Mary Ann V. Garcia

BBrc 3-3d

Title: Jan Dara

Synopsis:

Widely considered Thailand’s leading director of the late 90’s, Nonzee Nimibutr spins this erotic drama based on one of that country’s most popular and controversial literary works. Jan Dara was cursed from the beginning when his mother, Dara, died during childbirth. His autocratic, libidinous father, Khun Luang, cursed and abused the child, caling him a bastard. Meanwhile, Khun Luang dealt with his sudden widower status by engaging in perverse, licentious behavior , often right in front of a portrait of his late wife. When his mother’s friend, Waad, comes to Khun Luang’s estate to look after the child, the patriarch wastes no time in seducing her. Soon Waad bores Kaew , who Khun Luang teaches to hate Jan Dara. Later, the old man marries his former lover, the nymphomaniac Boonlueang, who teaches the teenage Jan Dara his first lessons in the ways of love. Eventually , our abused hero is thrown out of his father’s estate when Kaew frames him for raping her. Years pass and the formerly powerful Khun Luang, ravaged by age and disease, is a shell of the man he was before. Jan Dara is asked to return to his ancestral estate to marry Kaew , who is now pregnant , and only does so when he is promised the deed to the house. Once ensconced, Jan Dara begins taking same libertine pleasures as his father, un wittingly becoming the very person he loathes.

Director:  Nonzee Nimibutr

Writer:  Nonzee NImibutr

Cast of Characters:

§  Suwinit Panjamawat as teenage Jan Dara

§  Santisuk Promsiri as Khun Luang, Jan Dara’s father

§  Cristy Chung as Boonlueang

§  Eakarat Sarsukh as adult Jan Dara

§  Wipawee Charoenpura as Aunt Waad

§  Pathawarin Timkul as Kaew

Cinematic Focus:

Character driven – The movie start to  focused in the life of  Jan Dara whose story  begins when he was cursed by his father  Khun Luang. His miserable life begins with his father were at his young age he witnessed a sexual intercourse. Jan Dara begins taking same libertine pleasures as his father, un wittingly becoming the very person he loathes.

Reaction:

At first, I was totally shocked in the following scenes. Because for me it was too malicious and it’s very humiliating to be watched. But as the movie goes by, I knew that there’s a beautiful story beyond those love scenes. But, it is still confusing for those who will watch the movie.

2 stars

Mary Ann V. Garcia

BBrc 3-3d

Title: Himala

Synopsis:

In the forgotten town of Cupang in the Philippines, a young women named Elsa (Nora Aunor) announces that she has seen the Virgin Mary – and then demonstrates a new-found ability to heal the sick. Soon the whole village has become the center o international attention as people come from all over for statues of the saints and bottles of the village’s holy water. Among the hordes of visitors is a skeptical film director intent on visually recording Elsa’s healing power – and without his knowing it, some frames capture a secret Elsa has kept from the world for a long time, a secret which led to her sister’s suicide.

Movie Production Output (Producer): Charo Santos Concio

Director:  Ishmael Bernal

Writer:  Ricardo Lee

Cast of Characters:

Elsa    -   Nora Aunor

§  Orly    -   Spanky Manikan

§  Chayong    -   Laura Centeno

§  Nimia   -   Gigi Duenas

§  Aling Saling   -   Vangie Labalan

§  Mrs. Alba    -   Veronica Palileo

§  Sepa    -   Ama Quiambao

§  Igmeng Bugaw   -   Cris Daluz

§  Pari    -    Joel Lamangan

§  Baldo    -   Ben Almeda

§  Mrs. Gonzales   -   Aura Mijares

§  Bino   -   Ray Ventura

§  Pilo   -   Crispin “Pen” Medina

§  Narding   -   Lem Garcellano

§  Bella   -   Estela de Leon

§  Lucio   -   Cesar Dimaculangan

§  Mayor   -   Joe Gruta

§  Chief of police   -   Tony Angeles

§  Nestoy    -   Richard Arellano

§  Lolo Higo   -   Mahatma Canda

§  Intong   -   Erwin Jacinto

§  Aling Pising   -   Vicky Castillo

§  Mr. Chua   -   Tommy Yap

Cinematic Focus:

Character driven , because it’s Elsa who focused by the movie. It started with her healing power that makes the people of the cupang believed her  and also Virgin Mary. She gives hope to them, and to the miracle that she has.

Deleted dialogues:

Pilo:       ikaw kasi e, ayaw mo pa akong sagutin.

                Ikaw rin baka matapos na ang buong mundo

Elsa:       Pero nitong huli’y nagsalita na rin siya

Pari:       bakit daw siya umiiyak

Elsa:       Sabi po0 niya’y di mo ako mapapangiti

                Ineng maraming kasalanan ang tao

Pari:       Sa kanya mo ba nakuha ang sugat mo

Elsa:       Ewasn ko pero ang sabi niya…

Pilo:       Dalawsang tgaon na tayong magtipan

Nimia:   Nagpunta akong maynila, Don ako nagpalaglag.

Chief dela Cruz:                               

                Mayor masama ho tong gnitong nag uumpok umpok ang mga tao

                Baka magkarebolusyon

Mayor:

                E  anong  gusto mong  gawin natin?

                Hulihin ang birhen?

Elsa:       Pag agbi, hindi ako makatulog

                Naririnig ko pa rin ang mga dain nila,

                Ang paghingi nila ng tulong maski

                Saan ako bumaling ay naamoy ko sila

                Ang mga sakit nila.

Sa tingin ko hindi naman nakasama ang mga inalis na dialogues sa movie, dahil kahit inalis ang mga ito eh naintindihan pa rin naman naten ang takbo ng pelikula at nalaman ang gusto nitong ipabatid.Minsan  kelangan talaga mag alis ng mga dialogue lalo na kung hindi naman hinihingi ng scenes.Dahil  limitado lang yung oras, mas madami pang idinagdag na makakaganda sa palabas.

Reaction:

Unang-una, sobrang pinahanga talaga ko ng lahat ng bumubuo ng pelikulang ito.It’s an honor for us, Filipino to have this kind of obra. Ang galing ng pagkakagawa, pagpinanuod mo siya parang pakiramdam mo ay pinoy na pinoy ka at gusto mong gumawa ng kabutihan sa kapwa mo. Baka sabihin mo pang gusto mo maging is Elsa.Isang simpleng babaeng nakagawa ng totoong milagro sa mga taong nakasaksi sa baryo cupang, dahil napabalik niya ang faith sa puso ng mga tao at iniwanan niya ang mga ito ng pag asa.Sobrang totoo yung palabas, dahil alam naman natin na talagang ang mga pinoy ay hindi nawawalan ng pag asa.Madaming nagawa ang pelikulang ito sa buhay ng mga tao, makikita naten ngayon na marami sa ating mga kababayan ang inspiradong manggamot sa mga may sakit gaya ng mga albularyo at hilot, na naniniwalang hindi kelangang makatapos ng kursong medisina upang makapagpagaling,pananalig lang sa Diyos ang kailangan.Si Elsa ay namamahay sa puso ng bawat pinoy.At nakatanim na sa puso at isip natin ang salitang binitawan niya ang “walang himala!ang himala ay nasa puso lang ng bawat tao”.Isang malaking tagumpay ang pelikulang ito..

5 stars

Mary Ann v. Garcia

BBrc 3-3d

Title: Oro Plata Mata

Synopsis:

In this flawed and overly long film, an aristocratic Spanish family caught in the throes of World War II in the Philippines has to make an escape into the jungle to survive the invading Japanese. Their members include the grandfather, several women, many servants, and two young men. One of the mothers in the group is snobby about herself and her money and passes this attitude on to her daughter. Another woman and one young man demonstrate exceptional bravery, and even the young man’s new girlfriend shows spunk. But in the end, it will be lucky if the family can survive  their own internal conflicts, let alone the four years they must hide out during World War II.

Director: Peque Gallaga                      

 Writer: Jose Javier Reyes

Cast of Characters:

Many Ojeda  -   Don Claudio Ojeda

§  Liza Lorena  -  Nena Ojeda

§  Sandy Andolong  -  Maggie Ojeda

§  Cherie Gil  -  Trining Ojeda

§  Fides Cuyugan  - Asensio  -  Inday Lorenzo

§  Joel Torre  -  Miguel Lorenzo

§  Mitch Valdez  -  Jo Russell (as Maya Valdez)

§  Lorli Villanueva  - Viring Ravillo

§  Ronnie Lazaro  -  Hermes Mercurio

§  Abbo Dela Cruz  -  Melchor

§  Mely Mallari  -  Estrella

§  Mary Walter  -  Yaya Tating

§  Agustin Gatia  -  Lucio

§  Robert Antonio  -  Carlos Placido

§  Benjamin Delina  -  Primo

Cinematic focused:

Story Driven – It shows how people live their lives during the World War II. It also shows how an aristocratic Spanish family choose to live their lives in a simplest yet worst living in the forest in order to survive in the World War II.

Reaction:

Oro Plata Mata can consider as an obra of its own piece. The cast perform their characters to the fullest that made them to the viewers admirable and magnificent. Specifically Cherie Gil, whose way of acting made her character to be realistic and terrific.

4 stars

Mary Ann V. Garcia

BBrc 3-3d

Title: Indie film “Endo”

Leo (Abalos) belongs to a poor family. Because he did not finish his studies, his only option is to work as a contractual worker in various establishments. In one job, he met a high-spirited girl named Tanya(Feleo) with whom he got romantically involved. In their relationship , he wishes to feel fulfillment and sense of security with her but he is not prepared for this additional commitment.

Director: Jade Castro

Producer: Michiko Yamamoto

Cast of Characters:

Jason Abalos  -  Leo

§  Ina Feleo  -  Tanya

§  Angeli Bayani

§  Ricky Davao

§  Alcris Galura

§  Director: Jade Castro

§  Producer: Michiko Yamamoto

Cinematic Focused:

Story driven – pinapakita dito ang buhay ng isang mahirap na lalaking naghahanap ng fulfillment, pero dahil sa kahirapan ay nagtrabaho sa contractual worker.At nakakilala ng babaeng maghahatid sa kanya ng kaligayahan.

Reaction:

Isang simpleng kwentong magsisimbolo sa mga Pilipino.Ang mga Pilipino, naghahanap ng fulfillment sa buhay.At ang mga Pilipino na bagamat mahirap lang ay gagawa ng paraan para mabuhay sa marangal at malinis na paraan.Magbibigay aral ito sa mga makakapanuod sana’y humanap tayo ng paraan para mabuhay sa marangal na trabaho.Magagaling din umarte ang mga artista, nagawa nila ng maayos ang mga eksena.

3 stars

Mary Ann V. Garcia

BBrc 3-3d

Title: Minsan may Isang Gamo-gamo

Synopsis:

Corazon dela Cruz is a nurse who wants to work in the USA. She belongs to a poor family with her mother Chedeng, brother Carlito and grandfather Ingkong. She was then applying for US Visa while her boyfriend Bonifacio Santos is also trying his luck to the US Navy. Boni’s mother Yolanda owns a PX or Post Exchange Store and seeks for help to her American friends with regards to Boni’s application. She was harassed by merchandise control guard in the US Base when she went there. Boni told Yolanda to sue the merchandise control guard but she refuses to. Afterwards, they still sued  the said guard.

The trouble in Yolanda’s life started from that moment. Her store was raid and the guard tried to offer her an amicable settlement. Yolanda pursued the case. This incident made Boni to cancel his application for US Navy. Chedeng got mad at Corazon when she found out that she is helping Boni. While the shooting of children are happening, Corazon, on the other hand is preparing to leave for US.

Movie Production Output (producer): Distributed by Premiere Productions

Director: Lupita Concio

Writer: Marina Feleo-Gonzalez

Cast of Characters:

Nora Aunor as Corazon dela Cruz

§  Jay Illagan as Bonifacio Santos

§  Eddie Villamaor as Carlito

§  Gloria Sevilla as Mercedes “chedeng” dela Cruz

§  Perla Bautista as Yolanda Santos

§  Paquito Salcedo as Ingkong

§  Luz Fernandez as Policewoman

§  Director: Lupita Concio

§  Writer: Marina Feleo-Gonzalez

Cinematic Focused:

Story Driven – Dahil ipinapakita dito ang buhay ng mga Pilipino noon sa ilalim ng mga amerikano. Ang pangreraid sa tindahan ni Yolanda.Ang nagging problema sa pag alis ni Bonifacio. At kung paanong naipit is Corazon sa isang sitwasyon kung itutuloy ang tangkang pag alis kasabay ng pagpatay sa kanyang kapatid na binaril.

Reaction:

Isang obrang kapupulutan ng aral at magagamit sa eskwelahan ang pelikulang ito.Naipapakita sa mga mag aaral ang ginawang pang aapi sa mga kaawa-awang Pilipino.Ang biglaang pagbaril sa isang batang inosente na parang isang baboy.Tanda ko pa ang binitiwang salita ni Corazon, “my brother is not a pig”, Napakasalimuot na bahagi na papel ng mga Pilipino noon sa mga Amerikano, ang maging tau-tauhan.

4 stars

Mary Ann V. Garcia

BBrc 3 -3d

Title: Fame

Synopsis:

Fame is a set at New York’s High School of Performing Arts, where talented teens train for show-business careers. The film concentrates on five of the most gifted students: singer Irene Cara, actors Paul McCrane and Barry Miller, dancer Gene Anthony Ray, and musician Lee Currieri. More so than the subsequent TV series Fame, the film emphasizes the importance of keeping up one’s academic achievements in this specialized school. The faculty includes no-nonsense English teacher Ann Meara, erudite musical instructor Albert Hague, and martinet dance teacher Debbie Allen. Of the film’s cast, Ray, Currieri, Allen and Hague were carried over to the TV version Fame, which premiered in 1981. The score for the film version of Fame was honored with an Academy Award.

§  Nick Piazza   -   Ambitious, enthusiastic, classical actor who is very serious about acting. Has hidden romantic interest for Serena.

§  Serena Katz   -   A shy, timid yet keen and enthusiastic actress. Develops returned romantic feelings for Nick.

§  Jose “Joe” Vegas   -   Spanish acting student. Loud, funny and the comic of the show. Develops an unreturned crushed on Carmen.

§  Carmen Diaz   -   A sexy, confident but cocky dancer with a big ego. Carmen is determined to make it big and is obsessed with fame, she believe she has what it takes to achieve this. Has returned romantic feelings for Schlomo.

§  Tyrone Jackson   -   A dyslexic hip hop dancer who comes from a lower income background. Shares a love-hate relationship with Iris whom he constantly argues with.

§  Mabel Washington   -   A loud and chubby dancer who is desperate to lose weight but can’t resist food. Often speaks her mind and gives out advice to other characters in times of trouble.

§  Iris Kelly   -   A very talented, graceful ballet dancer who is believed to be extremely wealthy although it is later revealed that she is not. She often comes across as stuck up or even bitchy but she reveals that she is not as wealthy as people assume to Tyrone, her boyfriend. Iris is insecure with herself and afraid people do not like her. She shares a love-hate relationship with Tyrone whom she constantly argues with.

§  Schlomo Metzenbaum   -   Shy classical violinist in a rock band he set up. Schlomo comes from a musical background and his father is a famous violinist. Scholomo is fed up from the train of being expected to do well and wishes to rebel. Has a returned romantic interest with Carmen.

§  Grace ‘Lambchops’ Lamb -   A loud, confrontational rock chick and tomboy who plays the drums for Schlomo’s band. She often loses her temper and it is implied that she does not take school seriously.

§  Goodman ‘Goody’ King - A trumpet/saxophone musician who is in Schlomo’s band. Is believed to be Schlomo’s bestfriend.

§  Miss Esther Sherman   -   A strict, old-fashioned and academic English teacher who loves her students despite the fact that she comes down hard on them.

§  Ms. Greta Bell   -   Dance teacher with a big passion for different style of dance. Believes that dance is a way of life.

§  Mr. Meyers   -    A laid back drama teacher with an obsession for human psychology.

§   Mr. Shienkopf   -   European Music tutor with a love for classical music and hatred for all things rock and roll.

Cinematic Focused:

Story Driven – the film shows how every character pursued very much for their dreams and goals in their fields of talent. It also shows the stories of different characters that bridges them to reach the peak of being famous.

Reaction:

The story is not that terrific yet its good and worth watching. Even those people who are not that interested in the field that the film focused a lot yet it entertained them because of the way the movie expressed  its cast personality and performing ability.

3 stars