sneak peek: BURLESQUE

In Columbia Pictures' finger-snapping, eye-popping and atmospheric musical “Burlesque,” a time-honored tale of showbiz aspirations fulfilled, the hallmarks of a classic form of live entertainment get a dazzling, fun movie makeover.

For Ali (Christina Aguilera), a small-town girl with a big voice, there had to be somewhere her dreams could be fulfilled, rather than remain an empty goal.

Enter the world of burlesque.

Leaving behind hardship and an uncertain future for the entertainment capital Los Angeles, Ali stumbles upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue. Talking herself into a cocktail waitress job from Tess (Cher), the club’s glamorous and forthright proprietor, headliner and starmaker, Ali becomes a wide-eyed sponge to The Burlesque’s captivating acts. The outrageous costumes and bold choreography hold the young ingénue enraptured.

That stage is where Ali was meant to be, so she vows to herself she’ll be on it someday.

But first she has to navigate the theater’s many interpersonal relationships, for better or for worse. She builds a friendship with a featured dancer (Julianne Hough), finds an enemy in a troubled, jealous performer (Kristen Bell), and wins the affection of Jack (Cam Gigandet), a handsome bartender and musician who takes Ali in as a temporary roommate to help her get her financial footing.

Eventually, with the help of a sharp-witted yet sensitive stage manager (Stanley Tucci) and the club’s gender-bending host (Alan Cumming), Ali makes her way from the bar to the stage. Her spectacular voice and showmanship returns The Burlesque Lounge to its former glory, giving hope to Tess that she won’t have to entertain the demands of her ex-husband (Peter Gallagher) that she sell the place to a charismatic entrepreneur (Eric Dane) with an enticing proposal.

As Ali’s star rises, it becomes thrillingly clear that the Burlesque Lounge lives to titillate, fascinate and make dreams come true. But are its days – and colorful, sexy, music-filled nights -- numbered?


Opening soon across the Philippines, “Burlesque” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

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LOPEZ MUSEUM DIGITIZED!

here is how the staff from Lopez Museum converts their published collections into digital archives to be available for easy research when you go visit:


edited using Sony Ericsson K608i mobile phone. video caught December 1 2010.

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new exhibitions in LOPEZ MUSEUM features contemporary art

In celebrating 50 years of foundation, the Lopez Museum features new exhibits featuring contemporary art. These displays eye-opening and liberating expressions from the artists and on a deep assessment of the masterpieces are unknown stories from the artists' perspective. The exhibits are entitled Extensions - a perspective beyond the Lopez Museum's existence, and Loob at Labas - a multimedia documentary presentation of the Philippine society.

When entering Gallery 1, you will find Maya Muñoz's works Calendar and Coming It Going. Maya is one artist who loves to travel. In her works, she shows or "documents" her travels and puts it into canvass. Calendar tells us how she reflects on the days of her travels. Others may be from looking back of her past adventures.

From my point of view, Maya may be a little sad in her expressions. The strokes of her pencils, the force she puts on drawing and the erasures displease her of traveling alone. It's sad to see someone leaves or for you to leave someone. Maya puts in her drawings that it's sad to be alone.

From a gloomy gallery, we proceed to a very scribbly and liberated form of art. Extra-normal doodles of monsters, celebrities combine into pop art. Here, the Lopez Museum encourages people to express what they feel. Plataporma and Pilipinas Street Plan play along with any type of material making the surroundings into a big graffiti canvass. The colors and images play in the imagination of today's generation somehow suggests that there is noise, and they need proper guidance. Religious images and cartoons have been merged with celebrities which seem to be rebellious. I don't know what really is their message and to whom are they addressing it to. For me, success really comes to the individual and social dependence comes next.

Going further with the exhibit gives as a critical view of the Phillipine justice system from the inmates' perspectives. Convicts may have sinned to others but sometimes, even if they paid their dues in the jail, their rights were also been taken from them. Loob at Labas tells their stories presented in a multimedia manner by Rock Ed. A video documentation provides unknown information of how prisoners are treated inside the jail. Somehow the society benefits from them by selling their arts and crafts made inside the prison. But the proceeds somehow are not going to go to jail development and rehabilitation of the inmates. Instead, the big problem of corruption still extends inside the cages.

Loob at Labas and Extensions are part of the 50th anniversary of the Lopez Museum. A different look into the modern history and encouraging us to observe, learn, and reach out. The exhibit closes on April 16, 2011.

The Lopez Memorial Museum is at the ground floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. See the exhibits from Mondays thru Saturdays, except holidays, from 8AM-5PM. For details, please call 6312417 or email pezseum@skyinet.net. You may also look into blogsite pezseum.blogspot.com, find them over Facebook, or follow the tweets here.

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CINEMANILA 2010 SCHEDULE

kindly see the schedule of the 12th Cinemanila International Film Festival below. the festival runs from December 1 - 5 at Robinsons Movieworld in Robinsons Galleria.

Opening Film

Pinoy Sunday | Wi Ding Ho (Taiwan / Philippines, 2010)

Closing film

Amigo | John Sayles (USA, 2010)

International Competition:

And Peace On Earth | Matteo Botrugno & Daniele Coluccini (Italy, 2010)

Au Revoir, Taipei | Arvin Chen (Taiwan / USA, 2009)

Eastern Plays | Kamen Kalev (Bulgaria / Sweden, 2009)

Floating Lives | Nguyen Panh Quang Binh (Vietnam, 2010)

Happyland | Jim Libiran (Philippines, 2010)

The Housemaid | Im Sang-soo (South Korea, 2010)

The Piano in a Factory | Zhang Meng, Jae-young Kwak (China, 2010)

Primary! | Ivan Noel (Spain, 2010)

Sketches of Kaitan City | Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (Japan, 2010)

Mabuhay, Mr. Kim!: Focus on Korean Cinema:

Camellia | Joon-Hwan Jang, Wisit Sasanatieng & Isao Yukisada (South Korea / Thailand / Japan, 2010)

The Housemaid | Im Sang-soo (South Korea, 2010)

Mother | Bong Joon-ho (South Korea, 2009)

Secret Sunshine | Lee Chang-dong (South Korea, 2007)

Thirst | Park Chan Wook (South Korea, 2009)

Korean Independents:

Animal Town | Kyu-hwan Jeon (South Korea / USA, 2009)

Breathless | Yang Ik-Joon (South Korea, 2009)

Passerby # 3 | Shin Su-won (South Korea, 2009)

Father is a Dog | Lee Sang Woo (South Korea, 2010)

SEA Cinema:

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria | Remton Siega Zuasola (Philippines, 2010)

Halaw | Sheron Dayoc (Philippines, 2010)

Red Dragonflies | Liao Jiekai (Singapore, 2010)

Sunday Morning in Victoria Park | Lola Amaria (Indonesia, 2010)

The Tiger Factory | Woo Ming Jin (Japan / Malaysia, 2010)

Year Without A Summer | Tan Chui Mui (Malaysia, 2010)

Taiwan Alternate Currents:

Au Revoir, Taipei | Arvin Chen (USA / Taiwan, 2010)

Fourth Portrait | Chung Mong-Hong (Taiwan, 2010)

Juliets | Yu-Hsun Chen, Hou Ji-Ran & Ko-shang Shen (Taiwan, 2010)

Pinoy Sunday | Wi Ding Ho (Taiwan, 2009)

The Sandwich Man | Hou Hsiao Hsien, Wan Jen & Zhuang Xiang Zeng (Taiwan, 1983)

Taipei Exchanges | Hsiao Ya-chuan (Taiwan, 2010)

World Cinema:

Beyond the Circle | Golam Rabbany Biplob (Bangladesh, 2009)

The Door | Anno Saul (Germany, 2010)

Please Don't Disturb | Moshen Abdolvahab (Iran, 2010)

A Prophet | Jacques Audiard (France / Italy, 2009)

Red Eagle | Wisit Sasanatieng (Thailand, 2010)

Reign of Assasins | Chao-bin Su, John Woo (China, 2010)

Riding The Stallion of The Dream | Girish Kasaravali (India, 2010)

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World | Edgar Wright (USA / UK/ Canada, 2010)

The Wedding Game | Ekachai Uekrongtham (Singapore / Malaysia, 2010)

Thorn in the Heart | Michel Gondry (France, 2009)

Asian American Program:

Bontoc Eulogy | Marlon Fuentes (USA / Philippines, 1995)

Fall of the I-Hotel | Curtis Choy (USA, 1983)

The People I've Slept With | Quentin Lee (USA, 2009)

Cinemanila NETPAC Program:

Animal Town | Kyu-hwan Jeon (South Korea / USA, 2009)

Au Revoir, Taipei | Arvin Chen (USA / Taiwan, 2010)

Divine Intervention | Elia Suleiman (France / Morroco / Germany / Palestine, 2002)

Floating Lives | Nguyen Panh Quang Binh (Vietnam, 2010)

Kaleldo | Brillante Mendoza (Philippines, 2006)

Pila Balde | Jeffrey Jeturian (Philippines, 1999)

Digital Lokal:

Balangay | Sherad Anthony Sanchez and Robin Färdig (Philippines/Sweden, 2010)

‘Di Natatapos Ang Gabi (The Night Infinite) | Ato Bautista (Philippines, 2010)

Mondomanila | Khavn dela Cruz (Philippines, 2010)

Brod | Ray Gibraltar (Philippines, 2010

Chassis | Adolf Alix Jr. (Philippines, 2010)

Young Cinema: Documentaries in Competition

Dekasegi (The Migrants) | Rey Ventura

Diujung Jalan | Tony Trimarsanto (Indonesia, 2010)

Kano | Monster Jimenez (Philippines / USA, 2010)

Memories of A Burning Tree | Sherman Ong (Tanzania / Netherlands / Singapore / Malaysia, 2010)

Ang Panagtagbo sa Akong mga Apohan | Malaya Camporedondo (Philippines, 2010)

Sunday School | Joanna V. Arong (Philippines / China / Zambia, 2010)

Documentaries in Exhibition

The Cove | Louie Psihoyos (USA, 2009)

Eskrimadors | Kerwin Go (Philippines, 2010)

Laughing Star | Werner Schroeter (Germany, 2010)

Machete Maidens Unleashed | Mark Hartley (Australia, 2010)

Return to Manila: Filipino Cinema | Hubert Niogret (France / Philippines, 2010)

Thorn in the Heart | Michel Gondry (France, 2009)

Young Cinema Shorts:

Hazard | Mikhail Red (Philippines, 2010) In Competition

Nilda | Joy Aquino (Philippines, 2010) In Competition

Painted Reality | Henry Burgos (Philippines, 2010) In Competition

Doktora | Christian Linaban (Philippines, 2010) In Competition

Ang Katapusang Bagting | Remton Siega Zuasola (Philippines, 2010)

Ang Larawan ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino | Emmanuel dela Cruz (Philippines, 2010)

April Fools | Trinka Lat (Philippines / Germany, 2009)

Inhalation | Edmund Yeo (Malaysia, 2010)

Ang Sandaling Sadya nina Lire at Isa | John Francis Losaria (Philippines, 2010)

Masala Mama | Michael Kam (Singapore, 2010)

Impeng Negro | Dustin Uy (Philippines, 2010)

Philippine Panorama:

Layang Bilanggo | Michael Dagnalan (Philippines, 2010)

Limbunan | Teng Mangansakan (Philippines, 2010)

Ang Ninanais | John Torres (Philippines, 2010)

Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bato | Mes de Guzman (Philippines, 2010)

HIV (Si Heidi, Si Ivy at Si V) | Neal "Buboy" Tan (Philippines, 2010)

Critics’ Picks:

Phil Dy: Endo | Jade Castro (Philippines, 2007)

Oggs Cruz: Wanted: Border | Ray Gibraltar (Philippines, 2009)

Rolando Tolentino: Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bato | Mes de Guzman (Philippines, 2010)

Richard Bolisay: Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria | Remton Siega Zuasola (Philippines, 2010)

Nonoy Lauzon: Sheika | Arnel Mardoquio (Philippines, 2010)

Directors in Focus: 10 Years of Ishmael Bernal

Peter Chua | Buwan (Philippines, 2000)

Mes de Guzman | Batang Trapo (Philippines, 2001)

Romeo Candido | Lolo’s Child (Philippines, 2002)

Mariami Tanangco | Binyag (Philippines, 2003)

Raya Martin | Bakasyon (Philippines, 2004)

John Torres | Salat (Philippines, 2005)

Jobin Ballesteros | The Ballad of Mimiong’s Minion (Philippines, 2006)

Ernest Michael Manalastas | Delusions (Philippines, 2007)

Christopher Gozum | Surreal MMS (Philippines, 2008)

Remton Siega Zuasola | To Siomai Love (Philippines, 2009)

click on the photo to see full schedule.

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newcomer OLIVIA WILDE joins cast for TRON: LEGACY

Actress-on-the-rise Olivia Wilde plays Quorra, a unique computer program that acts as confidant and sometimes warrior to exiled video-game developer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), helping him survive his life in The Grid, in Walt Disney Pictures' “TRON: Legacy.” The film is a high-tech 3D action-adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen.

The unique program Quorra is like a surrogate daughter to Kevin —a confidant with intelligence, inquisitiveness and the fighting ability to blow just about anyone away. He teaches her of the outside world and in return, she offers him undying loyalty. As a result of her education, however, Quorra adopts Kevin’s yearning for knowledge and now longs to experience the ‘user’ world that lies far beyond the realm of possibility.

Wilde articulates her thoughts on “TRON: Legacy” in the following interview:

Q: What is the human theme of this story?

Olivia Wilde: At the center of “TRON: Legacy” is a family story -- about a son searching for his father and becoming a man. Many of the great tales are about coming into your own, coming into adulthood, and this is no different than that, it’s just in an alternate universe. But what makes the story work is that despite all the incredible effects, at its core, it’s a solid human family story. That's why people will relate to it.

Q: Talk about the incredible world of “TRON: Legacy.”

Wilde: Nothing about the film is organic. It’s the real world translated into a digital universe, very high contrast, very slick blacks and bright colors and lights, and it’s just very futuristic. And very beautiful, clean and crisp. I really enjoyed embodying that style. It was great for me, because I got to completely transform.

Q: What was it like donning the light suit?

Wilde: The suit was amazing to put on, because nothing like it had ever been worn before. It was really revolutionary what the costume and art department was able to do. It had electro-luminescent lamps running through neoprene rubber. We were like little Energizer bunnies with battery packs on our backs. It was an amazing feeling when they would turn us all on at the same time. It was a great way to bring us into the moment of the film. You really felt you were in character once your lights were on.

Q: If you knew nothing about “TRON: Legacy,” what would hook you as a female moviegoer?

Wilde: For me personally, what would hook me would probably be the effects, the look of it—at first glance, just how unique it looks. It’s incredibly beautiful. Joseph Kosinski, the director, is a designer and an architect. He comes at this film with a unique perspective that really creates something new. So I’d say first there’s that, and then the family story, which everyone can relate to. A man or a woman, everyone relates to coming into your own as an adult and discovering a relationship with a parent. And I think also that women are just as into light bikes and other incredible props and cool vehicles that we have in this film as men are. I’d say girls would be into that as well. We also have amazing actors in the movie; I think that's going to be a big pull for a lot of people.

Q: Can you talk about working with Garrett Hedlund who plays Sam?

Wilde: Working with Garrett was great; we've been waiting to work together for a long time. We've known each other since we were 18. When I heard he was going to play Sam, it was really exciting, because he has enthusiasm for this film. It was familiar because I shared that enthusiasm; we were both childlike in our excitement for it and willing to dive in headfirst. We both gave everything we had to this film, physically and emotionally.

Q: What does Daft Punk bring to the mix?

Wilde: Daft Punk is going to attract a lot of fans that we wouldn't have otherwise. I think a lot of people are going to plug into the film because they're into this cyber punk feel that Daft Punk has. They are just so cool. I know a lot of people jumped onboard when they heard Daft Punk was involved. They're also not just involved on a level of, “We asked them to give us some songs for the movie.” They were involved from day one; they were meeting with the director and the producers far before the cast joined, and even before the script was finished. And so their esthetic and their creative energy are woven into the film. It’s got this raw, exciting and sexy Daft Funk feel to the entire film. I think they're ahead of their time, in terms of plugging into a futuristic, cool feeling that people like. I think the film does that as well.

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Philippines, “TRON: Legacy” will open across the country on Dec. 17 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular formats.

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THE DAWN TREADER voyages in theaters this December

Eager movie denizens awaiting “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” need not wait too long as the movie opens on December 3 in 3D cinemas and subsequently on December 9 in all cinemas across the Philippines.

In “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” the Pevensies, Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) are back in Narnia without their older siblings Susan and Peter who are in America with their parents. They are however joined by their irritating and selfish cousin Eustace (Will Poulter). He has ended up with them on the Dawn Treader but would far rather be back in England in the comfort of his own home.

The seafaring adventurers, including the swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep, are on a daring mission to find the missing Narnian Lords of Telmar who were banished by Caspian’s evil uncle, Miraz. Their journey takes them across the seas where they encounter magical Dufflepuds, dragons and strange sea creatures. On one enchanted island, the water turns everything it touches into gold. In today’s scene on the Gold Coast set in Australia, the travelers find themselves on the Lone Islands. Edmund and Caspian are battling sinister slave traders.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Apted, “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is enchanting and exciting but it also has an emotional core. Each traveler on board the Dawn Treader has a personal challenge to face and overcome.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is a 20th Century Fox film distributed by Warner Bros.

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SECRETARIAT movie review

from the amazing true story of a horse comes to inspire everyone of us to keep believing, be strong and never lose hope.

SECRETARIAT shows how a plain housewife, Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), believed in her visions in spite of the time where women had nothing much to say. politics in the early 60s to 70s isn't so much easy for women. they are restricted to express their feelings and the major role is to raise a household. but here, Penny Chenery proved to it that men aren't always right. she studied and she fought with diplomacy.

the amazing thing is with Big Red called Secretariat, a horse that eats dirt from the back of the race, but wins in the end. coached by Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), the horse displayed an exceptional performance, winning the Triple Crown in the season. a record no one has ever beaten yet. animals should be treated as people too. that's why Penny believed in him and he gave the best that he can be. from the back of the race, where others laugh at them, they brought their beliefs and reached to the top. they didn't ignore those who belittle them, but they took it as a challenge. soon enough, they are at the pedestal.

from the success of Secretariat, the people continued to live peacefully. with the fame and fortune, they remained humble and simple which is a very good value that we should all possess.

“Secretariat” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

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