Emma Stone. Jonah Hill. Justin Theroux. Sally Field. Begin your journey into the world of “Maniac”

Created by Patrick Somerville and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, 

“Maniac” debuts globally September 21, only on Netflix.

Synopsis:

Set in a world somewhat like our world, in a time quite similar to our time, MANIAC tells the stories of Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone) and Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill), two strangers drawn to the late stages of a mysterious pharmaceutical trial, each for their own reasons.  Annie’s disaffected and aimless, fixated on broken relationships with her mother and her sister; Owen, the fifth son of wealthy New York industrialists, has struggled his whole life with a disputed diagnosis of schizophrenia. Neither of their lives have turned out quite right, and the promise of a new, radical kind of pharmaceutical treatment—a sequence of pills its inventor, Dr. James K. Mantleray (Justin Theroux), claims can repair anything about the mind, be it mental illness or heartbreak—draws them and ten other strangers to the facilities of Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech for a three-day drug trial that will, they’re assured, with no complications or side-effects whatsoever, solve all of their problems, permanently. 

Things do not go as planned.

URL: netflix.com/maniac

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Movies: Strong Wave Of Feminism In “Battle Of The Sexes” On December 6 At Ayala Malls Cinemas

It was a match that entered the history books, changing the game for women and men around the world. The highly publicized, much hyped and hugely entertaining “Battle of the Sexes” was one of the most watched sporting events ever. But its impact extended far beyond tennis and the sporting arena. Taking us back 44 years, starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell, helmed by gifted directors, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris bring the 70s alive with vitality, comedy and poignancy, relating the build-up to the match that was viewed on TV by an unprecedented global audience of 90 million.
 
The year is 1973 and former champion, Bobby Riggs, is all but forgotten. He is determined to get back into the limelight, make some money and make himself relevant again.  He issues a challenge to Billie Jean King (Stone), proudly and controversially proclaiming himself to be a male chauvinistic pig, while insisting that no female tennis player will ever be able to beat him. The 55 year-old tennis player, a hustler and loud showman, (Carell) asserts that women belong in ‘the bedroom and the kitchen.’ The 29 year-old tennis star takes Riggs up on the challenge.

The “Battle of the Sexes” becomes the arena for a greater battle for equal rights and women’s pay. To put the era in perspective, despite massive accomplishments by women, along with the presence of an increasingly influential feminist movement, it is still a man’s world – at least as far as equal rights and prevailing attitudes are concerned. Billie Jean King is fighting for women to receive the same fees that men get in Grand Slam tournaments. The match turns attention to inequality in every area of work and life. Played out in the glare of TV cameras and newspapers around the world, the run-up to the match reaches fever pitch. Women who are incensed by Riggs, rally behind the pioneering King, and at the other end of the spectrum, the battle exacerbates entrenched sexist attitudes. In a clever ploy to capitalize on the controversy, Riggs turns the match into a circus!

Movies: Find Out Who Wins In “Battle Of The Sexes” At Ayala Malls Cinemas On December 6

In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women’s movement, the 1973 tennis match between women’s world champion Billie Jean King (played by Emma Stone) and ex-men’s-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the “Battle of the Sexes” and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world.

As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles.  The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) developed.  And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family and wife Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue).  Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.

The build up to the match, the spectacle it became and the quest for equality it continues to inspire all come to life in “Battle of the Sexes.”  Husband-and-wife directorial team Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton (Academy Award winning Little Miss Sunshine) explore a moment when social change was embodied by two complex people.  Dayton and Faris brought together Oscar® winner Emma Stone, in a physically and emotionally demanding role unlike any she’s yet tackled, with Oscar® nominee Steve Carell at his most complicated as self-made media celebrity Bobby Riggs.

Movies: Tennis’ Greatest Showdown “Battle Of The Sexes” Exclusive At Ayala Malls Cinemas

Emma Stone and Steve Carell star in the exciting and moving new film “Battle of the Sexes,” which is based on true events and revolves around tennis legend Billie Jean King’s historic 1973 match against Bobby Riggs. Oscar winner Emma Stone stars as King; Oscar nominee Steve Carell plays Riggs, the former champion who claimed that no woman would ever defeat him. The electrifying contest was viewed by millions worldwide.

The film, from directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, is heartfelt and infused with humor, relating the personal journeys of both players. It delivers insights into Billie Jean King’s pioneering achievements as well as her challenges, as she was coming to terms with her sexuality, while preparing for the match.

“Women belong in the bedroom and the kitchen,” declared former tennis champion Bobby Riggs, delivering a wildly controversial challenge to Billie Jean King, who dominated tennis in the 70s, with the assertion that no woman, not even the best, would have the strength and skill to defeat him. The outrageous comments from the 55-year-old former champion provoked an immediate backlash. King, 29, decided to accept the challenge and the battle got underway.

Movie Review: La La Land

In an ambitious and effective opening sequence, heavy traffic stretches out for miles and miles with cars at bumper to bumper, drivers and passengers each lost in their own worlds, listeing to their own music, concerned and worried about their agenda for the day, each trying to get somewhere but not really going anywhere. Then the camera focuses on a lone female driver in a yellow dress, she breaks into song and exits the behicle in graceful movement, kicing in the air and twirling in her dress. 

The rest of the commuters then follow suit, singing and dancing out of their vehicles, singing and dancing on top of cars; it is a genuine, honest to goodness song and dance number in a feature film. As you are watching this, you will find yourself smiling and thinking 'if only all traffic jams can be so entertaining and God knows we see enough traffic in our everyday lives'. You will be in awe and you just know that you are in, for one hell of a show. 

Such is the premise which Damien Chazelle's "La La Land" brings to its audience and thankfully it delivers. 

After the grand traffic song and dance number we meet our two characters (Mia) Emma Stone an aspiring actress who works as a barista and serves coffee to famous actors on a coffee shop on the Warner Bros. lot in Hollywood. She rushes to auditions whenever her schedule allows it, having one coffee related accident probabbly botch an audition for her. Mia is one of those commuters in the traffic jam opening number but unlike the others who break in song and dance, she is too engrossed memorizing her lines for an audition that she does not notice the car in front of her move forward, much to the annoyance of the driver behind her, Sebastian (or Seb) played by Ryan Gosling who is learning piano pieces being played on cassette tapes in his car. Sebastian blares the horn at Mia, who then gives him the finger, and just like that, our two main characters have met. 

We then take turns following their daily lives as struggling artists, Mia as she goes from one audition to the next, desperate for any role-no matter what it is! 

Yes, 'Dangerous Minds' meets 'The OC' is a thing!

Sebastian, a jazz pianist on the other hand is a sentimental purist, an analog guy in a digital world, who when practicing the piano at home, uses a record player (and I totally get him, since I myself own a record player with a very humble vinyl collection definitely getting a copy of this OST on vinyl). 

Sebastian is determined to save jazz and hates having to play at demeaning gigs just to get by. 

The two cross paths which result to some hilarious exchanges and even if they don't know it yet (the audience already does) the have both already fallen each other. 

In beautiful sequences the two sing and dance across the screen, just like the old Hollywood Stars did back in the day-and it is beautiful. Its funny when you are engrossed to seeing them tap dancing and you would think that it was a period piece but then a phone rings and you are reminded that this is in contemporary L.A. 

Of course it can't be all song and dance as the film's main conflict grows, an ugly monster rearing its head and this time it is in the form of ambition, disguised as dreams-because love can only take so much. When Mia and Seb each have a shot at fulfilling their dreams  they risk losing each other.

With beautiful cinematogpraphy where the camera movements compliment the dance numbers to make you feel as if you, yourself were dancing as well. 

"La La Land" brings back the razzle dazzle of old Hollywood with tap dancers that just make you wnt to get a pair of tap shoes and dance! If just one person (no matter the age) decides to take up tap dancing or jazz-then I would be very happy. 

Among the songs in the film, there were two that were stand outs for me, "Another Day in the Sun" (the opening sequence, all shot in one take by the way, very "Birdman" like) and of course "City of Stars" -the rest were unfortunately not that memorable.

You have to remember of course that unlike their predecessors, Stone and Gosling are actors first and took lessons to be able to portray their characters, while they are both incredible actors, the singing and dancing are not particularly exceptional but I have to admire them for the passion and dedication that they put in their craft. Kudos! 

The film is ambitious for wanting to bring the old and the beautiful and I admire them for that. I was so engrossed in the film, that I didn't even notice its running time, of over 2 hours. + That last bittersweet 'what if' sequence?! Phew! It will bring me to tears whenever I think of it! 

9/10- an experince you shouldn't miss in the cinema-and not just any cinema but I suggest seeing it in the best one! The ones with great projection and sound! 

"La La Land" is now showing in cinemas. 

Movies: GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS’ FRONTRUNNER “LA LA LAND” STARRING EMMA STONE AND RYAN GOSLING OPENS JANUARY 11 IN CINEMAS

The highly-anticipated romantic musical and Golden Globe Awards frontrunner “La La Land” starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling brings the audience to classic Hollywood on an exuberant song-and-dance journey through a life-changing love affair between a jazz pianist and a hopeful actress. 

 

                From the recently announced Golden Globe Awards nominees, “La La Land’s” nominations include Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Ryan Gosling for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Emma Stone for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy),  Damien Chazelle as Best Director for a Motion Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Original Score  and Best Original Song. 

 

                Both an ode to the glamour and emotion of cinema classics, a love letter to the Los Angeles of unabated dreams, and a distinctly modern romance, “La La Land” reunites Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, bringing them together with rising writer/director Damien Chazelle (the Oscar®-winning “Whiplash”).   The film begins as everything begins in L.A.: on the freeway. This is where Sebastian (Gosling) meets Mia (Stone), with a disdainful honk in a traffic jam that mirrors all too well the gridlock they’re each navigating in their lives. Both are focused on the kind of near-impossible hopes that are the lifeblood of the city:  Sebastian trying to get people to care about traditional jazz in the 21st Century, Mia aiming to nail just one uninterrupted audition. But neither expects that their fateful encounter will lead them to take leaps they never could do alone.

 

                Wearing its influences on its sleeve yet taking considerable risks, La La Land allows filmmaker Chazelle to pay homage to legends of cinema while harnessing its current power to make the most private human terrain – the territory of intimate relationships, personal dreams and the crossroads where decisions set fate into motion – come to life on the screen as a palpably real, yet enchanted, universe.

 

                As it turned out, Gosling had his own long-held affection for movie musicals that came into play the minute he came aboard. Says Gosling: “I was really intrigued by the fact that Damien wanted to make a film in the style of that Fred and Ginger and Gene Kelly eras, because those are the musicals that move me. The fact that he wanted this film to have that kind of aesthetic and spirit of playfulness was fantastic because it was also a secret wish of mine to make a film like that.”

 

                Early on in the process, Stone met with Chazelle, who took her through his ideas for some of the musical numbers. “It was intoxicating,” Stone recalls. “The idea of telling this really modern story of two struggling artists -- but in a 1950s-style musical version of today’s Los Angeles -- became something really exciting to me very quickly.”

 

                Mia’s yearning for something beyond the ordinary also hit home with her. “Mia is driven by something that maybe she doesn’t completely understand,” says Stone. “She wants to be an artist in a city of so many people who seem to be just like her. She feels that there's something special inside her but she doesn't quite know what it is. I could relate to her being an actress and going on auditions but even more so, there was something so exciting about taking her into this musical world where you can suddenly spin down the street or burst into song. That was a wonderful challenge.”

 

                “La La Land” will open on January 11 in local cinemas nationwide from Pioneer Films.