No Other Woman

5/5

Sizzles with passion and, full of heart and soul, fall for the temptation of 2011’s biggest movie event of the year. No Other Woman is a must watch movie that explores the guilty pleasures of infidelity.

Ram (Derek) is a handsome furniture supplier who through his charisma and undeniable looks has charmed many of his clients. He is married to Charmaine (Christine), a pretty, doting housewife who learns of her husband’s infidelity with the gorgeous temptress, the other woman…Kara (Anne). Ram soon finds himself caught between his marriage to Cha, and his passionate relationship with the alluring Kara as the two ladies gives the fight of their lives for his love.

Upon seeing the trailer I knew right there and then that this movie is something. This intuition was cemented when the Grade A of the Cinema Evaluation Board came out. It was polished dry when I was captivated by the script and acting in the comfort of a sold-out, last full show screening.

We are now living in a time when more than delivering a movie or a story per se that’ll become a classic when the time comes, producers more than ever are just interested in generating profits that when a movie like this comes we really need to stop and celebrate the event. I say this because this movie is not your typical rom-com or passable comedy movies they say is what the market now is looking for. No Other Woman actually somehow takes you back to the 70s and 80s, which for me is the golden age of Philippine Cinema. This movie is like the modern day version of the 1982 classic “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan”.

It delights me to analyze now that this movie actually has its very good story to tell. The plot is nothing new. We’ve all heard about a beautiful happy couple whose marriage is suddenly shaken by the arrival of another woman to complete a triangle. But what sets this movie far above the movies of today is how brilliant the execution of modern day infidelity in the story. It took a lot of realism from our society today bearing it upon the backbone of its sole plot and into the beings of its main protagonists and antagonist. With this, the movie so much so veered away from the expected predictability of a rehashed story. A note of praise goes to the Director, Ruel Bayani for his fine treatment and execution.

This movie takes great pride from its brilliant, masterful script. It gave the movie so much soul with its heartfelt dialogues interspersed with clever wit in a language relatable to everyone. BRAVO! Marvellous marvellous script! Also what I love about it that it didn’t go overboard. It’s generous at times and keeps silent when the emotion of the scene calls for it.  Great thumbs up to screenplay writers Kris Gazmen and Jay Fernando for this incredible script. You’ll know that a movie is a hit when its script and much of its remarkable lines stay to movie goers and eventually become quotable quotes copied in street conversations, in text messages, in social networking sites, etc. and I’m sure most of this movie’s quotable quotes and confrontation scenes will be indulgently remembered. The script alone will make this movie a classic for generations to come.

Much to this movies delight, the clever script is matched with notable acting from its lead cast. Anne Curtis is fabulous in a role almost tailored fit for her. I believe by this time she’s already established herself as an actress and this movie proves it all. She has almost done every role yet still gives justice to all of them.  One thing about Anne Curtis as an actress is that she’s fierce! She’s not afraid to do whatever the role or the story asks for. This is very evident in all her past works and most especially in this movie. This is her best role portrayal to date! And my goodness she wears any fashion with unmatchable “fabulousity”! Derek Ramsay is the perfect leading man of today who’s not just all looks and body; he is an actor of great calibre! He is the complete package perfect for a leading man. He has that awesome- to-die-for hunk body which goes along with that handsome-angelic face, and to top it all up that genuine and sincere acting. His eyes are his greatest acting asset that at times when words can’t contain the emotions already, his eyes alone says it all. Christine Reyes on the other hand shows tremendous improvement with her acting in this movie. Yes, there are still a lot of times that she can’t match the acting given by Anne and Derek but I have to say she’s gone a long way from her Eva Fonda days, in fairness to her.

This movie is one of the best modern day dramas I’ve seen since 2009’s “And I Love You So”. No Other Woman is a must watch movie; a story to reckon, characters to love and hate, and dialogues to ponder on. This is the kind of big screen spectacle that’ll stay in you and you’ll remember even as the years pass by. The story of No Other Woman is a quick-witted reminder of how dangerous it is to play with fire because you might be captivated by it that you don’t know when to hold back and let go, you’re already burned. Finally, No Other Woman reminds us of the fact that this whole world is a big love battle field. Love drives us all mad and we damn right fight for it especially when ours is being threatened and I say we really should because amidst all its complexities, LOVE is always worth it all. We can choose for all we want, we can even succumb to temptations once in awhile but always do remember that hearts gets broken along the way for in a love story of two, there can be no other one! All is fair in love and a triangle sure as hell isn’t fair. Fidelity is the soul of relationships! 

Babe, I Love You

3/5

Before writing this review, I promised myself not to be too technical about it. Just go with the flow and say my piece; setting the mood to a more relaxed movie goer sharing his thoughts rather than a critic who objectively scrutinizes every single detail of the movie.

I had to pass on watching the movie on its opening day which happens to be a Black Saturday for it was one hell of a busy day at our house that day. Yesterday, after our appointment with our ophthalmologist at Medical City, my mom, my sister, and I went and ate lunch at Jatujak and headed to Robinson’s Galleria to watch “Babe, I Love You”.

To be honest, I didn’t expect much from the movie. I wasn’t very excited about it but don’t get me wrong because I love Anne Curtis. I’m a fan of Sam Milby. And I applaud their love team. I saw the full trailer a few weeks ago and to me it lacks the WOW factor that fuels your anticipation. Having said this, I want to clear the air and say that the movie is very much enjoyable and is a good choice if you want to be entertained.

Just like any other rom-coms, the main plot and storyline of this movie is something that we’ve already seen a couple of times in the past. As a big fan of this genre, I’m already expecting a larger than life storyline, at times corny dialogues, and over the top embellishment of coincidences. Though I know that this may sound unfair to this genre I love so much, it’s also saying accurately what rom-coms have turned out to be. After all, what else can you do in a teeny bopper movie like this?! Most of the time in rom-coms, the defining moment is the script and the director’s take on a very cliché and overrated plot. Gladly for “Babe, I Love You”, it didn’t disappoint.

Anne Curtis’ acting is highlighted a lot in this movie. It’s such a joy to see how much maturity as an actress she’s gained over the years. This is one genre that I think Anne is very very fit on doing for the next 5 to 10 years in showbiz. Sam Milby on the other hand is turning to be one of the brilliant actors of his generation. In my own personal opinion, his acting is more authentic and excellent in this movie than in last year’s “And I Love You So” opposite Bea Alonzo. His facial expressions and delivery now is more sincere and you can really see his depth as an actor. And oh my golly as in SAM IS SO HOT!!! YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY. I'm crazy in love with him! The undeniable chemistry of this two is the big come on of this movie. It creates a very natural feel. The magic of Sam and Anne’s chemistry makes you feel as if you’re not watching a movie. I never once felt that anything is pilit. Acting and dialogues are just ample and stayed close to real human emotions. I love love love all the quotable quotes! Star Cinema is really the best when it comes to quotable quotes. Praise and compliments to the writers.

Nothing is superb in the story and it’s neither one of the best rom-com you’ll ever see but it’s a story that a lot of people can relate to. I think that’s the major reason why it’s such a box-office success. Though it’s not a movie you’ll remember and will turn in to be one of those classics, you’ll leave the cinema feeling content and not asking for your money back. The movie’s main goal is to make you feel kilig and make you fall in love again. And this movie is successful in creating that effect on you. This is the kind of rom-com that will have you cringe in your sit and smile cause of so much kilig.

“Babe, I Love You”, is mediocre to a John Lloyd-Bea movie but it’s a sure thing very nice movie. It’ll make you realize a lot of things about love and relationships. It’ll make you smile just by staring in the screen and going with the flow of the storyline. It’s enjoyable and humorous. And without trying to be, it’ll make you fall in love again because of the very honest and believable kind of love it portrays not to mention the sincerity of Sam and Anne’s chemistry.

I can say that this movie is worth watching for because it’s good that sometimes, a movie like this comes our way to awaken the fire and remind us that we should never falter on love. It is a reminder that we should never give up on true love because at this day and age, it still is real and possible. Elusive to many of us but will certainly find us in the least of time we expect.

I enjoyed this movie a lot because balancing out the kilig moments are life realities and ideas of love and relationships that will make you think. After watching I realized that indeed, sometimes, it is our differences that make relationships more exciting. This movie is a testament that LOVE always goes beyond differences whether be it in beliefs, social class, family background, education, etc. The true measure of a relationship lies on how we compromise to make things work out. And ultimately, this movie is proof that love above everything else is all about accepting and fighting for the one you love for all that he is and all that he’s not. LOVE...WITH ALL ITS IMPERFECTIONS AND MADNESS, IS STILL THE GREATEST THING THIS LIFE CAN EVER GIVE.

When Love Begins

4/5 stars

Together with Joanne and Korina, we were on our way to SM Mall of Asia last November 2007 to watch "One More Chance" when I first heard about this movie. Without second thoughts, I told my two girlfriends that I'm gonna watch this movie come what may. Finally, 5 months after, the movie premiered in theaters nationwide and two days after its regular screening, here's what Dave has to say about "When Love Begins..."

This movie deserves a credit for how genius it handled the unconventional type of relationship the two main characters have. Although undeniably the movie was very formulaic and predictable, I believe Director Jose Javier Reyes was successful in making this movie rise above all other romance flicks by using the elements of realism. "When Love Begins" breaks away from the convention of cheesy, corny, "kill-me-now" lines you'll most likely hear in romance movies. With this movie, you'll feel and see what is really happening in a relationship. Every dialogue was precise and enough to just express the emotions of the characters as well as what the scene is asking for. There was never a scene or dialogue of exaggerating emotions in this film. The only thing I didn't like about it was the immensity of coincidences in the movie. I believe that the concept of destiny in chick flicks are so over used and since the movie was very promising I expected that Director Jose Javier Reyes was able to add a different twist in some scenes particularly the last few scenes when the lead characters got back together. I think it's so coincidental.

The primary reason why I love the plot is because it gives the moviegoers a picture of a relationship taken out of our reality. "When Love Begins" will not give you the feeling of kilig-kilig moments rather it will show you the real complications and struggles a new relationship entails. This is a movie done to show what happens when two different personalities fused together to build a relationship in the midst of other difficulties surrounding them.

At first thought you would think that the pairing of Aga Muhlach and Anne Curtis wouldn't be successful and won't create a spark of chemistry considering their big age gap but with how genius Direk Joey Reyes carried out this mature love story, it did create a fire of chemistry between Aga and Anne. Needless to say that Aga's favorable acting as Ben and Anne's splendid portrayal as Mich is a big factor in creating the heart of a romance flick--chemistry.

When Love Begins is not the kind of movie that'll have you raving about it after the ending credits but it is the kind of movie you wouldn't wanna miss especially if you love romance. Also, I believe this is the perfect movie for couples who are in the early stages of their relationship when they're still getting to know each other and where the adjustment period is still very much felt. This movie is worth your 120 bucks and popcorn to accompany.

PS. What can I say?! Anne is so fabulous in this movie. And to Moi and Jarvis, guys, you should watch this.

Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo

5/5

I am not a fan of comedy flicks. This is because I find a lot of comedy movies very very corny especially here in the Philippines where jokes are very cliches, dialogues and plots which are supposed to be funny, aren't really comedic at all. Another thing I hate about the Philippine comedy cinema are the comedians who thinks they are funny when in fact they suck!

A few weeks ago when ABS-CBN started showing the trailer of this movie, I really told myself that I'm going to watch this movie. For one, I have always admired AiAi Delas Alas, as a matter of fact she's my favorite comedy actress. I can still remember how I laughed my lungs out when I watched "Ang Tanging Ina" four years ago. Another reason why I will watch the movie is because of Eugene Domingo and John Lapuz. These two comedians are the best! They're my favorites ever since and they can really make me laugh with their brand new line of comedy everytime. I also love these two commedians because they're very natural, it's as if they're not acting at all. With a powerhouse cast that will surely make me laugh, "Ang Cute ng Ina Mo" must be really great.

Last Easter Sunday, I spent my afternoon watching this movie with my sister and my mom. We watched at Robinsons Galleria and whoa!!! the movie house was so full. If I'm not mistaken even the first row from the big screen was occupied.
The movie didn't disappoint me. It presented comedy at its best. The first three minutes of the movie made me laugh already so imagine having to seat at the movie house for almost an hour and forty-five minutes, I felt like I don't have courage to stand up and walk the aisle of the cinema out because I really laughed so loud. My goodness!
There were fresh jokes and I admire the script writers for that. I love how the director, Wenn Deramas, presented old, cliche comedic scenes in such a way that it appeared as though it was new. The dialogues were just as perfect. The cast were fabulous. AiAi and Eugene's exchange of dialogues brought the movie house down. Their dialogues and comedic confrontation scenes were the most humorous scenes I have ever seen in my entire life.
I highly recommend this movie because it's worth it. It will make your tears roll down because of laughter and it's 100% not corny!

P.S. Two of my favorite scenes was when AiAi was supposed to be leaving for Australia already but she was trapped in a coup d' etat and upon reaching the airport she finds out that she can't leave because her passport was full of gun shots. The second one was when Eugene called AiAi's ex husband and before she can even say a word, AiAi pointed a knife to her neck to prevent her from saying anything (their dialogue and acting in this particular scene made everyone go crazy).