MARIAH CAREY ON AI: A MEAN FEAT FOR TOP 7 IDOLS April 16, 2008

As part of Mariah Carey’s marketing ploy to promote her latest album, “E=MC2″ she agreed to do a Mariah special for American Idol. the first ever for AI history. Mariah was successful in mentoring & album promotion was effective but it was quite disadvantageous to some contestants.

It’s really true that nobody sings Mariah’s songs the way she sings it & this is further proven correct with tonight’s remaining seven idols. Almost everyone struggled in doing their own versions & tried not to lose their individuality with Carey’s hits. Although there were a few who were exceptional most of them were just average or even below average.

So, let’s review their performances..

Perennial favorite David Archuleta did a version of the big hit mariah-whitney duet, “When You Believe” & he was quite successful according to the judges. Archuleta has a penchant for choosing inspirational songs which suits his angelic voice accordingly thus it is proper enough to sing the “Prince of Egypt” theme song. It wowed the judges but I wasn’t. For me it lacked luster although the lighting was really good.
Archuleta didn’t even look good this night with his brown shirt & leather pants. The ensemble for me, was a mismatch.

Irish girl Carly Smithson tried “Without You”. It was earlier mentioned that she would perform this song thus expectations were really high since this is a very big Mariah hit. I believe Leona Lewis & Kelly Clarkson also covered this song back in their competing days. But simon proved right that Smithson was not able to meet the expectations which made him afraid of Smithson’s standing in the contest. I agree.

Next is Syesha Mercado with “Vanishing”, a not-so-popular Mariah song but a really good one. All I can say is that mercado really chooses her song well. She’s quite a smart ass because she was able to avoid being compared to Mariah with this performance. The arrangement was just perfect for her voice but since it’s an unpopular song I doubt if this performance will be remembered by the voters.

Brooke White did a singer-songwriter drama to “Hero”. She tried to own the song but her voice was trembling & Randy Jackson was right, “she lost the confidence” on the last part. Ireally like Brooke’s aura. she so lighthearted but this performance was so far the worst.

The pretty Kristy Lee Cook did her best with “Forever”. Her rendition was what I can call as safe but unglamorous. It’s as if cook was cajoled to sing in a karaoke & did an “okay-you-can-sing” performance. Good but not gripping.

David Cook did a Switchfootesque turn on “Always Be My Baby” & from what I can see is the best performance of the night. He never lost his individuality as a performer. He was very confident & sexy. His version was so convincing that it reminded me of the OST for “A Walk to Remember”.

The drama in Jason Castro’s performance is appreciated & “I Don’t Wanna Cry” is such a difficult song. I can’t believe that he was able to pull it off & avoided appearing too girly at the same time. His “I Don’t Wanna Cry” was charming & simply engrossing.

Top 3 performances for me: 1. David Cook “Always Be My Baby” (I believe Cook is the darkhorse here. He has the largest potential to steal the title from Archuleta), 2. Jason Castro “I Don’t Wanna Cry” & 3. Syesha Mercado “Vanishing”.

Bottom 3 performances: 1. Brooke White “Hero” (I really feel sorry..), 2. Carly Smithson “Without You” (Simply not connecting), 3. Kristy Lee Cook “Forever”. I’m crossing my fingers but I believe it will be bye bye to Brooke White tomorrow.

I now have two bets to win the title & these are the two David’s.

I just wonder what Ramiele Malubay could have sung if ever she’s still included. She’s such a big fan of Mariah & I believe she really missed this episode. If i could suggest she would have nailed “We Belong Together” fairly.

THE 11TH HOUR: IMBIBING VALUES REGARDING GLOBAL WARMING April 15, 2008

There has been so much hype about global warming. This important issue regarding climate change has both perplexed & threatened humanity. Almost every institution, individual or anyone concerned has voiced out their concern regarding this alarming situation. Campaigns of different sorts has been staged in an effort to reduce global warming to fair levels. One of the most important medium in increasing awareness regarding the issue will be through film. The latest of this venture is the Leonardo DiCaprio produced documentary “The 11th Hour”.Spawned by the popularity of the Al Gore documentary “The Inconvenient Truth”, DiCaprio’s production efforts tries to reach out to the populace to do something about global warming. However, both documentaries will always be compared & sad to say, DiCaprio’s will always pale in comparison.

I believe that “The Inconvenient Truth” is more credible as compared to the “11th Hour” which appears to be a congregation of environmental scientists from different countries. It looks like a commissioned UN Environmental Programme report. Different personalities appear each time in the film which makes you forget who said which & what. However, notable personalities make a mark in this film like David Suzuki whose lines are really inevitable & gripping. Suzuki’s remarks are peculiar. Things which were never said before by other environmentalists.

Golden boy Leonardo DiCaprio appeared on the film for around three or four times. This makes me wonder if it was really necessary to cast him as the narrator or hire others whou could sound more credible. I am not against DiCaprio. I am actually a big fan of the actor. But the film could have moved as it is even without DiCaprio appearing on the reels. The main fact that he produced the film is already a big contribution. Leave the narrating part to the experts.

Most of the explanations in “The 11th Hour” were already heard or seen at “The Inconvenient Truth”. That’s okay. But the bad part is on how it was explained in “The 11th Hour”. The discussion was quite technical & sort of delivered haphazardly which leaves viewers perplexed & sometimes unmindful.

If there was one thing that “11th Hour” was able to achieve it is most likely the imbibement of values on how to solve global warming. The scientists would often present general concepts regarding attacking the problem but managed to narrow down solutions into concrete examples or suggestions. Pieces of advice from market researchers, economists & environmentalists were stitched to come up with a desirable action towards improving the Earth’s environmental state. This is what was quite missing with ”The Inconvenient Truth” & ”The 11th Hour” was able
fill this gap.

“The Inconvenient Truth” is more gripping & awakening while “The 11th Hour” provides the actions that need to be done. Both are inevitable documentaries regarding protecting our planet. If you prefer a Hollywood inspired documentary go for “11th Hour”. Although I would fairly say that DiCaprio’s efforts could have gone better if he starred in a
global warming topic related story. That would be fiercer. Just like “Blood Diamond”. However, if you’re the one who prefers politically backed drama then pick up “Inconvenient Truth”.

Personally, I suggest “The 11th Hour” for secondary viewing. That is after you have watched “The Inconvenient Truth”. Both documentaries only say one thing & that is each of us must do our share in protecting our planet. Both efforts are remarkable & I salute DiCaprio for doing something worthy with his million dollars.

AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 7 TOP 20 PERFORMANCE BETS February 28, 2008

I now have a new addiction: American Idol.

I’ve never religiously followed previous seasons of this hit reality singing competition which served as the mantle on how pop singing contests should be done in this new millennium. Not until this season. I don’t know why I got hooked. Maybe because I had spare time to follow it since I am currently in the morning shift or maybe because this season is just interesting. Or maybe because there is one great Filipina in the show who is really worth looking forward to.

Having seen the audition tapes & last week’s Top 24 performances I believe I most likely have my favorites & votes. If I am to judge the Top 20’s performance for this week I believe the following are the best performances or let’s just safely say that the following contestants deserve to stay up until next week so they can show more of their talent.

Guys—

1. Michael Johns. Among all of the guy contestants he is one of the strongest. With his sexy & dashing looks & the comfort he has everytime he performs on stage I think he deserves to stay for the long run. His performance that night was fantastic. Though not too powerful it resulted into pro-like performance. 
2. Jason Castro. With his guitar & laidback personality, Jason definitely has the charms to make it to the top. His dreadlocks are also interesting adding more mystery to his personality. Although he doesn’t have the super vocals that Idols are known for his boyish charm & passion for music which shows in his performances are a thing to beat. He may not be Idol type but definitely he deserves to hold his own place in the music business. His performance that night to sum it up in two words it was UTTERLY CUTE.

3. David Hernandez. He was a revelation that night. This boy could really sing. Although he has angles & mannerisms that appear really gay to me. With the right song choices & polished performances this guy is one to beat in the vocals department. 

4. Chikezie. Truly soulful vocals but I’m afraid that he’ll get stereotyped. We’ve seen a lot of him in past seasons & even in other singing shows. If amazing vocals are what we’re talking about he’s definitely in but he needs to make more uhmps & should create more interest if he wants to stay longer. 

5. David Cook. Just like Michael Johns the comfort & ease in Cook’s performances are undeniable. He is one to beat performance wise. Although not too handsome he is able to compensate that with being charming & confident. 

6. David Archuleta. He definitely has the makings of an Idol. Even if he doesn’t win this competition he still will outsing everyone else because of his star appeal. He really is the one to beat as Simon said not only because of his star quality but mostly because of his amazing voice & raw, incredible talent. 

Gals—

Honestly, I liked the performance of the boys better than the girls for this week. The girls were quite boring. But anyway here are my insights..

1. Syesha Mercado. Although her performance tonight wasn’t too strong she still is a strong contender because of her star appeal. She registers well on screen & knows how to project like a pro. She’ll definitely make it ‘till the final round. 

2. Brooke White. For me, hers was the best performance of the night. Right song choice. Right get-up. Just the right soothing voice. She was able to justify the Carly Simon original she performed that night. I never liked her before but with what she showed tonight I am crossing my fingers on her since she could be the underdog to watch for. 

3. Ramiele Malubay. Her performance last week was more interesting than tonight. This girl has superb vocals but could make a mismatch or sudden downfall with the songs she chooses to sing. The very hard to please Simon Cowell opined that Ramiele is one of the Top 3 best singers in this season’s competition & that is enough praise that should land her among the Top 3 finalists. Although she was just okay tonight she could still sleep soundly since for sure she’ll make it to the long run. 

4. Alaina Whitaker. Hers was a very safe performance. She sang “Hopelessly Devoted to You” with such nostalgia. Slowly, Alaina is showing her strengths. Not to mention that she’s very beautiful too. With this she could be up joining the Top 12. 

. Asia’h Epperson. I love this girl. She is able to transform herself from Bohemian to Diva to Classy then Edgy. That’s what a star is. Although her performance tonight was not vocally impressive she never lost composure. She sang with attitude. An attitude worthy of an Idol. 

MY OSCAR MOMENT February 27, 2008

“And most of all, I would like to thank the Academy..”

Oh how I want to utter those words in the extravagant platform of Kodak Theatre in front of all the important people in show business and 800 million plus televiewers all over the world. But of course it’s a far flung dream. But who knows it might just come true. Just like what Marketa Iglova, winner for Best Song said, “the fact that we’re standing here tonight, the fact that we’re able to hold this, it’s just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it’s possible.” I love that. I better cross my fingers now.

For tonight I exchanged my nightly guilty pleasure of watching the Angel Locsin-Piolo Pascual starrer, Lobo to give way to the replay of the 80th Annual Academy Awards in Studio 23 which I missed last Monday. Thank God for replays! And thank you to Studio 23 for the crisp details which made me relish my Oscar moment once again.

This year’s Awards night was sharp, well thought of and simple yet classy. I don’t know if it’s the picture or resolution being transmitted by the telecast in Studio 23 which made it look so vintage or simply the design and artistic direction of the stage and program. It felt like watching the show back in the 70’s or 80’s but with a modern feel.

Thanks to the end of the writer’s strike in Hollywood because without them (the writers) the show wouldn’t have been more entertaining, sound and momentous. The show was a mixture of elegance, wit and relevance with the presence of guests and nominees from every generation (from Hal Holbrook to Miley Cyrus). This year’s Oscars was a good combination of old and new yet very effective artistry. Every country was well represented as well. Just notice the list of nominees for Best Actress. Page is Canadian. Cotillard from France. Linney represented the US. Christie never failed the British and Blanchett for the Australians.

Jon Stewart obviously redeemed himself as compared to his previous hosting job for the Academy. He was brief and frank yet witty and never boring. I just missed the fun that Ellen Degeneres brought in last year’s celebration. Nevertheless, Stewart was fit for the job assigned to him.

One of this year’s biggest surprises were Tilda Swinton for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Michael Clayton. If you have watched the telecast you will see how surprised she was by the look in her face once her name was announced winner. She even felt unprepared but she gave the wittiest speech of the night.

No Country For Old Men winning both Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture was a very big turnaround that night. Of course everyone was expecting for Atonement to receive the honor for both categories but tides immediately shifted. No Country for Old Men actually was the biggest winner for the night bringing home four awards including Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem).

Marion Cotillard was a revelation. Later Oscar buzz spread rumors that Julie Christie will be up for the trophy but Cotillard proved these wrong. The lovely French actress was recognized for her effortless portrayal of the tragic life of diminutive singer Edith Piaf who died even before Cotillard was born.

Cotillard’s acceptance speech was the most charming of all speeches. Having struggled with her words in English she just thoughtlessly said, “thank you life, thank you love”. It was the nth time I heard these lines but it was only Cotillard who was able to make it very personal. The audience roared in laughter after hearing these lines from her. But those laughter were a sign of Cotillard’s promise to rise far beyond in Hollywood. To tell you the truth if there was one thing that changed me tonight it will be my appreciation of all things simple and beautiful in life. Not to mention I was already converted as a fan of Marion Cotillard. I really should watch La Vie en Rose. She seemed magnificent in that film. And did I mention that she was the most beautiful girl that night? Yes. She was. Really beautiful.

Here is the list of complete winners and my notes on them..

Best Picture: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (I can’t believe that this film won the most coveted prize. I really didn’t like the film although the suspense and dark atmosphere it created was obviously felt by its viewers. Atonement would have been a better choice since it was really haunting and gripping.)

Best Director: ETHAN COEN&JOEL COEN – No Country for Old Men

Best Writing (Original Screenplay): DIABLO CODY – Juno (My bet won! This film is a wonderful piece of literature. It is deserving of its prize. Plus, Diablo Cody seemed a very interesting person. She was unique with likeable personality. Stewart even joked about her name as fitting for a strip dancer.)

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): ETHAN COEN&JOEL COEN – No Country for Old Men (Again, my vote was for Atonement. Too bad.)

Best Actress: MARION COTILLARD – La Vie en Rose (She really did her part in this film well. I saw her first in A Good Year with Russell Crowe. She played Crowe’s French girlfriend. With her take on Edith Piaf she was transformed realistically by her acting style which would make you doubt if the pretty Cotillard was really the one acting the part. Laura Linney could have been a good win as well. Her delivery of the antics in Savages was contagious.)

Best Cinematography: ROBERT ELSWIT – There Will Be Blood (No Country for Old Men is also a good win for this category.)

Best Actor: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – There Will Be Blood (Need I say more? The vote for sure was unanimous even with other major award-giving bodies. Day-Lewis is one talented actor. I loved him in My Left Foot who helped him earn his first Oscar.)

Best Film Editing: CHRISTOPHER ROUSE – The Bourne Ultimatum

Best Foreign Language Film: AUSTRIA – The Counterfeiters (Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky) (This is the second award for Australia. I wish the Philippines to win in this category for years to come. Someday.)

Best Sound Editing: KAREN BAKER LANDERS&PER HALLBERG – The Bourne Ultimatum

Best Music (Song): GLEN HANSARD & MARKETA IRGLOVA – “Falling Slowly” for Once (The best speech of the night was also given by Marketa Irglova.)

Best Sound Mixing: SCOTT MILLAN, DAVID PARKER & KIRK FRANCIS – The Bourne Ultimatum

Best Music (Score): DARIO MARIANELLI – Atonement (One thing I really loved about Atonement is its moving musical score. I know from then on that Marianelli would score an Oscar for a job well done.)

Best Art Direction: DANTE FERRETTI & FRANCESCA LO SCHIAVO – Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd is a hands down winner in this category.)

Best Documentary Feature: TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE – Alex Gibney & Eva Orner (The Philippines should regularly submit entries on this category. I feel that we have a big chance of winning in this category than in the foreign language film plum.)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: TILDA SWINTON – Michael Clayton (Really a turnaround win. Surprised me.)

Best Make-up: DIDIER LAVERGNE & JAN ARCHIBALD – La Vie en Rose (50% of Cotillard’s Best Actress win should be credited to her make-up artists. She was really transformed into a very realistic Piaf in this biopic.)

Best Costume Design: ALEXANDRA BYRNE – Elizabeth The Golden Age (Another hands down winner)

Best Short Film (Animated): PETER & THE WOLF – Suzie Templeton & Hugh Welchman

Best Short Film (Live Action): THE MOZART OF PICKPOCKETS – Philippe Pollet-Villard
Best Animated Feature Film: RATATOUILLE – Brad Bird (2008 is really year of the rat)

Best Visual Effects: MICHAEL FINK, BILL WESTENHOFER, BEN MORRIS & TREVOR WOOD – The Golden Compass (I really rooted for Transformers.)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: JAVIER BARDEM – No Country for Old Men (Now I am afraid of Spanish men. Bardem was really convincing in this film. Hands down to him.)