SHALL WATCH THIS TOO: "Hatchi: A Dog's Tale"

My brother's insisting that I watch Hatchi: A Dog's Tale. He saw it on HBO last night and keeps on saying that it is his favorite movie already.

I am seeing it because (1) my brother's enthusiasm is over the top; he even told me the synopsis SOULFULLY; (2) I am a sucker for movies based on true stories; and (3) Marley and Me made me cry and most, if not all, dog films brought me to tears and made my heart melt slash bleed.

I wiki-ed Hachicko, see story here and about the movie here.

Might as well wiki-quote a few about the movie:

Hachiko: A Dog's Story (or Hachi: A Dog's Tale) is a 2009 American drama film based on the true story of the faithful Akita Hachikō. It is a remake of the 1987 Japanese film Hachikō Monogatari. It was directed by Lasse Hallström, written by Stephen P. Lindsey and stars Richard Gere, Joan Allen and Sarah Roemer.

The first foreign premiere was on August 8, 2009, in Japan. To date the film has opened in over 25 countries and continues to open in foreign territories throughout 2010. In the United States the movie was first shown at the Seattle International Film Festival on June 13, 2009. Sony Pictures Entertainment decided to forgo a U.S. theatrical release. According to the Odeon Cinema website the film will be given a UK theatrical release on March 12, 2010, courtesy of Entertainment Film Distributors. Box Office Mojo reports that total foreign box office has reached $45,000,000 as of June 2010...

...As of November 20, 2010, the film has a 57% rotten score at Rotten Tomatoes but holds an 85% "fresh" rating from the Rotten Tomatoes community, and an average score of 8.1 at IMDb... (directly lifted from here)

watch trailer

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ON SCREEN: 9th Spanish Film Festival and "The Social Network"

Instituto Cervantes de Manila presents twenty-three recent and awarded Spanish and Latin American films for the forthcoming 9th Spanish Film Festival.

VISIT HERE for more details

Película Film Festival runs September 30 to October 10, 2010 at Greenbelt 3, Cinema 2. Ticket price of PHP 65.

More so, there will be series of workshops on scriptwriting and filmmaking by Spanish scriptwriters, directors and film producers themselves. Adding to that are dance perfomances and concerts during the two-week  long festival (which I'm not sure what concert really means here or of what type, hee). For detailed information go to http://www.pelicula.ph or http://manila.cervantes.es or add "Icm Cultura" on facebook to receive updates.

BTW: One Filipino film entitled "Happyland" directed by Jim Libiran (director of "Tribu", yes) will have its premier on October 10. ABOUT here.

 schedule

 Quick snapshot of everything. I wanted to show everything at readable size. The size of picture is big though that the right most part got slightly cut. Click photo for a better view. Better yet, click HERE to see synopsis, trailer and other film info of each. 

IN OTHER NEWS: 

"The Social Network", story about the founders of Facebook slash true-to-life story of the social networking site, Facebook, opens October 1, 2010! Seriously, I want to see it --alongside, Going the Distance and Easy A!

 Because being millionaire is not enough!

WATCH TRAILER AND BE THRILLED:

If can't be viewed, watch HERE.

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15th FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL: Claire's Knee (Le Genou de Claire)

I watched Claire's Knee (Le Genou de Claire) yesterday. It is one of the French films featured in the 15th French Film Festival at Shangri-La Cineplex 4. It is a 1970 film directed by the late Eric Rohmer and is the 5th film in his series of Six Moral Tales. 

It's a story about an engaged man spending his last holiday as a bachelor who develops a peculiar obsession over a young woman's knee whilst her half-sister flirts with him. Trailer here. 

Personally, I was reminded of my Psychology classes while watching it due to the fixation, fetishism, obsession that the lead character has towards the knee of a young woman. There's this gluttonous insatiable want to caress Claire's knee --a subconscious fight between a man's belief and his desire, thus, he tries to rationalize such. 

As much as it grossly sound, I found myself in loathe towards the lead character --towards middle-aged men obsessing and lusting young girls. And if I may say, a man flirting with almost every character. Putting aside this hostility and my cultural and conservative nature, the seemingly flirtatious acts might be socially acceptable in their culture. Thinking also that that might be the reason why the ladies didn't display any objection towards the volatile gestures; I might as well use my sociological learnings; this a French film anyway.

Consequently, a friend I watched it with argued that it is leaning more on poetry, well, maybe because of the lines and conversations. But I doubt so, most French films display such.

DID I LIKE IT: It made me think about those things which is good. Plus, it's artistically done. By that I  mean, it tried to deviate from the usual movie plot and cinematography yet it's well executed. The movie went his own way to depict lives of most men and thoughts most have. Yet again, of simple thoughts and few  connotative objects to relay a much bigger thought. Seeking credible critiques, it won the Prix Louis Delluc, Prix Méliès, and the top award at the San Sebastian Film Festival and it got a 94% rating in Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer. 

In contrast to those reviews and acclamation, I found myself wanting to scream inside the movie house out of urge to fast forward the boring transition. I wanted to sleep but the slow-paced nature of the film wanted me to see more, made me curious how it will end (slow-paced which most French film are, by the way, well, most films I've seen; most out of only a few though, haha). 

  

Thus, I wouldn't want to be the three guys who went out in the middle of the film because they got bored with it. One of them even complained, jabbered out loud  looking at the viewers behind him while doing so. I guess he wanted everyone or some to walk out and ditch the film --how disturbing and disrespectful! It's a free pass anyway.

CLAIRE'S REALLY PRETTY, HER STYLE DOUBLY SO: I love her style of mini dress with few accessories and her shirt-and-bikini-undies look. Laura too for her high-waist shorts and humongous short curly hair. Claire's mom style is nice too and is more sophisticated. Straw hats are worn by almost everyone which made me want to head on a calm breezy vacation.  

That's Laura in the bottom; Claire's style is nice, yea? still appropriate and stylish in our times

15th FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL REMAINING SCHEDULE:

 15th French Film Fetsival and Claire's Knee

 

JUNE 9
12 p.m. - Les Bureaux de Dieu
3 p.m. - La Graine et le Mulet
6 p.m. - La Fille du RER
9 p.m. - L’Heure d’ete’

JUNE 10
12 p.m. - L’immortel
3 p.m. - Welcome
6 p.m. - Le Premier Venu
9 p.m. - L’Amour c’est mieux a deux

JUNE 11
12 p.m. - La Fille du RER
3 p.m. - L’Heure d’été
6 p.m. - Le Beau Mariage
9 p.m. - Le Genou De Claire

JUNE 12
6 p.m. - L’immortel
9 p.m. - Lola

JUNE 13
12 p.m. - L’Heure d’ete’
3 p.m. - L’immortel
6 p.m. - Les Bureaux de Dieu
9 p.m. - La Graine et le Mulet

from clickthecity.com

I DON'T SPEAK FRENCH (so might as well post the English titles as well):

June 9, Wednesday
12 p.m. - God’s Offices
3 p.m. - Secret of the Grain
6 p.m. - The Girl on the Train
9 p.m. - Summer Hours

June 10, Thursday
12 p.m. - 22 Bullets
3 p.m. - Welcome
6 p.m. - Just Anybody
9 p.m. - The Perfect Date

June 11, Friday
12 p.m. - The Girl on the Train
3 p.m. - Summer Hours
6 p.m. - Good Marriage
9 p.m. - Secret of the Grain

June 12, Saturday
12 p.m. - Just Anybody
3 p.m. - Claire’s Knee
6 p.m. - 22 Bullets
9 p.m. - Lola

June 13, Sunday
12 p.m. - Summer Hours
3 p.m. - 22 Bullets
6 p.m. - God’s Offices
9 p.m. - Secret of the Grain

from spot.ph 

PROMO PERIOD: June 3 to 20, 2010

June 3-13 in Shangri-la Cineplex 4, EDSA cor. Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City

June 15-19 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (A retrospective of classic films of Eric Rohmer; in honor of the late filmmaker who passed away early this year)

June 18-20 in Ayala Center Cebu 

June 22-24 A selection of films will be shown at the UP Film Institute for the film and mass communication students, followed by discussions with film professors. HERE

 

P.S. I want to see Brillante Medoza's Lola and the L'immortel (22 bullets)! Have you seen the two? Any good? I'll be back on Saturday. Good thing the two are scheduled for viewing. 

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Make it a point to see a movie: I totaled three this week

I don't read books; I've tried by starting to read a page or two but I can't stand it. Then comes another book and I just end up sulking the same cycle. On one end, if you're not in the same school and course I was into, you must know that I've read lots of readings and articles my whole college life but that's just it, plainly academic. I can only stand essays, short stories(yeah, those short stories which are actually long ones), speeches, and objective articles of interests.

As to compensate, I watch great number of movies. Well, that would be my excuse for not reading books. On second thought, putting aside my animosity towards reading, I love movies for no reason and for no compensation factor at all. I figured, the two are of different entities, personally --mutually exclusive more like. 

PLEASE EXCUSE THE SEEMINGLY GET-TO-KNOW TAUNT: I watched two movies of good stuff this week. Two movies that you might excuse yourself from or you might watch out of  just-because reasons. But I must say, their covers, titles and the actors even are no match from its good plot and total execution.

The third one is showing in cinemas but I find it as just an ok one but might as well quote a conversation I found interestingly weird and in season for my blog.

(1) Everybody's Fine (2009)

Starting with the basic, Everybody's Fine is a remake of Guiseppe Tornatore's 1990 film Stanno Tutti Bene. The story started and circled with Frank Goode's sojourn to visit each of his children across the state. It is a story about a dad's relationship towards his kids and the simple want to gather and spend time with them in one table.

Before you ditch the usual plot, it is a really good film about reality. I found the context and metaphors used in the film really artistically done --from Frank Goode's job down to the title of the movie itself. It's like the writers chose the figurative words and phrases carefully and played well with the cinema shots to depict and to derive at a senseful point.

Towards the end of the film, indeed, it's just a matter of seeing and knowing that everybody's fine and happy deducing career achievements and each wrong turns in life.

Now, everytime I see those PVC-coated wires I am reminded of this heart-warming film.

ROTTEN TOMATOES' TOMATOMETER: 47%
I SAY: I say higher! 

IF EVERYBODY'S FINE WAS IN RUNWAY: Since those PVC-coated wires remind me of the film, I was also reminded of Kermit Tesoro's and Leeroy New's Philippine Fashion Week 2010 collection of industrial-inspired set (personal thought and output when I saw the collection)...

in style, the Everybody's Fine way

pictures from stylebible.ph

(2) Bandslam (2009)

Bandslam stars Alyson Michalka (HOT!), Vanessa Hudgens, and Gaelan Connell whom reminds me of Patrick Fugit, by the way. The story revolves around two people sharing their enthusiasm for music by forming and cultivating a legit band. On the other side, a boy and a girl finding love in the person of each other.

Again, before you ditch this one with its teeny bopper stars, it actually is a pretty cool film. So please call me Ni7na, that's silent 7. Something weird suddenly inserted, I guess you'll understand me after seeing it.

It is a film which hails underdogs who have minds and worlds of their own BUT eventually find their limelight for unraveling their closeted skills. Something to look forward, David Bowie made a special appearance in this film.

Despite its pop vibe and plot, I managed to see a touch of indie-ness in it, I guess.  

ROTTEN TOMATOES' TOMATOMETER: 80%
I SAY: Surprisingly really high


IF BANDSLAM WAS AN ACCESSORY: It would be of cuture-ish rings and boots! Alyson Michalka wore boots almost the entire roll; Vanessa too, I think...

from here; I just want one so I posted this, haha

 since it is more like a cool pop+indie-ish film, I think this one is more appropriate as its style

male boots though I think. Nonetheless, that's the idea

(3) Shrek 4 (2010)

Shrek 4 is the one I'm pertaining to as just an ok one. But a conversation between donkey and puss-in-boots struck me which is "in season" for my blog referring to my previous prefixing-a-word-in-a-word post.

SO, Donkey and Puss were talking:

Donkey: You're a (CAT)astrophe
Puss: and you're... re(DONKEY)lous
Both: *laughed*

At times, no matter how bad or poor a movie rates for you, you'll still find something cute, funny, and nice; or make you learn a thing or two; or get an idea from it like my case after seeing Julie and Julia and According to Greta as stated here. So, watch any movie and make the mind wonder and well, wander.

 fatty puss-in-boots but really adorable!

ROTTEN TOMATOES' TOMATOMETER: 51%

I SAY: Everybody's Fine is way better!

IF SHREK WAS A CLOTHING LINE: I would have to choose Popomomo -its post-postmodern movement.

think green

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Before Sunset, the loveliest sequel of a one night stand

First things first, Before Sunset is a sequel to Before Sunrise. It is a film by Richard Linklater in 2004; starring Ethan Hawke as Jesse and Julie Delpy as Celine.

Before Sunset is far from the usual giddy movies. It cannot assure you that you will have an eye-candy with those hugging and touching. It is also far from the ideal since Jesse (the lead guy) is already married and has a kid while Celine is into her work for an environment protection organization, nonetheless, happy and fulfilled. It actually is an artistically rude awakening film that reality stinks. Thus, it is one of the most beautiful independent romantic story.

It is a sweet solemn film of two people rekindling their story in a slow-paced way in the streets of Paris. It is a script of their journey in figuring out whether or not they still love each other with all the reminiscing and sharing of experiences they had during the past nine years they didn't see each other. And if you are wondering, one reason of their parting ways was also due to a missed meet-up which is revealed as the story goes.

As they talk, you can see the dissatisfaction they have with their romantic relationships. They envisioned what could have happened to them. A seemingly possible occurrences in mind of happy endings, a thought they shared that will forever wrestle in their dreams. On one end, I am still cynical about the film that they could actually find their way home and they could end up together. That is if Linklater would make a part three for it, I don't think there would be, yea?

One thing I am sure while watching it is even though they both accomplished and even gave up some things in their lives, their feelings for each other remained to be constant. On one end, there is this reality that it will just be on that level, nothing more and nothing less --this is in contrary to my cynicism I know which I based solely to the plot.

To end, nice songs are also played in this film and I would like to share with you the lyrics of "A Waltz For a Night" sang by Julie Delpy which tells everything about their story and emotions.




Let me sing you a waltz, out of nowhere, out of my thoughts.
Let me sing you a waltz, about this one-night stand: you were, for me, that night.
Everything I always dreamt of in life.

But now you’re gone.
You are far-gone.
All the way to your island of rain.
And it was for you, just a one-night thing.

But you were much more to me, just so you know.
I don’t care what people say.
I know what you meant for me that day.
I just want another try.
I just want another night.
Even if it doesn’t seem quite right.

You meant, for me, much more than anyone I’ve meet before. One single night with you, dear Zoel, is worth a thousand with any body.
I have no bitterness, my sweet.

I’ll never forget this one-night thing.
Even tomorrow, in other arms.
My heart will stay yours until I die.

Let me sing you a waltz, out of nowhere, out of my blues.
Let me sing you a waltz, about this lovely one-night stand.

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What movies could do

When I want to connote something in the most creative way, I simply doodle. I remember that after all the writings in my daily devotion came doodles. It makes me feel like I'm in a cartoon world that you could simply make cute doodles despite the stench occurrences --a sad face could still look cute and by looking at it is this feeling of it-wasn't-that-bad-after-all.

Today, I saw According to Greta starring Hilary Duff and I was inspired to get a notebook and go doodley about my daily whuts. It made me decide to hit the mall and get a notebook that I could label mine.

After seeing it, I watched Julie and Julia which inspired me to blog. Nothing new, though. I am a big fan of blogs and subscribed to every blogging site that I know, LOL. I guess I want to start anew --to get away from my blog sites with my name as my ID which is very vulgar and filled with emotional-laden stuff.

Movies are of huge part in my life. Sadly, I do not remember every detail in them. I cannot name all of them even. Worst, I don't remember if I saw a movie already or not by its title alone. It might ring a bell, but I have to deeply remember. Bottom line, they definitely make me feel good about life and what could be out for me. I sure feel good and wander within realms I create every time I see a good one. There's, indeed, more to life.

Well, this is me saying HELLO! Hello to my rather informative thoughts and BIG hello to honeysuckle days! :)

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