Patrick Stewart as Merlin in Action Fantasy Family Movie “The Kid Who Would Be King”

Best known globally for his role in the blockbuster X-Men franchise as the powerful Professor Charles Xavier aka Professor X, Patrick Stewart takes on another mighty role from literature and children's favorite as the wizard Merlin in the family movie "The Kid Who Would Be King."

Based on one of the most famous myths of all time, "The Kid Who Would Be King" approaches the legend of King Arthur and his knights in a completely new way, bringing it into the modern world and making it relevant for contemporary audiences.  The thrilling family adventure starts when average school kid Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) draws Excalibur, the magical sword of King Arthur, from a building site and go on a magical quest — with pals old and new — to save Britain from the forces of darkness.

Arthur's teacher, the wizard Merlin, is among the most famous characters in literature and the prototype for many characters in popular culture, including Obi-Wan Kenobi as well as Dumbledore and Gandalf. Like the legendary Merlin, the film's Merlin is a combination of energies — he's incredibly wise and mystical but also playful and a little bit subversive, capable of lying, manipulating and tricking you.

Merlin has been represented on screen many times, and as director Joe Cornish explains: "We wanted to do something different with him, and one of the interesting elements in the myth is the fact that he lives backwards in time. That has been interpreted in different ways, but the way I wanted to approach it was literal – that the older he becomes, the younger he physically is."

Stewart recalls, "When I was sent the script, I was immediately intrigued by the whole notion of transferring what is usually looked on as a medieval piece, into modern day, and that the great legendary heroes of the Arthurian stories were children, who are tasked by the young Merlin to take over and challenge the powers of darkness, which are threatening to wreck the United Kingdom."

Stewart continues, "One of the big attractions of this project was that I would be working with another actor who was playing the same role, alternating with me as the younger Merlin, which I don't think I've ever done before. I was fascinated with that, so early on I did some work with Angus. We met, and we had a few little experiments that we tried. We both found a passage of Shakespeare that we knew by heart, and so we spoke it in unison, with each one of us trying to imitate the other's voice. I'd never done anything like that before, and it was a fascinating exercise."

A thrilling adventure movie for the whole family, "The Kid Who Would Be King"opens January 23 in cinemas nationwide from 20^th Century Fox. 

By: JENG On 1/23/2019 11:13:00 AM

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AksyonTV Redefines Action As "5 Plus"

5 Plus will act as a secondary channel to 5, primarily serving atypical sports and sports-related content and showcasing action geared towards a younger, more adventurous audience. Vincent P. Reyes, President andCEO of TV5, has this to say: "We are excited to start the new year with the launch of 5 Plus. The intent was to create a home for what we call atypical sports – titles with a highly engaged audience base that don't typically receive visibility of this scale. Expanding our sports coverage also enables us to attract a new audience: the younger sports fan. 5 Plus aims to serve content that resonates with the pace of their active lifestyle, and is in line with their varied interests. The combination of both 5 and 5 Plus allows us to cement and expand further our foothold in sports."

For extreme sports enthusiasts, 5 Plus will cover the X Games, featuring sports like freestyle BMX and skateboarding. For esports buffs, 5 Plus will air some of the biggest international esports tournaments, along with the highly-anticipated The Nationals, featuring games such as Dota 2, Mobile Legends, and Tekken. For college sports fans, 5 Plus will broadcast the National Basketball Training Center League (NBTC), the National Cheerleading Championship (NCC), and more. Meanwhile, the simulcast of Radyo5 news programs airing on AksyonTV will be transferred to its new home on CIGNAL.

The rebrand also sees a complete overhaul of the channel's look, aimed at visually communicating its new identity. A young, dynamic design language was developed to represent the new programming and target audience. Music identity and sonic branding were also created to complement the visual changes of the channel.

With its expanded repertoire, 5 Plus aims to complement 5's main channel; as the latter will continue to promote more established sports like basketball, volleyball, and boxing, among others. A selection of 5 Plus' atypical sports coverage will also be made available online via www.tv5.com.ph and on 5's various social media platforms.

By: JENG On 1/23/2019 11:01:00 AM

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Donny Pangilinan Charms the Cast and Director of “Mary Poppins Returns”

 

​At the world premiere of Mary Poppins Returns in Los Angeles, Donny Pangilinan alongside his mom, Maricel, and sister and vlogger, Hannah, met the cast and director of Mary Poppins Returns. "It was surreal walking the red carpet and witnessing everything. Still can't believe I was able to interview the people behind this wonderful film," Donny shared. 

​Donny was able to meet and interview Emily Blunt (Mary Poppins), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Jack), Ben Whishaw (Michael Banks), Emily Mortimer (Jane Banks), and director Rob Marshall during the trip. 

​Complimenting Donny were Blunt and Marshall themselves. He was wearing a Mickey Mouse sweater, which Blunt took as a sign that he's a big Disney fan. "I knew it from the sweater!" she gushes.Meanwhile, Marshall praises Donny about his interview saying, "You're so good. You know why you're so good? Because you listen. A lot of people have questions already planned, but you listen to what I'm saying and go with it. That's a rare quality." 

​In his vlog, Pangilinan said, "That moment really touched my heart. It meant a lot coming from a director who made so many amazing films… I was so nervous, I didn't know if what I was saying made sense. I tried my best to be calm and to stay in the moment." 

​Watch Donny's interview with the cast Donny Pangilinan Interviews Cast & Filmmaker of Mary Poppins Returns and their family's red carpet experience on Hannah's vlog Hannah Pangilinan at the Red Carpet of Mary Poppins Returns Premiere.  

​"Mary Poppins Returns" is still showing in Philippine cinemas. To join the conversations online, use #MaryPoppinsReturns.

By: JENG On 1/23/2019 10:56:00 AM

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Tales of Extraordinary Beings Take Spotlight on M. Night Shyamalan’s “Glass”

 

In 2000, the world got hooked on M. Night Shyamalan's intriguing story of security guard-turned-protector David Dunn in Unbreakable. In 2016, he took the cinemas by storm with the thrilling sinister personalities of Kevin Wendell Crumb in Split. Now, the genius filmmaker connects both of his supernatural narratives in an all-new comic-book thriller, Glass.

The renowned writer-director returns to the big screen with the much-anticipated conclusion of his original cinematic universe that started 19 years ago with Unbreakable. Shyamalan brilliantly weaves the stories of his extraordinary beings together in one mind-blowing film that offers a fresh, contemporary alternative to today's superhero epics.

"I've never done anything like this. It was really different for me to kind of bring characters from two different movies that I had invented earlier and then create a third version," Shyamalan shares. The visionary director wanted to create a trilogy that was unlike any other, and what took years in the making finally gets a riveting culmination in Glass.

Film buffs who have followed David Dunn, Kevin Wendell Crumb, and Elijah Price in the last two movies of the Unbreakable series can find closure about their broken identities in Glass. Shyamalan admits, "The movie is really about marginalized characters and them coming to find a place in this world that they feel important, and that they are very important even though the world has told them otherwise."

Glass follows where Split took off and finds Dunn's vigilante hero persona, The Overseer, in pursuit of Crumb's destructive superhuman figure, The Beast. In a series of thrilling encounters, the two men are captured and detained in Raven Hill Memorial Psychiatric Research Hospital under the care of Dr. Staple, where Price has been living for the past 16 years.

Bringing to life these powerful characters, Bruce Willis reprises his role as David Dunn, Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price or Mr. Glass, and James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb and his multiple identities. Joining the all-star cast are Spencer Treat Clark and Charlayne Woodard who reprise their roles as Dunn's son and Price's mother, with newcomer Sarah Paulson as Dr. Ellie Staple.

Willis expresses his excitement on being able to return as the standout invulnerable David Dunn in Glass. He shares, "Night creates characters that are unique and memorable and feel personal. I was just as thrilled to play David Dunn as I was the first time I played him."

Meanwhile, McAvoy shares his sentiment on what makes Shyamalan's trilogy different from other superhero franchises. "Unbreakable and Split were both, in a way, deconstructionist superhero movies. What was great when I got the script for Glass was that it was taking super people, super hero, and super villain archetype and putting them in a very different kind of movie, and I think that's exciting."

Comic-book thriller fans can expect the epic finale of an original trilogy and modern cinematic universe that is trademarked Shyamalan. While Unbreakable and Split focus on two men discovering their strengths, Glass hinges on the root of identity and challenges the idea whether the mind can shape and influence one's physical realities.

A Blinding Edge Pictures and Blumhouse production, Glass is released by Buena Vista International and is now showing in Philippine cinemas. Use #GlassMovie to join the conversations online.

By: JENG On 1/23/2019 10:53:00 AM

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Toprating Korean Series Meteor Garden, Weightlifting Fairy, A Love So Beautiful, and Hwayugi Hit TVplus’ Asianovela Channel

 

2019 is off to a great start for avid viewers of Asianovela Channel because it is unloading four big titles this month, including the original "Meteor Garden" series that once took the country by storm.

 

TVplus users can look forward to uncut episodes of "Meteor Garden" featuring the original F4 and Shan Cai, the equal parts fantasy and comedy series "Hwayugi," and returning titles due to popular demand, "Weightlifting Fairy" and "A Love So Beautiful."

 

Fans must keep their eyes peeled on January 21 on Asianovela Channel, the ultimate 'fan bayan' on free TV, as it drops "Meteor Garden," "Weightlifting Fairy," and "A Love So Beautiful."

 

Avid "Meteor Garden" fans can relive the nostalgia as they witness the F4 and Shan Cai clash and eventually become allies in the end on weekdaysat 10 AM/3 PM/12 MN and weekends at 9 AM/11 PM.

 

Viewers who are looking for a tender coming-of-age story will enjoy "Weightlifting Fairy," airing on weekdays at 6 AM/6 PM/9 PM and a weekend airing at 5 AM, as it that revolves on college athletes who are navigating adulthood. 

 

For hopeless romantics, there's "A Love So Beautiful," a rom-com on two 17-year-olds who have a budding affection for each other while they experience the crazy journey of high school. TVplus users can catch it on weekdaysat 7 AM/ 5 PM/10 PM and weekends at 7 AM.

 

Meanwhile, "Hwayugi," which airs on weekdays at 7AM/12 NN/8 PM and weekends at 7 PM, is a movie adaptation of the Chinese classic novel "Journey to the West," that follows the paths of an immortal and powerful man (Seung-Gi) and a woman who can see spirits and other peculiar forces. 

 

Don't miss the best of Asian dramas only on ABS-CBN TVplus' Asianovela Channel. For more information, follow Asianovela Channel on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AsianovelaChannel/), Twitter (@AsianovelaC), and Instagram (@asianovelachannel).

By: JENG On 1/23/2019 10:50:00 AM

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Xian Lim and Louise Delos Reyes Team-up in Viva Films’ Pre-Valentine Movie “Hanggang Kailan?”

What if you had one last trip to be with the person you love before you end your relationship? How do you say goodbye?

 

VIVA Films, the producer of 100 Tula Para Kay Stella and Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story), in cooperation with BluArt Productions and XL8, continues to redefine the romance genre in Philippine cinema with its special pre-Valentine offering, "HANGGANG KAILAN?"

 

Xian Lim and Louise Delos Reyes star as Donnie and Kath, a couple who's celebrating their second anniversary.  But instead of looking forward to more years together, they agree that this is going to be their last even though they are still very much in love.  

 

Before they totally go their separate ways, Donnie and Kath take a 4-day/3-night vacation in Saga, Japan.  Amidst picturesque landscapes, new memories will be made, hearts will break.  And they've always known that this is bound to happen. 

Bona Fajardo, the man behind noteworthy films such as I Found My Heart in Santa Fe,       Kahit Ayaw Mo Na, and Iliw, is the director that brings this screenplay by Onay Sales to life.  In a past interview, director Fajardo had encouraged audiences to keep watching movies to discover stories to your liking.  "'Pag nagustuhan mo ang sine ituloy-tuloy mo na yan… kung ano 'yong hinahanap mong ganda, kung anong istorya, nandiyan naman lahat 'yan, makikita mo 'yan."

 

This is the first time for Xian and Louise to work together.  

 

Aiming for longevity in show business, the Kapuso-turned-Kapamilya actress says she's willing to try different roles to keep honing her craft.  On TV, Louise was last seen in Asintado.  Her last movie project was Para sa Broken Hearted  (October 2018).  It's interesting to see how her  team-up with the Chinito Heartthrob will bring out a side to her that her fans haven't seen.  

 

Meanwhile, Xian's involvement in this movie goes beyond acting. The XL8 mentioned above is his new venture.  Like Louise, Xian is not afraid to try new things.  Last year, he started his basketball career, playing for Mandaluyong El Tigre in MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League).  Around that time, he was also part of the box-office hit movie Miss Granny.  

 

"HANGGANG KAILAN?" opens in cinemas on February 6.

By: JENG On 1/23/2019 10:47:00 AM

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