Midnight in Paris

There are some movies that are just so damn charming, so damn delightful that you want to tell your friends all about it. Well, my friends (or whoever you are who is reading this), I want to tell you about Midnight in Paris.

Look, now here's the trailer:

Now, as charming as that was, it isn't as charming as the whole film. In fact, I would have to say that it's even a little misleading. There's a lot going on in and for this movie than this little two-minute trailer.

But I guess that's part of the magic that comes with the film. When I watched it, I had no expectations about the film or about Woody Allen like some film critics do. I didn't expect at all to be entertained. But like the protagonist, Gil Pender (played by Owen Wilson), when that clock struck midnight and that old car stops by - I knew I was in for a wonderful ride.

I don't want to spoil what happens next, but just believe me that it's an adventure that I myself would want to go on. One word for it: Magical.

There's so much more that I want to say about this film, but instead of boring you with it all - just go and watch the film already. It's only 94 minutes of your life. Do it.

You're welcome.

Disney X LucasFilm: A New Hope?

There has been a great disturbance in the Force as news came out of a 4-Billion deal between Lucasfilm and Walt Disney has been made. And, Disney - not wanting to waste their spanking new income-generating property - is already talking about making the next three Star Wars films, the first one slated on 2015.

As a Star Wars fan, and being subjected to the underwhelming prequels, this news has been met with a mix of fear and (new?) hope. Fear because, why ruin a good thing? Haven't we suffered enough Jar Jar, bad acting and awkward romances? But there's always the Star Wars fan in me that hopes that maybe, like what Disney did for the Marvel franchise, they'll do it right this time.

But let's admit it: love or hate this news, we're still going to read about it, be updated about it, be excited about it, and ultimately watch it - even just to see how bad it is compared to all our imaginings (and by now we're imagining plenty).

Hot damn. I can hardly wait. I think I'm going to watch the whole series all over again - starting with Episode 4, of course. Then, for Episode 1, I'll just watch this instead:

Must Watch! Cinemalaya 2011: Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank

So... the title didn't sound like this movie was something I was going to enjoy when I first read about it, but, boy, was I wrong.

I love this film!

In this hilarious take on the world of indie film making, we go through a day in the life of a trio of film makers (played by JM De Guzman, Kean Cipriano, and Cai Cortez) as they try to put together their film which they are sure will bring them all the way to the Oscars. Over "expressos", they discuss and argue about the casting, the editing, and the treatment - resulting in different versions of basically the same scene. In all of these scenes, Eugene Domingo shines as she plays herself and as Mila, the character in the film within the film. She'll get you laughing uproariously and also be drawn to the drama at the same time. She definitely deserves a Best Actress award for this. I became a fan!

I have to say that this is one of the best Filipino films I've watched. It's been a long time since I've watched a movie that so entertained me that I want to see it again after watching it. Laughing, clapping, and even sniffling a little bit - I did all that as I watched the movie. The audience I was with also felt the same and we clapped as the credits rolled. (Though stay a little bit longer after the credits because there's an additional scene.)

I definitely recommend this movie to everyone and, like the film makers in the movie, hope that this film makes it to mainstream cinema or even outside our shores. Filipinos would enjoy the film for the comedy and film makers - amateur or not - will definitely learn a few lessons from this.

Cinemalaya 2011: Shorts Programme A

Would I have watched these films if my cousin wasn't required by her professor to do so and she asked me to come with her? I'll be honest - most likely not. But it's not an unpleasant experience. In fact, I really like the five short films we watched last night.

Just a disclaimer - I am not a film student. I'm just an ordinary film-goer who even likes the film Armageddon (yeah, so what?) so sorry if my views are disjointed, simplistic and/or just don't make any darn sense.

First up was Un Diutay Mundo (One Small World) by Ana Carlyn V. Lim. I was really confused about the language used by the unseen narrator at first. My cousin told me it was in Spanish and I wondered about it for a while but decided to forget about it and concentrate on the story (and the subtitles!). The story is about a boy who has lived in this small room for his whole life and befriended by a girl who wanted to be a writer when she grows up. The ending was foreshadowed early on, but when the narrator was finally revealed, I definitely got the chills. 

There are so many mysteries in this film that will linger in your mind after watching it. What is really up with the boy and why did he have to be locked up in the first place? What is the origin of the narrator? How did the girl get inside the boy's room? Is this all some metaphor for something my little mind can't grasp right now?

My cousin didn't like or understand the film, which she attributed to her distraction about the language. I kind of liked it - the lines about why the girl wanted to become a writer, especially. The acting's a little awkward for me, though. Still, nice film.

The second film was Samarito (Samaritan) by Rafael Santos - the shortest film of the five. From the title, you can probably guess what it's all about. A guy helps out in the most unusual of situations. An anti-hero, in a way. I honestly didn't think much about this one. It was short and sort of predictable. And the corn syrup... I mean, the blood distracted me.

Third was Walang Katapusang Kwarto (An Endless Room) by Emerson Reyes. Shot extremely close up and in one location only (in fact, just in a bed!), this film relies entirely on the dialogue and the acting and chemistry of the actors. Well, it freaking works! I was skeptical when I watched the first lines. I thought that it was going to be chock full of corny one liners, but as the film went on, it became more natural and believable. Kudos to the two actors of the film who made it so. This movie was really enjoyed by the audience in the theater and made them laugh in most parts. My only quibble was that the ending was a little unexpected, but I guess they needed to end the film with something.

Fourth on the list was Every Other Time by Gino M. Santos. This was also shot in one location, this time in front of a desk with a -what is it?- Mac notebook. If the previous film was a study about a couple's relationship, this one quickly chronicles a few days in the life of a college student. And that was it. It was a bit, sorry for the term, conyotic for my taste. Except for the creative shots in the film, I didn't really get it. But after I thought about it, I guess if film can be used to chronicle the lives of the poor (the so-called poverty porn), why not the rich, young, and spoiled? That's freedom of speech and equality.

... Which takes us to the last, and my favorite of the five, film. Niño Bonito by Rommel “Milo” Tolentino is a total 180 of the rich life and takes us to the life of a little kid from the ghettos named Boni whose raps or fliptop steal the show. His life leaves a lot to be desired - living in a tiny house with a drug addicted mom, an abusive stepfather, and a rugby-sniffing brother - but you have to admire him for being who he is despite all that. Believe me, you'll find yourself wanting to adopt the boy or at least get him a spot on Pilipinas Got Talent. The film ends on ambiguous note, but I can't help but feel uplifted and optimistic after watching it.

The film just works for me: funny, yet poignant; realistic, yet there's still a hint of the mystical. Acting was spot on, everything is just believable, and the shot on the bridge with the birds that made me wonder if it was arranged beforehand or did God have a hand in that? Brilliant.

In summary, the five films of the Shorts Programme A flow well together and made for an enjoyable 50 minutes or so. Based on this, I'm looking forward to seeing the two films we are scheduled to watch. I encourage everyone to also check out the films in Cinemalaya 2011 if they have the time or if they can still find tickets. (I heard that they're selling out fast.)

For more information about the independent film festival and the films featured, visit their site at http://www.cinemalaya.org/. Films are only being shown at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Greenbelt 3 in Makati and runs from only July 15 to 24.

Must Watch! EF - Live The Language - Paris

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

I've been to Paris when I was young with my mother as part of a tour group. Even though I enjoyed the trip, I don't think I fully appreciated it. Now that I'm older, I'd love to go there again someday and explore the city on my own... especially after watching this lovely short film.

The storyline, images, the use of typography... everything is just perfect.

The video is part of a series of commercials for EF International Language Centers. They've got one for Beijing, London, and Barcelona too.

Check out the rest of them at the EF International Language Centers campaign site.

... So what do we do now?

Is it the end of an era?

I remember watching or reading Harry Potter when I was in college. My friend lent me her books and thus began our group's fascination with all things HP. Much like what I imagine teens are doing these days with their Twilight books, we hugged our hardbound Harry Potter books to our chests and discussed our theories over our lunch breaks. When the movie came out, I remember our panic when we couldn't find tickets for a first day screening and we had to rush to Rockwell after our classes ended.

But yesterday was to be the last time we'll be able to have that rush of anticipation. Tickets bought two weeks beforehand, I met up with my friend Iya, her friends, and my two cousins to watch the final film installment of the series at SM Mall of Asia IMAX Theater.

Cousins

So much had changed and I feel like we've grown up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione throughout the years. I felt sentimental as the film drew to a close. Thinking about it, it was like the final moments of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's 7th season when Dawn asks, "What do we do now, Buffy?" Indeed, what do we do now the Harry Potter has ended? The general concensus is, I guess, to wait for Pottermore and see what it's all about.

 Smiling (well, except for me) before the movie

Sad (?) after the movie

For now, or until October when Pottermore opens at least, I'd like to say thank you to J.K. Rowling and the whole cast and crew of the Harry Potter films. So long, and thanks for all the memories.

Just because... I want to show that I'm wearing my new shoes!

Film & Fashion: Simply Irresistible

This is a bit of an oldie (sort of), relatively unknown, and critically lambasted movie... But I don't care. I love this film. Let me tell you the reasons why:

1. It stars Sarah Michelle Gellar aka Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
2. It has mouth-watering food. 
3. Romance.
4. Magic.
5. You guessed it - clothes.

The person responsible for SMG's wardrobe was Todd Oldham, who I fondly remember from MTV's House of Style which aired sometime during the '90s.

Happily ever after *sighs*

Amanda's style is quirky, cute, and eclectic. I love her outfit when she goes to visit Tom at his workplace to buy some plates. I also love it how she picks different mismatching sets, surprising him with her unconventional choice. I totally would've picked different sets too.

She picks this outfit with the help of her male best friend who informs her that when men touch their belt, they think about sex. Tom doesn't wear belts, but this outfit does make him fiddle with his suspender.

I saw this gorgeous maxi dress from ASOS and thought that it had the similar look. Just put on some layered necklaces and an interesting textured coat (or a denim jacket!) to copy Amanda's style!

 ASOS Maxi Dress in Hydrangea Print £55.00

Film & Fashion: Letters To Juliet

Yet another movie set in Tuscany, Letters To Juliet became one of my favorite movies when I first saw it. Besides starring two stars from my favorite brilliant-yet-cancelled tv shows (Veronica Mars & Kings), the romance, the setting, and - of course - the fashion make me want to watch it over and over again.

 David Shepherd and Lilly Kane lying on the grass underneath the stars

The style of the lead character, Sophie, is quite simple and classic. I like it that throughout the movie, we see her wear almost the same things - believable, since she was on a trip and only had the luxury of wearing whatever it was on her suitcase. This is the idea when traveling, bring simple and coordinating outfits. But even with those constraints, she always appears fresh and well-put-together.

 

I love the muted colors of her outfits. The pale hues, with her blond hair and blue eyes, give off that 70's romantic feeling. And her hair... Messy, loose, and twisted, braided... Love it!

But the best thing in her wardrobe, for me, is her satchel which she carries around in the movie. Watching it made me buy one of those bags for myself.

I already have mine, but if you want one similar to what Sophie was lugging all around in Italy, you might want to get this one that is for pre-order at The School of Satchel.

School of Satchel, Php 4,200

Film & Fashion: Under the Tuscan Sun

credit: alanjasonb on YouTube

Forget about the little black dress. After watching "Under The Tuscan Sun", I am on the lookout for a little white dress.

In the film (based on a memoir), Diane Lane's character - Frances - goes through a painful divorce and impulsively decides to buy a villa in Tuscany and settle there. Who wouldn't want to do that? Well, minus the divorce part, I really want to go live in Tuscany too.

It's like you're stuck in a painting or something... So beautiful.

Photograph by Bob Krist

Between vineyards and ricotta farms, a field of bright red poppies dazzles those lucky enough to drive along the undulating hills of Tuscany. According to author Frances Mayes, Tuscany is "the sweetest countryside I know, where inviting roads wind off into fields punctuated by abandoned stone houses." (Text adapted from and photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "With Frances Mayes in Tuscany," May/June 1999, National Geographic Traveler magazine)

In one the scenes, Frances' Italian lover tells her through a letter that he had a dream about her wearing a white dress. Of course, she had to go and get herself a white dress - not that any girl needs an excuse for shopping. And, boy, did she find a dream dress or what?

I just can't find a full shot of this dress. :(

Even if it's just a simple white dress with a black belt, it's just so classic and so romantic. I'd love to wear it with those big black sunglasses and floppy brimmed hats.

Check out these white dresses perfect for summer. Tuscany is still a dream right now, but I guess they are still perfect to wear under the Manila sun.

 Marni by Bayo. Php 945

Nichelle by Kamiseta Php 1,999

LIMITED EDITION White Asymmetric Wrap Dress by Topshop £68.00

Must Watch! Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Ah~ First Love.

Isn't there anything sweeter?

First Love (Crazy Little Thing Called Love) is a Thai movie set in high school where an ugly duckling named Nam falls in love with campus heartthrob Shone. With the help of her loyal friends, Nam tries her best to become a beautiful swan hoping to capture his heart and have her happy ending.

It may sound a little cliche and overdone, but the charm of this movie is the chemistry of the whole cast. The two leads played by Pimchanok Luewisetpaibon and Mario Maurer are absolutely lovable and you'll find yourself getting all tingly about their every interaction. Nam's character is also relatable to us girls who experienced that awkward teenage stage with bad hair and braces. And who didn't have a crush on the cutest guy in school? Mario Maurer's character is simply a dreamboat (yes, I said it) that if we were in the same school, I'll probably be trying to get his attention too. Heck, even now! After watching the movie, I challenge you not to develop a little crush on this Thai cutie.

One of the things I also liked in this movie was the supporting cast. The friendship between Nam and her friends was wonderful to watch and reminded me of my own set of high school girl friends. Yes, we also helped each other out with stalking our crushes. We had our internal spats but got each other's backs when one of us was being bullied. Though it makes us cringe to remember some of the things we've done, we could only laugh now and shake our heads as we see the girls do the same mistakes.

I think this is one of the best Asian romantic comedies out there. I definitely recommend this to all the romantics out there, both to the young and the young at heart. <3

Film & Fashion: Rear Window

credit: ryy79 on YoutTube

Neighbors can be a bitch. Or sometimes, like in the 1954 Hitchcock film Rear Window, they can be wife-murdering bastards.

This classic thriller from the Master of Suspense is about a photographer named Jeff (played by one of my favorites James Stewart) who amuses himself by spying on his neighbors as he recuperates from a broken leg. Things get serious when he begins to suspect that one of them killed his wife and might be getting away with murder. (Yes, kids, Disturbia was just a modern retelling of this one.)

"They all said at first that she was too cold, sexless. But to me she was always... a snow-covered volcano."
Alfred Hitchcock on Grace Kelly

The divine Grace Kelly plays Lisa Fremont, his high society (hah! get it?) girlfriend, who tries to collect evidence and solve the crime while wearing an oh-my-god enviable wardrobe. Well, there's no rule that says otherwise, right?

The one responsible for making these wonderful outfits is costume designer Edith Head who has the distinction of winning eight Academy Awards which is the most in history. She definitely deserves it for this one and I'll be sure to check out the rest of her works.

A dress fit for a Princess.

On the other hand, there is Grace Kelly who I absolutely adore. I consider her as one of the most beautiful people who ever graced (pardon the pun) the movie screen. Even though everyone was happy when she became a real life princess by marrying into the Monaco royal family, it's also a pity that she didn't make movies anymore.

She asks, "How do I look?" Honey, do you even have to ask?

She climbs over a fire-escape railing in this dress!

This is my favorite out of all the outfits. I'm in love with this dress. The florals, the sheerness, the skirt... it's just so perfect. I want to go to picnic wearing this dress complete with the hat and everything. I want to learn how to sew just so I can own a dress like that. But if you're like me who can't sew a straight line, just check out these similar dresses I found in Mango's Spring 2011 Nude Collection Lookbook. I know I will.

It's just the long skirt and it's not as yellow as Grace Kelly's dress, but I think it really looks similar.

I guess this is a short dress version of that skirt.

Film & Fashion: Pillow Talk

On my quest to watch the 501 Must See Movies, I happened to watch Pillow Talk starring cultural icon Doris Day. I've always wanted to watch it anyway, since I had a classic movie phase when I was younger and this was one of those movies I was going to see but kept on putting off. Makes me wonder now why I took so long when it was absolutely adorable!

A little background... Pillow Talk is like a battle of the sexes movie during the days of the party line. If you don't know what a party line is, it's when you share a number with another person because back then, there weren't a lot of phone line available yet. Jan Morrow (Doris Day) is a modern career woman (in those days, anyway) who shares a party line with playboy composer Brad Allen (Rock Hudson). They bicker about phone rights all the time, but when Brad accidentally catches a glimpse of the lady on the other side of the phone, his interest is piqued and sets off to woo her into bed without her knowing his true identity. Hijinks ensue!

The story is enough to interest me, but what sold me to this movie and landing it on one of my favorite classic films is the wardrobe which was designed by Jean Louis. I absolutely love Jan Morrow's well put together outfits! Even though this movie was made in 1959, I can still see these looks on the runway, the streets, and on the closets of every career woman today.

Stylish Jan Morrow (Doris Day) in Pillow Talk

There were several outfits that caught my eye in the movie. One of the most popular outfits in this movie is the white gown Jan wears during her first meeting with Brad. We can't blame the guy for falling for her at first sight because she was absolutely gorgeous in this number. It looks so deceptively innocent in front - even in pure white! - but she turns around and we see that the dress actually plunges to the small of her back, showcasing the skin and curves.

But my favorite has to be the dark green ensemble that she wore in Jonathan's office. I love how her orange accessories pop out and brightens up outfit. I guess I just love the unexpected and daring color combination. It made me dive into my closet and find something that could pass for it.

Alas, I found nothing. Need to do more shopping! Meanwhile, here's my take on that outfit.

Pillow Talk by typecastheroine on Polyvore.com