Film and All That Jazz

No, you're not reading the title wrong. 😁

The four words following the word "Film" on the title are indeed the opening act for the musical Chicago. 

And it feels fitting to use the line as a title considering one fact: The 97th Academy Awards, to be held around 10 days from now, on March 2, 2025, includes not one but THREE musicals, or music-themed movies, on its Best Picture contenders list. ☝✌👌

(source: MFAH)

From The Sound of Music to Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables to Into the Woods, musicals have been a surefire mainstay for Award Shows. But having three competing for the top prize? Had it been done before? 🤔

I'm not a film historian, so I cannot (and won't) answer that question. The lack of coverage indicates that, yes, maybe it has happened before. But what I'm trying to say is: it's really a good time for a musical fan, huh? Moreover, the three musical features in question also come in different flavors. ♪🎵🎸😳

(source: Netflix, Pathé, Paradiso Entertainment)

Emilia Pérez gets the most nominations at the event; a somewhat daring and unusual musical, if you ask me. You can try watching the songs performed in the movie online. And I bet you might be startled by the titles (one song talks about gender reassignment. No kidding!) or annoyed by the comment sections that destroy the movie's Spanish lyrics. I saw a user shouting, "Did AI translate the lyrics?" Others say it's a movie by a French director with a Mexican setting WITHOUT real-life knowledge or experience of what is happening in the country. 😲😬

(source: Universal Pictures)

The second musical, earning 10 nominations, is an adaptation of a beloved Broadway hit musical that spent who knows how many years in the planning stage. In case you're still clueless about it, it's Wicked... 💚💔

Compared to the previous title, you may only find songs of praise online since the musical has such a massive fanbase. And the pitch-perfect combination of Broadway's Cynthia Erivo and pop icon Ariana Grande as the leads only adds to such a fanfare. 😆👏😍

(source: Searchlight Pictures)

Last but not least, stands a musician biopic in A Complete Unknown. True to its title, I admit I didn't realize until yesterday that it, too, counts as a musical. I mean, Bob Dylan is a legendary figure in the music industry. Much like the biopics of Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Freddy Mercury, Elton John, and more, a movie centering on the rise and struggles of a musician will most definitely include music performances. And it's now common sense how this type of movie is easy Oscars-bait. Oh, and hey, let's not forget Timothée Chalamet's status as one of our current Oscar Darlings. 😘😅

So, as a long-time musical enthusiast, former short-lived theatre troupe, and vocal ensemble member in high school, which title of the three am I rooting to win? The answer is.... NONE. 

Not even Wicked, even when I am genuinely fond of some songs that defied gravity, popularized (pun intended) by the musical. Nope. ✋👋

Don't get me wrong. All three movies are good and shine in their own way. Having Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez in one feature alone is a rare Latina gem. And being unable to see the musical on Broadway, I had waited a long time to finally see if Wicked lived up to the two decades of hype. The third title? It may be the most praised of the trio by critics and music lovers. 👍

The problem is? I don't think they are Best Picture Winner material. Especially compared to the behemoth of Oscar 2024 --Oppenheimer or Barbie. 

There is more to that thinking. 🤔

Honestly, I'm not quite sure how I feel about Emilia Pérez in light of the controversies that have surfaced. Oscar movies are no stranger to controversies, of course. But many movies got away with it because the issue came out after their win. This one stole attention during the voting process. Ouch! 😨

As for Wicked? Please don't attack me for this, but when my interest dwindled the more the movie played, it became worrisome. To quote Elphaba's line from the movie, "You have no real power." I understand how and am happy to hear people enjoyed the movie. But to me, it felt rather bland. Maybe Part 2 will win me over with that long-awaited final duet? 😞

Meanwhile, my opinion about A Complete Unknown is non-existent and non-valid. The reason? I haven't seen it or any of its musical clips. I only saw the trailer, and that was yesterday. Hahaha. But, to reiterate, this one seems to garner more critical praise than the two female-centric musicals. It has also won a top prize earlier this month. Is it enough to snatch a win at the Oscars, though? THAT remains a giant question mark. 😐

Nevertheless, both Emilia Pérez and Wicked WILL win something. Zoe Saldaña's repeated win in the Awards circuit hints that her time to add the "Oscar Winner" title to her name will arrive soon. Contrary to the loud chorus of theatre-nerds-united chanting, "Wicked will win everything!"... its higher notes will likely resonate only on the Costume, Production, and soundly so, Sound categories, not the actors. This year's result may not give the Golden Statue to another musically inclined Ariana. A Complete Unknown should fare similarly to Wicked, ranking higher chance in the same categories. Yet somehow, the movie collects more nominations for acting. Those are already a difficult race to secure, considering the obvious victors in each one. And sadly, the odds don't seem to be in their favor. 🤷🙄

Speaking of which, the odds have indeed shifted in the race as the voting heading towards completion. Other industry awards have seemingly leaned toward a surprising title to be the more likely front-runner. Maybe it is for the best, though. Despite including three buzzworthy (for better or worse) musicals, the ceremony itself seems to be caring less about music. 😑😒

During my blogging days, I followed the Oscar race closely and even posted my ballot prediction sheet each year. I think I won't do that this year, as I haven't really seen most of the titles. My focus on the glitz and glamor of the Awards shows or Hollywood in general has waned anyway. 🥱😴

One thing is for sure, though. There will be upsets and surprises. Anything can still happen when The 97th Academy Awards air next month. Maybe one of these musicals will win the top prize. Who knows? Either way, it's going to be interesting, if not divisive. 😅🤷

I'm still a musical fan. That trait likely won't ever change until the end of time. But this year? Well, all I can say is my eyes aren't set on any musicals. Only one title I care about, one singular feature film I hope will win something. And that is? I'm rooting for an inspiring open-source achievement, an endearing underdog that takes the form of a black cat... 🖤🐈😉

Funny Valentine

When this post goes up, it will only be four days before one of the "Special Days" on the planet arrives. If February alone isn't enough for you to guess, then the shades of red and pink tone and heart-shaped items decorating most shopping malls, physical or virtual, might. ❣💕

Uh-huh! It's Valentine's Day. What else? Hahaha. 😍

To be honest, this topic feels like Deja Vu. I vaguely recall writing or commenting about this topic before. Although I cannot remember when or where. That was years ago, maybe during my Tumblr era? 🤔

Anyway, what makes Valentine's Day so special, then? You probably already know the answer. It's the DAY OF LOVE. The one date when romance is supposedly in the air, as we celebrate our feelings to our "beloved people"; a phrase that, thankfully, goes beyond boyfriend/girlfriend/significant other/partner nowadays (as it should be). It is the one date of the year when lovers bask in festive and cheer over the death of a priest in Rome, Ita-- ⚰☠

Huh? That cannot be right? Right? 😨

Except it IS indeed the backstory. 😰

Or at least one of the many stories/tales behind it. 🤔

That's one of the funny things about it. Despite the cheerful and joyous occasion, February 14 WAS the death of a martyr named Saint Valentine, hence the commemoration of his name. Saint Valentine was a priest the Roman Church acknowledged, later removed, but still eventually recognized as the patron of love. 💒🧔

That said, if we go even further back in time, Valentine's Day was originally a Pagan Ritual of Fertility! 😳

I won't go into details as you can read the history yourself. But my goodness, the irony of how this particular event evolved from the Middle Ages, huh? After all, like most festivities, religious or not, now it is all about two aspects: the cultural hype and the commercialization hecticness. 🤷🏻‍♂️

The hype speaks about how many people suddenly emphasize the event so much, often to an exaggeration. And furthermore, the hype shows in how people react to it. For better or worse, that is.

One example. It has become a fascinating sight in my country. Religious places or centers here are either banning Valentine's Day altogether, citing it is a foreign culture, or jumping all-in all-out into the bandwagon of festivity.

Well, please don't take my word (just a naive observation 👀), but the "peculiar" ban is most likely due to Valentine's Day originating from another, non-majority religion. Hence, it instantly becomes a big no-no in their community. 😬🙅🏻‍♂️

What about the other groups of people who are loud and proud of the festivity? It may also be due to the religious angle. "Loving others" is the core teaching of their belief. Thus, the Day of LOVE is naturally a fitting celebration. 😌🙏

(You can already guess which religions fit those "opposing" perspectives, right? 😅)  

As for the commercialization...

Need I even explain more? I'll let this artsy and expressive caricature detail it in 5 panels. 😏

(Source: LoadingArtist)

Hahaha, yes, Valentine's Day NEEDS flowers, particularly roses. Also, it MUST have chocolates! The bittersweet treat that triggers joy and happiness, apparently. Because it is a day of pleasure despite its dark origin. Bring out every ornament that is Red, Pink, or a combination of both! Some people even go the distance with dinner plans at a fancy restaurant or something extravagant. Woohoo! 😍💝🤩🥂

As of this writing, the e-commerce notifications from my phone are pinging non-stop. Proving the comic completely! 😅

"Send Gifts with this discount! Special Valentine! Use this code..."

I'm not really one to complain, I guess. Roses or candle-lit dinners are not my thing. So, I'm not buying or doing those anytime soon. However, during this time of the year, chocolates are always ON SALE! And that delights my inner child and sweet tooth. I enjoy stocking the often-exclusive treats to keep year-round, either for personal consumption or snacks for guests. In fact, I still have several bars from last year sitting on the fridge, expiring later this month. Hahaha. 😋🍫

Tasty chocolate craving side, I can't help but wonder. Have we lost sight of the true meaning of Valentine's Day by this sudden spending? 😳

Sure, the event is good for business. I mean, store owners would have LOVED seeing the increase of customers rushing to meet their "loving" deadline. Cha-ching! 🤑💸

But while the profit gets a boost, the pressure on the store workers may be equally high. Right? 😟

I have a pen pal who works in retail. Somehow, I feel he's already dreading this particular week due to having to work overtime again. How is that considered a loving gesture to them? 😨🤦🏻‍♂️

The gag comic above also concluded with a funny irony. 😅

Somehow, Valentine's Day also becomes a deadline to form a couple. This applies across the world. For example, I only learned last week that Valentine's Day is BIG in Thailand. Because the idea of finding love is ingrained in their society. I hear it has become an implicit "life goal" passed down from one generation to the next. 😶

So, what happens to those who do/can/will not have a lover? 🤨

It turned into a desperate and distressing celebration, perhaps prompting certain communities to eventually kick off the Singles Awareness Day on February 15 (supposedly in 2001). That's cool, I guess? 😅

I'm really not fond of how it is abbreviated as S.A.D., though. Especially since in our modern times, staying single or romantically unavailable/unattached has gained massive traction and normalcy. More and more people, regardless of age or gender, are choosing singlehood for various valid reasons.

To name a few: 

Specific sexual orientations, mental health stability concerns, true love is rarely feasible, fatigue due to the overt romanticization of romance, outrageous financial demands that follow, limitation of freedom is not for everyone, and so on. 😮

Are these people SAD? No, they aren't. Maybe FAR FROM THAT. Unless we're talking about the bigwigs in the government. They may be the sad ones in this equation. Not surprising, though. The stay-single movement does lead to the decline of population, causing many governments to decry and deploy all kinds of (and often, eye-rolling) methods to encourage, if not enforce, citizens to mate and eventually make babies. Yikes! But I'm not here to talk about how problematic and downright SAD such an approach can be. 🙄

I mean, on the bright side, different countries are treating Valentine's Day with lesser levels of desperation. February 14 is celebrated only as the attempt to announce or confess romantic feelings to an object of affection. It's all about the giddy fun of it all. 🤭

Japan spearheaded this world-famous tradition. You most likely already know what that is. It is depicted as a yearly trope in almost every lighthearted manga, anime, and TV drama series. Even in video games! Girls will band up to prepare handmade or purchase exclusive chocolate-themed treats for their crush. They hand those sweets over on February 14 while waiting to see if they will be reciprocated on March 14's White Day. 👀

I must admit that this tradition does make for a fun, usually funny, storyline fit for entertainment. That goes for the silly situations and shenanigans that ensue, of course. I'm not saying that love or romance is a joke. At the very least, it helps encourage us that the quest to find "the one" can be something lighthearted. It does not need to come from desperation (especially if the government somehow must act and have a say). 😌😛

Funnily enough, even THAT tradition HAS SHIFTED nowadays. Gone are the chocolate made for specific crush(es). MaiChoco has taken over! And as a short-term investment, too! Wait, huh? Hmmmm. The commercialization angle remains, I guess. Just aimed at a different direction. Hahaha. 😅

From a broader point of view, that's another thing that makes Valentine's Day funny, I suppose. Out of the blue, people want and need to declare or showcase their love. In this single day, as in a date that falls only once every 365 (or 366, you know the drill) days in a year. It begs the question: 

Why not on other days? 😐

Do people forget about love when it is not Valentine's Day? 🤔😨

That pen pal I mentioned above has his own perspective about these "special days" and the whole gifting situation that follows. He calls it the Random Gift Giving Day. And I must admit, I was already on board or agreed with him even before he told me. 🤭😁👍🏻

This is what he wrote (shared with his full approval):

"Giving a gift, say, on Christmas can mean, 'I really care about you, and this is a special day, so I want you to have this,' 

But it can also mean, 'I feel obligated to give something to you, so here it is.'

But a gift completely randomly says to me, 'I really care about you, and I've been thinking about you lately, and I want you to have this because I think you'll enjoy it.'"

That's an amazing point of view! Would you agree? 😄👍🏻

In a sense, to him, a day to express care, love, or romantic feelings is a day that falls not just annually or once a year. But it is something we should be doing ANY DAY of the year. After all, if you DO care or love someone, whether they are your soulmate, family, friends, or yourself, that is a celebration that should happen at any given moment. 🥰🎁☺💝

Put two and two together, and it is safe to say that every day should be Valentine's Day. We don't have to wait until the commemoration of a martyr's death. Right? Besides, that means we can rightfully honor Saint Valentine better, considering he served as a patron of love throughout the days when he LIVED, not just at his death. 🙏🏻❤

Valentine's Day may mean differently to people. To each their own.

But in my honest opinion, it should not be a day to celebrate love. Instead, it needs to be a day that reminds us how showcasing love should not be celebrated only once a year. Rather, it is something we must strive to do every single day; even through the simplest gestures. 😉❣

(Source: Writer Lady)