REEL DEAL: Hail, Caesar! REVIEW

What was hollywood fifty to sixty years ago? That can be perfectly described in the comedic satire of old Hollywood in “Hail, Caesar!” exclusively at SM Cinema beginning March 16. It stars George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, and Channing Tatum.

The world’s biggest movie star (Clooney) is kidnapped and his abductors called, “the Future” who demand a great ransom for his safe return. It will take the power of Hollywood’s biggest names to solve the mystery of his disappearance. Set in the early 1950’s when Hollywood was at its golden age, the movie is a parody of the motion picture industry when its glamorous façade began to show visible cracks and the major studios were faced with the growth of its new rival: Television. 

REEL DEAL: Spectre REVIEW

Daniel Craig is really getting the hang of being James Bond and has made success on the big screen. With Skyfall in 2013 a huge hit, the anticipation for the next film intensifies thus leads us to the latest installment for the Bond franchise, SPECTRE.

In the books, SPECTRE is the largest criminal organization which consists of many arms and henchmen which is James Bond's greatest battle. As expected, there will be a lot of locations where Bond will find his foes, secrets, alliances and of course ladies to pursue. 

Daniel Craig's style of portraying James Bond has indeed grew into him and definitely different from his predecessors.  However Spectre is not that as progressive as Skyfall, but it never failed in bringing action and thrill throughout the film and also a lot of explosions and hot kissing. 

M, Q, Moneypenny Got Bond's Back in "Spectre"‏

In Columbia Pictures' new 007 action adventure SPECTRE, trust and danger are “all in a day's work” for the trusted colleagues of James Bond in the MI6, namely M (Ralph Fiennes), Q (Ben Whishaw) and Moneypenny (Naomie Harris).

As 2012's Skyfall drew to a close, the filmmakers introduced the man who would take over the role of the iconic character M: actor Ralph Fiennes inheriting the part from Dame Judi Dench. “I’m very aware of the legacy,” says Fiennes. “I grew up with Bernard Lee’s M and then Judi Dench made such a fantastic impression. She brought a real toughness that I’m keen to carry on.”

"Spectre" -- Bigger, Bolder than "Skyfall"‏

When approaching the 24th James Bond movie, SPECTRE, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the filmmakers were keen to ensure that the film followed on closely from its predecessor, the $1.1 billion global smash Skyfall. Daniel Craig, of course, is back for his fourth outing as 007, while the characters of Q (played by Ben Whishaw) and Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) both return after their reintroduction to the series in Skyfall. The new M (Ralph Fiennes) also returns.

"Spectre" World Premiere Announced as 2015 Royal Film Performance‏

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today that the 24th James Bond adventure, SPECTRE, has been selected for The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund’s Royal Film Performance 2015.

The World Premiere will be attended by Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, and will take place on Monday 26th October at The Royal Albert Hall in London.

The CTBF Royal Film Performance is annually held in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), the charity for the UK film, cinema and commercial television industries, dedicated to providing support for those working behind-the-scenes in times of hardship. SPECTRE will be the third Bond film chosen as an RFP title since its inception in 1946.

Sam Smith To Sing title Song To "SPECTRE"‏

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment today confirmed that Sam Smith has recorded “Writing’s On The Wall,” the theme song to SPECTRE, the 24th James Bond adventure.  SPECTRE will be released in the UK on October 26 and in the US (and the Philippines) on November 6.  The song, released by Capitol Records, will debut and be available to purchase and stream on September 25.

Multi-platinum selling artist Sam Smith has co-written the title song, “Writing’s On The Wall,” with fellow GRAMMY® Award winner Jimmy Napes.  It is the first James Bond theme song recorded by a British male solo artist since 1965.  Smith’s debut album In The Lonely Hour launched at No. 1 in the UK and bowed in at No. 2 in the US, and has since earned five No.1 UK singles, four GRAMMY® Awards, three Brit Awards, six MOBO Awards, Q and AMA Awards.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the producers of SPECTRE, said, “Sam and Jimmy have written the most inspirational song for Spectre and with Sam’s extraordinary vocal performance, ‘Writing’s On The Wall’ will surely be considered one of the greatest Bond songs of all time.”

Smith said: “This is one of the highlights of my career. I am honoured to finally announce that I will be singing the next Bond theme song. I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible line up of some of my biggest musical inspirations.  I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed making it.”

The 23 previous James Bond theme songs make up some of the most memorable movie music of all time.  The previous Bond theme song, “Skyfall,” was performed by Adele, and was honored with the Academy Award® and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, the Brit Award for British Single of the Year, and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. 

ABOUT “SPECTRE”

A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond (Daniel Craig) on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal.  Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known as SPECTRE.

Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot.

New "Spectre" Poster Shows James Bond in White Tux‏

The latest official poster from SPECTRE has just been released, and it features Daniel Craig as James Bond in a white tux set against a dark green tinted version of a man in a skeleton outfit. The latter may be from the Mexico City-set opening sequence which takes place during the 'Day of the Dead' festival.

SPECTRE follows the release of SKYFALL, the biggest Bond film of all time, which took in $1.1 billion worldwide.

A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond (Daniel Craig) on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known as SPECTRE.

Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot.

Watch the First Full "Spectre" Trailer Now!‏

Excitement builds up as the action-packed, first full trailer for SPECTRE, the 24th James Bond adventure, is unveiled by Columbia Pictures and may be viewed here at https://youtu.be/aKEDUmzcJio.

SPECTRE follows the release of SKYFALL, the biggest Bond film of all time, which took in $1.1 billion worldwide.

In SPECTRE, a cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE. Sam Mendes returns to direct SPECTRE, with Daniel Craig reprising his role as 007 for the fourth time. SPECTRE is produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, from a script by John Logan and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade.

REEL DEAL: New "Spectre" Vlog Features Day of the Dead Festival‏

The latest SPECTRE vlog has just been released, focusing on filming the opening sequence set during the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico City. Watch the video here at https://youtu.be/LlS4NmZUqAw.

Comments director Sam Mendes, “I wanted the audience to be dropped right into the middle of a very, very specific, very heady, rich environment. It’s the Day of the Dead, everywhere you look there’s colour and detail and life. We’ve built floats and maquettes, the costumes are extraordinary and the craftsmanship is amazing.”

REEL DEAL: Supercars In The New "SPECTRE" Vlog

The latest vlog from the set of “Spectre” has just been released and focuses on a car chase in Rome between the Aston Martin DB10 and the Jaguar C-X75.

The video, which may be viewed here at https://youtu.be/neHJ311kyqI, features Director Sam Mendes, actor Dave Bautista (Mr. Hinx), Special Effects Supervisor Chris Corbould, Stunt Coordinator Gary Powell, and Action Vehicles Technical Coordinator Neil Layton.

“I love the idea of this fantastic car being in a one-on-one battle with another incredible car from Jaguar, which is similarly extraordinary actually,” says Sam Mendes. “So it’s a cat-and-mouse game through the night time streets of Rome, at great speed, between two of the fastest cars in the world.”

REEL DEAL: Watch 2nd Video Blog From The Set of "SPECTRE"

Moviegoers can now see the second video blog from the set of “SPECTRE” in London at which may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DPvBxY6GZQ&feature=youtu.be.

Focusing on director Sam Mendes, the behind the scenes footage features Daniel Craig as James Bond 007 as well as cast members Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, and Ben Whishaw.

Director, Sam Mendes says, "The reasons I’m doing the second Bond movie are the reasons I would do any movie, really, which is all to do with the story. And in this movie, ‘Spectre,’ what you have is a movie entirely driven by Bond. He is on a mission from the very beginning.”