The magical family of Encanto

December opens a lot of magic and the land of Encanto has it all. Disney introduces the magical Madrigal family and their abilities. Hailing from Colombia, Mirabel and her family are in for a magical adventure.

The matriarch Abuela knows all of the magic and the history of their casita. The big sister, Luisa is super strong, and the little boy Antonio has the ability to speak to animals. Pretty Isabela can grow flowers to beautify their place and Pepa knows how to control the weather.

 

Mirabel's mother Julieta can heal with food, Dolores can hear everything (which is a good ability to eavesdrop), and Camilo can transform into anything with his shapeshifting power.

Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo and more lend their voice to bring these characters to life with songs created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Encanto will soon be in theaters, distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

And there's another member of the family. He is Bruno, but I cannot talk about him yet here. Just watch it in theaters. ;)

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N is for Netflix and November

Download Netflix now and subscribe as you don't want to miss these films and series this November.

Headlining next month's line up is the original and exclusive Red Notice starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds teaming up for a manhunt to find the world's most wanted thief (Gal Gadot). The movie premiers on Netflix starting November 12.

Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson (Tick, Tick.. BOOM!)

Meanwhile, have another musical dose from the directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda in Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick... BOOM! starring Andrew Garfield playing the late composer as he navigates on the struggles in life while dreaming to write what he thinks as the next greatest American musical. Witness the story on November 19.

Vanessa Hudgens comes in three in the Christmas rom-com fairytale The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star. Taking on 3 delightful roles with Remy Hii, Nick Sagar and Sam Palladio. The search for a Christmas relic begins November 18.

Season sequels of Narcos: Mexico, The Good Doctor and Keeping Up with the Kardashians are also up this November for you to follow your favorite series. Watch the full offering trailer below.

Visit this album and see the full list of movies and series to watch on Netflix this November.

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Watch the trailer of Jonathan Larson's tick, tick.. BOOM! coming to Netflix

In a community ravaged by the AIDS epidemic, a young artist writes what he thinks is the next great American musical. tick, tick... BOOM! follows the story of Jonathan Larson, played by Oscar-nominee and Tony award-winner Andrew Garfield, who waits tables in a diner during the 1990s and composes songs. The acclaimed musical is now made into a movie, produced and directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and coming to Netflix on November 19 and select theaters.

Jonathan Larson also revolutionized theater with his hit rock musical R.E.N.T. and this autobiographical musical shows the struggles of a young artist and feeling the pressure of people around him - from his girlfriend Susan, who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York City; and from his friend Michael, who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security. Watch the full trailer below.

 

tick, tick…BOOM! stars Academy Award nominee & Tony Award winner Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Tony Award nominee Robin de Jesús, Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry, Emmy Award nominee Mj Rodriguez, Emmy Award winner Bradley Whitford, Tariq Trotter aka Black Thought of The Roots, with Emmy and Tony Award winner Judith Light, and Vanessa Hudgens. The film is written by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson and produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard for Imagine Entertainment, Julie Oh, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Andrew Garfield and Lin-Manuel Miranda

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An adventure in pursuit of long lost love in Vivo

Check out the amazing trailer of Lin-Manuel Miranda's next animation movie, Vivo, that's coming to Netflix this August 6.

Vivo is a kinkajou or "honey bear" who embarks on a journey to deliver his owner Andres' song professing love to his long lost love Marta. With the help of Gabi - an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum.

Lin-Manuel Miranda leads the voice cast as Vivo, with Zoe Saldaña (Rosa), Juan de Marcos (Andrés), Brian Tyree Henry (Dancarino), Michael Rooker (Lutador), Nicole Byer (Valentina), introducing Ynairaly Simo (Gabi), and Gloria Estefan (Marta). Directed by Kirk DeMicco and written by Kirk DeMicco, and Quiara Alegría Hudes based on the story by Peter Barsocchini and Quiara Alegría Hudes.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda voices a kinkajou in Netflix's Vivo

Lin-Manuel Miranda must be very busy with all the projects this year. From the successes of Hamilton, Mary Poppins Returns, In The Heights, and the upcoming Encanto and Tick, Tick.. Boom!, his soonest film is with Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation this August.

The Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer-award winner voices a kinkajou aka honey bear in Vivo where he voices the titular role. The musical animated film features the songs of Lin-Manuel. Hear a snippet of a song in the background of the release announcement below.

This Netflix film Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear,” voiced by Miranda), who spends his days playing music to the crowds in a lively square with his beloved owner Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan de Marcos). Though they may not speak the same language, Vivo and Andrés are the perfect duo through their common love of music. But when tragedy strikes shortly after Andrés receives a letter from the famous Marta Sandoval (three-time Grammy-winning Latin pop legend Gloria Estefan), inviting her old partner to her farewell concert with the hope of reconnecting, it’s up to Vivo to deliver a message that Andrés never could: A love letter to Marta, written long ago, in the form of a song. Yet in order to get to Marta, who lives a world apart, Vivo will need the help of Gabi (newcomer Ynairaly Simo) – an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum to fulfill his owner’s wishes.

Also featuring the voices of Zoe Saldaña (Guardians of the Galaxy) as Gabi’s mother, Rosa; Michael Rooker as a villainous Everglades python, Lutador; Brian Tyree Henry and Nicole Byer as a pair of star-crossed spoonbills; and Katie Lowes, Olivia Trujillo, and Lidya Jewett as a trio of well-meaning but overzealous scout troops, VIVO is an exhilarating story about gathering your courage, finding family in unlikely friends, and the belief that music can open you to new worlds.

The film is directed by Oscar nominee Kirk DeMicco (The Croods), co-directed by Brandon Jeffords (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2), written by Quiara Alegria Hudes (In the Heights), produced by Lisa Stewart (Monsters vs. Aliens), Michelle Wong (Hotel Transylvania 2) and Oscar winner Rich Moore (Zootopia), with visual consultation by Oscar winning cinematographer Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049). Serving as the film’s composer and executive music producer is Tony and Grammy award-winner Alex Lacamoire (The Greatest Showman), and the film is executive produced by Miranda, Golden Globe winner Laurence Mark (Dreamgirls), and Louis Koo Tin Lok (The Mitchells vs. The Machines).

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Welcome to Casa Madrigal!

We have been missing a lot of family gatherings but Disney gives us a new family film added with a magical twist.

Welcome to Casa Madrigal. A hidden place in Colombia's forests is also the center of this year's Encanto -- an animated musical film that focuses on a family whose members are gifted with a unique ability except for one, Mirabel. The trailer shows us how their family and environment are very special, watch it below.

Casa Madrigal

While Mirabel's siblings have different gifts like super strength, shapeshifting, talking to animals, or nurturing the nature where they live, she considers herself as special as them.

Would Mirabel's family accept her as she is, or will she be able to discover her hidden power? What is her unknown purpose? Let's all discover this November in theaters.

Mirabel Madrigal voiced by Stephanie Beatriz

Encanto also features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, written by Jared Bush, screenplay by Charise Castro Smith. Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Charise Castro Smith.

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Open a new world in Disney's Encanto

Disney has released a teaser poster for its newest animated film "Encanto" which will be in theaters this November.

The poster features a door with engravings of a candle that seems like a portal to a new world. A candle on the lower part seems like it's the key to the magical world when lit. We also get to see a few animals, a toucan, a capybara, and a parrot which may have special roles in this movie. A few picture frames hang on the wall, which might be telling us about the family who possesses magical powers.

Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, and charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. Encanto will be the first animated movie of the Colombian culture and it said to be a musical featuring Latin American beats.

Stephanie Beatriz voices the lead character in the movie. Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith. And written by Jared Bush, screenplay by Charise Castro Smith and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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MOVIE REVIEW - Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS

Jon M. Chu and Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights came more than just a movie adaptation of the theater musical of the same title but it elevated the excitement, emotions and the lessons that it teaches. Jon M. Chu's vision has given us the better understanding by providing a wider perspective of the community of Washington Heights, aside from its vibrant and diverse neighborhood, each story of the resident were dug deeper to touch your sense and sensibilities.

Knowing the festive music and glorious choreography that is a mixture of hip hop, salsa, mambo and any dance and tune you can think of, you'll get more. Movie magic was materialized that made it look exciting. It will really get you up on your feet. Start with the streets, the pool and especially in that bar scene before the blackout. They really got a powerful ensembles to execute this well and everybody did well. I'm glad that I've seen this as it has given me a better understanding of the musical I saw years ago. The songs are in fact moving and you can feel the cast's emotions through their amazing acting. Actors were well cast they did great. Kudos to Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Gregory Diaz IV, Olga Merediz, the salon girls and everyone.

Let us not forget about the close ties between neighbors. Hope you'll think -- When is the last time you actually talked to a neighbor? What made them special? In The Heights reminds us that people around us may have the same hopes for us, can move mountains for us, can protect us, if we share the same values.

You have to watch the whole movie until the end credits. You'll get something very special from Piraguero Lin-Manuel Miranda in the end for his sweet clap back. ;)

In The Heights is now showing in theaters and streaming via HBO Max. 

* Images via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Behind-the-scenes of Jon M. Chu and Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights

Take a peek behind the scenes of Jon M. Chu and Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights, showing TOMORROW in theaters in the US and via HBO Max!

Director JON M. CHU and concept/music & lyrics/producer LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA on the set

MELISSA BARRERA, DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA and director JON M. CHU on the set

Director JON M. CHU, concept/music & lyrics/producer LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
and ANTHONY RAMOS on the set

MELISSA BARRERA (background l), LESLIE GRACE, writer/producer QUIARA ALEGRÍA HUDES and DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA on the set

Director JON M. CHU and choreographer CHRISTOPHER SCOTT on the set

Choreographer CHRISTOPHER SCOTT (center) on the set

Behind the scenes of the pool dance sequence

Director of photography ALICE BROOKS on the set

In The Heights tells the story of Usnavi, one of the residents of Washington Heights, where there is a kaleidoscope and vibrance of hopes and dreams in the tight-knit community -- and where he does his daily grind while he sings about his homes and dreams.

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Jon Chu and Lin-Manuel Miranda team up for IN THE HEIGHTS

Crazy Rich Asians director Jon Chu and the artistic talent of Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton) join in the movie adaptation of a Broadway musical coming this summer of 2021.

In The Heights, featuring a bodega owner who has mixed feelings of closing his store and retiring to the Dominican Republic after inheriting his grandmother's fortune will be a story of making small dreams big. Shot in New York City where there is a kaleidoscope of stories and dreams makes this movie event a universal experience.

The movie stars Anthony Ramos (“A Star is Born,” Broadway’s “Hamilton”), Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton,” “BlacKkKlansman”), singer/songwriter Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera (TV’s “Vida”), Olga Merediz (Broadway’s “In the Heights”), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Broadway’s “Rent”), Gregory Diaz IV (Broadway’s “Matilda the Musical”), Stephanie Beatriz (TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Dascha Polanco (TV’s “Orange is the New Black”) and Jimmy Smits (the “Star Wars” films). 

Chu directed the film from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes, based on the musical stage play, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and concept by Miranda. Miranda, Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman and Mara Jacobs produced the film, with David Nicksay and Kevin McCormick serving as executive producers.

Watch the latest trailer below.    

In The Heights opens in theaters June 18, 2021 and can also be streamed on HBO Max.

 

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MARY POPPINS RETURNS movie review

My heart smiles as well upon seeing Mary Poppins Returns now showing in cinemas. The nostalgic film that features Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda gives a nostalgic feeling of the old Mary Poppins movie that marries animation and live-action in a single screen that inspires the young and the young at heart to believe to the impossible and enhance their imagination.

Mary Poppins Returns continues the story of the Banks children and Jack who are all adults now and with a new conflict as they were about to lose their home to a Wolf (Colin Firth). Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.

It was a wonderful cinematic and theatrical experience dance sequences that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy and new songs that you can sing to your children to keep the glow into their faces. It is also feel a good reunion movie for Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada and now they're both singing and dancing. Julie Walters, though not sharing a scene with Meryl Streep, for Mamma Mia! for another musical memory. Emily Blunt proves again her versatility as an actress in doing this movie and it's funny that you'll forget A Quiet Place where she doesn't even say a thing, and now she lets it all out with the singing and dancing.

Thank you to Disney Ph and Vista Cinemas for letting us into this magical experience in their VIP cinemas.

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