"88 Minutes" - In the movie "88 Minutes," Dr. Jack Gramm (Al Pacino) is a shrewed womanizing Forensic Psychologist and professor working with the FBI in Seattle. A tortured past makes him great at what he does. In this fast paced film, Jack's past is returning to pull him on another roller-coaster as a killer that he helped to put on death row approaches the last minutes of his life. A modern "who-dunnit," "88 Minutes" keeps you guessing to the hair-pulling end.
"88 Minutes" received its theatrical premiere in France during the Summer of 2007. The "88 Minutes" movie, gets its U.S. theatrical release nearly one year later.
STARRING: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Amy Brenneman, Leelee Sobieski, Benjamin McKenzie, Deborah Kara Unger, William Forsythe, Neal McDonough
DIRECTOR: Jon Avnet
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
88 Minutes
Hancock
"Hancock Movie" - "Hancock" centers on a tortured superhero (Will Smith) who crash-lands in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and tries to transform himself by romancing an alluring housewife, causing chaos in the city.
Will Smith's "I Am Legend," featuring NYC, was the highest grossing - opening weekend - December movie release in history. Do you think "Hancock," directed by Peter Berg ("The Kingdom"), will do just as well as "I Am Legend," when it hits theaters July 4th, 2008 weekend? Check out the "Hancock Trailer," below, to see if you'll be lining up at the movie box office with your $10.
STARRING: Will Smith, Charlize Theron
DIRECTOR: Peter Berg
The Counterfeiters
"The Counterfeiters" ("Die Fälscher" in German) is the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. Salomon "Sally" Sorowitsch (Karl Markovics) is the king of counterfeiters. He lives a mischievous life of cards, booze, and women in Berlin during the Nazi-era. Suddenly his luck runs dry when arrested by Superintendent Friedrich Herzog (Devid Striesow). Immediately thrown into the Mauthausen concentration camp, Salomon exhibits exceptional skills there and is soon transferred to the upgraded camp of Sachsenhausen. Upon his arrival, he once again comes face to face with Herzog, who is there on a secret mission. Hand-picked for his unique skill, Salomon and a group of professionals are forced to produce fake foreign currency under the program Operation Berhard. The team, which also includes detainee Adolf Burger (August Diehl), is given luxury barracks for their assistance. But while Salomon attempts to weaken the economy of Germany's allied opponents, Adolf refuses to use his skills for Nazi profit and would like to do something to stop Operation Bernhard's aid to the war effort. Faced with a moral dilemma, Salomon must decide whether his actions, which could prolong the war and risk the lives of fellow prisoners, are ultimately the right ones.
"The Counterfeiters" has a tremendous chance at winning Best Foreign Film at the "2008 Oscars."
"No Country For Old Men" won four major "2008 Oscars"
"No Country For Old Men" - The story, based on Cormac McCarthy's best selling novel, begins when Llewelyn Moss (JOSH BROLIN) finds a pickup truck surrounded by a sentry of dead men. A load of heroin and two million dollars in cash are still in the back. When Moss takes the money, he sets off a chain reaction of catastrophic violence that not even the law - in the person of aging, disillusioned Sheriff Bell (TOMMY LEE JONES) - can contain. As Moss tries to evade his pursuers - in particular a mysterious mastermind who flips coins for human lives (JAVIER BARDEM) - the film simultaneously strips down the American crime drama and broadens its concerns to encompass themes as ancient as the Bible and as bloodily contemporary as this morning's headlines.
"No Country For Old Men" won four major "2008 Oscars" - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay.
Death Race
"Death Race" - Jason Statham leads the cast of an action-thriller set in the post-industrial wasteland of tomorrow - 2020 - with the world's most brutal sporting event as its backdrop. A penitentiary full of felons has inspired the jailers to create a grisly pastime ripe for lucrative kickbacks. Now, adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for televised violence and a spectacular arena come together to form the "Death Race."
Three-time speedway champion Jensen Ames (Jason Statham) is an expert at survival in the harsh landscape that has become our country. Just as he thinks he has turned his life around, the ex-con is framed for a gruesome murder he didn't commit. Forced to don the mask of the mythical driver Frankenstein -- a crowd favorite who seems impossible to kill -- Ames is given an easy choice by Terminal Island's warden (Joan Allen): suit up or rot away in a cell.
His face hidden by a metallic mask, one convict will be put through an insane three-day challenge. Ames must survive a gauntlet of the most vicious criminals in the country's toughest prison to claim the prize of freedom. Driving a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, one desperate man will destroy anything in his path to win the most twisted spectator sport on Earth.
"Death Race" is an updated theatrical version of the 1970s Roger Corman film "Death Race 2000" that starred Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Daniel Day-Lewis, No Country for Old Men Win Top Oscars
The 80th annual Academy Awards proved to be nothing if not international – honoring performers from Spain, England and France on Hollywood's big night Sunday.
Still, when the dust settled, it was the American neo-Western No Country for Old Men that took top honors at the Kodak Theatre ceremony. Besides being named Best Picture, the drama won Oscars for its Directors Joel and Ethan Coen, who were also honored for their Adapted Screenplay.
England was well represented – by Best Actor Daniel Day-Lewis, for There Will Be Blood, and Best Supporting Actress Tilda Swinton, for Michael Clayton. France's Marion Cotillard was named Best Actress for La Vie en Rose and Spain's Javier Bardem won Best Supporting Actor for No Country.
In all, the Coens' violent tale of a psychotic killer on the trail of drug money won four Oscars. The offbeat comedy Juno was cited for Best Original Screenplay.
For Day-Lewis, the night brought his second Oscar, this time for his role as a ruthless oilman. His first Oscar was for 1989's My Left Foot.
Accepting his Oscar from last's year's The Queen Best Actress winner Helen Mirren, Day-Lewis said, "That's the closest I'll ever come to getting a knighthood."
excerpt from:People.com
Unforgettable Experienced
It was May 8, 2003, 4 days ago before I entered here as a working student in this university. I never thought it was published in a local newspaper, it was the most embarrassing moment of my life... (September 8, 2003 issue)
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Monday, September 08, 2003
Ombud suspends ComVal councilman for mauling
A BARANGAY councilman was suspended for three months after he was accused of mauling a man who asked payment for the beer that he and his companions drank last May 8.
Gregorio C. Generale Jr., barangay councilman of Magnaga, Pantukan, Compostela Valley, was ordered suspended based on a decision penned by Graft Investigation Officer 11 Ma. Clarissa M. Muego dated August 14.
The charges stemmed from the complaint filed by Jonald Palma of Barangay Piape, Pantukan.
In his complaint, Palma claimed that last May 8, Generale was assigned as the ticket collector of a disco sponsored by the youth organization in celebration of barangay fiesta.
Around midnight, Generale and some friends allegedly went inside the disco house and allegedly ordered beer amounting to P600, promising to settle the bill later.
When Generale ordered his last beer, Palma asked for the payment but Generale allegedly got angry, prompting Palma to pour a glass of beer at him.
Generale allegedly handcuffed, mauled and dragged Palma, resulting to injuries all over his body.
Generale left the place afterwards, while relatives took Palma to the police station for safety.
In his counter-affidavit, Generale denied mauling and handcuffing Palma. He claimed he did not have a handcuff in his possession, as he is not a police officer.
He said he saw Palma 50 meters away from the place the disco was held, being handcuffed by an unidentified man, as Palma was very drunk.
Palma insisted in his reply-affidavit that the handcuff of the barangay council of Magnaga was in Generale's possesion as certified by the barangay secretary.
Both parties were called to a preliminary conference on July 24, but both parties failed to attend. Both also failed to submit their position papers after the lapse of time prescribed, so the case was submitted for decision on the basis of evidence on record.
After evaluation, the Ombudsman was unconvinced of Generale's position. Palma also reported the incident immediately after it occurred, therefore Palma did not have time to fabricate it.
In fact, Palma had to travel from Magnaga to the Ombudsman Office in Davao City on the morning of May 9 to seek assistance to remove his handcuff and to file the complaint.
Pantukan municipal mayor Jovito D. Derla was directed to enforce Generale's suspension and to show a proof of compliance of the order within ten days upon finality of the decision. RCB
Arroyo: We all know I am not perfect
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Sunday she knows she's not perfect but warned her rivals that an attempt to oust her in a "people's power" revolt would damage her country's image and repel foreign investment.
Arroyo's comments came as opposition and left-wing groups prepared to commemorate today a 1986 popular uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The groups planned to stage protests in 15 cities to demand Arroyo's resignation following a slew of corruption scandals that have rocked her seven-year rule.
Police, troops and tanks assembled in central Manila to ensure security during the protests, amid fresh rumors of a possible coup. Military and police leaders have reiterated their loyalty to the chain of command and warned their men from backing any anti-government activity.excerpt from TOPIX
On my point of view, the president's strategy were pabalik balik lang, remember when in the middle of "Hello Garci" scandal, the president is asking "I am sorry" with all humility? now again, dahil alam nilang namimiligro na naman ang goberno, gumagamit na naman sila ng strategy and maka gain ng sympathy of the people. Kapal talaga ng mukha ng mga ito.
Teardrops On My Guitar
Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see
That I want and I'm needing everything that we should be
I'll bet she's beautiful, that girl he talks about
And she's got everything that I have to live without
Drew talks to me, I laugh cause it's so damn funny
That I can't even see anyone when he's with me
He says he's so in love, he's finally got it right,
I wonder if he knows he's all I think about at night
[Chorus:]
He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do
Drew walks by me, can he tell that I can't breathe?
And there he goes, so perfectly,
The kind of flawless I wish I could be
She'd better hold him tight, give him all her love
Look in those beautiful eyes and know she's lucky cause
[Repeat Chorus]
So I drive home alone, as I turn out the light
I'll put his picture down and maybe
Get some sleep tonight
He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only one who's got enough of me to break my heart
He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do
He's the time taken up, but there's never enough
And he's all that I need to fall into..
Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see.
The Love Guru [June 2008]
"The Love Guru" - In the comedy, "The Love Guru," Pitka (Mike Myers) is an American who was left at the gates of an ashram in India as a child and raised by gurus. He moves back to the U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world of self-help and spirituality, specializing in settling intimacy issues between couples. His unorthodox methods are put to the test when he must settle a rift between major league star hockey player Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) and his estranged wife. After the split, Roanoke's wife starts dating the star member of a rival team, out of revenge, sending her husband into a major professional skid -- to the horror of the team's owner Jane Bullard (Jessica Alba) and Coach Cherkov (the midget Verne Troyer). Pitka must return the couple to marital nirvana and get Roanoke back on his game so the team can break the 40-year-old "Bullard Curse" and win the championship.
Penelope
"Penelope" is the story of a young woman, Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Richard E. Grant and Catherine O'Hara).
"Penelope" is afflicted by a secret family curse that can only be broken when she is loved by one of her own kind. Hidden away in the family's majestic home, she is subjected to meeting a string of blue-bloods through her parent's futile attempt to marry her off and break the curse. Each suitor is instantly enamored with "Penelope" (and her sizable dowry)... until the curse is revealed.
When a willing mate cannot be found, mischievous tabloid reporter Lemon (Peter Dinklage) hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor in hopes of snapping a photo of the mysterious "Penelope." Max, who is really a down-on-his-luck gambler, finds himself drawn to "Penelope" and not wanting to expose or disappoint her, disappears and leaves Lemon in the lurch. Fed up by this latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and goes out into the world in search of adventure - curse be damned.
The feature filmmaking debut of director Mark Palansky, "Penelope" was produced by Reese Witherspoon - "Penelope."
Originally scheduled for a Spring 2007 release, and then an August 17, 2007 release, "Penelope," well, her future, was in jeopardy. Until Rob Friedman, CEO of Summit Entertainment, saved the film and snatched it up. "Penelope" is now scheduled for a February 29, 2008 release.
