Cher Lends Pizzazz To “BURLESQUE”

To give Columbia Pictures' new musical drama “Burlesque” the marquee pizzazz they envisioned, the filmmakers knew that only a megastar would do. It meant that they pursued the legendary Cher tirelessly before the Oscar® winner agreed to end a seven year hiatus and return to the big screen. (They even paid a surprise personal plea to Cher when she was on the Sony lot doing an ADR session for the animated film “The Zookeeper.”)

The filmmakers believed that Cher would respond to the role of Tess because the character is both familiar and contemporary, somebody with a lot to give who’s in danger of having her dream taken away. Director Steven Antin notes: “Tess is one of a zillion people losing their shirt. That’s a very real thing happening right now and I thought it was an interesting thing for this character to be experiencing.” 

“Cher said, ‘I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.’” Antin continues. “She’s been up and she’s been down and she’s had good times and bad times. I knew that she would relate to this character and this world. She’s the embodiment of female empowerment, you know? And that’s what Burlesque is about: female empowerment.” 

“Burlesque” tells the story of Ali (Christina Aguilera), a small-town girl with a big voice, who thinks there had to be somewhere her dreams could be fulfilled, rather than remain an empty goal. Enter the world of burlesque.

Leaving behind hardship and an uncertain future for the entertainment capital Los Angeles, Ali stumbles upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue. Talking herself into a cocktail waitress job from Tess (Cher), the club’s glamorous and forthright proprietor, headliner and starmaker, Ali becomes a wide-eyed sponge to The Burlesque’s captivating acts. The outrageous costumes and bold choreography hold the young ingénue enraptured. That stage is where Ali was meant to be, so she vows to herself she’ll be on it someday.

Cher, through her incomparable voice, her trademark wit, and her charismatic presence, has established herself as a tireless, compelling performer of inestimable talent and unstoppable drive. Her contributions in music, television, stage and film have garnered countless accolades and awards and the admiration of generations of fans.

Cher’s iconic performance as Loretta Castorini in Norman Jewison’s “Moonstruck” won her both an Academy Award® and Golden Globe Award. Her work in Peter Bogdanovich’s “Mask” won her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. For Mike Nichols’ “Silkwood,” co-starring Meryl Streep and Kurt Russell, Cher was nominated for both a Golden Globe and Academy Award®. Her additional film credits include a diverse body of roles in “Mermaids,” “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Suspect,” “Stuck on You” and “Tea with Mussolini.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Burlesque” 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.

FILharmonika @ SM City Marikina! Extraordinarily amazing!

Christmas was truly exciting and memorable for shoppers of SM City Marikina!!!

Last December 26, FILharmonika together with Gerard Salonga performed an amazing line up of favorite Christmas tune likes Carol of The Bells, The Christmas Song (featuring Ria Osorio),  Christmas Festival, and many more. They also performed popular themes from Cinema Paradiso, James Bond, The Pink Panther and Simpsons.

The highlight of the evening though were the songs from the Filmfest entry RPG Metanoia. A truly beautiful soundtrack that contains memorable tunes and a beautiful theme song as performed flawlessly by Ria Osorio.

Shoppers had a great time and will always remember this beautiful evening as FILharmoniKa filled the atrium with its sweeping majestic orchestral sound that made everyone feel the joy of Christmas!

Thank you FILharmoniKa and Gerard Salonga for making SM City Marikina's Christmas a truly memorable one! 

Matt Damon Talks To Dead People In “HEREAFTER”

Matt Damon plays George Lonegan, a reluctant psychic medium trying to break free from the desperate people seeking one last moment with loved ones that have passed on, in Warner Bros.' new supernatural drama, “Hereafter.”

After working with Damon on “Invictus,” director Clint Eastwood hoped to cast the actor in “Hereafter,” a desire Damon echoed. “I originally thought that my schedule wasn’t going to permit me to do it because I was on another movie when Clint called me,” Damon remembers. “I said, ‘Did you just call me and say you have a Peter Morgan script that you’re directing? You want to offer me the part and it’s going while I’m working on another movie? I’d rather be tortured than get that call,’” he deadpans. “But it worked out, luckily, because Clint is so flexible. I love working with Clint and his whole team.” 

Since the story is comprised of three separate storylines in three countries, Eastwood was able to shoot the film in a way that accommodated Damon’s schedule. “I thought, why not just do the two stories and then do Matt’s story when he’s available?” Eastwood recalls. “So, that’s what we did. I’m obviously a fan of Matt’s and knew he could really play the character’s conflict.” 

“I think Matt is emerging as one of the most important actors that we’ve had in a long time, when you look at the body of work and the array of roles that he’s taken on,” producer Kathleen Kennedy comments. “And one of the reasons he loves working with Clint is that there is always going to be something that he can learn from him in terms of acting or directing.” 

The actor describes his character as “a very lonely guy. He has, within the last three years, made a big life change because of this ability he has to talk to people that have passed on. It’s something he doesn’t want, that he looks at more as a curse than a gift. It interferes with his ability to be intimate with anybody because of what he experiences when he makes any kind of physical contact with them.” 

Though George is genuinely gifted, he is aware that the field of psychics and mediums is rife with phonies and the pseudo-scientific. “We try to show the legitimacy of what he does,” Eastwood notes, “as opposed to the charlatans out there. Whether there are some who are legitimate and others who are not is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak, but the story does touch on the existence of people that take advantage of those who want to make contact with what might be out there.”

The one place George has always found refuge is in CD recordings of the works of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens, read by English actor Derek Jacobi. “George realizes that he’s connected to this writer who’s got all these ghosts in his head that are there with him all the time,” Damon remarks.

Seeking to leave his past behind, George embarks on a pilgrimage to Dickens’ London home. “George is searching for a way to get beyond this situation he’s been stuck in for so long,” says producer Robert Lorenz.

George’s journey leads him to the London Book Fair and on a collision course with the story’s two other lost souls. “I think all the characters in this film are trying to re-engage in life,” Damon observes. “And George needs to come to understand the value of this gift that he has.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Hereafter” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Justin Timberlake Breathes Life To Boo Boo In “YOGI BEAR”

Justin Timberlake stars as the voice of Boo Boo, Yogi Bear’s faithful pal and co-conspirator in the latter's never-ending schemes to separate park visitors from their lunches, in Warner Bros.' new 3D animated comedy “Yogi Bear.”

“Back when I was in school, I’d procrastinate doing my homework by watching cartoons, and ‘Yogi Bear’ was one of the staples of after-school television and Saturday mornings,” Timberlake reminisced. “Later, I found out that my parents grew up with it, too. Watching it makes me feel like a kid again.” 

The Grammy-winning pop sensation-turned actor talks about his experience making “Yogi Bear” in the following interview:

Question: Did you try to stay close to the character of Boo Boo previously or did you try to add a little bit of yourself to it this time? 

Justin Timberlake: I think an interesting thing about the process of voicing these characters, and so genius of Eric Brevig, the director, to do is he had Dan [Aykroyd who voices Yogi] and I come in and record together. We had two or three sessions together because we really did look at this as a Batman and Robin, if you will, sort of a duo. So, it really made a difference with the rhythm of banter. We were just talking about that—the rhythm of the banter between Yogi and Boo Boo could move like that because there’s a really nice relationship that they have. 

And in the specific of re-voicing such iconic characters for a lot of us, I think we both felt like we were honored to pay tribute to sort of multi-generational characters and also understanding that these characters are going to be introduced to young minds for the first time. So, we were encouraged to give them a new, sort-of, spin and, obviously, there are some jokes in the film that are a little more modern, that will play better, I think, with young people. Other than that I was just excited to wear a bow-tie. [Laughs]

Q: Had you always been doing Boo Boo’s voice? 

Justin: Well, at the risk of ruining my social life I’ll answer [laughs]. Actually, funny enough, I kind of learned how to sing when I was a kid imitating singers on the radio, Al Green and Michael Jackson and Don Henley—those are a few names that I can remember off the top of my head. But also, I’m an only child and was obviously really bored, and I would entertain my parents by imitating Scooby Doo and Boo Boo. I would just kind of imitate all the cartoon voices. So, you know that about me now. That’s weird. [Laughs]

Q: The movie has some great life lessons about money. Can you talk about what lessons that kids would get and what life lessons you’ve learned from your parents about money? 
Justin: Well, there are two great themes that offset each other for young people. Young kids can be caught up with technology right now; we’re sort of living in the age of technology. It’s nice to know that we’re using 3D technology to school—for lack of a better term—kids on the environment and how money is not the most important thing in the world and, so, congratulations Warner Bros., seriously, on taking the opportunity to do that.

There’s a great way to reach young minds and right now it’s with big 3D movies. I just got to screen the movie last night and it made me feel the same way that I felt when I first watched “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” which I think is a classic A+ awesome movie. So, to be able to use that as well to school young minds on how money’s not the most important thing in the world and we need trees to breathe [was great].

Q: What is the attraction of doing voice-over film as opposed to live action? What was the lure, especially with this? 
Justin: They shot all this live-action in New Zealand and then Dan and I showed up to voice these characters and there were kind of weird stencil sketches of the characters running through. And then it was our job to find what we thought was funny and kind of arc the characters through the scene and their relationship. I watched and I was like, ‘Man, you guys shot this in New Zealand?’ I didn’t even know it until I showed up to the first recording session. And I was very jealous. I was in the recording studio for about three hours and then I was done with my work for the day and if you know Warner Bros. studio, it’s about a mile from Toluca Lake where a golf club is, and then I went and played 18 holes and I didn’t feel so bad about the fact that I didn’t get to go to New Zealand. [Laughs]

But I think, for me, I grew up with Hanna-Barbera cartoons as well and, so, I think Donald actually, probably, blindly gave me the opportunity to do this and I don’t think that he knew that I was going to be in character the whole time as Boo Boo. So, maybe think about that in the future, Donald. They’re just iconic characters and they’re awesome. Yogi and Boo Boo, I grew up with them and laughed at them as a kid. I think nostalgia was probably the biggest reason that I did it.

(Opening soon across the Philippines in Digital 3D and regular format, “Yogi Bear” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.)

“THE GREEN HORNET” Fights Crime In 3D

Columbia Pictures presents the exciting new 3D action comedy, “The Green Hornet” starring Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz and Tom Wilkinson.

Directed by Michel Gondry, “The Green Hornet” revolves around Britt Reid (Rogen), the son of LA’s most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene – until his father (Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father’s more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. To get close to the criminals, they come up with the perfect cover: they’ll pose as criminals themselves. Protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets.

“The Green Hornet” is presented in 3D, a decision that fits perfectly into the story that Gondry is telling, including the way he filmed it. “Michel is a revolutionary,” producer Neal Moritz says. “You know, he’s the guy who invented ‘Matrix time’ – he did it in a Smirnoff commercial years before they used the same technique in `The Matrix.' Michel uses every tool, every trick of the camera, CGI, everything, to tell the story. And 3D is just another innovative tool that allows filmmakers to tell their stories in a new way. So of course Michel was interested in releasing the movie in 3D, and using the depth and scope of the film in this dramatic new way."

Grant Anderson and Rob Engle were the supervising stereographers charged with adapting Michel’s vision for 3D presentation. According to Engle, the fact that much of the movie was shot in 2D and then enhanced with 3D allowed Gondry more control over the final image – and as a result truly allowed him to play with the 3D space in his unique Gondry way. “What conversion allows us to do is to manipulate the three-dimensional space in a way that you can’t do with traditional photography,” says Engle. “Shooting in 3D, what you see is what you get. But the way we did it, it actually opens up the door to using 3D in a creative way and manipulating 3D in unexpected ways. I think that’s what really excites Michel. For example, in certain places, he’s taking elements of one shot, and at the cut, he will carry over elements – bits of glass or a weapon – to the next shot. In that way, there’s a sense of continuity of 3D space that you wouldn’t have naturally with 3D photography.” 

What is more, the final decision to release the film in 3D came shortly after completion of principal photography, giving Gondry the ability to design many of the effects sequences with 3D in mind.

“Michel is a visionary,” says Engle. “He’s constantly coming up with unique and creative ways to use the film medium. I think 3D adds a new and exciting weapon to his filmmaking arsenal.” 

In fact, Gondry prepared an early presentation when he first met with Moritz and Rogen: his vision for the film’s action sequences, which he calls Kato-Vision. “Michel brought in something that he had made at home, which basically showed a fight scene between two guys, and it was one of the things that got us really excited about doing the movie with him,” says Moritz. “Within the same frame, you saw two people fighting at different speeds. Michel is a guy who knows how to revolutionize what you see on film.” 

Rogen puts it succinctly: “When I go to see a movie, I want to see something I’ve never seen before – and if there’s a dude who’s come up with a lot of stuff I’ve never seen before, it’s Gondry.” 

Opening soon across the Philippines, “The Green Hornet” 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.

“TANGLED” Takes Adventure To New Lengths

With its incredible cast of appealing human and animal characters, fantastic settings, and spectacular visual effects, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Tangled” is a contemporary comedy for audiences of all ages that also represents a technical and artistic milestone for Disney and for the art of computer animation. 

“Audiences may think they know what to expect from a film featuring Rapunzel,” says co-director Nathan Greno, “but we flipped it on its head to make a movie that’s relevant, fresh and different. My co-director Byron Howard and I both love the classic Disney films, and we wanted to go back to this cool, retro look from the fifties, and mix it with contemporary storytelling, pacing, action and humor. This puts a whole new layer on this kind of story.” 

Howard adds, “The scope of this movie is gigantic—with horse chases and sword fights, prison breaks and floods. The story gave us a chance to take modern-day moviemaking sensibilities and pump it into a classic story.”

The story of Rapunzel has long fascinated the master storytellers at Disney; the story has been in development since the 1940s under Walt Disney himself. Directors Byron Howard and Nathan Greno helped steer “Tangled” to the big screen. 

Howard recalls, “Nathan was working on the story before we became the directors, and he saw a real spark in Rapunzel that was starting to come out. That grew into our initial conversation about the movie. We asked ourselves, ‘Who is this character, and how quickly can we get her out of the tower?’ We knew that she had to propel the whole story, and if she’s stuck in this room for the whole show, we’re not going to get anywhere. That really affected what we needed her character to be.” 

“We wanted to make her a more dynamic character, and that meant having someone else to balance her out,” adds Greno. “She needed someone to be her foil and equal—a character who could hold his own against this quirky, intelligent girl. She’s very smart, but she’s not worldly. She has this limited world view and doesn’t really know what’s out there. She knows she wants to see those floating lights and figure out what they are. That’s where Flynn Rider comes in. He’s the worldly, sharp guy who’s been around the block a few times and knows how the world works. Throughout the film, they both fill in what’s missing in each other.” 

“Nathan and Byron had a very clear notion of what they wanted to do with the story from the very beginning,” adds screenwriter Dan Fogelman. “They wanted to tell a classic Disney story in a completely new way that would fit the style of CG animation. This meant pushing the comedy and the characters into a kind of 21st-century sensibility while still keeping many of the elements that audiences have always loved about Disney films. The key was always finding the right balance." 

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Tangled” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.

“PIRATES 4,” “CARS 2” Lead Disney's 2011 Line-Up

Walt Disney Studios brings back Capt. Jack Sparrow (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) and Lightning McQueen (“Cars”) in new, big screen adventures to reinforce the studios illustrious line-up for 2011. The new year also marks the first time that Disney will be releasing titles from DreamWorks – led by the action-thrillers “I Am Number Four,” “Real Steel” and “Fright Night.” 

The rest of the line-up features the usual reliable offerings which worldwide audiences have come to expect and enjoy from the family-oriented studio.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise.

“Cars 2.” From the creators/producers of “Up” and “Ratatouille,” comes the thrilling high-octane new installment of the Cars saga. All the world’s a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe’s fastest and finest in the World Grand Prix.


“Fright Night.” Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all going on: he’s running with the popular crowd and dating the most coveted girl in his high school. But trouble arrives when Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. He seems like a great guy at first, but there’s something not quite right—but everyone, including Charlie’s mom (Toni Collette), doesn’t notice.

“Real Steel.” A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future, where the sport of boxing has gone hi-tech. Charlie (Hugh Jackman) is a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son to build and train a championship contender.

“I Am Number Four.” D.J. Caruso (“Eagle Eye”) helms an action-packed thriller about an extraordinary teen, John Smith (Alex Pettyfer), who is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Changing his identity, moving from town to town with his guardian Henri (Timothy Olyphant), John encounters his first love (Dianna Agron), powerful new abilities and a connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.

“Tangled.” When the kingdom’s most wanted—and most charming—bandit Flynn Rider hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel, a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn’s curious captor, who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower where she’s been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade.

“The Help.” Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, “The Help” stars Emma Stone as Skeeter, a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends’ lives—and a small Mississippi town—upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families.

“Mars Needs Moms.” This animated adventure showcases a young boy’s epic quest to save his mom on a thrilling trip to another world in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that sees nine-year-old Milo stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader.

“Gnomeo & Juliet.” The greatest love story ever told, starring...garden gnomes? Shakespeare's revered tale gets a comical, off-the-wall makeover. The film features the voices of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt as Gnomeo and Juliet, who have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors.

“Africat Cats.” Leaping into theaters on Earth Day 2011, “African Cats” features the real-life love, humor and determination of the kings of the African savanna: Mara, the daughter of an injured, but determined lioness; Sita, a brave cheetah and single mother of five newborn cubs; and Kali, a lion once banished from his pride, who returns with his five sons to reclaim his home.

“Winnie the Pooh.” Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood with the first big-screen Pooh adventure from Disney animation in more than 35 years. With the charm, wit and whimsy of the original featurettes, this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical “bear of very little brain” and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo— and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail.

“Prom.” Every couple at prom night has a story and no two are exactly alike. Several intersecting stories unfold at one high school as the big dance approaches. The movie portrays the precarious passage from high school to independence as some relationships unravel and others ignite.

“The Muppets.” On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways.

“War Horse.” From director Steven Spielberg comes this epic adventure for audiences of all ages. Set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, “War Horse” begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets—British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter—before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land.

Paul Bettany Squares Off With Johnny Depp in "THE TOURIST”

Paul Bettany (“The Da Vinci Code,” “Legion”) plays Acheson, the policeman trying to track down the gangster Alexander Pearce in Columbia Pictures' new romantic thriller “The Tourist” which stars Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

“He’s become obsessed with catching Pearce,” says Bettany of his character. “He’s been trying so long and has been foiled at every turn. But the thing about this movie is that nobody can be taken at face value – not even my character. His investigation is complex and twisted – his motivation is complicated for personal reasons.” 

“There are a lot of people looking for Alexander Pearce,” says Jolie. “He’s stolen a lot of money from a gangster. The gangster wants revenge – and his money back – and the British want him for the taxes on the money he stole. Everyone’s looking for him, including my character, Elise, who hasn’t seen him for a long time and isn’t quite sure when he’ll turn up again.” 

Playing off rumors that he has drastically altered his appearance, Pearce gets word to Elise: get on a certain train for Venice, choose a stranger of approximately Pearce’s height and build, and make everyone else believe that man is Pearce. She chooses the American math teacher Frank Tupelo (Depp), who’s headed to Venice to try to mend a broken heart.

Of his esteemed director, Bettany says, “Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is exacting, demanding, and specific. There is an enormous amount of detail in his direction. He does it in an entirely charming way, but he will not move on until he has exactly what he wants.” 

While the British-born Bettany is a recognized star overseas with well-received performances in film, on the London stage and on British television, worldwide audiences first discovered him in “A Knight’s Tale,” in which he played the comical role of Chaucer opposite Heath Ledger. For this performance he won the London Film Critics’ Award for Best Supporting Actor, and he was named one of Daily Variety’s “Ten to Watch” for 2001.

Bettany next starred as the imaginary roommate opposite Russell Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly in the Academy Award®-winning “A Beautiful Mind” for director Ron Howard. His performance in the film won him the London Film Critics Award for Best British Actor. He then starred opposite Crowe again in “Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World” for director Peter Weir. In this adaptation of Patrick O’Brien’s novel, Bettany plays the ship’s surgeon, Stephen Maturin, the first naturalist and best friend of Captain Jack Aubrey (Crowe). Subsequently, Bettany went on to star as Silas in the most highly anticipated film of 2006, “The Da Vinci Code” based on Dan Brown's novel and directed by Ron Howard.

He most recently starred in Screen Gems’ hit “Legion,” and will next be seen in “Priest,” a horror western directed by Scott Stewart, also for Screen Gems.

Opening across the Philippines on Saturday, Jan. 8, “The Tourist” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Super Tuesdays on the All NEW & Exciting AXN Beyond

Tonight, get set to be blown away by the latest drama and entertainment shows on an all new, all awesome AXN Beyond channel. More than ever, viewers from the Philippines will enjoy a fresh and unrivalled programming line-up Tuesday nights across a newly-expanded spectrum of genres, as AXN Beyond refreshes to redefine the entertainment experience like no other.

Turning into a ‘super-sized’ channel, AXN Beyond will serve up more monthly premieres from many more genres than before. Taking the definition of ‘entertainment’ to the limit, AXN Beyond will go beyond fun, feisty and fabulous with its variety of shows. These range from mystery and suspense, fantasy and science-fiction, paranormal and supernatural, fashion and design, to lifestyle and romance, across drama, variety, reality, sitcom, comedy, talk shows, movies and even music concerts.

Said Voo Chih Yeong, Head of AXN Beyond, “Viewers need to look no further than AXN Beyond for the latest shows across the variety of genres, as our channel will have something for just about everyone at a single destination. With a far more compelling entertainment experience, AXN Beyond now appeals to an even wider audience than before. Viewers who have come to enjoy the great programs on AXN will definitely love and appreciate the same world-class quality in the fresh content selection on the all new AXN Beyond.”

Indeed, AXN Beyond hails from the same team that brought Asia its top English general entertainment channel, AXN. As a fresh, hip and energetic TV destination, the new AXN Beyond draws audiences across a wide range of demographics seeking new and exciting entertainment choices, and has its sweet spot among male and female viewers aged 18 – 35.

Beyond fun on AXN Beyond’s Super Tuesdays

AXN Beyond viewers are set to enjoy a back-to-back series of the channel’s very latest shows on Super Tuesday evenings not-to-be-missed. The fun begins with reality talk show The Marriage Ref, as celebrities such as Madonna, Demi Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow pass judgement on real-life couples’ marriages.

That leads to light-hearted series like Drop Dead Diva Season 2 which continues the life of shallow model Deb (Brooke Elliott) whose soul ends up in the body of a brilliant, plus-size attorney. The night’s fun culminates in AXN Beyond’s headliner of the month – fresh new legal comedic drama The Defenders which stars Jim Belushi (According to Jim) and Jerry O’Connell (Sliders) as colourful Las Vegas defence attorneys.

With all that and more, viewers will surely adore the all-new, all awesome entertainment experience with the latest shows across the greatest variety of genres, unveiling this December on the fresh, hip and super-sized AXN Beyond. Check out some of these shows airing tonight:


The Marriage Ref
Tuesdays, 8:10pm, first and exclusively on AXN Beyond

Jerry Seinfeld is back and in the producer's chair for a funny and revealing comedy panel series The Marriage Ref, about the unpredictable and hilarious institution commonly known as marriage. In The Marriage Ref, disputes between real-life couples are revealed, examined - and ultimately judged.

For the first time, audiences will be able to look at these fights, analyze them and declare a winner. At the centre of the action and making "the call", is popular comedian Tom Papa (The Informant!) who will have the final say in determining the victor of each spat.

Advising and influencing the Ref's decision will be a rotating panel of ‘experts’ comprising top celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will weigh in and offer their own wit, wisdom and unique opinions. Guest stars featuring through the series include Tina Fey, Eva Longoria Parker, Larry David, Ricky Gervais, Madonna, Martha Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Morgan, Gloria Estefan, Donald Trump and Gwyneth Paltrow.


Drop Dead Diva Season 2
Tuesdays 9pm on AXN Beyond

Returning for a second season, comedic drama Drop Dead Diva continues the story of a shallow wannabe model that dies in a sudden accident, only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.

At the close of last season, Deb was ready to let go of her past and embrace her new life as Jane. But the unexpected arrival of Jane’s “secret” husband, Ethan (Devon Gummersall), at her doorstep left her with more questions than ever. To make matters worse, Jane may be disbarred after breaching client-attorney confidentiality when, against the firm’s advisement, she reported her client for fraud. Faced with a new love triangle and the uncertainty of her career, Jane must, once again, chart out a new future for herself…

The 13-episode second season of Drop Dead Diva features breakout star Brooke Elliott (Wicked, Taboo”), Margaret Cho (Ghost Whisperer, Notorious C.H.O.), Jackson Hurst (The Tree of Life), Kate Levering (Cashmere Mafia), April Bowlby (Two and a Half Men), Josh Stamberg (Lie to Me) and Ben Feldman (The Perfect Man).The Season 2 opener of Drop Dead Diva will feature entertainer Paula Abdul (American Idol) reprising her role as Judge Paula Abdul, a figment of Jane’s subconscious. Devon Gummersall (“My So-Called Life”) and David Denman (“The Office”) return as guest stars this season.


The Defenders
Tuesdays 9.50pm first and exclusively on AXN Beyond

The Defenders is a comedic drama about two colourful Las Vegas defence attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. Nick (Jim Belushi, According to Jim) and Pete (Jerry O’Çonnell, Sliders, Crossing Jordan) are the local go-to guys with an eclectic client list who are still looking to hit their own jackpot.

Leading the law firm of Morelli & Kaczmarek are Nick Morelli, an earnest, hard-charging attorney who represents his clients to the best of his ability, no matter how big or small the case; and his partner, Pete Kaczmarek, whose passion for the law is matched only by his love of fast cars, beautiful women and expensive clothes.

Joining them in their growing law practice is new associate Lisa Tyler (Jurnee Smollett, The Great Debaters), an enthusiastic young attorney looking to put her exotic dancing days behind her; and their young assistant, Sophie (Tanya Fischer, Life On Mars), a spunky and sweet ingénue who is eager to please her bosses.

Music's 15 Best & Worst Fashions Of 2010

Niki Schwan, the stylist who brought the world some of Nicki Minaj's hottest outfits in 2010 and Vibe Magazine's Fashion Director, reviewed the year in music fashion to give us her list of the stars' 15 best (and worst) looks this year. Agree with her picks? Disagree? Tell us in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Schwan broke into the fashion world at the age of 16, working under the legendary Quincy Jones and stylizing the looks of burgeoning hip-hop acts like Kris Kross and Tamia. And although her initiation began in the that world, her resume also includes styling everyone from Bette Midler to Courtney Love. "I've always been able to reach out to different genres and age groups," says Schwan. "It's something that I really pride myself on because I don't feel like I fit into any category."

Rihanna's Transition From Hardcore

NIKI SCHWAN: "I think that Rihanna had the biggest transition this year. When they launched her she was this pretty and talented girl. Then they did this massive makeover, Mariel [Haenn] came on-board. They really went hard and cut her hair off- she was hardcore, dominatrix and s&m and she really made that a style. In 2010 I think she decided that she wanted to make a drastic change and she went from wearing all black to having bright red hair, bright red lipstick, bright red everything. Style-wise, she didn't have an 'it' moment but I think musician-wise, she had the biggest transition. She went from wearing only spikes and wild leather to wearing flowers and tiaras and dancing around. A year ago, Rihanna wouldn't be caught dead in a tiara. In some ways im not sure if i like it, it's almost clown like... but she made a statement this year."


Drake At Lil Wayne's Post-Jail Party


NIKI SCHWAN: "I worked with Drake on his Vibe cover last year. He was so anti-fashion that it was a little bit annoying. I was really disappointed that he let someone else decide for him what he was and wasn't going to wear. How can he be a superstar for life if you don't have a feel for what your style is? It hindered my perception of him because I thought he was so great. Then I saw him on the red carpet at Lil Wayne's coming out party in a Tom Ford suit. I was so impressed with him. He came out like a different man. Maybe he has a different stylist, or maybe hes getting comfortable with that superstar status. This moment put Drake on the map."


The 'Glee' Cast's School-Days Look


NIKI SCHWAN: "I think 'Glee' brought back the whole school-girl trend. I have seen so many mini skirts and sweaters and cardigans that I believe were brought back by this [show]. I think its success has really inspired a lot of young people. I have a 6 year old who loves to sing and dance. She loves Beyonce, but 'Glee' is her thing. Their style is clean-cut, old-fashioned and I think it inspires young people to believe that they can have this way about them without being super sexy or super slutty. I love that it brought back collegiate style. I think when you look back at 2010 in music, we will always remember 'Glee.'"

Leighton Meester's "Somebody To Love" Video


NIKI SCHWAN: "I don't necessarily think that, overall, she's a style icon, but this video... I always take different pops from this video to show clients. Every detail of this video was luxe fashion. Leighton's in the back of the cab in this perfect hat, she comes back to the hotel room in this perfect trench and these high boots, then she's in this beautiful girlie piece. I have about four clients that I have shown different things about this that I thought were interesting for their artists. From a style perspective this was overlooked. Every detail of her styling was tight: she did this in a diva way and really brought it."


Pop Youth: Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, The Jonas Brothers

NIKI SCHWAN: "Record sales in this market are incredible and have kind of kept the music industry alive. When you have those numbers, they turn into the licensing deals, and then apparel deals, and then the trends come from this force. Since the era of Britney, we haven't seen that type of reaction to young pop-stars. The girls are age-appropriate, they never wear anything too low-cut. Selena Gomez has really brought it. I have seen her on the carpet in Marchesa gowns; this young star just carried a $30,000 gown and did it well. And Miley doesn't always do that so well. The Jonas Brothers, I love them. They are like the young Rolling Stones with their little rock-and-roll style. I think Bieber has an amazing personal style as well - its obvious that he knows how he wants to wear things and does it well. I love that he's able to mix dressy and still keep it young and fresh."


Taylor Momsen's Rocker Look


NIKI SCHWAN: "Taylor Momsen tries really hard. She kind of took the whole 'Twilight' and rocker thing to the next level. I don't think she gets it quite right because I think that she tries so hard. Shes very young, and to have her in a bra and panties with her body out is inappropriate. Her people should be controlling her more. You can be rock star and you can be edgy and you can wear your S&M pieces while not showing everything. I think everyone is kind of like, 'What is she doing?' I think it hurts her career. She might be really talented but I don't even want to listen because she gets on my nerves."

Lady Gaga & Beyonce's "Telephone" Video


NIKI SCHWAN: "From concept to completion this video was dynamic. Everything that was going on epitomized style in 2010. Obviously Beyonce has this classic diva thing that nobody is ever going to touch and she was really able to bring it and then crossover to Gaga's outrageous style. I think Gaga crossed over to bring some high-end glamour as well. To me visually it was beautifully done from start to finish. Every outfit and scene was thought-out; it pushed everyone in the industry to take it to the next level."


Cher In Vanity Fair & At The VMAs


NIKI SCHWAN: "It's interesting that Lady Gaga brought the leotard thing back and Beyonce did [too in] 'Single Ladies,' but Cher wore the leotards first. When she came on stage [at the VMAS], to see her walk by in that... it was like, all you bitches better know where you got this from! She's an icon, and a lot of icons get lost, but I think she reminded a lot of artists that their style comes from somewhere. I love that she is the age she is and wore a leotard and hose on the cover of 'Vanity Fair.'"


Diddy In Vogue & GQ

NICKI SCHWAN: "The marriage of Annie Leibovitz and Diddy [for 'Vogue'] is amazing because they are both such sticklers about details. I feel like Diddy isnt given enough credit for his style and what he's done for fashion. From his first Sean John Line, I remember being at the show and every detail of every vest and every suit was amazing. The tailoring and the fit and the inside lining, everything was just so detailed and beautiful. He has that swagger and has that luxe over-the-top thing about him. He continues to push classic style in a way that no one else does. I mean, Diddy just DOES IT. The way that he has the fur trench draped over the suit with the perfect tie and the perfect cuff-links... timeless.

But in the same year he had one of the most outrageous editorial moments. His moment in GQ hanging from the chandelier with his tighty underwear on was crazy and retarded. Obviously he's just having fun, which was part of his press for the movie ['Get Him to the Greek']. In one hand, I have this editorial that is the most beautiful, luxe, fantastic editorial by Annie Leibovitz and at the same time you have this guy hanging from the chandelier not giving an f about what anyone thinks. Only Diddy can get away with it."


Justin Bieber & Kim Kardashian In Elle

NIKI SCHWAN: "Kim has really come into her own and has learned what works for her body over the last year. The style that they portrayed has that old-school 'Graduate' feel to it, and it really works for her body. She did an amazing job as this luxe older woman. Fashion wise, this was a moment styled so perfectly. I really think Justin had a moment [here] as well. He was looking like this young, sexy thing. He was wearing brands that were relevant, everything had credits. They were able to take samples from grown men's fashion and put it on this kid with his little kicks and his little shades. Grown women who don't have kids, might not know who Justin is - Now they're like, 'Who is this kid?'"


Ke$ha At the VMAs & EMAs


NIKI SCHWAN: "I was at the VMAs and I saw this outfit and it was literally made of trash bags. The fit was so poor I really could not believe that her team let her go out like that. She tries too hard, I dont know how else to say it. I think she's so incredibly talented and I think shes a beautiful young lady, but I think she tries so hard to be recognized. It's not a Gaga moment. I would love to see her bring on a new team to redevelop her style. I'm ok with her being wild and funky and edgy and this combo of rock and roll and whatever else, but I just feel like she hasn't really nailed it. At the EMAs she looked like an elf. It was bad from head to toe. She's her own fashion moment and its not in a good way. This is that moment we dont want our kids to look back at."


Katy Perry's "California Girls" Video & Album Cover


NIKI SCHWAN: "She's young and fresh and sexy, but she's sexy in a way that's not inappropriate. I think her style is [as a] pin-up for our generation and I love everything about it. Her album cover... who can be naked and still be that cute? Your Grandma's not even going to be mad when she sees her naked! Because its done in such a tasteful, beautiful, playful way. This video was also very Murakami inspired as well. She did things I couldn't believe she got away with because, again, shes just so fun and cute. This video took her style to the next level; this is what she is representing and she's standing by it and no one is going to touch it. As a style icon, she was so cutesy before, but this video made that 'cutesy' a definite it-trend."

Kanye West At Yankee Stadium


NIKI SCHWAN: "I think it's this 'modern Scarface' moment that Kanye has brought back to the table. But for me, in that red leather, he just overdid it on every level in a great and memorable way. The chains were bigger than ever, the suit was tighter than ever, it was leather instead of fabric, and he wore it all of the nights, even though both Nicki [Minaj] and Jay-Z changed. I think that he's an icon of our time; hes able to bring high-end designer fashion and translate it to the music community as well as the young people. He's received so much respect from the higher-end brands and has been able to show how much of a force the hip-hop community is to people who might not have otherwise given it a chance. Everything he touches is golden. There is no detail overlooked."


Nicki Minaj's 'Vibe' Cover


NIKI SCHWAN: "I think [the VIBE cover] launched Nicki's career. The cover is Murakami inspired -- the outfit is a Murakami barbie doll, very much like the statues that he does. We ultimately wanted to recreate the statues but we didnt want it to look too Halloween-like, so I decided to mix body paint with the outfit. Half of it is bodypaint, and other parts are leather. I tried to add an edge to it so it wasnt so girly. The original Murakami doll has long blonde hair, where as she wanted to wear a short orange wig, so it was Nicki's take on it as well. I really saw a transition while working with her. She really became a superstar in this moment. I think when we look back on it and she is in that top tier of superstars of our generation, this cover will be her first memorable thing that people look back at."

Lady Gaga's Meat Dress at the VMAs


NIKI SCHWAN: "My number one is the meat dress that Lady Gaga wore to the VMAs. There are so many memorable moments with Lady Gaga this year but the meat dress is so outrageous that it vetoes all of the rest. I was behind stage at the VMAs and it was disgusting. I mean, it was falling apart, it was stinky, it was literally MEAT. I was like 'Is that dirty!?' I wouldn't say that [her style] is the most fabulous or the most trendy; I don't even necessarily think that she starts trends, even though she brought back the leotard thing. I think that she has inspired other artists to push the envelope. [Nicola] Formechetti, her stylist, is a genius-level creative director and they have a magical relationship and I think it shows."

Star Stylist Niki Schwan


The breadth of Nicki Minaj stylist and Vibe Magazine Fashion Director Niki Schwan's experience working with everyone from Quincy Jones to Courtney Love compelled Schwan to leave styling in the late '90s to start her own brand, Lura Starr.

"I took a break from the music industry for a while," Schwan says. "I felt like it wasn't my number one for the long term, and I had an idea for a brand. So I started designing the brand and it somehow still brought me back to the music industry."

The marriage of a personal line and experience in music styling led her to one of her most memorable gigs. "I was approached to make a custom bikini for the David LaChappelle / Mariah Carey Rollling Stone cover. That cover was huge because that was a time when fashion was mixing with the urban market -- it was very crossover."

In 2009 Schwan was approached to help relaunch the magazine Vibe. "They came to me and said, 'We really believe that you are the person to rebuild this brand and the fashion department with us.'"

With the goal of putting Vibe back on the map, Schwan influenced cover concepts, resulting in one of the best-selling Vibe covers of all time -- the June 2010 shoot with NIcki Minaj. "I had never even met her and I made the costume exactly to her measurements and she was shocked. She said to me, 'I want this to be the costume that goes in my Hard Rock case.' Vibe has always been known for launching artists careers... and we were the first to do her in that way."

This initial collaboration with Minaj resulted in Schwan styling Nicki for her first album, "Pink Friday." "She wanted color and I made most of the 'Pink Friday' outfits. That was a magical day. Nicki really doesn't like to do fittings. She wont even do fittings for a video because her energy and moods change. You could fit an outfit for her and she could decide in two hours that she's not in that mood anymore. She's really artistic and creative to the umpteenth power."

Schwan continues to work with Minaj, most recently choosing Nicki's notable beige pantsuit at the VMAS. "She has a great sense of style and she's very avant garde. I really feel like it's obvious the times that I have done her in the last few months. People have been able to say on Twitter, 'Niki Schwan, where were you? I know you didnt do that!' The times when I have done her, people say it's had my touch all over it, and that's a good feeling."

Despite working with a diversity of clients and bodytypes, Schwan points out three important rules to follow as a stylist:

1. FIT
"Fit is essential. I think so many times people want to wear a certain look or a certain style but its just not right for their body. As women we are all paranoid about being fat. I really studied how vintage fashions are built out how the undergarments are supposed to work -- even before Spanx hit I was using girdles. If I have to take less money to have a tailor on site, I do, because I would sooner ensure that my fit is going to be right than not."

2. TIMELESSNESS
"Number two is that I really like to make sure that whatever we are doing is current so the artist can translate the look as a current trend as well as have a timeless, classic appeal. I really want someone in 20 years to look at this and say, 'That sh*t is FLY! Thats Hot!' Not like, 'What were they thinking!'"

3. COMFORT
"Some women are more patient to wear things that are less comfortable than others. Nicki Minaj always likes to be comfortable. She wont even squeeze herself into something even if she really needs to get into it. While some women are more like, 'OK, Ill wear those shoes even if they kill my feet because they are hot.' Comfort affects our mood. If you can't breathe or if your feet are killing you it translates in the pictures. I try and find ways that make the picture look really hot and dynamic while still being comfortable."

Source: Rachel Been, N.Y. | Billboard.com | December 22, 2010 1:00 EST