Salt Supremacy

Pssst... Your hair.

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Chito Roño’s T2 (Tenement 2) has the right qualities of a horror story that is uniquely Filipino. It’s script written by Aloy Adlawan derived the story from local myths and folklores. I remember in my Sundo review that our culture itself could ignite inspiration for a good horror story and this is what T2 is all about. This film is neither an all-out gore fest film treat nor does it aim for the usual creepy eerie plot. The film elevates and defines how fright was derived and combines it with supernatural phenomena that are still prevalent in our belief-conscious society.

T2 was able to articulate the film’s story wherein other factors of fear could be felt. In the story, Claire (Maricel Soriano) is forced to deal with a trial separation prepared by her husband Jeremy (Derek Ramsey). She is distraught and maddened by the completion of all the legal papers concerning that matter and decided to replace a fellow volunteer at Save an Orphan Foundation by bringing a young boy to Samar. On her way back to Manila, mysterious events occur when they get to stay at a nearby orphanage. Claire meets Angeli (Mica dela Cruz) a young girl who exhibits strange aspects surrounding her behavior. She has this mannerism to look someone straight in the eyes. In that way, she will know if someone is either good or bad.

T2 is about the Engkantos. We might not be aware but in the film, it was depicted that we live side by side with them unnoticed. There are also local beliefs that are used within the film which for me are interesting. There are a couple of scenes that hit the eye of reality scare. First, the stairways scene works for mechanical reasons. Secondly, the unknown traps and accidents which occurred in the film leads to an assumption that it was the Engkantos who caused it. I could not complain for some artificial computer-based effects on the film. What matters is that the effort is there and the story they are telling is an interesting story.

Claire may have negligible beliefs concerning the world of Engkantos. And if she might have given some curiosity to it, she would still end up dumbfounded. It’s interesting to notice that there she is currently experiencing an emotional dilemma on the present status of her marriage with Jeremy. The tension between the couple boils even more since she constantly rejects all forms of communication. The fear Claire shows has a base to make it believable for someone who has no interest with myths and the unknown.

The film is also well supported by characters that make the story more credible, such as details that some writers miss. Elias played by Eric Fructuoso engages with his comic relief antics while the urban enchantress Rita played by Tetchi Agbayani has brief moments of thrill and importance. Dela Cruz as Angeli gives out a good portrayal as a child haunted with a mysterious past. Soriano of course is a fine actress. She’s able to portray a woman who’s confronting her panic of a failed relationship and the fear of the unknown mystery she’s forced to face with.

Scares build up along the way and even the trifling events are well placed and it tries to make you feel more emotionally distressed. This film mixes reality with the lives of Engkantos. And these Engkantos tries to contrive our lives through their power. It is really incredible since a horror story is not only layering drama but actually stressing real emotions and distress to people. It is an interesting mix and it gives credibility to a story that might exist through our imagination and create the fear of something we could not perceive.


Charlie Koon's Rating:

A Different Approach

Kiss me! Kiss me!

While I was watching You Changed My Life, a part of me was saying; the film nailed it once more. But then again, my stomach was twinging. It is like eating a sackful of gummy bears until one ends up vomiting a rainbow of empty calories. Yet I am still in high spirits. That could be the effect of this film. Seriously, what I did like in this is that they were able to sustain the charm of the story from the first installment. I am very particular with the narrative as I don’t want to gauge the futile kilig machinations as the prime strength. I am relieved that the film outfit did not exploit or even took advantage of the susceptibility of the audience towards these kinds of films. You Changed My Life is the second installment of the box-office film A Very Special Love directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina.

I was like a sponge with the reactions of the crowd I encountered. It is a surprise to see some guys trying to conceal their delight on certain scenes. The premise is not tacky. Laida (Sarah Geronimo) is fetched by Miggy (John Lloyd Cruz) for their first official date. Once Miggy stepped out of his SUV, jeez, the overall response from the ladies was deafening. And mind you, it is not the premiere screening I saw. It was during the lazy hours of the day and the theatre was just about to explode with people. The sundown screenings I guess might have caused an insurrection. Their rendezvous is set in atop a hill in Batangas while fireworks were set in the skies.

Aside from the fact that love has already been established, the story gradually revolves into the reality of social responsibilities, family affairs, and gender roles in the relationship of the two. It is observed that there is a contrast in the personalities of the characters. The candid Laida is constantly jovial while the serious Miggy is a bit temperamental. It is not exactly a clash of personalities as what mostly happens in romcom flicks. It tilted from this usual conflict and used another spectrum of issues that could be the obstacle for the love story. I know only a few joyless sociopaths will dislike this movie. The concoction of kilig is unashamedly determined to give out what the audience has wanted in the first place. It is of course executed adequately by both Geronimo and Cruz.

On the technical merits the film has presented, I think their major improvement is in terms of the long takes of the climax in the film. It transcends the true emotions of the character and it is proof of how these actors could shell out their superiority in the acting category. True enough, mainstream films’ major advantage in terms of cinematography is that, the night scenes are amazingly executed. And I have also noticed that the musical scoring has been lessened in scenes that need directed focus on pure emotions. It did certainly transcend and it is quite an improvement for Filipino’s compulsive proclivity towards musical fabrication.

In addition to the conflict of the story, Mackoy (Rayver Cruz) is an addition to the casting. He is the long lost best friend of Laida. It is astonishing on how they coated Mackoy’s character in the story such that he has a certain feel of authenticity. He did not come to give a full blast twist to the happy relationship of Laida and Miggy. But instead, he symbolizes a person that is sensitive to the feelings of others. He also embodies the people who might have certain regrets in the past and is trying to make amends. He could have been a good boyfriend nonetheless if he did not leave Laida before.

You Changed My Life lives up to its promise of a light romantic comedy. There are more kilig sequences and the dramatic scenes are just sufficient. It is a well-balanced aspect and even employs great skill in creating the story. As for the love insights the film has shown, I sensed that the audience could relate to it in different ways. Love compels us to be patient and to be kind. I think Laida has shown to us that her patience is quite not enough and her decision skills might be too harsh to her loved ones. It is a lesson she has dutifully learned. Through Miggy’s plight to get the approval of his father and his half-brother and to ameliorate his status from fleckless bastard to successful, trustworthy bastard, he pushed himself up and is stacked with his priorities in life. The best part of the story is that they were able to understand each other. They have resolved their issues not in a turgid way of thinking. But with careful intonations that relationships entail compromise. We can still achieve what we want and be loved in the way our hearts desire. But these things get tougher as we go deeper in loving someone.

You Changed My Life will be adored by most people. I have seen their reactions and they totally enjoyed the film. But watch out for the kilig assortment the film is contrived with. But please, do it infrequently in real life. These characters are special in the eyes of an audience seeking enjoyment. Love is not just kilig dear people. It is just a fleeting emotion. Laida did get tired. And there might be different ways to pump-up a relationship that is worth saving.

Charlie Koon's Rating:

A Surprisingly Special Love… Indeed

Sun dance is not anymore an Ancient ritual

Every local film pitched with a romantic theme will never escape this harsh pre-judgment; it is a copycat, baduy or trashy. As the saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But in reality, not all of us are critics, who have a lot of time in their hands to check out this “chick flick” to reassure the relevance of this adage.

A Very Special Love is a romantic comedy film produced by Star Cinema, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and written by Raz dela Torre. The story is about a moody Editor-in-chief Miggy Montenegro who is in the verge of losing his staff as well as his men’s magazine, Bachelor. Laida, a naïve young girl, applies as an Editorial Assistant hoping to be close with the man she dreams of every night. The plot is fairly identifiable to the movie The Devil Wears Prada wherein a recent college graduate gets a job as an assistant to a powerful magazine editor. But this time, it is a love story. Although originality in the story is not a strong quality nevertheless the basic necessities of a Romantic Comedy were all addressed.

Geronimo’s performance in particular was quite a revelation. From her quirky antics, and humorous lines, to her on-screen charisma, the audience can’t stop laughing and crying and giggling and laughing again, a metaphoric state just like the theme, Love. On the other note, Cruz’s character was made complex and was wisely portrayed. He plays a not-so-likeable character you will despise at first sight. But as the film thoroughly progress, you will sympathize with him and be captivated with his charisma. I don’t want to elaborate any further as to how his character was layered as this might reveal the twists.

The probably advantage in having Star Cinema produce a film is the technical quality will not be compromised. Although I have qualms in certain dialogue scenes that were dubbed and its live recording needs to be improved. Too much musical scoring is what I loath in most mainstream local films. Moderation might ultimately be the cure.

Romantic comedy films are movies with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as true love being able to surmount most obstacles. This is what this film offers. It is simple in definition, but hard to attain. It is a rare treat to watch a film in this genre and be able to say in the end, it was pleasing… and funny indeed.

Charlie Koon's Rating:

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Negative Reviews:

A Rather Mundane Love by Philbert Ortiz Dy

Death by Artichoke by Richard Bolisay

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See also my review of: You Changed My Life