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Saturday, January 07, 2006
Libre: Films that filled my days
By Mel Libre
Seriously Now
Two movies directed by New Zealanders, “Kingkong” and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” brought audiences around the world to theatres during the yuletide season. The two expensive films were not only products of good storytelling but also of spectacular special effects that only big-time producers could afford.
Even with thriving film piracy and the brisk video sales/rental business, producers continue to churn out movies that entertain, if not make people ponder. One director who has balanced his features is Steven Spielberg---with his delightful masterpieces like “ET,” “Indiana Jones” and “Jurassic Park” and thought-provoking opuses like “Schindler’s List” and the forthcoming “Munich.”
Being a film enthusiast, I prefer movies with serious themes over those that border on slapstick comedy or senseless violence. The Philippine movie industry has more of the latter than the former, though some directors have released decent productions that should make the late director extraordinaire Lino Brocka proud.
As 2005 reached its dying days and 2006 groped in its infancy, I filled my days with films shown either in television or through rented VCDs. Let me go through some of the better ones.
“The Pianist” is about a gifted Polish pianist whose career was nipped by World War II. The depiction of how he endured the loss of his family and survived in the concrete war zone of Warsaw is comparable to those in previous films like “Schindler’s List” and “Life is Beautiful” that showed the brutality of the Nazi regime and the strength of the human spirit.
Tom Hanks’ “Forrest Gump” is both endearing and inspiring with a main character whose low IQ could not deter him from succeeding in his endeavours and pursuing his only love, Jenny.
“I am Sam” is about a doting father (Sean Penn) with an IQ of a seven year old who was stripped of custody of his daughter (played by lovable Dakota Fanning) but eventually regained the child. The inclusion of Lennon-McCartney songs (Sam is a Beatles fan) enhanced this heart-warming film.
“Whale Rider” deals on the struggle of an old tribal Maori chief in modern New Zealand, his search for a male-heir apparent and the longing of his granddaughter to fill that need. How the granddaughter proved her worth is a test in faith and courage.
“Jurrasic Park” I, II and III were heart-pounding. The third instalment was forgettable, but the first two did pose the question on man’s folly in threading into God’s sphere of creation.
The Will Smith starred “I Robot” had robots wanting to place mankind in a state of martial law. It joins my top three robot-themed movies that includes “Bicentennial Man” and “A.I.”
With problems troubling humanity, sometimes it is worthwhile to see a movie, not only to be entertained but also to rediscover ourselves.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 7, 2006 issue)
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