The Wheel and Axle

Ever since I saw him on The Hangover (the first one, not the awful sequels), I have been a huge fan of Bradley Cooper. The guy is obviously talented, with multiple nominations in the Oscars, BAFTA, and the Golden Globes (just to name a few), and he is also astoundingly gorgeous as heck.

Marvel may have snagged him for the Rocket Racoon role in Guardians of the Galaxy, but as that is voice work, I am still hoping the DC Universe gets him for something. I used to want him for Aquaman, but since Jason Momoa is shaping up to be perfectly-cast for the role already, I think Bradley could be Brainiac, a new Sinestro (though Mark Strong did well in the pre-DCEU Green Lantern), or a big-screen Maxwell Lord (especially since the character’s been ditched from Supergirl). I’d also throw in Green Arrow as a possibility, but I think Charlie Hunnam would be better for that (Charlie incidentally being another guy I thought would’ve made a great Aquaman). Bradley would also have made a significantly better Deadshot than Will Smith, if American Sniper were any indication, even if Smith was good enough.

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This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival has certainly proven that the MMFF can have quality films and still be an astounding success despite what naysayers proclaim. The awards given out during the Gabi ng Parangal last night have also shown just how committed this year’s organizers are to truly honoring only the best of the best: the truly deserving, the people who value art and culture.

And for the first time in a long time, the word parangal means something once again for this festival, and it all actually feels… right! All the awardees just feel… right, no questions asked.

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Because 2016 continues to be a huge ass, just one day after the iconic Carrie Fisher died, her own mother – the legendary Debbie Reynolds – passed away from a stroke at the age of 84. Now, one can argue that she was old already, but I also cannot help but think how grief over her daughter’s demise broke her heart so much. As has been said, no parent should have to bury their child.

Debbie may not resonate with the current generation, but she is much beloved by older ones. She comes from my grandmother’s era, so she is not from my time either. However, by the time we were around, growing up in the 80s/90s, Debbie was already an icon whose career had spanned decades.

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I love musicals. I love Nick Joaquin. I love Paulo Avelino.

I cannot wait for this.

Metro Manila Film Festival 2016: Some Spoilers!

Trans life is still largely misunderstood by most of society, especially Filipino society, which is ironic because our pre-Hispanic culture had very different views of gender roles. Unfortunately, colonization and Christianization suppressed our ancestral paradigms, leading to binary gender thought. Even with the increasing liberalization of LGBT politics in the last two decades, the “T” remains to be a constantly misunderstood segment of the community, with transwomen often mistakenly conflated with or confused for cisgender gay men who simply want to cross-dress.

While the topic of gender can take up entire books to thoroughly discuss, media has tried to bridge the gap – sometimes successfully (Transamerica, for example), sometimes not so much (countless awful examples I shan’t go into). Locally, there have even been fewer, and with some exceptions, representation has largely been relegated to funny (sometimes offensive) sidekicks.

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As though taking George Michael away from us on Christmas Day weren’t enough, 2016 continues its reign of terror by snatching Princess Leia away from us just a couple of days later.

Carrie Fisher had suffered a heart attack sometime last week, but reports indicated she was already in stable condition. Now, just a few days later, she’s gone.

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… what no one may have been for you.

Wentworth Miller is ❤️.

From 2013

Metro Manila Film Festival 2016: Some Spoilers!

Erik Matti has not failed me so far in the last few years: 2012’s Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles and its MMFF 2014 sequel Kubot, 2013’s On The Job, and last year’s controversial MMFF entry Honor Thy Father. All highly-praised, all acclaimed, all fantastic.

He does not fail me this year with his MMFF entry, the horror film Seklusyon.

I confess to having fears that this movie would be formula Pinoy horror – you know, where some mysterious theme (weddings, bagwas, faith healing, SMS, etc.) starts killing off cast members one by one, usually in increasingly gruesome and creative ways. Here in Seklusyon, after all, we have an array of would-be priests ripe for the picking.

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Metro Manila Film Festival 2016: Some Spoilers!

The original Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank was a hilarious sleeper hit that echoed the unexpected triumph of Kimmy Dora, the film that launched the awesome Eugene Domingo from funny sidekick into comedic superstar. In many ways, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank – which was also our entry for the 2011 Oscars for Best Foreign Film – brought her full circle, for in it, Eugene portrayed an exaggerated and fictionalized version of herself, and who else can say they truly made it but those who have managed to satirize themselves and capture audiences?

Now, full circle comes around once more with Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: Forever Is Not Enough, the still-hilarious sequel that brings Eugene back to true form as she once again lampoons herself.

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Or at least, that’s basically how Ezra Miller describes his Flash for next year’s Justice League in this week’s Entertainment Weekly. And they released a new movie image, to boot.

Rumor has it a new trailer will drop before the year ends. Fingers crossed!