Uge: ‘Kimmy Dora prequel is best in franchise’

Eugene Domingo is thankful she is healthy nowadays and this came in handy for the fight scenes she did for her latest movie “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kyemeng Prequel” which is an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. She has a number of fight scenes in this third installment of the Kimmy Dora franchise and Uge is proud to say that the new edition is much better than the first two movies.

“I am healthier this time and it is good because I had an easier time doing the fight scenes because I am lighter. I had extensive training in martial arts to prepare myself for the movie. It’s a good thing everybody was patient with me. And I am very thankful to Sam Milby because he is good in doing the fight scenes. I believe the fight scenes came out well because Sam was good at it,” said Uge at the film’s Dec. 2 press conference held at the Patio Ibarra restaurant in Timog, Quezon City.

“I think this is the best Kimmy Dora movie. The challenge for us is to come up with a story that would be interesting. Since we have done two Kimmy Dora movies, we should be able to come up with a story that would be engaging and would explain how Kimmy and Dora’s characters came to be,” added Uge. Plus, they used a new camera that enabled them to shoot scenes of Uge playing twins with ease.

This is the first time Uge worked with Sam as her leading man. They have worked before in the movie “She’s The One” but Sam’s partner then was Toni Gonzaga. “He is very friendly and hardworking. You might say he has a strong appeal, but the fact is, he is very shy. He is not only good-looking but he can do many things. And he is serious with his work,” said Uge further.

Uge even said that while Sam had been doing dramas, he is very good in comedy as well, making him perfect for the role in this Kimmy Dora prequel.

More than winning an award, Uge says she’d rather see the movie make good at the box-office. She knows there are many movies competing for audience share come festival time but Uge is hoping they would rake in money. That’s why she is asking the support of the press to help drumbeat interest for the film.

Written and directed by Chris Martinez, “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel” also stars award-winning actors Joel Torre, Angel Aquino, Ariel Ureta and Moi Bien. It is produced by Spring Films, Quantum Films and MJM Productions.

***

Movie fans in the United States will have the chance to watch “When the Love Is Gone,” the latest blockbuster drama from Viva Films in selected theaters starting Dec. 6.

Based on the classic film “Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba Ng Gabi” by Danny Zialcita and now directed by Andoy Ranay, “When The Love Is Gone” boasts a powerhouse cast that includes Gabby Concepcion, Alice Dixson, Andi Eigenmann, Jake Cuenca and Cristine Reyes.

It is a gripping tale of a young wife played by Cristine and an older man played by Gabby who allow themselves to be caught in an all-consuming affair that would eventually destroy them and those they love. Made in the Viva tradition of glossy melodramas, the film comes on the heels of the memorable box-office hits “No Other Woman” and “A Secret Affair.”

For Filipinos abroad, check out this list of scheduled showings at a theater near you on Dec. 6 — Los Angeles: Cerritos Stadium 10, 12761 Town Centre Drive Cerritos; West Covina Stadium 18, 1200 Lakes Dr. West Covina; Orange Stadium Promenade 25, 1701 W. Katella Avenue, Orange; and Century River Park 16, 2766 Seaglass Way Oxnard.

San Francisco: Tanforan 20, 1188 El Camino Real, San Bruno; Milpitas Great Mall 20, 447 Great Mall Dr. Milpitas; Union City 25, 32100 Union Landing, Union City; Elk Grove Laguna 16, 9349 Big Horn Blvd. Elk Grove; Roseville 14, 1555 Eureka Rd. Roseville; Hilltop 16 Richmond, 3200 Klose Way, Richmond; and Century 14 Vallejo, 109 Plaza Dr., Vallejo.

San Diego: UA Horton Plaza 14, 475 Horton Plaza; Las Vegas: Village Square Stadium 18, 9400 W. Sahara Avenue; Virginia: Military Circle 18, 880 North Military Highway, Norfolk; Texas:  Tinseltown 290, 12920 Northwest Freeway; and Legacy 24, 7201 N. Central Expressway, Plano; Arizona: Cinemark Mesa 16, 1051 N. Dobson Rd. Mesa; Nevada: Century Park Lane 16, 210 East Plumb Lane, Reno; Washington: Parkway Plaza Stadium 12, 5910 S 180th St. Tukwila; Hawaii: Dole Cannery Stadium 18, 735 B Iweilei Road, Honolulu.

***

Some of today’s biggest stars join forces to spread loads of gifts and good cheers for the whole month of December.

Going beyond network wars, Kapuso stars Maxene Magalona, Enzo Pineda and Mark Herras join hands with Kapamilya dancing icon, Jhong Hilario and Kapatid rising stars Jasmine Curtis Smith and Divine Lee, all in the name of celebrating their favorite aesthetic clinic’s 12th birthday and promoting the concept of empowered beauty.

“I guess I speak for everyone when I say that one of the main reasons why we love Flawless is because of its medical approach to beauty,” shares Jasmine. “Unlike other skincare centers I’ve been to, Flawless has medical doctors in all of its clinics and I love the fact that they can explain how the treatments and products work to improve your skin.”

From Dec. 1 to 31, Flawless is making it easier for everyone to get into its culture of empowered beauty with an 8+4 offer that clients can redeem until Dec. 2014. Additionally, it also offers top-to-toe makeovers to everyone who can successfully refer 12 new clients or finish its National Flawless Month stamp card by acquiring 12 stamps.