REEL DEAL: Spielberg Handpicks Young Director for "Jurassic World"‏

A narrative successor to three-time Oscar® winner Steven Spielberg’s beloved original classic “Jurassic Park,” Universal Pictures' new action adventure “Jurassic World” takes place 22 years after the fateful events on Isla Nublar. Jurassic World is the world’s first truly international theme park, one that seamlessly combines the wonders of science and history with the creature comforts and luxury that international travelers have come to expect.

While countless directors were interested in relaunching one of the most successful and popular franchises in movie history, producers Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley searched for some time for a creative talent who could honor the spirit and legacy of the franchise and propel it forward creatively.

Never The Strangers releases new album in four years‏

After four years, Never The Strangers returns to the local record industry with the release of their new album “Screenburn,” their first album with Universal Records.

The release of this album also marks the introduction of its new members. Never The Strangers is now composed of original members vocalist and keyboard player Ace Libre, guitarist JP Del Mundo, and new members bassist Gab Palanca and drummer Nash Ignacio.

REEL DEAL: "Terminator Genisys" Goes Off on Divergent Timeline

Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions present “Terminator Genisys,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, J.K. Simmons Matthew Smith, and Byung-hun Lee. The film is directed by Alan Taylor, written by Laeta Kalogridis & Patrick Lussier and produced by David Ellison and Dana Goldberg.

According to producer David Ellison, “’Terminator Genisys’ is not a remake, it’s not a reboot, it’s not a sequel—it’s really a reimagining based on the original James Cameron source material. Viewers don’t have to be familiar with any of the previous films at all—this is definitely a stand-alone. Exploiting the inherent nature of time travel, we go off on a divergent timeline to take these characters that audiences and I grew up with in a completely new direction.”

REEL DEAL: James Wan to Direct Warner's Upcoming Aquaman Feature‏

Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that director James Wan (“Fast & Furious 7,” “The Conjuring”) will take the helm of the Studio’s upcoming Aquaman feature film, with Jason Momoa (“Game of Thrones”) starring as the sea-dwelling Super Hero. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Silverman stated, “We’ve been so lucky to have worked with James, first on New Line’s ‘The Conjuring’ and now on their upcoming ‘The Conjuring 2,’ and are thrilled to have him on board as we continue to expand our DC slate. The Aquaman film will be a major tentpole picture for us and James’s span of work has proven him able to take on any manner of project, bringing his incredible creative talent and unique voice to the material.”

REEL DEAL: Happy Songs In "THE VOICES"

In the thrilling horror psycho dark comedy “The Voices,” director Marjane Satrapi and scribe Michael Perry have created a great symphony of a movie with a perfect ensemble of actors in Ryan Reynolds, Anna Kendrick and Gemma Arterton as lead stars about a very likeable serial killer trying to be accepted within society’s norms. 

Reynolds takes on the role of Jerry Hickfang, a schizophrenic trying blend in with normal folks in a town called Milton while simultaneously lending his voice to Bosco, his dog and to Mr. Whiskers, his cat in the movie.       

Aiza Seguerra pays tribute to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab in new album

Years ago, Universal Records gathered the biggest rock acts to pay tribute to the APO Hiking Society in the album “Kami NApo Muna.” This was followed by Ogie Alcasid’s tribute to George Canseco (“Ngayon At Kailanman”) and Christian Bautista’s tribute to Jose Mari Chan (“Romance Revisited”).

This year, Aiza Seguerra pays tribute to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab in the album “Araw Gabi: Mga Awit ni Maestry Ryan.” This is Aiza’s first album under Universal Records.

The album, composed of some of the most-loved Ryan Cayabyab compositions, also features Mr. C playing the piano for the first single “Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka.”

“Napaka-special ng album nito kasi binigyan ko ng sarili kong take ang pinakasikat na compositions ni Mr. Ryan Cayabyab,” says Aiza.  “Ang sarap ka-trabaho niya kasi maski Maestro na siya, he listens to my inputs.”

REEL DEAL:

One of Hollywood’s most promising young talents, Stefanie Scott plays the lead in Columbia Pictures' “Insidious: Chapter 3” as teenaged aspiring actress Quinn Brenner who senses that her late mother is trying to contact her, and seeks out a gifted psychic – Elise (Lin Shaye).

Director-screenwriter Leigh Whannell comments, “In writing the character of Quinn, I tried to create a teenage girl in an honest way. I feel that they tend to be portrayed a certain way in films, one that doesn’t honestly reflect their goals and concerns. Quinn and Elise mirror each other in how they are dealing with loss at a turning point in their lives, and it was important to me that audiences connect with both of them.”

Scott found her director’s attention to emotional detail most welcome. “In the story, Quinn has kept a diary,” the actress explains. “Leigh gave me a blank diary – and a huge box of stuff to decorate it with: jewels, markers, paint. I decorated the cover – and then I wrote in the journal every day as Quinn, about what she’s going through with losing her mother. Leigh also gave me a book about dealing with that kind of loss, which is how I truly started to get an understanding of what it must be like.”