PADYAK

"PADYAK" COMING SOON MARCH 4 ROBINSON'S GALERIA
PREMIERE NIGHT MARCH 2 MONDAY 7 PM ROBINSON'S GALERIA

STARRING JAY AQUITANIA RITA AVILA EMILIO GARCIA IRMA ADLAWAN ARNOLD REYES ANGEL JACOB and BARON GEISLER Directed by ALLOY ADLAWAN

PADYAK

This is the trailer courtesy by aloysius2002

A WAY OF LIFE

Man kicks his way through life. It was the premise on how Padyak, the new film from Breaking The Box Productions, kicked its way out of the creative womb of writer, producer, director Aloy Adlawan. Adlawan has crafted characters like Polo Ravales’ Roomboy in the 2005 Cinemalaya Film Festival and Coco Martin’s security guard in Condo. This time around, he introduces Noel, the pedicab driver played by Jay Aquitania.



“I shaved my head,” Jay Aquitania says. “It was a good way of easing into the role.” This came out during a discussion as to how he would “look” in the movie after Aquitania ’s portrayal as a closet homosexual in Roxxxane and his Japanese speaking character in Cinemalaya’s Concerto. “Kuya Aloy asked if I could be in skin head. But he wasn’t sure about it yet as he couldn’t imagine how I would look with a shaved head. So he left the decision to me.”

First day of shoot, Aquitania arrived on the set with a shaved head and Adlawan did not recognize him. “It took me a moment to realize it was Jay,” Adlawan claims. “Then I realized this was going to be great. He very much looked like the part already and he wasn’t even driving his pedicab yet. The rest was just easy for Jay. He eased into Noel’s character as comfortable as wearing his favorite shirt. He would play around with his pedicab on the set like it was really his thing.”

Padyak uses the pedicab vehicle as a visual symbol to his theme running around the cycle of life and Adlawan’s fascination with existential exploration. The pedicab is one of the country’s unique form of transportation second to the jeepney. It uses pure human energy to transport passengers. No gas. No pollution. No global warming guilt.

In July of 2008, the screenplay was given a P500,000 grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Then it won third place at the 2008 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for literature in the screenplay category.

Padyak boasts of breakthrough performances from an ensemble cast composed of seasoned luminaries like Rita Avila, Irma Adlawan, Bodjie Pascua and Baron Geisler. Even singer-songwriter Mcoy Fundales of then Orange and Lemons fame (now Kenyo) turns in a heartbreaking performance. Young Hazel Ann Mendoza ventures into her first indie film. Cannes royalties Katherine Luna (Ang Babae sa Breakwater) and Mercedes Cabral (Serbis) also shine in their respective roles. Angel Jacob, Arnold Reyes and internationally acclaimed actor Emilio Garcia complete the great ensemble.

Padyak is showing on March 4, 2009 exclusively at the Robinson’s Galleria Indiesine and will roll over other theaters after its Indiesine stint.

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STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL: CONFESSIONS OF MEN

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL: CONFESSIONS OF MEN features 28 nude men (including THE GAME BOYS -- Jhay-Ar Sta. Maria, Brew Bondoc, Chito Gaspar, Rodel Moreno, Richard Miles, Warren Medina and Avi Avila) parading in gay abandon and throwing their inhibitions into the air.

Playdates at the UP Videotheque, UP Diliman , QC :

February 18 & 19 (Wednesday & Thursday, 7:00 PM)
February 20 (Friday, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM)
February 21 (Saturday, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM)
February 23 (Monday, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM)
February 24 (Tuesday, 6:30 PM).

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Bukol ni Sherwin, ibinuyangyang

NAKAPANGINGINIG ng laman ang pagbuyangyang ni Sherwin Ordoñez ng katawan para sa indie film na Kurap na idinirehe ni Roni Bertubin, na siyang nagdirehe rin ng gay film na Sikil. Umiikot na sa iba’t ibang film festivals abroad ang Kurap at nagke-create na ng sensation.

Nakarating na ng New Delhi para sa isang filmfest doon si Sherwin kasama ang nabanggit na direktor at nakatakda nga sanang sumama rin siya sa Japan para sa Tokyo Film Festival na magko-compete ang nabanggit na pelikula. Matutunghayan ito ng uncut sa UP Film Institute (Cine Adarna) this Saturday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. Dahil sa uproar na nake-create ng daring moves ni Sherwin para sa pelikula, tiyak na dadagsain ito ng mga bading.

May mga eksena ng laplapan sa kapwa niya lalaki si Sherwin dito, pero mayroon ding pakikipag-lovemaking sa bold starlet na si Raja Montero. Kumalat na nga sa Internet ang photos taken from the movie na naka-puting underwear lang si Ewong (palayaw ni Sherwin) na bukol na bukol ang harapan, huh!

Matatandaan ng fans si Sherwin sa paglabas nito noon sa Click at iba pang shows ng GMA-7. Hindi rin naman siya masyadong napapansin, kaya it’s about time na i-reinvent na niya ang sarili. Sa tunay na buhay nga, may dalawang anak na si Ewong sa kanyang ka-live in.

Suggestion lang namin na kailangang magpalaki pa siya ng katawan lalo’t tiyak nang malilinya siya sa hubaran, which he doesn’t have qualms in doing.

Indie movie, uncut ipinalalabas sa UPFI

NABANGGIT na rin lang ang UP Film Institute (Cine Adarna and Videotheque), kapansin-pansin na nagiging importanteng alternative venue na ito ng indie films na malamang na magkaroon ng problema sa MTRCB (Movie Television Review and Classification Board).

Ayon kay Direk Roni Bertubin ng Kurap, nag-iingat na siyang maglagay ng nakababad na frontal nudity dahil sa Sikil noon ay nagkaroon sila ng problema. Dalawang beses na-X ang Sikil. Ewan nga kung bakit problema sa MTRCB ‘yun samantalang ang eksena ay sa loob ng bath house at ang mga bading naman doon ay talagang walang pakialam na naglalakad ng hubo’t hubad.

Eh, bawat pagpapasa sa MTRCB ay nangangahulugan ng review fee, and this is too much-kung paulit-ulit-para sa isang indie production. Na sa halip ngang tulungan ng gobyerno ang industriya, mukhang pinahihirapan pa.

Deadma naman sa ganitong isyu si Nonoy Lauzon na siyang namamahala sa UPFI. Kasi, ang UPFI ay malayang nakapagpapalabas ng mga pelikulang hindi na kailangang dumaan sa MTRCB.

Hindi maintindihan ni Nonoy kung bakit nga namomroblema pa ang kung sino-sino at ipinagpipilitang maipalabas sa mall theaters ang indie films lalo na kung may maseselang eksena, only to be trimmed o katay-katayin. Samatalang nariyan ang UPFI-Cine Adarna at Videotheque para sa ganitong mga klaseng pelikula.

Isang buwang itinanghal ang Director’s Cut ng Serbis sa Cine Adarna. As we write this, nakatakdang i-premiere ang Walang Kawala na namumutiktik daw sa frontal nudity, gayundin ang iba pang digital films gaya ng Lalamunan at Hikbi na mukhang wala nang pag-asang maipalabas pa sa mall theaters dahil nga sa paghihigpit ng MTRCB.

Para hindi na lang kayo mabuwisit na gaya namin, nagtitiyaga na lang kami sa UPFI. Nagpapalabas din sila ng rare-to-find films in video format, and eventually, sabi nga ni Lauzon, ang efforts nila para maiparamdam sa publiko na ang kalayaan sa panonood ng sine ay mararanasan lang sa isang neutral venue na gaya ng UPFI.

source

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BOOKING The Director's Cut

BOOKING Director's Cut
Feb. 24, Tuesday, 8:00 PM
@ UP Cine Adarna

Regular showing March 4

Catch the 5 frontal nudity of Marco and the frontal nudity of Charles Delgado who plays a 16 year old callboy.

This is the "Gay Bona" starring frontal nudity king Marco Morales, award winning actors Emilio Garcia, Ms. Snooky Serna, Ms. Anita Linda, with Mercedes Cabral, Bernie Guinto and introducing Charles Delgado.

It's heavy drama with lots of sex! Catch the teaser at YouTube.com

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Newcomer Ryan Dungo reacts to double-X rating of SAGWAN

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa alam kung anong magiging kapalaran ng gay indie film na Sagwan pagkatapos itong bigyan ng double-X rating ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

Nang ipalabas sa UP Film Institute ang uncut version ng pelikulang idinirek ni Monti Parungao, dinagsa ito ng maraming tao. May mga nagsabi pang nakakaarte naman daw ang lead star ng pelikulang si Ryan Dungo, kung ikukumpara sa ibang babanu-baong newcomers na naglipana sa digital films.

"Wala naman siguro kaming magagawa roon," sabi ni Ryan nang tanungin ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) tungkol sa XX-rating na napala ng Sagwan sa MTRCB. "Basta kami, pinaganda namin ang pelikula sa abot ng aming makakaya. Kung anuman ang hindi nila nagustuhan doon, sila na lang ang makakapagpaliwanag. Pero umaapela pa rin po ang Rocca Productions, e.

"Sana, makabawi man lang at maipalabas. Ang pagkakaalam ko, masyado raw babad ang mga love scene. Pero, baka iksian na lang nila. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging desisyon ng manager ko [George Rocca], na siya ring producer ng pelikula."

Nakapanghihina rin daw ng loob, pero para sa isang baguhang gaya niya, masaya na siya dahil nakagawa siya ng ganitong klaseng pelikula na nagustuhan na rin ng mga nakapanood nito sa premiere night.

"Marami kaming natutunan dito, lalo na't first timer ako," sabi ni Ryan. "Kung paano humarap sa kamera, kung paano umarte, naturuan ako. Yung director namin, binibigyan kami ng ideas kung paano gumalaw sa harap ng kamera."

Dagdag niya, "Pinaghirapan namin ito. Nakapanghihinayang din na hindi maipalabas sa mas maraming sinehan. Wala na rin kaming magagawa kung yun ang magiging final decision nila sa MTRCB."

Taliwas sa reaksiyon ng marami na "exploitative" ang mga sex scene sa pelikula, balewala naman ito kay Ryan.

"May puso naman ang pelikula, may kuwento," aniya. "Opinyon nila yun kung sinasabi nilang walang kuwenta yung movie namin. Pero alam kong mas maraming nagkagusto.

"Sobrang daring lang talaga ang mga eksena namin dito," pag-amin din ni Ryan. "May eksena pa rito na na-curious ako, sumali ako sa orgy, threesome. Yung isa kong kaibigang bangkero [played by Dennis Torres], nagsalo kami sa isang baklang turista.

"Yun ang pinakamahirap na eksena sa akin, na nakipaglaplapan ako sa kapwa ko lalaki. May blow job, ganoon. Nakakailang sa umpisa. Pero, may frontal din ako rito. Nahirapan din ako, kasi first time ko sa harap ng kamera."

Incidentally, kung maaaprubahan ng MTRCB, ang Sagwan ang magiging opening film ng Queeriosity Film Festival na mag-uumpisa sa February 11 sa Robinson's Indie Sine.

source

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Pre-Valentines Movie Marathon at UP Film Institute

Also on February 4, 2009, 7:00 pm
at the QUEERIOSITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Feel the tension
Experience the pain
Drive yourself into madness
Relive the joys
Look forward in hope....

with four hot, sexy, rough and sublime indie films on the everyday Pinoy guy

Mga Pinakamahabang One Night Stands Anthology

> WAIT, WAITER, WAIT (Crisaldo Pablo)
> BALOT (Harvey Estradough)
> ANG PINAKAMAHABANG ONE NIGHT STAND (Eduardo Roy Jr.)
> TUTOK (Crisaldo Pablo)

@ the UP Film Institute

Ticket Price: P150
P100 for students (with current ID for school year 2008-09)

Stay longer for the premiere of Monti Puno Parungao's SAGWAN at 9:00 pm

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Dose

“Dose” is a controversial gay-themed movie vying for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

“Dose” is a film written and directed by Senedy Que. It stars Brussels Best Actor Yul Servo, Emilio Garcia, Irma Adlawan, Fritz Chavez and Allesandra de Rossi.

Synopsis: When a friendly acquaintance develops into an unlikely closeness between a curious 12-year-old boy named Edy (Fritz Arvhie Chavez) and a lonely gardener Danny (Yul Servo), the line that defines love and friendship, passion and trust inevitably intersects.

This is the trailer courtesy by sinequest12

A curious boy. A lonely gardener. Love knows no age or gender. Starring 3-time Brussels Int'l FIlmfest Best Actor, YUL SERVO, and 2008 Thesaloniki Int'l Filmfest Best Actor, EMILIO GARCIA. Introducing FRITZ ARVHIE CHAVEZ as the 12 year-old boy in this story of first love, lust, and loss of innocence.

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Kurap

“Kurap” is an indie film about greed and corruption among small-time criminals in the streets of Manila starring GMA contract artist Sherwin Ordonez in his first mature role.

Kurap competed in the 10th Osian’s Cinefan Asian and Arab Film Festival in New Delhi, India last week. It was chosen as the opening film in the 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival on October 15-29, 2008. And on October 10-19, 2008, it will compete in the 24th Warsaw Film Festival in Poland.

Kurap will also be screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival on Sept. 25 - Oct. 10, 2008. Afterwards, it will have its screening in the Chicago International Film Festival in the US and the Mostra Valencia International Film Festival in Spain.

Kurap also star newcomers Jojit Lorenzo, Ashley Rhain Arca, Christian Burke and Jeff Luna. Written by Romualdo Avellanosa of Sikil, it is the first film produced by Silangan Pictures with Antonio de Guzman Jr. as producer.

This is the trailer courtesy by ravellanosa

KURAP is an indie film about greed and corruption among small-time criminals in the streets of Manila.

KURAP is the Official Competition in the 10th Osian's Cinefan Asian and Arab Film Festival in New Delhi, India on July 2008; Official Selection in Vancouver International Film Fest; the Official Competition in the 24th Warsaw Film Festival in Poland on October 10-19, 2008... Official Competition in Mostra Valencia International Film Festival (Informativo Section); and the Tokyo International Film Festival...

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Selda

Selda is another award-winning indie film helmed by Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos starring Sid Lucero (Donsol), Michael de Mesa, Emilio Garcia and Ara Mina. This Gawad Tanglaw winning movie is going to have a rerun on Robinsons’ Galleria on March 5 to 11, 2008.

SYNOPSIS

True to form to their themes of love and its different vagaries, filmmakers Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos follow up their highly-acclaimed debut film ILUSYON (Rated A 2005, Cinemanila IFF 2006, Pusan IFF 2006) with the tragic tale of 3 characters in Selda. The film stars Sid Lucero, Emilio Garcia and Ara Mina. Also starring are Michael de Mesa, Allan Paule, Soliman Cruz and Ping Medina.

Set in two contrasting enivronments that undeline the same premise of imprisonment, Selda tells the story of Rommel, a young man who accidentally kills a boy, resulting in his incarceration. Inside the jail, he befriends another inmate, Esteban, who becomes his rock and protector. Seven years later, Rommel is living in the province as a farmer together with Sita his wife. Esteban tracks down Rommel in hopes of renewing a brewing love affair. Rommel and Sita welcome Esteban into their lives, until their intimacy crosses borderlines and results in the undeniable scourge of self-discovery.

Selda is a return to classiscist forms and delivers a stylish, deliberately-paced treatise on love. At moments strange, Selda is a sublime and disquieting portrait of a young man whose search for happiness, innocence and true love is laden with guilt and doubt.

This is the trailer courtesy by maniemjr

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1st Queeriosity International Film Festival

Gay indie films are becoming a genre in Philippine movies and to strengthen this claim, Filipino directors join forces to launch the first Queeriosity International Film Festival.

According to Cris Pablo, the founder of Sinehan Digitales ( Indie Films) and the Queeriosity International Film Festival, is to pay homage on the PINK festival in Manila way back in 1999 and the emerging pink market on Philippine Cinema Industry.

Here are the movies to be featured in the festival on February 11 to 17, 2009, at the Robinson’s IndieSine of Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas:

QIFF Short Films Category
(The Longest One Night Stands)

* Ang Pinakamahabang One Night Stand (Eduardo Roy, Jr.)
* Wait Waiter Wait (Cris Pablo)
* Tutok (Cris Pablo)
* Balot (Harvey Estradough)

QIFF Feature Full Length Films Category

* Sagwan (Monti Puno Parungao)
* Selda (Paolo Villaluna)
* Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (Aureus Solito)
* Masahista: The Masseur (Brillante Mendoza)
* Kurap (Ronnie Bertubin)
* Love Birds (Ronnie Bertubin)
* Jay (Francis Pasion)
* Dose (Senedy Que)

QIFF International Film Category

* Feeding Boys, Ayaya (China)
* A very Natural Thing (USA)

The launch of the 1st QIFF aims to complement the community activities of clans and groups of bisexuals and gay men such as the Fabulous 30s & 40s, Panget Clan, HBOX, School Boys Society, Bi Males Clan, Bi-Pilipinas Charity, Elite Mens Circle, Binatang Pinoy, New Age Community, Quatros Elementos Clan and many others in promoting acceptance of homosexuality in society.

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Brokeback Mountain Movie Review

It would be totally absurd to diss a movie that has been receiving raves since its first screening at Cannes; yet, this is what I'm about to do right now. Oscar-worthy?! I don't think so. This is just an average film that has been overpraised due to its so-called social materiality -- nothing enthralling about the movie as a whole.

Welcome to queer Marlboro country. Talking about non-conformist westerns! Brokeback Mountain traces the course of a homosexual relationship between a pair of cowboys in 1963 Wyoming. Props for its brave undertaking of such delicate subject matter -- its assault on the western mythology of American masculinity and its discovery of a seditious sexual honesty in a macho locale.

Kudos to Ang Lee for the commendable photography blessed with picturesque country vistas. The film has the visual resplendence of Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The pacing of the movie is rather slow, but the plot development is absolutely meritorious. Subtlety is the name of the game. The acting is likewise compelling. Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams gave satisfactory performances. Heath Ledger is just as good, but I'm really bothered with his 'artificial accent thwangs', it was awfully hard to understand what the fuck this faggot is talking about.

By the way, if you think this movie is too gay for you, there are two good reasons to watch it (or maybe four), both Williams and Hathaway have breasts exposures. For your information, this movie was rated R-18 by MTRCB without cuts. You're smiling now, maniac.

Everyone was crying in the movie house except me. Am I emotionally detached? Oh well! I might as well watch Finding Nemo again to get my tearducts back.

A dragging movie that justifies Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet ending. A real downer. Brokeback Mountain is a journey without resolution. A movie with a promise, but not enough to fully move our emotions.

"I wish I know how to quit you."

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Beautiful Boxer Movie Review

"He fights like a man so he can become a woman"

In this captivating sensory spectacle of Director Ekachai Uekrongtham, he introduces Nong Toom's struggles to become Thailand's kickboxing champion in order to earn money for his gender reassignment surgery to transform him into a woman physically. Uekrongtham presents this real-life story of Muaythai kickboxing sensation Parinya Charoenphol with such tenderness ornamented with lush visuals and murderous stunts.

The film begins with flashing images of a muscular young boxer warming up for a match and an elegant young woman putting on a glamorous sequined gown and dazzling jewelry. Their faces are not shown for reasons that are soon revealed: the boxer and the woman is one and of the same.

Asanee Suwan, an actual kickboxing champ, portrays the cross-dressing Nong Toom. He gives a gender-bending performance that is Oscar worthy. He paints the character's simultaneous vulnerability and toughness with subtlety that transgress the conventional definitions of "masculine" and "feminine." He is also electrifying inside the battle arena. The intricately choreographed fight scenes are breathtaking because of the testosterone-charged balletic action sequences (similar to what Ong Bak has to offer) in this unforgiving sport which uses elbows and knees as well as feet and fists (giving Manny a run for his money). Suwan is able to portray with great conviction the difficult journey of Nong Toom towards the realization of his dream.

This film is a realistic metaphor showcasing the essence of being true to oneself despite and inspite of how hurtful the truth can be, thus defying the "moral" majority. Beautiful Boxer does not fall to the category of typical "coming out films" that seem content with cheap laughs and an army of stereotypical characters. Although, this movie is funny just the same.

Beautiful Boxer is a rare hybrid: an underdog sports picture that's also a transgender fairy tale. Bridging the gap towards the seemingly impossible staircase of self acceptance. source

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Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros) Movie Review

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
Director: Aureaus Solito
Producer: Raymond Lee
Script: Michiko Yamamoto

The Premise:

The purity of first love is pitted against the squalor and corruption found in the slums of Manila, the setting for Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros). Maximo Oliveros (Nathan Lopez) or Maxi for short is a pre-teen gay who’s just discovering life and true love. Growing up in a near-slum community somewhere in Manila, he already is on his way to living a cliché life: back-breaking work in service of his family. His father is engaged in a snatched-cellphone business and his two elder brothers, one a bum and the other a jueteng bet lister, always find themselves in trouble. Maxi’s world is colorful and fun – it’s a 24-hour panorama of brightly-colored fabrics, cute hairdo accessories, make pretend Miss Universe pageants and pirated DVD movies. With a family that loves him to death (quite literally as we discovered), what more can one ask for?

When an impossibly-handsome police officer, Victor (JR Valentin), saved him from a near-rape experience in a dark alley, love was born in Maxi’s innocent heart. Maxi befriends Victor, who, in inspiring the boy to hope for a better life, earns the ire of Maxi's family. This does not go down too well with Maxi's family, and in the end, Maxi is caught in a love triangle between his family whom he wants to protect and Victor, his first-love who is determined to uphold the law in whatever way he can.

The Critique:

Contrary to common notions, Pagdadalaga is not a gay movie. It is not generally about the self-discovery of a 12-year old gay boy. Although Maxi is the pivotal character, this movie is mainly about his family's attempts to break free from the clutches of almighty poverty. The incorporation of the gay theme is just a symbolism utilized by the film. It made use of a number of metaphors between Maxi's coming of age and the epidemic that continuously plagues the metro. There's no antagonist in this movie but the cruelty of life itself which drives the characters to engage in antagonistic acts. There is a story behind every character. Thus making the viewers empathize with each character and understand where they are coming from.

Unlike other indie/ art films which rely on controversial sexually-charged representations (like Live Show, Pila Balde, Masahista, etc.) to depict the bleakness of life, Pagdadalaga captured the admiration of the critics amidst the absence of this. The movie steered clear of the pitfalls of such delicate subject matter. A breath of fresh air in an industry jaded by senseless blockbuster fantasies and foreign superheroes clad in spandex.

If you are going to watch this film, the main consideration should be the core content of this magnum opus and not its production greatness. Nonetheless, Pagdadalaga got away with its so-so technicalities because of the laudable camera work and intelligent shots. The musical score is also praise-worthy. The scenes were funny and poignant at the same time. A very realistic depiction of the way of living in the stews of Sampaloc.

Maxi's naivete nature with his innocence and vulnerability can make you cry even without any dialogue. More so, other mediums aside from talking were employed, intent gazes and whistles speak of emotions that even the speech mechanism cannot utter. The complexity of each character is vividly illustrated through subtle means. My favorites are Maxi's father and his brother (played by Ping Medina). But despite its meritorious characterization, the portrayal of some of the actors lack depth.

Pagdadalaga is a heartfelt family movie -- a tale of life in the slums and the bittersweet aftertaste of first love. This film will surely touch your heart.

Note:
By the way, this movie, if i'm not mistaken, is the first full-length movie entry of Philippines to the Sundance Film Festival. (Imelda is not counted because it's a documentary.) This is something that we Pinoys can really be proud of. Support indie. Support Pinoy movies. Suportahan ang pelikulang Pilipino.

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Milk Movie Review

Milk isn’t your typical biopic, one that merely elevates to near-sainthood the life of the fuckin’ lead. Rather, Milk the movie pierces through the heart: a cinematic drama, a love story and an anecdotal charting of the gay movement in the 70s in San Francisco.

Harvey Milk's killing by a deranged fellow politico and the workings of the movement in San Francisco make for a sharp social and political commentary on the resistance to muffling.

A-list actor Sean Penn gives life and extraordinary depth to Harvey Milk’s character as a middle-aged gay rights activist, and SF politician whose life centered on the movement. Penn’s acting is seamless, and charismatic, a huge contender to the Oscars, and a stellar addition to his long varied roles as an actor. His performance woos gold.
The film also charts Milk’s rise to office after a number of stymied efforts to run as the district supervisor. It also tackles in passing the activist, hippie and street life, everything of which gives life on Castro street, a known gay hub in SF.

Director Gus Van Sant’s classic filmmaking style, plain and unembellished, is a true mark of the 70s. His use of a strip of B/W archival footages as the film opens is a poignant reminder of the harassment by cops towards gay men long ago in New York.

James Franco (Harry Osborn, Spiderman) despite his scruffy and dirty image as Milk’s boyfriend (ho hum, 20 years junior) is an eye candy, whom Milk met in a subway station.

Diego Luna (of Y Tu Mama tambien) also stars here as Milk’s second partner. While he perfects the gestures and the body language of a gay man, his character is loopy and volatile as the needy, erratic boyfriend who eventually committed suicide.

Overall, the film flows thoroughly and is effortlessly engaging. In Milk, you’d feel Harvey Milk’s and the gay men’s all-consuming drive to success, and relentless hope to actualize equality at the expense of their personal lives, even leading to Harvey Milk’s unfortunate death in 1978, in the hands of troubled fellow supervisor Dan White.

Milk the movie isn’t just only a story of Harvey but a tale of struggle of us gay men, in the 70s and beyond. The film is gorgeously mawkish. Watch it.

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Lalaki sa Parola Movie Review

There were a lot of goodies here for our eyes to feast on---sun-kissed buns, oohla testicles to testicles grinding, pubes, erections, meat beatings and the majestic Malabrigo Port & Lighthouse in Lobo, Batangas. That's it, and nothing else.

Wait, the plot is loose. Jay Altarejos and Lex Bonife must have been too delighted in packing two plots, compromising what could have been just a simple narrative of two men falling in love. The conflict lies on Laurel's inner struggle of identity.

If anything, the teamup of newcomer Harry Laurel and defunct Viva Hotmen's Justin de Leon is almost perfect here; Laurel as the local parola (lighthouse) watchman and De Leon as your Manila gay guy.

Expectations in order, I'd have to say "Lihim ni Antonio" is still the best of Altarejos. Laurel's acting is a surprise, his accent very true to his role. I love him, next to Coco Martin.

Perida, played by Monti Parungao, is love-love as the flamboyant neighborhood gayguy plying his trade of ricecakes. He ought to have a nomination here.

PS Malabrigo Lighthouse in Lobo, Batangas, is a must-visit.

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