Yanggaw. Yanggaw is one of those horror films that doesn't rely much on thrills and spooks, but rather on the horrors of a human drama. Losing loved-ones in any ways would certainly be dreadful to anyone, much so losing them to something evil despite your struggles to fight for them.
Directed by Richard Somes, Yanggaw's main character has to deal with the life and death of his unica hija. It is a question of survival and morality; a choice between good and evil. But what is good and what is evil when it affects your family? Should you just let nature takes it course or fight back against it?
The end result is horrific. It may have been predictable, but still, it is as dreadful as the beast that took over the family. You'd ask yourself if it happens to you, maiiyak ka ba sa lungkot ng iyong pagkawala o sa galit towards the cause of your loss, keeping in mind that you're losing both family members. (4/5)
Last Supper No. 3. What could be more horrific than mapagkaisahan ng sambayanang Pilipino? Dahil lamang sa pagkawala ng Last Supper No. 3 na hindi naman niya talaga sinasadya, naloko si Wilson Mañawa ng mga taong gahaman sa pera. The problem could've easily been solved, but due to his naivete and good heart, umabot pa ang kaso sa korte at tumakbo ng tatlong taon. A series of funny situations followed suit, yet if you'd think hardly about it, this film is really sad. You wouldn't want to be in Wilson's shoes, much so deal with our justice system. Masisiraan ka ng talaga ng bait! (4.5/5)
Astig. For people who just heard horrific stories about Manila, hindi nila papangaraping tumuntong dito. If ever they will, they'd be wary every step of their way. Pa'no, andito na raw nagkalat at pinagsama-sama lahat ng halang ang bituka sa Pinas. But unless you were born in Manila, you'd never know and understand the stories behind such people's lives. Thus, this film tries to capture what's in the heart of Manila, well at least some of it. However, their stories aren't new to us anymore: isang con artist, isang batang ama, isang anak na naghahanap ng kanyang identity, at isang kapatid na tumatayong ama sa kanyang pamilya. Predictable na sila, that is why the film maker tries to make it different by intertwining the lives of the main characters in the story ala Amores Perros. But since there's not much to tell in their stories, hindi rin naman naging kagandahan ang pagtatagpo-tagpo ng kani-kanilang kuwento. walang dating, 'ika nga.
What captured me though and had put me off in the story was how gays were portrayed in the film. Ipinakita sila bilang predators at nananamantala ng mga kalalakihan. (Although di ko naman kinakailang may mga ganu'ng gays talaga.) One "bad" (depending on how you see it) gay character is enough (the theater owner), but having two liked-characters is already making a statement. Makakatayo na sana as is ang character ni Ronald, a chinese mestizo seeking for his identity, subalit nilagyan pa ng gay angle behind it na medyo nakasama sa kuwento. Nakapanghihinayang tuloy.
After the film, napatanong tuloy ako. Does "astig" connote a positive meaning or not? Sa aking pagkakaalam, ang astig ay the same as pagiging matapang. Pero kung gumagawa ka ba ng masama, astig ka pa ring maituturing? Just because you know how to survive? Kung magkaganu'n pala, hindi OK ang masabihan kang astig. (2.5/5)
No comments:
Post a Comment