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.