London Olympics Opening Ceremony

The 2012 London Olympics opened with a bang on Friday at the London Olympic Stadium with a humour-filled opening ceremony watched by 80,000 spectators and more than one billion TV viewers around the world.

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May the Best Loser Win in 'The Campaign'

The election process in America can sometimes get so wild, you just have to laugh…especially if you're Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis or admitted political news junkie Jay Roach, director/producer of Warner Bros.' irreverent new comedy "The Campaign."

             Known for "Meet the Parents" and the Austin Powers send-ups, Roach also successfully addressed the American political system from a more serious perspective in HBO's acclaimed dramas "Recount" and "Game Change," and has come to believe that sometimes the best way to confront the subject is head-on, with humor.

             "I think comedy is the correct response to politics these days. At least it gives you something to laugh about and makes the reality of it easier to swallow, whereas if you just watch the news it can be pretty scary," Roach offers. "Looking at some of today's election campaigns, I don't know if this is what our founding fathers had in mind."

             Luckily, Roach was able to exorcise his anxieties in a big way in "The Campaign," with Ferrell and Galifianakis, who also served as producers on the film, and whom he calls "two of the funniest, smartest guys on Earth. Will and Zach go all the way as rival candidates who have the resources to completely destroy each other by pulling out every form of shady campaign strategy you can imagine, every sleazy video and shameless dirty trick. And it quickly degenerates from there."

             The filmmakers, anticipating an R-rating, knew they'd have free rein to take this story as far as it needed to go, in a way that audiences everywhere could relate to—whether Republican, Democrat, Independent or fill-in-the-blank.

             Ferrell, who stars as entrenched incumbent Cam Brady, friend to all and faithful to none, says, "One of the things the story makes fun of is the amount of money that can be poured into elections and how much influence it can have. The district these guys are fighting over is a relatively small one, unimportant on the larger stage, but, for the powers that circle it, it's vital for their business interests and therefore worth a great deal to them."

             Representing the competition, Galifianakis stars as clueless first-time candidate Marty Huggins, who may have started out with some good intentions but soon adapts to reveal a talent for treachery that just needed some focus—which his backers are happy to provide. "I've followed politics all my life and I'm still amazed by the amount of puppeteering that goes on behind the scenes in the making of a politician, and how the public can be duped by that," says Galifianakis. "We're just showing, in a fun and funny way, how the sausage is made."

             "The Campaign" is an equal-opportunity offender, taking aim not at the politics but the process, and how, for a growing number of campaigns being waged around America, it doesn't seem to be so much about parties or issues or ideology anymore but about spending, fighting and winning… and spending some more. So why not take that to the next level and see what happens?
             "As one insult leads to another, both characters eventually lose their minds," producer Adam McKay says. "They snap. What starts out as typical mud-slinging and crazy accusations turns into a coliseum death match.

             Still, screenwriter Shawn Harwell points out, for all the mayhem on screen and improvisational input from the cast, "Jay made sure it all made sense and that we were getting the most emotional payoff for the journey, by telling a complete story and then finding ways to mine the comedy from that, rather than a lot of throwaway gags. And Will and Zach bring a lot of likeability to these characters that I think will make audiences root for them to succeed in their own way."

Considering the timing of the film's American debut, Ferrell says, "Releasing it before the next big presidential race might give people some relief from the election season and the fatigue of campaign ads, and bring them some laughs just when they need it most."

"If there's a message here," suggests Galifianakis, "It's that we're all screwed."
Opening across the Philippines on Aug. 29, "The Campaign" is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

‘Breaking In’ airs this August on AXN

Breaking In is a workplace comedy with a twist about a security firm that takes extreme – and often questionable – measures to sell their services.  Starting this August 9 at 9:05pm, hang out and laugh out loud with the Contra Security gang exclusively on AXN.

Created by Horrible Bosses director Seth Gordon and Fanboys screenwriter Adam F. Goldberg, the series follows a group of uniquely skilled oddball geniuses who give clients a sense of security by first ripping it away.

Owing to his underground reputation as a master computer hacker, college student Cameron Price (Bret Harrison) is recruited by Contra Security, a high-tech firm run by the enigmatic mastermind Oz (Christian Slater). Though Cameron is happy to continue his college career, Oz and his oddball team – lock-picker extraordinaire Melanie (Odette Yustman), tech geek Cash Sparks (Alphonso McAuley), and master of disguise Josh Armstrong (Trevor Moore) – refuse to take "no" for an answer.

So when Oz threatens to expose his illicit computer pranks, Cameron suddenly finds himself butting heads with Josh as he and his new colleagues employ an arsenal of questionable tactics to test the "impenetrable" security systems of clients that include a luxury car dealer, a Hollywood movie studio and an art gallery. Guest stars include Ted McGinley and NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson.

Breaking In premieres with back-to-back episodes on August 6, 9:05pm, first and exclusively on AXN.

Colin Farell Uncovers His Real Memories in 'Total Recall'

            Colin Farrell stars as a factory worker who'd rather have real memories of a super-spy, in Columbia Pictures' new action-adventure "Total Recall." He turns to Rekall, a futuristic company that can turn your dreams into real memories. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man.

             The line between fantasy and reality gets blurred and the fate of his world hangs in the balance as Quaid discovers his true identity, his true love, and his true fate.

             "It was very important that Quaid is just an ordinary guy," producer Toby Jaffe says. "Colin just brings a real genius to him as an actor. There's a likeability onscreen that you just feel he's a real guy who could be a real factory worker."

             "It's a common story, a man who feels that he isn't living the life he should be living – a man experiencing some discontent with his lot in life," says Farrell. "But he gets a rude awakening, which is that he really isn't living the life he should be living. Quaid has no idea who he is, beyond a deeply cellular or emotional level. The whole movie is him trying to figure out who is the real Quaid."

             "I really wanted to get more involved in Quaid's experience," Wiseman explains. "I mean, imagine: you wake up, you go about your life and you inherently feel like a good guy… All of a sudden, everybody around you starts telling you that you're a bad guy. What do you do?"

             With that in mind, Farrell approached the role as a battle between emotional and intellectual and tried to maintain that balance. "It brings up issues of identity, ego, and super-ego – it's fun to wade into that psychological pond a bit," he says.

             As part of his development of the character, Farrell did some unusual things – including sleeping overnight in the Quaid Apartment set. "I just wanted to see what it was like to have an evening and then wake up in the morning in that space," he says. "It was lovely, actually."

             "Colin really dedicated himself to this character," says producer Neal H. Moritz. "He's in just about every scene. There were many days that he was standing in the rain all day long, wet as can be, and still, every day after filming he'd either go to yoga or lift weights."

Whenever possible, Farrell performed his own stunts. The actor worked closely with stunt coordinator Andy Gill ("Fast Five") and fight coordinator Jeff Imada ("The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1"). "You get schooled when you come to work with them," he says. "You get practical lessons that you'd never need to learn, if you weren't doing this job."

Opening across the Philippines on August 22, "Total Recall" 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/ColumbiaPicturesPHand join our fan contests.

Half-Siblings Meet for the First Time in 'People Like Us'

            DreamWorks Pictures' new drama-comedy "People Like Us" starring Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks promises to make moviegoers connect to the experience of the film in a very real way. Director Alex Kurtzman says, "This is a relatable family drama. It's a movie that is about an experience that's specific and yet very universal at the same time."

             "People Like Us" opens on Aug. 15 exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma).
             In the film, Sam (Pine), a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman, finds his latest deal collapsing on the same day he learns that his father has suddenly died. Against his wishes, Sam is called home, where he must put his father's estate in order and reconnect with his estranged family. In the course of fulfilling his father's last wishes, Sam uncovers a startling secret that turns his entire world upside-down: He has a 30-year-old sister Frankie (Banks) whom he never knew about. As their relationship develops, Sam is forced to rethink everything he thought he knew about his family—and re-examine his own life choices in the process.

            "It's a movie that's about all of us. It's about who we are; it's about the choices that we make," Kurtzman continues. "It's about the mistakes that we make and about the beauty that we find in life, in each other and in our family, no matter how complicated that family is. At the end of the day when all is said and done, nothing is more important than family."

             When writer/director Alex Kurtzman was young, he knew that his father had been married before and had two other children. Separated by distance and 15 years, the other family led their lives and Kurtzman led his. They never met one another. One day, Kurtzman began to think about the other family and from that initial wave of thoughts, the idea for "People Like Us" began to germinate: What if, when he was young, he had actually met his half-brother or sister and never realized it?

             In an uncanny and totally serendipitous moment, Kurtzman met his half-sister at a party that very same day. As Kurtzman explains, "I don't know where the idea came from, but it just sort of struck me and I had no idea how to get there. And I didn't think much of it. That night, maybe about three hours later, I walked into a party and a woman walked up to me and said, 'I'm your sister.'

             "It was sort of like being in a dream," continues Kurtzman. "We got to know each other, and it was an amazing experience. We got incredibly close and as we did, we started to talk about the different things that we had missed, the time that we had missed together, and I think that the overwhelming feeling that we walked away with was just how grateful we were to finally get to know each other."

Kurtzman admits that it was "a little bit shocking" for both of them to finally sit down and meet. "It was an amazing thing to me because when you're looking at someone who in some ways has your features, whom you've never met before, and whose genetics are very clear, it's a little bit like looking in a mirror," says Kurtzman.

Kurtzman is candid about how he felt making a film on a subject that he has a personal connection to: "The thing that was most important to me, while being true to the experience of my life, was that I wanted to make sure it was a movie that communicated that everybody has reasons for doing what they do."

"People Like Us" is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

'Be Careful with My Heart' Zooms to No. 1 of Kantar Media's Daytime TV Ratings

After zooming to the top of daytime TV, lead stars of ABS-CBN's romantic comedy series, "Be Careful With My Heart," Richard Yap and Jodi AND Sta. Maria are now hailed by fans as 'Prime-Tanghali' King and Queen.

Based on the latest data of Kantar Media, ABS-CBN's 'Prime-Tanghali' romantic-comedy series continues to be the country's no. 1 daytime TV program as it garnered last Thursday (July 19) its all-time high national TV rating of 21.7%. Its newest rival program in GMA, "The Baker King: The Big Return" only got 7.1%. Also on the same day, "Be Careful With My Heart" reached the no. 5 spot of the list of the overall top TV programs nationwide.

According to Richard, who is now known to viewers as the widower businessman 'Mr. Lim,' he, Jodi, and their whole team feel so blessed for the instant success of their show.

"To all the TV viewers and thos who watch our show online, thank you so much for all your support. We are extremely grateful that all of you follow and stick with us in the 'Prime-Tanghali' timeslot," said Richard. "We are so happy with the high ratings and we offer this success to all the fans who made the show no.1."

ABS-CBN's 'Prime-Tanghali' King believes that "Be Careful With My Heart" captured the hearts of viewers because of it 'perfect mix' of great elements. "I think a lot of people now want to feel good and be entertained. I guess we have the perfect mix of comedy, romance, and true-to-life story that TV viewers look for,' shareda Richard.

Together with Richard and Jodi in "Be Careful With My Heart" are Aiza Seguerra, Mutya Orquia, Sylvia Sanchez, Divina Valencia, Gloria Sevilla, Pen Medina, Robert Ortega, Kalila Aguilos, Paul Jake Castillo, Micah Munoz, Janella Salvador, Jerome Ponce, JM Ibanez, Sunshine Garcia, Vivieka Vivieka, Tart Carlos, Twinkle Dy, Antonette Garcia, Nick Lizaso, and Sunshine Cruz.

Continue to follow the blossoming cute love story of Mr. Lim and Yaya Maya (Jodi) in "Be Careful With My Heart," everyday, 10:45am, before "It's Showtime" on ABS-CBN's Prime-Tanghali.

For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com, follow @becarefulheart on Twitter; and 'like' the show's official Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/becarefulwithmyheartofficial.

Sarah Geronimo Falls on Stage During Her 24/SG Concert (Video)

During her "24/SG The Repeat Concert" at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, July 21, Sarah Geronimo tripped on stage while singing Jennifer Holliday's "And I Am Telling You."

Check out the video:

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Sam Milby Tops Inside Showbiz' 2012 Hot Men Issue

It's all about hot men on Inside Showbiz' August 2012 issue with Sam Milby headlining their Top 40 Hottest Men in the Philippines list.

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'Man of Steel' Starring Henry Cavill as Superman - First Trailer Released!

Warner Bros. has released the teaser trailer for Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" starring Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman.

Here is the official plot summary of "Man of Steel":

Henry Cavill plays Superman in director Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel." The film also stars Amy Adams as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Laurence Fishburne as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent's adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Diane Lane and Kevin Costner.

Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Michael Shannon, and Faora, Zod's evil partner, played by Antje Traue. Also from Superman's native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman's mother, played by Ayelet Zurer, and Superman's father, Jor-El, portrayed by Russell Crowe. Rounding out the cast are Harry Lennix as U.S. military man General Swanwick, as well as Christopher Meloni as Colonel Hardy.

Check it out while it's hot!

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LED STREETLIGHTS BRIGHTEN UP ESTERO DE PACO

Streetlights were installed along the cleaned-up Estero de Paco on Tuesday (July 17) following its multi-phase rehabilitation and beautification as one of the tributaries of the Pasig River.

 

With the new streetlights, Estero de Paco is poised to become a tourist attraction, a center of economic activity, and a model for rehabilitation of other waterways leading to the Pasig River.

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez led the inauguration of the lights in the estero, a 2.9-kilometer tributary of the Pasig River that was reputed to be a crime route and an accident-prone area.

 

"The beautification and lighting of Estero de Paco, a joint project of our city and Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig, not only provide residents with a clean estero but also a safe and peaceful environment. The LED lights give more illumination and low electrical consumption," said Lim.

 

Installed on an easement section between Pedro Gil and Quirino bridges, the streetlights were the first LED lights ever to be put up in the City of Manila. The city plans to set up more streetlights in other parts of Estero de Paco.

 

"It's symbolic. Lights are always symbolic. It's the advent of a transition from one phase to another—from something so bad, moving on to endless possibilities. It's the promise of a brighter future—the lighting of Estero de Paco!" said Lopez, whopersonally requested the lights from Mayor Lim.

 

ABS-CBN Foundation's Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig in partnership with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, the City of Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Manila Water, Maynilad, and other government and private partners, began rehabilitating Estero de Paco last 2009.

 

The first phase of rehab includes dredging of silt and accumulated waste at the riverbed, the relocation of more than 1,000 families living along the estero, the development of the three-meter easement as a linear park, information, education, and communication campaign for the residents of the sixteen near the estero, River Warrior training of community volunteers, and the redevelopment of the dry section of the Paco Market.

 

The ongoing final phase of rehabilitation includes the rehabilitation of Paco Market's wet section, putting up of coco coir for slope stabilization and planting of phytoremediation plants along the easement, setting up of interceptor box sewer to catch household wastes and the installation of active island reactors to bring life back into the estero waters.

 

To raise more funds for the rehabilitation of other esteros leading to the Pasig River, ABS-CBN Foundation's KBPIP will be staging its fourth advocacy run via "09.30.2012 Run for the Pasig River" to be held in Quezon City on September 30, 2012.