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Reviews
Cavite (2005)
Pleasantly impressed with the film
This film, with a shoestring budget and a few cast members, unexpectedly satisfied my longing for brilliant Filipino film-making. Although, at times the movie was annoying, all the minor slights were forgiven in the end. I can't help but cringe on the voice over that they used for the terrorist and the shaky camera handling which almost induced vertigo among the viewers. Certain parts of the dialogue were unnecessary and were probably added to the film just to trigger shock from the audience. Nevertheless, the movie's sum is definitely greater than its parts. The depiction of the slums, streets and people of the Philippines was very realistic. The scenes were so vivid that the audience would actually feel like being transported to where the shots were taken. Cinematography and editing were fantastic - I like how the same frames, i.e. face of the lead actor, were illustrated from various angles. Very cutting-edge for novice film makers! The plot they tried to tackle was very touchy, but they delivered it in a straight-forward, in your face manner. Overall, this is a film that I would recommend for anyone who enjoys watching Filipino films! Good Job on this one!
Crash (2004)
Good for TV, Unworthy best picture nominee and winner.
I watched this film twice. I first saw it in the big screen. I think the film was good because it somehow evokes certain powerful emotions from the audience, which the audience usually wants from films. In that respect, it was able to achieve its goal of connecting to its viewers. However, after the whole Oscar best pic win, I was curious to see it again for a second time. I rented it out on DVD and realized that it was not deserving of winning the top award at all. It was a preachy, contrived and manipulative story about racism. The situations were utterly UNBELIEVABLE. Some good acting from the cast, but generally mediocre performances. Unfortunately, my final verdict is that CRASH is not worthy of an Oscar nomination, let alone, a win. May come down in history as worst Oscar Best Picture winner ever.
Rigodon (2005)
Pretentious, Trying-hard to be artsy but failed miserably.
I've seen this film in the recent Asian American Film Festival in San Francisco. Knowing only the synopsis and the actors in the film before watching it, I only had high expectations from it. Torre and Gutierrez are well-known thespian actors in the Philippines and all the films I've seen with them were nothing short of brilliant. However, this film does nothing but disappoint. The filmmakers overly focused on the cinematography at the expense of substantial and meaningful dialogue. The pacing was extremely slow, I thought it lasted forever, when the film only lasted for an hour. There were segments in the film that should not have been included as they only made the storyline more obscure than it already was. There was a lack of realism throughout the film - from where they lived (it almost depicted a typical squatter's area in Manila), from how they interacted with each other (more silence than words), from how they prayed, from the scene where the INS official arrested Torre...it's just awful. What a waste of good talent! I tried hard to like it. I love Filipino films..but this one just didn't make the cut.
Pila-balde (1999)
Average
I agree with the preceding comment. The film was predictable and its use of the formulaic poor girl woos rich guy from the city was tiring to watch to say the least. However, Ana Capri's portrayal of the poor girl was an eye-opener. She was marvelous with her character and definitely deserved a better vehicle (i.e. She was exceptional in Sa Paraiso Ni Efren!). This film has won certain awards locally and abroad and has put Capri's name in the Philippine Showbusiness Map. Some of the actors who participated in this film were also good, but Capri really outshone everybody here.
Also, the cinematography and editing were good. Viewers will have a taste of Manila's impoverished areas. The director also accurately captured how poverty-stricken Filipinos live their lives, i.e. fetching water outside (some areas don't have potable water in their homes), propensity to drink and gamble to have a good time, and so forth. Recommended for the stark depiction of Manila and Capri's thespic acting abilities.
6/10
Sana maulit muli (1995)
Masterfully done cinema
When I first viewed this film, I threw all of my expectations in the back seat, assuming that it would possibly turn out to be another of those mushy Filipino romantic films that would just make me cringe. However, the B rating (considered excellent) given to it by the Film Ratings Board spurred me into rushing into the movie theater to figure out what was causing all the acclaim. Interestingly, I came out of the movie not only pleasantly surprised, but also awe-struck with the beauty of the film. From the performances of Muhlach and Salonga (their best acting to date - Muhlach won Best Actor awards in this film), to the story line (grandslam screenplay awardee), cinematography, editing, soundtrack and so forth. Everything was crafted seamlessly and masterfully. I was left breathless and impressed. It deserved to win the Best Picture Award from the URIAN (Critics Awards). This was one of those rare films that were both successful commercially and critically. Has potential to go down in Philippine Cinema history as a film classic. Kudos to Olivia Lamasan for directing such an exemplary movie!
10/10
Crying Ladies (2003)
Way Overrated. I just don't get it why it won awards.
My friends and I viewed this a week ago with breathless anticipation. Receiving accolades from various award giving bodies in Manila and handpicked to represent the Philippines in this year's Oscar, we expected this film to follow the ranks of some of the best Filipino movie classics that were previously shown abroad. Unfortunately, we were left feeling cheated and disappointed.
The Good Points: The production design, cinematography, sound and the technical framework of the film were exceptional. Truly ahead of all the other films currently being produced in the Philippines nowadays. Some aspects of the film's dialogue were funny, especially the interaction of the couple who reside right above Cuneta's apartment. That was just simply hilarious. Koronel's acting was also the best in the film - in fact, I think it was the saving grace of the whole flick. Every time she graced the screen, she was superb, and her Darna stint was funny as well.
The Bad Points: Cuneta's acting was lackluster (I still think she can do best in drama films over comedy ones). The insertion of Cuneta ads (i.e. Alaska and McDonalds) was just plain tacky. Also, Cuneta's portrayal of a poor, struggling city lady was unbelievable and unrealistic. She, with her porcelain white skin, looked like she just recently re-bonded and highlighted her hair. She just didn't quite suit this role (to her credit, she's one of the best dramatic actresses in Philippine Cinema). Moreover, I think the film researchers didn't really do their job well. Some of the street scenes were not based on facts. When Cuneta tried to extort money in a passenger bus, almost all gave money, mostly in bills, to support her plight. This doesn't happen at all, much less, in ordinary buses. Secondly, when Cuneta paid her fees in the jeepney, nobody attempted to help her pass on the money to the driver. This does not happen at all either. Jeepney passengers, as protocol, almost reflexively, will extend their arms to help pass on fees to the driver. For someone who loves watching realism in Philippine Cinema, these scenes will not fail to disappoint.
To end, I think this film was vastly overrated. Don't expect too much from this film. However, I'd recommend it for Koronel's acting and some hilarious dialogues that, sadly, only come in spurts.
3/10
City After Dark (1980)
The BEST
I consider this as the BEST FILIPINO FILM ever produced. It tackled the lives of various people from different walks of life in a city full of beauty in the daytime but decadence at night. Touched virtually all possible issues prevalent during those times, from drug addiction, prostitution, homosexuality, and so forth. I lived in Manila for the first 24 years of my life and this film excellently portrayed the city. Real. Raw. Spectacular.
All of the actors delivered their parts impeccably. The direction by the great late Ishmael Bernal was nothing short of brilliant. This was regarded to be by critics as the best film he has ever directed (although he has directed other note-worthy films, such as Aunor's Himala, but he's best known for this marvelous flick). This cinematic masterpiece was also ranked in top ten lists as one of the best Filipino films ever created. Exceptional film-making!
10/10
Segurista (1996)
One of the best Filipino films that year, or possibly of all time.
Segurista deserved to win plum nominations and awards, specifically from GAWAD URIAN (the only reputable critics circle in the Philippines), which awarded it 9 awards, including the coveted 1996 Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Ruby Moreno) and Best Supporting Actor (Albert Martinez).
Initially rated as X-rated by the overly-conservative MTRCB, this film was redeemed by a B rating (considered excellent) deservingly bestowed by the FRB (Film Ratings Board). It eventually was picked by critics as the best film to represent the Philippines in the Oscars that year.
Some of the best films in Philippine Cinema usually revolved around depicting certain facets of the culture - in fact, those that go down in history as exemplary Filipino films almost always encapsulated particular issues a typical day-to-day filipino confronts, i.e. Insiang (rape), Manila by Night (decadence in city life), Manila sa Kuko Ng Mga Liwanag (survival), etc. Segurista does not rank very far from these exceptional classics.
At the time when it came out, Segurista's theme was relevant to the Filipinos because of the rising number of girls who were working as GROs (bar entertainer). The film almost accurately mirrored the life of these women. It depicted the story of a GRO's struggle against poverty, her redemption from sin, and eventually her tragic death. The film made viewers comprehend the hardships of someone who is playing the game of life. The story was filled with compassion, and the humanity aspect of it, I think, made it a critic's favorite. The portrayals of the actors were praise-worthy as well. Aldana played the voluptuous insurance agent by day, prostitute by night working girl. She manifested one of the most surprising performances of 1996. If not for Aldana's audacious rendition of the lead role, the film would have not garnered the praises it had reaped. Estrada portrayed the philandering husband impeccably. Martinez and Moreno were also on the top of their game (they won several supporting awards for their roles on this film). This was also the only great movie directed by T. Aguiluz. All of his films that followed this masterpiece were mediocre. This film is recommended to those who savor realism in Philippine Cinema. 10/10