On Video: Dubai

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!

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

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!