The Winners of the 88th Academy Awards

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The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)had just presented
the 88th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Chris Rock did a fine job hosting the show.  Herewith are the results of the event:

BEST PICTURE
Morgan Freeman announced the winner of the Best Picture Category.  It was a heavily contested fight between The Revenant garnering a total of 12 nominations and Mad Max: Fury Road with 10 nominations.  But the title of Best Picture was awarded to Spotlight, which to me deserves the win due to their professional handling of a very sensitive and controversial topic. 

The Big Short

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Room

Spotlight  - WINNER 
Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin and Blye Pagon Faust - Producers  

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ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

After five (5) previous nominations, Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Academy Award.  His first Academy Award nomination was in 1993 in the movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape - for Best Supporting Actor, in 2005 in the movie The Aviator - for Best Actor, in 2007 in the movie Blood Diamond - Best Actor, and in 2014 in the movie The Wolf of Wall Street as its producer as well as a nomination for Best Actor, and now finally after a long drought, the win for Leo in The Revenant.  His co-starring in the film, Tom Hardy was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor.  Alejandro Iñárritu gave Leonardo DiCaprio what Martin Scorsese didn't - a Best Actor award, in just a single movie collaboration.  My congratulations to Leo, you really deserve it!  

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant - WINNER

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Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

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ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
This is American actress and singer Brianne Sidonie Desaulnier' or more popularly known as Brie Larson's first nomination at the Academy Awards and her first win for her portrayal as Joy "Ma" Newsome in the movie Room which is directed by Lenny Abrahamson and based on the novel by Emma Donoghue.

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Brie Larson, Room - WINNER

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Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

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ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Another first nomination and first win for Mark Rylance for his portrayal in the movie directed by Steven Spielberg - Bridge of Spies with top-notch actor Tom Hanks in the leading role.  I am rooting for Sylvester Stallone, but unfortunately still no win for Sly.

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies  - WINNER

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Sylvester Stallone, Creed

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ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel McAdams, Spotlight

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl  - WINNER

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

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ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

Inside Out - WINNER
Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera

Shaun the Sheep Movie

When Marnie Was There

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CINEMATOGRAPHY

Another back-to-back winner from last year's Birdman, Emmanuel Lubezki won the Best Cinematography Award.  He and Innurati collaborated in the film Birdman last year and they have done it again this year in the movie The Revenant.  Great tandem guys!

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant  - WINNER
Emmanuel Lubezki


Sicario

Mad Max: Fury Road - Oscars 2016

COSTUME DESIGN

Carol

Cinderella

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road  - WINNER
Jenny Beavan

The Revenant

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DIRECTING

This is the second consecutive win for Mexican producer, screenwriter and director Alejandro González Iñárritu.  Last year he won the Best Director Award for the movie Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).  For this year, he is the screenwriter, producer and the director of The Revenant.

The Big Short

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant  - WINNER 
Alejandro Iñárritu

Room

Spotlight

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DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)

Amy  - WINNER
Asif Kapadia and James Gay-Rees


Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom

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DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)

Body Team 12

Chau, Beyond the Lines

Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah

A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness - WINNER
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Last Day of Freedom
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FILM EDITING

The Big Short

Mad Max: Fury Road  - WINNER
Margaret Sixel


The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Son of Saul from Hungary directed by  László Nemes won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.  Congratulations to Hungary!

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

Son of Saul  - WINNER 
Director - László Nemes

Theeb

A War

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MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Mad Max: Fury Road  - WINNER
Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin


The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out

The Window and Disappeared

The Revenant

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MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)


The 8th film by Quentin Tarantino - The Hateful Eight won the Best Music - Original Score Category under Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, and former trumpet player Ennio Morricone. Ennio was nominated for six (6) times at the Academy Awards for Best Original Score and this year is his first win. In 2007, Clint Eastwood presented to Ennio the Honorary Academy Award during the 79th Academy Awards.

Bridge of Spies

Carol

The Hateful Eight - WINNER
Ennio Morricone

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Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
Writing's On The Wall sung by English singer, composer Samuel Frederick "Sam" Smith won the Best Original Song from the James Bond movie, Spectre starring Daniel Craig.  

“Earned It,” Fifty Shades of Grey

“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction

“Simple Song #3,” Youth

“Til It Happens To You,” The Hunting Ground

“Writing’s On The Wall,” Spectre  - WINNER
Music and Lyric by Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith

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PRODUCTION DESIGN

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road  - WINNER
Colin Gibson (Production Design); Lisa Thompson (Set Decoration)

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The Martian

The Revenant

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SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

Bear Story - WINNER
Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala

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Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos

World of Tomorrow

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SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

Ave Maria

Day One

Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut)

Shok

Stutterer  - WINNER
Benjamin Cleary and Serena Armitage

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SOUND EDITING

Mad Max: Fury Road  - WINNER
Mark Mangini and David White

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

SOUND MIXING

Bridge of Spies

Mad Max: Fury Road  - WINNER
Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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VISUAL EFFECTS

Ex Machina  - WINNER
Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

The Big Short - WINNER
Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay

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Brooklyn

Carol

The Martian

Room

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WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

Spotlight - WINNER
Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy

Straight Outta Compton

Dateline Movies Goes to Ballet Manila's Rebel

Having not been born at the time the famous People Power EDSA Revolution took place, I belong to a generation who probably wouldn't even think twice about it except when it has to be studied for a school test. The story is as distant as its age of 30 years. Thankfully, there are my parents who shared their own anecdotes of what actually transpired during those fateful days when Filipinos found the courage to fight back a dictator without shedding blood. And then there is Ballet Manila's "Rebel", the story of Ferdinand, Imelda, Benigno, and Corazon.

Synopsis:

This full ballet is set at a time when the Philippines was ripe for rebellion. Martial Law declared by the president, Ferdinand became progressively oppressive. Rebels led by Benigno challenged the authoritarian rule.

Even with sickness taking control over Ferdinand's body, he and his wife Imelda continued to hold the country in shackles leading to Inang Bayan's suffering. Inang Bayan called out to all Filipinos to strive for change. Benigno answered the call which led to his death. His wife Corazon answered the call as well and went on to become the human symbol of EDSA People Power.

Lisa's Story

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Ballet Manila's Artistic Director shared that she was out of the country when this historic event took place. Still it did not affect her any less. In fact, this was the story that inspired "Rebel".

Live Orchestra

I have watched many shows in the past but "Rebel" proved to be extraordinarily exciting because of the participation of a live orchestra. It was actually a first time for me. I literally had to restrain myself from clapping when they played the National Anthem but I digress...

Strength and Grace

Strength and grace, these are the two words that kept going through my mind while I was watching Rebel.  I suppose this was what Martin Lawrance, the choreographer intended, what with the need to bring out the struggle happening in a country and the people inhabiting it. That throne at the top signified the very essence of power and authority even in its singularity. The production design is a classic example of achieving more for less.

Character Representation

One other thing that makes Rebel extraordinary is the fact that Lisa herself is performing as Inang Bayan with Joanna Ampil as her singing counterpart. Most of the songs were new to my ears but obviously not to those who were part of EDSA. With the significance of the songs used in the show, the need for the singing counterpart is very much understood. Ferdinand, Imelda, Benigno, and Corazon were all convincingly played, along with the Loyalists and Rebels. My momentary state of confusion revolved around the characters of Juan de la Cruz and Jose but I eventually found my way.

Rebel Agenda

Rebel has a clear agenda. This is to remind us of the dangers of not doing anything in the face of tyranny. The good thing about Rebel is that it reminds while it entertains and that makes it a lot easier to digest and understand.

Clear Message

The message is clear: There is a rebel within us all. Rebel wants to awaken this rebellion in all of us so that we will never again accept tyranny.

Rebel makes us think without reproaching, especially with our present atmosphere that is politically laden. If there is any opportunity that I can say about Rebel is that it sort of ended abruptly. I wanted to know more so I was not quite ready when it ended. What it succeeded in doing was to fuel that interest in me to understand more, the implications of the EDSA People Power Revolution in our present times. Having said that, Rebel certainly gives color to a part of our country's history that most have grayed-out in their minds.

Win the HBO Dream Oscars Contest!

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HBO Asia has a contest this coming Monday, February 29, 2016.  The title of the contest is HBO Dream Oscars Contest.  Seven (7) pairs of winners will win exclusive Red Carpet Tickets to the 89th Academy Awards in 2017 with Round Trip Airfare to Los Angeles to personally experience for themselves all the magic, the glamour, and the excitement of the Oscars .  

 

The winner will enjoy five (5) days and four (4) nights hotel accommodation, a Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience and also a spa package.  They can win these by simply tuning in on HBO Asia and answering the question that will be revealed during HBO Asia's LIVE telecast of the 88th Academy Awards on said date, February 29, 2016 and stand a chance to win a once in a lifetime trip they'll never forget.  

Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2016

Now on its 2nd year, Sinag Maynila Film Festival returns in select SM Cinemas starting April 21 to 26, 2016.  

Due to its rousing success and widely accepted initial launch last year, Sinag Maynila Film Festival returns.  For this year 2016, Sinag Maynila Film Festival has been opened to all independent Filipino filmmaker who expresses his utmost desire to apply for a film grant. Selecting from hundreds of entries, five were chosen who will vie for the P2-million Film Grant.  This year the five independent filmmakers who closely collaborated with festival creators Wilson Tieng and Brillante Mendoza and this collaboration resulted in inspiring and relevant stories that reflect the Filipino culture and at the same time reflecting messages that will create lasting memories not only locally but also globally. The five films that will be featured are :


MRS. by Adolf Alix Jr.


EXPRESSWAY by Ato Bautista


DYAMPER by Mes De Guzman


T.P.O. by Jay Altarejos


LILA by Gino M. Santos

For more updates and other information, kindly click on the following social media accounts of Sinag Maynila: 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SinagMaynila/, Twitter https://twitter.com/sinagmaynila 
Instagram (@sinagmaynila). 

You can also subscribe to Sinag Maynila's official account on  Youtube: 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZPI6kPKUCsbim9e_qByNQ

entry pictures http://sinagmaynilafilmfestival.com/

Movie Review: Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT (2016)

Movie Details: refer here
 
Rated R-16: For sensitive theme

SYNOPSIS

The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.

What we think of the film?

Acting = (4/5)

In control, that is how I would sum up the acting of all performers in this movie. It is so easy to go overboard especially with such a controversial topic as a church scandal to work with. For me, this is just perfect so as not to deviate from the more important task of understanding the sensitive issue which is being asked to be digested by the audience.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards has in fact awarded them with the "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture" recognition for 2016 and that is something I find deserving. It takes mastery of the craft for a group of actors to produce a cohesive result. Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams are both nominated for "Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Supporting Role" at the Academy Awards. Again, no objection there on my end.

Production Value and Cinematography = (4/5)

Cinematography is clean and uncomplicated, again just the right fit for the movie referred to by some as "journalism drama". I read in one article that keeping the movie interesting was an initial concern thus the need to make some cuts. Obviously, subtlety worked just fine for Spotlight and it did not have to resort to unfitting compromises.

It is a given that people who watch movies look for entertainment. Sensational effects, fast-paced action, or drama overload certainly are usual ingredients for it. However, one has to know when such is not applicable. Fortunately, the people behind this movie knows exactly the direction they want to take.

Story, Dialogues and Flow = (4/5)

The story starts clearly enough with a scene showing what appears to be a representative from the higher clergy talking to a mother who was with her children. The dialogue between two policemen after the Assistant DA walks in requesting to keep it down for press inquiries quickly put the matter in perspective. That is, this case will never go to trial.

From there (1970s), the story fast forwarded to a more recent time when the new editor of the Boston Globe asked the Spotlight group to look further into a story they did several years before about a priest molesting a child. Every scene thereafter fell into place to narrate the story of the investigation they did and the surprising discovery, not even they were prepared to get. This movie might prove boring for some because of the extensive dialogue. In this case however, there can be no other way if one is to tackle the topic properly. The flow is as cohesive as the performance of the actors.

Ending, Originality and Story Fulfillment = (4/5)

It took a lot of guts to tell this story which it claims to be based on truth. The movie was able to present what has already transpired with regards to what is being done to resolve the issue. While some earlier movies may have alluded to allegations of wrongdoings committed by members of the Catholic clergy, nothing is as straightforward as this. 

Like in all stories with topics of unresolved issues, no specific closure is offered by the movie. In fact, it leaves a hanging question to the audience. Being a devout Catholic myself, I initially feared that I will be seeing a movie that will just criticize the faith which I believe in. Thankfully, there was nothing of such sort although it poses a real challenge to the Catholic Church to respond accordingly.

Overall Evaluation = (4/5)

I found this movie very enlightening, putting a very controversial topic in its proper perspective. The problem has always been there - people of authority, whether they are priests, teachers, government officials, and even parents, taking advantage of the weak and the young. It is begging for a solution especially when it has become systemic.

Because of this and the professional way the sensitive topic has been handled, I give my thumbs up to the movie. However, I would advise parents who will allow their teen children to watch this, to guide them lest they misunderstand some parts of the movie. A movie that leaves me thinking of what can still be done is always a good movie because then I will know that it struck a chord in me.

This movie was reviewed by Teresa Martinez who maintains several blogs including her main blog TereSay.