Rough Groove

Fahrenheit 9/11 - Michael Moore

I rushed to SM Davao yesterday to watch this film by Michael Moore. Awarded the Palm d’Or at the recent Cannes film festival, it has generated much controversy in the United States and the world. Not so much that this is an anti Bush film but it presents what might be underlying reasons for the senseless war in Iraq to questioning the competency of George Bush to lead the United States. And to think about the business as well as personal interests of the people cheering this war. A must see. A new addition to my favorite films.

Movies

I love movies. To cite a few of my favorites:

“In the Mood for Love” by Wong Kar Wai
“The Matrix” and “LOTR” Trilogies
“Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers” by Zhang Yimou
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” by Ang Lee
“Y Tu Mama Tambien” by Alfonso Cuaron
“Fight Club” by David Fincher
“Lola Rennt” (Run Lola Run) by Tom Tykwer
“Farewell My Concubine” by Chen Kaige
“21 Grams” by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
“The Others” by Alejandro Amenabar
“Cyrano de Bergerac” by Jean-Paul Rappeneau
“Schindler’s List” by Steven Spielberg
“City of God” by Fernando Meirelles and
films by Lino Brocka and the new crop of Filipino directors like Jeffrey Jeturian (”Bridal Shower”) and Yam Laranas (”Radyo”)

Others to follow

Zugvoegel - Peter Lichtefeld and Lola Rennt - Tom Tykwer

The German Film Festival opened in Greenbelt 1 for a two day film fest showcasing 4 films as part of the German Month 2004. “Zugvoegel” (Trains n’ Roses) by Peter Lichtefeld was a rather warm romantic comedy but slow paced compared with “Lola Rennt” (Run Lola Run) by Tom Tykwer. Both films are love stories but I liked the latter more. Its funny and unique way of presentation: three way of telling the same story with each having a premise of “what ifs” with Fate playing a role appealed to me.

House of Flying Daggers - Zhang Yimou

21 October, I was off to SM Megamall to catch the screening of Zhang Yimou’s film “The House of Flying Daggers” China’s entry for the foreign film category for the Oscars and a film that received raves in Cannes. I was planning of watching it the day before but Reena’s invitation to watch Bond was just too good that I couldn’t just pass it off. I arrived at the mall by taking the MRT from Ayala to Shaw.

Ahh, its good to watch Zhang Ziyi again with her radiant beauty and great talent. I have been following her since I saw her in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and am looking forward to see her again in Wong Kar Wai’s “2046.” And back to the movie, Zhang Ziyi’s grace, well choreographed fight scenes, stunning cinematography and wonderful talents made this one a great movie. I was much impressed in the “Echo Game,” and the bamboo grove fight scenes. Really wonderful. Really great.