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

Hercules

Hercules is a film about a demigod who assists a displaced king against a tyrant.

There are many flaws in the story such that Hercules is relegated to a simple name.  The story line,  dialogue, and choice of characters put a dent to the plausibility the whole film.  Hercules is a name by itself and so is Dwayne Johnson.  But they don't quite go together.

Hercules depicts man's interior strength and his capacity to fight all odds.  But better be sure that whatever strength we have as men/women, we may use it not for evil but for good.  The real strength of man is if he can place himself in the service of righteousness.

Rating: 3/5

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

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

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

Twilight saga: Breaking dawn part 2

“Breaking Dawn, part 2” is the last part of the Twilight saga featuring a young girl in love with a vampire who does everything to defend her child from being killed.

I was caught off guard by the events that transpired in the film.  Without spoiling anything, the twist gives the film the acclaim it deserves.

Looking back at all the other episodes, this film, using the backdrop of vampires and wolves, really have something to say about life, love, friendship, and being.  In the context of humanity’s imperfect existence, it is still a beautiful world because it contains one treasured gift given to mankind – the power of love.

Rating: 4/5

Megamind

Megamind is a story of a nemesis to a superhero that he really got what he wanted: the opportunity to rule the world!

This type of film is spoof to the conventional superhero movie; thus it is campy, funny, and a total entertainment.  It does present an alternative to the good guys and bad guys in film.  The presence of Will Farrell is a real plus in the movie.

Who is the good guy?  Who is the bad guy?  Who are we to judge who is good or bad?  The reality is that is us who put labels to people and even ourselves, branding us as good or bad.  But there is goodness in everyone, even ourselves.  It is up to us to kindle or care for that goodness.  And to be bad simply means nothing and going towards nothing.  It is the nothingness of goodness.  I'm sure we know what alternative to take instead of remaining in the boring, empty world of nothingness.

Rating: 5/5

Legend of the Guardians

Legend of the Guardians is a film about an boy owl who searches for the guardians of Ga'hoole to save his brother from the Pure Ones.

This digitally animated movie is now capable of bringing nearly to the real world only that which can be visualized by cartoons.  Now we see real trees, water, and mountains in 3D.  The world of talking and fighting owls just increases our curiosity to learn from the world apart from our own.

It's just too bad that we learn to project the evil human realities to the animal world.  Now there is a quest, a fight against evil.  Such innocence is gone.  May we learn from the brutal world of humanity and instill a ray of hope that life and love will still prevail. 

The film may need the guidance of the parents as children would be exposed to violence.

Rating: 3/5 

Inception

Inception is a film about a man who engages in entering into other people's dreams and altering their personality.

With the advent of digital technology anything is possible under the sun.  Where will these digital technologies lead us to?  In this movie dreams and realities are intermingled.  All through the power of digital technology!

In the world of fantasy where the subconscious rules and the imaginations run wild, desires are limitless.  The conventions of disrupting time, space continuum to the realm of the uncertain, the wild and raw fantasies are something to be explored and played around.  It is also an area where there are no truths and morals.  But are all these right and just?  The answer is still no; that is why dreams are the most cherished possessions of an individual; no one has a right to tamper with them.

Rating: 3/5

The sorcerer's apprentice

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a fantasy film about a man who trains a young boy to become Merlin the Magician's successor.

Nicholas Cage serves as a good role model for the viewing market as he challenges the young weakling Jay played by Jay Baruchel to fulfill his destiny.  Meanwhile, a fantasy film with lots of special effects never fails to take the audience to a dream world where magic is possible.  So, be free to be taken to wonderland!

The film exposes a disordered quest for power.  It is the conventional battle between good and evil for this film with an added depth - the quest to transcend from one's inflicted limitations to a state where miracles are possible.  In the end, no matter the cost, good should and will always win over evil.

Rating: 3.5/5

Eclipse

Eclipse is a film about a vampire who swears to protect his human girlfriend from the vengeance of one of his kind.

The 3rd episode of the Twilight saga, this film showed remarkable continuity from its previous episodes as if the 4 films were shot at all at the same time.  It just depends on the time of its release.  Though as work of art, we still need to justify the rationality behind a love story told from the point of view of a vampire and a werewolf.   It is the actors / actresses that are the film's main asset as the audience keep abreast of what would possibly happen with this love triangle.  The fourth episode may be the greatest crowd drawer of all.

This may be a love story, but the idea of selling one's soul just to be one with the dead may be the very reason why this film is repulsive.  Moreover, a passion in its extremist form as symbolized by a werewolf is equally revolting as well.  Most repulsive of all is the female character who compromises all her worth, soul and spirit just to be drawn to either extreme.  In the end, all these characters may not be worth emulating at all.  Take care not to compromise those moral values for the sake of an immature love.

Rating: 2.5/5

Clash of the Titans

Clash of the Titans is a story of a demigod who intends to send Hades back to the realm of the dead.

With Sam Worthington playing the lead role of this box office movie, it seems that we're back to watching Avatar.  Yet, as the story develops, he gave justice to the character of Perseus.  Films produced in 3D are challenged to at least be at par or be better than the previous successful 3D movies, among them, Avatar and Alice in Wonderland.

The moral perspective should be seen in the context of Greek mythology as regards the genesis of suffering and man's relationship with the gods.  What makes life exciting is how both men and gods make choices that lead to consequences, more often, leading to more sufferings and death.  The Christian perspective is totally different - God does not make mistakes.  Moreover, He remains faithful to us and cares for us.  It is our iniquities that lead us away from Him.  Make no mistake to equate these two beliefs.

Rating: 3.5/5

Alice in wonderland

After 19 years, Alice reunites with her friends to fight against the evil queen.

The weight of the entire film rests on Johnny Depp who performs quality roles very consistently. Ann Hathaway and Helena Bonhan Carter also gave such exemplary performances that made Alice a much sought-for film for this year. Of course, the world of animation is just going deeper and deeper, being enmeshed in the real world to give fantasy a chance to make itself real, even virtually.

Alice's world is topsy turvy, making the real world a caricature. And yet, the deepest realities of life especially those inside the heart challenge the conventional world outside. Inside the heart, darkness and evil find their home, but so too goodness and light. Eventually, one has to choose what state to live in, and in choosing, give life or death. Choose wisely then!

Rating: 4.5/5

Tooth fairy

Tooth fairy is a story of an athlete who has to learn what it means to understand a child's world.

Targeted to children, this film is entertaining enough although Dwayne Johnson needs a lot to improve his acting. Its plot is unexpectedly thin to the point of losing the child in every adult. This film seems to contend itself with the minimum instead of giving its all in terms of quality, special effects, and a message to make it truly inspiring for children and adults alike.

The Tooth fairy is an invitation to recover the lost world of a child. But it is more so about relationships and the growth of the self brought about by the affirmation of others.

Rating: 3/5

Percy Jackson and the lightning thief

Percy Jackson and the lightning thief is a film about a demigod who has to save his abducted mother as well as prove that he is not the lightning thief.

The story is very comprehensible to children. In fact it may so simple it works; thus, it goes beyond just displaying special effects and animation. Of course, situating a much revered Greek mythology in Las Vegas or Hollywood may be hard to bear.

The story ultimately explores the vast world of parentless children and how they are coping up to survive in this complex human existence. Parents, take the hint - despite all good intentions, do children really deserve to grow up this way?

Rating: 3.5/5

Where the wild things are

"Where the wild things are" is a story of a boy who runs away from home only to find himself in the midst of monsters.

An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, one could detect some faithfulness to the written text. It is a fantasy story that explores the ID, where it is bound to go, and some realizations that results from the world of immaturity. It is an intelligent film with a cast of lovable and yes, cuddly, big, horrifying monsters.

All of us experienced the joys and pains of childhood and the uneasy compromise between direct parental supervision and the carefree unadulterated world of the young life. But sooner or later, we just have to give in to something higher than what we simply want and to let ourselves be guided by it. That youthful energy will soon be put into good use and our lives will gain true meaning.

Rating: 3.5/5

Legion

Legion is a film about an angel who has fallen to save what God wants to destroy.

This film should be known for its special effects. But be wary more of the script and the message it wants to convey. Like Angels and Demons, the scriptwriter has a way of putting on the silver screen what he believes in. The entire story could be seamless but eventually, it is totally misleading.

The film presupposes a lot of doctrinal errors among them, God has lost "faith" in mankind and has to destroy him; the angels who are supposed to serve God "possess" people and turn into monsters; the angels have their own free will; and that God could be wrong in His decisions. The last part is the most disturbing of all - it puts man at the center of things.

Be forewarned about the message of this film.

Rating: 1/5

The Princess and the frog

The Princess and the frog is a story of a young woman who dreamed of having her own restaurant only to find out she couldn't because she turned into a frog.

Inspired by E. D. Baker's novel The Frog Princess, this film gives a twist to the character of the Princess. The script is also seamless and believable; animation is certified Disney creation. By its mode, it may be geared to become a Broadway musical in the future.

The only disturbing aspect of the film is how the power of evil can convert people into beasts. Of course this is fictional and voodoo is a pagan ritual, but could children take it? Besides, Disney's preoccupation with its conventional evil characters may have gone a bit too far in this movie. They should opt to redefine their convention which by now is not only obsolete but may actually cross the line from entertaining children to actually inviting the power of evil to lurk in the world. Remember, no amount of evil can counteract the power of God and the good.

Rating: 3/5