GET INTO THE CIRCLE OF LIFE OF “THE LION KING 3D”

Set against the breathtaking natural beauty, mysticism and diversity of the African landscape, captured and stylized by a team of top artistic talents, Disney’s 32nd full-length animated film “The Lion King” is a uniquely entertaining coming-of-age allegory based on an original story that has since joined the ranks of classic fairy tales and literary favorites. And now, the popular classic is in 3D for the first time ever.

            “‘The Lion King’ is essentially a love story between a father and son,” says producer Don Hahn. “It’s about that moment in life when you realize that your father is going to pass on to you his wisdom and knowledge. The Circle of Life. Someday we all become adults. The baton will be passed on to us and we’re going to have to grow up.”

            An original story, breathtaking animation, beloved characters and award-winning music set the stage for “The Lion King,” a Disney classic that follows the adventures of Simba, the feisty lion cub who “just can’t wait to be king.” But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba’s exile from the kingdom. Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warmhearted warthog pal, Pumbaa.

            Adopting their carefree lifestyle of “Hakuna Matata,” Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the Circle of Life. The all-star vocal talents—including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Ernie Sabella, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Robert Guillaume, Cheech Marin and Moira Kelly—plus the rip-roaring comedy and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty and hope make this a timeless tale for all ages.

            According to co-director Roger Allers,  “The real heart and emotional underpinning of the whole story is the father-son relationship. At one point in the film, Simba steps into his father’s paw print and we see this image of his little paw in an enormous print. It is very symbolic. When his father is taken away from him too soon, he feels unworthy and inadequate. My favorite part of the film is when his father returns in ghost form and tells him that his spirit lives on in his son.”

            Co-director Rob Minkoff adds: “We set out to do something very different from the things that had been done before. ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’ were all basically love stories, and this one is more about the relationship between a father and a son. It is just as crucial and interesting in its own way, but a real different subject and a change of pace from other Disney films.”

            Recalls actor Nathan Lane, who provides the voice of Timon, “They showed us two clips from the movie and I thought to myself, ‘Well, not only is this good, there’s something very special about this.’ Obviously, there’s something in [the film] that touches people—it’s why it was hugely successful and why it stays with people. [The filmmakers] worked for a long time to get the story right and that’s why these films work and why they’re considered classics.”

            Matthew Broderick (voice of Simba) remembers the first time he saw the film with an audience. “There’s nothing like sitting with a real audience,” he says. “I thought, ‘Wow, these children will take their children [someday].’ I could tell I was part of ‘Snow White.’ It felt like we were part of those movies that seem to live years and years through generations.”

            Opening across the Philippines in December 2011, “The Lion King 3D” is distributed locally by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.  

“TITANIC 3D” TRAILER MAIDEN VOYAGE ON NOV. 17

Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio in Titanic 3D

A cautionary epic action-romance based on historical facts, James Cameron’s “Titanic” sets sail once again in Philippine cinemas on April 7 (Saturday) in 3D starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.  First released in 1997, “Titanic” has remained the 2^nd highest-grossing film of all time.  

“Titanic” starts its maiden voyage with an agora of British nobility, American industrialists, New York’s and Philadelphia’s best and hopeful poor emigrants in a gilded era where star-crossed lovers Rose Dewitt Bukater (Winslet) and Jack Dawson (DiCaprio) met aboard the ill-fated passenger ship.  

            The largest and most luxurious moving machine ever built, Titanic is the pride of the White Star Line and at the time. Touted as the ship of dreams, Titanic carried over 1, 500 people to their death at the waters of North Atlantic when it hit an iceberg early morning of April 15, 1912. On board “Titanic,” the journey also sees ambitious fortune hunter (Bill Paxton) who is determined to plumb the treasures of this once-stately ship, only to bring to the surface a story left untold.  Amidst the thick crowd of well-wishers before the ship’s sail, Rose and Jack would soon meet that would change their lives forever.  Rose, a 17-year-old belonging to the upper class American society is suffocating under the rigid expectations of her time suddenly finds herself drawn to the free-spirited steerage passenger Jack.   Rose and Jack's forbidden love begins a powerful mystery that ultimately echoes across the years into the present. Nothing on earth is going to come between them -- not even something as unimaginable as the sinking of Titanic.

            Also on board the massive, marvelous Titanic are Cal Hockley (Billy Zane), heir to a huge fortune and Rose's fiancé and Ruth DeWitt Bukater (Frances Fisher), Rose's socially driven mother. Oscar® winner Kathy Bates is featured as the ship's most colorful real-life passenger, Molly Brown. Other historic figures include Captain E.J. Smith (Bernard Hill), White Star Line's managing director J. Bruce Ismay (Jonathan Hyde), and master shipbuilder and primary architect of Titanic, Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber). Also in this devastating hand of fate dealt to the passengers of Titanic are an Italian emigrant named Fabrizio De Rossi (Danny Nucci), Jack's poor but determined best friend; and Spicer Lovejoy (David Warner), Cal Hockley's ruthlessly loyal valet. 

            From 20^th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and Lightstorm Entertainment, “Titanic” will be available in 3D and 2D digital screens to be distributed by Warner Bros. in the Philippines.

            “Titanic 3D” trailer will have its maiden release on 20^th Century Fox (Philippines) Facebook page and www.Clickthecity.com on November 17 (Thursday).  

            Like 20^th Century Fox (Philippines) Facebook page for more of “Titanic” and other upcoming movies!  

ELIJAH WOOD, ROBIN WILLIAMS RETURN IN “HAPPY FEET 2”

Original “Happy Feet” castmembers Elijah Wood and Robin Williams return to breathe life to beloved Penguin characters in Warner Bros.' adorable sequel, “Happy Feet 2.”  (Watch the video featurette on the film's cast in this link: http://youtu.be/YuCLSr9gdgY.)

In the film, Mumble -- The Master of Tap – has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic.  Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven—a penguin who can fly!  Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model. 

            Elijah Wood reprises the role of the masterful tap-dancing penguin, whose unique talents have captured the hearts of so many.  “I knew that George would never do a sequel unless it was something that he felt was true to the original story and that there was another compelling story to tell.” 

            In fact, the same things that attracted the actor to the original film have been reprised in the sequel.  “There are beautiful environmental themes throughout, pointing to the change that is occurring in our world now, and how it’s affecting our precious animals,” Wood continues.  “George handles it so well, just as he did in the first film.  It’s woven into the piece in an organic way, along with the themes of love and identity.  I think it’s especially good for young people to see a film like this and recognize that it’s ultimately the things that differentiate us from others that are our strongest defining characteristics.  Those are qualities to be celebrated, not ashamed of.”  

            Mumble’s best friend also returns in the sequel: Ramon, the talkative Adelie penguin, who has been drawn to Emperor Land because he finds the senoritas altas alluring.  Too bad they find him alarming.

            Robin Williams again voices Ramon.  “He is basically still the same incurable romantic.  He still loves las chicas, but he has not found the bird of his dreams.  And yet, he still has an image that he is a gift to all females, that they want him in the worst way.  The Adelies all are very, very machismo; so though he is small, he is fierce.”

            According to co-screenwriter Gary Eck, “Robin Williams just brought so much to the table.  He came up with these lines, and we sit there and you say, ‘That’s great!  We’ll use that!  Sure, we spent eight months coming up with that line, but you just made it even better in two seconds.  So, thank you!’” he laughs.

            No matter how macho he is, a penguin can only take so much rejection from the opposite sex.  Realizing he’ll have no luck with the Emperor ladies, Ramon journeys back to Adelie Land, where he finds that things have changed.  Not only is the ‘New Adelie Land’ full of many different species of penguin, the place is more colorful—with patches of green peeking through the snow. And so is Lovelace, the guru Rockhopper Penguin who now sports a crazy rainbow sweater. 

            Lovelace is also voiced again by the multi-talented Williams, who points out, “Lovelace was rescued from an oil slick.  A penguin loses buoyancy in a slick, so he was scrubbed up by humans—who the penguins refer to as ‘the aliens.’  But after being cleaned up, penguins lose some of the warmth of their feathers, so there are folks who knit little sweaters for rescued penguins.  They can’t swim in them, but until they’re ready for release, they wear them.  Lovelace’s is striped; he looks like a tiny colorful Rasta penguin.” 

            Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 23 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular theaters, “Happy Feet 2” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“THE LION KING” ROARS INTO PHILIPPINE CINEMAS IN 3D

Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa are back and better than ever this December when Disney’s “The Lion King” roars into Philippine theaters in breathtaking 3D!

            When “The Lion King” first ruled the cinemas in 1994, the story of Simba and his father touched the hearts of an entire generation—its pioneering soundtrack, unexpected humor and compelling characters captivated audiences worldwide. The film, which followed “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” propelled The Walt Disney Studios’ animation renaissance, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time. (In the U.S., it continues to be the highest-grossing hand-drawn animated film ever.) “The Lion King” won the Oscar® for Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer) and Best Original Song (Elton John/Tim Rice, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”) and earned Golden Globes® in both categories as well as for Best Motion Picture—Comedy or Musical. It is the best-selling home entertainment release of all time and inspired a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical that became the seventh-longest-running musical in Broadway history in January 2011. 

            And now, the popular classic is in 3D for the first time ever. 

            Nearly a decade since “The Lion King” last appeared on the big screen, the upcoming theatrical release invites new generations into the Circle of Life. The two-week, 3D presentation is a planned wide domestic release—the biggest since the film’s 1994 debut—and the film’s first-ever 3D release. 

            An unforgettable story, breathtaking animation, beloved characters and award-winning music set the stage for “The Lion King”, a Disney classic that follows the adventures of Simba, the feisty lion cub who “just can't wait to be king.” But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba's exile from the kingdom. Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warmhearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of “Hakuna Matata,” Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the “Circle of Life.” 

            The all-star vocal talents—including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Moira Kelly—rip-roaring comedy and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty and hope make this a timeless tale for all ages. 

            Produced by Don Hahn and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff from a script by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton, “The Lion King” is distributed locally by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures. 

Italian Cinema Now

From November 9-13, Ayala Malls Cinemas is host the Italian Cinema Now, a showcase of Italian and Filipino films featuring the works of Bernardo Bertolucci Brillante Mendoza and more. The event kick off with coctails at the Greenbelt 5 walkway that was rolled with a red carpet for distinguished guests then was ushered to Greenbelt 3 Cinema for the screening.

Mr. Albert Martinez arrived for the event

I got to see two films. One from the Philippines and the other was Italian. I watched Brillante Mendoza's Serbis. The director himself was also present during the screening. Serbis is one of Mendoza's works that is also shown in Italy's end of Italian Cinema Now as a part of cultural exchange between the Philippines and Italy.

Serbis also reminded me of the works of the late Lino Brocka. These are the type of movies that exposes realities in society that are not done in regular types of movies. Movies that makes you leave it with heavy thoughts and perspective.

Dracula 3D is an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula starring Rutger Hauer as Professor Van Helsing. The screening is not a full movie but a raw sneak peek minus the special effects but it was shot in a 3D camera. Although the special effects wasn't polished yet, it has promising results because they combine the traditional and modern special effects for this one. I look forward when it opens here. Also present during the screening was the movie's producer and one of the movie casts.

Promotional poster of The Last Emperor

Although I haven't watch all, I already seen one of their movies. L' Ultimo Imperatore, known in Hollywood as The Last Emperor, was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. I got to see it way back in 1987. The film was adapted from the biography of Pu-Yi, the last emperor of China. The movie won nine awards in the Academy including Best Picture and Best Director. Stars Jone Lone in the title role, Peter O'Toole, Joan Chen, Victor Wong and Vivian Wu.

The screenings are for free admission but it is also limited seating at Greenbelt 3. For schedule, check the program at Italian Cinema Now website. Italian Cinema Now is brought to you by Ayala Malls Cinemas, Cultural Center of the Philippines,etc.

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN WITH “NEW YEAR’S EVE”

Ashton Kutcher and Lea Michele

A stellar ensemble cast led by Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara will ring in the 2011 holiday season with New Line Cinema's  romantic comedy “New Year’s Eve.”  

            Director Gary Marshall, renowned for a catalogue of films that capture love in so many rich, warm and funny ways, calls it New Year's Eve “the perfect opportunity to take stock of things, to think about the mistakes of the past year and about how maybe you can do better.  A time to be thankful for what you have.  But it’s also a fun, exciting, wonderful time, full of anticipation—and yes, some craziness.  Mostly it’s about hope, when everything you want seems possible again, if you’re willing to take another chance.”   

            Undeniably, romance steals the show in the countdown hours of December 31st as many couples look forward to that special midnight kiss, others seize the magic of the evening to make lifelong commitments, and still others decide to take a chance on someone new who might just be “the one.”  But the emotional reach of the holiday goes further. While “New Year’s Eve” serves up romance in some of its myriad delicious and maddening stages, it also looks at love in some of its other forms: forgiveness, compassion, and the everyday miracle of people opening their hearts to a different point of view.   

            The movie addresses these ideas in a collection of individual stories told as if randomly selected among the countless tales that play out every day.  Each stands alone but some touch briefly upon one another, while others ultimately cross paths to a perfect closure.  Marshall, a one-time jazz-band drummer, says, “I hear the music under every scene, the beats and the notes in the dialogue.  In ‘New Year’s Eve’ there are some very touching moments and a lot of comedy, a lot of different stories to tell, and each one has its own rhythm.  I like to move things around, to balance the intensity of one scene against the lightness of another.”  

            Producers Mike Karz and Wayne Rice reunited with Marshall and their “Valentine’s Day” screenwriter Katherine Fugate to explore dozens of potential characters and scenarios before narrowing the field to the most resonant. “We talked about the kinds of experiences and circumstances that would best convey the themes of the movie across a range of different relationships,” offers Fugate.  “We wanted a story of first love and one of forgiveness, as well as stories about taking a risk, letting things go, revisiting an old flame, making amends, having a baby, starting fresh… with love being the mitigating force through all of them.” 

            Says Karz, “We were also looking for characters that move in directions you don’t necessarily see coming, or interact with characters who may or may not be the ones you expect them to connect with.  Katherine is so skillful, not only in creating these individuals, but also in interweaving their storylines in a natural way.”  

            “What’s also interesting about this kind of ensemble piece is that it’s designed so the entire sequence takes place in one day,” adds Rice “The third act of a movie is often about a ticking clock, and in this case, there’s an actual clock that triggers the action for everyone.  You can take the audience on a roller coaster ride through all these possibilities, but that ball is going to drop at midnight and they all have to conclude simultaneously.”   

            Opening across the Philippines on December 2011, “New Year’s Eve” is a New Line Cinema presentation distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

A BIG, HOLIDAY MYSTERY GETS SOLVED IN “ARTHUR CHRISTMAS”

Imagine a city under a starlit sky. It’s Christmas Eve, and the children are nestled in their beds, dreaming of Santa on his sleigh pulled by eight beautiful reindeer. Suddenly, a shadow comes over the city. A million pinpricks of light. A million figures descend. The invasion has begun and there’s not a jingle bell to be heard…

…but don’t panic. This is how Santa gets the job done every Christmas: with a huge, mile-wide, state-of-the-art sleigh with stealth cloaking technology, and a million elves, working in precision teams of three, who have 18.14 seconds to get into each house, deliver the presents, and move on to the next one. 

Santa Claus is coming to town, but this time, he’s not coming down the chimney.

“They have all the technology in the world and no expense is spared,” says Sarah Smith, who directs and co-wrote “Arthur Christmas,” the new 3D, CG-animated film from Aardman Animation for Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures. “This movie reveals what their equipment looks like and how they do it.”

“Arthur Christmas” is Sony's first film collaboration with Aardman, the landmark animation company best-known for their award-winning and crowd-pleasing stop-motion films “Chicken Run” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.” The winners of over 400 international awards, including four Oscars®, Aardman delivers their second CG-animated project with “Arthur Christmas,” and takes on an ambitious subject: the delivery of two billion presents in one night.

At the top of the organization is the man himself, Santa – but these days, he’s more of a figurehead facing the prospect of retirement. “Arthur Christmas” has a second incredible secret to reveal: the Clauses are a dynasty, a long line of Santas stretching back over 1,000 years! Running the day-to-day is Santa’s firstborn son, Steve – an alpha male, the next in line to wear the red suit. Santa’s own dad, Grandsanta, used to wear that suit – and he’ll grumble to anyone that he wore it best – but he’s long since been put out to pasture, along with his lovely old sleigh, “Eve.” Mrs. Santa, the North Pole’s highly capable First Lady, keeps the home fires burning – in between opening elf hospitals, negotiating treaties with Greenland, completing online degrees, and stirring the Christmas Day gravy.

And then there’s Arthur, Santa’s youngest son.

“Arthur believes in Christmas, and not just because he’s been born into the family business,” says James McAvoy, who voices Arthur. “He believes it in his soul – there’s nobody else in the world who cares about Christmas more than Arthur.”

However, love of the holiday only counts for so much. Not the most practical Claus in history, Arthur’s struggled in just about every job his father’s placed him in – even ordinary tasks, from wrapping to maintenance. Yet, as the story begins, he’s finally in a position he loves: in the Letters to Santa Department, where he revels in the hope of countless children – not just asking for presents, but sending gifts and drawings and asking questions about how it’s all done.

Arthur is the unlikeliest hero—that is, until he discovers a single child’s present wasn’t delivered and he takes the reins to deliver the one last present the old-fashioned way.

Opening across the Philippines on Dec. 8 in 3D, 2D and regular theaters, “Arthur Christmas” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games.