Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross

Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Renner will not be portraying as Jason Bourne, Matt Damon's character in the past "Bourne" films, in "Bourne Legacy", Renner revealed in an interview last November. He will be playing the role of Aaron Cross, a new CIA operative.

"This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel," director Tony Gilroy explained to Mania.com "No one’s replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter…this is a stand-alone project."

"The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal… Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he’s very much alive." Gilroy continued. "What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy… the world we’re making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne’s return [down the road]."

Renner, however, promised that "Bourne Legacy" will have the "same tempo and pace but more expansive and bigger" than the previous "Bourne" movies.

The 41-year-old actor arrived a week ago in the Philippines where forty percent of the film will be shot.

The movie's cast and crew have started filming last Wednesday. The shooting in the country will reportedly last for 40-45 days.

The film, which will also feature Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Joan Allen and Albert Finney, is scheduled for theater release in August.

Renner, who appeared in "The Hurt Locker", has also other movies coming out this year, including "The Avengers" and "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters".

Critics' Choice Awards for Movies 2012 winners

The winners of the Critics' Choice Awards 2012 were revealed at a glittering ceremony held yesterday and broadcast live on VH1.

"The Artist", a French silent film set in the 1920s, was this year's big winner, walking away with four awards including Best Picture.

It also proved to be a good night for "The Help" which took home 3 awards including Best Acting Ensemble.

Check out the list of winners of the 2012 Critics' Choice Awards below:

BEST PICTURE - "The Artist"
BEST ACTOR - George Clooney ("The Descendants")
BEST ACTRESS - Viola Davis ("The Help")
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Octavia Spence ("The Help")
BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS - Thomas Horne ("Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close")
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLES - "The Help"
BEST DIRECTOR - Michael Hazanavicius ("The Artist")
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - Woody Allen ("Midnight in Paris")
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin ("Moneyball")
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Janusz Kaiminski ("War Horse") and Emmanuel Lubezki ("The Tree of Life")
BEST ART DIRECTION - "Hugo"
BEST EDITING - "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
BEST COSTUME DESIGN - "The Artist" noypistuff
BEST MAKEUP - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS - "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
BEST SOUND - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - "Rango"
BEST ACTION MOVIE - "Drive"
BEST COMEDY - "Bridesmaids"
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM - "A Separation"
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - "George Harrison: Living in the Material World"
BEST SONG - "Life’s a Happy Song" ("The Muppets")
BEST SCORE - "The Artist"
JOEL SIEGEL AWARD - Sean Penn
MUSIC + FILM AWARD - Martin Scorsese

The Critics' Choice Awards are given annually by the Broadcast Film Critics Association to honor the finest in cinematic achievement.

Rachel Weisz in NAIA | C/o Recto Mercene

Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz arrived in Manila Sunday night, several news sites reported.

Accompanied by 2 companions, Weisz landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at around 6:30 p.m. from Hong Kong on board a Cathay Pacific flight (CX 903).

The 40-year-old actress is in the country for the filming of the highly anticipated "Bourne Legacy" movie, the fourth installment of the "Bourne" film series.

According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino, Weisz' husband and "James Bond" star Daniel Craig may visit his wife in Manila in the coming days.

“There are rumors that Daniel Craig would want to visit Rachel here, so that’s a possibility,” Tolentino was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, aside from Weisz, "Bourne Legacy" lead actor Jeremy Renner had reportedly arrived in Manila last Saturday.

The filming of the movie, reports say, will start this week. The following streets will be closed off for the shoot: San Andres street (from Jan. 11 to 15); streets in Remedios (Jan. 18 and 19); San Andres corner Quirino and Taft Avenue (Jan. 14), areas in Intramuros (Jan. 25, Feb. 17 and 18); Jones Bridge (Feb. 5), and Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard (Feb. 8 to 15).

Forty-percent of the movie is going to be shot in the country.

Justin Bieber's gift to his friend Ryan Butler

If there would be a reason why haters should start befriending Justin Bieber, it would have to be because the teen pop star treats his dear friends extra special during Christmas - he does not mind the price tag when it comes to his gifts to them, at least to his BFF.

Justin Bieber, one of the richest teenagers in the world with his net worth of $85 million, has just bought his childhood best friend Ryan Butler a two-door cream-colored Ford Mustang as Christmas gift.

Ryan Butler tweeted on Monday a photo (the one on the right) of his luxurious Christmas present from his friend with a short message saying "Justin got me a present. #swag!!!"

Justin didn’t post anything about his generous gift on his official Twitter account, but he did post photos of himself at home with his family.

Justin and Ryan grew up together in Stratford, Ontario of Canada. Ryan's parents provided additional parenting for Justin when he was only five years old.

Hobbit trailer screengrab showing Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)

The first trailer of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", the first part of the movie adaptation of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy prequel, has made its way online.

Helmed by the director of the LOTR series, Peter Jackson, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug. A number of actors from the LOTR films will also reprise their roles, including Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom. Also coming back for the production are illustrators John Howe and Alan Lee, art director Dan Hennah and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie.

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is set for theater release on December 14, 2012. The second part, "The Hobbit: There and Back Again", will be released a year after.

Check out the first trailer of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" below:


Here's the premise of the 2-part "The Hobbit" movie according to Warner Bros. Pictures:

The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Jon Bon Jovi is alive and well contrary to online reports that he is dead!

Jon Bon Jovi released the photo above to belie reports that he died of heart attack Monday.

On his Facebook page, the 49-year-old rock star posted a photo of himself to dismiss the false reports. The photo shows Jon Bon Jovi holding a huge grin on his face while standing in front of a Christmas tree and holding a sign that reads "Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey."

The same picture was also posted on Bon Jovi band's Twitter page, accompanied by a message saying, "Rest assured that Jon is fine - this photo was just taken."

A website called "dailynewbloginternational" had wrongly claimed the singer-actor suffered a cardiac arrest at Empress Hotel in New Jersey and later died in Jersey Shore Medical Center Monday. The report contains the following:

Rockstar Jon Bon Jovi (John Francis Bongiovi, Jr) was pronounced dead  today after paramedics found him in a coma at his Empress Hotel, city  and law enforcement of Asbury Park, NJ sources told The Times after  World Christmas Tour concert on The Bamboozle Festival,North Beach Asbury Park.

New Jersey Fire Department-First Aid Captain Douglas Gray told The  Times that paramedics responded to a 911 call from the home. When they  arrived, Bon Jovi was not breathing.

The paramedics performed CPR and took Bon Jovi to Jersey Shore  Medical Center, Ruda said. Hundreds of reporters gathered at the  hospital awaiting word on his condition. The sources, who spoke on the  condition of anonymity, said Bon Jovi team rushed to Bon Jovi’s bedside,  where he suffered Cardiac arrest.

The detectives plan to interview relatives, friends and Bon Jovis’s  doctors to try to figure out what happened. The N.J. County coroner’s  office will determine a cause of death. A New Jersey Fire Department  source told The Times that Bon Jovi was in full cardiac arrest when  rescue units arrived.

Apparently, the fake report was copied from a Los Angeles Times announcement of the death of Michael Jackson in 2009.

The Jon Bon Jovi hoax is just the latest in a long line of notable faux-fatalities including Jackie Chan, Denzel Washington, David Guetta, Kevin Bacon, Charlie  Sheen and Jared Leto.

The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 8 airs on a later date*

Are you an avid fan of the American post-apocalyptic horror TV series "The Walking Dead"? If you are, the seventh episode of the current season must have left you wondering what will happen to Grimes' group now that they found out that Sophia, who went missing and the reason why the group has not been ousted from Hershel's farm, has been turned into a walker. Well, your questions will not be answered this week since there will be no "The Walking Dead" episode to be aired this week. And the next episode will not be arriving next week neither. "The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 8" titled "Nebraska" will come out on February 12, 2012 according to AMC. Yeah, it's bad news.

The good news is that you can watch more episodes this season since there are 13 of them now, compared to last season's six. And not only that, "The Walking Dead" has been renewed for a third season. What about that?

If you're experiencing separation anxiety, you can perhaps just check out other series like "Dexter" instead.

*Photo courtesy of AMC

Check out below three movie trailers released recently.

"The Five-Year Engagement" - A comedy that charts the ups and downs of an engaged couple's relationship.
Release Date: April 12, 2012
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Cast: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, etc.


"Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" - A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
Release Date: March 2, 2012
Directors: Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda
Cast: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny DeVito, etc.

 

"The Cabin in the Woods" - Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen.

Release Date: April 13, 2012
Director: Drew Goddard
Cast: Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Chris Hemsworth, etc.

Willow Smith has premiered the music video of her single "Fireball" featuring Nicki Minaj.

"Everybody falls down and scratches their knees and elbows, but eventually they get back up," explained Willow.

"Fireball" is lifted from Willow's upcoming debut album "Knees & Elbows". It is set to be released across the United States on April 3, 2012.

"Nicki Minaj is absolutely an amazing person. She has so much energy, and working with her was like just [a] spark. We were coming together with all our art and everything, and it was amazing," Willow had said.

Check out below the "Fireball" music video which was directed by Hype Williams:

Three Stooges movie trailer screen capture

The first teaser trailer of "The Three Stooges" has been unveiled by the Farrelly brothers.

Running for almost two minutes, the trailer begins with Larry, Moe and Curly being dumped in a burlap sack on the doorstep of an orphanage as babies. The rest of the trailer features the classic gags and quotes of the trio with some contemporary twists.

Starring Sean Hayes as Larry, Chris Diamanttopoulos as Moe, and Will Sasso as Curly, the slapstick comedy movie is based on the mid-20th century comedy shorts of the same name.

Produced, written and directed by the Farrelly brothers and co-written by Mike Cerrone, the film is scheduled for theater release on April 13, 2012.

Check out its trailer below:



 Here's its plot:

Left on a nun's doorstep, Larry, Curly and Moe grow up finger-poking, nyuk-nyuking and woo-woo-wooing their way to uncharted levels of knuckleheaded misadventure. Out to save their childhood home, only The Three Stooges could become embroiled in an oddball murder plot...while also stumbling into starring in a phenomenally successful TV reality show.

Justin Bieber continues to spread the yuletide spirit through his latest visual for "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" lifted from his Christmas album, "Mistletoe", while Taylor Swift has released the music video of "Ours", the fifth single off of her multiplatinum-selling album, Speak Now.

Victoria Justice, meanwhile, does a ballad version of "You Are The Reason" in her new music video for the song which she dedicated to her mom. The single is part of the soundtrack of "Victorious."

Check out the said music videos below:

Justin Bieber - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

Taylor Swift - '"Ours"

Victoria Justice - "You Are The Reason"

Words With Friends

Alec Baldwin was reportedly kicked off his flight for playing "Words With Friends" in Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon.

"Flight attendant on American reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W FRIENDS while we sat at the gate, not moving. #nowonderamericaairisbankrupt," Baldwin posted on his official Twitter account Tuesday.

Former MTV Networks President Michael J. Wolf, who was on the same New York-bound American Airlines flight, also tweeted about the incident.

"On an AA flight at LAX. Alec Baldwin removed from the plane We had to go back to the gate. Terrible that everyone had to wait,"

Developed by Zynga With Friends, the addictive Scrabble-like word game application “Words with Friends” is a multi-player game wherein players exchange turns forming words horizontally or vertically on the board, trying to score as many points as possible for each word. The game is available for cross-platform play on devices running the Android and iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch) operating systems and is also available on Facebook. It has garnered support from celebrities including John Mayer, Rainn Wilson, Terrell Owens, and Eliza Dushku.

Apart from his first tweet, Alec Baldwin also told his Twitter "followers" the following:

"Now, as I was kicked off this flight, the word I was playing was UNITED.

"But, oddly, 30 Rock plays inflight on American.

"Now on the 3 o'clock American flight. The flight attendants already look.....smarter.

"#theresalwaysunited Last flight w American. Where retired Catholic school gym teachers from the 1950's find jobs as flight attendants," the actor added.

Less than a day after the incident, Baldwin deactivated his Twitter account to "focus on 30 Rock," his publicist Matthew Hiltzik said in a tweet. Baldwin, however, told his Followers that he planned to create a new account soon.

Meanwhile, American Airlines has posted the following on its Facebook account referring to the Alec Baldwin incident:

"Since an extremely vocal customer has publicly identified himself as being removed from an American Airlines flight on Tuesday, Dec. 6, we have elected to provide the actual facts of the matter as well as the FAA regulations which American, and all airlines, must enforce. Cell phones and electronic devices are allowed to be used while the aircraft is at the gate and the door is open for boarding. When the door is closed for departure and the seat belt light is turned on, all cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off for taxi-out and take-off. This passenger declined to turn off his cell phone when asked to do so at the appropriate time. The passenger ultimately stood up (with the seat belt light still on for departure) and took his phone into the plane’s lavatory. He slammed the lavatory door so hard, the cockpit crew heard it and became alarmed, even with the cockpit door closed and locked. They immediately contacted the cabin crew to check on the situation. The passenger was extremely rude to the crew, calling them inappropriate names and using offensive language. Given the facts above, the passenger was removed from the flight and denied boarding," American Airlines wrote.

A fake music video of Adele's single "Set Fire To The Rain" has made its way online.

Adele look-alike Michelle Meredith featured on the fake "Set Fire To The Rain" music video

Aspiring director Andrew Vallentine released the nicely choreographed video which shows an Adele look-alike lip-syncing the song which made some fans think it's the real deal. The video was posted on Youtube Monday, December 5, 2011.

"Often touted as Adele's 'gay anthem', Set Fire to the Rain is the latest single off her smash-hit album, 21. The music video portrays a man struggling with his sexuality, while the girl in love with him fights to hold on as everything she thought she knew comes crashing down before her. The song speaks of a foolish love that's so hard to let go. This theme is not uncommon, most of us have been subjected to this type of unrequited love in some way, shape, or form. Whether gay or straight, single or taken, if you have not experienced this kind of pain, consider yourself one of the lucky ones." the video description reads.

Check out below the said fake Adele's "Set Fire To The Rain" below:

Trey Songz has released the music video for his single "What I Be On."

A screencap of Trey Songz' "What I Be On" music video

On the video, Trey Songz is surrounded by bikini girls while in a pool party which is then followed by another party in a bus with lavish setting and more party with featured artist Fabolous.

"What I Be On” is lifted from Trey Songz' Inevitable EP produced by Phenom and Troy Taylor. The official visual was directed by Tremaine Neverson and Clifton Bell.

Check out Trey's "What I Be On" music video below:

American singer-songwriter and rapper Trey Songz started out his career by appearing on Kevin Lyttle's debut album and Trick Daddy's Thug Matrimony as a sideman, as well as striking out on his own with "About the Game," a solo cut from the Coach Carter soundtrack. As he was working on his debut album — not to mention several collaborations with Lil' Kim, Trina, and Snoop Dogg — Trey Songz released some street-level mixtapes under his alias, the Prince of Virginia. His proper debut, I Gotta Make It, was released by Atlantic Records in 2005, and the sophomore effort, Trey Day, charted at number 11 upon its release in 2007. In 2009 the single "I Need a Girl" helped to make Ready his first album with an RIAA gold certification. In the summer of 2010 his track “Already Taken” landed on the Step Up 3D soundtrack, while his collaborative single with rapper Nicki Minaj, “Bottoms Up,” was released to promote that year's Passion, Pain & Pleasure, issued in September.

The Secret Circle S01E10

If you are wondering why the 10th episode of the first season of "The Secret Circle" has not come out yet, it is because it has not been released. The Secret Circle Season 1 Episode 10 is scheduled to air on January 5, 2012.

The 10th episode will be about Cassie learning more about her ancestor, Francis Balcoin - who was as evil as they come - and the Circle discovering more about Cassie and the dark magic she has inherited within her and just how powerful it truly is.

The Secret Circle is an American television series developed by Andrew Miller, based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. It tells the story of 16-year-old Cassie, who moves from California to live with her grandmother in New Salem and falls in love with a mysterious boy named Adam. But, when she enrolls in high school there, she realizes that he, she and all the other elite students at the school are witches! She befriends their leader, Diana, but soon discovers that Adam and Diana are dating, which leads to a whole bunch of complicated drama.

It stars Britt Robertson, Thomas Dekker, Gale Harold, Phoebe Tonkin, Shelley Hennig, Jessica Parker Kennedy, and many more.

In the Philippines, the show is being aired on ETC.

Edwin McCain and Taylor Dayne will be having back-to-back concerts in the Philippines this 2012!

Edwin McCain and Taylor Dayne Live in Manila and Cebu 2012

The two international artists will be performing live together at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on February 15, 2012 and at the World Trade Center in Manila on February 17, 2012.

The ticket prices for the Edwin McCain and Taylor Dayne Live in Manila are priced as follows:

• SVIP - PhP 6,124.80
• VIP - PhP 5,068.80
• Gold - PhP 3,696.00
• Silver - PhP 1,890.24

All sections are reserved seating. Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketworld and SMTickets outlets.

Below are the ticket prices for the Cebu concert:

• VIP - PhP 3,985.00
• Gold - PhP 2,750.00
• Silver- PhP 1,000.00
• Balcony - PhP 1,680.00

Edwin McCain, is the man behind the hit songs "I'll Be", "I Couldn't Ask For More", "Walk With You", "Beautiful Life", and "Write Me A Song."

Taylor Dayne, meanwhile, popularized the songs "Love Will Lead You Back", "I'll Always Love You", "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love", "Prove Your Love", and "Tell It To My Heart."

Hanson is coming to the Philippines this 2012 for a couple of concerts!

Hanson Live in Manila 2012 Concert Poster

The American pop band will be performing live at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila on March 30, 2012 and at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on March 31, 2012. The concerts are part of the band's "Shout It Out World Tour."

Ticket prices of Hanson's concerts in Manila and Cebu this 2012 will be posted here once made available.

Composed of Hanson brothers Isaac, Taylor, and Zac, the band rose to fame after the release of their 1997 hit song "MMMBop" which was nominated twice at the 1998 Grammy Awards and by far the band's most successful single.

Check out the music video of Hanson's "MMMBop" below:

Macy's Black Friday Sale commercial for 2011 is out! And it is super hilarious!

It shows adult men screaming their heart out like tween "beliebers" as Justin Bieber makes his way to Macy's for its Black Friday midnight opening. Check out Justin Bieber's Macy's Black Friday Commercial below:

 
The commercial will be shown on US TV this November 22nd.

Macy's executive vice president for Marketing Martine Reardon said that they will be opening at midnight across the US for the first time.

"With humor and the help of Justin Bieber, we are reminding our customers to shop early at Macy's to find the most desirable gifts at a great value," Reardon said.

Check out Macy's Black Friday Sale Catalogue for 2011 here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/MacysBlackFriday/Macys+Black+Friday.pdf

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" promo pic

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" is set to premiere in various theaters around the world, Friday. One of its actors Peter Facinelli, who is playing the role of Carlisle Cullen, said via his official Twitter account that movie goers should stick around through the ending credits since there is an extra scene.

"Make sure you stick around after the credits in #breakingdawn. There's another scene," Peter Facinelli tweeted.

"Breaking Dawn" is the fourth and last installment in the hit Twilight Saga series. It is going to be a 2-part film, the second part is scheduled for release on November 16, 2012.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1" stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Billy Burke, and many more. The movie is directed by Bill Condon.

Channing Tatum and Rachel Adams star in a new romantic movie titled "The Vow."

"The Vow" movie poster

"The Vow" tells the story of newlywed couple who recovers from a car accident that puts the wife in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, her husband endeavors to win her heart again.

Directed by  Michael Sucsy, "The Vow" is set for release in theaters on February 10th, 2012.

The film's first teaser trailer has arrived online. Check it out below: