REEL DEAL: The Gang's All Back With New Friends In “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2”

The universal appeal of Hiccup and Toothless has touched the hearts of many people round the globe when the first “How To Train Your Dragon” soared successfully into theatres last 2010 and nabbed two Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Original Score. 

The first film, based on the children’s books written by British author Cressida Cowell, introduced to audiences the gangly teenage Viking Hiccup, whose world is flipped upside down when he encounters and befriends an injured dragon he names Toothless. 

Sneak Previews on June 9 and 10 "How To Train Your Dragon"

20th Century Fox brings the high-flying adventure, “How To Train Your Dragon 2” ahead of its regular release date in Philippine cinemas with its nationwide sneak previews on June 9 (Monday) and June 10 (Tuesday) starting at 5:00pm.   

From DreamWorks Animation, the studio that brought the world blockbuster family animation such as “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “The Croods,” comes the highly anticipated sequel to the Academy Award®-nominated “How To Train Your Dragon,” based on the children’s book series by Cressida Cowell.

REEL DEAL: America Ferrera's Astrid All Grown Up In "Hot To Train Your Dragon 2"

America Ferrera stars alongside Jay Baruchel in “How Tot Train Your Dragon 2,” the second film in the animated 3D trilogy about a young Viking called Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless.  As the thrilling story unfolds, Hiccup has an unexpected meeting with an extraordinary woman who shares his passion for dragons - his mother Valka (Cate Blanchett).  Also starring in the film are Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse,T.J. Miller and Craig Ferguson.

Baruchel voices the story’s intrepid hero while Ferrera plays his feisty girlfriend, Astrid.  Five years on from the original 2010 film from DreamWorks Animation, we find Hiccup enjoying life as an explorer. But his dad, Stoick, the mighty Chieftain of Berk (Gerard Butler), thinks his son needs to shape up and take his responsibilities as a future leader more seriously.  There is currently peace on Berk, where humans and dragons are living happily.

REEL DEAL: Dragons Have All Moved With Gerald Butler In "How To Train Your Dragon 2"

From DreamWorks Animation, “How To Train Your Dragon 2” is even more exciting than the first Oscar-nominated film. The 3D adventure is stunning, with beautiful animation, great characters and a powerful storyline about a boy named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his dragon, Toothless.

Gerard Butler returns as Hiccup’s dad, Stoick The Vast, mighty Chieftain of the Island of Berk.     Hiccup, now a young man, is contentedly flying with Toothless and exploring the frontiers of the Viking world, much to the annoyance of his father.  Stoick feels it’s high time his son stepped up to his leadership responsibilities and his heritage.   As the plot unfolds, Hiccup has to defend the villagers from the power-crazed Drago (Djimon Hounsou) and his army of dragon trappers.   And in a dramatic twist to this exhilarating coming of agestory, there is an emotional family reunion with Valka, Hiccup’s courageous mother (Cate Blanchett),an inspiring dragon protector.

86th Academy Award Winners!

It's OSCARS day again, and as the most awaited award giving event for movies, many are excited who will bag the coveted oscar that has been talked about worldwide. Hosted by the charming and witty Ellen Degeneres has made it very interesting to see. With suprize wins and even wishful for Leonardo to win his first oscar, Benedict Cumberbatch photobombing and the most epic oscar selfie happened on that night. Now let take a look at the winners, and  I would consider watching the nominees to see if they live up to their triumph.

REEL DEAL: The Monuments Men REVIEW

Ever wondered what happened to the priceless artworks which was made by the masters like Michelangelo, Picasso and Rembrandt? Alongside the warring sides of the Axis and Allied powers were brave men, who are not really soldiers but saviors of the artworks which could be lost forever as war broke into Europe, they are called "The Monuments Men"

As a tribute to these art heroes, 20th Century Fox presents the real life travails of art scholars, architects, art lovers and curators strife to retrieve art collections which was seized by the Nazis during the war. Starring George Clooney as Lt. Frank Stokes, Matt Damon as Lt. James Granger, Bill Murray as Sgt. Richard Campbell, John Goodman as Sgt. Walter Garfield, Jean Dujardin as Lt. Jean Claude Clermont, Bob Balaban as Pvt. Preston Savitz, Hugh Bonneville as Lt. Donald Jeffries Cate Blanchett as Claire Simone, Sam Hazeldine as Colonel Langton, and  Dimitri Leonidas as Sam Epstein. Inspired by the heroes, it also took them a lot of effort in production design.

Award-Winning Troupe Assembled in "The Monuments Men"

“The story of the Monuments Men is one that really very few people know,” says George Clooney, who returns to the director’s chair for the story of a small group of artists, art historians, architects, and museum curators who would lead the rescue of 1000 years of civilization during World War II in his new film, The Monuments Men.  “Artists, art dealers, architects – these were men that were far beyond the age that they were going to be drafted into a war or volunteer.  But they took on this adventure, because they had this belief that culture can be destroyed.  If they’d failed, it could have meant the loss of six million pieces of art. They weren’t going to let that happen – and the truth of the matter is, they pulled it off.”

Part of the drama of the film is that all of the Monuments Men are so unsuited to serving as soldiers in wartime.  “Wars are fought by 18-year-olds,” says Clooney.  “Once you get to the John Goodmans and the Bob Balabans and the George Clooneys, you know – these guys are not getting drafted.” Producing and writing partner Grant Heslov adds: “They did it because it was clear that they were the only people who could do it.”

2014's Best Actress Frontrunner Cate Blanchett in "The Monuments Men"

Cate Blanchett,  this year’s Best Actress winner at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Critics’ Choice Movie Awards (for her role in “Blue Jasmine”) and nominated at the 86th Academy Awards (Oscars) stars in a sweeping true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history where she is the only woman among “The Monuments Men.”

Based on the real history chronicled in the non-fiction book “The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History” by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter,  “The Monuments Men” is an action drama focusing on seven over-the-hill, out-of-shape museum directors, artists, architects, curators, and art historians who went to the front lines of WWII to rescue the world’s artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their rightful owners.  The Monuments Men found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind’s greatest achievements. 

REEL DEAL: First Look Photos & The Untold Story of :The Monuments Men" Revealed

A whole lot of art loot is at stake in the action-thriller “The Monuments Men” produced, directed and starred by George Clooney along with an all-star, high-caliber cast including Cate  Blanchett, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Jean Dujardin.           

Based on the non-fiction tome by Robert Edsel, “The Monuments Men” takes us back to World War II when Western Allies protect heritage sites at risk during the war and recover art treasures from the Nazis.