The Oscars 2017: The ‘WrestleMania’ of Unexpected Events, Winners, Downers, and Upsets for Hollywood’s Best Filmmakers

The 89th Annual Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2017 would go down as the most jaw-dropping of the grandest cinematic awards show in human history as its greatest upset was witnessed by millions of people around the world.

Yes, just like WrestleMania!

The’Undertaker shock guy’ showing his signature expression as Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker, eventually ending his WrestleMania winning streak during WrestleMania 30 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana on April 6, 2014. Courtesy: WWE

It happened, as everybody has heard and read by now, during the announcement by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty for the winner of ‘Best Picture’ which was mistakenly given to the Hollywood musical revival ‘La La Land‘ since Beatty noticed that he held the wrong category envelope. The award instead went to black actor-themed film ‘Moonlight‘.

‘La La Land‘ cast and crew as they were mistakenly announced as the winner for the ‘Best Picture’ category during the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Courtesy: The New York Times

The cast and crew of the unlikely winner of ‘Moonlight‘ for ‘Best Picture’ at the 89th Annual Academy Awards as Warren Beatty mistakenly announced ‘La La Land‘ as the winner. Courtesy: The Los Angeles Times

Eventually, after the mistake was admitted by Beatty, every single person in the audience was dropping jaws all around the Dolby Theatre in shock and awe from witnessing the most highly unexpected event in Oscars history.

The various and immense number of Hollywood stars expressing shock and awe upon their prestigious faces as the ‘Best Picture’ award was mixed up during the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Courtesy: The Los Angeles Times

Other upsets that took place during this grand awarding ceremony were Viola Davis acceprting her first ‘Oscar as Best Actress In A Supporting Role’ for ‘Fences‘, Mahershala Ali becoming the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar, ‘Zootopia‘ co-director Rich Moore, winning for ‘Best Animated Feature’, slammed Trump’s hate-fueled immigration policies, and Iranian director of ‘The Salesman‘, Asghar Farhadi, winning the Oscar for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’, wished not to attend the event in protest of U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban on seven Islamic countries.

Source: CNN.com

“We are so grateful to the audiences all over the world who embraced this film with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other.”

– Rich Moore, co-director of ‘Zootopia‘, 89th Annual Academy Awards

Viola Davis accepting her Oscar for ‘Best Actress In A Supporting Role’ for ‘Fences‘ during the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Courtesy: usmagazine.com

Mahershala Ali accepting his Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for ‘Moonlight‘ during the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Courtesy: usmagazine.com

Directors Bryon Howard and Rich Moore, and producer Clark Spencer accepting the Oscar for ‘Best Animated Feature’ for ‘Zootopia‘ during the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Courtesy: sfgate.com

Anousheh Ansari accepting on behalf of ‘The Salesman‘ director Asghar Farhadi for the Oscar for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ during the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Courtesy: usmagazine.com

Amidst an unbelievable show of the biggest upsets, downers, and winners in Hollywood cinematic history, both expected and not, here is the full list of all the entries and winners of this year’s Oscars:

Best Picture

Arrival
Fences
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
Hidden Figures
La La Land
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
***WINNER: Moonlight

Directing

Denis Villeneuve, Arrival
Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge
***WINNER: Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Actress in a Leading Role

Isabelle Huppert, Elle
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie
***WINNER: Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Actor in a Leading Role

***WINNER: Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Actress in a Supporting Role

***WINNER: Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Actor in a Supporting Role

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
***WINNER: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Dev Patel, Lion
Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea

Animated Feature Film

Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
My Life as a Zucchini
The Red Turtle
***WINNER: Zootopia

Short Film (Animate)

Blind Vaysha
Borrowed Time
Pear Cider and Cigarettes
Pearl
***WINNER: Piper

Cinematography

Arrival
***WINNER: La La Land
Lion
Moonlight
Silence

Documentary (Feature)

Fire at Sea
I Am Not Your Negro
Life, Animated
***WINNER: O.J.: Made in America
13th

Documentary (Short)

Extremis
4.1 Miles
Joe’s Violin
Watani: My Homeland
***WINNER: The White Helmets

Foreign Language Film

Land of Mine
A Man Called Ove
***WINNER: The Salesman
Tanna
Toni Erdmann

Short Film (Live Action)

Ennemis Interieurs
La Femme et le TGV
Silent Nights
***WINNER: Sing
Timecode

Sound Editing

***WINNER: Arrival
Deepwater Horizon
Hacksaw Ridge
La La Land
Sully

Original Score

Jackie
***WINNER: La La Land
Lion
Moonlight
Passengers

Original Screenplay

Hell or High Water
La La Land
The Lobster
***WINNER: Manchester by the Sea
20th Century Women

Adapted Screenplay

Arrival
Fences
Hidden Figures
Lion
***WINNER: Moonlight

Original Song

“Audition (The Fools Who Dream),” La La Land
***WINNER: “City of Stars,” La La Land
“How Far I’ll Go,” Moana
“The Empty Chair,” Jim: The James Foley Story
“Can’t Stop the Feeling,” Trolls

Best Costume Design

La La Land
***WINNER: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Florence Foster Jenkins
Jackie
Allied

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

A Man Called Ove
Star Trek Beyond
***WINNER: Suicide Squad

Production Design

Arrival
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Hail, Caesar!
***WINNER: La La Land
Passengers

Film Editing

Arrival
***WINNER: Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
La La Land
Moonlight

Visual Effects

Doctor Strange
Deepwater Horizon
***WINNER: The Jungle Book
Kubo and the Two Strings
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Sound Mixing

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Arrival
***WINNER: Hacksaw Ridge
La La Land
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Source: usmagazine.com

Writers Note: I am personally proud to witness ‘Zootopia‘ in winning the Oscar for ‘Best Animated Feature’ and ‘Piper‘ for ‘Best Animated Short Film’. A truly remarkable feat for Disney and Pixar yet again.

Maxine Medina vs. Cartoons (The 1st Annual Interdimensional Miss Universe Competition)

This will cover up the whole universe, literally!

“WOOOOO!” The sold-out Filipino crowd surrounding the MOA Arena goes wild blaring at the speakers as their hometown hero, Maxine Medina, takes the stage for the Q&A portion of the show. And the inevitable happens, she fails!

Don’t get mistaken by the gown. She stupendously fails the country with her stupid-in-the-butt answers!

Even Imelda Marcos wasn’t spared from this dismay!

“The terno was actually invented by our former first lady, Imelda Marcos. She invented these butterfly sleeves and they use these [for] covering their face,” Medina said.

– from Ver Marcelo, CNN Philippines, ‘Maxine Medina mistakenly cites Imelda Marcos as inventor of terno, fans remain hopeful’, January 28, 2017

Anyway, welcome to the 1st annual Inter-dimensional Miss Universe competition.

Let’s get this galaxy glowing, with the swimsuit competition!

Ah, yes. The hottest part of the competition!

No, not that hot! This hot!

First up, its Maxine Medina vs. Candace Flynn!

Critique: Well, aside from Maxine being taller than Candace, the former really looks sexy in that outfit while Candace prefers her signature white and red mini-skirt with orange and red blouse. If only Maxine isn’t as stupid as she is, she would’ve won this one! But Candace is smart in busting her brothers, finding ways to get to her mom and get away with any kind of crazy and complicated sitches she gets into!

Plus, Candace is way cuter!

Verdict: Unfortunately, this is a SWIMSUIT competition so this one goes out to Maxine! Sorry, Candace.

Maxine:1 Cartoons:0

Second, its Maxine versus Garnet!

Critique: Yes, I literally showed just how bigger, taller, and MEANER (but loving) Garnet can be than miniscule Maxine. However, Maxine just couldn’t stop being sexy just by showing her skin off! She should just be in a bar right now pole dancing! However, the real competition here is about beauty, not size!

Verdict: Holy gems! Of course, no one ever realizes how beautiful Garnet can be! Just look at this!

Garnet wins by a splash by the water!

Maxine: 1 Cartoons: 1

Yeah, it’s all tied up, but are they ready for this final round?

Last, but certainly (and INDEFINITELY), not least, its Maxine versus Star Butterfly!

Critique: The Trinity of Maxine Medina is able to outshine herself, somehow, during the human Miss Universe competition set on Earth, but as the stars align for her, Star Butterfly truly rules the stars by sporting this very modest, yet interstellar pink gown with hearts that show a more “human” Star Butterfly to even the competition. This could be the most glamorous round and moment yet of the TRUE Miss Universe to shine brightly.

Verdict: As all of you may notice, Star has true and indefinite (once again) star quality AND power! So, this absolutely goes to the interstellar queen of pony heads and magic wands, Star Butterfly! (Beat that, Maxine! Incantation Dance!)

Maxine:1 Cartoons:2

Maxine is biting the pixie dust out of this contest, but the inevitable is coming! The Inter-Universal Q&A portion! Let’s get this supernova blowing!

The question is: What is the most significant change of the universe that you’ve seen in the last 10 years?

Maxine: “In the last 10 years of being here in the world, is that I saw all the people (of the universe) bringing in one event like this, Miss Universe. And it’s something big to us that we are one, as one nation we are all together.”

Candace: Well, no thanks to my brothers, the universe has been altered from putting my face on Mars to making ice cream to the Moon to almost altering space and time from a hermit that claims to be everyone to ALMOST freezing Earth into a new ice age by moving Jupiter towards our planet, so, pretty bad.

Garnet: The universe is in constant motion and revelation through out gem and human history which is why we need to discover more of ourselves and be stronger than others in saying what we have to say. Furthermore, we should stay together for all the time that we have with the humans on Earth until they are finished.

Star: Well, I could say that…

Pony Head: Wait up, girl. Is this the Interdimensional Miss Universe competition?

Star: Pony Head, this is my time to shine. I am going to win the prestigious crown that will make me the most fabulous person in the UNIVERSE!

Pony Head: Well, all I could say about this is that you are already the princess in Mewni, the daughter of the king. He’s your Dad!

Star: Shucks, Pony Head. The only thing that I can say about the universe is that its awesome and great for all people to enjoy and live on. Just ask Marco.

Pony Head: Fine, whatever you say, sugarstar!

Verdict: Well, since Maxine is a wonderful idiot, Candace is outright negative, Garnet cares about the humans on Earth, and Star being a huge star herself, I rate this:

Maxine: 0/5

Candace: 2/5

Garnet: 4/5

Star: 5/5

The winner of the Inter-dimensional Miss Universe competition is, Star Butterfly! Congratulations! All hail, Princess Star Butterfly!

#LeniLeaks: The Philippines’ “Hillary Clinton Controversy” Coincidence (Cartoon Edition)

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo isn’t totally loved by all Filipino citizens, but you already knew that!

As far as leaked emails, well, leak through, Robredo turned out to be the ‘Hillary Clinton’ coincidence in the Philippines.

Well, Robredo is certainly the woman that President Duterte absolutely distrusts as she obviously cheated in the election! But, this might be the turning point in her vice presidency that the Filipino people will totally describe her as “untrustworthy”. See, just like Hillary Clinton!

To be honest, though, Leni Robredo is just a calm and innocent woman who just happens to join a YahooGroup which I am boggled to know about especially since she denied pretty much all the blame from all sorts of critics and media.

Well, I, as a common, media-watching citizen, I would just have to keep everything about my life private and secure and live a normal life.

And as far as the Internet is concerned, which is obviously the main topic here, here is what Robredo has to say:

“For me, as much as possible, I want to concentrate on my job, because I think there is a lot of viciousness now in the internet,” she said.

-Leni Robredo, The Philippine Star, “VP ignores ‘Lenileaks’” by Helen Flores, January 10, 2017

Well, Ms. Vice President, you’re not the only one!

Well, now I think that my actual thoughts on this national issue is that controversy can happen at anytime. So, whatever the outcome of the election was, Ms. Robredo should face what she has to face and keep moving forward on her duties as the vice president of this country.

“If I allow myself to play their game, how will I achieve my goal (to serve the poor)? How will I perform my mandate?” she said….

…“Most of the things thrown at me are really purely ridiculous,” the Vice President said.

“Now they have new allegations, the so-called leaks. My question to myself is, tomorrow what will be their new allegations?” Robredo said.

-Leni Robredo, The Philippine Star, “VP ignores ‘Lenileaks’” by Helen Flores, January 10, 2017

Does Pixar’s ‘Coco’ Violate The Motto?

For over a couple of years now and out of a trademark controversy by its parent company, the critically-acclaimed and Academy-Award winning animation studio, Pixar Animation Studios, has announced that it will be releasing its new film, Coco, this November. It will be directed by long-time animator and director Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and will focus on the Day of the Dead Mexican tradition (Dia de los Muertos). Many people are saying that it will deliver one of the most glorious masterpieces of animation once again to the big screens. However, as I have reluctantly remembered at this point in my animation-viewing experience; I have seen this strange phenomenon come to life through computer-animation before…

But I will mention this later.

As far as fellow bloggers cite that this will be Pixar’s next “original” work, I have at least one concern about this outlook. Some of us (if not all of us) may remember the exact same concept come to our own eyes through The Book of Life, directed by Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.

I read the book of Pixar and Disney Animation president Edwin Catmull entitled, Creativity Inc.: Overcoming The Unseen Forces That Stand In The Way of True Inspiration. In one of the chapters (perhaps Chapter 3), he stated that their main principle (motto) when they are working at Pixar is that ‘Story Is King‘. As far as I understood this rule, I am bent on thinking that this pertains to the originality of their work. However, Catmull also stated that “Originality is fragile.” This eventually states that every Pixar film should not necessarily have an original story, rather it should come from the writers’ keen creativity in discerning existing relationships and transforming them to captivating and heartwarming tales. This makes me critically think about how Pixar conceives of stories that seemingly come out of nowhere. Well, as far as I see Pixar’s films from the past decade, it seems as if they changed their own principle for this decade of their films which bugs me a bit because they are undisputedly the most original animation studio ever (in my opinion). Worst of all, I think that Pixar may be losing their integrity in writing original stories (still my opinion).

This is not what you may think.

I am just trying to mention that I worry about Pixar “borrowing” ideas from other directors or filmmakers which is totally the opinion that I have stuck in my head for a while now. However, it gave way for more pertinent reasons when Lee Unkrich spoke at Disney’s D23 Expo 2015 at which he gave the source of his intentions of adapting this particular culture:

“I’d seen it portrayed in folk art. It was something about the juxtaposition of skeletons with bright, festive colors that captured my imagination. It has led me down a winding path of discovery. And the more I learn about Dia De Los Muertos, the more it affects me deeply.”

Pixar is truly the most creative studio I have ever witnessed. They can transform folk legends into wonderfully crafted pieces of art that just feels like a swirling painting that goes on forever in our imagination. Until then, Pixar does what Pixar does and their motto will perpetually go on for more years to come.

A Cartoon Critique Special: Animation Aftermath (My Top 5 Animated Movies & Experiences for 2016) #Denzel2016

Animation this year is absolutely brilliant that it completely takes me to different places and characters that break barriers never broken before. Beyond the aspect of technology, this marks the year that animation is leaping towards boundaries of adult humor and issues that rise above the expectations of viewers of all ages. As I grow older and watch more of these movies, the animation companies realize that animation is a complex tool to use for expressing the matters of society in endless directions and levels of magnitude. Some were mediocre. Some were awesome! Other than reviewing each of these movies’ elements in terms of story, I would also be giving my own experiences based on their actual events and influence in my life. So, let the Animation Aftermath commence!

 

5. The Angry Birds Movie (Self-Esteem)

This is not just an app-inspired movie. It’s a realistic story of a bird flying (or catapulting) towards his destiny.

The Angry Birds Movie, apart from being a fun and adventurous film, is a relevant movie for me at this time of my life since I grew up from the depths of loneliness and social problems until this point. In college, you need to find your true place in the world which is kinda hard to do if you walk around the neighborhood being laughed at for your indifferences and weird outlooks upon the world. Red is the perfect model for anyone who wants to live a good life only to find embarrassment from everyone you talk to. Heck, even the Mighty Eagle’s got some of his own issues as well about the hope that he’s giving to other birds, including Red! Well, eventually, Red catapults his way towards the most momentous occasion of his life: finding his place within the bird community. I learned to find my place in school along with my peers to assess myself about where my success will be and take me to. Only my self-esteem can take me to where I will be into the future.

 

4. Kung Fu Panda 3 (Creativity)

DreamWorks cannot stop on putting motivation through the stomach of this panda warrior into the hearts of aspiring warriors of all kinds!

Po has been a one-of-a-kind, kung fu warrior who doesn’t follow the rules of the art like most fighters. His style may be called “Foodeception”! He defeated a couple of main villains and hundreds of their comrades using this style which works super effectively 😉 He delivers a smashing (kaboosh!) comeback in this three-parter with an extremely out-of-this-world villain (literally!) that he defeats. Before he did this though, Master Shifu taught him about the way of the chi which he didn’t master at first, expressing his signature awkwardness and humor yet again! However, Po meets his dad and learns the way of the chi in his own unique style once again which makes me engage to watch him a lot. In my case, I am always trying to be as creative as I can be so that I can meet a lot of people who can be interested in me. I use different elements to make myself a creative product that I see in other people. Po acts as himself, so do I. This made me reflect upon my creative skills and improve them as I grow into a much better person.

 

3. The Secret Life of Pets (Loyalty)

Illumination goes from minions to pets in this heartwarming tale of loyalty and friendship, for both pets and owners.

The movie literally tells of a story of a dog and his owner. This might hint at a well-known cliche’, but it suddenly shows another side of this movie’s theme. First, Max, a small Jack Russell Terrier, was adopted by a girl named Katie from a pet shop set upon the streets of New York into her apartment and has become her favorite pet ever since. Second, Duke is a large, hairy dog that was adopted (by Katie, again) from the pound and into the apartment of Katie and Max. He isn’t warmly received by Max who rages in jealousy that quickly manifests into an intense, tug-of-war fight between them all throughout the urban, New York City. I have come and gone from various rivalries with former friends and colleagues over the years, but this year, I developed my emotions into understanding my friends’ experiences and struggles in their lives which empathize too myself. Max and Duke realize that they need each other to be loyal to Katie no matter what, and in turn, be loyal to each other. I always wish to be with my friends for as long as they can be with me to stay loyal in pursuing good lives.

 

2. Zootopia (Optimism)

Disney hits the adult entertainment range with a buddy cop-style movie about a narcissistic fox and an optimistic rabbit forced to get along to solve a complex crime.

I am not exactly going to focus on the partnership of Nick and Judy, but instead reflect upon Judy’s intense optimism in making Zootopia a better place. Ever since I was a kid, I am told that the world was a bright and creative place to be in. I went on to be the best kid I can be to everyone, from my parents to friends to relatives. As I grow to be a much more mature kid, I had to deal with my problems face to face, engaging in fights, misunderstandings, and arguments with people who don’t agree with me. Eventually, they became my friends because I went on to make them look in their lives and realize their connections with my own life until now. Judy proved to everyone and herself just that. Teaming up with Nick, solving a highly dangerous crime and standing up to the chief of the ZPD (Zootopia Police Department) that she is destined to be a loyal and dedicated police officer. She knows that real life tends to thwart your aspirations to become who you want to be, but you should change along with it. She even said herself,

“Life’s a little bit complicated than a slogan on a bumper sticker. Real life is messy. We all have limitations. We all make mistakes…No matter what kind of person you are, I implore you: Try. Try to make the world a better place. Look inside yourself and recognize that change starts with you. It starts in all of us.”

This is what I’m looking forward to do every single day.

 

1. Finding Dory (Nostalgia & Family)

This is a Pixar sequel that emulates the prior, both which show nostalgic reflection on family and friendship, and compose a harmony of tragedy and success.

‘Finding Nemo’ was the first Pixar film I have ever watched. Until then, it was just a frivolous, enjoyable, and humorous adventure about finding a fish that was swept away by scuba divers from his father and placed in a fish tank. After some very courageous and determined events, the lost fish reunites with his father, safe and sound (in addition to saving the lives of other fish in the fishing grounds). In this sequel, thirteen years later from the release of the first film (one year later after the EVENTS of the first film), the blue tang with short-term memory loss who accompanied the father to save his son, Dory, shares her story and adventure in a more revitalized and wide setting.

As I turn a page in my life, I have gone back to my childhood a lot lately just to reflect on what I’ve done for the past years of my existence. Just like Dory, I still want to remain a good connection with my parents. The nostalgic outbursts in Dory’s memory shows that she still cares about her parents deeply in valuing the trait of family. She had already established this since she met Marlin and Nemo. However, Dory proves that family never leaves each other behind. Marlin even tried to discourage Dory from forging in this quest, but her undying love for her family glows within her even more than the strings of light entering the blue, ocean water. I also highlight my family as the greatest aspect of my life and certainly, the most valuable.

Verdict For The Year

Overall, this year has been a growing experience and I just want to grow as the truest person I can be to myself and to others. As I live my college life I’ll guarantee myself to learn as much as I can.

#Denzel2016 #DigiJournPrelimExam2016

‘Moana’: Is Contemporary Disney Better Than Classic Disney?

““Moana” is a modern Disney masterpiece…”

– Mike Celestino, insidethemagic.net

Courtesy of © 2016 Disney All Rights Reserved

“Moana” hits Philippine theatres this week and even before it does, outside the country, there were already raving reviews already, praising this modern Disney hit:

“More than “Tangled,” more than “Frozen,” “Moana” keeps with the tradition that made Disney the leader in animated fairy and folk tales.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

“Such political advances, however, are secondary to the sheer virtuosity of Moana.” – Christopher Orr, The Atlantic

“As usual, you succumb to an enjoyable experience that splits the difference between mythology and merchandising.” – A.O. Scott, The New York Times

As of 2016, Disney has done about nine full-CGI animated films which was the opposite of John Lasseter’s, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, idea around 2006 (as Pixar was acquired by Disney) for Disney to continue in utilizing hand-drawn animation for the future of their company. Unfortunately, due to creative problems, Lasseter and the entire Pixar team decided to lend a hand on producing Disney films in full-on CGI. This is why Disney, from then on, has a long line of CGI-animated films until this point.

Now, to my personal thoughts, I feel that Disney is relying a tad too much on CGI, not because that they’re good at it or they’re being successful financially by this trend. I am just saying that this does make me wonder on how far CGI animation will go for the animation giant and if they ever decide on coming back to their classic, hand-drawn animation. Sure, there are generations that will pass within any organization, but it is a debate on whether or not contemporary Disney is better now than the classic Disney style that we all know and love as innocent and poignant children over the past decade.

As some of you may think, I am not against CGI animation. This is the new generation of animation which even the old artists in Walt Disney’s time while he was still alive praise and give permanence to. Just look at the art styles that somehow elevated what standards animation can reach through even more powerful technology and even more creative artists at this time. In fact, the company is now venturing towards producing hybrid live-action/CGI films. However, I am still wondering if hand-drawn animation could be given a chance to revive and deliver its vintage integrity that it still has until today.

If technology can really enhance everything that animation can do, why not bring back the good, old days when the ‘Nine Old Men’ gave us the true image of Disney that made them remarkably known around the world in the first place? Why not let hand-drawn animation be the other genre of animation that Disney can implement in these modern times which captivated our imaginations even more than what CGI can manage to do?

Courtesy of ©Disney All Rights Reserved

Until then, I hope that hand-drawn animation would have a great revival upon our generation today and Disney could surely expand their franchise into classic territory.

Courtesy of ©Disney All Rights Reserved

The Secret Life of Pets: An ‘Illumination’ Breakthrough

“The Secret Life of Pets” marks a rise to Illumination’s unstoppable progress in the animation industry, apart from Pixar and Dreamworks (Disney is just joining this bandwagon ;)) As I watched this movie, this isn’t just any computer-generated animated film that you would ordinarily see in a Pixar or Dreamworks film, rather this is a crucial milestone on Illumination’s journey towards animation fame, all starting with their phenomenal hit “Despicable Me” that showed in theatres six years ago. They made this all possible through the acquaintance of the sleek and truly modern ADDERLink Infinity Dual®. Anyway, I won’t really talk about its specs, but I did find out that it has a lot of connections from computer to computer that consist of touch screens which make Illumination’s filmmaking very creative and interactive at the same time. However, what I really want to talk about are my critically personal thoughts about this incredible film.

It’s really demeaning for Rotten Tomatoes to just give this film a 75 percent rating which undermines the great detail of the film that can outshine (literally!) any color palette that has less saturation on it. Aside from the cinematography, the acting is absolutely unique and classic to watch as you get a ‘Toy Story’ feel to it. I personally like the character transformation of Max (which reminds me of Woody, of course! #AT&T (AnimationThrowback&Triumph)), and Duke isn’t exactly a Buzz Lightyear type, but he brings the story around quite well in his foreshadowing scene in the sausage factory. The secondary characters are fine whom bring pretty witty lines that are funny in the vintage Illumination way. And how can I even describe Alexandre Desplat’s very jazzy, New York-associated score? Oh, I know, fancily authentic! And, of course, I admiringly witnessed this spectacle in my widescreen Sony HDTV at home which me and my sister loved, even my parents.

Once again, Illumination continues to raise expectation for animation moviegoers and honestly, I would like to see Illumination become the next Pixar. They’ve really gone a long way so until then, we’ll just see what happens in the next few years.

In fact, their new film “Sing” is about to hit theaters later this year, so check out how Illumination is becoming more awesome and creative by then.

Rating: 9/10

#ihateyou

Oh, the horror of people who hate other people is immense! This is like the anti-Donald Trump rally all over again! All I see are people who are hating on everything that ruins their lives! Whatever happened to them is a result of inhumane behavior and mindsets. What happened to America! Did they ever remember that John Cena wanted to rise above hate? Well, NO ONE CARES! This is the story that goes on forever: The love of hate!

As cartoons on TV would speak out, “You’re an idiot, twerp!” Or at least cartoon characters on Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network would say.

However, as an avid viewer of these shows, I would reflect upon these Facebook posts as people who adapted the bad side of these words rather than the other cheek.

And as the Trump transition is growing in effect, Americans will look forward to seeing more hate on all social media sites about their hate for their Trump-forsaken country.

Oh, well. For as long as I stay in the Philippines, I can just focus on my studies and hope to never be sent to Trump University.

And hopefully, they’ll learn that…

Position on Marcos Burial

“To be or not to be-that is the question.”

-William Shakespeare, Hamlet

As an educated person and a Philippine citizen, I agree on former President Marcos’ burial under the Libingan ng mga Bayani. I am aware of my elders’ stories on what were the most beneficial things that he did for our country. He should be well-respected and admired for his great implementations upon our great nation. He embodies what the Filipino truly desires to be and as a political leader, he is not just a great leader politically, he is also a prolific man of wisdom and honor upon the eyes of the nation. In fact, he had done more than just being the president of the Philippines. He became a member of the military and even went to prison not for a crime, but for a reason, which adds to his resume of being a strong and formidable leader of our nation. He only did the violent stuff for the good of the entire Filipino people. There is no particular reason for Marcos to not be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He had done more than enough for almost two decades and several terms to sacrifice himself for shaping the Philippines after nearly 50 years, in which he deserves my utmost respect and admiration as an inhabitant of this country. The Supreme Court had truly done the right thing for a truly remarkable human being.

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