Movies: Jeremy Renner Becomes An Easy Target In Lifelong Game Of “Tag”

Two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (“Arrival,” “Avengers” films) stars in New Line Cinema’s comedy “Tag” as Jerry, the undefeated player in a game of tag that friends have been playing since they were little kids.

“I thought it was awesome that there are guys who really do this in real life,” says Renner.  “The script was hysterical, but it also attracted me because it was about friendship lasting in perpetuity. I’ve moved around a lot, so I think having continuity from your past is really important.  I’m a big believer in holding on to things that matter; if you value something, it sometimes takes great effort to keep it.”

In New Line Cinema’s “Tag,” five guys—despite age, geography, and adult circumstances like jobs, illness, marriage and children—manage to keep playing.  For the entire month of May every year, no matter what is on their plate, they revert to the antics that consumed them in grade school, when they first started chasing each other on the playground. Against all odds, they keep in touch. Letting themselves have fun and be childlike together, even if only once a year, actually makes them better friends and more responsible adults.

Movies: Jeremy Renner Introduces The First Trailer Of New Comedy “Tag"

Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms and Jon Hamm play an impromptu game of tag as they introduce the outrageous official trailer 1 of New Line Cinema's upcoming comedy “Tag.”

Check out the trailer at the links below and watch “Tag” in Philippine cinemas soon.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ warnerbrosphils/videos/ 2013519342010930/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/x23la8B_9zQ

Based on a true story, the New Line Cinema comedy “Tag” shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing.

Movie Review: Arrival

ARRIVAL - is a masterful sci-fi movie which makes a badass out of linguistic expert Louise Banks (Amy Adams) as she tries to communicate with aliens who have landed on Earth-and she must do it before time runs out. The film is an intriguing puzzle, hidden behind layers and layers of little clues, which makes it fun to solve as you go along in the movie. Once you come to the culmination, it is an overwhelming feeling of world politics and personal struggles. Director Denis Villeneuve creates a movie experience you should not miss. Truly deserving of all its accolades. 

-is what I wrote weeks ago as a requested short reaction after the film's press screening (yes, we have those). Unfortunately I haven's been able to follow it up with a full review. Not because I didn't like the movie - on the contrary - I loved it! And I just hate myself for the delay in the review as it does a great disservice to the film. 

You see the baby in my belly has been very demanding on the number of hours of sleep I get (yeah, right blame it on the baby) but seriously, I can no longer do my 5-6 hours of sleep on the weekdays and I literally spend my weekends sleeping (no kidding). 

I've finally worked up the strength to get off my butt and to actually do some writing - so here I am telling you dear reader that Denis Villenueve's "Arrival" is indeed worthy of all the praises and raves it has been receiving. 

Aliens have arrived on Earth in twelve giant spheres scattered across the world, the Army asks the help of Dr. Banks to study the language of the aliens and to translate for them. It may seem an absurd request but Louise is up to the task. They arrive at one of the twelve 'shells' in Montana where Louise works with a team, along with Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) - a scientist.  

Louise and Ian work tirelessly to come to understand the inhabitants of their 'shell' two giant squid-like aliens with seven legs, earning the name "Heptapods", Louise and Ian name their Heptapods 'Abbot' and 'Costello'. While working on understanding aliens is hard enough, there is an incredible pressure in a global political level since other countries are also dealing with their own shells and heptapods and of course as nations are tend to be known - each nation was keeping their own studies and discoveries to themselves. As if a possible alien invasion is not reason enough for human kind to put their differences aside and work together right? 

What I liked best about the "Independence Day" movies is the part where all countries get together to help each other beat the bad aliens and in "Arrival" we don't see that as each country is still looking for their own interests. 

In a race against time and with the fate of the human race on the edge, Louise finds something deep inside of her, a power she does not know she has, to unravel a great mystery. To reveal anything more about the movie would rob the viewer of the pleasure of enjoying the movie. All I have to say is that - it is a film which will have you thinking, the good kind of thinking. 


8.5 out of 10. What makes "Arrival" stand out from other Science Fiction movies is its deep rooted connection to very human themes that you can't help but feel that overwhelming feeling inside you. That despite advances in science and technology, it is human nature which pulls you in to  be lost in the incredible performance of Amy Adams whose strength comes in her perseverance hidden behind her being seemingly-delicate nature. 

MOVIES: WILL FERRELL, AMY POEHLER'S NEW COMEDY “THE HOUSE” GETS FIRST TRAILER

New Line Cinema's upcoming comedy The House teams up Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler as married couple Scott and Kate Johansen who, after losing their daughter Alex’s college fund, become desperate to earn it back so she can pursue her dream of attending a university.

With the help of their neighbor Frank (Jason Mantzoukas), they decide to start an illegal casino in the basement of his house.

Check out the film's newly released first trailer at https://youtu.be/iG3bf6Hoa-8 and watch The House in Philippine cinemas starting August 23, 2017.

The House also stars Nick Kroll (Vacation), Allison Tolman (TV’s Fargo), Michaela Watkins (TV’s Transparent), Ryan Simpkins (Arcadia), Jessie Ennis (TV’s Better Call Saul), Rob Huebel (Horrible Bosses 2), Cedric Yarbrough (TV’s Reno 911!) and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (Arrival).

Andrew Jay Cohen makes his feature film directorial debut with The House. The script was written by Brendan O’Brien and Cohen, whose previous collaborations include the hit comedies Neighbors and Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. The House is produced by Nathan Kahane, Joe Drake, Brendan O’Brien, Andrew Jay Cohen, Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. The executive producers are Marc S. Fischer, Chris Henchy, Spencer Wong, Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Michael Disco, and Bruce Berman.

The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Jas Shelton (Keanu), production designer Clayton Hartley (We’re the Millers), editors Evan Henke (The Interview) and Mike Sale (Central Intelligence), and costume designer Christopher Oroza (Hollywood Adventures). Music is by Andrew Feltenstein and John Nau.

A New Line Cinema presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Gary Sanchez/Good Universe Production, The House will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

MOVIES: JEREMY RENNER, A MAN OF SCIENCE, SUBSTANCE IN “ARRIVAL”

“It’s a very insular story told through the eyes of Amy Adams’ character, a linguist who’s hired to try to communicate with the aliens,” says Jeremy Renner of Columbia Pictures' new sci-fi film, Arrival.

“My character is hired on as the other side of this team, as a physicist to deal with communication through mathematics,” the actor continues. “Part of the character that was interesting to me was that it was very far from anything I’ve ever done. It was very left-brain, very mathematical and scientific.”

Director Denis Villeneuve says that the role of Ian Donnelly was a bit different than the usual roles Renner is offered. “It's very unusual to cast Jeremy Renner, who is more of a James Bond or Jason Bourne type of an actor, into [the role of] an intellectual,” says the director. “I think he liked that challenge. It was funny because, from time to time, on set he had to jump around like a rabbit because it was too contained. But, seriously, Jeremy came on board because he was dreaming of working with Amy Adams again. They love each other.”

“Jeremy and I have wanted to work together for a while, so there was an opportunity there,” says Villeneuve. “He came full of generosity, because he's there to support Amy, I was amazed by his talent and strong instincts. He was able to bring that dimension of a scientist in a very dynamic and funny way. The movie owes him a lot.”

MOVIES: ONE OF YEAR'S BEST FILMS, “ARRIVAL” HOLDS SNEAK PREVIEWS FEB 6 & 7

Nerdist calls it, “The smartest blockbuster since The Dark Knight,” while NY Magazine describes it as “An eerie, tantalizing, altogether superb puzzler.”

The subject of these praises is Columbia Pictures’ Arrival – the critically acclaimed film that's up for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay.

And now, Philippine audiences can catch it in sneak previews on Monday and Tuesday, February 6 and 7 in selected cinemas everywhere. Tickets will be at regular admission prices. (Check your favorite cinema for details).

Arrival is a provocative science fiction thriller from acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners, upcoming Blade Runner 2049). When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team - lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) - are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.

Also starring Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker, Arrival is based upon the acclaimed short story by Ted Chiang titled Story of Your Life.

In its citation of Arrival as the No.1 Best Reviewed Sci-Fi/Fantasy film of 2016's, RottenTomatoes writes, “Arrival delivers a must-see experience for fans of thinking person's sci-fi that anchors its heady themes with genuinely affecting emotion and a terrific performance from Amy Adams.”

Concurring with this acclaim is Kenneth Turan of Los Angeles Times who says the film “is simultaneously old and new, revisiting many of these alien-invasion conventions but with unexpected intelligence, visual style and heart.”

Steve Tilley of Toronto Sun also affirms, “If you're yearning for a smart, thoughtful sci-fi film that wonders how first contact with aliens might go down, this tight little gem of a film is a gift from beyond the stars.”

Finally, The Atlantic's Christopher Orr proclaims, “The best film of the year to date, ambitious in conception and extraordinary in execution, has arrived.”

Opening across the Philippines on February 15, Arrival is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

MOVIES: WITH 8 OSCAR NOMS, “ARRIVAL” A RARE SCI-FI BEST PICTURE CONTENDER

Nabbing a best picture nomination January 23, Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival joined the short list of science-fiction films that have been nominated for the film industry’s top prize.

Reports Variety, previous to the Academy’s expansion of the category in 2009, sci-fi nominees were a rarity. The only two that come to mind are E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982 and Star Wars in 1979.

With eight, Arrival earned the second-highest number of nominations, clinching nods for director, adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound editing, sound mixing, production design, and editing — in addition to best picture.

Since 2009, movies such as District 9, Avatar, Inception, and Her have picked up best picture nominations. Gravity and The Martian have joined the fray as well, but purists might not consider their baked-in-reality premises strictly sci-fi.

The point is the Academy’s best picture expansion has been a boon for a genre that was largely ignored by the organization prior to the 21st Century.

In Arrival, when a mysterious spacecraft touches down across the globe, and an elite team - lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) - are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.

Also starring Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker, Arrival is based upon the acclaimed short story by Ted Chiang titled Story of Your Life.

Opening across the Philippines on February 15, Arrival is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

MOVIES: ARRIVAL” GETS NINE BRITISH ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Columbia Pictures' provocative science-fiction thriller Arrival continues its illustrious awards season run as the Denis Villeneuve film has just scored nine British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

It also landed Best Adapted Screenplay nod for screenwriter Eric Heisserer and Best Actress for lead star Amy Adams.

Rounding out the categories Arrival got nominated for are Music, Cinematography, Editing, Sound and Special Visual Effects. The winners will be known on February 12, 2017.


In Arrival, a mysterious spacecraft touches down across the globe, and an elite team - lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Adams) - are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.

Also starring Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker, Arrival is based upon the acclaimed short story by Ted Chiang titled Story of Your Life.


Opening across the Philippines on February 15, Arrival is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Movie News: ADAMS, RENNER FACE THE UNKNOWN IN THEIR “ARRIVAL” POSTERS

Columbia Pictures has launched the character posters of lead castmembers Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner for its upcoming thriller Arrival. The individual one-sheets of Adams and Renner show close-ups of their faces while clad in space suits.

Arrival is a provocative science fiction thriller from acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners). When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team - lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Adams) - are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.

“Casting [ARRIVAL} was the easiest thing in my career,” says Villeneuve, “because everybody fell in love with the screenplay. Amy Adams was the actress I was dreaming of for this part because I knew that the audience would believe in this movie if the actress believed in it—everything is happening through her eyes.”

Meanwhile, Villeneuve says that the role of Ian Donnelly was a bit different than the usual roles Renner is offered. “It's very unusual to cast Jeremy Renner, who is more of a James Bond or Jason Bourne type of an actor, into [the role of] an intellectual,” says the director. “I think he liked that challenge. He came full of generosity, because he's there to support Amy, I was amazed by his talent and strong instincts. He was able to bring that dimension of a scientist in a very dynamic and funny way. The movie owes him a lot.”

Opening across the Philippines on Dec. 07, Arrival is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Movies: SCI-FI THRILLER “ARRIVAL” BASED ON ACCLAIMED SHORT STORY

In Columbia Pictures' provocative science-fiction thriller Arrival, a mysterious spacecraft touches down across the globe, and an elite team - lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) - are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity. Also starring Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker.

“I've dreamed of doing science fiction since I was ten years old,” explains director Denis Villeneuve, who fell deeply in love with the short story Arrival is based upon, Ted Chiang’s ‘Story of Your Life.’ “It’s a genre that I feel has a lot of power and the tools to explore our reality in a very dynamic way.”

“After producers Dan Levine and Dan Cohen first contacted me about doing a movie,” says Chiang, “they sent me a DVD of Denis' film, Incendies (2010), to give me an idea of what they had in mind. That played a big part in my taking them seriously. If they had sent me a copy of a conventional Hollywood science-fiction movie, I probably would have ignored them. It wasn't until a few years later that Denis was actually attached to direct, but he was the director they had in mind from the beginning.”

Villeneuve approached Arrival differently for a number of reasons. Even though he thought ‘Story of Your Life’ was “fantastic material” he simply didn’t have time to write the screenplay because he was in the middle of shooting Prisoners (2013). “I had no time to write a screenplay,” says Villeneuve, “and, to be honest, I didn't know how to crack that short story because it's very intellectual, in a strong and beautiful way, but from a dramatic point of view it's a bit difficult to articulate because it's about process.”

Villeneuve left it with the producers, including executive producer and screenwriter Eric Heisserer, who had already been working on an adaptation of the short story from early on in the production process. “They came back a few months later with a screenplay written by Eric Heisserer that was surprisingly good,” says Villeneuve. “I say surprising because Eric was able to crack it and create a sense of tension and a drama inside of that process of translation.” Villeneuve was on board.

Heisserer was equally taken by Chiang’s story. “Ted’s short story gripped me in a way that very few stories do,” recounts Heisserer. “It wasn’t that I felt that the qualities of the story were inherently cinematic, but it gave me something that I hadn’t had in a long time. It fed my brain and my heart. It made me think and feel, and it treated me with a lot of respect as an intelligent reader. At the end of the day I felt it gave an optimistic message about humanity, and in turn about myself.”

“Eric and I didn't talk about the script as it was being written,” explains Chiang. “He pitched me his idea for the script early on in order to get me to grant permission. I should note that when I wrote the story, I never envisioned it being made into a film and I had difficulty imagining what a film adaptation of it would look like. When I heard Eric's pitch I was able to visualize the film he had in mind and I liked it, so I let him go ahead and write a script. After he had finished it, I read it and offered a few comments. Over the years the script has undergone some changes, but in most ways it's still what Eric originally pitched.”

Opening across the Philippines on Dec. 07, Arrival is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.