COLMA: THE MUSICAL -- Richard Wong, dir

©2006
studio: Lionsgate
production company: Greenrocksolid
director: Richard Wong
cast: Jake Moreno, H.P. Mendoza, L.A.Renigen, Sigrid Sutter, Brian Raffi, Larry Soriano, Gigi Guizado, Allison Torneros, Jim Wierzba, Paul Kolsanoff, Kat Kneisel, David Scott Keller, Paula Baldin
screenplay: H.P. Mendoza



Best pals Rodel, Billy, and Maribel find themselves in a state of limbo; fresh out of high school, they are just beginning to explore a new world of part-time mall jobs and crashing college parties. As newfound revelations and romances challenge their relationships with one another and their parents, the trio must assess what to hold onto, and how to best follow their dreams. [from imdb.com]

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There was definitely something refreshing about the home-spun nature of this film. The low-budget quality actually helps this succeed. It was much easier to follow these three youngsters through the home-made movie aspect. I'm not sure we would enjoy it , or them, if it was a higher quality of film. There was definitely a sense of passion on the part of all performers, writer, and director. This was a labor of love.

The songs were often fun, but rarely memorable. At times they began to have the same sound, making it rather tedious.

The acting was passable. Again, perfect for this quality of film, but not spectaular. The story a bit forced (the whole going to a college party never felt quite right).

The sub-plot regarding homosexuality and the home also came out of nowhere and didn't fit in as nicely as I think they were hoping.

Still, a fun film over-all and I'm glad I watched it.

THE RED SHOES -- Emeric Pressburger, dir

©1948
studio: Criterion
production company: Archers, The, Independent Producers
director: Emeric Pressburger
cast: Marius Goring, Jean Short, Gordon Littmann, julia Lang, Bill Shine, Leonide Massine, Anton Walbrook, Austin Trevor, Esmond Knight, Eric Berry, Irene Browne, Moira Shearer, Ludmilla Tcherina, Jerry Verno, Robert Helpmann
screenplay: Michael Powell, original fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson

A young ballerina is torn between two forces: the composer who loves her, and the impresario determined to fashion her into a great dancer.

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I was much more impressed with this movie than I expected to be. The direction really had me -- it seemed very modern, even for today.

The story was a bit over-the-top, and the acting was at times a tad over-done, but over-all I thought it was a wonderful and beautiful film. Certainly worthy of the Criterion Collection but might even do well on the big screen again.