MOVIE REVIEW - TOM AND JERRY (2021)

The long-time cat and mouse battle gets their first live action movie with the same title, Tom and Jerry. Joined by Chloe Grace Moretz, Michael Pena, Ken Jeong, Jordan Bolger, Pallavi Sharta, Colin Jost, Patsy Ferran and Rob Delaney. Tom and Jerry is now streaming via HBO GO.

As they get on the New York city life for the first time, Tom and Jerry continues their battle for ages to survive. They encounter the Royal Gate Hotel where Kayla (Moretz) applies as a temporary event coordinator after tricking a more qualified applicant. The said event was a high-profile wedding of Preeta (Sharta) and Ben (Jost) and it has to be ensured that nothing bad will happen. But when there's a cat and mouse situation, you bet that something bad will definitely happen.

Tom and Jerry

Chloe Grace Moretz and Michael Pena

Tom and Jerry is still a good family cartoon and did not miss their usual funny antics. You might have missed their violent attacks that kids will surely laugh about it but remind them to not do them at home. Glad that there's no actual animal casting here because they're all animated. From dogs, to cats, to mouse, to pigeons and even elephants. Combining all of them, even if Tom and Jerry does not speak, if they're there, there is definitely a disaster. They also used some references too like the one below from Batman. There's one from the Matrix and more.

Directed by Tim Story, based on the characters of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

* Images via Warner Bros. Pictures

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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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Andrew Garfield is Jonathan Larson in Netflix's tick, tick... BOOM!

 Andrew Garfield is a hopeful musician and playwright in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical "tick, tick... BOOM!" Aside from being a great wonderful adaptation relevant to our time, it is also the first directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda!

Tick, tick... BOOM! follows the autobiography of Jonathan Larson,  a young theater composer who’s waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. Days before he’s due to showcase his work in a make-or-break performance, Jon is feeling the pressure from everywhere: from his girlfriend Susan (Alexandra Shipp), who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York City; from his friend Michael (Robin de Jesús), who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security; amidst an artistic community being ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have?”

Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson

The musical is also performed by Jonathan Larson as a solo work in 1990, before it was revamped into a 2001 Off-Broadway musical by playwright David Auburn following Larson’s tragic death. “Rent” opened on Broadway in the meantime, making the late Larson a musical theater phenomenon. Watch the trailer below:

Tick, tick... BOOM comes to theaters this fall and on Netflix in memoriam of Jonathan Larson's 25th death anniversary.

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