KIX’s R U Tough Enough winner is a Renaissance Man

KIX, the ultimate destination for action-entertainment recently concluded R U Tough Enough competition which was about finding the toughest Pinoy who is not just physically tough, but mentally and emotionally tough as well. It is doubtful that anyone could have predicted that the actual winner Reyn “The Daring Dreamer” Talosig, would embody that concept of toughness so completely and perfectly.

The RUTE course was alternately and often all at once grueling, mind numbing, and dizzying. All the elite finalists who competed that day finished, but every single one struggled to do so, incurring multiple penalties along the way. Talosig however, blasted through the course as though it was his personal playground, only one of the other competitors was even close to his time. His victory at RUTE though is just the tip of the iceberg, this deeply religious single dad, and avid classical music enthusiast approaches life in a manner that is simply inspiring.

REEL DEAL: Salma Hayek Faces Intense Action Challenges In "EVERLY"

Shot in an apartment where groups of armed men take turns to shoot and kill a woman named Everly, Salma Hayek stars in the title role of “Everly” - a non-stop intense action thriller where her character is forced to fight off a series of assassins sent to her by a former lover and mob boss.  

        

Director Joe Lynch takes the viewers in an emotional roller coaster ride as the heroine, Everly (Hayek) is put under a series of action scenes breaking the boundaries of the genre.   Salma Hayek for her part had loved the badass character of the heroine but wanted to add more depth into the character and injected heart within the action and has thus added three generations of strong women in the film who have to deal with a very dangerous predicament.  

“Salma was looking for something that would effectively capture those feelings of being a mother and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. I don’t know what would have happened with the movie had Salma not pushed for this,” recalls director Lynch. 

REEL DEAL: Taylor Lautner Faces Heart Stopping Challenges In "TRACERS" - Opens Feb 4

“Twilight Series’” heartthrob hero Taylor Lautner stars in the upcoming action thriller “Tracers” in the midst of parkour’s dangerous backdrop. 

Lautner plays Cam, broke and depleted of luck trying to scrape off his debts, one day crashes into Nikki (Marie Avgeropoulos), a complicated stranger caught up in a gang of broken street criminals who seduces him into her dangerous world. The parkour takes him to places he has never been before and lands him a lucrative job under the gang’s leader, Miller (Rayner).  Ultimately extricating himself from a world unimagined and unanticipated becomes a whole different heart-stopping challenge.


Tracers is on its surface very simple.  It’s about a guy – ‘Cam’ – who finds a girl – ‘Nikki’. The girl allows him to reclaim a part of his life and a spirit in his life.  At the exact same moment that happens, outside forces are pressing in on him.  And that’s where Tracers takes off.

REEL DEAL: Jack Reacher REVIEW

Tom Cruise is back this 2013 and even now in his age, undeniably he still provide an adrenaline powered action with the charm of a boy next door, Jack Reacher. I have to say that Tom's agility and physique has better than his movies in the previous years. Going back to action, which is still is best asset, plus the witty and impressive moves that affirms his status as an action star.

Based on the novel "One Shot", the movie goes with on a action and case solving complex in solving a shooting crime that involved random victims. A drifter named Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) gets involved in the crime when he was named by the suspect and goes on something like a detective movie to solve a gruesome murder which also hides many secrets as he digs on the evidences and the people involved.

I have to say that this would be complex action crime movie with Jack Reacher compelled to solve the mystery and also know the real truth. I find this new yet very interesting for Tom Cruise who may not be just associated as a pilot or a spy.

REEL DEAL: The Raid Redemption REVIEW

Really don't judge a book (film) by its cover. This has been proven when I saw the screening of the Indonesian Action Film, The Raid: Redemption (Serbuan Muat in Indonesia). The film is under the direction of G.H. Evans and stars the rising Indonesian actor, Iko Uwais. The Raid is the 2nd film of G.H. Evans and Iko Uwais together. Their first film is Merantau, released in 2009, and is considered one of the best martial art films. Like Merantau, The Raid also features the pencak silat, an indigenous fighting style created in Indonesia. Aside from pencak silat, The Raid incorporates different fighting styles. The cast is actually composed of professional martial artists from different disciplines.

The film is presented by METANTAU FILMS and XTZ FILMS in association with Celluloid Nightmare. The film is about an elite team of cops tasked to raid a rundown 15-storey apartment and remove its owner, a notorious drug lord called Tama. The apartment has never been touched by the police before and is now a sanctuary of infamous gangsters. The team infiltrates the apartment but a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover. Tama orders the lockdown on the building. While the team has been stranded on one of the building’s floors, Tama solicits the aid of notorious criminals to defeat the special unit.

REEL DEAL: This Means War - Chelsea Handler SPOTLIGHT

CHELSEA HANDLER: REESE’S BFF IN THE MIDST OF WAR

Currently invading the international mainstream audience and slowly carving her way as a household name is Chelsea Handler who plays the no-holds barred best friend of Reese Witherspoon in “This Means War.”

So far this year’s most enjoyable and hilarious romantic-action comedy to beat, “This Means War” is about two best friends, the best CIA agents use their incredible skills against each other in order to win a woman’s love.   Playing the trio trapped in the riotous fray of friendship and love are Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. 

Injecting an outsider’s view of the trio’s fray is Chelsea Handler whose character Trish is Lauren’s (Witherspoon) best friend.   The inimitable talk show host, comedienne actor and author Handler intimates on her role as herself except that she’s single in real life.  “Trish is basically me, but married,” says Handler.  “Trish is not the best advisor, but Lauren needs her to provide a jolt of energy. Trish is a wife and mother whose mission in life is to offer frank and explicit opinions on her single friend’s love life.”

REEL DEAL: This Means War - Chris Pine SPOTLIGHT

CHRIS PINE ON BEING A SPY AND BEING STUCK IN A LOVE TRIANGLE

 IN “THIS MEANS WAR”

After a career that began with romantic comedies like “Princess Diaries 2” and “Just My Luck,” roles in Tony Scott’s “Unstoppable” and JJ Abrams’ re-boot of “Star Trek” as Captain Kirk have seen Chris Pine move into more action roles. With McG’s “This Means War,” he gets to combine both comedy and action as FDR, a CIA operative using all of his agency’s resources to fight a fellow agent, Tuck (Tom Hardy), over the love of a woman (Reese Witherspoon).

“This Means War” is about two of the world’s top spies who’ve been partners and best friends for many years. Through a series of circumstances even they couldn’t anticipate, they fall in love with the same woman,” says producer-screenwriter Simon Kinberg.  “FDR and Tuck decide they’re both going to date Lauren and see which one she chooses.  As each begins to fall for Lauren, they get increasingly competitive and employ their spy tactics and techniques to sabotage each other.  Lauren, who just wanted to find the right guy, has no idea that FDR and Tuck are waging war for her love.” 

For the character of FDR, the filmmakers were looking for what McG calls a “rogue – somebody who was lovable, even while possessing supreme self-confidence. And when it comes to that kind of energy, someone who embodies that magical mix, Chris Pine is the heavyweight champ.”

“I play a guy named FDR, a spy who, with every ounce of his being, enjoys being a spy.  He is living the Connery-Bond version of a spy’s life until he meets Lauren Scott and his world is turned upside down. Everything he thought was important—namely guns, women, fast cars and good times with no strings attached—are maybe not so important after all. What becomes important to him is winning the love of this woman,” Pine shares of his character.       

REEL DEAL: This Means War - Writer Marcus Gautesen SPOTLIGHT

“THIS MEANS WAR” BASED ON PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF WRITER MARCUS GAUTESEN

At the heels of the most unforgettable and most action-packed films “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “X-Men: First Class” and “X-Men: The Last Stand” comes “This Means War” - the latest romantic-action comedy making hilarious waves screening after screening starring Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy and Chris Pine. 

Recent (and all) screenings of “This Means War” yielded outstanding scores, which revealed that it plays to men, women, singles, and couples.

Collaborated by filmdom’s most creative talents, director McG, scribes Simon Kinberg and Timothy Dowling and producers Will Smith, Robert Simonds and James Lassiter – “This Means War” is an original story by Marcus Gautesen based on his personal experience.  While attending Putney School in Vermont, Marcus was living with his best friend in a two-bedroom apartment in New York City’s Little Italy.  Both unemployed, they decided to move into one bedroom and rent out the other.  A beautiful French woman took the second room, and the guy’s friendship quickly went south as they repeatedly submarined each other’s attempts to win her over – it was war.

REEL DEAL: This Means War REVIEW

I do love spy movies because it brings out my love for gadgets, conspiracy and beautiful women. I also like comedies because they do have the best dialogue and slapstick fun. I also like romance because I sometimes do want to get cheesy especially when inside the movie house. Blend them perfectly together and its total entertainment from start to finish. 

This Means War brings together Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy and Chris Pine in this romantic-action-comedy film that is also great this Valentine's season. Tuck (Hardy) and FDR (Pine) works as Federal Agents and also best friends. But when they met Lauren (Witherspoon), they became rivals to impress her using their 'resources' and 'skills'. Who will emerge the better man? And who will be her man? Its indeed Spy against spy in a whole new light.

REEL DEAL: This Means War - Tom Hardy SPOTLIGHT

“INCEPTION” BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR TOM HARDY NOW IN ROMANTIC COMEDY “THIS MEANS WAR”

Chris Pine and Tom Hardy portray the world’s deadliest CIA operatives who are also inseparable partners and best friends… until they fall for the same woman (Reese Witherspoon) in This Means War.  Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis ever – each other. 

REEL DEAL: Chronicle - Alex Russel SPOTLIGHT

UP AND COMING AUSTRALIAN ACTOR ALEX RUSSELL IN “CHRONICLE”

A young man flies between the buildings, lifting cars into the air with the power of his mind - based on an original story by director Josh Trank and screenwriter Max Landis, “Chronicle” is the tale of three teens who find a power beyond their imagination, and the struggle they face in learning to control it.

Like so many of us, they’re obsessed with chronicling their lives, however mundane – or in their case, however extraordinary.  For Andrew, Matt and Steve have stumbled upon something beyond their – or anyone’s – understanding. They’re now capable of, well, almost anything.  They can move objects just by thinking about them, crush cars through force of will.  They learn to fly…the ultimate wish fulfillment, until things get dark.

As the story opens, Matt is a cynical, know-it-all, too-cool-to-care teen.  But like his two new cohorts, Matt undergoes radical changes after an encounter with a mysterious force leaves him with incredible powers.  The two other members of the newly empowered high school trio are Matt’s cousin, Andrew (portrayed by Dane Dehaan), and campus king Steve (Michael B. Jordan).  Australian actor Alex Russell reflects on playing the all-American high schooler in the following q&a:

Q: It's not like a traditional Marvel or DC superhero movie.  Was that part of the attraction?

A: You get to do all these incredible action sequences.  You get to do superhero stuff, but the characters are so layered. Not to say that isn't always the case, but if there's a superhero movie the prime thing is to sell that aspect of it—the superpowers and the function of a superhero. This is more about characters learning about themselves and developing as people. It's interesting to think about what Matt, Andrew and Steve would have been like if they hadn't had  superpowers. 

REEL DEAL: Contraband - Mark Walberg SPOTLIGHT

Mark  Wahlberg produces and plays  “Chris Farraday” in Baltasar Kormakur’s  CONTRABAND

For Contraband, Director Baltasar Kormákur employed the same casting technique he used during the years he made movies in his home country.  Rather than choosing an actor by his or her looks, the director casts according to the performer’s personality.  “I like to find the core of people,” he says.  “The outer appearance is less important.  What is the person?  You try to figure that out and make that right for the character.”  

The first actor cast was the same man to whom the director brought his ideas for a film inspired by the one in which he last performed.  Kormákur commends: “Mark Wahlberg has a mixture of boyish charm and toughness, and you believe him as a blue-collar guy.  Chris has actually walked out of the criminal world, but then he’s forced back in.  That’s the great thing about heist-thrillers.  It’s great to see people step outside the norm and do something that the rest of us wouldn’t do.”

Describing his character, Wahlberg explains: “Chris is definitely a thinker, but he is not afraid to raise his voice or get his hands dirty.”  For Wahlberg, when his character finds himself back in the game, and possibly over his head, that’s when the fun begins.  He offers: “Chris is continuing to try to figure out a way to survive, to still solve the problem and then get his ass home to his wife and kids.”

What drew you to this project?

I saw the original movie and really liked it a lot.  These are the kind of movies I like to watch, with the kind of characters I like to play. Now our new thing is to try to find cool European films, obtain the rights and remake them.

Can you describe your character, Chris Farraday?

He is just a good, hard-working guy trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately, his brother-in-law is not the sharpest guy around so Chris has to go back and clean up his mess. This forces him back into the world of smuggling.

REEL DEAL: Contraband SPOTLIGHT

Mark Wahlberg leads the cast of Contraband, a white-knuckle action-thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked hard to leave behind and the family he’ll do anything to protect. Set in New Orleans, the film explores the cutthroat underground world of international smuggling—full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs—where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away. 

Chris Farraday (Wahlberg) long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), Chris is forced back into doing what he does best—running contraband—to settle Andy’s debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian (Ben Foster), to head to Panama and return with millions in counterfeit bills.

Things quickly fall apart and with only hours to reach the cash, Chris must use his rusty skills to successfully navigate a treacherous criminal network of brutal drug lords, cops and hit men before his wife, Kate (Kate Beckinsale), and sons become their target. 

“Contraband” distributed and released by United International Pictures through Solar Entertainment Corporation.

REEL DEAL Movies and Television: Jeremy Renner SPOTLIGHT

Jeremy Renner talks about Tom Cruise and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Academy Award winner Jeremy Renner  plays  the enigmatic agent William Brandt Misson Impossible: Ghost Protocol. The character had immediate appeal to Renner.  “Brandt is an analyst, a seemingly tight-wound desk guy who is smart as a whip, and that’s his job.  He’s not very emotional about things.  Then, you slowly start to see the revealing of who he really is – particularly through seeing this physical skill set you would not expect out of a tight, blue shirt-wearing analyst.  He doesn’t really want to be part of the team, but circumstances force him to join the group,” says Renner.

10 Things I Need To Do Before THE END

Many people are indeed concerned about the end of the world, especially when the ultimate end comes, one may recall what he/she had done to make his life worthwhile. And I do have here a list of the top 10 thing I need to do before the END comes.

REEL DEAL: Resident Evil After Life

It was my first time to see the Resident Evil series in a movie house, because I always watch it in HBO or other movie channels (of course cuts are already applied) And I was anticipating a different kind of experience with this one as it said to follow the original plot from the game. Also for this version, it also incorporates the newest 3D technology for cinemas (however, the one I watched was not in 3D... too bad)

As I could see it, this one is kinda weak in terms of the plot. Not that I have known the origibnal story, but the other elements are so predictable and was too focused  more in the effects. Also a heartbreaking fact is there are a lot of scenes that one may notice to be too immprobable in reality and physics. The effect however was good and did justify the ambiance of a world filled with zombies.


It seems like a simple family movie plus a lot of bloody violence. Prepare your heart though, since it suspense at is was originally created. I'm currently confused if this may or may not have another sequel. The effort was good but we need more entertainment...

Deliberation time kids!

Movie summary in 3 lines: Plants vs Zombies!
Technical Effects 3 out of 5 stars

(Still decent technical effects, altough it puposely made slow motions to ephasize 3D effects)

Plot 1 out of 5 stars (I know what will happen in the first place)

Popcornmeter (the rating if this movie would make you hungrier while watching) 2 out of 5 stars (Do you want zombies with that?)

Acting and Actors 3 out of 5 stars (fair enough)

DVD worthiness 3 out of 5 stars (given you have a 3D TV)

Sequel worthiness 3 out of 5 stars (works fine with me)

Overall Rating 3 out of 5 stars (Kinda sad since it does have nice effects, but it really seems awkward with the plot, hope they learn from these mistakes)

WASHINGTON AND PINE ARE “UNSTOPPABLE”

 Denzel Washington and Chris Pine team up in the upcoming action-thriller “Unstoppable” directed by Tony Scott.  Washington and Pine play train engineers whose lives are put at risk in an attempt to stop an unmanned long freight train carrying combustible liquids and poisonous gas enough to wipe out an entire city.

            Based on actual events, the story centers on an experienced train engineer, Frank Barnes (Washington) who’s about to be laid off as part of company cutbacks while Chris Pine plays Will Gordon,  the newbie conductor hired to replace him. 

            Chris Pine who starred in the blockbuster movie “Star Trek” likens both movies in a recent interview with MTV.  “It (“Unstoppable”) also has the genetic code of the summer tentpole movie.  It’s fun and action-packed. And it’s got some really interesting, complex characters to kind of anchor the whole thing.  And Tony always talked about how the movie was like a train.  Once it gets going, it just does not stop,” Pine shares.

            “Unstoppable” opens November 10 in theaters nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

REEL DEAL: SALT

Angelina did it again as she kicked butt hard with a dash of SALT. This movie is one of the awaited films this year and it did not disapoint its viewers as it proved to be worthy of being a action film to remember for life. SALT follows the life of a CIA Agent Evelyn Salt as she is set up into a spy conspiracy that involves a assasination attempt of a world leader, in an event they call Day X. This movie made me think that the USSR conspiracy is still alive and will leave you puzzed at first and craving for more at the end.

The film also stars , Liev Shcreiber, who also stared as Sabertooth from the X men origins: Wolverine, as Salt's partner in the CIA. Chiwetel Ejiofor is Peabody, who also works for the ONCIX  is on a mousehunt for the alleged spy. What made the chase more interesting is how Salt went into a transformation and also as a master of different arts. You will also love the transformations that she did in this movie, very sleek, classy yet shows an aura of a heroine.

One interesting fact is originally, Tom Cruise was the first pick to play (Edwin A.) Salt. But since Cruise has a lot of commitments at that time, so it was made into a role of Angelina. Angelina also made the stunts on this film by herself, proving that she is really one tough woman. The sequel for this one is awaited by fans and also did very well in the box office.

Deliberation time kids!

Movie summary in 3 lines:YOU ROCK SALT !

Technical Effects 5 out of 5 stars

(the truth is most of the stunts were done by Angelina herself plus the exhilarating scenes would leave you at the edge of your seats)

Plot 4 out of 5 stars (It ressurected the conspiracies!)

Popcornmeter (the rating if this movie would make you hungrier while watching) 5 out of 5 stars (Yes, I like to have SALT on my Popcorn please!)

Acting and Actors 4 out of 5 stars (Surprizingly unexpected)

DVD worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (It also comes with a SALT action barbie!)

Sequel worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (Maybe there will be PEPPER!)

Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars (Wickedly good that every scene is like a thread that is woven into a fine silk fabric, it has this fine balance of reality, mystery, action, romance and pre excitement)


special thanks to Resorts World Manila for inviting us for the premiere and alsothe opening of their cinemas
Resorts World Manila, and Newport Cinemas are located infront of NAIA 3 in Newport City.

REEL DEAL: Predators

Another action-suspense flick that I thought I would not appreciate but really made my day. Predators was a movie to see as you would get into different emotions as the hunt begins between the humans and the "predators".
I love the new way of how this suspense classic is told in a new story in a new location. It actually made more mysteries regarding the creature that seem to be invincible. With men who never knew each other, they are brought to a unknown planet. Their only option is to survive or be a trophy.

I was a wee boy when I saw a predator movie yet, I felt there were the elements of nostalgia upon the how the movie was made. There was no complicated riddles or codes that need to be discovered, its was pratically survive or die.
It might seem to be unfair for the humans since they are inferior with the creatures and with limited tools and ammunition , they find ways on how to outwit the hunters that in the first place they don't know how did they get there.
It opens up a lot of questions even at the end, and also a promising sequel. The cast was so diverse since they came from different places and nationalities. It was very good in keeping suspense without doing a lot of 'surprise' effects. And even whatever mood you are in, this movie can make sure you won't regret watching a classic again on the big screen.

Deliberation time kids!

Movie summary in 3 lines: Survive Survive Survive

Technical Effects 3 out of 5 stars
(It may have been years to have this remake but there is something about the effects that does not add to the momentum)

Plot 4 out of 5 stars (Unique and promises a new way of viewing the predator series)

Popcornmeter (the rating if this movie would make you hungrier while watching) 5 out of 5 stars (Excitement make you hungry so better at least have something in your tummy)

Acting and Actors 4 out of 5 stars (They make me forget they are just actors)

DVD worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (Surely!)

Sequel worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (I'm sure it can be a fave on your DVD rack!)

Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars (It balances everthing and jives with all the characters and leaves me a feeling of 'I dont know, but it feels so good'...though it will entertain you)

REEL DEAL: A-TEAM

I have heard of the series but never actually seen several episodes but since it rings a bell to me whenever I hear of the name A-TEAM. This special band of men, four of them, have been labeled as fugitives by the government but was actually set up. This special team comprises of the chief mastermind  John "Hannibal" Smith, The Chic-magnet, Templeton "Faceman" Peck, The Big dude, B. A. Baracus, and the Crazy but wicked guy, H. M. "Howling Mad" Murdock.

The movie also stared Jessica Biel as Capt. Carissa Sosa as something like their bounty hunter in exchange of the rank she lost in her last mission. Although she looked good in the film, it seemed that her character looks like a lawyer apprehending the culprits. Their locations brings them from the sandy plains of Iraq to Germany and of course, the US mainland where they are considered fugitives.

What I loved about the movie is the integration of different personalities to work as a single team. They always follow a plan, yet there is no Plan B. If you look closely, there are also words of wisdom that one can learn from.The action is also impressive because of the unique ways that no action film have dared to do.

Like me who was not born yet when the series came (the show was cancelled in 1987, so I'm just a baby back then) seeing this movie may not have brought nostalgia into my veins but it injected me what the A-team really is, that it is a great example of what teamwork really means, no one left behind.

Deliberation time kids!

Movie summary in 3 lines: No Plan B

Technical Effects 5 out of 5 stars
(I seem like a disaster movie from all the damages, explosions and sometimes unable to determine if they are true)

Plot 4 out of 5 stars (I have not seen the original series but it has good substance)

Popcornmeter (the rating if this movie would make you hungrier while watching) 4 out of 5 stars (You hungry Foo' ?)

Acting and Actors 4 out of 5 stars (Rampage was good, from UFC to action movies is not a bad move )

DVD worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (Watch it on a DVD player on your GMC van!)

Sequel worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (It should have!)

Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars (Witty, Crazy, Sexy, Action packed movie for the boys)