Confessions (Kokuhaku)

Directed by         :        Tetsuya Nakashima

Awards               :        Jury Choice, 14^th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival

                                    TV Taro Award (Best Film), Elan D'or Award

                                    Best Picture, 53^rd Blue Ribbon Awards

                                    Best Supporting Actress, 53^rd Blue Ribbon Awards

                                    Picture of the Year, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Director of the Year, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Screenplay of the Year, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Best in Film Editing, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Best Asian Film, 30th Hong Kong Film Awards

Black Dragon Audience Award, 13^th Udine Far East Film

My Movies Audience Award, 13^th Udine Far East Film

Best Picture, 2nd Theater Staff Film Festival

Best Leading Actress, 2nd Theater Staff Film Festival

Confessions is the second of the three films I have watched on this year's Eiga Sai at Shangri-La Cinemaplex. This film is Japan's official entry to the 83^rd Academy Awards, and was shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film.
Click on this link for the screening schedules of Eiga Sai.

[Spoiler Alert]

Eiga Sai 2013 Screening Schedules (July)

In celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month and the 40th year of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, Eiga Sai 2013 showcases 17 mostly award-winning Japanese films produced between 2005 and 2012. This year's Japanese Film Festival takes place at the following venues:

• Shang Cineplex Cinema 2, EDSA Mandaluyong City from July 3 (Wednesday) to 14 (Sunday)
• FDCP Cinematheque, Davao City from July 19 (Friday) to July 28 (Sunday)
• Abreeza, Ayala - Davao City from July 20 to 21 and July 27 to 28
• Ayala Center Cinema, Cebu City from August 7 (Wednesday) to August 11 (Sunday)
• University of the Philippines Film Institute, Quezon City from August 19 (Monday) to August 25 (Sunday)

The Festival is hosted by Japan Foundation Manila in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy of Manila, Shangri-La Plaza and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

As in all other foreign film festivals, Eiga Sai is FREE. Tickets are distributed 30 minutes before the screening time, but lines queue up an hour before.

The screening schedules are:

Le Prenom (What's In a Name?) and the Philosophy of Names

[Spoiler alert.]

Le Prenom was this year’s opener for the 18th French Film Festival held at Greenbelt 3 in Makati. The film revolves around a dinner invitation by Elisabeth to her brother Vincent, who is expecting a baby boy. Everyone is in high spirits trying to guess the name of the baby until Vincent reveals the name is going to be Adolphe. Chaos ensues after the announcement. Bickering brings forth shocking revelations in their lives.

But what’s in Adolphe that had caused such a pandemonium?

A Guide to the 18th French Film Festival

I cannot remember when I started watching foreign films in festivals, but I know why I did: they were FREE. Some of the festivals I have seen were French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. These events are included in my anticipated events each year. And dear am I glad when I stumbled upon the schedule of the French Film Festival this year? Most definitely. 

The French Film Festival is on its 18th year and will be open to the public on June 7 to 9, 2013 at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas. 

The line-up of films includes:

Click on the film titles to view the trailer in Youtube.

The Hypocrisy Behind Jessica Soho Gang-Rape Joke

I read the news through the twitter updates. Like many Filipinos, I was infuriated, and utterly disgusted at how cheap a Pinoy entertainment could be and still be a big hit. This I felt before watching the viral video below in Youtube.

But not long after, I also found this in Youtube:

The video is an episode of Bubble Gang last July 16, 2010. The title was "Reyp-reypan."

So after all the ruckus, GMA is not without sin too.

My Pick: 13 Movies from May to December 2013

The first trimester saw blockbuster movies in Philippine cinemas such as Gangster Squad, Zero Dark Thirty, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Warm Bodies, Beautiful Creatures, Jack the Giant Slayer, Oz: The Great and Powerful, The Croods, GI Joe: Retaliation, and Iron Man 3, which broke box-office record for the biggest weekend opener. Two movies which are supposed to be shown last December but was postponed due to the annual Metro Manila Film Fest became this year's openers: Les Miserables and Life of Pi.

With two more trimesters to go, 13 more blockbuster movies are coming up before 2013 ends. These are:

1. Star Trek Into Darkness

Release Date:     May 16

After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.