Monday Movies: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

I was able to finally watch The Avengers (T.A.) last Friday but I am not inclined to post a review. After seeing the movie, I must say that I failed to get a grasp of its story. With this, I decided to watch Captain America since it was Marvel’s latest movie installment prior to T.A.

Upon seeing the first scene of this film, I immediately said to myself, that’s why, because it reminded me of some elements in T.A. which I cannot comprehend. Captain America: The First Avenger opens with a group of scientists in the Arctic discovering a shield. This took place in the present time. This is then followed by Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), a Nazi officer, obtaining a mysterious object known as the Tesseract.

The Red Skull

Meanwhile, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) attempts to join the US Army but is rejected due to a long list of health complications. He joins his friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) to attend an exhibition of future technologies where he attempts again to enlist in the army. Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) allows him to enlist upon hearing their conversation about helping the war effort.

Howard Stark

Rogers was groomed to become Erskine’s subject for the super-soldier treatment. With the help of Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), Erskine was able to transform Rogers into a taller, muscular, and stronger soldier. The plan to replicate this to other soldiers was aborted after Erskine was killed by a Nazi spy immediately after the successful experiment. Instead of subjecting Rogers to further studies to replicate the program, Senator Brandt (Michael Brandon) brought Rogers to a tour as Captain America to entice Americans to invest in war bonds.

Rogers in his tours

During a tour in Italy, Rogers learned that Barnes’ unit was defeated by Schmidt’s forces. He went to Schmidt’s headquarters and rescued Barnes and freed the prisoners. There, he met Schmidt who revealed his identity as the Red Skull and demonstrated his successful use of the Tesseract’s powers.

Rogers forms a team to attack Schmidt’s facilities in Europe. Pinning Schmidt in the last facility, Rogers follows Schmidt as the latter flees through an aircraft. Schmidt dissolved after physically handling the Tesseract. Rogers crashes the aircraft in the Arctic to avoid destroying New York. Later, Stark recovers the Tesseract but is unable to locate Rogers or the aircraft.

Roger awakens in a 1941 hospital bedroom. Upon hearing a familiar radio broadcast, Rogers gets out of the facility into what is present-day New York Times Square. Nick Fury meets him and tells him that he’s been asleep for 70 years.

The post-credit scene shows a familiar scene in T.A. where Nick Fury informs Rogers of a mission.

What sets Captain America from the rest of the Marvel heroes is his story, his powers, and the period that made him a hero. Most of the Marvel characters were accidental heroes. It was only after realizing the immensity of their powers that they realized that they can use it to do good. On the other hand, Captain America was subjected to an experiment in order to make use of his powers to win th war.

As to his powers, one can rightfully state that Captain America only relies on his super strength to attack and on his durable shield for defense. At times, we see in the film that he is rescued by his friends whenever he’s in a period of distress. Nothing remarkable when compared to the rest of the Marvel characters. But he is also intelligent even before he was subjected to the experiment and has leadership capabilities.

Captain America belongs to a period that is truly in need of a hero. World War II was a challenging epoch in human affairs. A violent force threatens the future of humanity and everyone is called upon to make the supreme sacrifice to restore peace and order.

We have been used to seeing heroes born from a period of great technological advancements – a period that closely resemble ours. Captain America’s time was a transition to a modern technological period. He was the first hero to be born out of this transition.

While we see the uniqueness of this character, we can also point out that its story suffers from the weakness of its villain. Johan Schmidt’s character was weak. Isn’t it that a hero’s popularity or his strength is amplified by the greatness of his villain? We see nothing of that in this film. We see nothing remarkable about Schmidt’s powers if there’s any. We don’t see him as a threat and we didn’t have the opportunity to see that since Captain America and his team conducted preemptive strikes against Schmidt’s facilities. We see action through the strikes they conducted but not between the hero and the villain.

It is indeed challenging for any director to make Captain America’s story interesting. He lives in a period with

only a few technologies to get anyone astounded. He lives in a period where the available settings are limited to the war zone, military facilities, and pre-war metropolis. He himself lacks remarkable powers and would have to rely to well-choreographed fight scenes and enhanced special effects to bring spectacle to action scenes.

A sequel is being prepared and I strongly hope that improvements shall be made in the next instalment.

 

Picture Friday: Tabaco

The Bicol Association of Museums celebrated the International Museums Day from May 9-11, 2012 in Tabaco City, Albay. I went there to witness the activities together with some colleagues from the Commission. Sticking to this month’s theme for Picture Friday, today’s post will feature some photos on the cultural heritage of Tabaco City, Albay.

Monday Movies: The Woman in the Septic Tank (2011)

Initially, I was apprehensive of making this review in English for a Filipino film.  For it’s not just any film but an indie film in which the vernacular prevails as the primary means to communicate with its public. Posting a review in English appears to be contrary to the  ideals of the film. But then, I thought, doing so would help in enhancing the film’s popularity among foreign audience.

Bingbong, Jocelyn, and Rainier

The Woman in the Septic Tank is a 2011 indie film that follows the film project of 3 aspiring filmmakers: Rainier (Kean Cipriano), the director, Bingbong (JM De Guzman), and Jocelyn (Cai Cortez), the production assistant. Their film project entitled “Walang-Wala” focuses on the life of Mila as she was forced to sell her son to a pedophile Caucasian due to poverty. They’re hoping that their film would land them to the most prestigious film festivals of the world.

Real life comedy actress Eugene Domingo is set to play Mila’s role. But prior to their meeting with Domingo, Rainier and Bingbong had some discussions on the most suitable actress to play Mila. Rainier suggested to have either Mercedes Cabral or Cherry Pie Picache as alternatives. But this was quickly turned down by Bingbong. Another point of argument was the gender of Mila’s child and the nationality of the pedophile man. Perhaps the most interesting point in their argument was the format of the film in which the idea of having it as a musical was considered.

Meeting Eugene Domingo and visiting the shoot location were the points that greatly elated the group. However, both of these ended in disappointment. Domingo was cooperative but had too many requests that might curtail the plans of the group. The most important of which is her refusal to get into the waters of a real septic tank.  On the other hand, the shoot location was the perfect setting for their film but on their way back to the car, they found some men pillaging the vehicle.

The last scene shows what the title suggests. Domingo’s double, who will get into the septic tank, was preparing for her act. Unfortunately, Domingo accidentally fell into the tank and while she was submerged in the water, the crew proceeded with shooting what turned out to be a funny turn of events.

The opening scenes suggested that the film would be an insightful display of the squalid conditions of the Filipino urban poor. But as the film progressed, Mila’s story turned out to be an instrument towards highlighting the travail of indie film making. More than the travail, the film also showed how egoistic creative expression can be especially in a world filled with one-hit sensations among competing aspirants.

But these insights were only subliminal and the greater attraction of the film is the laughter that it evokes. It is undeniably funny. Eugene Domingo’s lines were comical as well as the ways by which Rainier and Bingbong played with their material. The film’s comical trait stands as its strength and makes it different from the indie film that most people have seen.  This alone makes it a reason not to miss watching it.

The film won most of the major awards in the 7th Cinemalaya Film Festival  while Eugene Domingo won as Best Actress in the 6th Asian Film Awards. It was directed by Marlon Rivera and the screenplay was written by Chris Martinez.

At the Crossroads: 5 Directions after graduate school

Example of zoomorphic arabic calligraphy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1.) Teach. I’m inclined to choose this path in order to make use of the master’s degree I’m about to earn. Applying for a part-time teaching position excites me now, more so when I finished my graduate studies. It would be nice to go back to the university and to imbibe the youth spirit by being with students.

2.) Take a PhD in Educational Management. My father regrets the fact that his high school alma mater, which happens to be owned by my mother’s family, will be left to no one. Our relatives who are managing the school will soon retire and no one from the next generation will take the cudgels of running the 55-year old institution.

3.) Museology or Archival science. Since I have more time now to look into the inner workings of the sectors I’m serving, I’m starting to get interested with museum and archival work. It is not that I’m thinking of making either of them as a career option but only as an interesting field to be studied and make use of.

4.) Foreign affairs. Still, this remains to be on top of the list. This does not require further explanation.

5.) PhD or another master’s degree. There are a number of degrees I’m interested to take. I don’t know why. Intellectual hunger perhaps? Asian Studies, Philippine Studies, Public Administration, Islamic Studies, Urban and Regional Planning are some of the choices in my list. Where am I going to use them? I don’t know either. It’s just that they interest me that’s all.

Picture Friday: Masjid

May is Heritage Month and for the Fridays of May, Picture Friday will feature some of the heritage structures in the country. The first Friday of May is dedicated to the central religious structure in Islam, the Masjid or mosque. Photos below were taken from the Masjid exhibit of the UAP Area D currently installed at the NCCA Open Gallery.

Masjid Raya Saduc (Marawi)

Masjid Kormatan (Lanao del Sur)

Bacolod Grand Mosque (Lanao del Sur)

Ganasi Grand Mosque (Ganasi, Lanao del Sur)

Masjidil Asma’ul Husna (Parang, Maguindanao)

La Frutera Mosque (Datu Paglas, Maguindanao)

Datu Mohammad Paglas Mosque (Buluan, Maguindanao)

Datu Samad Mangelen Memorial Mosque (Buluan, Maguindanao)

Haron Rasjid Mosque (Guindulongan, Maguindanao)

Masjid Abas (Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao)

Datu Untong Balabaran Mosque (Taviran, Maguindanao)

Masjid Al-Salamaah (Cotabato City)

Grand Mosque (Cotabato City)

Blue Mosque (Cotabato City)

Monday Movies: How to Die in Oregon (2011)

Once in your life, you might have probably entertained the idea of dying. We do this for a number of reasons. Some of us would like to do the things we want to make us feel that we have lived enough. Some of us wonder what lies ahead after death. At times, we become curious with how it will come. Others are not happy with its uncertainty and would like to make death, both its time and manner, within their hands.

How to Die in Oregon (2011) brings us close to the idea of having death within our hands. In 1994, Oregon became the first state in USA that legalized physician-assisted suicide through the Oregon Death With Dignity Act. The law provides a choice for terminally-ill persons to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications as prescribed by physicians. This documentary was directed by Peter Richardson and was produced by HBO. It won the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary in the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

The documentary begins with a clip of Roger Sanger drinking a concoction that brought him to coma. The viewer is not privy to his disease but only to his strong conviction to end his life by drinking the concoction.

We are then directed to case studies. There is Sue Dessayer Porter, a Compassion and Choices volunteer, who assists people who use the law. A brief portion is given to Derek Humphry who was an advocate of euthanasia since 1975. Through the story of Nancy Niedzielski, we are brought to Washington where a similar law is about to be passed. Mrs. Niedzielski is pushing for the passage of the Washington Death with Dignity Act after her husband’s death due to brain cancer. There’s also Ray Carnay, a TV personality, who recorded his eulogy in anticipation of the removal of his larynx. A backlash of the Oregon law is depicted in the case of Randy Stroup after he was denied of treatment by his healthcare provider due to the severity of his cancer.

The centerpiece of the documentary is the story of Cody Stuart, a 54-year old woman diagnosed with liver cancer. We follow her story as she struggles with her sickness together with her family. She had decided to use the law on May 25 Memorial Day but decided not to pursue with it after her health improved.  However, her health deteriorated later and we find a Compassion and Choices volunteer preparing the drink that would end her life. Her last minutes before death was not shown but we hear her words as she bids goodbye.

At first, I was surprised that the documentary had no narration. I was used to listening to narrations since they assist the viewer in directing to significant points that one has to understand. As such, I felt lost while watching the documentary. Nonetheless, I appreciate the absence of the narration because it gave me the freedom to discern the information being shown.

Apart from the lack of narration, it was difficult to determine how the story runs. While I said that Cody Stuart’s story is the central story, it would not appear as such when you talk about the first twenty minutes of the docu. Her story only came in after twenty minutes with some of the case studies being shown in between.

I appreciate the fact that this docu did not appear too preachy. Facts through statistics or testimonials from experts such as medical practitioners, policy makers, activists, moral groups, and religious institutions were not provided. There was no debate as to the morality or the socio-political implications of being in a society where those who are suffering from terminal diseases may end their lives.

This is a documentary on the humanity of death. We are being exposed to our most feared and less talked about phase in human life. What you will see in this docu are raw emotions from people who suffer, who are in pain, who are scared, who are determined, and who are confused. I must say that there were times that I find it hard to continue watching because its hard to see people who are about to die or who have chosen to die  and to listen to people’s suffering.

It is probably unimaginable for a legislation such as the Death with Dignity Act to be introduced in the Philippines considering our view on life and death. I’m saying this because it would be hard for anyone to be faced with such a choice. It would be an emotional torture to the terminally ill. I’m open to the idea of not denying people to have such an option as provided by the said act but I’m not open to the idea of being in the situation where I have to choose.

Picture Friday: Tricycles

Zamboanga

Bukidnon

Vigan

Tabuk

Iloilo

Dapitan

Roxas

Tuguegarao