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How ‘Here Lies Love’ co-producer found his mark on Broadway
When Here Lies Love, the hit musical about former First Lady Imelda Marcos, made history by debuting on Broadway debut with an all-Filipino last July, one of its co-producers, Don Michael H. Mendoza, also reached a career milestone. His goal of putting his name on a Broadway show before turning 40 came true now that he’s 34. [caption id="attachment_172743" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Don Michael Mendoza with Daily Tribune’s (from left) Dinah Ventura, Jojo G. Silvestre, Gigie Arcilla, Vangie Reyes, Marc Reyes, Raffy Ayeng, Gibbs Cadiz and Nick Giongco.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172742" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Always ask for what you want because the worst that can come back is a no.’ | Photographs Courtesy of Daily Tribune.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172741" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DON Mike Mendoza with Daily Tribune’s Jojo G. Silvestre and Dinah Ventura.[/caption] It happened, and it’s not just any show. It’s the first Filipino musical on Broadway,” he tells Daily Tribune’s Dinah Ventura and Jojo Silvestre in an interview on their online show Pairfect. “It’s very important to me because a lot of my career is based on the idea of D,E & I — diversity, equity and inclusion — especially in a country like America that’s a melting pot. “It’s very important to make sure that unrepresented voices and communities are brought to the front. To be part of that, for me personally, is an incredible honor because it’s exactly aligned with how I live my professional life every day, every year.” “For the Fil-Am community,” he adds, “I think it’s important for people to see themselves in that arena, whether be as a producer, an actor, or a stagehand, or on the creative team as an assistant director. You know, it says a lot when someone tries to reach that can see themselves in a role that they want to achieve. “Because for a long time, my role models were very few. They’re mostly Americans, they’re white people. And I wanted to be an actor and my only acting influences in the media was Paolo Montalban. He was in Cinderella, American Adobo… He’s now a friend — which is amazing! But I didn’t really have many role models. So, to our community, both Filipino and Fil-Am, they can now look at this production and say, whatever they feel is their career path, ‘I can do it, too.’ So, it’s very powerful.” Beginnings Don Michael Hodreal Mendoza, nicknamed Don Mike, was born in Washington D.C., the capital city of the United States, to immigrant parents. His father Donald Mendoza’s family hails from Cavite and is involved in local politics. His mother Maria Leonila Hodreal has families in Marinduque (maternal side) and Bicol (paternal side). His grandfather Querubin Hodreal created what is now known as the Easy Rock Manila radio station. “My mom, who’s part of that legacy, says even though we’re in the States I somehow ended up doing what our family does, in entertainment and media,” he says, beaming. From Washington D.C., Mendoza’s nuclear family moved to the city of Pittsburgh in the Pennsylvania state, where he grew up. “But I was also raised here in Manila, in Ayala Alabang, for a couple of years,” he points out. He was then between the ages of six and eight, also starting his education at Montessori Manila in BF Homes. “We’re lucky we’re able to come home a lot, so even though I grew up on majority in America, we’d come home every other year.” That explains why he also has exposure and gets inspiration from Filipino movies and entertainment. Mendoza started performing in school plays and high school musicals “for fun.” For college, though, he “needed to study that wasn’t the arts because immigrant families want you to do something that makes money in their eyes.” So he took up broadcast journalism and political science at the American University in D.C. But he didn’t like political science, so he dropped it and added musical theater to his studies without telling his parents until he got into the program. After graduation, he was torn between two goals: becoming a Broadway actor like Jose Llana, who currently plays the late President Ferdinand Marcos in Here Lies Love, and becoming the “Filipino Anderson Cooper.” He ended up staying in D.C with a job in marketing, which eventually became his master’s degree. Mendoza started auditioning and trying to get into shows. “But I wasn’t getting cast the way I wanted to,” he recalls, “because it’s very hard for a Filipino, an Asian male actor to get parts, unless you decided to be in Miss Saigon, which was one of the only very few shows that hire Asian people. So, I kinda fell into producing.” That was when he met a fellow Fil-Am, Regie Cabico, who’s 20 years older than him and became his mentor. He remembers Cabico telling him, “The way to be successful for someone like us in the arts is to start your own opportunities.” Thus, the birth, in 2012, of their company, La Ti Do, which is into production of cabarets and concerts. “I met so many people and worked with so many actors and performers without knowing it’s producing,” he says, smiling at the memory. “I just realized producing means organizing. It means you’re in charge, you’re putting things together and hire people. In those 10 years, I was able to produce small musicals and concerts and special events.” He then put up his own DMH Mendoza Productions, which has La Ti Do as its cabaret-concert arm, to allow him to “produce bigger and more incredible things.” For starters, he produced the off-Broadway play Hazing U that tackles violence in fraternities. Around that time, February 2023, he heard about Here Lies Love being restaged, this time on Broadway. The musical created by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim originally premiered off-Broadway in 2013 at The Public Theater in New York City. A year later, it moved to the Royal National Theater in London, England, and then was restaged at Seattle Repertory Theater in the US in 2017. Mendoza admits with regret that he missed seeing Here Lies Love’s off-Broadway premiere and thought he’d never see it ever again “just because Filipino things don’t usually last very long in America.” So when he heard it was coming to Broadway, he basically called everybody he knew who’s involved in the production to ask how he could help. “I wasn’t really looking for a producer stature,” he says. “I said to many people I’m willing to sell t-shirts in the lobby just to support this show.” It turned out his good friend Lora Nicolas Olaes, who he stayed with in New York, was in the first workshop of the show in 2011, and she personally knows one of the lead producers, Clint Ramos. Olaes then connected Mendoza and Ramos via email, which led to Mendoza joining the Here Lies Love production team. “I’m still having trouble today saying I’m a co-producer. I’m so used to just doing rather than labeling,” he says. “It’s been a wild ride from then till now. I don’t regret any of it. It’s been the best experience so far.” He then shares that having an all-Filipino cast and a predominantly Filipino production team is very important for the lead producers. Two of the five are Filipino: Clint Ramos, a Tony award-winning costume designer, and Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist. This extends to other producers, such as Hal Luftig, Diana DiMenna and Patrick Catullo, as well as to musical writers David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. “They wanted to reach beyond the cast and make sure that the show is escorted into Broadway by Filipinos because it’s a Filipino story,” Mendoza points out. Aside from Llana, the main cast is made up of Arielle Jacobs (as Imelda) and Conrad Ricamora as (Ninoy Aquino), with Lea Salonga (as Ninoy’s mother Aurora) in a limited run until 19 August. “It’s beyond the cast. So our creative team, our production team, our stagehands, everybody. Even our house staff, some of them are Filipinos. We really wanted to make a mark on Broadway. That’s how it came about. So that was an early decision. Because the off-Broadway production was mixed. It was not all-Filipino. It had Ruthie Ann Miles as Imelda. She’s not Filipino. It was hard to move from her and bring in Arielle Jacobs, who is just as amazing, but, you know, it was very important for the team to be culturally accurate. Because it’s our story.” “It’s our show,” he reiterates. “Let’s bring it to the world. Our people are playing themselves. I’ve said this in an interview: The general public is trained to love Filipino as other ethnicities. This is the first time we’re training them to love us, Filipinos, as ourselves.” Musical textbook Mendoza’s fellow co-producers include Salonga and Fil-Am celebrities like comedian Jo Koy, musical artist H.E.R. and rapper Apl.de.ap. “Our show is a musical textbook,” he explains. “It’s a musical built around facts, what happened historically during her lifetime. Our whole goal for the show is to present to you what happened with, of course, entertainment attached to it. There’s a misconception that it’s a documentary. It is not. It’s musical theater. It’s supposed to be fun. You see what happened. “We empower our audience to make their own decision. We don’t tell them, ‘This was a bad person. This was a good person.’ Here’s what this person did in their life and how she was affected by her surroundings, and go home and do the research. You figure it out. We liken it to giving someone a Zip file of Philippine history in the 21th century and you go home and unzip the Zip file to get into the details. “But we give you an overview. It’s really up to the audience when they leave the show. I know it’s the goal of our writers and directors to not impose an opinion. We’re just here to entertain and make you learn. When you leave, it’s up to you.” Mendoza happily reports that Here Lies Love is being received “very well.” He adds, “The critics have come and said really wonderful about the show, especially the ones we’re nervous about, like the New York Times, or The Washington Post, or the Wall Street Journal. It trickles down to everyone who’s seen the show. I think we’re so proud and excited that it’s well-received. Audience members love it, they keep coming back.” He also notes that audiences are “pretty diverse. You see Filipinos, you see Americans, you see visitors. It’s really a big hodge-podge of different people. We’re happy about that, too. It’s not biased to just one community.” Indeed, Mendoza is living his dream and he has this piece of audience for the younger generation who also hopes to break into theater or arts in general: “Always ask for what you want because the worst that can come back is a no.” He then shares what she’s picked up from Kris Jenner: “If somebody says no to you, you’re asking the wrong person. Keeping asking for what you want. Not just manifesting, but really it’s just speaking up. Nobody can read your mind. Nobody can see what’s happening in your mind and in your heart. So if you express it, you ask and you’ll get there. It may not happen in the timing that you want, but it will happen if you keep pushing.” The post How ‘Here Lies Love’ co-producer found his mark on Broadway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Ravishing, irresistible’: ‘Here Lies Love’ opens to solid reviews
Here Lies Love, the groundbreaking musical about former First Lady Imelda Marcos, officially opened on Broadway on Thursday night, 20 July, with an all-Filipino cast led by Tony-winning actor Lea Salonga and a guest list headed by Filipino-American entertainers H.E.R. and Jo Koy, who are among the show’s producers. Giselle Tongi, a known actress in the Philippines before migrating to the United States, is also a co-producer who functions as community/cultural liaison. She was joined at the event by other celebrities of Filipino descent, including actress Tia Carrere, fashion designer Josie Natori and drag performer Manila Luzon. There were also Hollywood figures, such as actors Drew Barrymore and Daniel Dae Kim, comedian-TV host Stephen Colbert, filmmaker Spike Lee, singer-songwriter Shoshana Bean and hairstylist Frederic Fekkai. [gallery size="full" ids="161929,161926,161931"] Philippine-based actors Yassi Pressman and Mark Bautista, plus Liza Soberano, who’s trying her luck in the United States, were in attendance, too, along with fashion photographer BJ Pascual and model-host Joey Mead.The show has received mostly raves so far. Charles Isherwood of The Wall Street Journal praised “the irresistible score” that is “like nothing else on Broadway,” a sentiment shared by Peter Marks of the Washington Post who said the show’s “jolting tunes, melodic and insistent, send scintillating vibrations through your nervous system.” Wrote Greg Evans of Deadline: “The real pull of Here Lies Love is the staging, with a malleable performance space, an audience herded to and fro, and cast members finding perches throughout the venue.” [caption id="attachment_161930" align="aligncenter" width="720"] LEA Salonga and Manila Luzon.[/caption] Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune, meanwhile, pointed to “a couple of formidable assets. One is the Byrne-and-Slim soundscape, which is to my mind more beautiful, more exciting and more surprising than any score on Broadway last season… The second strength is director Alex Timbers’ conceptual staging.” “The groundbreaking, floor-shaking Here Lies Love makes space for itself like no Broadway show ever has,” said Adam Feldman in Time Out New York, with the “immersive production” allowing audience members to “get swept up in the shifting tides and undertows of history.” [caption id="attachment_161933" align="aligncenter" width="449"] FILMMAKER Spike Lee (middle). | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF IG/HERE LIES LOVE[/caption] And Johnny Oleksinki of The New York Post concluded: “Even if Here Lies Love doesn’t reach the emotional highs of Evita… it’s a ravishing sensory experience unlike any other.” Here Lies Love is based on the concept album created by Scottish-American musician/songwriter/record producer David Byrne and English musician/DJ/record producer Fatboy Slim that evolved into a rock musical. It tells the story of Imelda’s rise to power and subsequent fall in the aftermath of the People Power revolution in 1986. The show premiered off-Broadway in 2013 at The Public Theater in New York City. A year later, it moved to the Royal National Theater in London, England, and then was restaged at Seattle Repertory Theater in the U.S. in 2017. Mark Bautista played the role of the late President Ferdinand Marcos in both the London and Seattle productions. In the current Broadway run, Arielle Jacobs plays Imelda and Jose Llana reprises the Ferdinand Marcos role he originated at The Public Theater. Conrad Ricamora takes on the part of Ninoy Aquino, while Lea Salonga portrays Ninoy’s mother Aurora Aquino in a limited run until 13 August. The post ‘Ravishing, irresistible’: ‘Here Lies Love’ opens to solid reviews appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Who were your best dressed stars at the GMA Gala 2023?
“Hello madlang kapuso!” Yelled Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda. They were just two of the more improbable people to walk the GMA Gala carpet until the network war was deemed over when their show made the improbable jump to GTV. Vice Ganda wore a Neric Beltran creation, the highlight of which was a voluminous cape, consisting of 770 yards of white ostrich feathers, applied by hand. Anne Curtis looked like a nod to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s except she was a vision in white Yves Saint Laurent, but her jewelry—of course—Tiffany and Co. She made quite the splash there when she made an appearance at the iconic New York shop months earlier. Jennylyn Mercado was one of the few who wore jeweled tones in a low-cut emerald green bustier from Anthony Ramirez. Husband Dennis Trillo wore a classic tux from Rodel Briñas. There were seemingly a lot of pairs that walked that night and belonged to a category all their own, such as the freshly engaged couple Bea Alonzo in a custom-made AZ Factory gown (from Design Director Alber Elbaz) and Dominic Roque who wore Mark Bumgarner. Alonzo said her AZ Factory gown was made by Filipino designer Norman Rene de Vera. One of the hottest young stars of today, Barbie Forteza, wore a custom mint ball gown from Ehrran Montoya. Her hairstyle pulled back in a ponytail, was a nod to the Barbie logo. The other half of her ka-love team, David Licauco, dressed in a classic Tom Ford. Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi, both real-life sweethearts and co-stars of their GMA series “Love at First Read”, played up their young vibe in a coordinating lemon yellow sorbet hue by Jacquemus. Heart Evangelista wore a Schiaparelli from their Spring 2023 collection and the most “couture” for the night. Marian Rivera’s dreamy white pleated silk gown with chantilly lace was from Danielle Frankel Studio in New York, where husband Dingdong could only say,” I’m wearing an overspill of my wife’s ethereal beauty.” The post Who were your best dressed stars at the GMA Gala 2023? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bea to Dom: ‘I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you’
on 20 July. Love greeted me at the horizon with a heavenly smile. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Happiest birthday to you, my love @dominicroque,” she said, along with a photo of the celebrity couple on a beach looking endearingly at each other. On 19 July, the 35-year-old actress broke the news on Instagram that she was now engaged to Roque after more than two years of dating. She had no idea that Roque would propose to her at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar since she was there for a shoot with celebrity photographer Mark Nicdao, said Alonzo. The black-and-white photo series came with Alonzo’s recounting of their love story. “You see, I have done so many proposal scenes in my entire career, but nothing beats the real thing… Everything went in slow motion. And I felt different emotions all at the same time — joy, excitement, love,” she said. “But I didn’t want that moment to end. I want this real thing to happen forever… and right then there… In front of the people we love… we decided on forever,” she added. The post has garnered more than 1 million likes. Celebrities and social media superstars, among them Anne Curtis, Maine Mendoza, Catriona Gray, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Mimiyuuuh and David Guison, immediately sent congratulatory messages to the couple. Alonzo, hailed as one of the best actresses of her generation, is known for the box-office hits One More Chance (2007) and its sequel A Second Chance (2015), Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013), The Love Affair (2015) and Eerie (2018). Roque, meanwhile, is a model and actor known for the popular television series Aryana (2012-2013), May Isang Pangarap (2013) and Moon of Desire (2014). Rumors about Alonzo and Roque’s romance began in 2019-2020. The two became official in January 2021, with Alonzo publicly confirming their relationship in August 2021. The post Bea to Dom: ‘I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aeriel Garcia and Patrick Sugui welcome first child
Social media personality Aeriel Garcia and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Patrick Sugui are celebrating the arrival of their first child, a baby girl. The pair turned to social media to share the news with their followers and friends. Sugui and Garcia first revealed their lovely bundle of joy with the world on 3 July in an Instagram post. They showered their newborn baby with kisses in a touching video. “I love this tiny human we made, @patsugui,” Garcia said. After the postings, fans and showbiz friends poured love and congratulations on the couple. Actress Gabbi Garcia couldn’t contain her emotions as she commented, “Ano ba ‘yan, naiiyak na naman ako” (What is this, I’m crying again). Social media personality Dani Barretto chimed in, “Awwww, love you three!” Actress Chynna Ortaleza also joined the chorus of well-wishers, exclaiming, “Congratulations, guys!” Christine Samson expressed her excitement, saying, “OMG, congrats ate Ae and Pat” (congratulations, older sister Ae and Pat). Sugui and Garcia had a lovely wedding celebration in April of the previous year at the Forest Crest Hotel and Resort in Batangas. Their friends from the entertainment sector, including Gabbi Garcia, Julia Barretto, Ria Atayde, Janella Salvador and Issa Pressman, were among the attendees. Two days after their memorable wedding, Sugui expressed his love for his wife in a heartfelt Instagram post. He wrote, “I made a vow to always stay with you through anything. I made a vow to always protect you. Nothing in this world would ever make me love you less, nothing and no one will ever make me think of letting go.” In December 2020, after dating for three years, Sugui and Garcia announced their engagement. On her Instagram page, Garcia expressed her appreciation and delight by posting a video of Patrick’s moving proposal. She said, “I’m so grateful you found me when you did. You’ve brought immense sunshine into my life, filled me with boundless happiness, and given me more joy than I ever imagined. No one can ever replace you.” The video showed Sugui getting down on one knee and declaring, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Today, the couple had been together for two years. Sugui gained popularity in 2010 as one of the teen housemates in PBB, while Garcia has amassed a large following on social media as a content creator and gaming streamer. The post Aeriel Garcia and Patrick Sugui welcome first child appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kris naging tulay sa love story nina Aubrey Miles at Troy Montero
ANG Queen of All Media pala na si Kris Aquino ang nagsilbing “tulay” sa love story ng celebrity couple na sina Aubrey Miles at Troy Montero. Nagkuwento ang sexy actress tungkol sa naging simula ng kanilang relasyon na nag-start daw nang mag-guest si Troy sa show noon ni Kris sa ABS-CBN. Sey ni Aubrey, nasabi.....»»
Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won magpapakilig sa K-drama na ‘Queen of Tears’
LOVE, war and tears. Ganyan ang peg ng bagong K-Drama na pagtatambalan ng Korean stars na sina Kim Soo-hyun at Kim Ji-Woon. Pinamagatan itong “Queen of Tears” na mapapanood sa Netflix ngayong buwan. Kalalabas lang ng pasilip at mapapanood na iikot ang istorya ng serye sa isang married couple na may pagsubok na pinagdadaanan sa.....»»
‘Celebration of life, love, hope’: Suzie, Paolo Abrera underscore family togetherness
Filipino celebrity couple Suzie Entrata-Abrera and Paolo Abrera have been tapped as narrators for the first ever Philippine concert of the world-renowned The Tabernacle Choir in Mall of Asia Arena from February 27 to 28, where internationally-acclaimed Filipino singers Lea Salonga and Ysabelle Cuevas are guest artists......»»
Jennylyn ibinunyag na ‘first love’ niya si Dennis, never nagka-‘third party’
KAHIT may mga nakarelasyon na noon, ang aktor na si Dennis Trillo pa rin ang “first love” ng aktres na si Jennylyn Mercado. ‘Yan ang ibinunyag mismo ni Jennylyn nang makapanyam ng veteran broadcast journalist na si Karen Davila ang couple. Sinabi pa nga ng aktres na dati pa niyang pinapangarap na makasama habambuhay ang.....»»
Jessy, Luis ikinasal na sa simbahan, ginanap sa exclusive resort sa Palawan
IKA nga nila, “love is sweeter the second time around.” Kaya naman, sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay muling ikinasal ang celebrity couple na sina Jessy Mendiola at Luis Manzano! Naganap ang wedding sa simbahan sa isang exclusive resort sa Coron, Palawan noong February 15. Ayon sa report ng evening newscast na “TV Patrol,” ang nag-officiate ng.....»»
Barbie Forteza ilang beses na-reject bilang young Marian, ‘di sumuko
MULING binalikan ng Kapuso superstar na si Barbie Forteza ang mga panajon kung saan nagsisimula pa lang siya sa mundo ng showbiz. Sa kaniyang guesting sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” nitong Lunes, February 12, kasama ang ka-love team na si David Licauco ay muli silang nakapagchikahan ng King of Talk. Sa isang bahagi ng.....»»
Issa wala pang balak magpakasal kay James, pero pinuri bilang ‘good partner’
WALA pang planong magpakasal at bumuo ng sariling pamilya ang celebrity couple na sina James Reid at Issa Pressman. Ine-enjoy daw muna nila ni James ang kanilang relasyon bilang boyfriend-girlfriend at bagong-bago pa lang ang kanilang love story. Nakachikahan namin si Issa sa naganap na celebrity red carpet premiere ng “Lisa Frankenstein” kagabi sa SM.....»»
From love team to forever: Gladys Reyes, Christopher Roxas mark 20th wedding anniversary
Celebrity couple Gladys Reyes and Christopher Roxas celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary recently......»»
John Prats, Isabel Oli mala K-Drama ang 11th anniversary: We always choose love!
NAGPAKILIG ang mag-asawang Isabel Oli at John Prats sa pagdiriwang ng kanilang 11th anniversary bilang mag-partners. Sa Instagram posts ng couple, mala K-Drama ang peg ng kanilang short video kung saan ibinandera nila ang kanilang sweet moments habang nagbabakasyon sa Japan. Si John, sweet but short message ang ibinandera sa caption na nagpapasalamat sa pagmamahal.....»»
Venus Raj ibinandera na ang mister, chinika ang nakakakilig nilang ‘love story’
SA kauna-unahang pagkakataon, opisyal nang ipinakilala ni Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj ang kanyang non-showbiz husband na si North Orillan sa publiko. Noong December 12 lamang nang ikinasal ang couple na naganap sa Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) Center sa Pasig City. At kung maaalala ninyo, tila naging guessing game sa ilang media outlets.....»»
Barbie, David wish ipagpatuloy ang love story ng FiLay sa ‘Maria Clara…’
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Balik-Tanaw | Still God’s love is everlasting
The readings for this last Sunday of Advent are full of “messianic expectation”. They exude a hope and trust which has endured through occupation and exile and grown stronger in persecution. It is a hope centred on the key promise of God given to David, that David’s house and his kingdom would be established forever (2 Sam.7:16). After the Exile, the people longed for another David, the shepherd boy anointed by God who became a great warrior, defeated enemies in battle and united the 12 tribes around Jerusalem. With the defeat of the Davidic dynasty the people asked where was God’s promise? We see the struggle of the community with this dilemma in the Royal Psalms. Psalm 89 begins praising God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to all generations but this trust in God is being tested as the psalmist laments “where is thy steadfast love of old, which by thy faithfulness thou did swear to David” (v49). The post Balik-Tanaw | Still God’s love is everlasting appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Kim Chiu, Xian Lim kumpirmadong hiwalay na: ‘I hope this clears everything…’
Totoo ngang hiwalay na ang celebrity couple na sina Kim Chiu at Xian Lim! Ang kumpirmasyon ng malungkot na balita ay ibinandera na mismo ni Kim sa kanyang Instagram post. Ibinahagi ng aktres ang ilang sweet throwback pictures nilang dalawa kalakip ang isang mahabang mensahe. “End of a love story. It took me a while.....»»
Dating aktres na si Vivian Velez ibinandera ang ‘love lessons’ sa breakup ng KathNiel
MAY ibinahagi ang dating Miss Body Beautiful na si Vivian Velez nu’ng kapanahunan niya sa kanyang Instagram post recently tungkol sa paghihiwalay ng dating celebrity couple na sina Daniel Padilla at Kathryn Bernardo na puwedeng matutunan ng lahat. Ibinandera ng dating aktres na negosyante na ngayon ang larawan ng KathNiel na kuha sa tabing-dagat na.....»»
REVIEW: ‘KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON’ Pure cinematic delight
The plot of Killers of the Flower Moon is rather simple: the shocking true story of the series of mysterious deaths of Native Americans from 1910s to 1930s in the oil-rich Osage Nation in Oklahoma. Called the “Reign of Terror,” this horrific period in American history is marked by the uninvestigated murders of the Osage tribe — the richest people in the world per capita at the time due to the vast deposits of oil found in their reservation. As black gold richly flows in their land, white men descend into the territory and begin to systematically murder the Osage tribe to steal their oil money, or headrights. Greed takes the form of grisly, nonchalant murders, compounded by racial injustice. Director Martin Scorsese takes us to Fairfax 1920s, where one such greedy white man, Ernest Buckhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrives in the Osage county from a non-combatant role in World War I. His guts destroyed in the war, he seeks a job from his uncle, King Bill (Robert de Niro), the powerful boss in the area and the mastermind behind the Osage killings but pretending to be a “friend to the Osage.” King Bill tells his nephew to marry a beautiful Osage woman, Mollie (Lily Gladstone) in a scheme to get her headrights. The movie focuses on the “love story” of Ernest and Mollie, and how Mollie is slowly poisoned to death. The colossal running time (3.5 hours) is barely felt. This epic revisionist Western drama is a visual spectacle and should be seen on the big screen to experience Scorsese’s glorious cinematic vision. Scorsese adapted David Grann’s 2017 bestselling non-fiction book on this grim chapter in American history. I haven’t read Grann’s book, but research revealed that it’s chiefly a detective story, with the murders viewed from the lens of the newly formed Bureau of Investigation (now the FBI) headed by Tim White. In The Irish Times interview with Scorsese, the director shared that he and co-writer Eric Roth initially wrote a script that was faithful to the book, with Scorsese’s muse, Leonardo DiCaprio, set to play White. But two years into the writing process, DiCaprio made a suggestion that completely overhauled the script, shifting the focus to Ernest (DiCaprio’s modified role) and Mollie. Lacking momentum The script often feels like it lacks momentum and depth, reducing Ernest and King Bill, and even Jesse Plemons as White, to stock characters. Roth is known for overhyped shallow films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Forrest Gump and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, so he’s partly to blame for the lack of insight into the psychology of the film’s fascinating characters. Plemons came in too late into the show, nearly in the third hour. The film feels like it took its leisurely time to establish the greed and the machinations of the non-threatening King Bill, then realized it is getting too long and finally crammed the investigations into the last hour. Punctuated with dark humor, the movie is crafted to entertain rather than to appeal to our sympathy. This feels rather conflicting and mildly disturbing, as the Osage, victims of greedy white men, and whose story is just now spreading into public consciousness, are merely the sideshow. If they were robbed back then, this film also robs them of central attention, choosing to focus instead on their killers, particularly DiCaprio, with a strong supporting role from Gladstone’s Mollie. The Osage are also depicted as gullible and helpless, and we often crave to understand what goes on in their minds, which the movie does not really provide us. But Scorsese’s films have always been from the POV of the criminals, and the title says it all — so perhaps it is unfair to expect a different narrative. Compelling vision Thankfully, Scorsese, despite the oftentimes frustrating script, manages to redeem the entire film with his compelling vision, orchestrating pure cinematic delight with the film’s stunning cinematography, production design and costume. Despite the focus on the killers, he still redeems the Osage by showcasing, with reverence, their culture and pantheistic religion — their belief in the invisible world of Wah-kon-tah and eventual blend with Christianity. The era’s racism and greed are also profoundly felt in the movie — from the white guardians that controlled the Osage money, to the insurance frauds they were subjected to and, most chilling of all, the calm way the whites murdered the Native Americans, as if these people were mere nuisances. Di Caprio, with his fake sordid teeth, delivers, as always, a competent performance. But it is Gladstone, with her regal beauty and intelligent eyes, that truly shines in the film. Killers of the Flower Moon, despite its imperfections, triumphs in fully immersing the viewer in its story and putting the spotlight on an important chapter in American history. It reminds us that theaters are still a necessity for this kind of epic movie experience. 3.5 out of 5 stars/ In cinemas The post REVIEW: ‘KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON’ Pure cinematic delight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»