Movie Digest # 065

RED CLIFF
Glorietta 4, Cinema 1, October 26, 7:25pm

It’s been a while since I last saw a John Woo movie (last being Mission Impossible 2, I can’t remember). This time, for a comeback project, he tried his hand on a Chinese saga (joining the likes of Zhang Yimou). The result for me, if not for the presence of the great Tony Leung, is just OK. So predictable that in some scenes, I almost fell asleep. And the English dub doesn’t help.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who wish to see not another sequence involving a pigeon.

THE INFORMANT
Glorietta 4, Cinema 7, October 26, 10:15pm

On this film, Matt Damon plays an office employee who got involved in a myriad of lies. It is based on true events and it’s a restrained character study of a person with bipolar disorder. I watched this film on LFS and the dry humor kept me hooked. Since the film is directed by one of Hollywood great filmmakers, Steven Soderbergh, expect that gritty and dated feel.

Friends who might appreciate it: Small film fans.

THE UGLY TRUTH
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 3, October 27, 6:30pm

It’s a formula rom-com about a male chauvinist and a reserved feminist. From there, I guess you already know what’s in store with this one. It’s just a relief that it’s not irritating at all. I appreciate the last few minutes of the film particularly on two scenes. First, the confrontation scene afloat a hot air balloon and the lovers stop fighting the moment they see the breathtaking view. Secondly, the very last frame where Katherine Heigl is shown victorious after a good sex. That one alone says what the film is all about.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who believe that women can fake orgasm.

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 1, October 27, 9:05pm

A bittersweet retelling of a modern day love story told through the perspective of a young man. It’s charming, sweet and very appealing to the now generation as evident in the editing gimmickry, Zooey Deschanel and that captivating OST. I don’t like it much but I highly recommend it.

Friends who might appreciate it: You know who you are.

PATIENT X
Glorietta 4, Cinema 7, October 28, 10:20pm

If you’re familiar with one of “Shake, Rattle and Roll”’s episodes about a hospital in the province being attacked by aswangs, the material is very much similar. This time around, the film attempted to humanize the blood-sucking creature by devising a love angle between the mortal and the aswang. It’s just disappointing that the logic and all the fear factor elements did not work, too bad for a filmmaker who just made a shot in Hollywood.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who agree that Richard Gutierrez still can’t act and that Cristine Reyes is hot.

ANG BEERHOUSE
Robinson’s Galleria, Cinema 7, October 31, 7:30pm

I can say that it’s serviceable enough for a Filipino film about prostitution. If you think you’ve seen it all (“Prosti”, Lino Brocka films and the like), this one’s a little different. The POV is told through a customer and it is, above all, a love story. It’s not about oppression or or even a commentary about social classes. It is partly poetic and partly too mainstream. I like the concept about life being a cycle as suggested by the scenes with a little boy taking a peek on what’s inside the beerhouse. The only thing annoying for me is casting the mestizo Ryan Eigenmann as the Common Joe protagonist. I have no problems with Gwen Garci.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who can’t pay enough for a VIP room.

ASTRO BOY
Glorietta 4, Cinema 1, October 31, 10:30pm

How to westernize an animé? Go and watch this film. Got nothing much to articulate about this honest-to-goodness film. I can’t say that it’s bad and I can’t say that it is that Pixar good either.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who grew up watching the series on RPN-9.

THIS IS IT
Gateway Cineplex, Cinema 4, November 4, 6:45pm

This enjoyable documentary that collects the rehearsal videos of the King of Pop during his last days is something that has to be watched by his fans. It is something that could be appreciated by concertgoers, the pop culture and those greatly influenced by a humungous talent that is called Michael Jackson. This is not made for film critics and the Oscars. A must-watch.

Friends who might appreciate it: Those who think that MJ’s gone too soon.