Several complexities presented but able to balance crime thriller and teen drama

I’ve read some reviews and I understand them. Also, I understand Mikhail Red’s vision, his representation. He did not elaborate on the scenes and setting but he is indeed telling the truth.

Technology & Social Media
With the advancement of technology and several developments, society, in general, is affected in both a good and bad way. How you ask? Well, there is this thing called WiFi.

It’s there everywhere you go. And if there’s none, you can still stay connected because there is another thing called mobile data and oh, there is also a hotspot. This simply means you can do your schoolwork and work easier and faster which is good. But this can also lead to other things, especially with this thing called social media.

Several people on planet Earth want to be Internet famous. Sure, some use their presence to impart knowledge and empower others while some just want to be famous and have the highest following in their group or community.

Real Issues of The World
Besides technology and social media, there are also the real and frightening issues of the world. In case you didn’t know, the film is loosely based on the Letran kidnap-ransom in 2018 which involved high school students.

Now back to the film. If you saw Dead Kids a while back, let me refresh your memory. All the teen leads and support belong to a different class which you can see based on their lifestyle.

Moreover, you can see that there is a hierarchy wherein the richest holds power. Take Chuck Santos (Markus Paterson) the rich but arrogant bully with 50,000 Instagram followers for example. He holds the upper hand and has sidekicks who help him do his “job” of bullying other students most especially Mark Sta. Maria (Kelvin Miranda) a poor but very hardworking scholar.

Yes, there is a huge gap between these two characters but there are other students who have a small gap with Chuck. But that didn’t stop him from being a jerk. Of course, this has also something to do with Chuck’s father, a wealthy drug lord who is protected by the local police chief.

And that police chief’s son is Charles Blanco (Vance Larena). Charles secretly despises Chuck for being a bully and Chuck’s father for blackmailing his family. Thus, this is where the plot to kidnap the bully started.

Dark and Suspenseful
With that small detail, I bet you already get how dark this film is. But with the type of storytelling and setting created, I was hooked from the beginning all the way to the end. There were several complexities presented in the film but they were able to put all together allowing a balance between crime thriller and teen drama.

It’s also worth mentioning that the cast especially Vance Larena who played Charles Blanco, the serious and brooding mastermind of the kidnapping scheme was great. I’m glad about the selection of young actors.

And though the film is dark and suspenseful, the natural characteristics of the youth is still evident. They make funny jokes, to be honest, and oh, they curse a lot. Sometimes too much.

The Lesson

Before I end this post, I want to share with you the line Janina Camiloza played by Sue Ramirez said to Mark Santa Maria played by Kelvin Miranda,

“You were never a dead kid; you just didn’t know how to live.”

If you noticed, our characters are living in a world where they didn’t have that much interaction with adults. Now, what does that say? It can mean the adults were never there for them when they needed them. It can mean the adults were the ones who ruined their outlook.

Whatever the reason is, there is only this one character who didn’t let it ruin her dreams. I know Janina Camiloza played by Sue Ramirez didn’t have much screen time but she delivered the best and most important line in the film.

If you want to see Mikhail Red’s Dead Kids, prepare your ears. Also, do not let younger children watch this, okay? If you are sharing an account, be careful so they don’t accidentally click on it.

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They executed their material well in six episodes.

Like all viewers, I too was left hanging for a long time but I was patient because season 2 was announced early. Fast forward to March 13, Netflix dropped the second season of Kingdom. And let me tell you the moment that happed, my feed was filled with well, COVID-19 updates as well as a disappointment as to why there are only six episodes and the ending.

First, let me answer the number of episodes. I did study film in college but even without that knowledge, there’s only one reason I can think of and others might have thought of, too. Budget. So I did a little research to back this up and stumbled on Variety’s 2018 article.

***
“Netflix gave me more freedom than any Korean company I have worked with. Netflix gave me minimal feedback on the script, and did not oblige me to incorporate their notes,” Kim said. The only condition was that the director could not control the budget.

“Initially, ‘Kingdom’ was intended as an eight-episode series and production was supposed to be completed in four months. In the end, however, we took about six months on production and overspent the budget, for which we had to pay a penalty.” Kim said that each episode cost more than $1.78 million (KRW2 billion).
***

There you go! But honestly, they executed their material well in those six episodes. And though season 1 ended with a major cliffhanger, I can say that I am very much satisfied with how season 2 progressed and ended.

If Kingdom season 1 takes and makes you feel part of the journey, season 2 gives you the justice you’ve been wanting to claim with an action-packed add-on. Moreover, the latest season revealed all the secrets from Haewon Cho Clan’s ruthlessness to Queen Cho’s schemes. It also shared important flashbacks which were used as short backstories and resolutions of the characters we adore and despise. This includes Chief State Councilor Cho Hak-Ju and Lord Ahn Hyeon’s past, Moo-young’s story which is vital to the ending.

With a faced-paced series like this, they did not waste any time and gave all characters the screentime – sacrifice and death – they deserve. And though all is somewhat well, season 2 did leave some stories to tell.

Honestly, it wasn’t a huge cliffhanger but rather a door that leads to a bigger plot. I am again eager to see what they have in store in the third season.

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Filmmaker Carla Pulido Ocampo’s Tokwifi is a masterpiece

I had a good feeling with Tokwifi and now I’m pleased that I was able to get that affirmation. Filmmaker Carla Pulido Ocampo’s Tokwifi is indeed a masterpiece. I can’t even point out which scene is my favourite because every scene is needed and is a work of art.

That is why I encourage you to watch this short film before the Cinemlaya 2020 ends. Who knows when you’ll be able to see this!

But I have to admit I wish it was longer. A mini-series, perhaps? Both characters are strong and relatable that I have gowned to love them even if the film lasted for only 20 minutes.

In addition, Tokwifi presented some interesting issues. What does the girl in the television remind you of? What does Limmayug remind you of?

In a world where streaming is normal, don’t you just see yourself in Limmayug’s place? You’re there in front of the screen (tv, laptop, or phone) watching a series in another country. A Spanish soap opera? A K-drama? Either which you won’t understand their language but you try to. And with the help of the subtitle or a little Googling, you finally get the idea.

Our leads didn’t have those means but it wasn’t a hindrance as they still found a way to understand each other. Love itself is a language between two people willing to break the barrier.

But there is also a dark side to beautiful fantasy and that is being over-generalised or stereotyped. How are men and women; not to mention, their preference or culture portrayed on television? Are they all truly like that? Again, someone has to break the barrier to convey the right message.

I believe Tokwifi was able to transmit it loud and clear.

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A film full of love that radiates through the screen

Quing Lalam Ning Aldo is a Kapampangan phrase which means under the sun. When I saw this short film, it easily became my favourite. Why? Because this film is full of love that radiates through the screen.

The film starts with a cinematic presentation of Budang and Georgia’s life in Pampanga. The audience was also given a glimpse of Budang’s utmost desire – to see his son Janjan. I have to admit the first few minutes was the most beautiful but at the same time heartbreaking scene.

Beyond the beauty of the Sampaguita field and the people working hard to make a living for their family is the reality that Janjan isn’t there with them. As per Budang’s friends Georgia, Janjan is living his best life in Canada. But as his mother and father, Budang hold on to the thought that one day he will see his son again.

It sure did but things didn’t go as planned. Janjan was set to visit his home but cancelled within the day. As the bomb was dropped, Budang was back to square one – missing and hoping. But like any true friend, Georgia was there to make things lively again.

No matter how far people go, they always find their way back home. – Georgia to Budang

True that! Janjan did find his way home. But this time, Georgia didn’t inform Budang. Instead, he took a step and organised everything needed to make the long-awaited father and son reunion perfect.

Reeden Fajardo’s Quing Lalam Ning Aldo (Under The Sun) spoke so much to me. Every scene touched my heart. No wonder Quing Lalam Ning Aldo brought home the Audience Choice Award. The film wasn’t complex but the feelings and reality were, something everyone can relate to.

And as I did my research, director Reeden Fajardo revealed in an interview that the part about the broken family is based on his life. I admire him for that because this is such a sensitive topic. I relate to that fully that is why I know how hard it was to write and direct a film about it. But in all fairness, director Reeden Fajardo created something wonderful.

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I viewed it as though it were something else entirely.

Learning that there would only be five episodes crushed my heart. I thought we would see more of our heroes on the screen. Having watched the anime in elementary, I wanted to learn more about them. It would be interesting to view them from a different angle and age.

To my dismay, it wasn’t the case. You will see the lost opportunity of the live action if you have watched the anime, which I highly recommend. And even though I love the “Yu Yu Hakusho” anime, that doesn’t mean I should be dismissive of the live action version. I viewed it as though it were something else entirely. To be honest, I enjoyed it. I like how they introduced our characters and made the story flow naturally even though they altered some major plot elements and arcs.

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The series is excellent; it is exciting and never drags

Don't be stupid. Live your life to the fullest until the very end. - Daikichi Karube

Oh, Alice in Borderland, I'm super pleased. The pace of the series is excellent; it is exciting and never drags. Although I've never stood on the precipice or borderland of life and death, I can imagine that it will be a very challenging intellectual and spiritual journey given its proximity to the edge of life and death. This is what Alice in Borderland informs us of.

The Alice in Borderland the series is excellent. I am very happy with everything they presented after two seasons. I don't need a third. But as long as the execution is excellent or would outperform the first two seasons, I'll keep watching. The narrative was very entertaining.

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Visually Gorgeous & Clever

Before sharing my thoughts on the film, let's first tackle the fascinating creature that Filipinos love. The manananggal is an ordinary human female by day. When the moon rises, she performs a ritual which involves rubbing a certain type of oil on her waist and transforming her into a vicious, half-bodied monster with huge bat-like wings!

Yes, you read that right.

After the ritual, this creature of Philippine mythology and folklore would leave her lower body hidden in the bushes till dawn while her upper body flies off to search for food. They usually prey on pregnant women by sucking the unborn infant from the womb but eating human heart is also on their list.

Now let's talk about Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B.

The film started by showing what Jewel (Ryza Cenon) probably sees every day as a human - the sky, the buildings and the streets. Then we were shown how Jewel lives her day - eating balut and feeding her pet turtle. During the first few minutes, we can conclude that Jewel is a shy person and doesn't want to be around people too much.

But when Jewel met and befriends her neighbour Nico (Martin del Rosario) and his grandmother (Vangie Labalan), we start to see more about her as a person. Plus based on the jokes she makes about her life and her actions, we can validate that she is indeed holding onto her humanity.

"Wala akong boyfriend kasi wala namang nagmamahal sa 'kin e. Masama akong tao, hindi mo lang alam." - Jewel, Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B

Honestly, I think this is the most "human" manananggal I have ever encountered in Philippine cinema. Yes, she still does the ritual I mentioned earlier as well as eat human hearts. But this creature is usually portrayed as mysterious and they don't try to hide that making them easy to be identified.

Despite that, I am not mad about this film's version as they made the character a bit more intriguing. It didn't even bother me that there was no explanation as to how Jewel became a manananggal. The audience just accepted it because the story and her character was very well put together. Besides, the film isn't really horror but more on romance.

It is also worth mentioning that there were some social commentaries cleverly inserted in the film. To hide the manananggal's feeding activity, Jewel places a sign on her victim's saying, "Huwag tularan Pusher ako" which is very timely.

Moreover, Jewel's transformation from human to monster is visually gorgeous. I must say, Ryza Cenon did a superb job.

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Bloody Crayons is Surprisingly Okay

With such a simple and unpretentious story line, it wasn't difficult to enjoy the film.

The direction built was straight and clear. Along that road are nine characters (less after some got killed) which we got to know even if it was just for a short while. When they started playing the Bloody Crayons game, there was a brief harmony among the characters.

BUT that same moment also marks the turning point and emergence of each personality's darker shade. The deception and confusion led to an even more interesting and gruesome series of events.

The young actors' performances were on point but there are those who stole the spotlight. There's Jane Oineza who played Olivia. Switching from killer to victim and back to killer asked a lot from her but she delivered. Yves Flores who played Justin also stole the spotlight with all his outbursts.

With all those together, I found how surprisingly okay Bloody Crayons is.

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I guess this really isn’t a regular horror film.

Director Jason Paul Laxamana’s Pwera Usog may be a horror film but it’s more than that. There’s a moral lesson instilled perfect for the youth… basically everyone. Sure, the film focuses on three millennials who are born in an “electronics-filled and increasingly online and socially-networked world” but moral values are for everyone whether a millennial or not. If you don’t practice moral values, then you’ll surely get your just deserts.

“Pulubi siya. (She’s just a beggar.) No one’s gonna miss her.”

Moreover, Director Laxamana took a different direction. He played with two themes – usog and the origin of the evil spirit who placed the hex – one at a time and then all at once. I have to admit though that there were several silly moments which were surprisingly okay.

There was a scene where Aiko Melendez’ albularyo (a witch doctor/ folk healer) character heals Jean (Sofia Andres) for the first time. Since the classic way of licking one finger and rubbing it on the person’s abdomen or forehead didn’t work, she poured a jar of saliva with magic. Yes, she did! There was also another healing scene where she shouts Pwera Usog! This reminded me of Narda’s transformation to Darna. It was silly AND hilarious.

I guess this really isn’t a regular horror film. In conclusion, Director Jason Paul Laxamana’s Pwera Usog is still decent. It has all the elements of a horror film; not to mention, the silliness that’s rarely seen with a plot like this. I enjoyed watching it and wouldn’t mind watching it again. 6/10

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The film uniquely and successfully showed the truths about the life of an extra and life itself

Before That Thing Called Tadhana, writer and director Antoinette Jadaone gave us Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay. The mockumentary is a finalist at the 2011 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival where it won six awards including Best Actress for Lilia Cuntapay, a professional extra and dubbed as the "Queen of Philippine Horror Movies".

No surprise there as the film uniquely and successfully showed the truths about the life of an extra and life itself without being overly dramatic. Not only that, but Lilia Cuntapay proved she can be in the lead too. She has a sense of humour and a charm that makes you want to listen and see what she'll say and do next.

I remember a scene where she took her neighbour's advice and went to Starbucks so she can write her thank you speech. After seeing the prices, she asks herself what's wrong with Starbucks' coffee. And when it was her turn, she orders a bottle of water instead. To her surprise, the cashier asks her for Php 40.00. Cuntapay directly asks, "What's wrong with your water?"

It was a short scene but it made me laugh. Plus, it also showed how much she loves acting that she is willing to try new things just to be able to write the perfect thank you speech.

Besides that, Lilia Cuntapay also delivered lines that speak to your heart. There was a scene where she was called for work and arrived at the set before the call time. Director Antoinette Jadaone asks her why did she come early. Lilia Cuntapay simply says that she would rather wait than have people wait for her.

"Ang buhay hindi para sa taong mainipin. Kasama sa pagiging tao ang paghihintay." (Life is not for impatient people. Waiting is part of being a person.)

"Ang mga extra simpleng characters lang. Walang past. Wala ring future. (Extras are just simple characters. They don't have a past and a future.)

Hearing the last line from her, it dawned on me that extras with lines or no lines are only there to fill the space. They don't even support the characters and are simply forgotten. But not Lilia Cuntapay.

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A good family film but is still lacking

Honestly, I enjoyed watching the film and would recommend it to families and people who want to have a good time. But though many enjoyed it and is one of the top earners, the film received mixed to negative reviews.

One problem is the flow. There are many instances where you'll ask, what exactly Baba is doing to clear her name. Why is there bad blood between them? And then, there's this feeling that everything went fast-forward.

Some of the questions were answered towards the end. But since you felt that they were in a hurry to tell the story, you just sort of accepted how it was answered. There wasn't any whoa and ah even nice one moment!

Second is the mini commercial. They did this before in one Enteng Kabisote film which was subtle compared here in 'My Little Bossings'. They could have just placed the product there and get on with the story. But they delivered a few lines about the products.

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The film left some gaps making me feel a little unsatisfied.

I have high hopes for The Panti Sisters (2019) mainly because of Die Beautiful (2016). But that does not mean I believe it can replace the latter. Based on the trailer and synopsis, I already knew that this will be lighter.

I honestly enjoyed the film from start to finish due to several funny and cute scenes. Paolo Ballesteros, Christian Bables and Martin del Rosario are great together. However, these were not enough to overlook the problems.

The film left some gaps making me feel a little unsatisfied. For instance, the transition from one situation to another was too abrupt. I wasn’t ready for the change of tone and could not quite process the next scene. So when that scene arrived, I wasn’t able to react accordingly.

Though there is no doubt that the actors especially the great John Arcilla (Heneral Luna) can draw the right reaction from the audience, there was something lacking. And that would be the depth of the characters as well as their relationship with each other. So that when the time one of them leaves the plot the audience will feel sad.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t need a “Dramarama sa Hapon” type of drama. I just wanted to feel the right emotions when something tragic happens to one of the characters. And most importantly, not think if this certain character is essential to the story.

Anyway, it does say in the film listing The Panti Sisters (2019) is under comedy. But since something tragic happened doesn’t mean it does not deserve a proper execution.

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A proper horror film with intense narrative build-up

You may have seen another movie with the same title; however, this is not what you think it is. Haunted Mansion is produced by Regal Entertainment, the same one that brought life to the Shake, Rattle & Roll series which follows a 3-part format. But you will not see that here.

Though Haunted Mansion featured elements we have encountered before such as a character with a third eye, black magic, and the title itself, the film gave viewers more than that. Director Jun Lana perfected all the elements in making a horror film a proper horror film especially the intense narrative build-up.

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Wag Kang Lilingon took the character and story development to a new level.

The 2006 supernatural horror film follows a formula we’ve seen from the Shake, Rattle & Roll series – 3 different tales in 1 film. But in Wag Kang Lilingon’s case, it is divided into 2 related ones. Uyayi (Lullaby), the first part of the film features the story of nurse Melissa while the second part, Salamin (Mirror) tells the story of a family moving to a new house that has been uninhabited for years.

Despite the similar formula, Wag Kang Lilingon took the character and story development to a new level. We were part of Melissa’s journey to uncover the truth behind the murders in Uyayi and understood everything in Salamin. But the film’s ending took quite a turn giving viewers the best surprise a horror movie could give.

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