And so before the holiday week begins, I must post my annual tradition of summarizing the books, music and movies I've liked for the year.
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The “Praybeyt,” The Septic, The Zombies and The Other Piece Of Crap
Last time I watched this too many local films was in 2009. It was Kimmy Dora and The Thank You Girls. Kimmy Dora is hilarious. I can’t wait should they ever make a sequel. The Thank You Girls is fun. It’s a breath of fresh air. Finally, a non-exploitative “pink” indie film. No poor actor had to go full frontal. It’s the sheer joy of trannies making a living out of gay beauty contests.
Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is more about the indie films rather than the film they were making Walang Wala. It is a mockery among the mainstream, much more the indie film makers themselves and poverty porn. I once read an entry from Jessica Zafra’s blog that art is shit. Shit is art. Who’s going to stop you if you make it literal? You fell down the septic tank and the director shouts, “You’re already there. We’ll get you later. Action!” You go ahead and swim through the stink and the shit.
No Other Woman is a piece of crap. But it is a fun piece of crap. Even I enjoyed it. It’s provocative and doesn’t insult its audience’s intelligence. Yes, its characters are two-dimensional stereotypes. But then again, stereotypes are there for a reason. It makes us feel less alone. That someone lives and loves the same way we do.
Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington is a powerful punch. Praybeyt Benjamin is a smelly fart. In Praybeyt Benjamin, Vice Ganda plays Benjie. A descendant of soldiers who did a Mulan because the government is held captive by terrorists and he has to go to military to prevent his sick father from joining to represent his family. Amid the slapstick humor and predictable characters, it’s fun. Vice Ganda as Benjie showed that he can be a gay man yet a great soldier and that happiness in life should be pursued regardless of society’s disapproval.
In Zombadings 1, homosexuality is a curse. And a gaydar is created in a shape of a gun, which original purpose was for animal husbandry, is stolen to kill gay men. Homophobes themselves are gaymen and the corpses of those who got killed rose up to strike mayhem in the town. As the homophobe explains why the bakla is salot, he gets overpowered by the background noise. It’s a fill-in-the-blank moment for you think about why are they salot in the first place. In Remington’s moment of weakness, he was about to make a move on his best friend who instead of getting scared, admitted he’s no longer a virgin with gay men and was willing to do it. His instinct as a friend took over and stopped it. His best friend said, “I don’t want you to die.” It’s a powerful message poking fun at the time when gay men as faggots meant they were pieces of wood to be burned. I love the movie’s take on gender bending. The seeming absence of male police officers and the androgynous town mayor. Its deus ex machina ending reminded me of my all-time favorite local comedy film Masikip Sa Dibdib.
Both are gay movies but polar opposite in approach. Both block office busters. I’m yet to decipher what it really means behind the scenes.
***
2011 for me wasn't a great year for movies. Then again, I haven't gone out much to watch. I've gotten myself preoccupied. :)
The Source Code – A movie I never thought was good because it had a corny poster. As the saying goes, never judge a movie by its poster. The goal of science fiction is not just to depict technologies that could be but its impact in humanity and to our humanity.
Green Hornet – despite the unimpressive reviews I like it. It’s not as big as the Dark Knight or as charismatic as the first Iron Man movie. But I like Seth Rogen’s work and never have I expected him as a hero material. The Green Hornet suits him fine.
Fast Five: Rio Heist – Everyone wasn’t enthusiastic about the fifth installment the same way as everybody welcomed Daniel Craig as the latest James Bond. It was only then after seeing Casino Royale that everyone became more accommodating.
#1 Captain America – This one’s a surprise to me like that Jason Statham’s movie The Bank Job in 2008. It’s nostalgic, coherent and most of all, its love angle didn’t seem forced. I love it. I wish every superhero movie of the year is like it.
***
I was told twice "I'm glad you came" this year. I know it sounds corny and all but the feeling that you made someone happy just by being there. Ibang klase. Truly this has been a spectacular year for me.
Music? I've gotten myself outdated with the music I listened to when I was in college. Ang hirap humabol. When it comes to rock and alternative, kung ano na ang naririnig ko sa mga pop stations, yun lang ang alam ko. Oh well.
***
1. I'm still reading The Game of Thrones.
2. Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Haruki Murakami – from mundane to interesting, I wish I can write short stories like Murakami.
3. Animal Farm By George Orwell – reading this book I was imagining the characters looked like they’re from Garfield and Friend’s Orson’s Farm.
The “Praybeyt,” The Septic, The Zombies and The Other Piece Of Crap
Last time I watched this too many local films was in 2009. It was Kimmy Dora and The Thank You Girls. Kimmy Dora is hilarious. I can’t wait should they ever make a sequel. The Thank You Girls is fun. It’s a breath of fresh air. Finally, a non-exploitative “pink” indie film. No poor actor had to go full frontal. It’s the sheer joy of trannies making a living out of gay beauty contests.
Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is more about the indie films rather than the film they were making Walang Wala. It is a mockery among the mainstream, much more the indie film makers themselves and poverty porn. I once read an entry from Jessica Zafra’s blog that art is shit. Shit is art. Who’s going to stop you if you make it literal? You fell down the septic tank and the director shouts, “You’re already there. We’ll get you later. Action!” You go ahead and swim through the stink and the shit.
No Other Woman is a piece of crap. But it is a fun piece of crap. Even I enjoyed it. It’s provocative and doesn’t insult its audience’s intelligence. Yes, its characters are two-dimensional stereotypes. But then again, stereotypes are there for a reason. It makes us feel less alone. That someone lives and loves the same way we do.
Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington is a powerful punch. Praybeyt Benjamin is a smelly fart. In Praybeyt Benjamin, Vice Ganda plays Benjie. A descendant of soldiers who did a Mulan because the government is held captive by terrorists and he has to go to military to prevent his sick father from joining to represent his family. Amid the slapstick humor and predictable characters, it’s fun. Vice Ganda as Benjie showed that he can be a gay man yet a great soldier and that happiness in life should be pursued regardless of society’s disapproval.
In Zombadings 1, homosexuality is a curse. And a gaydar is created in a shape of a gun, which original purpose was for animal husbandry, is stolen to kill gay men. Homophobes themselves are gaymen and the corpses of those who got killed rose up to strike mayhem in the town. As the homophobe explains why the bakla is salot, he gets overpowered by the background noise. It’s a fill-in-the-blank moment for you think about why are they salot in the first place. In Remington’s moment of weakness, he was about to make a move on his best friend who instead of getting scared, admitted he’s no longer a virgin with gay men and was willing to do it. His instinct as a friend took over and stopped it. His best friend said, “I don’t want you to die.” It’s a powerful message poking fun at the time when gay men as faggots meant they were pieces of wood to be burned. I love the movie’s take on gender bending. The seeming absence of male police officers and the androgynous town mayor. Its deus ex machina ending reminded me of my all-time favorite local comedy film Masikip Sa Dibdib.
Both are gay movies but polar opposite in approach. Both block office busters. I’m yet to decipher what it really means behind the scenes.
2011 for me wasn't a great year for movies. Then again, I haven't gone out much to watch. I've gotten myself preoccupied. :)
The Source Code – A movie I never thought was good because it had a corny poster. As the saying goes, never judge a movie by its poster. The goal of science fiction is not just to depict technologies that could be but its impact in humanity and to our humanity.
Green Hornet – despite the unimpressive reviews I like it. It’s not as big as the Dark Knight or as charismatic as the first Iron Man movie. But I like Seth Rogen’s work and never have I expected him as a hero material. The Green Hornet suits him fine.
Fast Five: Rio Heist – Everyone wasn’t enthusiastic about the fifth installment the same way as everybody welcomed Daniel Craig as the latest James Bond. It was only then after seeing Casino Royale that everyone became more accommodating.
#1 Captain America – This one’s a surprise to me like that Jason Statham’s movie The Bank Job in 2008. It’s nostalgic, coherent and most of all, its love angle didn’t seem forced. I love it. I wish every superhero movie of the year is like it.
I was told twice "I'm glad you came" this year. I know it sounds corny and all but the feeling that you made someone happy just by being there. Ibang klase. Truly this has been a spectacular year for me.
Music? I've gotten myself outdated with the music I listened to when I was in college. Ang hirap humabol. When it comes to rock and alternative, kung ano na ang naririnig ko sa mga pop stations, yun lang ang alam ko. Oh well.
1. I'm still reading The Game of Thrones.
2. Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Haruki Murakami – from mundane to interesting, I wish I can write short stories like Murakami.
3. Animal Farm By George Orwell – reading this book I was imagining the characters looked like they’re from Garfield and Friend’s Orson’s Farm.
3 comments:
Merry Xmas to you Jeff. All the best for 2010.
eewww... 2012 bro... halatang may hangover hehe..
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