KYLA. Appealing new album.
Every performer has her share of good and bad days. Take Kyla. We were horrified when we heard her live rendition of Beyoncé’s tricky “Love On Top”—which went from charmingly sufficient to horrifyingly out-of-tune! But, if singers aren’t given enough elbow room to make mistakes and realize that a “dale-lang-ng-dale” attitude is more harmful than helpful, we would run out of entertainers to patronize.
Her appealing new album, “Journey,” revives our belief in her because its repertoire doesn’t just deliver captivating tunes that grow on you—from the funky rhythm and blues tune, “Kunwa-kunwari Lang,” to the dreamy title track—it also showcases Kyla’s pliable pipes in a flattering light.
Kyla sings the collection’s most challenging number, “My Heart,” with the vocally exceptional Brian McKnight, who matches the songstress’ soaring high notes after they take turn singing their solos. Will Kyla be able to sing its circuitous chorus live without losing its dramatic impact—or go melodically off-course again? Fingers crossed.
MOMOA. Cast as Aquaman in “Batman vs Superman.”
From warlord to superhero
After playing “Game of Thrones’” Dothraki warlord, Khal Drogo, Jason Momoa’s career is getting another boost with the announcement that he’s been tapped to portray the King of the Seas in “Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice.” As Aquaman aka Arthur Curry, he’ll be joining a stellar cast that includes Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Amy Adams and stage actor Ray Fisher, who’s been cast as Cyborg, aka Victor Stone.
Let’s hope that the film lives up to its hype, because the fate of the “Justice League” flick is on the line. Besides, DC doesn’t have the almost spotless record of Marvel’s superhero-churning movie machinery.
In fact, Hal Jordan and his dashing alter ego, Ryan Reynolds, have yet to recover from Martin Campbell’s befuddling 2011 misstep, “Green Lantern.”
LAWRENCE. More challenging roles lined up.
J Law returns to drama
Speaking of superheroes, Jennifer Lawrence has boosted bad girl Mystique’s stock just by portraying her. The character is expected to play another crucial role in Bryan Singer’s “X-Men: Apocalypse,” this time with Channing Tatum reportedly in tow—as Gambit! The next installment of her other action franchise, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1,” will unreel later this year.
J Law has also lined up two challenging dramas to keep her thespic chops sharp: She reunites with Bradley Cooper in “Serena,” about a wife who’s unable to bear children. Then, she will topbill “Joy,” the true-to-life story of single mom Joy Mangano, who invented the self-wringing Miracle Mop and Huggable Hangers!