The Heat

The Heat is a film about 2 seemingly opposite characters who became the best of friends.

Of course with the Hollywood style nothing could go wrong.  This film presents the most typical of conventions - script, beats, acts, etc., all except the main characters - Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.  Here are two women with the strength of a man.  Moreover, the dashes of comedy make The Heat a truly entertaining film.

Much more that conventions and role reversals, the film strives to enunciate friendship, life's true worth not in power but in self-dedication, and of course, love for family.  Enjoy watching!

Rating: 3.5/5

World war Z

World War Z is a story of a man tasked to decipher how he could destroy the zombies who are infecting millions of people in the blink of an eye.

Things as so fast paced; children are exposed to danger and violence.  The script is excellent.  There is no way one man can eradicate the infection, except ... just watch the movie and see.  There's nothing that human beings cannot solve.

Kudos to man's ingenuity!  There's not doubt that there's no problem man cannot solve.  The only challenge is how this can translate in real life.  In as much as man can solve the greatest problems on earth, let's not forget that man himself is also the cause of the problems existing in the world - sin, corruption, sickness, destruction of the environment, moral decay, and poverty - unless he makes a definitive decision to fight against corruption with the power of truth and love.

Rating: 4/5

Man of Steel

Man of Steel is a story of a man who searches for his identity and makes proper use of this to win against the nemesis.

The animation is none like it!  No episodes of artistic portrayal or slow motions.  Everything is done fast paced.  I would consider noble the life-like portrayal of battles and destruction that leaves out nothing for the imagination.  The animated special effects plus the icon of Superman making itself alive in today's times are all meant to visualize in the mind, boost and perpetuate what is basically the American myth - invincible, confident, and and inherently gifted with the sense of righteousness coming from of old.

Undeniably, everyone would amazed at the feat of Superman.  All will fall in love with him.  But it is worth reminding ourselves that the gift of righteousness and courage is not what is out there but in each one of us.  This very identity that makes us human can also be our base to search for what is truly divine in us all - our capacity to change the world for good until we recognize the ultimate goodness that comes from on high.

rating: 3.5/5

Hangover 3

Hangover 3 is the end to a trilogy of four friends that want to capture a long time nemesis and finally attain lasting peace in their lives.

The film may have elicited a reaction against race.  Otherwise, this is classified as a campy film whose objective is nothing else except to save a friend.

What really is the basic storyline that binds these stories?  The third episode definitely lacks the pizzazz of the first two. Even Bradly Cooper is not as zany as he was in the first two episodes.

The only remaining thing worth salvaging in this movie is friendship, loyalty, and love.  Come to think of it, only virtues like these really last forever.

Rating: 3/5

Epic

Epic is a story of an unlikely hero tasked to save the smaller beings on earth from sure destruction.

Using animation, people’s imaginations are given limitless visual possibilities.  On the other hand, how long human existence is, its realities remain the same.  The good news is that complex realities can be given a chance to be explored through animation.

An important human reality is relationships; in this film, a father and daughter relationship.   No matter the present situation of separated parents, a child will still yearn to be united with his/her parents.  That is why this film is rightly called “Epic” because of its immortal value.  

Rating: 4/5

Oblivion

Oblivion is a film about a man who has recurring dreams about the past that he wants to recover what was erased from his mind.

The film tries to address a possible scenario of the future; the fear of future annihilation has finally come. What would the world be like after that? Be ready to enter into the world of fantasy because in that world, anything is possible.

On the other hand, there will always be hope for mankind that tries to correct its wrongdoing.  It may be the only consistent thing on earth.

Rating: 3/5

The Host

The host is a story of a young girl whose body is invaded by an alien and she doesn't want it inside of her.

It is quite an unusual situation in science fiction movies that aliens have something "pure" in them.  Thus, they're always something to be feared.  It becomes more confusing that the pure, virtues world they aim to create is attained through the unwanted intrusion of an unwilling host which makes this film "unbelievable".

Culturally, the iconography of aliens is a recurring sting of America which always finds itself defensive against aliens with whom they are always trying to understand.

However, Stephanie Meyer would always be famous for injecting a love story in the world of aliens and science fiction, as depicted in the three way battle for love.

However, the film is to  be commended for depicting the vulnerable condition of a soul and its inherent goodness, qualities which we human beings could have if we treat life as sacred.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Oz the great and powerful

Oz the great and powerful is a story of a small time magician who landed in Oz to fight the evil witch occupying Emeral City.

This another adaptation from children's fairy tale "Wizard of Oz" but this time, centering on the wizard and the question of his authenticity and his capacity to kill the wicked witch.  Meanwhile, Oz really seemed like a beautiful magical place.

Much of it really has to do with demythologizing the wizard.   Who is he in daily life, a man who makes empty promises?    When one finally accepts his finiteness and works from there, all potentials are unleashed, only to be used for good.

Rating: 3.5

Jack the giant slayer

Jack the giant slayer is a film about a poor young man who has to rescue the fair princess after a magic bean sprouted into a plant and at a rapid pace, uproots the whole house and takes it to the land of the giants.

Adapted from a fairy tale, this film seeks to explore more the world of children's fantasies on what lies above the heavens and to discover whether people up there are good or bad, or they are giants or little people like us.  It's interesting to put a twist in a fairy tale and develop it into a set of people, giants, who since time immemorial, have conflicts of power with people of the earth.

This film does not in any way offend the Christian concept of heaven and earth.  Human reality points to people as they use and abuse power.  Sooner of later, even "giants" submit to a higher power while One using power should at all times be just and responsible, all for the greater order of things.

Rating: 4/5

Life of Pi

Life of Pi is a film about a teenage boy who wants to prove that God exists.

The predominant feature of this film is the animation which is fantastic.  But does it give justice to the whole film?  Yes, it gave rise to appreciation of nature and the ability to show God through it.  The storyline is equally compelling as well, giving rise to the possibility that everything can be united - real and reel, religions, men and animals.

The basic question is: Does God exist?  In the secular world where this question is mute, I would admire filmmakers who would endeavor to prove that God exists in the beauty of creation and in the very core of people's hearts.  This makes this film quite unique, relevant, and timely for all peoples of faith to enjoy.

Rating: 5/5

Sisterakas

Sisterakas is a film about a gay boy and his mother who vow to take revenge against a childhood friend and her mother.

Who can ignore the tandem Ai-ai delas Alas and Vice Ganda in producing a perfectly "ideal" comedy film for Filipinos?

Though Kris Aquino seems off-tangent and doesn't know the proper place for her role, she could also be commended for putting up a acceptable performance in the film.

The basic question is where revenge ends and forgiveness begins. Moreover, the film reflects a common denominator - it is no longer viable for Filipinos to hold on to concepts of friends and enemies, of choosing a privileged few while neglecting others, while belonging to one race.  In the end, we still belong to one Family.

Rating: 3.5/5

Si Enteng, Si Agimat, at si Ako

This is a story of 3 characters who got together to fight a common enemy.

Philippine movies have progressed in making digital animations; but not quite for this film.  If it could still make it seamless, the better.

Another source of tension is exposure time for 3 giant actors.  Where does the weight of the film lie heavily - Enteng, Agimat, or Ako?

The only thing that is worth commending is the the way the story reaches its climax.  One could feel correct vibrations of fear and suspense.

Ethically and pastorally, How long would the Filipino still rely heavily on magic swords and powers to counteract the enemy, and fantastic characters?  Another one - a female fantasy character enters the fray.  In as much as films like this is entertaining, how should we fight the real enemy brought about by a corrupt political or economic power lurking in the midst, by which the ordinary Filipino, especially the poor, finds himself a victim of?  It's time to turn dreams into realities.

Rating: 3/5