DVD: Love Actually & Moulin Rouge

DVDs worth the wait.

For the prices to drop that is. In buying DVDs it would seem at least for those released in the Philippine market it is prudent to wait a while before one buys.

DVDs are not essential products. They do fill in a need but not a direct need. Hence you can afford not to buy it at once.

And again, at least for me, these DVDs are worth the wait.

Love Actually DVD (2003)

The DVD release of Richard Curtis' Christmas Romantic Comedy. This ensemble movie is quite well-known and its eitheir you hate or love it. I bought it so that means I love this movie. And the repeatability factor, x amount of times I will be watching it, for me is quite high. Suffice to say its a movie filled with stories of romance, comedy, friendship, relationships, complications and love.

It has all that and now the nice thing about this DVD version is the extra features. Now what I was able to purchase is not a double-disc set. Frankly, I do not know it there is one. It comes with the standard extra features commentary from the actors and the director, a commentary on the soundtrack and the best extra feature were the deleted scenes.

The film was supposed to originally run around three hours. Curtis was forced to trim it down to two hours. And because of this a lot of funny plots and acts were taken out. No they were not restored to the film, but a special featured was added to showcase these scenes and each scenes comes with an introduction from Curtis. The deleted scenes were funny and touching.

Moulin Rouge (2001)
The other DVD that significantly dropped its price was the double disc DVD of Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge.

Moulin Rouge will probably be remembered as the best example Luhrman's red curtain cinema. The term was coined by Luhrman to describe his techniques of using theatrical conventions in his film. His other films, Strictly Ballroom (1993) and William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet (1996), closely followed the red curtain cinema technique.

Luhrman's highly stylised worlds uses theatrical conventions, and breaks formal storytelling technique. To heighten the participation of the audience and remind them that this is an imaginative world, despite the familiar storyline. So anything goes.

"Once you agree that you're always watching a movie, you're happy to
accept a moment of high comedy, then tragedy - then break out into song."
Baz Luhrman

When I first saw this movie I was mesmerized by it. The use of popular songs of our era to tell the story of the pre World War I society and the environs of the Moulin Rouge, Monmarte. Luhrman even has Ewan McGregor singing songs made famous by Julie Andrews and Jim Broadbent with Richard Roxborough dancing and singing Madonna's Like a Virgin.

For a long time the DVD version was of this was priced at 900 pesos. Only now did the price drop to 299 pesos.

Moulin Rouge is a double disc set and crammed with a lot of features.

My nephew likes the "pitch" scene, this is the scene where they try to sell the musical to the Duke. And he also likes the song and dance number in the Moulin Rouge. I still like Broadbent and Roxborugh's
take on Like a Virgin.

Now I have to wait for the price of the Incredibles and Shrek's DVDs to drop.

Peque Gallaga's Pinoy Blonde

My first Peque Gallaga movie was probably Scorpio Nights. I remember the movie because it was shown at the Film Center and I had to play hooky just to watch the film. A jeepney ride from Cubao to the Rizal Coliseum and then another jeep to the Film Center.

The building was for Imelda’s Manila International Film Festival MIFF and during construction part of the structure collapsed killing and trapping several workers. According to rumors, the organizers were so much in a rush to finish the building that they saved and salvaged what they can and immediately filled up the fallen structures with concrete, with people, who were still trapped under the rubble, still screaming inside. Rumors that are even more fantastic said that the spirits of the fallen eventually sought revenge – they caused the tragic accident of a government official, the car she was riding veered off the road. The story was, and I do not know how they have to verify this, that the said government official was blinded by a bright light in the form of a mass of arms and hands.

Soon stories, about how the Film Center was being haunted, were soon circulating across Philippine Society. Steps on the grand staircase began to appear and disappear. People began talking about the Film Center being too cold even when the air conditioners were off. Ghostly moans were heard at night.

Phantom manifestations, however, failed to discourage the people from viewing the motion pictures shown at the Film Center. This was still the era of the true, the good, and the beautiful. In addition, despite all dire predictions of karma and ghostly retribution Imelda was still Queen. The board of censor’s scissors could not prevail against the Film Center. It was only in this place that you could watch a movie uncensored, sans cut.

Therefore, it came to be, films like Realm of the Senses, Virgin People, Isla, Scorpio Nights and others were shown here in all its glory. The Film Center of course churned out and featured several noteworthy films like Himala, the French Lieutenant’s Woman, and Misteryo sa Tuwa.

In the end who would turn down uncensored films? Who would turn down uncensored films that tackle moral issues and sex?

The Film Center introduced me to Peque Gallaga through his film Scorpio Nights. The film was about sex and the lives of people living in a ill-maintained house-turned apartment. It is visceral and raunchy. Moreover, the ending was tragic. Its not one of my favourite Gallaga film.

For me I still liked Oro Plata Mata. The movie tells the tale of wealthy Filipinos in Negros, how they survived the war, and how war changed them. It was a cinematic experience. I still think this was his best work. Who can forget the scene when the people were fleeing against the backdrop of a burning field, or the rich socialites playing mahjong and gossiping while a servant was peeling watermelon seeds for them, Lorli Villanueva’s character who was always festooned expensive jewelry and only to see them in the end separated from them by a quick cut of the knife, the announcement of the family’s patriarch that Bataan had fallen and the Americans had surrendered, and the enigmatic role of Kuh Ledesma.

Now Mr Gallaga, after a hiatus of several years, has come up with Pinoy Blonde.

The story is simple its about two individuals, aspiring film makers who have penchant for quoting lines from films from the late 1970s to the present and who have an on-going debate about who is the better director between Lino Brocka and Ismael Bernal, tasked by their bed bound and hospitalized shady uncle to do a drop. As in any story, getting from A to B is not as simple as a straight line. Complications develop that leads them to zany adventures one after the other.

The film does keep you interested and it is technically sound.

I enjoyed it. The acting of the cast was stellar. I enjoyed Ricky Davao's lines about fascism, Eddie Garcia's singing and Jaime Fabregas reflexology scene.

In order to enjoy it you have to be familiar with Tagalog films from the past to the present. The movie is a canvass on which Gallaga paints a grand homage to filmmakers here and in Hollywood. Scenes from movies like Kill Bill are replicated and honored. Names of Filipino directors are used ad-libidum. There is even dialogue that sound straight from film class.

The film though seemed to suffer from its success. One is dazzled with different shots, special effects, two-dimensional animation, and Hong Kong style of stunt fighting, digital animation, and others. In the end too much homage can do damage to one’s work. It just becomes too excessive. In a sense, it looks like cinematic chopsuey.

The movie will keep you interested for one screening. In addition, if you are not familiar with Joey Gosiengfiao, Rico Mambo, Lino Brocka or Ismael Bernal you will be missing half of the joke.

My money is still on Oro Plata Mata or Unfaithful Wife or even Virgin Forest, a historical movie with sex scenes thrown in for good measure.

PINOY BLONDE
Directed by Peque Gallaga
Cast: Epi Quizon, Boy 2 Quizon, Ricky Davao, Jaime Fabregas and several cameos

Free films this saturday

I got this from one of the egroups Brash Young Cinema Forum I joined . The films will be presented by pelikula @ titus brandsma for FREE. In line with their 7th anniversary the center will be showcasing an all-Filipino line up of films and activities: indepenpent films by Filipino film makers, Takaw Tukso(1986) a critically accliamed film written by Armando Lao and directed by William Pascaul, and forum on scriptwriting with screenwriters Armando Lao ("Takaw Tukso," "Itanong Mo sa Buwan," "Sana Pag-ibig Na," "Pila Balde," "Tuhog", "La Vida Rosa") and Chris Martinez ("Bridal Shower," "Bikini Open").

About Titus Brandsma -

I got this from their website and I think it adequately explains their role in all this. No need for me to further elaborate.

Pelikula@Titus Brandsma envisions itself as:

An 'open space'
for dialogue, interaction
and reflection through film.

And is committed to the following missions:

Create an atmosphere for open, critical analysis of films and facilitate reflection through dialogue.

Utilize film for education and formation.

Advocate acceptance and appreciation of cultural diversity through films.

Motivate film appreciation/promotion of film aesthetics.

Encourage quality works of independent filmmakers by screening them.

Objectives are as follows:

Enable us to have a better understanding and perception of the film in the light our own beliefs;

Facilitate a process of dialogue, confrontation and clarification about our experience of the film;

Order, digest and integrate our experiences, visions and interpretations;
Grow in our religious and spiritual meaning-giving.

Strengthen and deepen intercultural dialogue.

Foster film appreciation.

Serve as an alternative venue for watching art/foreign films.

Promotion of respect and appreciation for cultural diversity through foreign films.

Strengthen unity and form a network of film experts and enthusiasts.

Currently, pelikula @ titus brandsma film showings are held every second Saturday of every month at the 2nd floor of Titus Brandsma Center Conference Hall with a 45-seating capacity, air-conditioned venue. Films are viewed through a multi-media projector.

------------------------------------------------------
For its 7th anniversary, pelikula@titusbrandsma takes pride in presenting its first-ever all-Filipino film lineup in support of independent filmmakers, and its second Media and Spirituality forum, on July 9, 2005 (Second Saturday):

ADMISSION IS FREE. pelikula@titusbrandsma is located at Titus Brandsma Center 24 Acacia St., Bgy. Mariana, New Manila, Quezon City. For more info about us, visit www.pelikula-titusbrandsma.ph, email pelikula_titusbrandsma-owner@yahoogroups.com or call Jofti (726-6054), Eric (364-7955) or Maxie (751-1169, evening only).

THE SCHEDULE:

1:00 pm - Six short films from new filmmakers
3:00 pm - Takaw Tukso (integral version of the multi-awarded '80s classic)
5:30 pm - Sprituality in Scriptwriting forum (2nd in the "Media & Spirituality" series)

THE SHORT FILMS:

The short films, most of which will be screened for the first time in Metro Manila, showcase a refreshing, interesting mix of varied forms, styles and themes from an emerging crop of young talents from various parts of the country:

SHIT HAPPENS
(2005, 15 mins.)
By Nich Retz Perez

A comic philosophical take on the meaning of life and the metaphorical pieces of shit of existence. Features a broken-hearted imaginative student and an enigmatic Philosophy professor (Peque Gallaga).

PUSONG LIGAW, PUSONG HILAW
(2005, 7 mins.)
By Rene Durian
A visual elegy to wayward loves and mistaken romances at a turning point in the beloved's life, set to classical music by Puccini.

DICKY
(2005, 14 mins.)
By Neil Colangco and Lorena Martinez
A zany tale played in broad comic strokes about a young man's psychological and physical dilemma, as gender confusion rears its perplexed head and rampaging hormones take no prisoners.

BUOG / LAZY SLEEP
(2004, 34 mins.)
By Rommel 'Milo' Tolentino
A beguiling, moody escapade of a boy and his new friend, cavorting under the sun by the seashore and by a lighthouse that holds its own secrets. A subtle film on one of today's social concerns.

HUNAS / LOW TIDE
(2005, 14 mins.)
By Emilio Montelibano Jr.
An adventure film about four youths waiting by the seaside, presented in a maverick style that suits the story's masculine sensibilities and touching on another timely subject matter.

SALOME
(2005, 14 mins.)
By Remuel Gellegani
A heartwarming documentary on a single mother's daily struggles to support her family, told from her point of view and by persons around her. A fine example of grassroots filmmaking, produced by homegrown talents in the municipality of Guimbal, Iloilo.

THE FEATURE FILM:

TAKAW TUKSO
(1986, 150 mins.)
Screenplay by Armando Lao
Directed by William Pascual
A psychosexual chamber piece that takes a piercing look into human behavior, this remarkable gem of a film is distinguished by its sharply-written script, subtle direction, superb characterization and richly-textured production design. Jaclyn Jose, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Julio Diaz and Gino Antonio star as four friends caught in the complexity of their own libido and relationships.

With some scenes missing during its last public screening in Pelikula at Lipunan 1998, the film will be presented in its integral version, courtesy of Director William Pascual, who will be in attendance.

Winner of six major Urian Awards in 1986: Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actress (Jaclyn Jose), Supporting Actress (Anita Linda), Production Design.

THE SPIRITUALITY FORUM:

The SPIRITUALITY IN SCRIPTWRITING (Scriptwriting as a Form of Storytelling) is the second of the Media and Scriptwriting forum series. Featured guest sharers are screenwriters Armando Lao ("Takaw Tukso," "Itanong Mo sa Buwan," "Sana Pag-ibig Na," "Pila Balde," "Tuhog", "La Vida Rosa") and Chris Martinez ("Bridal Shower," "Bikini Open").

Acknowledgments: Ultravision Films, Mowelfund Film Institute and Negros Summer Workshops.

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eKsperim[E]nto Festival of Film, Video & New Media
2004 Provincial Tours still ongoing!
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Divided interest: Galactica or Earthsea

Last Sunday they were airing the second part of new Battlestar Galactica. The Battlestar Galactica starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict. A fleet of star ships fleeing their world (which was composed of 12 planets) destroyed by their enemies the Cylons. The rag tag fleet is in search of the legendary 13 planet called Earth. If you suspect that this show has religious overtones, the twelve planets and the twelve tribes of Israel and their search for the 13th planet/tribe, it has but not as deep as CS Lewis "Silent Planet" trilogy. The series came out during the time of Star Wars and thrived for a while. Although I must confess I was rooting for the cylons and there phrase "by your command". They seemed to be more interesting. And of course there was the traitor Count Baltar, played by John Calicos who was beheaded in the first part or was it in the movie? but subsequently appeared in the series with the cylons.

Now they have revived or reinvented Battlestar Galactica with Edward James Olmos as the less than benign Commander Adama. Lorne Greene seemed to more benign, it just might be my mind playing tricks on me.

(SPOILER: The twist seems to be that the Cylons were robotic creatures created by Man who rebelled and disappeared. Only to return years later and destroyed all 12 colonies with the help of human looking variants and an unwitting fifth columnist. END of SPOILER.)

Anyway alongside the local airing of the reinvented "Battlestar Galactica" on the other cable channel they were airing Ursula Le Guin's Legend of Earthsea. Now here I was stuck in the middle will I watch Battlestar Galactica or Earthsea. I choose Battlestar Galactica because I wanted to see how they re-did the story and see the cylons.

All in all its a darker Galactica. I like the cylons new ships.

At least Battlestar Galactica did not compete with Farscape's The Peacekeeper Wars. It would really have been difficult ... I would have picked Farscape