Viewfinder
Larger than life
By Nestor Torre
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:05:00 04/14/2008
Filed Under: Celebrities, Entertainment (general)
MANILA, Philippines—Charlton Heston, Hollywood’s most “iconic” performer (he played such historical greats as Moses, El Cid, Ben-Hur, Michelangelo, Anthony, Andrew Jackson) passed away last week, and the movie industry mourned his death in a special way, which was only appropriate.
We took particular note of Heston’s death because we were able to interview him years ago, when he came to Manila with his wife and their son.
During that long interview, we were struck by the fact that, even in a private setting, Heston was larger than life.
He was very tall, he had a commanding presence, he looked taciturn and intense, his speaking voice was “dramatic,” and he moved like—well, a very important personage! No wonder, producers often cast him in “heroic” roles that many other actors would find too daunting to essay.
Fact is, Heston’s “specialty” also ended up as his artistic undoing, because it made it difficult for him to play “ordinary” men. He was too “big” to play Everyman.
As a result, viewers admired his grand portrayals, but couldn’t easily empathize with them. Well, to each his own artistic encumbrances...
Catching up with Dayanara
Filipino fans of former beauty queen Dayanara Torres can now view her again on the cable TV soap, “Watch Over Me,” which is telecast afternoons on the Velvet Channel.
Dayanara plays the female lead of the weekday soap, so it’s good exposure for her.
She plays a woman who’s the inamorata of a wealthy, powerful man. So, what’s her dramatic problem in the soap’s story? She has a romantic change of heart when her lover’s bodyguard also falls in love with her! Uh-oh, more troubles brewing, that’s for sure.
It’s good that Dayanara has a TV show, especially after the breakup of her marriage to Marc Anthony, who’s now the husband of Jennifer Lopez. Jennifer is definitely a bigger draw than Dayanara, so Ms. Torres needs this show to at least remain in public view.
While the soap may be good for Dayanara’s career, we must regretfully observe that it doesn’t really showcase her at her best. She comes across as a bit too mature for the “romantically confused” character she’s playing.
When she was a TV-film star in the Philippines, Dayanara really sparked and sizzled when she was local TV’s dancing queen. Could she get to do something similar on US TV? Well, if not, “Watch Over Me” is definitely better than nothing.
‘Horton Hears A Who’
The animated feature, “Horton Hears a Who,” is a droll and visually vivacious cinematic rendition of Dr. Seuss’ fabulous fable about an elephant who generally minds his business, but is unexpectedly “forced” to save an entire town of invisible creatures “living” in a speck flying through the air.
It turns out that the town, named Whoville, is headed for disaster—and only Horton, the elephant, can help stave off the tragic denouement. This poses a problem, because Horton is no hero—until he finds himself rising to the challenging occasion, thereby surprising everyone, himself included!
That’s the movie’s theme: That anyone is capable of heroic deeds, provided he stops thinking of himself and focuses on helping others.
Another inspiring theme goes this way: “A person is a person, no matter how small!” You’d better believe it.
For these and other uplifting themes, “Horton” is a should-see production particularly for young viewers, who should also be delighted with its disarming images.
On the debit side, the story’s conflict is too turgidly dramatized, and the storytelling, could definitely be speeded up. But, Jim Carrey is a spot-on voice-actor for Horton, who goes from daft to deft, and from schmuck to hero, with fey and winsome believability.
‘Meerkat Manor’ returns
Animal Planet’s “Meerkat Manor” returns for a sizzling new season every Saturday at 8 p.m. The unusual series “dramatizes” the “love, lust and treachery” in the lives of creatures in the wild. The April 19 episode focuses on rival gangs attacking newborn pups, and half-sisters vying for the role of dominant female. On April 23, there’s a new Casanova in town. Will the pack’s dominant female’s head be turned?
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