Matt Bomer For The Win

matt bomer

matt bomer as felix

When I learned in the past (about a year ago or so) that Matt Bomer was not considered to play the role of Christian Grey for the movie adaptation of the massive hit novel 50 Shades of Grey, I was glad.  Besides the face of Matt Bomer is buckets-full prettier that the visualized looks of Christian Grey.

I was glad that I will never have to be compelled on seeing that movie, because otherwise, I would have to watch it simply because Matt was in it.  Though 50 Shades of Grey was a massive hit novel series, I can profess that I am among the few adults on this planet who has not read it.  And I don’t have any plans neither intentions of reading it anytime soon or anytime in the future.  Reason?  I actually don’t know.

mattbomernormalheartI guess destiny did not allow Matt Bomer to star in 50 Shades because the universe intended him to star in a much much better material that is The Normal Heart.  I saw this HBO film, adapted from the autobiographical play with the same title two months ago.  And this movie definitely deserves an Emmy-worthy recognition for Matt. His characterization on his role as Felix in the film was no big joke.  He loosed 35 pounds for it.

But beyond Matt’s physical transformation in the film, he was hauntingly amazing in this movie!  He was the heart-wrencher in the story that will make you feel the pain.  I saw the film 2 months ago and yet the drama, the thunderous message and Matt’s powerful performance still lingers in my mind.  His character was definitely louder than the beat of a normal heart.

The Normal Heart is out for sale on DVD and Blu-ray format on August 28, 2014 – which I predict as – 3 days after Matt Bomer has gone home with an Emmy trophy.

Mat Bamer Por Da Win!

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!

Nora, Bona and the Masa

Though all things seem to have settled down and it has been considered a wrinkle in time, Nora Aunor the greatest actress on the face of Philippine cinema must nevertheless be thankful that she was not bestowed the recognition of National Artist.

Reason?

She should be thankful for not being conferred by a President who doesn’t seem to know anything about sining (art).  I have yet to read or learn in the news that the present Philippine president supports Philippine art.

She should be thankful for being nominated by her fellow potent Philippine artists but only to be scratched by a non-worthy President because this made a lot of people especially today’s generation to be interested and curious about how magnificent her body of work has been.

She should be thankful because her not being declared a National Artist pushed me to watch one of her greatest works entitled Bona.

the prolific nora in bona

the prolific nora in bona

Bona, directed by the equally genius Lino Brocka, remains significant and substantial in today’s time.  The story and characters still remains to exist in today’s Filipino realm.  It is unlike other films made in the past that when viewed now would already look silly and stupid.  It remains germaine and relevant up to this day.

Some would say that Bona (the movie) would have been a better film  if it explained why Bona (the character) had so much obsession and bizarre infatuation towards Gardo (a bit player and struggling movie actor).  For me, this impenetrable and baffling element made Bona a great work of art. It is like conveying that feelings of passion, adoration and reverence need not be explained for it is simply unexplainable.

Bona, the movie is so relevant!  Simply look on how we, the masa (ordinary middling populace) adore and revere today’s movie stars.  Can you imagine today’s glamorous movie stars being so filthy rich when in fact they did not even finished high school or college?

Furthermore, like Bona, we are so unexplainably awestruck by the charm of these movie actors and actresses, majority of us even had the bizarre obsession of voting for them during election to occupy crucial seats in government offices.  Only to be duped and hoodwinked later on by these very celebrities (slash now-government-executives), similar to that of Gardo towards Bona in the movie.

Surprisingly, even though the movie is already 15 years old, it still depicts the poverty and destitution that an ordinary masa endures to experience and suffer from.  It felt like this unglamorous movie was just done yesterday!  It is so unfortunate that the country’s presidents in the past and the present (the one who refused to name Nora a National Artist) seem not have done enough to alleviate these adversities.

Now that the President has gone over with the condemnation by the Philippine art community because of his dim-witted decision of not declaring Nora a National Artist, he should find time to watch Bona the movie.  He would definitely get enlightened and learn a lot about Nora, Bona and the masa.

Pans kasi ni kristeta…

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!

Las Vegas Highlights: Part 1 (Le Reve/The Dream)

the dream and the nightmare... LOL!

the dream poster and the nightmare… LOL!

Never in my wildest desire or fantasy that I would be spending a holiday in Las Vegas.  Maybe it’s because I dream small and simple.  And besides I no longer dream for humongous miracles because at this point in my life I learn to make my own.  That is why when awesome blessings come along like my tremendous trip to Vegas, I am just but thankful and overwhelmed.

What is so ironic is that the theme of the magical theatre experience me and my friends had was about “dreams”.  It is entitled Le Reve (English translation: The Dream) shown at the fabulous Wynn Hotel & Casino.  The spectacular show that mixed the elements of water, air and fire as well as intermingled elements of strength and beauty was indeed a feast for the senses. Performers literally were swimming on air and dancing on water.

dream-like

a feast for the senses…

I was blown away from the moment we walked into the round theatre.  Yeah, the stage is in the middle – ala coliseum – that is why there is no bad seat in the house.

Bizarre air-suspension stunts, crazy high-dives and water ballet, incredible contortionists and acrobatics, fanciful synchronized swimming, a tenderly romantic yet passionate story… all wrapped into a dreamy set.  I was lost in thought because it felt like I was in an actual dream!  I was totally mesmerized!

spectacular!

spectacular!

hair-raising!

hair-raising stunts!

As much as I would not want to correlate the show’s theme and title to that of my travel in Las Vegas, I guess it is inevitable.   This show for me does not signify a dream being fulfilled but instead an immense sign and symbol that a lovely dreamy-like life is ahead.

Ispektakyular!

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!

Don’t Come Around By Jessica Sanchez

After the semi-successful launch of the first single of American Idol Season 11 runner-up, people kept wondering what shall be the follow-up single on her first album launched in April/May of this year.

If the management of Jessica Sanchez would be able to read this post, I hope that the next single to be released in her Me, You & the Music album would be the reggae-like tune mixed with a whisk of dance-pop and R&B beats entitled Don’t Come Around.

If this track would be produced with very good music video, I believe this would be a potential big hit.  The beat is infectious, the type that would basically grow in you. This would be aside from the song’s tough and unapologetic message which would add some color to the somewhat bland and pa-twitams (nauseatingly cute) image of Jessica Sanchez.

Let me share this little golden nugget of a music.

Na-aw! Na-aw! Na-aw! 

Queen of Modern Headdress

I am happy that the music video of Dami Im has just been released today.  After watching the whole super nice video, the only thing that dawned on me is that Dami Im could possibly be the next fashion icon of this planet.

Dami has never been afraid to try new things to wear.  What is so impressive about her and her team of stylists (if ever she has one) are the various ornaments, hats, embellishments and head pieces she has worn and showed off.  Those stuffs were simply fresh, unique, chic and fashionable.

HRH Queen Elizabeth is too old while Lady Gaga looks too tired and worn out.  The freshly released video of Dami Im’s Alive simply seals her as the new Queen of Modern Headdress.  Those headdresses can truly trigger a different kind of fashion buzz…

Maka-suot nga ng ganyan sa sa opis sa Lunes…