Feeling Charmed by The Way He Looks

From my own personal observations and from what I have seen so far, pink movies usually have tragic or sad endings.  It usually has too much or prolonged erotic scenes, it is fully packed with emotional wallop and it’s either too heavy or too flamboyant in terms of plot and characters. Everything seems too extreme making gay movies too cinematic.

Glad to note that all of these observations about a gay movie are not present in the Brazilian feature length film entitled The Way He Looks (original title: Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho) directed by Daniel Ribeiro.

the way he looks

About two or three years ago, I saw on YouTube the short film version of this movie where it was adapted and directed by the same director.  That is why when YouTube recommended on its page the full length movie’s trailer I initially got confused.  I was telling myself I already saw that adorable film but the images of the movie and the appearances of the characters seem to have changed.  I thought the teaser was a continuation of the short film version and that the characters have grown a bit.  Out of curiosity, I searched for the film online.  I only realized that the director did a re-make of the short film into a new full length movie after I have clicked and searched YouTube.

Luckily for me but unfortunately for filmmaker Ribeiro, the full length version is available on YouTube.  This enabled me to watch and appreciate the beauty and excellence of the film.  Everything about this movie (both the short and the full-length versions) though simply expressed and executed, seem so brilliant – the light, lovable and innocent quality of the storyline, the captivating fineness of the actors, the distinction of the editing and production design and of course the cleverness of the director.

Even the endearing soundtrack is so merit-worthy.  I am now so in love with the song ‘There’s Too Much Love’ by Belle & Sebastian.  My favorite scene in the film includes the playing of this song!  For me it was not the light kissing scene that is the most tender and most charming part of the movie.  Rather it was when Gabriel was teaching the blind Leo how to dance while ‘There’s Too Much Love’ tune is playing.

Another appealing and impressive things about the movie is that it is not just about young gay romance.  It is also about delightful family relationship, super friendship, boosting of self-worth and the quest for independence.

This movie deserves to be released commercially here in the Philippines.  And if it does, expect me to be queuing at the box office and I would definitely be the first person in line.

Libre ko kayo pag pinalabas yan dito sa ‘Pinas.

Gladiator by Dami Im

photo grabbed from dam im's official facebook page

photo grabbed from dam im’s official facebook page

Being a true blue self-imposed fellow of the Dami Army, I waited for this music video like a Gladiator.  Now that it is finally released, the coming nights now seems brighter, my glass of sour wine now tastes better and the constant pit of fury in my gut now subsides.

Dami is one truly amazing talent.  Another incredible song with a perfectly fitting and visually stunning music video!

Mala-gladyeytor sa galing!

Wowed Again By Ella Henderson

ella henderson

ella henderson

More than a year ago, I wrote about Ella Henderson.  After seeing and hearing her unique and magnificent rendition of Cher’s Believe in X Factor UK, I was immediately mesmerized.  I continued and followed watching that show until the night Ella got eliminated. I ceased to watch it and never knew who won that year’s contest.

Just tonight while surfing the net, I got to see and be updated with the Ella Henderson goings on.  I am glad that her new single Ghost is doing good and its official music video on YouTube already have more than 8 million views.

But what made me write again about Ella Henderson is this amazing video.  I still can’t fathom how this great talent did not even made it to the contest’s finals!  Her singing of the acoustic version of Ghost seem to turn the 2012 X Factor UK TV show a big joke.  Watch!

Astig ka ‘te. Husay!

Gorgeous Judges

Nowadays, every country seem to have their own franchise or version of The X Factor, Idol, The Voice or ‘name-a-country’ Got Talent.  With the continuous popularity of these reality singing contests season after season along with the continuous diaspora of the Filipino race in every corner of the globe, it is no longer a big surprise if one or two or three of the show’s contestants are Filipinos or of Filipino descent.  And because of the innate singing talent, Filipinos around the world has been wowing the planet.

And every time a Filipino joins these contests, the whole country tend to celebrate and be more than proud every time the Judges would either love, praise and exalt the talent they just heard.  I actually at times gets so whacked every time I read the dog-tired “Proud To Be Pinoy” comment on Facebook or Youtube.

Anyway, because of these happenings, I along with a lot of Filipinos got to see personalities and celebrities around the world judging these reality based singing contests.  Thanks to Youtube and Facebook.

Let me clarify, this write-up is not about my fellow Filipinos with killer pipes.  This is about the judges of these fabulous contests.  So far, via Youtube, I have seen and watched celebrity judges from Bulgaria, Italy, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Australia, USA, Israel, China, Canada, Spain, Poland, Norway, Taiwan, Ireland, Thailand, Austria and New Zealand.  It is because these are some of the countries where at least one Filipino has joined.

ronan, danii, redfoo and nathalie (photo taken from au.lifestyle.yahoo.com)

ronan, danii, redfoo and nathalie (photo taken from au.lifestyle.yahoo.com)

Anyway, going back to the judges!

For me, the most gorgeous set of judges ever is from Australia.  They are the Season 5 and presently running Season 6 of X Factor Aussie version.  They are the clean cut Ronan Keating, the brunette Danii Minogue, the afro Redfoo and the blonde Nathalie Bassingthwaighte.

I have seen them throughout the whole season of season 5 and all I can say is that these four are simply oozing with gorgeousness both inside and out.  If I am to join a singing contest, I would be joining the contest where all these four will be judging.

They are the only set of judges in a reality singing contest who gave a contestant more than a standing ovation.  The four super impressed me when all of them stood on top of the judges’ desk to jump and applause over a contestant’s unbelievable performance!

Their comments may it be a denigration or accolades towards a performance looks and feels so sincere.  They judge the performance not the person.  What’s so good about their criticisms is that they express it not in a very cocky, arrogant or harsh manner.  Even though a performance may turn bad, these judges always have something positive to say.  Thus, rejected contestant walks out of the stage unhurt and actually goes home happy and inspired.

They’re the living example of charisma, great sense of humor, confidence and intelligence mixed into a gorgeous looking group.  They got amazing bags of sex appeal and looks so comfortable with each other.  They look like they are truly having fun.  No drama, no palaver, no non-sense.  I don’t know if it’s the differing hair but for me, they just blend perfectly.

Hurrah tu dis hurado!

Leave Your Lover By Sam Smith: A Multi-Faceted Music Video

leave your lover by sam smith

leave your lover by sam smith

The latest single of Sam Smith is entitled ‘Leave Your Lover’.  I so loved the song, because it is something selfish and evil-ish in a way.  Imagine, asking someone to leave a lover for your own gain?  That is so messed up!  Yet, the lyrics though can be perceived egoistic and self-seeking, also exhibits deep sorrow, pleading and yearning.

Aside from the poignant lyrics of the song and the moving rendition of Sam Smith, I am also blown away by the lonely ballad’s music video.

Leave Your Lover music video amazingly navigates the dynamics of friendship that leads to longing for intimate relationship.    But what is so stunning about the video is that the story can be recognized in variety of angles.  It has such a wide spectrum!  Even the last few seconds of the video even adds up to the already complex twist of the three leading characters!

There’s harmony yet jealousy, allegiance yet competition, care yet disregard, joy yet disappointment, and many other irony of life’s circumstances. In terms of socio-sexual context, it can be perceived either as straight, gay, bi-sexual and even polysexual affection.

The compelling video seem to imply that it would be up to the viewer which layer from among the standpoints and feelings of the characters he or she would like to grasp the story from.  It would be for the viewer to decide on how the story would continue and or conclude.  The storyline presented is so complex, it engages you in some deep astute contemplation.  And that is all conveyed brilliantly in 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

Don’t just watch.  Listen!

Masabi nga yan wan op dis deys. Mwahaha!

Adele + Boy George = Sam Smith

my new favorite male singer artist

my new favorite male singer artist

One of my best references to know and be updated about emerging hit songs is my dear nephew Luis.  When I wanna be updated, I would simply ask him what’s his latest music downloads.  He of course would be all but willing to play these songs in his phone.  I then would got to select which ones would I like and ask him to send it to my phone via the ever reliable bluetooth.

Several weeks ago, Luis introduced me to the music of Sam Smith.  After that moment, I was totally hooked on the beautiful music of this British singer.  When Luis first played Sam Smith’s song on his phone, I asked him if the guy was a black artist.  It is because he sounded like a soulful black singer!

When I first saw his video on Youtube, I believed that Sam Smith – with his enormous talent and rising popularity – is an Adele in the body of Boy George.  That Sam Smith would most likely be the offspring in case Adele and Boy George would have a baby.

Kidding aside, since then I got so curious with the body of his works.  I was so impressed by his unique voice, his exceptional vocal range and the stirring lyrics of his songs.  I now got a separate playlist of Sam Smith’s music in my phone.  Songs taken from his debut and sophomore albums.

Here is Sam Smith, my favorite male singer this year!

Ibang bumirit! Simpleng Husay!

Super Love Super Love

The mighty Dami Army must be very happy today.  This is because today is the day the fresh new single of Dami Im has been released entitled Super Love.  Being a self-confessed member of the Dami Army (I follow her in Facebook), I myself has excitedly been looking forward to this new super upbeat of a song.

The message is positive, the tune is catchy, the singer is remarkably charming and talented.  What I particularly like about the fun and fabulous video was the diversity of human race that was featured being touched by a super hero played by Dami who chants “nothing can bring us down, we got the super love”.  While my favorite line of the song would be, “I wanna breathe you in and never breathe you out”.  That is just boom brilliant!!!

This song will definitely be the constant tune inside my house for the next several days! Super Love it!

Katulad ng palaman lang sa tinapay, Spred da Super Lab!

Some Polished Culture

The Philippine Madrigal Singers has long been a musical ambassador of my country.  They have brought countless honors to Philippines.  They are my country’s representatives who imparts to the world through their majestic musicality that there is more to the Philippines than mega-disasters, mega-traffic and mega-corruption.

Through the Philippine Madrigal Singers, let me place a piece of polished culture in this blog.  Just watch and listen! Their incredibly refined musical harmony can simply be compared to a gourmet food fit for an aching spirit.

I’m pretty sure after listening to this short musical showcase, you can say that… all is well and good with the world.

‘Tangna! Napa-nga-nga ko dun ha!

Into The Blue: A Feb 14 Song

Today is Valentine’s Day and this “awe-mazing” song just smacked right between my ears.  It obviously is not a cupid love song, yet this fantabulous pop track simply represent how still positive I am amidst this dreadful day.

The lines of this applause-worthy song that truly hit me denotes strength and independence.

“When I got my back up against the wall,

don’t need no one to rescue me. 

‘Cause I ain’t waiting up for no miracle,

yeah tonight I’m running free!”

I like this song simply because I have never been a believer of self-pity.  Self-pity is for people who have too much time on their hands yet they wait for miraculous change to befall them.  As for me.  Instead of dreaming miracles, I have long learned to make my own.

This may not be this year’s song for those who chose or no choice but to remain solo and unattached, let me nevertheless announce that Into The Blue by pop goddess Kylie Minogue as my Feb 14 theme song…

hapi balentong…

My Next Trip: The Nation Of Diversity

Even if I rarely drink it, let this beautiful Coca-Cola ad be the prelude to my first of the many adventures I am looking forward to this year.  A gorgeous video that depicts the diverse faces, lifestyles, origins and colors of the most democratic and strongest nation in the world.  The nation that allows everyone’s voice be spoken and heard no matter what cultural background its inhabitants came from.

I hope my upcoming visit would be as warm and awesome as this video ad…

You must be surprised to hear the Tagalog line in the ad.  Well, here’s the complete song as translated in poetic Tagalog...

Now I am excited…

…biyaya mo’y hinahandog sa sandaigdigan…