Viewfinder
Promising productions on film buffs’ radar screens
By Nestor Torre
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:47:00 05/15/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The exceptional box-office showing of “Iron Man” last week has whetted viewers’ appetite for potential blockbusters to come. Film buffs are looking forward to viewing:
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” After a gap of many years, Harrison Ford has finally agreed to top-bill a new sequel in his highly successful action-adventure film franchise. To make the project even more attractive, hit young comer Shia LeBeouf is cast as Ford’s sassy sidekick.
“Sex and the City.” The first film version of the runaway TV sensation fields its original lead cast and takes advantage of the movie medium’s greater scope, depth and frankness. Expect a stylish sizzler and feisty performances from its stellar cast members.
On the local film scene, Sharon Cuneta’s comeback movie, “Caregiver,” is eliciting a lot of buzz about her potentially award-winning portrayal of a mother who leaves her children to eke out a living by taking care of demanding old strangers in London.
“The Dark Knight.” The follow-up to the 2005 blockbuster, “Batman Begins,” is avidly awaited by film fans, because it features the last performance of the late Heath Ledger. He portrays the arch-villain, The Joker, and his take on the character appears to be radically different from that turned in by Jack Nicholson, who generally played it for laughs. Ledger’s interpretation is decidedly darker and more mordant in tone, and even in appearance.
Narnia sequel
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” The popular film franchise’s sequel tells the thrilling story of the Pevensie siblings’ efforts to help the rightful heir to Narnia’s throne, Prince Caspian, reclaim it from his avaricious uncle.
Extra excitement is generated by the fact that the key role of Prince Caspian is being played by a talented and charismatic newcomer, Ben Barnes.
Then, further along the way, there’s the latest James Bond saga, “Quantum of Silence,” the second outing as Agent 007 of Daniel Craig, who has added greater depth and dramatic unction to the iconic super-sleuth role.
Finally, on the animation front, “Wall-E” is generating interest with its futuristic story about a lonely robot who turns out to be the harbinger of hope for a surviving group of humans in outer space.
Let’s hope that these and other promising new films fulfill their potential when they’re finally shown!
Short films
FOR A long time now, we’ve been urging owners and managers of movie houses to help new filmmakers make their mark by screening their short films along with the main features they show. That’s why we’re happy to hear that IndieSine at Robinsons Galleria will have a short film starting May 21, as a companion piece to Will Fredo’s feature film, “Sa Pagdapo ng Mariposa.”
The short film is “Gusto Kita Too,” by Rica Arevalo, the director of the Cinemalaya film, “ICU Bed # 7” (she won the festival’s Best Director award). She also produced another Cinemalaya standout, “Saan Nagtatago si Happiness?”
Shot in the US, “Gusto Kita Too” casts Fil-Am talents Brian Reyes and Casey Pascual as youths who pursue true love in a bemusing Pinoy-style courtship. The short film is produced by Mediarevolution Film Productions, with editing by Maan dela Cruz and original music by Jerrold Tarog.
We trust that “Sa Pagdapo ng Mariposa” and “Gusto Kita Too” will enjoy a good run at IndieSine, and hope that other theaters will be encouraged to show short films by Filipinos as added attractions to the main features they present.
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