The Host (2013) Film

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In the future, the human race has been assimilated by benevolent extraterrestrial psychic parasites called "Souls". Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan), a human, is captured by the Seeker (Diane Kruger) and infused with a soul called "Wanderer", in order to discover the location of one of the last pockets of non-assimilated humans. However, Melanie survives the procedure and begins to struggle for control of her body.

Wanderer discovers that Melanie was captured while scavenging for food with her brother Jamie Stryder (Chandler Canterbury) and her boyfriend Jared Howe (Max Irons), and that they were looking for Melanie's uncle Jeb Stryder (William Hurt), who lives in a cabin in the desert. Wanderer loses control of Melanie and the Seeker decides to put Wanderer in a different body and be insterted into Melanie to get the information herself. With the help of Melanie, Wanderer escapes and makes her way to the desert, eventually found by a group of humans, including Jeb. She is taken to a series of underground caves, discovering that Jared and Jamie are living there too.

Wanderer is kept isolated from the others, eventually interacting with the humans, and develops feelings for one of them, Ian O'Shea (Jake Abel), beginning to believe the Souls shouldn't steal other people's free will. Eventually, Jeb, Jamie and Ian realize Melanie is still alive, while The Seeker learns that the community is located somewhere in the desert and follows Wanderer there, but fails to locate them. After nearly being captured by the Seeker, Ian's brother Kyle O'Shea (Boyd Holbrook) attempts to kill Wanderer, but is stopped by Ian and another human, Wes, after which Jared also learns that Melanie is still alive.

Wanderer is horrified to learn that Doc (Scott Lawrence), the community's medic, has been experimenting on people infused with Souls, removing the Souls from their bodies and killing them, and isolates herself from the group, but agrees to help Jared infiltrate a Soul medical facility to steal technology to cure the ill Jamie. In the process, they are attacked by the Seeker, who is then shot and captured by Jeb. The Seeker is taken to the caves, where she is removed from her host and contained in a pod stolen by Wanderer, who then sends the Seeker to a distant planet.

Wanderer teaches Doc how to remove the Souls from people's bodies without harming them, and asks to be removed from Melanie's so Melanie can have her life back. Melanie protests, having bonded with Wanderer, but Doc goes through with the procedure. However, rather than letting Wanderer die, Doc inserts her into Pet (Emily Browning), a human who was left brain-dead after the Soul inside her was removed. Wanderer, now in Pet's body, begins a relationship with Ian, while Melanie reunites with Jared. A few months later, Wanderer and the others meet another group of humans who have been joined by Souls who have decided to live peacefully among them.

Source: Wikipedia

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

Sosy Problems (2012 Film) - Directed by Andoy Ranay

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Sosy Problems is a Filipino comedy film produced by GMA Films and directed by Andoy Ranay. It stars Rhian Ramos, Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff , and Bianca King. The film is one of the eight official entries of the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival which began on December 25, 2012.

The film was first announced on May 7, 2012 through GMA Network as they plan to release new films monthly. The original casts that was first revealed in Philippine Star was composed of Solenn Heussaff, Isabelle Daza, Bianca King while the leading men happened to be Aljur Abrenica and Mikael Daez. The newest kapuso star, Benjamin Alves was the latest addition to the cast after signing an exclusive contract to GMA Network and GMA Films. Director Mark Reyes was supposed to direct the film because Dominic Zapata was busy with the Boy Pick-Up: The Movie, but in May, Director Reyes was replaced by Andoy Ranay. The script was submitted to the Metro Manila Development Authority to be reviewed as potential Film Fest entry. On June, the film becomes one of the 8 official entries to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival. It will have its regular screening starting December 25, 2012. On September, director Andoy Ranay changed the title from Coño Problems to Sosy Problems.

In the movie, Rhian Ramos plays Lizzie, the spoiled-rich daughter of a hotelier who is a self-appointed leader of the Sosy group; Bianca King portrays Danielle, the daughter of a politician who is on the brink of being impeached from office; Solenn Heussaff is Margaux, the daughter of the former beauty queen (Cherie Gil) and the bestfriend and half sister of Claudia (Heart Evangelista) who is also the daughter of a beauty queen (Agot Isidro). Margaux and Claudia were competing one another from beauty to the only man they see who is Benjo (Aljur Abrenica), an all-around employee at the Polo Club.

Their main problem, however, is that their favorite hangout place, The Polo Club, which reminds them of all the memories of their “firsts” in life – including their first kisses and love affairs – is in danger of being torn down and replaced with a mall that is not so much for the rich and famous: in other words, not a “sosy” mall.

The “sosy” ladies will do everything they can in order to stop the Polo Club owners from pursuing their plans, and they will risk everything -- even their poise and glamour – to achieve their goal.

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?.