Movies you shouldn?t miss

By Isah V. Red

When the going gets tough, better watch a movie. And with ticket prices soaring these days, you don?t want to waste P170 on a bad movie. You?d better make the right choice before you even buy the ticket.

In the multiplexes these days are some of the engaging movies released last year in the US. Opening today is a film by Gus Van Sant (previous works include My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting, Elephant, among others) about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay to be elected in San Francisco?s Board of Supervisors. (See related story on this spread.)

Milk is played by Sean Penn who recently won the Actors? Guild of America?s Best Actor in a Motion Picture award, and is also up for the same award at the Oscars on Feb. 22 (telecast live via satellite Feb. 23 8 a.m. in Manila on Velvet Channel and Star Movies).

Apart from the very convincing performance of Penn as an openly gay man, three other actors play gay men that had some kind of a relationship with Milk: James Franco as Scott Smith, Milk?s lover who went with him from New York to San Francisco but left him after sometime due to Milk?s near obsession with politics; Diego Luna, as his Latino lover Jack Lira whose emotional dependence on Milk would lead to his suicide; and Emile Hirsch (recently seen as Speed Racer in the Wachowski?s translation to film of a video game of the same title) as Cleve Jones who became Milk?s prot?g? in their gay rights activism.

While Milk is about a gay man, it isn?t a gay film at all. Yes, Penn locked lips with Franco and Luna, but they weren?t the kind that we would think about as Van Sant trying to exploit the actors into doing something he would enjoy watching. Nope, there?s not a scene that we?d think Van Sant is showing his voyeuristic tendencies here, if he has at all. Van Sant may be gay, but he?s no pornographer. In fact, Milk is about being gay and being honest, which isn?t so much the way things are in this part of the world. In fact, when he was assassinated (along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone) by Irish ex-cop Dan White (Josh Brolin) who couldn?t seem to fathom Milk?s growing political influence and his opposition to the anti-gay Proposition 6 which was rejected in a referendum, the entire San Francisco felt a painful loss of someone who fought for human rights.

The film will disappoint gays whose primary reason in going to the cinemas is purely prurient. Sorry gays, but you won?t see Sean giving James a hand or blow job or vice versa. The only time we see James? backside is in a pool when Milk went to talk to fellow gays who have acquired the gay-rights magazine Advocate.

Whether or not Milk is a sexually explicit movie, what makes it engaging is how Van Sant tells the story of a gay man who had come out of his closet and encouraged many others to start fighting for recognition of what they are. This all happened at the time when out-ing made waves in tabloids and magazines. Milk only wanted the respect of fellow human beings, and his short-lived political career started a new era for gays, not only in San Francisco but all over the world. Epic from Down Under

Critics in the US thrashed Baz Luhrman?s Australia, perhaps because it reminded them of movies like Gone With the Wind, East of Eden, and not the not too recent Out of Africa with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

Yet, for those who are unaware of those movies, Australia can still be the romantic movie that they?ve been yearning for amid films heavy on computer-graphic imagery and high-testosterone action.

Luhrman (previous works include Moulin Rouge, Romeo+Juliet, and Strictly Ballroom) conjures a tale of love between an Englishwoman named Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels to Australia to see if she could sell her husband?s property in Faraway Downs. He meets a man known only as The Drover (Hugh Jackman) whose been contracted to bring him from Darwin to the Ashley estate.

On her arrival, she is met by tragic news that her husband has been killed and the police names the probable killer as King George, an aboriginal who despises the White Man. After the funeral, Lady Ashley is ready to travel back to England and sell Faraway Downs, but something happens that will keep her in the estate, drive the cattle to Darwin and live happily ever after.

No, the story isn?t that simple. Australia is about the ?Lost Generation,? children sired with aboriginal women by white men. The Australian government?s policy is to take this children to a welfare institution where they will be taken care of by religious men and women and away from the sight of many.

Nullah (played by Brandon Walters) narrates the story about how he found his way back to Australia with his grandfather King George. He also tells how Lady Ashley falls into the arms of The Drover and how he saves them from Mission Island when the Japanese bombed Darwin. He also tells how The Drover nearly lost his mind to know that Lady Ashley has perished in the bombing, and how he regained himself when he sees her walking on the boardwalk to meet the boat from Mission Island.

I loved every bit of Luhrmann?s epic romantic tale on the big screen. Very few filmmakers have the guts to make a movie as wide a scope as Australia. (I hope and pray Gabby Lopez, Charo Santos Concio, Malou Santos, Rory Quintos, Piolo Pascual, Angel Locsin and the rest of the people involved in the movie Love Me Again (Land Down Under), which pales in comparison to Australia, would watch the movie. Guys, next time you try to do something like that, keep it home. There?s nothing wrong shooting a movie right in your own backyard for so long as you tell the story right.)

If you have the time for a two and a half epic, go catch a screening of Australia at a neighboring multiplex (if it is still showing).

Flash Bomba

After starring in one of ABS-CBN?s top-rating shows, Dyosa, as Kulas, Luis Manzano is the newest superhero on the boob tube. He stars in Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo?s Flash Bomba.

?This is my first time to play lead role. Medyo pressured ng konti but it really helps when people around you are very supportive,? Luis shares.

Tagged as the ?Superhero for all Seasons,? Flash Bomba is the famed crime fighter who loves the spotlight. It is also a take on her mother?s media tag as the Star for all Seasons, (Vilma Santos-Recto). Flash Bomba is the last of the Ravelo?s superheroes which also completes the much-anticipated Isang Lakas super team.

Luis is Roldan Legazpi, a rich guy who thinks that he can do anything as long as he puts his mind into it. Despite his physical disability a result of an accident while he was on a hunting trip, he managed to study martial arts and made time for body building to strengthen his upper body. And because of the physical training he underwent, he eventually learns to walk with his hands.

Other members of the cast include Roxanne Guinoo, Sid Lucero, Lito Pimentel, Nanette Inventor, Alan Paule, Empoy and Rio Locsin.

Sid?s on the roll

Many young actors are in need of a job, on TV or in movies shot using handycams and passed on as indie films.

Not Sid Lucero (Timothy Eigenmann in real life) who is slowly inching his way into mainstream entertainment and becoming a regular fixture on television.

After Ligaw na Bulaklak, he returns to playing a character that had critics nodding for him as one of the country?s most effective actors.

In Flash Bomba, he plays the superhero?s super nemesis. Sid is happy to be in the show, after all, this is a major project for the network?s weekend programming. He said that he?d be happy to accept every offer he receives. ?It [the fee] can pay for my bills,? he says.

While waiting for a project that can showcase his acting talent, he is focused on working with his new role in Flash Bomba.

Tomorrow comes for Zaijian

Zaijian Jaranilla is the newest kid on primetime TV, and he stars in the soap inspired, perhaps, by the classic Marcelino, pan y vino many decades ago.

Zaijian is the star of May Bukas Pa series along with adult actors Dina Bonnevie, Albert Martinez, Jaime Fabregas, Tony Mabesa, Precious Lara Quigaman, Lito Pimentel, Dominic Ochoa, Victor Basa, David Chua, Ruben Gonzaga, Desiree del Valle, Arlene Muhlach, Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador, and Tonton Gutierrez.

Will Zaijian become the new Nino Muhlach? Or will he just be another John Prats? It?s up to you folks.

Ethel Espiritu, production manager of May Bukas Pa, said: ?Zaijian fits well in the character of a miracle boy. His big innocent eyes say it all.?

Zaijian gave life to the young Tony on Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo?s Tiny Tony. He was also in some commercials on television like McDonald?s, Lactum and Tide.

Watch out as Santino showers on bunch of hope and faith in May Bukas Pa on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

Ilagan?s ?Powervoice?

In Ilagan, Isabela, an all-male concert chorus called ?Powervoice? is preparing for a Valentine concert on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Friendship Hall of the ?Bahay ng Ilagan? (House of Ilagan). The concert for a cause will raise funds to support a summer camp for the youth of Isabela.

?Powervoice? is the only all-male choir in Region 2 with no formal vocal training. Composed of young professionals and students, ?Powervoice? was formerly a parish-based choir of the St. Ferdinand Parish in Ilagan, then later, the St. Ferdinand College Concert Chorus.

The members are Christopher Nuez, tenor1/lead; Aljun de la Pe?a, tenor1/lead; Alex Juan, tenor1; Samuel Acosta Jr., tenor2/lead; Noel Dauag, tenor2; Dominador Galasinao, tenor2/lead; Jem Lugo, base1/lead; Alexis Loristo, base1; Rey Laureat, base1/guitarist; Joemarie Manalo, base1/keyboardist; Alexander de la Cruz, base2/lead; Mike Jordan Yasto, base2/lead; Alvin Miranda, base2; and Sherwin Balloga, base2/percussion.

For tickets, send text to Joemarie at 0920-6373350 or Aljun at 0920-4244625.