REEL DEAL: The Force is Back in 3D

THE FORCE IS BACK IN 3D “STAR WARS EPISODE 1 THE PHANTOM MENACE”

From visionary filmmaker George Lucas, “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” is back with an immersive 3D dimension for a richer cinematic experience.

Following the first acclaimed and hugely successful Star Wars films, ”Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace was released in 1999.  The movie starred Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn and Ewan McGregor as his apprentice Obi-Wan-Kenobi, a determined young Jedi Knight. Natalie Portman played Queen Amidala. Jake Lloyd starred as Anakin Skywalker. It is a fantastically exciting adventure set 32 years before the events of the original.  Writer, director and producer George Lucas is the creator of the phenomenally successful Star Wars saga and the Indiana Jones   series. Lucas directed his first feature film, THX 1138, in 1970. In 1971, Lucas formed his own film company, Lucasfilm Ltd. In 1973, he co-wrote and directed AMERICAN GRAFFITI. Four years later, Lucas wrote and directed STAR WARS, which broke all box office records and earned seven Oscars.

The Star Wars saga is a modern-day fairy tale reflecting the vision of George Lucas.  Lucas imbued this new myth with pieces of American pop culture, including movie westerns, swashbucklers and – for seasoning – Japanese samurai epics.  Star Wars was also a reaction against Watergate, Vietnam and other periods of domestic turmoil that seemed to undermine the concept of the hero for disillusioned Americans.

REEL DEAL: Contraband REVIEW

Based on a great Icelandic movie Reykjavik-Rotterdam, a different way to see the importance of family. What happens whens a simple family life gets involved into a complicated world of gangsters, drugs and smuggling.



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.

   

REEL DEAL: My Cactus Heart SPOTLIGHT

2012 starts with a "thorny" story which is love. Like a cactus, it causes pain, suffering, and injury. In the enf will there be a happy ending.

This is what Star Cinema is presenting for their first movie of the year 2012, MY CACTUS HEART. Starring the hottest stars Matteo Guidecelli, Xian Lim and Maja Salvador! The story of Sandy (Maja) who grew up in a unconventional family. She doesn't beleive in happily ever after. She believe that love only gives heartaches and  grew into a chronic 'mambabasted' (heartbreaker). What what if someone comes along and will make her question what she believes in? Can that someone change her jaded heart?

"This is Maja at her best!", this is what other say after watching rushes of MY CACTUS HEART. Not surprizing at all since we all know Maja is one of the most talented actresses we have around. Maja seems to have dominated and tried all genres like drama, comedy, horror and romance. Her teleseryes last 2011 were all top raters like IMPOSTOR and MINSAN LANG KITA IIBIGIN, and has another teleserye LUMAYO KA MAN SA AKIN in the Kapamilya Gold block. 

REEL DEAL: Munting Heredera Finale

Munting Heredera ends incredible nine-month long journey

After months of dominating on primetime, GMA-7’s Munting Heredera concludes its successful nine-month journey with a nerve-racking finale week from January 30 to February 3.

Intended to run for only 13 weeks, the Kapuso family drama received several extensions after consistently topping ratings charts. The show garnered its highest audience share last August 30, 2011 with an overwhelming 49.5 points among Mega Manila households according to AGB Nielsen (based on May 9, 2011 to January 17, 2012 Mega Manila households data). To this day, Munting Heredera remains at the top of its game as it continues to register high ratings relative to its competition. 

Likewise the show made its presence felt on the internet as netizens avidly followed and discussed the many twists and turns in the story. 

From the show’s basic plot, which tells of a grandmother searching for her missing heiress, the writers of Munting Heredera headed by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan and its award-winning director, Maryo J. delos Reyes were able to make the story even more engaging by introducing new characters and sub-stories. 

Party Pilipinas Welcomes Year of the Dragon This Sunday

VoX (Vocal Excellence) gives life to Chinese Zodiac Signs as interpreted by songs featuring GMA’s prime singers Jaya, Kyla, Rachelle Ann, Jonalyn, Maricris, Aicelle, Julie Ann and Protege grand winner, Krizza Neri.   

Birthday girls Glaiza de Castro and Kylie Padilla celebrate their special day on the show with equally stunning performances. Glaiza gives a rockin birthday treat while Kylie performs another air dance number.

Start your Chinese new year filled with love in a number showcasing popular love songs performed in duets. Fall in love like never before with Heart Evangelista and Kris Lawrence, Lovi Poe and Mark Bautista, Aljur Abrenica and Janine, Jake Vargas and Protege Denise, Jay Perillo and Protege Krizza, Nomer and Leana, and phenomenal singing loveteam, Julie Ann and Elmo.

REEL DEAL: Tom and Jerry

Tom and Jerry return to GMA 7 for more chasing, exhilarating fun

Beginning this Monday, GMA Network livens up viewers’ mornings by bringing back the most popular and perhaps the longest-running rivalry in television history: Tom and Jerry.

The decades-old animated TV series, which was originally created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in the 1940s, is about the never-ending clash between Tom, a house cat that enjoys the privilege of being a pampered pet and his arch nemesis Jerry, a cunning mouse that, despite its size, bears the wit and strength comparable to that of the spinach-feeding Popeye!  Their enmity and the crazy antics they resort to, in order to outwit each other guarantee a fun-filled viewing experience for the audience. 

FASHIONISTA: Win a Trip to Boracay from ENSEMBLES

An exciting start for 2012!  To start the year right, Ensembles hopes to meet more of our new fans as well as reward our long time loyal followers. We have very exciting plans for you all.
Few more weeks and Summer is officially on! Summer means having fun, adventures and getaways. And Ensembles is getting an early start to summer!


Ensembles is kicking this off by giving away an All Expense Paid BORACAY TRIP for TWO! Join Ensembles Facebook Photo Contest this January 16 and reach for 20,000 Facebook likes. Once we reach this, a lucky fan will be basking with her companion under the sun! Just upload a photo of you wearing your fave Ensembles outfit, tell us why you chose this photo and ask your friends to like it. The entry with the best answer and most number of likes by the time we announce, wins!


To join the contest, visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/EnsemblesOnline and www.ensembles.com.ph for the full mechanics.