OSCAR bids for INCEPTION

though it messed up your mind, (LOL) admit that it's a very nice movie.

Let the Academy Awards buzz for INCEPTION begin!

Days before the genre-defying film opened in the US, internet giant Yahoo already proclaimed Inception as the best film of the year to-date. Yahoo wrote in its citation – “From its mind-bending dream-within-a-dream-within-a-dream plot to its way cool special effects, the movie stands head-and-shoulders above an otherwise lackluster movie summer.”

Then the glowing reviews started pouring in – from the high-and-mighty Time Magazine and New York Times and Variety to the pop-centric USA Today and Chicago Times to the heady Rolling Stone. All are ecstatic over director Christopher Nolan’s originality, genius, even…balls…to realize such a high-concept film. Inevitably, the word “Oscar” kept coming up.

Which prompting news bureau Reuters to ask in a syndicated article, “Can Inception safely dream of Oscar glory? That's one conundrum that will linger long after average moviegoers have stopped debating the ambiguities of Christopher Nolan's twisty new thrill ride into the subconscious,” continues the story.

In the old days, like 2007, the middle of July would definitely be too early to start thinking about the Oscars. Back then, Hollywood loaded up its prestige fare in the fall so that it would stay fresh in the minds of Academy voters. Yet last year, four of the ten Best Picture nominees -- including winner The Hurt Locker -- were released in the summer. So Inception’s chances for a best picture nomination may not be a farfetched idea.

The Warner Bros. release cleared the first hurdle last weekend when it opened to a solid $60.4 million in North America. Oscar nominees don't have to be box office blockbusters, but if Nolan's fan base hadn't shown up en masse, that would have damaged the movie's chances.

Still according to Reuters, “Such other visionary movies as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner and The Matrix all failed to earn best picture nominations, though they picked up nominations in other categories. On the other hand, it might be a good omen that Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound, his 1945 plunge into Freudian dream analysis and surrealism, earned best picture and director nominations. Inception should also prove competitive in a wide range of categories, and, with 10 slots to fill, that would help push it into best picture contention.

“Now, it's all a question of how the industry responds over the coming weeks and months. First reactions, which trickled in over the weekend, were for the most part upbeat. `I saw Inception last night & had a good time, but must admit it's a bit trite & stilted. Still though, leagues above most drivel,’ producer Ted Hope wrote to his Twitter followers.

In another tweet, Lost executive producer Damon Lindelof, no stranger to mind-bending puzzlers, exclaimed, `I wish that someone would break into my dreams and give me an idea HALF as good as INCEPTION.’”

(Now playing across the Philippines in IMAX, Digital 2D and regular format, Inception is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.)

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JAMES MARSDEN plays dog in CATS AND DOGS: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Warner Bros. presents James Marsden (The X-Men trilogy) and Chris O’Donnell (Batman and Robin) in Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, a comedy in 3D that blends live action with state-of-the-art puppetry and computer animation.

In the film, Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves—and their humans.

Though Marsden and O’Donnell share the screen, director Brad Peyton explains, “they rarely got a chance to interact in person, but even so, their work came together in a way that created its own chemistry and in that sense they truly were a partnership.”

That’s because Marsden was providing the voice of rookie dog agent Diggs, a German Shepherd with leadership issues, while O’Donnel plays Diggs’ compassionate human partner on the police force, Shane.

“It’s a lot of fun,” says Marsden. “This movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, although, at the same time, the characters behave as if the fate of the world was really at stake. Dogs using headsets and computer keyboards, throwing grenades; it’s all played straight and that’s what makes it so funny. The more determined they are, the crazier it is.”

While Kitty Galore grooms herself for greatness, another drama plays out on the streets of San Francisco. K-9 Officer Diggs is about to execute the latest in a series of screw-ups that will land him back in the concrete kennel.

Marsden understands how the over-eager German Shepherd sabotages his potential. “He has the best intentions in the world but not the best judgment. Wanting to be the maverick, the hero, he recklessly takes the lead in every situation, with disastrous consequences. He’s likeable and has real ability, but no self-control. Sadly, for all the confidence he shows on the outside, he’s beginning to have real doubts.”

“He knows he keeps messing up, but he just can’t help himself,” adds O’Donnell. “When Shane and Diggs go out on a job, sure enough, he jumps into action before he’s told. Shane knows he’s trying hard and it’s frustrating for both of them because every time they face a tough call the dog does something to make it worse—spectacularly worse.”

As the story opens, Shane and Diggs are on a case. Used car impresario Crazy Carlito (Paul Rodriguez) is living up to his name by going nuts at his car lot, threatening to blow it all up. Against orders, Diggs lunges at Carlito’s backside for a massive chomp, prompting the startled salesman to toss his detonator skyward… with unfortunate consequences.

The incident ends Diggs’ budding law enforcement career. Heartbroken, Shane campaigns to have his former partner retired to domestic life at his own home, but the department insists he’s state property and locks him in a cage.

It’s there, alone and at his lowest point, Diggs gets a second chance most mutts can only dream about: an offer from elite canine protection agency DOG. They’ve been watching Diggs and think he’s got what it takes to be a good agent—but only if he drops the lone wolf act and learns to work with the pack.

O’Donnell recalled the old adage about never working with children or animals, saying, “My first shot involved a baby and a dog. The dog has to go over to a crib, pull a blanket up over the baby and walk away, and all I have to do is say a line. I’m thinking, ‘the baby is perfect, the dog is perfect…if I can’t get this right on the first take I’m going to look really bad.’ It was a lot of pressure!”

Opening soon across the Philippines in Digital 3D and regular format, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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SALMA HAYEK lead the girls in GROWN UPS

In Columbia Pictures’ new comedy GROWN UPS, the filmmakers found a trio of extremely talented women to play the guys’ better halves. “Salma Hayek, Maria Bello and Maya Rudolph are all really excellent actresses and comediennes,” says director Dennis Dugan. “When the girls have their scenes together, it’s a very different kind of comedy than what’s going on with the guys. A movie needs that kind of change of pace, and these women, all incredible talents, gave us that.”

In the film, Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider play best friends when they were young kids and are now getting together with their families on the Fourth of July weekend for the first time in thirty years. Picking up where they left off, they discover that growing older doesn’t mean growing up.

Salma Hayek plays Roxanne, wife of Adam Sandler’s character, Lenny. Roxanne’s a glamorous fashion designer who’s in for a bit of a culture shock when Lenny brings his family to the lake house. “They’re supposed to be on their way to see her fashion show in Milan,” says Hayek. “It’s a culture shock. She’s definitely a fish out of water.”

What was it like to be surrounded by so many comedians? “It was intimidating at the beginning. I was thinking, ‘Oh, they’re all used to stand-up comedy, and they’re making up all these jokes,’” admits Hayek. “But everybody was so nice – no one had an attitude. I just relaxed, and soon, I came up with little things – not even jokes at the beginning, just little actions – and they were so supportive. I was so excited – they were laughing at my stuff!”

“The other thing I discovered is that Adam is incredibly generous,” she says. “Adam never says, ‘Oh, this is the best joke, I’m going to say it.’ He gives the joke to the best character to say it. He also figures out who hasn’t had a funny thing in the previous scene – he looks after everyone.”

Maria Bello, who plays Sally, Kevin James’ character’s wife, went so far as to invent an entire backstory for her character. “I think Sally was probably a cheerleader back then. Eric (James) was probably the captain of the football team. We have two kids and I’m the ultimate mother. They’re the two from town who stayed in town.”

“Kevin is the loveliest, yummiest, most beautiful man,” says Bello. “I just fell in love with him from the moment we met. He reminds me of my brother, Joey, from Philly – he’s the ultimate dad, a husband who’s really committed to his family, committed to his work, down to earth. He’s very funny, but he also has great depth to him – he has real moments that moved me so much. I even cried in one scene, he was so authentic.”

“Adam Sandler took a chance, seeing me in a light comedy,” says Bello of Sandler who also wrote and produced the film. “I’d never done that kind of a movie before, and it was a challenge. But Sally is a real character. She’s the kind of person who’s obsessed with celebrities – she reads all the tabloids – but she’s also so good-hearted and compassionate. She’s funny, simple, and sweet, and loves everybody.”

Maya Rudolph plays Deanne, the wife of Chris Rock’s character. “She’s the breadwinner of the family, so it sort of leaves Chris’ character to take care of the household, which includes their two children as well as Deanne’s mother. That provides a little bit of a tension in the household.”

“It’s been a lot of fun watching Chris play this part – the dainty, sensitive, stay-at-home husband,” says Rudolph. “It’s really different from anything I’ve seen him do before. I think he really enjoyed it, allowing my character to run over him a bit. He really made me laugh and forget I was really pregnant.”

“Being in this movie reminds me of growing up,” says Rudolph. “I had an older brother that was funny – he was older enough that when his friends would come over, I was excited – ‘The cool kids are at our house! I was always trying to be funny with the cool kids. This was just like that!”

Opening soon across the Philippines, GROWN UPS is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and like the fanpage to get the latest movie news, video clips and contests.

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i-Abante Batang MayKapansanan

i-Abante Batang MayKapansanan, a public service of Cong. Benny Abante in cooperation with Sergia Esguerra Memorial Foundation, Inc. [SEMFI] gave free ear check-ups and hearing tests in selected barangays in the 6th District of Manila.

Shown in the picture is Cong. Benny Abante, center in blue shirt, and some of the beneficiaries of more than 300 special kids. SEMFI, is a non-stock, non-profit educational foundation helping special children for more than 23 years, avail of the necessary special programs available to them so they may be able to cope in regular schools and achieve self reliance in mainstream society.

SEMFI has two school projects namely, the Philippine Institute for the Deaf [PID], a pioneering and the premier Preschool and Elementary ORAL school for the deaf in the country where deaf children learn to speak, and the Integrated School of the Philippines (ISP), an inclusion school for higher education, where all learns together helping one another, which means the deaf and other speech handicapped enjoy the classes with regular students. PID and ISP are both recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd), and provide scholarship grants to the qualified and deserving students. For free inquiries, visit the schools at Nagtahan Road, Pandacan, Manila, or call 564-0156 or email at semfi@pldtdsl.net.

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SNEAK PEEK: GOING THE DISTANCE

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long share a long-distance love affair in New Line Cinema’s new romantic comedy GOING THE DISTANCE.

In the film, Erin ’s (Barrymore) wry wit and unfiltered frankness charm newly single Garrett (Long) over beer, bar trivia and breakfast the next morning. Their chemistry sparks a full-fledged summer fling, but neither expects it to last once Erin heads home to San Francisco and Garrett stays behind for his job in New York City . But when six weeks of romping through the city inadvertently become meaningful, neither is sure they want it to end.

And while Garrett’s friends, Box (Jason Sudeikis) and Dan (Charlie Day), joke about his pre-flight calorie-cutting and his full-time relationship with his cell phone, they don’t like losing their best drinking buddy to yet another rocky romance.

At the same time, Erin’s high-strung, overprotective married sister, Corrine (Christina Applegate), wants to keep Erin from heading down an all-too-familiar road.

But despite the opposite coasts, the nay-saying friends and family, and a few unexpected temptations, the couple just might have found something like love, and with the help of a lot of texting, sexting and late-night phone calls, they might actually go the distance.

Academy Award®-nominated documentary filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes) makes her feature film directorial debut with Going the Distance. The film is written by Geoff LaTulippe.

Burstein’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Eric Steelberg (Up in the Air), production designer Kevin Kavanaugh (Whip It), editor Peter Teschner (Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan), costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas (The Proposal) and composer Mychael Danna ((500) Days of Summer).

Opening soon across the Philippines , GOING THE DISTANCE is a New Line Cinema production, and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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and then Jolie became SALT

Columbia Pictures’ new, contemporary spy thriller SALT, starring Angelina Jolie, began life with an offhand comment Jolie made a few years ago. “I was meeting with (Sony Pictures Co-Chairman) Amy Pascal when it came up in conversation that she was getting ready to make one of the new James Bond films,” Jolie remembers. “I playfully said, ‘I want to be Bond!’ That was our little joke, and then she found this project.”

Screenwriter Kurt Wimmer had originally conceived the role of Salt to be played by a male actor. His original spec script was developed with producer Sunil Perkash, who then brought it to producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Amy Pascal at Sony, who in turn brought on director Phillip Noyce. Like all motion picture projects, the screenplay then went through several drafts, but the major change to the script occurred when the filmmakers envisioned Jolie, an Academy Award®-winning actress and one of the few women in the world who can carry an action picture, in the title role. Very quickly, “Edwin Salt” became “Evelyn Salt.” “We had a really smart script we all collectively loved with an intriguing and complex character, so the idea of Angelina doing this suddenly felt like a no brainer,” says Perkash. “She's an incredible actress who would bring such depth and realism to a very enigmatic character. Having that realism in an otherwise fantastical story was very important, and we were beyond thrilled when she responded to the role.”

“When we changed the gender of the main character, we began to question the dynamic of every scene,” explains producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. “We didn’t simply question whether a woman would make all the same choices, but also how the other characters would act or react differently, given that it’s a woman. It was a huge change that rippled through the entire script.”

In the movie, Evelyn Salt must go on the run to prove her innocence when a defector alleges that she’s a mole, triggering Day X – the day when Russian sleeper spies awaken and begin the war against the United States .

Producer di Bonaventura says that the notion of sleeper spies is not fantasy. “There’s no question that they exist,” he says. “The CIA believes that they exist. There’s something really mysterious and sexy about the notion that somebody could lie in wait – for decades, if necessary.”

For example, it has been contended that Soviet Union, and then Russia, deployed covert agents masquerading as citizens in Western countries in the 1980s and 1990s as part of a network of intelligence operatives who would live under assumed names for fifteen to twenty years, or longer. When activated, these sleeper spies would then orchestrate “Day X,” a chain of sabotage and terrorist attacks within the United States , the beginning of a large-scale war with Russia . Sleeper spies for Russia have been discovered in recent years in Estonia and Canada , and the 2006 poisoning death of former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London remains a mystery. Just recently, a group of people – assumed by their friends and neighbors to be living ordinary lives – were arrested by US federal prosecutors and accused of being part of a spy ring, living under false identities in deep cover in an effort to carry out assignments for Russia .

“I have no doubt that sleeper spies are out there,” says Phillip Noyce, director of the film. “It’s been a part of spycraft since day one. Even before reading Kurt Wimmer's script, I was fascinated by the question of what might happen if long at rest sleeper spies were suddenly called to action.”

Opening across the Philippines on July 28, Salt is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and like the fanpage to get the latest movie news, video clips and contests.

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THE WEDDING SINGER: the musical

9 Works Theatrical, the theater group that brought us Songs For a New World and RENT, now brings us the one of a kind romantic-comedy that brought everyone singing for love!

then stars Adam Sandler in a movie and it has been adapted to Broadway which was a big hit. and now it comes to the Philippines brought by 9 Works Theatrical.

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