Showing posts with label judi dench. Show all posts
Showing posts with label judi dench. Show all posts

January 10, 2020

CATS the Movie (2019) review

CATS the movie (2019) would be getting a lot of bad reviews right now but to be fair with Tom Hooper and the ensembles and crew that made this musical movie to the big screen, I think it is not so bad. In fact, for a musical that has been very mysterious to me even if I watched it in theater, the movie is a good help to understand its plot. For those who are looking for a storyline behind this celebrated Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, the feline treat is yours to love or hate.
Taylor Swift as Bombalurina in CATS
For the set design, this one offered more to visualize what's going on, from the dumps to the human jungle as where a cat would dwell. An affordable treat for everyone who can't see it in live theater.
Cats is an imperfect movie and there are lots of changes that was lifted from the musical to give a different Cats experience. Non-fans and first-timers may not fully understand it with their complex and uber poetic names that's why "The Naming of Cats" was sung. Let's wait if there's a sing-along version. 😉
The ensemble is no question very talented and the body flexibility is very noticeable. Especially Francesca Hayward whose ballet dancing skills were amazing. You'll have fun with the dance spectacle until the Jellicle Ball.
Francesca Hayward as Victoria in CATS
While Cats features James Corden (Bustopher Jones) and Rebel Wilson (Jennyanydots), their roles were almost forgettable and you can just move fast for the next number. But then Jason Derulo as Rum Tug Tugger was eating his words for the song. They changed Old Deuteronomy! Judi Dench gave the matriarchal appeal for Old Deut but try to research on a certain "back story" and what it implies, you'll begin to ask Tom Hooper a big "WHY?"

Costumes are okay but I hoped that they had completely taken advantage of the CGI time and listened to the critics when their trailer first appeared. Fingers and fingers everywhere when you could have expected furry paws. They missed the noses. The Jellicle Moon appears and the cats tails were like something that a kid should not see. Then Idris Elba's Macavity especially when he strips his coat (was he wearing another cat's fur?) leaves me out of words to say. Sometimes I can see seams from their costumes which could have been avoided. 😩

Jennifer Hudson's Grizabella and Memory were ok but I think went too much over the top. They didn't even gave her a tissue for wiping but I really felt her. There are some awkward shots that makes her head a little smaller.
Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella in CATS
I guess that Cats deserves our opinions but I suggest that you do your research first or watch the clips from YT. Now showing in theaters and bring your family to the Jellicle Ball.

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October 4, 2017

MOVIE REVIEW - Victoria & Abdul

When we hear a lot of good things about the Victorian era, we have been told about how great the United Kingdom under Queen Victoria's reign. The advancement of science and industries occur during that time. But until the discovery of a diary that linked Her Majesty to the controversial relationship with an Indian servant Abdul Karim, we learn that behind all the successes of the era, the persona of Queen Victoria is sad. It is even more sad that we learn about how this was erased in history to serve the successor.


Judi Dench and Al Faizal star as Victoria & Abdul, the world's most unlikely friendship between a monarch and a servant whom the Queen found favor during her reign. The imagery is clear for a humble servant to experience prejudice and discrimination by the own members of the Queen's household when he just opened up his culture to the person who rules it.

Judi Dench reprising the role of England's Queen is still as regal in her portrayal in Shakespeare in Love. Could we have proper accounts about Abdul Karim played by Ali Fazal, we could have a better or more realistic portrayal of the Munshi. He acted childish in front of the Queen that justifies breaking the royal protocols. But as we knew about the story, he brought joy back to Her Majesty's face.



We can sense that the next monarch in Victoria & Abdul lead a dark time to their empires but that is in another discussion for history. I love to follow monarch stories on Netflix and they really interest and fascinate me. Are you watching The Royals documentaries and The Crown? By the way, The Crown is releasing Season 2 on November, if I'm not mistaken.

Victoria & Abdul is now showing in Ayala Malls Cinemas, Trinoma, Glorietta 4 and Alabang Town Center.

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September 25, 2017

VICTORIA & ABDUL to open in Ayala Malls Cinemas



Dame Judi Dench reprises her role as Queen Victoria and reunites with Academy Award-nominated director Stephen Frears (The Queen) in the royalty drama Victoria & Abdul which will be in Ayala Malls Cinemas starting October 4th. I am really excited about this as I've been watching royalty dramas and documentaries on Netflix like The Royals and The Crown.
This is a very interesting story about Queen Victoria and an advisor-turned-friend and also a very unlikely ally named Abdul whom the Queen finds favor as her teacher, her spiritual advisor, and her devoted friend. Victoria & Abdul humorously explores questions of race, religion, power, and the farce of Empire through the prism of a highly unusual and deeply moving friendship. Watch the magical trailer below.
The film also stars Eddie Izzard, Adeel Akhtar, Tim Pigott-Smith, Olivia Williams, Fenella Woolgar, Paul Higgins, Robin Soans, Julian Wadham, Simon Callow, and Michael Gambon.

Victoria & Abdul is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

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