Monday, February 26, 2007
MARTY: A COMMENTARY

It's ironic that the master filmmaker of modern day American cinema won an Oscar for a movie that was not even intended at all to rally through the storms of awards ceremonies this year. Comparing it to his previous masterpieces such as Raging Bull, Goodfellas and even The Aviator, The Departed falls a bit short from his previous greats. Yet, it is inevitable to state that Martin Scorsese has indeed returned to his mob roots, Mean Streets style with his biggest box office hit yet, his first Oscar Best Picture. The fact also remains that Marty is one of the best of the best in filmmaking; he remains one of the very few directors who can assemble a great ensemble cast and deliver, just as he did with The Departed.

On a personal note, The Departed has indeed been one of the best films of 2006. It is one of the very few films that has been produced by a mammoth box office production that was able to entertain and enthrall at the same time. Needless to say, it had substance. Never have I been so thrilled to watch a film with so much energy, so much excitement since God knows when. Indeed, this is one of the very few action films that had caught my attention all throughout. With powerhouse performances from Leo di Caprio, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg, I am proud to say that this is truly my favorite action film. The fact that I am not a fan of the genre of action and mob (I slept through Road to Perdition, Collateral and The French Connection by the way) and the movie being able to captivate me is indeed something.

And so I congratulate Mr. Scorsese for finally winning an Academy Award for Best Director - a recognition that has long been overdue. May you keep making films that will continue to entertain audiences worldwide. Who knows, now that the Academy loves you, you might get another one of those in the coming years. And yes, keep that lead from George Lucas... Poor guy got caught up with grande Francis Ford Coppola and Myspace photographer Steven Spielberg. What a pity!
Friday, February 23, 2007
ITCHY
After making stupid decisions and degrading myself (or letting myself be degraded), despite my declaration that my directing career is temporarily on hiatus, I am having this really irritating and tempting itch to make my next short film - as soon as possible. What's worse is that I want this to be my best yet; and when I say best, I really mean it (I don't even use/had never used that word to describe my past works). And as I've mentioned before, I won't be making anything like Oneironauts for the next 3-5 years - which pretty much spices up my working atmosphere slash lightning rod imagination. In relation to that, 2/30 is just hanging around, floating and drifting inside my head; not unless I make a conscious effort to change the concept, that of love that is, to be able to utilize it and thus, finally giving in to this itch. I am totally effing clueless and I hate it. Perhaps I'd be better off as a voice actor for Pixar. I'm kidding you nincampoop.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
ECHO

"You said, 'I love you', I said, 'Wait.' I was going to say, 'Take me', you said, 'Go away'."
-Catherine, Jules et Jim
ON BEING PESSIMISTIC
I'm never overly proud, not even truly, fully happy with my works. No matter how 'great' or passionate they are, I don't show any obvious sense of pride, most especially optimism when they're part of any competition whatsoever. I feel that if the time comes when I show the opposite that's the time that I retire because that's when I have already done my most beautiful work.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
ARRIVEDERCI
It's pathetic to look for prospects. Don't get me wrong, we're over and done. It's just really not in my system to look for someone else right now. I don't have the time and the patience. Although I must admit that, even if there are some who are qualified, even at the very least, it's stupid to make a short list. For a moment, I thought that my disliking of you is like that of in the movies where hatred returns to affection. I was definitely wrong. I also want to say that I wanted to declare that I did not even like you in the first place considering the fact that you were just filling a void; but I'm not that mean nor am I in denial of anything. I became fond of you alright - there's no doubt about that, but now, that's all in the past. It's interesting how time flies; I can still recall the first moment we conversed... let's just leave that to memory. You were my Sybil Vane. Goodbye.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
GRATEFUL
Disclaimer: This entry is semi-selfish, slightly informal and sort of personal. Insecure, irritable and people who aren't really appreciative of my works are advised not to read any further.

"I can't deny the fact that you like me! You like me!"
-Sally Field upon winning an Oscar

The last time I competed in a film festival, I never really expected to win anything at all - my entry being filled with a couple of flaws plus the horrors of production including the before and after, which almost made me think twice about my passion for filmmaking. To my surprise, I did win something - an award for "Best Script", one that I still cherish up to now.

Recently I joined again another competition, just for the sake of having fun. Since my last film was almost anti-audience (and the audience really did not enjoy it [from my observations]), I wanted to try and find out if I could please a crowd; it was not really about winning something but more of seeing people enjoy watching my film. And having seen the best of the best entries, I knew I would not even make the cut as a finalist. However, once again, a miracle happened and my film became one of the eight finalists. Right then and there, I knew that that was the pinnacle of the film's journey; there's no way whatsoever that it would win something at all even if the film was also nominated for Best Acting Ensemble and Screenplay.

The screening came and I was surprised by how the audience liked the film. There even came a point where people who have seen (and perhaps loved) it were able to memorize the lines from the film (due to repetitive watching) or were even using them as their status message (in YM). From that moment on, I said to myself that I had already won since I never expected to get a reception that warm from the people who have seen it; and that was actually my objective - to see more than three people enjoy my film (Yes, I raised the bar from one [in id.] to three :P). I was really amazed on how people seemed to really like it; the fact that people who I didn't really know (or I really wasn't that much acquainted with) coming up to me and congratulating me for the film was really fulfilling.

Then came the awards night. As expected, I didn't win any of the categories where the film was nominated. However, due to a strange twist in the balance of nature, I did not come home empty handed.


And so I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 12 people who voted for Oneironauts, Nestle for the big gift packs and the 3 bluish pieces of rectangular paper (:P) and Fujifilm for the discount coupon. Of course, I would also like to thank the cast and crew - Karla, Kenot, Rey, Idel and Dom (Chocolate Kiss uli? :P). Thank you also to Bono and JT for the support and the feedback. And to each and every person who has seen and loved the film (despite its flaws), I give to you my deepest and sincerest gratitude. I never really expected people to like the film since it was really tough making a romantic comedy; finding the balance between romantic and sappy (Kumbaga sa Tagalog, mahirap magpakilig without being too corny). Thank you audience for making this film a (unexpected) cult hit.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
ONEIRONAUTS
Will you look for me when you wake up?




Wednesday, February 07, 2007
VIVRE SA VIE
"To be or not to be. That's not really a question."
-Jean-Luc Godard

Tuesday, February 06, 2007
ONE LINERS
A person cannot be at his best in everything because he has limited resources.

Some people can amaze you even if they are just intellectually masturbating.

The Ivory Tower is a necessary evil for the Philippine film industry.

Psychology and Sociology are two distinct entities.

The only thing I want to do right now is to talk about films.

I don't love you anymore, goodbye.

Silence is sacred.

Gelukkige verjaardag mijn liefde.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
U SOC (AS IN YOU SOCIETY)
By answering a yes or no survey via landline conversation with a lady, I got myself an brand new exclusive red and black jacket from Sony. And thanks to Reader's Digest, I finally got myself a planner, which was free by the way. With things like this, it pays to be a consumer.

Saturday, February 03, 2007
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
8th Ateneo Video Open Finalist for Best Short Narrative
Nominated for Best Acting Ensemble and Best Screenplay

Screening on February 7, 2007
4:30 pm at Escaler Hall, Ateneo de Manila University
SPRING COMES
"I said I love. That is the promise. Now, I have to sacrifice myself so that through me the word 'love' means something. As a reward, at the end of this long undertaking, I will end up being he who loves. That is, I will merit the name I gave myself. A man, nothing but a man, no better than any other, but no better than he." -Jean Luc Godard

Today the messenger has come to reveal the path.
The mission laden before my very eyes.
I shall surrender myself to It.

Now I make my own destiny.
Create my own history.
Define and redefine.

This is my passion.
My mission.
Life.

Art.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
TALENTED MR. MAKOY
Remember the time I said I won't be directing films for a while? Well, I'll still be upholding that statement. Although right now, I believe I have the perfect material for my follow up to Oneironauts. It's a drama/thriller similar in a sense to Notes on a Scandal. However, it's actually much more related to a scene from Closer, Talented Mr. Ripley and the emergence of the Information Age. It's actually very easy to make, it is relatively financially cheap. The only important things I will need here are the actors (two male actors; and believe it or not, I'm actually thinking of playing one of the roles; yes, believe it or not), an original tour-de-force screenplay (that would make id. look like a children's bedtime story) and better directing and cinematography skills (actually I am planning to hire a cinematographer for this one; hire... Yeah right; it's more of invite... beg! Hahaha!) Damn it. I'm excited. I'll try to finish this by summer. Shit, I hate getting excited.

Photo stolen from Master Photographer Dom's Multiply
The Stranger

Kram has moved!
Graffiti


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