Take home the love and sing-along with the heartwarming original soundtrack of the latest hit movie “Unofficially Yours” topbilled by John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin.

The song “If You Asked Me To” performed by Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto can be enjoyed in album “OPM Number 1s: Volume 3” released by Star Records.

The compilation also features 18 other well loved movie and teleserye theme songs including “I Won’t Last a Day Without You” by Sarah Geronimo from the film of the same title; “Kaba” by Sam Milby from the movie “My Cactus Heart;” “Saan Darating ang Umaga” by Angeline from the drama series “Budoy;” “Dahil Sa’yo” by Juris Fernandez from “E-Boy;” “Sino Ako” by Regine Velasquez from “My Binondo Girl;” and “Ikaw Lamang” by Martin Nievera from the series “Nasaan Ka Elisa?”

Comepleting the third edition of “OPM Number 1s” are the hit soundtracks sang by Yeng Constantino (“Growing Up”); Liezel Garcia (“Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin” and “Gisingin ang Puso”); Bryan Termulo (“Pagdating ng Panahon”); K-La Rivera (“I’m Feeling Sexy Tonight”); Jovit Baldivino (“Ika’y Mahal Pa Rin”); Toni Gonzaga (“Pinoy Ako”); Juris (“Now That You’re Gone”); Angeline (“Patuloy ang Pangarap” and “Sana Ngayon Lang Ang Kahapon”) and Erik(“Sapagkat ang Diyos ay Pag-ibig” and “Pagbigyang Muli”).

Relive the unforgettable scenes of some of the country’s best movies and drama series and feel the magic of love over and over again through Star Records’ “OPM Number 1s Vol. 3,” which is now available on several record bars nationwide.

Through the magic of Disney and the leaps in modern computer animation technology developed at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, a team of artists, under the guidance of stereographer Robert Neuman, found a way to breathe more dimensional life into “Beauty and the Beast” by turning it into an eye-popping 3D experience.

Numerous and dramatic challenges awaited Neuman and his team. In discussing the complications of making “Beauty and the Beast” into a 3D film, Neuman emphasizes that because there was no dimensional reality in which to put a second camera, he and his team had to invent a brand new set of computer tools that would allow the filmmakers to sculpt depth into the existing images and thereby create a second eye in order for the 3D to be achieved.

“In making a live-action film a director could simply add a second camera to get the second eye view,” Neuman says of the task that he and his team faced. He explains that the 3D conversion technique they came up with––pixel displacement––enables the artists to take each image and create a “depth map” that corresponds to that image. “The depth map is simply a grayscale image that allows our artists to sculpt out a relief map––the depth map––of the image. We’re then able to take that, apply it to the original image and displace the pixels to create a second eye view,” he says.

Producer Don Hahn adds, “I think we were the beneficiaries of having the original movie made on the CAPS system, which was the Computer Animation Production System that Disney created to produce animated movies back in the late ‘80s. We were able to store the movie on individual levels. In other words, if we had a scene of Belle and the Beast together at a table in the castle, we would have the characters on one level, and the table on another level, and the background on still another level. So we had a nice separation when we brought the scenes back online.”

The computer gives the filmmakers total control over that illusion. Objects that are close up, such as Belle and the Beast dancing, can create a very intimate environment, as though the audience is sitting right there in the scene. Or if a spectacular shot is required, perhaps of the countryside with Maurice going off to sell his inventions, that epic shot is given a more gentle treatment of 3D. Many factors are at play and the story is enhanced by that 3D decision-making. Stereographers like Robert are crucial to the process.

Take for example the famous ballroom sequence. Although spectacular in its original form, Neuman and his team of artists were able to enhance what was already one of animation’s most memorable scenes. “We use 3D to support the storytelling narrative,” Neuman says. “Like any other aspect of film, such as the music score, 3D is used to enhance big emotional moments and to help build up to the emotional climax. For those big moments we expand the 3D. We put more of the three-dimensional effects into it. For the ballroom scene it was vital to have the right sense of scale. We had to show the grandeur, the majesty of this ballroom. The key to it was to enforce the sense of perception of scale.”

Neuman further explains that the “Be Our Guest” number was especially suited to 3D. “Although it was a bigger challenge than the ballroom sequence because there were shots that had hundreds of levels and every level of artwork requires dimensionalizing, if you look at the original staging, the way the things are blocked and choreographed, you see that it already has a sense of dimensionality.”

The filmmakers agree that the techniques that enabled them to create “Beauty and the Beast” in 3D is so new that this could not have been done just five years ago. “The first time we ever did a dimensionalization was on ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’” Don Hahn says. “It was hard, very labor-intensive work. The results however were great, but it took a long time and was very expensive. It still takes a long time and it’s very expensive!” Hahn says.

“Beauty and the Beast” was the first hand-drawn film to be dimensionalized into 3D. Disney is the leader in the new technology and regardless of how sophisticated it is, as Hahn says, “It’s important for people to know that it’s not as simple as pushing a button or putting a quarter in a machine and a 3D movies out. It’s all about great artists like Robert Neuman and his crew who must make important creative decisions.”

Opening across the Philippines in Digital 3D cinemas on Feb. 22, “Beauty and the Beast” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Star Cinema’s romantic comedy “My Cactus Heart” had a two-week box office gross of P19.87 million. “Journey 2 The Mysterious Island” topped PHL box-office last weekend.

“My Cactus Heart,” starring Matteo Guidicelli, Xian Lim and Maja Salvador has raked-in P19.87 million in 2 weeks.

Topping Philippine box-office for the opening period of February 1 to 5, 2012 is the fantasy-adventure movie “Journey 2 The Mysterious Island” with a gross of P25.6 million in 5 days.

Debuting at no. 2 is the critically-acclaimed sci-fi/adventure movie “Chronicle” with a gross of P15.65 million in 5 days.

Three more Hollywood movies debuted last weekend: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” at no. 5, “The Grey” at no. 7 and “Man on the Ledge” at no. 8.

Here’s the Philippine box office tally (Top 10) for the opening period of February 1 to 5, 2012 according to Box Office Mojo (premiering movies are highlighted in yellow):

HIGHEST-GROSSING FILMS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR 2012
(As of February 7, 2012)

1. Underworld Awakening – P90.96-M
2. Sherlock Holmes: A Games of Shadows – P61.74-M
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked – P56.03-M
4. A Mother’s Story – P24.8-M
5. The Darkest Hour – P30.67-M
6. My Cactus Heart – P19.87-M
7. Journey 2 The Mysterious Island – P25.62-M
8. Chronicle – P15.65-M
9. Contraband – P7.05-M
10. We Bought A Zoo – P5.57-M

Star Cinema’s romantic comedy “My Cactus Heart” had a first 5-day box office gross of P10.9 million.

“My Cactus Heart,” starring Matteo Guidicelli, Xian Lim and Maja Salvador opened at no. 3 in the local box-office race for the opening period January 25 to 29, 2012.

Topping Philippine box-office for the second week in a row is the Hollywood action horror movie “Underworld Awakening” which now has a total gross of P77.8 million.

Highest debuting film for the said period is “The Darkest Hour” which raked in a 5-day gross of P20.22 million placing the scifi/disaster flick at no. 2.

Here’s the Philippine box office tally (Top 10) for the opening period of January 25 to 29, 2012 according to Box Office Mojo (premiering movies are highlighted in yellow):

HIGHEST-GROSSING FILMS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR 2012
(As of January 31, 2012)

1. Underworld Awakening – P77.87-M
2. Sherlock Holmes: A Games of Shadows – P59.95-M
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked – P54.62-M
4. A Mother’s Story – P24.8-M
5. The Darkest Hour – P20.22-M
6. My Cactus Heart – P10.9-M
7. We Bought A Zoo – P5.4-M
8. Contraband – P4.9-M
9. Haywire – P2.3-M
10. J. Edgar – P1.56-M

Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay are in the process of doing another movie together. The last time they were in a movie together was in 2009 in And I Love You So which also paired Bea with Sam Milby. The new Bea anbd Derek movie is apparently going to the mature route and will probably show a lot of skin. Bea and Derek are confident that their respective partners won’t be affected by the sexy content of their still untitled movie.

Excited naman si Bea sa proyektong ito dahil isang hamon para sa kanya ang kanyang gagampanang role. “Ibang-iba ito, ibang-iba sa lahat ng relationships namin sa past movies,” sabi ng aktres. “Ito ‘yung hindi pinag-uusapan ng society pero it exists. [It’s] really controversial.” “It’s very mature, I think makaka-relate ang maraming tao sa situations of the characters. A lot of people will be able to relate,” dagdag naman ni Derek.

Since parehong committed ang dalawa (si Bea kay Zanjoe Marudo at si Derek kay Angelica Panganiban), tinanong ang dalawa kung ipinaalam na ba nila sa kanilang mga kani-kaniyang kasintahan ang tungkol sa kanilang pagsasamahang proyekto.

Natatawang sagot ni Bea, “Hindi wala siyang (Zanjoe) alam. Hindi niya alam kung ano ‘yung weight [ng gagawing proyekto].” Inaasahan kasing magkakaroon ng intimate scenes sina Bea at Derek sa pelikulang gagawin.

Nagbiro naman si Derek na marami raw sinasabi si Angelica tungkol kay Bea, pero kilala namang magkaibigan sina Bea at Angelica.Sinigurado naman ni Derek na walang dapat ikabahala si Zanjoe sa kanya bilang leading man ni Bea. “I’m buddies with Zanjoe. Nag-umpisa kami ni Zanjoe together. We did Super Inggo so nag-umpisa kami [magkasama]. So I’ve known him ever since [kahit] sa [teleseryeng] The Wedding pa.”

Inilarawan din nina Derek at Bea kung ano ang pinakagusto nila sa pakikipagtrabaho sa isa’t isa. Ani Derek, “I’ve worked with Bea many times and she really made me so comfortable. She’s a big name, she’s a big star but she doesn’t act like it. She makes me feel comfortable in front of the camera.”

Sabi naman ni Bea, “I’m very comfortable working with Derek. Plus sa eksena hindi naman ‘yan tumatayo na isa lang, give-and-take talaga. And talagang napaka-generous na actor, ibibigay niya talaga sa ‘yo kahit na ‘di siya kita sa kamera. Ipaparamdam nya talaga sa ‘yo and I really appreciate that.”(source)

The highly intense edgy teen thriller “Chronicle” tags 10-minutes of “This Means War” footage when it opens in theaters nationwide on February 2 (Thursday).

“This Means War” stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy in a love war triangle when CIA agents and childhood best buddies find out they are dating the same woman. Hilarity and hard-core action ensue as the trio try to work on the situation the best way possible brought by Hollywood’s ensemble of hit filmmakers. “This Means War” is helmed by director McG whose worldwide hits include “Charlie’s Angels,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “Terminator Salvation,” written by scribe Simon Kinberg who penned the incredibly thrilling films “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “”X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Jumper” and “Sherlock Holmes,” and produced by Will Smith to create 2012’s most enjoyable adult romantic-action-comedy.

Consecutively opening this February – “Chronicle” (February 2) and “This Means War” (February 22) are from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. in theaters nationwide.

Star Cinema has released the official full trailer of the upcoming romantic movie “Unofficially Yours.”

Angel Locsin and John Lloyd Cruz reunite on the big screen in the upcoming Star Cinema romantic movie “Unofficially Yours.”

Here is the synopsis of the movie:

The film deals about a man who falls in love with someone who doesn’t want to fall in love. John Lloyd plays the role of Macky Galvez, a depressed young man who’s been contemplating on why he had several failed relationships. Angel, on the other hand, plays the role of Ces, a modern-day woman who is afraid of commitments. When their worlds collide, a funny yet sexy love story develops!

Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, “Unofficially Yours” is set to open in theaters on February 15, 2012.

Watch the full trailer here:

Sarah Geronimo is set to team up with Kapuso top leading man–Richard Gutierrez–according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

Kapuso hunk Richard Gutierrez has been paired with Anne Curtis and KC Concepcion in the past.

Sarah Geronimo, on the other hand, was paired with Gerald Anderson and John Lloyd Cruz in the big screen twice. Furthermore, the Pop Star Princess is also set to do her third film with JLC this year.

Now another unlikely pairing is about to happen as Viva Films is cooking a project topbilled by Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Geronimo this year.

If the project pushes through, do you think Sarah and Richard will have chemistry together?

What do you think?

Rabid fans welcomed the return of Kate Beckinsale to the “Underworld” franchise, catapulting the 3D 4th installment “Underworld Awakening” to the No. 1 spot at the Philippine box-office for the Jan. 20 to 23 frame.

The sequel slew the competition with a nationwide gross of a stunning P49.72-million opening weekend, this according to Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Columbia Pictures which distributed the film locally.

That phenomenal bow marks the biggest opening ever for the “Underworld” franchise, as well as the most successful debut so far this year for any title, local or foreign.

Rolling out in 155 screens across the country, “Awakening” posted its biggest receipts in SM Mall of Asia (P 3.03-M), Trinoma (P2.85-M), SM North EDSA (P2.35-M), SM Megamall (P2.24-M), SM Cebu (P1.90-M), Glorietta 4 (P1.61-M), Greenbelt 3 (P1.54-M), Newport (P1.52-M), Alabang Town Center (P1.276-M) and Power Plant Mall (P1.274-M).
Completing the Top 20 cinemas are Ayala Cebu (P1.18-M), Eastwood (P1.15-M), Gateway (P1.11-M), Robinsons Ermita (P 988,965), Gaisano (P 940,048), Market Market (P 838,236), SM Clark (P 739,563), SM San Lazaro (P 705,278), Greenhills (P 693,888) and Sta. Lucia East (P 636,938).

In the US, “Underworld Awakening” also opened in first place with $25.4 million, good for a $8,252 per theater average.

The millennia-old battle between Vampires and Lycans rages on in stunning 3D in “Underworld Awakening,” the most spectacular installment in the hugely popular franchise. Taking the celebrated saga’s signature action and mayhem to a new level, the film pits the legendary Vampire warrioress Selene (Beckinsale) against her most powerful adversary yet, just as she discovers a shocking secret that will change everything she has ever fought for.

Fifteen years have passed since Selene and her human-Lycan hybrid lover Michael vanquished the Vampire Elder Marcus in “Underworld Evolution.” In the intervening years, mankind has discovered the existence of both the Vampire and Lycan clans, and launched an all-out war to eradicate both species. Selene, captured during the genocide, awakens after more than a decade to find herself captive in a sealed laboratory at Antigen, a powerful biotech corporation dedicated to developing a vaccine against the viruses that have created the Vampires and Lycans.

Now showing across the Philippines in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular theaters, “Underworld Awakening” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

One of Hollywood’s most sought after young actors who have established themselves among the next generation of leading men, Channing Tatum (“G.I. Joe,” “Dear John”) now stars opposite Rachel McAdams in Columbia Pictures’ inspiring romantic drama “The Vow.”

In the film, newlyweds Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Tatum) were struck by tragedy shortly after their marriage. A car crash puts Paige in a coma, where she is cared for by her devoted husband. When she comes to, without any memory of her husband or their marriage, the husband must woo her and ultimately win her heart once again.

Tatum is a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, and felt the script told an authentic story about a once in a lifetime love and what people will do to hold on to that. “Falling in love is the easy part!” notes Tatum. “Getting on with your life together and making sure you stay in touch and connected because life can get in the way sometimes, that’s the tough part. I think that a huge part of Leo and Paige’s journey is based on the fact that not only do they make each other intensely happy and support each other, but that they pushed each other to grow and when you do that it really does take you to the next level in a relationship and in life.”

The actor admits that he found the role emotionally difficult at times because, as a young husband himself, he couldn’t help but imagine himself in this situation: “I hope I would be as brave as Leo is; it’s heartbreaking for him, but he has the faith to let Paige find her own way. And this role is great because Leo is so truthful about his love, he doesn’t hold it back, and I can relate to that. I love love! It’s harder to play than running around with guns and being physical, but it’s very satisfying.”

Tatum says it made total sense to him to work so hard to win Paige back: “If my wife (actress Jenna Dewan) lost her memory of me, I wouldn’t just be like ‘Okay, alright, well, see you later, good luck’. No. I’d be fighting tooth and nail and plug away at this until it comes back. No matter what.”

He continues: “It’s so frustrating for Leo because there’s nothing visibly wrong with his wife; she talks like Paige, she walks like Paige, everything is exactly the same, but it’s just her memory of her husband is completely gone. And it’s that much more painful that she remembered other people, her family, but just not her husband and everything they had been together.”

For director Michael Sucsy, casting Tatum was a case of finding the soldier of love in an established movie warrior. “The Leo role is a knight in shining armor, and prior to this I’d only seen Channing’s work where he’d been in tough, military roles. So I went to meet him, and we sat down, and I called the producers afterward and I said, ‘He is the guy. He’s Leo. It’s perfect for him.’ I got the sense that his heart was bigger than his chest cavity. He’s got a huge heart, Channing does, and so does Leo, and that really comes out when he has to keep sticking with his wife through the ups and downs.”

From Rachel McAdams’ point of view, “Channing Tatum is the perfect guy for this role because he’s a real renaissance man; chivalrous and gentlemanly. He’s playing someone who would do anything to win back his wife’s heart and that’s very much, I think, who Channing is. He’s a very heroic kind of guy, so yeah, and I know he loves love and really believes in it and I think he made Leo a really stoic character that you just fall in love with and believe that he’s definitely the rock in the relationship throughout. He added such lovely little touches to Leo.”

All in all, Channing Tatum sums up the core of the movie’s message this way: “It’s a big deal to vow yourself for life to somebody and mean it. It really is something.”

Tatum will next star in a contemporary motion picture adaptation of “21 Jump Street” opposite Jonah Hill. Tatum and Hill are also executive producers on the project, which is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Opening across the Philippines on Feb. 10, “The Vow” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.