Rough Groove

The new look of simbahan.net

Following in the heels of two major theme redesign of Langyaw and Binary Silver, I’ve now updated my simbahan.net blog. Like Langyaw, I’m using Michael Jubel’s great magazine style theme arthemia2. Its an elegant work that compares well to premium themes or even much better.

The changes I’ve implemented is the same but I’ve also modified the number of categories that can be accommodated at the browser bar from five to eight. I’ve also switched to another color for the links. The footer has also been edited with the center column made widget ready by removing the “most commented.” One last thing, trackbacks are now separated from the comments section and is now cleaner and organized.

The next few days will be spent finetuning the site by adding some adsense ads, google search and some other widgets. With three blogs already redesigned, Rough Groove (this blog) will be next but not immediately.

The just concluded Cinemanila 2007

It seems that this year’s just concluded Cinemanila International Film Festival was better organized and a departure from the previous years. Notable is the presence of Quentin Tarantino who received his Lifetime Achievement Award and added additional color to the festivities. Second, all events in Metro Manila was held in Gateway Mall in Cubao. Schedules are posted and printed on time and their website actually was informative unlike in 2005. Of course, the festival director, Tikoy Aguiluz (photo at left) should be credited for the commendable improvements.

However, I was only able to watch 4 films and a workshop: Cinematography workshop by Nap Jamir (Maximo Oliveros), Raya Martin’s Autohystoria, the Palm d’Or 2007 winner 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, No Regret and Shotgun Stories. Blame it on the incessant rains and far venue that I was only able to watch the above.

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Autohystoria – Raya Martin, 2007

I’ve been raring to watch a Raya Martin work one time or the other after reading so much about this young director but haven’t really been able to do so. I missed Indio Nacional in a filmfest last year and even with an invite via flickr mail by Direk for a Monday screening at the UP Film Center a few weeks ago, I wasn’t able to go there.

Yes, his movies are not mainstream and are usually accessible only during film festivals here or abroad or screenings at UP Diliman which is another planet for me.

Thanx to Cinemanila, I finally was able to see his work Autohystoria which won the Lino award grand prize for the Digital Lokal category as well as Best Director when it was shown again on the last day of the festival.

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9th Cinemanila International Film Festival

Hot on the hills of the successful Cinemalaya that ended last 29 July, movie enthusiasts will again be treated to another smorgasbord of movies When the 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival will happen this 8 – 19 August 07 at the Gateway Mall.

One of the highlights will be the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award (is he already that old?) of Quentin Tarantino, the famed director of Pulp Fiction.

Other than that, Dante Mendoza’s Foster Child  as well as the 2007 Palm d’Or winner, Cristian Mungiu’s 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days will be screened.

It seems, that the film festivals are already acoming. Expect to have Pelikula not to be far behind.

Screened movies during Cinemanila 2005

After much confusion in the schedule of Cinemanila, I was at last able to view great movies when it had its showing at the Greenbelt 1 in Ayala, Makati after the festival itself. These are the movies that I was able to watch.

Kakushi Ken Oni no Tsume (Hidden Blade) – Yoji Yamada
Don’t think that this is another samurai movie with lots of blood and gore. Tom’ Cruise’s Last Samurai comes to mind here but as told from the point of a Japanese samurai from a lower caste (I’ve never thought that in old Japan, the caste system is widely practiced until I saw this movie). Both films are set during the time of Japan embracing western ideas of war both in tactics, materiel and concept.

Its all about keeping one’s honor, love, obedience and change. And in the end, its following one’s heart.

Clean – Olivier Assayas
Maggie Cheung has always captivated me especially in her roles under Wong Kar-Wai’s 2046 and In the Mood for Love. Here, she’s again showing off that talent as a trilingual has been rockstar. A deftly played role deserving of the Best Actress accolade in Cannes of 2004. The movie is not about drugs, but the change of one woman from an egotistical musician to one who, losing custody of her only son come clean and prove that she’s worthy and capable of taking back her child.

Its a wonderful movie.

The President’s Last Bang – Im Sang-soo
Hmm, a Korean movie. The first time I’ve watched one was, I admit, a bit cheesy, Sassy Girl when a friend brought a copy. This was followed by a horror film (I forgot the title) but the cinematography was just good. Then came Arahan that, while it is fascinating, it was just like those hi-tech, hi-flying with lots of computer effects Chinese movies.

Now comes this one. Its a bit gory especially the murder scenes but its a bit of a refresher to watch something different from the commercial Korean flicks. A black satire depicting the assassination of president Park Chung-hee in 1979, it was said to have been very controversial in Korea when it was shown there. However, the detailness of recounting the events on that dark night seemed to have higly contrasted to the turn of events after.

Whale Rider – Niki Caro
Based from the novel of Witi Ihimaera, this film by Niki Caro is bound to delight film enthusiasts as well as feminists alike. In a patriarchal society wherein the men are always considered to lead the community, its not often that a strong-willed, capable girl, relegated by her grandpa will become the anointed one. A powerful and mystical movie that is not only carried high by great acting and an exciting storyline but the mere fact that its about the Maori, their traditions, beliefs and identity, which is not often depicted is a also a come-on. While I’m no stranger to the Maoris, my idea of them, however is a bit hazy. This movie shows off their rich culture.