REEL DEAL: The Martian REVIEW

Sci-fi movies are back and it is time for more space exploration. The last space journey was with Interstellar and Jupiter Ascending,  but this time it comes to a very close predicament to today's time as well as the technology with THE MARTIAN.

The Martian is based on the book of Andy Weir in 2011. Directed by Ridley Scott and stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney who is part of the Mars exploration team called Ares III, the team left the planet due to bad weather but Mark was left because he was presumed to be dead. However he managed to live but faces the challenge of living in the deserted red planet.

If it will be compared with the all-alone situation stories, this is the most complicated. Unlike being on a island, dessert of mountain, Mars is not a friendly territory. The pressure and temperature are still far to support life. To survive, he must use and keep his resources intact and produce his food. Yes there will be science and technology in this film, but it is simplified into actions and not words beyond space.

Jessica Castain In Command In Ridley Scott's Immersive 3D Spectacle "THE MARTIAN"

Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain, who’s also considered as one of the most sought after actresses of her generation who gave memorable portrayals in groundbreaking movies such as “Interstellar,” “Zero Dark 30” and  “Tree of Life” stars in Ridley Scott’s space adventure “The Martian” with Matt Damon, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Peña, Sebasyian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Kirsten Wiig, Jeff Daniels and Sean Bean.

Based on the highly successful book by Andy Weir, “The Martian” tells of the gripping story of botanist Mark Watney, played by Damon in the film.   Watney is one of the six-man crew of the Ares 3, an exploratory fact finding mission to Mars that goes radically wrong when the astronauts are caught in the middle of a ferociously violent sandstorm. As the crew scramble to get back on board their ship, Watney is speared by an antenna - leaving him injured and destroying his space suit’s bio monitors in the process.

REEL DEAL: “HERCULES” And His Loyal Crew Of Mercenaries

In the new epic action-adventure “Hercules,” “It doesn’t matter to the titular character if he’s the son of Zeus or not,” actor Dwayne Johnson reflects. “The only thing that matters to him is righting the wrongs of the past. But he has this band of brothers and sisters – and they are the ones who push Hercules to believe that he can be a better man.”

Joining Johnson in the film as his loyal crew are Ian McShane (“Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”), Rufus Sewell (“Legend of Zorro”), Aksel Hennie (“Headhunters”), Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”) and Reece Ritchie (“Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time”).

REEL DEAL: Director Brett Ratner Makes-Over "HERCULES” For New Audiences

The immortal legend of “Hercules” -- the demigod renowned for his mighty deeds and valor – gets a high-adrenaline 21st century makeover as director Brett Ratner (“X-Men: The Last Stand”) and leading action star Dwayne Johnson bring Hercules to life in a modern incarnation . . . as a man struggling to live up to his own lore in a world of fearsome villainy.

This version of Hercules is an icon who has vanquished lions and hellhounds, and is publicly feared and revered as a super-human champion; but deep within, he remains wounded by tragedy and uncertain of his legacy. Accompanied by five faithful companions, he travels the empire selling his services for gold and using his formidable reputation to intimidate his enemies. But when the benevolent ruler of neighboring Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules' help to defeat a terrifying warlord, Hercules can no longer skate by on the folklore surrounding him.

“HERCULES” Storms Into IMAX Theaters in PH July 23

IMAX Corporation, Paramount Pictures, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures recently announced that Brett Ratner's action epic, “Hercules,” will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released by Paramount Pictures and MGM in IMAX® theatres worldwide, including the Philippines on July 23, 2014.

"Hercules deserves a platform like the IMAX 3D format," said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. "We are excited to team up with our partners Paramount and MGM to bring this epic tale to life as never before for IMAX fans around the world."

REEL DEAL: Dwayne Johnson Feels He's Born To Play “HERCULES”

Action superstar Dwayne Johnson experienced a massive jolt on the set of Paramount Pictures' epic adventure “Hercules” during a scene when his Greek hero was chained to stone pillars.

"It's when Hercules breaks through the chains and becomes the demi-god he was born to be," says Johnson. "I was actually yelling with all the power I could muster, 'I am Hercules!' I gave it my all and made myself pass out every time we did it. But I honestly felt in that moment that I was born to play this role."