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.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN movie review

Edward Norton writes, directs and acts as a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend in 1950s New York.

At least they started with introducing the Tourette's Syndrome and you'll get used to it on the story development. There are two sides of how people treated him and luckily he had better persons around. The 2-hour movie didn't even bore us as there are very interesting developments and Lionel Essrog (Norton) would keep us awake with some funny Tourette's Syndrom attacks. Don't fight me but I really find hiccups inserts hilarious. Norton's performance is commendable.

The political climate for the movie contains community displacement for the benefits of capitalists and subliminally hits many of us who are blinded with so called "progress."

Motherless Brooklyn also features Alec Baldwin, Bruce Willis, Willem Dafoe, Bobby Cannavale, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Opens on December 11 and will be exclusively shown in Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL movie review

We're going back to the video game after 2 years in Jumanji: The Next Level. It's a next level of adventure, comedy and friendship that has greatly improved from the 2017 movie.

Bringing back Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan as avatars of the teenagers who found the wicked jungle video game, they are off to a new quest that absorbed Spencer (Alex Wolff). New quest to restore Jumanji's world balance that is threatened by a tyrant leader. Not knowing that the game also captured two, seniors Eddie (Danny Devito) and Milo (Danny Glover), who had a long time grudge.

Danny Glover and Danny Devito as Milo and Eddie for Jumanji: The Next Level

Nick Jonas, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Awkwafina and Kevin Hart
for Jumanji: The Next Level

The game is more intense and the characters discover new skills (and new powerful avatars) that weren't there in the jungle. There's even a new feature that added to the comedic factor of the game that will have you laughing harder than the first one.

JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL is now showing in cinemas, distributed by Columbia Pictures PH.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON - movie review

This is the first time that I saw a Shaun the Sheep production and I can recommend it for you to watch it with your kids. It's 97% FRESH on Rotten Tomatoes so you'll have fun watching it.

Farmageddon has a familiar plot but I won't spoil it for you to watch with your kids. Also, the alien is so cute that I wish it could have a merchandise available.

I admire the clay-animation that the producers gave a lot of effort to. I really had no idea that this was close to a Mr. Bean show which has very minimal dialogues but the effects and visuals are fit for your kids to enjoy. The soundtrack also rocks and don't miss an mid-credits scene.

A Shawn the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is showing on December 4, from Cartoon Network.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

THE GOOD LIAR movie review

What started from a good relationship turns out to be a well-crafted swindling act in The Good Liar. Two amazing actors, Ian McKellen plays as Roy Courtnay and Helen Mirren as Betty McLeish begin as two lovable characters and their true selves reveal as the story unfolds.

Both started to be very lovable but when Roy shifts as a conman dealing with millions of money, you'll hate him very much and feel bad about Betty. His antics are very well planned and he can get away with it flawlessly.

Ian McKellen as Roy Courtnay

Meanwhile Helen Mirren gets to have your affection effectively and she'll draw you to be concerned of her character, Betty.

Helen Mirren as Betty McLeish

As the story goes along, the scenes are becoming predictable but exciting with hidden twists. You cannot really much distinguish which character is telling the truth as the title suggests. A good eye and playful mind will applaud this wonderfully written screenplay about truth and deception.

The Good Liar is now showing in the Philippines, distributed by Warner Bros. Philippines.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

LAST CHRISTMAS movie review

Written by Emma Thompson and directed by Paul Feig, Last Christmas gives a positive vibe on George Michael's song with the same title featuring Emilia Clarke (Kate) and Henry Golding (Tom).

After a series of unfortunate events in Kate's life working as an elf in a Christmas store, Kate meets Tom that gives a turn on events that seems too good to be true. I think a lot of people did not notice "Tom and Kate" tandem in this one but well-played, Emma.

Henry Golding (Tom) and Emilia Clarke (Kate) in Last Christmas

Aside from the songs of George Michael, you would not expect the twist that really has a "heart" in it. Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding are okay but you'll love Michelle Yeoh and Emma Thompson more. Especially when you see Michelle Yeoh play a different character from the serious ones she had in Crouching Tiger and Crazy Rich Asian. (This makes a reunion for Henry Golding and Michelle Yeoh from the successful CRA movie)

Michelle Yeoh

Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke

For George Michael fans, you'll be served with many hits like, of course, Last Christmas, Freedom and more. I think that his songs fit well in the soundtrack of this film.

There are also many types of love covered in this movie. Last Christmas reminds us that there are no boundaries and labels when it comes to love and kindness and it doesn't also limits us to share goodwill in this time of the year.

#LastChristmas opens November 27 in the Philippines. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

THE TWO POPES movie review

Habemus Papam! A phrase that keep the Catholic Church rejoicing for centuries and continuing the faith in the Doctne. Fortunately, Netflix made an extraordinary movie that talks about the relationship of the two leaders of the Church in our time. Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce play Popes Benedict XVI and Francis in The Two Popes that will start streaming in Netflix on December 20.

When I saw the trailer, I noticed that they resemble pretty much of the two popes. And what's more interesting is that we had a deeper look into controversial events that involved Ratzinger and Bergoglio.

The Two Popes gives us a peek of the conclave as we've never seen it before. The selection process involved politics and more importantly, the virtues of Christianity has been looked in scrutiny. At least, for me I can say that we have a great pope in Pope Francis right now who ushers in modernization and reform in the Catholic Church with his ideals.

Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Bergoglio in conclave (The Two Popes)

This also reminds us that they are not divine and they've shown their pure human and funny sides. Being a pope has given them so much pressure to preserve the faith of 1 billion Catholics around the world and that we should also continue to pray for them to have the wisdom and faith to lead us to holiness.

Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins as Cardinal Bergoglio and Pope Benedict XVI in the summer residence (The Two Popes)

The exchange of dialogue between the two moves me and it preaches to you to be spread kindness. One line is so powerful, "Mercy is a dynamite that destroys walls." To give you the full context of this statement, you need to watch the whole conversation that is written very beautifully. The Two Popes contains great lines from two great actors about the great relationship of two great persons.

The Two Popes will be streaming exclusively on Netflix starting December 20.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More