Patricia smoking.

Breathless (1960; dir. Jean-Luc Godard)

Watching Mystery Train again.

I know, I know, there are probably a great amount of Philippine movie critics as of this time; specially with the success of the recent Cinemalaya. Having sold out most of the screening schedules, the number of film junkies, critics, and enthusiasts has definitely increased. Whether it’s because of it’s hyped by the social media, and great advertising & promotion strategies that being part of this event actually looked like a social venture; or under our consciousness we are searching, looking, expecting more from the Philippine Cinema that we hope to find in a once in a year festival like Cinemalaya.

So, I am not here to write a full bodied critique on what I saw. No I will not, because first of all I am no critic. I’m also not a Film student. I am merely a common audience who was awed, disrupted, and changed by the whole experience. And yes, I am a First-Timer.

What I will write about is my whole experience. I am actually a fan of obscure, foreign, r-rated art films and i’d like to say because these movies are the best source of inspiration. These controversial films draw certain intense feelings instantly that may take us a long time to feel from an actual life experience or we may never experience at all.  So, having said that, I have always wanted to attend movie festivals but school hasn’t permitted me to do so. And now that I am unemployed and all, I have all the time I needed.

I will take into discussion 2 points: 

• Real Life
• The Art of the Philippine Cinema

Through the Looking Glass: Cinemalaya is a world of its own. It is a place for the brave actually. Because most of the stories these indie movies have are about real life and admit or not, real life is scary, it’s morbid, it’s horrid especially here in the Philippines. I guess that’s why these movies do not appeal to most Filipinos. I remember my Aesthetics professor once asked us: Why do indie movies do not attract the common Filipino? Well here’s the answer: Because it’s about their life, they see it everyday, they live in it, and they are sick of it, they would rather go see a magic world they have not seen, or a luxurious house they haven’t set foot on, or a love story they would daydreamed as their own-these small things actually contribute to their way of life, giving them hope that living is like the movies with the happy ending. But I do think we need this reality check. Yes it is scary but we should not get stuck on the fear, go beyond the trauma-it doesn’t even matter how slow you go as long as you get beyond it. 

The Past: So, here I was being brave and all having watched a controversial film that fires up the senses, bragged about it to my parents. Told them I belonged to a group of people that understands these kinds of movies. I mean not all people appreciates these kinds of film but I do-I was one of those people who are brave and open-minded enough to see these films. We say violent critique objectively, argue with each other, storm the theater with applause when a great artistic scene was executed unseemingly. Then mother suddenly said:

Darling Nora Aunor releases 2 films once month that are as heavy as the rains pouring right now. (dated: July 30, 2012 Storm Gener brews the Philippine Shores)

And this thought occured to me: Oh yeah. What has happened to the Philippine Cinema? And those films were not watched only by a certain stereotype. Those films are blockbusters. I was here bragging my guts out but I have nothing to brag at all. Cos I had been living in a time deprived from artistry. There was a time when art was all around the corner and now I have to wait once a year to gain access with this kinds of things. 

Not to be all negative and cynical I am ending this in a light note: That the underground is a start to another golden age of Philippine Artistry may it be in film, music, or fine arts.

this. :)

(Source: yakuzadryclean)

this scene.<3

(Source: mariamademyday)

Movie: Hugo

Director: Martin Scorsese

Artists: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Lee

Verdict: I-don’t-really-know-how-to-rate-this-properly-cos-i’m-a-big-fan-of-ChloeMoretz-and-to-me-ChloeMoretz-=-AWESOME

      Let me tell you what this movie is all about.

It’s about blue eyes, short curly locks, berets, dark colored coats, and boots. It’s set in Paris in the cold, in the library, in the train station, and literally in the town clock. It’s about the movies and the art of making one. It was magical without the spells, or the witches, or the monsters, or the fairies, or the mermaids and the like. It’s just a movie about a boy who fix things, a girl who loves books, a sad machine, an ex-soldier, a florist, a band, a lover, a lady with a dog, an old actress, a magician, and a man with a massive imagination but it was really amazing, stunning, mysterious, enchanting, bewitching, and a little bit spooky. It helped me with my vocabulary.

     Let me tell you what this movie is not about.

               It’s not about Christmas.

everything else was spellbinding except for this one:

              I was kinda expecting more from the opening title. Oh Well. Everything else was spectacularly awesome. 

                                                  AWESOME.

Movie: 1969 They Shoot Horses Don’t They?

Director: Sydney Pollack

Artists: Jane Fonda, Michael Sarazzin

Verdict: Insane

           Forgive me, for this is the first time that I would write an almost formal review about a film that I just recently watched. SO please bear with me for I don’t have any idea what I am about to do. Well. Here we go:

                    Let me tell you what this movie is all about.

It’s about a 60’s dancing contest comparable to all reality shows of the present. It’s about short curly locks, dull colored varsity cardigans, 2 inch heels Mary Janes, and long floral spaghetti dresses. It’s about lashes, and sweat, and berets.It was kinda about the music. But it’s definitely about show business, about man’s eternal struggle to survive, about suicide, guns, and a couple of cigarettes. It’s about suffering. It’s about not saying no, about dignity and the lack there of. It’s about swollen feet, lack of sleep, and fatigue. It’s about money and insanity comparable to the movies Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream without the drugs. It was beautiful, chilling and kind of creepy.

                    Now. Let me tell you what this movie is not about.

                      It’s not about dancing and shooting horses. It’s not even about love or sex or faith. It’s just a scornful reality show set on the 60’s. But it was pretty insane (literally).

                      

I am not a fan of words and my vocabulary is not quite grown up. So I’ll stay with this short, simple, sweet kind of writing.

there are 3 things that are definitely STUNNING in this movie:

• cinematography
• Emily Browning
• her performance

I cannot fathom my admiration both for this movie and for ms. browning. kudos to julia leigh-i became your instant fan.

I saw the best minds.

this movie is awesome.