Cinemalaya: Sana Dati (2013)

A romantic film but not really.

Under the Directors Showcase for the 9th year of the Cinemalaya Film Festival, Sana Dati tells the story of a woman named Andrea as she is about to get married but on that fateful day, a man comes and throws everything into disarray, causing Andrea to remember the man she truly loves. 

Reviewing this film is difficult without having to spoil some scenes in the movie, but I will do my best not to. Director Jerrold Tarog said it himself that this is a film about flawed characters who makes flawed decisions. Writing the film seven years ago, he wanted a break from the usual, typical, and shallow romantic films in the industry, hence the creation of this film. As romantic as the movie may look and sound, believe it or not, it is actually an anti-romantic film. But the way he executed the real purpose of the film is subliminal which would require a deeper understanding of the film for you to get it. 

I have given you the biggest spoiler it has, which is its anti-romanticism. However, it is up for you to find out how it became like that. How did something so melodramatic and romantic on the surface had a different meaning after all. This is well-crafted film proves that you don't need the cliche and typical love stories to satisfy you. As a matter of fact, the realism of the film will haunt you. Maybe the concept of the film doesn't always happen in real life but it shows the brutality and the harshness of the world we live in. It shows that not everyone gets a happy ending like the fairy tales we always heard of as we were children. The prince charming in the white horse may never come and that's life. Deal with it, the movie tells you.

The film takes place in the present during the wedding day, but just before the ceremony begins. However, it would always have flashback sequences that develop the entire plot of the film. It's like an unsolved puzzle at first but as the film progresses, the pieces starts falling into places and you start seeing the bigger picture. Everything would eventually make sense. There may be times where the constant flashbacks can be a bit disorienting and would leave you lost. Nevertheless, you will still find your way back and appreciate the film.

The film has good characterization. I love the character of Paulo Avelino the most. His character has so many secrets that it keeps bothering you throughout the movie and when all is revealed, you feel a sense of relief yet sadness as well. Avelino is able to give life to his character well. He was able to make the audience sympathize with his character and make the audience believe and be naive just like the character of Lovi, Andrea. Lovi Poe on the other hand also manages to captivate the audience. Her character Andrea, isn't really the most charismatic girl out there. Andrea is a confused and troubled woman whose past keeps on haunting her which causes her to make bad decisions in life. I did not like Andrea but that's not a bad thing since I'm sure that her character was meant to be like that. Lovi Poe is able to give justice to the character. She was able to portray the characteristics needed for Andrea to come into reality. Tj Trinidad's character is also well-played. He plays the character of 'the other man' in the movie, but unlike in typical films where you despise the other man, you would feel pity for Trinidad's character. He is only a man who gets caught in the middle of a conflict he doesn't know about. The audience can sympathize with him rather than hate him.

Overall, the film is beautifully made and a great and unique addition to the genre of romantic films. Great casts, great story, great cinematography, great director, great movie. Hopefully this would be the start of a revolution in the field of romantic films here in the Philippines.

Rating: 4/5

Before Midnight (2013)

I would have loved to see their wedding day.

It was summer of '94 when Jesse and Celine first met on a train for Vienna. On that fateful day, they knew it was love they had but eventually, they had to take different paths as soon as the sun rose. After a failed tryst, nine years have passed and Jesse was in France for a book tour and there they meet again. Before sunset, Jesse had to decide if he was to stay with Celine or catch that plane back to the United States. Finally after nine years, Jesse is at the airport bidding his son from his ex-wife goodbye going to the US. Here we learn that he did stay with Celine before sunset nine years ago and to everyone's surprise, they are now parents to twin daughters and are on a vacation in Greece.

Just like the previous films, the movie mainly comprises of Jesse and Celine walking around in some place, this time Greece, and talking about their life and views on all the things this world has to offer. What makes it different though is that first of all, before they go on with their one on one conversation, they now have other people with them to join their conversation. Just like married couple do. Talking to other couples and exchanging notes and ideas on how they live their married life. Just like the movie Before Sunset, this film offers quite a development of its characters. The trilogy runs on a concept that all of the films take place in real time with real people. So given this fact, indeed, nine years have passed since Before Sunset and no human being would not change after nine years. Especially after getting married. So what this film shows is the life that couples go through once they are married. 

As established, Jesse and Celine are no longer just a couple, they are now husband and wife and parents to twin daughters. Just like any couple do, especially the married ones, they would fight over things such as jobs, fidelity, hierarchy, sex and a whole lot more. Their type of conversation is now different from what it was compared to the first time they met on the train and the time they met again in France. One of the most memorable conversations they had was probably the one in the beginning of the film. After bickering about Celine's plan of changing her job, they proceeded to talk about a friend of theirs and his love life. I find it really funny since never did they talk about any other couple in the first two films. One can say that this comes naturally at the point where people are already married and talking about other people's relationships can be a good and interesting subject matter. 

The film, as expected, is still philosophical and psychological as ever. There were lots of things they talked about and one conversation was entirely devoted to the evolution of love. The conversation in that scene was very interesting since they had prepared a conversation between a young couple, a middle-aged couple, and an old couple. The exchanges of ideas were very insightful yet still natural. The topic of feminism and masculinism (yes there is such word), just like the previous films, were also brought up, but this time with more information and perspectives coming from different generations and experiences.

By the time Jesse and Celine are now given the chance to be alone and talk with one another, they give us a brief background of what happened during the nine years they had together after their reunion in France. They bicker a bit but soon patch things up but it is clear that there is an ominous air between them. They end up going to this hotel since a friend of theirs encouraged them to stay the night there and be alone together. Sexy time happens but let me tell you now that it doesn't push through (no pun intended) since they end up fighting. 

I won't spoil the rest but basically, what this movie tells us is that life is not always a fairy tale. There will always be ups and downs and it can never be avoided. What's always important is that by the end of the day, you patch things up and understand one another. 

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's acting is worth praising as always. I love how they give life to the entire movie. The way they deliver their lines, they make it so natural it looks like it was filmed spontaneously with the actors improvising their lines. Never has endless talking been so dramatic and exciting at the same time. I don't think any other film could imitate this film, and if they do, I wish them luck. The film just like its predecessors again is shot in continuous takes whenever they have a sweet conversation. You don't need to have a sharp eye to notice that when the two of them were fighting in the hotel room, the shots are now different. From a once continuous shot, it now makes use of cuts and is focused on who is speaking. I find this simple trick genius in order to show the speaker's anger and make the audience feel it.

Once again, Richard Linklater's did not fail in giving us the realistic romance we all want. He is back with this masterpiece to produce a trilogy of classic pieces of romantic films. Right here, right now, I want to say that I am pretty confident that this trilogy would definitely be remembered forever as one of the most romantic films ever made.

Rating: 5/5 

Before Sunset (2004)

Time goes by so fast.

Nine years after Jesse and Celine met on the train in Vienna, they meet again in France during Jesse's book tour in the area. They stroll around France and catch up before Jesse will leave again for a plane back to America.

After a failed tryst in the past, two people cross paths once again but this time, with a nine year gap between the two of them. The movie is very exciting and nerve-wracking. You wouldn't know what happened and you would only understand as the movie progresses. A romantic film that keeps you at the edge of your seat is something worth noting.

The movie, just like its predecessor, is Jesse and Celine walking through the streets of France, catching up with all the things they missed with one another. Director Richard Linklater makes use of long takes just like the predecessor. Such skills are really remarkable for both the director and the actors themselves. Imagine having to deliver numerous lines for 7 minutes straight without interruption and mistakes while walking through the streets of Paris. But of course, it probably helped since Hawke and Delphy helped in writing the screenplay this time so they know what to say and how to say it.

If the first film did not have character development, Before Sunset offers a lot of it. The movie aims to take place on real time. Nine years have passed since Before Sunrise was released so it seems proper that nine years passed as well in the world of Jesse and Celine. Each of their character's development is very well-crafted and well-written. Their conversations are more mature and the way they see ideas and philosophies are more profound compared to their younger selves.

With nine years of difference between the two of them, the conversation and screenplay would be difficult I imagine but the product from this movie was a success. The way they talk to one another first is that of a friend meeting another friend after not seeing each other after a long time. They catch up on small and trivial things such as their jobs, hobbies, and whatever easy things they can talk about. As the movie goes on, the conversation gets deeper and more revealing. The emotion that was bottled up for nine years are slowly revealed and they start to say what they really feel after that encounter in the train nine years ago.

Aside from love and reunion, the film talks about the irony of life. In the nine years that the two of them were apart, they managed to get the things that they needed. They were able to build a name for themselves, they have a stable job, so on and so forth, yet they did not have each other. Having those things were always never enough, none of them mattered when the other one was not with them.

The film ends in a very hopeful note. That much I can tell you.

Rating: 5/5 

Before Sunrise (1995)

If only it was this easy to meet a girl.

In the summer of 1994, Jesse Wallace, an American, is on a train going to Vienna to catch a cheap flight back to the United States. It is in this train where he meets the beautiful Celine, a French girl on her way back to France. They talk for a while and when the train stops at Vienna, Jesse boldly asks Celine if she would accompany him for a while before he leaves for the US. The rest of the movie was on the shoulder of Celine's decision if she would go or not. Thankfully, she chose the former.

I am not really a fan of romantic films and if given the choice between a horror or romantic film, I would choose the former. So the fact that I enjoyed this movie and giving it a positive review means it's beyond good. What makes this movie very interesting and romantic is the fact that it doesn't try hard to please you. There are no dramatic deaths or crying or slapping each other in the face. The film basically revolves around a man and a woman, strolling on the streets of Venice from mid-afternoon until dawn, talking about their life and perspectives about different things, and it definitely works!

Watching the movie feels like more than like you're spying on a couple, rather it feels like as if you're watching a documentary on how a couple goes on their first date. How they act with each other, what they talk about and the simple and little things they do when the other is not watching. The movie is very realistic and honest. It doesn't rush things the way blockbuster films do.

Ironically, these couple are not even extraordinary. Moreover, as much as Vienna is beautiful, the movie made it look so mundane. What kept this movie alive is their conversation. The script. As you read this, you might be thinking of your other half or even glancing at a couple across your table and wondering what they might be talking about. What make the two beyond ordinary is the things they talk about, the insights and opinions of many different things. They would agree on some but they would mostly disagree with one another but it's still romantic. Their philosophical conversation brings color to the mundane world they live in.

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are superb actors in this film. The way they deliver their lines and how smoothly it all goes deserve an applause. This type of movie would fail miserably if the actors are not capable. The characters they portray are very lovable and memorable. Each has a distinct personality of their own and makes sure that one does not overpower the other. Instead of character development, there is The movie has great characterization. The movie does not offer character development since it would be difficult to develop a character in the span of less than a day. So what this movie does is it gives the audience a chance to get to know the character more. There is character depth. The characters are 3-dimensional and not some paper thin character you see in some movies.

Before Sunrise is a film not only about love, but about the human person and the world he lives in. It's a movie about hope, dreams, living the moment and the uncertainty of the future.

Rating: 4.5/5

Behind The Candelabra: Flamboyance at its Finest

The film was indeed 'Too Gay' but who cares when it's two Academy Award Winning Actors doing one another.

The film is based on Scott Thorson's book "Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace". It premiered during the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and was later aired at HBO. Before I further continue babbling about the movie, let me tell you first a brief background of who Liberace is. Liberace was an American pianist who was very known for his flamboyance on stage. During his time, there were rumors that he was gay but he would sue anyone who dared to say so. Later in his life, the same period where the movie focused on, he had a secret affair with a much younger man named Scott Thorson and that's where the story of the film begins. The love between them started off fantastic and wild but as it reached its highest peak, it had nowhere else to go but down. In this film you will witness one hell of a ride (no pun intended) between two gay men and the struggles they had to face in life. 

Michael Douglas plays the role of the fabulous pianist Liberace while Matt Damon plays the young lover Scott Thorson. As expected from Academy Award winners, their acting is superb! Douglas' performance and portrayal of Liberace was splendid and spectacular. He wore those Liberace inspired costumes like he wears them everyday. Douglas versatility in acting really deserves a huge round of applause. Not only does he portray a gay character but he was able to make it real. He was successful in introducing who Liberace was to people who did not know him. I may have not seen Liberace before he died but with Douglas' performance, I'm pretty sure I get a clear picture of what the Vegas pianist was like. Of course, Matt Damon does not fall far behind. His portrayal of the young man who fell in love with Liberace was worth praising well. I love how he can show such great deal of emotion even without saying anything. In the latter part of the film, he's usually angry and he doesn't have to tell you that he is, you just know judging from his face and acting. Hands down, these two actors was a key in making this film a success. There were no inhibitions especially to the numerous sex and kissing scenes they shared. As a viewer, you can feel what's going on between them. You may not be a fan of two guys going at each other but their love is no different from that of straight couples. I think. If there's anything I learned about Liberace in the film is that he's a weird lover. So I can't really say.

The story is pretty much great on its own I think especially if its based on real events. What it really needed in order for it to work was a great director and great actors, which it did have. The progression of the story was really good and it made me want to watch it more. There were no dull moments and every scene and shot has its own significance to the movie. The climax was intense (no pun intended...again) as we see a reversal of situation for the characters. As much as I wanna say more I'd be spoiling it already but one thing is clear, it shows that you have to fight for what you want to keep but without losing yourself in the process.

The 'too gay' quote earlier was based on the reaction of Hollywood studios when Director Steven Sodenbergh was asking for financial support in order to finish the film. Thank goodness that HBO was open about it and funded the film. Sodenbergh really did a good job in his supposedly last film before his hiatus. That's one way to exit Hollywood even for just a while. Great direction, cinematography, and editing. I love the shots whenever Scott is drunk and high. The camera is shaky and everything is blurred aside from what Scott can clearly see. There was also a plastic surgery scene which I did not need to see at all. The set design was also magnificent. It really gives off the 80s vibe and not to mention the musical score by Marvin Hamlisch was wonderful and well fitting into the movie. Sadly, the poor fellow died on August last year. 

Basically, Behind The Candelabra is worth watching if you're not really the homophobic type of person. If you appreciate good acting, great characterization, grand set design and Matt Damon's bare butt then this is the movie for you.

Rating: 4/5

The Great Gatsby: 'Great' Is An Overstatement

One of America's finest piece of literature has yet again witnessed a movie adaptation for the fifth time under the direction of Baz Luhrmann. This time it soared high and unfortunately got lost. 

For those unaware of the synopsis of The Great Gatsby, it all takes place during the roaring twenties at the fictional town of West Egg. Narrated by Nick Carraway, he tells the story of a mysterious millionaire named Jay Gatsby and his love for Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan. Seems simple enough, but the novel and the film itself discuss various themes like self-indulgence, excess, resistance to change, and so much more. It basically reflects the lives of the Americans living the American Dream.

Sadly, I wasn't able to read the novel before going to the cinemas but on the bright side, I had a clean slate in my mind and was unbiased, not knowing what to expect from the movie.


Basically, we have Jay Gatsby who lives the life that any man would want to live. He seems to have everything that man desires except for one: the woman. He is madly in love to Daisy Buchanan for the past five years and he has a wild dream that he wants to put into a reality with woman he loves. Sadly, not everything goes exactly into what he hopes for.

The film seems to stay faithful to the novel, (I say 'seems' since I've only read the summary in wiki), but it did not leave any lasting effect that the novel would have. It keeps you waiting for two hours of CGI only to bring you something not worth having. The movie did explore the themes present in the book but sadly, it wouldn't make you care until the last few minutes of the movie and by the time you do start caring, the movie ends.

The movie was not all that bad though, the effects and editing are marvelous and breathtaking as expected for a 3D movie, but it wouldn't exactly be that bad in 2D either. 

The Great Gatsby is an extravagant and lavish mansion on the exterior but lacks the essence of what would make you call it a home.


Rating: 2/5

The Host: "Agonizing"

Been a while since I blogged. Too long actually. I figured I'd do so since one of the film industry's brilliant minds has passed away, Roger Ebert. He's actually someone whose reviews I would often read to see if a film is worth watching. So this movie review is dedicated in his memory. Sadly, this movie is not worth anyone's remembrance.

Let me first share how reluctant I was in watching this film. But the thing about me is I always give movies the benefit of the doubt. I can only say it's good or bad only and only if I watched it myself. Soooo...

20 minutes into the film I wanted to walk out of the theater already. Yes it was that bad (in my opinion). Let me point out my complaints:

1. The novel to movie adaptation

The moment Melanie talked to herself, I was like "Wait, is this serious?" I haven't read the book, but the more I was watching the film, I was trying to see it as a novel. (to the point that I even googled it on my phone during the film) The taking-to-oneself MAY have worked for the novel but it does not work in the big screen. This is one book that should have never been made into a film in the first place.

2. Unrealistic

No, I'm not talking about the alien. I'm talking about those simple human actions and decisions that are so obviously scripted and would never happen in real life. Example, we have the alien-Melanie almost killed by some human guy and the next thing we know, she falls in love with him in the span of, I don't know, one or two days? Same goes for the human, as a matter of fact, he (human) even took the side of the alien against his own brother. Now some of you might be saying "It's fiction! Not a documentary". Well, if that's the way you think then maybe we can all just start making movies then.

3. Neither exciting or romantic

It was stale and boring. Maybe they wanted less action to focus on romance but the love story wasn't anything to be complimented either. I found it rather awkward.

It pains me writing this review so I'll stop here. What really irks me the most in this film is how unrealistic it is. Not to mention cliche. A "making-out-in-the-rain" flashback???? Really? It was silly. I felt like it was a comedy film but even as a comedy I probably wouldn't have laughed. I apologize to all the fans out there but I just didn't like it.

The moment alien-Melanie was given a new body, I walked out of the theater already. Figured it really didn't have anything else to give.

I actually like "The Host" (Gwoemul), a 2006 South Korean film, much better. 

Rating: .5/5