DVD Review: Les Choristes - The Chorus

I just watched this movie a few days ago. Clement Matthieu, played by Gerard Jugnot, comes to a post World War II rehabilation-boarding school for boys in France. His new job is as teacher and supervisor, he manages the dormitory and the boys after school. The school is run by Prinicipal Rachin, whose draconian measures are terrifying yet uneffective. Matthieu learns and emphatises more with boys and eventually organises a choral group. And this choral group becomes the vehicle that slowly affects all the denizens of the repressive reform school. The transfer of the film to DVD is clear as crystal. However, the dvd offers little in terms of special features. Fortunately, the movie itself is a delight to watch on a lazy saturday afternoon.

DVD Review: The Motorcycle Diaries

Depicts the journey of Argentinians Ernesto Guevarra dela Serna and his Alberto Granado across South America. Based on the travel diary of Che Gueverra the movie is picturesque, poignant and self-discerning revealing the transformation of Ernesto the nascent medical student to Fidel Castro's Che, Cuban revolutionary and Communist icon.
Particulary insightful are the ruminations of Ernesto while he was in Machu Picchu and his conversation with Alberto after visiting the pr-Columbian stronghold. The cinematography and musical direction strengthened the story bringing to life the different vistas visited by the two Argentinians. Cut in the similar vein from the more earthy "Y Tu Mama Tambien" by Alfonso Cuaron. It is a nice watch. Extra features includes several interviews with Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo dela Serna, Director Walter Salles and the other people responsible for the film. Most noteworthy special feature is the short interview of Alberto Granado, who is still lucid and living in Havana, Cuba.

Movie Review: Spong Bob Squarepants -The Movie

Sponge Bob and the denizens of Bikini Bottom goes to the big screen. Fans of the cartoon series as well people who will be watching this for the first time will like it.
However...Caveat viewer! funny as it is the movie pales in comparison with the humor of the series. Alas, this seems to be draw back of succesful cartoon comedies when they make the transition to the big screen, with exception of South Park the movie. When the movie is released in DVD save your money and buy the compilation.

My favourite movies

Here is my list of movies I like to watch regardless of genre or quality. I encountered these movies through film showings (courtesy of the British Council ando ther film festivals), as feature films on late night shows on Channel 9 and 2, some viewed through rented video (betamax, vhs, and laserdiscs), and the cinema.
I try to collect them as VCDs or DVDs. I usually wait for the prices to drop. I have collected some and still searching for some more.
As you will see this is loose bunch. In the feature I will organise so that I can get a sense of what I prefer to watch.

1. Stalag 17
   
2. Dr Strangelove
   
3. Bridge on the River Kwai
   
4. The Lion in Winter
   
5. Spartacus
   
6. Kind Hearts & Coronets
7. Ladykillers (The 1st film starring Alec Guiness)
8. Ganito Kami Noon Paano Kayo Ngayon?
   
9. Mr Kuripot
   
10. Jack & Jill (Dolphy version)
    
11. Tang Tarang Tang
    
12. Zorab at Rustom
    
13. Walang Sugat
    
14. X44
    
15. Kalabog & Bosyo (Dolphy & Panchito version)
    
16. Barilan sa Baboy Kural
    
17. Darna at ang Impacta
    
18. Darna vs Taong Tuod
    
19. Darna vs the Giants
    
20. Darna Kuno
    
21. Mga Bata ng Gabi ng Lagim
    
22. Noli Me Tangere
    
23. El Filibusterisimo
    
24. Kisapmata
25. Bayaning Third World
    
26. Imelda
27. Crying Ladies
    
28. Karnal
    
29. Radyo
    
30. Rashomon
31. Yojimbo
32. Sanjuro
    
33. Hidden Fortress
34. Star Wars
35. Empire Strikes Back
36. Return of the Jedi
37. Star Trek the movie
38. Star Trek - The Wrath of Khan
39. Star Trek - The Voyage Home
40. Star Trek - The Search for God
41. Star Trek - The Unidscovered Country
42. Fellowship of the Ring
43. Moulin Rouge
44. Romeo and Juliet
45. Camelot
46. Excalibur
47. Priscilla Queen of the Desert
48. Casablanca
49. Grand Illusion
50. Ruthless People
51. Throw Momma from the Train
52. Rope
53. Love Actually
54. Three Weddings and a Funeral
55. Mars Attack
56. The Wild Bunch
57. Hopscotch
58. The Odd Couple
59. Our Man Flint
60. Dr No
61. From Russia With Love
62. Goldfinger
63. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
64. The Man with the Golden Gun
65. A View to a Kill
66. Licensed to Kill
67. Goldeneye
68. A Shot in the Dark
69. Amelie
70. Godfather
71. Goodfellas
72. Casino
73. Dracula (Francis Ford Coppola)
74. Dracula A.D. 1972 & all other Hammer Dracula movies
75. Blacula
76. The Abominable Dr Phibes
77. The Raven
78. Asphalt Jungle
79. Secondhand Lions
80. Without a Clue
81. Sleuth
82. Soylent Green
83. A Boy and his Dog
84. Westworld
85. The Man Who Would be King
86. Memento
87. Lock, stock and two smoking barrels
88. Trainspotting
89. Snatch
90. Raiders of the Lost Ark
91. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
92. Hero
93. Drunken Master
94. Farewell My Concubine
95. Jungle Book (Disney)
96. Iron Giant
97. Akira
98. Pom Pokko
99. South Park The Movie
100. Spirited Away
101. Princess Mononoke