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Impressive animal sequences in “Wolf Totem”
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos Cortesy
In acclaimed director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film adaptation of Jiang Rong’s best-selling novel, a young Beijing student is sent to live among the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia. Caught between the advance of civilization from the south and the nomads’ traditional enemies – the marauding wolves – to the north; humans and animals, residents and invaders alike, struggle to find their true place in the world.
During 121 minutes with Mandarin and Mongolian languages with English subtitles, Feng Shaofeng, Shawn Dou with, Ankhnyam Ragchaa, Yin Zhusheng, Basen Zhabu as part of the cast, will surprise you with a great story of survival of wild animals. The balance of man and wolf works like this. Everything depends on the grass feeding the sheep, horses and goats, which the herdsmen use for food, clothing and shelter. The grasslands are also home to marmots, mice, rabbits and gazelles. Definitely is a different story and the way of life of the tribes is something completely alien to the main characters’ experience. The tribesmen are so finely attuned to steppe life and so reverent of their nature that the young man is at first overwhelmed, but he eventually grows to appreciate their customs but his heart for a wolf puppy puts in a interesting and precious balance between predators and prey, and all results in chaos.
This story is important and emotionally hard-hitting and reflects the real farmers and the problem with China’s policies regardless of regional considerations. A great film which deserves to be seen due has beautiful scenarios with many social details and facts into characters’ dialogs.
A film full of contrast and passion in “Jimmy’s Hall”
By GTVW Staff
Photos Agency
From Director Ken Loach and a well structured cast Barry Ward, Francis Magee, Aileen Henry, Simone Kirby, Stella McGirl, Sorcha Fox, Martin Lucey, Mikel Murfi, Shane O’Brien, as spectator you will enjoy for 106 minutes the great story of Jimmy Gralton’s sin was to build a dance hall on a rural crossroads in an Ireland on the brink of Civil War In 1921. The Pearse-Connolly Hall was a place where young people could come to learn, to argue, to dream… but above all to dance and have fun. As the hall grew in popularity its socialist and free-spirited reputation brought it to the attention of the church and politicians who forced Jimmy to flee and the hall to close.
A decade later, at the height of the Depression, Jimmy returns to Co. Leitrim from the US to look after his mother and vows to live the quiet life. The hall stands abandoned and empty, and despite the pleas of the local youngsters, remains shut. However as Jimmy reintegrates into the community and sees the poverty, and growing cultural oppression.
Definitely is a smart and familiar film, full of turbulent times for each character and celebrates the spirit of these free-thinkers. The best key element is the Jazz Music with certain predictable anti-clerical anti-Irish stereotype. Even Ken Loach tends to be unsubtle when he is making some political points; however, this film earns points in many facts such as all violent protests that the main character has to face from the church for running a dance hall where his freedom has been compromised.
The light side of mental illness in “Infinitely Polar Bear”
By GTVW Staff
Photos Agency
Maya Forbes’ directing debuts with Infinitely Polar Bear, starring Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky, Ashley Aufderheide, Beth Dixon. During 88 minutes you will enjoy many emotional and comical bitterness scenes. Definitely, it is a film about the effects of mental illness on a family and about love and the hard choices people have to make every day. It is a funny and heartrending portrait of the many unexpected ways in which parents and children save each other.
Despite Cam’s (Mark Ruffalo) is a manic-depressive mess of a father tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters with a touch of rebellion.
As Sony Picture Classic’s film, Maya Forbes is a filmmaker to watch in order to be entertained by some good ideas, plot, cast and performances.
The top 10 can’t miss live shows at Knott’s Berry Farm this summer
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos by Alfonso De Elias
Farm fresh summertime fun at Knott’s Berry Farm will enhance all of the wholesome charm and excitement guests enjoy year-round at the iconic theme park. During June 13 through September 7, Knott’s summer, guests will also be able to experience the incredible new ride, Voyage to the Iron Reef and the best top 10 can’t miss live shows at Knott’s Berry Farm this summer:
1. (NEW) Blockbuster Beagle!…on ice – Charles M. Schulz Theatre: Snoopy and his Peanuts buddies “go Hollywood” bringing Walk of Fame glamour, dazzling movie lot escapades and California excitement to a brand new ice show adventure. Join Snoopy and our world-class ice skating stars for this amazing new production! June 13 – August 23; no shows on Wednesdays.
2. (NEW) Vertical Impact – Calico Square Stage: The show presents the ultimate blend of extreme stunts with high flying acrobats performing a one of a kind performance perfect for the entire family! This high energy show is set to the most popular songs of today, combining everything from trampoline stunts, BMX, – more – Page 2 of 3 The Top 10 Can’t Miss Live Shows At Knott’s Berry Farm This Summer skaters, dancers, and aerialists. Every show ends with an informal meet & greet for the guests with the entire cast on stage. June 13 – August 23. No shows on Mondays & Tuesdays.
3. (NEW) Vertical Impact: Geared Up! – Calico Square Stage: The fun continues after dark as the cast pumps up the volume with the latest hits, the biggest tricks and awesome special effects. The pace is intensified, the stunts are electrified, and the cast is breaking down the walls, defying gravity, and taking it all to the next level. “DJ Nytemadness” keeps the party going mixing all the best of current EDM, dance & pop hits after each show while the gleeful cast invites guests become a part of the fun. June 13 – August 23; no shows on Mondays & Tuesdays.
4. (NEW) Big Band Swingin’ Sundays – Boardwalk Circle: The timeless allure of swing dancing is something guests won’t want to miss this summer! Jump, Jive & Swing to the sounds of Orange County’s best local Big Bands. Sundays, June 14 – August 30.
5. Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies – Bird Cage Theatre: Things get krazy when Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies perform their toe tappin’, knee-slappin’, side splittin’ country comedy show that has Knott’s audiences clamoring for more! See Knott’s website for show dates and times.
6. Salsa Bands – Fiesta Plaza Stage: Fiesta Plaza stage heats up this summer with the infectious energy created by some of Orange County’s most popular salsa bands. See Knott’s website for show dates and times.
7. The Ghost Town Miners – Spurs Stage: For a “Yeehaw” of a good time guests won’t want to miss the Ghost Town Miners sing and play some of the best bluegrass this side of the Rio Grande! June 16 – August 20; Tuesday – Wednesday.
8. The Big Fat Steve Band – Boardwalk Circle Stage: Back by popular demand, The Big Fat Steve Band is a one-of-a-kind dance band with a swingin’ beat. – more – Page 3 of 3 The Top 10 Can’t Miss Live Shows At Knott’s Berry Farm This Summer Enjoy the live musicality of rockabilly, swing and classic sounds. The only thing missing is your dance moves. See Knott’s website for show dates and times.
9. Ghost Town Streetmosphere – Ghost Town Streets: Ghost Town is alive with townsfolk who will put you smack dab in the middle of the Wild West. New residents have put down stakes recently – Clem Culpepper, the ever hopeful gold miner, Ma & Pa Shine, our resident moonshiners & Nathan Quickly, the Pony Express Agent, and more Calico townsfolk.
10. Charlie Brown’s Happy Campers – Camp Snoopy Theatre: Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, their friend JT, and the world’s most popular beagle, Snoopy will take the stage in a show that’s sure to make an outdoorsman out of anybody! Daily, June 14 – September 1.
Ghost Town, where a lot of the employees dress up and tell stories about their character/job, and mostly of the employees greeted visitors nicely. The employees around the park were pretty helpful especially when GalaTView staff stopped a couple of times to ask questions and make comments about the place and each time. Definitely, people would love to come back in the future to try the rest of the BB goodies, live shows and Ghost Rider.
Unexpected end of the sequence “The human centipede 3 (final sequence)”
Photos and Text by Alfonso De Elias
Bully prison warden Bill Boss (The Human Centipede Part I’s Dieter Laser) has a lot of problems; prison riots, medical costs, staff turnover, but foremost he is unable to get the respect he thinks he deserves from his inmates and the state Governor (Eric Roberts). He constantly fails in experimenting with different ideas for the ideal punishment to get the inmates in line, which drives him completely insane. Under threats of termination by the Governor, his loyal right hand man Dwight (The Human Centipede Part II’s Laurence R Harvey) comes up with a brilliant idea. An idea based on the notorious Human Centipede movies that will literally and figuratively get the inmates on their knees, creating the ultimate punishment and deterrent for anyone considering a life of crime.
The film is full of perversely sick moments, with psychotic performance of the actors, and many shocking gores in many scenes but the director, playing himself with his characters and the visits of the prison make the plot more interesting. Although I like the idea of some men must experience the concept of the human centipede as punishment for their behavior, this one is pure entertainment that reflects many celebrations of sexual violence (I’m not in favor of). I have to recognize that the concept was really original with certain kind of politics and the goal was accomplished as well. This trilogy deserves a space for the unique graphics with two lead actors who have actually been brilliant. Definitely, is brilliantly bizarre, unbelievably strange. Despite “The human centipede 3” is not considered one of the best films, for some fans of the trilogy, might be the best horror films of the year.
The Piano Guys were playing Cello and a Piano in a classical vein
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos by Alfonso De Elias
The Piano Guys were in a great concert at Greek Theater which has excellent acoustic, audio and friendly management help. These four talented dads from Utah, have climbed the Great Wall of China for their craft, landed a top Billboard charts, sold out tour dates around the world, accrued a massive social media following and scored YouTube viewership at 500 million views with their brand new album, Wonders!
Their concert was full of film music videos, with successful single/video releases from the past year such as, “Let It Go,” “Kung Fu Piano: Cello Ascends,” and “Story of my Life.” It also includes new songs with strong familiarity that incorporates melodies from Dave Matthews Band’s huge hit “Ants Marching / Beethoven Ode to Joy,” they continued with more beautiful songs such, “Epic,”“Bourne,””Upside Down,””Father’s Eyes,” until the intermission.
As spectator, I realized these talented artists have a real connection through their little chats with the audience. After the intermission, they continued with “Secrets,” “Snoopy,””Story of My Life,” “1000 Years,”“Mashup,””Rockabell,””Beautiful” and in some songs were hilarious because Jon was dancing with a particular and unique style. If he weren’t a musician, he would’ve made for a fantastic comedian.
The Piano Guys – Steven Sharp Nelson, Jon Schmidt, Al Van der Beek and Paul Anderson included a well structured concert, dynamic and worthy. For me, this concert might be the best show of the year.
Rocker Marilyn Manson was involved in a fight
By GTVW staff
Photos Agency
Marilyn Manson was punched in the face during a post-concert dining stop in a famous restaurant in Lethbridge, Alberta, this past weekend. Mason and his group made nasty comments about some people at another table.
One Music's Biggest Stars Will Bring Her First North American Headlining Tour To Many Cities in USA
By GTVW Staff
Photos Agency
Few artists are having a bigger year than pop music superstar, Ariana Grande. With two GRAMMY Award-nominations including Best Pop Vocal Album forMy Everything and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Bang Bang” with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, a coveted performance spot on the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards, a Platinum-certified #1 album for My Everything, several chart-smashing singles, aBillboard Women In Music Award, an MTV Video Music Award. This great singer will have THE HONEYMOON TOUR summer run will kick off July 16, 2015 at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Fla. and visit nearly 40 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada including stops in Nashville, Montreal, Las Vegas, Toronto and more. Latin Superstar Prince Royce who recently debuted his first English single “Stuck on A Feeling” will be a special guest on all dates of the tour.
Home is a loveable and likeable film
By GTVW Staff
Photos by Alfonso De Elias
During 1 hr. 33 min, a loveable misfit from another planet, lands on Earth and finds himself on the run from his own people, he forms an unlikely friendship with an adventurous girl named Tip who is on a quest of her own. Through a series of comic adventures with Tip, Oh comes to understand that being different and making mistakes is all part of being human, and together they discover the true meaning of the word Home. Definitely, it’s a film that will make you laugh with full of great and humourous animation. Tucci, (Rihanna), a 12-year-old girl was separated from her mother, Lucy (Jennifer Lopez) and Matt Jones & Brian Stepanek Director Tim Johnson, producers Mireille Soria & Suzanne Buirgy and choreographer Beau Casper Smart. Most of all characters have successful emotional moments and some many parts of the film almost make you fell natural emotions like love, friendship and support. A film that is highly recommended for viewers of all ages.
