top to top: the top film on my top 100 favorite films list

"life is like the waves you just have to go with the flow." ana as portrayed by maribel verdu.

in the eyes of a young fellow, life is all bout having fun and probably for most of us, this is what we keep on struggling to regain back. free spirited, could not care less and spontaneous. from which, the only thing that drives us is satisfying our own pleasures, whatever that may be. we all had our own shares of it and sometimes reminiscing those moments are still sweet as the beer that we hold in our hands and tastier than the stick we smoke. as if it seemed like everything is completely different from before. but come to think of it, nothing really changed among those things. it is actually us, who have changed. we were changed and continuosly being changed.
y tu mama tambien (and your mother too) is a very memorable film for me and you may say that i have my own biases on why i chose it to top my film list. but basically, the film was the first foreign film that i have seen and made me hunt and watch more films on the same genre. at first, i find its pace very sluggish, boring and somehow confusing. if not for the sex scenes (yes, i also have that immature excitement in me before whenever i see flesh) i probably been sleeping for the rest of the film. until, suddenly i noticed minute details on each scene and how it created a connection as the film progresses. from that point, i felt a sudden urge of looking for significant details. not to mention, watching each films not on what it showing its audience but more on what it is hiding behind it.
the story revolved between the lives of two young boys, julio and tenoch, who came from well off families. they were living and enjoying a decadent teenage life, an epitome of sex, pots, rock and roll. until, one day they got acquianted with ana, the wife of tenoch most hated cousin who came from spain. ana has a gorgeous body and a very free spirited and quite naive personality. they learned that ana wanted to try the beaches of mexico. so two planned in seducing her by inviting her over to a remote beach that doesn't really exist, boca del cielo (mouth of paradise).

as they went off in search of the place, the three will find themselves entangled with each other. they will discover reality from which they are actually in: the truth behind sex, drugs and friendship.
if you'll watch the film thoroughly, you'll notice how the car they are driving symbolizes their lives. fast paced but sometimes would break out and stop. but as the car goes along the road, they would tend to notice the reality outside their lives: poverty, militarization, political instability, crimes and what not. but they will not stop. they will still keep on driving until they reach paradise(pleasure). eventhough they really don't know where they are going.

something needs to stop working, be disrupted in order for them to stop and appreciate life outside their box. and this, i believe is the problem for most of us, especially those who are living in the city. at the end, julio and tenoch will go back to mexico. they will go to college and will find separate careers and they will never be the same person agains, atleast with each other.
while the viewers, atleast for me, will never be the same person again after the film ends. one will realize that eventhough the curtain has been closed, the film will keep on rolling as we recreate it on our own story.

my top 100 films (9-2)

9. grande ecole (2004)
the film grande ecole is a french film that tells the story of paul, a rich graduate school student who fell in the depths and complications of both his girl friend's bet another person's love and even his own. the bet is all about who will able to seduce paul's new room mate, louis-arnault. they have decided that if agnes wins, paul will be forced not to explore his sexuality anymore, which was wins, agnes will leave him.

8.el crimen del padre amaro (2002)
a story of a newly ordained priest who was assigned to a remote village in mexico. there he would witness the ongoing poverty and prevailing rebellion among the people living in the periphery and understand the deterioration of the very institution he serves.

i say: the ending of this film is definitely outstanding and how it breaks the dogmatic view of the church.

7.amores perros (2000)
three different stories and how a car accident linked them together. it reflects the hostility by men to animal and tot hemselves.

i say: the film will make us realize how we are connected to one another despite the disparities of our differences.

6.malena (2000)
it narrates the story and the struggle of a beautiful woman in italy during the second world war thorugh the voice of a boy admirer.

i say: a must watch. most especially the plaza scene. it will definitely break your heart and make you realize that being beautiful is not always a good thing.

5.hero (2002)
the story of a group of chinese assasins who plotted to kill the king of the qin dynasty in three different versions that were differentiated through the use of the seasons' colors.

i say: great production and twist. i never realized that i would like a jet li movie before i have seen this film.

4. city of god (2002)
it is the life stories of people living in a slum area in brazil where poverty, crime, corruption, hostility and power crippled the place.

i say: unbelievably real.

3. rent (2005)
the story of a group of bohemian friends renting an apartment in the slum areas of new york city. there, they would tackle their issues of love, sexuality, AIDS, drug addiction and how to pay their rent.

i say: i haven't seen the broadway play yet. but if some will say its way better than the film then it will definitely be one of my watch outs and life list.

2.happy together (1997)
it tells the story of two lovers who ran for the sanctuary of argentina after their families didn't agree with their relationship. there, they would realize not only the complications of the relationship but with life itself.

i say: extremely depressing. not recommended for weak-hearted.

my top 100 films (19-10)

19. flowers of algernon (1968)

charlie gordon is a 37 year old special person that has an iq of 68. but despite his state charlie is contended with his simple life as a janitor in a plastic box factory and a student in an institution that specializes to people of his alike. until one day, a team of scientist invited him to undergo a series of surgeries and experiments that promise him to triple his iq. the experiment was successful and became famous. but this literally changed his once simple life.

i say: this movie tells us that sometimes the best things in life are in simple things.

18. hihintayin na lang kita sa langit (1991)

a love story accented with hate, jealousy and revenge. it tells the story of four individuals entangled between the love of twoand how this romance ended up in tragedy.

i say: i was still in elementary when i last saw this movie but until now i could still clearly remember it.

17. ora pronobis (1989)

the film tells the story of a middle class family and how they survived the first world war.

i say: one of the philippine's finest.

16.talk to her (2002)

a story of love and friendship. benigno and marco met in a hospital, where the love of their lives are checked in because of seperate accidents that put them in coma. they found and realized a close bond of friendship between them and their love to their girlfriends. until one day, a intriguing news broke out that put their friendship and love into test.

i say: definitely disturbing but its trageic twist will make you realize the justification of it.

15. love actually (2003)

a comedy romance film that portrays a number of love stories in different aspects of love and how they were linked to one another as the story progresses.

i say: although the movie missed one aspect, i still find it one of my favorite comedy romance story.

14. life is beautiful (1997)

the movie tells the story of a jew father during the nazi period and how he used his imagination in order for his son to understand what was happening and survive the hostile period.

i say: i just can't stop myself from crying after watching this film.

13. blossoming of maximo oliveros (2005)

this depicts the story of a gay teen who is torn between his love for a young cop and his loyalty to his very accepting patriarch family.

i say: probably, one of the pioneers in the philippine indie movies. i love this film for it portrayed an idelistic but fighting gay teen amidst his own vulnerability.

12. cinemaparadiso (1988)

a story of friendship between a small boy and a movie reeler in a remote village in italy and how their friendship blossomed and helped the boy to survive the trials in his life.

i say: if this movie is not a 3 hour movie, i would probably put it on my number 1. nonetheless, it is still worth the watch and time!

11.shortbus (2006)

it narrates the diversity of sexuality among new yorkers while revolving around the stories of two gay couple, a lady sex therapist who can't experience orgasm and a lady dominatrix.

i say: an eye openener. both literally and figuratively.

10. irreversible (2002)

the film's story started from end to beginning. it tells the story of three individuals that fell down in a trageic trap of misidentity and misunderstanding.

i say: one of the most disturbing movies i have ever seen. monica belluci's acting was just superb! a must watch

my top 100 films (29-20)

29. lihim ni antonio (2008)

at such a young age, antonio already know what he wants. but in such a young age as well, he have also experienced the downfalls of it.

i say: wittingly done. definitely lifted its director and writer after lalaki sa parola.

28. science of sleep (2006)

how can a young man with a vivid imagination live if he can not differentiate reality from dream?

i say: aside from its another gael garcia bernal, the film is very experimental and aesthetically creative.

27. ken park (2002)

the film tells the story of a group of teenagers living in among abusive home in a suburban community in america and how they have cope up with this fate.

i say: extremely disturbing. the film tends to drag its audiences among the issues posed by each characters.

26. beautiful thing (1996)
a coming-of-age film that depicts the story between two boys and how they have proved to their family and neighbor their relationship despite their innonce.

i say: personally, one of the best love story i have seen.

25. priscilla, queen of the desert (1994)

the story of three drag queens who journeyed all across australia to perform an annual ritual as a personal celebration of themselves as humans.

i say: an eye opener.

24. in the mood for love (2000)
a secret illicit love affair that blossomed between the walls of their apartments and how they have hide it from the eyes of people around them and even to the eyes watching the film.

i say: a wong kar wai's movie favorite. you'll be needing to watch it twice to understand the entire movie.

23.chungking express (1994)

the film tells two different stories about a policeman who tries to be the best of his profession and a girl who lives the best of her life: and how the film have weaved the unrelatedness of their lives.

i say: another wong kar wai that will drive your brains 250 km/sec.

22. amelie (2001)

the film narrates the story of a free spirited girl who tried to make everyone close to him smile despite the difficulties of their lives and how she hesitated when fate decided to give her, her share of happines.

i say: i find the film a philosophical one in the lightest treatment a film creator can do.

21. in the time of the butterflies (2001)

based from the true story of the mirabel sisters during the tyrannic regime of rafael trujillo. how these sisters made their voices be heard in a very repressive and patriarch country.

i say: a very moving film that will make us realize that political and social change chose no gender. trivia: the International Day Against Violence Against Women was established in commemoration of the mirabel sisters.

20. starcrossed (2005)

a short film that tells the story of two star crossed lovers who also happened to be brothers.


i say: i can't remember anymore how many times i have posted this film on my blog. ironically, its just to good to miss out.

my top 100 films (39-30)

39. eating out 1-2 (2004 and 2006)

a comedy film that dwells into the issue of sex and sexuality.

i say: a lighter way to put up the issue of gender rather than ridicule and slap stick comedy.

38. ploning (2008)

what is life ahead for a woman who have learned to wait for the love that will never return.

i say: in fairness to this film, aside from the quotable quotes, it will leave you thinking and relating to yourself.

37. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

the biographical film of the story, journey and life of cuba's most famous political (and shirt) icon, ernesto che guevara.

i say: don't worry the story didn't dwell to much of the revolutionary side if you are not into progressive movies.

36. boy culture (2006)

it narrates the story of a male escort and how he has been entanggled with his own complicated notion of life, love and sex.

i say: well thought and gives a deeper meaning with "alternative" lifestyle.

35. the dreamers (2003)

how much would give out for the sake of art, film and the revolution? this was the question given to three teenagers during the height of the youth movement in france.

i say: disturbing... it will leave you questioning your own self--- how much?

34. mal educacion (2004)

what if you'll wake up knowing that the education being thought to you was all false? and above all, the person who will debunk this will be your very own teacher?

i say: you know why i like gael garcia bernal? its because he attacks the institution with a valid ground... a real life thing!

33 pan's labrynth (2006)

a girl who created a fantasy amidst the war and internal conflict she is experiencing during the spanish civil war and when her mother married another man.

i say: nicely weaved. never thought that this someone could actually put in something very heavy into a bed time story.

32. km. 0 (2000)

a spanish film that dwells into the coincidentality and inter-connectedness of life.

i say: almost realistic, if not for one character, just look for it yourself.

31. beautiful boxer (2003)

after her appearance, thailand's mua tai personalities learned to never judge someone from what s/he looks like. based from the true story of the first transvestite mau tai champion and her struggle for acceptance and quest for the right place to fit in.

i say: sexist and chauvanist beware!!! be warned, not all people who wear high heels cannot make a flying or a round house kick.

30. bath house (2005)

a story of a man who struggled to look for his self and his own space in the shadows of bath houses in manila.

i say: realistic, wonderfully written, minus the direction and the actors...

my top 100 films (50-40)

50. eternal sunshine of a spotlessmind (2004)

what if there is something that will allow you to erase all tragic memories and experiences that you have, will you take it? this film tells us the story of two couples who have decided to wiped off their memories they have with one another. then one day, the two met again and felt something different. basically, the two started from scratch again and eventually realized something.

i say: one of the most interesting sci-fi films i have seen. visually engaging and the kind of film that will make you think even after the show.

49. lady in the water (2006)

a story of different people living within the same condominium and how they figure out, strategize and play different roles in order to rescue a water nymph from a vicious mystical wolf.

i say: not your ordinary bedtime story that is wittingly thought and imagined. now, i am thinking how does shyamalan's kids think after their father tells these kinds of stories before they go to bed?

48. a mother's prayer (1995)

how will a single mother who is diagnosed with aids prepare her (aids negative) son with the life ahead of them? the struggle of a mother to explain her son the complication of life and an innocent son trying to understand.

i say: the issue of aids is always something that tears my heart. the movie will give us a different story from the usual story from which the said issue is always attached. a must see. if this will not make you cry, you might consider calling in your mother and ask her what happened to you. hehehe. just kidding!

47. not one less (1999)

it centers on a substitute teacher in one remote village in mainland china. despite, wei minzhi is just 13 years old, she was asked to look for the entire class. because of poverty, these kids are forced to head to the city and worked there. the teacher told her to make sure that when he returns back the class should not be one less or else she will not receive a penny.

i say: moving and ridiculously real

46. tanging ina (2003)

a comedy film that tells the story of a mother who was left with 11 children by her three dead husbands. how she struggled to bring them up in the most outrageously funny way.

i say: some may argue, why i included this film on the list. but this is one of my favorite comedy films. probably because i know the head writer, who happens to be one of my formers orgmates as well.. hahahaha!

45. criminal (2004)

a very well told film that tackles the story of a young man played by diego luna, who is being assisted by a man to conduct criminal acts just to find out something else--- the real culprit.

i say: magnificent twist that will leave you aghast.

44. bayaning third world (2000)

an alternative way of documenting the life and works of dr. jose rizal.

i say: probably, from the birth of philippine cinema we have seen different treatments in portraying the story of our national hero. but this film is different from the rest since its not spoonfed. since it enables the viewers to think, ask and participate.

43. lalaki sa parola (2007)

the film depicts the story of two men who found themselves exploring life, love and each other inside a lighthouse. i say: nice story. but lacks in the actors' execution.

42. a very very long engagement (2004)

the story tells how a young girl held and work to the promise of her fiancee to return back from a war.

i say: once of the nicest film ending that i have seen. very interpretative.

41. eternal summer (2006)

the typical love of three highschool students who shared love and the pitfall of it. it started with the relationship of two best friends and how it was changed upon the arrival of another character in their circle.

i say: aside from the nice storyboard and execution, what i also love above this film is how it carry your mood through its production. it is, as if, you are actually inside the screen as well.

40. gia (1998)

based from the true story of gia, one of the most famous model ever lived and walk the run way. despite being lesbian, rugged-looking and free spirited. gia has made everyone love and appreciate her beauty. the only problem is, she doesn't know how to love back and the worst just yet to come.

i say: for me, the best film made by angelina jolie. the movie is definitely moving and keeps you wanting for more..

39 movies to go....