The Mistress and MyThoughts

Went to see the last full show of "The Mistress" on its first day of screening and I have to say that this is the kind of movie that makes me want to believe in Pinoy films again. If perfection ever does exist in visual cinema, "The Mistress" has got to be it--a masterpiece of mainstream cinema! 

The story is so good, script was fabulously great--well written, direction and editing are so right on target. Casting is impeccable and acting is beyond words--John Llyod Cruz and Bea Alonzo were both palpable! I am so glad the role of Eric Torres went on to John Lloyd Cruz and not to the first choice actor who later moved to another network. Honestly, I couldn't think of any other actors who can give justice to the roles of Eric and Sari but these two.

I love the subdued but intense acting of everyone that perfectly compliments the very raw and genuine emotions of the script. I love the right amount of tantalizing embedded through out the entire narrative creating the perfect balance of sensuality--it's so EROTIC! 

Finally, I love that the ending didn't betray the main premise of the movie as well as its characters and their conflicts just to give in to what Pinoy moviegoers would want to see. 

Yes, it's painful and often times we question why but it's a bittersweet reality of life that we can't always have what we want cause had it been the other way around, probably there's really hope for world peace. But at the end of it all, I still find myself asking--should we really hold back on love just so we won't hurt the feelings of others around us? Can we really equate the common rules of right and wrong to LOVE? And given that LOVEis still governed by these principles--who determines what is right and what is wrong in its inexplicable nature or should we really just settle to the sad reality of "hindi dahil gusto mo, makukuha mo"? 

P.S. John Lloyd Cruz killed my heart over and over again through out the movie's almost 2 hours and 10 minutes. I SWEAR HE'S GIVING SEXINESS A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT DIMENSION it's so HOT!

My Amnesia Girl

4/5

Sensibly hilarious, “My Amnesia Girl” is what Romantic Comedies are all about.

At first I wasn’t very sure about this movie. For one, I am uncertain if the main stars do have chemistry on silver screen. It also doesn’t help that the trailer as well as the theme song weren’t appealing. Still, I headed to the cinema and watched on its first day of theatrical screening. Gladly, the movie didn’t disappoint. In fact, I wasn’t expecting a jam-packed movie house given that Star Cinema’s promotions wasn’t as heavy compared to their previous offerings. When I got out of the Gateway Cineplex 3, there was also a long queue waiting for the gates to open.

A playboy salesman, Apollo (John Llyod Cruz) is starting to realize the need for him to already settle down but her bride is still nowhere in sight. Of his past, one ex-girlfriend really made a mark in his life, Irene (Toni Gonzaga). By work of fate he accidentally saw her again in a grocery store but to his utter amazement, Irene doesn’t recognize him anymore. Claiming to have suffered amnesia from an accident, Irene can’t seem to remember anything about their relationship. How now can Apollo win her back?

There are many noteworthy things to say about this movie. First of is the wonderful script that’s full of funny, at times corny love jokes we usually read in text messages. Humour is the backbone of the script. It’s stuffed with hilarious lines that are reasonable and in a way will make you think of the idea it wants to convey. There are also serious love conversations about hurt, pain, and regret that were all carried out fine because of a very well written narrative. The humorous lines made the dark emotions of anger and hatred a little less heavy and dramatic yet still maintaining the accurateness of a heartaches emotion. I particularly love John Lloyd’s monologue at the start of the movie. Really makes sense.

Again, Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina was able to deliver a romantic comedy that gives justice to the genre it belongs. There’s a reason why it’s called a rom-com and this movie was flawlessly successful in mixing these two entities in order to create a feel of “kilig” and laughter at the same time. The story was properly executed because while making it a point to make the audience laugh, it didn’t lose its main purpose to tell a love story and depict romance. And because the movie was fun and very entertaining, you wouldn’t mind the predictive ending as the story progresses. The only thing a little off in the movie was the twist towards the ending of the story with Apollo’s character. Should it really happen? I believe there were a lot of other twists of events that could have worked if the creative team explored more.

Credit goes to the main stars John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga not only for the unexpected chemistry they exuded on screen but also for their praise worthy acting. Cruz has proven himself in drama and now, who knew he could also do comedy so perfectly? He’s really the epitome of a brilliant actor. I’d also like to point out that looks wise, so far, he’s at his best in this movie. He melts hearts in every angle, every frame. Gonzaga on the other hand shined in the movie as this genre is her forte. Her innate talent in comedy is a classic and very endearing. Also, Gonzaga did not only show her comic side here, she also proved that she can do drama and cry as naturally like Kim Chiu and Bea Alonzo. After watching this movie I can now say that indeed, Toni Gonzaga is Philippine’s Queen of Romantic Comedies.

By now it’s evident that I highly recommend this movie and I say it as a huge fan of this genre. After watching tons of movies like this, I can say that this particular one is worth it by all means. It’s perfect for late night, after work movie dates when you just want to relax and enjoy, at the same time “kiligin”. Very entertaining! This movie will make you laugh and will move you to contemplate further on love, second chances, and most importantly the idea of a destined love...of a someone amidst all the forces of this world is specially meant for you.

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.

Miss You Like Crazy

3/5

“Time is meaningless when you are in love.”

I’ve seen “One More Chance” a thousand times before and I’m a self-confessed fan of the John Lloyd-Bea love team so it’s impossible for me to miss this movie. Weeks before February 24 I’ve already freed my schedule and swore that I’ll drop everything on that day just so I can watch this reunion movie on its first day. I have to say that I have high expectations for this movie and I can’t help but compare it with “One More Chance” for that movie had so much of an impact not only to me personally but to many others as well. And so allow me now to indulge on my thoughts and say my piece about this movie.

Two strangers with extremely opposite characters were constantly being brought together by fate through stones, Mia Samonte (Bea Alonzo) have intentionally left behind whenever she feels like expressing her feelings. These stones bearing loaded statements of deep human emotions caught the attention of a serious, unhappy young man, Alan Alvarez (John Lloyd Cruz); whose inner emotions relates to the statements written in the stones. They seem perfect for each other but because of choice, they had to go on separate ways. So can genuine love bring them back together?

It’s perfect that this material was given to John Lloyd and Bea. I think that among the stars of our generation, they’re the only ones who can give justice to the roles of Alan and Mia. This movie is a sure blockbuster hit because like “One More Chance”, the story hits home, many can relate to it. Just like many of Star Cinema’s previous offerings, “Miss You Like Crazy” has a very reach story where real and genuine human emotions can be drawn to. I have to commend Director Cathy Garcia-Molina for yet another genius take on a love story that’s mature, nakakakilig without trying to be, and most importantly a love story that shows another side of love. Its side where love takes its own course and perfect timing, complete with all the whirlwind of joys and pains it brings. Once again, scriptwriter Vanessa Valdez was able to deliver a script that’s truthful with close to perfect authentic human emotions. Lines were never exaggerated nor pushed. The balance of drama, humor, and kilig in this movie is impeccable. Everything is just so natural that you’d forget you’re in fact watching a movie. The execution of a story that’s close to every moviegoer’s heart is praiseworthy.

Acting is superb! I will never tire in saying that John Lloyd Cruz is the best actor in his generation. Piolo is also good but trust me when it comes to acting, JOHN LLOYD CRUZ is the KING! He’s just brilliant. What I love about him is that you’d forget he’s just playing a role. When he takes on a role and act, you’ll totally forget John Lloyd Cruz, the actor playing the role for when he gives life to a role, he definitely owns it. Bea Alonzo has really matured acting wise ever since her “And I Love You So” blockbuster hit last year. She acts so well that sometimes just by her facial expression you can already feel the depth of the pain she’s going through. She really deserves an acting award real soon. And what can I say to the unwavering and very powerful chemistry that these two have?! MAGICAL! MAGNIFICENT! I’m just in awe of how natural, sincere, and unpretentious their chemistry is. It’s a chemistry perfectly formulated by heaven. It’s just the best of chemistry I’ve seen in Philippine Cinema in this generation.

Though I may seem to praise the movie with its entirety, I also want to point out three major problems this movie have. First is the use of the element of time. It’s the most important tool of this movie but unfortunately, it failed to give justice to this one. At some point the movie feels a little bit rushed and you won’t feel that 2 years have already passed? When the anticipation and excitement died down, you’ll notice yourself asking, “What? Really? 2 years have already passed?”, “Wow! Really? This scene is supposed to be 5 years after?!” There’s this kulang factor towards the end of the film mainly because the element of time wasn’t executed properly. Secondly, I just hate the film’s ending because to me it appears very much an obligatory ending because Filipino moviegoers always want a happy ending. Though I understand Star Cinema’s thinking business, I just personally would rather see a different ending, something more believable, fresh, and realistic. Finally, one of the differences this movie has compared to “One More Chance” is that “Miss You Like Crazy” is full of predictable scenarios. Yes, it’s a love story and usually love stories tend to be predictable because after all, its plot is just one universal field that is love but with this movie, I don’t think Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina was careful enough to minimize and control the predictability of her scenes. What’s admirable is that somehow the movie’s predictability was reversed to humor that the full capacity of the movie house were laughing every time a predictable scenario is about to transpire. One particularly foreseeable scene that really grated on my nerves was the scene at a Malaysian park where Alan and Mia first met at Malaysia. The moment Bea stood up, then John Lloyd also stood up, I knew right away that they’ll bump into each other after a few steps. I believe Direk Cathy could’ve done better than that.

Nothing is perfect and it includes this movie. Though it’s not as superb as “One More Chance” was, “Miss You Like Crazy” is still a movie you shouldn’t dare miss. It’s a perfect post-Valentine movie that tells us love is not all about kilig-kilig. There are so many quotable quotes in this movie as well as lessons about love to learn. Among these many lessons that really struck me is the movie’s main message of love’s own timing. Love can be very playful and indeed, it has its own perfect timing that neither anyone of us can ever halt but in the end, TRUE LOVE AND DESTINY WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL. We may hurt and question why sometimes destiny brings us to meet someone who won’t end up with us but in this real world we’re living, really, LOVE IS NOT THE ONLY REASON WHY YOU LEAVE OR STAY.


P.S. Forget about Papa Piolo or Sam Milby or even Derek Ramsay’s 6-pack abs, if it’s JOHN LLOYD CRUZ, fuck who needs an abs?! JOHN LLOYD FOREVER!

And I Love You So

4/5 stars

Full of emotions, romantic, and sexy, “And I Love You So” is this year’s HOT movie everybody shouldn’t miss.

24-year old Pres-school teacher Lara (Bea Alonzo) suddenly lost her almost perfect husband Oliver (Derek Ramsay) when he suffered brain aneurysm on the very day of her birthday. Grief-stricken by the passing away of her first and one great love, Lara didn’t know how to pick up the pieces of her heart and continue living when the one person worth living for is already gone. Dying together with the love of her life is her will to continue living. For her every waking morning is another day of misery. But like any other widow, she forces herself to move on and carry over the pain. Starting over came hand in hand with other life problems for Lara and in a series of chance encounters she met Chris (Sam Milby), a hot, playboy, newly-separated from his wife club DJ who will tremendously help her in starting a new beginning. As they grow closer to each other and romance made its way, can their love survive the conflicts of their broken hearts? Can Chris really help Lara let go and make her fairly love him too? And ultimately, will Lara be able to open her heart and give love a second chance?

Director Lauren Dyogi’s big screen comeback, I must say, showed a lot of improvements from his other films namely, “All My Life” and “Now That I Have You”. There were of course glitches but at least his execution is improving. I just have to point out that probably one of the few problematic executions in the film was Bea’s realization that she’s been mourning for quite sometime already. What? Just by looking at her engagement ring and wedding ring? It seems too raw for a turning point like that.

The build up of romance in my opinion is admirable. Its execution is very good. I saw and more importantly felt how first it was just attraction from Chris and gradually falling for Lara and finally he fell in love; the same goes for Lara’s character. I am pointing this out because it is very important in a love story or any stories for this matter that there’s proper implementation of the sequence of events. In that way the emotions of the audience flows along with the story. I also have to mention that the kilig moments in this film were really WOW. I can’t help but bite my lips giving in to so much kilig.

The movie’s main plot and script is very remarkable. The story itself is not new to us, we’ve probably seen it in another movie or perhaps on TV but because of a very beautifully written script, you wouldn’t notice that this story has been done before. Again, I regard Star Cinema and the script writer, Vanessa Valdez (I hope I got it correctly) for a script that’s not cheesy and not at all exaggerated. This is the kind of script that of course because of its genre, there are portions which seems to be out of this world already but what I’ve noticed with Star Cinema over the years is that their scripts are more and more realistic as time goes by. Genuine human emotions are depicted and stories are very realistic. I am so glad that the Philippine film industry today, Star Cinema to be specific has veered away from the “I love you I can’t live without you. Please don’t leave me” kind of scripts. It’s so refreshing and now Filipino love stories have become sensible enough.

Another high point of this movie is its take to a very heavy story and yet you don’t feel like it’s too much for you to bear. The drama in this movie is just enough. The addition of certain comedians to the cast is also a wise move because it balances out the tone of drama and pain already set at the beginning of the movie. As I’ve said it is very praiseworthy of Director Lauren Dyogi of how properly he executed the screenplay in such a way that even though the movie is dealing with drama and at times comedy, still, the romantic element of the movie is intact and dominating the entire movie.

I also have to mention how beautiful the shots were. Scenic view was just awesome. Cinematography was also a two thumbs up. I personally love the scene where Lara was letting go of Oliver and while she’s saying her final goodbye before she threw the locket where she’s kept Oliver’s ashes, Bea was in a boat with big cliffs of rock in her background, wow! It’s amazing!

Bea Alonozo and Sam Milby’s overly publicized love scene was shot very very well. Cinematography was just perfect. It was fierce and passionate but romantic in many ways. Skillfully done I must say. And yes, this is probably Bea’s most daring love scene to date.

In a recent interview Bea expressed her anxiousness about this movie because it is her first time to be paired in the big screen with other leading men after her consecutive box-office movies with love team John Lloyd Cruz. Also, this movie is her coming off age movie. She said she did this movie because she wanted people to see that she’s now a lady, an actress in her own right. I’d like to believe this movie did justice to that. Bea has arrived. Her acting is magnificent. Not over acting, not hysterical, just enough for her to convey Lara’s angst, fears, and pains. Indeed, this story is perfect for her. Director Lauren Dyogi was able to let the lady in Bea Alonzo shine.

There’s so much improvement in Derek Ramsay and Sam Milby’s acting in this movie. Truly, these two actors have come a long way. Not only is Derek Ramsay sizzling hot but hey the man can really act. His eyes are his best acting asset. Maging Sino Ka Man really honed Sam in many ways. One moment he’s the hot, irresistible bad boy then he’s the charming boy-next-door you’d love to bring home to mom. For two hours inside the movie house I forgot a Piolo Pascual is existing for boy oh boy Sam Milby is HOT!!! Also, aside from Derek and Piolo, Sam has the best abs among the actors in our generation!

“And I Love You So” is not the type of movie that’ll later on be a classic. Its plot has been depicted in visual arts many times before but this movie I have to tell everybody is the one you wouldn’t wanna miss. It’s a breather from all the romantic-comedies these days. It’s a sensible movie that’ll teach you how to deal with the pain of a lost love. It’ll show you that there is life after mourning and that ultimately, at a certain point, we all have to LET GO and open our hearts again. After all, LOVE ALWAYS DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE.

One more Chance

5/5

Exactly two weeks after I have announced to the whole world that I am going to watch this movie, I, together with my best friends Korina and Joanne headed for the world famous SM Mall of Asia to finally see what everyone is raving about this latest Star Cinema offering.

As expected of a John Lloyd-Bea movie, the cinema was 60-70% full not bad for a second screening at 1pm. I was so excited while waiting for the movie to start. Extensive promotion days before the premiere made me imbibe the lines of both the main characters, lines that in a week time became a fad even before the movie hit the theaters. I can’t wait to see the entire scene behind those lines.

There were never second thoughts in my mind whether I’m going to watch this movie or not. The first time I saw its trailer, I shouted out loud that I’m going to watch this movie. I have high expectations from this movie because they say that this is the best flick the love team has ever or will ever be doing. I’m glad to say that I am not disappointed when I got out of the cinema. First 5mins. of the movie already gave me the impression that indeed this movie is really different from other John Lloyd-Bea films. And as a matter of fact, the movie proved to be very different from other millions of romance movies I have ever seen.

From You Got Me, You Are The One and now, One More Chance, Director Cathy Garcia-Molina has never ran out of romantic scenes. She has never recycled a single kilig moment unlike other directors of that genre. What’s nice about this movie is its depth. For a second you might think that the story is shallow thus making it jologs. But this movie proved to be more than that.

The over all feel of the movie is painful. From the very start, you can already feel how Basha (Bea’s character) is hurting with how controlling Popoy (John Lloyd) is. But the downpour of emotions in the movie came when the lead characters broke up. Amidst the pain both characters are experiencing, it is a work of a genius with how the director was able to balance the natural drama of the movie with kilig moments that will surely make your heart jump off.

It’s great how this movie was able to show that/how true love can be very hurting and at the same time, be very captivating that no amount of pain can ever erase your feelings for that person you truly love and yet has hurt you the most.

This movie is very different from all the romance flicks I have seen because it didn’t use any cheesy line whatsoever in expressing the lead character’s feelings. The script writer used words that we normally use everyday; words that are plain, simple and direct to the point without any exaggerations at all that’s why it’s closer to the audience. I believe this is also the reason why the story of One More Chance is what we call in Tagalog, ‘tagos sa puso, damang-dama mo’.

This movie saw the maturity on both John Lloyd and Bea as actors. While watching it I can’t help but tell myself that this is like watching a younger Christopher De Leon and Vilma Santos. John Lloyd gave a superb performance in this film. Truly, he is one of the best actors the Philippines will ever produce. Two thumbs up to both of them.

As I always say, in our generation right now, Star Cinema is the best when it comes to film producing and they never fail. Congratulations to everybody who’s a part of One More Chance. It’s close to perfect.

The moment I got out of the cinema, I immediately told Joanne and Korina that this is THE MOVIE OF THE YEAR! Forget that 2007 ever happened if you’re gonna miss this movie.


PS: John Lloyd makes me weak. He’s so gwapo!