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Sunday, December 28, 2008

Muni-Muni Matapos ang Isang Odontectomy


Isa ito sa mga araw na natatandaan kong wala talaga akong ginawa buong araw kundi magpahinga. I had to visit my dentist (clinic is called “I’m a Dentist”) in the morning. Tinanggal n’ya ‘yung dalawang ngipin ko sa ibaba na impacted. Not sure kung ‘yung mismong wisdom tooth ang tinanngal. Pero based sa x-ray, medyo nakatagalid s’ya at tumatama na sa ibang ngipin. Oks lang naman ‘yung buong process. At least pwede ko nang masabi na I was under a knife once. Ang ayoko lang talaga ay ‘yung maraming dugo. At one point, parang nagga-gargle na ako sa dugo. Well, para rin naman sa health ko ‘to. Sabi ni Dok (his name is Ricky Martin), sasakit din daw ito sooner or later kung hindi bubunutin.

Ito na rin ang pagkakataon ko para mag-flashback sa mga weekends na hindi ko na-blog. Para naman clean slate for 2009. Heto ang mga na-miss kong isulat:

GARY V: LIVE at 25

Medyo last minute na event na ‘to. Naawa lang ako r’un sa kaibigan kong walang pera that time at para lang merong magawa eh nagpasya kaming manood n’ung concert. Before 7pm, bumibili pa yata kami ng ticket sa concert. May bitbit pa akong grocery at dumaan pa ako sa bahay para iwanan ‘yung mga gamit. Then cab to Buendia MRT. Tapos MRT na papuntang Araneta Coliseum. At exactly 9pm, mago-opening number pa lang si Kuya Gary. First time daw na all-Gary V hits ang repertoire. Kakaiba ito para sa isang concert. Baka mahirap i-sustain pero Gary V did it. Partida na ‘yung nauubusan s’ya ng boses. He mentioned that what was happening was a miracle. I couldn’t say more. Maraming number na bago pero meron ding luma na o di masyadong overwhelming. All in all, enjoy naman ‘yung concert.

MGA GERILYA NG POWELL STREET

Ito na siguro ang pinakapaborito kong ginawa ng Tanghalang Pilipino para sa taong ito. Directed by Chris Millado, the play is adapted from a novel written by Benjamin Pimentel. Simple lang ang devise na ginamit. Isang group ng mga gerilya sa LA ang regular na nagkikita. Tumalakay ang dula sa kanilang buhay at kamatayan. Effective ang delivery. Magaling sina Bembol Roco (first time kong mapanood sa stage) at ang kabuuhan kabilang na si Lou Veloso. Nakakaiyak ang ilang eksena. Pinaghahalo kasi nito ang humor at drama. At sa huli’y hindi ka lugi dahil tumalakay ito sa ating ugat bilang mga Pinoy. Para sa akin, ito ang Best Straight Play for 2008.

HAIRSPRAY

Siyempre, ibinaba ko ang expectations ko rito dahil napanood ko na naman ang real thing sa Broadway (walang tono ng pagyayabang, OK?). Hindi naman ako na-disappoint, given na Atlantis Productions s’ya at si Bobby Garcia ang direktor. Made na, sabi nga. Enjoy naman s’ya kahit papaano. It’s just that wala akong ibang nakita sa musical na ‘to na nakita ko na before. Siguro, ‘yung boobs ni Michael de Mesa bilang Edna Turnblad.

1st ACTIVE VISTA FILM FESTIVAL

I’m not really familiar with Tado’s Dakila org but this film festival, a debut, was trailblazed by the said group. It’s a noble attempt, actually. Maganda ‘yung slogan n’ya na parang ‘yung mga selected films ay magpapabago ng tingin mo sa mundo. True enough. Wala ngang rom-com or any Star Cinematic film in sight. Mostly socially relevant ones like Ploning, Orapronobis, Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, Manoro and Bunso. I just watched three films dahil sobrang pangit ng schedule. It’s one of those events na nakatutok sa schedule ng mga estudyante at ‘di masyadong na-consider ang mga hamak na manggagawa na katulad ko (hehehe). Mabuti na lang at libre ‘yung Iskalawag Night nila with performances from Parokya ni Edgar, Radioactivesago Project at The Youth (surprise, surprise, si Tado na ang bokalista ng band). First time kong napanood ‘yung “Bayani” ni Raymond Red na medyo nakakawindang ‘yung narration mula umpisa hanggang matapos. Na-appreciate ko pa naman ‘yung katahimikan n’ung ilang eksena. Tumalakay naman ang “Brutus” (my second Cinemalaya 2008 film) sa ilang environment concerns. Nothing much pero pwede na. Kulang sa Wow Factor siguro (whatever that means). ‘Yung Cinemalaya 2008 Best Picture na “Jay” ay napanood ko rin. Enjoy naman in a sense na nakakaaliw rin ang ilang Star Cinema films. In short, wala talagang kapit ‘yung movie. Natuwa lang ako sa concept at sa ending na pinag-isipan talaga (o napaisip ako).

ATANG

Kung na-appreciate ko ang “Ang Panaginip Kong Fili” ni Floy Quintos for DUP, hindi naman masyadong bumenta sa akin ‘tong straight play na ‘to with music (as exactly described by the program/poster). Sobrang simple ng devise, walang lalim ‘yung material. Pwede na ‘yung glimpse sa personality ni Atang dela Rama (na I swear, hindi ko talaga naabutan) at konting silip sa kanyang discography. Ginampanan ni Frances Makil-Ignacio ang lead at si Ayen Laurel naman ‘yung present day diva. Medyo familiar na ‘yung ilang kundiman katulad ng “Nabasag ang Banga” na merong undertone sa pagkawala ng virginity. Hey, 50’s era pa ‘to ha. In short, ‘di na masyadong original ang mga kanta nina Mystica, Mae Rivera at iba pa.

“PARA KAY B” BOOK LAUNCH

Definitely, it’s the most well attended locally published book launch that I’ve seen. And my first na merong reading ng ilang excerpt. Well, unang nobela lang naman ito ni Ricky Lee. Ito raw ang produkto ng tatlong taong pananamlay sa paggawa ng screenplay (at pangangalawang dito?). Umapaw ang mga celebs sa Bahay ng Alumni sa Peyups. Kaya naman sobrang napuno rin ng autograph ‘yung bookmark ko (Angel Locsin, Cesar Montano, Gloria Romero, Lauren Dyogi, Lorna Tolentino at sangkaterba pang iba). Dinala ko rin ‘yung Tatang book ko na si Ricky Lee rin ang author (pati na rin “Trip to Quiapo”). Ilan sa mga bumasa sina Eugene Domingo, Cesar Montano, LT, Piolo at Chanda Romero. Mabuti na lang at medyo nakasingit agad n’ung pinapila. Isa lang ang masasabi ko sa event na ‘to: overjoyed (by the event and the book itself).

CORY, THE MUSICAL

Another first for me. Fresh from Peyups, dumiretso na ako sa Meralco Theater for “Cory, the Musical” na isinulat at idinirek ni Nestor U. Torre (or simply NUT to industry people). Isa lang naman s’yang multi-Palanca winner at parati akong naagawan ng pagkakataon kapag meron s’yang ongoing na play (andami kong napalampas actually). Medyo ‘sakto lang sa inaasahan ko ang napanood ko. Pang-community theater ang approach sa dula, hindi Broadway, hindi DUP at sigurado akong hindi Rep. Siguro ganito talaga ang estilo ni NUT, ‘yung madali mong matu-tour ‘yung musical kung kinakailangan. Ayokong sabihin na parang trapo ‘yung napanood ko dahil nakakaaliw naman ‘yung mabilis na pagpapalit ng set. Propaganda play rin ito para kay Cory kaya naubos na talaga ang expectations ko. Ironic lang na ang alleged kontrabida sa dula, si Marcos, ay pinamagaling na nagampanan ni Robert Seña. Nilamon n’ya ang buong cast.

4th CINEMA ONE FILM FESTIVAL

Sa pitong kalahok this year, lima lang ang napanood ko (excluding this year’s festival best picture dahil edited ang pinalabas nila sa Indie Sine). “Yanggaw” ang nangibabaw sa limang ito. Aswang movie s’ya pero sobrang maganda ang pagkakagawa. Maluluma ang mga predecessor nito. At mapapahiya sila kung ikukumpara sa pelikulang ito ni Richard Somes. Nakaka-hypnotize naman ang “Alon” pero ‘di masyadong sold sa akin ang resolution n’ya. Crowd pleaser ang “UPCAT” at pa-kontrobersyal naman ang “personal film” ni Sennedy Que na “Dose”. ‘Yung panglima, ‘yung “Motorcycle” ni Jon Red ay naubusan ako ng sasabihin.

QUEZON PLEBISCITE

Isa akong sucker for history kaya pinilit ko talagang umuwi ng Quezon para bumoto last December 13. Ang yes-no question ay kung papayag kang hatiin ang Quezon sa dalawang bahagi: Quezon del Sur (kung saan kasali ‘yung town namin) at Quezon del Norte (the original Quezon). Puwede kong sabihin na I lobbied for “Yes” dahil technically mas pabor sa town namin ang merong mas malapit na capitol. This means faster service and better governance. Pero sabi nga ng aming congressman sa Punto Por Punto segment ng UKG (na tingin ko ay pabor sa “No” base sa conclusion ni Anthony Taberna), it’s not only about leadership. May issue rin talaga sa structure n’ya. Ang nakikita ko lang pogi point sa “No” ay ‘yung di na madadagdagan ang mga corrupt na politiko. It turned out na “No” ang nanalo. ‘Yung town lang daw namin at mga katabi nito ang bumoto ng “Yes”.

MANILA OCEAN PARK

Another last-minute trip. As in zero plan ‘to, out of the blue lang. It was very crowded last December 27. Entrance fee is at P500 including Fish Spa and Glass Bottom Boat Ride (just the Oceanarium costs P100 less). May mga nakita na rin akong similar parks outside the country and wala namang ibang pinakitang kakaiba ang sa atin. Pero fascinating pa rin ‘yung mga species at ‘yung tube lalo na siguro kung first time mong makakapasok sa ganitong lugar. If you’re reading this, I encourage you to visit the place. Na-enjoy ko sobra ‘yung Fish Spa. You have to 20 minutes to dip your feet in the mini-pool. Tapos merong mga fish na magtatanggal ng mga dead skin cells mo. I don’t know if I have to be proud kung sobrang maraming fish ang “kumagat” sa akin as compared sa iba na hindi nilalapitan at all ang mga paa.

METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL 2008

Take this: six movies in one day! Yeah, I started at 10:45am then ended up at 12:55am. Trip lang. Just checking kung gaano pa rin ako ka-invincible when it comes to my addiction (movie watching, that is). Sa SM Megamall ko ‘to ginawa kasi killer ‘yung sched ng Ayala Cinemas (though less expensive by 20 bucks). ‘Di naman sumakit ang mga mata ko pero nakaramdam nang konting pagod dahil most of the time ay nakakangawit ng leeg. “Baler” is a fine film (stand-out ang cinematography and production design). Mas klaro sa akin ang ilang detalye at believability compared d’un sa lumang Spanish film na “Last from the Philippines” (Spanish Film Fest 2007). Siguro wala lang masyadong dating ‘yung Echo – Anne na tandem. “One Night Only” ang pinakana-enjoy ko. Na-stir n’ya ang sensibilidad ko na bihirang bihira na nagagawa ng isang MMFF movie. Isa ito sa mga pelikula ni Jose Javier Reyes na puwede akong ma-impress sa pagkakasulat at pagkakadirek. May konting shade ng black comedy. “Magkaibigan” is a “silent” tear jerker. OK rin naman s’ya kaya lang coming from a seasoned director (again, Jose Javier Reyes) na gumagawa ng mga ganitong klase ng tema at delivery, expected na ang perfection. Between “Baler” at “Magkaibigan”, mas gusto ko ang katapangan at risk n’ung former. “Dayo” is a sincere attempt at animation. It’s a decent one but there’s a long way to go for us when it comes to storytelling. “Desperadas 2” is forgettable (and can be avoided) while “Shake, Rattle and Roll 10” is not impressive (though puwede na ‘yung episode nina Kim Chiu na si Toppel Lee ang direktor). Nawala yata ang promise ni Michael Tuviera pagkatapos n’yang gawin ang “The Promise” ng GMA Films dati. Ayos pa naman sana ‘yung LRT episode n’ya last time.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Movie Digest # 050

CONCERTO
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, November 24, 5:40pm

This is the first Cinemalaya 2008 film that I have watched. First impression, it’s a bit dragging for me but it’s well made. It tells a story of a family in Davao and how they survived the war (yes, it’s a period film). I was reminded of “Oro, Plata, Mata” but it’s totally different and less ambitious/grand. I wish to have watched the film with dad. We might probably discuss the way the Japanese are portrayed or how the camp looked like then. Acting, the young Aquitanio is definitely a brilliant actor. And so is Meryl Soriano.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who got irritated with Kuh Ledesma’s presence in “Oro, Plata, Mata”.

BURN AFTER READING
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, November 24, 8:35pm

Fresh from the heavy “No Country for Old Men”, the Coen Brothers are back with an enjoyably engaging film. I can say that it can be categorized as a spy film with a little hint of black comedy. Superb “fun” acting from Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Frances McDormand.

Friends who might appreciate it: officemates.

ONE TRUE LOVE
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, November 24, 10:30pm

It’s been a long while since I watched a GMA Films production and regrettably, I should not even try. The film has a promising plot: a husband loses his memory, ignores his wife and craves for his ex-gf. Too bad that Mac Alejandre cannot pull off the material. His direction is so hopeless and directionless. I wish that they just come up with a rom-com. What bothers me most is the resolution. The film suggests that women should remain dumb and helpless and just be patient with the turn of events. Acting-wise, it’s just OK. Here’s hoping that GMA Films would provide their talents a fitting project in the future.

Friends who might appreciate it: too stupid to share with friends.

TWILIGHT
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, November 27, 7:50pm

Contrary to the hype, this is something that I wasn’t really looking forward to see. True to the taste, there’s really nothing to expect with the film. I can say that it’s an average film, filmmaking-wise (CGI, scope, editing, etc.) but I was looking for more substance. Maybe I was just a wrong audience.

Friends who might appreciate it: my landlady’s 12-year old kid.

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 1, December 11, 9:00pm

OK, I knew that the film is CGI-filled and there’s nothing to root for. I wasn’t aware also of the remake or how beautiful or thought provoking it was. I just watched the film because it was the “movie of the week”. Sad to say, I did not find anything good on the film. CGI, for sure, you’ve seen it. Substance, nothing much. Acting? Well, it’s good to see Keanu Reeves play a role that doesn’t require any acting goodness (read: alien). Kathy Bates was a big disappointment. Jennifer Connelly is Jennifer Connelly.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who hasn’t seen any Keanu Reeves film yet.

BOLT
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 3, December 14, 8:35pm

Not as good as a Pixar film but it isn’t bad. Something feel-good. My first film that has anything Miley Cyrus.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who can make a connection between the film and John Tra-Bolt-a
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