Zac Efron Arrives in the Philippines

Hollywood A-list movie star Zac Efron (The Lucky One, 17 Again, High School Musical series) arrived in the Philippines today from Los Angeles, CA.

The 24 year old arrived mid-morning and was discreetly transferred from a commercial flight to a private plane headed to Legazpi City, an hour away by flight south of Manila.

Zac reportedly flew in with his father David Efron, manager Jason Barrett, and Hollywoodphotographer Darren Tieste for a brief holiday at Misibis Bay Resorts as personal guests of Bicolano tycoon Zaldy Co. He is scheduled to appear before a huge crowd of fans on September 29, 2012 at the Mall of Asia ARENA for the event PENSHOPPE Fan Conference 2012.

In recent years Zac continues to add impressive movie roles under his belt, with each project getting more challenging each time. Since his early days doing musical flicks, he has crossed over to light romantic comedies (17 Again, New Year's Day), to more dramatic and mature roles (Charlie St. Cloud and The Lucky One). More recently, he starred alongside heavyweights Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack and Nicole Kidman in the period drama The Paperboy, and was recently at the Toronto International Film Festival for the film At Any Price with Dennis Quaid.

The star shows sincere excitement as he visits the country for the first time. "Well, first of all this trip is an amazing, amazing excuse to go to the Philippines. I have always wanted to visit thePhilippines. My dad who has been to your country several times has been telling me great stories about it," he shares.

Tune in to GMA-7 and GMA News TV Channel 11 for more updates on Zac Efron's first trip to the Philippines

“ARGO” A HIT AT SAN SEBASTIAN FILMFEST

Critics and audiences at San Sebastian applauded Ben Affleck's "Argo," screening in the 60th San Sebastian International Film Festival's Official competition, The Hollywood Reportersaid.
At the screening, the packed Kursaal auditorium erupted in applause at pivotal moments throughout the film — unusual at Spain's A-list festival.

Affleck, accompanied by one of the film's stars, Alan Arkin, addressed questions about the movie, the relationship between the United States and Middle East and the evolution of Hollywood since the 70s in addition to what his children thought about this shaggier 'do in the movie.

"My kids hated the hair. I told them I have to keep the hair like this for work," he shared. "And they said, 'Yeah, what kind of work would want you to keep that kind of hair?' Out of the mouths of babes."

Affleck said his goal in making the film, which is based on a true story linked with the Iranian hostage crisis and a covert mission to sneak U.S. diplomats out of Iran, was to stick to the facts.
"First of all, you'd never believe this story if it weren't true," Affleck said. "But my goal was for it to be factual. I have friends that are Democrats and friends that are Republicans. I have friends that are Americans and those that live abroad. I wanted everyone to see it and be able to take something from it because it was based on facts."

"Argo" chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.
Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck ("The Town," "Good Will Hunting") directs and stars in the film, which is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney ("Syriana"), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov ("Good Night, and Good Luck.") and Affleck.

On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Slated for release in the Philippines in October 17, "Argo" will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY” MAIN POSTER UNVEILED

             Warner Bros., New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures have just unveiled the main one-sheet art for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," the first of Peter Jackson's trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

             The three films tell a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before "The Lord of the Rings," which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."

             The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers.

             Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum.

             Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

             Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. Also reprising their roles from "The Lord of the Rings" in "The Hobbit" Trilogy are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The international ensemble cast of the trilogy also includes (in alphabetical order) Manu Bennett, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott and Aidan Turner.

             "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and the second and third films of the trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.

             "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will be released in the Philippines on December 13, 2012, with the second film, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," releasing December 13, 2013, and the third film, "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" slated for July 18, 2014.

'Hulk' Movie in the Works after Avengers 2?

"Avengers" producer Kevin Feige claims a full Hulk movie could be made after the release of 'The Avengers 2′.

The 'Avengers' producer claims there may be room for Mark Ruffaloportray the green character in a stand-alone movie, but only once a second film in the 'Avengers' series is complete.

He said: "Do I think Hulk can carry a movie and be as entertaining as he was in 'Avengers'?

"I do believe that. I do believe he absolutely could. We certainly are not even going to attempt that until 'Avengers 2′, so there's a lot of time to think about it. I don't think there's a lot that we couldn't do someday."

Hulk plays a major role in the 'Avengers' movie but previous attempts to make a film about the character – portrayed by Eric Bana and Edward Norton – have been unsuccessful.

However, Mark has claimed recently he could not foresee a stand-alone Hulk movie.

He said: "I think they've done it. I think they feel that they've done that. I think they don't really know where to go [with the character]."

Photo and article: Bang

CATCH “SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN” ONLY AT AYALA MALLS CINEMAS

             From the beloved director of "Chocolat" and the Oscar®-winning screenwriter of "Slumdog Millionaire" comes BBC Films' inspirational comedy "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas.

             Based on the bestselling novel by Paul Torday, "Salmon Fishing" opens exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma) starting Oct. 10.

             In the film, a visionary sheik (Amr Waked) believes his passion for the peaceful pastime of salmon fishing can enrich the lives of his people, and he dreams of bringing the sport to the not so fish-friendly desert. Willing to spare no expense, he instructs his representative (Blunt) to turn the dream into reality, an extraordinary feat that will require the involvement of Britain's leading fisheries expert (McGregor) who happens to think the project both absurd and unachievable. That is, until the Prime Minister's overzealous press secretary (Scott Thomas) latches on to it as a 'good will' story.

             Now, this unlikely team will put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible.

             The Lasse Hallstrom-directed comedy is one of the most critically-applauded films of the year. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote in his review, "The appeal of the film depends on the charm of Mr. McGregor and Ms. Blunt, whose polite but discreetly charged connection is the story's emotional center."

Rolling Stone's Peter Travers was also in awe of the actors, writing, "McGregor and Blunt have charm to spare and the no-bull instinct to cut to the heart of a scene. In the Dead Sea of Hollywood formula, their film is a distinct delight, brimming over with spirit and surprise."

For his part, Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly raved, "`Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' takes us back to the sort of achingly civilized love story in which the only thing that really stands in the way of two people falling for each other is their own decorum."

"It's a spirited, eloquent film-delightfully offbeat, deliciously different and well worth investigating," noted Rex Reed of New York Observer, while Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post praised, "Somehow managing to be both twee and edgy, the absurdist but gently winning romantic comedy `Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' works a strange kind of wonder."

Finally, Betsy Sharky of The Los Angeles Times raved, "The film has a grand cast at the center of this very clever tale of modern eco-issues intertwined with old-style political intrigues and New Age romance."

DRACULA GRANTS FIRST-EVER INTERVIEW

             The Prince of Darkness Count Dracula finally grants his first-ever interview in conjunction with the opening of the 3D animated monster comedy "Hotel Transylvania" where he plays the lead role.

             Hotel Transylvania is Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world's most famous monsters — Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more — to celebrate his daughter Mavis' 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to these infamous friends is no problem — but his world could come crashing down when a human backpacker, Jonathan, stumbles on the hotel for the first time and befriends Mavis.

             Question: Now, c'mon - are you really the Count Dracula?

             Dracula: Of course I'm the Count Dracula - what a human thing to ask! Look at my cape, my fangs. Have you ever met anyone else named Dracula?? Of course not. It's me. You know, we all live with stereotypes. They all think I go "Bleh-bleh-bleh" all the time – which is really annoying and not true.

             Q: I see. So I should be scared right now that you're going to try and suck my blood or something?

             Dracula: No way – how do I know where your blood has been? I watch my cholesterol, and I just saw you eating a hot dog from that man on the street, so no way!

             Q: So, as a vampire, you don't need to drink human blood?

             Dracula: It's not healthy, truly. You don't know where it's been and it can be so fatty. So I use blood substitutes, as do most of the other vampires I know. They've gotten very good at it – with "Near Blood," "Blood Beaters." It tastes the same, if not better, to be quite honest.

             Q: Now, I've heard you say that monsters no longer kill humans, is that true?

             Dracula: We never did, it's just so primitive. I'm surprised you even brought that up.

             Q: What made you decide to open Hotel Transylvania which is a hotel for monsters?

             Dracula: There's no safe place for monsters to go, to be free from humankind, where they can be themselves with their families. For centuries, everywhere we've turned, humans have come at us with torches, pitchforks, yelling, trying to scoop out our brains and put candy in our heads instead. I had had enough, and so had everyone I knew. Something had to be done.

             Q: What kinds of things does Hotel Transylvania have to offer that monsters can't find anywhere else?

             Dracula: Well, first of all, it's simple: NO HUMANS.

             Q: What else?

             Dracula: We have the kinds of amenities that monsters just love: culinary delicacies like spleens-in-a-blanket – even deviled lizard fingers, though I prefer the spleens. We have talking shrunken head "Do Not Disturb" door hangers, zombies are there to handle your every need and witches keep the place clean. We have "live" music – if you want to call it that – and dancing and swimming. Plus, we have the highest ceilings of any monstrous hotel – for even the biggest of Big Feet.

             Q: What are some of the toughest challenges of running a hotel such as this?

             Dracula: There are many. Keeping the place full of cobwebs is a daily chore. Our guests expect dust – nothing can smell fresh. And with the large variety of guests – everything from werewolves, invisible men, mummies, gremlins – you name it – you have to have an incredible variety of delicious things to eat. Our French chef, Quasimodo, is simply amazing – always pushing the boundaries.

             Q: Your daughter Mavis is turning 118 this year, which is a major milestone. How do you feel about it?

             Dracula: Well, first of all, Mavis is just wonderful – the apple of her mother's eye. I suppose the biggest challenge has been simply keeping her away from humans. There are plenty of nice monsters out there, but she never seems interested. I even tried to connect her with a wonderful zombie who really liked her for her brains, but she complained it was because he wanted to eat them! And she's always wanted to venture out, but I've been quite firm about it. I've always just wanted to protect her, and with a girl as smart and decisive as Mavis, that can be difficult.

             Q: Jonathan, of course, is a bit of a surprise for you – and for her. Is he difficult to disguise, so that neither Mavis nor your guests would be disturbed by the presence of a human?

             Dracula: Oh, leaping larvae, he was! It's not easy to fool a monster – any monster, much less a Frankenstein. You can't just walk around all stiff, saying, "Friend. . . GOOD" all day or yanking chains out of the wall. There's a certain way they do it – uniquely Frank. And when they get it wrong, they just go to pieces. Thankfully, Johnny is a quick learner.

             Q: What kinds of things did you learn about humans from Jonathan?

             Dracula: I've always thought, as most monsters do, that humans are terrible, out to burn us, beat on our toes and attack us. I've learned that there are good humans out there – some that respect us, maybe even love us. There may be some I might even welcome into my own family someday – but let's not push it. I'm in no rush.

             (Opening across the Philippines on Friday, Sept. 28 in Digital 3D and regular theaters, "Hotel Transylvania" is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.)

THE ICONIC MOVIE MONSTER GODZILLA STOMPS INTO THEATERS ON MAY 16, 2014

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have slated their take on the classic Godzilla franchise to kick off the Summer moviegoing season on May 16, 2014. The joint announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, and by Legendary Pictures.

Toho Co., Ltd.'s Godzilla franchise contains one of the most widely recognized movie monsters worldwide, including more than 25 films, multiple television programs, video games and book series. Legendary, which has been developing the project, and its partner Warner Bros. will return the character to its epic roots with a gritty, realistic actioner. The project will fall under Legendary's overall agreement with Warner Bros.

The film is directed by Gareth Edwards, who earned worldwide acclaim for his feature directorial debut, "Monsters." Edwards directs from a screenplay by David Callaham ("The Expendables" films), David S. Goyer (the "Dark Knight" trilogy) and Max Borenstein (upcoming "The Seventh Son"). Legendary's Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni will produce, along with Roy Lee, Dan Lin and Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia and Patricia Whitcher will serve as executive producers alongside Doug Davison, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira.
A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd. The tent pole film is expected to be presented in 3D.

“THE GREAT GATSBY” TO OPEN IN MAY 2013

Warner Bros. Pictures' and Village Roadshow Pictures' "The Great Gatsby" will open early in the Summer 2013 season, hitting theaters on May 10 in the U.S. and Canada, with an international rollout beginning the following week (including the Philippines on May 15, 2013).

The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Fellman stated, "Audiences have been looking forward to Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of one of the most beloved books of all time, and we felt this beautifully extravagant and dramatic film would be a perfect way for us to kick off our Summer slate."
Kwan Vandenberg added, "Baz's unique take on 'Gatsby' is glitzy and glamorous, with his juxtaposition of the classic tale and contemporary themes hitting just the right note. This film should really add heat to the competitive Summer season."

From the uniquely imaginative mind of writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann comes the new big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novelThe Great Gatsby.  The filmmaker has created his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic story, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before, in a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role.

"The Great Gatsby" follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks.  Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan.  It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits.  As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Academy Award® nominee DiCaprio ("J. Edgar," "Aviator") plays JayGatsby, with Tobey Maguire starring as Nick Carraway; Oscar® nominee Carey Mulligan ("An Education") and Joel Edgerton as Daisy and Tom Buchanan; Isla Fisher and Jason Clarke as Myrtle and George Wilson; and newcomer Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker. Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim.

Oscar® nominee Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge!") directs the film in 3D from a screenplay co-written with frequent collaborator Craig Pearce, based on Fitzgerald's book. Luhrmann produces, along with Catherine Martin, Academy Award® winner Douglas Wick ("Gladiator"), Lucy Fisher and Catherine Knapman. The executive producers are Academy Award® winner Barrie M. Osborne ("Lord of the Rings – Return of the King") and Bruce Berman.

Two-time Academy Award®-winning production and costume designer Catherine Martin ("Moulin Rouge!") designs as well as produces. The editors are Matt Villa, Jason Ballantine and Jonathan Redmond, and the director of photography is Simon Duggan. The music is by Craig Armstrong.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in association with A&E Television, a Bazmark/Red Wagon Entertainment Production, a Film by Baz Luhrmann, "The Great Gatsby." In theaters May 10, 2013, the film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

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 Phil. 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.

“SKYFALL” REVEALS BRITISH, U.S. POSTERS

             Marketing materials for the new James Bond film "Skyfall" continue to pour in. Two significantly different versions of posters have been revealed – the British version shows a tuxedo-clad Daniel Craig on his feet, while the US art has the actor shooting on his back.

             Daniel Craig returns as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in "Skyfall," the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. Joining Craig in the cast are Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw and Bérénice Marlohe.

             In the film, Bond's loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

             When Bond's latest assignment goes gravely wrong and agents around the world are exposed, MI6 is attacked forcing M to relocate the agency. These events cause her authority and position to be challenged by Gareth Mallory (Fiennes), the new Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. With MI6 now compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust: Bond. 007 takes to the shadows – aided only by field agent, Eve (Harris) – following a trail to the mysterious Silva (Bardem), whose lethal and hidden motives have yet to reveal themselves.

             The film is directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.

             Opening across the Philippines on October 31, "Skyfall" is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.columbiapictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

CHEF SHARWIN TEE EXAMINES THE ANATOMY OF A CHICKEN

On this week's episode of "Curiosity Got the Chef" titled "Anatomy of a Chicken", Chef Sharwin will explore the possibilities of coming up with creative and innovative dishes using the world's famous poultry. He will prepare three known dishes but will make it extra special using unique combinations. First, he will prepare "Chicken Tinola Aspic Terrine" but instead of having the usual hot broth, a cold thick soup with fiber husks will accompany the chicken. He will also make mouths water through his own version of Buffalo wings, the "Guava-glazed Hot Wings" and the "Chicken Onion Pastel Pie" based on Col Sander's onion pie. Learn how to make your usual chicken recipes more special in "Curiosity Got the Chef" on Wednesday (September 12), 9:30 p.m. with encore telecasts on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. on the Lifestyle Network aired on SkyCable channel 52. For programming schedules and updates, like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LifestyleNetwork.

SNEAK PEEK: NEW POSTER OF “ARGO”

             Riding on the wave of successful premieres in Toronto and Telluride film festivals, Warner Bros. has just released two versions of international (outside U.S.) posters for Ben Affleck's gripping thriller "Argo."

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

             Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck ("The Town," "Good Will Hunting") directs and stars in the film, which is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney ("Syriana"), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov ("Good Night, and Good Luck.") and Affleck.

             On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

             "Argo" also stars Oscar® winner Alan Arkin ("Little Miss Sunshine"), Bryan Cranston (TV's "Breaking Bad") and John Goodman ("You Don't Know Jack"). The main cast also includes Kerry Bishé, Kyle Chandler, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Victor Garber, Zeljko Ivanek, Richard Kind, Scoot McNairy, Chris Messina, Michael Parks, and Taylor Schilling.

             Affleck is directing the film from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, based on a selection from Master in Disguise by Antonio Mendez. David Klawans, Chris Brigham, Graham King, Tim Headington, Chay Carter and Nina Wolarsky are serving as executive producers.

             Slated for release in the Philippines in October 17, "Argo" will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

HIGH-TECH INNOVATIONS FEATURED IN METRO HOME AND ENTERTAINING’S TECHNOLOGY ISSUE

The future is here with Metro Home and Entertaining's Technology Issue.  Gather ideas on fusing style with the newest in domestic technology with Metro Home and Entertaining's Volume 9, Issue 4.

Dedicated to introducing its readers to innovations in security systems, bathroom fittings, paints, kitchen equipment, hardware and gadgets, Metro Home and Entertaining 9.4 is full of ideas on how to make domestic living easier, safer and more fun.

Learn about the hottest trends in the Elements section.  Experiment with tips on creating picture perfect displays.  From the magazine's palette of hottest picks, see the latest finds from home specialty retailers.

The Folio section gives readers their regular dose of inspiring places, personalities, art and design.  Visit the Museo ng Marino; get a glimpse of Claudio Bravo's Manila oeuvre; find out the mission behind CANVAS; catch up with Atalyer's Leon Araneta; and discover the burgeoning, young and vibrant Connecticut Street in Greenhills.

Through the Home Section, readers are treated to expansive views of the Philippines' most beautiful houses, from condos to mansions.  Get inspired with pages filled with varied decorating and design ideas.

Pursue through the Garden Section, and learn about resources for starting your own collection of carnivorous plants and earth stars.  Enter Modernist architect, Benny Velasco's verdant paradise in Silang, Cavite, and take a tour of collector, Dr. Rogelio Mendoza's hidden urban sanctuary.

In the Entertaining section, witness how The Epicurean Lab's Chefs Rob Pengson and Gigi Almeda achieve magic in the kitchen by employing modern cooking techniques, while Curiosity Got the Chef's Chef Sharwin Tee shares recipes that mark a return to slow food.

The magazine's final section, "The Last Nook" profiles two of the design world's stars, sisters Ivy and Cynthia Almario, as they share their passions, greatest design influences, advocacies and indulgences.

Artista Academy kicks out 4 students in one night

After a memorable weekend in Hong Kong last week where they performed for thousands of OFWs and had the time of their lives in Hong Kong Disneyland, last night's Kick Out episode proved to be most devastating for the Artista Academy students as four of them were instantly expelled in one sweep.

Alberto Bruno, Marvelous Alejo, Nicole Estrada and Stephanie Rowe joined the ranks of Artista Academy kickouts after they failed to make the grade in the now intensifying competition for the coveted P20 Million total pizes, the biggest pot to be given away by any talent search in the country.
 
With eight contenders remaining in TV5's grandest and most intensive artista search, the students will have to work doubly hard if they are really intent on making it to the grand finals and winning the title of Artista Academy's Best Actor and Best Actress.

This week, in line with their "Fearless" challenge, the remaining eight students will be doing two horror flicks to be directed by highly acclaimed director Topel Lee. The short films will be shown in the Live Exam this Saturday and will comprise a portion of the grades to be given by the Live Exam critics.

Artista Academy Principal Wilma V. Galvante also announced in last night's episode that the eliminated students will form a group called Tropang Kickout and will be given one production number in upcoming Live Exams. Though expelled from Artista Academy, the kickouts continue their extensive training at the Asian Academy of Television Arts (AATA) and are bound to be professional 'artistas' when they graduate.

Artista Academy airs weeknights at 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. on TV5.

VELVET PRESENTS THE LIVE AND COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE 64TH PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS

Velvet brings its viewers closer to the stars at this year's awards that celebrate excellence in television -- the 64th Primetime Emmys on September 24, which will be aired exclusively on the home of Hollywood red carpet events in the Philippines, Velvet. 

The Primetime Emmy Awards give distinction in national primetime programming, presenting top honors annually. This year, some of Velvet's shows have made it to the roster of television's best and brightest.

The wicked medical comedy-drama "Nurse Jackie" has received five nominations including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Edie Falco as the pill-popper Nurse Jackie, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Merritt Wever, while the show is nominated for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series.

In the drama category, the award winning legal drama "The Good Wife" returns with seven nominations including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Archie Panjabi and Christine Baranski, while the show is nominated for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. Serial killer Dexter Morgan portrayed by Michael Hall on the top-billed show "Dexter", is also nominated as the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Reality dance competition "So You Think You Can Dance" earned 6 nominations.  The show is nominated for the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program while choreographers Stacey Tookey, Christopher Scott and Spencer Liff are nominated for Outstanding Choreography.

The Oscars and Tonys, two other illustrious awards events also received their fair share of nominations, with the Oscars grabbing eight and the Tonys capturing five.

Other leading televisions series competing with Velvet's line-up include "American Horror Story" and 60's American depicting series "Mad Men" led the pack with 17 nominations apiece while "Downton Abbey" and "Hatfields & McCoys followed with 16 each. 

Outstanding Drama Award nominees include, "Boardwalk Empire", "Breaking Bad", "Downton Abbey", "Game of Thrones", "Homeland" and "Mad Men" while "The Big Bang Theory", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Girls", "Modern Family", "30 Rock" and "Veep" vie for the Outstanding Comedy award.

Don't miss the airing of the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards hosted by Jimmy Kimmel live and complete on Velvet from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. on Monday, September 24th at 7:00 a.m. with primetime telecast on the same day at 7:00 p.m. Velvet (SkyCable Channel 53) is available on SkyCable Platinum, SkyCable Gold, SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide. For updates, log-on to http://www.facebook.com/VelvetChannel.

“ROBOCOP” STARTS LENSING IN TORONTO

             Production is set to begin on Saturday, September 15 in Toronto on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures' and Columbia Pictures' "RoboCop," directed by Jose Padilha. The film stars Joel Kinnaman (TV's "Game of Thrones"), Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jay Baruchel, Jennifer Ehle, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

             The screenplay is by Josh Zetumer and Nick Schenk, based on the 1987 motion picture written by Edward Neumeier & Michael Miner. The film is produced by Marc Abraham and Eric Newman, with Bill Carraro serving as executive producer. The film will be released in the US and the Philippines on August 2013.

              In "RoboCop," the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Their drones are winning American wars around the globe and now they want to bring this technology to the home front. Alex Murphy (Kinnaman) is a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit. After he is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp utilizes their remarkable science of robotics to save Alex's life. He returns to the streets of his beloved city with amazing new abilities, but with issues a regular man has never had to face before.

             Commenting on the announcement, Padilha said, "It's exciting to think that we're going to be starting production on 'RoboCop.' I have a dream cast and an incredibly creative production team, and we are all supremely dedicated, working together to make a movie that will not only live alongside the first film but also break new ground, be relevant for modern audiences, and stand on its own."

             Lula Carvalho is the Director of Photography. The production designer is Martin Whist. The editor is Daniel Rezende. Costume Designer is April Ferry. VFX Supervisor is James E. Price.

             ("RoboCop" is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.)

SIMON, L.A., BRITNEY, AND DEMI KICK OFF “THE X FACTOR USA 2” ON STUDIO 23

Studio 23 premieres the highly anticipated second season of hit US singing competition "The X Factor USA" via satellite this Thursday (Sept 13) at 7PM.

Season one judge-mentors Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid are back and now joined by teen sensation Demi Lovato and pop icon Britney Spears as new judges to search for an out-of-this-world 12 years old or over talent – both solo artists and vocal groups – who are bold enough to face the superstar judges and the Fifth Judge, the audience of thousands, who they have to win over during the audition.

Aside from the singing acts that may wow the crowd with their vocal ability, charisma and stage presence, fans are excited to see how Demi and Britney will get along and react with their co-judges especially with the ever-unapologetic Simon.

"So far everything has been so much fun for all of us. Everything is like a ew experience for me. It's a lot of fun and the talentsare amazing," shared Britney.

Simon earlier commended the girls, in an interview with People.com, for doing a great job. He even quipped that Britney, after taping a few episodes, turned out to be quite mean and very difficult to please. Demi, on the other hand, he said was quite annoying. "I thought she was very confident, very bright, then became quite annoying, but knew what she was talking about," explained Simon.

When it comes to their judging, Britney described her style as "subtle" and that she will try to use constructive criticisms, while Demi simply put it as "happy" and "really honest"

Simon also revealed that more of the mentoring process can also be expected this season. "A lot of what we did was off-camera. I think the mentoring process, how we actually work with the artists, how they interact with each other, where they're staying, is an important part of this show.  I think all that process has to be shown."

Last season, Melanie Amaro was crowned winner and Simon, who mentored Melanie and the rest of the Girls came out on top. But will one of the other judges dethrone him this year? Who among the contestants are worthy of the $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music?

 

But before the whole world meets the second "The X Factor USA" winner, Filipinos will first meet the first grand winner of "The X Factor Philippines," hosted by KC Concepcion and airs weekends on ABS-CBN. The finale is getting nearer as only six finalists compete for the title.

 

Don't miss the two-part via satellite premiere of "The X Factor USA 2" this Thursday (Sep 13) and Friday (Sep 14), 7 PM on Studio 23. Catch the show in the succeeding weeks every Thursday and Friday, at 7 PM, with a same day encore run at 10:30 PM.

FIRST-LOOK: “FINDING NEMO 3D” ONE-SHEET

            The teaser poster for the upcoming 3D theatrical release of the Academy Award®-winning film "Finding Nemo" has just been shared by Disney/Pixar.

             "Finding Nemo" returns to the big screen in thrilling Disney Digital 3D™ for the first time ever. Teeming with memorable comedic characters and heartfelt emotion, this stunning underwater adventure follows the momentous journey of an overprotective clownfish named Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and his young son Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould)––who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from his ocean home to a fish tank in a dentist's office.

             Buoyed by the companionship of Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish, Marlin embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic effort to rescue his son––who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

             Directed by two-time Oscar® winner Andrew Stanton and produced by Graham Walters, with an Oscar-nominated screenplay by Stanton, Bob Peterson and David Reynolds, "Finding Nemo" also features the voices of Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Austin Pendleton, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Joe Ranft, Geoffrey Rush and Elizabeth Perkins. Stanton serves as the unflappable sea turtle, Crush, and Peterson as the musical manta ray teacher, Mr. Ray.

             Opening across the Philippines in December 2012 in Disney Digital 3D, "Finding Nemo" is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

FILMING BEGINS ON NEW THRILLER “HIDDEN”

Alexander Skarsgård and Andrea Riseborough star in thriller

             Principal photography is underway in Vancouver on Warner Bros. Pictures' "Hidden," starring Alexander Skarsgård (TV's "True Blood") and Andrea Riseborough ("Shadow Dancer").

Ray (Skarsgård), Claire (Riseborough) and their seven-year-old daughter, Zoe, are an average American family in Kingsville, North Carolina—except they have existed in a bomb shelter since escaping a day of devastation that changed everything.

For 301 days, they have transformed their cement prison into a home, holding on to memories of the past and hope for a normal life someday. And for 301 days, the family has eluded what looms above the surface—the heavy breathing and booming footsteps that punctuate the night, threatening their fragile existence.

All the while, the family has managed to stay hidden. Until now. Now their safe haven has been breached…and something is coming for them.

Brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, who wrote the original script, make their feature film directorial debut on "Hidden." The film also stars Emily Alyn Lind ("J. Edgar") as daughter Zoe.

Roy Lee ("The Departed"), Oscar® nominee Mason Novick ("Juno") and Lawrence Grey ("Hope Springs") are producing. The executive producers are John Middleton, Sebastian Aloi, Jim Rowe and Katterli Frauenfelder. Michelle Knudsen is serving as co-producer.

The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Tom Townend ("Attack the Block"), Academy Award®-nominated production designer Jim Bissell ("Good Night, and Good Luck"), editor Jeffrey Werner ("The Kids Are All Right"), and Oscar®-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood ("Alice in Wonderland," "Chicago," "Memoirs of a Geisha"). The music is by Jeff Grace ("Meek's Cutoff").

Opening across the Philippines in April 2013, "Hidden" will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

BEN AFFLECK'S “ARGO” WOWS AT TORONTO FILM FEST

             Warner Bros. showcased one of its biggest fall films, the feel-good thriller "Argo," during the Toronto International Film Festival's opening days, proving an across-the-board hit with audiences.

             "Argo," actor-director Ben Affleck's take on a CIA mission to rescue six Americans from the 1979 Iran hostage crisis under the guise of a movie shoot, generated a standing ovation Friday night, Sept. 7 from the audience at Roy Thomson Hall. On hand were Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Victor Garber, Bryan Cranston and Tate Donovan, plus Affleck's wife Jennifer Garner and sometime collaborator Matt Damon.

             "Argo" premiered, aptly, on the same day the Canadian government closed its embassy in Tehran. The film depicts a little known incident wherein the CIA and the Canadian embassy helped six Americans escape Tehran during the Iranian hostage crisis.

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

             Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck ("The Town," "Good Will Hunting") directs and stars in the film, which is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney ("Syriana"), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov ("Good Night, and Good Luck.") and Affleck.

             On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

             "Argo" also stars Oscar® winner Alan Arkin ("Little Miss Sunshine"), Bryan Cranston (TV's "Breaking Bad") and John Goodman ("You Don't Know Jack"). The main cast also includes Kerry Bishé, Kyle Chandler, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Victor Garber, Zeljko Ivanek, Richard Kind, Scoot McNairy, Chris Messina, Michael Parks, and Taylor Schilling.

             Affleck is directing the film from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, based on a selection from Master in Disguise by Antonio Mendez. David Klawans, Chris Brigham, Graham King, Tim Headington, Chay Carter and Nina Wolarsky are serving as executive producers.

             (Opening across the Philippines this October, "Argo" is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.)

Season 3 of 'The Voice' Airs on AXN

Clinching four Emmy nods certainly bodes a good beginning to the premiere of the brand new season of The Voice, coming to AXN  on September 16 (Sunday) at 8pm. Winning the show's first ever nod in the 'Outstanding Reality Competition Program' category makes The Voice the only music reality series to be nominated in the category, beating out rival show American Idol, the first time in 10 years Idol has been left off the ballot!

In 2011, the novel vocal talent reality series first made waves in the entertainment industry with its refreshing approach to sieving musical talents – by having the four on spinning red chairs, back-faced to the talents so that all they can rely on are their ears. Now in its third season, the highly popular reality series continues to be helmed by host Carson Daly, as well as the four charismatic and surprisingly competitive coaches Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake 

Shelton and Cee Lo Green, and their sizzling chemistry to boot!

The formula to the show's success? Setting themselves apart from the million other reality competition series. Season 3 of The Voice continues to up its ante with "re-tweaks" to its successful format. For one, viewers will get to see way more of what made the show tick and that of course, refers to the blind auditions. To spice things up, everyone's favorite bit about the blind auditions - the spinning red chairs - will now be introduced to the battle rounds. According to host Carson Daly, the battle rounds will also be 'playing with some potential interchangeability'. Here's a long shot but our guess is that the judges might now be able to pinch an evicted member from a rival team. 

When asked about the new challenges to face in Season 3, here's what coach Christina Aguilera has to say: "It's a great idea that keeps the show fresh and also keeps us coaches on our feet. Now with the steals we have to know our team and all the other teams as well so we can be strategic."

"I love the concept behind the show and celebrating the voice and the talent behind it", the pop diva added.

Also, anticipate much stiffer competition from the contestants. The number of contestants has been lessened for this season. With fewer contestants, wise judgment calls have to be made by the four coaches and, for viewers, this means contestants of a higher caliber and more performances from each potential superstar the world has yet to meet.

Even the judges are thrilled to be working with the new Grammy-winning celebrity mentors making guest appearances this season – soulful crooner Michael Buble with Blake Shelton, Matchbox Twenty's frontman Rob Thomas with Cee Lo Green, R&B singer Mary J. Blige to Adam Levine's team, and Green Day's singer/songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong to Christina Aguilera's Team Xtina. 

Even before the announcement of the new mentors, Cee Lo has already introduced everyone to his new paramour in tow, and one that might just overshadow Christina's over-the-top head gear and low-cut tops. With Purrfect the Cat out of the picture, Cee Lo has picked up Lady, a pink Moluccan cockatoo, whom he met while 'vacationing on Fantasy Island'.  Added Cee Lo cheekily, "She's my little lady with a big opinion. Sometimes whispers inappropriateness in my ear, but always ladylike."

Aside from the same-week telecast and exciting rounds of blind auditions with the iconic spinning chairs, look forward to the playful banter among the four coaches. That, and the genuine rapports forming between the coach and contestant along the way, is what keeps viewers coming back for more. Not to mention it is the only show with Adam Levine and for most of us, and that alone makes The Voice stand out.

The Voice Season 3 premieres on September 16, 2012 

Every Sunday at 8.00 pm (PH)

First and Exclusively on AXN

SELENA GOMEZ IS DRACULA'S DAUGHTER IN “HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA”

             Teenage actress Selena Gomez ("Monte Carlo") provides the voice of Mavis, Dracula's sheltered but free-spirited daughter, in Columbia Pictures' new hilarious, 3D animated comedy "Hotel Transylvania."

             In the film, Mavis is totally pampered by her father (voice of Adam Sandler); however, she is headstrong and smart, and in many ways, a typical 118-year-old teenage girl. She's grown slightly bored with the domain of her childhood—she has lived within her father's hotel and its grounds all her life—and she longs to travel, experience life and see the world. Now, she's met a newcomer who could make that a real possibility: but should she leave and risk breaking her father's heart, or remain, and break her own?

             "Selena found a way to play the character that can be sweet and loving to everyone – and also be the only one who can put Dracula in his place," says producer Michelle Murdocca. "Dracula is a softy who'd do anything for his daughter – and doesn't she know it. Selena makes her a regular teenage daughter who knows what she wants and she's gonna get it from her dad."

             "Mavis is like a lot of teenagers," says Gomez. "She's got the cute hairstyle, dresses stylishly, has a little bit of an attitude, but she's really sincere and cares about her dad – she just kind of wants to have a little bit of independence. It's the same thing a lot of girls my age are going through – she's very relatable in wanting to have freedom, to see what the world is like. Everybody tells her these stories but she wants to experience it for herself and meet new people and be independent."

             Mavis is Gomez's first starring role in an animated movie. "I really wanted to do a fun, family movie – not to mention that I grew up watching Adam Sandler, so working with him was super exciting. I'm glad to be a part of it – it's a great movie," she says.

             The last several years have been a whirlwind for actress-singer Selena Gomez as she has wrapped up her hit Disney Channel series, released three albums and launched a film career – not to mention created her own fashion line and fragrance.

             A Dallas native, Gomez made her mark playing Alex Russo in the hit Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverly Place," which premiered in 2007. With the success of the series, Gomez became an internationally known actress with a legion of fans. Gomez and her castmates won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children's Program in 2009 and 2010.

             She landed her first feature film in 2003, when she was cast in "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over." Other films include Fox's "Ramona and Beezus" and "Monte Carlo" directed by Thom Bezucha. She recently wrapped "Spring Breakers" opposite James Franco and Vanessa Hudgens for director Harmony Korine, in a role that will be her most challenging to date. Gomez is currently filming The Getaway opposite Ethan Hawke for producer Joel Silver.

             Opening across the Philippines in Sept. 28 in Digital 3D and regular theaters, "Hotel Transylvania" is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

BRIT ACTORS CHANNEL DOOMED ROYAL COUPLE IN “W.E.”

            British talents James D'Arcy ("Master and Commander") and Andrea Riseborough ("Never Let Me Go") play the ill-fated Duke and Duchess of Windsor in The Weinstein Company's elegant romantic drama "W.E.," Madonna's Oscar-nominated film about one of the greatest real love stories of all time. The will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma) starting Sept. 12.

             "W.E." starts in the year 1998, when Manhattan is abuzz with anticipation about the upcoming auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. But the auction is far more than a diversion for Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), a New Yorker trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. Transfixed by the exquisite artifacts of the Windsors' lives, Wally becomes obsessed with the love story of Wallis Simpson (Riseborough), the chic, charismatic American who captured the heart of King Edward VIII (D'Arcy). As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness.

             Finding the right actress to play Wallis Simpson was essential to the telling of the story. Director Madonna needed someone who was able to embody Wallis's feisty "pep," but with a hint of fragility. The acclaimed British actress Andrea Riseborough was eventually cast in the role of Wallis Simpson. She was fresh from her critically acclaimed performance as the young Margaret Thatcher in the BBC film "The Long Walk to Finchley," which earned her a Television BAFTA nomination.
          

   Recalls Madonna, "Casting Wallis Simpson was almost impossible. She was very particular, and I was looking for a certain quality – something fragile, something androgynous and yet still feminine in a really old-fashioned way – plus this nervous, birdlike energy. When Andrea walked into the room, I knew immediately she was the one. It was the way she wore her dress, the length of her neck, the expressiveness of her hands. I had seen her play Margaret Thatcher and I had seen her in a period piece as well, "The Devil's Whore" and I saw that she transformed herself in each character."

             For her part, Riseborough was drawn to "W.E." after hearing two friends talk about it in New York. "They were meeting with Madonna to talk about being involved, so this was my first inkling that it was happening," she says. "When I first read the script, I found the dual reality interesting. Seeing a historical figure through the eyes of a modern-day woman and then on the flip side being able to relate to a woman in the late 1930s who was about to potentially become a Queen, I thought this was very interesting."

             Madonna's evident passion for the project was also a lure, Riseborough explains. "I really wanted to play Wallis with Madonna directing because she has such an affinity with Wallis. Madonna has read every publication about her, and I think she understands her in a very specific way in relation to her own life, but that is not something I have talked about with her. I just knew from the first moment that we met and talked about Wallis that she needed to tell the story."

             After joining the cast, Riseborough's preparation period began with researching her role and the period. Riseborough found the private letters between Wallis and Edward particularly illuminating. "The letters were just fascinating. They go all the way up to and past the abdication, so you can really get a full picture," the actress remarks. "Wallis and Edward had a really interesting language they used with one another, like a private code."

             British actor James D'Arcy was cast in the role of the Duke of Windsor, and as with the other actors, found Madonna's knowledge of Wallis and Edward to be highly impressive. "She had clearly done mountains of research, had written the script, and what became immediately obvious was that she'd been working on this for a long time," D'Arcy remembers. "She had read more or less everything there was to read about Edward and Mrs. Simpson."

             The interwoven story between the modern-day and the 1930s also appealed to the actor "What I liked about the script was that the period flashbacks were very real, very honest and very immediate. Sometimes when I watch period dramas, I feel quite a distance from them, that these are not real people. I hope that what you get with this film is you really believe that these are real people."

Meet Alex Cross

Based on James Patterson's best-selling novels (with over $3 billion in worldwide sales), "I, Alex Cross" will reboot the global franchise originated by the films "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came a Spider".

Alex Cross (Tyler Perry) is a decorated detective, forensic psychologist and devoted family man.  Working with his long-time partner, Tommy Kane (Ed Burns), he catches a complicated quadruple murder case and begins to profile a killer whom he labels Picasso for the drawings he leaves at the scene.  Picasso (Matthew Fox) is a suave, highly skilled assassin who is targeting an elite list of executives all part of the corporate empire of Leon Jospin (Jean Reno).

After Cross successfully thwarts one of Picasso's murder attempts, Picasso retaliates by targeting Cross' family.  Now it's personal as Cross blurs the lines of justice to pursue a killer no one can stop.  The film leads to a thrilling climax where Cross and Picasso face off in an intimate battle only one can win.  And in the end, a final twist reveals all was not as perceived to be and Cross is changed forever.

"I, Alex Cross" will be a taught, psychological thriller and powerful family drama.  The film will re-imagine the thriller genre with a polished, high gloss stylization.  In success, the film will launch multiple sequels.

 

"I, Alex Cross" is released and distributed by Solar Entertainment Corp.

Showing soon across the Philippines!

“RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION” INTRODUCES NEW CHARACTERS

             In each incarnation of "Resident Evil," the filmmakers introduce elements of the games that are most popular with hardcore gamers. "We pay a lot of attention to what they say," says writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson. "We listen to their feedback. That's why the dogs and the Lickers are in the franchise. It's why Jill joined the franchise. For "Resident Evil: Retribution," we have added the characters of Leon Kennedy, Barry Burton and Ada Wong. People were clamoring for them."
The gamers' enthusiasm for those characters meant the filmmakers had to be especially meticulous in selecting the actors who would embody them on screen. "We took a long time with the casting process," Anderson adds. "We found actors who brought these characters to life in a way that is as close to the video game as possible. You have no idea how difficult it is to find someone who could carry off Leon Kennedy's hair. He had to be to be manly and have those long bangs."

            "I think the parts of Barry, Leon and Ada are perfectly cast," says producer Robert Kulzer. "The actors have captured the essence of what people love about their videogame characters, but at the same time, have made the roles completely their own."
Anderson chose Estonian-born actor Johann Urb to bring the key character of Leon S. Kennedy to life. Urb calls his character "a zombie-killing machine. He is a survivor and the leader of the resistance. Things have gotten really dire and we all have to team up to survive."

             Urb says he loved the idea of playing an action hero. "The character is a real dream for me. He's strong, confident, a great leader, and he gets to shoot zombies. He's lot of fun and it makes it easy to wake up each morning and step into his shoes."

             To bring the role of Barry Burton to the screen, the filmmakers tapped Canadian-born actor Kevin Durand. Familiar to audiences for such roles as Gabriel in "Legion" and Martin Keamy in the hit television series "Lost," Durand embraced the opportunity to play the cigar-chomping zombie fighter. "It really wasn't a difficult decision," says Durand. "Burton's kind of a Dirty Harry type of character that carries a big .44 Magnum and is really good at killing zombies. How much fun is that?"
Another character drawn directly from the game is the mysterious and deadly Ada Wong. The filmmakers selected award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing to embody Wong's strength and intelligence, as well her ambiguous loyalties.

             "We knew as soon as we saw her audition that Bingbing was the perfect choice for the role," says producer Jeremy Bolt. "In addition to being an extremely talented actor, she's sharp, sexy and smart—all qualities that the Ada Wong character had to have."

             Li was honored to be chosen to play the alluring assassin. "Resident Evil is a well-known game in China and Ada Wong has a lot of fans there," she says. "When Paul invited me to play the part, I think the fans were as excited as I was."

             The most daunting component for Li was not the extensive stunt work, but having to speak her lines in English. "At the beginning, I was very self-conscious," she admits. "I thought that if I just didn't open my mouth, I wouldn't make any mistakes. But as I got to know everyone better, I became more comfortable. And I was relieved to find that nobody laughed. In fact, they said 'oh your English is amazing!' They made me feel like I was part of a very cozy family."

Opening across the Philippines on Sept. 12, "Resident Evil: Retribution" is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visitwww.columbiapictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games.

FILMING UNDERWAY ON “WE’RE THE MILLERS”

Principal photography is underway on New Line Cinema's action comedy "We're The Millers," starring Jennifer Aniston ("Horrible Bosses") and Jason Sudeikis ("The Campaign"). The film is directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber ("Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story").

In the film, David Burke (Sudeikis) is a small-time pot dealer whose clientele includes chefs and soccer moms, but no kids—after all, he has his scruples. So what could go wrong? Plenty. Preferring to keep a low profile for obvious reasons, he learns the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished when he tries to help out some local teens and winds up getting jumped by a trio of gutter punks. Stealing his stash and his cash, they leave him in major debt to his supplier, Brad (Ed Helms).

In order to wipe the slate clean—and maintain a clean bill of health—David must now become a big-time drug smuggler by bringing Brad's latest shipment in from Mexico. Twisting the arms of his neighbors, cynical stripper Rose (Aniston) and wannabe customer Kenny (Will Poulter), and the tatted-and-pierced streetwise teen Casey (Emma Roberts), he devises a foolproof plan. One fake wife, two pretend kids and a huge, shiny RV later, the "Millers" are headed south of the border for a Fourth of July weekend that is sure to end with a bang.

Thurber directs "We're The Millers" from a screenplay by Steve Faber & Bob Fisher ("Wedding Crashers") and Sean Anders & John Morris ("Hot Tub Time Machine"). The film also stars Emma Roberts ("The Art of Getting By"), Nick Offerman ("21 Jump Street"), Kathryn Hahn ("The Dictator"), Will Poulter ("The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader") and Ed Helms (the "Hangover" films).

Vincent Newman, Tucker Tooley, Happy Walters and Chris Bender are the producers, with David Heyman, J.C. Spink and Marcus Viscidi serving as executive producers.

Thurber's behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Barry Peterson ("21 Jump Street"); production designer Clayton Hartley ("The Other Guys"); editor Mike Sale ("The Hangover Part II"); and costume designer Shay Cunliffe ("The Bourne Legacy").

Shot on location in North Carolina and New Mexico, New Line Cinema's "We're The Millers" will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

NEW REALITY SHOW "DIRTY SOAP" PREMIERES ON VELVET

Dirty Soap with its tagline 'Keep Your Friends Close And Your Co-Stars Closer' is the new reality show produced by married couple and Daytime soap alumni Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. The hour-long series focuses on the personal and professional lives of well-known Daytime soap opera stars as well as their everyday lives away from their soap personas. Featured in show are real life couple Nadia Bjorlin (Days of our Lives) and Brandon Beemer (The Bold and the Beautiful). Also on-screen/off-screen couple from One Life to Live, John-Paul Lavoisier and Farah Fath, as well as Days of our Lives' Galen Gering along with his wife Jenna, and General Hospital's Kelly Monaco and Kirsten Storms. "Dirty Soap" premieres on Velvet on Wednesday (September 5) at 9:30 p.m. with encore telecast every Thursday, 12:00 nn. Velvet (SkyCable Channel 53) is available on SkyCable Platinum, SkyCable Gold, SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide. For updates, log-on to http://www.facebook.com/VelvetChannel.

ABS-CBN CONQUERS TOTAL DAY AND PRIMETIME TV VIEWING IN AUGUST

ABS-CBN Corporation, the country's largest and leading multimedia conglomerate, continued its leadership in national TV ratings among urban and rural homes nationwide with the strengthened viewership of its morning block (6AM-12NN), according to industry-trusted multinational market research group Kantar Media.

Data from Kantar Media show that ABS-CBN obtained an average audience share of 43% nationwide on total day viewership, or 12 points higher than rival GMA's 31%.

ABS-CBN further widened the lead in the morning block with an average morning audience share from 38% in last month to 41%, taking 3% shares from GMA's 32%, now down to 29%. This lead was mainly brought about by back-to-back programs "Be Careful with My Heart" and "Two Wives." The Richard Yap-Jodi Sta. Maria starrer hit a national TV rating of 22.6%, while the gripping Korean drama about two women who fell in love with the same man rated at 15.4%, rattling the morning landscape and trampling GMA's Kapuso Movie Festival (8.4%) and Chef Boy Logro (9.9%).

Kantar Media is a leading television (TV) audience measurement provider with capabilities in gathering TV viewing data in both digital and analog platforms. It now has total of 6.315 million homes in rural areas across the Philippines (North Luzon, Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) added to its existing 8.820 million homes in urban areas, bringing the total TV universe to 15.135 million homes nationwide. Kantar Media's audience panel now covers and represents 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population. This is in contrast to other providers that cover only the urban areas representing only 57% of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

The Kapamilya network also maintained its primetime leadership for the whole month of August in viewer-rich primetime (6PM-12MN) when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers efficiently, as it garnered an average audience share of 49%, almost twice than GMA's 29%. This translates to a solid 20 percentage point lead or nearly 70% higher viewing that its nearest competitor.

ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida also reigned in Total Luzon, hitting an average primetime share of 43% vs GMA's 32%. In the Visayas, ABS-CBN's primetime viewership averaged 56% vs GMA's 25%, while in Mindanao, it registered 62% as compared to GMA's 18%.

This dominance was mainly driven by ABS-CBN's top-caliber primetime offerings that continue to hold the top program rankings across the country in every region including Mega Manila.

More Filipino homes also tuned in to ABS-CBN's afternoon block (3PM-6PM), hitting an average national audience share of 39%, higher than GMA's 34%.

Kantar Media, meanwhile, reported that 13 Kapamilya programs secured the top 13 spots in the list of 15 most watched programs in the country in August, which was led by "Walang Hanggan" with an average national TV rating of 37.9%, followed by royal teleserye "Princess and I," which rated at 36.4%.

"MMK" remained to be the leading weekend program with an average national TV rating of 35.8%, while "TV Patrol" is still the number one newscast in the country with an average national TV rating of 31.9% vs rival GMA's "24 Oras" (18.1%).

When it comes to current affairs programs, "Rated K" is still the undisputed leader with 26.3%. "Kapamilya Deal or No Deal," on the other hand, remained as the only game show in the list with 22.7%.

Meanwhile, "Be Careful With My Heart" (22.6%) claimed the ninth spot in the top 15 and made it as the only morning program on the list of the most-watched programs.

Other Kapamilya programs in the top 15 are "Wansapanataym" (30.7%), "Goin' Bulilit" (23.4%), "Aryana" (22.2%), "Lorenzo's Time" (21.6), "Sarah G Live" (20.7%), and "The X Factor Philippines" (19.5%).

ABS-CBN's DZMM also continued its winning streak last July in Mega Manila by topping all AM radio stations with a 34% audience share, higher by 11 points than GMA's DZBB that only got 23%, according to the Nielsen Mega Manila RAM data.

ABS-CBN registered a net income of P2.4 billion for the full year 2011, while news media reported that GMA Network net income plummeted to P1.72 billion in the same period.

Kantar Media, a multinational market research group that specializes in audience measurement in more than 80 countries, has 26 TV networks, ad agencies, and pan-regional networks subscribing to its ratings services. Among its current subscribers are ABS-CBN, NBN, Sky Cable, J. Romero and Associates, 720ConsumerConnect, Starcom, OMD, PhD, Mediacom, Mindshare, MEC, Maxus, Universal McCann, Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation, Brand Ideas, and MPG Havas. They also include pan-regional networks like CSM Media Inc., Fox International Channels, Star HK, Discovery, AXN, HBO, MTV, Sony Pictures Television International, Celestial Tiger, and A&E Television Network. Among these, the following subscribe to both urban and rural TV audience measurement: ABS-CBN, Brand Ideas, MPG Havas, and 720ConsumerConnect.

ABS-CBN shifted to Kantar Media/TNS after filing a case vs. AGB Nielsen Media Research for failing to comply with its request to investigate alleged cheating and data tampering in TV ratings. The case is still pending in court contrary to claims by GMA, which is not a party to the case, that it has been resolved.