The first trailer for Peter Jackson's “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” has been released and you can catch it after the jump. The anticipated film stars Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Evangeline Lilly, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Graham McTavish, Michael Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Ken Stott and Aidan Turner (what a long list right?). The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.
A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” will be released in 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures on Dec. 12, 2013, to be followed by “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” on July 18, 2014.
Are we disappointed with the "Man of Steel"? On one end, the film succeeds in making strong connections on the emotional front. A film that deeply looks into the psyche of a non-human, of an outsider, of a hero in-the-making and what it takes to ultimately become Superman. Sadly, on the other end of the spectrum, we find a film lacking originality, of scene upon scene devoid of any connections, of characters being left out and under-developed. "Man of Steel" turns out disappointing because it could have been more but what we get is a generic re-telling of one of the biggest (if not the biggest) superhero ever conceived.
As Krypton is on the brink of destruction, Jor-El (Russell Crowe) devises a plan to save his just-born son Kal-El from death. He sends the baby boy to Earth with the hopes that one day, his son will serve as a guide to the young dwellers of the planet. Years after that event, Kal-El or known as Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) struggles with the ultimate question - Why am I here? Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Diane Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner), Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions. But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack. Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as "Superman," not only to shine as the world's last beacon of hope but to protect the ones he loves.
"Man of Steel" has the makings of becoming one of the biggest superhero films ever made. What we eventually get is a glimpse of that potential. Although this is the case, this doesn't mean that it was a bad film. In fact, what we do get is an incredible watch - one that fully explores the mythology and making of Superman like nothing before. The film starts off with Krypton - with a rather lengthy look into the planet, its inhabitants and the struggles of a population on the grips of their forthcoming and unavoidable demise. This sets a tone that the film is onto more depth and depth is what we get all throughout. In fact, the biggest asset of the film is the emotional connection of Superman with his two fathers. These are relationships that will deeply influence his decisions if he shall reveal himself to the world or not and if humanity is even worth saving. So strong are these emotional connections that we felt it as viewers and even shed a tear or two at times. Another thing that truly stands out is the narrative style the film takes. The non-linear nature and how the present reveals key aspects in Superman's past is something we appreciated.
Unfortunately, as much as the film focuses on Superman and the immediate family around him, less time is actually spent on the other characters involved in this new origin story - there's just too many people being introduced at times. Even the love story angle between a significant character feels half-baked and completely unnecessary. But the biggest culprit of all is that the film simply feels generic. Yes, the film may take a slightly different approach, but in the end, it just lacks originality. Additional minor grievances like questionable logical problems (most notably concerning one of the villain's eventual survival) and the tedious fight scenes add more to the film's less than stellar turnout. Overall, "Man of Steel" is probably the greatest Superman adaptation on the big screen but it is not the best superhero film we have seen. Still, a great watch that could have been bigger, better than its current state.
Rating: 4 reels
Why you should watch it:
- focused on the Man of Steel's origin
- solid acting especially by Michael Shannon
- we didn't expect this to be emotion-filled but it is
Why you shouldn't watch it:
- too many characters
- fight scenes are eventually too tedious and repetitive for our taste
"Now You See Me" elates itself in the idea of a huge trick that caps off every single, mini trick that was made throughout a whole show. Indeed, the film wants the audience into believing that fact is gonna happen. With a great premise on-hand, at times it feels that it does. But once the final act is revealed and the true twist of the story is shown, we felt like fools. The film, as you can easily surmise, fails to fulfill that promise as it finds itself confused and failing hard to make a compelling experience with its own need to be elaborate.
Four magicians are brought together by a mysterious figure to perform acts that have never been done before on stage. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher), Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) and Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) make up the group and one year later, perform in Las Vegas as "The Four Horsemen" sponsored by Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine). On their first major show, the Four Horsemen invite a member of the audience to help them in their finale - robbing a bank. The man is apparently teleported to his bank in Paris, where he activates an airduct which vacuums up the money and showers it onto the crowd in Las Vegas. Indeed the money is gone and as the FBI and the Interpol investigate further, the group continues with daring tricks that not only defy their audience but also cheat and steal from the corrupt rich.
"Now You See Me" has an incredible premise that will hook you up from the get-go. The idea of magic, illusions and a mysterious figure with the promise of "The Eye" to our four protagonists have you wanting to know more and more as the minutes roll-by. Unfortunately, the film fails to work on that premise further than just making the film more interesting than it should be. After the first half, you soon realize that the film will not attempt to develop its main characters than the most basic details we know from the first five minutes or so. The film rather tries to push the story forward with magic trick upon magic trick (or three magic shows that always targets someone or something). The most frustrating part though is how the film pushes this idea of a humongous reveal but it utterly fails to be a compelling one. And ironically, the final reveal feels like a cop-out and the complete opposite of the elaborateness it exudes the whole 90 minutes or so. In the end, "Now You See Me" is an entertaining film for sure but the rather disappointing ending completely destroys what should have been a greater film than what we have now.
Rating: 3 reels
Why you should watch it:
- entertaining while it lasts
Why you shouldn't watch it:
- the ending was a complete cop-out and a mess
Jonathan Ade, an independent filmmaker, has his eyes set to accomplish the remaining 1/3 of his Kickstarter project in 10 days. An impossible feat? Nay! With your help of course. Jonathan Ade and his team began pre-production on "Lay in Wait" over a year ago and the film's script was specifically made for its lead actress Elizabeth Olin, an upcoming talent to appear in "Killing Season" next year with greats Robert De Niro and John Travolta. As for the film's synopsis:
Maggie, a young married woman, awakens to the final morning of an extramarital camping trip with her lover. During the drive back home, she is shocked to discover her wedding ring is lost. The couple returns to the forest, and in the entangled thicket of nature, Maggie desperately searches for the symbol of her matrimony. As the day yields into night, the search becomes more and more punishing. What will be lost as the sun sets? And as it rises again, what will remain?
"Lay in Wait" plans to have itself submitted to first-tier festivals across America such as the Tribeca Film Festival, Sundance, South by Southwest (SXSW) and Los Angeles Film Festivals. Oh, and there's still an unclaimed Cameo pledge for those budding stars to look into. This is a promising independent film so why not give a helping hand? Go over to the Kickstarter Page of "Lay in Wait" to find out more details on the project and how you can help.
Columbia Pictures’ "White House Down" is the latest film from director Roland Emmerich, whose films, notably "Independence Day", "The Day After Tomorrow" and "2012", have taken in more than $3 billion worldwide. His latest film is an action movie on starring the most recognizable home on the planet - not the Malacanang Palace folks but the White House. The White House is actually very familiar territory for Emmerich who had aliens blow up the building in "Independence Day" and sent the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy through it in "2012" and now, for the third time, Emmerich is on a rampage to destroy the White House once again. We will soon find out how he does it this time around this July. In "White House Down", Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let his little girl down with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House but unfortunately, right 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 his daughter, the president plus the country to boot. Catch the trailer of "White House Down" after the break.
Opening across the Philippines on July 3, “White House Down” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.
Meet the monsters who are out to make audiences scream with laughter in Disney/Pixar's comedy “Monsters University”. The film is the eagerly anticipated sequel to the 2001 blockbuster “Monsters, Inc”. In the film, a prequel of sorts, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) are an inseparable pair in the first film but that was not always the case. In fact, from the moment these two mismatched monsters met, they couldn't stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends. Catch the character profiles (for both student and faculty members) of "Monsters University after the jump.
MIKE WAZOWSKI's (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dream is to become a Scarer at Monsters, Inc.—and he’s sure he knows just how to do it. Ever since he was a young monster, Mike’s had his eye on Monsters University, home of the world’s top Scare Program. Now a freshman and hopeful Scare student, he’s well versed in the rich history, theory and technique required to reach his goal, and the little green one-eyed monster has more confidence, enthusiasm, determination and heart than all of his classmates combined. But unexpected roadblocks derail Mike’s plans and he’s forced to team up with a group of misfit monsters and an unlikely ally to give it the old college try and pull off the biggest coup in the University’s history.
JAMES P. SULLIVAN—“SULLEY” (voice of John Goodman). When it comes to Scaring, Sulley’s a natural—his abundant size, fierce roar and family legacy of a long line of high-achieving Scarers make him a shoo-in for the esteemed Scare Program at Monsters University. But from the moment the overly confident monster steps his big furry feet on campus, it’s clear he’d rather crack jokes than books—and he learns the hard way that his unfettered talent and family ties can only get him so far.
RANDY BOGGS (voice of Steve Buscemi). Freshman Randy Boggs has big aspirations for college life. The peculiar lizard-like monster with his host of gangly arms and legs plans to major in Scaring and lead an active social life filled with fun, friends and fraternity parties. If only he could get his embarrassing disappearing habit under control, he’d be good to go, because how is he ever going to be a great Scarer if nobody can see him?
DON CARLTON (voice of Joel Murray). Faced with the realities of the economic downturn, Midwestern sales monster Don Carlton finds himself going back to school to learn new skills and pursue a dream career in Scaring. One of the university’s “mature” students and a founding member of the Oozma Kappa fraternity, Don brings his honest hardworking spirit to their endeavors, ensuring that his fellow brothers keep their various heads on straight and their array of eyes on the task at hands.
SCOTT “SQUISHY” SQUIBBLES (voice of Pete Sohn) gives new meaning to the term “undeclared.” A sophomore whose dream of becoming a Scarer was squashed in his first year, “Squishy” is a bit of a wide-eyed wanderer—small, sweet, naïve and quiet—who, not surprisingly, still lives with his doting mother. But with a little help from his Oozma Kappa brothers, Squishy begins to realize he’s more than just that shy monster in the corner.
ART (voice of Charlie Day). The ultimate free spirit, Art is a mysterious monster with a questionable background. By far the strangest member of the Oozma Kappas, Art bowls over the competition—sometimes literally—with his unique dexterity and wild-card ways. Nothing is scarier than the unpredictable, especially when it comes to this furry ball of bad.
TERRI and TERRY PERRY (voices of Dave Foley & Sean Hayes). When it comes to Terri and Terry, it’s hard not to ask, “Are two heads really better than one?” These bickering brothers have little in common: Terri with an “i” is a real romantic who’s quick to spot the silver lining in any situation, while older brother Terry with a “y” sports a more cynical outlook on life. If they can stop squabbling long enough to work with their Oozma Kappa brothers—they might be able to put their heads together—literally—and find their place in the university’s Scare Program once and for all.
DEAN HARDSCRABBLE (voice of Helen Mirren). To her, there are scary monsters and there are all other monsters. It’s no surprise she feels this way—she is, after all, a legendary Scarer and Dean of the School of Scaring at Monsters University. Aspiring Scare students must be up for the challenge to impress her, though she is convinced that her assessment of who is truly scary and who is not is never wrong.
PROFESSOR KNIGHT (voice of Alfred Molina) teaches Scaring 101, the introductory course to Scaring at Monsters University. With hundreds of new Scare students each year, he must weed out the weak from the talented and identify who shows the most potential to be real Scarers. Only a few have what it takes to pass the formidable final exam and move on to the elite Scaring Program.
Opening across the Philippines on June 26 in Disney Digital 3D, 2D and regular theaters, “Monsters University” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.
Columbia Pictures’ "White House Down" is the latest film from director Roland Emmerich, whose films, notably "Independence Day", "The Day After Tomorrow" and "2012", have taken in more than $3 billion worldwide. His latest film is an action movie on starring the most recognizable home on the planet - not the Malacanang Palace folks but the White House. The White House is actually very familiar territory for Emmerich who had aliens blow up the building in "Independence Day" and sent the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy through it in "2012" and now, for the third time, Emmerich is on a rampage to destroy the White House once again. We will soon find out how he does it this time around this July. In "White House Down", Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let his little girl down with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House but unfortunately, right 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 his daughter, the president plus the country to boot. Catch the trailer of "White House Down" after the break.
.jpg)
