Hiatus

I'll be gone for 2 weeks. Need to finish stuff.

If I Didn't Care

OK so why do I find myself obsessed with this song again?

Decade in Review: 2008's Bests

Ummm. I will not be writing that much about this films. I just did this last year. I changed the ranking a lot.

15. Happy Go Lucky (Directed by Mike Leigh) 14. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Directed by Woody Allen) 13. Serbis (Directed by Brillante Mendoza) 12. The Reader (Directed by Stephen Daldry) 11. In Bruges (Directed by Martin McDonough)

10. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Directed by Peter Sollett
A rise above from all the stupid teen flicks that had been surfacing all over.

9. The Wrestler
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Honest, real, and heart breaking.

8. Wall-E
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Pixar's Finest!

7. Daybreak
Directed by Adolf Alix Jr.
Gay "Before Sunset", real, heart breaking.

6. The Fall
Directed by Tarsem Singh
Arresting, beautiful, imaginative visual masterwork.

5. Reprise
Directed by Joachim Trier
Fast, intelligent cinematic treat.

4. Rachel Getting Married
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Fun, dynamic, lively yet engrossing, intriguing and different family drama.

3. Let the Right One In
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
The vampire movie of all time.

2. The Class
Directed by Laurent Cantet
Documentary like French language crash course training. Smart in every way possible.

1. Love of Siam
Directed by Chukiat Sakveerakul
A little soapy, but sincere and moving young love story.

2008 RacsO Awards

Film: Love of Siam
Director: Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In)
Actor: Mario Maurer (Love of Siam)
Actress: Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky)
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Supporting Actress: Gina Pareno (Serbis)
Original Screenplay: Chukiat Sakveerakul (Love of Siam)
Adapted Screenplay: François Bégaudeau, Robin Campillo and Laurent Cantet (The Class)
Cinematography: Roger Deakins and Chris Menges (The Reader)
Film Editing: Tomas Alfredson and Daniel Jonsater (Let the Right One In)
Art Direction: Catherine Martin (Australia)
Original Song: "Togeher" (Love of Siam)
Original Score: Nico Muhly (The Reader)
Costume: Patricia Field (Sex and the City The Movie)
Sound Mixing: Wall-E
Sound Effects: Wall-E
Visual Effects: Sunshine
Make-Up: The Dark Knight

Decade in Review: 2007's Bests

15. Away From Her (Directed by Sarah Polley) 14. Black Snake Moan (Directed by Craig Bewer) 13. Lust, Caution (Directed by Ang Lee) 12. No Country for Old Men (Directed by Coen Brothers) 11. Ratatouille (Directed by Brad Bird)

10. Tirador
Directed by Brillante Mendoza
Brillante Mendoza started his winning streak (at least for me) in 2007. This jigsaw story of life in the Philippine slums defies linear story telling but it was gripping nevertheless.

9. A Mighty Heart
Directed by Michael Winterbottom
It took me quite some time to get to like this but as time progressed I grew very fond of it. The more I think about it, the more I like it. I really did not mind Jolie's starfuck status because she really was very good.

8. Zodiac
Directed by David Fincher
Before Fincher made the crap about an old baby aging to become young, Fincher created on of the best crime dramas of the decade. It was a thrill ride all through out. I found myself playing detective as well.

7. Grindhouse
Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino
This twofer grindhouse homage movie is a treat and one of the most fun movies of 2007. Rodriguez zombie gorefest is a laugh out loud fun but it was Tarantino's all talk and thrilling ride from hell that made this experience perfect. Girl Power!

6. Tambolista
Directed by Adolf Alix Jr.
Adolf Alix's story of two brothers and a close friend that lead to a rather bloody end was one of Alix's prime movies of the decade. Thus cementing his place as one of the best Filipino directors working.

5. I'm A Cyborg But That's OK
Directed by Park Chan Wook
I do not know where Park Chan Wook gets his ideas from. This asylum love story was in every bit original, quirky, nuts and trivial at parts but it is the kind of confusion that you welcome with open arms.

4. Endo
Directed by Jade Castro
One of the most original indie Filipino films ever put to screen this decade. It is somewhat groomed for commercial consumption but I do not mind because it really is very good. Ina Feleo in a rousing breakthrough

3. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Directed by Chrisitan Mungui
A story that appears deceptively simple yet covered many issues (abortion on top of that) was effortlessly put together to come up with a very gripping and real story. It's like we are watching things unfold in front of our eyes and we can't do anything but watch.

2. Atonement
Directed by Joe Wright
A story of how a liar brat kid could ruin the love and life of two individuals was Joe Wright's superb sophomore effort. It was beautiful in all aspects and it was heartfelt and infuriating. That kid!

1. Once
Directed By John Carney
This for me is one of the best musical's ever made, not only this decade but of all time. It is truly one of a kind. This movie got me from the first note alone. A true gem, small in look, but is a giant among other films.

2007 RacsO Awards

Film: Once
Director: Christian Mungui (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days)
Actor: Sid Lucero (Selda)
Actress: Ina Feleo (Endo)
Supporting Actor: James Marsden (Enchanted and Hairspray)
Supporting Actress: Saoirse Ronan (Atonement)
Original Screenplay: Christian Mungui (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days)
Adapted Screenplay: Christopher Hampton (Atonement)
Cinematography: Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood)
Film Editing: Peter Christelis (A Mighty Heart)
Art Direction: Jack Fisk (There Will Be Blood)
Original Song: "Falling Slowly" (Once)
Original Score: Dario Marianelli (Atonement)
Costume: Jacquelline Durran (Atonement)
Sound Mixing: Once
Sound Effects: No Country for Old Men
Visual Effects: Sunshine
Make-Up: La Vie En Rose

Short RacsOview: "Pontypool" (2009)

Intriguing horror movies are very nowadays and 2009 in fact gave us a rather weak offering of horror movies. "Paranormal Activity" is not as good as they say it is. I wish to see something like Ti West's "The House of the Devil". But "Pontypool" comes and gives the genre a fresh new way to look at zombie films. "Pontypool" is about a group of people working in a radio station when something bizarro happened to a place near where the radio station was. Some kind of virus is spreading and it is turning people to zombies. But how did they get the virus? Watch it! It is a smart little film, and like I said, it is a new way of looking at the whole Zombie horror genre. Smart, creepy, funny and gory fun. Watch "Pontypool" when you get the chance.

B+

2009 Golden Globes

Will be late live blogging. Not feeling well. Will be just inserting small sentences or phrases. Anyways

Predictions Film: Avatar / (500) Days of Summer Actor: Clooney / Gordon Levitt Actress: Bullock / Streep Director: Bigelow Screenplay: Up in the Air Supporting: Mo'Nique / Waltz Foreign Film: The White Ribbon
Animated Film: Up Song: Crazy Heart Score: Up And I am hoping for the best for "Mad Men", "Modern Family" and "Glee"

Best Supporting Actress (Movie): Mo'Nique (Precious)
Duh! She is gonna bag this. I think she was great too. Too cartoon though. I think. That's just me.

Best Actress (TV - Comedy): Toni Collette (United States of Tara)
Best Supporting Actor (TV): John Lithgow (Dexter)
I have got to go back and watch this series again...

Best Animated Film: Up
Two better animated films are there: Coraline and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Up was great but it is not Pixar's best.

Best Actor (TV - Drama): Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Now I really have to see this one again... John Hamm will never ever win.

Best Actress (TV - Drama): Juliana Margulies (The Good Wife)
Meh

Best Original Song: "Weary Kind" (Crazy Heart)
Very deserving!

Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino (Up)
Good choice here.

Best Miniseries/TV Movie: Grey Gardens

Best Actress (Comedy/Musical): Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia)
Meryl Streep is gonna win the damn oscar! If she does not I will kill our neighbors.

Best Actor (Miniseries TV Movie): Kevin Bacon (Taking Chances)
Best Actress (Miniseries TV Movie): Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens)
Best Screenplay (Movie): Up in the Air
I think it was well written. So I guess this is an OK win. But I would go for Tarantino's fine fine work in Inglourious Basterds.

Best Foreign Language Film: THE WHITE RIBBON
MOTHERFUCKING HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

Best Drama Series: MAD MEN
Can I get another HELL YEAH!!!!

Best Supporting Actress (TV): Chloe Sevigny (Big Love)
This should have gone to Jane Lynch. But Sevigny is great. But she is a walking curtain.

Best Supporting Actor (Movie): Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
One helluva performance. This is a great win. He looks like Mortensen in "The Road"

Best Director (Movie): James Cameron (Avatar)
OH MY GOD. Weird that he stole this from Bigelow. I think Locker is a better film. Avatar diminishes in my eyes as I see it often. But Tarantino owns this award

Best Comedy Series: GLEE!
I am jumping with Glee! But Modern Family? PLease?

Best Film (Comedy/Musical): The Hangover
Fuck! I did enjoy it. But this win is just fuck! (500) Days of Summer was miles better than this. Fuck. FUCK. FUCK!

Best Actress (Movie - Drama): Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
OK I am starting to be bewildered. It is a charming movie and a charming performance but I do not get why is she winning anything for this performance? MULLIGAN should HAVE WON!

Best Actor (Movie - Comedy/Musical): Robert Downey Jr (Sherlock Holmes)
The award show winners are turning out to be those who were in movies that raked big bucks. The ouch winners are coming right after the other. Oh my. Now this? Levitt or Damon should have won. Especially Levitt. This is his award.

Best Actor (Movie - Drama): Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
OK now I am convinced that he is going to win that long overdue Oscar.

Best Film (Drama): Avatar
OK. Avatar poses a threat in the Oscar. A major threat now than before. It is the Blockbuster Golden Globes night. Suck Suck Suck. But that said. This is a great film. Not that sad. But I wish they could have twisted it more with "Inglourious Basterds". Anyways. Back to being sick again.

Supporting Actress Blogathon: Mailes Kanapi as Two Bitchy Bosses

When I saw that the the supporting actress blogathon will be on this year, I was pretty much decided that I wanted to do a write up on Mailes Kanapi. She has been in several movies last year and she was her usual superb self. She may not be leads in the movies that she was in but no one can deny the fact that it was her character that you would remember the most. She sizzled, and chews the scenes, putting the limelight to her, elevating the movie and making her mark despite limited time.

Mailes Kanapi was in two bitchy boss roles the last year. The first one in 2008 but 2009 released Cinemalaya entry "My Fake American Accent" and the other in 2009 released Cinemalaya entry "Mangatyanan".

Kanapi played Joanna Seva in the call center movie "My Fake American Accent". She was the team leader who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals of being the head of the best team in their company. When I said stop at nothing I mean STOP AT NOTHING. She bribed, she dominates, she tongue lashes, she headbutts everything that needs to be done she DOES. Tricky about this role is that it was written and somewhat designed to become caricature. A comic relief. But Mailes Kanapi's genius made the character someone you would hate with uber bitchiness but in the end you would just end up loving her. Despite Seva being a queen bitch it was just her facade, she was still a mom. Not only to her daughter but to her team. A Miranda Priestly lite mother looking out for her cubs but still eyes for her goals.

What made her character lovable was that Kanapi made her human, in the end you end up connecting with her the most. And after the movie, it was Ms. Seva that lingers in your head, and makes you want to see more of her. This is the first time that I saw Kanapi ever on screen but from then on I know that whatever she does, I will see.

So in comes her second movie of 2009 a Jerold Tarrog directed movie "Mangatyanan". Once again she played the role of a bitchy boss but a tamed one and a more approachable one than her previous bitchy boss role. Mailes Kanapi played the role of the Queen, the head of a magazine firm, I think. She had very little time to play in this movie compared to "My Fake American Accent" but still she made an impression that lasted throughout the movie. I think (that got verified when I saw the DVD commentary of the movie) that she improvised more than she was given in her script and I think that it paid off. Her one liners hit the mark spot on and you would just end up wanting to see if you would get to see her again. The "Inggo" line cracked me up a lot.

Two supporting roles, two almost the same roles, two bitchy bosses, one actress:

Mailes Kanapi. Best Supporting Actress of 2009

Supporting Actress Blogathon....

So later on I will be making my entry for the Supporting Actress Blogathon up there at StinkyLulu. I am pretty decided months ago who I will do a write up on....


... See you in a bit.

RacsOview: "Bright Star" (2009)

I can not believe that I forgot to review this before. Anyways.

Before seeing "Bright Star" I had these questions...

• Can Jane Campion really make a comeback? Every work of hers post "The Piano" were kinda duds in their own ways. I am itching to see her get back to her usual great self.
• Can Abbie Cornish really act? After seeing her in "Candy" opposite Heath Ledger, I am a firm believer that she is a great actress. But post "Candy" I am not sure about her.
  
• Is Ben Whishaw at least a good actor? He was kinda great in "I'm Not There" but I barely saw him in there. I wish to see more if he is good.
• Can you really love a movie that much?

After seeing "Bright Star" these are my answers...

• YES. This is the comeback that we have all been waiting from her. It is a triumph! I think I am alone when I say that they are handing the first ever best director Oscar for a woman to the wrong woman. They should give it to Campion.
  
• YES. Abbie Cornish is a SUPERB actress. I can not believe that she is not getting any awards traction for this.
  
• YES. Whishaw is all sorts of wonderful. It is not your usual Oscar fare but that does not mean it is not a great performance. In fact I believe that his work is better than those critics are going gaga over.
  
• motherfracking HELL YEAH! I LOOOOOVEEEE "Bright Star". You all know that I am a huge fan of costume period dramas and Campion going back to what she does best has done it again.

Now I have these questions...

• Where the fuck is the love for "Bright Star"?
• Can it get other Oscar nods other than costume design?
• Will Abbie Cornish take the last spot in the best actress race?
• Will Ben Whishaw silently take a spot in there? something that I highly doubt that would happen
• Will Greig Fraser's stunning-ly beautiful work get noticed?

And I have this statement...

OSCAR. TAKE NOTICE. PLEASE. BRIGHT STAR IS A MASTERPIECE.

A+

Decade in Review: 2006's Bests

15. A Prairie Home Companion (Directed by Robert Altman) 14. Three Times (Directed by Hous Hsiao-hsien) 13. The Painted Veil (Directed by John Curran) 12. Indland Empire (Directed by David Lynch) 11. Marie Antoinette (Directed by Sofia Coppola)

10. Superman Returns
Directed by Brian Singer
This movie I think is the best superhero movie of the decade. I know many will disagree, I don't care. I really loved it. It felt biblical at times but I do not mind it at all, it was a visual treat. A popcorn film that actually really is worth the price of many buckets of popcorn.

9. Brick
Directed by Rian Johnson
This modern day noir by Rian Johnson starring Joseph Gordon Levitt was one of those movies that you really have to pay close attention to the dialogue or else you would be missing some. "Brick" played with my mind but not that much, I feel like I was Levitt solving the crime as I go along.

8. The Fountain
Directed by Darren Arronofsky
This story that breaks time barriers and my logic is a very personal piece. I felt every emotion in it and I was touched. It was about letting go but surely I could not let go of this film. It is just breathtaking.

7. Volver
Directed by Pedro Almodovar
Pedro Almodovar never fails to impress me, and he along with Penelope Cruz sizzled in 2006. It was a celebration of women and I was in the crowd cheering, dancing and celebrating. Now would anyone please kiss me like Penelope did.

6. The Devil Wears Prada
Directed by David Frankel
Count this as one of those movies that you end up watching over and over and not be fed up with. Meryl Streep as the devil ala Anna Wintour was her juiciest role of the decade. It was very very very entertaining.

5. Requiem
Directed by Hans-Christian Schmid
I never thought that I could be scared liked that. This movie of exorcism got me scared for weeks. This goes to show that you really need not elaborate score, blood or effects to have an effective horror movie.

4. Children of Men
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
This book adapatation by Cuaron proves that Cuaron really brings magic to screen. This end of the world movie was in every second: gripping, engaging and totally thrilling.

3. Syndromes and a Century
Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Director Apichatpong Weerasethakul is one of the best directors of the decade, and this for me is my favorite of his works. I find myself glued to it without questioning why.

2. The Departed
Directed by Martin Scorsese
This adaptation of a Hongkong movie should be the standard of adapting wherein the remake is miles ahead of the original. This is Martin Scorsese's personal best of the decade.

1. Shortbus
Directed by John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell's semi porn movie about lost people in New York is his personal best to date and quite probably the bravest movie ever put to screen this decade.

2006 RacsO Awards

Film: Shortbus
Director: Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
Actor: Ryan Gosling (Half-Nelson)
Actress: Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
Supporting Actor: Mark Wahlberg (The Departed)
Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
Original Screenplay: John Cameron Mitchell (Shortbus)
Adapted Screenplay: William Monahan (The Departed)
Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki (Children of Men)
Film Editing: Thelma Schoonmaker (The Departed)
Art Direction: Jim Clay and Geoffrey Kirkland (Children of Men)
Original Song: "Soda Shop" (Shortbus)
Original Score: Clint Mansell (The Fountain)
Costume: Patricia Field (The Devil Wears Prada)
Sound Mixing: Requiem
Sound Effects: Superman Returns
Visual Effects: Superman Returns
Make-Up: The Devil Wears Prada

Wes Andreson NBR Winner

I just love this. It is pure genius!

2009 RacsO Year In Review: TV

10. Hung
This show peaked too soon that it ran out of steam but that said it was still fun and I looked forward to seeing every upcoming episode.

9 and 8. American Dad and Family Guy
Two of my favorite animated films on TV right now. They are consistently bitingly comic and offensive. I just wish that it could be more offensive hahaha.

7. Big Love
This show just keeps getting better and better. It remains now as one of the most unique drama ever made on TV. The acting is top notch but what really makes this show special is that it is very very well written.

6. Merlin
Guilty pleasure number one. The return of Merlin for season two brings more action, more magic and more fun. I want more!

5. Legend of the Seeker
Guilty pleasure number two. Last year I liked "Merlin" more but the season two of "The Legend of the Seeker" is grander and capturing more of what was in the book. The Mord Siths are a big big plus.

4. Dollhouse
Fuck whoever decided to cancel this show. The season started off weak but as it progressed it slowly became pure Whedon genius! It currently is one of the bests show on TV but it got fucked over.

3. Glee
This may not be the best, but it is undeniably the most enjoyable show on TV right now. It makes you smile and laugh with its charm. The songs may be corny at times but when they nail it, THEY NAIL IT.

2. Mad Men
No question about this. "Mad Men" retains its position as the best drama show on TV and that season ender was PERFECT.

1. Modern Family
I usually am not a big fan of documentary esque comedies but this new series about a "modern" family whose lives and blood intertwine with each other is a modern masterpiece. It is funny as hell yet it is pure at heart.

2009 RacsO Year In Review: Albums

Top 6 Albums of 2009

6. La Roux

La Roux
La Roux's selft titled album is a breath of fresh air. It was elctronica pop that I could stand. Sometimes I find the genre over the top most of the times but La Roux's album is highly entertaining fun.

5. Heartbreaks on Vinyl
Blake Lewis
This is one of those albums that you can not pick a favorite track from the album because all of the tracks work as one to create a lasting memory. Blake Lewis' sophomore effort proved to me that he should really have won the year he was in American Idol (probably next to Melinda Doolittle)

4. For Your Entertainment
Adam Lambert
I do get the retro feel of the album cover, a throw back to the good ol colorful disco days. The album as expected was colorful, alive, party fun. It was a brave release, his album was like Lady GaGa's "The Fame" plus Lady GaGa created the best song in the album.

3. Middle Cyclone
Neko Case
Oddly perfect. Like in Blake Lewis' album this is one of those albums that I can not pick a favorite track and I have to listen to the album to fully experience the greatness. I love how it is so different.

2. Breakup
Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
I almost named this as my number one album of the year, almost. It is that good. I play this album everyday, I am addicted to it. I think that the people around me are fed up already but I am not.

1. The Boy Who Never
Landon Pigg
The album that you could just sit down and listen to whole day (like number 2). It is very easy to the ears. My ears love the album. I love his voice. I love listening to it when I wake up and before I sleep.

Next Up Top TV Shows of 2009...

Short RacsOview: "It's Complicated" (2009)

Meryl Streep should be in every movie! Watching her in this romcom is a superb treat. The movie was just OK but I just can not take my eyes off Meryl Streep. She is a GOD and all of us should worship her. It may not be her best performance but she was still great. The rest of the cast was good as well. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, polar opposites, both were good. Baldwin playing Streep's ex husband whom she had an affair with and Martin playing Streep's new lover. I really think that it was witty and fun, but I just wish that scenes were ended rather cornily. I mean, why did they have to resort ending the scenes with corny physical slapstick (e.g. Falling on their backs). I find them offputting. The scenarios, the dialogue are funny enough to hold this comedy. But it was still good fun. Thanks to Meryl Streep.

B-

RacsOview: "The Road" (2009)

Before anything is said you should all know that I AM A BIG FAN OF THE BOOK. In fact, I LOVE THE BOOK TO DEATH and think that IT IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ. OK if you hated the book, sue me, I don't care, I love it.

I was a disappointed. Not that the movie was bad. It was good in fact. I think that it is a technical achievement. The acting was top notch. Most especially Robert Duvall. Perfect. It was also heart wrenching but not as much as the book. I love the score!

Now why was I disappointed? I really did not get why they felt the urge to include the Charlize Theron angle. She was good but those parts felt disconnected from the whole. I just kinda wish that they would have stuck with the father son tandem. Second. The sense of urgency and alarm is not upfront and scary. I think the reason was that the string of events that the father and son went through felt a little too disconnected from each other. It feels like as though they selected some good scenes that would be really really bleak then mesh them together. But in fact, at least for me, it did not connect well. Instead of going along with the journey, what happened was that I just waited what thrills are up next. Sigh. Last. The ending was whatever. Why do they all feel the urge to end things by just cutting to black? Do they love "The Sopranos" that much? The book ended a little hopeful, emphasis on little, and somewhat fulfilling yet there is that feeling to want to know more what would happen to the kid.

I think I am too harsh. I really can not blame myself. I loved the book. I do not expect that everything be in the movie but I was expecting that the feel of the book be in the movie. It nearly got there but then things would swerve to different directions. Then back again. Then off again. Sigh. Good movie. Read the book.

B

RacsOview: "Whip It" (2009)

"Whip It" is Drew Barrymore's directorial debut about Bliss also known as Babe Ruthless. You see she lives two lives. Her first life is this obedient child working as a waitress in a diner. Well, not necessarily life but more of facade. That other life of her also goes to pageants where she compete but she does not like to. Anyways. her real life, her second life is the one that goes to roller derbies, not just go, but also participate in it. She is illegally playing among 30s something women, skating their asses off.

Hmm, what to say about Drew Barrymore's freshman effort? It is really good! I sort of enjoyed this more than her acting ventures. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy her in her cutesy films ("Ever After", "Never Been Kissed") but this is something really different from her. In fact she had created one of those chick flicks that are actually really good and very, very entertaining. I wish that there are more films like this. Cliche at times but still really good because you can tell that they were having fun and that it was sincerely made.

What made Drew Barrymore's work a success was that she focused really well with the sub-stories that lead up to a great cohesive whole. The love story angle though, the movie could have been without. The family story was great. The roller derby was great. Great. I was having fun as well.

The movie was very well acted. Ellen Page in the title role, was great and natural. But still a little too much in her comfort zone. I wish she would give us something different. But she was great nonetheless. Marcia Gay Harden as the uptight mother was great also. But the real star of the movie was Juliette Lewis as the hardcore Iron Maven. I wish that she would be given more ripe roles such as this. She looks like she was having a blast skating and bumping into others.

"Whip It" stands among the great teen chick flicks out there. And if the movie proved anything, it is that Drew Barrymore is great in front and behind the camera.

B+

PS. I love the soundtrack!

2009 RacsO Year In Review: Music

I decided that I should start making my year in review because it is January after all and it is 2010 already. I can not start on the movies as of yet, I have like a dozen more screening to go before I do that. So I should starting reviewing the year that was in music first before anything else.

I used to look at Billboard to keep me updated, but this year has been, like the last few years in Billboard. Boring. I do not get the love for Black Eyed Peas. I mean yeah it was good and fun but come on, they hogged the countdown for half a year. "I Gotta Feeling" is good but "Boom Boom Pow" is senseless.

I think that it has been a good year for pop music. Thank God for Lady GaGa. I love her to bits. She paved the way for more pop/electronic/dance (I suck at genre) artists to be recognized more in mainstream. Not all of them are good but when they are good, they are GOOD, if that makes any sense. I have not dug much deep into the genre but I did enjoy those I have heard.

But still there is no denying the fact that I love rock/alternative (sometimes punk) songs. Not so much for the growling ones.

So not to keep you guys waiting, here is my top ten songs of the year...

P.S. I did not include soundtracks, if I did, this list will be filled by them...

Runners up: "All for the Best" Thom Yorke, "Poker Face" Lady Gaga, "Use Somebody" Kings of Leon, "Uprising" Muse, "Kings and Queens" 30 Seconds To Mars

Top 10 Songs of 2009

10. For Your Entertainment
Adam Lambert

This is not Adam Lambert's best track in his debut album ("Fever" was it for me, but it is not released yet) but you can't deny the pop power of this song.

9. Hero of War
Rise Against

Anthemic and timely, "Hero of War" may be cheesy for some but I dig the message.

8. In for the Kill
La Roux

Like Adam Lambert, methinks that La Roux is the male equivalent of Lady GaGa. Inventive, unique and a true performer. This song is his personal best, at least for me.

7. These are My Twisted Words
Radiohead

It probably is one of the most distinct songs by Radiohead. Listening to it makes you feel like you are in trance. High and hypnotized.

6. Breaking
Anberlin

Anberlin's album seems to be filled with the same tunes but that said, this song is the stand out among them.

5. You are the Blood
Sufjan Stevens

Eerie-ly perfect. This reboot of a song is how you do a cover, you make it as though you created the song yourself.

4. Paparazzi
Lady GaGa

The music world will never be the same again now that Lady GaGa is in it. This song was expertly written, with beats that will haunt you even in your sleep. She may not have a morally correct message to convey but you can not deny the fact that Lady GaGa is a true artist.

3. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop
Landon Pigg

The love song of the year. You just sit back and relax and let Landon Pigg sooth your ears. I cheated with this song. This got wider release this year, but I think it was released a year ago.

2. A Choppy Yet Sincere Apology
Riverboat Gamblers

Punk or rock, I do not know how to classify it, but it has become one of my anthems of the year. I just can't stop myself from rocking and jumping to this song.

1. Relator
Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

Infectious, fun, extremely catchy, beautiful, hypnotizing. I do not know why Scarlett Johansson sounds like that but it works in her favor in this song.

Next up, Albums of the Year...

Be Italian...

I want to see this so bad. I hope I get the time soon! I am waiting to see the whole Fergie in "Be Italian" musical sequence. I hope it is good as people say it is....

DGA Rings In

This is one of those precursors that will definitely shape up what could be the nominees for Oscars. DGA not only predicts best director nominees but they are also good indicators of which film will land a Best Picture nod. Here are this year's roster of nominees...

• Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
• James Cameron (Avatar)
• Lee Daniels (Precious)
• Jason Reitman (Up in the Air)
• Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)

Who Will Win: I think that this is Bigelow's to lose. She might also end up as a record making director being the first female director to win the award here and in the Oscars.
Who Could Win: James Cameron and Quentin Tarantino for me are the very close runner ups. Cameron could easily snag this from ex wife Bigelow. Tarantino can win also, a very very dark horse.
Who Should Win: Quentin Tarantino. What a way to end the decade. A really superlative feat.

Short RacsOview: "The Blind Side" (2009)

First. I do not get the buzz surrounding Sandra Bullock's performance in the movie. I mean the performance was decent, it is not awards worthy. It is just worth citing that she is doing something with her career. I think that she is getting this much buzz because of the overall box office haul plus they are itching to get her nominated. Like Roberts in "Erin Brockovich" only Roberts was really deserving (I gave her my award as well). I wish they would give her spot to someone more deserving say Abbie Cornish. Second. It was an inspiring movie. It was made like that. But it was fracking boring. It was really long and it was very typical. Last. There are sports movie more inspiring than this. Better in fact. Let's use "Friday Night Lights" as an example. But hey people did not line up to see that one. Which lead me to realize that I forgot to include it in my favorite films of 2004. Stupid me. Anyways.

C-

Decade in Review: 2005's Bests

15. Tony Takitani (Directed by Jun Ichikawa) 14. Me You and Everyone We Know (Directed by Miranda July) 13. Howl's Moving Castle (Directed by Hayao Miyazaki) 12. The Constant Gardener (Directed by Fernando Meirelles) 11. The Squid and the Whale (Directed Noah Baumbach)

10. Memories of Murder
Directed by Bong Joon-Ho
If you have seen this movie, you may say that it is pretty much like Zodiac only a different setting. But I really do not mind the similarities at all (this came first though). This crime procedural drama was every bit gripping as it is entertaining.

9. Junebug
Directed by Phil Morrison
I love it when a simple story, and a banal one at that (family drama), works and turns into something quite original, that is what I felt whilst watching "Junebug". An esemble family drama that introduced us to the wonder that is Amy Adams.

8. Tropical Malady
Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
First a love story then it sprawled to something dreamy and Lynchian. It was weird and eerie, yet I was drawn into it. I may not have fully understood what happened, I have my own interpretation, I can still say that I loved every minute of the confusion.

7. Cache
Directed by Michael Haneke
Haneke has done it again, an unconventional horror story. Tugging our innermost fears, not supernatural, but more of your hidden fears or fears you do not know that were there.

6. The Best of Youth
Directed by Marco Tullio Giordana
You really do not mind that you are watching a six hour epic family drama because this movie glues you to your seat. It was that gripping and engaging. "The Best of Youth" was grand and epic storytelling.

5. Mysterious Skin
Directed by Greg Arraki
There are those movies that you thought are not adaptable, but here comes Araki with "Mysterious Skin" who effortlessly puts the book into screen. Joseph Gordon Levitt proves here that he is one of the best actors of his generation.

4. Serenity
Directed by Joss Whedon
Witty, funny and action packed, Joss Whedon creates sci fi heaven that only a few noticed. It was in every bit better than the series, I was very very entertained.

3. A History of Violence
Directed by David Cronenberg
Haunting and disturbing. Cronenberg's most accessible to date turns out to be also his personal best.

2. Pride and Prejudice
Directed by Joe Wright
You would not really even mind if the movie was adapted many many times. This version of Jane Austen's beloved "Pride and Prejudice" was addicting, fresh and fun. It is one of those films that I watch every month... It feels like a guilty pleasure movie only it really is great and consensus-ly praised.

1. Brokeback Mountain
Directed by Ang Lee
Epic independent filmmaking at its finest hour(s). "Brokeback Mountain" is a universal love story, breaking borders, breaking walls, breaking grounds. The love story of Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist is truly a love that will never grow old.

2005 RacsO Awards

Film: Brokeback Mountain
Director: Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain)
Actor: Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain)
Actress: Maria Bello (A History of Violence)
Supporting Actor: Matthew MacFadyen (Pride and Prejudice)
Supporting Actress: Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain)
Original Screenplay: Sandro Petraglia and Stefano Rulli (The Best of Youth)
Adapted Screenplay: Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana (Brokeback Mountain)
Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto (Brokeback Mountain)
Film Editing: Ronald Sanders (A History of Violence)
Art Direction: Jack Green (Serenity)
Original Song: "A Love that Will Never Grow Old" (Brokeback Mountain)
Original Score: Gustavo Santaollala (Brokeback Mountain)
Costume: Jacquelline Durran (Pride and Prejudice)
Sound Mixing: Tropical Malady
Sound Effects: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Visual Effects: Serenity
Make-Up: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

RacsOview: "Up in the Air" (2009)

I do not get the buzz.

"Up in the Air" is a timely movie about a guy who flies across the globe to fire people. He meets a woman who is like him, flies across the world doing business. He also mentors a young hotshot who wants revolutionize firing people.

It was good a good movie. Don't get me wrong. But I do not understand why it is getting this much awards traction. I get the love for Clooney. He nails the character well. But I think that he played this character already. I do love the buzz for the two supporting ladies: Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick. I think Farmiga is better, but that said Kendrick was great also. I just feel that Farmiga bites every scene she was in. That last scene in the car, that bitch! Anyway. Kendrick should stop doing "Twilight" and she should take risks such as this one. She was great.

Now back to the confusion. The only reason why I think that this movie is getting this much attention is because that it is timely with the recession and all. The play of dialogue was crisp but nothing really special.

Like I said. It was good. But I do not get the love.

B

RacsOview: "Kimmy Dora" (2009)

I have nothing but undying love for Eugene Domingo (and Mailes Kanapi, 2 Filipina comedic actresses) so expect that wherever she goes, I go. So, to hear that she will be headlining a movie all to herself, it is a treat. "Kimmy Dora" is bout a feuding twin, Kimmy and Dora. One is a high class fashion forward power driven bitch. The other is pet loving, soft spoken and childish. Both trying to impress each other, both has the hots for the same guy that lead to them trying kill each other towards the end.

This has to be said before anything else: Eugene Domingo is a bona fide comic master, a star and of the best actresses of our generation. She carried this movie all by herself. She double billed the movie and she need not scene steal anymore, the spotlight is on her, the camera is all hers and all are working in her favor. This performance (like last year's Ana Faris in "The House Bunny") is the comedic performance of the year (at least for me).

That said, even though I feel superlative on Domingo in the movie, I think that the rest of the movie was not a par her greatness. The movie felt formulaic and typical Joyce Bernal: fast forward scenes, over the top slapstick, icky dialogue. I wish there was something more, that the movie delivered. It was funny, but more often it felt a little too overworked and underworked at the same time.

Nevertheless, this is Domingo's show. Thank God she was great in it, perfect in fact. If not I think the movie would be bonkers.

B-

Short RacsOview: "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (2009)

Blame it on Pixar and Studio Ghibli! I am so used to intricately made stories and very unique ones at that. I am not saying that "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs" is not unique, well, it sort of was but the slapstick driven animated movie is really not for me. I enjoyed it. I laughed. But that's all there is to it. It did not break grounds. It felt unoriginal because I think many had done the young scientist with inventions not working well. Anyway. It was still fun, nevertheless.

C+

Joshua Radin's "When You Find Me"

So this is the song that I have been raving about several posts ago. It was in a pivotal scene in the movie "Adam", the song really lifted the feel of that scene. God I love this song. Not so much for the movie, but I kinda did think it was good. Anyways. Enjoy!

RacsOview: "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" (2009)

"The Fantastic Mr. Fox" is adapted from the famous book by Roald Dahl of the same title. The movie is about Mr. Fox and how his family ran and was hunted by three ruthless factory owners. It was Mr. Fox's fault, he robbed the three owners and the result was his price to pay.

The movie was quirky fun, as to be expected from Wes Anderson. It for me was not an animated film for kids, but I think they will still enjoy the chasing scenes and the musical segments. I think that this will be appreciated more by adults as to some humor and jokes were not for children at all. I enjoyed it a lot. I laughed non stop and savored the whole movie. Now, for me, Wes Anderson got his groove back after somewhat losing some after his previous masterpiece "The Royal Tenenbaums".

I loved the infectious songs and the fun fun fun score. Thanks to Alexandre Desplay who continues to excel and I think he need not prove anything anymore. He is one of the best composers of our time. It was a beautiful movie to look at too, and it seems, like "Coraline", that much effort was put into creating it.

It truly is a banner year for animated features, and "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" is truly fantastically fun-tastic.

A/A-

Short RacsOview: "Adam" (2009)

Charming. Sweet. Cute. Commonplace. Nothing special. OK. Good. Hugh Dancy was great. Rose Byrne was great also. The movie was interesting. It was not that bad. It was not that good. But I enjoyed. I love the songs! I really love the songs and the score as well.

B

RacsOview: "The Lovely Bones" (2009)

Utter crap, "The Lovely Bones" is, not really lovely at all. The movie is based on Alice Sebold's best selling novel of the same name which follows the murder of Susie Salmon and what happened to her family and how they coped after her death. I never really liked the book. I got so caught up in the climax and it never really picked up. It was for me, a book that was waiting to become a movie. So when I found out that Peter Jackson is going to be doing it, helming the movie version of the book, I was excited. I wanted to see how his imagination and flair would work for the book.

It was a mess. A huge big pile of fracking mess. There was sooo much things going on and happening that it become polluted and not imaginative. I was waiting for things to settle down, land on its feet, but sadly it did not. I was really disappointed with it. I was one of those many who taught that this is going to be an Oscar best picture contender, now all I can see is Razzie. The trailer was great. And the movie too, was just a big long trailer. No take lasted for more than 3 seconds, it was up and jumpy. It was trying to combine the imagination and reality and it did not combine nor connect at all. It was just hopeless. The cinematography and effects were good though, ditto the score but the score gets in the way too. Sigh.

As always, Saoirse Ronan delivered and still proves that she is one of the bes young actresses of our time and the future still looks bright ahead of her despite this dud. But I think the material she was given was not good enough for her to excel. She was not that likable as I hoped. Stanley Tucci, getting all the rave for his psychotic turn as the child murderer. I do not get it. He was trying too hard, even the way he looks scream child murderer. I do not get this performance at all. Like the movie, his work here is a mess, which he usually is not. In fact everything he did before this, I really liked (The Devil Wears Prada, Julie and Julia). But he ended the decade for me, in a very sour note. As for Susan Sarandon, I wish she was given more to play with, I love seeing her on screen.

Peter Jackson was channeling so many influences and used so many flairs in his work that he lost his vision, he lost his signature. He did not capture the book's charm and why it was liked by many. He instead focused on the ghosts, the beyond and the murder which were parts of a much larger picture. "The Lovely Bones" is not a murder story, it is a family drama revolving around the death of a kid, and what happened to their lives after that. Jackson missed the point. Jackson's newest turns out to be his worst and it may end up also as one of the year's worsts.

D-

Short RacsOview: "Brothers" (2009)

Corny. Who the frack would say "I am your brother!" when your brother has a gun up in his temple? But I do not blame the actors for the feebly written dialogue. The actors were good. And it pains me because I thought Jake Gyllenhaal was tops and his character was underwritten and underdeveloped. Natalie Portman was great as well but I think that she looks too young to be the mother, she looks like the babysitter. But nevertheless she was good. Tobey Maguire on the other hand was all bug eyed and gimmicky. But the real star of the movie was Bailee Madison, one of the best young actor performances of the year. If given more time I think that her performance would have better buzz.

Anyway. I still enjoyed it. I kinda loved the guitared score. I love the birthday in the table scene. Bailee was just awesome.

C+

Short RacsOview: "The Messenger" (2009)

It started off rocky, picked up somewhere in the middle and then lost its way again up to the end. "The Messenger" which tells the story of two soldiers, as messengers, delivering bad news to families who lost their loved ones in the war in Iraq. I do not get the praise for the film other than top notch performances from the actors and actresses. Ben Foster was great, and this is a good follow up to "3:10 to Yuma". Woody Harrelson, a co-lead, get that? CO LEAD, not supporting. Anyway. He was also great. But I kinda liked him more in "Zombieland" where he was zany mad, but pure comic genius. The real star for me was Samantha Morton, I kinda feel for her character. That first scene with her was superb. I can not get her off my head.

In the end, it was just a dud. The movie that is. I just wish that the movie offered more for the actors to play on.

C

RacsOview: "Police, Adjective" (2009)

"Police, Adjective" follows Cristi and his conscience. Cristi is a cop, and he was asked to investigate a couple of kids smoking hash. Then he reported back and said that he did not want to bring the kid in to jail because he thinks that he is not the "real" culprit.

If you are expecting this movie to be your typical crime procedural drama, then you are looking for the wrong movie. The title alone would suggest otherwise. That "adjective" included in the title brings a whole new meaning into it. It turns out the movie was some sort of statement on the power of language, its syntax and semantics. How to use it and how not to use it. Halfway into it it was pretty evident that this is some high brow verbally demanding movie. I think that it was a success at that.

Another topic that can be drawn from it is about morality and law, their differences, and how and when to think that they should be applied. As a cop, Cristi was haunted by his "conscience", he thinks that he is going to mess up the life of the boy that they are asking him to bring in. In a way, the kid's life is already messed up, with drug addiction and all. But Cristi was looking for the root of all it, but in the process prolonging everything, thus it may create a whole deal of mess.

"Police, Adjective" is a very powerful movie. It demands multiple viewings, I have seen it once and I liked it.

A

Short RacsOview: "Uncertainty" (2009)

A good premise sometimes is not enough to bring a whole movie together. That was the case for "Uncertainty". It is about a couple who flipped a coin and then they went separate ways, then the movie was split into two different scenarios: green and yellow. One is a family drama, the other is a sort of crime thriller. I get that it was trying to tell us about choices and the consequences of our choices. I get that. But not so much for the rest of the movie. It was trying to be original then it came across cliche. That said, I still enjoyed it, partly because Joseph Gordon Levitt was as always superb. Lynn Collins was good as well. But I was just bored half of the time

C