Cinema One Originals 2017 Movie Review: Joseph Teoxon's "Throwback Today"

If given a chance, would you want to change your life? What would you change? Or should I say, when? That is the question posted by Joseph Teoxon's sci-fi dramedy "Throwback Today". The film stars Carlo Aquino who plays Primo, the protagonist of the story. It also stars Empress Schuck, Annicka Dolonius, Allan Paule and Kat Galang and is one of the official entries to this year's Cinema One Originals.

In Throwback Today, we follow Primo, who seems like he has ran out of luck in his life: he is jobless, he's about to get thrown out of their house and the girl he loves is about to get married. That is until one day, he discovers that he can communicate with his younger self through an online chat room. Primo is convinced that he is failing so much today because of what he has done in the past, so he decided to convince his younger self to help him change the past to change the future.

Carlo Aquino plays Primo
Screenshot from the trailer

During the first few minutes of the film, I immediately thought that this has some similarities with the Hollywood movie The Butterfly Effect (2004) starring Ashton Kutcher. Both film feature a male lead character trying to change his current situation in life by changing things from his past. Both films have drastic consequences in the present for every change that takes place in the past. But Joseph Teoxon's sci-fi dramedy has enough distinction from the latter. Though the two films have a similar premise, Throwback Today has more heart. It's more lighter in tone and thus, far more enjoyable than the other one. Although the concept of changing your past isn't new anymore as we have seen a lot of films recycling the same concept over and over again, this sci-fi entry stands out with it's fun and entertaining execution.

The film's witty and humorous script  was successful in keeping audiences' attention for a long time. There's a lot of really hilarious moments that made the crowd laugh out loud inside the cinema. The film never felt boring or dragging. The pacing was consistent all throughout. The characters were all written very well. It's like they're someone you've known from your high school or college days. These are characters that you can really connect with. That you can see yourself into. That's why it's hard not to fall for and root for these characters. I also loved that the story did not turned out like I expected it to be. The last part of the film was unpredictable. It took  different turn and decided to leave the whole thing to it's main character to resolve. It's nice that the film took a different route for it's resolution. It was totally unexpected and I really appreciate it. It's almost felt like watching a feel good movie.

Of course, the biggest asset of the film is it's talented cast. It's so nice to see Annicka Dolonius again after her stint in one of my favorite indie films, Ang Nawawala (2012) and in the surf movie Apocalypse Child (2015). She fit the role as she has this mysterious aura whenever she's onscreen. Empress Schuck was also good in her portrayal of Primo's best friend. But the real star of the film is Carlo Aquino, who gives a very committed performance as the protagonist, Primo. After his stint in the youth oriented film Bar Boys earlier this year, I've decided to follow Carlo Aquino's next projects and Throwback Today was the perfect movie for him. He definitely looked and felt so convincing as Primo. Whenever he's onscreen, one can't help but to be magnetized with his charm. He is able to shift from high and low emotions and still keep us glued to the screen with presence.

I pretty much enjoyed Joseph Teoxon's sci-fi "Throwback Today". This is the type of film that anyone can easily appreciate. It isn't bombastic in any way. But it's a simple movie that will leave a smile in your face once you leave the cinema.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰  of 5

"Throwback Today" (2017)
Directed by Joseph Teoxon, starring Carlo Aquino, Empress Schuck, Annicka Dolonius, Allan Paule and Kat Galang
An official entry to the 2017 Cinema One Originals Film Festival

Saving Sally Review

Rhian Ramos as Sally with Enzo Marcos as Marty.
(Screengrab from Youtube)

Sometimes, passion can push you further to do the impossible. And here's one that proves this.

Imagine what love can do to someone as dedicated and passionate like director Avid Liongoren. Well, he just proved that sometimes, with a little bit of faith, patience and hard work. great things... impossible things can actually happen. And his film Saving Sally is here to show that to us. His film, an animated scifi romantic fantasy film, is the first of it's kind here in the Philippines. It blends live action with 2D animation to an amazing effect. Imagine the films Scott Pilgrim vs. the World or Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, but with Rhian Ramos as a nerdy girl who is the love interest of the main protagonist. Robots, monsters, and all sorts of things pop up everywhere in this beautiful mix of romance and animation.

Saving Sally follows Marty, played my Enzo Marcos, who is secretly in love with his best friend Sally, played by Rhian Ramos. Marty is a comic book fan. Hew also loves making comic books of his own. He is the typical geeky guy in movies and television series. At the same time, he also sees the world differently. He sees bad people as monsters, walking among us everyday and everywhere. Sally, an artist, inventor, and self-proclaimed mercenary, has a very strict parents. Played perfectly by Archie Adamos and Shamaine Buencamino, her parents who are also portrayed in the film (and in Marty's eyes) as monsters, are very abusive to her. They often lock her up in their house and even hurt her. Probably it's because they're just her adoptive parents. Or they're just crazy. Whatever. But in addition to this, she is also in love with the wrong guy- Nick the Dick, played by TJ Trinidad. And yes, Nick is literally and figuratively a dick as he is a bad influence to her and is putting her more into trouble. So instead of telling Sally his real feelings for her, he decided to just save her from her jerk boyfriend and her abusive parents.

As we all have been made aware of, it took ten years to complete Saving Sally. That's why it has been one of the most talked-about films in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival. People have been wondering, how come this film took 10 freaking years to make? Well, it's the same problem that every other indie film director had to deal with in this industry. Lack of budget and support. 

Principal photography for the film under the helm of Liongoren began as early as 2005 but it came to a halt due to financial constraint. After two to three years, French film producer Alain de la Mata, decided to help Liongoren after the former was impressed with the idea behind the film. The producer remarked that the film's sounds and special effects were poor, and asked if they can reshoot the film. The film originally involved 3D elements, devised puppets, and members of the cast wearing costumes as monsters but these were later scrapped and they all decided to focus on 2D animation instead. Production resumed in 2010 and everything had to be done from scratch. Green screen were used for the film which was later superimposed with 2D animated elements. Artists from Rocket Sheep were responsible for the creation of the futuristic Manila background, as well as the 2D animated monsters. At this time, the original actress to play Sally was no longer available so they also had to find a replacement. This is when Rhian Ramos was able to grab the role. Although they received a grant from the French government, this was not enough to finish the material. That is the reason why they had to put up a website where they asked people who are interested to give donations in terms of monetary assistance in finishing the film. Alas, after a long and painful ten-year journey, Saving Sally was completed. And after seeing the final product, I couldn't help but be amazed with what director Avid Liongoren and his team has achieved here. 

Saving Sally is one of the most gorgeous Filipino films I have seen in a very long time. I never imagined that I would experience something as beautiful as this film. I've read somewhere online that people were not so impressed with it. They kept on comparing this gem to other animated movies like Disney's Frozen. What these people don't understand is that Saving Sally is an independently produced film which relied on a very small budget. It relied on grants, donations and it almost took all of it's director's savings. Disney has a whole company of animators who create there films using state-of-the-art technology. This film was made by a group of people (five, if I'm not mistaken) who painstakingly drew each frame of the film in a little house in Teacher's Village, Quezon City for a duration of ten years. Imagine the hard work and dedication that they put into this project. Comparing it with Disney's other animation is just downright stupid and offensive.

Although the project was originally conceived to be seen by people online for free, the film turned out as something worth seeing in a theater. The 2D animations beautifully come to life in the big screen, taking you and the viewers to it's imaginative world. Honestly, I can't help but savor every detail of each frame of the film. It's as if you were watching a beautiful painting coming to life right before your eyes. The colors were so vibrant. The lines and shades were so slick. Every animated character brings a smile in my face. It's like watching those 2D animated films from Japan, but this time, they're speaking in English and Filipino and with real actors in the foreground. It is one of the most immersive movie experience I have felt while watching a Filipino film. The story is very formulaic, I admit. But when the film is as gorgeous as this, sometimes you forget those technicalities and focus more on just enjoying and falling in love with the astounding visuals that you see moving right before your eyes.

Aside from the 2D animations, another great aspect of this film is that it is perfectly cast. Rhian Ramos is just the right girl to play Sally. I know she was a bit young when she took over this role since this was filmed like a decade ago but she already has the acting skills to bring her character to life. Enzo Marcos was also good as Marty. He's not the usual handsome leading man type of protagonist that we see in every other film. But he perfectly embodies that shy type geeky guy that is hiding in each one of us. He is adorable as Marty, and that's enough. I guess that's also the same reason why he and Rhian Ramos has a pretty good chemistry on screen. TJ Trinidad looks like he is having lots of fun playing Nick the Dick, the jerk boyfriend of Sally. The character don't require too much emotions from him as his character is usually depicted in 2D animation but he is able to give the character some menace when needed. I must say that Archie Adamos and Shamaine Buencamino somehow steal the show during their scenes as Sally's menacing parents. Though their roles were very small, they were able to make a lot out of it.

Some may find the film a bit cheesy, others may think it's overrated. But admit it or not, it is undeniable that this film is one hell of a masterpiece. A product of love and dedication of a filmmaker. A moving work of art. It's a proof that something impossible can be achieved if you put enough (or lots) of faith, dedication and passion for it. Aside from making history in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival, Avid Liongoren's Saving Sally is sure to contribute a big part in our country's cinema. I'm pretty sure that the film will serve as catalysts for other filmmakers to push the boundaries of film animation in the country. And soon, it will be noticed by the international film community too. And for that alone, I couldn't be more grateful. 

Rating: ✰✰✰✰ out of 5

Saving Sally (2016)

Starring Rhian Ramos, Enzo Marcos and TJ Trinidad

Written by Charlene Sawit-Esguerra, directed by Avid Liongoren