Movie News: “DORY” FINDS GLORY AT NO.1, GROSSES P101.7-M IN 4 DAYS IN PH

MANILA, June 20, 2016 – Disney-Pixar's “Finding Dory” brought its big-hearted optimism to the Philippine box-office and swam away with P101.7-M in only four days, shattering the biggest opening weekend record for a Disney-Pixar film.  This was announced today by a spokesman of Walt Disney Studios Philippines which distributed the film.

            “Dory's” four-day opening weekend figure smashed the previous record of 2015's “Inside Out” (at P97.2-M) for highest opening weekend for a title released by either Walt Disney or Pixar. 

            The opening day gross (P10.3-M) of “Finding Dory” last June 16^th now also holds the crown for the biggest first-day take for any Walt Disney and Pixar movie.

            The sequel to 2003's “Finding Nemo,” “Dory” arrived in local cinemas with fervent audience anticipation, unanimous critical approval and a unique marketing push with the Manila visit of Filipino animator Paul Abadilla who worked on the film as Set Artist.

            In the U.S., family audiences turned out in droves, propelling “Finding Dory” to a massive $136.2 million debut and establishing a new record for an animated film opening.

            Its opening weekend results sailed past the previous high-water mark for an animated film — “Shrek the Third’s” $121.6 million launch in 2007 — and ranks as the second-best June debut, behind “Jurassic World’s” $208.8 million bow. Overseas, “Finding Dory” added another $50 million to its haul from 29 international markets, including Australia, Argentina, Russia and China, where its $17.5 million debut ranks as the biggest ever for a Pixar release.

            Back in the Philippines, SM Megamall (P2.60-M), SM Mall of Asia (P2.44-M) and Trinoma (P2.26-M) racked up the largest share of box-office receipts, followed by SM North EDSA (P1.86-M), Eastwood (P1.38-M), Power Plant (P1.31-M), Alabang Town Center (P1.29-M), Shang Cineplex (P1.16-M), SM Marikina (P1.15-M) and SM Marikina (P1.12-M).

Also performing above expectations were Glorietta 4 (P1.10-M), Greenhills (P992,700), SM Cebu (P945,900), SM Southmall (P903,700), Greenbelt III (P878,100), Robinsons Magnolia (P834,000), Robinsons Galleria (P804,700), SM Fairview (P770,500), Bonifacio High Street (P762,000) and SM Seaside (P726,500).

            Disney•Pixar's “Finding Dory” welcomes back to the big screen everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), who’s living happily in the reef with Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks) and Nemo (voice of Hayden Rolence). When Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her, the trio takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation center and aquarium. In an effort to find her mom (voice of Diane Keaton) and dad (voice of Eugene Levy), Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents: Hank (voice of Ed O’Neill), a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip; Bailey (voice of Ty Burrell), a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz; and Destiny (voice of Kaitlin Olson), a nearsighted whale shark. Deftly navigating the complex innerworkings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.

            “Finding Dory” is distributed in the Philippines by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.  Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #FindingDoryPH.

News: HOMECOMING FOR DISNEY/PIXAR’S “FINDING DORY” FILIPINO SKETCH ARTIST, PAUL ABADILLA

MANILA, June 20, 2016 – Paul Abadilla, the US-based Filipino animator from Pixar Animation Studios received a warm homecoming welcome by his family and animation fans in Manila, Philippines. Parallel to the story of Dory finding her way home in the new Pixar film, “Finding Dory” -- Abadilla made his way home to share more about the work he did on the film, which opened here on June 16th.

Joined by some of his own family who are still living the Philippines, the Manila-born artist attended the premiere of “Finding Dory” last Saturday, June 11 at SM Megamall. Abadilla also took time out to conduct an Animation workshop, attended by over 250 animation students and influencers last Tuesday June 14 at Makati Diamond Residences. Attendees also received autographed “Finding Dory” concept art.

“It’s great to be home to be with my family and I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to come back and share what we did for Finding Dory. This is an unforgettable experience and I am very moved by the warm reception I’ve received so far,” said Abadilla.

Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory sketch artist, Paul Abadilla, and his family at the Philippine premiere of the film.

Abadilla shared how he started his career in animation, the obstacles he had to go through, and his journey at Pixar. The workshop was followed by a Q&A session where local animation students got a chance to seek Abadilla’s expertise in the animation field.

Abadilla joined Pixar Animation Studios as an intern in June 2008. He continued on as a sketch artist in several art departments doing shading and set design on the feature films “Monsters University,” and Academy Award®-winning films “Brave” and “Inside Out.” In addition, Abadilla has worked on the short films “The Blue Umbrella,” Pixar’s first television special “Toy Story of TERROR!,” “LAVA,” the Academy Award®-nominated “Sanjay’s Super Team and most recently Finding Dory.”

As a sketch artist, Abadilla collaborates with film directors, production designers, art directors, and various technical departments to produce the best design solutions for various CG elements used in the film. His versatile skill set allows him to contribute in many aspects of the pipeline, including designing environments, surface textures, and color and lighting.

Born in Manila, Philippines, Abadilla moved to California at age 7, and was raised in Milpitas and San Jose, Calif. He graduated from San Jose State University, Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Illustration. Prior to joining Pixar, he interned with the Walt Disney Animation Studios as part of the visual development department.

About Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory”

Disney•Pixar's “Finding Dory” welcomes back to the big screen everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), who’s living happily in the reef with Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks) and Nemo (voice of Hayden Rolence). When Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her, the trio takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation center and aquarium. In an effort to find her mom (voice of Diane Keaton) and dad (voice of Eugene Levy), Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents: Hank (voice of Ed O’Neill), a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip; Bailey (voice of Ty Burrell), a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz; and Destiny (voice of Kaitlin Olson), a nearsighted whale shark. Deftly navigating the complex innerworkings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.

Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), co-directed by Angus MacLane (“Toy Story OF TERROR!”), and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”), Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Dory” is now swimming in Philippine theatres.

Movie News: MEET HANK, DORY'S CRANKY NEW FRIEND IN “FINDING DORY”

In Disney-Pixar's “Finding Dory” (opening June 16^th in the Philippines), Dory, Marlin and Nemo embark on a new adventure—this time to the California coastline—on an uncertain search for the family Dory thinks she left behind. Their journey leads them to the Marine Life Institute (MLI), where they meet a diverse array of sea creatures.

In the journey to the MLI, Dory finds herself separated from Marlin and Nemo, and must rely on her own intuition—as well as a host of colorful characters, appealing to each of them to help her on her quest. Foremost of them is Hank, a disgruntled octopus voiced by “Modern Family's” Ed O’Neill, who was tapped to bring Dory’s chief wingman to life. “He doesn't like anybody and just wants to be left alone,” O'Neill shares.

“We realized that Dory needed a foil,” says director Andrew Stanton. “Dory was created in the first movie as a surrogate for Nemo. Marlin’s emotional journey to be a better parent called for a character like Dory to test him. Kids—and Dory—are very in the moment; they don’t think about the future too much. They take risks and have fun.

“For this film,” Stanton continues, “we needed a surrogate Marlin. Hank is a curmudgeon, an introvert. He really doesn't want to be healed and sent back out to the ocean. He’d prefer a solitary existence inside an aquarium tank, so he's trying to get himself into a more permanent installation.”

“Hank is smart, set in his ways and very cranky,” says Ellen DeGeneres, the voice of Dory. “He's not happy where he is, while Dory is always happy wherever she is. There's a great juxtaposition between these two; they're complete opposites. It's a great pairing because she is so innocent, yet pushes him to open his mind. They're both fearful—though Dory doesn't realize it. She just keeps swimming.”

Hank is actually a “septopus”: he lost a tentacle—along with his sense of humor—somewhere along the way. But Hank is just as competent as his eight-armed peers. An accomplished escape artist with camouflaging capabilities to boot, Hank is the first to greet Dory when she finds herself in the Marine Life Institute. But make no mistake: he’s not looking for a friend. Hank is after one thing: a ticket on a transport truck to a cozy Cleveland facility, where he’ll be able to enjoy a peaceful life of solitude.

“Hank tests Dory,” says Stanton. “He questions her optimism, her bravery. He brings out the best in her, and she does the same for him. He’s reluctantly kind. He has a heart of gold that Dory seems to sense from the start.”

Filmmakers deliberately developed Hank’s personality to contrast Dory’s bright disposition. “We can get a lot of comedy out of pairing opposites,” says co-director Angus MacLane. “Hank is actively trying to get away from connection, while Dory is striving to make one.”

“Hank would be happy living out his days in a secure aquarium all by himself,” says Max Brace, story supervisor for the film. “He’d do anything to avoid going back to the ocean—even if it means escorting Dory through the Marine Life Institute.”

“They need each other,” says O’Neill. “Hank never thought he could make friends, but he’s slowly drawn in by Dory’s charm. Through a lot of adventure, danger and fear, they bond. They become friends through their experiences.”

Stanton says O’Neill captured the character perfectly. “His voice carries that duality of curmudgeon and softie,” says the director. “Ed nailed that in one way in ‘Married with Children’ and an entirely different way in ‘Modern Family.’ We never thought of anybody else.”

O’Neill, who voiced a character in Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” says the key is having an open mind. “There isn’t really a way to prepare for animation,” he says. “I did do one thing: I Googled ‘mimic octopus’ and found this creature I didn’t even know existed. There are several different types of octopus, I learned. The one I’m playing is a shape-shifter. It’s crazy.”

“Finding Dory” is distributed in the Philippines by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #FindingDoryPH.

Movie Review: "Finding Dory"

It was thirteen years ago when "Finding Nemo" broke box office records, earned critical acclaim and captured the hearts of kids and adults alike. I was in High School when the film came out and I remember how amazed I was at the incredible and beautiful graphics and animation in the film. Of course, the powerful story itself had everyone crying buckets. 

The film has established cult lines such as "Just Keep Swimming" and even the hilarious mantra "Fish are friends, not food." 

Part of what made "Finding Nemo" a success was the cheerful and optimistic, blue tang, who suffers from memory loss, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) audiences loved her and soon after the commercial success of the film, DeGeneres has been campaigning for a sequel (at least through jokes on her talk show). 

Nevertheless, the long awaited sequel has finally been released and here are my thoughts on the film. 

It's been a year since the events of the first film. Dory now lives with Nemo and Marlin, everything seems to be calm and nice (much to Marlin's content) but Dory has been having dreams of her old life (before she met Nemo and Marlin) and for someone who suffers from short term memory loss, it would be hard to remember who your family is, let alone where to find them. 

Dory convinces Nemo and Marlin to help her find her family (Marlin needed more persuading) so the three set off on a journey which all largely depends on Dory's memory recall. 

Paul and I felt that Marlin (Albert Brooks) is a more believable anchor to a story. An overprotective father who will cross the ocean for his lost son seems to have more tugs on the heartstrings, rather than a fish with short term memory loss in search for her parents.

Of course there will still be that magic-Pixar-punch-in-the-gut, tears-in-your-eyes moment which you cannot miss.

Mind you, the film was still enjoyable, mostly because of the new characters Hank (Ed O'Neil) a cranky but sweet octopus-err--septopus and Bailey (Ty Burrel), a beluga whale. I honestly wasn't a fan of Destiny, a near sighted whale shark, I found her voice (Kaitlin Olson) to be a little annoying, which is sad since our waters are home to whale sharks. You probably know someone who knows someone who has swam with or at least have seen these gentle giants.

Pull out a P 100.00 bill, there's a whale shark right at the back of it.

I would love to watch film again because of Hank, which in case you didn't know, the technology to create Hank was not yet available ten years ago. Hank is an accomplished escape artist and/or 'octopus-ninja' who slithers everywhere and there was one scene which took the animators two years to make and you should see that in the glory of the cinema.

Aside from just the ground breaking animation and technology to create Hank, you shouldn't miss this sweetheart on screen. He tries to be a toughie but you know that he's all cotton candy inside.

Dory and Hank. 

I loved Ty Burrell's Bailey, who uses his sonar abilities to help Dory on her adventure, he's so hilarious he was like a fish with powers. 

There's this hilarious "They're consuming her!" scene which we just super LOL'd at. 

Another thing that sets "Finding Dory" apart is this action packed sequence, which I would never thought I'd see in a film about fish. 

Bailey. Destiny and Dory. 

The film teaches us to celebrate our flaws, which even leads to Marlin and Nemo asking "What Would Dory Do?" and that despite Dory's short term memory loss and in retrospect inability to go on her own adventure, the cheerful blue tang has actually been a much bigger help than the father and son realized. The movie is a great way to teach these to kids, as Destiny is near-sighted and Bailey thinks that his sonar is off, Hank is lacking one tentacle. Yet despite these setbacks, these colorful sea creatures save the day. 

8 out of 10 stars. Finding Dory may not surpass it's predecessor but it is still a colorful, ambitious and hilarious addition to Pixar classics. 

"Finding Dory" swims into Philippine theaters on Thursday, June 16th, 

“Finding Dory" is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures. Follow the official social media accounts of Disney in the Philippines, namely, (FB) WaltDisneyStudiosPH, (Twitter) @disneystudiosph and (Instagram) @waltdisneystudiosph and use the hashtag #FindingDoryPH.

Movie News: SIA and Composer Thomas Newman PROVIDE `UNFORGETTABLE' MUSIC FOR “FINDING DORY"

I love Sia! And "Unforgettable" is such an iconic song! Looking forward to this! 

The "Sia" wig on Dory is a nice touch don't you think? :) 

Disney-Pixar's “Finding Dory” welcomes back to the big screen Dory, friends Marlin and Nemo—and composer Thomas Newman. “To me, he was one of the cast members of ‘Finding Nemo,’” says director Andrew Stanton. “We formed a close relationship ever since, and now that he is behind the score for ‘Finding Dory,’ it fees like the last member of the family has arrived at the reunion.”

According to Stanton, scoring a film like “Finding Dory” with a composer like Newman takes the films to places he has yet to imagine. “It forces me to have to really explain out loud what my intentions are. It can lead to very intense conversation between the two of us. But I get so much out of it. I end up understanding my movie ten times better—it’s almost therapy for me. We just click.”

“There was no way I could not do “Finding Dory,” says Newman, who was nominated for an Oscar® for his work on “Finding Nemo” and won a Grammy® (best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media) on Stanton’s “WALL•E.” “It’s ironic that a movie about fish—some in aquariums, some in open water—has such a huge range of emotive possibilities—from the hysterical to the deeply profound and primally frightening. That’s exciting to ponder musically.”

According to Newman, the score is designed to support the film’s big themes of loss and the characters’ efforts to conquer their individual shortcomings. It also showcases the deeper, less sunny side of Dory’s personality. “Dory’s theme has a certain amount of quirkiness and a certain amount of sadness built in,” says the composer.

The goal, says Newman, is to complement the story. “If there’s humor or pathos, I want to bring it out, but I don’t want to re-describe it. I just want to underline it. I want to make it more of what it already is.

“I liken music to makeup on a face,” continues Newman. “At its worst, it’s garish and overdone. At its best, you don’t notice it and it brings out the best qualities.”

Singer-songwriter Sia is on board “Finding Dory,” performing the film’s end-credit song, “Unforgettable.”(Watch Sia sing “Unforgettable” for the first time at http://youtu.be/fMVlYk6uNB0).

American songwriter Irving Gordon wrote the song in 1951, and in 1992 won a Grammy® for it when Natalie Cole included the tribute to her late father on her album of duets. “Unforgettable” remains revered worldwide today.

Five-time Grammy® nominee Sia agreed to sing the song when the voice of Dory herself made the request. “Dory's story makes me teary,” says Sia. “When Ellen asked me, I couldn't refuse!”

Director Andrew Stanton has long been a fan of the native Australian performer. “In the same way Robbie Williams did his own unique twist on a classic song for ‘Finding Nemo,’ Sia captures the soulful truth of the Nat King Cole classic ‘Unforgettable,’ and makes it all her own,” said Stanton. “They are a perfect complement to one another, just like the two films.”

Disney•Pixar's “Finding Dory” finds Dory living happily in the reef with Marlin and Nemo about a year after their life-changing adventure. When Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her, she recruits Marlin and Nemo for a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute (MLI), a rehabilitation center and aquarium.

In the effort to find her mom and dad, Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents: Hank, a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip; Bailey, a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz; and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark.

Deftly navigating the complex inner workings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.

“Finding Dory” swims into Philippine theaters on Thursday, June 16. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures. Follow the official social media accounts of Disney in the Philippines, namely, (FB) WaltDisneyStudiosPH, (Twitter) @disneystudiosph and (Instagram) @waltdisneystudiosph and use the hashtag #FindingDoryPH.

Movie News: CHARACTERS GO DEEP IN DISNEY-PIXAR'S “FINDING DORY”

“Finding Nemo's” Dory, Marlin and Nemo embark on a new adventure—this time to the California coastline—on an uncertain search for the family Dory thinks she left behind, in Disney-Pixar's “Finding Dory.”

Their journey leads them to the Marine Life Institute, where they meet a diverse array of sea creatures. “It really is a whole new chapter this time,” says director Andrew Stanton. Meet the line-up below!

Dory is a bright blue tang with a sunny personality. She suffers from short-term memory loss, which normally doesn’t upset her upbeat attitude—until she realizes she’s forgotten something big: her family. She’s found a new family in Marlin and Nemo, but she’s haunted by the belief that someone out there is looking for her. Dory may have trouble recalling exactly what—or who—she’s searching for, but she won’t give up until she uncovers her past and discovers something else along the way: self-acceptance.

Marlin may have traveled across the ocean once, but that doesn’t mean he wants to do it again. So he doesn’t exactly jump at the opportunity to accompany Dory on a mission to the California coast to track down her family. Marlin, of course, knows how it feels to lose family, and it was Dory who helped him find Nemo not so long ago. The clownfish may not be funny, but he’s loyal—he realizes he has no choice but to pack up his nervous energy and skepticism and embark on yet another adventure, this time to help his friend.

One year after his big overseas adventure, Nemo is back to being a normal kid: going to school and living on the coral reef with his dad and their blue tang neighbor, Dory. His harrowing adventure abroad doesn’t seem to have sapped his spirit. In fact, when Dory remembers pieces of her past and longs to take off on an ambitious ocean trek to find her family, Nemo is the first to offer his help. He may be a young clownfish with a lucky fin, but Nemo wholeheartedly believes in Dory. After all, he understands what it’s like to be different.

Hank is an octopus. Actually, he’s a “septopus”: he lost a tentacle—along with his sense of humor—somewhere along the way. But Hank is just as competent as his eight-armed peers. An accomplished escape artist with camouflaging capabilities to boot, Hank is the first to greet Dory when she finds herself in the Marine Life Institute. But make no mistake: he’s not looking for a friend. Hank is after one thing—a ticket on a transport truck to a cozy Cleveland facility where he’ll be able to enjoy a peaceful life of solitude.

Destiny may be a clumsy swimmer, but she has a big heart. She has a big everything, actually—whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea. Destiny resides in the Marine Life Institute, where one day an oddly familiar blue tang named Dory falls into her pool. Destiny is admittedly embarrassed by her obvious lack of grace, a product of poor eyesight, but Dory thinks she swims beautifully. And Dory is delighted to learn that her supersized friend speaks whale, too.

Bailey is the Marine Life Institute’s resident beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz. The good news—or bad news, depending on who you ask—is that doctors at the MLI can’t seem to find anything wrong with him. Bailey’s flair for the dramatic never ceases to push his neighbor’s buttons: whale shark Destiny can’t seem to get through to him, no matter how hard she tries. Maybe he’ll listen to new friend Dory, who seems to be full of crazy ideas.

Jenny and Charlie would do anything for their only child, Dory. They celebrate and protect her, striving to arm her with the skills she’ll need to navigate the world with a faulty memory. Jenny may appear cheerful and a little flighty—but she’s a protective mother and a smart role model. Charlie likes to joke around, but nothing is more important to him than teaching his memory-challenged daughter how to survive.

Opening across the Philippines on June 15, “Finding Dory is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures. Follow the official social media accounts of Disney in the Philippines, namely, (FB) WaltDisneyStudiosPH, (Twitter) @disneystudiosph and (Instagram) @waltdisneystudiosph and use the hashtag #FindingDoryPH