So after that invective-filled mouthful, here's my usual stuff.
I recently exchanged DVDs with a friend of mine, and I mentioned some titles which he said he didn't get to watch. He asked what genre they were, and I said 'Drama,' to which he replied, 'Oh, I don't really watch drama, dude.'
Granted, yeah, he was the action type of guy, but he was also interested in 'Almost Famous' and 'The Motorcycle Diaries.' Those two movies are dramas. Ok, I guess my friend doesn't view drama the way that I do.
But this isn't really about him or the DVDs, or even a lecture about what 'drama' is. It's about 'Before Sunset,' a surprisingly excellent movie...
...a drama.
The surprising bit here is that the movie is unconventional. It's pure conversation—it's a movie that's like a book—with two people opening up to each other, talking about their lives and how much they've changed since their fateful meeting nine years ago.
It was just pure excellence. I remember Annie Hall, I remember Meg Ryan...but maybe the worst and best part of it was that I could relate to it. I guess a movie won't be released mainstream anyway if there wasn't some universal theme to it to make it sell, but, I dunno, 'Before Sunset' really felt different.
Fans of cinema shouldn't miss this one. I won't give out any more details or spoilers, so I'll just tell you to watch it. I give it two thumbs up, with both my hands and feet clapping (again). It's a celebration of dialogue, story and wonderful characters.
Oh, okay, some details - the movie stars Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. They co-wrote the movie with director Richard Linklater (one of the best; he did School of Rock and Dazed and Confused), and it's a movie full of discussions about life and love told in a very, very special way. The tension, delivery and pacing is great. If not for the slick production and famous actors, 'Before Sunset' could have been one of the most celebrated independent films made.
Links:
Before Sunset
Before Sunrise
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
High Drama
Most of you probably know about the stampede that happened last Saturday (Feb. 04, 2006) at the Ultra Stadium, here in the Philippines. I felt sadness and anger about the tragedy.
Sadness because so many people's lives were cut short by the lure of easy money, and anger because...of basically the same thing.
I'm sure that what happened has been debated and talked about by most Filipinos everywhere, so I won't go into that anymore.
I'll just quickly mention that on that same day, Wowowee's rival show on GMA-7, Eat...Bulaga!, ended their own program in silent prayer. The folks in the show had their heads bowed, and the episode ended without bombast.
Cynics will say that Eat's ending was probably composed of crocodile tears and plastic passion, because they might actually be celebrating the fact that they've just oneupped the competition without really trying.
I personally don't believe that. It was a disaster that took place very close to home, and it could have happened in their own program. It was actually a bit creepy to see their show end that way, because these noontime shows typically end with a lot of noise and bombast.
I hope you also bowed your head in prayer for those who passed away, with a little hope that someday, no one will have to die lining up to be in a stupid game show.
Hearing all that shit from ABS-CBN about how they only want to help people with their prizes is just a pure fuck in the asses of all the relatives of the folks who have died and a slap on the injured and all of us who listen to their drivel.
Cut the crap, man. We all know that you guys do try to make more money than you give away.
What's worse is the darker than chocolate shit that came from the mouth of GMA's Press Secretary, Ignacio Bunye, scolding those who dare to say that the stampede should be blamed on the President.
Well excuuuuuuuuse me! Leaders should stop making excuses, stop picking our pockets, stop thinking about image, stop politicking and just go to work! Just remember that y'all are supposed to serve the public, you pricks!
Shit, well, I know I said I wouldn't be discussing the stampede anymore, but, well, shit, it just makes your blood boil sometimes.
Shit is politics. Politics is shit. Wowowee.
Link:
The Stampede
Bunye: Don't blame stampede on Arroyo
Sadness because so many people's lives were cut short by the lure of easy money, and anger because...of basically the same thing.
I'm sure that what happened has been debated and talked about by most Filipinos everywhere, so I won't go into that anymore.
I'll just quickly mention that on that same day, Wowowee's rival show on GMA-7, Eat...Bulaga!, ended their own program in silent prayer. The folks in the show had their heads bowed, and the episode ended without bombast.
Cynics will say that Eat's ending was probably composed of crocodile tears and plastic passion, because they might actually be celebrating the fact that they've just oneupped the competition without really trying.
I personally don't believe that. It was a disaster that took place very close to home, and it could have happened in their own program. It was actually a bit creepy to see their show end that way, because these noontime shows typically end with a lot of noise and bombast.
I hope you also bowed your head in prayer for those who passed away, with a little hope that someday, no one will have to die lining up to be in a stupid game show.
Hearing all that shit from ABS-CBN about how they only want to help people with their prizes is just a pure fuck in the asses of all the relatives of the folks who have died and a slap on the injured and all of us who listen to their drivel.
Cut the crap, man. We all know that you guys do try to make more money than you give away.
What's worse is the darker than chocolate shit that came from the mouth of GMA's Press Secretary, Ignacio Bunye, scolding those who dare to say that the stampede should be blamed on the President.
Well excuuuuuuuuse me! Leaders should stop making excuses, stop picking our pockets, stop thinking about image, stop politicking and just go to work! Just remember that y'all are supposed to serve the public, you pricks!
Shit, well, I know I said I wouldn't be discussing the stampede anymore, but, well, shit, it just makes your blood boil sometimes.
Shit is politics. Politics is shit. Wowowee.
Link:
The Stampede
Bunye: Don't blame stampede on Arroyo
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