By Sanriel Chris Ajero

We are more than a quarter off of 2010 and my film viewing log has been cut to half as compared to last year. For personal satisfaction and to put myself under pressure, I will start doing a list of the best films I’ve seen per month. This first installment, however, is an exception. The first two months of the year was spent mostly to watch more films for the Best of 2009 that I did. So this list I’m doing now is basically for March and April viewing. Mind that I personally declared March to be a Filipino films month so expect more of those in the following entries.

What follows is a list of the 10 best films I saw during the last two months (March and April, 2010) with one-liner writeups (because I’m lazy).

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Khavn at his most tender. Partly about beautiful poetry; partly about captivating music; partly about the University of the Philippines; partly about the story of two young adults – but entirely about love.

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The most romantic thing I’ve seen in quite a while. Campion manages to suck the cheese in all of us without being cringe-inducing. It also features a lovely turn from newcomer Abbie Cornish. Did I mention it also looks absolutely pretty?

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One of the rare proofs that surreal can look beautiful and delicate. A short stop-motion film from Solito that recreates a ritual on physical transformation.

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Not allowing their children to ever leave their compound while teaching them the most bizarre and inaccurate lessons in life, this unnamed dysfunctional family deals with secrets, protection, discipline and rebellion in a manner that would demand highlighting the fine line between innocence and just plain insanity.

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It started as a dream project from master animator Walt Disney and visual artist Salvador Dali. It ended up as one of the most beautiful sets of images my eyes have ever had the pleasure of seeing.

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Major film outfits in the country have tried, a million times and then some, to create a love story with a heart. I can’t recall them ever hitting the mark or even doing anything close to this gem – a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of two lost souls.

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A gorgeous mosaic of ordinary people – uniquely and bleakly framed in a tableau – each dealing with his own insecurity, vulnerabilty, and longing for someone.

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Some people might not get anything from this film. It basically has no direct plot and straightforward narration. It does, however, bombard your eyes with beautifully blinding images and neon lights, and takes one to the fast paced train rides and neverending dance parties – as if contrasted to Vicky, the lead character’s slow, almost uneventful and meaningless existence.

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There is no other director in the world that can hook one’s interest into watching an hour-long sequence of a group of friends just doing drugs – at the edge of one’s seat. By watching this, you’ve never put 9 hours of your life to better use. 

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Aside from being one of the best acted films this country has ever produced, it also is one of the most disturbing and unforgettable portraits of a Filipino family. Everything we learned about a family in all the teleseryes we’ve ever seen will all be shattered just by its final indelible sequence – one that will forever taint the Filipinos’ once dreamlike picture of a happy ending.

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Here are some highlights of my March and April film viewing sessions:

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First film seen from the cut-off date:

 

The ultimate horror film – with slashers, werewolves, ghosts, killers, aliens – everything that would scare even your darkest nightmares.

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Last film seen from the cut-off date:

 

Very pretty, but sometimes excessively so. The subtle performance from the lead was overshadowed by the intentionally gimmicky and very literal metaphors. A good film nonetheless.

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Scariest film from the selection:

A definite cult classic. It shows how fluidly it juxtaposes the dangers of the supernatural as to the dangers brought about by man.

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Weirdest/Oddest film from the selection:

No words for this. See it to believe it.

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Prettiest film from the selection:

Exquisite shots, colorful set designs, lavish costumes, and beautifully played characters paint a very pretty picture in this amazingly crafted comeback film of the great Jane Campion.

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Most disgusting film from the selection:

It is about the art in sex and porn, so you know exactly what to expect.

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The film that made me cry (well, almost):

Perfectly captures the different ways a child copes up with growing up. It downplays everything to the point that you wouldn’t notice it toying with your emotions.

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The film that made me want to fall in love (I’m not referring to the third act though):

It brings out the romantic in every single one of us.

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The film that helped me catch some much needed sleep aka Most boring film award:

I slept over this Sundance hit that I found rather uninteresting – a story of a conman who fell in love with his inmate. Or maybe I was just too tired that day? A rewatch is coming up.

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Most disappointing films from the selection:

With a cast as dreamy as this, who would’ve thought it would even be possible to go wrong? Rob Marshall turned this early Oscar frontrunner into the nightmare of 2009.

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The much-anticipated new Alix film disappoints in so many levels that you would hate yourself for even thinking it is ok.

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The film I unexpectedly liked and enjoyed:

The comedy is pitch dark and the plot is disturbingly fresh. A very surprising little gem that nobody expected – judging from its horrendous promotional poster.

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Best Actor:

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Best Actress:

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Best moments from the films I saw:

–         Max Records leaving the island in Where the Wild Things Are

–         Brillante Mendoza’s endlessly enjoyable music video Ayos Ka as part of the omnibus film Ambisyon 2010.

–         ­Picnic scene in Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising

–         ­The climax triggered by the removal of the dogtooth in Dogtooth

–         The longshot in the rugby field in The Secret in their Eyes

–         The finale shot in Kisapmata.

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That’s it for now. Will try to improve my viewing scheds this month for the May list. Thanks for reading. Til next month!