The Voice 9: Blind Auditions Part 3

While I'm still not particularly sold on anyone yet this season, I've seen a couple of potential artists that I can get behind. That said, this phase of the competition is getting a bit tired and to some extent a bit labored no? I wonder how many episodes of this.

On with the show!

X Factor Australia 7: Top 12

See, the last time I covered consistently X Factor Australia was in Season 5, where Dami Im eventually came out as the winner of the show. I don't know. Something about that season made me do it. Last season, I didn't have enough time, but I did wrap-up post of the best performances from that season,

And then, here we are! The seventh season of X Factor Australia. Quite frankly, I had high hopes with this group. I've been following almost everyone's journey since their auditions and I thought that this group had potential to be great. I admit, this episode was a bit of a letdown, but I'm hoping for the best for the rest of the season.

On with the show!

Movie Review: The Intern

To sell a sophisticated comedy to a youth-obsessed audience was a gamble that would surely signal a train wreck by default, but The Intern pulled that daunting task with aplomb. Sure, I had problems with the film shifting abruptly from light to melodramatic and the story may not be the most original, but the brilliant and heartfelt acting carried the film to something more than your usual comedy fare. No scene seemed forced and it seemed like a realistic exploration of the premise thanks to the endearing and magnetic performances of both Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. The chemistry between the them was simply outstanding. Seriously. The Intern may just be one of the most immersing movies I've seen this year - there was more of an emotional tug here than in Everest. No, it wasn't without any flaws, but it was charming and thoroughly touching. 8

Movie Review: Everest

Everest may not be the most exciting film this year, but what really made this work were the stunning visuals. Really. Every single shot looked breathtaking, the cinematography was splendid, and it was just an all around spectacle. There were even moments where I was transcended to the vast landscape of the mountains that I genuinely felt the chills, literally. The cast also delivered some fine performances. Jason Clarke was unexpectedly good as the lead, but it was the support from Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, and Robin Wright that made things a lot more relatable. That being said, the narrative became progressively cluttered, and the character development was a tad weak and inconsistent that I somehow didn't care much about any of them, which was odd. Ultimately, Everest's magnificent visuals, at the very least, made this a dynamic experience and somehow compensated to some of the film's glaring flaws. 7

The Voice 9: Blind Auditions Part 2

I have to admit, I didn't expect things to pick up from yesterday, but there were a couple of solid blind auditions tonight. Sure, it still didn't make me excited for the season, but I'm hoping for a few more outstanding performances from here on out.

Oh, and why did they montaged three of Gwen's artists? Ha.

On with the show!

Movie Review: Heneral Luna

I was ready to endure yet another earnest, somewhat insipid and lengthy biopic, but Heneral Luna turned out to be quite riveting and strangely comical - almost to a fault. I thought the story was gripping, powerful, and frankly, a bit eerie, and while not entirely accurate as it took some much needed dramatic licenses, it still had a ring of truth and authenticity to it. On a technical standpoint, everything was on point. It was beautifully shot and edited, the cinematography was stunning, the costumes and set designs were admirable, and the acting performances were exquisite. John Arcilla seized the chance to play this larger than life character and ran with it. He made me care about a man who wasn't all that immediately likable, and in lesser hands the role would've been a mess. Mon Confiado, on the other hand, was just as impressive. He may not be as showy, but his performance was textured and subtle. Heneral Luna was not a perfect film by any means - the humor, for example, became too overbearing at one point that it almost felt contrived - but it packed a powerful wallop regardless and it made me think, and that's all too rare. 8.5

The Voice 9: Blind Auditions Part 1

Guess what? The Voice is now on it's ninth season! It's crazy! Can't they take a longer break? Both Blake Shelton and Adam Levine need it! Haha.

Tonight, the blind auditions ranged from decent to good. Nothing stood out really in a Christina Grimmie, Kimberly Nichole, Javier Colon, Taylor Phelan, India Carney kind of way. I'm hoping this year will match or even top the epicness that was Season 8.

On with the show!