For the past two months, I have been constantly seeing movies on cinemas. Medyo namulubi na nga ako. Despite that, I've no worries. It's a different feeling when you get to see movies on the big screen kasi. (Aside from partly beating my blues temporarily.) For one thing, mas malakas ang impact. There are no distractions, so you get to focus yourself on the film itself. Second, the environment is really conducive to experiencing the magic of movies: the big, wide screen and the dolby surround sound. Kaya nga if ever I'd become rich, I want to have my own movie theater at home ala Kuya Germs. Grabe! Heaven siguro ang feeling if you get to watch movies in the comforts of your very own theater! S'ympre, with matching popcorn and snacks at the side. I'd also dreamt of having to own my own commercial movie theater; if not, kahit drive-in theaters na lang. I don't think that we ever had any drive-in theaters here so gusto kong simulan. Kung nagkaroon man, gusto kong buhayin. That is, if ever I'd become rich...
Music and Lyrics (Warner Bros., 2007)
Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore
Marc Lawrence
Music and Lyrics' trailer did not impress me much. I was about to skip this film when I read the review headline for the review of this film in The Philippine Inquirer. I don't remember what it says but the words just encouraged me to watch it. True enough, the film was a romantic gem. It may not be the best romantic film ever produced so far but it is one of the must-see romantic films. Aside from the chemistry between Hugh & Drew, the film boasts of some witty dialogues and great songs which were very reminiscent of the '80s. It's not really a "kilig" movie but it is funny and endearing at the same time. It also makes reference on how absurd the music industry works at times.
Dreamgirls (Dreamworks SKG and Paramount Pictures, 2006)
Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson
Bill Condon
Dreamgirls is another movie commentary on the inner workings of the music industry during the '60s. If Music and Lyrics did it comically, Dreamgirls did it in a serious and almost threatening manner that it had to downplay most of what it has to say regarding the recording industry. For other people it had worked. For some it didn't. However, one has to remember that the film deals more with how three aspiring singers made their way to the top, and how their friendship was destroyed along the way ala Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas. The politics behind it was just secondary.
Dreamgirls isn't Chicago or Moulin Rouge. It isn't visually stimulating as the two. The shots were simple and "non-artistic". Compared to the directors of the two films, Bill Condon seemed to have opted not to use the MTV-style of doing musicals. It could be of an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how one sees it. But the film's strength lies on the music and the actors' performances. The music is catchy and melodic, although not peotically-enticing. Watching it could be compared to witnessing a great concert from an excellent artist and his life story unfolding right before your very eyes. After every performances, all you could do is express your appreciation by applauding and clapping your hands. When they said their farewells, all you could do is sigh and wish for more.
Above anything else, Dreamgirls should be seen for Jennifer Hudson's performance, whether you're a fan or you just want to see what the fuss is all about. Her Oscar-winning performance definitely increased the box-office sales of the film. I, for one, almost cried during her "I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" performance. It must've been her winning scene: so powerful, so desperate. As opposed to Beyonce Knowles' "Listen," both songs are emotionally-charged, yet she failed in pulling her audience towards her. Belat, Beyonce!
The Promise (GMA Films and Regal Films, 2007)
Richard Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad
Mike Tuviera
Overall, The Promise is a decent film. It would be unfair to compare it with Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit because it is of a different league from that said film. Classic na ang obra ni Carlos Siguion-Reyna, and I don't think that Mike Tuviera intended this film to belong to one of Philippine's bests. 'Cause if he did, all aspects of the film should be considered carefully.
As I've said, sa pangkalahatan, pasado naman ang pelikulang ito. The problem lies, though, on the two leads. The storyline/script was adapted to meet their age qualifications. (Mas malinaw pa nga ang naging kwento kaysa sa Hihintayin.) However, they weren't able to transcend the needed emotions and passion of their characters on screen. Doon lumabas na masyado pa nga silang bata to venture into something bigger like this. Though kakikitaan ng effort to veer away from what they do on TV, Angel and Richard remained the same in terms of acting. Lalong-lalo na si Richard who seemed to know only one expression during the entire transformation of his character. (If you have seen him during Mulawin or Captain Barbell days, nothing has changed.) Nangusuan pa nga siya ni TJ. TJ was at his best when he finally realized that, despite his efforts as Anton, Andrea (Angel) never loved him. Mas naawa pa ko sa character niya kaysa kay Daniel (Richard), which was different from how Eric Quizon tackled the same role as Allan in Hihintayin. With Allan, you'd just hate him at the end for taking Carmina (Dawn Zulueta) away from Gabriel (Richard Gomez). That goes to show that Richard wasn't successful enough to be the mature actor that he wants to be.
The Holiday (Sony Films and United International Pictures, 2006)
Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black
Nancy Meyers
One-time viewing is all I could say about The Holiday. Malayong-malayo siya sa Something's Gotta Give na super-kilig movie kahit pa matatanda na ang mga karakter. The Holiday has its moments of charms and kilig especially when Jude Law is on screen. He is such a hunk! (I totally understand why Tom Ripley became obsessed with him!) But the mess lies on how the story went on. It's full of dialogues yet it doesn't say much. Pinaikot-ikot ka lang niya sa isang kwentong ilang beses ng nagawa. Too bad that the story of two persons exchanging houses wasn't given focus much. It could have been the main point of the film: on how one lives her life. But because it's supposed to be a romanctic comedy, the film's focal point are the women's love lives.Despite the lapses in script, The Holiday is well-acted. Cameron and Jude has a good chemistry. Kate is sweet and such a darling. What bugs me is why Jack Black was cast as Kate's love interest. Sino ba namang babae (o baklush) ang kikiligin kay Nacho Libre?! Josko naman!
It's a Boy Girl Thing (Icon Pictures, 2006)
Samaire Armstrong, Kevin Zegers
Nick Hurran
As much as I'd want to say that I watch this film because I was interested in the story, I can't. I mean, obvious naman na gamit na gamit na 'yung plot n'ya-- body switching. I only see this for Kevin Zegers alone! Kahit mag-isa akong nanood, go pa rin! Buti na lang, may mangilan-ngilan ding tao sa sinehan.
My gawd! This man is a god! Pucha, the face, the smile, the lips, the dimples! Pamatay talaga! 'Yun lang. Hehehe...
O, s'ya! About the movie, well, as I've said, the plot has been done so many times. It really won't matter as long as the film was able to show something different. Sadly, wala siyang nagawa to make the plot more interesting. Further, the story dealt more with the "boy thing" rather than equally discussing both sexes. The director and the writer must've been in love with Kevin, as well! Hahaha!
Continuation...
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