DEFINITELY REFRESHING !

DEFINITELY, MAYBE

I'm still sad why this film never reached our shores. The trailer was shown but the movie didn't make it. It's frustrating. This would've been a hit to all rom-com lovers out there. Definitely, Maybe is produced by the makers of Notting Hill. This film proves to be different and heartwarming. Definitely, a refreshing romantic dramedy I've seen in years.

Most romantic comedies made in Hollywood are second-rate to awful.. Beautiful ones are exceptional. Excellent ones are even hard to find. Thanks to this film by Adam Brooks called “Definitely, Maybe,” ,a smart romantic comedy with cunning dialogue, entrancing people, and story with a heart with some unexpected twists and turns. Most of all this film is ultimately clean without the kind of sleaziness we've seen in other rom-coms“.

Ryan Reynolds of “The Amityville Horror”( he is damn hot sexy in that horror movie) stars as Will Hayes, father of a 10-year-old daughter, Maya played by Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin of “Little Miss Sunshine”. Maya is bugging her father, in the midst of a divorce, for the story of how he met her mother. He agrees to tell her the story, but he insists on not using real names. Maya will have to guess which one of the characters in his story ends up being Maya's mother. Will keeps telling his daughter that relationships between adults are complicated. She begins to understand just how complicated they are by the time Will is finished telling his story.

The story is told through a series of flashbacks. I must say that this technique works in the film. Kilig factor? Definitely 100% in the film! Humor? There's a lot and sometimes they are surprising. Is it predictable? No!

I was eagerly hoping for a happy ending coz my bet was kinda flushed in the story. Rom-com films should finish with a feel-good bang. So what's the ending? Well, it's a surprise. You will love it!

It's really good too see the amazing chemistry between the actors. Ryan Reynolds is really cute here. Abigail is really funny as Maya.. Elizabeth banks can be captivating and sweet just like Emily. Rachel Wiesz is an actress to woo as Summer. She is so simple but brilliant to watch. Of all the ladies here, I fell in love with Isla Fisher's character. Isla has a bubbly personality . You will love her smile. She kinda reminds me of Amy Adams actually.

The film is filmed mostly in New York City. It's superb to see a romantic city like New York again in a film. Another good thing here is that there is no villain in the story. It's great not to feel bad sometimes.

The songs featured as background music here are really good. The OST is a must have. Nice and likable collections there.

This film is definitely a must see to all rom-com lovers. It is definitely heartwarming and maybe a movie that you'll love to watch endlessly.

RATING : 4 / 5*

A DARK MASTERPIECE

THE DARK KNIGHT

When The Dark Knight's teaser was released last year I immediately pondered why they omitted the iconic name of “Batman”. It's really an enigmatic title for the sequel of “Batman Begins” coz you'll have questions about the persona about our dark hero. Any dark secrets to reveal maybe? There was also too much hype about this film coz of Heath Ledger's demise. He is also the reason why I anticipated this film I truly missed Ledger in the big screen after Brokeback Mountain. It's just too sad that this would be his last picture. Indeed he is amazingly remarkable and definitely a sure shot in the next year's Oscar's race for Best Supporting Role.

I think this film totally slapped all the recent superhero films.

Don't expect a popcorn film coz it ain't popping cheesy script.

Don't expect shallow acting too coz you'll see performances you won't forget.

Don't worry if it's too dark coz after the last word you hear in the film you'll feel great.

The Dark Knight truly the best Batman film yet.

What's amazing about The Dark Knight is not only the gorgeous visual effects and thunderous sound in a Dolby Cinema. These are somehow eclipsed by the stunning cast. The story written by the Nolans also helps the film to let you stay and endure the longevity of the film. I watched this with only 4 hours of sleep. I work at night but I woke up a bit early to catch up the 3:40pm screening in Megamall. There were times that I was kinda soporific inside the cinema but thanks to Ledger's character I totally prevailed my somniferous state. Joker had awaken my senses that afternoon.Everytime that he shouts and laughs, it creeps me out! He is the perfect villain to fear. He is so bothersome. I love Heath's lizard-like tongue slurp. His eyes are so demonic. Amazing Heath!

Christian Bale is somehow quiet but he is still an awesome Batman. Harvey Dent aka Two-Face played by Aaron Eckhart surprised me in a big way. He also got the same screen time together with Bale and Ledger and he also stands out. I couldn't believe that this is the same guy I saw in Erin Brockovich. Wow!

Maggie Gyllenhaal I must say lets you forget that she's playing the role played previously by Katie Holmes. She looks like Katie in some angles but her acting is no Katie at all. Maggie truly deserves a nod her. Gary Oldman also reprises his role as Jim Gordon and still managed to attract the audience. Even if Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine have an ample screen time, you would still appreciate them.

Director Christopher Nolan did an excellent job. This is a Nolan's masterpiece again I must say. I hope he will be nominated here.

There are really disturbing scenes that involves the cruelty of Joker. Watching those scenes is a bit exhausting. It's too nail-biting for me.

I just wanna complain 2 things. I read that the teaser of Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince will also premiere together with this film but there was zilch. I hate it when you expect something and they didn't show it! Crap! Then gosh.... what are they doing??? Those watchers in Megamall are so obnoxious. They are roaming around inside the cinema so often that they totally disturb your watching. I knew that they are looking for suspicious people who are cam cording the film. Oh cmon! Before I enter the cinema I was already frisked and my bag was inspected too as well as the others. I chose a seat near the front row coz I love to watch near the screen but that doesn't mean that they should be interfering my concentration by walking in front of me flashing their lights from time to time. You didn't see me doing something illegal at first but why were you checking me more than 20 times. Those watchers are totally annoying I just wanna kill them! To SM Management don't do this again. It is really unsatisfying. Well, I won't be watching there again.Fuck you!

Anyway, I'm planning to watch this again with my friends in other friendly cinemas in the Metro. I hope you'll spend a time too with the dark knight. This film may not be humorous but it is purely amorous.

Totally recommended!

RATING : 5 / 5*

BROKEBACK SURFING

SHELTER

When was the last time that you were moved by a gay film? Even if you're a straight dude or a confused guy? Of course, no one can deny that Brokeback Mountain comes first into our mind. In that award winning film, we have Cowboy meets Cowboy then they fell in love. Here, the film targets the young audience. The liberated young viewers who can easily relate in this coming out indie film.Let's meet the good looking surf dude who fell in love with another surf hunk. Let's surf now!

Shelter tells a story about Zach played by Trevor Wright. I'm not even familiar with him. But the moment you see him he really strikes you! Zach is an aspiring young artist reduced to painting neighborhood walls in his unfortunate San Pedro neighborhood after turning down a scholarship to stay home and help raise his single sister's 5-year-old kid. He's frustrated career-wise and personally, trapped in the final stages of a teen romance with a young woman, finding scenic solace in surfing and beach life. His best friend Gabe is a wealthy guy who's off to college, but that friend's older gay brother, Shaun played by another talented unknown actor Brad Rowe, is back home in the family seaside manse, where Zach stores his surfboard. A chance encounter, a renewed friendship and a spell of drunken bonding set up the rest, a host of conflicted, indecisive emotions about coming out on Zach's part that take up the bulk of the film.

The story is quiet typical and palpably predictable, but the film captures the special beauty, exhilaration and pain of young love and somehow pulls out unexplained delight in the process. This film will be enjoyed and loved by the new discreet generation. This film is for them. Brokeback Mountain may be on apical but Shelter is riding along the waves of glory in Hollywood.

I must say the the love scene between Zach & Shaun is tasteful. It is not titillating but it is invigorating. Does it sound good? It's the same feeling when I first saw the love scene between the late Heath Ledger & Jake Gylenhall in Brokeback Mountain. It is intense and this one kinda rocks!!!! There are lot of kissing scenes between the two actors and they are really serious and thrilling. These two promising actors have a very good chemistry. I simply adore Trevor Wright's acting. He is really amazing.I'm hoping too see more of him soon. You know what, hours after watching this film I still couldn't believe that I was still giggling and hugging my pillow just by looking back those sweet scenes from them.

What's also amazing in Shelter is the pretty cinematography by Joseph White. I love watching the golden sunset in San Pedro, California and of course the rolling inviting waves of the ocean. Writer and Director Jonah Markowits totally delivers a wonderful film. Hats off to him!

The greatest element in the film for me??? Guess what? The music and the songs! The original score by J. Peter Robinson is magical. I just can't help myself from melting everytime I hear his amazing score for the film. It fits perfectly. It is hip and totally mellifluous. The songs are so cool too! I love everything they play in the film as background music. I'm not even familiar with the songs and the artists are not even popular. I can't wait to purchase to OST now. The songs are captivating.

Oh by the way, I did some research and Shelter have won these awards so far: Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival –Best New Director (Jonah Markowitz), 2007,Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival-Favorite Narrative Feature, 2007,Vancouver Queer Film Festival – People’s Choice Award for Best Feature, 2007,Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival –Best Actor (Trevor Wright), 2007. Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Audience Award for Best Cinematography (Joseph White)2007, Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Won, Special Award for first-time director (Jonah Markowitz), 2007, Dallas OUT TAKES – Won, Best Film, 2007,Outfest –HBO Outstanding First Dramatic Feature (Jonah Markowitz), 2007 and Melbourne Queer Film Festival – Audience Choice Award for Best Feature, 2007.

Shelter is definitely a “must see film”. The DVD is released already in the US. You may purchase it via online now. One word for the film : CUTE!

RATING : 5 / 5 *

THANK ABBA FOR THE MUSIC !

MAMMA MIA




Before watching this anticipated musical I was already singing “Mamma Mia” on my way to the theater. I was so enthusiastic about this film ever since I saw the teaser last year. The great part is that this film will be shown in the US next week. We are one week ahead from them!!!! But the Greeks are just lucky coz it was released there last July 3. Thank ABBA for the music!!!

The film started with Sophie with a promising song called “I Have A Dream”. Amanda Seyfried who is playing Sophie in the film fits perfectly in her role. She just blooms in the movie. I remember her in Mean Girls. Yeah, she’s one of them. Her eyes are expressive and she’s beautiful to me.

What can I say after hearing “I Have A Dream”? Gimme Gimme More of ABBA songs! I love this group. I grew up with their amazing songs. Their songs are priceless and irresistible.


Hearing great songs from ABBA scene after scene makes me want to dance inside the theater. I just couldn’t resist shaking my booty when I heard “Honey Honey” first. Then it was followed with Mamma Meryl’s Money Money Money. OMG. I can smell another Oscar nod for her again. Ms. Streep is not just great she’s marvelous. Watch out for her in the wonderfully choreographed “Dancing Queen”. Amazing!

Colin Firth gave me goose bumps when he sang “Our Last Summer”. His voice is just so cool for the summer. Watch out for his character! Probably the surprising twist in the film!


You wanna ogle for some sexiness??? Hunks Hunks Hunks are giving extra heat for the summer in the song “Lay All Your Love On Me”. Gosh I was surprised to see Dominic Cooper here so scorching in the big screen again. He can even sing! I like him in The History Boys. You should watch that film too.


Prepare to laugh when you hear the sad song Chiquitita. I was laughing so loud!!! I must say that Julie Walters and Christine Baranski deserve to be nominated next year for their awesome roles here. They just added some spice in the film. It’s really great to see them here.Christine is fabulous in the song “Does Your Mother Know” while Ms Walters is very hilarious in “Take A Chance On Me”.

The song that shocked me to hear is SOS. Pierce Brosnan made me cry here. He did well and he simply enjoys his take on the music. He made the song his own and I really wish that he is Sophie’s dad. He is also soulful in the song “ When All Is Said and Done".

By the way, I won’t even tell who Sophie’s dad is. That’s the best part in the film. You should solve it too. I bet you couldn’t coz the songs are really thawing your heart .I started to weep during the mother & daughter scene before the wedding. “Slipping Through My Fingers’ is truly a sad song in that scene.

What’s also amazing in the film is the bright sunny cinematography. I love it. It’s tempting to have a vacation in that island too. I just love the camera movement in the scene where Ms. Streep is singing “The Winner Takes It All”. Her singing acting is really moving and you just can’t also ignore the stunning backdrop of the sea during sundown. It’s a winner!!!!

I guarantee that you will leave the cinema smiling or maybe crying. You will have a wide grin coz it’s enchanting to hear ABBA songs in this film. I’m wondering now about the stage musical if it has the same effect to me. But I honestly admit that I really shed tears to Amanda Seyfried’s rendition of Thank You For The Music. You can hear it during the end credits. Her voice is immaculate and and I just wanna thank her for making my night!



This film is now one of my favorites. I dig musical films and Mamma Mia did not disappoint me. By the way, I immediately bought the soundtrack!

A must watch for the summer!!!

RATING : 5 / 5 *

ANG SINDAK NI MRS. CLOVERFIELD

MY MONSTER MOM

Last Sunday ko pa napanood itong My Monster Mom ewan ko ba akit di ko kaagad ni-review. Anyway, showing pa naman siya so share ko lang views ko about the movie. Gawa ito ng multi-awarded director na si Joey Javier Reyes. Kung nagustuhan mo mga dark comedies niya eh maaaring type mo rin ito.

Story ito ni Esme iang Cebuana na ginampanan ni Annabelle Rama na may 3 anak sa iba't ibang lalaki. Di ba parang hindi akma sa kultura ng Pinoy pero maraming ganyan dito. Hindi daw siya siya pokpok. Naku ilang beses ko yatang narining ang word na ito sa bunganga ni Rama. Madali lang daw siyang ma-in-love sa mga lalake. So pokpok nga di ba? Ewan ko ba? Start ng movie may cameo role si Richard Gutierrez. Pampakilig sa mga bagets siguro. Si Rhian Ramos ang young Inday na medyoconvincing naman except di lang sanay mag-Cebuano.

Then after 27 years lumabas ang character ni Rama na walang tigil sa kanyang machine gun mouth.Ganun kasi siya sa nakikita natin sa mga interviews niya kaya di siya gaanong nahirapan. Natural lang sa kanya ang acting ng isang bungangerang ina ng 2 anak na lalake. Si Ruffa ay ang kanyang anak na pinaampon sa Amerika. Nagbalik dito para ayusin ang mga papeles regarding her adoption.

Hmmm...nakakatawa ba? Ilang eksena ang nakakatawa pero hindi yung tipong hahalakhak ka at sasakit tiyan mo. Slight lang kasi halos nakita na natin ang mga ito sa trailer eh. May mga nadagdag na mga patawang eksena pero di gaanong may dating sa akin at sa iilang tao na nakasabay ko sa last full show sa Megamall. I was really expecting too much sa film na ito kaso parang nakulangan ako.

Merong iilan na nakakairita para sa akin dito. Over para sa akin ang mga pa-slang-slang ni Ruffa ng kanyang “kow” at akow”. Gosh! Grabbeee na siya. Wala di ko feel character niya dito. Mas gusto ko pa siya sa Desperadas. Si Iwa Moto pang-asar ang acting. Nagpakita lang ng cleavage na kailangan ng push-uo bra. Yung baklang kumare ni Rama na si Direk Khryss Adalia ang gumanap. Sana ngumuya muna siya ng maraming luya kasi namamaos boses niya. Hindi ko maintindihan pinagsasabi niya eh marami pa naman siyang dialogues. Bakit nga ba siya namaos? Hmmmm.. may sumabit sa throat niya? Ha ha ha! Change the topic!

Ang di ko lang ma-gets bakit ginawa ni Direk Joey ang eksenang yun??? Scene nila Ruffa at Bubbles Paraiso sa isang resto. They are having conversation pero bakit lumalayo ang camera sa kanila at finocused doon sa mga extra na kumakain sa kabilang table??? Sobrang lapit ng camera sa mga extra na parang sila ang bida sa scene na yun? Huh? Ano ba? Yun natawa ako doon kasi ewan anong gimik yun???

Naasar ako kasi di gaanong marami ang punchlines ni Eugene Domingo. Bakit ganun siya pa naman ang inaabangan ko rin dito? Si Chariz Solomon na napansin ang acting sa My Bestfriend's Girlfriend eh walang ginawa dito kundi maglinis at magtimpla lang ng kape. Sinayang lang ang talent.

All in all. OK lang naman ang movie na ito. Maaasar ka lang kung di mo type si Rama na super ingay at pakialamera masyado rito. Kaya nga Monster Mom di ba?

Oh by the way, nandito pala ang 4 na Gutierrez. Si Papa Eddie, si Bisaya, si Rofa at si Richarge na nabanggit ko na. So family movie nila ito? Busy si Raymond sa Pinoy Idol kaya di nakasama sa script.

Sana man lang maka-survive ang movie na ito sa mga kalabang Hollywod movies na monster masyado sa box office. Sana nga kumita talaga siya para sa industriya nila.

RATING : 2.5 / 5*

IN-3D-BLE JOURNEY BUT SO CORNY.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

Am I allowed to say that this movie sucks just a little bit?

I wasn't planning to watch this ahead of Mamma Mia but the musical film that I've been waiting for months is on guaranteed seating in theaters everywhere. I came in late for the time that I planned for Mamma Mia. Instead, I had no volition but to watch this film or maybe Hancock? But Josh Hutcherson is here in the movie so I clearly chose Journey to whatever in the Earth coz I've been following his films from the start. Josh is my other fav young actor next to Freddie Highmore.

The trailer of this movie is really promising. This is a 3D film but there's only one cinema in the Philippines showing its format. I'm pretty far from the The Block and I had no time to queue in there.

The plot of the film was already given in the trailer. I'd rather say all the great things in the movie are already there. I think if I've watched this film in 3D I might like this one. Watching this in a conventional cinema is not that fulfilling. I really heard rave reviews about this film right after watching it in 3D cinema. Some are describing it as a wild theme park ride experience.

The first 10 minutes is kinda lazy to watch. I was anticipating for fun already. Oh...the Philippines was almost mentioned. Our beloved country is really visible on the screen. Take note.. twice on the big screen! I'm kinda proud you know. The script is really boring. It is so predictable and I just didn't get the humor. Some jokes are terribly corny. The forced love story just came out of nowhere. Huh??? Gosh... it's excruciating. They just concentrated on the visual effects ride of the movie which is really amazing. I just imagined myself seating inside a 3D cinema.

There are some magnificent scenes in the movie. I really enjoyed the ocean scene with the three except for the part where Sean (Josh Hutcherson) got a call from her mother on his cp. Imagine there's a good signal at the center of the earth? Cmon!!! The magnetic rocks with Josh is an intense scene too. The Tyrannosaurus scene is just a rip off from all the dinosaur movies I watched. The rescue scene is just impossible. By the characters haven't been eating or drinking water for hours under a scorching temperature but they are still vivacious. I think it would be great to see them suffer there.

This movie sucks coz of the stupid screenplay. This movie just gratifies the audience with its visual effects and maybe Josh Hutcherson too. Brendan's character is still the same scratch we saw in The Mummy. I'm still ambivalent if I hate him here. This Icelandic actress named Anita is just OK. She's hot.

Am I recommending this one? Yeah, watch it in a 3D cinema for the so called “digital experience”. Too bad I'm not planning to watch it there sooner or maybe never. I was already daunted.

RATING : 2.5 / 5 *

THE EYE + SHUTTER = ALONE

ALONE

First, they gave a spine-chilling horror called “The Eye”. I agree I was screaming to death in that movie. Then, they scared us once again with the phenomenal hit “Shutter”. Thai horror films are really effective. What would you get when you combined these two horror flicks? The Eye + Shutter = ALONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Screamfest to the max!!!!!!!!!!

When Pim receives a phone call from a hospital that her mother is badly sick, she and her husband Wee flies back to Thailand. The moment she arrives, the dark flashbacks begin .The secret behind Pim and her family is slowly being unveiled. A disturbed ghost is haunting her in the dark.That ghost is her dead Siamese twin Ploy . Then the terror begins! Hold on to your seats!

This film is from the two directors behind Shutter. So expect what you've experienced in that movie. I mean more of it. Kudos to Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom for the great job.

The terror in “Alone” is built largely on the sound effects and sudden apparition of the ghost. I hate it coz I was screaming so loud. Yeah, I was really scared to death! They are very good in the so called “shock after shock” and a lot of spooky scenes after it. Gosh, I was covering my mouth for at least 5 minutes when I saw that ghost in the dark. Her scary face is still haunting me. She is still in my mind trying to scare me just like what she did to Pim. Honestly, I just don't want to be alone right after watching this film.

The story really amazes me. I love it coz the narrative plot is not boring. The surprising twist indeed is the best. I wasn't able to predict it that way. Amazing script! I must say that the lead actress Masha Wattanapanich is so brilliant. She is so perfect in her role. She is giving me chills with her acting. I like her so much.

By the way, Alone has made the rounds at film festivals, playing at the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival. At Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, the film won awards for best director and best actress. It swept the awards at the 2007 Screamfest Horror Film Festival in Los Angeles, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. The film also won the top Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2007 Toronto After Dark festival.

I read that the DVD was already released in Thailand & Hongkong. Of course, the Hollywood remake is on its way too.

Some are saying that this is comparable to A Tale of Two Sister from South Korea. I haven't seen it. I will check it out soon.

I am really recommending this one.

It is now showing at our local cinemas.

Just don't watch this all by yourself in a dark theater. Coz it's really creepy. It's really scary. This is not for the fainted heart.

RATING : 4.5 / 5*