Year: 2007

Spiderman III

may062006_spiderman.jpgThree words: Too many plots.

Let me explain why I think that’s what did this movie in. See, movies, or all story telling for that matter, has to have a main plot. The chief character struggling to maintain his relationship. Or having to face a formidable enemy. Or needing to keep his job and sanity together whilst hurdle on top of hurdle are forced his way.

In retrospect, that’s what Spiderman I and II were pretty good at. Classic, simple and effective story – telling. A simple, ordinary guy with not a care in the world is thrown into a situation where he needs to deal – and in the process, develop maturity and strength of character in a hurry. THAT is what the drama is about Spiderman (as opposed to out – for – revenge Batman or born – to – be – a – hero Superman). EVERYTHING ELSE, as I’ve said so many times before in other reviews, is secondary to the chief protagonist’s struggles. The subplots, the pretty girl, the effects (MOST ESPECIALLY the effects), and all others are all secondary to the main story.

But the problem is, which plot was the main one? To be honest, until now, many days after I caught the first showing not only can I not discern which is the main story, but neither can I recall the details as well, obviously because there was far too much it wants you to remember.

Read the rest or else Spidey will get you.

Spiderman III

may062006_spiderman.jpgThree words: Too many plots.

Let me explain why I think that’s what did this movie in. See, movies, or all story telling for hat matter, has to have a main plot. The chief character struggling to maintain his relationship. Or having to face a formidable enemy. Or needing to keep his job and sanity together whilst hurdle on top of hurdle are forced his way.

In retrospect, that’s what Spiderman I and II were pretty good at. Classic, simple and effective story – telling. A simple, ordinary guy with not a care in the world is thrown into a situation where he needs to deal – and in the process, develop maturity and strength of character in a hurry. THAT is what the drama is about Spiderman (as opposed to out – for – revenge Batman or born – to – be – a – hero Superman). EVERYTHING ELSE, as I’ve said so many times before in other reviews, is secondary to the chief protagonist’s struggles. The subplots, the pretty girl, the effects (MOST ESPECIALLY the effects), and all others are all secondary to the main story.

But the problem is, which plot was the main one? To be honest, until now, many days after I caught the first showing not only can I not discern which is the main story, but neither can I recall the details as well, obviously because there was far too much it wants you to remember.

Continue reading Spiderman III

Review of Wild Hogs

apr302007_wild_hogs.jpgAs far as I know, people either hate or love John Travolta. And I don’t blame them. This is the direct result of producing a classic like Staying Alive, then dropping off the planet and getting listed in the celebrity ‘whatever happened to..?‘ list for a decade or two. Then you come back with Pulp Fiction, and then produce nonsense like Swordfish or that ghastly Face Off. It’s either – or with this guy. A producer of terrific, culture shaping hits or toilet blockage material, with a deep chasm separating the two.

So when I watched Wild Hogs, and saw him looking like he’s actually having some fun, I realized I was having fun too. Not because it’s got a terrific plot or that it’s amazingly funny or that it changes the world of comedy or any of that. Rather, the movie shows a guy that I can’t figure out having fun. In the process, I am watching a movie of his where I don’t have to figure him out, so I just end up having fun. Does that make sense?

Oooh what do we have here? A hyperlink, leading to the rest of the article! Golly! Click Click Click!

Wild Hogs

apr302007_wild_hogs.jpgAs far as I know, people either hate or love John Travolta. And I don’t blame them. This is the direct result of producing a classic like Staying Alive, then dropping off the planet and getting listed in the celebrity ‘whatever happened to..?‘ list for a decade or two. Then you come back with Pulp Fiction, and then produce nonsense like Swordfish or that ghastly Face Off. It’s either – or with this guy. A producer of terrific, culture shaping hits or toilet blockage material, with a deep chasm separating the two.

So when I watched Wild Hogs, and saw him looking like he’s actually having some fun, I realized I was having fun too. Not because it’s got a terrific plot or that it’s amazingly funny or that it changes the world of comedy or any of that. Rather, the movie shows a guy that I can’t figure out having fun. In the process, I am watching a movie of his where I don’t have to figure him out, so I just end up having fun. Does that make sense?

Continue reading Wild Hogs

Mom.Exchange.ph & Justclickphotos.com Mother’s Day Promo

Justclickphotos.com (aka Click) make great photobooks at a very affordable prices. You can give these precious items as gifts from your children to their grandparents! They also make calendars, cards, gift certificates, photo bags and posters.

In time for Mother’s Day March 13, 2007, Click in cooperation with Mom.Exchange.Ph is giving away THREE PhP100 gift certificates to those who can send in their BEST – est Mom’s Day photos! Send the pictures by email to jencctan@gmail.com and put “MomEx CLICK PROMO” as your email’s subject. Please also include your name and contact number.

Review of Pan’s Labyrinth

apr302007_pans_labyrinth.jpgWhat’s obvious to me during the watching of ‘Laberinto del fauno, El’ (Pan’s Labyrinth), is that the performance of it’s chief villain, Capitan Vidal, played magnificently by Sergi Lopez, effectively brings to life the best rendition of a movie villain I’ve ever seen.

To me, the bad guy is always the juiciest part in every film. If I were an actor wishing to prove my mettle, the surest path to this, granted I’d have the talent of course, is to avoid the hero part, which by being so automatically limits one to stereotype. Rather, one should go for the villain part, where you are allowed far more freedom and depth as you portray, explain, and define why this person has become such as he goes about his bad guy ways.

Whilst you may argue that this can be done for the hero as well, the villain, as we all know in real life villains, frequently does not come from the same cookie cutter like heroes are. There are many and varied ways to screw up a person and make him bad. All colorful, usually deeply tragic, all making excellent fodder for a qualified actor to chew on.

You know what to do!

Pan’s Labyrinth

apr302007_pans_labyrinth.jpgWhat’s obvious to me during the watching of ‘Laberinto del fauno, El’ (Pan’s Labyrinth), is that the performance of it’s chief villain, Capitan Vidal, played magnificently by Sergi Lopez, effectively brings to life the best rendition of a movie villain I’ve ever seen.

To me, the bad guy is always the juiciest part in every film. If I were an actor wishing to prove my mettle, the surest path to this, granted I’d have the talent of course, is to avoid the hero part, which by being so automatically limits one to stereotype. Rather, one should go for the villain part, where you are allowed far more freedom and depth as you portray, explain, and define why this person has become such as he goes about his bad guy ways.

Whilst you may argue that this can be done for the hero as well, the villain, as we all know in real life villains, frequently does not come from cookie cutters like heroes do. There are many and varied ways to screw up a person and make him rotten. All colorful, usually deeply tragic, all providing excellent fodder for a qualified actor to chew on.

Continue reading Pan’s Labyrinth

ADVANCED DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)

Facilitator: Louie Quirino
Dates; May 28 – June 2
Time; 10am to 6pm. Venue: CMC Basement
Fee: 15,000. (inclusive of light snacks, handouts, use of equipment, UPFI workshop kits, and certificates)

University of the Philippines Film Institute Cine Adarna, Magsaysay and Osmeña Avenues, UP Diliman, QC

For workshop queries (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)
Email: upfi_workshops@yahoo.com.ph
Call: 9263640/9262722 (Telefax)
Visit: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~film_institute/