HAVE IT AWAY KATE!

I'm not going to talk about artful matters here because they are already given. “The Reader” received numerous nominations and have won some awards. But this film is all about Kate Winslet. The youngest actress to be nominated in the Oscars 6 times. Finally, last Monday her dream came true. She is hailed as the best actress and I truly agree. After watching the film, OMG I think Kate is the only actress who can do this all way. Have it her way! Oh God!!!! It's so hot. I told you I won't talk about art.

Post-WW2 Germany. Fifteen-year-old Michael (David Kross) is taken ill in the street and aided by Hannah Schmitz (Kate Winslet), a quiescent woman twice his age. Subsequently, fully well, he returns, gives her flowers and they begin an affair – all sex and zero confabulation for Hannah refuses to talk of her past. He arrives at her flat, strips, reads to her - transitions from his school books, the old novels or anything he wants - then they shtup. This develops into an ablaze and meaty sexual relationship between them, as he starts to forfeit spending time with his kith and kin, in order to run to Hannah's apartment for their siesta fun .Then she disappears from his life… only to return eight years later in kismet both unheralded and hideous.

I'm not going to delve about the quality of the script because I'm not really into that. All can I say is that The Reader is haunting. I love the story! The film is not for everyone though. Yeah, this is an art film which is very comparable to Ang Lee's Lust, Caution. The first half of the film keeps me awake because Kate Winslet and David Cross are naked most of the time. Prepare yourself for some frontal nudity and their non-stop sex. But, the sex scenes are amazingly done. Stephen Daldry who also directed one of my favorite films of all times “Billy Elliot” is a great auteur. The R-18 scenes are not that exploitive.

Midway, don't expect erogenous scenes anymore because you are only going to witness the most shocking revelation about Hannah's character. It's perplexing to love or hate Hannah. In the end, you have no volition but to cry because it's frustrating to see the two characters again being reunited. Those last scenes with Hannah is truly heart tugging. It's painful and gloomy. Two of the best elements in The Reader are the striking cinematography and the melancholic music. They flux attractively. The first line from Kate Winslet who portrays Hannah is undeniably award-winning. I knew it instantly that she would win and she did! I find it amazing when she talks English in German accent. I've seen her swish nudity before in “Little Children” and ogling her nakedness again in “The Reader” is still a fresh experience. He he he. Ralph Fiennes is also here but he does nothing award-winning because he is only visible during the last part as the adult Michael. He is still good. Newcomer David Cross who plays teenager Michael is just a lucky guy. He is such an apotropaic dude. Well, if Kate can do it and yes he can!!! You know what I mean.

The film is exclusively being shown in Ayala Cinemas. This is R-18 and prepare yourself for some shocking mature scenes. The Reader is not just about sex. This is about the verisimilitude of Kate Winslet and the horror of the Holocaust. However, the film does not re-enact the drama of genocide. It's still OK because we already saw it in Schindler's List. I remember a long time ago when MTRCB had an issue about the pumping scene in that film and they just totally cut it. Well, fortunately “The Reader” has something to pump up your heart.

Enjoy and cry at the same time.

PROJECT ISLA ON THE RUNWAY

I'm not a shopaholic in real life. Gosh, I wish I was the lucky winner of that P324 million jackpot prize last Sunday in Super Lotto and it would make me a super shopaholic. With the glooming economic crisis , this Jerry Bruckheimer produced chick flick about shopping addiction is untimely to watch. But with its talented cast, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” is somehow forgivable. Thanks to Isla Fisher. She is the lady we loved in the “Wedding Crashers” and the mysterious chick in “Definitely, Maybe”. Finally, the world can tell that she is a rising star.

This is about the confessions of Rebecca Bloomwood , a young journalist in New York City who has an addiction: shopping. One debt collector is tenacious about her growing credit card bills. She lands a job in a financial magazine. It's quiet ironic that she writes about being frugal but in real life she spends a lot. The readers love her column and her boss Luke falls in love with her. But being a shopaholic can make her world go upside down . She must pay her bills!

This movie has a target audience. Chicks and fashionistas. I'm not one of them but I kinda like this one. I wanted to love this movie but it lacks the oomph. I haven't read the book series so I have no idea if there was an alteration on this adaptation. The flow of the story is fast-paced but it won't make you dizzy. Unfortunately, the movie actually has less shopaholic scenes. I was really looking forward to see her so called addiction. Some sleek fashion spots in The Devil Wears Prada are also present here but they look dowdy sometimes. I still remember that scene from Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep entering the building because it is truly remarkable and fashionable. Regrettably, they have zilch to offer here except colors.

The love story is flaccid. Is there a chemistry between Rebecca and Luke. Business chemistry yeah! But love ? Nah! Some scenes are quiet funny. I think I heard ladies giggling inside the cinema. I believe that the target audience will appreciate some of it. The good thing about “Confessions of a Shopaholic is its pristine approach. Kids can watch this but I'm just afraid that Rebecca Bloomwood may cast a spell on them and turn them just like like her in the future. Those credit cards are demonic. I wanna freeze my card now in a block of ice.

Thanks to Isla Fisher!!! Without her the movie is truly a bankruptcy. You know what? She reminds me of Amy Adams, former sexy star Cristina Gonzales and American Idol finalist Tatiana del Toro. Oh yeah, Tatiana can make this movie go crazy! I love Isla during the salsa dance with Luke, the waitress scene, the shopaholic therapy and her walk with the clapping mannequins. It's also nice to see John Goodman and Joan Cusack as her parents. These guys can crack you up. Hugh Dancy has a beautiful British accent but he looks dirty most of the time. He is a good leading man and I think he has a good future in Hollywood. Hugh and Isla look good on the big screen but I still don't buy their forced love story.

“Confessions of a Shopaholic” has flaws and Bruckheimer must pay for it if he plans to follow a sequel. The movie is still watchable but I'm not really recommending it. If you have extra dough and time, you may watch it for the sake of Isla's talent. Her enchanting comic is such a delight. You will unquestionably love her.

A COQUETTISH ART

Right after watching the Oscars I immediately went to the nearest theater in town to watch the award-winning Vicky Cristina Barcelona. In the film, Penelope bags her first Oscar win as Best Supporting Actress. She also won in BAFTA and Spirit Awards. The film also won as Best Picture (Comedy or Musical ) in the Golden Globes. Being a critically acclaimed film, I decided to drink the erogenous hooch with Vicky and Cristina in Barcelona.

Two American friends are taking a summer hiatus in Barcelona. Vicky is a highly strung student and affianced to be ringed. Cristina is a flirtatious and bubbly lady who is still searching for something more, but still confused about her priorities. One night, they meet Juan Antonio a fervid Spanish artist who requests to fly them to Oviedo and intends to have orgy with them. Cristina immediately accepts the offer, and Vicky, who hates the idea because she's engaged, somehow is beginning to fall in the hands of Juan Antonio. But someone is coming to wreck their vacation when Juan Antonio's tottering ex-wife Maria Elena comes back to join the scorching orgy.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona talks too much but it never fails to entertain. I'm not a huge huge follower of Woody Allen but watching this film makes me want to check his previous projects. The film surprises me with its nifty script. This is not a laugh-out-loud comedy but it's definitely one of the best dark comedies I've seen in years. The characters are funny especially Maria Elena and Cristina. Did I mention about the orgy??? Oh yeah, it is really shocking to see Scarlett and Penelope kissing together and then Javier joins them. This is so Y Tu Mama Tambien! Oh yeah, this one reminds me of that film from Cuaron but Tambien is more sexy and adventurous.

Aside from the nifty script and the orgy, I really love the sunny feel of Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The film really shows the pulchritude of Spain. It promotes good tourism. The schmoozes are mostly shot in in a breezy spot and it's purely inviting. The music also adds to the mellifluous journey in the city. It's just amazing. The film is in English and Spanish. The blend is just humorous as long as Maria Elena is there blubbering out in her native tongue.

As the film promotes lavishly about the city, it is palpable that Allen is not forgetting about his actors. All of them are amazing and indeed Penelope shines like a superstar. We've seen her before struggling in her previous films because her English accent is sometimes vexatious, but in Vicky Cristina Barcelona she nails it down with her timing . Definitely a winning Oscar performance!!! Congrats Penelope, a well-deserved win!!! Scarlet Johanson is cute and sexy. Rebecca Hall gives a remarkable acting but she's quiet forgettable. She is not even in the poster and the film is also about her. Too bad she is overshadowed by the famous troika. Last year, Javier Bardem scared me in No Country for Old Men. In this film, he is also scary. Oh cmon, for me he is not that handsome, he is not fitting to play the “Lothario” Juan Antonio. He is just a good actor period. They should have cast a Latino Hunk instead. He is the reason why the orgy is not that scorching.

I really wish Vicky Cristina Barcelona extends its run here. I hope the buzz about Penelope's win helps a lot. This is a sexy loquacious film about life and art. Sex is a fine art. But don't expect too much sex coz MTRCB cut some scenes. It's still hunky-dory anyway. Experience the beauty and love in Spain. Viva Guapa Vida!!! I hope my Spanish is right!