INCEPTION tops Manila movie sales in just 2 weeks!

Excellent word-of-mouth and multiple viewings have driven Warner Bros.’ sci-fi thriller “Inception” to a remarkable P60.88-million gross nationwide after two weeks of release (July 15 to 28). This was announced today by Francis Soliven, general manager of Warner Bros. Philippines.

“Inception” posted a respectable P22-M gross in its first weekend, and in a rare development, earned bigger receipts in its second weekend with P23.32-million. Most titles strike with their biggest hauls during the first weekend, and go steadily down as the weeks pass.

“The film’s exceptional business is being powered by recommendations from those who’ve seen it and curiosity from those who haven’t,” noted Soliven. “Everyone’s talking about it, and in some cases, arguing over certain points about the story! It has clearly transcended the big screen.”

The cinemas that registered the biggest receipts are SM Mall of Asia (P4.25-M), Trinoma (P4.15-M), SM North EDSA (P3.70-M), Power Plant (P3.25-M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.90-M), Glorietta 4 (P2.76-M), SM Megamall (P2.40-M) and Gateway (P2.37-M).

Also earning huge grosses are Theatremall (P1.96-M), Alabang Town Center (P1.83-M), Shang Cineplex (P1.82-M), Robinsons Ermita (P1.68-M), SM Cebu (P1.40-M), Robinsons Galleria (P1.18-M), Festival (P1.06-M), Market! Market! (P889,788), SM San Lazaro (P883,250), SM Marikina (P825,854).

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, “Inception” is an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams.

In the film, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the best in the dangerous art of extraction: stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible—inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse; their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime.

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

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

translation services for global competency

the world today requires fluency in different languages. there are hundreds of languages and dialects and it is has become a trend to adapt to the place where one tongue is acceptable. and so you have to know the dialect of that place in order to blend in. this is also essential in business transactions when you try to venture out of the country so you and your potential market won't get alienated.

reading books is not enough. you have to hear and listen how a language is delivered. you need translation services in order to know the correct pronunciation of a word or a phrase. for one, Translia offers professional translation services for those who seek it. editing, proofreading are additional services when translation is needed.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

lessons in life from MASTER CLASS - review

it's just like being a student again. i remember the terror teachers that whom i am thankful for their existence. without them, i have not learned to what i am today. as MARIA CALLAS would say, one must possess MUT, COURAGIO. posture, breathe, relax and feel what you are doing.

though teachers may be strict. they also got humor to make an attachment with the students. they want you to feel the worth of what you are doing and don't have the attitude of letting it pass. it's good that they deliver humor at times. it's not just that they need it, they love it. and imparting their knowledge and experiences before they become what they are, is one of the great things that they can be proud of.

Philippine Opera Company has staged MASTER CLASS again. i am so happy that i was able to see it featuring Philippines' own La Divina, Cherie Gil as Maria Callas -- the famous soprano and opera star of her time.

Cherie Gil immortalized Maria Callas in our hearts. although contemporary music has overpowered classical and opera, anyone should see it. and i guarantee pure entertainment and lessons in life which you can actually feel Maria Callas talking to you. how she handled it, her despair, her strength, and ambitions. just like any other ordinary person.

i, myself thought that i won't enjoy but i loved it! i hope everybody catches it.

Philippine Opera Company presents MASTER CLASS by Terrence McNally starring Ms. Cherie Gil, directed by Michael Williams running from July 29 to _____ at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

EWAN MCGREGOR INTERVIEW for THE GHOST WRITER

Ewan McGregor (Angels & Demons, Star Wars trilogy, Moulin Rouge) portrays a successful British ghostwriter who stumbles upon a shocking truth while writing his latest project, in Oscar-winner Roman Polanski’s searing mystery thriller The Ghost Writer. Winner of the Best Director Prize at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, The Ghost Writer will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4 & Greenbelt 3) starting August 4.

In the film, when the mysterious writer named only as The Ghost (McGregor) agrees to complete the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), his agent assures him it's the opportunity of a lifetime. But the project seems doomed from the start -- not least because his predecessor on the project, Lang's long-term aide, died in an unfortunate accident.

The acclaimed actor talks about the intriguing film in the following interview:

Question: When you first were offered The Ghost Writer, were you familiar with the novel?

Ewan McGregor: I read the novel after I read the script. When you get an offer from Roman [Polanski], that's one of your better days and I liked it so much, I read the book. I saw the character of The Ghost really clearly when I read him in the script and I knew that Roman had written the script with [novelist] Robert Harris so I knew that they'd been involved in that together. So I trusted that it was the adaptation that they both wanted. In a way, that's perfect. You might not even bother with the book.

Q: Were you tempted to not read it to avoid subconsciously cribbing from the book?

McGregor: I have done that in the past where reading the book is just not that helpful, but I spoke to Robert about the way I wanted to play him. I would've just played him with my [Scottish] accent but Robert didn't want him to be from Scotland because of the reference to [Prime Minister Adam] Lang's family being Scottish. I still don't think it would have made much difference, but he didn't want that. But once I'd read the script, I had him in my head so I suppose that's who I saw when I read the book. I was just seeing the same guy.

Q: You were quoted as saying that Polanski is always giving actors interesting notes on their performances. What did you learn from him in this regard?

McGregor: He's always pushing you. The first scene we shot on the first day lasted 22 hours. Just on and on and on. Whenever there's a new set or new location or new actor, it would take Roman a little while to warm up and get it in his head how we were going to shoot it. He said to Tim [Preece, who plays Roy] about one line, "When you say that line, be a little moved" and nobody quite knew what he meant. Sometimes you think with Polanski it's just a whim -- just what's flitted through his head -- but it was a genius note. I just found he was always pushing to find the truth. Some of the lines I delivered because they're how he wanted me to deliver them, not necessarily how I would have done it myself.

Q: Are you worried that external events will alter how the film is perceived?

McGregor: I hope not, but I don't know the answer to that question. My hope is that the film is viewed for the film's sake and the people that might not go and see it because of Polanski's situation might not have gone to see it anyway. But of course I would never dream of telling people what to do or think. That's not for me to say.

Q: When you read the script, how much of the political message informed your decision to take the role?

McGregor: When I first read it, I didn't see the bigger political picture. I was looking at it through The Ghost's eyes and I'm not political. I'm really not very interested in politicians. I just find it really boring.

Q: Like The Ghost?

McGregor: Yeah, that was quite handy. So I wasn't as aware as I am now about the political message in it but I really agree with it. I'm delighted that it says that our politicians should be answerable for their actions. There's a political relationship at the center of the film between Lang and his ex-Cabinet Minister who's now getting him into trouble and the idea that politicians are just back-biting and not to be trusted is probably pretty dead-on.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

love in the middle of everything with GOING THE DISTANCE

Even in the age of Skype, texting and e-mail -- technology designed to bring people closer -- long distance communication can be an emotional minefield, more so for lovers. That’s the dilemma tackled in New Line Cinema’s new romantic comedy Going the Distance starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long.

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.

Barrymore was drawn to the project by the lack of artifice in the script by first-time screenwriter Geoff LaTulippe and its frank portrayal of the real life complexities of contemporary romance. “I can relate to that feeling when you’re just super excited and you want to call someone, and it’s too late, their time, and you can’t,” she describes. “Or you want to cry to someone, but you can’t because they’re out with their friends and you don’t want to spoil their time, so you have to put it in a box and save it for another time. I think that same sort of feeling can happen in people that live in the same city. These are just interesting aspects to explore in a relationship—timing and how you make it function, and their friends versus your friends.”

The script’s unaffected style is a perfect fit for Nanette Burstein, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker for the 1999 documentary On the Ropes making her feature filmmaking debut. “Coming from documentaries, where I am capturing real life, I wanted the movie to feel as real as possible,” she comments. “The script is very honest and extremely witty. A lot of romantic comedies are often more fantasy, a fairytale. I think there is more of a reality to this film.”

The trials and triumphs of a long distance relationship are especially familiar to the cast and crew, all of whom work in a profession that requires constant traveling. “I’ve been in a long distance relationship my entire life because of my job,” Barrymore reveals. “Anyone who travels for their job knows how it is, that feeling of having to make everything great in a weekend because that’s all you have for a little while. Some people really like to know what their day is or their next month is or their future is. Other people aren’t like that. I just want to take things a little more day-by-day or month-by-month. There really are no rules. It’s very individual. Each couple has to figure out what works for them.”

Distance can add a certain unreality to a relationship. Getting to know someone through the ups and downs of daily interaction is replaced with an idealized projection, a perception based on e-mails and phone calls, or static memories. “There’s still a fantasy quality to a long distance relationship, but the closer you get the harder it is to maintain this fantasy,” says Burstein. “This film is extremely relatable to modern society because women are in the workforce almost as much as men now. People have to move all the time because of their jobs. It happens all the time. But you can’t help it when and where you fall in love.”

Ultimately, the most crucial and perhaps most challenging aspect of a long distance relationship is staying connected. “I prefer writing letters to sending e-mail,” Barrymore offers. “Technology definitely helps,” agrees producer Jennifer Gibgot, “but at the end of the day, nothing really replaces that person standing next to you in the flesh.”

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.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

GREEN LANTERN posters revealed!

Warner Bros. has just unveiled four Mini Character One-Sheets for its upcoming 3D action adventure Green Lantern!

The individual posters feature the following characters:

Hal Jordan / Green Lantern (Ryan Reynolds) -- a gifted and cocky test pilot who is the first human ever selected to be part of the elite Green Lantern Corps.
Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) -- a test pilot and the heir apparent to her father’s aviation company.


Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) -- a brilliant scientist, and
Sinestro (Mark Strong) -- Jordan’s powerful mentor in the Green Lantern Corps.


Bringing the enduringly popular superhero to the big screen for the first time, Green Lantern is directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.

The film is currently scheduled for release in 3D and 2D worldwide beginning June 16, 2011. Green Lantern will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

ADAM SANDLER's new funny kicks

In Columbia Pictures’ new hit comedy Grown Ups, America’s favorite funnyman Adam Sandler plays Lenny Feder, who was once the ringleader-of-sorts among his childhood buddies, the one who could convince the others to do the silly things kids do. He’s since grown up to be a wheeling, dealing Hollywood agent.

Sandler stars with Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider who all 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.

Was Sandler worried before starting production that there would be any unhealthy one-upmanship amongst the stars? “No, no,” he says. “I think we might have been competitive in our 20s, but that’s the beauty of doing a movie together in our 40s.”

Grown Ups director Dennis Dugan and Sandler have worked together many times and enjoy their collaboration. Dugan admits, “It’s very fun and very challenging. I always thought I was the hardest worker on earth until I met Adam and then I realized that I was at best second. Like this one – Adam thought up the movie, co-wrote the movie, stars in the movie, and produces the movie, so he’s pretty involved. He’s very challenging – he always wants your work to be fresh, new, and creative.”

Adam has enjoyed phenomenal success as an actor, writer, producer and musician. His films have grossed almost $3 billion worldwide and include the recent box office smashes Bedtime Stories for Walt Disney Studios; Sony Pictures’ You Don’t Mess with the Zohan and Universal’s comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

Sandler was most recently seen in Universal’s Funny People, written and directed by Judd Apatow and starring with Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Erica Bana, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman. Next year, Sandler will star in Sony’s Just Go With It, opposite Jennifer Aniston, and will lend his voice for Sony’s comedy Zookeeper alongside Kevin James, Jon Favreau, Sylvester Stallone, Faizon Love, Leslie Bibb and Rosario Dawson.

Previously, Sandler has been seen in the starring role opposite Don Cheadle in Sony’s Reign Over Me for director Mike Binder and the box-office hits Click, starring with Kate Beckinsale, and The Longest Yard, starring with Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds. He also starred in James L. Brooks’ Spanglish, opposite Tea Leoni; the romantic comedy 50 First Dates, with Drew Barrymore; Anger Management, with Jack Nicholson; and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, for which he received a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination.

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.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More