Jim Parsons lends voice for "Oh" in the delightful and colorful film "Home"

Im glad my favorite movie trailer "Home" would finally hit the theaters this month. I have already love the character "Oh" and  I was surprised that Five-time Emmy winner Jim Parsons, also widely known as Sheldon from the hit television sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” stars as the voice of a purple alien called Oh, in the delightful and colourful family film,  “Home,” from DreamWorks Animation.

Oh’s race, the Boov are looking for a new home. They invade Earth, take over the planet and dispatch all the humans to a far-flung community. But Oh, who is quite different from the other Boov, makes a big mistake that could lead to an intergalactic catastrophe. Hiding out from the rest of his species, led by the weak and vain Captain Smek (Steve Martin), Oh encounters Tip (Rihanna), the last human girl on Earth. She has avoided capture but is separated from her mother Lucy (Jennifer Lopez). Both are on the run, team up and embark on a thrilling road trip … in a bright red flying car!

“Home” takes Oh, Tip – and the audience – on a worldwide journey, from the United States to France to China, and finally to Australia. It’s an epic expedition encompassing millions of Boovian spaceships, and technology that switches off gravity across the entire planet. An enormous Gorg mothership also lends impressive scale. “The goal from the start was to make HOME a big global adventure,” says director Tim Johnson.

“Tip is hostile toward Oh, but as they embark on a global journey, they realize they have more and more in common,” adds Jim Parsons, who voices Oh. “You never know where, and with whom, you’re going to find friendship,” continues the Emmy® winning star of the long-running series The Big Bang. “Making lasting friendships with people – or visitors from afar – who couldn’t be more different from you, and with whom you’d never expect to connect, is not only possible, it’s necessary.”


Oh and Tip are an intergalactic odd couple of friends. “They’re from two very different worlds and couldn’t be less alike,” says global music star and seven-time Grammy winner Rihanna, who voices Tip. “But they slowly discover common ground and become amazing friends.”

“The Boov are unilateral,” Parsons adds. “They’re all of one mind. Initially, Oh believes in that philosophy and he’s really enthusiastic about being the best Boov he can be. But unlike the rest of them, Oh wants to have a good time.”

Parsons makes his animated feature debut in “Home.” The classically trained actor embraced the challenges of working in the genre. “It’s the most interesting ‘playtime’ I’ve ever had as an actor,” he explains. “It feels like you’re going down a mysterious but joyful black hole, where you’re alone with the character. Once you relax, it’s really fun to see what happens. I never left the recording studio without being a sweaty mess!”

“Home” (2D and 3D)opens in cinemas this March 26 nationwide from DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

HATCHING TOP-NOTCH SPIES IN “PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR”

                Get ready for a thrilling rollercoaster ride with the world-renowned spy penguins – Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private in “Penguins of Madagascar.”  The Penguins’ transition from beloved supporting characters in “Madagascar” to headlining their own big screen epic was a no-brainer, thanks to their memorable traits.

“What drives the Penguins in all the films are their distinct and strong personalities,” says director Eric Darnell.   Adds director Simon J. Smith: “They’re like a band of brothers who above all value their friendship, moral code and love for one another.”   Most importantly, the Penguins really bring the funny.  “The most exciting thing about the project was to experience the story’s and characters’ humor,” says producer Mark Swift.  “They’re so appealing because they are so hilarious.”

There’s Skipper, voiced by Tom McGrath, who created the characters for the blockbuster animated feature “Madagascar,” which he helmed, along with Darnell. McGrath’s Skipper is the team’s fearless leader and keeper of the Penguin code.  He demands loyalty, obedience and order from his regimented flock, and asks nothing of his men that he wouldn’t do himself.  His right-flipper man, Kowalski, voiced by DreamWorks animator Chris Miller, is the brains of the operation, and the go-to guy when the Penguins need a quick, life-saving fix.

The third member of the team, Rico, is “voiced” by DreamWorks Animation artist and Madagascar 3 director Conrad Vernon.  Rico lives to blow things up.  When he’s kept on a tight leash, Rico is an effective weapon, but left to his own devices is a loose cannon.  Finally, there’s Private, voiced by DreamWorks Animation editor Christopher Knights; although he is the runt of the team, Private has the biggest heart of them all.  Private is always up for new challenges, but because the group still sees him as the “baby,” he’s often sidelined during their missions.

Each of the Penguins makes a memorable impression, and collectively, they’re a force to be reckoned with. “The sum of the Penguins is greater than the parts,” says Darnell.  “The guys work incredibly well as a group – far better than they would as individuals.  They’re like four parts of a complete brain: You’ve got Skipper’s leadership, Private’s heart, Kowalski’s smarts, and Rico’s courage.  So the four of them make this whole, and that makes them a lot of fun.”

In fact, the Penguins are very much in the tradition of great movie teams, notes McGrath, like The A-Team, The Dirty Dozen, “Star Trek’s” Kirk and Spock, and even The Marx Brothers.  “They’re these huge personalities in a tiny package,” he says.  “And like many great screen teams, the Penguins are taken out of their comfort zone.  They embark on a globetrotting adventure, where they meet characters who really make the Penguins step up their game.”

Their inextricable bonds and unforgettable antics are on full display when we discover the origins of the Penguins in the film’s opening sequences, set in Antarctica’s icy wasteland.  Right off the bat, we’re aware that these are not your typical penguins.  Skipper, Kowalski and Rico are marching to the beat of a different drummer, avoiding the documentary-film tropes of penguins waddling across the icy tundra and triggering audience exclamations of “aren’t they cute!”

A DreamWorks Animation feature presentation, “Penguins of Madagascar” opens November 26 in 2D, 3D and IMAx format from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

City of Dreams to Open in Manila This Year

CITY OF DREAMS MANILA COLLABORATES WITH DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
TO DEVELOP WORLD’S FIRST DREAMPLAY
“EDUTAINMENT” CENTER

Casino operator Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation partners with Dreamworks Animation SKG to develop the world’s first DreamWorks-inspired “Edutainment” center at City of Dreams Manila within this year.

“DreamPlay,” an interactive play area that will feature educative and entertainment activities for children. It is being designed by DreamWorks Animation SKG -- the animation studio that created the films Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon, where children can interact with animated characters set on a 2,000 to 3,000 square meter high-ceiling indoor park, is now being developed at Bagong Nayong Pilipino of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. in Parañaque City.

Joey Mead King hosted the City of Dreams event

The $1.3-billion City of Dreams Manila is a joint venture of Melco Crown and SM Group's Belle Corp. It will have a casino, high-end restaurants, and three luxury hotels, including a 260-room Crown Towers Hotel and a two-tower, 321-room Nobu Hotel.

City of Dreams is among the four integrated resorts being developed at Bagong Nayong Pilipino of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. in Parañaque City.

Kung Fu Panda; Shrek; and Alex the Lion from Madagascar, join executives  Mr. James Clark, Head of Retail Development and Entertainment for Asia Pacific of DreamWorks Animation

Inspired by the mantra of learning through play, “DreamPlay by DreamWorks” is a revolutionary approach to family entertainment.  Each experience is designed exclusively for City of Dreams Manila by the artistic and creative forces of DreamWorks Animation and iP2 Entertainment to combine the best elements of the DreamWorks library with the hands-on activities of an education inspired play-center to create a truly one-of-a-kind family adventure.

“DreamPlay” represents an exciting blend of integrated live and digital play spaces, featuring DreamWorks’ popular characters and creative storytelling combined with innovative educational play, appealing to children and adults alike.

Guests will immerse themselves in the world of DreamWorks Animation, interacting directly with their favorite characters through revolutionary experiences. Interactive environments, featuring the very latest digital technologies, will enable kids to engage in a wide range of thrilling activities, interacting with beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation’s world-famous franchises including Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon.

Mandaluyong Children’s Choir set the scene with a medley of hit DreamWorks’ songs at the official announcement of “DreamPlay by DreamWorks” at City of Dreams Manila.

“Melco Crown Philippines is delighted to be introducing DreamWorks to the Philippines as we
continue our strategy of delivering innovative leisure and entertainment offerings that enhance the leisure destination appeal of Manila,” explained Clarence Chung, Chairman and President, Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation.

“Our collaboration with DreamWorks is a further illustration of our expertise in developing world-class, innovative and ground-breaking entertainment for leisure seekers both in the Philippines and internationally. The ‘DreamPlay’ concept delivers an education experience through spontaneous and sensory play that represents an industry first.”

Paul Kurzawa, Head of Retail Development & Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation said: "We are very excited to work with Mr. Lawrence Ho and Melco Crown Entertainment to build something that we believe is a truly unique way for children to experience, learn and interact with the characters and worlds of DreamWorks Animation.


“As a global entertainment brand, we continue to expand our footprint with immersive, year-round fan experiences and ‘DreamPlay’ provides a distinctive opportunity for visitors in a fun and educational setting.

“Harnessing leading digital technologies, this attraction is going to be unlike anything that currently exists and will undoubtedly become a new type of destination for families, both in the Philippines and across the rapidly growing leisure-destination markets of Asia."

In January 2014, City of Dreams Manila introduced Hollywood-celebrity trendsetting Nobu brand, marking the first Nobu Hotel in Asia. With the addition of the world’s first “DreamPlay by DreamWorks” edutainment center, City of Dreams Manila is a further step in realizing its overall vision to deliver world-class and diverse innovative lifestyle and entertainment offerings, and to support the Philippine government’s strategy to broaden the appeal of the Philippines as a leading leisure destination in Asia.





About City of Dreams Manila
City of Dreams Manila, when it opens in 2014, will mark the formal entry of Melco Crown Entertainment into the fast-growing and dynamic tourism industry in the Philippines. The new integrated casino resort at Entertainment City, Manila Bay, Manila, is being developed and will be operated by Melco Crown Philippines in alliance with SM Group’s Belle Corporation.

The dynamic and innovative resort complex, located on an approximately 6.2-hectare site at the gateway to Entertainment City, will include the ultimate in entertainment, hotel, retail and dining and lifestyle experiences with aggregated gaming space, including VIP and mass-market gaming facilities with up to approximately 365 gaming tables, 1,680 slot machines and 1,680 electronic table games upon opening.

The integrated resort will feature three distinctive entertainment venues, including Manila’s first branded Family Entertainment Center, a live performance central lounge inside the casino and a night club situated at the Fortune Egg, an architecturally-unique dome-like structure, which will be accented with creative exterior lighting design. It is expected to become an iconic landmark of the Manila Bay area.

City of Dreams Manila is destined to deliver an unparalleled entertainment and hospitality experience to the Philippines and will ultimately play a key role in strengthening the depth and diversity of Manila’s leisure, business and tourism offering, enhancing its growing position as one of Asia’s premier leisure destinations. It is being developed to specifically meet the needs of the large, rapidly growing and increasingly diverse audience of leisure and entertainment seekers both in the Philippines and those visiting Manila from across the Asia region and around the world.

About Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation
Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation, with its shares listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: MCP), is a subsidiary of Melco Crown Entertainment (SEHK: 6883; NASDAQ: MPEL). It is currently developing City of Dreams Manila, a casino, hotel, retail and entertainment integrated resort in Manila, which is expected to open in 2014 and have six hotel towers, including the Crown Towers hotel, Nobu Hotel and a hotel managed by the Hyatt Group, numerous specialty restaurants and bars, gaming facilities, a multi-level car park, as well as three separate entertainment venues.. For more information about Melco Crown Philippines, please visit www.melco-crown-philippines.com.

About Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
Melco Crown Entertainment, with its shares listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”) (SEHK: 6883) and its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: MPEL), is a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment  resort facilities in Asia. Melco Crown Entertainment currently operates Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), a casino hotel located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated urban casino resort located in Cotai, Macau. Melco Crown Entertainment’s business also includes the Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company is also developing the planned Studio City Project, a cinematically-themed integrated entertainment, retail and gaming resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation’s subsidiary, MCE Leisure (Philippines) Corporation, has been cooperating with SM Group’s Belle Corporation to develop and operate City of Dreams Manila, a casino, hotel, retail and entertainment integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. For more information about Melco Crown Entertainment, please visit www.melco-crown.com.

Melco Crown Entertainment has strong support from both of its major shareholders, Melco International Development Limited ("Melco") and Crown Resorts Limited ("Crown"). Melco is a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is substantially owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is Co-Chairman, an Executive Director and the CEO of Melco Crown Entertainment. Crown is a top-50 company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and led by Executive Chairman Mr. James Packer, who is also Co-Chairman and a Non-executive Director of Melco Crown Entertainment.

About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 28 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots and The Croods.

MEET & GREET “MR. PEABODY” THIS WEEKEND – MARCH 8 & 9

MEET & GREET “MR. PEABODY” THIS WEEKEND – MARCH 8 & 9

                Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world is in the country’s premiere malls this weekend (March 8 and 9) for a rollercoaster ride through history!

                Treat your family and friends this weekend and catch Mr. Peabody tomorrow (March 8, Saturday) at Robinson’s Manila (2:00pm); SM Manila (4:00pm); SM Manila (5:00pm) and at Lucky Chinatown (7:00pm).  Mr. Peabody will also be seen on Sunday, March 9 at SM Megamall (2:30pm) and at Robinson’s Metro East (6:30pm).

                In the movie, “Mr. Peabody & Sherman”, the father-son tandem use their time machine - the WABAC - to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history.  Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era:  figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history.

                “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” is now showing nationwide in more 120 screens nationwide –  A DreamWorks Animation presentation from 20th Century Fox distributed by Warner Bros.

LESLIE MANN COMEDIC TALENT SHINES IN “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN,” “THE OTHER WOMAN” & “RIO 2”

LESLIE MANN’S COMEDIC TALENT SHINES IN “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN,” “THE OTHER WOMAN” & “RIO 2”

Leslie Mann’s impeccable timing and improved skills will soon be seen in the upcoming comedy movies “Mr. Peabody & Sherman, “Rio 2”” and in “The Other Woman.”

In DreamWorks Animation’s “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” Mann is the voice of Patty, parent to Sherman’s friend Penny where they set foot in Peabody’s home to settle the brawl that happened between their children. Director Rob Minkoff was thrilled to be working with comedy actress Leslie Mann, “Leslie has incredible charm and a great and unexpected attitude in her voice,” he says.

The worldwide smash hit “Rio” by Blue Sky Studios brings the wacky group of Blu and Jewel back in the height of adventure in “Rio 2” with Carlos Saldanha at the helm once again where Mann lends voice to Linda who is now married to Tulio (voiced by Rodrigo Santoro), Blu’s best pal.  The newlyweds are exploring the Amazon, where they discover there may be more Blue Macaws, and set out to find them.    Mann describes the game-changing discovery in “Rio 2,” “From the sky, a little blue feather falls between Linda and Tulio.  He tastes it and he realizes it’s a Blue Macaw feather.  And they go off in search of more Blue Macaws.”

In the upcoming hilarious estrogen-filled comedy, The Other Woman, Mann plays wife to a cheating husband played by Nikolaj Coster- Waldau.  Together with Cameron Diaz , whose role as Waldau’s girlfriend who is unaware that his boyfriend is married, teams up with Mann’s character to teach their man a lesson and hit him where it hurts the most. Uncovering yet another philandering act, the two women further find out another ‘other woman’ in the mix played by Kate Upton.  In this laugh-out-loud comedy, three women are brought together by the same man who have wronged then and ultimately become the best of friends, forming a bond like no other.
Leslie Mann’s comedic timing and standout performances captivate audiences and critics alike. She recently starred opposite Paul Rudd in Judd Apatow’s “This Is 40.”  Mann’s stand out performance as Debbie in “This Is 40” earned her a Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nomination in the category of Best Actress is a Comedy.
Mann continued her recent voice performance work in the Oscar nominated “ParaNorman,” an animated 3D, stop-motion film from the team behind “Coraline,” including writer/director Chris Butler, Focus Features and LAIKA.  In 2011, Mann starred opposite Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman in David Dobkin’s “The Change-Up” and in 2009 was seen in the indie hit “I Love You Phillip Morris” alongside Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor.
Among her other feature films are “The Bling Ring,” “17 Again,” “Big Daddy,” “Little Birds,” “George of the Jungle,” “Timecode,” “She’s the One,” “Drillbit Taylor,” “Orange County,” “Funny People” and “The 40 Year Old Virgin.”

A native of Southern California, Mann studied acting with the improved troupe the Groundlings whose alumni include most of the familiar faces in comedy today. One of her first big breaks was Ben Stiller’s “The Cable Guy” with Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick. While auditioning for the film she met future husband Judd Apatow. This film marked their first collaboration and the beginning of their creative professional partnership.
Mann and Apatow are longtime supporters of the non-profit organization 826LA. Founded by Dave Eggers, the organization focuses on encouraging disadvantaged youth’s writing skills by offering a range programs on-site at their tutoring center and for teachers to implement in their classrooms. Mann and Apatow’s philanthropic contributions were honored earlier this year with the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program’s 2012 Children’s Choice Award for their work with children, and their families, who are dealing with pediatric cancer.  In 2009 the couple was also recognized by The Fulfillment Fund who honored them at their annual benefit gala.