Write about Love

"Write about Love" is a film about a female writer who has to finish writing a love story with another male writer.

The film tries to relate fact with fiction. This is manifested in the interplay of the life of both writers as their story unfolds. Consequently, one cannot but wonder whether love is either fact or fiction.

Such is the challenge of genres like this - the portrayal of love like a children’s story with a happy ending vis-a-vis one that faces imperfections and sacrifices brought about by an imperfect love. The audience is left to decide whether to face this reality with one's own life or continue with fantasy normally found in theaters today.

Rating: 3/5

3pol Trobol Huli Ka Balbon

"3pol Trobol Huli Ka Balbon" film about a man who is tasked to deliver a highly classified ledger to the President.

This film tries to combine every genre in one script - action, love, comedy, and crime. The result? Well, it’s fiction made to entertain.

On the lighter side - putting in popular artists like Ai-Ai delas Alas, Jennylyn Mercado, Coc Martin, Super Tekla and a host of others brought smiles of people's faces.

This a film could recreate the corrupted image of a Filipino male to being maginoo, á defender of women, siding with what is right, faithful to one partner, endearing, and others.  With more films like this, the Filipino male tarnished by machismo, adultery, and immaturity could already be a thing of the past.

Rating: 3.5/5

Miracle in Cell #7

"Miracle in Cell #7" is a film about a imprisoned father who wishes to be with her daughter and vice versa.

It may be an adaptation from a Korean film, yet, the story and development and the characters give it the Filipino flavor.  Aga Mulach's superb acting may not reflect the exact situation of a person with this disability; or the entire story be compellingly realistic, yet, merit should be awarded to the story concept of the love of a parent to a child and vice versa.  The supporting cast deserves recognition as well, especially the realistic acting of each one prisoner, director of the prisons, etc.  The film is one wholistic harmony of every element combined.

Overall, this film affirmed the better side of the movie-going Filipinos opting to watch films that made sense, of touching dramas with themes of family relationships, siding with the truth, or sympathetic to the cause of justice. This is highly recommended for persons of all ages.

Rating: 4/5

Nice to be back!

Nice to be back at Mediatalk!

I would like to renew my commitment to give a scholarly analysis of the films presented here in the Philippines.  I haven't stopped watching.  But now, it's necessary for us to know where our films, both foreign and local, will lead our country to. 

So watch out for more film analyses.  May God bless our work!

Allegiant

The Divergent series: Allegiant is third of the series featuring a girl who fights against standards and discrimination against systems of societies.

It is remarkable how the Divergent series could evolve to some science fictions standards to fighting political systems.  It exposes the present realities in terms of future scenarios of the "pure" and the "damaged".

But what does the "pure" human represent? And who are the "damaged" ones?  For the wise and discerning audience, these terms in the modern world do not exist at all.  If this were true, then we should be dead serious against further labeling people as rich and poor and powerful and powerless.  We can even remove tags as First and Third World countries.  Much more than removing these tags should be a commitment among countries to start helping one another instead of simply surviving for a something that simply accounts to nothing in the end.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

London has fallen

London has Fallen is a film about Chief Security Officer of the United States ensuring that the U.S. President stays alive while London is being terrorized.

The degree of violence on film truly has escalated.  But the story line of the typical American Cinema remains the same.  It contained the usual order - disorder - order restored scenario and the action-oriented scenes. At the helm of the action is protagonist who is supposed to win over all odds, a typical superhero who cannot be wounded, and who can attain his goal at all costs.

Undeniably, one's unquestionable commitment is to ones country and all that it represents.  This is what America stands even when faced with tyranny.  But much more that country affiliation is the advocacy to peace, respect and solidarity among countries.  There could not be any space for violence of any kind.  Humankind's history is marred with so much death and violence because of selfish powers that want to propagate themselves.  It's time to choose the greater good - the
good of all humanity.

Rating: 3 / 5

Deadpool

Deadpool is a story of a man who takes revenge on the man who turned him into a mutant.

It may contain the conventions of a Marvel superhero character with his own particularities - not the serious type and yet, ruthless to his enemies; with his physical features so manggled that he really needs to put on that mask.  The state of presentation of this feature film blurred with animation and hyperrealism is far from other endearing superhero films.

A redeeming value perhaps is Deadpool's abillity to find the lighter side of misfortunes and serious problems.  Also, despite his overviolent approach to fighting criminals, he could still distinguish what is true love.

The audience should be warned against excessive violence in this film to the point of trivializing it.

Rating: 2.5 / 5

Gods of Egypt

Gods of Egypt is a film about a god who is overpowered by his evil uncle before he could take over the thrown.

With digital animation, we can do almost every special effect possible.  The main challenge is to combine it seamlessly with live characters ang objects.  The film might be overrated in this aspect.  Moreover, the story plot is highly predictable; thus making it more believable to children rather than the discerning movie goers.

Yet, given the pagan symbols and representations of gods, the film can still give compelling messages on the afterlife and conduct of life in this world which resonate with Christian values.  Given this factor, Gods of Egypt can be a truly worthy film worth watching.

Rating: 3.5/5

Kung Fu Panda 3

Kung Fu Panda 3 is the third episode of a Kung Fu fighting Panda on his third phase of maturity as the Dragon Warrior, the carrier of the "chi".

The film never fails to amaze the moviegoers in terms of story plot and development as well as comedic twists.  Po maintains his endearing character of being cuddly and down to earth which appeal to people of all ages.  But he can also be live up to his rightful role as the "Dragon Warrior".  With this third and the most challenging encounter with his nemesis, he must be able to transcend from his weaknesses.

Po's character should inspire everyone that no matter what the challenges we can make it through.  But more than relying our own strength is the admittance that we need the support of others and that friends and family could be our true strength..

Rating: 4 of 5

Hotel Transylvania 2

Hotel Transylvania 2 is an animated film about a vampire who trains his grandchild to be a vampire.

In the name of entertainment, the filmmakers bring us to examine the comedic and satirical side of the world of vampires and monsters.  Unfortunately, save for the humans, the backdrop of cast and characters belong to the the dark side; hence, the need for more creativity to fit it into the world of children and comedy.

Whatever the backdrop is, the story explores the world of bringing out potentials in children which may be forced or respected in time.  Here, children should be treated with paramount respect and honor, and more importantly, be safeguarded against evils and dangers.

Rating: 3/5