Latest news with #Moonlight
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Fans have just days to watch ‘perfect' rom-com that swept board at Oscars
A rom-com musical that earned its main star a Best Actress Oscar is available on Netflix - but not for much longer. A romantic musical that dazzled critics, stormed the awards season and left audiences swooning is about to vanish from BBC iPlayer. La La Land (2016), the film that reignited the movie musical for a new generation, will leave the platform on June 9. Damien Chazelle's film is a full-hearted tribute to old Hollywood, youthful ambition, and the romanticising of dreams that don't come true. Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, the film follows aspiring actress Mia and jazz pianist Sebastian as they navigate the highs and heartbreaks of chasing stardom in Los Angeles. Their romance, full of vintage flourishes and spontaneous song, plays out against the backdrop of a city where every barista is auditioning, and every traffic jam could become a dance number. The opening sequence - a musical number set on a gridlocked LA freeway - became an instant classic and set the tone for a film that blends fantasy and realism. Chazelle, who had just come off Whiplash, directed with a master's eye for style and rhythm. But La La Land's emotional power comes largely from its two leads. Gosling oozes cool as the jazz purist with a dream of owning his own club, while Stone brings warmth and fragility to Mia, a woman always on the cusp of both failure and greatness. At the Oscars, La La Land famously won six awards - including Best Director and Best Actress for Stone - and briefly claimed Best Picture before the now-infamous envelope mix-up, which ended up seeing Moonlight take the biggest prize. That viral moment aside, the film's impact was undeniable: a critical and commercial triumph, and the highest-grossing original live-action musical of all time at the time of release. On Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds a sparkling 91% score, viewers still sing its praises. One reviewer said: 'La la Land truly depicts the atmosphere that Hollywood brings to the world, everyone with their ambitions trying to bring them to life, but at what cost". Another added: 'From the way it was written and portrayed by the actors to the way it was received, it's all amazing. I really enjoyed watching this movie because of its colours and shots - you can really see that somebody put effort and heart into this." A third wrote simply: 'Masterpiece. My favourite musical of all time. My favourite movie of all time." The soundtrack - with songs like 'City of Stars' and 'Audition (The Fools Who Dream)' - became a sensation in its own right. Justin Hurwitz's original score, paired with lyrics by Pasek and Paul, brought a new wave of jazz-infused ballads into the public mind, and helped secure the film's legacy. If you've somehow never seen it, or just want to revisit Mia and Sebastian's story under the golden Los Angeles sky, the clock is ticking: La La Land is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, but only until June 9.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'Ireland gave me and Philip something to belong to': Caught in the spotlight of the Phil Lynott story
The boy is back in town. After a sell-out run at Vicar Street in April, the ghost of Phil Lynott returns to stages in Dublin and Limerick this week in Moonlight — a rock theatre extravaganza that explores Lynott's artistic genius and the early years of his time with Thin Lizzy in the late 1960s and early '70s. The actor Peter M Smith stars in the lead role. 'Philip jealously guarded his private life,' says Smith, 'which created a dichotomy for someone so public, someone who made a living from being in the public eye, having to sell his wares publicly. I remember feeling a tremendous sense of pride when I realised that because we shouldn't be judged on anything but our output.' Smith, who has been heralded for his performance incarnating Lynott, shares striking similarities with the Thin Lizzy frontman, both physically and in his background. Both grew up streets away from each other on Dublin's southside — Lynott in Crumlin, Smith in Drimnagh. Both were raised by single mothers and maternal grandparents, not knowing their fathers. 'When you're raised in our situation, your yearning is always to belong,' says Smith. 'Philip grabbed hold of his Irishness, as I do. No matter where I am in the world, I'm at pains to let people know how Irish I am, even above the fact that I'm black. I don't go around talking about [being black]. I've read books on black consciousness, like Steve Biko's books. I'm very much into black history, like the story of Frederick Douglass, but that's more for my private reading. My real passion is the fact I'm Irish. 'Ireland gave me and Philip something to belong to. He was fiercely patriotic and protective of all things Irish. That bore fruit in a lot of confrontations with journalists who weren't Irish and didn't understand the state of play, shall we say, in Ireland. I'm like that too. I'm quite spiky and defensive about my Irishness. I'm fiercely patriotic. I love being Irish because Ireland has given me something I'll always belong to.' Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma Live at Vicar starring Eric Bell and Peter M Smith Lynott, who died in 1986 in hospital of septicaemia and pneumonia aged 36, was born to be a rock star. He walked down the street with a natural swagger. It could be said Smith was born to play Lynott. He has the acting chops. He has a background in music. In 2002, he was a finalist on Popstars: The Rivals (the series which gave the world Girls Aloud). Smith captures Lynott's spirit uncannily. He got the seal of approval from Lynott's late mother, Philomena, to reprise him on screen, as Smith was earmarked to play Lynott in biopic projects that Neil Jordan and Noel Pearson/Jim Sheridan tried to get off the ground. 'I had extensive discussions with Jim. When we met at auditions, he told everybody else to go home, and sent me into the next room, because there weren't many guys, certainly in their 30s, like me, having the same upbringing and attitude as Philip. I'm a rocker at heart. Jim operates on instinct. He knows his eggs from his eggs. 'So, we were close, but for one reason or another, those biopics didn't happen. Philip's kids were a little bit younger, and their mother didn't want a certain story told in a certain way. These things can happen but now seems to be the right time. Staying away from Philip's private life and looking more at what he's achieved as an artist seems to be doing the trick. 'Philomena was always on board because she wrote the book My Boy, and later an updated, more candid edition. The problem was never Philomena. She was quite the storyteller. Philip's wife wasn't ready to tell the story. 'I understand that. I have daughters. You would want your children to remember your songwriting and not any mistakes you may have made in your life.' Moonlight features an impressive supporting cast, including Brian Kennedy as Oscar Wilde's ghost and Thin Lizzy co-founder Eric Bell playing himself. Smith and his co-stars are accompanied by a live, four-piece band that rocks out Thin Lizzy hits as well as new, original music. 'Larry Hogan, the musical director, has done a great job in adapting the original music to make it sound seamlessly like Thin Lizzy,' says Smith. 'A lot of hardcore Thin Lizzy fans swore blind we were playing Thin Lizzy B-sides such was the faithfulness of the original music to Lizzy's sound. And those are the hardest people to please.' Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma returns for four extra dates to Dublin's Vicar Street (June 20-22) and UCH Limerick (June 24) Read More Culture That Made Me: Music legend Brush Shiels picks his touchstones
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This inspirational sports biopic just crashed the Prime Video top 10 — and it's 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
Prime Video looks to have another hit on its hands with "The Fire Inside." Despite only coming to the platform a few days ago, it's already climbed into the Prime Video top 10 list. If you've not seen it before, "The Fire Inside" is a biopic about American professional boxer Claressa "T-Rex" Shields that was directed by Rachel Morrison (in her feature directorial debut) and written by Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight," "The Underground Railroad"). "The Fire Inside" might not have made a splash at the box office, but it was released to critical acclaim. Over on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes, you'll see it's Certified Fresh, with a 93% critics score and an equally impressive 94% on the Popcornmeter. The movie came to Prime Video on May 27, and in the days since, it's risen through the ranks to claim 5th place on the Prime Video top 10. That's quite the feat, given it's behind the likes of "Another Simple Favor", "Twisters", and "Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning." Trying to decide whether to stream "The Fire Inside" on Prime Video? Here's a little more info about the trending movie, and a round-up of what people have had to say about the streamer's new arrival. "The Fire Inside" is a sports biopic based on the early career of American professional boxer, Claressa "T-Rex" Shields (here played by Ryan Destiny). The movie explores her life from when the Flint, Michigan native first set foot inside a boxing gym, through to her becoming the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In addition to Ryan Destiny, "The Fire Inside" also stars Brian Tyree Henry as Claressa's coach, Jason Crutchfield, plus Oluniké Adeliyi as Jackie Shields, De'Adre Aziza as Mickey, and Adam Clark as Clarence. As I mentioned, "The Fire Inside" comes highly recommended from both critics and fellow moviegoers alike. For example, The Guardian's Benjamin Lee rated the movie 4/5 stars, praising it as a "blazing boxing drama [that] packs a serious punch", adding: "The real-life victories by Shields and her coach were not easy, both pre- and post- Olympics, and what really makes The Fire Inside soar is that Morrison works just as hard to win us over." Marya E. Gates wrote: "Although the film hits a lot of the beats you'd expect, as it outlines Shields' journey towards Olympic gold, it does so with the kind of simple, lived-in details and empathy that Jenkins brought to his Best Picture winner 'Moonlight." Reviewing for Variety, Owen Gleiberman called "The Fire Inside" both "a grippingly downbeat boxing drama" and "a real rouser," adding: "The arc of the drama is built around an enormous curveball it throws at the audience. And that's when the movie really gets good." If you look at audience reactions on Rotten Tomatoes, you'll see plenty more glowing praise, too, including plenty of perfect 5/5 ratings. One user called "The Fire Inside" "a must-watch," "a raw, relentless, and inspiring masterpiece, and added: "This isn't just a boxing movie; it's a powerful story of grit, resilience and unbreakable spirit." Elsewhere, you'll see praise for the cast's performances, and buzzwords like "uplifting", "emotional" and "rewarding". Given that glowing reaction, I couldn't help but check it out for myself, and I'm inclined to agree; "The Fire Inside" gets my recommendation, too. Morrison's movie absolutely is a rousing watch, one that shines a light on Claressa's achievements with some solid in-ring action, but also worth sticking with for the grounded drama that follows her 2012 Olympic victory. Not sold on "The Fire Inside," but still looking for something new to watch? Check out our round-up of the best movies on Prime Video for tons more streaming recommendations for your next movie night.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
From beginning to end, SB19 delivers a concert masterclass
The first day of SB19's Simula at Wakas world tour kickoff at the Philippine Arena will go down in history as one of the best Filipino concerts of all time. There's a reason Pablo, Ken, Stell, Josh, and Justin – the quintet also fondly called Mahalima – sold out the world's largest indoor arena in just seven hours: they are, without a doubt, world-class talents who belong in the biggest stage the world has to offer. The group had to add a second day to the show to fulfill the demand of A'TIN, the name of their fans, as well as casual concertgoers curious to see what the hype is all about. And it is absolutely justified. Day 2 is not about making more money or proving something – by the end of the first show, you will want to see more and hear more. Two hours is not enough to experience the artistry of SB19. The P-pop kings wear their crown well – with pride and with responsibility as trailblazers for those who will come after them. From the well-organized queueing at the venue, to the theater-like stage design, to the remote-controlled LED wristbands and light sticks, to the lyrics on screen, to the energy they brought to the stage – they delivered a concert masterclass that rivals the biggest international acts. No wonder A'TIN shows up for them every single time. Their fans show the power of community to organize for something they are passionate about. Several fan projects and initiatives were launched in Bulacan – aside from the usual exchange of freebies, buses were rented, motorcycles convoyed, the inside of the Philippine Arena turned into the Filipino flag, the stands were cleaned after the show. And a plane bearing the message 'The world is yours, SB19' flew over the Bocaue sky. If you're Team Bahay and unable to attend the show, or you're Team Abroad waiting for your turn to watch SB19 in the coming months, here are seven iconic moments from Day 1 of the Simula at Wakas kickoff on Saturday. 1. Opening with the bangers SB19 knows how to open a concert with a bang. The group and their dancers, W3, entered the stage wearing cloaks as 'DAM' blared from the speakers, creating tension and an explosion of energy at the same time. When SB19 finally shed their cloaks, they were dressed in DAM-inspired costumes, looking like they stepped right off a fantasy set. They brought the house down right away with a medley of their hard-hitting songs: 'What,' 'Mana,' and 'Gento.' 2. The art of seduction After the bangers, SB19 made the audience swoon with new arrangements of 'Moonlight' and 'I Want You,' their seductive songs. 'Moonlight,' their 2024 collaboration single with Ian Asher and Terry Zhong, was stripped of its original quirky dance and turned into a slower, sensual song to match its lyrics. Meanwhile, 'I Want You' is already known as their most sultry track yet, but they somehow made it even sexier than before. Previously, they leaned on the choreography to elicit those screams from their fans, but this time, they mainly used their voices to make their fans lose their minds. 3. Looking cute while singing diss tracks SB19 changed costumes several times during the show, and one of their most fun outfits was a pink-and-black ensemble that they wore while singing their diss tracks: 'Dungka' and 'Bazinga.' Josh and Ken stood out in particular: Josh wore a fitted pink shirt and had a plushie backpack, while Ken's pink feather jacket screamed fashion. Haters gonna hate, but SB19 still cute at the end of the day. 4. The surprise line switch Sadly, SB19 did not perform 'Kalakal,' their collaboration single with legendary rapper Gloc-9, during the concert. But fans still got to hear vocalists Justin and Stell drop bars via a jaw-dropping line switch in 'Bazinga.' Justin performed Josh's rap verse, while Stell performed Pablo's. Pablo, Josh, and Ken also took their lines. 'Bazinga' is already one of SB19's best hype songs, and the line switch took it to new heights. That couldn't have been easy to do, but SB19 made it look easy as a breeze. 5. Josh triggering the water works After all the surprises, SB19 changed the atmosphere with a medley of their ballads. They invited the audience to open their flashlights before performing 'Nyebe,' then followed it up with 'Time' and 'Quit,' songs from their 'Simula at Wakas' EP. Josh then prefaced 'Mapa' with an emotional announcement: his father, whom he has not met for most of his life, was watching him perform for the first time. He made everyone shed tears of joy and relief for him, and he sang his lines with raw emotion and vulnerability. 6. Going up, for real SB19 did not sing 'Go Up,' the song that began their ascent into the throne of P-pop, but they literally went up in the air during the concert. The boys went on top of a round platform that was eventually raised high, so the fans from the upper seats can see them a little better. They sang 'Freedom' while they were 'flying,' before going back down on the ground to thank their fans with a touching rendition of their song 'SLMT.' They extended the song with the heartfelt line 'Ako'y nagpapasalamat' from each of them, with Pablo ending it with 'Kami'y nagpapasalamat' for a ballad-like closing of the usually upbeat track. 7. Ending with the beginning True to the name of their EP, SB19 ended the show the way it began: with 'DAM.' They changed back to their costumes at the start of the concert and performed the 'Simula at Wakas' lead single to close the concert with a parting bang. The iconic DAM tree also showed up on stage, with a lone figure wrapped in cloak approaching it as the credits rolled. And at the end of the credits, SB19 proudly wrote: '2025. Made in the Philippines.' —CDC, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Connections Help, Hints & Clues for Today, May 28
The arrival of a new day signifies the beginning of a new game! The primary objective here is to categorize words that are connected by a common theme. So, we have put together a comprehensive list of hints, clues, and correct answers—whether you need a little guidance or a clever method to maintain your perfect record. Let's quickly dive into the details. Let's quickly dive into the details on it. Today's puzzle includes words like: Crash, Pope, Gladiator, Pedal, Wheel, Bluest, Unite, Moonlight, Chain, Skat, Join, Rocky, Saddle, Bridge, Link, Chicago. Here's an extensive compilation aimed at helping you explore the various categories, along with the best tips and hints from the New York Times' Connections for May 28: Yellow Group: This group embodies the idea of terms that represent the act of uniting, connecting, linking, or bridging. Whether it's mechanical, emotional, or symbolic, every word illustrates the process of linking different elements to create a unified whole. Green Group: This set showcases the individual parts found on two-wheeled vehicles. Ranging from movement and control to support and functionality, each term represents a crucial component that enables bicycles or motorbikes to function smoothly. Blue Group: This category features words of highly praised films that have won the Best Picture award since 2000. These cinematic pieces cover a variety of genres and stories, each celebrated for its excellence in storytelling, direction, and overall impact. Purple Group: These words are playful twists on music genres. Each one features a slight alteration, like the addition of an extra letter. The outcome is a fun variation that changes well-known musical styles into quirky, modified versions. Mentioned below are the reliable answers, along with the solution set for today's NYT Connections on May 28, provided for those interested in analyzing their answers: Yellow Group: Bridge, Join, Link, Unite Green Group: Chain, Pedal, Saddle, Wheel Blue Group: Chicago, Crash, Gladiator, Moonlight Purple Group: Bluest, Pope, Rocky, Skat Start by identifying word groupings based on shared themes or traits. Be open to connections based on meaning, puns, spelling, or pop culture references. Group the most obvious words first, then rearrange the rest. Remember, some words may fit multiple themes, so it's best to stay flexible and think creatively. The post Connections Help, Hints & Clues for Today, May 28 appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
