A HILARIOUS DOSE OF “PARENTAL GUIDANCE”

Old will be new in the upcoming truthful family comedy “Parental Guidance” starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott.

Billy Crystal plays Artie Decker, a well-meaning but rather self-centered man who loves his life and his wife Diane (Bette Midler), but has never bothered to connect with his grandchildren. Time soon came to reconnect when they agreed to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane’s old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it’s learning to bend – and not holding your ground – that brings a family together.

“PARENTAL GUIDANCE combines comedy and pathos in the best way,” affirms Billy Crystal, who portrays Artie Decker. “It’s what life is about. This film has something for everyone.”

“The film was my idea,” says Crystal. “I have three grandchildren of my own and another one on the way in March. The two older girls stayed with us for six days while my daughter had her first vacation away. After the sixth day I rested and then walked into the office and said, ‘okay, here’s an idea for a movie. It is a horror story!’”

In the story, Billy Crystal’s Artie and Bette Midler’s Diane are “the other grandparents” to their three grandchildren – meaning their son-in-law’s parents have a much stronger connection with the kids, which Diane envies and has long sought to correct. But Artie and Diane’s infrequent visits to their daughter Alice’s (Marisa Tomei) home have relegated them to second-tier status – along with a few photos of the couple hidden on Alice’s mantelpiece.

“It’s not that Artie and Diane don’t love Alice – who is their only child – and her three kids; they just don’t understand them,” explains Midler. Diane has renewed hope when Alice reluctantly invites her and Artie to babysit the couple’s grandkids while Alice and husband Phil (Tom Everett Scott) enjoy some time away from home. For Alice, her invitation is an act of, well, desperation – her in-laws are unavailable so she must turn to Artie and Diane for help. (Alice’s misgiving even lead to her breaking out in a rash.) But Diane sees it as a golden opportunity: “Grandparenting is a second chance” to be a part of their lives of their grandchildren and Alice – she tells Artie, who is much less enthused about hanging out with the kids he barely knows.

Artie’s mixed feelings about this “second chance” are partly due to his recent professional setbacks. A minor league baseball announcer for over 30 years, Artie has just been fired, losing his dream to work in the major leagues. Still reeling from that disappointment, the last thing he wants is to look after his grandchildren. But Artie will ultimately discover that there’s more to life than announcing ball games. “He’s been fired from a job he loves, but then finds himself kind of falling in love with his grandkids,” says Crystal.

Before getting to that point, Artie undergoes a series of granddad vs. daughter/grandkids comedic misadventures, misunderstandings and mistakes, not to mention daughter Alice’s lack of faith in his ability to stick to her myriad rules and regulations. Says Marisa Tomei: “Artie and Diane are like a ‘club of two’ and haven’t cultivated relationships with their grandchildren. They had a great time living their own lives, but forgot to get to know the kids.”

“Parental Guidance” opens January 16 in theaters nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

“LIFE OF PI’S” NEWBIE THESPIAN SURAJ SHARMA NOMINATED IN 18TH CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

LIFE OF PI takes us from serene to stormy

From Oscar winning filmmaker Ang Lee comes “Life of Pi,” a breathtakingly beautiful story of a boy named Pi played by newcomer Suraj Sharma who is lost at sea with a Bengal tiger, following the loss of his family in a shipwreck.

SurajSharma stars in LIFE OF PI

Suraj Sharma who hails from India never expected a “Life of Pi” when he accompanied his brother to the movie’s casting call. Born and raised in Delhi, India and raised by mathematician parents, it seemed that from more than 3,000 hopefuls who auditioned for the role, Suraj was destined to play the role of Pi, a mathematical constant transcendental number.

He has recently been nominated in the upcoming Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Actor for his role in “Life of Pi” along with other actors/actresses such as Elle Fanning (“Ginger & Rosa”) and Logan Lerman (“Perks of Being a Wallflower”).

Director Ang Lee & Suraj Sharma LIFE OF PI

The story revolves around Pi, a delightfully enthusiastic teenager who lives with his zoo-keeping family in Pondicherry, India. Inquisitive and intelligent, he explores different cultures and spiritual traditions. Pi has open-minded parents who allow him to become a free thinker, finding his own path. Due to a worsening economic climate, Pi’s parents decide to emigrate to start a new life in Canada. But the ship sinks. Eventually only Pi and the tiger are left alive on the lifeboat and the unlikely pair embarks on an Odyssey that is fraught with danger. On the precarious lifeboat he shares with the tiger, Pi finds inner strength and becomes aware that some kind of higher power is in charge of his destiny.

The heightened emotional connections presented in the movie required exceptional performances from its cast, none more so than the neophyte thespian who would take on the titular hero. “We searched for a young man who had the innocence to capture our attention, the depth of character to break our hearts, and the physicality needed to embody Pi on his journey,” says director Ang Lee. "During his audition, Suraj filled the room with emotion, much of which he conveyed simply through his eyes. His natural ability to believe and stay in the world of the story is a rare treasure.

Life of PI - SURAJ SHARMA as Pi

“Suraj’s investment in the story made us really believe that whatever challenges we faced, the film was really going to happen,” adds the director. “When we saw Suraj, we saw the movie. Mr. Lee marvels at Suraj’s innocence and efforts, noting, “We are all experienced and perhaps a little jaded. Suraj reminded us why we want to make movies. Every day was a miracle.”

For Suraj Sharma, the experience of landing the starring role was surreal. “It was all so new for me,” says Suraj. “I had never been out of India. I didn’t know how to act or swim. I learned how to swim and now it’s my favorite thing to do. Shooting the film in Taiwan and meeting people from all over the world in the crew was fantastic. You get an idea of how diverse the world is. I was really inspired by everything I saw and everyone I got to know. I wanted to give it everything I had.”

Suraj Sharma as PI

Sharma also went through rigorous workouts to increase his stamina, which gave him an inner discipline and strength that enabled him to empathize with the character. “What defines Pi is his never-ending will to survive, he has a belief in the world and I think that’s what sets him apart from everyone else. He survives by instinct. But he also possessed a strong sprit from the beginning, right from being a child. But Pi kept that innocence inside him and with innocence comes belief.”

LIFE OF PI

“Life of Pi” opens January 9 in 3D and 2D theaters nationwide from 20^th Century Fox thru Warner Bros.

The SM Store Year-End Sale

Just when you thought you’ve received all the gifts you want, The SM Store (Department Store Official Page) gives you more great finds of up to 50% off! 

Enjoy more holiday shopping at The SM Store YEAR-END SALE!

Dec. 26-31 at all SM stores, Nationwide!

Holiday shopping never ends at the SM Department Store YEAR-END SALE!

Per DTI-NCR Permit Number 9272, Series of 2012.

Follow The SM Store on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thesmstore & Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thesmstore

#thesmstoreyearendsale

IT'S THE HOLIDAYS WITH "PARENTAL GUIDANCE"

“THE CROODS’” MOTION POSTER - SEE IT COME TO LIFE!

DreamWorks and 20^th Century Fox unveil an extraordinary first in visual presentation – “The Croods” living poster is here: http://www.thecroodsmovie.com/motionposter/

Written and directed by two-time Academy Award® nominee Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch) and Kirk DeMicco (Space Chimps) and produced by Kristine Belson (How to Train Your Dragon) and Jane Hartwell (Shrek), “The Croods” stars Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke and Cloris Leachman. “The Croods” is a comedy adventure that takes us back to a previously undiscovered era in the history of our planet known as the Croodaceous, when nature was still a work-in-progress... full of never-before- seen creatures and landscapes. Audiences will relate to the hilarious family antics as an imaginative and resourceful newcomer helps the Croods navigate their way through the fantastic world beyond their cave.

“The Croods” will open in 3D and 2D format on March 30 in theaters nationwide!

STEPPING UP THE GRANDPARENTS’ GAME IN “PARENTAL GUIDANCE”

Comedy icons Billy Crystal and Bette Midler star in the family-centric comedy “Parental Guidance” together with Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush and Kylie Harrison Breitkopf directed by Andy Fickman.

Bailee Madison Crystal Kylie Midler PARENTAL GUIDANCE

A comedic and emotionally rich depiction of the clashing parenting styles between the generations, “Parental Guidance’s” subject matter, characters and actors are relatable to all audiences. Youngsters will enjoy the hijinks of the family’s trio of children; the film’s theme of being caught between your parents and kids will resonate with adults; and the movie is the first comedy in many years that shows grandparents as active, funny, involved and vital characters – and central to modern family life.

Bette Midler in PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Alice (Tomei) in desperation calls her parents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) to look after their three children when she and her husband need to go on a trip. In the story, Billy Crystal’s Artie and Bette Midler’s Diane are “the other grandparents” to their three grandchildren – meaning their son-in-law’s parents have a much stronger connection with the kids, which Diane envies and has long sought to correct. But Artie and Diane’s infrequent visits to their daughter Alice’s (Marisa Tomei) home have relegated them to second-tier status – along with a few photos of the couple hidden on Alice’s mantelpiece.

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler in PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Joe Syracuse & Lisa Addario, the movie’s screenwriting partners, husband-and-wife, and parents of two children, say the notion of battling parenting styles between the generations resonated with them. “Once we became parents, we realized that we were not raising them the way our parents raised us,” says Addario. The two writers, like so many of their generation, grew up during a time when children’s car seats had yet to be invented, second-hand smoke didn’t have a name, and kids rode bikes without helmets. But when our generation had kids, “the word ‘parent’ became a verb as well as a noun,” adds Syracuse. “But when the reality of childrearing set in, we came to see the wisdom in the way our parents did things, and we started to question our generation’s nurturing, coddling and overprotecting our kids.”

Midler and Crystal in PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Director Andy Fickman, father to a teenager, says he was drawn to the movie’s universal appeal, noting that “in any country in the world, each generation thinks it has a better way to be a parent.” Like Syracuse & Addario, Fickman makes special note of the differing generational parenting methods. “When I was growing up, I would get a Pop Tart for breakfast. My parents had [famed pediatrician] Dr. [Benjamin] Spock’s book to guide them through almost all situations; today, we go to doctors for every conceivable concern. For parents today, it’s all about the kids’ feelings and emotions, and everything becomes a ‘Dr. Phil’ episode.”

Says Bette Midler of the generational parenting conflicts: “Most people are mortified by the way they were raised and can’t wait to raise their own kids differently. I was on the cusp of the old school/new school parenting styles, so I understand the motivations of each.”

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

A big motivation for Midler to join “Parental Guidance” was the chance to team with Billy Crystal. The two have been friends for nearly 30 years, but this is their first professional collaboration. “Billy and I have similar tastes in theater, movies, music and humor, so it was pretty easy for us to play a married couple,” says the actress. “We know what each other is going to do, so we mesh in a unique way.”

It’s a family affair when “Parental Guidance” opens in cinemas nationwide in the Phils. on January 16 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

HOLLYWOOD AND BOLLYWOOD’S GREATS PLAY STRONG SUPPORT IN “LIFE OF PI”

Ang Lee’s masterful new film centers on a teenager who is adrift at sea on a lifeboat for 227 days, with a fierce Bengal tiger. Riveting and breathtaking, “Life of Pi” is an edge-of-your-seat 3D adventure starring newcomer Suraj Sharma taking on the lead role as Pi.

Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling, award-winning novel, the movie tells a deeply inspiring story about hope, courage and the strength of the human spirit. Piscine Patel, (known as Pi) lives with his zoo keeping family in Pondicherry, India. They decide to emigrate to Canada, taking their animals along with them and set off on a huge freighter ship, steaming from India across the Pacific with plans to sell their other animals to Manila Zoo along their journey. But a terrible storm destroys the ship. The family and most of the animals perish. Pi survives, stranded on a lifeboat with several animals.

Actress TABU in Life of Pi

Sharma dominates the film but there is a diverse and impressively strong supporting cast including French actor Gérard Depardieu and Indian actor Irrfan Khan who plays the older Pi, settled in Canada later in life. Indian actors Tabu and Adil Hussain play Pi’s parents. British actor Rafe Spall plays the writer who is interviewing Pi about his life-changing voyage.

Irrfan Khan who plays the grown up Pi is India’s recent Padma Shri awardee recognizing his contributions to the Indian Cinema. Khan has recently appeared in “Partition,” “A Mighty Heart” and “The Amazing Spiderman.” Also a Padma Shri awardee, Tabu who plays Gita Patel, the mother of Pi is widely considered one of the finest and most versatile actresses in the Indian film industry who has appeared in over 70 films. She holds the record for the most wins of Filmfare's Critics Award for Best Female Performer, with six. Tabu received worldwide recognition and widespread critical acclaim for her leading role in Mira Nair's American film “The Namesake.” Known to be selective about her film roles, Tabu has said, “I do films which move me and most of all, the unit and the director should appeal to me.”

Rafe Spall and Irrfan Khan in LIFE OF PI

Rafe Spall who portrays the writer in the movie who interviews the grown up Pi is one of Britain’s rising stars. Recently seen in Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus,” he has also appeared in “One Day” and “Anonymous.” Gerard Depardieu who plays the ship’s cook is widely renowned for his versatility and his unique combination of gentleness and brutish physicality. The award-winning actor has enjoyed a film career spanning more than four decades, and has appeared in over 170 films.

Ang Lee has in fact created a film that is powerful, engrossing and visually stunning. “It is about overcoming adversity and that speaks to a lot of people because in a sense, life is adversity,” says 20^th Century Fox’s Elizabeth Gabler, discussing the life-affirming movie. “Finding ways to overcome that adversity is what makes life not only easier, but more meaningful. The film transcends language barriers and age barriers; this is a movie that people of all ages, all nationalities and cultures can watch and enjoy. Hopefully you will come away with a great feeling about the spirit of mankind that will inspire you. It is about having faith in your own strength and how your inner character pulls you through life.”

Rafe Spall in LIFE OF PI

“If you can dance instead of just walking, if you can splash your walls with color instead of painting them white or beige, that’s good,” muses Yann Martel. “It makes your life richer, more meaningful. We’re only here for a brief time, we have seventy, eighty years, which go by so quickly, and that being the case, why not make more of it?”. . .which in essence is what LIFE OF PI is all about.

“Life of Pi” opens January 9 in cinemas nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

DIE HARD 5: “A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD” POSTER REVEAL

You’ve seen the trailer, Bruce Willis as John McClane is being warned not to make a mess in Moscow where he sets foot the first time. But Willis is back like hell in the 5^th installment of the blockbuster franchise “Die Hard” films - “A Good Day To Die Hard” co-starring Jai Courtney as his son, John McClane Jr.

20^th Century Fox reveals the badass poster of “A Good Day To Die Hard” with father and son ready to shoot in the midst of a burning Masjid structure in the heart of Moscow.

“Iconoclastic, take-no-prisoners cop John McClane, for the first time, finds himself on foreign soil after traveling to Moscow to help his wayward son Jack ­– unaware that Jack is really a highly-trained CIA operative out to stop a nuclear weapons heist. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClanes discover that their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes.

February 13, 2013 is “A Good Day To Die Hard” in Philippine cinemas (nationwide) from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Like us on Facebook 20^th Century Fox (Philippines) and check our latest trailers at Youtube – 20^thCenturyFoxPh.

“THE WOLVERINE” BRAND NEW POSTER IS HERE TO SHARE!

20^th Century Fox releases the brand new international poster of “The Wolverine” displaying Hugh Jackman in an arched position seemingly ready for intense action!

"Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before."

“The Wolverine” brand new poster is available in various formats on the official site at http://www.thewolverinemovie.com/intl including:

Download the poster here http://www.thewolverinemovie.com/intl/file/TheWolverine_poster_intl.jpg.zip

“The Wolverine,” starring Hugh Jackman and directed by James Mangold, opens in cinemas around the world beginning in July 2013.

In Philippine cinemas on July 25 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Like us on Facebook 20^th Century Fox (Philippines) and check our latest trailers at YouTube – 20^thCenturyFoxPh.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY AT AYALA MALLS CINEMAS

Middle Earth is back! Watch THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY in Ayala Malls Cinemas and get the chance to join exciting
promos!  Experience it best when you watch it in HFR 3D (click here for HRF details: link: http://sureseats.com//whats_new/#148 )

available in Greenbelt 3 Cinema 2 and Glorietta 4 Cinema 3. 
Book and buy your movie tickets at www.sureseats.com.  For updates on events and promos, like us on Facebook! Facebook/ayalamallscinemas "log in to www.sureseats.com"

Les Misérables Movie

Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 27th year. Helmed by The King’s Speech’s Academy Award®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Hugh Jackman

Amanda Seigfried

Anne Hathaway

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

‘Les Misérables’ is released and distributed by United Intl. Pictures through Solar Entertainment . Corp.

ONLY IN CINEMAS STARTING JANUARY 9: VISUALLY STUNNING WONDER “LIFE OF PI”

From 20^th Century Fox, the studio behind “Titanic” and “Avatar” comes an epic motion picture that will allow audience to experience the grand spectacle of nature and gasp at a young boy’s coming of age through disaster and salvation in “Life of Pi” directed by Academy Award winner Ang Lee.

Based on the book by Yann Martel that has sold more than seven million copies and spent years on the bestseller lists, “Life of Pi” takes place over three continents, two oceans and a wide universe of imagination. Lee’s vision, coupled with stunning 3D visuals, has turned a novel long thought un-filmable into a thrillingly audacious mix of grand storytelling and powerful and provocative themes.

“Life of Pi” is Ang Lee’s first foray in 3D filmmaking starring newcomer Suraj Sharma who takes on the titular role of Pi. The story revolves around Piscine Patel, (known as Pi) who lives with his zoo keeping family in Pondicherry. They decide to emigrate to Canada, taking their animals along with them and set off on a huge freighter ship, steaming from India across the Pacific. But a terrible storm destroys the ship. The family and most of the animals perish. Pi survives, stranded on a lifeboat with several animals. Ultimately it is just Pi and a Bengal tiger who miraculously survive 227 days at sea.

The two castaways face unimaginable challenges, including nature’s majestic grandeur and fury, which lash their small lifeboat. One particularly monstrous storm becomes a spiritual experience for Pi, leading him to question God’s plan for him. “I’ve lost everything! I surrender! What more do you want?” Pi rails at the sky. But through it all, he never loses hope. Pi finds joy from something as simple as an old survival manual, as well as from the solace of the ocean’s beauty: the bioluminescent, rainbow hues of magnificent schools of flying fish; the shimmering blues of the ocean’s swells; and a radiant humpback whale that streaks to the surface of the ocean.

In telling Pi’s story, Mr. Lee pushes the boundaries of cutting-edge motion picture technologies. “Life of Pi” represents a moment when the science and art of filmmaking have jumped forward, as it did with the visual effects of “Titanic,” the 3D revolution of “Avatar,” and the CGI work in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” which brought unprecedented emotion and depth to the character of Caesar. And like Caesar, LIFE OF PI’s Richard Parker is a fully-realized, accessible character, whom you’ll believe was actually on that lifeboat with Suraj Sharma, who portrays Pi.

The attention to detail throughout LIFE OF PI is also impressive. Production designer David Gropman based Pi’s lifeboat “on archival drawings of a 1940s steel life boat”. He commissioned Haan Lee (Ang Lee’s son) to design Pi’s raft, that the character builds to separate himself from Richard Parker. ”I asked Haan to imagine himself as Pi, using the materials he would have had on the lifeboat: oars, life jackets, floorboards, etc. What Hann crafted was amazing, a triangle with a circle in the middle, which was a beautiful expression of ‘pi’.”

And through Mr. Lee’s use of 3D, the audience will be with Pi and Richard Parker, experiencing these extraordinary and visually stunning moments, immersed like never before in an epic movie adventure interwoven with an emotional and spiritual journey.

“Life of Pi” opens January 9 in cinemas nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.