Every Breath U Take

Verdict: Proceed with Caution

Pinoy Rebyu Score: 2.28 (9 ratings)

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Director: Mae Czarina Cruz

Writers: Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario, Zig Marasigan, Anj Pesumal

Cast: Piolo Pascual, Angelica Panganiban, Ryan Eigenmann, Smokey Manaloto, Carlos Agassi, Joross Gamboa, Ketchup Eusebio, Janus del Prado, Nova Villa

Synopsis: Majoy (Angelica Panganiban) was told by her doctor that if she wanted to have a baby, she’d have to do it soon. She spends her days looking for the signs that she’s found Mr. Right. She meets Leo (Piolo Pascual), an unrepentant playboy who doesn’t believe in following the rules. Majoy becomes convinced that she and Leo are meant to be together, but Leo doesn’t seem ready to give up his playboy ways. While Majoy doggedly pursues Leo, Leo gets tied up with other concerns, which include an ambitious rival at work, and a jilted lover’s vengeful brothers.  (Click the City)

Trailer: 

Reviews:

2.5       Rito Asilo (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“As it careens willy-nilly into a perfunctory finale, the production allows its zany supporting characters to take over Majoy and Leo’s love story and dilute its impact.” (Read full review)

2.5      Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)

“While the first third of the movie is a compelling build up of characters (Majoy especially), the second third sluggishly meanders into contrived theatricals. At its last third, the movie shifts gears and turns into a protracted gag show.” (Read full review)

2.5       Mark Angelo Ching (PEP)

“Every Breath You Take works mostly due to the infectious enthusiasm of its cast. The movie’s story may be paper-thin, but the talent of its cast more than makes up for it.” (Read full review)

2.0       Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“It’s built on oddball comedy, but it still asks the audience to feel something for the central couple. Unsurprisingly, the two flavors don’t mix too well.” (Read full review)

2.0        Ria Limjap (Spot.ph)

“In Every Breath U Take—an action rom com with a very convoluted and sloppy plot, stacked with unfunny supporting characters and dismal attempts at screwball situation comedy—you, Piolo, are the only promise of true escape from ugly reality.” (Read full review)

2.0         Jowana Bueser (The Birth of Damnation)

“Star Cinema has been cornering the rom-com market and has been producing both good and bad films. This one is just terrible.” (Read full review)

Capsules:

3.0         Nico Quejano (Cinephiles)

“One thing is for sure, Angelica Panganiban can carry a movie all by herself. Piolo was just being Piolo in this movie, you could replace him with any of the male actors Star Cinema has in its roster and the movie will still be the same. and as funny. The movie could have done away with a lot of the characters, but we all know Star Cinema is only creating jobs for a lot of their stars. It’s more about employment than anything else. This movie is only a testament to how talented of an actress Angelica is. Her comedic timing is priceless.”

2.0          Manuel Pangaruy (Cinephiles)

“Unang frame pa lang, alam ko na ang dulo though may ilang eksena na hindi ko inaasahan na may gan’un pa pala (read: ‘yung dark comedy part na may mga taong gustong pumatay sa bida kung saan nagme-make sense, nang konti, ang title). Ang versatile din ng musical scorer, from Kinatay to a Star Cinema film.”

2.0          Arsenio Tan Liao (Cinephiles)

“A movie with a lot of ‘abnoy’ characters which makes the rom-com sometimes uneasy to watch. Humor at its driest.”

The Mommy Returns

Verdict: Do Something Else

Pinoy Rebyu Score: 1.42 (6 ratings)

Genre: Comedy

Director: Joel Lamangan

Writer: Senedy Que

Cast: Pokwang, Gabby Concepcion, Ruffa Gutierrez, Jillian Ward, Gloria Diaz, John Lapus

Synopsis: Ruby (Pokwang) was happily married to William (Gabby Concepcion). But she dies tragically on their 25th wedding anniversary. Ruby ends up in purgatory, where she is made to witness the plight of her family. Much to her surprise and dismay, William quickly falls in love with the beautiful Catherine (Ruffa Gutierrez), and in spite of his children’s objections, he immediately plans to get remarried. Ruby returns to Earth as a ghost with the intention of haunting her former husband and sabotaging his new marriage. (Click the City)

Trailer: 

Reviews:

2.5       Mark Angelo Ching (PEP)

“All in all, The Mommy Returns is a good movie, but only when you consider its dramatic moments. It has a heart buried somewhere that can be inspiring to viewers who want to relate to its story about motherhood.” (Read full review)

1.5        Johanna Poblete (Business World)

“This movie does not offer anything new (horror comedy is a misnomer, it’s plain comedy) but sticks to the tried and tested and tired. It does not elevate the local movie industry.” (Read full review)

1.5        Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)

“The Mommy Returns conspicuously underscores Lamangan’s fall into mediocrity and highlights all of his weaknesses. In fact, he has never done a movie this bad.” (Read full review)

1.0        Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“The film is a dreadful bore, lacking in jokes while pushing for false emotion as it stumbles through a boatload of hastily assembled drama.” (Read full review)

1.0        Reel Advice

“Situations and punchlines fail to eke out any laughter or even a whimper. Everything comes out flat and corny. This is the film that never found its comedic groove and you have to see it (if you dare) to believe it.” (Read full review)

1.0        Starmometer

“Hastily assembled and severely lacking in humor, The Mommy Returns is one of Joel Lamangan’s weakest outings ever.” (Read full review)

Urian Nominations: Surprises and Snubs

Pinoy Rebyu editor Skilty Labastilla goes through the list of the recent Urian nominations and finds out who were the notable surprises and snubs!

Busong

Verdict: Value for Money

Pinoy Rebyu Score: 3.97 (15 ratings)

Genre: Drama

Director: Auraeus Solito

Writers: Kanakan-Balintagos and Henry Burgos

Cast: Alessandra de Rossi, Dax Alejandro, Clifford Banagale

Synopsis: Punay was born with wounds in her feet so that she cannot step on the earth. Her brother, Angkarang, carries her through a hammock, as he searches the changing landscape of Palawan in hoping to find a healer who can cure Punay. Different people help him carry his sister along the way- a woman looking for her husband, a fisherman who lost his boat and a young man who is searching for himself- and each one meets their fate.

*

Trailer: 

Reviews:

5.0        Adrian Mendizabal (Auditoire)

“It (places) itself as one of the most important local films about tribal culture. What permeates within the juxtapositions of images and associational elements in the film is this pervading concept of tribal space and time.” (Read full review)

5.0        J.I.E. Teodoro (GMA News)

“It made me homesick for Palawan, my home for three years in my not so distant, younger, and more adventurous days. This kind of emotional effect can only be achieved by artists who can make their audience long for something unattainable.” (Read full review)

5.0        Carl Papa (Whatever, Carl)

“What I deeply love about this film is that the director is in control of his artistry and never lets it go wander about.  It is artsy but then you will never get lost in it, unlike some of the art films going around wherein you need the director or the filmmaker to explain what happened in the film for you to fully grasp what it was trying to tell.” (Read full review)

4.5        Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“Nothing about Busong is artificial, the film going as far as to abandon the typical narrative mold to arrive at something closer to the heart of the culture that it seeks to portray and preserve. And though the result can be a little ponderous and frustrating, it’s more than worth it just to get a glimpse of the film’s delicate truth.” (Read full review)

4.5        Don Jaucian (Pelikula Tumblr)

“Drenched in melancholy and spiritual recollection, Busong’s core isn’t the simple intervention of spells and magic but the strong hold of these little folktales to our communal struggle. Because most of the time, it is through myth and legend that we understand our history, where figures are carved from exaggerated imaginings and values are sifted through urban legends.” (Read full review)

4.0        Manuel Pangaruy (IndioCine)

“Ang pagsulpot ng paruparo mula sa sagot ng babae ay isang pagpapatunay na hindi lahat ng busong ay pagpapariwara. Meron din itong mabuti at mapagpalayang epekto sa tao, isang deconstruction ng alam natin tungkol sa salitang karma.” (Read full review)

4.0        Jonnah D. (Sisyphean Dreams)

“The film itself is undoubtedly visually beautiful. The cinematography of the entire film is stunning. Solito shows off his cultural heritage through this film and the stories that he has managed to incorporate in it.” (Read full review)

3.5        Oggs Cruz (Twitch)

“Shot and projected in high definition video, Busong runs the risk of being too beautiful, too defined, and too welcoming. A film that grieves for a dying tradition and cautions of the masked repercussions of forced modernization is deserving of a tinge of grit, a hint of ugliness, and a possible serving of anger.” (Read full review)

3.5        Abby Mendoza (PEP)

“Busong succeeds in its portrayal of animism. Moreover, what is poignant about Solito’s film is that in the indigenous Palaweños’ primeval world, nature is the god that has power over humans. That is what Busong conveys to the modern audience who may think otherwise.” (Read full review)

3.5        Mental Clutter

“While I enjoy poetry in film, Busong gives too much poetry without commentary, or without a proportionate casual dialogue. The lack of clear storytelling and more casual dialogues ‘sours’ up the great cinematography and production design.” (Read full review)

3.5        Ariane Astorga (Candid Headlines)

“All in all, I think the movie could have been tied a little bit tighter but the stories offer a unique perspective to a place that is quickly becoming too commercial nowadays. In Busong, you don’t see Palawan the tourist destination, you see Palawan, a land rich in people and culture.” (Read full review)

2.5        Mario Bautista (Showbiz Portal)

“A treasure trove for anthropologists, it offers superb visuals and the pristine beauty of Palawan perfectly captured by cinematographer Louie Quirino for the big screen. But the narrative moves so slowly and is generally cumbersome. How we wish some scenes were better structured so they won’t drag and the pacing will be quicker.” (Read full review)

Capsules:

4.5        Skilty Labastilla (Young Critics Circle)

“Hypnotic! With this film, director Auraeus Solito establishes himself as one of the most aesthetically assured Pinoy filmmakers working today.”

4.0        Lyndon Maburaot (Cinephiles)

“Weak first half, I think. Majestic imagery.”

2.5        Eduardo Dayao (Piling Piling Pelikula)

“Wasn’t moved as much as I expected by Busong. A lot of my (filmmaker) friends who saw it with me either gushed about it or were OK with it. I liked the second half more than the first half. But the Apichatpong derivatives rubbed me a little raw – - -specially the hospital scene. Maybe it’s the ethnography that makes it a little emotionally forbidding. Loved the butterflies coming out of the wound,though. And Aureus’ total disregard for a more accessible film language is admirable, to say the least. But kudos still.”

My Naughty Kid

Verdict: Avoid at All Costs

Pinoy Rebyu Score: 1.00 (2 ratings)

Genre: Comedy

Director: Zech de la Cruz

Cast: Aaron Calvo, Jeffrey Quizon, Joe Lodnadito, Julia Ziegler, Irish Contreras

Synopsis: Timothy de la Hoya (Aaron Clavo) is the naughty son of Angelito (Epi Quizon), a widowed millionaire living in Sabah. Timothy regularly runs away from home, and he returns one day to find that his father has found a new wife. Believing that his father no longer loves him, Timothy runs away from home yet again. Out in the city, he meets Elmer (Joe Lodnadito), a hapless, happy-go-lucky guy. In spite of Timothy’s naughtiness, Elmer shows the kid some kindness and takes him in. They become fast friends, and decide to help each other out.  (Click the City)

Running time: 90 mins.

Trailer: Not available

Reviews:

1.0         Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“My Naughty Kid is just awful. Even if you can forgive the movie for its clunky writing and poor production values, it would be difficult to get over the fact that there’s a rape scene in the middle of everything.” (Read full review)

1.0          Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)

“Not only is it carelessly dubbed in Tagalog (it’s partly spoken in Bahasa, thus needed Tagalog dubbing), but the whole project is an afterthought to a Malaysian holiday, albeit poorly conceptualized – surely, brains were left at a basement while they were filming this cinematic clutter.” (Read full review)

Moron 5 and the Crying Lady

Verdict: Do Something Else

Pinoy Rebyu Score: 1.78 (7 ratings)

Genre: Comedy

Director: Wenn V. Deramas

Writer: Mel del Rosario

Cast: Billy Crawford, DJ Durano, John Lapus, Luis Manzano, Mart Escudero, Marvin Agustin

Synopsis: The movie follows the exploits of five friends: Albert (Luis Manzano), Isaac (Billy Crawford), Mozart (DJ Durano), Mike (Mart Escudero), and Aris (Marvin Agustin). The five are none too bright, and have been struggling to get out of high school for years. While trying to figure out how to help Mike pay for his schooling, the five wander into and inadvertently ruin the wedding of Becky Pamintuan (John Lapus). Incensed, Becky frames the moronic quintet for the murder of her father. The five spend some time in prison, before managing to escape. The five set out to clear their names, even if they don’t quite know how they’re going to do it.  (Click the City)

Running time: 105 mins.

Trailer: 

Reviews:

2.5         Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“There are funny moments scattered here and there, and the actors give these roles a lot of flair. But in the end, it comes off as a bit unsatisfying.” (Read full review)

2.5         Pablo A. Tariman (Philippine Star)

“Moron 5 has its share of fun but towards the end, you get the impression that this was hastily put together to test a potentially promising box-office formula.” (Read full review)

2.5         Ria Limjap (Spot.ph)

“In this movie, jokes take an entire scene to set up and predictably, the punch lines—which take forever to deliver—are not always funny. There are farting-in-prison jokes, hokey costumes, celebrity cameos, and lots of slapstick.” (Read full review)

1.5         Cathy Pena (Make Me Blush)

“In what could be one of mainstream cinema’s silliest slapstick romp, Wenn Deramas’ Moron 5 and the Crying Lady succeeds to bring Pinoy comedy to lower depths of cinematic mediocrity.” (Read full review)

1.5          Mark Angelo Ching (PEP)

“Deramas relies on five actors whose fortes are not in comedy. The result is a hit-or-miss affair, comedy-wise, with some jokes falling flat because the actor delivering it was trying too hard.” (Read full review)

1.0         Taking a Break

“If you plan on watching the movie, prepare to suspend your disbelief. A lot. Heck, check in your brain at the package counter if you can. You’re not going to need it when you watch the film.” (Read full review)

1.0          Nicol Latayan (Back to the Frying Pan)

“In true Deramas fashion, this movie offered nothing new. Were there funny moments?  Yes, there’s one that involves a monologue by John Lapuz near the end of the movie. Other than that, it is a chop suey of past scenes from different Deramas movies.” (Read full review)

Modern Classics: 1991

Hihintayin Kita sa Langit 

Director: Carlos Siguion-Reyna

Writer: Raquel Villavicencio

Cast: Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Michael de Mesa, Eric Quizon, Jackie Lou Blanco

The movie that Pinoy moviegoers fell in love with in 1991. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte’s tragic love story set in the moors is well-suited to the Pinoy romantic sensibility, as evidenced by the current telenovela smash hit Walang Hanggan. The novel has been successfully adapted several times for the cinema, and Hihintayin is no exception, with Siguion-Reyna wisely utilizing the majestic setting of Batanes to tell the story of Gabriel and Carmina (Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta at their most beautiful). Not even the pandering, mawkish ending could ruin this film’s reputation as a Pinoy modern classic. Watch it and swoon.

Film Clips: 

* * *

Ipagpatawad Mo 

Director: Laurice Guillen

Writer: Olivia Lamasan

Cast: Vilma Santos, Christopher De Leon, Charito Solis, Amy Perez, Bing Loyzaga

Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos star as a middle-class married couple in this intense and intelligently handled domestic drama. The two leads are at their usual top form but it is Santos who gets the more memorable lines. Her performance earned her the Urian award for Best Actress in a tight year (with Nora Aunor in Pacita M., Dawn Zulueta in Hihintayin, and Dina Bonnevie in Sa Kabila ng Lahat as some of her co-nominees).

Youtube link: 

* * *

Maging Sino Ka Man

Director: Eddie Rodriguez

Writers: Emmanuel Borlaza and Eddie Rodriguez

Cast: Sharon Cuneta, Robin Padilla, Edu Manzano, Vina Morales, Rosemarie Gil, Dennis Padilla

The other love story that Pinoy moviegoers flocked to in 1991. Box-office star Cuneta paired up with then rising action star Padilla in this fairly predictable romantic escapist fare. What lifts the film from mediocrity is the palpable chemistry of the lead stars. We know lots of (mostly female) friends who still get “kilig” with Padilla’s cheesy lines here. We don’t mind indulging in mindless escapist fare once in a while if it’s as enjoyable as this one.

Trailer: 

Modern Classics: 1990

Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?

Director: Gil Portes

Writer: Ricardo Lee

Cast: Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, Lloyd Samartino, Dan Alvaro

Aunor delivers one of the fiercest performances of her career as an NPA rebel who goes pregnant and temporarily leaves her baby with her best friend (Gina Alajar, also bringing her A-game) as she goes back underground to seek the whereabouts of her husband, only to be detained and presumed by Alajar and husband (Lloyd Samartino) to be dead.

The early ’90s was the height of Pinoy melodrama and director Portes and writer Lee were two of the masters of the genre. Sure enough, this film is filled with melodramatic scenes. What keeps the material engaging even after repeated viewings is the central, universal theme of fighting for justice: for wrongs done to society and wrongs done to your own life. Depending on your sensibilities, you will find the climax either laughably over-the-top or painfully gut-wrenching. Either way, it’s  certainly one of the most unforgettable in Philippine cinema.

*Poster courtesy of Video 48

Scene from the film: 

* * *

Gumapang Ka sa Lusak

Director: Lino Brocka

Writer: Ricardo Lee

Cast: Dina Bonnevie, Christopher de Leon, Eddie Garcia, Charo Santos-Concio, Bembol Roco

Speaking of masters of melodrama, nobody was equal (at least in this part of the world) to Lino Brocka, and the film’s title alone (literally, “grovel in the muck”) evokes images of intense hatred. Yet the irresistible story (involving characters mired in a web of sex, violence, and Marcosian politics [redundant!]) arguably calls for none other than a melodramatic treatment for a fully satisfying viewing experience. Santos-Concio’s delicious performance as an Imeldific character is one for the books and works in fine juxtaposition to de Leon’s quiet, textured portrayal as Bonnevie’s boyfriend.

*Photo courtesy of uploadedbydencio.blogspot

Teaser: gumapang-ka-sa-lusak-teaser-113637738

100 Philippine Modern Movie Classics

Inspired by Yahoo’s 100 Modern Movie Classics, Pinoy Rebyu has come up with a list of 100 Philippine Modern Movie Classics (films released from 1990 to 2009).

As with any best-of list, ours is highly subjective, and we expect to elicit reactions from you, dear readers. What films did we miss that you think deserve to be included? Conversely, which in the list do you think should in no way be called a modern classic? Please feel free to sound off in the comments section.

1990

Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (Gil Portes)

Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (Lino Brocka)

1991

Hihintayin Kita sa Langit (Carlos Siguion-Reyna)

Ipagpatawad Mo (Laurice Guillen)

Maging Sino Ka Man (Eddie Rodriguez)*

1992

Aswang (Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes)

Bayani (Raymond Red)

Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal (Carlos Siguion-Reyna)

1993

Aliwan Paradise (Mike de Leon)

Makati Ave. Office Girls (Jose Javier Reyes)

1994

The Fatima Buen Story (Mario O’Hara)

Vampira (Joey Romero)

1995

Bagong Bayani: OCW (Tikoy Aguiluz)

Eskapo (Chito Roño)

Nena (Ike Jarlego, Jr.)

Pare Ko (Jose Javier Reyes)

1996

Abot-Kamay ang Pangarap (Carlos Siguion-Reyna)

Bontoc Eulogy (Marlon Fuentes)*

Magic Temple (Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes)*

May Nagmamahal sa Iyo (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)

Minsan Lang Sila Bata (Ditsi Carolino and Nana Buxhani)

Segurista (Tikoy Aguiluz)

1997

Batang PX (Jose Javier Reyes)

Lihim ni Madonna (Celso Ad. Castillo)

1998

Babae sa Bubungang Lata (Mario O’Hara)

Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? (Chito Roño)

Curacha: Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga (Chito Roño)

Gangland (Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes)

Jose Rizal (Marilou Diaz-Abaya)

Sana Pag-ibig Na (Jeffrey Jeturian)

Serafin Geronimo: Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion (Lav Diaz)

Sisa (Mario O’Hara)

1999

Bayaning Third World (Mike de Leon)

Pila Balde (Jeffrey Jeturian)

Sa Paraiso ni Efren (Maryo J. de los Reyes)

2000

Azucena (Carlos Siguion-Reyna)

Biyaheng Langit (Tikoy Aguiluz)

Lagarista (Mel Chionglo)

Laro sa Baga (Chito Roño)

Pangarap ng Puso (Mario O’Hara)

Tanging Yaman (Laurice Guillen)

Tuhog (Jeffrey Jeturian)

2001

Batang West Side (Lav Diaz)

Live Show (Jose Javier Reyes)

La Vida Rosa (Chito Roño)

Minsan May Isang Puso (Jose Javier Reyes)

Sa Huling Paghihintay (Erik Matti)

2002

Basal Banar (Auraeus Solito)

Dekada ‘ 70 (Chito Roño)

Hesus Rebolusyonaryo (Lav Diaz)

Jologs (Gilbert Perez)

Laman (Maryo J. de los Reyes)

Prosti (Erik Matti)

2003

Babae sa Breakwater (Mario O’Hara)

Keka (Quark Henares)

Magnifico (Maryo J. de los Reyes)

2004

Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino (Lav Diaz)

Sigaw (Yam Laranas)

2005

Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong (Mes de Guzman)

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (Auraeus Solito)

Ang Pamilyang Kumakain ng Lupa (Khavn dela Cruz)

Big Time (Mario Cornejo and Monster Jimenez)

Maicling Pelicula nang Ysang Indio Nacional (Raya Martin)*

Masahista (Brillante Mendoza)

2006

Donsol (Adolfo Alix, Jr.)

Huling Balyan ng Buhi (Sherad Anthony Sanchez)

Inang Yaya (Pablo Biglang-Awa and Veronica Velasco)

Kubrador (Jeffrey Jeturian)

Manoro (Brillante Mendoza)

Rotonda (Ron Bryant)

Squatterpunk (Khavn dela Cruz)

Todo Todo Teros (John Torres)

2007

Altar (Rico Maria Ilarde)

Autohystoria (Raya Martin)

Confessional (Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Dahis Antipuesto)

Death in the Land of Encantos (Lav Diaz)

Endo (Jade Castro)

Foster Child (Brillante Mendoza)

One More Chance (Cathy Garcia-Molina)

Tambolista (Adolfo Alix, Jr.)

Tirador (Brillante Mendoza)

Voices, Tilted Screens and Extended Scenes of Loneliness: Filipinos in High Definition (John Torres)

 2008

Adela (Adolfo Alix, Jr.)

Imburnal (Sherad Anthony Sanchez)

Jay (Francis Xavier Pasion)

Melancholia (Lav Diaz)

Now Showing (Raya Martin)

Serbis (Brillante Mendoza)

Yanggaw (Richard Somes)

2009

Anacbanua (Christopher Gozum)

Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe (Alvin Yapan)

Bakal Boys (Ralston Jover)

Engkwentro (Pepe Diokno)

Himpapawid (Raymond Red)

Independencia (Raya Martin)

Kimmy Dora (Joyce Bernal)

Kinatay (Brillante Mendoza)

Lola (Brillante Mendoza)

Lupang Hinarang (Ditsi Carolino)

Wanted: Border (Ray Defante Gibraltar)

* * *

Over the next few weeks, we will post brief annotations to each film in the list, by year of release.

* The original post did not include the films with asterisks. After the posting, the remaining Pinoy Rebyu members who have not previously seen the films viewed them and decided to include them in the list.

My Kontrabida Girl

Verdict: Proceed with Caution

Pinoy Rebyu Score: 2.71 (19 ratings)

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Writers: Jade Francis Castro and Aloy Adlawan

Director: Jade Castro

Cast: Aljur Abrenica, Rhian Ramos, Jake Vargas, Bea Binene, Chariz Solomon, Kevin Santos, Enzo Pineda, Sef Cadayona, Ken Chan, Bela Padilla, Gwen Zamora, Ms Bella Flores

Synopsis: Isabel (Rhian Ramos) has built her on career on being the kontrabida, her bad behavior on and off the set making her a bankable star in soap operas. But after she has a near death experience, she finds herself unable to access the darkness that gives her characters such spark. She’s forced to go on a hiatus, and she’s encouraged to try and find her mojo. She takes advice from a series on Internet videos featuring Bella Flores. They tell her to go find a person that hurt her in the past, so that she can focus her hate properly. This leads her back to her hometown in Palawan, where her old friend Chris (Aljur Abrenica) still resides. A past humiliation fuels Isabel to try and ruin Chris’ life, but something else happens along the way. (Click the City)

Running time: 105 mins.

Trailer: 

Reviews:

5.0         Edgar Allan Paule (Viewer Discretion)

“My Kontrabida Girl is a shining example of the possibility of a mainstream cinema that is sophisticated but not inaccessible, entertaining without being stupid. It offers audiences a realistic understanding of how relationships progress, a working philosophy of the dynamics of change.” (Read full review)

4.0         Mario Bautista (Showbiz Portal)

“All in all, it’s a rom-com that really works, thanks to the smart script and the fairly deft direction, with many hilarious scenes that succeed in making us laugh and an endearing love story that is credibly developed.” (Read full review)

4.0         Mark Angelo Virly Ching (Pisara.me)

“The movie also serves as both a parody and a tribute to the kontrabidas of the local film industry. There’s a great montage that revisits these kontrabidas, with a good recurring punchline to boot.” (Read full review)

4.0         Starmometer

“Fresh from the success of his horror-comedy Zombadings, Jade Castro proves yet again that he has a talent in finding the funny bone of the viewers, putting the comedy in rom-com.” (Read full review)

3.5        Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)

“Director Jade Castro playfully weaves a light hearted and lithe narrative that belies the dark past of the characters (bullying, abuse, parental death, poverty). The film, at the very least, is a boisterous acknowledgement to the resilience of the human spirit!” (Read full review)

3.5          Ferdinand Bondoy (Tadi’s Potato on the Go)

“Aljur Abrenica on the other hand was able to deliver his role as a naive townsman yet charming enough to make every woman fall for him.   Whether intentional or not, he was able to make the people laugh at his adventures and misadventures.” (Read full review)

3.0         Rito Asilo (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“The unconventional rom-com, My Kontrabida Girl isn’t without flaws and ‘duh’ sequences, either (a truly ‘incredible’ awards rites, etc.)—but, at least, you’ll have a hearty laugh playing along with its winking comedic moments.” (Read full review)

3.0         Abby Mendoza (PEP)

“My Kontrabida Girl is an entertaining, laugh-out-loud comedy more than it is an effective romantic film. The reason behind this is that apart from Rhian and Aljur’s contrived chemistry, Jade Castro’s plot is a more endearing tale on how friendships are broken and fixed again.” (Read full review)

3.0         Nico Quejano (Pinoy Film Buffs)

“I do have to admit that I did enjoy the movie, and for the first time was able to tolerate Aljur Abrenica. And in spite of the ridiculous plot about a soap opera villain going back to the province, I can say that there were moments of honesty in the movie. Yes, there were a lot of extremely painful scenes to watch – Aljur in the rain, Jake Vargas serenading – but there were subtle moments between Chris and Isabelle as well that I did like. But what I truly enjoyed were the subtle humor and the restraint use of the cameos that could have easily gone over-board. It was an amazing premise, just wish the director had better actors to work with.”

2.5         Nestor Torre (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“That unusual plot premise is full of tantalizing possibilities. Sadly, however, the movie chooses to develop a storyline that leads it down a rather bland and unproductive path, which involves the star’s former nemesis’ efforts to regain control of his parents’ little resort. —Excuse us, but what’s so fascinating and involving about that?” (Read full review)

2.5         Jowana Bueser (The Birth of Damnation)

“Like Lebron James, the film had a nice start and an initial good run then fumbled in the end. Director Jade Castro of the phenomenal Zombadings is at helm and his influences are apparent in the premise and some parts of the script. For some reason, I do not see him in the second half. There is a horrid feeling once the clout of mainstream studio-thinking manifests.” (Read full review)

2.5         Arsenio Tan Liao (Pinoy Cinephiles)

“Ito ang kaso ng isang indie film na sa bandang huli ay nagpaka-mainstream, at iyon ang greatest weakness ng pelikula. Para siyang one-act joke na pinaglaruan lamang. Maganda iyong premise ng isang kontrabida na hindi nagkaroon ng acting block dahil sa emotional baggage, pero hindi lahat ng cute na idea ay lumalabas na cute rin sa execution.”

2.0         Skilty Labastilla (Young Critics Circle Film Desk)

“The film has moments of charm and, save for some unintentional comedy in crying scenes, Aljur Abrenica is surprisingly effective as the dimwitted pretty boy who’s the target of Rhian Ramos’ ire. But the performances of most of the cast, including Rhian’s, are broad and slapstick-y. Jade Castro needs to fine-tune his ear for naturalistic human conversations, even for comedy films.

The movie’s main flaw, though, is its failure to establish a credible motivation for Rhian’s ‘plunge to the dark side’, so to speak. You don’t believe for a second that she’s really mean. That’s why her moment of epiphany (that made her ‘go back’ to being nice) feels false.

One last quibble: writers need to retire the word ‘este’. No one uses it in real life.”

2.0         Ria Limjap (Spot.ph)

“It’s a bit confusing, the frothy plot that starts off promisingly but sort of fizzles out in the end. Part satire, part homage, the story isn’t the tightest and the pace really drags in the last half hour of the movie.” (Read full review)

2.0          Ihcahieh

“Instead, the comedy aspect takes the backseat and is easily hindered by the contrived love story that becomes the focus of the movie after half an hour or so.” (Read full review)

1.5           Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“Some stories are square pegs, and they don’t quite fit in the industry’s well-worn round holes. It is exactly what goes wrong with My Kontrabida Girl, a film that starts out as a mildly dark screwball comedy and ends as a predictably tedious romance.” (Read full review)

1.5            Zig Marasigan (Lagarista)

“Direk Jade and Aloy Adlawan should have hid away this concept, developed it properly, and mounted it the way it deserves. Bella Flores, Cherie Gil, Maritoni Fernandez and Gladys Reyes deserve better.” (Read full review)

1.0            Jeff Vadillo (Roadman Adventures)

“As for the story, the plot of being a kontrabida seems interesting but the awful script, the awful jokes and the awful delivery of lines (except for Rhian Ramos) stole much of the thunder from what could have been a good movie. Even the reason behind the grudge harbored by Dominique against Kris does not logically match the magnitude of her hate towards him which sort of undermines the whole thing.” (Read full review)

1.0             Paul H. Roquia (Aliwan Avenue)

“Hindi nakasakay sa premise ng totoong buhay ang naganap sa pelikula. Hinahanapan ko ng malinis na pagkakatahi ng konsepto at binurdang cinematic humor sa finished product pero wala. Hindi rin nakakatawa ang dialogues, gamit na gamit na at contrived. Napaka-absurd pa ang pag-appear ng mga kontravida icons na halatang pampahaba lang ng pan-tatanga sa manonood.”