Aina and the Babes

     Girl Next Door Winner and Eat Bulaga's Winners on their reality search for dancers grace this month's cover for FHM. Eighteen na ba ang lahat ng EB Babes to pose? Legal na ba ang mag toh? 

      I actually thought that this was another cover for Diana Zubiri, we were like arguing that FHM must've been miscaptionedt. But my wrong, it was indeed Aina. I am not an avid reader so I really have no idea that they had that girl next door chorva.

     Anyway, magalit na ang magalit… parang andumi ng FHM with EB babes on the cover. Basta! Swear! I cant describe this feeling but I really don't know why they have this effect on me. Parang ang cheap nila at talagang sobrang chaka! I like some of them… yung Madel Tsaka yung iniintriga kay Janno Gibbs. Pero chipipax talaga yung iba at mas mahahalay kesa sa sex bomb! Parang hindi nga nakaya ng photograpehr na pagandahin ang pictorial.

Check the official site for more photos. 

Letters from Iwo Jima

 Letters from Iwo Jima

dir. Clint eastwood

I know. We were brutally treated and our country was extremely mutilated and devastated by the Japanese! That was more than 60 years ago and the pain and all the anger still remains on our country's soil. A lot of people proved their love for our nation. A lot of people sacrificed their lives just to claim our independence. But what I want to boil down to is just to say that these Japanese Soldiers are also human.

Setting our own history aside,  I have to say that I was moved and was deeply affected with how these brave people sacrificed their own lives for their mother land's soil. Blood and principle weighs the same with how these Japanese people look at it.

I dont know how Clint Eastwood managed to create a great film with a non-English speaking cast. I also have to note that this is way better than Flags of our Fathers, his first installment for this 2 movie set.

We embark this journey together with these Japanese Soldiers, reliving the days of war through their eyes. They were treated as the menace and we never considered the humanity beyond those  fingers that push the trigger.

Eastwood was able to erase the "otherness". Let's say that in every war there is a Judy Ann Santos and there is a Gladys Reyes (ang jologs). But both sides always feel that they are the Judy Ann Santos in their battle. Both sides have their own reason for fighting and for sacrificing their lives. Eastwood was able to erase the "Gladys Reyes" that we have tagged the Japanese with. It was such a brave attempt for an American Director and he was indeed successful in establishing that point. We were able to see the Judy Ann Santos of these people. We empathise, feel their pain, their sorrow and the fear of waking up everyday. 

Killing is more painful than dying. But they have to face that pain everyday together with the same pain that they would lose their lives anytime. They also have their own families, friends and lives back in their own land. They are also humans, who wants to laugh and smile and at least be happy in those days of their lives. You should also try watching this Japanese Cartoon, I forgot the title but it has something to do with "Fireflies'. I wasn't able to finish it because it was so much to bare. 

No fancy add ons, and simple angles and powerful shots. The movie was of course, like any other war epic, noisy, gory and chaotic. Suicide rituals, blood and people dying with parts of their bodies missing. The shots were classy. Not too glossy or loud. I love the simplicity, the sepia and the minimalism. The shots would make you dwell more to what they feel, help you gain more understanding to feel and to accept.

A powerful drama.  

Pan’s Labyrinth

Pan' Labyrinth

Guillermo del Toro

I tell you, this movie exceeded all expectations given their notable streaks during the Oscars. I was totally awed and again found myself crying while float in this  bizarre world as the movie walks me through the cruelty and pain of reality.

Del Toro never had a good impression on me given that didn't like 2 of the films he made. For those who doesnt know, Del Toro was responsible for Hellboy and Blade 2. I didnt make any research of what his other films are but I have seen these 2 films and I think they were good but given that they are films about mutated beings… I didnt like them at all.

Pan's Labyrinth for me is perfect. I don't know why the Oscars didn't consider nominating it for Best Picture. It won Best Picture for a foreign film, but if you can remember, Benigni's Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella, 1997) , was still nominated for Best Picture after winning Best Foreign Film during the 1998 Oscars.

The story would remind you of Labyrinth (David Bowie, Jennifer Connely) and Chronicles of Narnia. We were all delivered to this imaginary realms as we feel the agony and pain that these children are feeling for living at the dark times. Innocence and brutality, fantasy and reality, all woven beautifully.

The greatest revelation in this film was the 12 year old actress, Ivana Baquero. She would drown you with the beauty of her eyes and she is simply perfect for the role. Superb acting is what this movie should also boast. Commendable performances and they were able to reap out the emotions that they intend us to feel.

The unrelenting imagery and the way Del Toro squeezed out beauty from a toiled and snared world made this film so beautiful and stunning. The morbidity and the magical world would make this a fairy tale that would be perfect as a bedtime story for adults. The ironies were of beautiful blend, bewitching and wonderfully enchanting. Seeing fairies was supposed to make you feel good but I was stung with pain for frightful reasons. You just have to watch it. I think you already know how I write reviews, I don't put any summary or spoilers at all.

I also loved the score. It was so mystical that it made me finish the entire credit. The costumes, make-up and prosthetics are commendable. Special effects was so stunning. But I think audience should be aware that this fairy tale is not commended for younger viewers. Talk about morbidity and disturbing images of violence… this movie has them. 

The gorgeous cinematography created this immense atmosphere that was really incredible and powerful. Though inspiration from previous films is notable, the story still hold a heartbreaking story that is indeed unique and could very well stand on its own.

Definitely a great film. It has every right to be called a classic.