Jericho's "Alagwa" (Breakaway) in Mainstream Cinemas

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Jericho Rosales’ award-winning indie film Alagwa (Breakaway) will finally have a Philippine mainstream theatrical release under Star Cinema, in line with its 20th anniversary. The production received an 'A' grade from the cinema evaluation board.

Jericho's first local indie movie, "Alagwa" is an advocacy film about human trafficking and inspired by a popular urban legend about a child's disappearance in Chinatown Manila. The film uncovers the dark facets of the underground business of human trafficking in the Philippines.

"Alagwa" has been showcased as an official selection in various international film festivals last year around the world. As having won numerous awards, most recent of which is its victory globally at the 2013 Newport Beach Film Festival where Jericho won Outstanding Achievement in Film Acting and locally at the 2013 36th Gawad Urian and Gawad Tanglaw where he won best actor trophies for his superb portrayal in this intense and chilling advocacy film that centers on the loving relationship of a father and a son and how it is shattered by human trafficking.

Prior to the Newport Beach Film Festival, Alagwa was first showcased at the Busan International Film festival in Korea where it was called one of the Best of the Fest and profusely praised by The Hollywood Reporter, which described Alagwa as a low-budget standout: 

“This sophomore effort from young Filipino director, Ian Loreños, is not only a powerful film about human trafficking; it is also a small gem portraying a father-son relationship with nothing fake or sentimental about it.” 

The Reporter also commended the topnotch performance of Jericho and child actor Bugoy Cariño: “The film owes a great deal to the natural chemistry between singer-actor Rosales and Cariño, the child star of the TV series E-Boy, whose playful, mischievous nature contrasts with Rosales’s nervous hen approach to child-rearing. The spontaneity is a welcome change from the usual parent-child sentimentality on screen.” 

Jericho’s performance was moreover described as such “Nagging, brusque and critical, Rosales expertly conveys the over-compensation of the single-parent in the tough love Robert (Rosales’s character) shows his son.”

Alagwa since then toured Malaysia (Asean International Film Festival), participated in three festivals in India, in Cambodia, as well as in Palm Beach International Film Festival where it sold out on both nights that it was shown.

The movie had several special screenings in Manila, particularly in 2012’s Cinema One Originals festival, and it also had two special private screenings at the residence of USA Ambassador Harry Thomas. In the last week of September, it was given the distinction of having been chosen as the Best Indie Narrative Feature in the World by the Third World Indie Festival in Milpitas, California among 700 entries from 30 countries.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. and
"Alagwa" (Breakaway) director Ian Lorenos.

The US government, through Thomas, is in full support of Alagwa as the film aggressively exposes human trafficking and the plight of the people who are victimized by it.

With the upcoming mainstream theatrical release of Alagwa here in the country, Jericho (who is also co-producer of the film) and director Ian Loreños (who won best indie director and best screenplay writer in the 2013 PMPC Star Awards for Movies) are united not only in entertaining Pinoy moviegoers, but also in educating them about the horrors of human trafficking. 

“Anybody can be victimized by human trafficking as it doesn’t choose any gender and social class. This is a serious issue that needs our serious attention,” explains Jericho.

Alagwa also stars Leo Martinez, Smokey Manaloto, Nanette Inventor, John Manalo, Jeremiah Rosales, Iñaki Ting, Garry Lim, Jamieson Lee, EJ Caro and in a very special cameo role, the beautiful Malaysian star, Carmen Soo. Awit Awardee Gabriel Valenciano produced and arranged the musical score of the movie. 

The film aims to donate a portion of the proceeds of the film to several organizations championing the cause of human trafficking such as Visayan Forum and Called To Rescue.

Bugoy Cariño

The film is supported by ABS-CBN, Smart, Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management in cooperation with ASAP 18, CenturyPacific (555 Sardines), Kaseki, Collezione, Mesa Grille and the Philippine Star.

Smokey Manaloto, Bugoy Cariño, Director Ian Lorenos, Jericho Rosales and Leo Martinez during the Alagwa press conference held at Luk Foo Chinese Restaurant, Quezon City, October 3, 2013.

Alagwa will have a red-carpet premiere night on Oct. 7, and it will be shown in all SM Cinemas nationwide starting Oct. 9.

More photos: here.

"One More Try" , a unique family drama film, Star Cinema offering to the 2012 MMFF

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“One More Try,” Star Cinema’s much-awaited top-caliber dramatic offering in the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with the four of the country’s most sensual stars Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, and Dingdong Dantes.

This is an upcoming very unique family drama offering to the MMFF 2012. A romantic dramatic film will make this Christmas season even more hotter as they, which will hit theaters nationwide beginning December 25.

Under the direction of award-winning director Ruel S. Bayani, “One More Try” shares a brave plot that tackles about a loving single mother Grace (Angel) who is willing to sacrifice everything to save her ill son.

All seems well in Grace’s life, especially with the comfort of her son Botchok (Miguel Vergara) and boyfriend Tristan (Zanjoe) who is supporting her. But when Botchok’s rare blood condition becomes more severe, Grace is left with no other choice but to reconnect with Edward (Dingdong), Botchok’s biological father, an accomplished man married with a more successful power woman Jacqueline (Angelica).

All Grace asks from Edward is for him to help her save Botchok, their son. Edward is hesitant at first but Jacq gives him permission. However, such tedious process of curing Botchok starts to taint their happy relationships, for unwanted feelings in the past start to creep in. Until eventually all other options fail except only for one—Edward and Grace need to have another child to permanently cure Botchok and they need to do it the natural way.

In a situation where a life of an innocent child is at stake, can Grace, Edward, Tristan and Jacqueline sacrifice their personal feelings in order to cure Botchok? In this kind of pursuit, who will eventually win–Jacqueline who will go for a kill to save her faltering marriage with Edward or Grace, the devoted mother who will do anything to save her son even if it means compromising her relationship with the man who truly loves her?

This film also featured are Carmina Villaroel, Agot Isidro, Edward Mendez, and Ms. Gina Pareño.

Don’t miss the most dramatic film to conclude 2012, “One More Try,” which will be shown on cinemas nationwide starting December 25.

For more information and latest updates about “One More Try,” simply visit www.StarCinema.com.ph, http://facebook.com/StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema.

ONE MORE TRY Full Trailer

Secrets Among Friends: Mga Mumunting Lihim and the "Unspoken"

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Just how much do you know your best friends? How many years have you spend together?  How many happy and sad experiences have you shared? How much of your lives do you know about each other? 

Are you really sure you know your best friends? When your back is turned or when you are around, are you sure that they are still your friends? Or what do you think they say about you? 

Can you really know somebody completely? They say that sometimes your friends know you more than your family, but can you really honestly say that you can completely trust anybody - including your best friends?

Mga Mumunting Lihim ( Those Little Secrets) is a film about  friendship. It is about the solidity of bonding among people who have known each other  for years. It is also about fragility of friendship , and how you can never claim to know somebody in his or her entirety?

An entry in the Directors Showcase of Cinemalaya 2012, Mga Mumunting Lihim is a film written by Jose Javier Reyes, produced by Largavista Entertainment. Starring in the film are Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Judy Ann Santos as the four female friends whose lives changed because of one significant event that almost shattered the chain linked their lives together.

This is Reyes' first indie movie. And by casting the best and finest of mainstream stars, Reyes hopes to share the opportunity to do the kind of work that commercial filmmaking does not have the liberty to accomodate. AT the same time, this was the opportunity of the four lead actors to do roles which they would not have otherwise done in their commercial projects.

By bringing the mainstream stars to do a work that is produced and embodies the indie spirit, Reyes hoped to create that happy median called "maindie" that will bring the commercial audiences to finally discover and love independent films as part of their everyday culture.

Full trailer:

Snow White and the Huntsman 2012

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In the epic action-adventure 'Snow White and the Huntsman,' Kristen Stewart ('Twilight') plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar winner Charlize Theron) who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the one girl threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, 'Thor') who was dispatched to kill her.

The Queen learns that Snow White, her step daughter, is the fairest in the land and will surpass her as the Ruler of the Kingdom. However the magic mirror told her that whenever she consumes Snow White’s heart she will live forever. While executing her plan, Snow White was able to escape into the Dark Forest. To capture her, the Queen hired a Huntsman to retrieve Snow White. As soon as he found Snow White he pitied on her and instead of killing her he taught her the art of war. With the Help of the Huntsman, seven dwarves and the Prince, who has been in love with Snow white for years, started a rebellion.

Sam Claflin ('Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides') joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White's beauty and power.

Snow White and the Huntsman is a drama , action, adventure, romance, science fiction and fantasy, directed by Rupert Sanders. 

The Vow

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Can once in a lifetime find a second chance?

The Vow is the story of a newlywed couple recovers from a car accident that puts the wife in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, her husband endeavors to win her heart again.

Paige and Leo (Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum) are a happy newlywed couple whose lives are changed by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, Paige has no memory of Leo, a confusing relationship with her parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange), and an ex-fiancé (Scott Speedman) she may still have feelings for. Despite these complications, Leo endeavors to win her heart again and rebuild their marriage.

THE VOW,   based on a true love story is this Valentine season's ultimate romantic movie opens nationwide on February 10.

Starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, Sam Neill, Scott Speedman and Jessica Lange.

The Vow is directed by Michael Sucsy,  story by Stuart Sender. Screenplay byAbby Kohn & Marc Silverstein and Jason Katims and produced by Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman and Paul Taublieb.

These two stars  are the veteran of romantic tearjerkers especially Channing Tatum  in "Dear John" and Rachel McAdams  in "The Notebook." These movies are my favorite romance love movies. And here, The Vow will be the love movie to watch this Valentines! ♥♥♥

Here are some romantic movie quotes:

Leo:  I vow to love you, and no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other.

Leo :  Life's all about moments of impact, and how they change our lives forever. But what if one day you could no longer remember any of them?

Paige :  Coming home to a life I don't know, that's a lot to take in.

Paige: "I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love

demands. To speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they're not, and to live within the warmth of your heart -- and always call it home."

Leo: "I vow to seriously love you, in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love."

Paige: "I hope one day I can love the way that you love me."

Leo: "You figured it out once -- you'll do it again."

Check this : http://www.thevow-movie.net/

J. Edgar

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Based on the life of J. Edgar Hoover, the man often credited with making the FBI what it is today: an efficient, crime-fighting organization shrouded in secrecy. Hoover founded the organization in 1935 and remained director until his death in 1972. 

As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life. This is a drama movie that explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century.

J. Edgar is directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Dustin Lance Black. 

Leonardo DiCaprio now makes his first-everClint Eastwood-directed film with Warner Bros.‘ controversial drama “J. Edgar.” For his portrayal of J. Edgar Hoover, DiCaprio has been nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a favorite to earn the same honor at the Oscars.

A towering figure in American history, J. Edgar Hoover devoted himself to public service, essentially putting aside any personal relationships he might have wanted to have for what he considered to be the greater good. As one who served to gain authority as well as the public’s adoration, he saw his opportunity to achieve both by positioning himself as a supreme crime-fighting figure, a hero of the populace.

DiCaprio said “I think what allowed me to really get a real sense of Hoover I was portraying was that, at its heart, ours is a story about the person inside. Lots of stories have been told about the man, but I feel that his relationships with [close friend] Clyde Tolson, [secretary] Helen Gandy and his mother really forged who he was for the entirety of his life and career. That was what compelled me to go to work every day, and it’s what I hope will intrigue people as they watch the movie.”

Also in the movie is Armie Hammer who play as Clyde Tolson, the fierce ‘lover’ of J. Edgar. They have scenes together that will either shock you or secretly admire. Don’t miss out the most emotionally-charged scene of the movie wherein J. Edgar and Clyde Tolson almost broke up.

J. Edgar stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas, Damon Herriman, Ken Howard, Jeffrey Donovan, Ed Westwick, Stephen Root. Under the direction of Clint Eastwood.