Monday, December 28, 2009

My Films Reviews for 2009 (selected only)

My Films Reviews for 2009 (selected only) include - Avatar, New Moon, Paranormal Activity and 2012

Avatar. An awe-inspiring year- and decade-ender film that has endeared (and will) to those who have watched it, Avatar is a triumphant effort from Hollywood that broke the series of disappointments in 2009 (from Indiana Jones to New Moon). Avatar is set in the year 2154 on Pandora, a fictional Earth-like moon in a distant planetary system. Humans are engaged in mining Pandora's reserves of a precious mineral, while the Na'vi — the sapient race of humanoids indigenous to the moon — resist the colonists' expansion, which threatens the continued existence of the Na'vi and the Pandoran ecosystem. Important to absorb - the film's title refers to the remotely controlled, genetically engineered human-Na'vi bodies used by the film's human characters to interact with the natives.

James Cameron (and his superb technical group) is so successful in interweaving the live action and 3d CGI that at certain points in the film, you no longer think whether its live of CGI! and that the Na'vis were live humans on prosthetics and not merely drawn. His Avatar film vision has, as the critics put in, became the holy grail of 3D (meaning the much awaited) of the film industry and will sure to set the trend by next year.

Now that the films has reaped critical and commercial acclaim, sequels will be produced in the near future (and hopefully Imax would be cheaper by then)

Rating : A (my highest)

New Moon. i was convinced to finally watch New Moon (by a former Masteral classamte), well my oneliner take on the movie : 100% agonizing and 100% non-sense. Aside from the 90's special effects (yep, its that old school), this movie is actually very very uninteresting!!!

i wonder how the millions of moviegoers who watched this movie was able to sit for more than 2 hours and watch this unbearable film!!! :(

anyhow, they say the third installment (theres a third????) ) will be much better... well it better be and they should have a new director (again) for the third as this one sucks!!

Rating : C


2012 -

One liner review - 90% thrill, 10%pfft.

“…like an empty cup…” goes one line in 2012 (by a Tibetan monk no less) and that’s how I watched the movie – with no expectations at all.

Although grossing a whopping $65 M on its opening weekend in the US, the movie was still panned by moviegoers and critics just the same. Did they expect to much from the film? I guess. But what’s to expect from an Armageddon-themed movie? Do we want rationale behind it (maybe just like New Moon?, hahahaha)? Did we want a moving script? Did we want another “The Day After Tomorrow” (Director Emmerich’s masterpiece on a possible end-of-civilization scenario)? I didn’t (and I don’t want to anyway) and that’s why I wasn’t disappointed.

I watched the film without thinking how great “Deep Impact” and “The Day After Tomorrow” were (and as if I was ready to compare the three together) as they have different doomsday scenarios (Comet, Global Warming / Ice Age and Crust Displacement). And this time, the attempt to further visualize what could eventually happen was very effective (and scary).

However, the main flaw, it appears, is that the director gave too much thrill (and too early) in the film and it went downhill towards the end where it lingered on the characters and their underlying heroic acts. In other words, the plot peaked too early. And as expected, the movie heavily relied on CGIs without much building on the characters. Thus we didn’t care if some of the characters died (unlike with Deep Impact where you don’t want the astronauts to die!! – watch Depp Impact and youd understand what I mean). As for the length of the film, movies that go beyond 2 hours is okay as long the characters and plot were defined and endeared to the moviegoers (e.g. Titanic, the Harry Potter series, the LOTR series, etc.) and the producers should have explored this so as not to compromise the content.

True, there were some awkward scenes in 2012 (specially at the end part) but what film hasn’t? At least, we got to see a better image of what and how the world could possibly go pfft if we dont stop shitting this planet; and this time, the movie fare was worth it.

Note : Ive read the Bible Code 2 (Drosnin) and strangely no mention of a 2012 end-of-the-world prediction

Rating : B+


Paranormal Activity -

One liner review: What was the hype all about? where was it in the movie?

Now grossing more than a $100M in the US, this movie has enthralled the minds of moviegoers and

my question is WHY ???

You have to be patient watching the first half of the film as it tries to set up the ”scary” plot. This false-documentary ...type film (ala-blair witch, ala-Quarantine) falls flat to its hyped “scariest film” of the decade and “do not watch this film alone” marketing (true, I don’t wan t to watch this film alone kasi baka mahuli akong nakatulog na pala, nakakahiya) as the plot has holes bigger that the craters on the moon and the attempt to make this a believable “true-to-life” is obtuse as Erap winning in next year’s presidential election!!!

If you can waste P121 and get a “good” scare with your girlfriend or boyfriend, this is an “okay-to-watch” movie, otherwise, save up your money for Avatar.

In the end, I thank the supposed demon / ghost kasi tinapos nya ung storya hehehe otherwise eh humaba pa agony ng moviegoers. The movie offers 3 (literally only three) jumpy scenes, 2 minor scares and a stupid ending (with an “in memory” even), AND NOTHING MORE!!

i heard the g reat Spielberg chose the official movie ending out of the supposed hundreds of possible endings, well he should have not meddled with it!!

Rating : C+

Saturday, December 5, 2009

My Top 5 Male Stars for 2009


My Top 5 Male Stars for 2009

after posting my top female stars, its the "penal" counterpart this time...

1. JOHN LLOYD CRUZ. Who can refute his #1 status for the year??? with back-to-back-to-back movie hits including an endearing movie In My Life that had surely captured the imagination of his fans - that "what if...?", oh well. #1 male star of ABS has proven that being paired with any female star (or even with any male star for that matter) of ABS and it will be a hit!!

After signing again a new contract with ABS, move over Papa P, a new leading man is definitely in town and he is going nowhere well except maybe even higher...




2. DINGDONG DANTES. Being GMA's #1 main bankable male star (or is still Richard G.?), he has been given the right projects, the right female leading ladies and of course the right roles. Although not as strikingly a looker like Richard G. or John LLoyd C., his charisma as boy-next-door is always a fave amongs the actresses and millions of females fans of course.






3. RICHARD GUTIERREZ. Kept a tight race for #2 as he still seems to be the main leading man of GMA, however he still has to go where Dingong dared go to - being sexy!!. Innately oozing with sex appeal, Chard should capitalize on this and not bank on safe roles and safe films and up his game a bit.






4. SAM MILBY. Being a former PBB housemate could actually lead you somewhere!! With the boyish appeal, nice body and with actually good acting skills, Sam has proven his bankability this year - 2 movies and teleseryes and has continued towards full stardom (unlike his contemporaries and seniors where their shine seems to be fading fast!!!). I think he is the #2 male star in ABS, behind Lloydy of course.





5. GERALD ANDERSON. He has easily passed more senior actors in the industry and in ABS like Luis Manzano, Jake Cuenca, et al. in view of his loveteam with Kim Chiu well aside from being a good actor with good looks. Always being given the right projects, the most intelligent thing that Gerald did is do very well in all of them!! In fact, he is #3 in ABS, i think, and has even surpassed Piolo as far as bankability is concerned.



Runners up. Dennis Trillo - Completing the male triumvirate in GMA, Dennis still has to prove his bankable status; owever Dennis has the looks and depth to maintain the fans' interest on him. But with Aljure slowly inching his way up in GMA, Dennis could easily lose being part of the powerful GMA male trio. Jake Cuenca - still the hottest dude of ABS, Jake can be one of the more prominent actors of ABS (there are just so many of them in ABS) if given the right roles and projects (just like what they've done for Gerald)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Patient X (Short Film Review)


Patient X short review

The friend who told me that the film Patient X is nice owes me P121 and for gas and food!!! arrgh!! one-liner review - THE PROMISED THRILL WAS NOT DELIVERED.

"Patient X" made me miss how brilliantly Yam directed "Sigaw" and though the premises were different (Sigaw is basically a ghost story with ala-Korean themed Grudge, “PX” is a straightforward “aswang” film - which btw have obvious Hispanic heritage as the aswangs here are Mestizos!! Yum!!), "Sigaw" is masterpiece film of Yam unfortunately "Patient X" is not.

Although the opening scene served as precursor to the plot of the movie, it also actually dampened the intended thrill or scare of the movie. Meaning, sa umpisa eh alam mo nang may aswang pala. So whats the point?

Overall plot intent of the films wasn’t clear – is it the relationship between wife- and husband-aswangs? Is it the doctor going back to avenge the slaying of his family? Is it the police chief expressing his hatred to the aswangs? Or maybe all of these? Anyway, as you watch the film, you no longer will ponder upon why the movie is like what it is as 30 minutes into film, you would want to leave the theater. Maybe, that’s why, there were only about 15 or so people inside the theater when we watched last night (anyway, it is already on its third week).

When director Yam said “This (Patient X) is 10 times scarier than ‘Sigaw’", well its not (i could watch Sigaw over and over again, and the eeriness is still there). The aswangs were not all scary, the plot was not thrilling and sadly, the characters were not endearing, well except for the wife-aswang who Christine acted in brilliantly. Anyhow, Yam was able to extract acting pieces from the three leads – Richard, TJ and of course Christine. All were consistent in portraying their characters especially for Christine and Richard - they’re not just eye candies but actually are effective actors. >>

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

My Top 5 Female Stars for 2009

My list of top 5 female start will surely generate lots of raising of eyebrows as selection of showbiz personalities can never satisfy our preferences and always be seen as subjective. But what the heck, no list can be that perfect not all minute detail can be gathered to ensure accuracy of listing; and with 4 to 1, the Kapamilya channel has surely proven they really make stars.

This is technically not a "Fave" list but an accurate perspective (hopefully) of which female stars are really hot in Philippine showbusiness (with a surprise inclusion) for 2009, so here goes...


1. MARI
AN RIVERA. Obviously of course, millions of Kapamilyas will disagree to my #1 but who cant say that she is not ONLY the "it" female star but also who has able to sustain and maintain her status as TV's primetime queen and has consistently shone in all her tv shows. Besides, she still has the public clamoring more of her (as she had had done in her "Marimar" which rocketed her to stardom). So far, the only female actress with back-to-back-to-back tv hits coupled with multi-million peso commercial deals, Marian has a solid hold on being #1 for 2009.




2. SARAH GERONIMO. Back-to-back mega box office hits has truly ensured her star in 2009. After a faulty start (and lots of patience) with the Kampamilya, they finally have given her the right set of projects. Although she has to prove her strength in tv ratings, her loveteam with John Lloyd is enough to capture the imagination of the public. She can actually begin where Maricel Soriano left off - combination of dramatic and comedic acting wit (versatility counts) and not bordering to slapstics (ala AiAi) and she is actually more endearing than Toni Gonzaga (although a dramedy movie together is definitely a must-watch).


3. BEA ALZONZO . A hit movie this year and an endearing localized international tv show (Ugly Betty), Bea has etched her name among the shining stars that could actually go solo on film project. Letting go of a John Lloyd loveteam proved to be right as Betty La Fea was a hit and her recently shown solo movie (its not a "loveteam" formulatic movie), prove that her going solo is a brave decision albeit risky.

Note : Although i consider Bea as ABS CBN's current premier female star right now (considering Claudine has transferred to GMA) , I placed her behind Sarah and Marian as Bea still has to prove that she can go with a back-to-back movie or tv hit.


4. KIM CHIU. A successful tv show with a mature character-plot has allowed Kim to shine this year although a hit movie for Kim is much wanting.

Obviously a current fave of Star Magic,
i read somwehere that she is in line with more select projects of ABS CBN and this can catapult her to #1 status next year as ABS CBN's premier female star (behind Bea Alonzo). Her faces has also grazed so many magazines that ive browsed this year and yet you can never really get "sawa" of that pretty young face..and she has slimmed so much more that her face is much more toned (finally losing the chubby-cheek look)



5. KRIS AQUINO-YAP. Okay, you're asking why Kris is at #5 but lets admit it, the girl still has "it" - the looks, the wit and yes, her being natural on tv is still endearing!!! And besides, she is an actress (not a just a host). Ive been a fan since the 80's and Kris has evolved into a person of sincere substance without being. Although her last movie was way back ("Sukob" was like ten years ago!!) her presence on television is much wanted as her honesty is indeed a breathe of fresh air amids very-scripted teleseryes. Also, she's the only host who can carry a talk show without a script.



Runners up : KC Concepcion. Now that her much hyped entry to showbiz has died down, she can be her own. I think she'll be much more successful without a loveteam (as her previous much "forced" loveteam faltered in the box office) and should go solo. I wonder though why her latest teleserye ended early??? Toni Gonzaga is still much visible as a host and a movie - Tanging Pamilya has kept her box office drawing power alive although other Kapamilya female stars have already advanced. Sunshine Dizon is not really a female star but her GMA projects has kept her in the limelight and made her presence in showbusiness well. Im so tempted to include Katrina Halili as the video scandal has kept her in the news for most part of the year but its her bouncing back that made her shone this year.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Claret Batch 1986 Homecoming Countdown: "25 til 25"



25 Months
until Claret Batch 1986's
25th Anniversary !!! :)

woohoo!!!


Claret HS Batch 86 is this first graduating high school batch of Claret School of QC under the Cory Aquino regime. After a tumultuous but peaceful (notice the incongruity?) People Power in February 1986, Batch 86 faced College with renewed hope and a re-invigorated feeling in overcoming challenges ahead.

And that we did!!! Producing Doctors, Lawyers, Businessmen and Corporate Leaders, Batch 1986 exemplified the Claretian spirit of "developing individuals who are competent in the exercise of intellectual faculties and outstanding in the practice of Christian values" (one of the Claret's mission, ahem).

Current Alumni Officers of Batch 1986 -

President - Mr. Patric Laud

Vice President (Int) - Mr. Albert Rios


Vice President (Ext) - Mr. Edgardo Ortiz


Secretary - Mr. Allan Balatibat


Treasurer - Mr. Allan Young


batch sites -
website : http://www.claretbatch86.com/

yahoogroup : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/claretbatch1986/

alumni :
http://www.csqcaa.com/claret/

facebook account : "ClaretBatch1986"


Batch Video of the Month -

Claret HS Batch 1986 Medical Mission