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!

My Little Bride (Korea 2004)

Get this: a man and a woman forced to get married by circumstances. They live together in one roof yet promised not to consummate the relationship. Cute little fights between the two surface then and again as they get on each other's nerves. Bouts of jealousy happens and before you know it, the two realized that they couldn't live without each other. Thus, honoring their vow of matrimony. Very "Full House", eh?

There's always something romantic with two people hating each other's guts at first and eventually falling in love. Such formula in movies never grow old when it comes to movies as long as it is done with taste and has a good script.

"My Little Bride" is no exception. It is about a guy and a girl who were asked by their grandparents to get married in fulfillment of their promises to each other. The two refused the idea at first but later on agreed because of the manipulation of the girl's grandfather (who is the only one living among the grand parents) and their respective fathers. They live together in one house but stayed in different rooms. Because they are childhood friends, the two are not really unknown with each other. However, they still live their own separate lives with little arguments every now and then. In the end, they realized how much they have loved one another since childhood and remained committed to their marriage.

The movie works in every way as far the romance formula is concern. There are quite enough "kilig" moments and funny scenes (check out the hilarious scenes with the spinster Miss Kim!) mixed with a little bit of drama. I wouldn't be a surprise that Korea made a hit out of this one.

However, I don't know if it was just my sick thoughts or what but I feel that there was something twisted about the whole thing. You see, the movie doesn't involve the typical boy and girl characters. In this one, the guy is eight years older than the girl. Oh, there's nothing wrong with that, I know, except that the guy is in college and the girl is a high-schooler! Sangmin is 24 and Boeun is 16! Looking at them together doing the lovey-dovey thingy somehow creeps me out. The movie may have make some funny references to the "sugar-daddy" concept but it looked exactly like that, especially that Moon Geun-Young (Boeun) looked so much like a child and Kim Rae-Young (Sangmin) looked older than what he's supposedly be playing. I'm sure that perverts would have a blast watching this film especially when the girls are wearing their school uniforms!

The story of "My Little Bride" wasn't like that originally. It based from the Korean series "Sweet 18" and jugding from the title, the female lead character was 18 years old and was on her final year in high school. If that would be the case, then there'd be no problem whatsoever with the film. I just don't know why the makers of the film had to make the female lead 16 years old and on her first year high school! If Hollywood would recreate this one, I'm sure that they'd stick to the original story. If not, they'd get a much older-looking female lead or a much younger-looking male lead just to avoid the controversy that it may create to moralists.

Aside from that, the last scene didn't work for me. It was when Sangmin confessed to all the students and faculty of the school (oh, didn't I mention that Sangmin became Boeun's teacher?!) that he is married to Boeun. He made a plea to the students not to give her a hard time because she is still a kid who just honored their grand fathers' wish. In turn, Boeun admitted (to the whole school, as well!) that he was very much in love with Sangmin. That scene was very Hollywood that would work well for students who are infatuated with their teachers!

Minus those small (if you'd call them small!) set-back, "My Little Bride" is an entertaining romantic film. It is one of those romantic movies that came out in Korea that would easily capture the hearts of every movie-loving Filipinos. But still, it isn't at par with "My Sassy Girl" or "Windstruck".

Spanglish: A Heartfelt Comedic Drama

"Spanglish" is about a Mexican mother and daughter who moved out of Mexico to start anew. They moved to L.A. and stayed in a Spanish-based community. Until the mother felt that she needed a new high-paying job that would her keep nights free to spend with her daughter. She worked as a housekeeper for the Clasky family, an American family. As much as she tried not to, she got involved with them and have their lives intertwined with them.

This movie is all about the script and acting. It has a tight story and a well-put characterization. Flor Moreno (Paz Vega) is a mother who wants to offer the best to her daughter. As a single mom, she also wants the love of a caring man beside her. John Clasky (Adam Sandler) is considered to be one of the best chefs in America. In his restaurant, he takes charge of a group of people but at home, he becomes silent to his feelings because his wife, Deborah (Tea Leoni), has taken all the drama at home when she lost her job. John yearns for his wife sincere attention and passion which she couldn't deliver because of her insecurities in life. She is so self-absorbed that she takes it out on the people around her. Deborah's mother, Evelyn (Cloris Leachman), is a woman who wants to feel needed and cared for. Bernice (Sarah Steele), the Clasky's daughter, wants to feel appreciated for what she does best and not what she isn't doing. And, Cristina (Shelbie Brice), Flor's daughter, is a kid who just wants more than their lives could offer.

What I loved best about this movie is how it showed that people in real life just don't act on their instincts especially if they have responsibilities to other people. It doesn't say that one deserves to screw someone up just because that someone screwed them up so badly. It is a movie about adults who act like real adults. Emotion play a great deal on one's life yet you know that it isn't the ultimate. You feel that Flor and John compliment each other well and they deserve one another yet you don't root for them. You know that them being together isn't the right thing. You feel so annoyed with Deborah yet you know that she deserves a second chance. This movie shows life that way it is without the sugar-out. It is not pretentious.

"Spanglish" is magnificent and a work of art! It has truly heartfelt emotions that transcend throughout the screen and on to the audience!

Six Feet Under Season 4 Asian TV Premiere

"Six Feet Under" has premiered tonight in HBO. It is a two-hour premiere and I could say that it is still one of the best series that ever came out on TV. The characters are developing every season and new stories are being brought to make the audience glued to their seats.

In this season, Nate has to deal with his wife's death. Ruth is loving her life as a newly-married wife. David is trying to patch things up with Keith. Claire is struggling with her issues in life. Federico is dealing with guilt in his affairs outside marriage. And Brenda is having a new affair, minus the Nate obssession.

The stories may now be focused more on the Fisher family (since Season 2) and not so much on the death they are surrounded with, but this time, the death takes part on how they deal with their day to day lives.

Robots

"Robots," I could say, is the animated version of "I, Robot." The premise is the same: outdated models are being scrap in favor of those who can afford upgrades. However, what is noteworthy is its portrayal of the political and economic situation in one's country, particularly the third world countries. It is a satire. Those who could afford the nifty "upgrades" live their lives happily and those who can't end up with "junks". The latter are considered the bottom feeders or "latak ng lipunan". They will remain that way till the end because they don't have the means to live in luxurious ways.

With that said, I should say that "Robots" isn't your typical animation for kids. It has a lot to say, especially with its reference to pop culture every now and then. Kids in their elementary days wouldn't be able to grasp the true content of this film. Even its jokes lie in its witty dialogues.

However, 20th Century Fox's "Robots" wasn't at par with the rest of the animations that came out during the last three years like Disney's "Finding Nemo", Pixar's "The Incredibles" (which was also more of an adult animation), Dreamwork's "Shrek" series, or even their own "Ice Age". But it has its memorable moments. It was entertaining and fun to watch. Robin Williams, as usual, was at his best with his funny antics. Watch out for the Britney Spears reference! It made me laugh so hard!

P.S. Lightning strikes! I was wondering earlier if it is just coincidental that "Robots" and "I, Robot" have almost the same premise. I know now that it isn't. The two movies came from the same company, 20th Century Fox!

Joey: The Philippine TV Premiere

When friends Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, and Phoebe moved on with their lives separately from each other, Joey has nothing else to do but continue with his on his own. He went to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career and be closer to his family. This is where the spin-off to the highly successful "Friends" started.

"Joey" aired its Philippine TV Premiere tonight at 8:30 PM in Studio 23. Of course, being a devoted "friend", I couldn't help but expect this show to be as good as the original, if not better. Unfortunately, it was disappointing pilot. There weren't enough funny scenes. If there were some, it was kinda "pilit". The characters weren't memorable. Although, Jennifer Collidge as Joey's agent, Bobby, stood out among the rest. She was really funny!

If this would continue through the rest of the season, "Joey" wouldn't last as long as "Friends" did. Didn't Warner/NBC realize that the six characters in "Friends" were great together because they compliment one another? They were a team, therefore, couldn't stand alone. Joey wasn't even the most memorable character in "Friends", for chrissakes!

Anyway, let's just see whether things would go well in the upcoming episodes...

Cheats (2002)

This is the third time I've seen "Cheats" on HBO. But this is the first time I've seen it in its entirety. I've missed a couple of minutes during the first two times.

The movie is a teen flick. It's about a group of high schoolers who think of clever ways to cheat their way to graduation. It wasn't the best movie about the said topic because at the end, there was really no values learned. But it was entertaining. It has its funny moments that would led you to think about your own school days. As for me, I have thought about my teaching days. The movie shows the typical bunch of students one has in a class. Of course, there are the cheaters: the clever ones and not so clever ones. With the clever ones, a teacher has a feeling that they've cheated yet can't prove it or determine their ways. With the not so clever ones, they leave out a trail of clues to their cheating ways which were not exactly intentional. Some are so dumb to even copy their classmates names!

Aside from them, who really didn't bug me that much, there are the I-am-so-intelligent-I-know-everything type of students! Those are the ones that get to my nerves. These students are the ones who so eager to get to the top and prove to everyone that they are the best! I've no problem if they are intelligent and get high grades but what I'm ticked about is when they rub it on your face! They are the ones who always have the answers to every teacher's questions. They are very much unaware that they are the only ones who are raising their hands and can't even give the others a chance. They are also so strict about their schedule that if something changes, their whole world falls apart. For them, the only exisiting letter in the alphabet is "I".

There are also the jot-everything-down type of students. They write every detail that the teacher says. As in every detail down to all the periods and exclamation points!

Other types are those I've-no-brain-so-I'll-use-my-charms type. They are the ones who smooth talk every teacher and somehow gets away with being kinda "bobo". However, they are different from those beautiful ones who doesn't have a care in the world. Sure, they can get out of being scolded and humiliated in front of the class, but when it comes to the end, if they fail, they fail! Brain lasts longer than looks!

The majority are the average ones. They are the ones who seldom make an impact on the teachers because there were no special memories about them.

And lastly, the below average ones. No matter what the teacher does, they can't seem to get the lessons inside their heads! Sometimes, during the grading period, they receive a passing grade for their effort.

Anyway, that isn't why I'm hooked on "Cheats". What I can't get enough if is Trevor Fehrman! He is soooo attractive that naming him "Handsome Davies" in the movie is so rightly appropriate! Aside from being so yummy, he is one fine damn actor! I hope that he'd be given lots of projects in the near future.

Cheats, a straight to video release, was from New Line Cinema that also has Matthew Lawrence and Mary Tyler Moore in it.

Video Vista has this to say about the movie, "What is funny is just how clever they think they are and how cheating has turned them into heroes but it is really an addiction which some find easier to shake. It appears as though proper 'grown-up' life is transferred into the teenage environment, they discuss their next scheme playing pool and sitting at a 'soft' bar like gangsters."

Trivia from imdb:

• Many of the events in the story actually happened. Even the scene in which Handsome starts bashing the lockers and ripping off his shirt when Harkin accuses him and his friends of cheating on the test. (Which is my favorite scene in the movie!)
• The real Applebee refused to take part in the documentary based on the actual Cheats, and as such his name had to be censored whenever used.

(more thoughts on the name "Handsome" in "Beautiful Soul")

Review Night: A Disappointing End

It has been a week since the last episode of "Review Night" has been shown. It was its 200th episode and was at its 4th year. My oh my, I didn't even realize that the show has been running for four years now!

I was expecting a lot more for the final episode, especially that Ryan Agoncillo said a week before that that they'd be ending the show with a sort-of party. But it wasn't a party! They just had their regular movie and cd reviews (movie of the week then was "Robots"). That's it! I was thinking that they'd be showing the best movies in their list for the last four years or have their reviewers said their good byes to the show. Yes, they have shown the people behind the reviews but it wasn't even so memorable. They've just shown pictures of them in a series.

It was really a disappointing end to the show that I've religiously watched. It was like Ross and Rachel ending together in "Friends" but worse! It was an abrupt ending and not well-thought of. Parang ginawa lang para matapos na. I feel like, we, its viewers deserve more. Or was I the only one who had continue to watch it? I don't think so!

Hay, I was hoping to watch pa naman its yearly award-giving ceremony. Teka, was it held only once? Hmmm...

Anyway, bye-bye "Review Night"! So long! My Fridays will be empty without you... *pahid-luha*

See Saw!

This is my second screening of "Saw" and it never fails to creep me out! It is one of the most clever thriller I've seen that came out of Hollywood these days! And frankly, there are not much during the recent times so they are now trying to adapt screenplays from different countries, particularly Asians.

The premise of "Saw" is this: you wake up in a room with one of your leg chained to a pipe. You received a saw that isn't strong enough to cut through the chains but could cut through your bones. You have two choices: a. kill the man you are with in the room who is also locked in chains, or b. stay in the room to rot and die. Galing, di ba? Of course, the story doesn't just revolve with that. There are other predicament that the character has to bear in order to survive. There are also other stories that would let you tie in the loose ends. However, just when you thought you had things figured out, it turns itself around and leaves you clueless! Right till the end!

"Saw" is one of those movies that one has to see to be able to get the real feel in it. A must-see for thriller freaks like me!

Some interesting facts about the movie:

• Shot in 18 days.
• All of the bathroom scenes were shot in six days.
• The actors had absolutely no rehearsals. The rehearsal takes were actual footage for the film.
• Film's pre-production was only five days.
• Film was shot and cut at the same time.
• Sundance showed the NC-17 uncut version. The actual theatrical R-rated version is cut and more finessed, and the sound and colors were evened.
• The whole film was essentially shot in one location, a converted warehouse, where the bathroom set was built. All the other locations were made from existing rooms and dressed them.
• Was the closing film for the Toronto Film Festival.
• Originally intended for a straight-to-video release. After positive screenings, it was given the nod to become a premier movie. (Thank goodness!)
• Director James Wan took a gamble and took no "up front" salary for the movie and opted for a percentage instead.

More trivia here.

Korea's "Summer Time" is Philippine's "Scorpio Nights"

I just recently saw this Korean film called "Summer Time". When I've read its synopsis on the net, I've found it be very similar to Peque Gallaga's "Scorpio Nights". I thought that the film might have based its story from SN because there are unfamiliar plots in the synopsis that I've read.

When I finally got hold of the DVD copy of ST and watched it, lo and behold! 95% (or even higher, I guess) of the film is practically very SN!!! From the plot to the main characters to the supporting ones down to the little details of the film!

I wonder, does Peque Gallaga know that ST adapted the storyline of SN? Actually, technically speaking, ST is a remake of SN. ST is a 2004 movie from Korea and SN was from the 80's. If he did, why are there no news about it? If he did not, what would he think about this? They have control over the disctribution of the story, right? So he/they should be given compensatory amount for it.

OR, was SN also based from another story which Korea based their movie on? As far as Ik now, SN was an original story...

(originally posted on Nov. 19, 2004 here)

Full House's Cliffhangers

In Episode 7, Ji-eun tried confessing her feelings to Young-jae: "If you love someone, you'd protect them, right? ...I want to protect you, Young-jae. I think... I... like you.."

In Episode 8, it was Min-hyuk who confessed his feelings to Ji-eun: "I don't know whether to take you away from Young-jae or not. He doesn't know how precious your are. Please like me..."

In Episode 9, Min-Hyuk told Young-jae on the phone: "I decided... I'm gonna take Ji-eun away from you..."

In Episode 10, Ji-eun had a heart to heart talk with Young-jae: "Min-hyuk wants me to give him a chance. Young-jae... can I... like him?"

In Episode 11, Ji-eun asked Young-jae for divorce. "I think... I really like you... I want a divorce so that I wouldn't get hurt any more..." Unable to confront his feelings, Young-jae dismissed her. "Don't talk like that. If you keep on saying that, I don't think I can stay with you any longer..."

In Episode 12, Young-jae is starting to get confuse a bit more. "The truth is, I want to protect you. When I'm with you, it's fun. You make me forget about Hye-won... I think I need to go to Hye-won now..."

It's great stories like these that make me want to go back and try writing once more. I just don't get much inspiration to write stories these days, though.

Full House's Funny Moments Eps. 1 & 2

EPISODE 1
Receptionist (in Chinese): How can I help you?
Han Ji-eun: Can you speak English?
Receptionist: Oh sure. What can I do for you?
Han Ji-eun: Ah... (looked in the dictionary) I made a reservation. My name is Han Ji-eun.
Receptionist: Ah, wait a minute.
Yoo Min-hyuk (arrives): I'm looking for Mr. Lee Young-Jae. He's staying at this hotel. (cel fone rings; talks in Japanese) Moshi-moshi! Yes... Things are unwrapped on this side so I'll be going home soon... I'll see you then... (kept the cel fone and looked at Han Ji-eun with a smile)
Han Ji-eun (smiles and speaks in Korean): What are you looking at? Am I that pretty?
Yoo Min-hyuk (smiles)
Han Ji-eun: Is that funny? Your English is pretty good for a Japanese. You must've taken some lessons. Do you even know what I'm saying?
Receptionist: I'm sorry. Maybe there's something wrong. You hadn't booked any room. Will you make sure again?
Han Ji-eun: Excuse me?
Receptionist: You hadn't booked any room. Will you make sure again?
Han Ji-eun (in Korean): What is she saying? (in English) Check-in, please.
Receptionist: Ok.
Yoo Min-hyuk (speaks in Korean): She says there's no reservation.
Han Ji-eun (shocked; eyes widens)
Yoo Min-hyuk (in Korean): Are you sure you have a reservation?
Han Ji-eun (still shock; in Korean): Yes...
Yoo Min-hyuk (to receptionist in in Chinese): But, is there any room available?
Receptionist: Yes, there is. How many days will you stay?
Yoo Min-hyuk (to Ji-eun in Korean): How many days will you be staying?
Han Ji-eun (trying to keep her composure): Until this Friday.
Yoo Min-hyuk (to receptionist in English): She's gonna stay until this Friday.
Receptionist: Wait a moment, please... Room 305, is it ok?
Yoo Min-hyuk: That's great. (to Ji-eun in Korean) You can go up when you get the key. Can I help you with anything else?
Han Ji-eun: No, thanks.
Yoo Min-hyuk (bows and leaves)
Han Ji-eun: Oh... (bangs her head on the desk)


EPISODE 2
Han Ji-eun: How was your shoot?
Lee Young-Jae: What?... Ye...
Han Ji-eun: What is the movie about? How does the story go on?
Lee Young-Jae: It's about a man... who loved a woman for a long time... But the woman is leaving him..
Han Ji-eun: So...
Lee Young-Jae: So the man decides to propose before the woman leaves... "I love you a lot... Don't leave. Stay with me..."
Han Ji-eun: But he can't tell her, right?... Because she's in love with another man...
Lee Young-Jae: How did you know?
Han Ji-eun: I'm a writer!
Lee Young-jae: You know anything about writing?
Han Ji-eun: Shall I continue? ...The man can't give up on the woman. The woman is like a light in his life that he can't live without. But he can't confess his feelings either. He's afraid of losing her forever. So he keeps his pain to himself. Loving someone doesn't always means happiness...
Lee Young-Jae (gets affected)
Han Ji-eun: However, he decides to let her go in the end...
Lee Young-Jae: Then what happens? You said he couldn't live without her...
Han Ji-eun: So he's really supposed to die over that?! ...The man goes on a journey to forget his pain. He runs into a fierce storm and gets starnded on a desserted island. The island is filled with strange fruits. Turns out it's a treasure island full of huge treasure hidden! Then he falls in love with a woman in the coast guard who rescues him. In the end, he realizes that life is an unknowable enigma...
Lee Young-Jae (stunned)
Han Ji-eun: Wasn't that good?
Lee Young-Jae: You... go to bed!

*****

Han Ji-eun hands the bowl of soup
Lee Young-Jae tastes the soup; somehow gets choked-up with up
Han Ji-eun: It's not good?
Lee Young-Jae: Is this soup or stew?
Han Ji-eun: It can be both! It's like... a multi-player!


-- end --

Bridget Jones: Going Over The Edge of Reason

I don't know which is worst,"Bridget Jones's Diary" or this one. The problem with both movies is that it is trying too hard to be a British movie with a Hollywood flavor (or the other way around). British movies and Hollywood have very distinct flavors that seldom win when they try to put the two together. "Bridget Jones" is neither romantic nor sad. It is not even in-between! So what should we make up for it? Beats me!

Like in the "Diary", they failed to show why Bridget should fall deeply for Mark Darcy. The movie didn't show why Mark is the best guy for her. For me, he is just one arrogant snob prick! What's so endearing about him? There's really isn't no charm about him! Unlike Daniel Cleaver, despite being an arse, showed how he could've fooled Bridget into loving him: with his smooth-talking ways and suave attitude towards women (before he gets them into bed!).

The only thing I loved about the film is its references to the Queen of Pop, Madonna! Plus, some great soundtracks that seemed to be popping up every few minutes of the film! What's up with that? Further, that lesbian thingy is so way over the top! Trying hard!

"Alfie" on Life, Love, and Women

If women has Carrie, men has Alfie...

"Here's my theory: For most women, if a guy's a good provider and generally a nice chap, six-pack abs really aren't a deal-breaker."

*****

For us boys, it's all about the F.B.B. Face. Boobs. Bum. (For "guys", it's the F.C.B. Face. Chest. Butt.)

*****

It's been said that clothes speak the international language... If you ooze masculinity, like some of us do, you have no reason to fear pink. (I agree! Pink looks great on men! However though, black is the universal shade for gays. That is, skimpy black shirt and tight pants! Eeeow!)

*****

Now, in the cologne department, most men overdo it. My rule: Nothing above the neck, though I do like a little splash on the Big Ben. You never know where the day will take you.

*****

So she's a tub of lard. The ship's already sailed, so why not make her feel good about herself, right?

*****

When it comes to shagging birds, it's all about: Location. Location. Location. (That is what I keep on telling Than-than. He won't find anybody just be waiting where he is right now--at the office!)

*****

Live life to the fullest. I require only enough to cover my modest expenses. I've no desire to be the richest stiff in the cemetery. (Right! If you have money, buy the things you want! Don't forget to save though. Just enough to get you going during the rainy days! What will you do with so much money in the bank and never get to enjoy it?)

*****

(Lying-in position, woman on top) I think this might be my favourite position. It gives you the maximum pleasure with minimum exertion. (It goes both ways, though. Submission-domination!)

*****

(When said another thing but did otherwise.) The more details you give, the less interested he'll be.

*****

Compliment from me comes when you least expect it.

*****

Never expect any thanks in this life. (Otherwise, you're bound for disappointments.)

*****

Now lads, learn from my mistake. Never get involved with a singly mum. See, they come with accessories, some of which can be... unfortunately, irresistible.

*****

It seems to me the problems you worry yourself sick about never seem to materialize. It's the one that catch you unexpectedly on a Wednesday afternoon that knocks you sideways.

*****

You know, when you're old, you learn to be patient. Used to be I never had time for nothing. Go, go. go. My wife was always hawking me to take a little vacation. Hawaii, Reno. I always said, "Next year, Evie, next year. I got too much on my platter." I always thought I'd have more time. Then one Sunday night, she takes the pot roast out of the oven. Yells, "Soup's on," and slumps to the kitchen floor. Just like that. Dead as disco.
-- Joe

*****

Two things I learned in life, kid: find someone to love and live everyday as though it were your last.
-- Joe

*****

Second loneliest night of the year: Christmas Eve. A night that brings on all those familiar festive feelings of hopelessness, anguish, despair. Not a good time to be flying solo. (True!)

*****

Couples should never split up between Thanksgiving and January 2nd. (For us, it's Christmas till Valentine's. Not to mention, birthdays!) Always have a relationship to see you through the holidays. Always.

*****

In every doomed relationship, there comes what I like to call "the uh-oh moment." When a certain little something happens and you know you've just witnessed the beginning of the end. And suddenly, you stop and you think: "Uh-oh, iceberg ahead!"

*****

Underneath all that bravado beats the heart of a guy who's a lot smarter than he thinks he is, but not nearly as cocky as he'd like everybody else to believe. (Just perfect, right?)
-- Liz

*****

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder. (Clever!)
-- Liz

*****

You know you're in trouble when a sight like that can't keep you planted.

*****

When I was a boy at St. Alban's Secondary School, the school took us on this cultural trip to observe art at one of the-- one of those big famous London museums. Anyway, when I was there, I came across this statue of a Greek goddess in marble. Aphrodi-- Aphrodite, something like that. Beautiful, she was. Perfect female form. Chiselled features. Exquisite. I stood in awe of her. Finally, the teacher calls us all over, and I'm walking past it, and on the way I noticed, in the side of this Greek goddess, all these cracks, chips, imperfections. Ruined her for me. Well, that's Nikki. A beautiful structure... damaged... and in a way you don't notice 'till you get too close. (When you get pass all those imperfections, you're good to go!)

*****

(While packing) Don't worry, I'm already gone. (Such sad words...)
-- Nikki

*****

Strange. But even when you know it has to end... when it finally does... you always get that inevitable twinge: Have I done the right thing? (Truly strange, indeed.)

*****

Nikki was a showstopper. But as me ugly old Aunt Gladys used to say, "Looks aren't everything." I used to think that was a load of bollocks, but just lately I've been thinking... maybe the old bat had something.

*****

Alfie: I never meant to-- I never--
Marlon: You never meant to hurt anyone. But you do, Alfie.

*****

You don't know what you'll do 'till you really love someone.
-- Joe

*****

Think before unzipping.
-- Joe

*****

The thing with feelings is that they have this quiet way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. (Be glad though that you are still able to feel...)

*****

Of all the women I've known, the one I let my guard down with delivers the knockout punch. Ironic. (You can never be too sure. You always find your match!)

*****

What have I got? Really? Some money in my pocket. Some nice threads. Fancy car at my disposal. And I'm single. Unattached. Free as a bird. I don't depend on nobody. Nobody depends on me. My life's my own. But I don't have peace of mind. And if you don't have it, you've got nothing. (One is the saddest word...)

*****

What's it all about?

*****

On Video: "Male Confessions"

I'd start off with the guys featured in this video:

Bamboo - Great conversations with the band! Mostly, si Nathan Azarcon ang bumangka sa interviews. I've no problem with it 'cause I like him eversince Rivermaya days. Bamboo Mañalac, though, was still himself: a reserved shy rocker! (Isn't it contradictory to be shy and be a rocker?) He hasn't changed much since he left Rivermaya. When can we get to see the rough (and wild) side of Bamboo? I'm sure, this video aimed to interview just him but ended up interviewing the band since they can't get much from him. Hehehe...

Derek Ramsey - What a pretentious prick! Dude, be yourself! All you did in this video was flirt with the cameras! You're not cute (and not handsome either), if you don't happen to know that!

Paolo Paraiso - Question: How could Mylene Dizon go from Ira Cruz (of Bamboo) to Paolo Paraiso?! 'Yun lang!

AJ Dee - I don't know what to make out of this guy! He's neither a looker nor ugly. Neither charming nor unappealing. He's just soooo plain! A vanilla ice cream that is about to melt!

Brent Javier - Oh my! Hands down (there) ako rito sa guy na 'to! His interview is the most honest conversation that this video had. If not for him, I wouldn't buy this one. Definitely God's gift to women (and men)!



Borgy Manotoc - If not for his brains, I wouldn't like this guy. But man, mukha kang tsonggo sa video na 'to! With that braided hair and those enormous lips?! Oh my! The missing link!

Production wise, this video is so-so! The questions were not well thought-of, bad locations, bad sound, bad editing! And please, stop marketing it as a way for women to understand the psyche of men! How could you say that when all you asked were about sex! Women are not just horny individuals, you know! Besides, clearly this is one heck of an exploitation of men featured here! Not that I'm purely against it (*wink wink*), pero gandahan n'yo naman!

Aside from those, this is a video for gays disguised as for women! Oh, c'mon! Admit it! How many women would actually buy this one? Stop manipulating the pink money, Star Records!

Million Dollar Baby: "Simplicity At Its Best"

Two things that I could use to describe "Million Dollar Baby" are "Poetry in Motion" and "Simplicity at its Best"!

Watching it is like reading a book while you're seeing it on screen. It is well-paced and it gets you along its journey. You get hooked with the words, the rhymes, and the beats that you find yourself not being able to let 'till you know how it ends. You get to smile and weep as the characters face their challenges in life. It takes you for a ride smoothly from where you start to the point of your destination.

It is done very simply yet artsy. No unnecessary parts, no striking colors, no fancy dialogues, and no shocking emotions. It's about ordinary people with simple dreams - a story about you and me. It may be revolve around boxing but it is mostly about making your dreams fulfilled!

Great performances from such fine actors. If it'd be the last movie that you see before you die, then you did alright!

"A Breath Of Fresh Air," i.e. Hitch!

Have you ever heard of a "Date Doctor"? Probably not. Yet (if ever there is one). "Date Doctors" come in handy when you find it difficult to express your feelings towards the person you adore. Or, when you have the words to say yet you don't know how to execute the moves you have in mind. Hitch (Will Smith) brings out the Jerry Maguire in any guy who had every Dorothy Boyd at "Hello"! He's one smooth talking suave guy who'd make any Alfie crawl into his skin. For Hitch, it is just proper timing and right moves and words to make your first kiss your last. He's the cure for every Gaylord Focker disasters!

"Hitch" is a breath of fresh air amongst the movies of its genre. It is not your typical laugh-out-loud movies where you get your eyes weep while laughing or your super kilig-to-death type of movies where you'd feel tingles all over your body. It has the right amount of physical comedy and romantic moments that would make you give out "giggly-laughs". The kind that you give out when you see something endearing with the one you adore. You know, the one that you give out when you're by yourself thinking about that special moment with the one you love. Or, the kind you show whenever you're out on a date. The giggly laughs that would not siginify that you're not a toad or the one that would not embarass your date. Did you get my point? A right amount of humor and romance, that's "Hitch"!

Hitch falls flat though when it tries to be cheesy with its I'm-pouring-out-my-heart-to-you scenes especially during the last part. It felt kinda long and unfit. It tries so hard to make a "grand declaration of love" the way Jerry Maguire did and it failed. Not every movie could make such grand gestures (meaning with so many people around that would cheer and clap after you say "I love you") and succeed with it. Besides, it has been done so many times that the industry need to make a new formula!

Performances wise, Will Smith was a charmer! He pulled the role very well. Not to mention how adorable Kevin James was. Kudos to him and his fine performance. With Eva Mendes, she was alright. More characterization, though, is needed for her role.

So, get hitched this instant and know how to make your first kiss your last!

Filipinos: New Villains in Hollywood?

During my the first preview, I didn't get to hear the words well of the possesed girl in the first part of the film. Although, I was already told me that the girl had supposedly spoken in Tagalog. When I saw it again, yes, indeed! She said, in a devil's voice, "Papatayin namin sila..."



It was an ecstatic feeling hearing our language being spoken on a Hollywood movie. Remember "Her Alibi" starring Tom Selleck with a Filipino maid cursing? T'was very funny!



Or this B-movie actually shot in the Philippines with an eating crocodile monster called "Krocodylus" (not the international title). It has Filipino actors in it, as well, like Rez Cortez and Maureen Larazabal canoodling with the ever handsome (model) Joel West, among others.



The truth is, I'll be proud of it as the concept is clear to me! Heck, it is seldom that we get to be "recognize" in Hollywood! It is just I'm a Filipino and fighting off prejucides against our race is hard enough, what more put to a movie unabashingly?

With "Constantine", I wonder why the devil has spoken in Tagalog and not some language that truly didn't exist? Could the people behind the film have some connections with the Filipino community? Actually, the character who played the possessed girl was a Filipina named Joanna Trias. Could be she related to Jasmine? Or is it because Filipinos, being devout Catholics, believe in such - exorcism, possession, and the devil? Or does it want to portray again the kind of Filipinos that the movie called "Aswang" did?

"Aswang" is about an American family who lived in the Philippines for quite a long time, particularly Samar, if I remember it right. They went back to the US and committed murders because they had to - they are aswangs! They need to feed themselves. They were with a Filipina helper who was the one who turned them into such. They even know how to speak our language! The film wants to portray that Samar is truly the land of the aswangs. It didn't make mention that aswangs are Filipino legends or myths or that some Filipinos actually practice in certain parts of the province. They just told it as if it was a simple known fact.



Hollywood have a knack of turning other nations into villains. They were done with the Europeans and Africans, now they are targetting the Muslims and Asians! Are they turning the Filipinos into their own kind of villains? I hope not.

(full write-up here: The "Tagalog-Speaking" Demon in Constantine and other Trivia)

Constantine: "I am Reeves, Keanu Reeves. A damn great actor! Asshole!"

I wasn't too keen on seeing "Constantine" when I first saw its trailer. I thought that, after "The Matrix Trilogy", Keanu should stay away from movies with such genre. It was like Viggo Mortensen coming up with the epic "Hidalgo" after the epic trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings". However, when I saw the making of the film and some scenes of it on "Opening Night" at Star Movies, I thought that it had a good premise. Besides, based from what I saw, the special effects of the film, particularly the demons, were spectacular. I said, hey, what not give it a try, right?

Truly, the effects were awesome! I liked the way they have shown the demons on screen - really scary! Aside from those, the angels' wings were magnificent! Its texture, its motion, its span. The angel Gabriel was characterized very well. It was played by Tilda Swinton and she was truly a sight to look at. In the movie, she was neither a woman nor a man. Her breasts were wrapped by a cloth so that she would look androgenize. 'Cause, according to books, angel are genderless.

Contanstine may be the center of the film but I believe that it was Gabriel who gave it the heart. Gabriel, in its childlike ways, has so much love for God that it wants men to see Him the way He wants them to. So much love that she was able to commit a sin - making a deal with the son of the devil. Its intentions may be noble yet its ways aren't. Of course, that is not acceptable! So, as a consequence, its wings were clipped and it became a human being. Sometimes, we are blinded by so much love that we commit grave mistakes just for the betterment of the one we love.

Another premise of the film was self-scarifice. Self-sacrifice is truly a tricky value because of its counterpart, pride. Pride, according to one "Charmed" episode I saw entitled "San Francisco", is the sin one can never get rid of - especially if one knows fully about it. I believe that, too. Why? You see, pride can be characterize as "too much love" for oneself. One needs to let go of it by self-sacrifice. Now, if that person knew that his "salvation" is only through self-sacrifice, he would try to do deeds that he may be consider self-sacrifice. Then, in the end, he could tell him, "See, I could do such a thing!" So pride comes back in again. It is like humility. Humility can never be noble if one knows how "humble" he is. Humility has to be seen by others, not by oneself. If a person talks about his humility, then he isn't humble at all! Tricky, right?

In the film, Constantine has to make sacrifices for other people in order to get to heaven. So, when Lucifer asked him what he wants after he informed Lucifer about Gabriel and his son, he told him to free Isabel's soul. Lucifer granted it and immediately pulled him to hell. Yet, he wasn't able to. 'Cause, he has saved himself by saving other people instead of his. I can't believe that Lucifer fell for that trick! When Constantine was about to be raise to heaven, he gave Lucifer the dirty finger. So could that be a sign that Constantine's self-scarifice wasn't genuine at all? If it isn't, why didn't God see it? Anyway, as a revenge, Lucifer took away all the toxins in his lungs and made him continue his life! In that way, everyday would a constant struggle for him to be good! That is one hell of a trick from Lucifer! No pun intended! :-)

Re Keanu, leave it to him to showcase how an awesome acting should be! In "The Matrix Trilogy", he fought the villains in the computer world so he gave us a computer-character acting - 2D! Now, "Constantine", based on a comic, he gave us a comic-character acting - 2D! Isn't he marvelous?! I wonder what's keeping him away from the Oscars! Dammit!

(full write-up here)

The Phantom of the Opera

Without mention of "The Sound of Music", the ultimate movies of the same genre (i.e. musical) for me are "Moulin Rouge" and "Chicago", so far. Nothing tops the two in terms of grandeur, spectacle, and effects they have on the viewers! So that would mean that the film adaptation of "The Phantom of the Opera," as far as my taste is concern, is nothing but ordinary.

Sure, the production was great but there's nothing spectacular about it. It has been done in several movies. The music was awesome yet as some parts repeat over and over in the course of the film, they became boring and cheesy. Gerard Butler's voice wasn't too strong and as hypnotic as it should be (the way Ewan McGregor sounded in "Moulin Rouge"). I felt that it wasn't enough for one like Christine Deiyi to get swayed by it. His voice was hoarse and somehow thin to get the high notes properly. Hats off, though, to Emmy Rossum who was outstanding as Christine!

Overall, "The Phantom of the Opera" is an entertaining film. It could stand on its own but it isn't so memorable.

I wish, though, that the film adaptation of "Miss Saigon" would be soon. I wonder what it would be like...

(Note: I've been listening to the Special Edition 2-CD Soundtrack these days and I'm getting the hang of it. Perhaps, I need to see the movie again. --March 24, 3:35 AM)