The Hobbit in Empire

UK-based movie magazine Empire features The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012). Much like a Peter Jackson movie, its December issue is bound to be larger than Middle-earth. The magazine comes in a special 3D "lenticular" cover. When I browsed "lenticular" in an online dictionary, I was referred to "testicular," a linguistic unit elf queen Galadriel, will no doubt, find amusing.

There are five covers to choose from, each featuring a character from the film: Bilbo (Martin Freeman), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Gollum (Andy Serkis), and Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), an exiled dwarven king. Although elven hearthrob Legolas (Orlando Bloom) appears in the film, he's not good enough for Empire.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will have its world premiere in New Zealand on November 28. No release date has been set for Manila. For the meantime, the magazines will do.

4 New Films for November

Daniel Craig returns as Bond in Skyfall (2012). He's up against Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), a cyber terrorist out for blood. Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road) directs what could potentially be the best in the Daniel Craig series of Bond films. 

It's a reunion of sorts for director Joe Wright and his muse Keira Knightley. They're joined by actors Matthew Macfadyen and Jude Law in a period drama adapted from Leo Tolstoy's epic novel. With frequent Wright collaborators Dario Marianelli (music) and Jacqueline Durran (costume) on board, expect Anna Karenina to be lush and pitch perfect.

Rust and Bone received rave reviews when it premiered in Cannes. Based on a series of short stories by Canadian writer Craig Davidson, French director Jacques Audiard plumbs the depths of love, family and depression. Acting dynamo Marion Cotillard stars as a woman who falls in love with an animal trainer (Matthias Schoenaerts). Forget Cotillard. Keep your eyes peeled for the pod of tumbling killer whales.

Andrew Dominik's thriller competed for the Palme d'Or in France. Dominik previously worked with lead star Brad Pitt in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Killing Them Softly is their second collaboration. It's going to be raw and gritty.

Cat for Art's Sake

There's always the nagging issue of morality and aesthetics. Where do you draw the line? 

For some, the outcome is paramount; the process, inconsequential. That's fine, but did anyone ask the cat what it thinks?

The cat's name is Guagua  and it recently celebrated its birthday. In honor of the celebrant, Guagua's owner drew several memorable Japanese animation characters on cardboard and pushed the cat's head through. The one above is inspired by Kiki's Delivery Service.

Although the artwork is superb, Guagua is not entirely happy with the setup. 

Mariah vs. Nicki: Round 1

This week's Fierce Award goes to Nicki Minaj: the feisty rapper best known for her wardrobe and barbed, caustic retorts. Recently, her royal rumble with Mariah Carey went viral. Following a heated dispute over a contestant, Minaj was heard saying, “I’m not putting up with her highness over there.” Noted.

It didn't stop there.When Barbara Walters "aired Carey’s grievances," Minaj Tweeted: “Barbara walters didn’t reach out from our team. I guess we’re too dangerous.” She added, “I don’t call tmz n Barbara Walters cuz I stand on my own two feet. Insecurity is as cruel as the grave.” Double fierce.

"American Idol" started going down hill after Simon left two years ago. Now, interest in the ageing 10-year-old talent show is heating up thanks to the gangsta vibe Minaj is generating. 

A day after the Carey-Minaj verbal joust, Walters said the latter warned Mariah: “I love you, but we might fight again.” 

More than the singing in "American Idol," it's the cat fights I'm most excited about.