Movies: Book-To-Movie “Wonder” Empowers The Young Against Bullying

Based on the New York Times bestseller, “Wonder” tells the inspiring and heartwarming story of
August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school,  Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to find their compassion and acceptance, Auggie's extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.

“Wonder” stars Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts, Academy Award® nominee Owen Wilson, Izabela Vidovic and Jacob Tremblay. Spread from hand to hand, family to family, the book sold more than 5 million copies, but its impact went deeper as it also sparked a grassroots “Choose Kind” movement and inspired readers to share their own stories. The book soon lured Hollywood attention as well.

Part of the Wonder phenomenon has been empowering young people to more confidently confront the poison of bullying, bigotry and ostracism. “The book has sparked international anti-bullying campaigns,” notes producer Lieberman. “One of the most important things is that the story explores the many different ways people get bullied. Emotional bullying is a big deal to me, and it’s one of the reasons I really responded to the book. Bad behavior has been going on forever, but with social media you now have people treating others unfairly on an even wider spectrum, so the need for these kinds of stories is more timely than ever.”

Movies: Choose Kind When “Wonder” Opens November 29 In Cinemas

Based on the New York Times bestseller by R.J. Palacio, “Wonder” tells the inspiring and heartwarming story of 10-year old August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to find their compassion and acceptance, Auggie's extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.

Directed by Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), “Wonder” stars Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts (Best Actress, Erin Brockovich, 2000; August: Osage County, Pretty Woman), Academy Award® nominee Owen Wilson (Best Original Screenplay, The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001; The Grand Budapest Hotel, Midnight in Paris), and Jacob Tremblay. Also starring are Izabela Vidovic, Mandy Patinkin, Daveed Diggs, Sonia Braga, Danielle Rose Russell, Nadji Jeter, Noah Jupe, Bryce Gheisar, Millie Davis and newcomer Elle McKinnon.

Golden Globe nominee Jacob Tremblay (Room) tackles the one-of-a-kind role of Auggie Pullman, whose birth defects and multiple surgeries have kept him out of school -- until now. Jettisoned into what is for him the brave new world of the 5th grade, Auggie steps into an unexpected journey.  All Auggie ever wanted was to be an ordinary kid, but as his sister keeps telling him, you can’t be ordinary when you were born to stand out. Though he once found solace inside a space helmet, suddenly he must face a whole universe of gawking kids who don’t yet know how to face him back. Now, in a year by turns funny, tough and beautiful -- Auggie and all around him are transformed by the things that count most: friendship, courage and the everyday choice to be kind to everyone in your path.

Movies: Julia Roberts stars alongside Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson in film adaptation of New York Times Bestseller “Wonder”

“You are not ugly, and anyone who cares to know you will see that.”

The world is full of insecurities, but when one kid changes the way people see things, it breaks barriers and sets in new norms for everyone around us, seeing how people that love us the most would do anything for us to fit into the society and that we should spread the thing the world needs these days, Kindness.

Based on the New York Times Bestselling novel “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio and directed by Stephen Chbosky (“Perks of being a Wildflower”) the amazing story stars Academy Award winning actress (“Erin Brokovich”)  Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson (“Marley & Me”)

Movies: Owen Wilson Speaks For Lightning McQueen In “Cars 3”

Owen Wilson provides the voice once again for the beloved character Lightning McQueen in Disney-Pixar's Cars 3, due in Philippine cinemas July 26.

McQueen is a world champion racer who’s riding high with five Piston-Cup wins under his hood. Suddenly, he finds himself faced with a new generation of racers who threaten not only his dominance in the sport—but the confidence that got him there. Determined to get back to the pole position, the #95 must decide if his love for racing is enough to fuel the comeback of his life.

“We were really intrigued by what happens to athletes who are in the twilight of their careers,” says director Brian Fee. “All Lightning McQueen has ever wanted is to be a champion—and he’s done that. Does that mean his life is over? He doesn’t know anything else.”

Movies: Female Car Trainer Cruz Ramirez Is Sunny-But-Fierce In “Cars 3”

In Disney-Pixar's No.1 US box-office hit Cars 3, Lightning McQueen meets his match in Cruz Ramirez, a sunny-but-fierce unconventional trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center.

Tasked with getting Lightning back on track after a devastating setback, Cruz isn’t shy – her training style is high-tech, enthusiastic and steadfast—she’s not afraid to apply a little tough love. But there’s more to Cruz than meets the eye.

According to story supervisor Scott Morse, while Cruz may be the antidote to Lightning’s issues, she’s also a bold, bright yellow reminder. “She’s a very tangible personal version of what he freaked out about before he crashed,” says Morse. “She is the face of the future. She is cool. She is brash. She seems to know a lot more than him. She is kind of flippant about it. She’s really good and doesn’t have to work for it like he does. She’s young. He’s old.”

Movies: “Cars 3” Races To The Screen For Series' Biggest Adeventure Yet

Lightning McQueen is back on the big screen in Disney-Pixar’s Cars 3 -- but he’s not a rookie anymore. Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Piston-Cup champion finds himself suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves.

“The next-gen racers are cool,” says Cars 3 director Brian Fee. “You can see instantly that cars like Jackson Storm are effortlessly fast. We designed these younger, faster cars to be sleek and aerodynamic—and they’re a sharp contrast to Lightning McQueen.”

Producer Kevin Reher says the story is reflective of real-life champions. “Lightning McQueen has been racing for more than a decade,” says Reher. “He’s struggling with the kind of issues a lot of athletes face later in their careers. Do you go out on top or fight till the end?”

MOVIES: LIGHTNING STRIKES IN NEW “CARS 3” TRAILER

Disney-Pixar's eagerly anticipated sequel Cars 3 has released a new, gritty trailer that further revealed dramatic plot points our hero, Lightning McQueen, may have to confront.

Check out the trailer at http://youtu.be/U1eQYk74R1g and watch Cars 3 when it opens in the Philippines on August 23, 2017.

In the film, blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

The animated adventure is directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short).

“Cars 3” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Philippines.

MOVIES: OWEN WILSON, ARMIE HAMMER BUCKLE UP FOR “CARS 3”

High-Octane Adventure Cruises into PH Theaters August 23, 2017

Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” filmmakers revealed key cast members and new characters in the upcoming faster-than-fast film. Joining Owen Wilson in the all-new story that tests the heart of a champion in a high-tech world are Cristela Alonzo and Armie Hammer as unconventional trainer Cruz Ramirez and next-gen racer Jackson Storm, respectively.

“Cristela is full of optimism and a positive energy that I think really comes through in Cruz’s personality,” said “Cars 3” director Brian Fee. “And of course, she’s a hilarious comedian, so that doesn’t hurt either.”

“Armie brought a great combination of intensity and charm to the role of Jackson Storm,” said Fee. “His charisma helped create a character you really love to hate.”

Directed by Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

Announced “Cars 3” Cast & Characters:

Lightning McQueen is world champion—a modern-day racing legend who’s riding high with five Piston-Cup wins under his hood. Suddenly, he finds himself faced with a new generation of racers who threaten not only his dominance in the sport—but the confidence that got him there. Determined to get back to the pole position, the #95 must decide if his love for racing is enough to fuel the comeback of his life.

Owen Wilson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” upcoming “Wonder”) returns to the racetrack as the voice of the champion. Wilson stars in the upcoming Woody Harrelson-directed live film “Lost in London.”

Cruz Ramirez is a sunny-but-fierce unconventional trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She expertly arms the team's talented rookies with cutting-edge tools to tear up the track—but she nearly stalls when her longtime idol Lightning McQueen shows up. While she’d love to help him find his way back to the top, she knows the competition is faster than ever, and victory is all about speed—or is it?

Cristela Alonzo (“The Angry Birds Movie”) was called on to help bring the character to life. Alonzo’s debut stand-up special for Netflix, “Lower Classy,” which debuts on Jan. 24, 2017, showcases the comedian’s life as a the daughter of an immigrant, touching on important issues like social class, breaking the glass ceiling and how she can’t get the hang of Zumba.

Jackson Storm is fast, sleek and ready to race. A frontrunner in the next generation of racers, Storm’s quiet confidence and cocky demeanor are off-putting—but his unmatched speed threatens to redefine the sport. Trained on high-tech simulators that are programmed to perfect technique and maximize velocity, Jackson Storm is literally built to be unbeatable—and he knows it.

Armie Hammer (“Birth of a Nation”) was tapped as the voice of Jackson Storm. Hammer recently appeared in Tom Ford’s “Nocturnal Animals.” He will next be seen starring in “Free Fire,” directed by Ben Wheatley; “Final Portrait,” directed by Stanley Tucci; and “Call Me by Your Name,” directed by Luca Guadagnino.