Tuny's Fishbowl: NZ Film Fest

Last weekend I ushered a number of shows at The Civic, all films featured at the New Zealand/Telecom Film Festival. It's the equivalent of the Manila Filmfest, except na international ang listing, walang awards night sa dulo , at walang parada sa Baywalk.

Click the title for the plot.

Conversations With My Gardner
- My favorite so far. Talky sya, medyo drama, medyo comedy. Its the type of movie you would want to invite your nililigawan(malaki ang chance na sagutin ka nya after), or your best buddies kung medyo nababading kayo sa isa't-isa (hehe). Kidding aside, it has the same effect as the coming of age movie Stand By Me, only you have two guys in their late 40s sharing and learning from life experiences.
Rating: Apat na palakpak (out of 5)

Death at a Funeral
- A typical Brit comedy, light, refreshing, totally amusing. Its the type of film na mapapatawa ka sumigaw ng "Ay ang gago, hehehehe!"... Buti na lang walang nakaintindi sa kin( Which reminds me, is there such a thing as Hehehehe sa mga puti? Hahaha lang ata, diba? Baka akala nila nabubulunan na ako). You should watch this with friends, para makatawa ka ng todo-bigay.
Rating: tatlot-kalahating palakpak(at isang mahabang piggy snort, snorkk...).

Manufactured Landscape
- Inde ko ito masyado napanood, kasi nilagay ako sa pinto (asar, um!). But from what I saw from the door(I left it ajar, enough to see half the screen), its a documentary about the industrial revolution in China. If you're a photographer, you'll love this because of the imagery. Medyo mahaba lang, about 2 hours, to prove his point (And he could have done this in about 45 mins). Then again I only saw "half" the film, so who am I to judge(aruy, sumakit ang ulo ko).
Rating: dalawang palakpak, at isang mahabang hikab.

Golden Door
- I was drawn to this film because of its plot, the fact that I'm an immigrant as well. The imagery reminds mo of the film Frida, with its surreal overtones(naks, maski ako inde ko naintindihan yun ah). OK lang, ika nga, so-so... Ika nga, pang DVD sya.
Rating: tatlong palakpak at kalahating pirated DVD

After the Wedding
- Walanghiya, hinid ko inexpect ito, pinagbabawal dapat ang mga pelikulang ganito kasi masyadong heavy drama. May mga part nga na para akong nakalulon ng bayabas.. nanikip ang dibdib ko at.. aaminin ko... napahikbi ako(aguy, napa-look up nga ako kasi tumutulo luha ko, nakakahiya sa mga guest). Pinagbre-break nga ako ng supervisor ko, kaso sabi ko "noo.. I want to know what happens to Jørgen..". Kung may kasalanan ka sa misis or GF, isama mo. Syento-por-syento, bati na kayo paglabas nyo(uyyy).
Rating: apat na palakpak at isang malakas na hikbi

Rescue Dawn
- Tangna (excuse my French), eto ang pinagbabawal talaga. Para syang B-movie na may konting budget(Na I suspect napunta lahat kay Christian Bale). Napanood nyo ba yung Megiddo: Omega Code 2? Medyo kalinya nya, medyo ka-atin-atin lang ng konti. Maski nga ayaw ko magbreak, napa-tea ako ng 30mins para mabawasan ang parusa. It's a case of bad amateur actors, a bad script, bad cinematography, led by a terrible lead star. Puro cliche'. Akala ko nga sa Pilipinas ginawa at hinihintay ko lumabas si Rez Cortez at si Bembol Rocco (as Henchman #1 and #2), at magkaroon bigla ng dance scene. Nalaman ko lang na hindi dahil, pag may tinatamaan ng granada, hindi sila napapata-tumbling. Bumilib lang ako kay Michale Bale kasi bawat eksena, papayat sya ng papayat!
Rating: Not even kalahating palakpak, at isang eye roll(sosyal).

Well, I worked for a total 12 hours yesterday, and totally knackered. I'm doing it again this weekend, and hope to see good ones like Eagle vs. Shark and I Served the King of England.

Hay, so many films, so little time. Sa next weekend uli!