Shia LaBeouf Talks About Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whitely

Transformers star Shia LaBeouf has revealed that the third instalment of the hugely popular franchise will be the most spectacular yet.

Directed by Michael Bay, Dark of the Moon will complete the trilogy with some ‘insane action,’ all in state of the art 3D, says the star, who returns to play Sam Witwicky and is joined by newcomer, Victoria’s Secrets model Rosie Huntington-Whitely and a stellar cast.

“The last 30 minutes of the movie is the craziest action sequence he has ever filmed in all of Michael Bay’s entire career and he would attest to that. It’s unbelievable,” says LaBeouf.

“Think about it, if you are going to make a Transformers trilogy you know that the last 30 minutes of that trilogy you have to deliver the most insane action sequence that anybody has ever seen. It has to be that way and it is that way. It really is outrageous and incredible.”

Bay has pushed the 3D technology developed for James Cameron’s film Avatar even further, he says. “A film like this defines what summer fun is, it does what a summer blockbuster is meant to do which is essentially provide a fun movie experience.

“The third film is darker and it has the action that you have in the first two films but this time it’s even better. We basically took the cameras that were used in the Avatar 3D room and put them on the head of a skydiver so the cinematography is outrageous and Michael is pushing the limits in that way. “

Huntington-Whitely makes her acting debut in Dark of the Moon, playing Sam’s new girlfriend, Carly, and her leading man paid tribute to her total commitment to the cause and says that the beautiful supermodel definitely has a future as an actress.

“It was a baptism of fire for Rosie,” he says. “But Rosie is incredible. For a start, she’s a great person to be around and has fantastic energy, which is always nice because if you are going to spend six, seven months with someone it’s great if it’s someone you enjoy spending time with.

“Rosie is very diplomatic and sociable, she’s cool and she knows how to deal with life and she is very comfortable and she knows how to deal with Mike. She owns her sexuality, which is very important for a woman in Mike’s movies, she’s very comfortable with it, which is the A plus in terms of her being a Victoria’s Secret model.

“She doesn’t have any shame in being able to help the director explore her body in cinema - she doesn’t mind it because she comes from that world of modelling.”

LaBeouf says that the Transformers team went into the third movie well prepared and were all determined to make Dark of the Moon the best Transformers experience yet.

“The difference here was that we had more direction with our game plan when we took our first steps,” he explains. “We had a really solid script so there was no second guessing, which we had to do a little on the second film where we were sort of making it on the fly.

“On this one we had a firmer foundation at the outset and as crazy as the Transformer movies get - and we do have injuries here and there and some really tough ones to deal with - I think in the end the movie is the best movie we have made and also was the greatest journey in terms of my enjoyment of it actually on the set.

“I had more fun on this movie just in general, just being around. I think Michael has also calmed down. My relationship with him has really changed and we have such a strong friendship now and it’s nice to have that with your director. So it was a very positive experience for me.”

LaBeouf also gave a taste of what the fans can expect in terms of storyline.

“Sam has found a woman, Carly, who nurtures him and wants to build him up. And that’s where they are when you meet them. And the whole thing kicks off when the Decepticons start looking for this secret artefact that the Autobots have.”

Transformers: Dark of the Moon will have strong characters – Patrick Dempsey, John Malkovich and Frances McDormand joined the cast – a gripping story and those highly anticipated, hi-octane action sequences that Bay is famous for.

“It’s the best movie we’ve made so far out of the three,” says LaBeouf.

ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY TALKS ABOUT TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

Rosie Huntington-Whitley and Patrick Dempsey

Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has revealed how she took a highly challenging, physically demanding role in Michael Bay’s eagerly anticipated third installment of the Transformers franchise, Dark of the Moon, and loved every minute of it – despite picking up plenty of knocks and bruises.

“I love being physical and I loved doing the action stuff - that for me was when I felt the most present and I really enjoyed that side of it because it was so exciting,” she says.

“The sets are so realistic, there’s gun fire and explosions and it looks like the end of the world and you are running through fire and jumping over broken cars and you’ve got Michael screaming down the megaphone ‘run faster!’

“It’s exhilarating and so for me the action stuff and the physical side of things was the most exciting part of it. And yes, I did train. I was in reasonable shape before but I made sure I was in good condition.”

Rosie admits that she was nervous before she started work on Dark of the Moon, her first acting role, alongside established stars like Shia LeBeouf, who plays Sam Witwicky, and Patrick Dempsey, who plays her mysterious boss, Dylan, in the film.

When the production initially offered her a part in the film she thought that Bay only wanted her for a cameo appearance.

“At first I was so nervous and I’d be totally lying if I said that I didn’t feel anxious about the whole thing,” she says. “I’d never thought that I was ever going to make a film like this, this huge, and when I was cast for this I didn’t even realise what I was casting for.

“I actually thought I was casting for a very small role, maybe a cameo role. I wasn’t really sure what it was and then when it transpired to be this very huge role and I was actually going to be the new female lead, it definitely turned me upside down and back to front. It was a big roller coaster of emotions and excitement and absolute terror at times as well!”

Rosie plays Carly, Sam’s new girlfriend, following in the famous footsteps of Megan Fox, who played Mikaela in the first two films.

“She’s an English girl and they meet at The White House when Sam’s receiving an award and they sort of fall in love and he moves in with her. Sam’s jobless and she’s really pushing him to get a job and she’s not into all these aliens and all the Decepticons, she’s very nervous around them because it’s a new world for her.

“But Sam really believes he should be off saving the world again and she wants him to get a proper job. Her boss, Dylan, is played by Patrick Dempsey and there’s this weird triangle between the three of them. It’s not a love triangle but it turns out to be this kind of dark relationship between the three of them. But I’d better not give too much away!”

Rosie was born and raised in rural Devon in England and first started modelling as a teenager. Now 24, she is established as one of the most successful models in the world, representing leading international brands like Victoria’s Secret and Burberry.

When the chance to star in Dark of the Moon came up she grabbed it, even though it meant putting many of her modelling assignments on hold.

“I had to put aside a lot of my modelling assignments and my contracts and everything and luckily I was supported by all of my clients and all of my agents and I think that everybody kind of knew this was something that was too good for me to turn down.”

Before embarking on the film Bay warned her that she would need to learn how to run – movie style.

“That’s sounds silly I know, but you have to run properly on a film set. And it was the one thing that kept coming up. When I first got the film, the whole cast was boys, and they kept looking at me going, ‘can you run?’

“And I was like, ‘well, yeah, of course I can run, what are you talking about?’ Michael was like, ‘you better learn how to run..’ Because apparently, it’s not as easy as it looks, running in a movie, and then I was given a lovely pair of heels to run in so that made it a little more difficult!

“I was able to switch to flats for some of the scenes when we were using different camera angles but a lot of the time I was running around in heels which is not only really hard, it’s quite dangerous at times. So I worked really hard and everyone looked after me. But, you know, I was really up for the challenge – all that running and jumping - and it was fun for me.”

A few knocks and bruises were only to be expected, she says. “I remember rolling my ankles a few times and having a few iced bandages put on. And I had a lot of bruises at one point. And then I was told to put on what they call stunt pads. No one had told me that I could wear stunt pads until after I had received all my bruises,” she laughs.

Bay filmed Dark of the Moon using cutting edge 3D technology and Rosie says that the result is spectacular. “I’ve been in the editing room a couple of times with Michael and I have to tell you, it looks absolutely ******* insane!” she says.

“I never thought I’d find beauty in an explosion or a special effect but it looks incredible. It’s unbelievable to see the talent that’s come through this and the skills that are used to make a movie like this.

“We shot this whole movie over seven months and you don’t even know what you are doing half the time, because you are acting to nothing or you are running through something that you can’t see or something going on behind you. And then you start seeing stuff on the screen and you go, ‘oh right, that’s what he was talking about.

“Now I understand why he was telling me to look this way and pretend that something was there…’, Because then you see the Autobots and the Decepticons coming in and you see the special effects all being pulled together and it just looks insane and it’s like a whole other movie that I’m now watching and I’m so, so proud of him and I’m really proud of everybody.”

Kung Fu Panda 2

The Dragon Warrior Po is back! This time, in a bigger crisis that will affect China. But Po needs to conquer one major obstacle if he wants to save all of China before it burns to kingdom come. The movie story sets long after Tai Lung was defeated and it seemed that there were many adventures of Po as the Dragon Warrior in between the two movies but were not emphasized. The movie also reunites the old cast with addition of the new characters. What impresses me that I never thought that another martial arts actor will followed suit from Jacky  Chan, who voiced Master Monkey, one of the Fatal Five. Jean-Claude Van Damme wasn't exactly I expected to make voice acting. But so was Jacky Chan. Van Damme voice Master Croc. I immediately recognized Van Damme's voice because I am a martial arts fan. Kung Fu Panda is a family movie. Another martial arts actress Michelle Yeoh also did well voicing the Soothsayer. She delivered it saw well like Dustin Hoffman's Master Si Fu, the character has wisdom. Although it has fight scenes but it was not violent. But it still best for children to watch with their parents. The movie also shows sign of redeeming factors which is applicable to all. Kung Fu Panda 2 is now showing in cinemas and is distributed by Solar Entertainment.

The Return of an Awesome Tandem: McDonald’s and Kung Fu Panda 2

The Dragon Warrior Po is back! Awesome! McDonald's celebrates the return of Kung Fu Panda with the Kung Fu Panda 2 promo. I already got one of the Happy Meal toys. The Po toy that balances with Mantis. Here's more about the promo below.

The Return of an Awesome Tandem: McDonald’s and Kung Fu Panda 2

Summon your spirit, channel your chi and get ready to continue the journey to awesomeness with this summer’s most anticipated animated film sequel, Kung Fu Panda 2 and the return of McDonald’s Shake Shake Fries and The Kung Fu Panda 2 Happy Meal. All the awesomeness of Po’s adventures in two fun-tastic ways, only at McDonald’s.

McDonald’s Shake Shake Fries

McDonald’s Shake Shake Fries are back with two action -packed flavors to choose from: Cheese Rush and BBQ Kick, for only P55 each. Better yet, turn up your McDonald’s Kung Fu Panda 2 adventure with the Shake Shake Fries Combo where you can choose from a Watermelon Sprite McFloat or Green Apple Sprite McFloat to go with your Shake Shake Fries for only P85. You can also opt for the Coke McFloat and Shake Shake Fries Combo for P80.

McDonald’s Kung Fu Panda 2 Happy Meal

You can also re-live the adventure of not just Po but the entire gang of fierce Kung Fu warriors with the new McDonald’s Kung Fu Panda 2 Happy Meal. Embark on a fun adventure and collect all eight characters as they sport their bravest faces and their fiercest Kung Fu moves.

Every time you buy a Happy Meal, 50 centavos immediately goes to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), the charity of choice of McDonald’s and its programs Bright Minds Read (BMR) and Bahay Bulilit.

Hurry and visit any McDonald’s store nationwide and catch the return of this tandem of awesomeness with McDonald’s and Kung Fu Panda 2.

BEFORE HE WAS MAGNETO...FASSBENDER IN “X-MEN: FIRST CLASS”

Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender is Erik Lehnsherr, the young Magneto, leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants, Master of Magnetism and quite possibly the most powerful mutant on the planet in “X-Men: First Class.”

The Erik of “X-Men: First Class” is a very different, and arguably a more dangerous proposition – a man tortured by the ravages of his past, consumed by pain and a thirst for vengeance and a mutant just starting to grapple with the notion that humanity is something to be discarded like a used toy.  Exploring then a rich and rewarding friendship with the young Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), Erik has finally met an equal.     

 “There is a very strong bond between Charles and Erik, and a deep respect. But from the beginning, their ideologies are at odds. Erik is very wary of new elements in his life.  When Erik and Charles have their parting of the ways, audiences will realize that great things could have happened if they had joined forces forever,” says Michael Fassbender.

“X-Men: First Class” tracks Charles and Erik in their mid-twenties, during the height of the civil rights movement and the Cold War.  Both aspects of that period provided an exciting opportunity to explore events that would shape our modern world. One of the Cold War’s flashpoints was the Cuban missile crisis, during which the threat of sudden global extinction loomed large, and which provided the ultimate stakes for mutants to reveal themselves to the world and prevent a conflagration that would engulf the planet.  They are essentially cut from the same cloth, and both see mutants as potential subjects of persecution.  However, Charles lives to protect those who fear him while Erik lives to destroy them.  Each believes his side is right.  Neither is willing to compromise.

Erik is also hesitant to join Charles on his mission to save the world from itself.  “Erik is quite Machiavellian; he believes the end justifies the means,” Fassbender explains. “He has no regard for humans, and feels they’re inferior.”  Erik’s cavalier attitudes about humans stem from his childhood, which couldn’t have been more different from Charles’ life of privilege.  Erik had to survive without parents, and as a youngster was forced to endure unimaginable hardships. 

Erik is a force of fury and hate, hunting Schmidt and the other Nazi doctors whom he believes turned him into a kind of Frankenstein’s monster.  Even as Erik finds his first friend in Charles and is embraced by the other members of the team that will become the X-Men, he never veers from his mission.  “Erik is totally driven; if Charles or anyone gets in his way, he’s going to put them down,” says Fassbender. 

Director Matthew Vaughn had seen Fassbender’s critically acclaimed performances in “300,” “Hunger,” and “Inglourious Basterds,” and after Fassbender’s impressive audition, cast the actor as Erik.  “Michael gives Erik an interesting attitude, and Erik is really straight-up cool,” says the director. “Michael’s work in this film is reminiscent of Sean Connery’s interpretation of James Bond. Erik is like the ultimate spy – imagine Bond…but with superpowers.”

  “X-Men: First Class” opens June 2 (Thursday) nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Visit  20th Century Fox (Philippines) on Facebook and on www.youtube.com/20thcenturyfoxph for promos and latest clips.

CAUSING HAVOK: LUCAS TILL IN “X-MEN: FIRST CLASS”

Lucas Till as Havok

In the original X-Men trilogy, the field leader of Professor X’s mutants was Scott Summers, aka Cyclops (James Marsden), who also appeared briefly in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. With “X-Men: First Class” taking place in 1962, though, Scott has yet to be born. So the heroic mantle will fall to another member of the powerful clan – his brother, Alex.

Like Scott, Alex – aka Havok – has the ability to project beams of destructive energy, albeit from his body and not his eyes. And like Scott, Alex has trouble controlling those beams – trouble that puts him in a very dark place when he first comes to the attention of X-Men founders Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender).

Alex is played by relative newcomer Lucas Till, a 20 year old American actor previously best known for roles in the likes of “The Spy Next Door” and “The Hannah Montana Movie.”

Comic art of Havok

Riding and maneuvering one of the film’s most eagerly anticipated sets was the X-Jet, based on the XB-70, a prototype long-range, supersonic bomber developed in the U.S. in the late 1950s, the immense structure which measures some eighty feet in length is Havok’s ride in the movie which Till finds comfy.  “You could fall asleep in that thing, even when you go upside down,” he says of the X-Jet set.

 Stressing that Havok comes with a K and not a C, Till shares how his character found his way into the X-Men class, “In this movie, he’s found in confinement because he can’t control his powers and accidentally or intentionally has killed people. We leave that ambiguous. He’s a nice kid, but some things have happened and they haven’t been good. So he’s got a serious guard up in front, but he’s a hero on the inside.”

            “He’s the rebellious one. Definitely. And quiet. He’s a powder keg waiting to explode, metaphorically and literally. He’s always on the brink of destroying everything around him,” adds Till of his character’s temperament. 

            Till has a leading role in Battle: Los Angeles, and starred as young Jack Cash in the Oscar-winning film Walk the Line.   Recently, Till guest-starred on the high profile primetime series, House, with Hugh Laurie.

  “X-Men: First Class” opens June 2 (Thursday) in Phil. theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Visit  20th Century Fox (Philippines) on Facebook and on www.youtube.com/20thcenturyfoxph for promos and latest clips.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Captain Jack Sparrow is back. This time, with new characters on his quest for the fabled fountain of youth. If you have been wondering why Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann didn't reprised their roles because the story arc which was the first three movies ends with the last one, At World's End. 

What's good with the latest movie was that we never get tired of Jack Sparrow. When the first of the Pirates movie was made, it was never intended for Jack Sparrow as a main character because it really focuses on Will Turner. But because Johnny Depp's performances was so good that the the production decided to make Jack Sparrow a main character. The latest, On Stranger Tides is another movie continuing Jack Sparrow's exploits.

About the fountain of youth, there were countless of fables that dates back from Alexander the Great's era until the time of exploration. For the first time in the Pirates movie, they included an nonfictional pirate Blackbeard. There were also stories about the most famous pirate. Some say he was bad, others say good depending on who's telling the story. Nevertheless, he is what Jack Sparrow describes, "the most feared pirate of all".

The 3D of the movie was well worth it since it wasn't wasted in viewing the movie. It's really best to watch in a 3D cinema. Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides opens today in cinemas,2D or 3D and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Philippines. The advance screening was held at IMAX cinema at SM City North EDSA.

MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS: PURE JIM CARREY MAGIC FROM START TO FINISH

Jim Carrey stars anew at his comic best in the hilarious and heartfelt family film “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” based on the beloved children’s book of the same title by Richard and Florence Atwater.  Carrey plays Thom Popper, a workaholic New York businessman who has neglected the woman he loves and his children, in order to pursue his real estate career with a relentless drive.  His life is suddenly and dramatically turned around when six penguins are delivered to his apartment and he is forced to become their full-time caretaker. They are undeniably cute but inevitably cause chaos, gradually showing him what is really important in life. Directed by Mark Waters, the wonderful supporting cast includes the legendary Angela Lansbury, Carla Gugino …and six Gentoo penguins.  

Carrey’s character Thom is divorced from the woman he still loves (played by Carla Gugino), he does not make time for his two children and has lost touch with everything that is precious in life. Mr. Popper has sacrificed his family for his career. We discover that as a child he never got the chance to form a close relationship with his own dad, who preferred traveling around the globe having adventures to staying at home and building a bond with his son. An inherently good guy, Mr. Popper has become consumed with work and is remarkably self-centered. Everything changes when he inherits six Gentoo penguins from his estranged father. Initially horrified, he gradually befriends the beautiful Antarctic birds as he is compelled to care for them.  The penguins waste no time in creating total havoc and in the process, turn his life upside down as they slowly turn his pristine and swanky New York apartment into a chilly winter wonderland. Inevitably, the pesky penguins require his constant attention and make it impossible for Mr. Popper to conduct business with his previous level of relentless focus and drive.  As he finds life both at work and at home rapidly unraveling, he also begins to learn the value of family.

“Mr. Popper’s Penguins” will open in Phil. cinemas on June 17 from 20^th Century Fox. Visit  20th Century Fox (Philippines) on Facebook and on www.youtube.com/20thcenturyfoxph for promos and latest clips.

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon Toy Launch at SM Makati

SM Makati launches the toy line of the upcoming movie, Transformers: Dark Of The Moon. There were contests, Transformers cosplayers, and especially, Transformers toys. Some are even on sale. Whenever you purchase Transformers from PhP500.00 and up, you're entitled for free giveaways. I got myself a Legends Class movie Devastator. Watch out scheduled launch in other SM Malls.

Also posted on: http://mvlnunez.blogspot.com/2011/05/transformers-dark-of-moon-toy-launch-at.html#ixzz1MXD5u1QS

A NEW BEGINNING: “X-MEN: FIRST CLASS”

Before Charles (James McAvoy) and Erik (Michael Fassbender) took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers.  “X-Men: First Class” brings together the epic scale and action of a summer blockbuster with a character-driven story that unveils the beginning of the X-Men saga.  As the first class discovers, harnesses, and comes to terms with their formidable powers, alliances are formed that will shape the eternal war between the heroes and villains of the X-Men universe.

            After Charles, joined by Erik, recruits the “first class” of young mutants, these gifted students learn to control and direct their powers for the greater good of mankind. But harnessing these powers is not easy, nor is their coming together as a team. 

In the first X-Men film trilogy, the mutants have long honed their abilities and were a smooth-running (well, mostly) team. But when we meet the young mutants in “X-Men: First Class,” their powers are untamed and unfocused.  Moreover, says screenwriter Bryan Singer, like most teenagers, the mutants are uncomfortable with being different from their peers.  “Their situation is a metaphor for how uncomfortable teens feel in their skin, and how difficult it is when you’re ‘different’ from the societal ideal.”

Charles’ first mutant ally is Raven, a blue-skinned shape-shifter with superhuman agility.  The two mutants had met as youngsters, when Charles discovered Raven rummaging through the kitchen of his family’s mansion.  Charles makes Raven a member of his family, and they grow up as a kind of brother and sister.  But as we know from the first films, their relationship will change dramatically.  Explains Bryan Singer:  “Because Charles is young and at times naïve, he sometimes doesn’t pay as much attention to Raven as he should, and she sometimes becomes resentful.  And that takes her on the path to where we find her in the original film trilogy [played by Rebecca Romijn], as part of Magneto’s Brotherhood.”

            Jennifer Lawrence, a Best Actress Academy Award® nominee for her breakout performance in the 2010 drama “Winter’s Bone,” portrays Raven, whose mutant name is Mystique. “Raven has learned to live with her secret, but much like most insecure teenagers who react to something they perceive makes them different, she hasn’t really faced up to her unique abilities,” she says. “Raven is mostly ashamed of them. She slowly starts to realize it is a blessing and becomes proud of her mutant abilities, as do the other young mutants of their powers.  At the beginning we are isolated and alone, and each mutant goes through a huge evolution.  We join together to become this iconic X-Men team, and then separate.  It is fascinating to see the journey each character takes and which side they ultimately join.”

            As Charles and Erik become aware of the existence of other mutants, they discover a plot that puts them in the middle of the escalating tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which is hurtling the world toward disaster. This, in turn, creates an uneasy alliance between the mutants and a covert U.S. government agency.  At the agency, Charles and Erik meet Hank, a brilliant scientist with only a few mutant features – until a serum unexpectedly unleashes the superhuman Beast within.

Hank, his mutant powers as yet unrevealed, works at the top-secret agency developing world-changing technology, like Cerebro and the X-Jet. Hank has been alone for much of his life, in hiding and embarrassed by his big simian-like feet and superhuman agility. When he meets Charles and Erik, Hank’s life takes an unexpected turn.  Explains Nicholas Hoult, a rising star who takes on the role of the mutant whom fans would come to love as Beast: “Charles tells Hank he must release his full mutant powers.  Hank has been trying to suppress his powers and convince himself they don’t even exist. He is too afraid of what he might be capable of if he unleashes them. Charles makes Hank confront his mutant abilities, learn to control them, and use them to help both mutants and humans.” 

Hoult understands how Hank’s feelings about his unique abilities are so relatable:  “Everyone has been embarrassed or felt like an outsider, at some time in their life.  The feelings these mutants have about their powers are no different.  When they find each other, and can share their talents, they can finally be proud of who they are.”

Rounding out the team that become the first class of X-Men are Lucas Till as Alex Summers, aka Havok, who can emit concentric rings of super-heated energy waves, causing his targets to burst into flame – and whom Charles and Erik free from solitary confinement in a penitentiary; Caleb Landry Jones as Sean Cassidy, aka Banshee, whose unique sonic blasts carry him into flight; and Edi Gathegi as Armondo Munoz, aka Darwin, whose "reactive evolution” enables him to adapt to any situation or environment.  

  “X-Men: First Class” opens June 2 (Thursday) in Phil. theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Visit  20th Century Fox (Philippines) on Facebook and on www.youtube.com/20thcenturyfoxph for promos and latest clips.