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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Cooper, Diesel Form Unlikely Alliance “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”

Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel team up for Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy” as Rocket, a genetically altered, cybernetically enhanced talking raccoon, and his friend Groot, an advanced humanoid tree creature, respectively.



Describing the two unusual characters, director James Gunn says, “Rocket is not the happiest guy in the world. He’s a sad, malformed creature who has been taken apart and put back together again. He has experienced a lot of pain in his life and is grounded as a result and, because of that, is probably the heart of the movie in many ways, much like Groot, Rocket’s only real friend, who can only communicate with three words, yet his story breaks your heart.”

For Bradley Cooper, doing voice-over for a character was a first. “The whole process is so new to me,” says Cooper. “It’s like an education every time and it’s interesting.”


He adds, “There’s a lot of humor and a lot of heart in this movie. All the relationships are very clear and emotional and the stakes are obviously high and with the flavor of James Gunn, it has a comedic appeal to it. I think people are going to be blown away by how unique and fresh this film is.”

Cooper describes how he approached getting a handle on Rocket: “I talked a lot to James to figure out who Rocket is. I was really mining his brain and looking at images he showed me. I also read tons of stuff but it was just really trial by error and just finding him based on what they had already shot.”


The friendship between Rocket and Groot is certainly a unique one as Cooper explains: “It’s a very old-school male friendship where no one’s feelings are talked about. Rocket is protective of Groot but at the same time you feel like maybe it’s a means to an end because Groot’s his protection too. Rocket’s a raccoon; he doesn’t have the ability to do things that this huge tree can.” Cooper laughs, adding, “You guys understand what I’m saying, right? You know what trees can do that raccoons can’t. Wait, what?”

Gunn is enthusiastic about casting Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot and says, “As far as I’m concerned, Vin brings as much to his role and to the movie as any other performer. With just a handful of lines and hundreds of grunts he creates a character completely out-of-this-world that we still love. I can’t imagine anyone able to balance gruffness and sweetness like Vin—and that’s really what’s at the core of Groot. Sometimes I watch Groot on screen and—even though I stood beside Vin through every moment of his recording—I can’t believe the voice is coming out of a human being. He truly channels the character in an almost supernatural way.”

Diesel admits that Groot’s one line of dialogue sold him on the character. He explains, “How they were able to reinforce the theme, the meaning and the message of the whole movie in one line of character dialogue impressed me. And how that line translates in the third act is really going to be something that allows the audience to feel like they are part of this world and understand the stakes and what the characters are going through.”

Diesel had previously voiced the Iron Giant in the film by the same name a few years back and found voicing Groot to be a fun process as well. “Breathing life into a character is priceless because it’s timeless,” comments the actor. “Iron Giant has been with me for 15 years and even now when I pick my kid up from school all the kids say, ‘Oh, hi, Iron Giant.’ So I can imagine that by next year I will be my kid’s Daddy slash Groot.”

Diesel describes working with director James Gunn as “incredible,” and adds, “You can see his enthusiasm about taking this film and going beyond expectations. It’s amazing how successful the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been and to see someone like James, who is committed to trying to break the mold, is inspiring and always a blessing as an artist to work with.”

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 #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.

Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" releases in Philippine theaters on July 31, 2014.

In addition to "Guardians of the Galaxy," Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Avengers: Age of Ultron" on May 1, 2015; "Ant-Man" on July 17, 2015; and the untitled "Captain America 3" on May 6, 2016.

“RUROUNI KENSHIN” Stars, Director To Be in Manila for Sequel's Asian Premiere

Japanese director Keishi Otomo and actors Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei and Munetaka Aoki are flying to Manila to grace the Asian Premiere of “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno,” this was jointly announced last July 25, 2014 by William Ireton, President & Representative Director of Warner Entertainment Japan Inc., and Francis Soliven, General Manager of Warner Bros. Philippines.



The invitational red carpet premiere is scheduled on Wednesday night, August 6 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. The Japanese talents are also expected to interact with the media and fans in a public press conference Thursday, August 7 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.


 In making the announcement, Ireton stated, “We are thrilled to bring director Keishi Otomo and castmembers Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei and Munetaka Aoki to Manila so they can personally thank and engage with the loyal fans of `Rurouni Kenshin.' The Philippines is a very important market for the franchise as proven by the outstanding box-office success in Manila of the first `Rurouni Kenshin' film in 2013.”

For his part, Soliven said, “Moviegoers in the Philippines have helped create a wave of anticipation and excitement for the `Rurouni Kenshin' sequels and the upcoming talent visit is a much welcome recognition of the fans' ardent support.”

“Kyoto Inferno” which bows across the Philippines on August 20 is the first of two sequels to the 2013 blockbuster “Rurouni Kenshin.” The second, titled “The Legend Ends” opens on September 24.

Based on the Kyoto arc of the popular manga series written & illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki, the “Rurouni Kenshin” sequels follow the story of Kenshin Himura (Satoh), a legendary swordsman in the wars accompanying the turbulent fall of Japan's Shogunate in the 19th century. Once feared as 'Battosai the Killer', he has adopted a peaceful life since the arrival of the 'new age'.

But Makoto Shishio (Tatsuya Fujiwara), the 'Shadow Killer' and successor to Kenshin's position as the deadly assassin, has since then been scheming in the Kyoto underworld, raising an army of disaffected former samurais with the aim of overthrowing the new regime.

Agreeing to a request by the new government to defeat Shishio, Kenshin leaves his beloved ones in Tokyo and sets out for Kyoto. He and Shishio are a match in skill and in wits, but their aims are opposite. Can Kenshin preserve the nation without breaking his vow that he will kill no more...?

The films also star Emi Takei (Kaoru Kamiya), Munetaka Aoki (Sanosuke Sagara), Kaito Oyagi (Yahiko Myojin), Yu Aoi (Megumi Takani), Yosuke Eguchi (Hajime Saito), Min Tanaka (Nenji Kashiwazaki), Tao Tsuchiya (Misao Makimachi), Ryunosuke Kamiki (Soujiro Seta), Maryjun Takahashi (Yumi Komagata) and Tatsuya Fujiwara (Makoto Shishio).

The first sequel, “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” will open across the Philippines on Aug. 20, 2014, to be followed by “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends” on Sept. 24, 2014. Both films are distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” Heats up with Teaser Trailer and Posters

Universal Pictures and Focus Features have just uncovered the sizzling teaser trailer and images of Sam Taylor-Johnson's feature film adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The trailer may be viewed here.


“Fifty Shades of Grey” is the hotly anticipated film adaptation of the bestselling book that has become a global phenomenon. Since its release, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has been translated into 51 languages worldwide and sold more than 100 million copies in e-book and print—making it one of the biggest and fastest-selling book series ever.



Stepping into the roles of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, who have become iconic to millions of readers, are Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.

Joining Dornan and Johnson in the cast are Luke Grimes as Elliot, Christian’s brother; Victor Rasuk as José, Anastasia’s close friend; Eloise Mumford as Kate, Anastasia’s best friend and roommate; Marcia Gay Harden as Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey, Christian’s mother; Rita Ora as Mia, Christian’s sister; Max Martini as Taylor, Christian’s bodyguard; Callum Keith Rennie as Ray, Anastasia’s stepfather; Jennifer Ehle as Carla, Anastasia’s mother; and Dylan Neal as Bob, Carla’s husband.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside E L James, the creator of the series. The screenplay for the film is by Kelly Marcel.

Opening across the Philippines on February 11, 2015, “Fifty Shades of Grey” will be distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

PUDSEY Stars in his Own Movie

Pudsey who won with his owner Ashleigh in 2012’s Britain’s Got Talent leaps to the big screen in “Pudsey: The Movie” where he plays a London stray that eventually meets three kind-hearted siblings who takes him home after he saves one of them from a bullying incident. 



In the movie, Pudsey is quite happy being a lone ranger until he meets siblings Molly (Izzy Meikle-Small), George (Spike White) and Tommy (Malachy Knights).  After losing their father, their mother Gail (Jessica Hynes) is moving the family to the sleepy village of Chuffington and Pudsey tags along, to the dismay of their landlord, Mr. Thorne (John Sessions), and his cat Faustus. As Pudsey starts to settle in with the family and realize what he was missing when he was alone, he stumbles across Thorne's evil plan and he determines to save them and the whole village.

Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and Vertigo Films produce the movie under the direction of Nick Moore. 


Rupert Preston of Vertigo states "We're delighted to be developing this idea with Syco and we can't wait to bring Pudsey to the big screen, it will be great, feel-good, fun entertainment for all the family."

Mark Brittain, Global Commercial Director for Syco, adds: "This is a really exciting initiative for us - and we look forward to working with Vertigo as it develops."  Further, Pudsey's manager Jonathan Shalit, of Roar Global, adds: "The British people love Pudsey. He has met the Queen and was invited to 10 Downing Street by the Prime Minister. This represents a hugely exciting next step."

“Pudsey: The Movie” opens August 27 exclusively in SM Cinemas nationwide to be distributed by Silverline, Inc.

Nonito Donaire Attends L.A. Premiere of “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”

Filipino boxing champion Nonito Donaire attended the Los Angeles red carpet premiere Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy.”  Fellow “kababayan” Dave Bautista is starring in the film as Drax the Destroyer and is seen posing with Donaire (and rapper-actor-director RZA) in the premiere's after-party.




          

  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.

            Directed by James Gunn, Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy” 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.
            Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" releases in Philippine theaters on July 31, 2014. 

            In addition to "Guardians of the Galaxy," Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Avengers: Age of Ultron" on May 1, 2015; "Ant-Man" on July 17, 2015; and the untitled "Captain America 3" on May 6, 2016.

Monday, July 28, 2014

From Pages to Movies: “THE MAZE RUNNER” AND “KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE”

20th Century Fox adapts two of the world’s best-selling thrilling young adult fictions, “The Maze Runner” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” into the big screen. 


                Based on James Dashner’s futuristic thrilling adventure of the same title, “The Maze Runner” by filmmaker Wes Ball , primarily known for his successful venture as the owner of Oddball Animation tells a story about life in a post apocalyptic world unlike no other. 

“The Maze Runner” sees a group of young boys living together and surviving on their own in a place they call the Glade, not knowing who put them there and why they are there, they soon find out the chilling mystery of their entrapment when Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) is sent to the Glade.  Thomas along with the other boys and the only girl named Teresa dare to defy status quo and risk their lives to get out and run through the series of dangerous maze where predators wait to feast on human flesh.  The movie also stars Will Poulter, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Aml Ameen, and Blake Cooper.


                Matthew Vaughn, director of worldwide box-office hit “X-Men: First Class” and “Kick Ass” recruits a whole new ensemble of another first class in the “Kingsman: The Secret Service” starring Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Strong with a squad of young new trainees for non-stop action deployment headed by Taron Egerton, with Sofia Boutella,  Sophie Cookson and Tom Prior.  

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” is based upon the acclaimed comic book from Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons that  tells a story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

                From 20th Century Fox, join the thrilling escape when “The Maze Runner” opens September 17 and meet the young new knights ready for action in “Kingsman: The Secret Service” when it opens October 22 in cinemas nationwide.

Real-Life Steers High-Action Story of “PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE”

John Lasseter, executive producer of Disneytoon Studios' “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” is a spirited advocate of extensive research—not only to ensure authenticity to the story, but also to help drive it. And he’s instilled that belief in every Disneytoo filmmaker, including “Planes: Fire & Rescue” director Bobs Gannaway.


In the film, when world-famous air racer Dusty Crophopper learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting.

“We took a closer look at Dusty and the background of crop dusters,” says Gannaway. “We discovered that crop dusting planes like Dusty are also used for wildfire air attack. Known as a SEAT—a Single Engine Air Tanker—it’s the smallest plane in the wildfire air attack fleet. In addition, the first operational air tanker was a repurposed crop duster, which made the first air drop on the Mendocino National Forest in 1955. Fighting fires is in Dusty’s heritage.”

State-Sponsored Night of Violence Continues in “THE PURGE: ANARCHY”

Universal Pictures brings to the big screen “The Purge: Anarchy,” the sequel to summer 2013’s sleeper hit that opened to No. 1 at the North American box-office. The film sees the return of writer/director James DeMonaco to craft the next terrifying chapter of dutiful U.S. citizens preparing for their country’s yearly 12 hours of anarchy. The cast is lead by Frank Grillo (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”).


The new story follows an unlikely group of five citizens who, over the course of the night, find out just how far they will go to protect themselves and, ultimately, each other, as they fight to survive a night fraught with impossible decisions.

SM Supermalls Shop and Win an SMDC Condo Promo



 
10 lucky shoppers will get to experience star-life condo living as the country’s largest chain of malls, launches their biggest and grandest promotion, the SM Supermalls Shop and Win an SMDC Condo Promo. The country’s largest shopping mall operator teamed-up with SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the leading real estate company in the Philippines, to give away 10 fully-furnished condominium units in prime locations. 


To join, one need only to shop or dine for a minimum of P1,000 single or accumulated purchase in any of SM Supermalls’ 56 mall locations nationwide including SMDC Jazz and Sun Mall. Shoppers simply present their receipt/s along with their E-Plus Loyalty card, SM Advantage card, SM Prestige card or BDO Rewards card for an e-raffle entry. Double e-raffle entries will be given with the use of the E-Plus Loyalty card.

Every month, two condominium units from SMDC’s prime properties will be given away, strategically located in key areas across Metro Manila. These are Field Residences, M Place South Triangle, Light Residences, Sun Residences, Princeton Residences, Blue Residences, Grass Residences, Sea Residences and Jazz Residences and an 80-square meter penthouse at Mezza Residences.


Steven Tan, Senior Vice President for Operations of SM Supermalls said during the recent Shop and Win Promo launch last June 24, 2014 at the SMDC Grand Showroom, “SM will continue to provide not only affordable luxury and family fun mall experience but also a chance to experience the SMDC star-life condo living!”

The SM Supermalls Shop and Win Promo starts from June 22 up to November 22, 2014.  

Visit www.smshopandwin.com for more details. Like and follow SM Supermalls on facebook.com/smsupermalls and on Twitter and Instagram (@smsupermalls) for regular updates.

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