An awards show hypocrite

I admit it. When it comes to award shows I am a hypocrite. For example, I think the Grammys are meaningless, but I was happy when I heard that Tom Waits won for best contemporary folk album. I can't remember the last time I agreed with the academy awards best picture pick, but I still tune in every year.

That being said, here are the announced winners for the MMFF 2009, plus my comments.

Best Picture - Ang Panday

The MMFF is all about box office receipts, so I don't begrudge this choice. But somewhere in the back of my mind the ghost of awfulness is whispering, "Resiklo...Resiklo".

Best Actor - Sen. "Bong" Revilla (Ang Panday)

Huh? Really? I guess it is because of his full control of a single facial expression.

Best Actress - Sharon Cuneta (Mano Po 6)

This was a forgone conclusion. Not because she gave a great performance, I'll never know because I absolutely HATE the Mano Po series and I refuse to ever watch another one, it is because she has never won this award. Plus, she is so thoroughly entrenched in the establishment that she would have even won with a substandard performance.

Best Supporting Actor - Philip Salvador (Ang Panday)

Philip Salvador is one of my favorite actors, (just watch him in Jaguar, you can actually see his character thinking) but I fear that he is on the verge of becoming a cartoon of his former self. The same thing happened to Rod Steiger.

Best Supporting Actress - Heart Evangelista (Mano Po 6)

Heart is one of those actresses who is pretty beyond pretty, almost too pretty (see photo). However, I will never see her performance in this film (see Best Actress). Though I believe she is in the Dolphy film Nobody, Nobody but Juan, so I will be seeing her performance in that movie.

Best Director - Joel Lamangan (Mano Po 6)

This one just makes me angry! I wouldn't let this guy direct a grade school Xmas pageant. He is the most assembly-line, unimaginative, style-less director in the Philippines. The only mainstream director worse than him is Mac Alejandre, co-director of Ang Panday. If the Philippines wants its mainstream movies taken seriously they have to stop rewarding this man. Of course my rant is full of hyperbole, and there are a couple of Lamangan films I like, but best director? Come on. This makes it almost assured that there will be a Mano Po 7: A Fate Worse Than Death.

The answer is, "No"

The question, as posed by a Perez Hilton wannabe, "Has Dolphy lost his touch?"

The "article" is about the apparent poor box office showing of Philippines Comedy King Dolphy's latest movie Nobody, Nobody But Juan.

I'm not an expert on classic Pinoy comedy. I've watched very few, and what I have seen doesn't translate to English well.

I've seen a couple of Dolphy's films from the 50's, Hong Kong Holiday and Jack en Jill. Both feature a very wiry Dolphy built for physical comedy, and not just trip-over-my-pants physical, but body language physical. He even does a very good dance sequence in The Big Broadcast.

The only film I own from his 60's output is Napoleon Doble. In this movie you can see Dolphy as a leading man, and in a duel role as the crime boss. It may or may not be an important film in the Dolphy canon, but it does show him evolving as an actor.

Among his 70's films that I own my favorite is the Brocka directed film Ang Tatay Kong Nanay, in which he seems to revisiting his character created in Jack en Jill, 20 years later. By this time Dolphy is able to add depth to what is basically a stereotypical character. (20 years later he would return to this character in the drama Markova: Comfort Gay and would add more layers.)

Dolphy is now over 80 years old and still making films. Long gone are the pratfalls, but since he allowed himself to grow as an actor he remains a vital screen presence.

In 2008 he made the film Dobol Trobol with fellow comedian, Vic Sotto. This was basically a Vic Sotto movie, his director, his writers, his usual gang of co-stars. Dolphy just seemed to be along for the ride. The movie has very few laughs, and these are all supplied by Dolphy. What he lacks in physical ability he makes up with timing.

Back to the question: "Has Dolphy lost his touch?". The person asking this question seems to think box office = better comedy, success = quality. This is an extremely sad state of affairs and anyone who really feels that way is a shallow individual.

BTW, I noticed that NNBJ has earned as much or more at the box office, so far, as Mano Po 6. Does this mean that you will soon be writing about how Sharon Cuneta has lost her touch? Just asking.

Champ ‘direk’ gets starstruck

Champ ‘direk’ gets starstruck - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Pacman flick knocked out on first day

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20091226-244059/Pacman-flick-knocked-out-on-first-day

Fil-Am actor bares details of new John Sayles film - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Fil-Am actor bares details of new John Sayles film - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Favorite music (2009): Rock with a catchy melody

Both of these bands produce rock tunes with interesting lyrics and catchy melodies. One you may know, the other is worth seeking out.

Arctic Monkeys - "Humbug"

Archipelago - "Travel Advisory"

Favorite Albums (2009): Featuring dogs on the cover

"The Fall" - Norah Jones.

Usually, this is not my type of music, but my interest was peaked when I learned that the album was produced by Jacquire King, who has worked with Tom Waits, Modest Mouse, and Kings of Leon.

Also, I liked the fact that many long time Norah fans disliked this album. I guess they wanted more of the same.

"Normal as Blueberry Pie" - Nellie McKay

Nellie's salute to Doris Day. Nellie is smart enough to know that she can't match Doris's clear-as-a-bell voice and that many of these song are definitely products of another time, they have an innocence that doesn't play well in a cynical world. Her phrasing and great production make this one of my favorites this year. Plus, there is not a "Que Sera Sera" in sight.

Lola wins Best Feature Film at Dubai film fest

Lola wins Best Feature Film at Dubai film fest

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Poem written in December 2009: while thinking about a young Barbara Stanwyck

I am a kick stand poet

A walking stick wanderer

Held up by hope,

Skepticism, myth

My poems are grunts,

Shrugs, impatient glances

10 o'clock inspirations

6 o'clock fevers

False starts, photo finishes

Filipinas change the face of football

http://www.filipinopress.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103:filipinas-change-the-face-of-football&catid=38:nfl&Itemid=78

Do they make any good Xmas albums anymore?

I guess I'm a pretty jaded fellow when it comes to Xmas music. My preference is for 50's and 60's recordings. Albums by June Christy, Doris Day, Nat "King" Cole, and Don Ho fall into my idea of what a Xmas recording should be. Modern Xmas albums seem to be either parroting these recordings, trying unsuccessfully to drag naive songs into a cynical world, or creating new melody impaired carols filled with cliche lyrics. (It didn't help that a small group of people have been trying to shove Xmas down our throats during the last few years. I'm reminded of that line from the Simpsons, "Christmas is the one time of year when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.")

Surprisingly, there are a couple of modern Xmas CD's I love. The first is Chris Isaak's "Christmas". This is Chris at his crooning best, with a touch of country and rockabilly thrown in. This is the first time I've enjoyed the song "Rudolph" since I was a kid. I especially love the new songs written for this album.

The second CD is Petty Booka's "Christmas Everywhere". How can you not smile while listening to two Japanese girls sing Xmas music, while accompanying themselves with ukuleles? I love their version of "Christmas Island" and John Prine's "Christmas in Prison".

MMFF 2009: Waiting for the DVD

When I first saw the list of movies for this years Metro Manila Film Festival I felt exasperated. I could only name one movie that I wanted to see. The others just seemed like more of the same dreck they put out every year (I'm looking at you, Mother Lily). Here is this years list:

1. Mano Po 6 - I've never liked this series and I thought it died when #5 tanked at the box office. The only reason this one was made was because of the presence of Sharon Cuneta in the lead. With all due respect to Ms Cuneta, this series has always been abysmal and I don't see it turning around with #6, especially with an assembly-line director like Joel Lamangan. I enjoy his indie films, but his mainstream out put is so banal.

2. Ang Darling Kong Aswang - Why is it that as Vic Sotto gets older his leading ladies get younger? I have to decide, watch Cristine Reyes or skip it?

3. Ang Panday - Not a big fan of Bong Revilla, but I have a mild interest in this film.

4. I Love You Goodbye - The only movie I was initially interested in seeing. Laurice Guillen has directed some pretty good films, and the last time she worked with Angelica Panganiban they released the woefully under appreciated Santa Santita.

5. Shake Rattle & Roll XI - I keep hoping and hoping for something good to come from this series and it disappoints every time. Cross your fingers.

6. Nobody, Nobody But Juan - Dolphy is the only reason Dobol Trobol had any chuckles. Hopefully, this film features mostly Dolphy and very little Willie.

7. Wapakman - I'm interested to see how Manny spent his time training for Miguel Cotto.

Snow capped mountains north of Pasadena.

Just a few months ago they were covered by smoke and flame.

Gotham Girls Roller Derby 2009 Five Borough Furies Winners

Gotham Girls Roller Derby 2009 Five Borough Furies Winners

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Egg Harbor Township event gives roller derby B teams their shot - pressofAtlanticCity.com : Atlantic County

Egg Harbor Township event gives roller derby B teams their shot - pressofAtlanticCity.com : Atlantic County

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Favorite soundtrack (2009): Whip It

I really haven't been drawn to a lot of movies released this year. I've seen most of them at the 2nd run theater for $2 a pop. Unfortunately, if a film didn't show there I probably missed it.

Consequently I haven't heard many film soundtracks, not even the much ballyhooed "Where the Wild Things Are" soundtrack.

But, for some reason, I was drawn to the soundtrack of the movie Whip It. Okay, the reason was that women's roller derby is a guilty pleasure (Go Tough Cookies!). It contains many songs that I am familiar with: "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" by the Ramones, "Jolene" by Dolly Parton, I even enjoy .38 Special's "Caught Up in You". But the soundtrack also features artists I am not familiar with, that I now love, like "Pot Kettle Black" by Tilly and the Wall, and "What's the Attitude" by Cut Chemist. The only two songs that really don't click with me are "Hightimes" by Landon Pigg and a remix of the Chordettes song "Lollipop", I hate 99% of remixes and I've never liked the song "Lollipop".

But these songs have little affect on my enjoyment with this soundtrack and I look forward to the DVD release of this movie.

Closing the "Dollhouse"

I have to admit that this show never really lived up to its potential. I watched it loyally because I am a huge Elisha Dushku fan, and I trusted that Josh Whedon would eventually turn the show around.

Well, I've learned that the show has been canceled. The first indication of this is when FOX didn't air any episodes during sweeps. But I can't really blame them. I feel that they gave the show plenty of time to get its legs, unlike "Firefly".

However, last night they aired what I believe to be the two best episodes the series has produced so far. And a large part of the credit goes to the addition of Summer Glau as a vengeful and cutely quirky scientist named Bennett.

Ah well, at least FOX is allowing Whedon to give the show some closure, unlike the CW's terrible treatment of "Reaper", which ended on a cliffhanger that will probably never be resolved.

2009 Favorites: Live performances

Patton Oswalt's "My Weakness is Strong" is the kind of humor that gives me a deep chuckle. The kind that vibrates your insides.

"Glitter and Doom" is a great record of one of Tom's infrequent live tours.

I can't believe I missed this!

November 28th was the birthday of one of my favorite actresses, Gloria Grahame. Though I did watch her in the noir film A Woman's Secret. It was on the set of that movie where she met her future husband, Director Nicholas Ray.

And while this particular film is pretty fluffy, Gloria is wonderful.

Start playing Xmas music.......now

There are no famous songs on June Christy's "This Time Of Year". The only song that gets ANY play is "The Merriest". And that is the reason I love this album. They are all original songs composed by Arnold Miller and Connie Pearce, and arranged by the great Pete Rugolo. No "Jingle Bells, no "White Christmas", and NO "Twelve Days of Christmas".

New Thanksgiving Day Football Tradition

Does the NFL think that we are all sadists? Do they think we love watching the sorry, toothless Lions get tamed year after year?

So far the only competitive football game this weekend was in the Lingerie Football League, as the Los Angeles Temptation beat the Seattle Mist, 26 to 20. Maybe the NFL should give turkey day a rest and move over for the LFL.

Glitter & Doom

Hurrah! Tom Waits "Glitter & Doom" is available today! Turn it up! Pound the Walls!

Struggle & Mind

This is not a review of the Peque Gallaga's film Agaton & Mindy, rather it is my interpretation (or misinterpretation) of the title and its relationship to the film.

When I first saw the title of this film the name "Agaton" reminded me of the Greek word "Agon", which means contest or struggle. Agon is also the title of a ballet written by Stravinsky and choreographed by Balachine. It just so happens that the story for this film involves the relationship between two young dancers. Coincidence? Read the book.

As far as "Mindy" goes, a simple dropping of the Y gives us "Mind". I never claimed to be an intellectual.

Both of these characters seem to be struggling with their thoughts. Mindy suffers from depression and creates a rather tragic fantasy life. And whenever reality breaks through to she becomes almost suicidal.

Agaton is consumed with thoughts of his abandonment. And is obsessed with finding his parents, which leads to a confrontation with his birth mother in which she denies him. While such reality would crush Mindy it seems to strengthen Agaton.

In the end, with his struggle mostly behind him, he attempts to reach Mindy's mind.

This is a very basic interpretation and there is a lot more going on in this film than I can grasp at the moment. Still I have to say that I enjoyed it. In fact, I prefer Peque Gallaga's films that concern relationships. Films like Oro, Plata, Mata, Scorpio Nights, and Diliryo are all built around young lovers. None of those relationships ended well, but Agaton & Mindy's fate is left open. Maybe Peque is getting sentimental in his old age.

I feel bad for the NY Majesty

A little over mid way through the telecast of the NY vs Miami LFL game (Final: Miami 49, NY 7) they showed footage of the NY coach berating his players in the halftime locker room. Basically he was telling them that they weren't playing with any passion.

Look, I don't want to point fingers, but I feel that passion isn't the problem with the Majesty. Just by comparing them to their opponent you could see the problem. Miami acted like a professional, well organized, well practiced team, NY looked like a sandlot team, making up plays as the game went along.

It's not that NY lacks talent. QB Krystal Gray is a passionate, if a bit undisciplined, player. And Nicole Stanley is a fantastic all around athlete. But they need a coach that will teach them to focus, to bring professionalism to the team. They don't need an out of control maniac. Teach, don't preach.

Guilty pleasure #22

Jollibee's Regular Tocino Breakfast.

The Indescribable Wow

Let's face facts. I love pop music. As a child I was a fan of the bubblegum pop from the Archies and the Jackson Five. Catchy tunes sung with high energy.

As an adult I still love catchy tunes, but I need clever lyrics to go with them.

This weeks vinyl rediscovery is Sam Phillip's 1989 LP "The Indescribable Wow".

As far as I can tell, TIW was the only vinyl release of Sam Phillips, though she did release four LPs during her christian pop career as Leslie Phillips.

It is a wonderful collection of 60's influenced pop that holds up pretty well twenty years later.

http://samphillips.com/

Johnny Delgado films available on DVD (with English subtitles)

If you get a chance, check out these DVDs that feature the great Johnny Delgado. Not all of them are great films, but Johnny is always wonderful to watch.

Johnny Delgado succumbs to cancer

This is really sad news. Johnny Delgado was a great actor.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20091119-237196/Actor-Johnny-Delgado-succumbs-to-cancer

Sanglaan wins 2 awards in Lyon Film Fest

http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=9190

A new poem (influenced by Hogarth and others)

The comfort room is within reach

Our founding father's pride

And fill the everlasting swirl

With cunning beast-like eyes

A journey past the paper door

A walking figure's cane

A punishment discreetly changed

A purpose. Hidden pain

An arm held tight against its host

Warmed by blood and anger

Tricked by words and gentle hands

And kisses that will linger

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Terry Gilliam's last few movies have made me a little leary about seeing this film. But I just discovered that Tom Waits will be appearing in this film as a character called "Mr. Nick". Basically, he is playing the Devil (Ol' Nick). Now you have my attention.

Lookee what I won on ebay philippines

When I first started to listen to OPM back in the late 80's this was one of my favorite cassettes. Eventually I purchased it in on CD. And now I have won the LP on ebay Philippines, along with two other LPs which I will list later. Coritha was innovative in her use of native Filipino instruments in her folk music and was part of a socially conscious, nationalistic movement in music during the late 70's and early 80's, along with Asin and Freddie Aguilar.

Coritha is still politically active and you can find new music on her website http://www.coritha.com/ .

Guilty pleasure #9 (in no particular order)

Lingerie Football League.

Krystal Gray is a very passionate player on a bad team, the New York Majesty. I saw her play in the game against Philly and even though NY was beaten 40 to 6, Ms Gray showed just how competitive she is. I consider her to be the Tim Tebow of the LFL. Now she has been suspended for one game. Too bad.

http://lflus.com/blog/?p=757

Where do we go from here?

This week's vinyl spinning on my turntable is The Band's "Cahoots". This LP includes some of my favorite songs and some of my least favorites. When I visited my local independent record shop (yes, they still exist) I wanted to pick up "Stage Fright", but "Cahoots" seemed to calling my name. So "SF" will have to wait for another time.

"Cahoots" seems to have aged pretty well, with themes that could fit into this modern world.

My favorite lyrics include:

"We're all in the same boat ready to float off

the edge of the world.

The flat old World." - Life is a Carnival

"Sailin' round the world in a dirty gondola.

Oh to be back in the land of Coca Cola." - When I Paint My Masterpiece

"Where do we go from here? I ask my woman.

Where do we go from here? Oh woman my woman.

...she said 'nowhere'." - Where Do We Go from Here?

"I was thinkin' out loud.

Talking to myself.

I was up on a cloud.

There was nobody else." - Thinkin' Out Loud

I think the mixture of cynicism and fear of the future is why I'm drawn to this particular LP. My life lately has been such a mix, but I am ever the optimist. The final answer is in "Where Do We Go from Here?":

"Where do we go from here? I hear from no one.

"Where do we go from here? Could you tell me someone?

...I'd go anywhere."

This weeks must read

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23679

I'm pulling for the "Visitors"

Okay, I haven't made up my mind if I will watch the 2nd episode of "V" tonight, but if I do I will be pulling for the Visitors. The humans in this show are pretty unpleasant. They are either whiners, sad sacks, or opportunists. Not a good showing humans.

Plus, I have a real problem with a show that embraces the conspiracy theories of David Icke, many of which border on racism.

New poem

Closure
Shatter Sharpened
Cracked reflection reversed
Fist to flame
Battled hard, bartered home
Origin

Lori Earley

I love these types of portraits. Please check out her website.

http://www.loriearley.com/home/

Travel Advisory

I picked up this CD a few weeks ago. I must admit that I was attracted to the cover art, but the music is pretty good too. I have to give it a few more listens before I make any definitive judgement. Check out this article on the group:

http://myxph.com/tabid/333/a/1195/Archipelago-s-Travel-Advisory-.aspx

More vinyl reissues

Capital has reissued many of Frank Sinatra's 50's recordings on LP. Here is my favorite, "In the Wee Small Hours".

Broken Bicycles: Adventures in vinyl

I consider "One from the Heart" to be a coda for Tom Waits 70's output. It really is a lovely soundtrack and should have won the Oscar that year.

One flaw is the use of Crystal Gayle. It's not that she can't sing, she has a very sweet voice, but she doesn't have that loved-and-lost edge that this music requires.

The soundtrack has just been reissued on vinyl, which I believe adds to the warmth of these songs.

Following the previous post

I forgot to leave a comment about the photo attached with my last post. It is a picture of the wonderful, young filipina actress Mercedes Cabral. She has appeared in a couple of Filipino indie films, Kinatay and Serbis. She also has a part in the Korean vampire film Thirst, which will be released on November 17th. Check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/Thirst-Park-hwan/dp/B002P7UCJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1257520001&sr=1-1

Egads! I write poetry

This poem was influenced by Edgar Allen Poe's "The Conqueror Worm". I've loved Poe's work ever since junior high.

Heaped upon the ice flow proper

A less than stellar bulb

And windowless within its nest

The satin island bilge

Alas! Alas! Catastrophe!

Collecting copper coins

Conducting with a wooden spoon

My symphony of toys

You may wonder, on one hand

Poking at the coals

Fearing less the lamang-lupa

Mining more the nose

Ulorin Vex

This topic is a bit of an anomaly for me. Ulorin Vex is a model, though her name, and appearance, remind me more of a visitor from another solar system. And since I will probably never meet her and interview her I will stick by that assumption.

Her photos should be viewed while listening to Emelie Autumn and Zolar X.