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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Hearts full with Al Gatmaitan's In My Heart concert

Make time to listen to classical and modernized operatic music genre in Al Gatmaitan's In My Heart concert happening until tonight at Arts Above (Artists' Playground) in West Avenue in Quezon City. This limited concert is guaranteed a must-see.

Al Gatmaitan delivers a love story through songs which are close to his heart and sending the love to you, his audience. Arts Above has the perfect space to deliver his story. The acoustics and the intimacy of the place played a vital role in helping us feel and understand the story as we appreciate Al's great vocal talent.

Singing a variety of songs in English, Italian, Filipino and even Latino felt like Al is talking to you as close as a friend. As this concert is entitled "In My Heart", the repertoire is purely heartfelt. It started with the emotions coming from a child, as he grows up, having fun with friends, being a lover, a child, and more. Special mention to his duets with Banaue Miclat-Janssen Dulce Estranjera and Sheila Francisco. Al's operatic singing added more depth especially my favorite part, Sound of Silence, which has the best arrangement and delivery I've seen and heard so far. For that, he deserves a standing ovation. I would very much agree if he/she thinks that Al Gatmaitan may be our own Josh Groban or Luciano Pavarotti. He can sing from classical to modern songs giving it a twist of operatic arrangement. In fact, Sound of Silence is kind of rock. I look forward to the day that Al is making it big in the music scene, all of us filling arenas that cheer for him. Congratulations as well to Musical Director Jesse Lucas and Director Roeder Camanag for making this possible even at a limited time.


For tickets, you may contact: ticketworld.com.ph / 891-9999 or call KIM at 09759193179.

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Tanghalang Ateneo's JANUS SILANG 2 gives old-school theater magic

Janus Silang is an award-winning novel by Edgar Calabia-Samar adapted to theater by Tanghalang Ateneo, with direction of Guelan Varela-Luarca for the book 2 - Ang Labanang Manananggal at Mambabarang. This production is in-line with their season theme Performing Change. Janus Silang 2 plays at the Black Box Theater in the Fine Arts Annex Bldg in Ateneo De Manila University.

I like how they connected Ang Labanan... with a recap of the first book for the benefit of those who were not able to see it last year. And in this performance, experience old-school theater magic and immerse yourself in the magical world of elementals without much of the technology. The set will take you to different worlds and well utilized the small venue. It is a very different experience when you let yourself be in the story as the actors well portray relatable characters starting from Janus to the creatures.

Got myself very curious how they will they project certain manananggal things like putting its tongue out that turned out very amazing on how they did it. In this piece, the manananggal is different from what we knew as scary beast-like creature that feeds on children when the moon is full. Instead, it is in reverse with white, flawless creature as portrayed by Jenny Jamora. By the way, TA is exploring on inviting more professional theater actors in next productions that you should watch out.

Delphine Buencamino choreos and I remember Orosman at Zafira from DUP during the war scene and it never fails to draw passion and strength. It is always bloody great to see that kind of dance.

As the story involves technology, don't expect projections. It makes your imagination fly without computerized imagery that can only destroy the creativity of the team. But it has worked nicely for the team and the audience.

Si Janus Silang at ang Labanang Manananggal-Mambabarang playdates are September 20-23, 26-30, October 3-7, 10-14, and 17-21. Performances start at 7:30PM while Saturday matinee shows start at 2:30PM. For questions and additional details about the show, please contact Nichole Valdes at 09175906451.

Connect with Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo

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Watch the Maze Runner: The Death Cure teaser trailer

20th Century Fox won't let us wait for the finale of the Maze Runner saga as it releases its teaser trailer for The Death Cure.

Contrary to first rumors that the international release will be delayed because of an accident, Dylan O'Brien is back as young hero, Thomas, as he embarks on a mission to find a cure to the deadly disease known as "Flare."
Directed by Wes Ball, Maze Runner: The Death Cure also brings back Kaya Scodelario as Teresa, Walton Goggins as Lawrence and more.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure opens in theaters, and in IMAX, January 2018.

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Animal Mayhem in Peter Rabbit first trailer

Be ready to cuddle extreme fluffiness as Columbia Pictures has launches the first official trailer of Peter Rabbit, the new live-action/CG motion picture based on the internationally beloved series of books written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter.

Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers, now takes on the starring role of his own irreverent, contemporary comedy with attitude. In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor (Domnhall Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as they rival for the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Rose Byrne). James Corden voices the character of Peter with playful spirit and wild charm, with Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley performing the voice roles of the triplets, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail. Watch the trailer below:

The film is directed by Will Gluck from a screenplay by Rob Lieber.

Peter Rabbit is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

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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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ICYMI: Tomb Raider FULL TRAILER with Alicia Vikander

Check out the first trailer of Tomb Raider featuring Oscar winner, Alicia Vikander and directed by Roar Uthaug. Tomb Raider opens in the Philippines March 2018.
In the film, Lara Croft is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished when she was scarcely a teen. Now a young woman of 21 without any real focus or purpose, Lara navigates the chaotic streets of trendy East London as a bike courier, barely making the rent, and takes college courses, rarely making it to class. Determined to forge her own path, she refuses to take the reins of her father’s global empire just as staunchly as she rejects the idea that he’s truly gone. Advised to face the facts and move forward after seven years without him, even Lara can’t understand what drives her to finally solve the puzzle of his mysterious death.

Going explicitly against his final wishes, she leaves everything she knows behind in search of her dad’s last-known destination: a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. But her mission will not be an easy one; just reaching the island will be extremely treacherous. Suddenly, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Lara, who—against the odds and armed with only her sharp mind, blind faith and inherently stubborn spirit—must learn to push herself beyond her limits as she journeys into the unknown. If she survives this perilous adventure, it could be the making of her, earning her the name Tomb Raider.

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