phinmag: a personal experimental media project

I just watched this brilliant film on TV: Dot the I, directed and written by Matthew Parkhill, and starred this Mexican hottie, Gael Garcia Bernal.

I’ve heard about this 2003 movie before but didn’t have much idea on what it’s about. The story, shot in London, began in a steady pace with a love triangle brewing between a Spanish woman named Carmen (hot-headed, troubled and beautiful), her boyfriend Barnaby (filthy rich Englishman) and an out-of-work and out-of-luck Brazilian actor Kit (hot, sensitive, charming). It may look like a typical love triangle tale at first but when the mechanics of the plot kicks off, it’s a roller coaster ride. Superb plot with unexpected twists and turns.

Of course I won’t say more about the movie from here. Otherwise, it’s going to spoil all the good parts and the ending. You just have to watch it to know how brilliant it is.

Gael Garcia Bernal is just a dream in there. I first heard of him when Y Tu Mama Tambien (or And Your Mother Too), directed by Alfonso Cuaron, was all the rave back in 2001. But I never saw the film; only remembered his name and Diego Luna’s (another Mexican actor I love to watch). Then I heard of Gael again in 2004 when The Motorcycle Diaries - based on a biography of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevera - was the much-talked about movie at that time. I haven’t seen this film either but would love to if I have the chance.

Like, gee… why are all these young Mexican actors so talented and good-looking? What did they feed these people in Mexico? (Incidentally, I also wonder the same thing about young hot Tibetan men I came across while on a work trip in China last year).

Anyway, ahem… that thought aside, I highly recommend anyone to watch Dot the I.
One movie I’m looking forward to, which stars Diego Luna alongside Sarah Michelle Geller, is The Air I Breathe (currently in production). Looks interesting - with a plot based on a Chinese proverb.

Movie: Tristan & Isolde

So there’s this recent medieval movie, right? Of a tragic love story long before Shakespeare’s lovebirds Romeo and Julyet (Mr. S original spelling of Juliet). This one is called Tristan & Isolda… erm, I mean, Tristan & Isoldei… um, no, Tristan & Isold-…

Argh! Ugh…

Thus, from here henceforth (due to my failure to pronounce it correctly), this film by Kevin Reynolds shall be known as Tristan & That Chick Named Izzy.

Set in England and Ireland circa year 600 (like, way yesterday!), one wise English ruler plans to unite England by repelling the Celt king from Ireland who is, like, y’know, Da Big Kahuna of England after the Roman occupiers withdrew. Of course, the English were not happy about this set-up and something has to be done to butt kick that Celt king off their beloved wet soggy homeland.

Anyway, this English ruler dude adopted a boy named Tristan and raised him as his son. When the boy grew up, he became a hot brave warrior dude who led his daddy’s posse fight against the Celt king. In what seems to be a successful ambush on the Celt king’s tough dawgs, the dude Tristan got himself poisoned and fell into a coma that resembles a deep slumber.

Since back in the old days the Brits don’t do this proper burial gig, they put Coma Boy there onto a boat and push it out to sea. Few days later, he gets washed up in Ireland and was discovered by this lovely chick named Izzy. And get this: Coma Boy woke up and yes, he is alive and well!

Obviously, when a hot dude finds good chemistry with hot chick, of course they fall in love. And no brainer to everyone, there’s some shagging too. After coma, definitely need to find out everything is working, right? Hormones, check!

Oh, and here’s the twist: that chick Izzy is an Irish princess. Yep, she’s Celt king’s baby girl. Go figure.

Tristan & That Chick Named Izzy starred James Franco as the dude Tristan while Sophia Myles played his chick Izzy. A bunch of people also acted in this film including Rufus Sewell and Jamie King.

What does Fate hold for Tristan and his chick Izzy? Are they as tragic as Romeo and his girl Julyet? I suggest you watch the movie to find out.

Then tell me all about it later.