The Prince & Me (2004)

"The Prince & Me" came out the same year as the two first daughter's movies. Judging from its trailer, it seemed like that this film had the same theme. Only this time, the lead character was a prince. "Oh no! Not again," were the words I blurted out. "Enough!" If I'm not mistaken, maybe that's the reason why this film was quite a disappointment in the box-office.

HOWEVER, when I saw this on video, I was surprised that it wasn't bad at all. It was even quite better than the two mentioned movies. Although not exactly original, it was way different than the two with its well-researched life of the royalties. Check out the making of the film and you'd see what I meant.

The first fifteen minutes of this film was a blah especially the reason why the prince decided to study in a university in Winconsin. For an educated royalty like him, he was characterized as the stereotypical loser, sex-starved teens portrayed in Hollywood teen flicks. Why would he resort to pretending a nobody when he can get any girl he wants (actually, he was already doing so in Denmark!) by being himself--a prince! Besides, proving his self-worth as an ordinary guy was not really in his agenda. Nevertheless, the film slowly moved on after that into a typical romantic film with a not so-typical turn of events.

Despite her efforts not to pay attention to the gorgeous classmate, the studious and serious about life girl still fell for him only to learned that he was a distraction to the straight path she wanted to pursue. Not to mention the fact that he is a prince! Too late to back-out now, she went to Denmark to be with her prince. Soon enough, the ordinary duck turned into swan ala "Pretty Woman". She also won the heart of the queen mother of the soon-to-be-king because she saw her good effects on him. But she wasn't about to give up her life and dreams for the fairy tale romance that she wasn't ready for. She eventually went back home to pursue her university education to become a doctor and work for the Doctors Without Borders team. I had hoped that it ended there but it didn't. Eventually, the now king expressed his desires to wait for her until she becomes ready to be his queen. Yeah, it sounded so cheesy yet it still worked! Thanks to the on-screen chemistry and good acting by the two leads, Julia Stiles and Luke Mably.

Overall, "The Prince & Me" was worth the almost two hours that you've spent watching it! This is "The Princess Diaries" and "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" combined made better!

Let The Match Begin!

Here's the story: A girl wants to experience freedom from being the daughter of a president. The president, being a caring and understanding father that he is, devised a way to sort of give in to his daughter's wish without putting her safety at risk. He provided her a secret service agent who would befriend her and take care of her without her knowing that he is a secret service agent. However, the two fell in love with each other. Eventually, the girl learned the truth about the identity of the boy she fell in love with and walked away from him. Again, being an understanding father that he is, he planned a way for his daughter and the boy to be together for a happy ending.

I know it isn't the most original story that you've heard. But what is the possibility of two different movies from two different movie outfits being shown in the same year to have exactly the same plot? In Hollywood, there's 100% chance! Remember 1997's "Dante's Peak" and "Volcano"? 1998's "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon"? Case in point this time: 2004's "Chasing Liberty" and "First Daughter". It seemed like that these two (and the rest of them) were bought from one scripts factory. Only that the owner didn't say that he sold two copies of the same script. The film makers only learned about it when they were both doing the movie already and it was too late to put them on shelves. They just hoped that theirs was better than the other.

Both films were slated to be shown last January 2004 but Fox's "First Daughter" backed out and was moved to September. Hey, what good would it do, right? One would bound to suffer at the box-office if they would be pitted against each other. (Later on though, both bombed at the tills.) What's more was that they were even both called "First Daughter" before one managed to change it.

However, was one really better than the other? Oh, yes, indeed!



I enjoyed "Chasing Liberty" the first time I saw it on screen. It had enough romantic scenes that would make you want to cuddle with your date. It may be a teeny-bopper movie but there was no pretension that it wasn't. It was fun and entertaining. Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode (who was very adorable!) may not have the best chemistry on screen but they somehow pulled the romance off! Add to that was the side story of two other secret agents played by Jeremy Piven and Annabelle Sciorra.

This movie has its charms that one could recommend to see during a romantic movie night.



"First Daughter" was a complete waste of time and money! I didn't try seeing on screen because I felt that it was crap-ish. One movie of the same plot was enough for me to spend my hard-earned money on. And just the lack of anything good to rent upon, I took this video.

As far as I'm concern, Katie Holmes is still Joey of "Dawson's Creek" playing a president's daughter. She still had those cutesy moves and pouty lips. If Mandy and Matthew managed somehow to have chemistry on screen, Katie and Mark Blucas didn't! They were too wrong for each other physically and romantically on screen.

This movie took on the fairy tale-like way of storytelling. And that was just it. A crappy fairy tale that needs to be forgotten and not be told to children! It was charmless!

How could director Forest Whitaker claimed that this was better than "Chasing Liberty"? Was he out of his mind?

Touch of Pink Quotes

Here are some unforgettable dialogues and punch lines in the movie:

Alim: You know what’s the matter with you?
Giles: What?
Alim: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Nuru: It’s also confusing. I couldn’t find the chauffeur you sent. How’re these people ever ruled the world? No one helps me with my bags. I’m telling you, these English people can be so rude and unhelpful.

Nuru: I’m on a diet.
Giles: Why? You look great
Nuru: No, I don’t.
Giles: I think you do.
Nuru: No, I don’t! It’s the shoes. They’re new!

Alim: Ma, I’ve a fully equipped kitchen.
Nuru: You’ve coconut?
Alim: Yes.
Nuru: Fresh coconut?
Alim: No… There’s an Indian restaurant nearby.
Nuru: I’ll take a nap first! I’m not a machine!

Nuru: I’m only teasing you. I know you’re busy. Laughter is the best medicine.
Alim: Then, I guess I must be in the placebo group.

Giles: I’d really like it if we could be friends.
Nuru: I’ve many friends, thank you! All the positions have been filled. If there’s a vacancy in the near future, I’ll be sure to get in touch with you! Thank you very much for applying. Never heard that before? Not part of your culture, is it Mr. Egg Stealer?
Giles: I’m sorry. I just assumed that the eggs were for everybody.
Nuru: You people always do! Eggs, India, Africa, Middle East!

Nuru: Those trousers are a bit tight, aren’t they, Peter?
Alim: The pants are fine.
Nuru: The trousers are not fine! I can read your… credit card number!

Alim: I’m not going back to Toronto. I like to get you off my back! Cause you won’t ever light up!
Nuru: I see… This is how you talk to your mother? Excuse me, please… Oh, I forgot! Your horrible mother made you a mango pickle sandwiches… for your lunch!

Giles: Are you alright?
Nuru: My life is just a soiled, tattered tissue dashed into the toilet of our lives. What will I do now?
Giles: You could write poetry…

Nuru: I carried him for the 9 hottest months in the history of Kinya. Practically broke my back. Only 19 years old and my breasts are like mangoes at the end of the stockings! Now he doesn’t want his mother. Tell, what is in it for me?
(A pregnant woman stood up)
Nuru: Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean it… You’ll love it! By the way, you’re glowing!

Alim: I wanna show you something. You see the spot on the wall there? Well, this photograph used to hang there. We took it out before you came. You know why?
Nuru: Something you didn’t want me to see?
Alim: That’s right.
Nuru: Something for boys only?
Alim: I wanna show it to you anyway…
Nuru: Oh, there’s no need. Boys will be boys. I understand.
Alim: I really want to…
Nuru: It’s not anything greasy, is it? Or whips, midgets, or that S&M business?
Alim: It’s a photo of Giles.
Nuru: Oh my, it’s certainly is…
Alim: I took it…
Nuru: I see…
Cary Grant: Oh what to do? Not enough air pushing to the windmills of her mind…

Alim: She’s a Muslim woman from the Third World!
Giles: So what?
Alim: You keep forgetting that she’s not like me! You have to shift your expectation!
Giles: So what you’re really saying is that she’s just an ignorant Paki?
Alim: I wouldn’t put it quite like that.
Giles: Well, I think that you would if you could. But she’s your mother. And if she’s just a Paki, what does that make you?

Cary Grant: I love Toronto! Tell me, does time always drag in here like this?
Alim: Can you believe it? She still keeps the plastic in the furniture.
Cary Grant: Yeah! To keep the evil fresh!

Khaled: Oh c’mon! You never used to fight me before.
Alim: You were never getting married before.
Khaled: Not because I bought a cow doesn’t mean I like milk!

Khaled: You’re not in love with him. It’s just not normal.
Alim: If you’re normal, count me out. Look at you, a closet drunk, a closet queer! Named a closet, you’re hanging there!

Khaled: Do you ever think about your own mother?
Nuru: Do you ever think of me with you’re fly is undone like that?
Khaled: Auntie… Oh… It’s not…
Nuru: I know what you’re doing.
Khaled: Auntie, it’s not what you’re imagining…
Nuru: I’m not imagining. I’m seeing…
Khaled: I’m not… I have a fiancée, remember?
Nuru: Your mother has a baby grand piano and she can’t play a note either.
Khaled: Good one!

Alek: You know what’s the matter with you?
Giles: What?
Alek: Your upper abs… You should do some crunches later.

Alim: I’m sorry.
Nuru: You didn’t do anything wrong.
Alim: No. I’m sorry you see that. It must’ve been a shock.
Nuru: Yes… I’m not completely backwards. I know all about men with men. I subscribed to Reader’s Digest…

Cary Grant: It’s the oldest story in the world. Boy meets boy. Boy loses boy and goes to Toronto. Boy gets back together with boy in London for a happy ending. Well, maybe not the oldest story…

Touch of Pink (2004)

"Touch of Pink" has nothing new to offer in terms of the story. The lead characters may be Pakistanis but it's still your typical gay film. Alim (Jimi Mistry of "The Guru") is living in with his boyfriend (Kristen Holden-Reid) in London. His mother, Nuru (Sue Mathew), decided to visit him from Canada to find him a proper Ismali-Muslim girlfriend. Only to discover later that he is gay and that his so-called roommate was his lover!

As typical as it may sounds, what is so great about this film, however, are the dialogues! They are so catchy and witty! Some of them has even the dry humor that would stay with you throughout ages! They were delivered excellently without the characters trying to be funny. (See quotes here.)

Aside from the dialogues, the acting was great! The gay leads do not adhere to the stereotypical homosexuals most gay-themed movies have. Hats off to Sue Mathew who brings light to the film with her unparalled acting!

Commendable, as well, are the turnout of events when Alim went to back to Canada to make ammends with Nuru. It showed how family could ignore one's identity as long as one does what people expects him to do.

On Video: Aishite Imasu 1941

I have rented "Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita" even though I have already seen it on cinemas during its MMFF 2004 run. I somehow felt the urge to see it when I saw that the video includes the deleted scenes thinking I was getting the "director's cut". But it wasn't. The deleted scenes were just that - deleted scenes! They were not integrated in the whole film. Heck, they were even the unedited ones so it is safe to assume that they were cut even before they were shown for classification in MTRCB. For sure, the producers wanted a bigger audience that would see the film so those cuts have been made. However, I'm beginning to think that the scenes were shot just to get two handsome actors kissed on screen! If they have planned to put them despite knowing the MTRCB won't approve of them, why delete them or at least processed them?

What exactly were the deleted scenes? There were four cuts and most of them were the graphic sexual acts (meaning: kisses!) between guys. The first was the much talked-about kissing scene between Ignacio (Dennis Trillo) and the captain (Jay Manalo) when the former finally admitted that he was a man. The second was Edna's rape scene while he was being captured by the Japs. The third scene was the shooting lesson of Inya (Judy Ann Santos) given by Edilberto (Raymart Santiago) while Ignacio was watching jealously. The last was the farewell kiss of Ignacio and the captain.

Seeing them really didn't change how I saw the film. Cuts or no cuts, the film was still the same because there weren't any story that those scenes tell. We really didn't have to see Ignacio and the captain kiss to know that they have consummated their relationship. We need not see Edna's rape scene to know that the Japs had sexually assaulted him. The shooting lesson need not be added because the audience already know how jealous Ignacio was to Inya. Those scenes were already implied in the movie as it went along.

Though, I guess it would be have a different feel if those scenes where integrated in the whole film. You'd get to see and feel the film in a new perspective. It would kinda give a mature feel to it. Still, it would still lack in storyline but people who'd expected the lead gay characters to kiss won't get disappointed upon seeing it, right?

The Wedding Date

I admit that I only went to see this film because of the shortage of romantic comedies that are coming out recently. Maybe that is also the main reason why it raked $11 million during its weekend-day opening in the US. So despite all the bad reviews I've read it, I gathered my strenght to watch it. Hey, who knows? Dermot Mulroney could've save this movie with that teeny-weeny butt exposure! Hehe. Unfortunately, despite all the appeals he has on screen, this movie went down the drain!

The major flaws of this film are the characterizations and the "sobrang pilit kilig" moments. Debra Messing was in a total "Grace" character minus the loud-mouth and wackiness, hence the boring Grace that Karen despises. The movie failed to establish who she really was and what makes her better than her sister for her ex-fiance to fall in love with her again. If Julia Roberts made this, she could've done something about the character. She is very charming as she is and Debra isn't. Meanwhile, Dermot Mulroney's character failed to show his expertise in making women swoon over him. A ladies-man isn't all about good looks, it has to deal more with attitude and personality.

This film suffered from so-soon-and-so-sudden kind of romances. Within 48 hours, the two characters managed to fall in love with each other and decided to be with one another for the rest of their lives without really proving what their worth. Talk about desperation, eh? This is "Pretty Woman" and "My Best Friend's Wedding" gone bad.

One last note: I love Michael Buble's "Home" and it has been inappropriately used in this film!

Closer (2004)

This movie has been dubbed as the “romantic film for adults” by the producers. It also has the tagline, “If you believe in love at first sight, you never stop looking.” However, there was nothing romantic nor lovable about this film. All four characters are flawed and have no redeeming value to them which the movie does not glorify. You take them for who they are. Love ‘em or hate ‘em. Do what you will.

Everyone here is looking so blindly for love that they’d never know it even if it hits them right on their faces. However, if they’ve known that it was love that hits them, they wouldn’t have a clue as to how they’d take care of it. Physical attraction, lust, honesty, dishonesty, trust, perversions and obsessions would get in the way of a good relationship. It just shows how adults could also be confused and screwed up as their teen counterparts when it comes to love which makes this movie so sad yet so true.

With excellent performances from Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Clive Owen, and Natalie Portman, clever dialogues from Patrick Marber, and great direction from Mike Nichols, “Closer” is one the best films that came out in 2004!

However though, it isn’t a movie for just anybody. One would either hate or love the film depending on whether they get the premise or not. This is truly a “romantic film for adults” because sometimes this is how complicated adult relationships get in need to be closer to the so-called love of his/her life.

Wicker Park (2004)

The back cover of the video says, "Wicker Park is a remake of the 1996 French film "L' Appartement." It combines the passion of "The End of the Affair", the obssession of "Unfaithful", and the deception of "Killing Me Softly". Its dizzying and enthralling twists and turns will keep you glued from start to finish."

If the producers really intended this movie to have those elements, then that's quite a feat to achieve. Forget about "Killing Me Softly" but the first two mentioned movies were two of the finest films and to at least have a tiny bit of their success would entail an achievement already. Unfortunately, this has none of the elements mentioned. It lacks passion, the obssession is plainly stupid, and the deception is irritating. The twists and turns would not make you glued to your seats but rather make you get remote and fast forward it to the end!

Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)

All talk with so very little action makes this one hell (no pun intended) of a boring movie! The fright scenes weren't even scary. Most of them are just plain gross and gory is not scary! I don't even know why they have to make this film. The producers might've thought that they could cash in on the success of the 1973 "Exorcist". Probably they did during the first few days or weeks of screening. That's fortunate of them. But this movie is so forgettable that this belongs to the trash! I'd rather they re-made the first movie and turn it into an even scarier one with good editing and sequence of events that this generation would highly appreaciate.

Dreamboy

The producers of this film had been boasting about the twist of "Dreamboy". So much that you'd think that it came up with something extraordinary, original, and a rare gem to Philippine Cinema. Unfortunately, it wasn't all that.

Let's start first with the story. Cyd is a 23-year old woman who dreams about a perfect guy who would sweep her off of her feet. Enter Philip Ong who was the son of the owner of the grocery store where she works. The first time he meets her, he did everything to get her attention. With those few seconds of little conversation, he managed to treat her on an expensive restaurant, brought her to Subic the following day, and confessed his love for her a few days after in a party. Wanting to slow down a bit, Cyd was able to get out of the relationship in time. Then, she meets Eboy who looked exactly like Philip. However, he was atlethic and more spontaneous. Being brokenhearted, Cyd easily fell for him. But a fiance came out of the picture that once again broke her heart. Jaime, who again looked exactly as the two guys, arrived just in time to heal her heart. So you'd think that the three lookalikes is the twist, no siree!

To continue, with her blooming relationship now with Jaime, she is more clever and more understanding of the things happening around her. Thank's to her friend Isidro. She learned that she was living her life in the last three months under the lens of a t.v. camera! She was in a show called "Mr. Dreamboy", a reality t.v. dating show. People (including family and friends) are aware of the situation except her. She got angry but later realized how much she loves Jaime, the real guy out of the three.

So it is an enticing and original twist? Nah. It's very "The Truman Show". Only this time, it wasn't as clever as the said movie. It was very unrealistic! So much for the concept of a reality-based t.v. show, eh? Was Cyd so desperate by her desire to find the love of her life that she easily fell for three guys in a span of three months? Was she that blind that she wasn't able to detect the things that are happening around her? Or was it just because the producers and staff of the show were so clever that they have managed to do a reality show without the lead knowing she was in it?

Anyway, it seemed like that this movie had used all the formulas to come up with three love stories in one movie to the point of exasperation and cheesiness. Despite all that, "Dreamboy" could still be passable as a romantic movie if you're desparate to see one. Just look at it in the forgettable department of the video stores!

Ladder 49 (2004)

"Ladder 49" is an intense, powerful drama about the brotherhood of firemen. It has lots of gripping firefighting actions that celebrate the courageous deeds of these men. It makes you appreciate more the risks they take to ensure our safety.

When lives are at risks during work, what matters most are the relationships, friendships and connections you make as you go through your lives...

Introducing Singapore

A few weeks back, I saw "I Not Stupid" shown in ABC-5. At first, I thought that it was a Korean movie but later learned that it was from Singapore. It was very funny and sad at the same time. Then it was followed by "Chicken Rice War". This movie naman is funny and romantic in the tradition of "Romeo and Juliet".

Seems like I'd be looking forward to seeing more of Singaporean movies. My taste for it would compete with my adoration for Korean movies...

Catching Up on the 2004 MMFF Movies

I've only chosen three movies to see on screen during the 2004 Metro Manila Filmfest. Now, I'm catching up on them through their video releases.

"Mano Po III: My Love"
A typical retelling of the universal issue of unrequited love down in a Chinese setting. Because it has been done in the same old formulaic style, nothing new was shown in this film. Even Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon seemed too tired to be doing the same roles.

"The Bridges of Madison County" has always been a favorite of mine because it has tackled the issue of love in the old age differently - subtly and not teen-ish. Sad to say here, the lead characters failed to think and act so discreetly. Or maybe because the Vilma-Boyet tandem is so used up already that it needs to take a break - for good! However, the good thing was, it ended perfectly. They did not end up together just to rekindle their pre-empted past relationship. Because they are adults, Lilia (Vilma's character) have set aside her feelings and prioritized her obligations to her family. She just needed to answer the questions on her mind re their failed relationship to get closure.

Commendable here was how Joel Lamangan lessened the political issue in the movie.

Among the trilogy, I still feel that Erik Matti's "Mano Po II: My Home" is still the best. It has strong conflicts and very good characterizations.

For someone like me who love "The Bridges of Madison County", I didn't like how the car scene was executed. Sobrang copycat!

*****

"Spirit of the Glass"
Old. Used. Tried. Tired. Trying hard. Boring. A pathetic excuse for a horror film! With two failed attempts at the horror genre (the other one being "Malikmata"), Joey Reyes should stick to what he do best: romantic comedies and realistic dramas!

*****

"Enteng Kabisote: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko The Legend"
Impressive. An updated version of the "Okay Ka, Fairy Ko" t.v. and movie series that Filipinos loved and followed. It made me miss one of my favorite local actresses, Charito Solis. "Ina Magenta" would never be the same without her.

Everything is good (effects, acting, story) except for Kristine Hermosa who seemed to act as if she's in a Jericho-Kristine teeny-bopper type of films! Grow-up, girl!

*****

"So... Happy Together"
Pampalipas-oras, that's how I would describe the film. If you don't have anything better to do and just want to kill time, watch this one. It's neither good nor bad. However though, let me warn you that 95% of this film has Kris Aquino in it! I don't mean to be rude to her followers but she is soooo bad in the film! In fact, without her, this movie could've worked!

*****
"Sigaw"
Technically excellent! It has provided a everything that would make a film creepy - background, musical score, lighting. Pwede na siyang ihanay sa mga Asian horror movies that are coming out lately. However, it has nothing new to offer in terms of the story. So many non-sensical details have been added just to stretch it to two hours. It has a few shock scenes, though, unlike "Spirit of the Glass" that has none!

*****
"Aishite Imasu 1941"
This movie is another Joel Lamangan attempt to uplift the conditions of the Philippine Cinema yet lacking in substance (as always). He seemed to get more enthusiastic about the idea that the film has and forgetting all the necessary and minute details to come up with a great film. This film was set during the American-Japanese war yet the Americans were nowhere in sight! What the -- ?!

However, this is truly a Dennis Trillo film! He deserves all the awards that he has been getting this awards season. His character was the main focus of the film and the one that saved this otherwise falling down the hill movie. So bakit ba ang pagmumukha nina Judy Ann at Raymart ang nasa poster ng pelikula?!

(Read my other reviews for the last three films here.)

Boo-Boo-Boogeyman!

Tim witnessed how his father was taken by the boogeyman when he was a kid. Nobody believed him so he was sent to the hospital for therapy. He was made to believe that his father left them which put his mother into depression. Fast forward to 15 years, he went back to his hometown to attend his mother's funeral. He decided to stay in their old house and face his fears. However, several creepy things happened to him at home that forced him to leave once again. Until he met the ghost of a little girl who was taken by the boogeyman, as well, and challenged him to fight off the evil that is boogeyman.

Technically speaking, "Boogeyman" can be credited to its good camerawork and over the top musical score. The shots were fast-paced and are quite spine-tingling. Even the effects were good for a horror genre. However, no matter how good the technicalities were, they wouldn't save this B-movie. Yes, during the first 15 minutes of the film, there were lots of scares and creeps that would let you to think that this movie might not be bad after all. Yet, afterwards, it went downhill. The people behind it might've focused themselves more on the shocks and forgot all about the storyline.

So many unexplained details are in this film. Its entirety lacks logic and sense. It failed to explain reasons why the boogeyman were after children (and some adults even!) and what does it do with them. Or why Tim was spared when he was a kid and why is it collecting him now? That is very reminiscent of the movie "They". In the end, one would wonder what the heck went on with the boogeyman face-off. It this one wanted to dwell on the face-your-fears kind of thing, it failed big time!

No matter how good the scares were, it all boils down to what actual sense the film has. Sad to say though, this film is senseless!

I wonder though, are Boogeyman and Jeeper Creepers related? 'Cause they surely look alike minus the wings!