Every Taylor Swift era is a carefully-cultivated circus act. Every album rollout is meticulously planned—the aesthetic is distinct, easter eggs are slyly planted to build intrigue, and singles are primed for chart domination. The trademark red lipstick of the Red era, the glossy girl squad of her 1989 heydey, her outright refusal to make publicity…
Tag: Rant & Rave
As an institution that has shaped cultural consciousness with its vibrant marquees and flashy performances, the absence of Broadway during the pandemic has been painfully felt by many. While actors, producers, and fans alike still dream of the day they can finally come together and experience the magic of theater once again, not all hope…
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Rant and Rave: Mank
The moment audiences saw Citizen Kane’s groundbreaking snowglobe shot, the clever play with lighting, and the long pan back in 1941, its place as one of cinema’s greatest was cemented. It would go on to define many of the textbook filmmaking techniques we see today. The film’s praises were sung to 24-year-old newcomer director Orson…
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Rant and Rave: Gaya sa Pelikula
We often daydream about living in the magical worlds promised by childhood fairy tales. There was always something so reassuring about the fantasy of a true love’s kiss and the certainty that in the end, all will be well. While some fairy tales do come true, more often than not, we take a sharp nosedive…
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Rant and Rave: The Crown—Season 4
The Crown has been one of Netflix’s prized prestige shows, having consistently delivered awards season buzz and pop culture mileage for three years now. Treading the line between drama and history, the show has capitalized on the general public’s morbid fascination with the British royal family. The constant push-and-pull between royal fantasy and far-from-perfect reality…
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Rant and Rave: Hayop Ka!
Growing up, one would often have fond memories of waking up to the sight of cartoon characters and their wacky antics. However, after some years, the magic of cartoons might fizzle out into mild annoyance—cartoons are for kids and you are now an adult. But not with this film; move over Mickey Mouse, there’s a…
The Haunting of Bly Manor is the newest addition to Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting anthology. Fresh off the critical and commercial success of The Haunting of Hill House, fans have eagerly anticipated Flanagan’s follow-up. However, despite being a stand-alone story, some have been quick to compare it to its predecessor. While both revolve around otherworldly…
With a diverse collection of stories, Virgin Labfest (VLF) 2020 offers intriguing narratives for every kind of viewer. This is part two of The LaSallian’s VLF review, appraising more thought-provoking pieces from the online showcase. Mayang Bubot sa Tag-Araw, Sabrina Mayang Bubot sa Tag-Araw is not afraid to experiment online. Using shadow puppetry to supplement…
TheVirgin Labfest (VLF) is back and better than ever. Since its inception in 2005, the annual festival, normally held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, has been the birthplace of plays crafted by both veteran and newcomer Filipino playwrights. The festival has never shied away from boldness, consistently staying true to its tagline of…
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Rant and Rave: Hamilton
Not everyone can be “in the room where it happens”, but now it’s a possibility. Sort of. Hamilton hardly needs any introduction. The cultural and internet phenomenon based on United States Founding Father Alexander Hamilton’s biography was unavoidable in 2016. Articles praising the show’s music—an inspired blend of rap, hip-hop, R&B, and show tunes—and diverse…