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Can't believe that I'm saying goodbye to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - one of the few shows that saved my pre, post and during the pandemic heart. Come along as we explore the heartwarming culmination of this highly praised show, which has made an unforgettable impact on the television landscape.

THE STORY

Without giving away too much, this episode delved into the complexities and growth of this central relationship, allowing us to witness the characters' emotional journey and providing us with a truly poignant experience. It was a testament to the incredible writing and performances that have made The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel such a remarkable series. As we bid farewell to these beloved characters, we can't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and gratitude for the joy they've brought into our lives throughout the show.

Through a clever use of flash-forwards, we were granted a peek into the future paths of the characters, providing us with a sense of closure and resolution. But above all, the finale centered around the profound relationship that has enchanted audiences from the very beginning.

THE FEELS

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has always struck a delicate balance between humor and emotional depth, and the series finale maintained this blend. 

With expert storytelling, the episode weaved together moments of laughter, drama, and heartwarming exchanges, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. As we bid farewell to these beloved characters, the finale evoked a range of emotions, leaving viewers both laughing and shedding tears. 

THE VERDICT

Though the slow burn might have felt a tad too slow at times, the finale was a fitting end to a groundbreaking series that has defined Prime Video's platform. 

Loose ends tied pretty well, great character growth, and powerful emotional moments, it gave me the feeling of that of both satisfaction and nostalgia. After all, the show has been one of my happy companions during the height of the pandemic. 

This show will be remembered for its wit, charm, and outstanding performances, as well as its celebration of the strength, resilience, and humor of women in the 1950s and 1960s.

References:

[1] "Exploring The Cinematography of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ with DP David Mullen." Film School Rejects. Available at: https://filmschoolrejects.com/marvelous-mrs-maisel-cinematography-david-mullen/

[3] "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Series Finale Review: A Bittersweet Farewell." Collider. Available at: https://collider.com/the-marvelous-mrs-maisel-series-finale-review/

Having a busy lifestyle as an A-list sporty active It girl, Juliana Gomez seeks a phone that not only matches her aesthetic, but also can keep up with her jam-packed schedule and bold living. With its eye-catching design and powerful performance, the Samsung Galaxy A Series delivers all that and more, which is exactly what she was vibing with these phones when she took guests on a tour inside the “Awesome Interactive Zone” during the Awesome Together Launch Party held at Marriott Manila Hotel.

Upon trying the Galaxy A34 5G and A54 5G, Juliana was in awe, checking out the excellent features packed in one smartphone. Here’s why the new Galaxy A series is awesome for Juliana:

Expandable Storage and Exceptional Performance

ICYDK, Juliana Gomez is not just the daughter of actors and politician parents Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez, but she is also a champion of UAAP women’s fencing and an open competition in Thailand. As an athlete, it is imperative for her to keep track of her daily progress by recording her training and performance on her phone. “Thankfully, my Galaxy A34 5G allows up to a terabyte of memory and has great camera quality that allows me to take high-quality footage and zoom in on the smaller details of my game.”, Juliana said.

Besides being an international fencing champion, Juliana also prioritizes her studies as an Iska of UP Diliman. That’s why it’s very important to her to have a device that is fast and is efficient like the Galaxy A series’ phones with its super-fast 5G connectivity and top-of-the-line processors; Mediatek 1080 for the Galaxy A34 5G and Exynos 1380 for the Galaxy A54 5G. She mentioned, “Being a Gen Z consumer, I place high importance on phone performance because I use my phone more than an actual camera to take photos. I work through my phone more than I work using my laptop.”

Excellent Camera Quality and Durability

On her days off, Juliana is also an outgoing person, taking on adventures with her friends and family, either at local beaches or at various destinations around the world. As she had firsthand experience with the A series, she was amazed how the camera quality exceeded her expectations. “The phone’s ability to take bright and stable photos make[s] it the perfect tool to capture awesome memories with my loved ones.” Juliana cited.

For her worry-free adventures, Juliana also considers her phone’s durability. Lucky for her, the Galaxy A series’ IP67 rating makes it not just dust-resistant, but it can also withstand being submerged as deep as one meter of water for about 30 minutes. The Galaxy A series, in her own words, is “the most durable touch screen phone” she’s ever owned.

Trendy Colors and Premium Design

She also loved the fresh colorways that the Galaxy A series gives—Awesome Lime and Awesome Graphite for the Galaxy A54 5G, with Awesome Violet as an online-only offer, while the Galaxy A34 5G comes in Awesome Graphite and Awesome Violet. As per Juliana, they look “so trendy and premium”, with the metallic finish and an elegant glossy back glass panel for the Galaxy A54 5G and a prism patterned back panel for the Galaxy A34 5G.  “I love the way the Galaxy A Series phones look. Against any outfit, my Galaxy A34 5G adds the most pleasant pop of color, as if it were accessorizing my look.”, she said.

According to Juliana, the Galaxy A series is awesome for her because she finally has a phone that checks all the boxes. “It is beautifully designed, has great camera quality and a screen that is perfect for video consumption, the battery lasts long and the phone charges fast.”, she added.

Live an awesome life just like Juliana with your own Galaxy A series phone! The Galaxy A54 5G retails for PHP 26,990 for the 256GB variant and PHP 24,990 for the 128GB variant, while the Galaxy A34 5G retails for PHP 21,990 for the 256GB variant and PHP 19,990 for the 128GB variant.

Both gadgets come with great deals, such as Home Credit's flexible payment options and 0% Credit Card installment plans. If you wish to trade in your old gadget, you can save up to PHP 10,150. Bundle discounts with other Samsung devices are also available: get 50% off the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Galaxy Buds2, and 30% off the Galaxy Watch5 Series. You will also continue to receive a Free Travel Adapter with their smartphones.

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/ 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com

AS THEY WELCOME VACCINATED AUDIENCES SOON IN NCR

MANILA, October 20, 2021 -- Now that cinemas are allowed to reopen in the National Capital Region (NCR) after being shut down for a year and seven months, theater operators are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of moviegoers and cinema employees.

“That is the main goal right now,” says Charmaine Bauzon, president of The Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP).] “We have devoted the past 19 months of cinema closure identifying solutions and precautions based on science.  We will implement these measures to confidently welcome back movie fans to cinemas and send them home safe.”

Last Wednesday October 13, the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Covid-19 (IATF), placed NCR under Alert Level 3, paving the way for the reopening of cinemas, but with several restrictions: only fully vaccinated people will be admitted and seating capacity to be limited to 30 percent.  The actual date of reopening is still subject to confirmation -- the public is advised to wait for further announcement.

Cinemas are safe spaces

“We would like to assure the public that cinema is a safe place,” says Bauzon.  “In fact, LGUs have converted some theaters into vaccination centers, and no super-spreading were ever reported, even though people waited inside for hours.”

Indeed, there’s also a recent study in Germany which concluded cinemas are safer than almost any other indoor environment, as long as safety guidelines are followed like mask-wearing, physical distancing and proper air ventilation.  

The same German research took into account the following factors in its conclusion:

• People spend an average of only two hours at a cinema 
• People inside the cinema simply sit down and face the same direction which is known to reduce transmission risks
• People are not talking to each other during a movie, which minimizes possibility of infection

(Note: The aforementioned German study is entitled “Covid-19 Contagion via Aerosol Particles – A Comparative Evaluation of Indoor Environments” conducted by scientists at the Berlin Institute of Technology / Hermann-Rietschel-Institut. Link -- https://www.artcena.fr/sites/default/files/medias/kriegel_hartmann_2021_aerosols%20anglais.pdf)

Cinemas will strictly impose all safety protocols

Aside from adhering to IATF-mandated health standards, CEAP has also developed the “Sa Sine Safe Ka” protocols patterned after the “CinemaSafe” measures set by America’s National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) and endorsed by epidemiologists.  Dr. David F. Goldsmith, PhD, Occupational & Environmental Epidemiologist at the Milken Institute School of Public Health (U.S.A.) has reviewed the efforts of NATO and commented that, “These protocols demonstrate a serious, comprehensive effort by movie theater owners to identify potential risks, and reduce them.”  

[Watch the video testimonial about the CinemaSafe protocols with Dr. David F. Goldsmith at https://youtu.be/B-4feoqrLlM]

These protocols are:

• Monitoring of moviegoers’ body temperature as they enter the cinema
• Moviegoers to present authentic vaccination card
• Implement regulations set by the IATF and LGUs on facial coverings
• No eating inside the cinema
• Enforce socially-distanced seating
• Encourage contact-less transaction in ticket-purchasing
• Improved air ventilation
• Availability of hand sanitizers at the cinema entrance
• Mandatory hand-washing every 30 minutes for cinema employees
• Deep cleaning between screenings

[Watch the “Sa Sine Safe Ka” video featurette at https://youtu.be/QjseuWLsQjM]

Not feeling well? Stay at home. Please

CEAP would like to stress that only healthy, fully vaccinated people will be allowed back to cinemas.  “If you are experiencing a fever, cough, or other symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 – or think that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please stay home and we welcome you to join us again in the future,” concludes Bauzon.

Unlocking cinemas will save jobs

The 19-month long closure of cinemas has dealt a severe blow to the entire movie industry, leading to unprecedented massive unemployment.  It is estimated that a workforce of some 336,000 has lost its livelihood.  These are hardworking women and men from various fields intersecting the movie business:

Creative & Production: Directors, screenwriters, talents, editors, crew, bit players, caterers and runners

Distribution: Logistics team, production checkers, monitoring team, back office support

Exhibition: Cinema ticket-sellers, usher-porters, projectionists, snack bar personnel, janitors, branch management team

Others: Cinema suppliers, event organizers, employees of stores and restaurants around cinema premises

Thanks to the looming return of cinemas, these workers may now heave a sigh of relief.  

[Watch the “We Miss Cinemas” video featurette at https://youtu.be/55xyZGF1xN0]

Photo Credit: All handout images grabbed with permission from SM Cinemas’ YouTube channel

About Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP)

Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) is an association of cinema owners and operators in the country that works to represent its 47 members and to collaborate with the different stakeholders of the motion pictures exhibition industry towards the attainment of common good and objectives.

CEAP is the only cinema exhibition trade organization in the country representing 1,039 movie screens nationwide.

After an eternity of cinema closure, the time has come to experience “Dune” on the big screen the way it’s meant to be seen.  Warner Bros. Philippines is happy to announce that the epic adventure will open exclusively in Philippine theaters on Wednesday, November 10.

As director Denis Villenueve (“Blade Runner 2049,” “Arrival”) has said: “`Dune’ has been made, designed, dreamed to be seen on a big screen.”

[Watch the “Dune - Big Screen Experience” featurette here]

The Academy Award nominated filmmaker directs Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Dune,” the big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestseller, considered one of the most influential books of the 20th century and credited with inspiring many of the greatest films of all time.  

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

“I discovered the book in my teenage years and I remember being totally fascinated by its poetry, by what it was saying about nature—the true main character of Dune,” Villeneuve relates.  “Frank Herbert’s view of nature was absolutely mesmerizing—all those beautiful ecosystems he created.  His exploration of the impact and chaos caused by colonialism was a portrait of the 20th century that is still relevant today.  And through all of this was a young man struggling with his identity, trying to find his way in the world, as I was doing myself.  The way Paul discovers his identity through another culture was, for me, amazing.”

Villeneuve’s big screen adaptation fully immerses the audience in this profoundly moving story of Paul’s coming of age set against family rivalries, tribal clashes, social oppression and ecological disaster on the unforgiving, austere planet, creating a fantastical cinematic experience that is both epic and intimate.

When it came to casting the many roles, Villeneuve and the producers assembled an astonishing list of actors to fill the coveted roles, including Timothée Chalamet as our hero, Paul Atreides, alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, David Bautista and many more.

“To my great pleasure, most of my first choices were available and willing to embark on this journey with me,” Villeneuve smiles.

Acclaimed screenwriters Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth, as well as Villeneuve, tackled the daunting adaptation of Herbert’s novel.  Spaihts offers, “This was a chance of a lifetime for me.  I first read Dune at probably 12 or 13, and at that age I was struck by it almost like scripture; it felt like one of the most profound things that I had read and became one of my annual reads, like The Lord of the Rings.”

“I was a fan,” Roth states.  “It has all the ingredients that come together to create a wonderful alchemy of storytelling: what happens to planet Arrakis, the father-son and mother-son storylines, the fact that women are very powerful… It seems modern and all of a sudden very pressing, and he wrote it in the `60s.”

“To me, ‘Dune’ is a psychological thriller, an adventure, a war movie, a coming-of-age movie.  It’s even a love story,” concludes Villeneuve, who at last is able to fulfill his lifelong dream of bringing the landmark work with its complex mythology to life.  “There’s a reason the book stayed on my shelf, beside my bed, all those years.”

Only in cinemas starting Nov. 10, “Dune” is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a WarnerMedia Company.