Movie Digest # 053

STATUS: SINGLE
Glorietta 4, Cinema 7, February 3, 8:20pm

One word: funny. Not the slapstick kind but not “Juno” or “Little Miss Sunshine” either. If you dig Jose Javier Reyes’ wit (read: Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata), the film is a must-see. Paolo Contis’ character is the director resurrected: supportive of his friends, a wisecracking buddy and an observant.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who are single (and sexy).

DOUBT
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 3, February 4, 6:50pm

Filmmaking-wise, it’s above average. Acting is also over the top. The thing is: I don’t feel like I was watching a film. For me, it’s just a play shot on location. The only scenes that make it cinematic are the visual representation of gossip as part of the sermon and the strong wind in the scene with Meryl Streep and Viola Davis (both are Oscar-nominated).

Friends who might appreciate it: those who are not sure what to watch (pun intended).

MILK
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 4, February 4, 8:40pm

I like the film. It’s one of those biopics that don’t lengthily tackle birth to death but just highlights of Harvey Milk’s career as an activist turned politician. Aside from the good material, the film is also a visual feast as it recreates the 70’s era. It blinds what’s CGI and a film stock or news clips. Except for Diego Luna, the rest of the cast deliver. Judging by the film itself, it deserves the Oscar Best Pic (and Best Actor for Sean Penn).

Friends who might appreciate it: coffee, tea and milk drinkers alike (again, pun intended).

SEVEN POUNDS
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 1, February 5, 8:45pm

For sure, you’ve seen films with similar devise before (“21 Grams”, “Traffic”, etc.): complex and non-linear storytelling. The film starts to make sense 10 minutes before the ending. By then, you may already be tired of the whole journey. Personally, I don’t get Will Smith’s character in the movie. I find him unrealistic and too anti-life. His belief, even more questionable. The whole plot suggests something that can only be found in a novel. Acting is from average to unremarkable.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who can provide a one-page explanation on what the title is all about.

MARLEY & ME
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, February 10, 8:05pm

As a film, there’s nothing much to expect. You can treat it as one of those big starred Hollywood popcorn films, glossy and easy to grasp. But consider that it’s an adaptation of a non-fiction book. It’s a true account of the author with his “worst dog in the world” named Marley. It’s my first time to watch a film that a dog is given equal screen time along with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, with a treatment that is not cute and too Disney.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who, at one time in their life, have petted a dog.

VALKYRIE
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 1, February 11, 8:45pm

The thing with Brian Singer films is that it never alienates the audience without being too sell-out. Consider “Usual Suspects” or even his “X-Men” and “Superman Returns”. With “Valkyrie”, he devised a historical account into something pleasing to the popcorn crowd. The film may end up on a sad note (as if you’re not expecting it) but the way it was executed is worth the time.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who think that Bryan Singer leaving the X-Men film franchise is a bad idea.