It's a sin not to watch "On the Job" by Erik Matti

Hi everyone,

from bidakapamilya.blogspot.com

Goodness, i can't believe that the last time I posted was for Rock of Ages. Well, anyway.. I will make it up by posting about a really worthwhile topic, the stellar and much celebrated movie by Erik Matti, entitled OTJ or On the Job which stars Piolo Pascual, Joel Torre, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez, etc.


 If you search about this film in social media, you will find that a lot of movie goers loved it. And for good reason,.. I am no movie critic but I can say it is top notch. There was only 1 perfect Filipino film in my list, Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag by Lino Brocka, which I belatedly watched in some website posted by a kind user. Hopefully I can secure it legally in the future. Anyway, as I said, I used to think there was only 1 Filipino film that is perfect, now, in my mind at least, there are two, and that was since I have watched OTJ.

Basically the film is about hired killers and I don't think I plan to say much about the story because it is yours to find out. The only thing I can say about it is how wonderfully written it was. Wow, for many years, I have been watching Filipino films, paying just to help the industry and though it may be true that there are some that are entertaining or hold promise, this is the one that is perfectly made. I can say that this is better than 1896 or Muro Ami, for a different market, but that's just my opinion. This is better than most Hollywood films I know. It's quite weird to note that we might be raving about it, because a good Filipino film (admit it) is such a rare gem. I must say, the way the shots of the camera  were planned, the pace of the story, the action scenes, .. I truly can't be more proud to claim that this is a Filipino film. Even the scoring (sounds), the props, the venue where they shot were really good. (you can tell im no movie critic haha). Okay, there are probably a few needful improvements but I plan on overlooking those, and you can't read about those in this blog. Anyway, I wish George Estregan would watch this film and see that this is an example of a good movie. MMFF filmmakers, take note! Indie film makers, please, also take note.

from imdb.com

Joey Marquez was a revelation. He is an effective actor and even if he is known for comedy roles, films such as this make me esteem him as a serious actor that need to utilized more for films of this caliber. I am glad Star Cinema entrusted the role of the honest policeman to him. You also wouldn't believe that 2 men probably in their fifties (Joel Torre and Joey Marquez) were unbelievably believable in the action sequences.
 

 What I also love about this movie is that it is almost seditious in a sense. Okay, how do I explain this. It embodies everything that is bad in this country, the corrupt, the adulterous, poverty, drugs, murders. In the first few minutes, I experienced a feeling of dread only to be felt while watching horror films. It's a characterization of the worst men from the bowels of the earth.. I was truly scared. I am a Filipino, and you know what being a Filipino is like sometimes? You know for a fact that things have to change about the way this country is run and you just cannot do ANYTHING about it. The movie strangles hope which is very reminiscent of Rizal's El Filibusterismo. I love that this film is so socially relevant. I felt like grieving afterwards for the state of this country.

Anyway, hopefully you can still get to catch it in the big screen or DVD. I can't stress it enough. You need to watch this film.

Sincerely, Kcat

(I do not own any of the photographs used in this post)

The Help (movie)

Hi i'll probably compose a short blog article since Im posting this secretly from the office. A short break from Monday stress.

I cannot help but rave about a wonderful movie I was given the privelege to watch this month. It's entitled The Help, starring Emma Stone, who is one of my newest favorite actresses.

Im not a movie critic, let me begin with that. you wont expect a detailed commentary about the movie from me.

What I liked about the film was when the lead character, Ablene, a black maid, believed that she has the ability to make people feel special. She has a special mantra that she whispers to baby girl, her ward, whenever she wakes up: "You is kind, you is smart, you is important...". This she repeats and repeats to the little girl until she believes she is loved and that she is indeed important. Baby girl has been born to a young mother who doesnt know how to care for a little girl.

I learned that anyone has the capacity to make others value themselves if we all just tried.

The film did not end the way most people would want it to. Skeeter was left by her first boyfriend, did not regain her childhood friends, Ablene lost her work after an emotional verbal showdown with the antagonist, the maid who stole the ring was still in jail,.. but still the ending gave me an impression that there is hope amidst all those trials.

I loved the film. It's funny & amusing at some points but thought-provoking too. I hope you would like it as much as I did.

4.5 stars for me :)

Have a good day!

Kcat

My Cinemalaya 2011 Experience (1) : Nono

My Cinemalaya 2011 Experience

Nono by Milo Tolentino

My friends and I really planned to watch the much-hyped Babae sa Septic Tank, but as always with popular films, we weren't lucky enough to catch its screening in Greenbelt during Cinemalaya week.

For those who are not yet aware, it was the first year they actually shown Cinemalaya films at a venue different from the CCP. (But please let me know if this is a misguided claim from moi)

Anyway, so we missed Septic tank, we all know that those who were able to catch it with seats are the Lucky ones and we ended up viewing "Nono".

Nono, according to a lunchtime kwento by my officemate, is a Netscape movie, meaning this is one of those featured films that have already been shown abroad before the Cinemalaya screenings and have already received awards prior to it's premiere here in the country.

Look at it's poster, see how intriguing and amusing it looks :)

We did not expect anything out of the movie since we have not seen one sentence that describes it in the flyers. But we were in for a big surprise. Nono started out a little rocky, it was too raw for my taste, I told myself. Plus the one acting as a gay man.. you can actually tell he is a straight guy acting as a gay man. The acting as a whole did not look good during the first few scenes and a few minutes into the movie, I was starting to regret spending my precious P150.

But as the story developed, we all started to realize that it was a fun-filled movie, full of heart & emotion. The script is wonderful. Some of the best and funniest scenes were coming, shockingly, from the amateur child actors!

Nono, who's real nickname is Toto, is a little boy suffering from cleft lip and palate and although his face has already been surgically repaired, he still  speaks in a muffled manner or in Tagalog, he is what you would call informally as a "ngongo". The actor who plays Nono was really the one who brought the whole movie altogether. He was such a treasure of an actor, young as he was. His confidence was sky high! I truly did believe that he was a young boy begging everyone to believe he can win a declamation and, even more so, write his own piece.

I love Nono. I found myself laughing uncontrollably, and even during the sad scenes, you cannot help but feel sincerely sympathetic for the young boys in movie. I am not a genuine movie critic, but as a simple Filipino looking hopelessly for good & creative Pinoy entertainment, I found love for the Cinemalaya film Nono.

At the end of the film, the whole audience cannot stop themselves from clapping. We were even so privileged to actually meet the stars of the movie. There was a short Q&A with the director and cast. The actors were not like they were in the movie! Proof of my ignorance, because I expected that they would somehow be like themselves in the film. I really admire the people who chose the cast, especially those who picked out the young actors from hordes of wannabe child actors out there. They found pure talent in the children of Nono.

The director, Milo Tolentino,man!, he is surely one to watch out for. And in the next Cinemalaya festivals, I would probably scour the schedule pamphlet for his entry before I try out anything else. Hopefully, he has an entry next year!

I hope that you would be able to catch a screening of this film because it's truly a gem.

Have a good day!,
Kcathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Woman_in_the_Septic_Tank

Shrek Forever After

This last Shrek movie is just a made-for-3d -movie.  

Dont waste your money. Go wait for it in DVD or HBO.

If  I'm not clear enough, this movie, just like alice in wonderland and clash of the titans , is a film that is only created so that movie producers could earn from the 3D hype. There isnt any substantial story to it and im glad that this is the last one in the installment.

In all fairness, Shrek Forever After still delivered major laughs especially when all the ogre army started dancing to the Pied Pipers' entrancing flute playing. But what i dont like was that there were a lot of new characters. I  miss the old ones like Fairy godmother, prince charming, the queen etc. There werent big roles for the familiar characters we have learned to love like Pinocchio, gingerbread man, and the fighting princesses in Shrek 3. And Puss in boots is fat! just imagine...

Im glad I watched it in 2d.

Vantage Point

Really nice film.

It was well directed, the script was not that amazing, but the scenes as they were put together were great. They raise this certain type of emotion from the audience. They make us feel that terrorism and the war on evil is there under our noses and must not be taken for granted.

Oneof the things I love about the movie is that it made me feel that the tragedy that happened in one of the scenes might happen in real life, it might happen to my fellow human beings and I felt really sad, and the film made audiences really feel that terrorism is an evil tragedy that is being inflicted upon each one of us. I feel that I should also help in the fight.

That's how movies should be, not just to make you understand but to make you feel.

Twilight Movie.

Some people like me have not read this very popular book by Stephanie Meyer. And if you are one of us, I'm sure you will find this film interesting.

The film puts vampires in a different light. The vampires here, including Edward's family show that they are trying to live normal lives as they possibly can. There are no haunted mansions. Edward tries to say that unlike the perception, they live in a modern home with no "coffins and moats". Try watching the film. There are really funny moments.

There's no nudity...only pure and beautiful love. Because there's so much hype about the movie, while we were watching, there were girls screaming in the moviehouse just when Edward and Bella were about to kiss.okayyyyy. Anyway, it's not so beautiful and visually entertaining. It's actually simple so don't expect too much.

However, it's a nice take on vampirehood, if there's such a term. We liked the movie and hope that y'all gonna watch it.okay.

I liked Robert Pattinson. He's already very handsome and the pale skin fits him. I think that they could have chosen a better Bella cause she's not the type that you would crush on. She's kinda geeky, and she has moments and angles where she's pretty but sometimes she just looks awkward. But her acting was great, so okay, fine, she's a good Bella but not the best choice.

What I better do is to read the book.

What's your Favorite Movie Musical? (Here's my Top Five)

5. Mamma Mia


This is the answer to every Abba fan's musical dream. Pure Abba hits all the way through the end. You will be proud of the scriptwriters cause they have written the story wherein the script are intertiwned to the Abba song lyrics. I also love the beautiful Greek scenery which makes you want to be there in the beach with them. I love the energy from all the actors. Of course, Meryl Streep still gave an amazing performance. Her age might have been 40 but she was acting like a believable teenager when she saw the 3 fathers. And Pierce Brosnan sang in the movie. He was very handsome, as always. Meryl and Pierce just complemented each other. It's a cute, feel good film. Watch it if you wanna be happy.


4. Dreamgirls


The fact that Beyonce is here made me really want to watch this film. She's my superstar. She was so beautiful and glamorous in this movie remake. Also, Jennifer Hudson's performance was truly outstanding. Jen H's being chosen for this film already made showbiz people talk and the movie didn't disappoint. (I mean it was nominated for an award right?). I like the references to Motown and the Supremes. It's very intriguing to me.


I also love:
- Listen by Beyonce
- When I first Saw you by Beyonce and Jamie Foxx
- I am Telling You, I'm not going by Jennifer Hudson
- Love you I do
- Dreamgirls
- One Night Only
- Cadillac by James Early


3. High School Musicals

Though the first 2 movies are only for television, I love this musical because it's somehow wholesome and every kid in the whole world wanted to be Troy and Gabriella in their own school play. It's so popular for preteens,teens, and even parents. This is one movie that you won't have a problem bringing your kid to. Not to mention, Zac Efron is hot,hot, hot. And I also love Ashley Tisdale cause she's just a very lovable antagonist. (i'm a fan)


And another thing, the songs really stay in your head! My fave songs from these films are:
- Start of Something New -Troy and Gabriella
- Breakin Free
- Get your head in the Game -Troy and the Wildcats
- What I've been looking for - Sharpay and Ryan
- You are the Music in Me (both versions)
- All for One


2. Grease

This is probably an all time favorite and I'm almost sure that I'm not alone with this one. Grease is timeless and fun. Til this very day, many people still use their songs for parties and probably in their own shows. This was where John Travolta shot to fame. Being very young, he was still fresh (though skinny) and his dancing skills were great. For a guy, his moves weren't awkward.


And again, I also love their songs:
- Summer Nights
- Greased Lightning
- Hopelessly Devoted to You
- You're the One that I want


The only thing I don't like from this film is that it doesn't have a moral lesson and some characters are kinda too old to be in High school. Plus there's a scene where they were about to make love in the backseat. Not very good for children. Whatever.


1. Moulin Rouge


Not only is this visually delectable, it is musically enlightening and has a good, romantic story. The plot is forbidden love, no less. It's funny and tragic all at the same time. This film stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. I never thought they could sing! Anyway, the whole musical is entertaining to the very last minute. I love the way they used and recreated old songs and even popular songs to fit to their story. And they made originals which were also very good.The dances and performances were all dynamic and superb. Even the costumes were fantastic. This is my favorite in the whole wide world. This film is also internationally successful.


Fantastic songs performances from the film are:
- Your song
- Lady Marmalade
- Nature boy
- so exciting song (i dunno the title)
- The Elephant Medley
- Chamma Chamma
- Roxanne
- Like a Virgin
- Material Girl
-even The sound of Music
-and Come What May (original)




What are your picks?

Tropic Thunder

What do you think of this film?

I just watched it. Tropic Thunder stars Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, and Jack Black in an unusual comedy that makes fun of how Hollywood typically makes films. I think they're great and hilarious.

What the film means is true, sometimes, moviemakers think of the most morbid ideas and put them onscreen. Like the farting obese people and actors who play different characters by themselves. I mean, come on? It's very satirical. They also make fun of swearing rappers and movies about taboos and gay people. Sometimes, all these crazy ideas are just too much for us moviegoers. That we almost wonder whether we're watching a great film or trash. Of course, if you're a scriptwriter, it's really hard to think of stories that always sell. But still, they got to be careful on their brainstorming, because people become tired of morbid ideas.

There's no sex in this film.

But there's a lot of swearing and references to sex.

It's not the typical stupid American film who feature blonde women with boobs. (did I mention stupid?)

It's a funny (7x) comedy written, directed, produced and starred by Ben Stiller. It's a fresh new concept for a comedy. Plus, Robert Downey has a talented performance here. He plays an Aussie who plays a Black. Confusing? Anyways, just watch it. There's a good reason this film became a box-office hit. Again, it's hilarious. Plus it is star-studded and I love the cameo appearances : Lance Bass, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and TOM CRUISE...and you wouldn't believe what he did. Promise.

4 stars for this film!

How do you rate the film?