Action from start to finish - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

A few months ago, I went to Los Angeles, courtesy of Columbia Pictures, to interview the stars and the director of Vertical Limit which opens in Metro Manila theaters today. Doris Torres of Columbia Pictures was walking on tightrope for weeks because of the country’s political situation that made it difficult to choose a playdate.

But now, we can all go and see Vertical Limit, which stars Chris O’Donnell, Robin Tunney, Scott Glenn, Isabella Scorupco and Bill Paxton and is directed by Martin Campbell, the same guy who directed Mask of Zorro and Goldeneye.

You have to see Vertical Limit on the big screen. It is breath-taking action from start to finish. It is also heart-rending with at least two scenes that will surely make you cry.

Vertical Limit is a riveting story of a damaged yet intense brother-sister relationship set against the backdrop of a beautiful but dangerous mountain.

The movie opens with Peter Garrett (Chris O’Donnell) and his sister Annie (Robin Tunney) climbing a steep mountain with their father. A horrible accident happens. Peter had to make a split-second decision to cut their father’s rope to save his sister and himself. I was in tears when their father was shouting at him to cut the rope because he wanted his children to live. After that incident, the relationship of Peter and Annie was strained. Annie resented Peter’s cutting of the rope that killed their father. Brother and sister stopped talking to each other with Peter escaping to nature photography while Annie decided to pursue her dad’s dream to conquer the world’s highest peak. Until another accident happened – that brought Peter and Annie together again. The phone conversation Peter and Annie had while Annie was trapped in an icy grave at 26,000 feet – a death zone above the vertical limit – would melt any jaded heart.

It’s a beautiful movie. My interview with Chris O’Donnell was shown on The Buzz last Sunday. It was also refreshing to find out that the best friends of Chris O’Donnell and Robin Tunney in real life are both Filipinos based in Chicago.

Watch this movie and be sure you have someone’s hand to hold on to!

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Hollywood superstar Mel Gibson’s romantic comedy What Women Want also opens today in Metro Manila theaters. What Women Want pairs Gibson with Academy Award winner Helen Hunt.

Directed by Nancy Meyers, the movie is about playboy Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) who, after a freak accident suddenly discovers he could read the minds of women! Other stars of What Women Want include Marissa Tomei, Alan Alda with a cameo role by Bette Midler.

In the US, What Women Want has surpassed the $100 million mark in just 18 days. The critically-acclaimed and box-office hit has already set three new records in the United States so far, namely, (1) the biggest 3-day weekend December opening in motion picture history, (2) Mel Gibson’s top grossing movie of his entire film career and (3) a record breaker for a romantic comedy eclipsing Notting Hill. Gibson was also nominated for the Best Actor Award from the recent Golden Globe Awards for his role in What Women Want.

Distributed locally by Pioneer Films, What Women Want was recently premiered by top radio station DWTM Magic 89.9 as part of the year-long shebang it has prepared for its listeners. They are also cooking up an exciting contest where Magic listeners stand a chance to watch the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards LIVE in Los Angeles. For more information, stay tuned to DWTM.

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Anton, the "Regine-alike diva," and Rey Kilay, the "Jaya-alike diva," two of today’s most popular and talented hosts in music bars, will hold a pre-Valentine concert on Feb. 6, 8 p.m. at Virgin Café, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Titled Shindig Balahibo, the show will feature prima diva Dessa as special guest.

Written and directed by Andrew de Real, Shindig Balahibo is not only an exhibition of voices but also a potpourri of fun, hilarious jokes and irreverent wit.

Tickets to the concert, priced at P350 each, are available at PMI Entertainment, Inc. (Those interested may call 815-1017 or 0917-8104207.)