SCREENING SCHEDULES THIS WEEK (03-30-05)

ROBINSONS MOVIEWORLD

Cursed
11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
Bahay ni Lola 2
11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM
Hitch
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM
Ray
12 PM, 2:15, 4:30, 6:45, 9 PM
Son of the Mask
1:00 PM, 3, 5, 7, 9 PM

SM City Cinema

Hitch
12:20 PM, 2:30, 4:40, 6:50, 9:00 PM
Son of the Mask
12 PM, 1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7 PM
Bahay Ni Lola 2
12:15 PM, 2:00, 3:45, 5:30, 7:15, 9 PM
The Aviator
11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 5:00, 8:00 PM
Million Dollar Baby
12:45 PM, 3:10, 5:35, 8 PM
Cursed
11:40 PM, 1:30, 3:20, 5:10, 7:00 PM

SCREENING SCHEDULES THIS WEEK (03-28-05)

Robinson's Movieworld

CURSED
11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM
SIDEWAYS
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM
Son of the Mask
11 AM, 1 PM, 3, 5, 7, 9 PM
Bukid ay Basa
1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
Robots
1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM



SM City

Birhen ng Manaoag
12:20 PM, 2:00, 3:40, 5:20, 7:00 PM
Son of the Mask
12 PM, 1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7 PM
Million Dollar Baby
12:45 PM, 3:10, 5:35, 8 PM
The Aviator
11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 5:00, 8:00 PM
Robots
12:15 PM, 2:00, 3:45, 5:30, 7:15, 9 PM
Cursed
11:25 AM, 1:20 PM, 3:15, 5:10, 7:05, 9:00 PM

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

AN UNDENIABLE "BEST FILM", A MILLION DOLLAR BABY
By Reymundo Salao
The Guardian, Iloilo City

Weeks before the night of the Academy Awards, all the hype and anticipation went to Martin Scorsese & his film "The Aviator". But on Oscar Night, the film that did reap the awards that included Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture, was MILLION DOLLAR BABY. The film tells the sublime story of Maggie Fitzgerald, a 31-year old waitress who comes to a Boxing Gym, trying to convince Frankie Dunn, an aging boxing trainer/manager to train her under his tutelage. Although extremely unwilling and reluctant at first, the trainer does agree and have discovered that this girl was indeed worthy of being a champion. But aside from that, the trainer and the lady boxer have, in one way or another, found each other, the same way as a father and a daughter may have found each other. The waitress has found in him the father that a loner like her would need, and the trainer have found in her the daughter he lost.

The film has a such a big three cast, that of Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood (who is also the director of this film), and Hilary Swank, who has also received critical acclaim for her acting work in the film "Boys Don't Cry", receiving acting awards from the Golden Globe and the Academy Awards. Her acting on "Million Dollar Baby" is superb, playing the determined girl who has felt like she has been "trash" all her life, and has now found solace in her ambitions of becoming a boxing champion. Her boyish and femininely muscular built added much to make her physically perfect, and believable for the role. But with an acting talent like hers, one can care less of making much fuss of her physical fit. It is in the second half of the film, when the real drama begins, when she displays her moving performances making her indeed worthy of winning the Oscar's Best Actress award; when the real drama kicks in. Morgan Freeman is undoubtedly and seemingly-endlessly the best supporting actor that he is on this film. Ever since his performance in "Se7en", I've referred to his roles as the voice of wisdom, regardless if he's playing the role of God (in "Bruce Almighty") or the Old-timer boxer-turned-gym janitor/caretaker Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris. On this film, him also being the narrator, adds to the perfection of it all. His role is the voice of experience, and witness to the father-daughter relationship between the girl-boxer and his friend, the trainer-manager, to whom he oftentimes acts as an adviser. Like how he does it in his best films, Freeman's acting is subtle but unforgettable. Clint Eastwood, actor and director of this film is remarkable, especially for his age of 75(?) He brings such depth and intensity to the role of a trainer, who has been a failure in his management of a previous fighter, and has a daughter someplace else, in a presumably distant place, who never does reply to the mails that he sends. When he finally agrees to train this girl, and that we begin to realize how he treats her with much regard, like a daughter, we already see the foreshadowing of a tear-jerking drama that captures our interest more.



The film was much of an intimately-scaled three-character drama, that these three big performers conveniently fit in. It was very simplistic, without any grandiose, over-the-top performances of screaming and high-pitched screeching, neither were there big sets, big scenes, and big effects. Just the acting, the mood, the script, and the storyline. The color mood for the cinematography was also perfect for the film. The director of photography Tom Stern and production designer Harry Bumstead did a great job. It was as if you could feel the stink of the boxing world. Bluish, moody, no stark colors, setting the quiet mood of the film, along with the acoustic music (my friend noticed it to sound like the same acoustic music heard on his film "Unforgiven") that surprisingly, was composed by Eastwood as well.

The film was based on the book "Rope Burns" by F.X. Toole, the screenwriter is Paul Haggis. The script was excellent. Right from the narration, not only the voice of Morgan Freeman, but the words of what he says brings much weight and credibility of it being an outstanding boxing movie. The lines of the three main characters deserve our full attention for the film. Lines that are striking and direct-to-the-point, such as how Frankie says to Maggie whose just had her nose broken, before sending her off to the next round "You have 20 seconds before that (broken nose) turns into a geyser!" It was simply a line that I couldn't erase in my head about the film. The final moments of the film also had its best lines. When Freeman says how somebody must feel when they fought hard and finally got what they aspired for in life, stating how that is important to a person, is also one of the most memorable lines of the film. The film is intense and touching. Inexplicable, that you yourself should go see this beautiful movie of boxing, risks, relationships, failure, and life. Truly, MILLION DOLLAR BABY does deserve the numerous awards that it garnered, easily beating that DiCaprio-Scorsese film by a knockout.

SCREENING SCHEDULES THIS WEEK (03-16-05)

Robinson's Movieworld, Iloilo

Robots
11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
Million Dollar Baby
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM
The Passion of the Christ
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:00 PM
Son of the Mask
11 AM, 1 PM, 3, 5, 7, 9 PM
Birhan ng Manaoag
1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
Bunshinsaba (Ouija Board)
1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM

SM City, Iloilo

Birhen ng Manaoag
12:20 PM, 2:00, 3:40, 5:20, 7:00 PM
Son of the Mask
12 PM, 1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7 PM
Million Dollar Baby
12:45 PM, 3:10, 5:35, 8 PM
The Aviator
11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 5:00, 8:00 PM
Robots
12:15 PM, 2:00, 3:45, 5:30, 7:15, 9 PM
The Gospel of John
11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 5:00, 8:00 PM

Son of the Mask

SON OF THE MASK
By Reymundo Salao
Just Another Film Junkie

"Son of the Mask" left off where the first film ended, that is, when Carrey's Ipkis character threw away the mask that gave him his power, it ended up drifting at sea, until it was again found by Otis, the beloved pet dog of Tim Avery (The character name Tim Avery is a reference to the well-known cartoonist Tex Avery), who was married to his loving wife Tonya. Tim later found the mask that his dog had retrieved, and one evening, he was able to use it and become The Mask. While in this superhuman persona, he was able to (ahem) "consumate" with his wife. Months later, baby Alvey Avery was born, and is endowed with superhuman powers. Otis, the dog, suddenly felt a sort of sibling jealousy, as his master's affection has been diverted with this baby. With the power of the mask, which Otis the dog uses, he gets into a sort of "Wily E. Coyote versus Road Runner" war with baby Alvey. Unbeknownst to them, Loki, the Norse god of mischief, has come looking for that which he is the rightful owner of; the mischievous Mask. And will stop at nothing to find his relic of power.

Nothing compares to the original. But that's not to say that the sequel of Jim Carrey's wacky superhero comedy "The Mask", "Son of the Mask" was a failure. Jamie Kennedy is indeed a weak replacement to the greatness in hilarity of Jim Carrey. The animated cartoons version and the Dark Horse comics version pretty much sealed the Carrey impression of this fictional character, almost making Carrey and the zany superhero character synonymous. Not to mention the fact that the first "Mask" movie practically MADE Jim Carrey. Kennedy's "Mask" character is pretty bland, and horrendously lacked the energy of what the character of The Mask was supposed to be. Jamie Kennedy's mask characterization was lame in its most literal sense. Your most boring arithmetic teacher may be funnier. The musical scene which was supposed to be reminiscent of the musical number of the first movie, shows how Kennedy can make this musical so excruciatingly dull, to the point that you wonder when will it end. Thank God, Kennedy's characterization of the Mask character appeared in only two scenes, and the rest of the characters, actors, and actresses, and even the storyline, passed satisfactorily, making it a comedy worth watching. Just ignore Kennedy, and you will have a great time.

The comedy of the film revolves in a number of characters, from the loser persona played by Kennedy, the impressive CG animation, and on Alan Cumming's wild portrayal of Loki, the god of mischief. It is safe to say that Cumming is the one actor who really displayed the better comedic talent in this movie. But the highlight must be in the funny CG animated rendition of the baby's display of superpowers. From the dancing, to the facial expressions, to the little war he has with Otis the dog in Mask form, that baby was the star of the show.

"Son of the Mask" is true-blue eye candy, and a family-friendly comedy. If you love wild cartoonish slapstick, this film will indeed blow your senses. A film best served for kids and for the kid inside every adult.

SCREENING SCHEDULES THIS WEEK (03-09-05)

Robinson's Movieworld

Son of the Mask
1115 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
Infection
1115 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM
The Phantom of the Opera
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM
Alfie
11 AM, 1 PM, 3, 5, 7, 9 PM
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
12 PM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:45, 9 PM
Flight of the Phoenix
12 PM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:45, 9 PM

SM City

The Phantom of the Opera
12:45 PM, 3:20, 5:55, 8:30 PM
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
1 PM, 3, 5, 7 PM
Son of the Mask
1 PM, 3, 5, 7, 9 PM
Constantine
12:15 PM, 2:30, 4:45, 7 PM
Infection
12 PM, 1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7 PM
Alfie
1 PM, 3, 5, 7 PM

Cool News: Marvel Unveiled the slated film adaptations for 2006

From the SuperHeroHypeWebsite, here are the comicbook-to-film adaptations for the year 2006 and more!

Marvel Character Feature Film Development Pipeline (Partial List)
X-Men 3, Fox - Summer, 2006 release
Ghost Rider, Sony - Script, Director, Filming started, Slated for 2006
Iron Man, New Line Cinema - Script, Targeted for 2006
Luke Cage, Sony/Columbia - Script, Director, Targeted for 2006
The Punisher 2, Lions Gate - Writer, Director, Targeted for 2006
Deathlok, Paramount - Script, Director, Targeted for 2006
Spider-Man 3, Sony/Columbia - Director, May 4, 2007 release
Namor, Universal Pictures - Script, Targeted for 2007
The Hulk 2, Universal Pictures - Development, Targeted for 2007
Wolverine, Fox - Development, Targeted for 2007

Marvel Character Feature Film Projects in Development
Ant-Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Nick Fury, Silver Surfer,
Thor

Marvel Character Animated TV Projects in Development
Partnership with Antefilms Distribution to produce an original animated television series based on the Fantastic Four. 26, thirty-minute 2D/3D animated episodes are planned with initial TV airings in 2006.

Marvel Character Live Action TV Projects in Development
Blade and Brother Voodoo are two Marvel characters that are in development.

GO to the SOURCE site to read MORE:

SuperHeroHype

Phantom of the Opera (2005)

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
By Reymundo Salao
The Guardian, February 5, 2005

"Phantom of the Opera" is the classical novel written by Gaston Leroux, about a disfigured musical genius, hidden away and haunts the Paris Opera House, terrorizes the opera company for the unwitting benefit of a young protégé whom he trains and loves. The Phantom is one of the great classical monsters (along with Dracula and Frankenstein), a madman in love. A primal representation of our own emotions of love, obsession, and madness. Based exactly on the widely-prominent Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of the novel, this film version is also (of course) a musical. Having the same songs as with the stage version, with very minor alterations. The film is directed by Joel Schumacher, produced, music composed, and written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and stars Gerard Butler as the vocally unimpressive Phantom, Emmy Rossum as a quite angelic and stunningly beautiful Christine Daaé, a much slimmer and sexier Minnie Driver as the primadonna Carlotta, and Patrick Wilson as the stereotypically clean-cut protagonist Raoul.

Being a longtime fan of the Broadway musical "Phantom of the Opera", my critique of its film adaptation may be double-sided. Surely, some longtime fans of this musical may have a very positive reaction, fueled by the eagerness to finally see the silver-screen version of something that many of us fans only have listened to in the audio album of the same (not unless you're one of the few who can afford to watch that Broadway musical). Other fans may have such a negative disappointment, bitter of how or what shortcomings the film version have, or whatever that makes it a pale comparison to the stage-musical original. In my opinion, though, "Phantom of the Opera" is very much worth watching, especially to those who have that appreciation for musicals and classical music. There are, however, many points that may have held the film down from becoming the gem that it might have been.



Audiences may enjoy the lavish set design and the fabulous costumes, this is an absolute eye candy for those who enjoy seeing such creatively colorful costume designs. Something that we have noticed is that one of Schumacher's directorial signatures is that his set is usually so colorful. And he lets the set designs not go to waste for he has long steady shots, letting you notice the details of the set designs. On my part, I consider this a disadvantage for the film, especially on a film such as this. For me, many of the sequences were too stiff. It lacked some cinematographic style in scenes where it needed some. Such as the scene when Phantom makes his first appearance, nabbing Christine for the first time, taking her into her hideout. It was a scene that was deprived of impact, no distinct directorial style was made for a gradual visual introduction of the character. Visually introducing the Phantom full-view in a clear shot desaturated any sense of cinematic mystery that character should have. I expected that scene to have some sort of hazy or shadowy effect. Instead, it was just plain stiff camera movements. It curiously asks the question, "why bother to make a film version, if it does not seem to have any distinct difference from the stage original?" Such blandness is similar in many scenes such as the Masquerade scene when the camera movement and editing sequences on the singing masquerade guests were stiff, slow, and did not go with the rhythm of the song. Then there is also the choice for the Phantom, Gerard Butler, which was a bold risky move on the part of the producers. Butler's voice was not too high for the singing parts of the Phantom. Fans of the stage musical may notice that in many of the songs of the Phantom, the vocals were transposed to fit Butler's low voice. His singing was fine but there was one tiny 3-second scene where the song kinda went out of tune.

Fortunately, many of these tiny shortcomings may go completely unnoticeable to some audiences. Although some may be skeptic, this film version is a must for diehard fanatics of the original. It was nonetheless a musical to enjoy. Emmy Russom's voice was superbly angelic, same goes for her enchanting beauty too. This film is meant to be a real treat for those who cannot afford to go to the original Broadway musical. Let me end with some of the words from the musical "Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world, leave all thoughts of the world you used to know"

Also showing this week on Robinson's Movieworld is "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" which is based on the profound and somewhat dark children's book by Lemony Snicket. This notorious children's book has sparked fame in the book world that it has become a series that some may call a "dark & evil Harry Potter". Good books are damn expensive and I've been wanting to buy a copy. I guess it would be cheaper for us to watch the movie.

Also showing is the action-adventure "Flight of the Phoenix", "Assault on Precinct 13", "Let the Love Begin" and "Constantine" which I watched again last night. This week, this film is shown on Robinson Movieworld's Cinema 6 where the sound is great and does let your senses jigger in rhythm of the film's exciting occult tone. For those who would probably have a boring week, there is a handful of movies for you to enjoy.

Special Thanks to Robinson's Movieworld. Please visit the website of this column at www.justanotherfilmjunkie.blogspot.com and you can email me at tripxyde@hotmail.com

Screening Schedules this week (030205)

Robinson's Movieworld
Screening Schedules

Flight of the Phoenix
11:15 AM, 1:55 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:00 PM

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM

The Phantom of the Opera
11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM

Assault on Precinct 13
11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 PM

Let the Love Begin
12:35 PM, 2:45, 4:55, 7:05, 9:15 PM

Constantine
1:45 PM, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 PM

SM City, Iloilo

Meet the Fockers
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM

Assault on Precinct 13
11:20 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:10 PM, 5:05 PM, 7:00 PM

Flight of the Phoenix
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM

Constantine
11:40 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:20, 6:40, 9:00 PM

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
11:25 AM, 1:20 PM, 3:15, 5:10, 7:05, 9:00 PM

Phantom of the Opera
12:45 PM, 3:20, 5:55, 8:30 PM

Academy Award Winners 2005

best motion picture of the year
Million Dollar Baby

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Jamie Foxx, Ray

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Morgan Freeman, Million Dollar Baby

Original screenplay
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Achievement in cinematography
The Aviator

Visual Effects
Spider-Man 2

Achievement in costume design
The Aviator

Achievement in sound mixing
Ray

Best animated feature film of the year
The Incredibles

Best documentary feature
Born into Brothels

Best animated short film
Ryan

Achievement in directing
Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett, The Aviator

Adapted screenplay
Sideways

Best foreign language film of the year
The Sea Inside