Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 24 | Page 26

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PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY December 16 - 31, 2018
If Beale Street Could Talk (PG) ****
By Alan Samuel
How far will a woman go to
protect her lover. All the way is the
answer in the terrific If Beale Street
Could Talk. Easily one of the best films
of the year this romantic drama from
EOne Entertainment is now turning up
the heat at select Cineplex Cinemas
around B.C. Be sure to catch it if you
like love sagas.
Director Barry Jenkins does do
justice to the highly acclaimed James
Baldwin novel. Set in modern times
this film looks at the plight of two
young lovers from Harlem - though
the area could be any ghetto in
America. Together Tish and her beau
seemed destined for a long happy life,
Check that - a troubling incident with
the law dashes their hopes. Cast in
this light Kiki Lane turns in a riveting
performance as she tries to prove her
boyfriend ( a steady as he goes shell-
shocked Stephan James) is innocent.
Pain and struggle pores out
of every pore in 19 year old Tish’s
body while her family tries Tom
insole her. Complicating matters
is the nonchalant attitude of some
members of the incarcerated lover’s
family. Wicked indeed are the assaults
on the senses as some endless mind
games related to child rearing and
religion boil to the surface. You get
the picture as temperatures rise and
Precious Cargo !
Stephan James as Fonny and KiKi Layne as Tish Star in Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK,
an Entertainment One release. Photo: Tatum Mangus
emotions get the better of some as
the stakes between life and no life rise
to the surface.
Picture perfect acting on all
sides of this battle to pursue the
truth will stick with you afterwards.
And a mesmerizing score that ideally
parallels the mood of hope and
despair serves to further enhance this
wonderful little gem from Annapurna
Pictures. Except for a very few liberties
taken that lead to some unexpected
Vice (PG) ***
moments If Beale Street Could Talk
speaks volumes on religious paranoia
and racial strife In modern America
and deserves to be heard loud and
clear come Oscar time.
TEST NO. 3: ARTS & CULTURE
1. What legendary creature is depicted in
the large chamber mural of the United Nations
Security Council in New York City?
a. Phoenix
b. Pegasus
2. In Japanese culture, it’s considered rude
if you slurp your noodles while eating.
Power Play!
Say the word vice and nine out of ten people would think you
mean something sleazy and related to sex, drugs or rock and roll. It vices also
has other meanings. Here it refers to some sleazy state of politics wherever
you look presided over by the number two person in public office - the Vice
President. Prepare to be swept away by the power and corruption wielded by o
e ultra savvy operator in the eventful Vice. Here EOne Entertainment unleashes
some heavyweight actors who bring to life a larger than life character in A
rather unwieldy life in America. Mobilize and join the movement at Cineplex
Cinemas across B.C.
Power is what it’s all about. At least in politics. This very timely movie
offers a glimpse into the power politics reminiscent of the Bush era. Man of the
hour in this quest for power is Dick Cheney. Consummate actor Christian Bale
(Batman) gives a banner performance as the Wyoming native who rose from
obscurity to the highest seats of power in Washington. Consider this life long
Republican to be the ultimate insider.
With a crackerjack cast including Amy Adams as the Mrs. and
Steve Carell (Get Smart) as the likable yet scheming Donald Rumsfeld Vice is
a play by play peek into the machinations of a ruthless ambitious loner who
somehow rose fro obscurity to the ultimate seat of power. Include the always
entertaining Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush and you have a wonderful take
on the Presidency and the pretenders to the throne.
Insightful, honest and laced with ironic humour Vice is must see
entertainment for political junkies and those into exciting performances. Be
sure to stick around for the end credits which further adds fuel to the fire of a
nation with some pretty drastic opposing views.
a.
True
b.
False
3.
What popular doll literally means “little matron”?
a.
Kachina
b.
Amish
c.
Matryoshika
d.
Kokeshi
4.
Whose fascinating cartoons depict contraptions that performed
simple tasks in indirect convoluted ways?
a.
Al Capp
b.
Rube Goldberg
c.
Philip Francis Nowlan
d.
Alex Raymond
5.
What architectural masterpiece has been poetically described as
“a teardrop on the face of eternity”?
Great Pyramid (Giza, Egypt)
a.
b.
Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)
c.
Borobudur (Magelang, Indonesia)
d.
Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
6.
Name the renowned goldsmith who made the fabulous jewelled
eggs for the czars of Russia.
In 1883 book, Jiminy Cricket tells what title character. “woe to
7.
boys who refuse to obey their parents and run away from home”?
In 2010, what elusive British graffiti artist was named as one of
8.
the world’s 100 most influential figures, along with Barack Obama, Steve
jobs and Oprah Winfrey?
What festival that’s celebrated in a number of countries means
9.
“Fat Tuesday” in French?
Solve this “hard” riddle: What famous American rock supergroup
10.
has four members but none of whom sing?
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