Movie Digest # 006

DREAMGIRLS
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, March 5, 10:30pm

My first impression when I got out of the cinema: it’s like I’ve watched a stage musical. Let me explain. Siguro dahil na-highlight ‘yung mga elements na gustung gusto mo sa entablado: the choreo, the singing and the production numbers. I can’t say the same for “Chicago”. Mas film na film kasi ang scope n’un. Dito, acting is suwabe, Beyonce is beautiful in every scene and the songs alone are radio friendly. And for sure, subject na naman ng mga impersonation ang ilang eksena rito.

Friends who might appreciate it: friends in high heels.

300
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, March 7, 8:00pm

It’s 300% entertaining! It’s like watching a hollywood CGI film for the first time. Ang galing ng visuals, maganda ang vision ng filmmaker at witty (bordering to campy) ng mga lines for a period war film. Lahat yata ng frame eh highlight. Wala man lang nuances! If the film’s main goals are to entertain and to somewhat show something new for the moviegoers, then they succeeded. I am expecting at least an Oscar nomination for Art Direction, Costume Design and even Sound Mixing/Editing. Bentang benta sa akin ‘tong movie. Don’t forget to bring some popcorn and prepare to be awed. Ha-wooooh!

Friends who might appreciate it: comics fans and movie fans.

NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Glorietta 4, Cinema 5, March 7, 10:30pm

Gripping and engaging. Thanks to the two lead actresses: Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. Ang husay ng palitan ng lines, ang galing ng rapport at hindi sila nagkainan. No pun intended. Hahaha. May konting anino ng lesbianismo ‘yung pelikula. Judi Dench’s old maid character is sad and craves for friendship. But she corrected it, “I want more than friendship”. Cate’s lonely wife character, on the other hand, hangs on to Judi’s character when the former was involved in a scandalous (hence the title) affair with a 15-year old student named Steven (I recognize his Northern Irish accent, thanks to a client called NIE). What really came up is a film about a thin line between friendship and more than friendship and up to what extent can you (or can’t you) sacrifice in its name. Nagalingan din ako sa pagkakasulat. Andaming device na ginamit to symbolize what is unlawful (when Steven is making pa-cute to Cate’s character, three policemen came from behind), picking up the pieces (Judy’s character is literally picking up the pieces of a broken mirror when she is having a discussion with Cate’s character after a confrontation), skeletons in the closet (Cate’s character is throwing out some garbage bags when she meets up again with Steven for the alleged break-up) and even the absence of sincerity (Steven gave Cate’s character a fancy necklace). This one’s for the books.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who value friendships a lot and those who are sad and alone.