Si Ellen At Ang Mga Pusang Gala

I finally bought a copy of ICON. ICON's got me a complimentary copy but I have to get in Makati. I don't have time to go there yet. I'm feeling so ecstatic about my very first printed article (and hopefully not the last!) so I bought one. Good thing that only few words and phrases were changed. Mostly, my original writing was intact. But what's so great about it was Direk Ellen's compliments. She loved the article! She felt that I have written all the important details that other writers have missed. She even encouraged me to continue writing. Hay... I do hope so.

Anyway, here's the original article that I wrote. If you want to see the changes, grab yourself a copy! Hehehe...

Si Ellen at ang Mga Pusang Gala
By Jheck David

“Love is genderless! So is sex,” were Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil’s powerful words when I met with her for a coffee and a little chat somewhere in Tomas Morato. This is her statement when it comes to making movies that seem to be breaking the standards of Philippine cinema. For one thing, her latest project called Mga Pusang Gala is a story of parallel lives between a woman and a gay man: both single, aging, and longing for a commitment from the men they love. Second, this is her take on the bold genre which usually is men’s territory. “Most of the time, the women became objects in the movie and it’s the men enjoying the sex. I want to show that women enjoy sex as healthy as men do,” she says.

Direk Ellen had her humble beginnings in theater since college from the time she entered show business via PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). From then on, she had worked for Star Cinema as supervising producer and most recently, was the program manager for GMA Television Network’s News and Public Affairs division handling several shows like I-Witness and Debate among others. From time to time, she was given directorial projects for several shows like Maaalala Mo Kaya, Pira-Pirasong Pangarap, and GMA Telesine which fortunately received awards and recognitions from both local and international television award-giving bodies. Her last television effort called Walang Bakas for GMA 7 in 2004 was awarded Best Drama by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) and was a runner-up in the Asian Television Awards. Perhaps, this directing ingenuity came from the fact that she was trained under the helms of film auteur such as Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Mike de Leon, Joel Lamangan, and the likes.

Despite her success, she had an on and off romance with directing. She would give it up whenever a different project would come along. But after her first venture into her own movie directing, she knew that the love affair was here to stay. She made her mark via the critically-acclaimed digital movie called Angels under Star Cinema. Even though the film failed to be received nationwide because of limited distribution, Direk Ellen saw the possibilities in digital technology. Thus, she founded Erasto Productions. “My vision is to go ahead with alternative film making,” she explains. “I want to learn digital technology and push it mainstream. I want to go against to what is the kalakaran: not be dependent on the stars.” For her, the story should always be the first priority followed by good actors. Aside from that, having her own company would mean that she get to own her work.

So, in cooperation with Atty. Joji Antonio of MLR Films, she produced and directed its initial offering, Mga Pusang Gala. “This is my offering to so-called dying industry. I refuse to say that it’s dying,” she relates. However, she adds, “Maganda rin ang merong death. Pag me dying, may growth.”

Mga Pusang Gala is an adaptation of the Palanca award-winning play entitled Mga Estranghero at ang Gabi. The screenplay was written by the playwright himself, Jun Lana, along with Rody Vera.

While venturing on the project in another film company, Direk Ellen was initially asked to tone down the gay character and focus the story more on the woman. She refused to do it. She felt that “magkapatid kasi ang issue ng gays at women. There are differences but then they are also very close.” She further elaborates, “My statement always will be love is genderless. I respect women, men and gays. I believe that this is just the body. It is the souls that love each other.”

With that, she also tried to break stereotypes with her characters. “Dati, couturier si Boyet. But we made him a romance novelist. Also, Jun initially thinks that with Marta’s relationship, sex is enough. I disagreed because a woman always looks for the emotional commitment.”

Mga Pusang Gala served as the opening film for the recently concluded Pink Festival. It has deservedly garnered numerous praises from critics and ordinary audience alike. However, Direk Ellen may have tried her darned best to uplift the social concept of her characters but there are still who thinks otherwise. “I don’t expect to please everybody,” she says. Besides, for her, what is at fault is the whole social conditioning. “You might think that my characters are laughable and stupid. They’re crazy and love addicts. But women were raised with a fairy tale: waiting for a man to kiss her so she’ll wake up. They were taught to believe that the biggest event in their lives is getting married. So how could you be otherwise? How could you not be a love addict waiting for somebody to marry you? It was an imposition, actually. Her being so-called crazy was an expression. And an exaggeration at that! But believe me, there are women like that.” In addition, she explains, “Where do the gays come in? Gays were supposed to be liberated kasi they go against the society, di ba? But in trying to be women, they embrace the whole concept and serve the men even better than a woman.” Not that she agrees with gays being subservient to men. “Dapat kasi stronger ka ‘cause by virtue of being gay, nag-be-break ka na ng social norms. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly true.”

Direk Ellen has high hopes for this film which earliest title was Libog at Kabilugan ng Buwan. “I really feel that my movie will appeal easily. It may be quite intellectual in some aspects but I have so many themes that are so-ordinary life. It is basically about human relationships that even the most intelligent people could relate to because, one way or the other, they had become crazy when they fell in love!” Because her production outfit does not have much means and machinery to promote the film, they are relying on the word-of-mouth. And, I could say that she indeed had chosen the best mouths to spread the word: that of the gays. “Sabi nga sa akin, pag nakuha ko ang pulso ng mga bading, tiyak na dadalhin nila ang mga kaibigan nilang babae para panoorin ang pelikula!” That is not to say, though, that she is using the gay community for her own benefits. In fact, she feels fortunate to have them as friends and colleagues in the business describing them as her angels in life. “I’m even closer to them than with my women or male friends,” she proudly admits.

When asked for a message to the gay and lesbian community who seemed to be benefiting well to her latest venture, she ends, “I hope that this film empowers gays and lesbians even more!”

I know that it will, Direk!

The Great Raid Worldwide Premiere

The Great Raid opens worldwide on August 10, 2005. Cesar Montano is included amongst the cast of Pinoy actors.Similar Post: The Great Raid Opens This August

The Maid (Singapore-Philippines)

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Kelvin Tong
Starring: Alessandra De Rossi, Chen Shucheng, Hong Huifang, Benny Soh, Guan Zhen Wei
RunTime: -
Released By: Golden Village & Mediacorp Raintree Pictures
Rating: TBA
Release Date: 18 August 2005

Synopsis :

During the Chinese Seventh Month, the gates of hell open and spirits are let loose upon an unsuspecting world. For 30 days, the dead walk among the living. To protect themselves, mortals devise rules. Rules such as: Do not swim during the Seventh Month; do not turn back at night when someone calls out your name; do not talk to strangers on a deserted stretch of road.For Rosa Dimaano, all those are just a bunch of old wives’ tales.

Hailing from a small village in the Philippines, the 18-year-old arrives in Singapore on the first day of the Seventh Month to work as a domestic maid. She urgently needs money to save her ill brother back home in the Philippines and ghosts are the last things on her mind. Happily for Rosa, life in Singapore cannot be rosier. Her employers – the elderly and gentle Mr and Mrs Teo – are a godsend, caring for her as if she is their own daughter. Their mentally-handicapped son Ah Soon also takes to Rosa immediately.

Between cleaning house and helping the Teos out at their Chinese opera workplace, Rosa experiences the exotic sights and sounds of Singapore to her delight. Then, things start going amiss. Glimpsing strange apparitions at night, Rosa soon finds herself tumbling into the world of the dead. Unknown to the innocent girl, she had unwittingly broken many rules on the first few days of the Seventh Month.

As the festivities reach a fever pitch in Singapore, Rosa’s life turns into a nightmare. A mutilated boy haunts her. A faceless woman appears in the Teos’ house. Rosa feels as if she is losing her mind. Her employers urge her to bear with the sightings. But Rosa is uncertain. Someone somewhere seems to be trying to reach out to her. To keep her job, the poor girl has to stifle her screams and fear. To save her brother, she must survive the terrors of the Chinese Seventh Month.

Source: http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/maid/themaid.htm

Bad Education

Pedro Almodovar's films are almost always character-driven. His characters are always going through some inner struggles. In the end, redemption is always the key to self-actualization.

La Mala Educacion (Bad Education) is no different. It is about Angel (Gael Garcia Bernal) who suddenly showed up in Enrique Goded's (Fele Martinez) doorsteps. He claimed that he is Enrique's long-time buddy, Ignacio. He wants to be a movie actor because he learned that Enrique has been directing films. He brought with him a story that he wrote that talks about his childhood with Enrique followed by a fictionalized future. Enrique, despite his feelings of uneasiness towards the present Ignacio, adapted the story into film and made Angel his leading actor.

Bad Education comes in two parts. The first part was the romance that happened between Ignacio and Enrique. That being said, homophobes should stay away from this film because of the somewhat graphic sex scenes between the two lead actors. The second part is Almodovar's homage to Hitchcock movies: a thriller. A mystery lies with the present-day Ignacio that would change everything for him and Enrique.

Did the two parts make a good combination? As a whole, the film worked. The suspense was quite gripping in the middle. You couldn't help but feel interested with the mystery that was unfolding right before your eyes. But when all the secrets were revealed, they don't seem to get hold of you anymore. Even as a love story, it doesn't quite hold up. There wasn't much depth in story with what Ignacio and Enrique had felt for each other. In the end, you'd end up wanting for more. But then, you get to take a film as a whole and not by its parts, right?

Almodovar had good actors led by Gael Garcia Bernal. Gael seemed to be a director's actor. He is very good in every movie that he makes. This movie wasn't an exception. He even get to play a transexual that made him look like Julia Roberts! They could pass as sisters in a movie, believe me! Just to see him act his best is worth seeing this film!

Amazon describes this movie as Almodovar's best since All About My Mother. I disagree. As of the moment, no other Almodovar movie would come at par with All About My Mother. It has depth, substance, and heartfelt emotions that would make it one of the bests in World Cinema. Bad Education just falls short in comparison with such classic.

When I Turned Nine (Korea 2004)

When I Turned Nine is a story about a nine-year old boy, Yeo-min Baek, who is in the third grade. At such a young age, he feels responsible for his family and friends' well-being without them telling him so.

During the summer, he sells ice-cream to earn some cash and save up. He wants to buy a special something for the person he cares the most. Because he knows that selling ice-cream won't be enough, he starts cleaning houses and runs errands for other people.

When school started, he became the designated protector of his friends from bullies. Upon Woo-rim Jang's arrival in school, another so-called trouble started to unfold. He became attracted to her much so to the disliking of his long-time girl friend. She feels that Woo-rim isn't what she seems to be. From that day on, Yeo-min tried to balance his relationship between his long-time friends and Woo-rim.

Before anything else, let me tell that, in recent years, there wasn't any movie like this that made me sob like a baby! It is a tearjerker all the way! Although it wasn't the kind that is quite heavy. There may be a lot of strong emotional scenes, this movie may still be considered as light. It is melodramatic without being cheesy.

When I Turned Nine isn't like any other movie. For one thing, the story revolves around children. And they weren't goofing around as most children movies have. They were acting in an environment as if they were adults. The closest comparable movie that I have in mind is My Girl. But then, with regards to the depth and substance of this, My Girl would fall flat.

Nine is about familial love, puppy love, and friendships. It tackles love at a tender age, jealousy, naivete, honesty, sadness, responsibility, generosity, and sincerity. It is such amazing to see how children act in their world. For them, everything is black and white. Either you do it or you don't. Complicated isn't in their vocabulary. If only adults could remain as pure and innocent as them, then the world would be a better place to live in.

What's bothering, however, is how Korean teachers treat their students. I can't imagine myself hurting my students physically the way they do. Korean teachers still treat themselves as superior and a cut above the rest.

Besides that, Nine is perfect in every way! Great casting led by Suk Kim. At such a young age, he can act with intense passion and pure concentration. The dialogues may be pretty much adult-ish but it may be only because of the translations made. It is well-paced and well-characterized.

When I Turned Nine, a novel-turned-movie, is wonderful!

Verdict: Four and a half rolls of tissue!!!

A Barbra Streisand Trilogy

If Catherine Breillat covers female sexuality, leave it to Barbra Streisand to tackle female issues!

The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
Barbra plays Doris, a hooker who suddenly became homeless because a neighbor, Felix (George Segal), informs the landlord of her activities. She moved in with him only to argue all throughout the night. The landlord both threw them out and transferred to Felix's friend's apartment. The argument still continued till passion and desire grew between them.

This movie is laugh-out loud funny! I wet my eyes during the first hour of the film! Barbra looked so gorgeous and was funnier than Fanny Brice in Funny Girl/Funny Lady. The dialogues were crisp and clever! There was also a great repartee between Barbra and George.

This is one Barbra classic that shouldn't be missed!

Up the Sandbox (1971)
Have you ever met Ally McBeal's mother? Well, here she is! Meet Mrs. Margaret Reynolds who is so damned bored with being just a plain housewife that she needed to resort to fantasies and imaginings.

Sometimes, a woman just needs to be appreciated. I can imagine how hard it is to be such. Where do they get all the strenght and patience? Being a mother and a wife is hard as it is! What more if they have a career to hold on to? Hats off to you, woman kind!

The Way We Were (1976)
This is more of a Barbra film than a Streisand/Redford work. No wonder Robert Redford refused to do this several times. If not only for his friendship with director Sydney Pollack, he wouldn't be encouraged to do this. Why? His character didn't grow. There wasn't much introspection on what he is going through as a man and as Katie's lover. Somehow, he remained a decoration for Katie's unending desire to be the best that she could be.

Katie (Barbra) is a good character study, though. Here she is, a strong-willed woman who fights for what she thinks is right. She even could go against the government. But with her man, she loses. She compromises her needs and wants just to be with him. Yet, behind that, she pushes her man to do the best he could even if it wasn't in his character to push so hard. She's projecting her compromised desires on him.

As a romance/love story movie, this one is so sad. Here are two people, so in love with each other yet so wrong for one another. As far as relationships go, compromise is always needed. But when compromise became an obligation to both couple, in the end, both loses.

In the Realm of the Senses (Japan 1976)

Speaking of In the Realm of the Senses, a film that I saw a year or two ago, here it is:

Oshima's most debated work in a career marked by controversy, "In the Realm of the Senses" is an unrelenting journey into the world of passion and eroticism. Oblivious to social restraints and public sentiment, a geisha and her lover engage in a torrid sexual spree, losing themselves in the fervor of their lovemaking and their quest for ultimate ecstasy. The ideology of male dominance and female submission is thoroughly undermined as the obsessed lovers create a closed existence of incessant lovemaking and sadomasochistic experiments. This is an eerily beautiful examination of the intensity of physical desire.

That's about summarizes what this movie is all about. If Romance somewhat borders on pornography, this one had already crossed the boundaries! But who's to rightfully judge what is porn and what is art? There is such a thin line separating them.

Dictionary.com defines pornography as "sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal." Meanwhile, one definition of art is a "human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature." If that would be case, wouldn't pornography be considered art in a way because it just tries to imitate realism? What separates them, though, is the intention of its maker. If it is just to elicit sexual arousal, then it is porn! But again, who could say that that was the intention of its maker? Only the maker himself, right? So it is up to the audience to decide whether to treat such work as art or porn. It's gonna be subjective, then? Yes, because art is mostly (or always) subjective. There is no single point of view surrounding it. Anyway, let's not go debating over it. I'm simply trying to make a point re the film.

This is one of those films that truly shocked me and left me at a loss for words. The other one being Salo: 120 Days of Sodom. Oh, I'm no prude! Yes, I've seen countless number of porn movies. But you wouldn't expect such graphic material in legitimate films, right? No wonder it became controversial in the year it was released! These days, directors tend to get more daring by showing bodily fluids, imagine that! In the years to come, what will we see next?

Whether or not you find this movie good or bad, it all depends on whether it has achieved it goals or not. For people who haven't experienced the same sexual passion as the two characters have, then they may dismiss this as trash. But for people who have, then they would know what it is like to be in that same nirvana.

Sex would really make one go crazy! I guess, that is why we were reminded a number of times (by the church, etc.) that sex is mainly used for procreation. Because once it takes hold of you, you'd find it difficult to go back to your senses. So be wary! Be careful...

Note: If you think that I'd wrote a review for " Salo" next just because I mentioned it, no siree! I loathe that film! I could never imagine seeing that film again. There's only so much that I could take!

Romance (France 1999)

Catherine Breillat is a French woman director whose focus on films are that of female sexuality. Her attacks are shocking and rather disturbing to say the least. She has no qualms about nudity on film. When I say nudity, I mean no holds barred nudity! Her sexual acts seem to be the real thing, as well, and not just simulation. That being said, her films may somewhat border on pornograhy. What set them apart is the story she injected behind it.

Romance is about a sexually-deprived woman, Marie. Her boyfriend hasn't been touching her for quite a while. She loves him so much that she only wants him to touch her. But then, her boyfriend seems to be keen on keeping up his "no-sex" rule. He isn't able to keep up with her sexual appetite.

So, Marie decided to get what she wanted from other men without the knowledge of her boyfriend. From those trysts and sexcapades, she discovered a part of her that brought more life to her voracious appetite for sex.

Catherine Breillat should be commended for doing movies that usually are of men's genre: sex. She tells her story like it is on women's point of view. Moreso, with a more daring and bolder take. However, when one starts to take side, one loses the focus on the other and alienates him. In this case, Marie was the focus and all the men around her were mere players to her desires. This may be a good movie for woman kind but men may find it a bore. It wouldn't even be much of a study for men since there was little to study to begin with: Marie's sexual desires.

What may also be a problem here is the fact that Marie might be bordering on being a nymphomaniac. She likes having sex just for the sake of having it and not exactly getting pleasure from it. In that case, some women might not be able to relate on her.

Re the sex scenes, yes, they are daring and bold. There are lots of frontal nudity and close-up shots. But they are neither engaging nor erotic. It doesn't have the passion and depth of Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses. Some scenes are even too graphically detailed which makes them quite uninteresting. Not to mention that the movie failed to give meaning to them.

Do I recommend the film? If you're a fan of Catherine Breillat, it won't hurt you to see this one. If you want to witness the cinematic style (should I say genuis?) of Ms. Breillat and have no access to her other films than this one (like myself), go ahead with this one. Just don't expect magic and brillance. I'm sure that she did better works than this one.

Note: The poster above is the original artwork of the movie. So does the title.

::: Breillat's Filmography :::

Boso

Jake is a caretaker of a boarding residence that houses a whole array of characters-- a born-again couple with an addiction to porn movies, a nymphet masquerading as a shy school girl, a virgin discovering her lustful predilections. Through the holes he has carved on the ceiling, with surreptitious perfection, Jake become privy to their most intimate and darkest secrets. Keeping a watchful eye on these people is not just a means to satisfy his carnal curiosity. It is an addiction that makes him feel like a god.

But one day, his life changes when he hovers over the lives of newlyweds Cecilia and Ding, her husband. While his eyes feast on the couple's sexual encounters, Jake develops a connection with Cecilia that he has never experienced before. For the first time, here is a woman who has shown him the real meaning of beauty. However, one night he takes on a careless turn triggering an accident that will eventually set a confrontation with Cecilia.

Think of Scorpio Nights. Then go Hollywood with Sliver. Now, go down a notch lower... Lower still... A little bit lower than that... Didn't you get it? I said lower, lower, lower!!! If you could go hell deep, then what's stopping you from doing so?!

"Boso" is done digitally. Digital film usually mean low budget and cheap production. Not by George Lucas's standards, of course. But cheap production doesn't mean that the film should come out cheap! Do I need to elaborate on that?

Hipo (Short for Hipokrito)

A musical-sex-comedy about hypocrisy, bigotry and prejudice. Featuring top sexy stars - Katya Santos and Allen Dizon with Viva Hotmen-- Paolo Serrano, Justin de Leon, Jayson Colis, Ethan Zulueta and Jerome Ocampo. Supported by an ensemble of talented theater actors from PETA.

A show full of punch lines, comedy sketches, monologues and musical numbers, this stage play will tackle relevant issues like gender, sexuality and also controversial issues that made the headlines like the much investigated escort services expose, right-wing moralists, self-righteous and self-proclaimed "guardians of morality" which give twisted interpretations of the law and sometimes even the Word of God.

Hipo (Short for Hipokrito) was a musical-comedy play directed by Soxie Topacio. The leads were headed by Katya Santos and Allen Dizon. As a comedy, only the first part were laugh-out loud funny. The scenes, the dialogues, and the jokes were direct to the point. In the second part, subtlety played a major part. If dry humor isn't your thing, it would come out as boring.

Some scenes and dialogues may need re-working. But as a whole, it is still quite clever and witty. Acting-wise, Katya, Viva Hot Men, and some PETA actors were good. Si Allen Dizon lang talaga ang panira! Allen naman! Umarte ka naman ng maayos!

However, seeing all the semi-naked actors on stage, I can't help but feel offended. Sexploitation easily comes to my mind. I guess, the conservative part of me still rules. But then, of course, I also couldn't help looking at them and liking what I'm seeing. It would really knock one's out with what it tries to point out: we are all hyprocrites!

Note: It is always BEST to watch plays live in theaters and not on videos! But then, for those you can't afford to watch them live or failed to, videos are the best alternatives. I wish that more plays could be transferred on videos after their performances so that they would gain a bigger following.

Irreversible (France 2002)

Since I mentioned that I bought a French film called Romance, I'd like to call your attention to this other French film called Irreversible that I saw last year. It has Monica Belluci before The Passion of the Christ but after Malena. If you adore this one-heck of a beautiful woman, then seeing this film is all worth it! However, let me WARN you that this movie isn't for the faint-hearted. Like its title, its effects are truly irreversible! It made me sick to my stomach when I saw "the scene". Not sick in a way that I was grossed out or that I wanted to puke. It made me sick because the movie was done as if you were the character. That you were experiencing the same situation that the actor was going through at the moment. Not to mention that it was somehow done in "real time". It made my heart beat faster. It made me angry. It made me cry. Name all the emotions and you'd have it! Believe me! Period. I couldn't say much anymore because I don't want to spoil anything for you. That is, if you would have the heart to see it.

Anyway, what is it all about? It has a simple plot, really. It is about a happy couple who would be embarking on a different stage of their lives. However, something horrible happened to one of them that would changed their lives forever. What is it? It's for you to find out! That is the heart of the story.

Other than that, Irreversible is a cinematic experience because it had a style of its own. The movie was told backwards. If we are talking about time, it started with the events that took place in Monday 5:30 am and followed by the events before that till its beginning on Sunday 6 pm. The time I mentioned, though, is just a point of reference and not the exact time in the movie. But it did happen in just a night. It was ala-Memento only that there were no present events then going backwards. This one was like rewinding the story. If you don't feel like it, try watching the beginning in the ending. Just hit the chapter button of your remote. However, I'm not sure if it would cause the same effect if you'd see it the way it was intended to be seen.

Well, for my last words on this movie, don't watch Irreversible! Experience it! Let's see if you can!

P.S. If you're thinking of searching this film on the net to find out more about it, I suggest that you don't! Don't spoil yourself with synopsis and reviews! That's why I didn't add any links. Again, experience it on your own!

::: Other film recommendations: I Spit on Your Grave (US 1978) :::

Para Maiba Naman

Bought some Korean action this time...

Make It Big (Action Comedy)
Tae Guk Gi: Brotherhood of War (Action Drama)

I was looking for Anatomy of Hell but found this instead. It was from the same French director, Catherine Breillat.

France
Romance

Sequels That Sucked Part II

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous

Dear Sandra,

What were you thinking making Miss Congeniality 2? If you thought that you'd score another hit with this one, you thought wrong! Is this an attempt to revive a career that's long been gone? When most of your actors didn't sign up to do the sequel, take a hint! Read the clues! Not only that your plot was so lame, your dialogues were even dreadful! Where did you get the courage to utter such terrible lines? Were you that desperate?

I don't know where your career is going to. Face the fact: you can't act! You were truly noticed in Speed. However, thanks to Keanu, you two both managed to make it on top despite the lack in talent. Yes, you went big time with While You Were Sleeping but it was mostly because of the romantic nature of the film. There was no need to exert much effort there, right? You're old now. Where would you go? You can't be doing such cutesy characters anymore. It won't look good. Remember what happened with Two Weeks Notice? Even Hugh Grant failed to give you a blockbuster. You can't also be doing dramatic movies because the audience do not support you with it even if you have the entire Ya-Ya Sisterhood as your back-up! Thrillers? Oh, we all know how disastrous Murder By Numbers went! But The Net was pretty okay, though.

Does Hope still Float(s) for you? I do hope so because your next project is Il Mare. I don't want you screwing it up because I love that film! I also hope that Keanu wouldn't be the one to drag your ass up once again. Do your own work! Be credited for your own merit even if it will last just 28 Days!

Be smart next time, Sandra. Don't rely on Practical Magic. And please, stay away from Ben Affleck if you don't not want the Forces of Nature to go against you!

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed, yes! Fabulous? No! No more Miss Congeniality 3, okay? I think you're not lucky with sequels. Another case in point: Speed 2: Cruise Control!

In Love and War,
Filmphiler.

Sequels That Sucked Part I

The Ring Two

I'm not a big fan of either The Ring (Hollywood Version) or The Ring 2 (Japanese Version). I feel that both films tried to capitalized on the sensation that Ringu created and failed big time! For devoted Ringu fans, The Ring 2 was a disaster sequel when it tried to become scientific about the demon/monster that is "Sadako" and The Ring was just a mere bad copycat of the original. I'm not sure if Ringu director Hideo Nakata agreed to direct the Hollywood version's second part to salvage his work or to put more of his creative genuis that he wasn't able to do in his second Ring. Nevertheless, he failed on both accounts. Not only that The Ring Two wasn't scary at all, it was boring as hell! I guess, the novelty of "Sadako" just really ended on Ringu.

What I hated most about this film is that make use of the whole Dark Water idea. He may be its same creator but can he be a little considerate to the upcoming Hollywood version? It may have put the whole film's success in jeopardy because of that unless there'd be changes in the adaptation.

I hope that there wouldn't be any Ring 0: Birthday adaptation! Please let "Samara" rest!

Over the Rainbow (Korea 2002)

Jin-soo, a tv weatherman, met a car accident. Fortunately, he didn't suffer any serious physical injuries. However, he later realized that he has lost a certain part of his memory. He had partial amenesia.

Then, a vision of a woman came to haunt his memory. In order to know who she is or was, he sought out the help of his high school friends. But it was Yeon-hee who had helped him the most to solve the puzzle of his lost memory.

"Over The Rainbow" is one of the fascinating love stories that came out of the Korean movie factory. Although predictable and may lack the gripping mystery (that may or may not hold the audience to it), it is very enjoyable and has a "barkada movie" written all over it.

It has a great ensemble of cast that makes up for the somewhat simplistic style of the film. It is funny. It is heart-warming. It is a feel-good movie that would make you wish for a rainbow after singing in the rain! :-p

Note: Is it just me or is the song "Over the Rainbow" really such a sad song? Despite its words of hope, I feel some desperateness about it. :wipe tears:

On Video: Nasaan Ka Man (Uncut Version)

"Nasaan Ka Man" stars Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, and Claudine Barretto as three adopted children of two spinters, Gloria Diaz and Hilda Koronel. They were living a peaceful life in Baguio, on their own, until Joven (Jericho) and Pilar (Claudine) announced to the family that they are planning to get married. From then on, hidden feelings and kept secrets started to unfold that soon tear their family apart.

"Nasaan Ka Man" is truly an acting piece for its actors. It is character driven. Whatever unfolds in the story depends on how each character are molded. Everyone has its own distinct flavor that makes them different from the rest. Acting-wise, "sapawan" wouldn't be possible. Unless you didn't do your part well.

The adoptive mother. Lilia (Gloria Diaz) is considered to be the mother of the three children. The matriach of the household. Her dominance over the family (and the household) happens to come from their late father. Hers is a story of sadness and repression.

The adoptive mother's sister. Trining (Hilda Koronel) is slightly deaf that brings "some" (some are effective, some are not) of the comic-relief in the story. She's very passive to her older sister. Even though she's light-hearted, she carries a heavy burden. Hers is a story of pain and disillusionment.

The adopted children. Pilar is the adopted daughter who fell in love with her adopted brother, Joven. She has to weigh between her feelings for Joven and the approval of the rest of the family. She seemed to be soft-spoken at first but became aggressive when tragedy strikes. Joven comes from the street. He may have a traumatic childhood experience that made him reserved and silent as he grew older. Ito (Diether) is the oldest brother who has been designated to take care of his younger adopted siblings. He remained faithful to the wishes of their adoptive mother only to retaliate after Joven and Pilar's marriage announcement.

All actors gave excellent performances, except for one, Ms. Gloria Diaz. She wasn't at par with the rest of the actors. Hers was the heaviest character but she didn't deliver it well. She remained two-dimensional in the entire film. It seemed that the director, Cholo Laurel, rested on the fact that she already won an acting award so he didn't squeeze much on her anymore. He had forgotten that she won only for supporting actress (Rizal) and it wasn't that emotional even like this one. Despite that, direction was good. Cinematography was excellent. Despite its cool surroundings and colorful sceneries, it gives out a dark eerie feeling that goes along with its story. I especially love the the two-mirror scene shot with Claudine!

Story-wise, it could be better. Even the dialogues could use some re-working especially with the supposedly fun-scenes. I wish that more scenes were given to the sisters since the children's lives revolve around them. Aside from that, the parallelism amongst their lives were not given much substance when it is the important aspect of the film. Yes, there were loop holes but overall, it was good enough.

Before one would watch it, I want him to know that this movie isn't all-out drama. It also delves into the paranormal. So don't be shock or disappointed when the situation start to go on a different direction. Yes, it has been done before! Who cares? The important thing is, it wasn't a copycat neither was it exactly un-original. However, can we do away with "creepy" psychic characters when making thrillers? Psychics are not always creepy, right?

Verdict: Very Good!

Note: "Nasaan Ka Man" was shown on June 15. Now, barely almost a month, it is already out on videos! Star Cinema usually releases their movies on videos two months after its screen date. But with this one, I believe that it was a bit too early. It is even still showing in some theaters! I don't know Star Cinema's purpose in releasing it so soon but I do hope that it would do more good than bad. Imagine, I still wanted to see it on screen till I learned that the video was released this week!

Why "uncut", you may ask? I haven't seen the theatrical version so I wouldn't know. Probably, the bed scenes were the ones cut on the screen version.

Newly-Acquired Titles

Korea
When I Turned Nine
Mr.Handy
Old Boy
S Diary

Spain
Bad Education

These two were bought from Pinoy DVD sellers:
For My Madonna Collection
Vision Quest (Region 1)

For My Barbra Streisand Collection
The Way We Were (Region 3)

On Video: The Pacifier

Another one of those "only good in trailers" kind of movies. Just enjoy the preview. Don't bother seeing the whole film!

On Video: Hide & Seek

Every year, film companies try to adapt this worn-out twist. In 2003, Columbia-Tristar gave us Identity and again in 2004 via Secret Window. In 2005, we have Fox's Hide & Seek. This movie had most of the formula that a usual guess-who thriller uses. There are the weird neighbors who usually have emotional baggages. There's the goody-goody cop who is eccentric enough to freak out the new neighbors. There's the realtor who seems to know every secrets of the old house. And there's the friendly neighbors who always end up dead!

Usually, this kind of twist in the end only works once. If you've seen it the first time, then you'll not be thrilled at all the next time. It had worked for me twice, though. First in Mortal Thoughts (1991). Second, in The Usual Suspects (1995). You'd never see it coming in both films. They were done without a clue to speak of. Aside from that, they are from different genres. Mortal Thoughts was drama and The Usual Suspects was action. Both already had me so Hide & Seek failed for me.

Fantastic Four

There's nothing much to say about this film except that it's f-ing fantastic! This is my newest favorite comic characters adapted on screen. It has great laughs and thrills that are enough to excite the audience. No need to ask for more!

However, maybe it is just me who loved the film. As Ain't It Cool said, "I think LITTLE kids will dig it, and mundanes (aka people not really familiar with the FF)." Ouch! I'm sorry! I'm just a simpleton from movie ville. I'd drop by comic ville, some time! I'm not sure if I'd stay, though. :( Anyway, you're not the biggest genuis, right, Harry?!

Mariah, The Clown

Mariah, you never seized to amaze me! You are really soooo funny! There's no one who could do the things you do! After the photographs with the homeless, here you are painting your stomach with a crayon to look like it had abs! Oh my, what were you thinking?!

(Taken here.)

Mariah & the Homeless

The caption of the picture says, "Tuesday, June 28, 2005. Mariah Carey goes to dinner with some friends at Koi in Los Angeles, CA and later on poses with a homeless man in a wheelchair who didn't want to be photographed. She used him for attention and left without even giving him a handshake or money."***She was part of Live 8, right? So, wtf?!***Click the pic for the news source and additional photo.

The Great Raid Opens This August

Set in the Philippines in 1945, "The Great Raid" tells the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) who undertakes a daring rescue mission against all odds.

Traveling thirty miles behind enemy line, the 6th Ranger Battalion aims to liberate over 500 American prisoners-of-war from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp in the most audacious rescue ever.

Major leads include Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Fiennes, and James Franco. Pinoy casts include Cesar Montano, Bembol Roco, Alvin Anson, Rez Cortez, Rommel Montano, Ryan Eigenman, amongst others.

"The Great Raid" opens in the US on August 12, 2005. No poster available yet for this movie.

Note: The pic above shows Cesar Montano in the scene. His role (as Captain Juan Pajota) was originally offered to Zoren Legaspi who passed the first screening. But Legaspi turned down the project due to his commitment to GMA-7 for a TV soap opera, and that he could not leave his family for a month's shoot in Australia.

Houston, We Have a Problem!

What has happened to you, Whitney? You were one of the best singers I've known. And I still believe that you are! You can even toppled the likes of Celine and Mariah with your smooth and clear voice. What have you done to yourself? You cannot blame this anyone because you did this to yourself. You were once on top. You threw away your career because of love. Is it still love or just plain stupidity? When will you ever realize that Bobby is no good for you? It is not a matter of staying with each other through thick and thin anymore. It is a question now of whether he is still bringing out the best in you or not! As I'm seeing it, you're in your worst self, ever! Doesn't the word dignity ring a bell to you anymore?

Meanwhile, to check out Whitney and Bobby's not-intentionally funny (and quite pathetic) antics, catch "Being Bobby Brown" (too bad, not yet aired here). For episode recaps and screen captions, go here. How low can they get?

The Tom-Brooke Brouhaha

If you think you had enough of the countless TomKat PDA's, think again! Tom Cruise is all about expressing himself freely these days. This time, he rants about psychiatry and the whole Brooke Shields's ordeal! Read a part of the interview (taken here) that he gave to Matt Lauer:

LAUER: Tom Cruise created a firestorm when he criticized Brooke Shields for revealing that she went into therapy and took anti-depressants to deal with her post-partum depression. As a Scientologist, he doesn't beleive in psychiatric medicine. I asked him about his comments.

CRUISE: I've never agreed with psychiatry, ever. Before I was a Scientologist I never agreed with psychiatry. And when i started studying the history of psychiatry, I understood more and more why I didn't believe in psychology.

And as far as the Brooke Shields thing is, look. You gotta understand, I really care about Brooke Shields. I-- I think here's a-- a-- a wonderful and talented woman. And-- I wanna see her do well. And I know that-- psychiatry is-- is a pseudo science.

MATT LAUER: But-- but Tom, if she said that this particular thing helped her feel better, whether it was the antidepressant or going to a counselor or psychiatrist, isn't that enough?

TOM CRUISE: Matt, you have to understand this. Here we are today where I talk out against drugs and psychiatric abuses of electric shocking people, okay, against their will, of drugging children with them not knowing the effects of these drugs. Do you know what Aderol is? Do you know Ritalin? Do you know now that Ritalin is a street drug? Do you understand that?

MATT LAUER: The difference is-- (OVERTALK)

TOM CRUISE: No, no, Matt.

MATT LAUER: This wasn't against her will, though.

TOM CRUISE: Matt-- Matt, Matt, Matt--

MATT LAUER: But this wasn't against her will.

TOM CRUISE: Matt, I'm-- Matt, I'm asking you a question.

MATT LAUER: I understand there's abuse of all of these things.

TOM CRUISE: No, you see. Here's the problem. You don't know the history of psychiatry. I do.

MATT LAUER: Aren't there examples, and might not Brooke Shields be an example, of someone who benefited from one of those drugs?

TOM CRUISE: All it does is mask the problem, Matt. And if you understand the history of it, it masks the problem. That's what it does. That's all it does. You're not getting to the reason why. There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.

(OVERTALK)

MATT LAUER: So, postpartum depression to you is--

TOM CRUISE: Matt--

MATT LAUER: --kind of a--

TOM CRUISE: --don't--

MATT LAUER: --little psychological gook--

TOM CRUISE: That--

MATT LAUER: --googley-gook?

TOM CRUISE: --no. No. I did not say that.

MATT LAUER: I'm just asking what you-- what would you call it?

TOM CRUISE: No. No. Abs-- Matt, that is-- the-- post-- now-- now, you're talking about two different things.

MATT LAUER: But that's what she went on the--

TOM CRUISE: No.

MATT LAUER: --antidepressant for.

TOM CRUISE: But what happens, the antidepressant, all it does is mask the problem. There's ways of vitamins and through exercise and various things. I'm not saying that that isn't real. That's not what I'm saying. That's an alteration of what-- what I'm saying. I'm saying that drugs aren't the answer, these drugs are very dangerous. They're mind-altering, anti-psychotic drugs. And there are ways of doing it without that so that we don't end up in a brave new world.

The thing that I'm saying about Brooke is that there's misinformation, okay. And she doesn't understand the history of psychiatry. She-- she doesn't understand in the same way that you don't understand it, Matt.

MATT LAUER: But a little bit what you're saying Tom is, you say you want people to do well. But you want them do to well by taking the road that you approve of, as opposed to a road that may work for them.

TOM CRUISE: No, no, I'm not.

MATT LAUER: Well, if antidepressants work for Brooke Shields, why isn't that okay?

TOM CRUISE: I-- I disagree with it. And I think that there's a higher and better quality of life. And I think that promoting for me personally, see, you're saying what, I can't discuss what I wanna discuss?

MATT LAUER: No. You absolutely can.

TOM CRUISE: I know. But-- but Matt, you're going in and saying that-- that I can't discuss this.

MATT LAUER: I'm only asking, isn't there a possibility that-- do-- do you examine the possibility that these things do work for some people? That yes, there are abuses. And yes, maybe they've gone too far in certain areas. Maybe there are too many kids on Ritalin. Maybe electric shock--

TOM CRUISE: Too many kids on Ritalin? Matt.

MATT LAUER: I'm just saying. But-- but aren't there--

TOM CRUISE: Matt.

MATT LAUER: --examples where it works?

TOM CRUISE: Matt. Matt, Matt, you don't even-- you're glib. You don't even know what Ritalin is. If you start talking about chemical imbalance, you have to evaluate and read the research papers on how they came up with these theories, Matt, okay? That's what I've done. Then you go and you say where's-- where's the medical test? Where's the blood test that says how much Ritalin you're supposed to get?

MATT LAUER: You're-- you're-- it's very impressive to listen to you. Because clearly, you've done the homework. And-- and you know the subject.

TOM CRUISE: And you should.

MATT LAUER: And-- and--

TOM CRUISE: And you should do that also.

MATT LAUER: And--

TOM CRUISE: Because just knowing people who are on Ritalin isn't enough. You should be a little bit more responsible in knowing really--

MATT LAUER: I'm not prescribing Ritalin, Tom. And I'm not asking--

TOM CRUISE: Well--

MATT LAUER: --anyone else to do it. I'm simply saying-- (OVERTALK)

TOM CRUISE: Well, you are. You're saying--

MATT LAUER: I know some people who seem to have been helped by it.

TOM CRUISE: I-- but you're saying-- but you-- like-- this is a very important issue.

MATT LAUER: I couldn't agree more.

TOM CRUISE: It's very-- and you know what? You're here on the Today Show.

MATT LAUER: Right.

TOM CRUISE: And to talk about it in a way of saying, "Well, isn't it okay," and being reasonable about it when you don't know and I do, I think that you should be a little bit more responsible in knowing what it is.

MATT LAUER: But--

TOM CRUISE: Because you-- you communicate to people.

MATT LAUER: But you're now telling me that your experiences with the people I know, which are zero, are more important than my experiences.

TOM CRUISE: What do you mean by that?

MATT LAUER: You're telling me what's worked for people I know or hasn't worked for people I know. I'm telling you i've lived with these people and they're better.

TOM CRUISE: So, you're-- you're advocating it.

MATT LAUER: I am not. I'm telling you in their case--

(LAUGHTER) (OVERTALK)

MATT LAUER: In their individual case, it worked. I am not gonna go out and say--

TOM CRUISE: Matt--

MATT LAUER: --"Get your kids on Ritalin. It's the cure-all--

TOM CRUISE: Matt, Matt.

MATT LAUER: --and the end-all."

TOM CRUISE: Matt, but here's the point. What is the ideal scene for life. Okay. Ideal scene is someone not having to take anti-psychotic drugs.

MATT LAUER: I would agree.

TOM CRUISE: Okay. So, now you look at-- and you go okay. A-- a departure from that ideal scene is someone taking drugs, okay. And then you go, okay. What is the theory and the science behind that, that justifies that?

MATT LAUER: Let me take this more general, 'cause I think you and I can go around in circles on this for awhile. And i respect your opinion ...

Do you want more people to understand Scientology? Is that-- would that be a goal of yours?

TOM CRUISE: You know what? I-- absolutely. Of course, you know. And people--

MATT LAUER: How do you go about that?

TOM CRUISE: You just communicate about it. And the important thing is, like you and I talk about it, whether it's -- okay, if I wanna know something, I go and find out. Because I don't talk about things that I don't understand. I'll say, you know what? I'm not so sure about that. I'll go find more information about it so I can-- I can come to an opinion based on-- on the information that I have.

MATT LAUER: You -- you're so passionate about it. And I'm--

TOM CRUISE: I'm passionate about learning. I'm passionate about life, Matt.

***

Of course, Brooke Shields didn't stay quiet about it. She said, "While Mr. Cruise says that Mr. Lauer and I do not 'understand the history of psychiatry,' I'm going to take a wild guess and say that Mr. Cruise has never suffered from postpartum depression."

In her article, she discussed what postpartum depression is and related what she went through with it. She added, "I couldn't believe it when my doctor told me that I was suffering from postpartum depression and gave me a prescription for the antidepressant Paxil. I wasn't thrilled to be taking drugs. In fact, I prematurely stopped taking them and had a relapse that almost led me to drive my car into a wall with Rowan (her daughter) in the backseat. But the drugs, along with weekly therapy sessions, are what saved me - and my family."

Upon writing her experiences re the disease, mothers who shared the same stories as her thanked her. "Comments like those made by Tom Cruise are a disservice to mothers everywhere. To suggest that I was wrong to take drugs to deal with my depression, and that instead I should have taken vitamins and exercised shows an utter lack of understanding about postpartum depression and childbirth in general," Brooke emphasized.

"If any good can come of Mr. Cruise's ridiculous rant, let's hope that it gives much-needed attention to a serious disease."

***

While I didn't agree with how Brooke conducted herself during her interviews about her disease (It left a bad taste in my mouth. I got the impression from her that she wasn't liable for her thoughts and actions because she was sick.), I still feel that Tom was out of line about it. Who is he to talk about her that way? I also wonder what books did he read to have such ill feelings towards psychology in general. Certainly, I didn't encounter them back in college.

Is this still part of a mid-life crisis, Mr. Cruise? Or you don't believe that such phase exists because it is a psychological term? What has happened to you?! Better stay away from Katie 'cause she seems to be not doing anything good to and for you!

Live 8 RP Telecast

Every single day, 30,000 children die, needlessly, of extreme poverty.

On July 6th, we finally have the opportunity to stop that shameful statistic.

8 world leaders, gathered in Scotland for the G8 summit, will be presented with a workable plan to double aid, drop the debt and make the trade laws fair. If these 8 men agree, then we will become the generation that made poverty history.

But they'll only do it if enough people tell them to.

That's why we're staging Live 8. 10 concerts, 100 artists, a million spectators, 2 billion viewers, and 1 message... To get those 8 men, in that 1 room, to stop 30,000 children dying every single day of extreme poverty.

We don't want your money - we want you!

More info here.

***
List of Performers includes:
Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Dido, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney, REM,Robbie Williams, Sting, Joss Stone, U2, Bob Geldof, Madonna, Destiny's Child, Josh Groban, Maroon 5, Rob Thomas, Black Eyed Peas, Linkin Park, Craig David, Shakira, Duran Duran, Bryan Adams, Bjork, Simple Plan, Barenaked Ladies
For complete list of performers, click here.

***

RP Telecast LIVE on July 2, 10 PM, ABC-5

Titanic Special Edition DVD

Last March, I posted in my blog (Bits & Pieces) about the plans for a "Titanic" Special Edition DVD packed with deleted scenes and extra features. Now, Paramount and 20th Century Fox announced its release date on October 2005! As for the exact date, it is yet to be announced. Although there would be a simultaneous release in the US and worldwide. Further details about the DVD are as follows:

1. Two releases of the DVD: 2-Disc Edition which has the "Director's Cut" of the movie and a 4-Disc Edition which had the identical 2-Disc Movie Edition and all the extras.

2. Like the LOTR Extended Edition, the film will be split into two for the highest possible video definition and audio quality.

3. The movie will be presented in anamorphic widescreen- the way it was intended to be seen!

4. It will include multiple audio commentary: from Cameron himself, the casts, and the crew.

5. The DVD will include 58 minutes of deleted scenes that won't be included back in the film. Instead, one would be able to know that a scene has been deleted via the icon that would appear on screen. One would have the option to jump out of the movie and see the deleted scenes.

6. The deleted scenes have an optional commentary from Cameron explaining why they were taken out.

7. The footages will not be shown in their raw aspect. They would have the same quality as that of the film itself.

8. The extra features would include almost 400 hours of behind-the-scenes footages.

9. There would be a newly-produced definitive feature-length documentary that would discuss the film from its conception till the end.

10. Interviews from the cast will also be included.

When asked why it took so long for this DVD, Cameron said that the released DVD is still sells well and that people who were involved in the film needed a long rest before they could revisit the work again.

Well, it's about time! Can't wait to have it!

News source here.

War of the Worlds

Let me just say that it was "War of the Worlds" night throughout Manila (or rather all over Ortigas-Mandaluyong area) tonight! There were two special screenings in Megamall: one by UP and the other by Medical City. There was also one in Shangri-La and in Galleria (sponsored by Wave 89.1). If there's a special screening in Makati, as well, that I do not know.

Also, Steven Spielberg didn't allow critics to review this film before its actual showing. Perhaps to avoid any ending spoilers to leak out. People have also speculated that it might be because of the water squirting incident that happened to Tom Cruise in London. What is the relation with that? Beats me! Dunno!
Anyway, I won't do any technical assessments about the film. Because, as always, the Steven Spielberg delivers! No doubt about that. I'd rather do character analysis re the leads in the film. I believe that this movie was well-acted and well-characterized. More than a special effects film, this movie is about people trapped in catasthropic times.

Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, a father of two. He is a father who tries his best to know his children despite the gap that they feel from one another. He is the kind who wants to be a buddy kind of dad because he seldom sees his kids. During the first few minutes, it was shown how he tries to have fun with them. However, it never works because they need a strong father figure than a buddy. But what does he know? Even he, himself, likes the excitement and thrill of being a boy. So, instead of realizing the danger that the machines had brought, he was mesmerized. After the true tragedy sinks in, though, the fun and excitement stopped for him. He realized that he had kids to attend to and save more than himself. More than anything in the world, his obligations are with his children. Having a kid like myself, I understood where he was coming from when he killed Ogilvy (Tim Robbins). In desperate times, family matters most.

Justin Chatwin as Robby, Ray's oldest son. At first, it might seemed that he wanted to become a hero (or magpaka-bayani, in Tagalog) by wanting to be where the action is. But it wasn't his intention. Like any other teens, yes, he wanted to be where the action is! He wanted to be a first-hand witness to the history that was unfolding before them. He gets it from his father. Not exactly knowing the grave perils that would come, he wanted to be let go.

Dakota Fanning as Rachel, the youngest daughter. Like any kid, she gets hysterical and terrified with any signs of danger. She'd run away whenever she feels threatened and go to a place where she'd think it's safe. In the end, it's the embrace from her dad that would calm her down. It reassures her that everything would be alright.

"War of the Worlds" will be a good addition to Tom Cruise's resume. It is a different character for him basically because he is a father in the film. It was quite awkward watching him act as a father at first because we are not used to seeing him like that. He is either a bachelor or a hero in his movies. But it picks up in the middle. He was able to redeem himself.

Now, what happened with the aliens in the end? There's only one answer to that: They don't belong on earth! Nature took its course! If there are aliens that would try to end human's existence on earth, they should first be immune to whatever it is we have here!

This movie is scary as hell! I wouldn't want to be in the same predicament as them! Not even in my imagination! I was grabbing the hand of my partner all throughout the film!

3-Iron (Bin-jip)

Before you read further, I'd like to warn you about the spoilers that are heading your way. I'm afraid that it'd be hard to review this film without giving details that would somehow reveal what it is all about. If you're okay with it, go ahead and read this one. If not, then skip this now. Watch the movie and come back to read this. Be advise, though, that it'd be better to see the film first before reading this. If you just want to know if you should watch this or not, I'd say that YOU SHOULD!

Tae-suk is a young man who rides a motorcycle. Every morning, he puts in flyers of restaurant to different houses. In the late afternoon, he would come back and check which door still has the flyer untouched. Then, he breaks in and gets inside the house to spend the night. In exchange for his stay, he does chores for the family who lives there: laundry, cleaning, or repair. He doesn't take anything with him except for food or tea that he consumed during his stay. With his digital camera, he takes picture of him inside the house as a souvenir (of some sort).

One night, he got inside a businessman's house not knowing that his wife was there. He does his usual routine while the wife, Sun-hwa watches him. Realizing that he isn't a thief, Sun-hwa lets him know her presence inside the house. Tae-suk took off but came back to the badly-bruised and beaten wife. Her husband arrived and tried to hurt her once more. Tae-suk saved her from her husband by hitting him with the golf balls. As he left the house, Sun-hwa joined him.

Smitten by him, Sun-hwa led the life that Tae-suk was living. However, they were soon discovered by a family. They were sent to the police. Sun-hwa was taken back by her husband while Tae-suk remained in prison. In prison, Tae-suk managed to channel his anger and pain to something more powerful. Because of that, he was able to return to Sun-hwa without her husband knowing his presence. Thus, enjoying their lives together.

"3-Iron" is a very powerful movie that really deserves a recommendation! Not only because of how it was done but because of the mixed reactions that it has been getting from its audience. It is the kind of movie where people inject their own interpretation according to how the film affected them.

It is amazing how the two leads remained silent all throughout the film (except for some words uttered by Sun-hwa in the end). Ironically, they had effectively conveyed the emotions of their characters with the slightest movements and less facial expressions.

The film boasts of many symbolisms and metaphors. Amongst them is how Sun-hwa and Tae-suk found solace in each other. They need no words to express whatever feelings that are inside them. Till the end, they remained shadows in other people's lives by not participating actively as the world turns.

Now, whether Tae-suk achieved a higher metaphysical being or became part of the other dimension remains unanswered. The important question is whether you agree with how they live their lives or not. 'Cause I surely don't. For someone who is educated, skilled, and talented as him, Tae-suk is definitely a waste of life!

Yoda Wallpaper

Yoda Rules! Click the picture or the link to get this awesome 1024 x 768 wallpaper.

Finally, I Saw

Sooooo glad, I am! That I was able to catch Star Wars Ep. III in Megamall today! In fact, it was one of the only two cinemas in MM which still shows it. The other one being Southmall, I think. It was already on its 4th week and there were but a few people in the cinema house.

I wouldn't review this film anymore because I know that there are lots of reviews made about it that can be found on the net. (See Kel's.) All I'd just say, though, is that it is a great movie to end the second part trilogy of Star Wars! Very exciting, indeed. The thrill that Episode II lacked, Episode III makes up for it!

In exchange for a complete review, I'd just give out a sentence or two re all of Star Wars episodes in terms of its watchability for casual SW fans and the not-so fans. Let's face it, SW is not for everybody. There are only a minority of people who are advocates of the said series. As for me, I'm in between being a casual fan and a fanatic. There are still things that I didn't get so you couldn't just ask me anything about it. Refer to the manual, I'd still have to, every now and then.

1. A New Hope - This one will be hard to sit through for people who are not into sci-fi movies. It could even be quite boring even for a casual fan, moreso for the not-so fans. If you're starting with this and you made it till the end, then you're bound to make it through the rest of the series. If not, then be yourself, better be! Do not go through the whole SW brouhaha anymore!

2. The Empire Strikes Back - Now that you successfully surpassed the somewhat "boring" introductions in Ep. IV, your reward would be action and thrills from Ep. V. Plus, a cliffhanger that you would never forget, it'd give you!

3. Return of the Jedi - A powerful ending for the first-part trilogy! "The Chosen One" started all here and not in "The Matrix!"

4. The Phantom Menace - Ep. I didn't quite surpass the expectations of loyal SW fans but for me, great action sequences, it had! Plus, it created a new breed of SW fans, including myself!

5. Attack of the Clones - Only the Yoda fight sequence saved this one boring episode! Very boring, it was!

6. Revenge of the Sith - What I didn't like, though, about Ep. III is the inclusion of some funny sequences and snide remarks of Obi Wan Kenobi. I felt that those were out of place from a serious sci-fi movie.

To get the feel of everything, start from Episode I till Episode VI.

P.S. Doesn't the poster look cool? It was made for Father's Day! However, I was quite disappointed that there weren't many poster variations for Ep. III. What happened?

Also, doesn't Lord Sidious look like the father of Linda Blair in The Exorcist? Hahaha!

Guess Who's Back?!

My favorite horror creature: ZOMBIES!
Who else is the perfect guy to bring them back alive but no other than the zombie genuis himself George A. Romero!

Can't Wait to See

Opens on October 28, 2005, USRead my "Saw One" review here.

Oh! Happy Day

Hee-jee (Jang Na-ra) is a voice dubber for both radio and t.v. At the same time, she also teaches voice projection for those would-be dubbers. The moment she saw Hyun-joo (Park Jung-chul), who works as a manager for an American firm called Club Med, she fell in love with him. From that day, she told herself that she would make him fall in love with her and marry him, no matter what it takes! And she meant business! Whatever it truly takes!

"Oh! Happy Day" is an all-out comedy about a relentless woman you'd try anything to win over the love of her life! I have three words for it: fun, fun, fun! It isn't the typical romantic comedy movies where you would swoon over the lead characters or give a heap of sigh with all their romantic doings. In fact, it veers away from that. Perhaps, it is due to the reason that it aims toward adult audience rather than the teens.

Jang Na-ra is a delight to watch on screen after her t.v. performance via Bright Girl (on GMA-7 here) with Jang-Hyeok (of Windstruck, Please Teach Me English). She has such a bubbly character that trancends throughout the screen! What a truly great transition from recording to acting.

What is most unforgettable for me are the scenes that took place after Hee-jee was released from the hospital. They may be slapstick at times but they are hysterically funny! Trust me!

Need I say more?
P.S. Is there really a scarcity of men in Korea that women needs to work on it if they want to get married?

Will See

7:00 PM, June 29, 2005
SM Megamall, Cinema 10A Special Screening for the benefit of the adopted charities of the UP Vanguard Incorporated

Oh, Video Shop! Where Art Thou?

Oh my video shop! Where art thou?
When will you materialize and come into full being?
I've been longing to have you for a million years now
Yet you seem to be keeping your distant.
Please come soon!
Don't make me wait too long...

RE: The Movie in My Mind

You want a movie that would stick in your mind and is purely Pinoy without being stereotypical? See this! If you're feeling too icky about purchasing it here, buy it on Amazon!

Re: The Movie in My Mind

This message has been posted in my MadonnaManiax Friendster by one of its members. Instead of replying directly to him, I thought of putting it here instead. Besides, I don't wanna create any misunderstanding, or worst a fight over this. However, if he accidentally finds this blog and read this, fine. At least, I'll be able to put my message across.

Read on...

-start-
Date: Friday, June 10, 2005 10:30:00 PM
Subject: the movie in my mind
Message:
1. recently, there has been a dramatic improvement in the movie industry: the elimination of the song-and-dance portion. go to the archives of movies from the 80's and 90's, be it comedy, drama or action, and you'll surely find a song-and-dance number, with complete props. practically all regal films movies have it. the scene is usually a character actor in a daydream, then, voila! the next scene is a fantasy with all the colors and exaggerated costumes. and as the actor and his princess are about to kiss, he is back to reality kissing someone else's foot. what a way to make the audience laugh.

2. filipino action films have only one plot. actually, you see one, you've seen them all. first, the actor comes from a poor but happy family. the a rich-maltreating-the-poor theme comes in. family members of the actor are killed or enslaved. then the actor gets his revenge by killing all the goons one by one. then, before he terminates the grand goon, he says a talinghaga, say, "ginawa mo akong parang patabaing babuy, ikaw rin pala ang kakatay sa akin!" filipions are poetic you know, but that doesn't exist in real life drama. just pull the trigger!

3. here are typical drama scenes in pinoy movies:(a) expect a lot of scenes featuring two girls screaming and shouting at each other, (b) an actress goes crying which lasts for five minutes, (c) two guys fighting over a girl, and the girl butts in to no effect, (d) if the child is adopted, she will ask her foster parents "bakit hindi ninyo sinabi sa akin?" and leaves as if she was not raised and loved by the latter.

4. at least, we should be thankful that massacre movies with religious subtitles featuring only one actress turned tv host are history.

5. filipino horror movies are actually comedy films pretending to be horror movies. watch how they do the visual effects. you'll laugh 'til your eyes pop out.

6. if you can't think of another original idea to make a good script, copy an american film and make it filipinized. for example, titanic becomes tatay ni nik, something to that effect.

7. when you advertise your upcoming movie on local tv, say this line: "para po ito sa buong pamilya. marami kayong mapupulot na magagandang aral." where's the plastic bag? i feel nauseous.
-end-

First of all, I'd like to ask, "What is the last Filipino movie that you've seen?" I'd actually ask that to all Filipinos who feel soooo embarrased about our own movies. Have you actually seen one? Or you just happened to switch on your channel to a Filipino movie and saw snippets of said film? You didn't like what you saw and switch channel again to your favorite Hollywood series or movie. Because of that one incident, you suddenly turned into an expert. You could actually say the bad and the worst about Philippine movies, huh? Is that it? Or was the last film you saw a Lino Brocka masterpiece? Or was this message just forwarded to you and you thought it was funny so you spread it around, as well?

I'm sick and tired of these "snobs" who kept on saying how bad the industry is when they really haven't been supporting it in the first place! When a Tagalog movie title already sounds despicable to them! When, till now, watching Pinoy movies or soap is sooo "baduy" and "kadiri" to them!

Direk Ellen and I have touched on this topic a little during our last conversation. She said that it's all a matter of social conditioning and the Americanized education that we have. We really can't blame the audience for that way of thinking. I'd say though that we could change. Yes, it was imposed on us so many years ago that we are inferior but that cannot be said anymore these days! Besides, tayo pa bang Filipino ang magbabagsak sa kapwa natin Filipino?

Filipino movie have been progressing these days. In fact, there are lots of memorable films that were released during the last five years or so. Were you able to watch them? Ang madalas ngang reklamo ng mga producers at direktor, "Hihingi kayo ng matinong pelikula pero pinapanood n'yo ba pag meron?" Pero teka nga, ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng "matino"? Not all movie that came out of Hollywood are note-worthy! Even if they're big-budgetted! At saka sila rin naman maraming latak! Hindi lang umaabot sa atin! (But some do, sad to say.)

I just hope that this colonial mentality of ours would slowly fade away. OO, may depekto ang iba sa mga pelikula natin. Pero kanino ba ang wala?!

Guess What's Coming to RP Theaters in August!?!

This has no confirmation yet but Direk Ellen told me that "My Sassy Girl" will be (or might be) release on Philippine cinemas this August! Whoa! I never thought that the day would come. It's disappointing to know that Filipinos will fail to catch this rare Korean gem so finally, this movie will see the light of day here! I'm glad that local distributors finally took notice of this one. I'm sure this will pave the way for other Korean romantic comedies to be shown here. Hooray!

P.S. I have dreamt earlier that I thought of being in charge of releasing Korean comedies here. Hah! Sana nga ganun ako kayaman! Harharhar!

Desire (Korea 2003)

Rosa and Kyumin are husband and wife living together in a lukewarm relationship. Kyumin had sex with a male prostitute named Leo. Rosa learned about it. When she accidentally met Leo, she had sex with him, too. Soon enough, the three were tangled in web of relationship they didn't know how to get out of.

"Desire" will be hard to sit through because the characters don't talk much. Unlike "Wanee & Junah", it has fewer dialogues and it relies on the emotional roller coaster that the characters are going through. The problem is, the emotions shown on screen were not enough for one to feel it. Unless you were in the same situation, you may get their point. Aside from that, it'd be difficult to know what exactly the characters want. If they're confuse, you'd be more confuse than them in the end!

"Desire" also relies on its eroticism yet there is nothing erotic about their sexual scenes. All throughout, this film is so cold and distant.