PINOCCHIO (2022) movie review

Disney's live adaptation of the 1940 classic Pinocchio still wins hearts and teaches a great lesson of love, bravery, honesty, selflessness. This new take on the living puppet justifies some of the important elements that we may have missed or forgotten in the animated version.

Starting off with Jiminy Cricket (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) coming into Geppetto's home as a homeless insect and witnessed how the puppeteer created and named the wooden art before it was given life by a heartfelt wish. We can sense that Geppetto (Tom Hanks) lost his only son and his coping mechanism is creating Pinocchio. There are also lots of clocks in his home and he says that his wife loves all his creations. There might have been unfortunate things that happened to his wife and he kept his senses straight by keeping busy.

The 2022 version has many noticeable differences from the older animation. When Pinocchio joined the Stromboli puppet show, meeting a fellow marionette, getting into Pleasure Island, and when he saved his father from a giant sea monster, Robert Zemeckis' version deliberately put more magic for everyone who will watch it.

Pinocchio is now streaming on Disney+.

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PINOCCHIO trailer features Tom Hanks as Geppetto

"Star light, star bright

First star I see tonight

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight"

It's truly magical to hear again these words from Geppetto in Disney's timeless classic Pinocchio, which gets its live adaptation based on Disney's animated film. Geppetto is played by no other than Tom Hanks, a crafty man dreaming of becoming a father for his puppet he named Pinocchio.

Tom Hanks as Geppetto

We also get to hear When You Wish Upon A Star, Disney's OBB in every film that it makes, making the entrance for our Blue Fairy, played by Cynthia Erivo and a glimpse of Jiminy Cricket. The short trailer  afterwards shows different moments in Pinocchio's adventure. See the trailer below.

Cynthia Erivo as The Blue Fairy

Luke Evans as Coachman

Jiminy Cricket (voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

Pinocchio is directed by Robert Zemeckis, also featuring Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan Michael-Key, and Luke Evans. Coming only to Disney+, which everyone in the Philippines wishes to arrive, on September 8.

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST movie review

More than 25 years since we experienced the magic of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. And the live adaptation featuring Emma Watson (Belle), Dan Stevens (Beast / Prince), Kevin Kline (Maurice), Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gad (Le Fou) and more will not disappoint when it comes to theaters starting today. It was still as magical and the musical experience it presented more than 2 decades ago will have you inspired and bring back the memories of childhood and love.

Prepare for a grandiose production. Beginning with the provincial life to the Beast's castle, the set detailing is amazing. The castle, accentuated with gargoyles, leaves and coils present the luxurious life of the Beast Prince. Even the provincial life where Belle is, gives a relaxing feeling of the countryside but a rude and nosy neighborhood lies in secret despite the peaceful atmosphere.

The theme Ballroom scene is definitely more magical. Equally grand with "Be Our Guest".

The Ballroom

It will be the delight to hear the songs "How Can a Moment Last Forever" by Maurice, "Evermore" by the Beast, "Days in the Sun" by the young Prince, which are all well-sung and heartfelt by the artists. Emma Watson's keys were a bit lower than the previous versions that we know of.

I think Emma Watson is bit underacting the role. Just my opinion on the grand "Be Our Guest" performance of the dining ensembles. She's okay for the role of Belle had she given more feelings on many parts of the movie. Luke Evans is great! Playing the conceited Gaston and makes him a good villain. Even the animated objects are more felt than the lead role of Belle. But all in all, I still have to commend on the great production effort made on this.

On the gay issue of the role of Le Fou (Josh Gad), I think it doesn't really tackle on his issues and attraction to Gaston. It just gives a comic relief on his role other than being a sidekick of the latter.

Beauty and the Beast is best experience on IMAX 3D.

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Check out Beauty and the Beast character posters

Fresh off the press are Disney's Beauty and the Beast character posters. I am really excited when March comes as this is one of the movies I am really waiting for.

Here's Belle (Emma Watson) and the Beast (Dan Stevens)
Here are the other cast of the magical musical:


Relive the magic of this timeless tale with a new song from Celine Dion entitled "How Does a Moment Last Forever" and the new rendition of theme song by Ariana Grande and John Legend. Here it from the video below:

Beauty and the Beast opens March 15, 2017 and the first of seven films of Walt Disney Pictures. And will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International. Like it on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow on Twitter, @disney_phil; and on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #BeOurGuestPH.

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Teaser of Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Just tell me that you loved it. My sleepiness went off as I saw Disney's live action teaser for Beauty and the Beast featuring Emma Watson as Belle.

Watch the teaser trailer below:

We also got a glimpse of the Beast's Castle and heard Lumiere and Cogsworth in the background.

Beauty and the Beast also features Ewan McGregor (Lumiere), Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gad (Le Fou), Kevin Kline (Maurice), Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts), Stanley Tucci (Cadenza - a new character to be introduced in this movie), and Dan Stevens as the Beast.

Directed by Bill Condon, Beauty and the Beast comes to theaters on March 17, 2017.

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Announcing the cast of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST live action

With the great news that Emma Watson will be playing Belle in this great fairy tale, Disney also gives away some of the cast that will play the characters of Gaston, Mrs. Potts, Maurice and the Prince himself.

Emma Watson as Belle

Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts

Kevin Kline as Maurice

Luke Evans as Gaston

Dan Stevens as Beast/The Prince

Bill Condon directs the film with musical scoring by Al Menken, who also did for the 1991 blockbuster animated film. New original songs will be added to the film to be featured alongside new arrangement of the music we all loved like Be Our Guest, Beauty and the Beast and more. The film is set for release on March 17 2017 in theaters worldwide, from Walt Disney Pictures. Distributed in the Philippines thru Columbia Pictures Philippines.

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