LG unveils 3G-enabled Mobile Wrist Watch

LG Electronics just unveiled in South Korea the world’s first 3G-enabled wrist watch. Yup, that’s a phone embedded in a watch with 3G for video-calling (sort of a James Bond thing).

The wrist watch has a touchscreen display with has a videocam and speakers for video-calling over 3G.

The watch also features voice recognition, text to speech and an MP3 player. Details on this will be released during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from January 8 to 11, 2009 {via AFP}.

Rihanna: Diva of the year

A diva, as defined by Beyonce, "is a female version of a hustler." And though there's no denying B's claim in her new single, "Diva," that she's "been the No. 1 diva in this game for a minute," you certainly can't knock Rihanna's hustle in 2008. After scoring four hit singles with 2007's Good Girl Gone Bad, her third CD in less than two years, she re-issued the disc last summer with three sizzling bonus tracks ("Disturbia," "Take a Bow," "If I Never See Your Face Again") that quickly soared up the charts as well. Now, after honing her live act on the road with Kanye West's Glow in the Dark extravaganza, and more than a year after Good Girl's original release date, Rihanna remains on the charts with her eighth single, "Rehab," featuring Justin Timberlake, plus a cameo on T.I.'s "Live Your Life." For a pop star who was once dismissed as being incapable of yielding more than one hit song per album, Rihanna's newfound staying power is nothing short of remarkable--and proof that there's room for more than one diva in this game.

http://margeauxs-mix.ew.com/2008/12/rihanna-diva-of.html
by Margeaux Watson

Britney Spears: Comeback of the year?

Is Britney back on top? Or has her career gone the way of Lindsay Lohan's? It's hard to say. First, let's consider the pros: Though her new CD, Circus, isn't a revelation on par with, say, Mariah Carey's 2005 lifesaver, The Emancipation of Mimi, it was good enough to open at No. 1 with 505,000 copies sold; her music videos for "Womanizer" and the title track are satisfactory, much like the songs that inspired them; and she's finally got her svelte pre-baby body back. Still, there are cons to consider as well: As an entertainer, Brit's no longer the electrifying dancer she used to be--her lackluster moves are stiff and sluggish; during interviews, she exudes apathy and indifference while remaining curiously vague about the details of her notorious meltdown; and her messy personal life continues to overshadow her work. So, what's the verdict? Well, she's certainly no longer capital F fierce, but I wouldn't call her a has-been just yet. In fact, I'm keeping hope alive that the old Brit will magically reappear when she goes on tour next year.

http://margeauxs-mix.ew.com/2008/12/britney-spears.html
by Margeaux Watson

‘Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat’ Hits P102.5 Million

Star Cinema’s “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” rakes in a whopping P102.5 million on its 8th day run in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival to be the year’s 4th biggest movie after “A Very Special Love”, “Caregiver” and “For the First Time.”

Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After, on the other hand, entered the Top 10 with a haul of P72.6 million on the same period.

2008 MMFF BOX OFFICE GROSS
(as of January 2, 2009)

1. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat - P102.5M
2. Iskul Bukol… 20 Years After - P72.6M
3. Shake Rattle and Roll X - P45.7M
4. Desperadas 2 - P27.3M
5. Baler - P24.5M
6. One Night Only - P5.7M
7. Dayo - P4.1M
8. Magkaibigan - P1.6M

Video Link: MMFF 8th Day Gross

Will Smith Voted Top Money-Making Star of 2008

According to the 76th Quigley poll, an annual survey among movie theater owners and film buyers, Will Smith (Hancock, Seven Pounds) is the top money-making star of the year dethroning Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean).

Smith is voted the Box-Office King, if you must, by generating the most box-office revenue for theaters for his two films Hancock and Seven Pounds.

On the other hand, it was Christian Bale’s “The Dark Knight” which ranked-in the most box-office money as it was hailed as the no. 1 movie in America for 2008 but Bale was only ranked third by Quigley this year. The Dark Knight earned a whopping 1 billion US dollars worldwide as of this writing.

Princess Diaries star Anne Hattaway was named a star of tomorrow, along with Chris Pine, who appeared in “Bottle Shock” and will play Captain Kirk in 2009’s “Star Trek” movie.

TOP 10 MONEY-MAKING STAR OF 2008

1. Will Smith (Hancock)
2. Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man)
3. Christian Bale (The Dark Knight)
4. Shia LaBeouf (Indiana Jones 4, Eagle Eye)
5. Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones 4)
6. Adam Sandler (Bedtime Stories)
7. Reese Witherspoon (Four Christmases)
8. George Clooney (Burn After Reading)
9. Angelina Jolie (Wanted)
10. Daniel Craig (Quantum of Solace)

Fil-Am Michael Copon to Star in Twilight’s Sequel

Fil-Am actor Michael Copon is reportedly replacing Taylor Lautner for the role of werewolf Jacob Black in the highly anticipated sequel of the box-office hit Twilight entitled “New Moon.”

The Twilight sequel has a new director following news that 53-year-old Catherine Hardwicke had been axed and replaced by Golden Compass helmsman Chris Weitz for New Moon.

Now, another replacement is about to happen. 15-year-old actor Taylor Lautner won’t be reprising his role as the werewolf Jacob Black in favor of the Filipino-American actor and model Michael Copon.

Michael is probably best known for his role in the tv series One Tree Hill and the movies Scorpion King 2 and Elevator. The Fil-Am actor was also the grand winner of VH1’s reality competition “But Can They Sing?”

Also lobbying for a New Moon role is Spanish actor Ben Barnes, best known for his title role in this year’s Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The 27-year-old is said to be eye-ing the role of the mind-reading vampire Aro.

Filming on New Moon is scheduled to begin in February 2009.

“Baler”, big winner at the 34th MMFF-Philippines

The historical film “Baler” is the big winner at the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival
(MMFF) awards night Saturday evening by taking home 10 trophies including Best Picture.

Baler also received the grade of “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board and a commendation from the Department of Education.

The other MMFF entry that received an A grade from the CEB is Magkaibigan. But the Jinggoy Estrada starrer only managed to win 1 award courtesy of Christopher de Leon as Best Actor. Shake, Rattle and Roll X, Desperadas 2, Iskul Bukol 20 Years After and Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat each won 1 award, too.

Dayo, on the other hand, grabbed 4 trophies while One Night Only won 2 awards coutesy of Manilyn Reynes for Best Supporting Actress and Joey Reyes for Best Story.

For the first time in years, the Best Float was scrapped from the awards line-up.

Here is the complete list of winners:

34th MMFF Award Winners

Best Picture:
Baler

Best Director:
Mark Meily (Baler)

Best Actress:
Anne Curtis (Baler)

Best Actor:
Christopher De Leon (Magkaibigan)

Best Screenplay:
Baler

Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award:
Baler

Best Supporting Actress:
Manilyn Reynes (One Night Only)

Best Supporting Actor:
Philip Salvador (Baler)

2nd Best Festival Picture:
Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat

3rd Best Festival Picture:
Iskul Bukol 20 Years After

Best Cinematography:
Lee Meily (Baler)

Best Production Design:
Aped Santos (Baler)

Best Editing:
Danny Anonuevo (Baler)

Best Visual Effects:
Robert Quilao (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Musical Score:
Jessie Lasaten (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Theme Song:
“Lipad” by Jessie Lasaten and Artemio Abad Jr.,
performed by Lea Salonga (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Sound:
Albert Idioma and Wally Dellosa (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)

Best Original Story:
Jose Javier Reyes (One Night Only)

Best Child Performer:
Robert Villar (Shake, Rattle, and Roll X)

Best Make-up:
Noli Villalobos (Desperadas 2)

Pacquiao is Leading on ESPN’s Champion of Champions 2008

Our very own Manny Pacquiao is currently leading in the finals of ESPN and Star Sports’ “Champion of Champions” 2008 online poll.

Pacquiao, who fought in three weight divisions in 2008 and emerged victorious in all of those bouts, could very well be the winner of the online poll contest as he enjoys a huge lead over Malaysian squash player Nicol David.

As of Sunday afternoon, Pacquiao received an astounding 82.4% lead over Nicol. Our Pambansang Kamao amassed 91.20& of votes while the world’s top ranked squash player earned 8.8 percent.

Pacquiao made history in 2008 when he became the first Asian to wear four world titles in three different weight divisions. He is the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring magazine’s super featherweight champion after beating Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in a split decision on March 15.

He then added the WBC lightweight belt after scoring a ninth-round knockout win over David Diaz last June 28. And his greatest victory so far is his eight-round demolition of future Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya on December 6.

He earned the Ring Magazine’s top pound-for-pound boxer title after then holder Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired this year. Pacquiao is also a former Ring Magazine featherweight champion, once hold the International Boxing Federation bantamweight crown and held the WBC flyweight belt.

Manny Pacquiao and Nicol David are the last 2 standing on the online poll after beating cricket superstars Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly in the semifinals. They also beat NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, Indian cricket sensation MS Dhoni, Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo, reigning world no.1 tennis player Rafael Nadal, Beijing Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson, world 100-meter record holder Usain Bolt, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, golf’s Tiger Woods and world MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi in the preliminaries.

The final day of voting is on December 30 with the winner to be announced in ESPN Sports Center.

Star Cinema’s 2009 Line-Up

Apparently, this line-up was shown during the premiere screening of Land Down Under in the US. Please take note that titles, cast and schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

JANUARY

Love Me Again (Love Down Under)
Starring Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual

FEBRUARY

You Changed My Life
(A Very Special Love Part 2)
Starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo

MARCH

Estrella
(teen horror movie)
Starring Shaina Magdayao, Maja Salvador, Jake Cuenca, Geoff Eigenmann

APRIL

And I Love You So
Starring Sam Milby, Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay

MAY

Amnesia
Starring Bong Revilla and Toni Gonzaga

JUNE

The Man I Loved
Starring KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual

AUGUST

T2
Starring Maricel Soriano and Mika dela Cruz

SEPTEMBER

A Mother’s Story
Starring Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz

OCTOBER

Priest
Starring Angel Locsin and Aga Muhlach

NOVEMBER

A Love Affair
Kristine Hermosa, Jericho Rosales and Carmen Soo

The following projects have no tentative date and/or working title yet:

1. RPG - first 3-D animated movie
2. Claudine Barretto movie
3. Judy Ann Santos romantic drama movie
4. Angelica Panganiban/Gabby Concepcion movie

Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat, Top MMFF’s 1st Day Earnings

According to the box-office report from the festival insider, Star Cinema’s entry to this year’s MMFF - “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” - leads 1st day earnings.

Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat is the sequel to the no. 1 all-time box-office hit “Ang Tanging Ina” which was shown in 2003. The movie is topbilled by Ai Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo among others and directed by Wenn de Ramas for Star Cinema.

There are early predictions that the Ai Ai delas Alas-starrer will lead the box-office race and it looks like it’s heading to reality as tickets for the Star Cinema movie were sold out in some SM Cinemas. The said comedy film is rated G by the MTRCB for the whole family to enjoy.

Running in second place is Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After. Tito, Vic and Joey reprises their role in the film adaptation of their hit tv sitcom 20 years ago. Directed by Tony Reyes, expect to catch several stars making a cameo in the movie including Bong Revilla Jr., Manny Pacquiao and Sharon Cuneta.

In 3rd place is the 10th installment of the popular horror franchise Shake, Rattle and Roll. The Regal Films entry is topbilled by Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu and Marian Rivera.

On the other hand, two entries received the highest grade of “A” for excellence in filmmaking from the Cinema Evaluation Board. The Viva Films entry “Baler” and the Jinggoy Estrada-Christopher de Leon starrer “Magkaibigan” will be exempted from paying amusement tax to the government for receiving the “A” grade. Apparently, “Baler” badly needed the tax exemption because according to reports, it is the highest-budgeted film among the 8 entries of the Metro Manila Film Festival this year.