The Bride and the Lover (2013) - Lovi Poe, Jennylyn Mercado, Paulo Avelino

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The Bride and the Lover is a Filipino film starring Lovie Poe, Jennylyn Mercado and Paulo Avelino. The film is scheduled to be released in theaters nationwide on May 1, 2013. The plot of the film revolves around three central characters. Phillip, a sought-after bachelor. Vivian, a rich young woman who is the sole heir to a profitable business empire. And Sheila, a lifestyle editor who is also Vivian’s friend. Vivian gets engaged to Phillip and are going to marry. However, on their wedding day, Vivial dramatically revealed the affair between Phillip and Sheila, causing a disastrous scandal.

Vivian Paredes (Lovi) found out that her best friend Sheila (Jennylyn) and his husband to be Nathan (Paulo) is having a secret affair and she reveals the secret of the two on her wedding day making her own wedding into a big scandal. Several months after Sheila and Nathan got togethet and the new Vivian came back from her supposed to be honey moon. The new Vivian will do something to revenge to Sheila & Nathan and the conflicts will start there. What will prevail in the end? Love, Infidelity or Friendship?

The movie is like Temptation of Wife series turns into movie the only difference here is the infidelity happens before the marriage. The director's treatment ad flow of the movie is the same with how the temptation of a wife is done. But for me the TV series is better than this movie. I am quite disappointed for the outcome of the film. The movie tone down a bit in putting musical scoring on some of the long heavy drama scene that you will feel bored along the way. I can not see the coherence of the scenes to become a one good movie.

The movie got a good casting but the performance of lead actors here fails to justify their characters. I know Lovi and Paulo are good actors but their acting here is fake sometimes its overacting. For Jennylyn you know that old shool of her acting in her teeny rom com movie before. I think because of the lousy script and screenplay that's why their acting skills also got affected. The only good point of the movie is the production design and cinematography.

They got good shots on love scenes and good visuals on their 3 wedding scenes. Then I think the controversial love scene of Lovi and Aaron was trimmed down here as requested by Lovi. So the genre of the movie is drama comedy they attempted to make the movie light and they want to put comedy in their confrontation scene but they failed to made is as it looks awkward really. So parang ganito din yung treatment na ginawa dati sa previous film ni direk Joel Lamangan na Bahay Kubo na light version of Mano Po but this time the Bride and the Lover is the light version of My Neighbor's Wife ofcoure the first version is much better. I just hope that this is the last time that a mainstream flick will cater in to an infidelity theme for this season.

The Bride and the Lover was directed by Filipino filmmaker Joel Lamangan. This is a comeback of sorts for the director as he was inactive for the last few years.

42 (2013 film) - Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures

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42 is an upcoming 2013 biographical film about the life of baseball player Jackie Robinson. It is directed by Brian Helgeland and will star Chadwick Boseman as Robinson.

Academy Award® winner Brian Helgeland ("L.A. Confidential") wrote and directed the drama "42," starring Chadwick Boseman ("The Express") and Oscar® nominee Harrison Ford ("Witness").

Hero is a word we hear often in sports, but heroism is not always about achievements on the field of play. "42" tells the story of two men—the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey—whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball.

In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team, breaking Major League Baseball's infamous color line. But the deal also put both Robinson and Rickey in the firing line of the public, the press and even other players. Facing unabashed racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting in kind, knowing that any incident could destroy his and Rickey's hopes. Instead, Number 42 let his talent on the field do the talking—ultimately winning over fans and his teammates, silencing his critics, and paving the way for others to follow.

In 1997, Major League Baseball retired the number 42 for all teams, making it the first number in sports to be universally retired. The only exception is April 15th—Jackie Robinson Day—commemorating the date of his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger. On that day alone, players from every team proudly wear Number 42 to honor the man who altered the course of history.

The Angels' Share

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In the opening scenes, the protagonists are sentenced to hours of community service. During his first community service session Robbie (Paul Brannigan), under the guidance of Harry (John Henshaw), is interrupted and taken to the hospital by Harry as his girlfriend, Leonie (Siobhan Reilly), has gone into labour. At the hospital Robbie is assaulted by two of his girlfriend's uncles. Harry takes Robbie back to his house, where Leonie calls to tell Robbie that his son, Luke, has been born. Harry insists that he and Robbie celebrate, and brings out a vintage whisky.

Harry takes the group to a distillery as a reward for their good behaviour, where they learn what "the angels' share" is. Afterwards, the tour guide gives them each a dram of whisky and asks them to smell it, and Robbie is complimented on his ability to identify flavours. At the next community service session, Harry approaches Robbie and asks if he'd like to come to a whisky tasting session in Edinburgh. Robbie, in turn, invites the other members of the group, where they learn about a cask of priceless whisky, the "Malt Mill", set to go on auction soon, and Robbie is passed a card by a whisky collector, Thaddeus (Roger Allam).

After they leave, Mo (Jasmin Riggins) reveals she spotted and stole documents detailing the warehouse in which the "Malt Mill" is kept. Robbie agrees to meet with a victim of his former violent crimes, Anthony (Roderick Cowie) recollects the attack. After realising that he can't continue living under threat of assault on himself and his family, he begins planning to steal the Malt Mill, with his community service partners. They secure an invitation to the tasting and auction during which Robbie hides in the warehouse overnight and covertly witnesses Thaddeus attempting to bribe Angus Dobie (David Goodall) into selling him some of the whisky before the cask goes on auction. Dobie refuses and the two leave, after which Robbie siphons some whisky from the cask into empty Irn Bru bottles and then tops it up with cheaper whisky from an adjacent cask. At the auction, the group see Thaddeus outbid by an American, who tastes the cask, and is apparently happy with the slightly diluted blend.

Afterwards, Robbie approaches Thaddeus and negotiates a sale of three bottles for £250,000. They plan to make the exchange in Glasgow, and so begin the trek home, but inadvertently break two of their four bottles during an encounter with the police. Robbie gets furious, but goes ahead with meeting Thaddeus, and negotiates a sale for £100,000 and a permanent job far away from Glasgow. Robbie reveals to his friends, that he didn't sell two bottles, but one. The scene cuts to show Harry coming home to find a bottle of Irn Bru sitting on his kitchen table next to an open window, with a note thanking him and presenting his "angels' share" next to a newspaper piece showing a photo of the payback group next to the cask. He smells the bottle and rejoices at the Malt Mill inside.

In the final scene, we see Robbie and Leonie leave for Stirling in an immaculate old Volkswagen Type 2, having made temporary goodbyes to the rest of the group. After they leave, the rest of the group resolve to go get wasted. The film ends with The Proclaimers' "500 Miles" playing.

Source: Wikipedia

Disconnect (2013)

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Disconnect is a 2012 drama film directed by Henry Alex Rubin. It stars Jason Bateman, Hope Davis, Frank Grillo, Andrea Riseborough, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Alexander Skarsgard, and Max Thieriot.[1] The movie also marks the acting debut of fashion designer Marc Jacobs.

People struggle to connect using modern technology. An up and coming reporter hopes her interview with an underage chatroom worker will be her big break. A teenager faces the consequences of cyber bullying. A couple who recently lost their child struggle after their identities are stolen online.

It’s a given at film festivals as much as in multiplexes these days that despite switch-off-your-cell-phone announcements and the occasional grumbling protest, whatever’s onscreen will have to compete with tiny pockets of light from audience members unable to stay off their handhelds. Watching those glow patches come and go during Disconnect reinforces the film’s position on how desensitized we’ve become to these technological intrusions. Not that Henry-Alex Rubin’s schematic multistrand drama is at all shy about articulating its themes.

Directing his first narrative feature, documentary maker Rubin (Murderball) has assembled a solid cast and weaves together the three interconnected stories of Andrew Stern’s original screenplay with elegance and efficiency. But this is a film that voices its warning about the hazards of a wired existence with solemn self-importance. It’s also quite late in the day to be pointing out that we’re so plugged into our devices we often fail to see or hear the people closest to us.

That’s not to say Disconnect is without powerful scenes, and a thread about the heedless consequences of cyber pranks among kids on social network sites probably stands to reach more adolescents than non-fiction treatments of bullying.

Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor

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Synopsis: An explosive romance about forbidden desires, Tyler Perry's Temptation tells the provocative story of Judith, an ambitious married woman whose temptation by a handsome billionaire leads to betrayal, recklessness and forever alters the course of her life. Tyler Perry's Temptation is written for the screen, produced and directed by Tyler Perry. Lionsgate and TPS Present A TPS/Lionsgate Production, A Film by Tyler Perry.

Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor is a drama-thriller film produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. The film is adapted from the play of the same name written by Perry, with several changes. This is the thirteenth film by Perry. It was released on March 29, 2013.

An Ivy League-educated marriage counselor who gives marital advice but finds it difficult to address issues with her own marriage.

Jurnee Smollett plays the central character in the film. Her character is caught between Lance Gross and Robbie Jones. Smollett’s Judith is an Ivy League educated relationship expert who gives marital advice for a living, yet can't seem to follow that advice in her own marriage to Bryce (Gross). Bored with her life, she breaks her professional code and begins an affair with a smooth talking client (Jones).

After the initial excitement of their torrid relationship wears off, Judith realizes that she's made a grave mistake. It will take every ounce of courage and forgiveness for Judith to escape the dangerous situation she finds herself in.Rounding out the cast are Vanessa Williams in the role of Janice, the owner of the firm where Judith practices, and Kim Kardashian as Ava, Judith’s sassy co-worker. Accomplished singer and actress Brandy Norwood, better known to some as simply Brandy, will play Melinda, Bryce’s co-worker, whose personal life ends up intersecting with Judith’s in an unexpected twist.

Spring Breakers (2012) Film

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Story: Four sexy college girls plan to fund their spring break getaway by burglarizing a fast food shack. But that’s only the beginning… During a night of partying, the girls hit a roadblock when they are arrested on drug charges. Hungover and clad only in bikinis, the girls appear before a judge but are bailed out unexpectedly by Alien, an infamous local thug who takes them under his wing and leads them on the wildest Spring Break trip in history. Rough on the outside but with a soft spot inside, Alien wins over the hearts of the young Spring Breakers, and leads them on a Spring Break they never could have imagined.

Childhood friends Faith, Brit, Candy, and Cotty plan to go on a spring break vacation, but don't have enough money. Brit and Candy then rob a fast-food restaurant using hammers and water pistols, with Cotty as the getaway driver. Faith is taken aback by Brit and Candy's actions, but overlooks their crimes, and they travel to Florida.

During a party, they meet Alien, a rapper who later bails them out of jail when they're arrested during another Spring Break party. Faith becomes uncomfortable with Alien's surrounding and lifestyle, and decides to leave after learning he's a drug dealer. Brit, Candy and Cotty return to Alien's apartment, where Brit and Candy hook up with Alien and start to build a relationship with him, while Cotty sleeps in the next room.

Alien takes the trio to a strip club, where he runs into his rival Big Arch, who tells Alien to stop selling drugs in his territory. Alien ignores him and continues selling drugs, as well as robbing spring breakers with the girls' help. In retaliation, Big Arch executes a drive-by shooting against Alien's car. After being shot in the arm, Cotty decides to leave as well, while Alien, Brit, and Candy decide to take revenge on Big Arch. They go to his waterfront mansion in Alien's boat, but are spotted by Big Arch's men, who kills Alien before being killed by the girls.

Brit and Candy kill Big Arch and his men, leaving their signature masks in the water by the dock. The girls kiss Alien's dead body and then they leave Florida in Big Arch's Lamborghini.

Les Misérables (2012)

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Story: In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.

Les Misérables is a 2012 British musical drama film produced by Working Title Films and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film is based on the musical of the same name by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg which is in turn based on Les Misérables, the 1862 French novel by Victor Hugo. The film is directed by Tom Hooper, scripted by William Nicholson, Boublil, Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer, and stars an ensemble cast led by Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried. The film tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who becomes mayor of a town in France. Soon exposed, Valjean agrees to take care of Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of the dying Fantine, but as a fugitive must also avoid being captured again by police inspector Javert. The plot spans 17 years and is set against a backdrop of political turmoil, which in the film culminates in the June Rebellion of France.

Development of Les Misérables based on the stage musical began in the late 1980s. After the musical's 25th Anniversary concert in October 2010, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that the film resumed development. Hooper and Nicholson were approached in March 2011 and the main characters were cast in 2011. Principal photography commenced in March 2012, and took place in various English locations, including Greenwich, London, Chatham, Winchester and Portsmouth,as well as in Gourdon, France.

Les Misérables premiered in London on December 5, 2012, and was released on December 25, 2012 in the United States, on December 26, 2012 in Australia, and on January 11, 2013 in the UK. The film received divided, but generally positive[11] reviews, with many critics praising the cast, especially Jackman and Hathaway, while most criticized Crowe's performance. The film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Jackman and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for Hathaway. It has also won four BAFTA Awards, including the Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Hathaway). It received eight Academy Award nominations including Best Picture (the first musical nominated since 2003's winner Chicago) and Best Actor for Jackman, and won three, for Best Sound Mixing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Supporting Actress for Hathaway.

Source: Wikipedia

One More Try (2012 Film)

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One More Try is a 2012 Filipino romantic drama film starring Angelica Panganiban, Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo and Angel Locsin. The film was selected as one of the 8 official entries to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film was produced by Star Cinema and released December 25, 2012.

This 38th MMFF entry marks Dingdong Dantes' second big screen project under Star Cinema after Segunda Mano. On the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards night, the film won six awards including "Best Picture", and "Best Actor" for Dingdong Dantes. Part also of the List of highest-grossing films in the Philippines

Synopsis: Grace (Angel Locsin) is a single mother willing to sacrifice everything to save her ill son, Botchok (Miguel Vergara). Grace lives a good life with her son and supportive boyfriend, Tristan (Zanjoe Marudo). When Botchok’s rare blood disease became severe, Grace was forced to reconnect with Botchok’s biological father, Edward (Dingdong Dantes). Edward, an accomplished man married to an equally successful Jacqueline (Angelica Panganiban), is uncomfortable with reconnecting with Grace. Having no children of their own, Jacqueline gives her blessings for Edward to reconnect with Grace to help save their son. The reconnection with Grace and Botchok starts to taint Edward's and Jacqueline's marriage. What becomes of relationships when a tangled web is woven? See the movie and find out.

One More Try asks an intriguing question: is the life of a child more important than one’s fidelity to one’s spouse? When the film directly addresses this dilemma, it sometimes produces something quite extraordinary, with strong, nuanced performances bringing to light the different sides of the issue. Sadly, that doesn’t happen enough. The film dresses this basic question up with mainstream excesses, burying the dilemma in a lot of formulaic silliness.

This movie didn’t need a killer line. One More Try already has something better: a killer dilemma, a genuine moral quandary that provides no easy answers. But the film doesn't really seem all that interested in the story’s inherent drama, and augments it with the artificial drama of mainstream formula. There’s a good movie in it somewhere, a genuinely daring look at the lengths people go through for the sake of a child, and the consequences that follow their actions. But this production seemed intent on keeping that film buried.

Suddenly It's Magic (2012) - Mario Maurer & Erich Gonzales

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Suddenly It's Magic is a 2012 Filipino-Thai romantic film directed by Rory Quintos, starring Mario Maurer and Erich Gonzales. The film is produced by Star Cinema and was released last October 31, 2012 in the Philippines.

Synopsis: A Thai superstar dealing with a very public breakup decides to run away to the Philippines. There, he meets a young Filipina woman dealing with her own heartbreak. The two share their pain with each other and find comfort in each other's arms.

Joey Hermosa (Erich Gonzales) and Marcus Hanson (Mario Maurer) only have two things in common. One: they live to make fairy-tale romances happen — Joey through her exquisite wedding cakes; Marcus through the numerous romantic comedies he stars in. Two: their own love stories do not have the fairy-tale happy endings — she was just recently dumped at the altar; he just discovered that his on-screen partner and real-life girlfriend had fallen in love with another man.

These two broken-hearted people will find love again when they least expect it. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a happy ever after!

Desperate to escape the media frenzy and the intrusive questions of the public about his love life and career, Marcus impulsively decides to go on vacation in the Philippines where he meets Joey who is determined to move forward with her life. Marcus finds himself drawn to Joey’s passion for baking, and rediscovers his love for acting. In love once again, he invites her to join him in Thailand. Joey refuses at first, but she eventually follows him to Bangkok and allows herself to fall in love again. But their love encounters opposition from Marcus’ fans who are desperate to see him reunite with his ex-girlfriend, and from his overprotective mother. Moreover, Joey’s responsibilities back home cause a strain in their relationship. Despite their love for each other, Joey and Marcus begin to question if their dreams are worth sacrificing for holiday romance suddenly turned serious.Then when Marcus got accepted in Hollywood he remembered Joey and went back to the Philippines and surprised her and took a balloon and attached it to a paper that says " Marcus and Joey Forever"

Can Marcus and Joey’s fairytale romance survive life’s realities?.

Thy Womb (2012) - Nora Aunor

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Synopsis: A Badjao midwife unable to bear children for her husband consents to him taking a second wife. She scours all of Tawi-Tawi looking for a suitable bride.

Thy Womb tells a very slight story about a woman’s devotion to her husband, the movie ending just as it sits on the brink of getting really interesting. The drama never quite rises to the heights one would expect from such an emotionally loaded premise. But its slightness doesn’t detract too much from the overall quality of the picture. Graceful filmmaking combines with a terrific performance from the much-missed Nora Aunor to produce something quietly moving.

Thy Womb might leave people wanting more, the film ending on too ambiguous a note. Ambiguity can be a very good in cinema, but in this case, it feels as if the movie didn’t really know where to go. There’s plenty of drama left over to explore, and it’s a bit of a cheat to not to go there. Having said all that, the film is still quite worthy of an audience’s attention. It is well crafted and beautifully acted, and even in its slightness, it possesses a sense of grace absent from so many of our films.