“SULLY” FILMED ENTIRELY WITH IMAX CAMERAS FOR STUNNING CLARITY, SCALE

Press release

A miracle landing deserves an epic-scale shooting. That's why director Clint Eastwood has chosen to film Warner Bros. Pictures' “Sully” – the airborne thriller based on true events -- almost entirely with new ALEXA IMAX® 65mm cameras.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

As a result, audiences will see the so-called `miracle on the Hudson' depicted in stunning clarity.

And exclusively in IMAX® theatres, “Sully” will be presented in an expanded IMAX 1.9:1 aspect ratio and fill more of the IMAX screen – offering moviegoers 26% more of the image than standard cinemas for a truly immersive experience.

“Sully” stars Oscar winner Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.

On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.

“Sully” also stars Aaron Eckhart as Sully’s co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, and Oscar nominee Laura Linney as Sully’s wife, Lorraine Sullenberger.

Eastwood is directing the film from a screenplay by Todd Komarnicki, based on the book Highest Duty by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow.

The ALEXA IMAX 65mm camera that Eastwood used in filming “Sully” is a next-generation revolutionary 2D digital camera developed through a partnership between ARRI and IMAX for use by today's leading filmmakers working in the IMAX® format. The camera, when combined with IMAX’s digital re-mastering process, delivers the highest level of digital image capture and playback resulting in stunning lifelike images with pristine clarity, incredibly fine detail, vivid colors and a higher dynamic range for superior contrast.

Most films today are presented in an aspect ratio called CinemaScope (2.40:1). When a film is presented in CinemaScope, it is cropped and uses only part of the image the movie camera captures. This is the reason most ordinary screens are very wide but not particularly high.

With “Sully,” IMAX provided Eastwood with the ability to use an expanded aspect ratio for the film's IMAX presentation during production through filming with the extremely high-resolution IMAX® camera.

Opening across the Philippines on Thursday, Sept. 08 in IMAX and regular cinemas,“Sully” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

MORE “MAGNIFICENT SEVEN” CHARACTER VIGNETTES: THE ASSASSIN, THE HUNTER

Press release

Meet the Assassin Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee) and the Hunter Jack Horn (Vincent D'Onofrio) in the newly released character vignettes for Columbia Pictures' action-adventure “The Magnificent Seven.”

Watch the Billy Rocks featurette at http://youtu.be/K-y0mojDOz8 and Jack Horne at https://youtu.be/3-utnlU59GU.

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

Korean actor Byung-Hun Lee plays Billy Rocks, an assassin who shows expertise with knives and close combat. There’s a history of Asian immigrants in the western frontier, though none had the resources to become badass outlaws like Billy Rocks due to their restricted labor to the railroads and laundry services. Meanwhile, Vincent D’Onofrio plays Jack Horne, a master trapper and tracker.

They are joined in the film by the Bounty Hunter (Denzel Washington), the Gambler (Chris Pratt), the Sharpshooter (Ethan Hawke), the Outlaw (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and the Warrior (Martin Sensmeier).

Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ and Columbia Pictures’ “The Magnificent Seven.”

With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns – Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

Opening across the Philippines on September 21, “The Magnificent Seven” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Use the hashtag #Mag7

VIRAL NEED-A-DATE AD TURNED MOVIE IN “MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES”

Press release

Based on the real story of brothers Mike and Dave Stangle, who posted the following ad on Craigslist stating their need for wedding dates for their cousin’s wedding:  TWO MEN NEED WEDDING DATES : My brother and I are looking for wedding dates.  We've been told by the bride that bringing dates is "mandatory" so we "won't harass all of my friends all night" and "stay under control.” Rather than ask some fringe women in our lives to go and face the inevitable 'does this mean he wants to take it to the next level!?' questions, we'd rather bring complete strangers and just figure it out. Still reading? In anticipation of your questions we've developed an FAQ section below. 

Zac Efron, Adam DeVine and the Stangle Bros.

                The ad became a viral phenomenon in hours, and the story soon spread from the internet to media outlets the world over. It also displayed a remarkable prescience; the boys estimated an 85% chance of their story becoming a movie, though they said, “we refuse the right to let Ashton Kutcher play either one of us.”

                Well, as luck would have it, their story is now a movie – “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” and there isn’t a Kutcher in sight. In the movie, the titular Mike (Adam DeVine) and Dave (Zac Efron) are also brothers, warned by their family to smarten-up their hard-partying ways before their sister’s wedding, and to bring two respectable girls as dates. But the girls they end up choosing, played by Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza, aren’t quite as wholesome as they expect. And as the real Stangles explain, some artistic license has been taken to turn the film into this year’s hottest R-rated comedy.

Photo courtesy of 20^th Century Fox

                The core of the film’s comedy and much of its heart is the brotherly bond between the two guys.  “Mike and Dave are close,” states director Jake Szymanski.  “They’ve grown up together, still live together, work together, party together, and ultimately learn some lessons together.”

                “Mike and Dave adore their sister,” confirms Efron.  “Their mantra is: ‘We’re doin’ it for Jeanie!  Everything we do is for Jeanie!’  They protect and love her and have put her on a pedestal.  She forgives them for all the mischief they do.”

                To make this wedding go smoothly for Jeanie, Mike and Dave are told they must bring dates to the nuptials.  “So, Mike and Dave come up with a ‘foolproof’ plan to find respectable dates,” says Devine.  “They troll for them on Craigslist—where they can also find lawnmowers and stuff.”

                While the filmmakers strove to capture specific aspects of the siblings’ personalities, the physical differences between the real and reel Stangles were striking.  “I want to say that Mike and Dave are around 11 feet tall,” Devine notes.  “They made me and Zac Efron [who plays Dave] feel like little elf people.”

                And what did (real) Mike and Dave make of this whole “Hollywood” experience?  “They got guys to play us who are not as good looking as us, or as tall, but they are better actors,” says Dave. “I’ll give them that.  And Stephen Root, who plays our dad, seems to like us more than our real dad.”

               

                This year’s hottest R-18 comedy date movie – “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” will open in cinemas nationwide onSeptember 14 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

“GODZILLA: RESURGENCE” BRINGS LARGEST AND MOST MENACING MONSTER IN THE FRANCHISE

Press release

Toho Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s largest film companies that produced the original Godzilla (Gojira) feature film, reboots the world’s most successful monster franchise in “Godzilla: Resurgence.”

Photo courtesy of Toho Co,

                Currently Japan’s blockbuster of a monster at the box-office, “Godzilla: Resurgence” is the 31^st movie in the franchise and being one of Toho’s most important characters, directors Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi made the largest monster to-date at 389 feet tall, significantly monstrous from the last Godzilla movie (2014) that stood 354 feet tall.  Breaking new records in size, the humongous fearsome monster in “Godzilla: Resurgence” also has new striking design bearing the darkest and most menacing look than in the past films.      

                “Godzilla: Resurgence” brings the monster back on Japan’s soil, in contemporary times, as it surfaces in the country for the first time.  In the movie, when an abandoned yacht in Tokyo Bay is attacked and the Aqua-line soon collapses, Japan’s Deputy Chief Rando Yaguchi theorizes that the damage was done by a living creature.  Soon, the country is on the run when an unidentified terrifying creature suddenly towered the city, destroying everything, even killing people in its path.  With Japan’s government officials working with special envoys and scholars, researching on the mysterious creature, the special group eventually names the dangerous creature Godzilla which is energized by nuclear fission, making it indestructible. 

                “Godzilla: Resurgence” stars Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi and Satomi Ishihara that will open in local (Phils.) cinemas this August 31 to be released by Pioneer Films. 

War Dogs movie review

After the Hangover trilogy, I never thought there will be something similar to the movie that will branch out an adult comedy. Todd Phillips once again directs in War Dogs.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

War Dogs is a story of two twenty-something childhood friends that are both arms dealer. You may think that this is impossible but this is a true story. Although it is a dark story, it’s still has a share of adult humour that Todd Phillips is very popular of since The Hangover. This is why Jonah Hill and Miles Teller is ideal for this movie.

War Dogs is a movie that gives ideas about wars. Most like wars because there is still big money involve. War is, most of the time, about business and economy. That is why it is also territorial. For the arms dealer, war is their business. If there is no war, how can they survive unless they choose other careers besides guns and ammunitions? War is irrational but it is also profitable.

War Dogs is the best movie to watch this week for specific audience since it’s R-16 in Philippine cinemas. But it is also worth watching. It opens on August 24 and released/distributed by Warner Bros. Follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs for more movie reviews.

MILES TELLER STEPS INTO A DANGEROUS WORLD IN “WAR DOGS”

Press release

Miles Teller (“Whiplash,” the “Divergent” trilogy) stars as a twentysomething who became a multi-millionaire as an international arms dealer in Warner Bros. Pictures' new comedic drama based on true events “War Dogs” (in Philippine cinemas Aug. 24).

Photo courtesy of RatPac Entertainment and Warner Bros.

Directed by “The Hangover” trilogy's Todd Phillips, “War Dogs” follows two friends in their early 20s (Jonah Hill and Teller) living in Miami Beach during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows smaller businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, they begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a 300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.

“It’s a cool story,” says Teller who plays the real-life character, David Packouz. “You have to respect what they were able to do; at one point, they had a $300 million deal going. That’s an insane amount of money for a couple of guys in their early 20s who were just fakin’ it till they made it. It’s fascinating how things can kind of snowball and you can get in way over your head.”

The allure of financial freedom isn’t lost on David, but for somewhat less hedonistic reasons than his partner-in-crime Efraim, played by Jonah Hill. Miles Teller explains, “He is struggling to make ends meet when Efraim shows up. Efraim was his buddy when they were kids and they would get into trouble together. When he comes back into his life, David gets reenergized and excited by the opportunity to make some real money because he has a pregnant girlfriend and is wondering how he is going to provide for his family.”

The real David Packouz admits, “I won’t lie, it was pretty awesome for a while. We would go to parties and people would introduce themselves: ‘I’m a stockbroker or I’m in real estate… So what do you do?’ ‘We’re international arms dealers.’ The initial reaction went from ‘You’re kidding, right?’ to ‘You’re full of s**t,’ but once they realized we were not joking, they were blown away. One reason the story is so crazy is that very few people make it big in the arms business, especially at our age. The fact that we won a contract to supply the entire Afghan army was totally bizarre.”

Phillips reveals that they decided early on to tell the story from Packouz’s perspective, noting, “We realized the best way into this story was through David’s eyes. David represents the everyman stepping into this world he knew nothing about, much like the audience.”

The director, who had first met Teller when he produced the comedy “Project X,” says, “I think Miles is a world-class actor. It’s almost as if he doesn’t have to try. I don’t mean that in a negative way; he’s just naturally gifted. It’s amazing to watch. We were lucky to have both him and Jonah in the movie.”

“War Dogs” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Stars Join Ayala Malls Cinemas’ New Level of Movie Experience at Greenbelt 3

This was posted upon request even though I was not invited to the event.

Press release

 Take the pressure off and indulge in your favorite movies in Ayala Malls Cinemas’ latest state-of-the-art theaters at Greenbelt 3 for the urban cineastes looking for an entertaining respite from the day’s grind.

Arci Munoz(2nd from the left) with Ayala Cinema's James Bartolome and Rhia Arda

                 Ayala Malls Cinemas’ recent unveiling at Greenbelt 3 cinemas introduces two exciting cinema concepts that will surely make Makati cineastes fall in love again and again with the experience of watching movies at the big screen. 

                Pioneering the 4DX invasion in Makati, the game-changing cinema technology 4DX theatre immerses the audience all throughout the movie, engaging all the senses while the action unfolds on screen.  Greenbelt 3’s 4DX cinema is the first in Makati and the 3^rd location of Ayala Malls Cinemas (the other two are in Bonifacio High Street and U.P. Town Center). 

                Greenbelt 3 cinema 5 is now equipped with 144 magical motion seats and an auditorium filled with environmental effects that will fully immerse you in each scene and let you experience being in the movie.  The precise choreography of motion system and environmental effects will thrill you.  4DX motion chairs heave up and down, roll side-to-side, and pitch forward and backward to allow you to physically participate in the action on-screen.  These motions will be harmonized well with featured effects such as bottom and back shaker, water, fog, scents, wind, lightning, face air, bubbles, leg tickler.  The 4DXTM is in partnership with CJ 4DPlex, the world’s first 4D cinema company for feature films. 

                Most love watching movies on screen as they are windows to a different world. And this experience is placed on whole new level with Greenbelt 3 cinema 4 as moviegoers will be treated to movie entertainment in luxury and full comfort.  It currently houses 92 fully-motorized leather recliner seats.  For that unparalleled convenience, recliner seats are also equipped with USB port for gadget-charging needs and foldable tables for snacks. 

                Squad goals achieved indeed at Greenbelt 3 cinemas’ recent launch that featured the worldwide blockbuster hit “Suicide Squad” from Warner Bros., graced by local celebrities and prominent personalities including Nadine Lustre, Arci Munoz who came in as Harley Quinn, Paul Salas, Ella Cruz, Francis Libiran and Makati City Vice-Mayor Monique Lagdameo.  Also present in the event are Ayala Malls Cinemas General Manager Amir Precilla, Greenbelt General Manager Mina Domingo, Ayala Malls Group Head Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Malls Cinemas Deputy General Manager Rolando Duenas, Ayala Malls Cinemas Marketing Manager Rhia Arda, Ayala Malls Cinems Marketing Supervisor Gail Santos, Ayala Malls Cinemas Booking and Promotions Manager James Bartolome and Warner Bros. General Manager Francis Soliven.  

                The urban vibe is very much alive at Ayala Malls Cinemas Greenbelt 3 where an elevated level of movie experience awaits on the big screen.   Now, with these cinema advancement, there’s more reason to head out to Ayala Malls Cinemas Greenbelt 3 and book that next blockbuster movie.  See it in the big screen, see it in Ayala Malls Cinemas.

DANIEL RADCLIFFE IN “IMPERIUM”

Press release

DANIEL RADCLIFFE GOES UNDERCOVER COP IN “IMPERIUM”

                Daniel Radcliffe, who rocketed to worldwide stardom in the phenomenal “Harry Potter” films, stars anew in the intense action thriller “Imperium.”   Inspired by real events, the movie is directed by Daniel Ragussis and also stars Toni Collette, Tracy Letts, Devin Druid, Pawel Szajda with Nestor Carbonell and Sam Trammell.

                In “Imperium,” Radcliffe takes on the role of Nate Foster, a young, idealistic FBI agent who goes undercover to take down a radical right-wing terrorist group. The bright up-and-coming analyst must confront the challenge of sticking to a new identity while maintaining his real principles as he navigates the dangerous underworld of white supremacy.

                “Imperium” co-writer Mike German has the kind of pedigree that commands respect: he served in the FBI for 16 years, 12 of them as an undercover agent tasked with infiltrating dangerous white supremacy groups in order to prevent domestic terrorist attacks.  German successfully embedded himself with extremist groups on multiple occasions, leading to criminal convictions.  German’s real life experiences infiltrating homegrown white supremacist terror cells intent on starting race wars, form the basis of the “Imperium” screenplay.

                 

                Setting the movie in the present day was something German and Ragussis quickly agreed on, believing the film could better address important law enforcement and terrorism prevention issues that have dominated the national conversation.  Therefore, the film brings attention to the FBI’s seldom discussed racial-ethnic mapping program, in which American Muslims and other minority populations are controversially targeted.  IMPERIUM also explores the challenges faced by FBI agents working with limited resources to prevent domestic terrorism from white supremacists and other right-wing extremist threats.  With the government prioritizing the fight against the Islamic terrorist threat, FBI agents working on battling domestically cultivated perils often must fight for funding and proper support.

                In the end, Mike German expressed admiration for Ragussis’s efforts to create a film of thematic and emotional integrity true to what he experienced in the field, commenting, “Daniel’s unique vision and dedication to telling this story in an accurate, non-sensationalistic manner impressed me from day one.  The final product depicts the inner workings of the FBI and undercover agents in particular, more accurately than any film I’ve seen.  I couldn’t be more pleased.”

BIG BANG THEORY’S SIMON HELBERG ON HIGH NOTES WITH MERYL STREEP AND HUGH GRANT IN “FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS”

Press release

“The idea of finding joy in what you’re doing, that’s something everybody can understand,” says Meryl Streep of her latest inspiring film about music and the power of dreams in “Florence Foster Jenkins.”

                Starring in the titular role, Meryl Streep sings to life “Florence Foster Jenkins,” along with Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg, the ear-busting movie opens into the last year of the real life Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy patron of music and philanthropist whose passion to sing does not exactly match her vocal prowess.  Supported by her devoted husband St. Clair Bayfield (Grant) and accompanist Cosme McMoon (Helberg), Florence pursues her dream of becoming an opera singer despite her horrible voice.

                Apart from world renowned and admired actors Streep and Grant, director Stephen Frears has also cast Helberg in the movie, completing an impressive chord of lead characters in “Florence Foster Jenkins.”  Helberg, best known as TV’s Howard Wolowitz in the hit sitcom “Big Bang Theory” as the fourth member of the geek quartet, who in real life is a talented concert pianist, also gives life to Florence’s real life accompanist McMoon. 

                In recent interviews, Helberg revealed that playing Jenkins’ long-suffering pianist is highly inspiring, “When I read the script I ran the gamut of emotions. I laughed hysterically, I cried. There’s a purity to Florence, there’s no cynicism, it’s all for the music.”

                “But Florence doesn’t have any sense of rhythm or pitch, so Meryl would intentionally stumble all over the place and I would have to follow her on the piano,” Helberg further says. “It was a little like tandem rock climbing, a sort of mirroring exercise. Her job was insanely hard, to be almost right but just off enough that it makes you cringe.”

                True to his character, Helberg is also a talented musician, son of actress Sandy Helberg and casting director Harriet Helberg, he finished his studies at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts in New York, where he perfected his thespian and musical talents, and reaching concert-pianist level.  

                 “Simon was a genius piece of casting,” says Grant who is extremely impressed with his acting and musical talents. “He was perfect for the role and on top of that he’s a concert standard pianist. I just hope people realise that those really are his hands playing the piano,” vouches Grant.

“SUICIDE SQUAD” SOARS TO MORE THAN HALF A BILLION DOLLARS, P276-M IN PH

Press release

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Band of Antiheroes Hits the $500 Million Mark

at the Global Box Office After Just 13 Days in Theaters

BURBANK, CA, August 18, 2016 – Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Suicide Squad (see my review here)” flew past half a billion dollars after 13 days in theaters around the globe, with a cumulative total of $509 million and counting.  Having set records in its first two weeks in release, the film will help drive the overall August box office to a record high.  The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. and RatPac Entertainment

Kwan Vandenberg stated, “It is incredibly rewarding to see audiences around the world coming out in such a big way for ‘Suicide Squad.’  We have several major markets yet to open, and expect to continue seeing strong returns at the box office for the weeks to come.”

Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, added, “We’re thrilled with the huge numbers on ‘Suicide Squad,’ and to be coming out of an already highly successful summer with such a big win for our slate.  The film is in position for another terrific weekend as our overseas expansion continues.”

The U.S. box office total now stands at more than $238 million; the international figure is $271 million, with the film opening in Germany this weekend and in Japan on September 10.

In the Philippines, “Suicide Squad” continues to dominate the box-office with current gross receipts at P276 million, and still counting.

            From writer/director David Ayer comes “Suicide Squad,” starring Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman and Viola Davis.

            It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super-Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do.  However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?

            Written and directed by Ayer based on the characters from DC Entertainment, the film also stars Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Adam Beach, and Karen Fukuhara in her feature film debut.  It is produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, with Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

            Now showing across the Philippines, “Suicide Squad” is  distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.  

WATCH “THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN” VIGNETTES: THE OUTLAW, THE WARRIOR

Press release

Get to know the Outlaw Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and The Warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier) better in the newly released character vignettes for Columbia Pictures' action-adventure “The Magnificent Seven.”

Watch the Vasquez featurette at https://youtu.be/7Zx0suDXqH0 and the Red Harvest at https://youtu.be/gfh3OxbXAhM.

Garcia-Rulfo describes his character Vasquez as someone who loves gunfighting. “He's been always like a bandit, a robber, a criminal. He's been on the run for several months. He doesn't have anything to lose because he has no family, no nothing.”

Photos courtesy of Columbia Pictures

For his part, Sensmeier notes that Red Harvest is just a regular bad-ass. “He's a Comanche but he's not with his tribe. Red Harvest was tracking the six, but they don't realize they're being tracked. When they do realize, he reveals himself.”

They are joined in the film by the Bounty Hunter (Denzel Washington), the Gambler (Chris Pratt), the Sharpshooter (Ethan Hawke), the Hunter (Vincent D'Onofrio) and the Assassin (Byung-Hun Lee).

Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ and Columbia Pictures’ “The Magnificent Seven.”

With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns – Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

Opening across the Philippines on September 21, “The Magnificent Seven” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Use the hashtag #Mag7

LATINA STAR ANA DE ARMAS SWEPT BY THE AMERICAN DREAM IN “WAR DOGS”

Press release

She's a Cuban-born actress who has become one of Spain’s rising stars, and now worldwide audiences are discovering Ana de Armas in a number of different films, foremost of which is Warner Bros. Pictures' “War Dogs,” the new comedic drama based on true events.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Based on a true story, “War Dogs” follows two friends in their early 20s living in Miami Beach during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, Efraim (Jonah Hill) and David (Miles Teller) begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a 300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan Military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.

Efraim’s and David’s newfound wealth opens the door to luxury apartments, expensive cars and better drugs. Nevertheless, David is initially forced to hide the real source of his income from his staunchly anti-gun, anti-war girlfriend, Iz, who is about to become his wife.

Ana de Armas, who plays Iz, offers, “She knows even less than half of what’s going on at first because David knows she would never approve of it, so she’s dealing with this weird atmosphere of secrecy. Naturally, at some point in the movie, she finds out, but she understands this is for the family and their future, so she decides she’s going to be supportive. Whatever he decides to do, she will be with him. That’s Iz’s main characteristic: she loves and trusts David. I thinks she’s a very strong, sensitive woman and is a very good partner in life.”

De Armas won the role after a long audition process in which the filmmakers “read a lot of women for the part of Iz,” director Todd Phillips recalls. “But when Ana came in, it was like, ‘Whoa, that’s the one.’ She’s a wonderful actress and when you look at her, she expresses so much emotion just in her eyes.”

The admiration is mutual. “Todd is very smart and what I find so remarkable about him is his ability to put movies together that connect so well with audiences,” says de Armas. “On the set, he knows what he wants and when you feel that confidence in your director, who is the person telling you what he’s looking for, it’s amazing. He spends time with you rehearsing, so when you hear ‘Action,’ you know what to do. And then you have the freedom to play around because you have the foundation of the scene.”

De Armas is currently in production on Denis Villeneuve’s as-yet-untitled “Blade Runner” sequel, in which she stars alongside Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright and Mackenzie Davis. The story picks up several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original, which was set in 2019 in a dystopian Los Angeles. Being executive-produced by Ridley Scott, the film is slated for release on October 6, 2017.

De Armas also starred in Eli Roth’s independent thriller “Knock Knock,” which debuted at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Opening across the Philippines on Aug. 24, “War Dogs” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“USS INDIANAPOLIS: MEN OF COURAGE” IN TROUBLED WATERS AT PHILIPPINE SEA

Press release

 Based on true accounts of those who have survived during the waning days of World War II, the thrilling and inspiring “USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage” tells of the Navy warship USS Indianapolis that secretly delivered one of two atomic bombs that would eventually end the war.

                “USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage,” stars Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore, Thomas Jane, Matt Lanter, Brian Presley and Cody Walker and directed by Mario Van Peebles.  When the Japanese learned of the USS Indianapolis within reach, they attacked and sank the heavy cruiser.  The USS Indianapolis’ mission was so classified it was not reported missing, and no one knew the ship had been attacked until four days later. Stranded in the shark-infested waters of the Philippine Sea, the remaining survivors of the USS Indianapolis endured hunger, thirst, heat, delirium, relentless shark attacks and the death of many shipmates. Of the 1,197 crewmembers, nearly 300 went down with the ship. Five days later only 317 men survived and were eventually rescued.

                  Long before the cameras rolled, Richard Rionda Del Castro and Cam Cannon of Hannibal Classics decided to write the script for “USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage.”  They wanted to tell the real story of what happened to the ship’s crewmembers just after midnight on that fateful day, 30 July 1945.  "I produced this film to pay homage to the final crew of the USS Indianapolis, to acknowledge and honor them, along with their families,” says Rionda Del Castro. “To make sure new generations, worldwide, would learn of their harrowing and heroic saga, forever.”

                They did exhaustive research, with survivors, the US Navy, court documents and historical papers.  In their research, they discovered the Second Watch organization formed by the family members, friends and supporters of the men of the USS Indianapolis.  Their mission statement reads, Although the USS Indianapolis (CA35) died at sea, the memory of her crew lives. Through the efforts of the USS Indianapolis (CA35) Second Watch, the memory of the Indianapolis will be preserved; her history, story, feeling and experiences shared.  The Second Watch became an instrumental part of the project, providing historical facts, records and photos from survivors and their families. Most importantly, they provided a connection to survivors still living. 

                Five years and 200 drafts later, Hannibal’s script was ready.  The search for the right director began. Mario Van Peebles, who had worked with Hannibal previously, expressed tremendous interest in the film, Van Peebles knew he had to tell the crewmen’s story, and lobbied hard to direct the film.  For the part of Captain Charles Butler McVay, both Hannibal and Van Peebles agreed Nicholas Cage would be perfect.  According to Van Peebles “Cage has a sense of command, a wicked sense of humor, is super professional, and is on the ball.”

                “One of my dreams, my first love, has always been the ocean,” says Cage. “I have always dreamed of doing a film on the ocean.  I had to get on the water, and Richard said ‘it just so happens I have a script.” Cage agreed to be the films’ anchor. Cage further shares, “My impression on meeting these survivors, was that they were, they are, remarkably strong willful people. The fact they are still with us . . . We wanted to honor them. They are true heroes.”

JONAH HILL RISKS IT ALL FOR MONEY IN “WAR DOGS”

Press release

He's a two-time Academy Award nominee whose acting prowess has put him at the forefront of Hollywood, in both the comedic and dramatic realms. Now, Jonah Hill stars in the central role of young arms dealer Efraim Diveroli in Warner Bros. Pictures' new comedic drama “War Dogs” (in Philippine cinemas Aug. 24).

Hill says he was intrigued by his character who jumped at the opportunity to reap huge rewards without giving much thought to what he was sowing. Hill remarks, “There’s definitely something enticing about watching people make it rich without following the rules. It’s why I’ve always loved gangster movies…movies where the guys with swagger win. Until they don’t,” he smiles.

Based on a true story, “War Dogs” follows two friends in their early 20s living in Miami Beach during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, Efraim (Hill) and David (Miles Teller) begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a 300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan Military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.

When we meet Efraim and David in “War Dogs,” they don’t appear to be the international arms dealer types. Two middle-class, early-twenty-something guys in Miami Beach, they had been best friends in junior high, but lost touch, as people do. Reunited at the funeral of a mutual friend, they reconnect and start to catch up. David has been eking out a living as a masseuse, but he thinks he has hit on a big idea—selling high-end bed sheets to Miami’s myriad of old folks homes. Efraim is also in sales, but that’s where the similarity ends.

While David has an apartment filled with boxes of unsold sheets and unpaid bills, Efraim has a bank account in the seven figures thanks to FedBizOpps, the government’s marketplace for an infinite variety of military supplies. When Efraim invites David to go into business with him, the answer is obvious.

“Efraim is a great character,” notes Hill. “He gets to be the guy who says, ‘Let’s go down the rabbit hole,’ and he’s so extreme and explosive, I just knew the role was right for me. He wants to be rich and loves the flashy, more surface things in life. That’s what he thinks will bring him happiness. He’s a wheeler-dealer who’s incredibly charming when he needs to be. But there is nothing lazy about him. He has to have enormous drive and intelligence and cunning to maneuver through this world. It made him really interesting to play.”

Director Todd Phillips (“The Hangover” trilogy) says that the role showcased Hill’s great versatility because “Efraim becomes whoever he needs to be in a given situation. He is a chameleon who is able to kind of blend into the person he thinks you want to him to be. It was a really fun aspect of the character for Jonah to play.”

“War Dogs” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.