Movie Digest # 027

ATAUL FOR RENT
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, November 8, 7:20pm

Sorry but I don’t think the film deserves an A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board. Sayang pa naman ‘yung materyal, pwedeng ibenta sa ibang bansa. Siguradong maa-amaze ang ilan sa kabaong na pinaparentahan. It has the feel of “Kubrador” or “Foster Child” but the problem lies in the dialogue and direction, which is very pretentious for me. Hindi nakuha ang pagiging natural para mapaniwala ako sa grit na gustong ipakita ng pelikula. At hindi lang ‘yan. Ang script ay halos isambulat na lahat ng gustong ikwento. Kinakailangang magsalita ang mga karakter para magkwento. Piling pili rin ang mga artista na karamihan ay may karanasan sa teatro. Hindi rin ito nakontrol sa direction. Masyadong nag-effort sa aktingan ang ensemble na muli ay nakadagdag para magmukhang peke ang pelikula. Mas underacting pa ‘yung mga itim na dagang ginamit dito. Sayang.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who want to discuss anything under the sun and prefer a cinema ambiance for a venue.

LIONS FOR LAMBS
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, November 10, 1:45pm

One thing’s for sure: it’s talky but not the Tarantino or Scorsese kind of talky. It’s too talky that some scenes could be mistaken for acts from a straight play except, of course, for the film language (and less body movements). Siguro ay nasa tradition ng “Crash” sa pagpapakita ng cause-and-effect. It could be a film for political science students or for those already in the politics. Not for me but I can say that it’s still well made. Acting is also good. Direction is not bad and pretentious. Ang drawback lang para sa akin ay ‘yung pagiging idealistic n’ung character ni Robert Redford. Parang dito naging preachy ‘yung movie.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who aren’t running for President.

BALLS OF FURY
Glorietta 1, Cinema 3, November 10, 4:50pm

Funny but uninventive. Few laughs and that’s it. At one scene, a goon appears showing off his “balisong”. I was reminded actually of Pinoy comedies during the 80’s.

Friends who might appreciate it: Christopher Walken fans.

WE OWN THE NIGHT
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 4, November 13, 9:05pm

I almost skipped this one courtesy of a film review from PDI. But I feel like watching a film tonight and so I watched it. And good thing that I liked it. It's a film about two brothers separated by beliefs and later on reunited by it. It's also about paternal love. But this is an action film slash crime drama. In that department, it won't disappoint those who are used to watching story-oriented, action-packed films. Yes, you can still eat popcorn. It's just that the delivery is subtle, zenned up and natural. Thanks to the actors (Wahlberg, Phoenix and Duvall). At one scene, two policemen came to Duvall to deliver a bad news. Duvall then said, "Which child is it?". Some scenes are also visually stunning. It's my first time to see an exciting car chase where the POV is mostly inside the car running and crashing other cars amidst a heavy and almost blinding downpour of rain and where the sound comes overwhelmingly from the wiper as if simulating a heartbeat. Whoa!

Friends who might appreciate it: those who are tired of "Die Hard" and the likes.