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. >>

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. MARIAN 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.