r/FilmClubPH

Comparing Lino Brocka's Manila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (1975) to Joker (2019) or Taxi Driver (1976), I think our version is just so much better. My baseline: How do you make a sane man insane?

Taxi Driver's visuals are technically better, but Brocka's film hits hard because of the dark realities of exploitation and poverty, comparing it to the protagonist of Taxi Driver who experienced alienation. Both films are great, but when it comes to the obstacles, Julio Madiaga (the protagonist) has it harder.

Joker (2019), I didn't really feel the weight of making him turn insane, that's why Taxi Driver is always mentioned in the discussion of that film.

Saw My Sassy Girl (2001) back in 2006. This film is one of kind, especially in the "rewatchability" territory.

Nearly two decades since the first time, I still find it like gold.

It's kind of special.

And, too, it hits differently now that I'm trentahin.

ICYMI - Endo, the beloved 2007 Cinemalaya film by Jade Castro, has been adapted into a stage play. It will be running from April 10 to May 10 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City. Produced by PETA Plus and Ticket2Me. Starring Jasmine Curtis-Smith/Rissey Reyes-Robinson as Tanya, Royce Cabrera/Esteban Mara as Leo and Kate Alejandrino-Juan/Iana Bernardez as Candy. Adapted by Liza Magtoto and directed by Melvin Lee.

I caught the press preview on April 8 and if you loved the movie, you will love this stage adaptation too. They were able to capture the themes and emotions of the movie perfectly! They were also able to tell the heartbreaking story of Leo and Tanya and give relevant commentary on gig economy and the struggle to just get by day by day.

I'm the showbuyer for the April 19, 3pm show. We have a 20% off promo code (OPENING20) valid until Monday (4/13) 11:59am and special rates for students. Just contact me if you're interested or purchase via Ticket2Me.

And as a thank you for allowing me to post in your community, I'm giving away a set of 2 Orchestra Side tickets to one of your community members for our April 19, 3pm show. Just comment on this post if you are interested and available. I'll select a winner and announce on Monday (4/13) afternoon.

can you suggest any films / franchise should I watch next. similar to this one hahaha

So, a year ago, I made a newbie Reddit post about our film restorations here in the Philippines.

Seeing some of the comments there, if it really is just pandering to Filipino audiences preferring cropped airings..*sigh*...the bad outweights the good. And to add:

(I am STILL no expert on this matter, and I heavily encourage comments, also from restoration teams, if ever, on the matter.)

Restoration processes from films restored by e.g Sagip Pelikula, FPJ Productions film reels mostly have an aspect ratio close to standard 4:3, maybe 1.33.1, with the film reel used varying (couldn't gather much info on that, thought it was 16mm at first)

Agila ng Maynila

Sagip Pelikula showcase

Isang Bala Ka Lang (CROPPED)

In these videos, and the movies themselves, however, I noticed a weird pattern: A common recurring theme (though not always) is deciding to willingly CROP the movies in favor of widescreen. WHY?!

There shouldn't be any reason to do, right? With the exception of..

* Original intent * Source was already cropped to begin with * Visible equipment shown (such as in overscan)

But, I doubt all three circumstances are happening for each film they try to restore. Yes, widescreen cropping makes it look better on a modern flat-scren, but...I thought the point of a restoration is to PRESERVE the film, not pander to modern audiences. And if the problem is they don't know how to do the presentation, just do both. Like the widescreen and fullscreen DVDs from back in the day. Remember those?

Because a situation could arise, where, a cropped 16mm film release, gets cropped to widescreen, and now the film is cropped again, LMAO.

The situation is similar to Funimation's doings in the west with the DB show:

(Though, except the movies, they had cropping in mind)

Let me just list some examples from last time (check the prev post)

Haba Baba Doo, Puti Puti Poo (2:35:1; YT Upload- 4:3 (possibly Home Media release); Trailer - 16:9)

Kapag Puno na Ang Salop (1.85.1?; Unrestored TV airing - 4:3; Restored - 16:9)

Of course, I know that a film doesn't just have a singular aspect ratio for everything. And if the circumstances earlier match, I have no problems with cropping. (Open-matte versions would be nice to upload, though)

But, I mean, film restorations are expensive, right? They're a tedious process. And you're just gonna crop it? Think about that.