Saving Sally: The movie is worth saving.

 Just right after the announcement of this year’s MMFF official entries, I got intrigued with the press release that SAVING SALLY took a decade to complete. Aside from the funding challenges it encountered in the past, the creators of the film must have poured in all its creative juices and meticulously put the pieces hence taking so long to finally finish a well-crafted product. Having these in mind, I have Saving Sally in my priority check list to see this 2016 MMFF.

 

Saving Sally’s storyline is very simplistic. Boy is secretly in love with his girl best friend; girl had a relationship with another guy. Boy is “torpe“ and  afraid to let girl know about his feelings. Boy opens up and girl distances herself. Boy waited for the right time to finally have her princess and they live happily ever after.  It’s a familiar plot and very relatable. We’ve seen a lot of romcom movies in the past having the same formula. However, what sets the movie apart is how director Avid Liongoren blends live action and animation seamlessly. Liongoren’s execution of its visuals is hip, young , fresh and unpretentious.  The animation is atypical and dauntless too. I also like how director Liongoren made use of symbolism in its animation by creating monsters to describe the evil forces of the world and cute animation to express emotions.  Also, it’s noteworthy that writers are very witty to play on words such as a place called Tuk Mall; there’s  Ka Wawa’s Store and Beh Botica; the location called Sandara Park.

Rhian Ramos as gadget inventor student Sally fits her role to a T.  Ramos’s delivery of her all English lines is commendable. She can easily pass as a Hollywood actress with her westernized accent. The camera loves her. There is not a single scene that she looked awful  on-screen.  Rhian Ramos is underrated young actress. She should be given more lead roles to catapult her talent. She is very convincing to be the object of desire of both Marty and Nick (TJ Trinidad). Newbie Enzo Marcos’s portrayal of the timid, good son and comic book artist Enzo is passable. The way he delivered his lines is also obvious that he’s very much comfortable with English dialogues too. I was actually surprised that the film showcases, English lines all throughout the film. It makes me think that it’s a possibility that the creators of the movie want to market the film for the AB crowd or say globally.  I actually thought that the creative team is from the upper class society.

Saving Sally is refreshing and charming. It’s a rare find in Philippine cinema. In a cinematic world where the conventional and formulaic movies lord over the box-office, Saving Sally is deserving of the movie going public’s time and money. It's about time that Pinoy moviegoers patronize quality films. The movie is worth saving to stay in cinemas. 

My rating: 8/10

photo credits to www.savingsally.com

 

Die Beautiful:Colorful, Gay and Heartwarming.

Die Beautiful:  Colorful, Gay and Heartwarming.

Director Jun Robles Lana’s latest opus “Die Beautiful” tells the story of Trisha Echavarria’s journey in her colorful gay life. Hers is comparable to a vivid rainbow in the cloud.

The story opens with a home video footage of a child playing a beauty queen, then cut-to a sequence of a dead body being made up to look like Angelina Jolie. The movie makes use of flashback scenes to narrate the highs and lows of the lead character’s life from being a teenager Patrick, who is not accepted by his conservative father (Joel Torre) to a full-pledge transgender woman and beauty-pageant contestant enthusiast Trisha. Amidst the dissension of his family on his sexual orientation, Trisha is loved by her adopted daughter Shirley Mae (Inah de Belen) and supportive best friend Barbs (Christian Bables). Trisha’s quest in the gay beauty pageant world comes full circle when she finally won the title “Binibining Gay Pilipinas”. This is a bitter-sweet victory as her crowning day comes; her life ends.

There have been several gay-thematic Pinoy movies in the past prior to “Die Beautiful” but what sets this film apart from the rest is its exploration of gay beaucon (beauty contest) world as backdrop and its uniqueness in showing a dead body being dressed-up and made-up as iconic personalities at the burial. The film takes its audience to behind the scenes view of gay pageantry with much humor and realism. This makes ‘Die Beautiful’ another breakthrough film featuring the LGBT community. Audience will have a good laugh with the quotable quotes in the Q&A (Question and Answer) portion as well as the extra-ordinary talents of the lovely contestants. Moviegoers will be amazed too on a parade of flamboyant staged pageant sequences. 

Director Lana’s direction is commendable. It really helps that being an openly gay man directing the film understands fully the subject matter and can execute the vision on screen.  It’s also noteworthy that the film uses vibrant colors (wardrobe, make up, production design) to match the colorful life of its lead character. It’s indeed a visual feast!  

The story telling is heartwarming bordering to melodramatic at some aspects but it is what it is! A gay life is not all happy endings, it’s a roller coaster ride as they say. At its core, the film successfully touches the hearts of the public. Dialogues are crisp, gay lingo are funny and witty. One can surely relate to Trisha’s travails              and joy. There are just two items that Lana might have overlooked in the flashback scenes.  The little Shirley Mae asked Trisha who her mother was given that she was adopted by Trisha not a baby. And Barbs used the gay lingo “kuda” where in fact, it’s a contemporary gay term for “ endless talk”.

Acting wise, Paolo Ballesteros delineated his/her role with much aplomb! Ballesteros is very much in character and comfortable playing “Trisha”. It’s not surprising that Ballesteros won accolades abroad in his portrayal and possibly, he will win this year’s MMFF Best actor plum. Applause also goes to Christian Bables as the very loyal BFF Barbs. Bables is very natural and sincere in his depiction.  

With the recent brouhaha in MMFF 2016 being “Indie-favored” as majority claims, Die Beautiful is must-watch film this season. It’s about time that Pinoy moviegoers patronize quality movies. Not only quality ones but also entertaining.

Die Beautiful’ is an introspection on the life of a gay beauty queen — the struggles, pains, heart-breaks, hopes, determination and victories. It is indeed colorful, gay and heartwarming. 

My rating- 8/10

The Third Party is entertaining and unexaggerated.

Star Cinema’s latest offering “The Third Party” tells about a unique love triangle of Andi, Max and Christian. Andi (Angel Locsin) is an events manager cum ex-girlfriend of cosmetic surgeon Max (Sam Milby). Max is the current boyfriend of gay oncologist Christian (Zanjoe Marudo).

Zoom in to 2016, Andi meets up with Max. Max comes back in Manila after several years from their break-up.  Andi plans to rekindle the love that they had in the past. Surprisingly, Max introduces Christian as his lover and he comes out of the closet to Andi. In her disbelief and disappointment, Andi distances herself to Max and wants to totally forget him.  But unfortunate circumstances in her life will lead her back to Max- this time with Christian’s involvement and aid.  Andi gets pregnant by her boyfriend and leaves her. Jobless and penniless, Andi seeks help from Max. Christian who has been dreaming to have a kid, offers her a deal to adopt her baby.  Andi agrees and moves in to the gay couple’s duplex. And their conflicts and encounters continue.

The Third Party is not the only gay-thematic film which tackles this kind of story. Over the years, Filipino film makers have been very permissive in choosing this subject.  Thanks to the more open- minded movie going public nowadays for they patronize LGBT themed movies both locally and internationally.

The Third Party is consistently entertaining. It’s light and funny. Director Jason Laxamana (known for his critically acclaimed indie films “Magkakabaung” and  “Babagwa” ) maintains a natural portrayal of two gay characters; realistic and unexaggerated.  Zanjoe Marudo is  comfortable and  effective as controlling,  generous , effeminate gay lover. Kudos to Direk Laxamana for guiding Zanjoe to have consistency in his nuances. Sam Milby on the other hand, needs more internalization of his character. I can still see the traces of his “amboy” school of acting similar to his previous movies where he plays romantic lead. Milby is a weaker link if I were to compare him to Marudo. Angel Locsin pulled in a pleasant surprise as she shows natural flair in comedy. Angel and Zanjoe have full grasp of their characters. Sam has to unlearn his “amboy” acting approach.

The gay humour and funny antics are not too forced. Even with the usage of gay lingo, it’s kept at a bare minimum. This is possibly because the two lead gay characters come from well-off families. It comes across that their demographics doesn’t really speak gay lingo too often.  I also like the fact that Laxamana handles some “delicate” scenes in such a way that they are not offensive and brutal. He makes it light, hilarious yet realistic. I must admit though that I can’t help but compare (to a certain degree) The Third Party to the 1990’s movie Pusong Mamon. The Third Party is somewhat an updated version of the said Joel Lamangan opus.

The Third Party shows the imperfections of the three characters. Andi, Max and Christian are human beings, hence they commit mistakes, they take risks, they fall in love, they forgive.  But at the end of the day, it’s always about valuing relationship.

If you want to have a good laugh and to be entertained, go see this movie.

   

My rating 8 out of 10.

photo credits to Star Cinema.

TRAIN TO BUSAN: It's more than a zombie movie.

TRAIN TO BUSAN: It’s more than a zombie movie!

                I am not a big fan of Korean movies but I was intrigued by several social media posts and shout-outs regarding the newly-released Korean film “Train to Busan”. My curiosity did not fail me  as I had  a great time and numerous screams inside the cinema.

Yeon Sang –ho’s  “Train to Busan” is by far the most entertaining zombie movie I’ve seen in recent years.

The story  begins with a single-dad  fund manager Seok Woo (Gong Yoo) accompanying his daughter Soo- an (Soo-An Kim) to  a train ride going to Busan. Soo-an has not seen her mother for quite some time. She is so eager to be with her mom. Seok Woo gives in to his daughter’s request to make up for her birthday.  Unknown to both, the morning of the trip would be life changing. It’s the same morning that Korea has started experiencing a zombie outbreak. Inside the train are several passengers from different walks of life.  Unfortunately before the train leaves, an infected young woman manages to sneak inside. This is when the catastrophe started.

The director is very successful in his narrative and camera shots in creating intense thrill, panic and scare. It’s commendable that the scenes are brilliantly staged as tension elevates as the film progresses. It’s noteworthy that even with a very limited setting, the film is able to maximize it to  sustain the shock and pump, hence no lull moments in any part of the film.  The audience can’t help but scream on top of their lungs as lead actors fight for their lives against the deadly zombies.  The lead actors portray their roles to a T. Their characters are relatable and anchored with distinct motivation to survive. Moviegoers can feel their great fear, pain and grief. Thumbs up to Gong Yoo for his strong delineation of his role as a workaholic father who will do everything to save her daughter. Applause to child actress Soo-an for her sincere and heart-felt portrayal of a neglected daughter.

 The characterizations are well defined. Apart from the father and daughter duo, there’s the over-confident fighter cum expectant father and his pregnant wife. There’s the high school athlete and his secret admirer.  There’s the elderly sisters and who would not forget the selfish and obnoxious corporate official.

Film editing is precise; sound design is seamless as it creates the apt mood of each scene.

 Train to Busan is not just an ordinary take of a zombie movie. It’s clearly more than that. It depicts how human beings will react facing a tragic disaster. It’s value driven. It shows human frailties and virtues during a debacle. In the end, the movie proves that Love, Sacrifice and Hope will prevail amidst all the challenges.

My rating: 10/10