SNEAK PEEK: “WRECK-IT RALPH” IMAGES FROM DISNEY

Walt Disney Animation Studios has just released the first-look images of its upcoming 3D adventure comedy “Wreck-It Ralph.”

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

             Emmy-winning director Rich Moore (TV's "The Simpsons," "Futurama") takes moviegoers on a hilarious, arcade-game-hopping journey in "Wreck-It Ralph." Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer), the "good guy" star of their game who always gets to save the day. 

             But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero.

              On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch) from the first-person action game Hero's Duty. But it's the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it's too late?

             Opening across the Philippines in October 2012 in Disney Digital 3D and regular theaters, “Wreck-It Ralph” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

The Dark Knight Rises review

First published on Knight Of The Old Code

Story: After the events in the previous movie; The Dark Knight, the Batman is no longer active in his crusade against crime until a new threat emerges in Gotham City.

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros.

Background: For those who are not into comic books. The Batman was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger in 1939 for DC Comics. His comic debut was in Detective Comics # 27 as the Bat-Man before it became just Batman. The original idea for the Caped Crusader was that he was a crime-fighter on the side of the law. Kane developed the character from Sherlock Holmes and Zorro. During the 80's, the character rebooted in a more interesting manner. Batman became an outlaw vigilante. What makes Batman unique is that even though he is fully, human, he uses his skills as advantage and sometimes can take even a powerful superhero. Since then, Batman became my favorite super-hero. Even my former professor/ordained minister uses Batman as an image of messianic parallelism for his Theology classes.

Review: The Batman phenomenon made this impact on me since Tim Burton's 1989 film, Batman starring Michael Keaton. After the sequel, Batman Returns, Tim Burton stopped directing the next film, Batman Forever but serves as the movie's co-producer. Although it has good cast of actors, the film was not the same when Burton directed it. It even got worse with the next sequel. But I was glad when Christopher Nolan took over the reboot in Batman Begins. It proves much better than the 1989 film. It never failed to get to get better when the sequel, The Dark Knight was released.

Batman's first appearance. Detective Comic #27

For Christian Bale, I still find it funny when he does a Batman voice. He does it fine but Kevin Conroy does it better in Batman The Animated Series. The costume is much more realistic as an advanced armor than tights that Adam West used to wear in the old series.

For Anne Hathaway to play Selina Kyle, her character was just as detailed in the comic books. Catwoman first appeared as a villain but when the character also rebooted, she is also an anti-heroine as well as a cat burglar unlike her predecessor Michelle Pfeiffer in Burton's Batman Returns. Although, Pfeiffer's Catwoman was purr-fect, Hathaway's Selina Kyle was way much better than I expected. Her catsuit was more of what a professional cat-burglar might wear than a costume. Her mask not only conceals her identity, it is also gadget. Selina Kyle is not called Catwoman throughout the movie.

Tom Hardy played Bane is more detailed from the comics than what Robert Swenson did in Joel Shumacher's Batman and Robin. Bane is equally smart as Batman as he is strong than a dumb henchman. Bane was created by Chuck Dixon, Graham Nolan and Dave Moench as a crucial villain in the Knightfall story arc.With exception of his face mask, Bane's outfit also could pass as a uniform rather than a costume.

Bane. Art from Batman: Gotham Knights

Commissioner Gordon is played by Gary Oldman. There were already two who played the part in previous incarnations but it was Gary Oldman who was the spitting image of Gordon in the comics and he is a good actor. Michael Caine's portrayal of the butler Alfred Pennyworth shows how important his character is from the death of Bruce Wayne's parents and how instrumental he is when Batman began and also being a jack-of-all-trade.

Lucius Fox, played by Morgan Freeman, was the one of the major  Batman characters that first appeared in Nolan's Batman trilogy. The other character that also made an appearance in Nolan's Batman was the serial killer Zsasz in the first movie, Batman Begins. Police Officer John Blake is the only name among the key characters that does not exists in the comics and yet his character made an impact in the story which is unexpected.

The Batmobile still looks more like a tank than a car since it was meant to be used in the military until Bruce saw it. But it adds toughness when people sees it. I can still relate the story from two comic story arcs, Knightfall and No Mans' Land but it was a good thing. Despite from  being action packed, the movie also has sentimental moments that will also make you feel good when leaving the movie. Even though it is the last movie of the trilogy, you will walk out the cinema feeling good. It ended the best way possible. The Dark Knight Rises is now showing in theaters in IMAX or regular 2D formats and is released and distributed by Warner Bros.

AYALA CINEMAS IN “FULL FORCE” SUPPORT OF THE 8TH CINEMALAYA 2012 RUN

Ayala Malls Cinemas hosts for the 2^nd time the country’s Cinemalaya on its 8^th year in developing and promoting Filipino independent films. Cinemalaya’s simultaneous screening at the CCP Theater and at Ayala Cinemas’ Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma will run from  July 21 to July 29.

                Paying tribute to one of the country’s acclaimed filmmakers, Ayala Cinemas’ Cinemalaya opening ceremony at Trinoma will feature the late Mario O’Hara’s “Babae Sa Breakwater” starring Katherine Luna.

                Competing in the category of New Breed Films are “Intoy Syokoy Ng Kalye Marino” directed by Lemuel C. Lorca, “Requeime!” by Loy Arcenas, “Oros” by Paul Sta. Ana, “Ang Katiwala (The Caretaker)” by Aloy Adlawan, “Santa Nina” by Emmanuel Quindo Palo, “Aparisyon” by Vincent Sandoval, “Diablo” by Mes De Guzman, “Mga Dayo (Resident Aliens) by Julius Sotomayor Cena, “The Animals” by Gino M. Santos and “Ang Nawawala (What Isn’t There)” by Marie Jamora.

                In Director’s Showcase Films category, entries include “Kamera Obskura” by Raymond Red, “Bwakaw” by Jun Robles Lana, “Posas” (Shackled) by Lawrence Fajardo, “Kalayaan (Wildlife)” by Adolfo B. Alix, Jr. and “Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets)” by Jose Javier Reyes.

                Included in Short Feature films are “As He Sleeps” by Sheron Dayoc, “Balintuna (Irony)” by Emmanuel Escalona Jr., “Bohe Sons of the Waves” by Nadjoua Bansil, “Pasahero (Passenger)” by Mario “Max” Celada, “Victor” by Jarell M. Serencio, “Ang Paghihintay Sa Bulong (Waiting to Whisper) by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, “Manenaya (Waiting)” by Richard Legaspi, “Ruweda (Wheel)” by Hannah Espia, “Sarong Adlaw (one Day) by Marianito Dio, Jr. and “Ulian (Senility)” by Chuck Gutierrez.

                Check out Ayala Cinemas’ Cinemalaya schedule at  WWW.SURESEATS.COM   and book your tickets in advance at Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma.

SCOTTISH STORY OF “BRAVE” SPRINGS FROM REALITY

The story of Disney/Pixar's new animnated feature “Brave” was very personal for the film’s directors, Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman. They drew from the experiences of their own families, combining that with their Scottish heritage and love of the country. With their strong backgrounds in storytelling and filmmaking, they were able to weave a tale that was original, emotionally stirring and full of thrilling adventure. 

             “Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources—including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers—to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, and discover the meaning of true bravery.

             There’s a reason why the story of “Brave” is so relevant, says Chapman: it’s inspired by a real relationship. “I was dealing with a very headstrong daughter,” she shares. “She was so passionate and so strong—and she was four at the time. I thought, ‘What’s she going to be like as a teenager?’

             “I started to imagine what a fairy tale would be like,” continues Chapman, “with a working mom and a really willful daughter whose strength you don’t want to squash—but sometimes you do want to squash it a little. But in the end, it wasn’t a fairy tale at all. ‘Brave’ turned out to be more of an epic action-adventure.”

             Chapman knew instantly where she’d set this new action-adventure fantasy tale. “I have a love of Scotland,” she says. “It’s my ancestry, though I’m one of the great American mutts and my family has been around since before the Revolution, so I can’t find that old country family connection. Scotland’s just such an amazing place. It’s beautiful. The people are really hearty and they have an incredible spirit.”

             In creating the story for “Brave,” the filmmakers took elements of Scottish history and lore to construct their own legends. A demon bear named Mor’du, the gathering and unity of the clans, the role of the mystical will o’ the wisps and a mysterious witch with the power to create change are all rooted in reality and mythology.

             “When we visited Scotland on our research trip, we met amazing storytellers and historians who had a big influence on us,” says Larsen. “Scotland is a storytelling culture—wherever we went, the locals erupted into stories of their everyday lives and the people they knew. The story of Mor’du was inspired by the stories we heard while we were there.”

             Filmmakers infused the folklore and magic they soaked up in Scotland throughout the story. According to production designer Steve Pilcher, even a hint of magic enhanced the mystical tone of the film. “We evoke the feeling of magic without using magic,” he says. “Adding lichen to the standing stones or dew drops on the grass—it catches the light and emits a little sparkle. We created the fantasy with a natural element, which is great for this story in this place.” 

             Adds director Mark Andrews, “The will o’ the wisps are in a lot of Scottish folklore. They were said to lead you to treasure or doom—to change your fate—but they’re an actual phenomenon of swamp and bog gas seeping up through the earth and interacting with the natural resources to create the blue flames. People would follow these lights thinking they were little fairies, and basically drown or get sucked down into the bogs. [So] we made the wisps like actual little spirits.” 

             Once Pilcher had that directive, the design of the wisps came together. “We liked sapphire blue against the natural environment because there's nothing like it in the rest of the film. That shade of blue is the hottest part of a flame, yet it feels cold. That contradiction is intriguing and that's what magic is about. There is a desire to touch it, to follow it, but also a little fear.” 

             “They’re almost like Marley’s ghost in a way,” says Andrews, “because Marley’s ghost isn’t an evil spirit—even though he’s frightening, he’s trying to warn Ebenezer to change his ways. That’s what the wisps are doing. There’s a duality to them, because they’re either good or evil—they lead Merida into more and more trouble, but in the end, they’ve led her exactly where she needs to go.” 

             Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, “Brave” takes aim at Philippine theaters on August 01, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

“INCEPTION” CAST REUNITE FOR “THE DARK KNIGHT RISES”

One good turn deserves another. After starring in Christopher Nolan's thought-provoking 2010 thriller “Inception,” Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt now join the director's highly-anticipated final Batman film, “The Dark Knight Rises.” 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake

             Cotillard and Gordon-Levitt were both excited to reunite with Nolan on the finale of his Dark Knight trilogy. Gordon-Levitt says, “Amidst all the spectacle, I think the honest human dramas are what distinguish the way Chris approaches these movies. For an actor, that’s inspiring and a lot more fun.”

             “I love working with Chris,” adds Cotillard. “He fosters a great feeling of family on the set, even on such a huge movie. And he has the intelligence and imagination to take you on an unbelievable adventure and make it something you believe. It was especially interesting to work with him to create the character of Miranda because she doesn’t exist in the comics.”

             Gordon-Levitt stars as policeman John Blake, whose devotion to the job impresses his boss, Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman). Producer Emma Thomas says, “Gordon definitely sees something of himself as a young cop in John Blake. Everyone else seems to have lost focus because things have been so good, but Blake is the first to realize that something’s up, and Gordon recognizes those instincts by promoting him and putting him on his team.”

             Describing his role, Joseph Gordon-Levitt says, “John Blake is the kind of guy who probably always wanted to be a cop and dedicates himself to being excellent at his job. He is someone who believes in what he does and I admire that in anybody. In the midst of a lot of cynicism, he remains proud to be a police officer.”

             Nolan comments, “Commissioner Gordon and Bruce Wayne have become somewhat jaded, so we wanted to contrast that with a younger, more idealistic individual who, in a way, represents where they’ve come from. Joe really captured the strength and courage of a man who refuses to back down, regardless of the odds.”

             The image of co-star Christian Bale in the Batsuit had the requisite effect on Gordon-Levitt. “When Christian put on that suit, I didn’t have to make believe: I was talking to Batman,” the actor says. “It doesn’t happen very often, but every now and then when I’m shooting a movie, I have a moment when it feels like real life. That was definitely one of the strongest of those moments I’ve ever had.”

             Meanwhile, Cotillard's character, Miranda Tate, can relate to Bruce Wayne, albeit from a place of affluence. Cotillard notes, “They both have a lot of money and are trying to use it in a good way, so they understand each other right away.”

             Bale agrees. “Miranda is somebody who is encouraging Bruce to use his resources for the betterment of Gotham through an environmental project. She is beautiful, smart and altruistic, and all the good that she aspires to earns his respect and also intrigues him a great deal.”

             A member of the board of Wayne Enterprises, Miranda’s affluence makes her a vital ally to Bruce when the company becomes the target of a hostile takeover. On a more personal level, Nolan says, “She is looked at by Alfred and Lucius as a woman who could perhaps bring Bruce out of his own exile and remind him that there is more to life than sitting alone in the Batcave. Marion has an incredibly appealing presence with an exotic glamour. She brought a combination of warmth and wisdom to Miranda that provides a great sense of hope for Bruce.”

             , “The Dark Knight Rises” is distributed worldwide in IMAX, 2D and regular theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

BALE IS BATMAN FOR THE LAST TIME IN “THE DARK KNIGHT RISES”

             Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman for the third and final time in Warner Bros.' “The Dark Knight Rises,” the concluding chapter in the highly acclaimed and celebrated trilogy, following “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.”

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman

             Christian Bale details, “In ‘Batman Begins,’ you see the tragedy and the pain that motivates this angry young man, who feels useless and is searching for a path—who wants to find out who he is and what he can become. Then in ‘The Dark Knight,’ he’s discovered that path. He is useful; he is doing what he imagines is the best thing for him to be doing in his life. Now, we are eight years on and he has lost the one thing that gave him a purpose…until he is forced to deal with a new threat to Gotham City and to himself.”

             Fulfilling the promise he made in “Batman Begins,” Bruce Wayne has had Wayne Manor rebuilt, “just as it was.” But now, the mansion has become more of a refuge than a home for its owner, who has retreated behind its stately walls.

             David S. Goyer, who crafted the story of “The Dark Knight Rises” with Christopher Nolan, says, “The reason we decided on a gap of eight years is that there needed to be significant enough time for the Batman legend to have faded a bit, and we wanted Bruce Wayne himself to have withdrawn behind a veil of rumor and mystery.”

             Bale says, “Bruce feels absolutely isolated since the tragedy of losing the woman he loved, Rachel, and the terrible turn of events with what happened to Harvey Dent. He carries a certain amount of guilt that if he had not chosen the course of becoming Batman, none of that would have happened. His belief has been rocked, and that has caught up with him, physically and emotionally. But how much longer can he allow the pain of what has happened in his life control what he does with his life? And at what point does it start to become completely self-destructive?”

             Nolan observes that, in giving up the guise of Batman for all those years, Bruce has, in a very real way, sacrificed both identities. “We come back to find a man who is no longer on a mission, even though that had always been the goal.”

             “On the surface, Gotham has become what Bruce had hoped for,” producer Emma Thomas adds, “but because it was all founded on a lie, nothing is quite that simple. It falls along the lines of ‘be careful what you wish for’ because without Batman, Bruce has no sense of purpose.” 

             “The reason I have always gravitated to the character of Batman is that, as often noted, he is a superhero with no super powers, apart from his wealth,” Nolan says. “His extraordinary nature has always come down to his extreme motivation and sheer dedication, which makes him a very credible individual.”

             “One of the great things about this character is that the least relatable thing about him is his billionaire status. Having those kinds of resources is something very few people could ever fathom. But the rest of it is understandable from an emotional perspective,” Bale comments.

             “It’s been very rewarding to watch Christian chart the progression of his role through the three films,” says Nolan. “He always had a strong commitment to finding the truth of the character, and I think you especially see that in this film, where he really embraced that Bruce is older, but not necessarily wiser. It’s a very thoughtful performance, and that’s what you consistently get from a talent like Christian.”

             Reflecting on the completion of the Dark Knight trilogy, Bale says, “It was very bittersweet when I took off the cowl for last time, because it’s meant so much to me personally to play this character. It never stopped giving me goose bumps to stand in that suit, because I recognize the honor of having portrayed this icon. And I can’t help but feel immensely proud.”

             Opening across the Philippines on Thursday, July 19 in IMAX, 2D and regular theaters, “The Dark Knight Rises” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

FIRST-LOOK: NEW “PREMIUM RUSH” TRAILER

Columbia Pictures has just released a new trailer of its upcoming thriller “Premium Rush” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Inception,” “The Dark Knight Rises”) and Jamie Chung (“Sucker Punch”).

            

             Directed and written by critically acclaimed screenwriter David Koepp (“Angels & Demons,” “Spider-Man”), the film also stars Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road,” upcoming “Man of Steel”) and Dania Ramirez (“X-Men: The Last Stand”).

             Synopsis: Dodging speeding cars, crazed cabbies, open doors, and eight million cranky pedestrians is all in a day’s work for Wilee (Gordon-Levitt), the best of New York's agile and aggressive bicycle messengers. It takes a special breed to ride the fixie – super lightweight, single-gear bikes with no brakes and riders who are equal part skilled cyclists and suicidal nutcases who risk becoming a smear on the pavement every time they head into traffic. But a guy who’s used to putting his life on the line is about to get more than even he is used to when his last envelope of the day – a routine “premium rush” run – turns into a life or death chase through the streets of Manhattan. 

             Opening across the Philippines in September 2012, “Premium Rush” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.columbiapictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games.