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The Parallel Lives of Insiang and Isla

2011-07-28T20:41:00.006+08:00

Kung itinuring ko ang Silip na porn version ng Himala, ang Isla ang sa Insiang.

Kung sakaling sipagin, I might write something about Himala and Silip, but for now, here's my take on how Insiang's and Isla's lives (and the people around them) intersect with one another.

Setting

Insiang (Hilda Koronel) lives in a squatter's area. Masikip, masukal, maputik, at matao ang lugar nila. Maski ang tirahan nila ng kanyang ina ay tinutuluyan ng mga kamag-anak noong umpisa. Everywhere you go, there's people. Ang lakas maka-asthma attack! Mahirap huminga. Mahirap gumalaw. Kita ng lahat ang kilos mo. Pinagpipiyestahan. Ginagawang almusal.

Si Isla (Maria Isabel Lopez) ay nakatira sa isang isla. Napalilibutan ng malinis na tubig na di tulad ng lugar nina Insiang kung saan upang magkaroon ng tubig ay kailangang mag-imbak sa tuwing may tulo sa gripo o pumila sa pag-iigib sa poso. Kina Insiang, may ilog man, madumi ito at walang buhay.

Bilang isang isla, ang lakas maka-claustrophobic ng lugar nina Isla. Malayo ito sa kabihasnan. Kakailanganin pa ng bangka upang lisanin ito. Tatlo man lang din sina Isla sa bahay kasama ang kanyang lolo at lola, lubhang nasisikipan siya rito. Tila sinisilaban ang kanyang pagkatao sa tuwing nananatili siya rito. Paraiso ang tingin ng isang dayo rito. Subalit hindi para kay Isla.

Katulad nang sa squatter's area, magkakakilala rin ang mga tao sa isla. Mayroon silang pinapanatiling conservative values, at sa tuwing magkakamali ay kinukumpisal nila ito sa paring dumadalaw sa kanila minsan sa isang buwan. Minsan ito ay nagiging facade na lamang. Taliwas ang sinasabi sa ginagawa. Kaiba sa mga tao sa squatter's area kung saan what you see is what you get ang drama nila. Walang kiyeme. Walang arte.

Desire

Iisa lamang ang nais nina Insiang at Isla, ang magkaalis sa kani-kanilang lugar at magpakalayo-layo sa mga taong pinaliliit ang kanilang mundo. Maski ang kani-kaniyang dahilan ay di nalalayo sa isa't-isa.

Si Insiang ay nasasakal at nasusuklam sa kanyang ina na si Tonya (Mona Lisa). Simula nang iwan sila ng kanyang ama para sa ibang babae ay naging malupit na ito sa kanya. Dala siguro ng labis na pagmamahal ang labis na pagkamuhi ni Tonya sa kanyang asawa. Ang kanyang muhi ay nabubunton niya sa anak nang di niya namamalayan. Because of that, Insiang learns to resent her even more especially when Tonya brings Dado (Ruel Vernal), her lover, home.

Naiipon ang mga sama ng loob ni Insiang at nag-iigting lalo ang ninanais niyang paglayo. Gagawin niya ang lahat upang makaalis sa pusaling kinaroroonan niya. Dagdag pa rito ay ang dahilang pinagnanasahan siya ni Dado.

Si Isla naman, bagama't nakakaramdaman ng pagmamahal mula sa kanyang lolo Kadyo (Joseph de Cordova) at lola Gare (Angie Ferro), ay napapaso sa kaniyang pinaglalagyan. Bata pa lamang siya ay hinihipuan na siya ng kanyang lolo. Hindi niya magawang magsumbong sa kanyang lola dahil ang pakiramdam niya ay di siya pakikinggan nito. Bilang isang taong may mataas na pinag-aralan sa paaralan at tinitingala sa isla, mataas ang tingin ni Gare sa kanyang asawang si Kadyo. Kaya katulad ni Insiang, nagpupuyos din ang damdamin ni Isla na makalabas ng isla.

Action Taken

Nang gabing gahasain ni Dado si Insiang at di paniwalaan ng kanyang ina, nilapitan niya ang kanyang kasintahang si Danny (Rez Cortez) upang itanan siya. Alam niya na malaki ang takot nito kay Dado, but she takes the risk. She feels desperate. Wala na siyang makapitan.

The night she gives herself to Danny, she cries. Iniyakan niya ang puring iningatan niya na kinuhang pilit ni Dado at kusang ibinigay na kay Danny. Iniyakan niya ang pag-asang naglaho. Iniyakan niya ang kalayaang hindi buong magiging kanya.

Subalit sadyang walang bayag si Danny. Iniwan siya nito nang walang pasabi matapos makuha ang kanyang pagkababae.

She returns home and decided to take her fate into her own hands. Hindi na siya aasa sa iba upang makamit ang kanyang gusto kahit pa may purong pag-ibig na inaalok ang kanilang kapitbahay sa kanya.

Deadma sa iisipin ng iba at sasabihin ng kanyang ina, kumabit siya kay Dado. Kay Dado na nakipagrelasyon lamang sa kanyang ina upang maangkin siya. Kay Dado na lubha niyang kinamumuhian. Kay Dado na nangakong mag-aahon sa kanyang sa putikan. Kay Dado na siyang dahilan ng pagkalublob niya sa naturang putikan.

Si Isla naman ay ginamit na kasangkapan ang kanyang katawan upang makamit ang kanyang ninanais. Una niya itong ibinigay kay Aldo (Paquito Diaz) na nangakong isasama siya sa paglisan nito sa kanilang isla. Iiwan na nito ang kanyang asawa. Gayunpaman, nang malaman niyang may kinasamang iba ang kanyang asawa, nagwala ito at napatay ng kalaguyo ng kanyang asawa.

Masamang-masama ang loob ni Isla. Ang ticket na binayaran niya paalis ng isla ay naglaho. Inamin niya sa hepe (Vic Diaz) ang kanyang ginawa. Pinahiwatig niyang sasama siya sa kanya basta ipaalam lamang nito ang oras ng kanyang pag-alis. Tempted, the officer told her where he is staying and when he is planning to leave.

Once again, Isla offers herself to the officer. Pero hindi niya nakayanan ang nais nitong ipagawa sa kanya. She gets out of the deal by hurting herself.

When she gets home, lola Gare tells her na hindi nila tunay na anak ang kanyang ama. Inampon nila ito upang matigil na rin ang pangungutya ng pagiging baog na nakukuha niya kay Kadyo. Feeling both opressed, Isla hugs her and cries.

May dumating na NPA sa isla. Nakilala niya si Sonny (Joel Torre) na gusto nang tumiwalag sa grupo at magkapamilya. Sagot sa kani-kanilang dalangin, ninais nilang magsama. Subalit nang sila ay palayo na, nabaril at napatay ng militar si Sonny.

Naging desperado nang lalo si Isla. Sa pangako ng kanyang lolo na dadalhin siya sa Maynila ay bumigay siya. Siya na lang ang nakikita niyang pag-asa sa lumalala niyang sitwasyon. Maaaring naisip niyang hindi naman sila tunay na magkadugo, hinayaan na niya ang kanyang lolo na angkinin ang kanyang katawan nang tuluyan.

With such desperation, who will be saved and get to have the freedom she wanted, and who will continue to suffer with the actions she has taken?

Conclusion

Inamin ni Insiang kay Tonya ang relasyon niya kay Dado. Hindi ito matanggap ni Tonya. When she witnesses how loving Dado is to Insiang, she takes her scissors and stabs him in the back several times. Insiang then frees herself from both her mother and Dado. Nakulong si Tonya at namatay si Dado.

When she visits Tonya in prison, Insiang expresses her love to her mother. Pero matigas si Tonya. Hindi niya makuhang magpahayag ng pagmamahal sa anak. Nakakulong siya sa pagkamuhi at galit sa mga taong nangloko at nanakit sa kanya.

Insiang walks out of the prison. Malaya na sa kanyang ina...

Di tulad ni Tonya, nang makita ni Gare ang ginagawa ng asawa sa apo, hindi niya makuhang magalit ng harap-harapan dito. Bagkus ay pinagbuntunan niya ng galit ang koleksiyon nitong plaka. Sinira at binasag isa-isa. Subalit sadya nga yatang mahal niya si Kadyo ng sobra-sobra kaya maski sarili niyang kamatayan ay gusto niyang ang asawa ang magpataw sa kanya.

Samantala, punong-puno naman ng pagnanasa si Kadyo kay Isla na handa niyang iwan si Gare para sa itinuturing na apo. Sakay sa ferris wheel dala ng karnabal ng araw na iyon, inatake sa puso si Kadyo habang kasama si Isla.

With that, Isla frees herself. Nagtampisaw siya sa dagat nang nakahubad at nagpagulong-gulong...

Dalawang mukha ng babae, iisa ang nais. Sino ang naging tunay na malaya sa kanilang dalawa?

Dalawang mukha ng kamusmusan ng kababaihan, niyurakan ng malisya ng mga kalalakihan. Sino ang tunay na nagwagi sa laban niya?

Sa larangan ng pag-ibig, sino ang tunay na nagmahal at sino ang nagpaalipin kina Tonya at Gare?

Sa pelikulang nagsasalamin ng lipunan, sino ang nagtagumpay? Si Lino Brocka ba para sa Insiang (1976, sa panulat ni Mario O' Hara) o si Celso Ad Castillo para sa Isla (1985, sa panulat ni Jose Javier Reyes)?

Ang Isla ay supposedly representation ng bansang Pilipinas at ng mga taong sumakop at gumamit dito. Patuloy na niyuyurakan ang kanyang dangal ng mga dayuhan at maging ng sarili niyang mga tao, simbahan, at gobyerno. In that respect, naipahayag ni Castillo ang nais niyang iparating.

Pero bilang isang tao si Isla at isang pelikula, maraming naging pagkukulang si Castillo. Ang mga tauhan niya ay alipin ng kanilang desires of the flesh. Lahat ng kalalakihan ay nagnanasa kay Isla at halos lahat ng kababaihan ay nakatuon sa kanilang makamundong pagnanasa. Walang nag-iisip. Walang nakakaramdam. Maski mismong si Isla ay gagawin ang lahat upang masunod lamang ang kanyang gusto kahit pa ibigay ang sarili sa kung sinu-sino.

Porn, first and foremost, ang pelikulang ito kaya naging secondary na lamang ang katauhan ng mga karakter nito. Pilit na nagpapakalalim, pero superficial lamang ang lahat katulad ng mga karakter na umiinog dito.

Si Insiang naman ay nagsasalarawan ng mga kababaihang pilit na iniingatan ang sarili at pinagbubuti kahit pa di ito sumasang-ayon sa kaniyang kapaligiran. Hindi siya nagpapakalugmok sa kinakasadlakang lusak, bagkus ay lumalaban at pinagtatanggol ang sarili. Hindi siya alipin ng kanyang pagnanasa.

Cathy Garcia Molina's Forever and a Day (2011)

2011-06-20T15:49:00.005+08:00

In 1997 Sharon Cuneta won the Best Actress trophy for Madrasta in all major award giving-bodies in the Philippines, making it a grand slam winning. Despite such achievement, the Megastar failed to even get a nomination from the Young Critics Circle (YCC), a group boasted of learned, professional individuals from the academe and the arts which aim to pay attention not only to the technical aspects of film, but also the underlying significance behind them. Hindi mahalaga sa kanila kung balde-baldeng luha ang ibinuhos ng artista sa isang pelikula kundi ang dahilan kung bakit nila ito ginawa. Kahit pa ito ay isang patak ng luha lamang, kung may pinanggagalingan naman, pasok ito sa kanilang panlasa.

In YCC's book called "Sampung Taong Sine: Philippine Cinema 1990-1999", it explained that despite the title role, Mariel (Sharon) was not the central character, but Edward (Christopher de Leon). Sa kanya uminog ang mundo ni Mariel. Siya ang naging dahilan ng paulit-ulit na pagtangis niya. It was only when Edward came into full circle that Mariel had surpassed her own struggles. The film may had painted a different color for step mothers, but it had remained inside the box in its depiction of women. Sharon seemed to go out of the character every now and then when she goes from being the tough head of an advertising firm then a yielding wife at home. (Valerio, p. 35)

While I could see the point in Valerio's arguments in terms of characterization, should the writing (or even the direction) be faulted for this? Didn't the Megastar gave the best that was asked of her to deserve even a citation when it wasn't even a bad performance? She stepped-up her A game the way she hasn't did before.

This is what Oggs Cruz (a film critic) and I had talked about one time about the works of Olivia Lamasan. They may be technically-polished, but overall they end up confusing and lacking focus.

In Milan (2004) the story focus shifts from Lino (Piolo Pascual) to Jenny (Claudine Barretto). There was no clear-cut distinction as to whose character the audience should follow. In In My Life (2009), I found Shirley Templo's (Vilma Santos) character's too ambiguous. Sa umpisa ay tila ang dapat niyang matutunan ay mag-adjust sa makabagong mundong kanyang kinabibilangan. Subalit sa huli lamang niya malalaman kung anong klase siya ng ina sa kanyang mga anak at doon magmumula ang kanyang pagbabago. We were made to go through her tedious journey only to find out a different lesson she had to learn.

In her latest release, In the Name of Love (2011), it is the theme that seems baffling. It is a love story caught in a tumultuous socio-political background, the kind that Lino Brocka used to make. If he indeed helmed the said film, malinaw ang kapupuntahan nito.

Napakaraming interesanteng karakter sa pelikula na hindi nabigyan ng sapat na attensyon. Bagkus ay naging palabok lamang sa masalimuot na relasyon nina Emman (Aga Muhlach) at Cedes (Angel Locsin). Kaya naman nagtapos ito sa isang nakakaumay na tamis na pagkakatuluyan ng dalawang karakter na maituturing na bitter ending at hindi happy ending. Parang isinakay tayo sa isang grandiosang roller coaster na imbes na na-enjoy natin ay pinasuka tayo sa pagtatapos nito at pinasakit ang ulo.

Sa state of confusion din nagtapos ang kasalukuyang pelikula ng Star Cinema na Forever and a Day (2001) sa direksiyon ni Cathy Garcia-Molina. When the movie cues for the closing credits, I heard someone say, "Ang pangit ng ending." I could only surmise the reason behind such comment.

For one thing, the burial scene was abrupt. Yes, it was bound to happen. However, the scene prior to that didn't give the audience enough time to prepare for such an event. Technically, the camera shot from above the bed of the two leads explains it, but it was lacking the emotions needed for one's release.

Second, the last scene seems to suggest the celebration of Raffy's life with the people she has touched and the things she has done. But this movie isn't Pay It Forward or any movie with such concept. Aside from her family, Raffy only made a significant difference to one person, i.e. Euge. And without Euge's fresh attitude towards her in the beginning, they wouldn't make a connection. Or Raffy might not be able to conquer her fears even. It was Euge who moved her, the same person who encouraged her to continue fighting her disease. Without him, she might not be able to pursue the things she wanted to do. But, her biggest contribution was teaching Euge the art of letting go; to know when to stop; to understand that giving up doesn't mean defeat rather a courageous act of accepting one's weakness.

Nevertheless, this isn't to say that Forever and a Day (and the rest of the films I've mentioned) is a bad film. It is entertaining enough as it goes through its motions of romantic encounters between the two leads till complication arises between them. It delivers enough emotions that'll bring out smiles and tears every now and then. 'Yun nga lang, the stops it made along its journey didn't contribute well to the overall outcome of the experience.

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Much has been said about KC's acting and her box-office bankability. I believe that KC can act, contrary to what others say na bano siya pagdating sa aktingan. She just needs a little fine tuning in delivering her lines and emotions. Dahil galing s'ya sa teatro, di maiiwasang maging malaki ang kanyang mga galaw at emosyon at kailangang maging aware siya rito, maging ang kanyang direktor. Fortunately, in this movie, she managed to control her emotions well. Subdued acting and refined delivery of dialogues. Phil Dy, in his review, says "she seems to do weel when paired with directors that really care. Given instruction, Concepcion thrives."

There's a lot of room for improvement still. There are parts of the film na hindi ko masyadong maramdaman ang emotion niya particularly the zip line sequence. I can't say if it was her fault or the way the scene was written or directed. Pero hindi sapat para sa 'kin ang pinakita niyang expression ng Acrophobia. Ibang-iba sa rafting scene kung saan ramdam na ramdam mo ang imminent danger ng sitwasyon. (Siguro nga ay sa direksyon ito nagkulang.)

I felt that KC's character details were not paid much attention. Hindi siya mukhang may sakit. Malusog at malakas siyang tingnan sa kabuuan ng pelikula kahit pa noong nag-undergo na siya ng chemotherapy.

With that said, in terms of box-office appeal, hindi man ito maging gaanong malakas ay hindi dapat ito isisi kay KC. This is a Sam Milby film! Isa lang siya sa mga karakter sa tutulong upang mabuo ang pagkatao ni Euge katulad ng mga kapamilya nito, kaibigan, at katrabaho. Sa tingin ko nga ay hindi magbabago ang appeal nito kung sakaling ibang artista ang ginamit.

Photos are from Forever and a Day Press Photos

Related reviews: Phil Dy's "Another Version of Happiness"

Oggs Cruz's Forever and a Day (Cathy Garcia-Molina, 2011)

You Again (2010)

2011-04-21T01:45:00.002+08:00

Watching You Again brings me back to the times of watching Desperadas Parts 1 & 2 where good and able actors act desperately to save a desperate film. The concept was good enough, but it wasn't backed up by a good script. They had to rely on poorly-written antics and jokes that bordered on slapstick most of the times. Further, its heart was not in the right place. When the characters tried to make amends at the end, you'd barely feel for them. Even the main bully (Odette Yustman) in the film didn't know where to place herself properly. She seems to be suffering from split-personality wherein she goes back and forth into being a good person and a bully.

The last scene, though, between Betty White's and Cloris Leachman's characters were more interesting than the rest of the film. Too bad that it was just part of the epilogue. They had better lines than the main characters.

Olivia Lamasan's In the Name of Love (2011, Trailer)

2011-04-20T18:47:00.001+08:00

I am not loving the trailer. Parang TH mag-elicit ng tamang reaction sa audience. It's too melodramatic for my taste. If not because it was an Olivia Lamasan film, I would totally lose all hope on the film. But because of her, I still have my reservations on it. Pero andu'n ang dating sa akin na parang basta lang maipalabas ang pelikula kaya ito tinapos.

Aga Muchlach looks old and tired. He has been doing the same roles over and over again and has the same exact look in his eyes in every film! After Sa Aking Mga Kamay, he has never done any anti-Aga role. Kulayan man niya ng jejemon color ang buhok niya, siya pa rin si pa-tweetums Aga since Bagets days.

Angel Locsin looks plump and uninspired. Walang buhay ang kanyang mga mata.

Jake Cuenca looks misplaced.

I wish I am wrong. We have yet to see the film on May 11. Pero sana lang, lagyan naman ng buhay ang trailer. Ang luma-luma, eh.

Isang Kuha sa "Anak" (2000)

2011-03-31T00:36:00.003+08:00

Ito ay mula sa pelikula ni Rory Quintos.

Natapos na ang madamdaming paghaharap nina Vilma Santos at Claudine Barretto bilang isang ina at anak na may kinikimkim na sama ng loob sa isa't-isa. Ibinuhos ni Vilma ang kanyang nararamdamang pangungulila kay Claudine sa mga panahong wala siya sa bansa. Humingi siya ng pang-unawa sa anak.

Matapos nang mabigat na tagpong iyon ay nagsumamo si Claudine sa ina. Simpleng pagtitimpla lang niya ng kape ay nangangahulugan na na humihingi siya ng tawad. Ito ang kanyang peace offering. Ito ang kanyang pagtaas ng white flag.

Pinaliwanag niya ang kanyang nararamdaman. Humingi rin ng tawad si Vilma sa kanyang mga naging pagkukulang sa anak.

Umiyak si Claudine. Sa eksenang ito ay maaaring hinayaan niya lang tumulo ang kanyang luha. O di kaya'y panahid ng kamay ang luha. Subalit pinili ni Rory Quintos ang ganitong kilos. Bakit kaya?

Dito lumabas na kahit pa maraming pinagdaanan si Claudine sa kanyang buhay, nananatili siyang bata na nangangailangan ng kalinga ng kanyang ina. Para siyang isang bata rito na nagsusumbong sa kanyang ina; naghihintay na yakapin siya upang maibsan ang sakit ng kanyang kalooban. Ito naman talaga ang kanyang hinaing sa ina. Wala ito sa mga panahong nagdadalaga siya at nangangailangan ng gabay ng ina. Nahinog siya nang pilit. Magkagayu'n man, di niya ito matatakasan. Babalik at babalik siya sa pagkabata.

Ganito ka-importante ang isang galaw sa pelikula. Parang isang painting na naglalaman ng malalim na kahulugan. A good director knows that.

Pagbabasa sa Isang Eksena ng "Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya" (1997)

2011-03-28T01:59:00.009+08:00

Ang eksena na ito sa pelikula ni Carlos Siguion Reyna na Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya ay nagmumula sa eksena kung saan inalok ni Ramon (Ricky Davao) ng kasal si Selya (Rosanna Roces). Nangungulila si Ramon sa pag-alis ng kanyang lover, samantalang masama ang loob ni Selya sa di pagpapakita sa kanya ng kanyang kasintahan. Nasa krisis siya ng kanyang buhay--kung lilinasin ba ang lugar na iyon o tatanggapin ang alok ni Ramon. Ang magiging desisyon niya ang magpapabago ng kanyang buhay.

Sa boarding house na tinitirhan niya na pinamamahalaan ng tiyahin ni Ramon na si Piling (Eva Darren) ay nagbalik siya. Binabasa niya ang sulat ng kasintahan habang kumakapit sa kanyang alaala. Sa labas ng silid ay ang kanyang mga boardmates na lalaki, nag-iinuman at nagkakasiyahan ng umagang-umaga.

Pumasok si Piling. Binulyawan ang mga kalalakihan. Pinuntahan niya sa silid si Selya, tiningnan sandali. Bilang isang pakialamerang tiyahin ni Ramon at kasera ni Selya, kinuha niya ang isa sa mga sulat at pilit na bubuksan upang basahin. Pinigil siya ni Selya. Isa siyang pribadong tao at ayaw niyang pinakikialaman ang kanyang buhay. (Sa mga susunod pang eksena, magbabago ang ugali niyang ito. Magiging bukas siya at bulgar.)

Winika ni Piling na piliin ni Selya si Ramon. Nagtawanan ang mga kalalakihan sa labas. Hindi ito sadya. Nagkataon lamang ito at sinasabing mali (at katawa-tawa) ang suhestiyon na iyon ni Piling.

"Ano bang klaseng lalaki ang hanap mo?" ang retorikal na tanong ni Piling. "Katulad nila," referring to the men outside, "katulad ni Bobby?"

Walang maisagot si Selya.

Tumayo si Piling. Isasara na niya sana ang pinto upang bigyan ng privacy si Selya, subalit hindi niya itinuloy. Gusto niyang ipamukha ang uri ng mga lalaking nasa labas kay Selya.

Nagpatuloy ang ingay ng mga kakalakihan. Narindi si Selya. Tumayo siya at isinara ang pinto. Kasabay nito ang paggawa niya ng desisyon. Hindi na niya tatanggapin ang mga ganoong uri ng mga lalake sa kanyang buhay. Isasara na niya ang Bobby chapter sa buhay niya. Pipiliin na niya si Ramon, isang matino at disenteng lalaki.

Titigil ang eksena sa anino ni Selya sa isang puting dingding. Ito ay nangangahulugang hindi ito talagang pagsasara sa kanyang buhay, bagkus ay hahabulin siya ng kanyang magiging desisyon na parang isang anino. Nagdedesisyon siya sa dilim; nang walang kasiguraduhan. Kapag dumating ang puntong haharap na siya sa anino ng kanyang buhay ay maaari siyang tumakbo sa kanyang desisyon o panindigan ito.

Watch: "Bata, Bata... Paano Ka Gagawin?"

2011-03-18T15:50:00.001+08:00

"Bata, Bata... Paano Ka Gagawin?" Online Premiere

2011-03-15T00:20:00.000+08:00

Bata, Bata... Paano Ka Gagawin? premieres online on March 16!

Starring:
Joey Paras
Geng de los Reyes-Delgado
and
Ms. Gigi Locsin

Introducing:
Aries Hermoso

Written & Directed by:
Jerrick Josue David
Producer:
Myrna C. Josue
Assistant Director/Production Design:
Acy Ramos
Director of Photography/Light Designer:
Don Santella
Make-up Design/Gofer:
Rhea Zaratan
Location Manager:
TJ Parino
Stills Photographer:
Gilbert Sococ
Editor/Sound Design:
Adam Joseph
Talent Coordinator:
Danni Ugali

Sineasta Productions
2011

SENIOR YEAR

2011-03-10T02:34:00.001+08:00

MMFF 2010

2011-01-07T21:25:00.013+08:00

Nakalimang MMFF entries ako this year for the first time. It wasn't planned. It was also not because I was looking forward to seeing so many entries this year. It just so happened that I was feeling stressed with school works that I needed to de-stress. Watching movies does that for me, whether sa sinehan o sa DVD; whether maganda ang pinapanood ko o tamang pangpalipas-oras lang. It takes my mind off the stress and gives me enough time to relax and rethink about my options re the stressors.

Since I have only seen five films such as Dalaw; Rosario; Shake, Rattle and Roll 12; Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na 'To!); and RPG, sa kanila rin magbe-base ang judgments ko re the following categories. More than the winners themselves, mas nadismaya ako sa turnout of nominees. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi nakita ang tunay na kagalingan ng ilang taong kalahok sa festival dahil sa mga biases na mayroon ang mga hurado. May mga nakita silang maliliit na maling detalye sa ilang pelikula at performances, pero hindi nila nakita ang mga 'yun sa mga pinanalo nila. Besides, dahil na rin siguro 'yun sa background ng judges mismo.

Anyway, among the five films I've seen, eto ang judgments ko:

Best Picture: RPG

Matino ang nilalaman at sinasabi ng RPG. Hindi siya preachy at subtle lang ang values na tinuturo niya sa mga kabataan ngayon at maging sa mga magulang nang nasabing mga kabataan ngayon. Itinuturo nito ang kahalagahan ng physical activities hindi lang sa overall na kalusugan ng mga bata kundi maging sa kanilang pakikisalamuhang sosyal sa kanilang mga kaibigan at kalaro. Ang mga mabubuting asal na natututunan nila sa pakikipag-interact sa kapwa nila tulad ng sportmanship at cooperation ay hindi nila makukuha mag-isa at maaari rin nilang ma-apply sa tuwing nakikipaglaro o nakikipag-usap sila online.

RPG promotes Pinoy culture, as well, by (re)introducing Pinoy games to children na tutok na masyado ngayon sa TV, computer games, and online games. Isa sa nakakatawang linya ngunit malalim ang sinasabi ay 'yung tanungin ng isang bata kung ano ang piko. Simple lamang ito kung ating iisipin, subalit pinapakita nito kung pa'no namamatay ng unti-unti ang ating Pinoy street games. Sa mga magulang na hindi nakagisnan ang mga larong tulad nu'n, hindi na rin nila maipapasa ang ganu'ng kultura sa kanilang anak. Sad to say, baka dumating ang araw na sa paaralan na lamang at pahina ng mga libro malalaman ng mga bata ang tungkol sa mga ganu'ng laro.

At para naman sa mga nakaranas maglaro ng Pinoy games, this movie brings back childhood fun memories. It will give you a smile remembering the days na umuwi kang sugatan dahil sa pagkadapa mo several times playing Patintero o Football, na pinagalitan ka dahil sa sangsang ng amoy mo dahil nakabilad ka sa araw ng buong maghapon, o na matulog kang madungis dahil hindi mo na kayang maligo pa dahil sa pagod.

Itinuturo rin ng RPG ang di magandang dulot sa pagkalulong sa online games. Binibigyan ng warning ang mga magulang na i-monitor ang activities online ng kanilang mga anak. While technology could bring families together lalo na 'yung pinaglayo ng distansya, it could also destroy a family's well-being.

Compared sa MMFF Best Picture winner na Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na 'To!), mas di hamak na maraming sinasabi ang RPG na hindi dinadaan sa kalokohan at pagpapatawang walang saysay.

Best Director: Jerrold Tarog/Luis Suarez

Jerrold Tarog's Punerarya is certainly the best feature among the last few Shake, Rattle, and Roll episodes combined together that came out lately. Hindi siya nakakatakot per se, but he was able to deliver a creepy atmosphere and eerie feeling to the material. Moving camera shots pa lang niya, panalo na! Mararamdaman mong pinag-isipan ng husto at pinlano. May vision. And there was certainly a wider feeling to it--na pelikula talaga ang pinapanood mo at hindi isang horror episode lamang sa TV.

Kadalasan ngayon sa pelikula, dahil mula sa TV o nagdidirek sa TV ang mga direktor, hindi nila maalis sa kanilang sistema ang TV directing style. Sandamakmak ang close-up shots, taking away the grandiose feeling a film gives.

Biased ako kay Jerrold kasi paborito ko siya sa mga new directors lately. Ever since I've seen his Confessional, napahanga na niya ko. Hindi siya pretentious as some other directors are. If not him, I'd go for RPG's Luis Suarez for reasons I've given about the film. Di biro ang magdirehe ng animation at maayos na naitawid ito ni Luis. It may not be at par with Disney or Pixar in terms of smooth movements, maipagmamalaki pa rin naman ito bilang Pinoy lalo na sa kanyang nilalaman. Maaari siyang ihanay sa mga Japanese animations.

Both directors were not nominated in the said category. Nakakalungkot isipin na mas napansin pa si Mike Tuviera dahil maayos daw nitong naidirehe ang isang crappy material tulad ng Super Inday and the Golden Bibe. Ito na ba ang sukatan ng pagiging isang mahusay na direktor laban sa mga may nailabas na kagalang-galang na trabaho?

Albert Martinez wasn't also nominated. Para sa isang period piece, hindi raw masyadong nabigyan ni Albert ng authentic feeling ang Rosario. Subalit kung effort at effort lang naman ang pag-uusapan, di hamak na maganda ang nagawa ni Albert kaysa sa mismong nagwagi sa kategorya na si Wenn Deramas.

Wenn has not shown growth in the last few years that he has been directing. Certainly better than Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat, Tanging Ina Mo, however, is inferior with the original. Kadalasan ay sume-segue ang pelikulang ito sa mga katatawanang walang kinalaman sa takbo sa pelikula at nalilimutang tumutok sa mga mas mahahalagang aspeto ng kwento tulad ng sakit ni Ina at ang unti-unti pagkawasak ng relasyon ng kanyang mga anak. The main plot has taken the backseat sa mga patawang basta-basta na lamang isinisingit sa pelikula.

Ginawa pa nilang issue ang di pagsama ni Heart Evangelista sa pelikula samantalang halos extra roles lang naman ang ginampanan ng ibang mga anak ni Ina sa pelikula. Sumulpot lang at ngumiti sa camera para masabing nabuo ang pamilya niya.

A friend told me na matalino raw si Wenn kasi alam niya ang pulso ng masa at kung ano ang papatok sa kanila. May point siya. Pero ang sagot ko, kung lagi nating hahainan ng pare-parehong putahe ang masa, hindi natin masasanay ang dila nila na kumain ng ibang pagkain, kahit paminsan-minsan lang. We should not be condescending towards their tastes at i-limit lamang sila sa iisang makakain lalo na ngayo't ang Balot ay maaari na ring gawing gourmet Balot!

Best Production Design: Rosario

Ang yabang-yabang ng production values ng Rosario! Kanyang-kanyang ang tropeo at walang aagaw sa kanya rito. Ni walang pwedeng magprotesta na mas deserving nila ang award. In the awards season next year, I'm sure na siya rin ang hahakot ng awards in terms of production design.

However, sa sobrang yabang niya, nakalimutan niyang mag-give way sa ibang mas importanteng aspeto ng pelikula. Lagi siyang nakabalandra to the point na hindi nabibigyang-focus ang eksena at nararamdaman ng mga karakter. Sa eksenang nakikipag-usap si Rosario sa kanyang pinsan sa kanyang kwarto, wide shot kadalasan ang treatment upang maipakita kung gaano ka-elaborate ang production design. Nakalimutan nitong above the production design, mas importante ang nilalaman ng eksena at hindi ang bumubuo nito.

Maaaring fault na rin ito ng direktor. Masyado siyang na-overwhelm sa tingkad ng kanyang pelikula na nakaligtaan niyang bigyang-pansin ang nasasaloob nito.

Dahil na rin mayayaman ang karakter ng Rosario, nag-focus sila sa '20's American fashion. Sapat namang naipakita ang kasuotan ng panahon na iyon, subalit naghahanap pa ako ng kasuotang masa noong panahon na iyon. Minus the dialogues kasi, maaring pumasa pa ngang American film ito dahil lamang sa overall look ng pelikula. Nawawala 'yong Pinoy authenticity niya. Kung sana'y marami-rami ang naipakitang Pinoy masa fashion, mas lalo kong ikatutuwa.

Best actress: Aiai delas Alas

Wala naman akong tutol na ibigay kay Aiai ang Best Actress trophy. Mahusay naman talaga siya. Subalit ang ma-nominate si Marian Rivera kaysa kay Jennylyn Mercado ay isang malaking kalokohan. A heavy drama character against a lousy super heroine character? Bakit naman nagkaganu'n? O sige, hindi ko napanood ang Super Inday kaya wala akong karapatang i-judge si Marian. Pero still, ang tanong ko, bakit nagkaganoon?!

Ay, sabi pala nila, dahil daw hindi kaiga-igaya ang karakter ni Jennylyn bilang Rosario na isang 20's pokpok. Weno ngayon? Bakit natin ija-judge ang performance ni Jennylyn laban sa karakter niya sa pelikula? Anong klaseng kondisyon iyon?

Besides, hindi naman kasamaan ang karakter ni Rosario. At the end ay nakitaan siya ng pagbabago at pagsisisi. Hindi ba sapat 'yun para sa tinatawag na character growth? Kung kabutihan lang pala ang magiging basehan, wala nang kontrabida roles ang mano-nominate sa susunod na MMFF kahit pa pagkagaling-galing ng kanyang performance. At magiging one-dimension na lang lagi ang ating mga karakter: bait-baitan.

After the major awards, magbigay naman tayo ng minor awards sa limang pelikulang aking napanood.

Best Transformation: Eugene Domingo

Uge has come a long, long way! Ang ganda-ganda ng outfits niya sa Tanging Ina Mo! Natalbugan na nga niya si Aiai pagdating sa itsura. Fashion kung fashion! Kaya naman nu'ng pandirihan siya ni Aiai nu'ng hahalikan na siya ng kanyang napangasawa na si Jon Avila, di naging kapani-paniwala dahil mas maayos ang itsura niya kaysa kay Aiai. Mukha siyang mamahalin!

Super Pa-sexy Award: Shaina Magdayao

Sando kung sando ang labanan sa Mamamanyika ng SRR 12 at cleavage kung cleavage sa Tanging Ina Mo! Saan ka pa! Di pa 'yan nag-e-effort masyado, ah.

WTF Character: John Lapus

Putek! Para sa'n ba ang karakter niya sa SRR 12 Episode 2? Patawa ba 'yun o pang-asar? Either way, misplaced siya sa movie. Hindi siya nakakatawa at lalong hindi siya nakakatuwa! Mas lalo lang ang inis na binigay niya sa kabuuan ng pelikula unlike sa ibang SRR na may halong comic relief pa siya.

Best Weapon: Gun

Ang baril ay pamatay sa Chaka Doll e este Mamamanyika! Never leave home without it. Ang baril din ay panakot sa mga engkanto! Itago sa kunwaring Bible at iwagayway sa mga engkanto.

Magpakatotoo Ka Award: Kris Aquino

Less make-up, more skin imperfections. Sino ang may sabing perfect ang skin ng mga artista?

Best Guest Appearance: Betty Boop in Rosario

Ay, wala pa. Si Isabel Oli pala 'yun in Betty Boop make-up. Tsuri!

Most Kinawawa Award: Jiro Manio

Hindi man lang binigyan ng kapiranggot na linya si Jiro! Nakakaawa kung kailan naman nagdarahop na 'yung bata sa ngayon.

Kahit Anong Role, Keri Na Award: DJ Durano

No explanation needed. Dapat laging umeeksena sa mga pelikula ni Wenn Deramas.

All Hype, No Substance Award: Dalaw

Feng Shui and Sukob may both starred Kris Aquino, but the success of those films should not be equated to her. It should be credited to their director Chito Rono (and their writers). However, even Chito came out with less successful horror flick via T2.

Bagsak na nga 'atang talaga ng Asian horror genre these days. Halos isang dekada na rin nating nire-rehash ang paulit-ulit na vengeful ghost theme at wala na tayong bago na mapipiga pa rito. Kailangang pagpahingan na siya until maka-imbento uli ng panibagong kwento na mananakot sa 'tin mga Pinoy. Dinadaan na lamang sa mga panggulat na musical score at pasulpot-sulpot na karakter ang katatakutan at hindi na nakakatuwa.

Malakas man siya sa takilya, subalit hindi ibig sabihin nito ay maganda siya at nakakatakot talaga.

I characterized this movie nga as a worst Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara adaptation given an Asian horror flavor.

Most Spoofed Actress: Vilma Santos

Siya na ang ginaya sa Tanging Ina Mo, siya pa rin sa Dalaw (na medyo nag-segue kay Mega)!

Ay, sana napanood ko pa 'yung tatlong movies para nadagdagan ang minor awards ko!

Despite the controversies na laging kinakaharap ng MMFF, masaya pa rin ako na maraming tumatangkilik dito, na marami pa rin ang naeenganyong manood.

Related readings:
Butch Francisco's "Ang Tanging Best Actress"
Rito Asilo's "MMFF 2010: When 'better' isn't good enough"
Butch Francisco's "Why Albert, Jennylyn not nominated"
Oggsmoggs's "RPG Metanoia (2010)"
Oggsmoggs's "Rosario (2010)"
Philbert Dy's "No Stories Left to Tell"
Philbert Dy's "Mud Wrestling with Ghosts"

Condescending Sid

2010-11-01T12:28:00.003+08:00

Sid Lucero was offered to play the lead part in Philippine stage's production of Equus. He turned down the part, reasoning that Pinoy audience is "not yet ready" for such kind of theater where performance is focused on rather than the nudity. Papanoorin daw ito ng audience for the nudity at hindi dahil sa nilalaman ng play o dahil magaling ang mga gaganap dito. Kaya raw mas mabuti pang sa isang theater actor mapunta ang role kaysa sa kanyang may pangalan sa industriya.

Asked to comment on his Emmy nomination for his performance in ABS-CBN's Dahil May Isang Ikaw, he said na magaling tayong Pinoy considering na "madalian" tayo kung gumawa compared sa US. At bukod pa ru'n, they look at actors as actors at hindi tinitingnan kung bida o contrabida ba ang role, unlike dito sa atin.

May sense of pride man sa statement ni Sid, mayro'n din itong halong condescension.

In his view on Pinoy audience, napakababa naman ng tingin niya rito when he said na panonoorin lang ng tao ang paghuhubad niya rather than the play itself. Him as the would-be lead on Equus would definitely generate a buzz among Pinoy audience. Tataas sigurado ang ticket sales nito. However, nasa kanya pa rin if he would deliver a credible performance or not. So what if the audience was encourage to see the play for its nudity? Still, they would sit for at least two hours and absorb whatever they can get from the play. Who knows? Those theater virgins would like the theater and become regular watchers. Nakatulong pa siya sa mundo ng teatro.

Also, Sid has to realize that the theater is a different arena. Hindi niya pwedeng i-compare ito sa manonood ng pelikulang Pilipino. Not everyone can afford to see a play for tickets sell higher than cinema. Medyo high-brow din ang audience ng theater. At, hindi rin basta-bastang play ang Equus. It's cerebral! So how could he say na papanoorin lang ng Pinoy ito para sa hubaran?

He should be grateful for his Emmy nomination. Period. Kesyo minadali ang produksiyon o hindi, ang isang magaling na aktor ay hindi matatawaran. 'Wag niya sanang purihin ang galing ng Pinoy at laitin ito at the same time.

He is nominated for worldwide Emmy's so I don't think na tinitingnan nila kung supporting character lang ang role o hindi. Kung artista siya ng US at doon ginawa ang Dahil May Isang Ikaw, malamang ay sa supporting role ang nakuha niyang nominasyon at hindi bilang best actor.

'Wag niyang kakalimutang ito ang industriyang nagbibigay ng trabaho sa kanya. Respetuhin naman niya. At ang Pinoy audience na tinitingnan niya ng mababa ang siyang gumagastos para panoorin ang mga proyekto niya. Konting pagpapahalaga naman.

"Hayop sa Sarap," Parang Timang Lang (1985)

2010-10-21T05:07:00.004+08:00

Magkapatid sina Irma Alegre at Angela Perez. Umuwi sila sa bahay at nagsabing nanood daw sila ng bold. Feel na feel ni Angela ang movie, pero deadma lang si Irma. Sabi ni yaya, kakain na raw. Call ni Irma si papa Ruben Rustia habang lumamon na si Angela. Gutom na gutom na raw siya. At kitang-kita naman sa pag-upak niya sa ulam at kanin na parang galing sa restaurant. May pa-dahon-dahon pa kasi ang oblong na plates. Para kunwari ay sosyal silang talaga.

Habang kumakain ang magkapatid, deadma lang si Ruben. Wait niya raw ang kanilang mama. Next frame, nakaupo pa rin si Ruben. Wala na ang patay-gutom na magkapatid. May tirang mga buto sa kanilang mga plato na parang nilafang talaga ng mga walang makain sa buhay.

Dating ang asawa--si Celia Rodriguez. Ask niya kung bakit daw nakatiwangwang pa ang kalat sa mesa. Hinihintay niya raw siya, sabi ni Ruben. To cut their conversation short, sinabi ni Ruben na 'wag na 'wag lang siyang makakakuha ng ebidensya against sa pagtataksil ni Celia, kundi ay mapapatay niya siya. Narinig ito ni Irma at umiiyak siyang nagpunta sa kanyang kwarto. Naka-black nighty lang siya with laced black underwear. Naiinitan siguro.

Labas si Angela from bathroom asking kung sinapak daw ba ng erpats nila ang ermats. Sobra na raw kasi si ermats blah blah blah. Irma tells her na di raw siya papasok bukas kasi may gagawin siya buong maghapon.

The next day, inabangan ni Irma si Mama. Kita niya na pumasok ito sa Victoria Court na may kasamang lalaki. Wala pang "Ssshh" logo ang VC ng panahong iyon.

Binalita niya kaagad kay Papa. Sinabing tandaan daw nito ang utos ng Diyos na 'wag papatay. Parang timang! Kakarinig niya lang na 'yun ang gagawin ng tatay niya kapag nakakuha ng ebidensya, yet siya pa mismo ang naghanap nito at sinampal sa tatay niya!

Ayun, pag-uwi ni Celia, tinutukan siya ng baril ni Ruben! Pinutok ito pero di naasinta. Inatake bigla si Ruben. Lapit si Celia at ano raw nangyayari! Jusme, inaatake na, ask pa rin siya kung ano nangyayari. Parang timang!

Bago ang barilan scene, nag-usap ang magkapatid. Sabi ni Angela na siguro raw ay hayop sa sarap ang kabit ng mama nila kaya nakuha nitong ipagpalit ang papa. Parang timang naman dumayalog ito! Parang hindi nanay niya ang sinasabi niya. Ang baboy ng bunganga!

So inatake na nga si Ruben, super hampas sa dibdib si Irma. Di marunong mag-CPR! At nu'ng i-mouth to mouth niya ito, lips to lips ang ginawa niya! Timang talaga sa CPR ang hitad. Sabay dayalog kay Celia na kapag may nangyari raw kay Ruben, isusumpa niya raw ito. Keri ko pa ang ganu'ng dialogue kasi naman '80s ito. Allowed pa sila magpaka-cliche.

Angela confronts Celia. Ayun, kinausap na naman na parang di niya ito nanay. "I'm just human. I have my needs," sagot ni Celia na accent kung accent! Iisipin mong parang ang layo niyang magkaru'n ng dalawang timang na anak. Sinabi pa niyang, "Your father is impotent!" Sabay close-up sa fez ni Angela na hindi alam kung pa'no magre-react.

Anyway, fast forward. Naghiwalay sina Ruben at Celia. Nabaldado si Ruben. Binenta ni Irma ang house nila para mapagamot si Papa. Naging dancers sina Irma at Angela sa club.

Tumeybol si Irma kay Al Tantay at si Angela kay Edgar Mande. Hindi nagsasalita si Al. Huhulaan daw siya ni Irma. "Tahimik ka, no? Mahiyain." Ay parang timang! Hindi kaya! Pipi siya kaya ganu'n. Jusme!

Next scene, need pa raw nila ng 40k para mapadala si Ruben sa ibang bansa at nang maipagamot. Nakonsensya si Ruben. Hindi na raw nila dapat gawin 'yun.

Tumanggap ng customer sina Irma at Angela na magbabayad ng 40k. Virgin daw ang gusto. Si Angela ang napili. Kinabukasan, iika-ika nang maglakad si Angela. Masakit daw pala ang "magpa-virgin". 'Yun talaga ang pang-abay na ginamit--magpa-virgin! Saka neng, ba't ka iika-ika? Sa wetpaks ka ba tinira? Masakit nga 'yun kung ganu'n. Si Romy Diaz ang customer. Afraidy Aguilar!

Pagpasok ng bahay, deads na si Ruben! Nagpatiwakal! Sinaksak ang leeg, tagos sa likod! Fuck! Pa'no niya nagawa 'yun! Ang sakit-sakit kaya nu'n. Mas masakit sa pagpapa-virgin! Imaginin mo, pa'no mo maituturok ang kutsilyo sa leeg mo at kayaning itagos ito sa likod? Tangna! Ang hirap nu'n, ah. Super talim siguro ng kutsilyo na 'yun. 'Yung parang binebenta sa Home Shopping Network.

Naging mag-jowa sina Irma at Al, at sina Angela at Edgar. Hayop sa sarap daw humalik ang dalawang babae. Ayos! Magamit lang talaga ang title ng movie! Ano kaya ang pakiramdam ng hayos sa sarap?!

Dahil inlababo si Al kay Irma, papakilala niya raw ito sa kanyang mga magulang. To make an impression, nag-Chinese-Chinesan na damit si Irma, tumayo sa gilid ng pinto at tinaas ang binti! Parang timang lang. Na-impress naman si Al! Ang ganda-ganda raw nito.

Pagdating sa house ni Al, pinakilala niya si Irma sa tatay nitong si Johnny Wilson. At sa kanyang stepmom na si Celia! Ay, sorry that I left out that major event in their lives. Mag-jowa na sina Johnny at Celia. Kaya naman shocked ang lola Irma nang makita si Celia. Run ever siya na parang si Cinderella with matching alis ng shoes at sakay ng taxi.

Sinundan ni Al si Irma sa bahay nito pero hindi pumasok sa loob. Walang kaabog-abog na may kidnappers sa paligid! Mukhang mayaman daw si Al kaya tiba-tiba sila kapag nagkataon. Parang timang lang.

Punta si Johnny sa hideout ng kidnappers kasi naka-receive siya ng tawag from them. Si Irma pala ang nandu'n! "Luyarin mo ang pagkababae ko, Don Ambrosio. Kung hayop sa sarap ang asawa mo ngayon, mas hayop ako sa kanya!" That line again! Humabol pa. In English! "I promise you that!" At isa pa! "No doubt about that!" Parang court scene. Pakshet!

But wait! Fake call lang pala 'yung kidnapping kanina. Totoo pa lang may kidnappers. Kinidnap nila si Al at si Angela! 300k daw ang ransom. Cash! Nakasuot ng bubuyog sunglasses ang leader na very reminiscent of the '80s fashion. At naka-suit silang lahat! Tutyal!

In fairness, di pa uso nu'n ang milyon-milyon na asking ransom fee.

Time to make ammends, though. Gagawin ni Celia ang lahat para mailigtas ang anak. Kasehodang magbuwis siya ng buhay kasi hindi sila makakapag-withdraw ng pera dahil gabi na! Sarado ang bangko. Di pa uso ang ATM! At kahit uso na, di naman magdi-dispense ng 300k ang ATM, di ba?

Naka-tiger print si Celia. Palaban kung palaban! Labas din ang isang shoulder. Kasama niya si Edgar kasi jowa niya raw si Angela. Na kinabigla naman ni Celia. I don't know why. Pero shocked siya. Nagulat siya siguro kasi pokpokin ang dalawang junakis niya. Mana sa ina.

Nagkaroon ng barilan sa hideout. Nabaril si Celia sa kanyang exposed shoulder. Pero bago 'yun, bagsak naman ang mga kalaban. Palakpakan!

Pagkauwi, binalita ni Al na na-kidnap sila. "Ha? Na-kidnap kayo," say ni Johnny. Parang wala lang. Hindi naman gaanong major-major event. Ni hindi nga siya nag-alala sa dumudugong exposed shoulder ni Celia.

Kinuwento ni Al kay Irma ang nangyari, saying na dakila si Celia kasi iniligtas sila. Parang Darna lang! Ni di nabalitaan ng mga pulis ang nangyaring kidnapan at barilan at patayan. Yakapan ang mag-ina!

The end.

Parang timang talaga! In fairness, tinapos ko siya kasi tamang laugh trip lang!

Winner ka talaga, Artemio Marquez! This shit is funnier than the current Petrang Kabayo!

Ikaw na ang Maging Alicia Alonzo sa "Waikiki"!

2010-10-01T03:05:00.005+08:00

Waikiki (1980)
Elwood Perez

Ang tanging pangarap lamang ni Alicia Alonzo (Idad) ay makapiling ang kanyang pamilya na naunang nagtungo sa Hawaii upang makamit ang magandang buhay. Naiwan siya sa Pilipinas dahil sa TB at nang magkaroon ng pagkakataon na sundan ang pamilya ay hindi siya nagdalawang-isip.

Maraming taon na ang lumipas at hindi niya inaasahan ang malalaking pagbabagong daratnan niya.

Sa piling ng ikalawang anak na si Rio Locsin (Carmela), naranasan niya ang diskriminasyon. Hindi nito magawang ipagtanggol siya sa asawang Hapon na pilit na pinaparamdam sa kanya na hindi siya tanggap sa kanilang tirahan. Andyan pa ang anak nito na apo niya na isang spoiled brat. Hindi niya kinakitaan ito ng paggalang sa kanya, maging sa sarili nitong mga magulang. Pinilit man niyang mapalapit ang loob sa apo ay dalawang sampal ang inabot niya rito. Sa sobrang sakit ng kalooban ay nasaktan niya ang bata. Ikinagalit ito ni Carmela at sinabing hindi sinasaktan ang mga bata sa US. Gawain lamang ito ng mga taong primitibo at walang pinag-aralan.

Hindi na ipinilit ni Alicia ang sarili sa anak. Nagtungo siya sa kanyang bunso na si Lorna Tolentino (Ella) na nadiskubre niyang nagtatrabaho bilang isang sensual dancer. Bilang isang babaeng laki sa Pilipinas, hindi niya ito matanggap. Bukod pa sa katotohanang nakikipag-live in ang anak at walang pakialam na nakikipaglampungan sa kasintahan sa publiko. Pakiramdam niya ay lumaki ng walang moral na itinuturing ang kanyang anak.

Tinungo niya ang tahanan ng pinanabikan niyang asawa na si Raoul Aragon (Juan). Nasawi man sa kanyang mga anak, si Raoul na lamang ang tanging nagsasalba sa kanya sa rurok ng depresyon. Subalit matapos ang mahigpit niyang yakap sa malamig na asawa, isang anak ang sumalubong sa kanya na tumawag ng daddy sa kanyang mister. Matapos ay lumabas ang isang babaeng pinakilala sa kanya bilang "asawa ko ngayon."

Gumuho na ng tuluyan ang mundo ni Alicia. Kung maari lang siyang lamunin ng lupa sa kinatatayuan niya ay ginawa na niya. Halos mabuwal siya sa kanyang pagkakayo. Nang akmang lilisanin na niya ang lugar ay inimbita siya ng "asawa ngayon" na makipagkwentuhan muna. Dagdag saksak pa sa dumurugong puso niya ang di pagkakaalam ng "asawa ngayon" na hindi niya alam ang relasyon nila ni Raoul. Nagkunwari na lamang si Alicia at sinabing gusto lamang niyang dalawin ang "dating asawa."

Hindi pa rito nagtatapos ang kanyang pagdurusa. Ang anak na lalaki ni Raoul sa bagong asawa ay kamukhang-kamukha ng nasira nilang anak na lalaki. At dito pa sa batang ito siya nakakita ng respeto at pagpapahalagang hindi niya nakuha sa sarili niyang mga anak.

Ito ang kinahantungan ng mga pangarap ni Alicia sa Lupa ng mga Pangako. Hinanakit. Pagdurusa. Kamatayan.

Kung ikaw si Alicia Alonzo sa Waikiki, naglaslas ka na siguro ng pulso upang diligin ng dugo ang punyetang Bayan ng Pinya!

(Collage by Jojo DeVera)

Related post:
Jojo DeVera's "Waikiki... Sa Loob at Labas ng Bayan Kong Sawi"

Veronica Velasco's "I Do" (2010)

2010-09-30T02:09:00.005+08:00

I'd like to believe that the theme of this latest Star Cinema offering is that the wedding is not the be all and end all of committing to a relationship. That more than the preparation itself, the sanctity of marriage is important and couples should work hard to maintain a harmonious relationship. That having a family is not just by apprehending your husband's surname to yours and to your child, but by constantly being there for you in good times and bad; loving and caring for each other not because you need to, because you want to.

But it isn't.

I Do seems artificially staged that characters and situations turned caricatures of what they really are supposed to be. Except for Lance (Enchong Dee), all characters are one-dimensional and comic versions of themselves.

From the beginning we meet the young Yumi (Erich Gonzales), she tells us her aspiration of having a dream wedding and focuses herself into getting one the moment she meets Lance. Ito na ang naging bukambibig niya from the very start regardless of what Lance feels about it or what he is going through just to give her one. On and off wedding cancellations happen that even her family has become consumed by it. Mas naging concern pa sila sa kahihiyang dulot ng paulit-ulit na pagkansela ng kasal at ng pagod at hirap na dinaranas nila kaysa sa nagkukubling dahilan nito. Not once did they talk to Yumi (and Lance) about how hard it is to raise a family given that they already have a daughter, and they are just in their early 20s. Maski ang kanilang anak na si Sofia ay naging kasangkapan lang sa kabaliwang umiinog sa kanilang napipintong pagpapakasal. The goal is to get married. Period. Without questioning their readiness for it.

On the other hand, Lance's family is opposed to the wedding not because they're young, but because Yumi is not Chinese. They didn't even give Lance a chance to become responsible for his actions and decisions. Basta hindi Chinese si Yumi, tapos! Di baleng magmukhang matapobre. Di baleng may madehadong ibang tao dahil sa kanila. Di baleng sinasaktan nila ang kanilang anak. Ang importante ay to hold on to their tradition, "Ang Chinese ay para sa Chinese."

Lance has gone through a lot from the start of his relationship with Yumi. For one thing, he weighs her feelings towards her. Ito ba ay tinadhana o pinagdesisyunan? Para sa kanya, ang pagmamahal ay isang desisyon. He decides to love Yumi even if they came from different backgrounds. He decides to love Yumi even if she seems too self-absorbed and immature. He decides to get married to her despite losing his own family in the process. In the end siya pa rin ang humingi ng kapatawaran kay Yumi at sa pamilya nito sa mga naging mapusok niyang desisyon. And all Yumi has to do was accept his apology and not take responsibility for her own actions, as well. Ang sa kanya, she has gotten her dream wedding. Period.

I admire Enchong for showing depth in his character. Kitang-kita ang confusion na pinagdadaanan niya sa tatahaking landas. In between teenage years siya at adulthood kung saan kailangan niyang matutong mag-decide on his own, subalit kailangan pa rin niya ng gabay ng kanyang pamilya na tumalikod sa kanya. It is very brave of his character to apologize for his mistakes when he is just trying to come up with a decision that would be best for all of them.

Erich is irritating! From her screeching voice to her constant whining to her overflowing tears. Walang ibang dimensyon ang karakter niya at hindi niya ma-distinguish ang pagkakaiba-iba ng dramatic peaks na kinakaharap ng karakter niya. She even borders on acting like a social climber to an overzealous girlfriend.

Nang una kong makita ang publicity photos para sa pelikulang ito, naisip ko kung bakit parang iisa ang reaksyon ni Erich sa mga larawan samantalang nagbabago ang kay Enchong. Now I know why.

Related post:
Phil Dy's Laughing it Away

The Michael Cera School of Acting

2010-09-23T13:16:00.001+08:00

Danny Zialcita's Palabra de Honor (1983)

2010-09-21T21:08:00.015+08:00

Twisted relationships galore!

Eddie Garcia (Don Adolfo), the rich businessman in town, is about to get married to Gloria Diaz (Victoria). His daughter, Jackielou Blanco (Sylvia), is opposed to it for being the youngest and favorite daughter, she is in love with her father.

"Be practical, papa. Okay, you're tired. You're lonely. Go ahead. Hawakan mo siya. Kunin mo siya. But not as your wife, as your mistress."

Her older sister, Hilda Koronel (Cristy), is married to Ronaldo Valdez (David), who marries her for her money. Alam ito ni Hilda yet she remains married to him. Ayaw niyang masira ang kanilang pangalan sa lipunan.

Ronaldo is Gloria's ex-lover. She plots to get into Eddie's family to exact revenge against the former lover.

Elizabeth Oropesa (Olivia), as a woman, takes a stand against Eddie. She assumes her right every chance she gets. But in the world of men, she is not taken seriously. Her words don't matter. "Lahat ng tao rito kung tawagin niya ay sa unang pangalan. Ako lang ang hindi," she mutters.

She is married to Dindo Fernando (Louie) who, according to her, is richer than Eddie, yet doesn't get the same amount of respect in the community as Eddie's. He says, "Ginawa niya ang kanyang pera. Minana ko lang ang akin."

In Dindo's standards, hindi magkapantay ang yaman nila. Besides, ayaw niyang kabanggain si Eddie. Hindi lamang ito tinitingala ng lipunan, he also doesn't want to jeopardize his affair with his daughter Hilda whom he gets pregnant.

Tommy Abuel (Arthur) is Eddie's sort of right-hand man. Hindi sing-yaman nina Eddie at Dindo, but a respected man, nonetheless. He is married to Amy Austria (Elma) who hasn't been sleeping with him for a long time. She avoids him like a plague, believing that he is sleeping around. However, it is she who is having a constant tryst, with Hilda's husband, Ronaldo.

Mark Gil (Tony) is Tommy's friend whom he helps getting a job in a campus in their community. He is married to Beth Bautista (Niña) whom Tommy has the hots for. Tommy helps Mark in acquiring the teaching position as a favor to Beth who promises herself to her once the deal is done. But Beth is having cold feet. Hindi niya magawang ibigay ang sarili kay Tommy.

Tommy, on the other hand, has a change of heart when he realizes how much he loves Amy. Until he learns of Amy's infidelity, who is about to go with Ronaldo. Kakaalam lang ni Ronaldo ng relasyon nina Hilda at Dindo, and he leaves her. He blackmails Dindo into giving him a million peso. Matapos ay inaya niyang magtanan si Amy.

Sinugod ni Tommy si Ronaldo. Nakipagsapakan. Then he confronts Amy.

"Ang dami mong dahilan. 'Wag kang lalapit. Mabaho ka. Mabahong hininga mo. Amoy shoktong. Wag kang didikit. Ang kamay mo baka kung sa'n nanggaling, matetano pa ko. Alis diyan!' 'Yun pala may kumakalikot sa 'yo. Sarap mong sapakin!"

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is against Mark's employment. Sinubukan niya ang lahat upang hindi ito matuloy. She even rallies in front of his house, pero wala siyang nagawa. Hindi lamang si Mark ang kabangga niya rito, maging si Eddie na isang malaking pader sa komunidad. Tulad ng mga naghaharing kapitalista sa mundo, he has the money. He has the last say.

"Kung ayaw n'yo nang palakad ng eskwelahan, kung ayaw ninyo sa taong 'yan, bukas ay ipasasara ko ang eskwelahan. At maghanap na kayo ng papasukan ng inyong mga anak doon sa kabilang bayan. Tingnan natin kung hindi kayo mahihirapan. At 'pag nangyari uli ito, ang inyong mga asawa ay ihanap n'yo ng ibang trabaho. Hala! Magsiuwi na kayo!"

Beth is intrigued as to what motivates Elizabeth into going after her husband. Nag-imbestiga siya. Nalaman niya ang di kagandahang nakaraan ni Elizabeth. Sinugod niya ito at binantaang ilalabas ang baho niya kapag di niya tinigilan si Mark.

Battle ensues. This has got to be the most masculine fight by women in Philippine cinema. Sapakan kung sapakan. Matinding sampalan. Matigas na sabunutan. Mabigat na sakalan. Tulakan. Murahan. Dayaan. Matira ang matibay. DZ made sure na hindi gawing malamya at katawa-tawa ang eksena dahil mga babae sila.

Yet, he also made sure that it is a sensual one. Foreplay para sa mga mapagnasang mata ng kalalakihan. Torn clothes, exposed bras, peeping panties, at nipples na halos bakat na sa bra. It is hitting two birds with one stone. Turning women into fighting savages ala men and serving men with delectable feast. Progressive and offensive at the same time.

When Eddie discovers Gloria's past with Ronaldo, he is disheartened. For someone who honors his word, nadismaya siya na niloko siya ng babaeng mahal niya. He could've ended the engagement, but he didn't. He has given his word to marry Gloria, and he is not about back out on it. He gets married to her, pero nagbago na ang sitwasyon. She gets her part of the bargain (money-wise), and he gets to be true to his word. Ito ang kanyang palabra de honor.

If we are to look at the whole picture, asan na nga ba ang isang salita ng mga taong involved sa kwentong ito? When they promised to cherish and adore each other through thick and thin in the sanctity of marriage, did they do so? Hindi na nga ba mahalaga ang pagtupad sa nabitiwang salita? Are promises really made to be broken? O may tulad pa ni Eddie na pinangangahalagan ang kanyang dignidad kahit pa siya ay nalagay sa alanganin? Ito nga ba ang tunay na palabra de honor? Ang tuparin ang ipinangako kahit pa hindi naging totoo ang kabilang parte?

More than wealth, mas pinangalagahan ni Eddie ang tingin niya sa kanyang sarili. Hindi niya kayang sumiping sa isang asawang alam niyang walang pagmamahal sa kanya. Subalit sa kanyang pagtupad sa pangakong kasal kay Victoria, hindi ba rin siya nagkakasala sa batas ng matrimonya ng kasal?

Maraming power struggles sa pelikulang ito. Kakikitaan na maging ang mga mayayaman ay may pagnanasa pa ring maitaas ang kanilang sarili sa kapwa nila mayaman. Ang mga galing naman sa hirap ay di mawawalan ng need upang maiangat ang kanilang pwesto sa lipunan kahit kayamanan lamang ang inaasam nila noong una.

May power struggles within married couples. Sino ba ang dapat ang domineering at sino ang submissive? Babae ba dapat ang nasa ibaba at lalaki ba dapat ang humahawak ng relasyon? Sa kontekso ng mag-asawang Pinoy, makikitang malakas ang boses ng babae sa isang relasyon lalo na sa pamamahala ng tirahan at mga anak. Ganito pinapahalagahan ng lalaking Pinoy ang kanyang asawa. Subalit paglabas ng tahanan, siya ang boss. Siya ang may say sa lahat ng kanyang magiging desisyon.

May power struggles sa mga magulang at anak. Kailan ba nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong magsalita ang anak laban sa desisyon ng mga magulang? Kailan ba maaring makinig ang mga magulang sa anak notwithstanding the age difference and status of relationship?

May power struggles within the boss and his employees. Mas madalas sa hindi, ang boss ang may huling salita. No matter how much you detest your boss's decision, one never bites the hand that feeds him.

Sa panahong ito kung saan laganap ang lokohan, pagsisinungaling, betrayal, backbiting, may nagpapahalaga pa ba sa palabra de honor tulad ng isang Don Adolfo?

Related post:
Pelikula, Atbp.'s "Palabra de Honor (1983)"

Fast Forward

2010-09-20T22:33:00.006+08:00

In Viewer Discretion's post entitled "Contesting Visibilities, Contextualizing Desire s" about Pinoy gay movies, I quote:

"We admit, we watch many of these gay films. More often than not, it’s for the sex. Cris (Pablo) watches more of them than I do, but he also uses the fast forward button more frequently (“to get to the juicy parts,” he says). I, the more prudish one, would try to stick it out through the whole film, and not infrequently, would confirm Cris’s suspicion that he didn’t miss much anyway."

Kaya naman pala may ganoon ding pakiramdam ang manonood sa mga pelikula ni Cris ay sa dahilang ganoon din niya itrato ang kanyang panonood ng pelikula. Most often than not, pinagtutuunan niya ng pansin ang sex scenes at nudity ng kanyang mga pelikula kaysa sa takbo ng kuwento nito dahil siya mismo, bilang manonood, ay 'yun din ang hanap. Most of the times, the story takes a backseat over the sex scenes. Softcore porn na ngang maituturing kung minsan ang kanyang mga pelikula.

Tulad ni Phil Dy, I still give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to watching his films. Naisip ko na baka naman sa susunod, sa dami-dami ng mga pelikulang ginagawa niya, ay may mailabas siyang matino at kapuri-puri. However, like Dy, I end up disappointed, as well.

Paano ka nga ba makakagawa ng isang matinong pelikula kung ang pagtrato mo rito ay isang commodity lamang na pwede mong pagkakitaan? You don't treat it with respect the way it has to be treated. Paano ka nga ba makakapag-focus sa kwento ng pelikula kung ikaw mismo, sa mga pinanonood mo, ay sex lang din ang habol? Mas mabuti pa sigurong hardcore porn ang iyong gawin para hindi na gaanong mag-expect pa ang manonood ng istorya.

You make films the way you see them.

Nakakalungkot. Nakakainis.

Related Posts:
Viewer Discretion's "Contesting Visibilities, Contextualizing Desires"
Philbert Dy's "Worthy of Our Disdain"
Sineasta's "Ang Mukha ng Bading sa Pelikulang Pilipino sa Bagong Milenyo"

Laurice Guillen's "Sa 'Yo Lamang" (2010)

2010-09-10T20:19:00.016+08:00

Gusto ko:

Tulad ng nabanggit ni Oggs Cruz sa kanyang review, matindi ang panimulang eksena nina Dianne (Bea Alonzo) at Franco (Christopher de Leon) kung sa'n gigil na gigil na nilapitan ng anak ang ama upang sabihin ang hindi niya pagtanggap sa pagbabalik nito. Sa kaunting salita, napadama ni Dianne ang kinikimkim niyang sama ng loob dito kasabay ng isang malutong na pagmumura bilang pagtatapos nito.

Para sa isang ama, napakasakit na marinig ang mga salitang iyon mula sa iyong anak. Subalit di rin naman natin magawang kasuklaman ang anak sa pagpapahiwatig ng kanyang nararamdaman. Mararamdaman nating halos kainin ng lupa si Franco matapos laitin ng kanyang anak.

Nagkaroon ng shift ang pag-uusap muli nina Dianne at Franco. Sa una ay taas-noo na dala-dala ni Franco ang pagiging ama sa kanyang pamilya sa kanyang pagbabalik. Pakiramdam niya ay may kaparatan siyang balikan sila anuman ang kanyang pagkukulang. Subalit sa sumunod na eksena ay pakumbabang humingi siya ng kapatawaran sa anak at nanghingi ng pangalawang pagkakataon.

Sa kabilang banda, si Dianne naman ay mahinahon na nagpahiwatig ng pinanggagalingan ng kanyang nararamdaman sa kanyang ama. Binanggit niya ang mga pagkakataong naghirap sila ng kanyang ina sa pagtaguyod ng kanilang pamilya dahil sa paglisan nito at kung paano nila pinagsikapang iahon ang mga sarili. Wala itong halong galit. Walang halong pagkamuhi.

'Yung pagkakataong nalaman ni Amanda (Lorna Tolentino) ang katotohanan sa pagtataksil muli ni Franco. Nu'ng ito ay magbalik, pinilit niyang maging masaya para sa kanyang pamilya. Umasa siya sa pagiging buo nilang muli at pinilit na hindi magduda sa katapatan ng asawa. Subalit nabigo siya at binigong muli ng asawa. Pakiramdam niya'y pinayagang na naman niya itong lokohin siya at apak-apakan. Kaya naman sa pagkakatong iyon, hindi na siya nagdawalang-isip na palayasin ito sa tirahang pinundar niya at ni Dianne.

Ang eksena kung saan nakikiusap si Dianne sa inang si Amanda na huwag bibitiw. Na kakayanin niya ang lahat maliban sa mawala ang kanyang sandalan at matalik na kaibigan. Sa puntong ito ay nagiging matatag pa rin siya para sa inang isinuko na ang kapalaran sa nakakataas.

'Yung eksena ng rebeldeng si Coby (Coco Martin) kung saan nilapitan niya si Dianne at tinanong kung ano ba ang sakit ng ina. Itinanggi ng kapatid ang karamdaman ng ina. Nagsumamo si Coby at nagwikang, "Isali n'yo naman ako. Parte rin ako ng pamilyang ito."

Isa ito sa highlights ng pelikula. Sa kakaunting mga salita ay naipahatid ng binata ang kanyang hinanakit, ang nilalaman ng kanyang puso na kinimkim niya sa napakatagal na panahon.

Nang atakihin ng kanyang sakit si Amanda, dali-daling nagtungo ang magkakapatid sa silid ng ina. Nanginginig ito sa ginaw at ginawa nilang lahat ang kanilang makakaya upang pawiin ang nararamdaman nito. Binalot nila ito ng kumot at niyakap ang iba't-ibang parte ng katawan.

Subalit si Dianne ay nanigas sa kanyang pagkakatayo malayo sa ina. Namulat siya sa katotohanan ng realidad na mawawala na ang kanila ina. Na ito ay isang bagay na hindi niya magagawan ng paraan. Unti-unti ay lumabas ang kanyang kahinaan. Unti-unti ay nahubad ang kanyang superhero costume.

Ayaw ko:

'Yung pakiramdam na nagbabase lamang ang Sa 'Yo Lamang sa tagumpay at kaledad ng Tanging Yaman. Marami sa mga eksena rito at kuha ng camera ay nakita na sa naturang pelikula. Imbes na maging distinct ito as itself ay parang naging copycat lamang sa aking paningin.

'Yung pagkalunod ng ibang emosyonal na eksena sa musical scoring. Sumasabay ang lakas ng tugtog sa lakas ng hagulgol ng karakter.

'Yung di magandang karakterisasyon ng halos lahat ng lalaki sa pelikula. Si Franco ay babaerong tunay. Iniwan ang pamilya para sa kanyang kerida. Pagkalipas ng sampung taon ay bumalik na walang kapatawarang hiningi. Walang dahilan na ibinigay. Ang tanging bitbit niya lamang ay ang karapatan niya bilang isang asawa't anak. Subalit hanggang sa pagbabalik na iyon ay hindi siya naging matapat sa kanyang mag-iina. Hindi niya tinapos nang maayos ang kanyang iniwang relasyon sa iba.

Si Coby ay babaero at walang galang sa babae. Ito ang paraan niya upang mapalapit sa kanyang ama. "Idol kita," wika niya. Nagrerebelde rin siya kay Dianne na nagmamando sa kanyang buhay.

Si James (Enchong Dee) ay napilitang magnakaw ng exams upang mapanatili ang kanyang scholarship. Pressured siya sa demands ni Dianne na maging magaling sa kanyang pag-aaral.

Ang karakter ni Diether Ocampo bilang ex-bf ni Dianne ay nagbalik mula US. Binalikan niya ang dating kasintahan kahit pa alam niyang engage na ito sa kasintahang si Zanjoe Marudo. Bumigay si Dianne sa kanya at nalamang kinasal na pala siya sa US!

Sa iisang tema uminog ang kwento ng pelikula: pagtataksil. Nag-ugat ang kasiraan ng pamilya sa pagtataksil ni Franco. Bilang ganti ay nagtaksil din si Amanda at nagkaanak sa iba na pinamigay niya upang "protektahan" ang kanyang pamilya. Naging palikero si Coby. Pinagtataksilan ang mga babaeng nakakapiling niya. Pinagtaksilan ni Dianne ang kanyang fiance. Pinagtaksilan si Dianne ng kanyang ex-bf. Pinagtaksilan ni ex-bf ang kanyang asawa sa US. Paulit-ulit ang kwentong ito sa buong pelikula. Paikot-ikot sa mga karakter nito.

Ano ba ang gustong sabihin nito? Na taksil ang mundo? Na ang pagtataksil ay nagiging inherent sa pamilya kapag may isang gumawa nito? Na pagtataksil ang sagot sa isa pang pagtataksil? Na kailangang tanggapin na isa itong normal na gawain at dapat intindihin?

Isa o dalawang beses itong mabanggit ay maaring parte lamang ng plot. Subalit kung makailang ulit, ito na mismo ang nagiging plot ng pelikula at nagiging central theme nito. Maging ang pagbibigay ni Amanda ng anak niya sa pagkakasala ay maituturing na pagtataksil sa kanyang naturang anak.

Hindi ko matanggap ang dahilan ni Amanda sa pagpapaampon sa kanyang anak. Ayaw niyang magkagulo ang kanyang pamilya kung sakaling palalakihin niya ang bata na kasama ng kanyang mga anak kay Franco. Mababaw itong dahilan kung ating iisipin katulad ng kanyang pagtataksil sa asawa upang maganti. Ganito nga ba talaga siya mag-isip? Mababaw? Umiral ang kanyang pagiging makasarili sa puntong ito kahit na pilit na jina-justify na ginawa niya ito para sa ikakabuti ng bata. Natakot siyang harapin ang multong kanyang ginawa.

Pinasok ni Coby sa kwarto ang karakter ni Shaina Magdayao na kanyang nabuntis. Pinilit niya ang sarili rito at nang makita niya ang pagluha nito ay lumambot ang kanyang puso. Nagbago ang tingin at pakiramdam niya rito.

May kasabihang "Never trust the words of a man in bed" dahil sasabihin nito ang pinakamamagandang salita sa oras ng pakikipagniig sa iba. Kaya paanong mapapaniwalaang totoo ang naging pagluha niya rin sa pagkakataong iyon? Na totoo ang naramdamang niya para sa dating kasintahan? Ang tagpong iyon ay hindi na nasundan ng isang pang tagpo na magpapatunay na may pagbabagong nangyari.

Lahat ng mga karakter sa pelikula ay flawed. Pwede itong maging para at laban sa pelikula.

Para sa pelikula dahil pinakikita nitong totoong mga tao ang gumagalaw rito: makasalanan.

Laban sa pelikula dahil wala ni isang karakter ang pwedeng i-emulate. Nasadlak sila sa kasalanan dahil sa kanilang ama. Subalit nasaan ang tinatawag na free will and choice para sa kanila?

Pinili ni Amanda na gumanti sa asawang nangangaliwa. Pinili ni Coby na mag-rebelde at pagluruan ang mga babae. Pinili ni Dianne na lokohin ang kasintahan. Pinili ni James na magnakaw ng exams.

Gayon pa man, tayo bilang manonood ay hinihiling na maging mapagpatawad sa kanila. Na tanggapin ang kanilang mga pagkukulang. Pero paano natin gagawin 'yun lalo pa sa karakter ni Franco kung hindi naman tayo binigyan ng dahilan upang tanggapin at mahalin siya ng buong-buo? Makasalanan siyang pinakilala sa pelikula at hanggang sa huli ay di siya nakitaan ng paborableng pag-uugali o kilos.

But God's love is beyond that, ang sabi ng pelikula. Anuman ang ating pagkukulang at kasalanan, mapapatawad Niya tayo nang walang hinihinging dahilan basta't taos sa puso ang pagbabalik-loob.

Overall, disenteng pelikula naman na maituturing ang Sa 'Yo Lamang. Subalit di ko maihahanay ito bilang isa sa magagaling na pelikulang Pinoy. Hindi sapat na mapaiyak tayo ng pelikula nang makailang ulit upang masabing magaling ito. Hindi sapat na may mga stand-out performances ang mga aktor ng pelikula para masabing de kalidad ito.

P.S.
Sumasang-ayon ako kay Jessica Zafra. Hindi na natural ang mga itsura nina Lorna at Christopher sa pelikula. Hindi na gumagalaw ang noo ni Lorna samantalang parang banat na banat naman ang mukha ni Christopher. Asan na ang tinatawag na "growing old gracefully?"

Related reviews:
Oggs Cruz's Sa 'Yo Lamang
Jessica Zafra's Like the Seven Plagues, Flash-forwarded
Phil Dy's Ensemble Syndrome

Recommended Viewing: Hachi

2010-09-07T05:00:00.005+08:00

Hachi: A Dog's Tale is about a dog found by Parker Wilson (Richard Gere) at a train station. They immediately formed a strong bond witnessed by everyone who knows them.

During week days Hachi would bring Parker at the station and waits till he gets off at 5 P.M. When Parker didn't come home after suffering from a heart attack and died, Hachi continues to wait for him for 10 years until its own demise when it got reunited with its master.

Make sure to have a box of tissues for this one is truly a heart breaker. Bato na lang ang hindi maiiyak sa kuwentong ito ng pag-ibig at katapatan.

Based from a true story in Japan, Hachiko was with its master from 1924-25. When its master died from cerebral hemorrhage, Hachiko waited for his return for nine years until its death in 1935. (Source: Wikipedia)

Kim Homer Garcia's "Magkakapatid"

2010-09-02T20:58:00.004+08:00

An interpretive claim class paper on Kim Homer Garcia's Magkakapatid.

“Utang na loob” or a sense of gratitude binds the giver and the receiver once the deed has been done. It becomes a very strong bond overnight that the “needee” and the needed sometimes become indebted to each other for life. Unless one has the courage to end it, it will go on for eternity and can be passed on the generations to come.

If utang na loob is binding, what more if blood relations is present? Taken from Julio Diaz’s character’s point of view in Magkakapatid, that is where his dilemma comes in.

His youngest daughter is about to get married to a good and responsible man. He should be rejoicing, however, he is torn between gaiety and grief over the loss of his older brother who died a few days ago (and whom he hasn't seen before the burial). As his answer to his wife’s statement, “Magsaya ka dahil minsan lang ikakasal ang anak mo,” he said, “Minsan din lang mamatay ang kapatid ko.” As Filipinos, we equally value life and death, especially those of our loved-ones.

On the day of the wedding, he learns that his nephew, Caloy (Nico Antonio), killed his older brother, Lino (Jerald Napoles). As the (middle-class) uncle and the chairman of his city, it is his given responsibility to attend to such need (and crime) of his family. It is inherent that he looks after his family during a crisis no matter what the cost is. It is innate to us, Filipinos, to look after the unfortunate ones and have such kind of obligation imposed upon ourselves. So instead of celebrating his daughter’s wedding at the reception, he is at the crime scene, scrubbing the blood from his sister’s floor, wondering what has transpired during the day, and what he has to do next. He also arranges Lino’s funeral, at the same time looking after Caloy’s case. He may be a father, but he is a brother and an uncle, too, all at the same time. At such a crisis, you can never weigh which position is the strongest.

Such strong familial ties keep the Filipinos together. No matter how tough the times may be, we keep going because we know that our family is behind our backs, rendering their unwavering support. Magkakapatid shows that in life or death such bond will never be broken. As what the tag line says in the poster, "Walang kalayaan dito."

Related post:
Magkakapatid review by Oggs Cruz

This Blog Is Featured on This Book!

2010-08-22T02:47:00.000+08:00

Claimed!

2010-08-22T02:34:00.001+08:00

Just recently claimed this blog.

From now on, I will post all my movie reviews here!

Updates

2006-03-09T20:00:00.000+08:00

For new reviews, please go to my blog at www.lifetranslated.blogspot.com. Thank you for the visits, guys! c",)

Ang Batang Si Maxie

2006-02-27T12:59:00.000+08:00

I got this from Jessica Zafra's Blog...

Just got word from Raymond Lee at the Berlin Film Festival. The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros won three awards: the Teddy Bear for best gay film, the Kinderfilmfest international jury prize for best children's picture, and special mention from the children's jury.

Best Gay Film and Best Children's Film.

That's bizarre.

Never mind Best Gay Film but Best Children's Film?! Wtf?! It certainly has a child for its lead character but definitely, it isn't a child's film!

Flash Reviews

2006-02-07T02:50:00.000+08:00

Since I don't feel like writing full movie reviews (I think you've noticed that these past few months, eh?), I'd do do some quick reviews on the movies I've seen lately.

Not as funny and romantic as I thought it would be. But it has its moments. Entertaining enough to pass the time away. Great lines from the movie, though:
Jen: If you'd close the door on me, I'd understand. But I wish that you wouldn't... / I won't say that I can't live without you because I can. I just don't want to...

All I could say is that Jen never looked this hot on screen! Who wouldn't want to get derailed with her?! As for the movie, good enough! I'd rather want it to be a moral dilemma kind of story ala Before & After.

This isn't as exciting and nerve-wracking as the first one. But twisted enough to keep you glued to your seats! I'd say, though, that there's no need for a sequel to a movie as original as Saw!

Little Manhattan (2005)

2006-02-01T02:53:00.001+08:00

Out of all the films I saw these past few months (and remained unreviewed by yours truly), I fell in love with this one! This is a rare gem in Hollywood! Try to see it while you still can in cinemas! If not, go BUY a DVD! You won't regret it!

The 26th Annual Razzie Awards

2006-02-01T02:39:00.000+08:00

I haven't made any postings for a while so I'll start with this one. Hope I could make updates often...

The nominees are:

Worst Picture
* Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (Sony/Columbia)
* Dirty Love (First Look Pictures)
* The Dukes of Hazzard (Warner Bros./Village Roadshow)
* House of Wax (Warner Bros.)
* Son of the Mask (New Line Cinema)

Worst Actor
* Tom Cruise for War of the Worlds
* Will Ferrell for Bewitched and Kicking & Screaming
* Jamie Kennedy for Son of the Mask
* The Rock for Doom
* Rob Schneider for Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo

Worst Actress
* Jessica Alba for Fantastic Four and Into the Blue
* Hilary Duff for Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and The Perfect Man
* Jennifer Lopez for Monster in Law
* Jenny McCarthy for Dirty Love
* Tara Reid for Alone in the Dark

Worst Supporting Actor
* Hayden Christensen for Star Wars III
* Alan Cumming for Son of the Mask
* Bob Hoskins for Son of the Mask
* Eugene Levy for Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and The Man
* Burt Reynolds for The Dukes of Hazzard and The Longest Yard

Worst Supporting Actress
* Carmen Electra for Dirty Love
* Paris Hilton for House of Wax
* Katie Holmes for Batman Begins
* Ashlee Simpson for Undiscovered
* Jessica Simpson for The Dukes of Hazzard

Worst Screen Couple
* Will Ferrell & Nicole Kidman in Bewitched
* Jamie Kennedy & anybody Stuck Sharing the Screen with Him in Son of the Mask
* Jenny McCarthy & anyone Dumb Enough to Befriend or Date Her in Dirty Love
* Rob Schneider & His Diapers in Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
* Jessica Simpson & Her Daisy Dukes in The Dukes of Hazzard

Worst Remake/Sequel
* Bewitched by Sony/Columbia
* Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo by Sony/Columbia
* Dukes of Hazzard by Warner Bros/Village Roadshow
* House of Wax by Warner Bros.
* Son of the Mask by New Line Cinema

Worst Director
* John Asher for Dirty Love
* Ewe Boll for Alone in the Dark
* Jay Chandrasekhar for The Dukes of Hazzard
* Nora Ephron for Bewitched
* Lawrence Gutterman for Son of the Mask

Worst Screenplay
* Bewitched by Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron and Adam McKay
* Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo by Rob Schneider, David Garrett and Jason Ward
* Dirty Love by Jenny McCarthy
* The Dukes of Hazzard by John O'Brien
* Son of the Mask by Lance Khazei

Most Tiresome Tabloid Targets
* Tom Cruise & His Anti-Psychiatry Rant
* Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Oprah Winfrey’s Couch, The Eiffel Tower & “Tom’s Baby"
* Paris Hilton and…Who-EVER!
* Mr. & Mrs. Britney, Their Baby & Their Camcorder
* The Simpsons: Ashlee, Jessica & Nick

Hats off to every nomination received by Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo! It rightfully deserves them! Hope it wins! *wink wink*

The Best and the Worst of 2005

2005-12-22T04:26:00.000+08:00

These are the films that have been shown (and released) here in our country this year. I have classified them according to what I feel and think about them. You may agree or disagree with me but they are my choices. This is in random order.

*Best Films 2005*

Ang Pagdadalaga in Maximo Oliveros

Cinderella Man

Crash

-- *Outstanding* No exact words could describe this one!

The 40-Year Old Virgin

Mga Pusang Gala

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Nobody Knows

Closer

Million Dollar Baby

Must Love Dogs

Spanglish

Kung Fu Hustle

3-Iron

Old Boy

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

La Visa Loca

*Good (to Average) Films 2005*

The Family Stone

Just Like Heaven

The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants

War of the Worlds

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

The Fantastic Four

Masahista

Dubai

Lovestruck

Batman Begins

Hitch

Meet the Fockers

The Phantom of the Opera

Red Eye

In Good Company

The Wedding Crashers

Sideways

Star Wars Ep. 3: The Revenge of the Sith

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Eye Infinity

Constantine

Shall We Dance?

The Amityville Horror

Jenny, Juno

Bikini Open

Nasaan Ka Man

Say That You Love Me

Fever Pitch

*Bad (to Worst) Films 2005*

Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo

The Fog

Bewitched

Elektra

Flight Plan

Boogeyman

The Exorcist: The Beginning

The Exorcist: Dominion

The Skeleton Key

The Wedding Date

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

House of Wax

The Pacifier

Can This Be Love?

Boso

I know that I have forgot some movies so I'll just update this from time to time...

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros

2005-12-04T00:42:00.000+08:00

The joys and pains of first love. That is the exact statement that one would get upon seeing the film.

Maximo Oliveros (Nathan Lopez) is a twelve-year old gay boy who attends to his family's house needs. He lives with his father (Soliman Cruz) and two older brothers, Kuya Boy (Neil Ryan Sese) and Kuya Bogs (Ping Medina). Their family's main livelihood is the money they get from selling stolen cellular phones. Maximo's life revolves around them and his friends. In the afternoon, he would go to a neighbor's house to watch movies.

One night, while going home from a friend's house, an incident happened. A policeman named Victor (JR Valentin) saved him. From then on, they became friends until he becomes infatuated with him. Things got complicated when his family's lives where threatened because of Victor's occupation. Maximo suddenly became caught between his commitment to his family and his loyalty to his first love.

What may keep people from seeing this movie is the fact that the main character is a gay boy. It may be characterized as a "gay film". By being characterized as such, some people might stay away from it. But I'd tell them that they shouldn't miss the opportunity of seeing a woukd-be classic! Amongst other things, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros tackles a universal theme: first love. Each and everone of us has gone through such stage in our lives and it just so happened that Maximo is a gay boy. But each experience, whatever gender you may be, is almost the same for all of us: it is exciting, happy, confusing at times, and/or sad.

Maxi's being gay wasn't questioned in the entire film. He was as normal as everybody else. He is the center of attention of his family and takes care of him like he is a their little girl. Even Victor, his policeman first love, never judged his sexuality. What matters to him is the friendship built between them.

The movie depicted a family lifestyle that is out of the social norms yet it isn't judgmental nor preachy about it. It merely shows how life unfolds in its day to day situation. The crimes, though, aren't the ones that are disturbing but how the law tends to be manipulated. The law sometimes favor not just the innocent but the ones who have money - whether their status quo belong to the rich or the "poor".

Great performances from the lead cast particularly the head of the Oliveros clan portrayed by Soliman Cruz. Nathan Lopez's strenght is acting naturally as a gay boy and his weakness are the dramatic scenes. But he outdid himself during the scene where he felt he'd become an orphan anytime soon. The silent tears would just break someone's heart into pieces!

The praises wouldn't mean, though, that Maximo is lacking in faults. In fact, it has several like some awkward delivery of lines (or maybe it is the script itself), editing and the irritating guitar plucking which serves as its soundtrack. But they wouldn't matter because you'd leave the cinema with a smile on your face and a happy heart.

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros is a must-see movie for everyone! It is about love, family, friendship, values, and redemption. This is one movie that we could call "proudly Pinoy!"

Note: To Mother Lily, give chances to independent film makers such as Aureaus Tolentino (or Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil - I may be biased but, imho, she still did an excellent job with her work!). In their hands, the Philippine movie industry would have a better and bigger chances in recuperating to its healthy state!

To Pinoy film snubs who, for sure, would have a say in the upcoming MMFF movies even if they won't see even a single film in the lot, if there's one Pinoy film you gotta see, this is it! You won't regret it!

Visit: Maximo's Blog (Akalain n'yo 'yun! Sosi na sin Maxi! Pa-blog-blog na rin!)

On Video: Dubai

2005-11-24T14:18:00.000+08:00

Dubai is about Raffy, Faye, and Andrew who went to the city of Dubai for different reasons. Raffy (Aga Muhlach) worked there to support his brother, Andrew. Faye (Claudine Barretto) wanted independence from her mother. While Andrew (John Lloyd Cruz), after 8 years of separation, was asked by his brother, Raffy, to join him.

Raffy and Faye's lives got complicated the moment Andrew came into the picture. They were having an open relationship until Andrew fell in love with Faye. Faye and Andrew had a relationship till she realized that Andrew isn't the one in her heart but Raffy. When they broke-up, she managed to not only break Andrew's heart but also broke the bond that the two brothers had.

Knowing the plot, you'd think that Dubai is your typical love story re-told over and over again. And I must say that you have thought it correctly! I'd like to say that there's something more that this movie had to offer but there's none. It is very typical except that it is done in the city of Dubai. Take out Dubai and bring it anywhere else, it still wouldn't matter. Nothing will change. The city served just as the location for the film and did not do anything much to change the lives of the characters involved, as far as the story goes.

The problem with the film is that it boasts of the OFW's in Dubai yet we don't get to see them much in action. We neither see any struggles in the characters (except their love problems) nor interact with the people of U.A.E. All we saw was Pinoys mingling with Pinoys in a different country. So how could we take a glimpse of what life is all about in that foreign country when we didn't see any? Raffy's speech in a wedding was even quite patronizing that it lacked conviction. It is quite a kiss-ass kind of speech.

In terms of performances, this film is very much a John Lloyd Cruz movie. His character is meaty and he was able to deliver it well. Sad to say for Aga and Claudine, this movie didn't give them new characterizations. Not only that, both of them looked physically tired the whole time and not on their best performing selves. With Claudine's character, there wasn't much of an impact. Take her out and use another actress (or even a starlet!) and it won't make a difference!

Over Dubai, I'd take Milan, Anak, or Sana Maulit Muli anytime! This one just doesn't cut it above the rest!

Back to Originals!

2005-11-23T11:53:00.001+08:00

I am back to what I love the most, original DVDs! I know that these times call for "practical" measures but there are so many good releases (and collectibles) this year that are difficult to resist!

Imported from Taiwan by Warner Bros. Phils. that comes with a comic book and specially priced at PhP550.00 . No more stocks available in RP stores today

Imported from Taiwan, too, that comes with a limited edition notebook; also priced at PhP550.00. Very few copies left as of today in RP stores

This is the Region 3 cover used for the 2-Disc Limited Edition

I believe that this 2-Disc Limited Edition is also an import from Taiwan. But unlike Warner Bros., Magnavision priced this one at PhP999.000. To fight off piracy, Magnavision usually releases "inferior" copies at PhP299.00. Also available is the 1-Disc Widescreen Edition priced at PhP799.00.

This is my most-awaited DVD! While I'm no fan of locally-pressed DVDs (or CDs), this one is practically a steal for the price PhP900.00! Besides, the Tagalog subtitle makes it a collectible (aside from the movie and special features themselves)! This DVD has limited copies in RP stores. In fact, they are not on display...

A Not So Perfect Flight Plan

2005-11-13T22:55:00.000+08:00

Eversince I learned about this film and saw its trailer, I have been excited to see it! Not only that I adore Jodie Foster, I felt that this movie has the makings of one of my favorites suspenseful movies called The Panic Room (which is also a JF starrer).

Kyle Pratt (JF) was about to bring home her dead husband's body from Berlin to New York. She was with her daughter, Julia, abroad a state-of-the-art 474 aircraft which she helped design. After flying for three hours, she woke up seeing that her daughter was missing. She looked for her everywhere in the plane but she was nowhere to be found. The flight attendants were also asked by the captain to search for Julia but it was futile. The captain and the crew suspected that Julia wasn't on board to begin with and that Kyle was experiencing a depression regarding the mysterious death of her husband. But Kyle refused to diginify their suggestions that she went through all means to prove that Julia was with her. Till she learned that there was more to her daughter's disappearance than she'd expected.

The movie may be entertaining enough for an audience who wants thrill and excitement. It managed to capture its audience attention to the conflict that they have been seeing on screen. Some even did feel what Kyle must've been going through upon losing her child. But when the movie ends, the questions begin. Unfortunately, one would managed to pull out a thousand questions yet get no answer.

The problem with the movie is that it focused itself on the whats and the whys of the conflict and how to solve it. It has forgotten to go through the how it all began issues. In the first place, why was Kyle chosen as the victim and what was the original plan of the antagonists? What happened in the film was already the result of the screwed-up plan. Should we be seeing a prequel to this film just so that we could understand it better?

Overall, this film is about one's behavior. It is about how one would react and behave in a given situation. If everything that happened in the film was part of THE plan, then I commend the antagonists for a well-made plan. However, how did he manage to know how Kyle (and the rest of the people on board) would behave in such a situation? Was he a behavioral science expert? Does he know Kyle that well?

The US has a strict policy on not negotiating with terrorists at any cost. How could the US agreed so easily on giving the demands of the terrorists? Was the higher authorities ever contacted?

Where are the camera monitors all throughout the ride? Not even the captain thought of inspecting it just to know whether or not Kyle went on the plane with her daughter!

I also understand the disgusted feelings of the flight attendants who have seen the film. They were portrayed as uncaring and unaffected when in fact, full service to all passengers is their main goal.

I know that the movie isn't Air Force One or Executive Decision. It couldn't be even compared to The Panic Room. But please don't insult our intelligence by giving us a half-baked film! Not even Jodie Foster's good performance could save the stupidity of the events that unfolded!

Deuce Ko!

2005-10-18T22:04:00.000+08:00

"Deuce ko!" Those are the two words that came out of my mouth before and after watching Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. I'll explain why.

We saw the movie in Megamall. I've asked a friend to buy the tickets immediately once he arrives in the said place so that we wouldn't pass the cut-off time. What is the cut-off time? You see, Megamall cinemas have a (new) policy of selling tickets at a regular price from 10 am to 4:59 pm. 5 pm onwards, they'd be selling the tickets at whatever the highest price of a particular cinema has! Regular prices vary from PhP90-110 while the highest is between PhP120-PhP130. When you pay the cut-off price, you are entitled to sit anywhere you want: balcony or orchestra. We have experienced paying for the highest price twice since we didn't have enough choices! We'd either go a different mall (which is tiring and we'd have to wait for another screening time) or not see the movie. Of course, the last choice isn't an option anymore. Pissed as we are, we let it slide. Then today, I was surprised when my friend told me that he paid PhP130 each for the tickets when in fact, it was just 3 pm! Apparently, policies have changed. Or, we were in a cinema where prices were fixed at the said amount. My oh my! Now you have to learn the policies for each theater in Megamall!

I really wouldn't mind paying such a high price only if the cinemas in Megamall were as good as those in Glorietta 4! The thing is, when they have re-modelled their cinemas, nothing much has changed in the picture or sound quality of the movie. It was still the same, in DTS or Dolby Surround. That's good, right? But they have been using such sound quality even before their re-modelling! The thing that changed inside the theater are the seats (not leather anymore) and outside are the wall designs. But who cares about the wall designs really?!

My point is, Megamall is asking too much for their ticket prices. Their theaters are not comparable to G4's because first, G4 theaters are smaller than theirs. Thus, the DTS or Dolby Surround Sound has way much better quality. Second, G4 theaters are on per screening basis only. So understandably, they get to ask for higher ticket prices. However, what is so special about theaters in Megamall? Not much! Galleria theaters are even better than them! So how could an ordinary movie-going public afford such a price? Even SM North Edsa are starting to go with the trend! Aren't there affordable theaters anymore? We wouldn't want to see a movie in a theater where bugs are all around us and is so dark that anyone could do some "hocus-focus", would we? No wonder why an ordinary Juan would rather buy a pirated DVD than see the movie itself in theaters!

Attention SM Management! You belong to the few people who, instead of promoting the industry, are killing it! Wake up!

Second, I know I said that in my earlier post about Deuce 2 that I still wanted to see despite the fact that Roger Ebert lambasted this film! I hate to admit it but he was right! In his words, the movie sucks! Big time!

I don't know. I've lost my senses. I was so damn caught up with how funny the trailer was and the idea that The Hot Chick was too good for me. I never realized how much I hated the first movie. So how could the sequel be good if the original was already bad in the first place?

Okay, let's start with how this movie goes. Don't dare ask me about the first movie because I have forgotten all about it. Deuce decided to go to Amsterdam where his friend, TJ, works after being wanted by the police in the US. He did something stupid that really wasn't his own fault. TJ asked him to be a man-whore again since it is a big business in the said country. He rejected the idea but was forced to do it to solve a crime. Man-whores in Amsterdam are being killed one by one. Believing that the killer is a woman, he started to date every woman that the last man-whore who died had dated. Only that he found out that it wasn't any of the woman but the... Should I say it or you still want to see the movie? As if one would watch the movie because of the thrill and suspense (kuno) of it!

Anyway, what is so bad about it? Everything! The jokes were not funny at all! Whatever scenes are funny in the trailer are not funny anymore when you get to see them in the whole film. Unlike The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Deuce 2 is full of prejudicial and racial jokes that are not laughable and quite insulting to the race it has talked about: Europeans, Canadians, Indians, and Asians. Even the different physical attributes of the women featured in the film were degrading not only to women but to mankind. It projects that people with special needs are likely to subscribe to prostitutes because those are the only people they can get. Some antics were even disgusting like the fries in the toilet bowl, the sneezed semen from the woman who has penis for a nose, the inserted nose-penis in the traechiotomy-hole of another woman, etc.

I understand that the ideas in the film may seemed funny when talked about but when you get to see them on screen, they became silly and offensive! I don't understand why this film was made in the first place. It is sickening and nauseating! Rob Schneider said in an interview that lots of gay-themed scenes were deleted because he was afraid to offend the gay crowd. However, he failed to consider about the feelings of the race and differences of the people that he featured in the film, even the people who would watch it! He was even mean to Asians when he is part-Asian (Pinoy pa nga!) himself! Why not delete all the scenes together and not show anything at all?!

Using his words and I rephrased, "I'm Deuce Bigalow... I'm Deuce Bigalow... I'm Deuce... biggest loser you'll ever see!"

Deuce ko! We pay PhP130 for such crap! Such a punishment!

Related Post: Rob Schneider Vs Roger Ebert

The 40-Year Old Virgin

2005-10-11T00:27:00.000+08:00

As the title suggests, The 40 Year-Old Virgin is about a closeted virgin middle-aged man and his journeys towards his "first time". Sounds exciting, right? Sex comedies regarding first times and curiosities about sex almost always feature adolescents and teenagers. Thanks to Steve Carrell for coming up with the genuis idea (used in his comedy skits) and Universal Pictures for producing the movie!

The movie stars Andy (Carell) as a 40-year old guy who was contented wth being a virgin. At his age, he has become complacent about it. Instead of making a big deal out of it, he has sheltered himself with the things that he loves doing like collecting action figures and playing video games to the point of obssessing over them. However, his life suddenly turned upside down when he was invited by his co-workers for a night of poker game. After the game, the night turned into talks about sex. When it was his time to relate his most unforgettable sexual story, he could not describe it well. That was when his co-workers realized that he was still a virgin and obliged themselves to help him fulfill his manhood in any way they can!

David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco), and Cal (Seth Rogen) gave Andy suggestions and took him to places where he could hook up with women. Each guy has their own experiences with women and they impart to him whatever knowledge they have gained about them. David is a heartbroken guy who is still in love with his ex-girlfriend. Jay, yet already committed, still practices being a ladies' man. Meanwhile, Cal is a guy who believes in being "practical" about dates and women. However, whatever they do or say, it was futile. It has to be in Andy's way on Andy's time.

Along the teachings and advices came Trish (Catherine Keener). She is the woman whom Andy falls in love with. It poses another problem for Andy. Not only that he had to come out of his shell but he had to share a part of himself with a woman for the first time in his life.

Apart from the goofiness and sometimes slapstick jokes of the film, The 40 Year-Old Virgin boasts a witty script and funny dialogues. It manages to avoid racial jokes, refuses to make caricatures out of its ethnic characters, and is devoid of prejudices re virgin and gays. It is a breath of fresh air amongst the sex comedies that came out during the past years. The movie didn't end as another sex comedy but it was above par the rest of them! It had something more to offer than laughs and giggles. It was insightful and had three-dimensional characters.

As for Andy, on the surface, it may sound as if he was idealistic and values chastity. He would say that he had high respect for women or holding out for "the one". Not that there's anything wrong with both! In fact, the film had clearly (yet subtly) tried to state that we should respect women (by asking what's wrong with "putting the pussy on the pedestal"?) or not have sex just for the sake of having it (by waiting for the "right" time which of course, would really depend on you!). But in the end, you would realized that Andy held on that long because he was scared shitless about his first time! Who wouldn't want their first experience to be special, right? He was so scared that he ended up shielding himself with his obssessions. These obssessions may have protected him with whatever his first time might bring but they retarded his "growth"! It was only when he learned to let go of them that he realized that it was time to grow up.

His being a virgin was also a manifestation of how he runs his life. Even at work, he always takes the backseat. Afraid to deal with customers face to face. Only when his boss took the initiative to make him a sales person that he realized his true potential. In life, there's no room for people who are scared. One has to make bold steps order to succeed!

As for his friends, they may be keen on giving Andy his first sexual experience but it was more than that. They became his best buddies whom he never had when he was growing up. Even Cal who seemed to be so full of himself learns to sacrifice his desires by helping him get the girl he wants or employing a hottie yet stupid girl just so he could hook her up with the depressed David. Jay may be two-timing his girlfriend but it was all because of his insecurities about himself. When his girl has proven how much she is willing to give him, he felt secured and stopped fooling around.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin has to a lot to offer. Audience would have a heck of a time laughing at the green jokes and sexual situations but would also learn a thing or two regarding the things that are most scared in life: friendships, love, and relationships. I hope that teenagers would take home with them not just the jokes but the subtle advices the movie gives.

Lovestruck (GMA Films)

2005-10-09T12:03:00.000+08:00

(Note: I started writing this on Sept. 20 but wasn't able to finish it. Then, I got sick for about two weeks. It was only now that I am able to focus on it again.)

The 80's gave us the youthful charm and energy of Bagets. We noticed the maturity and troublesome years of the teens in the 90's in Pare Ko. In this decade, we were bombarded by the adult issues that the teens are facing via Kuya. However commendable, as a teen movie, it failed to register well to its market: teen audience. Probably because of its too serious feel. It would make you wonder whether if teenagers these days are really struggling with too big of a problem. No wonder they are growing "old" so easily. Where have all the fun in being teenagers went?

This time around, with the release of GMA Films' Lovestruck, we are back to the times when kids are kids acting like life only revolves around their world. Nothing is taken much seriously. It's all about pursuing the wishes of the heart lightheartedly.

Lovestruck is about Denise (Jennylyn Mercado) and Caloy (Mark Herras) who grew up together. They became best buddies. On her (1*th) birthday, Denise's only wish was to get the book called "Lovestruck" and meet the writer herself, a love guru named Jandra (Jolina Magdangal). The book will serve as her guide to meeting her her soulmate.

Denise is a party planner. On one of her planned children's party, she met the eye-candy Jason (Mike Tan). He is everything that she wants in a guy. Soon enough, with the help "Lovestruck", she makes sure that she gets to do every trick in it to make Jason notice her and eventually fall in love with her.

When she finally gets her wish, she feels as if something was missing. She realized later on that the true desires of her heart was just right next door all along!

Lovestruck is, of course, formulaic and typical. It doesn't pretend to be different from the rest of the teen movies whether Pinoy or Hollywood. What is refreshing, though, are the new faces you'd see on the screen.

Jennylyn Mercado's voice may sometimes sound squeaky but she has the makings of being a screen sweetheart ala Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts. Who'd thought that she could pull off such a funny/clumsy character? Rainier Castillo, despite being conscious of himself at times, was quite natural as the gay friend. He almost steal every bit of hilarious scenes from Jennylyn. Mark Herras has the depth of a rising dramatic actor. While Mike Tan could be the next heartthrob of this generation. Every angle agrees with him. The camera loves him!

Lovestruck is one of the best "entertaining" Pinoy movies that came out in recent years. It is capriciously entertaining without insulting one's intelligence. It is recommended best for teens and those who were young once. It would remind you about the joys of falling in love for the first time! *wink wink*

When Sequels/Remakes Are Not Enough, You Gotta Breed Them!

2005-09-22T01:36:00.000+08:00

I was supposed to finish a review but heck! This is more fun!
Note: Photos may take time to upload so please be patient...
****

The League of ExtraViolent Gentlemen
There's no way out!

The most gruesome training ever!

He shouldn't have put the mask at all!

Killing is just a hobby! Wait till he gets serious with it!

I repeat, bring IT on!

Stuart wants another family! This time, he wants sisters!

There are lessons to be learned from Hellboy...

Two dirty jobs for a girl! But someone has to do it!

You've met your match, Samara!

The murder of Se7en!

A horror of epic proportions!

It's time to hit the stage!

Whoa! There's really something about Mary!

Which finger? Ouch!

Very clever, indeed!

What happens when your mom becomes Jason?!

What's hidden in those 8mm tapes, Eminem?

Place your bets!

Will magic work this time?

and
Lastly,

Be touched... Be hurt... Be very afraid...

***

Source: Worth 1000

RP Movie Release Dates Updates (Sept.-Nov. 2005)

2005-09-20T16:41:00.000+08:00

Rocketboy, see the highlighted movie! ;-)
***

Sept. 21-27
• Dark Water
• Perfect Catch
• Land of the Dead
• Constant Gardener

Sept. 28 – Oct. 4
• The Transporter 2
• A History of Violence
• Perfect Man
• Dubai

Oct. 5-11
• Into the Blue
• The Man (Samuel L. Jackson)
• Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
• Undiscovered (Released by Viva)
• The 40-Year Old Virgin

Oct. 12-18
• Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
• Lord of War (Nicolas Cage)
• Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Animation)
• Ispiritista (Vic Sotto)

Oct. 19-25
• Doom (US Simultaneous Release – Oct. 21)
• Underclass Man
• The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl

Oct. 26 – Nov. 01
• The Legend of Zorro
• Sukob (Kris Aquino)

Nov. 2-8
• New World (Collin Farrel)
• Four Brothers (Mark Wahlberg)
• Waiting (Justin Long, Ryan Reynolds)

Nov. 9-15
• Flight Plan
• Beautiful Boxer
• Prime (Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman)

Nov. 16-22
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• An Unfinished Life (Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford)

Note: Play dates are subject to change
Related Post: RP's Movie Release Dates (Aug.24 - Dec. 25)

Red Eye

2005-09-12T16:32:00.000+08:00

In the 80's, Wes Craven is very much synonymous to Freddie Krueger. In the 90's, although he made another version of Nightmare, the new generation knew him as the man behind the Scream franchise. In 1999, he took the drama department via Music of the Heart. I like the film but I wasn't very much fond of it. Maybe because Mr. Holland already got to me! :-) Also, I believe that he didn't make much of an impact in the said genre. This time around, he takes on the pyschological thriller genre under Red Eye.

Red Eye is about LisaReisert (Rachel McAdams) who would be going home to Miami after attending the funeral of her grandmother in a different state. She hates flying but it was a good thing that he met Jackson Ripner (Cillian Murphy - Batman Begins; 28 Days Later) moments before take off. He was charming and quite an interesting guy. A guy that seemed so perfect to take away her sadness only that their meeting was premeditated. What he wants from her was to do what he asked for or else, her father would be killed. During the flight, Lisa struggled with the thoughts of saving her and her father's life and doing what is right.

As a thriller, Red Eye is entertaining enough. It had a few cheap thrills that would make you glued to you seats at the very end. Wes Craven have seemed to have crafted the genre so well that he already knows where to hold the audience's excitement. However, as always with his suspense-filled movies, he overlooks the writing. There was a lot missing in it. During the time when Jackson divulge his motives, there wasn't enough tension between the characters that would permeate onto the audience. The danger wasn't felt as imminent. Because you don't know Lisa and her father that well, the audience failed to relate to them or root for their lives the way we did in Panic Room. Besides, her father looked like a gangster that, in the end, you'd think that he might be involve in the whole thing after all. (You could never tell. Twisted is how Scream ended, right?) Aside from that, you don't know anything much about the would-be victims to even care at all about their lives.

Don't get me wrong. Rachel and Cillian seemed to have done the best thing they could with a poorly-written script. But they could only do so much.

As a director, Wes Craven couldn't seemed to get away from his type of antagonists. Jackson seemed to be a Freddie Krueger-reincarnate. He exudes the creepiness and eerieness of the said character. Not to mention that he doesn't die that easily! I am not saying that it is bad but the verdict would still depend on how the audience would take it. I'd say, though, if Robert Englund decides to retire as Freddie, Cillian is a perfect candidate! Even if he looks way better than Robert!

My recommendation, see Red Eye for some entertainment. It won't hurt. It isn't even a waste of time and money. But don't expect much out of it. At the end of it all, it is all about cheap thrills that would get hold hold of you for an hour and a half!

Fever Pitch aka The Perfect Catch

2005-09-12T15:32:00.000+08:00

I don't know if 2005's Fever Pitch is a remake (or adaptation) of 1997's Fever Pitch. But they sure both have the same plot. I haven't seen the latter but it starred Colin Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary; Hope Springs; Love, Actually) who was an obssessive baseball fan who met the love of his life. Only that he didn't know if he could balance both his love for baseball and his woman.

In the Farrelly Brother's Fever Pitch, Drew Barrymore plays Lindsay Meeks who is a workaholic and spends most of her time at work. She has been longing for a relationship and is looking for "the one". However, all she meets are guys from her own circle - hardworking as she is and could be temperamental. Then she meets Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon) and his kid, i.e. his students who toured around her office. He brought them in her office just to show them that Geometry (or Math) is not a worthless subject. There are actual people who made a career out of it!

On their way of Lindsay's office, one of Ben's students teased him that she was way out of his league and that he couldn't ask her out. So to strenghten his ego, he did ask her. However, it was only days after that Lindsay agreed on a date after she had laid all her apprehensions.

Their first date wasn't at all perfect. She spent all night puking and tied to her bed. But Ben was "the" perfect gentleman who had spent all his night taking care of her and her mess. Since then, they started going out often till they realized how much chemistry they have for each other. Not only that, his family and friends adore him!

"What's the catch?" Lindsay's friends would asked. "How come a perfect guy that he is is still single?" What is the secret that's keeping him away from a marriage vow? Well, out on a beautiful day date, Ben finally said "I'm a baseball fanatic!" Thinking it wasn't such a big deal, Lindsay thought it was okay. But Ben reiterated, "I am obssessed with baseball!" Still, Lindsay didn't think it was that bad till she had to rearrange her schedule to accommodate him and their baseball dates.

The movie may have baseball written all over it but it is mainly about relationships. It started out as "cute" the way romantic comedies are - the "kilig" moments, the fun dates, the sweet words. But as most relationships do, first sweet dates and lovey-doveys end and reality sets in. How far would one go for a relationship is the ultimate question of this movie. And it isn't a quest for a relationship that is not there yet but how would you be able to sustain it? It is a question of committment, making compromises, and knowing what matters most to one' s life.

See Fever Pitch and ask the same question, "How far can you give up something that you care about to accommodate the love of your life?"

Fever Pitch aka The Perfect Catch opens in RP theaters on Sept. 21.

On Video: Pa-Siyam (RP 2004)

2005-09-11T01:14:00.000+08:00

Pa-Siyam came out a few months after the highly-successful Pinoy horror flick Feng-Shui. Of course, good publicities for the film were left and right. I had my doubts because it was from Regal Films. Regal Films and horror are words that truly don't jive with one another. Most Regal horror films are highly commercialized that stories are being overlooked. True enough, when the movie came out in theaters, it turned out that the good publicities were all hype!

When I went to the video stores, Pa-Siyam was available. I wasn't really too keen on watching it but I told myself, what the heck? Let's see what is it all about. I wasn't expecting anything good. I wanted to know how the movie truly sucked!

Pa-Siyam is about five siblings who came back to their hometown to bury their mother. The reason for her death was still unknown to them. After the burial, the family held the traditional 9-day novena (pa-siyam). From then on, a series of weird events happened to them. Until finally, they were able to uncovered the truth behind her death.

The moment I put the disc in, I started flipping the remote control - fast forwarding the film when there were no dialogues spoken. Actually, you really wouldn't miss a thing because, for a so-called horror film, it dragged a lot! There wasn't even any scenes that would make you crawl out of your skin. So, for a horror film, this movie sucked big time!

HOWEVER

For the movie to work, one should not take it as a horror flick but rather a psychological thriller/drama kind of movie. The strange events weren't scary but rather weird. So the weirdness of it all wouldn't get one scared but rather seek answers. Besides, there is nothing scary about your own dead mother trying to make her presence felt among her children. A dead relative isn't the best one to use as a horror creature.

Because it is oh-so-slow, you have to sit right through it till you get the answers. In that respect, it is already a psychological ride ala A Tale of Two Sisters. And I suggest that you stay put because you might never know, you may get the suprise twist of your life! But of course, it really isn't that twisted but commendable enough to pull you through and rip your heart out in the end! Trust me, if you were one of the siblings, you might think of killing yourself afterwards!

Pa-Siyam has the distinction of using the being "the first horror movie to be shot using high-definition digital tape with original live audio on the soundtrack". For that, it is really commendable! From that start of the film, it would really make you get the weird feeling. The use of green color for the entire film was great! Plus, music soundtrack was eerie! It would make you feel like bawl yourself to death while credits are going on. But the story surely needed some more polishing.

My recommendation, try Pa-Siyam. Just do as I tell you and you won't get disappointed.

Quick Rundown

2005-09-10T01:16:00.000+08:00

I have seen a few movies on videos but I haven't made any reviews on them. So I thought that I'd make a quick rundown of reviews on the movies I think are worth the look!

"Not typical" are the two words that would describe A Lot Like Love. It isn't the usual romantic comedies or those saccharine-sweet love stories where audience get to feel either a tingling sensation all over their body or choke to death with their usual sappiness.

Emily (Amanda Peet) and Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) met on a flight to New York. On the airplane, they had their very first "encounter". From that day on, they knew that was instant chemistry between them. Despite not being an "artist" that Emily seems to like, Oliver is witty and charming. In New York, they met, dated, and parted. Four years past and circumtances allowed them to meet once more. On their date, it's both obvious to them (and to the audience!) that they are good together only that Oliver had to leave for another state the following day. Past forward to a few more years and there they are again, together. The moment when they realized that they belong together was the time they would learn that their current situations wouldn't allow them to.

A Lot Like Love, apart from the great performances of the actors, has a very well-written script. It isn't teeny-bopper cute or neither trying too hard to be romantic. It is perfectly engaging with characters that are so human and dealing with realistic situations. Sure, there are cliched moments but you'd get over them.

Finally, a Ben Stiller type of movie without Ben Stiller in it!

Simon Green (Kutcher) was about to meet his future in-laws on their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Only that his girlfriend, Theresa (Zoe Zaldana), didn't tell them that he is white! Thinking that the color won't matter to her parents, Theresa didn't bother to tell them at all. However, it did matter to her father, Percy Jones (Bernie Mac). The tension between Percy and Simon started to widen when Simon tried lying to him just so he (Percy) would get to like him more. However, instead of Simon losing Theresa, both of them lost their partners because of their battles.

Yes, this movie is very Meet the Parents more than an adaptation (or remake) of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Despite that, it has its moments. For one thing, as I've mentioned earlier, it has no Ben Stiller in it! Besides, even though his and Kutcher's characters seemed the same (as the guy who screws things up in his fiancee's home), Kutcher was better and quite acceptable. Isn't Ben quite old enough to be brought home to someone's parents or the one who is still looking for love (Along Came Polly)?

This movie somehow touches on the issue of race without being too preachy. It was funny and endearing at the same time. Thanks for Kutcher! We can give Stiller a break with these kind of movies. Hehehe...

Daisy Gamble (Barbra Streisand) asked pyschiatrist, Dr. Charbot, to help her with her nicotine addiction. She wants him to do a hypnosis on her and make a suggestion that she should slowly quit smoking. However, during regression, Dr. Charbot discovered that Daisy was Melinda Tentrees in her past life. Thinking that she might just making it up, he continued the sessions with her. Smitten with Melinda, he soon discovered that she truly lived during the days she said she had lived. But what he didn't expect was falling in love with her (Melinda). To complicate things more, Daisy had fallen in love with him. Only that she didn't know that he was in love with Melinda who happened to be her in her past life that she didn't know had existed.

On a Clear Day You See Forever may not have become a hit like other Streisand films, but for me it is! It is one truly enjoyable film that I would take over Funny Girl! The emotions were clear and the picture was vibrant and colorful. The songs and dialogues were equally great, too!

There are these lines that blew me over while watching the film:

Melinda: Is love so blind that I didn't see that he was already hurting me?
Dr. Chabot: No. Love isn't blind. It is just not trusting is too tiring...

True, isn't it?

Off-topic: I'm Not Usually This Vocal But...

2005-08-28T01:25:00.000+08:00

I posted this in my personal blog. I thought of posting it here to be some sort of warning to people who would get calls from Prudential Life Plans...
***

Representatives from Prudential Life Plans have been calling me for 3-4 months now. They have told me to pick up the "free" insurance plan that they would give me in their office. Because I don't usually go (and don't feel like going) to Makati, I wasn't able to drop by their office. Until a few days ago, a representative told me that the insurance plan was in Ortigas already. Feeling quite bad about not getting it-- you know, I felt that I should at least be grateful that I'd be given an insurance plan for free, I decided to go and get it.

When I entered their office, there were lots of people "claiming" their "free" insurance plan. There were also noises coming from the other rooms where people were talking. Because of that, I felt anxious about the whole thing. Did I make the right choice? A guy (whom I forgot the name) came to me and said that he would be assisting me. Assist me with what?! Can I just get the insurance and leave?

So I was taken in a room where three other groups were talking. From the moment I sat on the chair, the guy began explaining about their saving/pension plan. Uh-oh, I told myself! I think I knew what was about to happen. He talked about savings, death, emergency, and the works! The usual speech of someone selling an "insurance". I listened to him attentively yet not really absorbing what he is saying. At the back of my mind, I felt that I was about to get duped.

After all the talk, he mentioned about my credit card being the one responsible for the payment of my so-called savings. That was the time when I knew that I had to speak up. He asked me for my credit card but I refused. I asked him, "So it would mean that I have to pay for this savings along with my purchases? E de lalaki ang gastusin ko niyan imbes na makatipid?" Of course, he then proceeded with his recorded speech.

"Sir, savings nga po ito. At least may makukuha kayo 'pag nangailangan kayo..." His words are to that effect.

"Oo nga. Still, kailangan ko ring bayaran yan. Sa'n naman ako kukuha ng pambayad niyan? Poproblemahin ko pa yan!"

"Pwede n'yo naman po i-terminate. Saka kung ano lang ang kaya ng budget nyo."

"Ayoko pa rin..."

"Try lang po natin. Tutal for approval pa lang ito. At least na-try n'yo. Ngayon lang po namin ito ino-offer..."

"E kapag na-approve, ano na gagawin ko?"

"E sir..."

This time, I felt that I need to stand my ground. "Look, I appreciate and understand your explanation. The thing is, wala akong ipambabayad diyan. Wala nga akong trabaho, e. Iintindihin ko muna 'yung gastos ko sa ngayon kaysa sa susunod pa."

He again talked about having financial problems in the future. I know that my reasoning about not thinking about the future is wrong but hey, I have to get my point across to this man! So I further added, "Ganito kasi 'yun. I went here cuz you have been calling me several times. I felt that I should be at least be grateful to what you're giving me. But I was told that it was free..."

"Free nga po itong insurance. Pero kasama po kasi sa package 'yung savings plan..."

"E de ganun din? Hindi pa rin free! Isa pa, you're telling me that you are offering this today." Actually, may sinabi pa siyang 1 minute lang ang ibibigay sa 'kin. After that, the offer is no longer available, parang ganun. "You are not giving me enough time to think. You are putting me on the spot. At hindi tama 'yun! To add to that, you're pressuring me..."

"Sir, kailangan po kasi ng pressure dahil nagyon lang 'to..."

"'Yun nga 'yung ayoko, e! I don't want to be pressured with these kind of stuffs!"

Medyo natahimik na siya. "Okay, sir. Pirmahan n'yo na lang po itong free insurance plan."

"And then what?"

"Wala po. Free 'yan. No obligations."

So I did. Afterwards, I fill out the raffle coupon. Then I left...

Before I left, though, I heard the agent saying to his co-agents, "Di ako nagwagi." Pasensya ka! Ako napunta sa 'yo, e!

I don't usually talk like that to "strangers". But I felt that I was deceived and I didn't like it. Ako pa ang lolokohin nila? I know how their speech works! I was trained in a computer-selling company for a week after I graduate. I was also deceived then. I thought that I was getting a job, 'yun pala pagbebentahin ako along with some other duped people. (Ang siste, they would tell that if you buy the computer on that day, free printer will be given! Only for that day kasi last day. So the customers are forced to make a decision. When in reality, you are paying for the printer, as well! Kasama sa presyo 'yun! Because I don't like pressuring people to buy stuffs from me, I left the so-called job as soon as the training was over.) Aside from that, I know how the pressure tactics work! I won't be put in agreeing with a situation that I would regret afterwards! I'm not that stupid!

Here my other thoughts re what happened. How could I buy from an agent who is younger than me? How could he made me believe that he was already saving for his future? Yeah, right! Aside from that, how could I be convinced by someone who spells "transfer" as "transper" and "lump sum" as "lumsum"?!

If the insurance was really "free" from anything, why couldn't they send it at home directly? At least, they wouldn't be hassled to call us every now and then. Palibhasa may hidden agenda! They want to bring people in their territory and pressure them from giving what they want!

Isa pa, how would I know the offer was legit? May magagawa pa ba ako kung hindi?!

The moment I felt anxious, I thought of "Family First" immediately! My advice, never ever receive free movie tickets from "Family First" representatives! Because once you do, they'd ask you for your name and number. They'd call you and ask you to come to their office. Before you know it, sinisipsip na ng mga linta ang dugo mo!

Credit card companies should be reported to the proper authorities! They shouldn't be giving names and contact numbers of their account holders. This is definitely an act of violation! Savings nga pero talong-talo ka naman sa interest na babayaran mo! Iisahan n'yo pa kami! Utot nyo!

There is nothing wrong about insurance plans as long as you get them from legitimate sources or referrals from people you know. Maybe PLP is legit but the way they do their business is wrong!

Lastly, I guess, there is really no such thing as "free" in this world!

Sigaw AKA The Echo

2005-08-26T19:15:00.000+08:00

Sigaw was well-received in Hollywood. In fact, its director, Yam Laranas, was asked to be part of ICM (International Creative Management), Inc. which would represent him in Hollywood.

The movie will have it's North America premiere via Screamfest LA International Horror Film Festival. It will be shown along with The Grudge (I dunno if it's the Hollywood version or the Japanese one) and A Tale of Two Sisters (Korea).

Isang mahalagang balita ang inihayag ng Regal Entertainment sa movie press nu’ng Miyerkules nang gabi sa Café Imperial.

Ang pelikulang Sigaw (The Echo ang international title) na pinagbibidahan nina Richard Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, Iza Calzado at Jomari Yllana ay opisyal na napili upang maging kalahok sa Screamfest LA International Horror Film Festival na gaganapin sa Loews Universal Studios Cinemas sa may Universal City Walk sa Oktubre 14-23.

Bukod doon ay meron pang isang malaking announcement ang direktor ng pelikula na si Direk Yam Laranas.

Ani Direk Yam, "I wanna sit beside Mother Lily (Monteverde). I wanna hold her hand and say, ‘Thank you, Mother, for giving me Sigaw. Because of you, because of Regal, here we are…’

"I just want to hold her hand when I announce it. Kasi, she doesn’t know. It’s my late birthday gift to Mother. Tinagu-tago namin sa kanya ito ni Roselle (Monteverde-Teo) until everything is on paper.

"Now, I am so proud to announce that I am very lucky to be handled by the International Creative Management, Inc. or the ICM which handles the careers of Julia Roberts, Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, etc.

"Its roster of directors includes Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings, P.T. Anderson (Magnolia), Hector Babenco (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Robert Altman (Gosford Park), Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon) and many others.

"It was thru my friend Roy Lee, he’s the Korean-American executive producer of The Ring, The Ring 2, The Grudge and Dark Water remakes in Hollywood. He has become my confidante and friend.

"Nabasa niya ‘yung article ni Tessa Jazmines, our local correspondent sa Variety magazine. Tessa wrote an article about the last Metro Manila Film Festival, how varied the movies are and then at the same time, Manila is now producing horror films…

"Like the blockbuster Feng Shui and everybody liked the movie. And on Christmas time, we produced new horror films like Spirit of the Glass and Sigaw. Something like that. And I had a quote there kasi, I said something like, ‘My objective in Sigaw is for the audience to bring home the fear.’

"Naintriga ru’n si Roy Lee. Hinanap niya si Tessa, in-email niya si Tessa, hinanap ako ni Tessa, nag-email-an kami ni Roy Lee. He was so intrigued with Sigaw and humingi siya ng copy sa akin tapos, pinadalhan namin siya.

"Roy gave the DVD to Screamfest. It’s a big filmfest in LA, it’s the biggest genre festival. For horror films lang ‘yon, so kumbaga, hindi saturated na ang dami mong kasama na ibang pelikula. Ito, isang genre lang.

"I’m not so sure this year kung ilang films ang kasali, but last year, I think there were like 30 to 50 films. What they do is they will ask for a DVD of your movie and then they will view it. If they like it, they’ll invite you to the festival.

"They’re supposed to announce it pa on Sept. 1. Kaya lang, the organizer was so excited, she said nag-violate siya ng rule niya dahil gusto na niya agad sabihin sa akin. In-email niya agad sa akin na kasali na ang Sigaw sa Screamfest.

"Part of the advisory board aside from Roy Lee was Wes Craven and other masters of the horror genre and the art of special visual effects. Official na ang invitation na ‘yon. That gave me the visa sa US embassy," masayang salaysay ni Direk Yam.

Sa Oktubre 12 o 13 ang alis ni direk at umaasa siya na makakasama niya ang ilang stars ng Sigaw sa nasabing event sa Amerika.

"Mga 3 weeks ako doon to a month because aside from the festival itself, my agent will set up a lot of things for me. They call the Screamfest event as ‘honoring the masters but opening new blood.’ Gusto nila itong i-open sa mga new directors.

"The festival organizer, Rachel Belofsky, is a famous marketing agent for Cannes films. So, we have the advantage of distribution also.

"In fact, there are offers already but nothing in black and white pa. Kami kasi ni Roselle, wait and see muna until after the Screamfest kung sino ang mag-o-offer ng maganda. Hopefully, ma-distribute din ang The Echo sa Europe."

Si Cesar Montano ang naunang napabalita na pipirma umano sa isa sa malalaking talent agencies sa Amerika, pero naunahan pa ito ni Direk Yam.

"I signed up last Saturday lang. We call it a ‘handshake deal’. It’s when you say yes and it’s yes! Verbal lang siya but a lot of their stars actually do the handshake deal because if you break the handshake deal, they will break you.

"Kumbaga, ICM is the biggest and most powerful talent agency in Hollywood or even the whole world. So, you don’t break an agreement with them.

"We’ll be signing a contract but according to my agent, ‘It’s not important because we’ve already listed you as part of our roster of talents and that’s all you need’.

"They email me, they call me up, we always talk. Kaya ako napupuyat ngayon, kasi bukod sa nagtitimpla ako ng gatas para sa baby ko (10 month-old boy), eh, gumigising ako nang alas-dos nang madaling-araw at nagtetelepono!"

***

Hindi raw ibig sabihin nito ay sa Amerika na magbabase si Direk Yam. Katunayan ay may bagong horror flick siyang gagawin dito pagbalik niya mula sa Screamfest.

"I wanna take it one little step at a time. Take it slow and let’s see what happens next. I don’t want to jump too much too soon. I’ll just wait for my agent to tell me what to do.

"I’m not gonna stay there. It’s a per project thing. Kung may project doon, which definitely will gonna happen next year, I’ll go there. Marami namang international directors na gano’n, eh. Like sina Ang Lee or John Woo, even Jackie Chan.

"Aside from directing, we’re also thinking of doing commercials or advertising in the States, also music videos. Nakagawa na ako rito ng music videos pero mostly movie tie-ins lang, like ‘yung kay Regine Velasquez.

"I’m more attached sa advertising. The latest commercial I did was Drew Arellano’s McDo. I’m now writing the story of my next project with my wife Gin de Mesa (ng ABS-CBN) and Roy Iglesias. It’s really super-super-scary! Parang it will make Sigaw a walk in the park!

"The guys in the States are waiting for it already. Some are asking me nga na, ‘Why don’t you just sell us the script and do it here?’ I said, ‘No, I wanna do it with Mother Lily. I wanna do it with Regal. I wanna do it in Manila.’

"We’re still casting, and the first one to be in is Iza Calzado. But she’s not playing ghost here. Her partner will be Dennis Trillo. Ang tentative title is Kapitbahay (The Neighbor)."

Ano raw ba ang ikinaiba ng Sigaw sa sangkaterbang horror flicks na naglipana ngayon?

"They always say it’s the atmosphere, na ‘yung horror daw, ‘yung takot ng Sigaw, pumapasok sa buto mo. And sabi nila, ‘You guys did so good in sound’. Tuwang-tuwa ako because that only means na meron tayong technology to do it. Hindi tayo third world when it comes to moviemaking!

"Sabi ni Roy Lee, napatalon daw siya nang mapanood niya ang pelikula. Kaya sana, everyone will do and come up with quality films not just for the consumption of the local market but also for international release.

"Alam mo, next year, I believe that it will be the start of the year of the Filipino films. Finally! It’s not just me, maybe in some other competition or maybe in some other ways," pakli pa ng mapalad na direktor.

It's a very good news, indeed, to direk Yam and for us, Filipinos. At least now, we could show the world that we as good as our Asian neighbors. When I saw Sigaw last year, I know that it is at par with the rest of the Asian horror flicks. Whatever it lacks in story telling, it makes up for it technically. It had a dark and eerie feeling to the whole film which made it effective as a horror film.

As what I've read in one of the foreign reviews about it, it says:

"Sigaw, despite its oppressive use of drab olive greens and dreary sepia browns, is a beautifully shot film with some truly interesting camera angles and clever use of negative space. The moody musical score adds to the feelings of foreboding and danger, and the ambience of knocking, crying, and clanking are stealthily woven in to create a creepy cloak of sound. Each of the actors does a believable job of conveying a real sense of dread. While the solving of the mystery comes as no surprise and some questions are left hanging, the writer (Roy C. Iglesias) and director do a nice job of making the audience care what happens to the characters anyway."

It further adds, "Slowly drowning in a netherworld of torment and loneliness, Sigaw is not a feel-good horror movie. It’s not even particularly scary or thought-provoking, but there is something oddly compelling about it."

The Echo will also be screened in Cine Asia International Film Festival in Cologne, Germany on December 2005.

So, should I say, "Hollywood, here we come?"

***

Credits: PEx Post
Visit: The Echo
Related Post: Sigaw Review

Oh, Jennifer...

2005-08-26T18:45:00.000+08:00

My favorite Friends star, Jennifer Aniston, finally breaks her silence in the recent issue of Vanity Fair.

The tears, the shock and, now, even more bombshells are being revealed by JENNIFER ANISTON. The heartbroken actress isn't holding back about her feelings for soon to be ex, BRAD PITT, in the new issue of Vanity Fair magazine on newsstands Tuesday, August 9.

In her first official interview since splitting from the 'Troy' boy, you've heard her talk openly -- and emotionally -- about their breakup, her devastation over seeing his W magazine photo shoot with ANGELINA JOLIE, and the false reports that he left because she didn't want to start a family.

"I've never in my life said I didn't want to have children. I did and I do and I will!"

Now, VF contributing editor LESLIE BENNETTS reveals that Brad became "unavailable" to his wife during "Friends"' final season, that he confessed his feelings for Angelina to his wife, and that Jen met with the 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' vixen face to face!

"People that are close to them feel that he basically checked out of the marriage emotionally, the minute he started working with Angelina," Leslie says. "It was a very difficult time period for Jennifer because she had just finished 10 years on 'Friends.' This was her life, this was her career, this was her community. She turned to her husband and she said, 'He just wasn't there.'"

Jennifer is Vanity Fair's September cover girl and appears on the front of the new issue wearing little more than an unbuttoned, oversized white men's shirt and a big smile. Inside are more provocative photos, showing her topless torso and bikini-ed bottom.

The VF editor visited the famous "Friends" beauty at the Malibu beach bungalow where she's been cocooned since her breakup. In the article, Leslie writes that the fragile Jennifer answers the door with a "radiant smile" and then "bursts into tears."

After confessing that she will "love him for the rest of her life," Jennifer talks about how she and her husband became estranged during the final season of "Friends" when she says she needed him most.

"That was really painful," the daughter of divorced parents says. "It was a family, and I don't do great with families splitting up."

Brad was off shooting 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' which Jen was initially thrilled about. She even went out of her way to introduce herself to his co-star, Angelina.

"I was on the lot of 'Friends,'' TV's Rachel Green tells the mag. "I pulled over and introduced myself. I said, 'Brad is so excited about working with you. I hope you guys have a really good time.'"

Months later, "Team Aniston" would reportedly be shocked when Brad grew more and more distant with his wife of four and a half years.

"I think he was attracted to her," Jennifer supporter COURTENEY COX says of Angelina. "There was a connection and he was honest about that. It was an attraction that he fought for a long period of time."

Before they separated in January of this year, Brad denied that he had been unfaithful with his bewitching co-star, but photographs of the two taken around the world since then seem to suggest otherwise.

"At this point, I wouldn't be surprised by anything, but I would much rather choose to believe him," Jennifer says.

Today, she says the two are completely out of touch and she is looking forward to a new future with a new man -- and, no, it's not her co-star in the upcoming comedy 'The Break-Up.'

"I adore VINCE VAUGHN but I'm not going out with Vince Vaughn," she says. "This was a seven-year relationship that was very dear, very complicated, very special. I need to honor it."

In addition to that, being her Rachel self, she this to say regarding the Brad blonde look through Yahoo! news:

"Billy Idol called he wants his look back."

Oh, Jennifer... That is all I could say at the moment. Till now, the divorce seemed so surreal to me. I told myself, though, that 'till she can't bounce back ala Nicole Kidman, I wouldn't forgive Brad for doing what he did! Hahaha! As if Brad cares! :p

RP's Movie Release Dates (Aug.24 - Dec. 25)

2005-08-23T12:42:00.000+08:00

I received this line-up of release dates through e-mail from a friend who works for an ad firm. It's time now to save money for the upcoming blockbuster films!
***
Aug. 24-30
• The Longest Yard
• Valiant
• The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants
• The Truth About Love

Aug. 31-Sept. 6
• The Dukes of Hazzard
• The Cave
• Sky High
• Pasaway (Bonel Balingit)

Sept. 7-13
• Red Eye
• The Brothers Grimm
• My Sassy Girl (Tagalized Version)
• The Champ: Kamao (Manny Pacquiao)

Sept. 14-20
• Cinderella Man
• A Sound of Thunder
• The Crow 4: Wicked Prayer
• Lovestruck (GMA Films)

Sept. 21-27
• Dark Water
• Fever Pitch
• Constant Gardener
• Land of the Dead

Sept. 28-Oct. 4
• Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
• Transporter 2
• A History of Violence
• Perfect Man
• Dubai (Star Cinema)
• I Will Always Love You (GMA Films)

Oct. 5-11
• Into the Blue (US Simultaneous Release)
• Flight Plan
• The Adventures of Sharkboy & Lava Girl 3D

Oct. 12-18
• Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
• Lord of War
• Ispiritista

Oct. 19-25
• Doom
• Underclass Man

Note: Play dates are subject to change

Other Movies with tentative play date
• The Legend of Zorro – Oct. 26
• Sukob (Kris Aquino) – Oct. 26
• V for Vendetta – Nov. 2
• The Reaper – Nov. 2
• The Fog – Nov. 9
• Beautiful Boxer (Thailand) – Nov. 9
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Nov. 16
• Waiting – Nov. 16
• An Unfinished Life – Nov. 16
• Four Brothers – Nov. 23
• Dungeons & Dragons – Nov. 23
• The Myth – Nov. 30
• Just Like Heaven – Nov. 30
• The Family Stone – Nov. 30
• Chicken Little – Nov. 30
• Before Midnight (Piolo/Judy Ann) – Nov. 30
• Proof – Dec. 7
• Underworld: Evolution – Dec. 7
• Class Action – Dec. 7
• King Kong – Dec. 14

MMFF 2005 – Dec. 25
• Ako, Legal Wife
• Enteng Kabisote 2
• Mulawin The Movie
• Exodus: Tale of the Enchanted Kingdom
• Nasaan Ka Ng Kailangan Kita
• Shake, Rattle, & Roll
• Kutob

-end of list-

Nakakahiya!

2005-08-20T01:00:00.000+08:00

I'm used to ordering DVDs online from Amazon. Not only that their prices are discounted, they also have great service! Once, they send me a DVD copy of Saving Private Ryan by mistake. Afraid that they might have billed me for it, I told them about the incident. I asked them whether I should send it back. Because it would cost me a lot if I'd send it back, they just gave it to me for free! Of course, I wasn't billed for it. It was their mistake, they said. Then, I ordered The Pillow Book from them but it didn't arrive soon (mostly a month or less after shipping) as expected. I became worried and asked them about it. They immediately shipped another copy that reached me about a week after I have asked them. For which I was taxed heavily because they have used 2-3 days delivery option via UPS. But they also paid for it when I made a complain. After a few days or so, the first shipped Pillow arrived at my doorstep! There was a delay in the delivery process, I guess. (Eventually, I sold both Pillow to Pinoy buyers because I needed the money.)

Anyway, I found a site which sells DVDs for less than what Amazon sells! A DVD that costs $24 originally may sell in Amazon at $19 while this site would sell it at $11 or so! Imagine the difference?! So I immediately made my first order. They sent me a confirmation e-mail then informed me about the shipping that would take place soon. But after a few days, I didn't get any e-mails from them. When I went to check the status of my order in their site, it was CANCELLED! I didn't understand because I did not make any cancellations. Was there a problem with my credit card or something like that? I asked them why. Here is what they have to say:

Order # 24459919 was cancelled due to the high volume of unauthorized purchase claims from your country. We understand that you may not fall into this category and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We regret that we cannot fulfill your request for orders that are to be billed or shipped to your address. Your credit card has not been charged.

OMG! Sobrang nakakahiya na tayo! It is bad enough that the customs officials tax us wrongly. (Either they tax too high or they reduce it and keep the payment to themselves!) What's worst is that they steal the items which now banned us from ordering (in some sites) abroad! Sobrang basang-basa na ang papel natin sa ibang bansa! Eventhough I am proud to be Pinoy, I just can't help but be embarrased sometimes. These people give Pinoy a bad reputation!

Must Love Dogs

2005-08-19T23:23:00.000+08:00

This summer (US, that is!), Hollywood have us bombarded mostly by comic super heroes. Amongst the action and the special effects comes this rare of a gem called Must Love Dogs.

Sarah (Diane Lane) has been divorced for eight months already. Her family is starting to feel anxious and bothered about her lack of relationship. They feel bad for her especially that all of them are either (happily) married or in a committed relationship. Of course, they have this itch to pair her up with all the possible men they know.

Sarah's sister, Carol (Elizabeth Perkins), decided to post an ad about her on the internet with the description that goes "Must Love Dogs". Through the calls and messages she received, she decided to meet the guys that appeal to her. But the dates ended all in disasters.

Meanwhile, Jake (John Cusack) is a recent divorcee. He has been wallowing in sadness eversince his marriage collapsed and focused himself into making boats and watching Dr. Zhivago. Seeing Sarah's ad on the net, his friend decided to answer it.

Sarah and Jake went on date in the park. There was chemistry between them but it was awkwardness that ruled. Will they listen to what their hearts tell them or decide to go on a different path? (Should I really be asking this?!)

Oh, it has been awhile eversince Hollywood gave us a feel-good romantic comedy that truly worked! Must Love Dogs stands-out among the likes of The Wedding Date disasters.

Diane Lane may not have the quirkiness of Julia Roberts or the cuteness of Meg Ryan but she has the sophistication and charm of a woman. In the movie world, it is the like of her that couldn't get dates! Can you imagine that? Her team-up with John Cusack is simply amazing! A bread to a butter! A pen to a paper! (Oh, I can't come up with good analogies! Dammit!) Also, the whole cast ensemble just worked really well to come up with a good comedy with a heart!

The movie will work for any kind of audience. It is a perfectly date-movie for lovers of all ages. It is for single people who may feel bad or blessed about their status. It is for the hopefuls, who despite all their heartaches, are still looking forward to the day that they will find the one who must love them truly.

James Bone 007 Is Back!!!

2005-08-19T22:14:00.000+08:00

No, there wasn't any mis-typing on my part. James Bone 007 is truly back! Alive and kicking once more on widescreen! Oh, it really brings back the good days of the 80's... *grin*

Who is James Bone you asked? Well, no other than the sexiest man in Philippine cinema (and probably would take on Arnold Schwarzenegger anywhere and anytime to a duel)! Do you have an idea who he is now? He is Palito!!!!

OMG, the moment I saw the poster of Enterpool: CSIA (Central Service [?] In Action) in SM Megamall, my jaw literally dropped! Will this be the one that'd take Philippine cinema in its wings and bring her to the top? And imagine how blessed I feel when I was given the chance to see its full trailer!!!! *wow*

Dig this: from the moment the trailer had started until the time it ended, people were laughing their asses off! It was even carried over to the next trailer shown!

Enterpool has all the ingredients of a blockbuster! Of course, who would miss out on Palito who went on hiatus for a long time? Co-starring with him is Mhykel Chan who is dubbed as the "Jackie Chan of the Philippines!" (They even share the same surname!) As for the love angle, there's what's-her-name who became the champion in taekwondo several times. As if they are not enough, screen legends like Tony Ferrer and Ramon Zamora even joined the cast! My oh my! An all-star cast! *siyet!*

Enterpool is a combination of action, comedy, and romance. Who knows, there might even be a drama underneath all the laughs. Where can you find a movie where you see all the ropes used to lift actors on air or the steel bars lifting the cars? Which movie have you seen where the stunt double appears right before your eyes while suddenly changing back into the actor himself? (The movie has magic and sorcery, as well!) Most of all, where can you see Tony Falcon (Ferrer), Bruce Lee (Zamora), and James Bone (Palito) together in one movie? Only in Enterpool! Not to mention that it is the initial offering of "Starbone Presentation (?)"! This is already classic!

Who would imagine that in this day and age, such film would still exist? Truly, a must-see in the Philippine cinema! This is the kind of film where you could say, "Trailer pa lang, ulam na!" *grabe!*

Anong sinabi ng Dubai nina Claudine Barretto at Aga Muhlach at Lovestruck ng GMA Films?! Enterpool, pamatay!!!!!

P.S. 1 I'd like to put a poster here but I can't find any on the net. I guess you'd have to go to the theaters to see what a collectible it is! *bwahahaha*

2 This posting isn't meant to degrade, humiliate or make fun of Palito. I'm glad that he is working again.

Ouch!

2005-08-18T14:36:00.000+08:00

Roger Ebert, after reviewing "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo", had this to say about Rob Schneider:

The movie created a spot of controversy last February. According to a story by Larry Carroll of MTV News, Rob Schneider took offense when Patrick Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times listed this year's Best Picture Nominees and wrote that they were "ignored, unloved and turned down flat by most of the same studios that ... bankroll hundreds of sequels, including a follow-up to 'Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,' a film that was sadly overlooked at Oscar time because apparently nobody had the foresight to invent a category for Best Running Penis Joke Delivered by a Third-Rate Comic."

Schneider retaliated by attacking Goldstein in full-page ads in Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. In an open letter to Goldstein, Schneider wrote: "Well, Mr. Goldstein, I decided to do some research to find out what awards you have won. I went online and found that you have won nothing. Absolutely nothing. No journalistic awards of any kind ... Maybe you didn't win a Pulitzer Prize because they haven't invented a category for Best Third-Rate, Unfunny Pompous Reporter Who's Never Been Acknowledged by His Peers."

Reading this, I was about to observe that Schneider can dish it out but he can't take it. Then I found he's not so good at dishing it out, either. I went online and found that Patrick Goldstein has won a National Headliner Award, a Los Angeles Press Club Award, a RockCritics.com award, and the Publicists' Guild award for lifetime achievement.

Schneider was nominated for a 2000 Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor, but lost to Jar-Jar Binks.

But Schneider is correct, and Patrick Goldstein has not yet won a Pulitzer Prize. Therefore, Goldstein is not qualified to complain that Columbia financed "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" while passing on the opportunity to participate in "Million Dollar Baby," "Ray," "The Aviator," "Sideways" and "Finding Neverland." As chance would have it, I have won the Pulitzer Prize, and so I am qualified. Speaking in my official capacity as a Pulitzer Prize winner, Mr. Schneider, your movie sucks.

Ouch! That would hurt definitely! However, I'm still looking forward to this film! I even have it my Must-Sees 2005 links! We can't watch the likes of "Million Dollar Baby" all the time, right? We'll go insane!

Anyway, these comments came from one of the critics who lambasted "Titanic" during its initial release. Then, suddenly took back what they said after it received a numerous nominations during the '97 Oscars!

Source: The Movie Blog

Steven Seagal The Singer

2005-08-16T02:15:00.000+08:00

Speaking of wannabe-singers, get a load of this! Steven Seagal has an album now! I've learned it from DJ Kel's posting. I searched for it tonight and whoa! There's even a music page dedicated to it!

Here's the introduction (including some of my notes):

"Origins: born in 1951 in Lansing (Michigan), Steven Seagal was the first Westerner to open a school of martial arts in Japan. (Is this a success? Who needs to learn martial arts from a Westerner when they have the experts themselves?!) The general public knew through his many films of action but it is another facet of his personality which emerges in 2004! (Did I read that right? Another facet of his personality?) This enthusiastic follower of Buddhism (He actually believes that he is Buddha reincarnated, right?) delivers an awesome album (Wow! Awesome daw!) already bubbling on the charts in France! (Is France now the music capital of the world? That we get to buy whatever is "hot-selling" there?) The "Songs From The Crystal Cave CD will be available for purchase on this website soon! Ingredients (Ingredients talaga?!): Steven Seagal delivers titles to the American ultra consonances (blues, folk) but also of more directed songs world (ragga, Arab musics). (Galing! Different genres!) Surrounded by prestigious guests (B.B. King, Stevie Wonder...), the actor adds a new cord to his arc! To note: the presence of a poster dedicated inside the small pocket for all his fans! (That is a great treat for fans! A poster!) Click on album photo above to go to the free MP3 page! (Hmm.. Nah. I'd buy the album!)

At least, dito sa 'tin, actors get to release an album while they are still on top of their careers. They don't do it to revive their dying career.

P.S. Who the f*ck wrote that introduction, anyway?!

Vilma, An Audio CD

2005-08-16T00:25:00.000+08:00

Passed by Tower Records, Makati today before the premiere. This is the CD that caught my attention immediately. One of the new releases from Vicor Records as part of their 40th Anniversary. Vilma, a remastered version of her 60's album! I know that it existed but of course, it was such a surprise seeing a hard copy of it! Much so, in CDs today! Pamatay talaga!

I thought of buying a copy for my mom for her birthday. She is truly a Vilmanian (na namana ko!).

The selections in the album can be found here. It includes the infamous, "Kissing in the park..." But mind you, online it costs $11.99! Dito sa Pinas, a mere PhP125.00! Laki ng difference, no? Talong-talo ang mga Vilmanian abroad who want to get a copy.

Anyway, when will we get to see Aga Muhlach's 80's single on CD? I don't know the title but it was from Octo Arts? Or a remastered version of Gelli de Belen's album from Viva Records? Hahaha! Pag sikat ka noon, you get to record your own album! Kahit pa di kagalingan ang boses mo!

Vicor also released remastered editions of 70's-90's albums and singles. Hay, I miss the days when OPM is truly OPM! Original works and not rehashed versions of whatever yesterhits!

Feature Presentation

2005-08-16T00:02:00.000+08:00

Finally saw the trailer that Rocketboy has been raving about! It started out as boy meets girl then ended as a suspense. It's kind of interesting to know that Wes Craven directed this film. Wes mostly directs horror movies. This one, though, is a suspense thriller. How will he do this time?

Get to see the trailer of Land of the Dead on the big screen! I am soooo excited about this film! I'm such a zombie freak! No matter how much their story lines suck, they still creep me out!

For the feature presentation, saw The Skeleton Key's advance screening in G4. It is courtesy of DJ Kel from Wave 89.1. Thank's, Kel! Should I make a review? Nah! Don't feel like it at the moment. Maybe next time. Maybe...

Pusang Gala!

2005-08-13T00:54:00.000+08:00

Sorry, guys! Dito na naman ako para patakamin kayo at paglawayin!

***

Be warn, though, that the following collectibles might give you a heart attack! Take your medicine now before proceeding.

***

Some of these are not exactly the best movies but they sure are things of beauties! Anong sinabi ng mga Ms. Universe winners? Hehehe...

***

Apocalyse Now Redux

Where exactly have you seen such beauty? Very original!

***

The Jack Ryan Collection

***

The Godfather Trilogy

***

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Collection

***

Hero Ultimate Edition

***

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Extended Edition Box

I have the trilogy's EE but bought them separately. :-(

***

Roman Holiday 50th Anniversary Edition

***

Batman Collection

Simplend astig!

***

A "close" look at the X-Files Cabinet Collection Gift Set

***

Spider-Man 1 Limited Edition

***

Ring Trilogy Japan

Hanep! Ang galing nito!

***

Old Boy Ultimate Edition

Para sa 'yo, Rocketboy! c",)

***

Saw (1) Collector's Edition

Gotta have this! Includes both the theatrical version and director's cut of the movie!

***

Hellboy Collector's Edition

This one goes to Marcelle! c",)

***

2046 Wong Kar-Wai Special Collection

Would this so for you, Radioactive Adobo? c",)

***

Para sa 'yo, April... The hunks of Troy! c",)

***

In memory of Brandon Lee

Comes with The Crow Collector's Edition

***

Minority Report

***

Kill Bill Volume 1

I have asked a friend from Japan to buy me the Japanese version of this film because it is in its full color! No black and whites!

***

Lastly, the 20th Century Fox Collection in a Brazilian Bag!

Includes Titanic

***

Most of these collectibles are from Europe and Japan. American distributors have issues with rights and distributions so they can't easily make such collectibles. Even putting special features in DVDs can cause problems for them so R2-R4 are sometimes at better than R1 DVDs!

***

Source: Pinoy DVD Forums

Pag Yumaman Ako!

2005-08-09T04:32:00.000+08:00

DVD Collectibles!I don't intend to buy them but wouldn't it be nice to have them in your collection?From Pinoy DVD forums

Fuck! This one's sooooo nice!

The Matrix follow-ups pretty much sucked but this collection doesn't! Ang ganda!

Who wouldn't want their Friends around?

I'm not a Bond fan but this one is a cool collector's edition!

I admit! I am an X-Philer! It would be awesome to have this Collector's Cabinet Edition!

I'll post more collectibles soon! I just need to wipe my drool first! :p

An SATC Must-Have!

2005-08-09T02:44:00.000+08:00

R1 Collector's Edition Release

HBO has released information on the contents of the 20th disc in their massive Sex and the City DVD collection, due to hit stores on November 1, as well as packaging shots.

Extras will include:
• Sex Essentials - a video jukebox for advice, quips and quotes on dating, sex, fashion and more.
• Location, Location, Location - a guide to the restaurants, clubs and boutiques frequented by Carrie and friends.
• Naughty or Nice? - the ultimate test to find out which character from the series you are most like.
• You Can Quote Me On It - a "finish that phrase" game that tests your knowledge of the show.
• En-SEX-lopedia - an all encompassing guide that takes a look back at the defining moments in dating, fashion, friendship and relationships.

R2 Shoe Box Edition

Siyet! If only I am rich! *grrr*

Mga Pusang Gala Trailer

2005-08-07T01:22:00.000+08:00

I saw the trailer for Mga Pusang Gala today. And my oh my! It was such a disappointment! It was dark and the parts weren't put together well. The background music have overpowered the dialogues in the movie which were the selling point of the film. It did not do justice to the film. As a long time moviegoer, I could easily detect good films from its trailer. Usually, I'm right. But with this one, I would hate for people to think that it is bad (and not see it at all) just because of the poorly done trailer.

I immediately sent Direk Ellen an SMS and told her about my reactions re the trailer. Apparently, she was very disappointed herself when she first saw it. She couldn't do anything about it anymore because LVN Studios, which has been doing good trailers, has been closed ever since it went bankrupt. If she would wait for its opening, it might be too late for its opening on August 17.

She asked me if it's better to pull the trailer out and just rely on the great reviews it has been receiving. "Sayang naman," I said. "Pinagkagastusan na 'yun, e." Imagine, 100k for it?!

Anyway, the best thing we could do to help is spread the good word. Aside from that, tell people to not judge the movie by its trailer. Yes, it was crap and we can't do anything about it. Good thing that the movie isn't!

The Eye 10 (Hong Kong)

2005-08-07T00:14:00.001+08:00

The Eye 10 delivers an unexpected turn in the horror genre. It has mixed good comedy with horror. Seldom do those two combined well together without overshadowing each other or one of the two turning "corny".

The Eye 10 isn't the 10th part of the movie The Eye which thrilled us back in 2003. Actually, this was just the third part following the disappointing sequel in 2004. The number 10 in the title simply means that this movie is about the 10 ways to see ghosts.

The movie started with four friends who visited a common friend in Thailand. During their first night, they started sharing ghost stories until Chongkwai (their friend from Thailand) showed them the book called "The Ten Encounters". They decided to play a game and do them one at a time to check whether they are true or not. From then on, Chongkwai, Teddy, April, Kofei, and May have experienced the scariest night of their lives that went to haunt them for eternity!

The movie made references to the first two parts of the movie enumerating them as two of the ten ways. The group did not do the mentioned two but they tried the rest. They were Peek-a-Stoop, Spirit of the Glass, Late Night Snack, Combing Hair in Front of the Mirror, Forbidden Shade (opening an umbrella indoors), Hide-and-Seek with a Black Cat, Dig the Grave, and Play Dead.

The movie may border on sillyness and the comedic acts may sometimes go over the top but it still works as a horror/comedy movie, in my opinion. I guess, it would really depend on what your expectations would be when you see it. If you won't get scared, then laugh your ass off! If you won't find it funny, then scare yourself shitless! But why not do laugh and get scared at the same time? Nothing wrong with that, right?

Should you see this? Yes, do so! Just don't expect that it'd be better than the first Eye! Nothing beats its creepiness! It is downright scary and until now, I still have flashes of it on my mind. I hope, though, that this would be the last of the series.

Note 1: You may wonder, why "The Eye 10" for its title? Aside from the aforementioned reason, the title "The Eye 3 to 9" has been used as porn titles! Hahaha!

Note 2: As I go through the movie's other reviews, many have been disappointed about this. Hmmm... Well, not me! Obviously, me likey likey! *wink wink*

Titanic SE DVD Updates

2005-08-02T23:04:00.000+08:00

I have reported before that Titanic SE will be coming out in 2-disc and 4-disc versions. But the latest buzz according to Digital Bits says otherwise. Here it is:

"Let's start with Titanic, shall we? According to a new story at Home Media Retailing, Titanic will ONLY be released in a 3-disc DVD version. The original plan had been to release the film in 2-disc and 4-disc configurations, but the magazine is reporting that it was later decided (by Paramount and Fox presumably) simply to release a single 3-disc edition (presumably in all regions). Titanic will reportedly include a branching option that allows you to view deleted footage in the place it would have been included in the film (in lieu of an actual extended edition of the film). By the way, there are reports of 4-disc releases of the film in some places, but we're hearing that this is simply the 3-disc DVD set, plus the soundtrack CD. We're waiting for official confirmation from both Paramount and Fox, so stay tuned."

Moreover, Digital Bits released the supposedly (meaning rumored) deleted scenes and behind the scenes that will be included in the discs. They will be available through the branching option of the discs. To have an idea on what they are, click here.

Titanic SE will be released this October!

The Maid Screenshots

2005-08-01T23:15:00.000+08:00

April, who is living in Singapore, took a couple of screenshots of The Maid. Thank's, April! c",)
Click on her name for more pictures.Related post: The Maid (Singapore-Philippines)

Too Beautiful To Lie (Korea 2004)

2005-08-01T15:51:00.000+08:00

Leave it to Korea to give us romatic comedies that truly has a heart. Movies that appeal to one's emotions without being too touchy. Too Beautiful to Lie is no different.

The movie starts with Joo Young-ju serving her time in prison for fraud. Because of her good behavior and a genuis knack for lying, she was out on parole. On her way home, she met Choi Hee-chul on the train. Hee-chul was about to propose to the woman of his dreams with his mom's wedding ring. He was practicing his speech when a thief got his eyes on the ring. Fearing that the stealing would be taken against her, Young-ju left the train and took the ring back from the thief. Only that when she was about to go back, the train was leaving with her bag on it.

Young-ju went to Hee-chul's town to recover her bag from him and to return the ring. That was when all misunderstandings and confusions took place. She suddenly became Hee-chul's fiancee! When Hee-chul came back, more troubles begun. Soon enough, both he and Young-ju were tangled in their own web of lies that eventually led them to being together.

During the first few minutes of the film, the film will remind you of Hollywood hits like While You Were Sleeping and Mrs. Winterbourne. They were originally from the same concept and story. Because of that, one will have a hard time laughing with the funny antics that are happening on screen. However, later on, the film took its own wists and turns. You'd find yourself laughing your heart out. You'd become so engaged with it that you'd soon forget its comparison with the two films mentioned above.

Of course, like any other romantic comedies, Too Beautiful to Die is quite predictable. No matter what the lead characters went through, they always end up with one another. But predictability isn't important. What's significant is how the characters fell in love with each other and how they have touched their audience's hearts. Surprisingly, this film will not just make you laugh but will you cry, as well.

As what its tagline says, "We will make you laugh. We will touch your heart.We will leave you feeling something you'd never imagined possible.This movie will redefine what a comic melodrama should be." Indeed, the movie is true to its words!

Wedding Crashers

2005-08-01T03:12:00.000+08:00

Dig this: two unlikeable and aging leads who crash weddings just to get laid. They have been so good at it that they become the life of the party. Then, they crashed their biggest wedding to date. One suddenly fell in love with one of the bride's sisters and tries his best to pursue her despite of her boyfriend. The other one slept with the youngest sister who happens to be a sicko. They met the family: a father who is running for an office in the government, a sexually agressive mother, a grandmother who says the most inappropriate words every time, and a misunderstood and outcasted homosexual younger brother.

When the family started to like them, the jealous and two-faced boyfriend of the only "sane" sibling tries to investigate their background. Upon learning about it, the family hated them but they eventually became part of it in the end.

Wedding Crashers has stereotypical and two-dimensional characters. Almost comic-like. The jokes are racy and mostly cliches. Plot is predictable. However, despite its flaws, the movie works! It is laugh-out loud funny! Leave your brain at home and just enjoy the film's wackiness. Anyway, it didn't disguise itself as an intellectual comedy, right?

Too bad, though, that Jane Seymour's seduction scene with Owen Wilson was cut out of the film! It became as if she was just merely a decoration in the film! Why did they have to take out the scene when it was already rated as R-18? MTRCB talaga, oo!

S Diary (Korea 2004)

2005-08-01T02:45:00.001+08:00

Feeling suffocated with the relationship, Jini's boyfriend broke up with her. However, he gave her a "project". He told her to ask her former boyfriends if they have loved her.

Devastated with the break-up, Jini drowned herself in sorrows. As she was looking through her old stuffs, she found an unused diaries that her mom gave her. Afterwards, in them, she had written down the histories of her former romances. When she was about to write her affair with her recent flame, his so-called "project" haunted her. So she looked for her old beaus and popped them the question, "Did you love me?"

Disappointed with what she heard, Jini decided to get back at them. She asked them for money pay back for all the things she did for them, including sex. When they refused to do so, she plotted clever ways that would forced them to eventually give her what she wanted.

Like Old Boy, S Diary is about exacting revenge on the people who have hurt you. It is about being vindicated for the pains and sorrows that you went through. However, the ultimate questions would always be, "After revenge, what comes next? Would it make you a better person?"

S Diary is more about self-discovery and love for oneself. Because it is only when we love ourselves that we could truly feel being loved by other people.

See (and read) this Diary to learn about yourself and how stupid we can get when we are in love...

Old Boy (Korea 2003)

2005-08-01T01:34:00.000+08:00

Inspired by the Japanese comic, Old Boy is about Oh Deasu, an ordinary guy, who has been kidnapped and kept in a cell prison for 15 years. In those years, he kept wondering why he was kept in confinement. He had thought about all the people he had hurt but he didn't get any answer from the people who were keeping him alive. TV was the only one keeping him company in those years. He tried killing himself several times but the people locking him up saves him every time. Feeling quite helpless with his situation, he plotted ways to get out of his cell and trained himself physically. The cell became his home and vengeance kept him sane and alive.

On his 15th year, he was freed. Outside the cell, he was given a wallet filled with money and a mobile phone. He received a phone call asking him to know the reason why he was imprisoned and not just focused himself on who did it. From that day on, he tries to solve the puzzle that ultimately led him to his and his assailant's destruction.

During the first part of the film, there were confusing bits but they are mainly because of the storytelling style of the director. As it goes along, you'd eventually get the feel of how the story is going along.

It is character-driven. Like the main lead in the film, you'd be taken for a ride. You'd want to solve the mystery the way Oh does. Being smitten with the later solving of mystery would now depend on whether it has enough grip on you or not. But then, that really isn't what will hold you down. This movie has enough tricks on its sleeve that will keep you guessing till the end.

Old Boy could be a sick and gruesome thriller but it is also a great cinematic experience that would leave you wanting for more.

My First Pinoy DVD

2005-07-31T00:07:00.000+08:00

I bought my first Pinoy (original) DVD today. This is the first one that I actually bought here in RP. I have some original Pinoy DVD movies but I bought them online (US) because they were not available here. And of course, the others were p*r*t*d. Hehehe. Just a few, though, because I feel that there weren't enough special features that Pinoy DVD movies have that would encourage me to buy them. Not to mention that VCDs (which is quite close in quality) is cheaper.

I always wanted to have a DVD copy of Live Show. I took a chance in getting one here because, first, there were only a few copies left. Second, I was hoping that the DVD copy is the uncut version. But lo and behold, it wasn't! It was the same version as that of the VCD's. Dammit! Now I really have to buy another copy online. Nakakainis! My friend was convincing me not to buy it but I still insisted on it. Ito ang napala ko. My only consolation now is that at least, if I would buy a copy online, I would have two versions: the theatrical version and the director's cut. But who needs to have the censored version, anyway?!

How did I know that the DVD copy was cut? Because I have the pirated copy. :-) It's title then was Toro and it was quite unedited. Meron pang counter on top! But it had English subtitles! Sosi! Also, I saw the legit VCD version when it was released last year. But one thing I can't forget, though, was someone wanted to buy the pirated copy from me! He would even pay PhP500 (to PhP800, if I remember it right) for it! But I said no. I thought then that I might not have the chance to own a director's copy anymore.

If you haven't seen the pirated copy, you'll know if one is cut or uncut if you'd look at the running time located in the back cover of the DVD. The Philippine release indicates 102 minutes while the international release has 111 minutes. Laki rin ng difference!

Mga Pusang Gala Review

2005-07-30T23:54:00.000+08:00

One thing that wasn't printed, though, was my review for the movie itself, "Mga Pusang Gala". When informed, Direk Ellen was quite saddened about it. She just told me to send her the review so that she could put it on the movie web site.

Mga Pusang Gala
By Jheck David

More than anything else, Mga Pusang Gala is a story about everything human! It tackles the issue of relationships and the struggles within to find fulfillment that one longs to have. Because it is theatrical in nature, it seemed to flow poetically. Each move, each line, and each detail follows a rhythm and style.

Mga Pusang Gala has heartfelt and gripping emotions that transcend to the screen onto the audience. Because the characters were realistically portrayed, one can’t help but relate to them in one way or the other. One will also smile and react because of the crisp dialogues and the situations that seem too familiar to ignore. The way the story was presented maybe an exaggeration but it never fails to speak to us as if reminding us that we all have been there.

What was best about the film was that it leaves no room for moral judgment. The characters were painted in all its vivid colors. Take them as they are. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s up to you. But one could never doubt how complicated (or uncomplicated) relationships could be. There are no easy ways through it and out of it.

Written by Jun Lana and Rody Vera under the direction of Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Mga Pusang Gala follows a parallel story between two single and aging gay man and a woman who yearn for a full-time commitment from the men in their lives. It is led by Ricky Davao and Irma Adlawan.

Ellen said that this is her statement on the bold genre. Funny, though, that I never saw this as a “bold” film if it relates to the occasional sex scenes in the movie. Sex is nothing but a part of what being human is all about. But if bold meant that it dares to tackle the inner feelings and digs deeper into the psyche of a person in love (and not in love) without pretensions, then, it is bold!

If I would sum the film up in a few words, I’d say, “Kuwento ito ng mga totoong tao sa totoong buhay!”

For other reviews about the film, go to the movie site.

"Mga Pusang Gala" opens nationwide on August 17.

Si Ellen At Ang Mga Pusang Gala

2005-07-30T23:44:00.000+08:00

I finally bought a copy of ICON. ICON's got me a complimentary copy but I have to get in Makati. I don't have time to go there yet. I'm feeling so ecstatic about my very first printed article (and hopefully not the last!) so I bought one. Good thing that only few words and phrases were changed. Mostly, my original writing was intact. But what's so great about it was Direk Ellen's compliments. She loved the article! She felt that I have written all the important details that other writers have missed. She even encouraged me to continue writing. Hay... I do hope so.

Anyway, here's the original article that I wrote. If you want to see the changes, grab yourself a copy! Hehehe...

Si Ellen at ang Mga Pusang Gala
By Jheck David

“Love is genderless! So is sex,” were Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil’s powerful words when I met with her for a coffee and a little chat somewhere in Tomas Morato. This is her statement when it comes to making movies that seem to be breaking the standards of Philippine cinema. For one thing, her latest project called Mga Pusang Gala is a story of parallel lives between a woman and a gay man: both single, aging, and longing for a commitment from the men they love. Second, this is her take on the bold genre which usually is men’s territory. “Most of the time, the women became objects in the movie and it’s the men enjoying the sex. I want to show that women enjoy sex as healthy as men do,” she says.

Direk Ellen had her humble beginnings in theater since college from the time she entered show business via PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). From then on, she had worked for Star Cinema as supervising producer and most recently, was the program manager for GMA Television Network’s News and Public Affairs division handling several shows like I-Witness and Debate among others. From time to time, she was given directorial projects for several shows like Maaalala Mo Kaya, Pira-Pirasong Pangarap, and GMA Telesine which fortunately received awards and recognitions from both local and international television award-giving bodies. Her last television effort called Walang Bakas for GMA 7 in 2004 was awarded Best Drama by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) and was a runner-up in the Asian Television Awards. Perhaps, this directing ingenuity came from the fact that she was trained under the helms of film auteur such as Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Mike de Leon, Joel Lamangan, and the likes.

Despite her success, she had an on and off romance with directing. She would give it up whenever a different project would come along. But after her first venture into her own movie directing, she knew that the love affair was here to stay. She made her mark via the critically-acclaimed digital movie called Angels under Star Cinema. Even though the film failed to be received nationwide because of limited distribution, Direk Ellen saw the possibilities in digital technology. Thus, she founded Erasto Productions. “My vision is to go ahead with alternative film making,” she explains. “I want to learn digital technology and push it mainstream. I want to go against to what is the kalakaran: not be dependent on the stars.” For her, the story should always be the first priority followed by good actors. Aside from that, having her own company would mean that she get to own her work.

So, in cooperation with Atty. Joji Antonio of MLR Films, she produced and directed its initial offering, Mga Pusang Gala. “This is my offering to so-called dying industry. I refuse to say that it’s dying,” she relates. However, she adds, “Maganda rin ang merong death. Pag me dying, may growth.”

Mga Pusang Gala is an adaptation of the Palanca award-winning play entitled Mga Estranghero at ang Gabi. The screenplay was written by the playwright himself, Jun Lana, along with Rody Vera.

While venturing on the project in another film company, Direk Ellen was initially asked to tone down the gay character and focus the story more on the woman. She refused to do it. She felt that “magkapatid kasi ang issue ng gays at women. There are differences but then they are also very close.” She further elaborates, “My statement always will be love is genderless. I respect women, men and gays. I believe that this is just the body. It is the souls that love each other.”

With that, she also tried to break stereotypes with her characters. “Dati, couturier si Boyet. But we made him a romance novelist. Also, Jun initially thinks that with Marta’s relationship, sex is enough. I disagreed because a woman always looks for the emotional commitment.”

Mga Pusang Gala served as the opening film for the recently concluded Pink Festival. It has deservedly garnered numerous praises from critics and ordinary audience alike. However, Direk Ellen may have tried her darned best to uplift the social concept of her characters but there are still who thinks otherwise. “I don’t expect to please everybody,” she says. Besides, for her, what is at fault is the whole social conditioning. “You might think that my characters are laughable and stupid. They’re crazy and love addicts. But women were raised with a fairy tale: waiting for a man to kiss her so she’ll wake up. They were taught to believe that the biggest event in their lives is getting married. So how could you be otherwise? How could you not be a love addict waiting for somebody to marry you? It was an imposition, actually. Her being so-called crazy was an expression. And an exaggeration at that! But believe me, there are women like that.” In addition, she explains, “Where do the gays come in? Gays were supposed to be liberated kasi they go against the society, di ba? But in trying to be women, they embrace the whole concept and serve the men even better than a woman.” Not that she agrees with gays being subservient to men. “Dapat kasi stronger ka ‘cause by virtue of being gay, nag-be-break ka na ng social norms. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly true.”

Direk Ellen has high hopes for this film which earliest title was Libog at Kabilugan ng Buwan. “I really feel that my movie will appeal easily. It may be quite intellectual in some aspects but I have so many themes that are so-ordinary life. It is basically about human relationships that even the most intelligent people could relate to because, one way or the other, they had become crazy when they fell in love!” Because her production outfit does not have much means and machinery to promote the film, they are relying on the word-of-mouth. And, I could say that she indeed had chosen the best mouths to spread the word: that of the gays. “Sabi nga sa akin, pag nakuha ko ang pulso ng mga bading, tiyak na dadalhin nila ang mga kaibigan nilang babae para panoorin ang pelikula!” That is not to say, though, that she is using the gay community for her own benefits. In fact, she feels fortunate to have them as friends and colleagues in the business describing them as her angels in life. “I’m even closer to them than with my women or male friends,” she proudly admits.

When asked for a message to the gay and lesbian community who seemed to be benefiting well to her latest venture, she ends, “I hope that this film empowers gays and lesbians even more!”

I know that it will, Direk!

The Great Raid Worldwide Premiere

2005-07-28T13:18:00.000+08:00

The Great Raid opens worldwide on August 10, 2005. Cesar Montano is included amongst the cast of Pinoy actors.Similar Post: The Great Raid Opens This August

The Maid (Singapore-Philippines)

2005-07-27T20:38:00.000+08:00

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Kelvin Tong
Starring: Alessandra De Rossi, Chen Shucheng, Hong Huifang, Benny Soh, Guan Zhen Wei
RunTime: -
Released By: Golden Village & Mediacorp Raintree Pictures
Rating: TBA
Release Date: 18 August 2005

Synopsis :

During the Chinese Seventh Month, the gates of hell open and spirits are let loose upon an unsuspecting world. For 30 days, the dead walk among the living. To protect themselves, mortals devise rules. Rules such as: Do not swim during the Seventh Month; do not turn back at night when someone calls out your name; do not talk to strangers on a deserted stretch of road.For Rosa Dimaano, all those are just a bunch of old wives’ tales.

Hailing from a small village in the Philippines, the 18-year-old arrives in Singapore on the first day of the Seventh Month to work as a domestic maid. She urgently needs money to save her ill brother back home in the Philippines and ghosts are the last things on her mind. Happily for Rosa, life in Singapore cannot be rosier. Her employers – the elderly and gentle Mr and Mrs Teo – are a godsend, caring for her as if she is their own daughter. Their mentally-handicapped son Ah Soon also takes to Rosa immediately.

Between cleaning house and helping the Teos out at their Chinese opera workplace, Rosa experiences the exotic sights and sounds of Singapore to her delight. Then, things start going amiss. Glimpsing strange apparitions at night, Rosa soon finds herself tumbling into the world of the dead. Unknown to the innocent girl, she had unwittingly broken many rules on the first few days of the Seventh Month.

As the festivities reach a fever pitch in Singapore, Rosa’s life turns into a nightmare. A mutilated boy haunts her. A faceless woman appears in the Teos’ house. Rosa feels as if she is losing her mind. Her employers urge her to bear with the sightings. But Rosa is uncertain. Someone somewhere seems to be trying to reach out to her. To keep her job, the poor girl has to stifle her screams and fear. To save her brother, she must survive the terrors of the Chinese Seventh Month.

Source: http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/maid/themaid.htm

Bad Education

2005-07-23T02:24:00.000+08:00

Pedro Almodovar's films are almost always character-driven. His characters are always going through some inner struggles. In the end, redemption is always the key to self-actualization.

La Mala Educacion (Bad Education) is no different. It is about Angel (Gael Garcia Bernal) who suddenly showed up in Enrique Goded's (Fele Martinez) doorsteps. He claimed that he is Enrique's long-time buddy, Ignacio. He wants to be a movie actor because he learned that Enrique has been directing films. He brought with him a story that he wrote that talks about his childhood with Enrique followed by a fictionalized future. Enrique, despite his feelings of uneasiness towards the present Ignacio, adapted the story into film and made Angel his leading actor.

Bad Education comes in two parts. The first part was the romance that happened between Ignacio and Enrique. That being said, homophobes should stay away from this film because of the somewhat graphic sex scenes between the two lead actors. The second part is Almodovar's homage to Hitchcock movies: a thriller. A mystery lies with the present-day Ignacio that would change everything for him and Enrique.

Did the two parts make a good combination? As a whole, the film worked. The suspense was quite gripping in the middle. You couldn't help but feel interested with the mystery that was unfolding right before your eyes. But when all the secrets were revealed, they don't seem to get hold of you anymore. Even as a love story, it doesn't quite hold up. There wasn't much depth in story with what Ignacio and Enrique had felt for each other. In the end, you'd end up wanting for more. But then, you get to take a film as a whole and not by its parts, right?

Almodovar had good actors led by Gael Garcia Bernal. Gael seemed to be a director's actor. He is very good in every movie that he makes. This movie wasn't an exception. He even get to play a transexual that made him look like Julia Roberts! They could pass as sisters in a movie, believe me! Just to see him act his best is worth seeing this film!

Amazon describes this movie as Almodovar's best since All About My Mother. I disagree. As of the moment, no other Almodovar movie would come at par with All About My Mother. It has depth, substance, and heartfelt emotions that would make it one of the bests in World Cinema. Bad Education just falls short in comparison with such classic.

When I Turned Nine (Korea 2004)

2005-07-21T17:38:00.000+08:00

When I Turned Nine is a story about a nine-year old boy, Yeo-min Baek, who is in the third grade. At such a young age, he feels responsible for his family and friends' well-being without them telling him so.

During the summer, he sells ice-cream to earn some cash and save up. He wants to buy a special something for the person he cares the most. Because he knows that selling ice-cream won't be enough, he starts cleaning houses and runs errands for other people.

When school started, he became the designated protector of his friends from bullies. Upon Woo-rim Jang's arrival in school, another so-called trouble started to unfold. He became attracted to her much so to the disliking of his long-time girl friend. She feels that Woo-rim isn't what she seems to be. From that day on, Yeo-min tried to balance his relationship between his long-time friends and Woo-rim.

Before anything else, let me tell that, in recent years, there wasn't any movie like this that made me sob like a baby! It is a tearjerker all the way! Although it wasn't the kind that is quite heavy. There may be a lot of strong emotional scenes, this movie may still be considered as light. It is melodramatic without being cheesy.

When I Turned Nine isn't like any other movie. For one thing, the story revolves around children. And they weren't goofing around as most children movies have. They were acting in an environment as if they were adults. The closest comparable movie that I have in mind is My Girl. But then, with regards to the depth and substance of this, My Girl would fall flat.

Nine is about familial love, puppy love, and friendships. It tackles love at a tender age, jealousy, naivete, honesty, sadness, responsibility, generosity, and sincerity. It is such amazing to see how children act in their world. For them, everything is black and white. Either you do it or you don't. Complicated isn't in their vocabulary. If only adults could remain as pure and innocent as them, then the world would be a better place to live in.

What's bothering, however, is how Korean teachers treat their students. I can't imagine myself hurting my students physically the way they do. Korean teachers still treat themselves as superior and a cut above the rest.

Besides that, Nine is perfect in every way! Great casting led by Suk Kim. At such a young age, he can act with intense passion and pure concentration. The dialogues may be pretty much adult-ish but it may be only because of the translations made. It is well-paced and well-characterized.

When I Turned Nine, a novel-turned-movie, is wonderful!

Verdict: Four and a half rolls of tissue!!!

A Barbra Streisand Trilogy

2005-07-20T17:46:00.000+08:00

If Catherine Breillat covers female sexuality, leave it to Barbra Streisand to tackle female issues!

The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
Barbra plays Doris, a hooker who suddenly became homeless because a neighbor, Felix (George Segal), informs the landlord of her activities. She moved in with him only to argue all throughout the night. The landlord both threw them out and transferred to Felix's friend's apartment. The argument still continued till passion and desire grew between them.

This movie is laugh-out loud funny! I wet my eyes during the first hour of the film! Barbra looked so gorgeous and was funnier than Fanny Brice in Funny Girl/Funny Lady. The dialogues were crisp and clever! There was also a great repartee between Barbra and George.

This is one Barbra classic that shouldn't be missed!

Up the Sandbox (1971)
Have you ever met Ally McBeal's mother? Well, here she is! Meet Mrs. Margaret Reynolds who is so damned bored with being just a plain housewife that she needed to resort to fantasies and imaginings.

Sometimes, a woman just needs to be appreciated. I can imagine how hard it is to be such. Where do they get all the strenght and patience? Being a mother and a wife is hard as it is! What more if they have a career to hold on to? Hats off to you, woman kind!

The Way We Were (1976)
This is more of a Barbra film than a Streisand/Redford work. No wonder Robert Redford refused to do this several times. If not only for his friendship with director Sydney Pollack, he wouldn't be encouraged to do this. Why? His character didn't grow. There wasn't much introspection on what he is going through as a man and as Katie's lover. Somehow, he remained a decoration for Katie's unending desire to be the best that she could be.

Katie (Barbra) is a good character study, though. Here she is, a strong-willed woman who fights for what she thinks is right. She even could go against the government. But with her man, she loses. She compromises her needs and wants just to be with him. Yet, behind that, she pushes her man to do the best he could even if it wasn't in his character to push so hard. She's projecting her compromised desires on him.

As a romance/love story movie, this one is so sad. Here are two people, so in love with each other yet so wrong for one another. As far as relationships go, compromise is always needed. But when compromise became an obligation to both couple, in the end, both loses.

In the Realm of the Senses (Japan 1976)

2005-07-20T16:03:00.001+08:00

Speaking of In the Realm of the Senses, a film that I saw a year or two ago, here it is:

Oshima's most debated work in a career marked by controversy, "In the Realm of the Senses" is an unrelenting journey into the world of passion and eroticism. Oblivious to social restraints and public sentiment, a geisha and her lover engage in a torrid sexual spree, losing themselves in the fervor of their lovemaking and their quest for ultimate ecstasy. The ideology of male dominance and female submission is thoroughly undermined as the obsessed lovers create a closed existence of incessant lovemaking and sadomasochistic experiments. This is an eerily beautiful examination of the intensity of physical desire.

That's about summarizes what this movie is all about. If Romance somewhat borders on pornography, this one had already crossed the boundaries! But whose to rightfully judge what is porn and what is art? There is such a thin line separating them.

Dictionary.com defines pornography as "sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal." Meanwhile, one definition of art is a "human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature." If that would be case, wouldn't pornography be considered art in a way because it just tries to imitate realism? What separates them, though, is the intention of its maker. If it is just to elicit sexual arousal, then it is porn! But again, who could say that that was the intention of its maker? Only the maker himself, right? So it is up to the audience to decide whether to treat such work as art or porn. It's gonna be subjective, then? Yes, because art is mostly (or always) subjective. There is no single point of view surrounding it. Anyway, let's not go debating over it. I'm simply trying to make a point re the film.

This is one of those films that truly shocked me and left me at a loss for words. The other one being Salo: 120 Days of Sodom. Oh, I'm no prude! Yes, I've seen countless number of porn movies. But you wouldn't expect such graphic material in legitimate films, right? No wonder it became controversial in the year it was released! These days, directors tend to get more daring by showing bodily fluids, imagine that! In the years to come, what will we see next?

Whether or not you find this movie good or bad, it all depends on whether it has achieved it goals or not. For people who haven't experienced the same sexual passion as the two characters have, then they may dismiss this as trash. But for people who have, then they would know what it is like to be in that same nirvana.

Sex would really make one go crazy! I guess, that is why we were reminded a number of times (by the church, etc.) that sex is mainly used for procreation. Because once it takes hold of you, you'd find it difficult to go back to your senses. So be wary! Be careful...

Note: If you think that I'd wrote a review for " Salo" next just because I mentioned it, no siree! I loathe that film! I could never imagine seeing that film again. There's only so much that I could take!

Romance (France 1999)

2005-07-20T12:10:00.001+08:00

Catherine Breillat is a French woman director whose focus on films are that of female sexuality. Her attacks are shocking and rather disturbing to say the least. She has no qualms about nudity on film. When I say nudity, I mean no holds barred nudity! Her sexual acts seem to be the real thing, as well, and not just simulation. That being said, her films may somewhat border on pornograhy. What set them apart is the story she injected behind it.

Romance is about a sexually-deprived woman, Marie. Her boyfriend hasn't been touching her for quite a while. She loves him so much that she only wants him to touch her. But then, her boyfriend seems to be keen on keeping up his "no-sex" rule. He isn't able to keep up with her sexual appetite.

So, Marie decided to get what she wanted from other men without the knowledge of her boyfriend. From those trysts and sexcapades, she discovered a part of her that brought more life to her voracious appetite for sex.

Catherine Breillat should be commended for doing movies that usually are of men's genre: sex. She tells her story like it is on women's point of view. Moreso, with a more daring and bolder take. However, when one starts to take side, one loses the focus on the other and alienates him. In this case, Marie was the focus and all the men around her were mere players to her desires. This may be a good movie for woman kind but men may find it a bore. It wouldn't even be much of a study for men since there was little to study to begin with: Marie's sexual desires.

What may also be a problem here is the fact that Marie might be bordering on being a nymphomaniac. She likes having sex just for the sake of having it and not exactly getting pleasure from it. In that case, some women might not be able to relate on her.

Re the sex scenes, yes, they are daring and bold. There are lots of frontal nudity and close-up shots. But they are neither engaging nor erotic. It doesn't have the passion and depth of Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses. Some scenes are even too graphically detailed which makes them quite uninteresting. Not to mention that the movie failed to give meaning to them.

Do I recommend the film? If you're a fan of Catherine Breillat, it won't hurt you to see this one. If you want to witness the cinematic style (should I say genuis?) of Ms. Breillat and have no access to her other films than this one (like myself), go ahead with this one. Just don't expect magic and brillance. I'm sure that she did better works than this one.

Note: The poster above is the original artwork of the movie. So does the title.

::: Breillat's Filmography :::

Boso

2005-07-20T11:33:00.000+08:00

Jake is a caretaker of a boarding residence that houses a whole array of characters-- a born-again couple with an addiction to porn movies, a nymphet masquerading as a shy school girl, a virgin discovering her lustful predilections. Through the holes he has carved on the ceiling, with surreptitious perfection, Jake become privy to their most intimate and darkest secrets. Keeping a watchful eye on these people is not just a means to satisfy his carnal curiosity. It is an addiction that makes him feel like a god.

But one day, his life changes when he hovers over the lives of newlyweds Cecilia and Ding, her husband. While his eyes feast on the couple's sexual encounters, Jake develops a connection with Cecilia that he has never experienced before. For the first time, here is a woman who has shown him the real meaning of beauty. However, one night he takes on a careless turn triggering an accident that will eventually set a confrontation with Cecilia.

Think of Scorpio Nights. Then go Hollywood with Sliver. Now, go down a notch lower... Lower still... A little bit lower than that... Didn't you get it? I said lower, lower, lower!!! If you could go hell deep, then what's stopping you from doing so?!

"Boso" is done digitally. Digital film usually mean low budget and cheap production. Not by George Lucas's standards, of course. But cheap production doesn't mean that the film should come out cheap! Do I need to elaborate on that?

Hipo (Short for Hipokrito)

2005-07-18T03:52:00.000+08:00

A musical-sex-comedy about hypocrisy, bigotry and prejudice. Featuring top sexy stars - Katya Santos and Allen Dizon with Viva Hotmen-- Paolo Serrano, Justin de Leon, Jayson Colis, Ethan Zulueta and Jerome Ocampo. Supported by an ensemble of talented theater actors from PETA.

A show full of punch lines, comedy sketches, monologues and musical numbers, this stage play will tackle relevant issues like gender, sexuality and also controversial issues that made the headlines like the much investigated escort services expose, right-wing moralists, self-righteous and self-proclaimed "guardians of morality" which give twisted interpretations of the law and sometimes even the Word of God.

Hipo (Short for Hipokrito) was a musical-comedy play directed by Soxie Topacio. The leads were headed by Katya Santos and Allen Dizon. As a comedy, only the first part were laugh-out loud funny. The scenes, the dialogues, and the jokes were direct to the point. In the second part, subtlety played a major part. If dry humor isn't your thing, it would come out as boring.

Some scenes and dialogues may need re-working. But as a whole, it is still quite clever and witty. Acting-wise, Katya, Viva Hot Men, and some PETA actors were good. Si Allen Dizon lang talaga ang panira! Allen naman! Umarte ka naman ng maayos!

However, seeing all the semi-naked actors on stage, I can't help but feel offended. Sexploitation easily comes to my mind. I guess, the conservative part of me still rules. But then, of course, I also couldn't help looking at them and liking what I'm seeing. It would really knock one's out with what it tries to point out: we are all hyprocrites!

Note: It is always BEST to watch plays live in theaters and not on videos! But then, for those you can't afford to watch them live or failed to, videos are the best alternatives. I wish that more plays could be transferred on videos after their performances so that they would gain a bigger following.

Irreversible (France 2002)

2005-07-17T23:35:00.000+08:00

Since I mentioned that I bought a French film called Romance, I'd like to call your attention to this other French film called Irreversible that I saw last year. It has Monica Belluci before The Passion of the Christ but after Malena. If you adore this one-heck of a beautiful woman, then seeing this film is all worth it! However, let me WARN you that this movie isn't for the faint-hearted. Like its title, its effects are truly irreversible! It made me sick to my stomach when I saw "the scene". Not sick in a way that I was grossed out or that I wanted to puke. It made me sick because the movie was done as if you were the character. That you were experiencing the same situation that the actor was going through at the moment. Not to mention that it was somehow done in "real time". It made my heart beat faster. It made me angry. It made me cry. Name all the emotions and you'd have it! Believe me! Period. I couldn't say much anymore because I don't want to spoil anything for you. That is, if you would have the heart to see it.

Anyway, what is it all about? It has a simple plot, really. It is about a happy couple who would be embarking on a different stage of their lives. However, something horrible happened to one of them that would changed their lives forever. What is it? It's for you to find out! That is the heart of the story.

Other than that, Irreversible is a cinematic experience because it had a style of its own. The movie was told backwards. If we are talking about time, it started with the events that took place in Monday 5:30 am and followed by the events before that till its beginning on Sunday 6 pm. The time I mentioned, though, is just a point of reference and not the exact time in the movie. But it did happen in just a night. It was ala-Memento only that there were no present events then going backwards. This one was like rewinding the story. If you don't feel like it, try watching the beginning in the ending. Just hit the chapter button of your remote. However, I'm not sure if it would cause the same effect if you'd see it the way it was intended to be seen.

Well, for my last words on this movie, don't watch Irreversible! Experience it! Let's see if you can!

P.S. If you're thinking of searching this film on the net to find out more about it, I suggest that you don't! Don't spoil yourself with synopsis and reviews! That's why I didn't add any links. Again, experience it on your own!

::: Other film recommendations: I Spit on Your Grave (US 1978) :::

Para Maiba Naman

2005-07-17T23:24:00.000+08:00

Bought some Korean action this time...

Make It Big (Action Comedy)
Tae Guk Gi: Brotherhood of War (Action Drama)

I was looking for Anatomy of Hell but found this instead. It was from the same French director, Catherine Breillat.

France
Romance

Sequels That Sucked Part II

2005-07-16T03:23:00.000+08:00

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous

Dear Sandra,

What were you thinking making Miss Congeniality 2? If you thought that you'd score another hit with this one, you thought wrong! Is this an attempt to revive a career that's long been gone? When most of your actors didn't sign up to do the sequel, take a hint! Read the clues! Not only that your plot was so lame, your dialogues were even dreadful! Where did you get the courage to utter such terrible lines? Were you that desperate?

I don't know where your career is going to. Face the fact: you can't act! You were truly noticed in Speed. However, thanks to Keanu, you two both managed to make it on top despite the lack in talent. Yes, you went big time with While You Were Sleeping but it was mostly because of the romantic nature of the film. There was no need to exert much effort there, right? You're old now. Where would you go? You can't be doing such cutesy characters anymore. It won't look good. Remember what happened with Two Weeks Notice? Even Hugh Grant failed to give you a blockbuster. You can't also be doing dramatic movies because the audience do not support you with it even if you have the entire Ya-Ya Sisterhood as your back-up! Thrillers? Oh, we all know how disastrous Murder By Numbers went! But The Net was pretty okay, though.

Does Hope still Float(s) for you? I do hope so because your next project is Il Mare. I don't want you screwing it up because I love that film! I also hope that Keanu wouldn't be the one to drag your ass up once again. Do your own work! Be credited for your own merit even if it will last just 28 Days!

Be smart next time, Sandra. Don't rely on Practical Magic. And please, stay away from Ben Affleck if you don't not want the Forces of Nature to go against you!

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed, yes! Fabulous? No! No more Miss Congeniality 3, okay? I think you're not lucky with sequels. Another case in point: Speed 2: Cruise Control!

In Love and War,
Filmphiler.

Sequels That Sucked Part I

2005-07-16T02:46:00.000+08:00

The Ring Two

I'm not a big fan of either The Ring (Hollywood Version) or The Ring 2 (Japanese Version). I feel that both films tried to capitalized on the sensation that Ringu created and failed big time! For devoted Ringu fans, The Ring 2 was a disaster sequel when it tried to become scientific about the demon/monster that is "Sadako" and The Ring was just a mere bad copycat of the original. I'm not sure if Ringu director Hideo Nakata agreed to direct the Hollywood version's second part to salvage his work or to put more of his creative genuis that he wasn't able to do in his second Ring. Nevertheless, he failed on both accounts. Not only that The Ring Two wasn't scary at all, it was boring as hell! I guess, the novelty of "Sadako" just really ended on Ringu.

What I hated most about this film is that make use of the whole Dark Water idea. He may be its same creator but can he be a little considerate to the upcoming Hollywood version? It may have put the whole film's success in jeopardy because of that unless there'd be changes in the adaptation.

I hope that there wouldn't be any Ring 0: Birthday adaptation! Please let "Samara" rest!

Over the Rainbow (Korea 2002)

2005-07-15T00:49:00.000+08:00

Jin-soo, a tv weatherman, met a car accident. Fortunately, he didn't suffer any serious physical injuries. However, he later realized that he has lost a certain part of his memory. He had partial amenesia.

Then, a vision of a woman came to haunt his memory. In order to know who she is or was, he sought out the help of his high school friends. But it was Yeon-hee who had helped him the most to solve the puzzle of his lost memory.

"Over The Rainbow" is one of the fascinating love stories that came out of the Korean movie factory. Although predictable and may lack the gripping mystery (that may or may not hold the audience to it), it is very enjoyable and has a "barkada movie" written all over it.

It has a great ensemble of cast that makes up for the somewhat simplistic style of the film. It is funny. It is heart-warming. It is a feel-good movie that would make you wish for a rainbow after singing in the rain! :-p

Note: Is it just me or is the song "Over the Rainbow" really such a sad song? Despite its words of hope, I feel some desperateness about it. :wipe tears:

On Video: Nasaan Ka Man (Uncut Version)

2005-07-14T21:11:00.002+08:00

"Nasaan Ka Man" stars Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, and Claudine Barretto as three adopted children of two spinters, Gloria Diaz and Hilda Koronel. They were living a peaceful life in Baguio, on their own, until Joven (Jericho) and Pilar (Claudine) announced to the family that they are planning to get married. From then on, hidden feelings and kept secrets started to unfold that soon tear their family apart.

"Nasaan Ka Man" is truly an acting piece for its actors. It is character driven. Whatever unfolds in the story depends on how each character are molded. Everyone has its own distinct flavor that makes them different from the rest. Acting-wise, "sapawan" wouldn't be possible. Unless you didn't do your part well.

The adoptive mother. Lilia (Gloria Diaz) is considered to be the mother of the three children. The matriach of the household. Her dominance over the family (and the household) happens to come from their late father. Hers is a story of sadness and repression.

The adoptive mother's sister. Trining (Hilda Koronel) is slightly deaf that brings "some" (some are effective, some are not) of the comic-relief in the story. She's very passive to her older sister. Even though she's light-hearted, she carries a heavy burden. Hers is a story of pain and disillusionment.

The adopted children. Pilar is the adopted daughter who fell in love with her adopted brother, Joven. She has to weigh between her feelings for Joven and the approval of the rest of the family. She seemed to be soft-spoken at first but became aggressive when tragedy strikes. Joven comes from the street. He may have a traumatic childhood experience that made him reserved and silent as he grew older. Ito (Diether) is the oldest brother who has been designated to take care of his younger adopted siblings. He remained faithful to the wishes of their adoptive mother only to retaliate after Joven and Pilar's marriage announcement.

All actors gave excellent performances, except for one, Ms. Gloria Diaz. She wasn't at par with the rest of the actors. Hers was the heaviest character but she didn't deliver it well. She remained two-dimensional in the entire film. It seemed that the director, Cholo Laurel, rested on the fact that she already won an acting award so he didn't squeeze much on her anymore. He had forgotten that she won only for supporting actress (Rizal) and it wasn't that emotional even like this one. Despite that, direction was good. Cinematography was excellent. Despite its cool surroundings and colorful sceneries, it gives out a dark eerie feeling that goes along with its story. I especially love the the two-mirror scene shot with Claudine!

Story-wise, it could be better. Even the dialogues could use some re-working especially with the supposedly fun-scenes. I wish that more scenes were given to the sisters since the children's lives revolve around them. Aside from that, the parallelism amongst their lives were not given much substance when it is the important aspect of the film. Yes, there were loop holes but overall, it was good enough.

Before one would watch it, I want him to know that this movie isn't all-out drama. It also delves into the paranormal. So don't be shock or disappointed when the situation start to go on a different direction. Yes, it has been done before! Who cares? The important thing is, it wasn't a copycat neither was it exactly un-original. However, can we do away with "creepy" psychic characters when making thrillers? Psychics are not always creepy, right?

Verdict: Very Good!

Note: "Nasaan Ka Man" was shown on June 15. Now, barely almost a month, it is already out on videos! Star Cinema usually releases their movies on videos two months after its screen date. But with this one, I believe that it was a bit too early. It is even still showing in some theaters! I don't know Star Cinema's purpose in releasing it so soon but I do hope that it would do more good than bad. Imagine, I still wanted to see it on screen till I learned that the video was released this week!

Why "uncut", you may ask? I haven't seen the theatrical version so I wouldn't know. Probably, the bed scenes were the ones cut on the screen version.

Newly-Acquired Titles

2005-07-14T20:05:00.000+08:00

Korea
When I Turned Nine
Mr.Handy
Old Boy
S Diary

Spain
Bad Education

These two were bought from Pinoy DVD sellers:
For My Madonna Collection
Vision Quest (Region 1)

For My Barbra Streisand Collection
The Way We Were (Region 3)

On Video: The Pacifier

2005-07-07T23:11:00.000+08:00

Another one of those "only good in trailers" kind of movies. Just enjoy the preview. Don't bother seeing the whole film!

On Video: Hide & Seek

2005-07-07T15:34:00.000+08:00

Every year, film companies try to adapt this worn-out twist. In 2003, Columbia-Tristar gave us Identity and again in 2004 via Secret Window. In 2005, we have Fox's Hide & Seek. This movie had most of the formula that a usual guess-who thriller uses. There are the weird neighbors who usually have emotional baggages. There's the goody-goody cop who is eccentric enough to freak out the new neighbors. There's the realtor who seems to know every secrets of the old house. And there's the friendly neighbors who always end up dead!

Usually, this kind of twist in the end only works once. If you've seen it the first time, then you'll not be thrilled at all the next time. It had worked for me twice, though. First in Mortal Thoughts (1991). Second, in The Usual Suspects (1995). You'd never see it coming in both films. They were done without a clue to speak of. Aside from that, they are from different genres. Mortal Thoughts was drama and The Usual Suspects was action. Both already had me so Hide & Seek failed for me.

Fantastic Four

2005-07-07T00:11:00.000+08:00

There's nothing much to say about this film except that it's f-ing fantastic! This is my newest favorite comic characters adapted on screen. It has great laughs and thrills that are enough to excite the audience. No need to ask for more!

However, maybe it is just me who loved the film. As Ain't It Cool said, "I think LITTLE kids will dig it, and mundanes (aka people not really familiar with the FF)." Ouch! I'm sorry! I'm just a simpleton from movie ville. I'd drop by comic ville, some time! I'm not sure if I'd stay, though. :( Anyway, you're not the biggest genuis, right, Harry?!

Mariah, The Clown

2005-07-06T02:06:00.000+08:00

Mariah, you never seized to amaze me! You are really soooo funny! There's no one who could do the things you do! After the photographs with the homeless, here you are painting your stomach with a crayon to look like it had abs! Oh my, what were you thinking?!

(Taken here.)

Mariah & the Homeless

2005-07-03T07:52:00.000+08:00

The caption of the picture says, "Tuesday, June 28, 2005. Mariah Carey goes to dinner with some friends at Koi in Los Angeles, CA and later on poses with a homeless man in a wheelchair who didn't want to be photographed. She used him for attention and left without even giving him a handshake or money."***She was part of Live 8, right? So, wtf?!***Click the pic for the news source and additional photo.

The Great Raid Opens This August

2005-07-03T06:45:00.000+08:00

Set in the Philippines in 1945, "The Great Raid" tells the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) who undertakes a daring rescue mission against all odds.

Traveling thirty miles behind enemy line, the 6th Ranger Battalion aims to liberate over 500 American prisoners-of-war from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp in the most audacious rescue ever.

Major leads include Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Fiennes, and James Franco. Pinoy casts include Cesar Montano, Bembol Roco, Alvin Anson, Rez Cortez, Rommel Montano, Ryan Eigenman, amongst others.

"The Great Raid" opens in the US on August 12, 2005. No poster available yet for this movie.

Note: The pic above shows Cesar Montano in the scene. His role (as Captain Juan Pajota) was originally offered to Zoren Legaspi who passed the first screening. But Legaspi turned down the project due to his commitment to GMA-7 for a TV soap opera, and that he could not leave his family for a month's shoot in Australia.

Houston, We Have a Problem!

2005-07-02T01:57:00.000+08:00

What has happened to you, Whitney? You were one of the best singers I've known. And I still believe that you are! You can even toppled the likes of Celine and Mariah with your smooth and clear voice. What have you done to yourself? You cannot blame this anyone because you did this to yourself. You were once on top. You threw away your career because of love. Is it still love or just plain stupidity? When will you ever realize that Bobby is no good for you? It is not a matter of staying with each other through thick and thin anymore. It is a question now of whether he is still bringing out the best in you or not! As I'm seeing it, you're in your worst self, ever! Doesn't the word dignity ring a bell to you anymore?

Meanwhile, to check out Whitney and Bobby's not-intentionally funny (and quite pathetic) antics, catch "Being Bobby Brown" (too bad, not yet aired here). For episode recaps and screen captions, go here. How low can they get?