SUBSCRIBERecently watched movies
Jarhead - Sam Mendes, 2005
It seems that Jake Gyllenhaal is quite busy these days. Another Jake starrer, Jarhead, a euphemism for the US marines, is not your typical war movie. While it is about the war in Iraq, a rather timely movie, just don’t expect to see intense fighting, suicide bombers, too much blood and the usual milieu. Instead, one learns that, really, being stationed there, if there’s just no action, its just darn boring. Countless hours, days, weeks, and even months of waiting, trying to be sane, worrying about wives and girlfriends screwing the just too friendly neighbor or buddy; enduring the scorching sun in the desert and tolerating the inanities of your superiors and fellow soldiers. But then, after you’ve gone through all of this, it just comes to an unexpected stop. The war ends, everybody is cheering and celebrating and you reflect, what is in store for me when I get back?
The New World - Terence Malick, 2005
Terence Malick of Thin Red Line! As much as I’ve admired his work in that movie, here he comes again with his fourth directorial job in 30 years (!) and its equally impressive. Its the story of Pocahontas (well, not really mentioned in this film but don’t expect a Disney style of the story) of colonization and really, of love between two people who, due to circumstances, must make choices. Just like Red Line, it is how Terence make his films that are both lyrical and poetic.
Watching the film, especially when the colonists arrived with their massive boats apparently shocking the natives made me think. The story may also be the same with what the early Filipinos experienced when the Spanish colonizers, first led by Ferdinand Magellan came and did to the Philipine Islands. Accepted, terrorized, colonized and made subjects of the Spanish King.
Syriana - Stephen Gaghan, 2005
A complex movie that delves into the realities of the United State’s role in the world stage especially that of the Middle East and ensuring its own interests are furthered. Starting off as a widely divergent story of different persona, roles, events and places that little by little, as the movie unfolds, these seeming disconnected episodes intertwine and come off in the end into a compeling climax. Based on the book by Bob Baer titled “See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA’s War on Terrorism,” its a worthy film that should be watched for those interested in the Middle East conflict, the interventionist nature of the US, the seeming important role of corruption, the murky issue of oil and greed as well as understanding why Islamic extremists abound and are nurtured to offer their lives. Its one hell of a conspiracy that rings true in today’s current events.
Brokeback Mountain - Ang Lee, 2005
Its more than just a “high altitude fuck,” as Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) said it. One of the controversial films that has tongues wagging and critics raving. But it’s a beautiful but tragic movie with great cinematography (stunning landscapes), music (by Gustavo Santaolalla it won for best musical score in the recent Oscars) and directing (Ang Lee bagged the coveted Best Director Award). A love story that developed between two sheep herders in the upper elevations of Brokeback Mountain, it explores the often suppressed emotions, yearnings, problems and sometimes, tragedies that happen in unconventional romantic relationships.
But at least, the sheep can heave a great sigh of relief 
