C1 Originals 2018 Movie Reviews: Paglisan, Pang-MMK & A Short History Of A Few Bad Things

Here's the second part of my reviews for this year's Cinema One Originals competition films.

In Carl Joseph Papa's animated musical drama "Paglisan", we follow Crisanto and Dolores (Ian Veneracion and Eula Valdez) whose marriage is going through a rough patch. Going through a marital crisis, a couple’s marriage is tested when Crisanto is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease as Dolores sinks deeper into depression. "Paglisan" tells the story of how a married couple attempt to survive together through fading memories and fleeting identities. "Paglisan" also features the voices of Khalil Ramos and Junjun Quintana.

Though I must say that the rough animation (that gradually deteriorates by the end of the film maybe a representation of Crisanto's mental state as his disease takes over his mind ) was a bit distracting at first, I eventually fell it love with the entirety of the movie with its deeply moving story, fully realized characters and it's great musical numbers. I especially loved that "Do ReMi" moment where they sang "I Can" frok the 1996 movie. Ian Veneracion and Eula Valdez were both amazing as Crisanto and Dolores. Despite only hearing their voices, they managed to make us feel the pain and frustrations of their characters. Khalil Ramos and Junjun Quintana were great additions to the cast as they play the adorable couple Ian and Paul.

The only thing I could wish for would be a live action version of the film with the same cast. That would really awesome.

Rating: 9/ 10

John Lapuz makes his directorial debut with "Pang-MMK", a parody of the ABS CBN anthology. The story, which was even inspired by an actual episode from the show, follows Janus the legitimate son, who was given the stressful responsibility to take care of his father’s funeral. With the presence of a senator, constant phone calls from his mother (who was in the United States), and the conflict between his scandalous sister and his father’s mistress; the funeral became dramatic, chaotic, and hilarious. Pang MMK is about one’s strength of character, overcoming adversities, and facing them head strong. It stars Neil Coleta, Nikki Valdez, Zeppi Boromeo, Ricky Davao and Cherry Pie Picache with special participation from Ms. Charo Santos Concio.

"Pang-MMK" turns out to be one of the funniest local comedies I've seen in recent memory. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments. Some are so hysterically funny that I had to stop myself from laughing so loud inside the cinema. John Lapuz' script and direction were all on point. He really knows his way through the comedy genre. Neil Coleta and Nikki Valdez did a wonderful job in portraying the brother and sister star of the show. Nikki Valdez was especially hilarious in that "Family Room" scene. I just loved it. Period.

Rating: 9/ 10

Keith Deligero's "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" follows Felix (played by Victor Neri), a troubled detective who struggles to solve a series of grisly killings, while a deep conspiracy works to keep the truth just out of his reach. Set in the southern Philippine city of Cebu, the film revolves around his investigation of the killings, and the shocking discovery he is about to find out.
I was quite surprised right from the first few minutes of the film because it wasn't what I was expecting. Or maybe I didn't have any expectations at all given the fact that I haven't seen a Keith Deligero film before. Nevertheless,  "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" caught my heart from start to finish. From it's screenplay, cinematography and cast, the film is definitely one of the stand outs of the festival.

The screenplay (a mix of Bisaya, Tagalog and English dialect) by Paul Grant and Keith Deligero injects a lot of wit and humor into their tightly-written mystery. I was really shocked when it revealed it's mind-blowing twist. It reminded me so much of Shane Black's "The Nice Guys". The screenplay of "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" is undeniably one of the best from local cinema this year, along with Chito Rono's "Signal Rock". Jay Gonzaga was so fun to watch as Felix' partner in the investigation. Victor Neri was incredible as the lead. Publio Briones stood out with his portrayal of Ouano, Felix' boss.

 "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" is a fun, engrossing and highly entertaining take on the classic crime mystery genre. It's an impressive piece of cinema that is definitely not to be missed. One of the best from this year's festival.

Rating: 10/ 10

C1 Originals 2018 Movie Reviews: Never Tear Us Apart, Bagyong Bheverlynn & Hospicio

Here's the first part of my reviews for this year's Cinema One Originals competition films.

Never Tear Us Apart : Engrossing Ambiguity

Whammy Alcazaren's "Never Tear Us Apart" starring Meryll Soriano, Jasmin Curtis-Smith & Ricky Davao is probably the weirdest entry in this year's competition.

It follows Q (Ricky Davao) an aging spy in search of a monster known as The Shadow – a rumored darkness fabricated by the media as a murderer with a grudge against promiscuous women. His wife, M (Meryll Soriano), spends most of her time doing house chores and staring at their television in their mountain top mansion. Alex, their son, is your typical boy at the verge of maturity experimenting both sexually and emotionally. Things head south for the family when The Shadow impregnates M and Q meets a mysterious woman hiding a killer secret.

Though it may sound too simple , it's actually more complicated than that. It's quite hard to figure out what is the actual story in this movie, which adds up to it's ambiguity. You'll end up asking yourself what the hell did I just watched long after the credits roll. But admittedly, I was entranced by the film's intricacy and outlandishness that I never had the urge to leave the cinema at any point. I was too curious and engrossed with everything in the film.

Shot entirely on iPhones, the film's unusual aspect ratio adds a feeling of voyeurism to it. It's as if we're secretly watching through this open door projected onto the screen the whole time. It was definitely a unique viewing experience.

Rating: 7/ 10

"Bagyong Bheverlynn" : Old School Laughs

"Bagyong Bheverlynn", directed by Charliebebs Gohetia, starring Rufa Mae Quinto, Edgar Allan Guzman, Angelina Kanapi, Barbie Capacio, Jude Matthew Sevilla & Juan Miguel Severo. This out-of-this-world comedy follows a woman named Bheverlynn (played by Rufa Mae Quinto) left brokenhearted by her break-up with her ex-boyfriend (Edgar Allan Guzman). As she continue to spend every waking moment of her life sulking miserably, a tropical typhoon with the same like hers appears out of nowhere, wreaking havoc all over the country. Soon, Bhe realizes that it is her hugot that is feeding the storm and that she is the only one who can stop it from destroying the world

"Bagyong Bheverlynn"felt like those comedy films I've watched when I was a kid back in the early 2000s. It has a nice and interesting premise to start with. The execution was quirky and silly. The problem was that the way they put it all together was a bit incoherent, causing the final product to feel patchy. Yes, the jokes doesn't work all time. But the humor is there. I actually laughed a couple of times while watching.

The biggest asset of the film is it's lead star, Rufa Mae Quinto. There's something endearing with her that even though everything else in the film is not working anymore, she can still keep your attention with her unique comic approach. You'll never get tired of watching her, proving her capabilities as one of the best comedienne of the industry.


Rating: 7/ 10

"Hospicio" : Drug Me To Hell

Bobby Bonifacio's horror flick "Hospicio" features Loisa Andalio in her first starring role in a movie. She plays Leslie, a budding 20-something artist who is grieving over her sister who's in a coma after what seems to be a drug-related incident. With great guilt, Leslie is forced by her parents to go to a rehabilitation facility to recover from her drug dependency. As Leslie stays longer, she gets to uncover even more mysteries and secrets. She would later realize that the promised change is actually more sinister than it seems, and she has to do something before it’s too late. The film also stars Ana Abad Santos, MM Gigante, Elle Ramirez, Mary Joy Apostol, Kurt Kendrick, Manny Castañeda, Aurora Yumul, Francis Mata.

Bobby Bonifacio's film plays like a social commentary on today's society, from issues like drugs to EJK. It tackles themes like hypocrisy and self-righteousness, on who's to decide whether a guilty person gets to live or die. The cast did a great job, especially Ana Abad Santos with her fun portrayal of the mysterious head of the institution. Elle Ramirez also stood out with her hilarious but effective performance as Maris, the resident whore. Loisa Andalio also surprised me with her unexpected turn as Leslie.

I love the film's twist, though I already sensed it coming during the first hour. They could have pushed to make it more darker and disturbing given its concept. What really I love the most about "Hospicio" is its effective mix of shocks and laughs. It's reminds me a lot of Sam Raimi's "Drag Me To Hell". Though it's not that very scary, it's the type of horror film that is fun and entertaining to watch.


Rating: 9/ 10

Cinema One Originals 2018 "Ma" Movie Review: Fairytale Gone Wrong

This year marks my third year watching Cinema One Originals and  I'm lucky because the first film that I was able to catch was Kenneth Lim Dagatan's "Ma", an IWant original movie. Although not being part of the official entries for this year's roster of films (it was screened in advanced as part of the festival), "Ma" is one of those films that will surely leave a mark and will generate some buzz.

"Ma" stars Anna Luna, Kyle Espiritu, Alessandra Malonzo and Enzo Osorio with Kate Alejandrino, Glydel Mecado and Rafa Sigiuon Reyna. It follows a trio of siblings, played by Kyle Espiritu, Alessandra Malonzo and Enzo Osorio who desperately tries to recover their mother (Mercado) from death through the help of a mysterious being in the form of an enchanted, talking bush inside a cave in the woods. Their paths will cross with a pregnant woman named Cecil (Anna Luna) who is still mourning for the death of her husband. Their paths will lead them to a dark and deadly conclusion as they finally come face to face with the evil force that has been manipulating their fates to its own bidding.

"Ma" starts off slow, as it introduces two separate storylines, one following the children's encounter with the mysterious creature in the cave and the other, focusing on Cecil as her mind slowly breaks down due to guilt and sadness over her husband's suicide. There is a consistent bode of tragedy all over the film from start to finish, adding up to the dreadful atmosphere that lingers at every scene. Director Dagatan managed to maintain that somber and creepy tone all throughout the movie. Unlike most films today which rely on cheap scares, he focuses on keeping that unsettling feeling that never lets you go even if the story already moved on to the next scene. That feeling that makes you worry for some unknown reason that it leaves you paranoid. The cast also helped a lot in maintaining that atmosphere. Glydel Mercado and Kate Alejandrino also deserves some praise for their effective performances. Anna Luna is commendable for her believable portrayal of a woman ridden with guilt. The three child actors, Kyle Espiritu, Alessandra Malonzo and Enzo Osorio were all amazing revelations. Kyle in particular, deserves some praise for his terrifying performance reminiscent of Rhed Bustamante's Anghela in "Seklusyon".

It's almost like a fairytale. Somehow, you start to root for the children after all the tragedies and heartbreaks they've had. But this feeling will be tested once the film hits the third and final act. This is where things get very brutal and bloody. The film goes for the jugular with its grizzly and graphic scenes that makes Erik Matti's "Buy Bust" look tamer. It doesn't even shy away from showing its gratuitous violence and gore.

Kenneth Lim Dagatan's "Ma" is a fairytale gone wrong... very, very wrong. It's a slow burn piece of brutal and unrelenting horror. It's fucking good.

Rating: 10/ 10

"Para Sa Broken Hearted" Movie Review: Just Damn Too Perfect

"Para Sa Broken Hearted" stars Shy Carlos, Louise Delos Reyes, Marco Gumabao, Sam Concepcion and Yassi Pressman.

Back in 2015, Viva Films adapted one of the best-selling novels of online celebrity and author Marcelo Santos III. The film was "Para Sa Hopeless Romantic" starring Nadine Lustre, James Reid, Julia Barretto, Inigo Pascual and Shy Carlos. The film stayed a bit far from the format of it's original source material and wasn't really a big hit. This year, Viva Films adapts the sequel of the book, with Shy Carlos as the only cast member returning for her character.

"Para Sa Broken Hearted" stars Shy Carlos, Louise Delos Reyes, Marco Gumabao, Sam Concepcion and Yassi Pressman. The film is directed by Digo Ricio, it is produced by Viva Films and Sari Sari Films. The film follows three intersecting stories of five individuals who got hurt by love, led by Jackie (Shy Carlos) who decided to go to Baguio to stay at her aunt for a while after her break-up with her ex-boyfriend RJ (Marco Gumabao). She meets Kath (Louise Delos Reyes) who is also trying to move on from a heartbreak after she fell for a mysterious guy named Alex (Sam Concepcion). On the other hand, Alex is also trying to recover from his past relationship with Shalee (Yassi Pressman). Each story tackles the pain of heartbreak, acceptance, moving on and the courage to learn to love again.

Being a fan of the two books by Marcelo Santos III, I must say that this film exceeded all of my expectations. Although the movie adaptation of the first book was average, this movie nailed it. It perfectly captured the pain and sadness of the original source material. The way it depicted the emotional euphoria that one feels when they're in love was very creative and very close to what we imagine in real life. The lines are very organic and realistic. The way they told the stories through segments (which is what the first film failed to do) really reflected the novel, although you don't necessary need to read both books as this film was designed to act as a standalone film.

The film was also visually stunning at every frame. I love it's use of colorful lights to set up the tone. I know a lot of films have been using this neon colored scheme shit on lighting, but this one worked for the film. The fantasy inspired sequences, from the musical type moments, the talking ceiling, the space walk and even those very small details like the slow motion sequences while Alex and Kath were talking in a restaurant was very creative and genius. The film kinda looked like a scrapbook that came to life with it's gorgeous visuals. Not to mention the film's beautiful soundtrack which adds more punches to the tone and atmosphere of each scene.

Shy Carlos, who was the only actor to reprise her role as Jackie from the first movie, was amazing. Marco Gumabao was also very effective as RJ. He was perfect as her partner because they looked good together onscreen. Sam Concepcion and Louise delos Reyes were both good choices for Alex and Kath. They were able to display their acting prowess thru their characters. Their performance was outstanding. Yassi Pressman did not fail us with her heartbreaking portrayal of Shalee.

To sum it all up, this movie adaptation of Marcelo Santos III's best selling novel managed to surpass my expectations. They gave us a film that pays respect to it's original source material. They've done it in all the right ways, which is a rare and unbelievable feat. In simple words, it's just damn too perfect.

Rating: 10/ 10

"Little Italy" Movie Review: Delicious and Delightful

Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen star in "Little Italy"

It's 1999. Best friends Sal and Vince pool their talenta and secret family recipes to give Little Italy its most storied pizza. One day a terrible fight breaks out between the two. No one knows why. But Little Italy is never the same again and neither is its pizza. A wall now runs between the once fabled pizza. Pizza Napoli is now divided into Vince's Pizza - The Best and Sal's Pizza - It's Better.

Present day. Nothing has changed. Sal and Vince spend more time trying to sabotage one another's shops than focus on their own business. But not everyone wants ear. Love blossoms in Little Italy's cobblestoned piazzas between Sal's daughter Nikki and Vince's son Leo. Nikki is now a Cordon Bleu chef freshly returned from London. She and Leo, a pizza chef who dreams of owning his own organic pizza place, rekindle their childhood crush right under their oblivious father's eyes.

But what if Sal and Vince decides and succeeds in pitting their children against each other? Will their love become the victim or  emerge victorious in this ridiculously epic food feud?

"Little Italy", directed by Donald Petrie and starring Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen, is your typical romcom complete with rooftop dances, music video styled ronantic sequences (at least they've got Shawn Mendes singing his single "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" in the background) and of course, a last minute airport chase. We can't deny the fact thar this film is cluttered with these romance film cliches. At least the film is aware of that and whole-heartedly embraces it. But despite being cliched and predictable, the film manages to be entertaining.

The film is peppered with fun and hilarious moments that will make you smile and laugh a bit. Its Romeo and Juliet-inspired story may not be fresh and unique, but "Crazy Rich Asians" didn't have a very original plot either yet it managed to be fun and enjoyable. Plus, this film kinda reminded me of those romcoms from the 90's and early 2000's, giving out this nostalgic vibes. Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen looked good together and has some pretty nice chemistry. Fans of Emma will surely enjoy this one. Audiences will surely love Andrea Martin and Daniel Aiello as another pair of clandestine lovers.

"Little Italy" is a predictable yet fun and very entertaining old-fashioned romcom with some really nice performances from its stars. It's a delicious and delightful mix of cheesy romance and tasteful comedy.
"Little Italy" is showing in Philippine cinemas October 3, 2018 from Go Asia Entertainment.

Rating: 8/10

TOFARM 2018 Review: "Sol Searching" Finds It's Heart Amidst It's Laughs

Despite the obvious budget constraints, this dramedy starring Pokwang manages to win the hearts of it's audiences. An official entry to the ToFarm Film Festival 2018, Roman Perez Jr.'s "Sol Searching" stars Pokwang as Bb. Lorelei Baloloy, Joey Marquez as Djanggo Bustamante and Gilleth Sandico as the titular character, Sol. It also features JM Salvado as Bugoy, Raffy Tejada, Raul Morit, LotLot Bustamante, Mayen Esther, Kenken Nuyad and Troy Aquino with the special participation of Paolo Rodriguez, Francis Magundayao, Lee O'Brian, Sue Prado, Jelson Bay, Skyxz Labastilla & Chokoleit.

The dark dramedy follows Lorelei as she tries to give her co-teacher/ best friend Sol a proper wake and burial, while remembering the life of Sol: her struggles, pains, and sacrifices when she was alive.

Now on its third year, it was my first time to catch TOFarm (which stands for The Outstanding Farmer). The annual film festival will run in select cinemas from September 12-19, 2018. 

The film's story is actually bigger than what it seems during it's first half which shows the efforts of Lorelei as she tries to find a decent place for her friend's wake. But after that, we get to discover so many things about Sol's character, changing our initial impression of her. The best aspect about this film is it's rich narrative, though it may come a bit muddled at times due to too many overlapping subplots. Still, it was able to tell the truth, Sol's truth, and managed to stir our hearts with it's revelation.

The best performances comes from Gilleth Sandico, JM Salvado and Pokwang. All three of them were    consistent in providing the laughs and sometimes, manages to touch our hearts at times. And just like what Pokwang, she accepted this project not because of the money but because of her desire to hone her craft as an actress. She was able to showcase her acting chops and proved her talent as a dramatic actress. 

JM Salvado's raw and honest portrayal of a student who looks up to the woman who acted as his teacher and mother was really touching. And of course, Gilleth Sandico whom we usually see in movies and teleseryes as a side character is finally given her moment of spotlight as Sol. Her performance in the film was redoubtably her best work yet as she brings her character to life with devotedness and verisimilitude.

Despite some clunky parts and uneven pacing (and the ending feeling rushed), the film was very funny and entertaining. Admittedly, there were some gags that were hit or miss. Despite that, the film does have some truly hilarious moments, thanks to the amazing performances of the cast. 

"Sol Searching" is definitely worth your time and buck. It's a small film loaded with big laughs and a big heart.

Rating: 9/ 10