Character Posters Arrive for “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”

The titular characters of Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy” are featured in their very own posters which Marvel has just released. They are Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket & Groot (voiced by Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel).

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team—the “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy's fate in the balance.

Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which first appeared in comic books in Marvel Super-Heroes, Issue #18 (Jan. 1969), stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, with John C. Reilly, Glenn Close as Nova Prime Rael and Benicio del Toro as The Collector.

James Gunn is the director of the film with Kevin Feige producing, and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham, Alan Fine and Stan Lee serve as executive producers. The story is by Nicole Perlman and James Gunn, with screenplay by James Gunn.

Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” opens in Philippine theaters on August 1, 2014.

DIRECTOR DEAN DEBLOIS at the Helm of “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2”

 In 2010, the Oscar nominated hit from DreamWorks Animation, “How To Train Your Dragon” became a global phenomenon. Audiences were captivated by the story of Hiccup and his Night Fury dragon, Toothless. At the end of the last film, Hiccup had brought peace to Berk and at the outset of the fantastic new adventure; Vikings are no longer slaying dragons; tolerance and trust have replaced prejudice and fear.  

              Hiccup and Toothless will soon be seen again in “How To Train Your Dragon 2” in 3D when in opens in local cinemas on June 11.

LIAM NEESON’S Dangerous Affair with the “THIRD PERSON”

From Paul Haggis, director of Oscar winning film “Crash,” comes “Third Person” starring a powerhouse cast led by Liam Neeson, Olivia Wilde, Kim Basinger, Adrien Brody, Mila Kunis, James Franco and Moran Atias that tells three stories of love, passion, trust and betrayal.

                The idea for “Third Person” started within days of finishing shooting The Next Three Days, Haggis’s last film.  It began with a series of conversations between Paul and actress Moran Atias, who suggested Paul should write a multi-plotline film about love and relationships. Shared stories and painful and joyous anecdotes about love and relationships turned into fiction over the next months as the characters took form and the stories slowly found shape.  Paul found this the most challenging of his screenplays “because I wrote it all wrong, from the inside out.  I let the characters tell me where the story was going, and often they just wouldn’t speak to me – or worse, they lied to me” he said with a wry smile.

                Haggis enjoys exploring complex characters,  “While we don’t often see it in movies, I believe people often take actions that are completely contrary to their needs, and make little to no sense to those around them.  How often have you seen a friend and asked ‘why is she with that horrible man?’, or vice versa. Sometimes they are too close to see what is so blindingly clear to us.  And other times what is clear to us is simply a mirage.  We think it’s the awful woman using the lovely man, when in truth the lovely man is just much better at hiding his crueler intentions”.

                “I had all sorts of questions about relationships that I couldn’t answer.  Like how do you deal with an “impossible” person?    Do you try and get what you need by changing them?  And in the rare event that you succeed, do you change them into someone you no longer love?     Or if you know in your gut that someone is lying to you, what are your options?  What happens if you decide to trust a totally untrustworthy person?  Is complete belief transformative?      Do people come to embody the virtues or sins we imbue them with?  In matters of love, do you only truly win if you surrender?  Or does the victor just walk away with the cruelest of smiles, as our egos will warn us?  And if some of us are doomed to only fall in love with the wrong person – is that wrong person really the right person, we just can’t recognize it?  As you can see by these questions, in relationships, I am that impossible person.”

                Reminiscent of Paul Haggis’ “Crash,” the tales play out in New York, Paris and Rome - three couples who appear to have nothing in common and only tangential connections. But there is always a third person in any relationship -- perhaps not romantically, perhaps you aren't even aware of their existence, but they are there.  At its heart, Third Person is much more than a collection of love stories -- it is a mystery; a puzzle in which truth is revealed in glimpses, and clues are caught by the corner of your eye -- and nothing is truly what it seems.

                “Third Person” opens on June 18 in cinemas nationwide from Axinite Digicinema.

“DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES” (3D) Latest Trailer Revealed

     20th Century Fox has revealed the latest hair-raising trailer of “Dawn of The Planet of the Apes” where the apes have risen to become the stronger species  and man is fighting  to stop their increasing dominion over Earth.

See full trailer reveal here.



                The movie takes place 10 years after the “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Directed by Matt Reeves, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” takes man on an all-out war against the primates on who will finally inherit the earth.

                Starring Jason Clarke, Keri Russell and Gary Oldman , “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (3D) will open on July 9 in theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

“STAR WARS: EPISODE VII” ADDS LUPITA NYONG'O, GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE

Lupita Nyong'o joins the recently announced cast of “Star Wars: Episode VII.” This year, her breakthrough performance in “12 Years a Slave” earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series “Game of Thrones” as Brienne of Tarth, has also been cast in the production. She can next be seen in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.”

"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII," says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the Saga Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

“Star Wars: Episode VII” is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

“MALEFICENT” Shatters Records with P179.9-M Gross in 5 Days!

Disney's “Maleficent” bewitched the Philippine box office well beyond expectations for a No.1 finish, taking in an enchanted P179.9-million in five days nationwide for the May 28 to June 1 weekend. This according to the local office of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, the film's distributor.

That opening gross is the year's second-biggest, bested only by last April's “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (P251-M) but higher than “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (P175-M) which bowed last week.

Powered by positive word-of-mouth from audiences, “Maleficent” opened tremendously huge that it already surpassed the lifetime revenues of Disney's biggest non-Marvel titles, namely “Prince of Persia” (P156-M), “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End” (P155-M) and “Alice in Wonderland” (P140-M).
The “Sleeping Beauty” companion film also shattered the record for Biggest Opening Weekend for an Angelina Jolie Live-Action Movie Ever, likewise smashing the lifetime grosses of “Salt” (P131-M), “Wanted” (P95-M) and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (P83-M).

Overseas, “Maleficent” also reigned over the weekend box office, debuting to a magical $70 million domestically (U.S.) and $100.6 million internationally.

The film's stateside figure ranks as a record domestic debut for Jolie, edging out “Kung Fu Panda” ($60.2-M), “Wanted” ($50.9-M) and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” ($50.3-M).

Back in the Philippines, the fairytale-based adventure reeled off in 264 screens (including 8 IMAX) in 122 locations. SM North EDSA garnered the largest share of box-office receipts with P8.41-M, followed closely by SM Mall of Asia (P8.29-M), SM Megamall (P8.06-M), SM Cebu (P7.09-M) and Trinoma (P6.19-M.)

Impressive grosses were also posted by Glorietta 4 (P4.74-M), Ayala Cebu (P4.07-M), Bonifacio High Street (P4.03-M), SM Aura (P3.47-M) and Alabang Town Center (P3.39-M).

Rounding up the Top 20 cinemas are Newport City (P3.33-M), Eastwood (P3.05-M), SM Southmall (P2.97-M), Power Plant (P2.96-M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.85-M), Greenhills Promenade (P2.82-M), SM Fairview (P2.57-M), Gateway (P2.56-M), SM Clark (P2.49-M) and Market! Market! (P2.48-M).

“Maleficent”explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.

The film stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville.

Now playing across the Philippines in 3D, 2D, MAX 3D and 4DX formats, “Maleficent” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

“TRANFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION” First Trailer

The first trailer has arrived for Michael Bay's fourth "Transformers" film, called “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYDGqmxMZFI.



Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz, Kelsey Grammar and Sophia Myles lead the cast of this $165 million feature set for release in the Philippines June this year.

Synopsis: Four years after the catastrophic events in Chicago, Earth has mostly recovered from the great war between the Autobots and the Decepticons. But when Cade Yeager (Wahlberg), a struggling inventor, and his daughter, Tessa (Peltz) discover Optimus Prime, they bring down Decepticons, Autobots and the US government on them.

Now with the Decepticons plotting to destroy Earth once again, and a paranoid government official on his tail, Cade must join the Autobots, and Optimus Prime must align with the ancient Dinobots to save Earth.

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” will be distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures.

“DOLPHIN TALE 2” Splashing Trailer

The teaser trailer for Warner Bros. Pictures' new family adventure “Dolphin Tale 2” has arrived online and may be viewed at http://youtu.be/jtXKREma8fw.



The sequel to the 2011 box office hit “Dolphin Tale,” the film stars returning cast members Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Kris Kristofferson and Nathan Gamble.

It has been several years since young Sawyer Nelson (Gamble) and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett (Connick, Jr.), rescued Winter. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Freeman), who developed a unique prosthetic tail for the injured dolphin, they were able to save her life. Yet their fight is not over. Winter's surrogate mother, the very elderly dolphin Panama, has passed away, leaving Winter without the only poolmate she has ever known. However, the loss of Panama may have even greater repercussions for Winter, who, according to USDA regulations, cannot be housed alone, as dolphins' social behavior requires them to be paired with other dolphins. Time is running out to find a companion for her before the team at Clearwater loses their beloved Winter to another aquarium.

Opening across the Philippines on September 24, “Dolphin Tale 2” is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of a Gulfstream Pictures/Happy Madison Production and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Journey of Forever starts on June 5 - “THE FAULT IN OUR STARS”

“The Fault In Our Stars,” this generation’s widely read story of love and its infinities from scribe John Green will finally unfold on the big screen on June 5 in the Philippines from 20th  Century Fox. The “The Fault In Our Stars” celebrates the power of young love in all its magic, power and complexity.

                The film follows Hazel and Gus, played by today’s well-loved pair – Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, as their relationship develops from their first meeting at a cancer support group until the time they set off on a surprising and exciting journey to Amsterdam.

Sandler, Barrymore "Blended" Again After Ten Years

Nearly ten years after Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s second hugely successful romantic comedy, “50 First Dates,” the two reunite on the big screen with Warner Bros. Pictures new romantic comedy “Blended.”

Written by Ivan Menchell & Clare Sera, “Blended” tells the story of Lauren (Barrymore), an over-protective, recently divorced mother of tween boys thrown into an unexpected African adventure with Jim (Sandler), a loving but overwhelmed widower doing his misguided best to raise three daughters.

The screenplay came to Sandler courtesy of producer Mike Karz, who slipped the script to the actor after a weekend camping trip with their kids. “I saw him playing with his daughter during one of the camping activities,” Karz recalls, “and it just hit me: Adam reminds me of Jim. Like Jim, Adam is such a loving and caring father. His family is the most important thing in his life and he would do anything for his kids.”

“A big part of why Jim and Lauren fall in love is their ability to see what great parents they are to their kids and to each other’s kids,” says director Frank Coraci. “That’s what sets this movie apart. They don’t fall in love over the typical romantic comedy clichés. They fall in love over how devoted they are to their kids.”

As Barrymore sees it, “Jim and Lauren are just trying to do the best they can for their kids. When they’re forced to spend time together in this exotic place, they begin to discover how great life can be when you meet someone who is a like-minded parent and shares the same core values.”

Coraci believes the timing of Sandler and Barrymore’s reunion couldn’t be better. “The Wedding Singer was a very pure, un-jaded first love kind of movie that we made when we were younger and more naïve,” he muses. “Now that Adam and Drew have kids, and he’s become an amazing dad and she’s become an amazing mother, they really understand what it is to love your kids unconditionally and be a great parent, and the sacrifices that have to sometimes be made. So their experience was really appropriate for `Blended.' They haven’t lost their ability to have fun and poke fun at each other, but they definitely brought that new wisdom to their roles.”

“Blended” also stars Joel McHale (NBC’s “Community”) as Lauren’s ex-husband, Mark, and Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”) as her best friend, Jen; Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”) and Jessica Lowe (funnyordie’s “RobotDown”) as an overly romantic couple also vacationing at the resort; and Terry Crews (“The Expendables 2”) as the resort’s singing host.

Opening across the Philippines on June 11, “Blended” is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of a Gulfstream Pictures/Happy Madison Production and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.