Shawn Mendes lends voice for Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

Shawn Mendes, superstar recording artist and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, brings Lyle, the singing crocodile to vocal life, in Columbia Pictures’ new musical comedy Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (in Philippine cinemas October 12).

Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action / CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.

Mendes describes Lyle as a character driven by love. “He just wants to have a family, a home, and feel connected to people,” says Mendes, “and love is the reason I sing, too – I sing when I feel comfortable, when I feel accepted. I relate to him a lot.”

“Hearing your own voice come out of an animated character is such a weird experience,” Mendes continues. “It can be a bit of an out-of-body experience to hear your voice coming out of a crocodile, he adds, but what he wasn’t expecting was how much the animators would capture of Mendes himself. “While I was singing in the studio, the animators were filming my facial expressions, and then animating Lyle to make similar facial expressions that I was making.”

The film features original songs performed by Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, and Constance Wu, written by the songwriting team behind The Greatest Showman, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

For Mendes, singing the work of Pasek and Paul brought to the fore the way that gifted songwriters can make the songs of a musical work a dual purpose, building on each other as part of a cohesive whole and also providing a discrete, joyful experience. “When you watch one of their movies or shows, you’re digesting the entire thing at once, and you may not realize just how smart they are,” says Mendes. “You don’t realize how complex and how beautiful these songs are, how lyrically astonishing they are, and how much effort they put into them. But when you’re in the recording studio, going through the songs, it’s an eye-opening experience,” he concludes.

Meet the men of DUNE

“Dune” gathers some of the most brilliant male actors working today to portray these complex characters in this very human story: Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa.

PAUL ATREIDES (Timothée Chalamet): The son of a Duke born into a destiny greater than his royal title, young Paul is thrust into an epic adventure of discovery that will take him across the galaxy to a barren and inhospitable world with danger around every corner. Paul must rise to conquer his fears as the fate of the galaxy rests on his young and untested shoulders.

“It was an awesome opportunity to play someone so lost, someone so conflicted, but with so much responsibility at a young age," says Chalamet. “I thought that was a kind of beautiful dichotomy and rare to see as a lead of a movie. Paul is not the everyday romantic protagonist and I relished the idea of this being a character I could really play with.”

DUKE LETO ATREIDES (Oscar Isaac): Duke Leto is a man guided by two watchwords: honor and duty. The noble and beloved head of House Atreides, he must lead his people in an exodus to a new world and protect his son Paul as malevolent forces gather, threatening to permanently erase the Atreides name from the pages of history.

Isaac notes, “When we first meet him he has an unease but is feeling optimistic and he wants to infuse his son with strength. That was so intriguing to me: the idea of what you want to leave to your kids, the lessons you want to teach them, the ethics you want to pass onto them, particularly when the easiest option is to do things against your principles.”

GURNEY HALLECK (Josh Brolin): Trusted advisor of Duke Leto, Gurney Halleck is an irreverent and quick-witted artist with a sword and equally skilled at wielding a song with his chosen instrument, the baliset. When the House Atreides relocates to the dangerous world of Arrakis, Gurney will do whatever it takes to protect the Duke and his family — people as dear to him as the family he lost to the Harkonnens.

“Gurney is strict but fun, he's visceral, paternal, maternal to Paul,” explains Brolin. “He’s helped raise Paul, so he feels very protective of him. Gurney pushes Paul very hard because he wants him to be able to protect himself in any given situation.”

BARON VLADIMIR HARKONNEN (Stellan Skarsgård): Evil personified, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is a Machiavellian force of malevolence, determined to feed his addiction for cold, remorseless brutality upon the innocent. A gravity-defying monster of a man, gliding through the air like a phantom of cruelty, the all-consuming figurehead of House Harkonnen rules through fear, determined to take back the throne of galactic power and reclaim the spice-rich sands of Dune from House Atreides by deadly means.

“It’s a small role but with such a strong physical presence that he would cast a shadow over the entire film, and that’s necessary for a bad guy,” says Skarsgard of the role.

GLOSSU “BEAST” RABBAN (Dave Bautista): As animalistic and savage as his name implies, the Beast Rabban is the towering enforcer and nephew of the sadistic Baron Harkonnen. Tasked with keeping the Baron’s many financial interests in line by any means necessary, he is a brutal force of nature. Those who cross him or the Harkonnen name once, do not live to do it twice.

“Rabban is not afraid of anything—except for his uncle,” says Bautista. “He is the one person Rabban admires and he would do anything to please his uncle, but I think Baron Harkonnen sees Rabban as more of a pawn in his big game.”

DUNCAN IDAHO (Jason Momoa): Known as the “killer extraordinary,” Duncan is a tactical combat expert and confidant loyal to House Atreides. The most gifted Swordmaster in the Known Universe, he is the eyes and ears of the Duke, always watching the horizon in a world of unknown dangers. Forging a bond of mentorship with young Paul and a bond of duty and brotherhood with Duke Leto, Duncan is the first Atreides soldier sent by the Duke to scout out the forbidding planet of Dune. He will need all of his skills to navigate this dangerous new world.

“Duncan has a bit of mystery to him but he is a very loyal and honorable man,” shares Moma. “Denis wanted someone who’s powerful and would be able to be respected by all his troops and be convincing as the head knight watching over and protecting Paul and his mother, Jessica—that's his sworn duty.”

[Watch Jason Momoa’s “Becoming Duncan Idaho” featurette at https://youtu.be/A8y30Uyqc1E]

STILGAR (Javier Bardem): A leader of the mysterious tribal peoples of Dune known as the Fremen, Stilgar will do anything to protect the lives and cultural identity of his people. He is revered by his tribe as a man of wisdom born of a deep symbiotic relationship with the wilds of Dune; a primal survivor who has made the most dangerous planet in the universe his home. With the shadow of the Harkonnen threat looming over House Atreides, the wise and reluctant leader of the Fremen sees something special in Paul and agrees to an uneasy alliance with House Atreides.

“There are a lot of Arabic and Hebrew influences in the novel, so I wanted to bring some Bedouin or Tuareg elements into Stilgar,” says Bardem. “I wanted him to appear that he has belonged to the desert since he was born, and that his ancestors have, too. He is carrying the weight of his people, who have been chased and persecuted. Stilgar is a great mixture of warrior, fighter, thinker and leader.”

Only in PH cinemas starting Nov. 10, “Dune” is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a WarnerMedia Company.

mother! movie review

When you talk about Darren Aronofsky's mother!, it requires different levels of understanding. It may be very confusing whether you'll interpret its context as how you've seen it or how you can assert it with deeper meanings. You may see it as pretty effed up movie but here are my takeaways for mother!:

You can be as paranoid as mother (Jennifer Lawrence) in protecting her belongings, in this case, her home. Who would like to let someone in their homes, take advantage of their belongings and bring in more over which you did not know? She can barely speak up and complain and take all control of everything but then she is always ignored.

You may see it and then question yourself why did you even watch this movie? There is a lot happening and elements which you cannot understand. Maybe the reason for it is just you just like to see a Jennifer Lawrence movie, which I can vouch that she acted very well here. Almost 2 hours you'll have extreme close ups of Jennifer Lawrence here.

Javier Bardem's character is also very confusing and maybe you'll hate him for why he allows things. Basically all the others can be hated in such a manner that you yourself would throw them out.

Or you can be a scholar to see that this is a retelling of a very familiar story. You have to see this to find out and I can discuss this with you.

mother! is showing in cinemas today.

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Don't let any strangers in your home

There are reasons why you should never, ever let anyone in your home AT ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

Oscar-winning director Darren Aronofsky films a horror thriller starring Academy-award winner Jennifer Lawrence in "mother!" Also featuring Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer. Mother (Jennifer Lawrence) and Him (Javier) live happily in a secluded paradise until two uninvited guests (Harris and Pfeiffer) comes over and disrupts their quiet life. As more guests arrive, mother is forced to revisit everything she knows about love, devotion and sacrifice. See new clips from this movie below.

I remember when there was a time when sales people are doing door-to-door and it freaked us out when we heard news about families massacred or robbed. You'll never know what their real motives are and I hope it doesn't happen to any of us.

"mother!" opens in the Philippines September 30, distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

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An old nemesis set to kill Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge

It's time to sail the seas once again as Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) goes for an adventure to escape the murder by old nemesis in Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge. The fifth installment of the Disney - Jerry Bruckheimer hits theaters May 24.

Salazar's Revenge, also titled as Dead Men Tell No Tales in the US, brings Salazar (Javier Bardem) and more deadly ghost pirates that will haunt and kill every pirate at sea including Jack Sparrow. The only way to survive is find Poseidon's Trident that anyone who has it has control with everything at sea. Jack finds himself in an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has ever faced.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge also stars Geoffrey Rush and Orlando Bloom. Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg (Oscar Best Foreign Language Film nominee Kon-Tiki). Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Philippines. Watch the trailer below:

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EAT PRAY LOVE movie review

fall in love with life as Julia Roberts takes you to realize that you have more to experience than what you are now. EAT PRAY LOVE takes us to the wonderful places for us to search what we are looking for - love and balance.

the story starts with Liz (Julia Roberts) almost having a perfect married life and she realized that she doesn't want to get married. finding a new boyfriend, still she doesn't feel the freedom of herself so she decided to let herself out and get into three things: EAT PRAY LOVE.

EAT
indulge into Italy's best. food and architecture surely transforms an individual to love his/her life. i just admired Liz's line that we just enjoy ourselves and get fat, and then we go shopping and buy larger pants. the world is abundant of things and we just have to enjoy them all. don't worry about getting fat and all the cholesterol. but really, i envy her experience in Italy. i'm falling in love with the place more.

PRAY
she gets to reunite with herself. there is truth that you have to go through obstacles to achieve what you want. and in realization, she not only transformed her life but the people around her helping them to learn what they need in life and moving on without the help of any guru.

LOVE
maybe if i go to Bali i can also find my love. Liz had somehow became selfish at herself not noticing the people around her. i think they have perfecty chosen James Bardem in his role. thanks to the Indonesian doctor Ketut and the families along the way. the impact they gave to her also impacted people whom Liz has helped in the past.

this is a movie that you will fall in love again. not just it carries Julia Roberts in the scene but the story itself is beautiful. life transforming and inspiring.

Opening across the Philippines on Oct. 6, Eat Pray Love is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to get the latest movie news, video clips, games and free downloads. Find them on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join the fan contests.

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JAVIER BARDEM is the Spanish lover in EAT PRAY LOVE

Audiences worldwide have enjoyed critically acclaimed actor Javier Bardem’s diverse performances over the years. In 2008, Bardem received the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor for No Country for Old Men, and just last May, he won Best Actor at the 2010 Cannes film festival for Alejandro Innaritu’s Biutiful. Now, Bardem stars opposite Julia Roberts in Columbia Pictures’ inspiring romance drama, Eat Pray Love where he plays Felipe, a Brazilian traveler who sweeps Julia’s character off her feet. And he looks like Jeffrey Dean Morgan from The Losers.

In the film, Liz Gilbert (Roberts) is a modern woman on a quest to marvel at and travel the world while rediscovering and reconnecting with her true inner self. At a crossroads after a divorce, Gilbert takes a year-long sabbatical from her job and uncharacteristically steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life. In her wondrous and exotic travels, she experiences the simple pleasure of eating in Italy, the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of love in Bali.

What Liz isn’t expecting when she arrives in Bali is to meet a new love. One of the reasons she felt she had to upend her life is that she has also been in a relationship or just getting out of one; now, in Bali, she has just figured out how to be happy on her own. But when she meets Felipe, she can’t get him out of her head. Is she ready to risk her newfound strength by letting him fully into her life?

“The physics of this love story are as tried and true as time,” says producer Dede Gardner. “Liz questions the new love she is feeling and runs away from it, only to realize she can’t live without this other person and goes back to get him, hoping it is not too late. The chemistry between Julia and Javier is a perfect match.”

“I was very intrigued but also very nervous about working with Julia,” says Bardem. “I truly admire her and am a fan of her work, but I had never met her personally. I was coming into the film late in the game, and I didn’t want to change the rhythm of things. But Julia was so welcoming and as human as a person can be, and funny as hell. She is so present when she is working, it almost hurts.”

Roberts says that as the long shoot – literally around the world – reached its final days in Bali, Bardem infused fresh energy into the project. “He gave all of us a new joyous sense of purpose,” she says. “He is so great in the part of Felipe, because he really is just so human and natural.”

Bardem, a Spaniard, practiced a Brazilian accent for the role. During rehearsals in New York, the Academy Award®-winning actor had dinner with the real-life Jose Nunes, whom the Felipe character is based on.

“The role of Felipe isn’t your a typical Latin lover, and Javier wasn’t interested in playing it that way,” says Gardner. “The fact is Felipe has grown children and once suffered from a broken heart. He is calm and funny, and lives his life with simplicity.”

“I read the book right after I read the script,” says Bardem. “It talks about something very common to all of us, which is broken hearts and how to overcome the pain. But there is humor in the story too. I could relate a hundred percent. We are always trying to be somebody else, either because we are not happy with what we are, or because we want people to love us and accept us. Felipe is just pure, and it is so striking and refreshing for Liz to meet someone who gives her permission just to be the way she is, and in the process falls in love with her for it. That is very powerful.”

Opening across the Philippines on Oct. 6, Eat Pray Love is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to get the latest movie news, video clips, games and free downloads. Find them on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join the fan contests.

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