Ramblings: 2011 Grammy Nominations Concert

 

If there's one thing I can tell Lady Gaga right now, it's the fact that I want to thank her for the effort she gives to come up with a 'new' show, which makes us WOW oftentimes. Just don't make her wear that meat dress ever again! 

On another note, when I first had a round up with her latest album, Born This Way, it reminded me of the pop 80s slash Queen slash Madonna slash Cher, which could be her influences. To sum it up, I was utterly disappointed- and thought it was all recycled music. But when the tracks hit the airplay, and they start to mess up with your mind, you find them quite comforting, and then you find yourself singing it, once, twice and over and over again.. I'm on the edge, the edge.... Me me merry the nighttt...

 

Told someone Rihanna was in a trance state and was wonderfully-ecstatic. Someone beside me commented, "oh please... she must be stoned!". I can only wonder. No, make that you and I. 

 

And here's Judy Jetson... Oops. It's Katy Perry (you must have seen her AMA performance this year... Oh you haven't? BOO you! Haha) Love the idea of this year's nominations concert. Instead of just staging a boring show where one reveals the nominees, the organizers put a twist in the revelation.  But yes, it was kind of predictable. Moving on, here's Perry announcing the album of the year nominees. Pretty in Pink! And good thing they maximized the LED behind her. :)

For more ramblings, this should make you happy.

Ramblings: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011

Finally! The  Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011 was shown! We've been waiting for this, ever since it was taped a few weeks ago at the Lexington Armory in New York! After a lot of buzz of this much-awaited fashion/celebrity/music event, we finally got to see Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5 and Kanye West+ Jay-Z's performances.

Let's start the ball rolling with Minaj's very Pink! showdown with the angels. One can't help but notice how the supahmodels tower over her. Which of course makes the over-all look like she's it's cute. Fashionably cute!

Only Adam Levine can pull off an undershirt look at the runway with the Angels, in this Aquatic collection. And how about stealing a kiss with his girlfriend, Anne K? 

How is it that these boys have the license to go on  without anything that's so spectacular/ over-the-top to showcase (e.g. extravagant set, fireworks)? Well it's the showmanship+talent... Yep, it is.

In the audience, among others, were Orlando Bloom and Beyonce Knowles.


For more highlights, check this out.

Ramblings: 2012 Grammys predix

Yay! The complete list of nominees for next year's Grammy Awards has been announced! In a Live Concert (!!) at L.A.'s Nokia Theatre. Past Grammy winners like Lady Gaga, Ludacris and Lupe Fiasco performed in an evening where the likes of Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and Bruno Mars, were also amongst the presenters.

As assumed - with a buzzing prediction all over the net- yesterday, Adele was set to have the most number of nods ever, for her 21 album. Yes, the queen takes the spotlight with six nominations. However, there real king of  nods is Kanye West, with 7, for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.

As of this writing, I have heard like 70% of the songs/albums which were nominated. Surely, I'll be downloading and listening to the rest of them pretty soon. Well, here's my Grammy prediction, nonetheless. My vote goes to the one with the red highlight.


Album Of The Year:
21— Adele
Wasting Light— Foo Fighters
Born This Way— Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans — Bruno Mars
Loud — Rihanna
Hmm. For real, this is a touch one. I love all these albums! My favorite of 'em all is Adele, but there's no denying that I've also immensely enjoyed Rihanna's Loud and Bruno Mars' Hooligans album. Wasting Light and Born this Way also tickle my eardrums. But, (sighs), okay, I'll go for 21.

Record Of The Year:
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele
"Holocene" — Bon Iver
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars
"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons
"Firework" — Katy Perry
Sorry but Adele created a new trend that we couldn't stop listening to. And somehow, she owned that trend- a broken-hearted gal who perhaps is wallowing in her misery through melodious interpretation. So yes, Rolling in the Deep.

Best New Artist:
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex
Hmm. Haven't listened to all of these, so I guess I would have to do such before I cast my vote.

Song Of The Year:
"All Of The Lights" — Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
"The Cave" — Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
"Grenade" — Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
"Holocene" — Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)
Yep. This album boasts an all-star ensemble. And Kanye takes us into his fantasy beautifully, in a rather melodious and mellifluous way. Cue Dark Fantasy please. Can we get much higher? So highhh... Ohh ohhh.

Best Pop Solo Performance
"Someone Like You" — Adele 
"Yoü And I" — Lady Gaga 
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars 
"Firework" — Katy Perry
"F***in' Perfect" — Pink 
Tough call but Someone Like You is not only a song now. It has become an anthem! But I also love all the rest, so to speak but this song should grab it.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
"Body And Soul" — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
"Dearest" — The Black Keys
"Paradise" — Coldplay 
"Pumped Up Kicks" — Foster The People 
"Moves Like Jagger" — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera 
This song uplifts the essence of its title as you start listening to its rhythm and to Chris Martin's calming voice. Plus, go and watch the video and you'll be equally enthralled. 'I dream of Paradise... Ohhh ohhh..." It's majestic!

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
"Party" — Beyoncé & André 3000
"I'm On One" — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
"I Need A Doctor" — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
"What's My Name?" — Rihanna & Drake
"Motivation" — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne
"All Of The Lights" — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie
Hands down!

Best Rap Performance:
"Look At Me Now" — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
"Otis" — Jay-Z & Kanye West
"The Show Goes On" — Lupe Fiasco
"Moment 4 Life" — Nicki Minaj & Drake
"Black And Yellow" — Wiz Khalifa
Rarely do we hear a rap song that does propagate positivity and encouragement! That's what Lupe Fiasco's Lasers album is about.

As for the songs/music under the other categories, I have yet to listen to them. Hope to finish all before Grammy's night. For now, indulge with these!

Meanwhile, here's the complete list of nominees!

Ramblings: Let's Get It On!!!

Okay, just so you know, I'm not about to write something about boxing or that bloody UFC fight! Haha. Though, that write-up might be in the pipeline! 

Let's Get It On, perhaps according to an urban dictionary, signifies the start of a bout. But ask that to Marvin Gaye, and he'll give you a different, dare I say, 'sexier' perspective! Hmmm. Just to provide you a lil something from him and this term, here's a link (IKR, from Wikipedia)

The first time I heard this song I was so smitten that I had to listen to it over and over again! It's a sweet and sensual music to the ears. It calming! Very sexy, as well! It doesn't help that I had to repeat the scene from which it was used as a background music from the Nancy Meyers' movie Something's Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. And wait, did I tell you that it was about-to-make-love scene? ;)

Then I heard comedian Jack Black sing this in the 2000 Stephen Frears's comedy drama High Fidelity, starring John Cusack! (heck that film has a lot of music to offer!!) Then, again, I fell in love with it all over again! You can watch Black on the video clip above! You might want to grab the film's OST, to listen to the full song, sang by Black himself! 

Ya ready?

Let's get it on!

P.S.
Might add a musing about the OST of High Fidelity soon! :)

Ramblings: Happy December!

Wait, let me just kiss November good bye! I welcomed December, writing scripts - yet again! And eternally revising them! But what's really good to note is that the Grammy Awards' nomination ceremony is just a few hours away, and the Victoria's Secret's Fashion Show is about to be shown in CBS, slated for today's release as well! Did I just hear about a $2 million bra? Wow, you gotta put a lotta investment THERE! Haha.

For the Grammys, I read that Adele may be rolling in the deep with the most number of nods ever! And Lady Gaga + Nicki Minaj might be in the running for many nominations as well. Let's just wait and find out the breaking story soon!

As for the VSFS, someone linked me up with this behind the scenes write up when it was taped last November 9 at Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City. So excited to see this year's ceremony because apparently, it set the trend to combine the best trends in fashion/lingerie + good music, all LIVE! Remember when Katy Perry and Akon, among others performed there? Or the time when Usher and J.T., rocked the stage, with the latter bringing 'sexy back'? Hmmm. Nice! Nice view! LOL

Well, that's how I started my December! Including a chance to enjoy several downloaded albums! And to name some, I've got the original soundtrack of Bridget Jones's Diary, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The School of Rock, and High Fidelity to name some!

Well, apart from 'burning the midnight oil' so to speak, it was a good way to welcome December nonetheless! How about you?

Ramblings: Meryl wins @ NYFC 2011

And so, the awards season has officially begun! Thanks to the Twitter updates courtesy of the New York Film Critics awards! I was on my way home, about to start writing scripts for our episode when my dear friend Streeper updated me through SMS that Meryl won for her Margaret Thatcher portrayal in The Iron Lady. What a spazz! In fact, I'm now writing about her instead of doing that script. Haha.

On another note, this seems to be a terrific sign for Meryl's journey to finally get her third Oscar, seeing that she has been robbed of this honor, too many times already!

Anyway, I also found out that Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain also won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, for their performances in Tree of Life (not just that though for Jessica... No wonder. Anyway, remember this: "Where were you when I laid foundations to the earth?")

Gah, anyway, here's the list of winners:

Best Foreign-Language Film: A Separation
Best Actor: Brad Pitt (Moneyball, Tree Of Life)
Best Actress: Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain (Tree Of Life, The Help and Take Shelter)
Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks (Drive)
Best Nonfiction Film: Cave Of Forgotten Dreams
Best First Feature: Margin Call


Here's where I got the info.

WISH LIST 2011 (as of today)

Hmm, call me materialistic, but yes, these are just some of my guilty pleasures... soon to be enjoyed...if you gifted me with them...! Haha.

Let's set aside wishing for world peace and economic stability... (though I always include those in my prayers! - plastikkkkkkk)

Really, I wasn't thinking of a wish list until I checked out my money and got reminded, "Hey, may be you could have other people buy THAT THESE for you?!"

So, since Christmas is looming and the spirit of gift-giving is in the air and might probably haunt you by now,  I'd like to share my wish list to you.

DVDs
Meryl Streep DVDs (...and to name a few of which I don't have in my collection:)
- Plenty
- A Cry in The Dark
- Heartburn
-The French Lieutenant's Woman
-Ironweed
-Silkwood
-She-Devil
-Music of Regret
-Sophie's Choice
-The House of the Spirits
-Kramer vs. Kramer
-Secret Service
-Holocaust

BOOKS
-Haruki Murukami books (besides After Dark as I've read that already)
-Anna Quindlen books (besides One True Thing, Blessings, Rise and Shine)
-Elizabeth Berg (besides Open House, The Last Time I Saw You)
- Elizabeth Buchan books (besides Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman and The Good Wife Strikes Back)
-Gabriel Garcia Marquez books (besides Memory of My Melancholy Whores)
- Bossypants by Tina Fey


Some more:
Mamma Mia! in Manila 2012 tickets (How can I resist it?!)
Katy Perry in Manila 2012 tix (The Teenage Dream!)


Wildest Dream:
A meet and greet and some more with Meryl Streep(!!!! Haha)

Musings: Memory of My Melancholy Whores (2004)

Memory of My Melancholy Whores, Spain (2004)
aka Memoria de Mis Putas Tristes
Written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Memory of My Melancholy Whores is a quick read but surely it will have you thinking and feeling for a long time.

Ageing, just like time, is one of the elements in this world that we cannot stop. We try so hard to put a halt to this, sometimes wishing we can stay at one moment in our life. And that's what's so compelling to find out as this story unfolds- will it just be a one night stand? Or will it be a tipping point for a man's life- to value his life the way he never thought and expected it to be?

I guess this book would have a varied impact depending on one's age and how one views life, but regardless of these factors, it would get you thinking about life, or something like it. And if ever you find it complicated and profound, I daresay, it must! We're talking about life here!

Notes:
I know that I'm enjoying a good read if I often pause, reread the lines, inhale deeply and relish the idea that was put on paper. And yes, I did these so many times while reading this! Haha. It probably warded off some bystanders...

Ramblings: The Iron Lady trailer

Oops. Sorry it took me a while to share this. This is Fierce! Our dear Meryl as Margaret Thatcher. Yeah, IKR, Oscar number 3 is on the way. With several screenings already done, we can only hope that it will also hit our local cinemas. Heard it will have a January 4 UK premiere. Well, guess, they'll have a really happy new year there.

And with a lot of buzz all over the place with Meryl's long-awaited Oscar comeback, let's load up several photos to go along with the trailer. 

'Gentlemen, let's join the ladies!'

Thanks, likewise, to simplystreep.com for some of the pictures. 

Ramblings: DID SHE FIND OUT HE WAS GAY?

Hmmm. Wait. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? How did you know what I'm talking about when I actually haven't named anyone? Well, there must be something inexplicable going on- it's what you call grapevine. Hahahaha.

Musings: OST- Breaking Dawn Part 1 (Deluxe edition)

I have been hearing rave reviews about the original soundtrack of the last part of the Twilight saga- Breaking Dawn, well in this case, part 1. Admittedly, I haven't watched the movie yet. Why? Because a) I am not a fan b) I haven't read the book c) I haven't watched all of its film adaptations d) all of the above? Hmmm. You know right? ;]

Well, even if I'm not a fan, or like any of the things stated above, there's no denying that I crave for good music. So, I might as well check this one out. Track listing anyone? Here ya go!

So, you see pop kids like Bruno Mars and Christina Perri are also on the OST. Interesting! While we don't initially think that they'd be included in the roster of artist who would be included in this soundtrack, they obviously have the pulling attraction for their fan base to go and grab a copy, regardless if they worship this film or not. Turns out, both the fans and not-so fans, love their It Will Rain and A Thousand Years. These songs have the unmistakable, sentimental melodies and lyrics that are sure combos to win the heart of the Twilight fans and romantics out there- cheesy and catchy altogether.

Kevin Teasley's Eclipse (All Yours) is light music for the ears. Relaxing! Aqualung and Lucy Schwartz's Cold is haunting and the harmony/slash/blending lingers so as Imperial Mammoth's Requiem on Water. While some of the tracks are slow, the others were upbeat: Theophilus London's Neighbors, The Belle Brigades' I Didn't Mean It, Noisette's Sister Rosetta (2011 version) among others.

It makes you want to sit back, and lets your mind wander and drift into the fantasy - the vampiric love affair and bloody melodrama- that are only seen during Breaking Dawn.

P.S.

There were times when this reminds me of the Grey's Anatomy OSTs

Oh and I know, we absolutely dread the Edward on the cover!! Haha

Ramblings: Meryl does ala planking! ET AL

Calling all Mezbians! Let me know what you think of these pictures!

Well, you certainly want to figure out who THAT lucky woman is? Hmmm. And what is she doing with The Stroobs?? *squeals* IKR. We all want to be doing THIS! Haha.

Hmmm, aren't we just sheer jealous of these two great thespians displaying this kind of affection to the public? Ahhh! We wonder what they were talking about! 

Truly, a picture paints a thousand words! And look at Meryl and filmmaker Joel Coen here! Just what on earth was happening to have them in this state?!!

We all know that Meryl has been seen to use a Blackberry in the past. But wait, is this a Blackberry she's holding? I was told, that this could be an iPhone... Hmmmm. what do you think?

Is that... Oh noo, it can't be>>>> Meryl does planking?!!! 

Haha. For more details about this event, click here. 

iSight: EW 2012 Oscar predix

The Awards season is looming and Entertainment Weekly, in their latest issue, did feature the buzzing Oscar front runners! Pals George Clooney and Brad Pitt seem to be in a tight race for Best Actor in their performances in The Descendants and Moneyball, respectively. 

Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs

Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady

While Damages star Glenn Close and two-time Academy Award winner, Meryl Streep are said to be in a close fight for Best Actress in their portrayal as Albert Nobbs and Margaret Thatcher, respectively!

Hmmm! Can't wait for February 26. Oh you know why! :)

Credit goes to Simplystreep for the scan.

Ramblings: Ohhhh Pierce!

Yes? No, I'm not pulling a Miranda Priestly look. But yeah, looks like it.

Hello, do I even know your name? But I'm hoping all the same. This is more than just a simple hello...

Just a tad normal nocturnal creature trying to spend the night time away with yes, Pierce Brosnan who was hailed a few years ago as the Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine (wasn't that in 2001?) Well, this year, Bradley Cooper bagged the award, which of course, the Ryan Gosling fans didn't dare to recognize.

Well, what can I say about Pierce? Hmm.. The other day, my sister was trying to watch his flick with Julianne Moore- yep, Laws of Attraction. The other day I was fantasizing him and Meryl together in some Mamma Mia! reverie. Several weeks ago, we are reminded of how much we miss him as Mr. Bond because another James Bond movie without him as the suave spy has started filming. (damn, Daniel Craig! JK. Haha) And just last month, I Don't Know How She Does It was shown here. Sadly, I only got the chance to watch it a few days ago. I thought Pierce had once again showed off his charm (like that in Thomas Crown Affair) but hmm, disappointing to say, he and Sarah Jessica Parker, in the movie, didn't hook up the way we expected. Well, anyway, I'm sure, those who love Pierce terribly miss seeing his irresistible charm. Gotta admit ladies that you just want to be whisked away by this man...

I know right, Damn.... Ohhhh Pierce!!!
*face palm*

Ramblings: AMAs 2011

THE EARTH IS SQUARE!?!! OMFG!!

And so, although it's not as prestigious as the Grammy's or as hip as the MTV VMAs, at least we've got something to look farward to after the MTV Europe Music Awards, and yeah, before Thanksgiving Day! (And yes, we don't have that here...sooo...) So, ta-dah! American Music Awards, here ya go!

Well, to sum it up:

J.Lo did a a sort of Fiat commercial tie-up in her 'Papi' performance.

Katy Perry looked like she was literally 'spaced' out in some sort of Jetson outfit. (Yeah, The Jetsons from Cartoon Network)

Nicki Minaj got bodied with speakers on her butt.

And because they are feeling sexy, and they know it, LMFAO, together with David Hosselhoff, put a smiley on their face? on their underpants (!!!)

Well, here's the full list of winners.

Who said that the AMA would want to keep mum?

Musings: Malena (2000)

Malena, Italy (2000)
Cast: Monica Belluci, Giuseppe Sulfaro
Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore

Malena illustrates the society's stereotypical view or preconceived notion of a 'sinful, dirty' woman. But the movie does not necessarily prod us to judge but rather it asks us to understand and accept, and even ultimately forgive. Forgive, not only others, but also, ourselves.

Monica Belluci rarely speaks in the film, but we cannot ignore her great presence. We never really get to the core of Malena's thoughts but through what we see, we are invited to know, sympathize and empathize with this woman. Thanks to Belluci's delicate gestures and meaningful expressions. We can also relate with Renato, who is trapped in both the pains and pleasures of life.

Tornatore and Ennio Morricone, who lends a beautiful musical score in this film, once again (they worked together in Cinema Paradiso) touched our hearts with sentimentality and nostalgia, through Malena.

Ramblings: Fan girl mode

Okay. So today, I switched my fan girl mode on. Thanks to my friend who gave this - the Entertainment Weekly ish with three of the great dames on the cover- to me as a belated birthday gift. There you go, Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren and Judi Dench. Yep, it's pretty much outdated. So 2000 and late, says Fergie, but sorry, the elation pretty much arrived recently upon opening the present. I'd like to think I had my Meryl withdrawal phase up until last week before all the spazz lately regarding the release of the new Iron Lady Trailer and unveiling of its poster (which I can still hear Meryl telling Phyllida to "just yank it!!"), and the Vanessa Redgrave tribute, wherein the woman actually wore a freaking red dress and had a wardrobe malfunction.

Well, what can I say, it's never too late for a late birthday gift to make you happy...
and to turn you on...
- your fan girl mode, I mean. :)

P.S.
Welcome to Ramblings. Well, another category, I supposed. If ya don't want to read my sort of reviews in my Musings, well, here's another alternative. If ya don't want anything to read at all, well, there you go! Indulge! :))

Food Trip!: Cafe Provencal

Cafe Provencal
Shangri-La Plaza Mall
October 9, 2011

Ordered a Cafe Provencal pizza (with shrimps, pepperono, sausage, ham, mushroom, capers, olives, anchovies, garlic, tomatoes), worth P390.00 and Alfredo Chicken for P320.00. Sounds expensive, doesn't it? But I am sure it will all be worth it because it's they're tasty, sumptuous and delicious. Also, the place is serene. Really a great place to have a nice chat (even business meetings), because of the ambiance, the good service, accommodating crew and best of all, the yummy food.


p.s. 
Salamat sa nanlibre sa amin dito. I doubt if you can read this, but should you, there you go! Til next time. :) Haha!

Food Trip!: Iceberg

Iceberg
Metrowalk
September 16-17, 2011

YUM! Fish and Chips. Clubhouse Sandwich. And this huge Ice Cream fiesta! The place was jam-packed when we got there (well, may be because it was a Friday night). The service was a bit slow. The staff were really busy so they were not able to entertain our requests right away. But still... Good thing the food was delicious and this ice cream fiesta was a real treat for us. 

On another note, these are best shared with equally the best company you can get. So, kain na! (let's eat). Indulge!

iSight: The Hub

Note: 

with some musings about Mr. Ogie Alcasid. :))

Waiting for the cue @ Protege's The Hub in SM Mall of Asia Center Stage last October 23. With Mr. Ogie Alcasid and Ms. Aiza Seguerra. They were a fun to watch, with all the banters, etc. And what can I say about working with Kuya Ogie- he's really a professional. He's prepared, he knows what to do. He's easy to work with and even initiates some ways to improvise.  Talagang napapahanga ako sa kanya, not just because he's a talented musician, composer or actor, but eto talaga yung all-out performer/talent... (Magkano nga ba binayad sa akin dito? Haha. JK.)

Wanderlust: Pupil @ PP

Ely Buendia and his band Pupil performed '20/20' during the Club Party Pilipinas episode last October 23. There goes Ely, whom we all adore during his Eraserheards days. Apparently, the band's music is timeless. Eraserheads, I mean. :)

p.s.

Would have wanted to share what happened behind the scenes, but that's another story in itself. 

Food Trip!: Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme 

Trinoma

October 6, 2011

Indulged in a Kremey food treat for myself at Krispy Kreme Trinoma. Hmm, heaven is indeed a place on earth with the yummy New York Cheesecake and frothy Berry Frappe. Seriously, diet anyone? Haha!

Oh and what's more exciting is food tripping with Jessica Zafra and her thoughts at Twisted 3. :) Okay, next up: emotional weather report.

Musings: CMMA 2011

It was a bit too late when I found out that Party Pilipinas won the Best Entertaining Program award during the 2011 Catholic Mass Media Awards. Nevertheless, so happy for the team and for everyone involved. For all the hard work and fun times, Cheers to you who very well deserved this. :)

Food Trip!: Chef D'Angelo

Chef D' Angelo

Glorietta 5

October 14, 2011

If my memory does not fail me, this was their 9-inch Hawaiian pizza worth P290.00. Well, it was good. It wasn't that spectacular though. At the moment, I couldn't even imagine how it tasted like. If you're used to eating at Shakey's or Pizza Hut, you might be disappointed how your P290.00 can fare in Chef D'Angelo's pizza rates. It's really your choice, anyway. The resto is quite small. Wouldn't say the service was crappy but they made us wait for quite some time for this. 

Moving on...

Musings: Midnight in Paris (2011)

Midnight in Paris (USA), 2011
Directed by Woody Allen
Cast: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Carla Bruni, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody

Beguiling. Bewitching. Enthralling.

I went out of our movie room, with a smile (on my face) and a few thoughts in my head after watching Midnight in Paris. First, it made me love the City of Love all the more. And it had reinforced my desire to embrace literature further. It was a joy to watch Gil (Owen Wilson), a distracted screenwriter  who, one late night, treads in the bewildering streets of Paris to ponder about his writing job, when, at the stroke of midnight,  finds himself meeting literary greats such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, and acclaimed painter Pablo Picasso and his mistress Adriana (Marion Cotillard), to name a few. Alas, the witching hour begins!

Really, how fun would that be? That's like the wildest dream, which can ever come true for a writer trapped in his/her literary reverie! Which of course, makes this fantasy flick a sure comfort, (even to non-writers). It poses an enthralling question: how wild can your imagination be? Even then, it is slightly whimsical yet insightful. The twists and turns of the story can very well unfold a poetry in its own right: romanticising the musings of a daydreamer, putting life to nostalgia, sharing love across time difference.

Once again, Woody Allen let us into his beguiling realms of imagination and he surely knows how to cast his magic spell on us. And true enough, I was bathe in the refreshing magic only found in Midnight in Paris. 

Musings: Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (2011)

Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, Philippines (2011)
Directed by Alvin Yapan
Cast: Jean Garcia, Rocco Nacino, Paulo Avelino

A love triangle. Three characters, all entangled in a complicated yet beautiful web of dance, poetry and love.

To put it simply, Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa is a delight to watch. Its simple yet intricate attack on the subject of identity and homosexuality is refreshing. For one thing, it does not boasts to be an art film, nor does it claim to be a pink film. In fact, it does not need to claim anything at all, just watch it, and the answer is laid out to you but the challenge is to come up with the right one, as the story is fluidly juxtaposed with dance and poetry. You need to carefully pay attention to the details, the dialogues, the poetry, among others and then perhaps, gradually, you'll figure out both the physical and metaphorical meanings. (e.g. teardrop, sword, epic battle)

Rarely do we see a movie that is uplifted with subtlety.
Where each look, dance and word would entail a huge impact to its entirety.
Beautiful dialogues are carved out from poetry;
Amour, desire, pain and pleasure contained in a complicated sweet, euphonious melody.

--
What do you think? A picture paints a thousand words.

Musings: Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert (2011)

Phantom of the Opera: 25th Anniversary Concert, UK, (2011)
Directed by Harold Prince
Cast: Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo

Spectacular. Thrilling. Compelling.

It was one cathartic night. After seeing The Phantom 25th anniversary concert, and when I got out of the theater, I felt so alive. It's one of those inexplicable moments when certain things such as motion picture + music give you a certain high. Indeed, there was no drug needed; it was overwhelmingly uplifting.

I have to admit, I am not a child who grew up adoring musicals or stage plays to begin with. But you don't have to be accustomed to such things to enjoy and relish a feeling that's common among all of us- momentary bliss or euphoria, perhaps- when you've come across something as grandiose and lavish as this. The cast was enormous. The company listing on the show's official website cited that there were 138 cast members: 99 ensemble members, 20 dancers and 19 principles. The costumes and the props were vibrant, detailed and embellished with various adornments. The choreography was equally enthralling and eye-catching. Moreover, instead of using the customary set design of the stage play, gigantic LED monitors projected the appropriate backdrops to change the mood and to easily swap intended locations/settings.

Having LED is useful in stage productions. You can easily project anything in a touch of a finger or swiftly vary a mood in a just a blink of an eye. But unless it's 3d, the employment of actual props is unparalleled. Well, to give it a second thought, even if it's 3d, nothing beats decorating the stage with the actual materials. It gives you a more realistic, and true to its description, three-dimensional feel.

Apparently, I've also read that the Company had to adjust to some limitations because The Royal Albert Hall stage was small, especially if adorned with enormous and extravagant props intended for this production. Obviously, they managed this constraint well (e.g. use of LED, the strategic placement of gantry, orchestra, among others) They may even have used it to their advantage. But one thing disappointed the live audience - (and in the cinema, me too), the Chandelier scene! Obviously, it dangled above the audience but it did not fall down and crash, which was supposedly a highlight in the show.

Aside from the timeless musical masterpieces of Andrew Lloyd Webber that are showcased in Phantom, the real revelation are the actors. It's good to note that I'm not familiar with any of the members of the cast, so I may have probably pushed my biases aside, easier. But with that, I digress. Sierra Boggess as Christine is utterly mesmerizing. Oh those eyes! Those killer eyes and captivating voice. Usually, the beauty outshines the talent, that's what they say, but in here, Sierra exudes an enchanting vibe that treads the fine line of a mysterious charmer as well as childlike innocence. She's a wonderful thing to look at- ogle at (? anyone?) And even an endearing voice to listen to. Ramin Karimloo's Phantom is a joy to watch. One minute he's fierce and intense, the next he's fragile and vulnerable. It's that seemingly effortless way to switch masks and body language to exude a variety of emotions- all in one show, mind you- which differentiates a great actor from a good one. And Ramin may have probably been the former.

I had an epiphany about television/ taped-as-live productions while seeing this. It made me all the more appreciate the value of hard work, effort and practice as well as craftsmanship, teamwork and attentiveness during these times. When I was at school - in college specifically- it was more of a hearsay/ assumption kind of thing when it comes to the overview of television production. It's not that people were pretending to know or merely guessing about it, I guess everyone had a general idea of it but they never really got the chance to see it, and experience it for themselves. And 'presuming', 'imagining' and actually 'experiencing' are not exactly the same thing. Well, I guess, it has to do with the fact that you'll never really know until you get there.

Just like the Phantom.

You might have probably listened to his voice, heard what the company said about him, or read his story in the paper. Alas, you think you know, but actually, you have no idea.

It must have been the Angel of Music, after all.



Notes:
Great to watch the documentary part before the production proper.
Please do watch this in a 'surround-sound' method
Glad to have seen it in Trinoma.

Food Trip!: Sbarro

Sbarro, Glorietta 5

October 7, 2011

Great and sumptuous food paired with great and sumptuous company.

Had a Chicken Macaroni Salad and Lemonade. Very delicious indeed. I was thinking of a Caesar's salad, incorporated with a bunch of lettuce and a creamy dressing but instead, I pronounced macaroni and thus, Caesar was defeated! :))

They had: Chicago White and this 'red' Pasta... while my friend argued that I had the white one.

Nice ambiance but the place is small. Service was great. Crew were accommodating and attentive.

Musings: After Dark (2004)

After Dark, Japan (2004)
Author: Haruki Murakami

Eerie. Strange. Creepy. Gripping. Imaginative.

Undoubtedly, these are some of the best words to describe Haruki Murakami's 2004 novel, After Dark. 

I have to say that the book is a good read during the witching hour, or perhaps even better before the break of the day. As the night gets deeper and you get more engrossed reading this, you can apparently feel or imagine the eerie dream world ambiance that is fluidly and wonderfully described. True to his words, Murukami's novel will immerse you into "the secret entries into darkness in the interval between midnight and the time the sky grows light", a period when "no one can predict when or where such abysses will swallow people, or when or where they will split them out."

What's exciting to note about After Dark is that it effortlessly juxtaposes reality and fantasy altogether; one moment there's a vivid landscape of the real world and then in a sudden twist of exposition, you will be introduced into far uncertain alternative cosmos. And that's fluidly done, which is one thing I really appreciate when I read written works that has a surrealism theme/ touch. Murukami's writing has a sly way of sucking us into the black hole, hence, transporting us into another galaxy- the world After Dark.


Just when we think that we've already been consumed by and into the world of make-believe, Murakami would shift the gear and wickedly drive our train of thought to make us realize that indeed, reality may even be stranger than fiction. And that's a really big imaginative tease which is better experienced After Dark!