Pan's Labyrinth

Set in 1940s Spain against the postwar repression of Franco's Spain, a fairy tale that centers on Ofelia, a lonely and dreamy child living with her mother and adoptive father, who is a military officer tasked with 'ridding the area' of rebels. In her loneliness, Ofelia creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies. With Fascism at its height, Ofelia must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation.

CAST:
Maribel Verdu, Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez (II), Ariadna Gil, Alex Angulo

DIRECTOR:
Guillermo del Toro ( Hellboy,Blade)

DISTRIBUTOR:Picturehouse
RELEASE DATE: December 29th,2006 ( Let's just hope it will be released here in the Philippines.

Rating: 9/10- The effects are very enchanting the story itself is very interesting,A fairy Tale for grown ups as they say.

"300"

Set in the midst of the Persian-Greco war during the Battle of Thermopylae, where Spartan king Leonidas led his army of 300 soldiers into battle against the invading Persian army. According to legend, their valor and sacrifice inspired all of Greece to unite against their Persian foe, leading to the origins of democracy.

CASTS:Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Regan, Dominic West

DIRECTOR:Zack Snyder

DISTRIBUTOR:Warner Bros. Pictures

RELEASE DATE: March 9,2007 (Wide)

RATING: 9/10- The movie is so powered from cinematography to stunning visual effects, I think this would be one of the blockbusters in 2007.

Apocalypto and Beyonce claim the top spot!

Mel Gibson's bloody epic "Apocalypto" debuted as the No. 1 weekend movie, proving the filmmaker still can deliver a winner despite his drunken-driving arrest and anti-Semitic rant last summer.

"Apocalypto," a Disney release set in the Mayan civilization and told in an obscure Mayan language, opened with $14.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

It was a modest haul compared to the $83.8 million opening weekend of Gibson's last movie, the 2004 religious blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ," which went on to do $370 million domestically.

Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" climbed 1 rank higher from last week's #2 to #1 in Billboards Hot 100 tracks. Slipping through is Akon's 2 billboard entries,his 2nd single "I Wanna Love You" at #2 and "Smack That" featuring Eminem at #3. Gwen Stefani's "Wind it Up" continue to rise on the list,as it gains more airplays and sales. Will Beyonce remains irreplaceable at #1? We'll find out next week!

AVRIL DEBUTS AT 22!

It's been so long since we last heard of avril being active on the music scene and now she's back on the airwaves with her new song " Keep Holding On" which is an official soundtrack of the upcoming movie "ERAGON" which is to be released this 15th of December. Avril proved that she is still a hit when her new song debuted at #22 in the Billboards during it's first week of radio circulation, an airplay gainer and the newly most requested song in US and Europe. The music still sounds like Avril.(I think the song is included in her last Platinum album,Let Go.),The song was an excellent choice for the movie, it has an uptight rocky rhytmn which matches the movie's for-young-adults theme. It wasn't Avril's first time to do a soundtrack, she already recorded a song for the Spongebob Movie in 2005.
I tried to find a video for this song,but there was none. I think they don't have plans yet in making a video, but after it's success in the Billboard, why would they not? So, let's just wait and see.
I found a cool video from youtube though, It's Avril's new song played over the the movie's theatrical trailer. It's kinda cool,so go and check this out.

Painfully Gorillaz

GORILLAZ-EL MANANA
Gorillaz new video "El Manana" is so misterious and dark, the video is so powerful that you could feel the pain of the elements. I dont know if thats what other people think too,but for me,God! Its so sad.
The video opens with the floating windmill ,the one we saw in the video of"Feel Good Inc.".( I think its a sequel,I dont know maybe not,maybe yes). Then noodle was attacked by killer choppers and down he goes..
Interesting and cool videos has been the trademark of the group,from the Group's animated appearance,'til their cool and witty songs,Gorillaz has been climbing charts and stages for awards because of their uniqueness. Then this video, I think this would hit another score. Theres no much talked about this video though,but for me..its cool, unique and outstanding. from the timing,the music,superb animation..damn,this video has a lot to offer.
Watch the video and see for yourself.

Rating:
9/10 - I got nothing more to say, just inexplainably cool.

Music and Drama,..Knowles,Murphy and Foxx way!

"DREAMGIRLS"
SYNOPSIS: Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson - three friends from Chicago - are a promising singing trio called The Dreamettes. Accompanied by their songwriter C.C. White (Effie's brother), they travel to New York to compete in a talent show at the Apollo Theatre.
Although the girls lose this first bid for fame, their talent attracts an ambitious manager by the name of Curtis Taylor, Jr., who uses unscrupulous tactics to move the girls from backup singers of superstar James "Thunder" Early to superstars of their own. Curtis reshapes the group to "crossover" from R & B to the lucrative pop music scene. Lead singer Effie gets replaced by the more attractive Deena and is eventually dropped from the trio.
The group evolves into a more sophisticated group, The Dreams, with a lighter sound and chic look. They successfully attract a "whiter" audience and The Dreams rise to international stardom. The money, fame, and adulation, however, doesn't bring them happiness.

CAST and CREDITS:

Cast:
Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson

Director:
Bill Condon

DISTRIBUTED BY:Paramount Pictures.Dreamworks SKG
RELEASE DATE: December 15th, 2006 (limited); December 25th, 2006 (wide)

Rating:
8/10
* Films dominated by black people are usually flops. But the movie offers exciting elements so lets just see. Murphy's a good actor though. And Foxx,count the Oscars Man.

Happy Feet remains undefeated!!!!

James Bond was no match with mumbles' tap dancing. Happy Feet remains the no.1 movie in US for 3 weeks in a row!Happy Feet grosses $17,545,418 over Casino Royales'not so distant $15,112,870. Happy Feets' cumulative gross bubbles up to $121,501,018 still ahead of Bonds' $115,876,024 . The Nativity Story by the way,were not able to surpass Bond and Mumble, despite of good reviews,Vaticans recommendations and other good stuffs we read in the papers. Nativity places to #4 with $7,849,304 below Deja Vus'$10,947,752 weekend gross.
Other new movies who managed to enter the Top ten were Turistas at #8 and National lampoons Van Wilder: Rise of Taj at #10. I hope Happy Feet could still manage to retain its block against huge movies like Mel Gibsons Apocalypto,Blood Diamond and The Holiday that will have their opening this week.
If Happy Feet scores another huge grossing next week and could eventually surpass the $150 Million mark, we could welcome Happy Feet to the list of all time Box-Office!

Check this Out!!!

Hostel Part 2: Teaser Trailer in German Language!
( Dont worry there are subtitles)

" The Saints are back!"

Yup! The All saints who became famous with the songs " Never ever","Pure Shores" and" Lady Marmalade" are back with their brand new single " Rock Steady".( I dont know if there's an album already but I'm sure this song is great!)

Rock Steady is a genious mixture of pop,electronica like music with an upbeat rhythmn, really like an All saints in trademark. Yeah, its a great decision on their part that they didnt try to change their genre in music( like the one happened for BSB,where are they anyway?), people love their music,people knew them on their old ways so why bother change? Rock Steady is like more of a come backing song with the girls saying" Yo,gone are the days of sleeping,we here to heat up again!"The song was geniously created with no stupid gimmicks and unnecessary ads. A certified hit for another victory in the music scene.....( hope so!).

Check out their new video in youtube or in MTV ( I think it wasnt yet released here...)It's actually cool and sexy.

HAIR RAISERS!!!!!!!!

hostelpartii,
originally uploaded by bloodythoughts.

HOSTEL Part II

Hostel was my favorite horror/thriller movie. Surpisingly creepy and gory but cinematically and sensibly applied. Eli Roth is a genious director who assembles a great cast,wonderful scoring,mysterious settings,wicked twists that totals to a great movie. Now,Eli Roth returns with his avengeful Part 2 which presents all new cast and soon to be victims, Jay Hernandez also returns with his incomplete fingers to join them in their gory and shocking adventure. The trailer was also geniously done, catch it on you tube.

Three young Americans studying in Rome set off for a weekend trip when they run into a beautiful model from one of their art classes. Also on her way to an exotic destination, the gorgeous European invites the coeds to come along, assuring them they will be able to relax and rejuvenate. Will the girls find the oasis they are looking for? Or are they poised to become victims for hire, pawns in the fantasies of the sick and privileged from around the world who secretly travel here to savor more grisly pursuits?

CAST AND CREDITS:

Cast:
Lauren German, Heather Matarazzo, Bijou Phillips, Jay Hernandez, Richard Burgi

Director:
Eli Roth

DISTRIBUTOR: Lions Gate Films
RELEASE DATE: January 5,2007 ( US )

blackchristmas_poster2big,
originally uploaded by bloodythoughts.

Black Christmas

When I first saw the trailer in You tube,God I was strucked with such unusual theme, the trailer was so creepy and bloody,I loved it instantly!! To be released on December 25,2006 this movie strongly opposes to the christmas happy culture and will try to scare movie goers on christmas day! Isnt that unusual? Will move over that happy christmas movie ritual of yours, watch this movie and experience one hell of a bloody christmas!

"Black Christmas" is a remake of the 1974 slasher classic about a psycho terrorizing a sorority house during the holiday season.

CAST AND CREDITS:

Cast:
Michelle Trachtenberg, Oliver Hudson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Katie Cassidy, Lacey Chabert

Director:
: Glen Morgan

RELEASE DATE: December 25,2006

2007 greats!

Transformers Teaser Poster,
originally uploaded by Simon Davison.

Transformers The Movie

Yeah,another alien movie with stunning visual effects and weird forms. Will this be another hit or just anither flopperoo. Well looks like Michael bay's taking great chances on making such movies mastered by Steven Spielberg in 2005 hit movie " War of the Worlds". Big machines,loud noises,explosives,CGI's and yeah,people are still gonna die.

The Earth is caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between two races of robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.

CAST: Shia LaBeouf, Travis Van Winkle, Josh Duhamel, Jon Voight, Megan Fox

DIRECTOR: Michael Bay

PRODUCERS: : Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, Michael Bay

DISTRIBUTED BY: Dreamworks SKG,Paramount Pictures
RELEASE DATE: July 4, 2007

GREAT MOVIES PARADE!

childrenofmen_bigearlyposter,
originally uploaded by bloodythoughts.

Children Of Men

A futuristic society faces extinction when no children are born and the human race has lost the ability to reproduce. England has descended into chaos, until an iron-handed warden is brought in to institute martial law. The warden's ability to keep order is threatened when a woman finds that she is pregnant with what would be the first child born in 27 years.

CAST:
Clive Owen,Michael Caine.Julianne Moore

DIRECTOR:
Alfonso Cuaron

DISTRIBUTOR: Universal Pictures
RELEASE DATE: December 25, 2006 ( US)

GREAT MOVIES TO WATCH FOR!

PERFUME: The Story Of A Murderer

Based on the bestselling novel by Patrick Süskind, "Perfume" is a story of murder and obsession set in 18th-century France. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille has a unique talent for discerning the scents and smells that swirl around him, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. Strangely lacking any scent of his own, he becomes obsessed with capturing the irresistible but elusive aroma of young womanhood. As Grenouille's obsession turns deadly, twelve young girls are found murdered. Panic breaks out as people rush to protect their daughters, while an unrepentant and unrelenting Grenouille still lacks the final ingredient to complete his quest.

CASTS and CREDITS:

Starring:
Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Corinna Harfouch
Directed by:
Tom Tykwer
Produced by:
Martin Moszkowicz, Andreas Schmid, Andreas Grosch

DISTRIBUTED BY: Dreamworks SKG
RELEASE DATE: December 27,2006 ( US)

Make your FEET HAPPY!

Movie Review:

Happy Feet:

A movie of heart, passion, music and lots of music.
Happy Feet is a remarkable achievement of George Miller who had the movie unite with the world today and the world of animation. Happy Feet will get your heart and be touched by the movie with its very heart-warming story of courage and faith. It is added with its powerful music which will drive your feet off the floor!

What the movie offers is not just for kids but it also touches the hearts of the adults. Its theme is not just a dancing penguin with a comical character.No. It is the creators way of letting us know of what the present " Real" penguins are facing today and letting them appeal to the human not on a sleepy documentary but in a lively-comical animation which captures a lot more audience.
Moreover, lets not forget that its still an animated movie where anything can happen. Lets not blame those creators. So what if they love making things that are you know, not quiet real. Well why dont you be the judge and go watch this movie. It never hurts to sit beside a 3 year old child laughing even on how the penguins walk.

The movie features the all star voice casts of Elijah Wood ( Mumble), Robin Williams ( Lovelace, Ramon), Nicole Kidman ( Norma Jean ), Brittany Murphy ( Gloria ), Hugo Weaving (Noah the elder) and Hugh jackman ( Memphis ) who also gave credits to the voice of Roddy in another animated movie FLUSHED AWAY which, you know did'nt really turned out well in the box-office despite of a stellar casts along with Kate Winslet,Ian Mckellen,Bill Nighy and Jean Reno. Watch out also for Fat Joe who unrecognizably voiced Seymour the Rhythmn teacher in the voice class handled by Gloria ( Murphy ).
Check out also the Soundtrack of the movie which is out now at your favorite record bars. Here are the lists of songs in the Happy Feet soundtrack CD.
1. The Song Of The Heart" - Prince 4:35
2. Hit Me Up" - Gia Farrell 3:16
3. Tell Me Something Good" - Pink 3:10
4. Somebody To Love" - Brittany Murphy 3:47
5. I Wish" - Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia Barrino 3:31
6. Jump N' Move" - The Brand New Heavies (featuring Jamalski) 3:22
7. Do It Again" - The Beach Boys 2:26
8. The Joker/Everything I Own" - Jason Mraz mash-up with Chrissue Hynde 4:05
9. My Way (A Mi Manera)" - Robin Williams 1:44
10. Kiss/Heartbreak Hotel" - Nicole Kidman mash-up with Hugh Jackman 2:36
11. Boogie Wonderland" - Brittany Murphy 5:09
12. Golden Slumbers/The End" - k.d. lang 4:16
13. The Story of Mumble Happyfeet 5:50


PICKED elements:

A.) The narration of Robin Williams is very "Discovery Channel" but in an artistic way. Dont miss every word he says,some lines are funny.

B. ) Britanny Murphy singing " Somebody to love"makes me relive my Ella Enchanted memory. I love that movie so much.

C. ) The climax, when everyone in the world reacted to the dancing penguins is so cinematic with very great scoring,I realy had a goosebumps.

D.) You could hear the song of pink " Tell me something good" in the opening scene and it was great,really great.

Rating: Not on the level of Shrek 2; but worthy to be compared with such heartwarming animated movies like finding Nemo and Cars. The music, aahhh..damn great.