FAVORITE THINGS IN MAY 2009

FAVORITE THINGS IN MAY 2009

A.FAVORITE FILMS

1. DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter, Germany, A+)

2. THE HORSEMEN (2008, Jonas Akerlund, A+)
As for now, I don't think this is a good film at all. But I have to give it A+ and rank it as my second most favorite film of May because I can't deny the power the film has over me. After I saw this film on May 9, I gave it only A-. I don't think the film, which is produced by Michael Bay, is exciting at all. It has almost no suspense. I don't even like the ending. The killer hates his father because his father has never come into his room for two years. I think it is ridiculous. My friends and I would love and cherish a father like this. What we hate is the father or mother who came into our room and pry into our belongings. The ending of the film seems to support nosy parents, which is something I can't agree with.

But during the past two months after I saw this film, I have found that there are two characters in this film whom I can't stop thinking about, whom I really care about. They are Kristen (Zhang Ziyi) and Corey (Patrick Fugit). That doesn't mean I agree with what they do. It just means that I just want to hug them, console them, and say to them, "I understand your pain.” There are no other characters I have seen lately which make me want to do this. Even characters in truly great films such as THE FEAST and CAPTAIN AHAB don't make me feel like this.

I saw the Thai-censored version of this film. The rumour says that this censored version is 20 minutes shorter than the uncut version. I don't know if I would like this film more or less if I have seen the uncut version. I hate gore. So maybe I will like this film less if I have seen the full version. Maybe if I have seen the full cruelty of Kristen and Corey, I may stop wanting to hug and console them.


After I saw THE HORSEMEN, I have three wishes:

1.Someone should make a film about Kristen (Zhang Ziyi) and treats this character as well as MONSTER (2003, Patty Jenkins, A+) treats Aileen Wuornos.

2. Someone should make a film about Corey (Patrick Fugit) and treats this character as well as MONSTER (2003, Patty Jenkins, A+) treats Aileen Wuornos.

3.Someone should make a film about the meeting in prison between Kristen and Sophie (Sandrine Bonnaire) from LA CEREMONIE (1995, Claude Chabrol, A+).

I also like a comment about this film in imdb very much. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892767/usercomments?start=10

" But its when the movie is over and you take a breather and you think about what you just saw....That's when you realize this film wasn't so much about the physical torment and pain we humans cause each other(in this movie it's a lot!),as much as it tells us what can happen when we get mentally damaged.When we get abandoned.When we get manipulated,get misunderstood,get lost"

In a way, I think THE HORSEMEN is a perfect antidote to such films as DEPARTURES (2008, Yojiro Takita, A-), THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (2008, Remi Bezancon, A-), or FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN (2008, Dennis Lee, A-/B+), which present family problems in a way which doesn't satisfy me.

So, I repeat it again. I don't think THE HORSEMEN is a good film, but I love this film, because I can't stop thinking about the pain of Kristen and Corey.


3.RULE # 1 (2008, Kelvin Tong, Hong Kong/Singapore, A+)

I think this film presents the topic of extrajudicial killings in a very interesting way. In the opening scene of this film, the viewers can't distinguish the cop from the criminal. So the opening scene of this film tells the viewers indirectly that this film is not just a ghost story, but this film is about cops turning into criminals.

The title of this film is very intriguing, too. In the film, the rule number one in the hero's police department states that the police must LIE to the public that there are no ghosts. So the title of this film implies that the real subject of the film is about the police's lying to the public.

In a later scene in the film, the hero faces policemen from another department. The hero must tell them what the rule number one for general policemen is. And the rule number one for general policemen is about how policemen can use gun when confronting criminals. So the title of this film also implies that the real subject of this film is about extrajudicial killings, too.

4.WINGED CREATURES (2008, Rowan Woods, A+)

I love the characters in this film very much. They are unlikeable, but I really like them, especially the character played by Kate Beckinsale. The character played by Dakota Fanning somehow reminds me of the former US government, because this character, who may be pseudo-religious, faces a terrible event (like 9/11), but she uses this terrible event for her own gain, and order hers friend (whose brother is a war veteran/victim, so this friend character may represent the USA military) to lie about this event for her own gain. This friend character becomes mute, like some soldiers who saw the terrible things in war but don't talk about them for the government's sake.


5. HEARTBREAK LIBRARY (2008, Jeong-kwon Kim, A+/A)


B.FAVORITE THAI FILMS

1.BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, A+)
Since this film is 35 minutes long, I include this film in the Thai film category, instead of the Thai short film category, which I reserve for films not longer than 30 minutes.

2. I DON'T GIVE A DAMN (CHANG MUN CHUN MAI CARE) (1986, M.L. Bhandevanop Devakul, Thailand, A+)

3. THE LAST LOVE (1975, Chatrichalerm Yukol, A+)

4.HIS NAME IS GARN (1973, Chatrichalerm Yukol, A+)

5.I DON'T WANT TO BE THE COLONEL (1975, Chatrichalerm Yukol, A+)

6.MAE NAK PHRA KHANONG (1959, Rangsee Tasanapayak, A)
http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2009/05/photo-essay-cine-bananas-and-mae-nak.html

7.ONCE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH (1988, Manop Udomdej, A)

8.THE ACCUSATION (หย่าเพราะมีชู้) (1985, Manop Udomdej, A)


C.FAVORITE DOCUMENTARIES

1.S21, THE KHMER ROUGE KILLING MACHINE (2002, Rithy Panh, Cambodia, A+)

2.THE PINOCHET AFFAIR (2001, Patricio Guzman, Chile, A+)

3.THE SARI SOLDIERS (2008, Julie Bridgham, Nepal, A+)

4.WAR, LIVES & VIDEOTAPE (1991, Nick Danziger, Afghanistan, A+)

5.FROM ENDLESS WARS (2003, Laurent Becue-Renard, A+)

6.TOTAL DENIAL (2006, Milena Kaneva, Myanmar, A+)

7.YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW (2005, Naoi Riyo, Thailand, A+)

8.FRONTLINE: LAOS (2008, Ruhi Hamid, A+)

9.A KIND OF CHILDHOOD (2001, Tareque Masud & Catherine Masud, Bangladesh, A+)

10.PHULBARI (2006, Ronald Halder + Philip Gain, Bangladesh, A+)


D.FAVORITE THAI DOCUMENTARIES

1.UNDERSTANDING ART IS EASY (2009, Jakrawal Nilthamrong, A+)

2.HMONG NJUA BABY HEALING (2005)
This is a documentary shown in the exhibition SONG OF MEMORY at the Jim Thompson House.
http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/events/Songs_of_Memory.asp

3.UNTITLED (A THAI STUDENT ABROAD, HIS WIFE & THEIR CAT) (around 1971, Somkiat Onwimol, A+)

4.UNTITLED (SATREE WITTAYA SCHOOL'S SPORT DAY (1973, A+)

5.I AM THE DIRECTOR (2009, Nitchapoom Chaianun, A)


E.FAVORITE THAI SHORT FILMS

1. PARAPARUMPULIANPULIAN (2009, Pawara Chatchawalpreecha, A+)

2. MAHJONG (2009, Napa Sasaluck, A+)

3. GRANDMA CHA WANTS TO BE SURREAL (2009, Saowapak Suriyawongpaisarn, A+)

4. MEET (POB) (2009, Woottipun Deepunya, A+)

5. HIDE AND SEEK (SORN AB) (2009, Pongsuk Intanom, A+)

6. STAINED (2009, Manusrawee Wongpradoo, A+)

7. SOAP OPERA (NANG NAM NAO) (2009, Garutploy Thamgaew, A+)

8. ULTRAMAN (2009, Napaswon Sirisukon, A+)

10. WRONGDOER (2009, Pongpattana Puangkwamsook, A+)


F.FAVORITE ANIMATIONS

1.WHAT IS MY ART? (2009, Tossapol Tiptinagorn, A+)

2. A PRINCESS WITH LONGAN EYES (JAO YING TA LUMYAI) (2009, Chanokporn Chootikamoltham, animation, A+)

3.RETURN TO POINT (2006, Arlo Mountford, A+)
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/05/information-on-hacienda-must-be-built.html


G.FAVORITE STAGE PERFORMANCES

1.COFFEE LOVE (2009, Sakchai Kiatpunyaohpart, A+)

2.LITTLE LOVE (รักเล็กๆ) (2009, Wattanachai Treedecha, A+)

3.LOVE YOU, HUG OTHERS (รักเธอ กอดคนอื่น) (2009, Wanatsanun Sasom, A+)

4. KUN KAG NAK TAN (2009, Chaichumpol Boonmeepolakit + Sirikarn Bunjongtud, Thai stage play, A+)

5.TIME'S UP (2009, Farida Jirapun, A+)


H.FAVORITE ART WORKS/EXHIBITIONS

1.The paintings about King Tilokarach in the exhibition TO PAINT MY HOMELAND (Phongphun Ruannunchai)
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/05/theres-something-about-king-tilokarach.html

2.THE SECOND BANGKOK TRIENNALE INTERNATIONAL PRINT & DRAWING EXHIBITION

3.SHE IS READING NEWSPAPER PROJECT (2009, Tossapol Boonsinsukh, Thailand)
http://yrna.wordpress.com/%e0%b8%8a%e0%b8%b1%e0%b9%89%e0%b8%99%e0%b8%aa%e0%b8%ad%e0%b8%87/

4.The photos MODERN ARCHITECTURE by Montana Aumpijit in ON EXHIBITION at BACC

5.The painting exhibition SPIRIT OF THE CAPITAL CITY by Pattana Changkaew at Jamjuree Art Gallery
http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=merveillesxx&month=05-2009&date=11&group=9&gblog=179

6.The photos THE BODY CHANGERS by Boonyapong Sueyouyong in ON EXHIBITION at BACC

7.The photos UNTITLED by Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch in the exhibition EASY BANGKOK at BACC
http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=merveillesxx&month=05-2009&date=11&group=9&gblog=180

8.CROCODILE (2009, Prateep Kochabua, Thai painting)
This is shown in the exhibition WILDLIFE INC at BACC.


I.FAVORITE ACTRESSES

1.Sawanee Utumma (สวนีย์ อุทุมมา) in BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, A+) and KUN KAG NAK TAN (2009, Chaichumpol Boonmeepolakit + Sirikarn Bunjongtud, Thai stage play, A+)

2.Donruedee Jamraschai (ดลฤดี จำรัสฉาย) in LOVE YOU, HUG OTHERS (รักเธอ กอดคนอื่น) (2009, Wanatsanan Sasom, Thai stage play, A+)

3.Nuttaya Nakawesh (ณัฐญา นาคะเวช) in LITTLE LOVE (รักเล็กๆ) (2009, Wattanachai Treedecha, Thai stage play, A+)

4.Bulle Ogier in DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter, Germany, A+)

5.Isabelle Huppert in DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter, Germany, A+)

6.Sasapin Siriwanich in SIGNS & GESTURES (2009, Nopphand Boonyai, A)

7.Nuttiporn Atakun (ณัฐฐิพร อะทะขันธ์) in KUN KAG NAK TAN (2009, Chaichumpol Boonmeepolakit + Sirikarn Bunjongtud, Thai stage play, A+)

8.Patravadi Sritrairut in THE LAST LOVE (1975, Chatrichalerm Yukol, A+) and ANGEL DEVI(L) (พจมาร) (2009, Pintip Sutprerdprai, Thai stage play, A+/A)

9.Sinjai Hongthai in I DON'T GIVE A DAMN (CHANG MUN CHUN MAI CARE) (1986, M.L. Bhandevanop Devakul, Thailand, A+)

10.Kate Beckinsale in WINGED CREATURES (2008, Rowan Woods, A+)

11.Dakota Fanning in WINGED CREATURES (2008, Rowan Woods, A+)

12.Nattaya Dangbu-nga in THE ACCUSATION (หย่าเพราะมีชู้) (1985, Manop Udomdej, Thailand, A)

13.Sukanya Piensri in COFFEE LOVE (2009, Sakchai Kiatpunyaohpart, Thai stage play, A+) and TIME'S UP (2009, Farida Jirapun, Thai stage play, A+)

14.Sornwanee Yodnoon (ศรวณี ยอดนุ่น) in TIME'S UP (2009, Farida Jirapun, Thai stage play, A+)

15. Arielle Dombasle in DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter, Germany, A+)


J.FAVORITE ACTORS

1.Tanawate Siriwattanakul (ธนเวทย์ สิริวัฒนกุล) in COFFEE LOVE (2009, Sakchai Kiatpunyaohpart, Thai stage play, A+)

2.Sompol Chaisiriroj in GOOD INTERPRETER (2009, Sodsai Panthumkomol, Nopamat Veohong, Daraka Wongsiri, A)

3.Wattanachai Treedecha in LITTLE LOVE (รักเล็กๆ) (2009, Wattanachai Treedecha, Thai stage play, A+)

4.Sor Asanajinda in UGA FAH LEUNG (1980, Chatrichalerm Yukol, A-)

5.Patrick Fugit in THE HORSEMEN (2009, Jonas Akerlund, A+)

6.Chatchai Satayadit in THE PRINCESS OF WOLF & THE PRINCE OF NIGHT (2009, Youth Naked Masks, Thai stage play, A-)

7.Watcharapong Garnjanagrit in BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, A+)

8.Attapol Anantaworasakul in BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, A+)

9.Likit Ekmongkol in I DON'T GIVE A DAMN (CHANG MUN CHUN MAI CARE) (1986, M.L. Bhandevanop Devakul, Thailand, A+) and ONCE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH (1988, Manop Udomdej, A)

10.John Cusack in GRACE IS GONE (2007, James C. Strouse, A-)

11.Lee Dong Wook in HEARTBREAK LIBRARY (2008, Jeong-kwon Kim, A+/A)
http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-339468/kmovie-heartbreak-library/

12.Kriangkrai Fookasem in TIME'S UP (2009, Farida Jirapun, Thai stage play, A+)

13.Shawn Yue in RULE # 1 (2008, Kelvin Tong, Singapore/Hong Kong, A+)


K.FAVORITE SONGS

1.TIME TO SAY GOODBYE in BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtivSTZrezc

2.The ending song of DEUX


L.FAVORITE CINEMATOGRAPHY

1. DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter, A+)
Cinematography by Elfi Mikesch

2. BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, A+)

3.UGA FAH LEUNG (1980, Chatrichalerm Yukol, A-)


M.FAVORITE EDITING

1.BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, A+)

2.DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter, A+)
Film editing by Juliane Lorenz
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0520721/

3. PARAPARUMPULIANPULIAN (2009, Pawara Chatchawalpreecha, A+++++)


N.FAVORITE ART DECORATION

1.DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter)
Set decoration by Ann Chakraverty
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0149848/
Production design by Alberte Barsacq
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0058243/

2. PARAPARUMPULIANPULIAN (2009, Pawara Chatchawalpreecha, Thailand)

3. MY PRESENT (2009, Thitipun Techakitrungrueng, Thailand)


O.FAVORITE COSTUME

1. DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter)
Costume designed by Alberte Barsacq

2. SUCK ME RAW (DUDE CHAN DIB DIB) (2009, Patanun Chinjaroenchai, A+)


P.FAVORITE SOUND

DEUX (2002, Werner Schroeter)
Sound by Philippe Morel
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0603626/


Q.FAVORITE ENDING

1.MINIMART (2009, Siriporn Kongma + Panu Srichaithong, A+)

2.I DON'T GIVE A DAMN (CHANG MUN CHUN MAI CARE) (1986, M.L. Bhandevanop Devakul, Thailand, A+)

3.RULE # 1 (2008, Kelvin Tong)


R.FAVORITE INTERNET READING

IN ENGLISH
1.John Ford at Girish
http://www.girishshambu.com/blog/2009/05/john-ford-in-undercurrent.html

2.UNFINISHED DIARY LAS PALMAS '09 by Adrian Martin
http://www.rouge.com.au/13/diary.html

3.A review on DUELLE (UNE QUARANTAINE) (1976, Jacques Rivette) by Jonathan Rosenbaum
http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/?p=15567

In Thai
1.WAITING FOR DARKNESS, a short story by Filmsick
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090510/entry

2.YESTERDAY I WENT TO SANAM LUANG, a poem by Somying Jai-ngam
http://theyoungpoet.exteen.com/20090512/entry

3.THREE MYSTERIOUS WOMEN, a comment on MUANG NAI MORK by Konmongnang
http://konmongnang.exteen.com/20090430/entry

4.A review on MILK by Riverdale
http://riverdale-dreams.blogspot.com/2009/05/milk.html


S.FAVORITE SONGS

1.CONNECTIONS (Ewan Pearson's Slo NRG remix) – Moon Unit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiIg3C4f0fk

2.I PRAY – Alfonso de Villalonga
From the soundtrack album MY LIFE WITHOUT ME (A+)

3.GEB RUK (HIDING LOVE) – Srisalai Suchartwoot

4.GOYA'S NIGHTMARE – Jocelyn Pook
It comes from the album FLOOD (1999, A-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXZMt_UGlb0

5.THE DAY WE FELL IN LOVE – Appaloosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97rJA-VmlPk

6.SOMETIME LATER – Alpha
From the soundtrack album MY LIFE WITHOUT ME (A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcjqdHzI-sM

7.ANTIBODIES – Poni Hoax
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNF0LdWkN30

8.NOW TILL 69 – The Shortwave Set
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbajDPo5JX8

9.SIGN OF THE TIMES – The Belle Stars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRUWIsw-pwE

10.SENZA FINE – Gino Paoli
From the soundtrack album MY LIFE WITHOUT ME (A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRUWIsw-pwE