Small characters, big film

A really must-see movie (so that you don’t get left out in conversations among family and friends) is Lord of the Rings — actually the first book, Fellowship of the Ring. (It’s a trilogy and the second-sequel will be shown in the US in December — and the final installment in December of 2003.)

It’s important to watch Fellowship of the Ring because it is here where the characters (at least those who were retained from the book) are introduced.

The movie is two hours and 40 minutes long, but you won’t get a bit bored with it because something happens in every second of the film. (The battle scenes will always put you at the edge of your seat.)

The production values are excellent and the film is visually exhilarating. The production design (great recreation of the rural-medieval period) is something you don’t get to see even in most other Hollywood movies.

And what’s fascinating about the actors in this film is that they are not necessarily dwarfed by the bigness of the film. Yes — in spite of the fact that they play dwarves, hobbits and elves, they still stand out in this huge landscape which is referred to in the film as the Middle Earth.

Heading the cast is Elijah Wood, the pure-hearted hobbit who had been designated in the story as the Ring Bearer. Like in his other films (The Good Son, The War, Paradise, etc.) he also turns in an inspired performance here in Lord of the Rings. The great Australian actress Cate Blanchett (who I still believe was robbed of an Oscar when she lost to Gwyneth Paltrow in 1998) is also in the film as the Elf Queen Galadriel.

If I’m not mistaken, the film is now showing in five SM Megamall cinemas (and three theaters at Robinsons Galleria). But I believe that it is standing room only in all of these theaters. My suggestion is for you to watch it at the Shangri-la Plaza cinema because the crowd there is very manageable. (Or probably at the Glorietta where you can get reserved seats.)

Like I said, the movie is quite long and you won’t enjoy it as much standing up and craning your neck. I know it’s more expensive to be watching it in Shangri-La or Glorietta 4 (the Power Plant to me is already a tip-off), but trust me, this film is going to be worth every centavo.

Manunuri citations

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino recently came out with its quarterly citations for the last half of 2001. Here is the complete list:

Red Diaries, a trilogy directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, was cited for the performances of Assunta de Rossi and Carlos Morales.

Radyo, produced by Viva Films and directed by Yam Laranas, was given citations for its cinematography (Yam Laranas) and production design (Sammy Armazamendez).

The Manunuri gave numerous citations to the Star Cinema movie La Vida Rosa. Cited were the direction of Chito Roño and the screenplay of Armando Lao — plus the performances of Rosanna Roces, Diether Ocampo, Liza Lorena and Jiro Manio and all of the film’s technical elements: cinematography (Neil Daza), editing (Joyce Bernal and Vito Cajili), music (Jay Oliver Durias), production design (Gerry Pascual) and sound (Addies Tabong and Alex Tomboc).

Dos Ekis, another film from Viva, also received citations for cinematography (Jay Tadeña), production design (Rodell Cruz), music (Lourd de Veyra) and editing (Danny Gloria).

Gil Portes’ Huwag Kang Kikibo, Diyos ang Hihipo, meanwhile, was cited for its music and cinematography.

Batang Westside, a five-hour film shown at the Cine Manila in early December of 2001, got the most number of nominations: direction and screenplay (both by Lav Diaz), cinematography (Miguel Fabie III), music (Joey Ayala), production design (Cesar Hernando), editing (Ron Dale), sound (Rudy Gonzales and Alex Tomboc) — plus the performances of Joel Torre, Yul Servo, Gloria Diaz, Priscilla Almeda, Ruben Tizon, Arthur Acuña, Raul Arellano, Joseph Pe, Ged Merino, Luis Salvador and Michelle Salvador.

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino also honored by way of citations three entries from the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. Yamashita: The Tiger’s Treasure was given citations for cinematography (Neil Daza), editing (Manet Dayrit), production design (Fernan Santiago and Max Paglinawan), music (Kormann Roque), sound (Albert Michael Idioma) and the performances of Armando Goyena, Danilo Barrios, Carlo Muñoz, Vic Diaz and Tetsuya Matsui.

Bagong Buwan received citations for direction (Marilou Diaz Abaya), screenplay (Ricardo Lee, Jun Lana and Marilou Diaz Abaya), cinematography (Eduardo Jacinto), editing (Jesus Navarro), production design (Judy Lou de Pio), music (Nonong Buencamino), sound (Albert Michael Idioma and Rudy Gonzales) and the performances of Cesar Montano, Amy Austria, Caridad Sanchez, Ronnie Lazaro, Jericho Rosales, Carlo Aquino and Nonie Buencamino.

Hubog likewise got citations for direction (Joel Lamangan), screenplay (Roy Iglesias), cinematography (Romulo Araojo), editing (Tara Illenberger), production design (Larry Matic), music (Jessie Lasaten) sound (Albert Michael Idioma) and the performances of Assunta de Rossi, Alessandra de Rossi, Jay Manalo and Wendell Ramos.