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Neeson, Fiennes play greek gods in “Clash of the Titans” 0

Posted on March 18, 2010 by kankan
Liam Neeson (“Taken”) and Ralph Fiennes (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) reunite for the big screen in Warner Bros.’ 3D fantasy adventure “Clash of the Titans” after doing Academy Award-nominated performances together in “Schindler’s List.”   Neeson plays Zeus, King of the Gods; while Fiennes is Hades, lord of the underworld.
In the film, Perseus (Sam Worthington) — born of a god but raised as a man — is helpless to save his family from Hades.  With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus and unleash hell on earth.  Leading a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds.  Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, he will only survive if he can accept his power as a god, defy his fate and create his own destiny.
Perseus’ natural father is Zeus, who feels that the young demigod should not only want, but should ask for, his help.  Having been accustomed to unquestioning love from his own creation—humanity—Zeus is uncertain as to how to deal with its wavering devotion and mounting uprisings.
It doesn’t help that his brother Hades, is pressing Zeus to allow him to handle things in his own way.  Esteemed actor Liam Neeson, who took on the role of the conflicted king of Olympus , explains the delicate relationship.  “Eons ago, Zeus, Hades and their brother, Poseidon, took control of the universe from their parents, the Titans,” says Neeson.  “Zeus took over the heavens and Poseidon got the oceans, but Zeus tricked Hades into ruling the underworld.  So Hades now sees his chance for revenge by tricking Zeus into starting a war with the humans.  Initially fooled by Hades’ brotherly pleas, Zeus thinks maybe Hades is right…maybe they’ve got to teach humanity a lesson.”
“Liam’s physicality was perfect for the part,” producer Basil Iwanyk states of the actor.  “He’s big, he’s strong, he has that great, authoritative voice, but he has a very sweet face and very emotional eyes.  The Zeus that we conceived is king of the gods and very powerful, but he’s also hurt; he’s thrown, he’s confused, he’s gone soft.  Liam’s a very intense, imposing figure, but he can play that softness, that emotion in his face.”
Preying on his brother’s pain at the loss of mortal devotion, Hades convinces Zeus to let him put fear into the hearts of men, saying that fear will bring their prayers back to Zeus and, along with them, Zeus’ power over them.  But in reality, human fear makes Hades stronger, not Zeus.  Acclaimed actor Ralph Fiennes plays the part of the cunning underworld ruler eager to take his rightful place in the heavens.
“Ralph is not what you would consider a physically imposing man,” Iwanyk says, “but he has an ability to convey tremendous intensity, rage and strength.  He wanted to bring this incredibly terrifying, unique character to the screen, and he did.”  The producer also appreciated what Fiennes real-life friendship with Neeson added to the mix.  “Hades and Zeus have a very complicated relationship onscreen, because they are not just adversaries, they are brothers.  Ralph and Liam’s friendship really added to that dynamic.”
“The gods are in a state of emergency,” states Fiennes, “and Hades walks onto Olympus, with its vast marble hall set up high in the clouds, and sees what he has been missing being down below with the damned and the dead for so long.  And he isn’t a god of compassion.  He’s been betrayed by Zeus, and he figures it’s his turn now.  So he goes to the city of Argos and demonstrates his wrath and his power over them.  He demands the sacrifice that ultimately sends Perseus on his expedition.”
Opening soon across the Philippines in regular format and Digital 3D, “Clash of the Titans” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

clash_of_the_titans

Liam Neeson (“Taken”) and Ralph Fiennes (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) reunite for the big screen in Warner Bros.’ 3D fantasy adventure “Clash of the Titans” after doing Academy Award-nominated performances together in “Schindler’s List.”   Neeson plays Zeus, King of the Gods; while Fiennes is Hades, lord of the underworld.

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“The Losers” let loose on the big screen 0

Posted on March 18, 2010 by kankan
DC Comics / Vertigo Comics’ popular series “The Losers” gets a big-screen treatment from director Sylvain White (“Stomp the Yard”) and screenwriters Peter Berg (“The Rundown”) and James Vanderbilt (upcoming “Spider-Man” reboot).
An explosive action tale of betrayal and revenge, Warner Bros.’ “The Losers” centers around the members of an elite Special Forces unit sent to the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission.  But the team—Clay, Jensen, Roque, Pooch and Cougar—soon find that they have become the target of a deadly double cross, instigated from inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max.
Now presumed dead, the group makes plans to avenge themselves and clear their names, joined by the mysterious Aisha, a beautiful operative with her own agenda.  Working together, they must remain deeply undercover while tracking the shadowy and heavily guarded Max—a ruthless man bent on embroiling the world in a new high-tech global war for his own benefit.
“The Losers” stars Jeffery Dean Morgan (“Watchmen”) as Clay; Zoe Saldana (“Avatar,” “Star Trek”) as Aisha; Chris Evans (the “Fantastic Four” films) as Jensen; Idris Elba (“Obsessed”) as Roque; Columbus Short (“Quarantine”) as Pooch; Oscar Jaeneda (“Che: Part Two”) as Cougar; and Jason Patric (“My Sister’s Keeper”) as Max.
“The Losers” is produced by Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster, with Steve Richards, Andrew Rona, Sarah Aubrey and Stuart Besser serving as executive producers and Richard Mirisch co-producing.
The behind-the-scenes creative team was led by director of photography Scott Kevan (“Stomp the Yard”), production designer Aaron Osborne (“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang”), editor David Checel (“Stomp the Yard”), visual effects supervisor Richard Yuricich (“Orphan”), and costume designer Magali Guidasci (“Zombieland”).  The music is by John Ottman (“Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer”).
Opening soon across the Philippines , “The Losers” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

losers

DC Comics / Vertigo Comics’ popular series “The Losers” gets a big-screen treatment from director Sylvain White (“Stomp the Yard”) and screenwriters Peter Berg (“The Rundown”) and James Vanderbilt (upcoming “Spider-Man” reboot).

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Wimpy Kid Zachary Gordon speaks up 0

Posted on March 17, 2010 by kankan
The best-selling book series “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney which won at the recent Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards over the “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” series is now a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox.
From the pages of the best-selling book series, the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” movie reels on Greg Heffley (played by Zachary Gordon) thinking middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented.  For him, middle school is filled with oodles of morons and worst, bullies. As Greg tries to survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, he devises an endless series of his daily mischief by penning it on paper.  His diary as his mother calls it and that which Greg prefers to be called journal is filled with his ideas, judgment and stories of family and school ordeals that serves as his gateway for magnified emotions and ideals of a teen trying to fit in and prove something.
Zachary Gordon who plays the titular role of the wimpy kid Greg Heffley has notably appeared in  “Four Christmases” with Vince Vaugh and Reese Witherspoon and “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” along with Nicolas Cage.  He also lent his voice in “Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa” as the voice of Baby Melman.  His other film credits include “The Brothers Bloom,” “Lower Learning,” “Sex and Death 101” and “Georgia Rule.”
With his first starring role in “Diary of A Wimpy Kid,” Zachary enthusiastically related to Anthony Breznican of USA Today about how they tried to prep his look – “This was amazing, because I had to get tons and tons of haircuts. “They had to get it just perfect. They were looking at the book and looking at my hair, and trying to make three sprigs in the back stand up. His costume also doesn’t have much wiggle room to imitate the slender stick character. They put on short and really tight clothes, like these skinny jeans. I had to wear them around town to get used to them.”
Jeff Kinney also serves as a consultant all throughout the movie’s production.  He defines his anti-hero, Greg as a “deeply flawed character but likeable.”  During the course of the production, Kinney stresses the importance of preserving Greg’s voice, which he characterizes as a balance of cockiness and powerlessness.  “I pushed for him to be a likeable jerk. One of my favorite things is Greg doesn’t learn his lesson all the time,’ explains Kinney.
Greg “is pretty lazy, so I have to act like that,” Zachary continues. “I have to act competitive and really self-centered. By reading the books and thinking about Greg … he always thinks everything revolves around him. He thinks the world is just about him.”
While some are raising their eyebrows on Greg’s character, Zachary has just but a few words of (youngster’s) wisdom to enlighten the cynical: “Everybody has Greg inside him. Their worst parts are him. That’s how they relate to him, and he also has a little bit of a conscience, in some ways.”
The movie is directed by Thor Freudenthal whose credits include the kiddie films “Hotel for Dogs,” “The Haunted Mansion” and “Stuart Litte 1 and 2.”  It also stars an outrageous cast of comedic talents Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris, Chole Grace Moretz, Devon Bostick and Robert Capron.
“Diary of A Wimpy Kid” opens April 3 (Black Saturday) in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

wimpykid

The best-selling book series “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney which won at the recent Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards over the “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” series is now a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox.

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Sam Worthington follows up “Avatar” with “Clash of the Titans” 0

Posted on March 16, 2010 by kankan
One blockbuster deserves another.  That’s what Sam Worthington is aiming for as he follows up “Avatar” with Warner Bros.’ new action adventure epic “Clash of the Titans.”
Worthington plays Perseus who is pitted against the full array of Greek gods and goddesses, the earth-shattering forces at their fingertips, and all the fierce and mysterious creatures and monsters they control.  In the film, Perseus is laying claim to his own destiny. But the vengeful gods will not let go of their power so easily.
Zeus, King of the Gods, (played by Liam Neeson) incurs the wrath of Perseus—his half-human son—after the god has destroyed the human family that raised him.  “When Zeus kills his family, this becomes like a revenge movie,” says Worthington .  “He wants to kill anyone who hurt his family, like any of us would in that situation. And he’s a bit like a boisterous teenager.  Along the way, he grows up and realizes what a better kind of revenge can be.”
Worthington points out that Perseus—like the characters he played in “Avatar” and “Terminator Salvation”—is struggling to come to grips with who he is and what he ultimately wants to be in the midst of his journey.  “It is that type of duality that intrigues me with this kind of character,” he says.  “In movies like this, they are all taking on a bigger bully and that, to me, is a great message. We should stand up to people who want to take us down.”
Director Louis Leterrier was likewise drawn to the film’s classic theme of a reluctant hero on a quest to accomplish the impossible.  “It is as though every movie I have made is about an anti-hero, a guy who doesn’t want to be a hero,” says the director.  “This guy doesn’t accept his destiny and who he really is. He fights it. The gods are selfish and egotistical, using human beings as their playthings. It’s no wonder that mankind wants to revolt. It becomes a truly epic struggle, with iconic creatures, heroes and amazing actions sequences.”
Producer Basil Iwanyk adds, “The gods have been the rulers and leaders of the world up to this point and humans, while they are entertaining for the gods, are scrabby and can’t be left to fend for themselves.  Yet now we have it that men, led by Perseus, have said, ‘Hold on a second! We could determine our own destiny, be it good or bad. We could figure things out ourselves. We can’t just be subject to the gods’ precociousness.’ There is a feeling of anti-authority and rebelliousness. We see that strongly with the Perseus character. It is subtext. You feel that this movie is about youthful anger and revolt.”
Producer Kevin De La Noy concludes that Perseus’s physical odyssey in the film mirrors his own internal struggle, “Perseus is raised as a man by his human father, who raises him as a fisherman. But eventually he learns that he is the son of a god, Zeus. Perseus is a demigod, and the push and pull throughout the course of the story is whether he should embrace his godliness or be a man.  He wants to be man. He hates the gods.”
Opening soon across the Philippines in regular format and Digital 3D, “Clash of the Titans” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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One blockbuster deserves another.  That’s what Sam Worthington is aiming for as he follows up “Avatar” with Warner Bros.’ new action adventure epic “Clash of the Titans.”

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Family far from picture-perfect in “Everybody’s Fine” 0

Posted on March 16, 2010 by kankan
A heartfelt dramatic comedy, Miramax Films’ “Everybody’s Fine” presents a family picture that is all too common in our modern world. Parents and siblings living hundreds of miles apart, too distracted with the stress of modern life to find time to call each other and too preoccupied with their own family and friends to find time to visit home.
To be shown soon exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma), “Everybody’s Fine” stars Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell.  The film was written and directed by Kirk Jones (“Nanny McPhee”) based on ‘Stanno Tutti Bene’ originally written and directed in the Italian language by Academy Award ® winner Giuseppe Tornatore in 1990.  Original music is by Academy Award winner Dario Marianelli (“Atonement,” “Pride and Prejudice”) with an original song written for the film by Sir Paul McCartney.
In the film, Frank Goode (De Niro) has spent his adult life working in a local wire factory earning every dollar he can to support his family. Recently retired, he realizes that over the years he has spent too little time with his four children and that it’s time to reconnect.
Frank’s late wife was always his main point of contact with his kids but he decides that it’s now his responsibility to keep an eye on them. He is inspired to invite the whole extended family for a barbeque weekend. Preparations go well until one by one, such is modern life, they all have good reason to cancel.
Despite a strict warning from his doctor, Frank takes matters into his own hands and packs a bag before setting out on a journey across the US with the intention of surprising each of his children and wallowing in their success and happiness.
Frank travels to see his son David ‘the artist’ in New York, his daughter who is ‘high up in advertising’ in Chicago, his son Robert ‘the orchestral conductor’ in Denver and finally Rosie his youngest who is a ‘dancer in a Vegas show’ but before long it becomes clear to Frank that his children are not quite as happy or successful as his wife had always reported.
Returning home from a journey that ends with the revelation of a family tragedy, Frank has the insight and confidence to report to his wife that despite everything “everybody’s fine.”
As a father of three, director Kirk Jones connected only too well with the story of a father who wants nothing more than to do his best for his children but he also knows that parenthood can be very emotionally complex.
Says Jones, “Any father can relate to the conflicting instincts that are experienced by Frank in this story; realizing he has spent too little time with his children and family because it was necessary for him to work long hours to provide security for them. It is interesting to note that with all of the technological developments in recent years, balancing work and family remains one of the most challenging dilemmas facing modern parents.”
Jones was also moved by Frank’s awakening to the reality that maybe his children didn’t turn out so perfectly.  “I think it’s very common for parents expectations to be much higher than reality allows. Frank is only guilty of wanting the best for his children.  He wanted to inspire them, he wanted them to reach the top but unfortunately the result is that they now feel they haven’t really measured up in his eyes.”
“Everybody’s Fine” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.

everybodys_fine

A heartfelt dramatic comedy, Miramax Films’ “Everybody’s Fine” presents a family picture that is all too common in our modern world. Parents and siblings living hundreds of miles apart, too distracted with the stress of modern life to find time to call each other and too preoccupied with their own family and friends to find time to visit home.

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First-look images: Stretch and Twitch of “Toy Story 3″ 0

Posted on March 11, 2010 by kankan
An octopus and a human-insect join the new cast of “Toy Story 3.” See them for the first time here!
STRETCH is a fun-loving under-the-sea octopus friend that shines in glittery purple. Kids can count her eight rubbery legs and dozens of sticky suckers that are sure to stand up to rough-and-tumble play and extreme stretching. Toss her high on the wall and watch her climb her way down! Clean in mild soap solution to remove dust and lint.
Meet TWITCH, the insectaloid warrior, where MAN + INSECT = AWESOME! This sturdy action figure stands over five inches tall, with more than 15 points of articulation, including ferocious chomping mandibles. Use his powerful wings and impenetrable exoskeleton to evade capture! Twitch is meticulously detailed and includes his signature magical battle staff and removable chest armor. For children ages 4 and up. Other insectaloid figures sold separately.
The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of our favorite gang of toy characters in TOY STORY 3. As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys are troubled about their uncertain future.
Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”), TOY STORY 3 is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ that lands the toys in a room full of untamed tots who can’t wait to get their sticky little fingers on these “new” toys.  It’s pandemonium as they try to stay together, ensuring “no toy gets left behind.”  Meanwhile, Barbie comes face to plastic face with Ken (yes, that Ken).
Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson (”Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.”) produces, while Michael Arndt, Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities.
TOY STORY 3 opens across the Philippines on June 23 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and conventional format.

toystory_twitchAn octopus and a human-insect join the new cast of “Toy Story 3.” See them for the first time here!

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A new hero rises in “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” 0

Posted on March 10, 2010 by kankan
From the team that brought the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy to the big screen, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” an epic action-adventure set in the mystical lands of Persia .
In the film, a rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal)) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.
Directed by Mike Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) with a cast that includes Sir Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina, “Prince of Persia” is written by Boaz Yakin and Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard from a screen story by Jordan Mechner.
“It’s a classic tale of someone having their world turned upside down by extraordinary circumstances and having to use all their resources to come out the other side,” Mike Newell explains what drew him to the script.  “I also loved the idea of going to a place I had never been before. We had the freedom to create this whole amazing world because no one knows exactly what it looked like. The time period is also one when people took stories very seriously, and there wasn’t a division between what was a fable and what was real. To me the story of the film feels like one of the great myths: something that’s quite simple in a way, but bites very deep and you remember it life-long.
Was Jake Gyllenhaal his first choice to play the title character and what was it about him that got him the part?
“You had to have someone of a certain age,” answers Newell. “The prince had to have a command of the screen, which Jake obviously does and is partly what makes Jake a very interesting actor. I looked around and Jake was the first name that came into my head. And though I did meet lots and lots of other actors, I kept coming back to him.”
Opening soon across the Philippines , “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.

prince_of_persia_hero2

From the team that brought the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy to the big screen, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” an epic action-adventure set in the mystical lands of Persia .

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“Alice in Wonderland” grosses P47.9-M in 4 days, opens at no. 1 in Phils. 0

Posted on March 09, 2010 by kankan
Philippine audiences headed down the rabbit hole this weekend, as Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” opened at No. 1 with a nationwide gross of an amazing P47.930-million in 144 screens for the March 4-7 frame.  This was announced March 8 by Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Walt Disney Studios which locally distributed the film.
This figure marked the all-time third biggest opening weekend for Disney, after 2007’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (P71-million) and 2006’s “Pirates of Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (P66-million).
It likewise became the second most successful March opening weekend in history, overtaking 2006’s “Ice Age 2: The Meltdown” (P41-million).
“Alice” also gave Tim Burton his biggest opening in the Philippines, with a jaw-dropping 105% improvement from 2001’s “Planet of the Apes” (P23.4-million) and already surpassing 2005’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s” lifetime gross of P41.1-million in only four days of release.
The top 20 cinemas that posted the best receipts are SM North EDSA (P4.10-M), Trinoma (P3.15-M), SM Mall of Asia (P2.95-M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.32-M), Power Plant (P2.08-M), Glorietta (P2.02-M), Alabang Town Center (P1.98-M), SM Megamall (P1.67-M), SM Cebu (P1.48-M), Shang Cineplex (P1.44-M).
Close to their heels are Gateway (P1.30-M), Eastwood (P1.25-M), Greenhills (P1.22-M), Robinsons Galleria (P979,784), Sta. Lucia East (P946,002), Market! Market! (P899,608), SM Ilo-ilo (P843,668), SM Clark (P815,772), Ayala Cebu (P789,548) and SM Marikina (P712,517).
In the U.S., “Alice in Wonderland” debuted to a gargantuan $116.3M, smashing box office records left and right. It was the biggest March opening ever soaring past the $70.9-million of “300” from 2007 and the best debut for a 3D film beating the $77-million of “Avatar” from last December.
An epic 3D fantasy adventure “Alice in Wonderland” provides a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends:  the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter.  Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror.  The all-star cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Crispin Glover.
Still playing across the Philippines in regular format, Digital 3D and Digital IMAX, “Alice in Wonderland” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.

alice_gross

Philippine audiences headed down the rabbit hole this weekend, as Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” opened at No. 1 with a nationwide gross of an amazing P47.930-million in 144 screens for the March 4-7 frame.  This was announced March 8 by Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Walt Disney Studios which locally distributed the film.

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