brokeback mountain

Within this mountain (Brokeback Mountain) is a romantic tale of two men destined not to last. Academy Award winner Ang Lee is back with another critically acclaimed film based on a critically acclaimed shory story by E. Annie Proulx.
Tagged as a gay cowboy hit by some, ranch-hand Ennis del Mar (Heath Ledger) unstoppably sparkled an illicit romantic affair with rodeo cowboy wannabe Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) concealed in the lush mountain north of Wyoming, summer of 1963.
It didn't come easy to them, however, as they parted ways without closure after their sheep herding stint. Them raising their respective families. Then after four years, see each other again and continued on their "friendship", as the trailer describes their relationship, with fishing trip as alibi to their wives till the year 1983.
This epic film is one of the most faithful screenplay and direction that has ever been shown in Hollywood. From the storylines to the desciption and character depiction -- everything captured and book-based. Ang Lee made E. Annie Proulx proud of him.
Among all films that embraces homosexuality, Brokeback Mountain tackled the issues of homophobic society powerfully, in an honest and in the simplest way by way of narrating the very closely undisclosed relationship of Ennis and Jack -- nothing in direct approach. It is in what was instilled in Ennis' mind during childhood that makes their togetherness remarkably invisible for nearly twenty years -- at least except to Alma, Ennis' wife, whose life shrinked to mute despicability of her husband after witnessing the ghastly behavior pf tje secret lovers as she stood in front of her doorstep.
Without explicitly dictating outright to society the perceived correct way of viewing this kind of relationship, it is magnificently enough to come to mind that being in such kind of "thing", as Ennis repeatedly calls their affair, is as inevitable as it is to heterosexuals. We never can tell when and who this beating thing we have chooses --as Jack forcefully and earnestly told Ennis,"I wish I knew how to quit you."
Sure enough, conservatives have their own mind about the flick. Nevertheless, we feel bad but do not rebuke them -- they need respect as much as we do. In a world diversified with ethnicity and faith we never concur altogether -- disparity remains to be the distinguishing factor to all of us.
Heath Ledger's performance as taciturn Ennis gives him a place in Hollywood that will forever be praised and revered -- made a stunning remark engraved in his name. Jake Gyllenhaal, on the other hand, is equally brilliant as Jack twist, he made us see love is a formidable force of nature. And, there we have the excellent Michelle Williams who actually stole the movie away from Ledger with her heart-breaking performance as the homosexually duped wife. All three actors along with Anne Hathaway not withstanding were from teenybopper roles now proving their versatility and profundity as sober actors.
Albeit, the first thirty to forty-five minutes of the film is a bit dragging due to it's mute scenes added with the hard southern accent used by Ledger, it still was able to hold my attention to the end. And it didn't fail to deliver a scintillating picture.
Let's all hope that life for these people will be beautiful and given a chance to live it the way they wanted to ( after all, we all deserve to be happy).

Kill Bill Vol.1

WOW! All I can say is W-O-W-W-W! As in nothing could my lips articulate but the word W-O-W!
---
For most flick bigot the feeling of gruesome awe has way been buried six feet under but for me the awestruck emotion has just tempestuously encroached my intricate veins twitching to devour the entire vascular vessels within my median body.Forgive my verbosity for only a stratospherically wordy sentence can utterly construe the precise sensation I felt for this grandiosely morbid and amazingly gory picture show.
---
I'm not a fan of Quentin Tarantino and I have no idea of the previous three films he directed, however, I want to give him a standing ovation for his superb direction. The story and fight scenes of Kill Bill Vol.1 are not new to our movie gallery, yet, the touch of sophistication and effeminacy added a rather sensual thrill to the movie.
---
Kill Bill Volume 1 is an adaptation of a Japanese book entitled "The Bride". I have not read the book myself to stipulate a better review of the screenplay but with the way the story was narrated coupled with a rather fashionable editing I must say it's astounding.
---
The history of The Bride's vengeance is quite nebulous for us to comprehend her overwhelming hunger to slaughter the Deadly VIper Assassination Squad and where she draws her inner toughness and extra temerity in combatting. What's clear is that they massacred nine innocent people, took her daughter, and tried to murder her which they failed despairingly on the day of her wedding.
---
Waking up from a coma, The Bride is determined to avenge the horrendous fate she suffered from the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad: half Japanese-Chinese-American O-Ren Ishii(Lucy Liu), the Black girl Vernita Green(Vivica A. Fox), Bill's brother Budd(Michael Madsen), Elle Driver(Daryl Hannah), and the master assassin Bill(David Carradine). Four years of lying in the hospital bed made her legs numb; terrifically though thirteen hours of mind concentration and patience was all she need to get ready for butt-kicking action.
---
The film editing was quite impressive. The opening credit gave us a miniscule of an idea of what has happened. Moreover, the chapter-by-chapter script gave me a feeling of reading a virtual book or made me feel like watching a TV series. Take for instance the introduction of O-Ren Ishii's character, albeit knowing her history is not indispensable it at least gave us a background of why she became what she is; precisely why it way displayed in an animated screen. Showing Vernita Green's death in chapter 1 had me questioned why she was crossed-out second in The Bride's death list. But seeing the battle between O-Ren Ishii and her legion of disciples against The Bride explains it all.
---
In any action-packed films that I watch it's always the fight scenes that I look forward to. This time around I'm enormously thrilled with the way it was handled -- the way Thurman and Liu grip their swords, how Thurman twists and throws her Samurai around her opponents, and how parsimonious and chic she moves with her Samurai -- with only a great sensuality and touch of effeminacy added (including the one with Vernita Green) the overall battle was impeccable. Sure, there could be flaws but then again you'll miss the entertainment if you focus on them.
---
It's not all violence evincing there is, take the house wrecking brawl with Vernita Green. The action was gotten into a halt when her four-year-old daughter came in from school -- some scenes may not be suitable for young audiences. It was still a cunning part however -- at least to us.
---
There are also some points in the movie which I find funny and weird. First, The Bride and Vernita Green stopped fighting when the latter's daughter came home, in contrast to what I first said about it. Second, the animated part narrating O-Ren Ishii's grim past was a bit uncomfy although I understand why it has to be it. Third, the manner which the blood spritz out the bodies, feels like I'm pricking needles on a water bed. Fourth, the scene where she brawled with O-Ren Ishii's goons in the dark -- man, could that be real! Does she has nocturnal sight?! And finally when O-Ren Ishii apologized for ridiculing The Bride and when she said it is really an "Hatori Hanzon Sword" right before she fell to death.
---
The musical score and scenes at the opening credit alone gives you a dramatically morbid feeling even before you see the splattering crimson liquid. Cinematography is at its best while visual effects are impeccable. Wise pick for The Bride's yellow suit, it added a sensuality to her character rooted in vengeance. Few speaking lines contributed as well to the splendor of the film.
---
But there's still a lot more to unfold in Volume 2. What really was the reason of the massacre; how she became so invincible and fatal; and how she will find and KILL B-I-L-L. That we have to see in Kill Bill Volume 2.

Dead Poets' Society

I never saw any other sobersided film of Robin Williams (though I've seen their trailers) just those comic ones he had -I especially love Mrs.Doubtfire. But I must indispensably say that this is the most compelling, heartwarming and inspiringly sophic film he starred ever.

---

Williams is depicting the role of John Keating as the neoteric faculty of Welton Academy, a very conventional exclusive prep institution for boys. With his entrance to the academy he is wayward to make a difference and conquer the hearts of his students with his newfangled way of pedagogy. As a poetry pedagogue, he would like his students to not only plainly understand poetry rather discern that we are a poetry ourselves.

---

As the picture show runs on sagacious messages were imparted by Keating to his students. A couple of these are brilliantly steadfast. First, seize the days boys, make your lives extraordinary. It has been said time and time and again, too trite of a statement to forget. However, we don't take it by heart. We always live and act by what our social norms dictate us to do. We let the society control over our destiny when in fact William Ernest Henley veraciously told us in his poem Invictus that we are the captain of our ship and the master of our soul.

---

Second, we must constantly see things in a different way.....when you read don't strive to see what the authors think, see what you think of your own. Watching the boobtube a lot may be blunty to oneself for others but not for me for it is widely entertaining, informative and lesson-filled at the same time. There are several misfortunes that come along our wheel of fate; yet, we can always see the good seed in every adversity. It's just a matter of a sanguine outlook. A glass of water may be half empty but then again you can always see it as half full not half empty.

---

Much of the credit should go to the young casts. The story breathes an even colorful tale with the performances of the students who revived the long defunct group called the Dead Poets' Society with the inspiration of Mr.Keating who was himself the founder of the secret society.

---

The suspense heightened with the disapproval of Neil Perry's (Robert Sean Leonard) father to pursue his dream of becoming a theater actor. Adding to the scene is the courageous yet obnoxious request of Charlie Dalton (Gale Hansen) to the administration. Todd Anderson's coming out as played by Ethan Hawke is another deserving of noteworthiness moving from being timid and dumb to a self-assured individual with profuse self-esteem.

---

Of course, you can still expect witty one-liners from Williams like when he said that we don't read poetry because it's cute...we read poetry because we are a human race. And you have there the funny and sarcastic humors and gestures from the students' dialogues and actions.

---

More than the climax is the ending which gave a truly inspiring and heartbreaking scene. As the students have fully understood what is there to stand by your belief and believe that you can do what you want most in life if you willed through the wisdom of Mr.Keating.

---

Although the climax and denouement are loomed with a tragic touch and the movie weaved with with lines filled with trite statements, it is still deserving of lavish praise and approbation. The trite statements themselves are reasons enough to be worthy of auspicious eulogy for they are treasurable lessons we need to inculcate in our mind. The esential theme of the story is intemperancely cliched, liberal; yet, as I surmise it, more often than not, everybody agrees.

Chasing Liberty

Planning to watch the flick chasing liberty few weeks ago, I finally did. I almost thought of not buying a DVD and just save my money in my coin bank because it may disappoint me and regret watching just as I did to How To Deal. But thank God! It didn't fail me. It's a feel good and enjoyable movie- I, reviewing it is evident enough.

---

The movie, actually, has a very familiar tale. You know boy meets girl falling in love with each other, a daughter who's craving for freedom, and a father who is very protective to his daughter- very usual one. But what this hit appeals to me is the fact that it's a light romantic-comedy.
---

I prefer watching this kind of photoplay because lessons that can be taken here are very common yet, we do not learn and notice them in real life. These lessons are things we need to be reminded of. We already knew some of these, they only need to be reinvigorated in our mind so we'll know how to deal with life. Or if we don't know these, the movie does the job of evoking us the truth that they are apparently present within us. We only need to find them from our midst by the deepest understanding.
---

The story evolves around the daughter of the US President, Anna Foster played by Mandy Moore, who wants to experience total freedom even for just few days, since secret servicemen are surrounding her always for protection. Until one night, she had the chance to evade her annoying bodyguards taking a ride with an unknown English guy named Ben Calder (Matthew Goode)- without her knowledge that he's one of the secret service agents. Thus, with two other agents queuing them slyly, she's into a controlled freedom.
---

Along her taste of liberty, she experienced many a happy moments- having the time of her life in Prague, Venice, Austria, and Berlin- with the ruggedly handsome Ben. Along their adventure, they earned a lot of things about love and life. And accidentally, yet romantically, they gained little attraction which Anna fondly called little thing. Finally realizing that they have fallen in love with each other.
---

Anna is fond of living her life in theory. Among her theories that I kind agree are: if lying isn't always bad then telling the truth isn't always good, and if it's meant to be then it's going to be. Then there's one that really moves me oftentimes scary things are the most worthwhile in life. I couldn't agree more, there are a lot of things in life that we are so scared to do because we are afraid that they won't work or the results may not be the same as we expected. Yet, if only we try them we will see that they're worth it.
---

Ben, on the other hand, as he tells the story for his life, taught the valuable lesson of making the big gesture. At one point in our lives, we need to make major decision so as not to regret later on. We need to make a big gesture in favor of the persons dear to us or things that matter most in our heart if we don't want to lose a hold of them, forever.
---

Moreover, I learned the most valuable insight in this movie. Remember the two other agents following them? The guy agent invited the lady agent to take a peek at the wonderful Venice architecture, it looked like a mosque, and told her you need to take a peek at this so you can appreciate its beauty. With that statement, I learned that we worry too much about life that we forget to appreciate its beauty and wonder. We are too consumed by mundane problems that we fail to assess how much we have achieved and conquered. We remember not to count our blessings and how beautiful the life God endowed us.
---

At one point or the other, we are all connected. And this connection, if handled properly, will become a valuable relationship or moment that enables us to move on and sail our ship smoothly and safely even if adversities and hurdles try to clash us.

The Trip

"I never got the chance to say how much I love you."

-Alan Oakley (Larry Sullivan, Jr.)

Lack of effective communication has been and will remain to be the conspicuous impediment to any amazing and fruitful relationship. How many strenuous or even blossoming love stories have been profoundly damaged for even just a simple lie, inexpressed feeling or unsaid truth. And the only way to mend the broken arrow of the heart is to, probably, be true to oneself (cliche but utterly steadfast) with the acceptance that we have wronged someone we dearly love.

---

The romantic saga of Alan, a closeted young Republican, and liberal gay rights activist Tommy began in 1973 when they first met at the place of Peter, a very influential also closeted filthy rich man who secretly had an eye for Alan and later on the culprit of the couple's break up.

---

Things fell apart between them when, unknown to Alan, his book entitled The Straight Truth was published with Peter's persistence. The book doesn't tackle solely on the life of homosexuals rather the controversial issues of the evils of homosexuality. It didn't only hurt Tommy and the gay community but all the effort and rights he fought for were squandered; and it as well put into a halt their four year relationship.

---

The God of love played on them once again after seven years of hiatus. Tommy asked Alan to see him before he moves from Mexico to Texas. He is sick of AIDS and he'd like to spend the rest of his days at his parents'. They were unable to take the plane due to his obvious illness so it led them to take the road trip he was dying to take with Alan when they were still together.

On the road a lot of things happened and it gave them the chance to bond and savour all the moment they have together; after all it's a long long trip. Few hours before they enter Texas Tommy finally went into eternal slumber.

---

The film was amazing. Brilliant story, quirky casts and hillarious storylines. Albeit the weird hairstyles the casts donned were a bit disturbing it's rather forgivable since it is coherent to the time period the movie is depicting. The film overall exhibited a good job in all aspects like the editing, cinematography, story, most especially the direction and the acting was superb. Larry Sullivan shined like a germane actor considering that he's a down to the ground novice. Yet, it was Sirena Irwin who truly sparkled like diamonds in the film what with her funny one liners and witty outrageous acting. Moreover, the film is filled with witty humor and dialogues that will keep you rolling to the floor. And the moving love story will inspire you enormously and devastate you at the same time - you will cry and smile along with the characters.

---

Although the movie tackled politics specifically on homosexual controversies and the gay and lesbian rights, it is a complete departure from a stereotypical gay flicks that I've seen. It picturesquely illustrated its audience that life ain't a pen and paper that you can write whatever you want your life to go about; that in a relationship, even in a homosexual one, there will always be hurdles that need to be surmounted. Unexpected occurences and character differences will somehow challenge successful relationship. What you only have to remember is to always keep your cool, talk whatever misconstructions you have, face uncowardly all problem that may come, and accept whatever errs or pain you have or will have.

---

Surely, a homosexual romance is unlikely (or is it?) but like any heterosexual love stories we know of it is never disparate only the orientation is. If you ask me what is my stand on this controversy, I'll be telling you that I'm battling between my spiritual belief and emotional character. However, looking on the human perspective I'll be telling you that each individual has his own right to do whatever he wants to do so long as he keeps his feet touching the ground and not illicitly crossing on someone else's border.

---

Like in the case of Alan, if something or someone you like is right in front of you then don't let go of it anymore or you'll be sorry. If you have something important to tell to someone then hit it right at once before it's too late. Whatever flaws that may have run through your actions as long as you have soberly regretted it, apologized for it and given your love unconditionally to that person you have wronged then you'll be in tranquility and felicity.