JASON CLARKE IN “DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES”

Movie release

Alpha ape Caesar has found an uneasy human ally in “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes(review link here)” in Malcolm, a former architect who lost his wife to the virus that wiped out most of humanity. Left on his own to raise his teenage son, Malcolm is desperate to maintain the hope and stability he and Alexander have found within a small colony of fellow survivors in San Francisco. 

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

                Malcolm is played by Jason Clarke, who rose to mainstream attention with his engaging characterization in Kathryn Bigelow’s gripping suspense drama and Oscar® nominated “Zero Dark Thirty” where he also received acclaim for his work.  Clarke brings his equally gritty performance in “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” as Caesar’s principal human contact.   “Malcolm is sort of a mirror to Caesar, trying to rebuild his community in the ruins of a world that is gone forever,” says director Matt Reeves. “There’s a lot of mistrust and throwing of blame on both sides,” adds Clarke. “From the point of view of the humans, there’s a lot of anger about how mankind has suffered because of the virus. The humans wrongly blame the apes for causing the virus, though humans actually created the virus in a lab a decade earlier.” 

Caesar and Malcolm must make choices, compromises and decisions that not everyone respects. Both are fathers and must protect not just themselves but also their nascent societies.  In this respect, the film is the story of two families – one human, one ape.

                Jason Clarke talks about walking onto set in the middle of a lush rainforest in British Colombia:  “It’s simply amazing – old-growth forest, 3D cameras, motion cap cameras, wires going everywhere, smoke machines, fog machines, rain and mud, a crew of hundreds and then there’s 50 actors performing as apes walking around the forest. I always prefer shooting on location rather than on a soundstage. It just brings so much in terms of realism to the project. This goes for the actors portraying the human characters and for the ‘apes actors’ as well. These guys are not just sitting in a volume.  They’ve got to interact with people and the forest and the mud and everything else and the rocks and the stones and the rain.”

                “My character Malcolm was a white-collar guy that’s had to toughen up, particularly to bring himself and his child through this. In the small colony where they belong, they have managed to get their act together to actually function again, and then it’s threatened. It’s a Pocahontas story as well: we come again and we’ve got to deal with people who have a right to be here and belong just as much as we do. Which is where Caesar and Malcolm find themselves, in their meeting. It’s not just like, “hey, you’re hungry, have some food.” We both know the repercussions of everything we enter into, which I think is really interesting. I’m not worming my way in there, or getting them to do what I need without a knowledge of how this has gone in the past and how it could possibly go again, once we get it together. And they know that as well. But then I think what happens with Malcolm and Caesar is something unique. Malcolm gets to have a unique experience — as you would when you see an ape talk!” Clarke finally describes of his character.

“ONE CHANCE” MOVIE POSTERS REVEALED!

One Chance immortalize the life of British tenor Paul Potts on the big screen, following his win in the first season of Britain’s Got Talent.

James Corden (Begin Again) is front and centre as Potts himself. And now The Weinstein Company have launched the 4 posters.

From the director of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ David Frankel, ONE CHANCE is the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night. Paul became an instant YouTube phenomenon after being chosen by Simon Cowell for ‘Britain’s Got Talent.’ Wowing audiences worldwide with his phenomenal voice, Paul went on to win ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and the hearts of millions.

‘ONE CHANCE’ is released and distributed by CAPTIVE CINEMA.

‘WISH I WAS HERE’ POSTERS AND BANNER UNVEILED!

Wish I Was Here Poster : Zach Braff’s second directorial effort Wish I Was Here stars Braff, along with Donald Faison, Josh Gad, Pierce Gagnon, Ashley Greene, Kate Hudson, Joey King, Jim Parsons and Mandy Patinkin.

The original screenplay is by Zach Braff & Adam Braff. Produced by Stacey Sher, Michael Shamberg, Zach Braff and Adam Braff.

The film tells the story of Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, father and husband, who at 35 is still trying to find himself. Aidan winds up trying to home school his two children when his father can no longer afford to pay for private education and the only available public school is on its last legs. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn’t find.

Here’s the latest posters and banner are here:

“WISH I WAS HERE” opens in  theatres  September.

DISASTER FILM'S MAIN TRAILER, POSTER GET “INTO THE STORM”

New Line Cinema has just released the main poster and trailer of its upcoming tornado disaster film “Into the Storm” starring Richard Armitage (Thorin in “The Hobbit” films). 

In the film, the town of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes in the span of a single day. The entire town is at the mercy of the erratic and deadly cyclones, even as storm trackers predict the worst is yet to come. Most people seek shelter, while others run towards the vortex, testing how far a storm chaser will go for that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Told through the eyes and lenses of professional storm chasers, thrill-seeking amateurs, and courageous townspeople, “Into the Storm” throws you directly into the eye of the storm to experience Mother Nature at her most extreme.

Steven Quale (“Final Destination 5”) directed the film from a screenplay by John Swetnam.

Joining Richard Armitage in the cast are Sarah Wayne Callies (TV’s “The Walking Dead”), Matt Walsh (“Ted”), Alycia Debnam-Carey (“Where the Devil Hides”), Arlen Escarpeta (“Final Destination 5”), Nathan Kress (TV’s “iCarly”), Jon Reep (“Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay”) and Jeremy Sumpter (“Soul Surfer,” TV’s “Friday Night Lights”).

Opening across the Philippines in August 07, 2014, “Into the Storm” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

"BLACK BUTLER" FROM HELL CONQUERS SM CINEMAS

Movie release material

Japanese superstars Hiro MIzushima and Ayame Gouriki star as the ideal master-servant duo in "Black Butler" directed by Kentaro Otani and Keiichi Sato based on the phenomenal manga series of the same title ("Kuroshitsuji") illustrated and written by Yana Toboso.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Japan

                The live-action movie "Black Butler" stars Hiro Mizushima in the titular role, Sebastian, the butler from hell.   Sebastian possesses a wealth of knowledge, unbelievable skills, perfect looks and grace, he is a butler without flaws.  If one were to find any negative thins about him, it would be his troubling personality.

                Both the manga and anime are set in Victorian Era London and tells the story of 12-year oldEarl Ciel Phantomhive, Queen Victoria's faithful servant and the most powerful boy in England, but unknown to many , he bears the scars of unspeakable suffering who witnessed his parents murdered.  Seeking vengeance, Ciel summons the services of Sebastian and thus becomes the Young Master who carries the devil's mark. 

                In the movie adaptation, "Black Butler" is set in the year 2020, this is a 130-years leap after the events of the manga and anime.  The movie brings in a brand new adventure of Sebastian returning to assist a descendant of the Phantomhive family.  Sebastian's new master is Kiyoharu,the young leader of the Genpo Group, whose real name is Shiori because she disguised herself as a man to protect her status as heir to their family's estate.  Bound together by an unbreakable master-servant loyalty, Shiori traded her sould for Sebastian's service.  Both of them carry out secret missions from the Queen.  When they are assigned to look into an ongoing serial murder case, Sebastian soon discovers a world that humans should never enter.

                "Black Butler" is shown exclusive in SM Cinemas and distributed by Silverline Inc.

“HERCULES” AND HIS LOYAL CREW OF MERCENARIES

Movie release material

In the new epic action-adventure “Hercules(see movie review here),” “It doesn’t matter to the titular character if he’s the son of Zeus or not,” actor Dwayne Johnson reflects. “The only thing that matters to him is righting the wrongs of the past. But he has this band of brothers and sisters – and they are the ones who push Hercules to believe that he can be a better man.”

Photo courtesy of UIP

Joining Johnson in the film as his loyal crew are Ian McShane (“Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”), Rufus Sewell (“Legend of Zorro”), Aksel Hennie (“Headhunters”), Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”) and Reece Ritchie (“Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time”).

AMPHIARAUS/Ian McShane. The soothsayer Amphiaraus joins Hercules’ band of mercenaries as a much-needed spiritual adviser. Now, having seen a vision of his own future death, Amphiaraus fights without a drop of fear because he believes it is not yet his time. Ian McShane right away was drawn to the character. “He’s someone who says don’t blame the gods for the acts of man – you must take responsibility for your own fate,” he explains.

AUTOLYCUS/Rufus Sewell. Autolycus might lack for Hercules’ astonishing strength, but he has more than made up for it with the sharp blade of his wit, ultimately becoming Hercules’ master strategist. Rufus Sewell takes on the role of Hercules’ wisecracking friend. “Autolycus and Hercules go way back, and they've got each other's backs,” Sewell explains. “They have a kind of communication that goes beyond words. They've always worked together, and that's a source of great pride to Autolycus, that he knows Hercules better than anyone else.”

TYDEUS/Aksel Hennie. Mute Tydeus, the lone survivor of an onslaught on the city of Thebes, is loyal to Hercules, but when he is unleashed, the beast within can take over. Norwegian actor Aksel Hennie was intrigued by his character’s way of dealing with the world. “I love the fact that you have this character has all these feelings, and all this rage, but he’s not able to express that verbally. It gives him a mystique,” says the actor.

ATALANTA/Ingrid Bolsø Berdal. The archer Atalanta possesses the world-famous feminine strength of an Amazon – and owes Hercules a blood debt. Says Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, “Atalanta is the icon of strong women, so it took a bit of self-confidence to take that on. But the story was so good, an epic action blockbuster full of interesting characters with their own arcs and agendas, it was irresistible. And it attracted great actors which made it even more thrilling.”

IOLAUS/Reece Ritchie. The mercenary Iolaus is Hercules’ cousin and the storyteller who has spread his legend across the land. He is played by Reece Ritchie, who made his debut in Roland Emmerich’s “10,000 B.C.” and played the role of Bis in “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” Ritchie says of Iolaus: “He’s always followed Hercules, but I don’t think he’s ever been on an adventure this big or incredible, and it gives him lots of new material for his stories. He is someone who is full of wonder, but he wants to prove himself as a worthy warrior also.”

The most towering myth of all time meets up with the mission of a real man leading a rag-tag band of warriors in “Hercules,” this summer’s action-adventure thriller that reveals the famed symbol of lion-hearted courage as he’s never been seen before: finding the hero’s heart that beats beneath his colossal image.

Now showing across the Philippines on July 23 in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D cinemas, “Hercules” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

RAIN in "THE PRINCE'

Movie release material

Korean pop star Rain is back in fighting form after serving in the army for his country. Back to work and in full action mode, Rain stars alongside Hollywood’s Bruce Willis and Jason Patric in “The Prince” where he plays loyal henchman to Willis’ character who is about to settle scores with Patric playing the title role.

“The Prince” pits two long time enemies – a retired assassin Paul Brennan (Patric) and Omar (Willis), the city’s most powerful man who faceoff once again after twenty years.  Paul Brennan (Patric), a retired New Orleans crime boss, has lived a quiet life off the grid, running an auto repair garage in remote Mississippi when his teenage daughter goes missing, Paul is forced to return to the city and face his former enemies. 

The plot follows the re-awaking of a feud between a retired assassin and the man whose wife he killed years earlier. This man, played by Bruce Willis, exacts revenge by kidnapping the former hit man's daughter. Now the two are chasing each other through the streets of Mobile, although the trailer indicates it's set in Mississippi.  Standing dangerously between the two is Mark (Rain), loyal henchman to Omar.  Omar instructs his henchmen to bring Paul to him, but Mark (Rain), measures his words carefully before counseling, Let him do whatever it is he came here for and crawl back to whatever rock he’s been hiding under. “Mark is cool headed and charismatic,” says South Korean actor and singer Rain, who plays Omar’s quick-on-the-draw, right hand man.

For Rain,  whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, “The Prince” is his first action film as he comes back to making movies after his military service.  Rain, known as a superstar musician in Asia, crossed over into acting with his debut in the hit South Korean television series “Sang-Doo” (Let’s Go to School). He solidified his position as an actor with his lead role in the Korean mini-series “Full House,” and became recognized throughout Asia as not only as a singer, but an actor as well. The drama was aired throughout most of Asia, including Japan and China, with an average program rating of over 50 percent. This was the start of Rain Fever that seemed to cross borders throughout the east and Southeast Asia.

During his latest Korean television mini-series, “A Love To Kill,” Rain’s headstrong approach to trials and challenges made him more versatile as an actor. One of the most acclaimed filmmakers in Korea, Chan Wook Park, known internationally for his VENGEANCE Triology (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance), chose Rain to star in “I’m A Cyborg, But That’s Ok.” It was a great honor and opportunity for Rain to finally break into films, and he was featured alongside stars Ji-Hoon Jung and Soo Jeong Im. The film won the Alfred Bauer Award for Particular Innovation in Filmmaking, one of the eight main awards at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival, and Rain received the Best New Actor Award for his role in the film at the 43rd Baek Sang Arts Award in Korea in 2007.

For his Hollywood debut, Rain was cast as a rookie racer in the Andy and Lana Wachowski’s action adventure film “Speed Racer,”  based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida. This movie boasted the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowskis’ films, and gave Rain his first chance to leave his mark in the American entertainment industry. Impressed by Jung’s work ethic and his huge talent, the Wachowskis’ chose Rain for the lead in their next movie, “Ninja Assassin.” In the 2009 release, Rain plays Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world. 

“The Prince” will open in theatres nationwide on September 10 from Axinite Digicinema.

DWAYNE JOHNSON FEELS HE'S BORN TO PLAY “HERCULES”

Action superstar Dwayne Johnson experienced a massive jolt on the set of Paramount Pictures' epic adventure “Hercules” during a scene when his Greek hero was chained to stone pillars.

Photo courtesy of UIP

"It's when Hercules breaks through the chains and becomes the demi-god he was born to be," says Johnson. "I was actually yelling with all the power I could muster, 'I am Hercules!' I gave it my all and made myself pass out every time we did it. But I honestly felt in that moment that I was born to play this role."

From the looks of it, he might be right.

Even as a child, Johnson, 41, idolized the Herculean legend — "He was the first superhero." But with his 6-foot-5 frame and his famously heroic stature, Johnson is one of the few actors who could legitimately portray his hero onscreen. The effort has taken a decade, and came into focus when director Brett Ratner came onboard four years ago. Johnson took eight months to sculpt his body to demi-god status and maintained it during the taxing shoot in Hungary.

"It's incredible, he's up every morning at 3:45 right on the treadmill, then it was right to the gym for hours," says producer Beau Flynn. "And then it was to the makeup chair, then shooting all day in the heat. And repeat that for 90 days."

Johnson's first transformation into his character took 41/2 hours after being adorned with a wig, beard, makeup and wardrobe. "It looked incredible, we had succeeded," says Johnson. "But it was like, how the hell can we cut the time down?"

Eventually they whittled the daily process to 3 1/2 hours, though the lush yak-beard ("Yes, real yak hair," says Johnson) alone took 2 1/2 hours of application.

"The No. 1 goal is to make the definitive version of Hercules," says Johnson. "We know we're going to be under a microscope." But he's confident moviegoers will accept his "passion-driven" project based on the graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars.

The story finds Hercules after he has endured his famous 12 Labors (which included slaying a nine-headed hydra and the fearsome Nemean lion), punishment bestowed on him after killing his family in a fit of insanity.

Hercules is still in a dark place mentally, with scars from his many battles. But now he is traveling with a group of mercenaries and cashing in on his famous name until he's hired to train an army for an epic battle.

The setting allowed Johnson, wearing Hercules' Nemean lion headpiece and wielding a massive oak club (with the lion's claws), to lead war scenes featuring more than 1,000 soldiers.

"Green screen and effects can be fantastic. But when you have real men, real sweat and even real blood, it's very gratifying," says Johnson. "You feel the substance."

After he was done with some serious clubbing, Johnson would recover in modern Hercules style.

"I had the club of Hercules and the Nemean lion's head in my room," says Johnson. "I'd come home to that and catch something on the BBC with a glass of tequila."

From Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, "Hercules" stars Dwayne Johnson as both man and myth, leading a band of mercenaries to help end a bloody civil war in the land of Thrace and return the rightful king to his throne. A tormented soul from birth, Hercules has the strength of a God but feels the suffering of a human. Unimaginable villains will test the mythical power of Hercules in director Brett Ratner's gritty take on one of the most epic action heroes of the ages.

“Hercules” also stars Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, Aksel Hennie, Ingrid Berdal, Reece Ritchie, Tobias Santelmann, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaac Andrews and John Hurt.

The film is produced by Beau Flynn, Barry Levine and Brett Ratner. Based on Radical Comics' "Hercules" by Steve Moore, with a screenplay by Ryan J. Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos. Directed by Brett Ratner.

Now showing in the Philippines in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D cinemas, “Hercules” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

SUPPORT CAST ENLIVENS COMIC MADNESS OF “SEX TAPE”

Joining Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel in Columbia Pictures' new comedy “Sex Tape” are co-stars Rob Lowe (TV's “Parks and Recreation”), Rob Corddry (“Warm Bodies”) and Ellie Kemper (TV's “The Office”).

In the film, Jay (Segel) and Annie (Diaz) are a married couple still very much in love, but ten years and two kids have cooled the passion. To get it back, they decide – why not? – to make a video of themselves trying out every position in THE JOY OF SEX in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea, until they discover that their most private video has gone public. In a panic, they begin a wild night of adventure – tracking down leads, roping in friends, duping Annie’s boss – all to reclaim their video, their reputation, their sanity, and, most importantly, their marriage.

Jay and Annie's first stop is the home of their closest friends, Robby and Tess (Corddry and Kemper), who become their accomplices in tracking down the remaining devices. 

“In their madness, Jay and Annie rush out the door in the hysteria of ‘How do we get this thing back?’” Diaz explains. “They show up on Hank’s doorstep, without any plan or explanation of why they’re there – they just need to find that iPad.”

 “Sex Tape” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

CHRIS PRATT SEEKS STARDOM WITH “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”

Bound-for-stardom Chris Pratt (“The LEGO Movie”) plays a brash space adventurer named Peter Quill, who was zapped into space at the age of nine, in Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

 

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

The filmmakers’ search for Peter Quill, the leader of the Guardians was extensive. Many actors were considered as contenders for the role but it was Pratt, best known for the role he plays in “Parks and Recreation,” and who was beginning to make a significant mark for scene-stealing roles in “Moneyball,” “The Five-Year Engagement” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” who triumphed. His ability to effortlessly switch between drama, comedy and action, together with his incredible charm, made him not only a great choice but also the only choice. 

 

Says producer Kevin Feige, “We auditioned many actors for the role, and conducted a number of really detailed screen tests, and Chris Pratt, by far just won the part. He was cool, he was sexy, he was ridiculously hilarious in certain aspects—which he has to be—and when he puts on the costume and he puts on the mask and he’s holding his space guns, he is badass and you believe it.” 

 

Director James Gunn concurs: “We had screen tested a lot of people before we saw Chris and then, boom! I knew within a minute of his audition we’d found our guy.”

More a fan of comic-book artwork than the stories as a child, often painting his heroes on his bedroom wall, Pratt was at first reluctant to audition for the role of Peter Quill as he felt he was not in the best physical shape for the demanding role. But it was his performance in “Zero Dark Thirty” that made him re-think the niche he had begun to carve out for himself as the funny sidekick and consider action hero roles. Says Pratt: “People are seeing ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and their response to it was that I was believable as a SEAL Team 6 member, so I spoke with my management and told them I was ready to audition for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’”

After landing the role, Pratt readily accepted the fact that getting into shape was a prerequisite of the job. He was confident that he would be able to do it and the filmmakers were ready to give him whatever support he needed—especially after seeing a photo of Pratt tweeted by his brother taken during production of ‘Zero Dark Thirty.’ 

 

During five months of preproduction, Pratt demonstrated his impressive work ethic as he collaborated with, and was closely monitored by, a team of trainers and nutritionists, training for four hours a day, sticking to a strict diet, taking the right supplements and vitamins, all of which he continued throughout the five-month shoot as well. “He worked his butt off every single day and got himself into amazing physical shape,” says producer Jeremy Latcham. “It has paid off in spades because he looks awesome.”

The story is told from Quill’s perspective, and Pratt reveals that he immediately resonated with the youthful aspects of the character he plays. “He’s very much a kid at heart. He’s never known his father, he’s sucked away into space just as his mother dies and is raised by a blue-skinned humanoid [Michael Rooker’s Yondu]. He has spent all his life being told to toughen up and has a false sense of bravado as a result. But deep down he is lonely, and while he’s a guy traveling in space getting to do whatever he wants, he misses his family, his community, and through the course of the story he learns to care again and that there’s more to life than just taking and doing exactly what you want.”

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team--the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits--Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon; Groot, a tree-like humanoid; the deadly and enigmatic Gamora; and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand--with the galaxy's fate in the balance.

Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which first appeared in comic books in MARVEL SUPER-HEROES #18 (Jan. 1969), stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, with John C. Reilly, Glenn Close as Nova Prime Rael and Benicio del Toro as The Collector.

James Gunn is the director of the film with Kevin Feige producing, and Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham, Alan Fine and Stan Lee serve as executive producers. The film is written by James Gunn and Nicole Perlman. Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" releases in Philippine theaters on July 31, 2014. 

 

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

“FAST & FURIOUS 7” WRAPS PRODUCTION WITH MESSAGE TO FANS

Universal Pictures' “Fast & Furious 7” officially wrapped production today, July 11, as announced in the film's official Facebook page. The post included a letter to fans of the franchise celebrating the end of the production and again paying tribute to the late Paul Walker, whose Brian O'Conner will ride one more time when the film hits theaters next April.

Photo courtesy of UIP

The letter may be read in full below:

“We made it.

Today we completed the last shot in the production of FAST & FURIOUS 7.

We wanted to take this moment to express how thankful we are for your support. We felt the love and strength from our fans throughout this journey, and it’s because of you that we got here.

There was a time when we didn’t know how we could go on, or even if we should. But we listened to you, and you inspired us not only to keep going but to try and make the best FAST & FURIOUS movie yet.

Our FAST family has been together for almost fifteen years now and has grown a lot in that time. From the start, Vin has been our leader who feels what’s right for FAST in his gut and in his heart. When we had to stop production last year, Vin gathered us back together and moved us forward when we needed it most. He led us to this day.

Some of us have been here from the very beginning. Vin, Michelle, Jordana and our producer Neal all go back to that first little movie we shot on the streets of LA. We came back to LA in FAST 7, and it was an especially emotional homecoming for those who’ve grown up with each other since that first shoot.

There are those we count as brothers who we gathered along the way and are with us again: Dwayne, Tyrese, Luda, Lucas and our writer, Chris. We’ve got some new additions this time in Jason, Kurt, Djimon, Nathalie and our director, James. Caleb and Cody joined us to honor their brother and help complete his work.

Our family is big and strong but it won’t ever quite be whole again without Paul.

All of us -- those who’ve been here from the start and those whose first FAST film is 7 -- wanted to create a special film for him and for you. We believe we have.

Thank you for being there for us. You are the biggest part of our family, and we couldn’t have gotten here without you.

The countdown to April 4 begins.

With love,

Your FAST & FURIOUS Family”

(“Fast & Furious 7” opens across the Philippines on April 04, 2015 and will be distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.)

First Image of Charlize Theron in Gilles Paquet-Brenner’s Adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s DARK PLACES

The first image has been released from Gilles Paquet-Brenner‘s adaptation of Gillian Flynn‘s best-selling novel Dark Places. 

Photo courtesy of Captive Cinema

Set in a farming town in Kansas, Dark Places follows Libby Day (Charlize Theron), the only surviving witness of a horrific massacre that took her mother and sisters. Believing the slaughter to be the work of a Satanic cult, Libby testifies in court against her own brother. 25 years after the murder, she remains haunted by the gruesome violence of her past when she meets a group of amateur investigators who call themselves ‘The Kill Club’. Looking to satisfy their morbid curiosity, the group begins their own inquiry about the case, believing Libby’s brother innocent. In order to help them, Libby must unearth painful memories of the event, and learn that her past may not be what it seems.

The cast includes Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nicholas Hoult, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Tye Sheridan, Sean Bridgers, and Drea de Matteo. Directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner.

Dark Places is set to September 24, 2014. Released and distributed by CAPTIVE CINEMA.

PLAYING MASTER AND SERVANT IN “BLACK BUTLER”

Movie release

Hiro Mizushima stars in the titular role of “Black Butler” produced by Shinzo Matsuhashi about an orphaned aristocrat exacting revenge who hires the services of a black butler at her aid costing her soul.

Photo courtesy of Axinite Digicinema

Ayame Gőriki plays the aristocrat young lady named Shiori Genpo who masquerades as a male in order to get even to those responsible for her family’s death.  She eventually summons a black butler named Sebastian Michaelis, on the condition that her soul is already for the taking after the revenge has been fulfilled.  Sebastian Michaelis, a demonic butler with impeccable knowledge, manners, grace, cooking skills, martial arts and charming looks.

Adapting the highly successful Manga series into a movie, directors Kentaro Ohtani and Kei’ichi Sato with writer Yana Taboso decided to change the setting of the movie to a very near future fusing the East and West culture, creating a whole new distinctive era. Eventually, most of the characters have also been rewritten to suit the new setting. The all-original story of the film is set 130 years after the manga.   Hiro who plays the demonic butler Sebastian returns to the movies for the first time in three years.   The actor faced up to the challenge in preparing for the role that he even shed 50 kg off his weight to achieve the closest of resemblance with the character. 

The manga debuted in Square Enix's Monthly G Fantasy magazine in 2006, and its 15 volumes thus far have 14 million copies in print, including those published in 42 countries and territories. The manga already inspired a television anime series in 2008 and a stage play in 2009. It received the top prize in the shōnen manga category of France's Japan Expo Awards in 2010 and the Best International Manga Award in Germany's Animagic in 2011.

“Black Butler” will open exclusively in SM Cinemas nationwide on July 23 from Axinite Digicinema.

Morgan Freeman In "Lucy"

Movie material

Universal Pictures' new mind-bending action thriller “Lucy” examines the possibility of what one human could truly do if she unlocked 100 percent of her brain capacity and accessed the furthest reaches of her mind.

Photo courtesy of UIP

As her abilities keep evolving, Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) reaches out to Professor Samuel Norman, an expert on the human brain, to try to understand what is happening to her. Soon after she is supercharged, she finds herself able to do anything from learning Chinese in an hour to beginning to control space and time.

The production was fortunate enough to have Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman join the team as the world-renowned neurologist whose lifelong focus is how we access the information stored in our brain.

As Freeman is quite a science buff, and particularly enthusiastic about the mind’s capacity, the actor was a natural choice. Writer-director Luc Besson notes: “Morgan Freeman is the ultimate professor, for two reasons. First of all, he’s fascinated by the theory we develop in the movie because he’s very familiar with it, which I didn’t know before we met for the film. It was a pleasure for him just to talk about it. And secondly, he’s such a good actor that you believe everything he says.”

Producer Virginie Besson-Silla was also thrilled to see Freeman come aboard. “Morgan is one of the only people who could play God,” she enthuses. “So, to play the character of wisdom in the film, it was pretty obvious that he was the perfect actor.”

Freeman was equally excited to join the cast, admitting that he holds his character in high esteem. “Professor Norman has written about the brain for years,” he says. “He gives lectures all over the world and has been at the Sorbonne, in Paris, for a number of years. Because he’s preeminent in the field, he is tracked down by Lucy, who’s trying to figure out what’s going on with her brain.”

The veteran actor offers that Professor Norman is flattered to be contacted by Lucy: “When she calls him up and says, ‘I’ve read everything you wrote,’ he replies, ‘You can’t have.’ And when she starts quoting what he wrote, he says, ‘We’ve got to meet.”

Opening across the Philippines on August 06, “Lucy” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

FUNNY “BIG HERO 6” TEASER POSTERS RELEASED

Disney has just released two teaser posters for its upcoming animated feature “Big Hero 6,” inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action.

The first one-sheet art features the adorable robot Baymax as if peeking from the left side of the poster; while the second finds the lead character, Hiro, having quite a dilemma about Baymax's stomach plate.

“Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”).

With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is an action-packed comedy-adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius—thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, neatnik Wasabi No-Ginger, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery.

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 05, 2014, “Big Hero 6” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.*