Congratulations to superstars Coco Martin and Julia Montes, their first movie....














Coco and Julia’s first movie, perfect Valentine’s weekend treat for the whole family…
"A MOMENT IN TIME”

The phenomenal love team of Coco Martin and Julia Montes is grateful for the overwhelming support and positive feedback of moviegoers from all over the country to their first film “A Moment In Time,” which is still showing in over 130 cinemas nationwide. Produced by Star Cinema, “A Moment In Time” was graded “B” by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

“I am so happy sa reaction ng mga tao sa movie noong pinapanood nila! Honestly, sobrang lakas ng kaba ko before mag-start ang showing pero nung naririnig ko na ‘yung iba ay nagsisigawan pa sa mga eksenang pinapanood nila, parang worth it lahat ng hirap namin sa shooting,” said Julia.



Like his love team partner, Coco is overjoyed with the warm welcome of the public to their first big screen team up of Julia. “Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng magagandang feedback na naririnig namin tungkol sa pelikula. Sobra-sobrang biyaya na po ito! Sobra rin akong happy kasi finally heto na, nakikita na naming ang pinaghirapan at pinagtrabahuhan namin ng ilang buwan. Kasi binigay ko na talaga lahat sa pelikulang ito,” shared Coco. “Yung mga hindi ko usually ginagawa ay napagawa sa akin kaya laking pasasalamat ko sa Star Cinema na pumilit sa akin gawin ang mga ‘yun. Kilala n’yo naman ako ‘di ako sumasayaw, pero dito n’yo lang mapapanood ‘yun. At base naman sa reaction ng tao sa eksena nagustuhan talaga nila.”

Aside from the new talents revealed by Coco, another hot topic among fans is the ‘first kiss’ that apparently happen in the movie. “Gusto kong may maibigay naman na bago sa audience at si Coco po naman ay kasama ko na nang napakatagal kaya nandun na ‘yung tiwala,” said Julia.



Coco added that he and Julia honestly did not have a hard time doing their sweet moments since they were both comfortable with each other. “Wala namang ilangan. Mas nailang pa ‘yata si Lola Flory (ang Lola ni Julia) kasi s’yempre first time ni Julia ‘yun. Kailangan talagang abangan sa movie kung paano namin ginawa ‘yun,” Coco said.

"A Moment In Time" shares the romantic and emotional journey of Patrick (Coco) and Jillian (Julia), who both sought for true love and tried hard to hold on to it. But just when they thought that there’s happily ever after, they would discover that something could always shatter a seemingly perfect fairytale. Does everyone get that second chance to recreate that moment when you found your one true love?





Under the direction of Emmanuel Palo, also featured in "A Moment In Time" are ZsaZsa Padilla, Cherie Gil, Gabby Concepcion, Ella Cruz, and the twins from PBB Teen Edition 4 Joj and Jai Agpangan.




Give the whole family with a special Valentine’s weekend treat and witness the first-ever big screen project of Coco and Julia, "A Moment In Time," still showing in over 130 cinemas nationwide.


For more information and latest updates about "A Moment In Time" simply visit www.StarCinema.com.ph, http://facebook.com/StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema.

Philippine actor Cesar Montano will star in a new film about Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim based on the late National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin's biography of this political leader; this movie will be out in early 2013.

UPDATE NEWS: Mayor Fred Lim just told me today Cesar Montano targetting February 2013 showing of this movie.

Mayor Lim is fighting an epic political battle versus political colossus former movie actor and ex-President Joseph "Erap" Estrada. This is a drama bigger than any movie or TV telenovela!!! Watch out for suspense and action!

Political war in the capital city of the Philippines, pitting Mayor Lim of the adminidtration of President Noynoy C. Aquino versus ex-President Estrada of the UNA opposition bloc, also a battle of showbiz celebrities on both sides! Lim's former ally, ex-actor and now Manila Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno has vaulted into the camp of Erap Estrada too!









(Image below of ex-President Estrada sourced from gaiaonline.com)




(Image below of Nick Joaquin is an art work by National Artist Bencab, sourced from tl.wikipedia.org)

A new exciting and fun movie is coming soon in our local theaters---"Chinese Zodiac"---from Asian superstar Jackie Chan!

This guy Jackie Chan is one celebrity I truly admire for his multi-faceted talents as daredevil action star, passionate actor, wacky comedian, tough martial arts expert and a very generous philanthropist!


















Thanks to Star Cinema of the Philippines' ABS CBN Broadcasting Corporation for sending me this news:

"Chinese Zodiac" hits Philippine cinemas on January 30...

JACKIE CHAN THANKS PINOY FANS FOR THEIR SUPPORT

International action superstar and "Chinese Zodiac" lead actor Jackie Chan expressed his gratitude to his solid supporters from all over the globe, including his Filipino fans, for inspiring him more to continue creating films.

"To all the fans in the Philippines, thank you for you supporting me all these years. I will do my best to make the best films for you," said Jackie, who considers his last action movie, "Chinese Zodiac" as his Chinese New Year treat to his fans. "This is my way to say thank you. It's my Chinese New Year present to all of you. I've been preparing this for almost seven years. And I spent one and half years to make it," he said.

Starred, produced, written and directed by Jackie, "Chinese Zodiac" is a comedy-action-adventure film brought to Filipino fans by Star Cinema. It is set to hit cinemas nationwide on January 30, 2013 (Wednesday).

Shot in eight cities and five continents, "Chinese Zodiac" tells the story of an adventurer and treasure hunter named JC (Jackie) who travels the world to search for and retrieve all the stolen bronze heads of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

"Chinese Zodiac" also stars Oliver Platt, Laura Weissbecker, Liao Fan, Yao Xing Tong, Zhang Lan Xin, and Korean heartthrob Kwon Sang-woo, who was well-loved by Filipinos through the hit Koreanovela “Stairway to Heaven.”

Don't miss "Chinese Zodiac" to hit cinemas nationwide on January 30, 2013.

For more information and latest updates about "Chinese Zodiac" simply visit www.StarCinema.com.ph,http://facebook.com/StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema. 


This is the Tagalog or Filipino language translation of the news article:

"Chinese Zodiac," mapapanood na sa buong bansa sa January 30...

JACKIE CHAN, LAKING PASALAMAT SA KANYANG PINOY FANS

Alay ng international action superstar na si Jackie Chan sa kanyang fans sa buong mundo ang pinakabagong comedy-action-adventure film niyang "Chinese Zodiac" na siya mismo ang bida, nagsinulat, nag-produce, at nag-direk.

"To all the fans in the Philippines, thank you for you supporting me all these years. I will do my best to make the best films for you," pahayag ni Jackie na itinuturing ang "Chinese Zodiac" bilang espesyal na regalo sa kanyang supporters. "This is my way to say thank you. It's my Chinese New Year present to all of you. I've been preparing this for almost seven years. And I spent one and half years to make it."

Itinuturing bilang last action movie ni Jackie, ang "Chinese Zodiac" ay mula sa Star Cinema. Ipalalabas ito sa mga sinehan nationwide sa January 30, 2013 (Wednesday).

Kinunan sa walong bansa at limang kontinente, ang "Chinese Zodiac" ay tungkol sa kwento ng isang adventurer at treasure hunter na si JC (Jackie) na nilakbay ang buong mundo upang mahanap ang mga ninakaw na bronze heads ng 12 hayop na bahagi ng Chinese Zodiac.

Tampok rin sa "Chinese Zodiac" sina Oliver Platt, Laura Weissbecker, Liao Fan, Yao Xing Tong, Zhang Lan Xin, at ang Korean heartthrob na si Kwon Sang-woo, na unang minahal ng mga Pinoy sa hit Koreanovela “Stairway to Heaven.”

Handog ng Star Cinema,ang "Chinese Zodiac" na ipalalabas na sa mga sinehan nationwide sa January 30, 2013.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at pinakabagong updates tungkol sa "Chinese Zodiac," bisitahin lamang ang www.StarCinema.com.ph, http://facebook.com/StarCinema at http://twitter.com/StarCinema.

-30-

Les Miserables movie is wonderful good entertainment. It has suprisingly lots of moral and specially Christian lessons. Congratulations!

I watched last night on January 16 Wednesday 7:00 pm at Cinema 6 of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It was the successfull and full-house special screening project of the MBA students of the Ateneo Business School.

My MOVIE REVIEW below...

(This movie poster image sourced from impawards.com)



Spectacularly set in 19th century France in the throes of revolutionary ferment, the musical movie Les Misérables is an inspiring tale of struggles, shattered dreams, love, idealism, sacrifice and redemption. It is a beautiful and searing tribute to the indomitable strength of the human spirit.

Jean Valjean (played so convincingly by Hugh Jackman) is a poor ex-prisoner and a fugitive from the law for decades, pusued relentlessly by police officer Javert (Russell Crowe). The changes in the destiny of  ex-convict Valjean take dramatic and unexpected detours starting with his promise to care for factory worker and prostitute Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) young daughter Cosette. The young girl eventually meets the love of her life during the era of revolution and social tumult.

The acting and live singing of Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway were remarkably superb, powerful!

Congratulations to one of the world's longest-running musical in this wonderful and enthralling musical film by Tom Hooper, successfully bringing to the big screen the timeless epic saga of Victor Hugo, and the musical written by Alain Boublil and the composer Claude-Michel Schönberg (with English-language lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer).

BUT: Tom Hooper created a truly entertaining and touching film. But, the romance of the young lovers lacked real emotional spark or magic, as with parts of the film in terms of emotions despite talented actors and actresses, despite the world-class and famous material of this Victor Hugo literary masterpiece.

I highly recommend this well-made, inspiring, thoroughly entertaining and morally uplifting movie!

(Cosette played by actress Amanda Seyfried and aristocratic revolutionary firebrand Marius played by actor Eddie Redmayne, here depicted below, this image sourced from santabanta.com)





(Image below sourced from movies.newyorktimes.com)





(This film poster image sourced from imdb.com)

Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson of the Philippines to do action film soon, both are stars of ABS-CBN 2, both have previously done well in drama or romantic comedies.

Your comments or opinions on them in a new action movie together? What is the future of action films in the Philippines?

Piolo will play the role of an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), while Gerald will play the role of a prisoner who becomes a professional killer.

NEWS! Iron Man 3 teaser trailer out

A teaser trailer for the much-waited Hollywood flick Iron Man 3 just came out now from Marvel Studios. Nothing much to view here actually, but only a clip of possible bad guy with his gun  and onlt the back of his head. Suspense?! Watch below the video clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVrT4iaS4LQ

NEWS! 2012 London Film Festival "Best Picture" award goes to French-Belgian movie Rust and Bone by Jacques Audiard, starring Matthias Schoenaerts & Marion Cotillard. Congratulations!

Rust and Bone, Jacques Audiard's soaring French-language movie about of love, loss and killer whales, was awarded best picture at the London Film Festival on October 20, 2012.

The thriller/melodrama tells the tale of a boxer (played by actor Matthias Schoenaerts) and a whale trainer (played by Oscar Award-winning actress Marion Cotillard), and the latter suffers a tragic accident at work.

Rust and Bone (French language: De rouille et d'os) is a French-Belgian film based on Craig Davidson's  short story collection with the same name. It tells the story of an unemployed 25-year-old boxer who falls in love with a killer whale trainer.

Casablanca, a wartime romance movie made by Warner Bros. in 1942, a great film I admire ... 
This is perhaps the most popular and well-loved of the classic movies of a bygone era, Casablanca, starring the superstars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

Director Michael Curtiz's tale of two star-crossed lovers in the war-torn African town of the same name is considered one of the greatest classics of cinema.

Casablanca was the winner of three Oscars at the 1944 Academy Awards:
Best Screenplay for Howard Koch and Julius and Philip Epstein
Best Director for Michael Curtiz
Best Picture

Casablanca was also nominated in five other categories, including Best Actor for Humphrey Bogart, Best Supporting Actor for Claude Rains, and Best Score for Max Steiner.























Warner Home Video's Casablanca 70th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, lavishly reissues a classic movie.

Congratulations actor Dingdong Dantes for unique & exciting horror/action/comedy/fantasy film Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles which he co-produced with GMA Films, this is the first Philippine-made horror flick with complete CGI special effects. THIS FILM HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

(Note: Although this is my second post in this new showbiz blog, watching the movie premiere of this well-made Tiktik movie actually inspired me to start this entertainment blog.)

My Rating: 91%                 (Range for my rating is 100% for Perfect Film, 75% for Passing Grade)





Starring Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe







Where I watched: Cinema 3, Greenbelt 3 Mall, Makati City, Metro Manila, The Philippines

When I watched: October 17, 2012 (Premiere Night, 7:30 PM)

Director: Erik Matti

Screenplay: Erik Matti

Cinamatographer: Francis Ricardo Buhay III

Music: Von de Guzman

Editing: Jay Halili

Producers:   Ronald Stephen Monteverde, Jose Dantes III, Annette Gozon-Abrogar

Production companies: Agostodos Pictures (owned by Dingdong Dantes) in collaboration with Reality Entertainment, Post Manila and GMA Films

Running Time: 1 hour 42 minutes

Country: Philippines

Language: Filipino

Release Date: October 17, 2012 in the Philippines

Stars: Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez, LJ Reyes, Mike Gayoso, Harley Pacana, Rina Reyes and Roi Vinzon

Watch the exciting and impressive movie trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk2rccJ_vl0





Synopsis: Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles revisits the aswang myth (which the director Erik Matti explained is based on the Ilonggo version of native monsters called "tiktik") and freshens it up, making use of the finest state-of-the-art technology, lots of action scenes and Filipino artistry.
       
The story revolves around a Metro Manila guy named Makoy (played very well by GMA 7 actor Dingdong Dantes) who goes to the rural village in the province in order to reconcile with his pregnant girlfriend, but he not only encounters the angry former girlfriend and her strong-willed mother, but he eventually has to fight off an ensemble of bloodthirsty creatures hungry for revenge. How can the protagonist survive the monsters and win over his lost love?



My Comments: Congratulations to the talented and entrepreneurial actor Dingdong Dantes for this well-made and very entertaining movie project of his both as actor and producer. Not only is it the first horror film in the Philippines made in full CGI, it also has a new graphic novel version also for sale in bookstores.

This is an ideal Halloween movie.

The acting in the film was consistently good, most specially that of Dingdong, Lovi Poe as the pregnant girlfriend, Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez and even the monstrous villains. The cinematography, action scenes and special effects were all quite impressive. The story is not complicated and it was interesting.

I not only highly recommend that people watch this unique film, but I suggest that Dingdong Dantes and his partners should market this movie internationally.

Caution: This horror movie is not recommended for children, due to many violent and bloody scenes.










A truly well-made horror adventure movie!




Congratulations to the entrepreneurial and talented Dingdong Dantes!