a joyous "pasko" to all and a meaningful "bagong taon".
my 5 best cds purchased this year (not necessarily released this year)
1) Gil Shaham - The Fiddler of the Opera
Virtuoso violin-playing. Transcribing arias for the violin and piano can
be daunting if not open to critical scrutiny from the discerning opera
lovers who want re-interpretation of classical pieces to be just that --
reinterpretation. Shaham moves with seamless grace and power from Bizet to
Gershwin and gave new spins to operatic arias through his violin that
seems to really "sing".
2) Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now
A standards album from a genius. Especially liked the Wagnerian start of
the first song and how her version of ACOY moved me to tears. Her voice is
even more appealing now for me than ever. A desert-island for all time.
Did I say I am a fan?
3) Steve Tyrell - A New Standard
A different way of singing the standards -- none of the smooth and
glistening vocals (which I like to hear) but a voice that seems a bit out
of place (anachronistic?). But the right amount of pain and experience and
sincerity are all there that makes this very beautiful. Even more
beautiful after several listens.
4) Paula West - Restless
This woman is one more talent deserving wider recognition, for how could
such a voice not delight? Maybe its best she is not that famous yet so
that I can always recommend her to people and them telling me, "how did
you find out about this singular talent?" Vocally, she sounds like a
limber and less cloudy Cassandra Wilson. She not only makes songs like
"Cow Cow Boogie" sound exciting but possesses the monumental confidence to
sing songs in a different tempo than were traditionally sung.
5) Audra McDonald - How Glory Goes
This woman blew me away with her voice and ability to inhabit a song. The
orchestration in the album makes one remember very very tender moments
so fragile its best listened to when lights are dim inorder not to expose
it to harsher light and hence, diminish its beauty. Its rare for me to
listen to a soprano voice best suited for operatic repertoire, sing non
bel canto songs. But this is no ordinary mortal. Magic comes close to
describing her.
top five best films I watched this year (not in particular order)
1) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
I have never seen such visual feasts before. Of special mention were the
flying fight scenes of Michelle Yeoh and Zang Zi Yi. The story is part of
the legend in Western China about warriors and the magic they spun when
fighting. Highly recommended. Even for those who do not like martial arts
films, this will delight you. It may even make a fan of you. (I watched
the Chinese version and I am not sure what version they will release in
the US and the UK).
2) Billy Elliot
Another dance movie about an English boy wanting to be a ballet dancer in
a mining town where such artistic pursuits are met with jeers, disgust and
even physical cruelties. Its rare to find a film where all performers are
consistently good and do not try to outdo one another. Even the
grandmother role, minor though it may be, had some really really powerful
moments, which is just like the film -- unpretentious and full of heart.
3) Wonder Boys
I like the idea of people being wonder boys then not live up to
expectations when they reach a certain age (William H. Macy is
perfection in MAGNOLIA for portraying that role). The acting were
unhysterical and Frances McDormand shines in a supporting role. As did
Tobey Maguire and Robert Downey. Michael Douglas is a professor who
might be considered a "dead-wood" in academic parlance because of his
inability to finish a novel, thereby sustaining his "wonder boy" image
that did not live up to expectations. He finds solace in his student who
is also a wonder boy and whose beautiful evocations of ideas in prose were
matched by his compulsive lies.
4) Body Shot
Did anyone watch this unassuming film that was shown this year but just as
quietly disappeared? This looks like a teen-flick which many "mature"
audience make a point to avoid, but is actually an insightful look into
the relationship of 20something and the politics of love and sex. One
incident changed their lives and forever. The last scene with Sean Patrick
Flannery and Amanda Peet in bed while Me'shell Ndegeocello is crooning
"Beautiful" has got to be one of most unforgettable scenes to me, made
even more memorable by what they eventually decided to do. They say people
don't make these films anymore, but when they are made, nobody watched
them.
5) High Fidelity
If only to hear Joni's name being mentioned like an institution is enough
reason to watch this film. I like John Cusack, his acting, his
characterization and the innate goofiness he brings to his screen
performances. There's just so many memorable performances, from Catherine
Zeta Jones to Tim Robbins to Lili Taylor to Joan Cusack to Jack Black.
Plus, the occasional rumination aimed at the audience always makes me
smile.
... and honorable mention to:
6) Duets
Most people I know don't like Gwyneth Paltrow (they still can't get over
the fact that she won the Oscar over Cate Blanchett or Fernanda
Montenegro) and don't care about her films. I watched this film because
its about karaoke-loving people whose lives connect in the end (very
Robert Altman) and karaokes are big in the Philippines not only because a
Filipino recently won the patent rights to it but because we as a race
love to sing (often with disastrous results). The singing was mostly
pleasant, most especially by the lovely Maria Bello (COYOTE UGLY) who
belted a heart-rending "I Can't Make You Love Me". Despite some weak
character development, I was thoroughly engaged by the film and at least
made me a fan of Maria Bello. Gwyneth makes you forget she won a award
here.
Am eagerly awaiting the release of QUILLS...
Joseph in Manila experiencing northeast monsoon
PS. Happy birthday Wally! You always make me laugh with your exclamation
points!!!!!!!
PPS. Bob, you made me smile at your parody. Its worth publishing. Can I
read it to friends here and claim that I wrote it (wink?). Naahh, they
won't believe I am capable of writing that gem! Maligayang Pasko sa `yo!
PPPS. see you all next year... or is it "see you all next millennium"?
