Wednesday, July 31, 2013

David O. Russell's American Hustle Lands A New Trailer And 2 Movie Stills

After their successful and award-winning pairing in Silver Linings Playbook, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are together once again in yet another David O. Russell flick called American Hustle. This time they will be joined by more all-star cast, leaving no doubt that this could be perfect for the awards season by the end of the year.

American Hustle is directed by David O. Russell and he collaborated with Eric Warren Singer for the screenplay. The movie puts together an all-star cast, which includes Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence.

Watch the new trailer of American Hustle here.


Synopsis

A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock the States, "American Hustle" tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that’s as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving’s unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. Like David O. Russell’s previous films, "American Hustle" defies genre, hinging on raw emotion, and life and death stakes.

Here are two stills from the movie as well.

American Hustle


David O. Russell's American Hustle will hit theaters on Christmas Day of 2013 (December 25, 2013).

Finally The New Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows 15th Anniversary Cover By Kazu Kibuishi Takes Flight

Just in time for the birthdays of J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, and belatedly for Neville Longbottom, Scholastic has unveiled the 15th anniversary edition cover of the final book in the series. The cover of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows created by Kazu Kibuishi features one of the most stunning art cover in the lot.

And since today's the day of all birthday celebrations, many art renditions by Kazu Kibuishi has been revealed as well: the book spine art, the box design and don't forget a new trailer for the most extraordinary adventure of all time.

Checkout this new cover of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by Kazu Kibuishi.


Now that all seven books in the Harry Potter series have their new covers it would be nice to line them all up here, all thanks to the intricate and fine art of Kazu Kibuishi.


Still can't get enough of these fantastic art covers, here are some more just for you. Here is the illustration of the entire Hogwarts castle that will be featured in the spines of all seven books as puzzle pieces.




Also, enjoy this must-watch trailer of the newly designed Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, courtesy of Scholastic.


Thank you, Kazu Kibuishi. Thank you, Scholatic. Thank you, JK Rowling. And thank you, Harry Potter, for this life-changing adventures.

You could check the other new Harry Potter covers by Kazu Kibuishi in the following links.
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This new special editions of the Harry Potter series will be available on August 27, 2013.

New Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters Clip Finds Percy And Clarisse Competing On The Obstacle Tower

Yahoo! Movies has just debuted another clip from Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters! It's high time that we settle who's better to end this dispute between Percy and Clarisse. And to see who's to rise on top, we need something that the two could use to prove their abilities: The Obstacle Tower.

Who do you think will win in this challenge and lead the champions to fulfill the prophecy to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which could help save and strengthen the Camp Half-Blood? Are you Team Percy Jackson or Team Clarisse La Rue? Watch the new clip below.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters "Obstacle Tower" Clip


Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters "Oracle" Clip



Watch 12-minute Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters B-Roll.


Also a new still has been released over Percy Jackson's official Facebook page of the book series. It features a different angle of the previous Grover still where he was wearing a wedding dress. This will also be the central theme of the next clip to come, to be released over the same page.


How about another still of Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon?

Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon

Synopsis

Percy Jackson has had an unnervingly quiet school year. But then he discovers that the magical borders protecting Half Blood Hill are failing. Unless something is done, the camp will be attacked by demons and monsters. The only way to restore power to the camp's borders and to save their home is to find the mythical Golden Fleece. And the only who can undertake this dangerous quest are Percy and his friends. Embarking on a treacherous odyssey into the uncharted waters of the Sea of Monsters (known to humans as the Bermuda Triangle), they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate Evil.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters will be released in theaters on August 7, 2013.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Releases New Still Of Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee & Haymitch Abernathy

As Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee plans to make the 3rd Quarter Quell the most memorable Games yet, Haymitch Abernathy sniffs around to help save his mentored-and-now-champion duo of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the two who are thrown into the politics of the game to the expense of pretending they love each other.

Now that these two champions' act have been discovered, President Snow is on an outrage and forced to take precautionary actions to stop a rising revolution and the Gamemaker may just be the one person he needs to eliminate these threats.

What can you say of this new still from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire taken by Murray Close?

The Hunger Games Catching Fire Still

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Woody Harrelson star as Head Gamemaker Heavensbee & mentor Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Synopsis

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will fuel the revolution on November 22, 2013.

Justin Timberlake Unveils Take Back The Night Music Video With Help From Fans

By harnessing the power of social media / viral propaganda, Justin Timberlake has released the music video for his song Take Back The Night. On his website, he implored his fans to tweet with the hash tag ‪#‎TakeBackTN‬. The more the fans do their share the earlier the video will be revealed.

Along with his tweet, TeamJT introduced the music video by posting: "The Take Back The Night Music Video is coming at you tomorrow...and we've got some special tricks up our sleeve for you to reveal it!! "

Watch in full the new Take Back The Night music video by Justin Timberlake here.


Take Back The Night is Justin Timberlake's first single from his fourth studio album and sequel to The 20/20 Experience, The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2. It was released on July 12, 2013 and its music video was shot on July 18, 2013 in New York City. The music video for Take Back the Night video was directed by Jeff Nicholas, Jonathan Craven and Darren Craig.

The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2 will be released on September 27, 2013.

Here are some unearthed treasures revealed at the site:


Take Back TN Landing Page
Go to Take Back TN to see premiere of Justin's latest music video!


Shooting Yankee Stadium
Part of the video was shot during Justin’s live performance of "Take Back The Night" during the first of his two Yankee Stadium shows on July 19th.

Cameras
Fun Fact: There were 12 cameras on him during this scene, including a Stedicam on stage that captured this shot, and a helicopter flying above Yankee Stadium!

The Crowd
In this first exclusive still from the video, Justin is pictured performing LIVE in front of 47,000 eager New Yorkers.

Stipple
Another shot of the audience to give you perspective of the size of crowd!


Summer Nights!
The video was shot on one of the hottest days of the summer. Temperatures reached 99 degrees with close to 100% humidity, and even hotter on set under the lights!

Car
Another sneak peek from Justin’s new "Take Back The Night" video... The car in this shot is a 1970 Chevelle SS, one of Justin's favorite classic American cars.

Doyers Street
Much of the video was shot on Doyers St in New York City’s Chinatown, which is home to the oldest dim sum restaurant in the US (where Justin ate a meal on set), the first Chinese Theatre in NYC, and is also filled with amazing history.

Noodle Shop = Bodega!
This location was really a noodle shop that we converted into a bodega for the shoot! It was named Yee's Place after the video's Director Of Photography's dad's restaurant in Harrisonburg, VA.


So hot!
We already mentioned how hot it was outside, and even with the AC on full blast, it was even hotter inside the club with all of the lights, bodies and amazing energy we packed into the room! Close to 102 degrees at times!

Timing
Even though this scene doesn't happen until about halfway through the video, it was the first thing that was filmed on the shoot day. We needed the shots outside to happen at night, so this was actually filmed at about 3pm in the afternoon!

Apotheke
This is a scene from club Apotheke – an exclusive speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Chinatown on Doyers St with arguably some of the best drinks and bartenders in the city.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Watch Maggie Stiefvater Enumerate The Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Read The Raven Cycle

I've been eyeing The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater for months. It was almost a personal and funny experience for me, because there was one point when I already picked it up and and joined the queue to the cashier... that when I am almost to pay for it, I backed out and blushingly apologized to the cashier.

I've been having second thoughts... or maybe third thought for rebounds. But thankfully the author of the book and series has made a funny list of reasons why one should read The Raven Cycle. And I think I am sold... well maybe until I already have the books back home...

The nice thing about this is that the sequel, The Dream Thieves, will be released a day before my birthday.

Watch Maggie Stiefvater's Top Ten Reasons to Read The Raven Cycle.


Here are the books in the series so far:

The Raven Boys

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Synopsis

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Gansey is different. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been told by her psychic family that she will kill her true love. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

The paperback edition of The Raven Boys is now available.

The Dream Thieves

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Synopsis

The second installment in the all-new series from the masterful, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after…

The Dream Thieves will be available on September 18, 2013.

James Blunt Realases 'Bonfire Heart' Song From Upcoming 'Moon Landing' Album

After taking a break from the music industry, maybe we can expect some great things from James Blunt with his upcoming fourth studio album, Moon Landing, due to be released at the end of the year. In fact, out of a feigned mistake James Blunt just emailed all of UK about this new album and a new song called Bonfire Heart.

And just in time for that mass mailing, he released the lyric video of his new song. This 4-minute melancholic overdrive of a tune is catchy and infectious that much reminds me of his old You're Beautiful song. Bonfire Heart was produced written together with OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder.

You could listen, while singing along, with the lyric video of Bonfire Heart by James Blunt.


Moon Landing will be out on November 5, 2013. James said: "This is a much more personal album, and also quite back to basics. It's about me and Tom, the producer, finding where the story all started and where we are now."

Just recently he also added that, "I've just finished my new album in Los Angeles, and am so excited. It's a really beautiful sounding record, full of loneliness and longing. There's been a lot of love put into making it and I couldn't be happier with how it sounds... I really hope you like it too."

Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl Books To Be Adapted By Walt Disney Studios With Producer Harvey Weinstein

I am not quite sure how to handle this since Artemis Fowl had been green lit before with the casting of the main character already done. But due to budget constraints and the aging of the actors the movie was archived in the trash.

But now, that Disney has once again picked up the movie rights of the Artemis Fowl books, I am not quite sure if I am going to be happy again or stay guarded in fear of this movie might not come to light for the second time.

Artemis Fowl Books

According to the news Walt Disney Studios will be adapting the first two books in the Artemis Fowl series written by one of my favorite authors, Eoin Colfer. This will be in tandem with producer Harvey Weinstein, who is best known for producing Shakespeare in Love, Gangs of New York, Lord of the Rings, The King's Speech, Kill Bill, Django Unchained and many others.

Here's what Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, has to share about this news: "With its balance of mystery, adventure and family appeal, 'Artemis Fowl' is a natural fit for Disney. We're looking forward to collaborating with Harvey on this exciting project." Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios also added that, "Harvey is one of the preeminent producers in the industry, with impeccable taste and creative instincts. I had a wonderful time working with Harvey during my tenure at Warner Bros., and I'm very happy to continue that relationship here at Disney."

Producer Harvey Weinstein also shared: "If you would have told me five years ago I would be producing a project with Disney I would have thought you were crazy. I feel as though everything is coming full circle considering Bob De Niro and Jane Rosenthal brought me this book while I was still at Miramax and within hours I told them I wanted the rights to the film. I am thrilled to be reunited with Alan Horn who I worked with while he was at Warner Bros. and we had tremendous success with 'The Aviator,' 'Starsky and Hutch' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.' It is also exciting to partner with friends Alan Bergman, Sean Bailey and of course Bob Iger who has been incredibly generous to me over the years. This is a special project for me because my children absolutely love this book. This story is for everyone and there is no one better than Disney to make a film that will excite people young and old."

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Over The Top Cover Art Of Lady Gaga's Newest Single Entitled Applause Revealed, Listen To The Song

Lady Gaga is back with an upcoming third studio album called Artpop (whatever that means). It is projected to be released on November 11, 2013 under Interscope Records. The very first single from this album entitled Applause will be release on August 19, 2013, almost a month preceding the album.

But as early as now Lady Gaga has already released the cover art for the said single and its nothing like any majestic painting you might find in a Michaelangelo gallery. It features a very obvious head shot of the artist where she serves as the canvas of what she might label as an artpop watercolor painting... I don't think so.

You can finally listen to Lady Gaga's latest single, Applause.



Here is the cover art of Lady Gaga's upcoming single, Applause, that was revealed on one of her tweets.

Applause by Lady Gaga

Do you think this cover, or the yet to be released song itself, is worth your applause? For what it's worth here is what Lady Gaga has to say about the song:

"I'll tell you that it is very fun. And that it's full of happiness, because what I'm saying in the song essentially is that I live for the applause. I live for the way you cheer and scream for me. Give me that thing that I love. Put your hands up, make them touch."

Lady Gaga collaboratively wrote Applause with DJ White Shadow, with whom she has worked before with her previous albums.

Disney Saving Mr. Banks Movie Poster Foreshadowing Mickey Mouse And Mary Poppins

December is certainly the award season, so many movie goers are expecting some great movies during these times. Some of the best movies, as based on the past years, are based on real life and usually tackles simple plots and issues that every one could relate. The King's Speech, Argo, Beautiful Mind, The Social Network and Gandhi are just some example of them.

So when the life story of Walt Disney and the creator of Mary Poppins has been green lit and eyes a December 2013 release, I personally believed that the movie is egging for an award-nomination nod from some of the award-giving bodies. It fits the bill: may be loosely based on real events, tackling simple issues that cultivate some great emotional impact among viewers.

Watch this Saving Mr. Banks trailer, so you'll know what I mean.


Check out the new poster of Disney's Saving Mr. Banks, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson.

Disney Saving Mr. Banks Movie Poster

Synopsis

The story of how Walt Disney courted P.L. Travers into letting him option the rights to Mary Poppins is brought to the screen in this non-fiction drama starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, and Colin Farrell. A doting father, Walt Disney (Hanks) promises his adoring daughters that he will bring their favorite fictional nanny Mary Poppins to the big screen. Little does Walt realize that surly author P.L. Travers has no intention of seeing her most famous creation bastardized on the big screen, a fact that makes keeping his promise a difficult endeavor. Years later, however, when Travers' book sales begin to slow, dwindling finances drive her to schedule a meeting with Disney to discuss the film rights to the beloved story. For two weeks in 1961, determined Disney does his absolute best to convince Travers that the film version of Mary Poppins will be a wondrous and respectful adaptation, meanwhile the author only grows more convinced that she has made the right move in preventing the proposed film adaptation. Later, just when it begins to appear that the rights to Mary Poppins have slipped through his fingers, the ingenious Disney reflects back on his childhood, and realizes that a sensitive chapter from Travers' youth could be the key to clinching the deal. Bradley Whitford, Paul Giamatti, and Jason Schwartzman co-star.

Saving Mr. Banks opens in theaters on December 13, 2013.

'An Ode To The Moon' (Old Story From Previous Blog Written Exactly Four Years Ago On July 28, 2009)

An Ode To The Moon
I looked for the copy of my old journal a.k.a. blog circa Friendster and was able to find some stories I made during those times. I am not quite sure why I did this, but somehow I wanna see how my life was, tried to compare it with the present and what I discovered was a little shocking for me.

A Look Back At The Past: July 28, 2009

AN ODE TO THE MOON

It was raining cats and dogs that night and I made every effort to cling myself to my bed for comfort. With a great struggle, I opened my bedroom window to see how the dark world outside the four corners of my seclusion fared.

The wind was whistling like a shepherd on his way back home and the trees were dancing to music only they can hear. Everyone is silent, except for the snore of my tired Uncle next door.

It was dark and chilly, so I wore my jacket. Still, the cold seeped into my skin, drenching it with moist air. Maybe everyone felt the same way as I did, shivering in the cold wind of this rainy nights [sic]... A naughty picture of cuddling couples came to mind. With a smile, I let the thought go.

And then the unexpected happened. The shimmers of the rain softened and the clouds parted to reveal the moon...

Or was I just mistaken... it was the sun that welcomed my eyes with its blinding light. My body shivered that has nothing to do with the cold anymore, but with shock. It was still in the middle of the night and this morning star just arrived 6 hours earlier.

I asked my self again and again how could this come to pass, but no straight answer came to mind. I was baffled and confused. Was this one of nature's weird and mad phenomenon.

The only thing I remember that time was how happy I was earlier that day and until that moment. I looked with questioning eyes... on that lovely 'midnight sun' and the confusion somehow turned to joy, a feeling contentment. [sic]

As I become entangled with this joyful feeling that giant ball of flaming light followed suit -- it became brighter. It lifted my soul even more, confusion and the old hint of fear now gone. It enlightened my mind -- yes I really thought so -- in any way possible.

Then, it struck me like a battering ram. This heavenly spectacle was not the sun after all as I thought it was. But the moon. The moon that I always see at night. The same moon that guided me through the dark night. The one moon that I send all my wishes.

Only it shined the brighter tonight... for it reflects the pure light of happiness that was emanating from deep within me.

Living The Present: July 28, 2013

STILL LIVING THE DREAM

I wish I could go back and say these exact words, experience the same happiness, and exhibit this equally rewarding naiveté and innocence to life. I wish...

Disclaimer: I am no great writer, nor I am trying to be. This was an entry from my old online journal.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Watch 2 New Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters Clips And Listen To 'To Feel Alive' Soundtrack By IAMEVE

I haven't recovered from the deluge of previous Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters materials and here we are again confronted with new ones. That's not a bad thing, right? I mean I should be celebrating for that. Although I still get a feeling that we could be watching the whole movie already spoiling us the fun on its official release.

As such, an official soundtrack from the movie has been released over Just Jared. It is a song entitled To Feel Alive performed by IAMEVE. It's followed by two more clips of Percy's first meeting of his half-brother Tyson and another of their encounter of Charybdis.

Listen to To Feel Aliveby IAMEVE, for Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters official soundtrack.



Updated: And here are some snippets of all the tracks of the Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters OST album composed by Andrew Lockington.



The Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters official soundtrack will be available 3 days before the release of the movie, specifically on August 5, 2013.

And here two other clips from the Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters movie.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters "Hi, Brother" Clip


Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters "Those Aren't Sharks" Clip


Updated: Also we've got a 12-minute behind-the-scenes of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.


Watch this full scenes of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters in theaters during the movie's official release on August 7, 2013.

The New Romeo & Juliet Trailer Rises, Starring Douglas Booth And Hailee Steinfeld

Never was a story of more woe than this... of Juliet and her Romeo.

Romeo and Juliet is one among many works of art that millions loved and gained a lot of adaptations on almost every generations. It is a timeless story of love that no one gets tired no matter how many time you see it, regardless of what form of media it might be.

This year, for example, another Romeo & Juliet movie adaptation is coming our way. Directed by Carlo Carlei and adapted by award-winning Julian Fellowes, Romeo and Juliet stars Douglas Booth and Hailee Steinfield as the star-crossed lovers.

You can watch the new trailer of Romeo & Juliet below.


Synopsis

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo & Juliet, William Shakespeare's epic and searing tale of love, is revitalized on screen by writer Julian Fellowes ("Downton Abbey") and director Carlos Carlei ("The Flight of the Innocent"). An ageless story from the world's most renowned author is reimagined for the 21st Century. This adaptation is told in the lush traditional setting it was written, but gives a new generation the chance to fall in love with the enduring legend. With an all-star cast including Hailee Steinfeld, Douglas Booth, Paul Giamatti and Stellan Skarsgard, it affords those unfamiliar with the tale the chance to put faces to the two names they've undoubtedly heard innumerable times: Romeo and Juliet. Every generation deserves to discover this lasting love.

Relive Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, his most beloved and tragic drama, in theaters on October 11, 2013.

First Still From Witches of East End TV Adaptation Released, Based On The Novel Of Melissa de la Cruz

At some point of my quest to look for new genre, author Melissa de la Cruz somehow caught my attention, because she's a Filipino who made it through the international publishing arena. When she and her family moved to the US, her success in writing eventually has been ground-breaking, if not astronomical.

These are the two books that I have been eyeing in the past for quite some time, and I just got even more excited when a TV adaptation of the first book in The Beauchamp Family series, the Witches of East End, is finally coming this October. Could you imagine that?

Witches of East End Serpent's Kiss
The upcoming American Drama TV series Witches of East End is loosely based on her novel of the same title. It stars Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Mädchen Amick and Rachel Boston. It chronicles the story of a family of witches, the Beauchamps, who lives in the fictional town of East Haven. Don't think that this is much like Charmed, because it isn't. It's far more daring, exciting and modern than that.

Here is the very first still from the upcoming TV Drama series Witches of East End.


And that is Julia Ormond playing one of the Beauchamps, Joanna Beauchamp.

Synopsis

It’s the beginning of summer in North Hampton, and beautiful Freya Beauchamp is celebrating her engagement to wealthy Bran Gardiner, the heir to Fair Haven and Gardiners Island. But Freya is drawn to Bran’s gorgeous but unreliable brother Killian, and sparks fly when the two decide to play a dangerous game, following an ancient story of love, betrayal and tragedy that harks back to the days of Valhalla.

Witches of East End follows the Beauchamp family—the formidable matriarch Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid. Freya, a sexy bartender, has a potion to cure every kind of heartache, while Ingrid, the local librarian, solves complicated domestic problems with her ability to tie magical knots. Joanna is the witch to see when modern medicine has no more answers; her powers can wake the dead. Everything seems to be going smoothly until a young girl, Molly Lancaster, goes missing after taking one of Freya’s irresistible cocktails. As more of the town’s residents begin disappearing, everyone seems to have the same suspects in mind: the Beauchamp women.

Witches of East End premieres on Sunday, October 6, 2013 and will be aired at 10 p.m. ET.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters Parades New Clip, TV Spots And Featurette & Inetrviews

Now that the movie is almost upon us, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters has paraded numerous amount new videos -- a new clip, international TV Spots and a 13-minute long featurette, where the cast discusses the main points of the movie.

One of the few additions to the main cast of the Percy Jackson movie franchise is Nathan Fillion, who's playing the modern version of Hermes. He is the central theme of the new clip, as well. The spots are iterations of the previous ones we've already scene before, but you'll be probably happier for the interviews, because it's just field with so much information.

Watch the new clip of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters featuring Nathan Fillion as Hermes.


You could also immerse your self, this 13-minute video of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters when the cast answers some few questions and we also get to see them filming some scenes.


And here are two TV Spots courtesy of 20th Century Fox Philippines.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters "Story" TV Spot


Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters "Hero" TV Spot


Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters "Adventure" TV Spot


If you might have missed these, the following are a few of the Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters stills, featuring the character Hermes, played by Nathan Fillion.

Nathan Fillion as Hermes in Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters


Also, help the Demigods Find the Oracle with these clues.





Catch Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters on the big screen on August 7, 2013.

Watch The Full The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Trailer Courtesy Of Conan O'Brien Show

During the last Comic-Con, a preview of the trailer of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 trailer was unveiled to the fans that attended the movie's panel. It was received with a very positive reaction from the fans, and as Conan O'Brien puts it, "fans lost their minds."

But with great pride and a little comment on the upcoming movie's CGI effects -- Team Coco said that "[they're] excited for the movie, but [they] think the CGI needs some more work" -- Conan presented the full version of the trailer on his late night show.

Watch the full, new trailer of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 aired at Conan Show.


LOL, I know you would fall for it. At least we all had a laugh with a little annoyance mixed there somewhere. (I know I fell for it, too.) But in the meantime here is the details of the movie. We'll keep you posted if the real trailer comes online.

Updated: Looks like we've got ourselves a bootleg of the full trailer here.


But, in case you missed the Comic-Con clip mentioned above, here it is with Electro and his husky, breathy and airy voice.


Synopsis

The sequel to last year’s critical and box office hit The Amazing Spider-Man, the film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Shailene Woodley, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Paul Giamatti, and Sally Field.


The Amazing Spider-Man 2

In The Amazing Spider-Man™ 2, for Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), life is busy – between taking out the bad guys as Spider-Man and spending time with the person he loves, Gwen (Emma Stone), high school graduation can’t come quickly enough. Peter hasn’t forgotten about the promise he made to Gwen’s father to protect her by staying away – but that’s a promise he just can’t keep. Things will change for Peter when a new villain, Electro (Jamie Foxx), emerges, an old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, and Peter uncovers new clues about his past.


The Amazing Spider-Man 2 starts web-spinning on May 2, 2014.

Watch The New Clips From SCi-Fi Movie Gravity Directed By Alfonso Cuarón

One of my greatest fears as a kid was that thought of being lost somewhere where there could be no chance that I might find my way back home, and eventually leading to my death. I also love the Harry Potter movies, especially the under appreciated Prisoner of Azkaban, directed by Alfonso Cuarón.

But what's the connection between these two statements? The answer lies in the movie called Gravity, which is directed by that same director Alfonso Cuarón and that tackles the same premise of being lost where chances of survival is very thin... let's say getting lost in space.

Just watch these 3 terrifying clips from the movie Gravity and say if your hair raise on their ends as well while watching the clips.

Gravity "Detached" Movie Clip


Gravity "Drifting" Movie Clip


Gravity "I've Got You" Movie Clip


Synopsis

Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone--tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness.

The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth...and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left.

But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Can't wait for October 4, 2013 anymore to watch Gravity on its official release.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Watch The Latest Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters Clip And Sneak Peek Featurette

In two weeks time, the anticipated Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters movie will finally invade the big-screens and everyone's excited to see if it's worth their bucks or not. Audience will be torn of course, because some are die-hard, word-for-word purist fans who wanted nothing more than the original material as it is.

But for some, this movie adaptation permits the movie-makers to some artistic freedom, making the movie a more enjoyable ride. What will be the judgment of the majority? Will this adaptation live up to its hype and match the fame of Rick Riordan's Sea of Monsters novel?

For now, watch the new Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters clip released at MTV.



Follow that up with these new sneak peek featurette detailing a few of the monsters form the movie.


This featurette was released over 4Music, and it serves as a survival guide to some of the biggest monsters in the film, as well as snippets of the film's stars.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters will hit theaters on August 7, 2013.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

New 47 Ronin Trailer Starring Keanu Reeves A Fantastic Hit

Keanu Reeves might have been reliving his The Matrix era with his latest movie, 47 Ronin. Its trailer ascertains that this could be one among of the most exciting movies to look forward to at the end of the year.

Based on a fictional account, 47 Ronin is directed by Carl Erik Rinsch and gathers some of the talented actors in the industry. Playing the lead character is Keanu Reeves as the half-breed and outcast Kai. He will be joined by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as the Shogun, Hiroyuki Sanada as Kuranosuke Oishi, Kou Shibasaki as Mika, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Kira, Rinko Kikuchi as Mizuki and Jin Akanishi as Chikara Oishi.

Watch the full 47 Ronin trailer here.


Synospis

Based on a true-life 18th century tale, this fantasy epic tells a dramatic tale of clan warfare and revenge surrounding a band of 47 loyal samurai seeking vengeance after their master is murdered. Keanu Reeves stars in the Universal Pictures production, written by Hossein Amini and Wanted's Chris Morgan.

The story of the 47 Ronin is one of the most celebrated in the history of the samurai. This was perhaps all the more so because it occurred at a time when the samurai class was struggling to maintain a sense of itself - warriors with no war, a social class without a function.

Lord Asano, the beloved ruler of Ako province, kills himself after his rival, Lord Kira, frames him for attempted murder.

Also here are some of the character posters from the movie.

47 Ronin




47 Ronin will hit theaters on December 25, 2013.

Winter Is Coming... To The Tropical Islands Of The Philippines

A recent weather news has shattered any foundation of known beliefs. Yesterday, July 24, 2013 to be exact, the southern parts of the Philippines experienced a phenomena that is rarely encountered in the area. For 3 straight hours, starting 8 o'clock in the morning, these undivulged areas were left at the mercy of a heavy snowfall. And how do nature cope for something it is not equipped with? Nothing actually, that is why tons of tropical crops have been destroyed.

Watch the very rare snowfall happen in the tropical Philippines. Some possible explanations follow after the video.


Here are a few funny, yet feasible, personal musings and reasons why this phenomena may have occurred.

Hoax Alert: Maximum Level

Many are still screaming that this phenomena never actually happened in the purported location and may have been taken somewhere else. Notice that there's no specific location mentioned only that it happened in the Southern part of the Philippines. This could possibly be the ash fall that happened last May. Notice there's no local buzz for this phenomena?

But then, again, we see a banana that is only native to tropical areas. The original video of the snowfall offers no further explanations and also uses the 'I think' phrase which may signal for a hoax. The internet these days could be a great avenue to spread misleading information either to confuse, seek popularity or create havoc.

We have read incidences of blood rain in some local Philippine areas, as well as fishes falling from the skies, but at least they were proven, or disproved, to be chemical and natural anomalies in the atmosphere or caused by a waterspout. Until we can be ascertain of the details of the news, we cannot rest and be contented that snow has really fallen in the Philippines.

Ancient Alien Machination

I have been watching Ancient Aliens aka Ancient Astronomers in the History channel for quite some time. In one of their episodes it said that aliens have the capability to control the weather, giving them leverage to wreck havoc and destroy parts of Earth, if needed.

It was stated there that once these Engineers, as what they are called in the movie Prometheus, noticed something off on how humans lived (from what we are originally designed) -- overpopulation, fornication and war -- these aliens either use nature and disease to eliminate these treats. The Black Death, Bubonic Plague, Sodom and Gomorrah annihilation, Fall of Atlantis and such.

Human nature is undeniably troublesome at times and Filipinos are no exception. Using this theory, is this a sign that we are about to be destroyed because we are not doing the right things that are expected from us? For how can you destroy a tropical country other than exposing it to the other extremities of weather, one that we are not equipped against with...

All High Fantasy Stories are Real

In most apocalyptic High Fantasy novels and stories, winter or other bizarre weather conditions have always been a device to eliminate human kind. George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time and Tad Williams' Shadowmarch are just a few of them that use this plot line.

For what if these stories are real? What if what we thought as fantasies are actually happening right now, unknown to us all since these events are cloaked ala Rick Riordan's mist in the Percy Jackson series? Real life is stranger that fiction indeed, and this one phenomena may as well prove that.

If we are to consider this theory, then we may still have hope, for although mankind does not necessarily win at the end, it has shown and proven his worth that it was somehow pardoned by the unknown enemy, although crippled at the end.

Government's Technological Testing Ground

This could very well be related to the Ancient Aliens theory, but instead of having Extra-Terrestrials as culprits we have our fellow human beings who sits in power to blame. This doesn't necessarily mean our own government, but it could be any other country's.

If you are watching Under the Dome based on Stephen King's novel, this might be a little to familiar. New technologies need some kind of testing before the final reveal, where the full potential of the device will be put to use.

Think of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, because the device was not tested properly it somehow backfired on the community of the inventor. This could very well happen if these life changing technologies, like this snow-creating machine, are not tested in lower powerage and capacity.

Side Effects of Climate Change

Last year you might have heard that Earth shifted from its axis by a few centimeters after a strong quake in Japan. The world's weather is very much affected by the Earth's position, distance from the sun, rotation and revolution. Any slight changes on these may lead to devastating effects.

Add to Earth's natural changes our bad habits of destroying nature, changing how it works and playing God, then we get so much as a Climate Change. These are now the effects of our generations and generations of neglect. Nature is just taking its revenge on us.

It might be a little nice to have snow in the Philippines from time to time, but what if these conditions worsened and multiplied? Are we ready to deal with it? This may take a few more hundred years, but is that reason enough that we continue our neglect for nature? How would our future generations fare if this happens?

What are your thoughts? Are there anymore possible theories that you think might have lead to this phenomena. Please share no matter how far-fetched and bizarre it may sound.

Pittacus Lore Releases First 3 Chapters Of The Fall of Five, An I Am Number Four Novel

One month to go and we will finally get our hands on The Fall of Five, the fourth book in Lorien Legacies, or better dubbed as the I Am Number Four series. But we dont need to wait for that much longer to have a sneak peek of the novel.

I know that a few snippets have been released on the official I Am Number Four Facebook page, but this is by far the most gratuitous treat from Pittacus Lore lately. Before you get excited and hyperventilate, enjoy this sneak peek first.

Read the first 3-chapter sneak peek of The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore.



Synopsis

The Fall of Five is the fourth novel in the New York Times bestselling I Am Number Four series by Pittacus Lore. The Garde are finally reunited, but do they have what it takes to win the war against the Mogadorians?

John Smith—Number Four—thought that things would change once the Garde found one another. They would stop running. They would fight the Mogadorians. And they would win.

But he was wrong. After facing off with the Mogadorian ruler and almost being annihilated, the Garde know they are drastically unprepared and hopelessly outgunned. Now they're hiding out in Nine's Chicago penthouse, trying to figure out their next move.

The six of them are powerful, but they're not strong enough yet to take on an entire army—even with the return of an old ally. To defeat their enemy, the Garde must master their Legacies and learn to work together as a team. More important, they'll have to discover the truth about the Elders and their plan for the Loric survivors.

And when the Garde receive a sign from Number Five—a crop circle in the shape of a Loric symbol—they know they are so close to being reunited. But could it be a trap? Time is running out, and the only thing they know for certain is that they have to get to Five before it's too late.

The Garde may have lost battles, but they will not lose this war.

Lorien will rise again.

The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore will be released on August 27, 2013.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

New Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters Clip Sees The Demigods Aboard The Chariot Of Damnation

MSN UK has just released an exclusive new clip from Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters movie. This 1-minute clip already gives us the tone of the movie and a little of what to expect from it. Director Thor Freudenthal has really stepped up, if not exceeded, to making this movie much better than the first one and I can't complain about that.

Percy Jackson and the other chosen champions of the prophecy may well have to face the greatest threat and most important quest yet. Not only do their lives depend on the success of finding the Golden Fleece, but the rest of the demigods living in Camp Half-Blood as well.

Watch the new Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters clip below.


From MSN: In this exclusive clip from Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters, the group take a taxi ride they'll never forget in the chariot of damnation!

Watch Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters movie in theaters on August 7, 2013.

New Best Song Ever Music Video By One Direction Beats Miley Cyrus' We Can't Stop 24-Hour Vevo Record

The One Direction boys had had made many attempts to topple many reining Vevo record holder, but alas they weren't able to... until they released their newest Best Song Ever music video last July 22, 2013.

The views history is overwhelming and Miley Cyrus's We Can't Stop definitely can't stop One Direction's Best Song Ever music video's rise to victory within the next 24-hours. The music video has not only outrun its predecessors by mere thousands, but by just a few millions!

Watch the music video of Best Song Ever by One Direction.


This 6-minute One Direction galore is surely up for the taking. The Best Song Ever music video by One Direction is now the reigning 24-Hour Vevo Record holder after gaining 12.3 million views in a 24-hour period, leaving Miley Cyrus' We Can't Stop by miles with 10.7 million views only in its first 24 hours after release.

Kernel's Library: And The Mountains Echoed With A Tremble

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hoseini Book 00095: And the Mountains Echoed
by Khaled Hosseini


Title:
- And The Mountains Echoed

First Publication:
- 21st May 2013 by Riverhead Books


Trivia:
- This is Khaled Hosseini's third and latest book and may be his weakest novel yet.
- The recurring theme on Khaled Hosseini's works revolve around the family, while his first two books focus on the struggles of Fatherhood and Motherhood, And The Mountains Echoed focuses on two siblings as they progress through life.


Awards:
- No. 5 in Amazon's Top 10 Best Book of 2013
- 8 weeks in NPR Hardcover Fiction Bestseller List
- The New York Times' Bestseller List
- 8 Weeks in USA TODAY Best-Selling Books (still counting)
- No. 1 Seattle Times Local Bestseller List (hardbound Fiction)
- L.A. Times Bestsellers in Hardcover Fiction




It started out with The Fault in Our Stars by John Green -- that is, my recent liking for emotional and heart-warming novels. I used to avoid such tear-jerker novels, because I am not quite sure if I could survive the encounter.

Since it all changed, I tried looking for And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. This yet another touching novel did not bring any of the dreaded feeling of being trapped deep within me, but instead it made me feel that I have someone else who shares with me my feelings: my sorrows, loneliness, gladness, joy and happiness.

This is primarily why I avoided these novels before, because instead of helping me, I thought they would make me even more miserable... I was wrong all along. For now, for as long as I have these kinds of books, I could be alone without really being lonely.

Plot Synopsis


An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else.

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.


Grade: A+

Monday, July 22, 2013

Watch The Trailer Of DreamWorks Dragons: Defenders Of Berk, Season 2 Of How To Train Your Dragon TV Series

Dragons, TV series adaptation for How To Train Your Dragon by Dreamworks, is one of a kind. It started out with Season 1 entitled Dragons: Riders of Berk, which is as much as very good as the movie itself. The superb plot and animation are the regular praises that always come from us whenever we watch it.

Come September, the second season of this well loved series will bring a new mix of fun, excitement and a lot of Hiccup. This season, Dragons: Defenders of Berk, could very will bridge the five-year gap of the first and second movie, which will hit cinemas on June 20, 2014.

Watch the trailer of the Season 2 Dragons: Defenders of Berk.


Now that Alvin the Treacherous has gotten hold of the secrets of taming the dragons, how will this affect the future of Berk?

Dragons: Defenders of Berk will premiere on September 10, 2013 and will be composed of 20 episodes just like the previous season. Season 3 is confirmed to be called Dragon Masters.

The Backstreet Boys Are Back With New 'In A World Like This' Album And 'Trust Me' Song

The Backstreet Boys lime light hasn't sputtered out yet. The pioneer of American boy bands is back with a new album entitled In A World Like This and to give us a taster the band has released a new song with an acoustic and laid-back feel we rarely hear from the group before.

Four years after their last album, the band is getting on to the stage once again with what most fans would hope to be not their last. The group members have in some point pursued their solo careers and time may have added years to their lives, but the talents are still there...

Here is the cover of In A World Like This album by Backstreet Boys.


In A World Like This official track listing:

1. In A World Like This
2. Permanent Stain
3. Breathe
4. Madeleine
5. Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)
6. Make Believe
7. Try
8. Trust Me
9. Love Somebody
10. One Phone Call
11. Feels Like Home
12. Soldier

The carrier single, In a World Like This, has been released a month ago and it is followed up by One Phone Call, which is the 10th track in the said album. And just recently the 8th track in the album, titled Trust Me, has also surfaced online. You can watch or listen to the said songs below.

Watch In a World Like This Music Video


Listen to Trust Me Full Audio



Listen to One Phone Call Full Audio



In A World Like This by Backstreet Boys will be released on July 30, 2013.

X-Men: Days Of Future Past Unleashes Cool Character Posters Of Magneto And Xavier

The coolest of this year's posters might have just been released in the form of X-Men: Days of Future Past character posters. Two new posters featuring Magneto and Professor X are the front-liner of what might have been a series of posters featuring the cast of the movie.

What's so special about seeing character posters of Magneto and Professor X, if you ask? It just perfectly blends and reiterates two different actors of the same characters, one of the past and one of the present. Imagine how Michael Fassbender and Ian McKellen or James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart would look if they are born as one.

Wait, you don't really have to imagine actually, because here are the two new X-Men: Days of Future Past character posters for you.

X-Men: Days of Future Past character poster


Synopsis

The X-Men must travel in time to change a major historical event that could globally impact on man and mutant kind.

The storyline alternates between present day, in which the X-Men fight Mystique’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and a future timeline caused by the X-Men’s failure to prevent the Brotherhood from assassinating Senator Robert Kelly. In this future universe, Sentinels rule the United States, and mutants live in internment camps. The present-day X-Men are forewarned of the possible future by a future version of their teammate Kitty Pryde, whose mind traveled back in time and possessed her younger self to warn the X-Men.

Expect some more cool stuff from the movie's official Tumblr site. Watch X-Men: Days of Future Past during its international release on July 18, 2014.