unSAULicited

Taking on the role of real life heroes, Chris Hemsworth (“Thor,” “The Avengers” films) along with Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road,” “Nocturnal Animals”) stars in “12 Strong” - a powerful action-packed new war drama based on the best-selling book “Horse Soldiers,” from true events that unfolded a world away in the aftermath of 9/11. “12 Strong” is set in the harrowing days following 9/11 when a U.S. Special Forces team, led by their new Captain, Mitch Nelson (Hemsworth), is chosen to be the first U.S. troops sent into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. There, in the rugged mountains, they must convince Northern Alliance General Dostum (Negahban) to join forces with them to fight their common adversary: the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. In addition to overcoming mutual distrust and a vast cultural divide, the Americans—accustomed to state-of-the-art warfare—must adopt the rudimentary tactics of the Afghani horse soldiers. But despite their une...

Following the worldwide success of “Unknown,” “Non-Stop” and “Run All Night,” Liam Neeson known as the man with a particular set of skills stars in the explosive thriller “The Commuter.” The movie is Neeson’s fourth collaboration with director Jaume Collet-Serra about one man‘s frantic quest to prevent disaster on a packed commuter train. The screenplay proved irresistible to both the director and star, not just for the bravura of the action and the thrill of the suspense but for the moral conundrum the protagonist is faced with and the consequences it has on him, the passengers on the train and his family at home. “The Commuter asks the audience, if someone asked you to do something that seems insignificant but you’re not sure of the outcome in exchange for a considerable financial reward, would you do it?” says Jaume Collet-Serra. “That‘s the philosophical choice that our central character - a man of 60 who’s just been fired, has no savings and is mortgaged to the hilt - is f...

The new animated film and Golden Globe nominee for Best Animation and Original Song, “Ferdinand,” tells the charming story of a bull who prefers flowers to fighting. John Cena stars as the voice of the titular character, a peace-loving animal with no desire to fight, like the rest of the herd, which makes him an outsider at the ranch where he is raised. Set in Spain, the story follows Ferdinand as he embarks on a journey to find love and acceptance. Facing danger and making close friends along the way, he always stays true to himself. Also starring Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon as the hilarious voice of Lupe the goat, it’s a delightful, action-packed tale about individuality, friendship and the courage to be who you are. From the award-winning Blue Sky Studios, the film was directed by Carlos Saldanha and is based on the classic 1936 children’s book by author Munro Leaf and illustrator Robert Lawson. From the start, it’s clear that Ferdinand has little in common with the oth...

Instituto Cervantes de Manila , the cultural center of the Embassy of Spain , and Ayala Museum will show four multi-awarded Spanish short films -- Consulta 16, Elena Asins-Génesis, Luchadoras and Pulse -- for free on December 21, the winter solstice and shortest day of the year. The free screening is part of El Día Más Corto /The Shortest Day , a short film festival celebrated simultaneously in more than 300 places worldwide. The Shortest Day is an idea that was first set in motion by the French Short Film Agency in 2011, in which more than two million people from all over the world participated. In 2012 the initiative was emulated by other countries and in 2013 it grew into a truly international event, with the affiliation of a total of 12 European countries, as well as Canada. El Día Más Corto took place in Spain for the first time in 2013. It was organized by the Spanish Association for short films, coordinadoradelcorto.org , with 100 selected short films distrib...

The team of Ang Larawan. First row (seated), L-R: cast members Aicelle Santos, Rachel Alejandro, Paulo Avelino and Cris Villonco. Second row (seated), L-R: executive producer Girlie Rodis, executive producer Celeste Legaspi, and cast members Nanette Inventor, Dulce, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cara Manglapus. Third row (standing): producer Alemberg Ang, composer Ryan Cayabyab, actor Bernardo Bernardo, director Loy Arcenas and actor Rayver Cruz. “Ang Larawan,” the lone musical entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, has gotten a grade of “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB). The musical written by National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio and composed by Ryan Cayabyab is the only film this year wherein all CEB eleven members who previewed gave the highest grade. The CEB summation stated, “It is seldom and rare that the members of the Board give a unanimous A to a film.“ Based on the play A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaqu...

Wrestling superstar John Cena lends voice to the gentlest bull that will soon capture everyone’s hearts on January 8 in “Ferdinand” – a giant bull who prefers flowers to fighting. Today’s generation can enjoy the delightful CG-animated film based on the 1936 book “The Story of Ferdinand” by author Munro Leaf and illustrator Robert Lawson, a warm and charming take on how appearances can be deceptive (or, why you should never judge a bull by its cover…) the book’s message of love and acceptance has resonated for decades. Directed by Academy Award nominee Carlos Saldanha, creator and director of the Rio series and director of many of the Ice Age movies, “Ferdinand” centers on the adventures of a peace-loving bull (voiced by John Cena), who is adopted by a loving farmer and daughter. However, his idyllic life changes after he’s mistaken for a vicious beast and is taken away to the last place on earth he wants to be, a bull training camp. But Ferdinand is determined to get back home. ...

Visionary filmmakers James Cameron (Avatar) and Robert Rodriguez (Sin City) create a groundbreaking new heroine in “Alita: Battle Angel,” an action-packed story of hope, love and empowerment as revealed in its Teaser Trailer: Set several centuries in the future, the abandoned Alita (Maze Runner’s Rosa Salazar) is found in the scrapyard of Iron City by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate cyber-doctor who takes the unconscious cyborg Alita to his clinic. When Alita awakens she has no memory of who she is, nor does she have any recognition of the world she finds herself in. Everything is new to Alita, every experience a first. As she learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield Alita from her mysterious past while her street-smart new friend, Hugo (Keean Johnson), offers instead to help trigger her memories. A growing affection develops between the two until deadly forces come after Alita and threaten her newfound relationshi...

Ladies Who Launch, in cooperation with F6 and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), is set to stage Sigaw Sa Dilim, a set of three short one-act plays tackling the pressing issue of human rights and extra-judicial killings. Created in order to raise awareness about the injustices of state-sanctioned killings, most commonly known as Extra Judicial Killings (EJKs), Sigaw Sa Dilim emphasizes the value of life as well as the government and the Philippine National Police’s responsibility to secure the safety of every Filipino regardless of socioeconomic status. The three original plays revolve around characters directly or indirectly affected by EJK and Operation Tokhang and their communities. Beshie, directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio and written by Layeta Bucoy, is about a young transgender female who loses her best friend in a Tokhang Operation. Ang Mga Naiwan, under the direction of Issa Lopez and written by Soc Delos Reyes, is about the women left behind by the same seri...

Dalit team with Sine Negrense organizers Belle Kay Loyola‘s short film Dalit (Poison) topped the open category of the inaugural Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival awards night held at SM City Bacolod Cinema 4 last November 29. Dalit filmmaker Belle Kay Loyola receiving her prize Dalit, which tells the story of a man who has healing abilities and how these affect his personal life, won Best Film, Best Director for Loyola, Best Production Design for Noel Armocillo, Jr., Best Actor for John Arceo and Best Supporting Actor for Louie Dormido. Loyola’s thesis film at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Digital Filmmaking Program beat Adobo by Val Vestil, Alibungan by Matthew Piodena, Five Sorrowful Mysteries by Shannan Gonzales, Happy Birthday by Gkie Erebaren, Hawud by Paul Venzi Florendo, Kaasab by Vince Divinagracia and Handuraw by Gilbert Basilio. Vestil and Florendo are from Negros Oriental while Loyola and the other filmmakers are from Negros Occidental. Alibu...