Latest news with #LaLaLand
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'La La Land' comes alive
THE magic of Damien Chazelle's 'La La Land' came alive at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) recently. The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) delivered a dazzling live-to-film performance that transported the audience straight into the heart of Los Angeles' dreamy, jazz-soaked landscape from the 2016 movie. Concertgoers revisited the Academy Award-winning film, starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and John Legend, in a swoonworthy live-to-film concert experience. The movie showcases the captivating story of Seb, a promising pianist, and Mia, an aspiring actress, who cross paths and fall in love while attempting to harmonise their career journeys in the city of stars. The concert featured a full orchestra and jazz band performing the soundtrack alongside the screening of the movie. This allowed attendees to experience the vivid musical moments central to the film, including the unbelievable piano solos, all played live by the MPO. A stellar performance Gerard Salonga conducted the orchestra, which breathed new life into Justin Hurwitz's Oscar-winning score. From the exhilarating opening number, 'Another Day of Sun', to the poignant finale, the MPO displayed both technical precision and emotional depth. The seamless synchronisation between the live performance and the on-screen visuals was a feat in itself, allowing the film's story to unfold naturally while adding a richer, more immersive musical experience. Particularly captivating was the performance of 'Mia & Sebastian's Theme,' with the piano melodies soaring above the strings, evoking the tender romance and heartbreak at the film's core. The jazz sequences, especially those featuring 'Herman's Habit' and 'Start A Fire', were performed with vibrant energy, bringing the spirit of classic Hollywood and contemporary jazz into perfect harmony. An extraordinary afternoon Visually, watching 'La La Land' on the big screen at the concert hall setting was a treat, but it was the MPO's passionate performance that elevated the afternoon into something simply extraordinary. The audience responded with thunderous applause, a testament to the enduring power of great music and storytelling. For fans of the film, jazz enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates the magic of live music, 'La La Land in Concert' with the MPO was a breathtaking reminder of cinema's ability to move, uplift and inspire. MPO's cinematic season This recent concert was part of the MPO's Season 2025 run, which includes more cinematic treats for movie lovers. In January, the MPO presented 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert'. Film and music fans can also look forward to catching a classic Hollywood gangster movie during 'The Godfather Live' concert on June shows provide the audience a unique opportunity to relive the magic of movies on the big screen while the symphonic orchestra brings the iconic scores to life. While orchestral music has long been associated with the upper echelons of society, collaborations with blockbuster films like these can be seen as an interesting method to bring orchestral music to a much wider audience. Judging from the packed hall on the day I attended the show, with a rather mixed crowd of young and not-so-young people, I'd say it was quite a success for both the MPO and DFP in bringing the masses to enjoy live orchestral music.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Cinespia is pairing ‘La La Land' and ‘Top Gun' with fireworks this July
The surest sign that it's just about summer in Los Angeles? The nightly barrage of fireworks. But the next-surest sign? Outdoor movie screenings in a century-old cemetery. Put 'em together and you have the recipe for a perfect summer night. After making its seasonal return over Memorial Day weekend, Cinespia has announced the classic cinema selections headed for Hollywood Forever Cemetery this July, including two chances to see a fireworks-accompanied film. The lineup—which we'll dive into below—boasts a high-flying action classic, a local love letter, a semi-recent horror sensation and a pair of '90s comedies. Fri, July 4: Top Gun + Fireworks Sat, July 5: La La Land + Fireworks Sat, July 12: IT (2017) Sat, July 19: Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Sat, July 26: The Addams Family Tickets for the events, presented by Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video, are on sale now and cost just under $52 per person for the two fireworks screenings and $30 for the rest, with prices roughly between $24 and $36 for parking. We'd suggest jumping on tickets soon, too; Cinespia's screenings pretty much always sell out. 'Each summer, we invite our city to come together and celebrate the movies that made us laugh, dream and scream,' said Cinespia founder John Wyatt in a statement. 'This July is pure movie magic—from high-flying action and fireworks to nostalgic reunions and spooky classics under the stars.' If you've never attended the summertime rite of passage before, here's the deal: Since 2002, Cinespia has projected movies onto the side of a mausoleum at Hollywood Forever. Thousands of picnickers show up early to claim a spot on the Fairbanks Lawn and dig into their BYO snacks and drinks (yep, including beer and wine). That's in addition to the hot food, popcorn and beer and wine for sale on the grounds of the outdoor movie series. And the series is also renown for its remarkably elaborate and film-accurate photo booths—like this Romy and Michele one below from 2023. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CINESPIA (@cinespia) As for the fireworks show, don't expect a few measly pieces of pyro: This is a full-blown Fourth of July fireworks display. Check out the video below from about a decade ago, when the series last followed Top Gun with fireworks.
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
No popcorn, no problem: MPO hits all the right notes with film concerts
These days, when you browse through the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra's (MPO) annual programme, you'll find special shows that take your movie experience to the next level at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) – where your favourite films come to life with live music by the MPO. Since 2010, when it first screened Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller Psycho, the MPO has been delighting film lovers with its cinema-inspired programmes. MPO and DFP chief executive officer Hassina Begam Abdul Gani said the orchestra began exploring film-with-live-orchestra programming as a way to diversify its music offerings and reach a newer, younger audience. 'The positive response from the public, evidenced by sold-out shows, has demonstrated a clear appetite for this type of programming, which has now become a 'signature series' for the MPO,' says Hassina. By pairing orchestral music with popular films, the MPO has made classical music more accessible, offering an entry point for those who might not usually attend such concerts. To date, the MPO has presented nine film-with-live-orchestra concerts, including Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the recent La La Land, which saw additional shows added due to high demand. 'For me, it's a less daunting introduction to classical music. While I'm not naturally inclined toward traditional concerts, a show like La La Land – though not strictly classical – provides a more accessible way to experience orchestral music,' says Adrian Yap, who attended La La Land at DFP, following his first experience with the format at Ratatouille (also at the DFP) in 2016. A view of the 'La La Land In Concert' series presented by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra earlier this month at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: MPO 'Watching a film I enjoy while observing how the orchestra performs the score makes me more receptive to attending a traditional classical concert in the future,' he adds. Rizal Johan, a fan of the film-with-orchestra format, recalls the Raiders Of The Lost Ark concert at the MPO in 2019 as a standout experience. 'The orchestra played flawlessly from start to finish. It was a unique experience – watching a film with live music and realising how challenging it is for the musicians to stay in sync as the mood shifts from action to comedy, suspense to romance. It was truly captivating,' he says, hoping the MPO will one day give a Star Wars film the full live-orchestra treatment. Opening the symphonic door MPO resident conductor Gerard Salonga notes that the movie screening concert series offers a distinct experience compared to the orchestra's usual performances. 'It's not like ballet or opera where the singers and dancers can hear the orchestra – the film stops for no one. In film music, normally the precision of the musical accents is down to a matter of a few frames which are fractions of a second,' says Salonga. Another challenge is that, although the music is usually well-known, it is not typically part of the repertoire that professional musicians have been playing for many years. 'For example, the first violin part of Don Juan by Richard Strauss is incredibly difficult, but violinists are expected to know the piece well, and have been playing it since they were very young," says Salonga. Next month, the MPO's film-and-orchestra series will feature the classic movie 'The Godfather', starring Marlon Brando. Photo: Handout 'The violin part of John Williams' ET score is also very hard, but musicians would not have spent the same amount of time with it throughout their lives, making the learning curve steeper due to the shorter time to learn it. For a symphony orchestra like the MPO, it makes for an exciting and musically rewarding challenge for both the performers and the audience,' he adds. The Filipino conductor-composer agrees that film concerts are an excellent way to engage audiences with symphonic repertoire. "In films scored by John Williams, the music is directly influenced by great composers such as Mahler and Stravinsky, so these concerts serve to introduce the audience to their orchestras and form a connection with the artists on stage through sharing a profound experience," says Salonga. 'So I hope for our audience members, these film concerts can unlock the door to the world of symphonic music and encourage them to discover the riches that await,' he concludes. For Father's Day on June 14, experience The Godfather Live at DFP. Watch Francis Ford Coppola's classic 1972 film in high definition while the MPO, led by Salonga, performs Nino Rota's legendary soundtrack live – bringing every haunting note and emotional moment to the forefront. More info here.
Condé Nast Traveler
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Sunset Views and Starry Nights: A Dreamy Trip to Los Angeles Inspired by La La Land
Outdoor Experiences Golden hour hits different in LA, especially when you're seeing the city from all of its best angles. On the Beverly Hills and Hollywood: Helicopter Tour, take in aerial views of iconic neighborhoods, celebrity mansions, and views that stretch from the mountains to the ocean—all while listening to entertaining commentary from your pilot. Have a little romantic interlude at Echo Park Lake: Swan Pedal Boat Rental. Glide across the man-made lake—which was built in 1868 and initially used as a reservoir for drinking water—in a swan-shaped boat. From the water you'll experience a truly unique way to score views of the LA skyline. If you're ready for a little wind in your hair, head to the coast for an E-bike Tour of Hermosa Beach & Other Beach Cities. Cruise along the water on an electric bike, and explore the picturesque communities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach. Your guide will tell stories of the area and take you to spots with cinematic lore like Hermosa Beach Pier and the legendary Lighthouse Cafe—two of the locations where La La Land was filmed. LA isn't just a backdrop—it's a feeling. Maybe you won't break into song on a freeway overpass or lock eyes with a jazz pianist across a crowded room, but this city still knows how to set the scene for something magical. With GetYourGuide, you can find the experiences that make you feel like you're in your own modern-day movie—camera not required, but definitely encouraged.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Busy Philipps urged Batman Ben Affleck to 'save' Oscars during Best Picture mishap
Busy Philipps urged Ben Affleck to "save" the night during the Oscars Best Picture mix-up in 2017 "because he was Batman". The 'Girls5Eva' actress had been seated next to the 52-year-old star - who portrayed the Caped Crusader in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice', 'Justice League', 'Suicide Squad', and 'The Flash' - at the Academy Awards when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway accidentally announced 'La La Land' had won the night's biggest honour, instead of correctly presenting it to 'Moonlight'. And Busy and best friend Michelle Williams recalled the confusion that occurred immediately afterwards and how they put their faith in Ben. Speaking on her show 'Busy This Week', Busy said: "We knew, cause we were right there in the front row. "We knew something weird was happening. Ben Affleck was next to me. You reminded me just earlier of what I said to him, which I totally forgot." Michelle explained: "You turned to him, and said, 'Do something! Do something!' Because he was Batman, and he was going to save the rest of us. "He was just as shocked as the rest of us." Busy added: "He was literally looking back at Matt Damon, who was sitting right behind his brother [Casey Affleck], who was, like, two doors down from you. And I don't know Ben Affleck. I just was like, 'He's Batman. He's a movie star. He can go onstage and handle it.' He could not. It turns out, it was very difficult to handle." A photo of the stars looking confused went viral at the time but Busy joked her show couldn't afford to use the image, so she and Michelle simply crossed their legs and dropped their mouths open to recreate it. She noted: "It's iconic." Shortly after the mishap took place, Busy, 46, described the confusion and how she and Michelle were among the first to realise what had happened. She explained on her Instagram Story at the time: ''La La Land' got up there, all of a sudden this stage manager or somebody who worked there with a microphone crouched in front of Casey [Affleck] and started whispering into his microphone really urgently and saying, 'It's a mistake! Moonlight is supposed to be Best Picture. It's a mistake! It's a mistake! Moonlight is Best Picture!' 'We all heard it right there — like right in the front. Nobody else heard it.'
