Movie Digest # 062

PUBLIC ENEMIES
Glorietta 4, Cinema 7, July 27, 7:25pm

It’s some sort of a film bio for John Dilinger (played by Johnny Depp), a notorious bank robber during the 1930s America. To give weight to the material’s tale of infamy and mischief, another character is introduced in the form of Melvin Purvis (played by Christian Bale). What follows is a tale of cat and mouse, done in the same guerilla filmmaking-like manner previously seen from Michael Mann’s works like “Collateral” and “Miami Vice”. If not for a bland acting from Mr. Depp (here’s wishing for him to stick to his guns on playing twisted characters) and a forgettable delivery from Mr. Bale, I would appreciate the film. Perhaps the film’s best part is watching Marion Cotillard do a Hollywood film with aplomb.

Friends who might appreciate it: Our dear president.

ADVENTURELAND
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, July 27, 10:15pm

If there’s one film that we can call this decade’s closest homage to Woody Allen films, sans the satire, this must be it. It tackles a budding romance between a geeky guy (Jesse Eisenberg) and too-good-to-be-true pretty lass (Kristen Stewart), set during one summer in a theme park. Speaking lines are crisp and realistic; acting is subtle (including a support from Ryan Reynolds) and direction is OK.

Friends who might appreciate it: This is an understatement and bizarrely humorless, fans of Bella.

G.I JOE (THE RISE OF COBRA)
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, August 7, 9:30pm

The problem with Stephen Sommers’ “G.I. Joe” is that it doesn’t have the usual three-part storyline. It starts and ends in the middle, which is basically the tug of war with the briefcase containing nanomite bombs. And the poor acting didn’t help either considering that the film boasts of impressive cast that includes Christopher Eccleston, Jonathan Pryce and Dennis Quaid. For me, its only saving grace is the edge of your seat action sequence shot in Paris.

Friends who might appreciate it: The 80’s babies, who else?

LAST VIEWING
Robinsons Galleria, Cinema 8, August 9, 7:00pm

Press released as Janice de Belen’s comeback project, the film attempts to profile a sad and emotionless crematorium supervisor. Beyond the distinction of being the first female for such job, she has a lot of evils to confront. She has issues with her dad who passed away, she lost her autistic daughter somewhere in Baclaran and she’s unfeeling towards the people she interacts with. Nevertheless, after two hours of screening time, everything is painfully settled in the end. The material is actually impressive. I like it to be dark and the whole shebang requires a dose of underacting. I just don’t see the play on Janice’s side, particularly her vision on how to go over the role. Past that, I appreciate the film.

Friends who might appreciate it: Fans of the original “Flor de Luna”.

AND I LOVE YOU SO
Power Plant Mall, Cinema 3, August 14, 4:50pm

This film’s another proof that Star Cinema still banks on formula. Too bad that the effort is clearly there to undertake complex themes on death and moving on. When can we get away with cheesy ending? Acting is serviceable from the main cast to support but being Star Cinematic just ruins almost everything.

Friends who might appreciate it: Mel Fule, bar none.

THE PROPOSAL
Power Plant Mall, Cinema 5, August 14, 7:30pm

Now if there’s such thing as Star Cinema ending, there’s also a Hollywood ending. Where else can we copy it? The film tells a story of two opposing poles. One, a “Devil Wears Prada”-like boss and the other, a budding and hungry editor. Their worlds collide when an incident forces them to get married amidst the indifferences. It’s very, very predictable and supposedly cute. For sure, I’ve seen something like this before. I just want to single out one scene wherein the two characters are quietly opening up while trying to sleep separately. It was a bird’s eye view shot and all you can hear aside from the whispering is the sound from the fireplace.

Friends who might appreciate it: Neo Baquing, bar none.

THE HANGOVER
Power Plant Mall, Cinema 6, August 14, 10:15pm

No contest, the film is superiorly good. First, I like the treatment that what happened during the night was only told and resolved on the next day. It respects the sensibility of its audience by providing the morning after with a lost tooth, a tiger in the kitchen, a baby and a missing groom. It didn’t give in to the usual adult male slapsticks. For a film of that genre, it’s very talky. And I love it that way. A must-watch.

Friends who might appreciate it: Prolly all my drinking buddies during one weekend away in Lobo, Batangas.