cc review: Broken Tower, Redwoods, The Trip

More gay-themed movies.  Filling up a backlog.  And another mainstream actor essaying a gay role.  Let's start with that one.

http://rlsblog.org/the-broken-tower-2011-vodrip-ac3-2-0-xvid-sic/

What is it about super-artsy films I just can't relate to?  This is a black&white film, filled with high-contrast images, cut-to-cut, and the verses from the poetry of Hart Crane, the title role.  The poetry sounds wonderful but I get lost in trying to find meaning.  And it doesn't help that there are images accompanying the poetry as read by James Franco.

I had to push myself to finish the movie, honestly.  And the anticipation of more scenes of James Franco sucking face with another man was the only motivation.  I'm no big fan of James Franco, since he played villain to my beloved Tobey Maguire in the Spidey series previously.  But he was exceptionally charming here (because he was gay. hihihi).

And as this picture indicates, THAT is sucking face.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNU1mHTjgIWvFC1V0GXRtiBXhapUNyNN9R0OoY5rQiQoQgxNcxI9sKwqWiLyekMchlYX5R6Fc36YBqZsSIP4ERpcl1b2h6kDgW1nThRtNHgcgCd4fcPbBRABCjhiVRFA-a1jQQvnb2Ac/s400/url-5a.jpg

Now I move on to the "Redwoods", which got me curious because of one comment I read somewhere: "It's the gay 'Bridges of Madison County'".  Now, I LOVE "Bridges".  So here I am with my expectation way up there... only to be brought down, down, down. THUD.

Everything about this movie is bad.  Sorry.  But everything.  No hot actors.  Bad acting from everyone. Bad cinematography.  Bad lines (the cheesiest, ever).  Bad soundtrack.  PC and I had our heyday just lampooning the entire film.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ggDTdtDQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Which is why this next film, "The Trip", was such a breath of fresh air.  Witty dialogue, cute actors (with bad wigs) and a good enough story with some redeeming political value.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5119ZMY7R1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I find both characters hot, despite the hideous wigs: Alan and Tommy.  I must say that I have been reading about this movie for the longest time but never remembered to download it till now.  And I quite regret not having done it earlier.

There are some really witty lines, which had PC and I laughing.  The plot twists quite incredulously (no spoilers here) but I suspend disbelief and ride along.  It has enough cookie characters that evolve through the years to make for some cute situations.  But it has a poignant heart, and that is why I ultimately root for this movie.  Nothing totally heavy on the drama side.

And the best part of the movie is when I finally heard this song again!  I remember just a few words from the refrain, from my childhood days.  Yes, childhood.  And I have always wondered, did I really recall the song right?  That the word "Homosexuality" was actually mentioned?

After watching the film, I am glad to say that I do not have Alzheimer's yet.  LOL.  In all its full-length glory, I present... "Ain't Nobody Straight in L.A."

cc quickie: lss'ing

I heard this inside Bangkok gay bar "Classic" being performed by a female impersonator.  The performer was certainly not impressive.  Mas magagaling pa rin ang Pinoy na bading!  The super-cheesy English lyrics made me cringe.  But when I got to the refrain.. WHOA!

This turns out to be an old song (2009) that didn't make to our shores from Sweden.  But I totally enjoy it!  

cc raves: Bent & I Love You, Phillip Morris

Mainstream actors doing leading gay roles.  Amazing.  I'm surprised that these 'old' movies didn't receive as much buzz (siguro kasi wala pang masyadong nagti-Twitter nun?)  I only discovered the titles upon Googling "Best Gay Movies", something I do from time to time.  It used to be frustrating to see these lists, for the movies were hardly available here.  

But thanks to Torrent (opo. nagto-torrent ako. inaamin ko po.), the titles are a search-click-wait away from being watched. 

I picked these two because a lot on the list I have actually seen (the titles repeat themselves in a lot of these lists).  And they featured maintstream actors.  I was utterly amazed to see a young Clive Owen as a dashing Berlin fag in a Burlesque cum Moulin Rouge kind of bar.  And superstar (yes, I consider him a superstar) Jim Carrey essaying an all-out gay role, and getting to have both Rodrigo Santoro (the hunk I saw in Lost) and Ewan McGregor.  

"Bent" is quite heavy, done with an indie spirit.  The concentration camp scene makes you despair with the characters.  In contrast, "I Love You, Phillip Morris" (note the spelling of Phillip), starts out quite light, campy then makes a serious turn before... I won't spoil the ending.  It's trademark Jim Carrey humor and wit, without the facial contortions.  Ewan is simply adorable as the softie blonde.  But I think his acting was a bit over.  

The kissing scenes always take my breath away.  Mainstream actors kissing.  And it's not that I find it hot.  I just find it so ... inspiring?   I love that when these guys do roles like these (including my idol, Tom Hanks), they bring a lot of their straight fans to the gay experience.  And that says a lot about them, knowing the inherent risks.

The movies are not for everybody.  I don't find them for general appeal.  If 'Bent' didn't star Clive Owen, I wouldn't have bother, honestly.  But I think that a cinemaphile PLU should have this in their 'must-watch' lists. 

Image Source: Community Flixter

Image Source: Cineplex.Com

Image Source: Community Flixter

Image Source: Jim Carrey Online

Image Source: sweensryche.wordpress.com

Image Source: Moviewallpapers.net

Carlito 15, Emily 6, Paolo 10

"Sino ba yang ka-text mo?" tanong ni Carlito sa kanya.

"Huh? Sa office. May nagresign. Asikasuhin ko lang, Babe."

"Akala ko ba walang work muna while we are here."

"Sorry, Babe. Eto lang. Kailangan kasing may magtake-over sa accounts niya. Wait lang. Tawag lang ako kay Boss."

Ang sarap pa naman ng simoy ng hanging sa dalampasigan. Katatapos pa lang nila mag-dinner at umiinom muna sila ng beer. Ngunit nagulat siya sa text mula sa office. Ang biglang pag-resign ni Emily. Kasama na rin sa pakiramdam ang isang buntong hininga na tapos na ang problema niya sa babaeng iyon.

"Yes, Sir Von. I'll distribute the accounts among the rest of the team... Yes, Sir. No need for replacement. We can absorb po."

Binalikan ni Lucas si Carlito sa mesa. At nakipag-toast siya. "To a wonderful vacation, Babe! Cheers!"

Ang laking gaan ng loob niya sa resignation ni Emily. Mula nung nagsagutan sila, hindi pumasok siya pumapasok ng regular. Kakasuhan na sana niya ng gross negligence. Ngunit may kaba rin siya kung biglang balikan siya ng kung anu-anong sabihin pa. Ang pag-resign ni Emily ay isang palatandaan na pabalik na ng normal ang buhay niya. At ang pagpatol sa isang babae ay hinding-hindi na niya gagawin muli.

Nang bumalik na sila sa kwarto, niyakap niya si Carlito ng mahigpit, at inumpisahang tanggalan ng damit. Naramdaman niya agad ang pagtigas ng nota ni Carlito. At lalo siyang ginanahan. Lumuhod siya sa harap niya at sinubo ang malaki at matigas na ari. Napa-ungol si Carlito. At lalong sinubsob ang bibig niya sa nota.

Habang buong husay niyang bino-blowjob ang kanyang jowa, napansin lang niya na hindi siya tinitigasan. Kahit nagbabati na siya ng sarili, parang malambot pa rin ang kanyang ari. Nag-umpisa siyang mag-alala. Lalo na nung tinayo siya ni Carlito at hiniga sa kama.

Pinatungan siya ni Carlito at inumpisahang halikan ang kanyang leeg, ang dibdib. Umuungol sana siya upang maramdaman niya ang libog.

Wala pa rin. No response. Nagpa-panic na siya. At pababa na si Carlito patungo sa kanyang nota.

Napansin ni Carlito ang lampang nota. Ngunit hindi na niya pinansin at sinubo na lamang. Binigyan niya na kanyang ekspertong pagblowjob. Naka-ilang minuto na rin at malambot pa rin si Lucas. Tinigil niya ang pagsuck at tumabi kay Lucas.

"What's wrong? Bakit di ka na tinitigasan?"

"I don't know, Babe. Ngayon lang nangyari eto. Siguro yung beer kanina."

"But we've always been drinking beer. Is there anything bothering you?"

"Wala naman. Hindi ko rin nga maintindihan. Baka pagod lang ako sa swimming natin at boat ride."

"You're too young naman, Luc. Baka may problema kang hindi mo share sa akin."

Inisip ni Lucas ng mabuti. Ano nga ba ang nasa utak niya ngayon? Bakit ba walang reaksyon ang nota niya. Maganda naman ang balita tungkol sa resignation ni Emily.

"Rest lang muna tayo, Babe. I just wanna hug." at niyakap niya si Carlito ng mahigpit. Pinilit niyang tanggalin sa isipan niya ang kanyang impotence. At hinayaan na lang niyang maramdaman ang init ng yakap ni Carlito.

Tuluyan pa ring pinaglalaruan ng kamay ni Carlito ang kanyang nota, kahit tulog pa. At siya naman ay napikit. At nag-imagine. Ang unang pumasok sa isipan niya ay ang puwet ni Paolo. Ang maputi at makinis at matambok na puwet. Ang hubog nitong maganda. Ang sarap ng dampi ng kanyang kamay. At ang itsura ng butas ng puwet habang kinakain niya.

"Babe, you are responding..." ng maramdaman ni Carlito tumitigas na rin ang nota. Sinubo niya dahan-dahan. Habang tuloy naman na pinapantasya ni Lucas ang mukha ni Paolo, ang bibig habang sumusubo sa nota niya. At tuluyan na siyang tinigasan. Si Paolo pa rin ang laman ng isip niya. Ang hanap ng kanyang katawan.

Tinuloy ni Carlito ang pagblowjob sa kanya. At tinignan niya si Lucas na mahigpit ang pagkakapikit. 'Ano kaya ang inisip nitong mokong na eto?' tanong niya sa sarili. Habang nakapikit pa rin, kinuha na ni Lucas ang nota niya at nagsalsal ng sarili hanggang labasan.

Habang pinupunasan ng tisyu ni Carlito ang pinagtalsikan ng tamod "Akala ko di ka na tinitigasan sa akin. Grounds for annulment yan." at sabay tawa.

"Of course not, Babe. All I had to do was relax naman. At i-enjoy ang galing mo." siya mismo ay nakumbinse ng kanyang sariling pagsisinungalin. Ngunit bumabalik sa isipan niya si Paolo. At ang naging usapan nilang huli habang natutulog ng mahimbing si Carlito.

"I told you not to text me. Bakit ba ang kulet mo?" bumubulong siya ngunit nandun ang diin ng pananalita.

"I'm sorry, Kuya. Hindi ko lang kasi matiis. When I saw you at the mall with him. Ang sakit, Kuya."

"Pao, you know my situation. Sabi ko naman sa iyo, di ba?"

"Opo. Kaso iba pagnakikita mo na. Kaya sorry hindi ko alam ang magiging reaksyon ko. Sorry po, Kuya." at nag-umpisa ng umiyak si Paolo sa kabilang linya.

"Pao, please stop crying. This is temporary, okay? Konting tiis lang."

"I know, Kuya. I know. It's my fault. Mahal na mahal na kita, Luc. Ang sakit lang."

"Shhh. Tahan na, Pao. I can't stay long on the phone. Baka magising si Carlito." at tinapos na rin niya ang usapan. Dun niya naramdaman ang matinding pagmamahal sa kanya ng bata. Na hindi niya inaakalang mangyayari sa buhay niya.

Napatingin siya kay Carlito muli. Nagbibihis na ng pantulog. Pwede nga bang dalawang tao ang mahalin niya? Parang pampelikula lang. Ngunit hindi niya kayang iwan si Carlito kahit madalas na silang mag-away. Marami na silang napagdaanan. At hindi rin naman niya kayang i-deny sa sarili na si Paolo ang nagpapalukso ng kanyang dugo ngayon.

Niyakap niya si Carlito habang nakahiga pa rin. At ilang saglit na lang ay naririnig na rin niya ang paghilik ni Carlito habang nasa dibdib niya.

Nang kinabukasan ay pabalik na rin sila sa Cebu City. Parang iba ang ihip ng hangin. Dahil rin siguro nag-aalala na siya sa trabahong iniwan, sa mga accounts ni Emily. Habang nasa bangka, nakatanggap siya ng text mula kay Emily.

"I hope u r hapi now. I resignd. So u can b hapi w ur bf." at bigla siyang namutla sa text ni Emily. Hindi niya alam kung sasagutin niya. Nahalata na naman ni Carlito ang kanyang reaksyon at pagkagulat.

"Oh sino na naman iyan at para kang nabuhusan ng kumukulong tubig?" tanong ni Carlito.

"Ahh. Wala. Magulo raw kasi accounts of the girl who resigned."

At may sumunod pa isang text. "I kno ur 2gedr now. But we nid 2 tok."

Mas lalo siyang kinabahan sa text. Hindi niya alam ang sasagutin niya.

"Wala, Babe. Nakakainis lang. Ayusin ko lang."

"Ayan ka na naman. Hindi mo maiwan ang work mo."

"Ano ba, Babe? Konting suporta lang." tumaas na ang boses niya.

"Fuck you. Ako na nga ang nandito to support you." at pinatulan na siya ni Carlito sa galit.

Napatingin ang ibang mga pasahero ng bangka at huminahon siya. "I'm sorry, okay? I just need to solve this." At saka dumating na naman ang isang text "Y r u not replyng? I nid 2 tok 2 u. Or il go 2 ur haus." Namutla siya sa banta ng babae.

"Ok. Il mit u tom. Lunch. SM." ang madali niyang tinext. At hindi na naalis ang kaba niya.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

cc quickie: the new mass translation

In our parish, we have started to implement (finally) the new English translation of the Mass.  The Vatican deadline for full implementation worldwide is January 1, 2013 (methinks).  So we have roughly 6 months to get used to this translation.

I was initially in disagreement with this move.  Why rock the boat and confuse the churchgoer?  Why enforce such a change when it seemed so 'cosmetic' in nature?  

I have since changed my attitude towards it and have finally recognized its value.  For me, beyond the need to be more 'accurate' to the Latin responses, this new translation makes us Catholics become 'aware' again of the Mass.  We have to be more attentive again so as not to make mistakes.  There is a consciousness to listen and memorize.  And even as we struggle with agreeing with the translation, the mere fact that we are thinking about the words and meaning again is an accomplishment.

cc quickie: Career Talk

Miggs invited me to do a career talk for PLU's in August.  I'd like to solicit your views, dear raider, on this.  Specifically, do you have any questions on career or corporate life that you would like to be clarified about?  Is there anything you would like to ask a resource person, a PLU, regarding these topics? :)