Movie Digest # 033

NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 2, January 8, 7:00pm

Well, if Da Vinci Code is as guilt-free and exciting as this, then Dan Brown could be richer. But that’s a different story. Nothing’s new with the second installment especially if it’s from Disney. But it could pass for a popcorn film. That’s the only expectation you need.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who wish to see Helen Mirren in a spoof-like scene speaking a line or two about the Queen (her last year’s Oscar winning film for Best Actress).

I AM LEGEND
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 1, January 13, 5:00pm

Not another post-apocalyptic film. The only difference, perhaps, is the mention of the absence (or presence) of God minutes before the film ends. I could say that this is the most Christian film of its kind. The delivery of the actress though about God’s plan followed by Will Smith’s monologue on Bob Marley wasn’t pulled off. It’s both irritating and funny. It either makes a point (as planted by the scene where Will’s family prayed before they separated) or deviates the point (all-out suspense to an anti-climactic ending).

Friends who might appreciate it: those who haven’t seen yet the best post-apocalyptic film of all time: “Shawn of the Dead”.

SWEENEY TODD
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, January 16, 10:30pm

Definitely the first good film (shown in the Philippines) for 2008. I thought that Tim Burton was getting mellow with “Big Fish”. Wait until you’ve seen this Johnny Depp starrer (a reunion of sort from “Edward Scissorhands” to “Sleepy Hollow”, etc.). The director simply outdid his previous outing with a film adaptation of a dark and gory stage musical (Stephen Sondheim meets Tarantino). I am not sure if this is his first film of its kind. Though the devises used in a theater production are too obvious (only one venue for all the events, minimal location, etc.), some tight shots complete the cinematic experience. Plus the Oscar-worthy make-up, costume, etc. I also like Johnny Depp’s character singing here. His voice doesn’t have to be too smoothly Broadway and that works for an advantage. Sacha Baron Cohen, popularly known as Borat, made a scene-stealing musical number with Depp. I’m betting on this film as one of the most decorated Oscar contenders for 2007.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who haven’t shaven for a long time.