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Sunday, October 21, 2007

Watch

submarine

I also enjoy watching movies. I have seen lots of movies and I have my own set of favorites. Favorites in the sense that these movies convinced me to get a DVD copy for personal viewing at a convenient time.

Two of my of all-time favorite films were based from the book, Simon Birch (inspired from A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving) and Angela’s Ashes (from the memoirs of Frank McCourt). These films may not be critically-acclaimed or commercially successful but I found treasures in these films. They are both realistic and in one way or another, I can relate to the characters. Simon Birch’s theme song is one of my favorite songs too. Listen here.

I don’t know if its luck but sometimes you just stumble on a film you never heard or known at all. And interestingly, they got your intention as they crave for more viewing, I had experience this when I was in Japan. Blame it on their daily and regular DVD sales, lol. The Commitments is one the films that surprised me, and since I don’t enjoy happy endings, this one was like a double treat. And its filled with soul music too! Another film that I repeatedly find delightful despite of its open-ended conclusion is Happy Times. A simple Chinese film that speaks loudly, hitting the emotions. Another film I liked was Not One Less. I heard that its one of the best films in China the year it was released. And while watching the said movie, I can’t help but noticed some similarities of the plot from Mga Munting Tinig. I guess the latter was inspired by it.

I particularly liked two Japanese films too, Nobody Knows and Zatoichi (The Blind Swordman). Nobody Knows opened my eyes to a reality I never thought that is happening in Japan. The bloods, fight scenes and the tap dance were the main reasons why I kept on watching Zatoichi.

I tried to recall some of the films I used to watch so I can buy its DVD and this made me remember my favorite war movie, Full Metal Jacket. I decided to buy Dead Poets Society too as “Oh Captain, My Captain” was our speech class activity when I was in 5th Grade. Short Circuit 2 is my favorite film when I was in 2nd Grade.

Talking about Art and Foreign Films, Central Station topped the list for me. Fernanda played the role of Dora perfectly. A bit of a tearjerker but the lines were so sincere. Bad Education had me on my seat. Liked how the story was edited and presented. Bjork’s performance in Dancer in the Dark was exceptional. I loved the soundtrack too. Jan Dara may be a bit dragging in some parts but it was really good. And how can I forget Billy Elliott? The simplicity of the film and the performance of all actors were enough reasons to get a copy of it.

There are some Hollywood movies that I enjoyed too. Soul Food is definitely one of the best family drama films. Primal Fear and Murder in the First were my fave court / trial movies. Remember the Titans, despite its flaws, I kept on viewing it. The Other Sister for personal reasons. Hehehe.

If I remember other films that I liked, I’ll be editing this entry.

/totomai
10/21/07


14 comments:

  1. i'm not really into obscure films---now that i mention it, i'm not really into films at all. but i did watch Not One Less, and since i'm pathetic, i got to watch it in our school auditorium for a class requirement. made me cry all the way.

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  2. @liz, Not one Less surprised me also. perhaps because the lead is effective in portraying the role as a substitute teacher.

    try watching obscure films. :-) you'll enjoy them more than mainstream films.

    pano pala yan, kung artista ka na di mo panonoorin movies mo hehehe

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  3. Hi, I'm back!

    Just returned from my long 4-day weekend reuniting with my friends from college. It was fun. What I did before I left is grab a camera and took shots of the moments. Too bad, the pictures taken are more for friendster viewing, not for flicker. Anyways, I have some few photographs I liked, and my favorite I used as header in my wordpress blog(check it out).

    Movies and Films. Top in my list of my favorites are:

    1. Great Expectations, 1998
    A film based from the classic novel by Charles Dickens modernized with contemporary setting and updated, lovable characters.

    What draw me to this film is the character of Ethan Hawke - Finn - An artist/painter since childhood, and how the plot links his passion to his undying love for Gwyneth Paltrow - Estella. Robert De Niro - Lustig - in a cameo role was remarkable.

    2. Forrest Gump, 1994

    It is true what the tagline of this film says: "The world is never the same again once we try to see it through the eyes of Forrest Gump(Tom Hanks).

    "My name is Forrest, Forrest Gump."
    "Life is like a box of chocolate, you don't know what you gonna get."
    "Run Forrest, Run!"
    Are few of the immortal lines of this film that still echo in my ears.

    The common theme for this 2 films that primarily makes me like them is the child-like ideals about love of Finn and Forrest. It is undying. I, too, believe in forever I am like them in a certain way other than being eccentric sometimes.

    I wish you well.

    ~ Jeques

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  4. @Jeques, I enjoyed forrest gump too. havent seen great expectations though

    welcome back.

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  5. Great Expectations inspired me to go back to sketching and eventually to painting after many years of denying myself with the joy of doing what I really love. There is a certain line in the film that caught me and I think its true, I can't recall the exact line but it says something like:

    "Art like love when it gets to you, you never really lose it."

    I wish you well.

    ~ Jeques

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  6. well, i guess its true. sometimes, passion/interest just a need a vacation. lol. it will return after recharging. eheehe

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  7. You said it right. Try to find a copy of Great Expectations, you will understand what I mean. Too bad I left my copy in the Philippines. Oh, you can watch it from you tube, I saw someone posted the video. It is not complete though. I can not recommend the book, it's way too boring. Charles Dickens used old english. It's far better to watch the film.

    I wish you well.

    ~ Jeques

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  8. @jeques, thanks, i will try to find a copy of that film. perhaps when i go back in the philippines hehe

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  9. Hey! 'Been a while. I like "Simon Birch" as well :) "Forest Gump" is amusing to me, funny, inspirational. I'm more drawn to movies like Brave Heart, Die Hard, something with heroes :), and of course the mushy movies, hahaha. My latest favorites are Spider Man,and 3:10 to Yuma.

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  10. @karis, you dont like the other sister? hehehe :-) ako, i found myself enjoying art films or films na di alam ng marami hehe

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  11. John,

    Try to find the film "My House In Umbria" its one of those not-so-popular movie, but with great story. I think you will like it. I did. I'm still looking for a copy of the film for my personal collection.

    One favorite line as far as I can remember it.

    "But we could not hold on to something beautiful forever... even to summer."

    I wish you well.

    ~ Jeques

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  12. @Jeques, interesting title. ill try to find that. :-) thanks

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  13. The other sister? Is it about nuns? :P if it is, I've got to go see it :) You got me curious:)

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  14. lol @ karis, its a love story :-) you have seen it already eheeh

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any thoughts to distill?

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