Movies: Anna Kendrick Plays Mom Vlogger In Twisted Stylish Thriller “A Simple Favor”

Anna Kendrick stars in A Simple Favor

It’s mom vs. mom in the deliciously twisted love triangle thriller “A Simple Favor” starring Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect, Trolls), Blake Lively (Gossip Girl, The Shallows) and Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians).  The movie puts Kendrick’s character, Stephanie at the center of a gritty showdown of wits as she tries to solve the suspicious disappearance of Emily (Lively).

Movies: Anna Kendrick Sings Her Heart Out In “Pitch Perfect 3”

Academy Award-nominee Anna Kendrick has been the heart of the Pitch Perfect series since the beginning, and fans have followed her character, Beca's journey from awkward freshman to performer on the cusp of a brilliant musical career.

Now, Kendrick sings her heart out as Beca for the third time in Universal Pictures’ Pitch Perfect 3 (in Philippine cinemas Monday, January 8).

In the film, after the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Movies: “Pitch Perfect 3” Greets Aca-Mazing New Year With A Bang!

The Barden Bellas usher in the New Year 2018 as they return in Universal Pictures’ Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.  The highly anticipated sequel takes a bow in Philippine cinemas on Monday, January 8.

Pitch Perfect 3 stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks.

In the film, after the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Movies: Take A Look Inside “Pitch Perfect 3” In New Featurette

Discover why the Bellas stick together like sisters and the secret to their incredible chemistry with the release of Pitch Perfect 3: A Look Inside featurette.

Check out the featurette at http://youtu.be/8v2KsWZadNg and watch Pitch Perfect 3 in Philippine cinemas January 8, 2018.

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.

After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Pitch Perfect 3 stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks.

Pitch Perfect 3 is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Movies: “Pitch Perfect 3” Ushers-In The Holidays With “12 Days Of Pitchmas” Video

Sing-along with the Bellas as they usher-in the holiday season with the release of Pitch Perfect 3's “12 Days of Pitchmas” featurette.

Check out the holiday-themed featurette below and watch Pitch Perfect 3 in Philippine cinemas January 8, 2018.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph/videos/1791727124235013/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/0J2EmYoZFN8

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.
After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Pitch Perfect 3 stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks.

Pitch Perfect 3 is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Movies: “Pitch Perfect 3” Cast, “The Voice” Top-12 In Mash Up Music Video

The Bellas and The Voice Collaborate with “Freedom! '90 X Cups” Single

NBC’s The Voice Top-12 Artists and the stars of Universal’s upcoming Pitch Perfect 3 has just debuted the first-ever full length music video in the history of The Voice during the November 21 episode, highlighting the signature styles of each vocalist.

Pitch Perfect's franchise-building song “Cups” and George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90,” the anthem of Pitch Perfect 3, are seamlessly mashed-up in the video.

Movies: It's Last Call Pitches In “Pitch Perfect 3” Teaser Poster

Universal Pictures has launched the teaser poster for its musical comedy Pitch Perfect 3, (in Philippine cinemas this coming 2018).

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.

After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Pitch Perfect 3 stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks.

Pitch Perfect 3 is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Movies: Bellas Face Final Showdown In New “Pitch Perfect 3” Trailer

The Barden Bellas embark on their Farewell Tour in the new official trailer of Universal Pictures' musical comedy Pitch Perfect 3, (in Philippine cinemas January 8, 2018).

Watch the trailer at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph/videos/1709968575744202/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/mL3GbwWcAfc

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.
After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Pitch Perfect 3 stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks.

Pitch Perfect 3 is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Movies: The Bellas Go To `War’ In First “Pitch Perfect 3” Trailer

Universal Pictures has just released the first trailer for the musical comedy Pitch Perfect 3, the upcoming sequel that reunites the Barden Bellas post-graduation.

Watch the trailer at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph/videos/1594583823949345/

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.

After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Pitch Perfect 3 stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks.

Opening in Philippine cinemas in 2018, Pitch Perfect 3 is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Movie Review: The Accountant

If we've been aquatinted with each other up to a certain point, you would probably know that I have this hate-hate relationship with Math. To prove a point, when I was in High School I was in a "numerically challenged" group, what a way to scar a teenager for life eh? 

My brain sort of shuts down when I hear or see numbers, unless of course it has anything to do with my financial status. 

Despite my lack of affinity for Math I still enjoyed Batfleck...errr...Ben Affleck's "The Accountant". 

Imagine Affleck bringing his skills as the caped crusader and becoming an accountant and mind you, this is not your run-of-the-mill  Certified Public Accountant but something different entirely. 

You see, as a child Ben Affleck's Christian Wolff (not his real name-of course) was diagnosed as having autism. He is wickedly good with puzzles and numbers, we're talking mad skills, god-like, a real honest to goodness mathematician. 

"He has more in common with Einsten and Mozart, than he does with us." Says an expert at the film's trailer. 

Indeed, while Christian Wolff is a math savant (a skill that if I had would probably have saved me from childhood trauma and teenage stress) -although he lacks the social skills for him to blend in to be considered "normal" (didn't we all at some point growing up?). This didn't sit well with his hard edged, cold hearted father, who is also conveniently in the army. He believes that Christan should not be cuddled and shielded because of his autism but rather should be exposed to what makes him uncomfortable (bright lights and loud music) -this plus intense training in martial arts should help Christian lead a "normal" life or at least get by as a high functioning individual with autism. 

The film does not follow a linear format as it uses flashbacks to unveil Christian's brutal training-err-upbringing (which his father ensured) then goes to the present storyline which shows the audience what a day in the life of " The Accountant" looks like. We see Christian helping a financially-troubled couple write off taxes and skillfully avoiding yet another blind date. 

The audience also sees Christian's other life, they know that he is no ordinary accountant, since he has an RV inside a storage unit stocked full with all sorts of guns and weapons, cold cash in different currencies, passports, rare and expensive art, gold bars and most importantly some really valuable comic books. 

He talks to an unknown woman who advises him to take a legitimate client to leave a clean trail. Wolff is then soon working as a consultant for "Living Robotics" where a bright young accounting clerk, Dana Cummings (Anna Kendrick) -probably the only cheery and relatively "normal" character in the film reports some discrepancies in the books. 

While Christian plays a normal consultant by day, the audience is given a glimpse of what he really does and that is play accountant for different criminal organizations, from drug lords to mobsters. 

"Who survives this kind of clientele?" Asks Ray King (J.K. Simmons) the director of the Treasury Department Crime Enforcement Division, who blackmails...err..instructs a young treasury agent Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) to find out the identity of "the Accountant". 

Turns out there is more going on in "Living Robotics" despite the seemingly good natured owner, Lamar Blackburn (John Lithgow). Christian obsessively tries to uncover the secrets in "Living Robitics" all the while, King and Medina are getting dangerously close to finding out his true identity, oh and there's also an unknown assassin, Jon Bernthal who is trying to blow Christian's math-inclined head off. So yeah, there is definitely a lot going on. 

A big puzzle to solve with surprises and twists at every corner, "The Accountant" will keep you guessing until the very end. 

Ben Affleck is spot on in his portrayal of Christian Wolff, he is brilliant and obsessive as a mathematician yet awkward around other people, which shows Christian in a vulnerable light, making audiences warm up to him. 

7 out of 10. At times, the film may feel as if it is made up of many different genres, this is something that may or may not sit well with an audience member and some revelations may or may not be satisfying, it really depends on who's watching, the audience that I was a part of were engaged and engrossed. I was engaged and engrossed and I enjoyed it. 

It's interesting how movies can help you enjoy the things you otherwise would not (like, Math in my case) and with impressive performances from a stellar cast, a fast paced plot, an interesting puzzle to solve and action sequences straight out of Batman's own choreography (Indonessian martial arts-"pentjak sikat" -very refreshing and deadly efficient) what more can I ask for? 

"The Accountant" is in cinemas November 20.

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Movie Review: TROLLS

I have to be honest when I first saw the teaser trailer for Dreamworks' "Trolls" I wasn't so happy, you see I'm a 90's kid and I was already studying when the Trolls toys were a trend. My classmates and cousins had them, everyone did. The oftentimes naked Trolls had a blank stare through their black round eyes and a perpetually creepy smile that seemed to know your deepest darkest secrets. Of course it was their brightly colored coiffed hair which stood out as their defining trait. 

So to see this new breed of Trolls whose soft skin which was brightly colored (even shining in Guy Diamond's case) and came in different sizes and whose eyes were now expressive was a real surprise to me. But when the first official trailer came along I was already looking forward to seeing it-it was sooo funny! I was very happy when the original Trolls made a cameo in the film.  90's kids and those from Generation X should watch out for that. 

An extravagant musical of epic proportions Dreamworks' "Trolls" follows the story of the Trolls- a perpetually happy people who spend their whole day singing, dancing and hugging  hence the alarm every hour to remind them of "Hug Time". Then we have the Bergens, a race which could be described as being similar to Ogres, Bergens are a sad and miserable people who believe that the only way for them to be happy is by eating a Troll. Yes, I know it's morbid but aren't most fairy tales? The humor has some morbid tones which I think balances it out, it is the kind of humor which both kids and adults get.  

Poppy and Branch. 

After a hair raising (pun intended) escape twenty years ago, the Trolls are now Bergen-free and have been singing and dancing (and hugging) ever since. 

Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick) is throwing a big party to celebrate being free of the Bergens and while everybody seems on board with her plans for the biggest and loudest party, the ever cautious Branch (Justin Timberlake) doesn't think it's such a good idea. 

The ever cautious Branch believes that one day the Bergens will find them and resume their "Troll-eating practice", Branch is so convinced of this that he even has a bunker stocked with supplies to help him survive "Burgen Apocalypse" and while the other Trolls see him as a crazy "doomsday prepper" who doesn't sing or dance, Branch refuses Poppy's invite to her big party and sulks in his bunker, which is what save him from his greatest fear - a Burgen attack! 

While most of the Trolls escape, Poppy's friends are captured and she decides on saving them but what does an ever optimistic princess know about the wild and most importantly how does she plan on entering Burgen town unseen in order to rescue her friends? 

Poppy reaches out to Branch for help and after much convincing (Poppy can be very persistent) agrees to help her. 

What follows is a hilarious rescue mission with probably the best "Cinderella" spin with Zooey Deschanel playing a Burgen scullery maid looking for love. 

I was impressed with the underlying lesson in the film which teaches children (and adults) that what we perceive to be the only source of happiness is not the only way to be happy, there is no "pill" which you take that will instantly make you happy and that true happiness is inside all of us and sometimes all you need is someone to help you find it.

Featuring music from the 60's all the way to the 2010's plus some new originals (which was a big treat for a music geek like me) I swear, you will never look at "Total Eclipse of the Heart" the same way again-both kids and adults will surely be singing and dancing (and laughing and crying) until the end of the movie. 

My favorite animated film of the year (so far) I will be awarding this fresh, delightful musical adventure with a perfect 10. 

Dreamworks "Trolls" is in cinemas November 2! 

Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox. 

Movies: ANNA KENDRICK, THE RELIABLE WHISTLE-BLOWER IN “THE ACCOUNTANT”

Academy Award-nominee Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) stars in Warner Bros.' new action-thriller “The Accountant,” as Dana Cummings, an accounting clerk who's in the center of a multi-million-dollar anomaly.

(Watch The Accountant featurette Solving the Puzzle at https://youtu.be/mN6i2NDFBqY.)

Directed by Gavin O’Connor (Warrior), The Accountant tells the story of Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck), a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. With the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons), starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise.

Anna Kendrick describes her character, “Dana is the one who first noticed that something isn’t adding up in the company finances, so she’s a little disappointed when Chris comes in and takes the whole investigation out from under her. She’s not necessarily ambitious, but she wants to be included.”

“Dana has this bubbly personality, and that’s the last thing Christian wants when he’s trying to work,” producer Mark Williams suggests. “But he soon realizes she speaks his language as far as numbers go; she gets exhilarated the same way he does when the pieces start to come together. For that reason, he starts to bond with her and care about her.”

As Chris shows Dana what he’s found, “she gets reenergized by the idea that they’re working together to solve this puzzle,” Kendrick asserts. “She’s intrigued by him because he’s sort of a dorky accountant, but there’s something mysterious, too, which becomes even more obvious when things take a frightening turn. Basically, nerding it up with Chris is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to her,” she laughs.

Kendrick says she shares that sentiment from her own professional perspective. “Working with Ben, as well as Gavin, was hugely exciting for me, too. It was especially interesting acting opposite Ben in this role because Chris is so uncomfortable relating to people, but Ben found a way to make it so charming that Dana is drawn in by his vulnerability. He’s a big guy and physically stronger, but on an emotional level, he’s the one Dana feels needs to be protected.”

The admiration is mutual. “Anna brings a tremendous energy and honesty to her scenes,” Affleck remarks. “She’s someone I admired a lot beforehand, so I was thrilled to have the chance to work with her.”

O’Connor adds, “One thing I discovered about Anna is she can take the dialogue in a scene and—no matter how many times you’ve heard it—create an entirely new interpretation. Every take would be a variation on the theme of how she played it, and I loved that.”

Kendrick says she especially appreciated the director’s “reverence for the emotional content,” noting, “It’s an interesting thing because, in many ways, Gavin is such a dude. He and Ben would get so excited about all the action sequences, but then he also took such joy in the really sweet, emotional scenes.”

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 02, “The Accountant” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Movies: ANNA KENDRICK STARS IN FUNKY ANIMATION "TROLLS" IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 2

              “Pitch Perfect” actress Anna Kendrick sings to life one of the most beloved toy figures in the latest musical animation “Trolls,” starring alongside an ensemble of equally talented artists such as Justin Timberlake, James Corden, Gwen Stefani, Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand, Christine Baranski, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Swedish pop music duo of Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, Kunal Nayyar and Ron Funches.

              Kendrick is the voice of Poppy, the feisty and fearless leader of the Trolls, who are naturally cheerful and optimistic. They love to sing and dance, and they have rainbow-colored hair.  Justin Timberlake voices Branch, a gray and fearful troll. He is convinced that the Trolls’ mortal enemies, the Bergens, will track them down in their forest Utopia and capture them. The Bergens are miserable monsters and they are only happy when they eat Trolls. 

              The film was inspired by the quirky cute/ugly looking dolls with brightly colored hair that were invented by a Danish woodcutter in 1959. Created by woodcutter Thomas Damm, who then couldn’t afford a Christmas gift for his daughter, was inspired to make a doll based from his imagination.  The unique look of the doll caught the attention of the other children and from then on, Damm’s dolls became popular and has become one of the biggest toy fads among children and adults too.   

              In the latest toy-to-movie adaptation of “Trolls” where Kendrick’s character Poppy lives, the audience will be introduced to a stunning and original world, with a distinct hand-made look, which mirrors Poppy’s passion for scrapbooking.

              But when we meet Poppy, she is an eternal optimist who finds the inspiration for optimism from within.  She is the ultimate purveyor of positivity.   Moreover, she is an empowered female who is capable and confident, strong and resolute, collaborative and inclusive.   Kendrick appreciates Poppy’s toughness, sassiness, can-do attitude, loyalty and, most of all, her leadership skills.  But when she first met with directors Mitchell and Dohrn to discuss the role, the actress notes she had some concerns.  “I hardly felt like the person to play the happiest Troll; sugary sweet isn’t really my forte.  I warned Mike, Walt and Gina that I might lead Poppy down a feistier path.  I think I used the term ‘sparkplug.’”

              When the filmmakers assured Kendrick that her vision for Poppy was in sync with theirs, she embraced her inner Troll with a vengeance.  “Each time I stepped into the recording booth and was greeted with a picture of Poppy’s smiling face, I couldn’t wait to add some fire, sarcasm, sass and determination to her,” Kendrick recalls.  “That’s what makes the difference between a relentlessly happy character that’s a little irritating and one that really comes to life. 

              “That said, I usually ruined the first five minutes of each recording session by talking in my ‘adorable voice.’   I couldn’t help it; Poppy is so cute!  But Mike and Walt encouraged me to make this tiny pink creature feel real and complicated.  Poppy might not look like Shrek, but she’s complex, like him.”

              After viewing some early footage, Kendrick discovered even more unexpected aspects to the character, thanks, she says, to the “animation dream team at DreamWorks, which had captured the little firecracker inside Poppy with every minute expression. 

              “Every time they asked me to do another recording session, it made my week.  I experienced that moment of recognition when I wondered, how does a six-inch-tall pink Troll kind of remind me of myself?  Watching Poppy and the other Trolls fills me with joy.”

              A DreamWorks Animation feature, “Trolls” opens in cinemas on November 2 in cinemas nationwide (also in 3D) from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Movies: INVENTIVE SCRIPT ADDS UP TALENTED CAST FOR “THE ACCOUNTANT”

The cleverly constructed screenplay of Warner Bros. Pictures’ new thriller The Accountant drew the film’s impressive acting ensemble, led by Ben Affleck (Batman v Superman), Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Jon Bernthal (TV's The Punisher), Jeffrey Tambor (TV's Transparent) and John Lithgow (Interstellar).

“It kept me guessing until the very last page,” Affleck states, “and I thought it was very smart, rich in detail and in character depth, and inventive in its evolution.”

“Part of my job as a director,” Gavin O’Connor says, “is surrounding myself with people who are really good at what they do—people who are going to constantly lift up the material and make me better and make the movie the best it can be. All of these actors are of that caliber.”

In “The Accountant,” Christian Wolff (Affleck) is a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. With the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (Simmons), starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise.

Anna Kendrick plays Dana Cummings, a junior accountant who uncovers a problem in a robotics firm in which Christian was called in to fix. “She’s intrigued by him because he’s sort of a dorky accountant, but there’s something mysterious, too, which becomes even more obvious when things take a frightening turn. Basically, nerding it up with Chris is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to her,” she laughs.

J.K. Simmons plays Ray King, head of the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, who is determined to find the identity of the underworld numbers cruncher known only as “the Accountant.” “What fascinated me about Ray is that he’s this real alpha male when we meet him and then, as the story develops, we find different aspects to him, as we do with most of the characters. It adds a lot of depth and some surprises.”

Jon Bernthal plays crack hitman named Brax, whose deadly skills rival Chris’s own. Bernthal describes Brax as “highly unpredictable and extremely dangerous and he seems to enjoy what he does. He’s a lone wolf who is quite capable of taking care of business by himself.”

Living Robotics is headed by its founder, Lamar Blackburn, played by John Lithgow. “Lamar’s great passion is helping people who have lost limbs by making what he calls ‘neuro-prosthetics,’ which connect mechanical limbs with the actual muscles and nervous system of the body,” Lithgow says. “He’s a technological genius, so you have these two people, Lamar and Christian, both with extraordinary minds, who are put together.”

Christian Wolff’s background and distinctive skill sets are largely established through flashbacks, beginning as a child, and later including a stint in prison. There, he forms a bond with a fellow inmate and former black money accountant named Francis Silverberg, played by Jeffrey Tambor. Tambor affirms, “Francis is Chris’ mentor in prison and, in a way, it’s a very loving father-son relationship. It was a wonderfully written script with a beautiful puzzle to it, and I think everyone will really enjoy trying to work it out.”

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 02, “The Accountant” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Movies: “TROLLS’” COLORFUL JOURNEY FROM BELOVED TOYS TO MOVIE STARTS NOVEMBER 2

Honestly, when I saw the first trailer to "Trolls" I was quite upset. "Those aren't Trolls" I thought to myself, of course the "Trolls" I grew up with were the Troll dolls, which were a big fad in the 1990s (I know-I'm old). I remember my cousins had them, my classmates brought them to school. -They were everywhere! 

Coincidentally I did a little research and it seems that Dreamworks Animation, which is distributing the film, actually brought the rights to the "Troll dolls", so they might have intentionally given them the updated look. At least the hair is still the same- kind of. 

Back in the 1990's these little guys were EVERYWHERE! 

From the creators of “Shrek” comes DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls,” a smart, funny and irreverent comedy about the search for happiness, and just how far some will go to get it.  The film transports audiences to a colorful, wondrous world populated by the overly optimistic Trolls, who have a constant dance in their step and a song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have Trolls in their stomachs.  After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy (Anna Kendrick), the happiest Troll ever born, and the overly-cautious, curmudgeonly Branch (Justin Timberlake) set off on a journey to rescue her friends.  Their mission is full of adventure and mishaps, as this mismatched duo try to tolerate each other long enough to get the job done. 

                Happiness was foremost in the minds of “Trolls” director Mike Mitchell and co-director Walt Dohrn, even during the earliest stages of story discussions with screenwriters/co-producers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger and producer Gina Shay. 

                The two filmmakers had worked together on DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster “Shrek” franchise, and their familiarity with the beloved ogres of that world led them to their distant cousins, the Trolls. Their research into Troll lore, which sprang from Scandinavian mythology, revealed that Trolls came in myriad shapes and sizes, from monstrous giants to tiny creatures who granted wishes.   As DreamWorks had done with Shrek, Mitchell and Dohrn decided to adapt the Trolls mythology to create a new universe and set of characters.

                The filmmakers note that they did embrace one aspect of previous Trolls history.  “We were fascinated by how these creatures were originally scary and evolved over time into being cute and lovable,” says Mitchell.  “In the 1970s they became a symbol for happiness.” 

               

                “Those ideas compelled us, as did the opportunity to create a story and mythology from scratch,” says Dohrn.  “We decided it was time to start spreading some joy again.  Mike and I had a blank slate, from which we could create anything with these characters, their story and their environments.  With happiness as a guidepost, we wanted to create a film with a mix of fun, adventure, heart, music, color and textures.”

                In many ways, says producer Gina Shay, another of Mitchell and Dohrn’s Shrek franchise alumna, “Trolls” hearkens back to the 1970s, a time “when there was this feeling of freedom; disco, pop and dance music was everywhere; and everybody seemed to be roller skating.  We wanted the Trolls to reflect that joy in their society.  They’re also very peaceful.”

The Trolls even have a special kind of watch that reminds them to hug every hour on the hour.  No matter what they’re doing, when the watch blooms, it’s “hug time.”   Notes Mitchell: “Part of being happy is connecting with others, and what better way to show that than with a hug.”

I had to LOL at the second trailer + there's Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, James Corden and Gwen Steffani! So yehey! Also you might have heard Justin Timberlake's catchy tune "Can't Stop The Feeling", well, it's in the movie, so double yehey! 

In case you're hiding under a rock - here's the Music Video! Also I love the album art on Spotify! 

               “Trolls” opens November 2 in cinemas nationwide (2D and 3D) from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. 

Movies: WILD GIRLS MEET PARTY BOYS IN "MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES"

Anna Kendrick, Zac Efron, Adam DeVine and Aubrey Plaza star as the troublesome quartet in the upcoming adult romantic comedy, “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” where boys meet girls by accident (literally!).

                The R-rated movie “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” where DeVine and Efron take on the titular roles, are warned by their family to smarten-up their hard-partying ways before their sister’s wedding in Hawaii, and to bring two respectable girls as dates. After posting an ad on Craigslist, they’re contacted by a cadre of prospective suitors, and they ultimately settle on Alice (Kendrick) and Tatiana (Plaza), whose interest in Adam and Dave extends to little more than the prospect of a free holiday on the islands.

                The film is based on a true story – though the real Mike and Dave sensibly decided not to bring dates from Craigslist in the end.  The motion picture takes the intriguing idea of two brothers finding dates for a wedding and runs with it, adding unexpected layers of heart and two outrageous new lead characters.  Mike and Dave have reassured their sister and parents that they’ve got the wedding wired.  There will be no craziness, stunts, mischief, trampolines (don’t ask!) or fireworks.   They’ve found the perfect dates to keep things under control.

                 “The dates, Tatiana and Alice, were fun to write because they’re balls-out,” says scribe Cohen.  “They’re pretty intense, crazy, down-on-their-luck, tough chicks who decide they need a break and, after hearing about Mike and Dave’s ad, they transform themselves into nice, sweet, respectable-looking women.  But as soon as they arrive in Hawaii, they go into extreme party-mode and start ruining things.”

                Mike and Dave certainly know how to rock a room, but they’re small-timers compared to their dates.  As background to Alice and Tatiana, Szymanski observes that they “have a history of misadventures that have taken them around the world.   They can travel around the globe with only a couple of backpacks, and have stories to tell for ages.”

                When we meet Alice, she is heartbroken, having been left at the altar.  “So a wedding is about the last place she should be,” says Anna Kendrick, “and her downward spiral continues.”  Alice’s coping mechanism:  alcohol.  At her core, Alice is somewhat innocent.   “It’s nice play such a naïve character,” adds Kendrick.  “And Zac’s character, Dave, is just as innocent.  A surprising kind of gentle comedy comes out of that double-naivety.”

                Aubrey Plaza describes Alice’s cohort Tatiana as a founding member of the Bad Girls Club.  She’s a tough bitch from Philadelphia who doesn’t take s*** from anyone.  Tatiana likes to party and go on adventures.  She is the Alpha in any group.”    Underneath that tough exterior, though, are some soft and chewy feelings about her pal Alice.  “Tatiana wants to help her best friend get her groove back after she’s gone through a really bad breakup,” offers Plaza.  “Mike and Dave’s ad for dates to their sister’s destination wedding is a chance for a free vacay, to party endlessly and get that groove back.”

                As for the brothers, whatever their differences, Mike and Dave are tight.  “They have a symbiotic relationship,” says Efron.  “They can’t exist without one another.  They’re as much best friends as they are brothers.”

                “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” opens September 14 in cinemas from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.