From the makers of Shake, Rattle and Roll but doesn't feel like one.
Haunted Mansion is juggling between two
genres. Most of the time, it’s a typical Wattpad episode where a weird teenage
girl gets bullied by cheerleaders and has crappy love triangle problems with
her crush and her childhood friend. Sometimes, or when they feel like using
their special effects, everything turns into a spook house. There’s no sense of
danger within these characters up until the last 20 minutes of the movie. They
wasted a lot of time introducing these lame people for their short, forgettable
deaths. They didn’t even use Janice de Belen’s overacting skills. She’s just
there. Scolding, and eventually died without her trademark scream.
There's also a lot of dumb shit to
accept while watching this. How can a catholic school permit their students to stay
in a creepy mansion infested with urban legends? Why did the priest allow this?
Why did they not inform the parents of its location? And if the parents have
been informed, why did they let their rich kids go to a dirty and terrifying
mansion? Why are they talking closely to the people that they’re gossiping
about? Why did the guardians choose to
let them stay for one more day rather than punish them at school? Why didn’t
the ghost just fight the other ghost instead of pointing like a living exhibit
in Night at the Museum? Why didn’t Adrian know about Ella’s spiritual shit when
they’ve been friends for life? What the heck is with that ending?
It’s sad seeing this film go to waste because
there's a lot of things to commend about it. The cinematography, lighting, production
design and special effects were great. There are some locations that will look
good in Devil May Cry, like the living room with a weird statue and the hallway
with the swaying curtains. The flood looked great. The moving camera made the
film unique from other Pinoy horror films. The flashbacks were also nicely
done. It’s like Jun Lana and the team are doing the best they can from a crappy
screenplay. However, I felt that there is an anti-Marcos message behind it.
Take note that they shot it in the late president’s mansion in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Also, the ghost cuts its victims' tongue to silence them from the truth. The
message is there, but only a few will get it because they were bothered by the annoying
clichés and ridiculous plot holes surrounding it.
I liked Sharlene San Pedro (Faye) but none among the cast was above mediocre. Maybe it’s because of their one-note characters. As for Janella Salvador (Ella), who they’re claiming to be a
tough competitor in the Best Actress category, let the photos judge how she was
so versatile in this movie.
Haunted Mansion terrorizes our money
with another clichéd, teen angst horror crap. It’s very disappointing to
watch because of its high production values and anti-dictatorship undertone.
ESTOFADONG DILA NG BAKA!
★★☆☆☆
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movie Christmas!
Did your bets win? Are you happy with the results? Well, Erik Matti won but he's still furious about the MMFF Committee's decision to disqualify his film in the Best Picture category. And here's his acceptance speech that was read in the awards night.
"Sa kabila ng lahat, magandang gabi pa rin sa inyo.
Kahit kailan po, hindi ako gumawa ng pelikula para magka-award. At kung may mga
reklamo man ako sa MMFF, hindi ‘yan tungkol sa pagdisqualify niyo sa Honor Thy
Father from the Best Picture category. Naglabas na ng statement ang producer
namin na si Dondon Monteverde. Sang-ayon ako sa mga sinabi niya doon. Mas
malalim kesa d’yan ang disappointment ko sa MMFF.
Mula sa pagpili niyo ng mga sineng isasali hanggang sa pagkunsinti niyo sa
masahol na trato ng mga sinehan sa ibang pelikula, lalo na ng maliliit na producers,
para sa isang die-hard movie fan na gaya ko, hindi ko na halos makilala ang
film festival na dati kong hinangaan at nirespeto.
Maraming salamat na lang sa libreng publicity at higit sa lahat, sa pagbukas ng
pinto para pag-usapan na sa wakas ng filmmakers pati ng moviegoers ang mga
hinahangad nilang pagbabago sa MMFF.
Sa lahat naman ng Pilipinong hindi pa rin nagsasawang manood ng mga gawa namin
dito, salamat sa inyo. You deserve better. Kaya tulungan niyo naman kami.
Demand for better films! Demand for more choices in the cinemas! Kaya pa natin
baguhin ‘to. Hindi ako titigil kung hindi rin kayo titigil.
Hindi na ito tungkol sa Honor Thy Father. Buong industriya ng paggawa at
panonood sa pelikulang Pilipino ang usapan na ‘to. Kaya, salamat na rin sa
inyo, MMFF. Binuhay niyo ang pag-asa ko para sa pagbabago."
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“Forever” is perhaps the word of
the year for Filipinos. We’re in this day and age where people question
the infinity. Can happily ever after exist? Do you believe in forever? Well, I
don’t know much but I believe that #WalangForever is great.
This is perhaps one of the most personal
films I’ve seen this year. I don’t know if Paul Sta. Ana wrote this from his experience,
but I feel that there’s a lot of heart into it. It started with a bunch of comparisons
from Mia’s romcoms and her real-life experiences with his ex, who she later encountered.
I was just laughing at this setup until it hit me when Ethan and his maid had a
conversation about romcoms. The movie is more than what I thought it was. The
first half acknowledges this genre as a companion, an escape and a reminder of
our precious days.
Why do we write? Is it for the money,
for the love of art or to be remembered?
I also believe that the best stories come
from our own experiences and that art immortalizes its creator. Having the
chance to tell a widely-accepted, personal story is perhaps the best thing that
can happen to a writer, and that’s what I think the film is trying to say.
But the movie had a change of heart once
the conflict started. Some might complain its sudden shift of tone, but I had
no problem with it because that’s just how life works. One day, you’re having
the best time of your life. And then all of the sudden, reality screws you up
big time. The last act could’ve used a little more time to breathe and feel the
characters’ pain, but its climax was delivered with unparalleled sincerity from
its excellent actors. I love how it ended by answering its question with a
subtle, moving illustration. Stay for the end credits.
There’s no denying that Jennylyn Mercado
will be a back-to-back MMFF Best Actress awardee. Jericho Rosales will also be a
solid contender for his earnest performance and effective chemistry with his
co-stars, even if the award is solely for John Lloyd Cruz (unless MMFF
completely sabotaged Honor Thy Father). Lorna Tolentino, Jerald Napoles, Kim
Molina and Pepe Herrera provided joy and solemnity in certain moments. It has a lot of twists and cameos
that I will not mention. But there are no small roles, just small actors. I'm curious on how the film will look like if JM de Guzman was not replaced by Echo.
To end this, I have to say that the
biggest reason why I love Dan Villegas’ romantic films is because they value
the man’s point of view, unlike most romcom filmmakers who treat their male
protagonists as perfect, financially-stable, mouth-watering objects of fascination
for hopeless romantics. His men have range, feelings and issues of their own.
They talk to us as much as they do to the opposite sex. Ethan and Mia may look
like a perfect couple, but at least they have problems that they didn’t create
just for the sake of having an emotional conflict near the end. I'm still waiting for a grounded film with normal people dealing with normal problems in the country like traffic, minimum wage, contractual labor and poor work-life balance.
#WalangForever starts as a love letter
to romantic films and ends as a sincere acceptance of reality.
PINAKBET BURGER WITH FEELINGS
★★★★☆
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Christmas!
What we should know about BNDL is that it’s divided into five segments. Its only difference from anthology horror films like Shake, Rattle and Roll is that all of the stories are interconnected and overlapping one another. Read more to know if it’s worth buying or not.
Let me tell you upfront that three out
of five segments worked. I’ll start with the ones that didn’t, which makes up
the first 40 minutes of the film. Masid (Stare) reminds me of Jake Gyllenhaal’s
Nightcrawler where one journalist can go to crime scenes without being
suspected as one of the killers by its readers. It has a brilliant twist that
was wasted once it was revealed. Meanwhile, Dinig (Hearing) is a good social
commentary on instant celebrities and stage moms. They had good premises but were
forcefully compacted to fit their running time. I strongly feel that they were
longer in the first cut, as seen in some badly-edited scenes. The best example
for these noticeable flaws is the choppy conversation between Santi and Odie
where the camera is not facing the speaker. It’s also hard to buy their sudden
fame, especially in Dinig where people have been hooked by Chloe’s voice alone without judging her off-screen attitude. Ganyan
na ba talaga kababaw ang fans ngayon? Sabagay, may point.
The first two stories are weak. But
don’t worry, it gets better. Sarap (Delish) revitalized the movie with its
delicious wits and production design. Halimuyak (Fragnance) is highly entertaining and Katad (Animal Skin) ties a knot to these stories with
style. I won’t spoil much because they’re so good. Let’s just say that these
three segments were great because they’re short, uncomplicated and fun. The final
showdown is like a cool Fatal Frame sequence. Every story had an awesome setting, even their float is jaw-dropping. 'Yan ang pinaghirapan!
[Disclaimer: Spoilers on the paragraph below.]
BNDL could’ve been better if it had some
meta-horror jokes than playing a straight face. One thing that really bothered
me is that no one even asked for the price of Santi’s product. There were also some dumb
moments, like when Chloe is being attacked by a doppelganger. Some revelations
should have been stressed-out like Maita and Santi’s past and Ato’s recipe. The
ending was nice, but it could’ve been better. Maita should’ve only been burned
and the expected cliffhanger could’ve been more playful (i.e. Santi can sell
online like what happened in the crazy after-credits scene of Feng Shui 2).
Despite the flaws and missed
opportunities, there’s no denying that it’s still an enjoyable movie that feels
like a good Asian horror to catch in the RED Channel. The film is brave enough
to tackle about people who sell their souls for fame and fortune. It has an
outstanding production design and great cinematography. Vhong Navarro and Lotlot de Leon were okay. John Lapus, Janine
Gutierrez, Rayver Cruz and the Sarap family were good but I have mixed
feelings about TJ Trinidad. He’s fantastic but I don’t know if it’s with the
editing or script that failed to make Santi a supremely memorable character.
He should’ve had a memorable entrance and some quotable quotes.
Buy Now, Die Later provides an
interesting story that can outweigh its plot holes and technical issues. It’s a
timely film in this materialistic world where many are blinded to consume for
prestige and power.
BILI KA NA!
★★★½☆
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movie Christmas!
Do you know that there’s no exact
equivalent English term for “kilig”?
For safety concerns, I’ll start by
saying that I love Eat Bulaga since I was a kid and I liked Alden Richards and
Maine Mendoza even before their love team began.
There’s nothing much to say about the
story because you’ve already seen it in the trailers. It highly resembles to
Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes’ “Biyudo si Daddy, Biyuda si Mommy” with older kids that are facing Romeo and Juliet love
problems. It tackles about how people of different generations can now do whatever they want (if they have the money) but should still consider their guardians' happiness. The film is light,
for better or worse. It’s weightless and easy to follow, whether you’re a
seven-year old kid or a 100-year old grandma. But unlike last year in My Big
Bossing where they tried to level up the production value and created three
different fairy tales, this one had nothing special in it. Despite the
uninteresting trailers and effortless poster, I still had positive hopes
because it’s made by Bibeth Orteza and Jose Javier Reyes, who are both
award-winning filmmakers and with great sense of humor. There are some scenes
that made me chuckle and there are a lot of times where the most people in the
theater were screaming out of "kilig".
Surprisingly, Vic and Ai-Ai had more
chemistry than AlDub, maybe because Maine Mendoza has not yet been properly
trained to act that time, or because her character is such an annoying brat. I just hate
millennials who use the word “hashtag” to describe their feelings. #Bitter
#SoreLoser #Whatever #PunyetangBataToSasakalinKoNaTo... Meanwhile, Alden was
okay but they wasted his potentials. He could’ve done a “John Lloyd Move” to
give this movie something memorable, but no. He just stares at his partner and
shows his dimples. I’m pretty sure that Maine can act now. They deserve better on their next blockbuster hit.
It’s nice seeing Vic Sotto as a grumpy,
old man but I was shocked that Ai-Ai de las Alas was the one who gave this film some life.
While the Dondi-Anna story is kinda boring because of their easy affection for
one another, the Vito-Corazon subplot developed and later showed that this is
still their show. To be honest, I liked the Tagaytay scenes. However, it’s
still not a kid-friendly movie because of the twist that was spoiled in the
trailers. Yes, it was done comically, but how can a parent explain what
happened to them to a toddler? Moving on, the next scenes are a bunch of
montages showing their consequences for their careless acts. In the end, you
know what happens. What’s awkward with the last scene is that the background
song does not fit its cheerful atmosphere. Well, that was a wrap. About the cameos, why should we care if they did nothing interesting in here? The only person who did something with her time is Valeen Montenegro.
Right now, Vic and his friends have
millions of pesos from ticket sales and product placements. I've been begging for a good film and they somehow tried last year, but they probably gave up after being snubbed. If ever this small voice can reach them, I just want to say, "Bossing, mahirap ka nang ipagtanggol laban sa mga basher mo kung hindi mo rin susubukan gumawa ng magandang pelikula." There’s nothing wrong with a rehashed 90’s movie as long as it’s funny and
well-executed. Vice and Deramas are improving their crap. I hope that they will learn their lessons one day and make
something memorable next time.
Kalyeserye is great, Eat Bulaga is great. AlDub is great. This is not, and that should not be the case.
My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore is pretty much
what you expected it to be. If you have high hopes, you might enjoy it. If you
hate this beforehand, you will despise it even more. But if you have minimal
expectations, just like me, you’d probably end up with a harmless yet forgettable fast food movie.
CHICKEN FILLET ALA KING!
★★½☆☆
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movie Christmas!
Metro Manila Film Festival is on its 41st year in bringing joy this Christmas season. Eight films will be shown nationwide starting December 25, 2015. The legacy continues in the 6th MMFF New Wave Film Festival with five shorts, five animation finalists and five full-feature indie films in competition that will be screened from December 17-24, 2015 at the SM Megamall, Glorietta 4 and Robinsons Ermita-Midtown. Read more for the complete list and please like The Movie Bud for more updates.
#WalangForever
Starring: Jennylyn Mercado, Jericho Rosales
With: Lorna Tolentino, Matet de Leon, Jerald Napoles, Nico Antonio, Pepe Herrera, Cai Cortez, Kim Molina, Juan Miguel Severo, Sebastian Castro
Screenplay by: Paul Sta. Ana
Directed by: Dan Villegas
Expectations: With the charismatic Jennylyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales on the leads and Dan Villegas on the director's chair, #WalangForever can become the dark horse of the competition like what happened with last year's English Only, Please.
MY BEBE LOVE #KiligPaMore
Starring: Vic Sotto, Ai Ai delas Alas, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza
With: Arlene Muhlach, Valeen Montenegro, Ryan Yllana
Directed by: Jose Javier Reyes
Expectations: #ALDUBKiligOverload. Many will ignore My Bebe Love's worn-out story and focus on the sensational love team's charming presence and comedic timing. Well, as long as the movie is fun, I'm down with that. I still see some hope even if the poster and trailers look effortless because of Jose Javier Reyes and Vic Sotto's new businessman look.
BUY NOW, DIE LATER
Starring: Vhong Navarro, Alex Gonzaga, TJ Trinidad, John Lapus, Rayver Cruz, Lotlot de Leon, Janine Gutierrez
With: Jayson Gainza, Cai Cortez, Markki Stroem, Manuel Chua
Music by: Jerrold Tarog
Screenplay by: Ronald Allan Habon
Directed by: Randolph Longjas
Expectations: Buy Now, Die Later is my most awaited entry and the first film that I will watch this Christmas. Tradisyon na kasi namin manood ng horror movie kapag Pasko, maliban noong Pagpag. It's from the makers of Heneral Luna so expect quality. The story looks great, almost resembling to Chito Rono's films. Hoping to see some thrilling sequences and unique kills. I'm highly excited for TJ Trinidad's scenes.
Starring: Kris Aquino, Derek Ramsey, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion, Ronaldo Valdez, Pokwang, Nova Villa
With: Bimby Aquino-Yap, Julia and Talia Concio
Directed by: Antoinette Jadaone
Expectations: It's exciting to see what Antoinette Jadaone can do with a large ensemble. Expect hugot quotes and tactless characters from All You Need is Pag-Ibig. I'm looking forward most to Nova Villa and Ronaldo Valdez's arc. POWERFUL!
With: Meg Imperial, Yam Concepcion, Kiko Matos, Dido de la Paz, Troy Montero, Pocholo Barretto, Roxanne Barcelo, Aubrey Miles
Directed by: Pedring Lopez
Expectations: Blood, bondage, Maria Ozawa and a lot of surreal shit. Nilalang looks like a promising action film that pays homage to the classic grotesque Japanese films.
Starring: Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel, Jerome Ponce, Janice de Belen, Iza Calzado
With: Dominic Ochoa , LJ Reyes, Joem Bascon, Sharlene San Pedro, Ingrid dela Paz, Eliza Pineda, Phytos Ramirez, Paolo Gumabao, Vangie Labalan, Sue Prado, Archie Adamos
Screenplay by: Jun Robles Lana and Elmer Gatchalian
Directed by Jun Robles Lana
Expectations: Jun Lana has a good taste for horror and mystery. This looks like his Dormitoryo series in GMA, which I really liked. Don't count Haunted Mansion out.
BEAUTY AND THE BESTIE
Starring: Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, James Reid, Nadine Lustre
With: Karla Estrada, Ryan Bang, Baji Mortiz, Alonzo Muhlach, Marco Masa, Lassy Marquez, MC Calaquian
Directed by: Wenn V. Deramas
Expectations: Beauty and the Bestie can become one of the needles in Wenn Deramas' haystack of crappy mainstream movies. The trailer looks like an action-comedy that Dolphy usually did in the 90's. Coco Martin and JaDine can do comedy. This might work, hopefully.
Starring: John Lloyd Cruz, Meryll Soriano, Dan Fernandez, Tirzo Cruz III
With: Perla Bautista, Khalil Ramos, William Martinez, Lander Vera Perez, Boom Labrusca
Screenplay by: Michiko Yamamoto
Directed by: Erik Matti
Expectations: Honor Thy Father has already made a buzz a few months ago in its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The makers of OTJ are back so expect an intense movie. It's also a great JLC debut at the indie scene according to some critics. Let's see if this will bag the awards this year. Meanwhile, I hope that Hermano Pule (the film replaced by HTF) will be finished and shown next year.
- A story of a Kapampangan youth who doesn't know or want to speak in Kapampangan, until he runs into a compelling but weird character known as the king of Kapampangan potes.
Directed by: Carlo Enciso Catu
TOTO
- When a young Filipino room service attendant's schemes to attain a U.S. visa put the lives of his loved one in danger, he is forced to question the extremity of his actions and re-evaluate the cost of fulfilling his dreams.
- In the traffic-laden streets of Metro Manila, two brothers use the chaos of the city roads as a smokescreen for their shady occupation. But when a robbery goes sour, the brothers are forced to graduate from low-level thieves to high profile hit-men in an act that tests both their resolve and their relationship.
Directed by: King Palisoc
MANDIRIGMA
- A legacy film about the Philippine Marines. It tells the story of no one in particularly but that of victory and defeat as necessary steps in the attainment and fulfillment of peace.
