The Making of "Robocop's" Suits and Motorcycle

Even if Columbia Pictures' new action-thriller “RoboCop” has an existential element, there’s still plenty of cool factor. For the filmmakers, dabbling in robot technology was like an open playground. “One of the most exciting things to us – as filmmakers but also fans – was to create all the robots,” says producer Eric Newman.

Production designer Martin Whist, who designed the various iterations of RoboCop says that even as they let their imaginations run wild, the truth was right there to back them up. “Every idea we had for something RoboCop could do, it turns out, somebody is researching it now, in real life,” he says. “For example, there are people out there right now in the lab, who have sensors on their brains that allow them to move a robotic hand with their thoughts. We had this idea for a high-powered Taser gun – and it turns out that it’s being developed. Everything in the movie is based in reality.”

RoboCop himself has two separate and very different suits in the film. “The first suit was intentionally a tip of the hat to the original film and the original design,” Whist explains. “I wanted to stay with the coloration of the original design; the overall impression is silver, but – just like they did on the first film – we used a technique where there were multiple colors in it: there are magentas and deep blues in it. It’s a little less sophisticated than the second suit, a little boxier, a little less agile, and that was intentional to show the evolution from one RoboCop to the next.”

In designing RoboCop’s suits, Whist says that the second suit – the black suit – got the bulk of the attention from the designers. “The second suit was black, more visually sleek, designed, thought out, and a little more elegant and aggressive.”

To build the physical RoboCop suits, Whist worked with the team at Legacy Effects, one of Hollywood’s go-to sources for making visions become a reality as the creators of the Iron Man suit and other effects work.

RoboCop has two main weapons: a high-powered Taser that comes out of his thigh (again, a nod to the original film) and a gun that deploys from his forearm. Whist says that it was important to him to maintain a certain level of verisimilitude, even though he was obviously working in the realm of science fiction. “When we designed the Taser, I wanted it to truly make sense how it would come out, how it would deploy, how it would fit, and how that would translate to a real gun in his hand. We wanted it to seem real, to have a logic to it. It had to be a certain size – after all, it had to fit in the leg. And then we had to figure out how it would deploy in a cool way that he could grab onto.”

In designing a futuristic Taser, Whist wanted a design that would not involve a cord. “The Taser gun fires pellets, little flat discs. When you fire, the discs extend like a camping cup, and little fins come out as it propels through the air. When the pellet strikes something, it recompresses, and that compression pushes out a spike. The whole thing is an advanced battery that gives the victim a shock. It was a lot of fun figuring out the mechanics of how it would work.”

RoboCop’s other main weapon is a more traditional pistol that comes out of his forearm. “His arm plate flips open into a gun – it has a brace that goes onto his forearm, near his elbow, and then the gun goes into his hand – the idea is that when the gun recoils, it wasn’t putting all that pressure on his wrist. When I design things like that, I like to be as practical as possible, even though what I’m designing is far from practical. I want it to fit into the world – even though a high-powered Taser gun that pops out of a robot’s leg is a crazy idea, it should have some logic to it.”

Whist also designed the vehicles in the film, including RoboCop’s motorcycle. Based on a Kawasaki 1000, the design team made major modifications. “We modified the frame, extending the wheel base. It’s quite a bit longer than a normal bike, because I wanted RoboCop to take a leaning forward attack position when he’s on the bike. He’s quite big, and the normal bike looked too small under him. Then, we reclad the whole bike in armor, similar to the suit. He merges with the bike when he’s riding it – it looks like one unit. And finally, we redid all the lights and graphics, of course.”

“RoboCop” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Earth Hour, Spider-Man Join Forces to Save the Planet

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2014: In a first of its kind partnership, Spider-Man will be the first Super Hero ambassador for Earth Hour, the global movement organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), with a message to inspire individuals to use their power to become Super Heroes for the planet.

Andy Ridley, CEO and Co-Founder of Earth Hour, and Jeff Blake, Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Sony Pictures Entertainment, made the announcement in conjunction with the launch of Earth Hour Blue – a radical new digital crowdfunding and crowdsourcing platform for the planet, launched to engage people around the world and participants in the famous lights out event, which this year will be held on Saturday March 29, at 8:30pm.

This year, Earth Hour and the hero of the highly anticipated motion picture The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – along with the film’s stars, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx and director Marc Webb – are throwing their support behind Earth Hour Blue, which aims to harness the power of the crowd to raise funds for on-the-ground environmental projects from across the world.

“I’m proud Spider-Man is the first Super Hero ambassador for Earth Hour because he shows we can all be Super Heroes when we realize the power we all have,” says Andrew Garfield, who plays Spider-Man in the upcoming film. “Earth Hour is a movement that has created massive impact around the world, so imagine what we can do this year with Spider-Man by our side.”

The crowdfunding section of the new platform will allow participants to help deliver energy efficient stoves to families in Madagascar, help communities in the Philippines build fiberglass boats to withstand climate impacts like Typhoon Haiyan and raise funds to expand and conserve the iconic Table Mountain National Park in South Africa, with many more projects to come.

“Earth Hour gives you the power to inspire anyone, even if you’re just one person, and Earth Hour is much more than an hour. There are great projects from the crowd, for the planet, happening all over the world,” said Emma Stone.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 director Marc Webb is the first celebrity ambassador to announce the Earth Hour Blue project he is backing, which aims to provide better equipment for WWF Rangers protecting Indonesia’s endangered wildlife such as the Sumatran Tiger, Elephant, Rhino and Orangutan and their forest habitat.

“Earth Hour is a movement full of Super Heroes – people harnessing the power of the crowd to inspire change for the good of the planet, imagine the possibilities when we come together and do more,” said Marc Webb.

Earth Hour has grown to involve hundreds of millions of people from all walks of life across 7000 cities and towns and 154 countries and territories. Jamie Foxx who plays the villain Electro in the film said, “Earth Hour isn’t just about lights off; it’s about people across the world coming together throughout the year to join forces to improve the planet. Never underestimate your power, never underestimate what you can do.”

Individuals can also use Earth Hour’s crowdsourcing platform for Earth Hour Blue, which will call for people to add their voice to some of the biggest environmental campaigns across the world; including an Instagram campaign for people to share their love of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, as part of WWF-Australia’s “Lights Out For The Reef” theme for Earth Hour 2014.

Global participants in the movement will also be able to sign the Shark Saver’s “I’m FINished With FINS” pledge, which engages celebrities and public figures throughout Asia to help end shark finning in marine waters for the consumption of shark-fin soup.

“The idea of Earth Hour has grown beyond anything we could have dreamed. This year with the help of Spider-Man by our side, we are taking the movement to the next stage. We hope that Spider-Man will empower individuals to be Super Heroes for the planet, and use their voice or their dollar to support projects or campaigns around the world. It’s about harnessing the power of the crowd. That’s what Earth Hour Blue is all about,” said Ridley.

Sony Pictures Entertainment will join by contributing to a WWF-China and Earth Hour Blue project that provides efficient cookstoves to prevent deforestation in the habitat of the Giant Panda. Through its efforts, the studio will receive Gold Standard carbon offsets that render the entire physical production of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as well as its publicity tour, carbon-neutral.

Expanding on many sustainability efforts over the years, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 became the most eco-friendly tentpole production in the history of Columbia Pictures. These environmental efforts, on set and off, were supported at every level – from producers, studio executives, and cast and crew and began as soon as the film went into pre-production.

“Spider-Man’s always been a very relatable Super Hero. Peter Parker is a hero to all people, and an inspiration, so it seems very fitting that he should join forces with Earth Hour to empower every single individual to help save the planet,” Blake added. “I’m also very proud of the fact that The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is entirely carbon-neutral. We made a commitment to be as eco-conscious as possible during production itself, when we took a special effort to think green and avoid waste; now, completing that process with Earth Hour Blue is a wonderful testament to what we can achieve when we all work together.”

Earth Hour and its Super Hero ambassador Spider-Man remind us that “with great power comes great responsibility,” so get involved and use your power at earthhour.org.



About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global environmental movement of WWF. As one of the first opensourced environmental campaigns, Earth Hour has grown from a symbolic event in one city into a global movement, crowdsourcing actions from individuals, businesses, organizations and governments to generate environmental outcomes. In 2014, Earth Hour Blue sees the movement enter the most exciting stage of its evolution, to be at the forefront of crowdfunding and crowdsourcing for causes, innovation and creativity for the planet.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About The Amazing Spider-Man 2
We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp. Directed by Marc Webb. Produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach. Screen Story and Screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner. Based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The film will be released in Philippine theaters April 30, 2014, and in the U.S. on May 2, 2014. #SpiderMan

About Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. ©MARVEL

Three New Posters for Amazing Spider-Man 2 pits Spidey with Electro

Columbia Pictures just sent me three new digital copies of posters for Amazing Spider-Man 2 as in just now.

Three new international posters for “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” have been released by Columbia Pictures. The one-sheets are labeled as “Eye,” “Spidey vs Electro” and “Upside Down” and can be seen below.

Synopsis: We've always known that Spider-Man's most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

It's great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there's no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp.

The film, directed by Marc Webb from a screen story and screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, is produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach.

(Opening across the Philippines on April 30, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” 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. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.)

*** The photos are stored on my Flickr Account btw, so if you know your flickr you can download these badboys***

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Director Marc Webb and his Plans for the Franchise

Here's a Q&A from Columbia Pictures Philippines in relation to the recently released trailer for Amazing Spider-Man 2 featuring the film's director Marc Webb.

As the marketing campaign of Columbia Pictures' “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” kicks into high gear, director Marc Webb (who also helmed the first) has decided to let the fans in on previously guarded plot details regarding the highly awaited sequel. Let the revelations begin!

Question: What do you want people to know about “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”?

Marc Webb: Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) is in for the greatest battle of his life. We begin the film with Spider-Man loving being Spider-Man – he's smooth, having fun and the best crime fighter the world has ever seen. He's got his webs, he's got his agility and he's got his wit. But soon, Peter will have to face a foe more powerful than he can imagine. In a tragic twist of fate, Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx) transforms from Spider-Man's biggest fan to his biggest foe.

Q: What is Spider-Man facing in this film?

Webb: Peter Parker loves being Spider-Man. He wouldn’t change it for anything. But he’s always faced the challenge of how to be the hero without letting it take over his life. Can you be Spider-Man and stop the bad guys and also have another life – a girlfriend and a home life? And this time, that conflict is more important and treacherous than ever.

Q: What’s new?

Webb: We’ve got the biggest, most dangerous villain Spider-Man has ever faced: Electro. You know, by now, Spider-Man is really good at being Spider-Man and I wanted a foe worthy of his skills. With Electro, nature comes alive. He harnesses the power of the city, merges with it and uses it to devastate New York City. Electricity surges from his hands in bolts that instantly fry anything in their path. As he gains access to more power the city's prospects dim. He is light. He is darkness.

Q: Tell us more about Electro.

Webb: Max Dillon represents the shadow side of admiration. A once-beaten down outsider, Electro's rage has built up after years of rejection and loneliness and transforms into terror itself. His adoration of Spider-Man is obsessive. There's something like Rupert Pupkin in him – a sweetness that covers up a psychotic break. That psychosis is at the heart of what will become a deep and abiding hatred for Spider-Man.

Q: It seems that a lot of the Spider-Man villains come from OsCorp.

Webb: Yes, and that’s no coincidence. Of course, Max and Gwen (Emma Stone) both work at OsCorp, and Harry Osborn returns to decide how he is going to handle the responsibility of being the heir apparent to OsCorp. All of that will lead Peter into the great mysteries of OsCorp, and eventually he will face his greatest battle of all.

Q: How does Harry Osborn fit in?

Webb: Harry (Dane DeHaan) was one of Peter's childhood friends, but they lost touch. Now he's back and getting ready to take the reins of OsCorp. As Peter and Harry start to uncover the mysteries of OsCorp, the company built by Harry's father, Harry will have to decide how he will live with his father's perilous legacy at the one place that houses all of these villains.

Q: What’s going on with Peter and Gwen?

Webb: Peter and Gwen love each other, but they will both have to make choices and figure out their own paths. Gwen’s brilliant in her own right and she is starting to get offers that could shape her entire life. They’re going to have to figure out what roles they will play in each other’s lives.

Q: It seems like you had a lot of fun making this movie.

Webb: Oh yeah. All of us did. We had a ball shooting this movie on location in New York – the first Spider-Man movie shot entirely in New York. We really made it a bigger film by shooting on location and you feel it on screen. For all of us, we remember being kids, eight or nine or ten years old, that fell in love with Spider-Man when we were growing up. We remember those feelings of wonder and awe and excitement; they’re a very big part of the foundation of Spider-Man and what gives him his appeal.

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is directed by Marc Webb from a screen story and screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, is produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach.

Opening across the Philippines on April 30, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” 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. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

The Official Trailer for Amazing Spider-Man 2 is now Out

Watch the official trailer to Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures Philippines' Amazing Spider-Man 2 starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dane DeHaan, Jamie Foxx and Paul Giamatti. 

Post by Thefanboyseo.

CULVER CITY, Calif., December 5, 2013 – Sony Pictures and the large network of companies within the Sony family will unite worldwide today in support of the studio’s teaser trailer for its highly anticipated film, The Amazing Spider-Man 2™. The launch event was announced today by Dwight Caines, president of Theatrical Marketing for Sony Pictures, and Nigel Clark, president of Marketing for Sony Pictures Releasing International. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” will be released in the Philippines April 30, 2014, and in the United States on May 2, 2014.

The trailer will launch worldwide today at 1:30 p.m. GMT (8:30 a.m. EST / 5:30 a.m. PST) and will be available in multiple languages including English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese Simplified (China), Chinese Traditional (Taiwan), Chinese Traditional (Hong Kong), Korean, and Russian.

The trailer will appear on numerous Sony networks, internet sites, and other Sony properties, including the movie’s official site (TheAmazingSpiderMan.com) and social pages (at Facebook.com/theamazingspiderman, on Twitter @SpiderManMovie, theamazingspidermanblog.com, and thedailybugle.tumblr.com); Sony.com; Sony Pictures’ official site and social pages; the Sony Pictures YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Kq4s0GPfE; Sony Pictures Imageworks’ official site and social page; Sony Pictures Television Networks’ worldwide footprint of TV channels, digital networks, websites, social apps and platforms, including AXN, Animax, Sony Entertainment Television, Spin, Crackle, Kalixta, Sony Movie Channel, CineSony and the Game Show Network; PlayStation (official site, blog, and social pages); PlayStation Storefront; Sony Entertainment Network (official sites and social pages); Sony Electronics social pages; Sony Mobile social pages; Sony Select service on Sony Mobile smartphones; and Sony’s Times Square billboard.

Commenting on the announcement, Caines said, “We are always looking to reach moviegoers wherever they are, and when we have the opportunity to leverage Sony’s worldwide reach in this way, it’s an opportunity that we just have to grab. The filmmakers are delivering the epic Spider-Man movie that audiences truly want to experience, and we are thrilled to give the world its first real taste of the movie they’ll be seeing next summer.”

Clark added, “Spider-Man is beloved by audiences all over the world, so we wanted to launch the trailer in a truly global way. We have had great success launching trailers across Sony’s diverse entertainment platform – and when you have a character like Spider-Man, it demands a broad, fun way to reach moviegoers internationally as well as domestically. Everyone at Sony is just as excited as we are to see the next chapter in the story of Peter Parker begin to unfold in this way.”

We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp. Directed by Marc Webb. Produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach. Screen Story and Screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner. Based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Opening across the Philippines on April 30 in 3D, 2D and IMAX theatres, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” 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. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

The Hi-Res Banner and Several Photos from Amazing Spider-Man 2

With just hours away from the release of the teaser trailer for Sony Pictures' Amazing Spider-Man 2 I'm putting this up. It's the triptych banner plus several new stills for the film which stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Paul Giamatti and Jamie Foxx. 

Cosmicbooknews also shared a new synopsis for the Marc Webb film:

We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp. 

Now time to check out the stills. 

And as a bonus, here's what the Rhino will look in the movie.

As early as now, I'd like to slap the designers for making such a weird ass looking Rhino.

Hans Zimmer Forms Supergroup to Create Music for "Amazing Spider-Man 2"

Oscar®- and Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer will work with Pharrell Williams, Johnny Marr, Michael Einziger, and Dave Stewart to create music for “The Amazing Spider-Man™2,” it was announced recently by Lia Vollack, president of Worldwide Music for Sony Pictures.

The film, directed by Marc Webb from a screen story and screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, is produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” will be released in U.S. theaters on May 2, 2014, and international release dates commence April 16, 2014.

Commenting on the announcement, Zimmer said, “Marc and I were talking about Spider-Man, and as the word got out, so many of our friends and musicians started calling us up, wanting to be a part of it, because they love Spider-Man. That was the thing that united all of us – the great love for Spider-Man. With all of these hugely talented people wanting to join us, it was Marc who said, ‘Why not start a band?’ Marc and I have had a great start jamming with everybody, and we still have a few surprises up our sleeve.”

Vollack added, “This kind of collaboration is only possible because of who Marc Webb is – not only a director but also a musician – combined with who Hans is and what Spider-Man means to so many people. Nobody has ever approached film music in this way before and this likely can never be replicated. We’re huge fans of Hans, Pharrell, Johnny, Mike, and Dave, and when combined, we know the result will be truly unique… and amazing!”

Zimmer, a nine-time Oscar® nominee and winner for his work on “The Lion King,” previously collaborated with Williams on the film “Despicable Me,” as Williams produced four original solo songs and several other character-sung pieces. They later collaborated on the music for the 84th Annual Academy Awards®. Marr played on Zimmer’s score for the hit film “Inception,” Einziger played on his score for “The Lone Ranger,” and Stewart played with Zimmer on the score for “Madagascar 3.”

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 Review

Never have I been so hungry after seeing a comedy film. Thanks a lot for doing so CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2. 

Flint Lockwood is at it again, this time he needs to go back to his Swallow Falls to find his invention, the FLDSMDFR, which has survived the first encounter. Now Flint re-assembles his friends and ventures back to the Swallow Falls to turn his invention off once and for all.

There's a ton of things to love about 'Cloudy'.

The characterization for all the characters was great particularly for Sam Sparks who does not settle for being the typical 'damsel in distress' chick in animated movies. She's smart and sassy(pants) and is the voice of reason for the group. Flint Lockwood however takes the cake here as he's experiencing new stuff when he gets hired to work in LiveCorp, the company built by his idol, Chester V (played by SNL Alumnus Will Forte).



The film for all it's entirety is colorful, bright and wonderful. Kinda makes you think of happy thoughts for the entire 2 hours that the film is running. And it's not limited to the former Swallow Falls as even the animators made it possible to make a dull and boring looking San Franjose, California a spectacle.

The cuteness factor also gets jacked up in this movie to the next level. Felt like the minions from Despicable Me 2 was cute, wait till you get a load of the animals here in the film such as Barry the Berry.



Another great thing about 'Cloudy' is that it rarely relied on slapstick humor to get people laughing. Oh and let's not even dabble too much on the puns, this movie's just full of it.



This moment alone passes for gold as Flint's dad, the technophobic Tim Lockwood tells Flint that he's got the situation and that said situation is a piece of cake with which the camera pans right to reveal a cake who just shrugs at the mention and attention. I guess that comes off from the comedic caliber of the cast which includes SNL guys like Bill Hader, Will Forte and Andy Samberg, Anna Farris and Barney Stinson himself, Neil Patrick Harris.

Like a double edged sword, this factor could be a bad thing as the Pinoy audience grew up and prefer slapstick humor in their animated features. I mean, seriously, the screening I attended last night had kids who were either perplexed by the puns or just missed the whole punchline. But the adults sure loved it.



Then there was Terry Crew's character (and my namesake) Earl Deveaux. Originally voiced in the first movie by Mr. T, Crews takes over and brings some manliness to the film and at the same time carries over some OLD SPICE humor into the scene. Seriously pay attention to whenever the focus goes to Earl and you'll know what I mean. 

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" might just be the freshest and most-natural animated feature film I've seen this year. It's clever and new and breaks the mold of family-oriented movies.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 is now showing and is distributed locally by COLUMBIA PICTURES PHILIPPINES.

Actors Play `Horrible' Versions of Themselves in "This Is The End"

For a film about the group dynamics among a group of friends facing the apocalypse, it’s no surprise that the characters in Columbia Pictures' critically acclaimed comedy “This Is The End” were tailor-made for the actors playing the roles. They would all play horrible “versions” of themselves, says co-director/writer Evan Goldberg.

In “This Is The End,” six friends – who just happen to be James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, and Craig Robinson – are trapped in Franco’s house as the end of the world begins outside. And we’re not talking about any old California-slides-into-the-ocean earthquake… we’re talking the fire-and-brimstone Apocalypse – the real Biblical deal.

“Seth isn’t a duplicitous coward, but he plays one in this film,” Goldbrg says. “Danny is a delightful sweetheart, but his character is a maniac. Franco – the things we mock in Franco in the movie are real, but Franco in real life is nothing like the way he acts in the movie. He genuinely does like art and weird stuff, but it’s not pretentious and he’s not in-your-face about it. He doesn’t care what others think about his art. He just likes art. The only exceptions are Jay, who is more like his character than anyone else in the movie, and Craig, who isn’t a jerk like his character, but is a guy who carries a towel around to wipe sweat off his face.”

“People think they know everything about you based on the characters you play,” says co-director/writer and star Seth Rogen. “So we thought it would be funny to play into that – to have these characters that behave in the way that everybody thinks is what we’re like off-screen. There are elements of our real selves, but we all twisted them or exaggerated them to make it funny.”

Playing yourself can be a challenge – even for an Academy Award® nominee, as Jonah Hill says, “I’ve never slipped out of character more than when I was playing myself.”

But it’s more than just a joke, says Rogen. It’s a way of acknowledging the elephant in the room. “Everybody knows that we’re friends and we’re always in movies together. It was almost weirder that the movie wouldn’t acknowledge that in some way,” says Rogen. “So we thought, OK, let’s acknowledge it, and then let’s move beyond it. We wanted the relationships to feel real. We thought that would be the element that grounded the movie if the dynamics between the characters were real and relatable. So even though the movie gets super-crazy – it’s the Apocalypse – there’s a simple idea at the center that I hope is very believable. We never could have written this movie if we didn’t know these guys – and we definitely couldn’t have directed it.”

Distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, “This Is The End” will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide starting Sept. 11.

Insidious: Chapter 2" Rolls Out New Posters

Sony Pictures Releasing International has rolled out two one-sheet layouts for “Insidious: Chapter 2,” the terrifying sequel to the acclaimed 2011 horror film “Insidious” from the famed horror team of director James Wan (“Saw,” upcoming “The Conjuring”) and writer Leigh Whannell.

Starring the original cast led by Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Barbara Hershey and Ty Simpkins, “Insidious Chapter 2” follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

“Insidious: Chapter 2” is produced by Jason Blum (“Paranormal Activity,” “Sinister”) and Oren Peli (“Insidious,” “Paranormal Activity”).

The filmmaking team includes director of photography John Leonetti (“The Scorpion King”), production designer Jennifer Spence (“Paranormal Activity 2, 3 & 4”), editor Kirk M. Morri (“The Conjuring”), costume designer Kristin M. Burke (“Insidious”) and composer Joseph Bishara (“Dark Skies”).

Opening across the Philippines in Sept. 25, 2013, “Insidious Chapter 2” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

Trailer 2 of "Cloudy" Sequel Comes Alive

Sony Pictures Animation has shared the second trailer for the 3D adventure comedy “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2,” the much anticipated sequel to the 2009 animated hit “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”

You may view the trailer here 

The comedy sequel picks up where the original left off. Inventor Flint Lockwood's genius is finally being recognized as he's invited by his idol Chester V to join The Live Corp Company, where the best and brightest inventors in the world create technologies for the betterment of mankind. Chester's right-hand-gal -- and one of his greatest inventions -- is Barb, a highly evolved orangutan with a human brain, who is also devious, manipulative and likes to wear lipstick.

It's always been Flint's dream to be recognized as a great inventor, but everything changes when he discovers that his most infamous machine -- which turns water into food -- is still operating and is now creating mutant food beasts. With the fate of humanity in his hands, Flint and his friends must embark on a dangerously delicious mission, battling hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, apple pie-thons, double bacon cheespiders and other food creatures to save the world – again!



Opening across the Philippines in Oct. 9, 2013, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2” will be distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

More Details for Matt Damon's Character in New Elysium Trailer

Now we finally find out why Matt Damon's character is seen wearing that robotic frame thanks to the new trailer for Columbia Pictures' Elysium directed by District 9 director Neill Blomkamp.

The science-fiction thriller “Elysium” starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster has launched its second trailer which can be viewed here .

In the year 2159, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) will stop at nothing to preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium – but that doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in by any means they can. Max (Matt Damon) agrees to take on a life-threatening mission, one that could bring equality to these polarized worlds.

After Earth Examines Fear of the Unknown

Columbia Pictures’ “After Earth,” the new futuristic thriller starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith, examines the themes of courage and fear in telling an astounding story of survival. “I’m fascinated by the question of why human beings fear the unknown,” says writer-director M. Night Shyamalan.

In the film, a crash landing leaves teenager Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) and his legendary father Cypher (Will Smith) stranded on Earth, 1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape. With Cypher critically injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help, facing uncharted terrain, evolved animal species that now rule the planet, and an unstoppable alien creature that escaped during the crash. Father and son must learn to work together and trust one another if they want any chance of returning home.

“In our earliest days as cave-people, fear of the unknown was really important – fear could keep us safe. Fear could keep you alive,” explains Shyamalan. “ But now, we’ll fear a new job or a new relationship, because we don’t know what’s going to happen – and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Playing with that in a movie is a fun thing, and in this movie, it’s about a father teaching a son how to overcome that. It’s a wonderful lesson, because if you can learn how to control your fear of the unknown, you can do anything.”

Tom Hanks' New Thriller Captain Phillips Debuts Trailer

Columbia Pictures' new action-thriller "Captain Phillips" starring two-time Oscar-winner Tom Hanks has just revealed its teaser trailer and can be viewed here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEM5-6JxHJ8.

The film is the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (Hanks) and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.

New Poster for White House Down Featuring Channing Tatum Once More

A new one-sheet art for “White House Down” has just been revealed by Columbia Pictures.

Roland Emmerich (“2012,” “The Day After Tomorrow”) directs the high-octane action-thriller “White House Down” starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx.

In the film, capitol policeman John Cale (Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

“White House Down” also stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Woods, Richard Jenkins and Joey King.

Opening across the Philippines in June 2013, “White House Down” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

Horror Comes Alive in Evil Dead

A remote cabin in the woods becomes a blood-soaked chamber of horrors when a group of 20-something friends unwittingly awakens an ancient demon in Columbia Pictures' “Evil Dead,” the highly anticipated reboot of Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult-hit horror film “The Evil Dead.”

Featuring a fresh young cast, “Evil Dead” is a bone-chilling film that combines all the raw excitement and gleeful gore of the acclaimed original with a series of shocking new twists.

Mia (Jane Levy), a young woman whose life has been marred by loss and addiction, asks her brother David (Shiloh Fernandez), his girlfriend Natalie (Elizabeth Blackmore) and their childhood friends Olivia (Jessica Lucas) and Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) to join her at the family’s rustic cabin to help her overcome her demons. Once there, she ceremoniously destroys the last of her stash and swears off drugs for good in front of her friends.

Three Storyboards for Proposed Spider-Man 4

Sam Raimi had already begun work on the fourth Spider-Man movie when Sony decided to do a revamp which ultimately led to Marc Webb's Amazing Spider-Man. That was that until today, Jefrey Henderson shared three interesting storyboards from the film. Here's what I got off of his website.

  

What in tarnation is that devilish loking thing that Spidey's swinging our way? For a movie that's supposed to feature John Malkovich as Adrian Toomes/ The Vulture and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman Black Cat there's not much to go on with. 

 Wait, maybe that's not MJ, but instead it's Felicia Hardy. That'd be cool... I think...

Check out Henderson's other stuff HERE

New Trailer for Carrie Remake is Already Up and Scaring

Columbia Pictures has just revealed the second trailer of its upcoming suspense-thriller, “Carrie” which you can watch here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs_zQ93F7XY.

“Carrie” is a reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White (Chloe Grace Moretz), a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother (Julianne Moore). The teenaged girl unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.

White House Down Teaser Trailer Now Online

From director Roland Emmerich (“2012,” “The Day After Tomorrow”) comes the high-octane action-thriller “White House Down” starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx. Columbia Pictures has just released the film's teaser trailer and it can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/SonyPicturesPhils?feature=watch.

Capitol Policeman John Cale (Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

3 New Teaser Posters for White House Down

“It will start like any other day,” so the teaser posters of the new action thriller “White House Down” cryptically say. Columbia Pictures has just launched the initial one-sheets the Roland Emmerich-directed potential blockbuster starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx.

In the film, capitol policeman John Cale (Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.