Movie Digest # 064

NANDITO AKO… NAGMAMAHAL SA ‘YO
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, October 4, 1:10pm

The disclaimer here is that I wasn’t really planning to watch this film. It’s just that some friends were close to screaming when sharing that the movie sucks big time and a total waste of money. But they begged me to watch it to know why and so I gave in. Storywise, the film can withstand critiques. Also, choosing picture perfect Bohol as the location to tell a love story of two young fellows is fine with me. So what went wrong on this latest work from the great Maryo J. Delos Reyes? I have a hint. I don’t know how to put it modestly but I guess the problem is in the love team, the idea of making a film for them and the absence of sheer talent on Aljur Abrenica’s part. It didn’t help, too, that in one scene with Aljur and Kris plus the tarsiers, Kris mentioned “O, ayan na ang mga Kapamilya mo.” Aljur relied with, “Kapuso ko rin sila.” I guess that’s all I want to say about the film.

Friends who might appreciate it: Aljur – Kris fans. On second thought, I don’t know any friends on the same league (or level) of keenness.

FAME
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, October 9, 10:45pm

The film got me hooked by its trailer when one of the songs, beautifully arranged with a very now sound, was used. I was thinking that if the film fails, at least there are new pieces to ponder upon. To my surprise, they almost overhauled the original material. Though the film is still about art school students, some characters are introduced to adapt with the times and that one worked a little. The other plus point is the cast that consists of mainly newbies (including our very own Anna Maria Perez de Tagle). Along with these updates are the new songs that are totally strange to me. They also removed the iconic dance sequences from the original and nobody dared to rescue the sappy “Is It OK if I Call You Mine?”

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who skipped the TV show.

JULIE & JULIA
Power Plant Cinemas, Cinema 1, October 15, 9:30pm

Meryl Streep breathed in to a real life character in the name of Julia Child, a famous cooking legend in the US. Though not as engaing as her recent portrayals in “The Devil Wears Prada” or“Doubt”, it’s pretty obvious that she had a ball mimicking the role. Amy Adams played a contemporary New Yorker who ended up blogging about her desires to emulate Julia Child’s kitchen masterpieces. The film then weaves the two similar stories as it takes the viewers to the world of cooking and womanhood.

Friends who might appreciate it: Streepers out there.

THE ECHO
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, October 19, 10:30pm

Yam Laranas directs this Hollywood remake of his own work “Sigaw” and he brought along Iza Calzado with him. If you are familiar with the original material, there’s nothing new to wait for. The new set of writers just put a background story to the male lead (first played by Richard Gutierrez) to give weight to his own ghosts. I’m not being biased but while watching the film, I wasn’t reminded that a Filipino directed the film. It’s technically good and the chill is there somewhere. For sure, it’s not something that is going to be merited with an Oscar or the like but I like it as it is: an honest-to-goodness popcorn film.

Friends who might appreciate it: Corny, tiring and trite, Jericho Rosales fans.

THE HURT LOCKER
Market! Market!, Cinema 3, October 21, 6:45pm

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (yes, a woman), this film captures a slice of an elite American army bomb squad’s life in Iraq. Told in almost episodic routines, the soldiers try to avenge themselves against death, violence and the terrors of war. Acted by mostly no names with cameos from Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce, this film combines action packed scenes, social commentary and the dilemma that each day in war torn areas is just an ordinary day.

Friends who might appreciate it: Allan Vistan.