Batman R.I.P.

I am sooo extremely disappointed with the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight. I mean, they literally changed The Batman's history.

What an outrage! I am sooo pissed! Embarrased even!

How could they make Harvey Dent be The Batman when we kno..

** Ten minutes later **

Uhurm.. I think I should put off my Dark Knight review until I watch the movie again up to the end. At least it's still showing here in the Philippines.

Anyway, sooo.. instead of the movie, any reaction to Grant Morrison's new story arc, Batman R.I.P.? I mean, this is gonna be a doozy. I always liked Frank Miller's reboot of The Batman when he did Batman: Year One and this new reboot, is kinda off kilter for me. And mind you, getting a copy of here in the Philippines is becoming a pain.

But then again, Batman R.I.P. is really beginning to show legs. Hope Mr. Morrison, delivers. He has delivered time and time again. But bringing in Thomas Wayne? ugh...

People always misconstrue that I am an out and out Batman fan. That, I am not. To bring you into my little secret, I am an avid Joker fan. Truly I am. My all time favorite comic book, after Frank Miller's Man Without Fear, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is Alan Moore's The Killing Joke. Until now, I still firmly believe in The Joker's "all it takes is one bad day" theory. Read the book and you'll get it.

Anyway, let me get back on you on this Dark Knight thing. But heck, seriously, I know it rocks big time. I know it's hard to not be arrogant, but the fanboy in me just scoffs at the people who approach me singing praises over the movie but has never even understood the character in the his natural medium which is the comic book. Sometimes I'd just casually ask if the person is a long eared or short eared fan just for that puzzled look.

Don't know what's that about? Ask a real Batman fan. hehe.. Oh well, I'm a jerk. I'm more of a jerk now since I haven't really been in touch with the goings on in the comic world for years now.

At least I can see one cat smiling all the way to the bank with this... well, if there are banks in heaven of course...

Persepolis

I just saw this real wonderful animated film called Persepolis.

In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life. However, this change proves an equally difficult trial with the young woman finding herself in a different culture loaded with abrasive characters and profound disappointments that deeply trouble her. Even when she returns home, Marji finds that both she and homeland have changed too much and the young woman and her loving family must decide where she truly belongs.
Source: IMDB

This is based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, Persepolis.

Yep. It's a true story.

What's really good with this film is that even though the themes may seem dark and heavy, you get to see Iran in it's turmoil through a child's eyes. And as Marji grows up, you seem to grow up with her and you easily slide in to her mindset and understand what she's going thru.

It's a bittersweet romp into how a child copes with pain and suffering. How a child tries to understand and fit in; and how loved ones around the child protects her from the darkness around.

And being Filipino, I can't but help see the parallelism between what has and is happening between Iran and here in the Philippines.

It's a real must see movie. Too bad, it's not as popular as the other fares around.

Academy Award Winning Shorts

Here in the Philippines, it is very rare to see a Philippine produced animated film. Despite the talent of Filipinos in drawing, most are working out of the country. I feel that the animated short category is one category that the Philippines can truly shine.

The following are Oscar Award Winning Shorts (Best Animated Shorts) for 2005 and 2007. Makes me wonder when the Philippines can be up to par with the world in animation.

The first one is entitled "Ryan" by Chris Landreth. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Short for 2004.

Four decades ago, filmmaker Ryan Larkin produced some of the most influential animations of his generation. Years later, plagued by alcoholism and drug abuse, he was destitute on the streets of Toronto. In this haunting film, his friend and fellow animator, Chris Landreth, examines Ryan's life through the voices of those who know him best. Combining real interviews with strange, disembodied computer-generated characters, "Ryan" won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Animated Short.

Watching "Ryan", it has given me hope that a talented Philippine artist will one day wake up and decide to create animations such as these that are both visually stunning and have a real good original story to boot.

I'm taking a chance here by holding my breath...

You can view the full length, high quality version here.

The second Oscar winning short is called "The Danish Poet" by Torril Kove. It won the award in 2007.

Can we trace the chain of events that leads to our birth? Is our existence just coincidence? Do little things matter? The narrator of The Danish Poet considers these questions as we follow Kasper, a poet whose creative well has run dry, on holiday to Norway to meet the famous writer Sigrid Undset. As Kasper's quest for inspiration unfolds, it appears that a spell of bad weather, an angry dog, slippery barn planks, a careless postman, hungry goats and other seemingly unrelated factors, all play a role in the big scheme of life after all. Directed by Torrill Kove, The Danish Poet won the 2007 Academy Award for Animated Short.

"The Danish Poet" is how life is so dynamic that even the smallest thing can lead to the most wonderful of results. It's amazing how something like this that is under 15 minutes can affect how you see the world throughout your life. I may be exaggerating a bit here but I am talking about myself and it is how I feel for this film.

Besides, this is the Philippines and at this point in time, I only have hope for this country. And my life...

You can watch "The Danish Poet here.

There are a bunch of Philippine animated films in the works and hopefully, we can catch up and come up with an award winning animated film in a few years. I really believe that Filipinos have a real good chance in this category.

Starry Night

This is a machinima of Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. It was rendered in the game, Second Life.

It's just beautiful.

Reminds me of one time here in the Philippines when I was very young when I went on vacation in the mountain province, Baguio City. That was before malls and commercialism took out a bit of that magic from the city.

Max Payne The Movie

Unfrigginbelievable....