Major Grammy Nominations for MCA Music Artists | Eminem, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and many more!

MCA MUSIC’S ARTISTS TAKE OVER MAJOR NOMINATIONS IN THE 53rd ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS WITH EMINEM AS THE MOST-NOMINATED ARTIST! 

Music’s most prestigious and highly-dignified award-giving body, The Grammy Awards, has once again brought MCA Music’s roster of majestic artists to a higher playing field and this time, dominating this year’s best and brightest. As the names have already been announced for the 2011 Grammy Nominees, rapper Eminem found himself leading the pack with 10 nominations including the biggest award of the show, Album of the Year, and Best Rap Album giving much credit to his current hit album, ‘Recovery’ and making him the most-nominated artist going into the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.

It is without a doubt how Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie” feat Rihanna became last year’s number 1 hit across all the charts and it took off amazingly well that it garnered 5 Grammy nominees for Song of the Year, Record Of The Year, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Rap Song, and Best Short Form Music Video. With ‘Recovery’ being an album that depicted his battles and how he overcame them, Eminem’s stature as one of the best-selling artists and best rapper in the world is given back, marking a critical and commercial triumph for the rapper. Among the other awards Eminem is in the running for are Best Pop Collaboration with vocals for “Airplanes II”, Best Rap Solo Performance for “Not Afraid” 

Sensational pop singer Lady Gaga joins the higher ranks, with her ‘Fame Monster’ album also being nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, her single collaboration with Beyonce, “Telephone” nominated under Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and her “Dance In The Dark” single nominated under Best Dance Recording. 

Teen pop superstar, Justin Bieber along with Drake and Florence and The Machine are among those vying for Best New Artist award, not to mention Justin Bieber’s ‘My World 2.0’ album also being nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album Drake’s ‘Thank Me Later’ and The Roots’ ‘How I Got Over’ albums have been nominated as well for Best Rap Album. Maroon 5’s hit single “Misery” gets recognized as one of the nominees for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals. And of course, let’s not forget Rihanna’s comeback hit single “Only Girl (In The World)” which joins the Best Dance Recording nominees. In the arena of rock, Arcade Fire’s “Ready To Start” gets nominated under Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocals, while Pearl Jam vies for the Best Rock Album award. 

All of these outstanding nominees and artists of MCA Music are to watch out for in this year’s Grammy Awards which will take place on February 13, 2011. This much-awaited event and its outcome, indeed, kicks off a great start of the year for these artists who with so much passion and dedication, have strived to give out the best songs and the best albums for everyone to love and enjoy! 

HENRY CAVILL | The New SUPERMAN!

HENRY CAVILL WILL TAKE ON THE DUAL ROLE OF CLARK KENT / SUPERMAN IN THE NEW FILM FROM WARNER BROS. PICTURES

BURBANK, CA, January 30, 2011 – Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Henry Cavill has won the coveted role of Superman, the iconic superhero.

The film will be directed by Zack Snyder, who stated, “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

Cavill recently wrapped production on “The Cold Light of Day” and stars in the upcoming “Immortals,” opening this fall.

Targeted for release in December 2012, the new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“HOW DO YOU KNOW” – A New Comedy That Asks Questions On Love

The title question iin Columbia Pictures' new romantic comedy “How Do You Know” is the most important one most of us will ever face, and as the world gets more complicated and disconnected, it’s harder to answer than ever. 

“We all have, at some point, a feeling that everything we’ve depended on we can’t depend on anymore. And when that happens, the only thing we have left is love,” says Oscar-winning director James L. Brooks. “You can think your life is terrible, and then he or she walks in and it’s not terrible anymore. That’s it – love is our saving grace.” 

“How Do You Know” is a comedy about people in transition. Lisa's (Reese Witherspoon) athletic ability is the defining passion of her life, having been her focus since early childhood. When she is cut from her team, everything she has ever known is suddenly taken from her. George (Paul Rudd) is a straight-arrow businessman who is accused of a financial crime, even though he's done nothing wrong. Although he may be headed to jail, George's honesty, integrity, and unceasing optimism may be his only path to keeping his sanity. George and Lisa meet on the worst day of each of their lives: she has just been cut, and he has just been served. When everything else seems to be falling apart, they will discover what it means to have something wonderful happen. 

Brooks says that the project began simply. “I was driving by some ball fields, soccer fields, and filled with women and girls, all ages, and I thought, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a female jock heroine. And I’m a research nut, so that started me on a year of talking to great female athletes.” 

“There’s maybe five minutes of softball in the movie, but it informs Lisa's whole character,” says Brooks. “I have a rule in research: the third time I hear something, it’s generally true. This time, every female athlete I spoke to said that it takes another athlete to understand how much time they have to give to their sport. They can’t go out, they can’t go to the party, because they’re playing, they’re honing their skills. It’s very hard for a man to understand that if he doesn’t share it.” 

“Jim's voice is unique,” says producer Julie Ansell, who has been Brooks’ producing partner for 20 years. “He has insights into people – when he writes something that touches on something you’ve experienced in your own life, you think, ‘That’s it – I couldn’t have put it into words, but that’s how I felt.’ It hits you deep inside.” 

“He writes about real people, real dilemmas they face,” shares producer Paula Weinstein. “His characters are complicated, difficult, confused, human, flawed, funny, and true. Watching his movies is like reading a great novel that you don’t want to end – you just want to stay in their world a little while more.” 

“No one writes dialogue the way he does,” Ansell continues. “He wants to get into his characters so deeply that sometimes we spend two years doing research, talking to hundreds of people for each character.” 

“Jim gets an idea for his characters, then he wants to find out what’s real, what’s true,” concludes Weinstein. 

Opening soon across the Philippines, “How Do You Know” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

PUPPY LOVE | "A Doggie Valentine Date" at SM City Marikina

February 19-20, 2011

Pet Expo 8:00AM-7:00PM

SM City Marikina Paverblock (Beside Kotse Network)

Join the BIGGEST Doggie Valentine Celebration in the east with this line-up of pet friendly events:

GLAM IT UP
The Ultimate Valentine Makeover
February 19-20, 2011 | 1:00PM-3:00PM

PUPPY LOVETEAMS MALL PARADE
The Grand Pet Parade
February 19-20, 2011 | 3:00PM-4:00PM

PET FASHION SHOWDOWN
Puppy Love Valentine Fashion Show
February 19, 2011 | 4:30PM-6:30PM

DANCE WITH MY LOVER
Dog and Owner Sweet Valentine Dance
February 19, 2011 | 6:30PM-7:30PM

THE DOG SEARCHER AND SEARCHEE
Puppy Love Dating Game
February 20, 2011 | 4:30PM - 5:30PM

DOGGIE MOVIE AWARDS
Romantic Movie Poster Contest
February 20, 2011 | 5:30PM-6:30PM

For inquires, please call 477-1788 to 90 local 125, or email smmkmarketing@gmail.com.

It's all here at SM City Marikina, the Hottest Venue in the East!

Zombie Walk Paris Photostream von Rasoloarison

Diese vier und noch 52 weitere extrem coole Fotos, von einem pariser Zombiewalk aus dem Jahre 2010, findet ihr hier im Photostream von Live Rasoloarison aka Livelys.





via Zombify

'American Idol' Ratings Drop Continues

Michael Becker/FOX

The second episode of "American "Idol" continued yesterday's downward trajectory. Averaging 22.6 million viewers with a 7.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic, "Idol" was down 12 percent among total viewers and 16 percent in the demo, compared to the 8-9 p.m. hour Wednesday's season ten premiere.

It's also down from last season's second installment, which averaged 26.4 million viewers and a 10 rating in the demo. Of course, that installment aired at 8 p.m. on a Wednesday (Jan. 13, 2010), where the competition is less fierce, and it was also 90-minutes compared to last night's hour-long show.

Last night, "Idol", which aired from 8-9 p.m., faced CBS' Big Bang Theory from 8-8:30 p.m., which pulled in 13.5 million viewers with a 4.2 in the demo. Compared to "Big Bang's" last original episode, that was 95 percent retention among total viewers and 97 percent in the demo, which means "Idol" did not siphon viewers from the CBS comedy.

But moving "Idol" to Thursday also gave Fox something to brag about: the net posted its highest-rated Thursday of regular programming since 1995 and its highest total viewer tune-in since 1993.

"Idol" also out-rated second place CBS from 8-9 p.m. by 67 percent and beat the No. 2 show of the night, NBC's "The Office" (4.5 rating), by 71 percent.

"Idol" gave Fox an easy win on Thursday (5.7, 16.7 million viewers), followed by CBS (3.1, 13.6 million), NBC (2.8, 5.4 million) and ABC (1.7, 5.4 million).

NBC's "Parks and Recreation" (3.2, 6.2 million viewers) returned strong, delivering the show's biggest audience since its series premiere on April 9, 2009. Overall the network's three-hour comedy block fared relatively well in its debut. At 10 p.m. 30 Rock (2.7, 5.3 million viewers) gave NBC its top non-sports rating in the time period since last April.

ABC basically turned out the lights last night, opting for reruns of "Grey's Anatomy" (1.6, 4.7 million) and "Private Practice" (1.0 rating, 3.3 million).

Source: Billboard.com | Marisa Guthrie, The Hollywood Reporter | January 21, 2011 1:05 EST

'American Idol' Top 5 Milwaukee Auditions, from Chris Medina to Scott Dangerfield

After five long days without an "Idol" fix, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson returned in Milwaukee for two hours of powerful and painful performances. Some singers absolutely nailed genre exercises in country, rock or R&B; other performers found out that opera plus a Justin Bieber pop song is a recipe for disaster. Tell us how you would rank last night's most memorable performances, and check out our full recap of the Milwaukee auditions below.

1) Scott McCreery

Song: Josh Turner, "Your Man" and Travis Tritt, "Put Some Drive in Your Country"


Jennifer said: "You make me smile."

Steven said: "Will hellfire save matches, f--- a duck and see what hatches!"

Randy said: "Love that you're a throwback country guy, singing low like that."

We say: While we're still a bit confused as to the exact meaning of Steven's "f--- a duck" exclamation, the natural talent behind Scott's country twang definitely warranted it. At 16, the North Carolina native understood how to emulate his deep-voiced country idols without sounding derivative. Maybe he'll listen to Steven and bring his cowboy hat to Hollywood.

2) Naima Adedapo

Song: Donny Hathaway, "For All We Know"

Jennifer said: "I think she's, voice-wise and whole-package-wise, one of the best we've seen."

Steven said: "I think you're all that."

Randy said: "I love this girl. I love this girl!"

We say: Naima didn't bowl us over with her vocal power, but the 25-year-old grounds cleanup worker packed a lot of personality into each lyric. Steven and Jennifer beamed like proud parents during her performance before sending her to Hollywood.


3) Chris Medina

Song: The Script, "Breakeven"


Jennifer said: "Go get your girlfriend -- we gotta meet her!"

Steven said (to Chris' fiancee Juliana): "I just heard your fiancee sing -- I think he's so good."

Randy said: "Really sweet. Nice kid too. He sang great."

We say: After explaining the story of his fiancee Juliana's serious accident and his new role as her caretaker, Chris delivered a rousing take on the Script's recent hit "Breakeven" and subsequently introduced Juliana to the judges. Chris' sad tale has provoked mixed emotions, but he showed enough potential to warrant a trip to the next round, no matter if you found his story heartwarming or exploitative.


4) Scott Dangerfield

Song: Amos Lee, "Dreamin'"

Jennifer said: "You might be my favorite we've seen so far."

Steven said: "You blew me away."

Randy said: "Never judge a book by its cover -- dude, you were hot!"

We say: Wiping off some lipstick before his audition, Scott found "love in the 'Idol' line" and claimed to have made out with a girl while waiting to perform. Maybe he wooed his girl by singing a few bars -- after all, the judges certainly melted when Scott dove into "Dreamin'" and let his gorgeous pipes quiver over some extended notes. Expect Scott to steal a few more hearts before this season's end.

5) Megan Frazier

Song: Justin Bieber, "Baby"


Jennifer said: "Thank you, you were a lot of fun."

Steven said: "The glass broke!"

Randy said: "Self-imposed opera of a Justin Bieber song -- you're right, that's what I've been looking for all my life."

We say: Maybe Justin Bieber got it right when he decided to make "Baby" a pop song and not an opera music revival. Megan seemed to be a good sport about the three "no's" she received from the judges -- let's hope that the Green Bay Packers fanatic is just as upbeat if her beloved team loses next Sunday's Super Bowl.

Source: Billboard.com | Jason Lipshutz, N.Y. | January 26, 2011 11:45 EST

'American Idol' Top 5 Nashville Auditions, from Lauren Alaina to Jackie Wilson

Michael Becker/FOX

The "American Idol" Milwaukee auditions were a tough act to follow, thanks to buzzy contestants like Chris Medina and Scott Dangerfield -- but tonight's Nashville episode had its share of big moments, too. Read on for our top 5 tryouts tonight, and tell us: who were your favorite "Idol" hopefuls?

1) Lauren Alaina
Song: Faith Hill, "Like We Never Loved At All"


Steven said: "I think you should cry, because you're gonna make 40 million people cry. Tears of joy, baby."

Jennifer said: "Don't cry, you're gonna make me cry, too!" 

Randy said: "Best I've seen today in Nashville. I'm tellin' you, I'm blown away."

We say: Lauren's got the story and the teen appeal to go far, but it's her voice that could easily propel her straight in to the top 10. In the words of Randy, we've got a hot one right here!

2) Jackie Wilson
Song: Aretha Franklin, "Until You Come Back to Me"

Steven said: "You were so feeling it in the high notes, and just lettin' it out and tellin' it like it is."

Jennifer said: "You made us clap!"

Randy said: "Yo, yo, Jackie's first concert. Yo. Crazy, dude. Crazy vocals. You did it. Crazy. What? That's what we're having." 

We say: Jackie Wilson may not have had the heartwarming backstory Lauren Alainna did, but her vocals were just as strong, if not moreso (and hey, weren't her parents cute?). With those powerhouse pipes, this girl's going to breeze right past her Hollywood foes.


3) Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin
Songs: Bee Gees, "To Love Somebody" (both), Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On" (Rob) and Brandi Carlile "The Story" (Chelsee)


Steven said: "Your harmony together was so deep."

Jennifer said: "As beautiful as you both sing separately, you sing really beautifully together, too."

Randy said: "I think that you both have very interesting, great voices." 

We say: This ex-couple from Nashville dated for three years and have been performing together since the day they met. Then, they split up, and kept living together even while Chelsee moved on to another boyfriend. Chelsee seemed to think this was all very funny, but just watch Rob's face when Randy asks him how he feels. The man's hurting. Hey, Rob, if it's any consolation, you're way better than Chelsee, whose shouty vocals surely won't do her any favors in the coming weeks. Team Rob all the way!


4) Stormi Henley
Song: Tamela Mann, "Father Can You Hear Me"

Steven said: "You got a beautiful little tight, squeaky little voice. You never blow it out a little harder than that? You never let loose?"

Jennifer said: "I think you're gorgeous, but the voice is not strong enough for me."

Randy said: "Is there singing in this competitive thing with Miss Teen USA? ...It was just OK, I don't know. It was small, but it was powerful."

We say: Like Bikini Girl, Stormi's beauty will only get her so far. Also: Ew, Steven. Just ew.


5) Paul McDonald
Song: Rod Stewart, "Maggie May"

Steven said: Nothing -- there wasn't enough time, apparently.

Jennifer said: "Mmm, I like it."

Randy said: "Very nice. Very nice."

We say: Who is this, and exactly why did we only get to see him for 18 seconds? Was he just not trainwreck-y or tearjerker-y enough to warrant screentime? Next time, producers, please show some more love to contestants like Paul McDonald, and in the meantime we'll be looking out for him in the next round.

Source: Billboard.com | Monica Herrera, N.Y. | January 27, 2011 11:36 EST

Adele: The Billboard Cover Story

Lauren Dufoff

A half an hour before her second album goes on sale in the United Kingdom, Adele is in a mellow state of mind.

"Everything's less frantic than it was the first time around," she says from her home in London, winding down after a night out with friends. The singer is referring to the promotion of her hit 2008 debut, "19," which, with worldwide sales of nearly 2.4 million copies, turned this recent graduate of London's BRIT School into one of England's brightest young pop stars. "I was nervous and uptight because it was all brand-new. The reception was so unexpected that everyone just sort of went along with it." She lets loose one of her frequent gut-deep chuckles. "Not that I'm saying I'm a professional now. But I've learned to sit down and enjoy it all. I feel more free than I ever have."

That sense of freedom is audible throughout "21," Adele's bold sophomore set, due Feb. 22 in the United States from Columbia Records. (It came out Jan. 24 in the United Kingdom.) Created collaboratively by a transatlantic dream team of A-list writers and producers including Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder and Francis "Eg" White, it expands upon the delicate folk-soul sound of such "19" cuts as "Chasing Pavements" and "Hometown Glory" with headstrong forays into fiery disco-gospel, stomping blues and '70s-styled R&B.

This week the album's lead single, "Rolling in the Deep," debuted in the United Kingdom at No. 2 (ahead of Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" and behind Bruno Mars' "Grenade") on the Official Charts Co.'s singles tally; the groove-heavy kiss-off also soundtracks a fresh Nike spot featuring tennis star Maria Sharapova.

"As much as I love '19' -- and I do -- this is a giant leap forward for her," says Tedder, the OneRepublic frontman who's written and produced hits for Beyoncé ("Halo") and Leona Lewis ("Bleeding Love"), among others. "With a couple of exceptions, "19" was very subdued," Tedder continues. " '21' isn't."

"She's got a little more swagger now," adds Rick Krim, executive VP of music and talent relations at VH1. The network selected Adele as a You Oughta Know artist in 2008, and will premiere "VH1 Unplugged: Adele" on March 4. "A lot has happened to her since her first record, so you expect to hear some growth. The first single, it's just instantaneous -- it doesn't sound like anything on her debut."

A MASTER PLAN

Born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, the singer comes by that swagger honestly: In 2006, England's super-hip XL Recordings signed Adele on the strength of a three-song demo a friend of hers had posted on MySpace; within two years she'd won the BRIT Awards' Critics' Choice prize and been tipped by the BBC as the "Sound of 2008." In 2009 she beat out theJonas Brothers (as well as fellow U.K. import Duffy) for the best new artist Grammy Award, and capped her world tour in support of "19" with a sold-out show at Los Angeles' 17,000-capacity Hollywood Bowl.

Adele says much of the inspiration for "21" came from the country and roots music she heard while on the road in America; she singles out Lady Antebellum and rockabilly pioneer Wanda Jackson as particular influences.

"She'd definitely been exposed to things that opened her eyes musically," says Epworth, who co-wrote and produced "Rolling in the Deep." "So much of the music from the United States over the last century was formed from various trials and tribulations, and I think that's reflected on Adele's record -- that she identified with these artists singing about their lives."

Read more »

SM City Taytay Celebrates THE 3RD RIZAL ARTS FESTIVAL

In celebration of the Philippine International Arts Festival, SM City Taytay, in cooperation with Nemi R. Miranda, Rizal First Lady Andrea Ynares, Rotary Club International District 3800, National Commission for Culture and The Arts, Rizal Provincial Government, Rizal Tourism Office and Taytay Tourism Office present the 3rd Rizal Arts Festival!

Join us as we celebrate art in different forms such as paintings, furniture and wood works brought to you by full blooded Rizaleños.

Relish every carvings, etches and depiction of natural scenery in this exhibit of various artists.  Joining this year’s Rizal Arts Festival are woodworks from Isla Furniture and Jesse Eustaquio. Plus elegant furniture design by Jaime Gerardo Designs.

As part of its celebration, The Rizal Arts Festival will also feature a Sketching Session with Rizal Artists with Bb. Taytay finalists on February 7, 5pm and a 3-day Art Workshop on February 9, 10 and 12, 5-7pm. These workshops aim to heighten the youth’s inclination towards different forms of arts. In addition to this, there will a fun-filled afternoon with FOOD painting on February 6, 5 PM. Kids and kids at heart will surely love using food to create their own painting.

The 3rd Rizal Arts Festival will be launched on February 3 and will run until February 15, 2011.

Visit SM City Taytay and appreciate the richness of Rizal’s Art and Culture. For more information, call 661.2033-37 or email smttmarketing@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Facebook: www.ilovesmcitytaytay.com.

SM City Taytay - Home of the Most Exciting events in Rizal!!!

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE | Announces NEW Season 8 Audition Info!

As SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE travels across the U.S. in search of the best and most talented dancers in the country, the show is announcing new information for the Season Eight auditions. Hopefuls have three more opportunities to show the judges they have what it takes to be America’s Favorite Dancer as auditions resume Wednesday, Feb. 2 in Salt Lake City, UT. The next stop on the audition tour will be Atlanta, GA, on Saturday, Feb. 19, and the final stop will be Los Angeles, CA, on Saturday, March 12.

Revised audition information is as follows:

Salt Lake City, UT
Wednesday, Feb. 2
The Jeanne Wagner Theatre
138 W. Broadway
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Atlanta, GA
Saturday, Feb. 19
The Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, March 12
The Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Those who shine during auditions are given a ticket to Las Vegas for callbacks, where they work with top choreographers to learn and then be judged on multiple styles of dance.

*Please note that auditions will no longer be held in Charlotte as previously announced and the date for the Los Angeles auditions has changed. In addition, venue information may change, so auditioners should log on to www.fox.com/dance for the latest information.

Registration will begin at 8:00 AM at each venue. Auditioners traveling to cities for the open calls should make arrangements to stay for at least two days following their initial audition in the event of a callback.

Dancers must be either a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S. or possess a current legal Employment Authorization Card enabling him/her to seek employment freely in the U.S. (i.e., without restrictions as to employer) by the date specified in the eligibility rules. Dancers must be no younger than 18 or older than 30 years of age on the first day they register for auditions. Any dancer who is a minor in his/her state of residence must also have a parent or legal guardian sign all required documents. Dancers must provide legal, valid proof of age when they register for auditions. Check www.fox.com/dance for full eligibility rules.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and comes from 19 Entertainment Ltd. and dick clark productions. It is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Barry Adelman.

by So You Think You Can Dance on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 2:16am

Big Reveal: More Returning Characters In “CARS 2”

Disney/Pixar unveils the second batch of returning characters in the upcoming animated adventure “Cars 2,” the highly anticipated sequel to 2006’s blockbuster “Cars.”

Below are the new images and the individual character descriptions. “Cars 2” hits the track on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

Mater. In the now popular tourist destination of Radiator Springs, the rusty old tow truck Mater has a number of roles, including proprietor of Tow Mater Towing and Salvage, grand storyteller and the heart and soul of the town. But Mater’s favorite title is best friend to Lightning McQueen. Mater values each and every dent he’s earned on his escapades with Lightning over the years, and anxiously awaits further fun with his friend when Lightning returns with his latest Piston Cup.

Cheerful, honest and loyal to a fault, Mater rushes to his best friend’s defense, which ultimately lands the off-duty Lightning in an international racing exhibition: the World Grand Prix. When Lightning invites Mater to come along as a member of his pit crew, Mater leaves Carburetor County for the first time ever.

Not long after their arrival in Tokyo, Mater learns that the world outside of Radiator Springs is decidedly different and its newfangled ways may take some getting used to. But when he’s mistaken for an American secret agent, he falls into an intriguing adventure of his own. Caught between supporting his best friend on a globe-trotting racing competition and his new role in international espionage, Mater ends up in an explosive chase through the streets of Tokyo and Europe alongside a team of British spies and international bad guys.

Sally, a baby blue Porsche 911 Carrera, is the proprietor of Radiator Springs’ Cozy Cone and Wheel Wagon Motels and the apple of Lightning McQueen’s eye. Longing for Lightning’s return from his latest Piston Cup race season, Sally is looking forward to a long drive with “Stickers,” as she affectionately calls Lightning.

When Lightning commits to racing in the World Grand Prix the same night of his return, Sally remains steadfastly supportive of her star racecar. She even convinces Lightning to take his best friend Mater along for the ride of a lifetime. Though Sally stays behind in Radiator Springs, even she lights up for the open-wheeled racing cars from Europe – but only Lightning truly makes her motor purr.

Ramone owns and operates Ramone's House of Body Art, Radiator Springs’ custom body and paint shop. Ramone is an artist — a true magician with paint and metal. There was a time when his only canvas was himself, so he repainted himself daily. But since Lightning McQueen helped put Radiator Springs back on the map, Ramone has had his share of customers—including the star race car himself. Before heading off to the World Grand Prix, Lightning stops by Ramone’s for a new paint job...and Ramone does him up gooood.

Flo is a sassy, no-nonsense lady with the biggest heart in Radiator Springs. She runs the local diner, Flo's V-8 Café, the only gas station for miles around, where she still serves the "finest fuel in 50 states." Flo is Ramone’s main squeeze. As a touring Motorama girl in the 1950s, Flo was passing through Radiator Springs and when she met Ramone, she was hooked.

Sheriff is the local law enforcement and the keeper of the peace in Radiator Springs. He takes his job very seriously. Sheriff enjoys telling stories and taking the occasional nap behind the Radiator Springs billboard. That's where he was when Lightning McQueen first zoomed into town years ago, which led to a messy car chase that didn’t end well. These days, Sheriff welcomes the hotshot racer Lightning home to Radiator Springs with all four tires.

Lizzie is a Radiator Springs original. She’s a little old lady, but still an active businesswoman who uses her moxie to sell bumper stickers, mud flaps and other Route 66 memorabilia from her curio shop. She’s as feisty as she is brash. Lizzie’s unswerving frankness and offbeat comments keep the townsfolk and tourists on their toes, even though she has no idea what she's just said.

Watch: Snoop Dogg Wants to Work With Lady Gaga

David McClister

In a new video posted by Snoop Dogg on his YouTube today (Jan. 24), the rapper puts out an "APB" (all points bulletin) for Lady Gaga, who Snoop wants to collaborate with on a "real nice freaky deaky kind of song."

Video: Snoop Dogg Hits Up Lady Gaga

The video, filmed with what appears to be a half-shuttered camera, received a mixed response from fans. Some called Snoop a "sell-out," while others likened the potential Gaga-Snoop collab to Eminem and Rihanna's recent successful pairing.

Snoop Dogg, we love you, but couldn't you have texted? Or tweeted? Or had your people call her people? Points for creative use of the 'Tube, though! We hope this "freaky deaky" collaboration works out. Gaga, get at him!

Source: Katie Morgan, N.Y. | January 24, 2011 6:32 EST

Ke$ha Plays Wild Disney Princess in New Spoof

For those who thought that Ke$ha could never play a sweet, innocent Disney princess -- well, you were right. The pop star puts her uniquely dirty spin on the fairy tale world in "Disney's Princess Ke$ha," a new video for humor website Funny or Die.

Disney's Princess Ke$ha - watch more funny videos

Video: Ke$ha's Disney Princess Funny or Die Spoof

For the first 30 seconds of the video, Ke$ha plays a tower-bound beauty who has just woken from her slumber, but the G-rated scene quickly devolves into an R-rated party, complete with a bottle of Jack, blinged-out animated crows and a raccoon pimp who gets its head chopped off. Leaning on a dance beat and Auto-tuned vocals, Ke$ha sings about getting "customized" for a night out and tells the "evil genie slut" in the "Snow White"-esque magical mirror to "suck it, b**ch."

At the video's conclusion, Princess Ke$ha is transported from her magical tower to a real-world alley, where her fairy godsomething conjures up a shopping cart carriage and homeless footman. It's not exactly picturesque, but for Ke$ha, whose latest single "We R Who We R" came in at No. 7 on last week's Hot 100, the closing image seems just about right.

Source: Billboard.com | Katie Morgan N.Y. | January 26, 2011 3:50 EST

Billboard Bits: 'Glee' Super Bowl Episode Preview, Big Four Metal Fest

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Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.

'Glee' Super Bowl Episode Photos, Clip Surface

Zombie outfits, Katy Perry wigs and the famed "Thriller" dance -- Glee's Super Bowl Sunday episode is shaping up to be a major events, and finally, photos and promo clips for the episode are hitting the 'Net. The New Directions will perform MJ's "Thriller," which is also the name of the episode, complete in zombie garb resembling the song's iconic music video. The episode, which is the show's first following a brief hiatus, is also slated to feature The Zombie's "She's Not There," "Bills, Bills, Bills" by Destiny's Child (sung by the boys), and Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now." Also, "Thriller" will be mashed-up with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Heads Will Roll" in the episode, which will air Feb. 6 following the big game (roughly 10:30 p.m. EST, for you non-football fans). Watch a promo clip for the show below. (TV Squad, Amazon)

"The Big Four" Metal Fest Coming To California

For one day this spring, metal will come to Indio, California's Empire Polo Fields, normally home to the Coachella music festival. On April 23, "The Big Four" -- Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax -- will play together for (as of now) the only time in the U.S. Tickets go on sale Friday (Jan. 28) at 10 a.m. PST via Ticketmaster.com. (Spin)

Vanessa Hudgens Steals Britney Spears' 'Candies'

Vanessa Hudgens is the newest spokeswoman for Candie's, with a new advertising campaign featuring Hudgens in sundresses, ruffled bikinis and sunglasses. Hudgens takes over for former spokeswoman Britney Spears, who tweeted, "So fun being a Candie's Girl! Look out for the @Candiesbrand pics of their new girl, Vanessa Hudgens!" Candie's merchandise is sold exclusively at Kohl's. According to Vanessa, the "super cute" clothes and accessories are "everything a girl could ever need!" (Just Jared)


Academy of Country Music to Honor Reba, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood

The Academy of Country Music will honor Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood at "Girls Night Out: Superstar Women of Country," a tribute concert set to be taped in Las Vegas on April 4, with the special to air on CBS at an unspecified date. Additional honorees and performers will be announced in the coming days. Ticket sales are to benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy's charity.


Liverpool University's Beatles Course Produces First Grad

A former Miss Canada contestant is the first graduate of Liverpool Hope University's degree program dedicated to studying the music of the Beatles. Mary-Lu Zahalan-Kennedy graduated Wednesday from "The Beatles, Popular Music and Society" course, which analyzes the band's music and its impact on Western culture. (Yahoo)


Patti Smith, Bloc Party's Kele Okereke Writing Books

Book-writing seems to be the popular trend lately among rock musicians.Patti Smith has announced her plans to release a detective novel set at St. Giles-in-the Fields in London. Meanwhile, Bloc Party's Kele Okereke is moving to the U.S. to pen his book, though no details have been confirmed regarding the book's subject matter. (NME, NME)

Source: Billboard.com | Reporting by Jillian Mapes, Kevin Rutherford and Katie Morgan | January 26, 2011 6:00 EST

Decemberists' 'King Is Dead' Is No. 1 on Billboard 200

Autumn de Wilde

The Decemberists claim their first No. 1 album as "The King Is Dead" debuts atop the Billboard 200 with a career-high 94,000 sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That easily beats its initial first week estimate of around 70,000.

While it's a best-ever week for the group, it's still a so-so figure for the top-selling album. However, after the past two weeks, any number at No. 1 that's north of 60,000 is welcome.

Last week, Cake's "Showroom of Compassion" broke the SoundScan-era (1991-present) record low for a No. 1 album with only 44,000 sold. That record was set just one week earlier, when Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" shifted 52,000 atop the list.

This week, Cake's sales flatten, dropping off a cliff from No. 1 to No. 25 in its second week (15,000; down 67%). That's the largest fall from No. 1 since Incubus' "Light Grenades" bombed from No. 1 to No. 37 in its second week (Dec. 23, 2006).

The Decemberists' last release, 2009's "The Hazards of Love," debuted and peaked at No. 14 with 19,000 in its premiere frame, per SoundScan. Their new album's first week was aided -- in part -- by Amazon MP3's offering of it on street date (Jan. 18) as its $3.99 daily deal. Digital downloads account for a whopping 65% of its first week (a percentage share that includes sales from other digital retailers, like iTunes).
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Ricky Martin Talks Book, Coming Out And "MAS"

Mariano Vivanco

On a recent Wednesday afternoon Ricky Martin, clad in cargo pants and flip flops, played with his twin boys in the yard of his waterfront Miami home. Upstairs, in his home studio, candles and incense burned as his new album played on the console. Moments later, Martin sat down for a cozy one-on-one over Cuban coffee to discuss his new album, "MAS (Musica + Alma + Sexo)," book, children and coming out.

You look relaxed!

I just got back from Jackson Hole in Wyoming. We were skiing. Unfortunately the kids can't ski yet. We have to wait until they're three or toilet trained. So, none of the above!

So you wrote and recorded the new album here?

Between here and my home in Golden Beach, Fla. Desmond Child practically moved in with his entire family. We had two studios. One for the programmer, another to record bass, guitars and drums.

This album has gone through many changes to become what it is today: A very personal, very up-tempo, fun, danceable album. Did the change in the music come about as a result of the changes in your personal life?

Everything changed last year. I started writing the book and my mind opened up in a thousand ways. And my need to talk about other things and do other sounds solidified. Because writing the book began almost like a game. I'm going to talk about my foundation, my career, my work, without going into great detail. And suddenly, you realize there are missing links and you see very clearly what this book is going to mean for my life. It was a vital pressure that led me to this creative catharsis, for lack of a better word.

When did he book take you in another place?

Within the first 500 words I knew where I stood. It's my way of tearing barriers down and getting rid of a lot of excess baggage I was carrying around. That's why I say that musically we started from scratch. Because lyrically there have to be different texture and nuance.

Why is it a more up-tempo album?

When I get up on stage, the first thing I say is, 'We're here to forget everything and to have a blast the next two hours.' And when I work with my producers, we look for that liberty. It's up-tempo because I'm at a point in my life where I simply want to be, and be free and not be contrived at all.

When you sent that now famous message over the Interent, did your finger hover over the keyboard as you thought, 'Am I making a huge mistake?'

I spent many months figuring out the best way to do it. I thought it could be a song, or an interview, or in the book. But I couldn't wait eight more months. I needed to do this, now. Several months before I pressed send, there was a hate crime in Puerto Rico against a gay boy. And at the time, if I had spoken out, people would have started conjecturing. There are moments of great tension in the book because I was living under great tension. And one Friday, I called my manager and said, I'm doing this on Monday. I spent the entire weekend drafting that letter. And when I sent it, I felt such a relief, such peace and joy. I thought, My God, had I known, I would have done this 10 years ago.

So you spent all this time worrying over nothing...

Yes. That's why I say in the book that fear is in your head. But everybody has to go through their own process. I feel very fortunate that I was able to open up in my 30s and find this sense of peace and clam when there are people in their 40s, their 50s, their 60s who go through life and fie and can never fully love themselves.

I always thought your kids influenced your decision.

I want my children to be proud of their father and to say, 'My father is the best dad in the world.' And I want them to belong to a modern family, and live a path of happiness and calm. Many people have come to me and said, 'Thanks for sharing." It's about opening the doors to diversity in general and accepting that everybody is different.

There are few ballads in this album.

Well we wrote at least 60 songs and obviously, not all are in here. The ones that felt right are in the album. I think there are songs here that can become ballads. The most important thing about this album is it's for the audience, but also for musicians. There's great musicianship here.

It's a great pop album at a time when pop is so hot. That was a happy coincidence, wasn't it?

Yes. You hear what's going on and you try to take it to another level. It's a great time because the melodies that you hear on radio are so rich and they make you feel good. It's what you need right now.

Lets talk about your twins. What's your favorite thing to do with them?

I love dressing them up every morning and working on their looks. I think, 'Lets do the cool pants, and this tank top.' If there's some paparazzi photo around that shows them poorly dressed, it wasn't me!

What is their favorite TV show?

"Yo Gabba Gabba!," "Mickey Mouse Club" in the mornings. And "Thomas The Tank Engine."

What has been the biggest change in your routine?

I'm up at 7:30 every day now. Before, it would be like 1:30 p.m. because if I was in my creative process recording, I'd go to bed at sunrise. I was a night owl. Now, there's heavy energy here. At 9 a.m. kids are screaming.

In 2012 you're going to play Che Guevara in the Broadway revival of "Evita." Why?

"Evita" is a classic, and the opportunity is huge career-wise. After a one-year tour [in support of the album] I think that the stability of Broadway will be great for my kids and [for] me. I'll be able to take them to school, and in the evenings I'll take the stage from 7-10 p.m. Life is wonderful, isn't it?

Ricky Martin's "MAS" Track By Track

On Feb. 1, Ricky Martin drops his first studio album in six years: "Música + Alma + Sexo" (Music + Soul + Sex) or "MAS" for its acronym in Spanish. We spent an afternoon with Martin in his home studio (with children calling for him outside his window) and he walked us through his new set, track by track.

1. "MÁS"
"It could be the 80s or the 90s or last Spring. Depends what generation you belong to. What I wanted to do was dance a little with this track and get away from the things you're supposed to do in life. And I introduce some characters there who are all artists, like Tico with his boom box in Manhattan. I made them up but they're real."

2. "Frío"
"I fell in love with the melody of this song, which was brought to me by Wisin & Yandel. We sat down -- Wisin & Yandel, Desmond Child and me -- and we worked on the lyrics to make them more me. So we have several versions and we're working on a remix. The lyrics say, "You're beautiful, like the waves in the sea." And many people say, 'But Ricky, you've said you're gay.' And I say, 'Well, doesn't mean I'm blind. And I've also been in love with women before.'"

3. "Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tú" (featuring Natalia Jiménez)"I told Desmond --and I'm not making comparisons -- but "Don't Worry Be Happy" is great. That's how this song came to be. From being in a very cool place in my life.

4. "Te Vas (Shine)""The lyrics to this song changed a lot. And we go back to the same point. I needed to make the lyrics my own. It's a goodbye. You're leaving, but we're still friends."

5. "Tu Y Yo""This is a pretty ballad that describes the intimacy of two bodies together. Anyone who's physically made love will identify with this song. Musically speaking, it's a great showcase for the musicians that play here."

6. "Cántame Tu Vida""On the one hand you have the tropical aspect: Puerto Rico , the cuatro as an instrument and the use of the clave in this song. And it also speaks of kids who live on the streets, who are seduced by it by guns, or drugs, and it's about me trying to be their ally, wanting to listen to the pain inside their young souls."

7. "Te Busco Y Te Alcanzo""It's like the shark on the hunt. The lyrics are about going after someone, and how do I convince you to get together. But the music is about the most marvelous string arrangements I've heard in my life."

8. "Será Será""This song is dedicated to everyone that feels different, that feels marginalized. It's me, saying, I'm going to love myself, I'm going to protect myself. I'm not walking in the shadows.

9. "No Te Miento""I can be anything but a liar. Some people say, 'So Ricky, you've been lying all along.' And I say, 'No, I'm not a liar.'" The song says: "I'm not a liar, this is my reality. In my eyes you see I have nothing to hide. And maybe you'll love me. Maybe not. After all this, I would understand. It's not written for any one in particular in my mind. Perhaps even for myself."

Source: Billboard.com | Leila Cobo | January 26, 2011 12:53 EST

DIANE KRUGER, Caught In A Web Of Deceit In “UNKNOWN”

German-born actress Diane Kruger stars as a Bosnian refugee cab driver who becomes embroiled in intrigue when her cab plunges off a bridge and she saves the life of Liam Neeson’s character, in Warner Bros.’ new mystery thriller “Unknown.”

Kruger, first brought to international attention in her role as the ravishing Helen in Wolfgang Peterson’s “Troy,” and more recently as the cinematic diva Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds,” was the ideal screen partner for Neeson. “We were very fortunate to get Diane, who gave such a brave performance in `Inglorious Basterds,’” says director Jaume Collet-Serra. “Diane is beautiful, sexy, stylish, a great actress. She worked very hard to create a compelling and realistic character. She had a lot of physical stuff to do, keeping up with Liam through all of the action, and she certainly kept up her end. She’s been a pleasure to work with throughout, really a team player.” 

In the film, Dr. Martin Harris (Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn’t recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious assassins, he finds himself alone, tired, and on the run. Aided by an unlikely ally (Kruger), Martin plunges headlong into a deadly mystery that will force him to question his sanity, his identity, and just how far he’s willing to go to uncover the truth.

Like Neeson, Diane Kruger sings praises to the script: “It’s really a movie about identity, about what makes us who we are. Is it our ID? Is it where we come from? Is it our objectives? Really, the movie is an exploration of these ideas; each character has certain things to say about that. My character, Gina, is a Bosnian refugee, someone who is running away from her past and trying to establish herself in a new country, illegally. So she’s looking for her own life and identity, much as Martin Harris is seeking his. When they meet, they bond quickly because they have an immediate problem; they’re both being chased. Their first common objective is to survive, and that makes an immediate bond. But once that settles down a bit, there’s an immense amount of conflict because she’s been drawn further away from her personal goals, and into deep trouble by Martin Harris’s situation. In the course of the movie, she grows to understand him more than anybody else, and that creates a more intimate bond.”

Kruger was particularly taken by the twists the story takes. “All the clues are there, sprinkled throughout the script,” she explains. “So, when the twist happens, you realize that what you’ve seen during the course of the film may have had a different meaning than you had first assumed. Everything shifts a bit, and now everything makes a very satisfying kind of sense. The twist in this film makes a very interesting journey for our main character, that I think helped to make Martin a very attractive role for Liam. It has action and suspense, but the action is fully grounded and motivated by character and the circumstances. It’s not over the top; it’s very realistic and grounded in the story.” 

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Unknown” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Counting Down ADAM SANDLER'S Best-Loved Rom-Coms

 

Since his days in the long-running “Saturday Night Live,” Adam Sandler has been cracking up audiences with his goofball comedy shtick. The Brooklyn-born comedian/actor/writer has appeared in more than 30 films over the course of his 20-year career. His latest, “Just Go With It” – in which he plays a plastic surgeon who enlists his loyal assistant (Jennifer Aniston) to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie – opens across the Philippines on Feb. 16.

And since “Just Go With It” is a romantic comedy and Valentine's Day is just around the corner, it would be an appropriate time to take a look back at some of the comic actor's best-loved rom coms.

1. “50 First Dates.” Both funny and heartfelt. Sandler made his name off making guys across the world laugh, and this movie is no exception. Girls get a purported fifty times their money’s worth — instead of boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, the end, we get a bevy of rinse-and-repeats. Sandler’s hapless Henry (Sandler) is forced to make Barrymore’s memory-impaired Lucy (Drew Barrymore) fall in love with him time and time again.

2. “The Wedding Singer.” The airhead-pop-filled ’80s provides the perfect backdrop for this bubbly, super-sweet romantic comedy about a once successful, now heartbroken singer, Robbie (Sandler), and an engaged banquet-hall waitress, Julia (Barrymore again). After tragically misreading each other’s cues — he thinks she can be wooed by money, she’s angered by his presumption and thinks he’s interested in her friend — the two realize they’re in love. And the icing on the cake? New Wave pop icon Billy Idol chips in to help Robbie keep Julia from flying off with her cheating fiancé.

3. “Punch-Drunk Love.” Director Paul Thomas Anderson (“Magnolia,” “There Will Be Blood”) reinvented Adam Sandler as a dramatic actor in this odd and charming comedy about a disturbed and anti-social guy who ignites a cute romance with a similarly socially challenged woman (Emily Watson). The result was Sandler’s most mature and acclaimed performance. And the movie ends up being genuinely romantic while deviating completely from the very stale paradigm for romantic comedies of the 2000s.

4. “Click.” Sandler portrays a family man whose busy career as an architect doesn’t leave much time for his wife, (Kate Beckinsale), and two kids. Unable to figure out which of his many remotes turns on the television, he goes shopping for a universal remote and finds the perfect device with magical powers. The message of this film is that spending time with your family is far more important than your job. A funny movie that leads to some truly touching scenes in the final 30 minutes. You will be hard-pressed not to have tears in your eyes near the end.

5. “Spanglish.” When filmmaker James L. Brooks (“As Good as It Gets”) first met Sandler back in his “SNL” days, he says he was struck by the actor's kindness and empathetic streak. And so Brooks gave Sandler another chance to flex his acting muscle in this dramedy, in which Sandler plays a successful chef trying to keep his family together while being enamored by his beautiful Mexican housekeeper (Paz Vega). A deeply heartwarming film that says you don't need to always act on your romantic feelings in order to express love.

Jason Mraz Won't Get Married Until Gay Marriage Is Legal

Jason Mraz is following Charlize Theron’s equal rights stance, and has announced that he will not get married until gay marriage is legal. I knew I liked him. Him and his girlfriend/fiance, Tristan Prettyman 28 years old, are waiting until all Americans have equal rights to marry.

“We both feel that in our engagement, we have a union that’s really special and cant be broken. It’s a sacred bond,” the singer explained at Elton John’s Concert to Benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights in Beverly Hills Wednesday.”The wedding would be nice for our family, our friends, our community — our moms especially — and so it puts us in the fight,” he continued. “We can’t get married until [gay] marriage is legal and equal…I think giving people the right to marry will be a huge movement in civil rights.”

Source: L.A. Rag

GLEE Stars Fil-Am Darren Criss & Chris Colfer on the cover of Entertainment Weekly US

It makes Filipinos proud that Fil-Am Glee star has gained worldwide recognition for his character on Glee. Put that alongside Chris Colfer's Golden Globe, and you've got one of the cutest covers of Entertainment Weekly!

Check it out!!!

Movie Sneak Peek | “I AM NUMBER FOUR” Stars British Newcomer Alex Pettyfer

One, Two and Three are dead. Time is now running out for Number Four. 

In DreamWorks Pictures’ new action-packed thriller “I Am Number Four,” British newcomer Alex Pettyfer stars as John Smith, aka, Number Four—a disenfranchised teen on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. 

Of course, John Smith isn’t your typical American teen. Spirited away from his homeland as a child, he’s now one of nine fugitives scattered across the globe, hiding from the ruthless marauders who destroyed their world and are now determined to hunt them down, one by one. Forever changing his identity as he moves from place to place with his guardian, Henri (Timothy Olyphant), things come to a head when he takes up a new life in a small Ohio town. Here, John encounters love (“Glee’s” Dianna Agron), his emerging powers and a connection to the others who share his ultimate destiny. 

“When DreamWorks sent it to me,” says director D.J. Caruso (“Eagle Eye”), “I was really attracted to it from the character standpoint—this disenfranchised teenager who keeps moving around, not really putting down roots, and trying to figure out who he is. At the same time, he’s got this hidden destiny. I thought it was a really cool story.” 

Penned by Pittacus Lore, “I Am Number Four” is the first of several novels planned for a projected series of books from HarperCollins. Picked up by DreamWorks Studios a year prior to its publication last August, the movie was fast-tracked for production with Michael Bay (“Transformers”) producing and Caruso directing, with a screenplay from “Smallville” writers Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and veteran scribe, Marti Noxon (“Mad Men”). 

“It is fast,” says executive producer David Valdes (“The Book of Eli”) of “I Am Number Four’s” gallop to the screen. “But the script came in and it was really good.” 

The film also stars Teresa Palmer, Kevin Durand and Callan McAuliffe. 

Opening soon across the Philippines, “I Am Number Four” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Movie Sneak Peek | Dwayne Johnson 'The Rock's' - “FASTER”

After 10 years in prison, Driver (Dwayne Johnson) has a singular focus - to avenge the murder of his brother during the botched bank robbery that led to his imprisonment, in Columbia Pictures' new action-thriller “Faster.” 

Now a free man with a deadly to-do list in hand, he’s finally on his mission…but with two men on his trail – a veteran cop (Billy Bob Thornton) just days from retirement, and a young egocentric hitman (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) with a flair for the art of killing and a newfound worthy opponent. 

The hunter is also the hunted. It’s a do or die race to the list’s finish as the mystery surrounding his brother’s murder deepens, and new details emerge along the way hinting that Driver’s list may be incomplete. 

The cast of “Faster” is lead by Dwayne Johnson (“The Rundown,” “The Scorpion King”), Billy Bob Thornton (“Eagle Eye”) and newcomer Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Carla Gugino (“Watchmen”), Maggie Grace (“Taken”) and Moon Bloodgood (“Terminator Salvation”). 

George Tillman, Jr. (“Men of Honor”) directs from a screenplay written by Joe and Tony Gayton. “Like Driver, I was on a mission – I had to do this movie,” explains Tillman. “I knew this script would take a director with a strong point-of-view, and with an understanding of its value from a universal standpoint. I understood these characters and what it was within this story that could be relatable to audiences. This film is ultimately about letting the past go – only then can you move forward in life. So I set out not just to show visuals, but to address the thematic ideas at the story’s core.” 

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Faster” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.