Movie Digest # 025

SHOOT ‘EM UP
Glorietta 4, Cinema 2, September 25, 8:30pm

Campy! I am very biased when it comes to campy films and I got what I expected from this one. Of course, you have to leave your logic at home. Just bring in some style and a loud laugh. Swell fun.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who have watched some early Lito Lapid films.

EVENING
Glorietta 4, Cinema 7, October 4, 8:00pm

Very book-ish but I love this film. It’s well made, actually, too well made that it might get some nods at the Oscars. It’s one of those films that tackle the intricate world of a female psyche. The screenplay is co-written by Michael Cunningham, the guy behind the highly successful and critically acclaimed “The Hours”. So expect something like a multi-layered characterization and storytelling.

Friends who might appreciate it: evening and morning persons alike.

DECEMBER BOYS
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, October 4, 10:30pm

If not for the film being predictable, “December Boys” is OK. For sure, I’ve seen something like that before. The finale scene, wherein two boys are about to drown and are later on apparitioned by an image of Virgin Mary, reminds me of a Jericho Rosales scene in “Tanging Yaman”. Feel good but predictable.

Friends who might appreciate it: Harry Potter (the movie) fans.

STARDUST
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 2, October 12, 4:15pm

It's very rare that a film adaptation surpasses the achievements realized from a book. "Stardust", I can say, is one of them. But I have nothing against the fantasy novel authored by THE Neil Gaiman (my signed paperback copy of "American Gods" is a cherished possession). It's just that the book isn't that eventfully cinematic. Let me confess: when I was reading the book, I was imagining scenes as big as the ones that I've seen from the film. It would be better if you read the book first then watch the film and not the other way around. "Stardust", the film, is very entertaining, a perfect popcorn film to cap the weekend.

Friends who might appreciate it: starstruck (not the show) mortals.

APAT DAPAT, DAPAT APAT
Glorietta 4, Cinema 6, October 13, 3:10pm

In a nutshell, I love this film. It's a nice and brave attempt for the filmmakers to try a Pinoy black comedy made specially for the mainstream market. You can still smell slapstick comedy but that's easily forgiven. Not perfect yet for its genre but it's almost there. I like the idea on how film documents friendship as it transcends time, life and death. The four lead characters definitely deliver but kudos should be given to its director, Wenn Deramas, who did an unpretentious take on dark humor. At Pinoy na Pinoy ang pagkakagawa. All the ingredients are there: melodrama, oppression, family issues and more.

Friends who might appreciate it: Kapamilyas with puso.

11th Hour
Glorietta 4, Cinema 5, October 13, 8:30pm

Another important documentary about the environment that is a must-see. Forget that it's narrated and produced by Leo Di Caprio but think of how we can help help ourselves. Kung meron mang drawback 'yung film, ito na siguro 'yung nag-uumapaw na kaalaman na nais ibahagi n'ung pelikula. It takes a broad and academic mind to absorb everything. Pang-Discovery Channel ang ilang treatment but it's worth watching just the same.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who have seen "An Inconvenient Truth".