Wednesday, June 28, 2017

SEXUAL TENSION, BROKEN TABOOS IN NEW THRILLER “THE BEGUILED”

Press release

Focus Features presents The Beguiled, an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola and starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning.
Photo credit: UIP

Adapted from the novel by Thomas Cullinan, The Beguiled is a sexually charged tale that unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls’ boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events.

Laced with elements of a taut psychological thriller, The Beguiled explores the theme of women isolated during the Civil War. In writing the screenplay adaptation, Sofia Coppola went back to the book to tell the story from the female characters’ perspective for her film.

While there is tension – both sexual and otherwise – throughout the story, Colin Farrell gravitated to what he deems an “extraordinary” script because “it looks at how whatever innocence has been maintained in a time of war can be lost. It also explores how the more animalistic aspects of human behavior can be provoked – and pervade – even when you’re not on the front lines.

The violence of the human heart is a timeless theme, no matter what period a story takes place in.”

Kirsten Dunst remarks, “The story is Southern Gothic, with things bubbling under until they get to a boiling point and then an explosion happens. It’s not horror, but it feels like there is horror in it, with intensity and destruction – all made more compelling because this is happening among women.

When Sofia told me about the idea a couple of years ago, my impression was that she was drawn to the subject matter of so many women together alone.”

Nicole Kidman comments, “I thought it was exciting to work with a group of women and then put Colin in the equation. I was so happy to support Sofia as a female director, and I always thought that she made such atmospheric movies in such a signature style. That was the main thing which drew me to working with her.”

Elle Fanning adds, “Besides working with Sofia again, this was a reason for me to be part of The Beguiled: the women hold the power in this story – even though it’s set during the Civil War.”

The women’s wartime lives at the school are, as the story begins, heavily ritualized. Fanning notes, “They get up, they work in the garden at a certain time. There’s prayer, playing music, French lessons, dinner and bedtime. Until, everything gets shaken up; they take in the wounded soldier, and selfishness sets in.”

Opening across the Philippines on July 26, The Beguiled is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

“DESPICABLE ME 3” OPENS AT NO.1, GROSSES P93.6M, the Biggest Opening Weekend for an animated title in 2017

Press release

MANILA, June 19, 2017 – Universal Pictures and Illumination's new comedy adventure Despicable Me 3 ran off with a nationwide box-office haul of P93.6-M to open a No.1 and grab the biggest opening weekend for an animated title in 2017.
Photo credit: UIP

Bowing two weeks earlier in the Philippines ahead of the US, Despicable Me 3 proved to be a worthy successor to its previous two blockbuster installments, reinforcing its formidable brand as a family franchise. Its successful launch in PH is the biggest in the region, grossing more than in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Getting the lion's share of box-office grosses are SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma and SM Megamall.

In fourth to tenth rankings are SM North Edsa, Glorietta IV, Powerplant, Greenbelt III, Alabang Town Center, Fairview Terraces and SM Southmall.

Rounding up the top 20 (11th to 20th) are SM Baguio, SM Dasmarinas, Robinsons Magnolia, Fisher Mall, SM Marikina, SM Fairview, Eastwood, SM Clark, Shang Cineplex and Bonifacio High Street.

Illumination Entertainment continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions in Despicable Me 3.

After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

Now playing across the Philippines, Despicable Me 3 is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Monday, June 19, 2017

MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS FOR “TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT” JUNE 21 AT 12:01AM

Press release

MANILA, June 19, 2017 – The species war between flesh and metal begins earlier for Filipino fans as United International Pictures (UIP) has announced that Transformers: The Last Knight, will have special midnight screenings in participating cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, June 21 at 12:01 AM.


The public is advised to reserve and buy their tickets now to be among the first in the world to watch Michael Bay'sTransformers: The Last Knight, the fifth installment in the hugely successful franchise.

In Metro Manila, midnight screenings are confirmed to be held in Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 3, Bonifacio High Street, Trinoma, Glorietta 4, Eastwood, Fisher Mall, Newport, Venice Cineplex, Uptown Cineplex, Starmall Edsa, Metropolis Alabang, Vista Taguig, Vista Evia Cinema, SM Aura, SM BF, SM Clark, SM Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, S'Maison, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa and SM Southmall.

Moviegoers in the provinces may watch at Starmall San Jose, Vista Sta. Rosa, Vista Bataan, Vista Pampangga, SM Baguio and SM Cebu.

For the updated list, fans may check with their favorite cinemas.

The Last Knight shatters the core myths of the Transformers franchise, and redefines what it means to be a hero. Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); Bumblebee; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock).

There comes a moment in everyone’s life when we are called upon to make a difference. In Transformers: The Last Knight, the hunted will become heroes. Heroes will become villains. Only one world will survive: theirs, or ours.

The film also stars Josh Duhamel, Isabella Moner, Stanley Tucci and John Turturro.

Transformers: The Last Knight is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Sunday, June 18, 2017

“DUNKIRK” OFFICIAL IMAX POSTER

Press release

Warner Bros. Pictures has just revealed the IMAX one-sheet art for Christopher Nolan's new epic action thriller Dunkirk (see my movie review here), which was shot with IMAX film cameras.

Check out the IMAX exclusive poster below and watch Dunkirk in Philippne cinemas with special engagements in IMAX 70mm film.

Nolan (Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy) directs Dunkirk from his own original screenplay, utilizing a mixture of IMAX® and 65mm film to bring the story to the screen.

Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.

The film features a prestigious cast, including Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy as well as newcomer Fionn Whitehead. The ensemble cast also includes Aneurin Barnard, Harry Styles, James D’Arcy, Jack Lowden, Barry Keoghan and Tom Glynn-Carney.

Dunkirk is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Friday, June 2, 2017

“BABY DRIVER” LAUNCHES ITS `TEKILLYAH' TRAILER





Press release

The latest trailer for Columbia Pictures’ Baby Driver, the much anticipated action comedy from acclaimed director Edgar Wright.
Photo credit: Columbia Pictures

Dubbed as `TeKillYah' – which references the infectious song – the trailer exploits the rave, critical acclaim thatBaby Driver has garnered since its premiere in festivals several months back.

The film stars Ansel Elgort as Baby, a getaway driver who suffers from a hearing impairment that requires him to listen to music in order to drown out the humming noise.

In the film, a talented, young getaway driver (Ansel Elgort) relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. When he meets the girl of his dreams (Lily James), Baby sees a chance to ditch his criminal life and make a clean getaway. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.

Written and directed by Edgar Wright, Baby Driver stars Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Bernthal, Eiza González with Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx.

Opening in Philippine cinemas in August 2, 2017, Baby Driver is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.