CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi

Catherine Keener

"Out here Survival is Everything"

Muse (Somali pirate): Last year I took a Greek ship. 6 million dollars.

Capt. Richard Phillips: 6 million dollars? So what are you doing here?

Muse: Shut up, Irish. Too much talking.

Capt. Phillips: The problem is not me talking. The problem is you not listening. 

The quote above truly defines in essence why there is a surge in piracy going on in the Horn of Africa waters.  

Paul Greengrass's masterful direction exposes this rampant situation through his film adaptation of a book written by the real Captain Richard Phillips.    Tom Hanks did an excellent job portraying the ordeal that the Maersk Alabama captain went through when he was captured and used as pawn by 4 Somali pirates.

The first part of the film presents the tension filled action sequences. From the high speed chase as the pirates relentlessly pursue the large cargo ship to the time when they actually board and hold the crew and its captain hostage.  

But the actual 'acting' comes into play once the pirates have captured Capt. Phillips and take off with him on board a steel enclosed lifeboat towards Somalia.  They plan to use him as a bait to hike up their ransom demands. The exchange between Capt. Phillips and his captors reveal a lot of insights into the real motives behind their horrific acts.  

The head of the Somali pirates, Muse nonchalantly declares that after everything has settled, he plans to go to America and buy a car.  He says it like it is some matter of fact information that he merely throws out there, totally oblivious to the bigger picture. That what he does for a 'living' is a crime which is punishable by any court in every country. Although his statement was genuinely said, it was also quite tragic to hear and made me shake my head with disbelief.

It also presents the personality of the veteran Captain who tries his best to fathom the ideals of the 'fishermen'.  Despite being brutally captured, he still exudes a lot of humane qualities towards his aggressors. He even helps to clean the wound on the foot of the youngest one from the group.  He also tries to tell them in not so many ways that their efforts are totally futile especially since the US Navy would do everything in their power to rescue him.  He tried to appeal to their moral sense by saying that the cargo he was carrying was going towards a feeding program for African kids.  But it fell on deaf ears!

It also has to be said that naturally the film is biased against the captors.  It is a given that 4 hapless yet fully armed Somali pirates cannot win against the mighty US Navy.  Muse even says "I came too far, I can't give up" - basically resigned to the fact that he is in a no win situation yet persists till the end. 

On the other hand, Captain Phillips himself also realizes that they are not merely fishermen as they claim but hardcore terrorists. They are manipulated and controlled by perhaps some syndicate who may or may not work for the Somali government.  Of course, it is difficult to make accusations without any concrete pieces of evidence yet that is the sense I got from this film.  

A well crafted movie that served as a good vehicle for Tom Hanks to once again amuse us with his brilliant acting. It also exposed a real global crisis that is sadly getting way out of hand.

GRAVITY

Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

"Don't Let Go"

The rookie and the veteran.  

That's how I describe Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalski. It was supposed to be a routine mission where medical engineer Stone (Sandra Bullock) was going to attach a prototype device she spent months developing in her lab.  Unfortunately, disaster struck.  Space debris from a satellite obliterates the space shuttle Explorer aka their ride.   An ultimate nightmare situation ensues as the two 'astronauts' end up drifting aimlessly in the deep dark abyss of outer space.

But let's face it. The view from up there is absolutely fantastic. The picture perfect shot one tends to post on one's Facebook page as their cover photo.   It also helps that you are stuck in space with a charming and quite engaging astronaut named Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) who keeps regaling you with stories of his space missions as well as his adventures in planet Earth. 

Kidding aside, I was quite drawn to the movie although at first I was pondering how a film with only two characters could sustain my interest.   The cinematography is breathtakingly vivid and top notch.  The details were quite authentic from the ISS, the uniforms of the astronauts (American, Russian and Chinese) to the language found on the buttons inside the space shuttles. I even noticed a table tennis (ping pong) racket floating about in the Chinese space shuttle.

But "Gravity" goes way beyond than just being an outer space movie, it extensively explores the human psyche and how it deals with any type of disaster. Then eventually evolves into a tale of survival, self awareness and the triumph of the human spirit.

Capt. Kowalski is the calming presence. A space veteran on his final mission, he is able to put Engineer Stone at ease even though the audience can clearly see for themselves the impending doom.  He is able to draw out the essence of her personality even though she is now and rightfully so in total panic mode. "Why is she named Ryan?"  "Is there a Mr Stone waiting for her?"   Simple questions which reveal a lot about her character.

Ultimately it is Sandra Bullock's film. Her Ryan Stone character more than makes up for all the dumb goofy characters she tends to saddle us with, mercilessly. And I am truly thankful for that and really praise her brilliant performance in this movie.

Finally, I know it would have been awesome to see "Gravity" on the big screen where everything is clearly magnified in all its splendid glory.  Unfortunately, I had to settle by viewing it on my laptop but it is certainly worth every nanosecond.

LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER

Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey,

Cuba Gooding, Jr, Lenny Kravitz, David Oyelowo

"One quiet voice can ignite a revolution"

First of all, let me just say, I don't know why the director Lee Daniels needed to put his name on the title of this film. In case, we forget who directed it?  I don't know, I just don't see the logic, really.

But having said that, I believe he did an excellent job in presenting the life story of Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker), the African American butler who worked for 8 US Presidents in the White House.

Beginning in the early 1920s as a young boy whose family is employed in a white household up to his elder years upon his retirement as a butler in the White House, "The Butler" is a clever depiction of the valuable service of one man to his nation.

The role is played brilliantly by Forest Whitaker, one of the most underrated actors of his generation.  His personification of a man who bore so much hatred (just because of the color of his skin) in his childhood then grows up to be a passive man who resists any form of confrontation is subdued yet expressive.

A witness of history as the American Civil Rights Movement gains momentum to the onslaught of the Vietnam War, he remains in the background (literally) as he serves the man in the highest office of the land.

I like how the film showed how some of the most powerful leaders of the free world would occasionally ask Cecil his input on events which unfolded in America during those tumultuous times.  And even though he is quite reluctant to share his opinions, somehow his 'comments' would bear some weight on the decisions made by these US Presidents.

But the different cameos roles of talented actors portraying these US Presidents was a bit distracting. You tend to focus on the physical similarities of the actors to the actual Presidents than the events which occurred during their tenure in office.  But I also understand the main essence of Lee Daniels in presenting these scenes, if only to show the audience how Cecil Gaines' opinions on current events were in some very small manner quite influential in the decision making processes of the Presidents.  

On the other hand, in his private spectrum Cecil faced a lot of resistance from his oldest son Louis (David Oyelowo) who defiantly joined the Civil Rights Movement.  The huge generation gap between the passive father who prefers to avoid conflict, and his son who cannot fathom the fact that his father is still so subservient is eloquently played out. Their scenes together make up some of the most poignant encounters in the film.

In conclusion, "The Butler" is a well acted, cleverly executed story of one man's struggle to uplift himself through harsh times. A story that transcends through various historical events and their significant impact in the life of Cecil Gaines. An ordinary man who endured and survived extraordinary times.

DARK SHADOWS

Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green,

Helena Bonham Carter, Bella Heathcote,

Chloe Grace Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller

HBO

"Every family has its demons"

When I'm asked who my favorite actor is, I always say it's Johnny Depp. Yet lately for the past decade or so, I've hardly seen any of his movies. He is still my fave though mainly because of his versatility in portraying uniquely quirky characters.  

In "Dark Shadows", he is Barnabas Collins a landed merchant who was turned into a vampire when he rebuffed the romantic notions of a 'witch'.  He is unearthed by mistake after two centuries of being buried alive. It is the year 1972 when bell bottoms and hippie mania was the main trend. He finds himself the head of a dysfunctional family, his descendants still living in Collinwood Manor (the family estate) which has fallen into ruin located in the town named after them, Collinsport. 

This latest collaboration between Depp and Tim Burton is as wacky as can be.  Not really a surprise since it is Tim Burton, after all. It was interesting and funny to see Barnabas Collins readjusting to modern day life as well as to his strange family.  Each of them with their own inner demons to deal with.

Towards the ending though, it got really so messy with a crazy witch exacting her revenge by wreaking havoc.  A chaotic few minutes that results in the total destruction of Collinwood Manor as well as the film itself.   Things just kept on getting weirder by the minute that the only recourse was to switch off the telly and head to bed.

Now I know why and when I stopped watching his films. It was during the period in his career when his collaboration with Tim Burton yielded freaky characters who only appeal to people with a dark sense of humor.  Unfortunately not my cup of tea.  Perhaps it is time I find another fave!

NOW YOU SEE ME

Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson

Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Melanie Laurent
Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman

"4 Amazing Magicians. 3 Impossible Heists.
1 Billion Dollars. This is no Illusion."

The impressive cast can somewhat fool you into thinking this would be a good if not great film. But as illusion is the main theme, we tend to be gullible and therefore most likely be deceived by the spectacular magic tricks.

"The Four Horsemen" as the team is collectively known are a group of highly skilled illusionists. Their show is not merely limited to the simple pulling the rabbit out of the hat sort of tricks. Their daring performances consists of pulling off heists to rob from corrupt merchants and giving the money back to the victims of the scams.  Yes there is a Robin Hood angle right there, come to think about it.

The film relies heavily on computer generated images to dramatize the illusions and magic tricks.  The plot held a lot of promise in the beginning with a sense of suspended disbelief as to who the real mastermind is behind the 4 Horsemen.   Yet midway everything turns pretty blurry and ends with a conclusion that leaves you hankering for more than what unfolded.  I felt cheated by the flat ending considering that the whole movie was about giving back to the duped society their hard earned money.
 

The ensemble cast do their best to sustain the momentum of the film. Yet there is only so much one can do to grab the attention of the audience if the plot itself implodes and self destructs.  It tends to drag on far too long than it is humanly possible to endure.  Yet you keep your eyes glued to the screen the way little kids do when they watch cartoons or animation movies as they are now called because you are drawn into the special effects and the magic tricks.  You really want to know who and what is their motive behind the illusions.

"Now You See Me" is fun to watch especially the high octane performances of the Four Horsemen but as most illusions go don't expect too much or else you would be disappointed once you learn the truth behind these magic tricks.

WORLD WAR Z

Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos

A few days before Halloween I thought it would be fitting to watch a scary film.  As I checked my arsenal folder of films, I noticed I didn't have any horror films (mainly because I am not a fan of this genre). 

Then I saw World War Z - zombie invasion would surely qualify as scary in my opinion.  So I settled down to watch.  At first, surely the very thought of a group of people getting infected with some sort of virus which turns them into zombies is quite frightening for me.  

But as the movie progressed and I saw the extreme lengths Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) went through to find a 'cure', the idea became less scary and more of a joke. The kind of joke that is passed around several times, it becomes stale relatively faster than you can reach the punchline.

I mean really the fact that the scientist who will extract the vaccine dies (rather carelessly as hitting his head when he slips) within several minutes of the film should tell you it can't be taken seriously.  It seems like Brad Pitt took on this project so he could (a) be the sole hero to the rescue and (b) make a film that will certainly earn him huge brownie points with his young kids.  But then it is Brad Pitt after all and I may be wrong but I don't think that award winning performance would be an apt description as far as his acting skills go.  

Probably that he is too good looking to be taken seriously but judging from his array of films so far, none really scream Oscar worthy acting, right?  So after I got over my initial fear of zombies wreaking mayhem over the universe, I simply settled back and enjoyed this popcorn popping type of mindless entertainment (sans the popcorn, of course).

The film itself is well edited with violent and disturbing images of zombies on the attack in almost every frame.  Even though he goes all over the world (Israel, Scotland) to find the 'solution', the flow of the film is still intact and balanced.  The computer generated images naturally helped in bringing the dramatic intensity factor into play.  

Then just as you expected more 'action', the film ends on an open ended sequence.  This uncertainty cues in a sequel is in the works in the distant or near future.  It would be interesting to see the different premises that will be played before a final closure is brought about.  But until then, life goes on ... preferably without any zombie attacks!

ARTHUR NEWMAN

Colin Firth, Emily Blunt

Anne Heche

"If you Don't have a Life, Get someone Else's"

SM Cinemas

I found myself at the mall to do some errands. I wanted to catch Clooney and Bullock as the unfortunate astronauts on a mission that goes wrong but unfortunately I missed the appropriate showing time, so I settled for Firth and Blunt.  

That's Colin Firth who stars as a down on his luck sales agent who decides to fake his death so he could start a new life as Arthur Newman. His dream is to resume his golf career so he intends to pursue a job as an  instructor at a golf club in another state.  Along the way, he meets Mike (Emily Blunt) herself a lost soul and they connect on more levels than one.  

This is their story.

I reckon it is quite easy for someone to just vanish into thin air without anyone missing them and assume a new identity in a huge country like the US.  In Wallace Avery's case, I found it quite sad that he didn't have a solid support system like a loving family to provide him with whatever he felt was missing in his life.  But as we see in the film, he doesn't have a warm personality. He is divorced and estranged from his family while his current girlfriend played by Anne Heche seems to be neglected and largely ignored.

The loneliness is all the more highlighted when one lonely soul meets another lonely soul. In this case, Arthur meets Mike who is I'd say more troubled than lonely.  Somehow, together they click and make the most of the time together (read: have sex a lot) even though they clearly know zilch about each other lives. 

As the film moves on and the notion of second chances peeks in, surely redemption and finding one's self cannot be far behind and right on cue they appear towards the ending. I know it's predictable but somehow watching good actors like Colin Firth and Emily Blunt bring to life such sad characters somehow made the film easier to bear.

STOKER

Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode,

Nicole Kidman, Dermot Mulroney

"Do not Disturb the Family"

The word that comes to my mind to describe this movie is 'peculiar'.  This is the story of India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) a young woman who must learn to cope with the sudden death of her beloved father.  Helping her through the 'process' is her unstable mother Evie played brilliantly by Nicole Kidman and her uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode).  Her father's younger brother who suddenly shows up after the funeral. A close relative which neither Evie nor India knew even existed.  Charlie has a magnetic draw to his personality which India cannot quite explain yet it continues to fascinate the young woman. 

"Stoker" is the first English languaged film of Chan Wook Park, a Korean director and its script is co-written by Wentworth Miller of "Prison Break" fame and who was recently in the news for revealing his sexual orientation.

The main draw for me is the brilliant way "Stoker" was filmed. The cinematography was bursting with vibrant colors. Each detail in every scene was well showcased from extreme close up scenes to wide angle shots of landscapes. Most of them accompanied with hauntingly sinister music.  It felt like a fairy tale where you'd half expect animals and plants to start talking but fortunately they didn't because it isn't an animation film.  Even though the lead actress Mia Wasikowska first debuted as Alice in "Alice in Wonderland".

The peculiar aspect rose mostly from the mysterious aura of its unique characters. Strange roles but well acted by the ensemble cast. Notably Matthew Goode as Uncle Charlie was as creepy as creepy gets even though he looks like he walked out of a GC magazine cover. But beware looks can truly be deceiving!

No doubt, "Stoker" is a dark film with rather disturbing sequences which all unfold towards the end yet the mesmerizing manner it was presented is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

12th Spanish Film Festival

Yet another foreign language film festival is set to amuse us.  This time it is the 12th edition of Pelicula - the Spanish Film Festival.  It will run from the 3rd of October until the 13th at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas.

Here is the schedule of films

For more details, kindly check out its official website at http://pelicula.ph

BEYOND(SWEDEN)

Cine Europa 16

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

"Beyond" is a hauntingly powerful movie as it deals with alcoholism and domestic abuse.  It is based on a novel by Susanna Alakoski and is the directorial debut of Swedish actress Pernilla August. 

A single phone call from the hospice where her mother is confined rattles Leena (Noomi Rapace) to the core. Her mother whom she has not seen in ages has only a few hours to live and wants to see her. Suddenly Leena is confronted with the demons from her past, a childhood that was wracked with neglectful parents who were mostly drunk and whose fights would turn violent.

Her past comes to the screen through flawless flashbacks where we witness how a young Leena holds the household together as her parents spiral out of control. How she practically raised her young brother trying her best to shield him from experiencing first hand the murky effects that alcoholism had imposed on their parents.  How she turns into an expert swimmer in school as her means of escape from the troubles at home.

Leena's present life though seems like a complete contrast as she is happily married to a supportive husband and they dote on their two daughters. Yet confronted with the resurgence of the memories of her past, she turns into a bitter person. Quite understandably so.  All the years of neglect and abuse she witnessed as a child come rushing to the surface and suddenly she doesn't know how to process the experience.

Case in point, when her mother talks to her on her deathbed, she tells Leena "there were some good times, though. All those parties."  Leena retorts "those were not nice parties they were disgusting drunken messes".  Two people who experience the same experience yet remember them quite differently.  Sad but a hauntingly true depiction of life.

The film itself is difficult to process despite the simplicity in the manner it was presented on screen.  It is disturbing to watch a young child go through so much misery at the hands of her own parents.  But what is more troubling is how parents can be so neglectful of their own children.  

But I am mature enough to know that not all families are blessed with parents who provide a loving home for their children.  And sometimes it takes a film like "Beyond" to show us we need to be more appreciative of our own family.

BARBARA(GERMANY)

Cine Europa 16

Shang Cineplex, Cinema 2

Barbara is a doctor assigned to a small town. She was 'banished' after she was caught trying to secure an exit pass to travel to West Germany.  Setting is obviously during the Cold War era when Germany was still divided by the Berlin Wall.

The audience though is not given much information about her background, her social status or even if she has any family or relatives in the Western part of Germany.  Day in and day out, we see her wearing the same clothes as she reports to the hospital where she is assigned.  She rarely interacts with her colleagues except with another doctor named Andre who is what I call the friendly/flirty type. We also witness that she is under constant surveillance from what we assume is the local police or whatever office is tasked with monitoring suspicious individuals.

Nina Hoss the actress who portrays Barbara has this melancholic expression on her face. She barely smiles and her movements/gestures are guarded. Great personification of an intriguing yet somewhat quite sad character.  Sometimes you can't help but feel like giving Barbara a hug just to cheer her up a bit or just to reassure her that everything will be alright.  Even though we know just how restricted her life in the East really is.

But everything is not as dour as there is a slight glimmer of hope as we see Barbara is secretly planning another 'escape'.   As the day slowly approaches, we sense very little excitement on her part (or she is probably just good at hiding her emotions).  We also see how she is slowly but surely coming out of her shell as she becomes more open with Dr. Andre. 

Overall, this well acted drama moves at a slow pace yet it is tinged with a silent sense of foreboding for such an intriguing character. Everything is quite subtle even the little twist towards the ending which made me sad yet I couldn't help but feel like things would work out just fine for Barbara despite her painful yet very noble decision.

DIVIDED WE FALL (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Cine Europa 16

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

From the Czech Republic comes this tale set in a Nazi occupied small town about a childless couple trying to make ends meet during the war.  As if that is not hard enough, Marie and Josef Cizek decide to hide a young Jewish man. David is the son of Josef's former employer.  Fortunately, he was able to escape from a concentration camp where the rest of his family perished. 

These are troubled times and the couple try to keep a semblance of normalcy in their community. Of course, it isn't easy because nosy colleagues and gossipy neighbors are always on the look out for anything suspicious in their neighborhood. The secrecy is also posing a threat to their marriage and their inability to conceive.

The movie has a vintage vibe to it even though it was filmed only in 2001. The cast do their best to essay their characters, realistically. Their varied emotions as well as their distinct behaviors are very characteristic of people living under so much pressure. 

The plot authentically presents the full impact of living under occupation. Collaborators were also quite common as certain enterprising individuals chose to help the 'enemy'. It is difficult to phantom what motivates a person to 'side' with the occupying forces yet I also understand it is a simple case of survival.  This issue isn't tackled at length but only in passing towards the end of this film yet for me it was the most poignant part.

Nevertheless, "Divided We Fall" is still a provocative film about the Nazi occupation in a small Czech town.  It has its fair share of dramatic moments along with funny situations just like real life!

A ROYAL AFFAIR(DENMARK)

Cine Europa 16

Shang Cineplex, Cinema 2

From Denmark comes this period piece based on a true story which unfolds during the close of the 18th century. A young English princess marries the King of Denmark, Christian VII.  He is what we now call autistic but back in those days, they all believe he was insane. So the Court decides to hire a physician.  In comes, Johann Frederich Struensee, a German doctor who is secretly part of the Enlightenment movement - an organization of intellectuals and free thinkers.

During those ages, Denmark was an oppressive nation ruled by a conservative Parliament and the influential clergy.   Soon enough, the good doctor finds himself in the bed of the young but strong minded Queen Caroline Mathilda as well as the 'brains' behind the much ridiculed King.  But as we later find out, Struensee  pays dearly for his indiscretions - a public beheading.

The film begins with the exiled Queen writing a letter to her two children explaining to them why she had an affair with the German doctor.  Then it effortlessly moves into flashback mode as we are taken 9 years earlier. 

This drama about an illicit relationship is well executed. The costumes are authentic, the cinematography is lusciously bold and vivid and the cast portray their roles, realistically. Mads Mikkelsen who I guess is Denmark's most famous import to the film industry stars as the quiet yet charismatic doctor Struensee. It was interesting to watch his character evolve from the silent behind the scenes doctor to the powerful almost greedy enforcer of Denmark's reforms.

The story line tackles intrigues, politics, the magnetic draw of power all in the pursuit of the greater good of mankind. Although it clocks at over 2 hours, it was still fascinating to watch a good period drama about a faraway Scandinavian land which I never had the chance to visit.

CINE EUROPA

Cine Europa, the film festival featuring European movies turns 16 this year. It will have its Metro Manila run at Cinema 2 of the Shang Cineplex in Mandaluyong from 5 to 15 September 2013. This year it showcases 21 compelling movies from the 17 participating European countries.  Different genres to cater to the audience of all ages.

Admission is free on a first come first served basis. Tickets will be released 30 minutes before screening time.

Schedule of films to be shown at Shang Cineplex, Cinema 2:

THE BIG WEDDING

Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Robin Williams,

Susan Sarandon, Amanda Seyfried,
Topher Grace, Katherine Heigl, Ben Barnes

"It's never too late to start acting like a Family"

Long divorced couple Don (Robert de Niro) and Ellie (Diane Keaton) must pretend to still be married for Alejandro (Ben Barnes), their adopted son's wedding. His biological mother is quite conservative and traditional and he never told her about his parents' divorce.   

His lawyer sister Lyla (Katherine Heigl) is going through a rough patch in her own marriage while his younger brother, Jared (Topher Grace) the doctor is well let's say saving himself for marriage. Soon enough, confusion surfaces as it is the case when people act under false pretenses. 

After I watched a film about a 5 year engagement, I thought it would be fun to see a movie about a wedding. I chose this one for its stellar cast but ultimately felt a bit disappointed it did not live up to expectations. I can't really fault the cast as they did a good job as usual when it comes to the acting part. 

So naturally the blame shifts to the storyline. Although it had the potential to be a funny romantic comedy about family bonding moments during a wedding, it wasn't developed enough to create a significant impact. Alright given that it is a light fare movie, it still lacked something to give it a nice boost.

It is safe to say that the cast of veteran actors composed of Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams and Robert de Niro would be the main attraction.  Because even though the title suggests a wedding, the focus wasn't on the couple who will be united in holy matrimony but more on the shenanigans of the older members of the entourage.

THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT

Emily Blunt, Jason Seiel

Chris Pratt, Alison Brie

"A comedy about the journey between popping
the question and tying the knot"

HBO

This romantic comedy begs the question: "how soon after an engagement should a couple tie the know?" 

For Violet (Emily Blunt) and Tom (Jason Segel) it took them 5 long years (as the title obviously suggests) before they took the much awaited plunge.  The film presents all the reasons (valid and irrational) and the travails behind the delay. We know that Violet wanted her career to flourish before she became a wife and an eventual mother. We know that Tom is willing and lovingly sacrifices his own career as a chef to support his fiancee's decision. Everything is well discussed between the couple. They are truly supportive of each other's needs. There were situations in which I agreed it was a good idea to wait.  While on the other hand, I believe they should have gotten married within 6 months or at the most a year. 

I make it sound like it is a heavy handed dramatic film which takes itself quite seriously but it was quite the opposite. It is conceived by the same producers of "Bridesmaids" and "Knocked Up" so it had some really hilarious moments delivered with some raunchy dialogue but it wasn't offensive at all. 

Editing seems to be the 'only' flaw of the film as it took 124 minutes to wrap up.  By the one hour and 30 minutes mark, they still weren't 'married'!  I came this close to switching off the TV but I persevered mainly because I had grown quite fond of Violet and Tom as a couple.  Their chemistry was palpable. They were truly meant for each other even though they let their varying issues cloud their judgments.  Their decisions were always mired with problems which in my book weren't really problems, per se.

Editing issues aside, the film was a genuinely sweet and charming tale. It was funny and entertaining with endearing main characters portrayed with ease by Emily Blunt (one of my fave actresses) and Jason Segel. 

My final train of thought is this dialogue:  (Great advice, imho!)

Mother: What are you doing?
Tom: Look, we are not 100 % right for each other. So there is nothing to be said.
Mother: Well I got news for you, moron,
Your father and I, we are not even 90% right for each other.
Not even 60%, okay? But he is the love of my life. And right now the love of your life is going to fly away.  And I bet somewhere in the back of your mind, you are thinking that she will always be there if you want to try again. But you know what? She won't because she is the goddamned best!  And some lucky guy is going to make it work with her, no matter what!

PARIS MANHATTAN

Patrick Bruel, Alice Taglioni

Occasionally, I watch French movies. Mainly for me not to forget the language I grew up speaking. Yet that was over 30 years ago so my facility at speaking (worst of all writing it) is quite rusty.  Naturally I rely on subtitles to get me through because there is a huge difference in conversational French and the French they use as dialogue in films. I was able to confirm this from my American friend who not only lived in Paris but knows the art of cinema quite well.  

Most of the time, I prefer light fare comedy types of French movies. Not only is the dialogue easier for me to grasp (without looking at the English subtitles) but they tend to present things as they are.  By that, I mean the boy doesn't necessarily get the girl by the end of the film.  Conflicts and complications abound.  Although surely there are some French films where lead actor does end up with cutesy lead actress with the added *kilig* factor thrown in for good measure.

Alice (Alice Taglioni) is a Parisian pharmacist who is an avid fan of Woody Allen and his films.  She even talks to his giant poster in her room about anything and nothing in particular.  The strange thing is *he* does reply to her musings and he speaks to her in English.  Not only does she dispense medicines to her regular customers, she also hands them dvds of Woody Allen films to "heal" their malaise.  

Just as Alice finds Pierre, the man of her dreams, he falls in love with her much stylish sister Helene. Soon enough, they get married and Alice is back to 'zero'.  Her parents though worry about her ending up alone in life so they are always on the look out for eligible guys to date Alice.  But it is only when Alice meets Victor (Patrick Bruel) when things perk up a bit.  Victor is the security expert who installs security devices in establishments.  He is her complete opposite as he hasn't seen any of Woody Allen movies.

"Paris-Manhattan" is a French film with the right amount of romance and bits of comedy. The story line is a bit too simple and predictable even though the characters experience their arc in terms of changing for the better. It's a light and engaging fare with its own charm which mostly comes from the good chemistry between Alice and Victor.    Just what I needed on a rainy Tuesday evening. 

THE PAPERBOY

Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey,

Zac Efron, Macy Gray, John Cusack

As if the devastation from the most recent storm wasn't bleak enough, I picked a really lurid tale to entertain myself.  But it was a random pick from my folder of films to watch so be it.   Set in the summer of 1969 in the really warm state of Florida,  the story about a murder investigation is peppered with despicable characters. Based on a 1995 novel by American author Pete Dexter, it is directed by Lee Daniels ("Precious") whose most recent film "The Butler" is currently receiving rave reviews by critics. 

"The Paperboy" is composed of renowned actors cast in roles, way beneath their normal glamorous standards.  I was surprised that Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack and Zac Efron were willing to play characters who didn't have any redeeming qualities.  Most of the time they looked dirty and scruffy from sweating too much, behaved really badly and were for want of a better word disgusting personas.  

The setting itself was bleak with several scenes in a filthy swamp in Southern Florida, complete with thick mud and dead alligators hanging from tree trunks.  It gave me the creeps to say the least.  I felt like taking a shower to cleanse myself from the filth seeping from the environment as well as from the characters themselves.

The plot itself is scattered with story lines and side plots all muddled together in a murky mess. It dealt with mature subjects like racism, murder, sex and violence in the era of the Civil Rights Movement.  The flowery dialogue delivered in the Southern accent used the dreaded N word quite abundantly.  

In the beginning, it showed some promise as the story is told through a narrative and a flashback to events which were quite vital to the story. Then towards the middle part, things got really messy with some explicitly graphic scenes which I thought were too raunchy but were included to stir up some controversy.  The last minutes wrapped up quickly but weren't really conclusive. 

Overall, I'd say there is nothing compelling in this film. In fact, it was trashy and sometimes quite sickening and revolting to watch.  The only plus factor would be the solid performance of the cast who deserve some credit for portraying such ill fated characters.

7TH INTERNATIONAL SILENT FILM FESTIVAL

After the terrible days of being inundated by the storm and monsoon rains, it's time we get back to normal and take our minds away from the devastation.  

From August 23 to 25, 2013, Shang Cineplex once again hosts a variety of movies for the 7th International Silent Film Festival.  Sometimes silence can be quite fulfilling after such a chaotic week. Yet even though the films are without any audio, these movies are accompanied with live music performed by top bands. 

Best of all, entrance is free on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the screening.

For more details, check out this Spot.ph article as well as the Official Facebook page of the festival.

ENJOY! 

TO ROME WITH LOVE

Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Allen,  

Judy Davis, Roberto Benigni, Alison Pill,

Penelope Cruz, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig

Another Woody Allen film that takes us beyond his beloved New York, this time in vibrant Rome, Italy.  His previous European set series of movies took us to London ("Match Point"), then Madrid ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona") and Paris ("Midnight in Paris").

As usual a smorgasbord of actors and actresses are cast to portray various characters which come alive through the fertile imagination of Allen who wrote, produced and directed the movie. Italian actors (Ornella Muti, Roberto Benigni) as well as young and old(er) Hollywood stars are part of the ensemble. Their roles include an American architect on a nostalgic trip to relive his past, a young Italian couple on their honeymoon and a married couple in town to meet the family of their daughter's Italian fiance.

I usually identify which role (either male or female) would best epitomize the characteristics of Woody Allen.  S/he is usually the angst ridden neurotic who tends to talk in a rapid manner, analyzing every single anxiety. It's usually accompanied with jerky hand gestures when s/he wants to emphasize a point.

Here, it was played by Jesse Eisenberg as Jack, the American architecture student in Rome who gets infatuated with Monica (Ellen Page), a friend of his girlfriend.  In some ways, I'd say that Monica was the female version of Woody Allen in her role as the annoyingly flaky yet somewhat  smart struggling actress who visits Rome after a messy break up.

It is always fascinating to see Rome as the setting for any movie and it puts me in a nostalgic mood.  Yet I'd have to say that among the Woody Allen movies set in Europe, this film was his weakest so far. 

Even though he paid homage to the Fellini era of Italian films and also to the Italian type of gag comedies, some of the stories lacked a certain cohesiveness that would nicely tie up all the loose ends.  Each of the 4 independent stories in the film could merit a full length movie on its own.  And there lies the main flaw of "To Rome with Love" as I got the impression that each plot could have benefited with the infusion of more depth and dimension.

Despite my disappointment, I remain a loyal Woody Allen fan and would still watch his films. More so if they are set in such cultured locales.  I end by quoting the words of one of my fave Beatles song.

"There are places I remember all my life.
Though some have changed. 
Some forever, not for better.
Some have gone, and some remain.  
All these places have their moments.
In my life, I loved them all."

CELESTE & JESSE FOREVER

Rashida Jones, Adam Samberg
Elijah Woods, Emma Roberts

"For anyone who has to break up
with their best friend"

Star Movies

It's good we have 2 TVs in this household so I could watch this romcom while the hubby was glued to the FIBA ASIA game between Qatar and RP.  By the way, we won so everyone was happy.

Now back to Celeste & Jesse.  At first glance, you'd think they were a happily married couple as they have so much chemistry and their friendship is quite solid. Then you realize they are actually separated and in the process of finalizing their divorce.

Celeste (Rashida Jones) is the owner of a media consulting firm while Jesse (Adam Samberg) well I couldn't really tell his occupation. I figure he was 'in between jobs' which is a nice way of saying he is unemployed. They were best friends then married for 6 years but have grown apart so she opts out of the marriage.

Miscommunication seems to be the key ingredient missing from their relationship even though they are the best of friends.  They are also on different pages vis a vis their careers as well as what they want in life.  

They soon start seeing other people and that's when the irony starts.  As soon as Jesse is faced with a very 'adult' situation, he quickly changes and exhibits a level of maturity that Celeste didn't know was possible.  Whereas Celeste's dating life seems quite trivial as she meets guys way beyond her 'league', so to speak.

Celeste and Jesse Forever is not really a romantic comedy as there is nothing romantic about a separation.  But there is no loud bickering and all the messy legalities involved in ending a marriage, either.  Both Celeste and Jesse have endearing qualities on their own as well as an (un)couple but they are also flawed in many ways.  

The film is easy to absorb even though the main story is about a break-up.  Rashida Jones and Adam Samberg are the main draws of an otherwise predictable story line.  I like how their characters evolved as they faced different situations.  And despite the "forever" tag in the title, some relationships unfortunately don't last that long even though there is no harm in hoping it would. 

BEFORE MIDNIGHT

Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke

SM Cinemas

Naturally, we all wondered if Jesse (Ethan Hawke) stayed on in Celine's apartment (Julie Delpy) and missed his flight in "Before Sunset".   9 years later, Richard Linklater shows us that they did end up together but it isn't quite like in fairy tales where everyone is cheerful and content.  But that's real life, right?

They are married, have twins (daughters) and are vacationing in a gorgeous Greek island. Jesse is still a best selling author while Celine ever the advocate is at a crossroads as she contemplates taking a government job.   Renting a villa with 3 other couples of varying age, their discussions are interesting and insightful as dialogue is wont to be among friends.

Bearing signs of maturity both in their physical appearance as well as in their married life, Jesse and Celine are still the same couple we all grew quite fond of.  They have to deal with what I call grown up problems like trying to get custody of Jesse's son from his previous marriage, big career moves also the prospect of relocating to another country.  

Celine has turned into a nagger by hounding Jesse with thought provoking questions. Some of her 'what if' questions were in my opinion quite difficult to contemplate let alone validate with a concrete answer.  While Jesse is confused about the future of his son, he does his best to accommodate most if not all of Celine's insecurities which suddenly all rise to the surface during their supposedly idyllic summer vacation.

If I ever brought up those types of questions to my hubby of 5 years, I'm sure he would think I went insane and would probably retort with one of his jokes just to shut me up and snap me back into reality.  But that's just how we roll, so to speak.

But Linklater's characters in this trilogy have always been the dialogue driven type of couple.  So while we tend to nod in agreement with some of the points raised, we also just shake our heads at the other for want of a better word 'preposterous' arguments discussed.  

Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke still have the same chemistry as evident in the two previous films.  They look so comfortable together. It seems as if they weren't acting and speaking from a scripted plot but conversing normally.

I reckon it is time we let them be and stop intruding on Jesse and Celine's marriage and their life, in general.   Of course, it goes without saying that if and when Richard Linklater decides to come up with a fourth film, I won't miss it.   But for now, I firmly believe "Before Midnight" nicely wraps up their romance.

KOKUHAKU (CONFESSIONS)

Eiga Sai 2013

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

Compared to the light family drama I saw yesterday, this film is a psychological thriller that sent chills down my spine. The opening scene is in a noisy classroom on the last day before spring break.  A female teacher is talking about the value of life until she begins to recount her grief and sorrow over the accidental death of her four year old daughter.  

Then she tells the class that it wasn't an accident and she knows for sure that two of her students 'murdered' her child.   She refuses to identify the two culprits and simply labels them as "A" and "B".   The mood in the boisterous classroom immediately changes in more ways than one as the focus shifts on the two murderers.

The rest of the film spirals into a chaotic yet well conceived sequences of "confessions" from all the concerned characters in the gruesome accident. Filmed in dark tones of grey and bleak cinematography, the plot moves easily with equal amounts of  fast paced scenes along with slow motion and reflective moments which tug at your heartstrings.    

The main draw is how compelling each side of the story unfolds. All sorts of emotions seem to nudge your brain cells. The streaks of brutal and violent flashbacks shocks you to the core then it turns to poignant 'behind the scenes' explanations into the motives of the students who resorted to these evil acts of violence.

It was quite disturbing to absorb this dark, psychological thriller which touched on currently relevant issues like bullying, suicide, discrimination, conflicts in schools between teachers and students. It also widely tackled vengeance and ultimately redemption.   

Yet at the same time, I've never seen such a honest portrayal of a revenge story and it fascinated me to no end.  It still haunts me.

OTOTO(ABOUT HER BROTHER)

Eiga Sai 2013

Shang Cineplex Cinema 2

"Blood is thicker than water" is the main theme of this family drama.  Ginko is a widowed pharmacist and her daughter Koharu is getting married to a wealthy doctor.  At the wedding ceremony, Tetsuro who is Ginko's good for nothing brother (the black sheep of the family) shows up drunk and causes quite a ruckus.   In a society where family honor is highly valued, losing face is a great source of disgrace to any family.   Tetsuro is rightfully disowned and 'banished' even though he feels he had a right to be there since he was the one who gave his niece the name Koharu which means Spring Wind.

"Ototo" is directed by Yoji Yamada, the famous director of the Tora-San series of movies. His films are normally about the modern middle class Japanese families. In this film, Yamada explores the strained relationship between the two siblings and its effects on their family. 

Set in a tiny Tokyo suburb as well as some scenes in Osaka, "Ototo" has all the right elements of a typical "telenovela".  Some light comedy with loads of melodramatic moments which eventually turned into a sappy tearjerker but filmed with such quiet restraint.

Yamada directs a solid plot which deals with social issues like the plight of the outcast, the stigma attached to being divorced and the health care of the abandoned. The well developed roles are delivered by a good cast whose emotional quotient is highly evident through their facial expressions.

EIGA SAI 2013

The 2013 Japanese Film Festival kicks off with an invitational screening to the film "About Her Brother" ("Otouto") on July 3 at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2 in Mandaluyong City.

The Film Festival will run from July 4 to 14, 2013 at Cinema 2 of the Shang Cineplex.

The other films include the complete edition of "Always - Sunset on Third Street" ("Always Sancho-me no Yuhi") Part 1 to 3,  "Confessions" ("Kokuhaku"), "Kamui" ("Kamui Gaiden"), "Rinco’s Restaurant" ("Shokudo Katatsumuri"),  "Mai Mai Miracle" ("Mai Mai Shinko to sennen no maho"), "Castle Under Fiery Skies" ("Katen no Shiro"), "Japan, Our Homeland" ("Furusato - Japan"), "Parade and Dear Doctor".

All films will be shown with English subtitles. 

For screening schedule click here or consult the Japan Foundation Manila website.

YOUR SISTER'S SISTER

Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt

"A Comedy about doing the Right Thing
with the Wrong Person"

There are only 3 characters in this Indie (independent film) tale about relationships and all its complexities. Iris (Emily Blunt) offers her best friend Tom (Mark Duplass) to stay at her family's cabin in the mountains.  He needs to mourn his brother's death.  

While there, Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) who is Iris's half sister shows up.  She just ended a 7 year relationship and needs some alone time to mend her broken heart.  Soon enough, Iris also joins them for the weekend.   It doesn't turn into a menage a trois (threesome) ... it isn't that kind of movie, mind you.

With no TV nor Internet connection to keep themselves occupied, they go on long walks and commune with nature.  The vast outdoors reflective of serene surroundings with a wide lake and densely forested trees is a good setting to turn inward and ponder about one's existence.   

Intimate conversations with siblings and friends is a pivotal point as secrets and hidden dreams are revealed. It is mostly dialogue driven until a simple twist is thrown in to complicate matters.

The underacting of the cast uplifts an otherwise mediocre film with great cinematographic scenes of the rustic setting.  Although the blurb states 'a comedy' I didn't find anything funny in it nor about it.  In fact, it was quite thought provoking especially the inconclusive ending of the film.

THIS IS 40

Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann,

Albert Brooks, Megan Fox

Jason Segel, John Lithgow

Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann are back in a full length movie where they reprise their roles as Pete and Debbie, the husband and wife (friends of Katherine Heigl) from the film "Knocked Up."   

Also directed by Judd Apatow, this film explores the travails of Pete and Debbie as they both turn 40 and go through a mid life crisis.   Struggling with debt, a teenaged daughter, aging parents and health woes, somehow their seemingly happy existence is slowing going down the drain, so to speak.

The cast led by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann (Judd Apatow's wife in real life) delivered fine performances. Their comedic timing were up to par.  The plot itself was amusing and entertaining but certain scenes could have used some editing.

"This is 40" is a witty and well written comedy which presented real life situations that a couple their age face on a daily basis.  It had extremely funny moments. Scenes where I totally laughed out loud which was fun because it has been a while since I've done that watching a film.  

It also included some crude humor and dialogue for mature audiences but were treated appropriately and were not offensive nor insulting.  Well I wasn't offended but that's just me, I just laugh everything off!

SIDE EFFECTS

Jude Law, Rooney Mara, 

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum

"One Pill can Change your Life"

SM Cinemas

Deceit is the recurring theme in this latest thriller from Steven Soderbergh. The provocative film focuses on the life of Emily (Rooney Mara) and Martin (Channing Tatum), a married couple who try to get their lives back on track after suffering a few setbacks.  Emily is having a harder time coping so her psychiatrist Dr. Banks (Jude Law)  prescribes a powerful pill that will help combat her depression. 

Naturally a powerful pill will have drastic side effects which will only further aggravate Emily's vulnerable state.  Or does it?  That's for you to find out as I won't be revealing any spoilers.

As a firm believer that medicines cannot really solve your mental well being, I cringed every time she had to pop such a strong toxic pill.  Yet on the other hand, I also know that depression is a serious illness that needs to be properly addressed and supervised by medical professionals.

This film further validated my belief that we lived in an overmedicated society. That medical experts as well as pharmaceutical firms make millions of profits each year. They trick us in believing that a pill can solve all our health woes.

"Side Effects" with its well acted cast and complex story line was thought provoking. I recognize its brave effort in making a solid statement. A stand on the greediness of pharmaceutical firms as well as the unscrupulous doctors who benefit from the avarice at the unhealthy expense of vulnerable patients.  

It may be fictional and not presented in a Michael Moore type of documentary but it successfully proved its point.  We certainly got the message even though it did leave a bitter after taste in our mouth.

ALCESTE A BICYCLETTE(CYCLING WITH MOLIERE)

18th French Film Festival

Greenbelt 3 Cinemas

A famous TV star Gauthier Valence sets off to an island in the south of France with a mission.  He wants to hire the reclusive actor Serge Tanneur in his production of a famous Moliere stage play entitled "The Misanthrope".   Serge has been living a hermit like existence for 3 years after he 'walked' off from the entertainment industry.   So he certainly won't budge at the drop of a hat to return to the limelight.  Soon enough, a planned overnight stay for Gauthier turns into a week as he needs more time to convince Serge.  

This film is set in a very picturesque part of France where life seems to pass by slowly. A perfect setting for Serge who has certainly turned into a misanthrope, himself.  The sequences mostly unfold between the two actors inside the rustic albeit dilapidated house of Serge where they rehearse their parts on a daily basis.  An occasional bike ride around the tiny town serves as a buffer between rehearsals.

The lengthy exchange between two thespians with huge egos was worth watching. Even though I had no essence on the plot of the play, it seemed like a rather complicated dialogue driven comedy of errors much like Shakespeare's tragedies.  A certain way of delivering the dialogue is essential and the rehearsal turns into a heated discussion as each actor deems he knows best how to convey Moliere's words.

As they painstakingly rehearse, they also discover more insights into the personal lives of each other.  Thus making it less boring as the film isn't confined to merely reciting lines from a Moliere play.  

Although the conclusion was pretty much predictable judging from the rigid nature of Serge, the gorgeous cinematography and the fine acting from the two lead actors is worth one's time.

LE PRENOM(WHAT'S IN A NAME?)

18th French Film Festival

Greenbelt 3 Cinemas

This French film adapted from a play unfolds in a single setting. The cozy apartment of Sorbonne Professor, Pierre and his schoolteacher wife, Elizabeth.  A dinner of Moroccan fare is painstakingly prepared by Elizabeth and their guests include her brother Vincent a smoothly suave yet quite successful realtor and Claude, a long time family friend.  

After a witty montage of the history behind some famous Parisian streets narrated by a voiceover (which apparently belonged to Vincent), the film starts rolling as they converse over appetizers while waiting for Anna, Vincent's pregnant partner to arrive from her meeting.

The conversation veers towards a 'game' that Vincent initiates for them to guess what he intends to name his unborn son.  The discussion takes on a heated tone as soon as the politically incorrect name is revealed.  In a household with intellectual minds, a clash of opposing views and opinions is bound to be very intense.  The bickering continues and culminates with shocking revelations that shake each of them to the core.

That it was adapted from a play is quite evident in this dialogue driven film. The ensemble cast is brilliant as they essay out their characters strong points as well as their shortcomings with ease.   4 of the 5 cast members are the original members in the staged play which received many awards.

The film version also succeeds on two points - the talented cast and the cleverly crafted dialogue which certainly was thought provoking to say the least.

DE ROUILLE ET D'OS(RUST AND BONE)

18th French Film Festival

Greenbelt 3 Cinemas

I've heard so many rave reviews about this film that I was excited to watch it. Considering that the story line had gritty realism written all over it, I expected it to be a tearjerker. But I was pleasantly surprised that not only did I not shed any tears, I actually liked the film. 

Veering away from the standard nice girl meets nice boy and live happily ever after fare, "Rust and Bone" brings together two completely opposite main characters who meet at the most crucial moment in their lives.

Ali is an ex boxer and single father of a five year old son who moves in with his sister and her husband in a coastal town in France.   While working as a bouncer at a night club, he meets Stephanie, an Orca trainer working at a Marine theme park.  He may look like a tough guy but he has a good heart and being a good Samaritan he volunteers to drive her home (in her car) after she is too drunk to walk let alone drive.  

Months go back before they meet again but this time under very different circumstances. Stephanie has lost both her legs after a horrific accident in her work place.  Wounded both physically and emotionally, she reaches out to Ali and they form a bond that has no 'labels'.   They seem to connect well with each other yet when she asks him what she was to him, he simply shrugs and keeps his emotions clearly hidden.  She supports him as he earns from his 'sideline' as a fighter in an underground fight club while he helps her find her joie de vivre by taking her to the beach where she is her natural self.

The cinematography has a bleak tone almost sepia like but not quite vintage-y.  Set in a coastal town, outdoor scenes are prevalent along with typical blue collar town setting.   Certain scenes were too violent (the fight scenes), some could have been edited out while the rest moves at a slow yet steady pace.

Marion Cotillard is quite a revelation as Stephanie.  Bereft of any make up or any tinge of glamor, her nuanced portrayal is visceral, raw and quite poignant. While the guy who portrays Ali was good in his performance of a tough guy who likes to keep his feelings hidden but has a good heart and is basically a nice guy.

"Rust and Bone" is a complex love story between two flawed characters who deserve each other in more ways than one.  A film about struggled trials and the small steps needed to accomplish triumphant redemption.