Faith-Based Drama "Heaven is for Real" Shares Trailer

Inspired by the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same title, Columbia Pictures' faith-based family drama “Heaven is for Real” has just revealed its teaser trailer online which may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJxCK8fifyI.

“Heaven is for Real” brings to the screen the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience, with the world.

Pierce Brosnan Back in High-Stakes Heist with Emma Thompson in "The Love Punch"

After starring in James Bond films, Pierce Brosnan is back in action with the extremely talented Emma Thompson in the latest romantic comedy caper “The Love Punch.”

In the movie, Brosnan and Thompson play a divorced couple whose pension is stolen by an unscrupulous businessman, reunite to steal it back. Setting aside their differences, they undertake a high-stakes heist spanning scenic settings in London, Paris and the French Riviera along with acclaimed actors Timothy Spall, Marisa Berenson and Tuppence Middleton.

Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul Has a Need for Speed (Opens Mar 12)

In DreamWorks Pictures “Need for Speed,” a gear-grinding drama set in the world of underground street racing, Aaron Paul plays Tobey Marshall … a role that almost wasn’t his.

The actor had just wrapped production on the final season of the critically acclaimed TV series “Breaking Bad” where he plays Jesse Pinkman when he auditioned for the film. But the filmmakers were interested in casting him not as Tobey Marshall, but as Dino Brewster, Tobey’s adversary. Director Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor”) knew for certain that Paul was their Tobey, but there were some concerns he might be perceived as too edgy because of his “Breaking Bad” association.

For Paul it was déjà vu, as six years earlier he’d had a similar experience during casting for “Breaking Bad.” At that time, there had been someone (the show’s creator and executive producer Vince Gilligan) who desperately wanted to cast him for a certain role (Jesse Pinkman) and there had also been some opposing views (executives at AMC felt he was too good looking to play a meth dealer).

Youtube Group Sensation Directs Devil's Due

There’s the traditional route to a directorial debut; camcorder obsession, film school, an internship, personal assistant, directorial assistant, the keys to the store. And then there’s Radio Silence, a collective of four talented filmmakers who used YouTube to learn their craft, post their clips and advertise their wares with so much professional aplomb that Fox made all their dreams come true.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez and Chad Villella grew from the ashes of the former group known as Chad, Matt & Rob, three friends who had an idea, a camera, some technical expertise – much of it gleaned from YouTube tutorials –and got to work. Their breakout was Alien Roommate Prank Goes Bad, a found-footage style short they posted in February 2008; as of today, it’s been viewed more than 32 million times.

When Rob Polonsky left the group, they were joined by Justin and Tyler, reformed as Radio Silence and continued their YouTube domination, moving into a series of ‘interactive adventures’, narrative shorts in which the viewer guided the plot. Ultimately, however, they had ambitions beyond on-line media.

Century Tuna unveils Superbods Super Challenge website

New website features daily diet and workout plan designed to show that everybody can be a Superbod.

Now that summer is just around the corner, it’s once again time to get the perfect body -- toned and fit for this much-awaited season. And to help everyone get started on the road to fitness, Century Tuna has unveiled the My Road to Superbods website (http://www.centurytuna.ph/superbodschallenge), an online portal featuring a daily diet and workout plan, put together by two of the country’s most trusted and most popular fitness experts.

Developed for loyal consumers of Century Tuna, the website was created to guide everyone on the road to their personal transformation as Superbods.

Monster Comedy "A Little Bit Zombie" In Cinemas This February 26

From a seemingly harmless mosquito bite, a groom-to-be fights his fate turning into a zombie in the outrageous comedy “A Little Bit Zombie” starring Kristopher Turner as Steve, Crystal Lowe, Shawn Roberts, Kristen Hager and multi-talented actor Stephen McHattie.

“A Little Bit Zombie” had recently been awarded as Best Feature Film in several film festivals in the U.S., Brazil and Canada. The movie’s misadventures start when Steve (Turner), a mild mannered HR manager becomes infected with a zombie virus at his bachelor party. Unknown to Steve, his infection came from the farther part of the secluded forest where he’s celebrating and where undead exterminator “Shotgun” Max (McHattie) and his bookish assistant, Penelope, are snuffing out a zombie outbreak at the same time. Max relishes killing zombies, as Penelope squeamishly uses the ancient Orb of Conthulezbarr, a crystal sphere filled with blue energy, to locate the undead. During the battle, a mosquito bites one of the zombies and becomes infected. It escapes the bloodbath and flies out onto the open road where … splat … it is crushed on Steve’s car windshield.

The Breakout Stars of "Need for Speed" Race to Fame

DreamWorks Pictures’ “Need for Speed” (opening in the Philippines on March 12) boasts a cast of talented actors who are quickly becoming Hollywood’s next generation of stars: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Scott Mescudi and Dakota Johnson.

Aaron Paul

“Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, when the authenticity of the world brought a new level of intensity to the action on-screen. Tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing, the story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes — one that begins as a mission for revenge, but proves to be one of redemption.

iACADEMY’s Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Green Belt & Black Belt Program

Are you tired of spending too much time, money and resources to fix defective products and processes? Do you want to see better results and more satisfied clients? If you answered YES, then Lean Six Sigma is for you! The iACADEMY School of Continuing Education (iSCE) offers the Lean Six Sigma Training Program right in the heart of the Makati Business District.

Our Program Director, Rex Jayson Tuozo, is a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt who graduated Class Valedictorian of his Six Sigma Green Belt Program in 2008 at the Ateneo De Manila University – Graduate School of Business CCE. For one of his more recent corporate banking & finance clients, he coached 27 Six Sigma Management Trainee Projects with a projected annualized project cost savings to date of P8.7 million.

Half a zebra, a whole lot of adventure!

A zebra is born with only half his stripes into an insular, superstitious herd. Khumba (Jake T. Austin) is immediately ostracized by all the zebras except for his parents and, Tombi (AnnaSophia Robb) a feisty tomboy. In the midst of a drought, a mystical mantis appears to him and draws a map to the legendary waterhole in which the first zebras bathed in and came out striped. When Khumba is blamed for the lack of rain and the subsequent death of his mother, the outcast zebra leaves the confines of his home in search of the waterhole.

Khumba ventures beyond the fence - vulnerable to the tyrannical leopard, Phango (Liam Neeson) who terrorizes all the animals in the Great Karoo. Born blind in one eye and rejected by his family when he was just a cub has made Phango obsessed with being whole. Phango is highly superstitious and, unbeknown to Khumba, has been waiting for the half-striped zebra, which, according to an ancient myth will make him the most powerful hunter that ever lived.

After a close shave with an opportunistic Wild Dog (Steve Buscemi), Khumba teams up with a quirky duo: a hefty, overprotective wildebeest called Mama V (Loretta Devine) and Bradley (Richard E. Grant), a flamboyant but insecure ostrich. The duo join Khumba on his quest in the hope that their own search for a safe waterhole is over, unaware that Phango is on their trail.

On their journey, Khumba encounters a wacky array of characters including a migrating herd of Springbok in search of greener (and safer) pastures; a bohemian community living safely within the confines of a luxurious national park; an endangered Riverine Rabbit who's determination to survive has clearly gone to his head; a Dooms Day cult of Dassies (i.e. rock-rabbits) who fanatically worship the Mighty Black Eagle and a loony, solitary Sheep (Catherine Tate) living on an abandoned farm.

Tensions between the trio escalate as the stakes are raised with each step of the journey and after discovering that the map leads straight to Phango's lair - the trio fall-out and Khumba continues on his quest alone. Lost and delirious in a saltpan, Khumba is rescued by the wise, Gemsbok Healer.

Having intercepted Mama V and Bradley, Phango discovers that Khumba is fortuitously heading straight to him and returns to his cave. Concerned for Khumba's safety, Mama V and Bradley decide to turn back and warn him. Back at the herd, Khumba’s father, Seko (Laurence Fishburne) who has become withdrawn after believing his son to be dead, is remorseful that he has let his herd down. With Tombi’s help, he realises that if he does not lead his herd in search of another waterhole, they will all die.

Outside of the fence, Tombi and Seko are amazed to discover that Khumba is alive but heading to Phango! Meanwhile, determined to find the waterhole and get his stripes, Khumba ventures into the leopard's lair. In a hair-raising, epic battle Khumba succeeds in defeating Phango and uncovers a hidden spring.

“KHUMBA” is released and distributed by CAPTIVE CINEMA. SHOWING ON FEBRUARY 12. NATIONWIDE

That Unadulterated Kiss Rudy Wants in "The Book Thief"

Meet Rudy (played by the charming Nico Liersche) in the very endearing “The Book Thief,” every mom’s ideal kind of friend to her very precious daughter.

The story and its characters sprang from the imagination of author Markus Zusak whose novel The Book Thief was published in his native Australia in 2005 and throughout the rest of the world in 2006. The book has sold eight million copies worldwide, held a place on The New York Times best-seller list for almost seven years and has been translated into over 30 languages. Additionally, it has won over a dozen literary awards, held the number-one position at Amazon.com, and appeared on numerous best-of-the-year lists.
Zusak’sbook and director Brian Percival’s (“DowntonAbbey”) film adaptation tell the story of Liesel (Sophie Nélisse), who is sent to live with foster parents, the kind-hearted Hans Hubermann (Geoffrey Rush) and his prickly wife Rosa (Emily Watson). Reeling from the tragic death of her younger brother, Liesel is sent immediately to her new “parents” and struggles to fit in – at home and at school, where her classmates taunt her as “dummkopf” due to her inability to read.

With the single-minded obsession of a budding scholar, Liesel is determined to change that. And she gets help. Her empathetic “Papa,” Hans (played by Geoffrey Rush) works day and night with Liesel as she pores over her first tome, “The Gravedigger’s Handbook,” which she walked off with following her brother’s funeral – an impulsive act of thievery that will have profound consequences for the young heroine.

Liesel’s love for reading and her growing appreciation for her new family are heightened when she befriends a new guest in the Hubermann’s home – a Jewish refugee named Max (Ben Schnetzer), who shares her passion for books and encourages Liesel to expand her powers of observation, even as he hides from the Nazis in a dark and dank basement. Equally transformative is her burgeoning friendship with a young neighbor, Rudy who teases Liesel about her book thievery even as he finds himself falling in love with her.
Rudy is a major transformative figure in Liesel’s journey with her exponentially growing love of books and the power beyond words. Liesel and Rudy become fast friends and do everything together, including stealing (“borrowing,” Liesel insists) books. In fact, it is Rudy who nicknames Liesel, “The Book Thief.”

While Liesel’s passion is books, Rudy dreams of being a champion racer. His idol is African-American Olympic hero Jesse Owens, who achieved international fame by winning four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Rudy even goes so far as to cover himself with black paint (which he stole from Hans’ work cart), in honor of his idol – a choice that’s none too popular with a town being consumed with the doctrine of Aryan supremacy.

Young German actor Nico Liersch describes Rudy as, “always happy, nice to everyone, and never sad,” and that description fits also the actor who plays him. Sophie and Nico became close friends during production – though Sophie would squeal with laughter through almost every take while shooting scenes where Rudy tries to kiss Liesel – much to the crew’s amusement.

Nico Liersch began his acting career in TV commercials. Roles in German television followed and, in 2012, he made his feature film debut in “Kokowääh2,” appearing with Til Schweiger, who also directed, and Schweiger’s daughter Emma Tiger Schweiger. It was Germany's biggest movie that year at the box office. Liersch lives with his parents and sister in Munich where he attends secondary school. He enjoys playing handball and tennis, and snowboarding. He loves music and is learning to play the drums.

Relive young love, first love in “The Book Thief” when it opens February 19 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Emma Thompson Plays Author of "Mary Poppins" in Saving Mr. Banks

Two-time Oscar® winner Emma Thompson (“Howards End,” “Sense and Sensibility”) is the filmmakers' first choice to play “Mary Poppins” author P.L. Travers in Walt Disney Pictures' inspirational drama, “Saving Mr. Banks.”

Also starring fellow double Oscar® winner Tom Hanks and acclaimed actor Colin Farrell, “Saving Mr. Banks” is inspired by the extraordinary, untold back story of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.

“When you’ve got somebody like Emma Thompson, she has a very large toolbox,” director John Lee Hancock proclaims about his leading lady and her abilities to tackle such a challenging role. “Anytime you’re taking on a character that is that complicated and that sad, there’s a weight that goes along with it. Emma confided in me that it was tough to wake up and play P.L. Travers every day. And it would be great when we were done so she would have hopefully done P.L. proud. She is so incredibly talented.”

Thompson says of the curmudgeonly P.L. Travers, “She was a wonderful case study, requiring so many different shades. She’s one of the most complicated people I’ve ever encountered.”

She adds, “I’ve never played anyone more full of contradictions, which makes it fascinating because she oscillates all the time. Her early life interfered so radically and so successfully with her capacity to have relationships and particularly with her relationships with men. Her father had been so emotionally unstable and unreliable that for her, love was always a very tricky thing. There was a brokenness and an emptiness and a sadness in her.”

Describing Travers at the point of her entry into the story for “Saving Mr. Banks” when she gets to Los Angeles, Thompson says, “She hated the script for `Mary Poppins.' Actually, she appeared to hate everything, but whether she actually did or not is another matter. What she was dealing with were her own issues, which were deep and complex. Her relationship with Mary Poppins was the same really in a sense as Walt Disney’s with Mickey Mouse. Mary Poppins had saved her in a way from the wounds of her own childhood, in the same way as Mickey Mouse had saved Walt. So, it wasn’t as if she was giving this character up with any degree of ease. She felt as though a part of her very soul was being taken away and turned into something that it really wasn't and she found that psychologically difficult.”

Thompson also points out another facet of the patchwork quilt that was P. L. Travers. “She was a bit of an intellectual snob,” comments Thompson. “I don't think there’s any question about that and indeed she was an extremely original and clever, talented woman. She was unusual in the sense that she had relationships with highly intellectual men at a time when it was not always easy for women to get access to them.”

Although Travers sought out the company of charming men in her lifetime, Thompson notes, “Walt’s charm was probably easier for her to resist. She would not have thought of him as an intellectual.”

“Pamela’s a tough old stick,” producer Collie adds about the film’s main character. “She is, in a sense, not an easy woman to like because she is so controlling and seems to be so humorless. And Emma, of course, portrays all those qualities. But, Emma also brings a certain warmth and just a hint of vulnerability where you want to give Pamela a big hug. That’s the skill of a great actor, to bring that empathy for what is a tough, unsympathetic old character. Emma was perfect casting.”

Thompson has her own take on her character and the story. “It’s about artists,” comments Thompson. “Why they do it and how interesting the relationship between the artist and their childhood is. A lot of children’s authors have had terrible childhoods. What I loved about it was that it was about how early suffering informs what you write, what you make and what you produce as an artist.”

In preparation to take on the persona of P.L. Travers, Thompson listened to tapes of the sessions in Los Angeles between the songwriting team of Richard and Robert Sherman, Walt Disney and Travers, all of which had been saved in the Disney Archives. “The tapes remind me of the myth of Sisyphus because it’s like listening to people push something very, very heavy up a hill and then get to the top and just watch the whole thing roll back down again. It’s really hard work listening to those tapes because P.L. is so awful and so irritating. Just listening to them makes you want to throw something heavy at her.

“But there are lots of little clues about what was really going on as well,” Thompson continues. “She’s often performing and there’s a stuttering quality to the tapes that makes it very difficult to listen to because she’s dealing with letting something out of herself that she just doesn’t really want to communicate. There’s a lot of straight negation and a lot of bullying. Of course, no one could say anything. Don DaGradi and the Sherman brothers were stuck in a room with her for weeks on end and just couldn’t say anything because she had to be handled with kid gloves. So, it was a nightmare for them and the tapes are a nightmare to listen to. But they were very, very useful.”

Tom Hanks enjoyed the experience of working with Emma Thompson and watching her bring forth the very difficult and complex P.L. Travers. “Every time I’ve seen Emma, I say, how does she do that? How does she make it look so easy? With the work that we did, there was always something going on between us. There was always a secret that Pamela had that Disney himself did not see until literally the end. There’s a scene where Walt Disney is saying, ‘Will you please share with me why this isn’t a good experience for you?’ The emotion that Emma had to bring to a woman who was about to break into tears over something she could not communicate shows the quality of an actress who is forever at the absolute top of her game. She is so far removed from the old English biddy who lives in the townhouse in London, yet her finger is on the absolute pulse of all the Englishness that goes on with that.”

Opening across the Philippines on Feb. 26, “Saving Mr. Banks” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Ty Burrell Lends Voice to Mr. Peabody

Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine - the WABAC (pronounced as way back) - to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era: figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history.

“Mr. Peabody & Sherman” is an adventure-comedy featuring science fiction, time travel, outlandish characters and clever dialogue, all of which are bound together by the unexpected relationship between the titular heroes – a dog and his boy. Peabody possesses the genius of Einstein, the wit of Oscar Wilde, the daring of Indiana Jones, the deductive skills of Sherlock Holmes, the sartorial style of James Bond, and the culinary skills of Mario Batali. The one thing that challenges Peabody is keeping up with his adopted boy Sherman. Peabody devotes himself to Sherman, from whom he learns the one thing even a genius has to figure out – parenthood.

Ty Burrell, who voices Peabody, brings additional shadings to an already richly conceived character. But initially, says Minkoff, the “Modern Family” star wasn’t an obvious choice. “Ty is famous and beloved for playing put-upon dad Phil Dunphy in ‘Modern Family,’ and Phil isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. But when we put his performance together with the character of Peabody, it really locks into Peabody’s personality.”

Burrell certainly had his work cut out for him; after all, he’s playing a character that, he describes as “essentially perfect, which is a very interesting kind of character to play because I am so imperfect. Peabody makes almost no mistakes, expect in fatherhood, as all dads do. He can think himself out of any situation or problem, except when it comes to dealing with Sherman.” Burrell prepped for the role by watching the classic television shorts upon which the film is based. “From that, I would find my way back into my own voice,” he explains. “Peabody speaks with such precision; his consonants are always very clear.”

With a range of performances across television, contemporary film, and classic theater, award winning TY BURRELL (Mr. Peabody) continues to prove himself as one of the finest and most versatile actors today. Burrell stars as ‘Phil Dunphy’ on ABC's critically acclaimed hit and award-winning series “Modern Family,” which is currently in its fifth season. Burrell most recently won the Monte Carlo International Television Festival Award in the category of Best Comedic Actor. In 2012 he won the Critics' Choice Television Award for the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and Comedy Central honored Burrell with the 2012 Comedy Award in the category of Performance by An Actor - TV. He won the 2011 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and has been nominated three other times in the same category. Ty also shared the TCA award with Nick Offerman for Individual Achievement in Comedy and has received three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.

Burrell was seen this past fall in The Weinstein Company’s “Butter” opposite Jennifer Garner and was also recently seen in Christopher Neil’s film “Goats,” an adaptation of the coming of age story by Mark Jude Poirie. His additional film credits include “Morning Glory,” opposite Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton; Universal’s “The Incredible Hulk” opposite Edward Norton and Liv Tyler; “National Treasure 2” opposite Nicolas Cage; Steven Shainberg's “Fur” about the life of Diane Arbus; and Nicole Holofcener’s “Friends With Money” opposite Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand and Jennifer Aniston. Other notable film credits include Finn Taylor’s romantic comedy “The Darwin Awards”; David Jacobson’s “Down in the Valley” opposite Edward Norton and Evan Rachel Wood; the Weitz brothers’ “In Good Company;” Ridley Scott’s “Black Hawk Down;” “Dawn of the Dead” (Cannes Film Festival); and Ivan Reitman’s “Evolution.”

From DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox, “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” will open March 6 in cinemas nationwide to be distributed by Warner Bros. in the Phils.

Like 20th Century Fox (Philippines) on Facebook, follow @20Centuryfoxph Twitter and 20thCenturyFoxPh YouTube channel for more of the latest trailers and other special online features.

Tom Hanks Channels Real Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks

Sometimes, it really takes a beloved actor to portray a beloved figure. That's why Tom Hanks makes the perfect actor to play pioneering studio chief and eventual Hollywood legend, Walt Disney, in the inspiring drama, “Saving Mr. Banks.”

Also starring fellow double Oscar® winner Emma Thompson and acclaimed actor Colin Farrell, “Saving Mr. Banks” is inspired by the extraordinary, untold back story of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.

Tom Hanks says, “‘Saving Mr. Banks’ is about the making of ‘Mary Poppins’, not about the filming of ‘Mary Poppins.’ It’s about the translation of ‘Mary Poppins’ from book to screen. It’s about the creative process, of how P.L. Travers’ character started on paper first before it became the classic movie. I think this is actually a new take on that sort of story idea. What were the secrets behind this great movie that everybody loves? Well, it has a checkered past. It’s not just about somebody who broke their foot while they were shooting the film. It’s about somebody who broke the spirit of the people in the room when they were writing that movie. And, that was Pamela Travers.”

Says director John Lee Hancock, “This film portrays a side of Disney we haven’t seen before. It’s not the Walt we know from ‘The Wonderful World of Disney,’ which was fun to explore. But, someone had to play Walt Disney, become Walt Disney. Who would that be? There was really only one person that all of us could think of—Tom Hanks. I wasn’t trying to put a rubber mask on Tom and make him look exactly like Disney. I wanted Walt Disney to come from inside. Tom is such a fine actor that that’s where he begins his work—from the inside.

“Tom grew his own mustache,” Hancock continues in describing Hanks’ physical “transformation” for the role. “There’s a lot of voice work, the way he walks, the body position, the way he holds his hands, the way he touches his mustache. How he phrases things and lets sentences roll off the end. He simply became Walt Disney to me and I was completely amazed.”

“I don’t look or sound anything like Walt Disney,” Hanks affirms in responding to Hancock’s comments. “In addition to growing a mustache and parting my hair, the job at hand was to somehow capture all that whimsy that is in his eyes as well as all of the acumen that goes along with that. You can’t do an imitation of Walt Disney. There is a cadence to the way he sounds that comes from, I feel, his enthusiasm for what was in his head. He is an institution without a doubt and worthy of the museum that his family built for him up in the Presidio in San Francisco [The Walt Disney Family Museum].

“I went up to the museum and spent an entire day there,” Hanks confirms about part of the research required for his portrayal of the Hollywood legend. “Diane Disney and the staff there were incredibly welcoming and helpful. I heard every single piece of audio and saw every piece of film in the place about Walt’s entire history. He invented an art form that anybody can imitate, but no one can do better. Just helped tremendously.”

Hanks came away from that visit with important insight into Walt Disney’s character. He explains, “Walt was hands-on every step of the way, yet he always used the word 'we.' He never said, 'I had an idea' or 'I did it this way.' I thought that was great. There was an inclusiveness to everything he did. It went from the early cartoons in Kansas City all the way to his theme parks.”

Explaining the essence of Disney that he was trying to capture on screen, Hanks says, “Walt’s head was so full of magnificent ideas that he could not help make everybody else excited about them. And that’s what I was going for. I wanted to convey his pride and joy about the studio and what was coming out of it. There is a tactile connection to every word he says that has to come out of release.”

Emma Thompson looked forward to working with Tom Hanks, as the two of them have always wanted to do a film together. She says, “We have known each other for a long time, so when this was being cast I rang him up and said, ‘This is just so perfect.’

“Tom is fascinated by Disney and knows a lot about him. There’s something faintly similar to the pair of them—their enduring popularity and their sort of everyman quality and a huge kind of a charm,” she concludes.
Opening across the Philippines on Feb. 26, “Saving Mr. Banks” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Abbie Cornish Plays the Loving Wife of "Robocop"

She impressed audiences with heartfelt performances in “W.E,” “Sucker Punch” and “A Good Year.” Now, Australian actress Abbie Cornish steps out of the shadows in Columbia Pictures' new action thriller “RoboCop” as she plays the strong-willed Clara Murphy, the wife of police officer Alex Murphy who becomes the film's titular character.

In “RoboCop,” the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years, but have been forbidden for law enforcement in America. Now OmniCorp wants to bring their controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it. When Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) – a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit – is critically injured, OmniCorp sees their chance to build a part-man, part-robot police officer.

“Clara's a very grounded, strong and intelligent woman – a loving wife and mother,” says Cornish of her role. “Her family epitomizes a happy working middle class family, whose lives are then torn apart by the events that unfold in the film. However, the bond and connection between the Murphy's holds strong, and provides a very human and emotional through line to Alex's journey after he becomes RoboCop."

Cornish says that Clara is placed in the position of a particularly grim choice. “Sellars and Norton are looking for the most likely candidate to be transformed into RoboCop, and when they select Alex, it’s Clara who has to make the ultimate decision and sign the documentation,” she explains. “How do you make that choice? When you’re told that your husband will die without it, but if he goes forward with the procedure he will change entirely? What would you do?”

“I feel Clara Murphy is strong, caring and compassionate,” contnues Cornish. “She is grounded as a woman and very much within herself, embodying a lot of the things I believe women are in this day and age. I was very drawn to her from the beginning, and there was no doubt in my mind about who she was.”

Abbie Cornish, a native Australian, is an acclaimed young actress best known for her starring roles in the independent films “Candy” (2006) opposite Heath Ledger and “Somersault” (2004) with Sam Worthington, both Australian productions that garnered her Best Lead Actress awards from the Film Critics Circle of Australia. She was also awarded Best Lead Actress from the Australian Film Institute for “Somersault” and received a nomination for “Candy.” It was these two roles that earned her great notice in the U.S.
Now playing across the Philippines, “RoboCop” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Valentines Suiteheart Package at Solaire Resort and Casino

What better time to show love, than this month of February. Valentines is the perfect occasion to celebrate with the person you love. And nowhere is Valentine’s Day sweeter than at Solaire Resort and Casino. For Valentine’s 2014, friends and lovers can avail of the following love offerings:

Solaire’s luxurious “Suiteheart" accommodation package will be the perfect choice for guests wishing to celebrate an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. The 2 Bay Suite is available at Php17,500*** and the Grand Deluxe room at Php9,500***. This offer includes: full access and a set breakfast at the Executive Lounge; Php1,000 F&B credit voucher at Eclipse; Complimentary Parking, Wi-Fi access and shuttle service to major shopping malls and a special turndown amenity. Solaire offers the luxury package to couples wishing for an experience unlike any other. A prior reservation is required and is subject to availability.

To highlight this occasion, Solaire creates tempting "Cupid’s cuisine", an exclusive set-menu for Valentine's dinner available from February 13-15, 2014 at the following signature restaurants at Solaire:

Finestra offers a choice of grilled Portobello and buffalo mozzarella salad with smoked ricotta and cherry tomatoes or Pan-seared goose liver with caramelized apples and Eggplant puree for appetizers; Brick Oven Branzino, Black Truffle Cream Sauce, Asparagus and Herb Salad. And for the main course a choice of Lamb Three ways: Olive crusted lamb rack, braised shank, lamb loin alla Romana and eggplant Caponata; Risotto of fresh peas topped with grilled prime beef fillet and pancetta crisp or Spaghettini with little neck clams, garlic, San Marzano tomatoes and sea urchin in white wine sauce. And to satisfy your sweet cravings, you have a choice of Red berries with Limon cello merengue or Chocolate ‘Perugina Gianduia’ tart. This set menu is priced at Php2,000* per person.

At Strip, Chef Trevor Macleod has created a lavish four-course set dinner comprised of Mushroom Soup with Truffle oil & chives; Tuna Tartar with quail eggs, rocket greens, ginger carrot emulsion; for the entrée a choice of Angus Beef Tenderloin with onion puree, glazed vegetables, crisp potato press or Roasted Lamb Loin vegetable ratatouille, chick pea fries, smoked tomato jam or Grilled Salmon Orzo Pasta, green pea, bacon powder and for dessert Manjari Chocolate Passion Fruit Silk with Raspberry Sorbet, available at Php3,200* per person.

Yakumi offers a set-menu at Php3,000* per person. The menu consist of Hamachi, tuna, salmon sashimi and three types of sushi or Beef Tataki: Seared beef strip loin with onion soy dressing and beef sushi to start. Followed with ‘Akadashi’ Manila clam red miso soup. The main dishes are a choice of Golden lobster tempura or Grilled Striploin with vegetables or Lamb Saikyoyaki: Miso marinated Australian lamb chops with Kinome and steamed rice. Mikan crème brulee and Wasabi Sorbet is a unique dessert to top your meal.

Red Lantern highlights the flavorful Suckling pig and smoked duck breast; Pumpkin and corn soup with seafood; Pan fried beef tenderloin and prawn with pepper corn sauce; Steamed egg white scallops; Baked sea bass with sweet soy sauce; Deep-Fried Boneless Chicken With Almond Flakes and a Valentines cake or Chilled sweet pears with white fungus priced at Php2,500*.

On February 14, couples who avail of the special Valentine' dinner will be treated to a glass of Champagne.

*** Applicable for Local residents and expats with ACR. Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 12% VAT.
* VAT inclusive and subject to 10% service charge.

For more information please call 888 8888

Gallop into Lazada’s Year of the Horse Sale!

According to Chinese astrology, 2014 is the Year of the Wooden Horse. That Chinese Zodiac is believed to be a positive and strong-willed character. This Year of the Wooden Horse is perfect for purchasing that item you have been eyeing at Lazada Philippines! And you are in luck! The nation’s biggest online shopping mall is currently holding a big Chinese New Year Sale until February 3, 2014!

Find huge discounts on impressive home appliances, awesome gadgets, amazing electronics, various lucky charms for year-round fortune, wonderful Feng Shui items for prosperity, fab fashion items and accessories, delightful baby products, and more! Lazada has so much in store for shoppers! Get to enjoy secure online shopping with convenient payment options like credit card installments, PayPal, and cash on delivery.

Expect an amazing lineup of products! Getting a good bargain will surely be a great way to start the Chinese New Year! So follow @LazadaPH on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay updated. Feel free to contact Lazada if you have inquiries or suggestions.


About Lazada Lazada () is Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. Lazada is continuously striving to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free returns.

Chris Pratt Lends Voice to Accidental Hero, Emmet, in The LEGO Movie (Opens Feb 6)

In Warner Bros. Pictures' new 3D, animated comedy “The LEGO Movie,” the world is due for a disastrous end if not for one accidental hero: Emmet.

A construction worker and self-described nobody, Emmet adheres to the rules in every aspect of his life, content in the belief that he is the most ordinary, unremarkable person ever, until a crisis of monumental proportions reveals a surprisingly extraordinary side of him he never knew.

Providing the voice of Emmet is rising star Chris Pratt (“Delivery Man,” “Moneyball”) who will soon be seen in the Marvel feature “Guardians of the Galaxy,” in which he plays Star-Lord.

“On day one, we talked about our experiences building something out of LEGO bricks and the frustration we’d sometimes feel when we couldn’t find a specific piece right away. That feeling encapsulates who Emmet is to us,” says Dan Hageman, who, with writing partner and brother Kevin Hageman worked on the story with screenwriters Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. “He thinks his happiness is tied to following the instructions yet the fate of the world will rely on him discovering his own creativity,” adds Kevin.

Pratt says, “This challenge takes him through LEGO realms he didn’t know existed, where everything is just ridiculous but in a good way. It’s all beautiful, imaginative, exciting and very funny. There are loveable characters, amazing sets, insane action, a lot of love and a really positive message that you can feel comfortable bringing your kids to see.”

Emmet never met an instruction manual he didn’t like. Whatever the rules are, he’s glad to follow; whatever song is playing on the radio, he’ll sing along; whatever everyone else has for lunch or watches on TV, well, he’s cool with that. He even consults a book to remind him to shower and put on his pants (in that order) every morning before joining the Bricksburg citizenry on their orderly commute to work.

“We wanted someone with incredible comedy chops as our lead, but someone who can also be sweet and endearing, and embody this ‘regular guy’ spirit. Chris Pratt was our first choice; right out of the box,” says Lord.

Each day on the construction crew, Emmet happily razes any buildings deemed “weird” and replaces them with ones that look exactly like all the others, on orders from President Business. Says Pratt, “The city of Bricksburg is this big sprawl where everything looks the same and it’s all pre-fab modular homes, and any areas that have any flavor are being destroyed. So it’s being built as a kind of homogenous, utopian model, though you quickly sense there’s some underlying darkness here; something is controlling the people of Bricksburg.”

But life as he knows it is about to change when Emmet accidentally veers off the path at his site, falls headlong into a freshly excavated pit, and meets the trespassing Wyldstyle: the most beautiful and exciting woman he has ever seen. From her graffiti-splashed black hoodie to the turquoise and hot-pink streaks in her hair, to her take-charge attitude, there’s clearly nothing ordinary about this woman.

When Wyldstyle encounters Emmet at the construction site, she is there searching for the one thing that can block Lord Business’s terrible plan, according to prophecy: The Piece of Resistance. So when that vital piece turns up inexplicably fused to Emmet’s back, like it or not, the guy whose only ambition in life is to fit in suddenly becomes The Special, the most important person in the universe. And the most hunted. Before he knows what’s happening, Emmet is careening at high speed through the Bricksburg cityscape with Lord Business’s robot assassins in fierce pursuit.

Opening across the Philippines on Thursday, Feb. 6, “The LEGO Movie” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Joel Kinnaman, New Action Hero in "Robocop" (Opens Feb 5)

Man and machine unite in Columbia Pictures' “RoboCop,” a reimagining of the 1980s cult classic, starring actor-on-the-rise Joel Kinnaman (TV's “The Killing,” “The Darkest Hour”).

In the film, police officer Alex Murphy (Kinnaman) becomes the star product of OmniCorp, the world’s leading robotics defense company. In a Detroit ravaged by crime, OmniCorp sees an opening for the perfect policeman – a robot that can clean up the city, without putting police lives at risk. Trouble is, the idea of a robot pulling the trigger makes people anxious. To get it done, they compromise: after Murphy is mortally wounded, he wakes up in the hospital mostly a robot, barely a man at all – but all cop.

“OmniCorp’s idea is that they need a man inside the machine, a man who makes the decisions so the corporation won’t be held liable if something goes wrong,” says Kinnaman. “They leave his emotions intact in social situations, but when facing a threat or when a crime is committed, the computer takes over. When they realize his emotions make the system vulnerable, they completely shut them off. But when Alex comes in contact with his family, his emotions find a way back and override the computer system. He starts making his own decisions again.”

Kinnaman says he was attracted to play the role of Alex Murphy after meeting with director José Padilha. “José described his vision – his philosophical and political ideas that could fit inside the concept of RoboCop,” says Kinnaman. “You could use that concept to talk about a lot of other interesting things. He wanted to make a fun action movie that discusses philosophical dilemmas that we will face in the very near future. And I wanted to be a part of that.”

The issues aren’t just ethical or moral, but also very personal for Alex Murphy. “In the movie, people have to believe that the machine knows what it feels like to be human, so they keep Alex Murphy’s brain intact. He has all his emotions. He has all his memories. He has cognitive capabilities. However, he can’t hold his son or have sex with his wife,” says Padilha. “It’s a nightmare being Robocop. The movie is very much about the drama of this man facing the existential question – how am I going to go forward like this? Is Alex a machine or a human being?”

“We’re talking about a plausible future, but one that doesn’t exist yet,” says the actor. “Jose makes it very believable – not too outrageous or farfetched. We’re close to the world of this movie – we have bionic limbs, they’re attempting fake hearts. It’s still science fiction, but it’s a realistic leap in the future.”

Kinnaman says that, like many actors, being in costume helped him to portray the role – even if this costume was by far a greater challenge than he’d ever faced before. “The suit weighs about 45 pounds. It was constantly uncomfortable, constantly at the wrong temperature, either too hot or too cold. But that was very helpful. As awkward as I felt being in there, I realized that it paled in comparison to what Alex Murphy was feeling. I might have felt insecure and naked – because, weirdly, you don’t wear clothes in the suit – but Alex would have felt 100 times that weirdness. It completely helped my character.”

Despite the physical discomfort of the suit, Kinnaman sought to express the way that RoboCop represents the cutting edge in robotics through his character’s movements. Gone are the days of the clunky and jerky robotics. “They are getting very good at making humanoid droids move very realistically – for example, in Japan, they have nursing droids with very soft movements that give comfort to old people,” Kinnaman notes. “So the idea we had for RoboCop’s movement was that it would be superhuman: everything would work exactly as it should on a human body. He walks perfectly, extremely fluid.” Still, they couldn’t resist making a small nod to the past. “We also did want to make a small homage to the way Peter Weller moved – for example, when I was walking, I’d turn my head first and then the shoulders afterward.”

Opening across the Philippines in Feb. 05, 2014, “RoboCop” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Chinese New Year Celebrated in Style at Solaire Resort and Casino

The auspicious Year of the Wooden Horse will be welcomed and the Chinese New Year celebrated, with colorful traditions and feasts this January at Solaire Resort and Casino.

The Lion Dance on Friday, January 31, 2014 marks Chinese New Year and guests will be able to witness this ceremony in the resort’s Porte cohere. A symbolic practice believed to dispel negative spirits, the lion dance is always accompanied by a cacophony of drums and cymbals and an exhibition of firecrackers. The dancers will begin their performance in the lobby and will move to different areas of the resort.

The Classic Chinese “Tikoy” has many years of tradition and has, long been a favorite staple in any Chinese New Year celebration. To highlight the significance of this annual indulgence, Solaire brings you the lucky “Koi fish-shaped” Tikoy in elegant gift boxes. Guests can enjoy this popular take-out treat available at Red Lantern located in the resort’s ground level until 14 February 2014. For bulk orders of Tikoy, guests should call the resort at 888 8888.

Meanwhile, diners can embrace the auspicious arrival of the New Year with the bountiful feasts at Red Lantern. Here, they will be able to savor the unique a la carte menu comprising sumptuous dishes like Braised Pork Trotter with Chinese Mushrooms and Vegetables, Sautéed Prawns with Vegetables and X.O. Sauce and Salmon Fish ‘Yee Sang’.

Set menus are also available for the entire family and for large groups of 10 or more people. Diners can choose from three variations of set menus, “Great Prosperity Set Menu”, “Rich Fortune Set Menu” and “Fa Fa Fa Fortune God Set Menu” each of them comprising more than 8 dishes priced at P 1,888.00** per person; P1,988.00** per person and P 2,888.00** per person.

For guests who plan to stay overnight, the resort offers a Chinese New Year Package for P8,800** for a Grand Deluxe room which includes one night’s accommodation and breakfast buffet at Fresh. For a Two Bay Suite Package inclusive of one night accommodation with breakfast at the Executive Lounge, the rate is P16,888** Available only from January 30 till February 2, 2014.

** Prices are subject to service charge and applicable government tax. Prior reservations required, call 888 8888.

For reference and inquiries, please contact:

Joy A. Wassmer
Director of Communications and Public Relations
Solaire Resort & Casino
Telephone Number: + 63 2 883 8783
Mobile Number: +63 999 886 1698
E-mail: joywassmer@solaireresort.com

Saving Mr. Banks -- Untold Story of "Marry Poppins'" Journey from Book to Screen

In 1961, Walt Disney invited “Mary Poppins” author P.L. Travers to his studio in Los Angeles to discuss, in person, his continued interest in obtaining the movie rights to her beloved book and character—a pitch he first made to her in the 1940s. Still hesitant and disinterested after all those years, Travers wanted to tell the Hollywood impresario to go fly a kite but with dwindling sales of her books and a bleak economic future looming, P.L. Travers said yes and embarked on a two-week sojourn in Los Angeles that would ultimately set the wheels of the beloved film in motion.

Now, Walt Disney Pictures presents “Saving Mr. Banks,” a film inspired by this extraordinary, untold back story of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen, starring two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson, fellow double Oscar® winner Tom Hanks and acclaimed actor Colin Farrell.

“Mary Poppins’” journey to the screen begins the moment Walt Disney’s daughters beg him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins.” Walt makes them a promise to do so, but it is a promise that he doesn’t realize will take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

Expounding on the premise of the film, director John Lee Hancock says, “It’s really a fantastic story, but it’s not the behind-the-scenes look at the making of ‘Mary Poppins.’ You’re not on a soundstage with a young Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Our story takes you back two to three years before the actual production of the movie began.

“Walt Disney saw the promise of that movie, which made it worth dealing with P.L. Travers to secure the rights. That’s our story, a fantastic story, about a beloved movie, its own story and characters, and the origins of how it became this amazing, groundbreaking film. On a deeper level, it’s also about two storytellers and Disney’s journey trying to discover why P.L. Travers holds on so dearly and protectively to her story and the image of this father she adored,”Hancock concludes.

Colin Farrell co-stars as Travers’ doting dad, Travers Goff, along with British actress Ruth Wilson (Disney’s “The Lone Ranger”) as his wife, Margaret; Oscar® and Emmy® nominee Rachel Griffiths (“Six Feet Under”) appears as Margaret’s sister Aunt Ellie (who inspired the title character of Travers’ novel); and a screen newcomer—11-year-old Aussie native Annie Rose Buckley—is the young, blossoming writer, nicknamed Ginty, in the flashback sequences.

The cast also includes Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner Paul Giamatti (“Sideways”) as Ralph, the kindly limousine driver who escorts Travers during her two-week stay in Hollywood; Jason Schwartzman (“Rushmore”) and B.J. Novak (“Inglourious Basterds”) as the songwriting Sherman brothers (Richard and Robert, respectively); Emmy winner Bradley Whitford (“The Cabin in the Woods”) as screenwriter Don DaGradi; and multi-Emmy winner Kathy Baker (“Edward Scissorhands”) as Tommie, one of Disney’s trusted studio confidantes.

“Saving Mr. Banks” is directed by John Lee Hancock (“The Blind Side”) from a screenplay written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith.

Opening across the Philippines on Feb. 26, “Saving Mr. Banks” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.