Tuesday, October 30, 2007

PHANTOM LOVE (2007, NINA MENKES, A+++++)

THIS IS MY COMMENT IN BIOSCOPE WEBBOARD:
http://www.bioscopemagazine.com/smf/index.php?topic=678.0

FILMS SEEN ON TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2007

1.PHANTOM LOVE (2007, Nina Menkes, A++++++++++)

This film gave me the feelings I had never experienced since I saw SOMBRE (1999, Philippe Grandrieux, A++++++++++) seven years ago.


2.EGG (YUMURTA) (2007, Semih Kaplanoglu, Turkey, A++++++++++)

What I like very much in this film is the absence of emotional manipulation. It can captivate my attention with so little story.


3.THE THIRD PART OF THE NIGHT (1971, Andrzej Zulawski, Poland, A+)
I saw it from DVD. I wouldn’t be surprised if anybody told me that Zulawski suffered from hysteria.
http://www.secondrundvd.com/release_more_tpotn.php
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/1805133522_9113d6614d_o.jpg

Images of this film from http://www.dvdbeaver.com/
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews30/third_part_of_the_night.htm
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/1805133532_3648771c41_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/1805133526_099d5b0243_o.jpg



4.IMPORT EXPORT (2007, Ulrich Seidl, Austria, A+)

The film is much more comical than what I expected. One thing I like in this film is that the main characters are not too stupid or naive, but they are just ordinary people.


5.THE QUEEN OF SHEBA’S PEARLS (2004, Colin Nutley, Sweden, B+)

What seems to be the best thing about this film is its beautiful scenery and beautiful sunlight, but other things in this film seem too be too ordinary for me.



ตอบน้อง NANOGUY

พี่เคยดู ROSALIE GOES SHOPPING (B+) ทางวิดีโอ ก็ฟังบทสนทนาไม่ค่อยออกเหมือนกันค่ะ แต่ก็ชอบตัวละครยัยโรซาลีที่ร้ายได้น่ารักมากๆ

พี่เคยดูหนังที่เป็น FICTION ของ PERCY ADLON มา 3 เรื่อง (ROSALIE GOES SHOPPING, YOUNGER AND YOUNGER, SALMONBERRIES) รู้สึกว่าสิ่งที่ชอบที่สุดในหนังของเขาคือการจัดแสงสีที่มันดูฉูดฉาด แต่สวยและเซอร์เรียลดีมากๆ


ตอบน้อง merveillesxx

อีกสิ่งหนึ่งที่ชอบมากใน STEVE + SKY คือบุคลิกของนางเอก ที่บอกไม่ถูกว่าเธอบ้าหรือดี เธอดูเก๋มากๆ แต่ภายใต้ความเก๋ เธอมีอะไรบางอย่างที่ไม่ค่อยปกติธรรมดาสักเท่าไหร่ ชอบการเต้นรำของเธอมากๆ มันดูปลดปล่อยอารมณ์ดี

---------------------------------------------

This is my comment in Riverdale’s blog:
http://riverdale-dreams.blogspot.com/2007/10/short-replay-beautiful-thing.html

เพิ่งรู้จากบล็อกของ MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE ว่าหนังเรื่อง BEAUTIFUL THING เคยเป็นละครเวทีมาก่อน เพราะตอนที่ดูหนังเรื่องนี้ไม่มีความรู้สึกเลยว่ามันคล้ายกับละครเวที จัดว่าเป็นหนังที่ดัดแปลงมาจากละครเวทีได้เนียนมากๆ






Monday, October 29, 2007

STEVE + SKY (2004, FELIX VAN GROENINGEN, A)

This is my comment in Bioscope Webboard:
http://www.bioscopemagazine.com/smf/index.php?topic=678.0

FILMS SEEN ON MONDAY 29 OCTOBER 2007

1.STEVE + SKY (2004, Felix Van Groeningen, Belgium, A)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SQ3WD6RTL._SS500_.jpg

2.FOREVER AND EVER (2001, Raymond To, B+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0277674/

3.AND IF TOMORROW (2005, Giovanni La Parola, Italy, B)

4.MISS PHYLLIS (2004, Clemens M. Schonborn, Austria, B)


FAVORITE SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Josephine Ho – FOREVER AND EVER
She also stars in EXILED (2006, Johnny To, A)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0387319/


FAVORITE SUPPORTING ACTOR
Chapman To (1972) – FOREVER AND EVER
He also stars in ISABELLA (2006, Pang Ho-cheung, A+)

It’s funny to think that Chapman To might be 28-year-old when he starred in FOREVER AND EVER, but he played a high-school kid in this film. However, he played his role very convincingly.


FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
STEVE + SKY – Soulwax

FAVORITE CINEMATOGRAPHY
STEVE + SKY – Ruben Impens
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408249/


--I just want to add that LA CALIFORNIE sometimes makes me think about Fassbinder’s films. But if LA CALIFORNIE is directed by Fassbinder, I think the tone of the film would be more satirical, not as naturalistic as this.


LIST FOR THE FIRST FOUR DAYS IN PREFERENTIAL ORDER

1.FALLEN (2005, Fred Kelemen, Latvia, A++++++++++)

2.THE CALIFORNIA (2006, Jacques Fieschi, A+++++)

3.SAVIOUR’S SQUARE (2006, Joanna Kos + Krzysztof Krauze, Poland, A+++++)

4.DEMENTED (2006, Laurent Achard, France, A+++++)

5.BAMAKO (2006, Abderrahmane Sissako, Mali, A+)

6.ANTONIA’S LINE (1995, Marleen Gorris, A+)

7.JELLYFISH (2007, Israel, Shira Geffen + Etgar Keret, A+/A)

8.STEVE + SKY (2004, Felix Van Groeningen, Belgium, A)

9.SALMONBERRIES (1991, Percy Adlon, A)

10.FLOWER IN THE POCKET (2007, Liew Seng Tat, Malaysia, A/A-)

11.THE MOSQUITO PROBLEM AND OTHER STORIES (2007, Andrey Paounov, Bulgaria, A-)

12.DALLAS AMONG US (2005, Robert Adrian Pejo, Hungary, A-/B+)

13.FOREVER AND EVER (2001, Raymond To, B+)

14.AND IF TOMORROW (2005, Giovanni La Parola, Italy, B)

15.MISS PHYLLIS (2004, Clemens M. Schonborn, Austria, B)

16.IT WILL STAY BETWEEN US (2004, Miro Sindelka, C-)




ตอบคุณ FILMSICK

เข้าใจว่า DALLAS ในหนังเรื่อง DALLAS AMONG US น่าจะหมายถึงละครทีวีชุด “เจ้าพ่อดัลลัส” (1978-1991) ที่นำแสดงโดย Larry Hagman กับ Victoria Principal ค่ะ ละครเรื่องนี้เคยมาฉายทางช่อง 3 แต่ดิฉันไม่เคยดู เนื้อหาของเรื่องจะเกี่ยวกับตระกูลเศรษฐีในดัลลัสที่ร่ำรวยจากธุรกิจน้ำมัน และเต็มไปด้วยการแก่งแย่งชิงดี,ชิงรักหักสวาทกันอย่างรุนแรง

เรื่องย่อจาก http://www.imdb.com/

“The saga of the wealthy Ewing family - patriarch Jock Ewing, who started Ewing Oil, the family corporation; Miss Ellie, his wife who properly managed Southfork Ranch, the family home; and their three sons - J.R., the ruthless CEO of Ewing Oil, married to former Miss Texas Sue Ellen Shepard; Bobby, the nice guy, who married Pamela Barnes, daughter of the Ewing's chief business rival; and Gary, considered an outcast by his father, who eventually moved to California with his wife Valene.”


ดิฉันไม่รู้เหมือนกันว่าการใช้ละครทีวีเรื่อง DALLAS ใน DALLAS AMONG US หมายถึงอะไร แต่ถ้าหากพูดถึงธุรกิจน้ำมันในสหรัฐแล้ว ดิฉันก็มักจะนึกถึงธุรกิจที่ทำให้คนรวยเพียงแค่ไม่กี่คน ในขณะที่คนอื่นๆในประเทศก็จนกันต่อไป

--ส่วนละครทีวีที่นำแสดงโดย PETER FALK คือเรื่อง COLUMBO ค่ะ ละครทีวีเรื่องนี้น่าจะเกี่ยวข้องกับ WINGS OF DESIRE (1986, Wim Wenders)



ตอบน้อง NANOGUY

ตอนดู BAMAKO ก็นึกถึงหนังของคุณปราปต์เหมือนกันค่ะ โดยส่วนตัวแล้ว ปีนี้พี่ประทับใจกับหนังการเมืองแนวพูดกันเป็นต่อยหอยแบบนี้มากๆ เพราะพี่ไม่มีความรู้เรื่องการเมืองและแทบไม่ได้สนใจเรื่องการเมืองเลย พอมาดูหนังแนวนี้ก็เลยเหมือนได้รับความรู้ในทางอ้อม

MY FAVORITE POLITICAL TALKING FILM I SAW IN 2007

1.THE BANGKOK BOURGEOIS PARTY (2007, Prap Boonpan, A+)

2.RE-PRESENTATION (2007, Chai Chaiyachit + Chisanucha Kongwailap, A+)

3.GOODBYE THAILAND (SELF-KIDNAPPER) A TRAGEDY (Vasan Sitthiket, A+)
This film is shown at the Bangkok University Gallery.

4.BAMAKO (2006, Abderrahmane Sissako, A+)

5.THE NINTH DAY (2006, Volker Schlondorff, A)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GQWWHQBYL._SS500_.jpg

Synopsis from http://www.imdb.com/

“In World War II, after a period living hell on earth in the concentration camp of Dachau with other catholic priests, Father Abbe Henri Kremer (Ulrich Matthes) gets a nine days leave to return to his home town for his mother's funeral. Along this period, the SS Gestapo lieutenant Gebhardt (August Diehl) tries to persuade Henri, who was born in silver-spoon and member of an influent Luxembourgian family, to convince the local bishop to give-up resisting to the Germans and write a letter to the Vatican in the name of the Catholic Church of Luxemburg convincing the Pope to support Hitler and the Nazi regime. The ambivalent Henri questions himself and the bishop what he shall”


ตอบน้อง merveillesxx

cowboy อีก 2 คนใน BAMAKO ก็เป็นผู้กำกับหนังเหมือนกันนะ ซึ่งก็คือ

1.Zeka Laplaine เขาเป็นชาวคองโกที่กำกับหนังเรื่อง Kinshasa Palace (2006)

2.Jean-Henri Roger เขาเคยกำกับหนังเรื่อง SNOW (1981) ร่วมกับ Juliet Berto (ที่เคยรับบทเป็น Celine ใน CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING) และเคยกำกับหนังเรื่อง SEE YOU AT MAO (1970) ร่วมกับ Jean-Luc Godard





SAVIOUR'S SQUARE (2006, A+++++)

SOME INTERESTING LINKS

--MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE ON CALIFORNIA FIRE
http://memoriesofthefuture.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/san-diego-sunrise/

--“BOAT” ON CALIFORNIA FIRE (in Thai)
http://www.sompotboat.com/blog/?p=201

-----------------------------------------------------


FILMS SEEN ON SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER 2007

1.SAVIOUR’S SQUARE (2006, Joanna Kos + Krzysztof Krauze, Poland, A+)

2.BAMAKO (2006, Abderrahmane Sissako, Mali, A+)

3.ANTONIA’S LINE (1995, Marleen Gorris, A+)

4.IT WILL STAY BETWEEN US (2004, Miro Sindelka, C-)


MY FEELINGS:

--I think it might be interesting to compare MIRACLE ON 1ST STREET (2007, Yun Je-gyun, South Korea, A+) with DALLAS AMONG US (2005, Robert Adrian Pejo, Hungary, A-/B+), because both films talk about a guy who tries to help slum people. I think DALLAS AMONG US is more coherent, and may be more realistic than MIRACLE ON 1ST STREET, but I don't understand why I feel much more involved in MIRACLE ON 1ST STREET than in DALLAS AMONG US, or maybe the directors of these two films have different purposes in making their films.

--What I like very much in SAVIOUR'S SQUARE and LA CALIFORNIE is that both films make me feel as if their characters are very real. It's hard for me to judge the characters in these two films whether they are right or wrong, good or bad. Sometimes I disagree with what the characters in these two films do, but it's hard for me to hate them.


FAVORITE SCENE

LA CALIFORNIE

--The scene when a gay character tries to kiss Roschy Zem


Images of LA CALIFORNIE from http://www.allocine.fr/

http://www.allocine.fr/film/galerievignette_gen_cfilm=58066.html

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2065/1791966413_2168f6349a_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2386/1791966459_02e5942c4b_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2054/1791966479_5293d3cb7c_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/1791966485_6e1567a755_o.jpg


FAVORITE SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mylene Demongeot – LA CALIFORNIE

She starred in FANTOMAS (1964, Andre Hunebelle)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/1791966433_2fc26a344f_o.jpg













Sunday, October 28, 2007

THE SUSPENSEFUL DESTINY OF SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

THIS IS MY COMMENT IN SCREENOUT WEBBOARD
http://www.xq28.org/wow/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=192&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=300


ตอบพี่ kit

--เห็นด้วยกับพี่ KIT ที่ว่าตอนดู THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM รู้สึกลุ้นมากๆว่า จูเลีย สไตลส์จะตายหรือเปล่า เพราะตัวละครพระเอก (แมทท์ เดม่อน) นั้น เราพอจะเดาได้อยู่แล้วว่ามันไม่น่าจะตายตอนกลางเรื่อง เราก็เลยไม่ลุ้นกับมันเท่าไหร่ แต่พวกตัวละครประกอบนี่แหละ ที่เป็นองค์ประกอบสำคัญที่ทำให้ดิฉันดูแล้วลุ้นว่า “มันจะอยู่หรือจะตาย”

จำได้ว่าเคยรู้สึกอย่างนี้กับพวกตัวละครประกอบใน THE CONSTANT GARDENER (2005, Fernando Meirelles) ด้วย เพราะในหนังเรื่องนี้ RALPH FIENNES ต้องไปสืบหาความลับเกี่ยวกับชีวิตนางเอกจากตัวประกอบหลายๆคน และมีตัวประกอบที่เป็นผู้หญิงอินเดียกับผู้หญิงคนหนึ่งในเยอรมันที่ทำให้ดิฉันลุ้นว่าเธอจะตายหรือเปล่า โดยเฉพาะในฉากที่ผู้หญิงในเยอรมันบอกให้ RALPH FIENNES เดินไปกับเธอเพราะมีคนจับตามองเธออยู่ ฉากนั้นรู้สึกลุ้นมากๆว่าเธอจะตายหรือไม่ ส่วน RALPH FIENNES นั้นเรามั่นใจอยู่แล้วว่าไม่น่าจะโดนฆ่าตายตอนกลางเรื่อง

PALMS (1993, ARTUR ARISTAKISYAN, A+++++)

I'm very glad that PALMS has been released as a DVD, because I love A PLACE ON EARTH (2001, Artur Aristakisyan, A++++++++++) very much and A PLACE ON EARTH is one of my most favorite films I saw in 2003. After I saw PALMS, I think it is like a documentary counterpart to 4 (2004, Ilya Khrzhanovsky, A+).


Some images below are from http://www.dvdbeaver.com/













LIFEEVERYDAY (2007, KAMIN LERTCHAIPRASERT, A)

This is an exhibition of 366 prints and 366 pieces of wood sculpture at Tang Contemporary Art, Silom Galleria.



























































MEMBRANES AND MARGINS (2007, PRAJAKTA POTNIS POMMANY, A+++++)

THINGS EXPERIENCED DURING 23-27 OCTOBER 2007

A.FILMS/VIDEO INSTALLATION OUTSIDE THE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL OF BANGKOK

1.PALMS (LADONI) (1993, Artur Aristakisyan, A+++++++++++++++)
From DVD
http://www.secondrundvd.com/release_more_palms.php
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/1777347970_cf824bfeb3_o.jpg

Some images from http://www.dvdbeaver.com/
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews32/palms.htm
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/1776546347_2f767443dc_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/1776546359_4e28d9cc3a_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/1776546377_a7137c4395_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/1776546397_bfc00c0151_o.jpg


2.INDIAN LADY (1997, Pushpamala N, A+++++)
This is a very short video shown in loops. I like its playfulness, simplicity, and the contrast between the modern background and the traditional acting in front of it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/1776154013_f3d4a74089_o.jpg


3.SILENCE OF THE OTHER END (2007, Arunkumar HG, A+++++)
I like the installation more than the video. The video shows short clips of many things including symbols of consumerism and war. The installation includes the TV wrapped up in grass and two uniquely beautiful big model cows made up of hundreds of small model cows.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2197/1776153991_05d475dec6_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/1776153951_216a4ee769_o.jpg


4.SURF'S UP (2007, Ash Brannon + Chris Buck, A+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423294/


5.RASHTRIY KHEER & DESIR SALAD (2004, Pushpamala N, 11 min, A)


6.THE LAST LEGION (2007, Doug Lefler, A-/B+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462396/


7.OPAPATIKA (2007, Thanakorn Pongsuwan, B+)
I like some ideas in this film, but I don't like its moral emphasis.


8.TRISTAN + ISOLDE (2006, Kevin Reynolds, B)



B.HERE, THERE, NOW EXHIBITION AT GALLERY SOULFLOWER

Apart from the three video installations listed above, the things I like in this exhibition include:
http://www.gallerysoulflower.com/ExbPic.aspx?id=52

1.MEMBRANES AND MARGINS (2007, Prajakta Potnis Pommany, wallpaper, A+++++++++++++++)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/1776154099_8567c388e5_b.jpg

2.STATIC ELECTRICITY (2007, Prajakta Potnis Pommany, Installation-Nylon Hair, A+)

3.ROOM NO. 12, ZERA CHAWL, ACHANAK NAGAR, NEAR SHANKAR MANDIR (2007, Justin Pommany, C-print, A+)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/1776154025_37b6517155_o.jpg

4.SENse-2 and Sense (2007, Mithu Sen, mixed media on paper, A+)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2276/1776154051_026a1ec732_o.jpg

5.MUTANTS OF THE SVMS LAMP POST WOMAN (STREET VENDORS MIMETIC SCHEME) (2007, Tushar Joag, mixed media on paper, A+)



C.LIFEEVERDAY (2007, Kamin Lertchaiprasert, A)

This is an exhibition of 366 prints and 366 pieces of wood sculpture at Tang Contemporary Art, Silom Galleria.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/1777214288_78b4f3701b_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/1777214280_a6a933adc4_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/1777214266_69b4ae6bb9_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/1777214188_dc1e0c95a3_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/1777199748_334f5a3730_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/1777199744_7ab96dbe3d_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/1777199730_c0e53e5814_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/1777199714_98ab0effe4_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/1777199696_656ab17f71_o.jpg



D.THE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL OF BANGKOK IN 2007

1.FALLEN (2005, Fred Kelemen, Latvia, A++++++++++)

2.THE CALIFORNIA (2006, Jacques Fieschi, A+++++)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0276466/

3.DEMENTED (2006, Laurent Achard, France, A+)

4.JELLYFISH (2007, Israel, Shira Geffen + Etgar Keret, A+/A)

5.SALMONBERRIES (1991, Percy Adlon, A)
This is a lesbian film.

6.FLOWER IN THE POCKET (2007, Liew Seng Tat, Malaysia, A/A-)

7.THE MOSQUITO PROBLEM AND OTHER STORIES (2007, Andrey Paounov, Bulgaria, A-)

8.DALLAS AMONG US (2005, Robert Adrian Pejo, Hungary, A-/B+)


Images from www.gallerysoulflower.com




















Saturday, October 27, 2007

SERGEI EISENSTEIN VS. TOM OF FINLAND

This is my reply to Matthew Hunt in my blog:
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-final-vote-for-31-horror-films.html

--Thanks for the link to the sketches of Eisenstein, Mat. These sketches remind me of TOM OF FINLAND.

--I’m not a real fan of Hitchcock, but I saw more than ten of his films just because they were shown on Channel 7 of Thailand about 13 years ago. It’s great that Channel 7 showed great films from time to time in the 1990’s, but sometimes they showed them late at night or in the early morning. They also showed some films by Andre Techine, Emir Kusturica, and Stanley Kwan. I don’t know if Channel 7 still shows some good films or not, because I rarely have time to watch TV nowadays.

--I just knew that TAXI DRIVER is partly inspired by PICKPOCKET. I haven’t seen PICKPOCKET yet, though I love Robert Bresson very much.

I knew about it from reading an article in Sight and Sound, in which Paul Schrader talked about PICKPOCKET. I knew about this article from a link in Girish Shambu’s blog.

Girish’s blog:
http://www.girishshambu.com/blog/2007/10/snow.html

Sight and Sound’s article on Robert Bresson:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/feature/49407

This is the quote from Paul Schader:

“I'd come from a very illogically driven religious background, a seminary, and then I'd fallen into the Los Angeles counterculture of 1968. I thought there was no middle ground - that where I came from and where I'd arrived were irrevocably separate. Yet when I watched this film, which was part of European art cinema but also from the world I'd come from, I realised those two worlds were not so far apart. I saw a meditation about a man and his room, about solitude and spirituality, and I recognised that there was a meeting place between past and present. I also realised that there might be a place for me in film-making: I'd thought I was a critic and that was where I belonged; I thought I couldn't make a film about a man and his room.

Three years later I wrote Taxi Driver, which is that film with a lot of anger in it. It's not meditative or transcendental, but it came from Pickpocket. So from one Bresson film came my book Transcendental Style in Film - Ozu, Bresson, Dreyer - and Taxi Driver itself, which arose from the incentive and justification to create that Pickpocket gave me.”

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

FAVORITE FILMS WITH SOMETHING GAY

This is my comment in Jesse's blog:
http://memoriesofthefuture.wordpress.com/2007/10/21/coming-on-out-with-it/

--I just read some news about fire in San Diego, and I think about you. I don't know if you are in that city or not, but I hope you are fine.

--My favorite Almodovar's film concerning gay topic is LAW OF DESIRE.

--BEAUTIFUL THING is also one of my most favorite films. I didn't know that it was adapted from a play.

--Before I read your post, I hadn't heard about THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS before. It seems interesting.

--I also love THE HOURS very much. I think I saw it three times on the big screen. MYSTERIOUS SKIN and THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY are my favorite films, too.

--I watched REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE a long time ago, and didn't know that it has something homosexual in it. How I was so blind!

--As for my list, this list is not "my favorite gay films", but it is "my favorite films which have something gay in it", though that "something" might be just a tiny part in the film. I don't like the limitation of the word "gay films", so I try to broaden my list as much as possible.


FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL FILMS

In alphabetical order:

1.ALL YOU CAN EAT (1993, Michael Brynntrup, Germany, 5:30 min)

2.THE ASCENT OF CHIMBORAZO (1989, Rainer Simon, East Germany)

3.BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY – LEGEND OF BIG HORN (1983, Genji Nakamura)

4.BEAU TRAVAIL (1999, Claire Denis)

5.BILLY'S HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS (1998, Tommy O'Haver)

6.CACHE (1998, Carolyn Coal)
Lesbian film

7.THE CHERRY ORCHARD (1990, Shun Nakahara)
Lesbian film

8.LE DOSSIER 51 (1978, Michel Deville)

9.DUCK SEASON (2004, Fernando Eimbcke, Mexico)

10.O FANTASMA (2000, Joao Pedro Rodrigues, Portugal)

11.FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES (1969, Toshio Matsumoto)

12.THE GARDEN (1990, Derek Jarman)

13.THE HOURS AND TIMES (1991, Christopher Munch)

14.THE IMAGE OF DORIAN GRAY IN THE YELLOW PRESS (1984, Ulrike Ottinger, West Germany)
Lesbian film

15.LOLA AND BILLY THE KID (1998, Kutlug Ataman, Germany)

16.THE MASSEUR (2005, Brillante Mendoza, Philippines)

17.MAURICE (1987, James Ivory)

18.MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE (1985, Stephen Frears)

19.PIRATED (2000, Nguyen Tan Hoang, USA, 11 min)

20.A PLACE WITHOUT LIMITS (1978, Arturo Ripstein, Mexico)

21.PRIEST (1994, Antonia Bird)

22.RITES OF PASSAGE (1999, Victor Salva)

23.SPIN THE BOTTLE (1997, Jamie Yerkes)

24.SWORDSMAN II (1992, Ching Siu-Tung,

25.TABOO PARLOUR (1994, Monika Treut)
Lesbian film

26.TAXI ZUM KLO (1980, Frank Ripploh, West Germany)

27.TORCH SONG TRILOGY (1988, Paul Bogart)

28.UNDER ONE ROOF (2002, Todd Wilson)

29.A VIRUS KNOWS NO MORALS (1985, Rosa von Praunheim, West Germany)

30.WOMEN IN REVOLT (1971, Paul Morrissey)



FAVORITE THAI FILMS

1.BUS-STOP (2004, Tossaporn Mongkol)

2.DEEP INSIDE (PLEUK) (2002, Chumpol Thongthab, 23 min)


3.DOWN THE RIVER (2004, Anucha Boonyawatana)

4.EXOTIC 101 (Michael Shaowanasai)
I saw this film in 1999, but I don't know exactly when it was made.

5.FANTASMAGORIE (2004, Surachai Pattanakijpaibool)

6.I AM A MAN (CHAN POOSHAY NAYA) (1987, M.L. Bhandevanop Devakul)

7.METROSEXUAL (2006, Yongyoot Thongkongtoon)

8.ONE TRUE THING (2007, Vichart Somkaew)

9.TROPICAL MALADY (2004, Apichatpong Weerasethakul)

10.UNSEEN BANGKOK (2004, Thunska Pansittivorakul)



SUPERNATURAL GIRLS

This is my reply to Sensitiveman in my blog:
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-final-vote-for-31-horror-films.html

There are many films I love during the decades of 1970 and 1980 which involve girls with supernatural power. These are some of them:

(The synopses are from www.imdb.com )

1.FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988, John Carl Buechler, B+)


2.THE INITIATION OF SARAH (1978, Robert Day, A+)

“A withdrawn young girl joins an unpopular sorority in college. It turns out she has psychic and telekinetic powers, and she uses them against a rival sorority.”


3.MIDNIGHT OFFERINGS (1981, Rod Holcomb, A+)

" Vivian has magic powers. She doesn't hesitate to save her boyfriend David from failing in school by murdering teachers. However, David has gotten tired of her and is putting his charm on a new girl in school, Robin. Robin discovers that she also has magic powers, and it comes to a mental struggle between the two women over David. "


4.MIND OVER MURDER (1979, Ivan Nagy, A+)

Synopsis from imdb.com

“A young woman begins to have nightmares where she believes that time stands still and she can see and hear future events. In her nightmares she keeps seeing an evil bald man. Her doctor can't figure out what is happening, but a government agent who hears about her visions tries to help her, as he is investigating a plane crash that appears to involve the bald man she keeps seeing”


5.PHENOMENA (1985, Dario Argento, A+)

" Someone is killing people in a Swiss village, and then a girl with insect empathy shows up and helps the local entomologist try to solve the mystery"

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

BON VOYAGE (2002, KAMOL PHAOSAVASDI, A+)

These are images from BON VOYAGE (2002, Kamol Phaosavasdi, A+)






























TOP BOOT ON MY HEAD (VASAN SITTHIKET, A+++++)

THINGS EXPERIENCED DURING 16-22 OCTOBER 2007

A.FEATURE FILMS

1.SERAPHIM FALLS (2006, David Von Ancken, A)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512x2mEKZmL._SS500_.jpg

2.PLEASURE FACTORY (2007, Ekachai Uekrongtham, A)

3.CLERKS II (2006, Kevin Smith, A-)

4.BOYFRIEND (2007, Saravuth Intaraprom, A-)
This is a Thai gay animation.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/1692871169_3e75c126af_o.jpg

5.APARTMENT 1303 (2007, Ataru Oikawa, B+)
Ataru Oikawa directed TOMIE (1999, B)

--I saw only the first hour of EN CONSTRUCCION (2001, Jose Luis Guerin), but then the DVD got stuck and we couldn’t watch it any more. It is very unfortunate for us. From the first hour, EN CONSTRUCCION looks very promising. It shows bits of lives of many people around the construction site. Some of them seem to have very interesting lives—such as the girl who dominated her boyfriend. Some of them look very interesting, such as an old tenant who stared at the construction site. I don’t know exactly how he felt, because he didn’t tell us. But looking at his eyes made me feel very sad.

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B.“DAE PRA POO SONG THAM” or THE SHORT FILM PROJECT IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CELEBRATION ON THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING’S 80TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY (2007)

You can read Wise Kwai's review on this omnibus film here:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/journal_view.php?journalid=100000335&entryid=454047&view=public

In my preferential order:

1.METEORITES (Apichatpong Weerasethakul, A+)

I don't know how this film is connected to the theme of the omnibus film, or the English title "METEORITES". But I think it has an unforced lyricism, and make the lyricism of SILENCIO and THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAN IN THE WORLD seems "forced".

I can't remember much about what happens in this film. If I remember anything wrongly, I apologize in advance. The first part of it is like a home movie. We see a family going picnic in countryside. We hear they talk about many things which seem unimportant, such as how to make a cat staying at home by burning its moustache. We see the view of countryside through the windows of a car while hearing the passengers in the car talking. This scene reminds me of a short film called KUALA (2001, Christelle Lheureux, A+), in which we can hear two people talking in a car, but we never see their faces. If I understand it correctly, one person in the car in KUALA is Apichatpong.

Coming back to METEORITES, we see a little boy walking and telling the cameraman to stop shooting him. Then we see a man lying on his bed, with moving images of some sea animals superimposed on the image of the man. Then we see his dream. In his dream, he goes to a beach. This dream part of the film may explain the Thai title of this film –NIMIT—which means dream.

Does this film have a binary structure like other films of Apichatpong? Well, maybe. The first part of the film is like a home movie or a personal documentary. The second part is the fictional dream, which seems to be in stylized grainy images, contrasting to the first part which seems to be shot simply by a video camera.

Why do I like this film the most? Well, it's hard to explain the feelings conjured by watching Apichatpong's films. I just feel the most comfortable watching it. It's just like watching some ordinary happy lives or ordinary happy moments of some Thai people, without emphasizing the happiness or the Thainess. The most impressive thing in it is the ordinariness. Apichatpong magically transforms ordinary moments into sublime moments again.


2.SILENCIO (Sivaroj Kongsakul, A+)

3.THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAN IN THE WORLD (Phuttiphong Aroonpheng, A)

4.THE SANCTUARY OF SEA (Pramtanee Wongprommed, Supharut Boonmayam, A)

5.THE TALE (Pornsak Sukongkarattanakul, A)

6.NORASINGHA (Wisit Sasanatieng, A)

7.LUMINOUS SOUND (Pen-Ek Ratanarueng, A-)

8.MY FIRST REPORT (Bhandit Rittakol, A-)

9.9TH GIFT (Araya Booncherd, A-)


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C. MOVING IMAGES IN "FROM MESSAGE TO MEDIA" (A+)

This is an exhibition at Bangkok University Gallery. You can read Matthew Hunt's review of this exhibition at:
http://www.matthewhunt.com/blog/2007/10/from-message-to-media_20.html

I would like to divide this exhibition into two parts: moving images and still images. Moving images shown in this exhibition include music videos, video arts, video sculpture, video installations, etc. The titles of them are:

(In roughly preferential order)

(The length of each video listed here is approximated by my mind. It's not the real exact length.)

1.TOP BOOT ON MY HEAD (Vasan Sitthiket, 5 min, A+)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/1692871185_728c9583c2_o.jpg

2.TO REACH THE MARS (PAI HAI TUENG DAUNG DAO ANGKARN) (Vasan Sitthiket, 8 min, A+)

3.GOOD BYE THAILAND (SELF KIDNAPPER) A TRAGEDY (Vasan Sitthiket, 3 min, A+)

4.THERE MUST BE SOMETHING HAPPEN (RUANG KHONG GOO, VIPASANA) (Vasan Sitthiket, 10 min, A+)

5.HOW TO MAKE A GOOD ART FOR GET WIN AWARD (Vasan Sitthiket, 10 min, A+)

6.BON VOYAGE (2002, Kamol Phaosavasdi, 8 min, A+)

7.MODE OF MORAL BEING (1996, Kamol Phaosavasdi, 20 min, A+)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2046/1692871213_ab026bd550_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/1692871191_986c87de43_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/1693044761_e8aa848eb1_o.jpg


8.STILL ANIMATION (FAMILY PORTRAIT) (2002, Wit Pimkanchanapong, A+)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/1693044797_11aa9504be_o.jpg

9.I MANNING MYSELF AROUND (Vasan Sitthiket, 5 min, A+)

10.READING INAOW FOR FEMALE CORPSE (2001, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, , 5 min, A)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/1693954342_bf8dfa4921_o.jpg

11.BLUE LAUGHTER (1987, Apinan Poshyananda, 5 min, A)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/1692871363_44d1b52316_o.jpg

12.HOW TO EXPLAIN ART TO A BANGKOK COCK (1985, Apinan Poshyananda, 10 min, A)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/1692871217_804e2ddcd9_o.jpg


13.MATERIAL'S LIFE (2002, Amrit Chusuwan, A)
This is sound art with some moving images projected onto a glass door.

14.FLOWER BED (2004, Porntaweesak Rimsakul, 3 min, A-)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/1693044819_6dc0770b3d_o.jpg

-----------------------------------


D. STILL IMAGES IN "FROM MESSAGE TO MEDIA"

1.HORROR IN PINK (2001, Manit Sriwanichpoom, A+)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/1693044709_0b479d6e66_o.jpg

2.SELF PORTRAIT (2002, Michael Shaowanasai, A+)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/1693044773_6ee5fead5b_o.jpg

3.Photos by Dansoung Sungvornveshapan (A)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/1693044725_50bd3bc410_o.jpg

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E.ONLINE VIDEO CLIP

KITTYPIE (2007, Jennifer MacMillan, A+)

You can watch this film from the link below:
http://invisiblecinema.typepad.com/invisible_cinema/2007/08/kittypie-by-jen.html

It's a very beautiful film consisting of repeated images of a cat in beautiful daylight, colorful paints, and ethereal soundtrack by Alex Zhort. Somehow I feel as if this film is the opposite of David Lynch's films. I mean David Lynch's films make me feel "the magical realm of darkness", but KITTYPIE make me feel "the magical realm of light". KITTYPIE is definitely one of the most visually beautiful films I have seen this year, and its soundtrack is one of my most favorite soundtracks this year, too.