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Philippine Showbiz Today
March 8 - 21, 2019
Jan. 22-Feb.7, 2015
Filipino group moves to next
round of World of Dance US
Green Book (PG) *****
Road Trip!
Hot on the heels of its Best Picture award at this year’s Oscars
is the deserving Green Book. Here Universal Studios teams up with
Dreamworks Studios, Amblin Entertainment and Participant Media to
deliver a wonderful look at attitudes and attitude change in America.
Call it a coming of age tale with race substituting for sex. Available on
multitude video on demand platforms on local cable and now out on
DVD, Green Book is deserving of all the accolades coming its way.
What a surprise it is to see comedy maestro Peter Farrelly spread his
wings. Part brother of the hit dynamic duo of cutting-edge humour in
the silver screen this acclaimed director and co-writer takes a hard and
inspiring look at racial relations in the U.S. in the early 60s. Back in those
days black and white did not mix freely - especially In the South. For two
hours this tale charts the tumultuous course of two men from different
walks of life and different histories who somehow come together on an
uneven road to salvation and self-realization. Who would have thought it?
Based on a true, yet hard to believe story, our journey
starts off in New York. Here the paths of loveable tough
guy Tony Lip and cultured Dr. Don Shirley cross paths.
Surely, actors Vigo Mortensen (Eastern Provinces) and Mahershala
Ali are up to the task and their soft-spoken (?) chemistry is combustible.
Watch the fireworks fly as Shirley, an acclaimed concert pianist
needs a driver for “protection” on his tour of the south. Think
Driving Miss Daisy with ramped up humour and bountiful
tension. Who better than Tony, a tough talking strong-arming
Copacabana bouncer from the Bronx to provide the right solution.
While on the road, and even beforehand, the seeds of inbred
racism are sewn. Subtle hints become the genesis for intolerance and
misunderstanding as the pair encounter all sorts of painful situations
and hostility. Forced to rely on a publication called The Green Book
Tony and Dr. Shirley must stay at black only hotels no matter what
one’s station in life or place of employment. Over the course of two
months away from home these two men from different backgrounds,
cultures and histories learn to adapt, get to know each other,
understand each other and ultimately like and respect each other in
a wonderful humane way. Like the famous lyric from the a hit Beatles
alumni song “it don’t come easy” truer words could never be heard,
With a great atmosphere perfectly sending you back in time, Green
Book is a delight to witness. Now more than ever in a tide of global
intolerance, Green Book and its creators needs to be seen. And lessons
should and will be learned. ●
A group of young Filipino
dancers impressed “World of
Dance US” judge and executive
producer Jennifer Lopez not only
with their skills in dancing, but
their wisdom.
VPeepz was asked by judge
Derek Hough as to why they
decided to travel all the way to
the United States to join “World
of Dance”.
“I guess we just want to show
the world that even though we’re
all different, I can say that there’s
really unity and diversity. Even
though we’re different i can say
that dance has really brought us
together,” a female representative
of the group answered, which
moved Lopez.
“To hear your… mission
statement, from your mouth, from
how you feel, and what you’re all
about, to me this is why I have so
much hope for the future of this
world,” the singer said.
“You know the state that
the world is in, and you guys are
honestly gonna change the world
and make it a better place,” she
continued.
Hough, who gave the highest
grade for the group, said VPeepz’
fireman inspired outfits fitted their
“absolute fire” performance.
“The
footwork,
the
speed, just how in sync you
all were, how sharp, how you
hit everything, the formation
changes, everything was on
point. It was so strong,” Hough
told the group.
Fellow judge, Ne-yo likewise
commended the group for their
moves and synchronization.
“Dancing with one mind,
everybody moving at the same
time on the same accord you
guys do that in spades,” the
RnB singer commented.
The group got an average
of 90.3 score from three of
the judges which made them
qualified to enter the next round
of the competition, the Duels. ●
- Photo credit: MB Entertainment (N.
Jazul, ABS-CBN)