Cast: Iman Rivera, Jay Enriquez, Rei-Jan Reinoso, Jeff Luna, Drigo Padil, Jessica Ruiz, Katz Gutierrez, Rein Mendoza, Jhezy Basa
Synopsis: Jigs (Iman Rivera) and Sherman (Jay Enriquez) are terribly in love with each other. They share a home together, and live the life of a committed couple. But Jigs has fantasies of introducing a third party to their blissful little arrangement. And when their teenage neighbor Kiko (Rei-Jan Reinoso) shows interest, Jigs tests the waters. The couple eventually succumbs to temptation, and a rift grows between Jigs and Sherman. Jealousy threatens to tear the two apart as they tangle with the affections of their new teenage lover.
Trailer:
Comments:
1.5 Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)
“Director Han Salazar(4some, Fling) would do well with a better script. He may also fare better with less exploitative tack.” (Read full review)
1.0 Philbert Dy (Click the City)
“Adam’s Apple is terribly confused. The filmmakers seem to have no understanding of human emotion, and thus presents a vision of the world that struggles to make sense at any given moment.” (Read full review)
Cast: Gregg Tecson, Paul Carreon, Sheila Labos, Joan Magtibay, Roweno Caballes
Synopsis: The story revolves around Lando, an elementary teacher who doesn’t believe in myths and asserts his modern sensibilities, and Datu Pikong, a tribal shaman who uses an imaginary cellphone to reach Apo Sandawa when someone wants to get healed from an ailment.
Lando, being educated, has ceased to acknowledge the tribal beliefs and practices of the Indigenous Peoples. He accuses Datu Pikong of capitalizing on the superstitious belief of the townsfolk and is furious when he sees the shaman take offerings from the people.
Swept by his fury, Lando destroys the tambara (an altar for the deities) when he found it under a Balete tree. Unknowingly, Lando angered many diwatas who want to take his wife and baby as punishment for what he has done. Lando was forced to face circumstances which pushed him to desperately resort to the Balyan only to realize that not everything in this world can be spelled solely with the human knowledge.
Trailer:
Reviews:
3.5 Karl Gaspar (MindaNews)
“Bantayan’s film is very rich in providing images of the everyday life of a quintessential Philippine village in the south. In a hundred years’ time, this film would provide an excellent visual ethnography of such a village.” (Read full review)
3.0 Rolando Tolentino (Pinoy Weekly)
“Ang Tambara ay lubos na sumandal sa kwento ni (Macario) Tiu, hindi lubos na epektibong naisalin sa media ng pelikula ang tatlong dimensionalidad ng tauhan (biolohikal, saykolohikal, at panlipunan), at gaya ng nabanggit ang familiaridad ng unfamiliar na lokasyon at tagpuan ng kwento.” (Read full review)
3.0 Rudolph Ian Alama (Rude World)
“Tambara’s main strength is that it is told in a straight-forward manner, easy to digest, easy to understand. sort of an easy-watching indie film.” (Read full review)
Cast: Arkey Muñoz, Jeremy Ian, Lance Lopez, Adriana Gomez, Mikho Madrid, Joben Bello
Synopsis: Arkey (Arkey Muñoz) is a painter. He has a new client, and he needs to look for a male model willing to pose nude for a portrait. He soon encounters Lance (Lance Lopez), the brother of an acquaintance. Despite not having much experience posing, Lance is hired on the spot. As Arkey paints Lance, Arkey develops some unexpected feelings. He lusts after his newfound model, and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. But unbeknownst to the painter, there is more lust going in his house, as his wife Adriana (Adriana Gomez) has set her sights on Lance as well. (Click the City)
Trailer:
Reviews:
1.0 Philbert Dy (Click the City)
“Hubo is a strange, confused movie that depicts a version of this world that’s a radical departure from reality. It features a set of characters no one will recognize as human, making all of the film’s purported drama laughable in context.” (Read full review)
1.0 Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)
“In what could easily be one of the year’s silliest, funniest, most mindless ouvre, director Espiritu once again exhibits his stark cluelessness with his craft.” (Read full review)
Cast: Johnron Tañada, Mygz Molino, John Relucio, Francis Cabral, Dice Vergara, Rein Soliman, Carla Varga
Synopsis: Harry (Johnron Tañada) occasionally does work as a call boy, enjoying both the pay and the sexual gratification that the job entails. But he’s ready to give all that up when he gets the chance to get a job at a call center. Unfortunately, it turns out that he’s contracted HIV. Harry immediately goes into a downward spiral, quickly losing all hope and giving up on his life in general. He stops going to work, and he rejects the love of the people around him. As he gives in to his self-imposed prison, he comes closer and closer to death. (Click the City)
Trailer:
Reviews:
1.0 Philbert Dy (Click the City)
“The rising number of HIV cases in this country is worth looking into, and exploring the mindset of the recently infected is a worthy goal for any movie. But Hawla just isn’t up to the task, the movie only adhering to the most abstract idea of drama, offering nothing worthy in the process.” (Read full review)
1.0 Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)
“Director Cudail once again displays his profound philistinism to the topic at hand. His paltry insight on HIV and AIDS would have you believe that those inflicted become unproductive individuals, and that they automatically turn scourge of society.” (Read full review)
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:
3.0 CINEMA
“May saysay naman sana ang kwento subalit naging mababaw at pilit ang dating dahil sa mga pinakitang sitwasyon ng kababawan at di makabuluhang mga diyalogo.” (Read full review)
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)
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)
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)
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:
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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:
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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.
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:
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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.
Verdict: Avoid at All Costs
August 3, 2012
SCL
