Author Topic: Filipino films (Read 511656 times)

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #1230 on:** Mar 10, 2007 at 04:44 PM »

Ah, but Celia Rodriguez in those see-through nightgowns is almost better than seeing her nude. And Celia Rodriguez in see through nightgowns so sensuously lit and colored by a master filmmaker is almost orgasmic. I mean, serious flagpole material, man.

keating · « **Reply #1231 on:** Mar 11, 2007 at 04:52 PM »

Couldn't agree more. Noel, is the dvd release the director's cut already of Gerry de Leon?

keating · « **Reply #1232 on:** Mar 11, 2007 at 05:16 PM »

PAHIRAM NG ISANG UMAGA (Ishmael Bernal, 1989)

Ishmael Bernal tackled death humorously in his stunning film debut PAGDATING SA DULO. Subas Herrero ask the dimwit actress Paloma Miranda played by Rita Gomez why she speak so fast, her snappy reply......"maikli ang buhay!" Same line would figure in most Bernal flicks but in a more serious way in NUNAL SA TUBIG, MANILA BY NIGHT, HIMALA & HINUGOT SA LANGIT, films that are undoubtedly among his best. Death strikes like a thief in the night. Who would know that the man would meet his Creator on June 2, 1996 seven years after the release of PAHIRAM NG ISANG UMAGA.

One of the best melodramas churned out by Regal Films in a cycle of three years which started in 1987-1989. Bernal worked with three cinematographers and the result is a gorgeous cinematography that deals with mortality and death. Vilma Santos is a successful career woman who must accept her fate that she has 8 months to live because of brain cancer, prepare her will, attend her father's funeral and reconcile with her sister-in-law. Symbolisms abound just like in any other Bernal flicks. Watch out for Eric Quizon as the tormented artist who wanted to end his life. Its moving, touching and yes it teach us about loving and caring. The long-tracking crane shot near the end of the film is unforgettable and grabs you long after you've seen the film.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #1233 on:** Mar 12, 2007 at 12:19 PM »

This kind of gets silly in the end--Eric Quizon tends to masticate huge chunks of the scenery. Vilma's good, tho, especially in the early scenes. I do like it better than Wating, which is well nigh incomprehensible.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #1234 on:** Mar 12, 2007 at 12:20 PM »

I don't think so, it would have said so. I don't thiink they would bother.

keating · « **Reply #1235 on:** Mar 12, 2007 at 08:14 PM »

With the inclusion of Eric's character in the movie, one can see the two sides of LIFE. One person wants to prolong it, while the other wants to end it soon.

Bernal always craft melodramas that will not insult your sensibilities. And yes, better than WATING.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #1236 on:** Mar 13, 2007 at 12:52 AM »

Sure, but all that fiber (I can see Eric's teeth marks on the woodwork, the walls, the furniture) is not good for your health. I almost wished he died earlier, he was so annoying. Bernal's sense of melodrama wasn't at its best here.

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1237 on:** Mar 13, 2007 at 07:23 AM »

Bernal's komiks based melodramas were far greater than any of the VIVA produced ones... Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa and Nagbabagang Luha were among the better crop of films made in the 1980's along with Mike de Leon's Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit and Laurice Guillen's Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #1238 on:** Mar 13, 2007 at 08:39 AM »

Brocka's Viva films were also well-made--even better than Bernal's, I would argue--but definitely second tier compared to his best work.

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1239 on:** Mar 13, 2007 at 09:59 AM »

of Brocka's komiks movies Maging Akin Ka Lamang would be his best... sad to say Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig and Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita were both uninspired, although i loved the episode Ang Silid in the omnibus Tatlong Mukha Ng Pag-Ibig...

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #1240 on:** Mar 13, 2007 at 12:16 PM »

Babangon was at least well made (you may be right about it being uninspired), and I still think Gumapang Ka sa Lusak is a melodramatic remake of Bagong Hari (with even more uninspired action scenes), but what did you think of Makiusap sa Diyos? It's Brocka dealing with uncharacteristic themes, I think, of god and his actions upon us.

keating · « **Reply #1241 on:** Mar 13, 2007 at 03:15 PM »

Brocka's MAKIUSAP SA DIYOS has such a good premise. There were a few roles dealing with nuns in Philippine Cinema.

Ruffa Gutierrez delivered well but most of the times she was at her constipated best, probably because of her language, slang na slang. But between her and Kris, I would choose Ruffa anytime in terms of acting.

Noel_Vera · « **Reply #1242 on:** Mar 14, 2007 at 01:27 PM »

She's taller, I'll give her that.

She's no actress, but I thought she did okay here.

keating · « **Reply #1243 on:** Mar 14, 2007 at 07:20 PM »

She was really disastrous in Chionglo's LORENA BOBBIT movie.

RMN · « **Reply #1244 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 05:33 PM »

Joey Gosiengfiao passed away already...

keating · « **Reply #1245 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 07:49 PM »

His movies are filled with beautiful youth UNDERAGE, BLUE JEANS, BEDSPACERS, 14 GOING STEADY. The undisputed camp master of Philippine Cinema. Who could forget and imagine the hilarious giant fried chicken, giant ice-cream and revolutionize electric fans in the desert in TEMPTATION ISLAND?

Gosiengfiao can turn into serious.... those court room scenes in most number of his films from EXPLOITATION, MORTAL SIN, WHERE LOVE HAS GONE begs you to understand his craft, the other world of Philippine Cinema. And yes, Mark Gil once said.....his movies have sense!

BABAE...NGAYON AT KAILANMAN the omnibus trilogy is still on my watch lists to watch it in full uncut glory. The Juego de Prenda episode is so dreamy and memorable that stucked on my mind during my childhood days. Alma Moreno's filmography will not be complete without mentioning NYMPHA, BOMBA STAR, DIARY OF CRISTINA GASTON, SECRETS OF PURA. All dealing with feminist issues.

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1246 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:03 PM »

i believe Alma Moreno was direk Joey's most favorite actress although he also helmed Lorna Tolentino's re-launching pic Iskandalo!

keating · « **Reply #1247 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:07 PM »

Was it only Maricel Soriano who didn't wear the magic kamison which was the fad during the 80's at Regal camp, Jo?

Regal Films owes Joey a big gratitude.

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1248 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:10 PM »

Maricel actually wore the magic kamison underneath the outfit she wore during her seduction scene with Mark Gil in Underage. direk Joey wanted her to unbutton the blouse but Maricel refused to so so and cried on the set. she ended up removing her hair clip to suggest the seduction...

keating · « **Reply #1249 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:19 PM »

I don't remember it anymore, the scene where they were in the room? Critics didn't recognize his films, I even ask Mario Hernando about it. You can never put John Waters on the Greatest Film Directors, Hernando said to me, but I think he's better than Waters and Almodovar.

Its only now that TEMPTATION ISLAND has been recognized, one critic gush over it, Jessica Zafra also.

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1250 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:24 PM »

i've actually met people who loved Temptation Island after it was shown in theaters. i remember talking to Kuya Caloy Jacinto, one of his favorite cinematographers and Elwood's as well, he said that Joey had a cinematic eye like no other director. he composes his scenes with meticulous detail. he works closely with the production designer and cinematographer on color schemes suddenly the scene where Celia Rodriguez wore a deep red gown when she attended the funeral of Dina Bonnevie's father in Katorse came to mind.

keating · « **Reply #1251 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:30 PM »

Agree...his visual flair can beat or even exceed the ones made by Elwood. NYMPHA is so full of blistering heat to think that its not a porno film.

The cult classic UNDERAGE embodies teen-angst, sort of pop culture phenomenon before the BRAT PACK hit the mid-80's!

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1252 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:40 PM »

i wasn't a huge fan of his youth oriented movies with the exception of Underage. i loved his melodramas a lot complete with those big orchestrated dramatic highlights. who can forget Celia undressing Alma in front of her schoolmates and running after her half naked on the streets in Bomba Star?

keating · « **Reply #1253 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 08:45 PM »

He can easily convince Alma to undress, hehe. WHERE LOVE HAS GONE has one of the best court room scenes ever filmed.

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1254 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 09:01 PM »

not just that but he was able to convince theater and stage performers to appear in his films as well regardless of how thankless or ridiculous the roles maybe...

keating · « **Reply #1255 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 09:09 PM »

I remember the late Mary Walter as the Mama San in BLUE JEANS. That scene where Albert Martinez will lose his virginity escorted by her matched with the music of Apo's BATANG BATA KA PA.......LOL!

Only Joey Gosiengfiao could imagine......

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1256 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 09:15 PM »

he knows what his audience wants and direk Joey really delivers! the scene with Alfie, Dina and pork & beans in Blue Jeans was pure fun!

keating · « **Reply #1257 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 09:16 PM »

Ah, Dina used to call him PEKING DUCK.

The opening scene in BOMBA STAR where Marissa Delgado clutching her trophy and thanking some people was pure fun and hilarious also!

jdv1229 · « **Reply #1258 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 09:24 PM »

oh yeah... the interview with Dexter Doria right? it was hilarious but you should see Bella Flores in Huwag Hamakin: Hostess that alone was worth the time you'll spend watching the movie, also Nora and Alma vying for Orestes Ojeda's affection and guess who gets hin in the end?

keating · « **Reply #1259 on:** Mar 16, 2007 at 09:29 PM »

Yep....come to think of it Gosiengfiao's BOMBA STAR might be his homage to Bernal's PAGDATING SA DULO.

Aside from BABAE.....NGAYON AT KAILANMAN, did he made a horror film?