounds, and 9 years old who has the best heart and the worst coordination.

Gran (Cloris Leachman): The ferocious, almost crocodile-type woman and is the main antagonist for Grug’s pater families.

Sandy the baby: Who doesn’t speak but more of growls and is one tough kiddie survivor.

Ugga (Catherine Keener): The open-minded wife of Grug who like moms around the globe tries to keep her family alive and fed all the time.

Eep (Emma Stone): The adventurous daughter of Grug and Ugga who likes to try new things.

Grug (Nicolas Cage): He is the animated caveman version of well-meaning but hopelessly outdated dad and leader of the clan.

                           

Guy (Ryan Reynolds, in a separate photo with his sloth-like pet): A prehistoric revolutionary guy who prefers using his brain and comes up with new ideas with whom Eep falls in love.

“The Croods” will open in cinemas March 30, 2013.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

STEVEN SPIELBERG’S “LINCOLN” TRAILER

 
 STEVEN SPIELBERG’S “LINCOLN” TRAILER REVEALED

Dream Works Pictures and 20th Century Fox reveal the long-awaited trailer of "Lincoln." From pioneering blockbuster maker and one of the world’s most influential filmmakers, Academy Award-winner Steven Spielberg directs Academy Award-winning actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones in the sweeping drama “Lincoln.”
Steven Spielberg’s biographical epic “Lincoln” puts Daniel Day-Lewis in the titular role as the most beloved 16th president of the United States. The movie unveils Lincoln’s tumultuous final months in office following his triumph in leading his country during the Civil War and leaving his greatest legacy on ending slavery. 
 
Renowned for his Gettysburg Address “Four scores and seven years ago…that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from earth” Lincoln, coming from a poor family is a self-educated man who became a politician and was able to unite the country with his steadfast moral compass and passion to succeed changed the fate of his country’s next generations.

Spielberg assembled a stellar cast which also includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Dark Knight Rises”), David Strathairn (“The Bourne Ultimatum”), James Spader (“Stargate”) and Lee Pace (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2”).
“Lincoln” will open in local (Phils.) cinemas on February 20, 2013 - from Dream Works Pictures and 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
Check out “Lincoln” trailer at this link http://www.youtube.com/lincolnmovie
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CARLY RAE JEPSEN: Releases Debut Album “KISS”

CARLY RAE JEPSEN: Releases Debut Album “KISS”

This year’s breakout pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen releases her eagerly anticipated U.S. debut album, entitled, KISS. The Canadian singer and songwriter wrote and co-wrote songs on the album, collaborating with songwriters and producers Max Martin, Dallas Austin, LMFAO’s Redfoo, Toby Gad, Marianas Trench singer Josh Ramsay and Matthew Koma. Jepsen’s latest single “Good Time,” a duet with Owl City, has climbed to No. 3 on the Pop Chart, No. 5 on the iTunes Singles chart, and No. 13 on Billboard’s Hot 100, while the video, featuring Jepsen and Young, has racked up more than six million views on VEVO.

"These are lyric and song ideas that I have been collecting over the years,” Jepsen says of Kiss. “I can't tell you how lucky I feel to be able to collaborate with some of my dream producers. It has been the most fulfilling experience. The record is pop. It’s inspired by Robyn, The Cars, Madonna, and believe it or not, James Taylor. I can't wait to share it with everyone! Kiss."

Jepsen has been riding high with the success of her smash single “Call Me Maybe,” which has sold more than 7.3 million singles worldwide and has spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 so far, tying Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” for most weeks atop the chart this year. Certified quintuple-platinum in Jepsen’s native Canada (where it also hit No. 1), the track is an international sensation, climbing to No. 1 in the iTunes Singles charts in over 37 countries including the U.S. U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and more. It also earned her a 2012 MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best New Artist.

Carly Rae Jepsen’s KISS is now available in CDs at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video or online via iTunes or www.MyMusicStore.com.ph. Special thanks to: BusinessWorld and HerWord.com

Press Release
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American Idol Season 11 Live! In Manila 2012


American Idol Season 11 Live! In Manila 2012

Filipino fans of the Top 10 finalists in Season 11 of the reality singing show, “American Idol”, are definitely in for a treat this week as Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Hee Jun Han, Skylar Laine, Colton Dixon and Hollie Cavanagh are coming to Manila for a one-night live performance on September 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

“American Idol Live! Tour 2012” brings together on the same stage on the same night the powerhouse cast of 10 new discoveries in the hit reality singing competition in their first Asian engagement following a 45-date US tour that took them to major cities in North America. The Top 10 finalists are expected to perform some of the numbers they did during the four-month talent search, with Sanchez drawing from her song list that includes, among others, “Change Nothing,” “Stuttering”, “Sweet Dreams” and “I Will Always Love You.” An online post of the tour’s repertoire indicates that Sanchez has seven production numbers and three solo spots.

The AI superstars will also grace Ayala and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls to promote not only the concert but also their American Idol Highlights albums under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines). Catch your favorite American Idol Top 10 finalists at the following malls: 
  •  September 19 at Eastwood City with Jessica, Elise, DeAndre, Heejun & Erika and Glorietta Activity Center with Phillip, Colton, Joshua, Skylar & Hollie
  •  September 20 at Alabang Town Center (with Jessica, Elise, DeAndre, Heejun & Erika) and Venice Piazza McKinley Hill (with Phillip, Colton, Joshua, Skylar & Hollie). With special guests: Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina and Philippines’ foremost boy band 1:43. 
Album selling is from 10am onwards. Program starts at 5:00 pm. Buy your AI albums at the Odyssey selling booth and have it signed after the show!

“American Idol Live! Tour 2012” is produced by Ovation Productions in association with ETC, 2nd Avenue and Jack TV, and with the support of The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, Inquirer.net, Philstar.com, RJ 100.3 FM, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, 97.9 Home Radio and Optima Sign Solutions. Special thanks to: MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) and Odyssey Music & Video.

Albums of the TOP 10 FINALISTS of AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11 are available in CDs at Odyssey Music & Video exclusively under MCA Music.

Press Release
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“TAKEN 2” PANS ISTANBUL IN RAW NORMALCY FOR ITS HIGH-OCTANCE ACTION SCENES


“TAKEN 2” PANS ISTANBUL IN RAW NORMALCY FOR ITS HIGH-OCTANCE ACTION SCENES

Olivier Megaton who helms Liam Neeson’s sequel starrer “Taken 2” panned Istanbul with a fast-moving crew that’s rarely done on this sort of scale of a movie. The director has stripped the crew to its bare essentials and took them into the streets of Istanbul.

Liam Neeson returns as Bryan Mills, the retired CIA agent who stopped at nothing to save his abducted daughter in “Taken.” When he is targeted by a mysterious figure seeking vengeance, Bryan must employ his “particular set of skills” to protect his family against an army out to kill them.

“Taken 2” picks up two years after the events of “Taken.” Bryan’s relationship with his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) has grown stronger, and he hopes to reunite with ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen). “Even before he encounters the new threat to his family, Bryan is on a mission to get closer to Kim and Lenore,” says director Olivier Megaton.

“I never thought I'd be here for a sequel,” Neeson says, casting an eye over the setting sun as the ferry crosses the border between Europe and Asia. Bolstered by its impressive action and wry humor, the first “Taken” film, directed by Pierre Morel and written and produced by Luc Besson, was an instant success with audiences all over the globe. And in Bryan Mills, Liam Neeson created an action hero for the 21st Century, to rival some of the greatest gun-handlers in cinema history, from John McClane to Jason Bourne.

 
“I don't know the statistics for parenthood, but let's say 8 out of 10 people are parents,” says Neeson. “You'll do anything for your kids, especially if they're in trouble. I think people just connected with that, on a real, visceral gut level, and it resonates with men and women. It wasn't just guys of a certain age; it was ladies, too. And yes, I would do the exact same thing for my kids.”

Much of the action in “Taken 2” unfolds in Istanbul, a locale rarely seen on screen. Megaton spent much of his prep time scouting locations and walking around the city for hours at a time. When principal photography commenced, he knew Istanbul's streets and passageways better than some of the local crew. Moving the shoot to Istanbul was crucial to ensuring a distinct personality to the film. It's also a location not especially well represented in modern cinema, an opportunity for the film to try something new.

Neeson says shooting in Istanbul was like nothing he has experienced. “Istanbul is where east meets west – a beautiful city full of wonderful people,” notes the actor, who has filmed on locations around the globe but remains most impressed with Istanbul’s singular sights and sounds.

“Taken 2” on screens nationwide on October 4 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

ANNETTE BENING AND ANTONIO BANDERAS IN “RUBY SPARKS”


ANNETTE BENING AND ANTONIO BANDERAS IN “RUBY SPARKS”

A once bestselling author who is suffering from writer’s block finds inspiration once again writing about his ideal girl whom he named Ruby Sparks. Paul Dano, whose remarkable performances in “Little Miss Sunshine” and “There Will Be Blood” stars in “Ruby Sparks,” a story that his real-life girlfriend Zoe Kazan wrote. The movie is fittingly brought to life by married pair of directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris whose previous feature “Little Miss Sunshine” was nominated for four Academy Awards® including Best Picture.

Paul Dano stars as Calvin who finds true love out his work of fiction. Inspired to write about his ideal girl after a long hiatus, Ruby Sparks suddenly comes to life and in Calvin’s apartment, filling every gap of his once solitary existence. But in Calvin’s case, fear is holding him back both in his professional and romantic pursuits. “He’s definitely missing something in his life. There’s an absence. There’s sort of a hole,” notes Dano.

Ruby is custom designed specifically to fit into that hole, but when she shows up in his life she also opens up a whole new world for Calvin, who has long dwelled in the limbo between youth and adulthood, not ready to take the leap. Dano explains, “I think before Calvin can properly love somebody he has to learn to love himself. His relationship with Ruby could be a really beautiful thing but he has to grow up before he can do it right. Calvin is learning that you can’t control life and he’s got to get comfortable with that.”

Once Calvin is convinced that Ruby is not his own wild hallucination but someone everyone can see and hear, he realizes he is going to have to explain her to the people in his world – from his family and friends to his shrink and agent. Surrounding Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan in these colorful roles are some of Hollywood’s most accomplished and popular actors including Annette Bening as Calvin’s mother Gertrude, Antonio Banderas as Gertrude’s boyfriend, Elliott Gould as Calvin’s psychiatrist, Steve Coogan as his literary rival and Chris Messina as his brother – each of whom were drawn by the story’s mix of comedy, romance and emotions.

Three-time Golden Globe® nominee Banderas and four time Oscar® nominee Bening came aboard to portray Calvin’s New Age mother Gertrude and her bohemian lover Mort – who charm Ruby as much as they irritate and embarrass Calvin with their sexual liberation.

Banderas had a lot of fun with Mort’s cloying charm, and the filmmakers enjoyed watching him dive headlong into the role with no inhibitions. Says producer Yerxa: “Antonio as Mort embodies this kind of overt sexuality and free-form, anti-establishment playfulness. He’s totally effusive and loving and that’s what makes Calvin, who is wound pretty tight, resist him. I can’t wait for the audience to see how Annette and Antonio play off each other.”

Gertrude gave Bening a chance to do something quite different, as producer Albert Berger explains: “The great thing about Annette in this role is we haven’t seen her play this type of woman ever. In many of her roles, she brings both a comic and serious intensity, and extends that in a new direction.”

For Kazan, knowing that Bening would take the role was itself a kind of dream come true. “When I heard she was going to do the movie, I cried, because I knew this was real,” she recalls. “Having her and Antonio together was like a supernova. There was something so connected in them that you feel like these two people could really be a couple.”

“Ruby Sparks” opens this Wednesday, September 19 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Ruby Sparks Opens September 19



Ruby Sparks Opens September 19

SPARKS FLYING FOR ZOE KAZAN
Zoe Kazan’s spark is aglow all over as her debut lead role and screenplay “Ruby Sparks” continuously merit positive and rave reviews since it recently opened in the U.S. More than ripe and timely for reaping movie audience internationally looking for a new kind of high in romantic movies, “Ruby Sparks” will soon open in Philippine cinemas on September 19.

In the enchanting, reflective and very funny “Ruby Sparks,” Paul Dano plays Calvin, a brilliant young writer who dazzled the literary world a decade ago when he was a young student. His first novel was greeted with accolades and awards. But since penning that book, he has failed to live up to expectations and that early promise. He hasn’t written anything for a decade. Life changes one sunny California day when Calvin wills the perfect woman into his life by the sheer power of his imagination. Ruby (Zoe Kazan) leaps off the page and into the kitchen of his house, filling it with her warm and joyful personality. But Calvin will have to decide soon what awaits Ruby at the end of his story.

It began with an idea that struck Zoe Kazan nearly as suddenly as Calvin comes up with Ruby Sparks. Kazan – renowned as a promising playwright and a rising actress with roles in “Revolutionary Road,” “It’s Complicated” and the indie Western “Meek’s Cutoff” – was coming home late one night from the set of a film when she was shocked to see a mannequin lying in heap of trash. The sight set off a creative chain reaction as Kazan, a Greek mythology buff, was reminded of the ancient myth of Galatea, in which Pygmalion falls in love with the statue he has crafted with his own hands. That uncanny moment, when the inanimate seemed to come alive, started her thinking about how fantasy, autonomy and identity collide and collude in contemporary relationships.

Zoe Kazan might have created all the tricky layers of Ruby Sparks on the page but doing the same thing as an actress was a completely different challenge. “As Ruby, Zoe had to become the heart of the movie,” notes producer Ron Yerxa, “Zoe plays her as a free-spirited, autonomous young woman. Ruby had a punk past and she’s now an artist. She’s sexy and attractive, but she very much has her own mind.”
                         
For Kazan, it was exciting to explore a character who naturally mirrors some of her own creative outlook but who is in other ways decidedly unlike herself. “I gave Ruby some qualities that I probably possess, but she’s also very different,” Kazan explains. “I like to be taken care of and Ruby’s much more independent. She likes to speak her mind. She’s very brave that way. It was always important to me that she not seem at all like a dream girl, but very real, so the challenge was in figuring out how to do that.”

As Kazan wrote, she began sharing her work with her boyfriend, the actor Paul Dano, and though she had not set out to write something for the two of them, they couldn’t help but envision one another in the lead roles. “I think I was always subconsciously writing Calvin for Paul,” she muses. “But the weirdest thing is that I was writing a character who is writing my character! There was something very meta going on.”

She explains: “I was interested in the theme of control in relationships and the way we bring in ideas of who the person we love should be. How do you love the person you’re with completely without saying ‘I don’t want this part or that part?’ How do you make room in a relationship for two separate people? I’ve been in relationships before where I felt like the person was not seeing me, but something close to me, something just a little off center from me. That is what happens with Calvin and Ruby.”

Find out what happens to “Ruby Sparks” when it opens in theaters on September 19 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
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Thursday, September 13, 2012

GLOC-9: Mga Kwento ng Makata

GLOC-9: Mga Kwento ng Makata
Premiere rapper Gloc-9 is mighty proud of his new album release "MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata," his first under Universal Records.

"I have worked very hard for this album," says Gloc-9. "Before, I would record albums for about two months. For MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata, it took me around six months."
He adds that he is ultimately satisfied with the album, which includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry -- Chito Miranda, Bamboo, Ebe Dancel, Jay Durias, Billy Crawford, Maychelle Baay of Moonstar 88, among others.

"I have always been fond of stories of other people," adds the rapper. "This album contains various stories from people from all walks of life."

Gloc-9 admits being super proud of the album's single "Sirena," which talks about the story of a responsible gay man. The song also features Ebe Dancel.

"I think this is the first time that a song about a gay man is presented in a first person's point of view," explains Gloc-9. "I worked very hard on this song for it not to be offending to anyone."

The music video of "Sirena" also boasts of Boy Abunda's participation.

The rapper also adds that "MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata" marks a new chapter in his career as this is his first release under Universal Records, where he joins its elite roster of artists like Jose Mari Chan, Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Parokya Ni Edgar, Christian Bautista, Kamikazee, Sponge Cola, Callalily, Sam Concepcion, among others.

"I am very thankful that Universal welcomed me into their stable," concludes Gloc-9. "I am looking forward to doing more projects with my new label."
 FREE GLOC-9 "Sirena" feat. Ebe Dancel RINGBACK TONE. GLOBE users text UD767 & send to 2332. SMART users text FREN & send 2728.

iTUNES: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mknm-mga-kwento-ng-makata/id552298332

DOWNLOAD "MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata" FULL ALBUM here: http://www.mymusicstore.com.ph/album/gloc-9/1029959/Mga-Kwento-Ng-Makata-MKNM...

DOWNLOAD "SIRENA" HERE:http://mymusicstore.com.ph/music/gloc-9/453669/Sirena.html

To vote for Gloc-9 "Sirena" MV on MYX, register onhttp://www.myxph.com/ & go to the POLLS box. Type in SIRENA GLOC-9.

FOLLOW GLOC-9:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/glocdash9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/glocdash9
Instagram: glocdash9
Website: http://glocdash9.com/

FOLLOW UNIVERSAL RECORDS:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/universalrecordsphfanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/universalrecph
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UniversalRecPH
Instagram: universalrecordsphilippines

"MKNM: Mga Kwento ng Makata" Tracklist:

1. Balak ni Syke
2. Apatnapungbara feat. Ian Tayao
3. Silup feat. Denise Barbacena
4. Alalay ng hari feat. Allan Mitchell Silonga
5. Sirena feat. Ebe Dancel
6. Hindi mo nadinig feat. Jay Durias
7. Sino (interlude)
8. Salarin feat. Bamboo Manalac
9. Inday feat. Cathy Go
10. Bakit hindi feat. Billy Crawford
11. Malakas (interlude)
12. Pison feat. Chito Miranda
13. Thankful feat. Maychelle Baay of Moonstar88 & Bambu

Bonus Tracks
14. Hari ng tondo feat. Denise Barbacena
15. Kung tama Siya feat. Jaq Dionisio of Kissjane