The Accountant movie review

The Accountant movie shows a different kind of a protagonist. You will not expect an accountant with an expertise in warfare tactics and ammunition and drives with a trailer of armoury. Casting Ben Affleck for the movie will remove the stereotype that he is the new Batman.

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

We know how versatile Affleck is because he already did different types of roles. He was a celebrity actor in Shakespeare’s theatre in Shakespeare In Love. He did action blockbusters like Pearl Harbor. He also did another comic book superhero Daredevil and was an antagonist in Joe Quesada’s Mallrats. Not only his character is an accountant but also a gifted individual which was shown in childhood scenes.

Anna Kendrick also stars in this movie but she won’t sing this time. The last time that she was in a movie without singing was probably the Twilight Saga movie adaptation. Affleck’s character seems like a stand-alone one since he might have another story that may be continued in another movie or a series.

Since Argo, it is a good thing that Ben Affleck has another movie that is not associated with comic books. For more movie reviews and features, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

A CURE FOR WELLNESS - trailer

Press release

20th Century Fox and New Regency give us a peek into the intriguing premise of the upcoming psychological thriller “A Cure for Wellness” with its recent trailer reveal.

Dane Dehann. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

“A Cure for Wellness” is directed by Oscar winner Gore Verbinski (“Rango”) and stars an impressive cast that includes Jason Isaacs “(Harry Potter,” “Fury”), Dane DeHaan (“Amigo,” “Chronicle,” “The Amazing Spiderman 2”), Mia Goth (“Nymphomaniac Vol. 2”) and Adrian Schiller (“The Danish Girl”). The movie takes the audience to a “wellness spa” in a picturesque remote location in the Swiss Alps. The facility promises a cure for what ails modern society, but all is not as it seems, as an ambitious young executive (played by DeHaan) uncovers its terrifying secrets and fights to save his life – and sanity.

An intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller, “A Cure for Wellness” opens in Philippine cinemas February 15, 2017 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Trinitian Film Society to hold ‘1st Ko Si 3rd’ benefit screenings on November 14

Press release

Trinity Film Society, in partnership with Ohana Mnl, will be hosting benefit screenings of Real Florido’s acclaimed Cinemalaya drama ‘1^st Ko Si 3^rd’ this November 14, 2016 (Monday) at the Mandell Hall Auditorium, Trinity University of Asia.

Ticket is priced at P100 each (students and non-students/ outsiders) and all proceeds will go to Ohana Mnl’s “#LetHairGo” event, which will be used for the funding of their special photoshoot for cancer-stricken children.

Screening times as follows:

12: 00 PM, 2: 00 PM, 4: 00 PM, 6: 00 PM

For tickets, you can message Trinitian Film Society on their Facebook page (Facebook.com/TrinitianFSociety) or through mobile: 0915-402-0800.

‘1^st Ko Si 3^rd’ tells the story of former lovers, played by Nova Villa and Freddie Webb, who were reacquainted after being separated for decades.

Joining Villa and Webb in the cast includes Dante Rivero, Ken Chan, Coleen Perez, Lara Morena, RJ Agustin, and Ruby Ruiz.

The film won Best Actor for Rivero at the 2014 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Best Feature Film  at the Canada International Film Festival and Best Director for Real Florido at the London Film Awards 2014.

ABOUT TRINITIAN FILM SOCIETY

Trinitian Film Society, the first and only University-wide film organization in Trinity University of Asia, sets its objective to instill a special inclination towards Philippine cinema and in enriching the cultural environment on campus. It was born out of love for the art of cinema and the initiative to serve the students.

ABOUT OHANA MNL

Ohana Mnl is a non-stock, non-profit, SEC registered organization that advocates for children with cancer. Its core members are from different universities namely, UP and UST. 

YOUNG HORROR `VETERANS' PLAY SISTERS IN “OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL”

Press release

Playing the pivotal roles of sisters who get embroiled in a demonic possession in Universal Pictures' Ouija: Origin of Evil are teen stars Lulu Wilson (Deliver Us from Evil) and Annalisse Basso (Oculus), who both have done horror films prior.

In the terrifying new tale and the follow-up to 2014’s sleeper hit Ouija, a widowed mother named Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser) and her two daughters Doris (Wilson) and Lina (Basso) add a new stunt to bolster their séance scam business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When the youngest daughter Doris is overtaken by the merciless spirit, this small family confronts unthinkable fears to save her and send her possessor back to the other side.

The filmmakers knew the role of Doris would be the most difficult to cast. “The script asks a lot from someone so young, so we auditioned countless actresses,” states director and screenwriter Mike Flanagan.

Lulu Wilson. (Photo credits: UIP/Columbia Pictures)

Young horror veteran Lulu Wilson, who had shown her chops in Deliver Us from Evil, was able to perfectly balance the innocence and evil of Doris. Recalls the director: “She prepared a monologue from the film where she explains in disturbing detail what it’s like to be strangled to death, and I almost fell off my chair. She was the only actress who didn’t deliver the dialogue in a frightening way. Instead, she delivered it casually, innocently and with a smile, which was such a sophisticated choice.”

When it came to her stunts, the actress also performed well beyond her years. “There’s a scene where Doris scales a wall, and we wanted Lulu instead of using one of Lulu’s stunt double in a wig,” recalls Flanagan. “She was fearless; the first time I saw her up the wall with a huge grin on her face, it was incredible.”

Adds Wilson, who remains in staunch admiration of her stunt doubles on set, “It was crazy, and I was a little nervous but not too much.”

While horror films are off limits for 10-year-old, she hopes her parents make an exception for Ouija: Origin of Evil. “I won’t let them get away without letting me watch it,” Wilson states determinedly.

Meanwhile, Flanagan penned the part of Doris’ older sister, the intelligent, strong-willed Lina, with Basso in mind. “I first worked in Oculus with Annalise when she was just 13, and I thought she was one of the finest actors I’d ever met,” he says. “I knew she was perfect for this part.”

Annalisse Basso

Basso was equally thrilled to team up with her Oculus filmmaker once again. “As a director, he gives you a specific vision and the freedom to interpret that vision,” commends Basso. “He always asks, ‘Do you want one more take?’ He’s so kind and aware of what you as a performer need on set.”

Lina’s layered character appealed to 16-year-old Basso. “We’re almost the same age, so I related to her struggle to find her own identity,” says the actress. “Lina is reckless, and I like that about her. I also admire her strength, which she learned after her father’s death, and how she uses those two qualities to stand up to her mother and the powerful spirits inside the house.”

Basso was also drawn to Lina’s love story with Mikey, a senior who’s interested in the sophomore for all the right reasons. “There’s a pure and wholesome connection between these two teenagers, which is a relationship you rarely see in horror movies,” says Basso. “They have a very sweet romance, but it’s complicated. She’s just starting to feel the first pangs of young love, while experiencing the consequences of losing someone you care for so much.”

Opening across the Philippines on Oct. 26, “Ouija: Origin of Evil” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

ZOOEY DESCHANEL IN “TROLLS”

Press release

Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award and Grammy Award nominee and Critics’ Choice Award winner Zooey Deschanel cemented her place as a mainstream presence with a handle for nuance when she re-introduced the classical leading lady to the modern audience with her old-fashioned charm in her starring roles in “500 Days of Summer” and “Yes Man”.

 

Character photo courtesy of Dreamworks Animation

              Lauded as timeless, vintage and ethereal, Deschanel stars and gives a new spin in her latest (voice )role as Bridget aka Lady Glittersparkles  in DreamWorks Animation’s unique world of “Trolls” along with the talented Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Russell Brand, Gwen Stefani,  Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Russell Brand, Zooey Deschanel, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Quvenzhané Wallis and John Cleese  

              “Trolls” is a funny and irreverent new movie from DreamWorks Animation, which is all about happiness. Anna Kendrick stars as the voice of Poppy, the optimistic and relentlessly positive leader of the Trolls. With their trademark, rainbow-colored hair and upbeat personalities, they are the essence of joy. Only one member of the community is sad. Branch (Justin Timberlake), a fearful and over-cautious Troll, is terrified that miserable monsters called The Bergens will find them. The Bergens are only happy when they eat Trolls!   The Bergens are the flip side of the Trolls.   These depressed giants believe that menacing Trolls is the only viable path to their happiness. 

               Screenwriter Jonathan Aibel has a special affection for Bridget, a character he describes as being “a challenge to write, because when we meet her, she’s uncommunicative. So to see her grow and learn how to express herself is probably my favorite part of the movie” 

              An entertainer in every sense of the word, Deschanel sings Lionel Richie’s ballad “Hello” that underscores her character’s touching crush on King Gristle.  Additionally, Deschanel was asked to record a rap verse for a remix of Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out.” She explained, “I didn’t want to screw it up, but the one thing I can’t do is that (rap). It was really scary, but Justin was a great coach.”

              As her big evening with Gristle unfolds, Bridget gets help from Poppy and her friends, who not only provide the maid with rainbow-colored tresses made from their own collective hair, but try and help to converse with Gristle.  Hair is a defining aspect of the Trolls and their universe, and bringing its nearly supernatural powers to life fell to a specially created “Hair Task Force,” made up of hundreds of artists and technicians working only on hair effects, ensuring that this magical thing was always looking—and acting—fabulous.   All that hair-raising derring-do didn’t come easily:  the Hair Task Force created a total of 1.8 million strands, with Poppy taking 84,000, Branch almost 50,000—and Lady Glittersparkles (aka Bridget) taking the furry crown, using 237,375 strands, with help from Poppy and her pals, of course.

              Let your hair down and let the happiness flow when “Trolls” opens November 2 in cinemas nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

SARAH HYLAND STARS IN “SATANIC” MOVIE

Press release

 “Modern Family’s” Sarah Hyland stars in the horror movie “Satanic” where four college coed friends visit an old Satanic Panic-era true-crime sites in Los Angeles. They end up following the creepy owner of an occult store home, only to find themselves saving a suspicious girl from an apparent human sacrifice.

From the producers of “Walking Dead,” “Satanic” is directed by Jeffrey Hunt (“Sleepy Hollow,” “The Vampire Diaries”) and also stars Marc Barnes, Justin Chon ("Twilight"), Clara Mamet, Steven Krueger, Devanny Pinn, and Sophie Dalah.

“Satanic” will open on October 26 in cinemas from Pioneer Films. 

“BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK” BREAKS NEW GROUND IN CINEMA EXPERIENCE

Press release

TriStar Pictures presents Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, the groundbreaking, cinematic event from three-time Oscar®-winning director Ang Lee.

With Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, Ang Lee redefines what is possible in filmmaking and storytelling with the goal of further engaging the audience in an advanced cinematic experience. Joined by two-time Oscar®-winning cinematographer John Toll, Lee employs state-of-the-art cameras to shoot in native 3D, high resolution and a history-making frame rate that seemed impossible until now. He creates a new way for audiences to experience drama, presenting the heightened sensations that young soldiers feel on the battlefield and the home front.

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, based on the acclaimed bestselling novel by Ben Fountain, is told from the point of view of 19-year-old private Billy Lynn (newcomer Joe Alwyn) who, along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing Iraq battle and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour. Through flashbacks, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of the Thanksgiving Day football game, the film reveals what really happened to the squad – contrasting the realities of the war with America’s perceptions

“Since Life of Pi, I discovered that in making a 3D movie [we need to be] adding not only dimension, but a higher resolution that comes along with a much higher frame rate than we are used to having. The whole experience is not just about extravaganza, not just about action—but actually about drama as well. The way we look at things, the way we want the audience to engage in a movie I think is more personal. It's much more grand. I think the future is really exciting.”

In his first major motion picture, Joe Alwyn plays Billy Lynn. Also starring are Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund, Makenzie Leigh, with Vin Diesel, and Steve Martin.

Produced by Marc Platt, Ang Lee, Rhodri Thomas, and Stephen Cornwell, and executive produced by Brian Bell, Jeff Robinov, Guo Guangchang, and Ben Waisbren. Jean-Christophe Castelli wrote the screenplay, based on the novel by Ben Fountain. Director of Photography is John Toll, ASC. Production designer is Mark Friedberg. Editor is Tim Squyres, ACE. Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna did the music for the film. Costume designer is Joseph G. Aulisi.

The running time is 1 hour and 52 minutes.

Opening across the Philippines on November 09, “Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back movie review

I got to watch when Jack Reacher first brought to life by Tom Cruise in the first movie. I later found out that it was an adaptation of a novel series. This is not the first time Cruise did adaptations. First, the Mission: Impossible series followed by The Minority Report.

In this movie sequel, we are now getting to know Jack Reacher’s background. He is now summoned by his former superior officer in the army played by Cobie Smulders. It seems that Ms. Smulders is now getting a hang out of the action genre since she is a recurring character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Maria Hill.

What impresses me with Jack Reacher is that he is not the heroic type but when he sees something that bothers him or his acquaintances, he will stop at nothing to bring out the truth and you better pray that you are not getting in his way or else Reacher will make you wish you never been born.

What I like about Jack Reacher compared to Cruise’s other recurring character Ethan Hunt from Mission: Impossible is that he does not need high tech gadgetry or a team. He already has himself. He is like a lone wolf or a ronin ( samurai without a lord) . He has no ties with anyone. He is no longer enlisted when we saw him in the first movie. For me, Jack Reacher looks tougher than Ethan Hunt.

I think it is about time for more Jack Reacher movies in the future. For more movie reviews, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

GAL GADOT IN COMEDY AND ACTION OF BLOCKBUSTER PROPORTIONS IN “KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES”

Press release

 From the producers of worldwide blockbuster and genre-defining action films such as “Gladiator”, “Minority Report” and “Men in Black” films, Laurie MacDonald and Walter F. Parkes give action-comedy a new tick in “Keeping Up with the Joneses,” starring Gal Gadot, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm and Zach Galifianakis.    

Photo credit: 20^th Century Fox

              “Keeping Up with the Joneses” sees Gal Gadot as a spy married to another spy, played by Jon Hamm, together they are Mr. and Mrs. Jones (Natalie and Tim) who just moved in to a quiet neighbourhood.  The Joneses stunning looks are only matched by the worldly sophistication of their lives.  Tim Jones is an accomplished travel writer whose hobbies include blowing his own glass sculptures, and his wife Natalie is social media consultant, cooking blogger, and heroine to the plight of Sri Lankan orphans. 

              Within the neighborhood lives the Gaffneys, Jeff and Karen, played by Galifianakis and Fisher who have been living a simple unperturbed life until the Joneses moved in.  With their kids away for the first time at summer camp, the Gaffneys hope to spend some quality alone-time and reignite the romantic fire that has started to flicker.    This proves easier said than done when Karen’s imagination is distracted by the sudden arrival of new neighbors on the cul-de-sac. As Karen asks, “Why would people this attractive and accomplished ever want to live here?”

              Parkes and Macdonald add that they also sparked to the idea of a suburban couple who, says Parkes, “desperately wants to be friends with their neighbors.  This connection provides a recognizable and emotional foundation for a high-concept comedy—that the film wasn’t just about playing the gag.”

              Gal Gadot, who recently starred as Wonder Woman in “Batman v. Superman”, and who reprises the role in the upcoming “Wonder Woman” and “Justice League”, portrays Natalie, an ex-Mossad agent who now works for the Agency, and is partnered with her husband.  “When we meet them, Natalie and Tim have a good relationship, except that he doesn’t share a lot with her,” says Gadot.  “Tim may even be a little intimidated by Natalie.  After all, she’s quite dominant and is always in control.  Natalie wants things to happen when she wants them to happen.”

              Moreover, the fetching but tough-as-nails Natalie absolutely will not tolerate disrespect, which some of her neighbors learn the hard way during an annual cul-de-sac celebration known as Junetoberfest.  Jealous of Natalie’s, well, everything, the women turn on her immediately, while the men drip of condescension when she joins them in a soon-to-be-not-so-friendly game of darts.  

              Like her on-screen hubby, Gadot relished the chance to do comedy.  “I was thrilled on how easy the laughs came for me when I was reading the script,” she says, pointing to one scene where Natalie suddenly steps out of a department store dressing room—wearing nothing but a thong and low-cut bra—to confront Karen, who had been following her mysterious new neighbor.  Here, again, the film’s mix of laughs and unexpected moments of emotion and vulnerability are showcased. There’s a real sense of comedic intimidation, as Natalie easily gets control of the situation and of Karen, until Natalie suddenly lets her guard down and opens up to her. 

              Gadot’s ability to intimidate, even in humorous circumstances, impressed many on set, including her director.  “Gal has this great intensity,” Mottola notes.  “She can be very serious and intense, and then she breaks into a smile and, on a dime, turns into the warmest, most earthy woman who’s just so sweet.”

              Get ready for the Mr. and Mrs. spy games when “Keeping Up with the Joneses” opens in cinemas on October 19 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

GET WASTED IN “OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY” TEASER POSTER

Press release

The teaser poster for Paramount Pictures' new holiday comedy Office Christmas Party has just been released, encouraging office workers to “Party like your job depends on it.”

In “Office Christmas Party,” when the CEO (Jennifer Aniston) tries to close her hard-partying brother’s branch, he (T.J. Miller) and his Chief Technical Officer (Jason Bateman) must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs.

The latest comedy from directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck (Blades of Glory) co-stars Kate McKinnon, Olivia Munn, Jillian Bell, Rob Corddry, Vanessa Bayer, Randall Park, Sam Richardson, Jamie Chung, and Courtney B. Vance in the funniest movie of the holiday season.

Opening across the Philippines on December 07, “Office Christmas Party” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

SHOOTING BEGINS ON WARNER BROS.' SCI-FI FILM “MEG”

Press release

Jason Statham and Li Bingbing star under the direction of Jon Turteltaub

BURBANK, CA – October 12, 2016 – Principal photography is underway in New Zealand on the science fiction action thriller “Meg,” being directed by Jon Turteltaub (the “National Treasure” movies). The film stars Jason Statham (“Spy,” “Furious 7,” “The Expendables” films). Award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” “The Message”) has been set to star opposite Statham.

In the film, a deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific…with its crew trapped inside. With time running out, expert deep sea rescue diver Jonas Taylor (Statham) is recruited by a visionary Chinese oceanographer (Winston Chao), against the wishes of his daughter Suyin (Li Bingbing), to save the crew—and the ocean itself—from this unstoppable threat: a pre-historic 75-foot-long shark known as the Megalodon. What no one could have imagined is that, years before, Taylor had encountered this same terrifying creature. Now, teamed with Suyin, he must confront his fears and risk his own life to save everyone trapped below…bringing him face to face once more with the greatest and largest predator of all time.

Rounding out the international main cast of “Meg” are New Zealander Cliff Curtis (TV’s “Fear the Walking Dead”), Rainn Wilson (TV’s “The Office” ), Ruby Rose (“xXx: Return of Xander Cage”), Winston Chao (“Skiptrace”), Page Kennedy (TV’s “Rush Hour”), Jessica McNamee (“The Vow”), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (“The BFG”), Robert Taylor (“Focus”), Sophia Shuya Cai (“Somewhere Only We Know”), and Masi Oka (TV’s “Heroes”).

Turteltaub is directing the film from a screenplay by Dean Georgaris and Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber, based on the New York Times best-selling book by Steve Alten. Lorenzo di Bonaventura (the “Transformers” films), Belle Avery (“Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”) and Colin Wilson (“Suicide Squad,” “Avatar”) are producing the film, with Wayne Wei Jiang, Randy Greenberg, Barrie M. Osborne and Gerald R. Molen serving as executive producers.

Turteltaub’s behind-the-scenes team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Tom Stern (“Changeling,” “Sully,” “American Sniper,” “The Hunger Games”), Oscar-winning production designer Grant Major (“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”), editor Steven Kemper (“Salt”) and costume designer Amanda Neale (“Pete’s Dragon”).

In addition to New Zealand, filming on “Meg” is also being accomplished on location in China.

“Meg” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Gravity Pictures. It is production of di Bonaventura Pictures, Apelles Entertainment, Maeday Productions, Inc., and Flagship Entertainment, in association with Beijing Digital Impression (BDI) Film, Inc.

Opening across the Philippines on March 2018, “Meg” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

NEW “COLLATERAL BEAUTY” POSTER SAYS `WE ARE ALL CONNECTED'

Press release

New Line Cinema has just rolled out the new international poster for its inspiring and emotional drama “Collateral Beauty” featuring the faces of the star-studded cast and with a reassuring tagline, “We are all connected.”

From Oscar-winning director David Frankel, “Collateral Beauty” is a thought-provoking drama that explores how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of beauty, and how the constants of love, time and death interlock in a life fully lived.

When a successful New York ad executive suffers a personal tragedy and retreats from life, his friends devise a drastic plan to reach him before he loses everything. Pushing him to the very edge, they force him to confront the truth in surprising and profoundly human ways.

“Collateral Beauty” features an all-star cast, including Will Smith, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Michael Peña, Naomie Harris, Jacob Latimore with Oscar winners Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren.

David Frankel (“Dear Diary,” “Marley & Me,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) directs from a screenplay written by Allan Loeb (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” “21”).

Opening across the Philippines on January 8, 2017, “Collateral Beauty” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

ANNA KENDRICK STARS IN FUNKY MUSICAL ANIMATION “TROLLS” – OPENS NOVEMBER 2

Press release

 Also in upcoming action-thriller flick "The Accountant", actress Anna Kendrick sings to life one of the most beloved toy figures in the latest musical animation “Trolls,” starring alongside an ensemble of equally talented artists such as Justin Timberlake, James Corden, Gwen Stefani, Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand, Christine Baranski, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Swedish pop music duo of Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, Kunal Nayyar and Ron Funches.

              Kendrick is the voice of Poppy, the feisty and fearless leader of the Trolls, who are naturally cheerful and optimistic. They love to sing and dance, and they have rainbow-colored hair.  Justin Timberlake voices Branch, a gray and fearful troll. He is convinced that the Trolls’ mortal enemies, the Bergens, will track them down in their forest Utopia and capture them. The Bergens are miserable monsters and they are only happy when they eat Trolls. 

              The film was inspired by the quirky cute/ugly looking dolls with brightly colored hair that were invented by a Danish woodcutter in 1959. Created by woodcutter Thomas Damm, who then couldn’t afford a Christmas gift for his daughter, was inspired to make a doll based from his imagination.  The unique look of the doll caught the attention of the other children and from then on, Damm’s dolls became popular and has become one of the biggest toy fads among children and adults too.   

              In the latest toy-to-movie adaptation of “Trolls” where Kendrick’s character Poppy lives, the audience will be introduced to a stunning and original world, with a distinct hand-made look, which mirrors Poppy’s passion for scrapbooking.

              But when we meet Poppy, she is an eternal optimist who finds the inspiration for optimism from within.  She is the ultimate purveyor of positivity.   Moreover, she is an empowered female who is capable and confident, strong and resolute, collaborative and inclusive.   Kendrick appreciates Poppy’s toughness, sassiness, can-do attitude, loyalty and, most of all, her leadership skills.  But when she first met with directors Mitchell and Dohrn to discuss the role, the actress notes she had some concerns.  “I hardly felt like the person to play the happiest Troll; sugary sweet isn’t really my forte.  I warned Mike, Walt and Gina that I might lead Poppy down a feistier path.  I think I used the term ‘sparkplug.’”

 

 Photo credit: 20^th Century Fox 

              When the filmmakers assured Kendrick that her vision for Poppy was in sync with theirs, she embraced her inner Troll with a vengeance.  “Each time I stepped into the recording booth and was greeted with a picture of Poppy’s smiling face, I couldn’t wait to add some fire, sarcasm, sass and determination to her,” Kendrick recalls.  “That’s what makes the difference between a relentlessly happy character that’s a little irritating and one that really comes to life. 

              “That said, I usually ruined the first five minutes of each recording session by talking in my ‘adorable voice.’   I couldn’t help it; Poppy is so cute!  But Mike and Walt encouraged me to make this tiny pink creature feel real and complicated.  Poppy might not look like Shrek, but she’s complex, like him.”

              After viewing some early footage, Kendrick discovered even more unexpected aspects to the character, thanks, she says, to the “animation dream team at DreamWorks, which had captured the little firecracker inside Poppy with every minute expression. 

              “Every time they asked me to do another recording session, it made my week.  I experienced that moment of recognition when I wondered, how does a six-inch-tall pink Troll kind of remind me of myself?  Watching Poppy and the other Trolls fills me with joy.”

              A DreamWorks Animation feature, “Trolls” opens in cinemas on November 2 in cinemas nationwide (also in 3D) from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

ANNA KENDRICK IN “THE ACCOUNTANT”

Press release

Academy Award-nominee Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) stars in Warner Bros.' new action-thriller “The Accountant,” as Dana Cummings, an accounting clerk who's in the center of a multi-million-dollar anomaly.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Directed by Gavin O’Connor (Warrior), The Accountant tells the story of Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck), a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. With the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons), starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise.

Anna Kendrick describes her character, “Dana is the one who first noticed that something isn’t adding up in the company finances, so she’s a little disappointed when Chris comes in and takes the whole investigation out from under her. She’s not necessarily ambitious, but she wants to be included.”

“Dana has this bubbly personality, and that’s the last thing Christian wants when he’s trying to work,” producer Mark Williams suggests. “But he soon realizes she speaks his language as far as numbers go; she gets exhilarated the same way he does when the pieces start to come together. For that reason, he starts to bond with her and care about her.”

As Chris shows Dana what he’s found, “she gets reenergized by the idea that they’re working together to solve this puzzle,” Kendrick asserts. “She’s intrigued by him because he’s sort of a dorky accountant, but there’s something mysterious, too, which becomes even more obvious when things take a frightening turn. Basically, nerding it up with Chris is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to her,” she laughs.

Kendrick says she shares that sentiment from her own professional perspective. “Working with Ben, as well as Gavin, was hugely exciting for me, too. It was especially interesting acting opposite Ben in this role because Chris is so uncomfortable relating to people, but Ben found a way to make it so charming that Dana is drawn in by his vulnerability. He’s a big guy and physically stronger, but on an emotional level, he’s the one Dana feels needs to be protected.”

The admiration is mutual. “Anna brings a tremendous energy and honesty to her scenes,” Affleck remarks. “She’s someone I admired a lot beforehand, so I was thrilled to have the chance to work with her.”

O’Connor adds, “One thing I discovered about Anna is she can take the dialogue in a scene and—no matter how many times you’ve heard it—create an entirely new interpretation. Every take would be a variation on the theme of how she played it, and I loved that.”

Kendrick says she especially appreciated the director’s “reverence for the emotional content,” noting, “It’s an interesting thing because, in many ways, Gavin is such a dude. He and Ben would get so excited about all the action sequences, but then he also took such joy in the really sweet, emotional scenes.”

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 02, “The Accountant” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

BEN WINCHELL GIVES LIFE TO MATTEL ACTION FIGURE IN “MAX STEEL” MOVIE

Blogger's note: The reason why I am posting this feature is because it might make internet traffic for the girls who may find this kid appealing. I still think this movie is just intended to make a desperate move to promote the action figure merchandise. I still think it won't surpass the popularity of Ben 10. To get more of my thoughts about the live action Max Steel movie, go to this link: http://marktemplar.blogspot.com/2016/10/first-thoughts-about-max-steel-live.html

Press release

The latest teen heartthrob hero rises in the toy-to-movie “Max Steel” based on Mattel’s most popular action figure of the same name.  Starring in the titular role is Ben Winchell, best known for his roles on Disney Channel’s "A.N.T. Farm" and USA’s "Necessary Roughness”.

                Director Stewart Hendler and screenwriter Christopher Yost (who also wrote the screenplay of “Thor: The Dark World”) adapt “Max Steel” for the big screen. “Max Steel” is a live action feature-length origin story that combines identifiable characters, familiar terrestrial settings and innovative use of technology to create a realistic re-interpretation of the traditional superhero film. 

                Teenager Max McGrath (Winchell) and his mother (Maria Bello) have recently moved back to Copper Canyon, the town where Max was born and his scientist father died under mysterious circumstances.  Adjusting to a new school is not easy for Max, and becomes even more complicated when his body starts to generate strange energy flare-ups that he can't control.  This unpredictable power surge grows too intense for Max to handle and he is forced to distance himself from those around him, including his new friend, Sofia. 

                On the brink of fatal combustion, Max is rescued by Steel, a techno-organic extraterrestrial who has been secretly monitoring his progress.  The two discover that when joined together they can control the energy and harness it into superhuman strength – but when apart, neither can survive.

                As these unlikely friends learn to accept their connected fates, they begin to uncover secrets surrounding the death of Max's father and, digging deeper, find themselves hunted by an unforeseen enemy bent on capturing Max and Steel for a sinister agenda of destruction.  Uncertain who to trust, the two will have to work together to uncover the truth and find a way to defeat the mysterious force threatening their world.

                “We wanted Max Steel to be a real teenager, universal in his appeal with his first crush, moving to a new school, being raised by a single mom,” says O’Dowd.  “We wanted a film that would resonate with the audience no matter where they lived – Miami, Topeka, Rome or Caracas.  And Stewart's take on how to tell Max's story is from that viewpoint.  It's not glossed over.  It's not shiny.  It's not something that looks like a typical superhero movie.  This is a real teenage boy, living in a real teenage world, who just happens to be a superhero.”

               

                “I love the script,” adds Winchell.  “It has great heart and humor combined with spectacular action and special effects.  And me a superhero...it's every kid's dream!”

                                                          

                A new hero rises when “Max Steel” opens in cinemas on October 19 from Pioneer Films.