Little Miss Sunshine

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Independent

In a year when so many movies have once again resorted to big budgets, tons of special effects, loud explosions, and flat scripts, it was quite jarring to see a picture like “Little Miss Sunshine”. Jarring in a good way, I mean. A film like this could easily fall between the cracks especially in the hundreds of cinemas in Metro Manila. Showing exclusively in Ayala Cinemas, “Sunshine” avoided titanic showdowns with kiddie juggernaut “Happy Feet”, stoner comedy “Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny” and Russell Crowe’s “A Good Year”. Yet that doesn’t mean “Sunshine” is the least of the lot. In fact, I think it’s the most poignant and heartwarming.

From Albuquerque, New Mexico, the dysfunctional Hoovers are constantly bickering and at each other’s throats. Go-getter Richard (Greg Kinnear) has been using family funds to look for ways to have his motivational steps published. Sheryl (Toni Collette) is trying to keep this family together even as she must care for her suicidal brother Frank (Steve Carell). Frank was a former university professor (and the foremost expert on the works of philosopher Marcel Proust) who lost his job after a failed attempt at a relationship with one of his male students. Oldest son Wayne (Paul Dano) has taken a vow of silence and won’t utter a word until he makes it to the Air Force Academy. Richard’s father Edwin (Alan Arkin) has been kicked out his retirement home for using heroin. And youngest child Olive (Abigail Breslin) dreams of being a beauty queen.

Under the guidance of husband and wife directorial team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Farris, the film makes you rethink what you would consider as a “normal” family. All the quirkiness and the backbiting between the Hoovers makes them come off as even more genuine, reminding us of our own family members who have similar characteristics. When the family drives all the way from Albuquerque to Los Angeles for Olive to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant, they’re forced to spend time together in an old Volkswagen van. This unwanted quality time together is when the movie really takes off. As their personalities start grating on each other and their idiosyncrasies drive one another nuts, the actors are able to show off their individual acting skills in a brilliant ensemble piece.

This film has been getting a lot of Oscar buzz after winning the Best Feature - World Cinema Audience Award at the 2006 Sydney Film Festival, and even a standing ovation at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. That’s no surprise as the cast and the script meshed well for a truly engaging and (eventually) heartwarming flick. Each actor is able to flex their acting muscle, from veteran Arkin down to young yet already brilliant Breslin. It is in the end, a film about family. Don’t let the PG-13 rating convince you otherwise. You won’t even notice the two hours screening time fly by since you’ll be too busy being hypnotized by this film’s simple brilliance and honesty.

This may not be a film about talking penguins, flying superheroes, or funny faux-Kazakhs, yet “Little Miss Sunshine” is a film that will have you leaving the cinema smiling, perhaps making you appreciate how funny and dysfunctional your own family is as well.

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Comedy

This isn’t Shakespeare or a Merchant-Ivory production by any stretch of the imagination. In fact when “Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny” starts, the first thing you’ll see is animated versions of stars Jack Black and Kyle Gass farting onscreen. So much for intelligent conversation after watching this flick. But don’t let that turn you off, “POD” is an irreverent comedy that combines autobiography, fable, and musical into one insane package.

The film begins with a young JB yearning to rock out of his uptight Christian home in Missouri. As Meatloaf (of I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) fame) does a cameo as Black’s dad, a poster of former Black Sabbath frontman Ronnie James Dio comes to life and orders JB to seek his fortune in Hollywood, the viewer knows there won’t be anything serious coming out of this. In LA, Black meets musician Gass, a genius at the guitar who still gets rent money from his parents despite being almost 40-years old. When the two decide to form “the greatest band ever”, the true adventure begins!

Black and Gass aren’t just actors onscreen, they’re actually a real rock band. Gass is a real-life Julliard-trained guitar genius and Black has always declared his love of the music in his films. Tenacious D, the metal band, released a self-titled album in 2001 complete with Lord of the Rings-type video in “Wonderboy” and a memorable animated video for “Fuck Her Gently”. Lucky for us, this movie has its own rockin’ soundtrack as well. Thus, the heart of the film is in the music, as well as the friendship between the two leads.

Black is at his nimble, gut-busting best here. Not limited by being surrounded by kids as in “School of Rock” and “Nacho Libre” or by a CGI-gorilla ala “King Kong”, he really cuts loose on the cussing and the physical action. Gass serves as a steady foil for Black, not just a mere sidekick. His portrayal of a guitar god/rocker wannabe whom Black seeks instruction from proves he is an equal to Black’s twisted humor.

Amid a swirl of good old fashioned sex, drugs, and rock and roll is a road trip that has the band seeking the mythical “pick of destiny” that all rock legends have used to achieve immortality. Along the way, cameos abound, particularly from old friends of the duo. Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins, Amy Poehler, and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters all help in creating the world where “The D” is king. Even as the pair encounters characters like a sasquatch (!) and Satan himself (!!!), the sheer silliness of the premise is enough to leave your belly aching with laughter.

Throughout “Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny”, the audience is bombarded by a rock soundtrack that would make any rocker proud. With humorous animated segues, and a premise nobody will mistake for high-brow humor, the film simply goes out to prove that in this day and age, rock and roll is alive and well indeed. Rock on!

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Comedy

Jak sie masz! Don’t take it too seriously! That’s the mindset you have to be in when you watch “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”. With a title like that, you’re already guaranteed to take notice, that’s for sure. If you’re one of the uninitiated, Borat is a character played by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. He also famously created the hip-hop wannabe Ali G who famously appeared in Madonna’s “Music” video and hosted his own talk show on HBO. Borat Sagidyev is supposed to be a Kazakh news reporter who approaches people and comments on how they do things in Kazakhstan, insulting both his and his interviewee’s cultures in the process.

When “Borat” the movie begins, the title character introduces us to his little Kazakh village and laments that though he loves his country, it isn’t exactly modern. So the Kazakh Ministry of Information dispatches Borat and his producer, Azamat Bagatov, to America to document how to emulate the world’s greatest nation. What follows is a “mockumentary” that will leave you wondering if the entire movie is scripted or (more likely) that America and its inhabitants are exactly as they were portrayed.

When Borat and Azamat arrive in New York, the plan is for them to shoot everyday Americana. But when Borat sees an episode of “Baywatch”, his libido tells him to travel cross-country to California to hunt down Pamela Anderson and make her his new wife. Through broken English and wide-eyed naiveté, the Kazakh pair proceed to aggravate, alienate, and infuriate Americans from east to west.

Cohen’s Borat is one of the most unique characters I’ve ever seen onscreen. Cohen’s wicked wit and sense of humor, as well as a chance meeting with a Russian doctor that left him in stitches, formed the basis of the Borat persona. Borat is offensive, xenophobic, racist, and a proud misogynist. No wonder the real Kazakh government hates Cohen’s guts and plan on boycotting this film! Cohen plays Borat with aplomb, relishing the opportunity to portray a backward thinking journalist (and I use the term loosely here) with few social graces. You’d probably find it offensive too if Cohen played a Filipino named Dionisio, but that’s just if you take the movie seriously.

“Borat” the movie is a comedy through and through, and a great one at that. It isn’t real. The combination of satire with documentary makes it almost like an episode of the reality TV shows that we’ve become fans of in recent years. When Borat deals with feminists, hotel staff, or fratboys on the road, their reactions to him are as funny as the things coming out of his mouth. In fact, it is Borat’s political incorrectness and “innocence” regarding American norms that drive a lot of the film’s funniest moments.

Cohen proves to be as adept as Borat as he has been as Ali G. Much like the late, great Peter Sellers who immersed himself in foreign characters like Insp. Jacques Clouseau and Hrundi V. Bakshi, Cohen pushes all the buttons that can offend and at the same time tickle an audience. His playing on stereotypes has been a comic device for ages and, perhaps due to this era of too much political correctness, hasn’t been seen at this magnitude in a long time. Is nice, you look!

Oh and one other thing. Be warned of the wrestling scene between Borat and Azamat that goes from the hotel room, to the lobby, and through an ongoing seminar. That image will haunt your nightmares forever! Wawaweewa!

Casino Royale

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

Let’s get a few things out of the way first. Yes, Daniel Craig is blonde. Yes, he is ugly. Yes, “Casino Royale” is supposed to be a prequel to the entire James Bond series, so it’s weird that M is still female. And yes, there are hardly any cool gadgets in this film. Yet surprisingly, “Casino Royale” was quite an enjoyable experience.

I entered the cinema trying to keep an open mind. I’m a James Bond fan, particularly of the Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan variety. “Dr. No” and “Goldfinger” are two of my favorite films of all time. So I was one of those people who were shocked when Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson chose the non-suave, non-brunette Craig as Ian Fleming’s 007. But I had heard mostly positive things about the film so my girlfriend and I decided we’d see it to judge for ourselves.

James Bond has recently received “00” status in MI-6. Apparently M (Dame Judi Dench) wasn’t sure if it was time to elevate him, but she gives it anyway. Unfortunately, Bond quickly lands himself in hot water for his lack of panache and disregard for rules. When Bond keeps getting in the way of terrorist Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), it is suggested that the only way to nail the terrorist is during his downtime. That’s when they play some Texas Hold ‘Em in the ultra-exclusive club known as Casino Royale.

With Bond being so rough around the edges, Craig might just have been the right man for the job. He lacks all the smoothness that we’ve come to expect from Brosnan, Roger Moore, or Timothy Dalton. Connery had that roughness, particularly in the early Bonds, but he was such a handsome man that he mixed in his own flair to make Bond the coolest film character ever. As always, Judi Dench proves to be a great M. She was allowed to act a bit more in this film as she’s clearly flustered when Bond disobeys orders or generally acts like an ass. Their relationship lends some much-needed levity to the movie, particularly when one looks for Bond-favorite Q.

Q and the delightful gadgets are missing in “Casino”, as is the flirtatious Ms. Moneypenny but those aren’t so obvious while watching. The cars (a classic Aston Martin DB5, a new Aston Martin DBS, and (!) a Ford Mondeo) are still a joy to look at, and Bond returns to his weapon of choice, the Walther PPK. And yes, even the all-important order of the vodka martini is tinkered with here, but for a slightly humorous turn.

Lucky for us “the Bond Girls” remain as hot as ever. Eva Green is stunning as Treasury agent Vesper Lynd. Her performance in last year’s “Kingdom of Heaven” was amazing already, and her Ms. Lynd will surely break your heart. Unfortunately (or maybe it was fortunately), I was able to guess the gist of her plan around two-thirds in the picture. You watch enough of these films and you can almost tell where the plot is going, I guess. Caterina Murino’s Solange character didn’t have as substantial a role as Green, but her beauty was also something to behold. Leave it to 007 to leave his mark with the ladies.

This being a Bond film, there’s a healthy amount of “suspension of disbelief” involved. The previously mentioned anachronism of the “prequel” was sometimes too difficult to ignore, as was Bond’s overly agile bomber in the Nambutu scenes. Was this guy half monkey or what? So the only question that remains is: would I recommend this James Bond movie to my friends? The answer is a resounding YES.

Craig, for all his gruffness and ugliness is the right Bond for this film. Since it is considered a prequel, he’s a good pre-smooth, pre-suave 007. Director Martin Campbell jumps straight into the action from the opening scene and the fancy title sequence, hardly giving the audience time to breathe. I think that really helped in cementing Craig as bond in my mind because he was constantly on the move and getting tossed around. I didn’t have the time to examine and compare him to the previous Bonds until I had been too invested in him already.

Here’s hoping that in his next turn as Ian Fleming’s super spy, Daniel Craig can deliver the goods, just as he did in “Casino Royale”.

The Prestige

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Mystery & Suspense

It isn’t every movie that gets you caught up in a dizzying array of twists and turns. That’s exactly the case in director Christopher Nolan’s latest film, “The Prestige”. Portraying dueling magicians Robert Angier and Alfred Borden are Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale respectively. Though both actors have recently made names for themselves portraying superheroes Wolverine (Jackman) and Batman (Bale), their characters in this film are quite distant from their costumed alter egos. Theirs is a friendship that begins with a shared interest in magic, but degenerates into a deadly rivalry that can only end badly for both men.

In the early stages of the 20th century, magicians are virtual rock stars. Think of the name Harry Houdini and you know where Angier and Borden are coming from. In their desire to improve and perform the ultimate stage illusion, a horrible accident occurs that transforms their friendship into a rivalry, with both men trying to upstage and undermine the other. At the same time, each is bent on ruining the other’s life, caring little for the people who are hurt in the process. Both men seem to consider those as mere “collateral damage” in their hunt for “the greatest magic trick” ever.

As a testament to the excellent acting of Bale, Jackman, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson, one can easily get caught up in the movie’s emotions. The screenplay by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan and based on a story by comic writer Christopher Priest, is a tale of obsession that delves into madness, yet also shows (like any great magic trick does) you something you weren't expecting when you entered the cinema. Cameos from Andy “Gollum” Serkis and rock icon David Bowie only add to the film’s entertainment value, as Bowie captures the right amount of quirkiness and pathos associated with real life inventor Nikola Tesla.

Caine explains that every great magic trick has three acts. The first part is the Pledge has the magician showing you something ordinary, which of course, it isn't. The second act is called The Turn, as the magician makes the ordinary do something extraordinary. In the third act, called The Prestige, the part where lives hang in the balance, where you see something you've never seen before.

More than just sleight of hand or water tank tricks, “The Prestige” takes the viewer to the enigmatic illusion dubbed “The Transported Man”, a trick so unbelievable, it can drive a man to madness. as Angier and Borden duel over this illusion, the viewer bears witness to the deadly game of oneupsmanship that they play. The film itself becomes one big illusion. From the pledge, to the turn, the audience is searching for the answers behind the illusion. "That can't have happened, can it?" "There's no way they could do that, could they?" Oh but they can, and they did.

After achieving critical and audience acclaim for “Batman Begins”, many wondered if Christopher Nolan had enough in him to step out of the shadow of the bat and still produce entertaining pictures. If “The Prestige” is any indication, he most certainly does.

Absolute Kingdom Come

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Comics & Graphic Novels
Author:	Mark Waid and Alex Ross

He should always be there. You know the line… up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman! But there was a time when he just stopped. The Man of Steel left Metropolis and nobody knew where he went. This isn’t the plot of the latest Superman movie. It’s the premise behind Absolute Kingdom Come.

Kingdom Come was a momentous comic event when it was first released in 1996. The combination of Alex Ross’ photorealistic art and Mark Waid’s ominous script had comic fans of all ages stand up and take notice. “How could Superman ever leave Metropolis?” “What do you mean Batman has turned Gotham City into a police state?” “A new generation of heroes is abusing their power?” “How did Captain Marvel turn into a bad guy?” Such statements were a mere sampling of the reactions to Kingdom Come. Now, 10 years after the mini-series was released, DC Comics has published an oversized hardcover slipcase edition in Absolute Kingdom Come.

In a possible future, Superman has left Metropolis and most of humanity behind. Batman’s secret identity has been found out, and he rules over Gotham with an army of Bat-robots. Meanwhile, a new generation of metahumans has been abusing their gifts. As a result of their carelessness, a nuclear explosion wipes out a portion of the USA and public distrust is at an all-time high. Entangled in all of this is Pastor Norman McCay. Norman sees visions of conflict and destruction, and is approached by the entity known as The Spectre. The Spectre enlists Norman to bear witness to the developing crisis, and eventually judge if humanity and our so-called heroes will survive.

When the original Kingdom Come came out a decade ago, its powerful message and breathtaking art caused mainstream media to take notice. Waid and Ross examined the role of superheroes and the incredible responsibilities we have put on these “imaginary” characters. When they did that, they also ended up showing the all too human frailties of larger-than-life characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, etc.

In their sad view of the future, humanity has pushed the heroes we grew up with to the sidelines due to what was perceived as their being too “nice” and not issuing the vigilante justice that has been associated with other comic characters like The Punisher or Wolverine. Yet when the world faces its greatest crisis and when all the chips are down, it is those same heroes, the first heroes to ever see print in comics, who come to the rescue. However, it is a rescue that comes at a price.

The characterization of the characters stays true to both their origin stories, as well as what writers have shaped them to become in the past six decades. Ever the farmer's son, Superman honestly thinks he can save everybody and change things by just being somewhere. Batman's cynicism and callousness since his parents' death extends to even his friends like Superman. The Amazon princess in Wonder Woman shuns her role as envoy of peace, instead becoming a vengeful warrior who will do things others might fear to do.

Absolute Kingdom Come comes replete with Ross’ sketches, creator notes and annotations, as well as an extensive image gallery. This edition is bigger and is a feast that is guaranteed to satisfy old fans while enticing new fans to witness what is undoubtedly one of the most important comics ever published. You'll see how some of Ross' designs from his childhood found their way onto the Kingdom Come stage. You'll also see the detail and dedication he put into this project. This was a true labor f love, something both creators affectionately call their "love letter" to these superheroes.

Undertaker helps Batista

After King Booker's men (William Regal and Finlay) attack Batista, Paul London and Brian Kendrick tried to make the save. After they're disposed of, the Phenom himself helped the Animal. Taker and Batista touch fists at the end. Best moment of the night in my opinion.

Batista is Unleashed!

How cool is it that WWE wrestler Batista (born David Michael Bautista), has Filipino blood? His grandparents were pure Pinoys and Dave acknowledges them with a tattoo of the Filipino flag on his right bicep. Awesome entrance music too. Batista! Batista! Batista!

The Undertaker knows how to make an entrance

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, makes an entrance like the Undertaker. He was so over in Araneta Coliseum, proving that Pinoy wrestling fans love old school wrestlers. Or that we just love watching the living dead wrestle.

Mr. Kennedy insults Manny Pacquiao

Talk about getting heel heat! WWE wrestler Ken Kennedy knew exactly how to antagonize Pinoy fans... by insulting Manny Pacquiao. Brilliant work on the mic here.

Kagaku Ninja-Tai Gatchaman opening

Gatchaman, G-Force, Battle of the Planets. Whatever you call 'em, they were cool back in the day and they're cool now. A lot of people consider these guys an "unofficial animated sentai". Plus, that's a kickass theme song!

Endgame of UAAP Finals Game 1

Ateneo takes it courtesy of a brilliant play by coach Norman Black, a great inbound pass from Macky Escalona, and a great cut by Doug Kramer. One big fight!