Re-imagined Movie Posters

Manila Skies (Himpapawid)

Before Brillante Mendoza made a splash in Cannes, there was Raymond Red. He is one of the pioneers of the alternative cinema movement in the Philippines. He is also the only Filipino so far who have won the Palme d’Or, the highest honor in Cannes, for his short film Anino. After a nine-year hiatus, Raymond Red returns with his latest full-length feature Manila Skies.

Inspired by true events, Manila Skies follows three days in the life of Raul (Raul Arellano), a man who has exhausted all of his luck. In these three days, Raul will feel what it’s like to be living in the margins of society deprived of a means of living and of hope. In a desperate attempt to help his sick father in the province, he joins a group of amateur robbers. But when the heist ends terribly wrong, he decides to hijack a plane that will be his coup de grace.

Lead actor Raul Arellano embodies what his role asks for. He is recurrently antsy, a bit loony, and ill tempered. This antihero is difficult to warm to, but we know where he is coming from. We know what drives him to dive headfirst into a world of crime. But he did not turn into a criminal overnight. In fact, it took Crispin (John Arcilla) long stretches of monologue to convince him to take life by the horns. All Raul wants is to go home, but desperation (and maybe lunacy) takes him farther than his original destination.

The gang of first-time robbers (composed of John Arcilla as Crispin, Soliman Cruz as Juan, Raul Morit as Morit, and Karlo Altomonte as Karlo) provides a breather to the tension with their quirky one-liners. Beneath their funny antics, these street urchins articulate some serious matters – the disparity in the system and the social injustice that beset the working class. Meanwhile, the who’s who of independent cinema appears in small and cameo roles. We have Sue Prado, Che Ramos, Archie Adamos, Mon Confiado, Flor Salanga, Noni Buencamino, Lav Diaz, and Ronnie Lazaro.

If you know the true-to-life story that inspired the screenplay, then you already know the fate of our deranged protagonist. But there’s more to the ending than knowing Raul’s fate, Raymond Red weaves an intricate story that comes in full circle at the end. He makes use of all the hints he dropped along the way – the beginning sequence of father and son, Raul collecting protest signs, and Raul sewing every night – and everything starts making sense.

Manila Skies does not make excuses for the wrongdoings of Raul. The film doesn’t even demand that we understand him. Because he is not a victim, the disparity in the system and social injustice are not to be blamed for his actions. He had a choice. And so, karma rears its ugly head and Raul is brought to his final destination.

Rating: 4/5

Most Played Songs On My iPod (September '10)

Don't Fuckin' Tell Me What To Do - Robyn

Please Don't - David Byrne & Fatboy Slim Ft. Santigold

Momma's Place - Roisin Murphy

Oh What A Night - Lil Jon Ft. Jay Sean & Claude Kelly

Beautiful Monster - Ne-Yo

22nd Century - Kelis

Paper Romance (Doorly Remix) - Groove Armada

Happiness - Alexis Jordan

You Look Better When I'm Drunk - The White Tie Affair

Pop Goes the World - The Gossip

2010 Advance Warning: 33 Posters

2010 Advance Warning (#1-5)

5. Burlesque

Directed by: Steven Antin

Starring: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Stanley Tucci, Kristin Bell, Cam Gigandet

Let me get this out of the way. It is unfair that Christina is getting all the flak for this film. Admittedly, Burlesque has the makings of a major, major stinkeroo but let’s give Christina a chance. Let’s hold our judgment till we see if she can hold a candle against Cher . Then let’s decide whether Burlesque will score zero like Nine or razzle dazzle like Chicago . Nevertheless, I’m watching this film because of her. Musicals need REAL singers. I rest my case.

4. The Social Network

Directed by: David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fight Club)

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield

It’s the Facebook movie! We all wanna know how the world’s most popular social networking site came about. We can trace its roots back to Harvard University where some geeks just want to be cool. What transpired after that involves naked women, cocaine use, billion-dollar lawsuits, and the unfriending of two friends.

3. Love and Other Drugs

Directed by: Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai)

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway

Jake is a ladies’ man. He meets his match in Anne. They are on sexy time mode 50% of the time. But she has Parkinson’s! Is she going to die? I don’t know. This looks predictable and cheesy. But Jake and Anne’s chemistry is so palpable that I’ll accept whatever they throw my way. Besides, we all need a cheesy rom-com every once in a while. I’m sold.

2. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Directed by: Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead)

Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brandon Routh

This epic tale of epic epicness is so awesome that the most awesomely outrageous films aren’t awesomely outrageous enough in comparison. Scott Pilgrim, our geek-hero, must defeat the not-so-awesome seven evil exes of her awesome new girlfriend in order to win her heart. If that plot alone doesn’t sound awesome enough for you, then you’re better off with the glittery Edward Cullen and slutty Bella Swan. Btw, I just heard a confeeeermed rumor (but a rumor nonetheless) that Scot Pilgrim will not be shown here. How fucked up is that? We getVampires Suck and Twilight, but no Scott Pilgrim. Man, give me a break!

1. Black Swan

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler)

Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder

It’s no secret that Requiem for a Dream is my most favorite film of all time. Aronofsky’s adaptation of the Hubert Selby’s novel is a work of a true master. So naturally, I am expecting a lot from Aronofsky’s latest. After seeing Black Swan’s trailer, my expectations are now off the roof. Black Swan doesn’t look like your typical drama about rival ballerinas (not that we have plenty of that). It has psychological thriller, lesbianism, body mutilation, and identity crisis written all over it. Black Swan is the hottest ticket during the Venice Film Festival, where it was chosen as opening film.

Early reviews from Venice are mostly positive. They are raving over the stellar supporting cast, Natalie Portman’s unhinged performance as lead (I smell a Best Actress trophy), and Aronofsky’s direction that resembles the best work of David Cronenberg and Roman Polanski. To say that I’m excited to see this film is a gross understatement.

I will be posting other 2010 releases that did not make the cut. 2010 is shaping up to be a promising year for film.

Which films are you most excited about? Hit the comments section for your… uhmmm… comments.