Philippine Movies Thread

[clayton-12]

have you seen The Super Parental Guardians?

Well, I've seen the trailer now, and I'll ... errrm ... put it on the watchlist. Actually, I watching the trailer it was really bugging me who the young guy co-star with the bleached stripe was. For the life of me, I couldn't put my finger on his name, but I was sure as hell that I'd seen him somewhere before - guess I just never seen him doing comedy before.

 

[plsletitrain]

Well, I've seen the trailer now, and I'll ... errrm ... put it on the watchlist. Actually, I watching the trailer it was really bugging me who the young guy co-star with the bleached stripe was. For the life of me, I couldn't put my finger on his name, but I was sure as hell that I'd seen him somewhere before - guess I just never seen him doing comedy before.

Yes, he is Coco Martin. You might have seen him in one of Brillante Mendoza's early works. He started off as an indie actor, and now became one of the country's best. I personally believe he is one of the most brilliant actors of today, even more brilliant than JLC. What made me admire him more is his humility. His feet has always remained on the ground despite his success. He now stars in the most highly-top rated primetime series, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. Its an action series that has ran for two years! (Two years seems like forever in teleserye shows here because if the series won't stand the ratings game, they'll end it in 3 months time. He plays a cop there. The ratings have been insane. If you can try to look for its copy, its a good watch. And he co-produces the show too.

I wanted to recommend The Super Parental Guardians to you but I do sure hope that the subs won't kill it. I've always wanted to recommend Vice Ganda movies just for the laughs but its so hard to recommend it to our caucasian friends because the references and the effectivity of the punchlines when delivered might not be as good as when it is delivered to a Filipino audience. I'm crossing my fingers you'll like it. They had another team-up, Beauty and the Bestie (2015) which was also very funny.

 

[plsletitrain]

Clayton, I found a subbed trailer for Beauty and the Bestie. Hope you'll like it! Vice Ganda movies are not for the Cannes but hey, if you're feeling down and lonely, his movies will lighten you up.

 

[plsletitrain]

Beauty and the Bestie (2015)
Starring: Vice Ganda, Coco Martin

This was shown on TV last night so I thought I'll post my review just in time after having recommended it to Clayton. Now I don't know if I did the right choice. lol.

Disclaimer: My review will focus on how goofy/witty the movie is because as I've always said, you don't walk into a Vice Ganda movie and expect to see some deep thought-pondering, life-meaning scenes. His movies are all made for pure laughs. Shallow as some might call it, but a movie is a movie no matter how deep/shallow it can get.

After watching it the second time, I realized one of the disadvantages of a Vice Ganda movie: You don't have to watch it the second time around. Well, the reason is obvious. Vice Ganda's asset is his wittiness, his exaggerated moves, his seducting antics...and its funny when you see it the first time. The second time, the "surprise" element is lost. Its like watching a movie about a mysterious killer. You watch it the first time and you're hooked and surprised at the twists and plot turns. The second time, you already expect where's everything leading to because you know who the killer is.

I can't help but compare this with his latest team-up with Action superstar, Coco Martin, The Super Parental Guardians (2016). I can say that the latter was a lot funnier and the biggest letdown for the BatB is....*drumroll* sorry, I'm not a fan of JaDine. For me, who's a non-fan, their presence made the movie watching more tedious. Its like, hey, when can their scene end already?!!!! I can live with Vice Ganda and Coco Martin alone. But hey, what to fret when they've got legions of followers, that's still ticket sales$$$ for them. Anyway.... The Super Parental Guardians had a more adorable supporting cast. Break-out child stars, Onyok and Aura. (Aura is set to become successor to Vice Ganda and at his young age of 13, I can already see Vice Ganda in him so its not far-fetched to expect that the child will go a long way in the industry).

Another letdown for BatB is guess what, I don't believe this when I watched it the first time and then I saw it again last night: Product Placement! WTH. Would you believe Jollibee had its own what, three minutes of fame with this??? Jolly Spaghetti had its own spotlight even! I can't believe it went as low as that. (For those who don't know, Jollibee is Philippines' counterpart for McDonalds).

With BatB, Vice Ganda is still his usual Vice Ganda self. Some parts felt too overacted, but Vice Ganda still makes it look clean because he knows how to distort his facial expressions and make use of his physical attributes to make the scene funnier. Coco Martin was very good (sorry, I really am a fan so you can't expect me to say he's not good lol). He was made to twerk and sing in this film! He was so cute when he twerked. Its like a combination of "Should I really do this??" and "I don't know what I got myself into when I signed up for this".

As for the witty lines, I'm afraid you have to be a Filipino or at least immersed in Filipino culture to appreciate the wittiness and goofiness of the lines.

Brief synopsis of the film: Vice Ganda (Erick) and Coco Martin (Emman) are estranged best buddies. They were friends before but their friendship ended when Emman found out that Erick had a hidden desire for him. Turn to years later, Emman became a policeman and Erick was stuck to caring for his nephews.

A global pageant, akin to Miss Universe will be held in the Philippines. It would be the first time that Uzeklovakia (pardon me for the spelling but it sounds like that--not a real country btw) will be joining the pageant and its contestant would be the Prime Minister's daughter, Natalia (who's played by Vice Ganda with fluffy hair). While in the Philippines, she was kidnapped. The mission of the Police is to make sure that the Prime Minister doesn't find out that his daughter was kidnapped. So Emman tried to ask Erick, since he looks like the daughter, to impersonate while they're tracking the kidnappers down.

As conclusion, I will recommend this if 1) you know Filipino culture and 2) you're not homophobic (because the lead act is gay--as in gay-gay, not closet-gay). Otherwise, just live with this treasure of a scene:

During the Q&A portion, the question for the contestants is: What would you do if you find out that your mother has Brain tumor?
Ms. Uzeklovakia: I would be very very happy! Why? Because my mother already has a brain, so if you add two more brains, she will have three! She's very intelligent! Thank you.

Gong!

 

[clayton-12]

Hope you'll like it!

Thanks! "Ms Bakladesh" ... lol

 

[clayton-12]

Vice Ganda is still his usual Vice Ganda self

Vice Ganda is someone I think of as a TV celebrity character, and I imagine that the movies will invariably be sitcoms that place this larger-than-life well known personality into a variety of crazy situations – if you’ve grown to know and love the whacky Vice Ganda then you’ll get a kick out of it, but for the uninitiated it will be WTF territory. Kind of like sketch comedy based around recurring themes, it won’t work properly unless the audience is in the groove.

I’ll have to give one a try some day. Gotta try everything at least once, and the thought of a Vice Ganda movie isn’t as unappealing as some things - if it’s a choice between that or balut … I think I’ll go with the movie. And there’s a bunch of them to choose from - I think previously you’ve also recommended Praybeyt Benjamin and Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy. And speaking of teaming up with Coco Martin, I see from IMDb that Vice Ganda was also in Noy.

 

[plsletitrain]

Vice Ganda is someone I think of as a TV celebrity character, and I imagine that the movies will invariably be sitcoms that place this larger-than-life well known personality into a variety of crazy situations – if you’ve grown to know and love the whacky Vice Ganda then you’ll get a kick out of it, but for the uninitiated it will be WTF territory. Kind of like sketch comedy based around recurring themes, it won’t work properly unless the audience is in the groove.

I’ll have to give one a try some day. Gotta try everything at least once, and the thought of a Vice Ganda movie isn’t as unappealing as some things - if it’s a choice between that or balut … I think I’ll go with the movie. And there’s a bunch of them to choose from - I think previously you’ve also recommended Praybeyt Benjamin and Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy. And speaking of teaming up with Coco Martin, I see from IMDb that Vice Ganda was also in Noy.

I'm glad you're not allergic to Vice. Yeah, I agree with you. It takes a lot of getting-used to him before one can appreciate him. Heck even here he's got his fair share of bashers so I wouldn't be surprised if he's not as appealing to non-Filipinos.

Praybeyt Benjamin is also a good one, especially with the usual gay-pretending-to-be-a-guy story. He's perfect for it. Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy is also cute, especially when he attempts to go girly girly and he flashes those Kardashian butt. Wow, I can't remember him in Noy. Him and Coco Martin's paths really cross, they're bestfriends after all.

 

[plsletitrain]

DIARY NG PANGET (2014)
Starring: Nadine Lustre, James Reid, Andre Paras, Yassi Pressman

This is one of the movies I've been looking forward to watch because this is (what I thought) to be the closest to non-mainstream I can get from the JaDine loveteam. (If you're new to Philippine showbiz industry set-up, its a common thing to put a one-name label to love teams here where the names of the couples are fused, Example: JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre), KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), etc.).

The story is typical but the strong points of this movie are the script, the dialogue, and the lovely portrayals of Nadine Lustre and Andre Paras. The story is about an orphan Cinderella (only that our Cinderella was made to look ugly--she had pimples all over her face--but Nadine's beauty still shines through despite the forceful ugliness) an outspoken Cinderella I might say, who, because of poverty, applied to become personal maid of an incorrigible son of a wealthy man. The son is named Cross, as expectedly played by James Reid. To where this is leading to should no longer be a surprise.

This is Nadine Lustre's break, and was stepping stone for her to become of the country's prime leading ladies. And rightfully so. After watching this, I have realized she can act. (Still not enough to make me a fan though). James Reid, was still struggling with his English here, but his appeal shone through. He was sexy here (I don't mean to say those more-than-once close-ups of his six packs--Geez, do they think women will go gaga over it???--Wait, I think I'm the only one who doesn't lol). But if I had to commend someone here, it has to ANDRE PARAS. He plays the bestfriend of Eya (Nadine Lustre) who has feelings for Lorie (Yassi Pressman) who on the other hand, likes Cross. He was just so cute, cuddly, not overacting. He was perfect for his role. The rom-com aspects are pure fun, almost krom-kom levels but the downside is the cheesy serious romance parts. They're off and awkward to be honest.

Overall, the almost two-hour runtime was too long. I can't highly recommend it if you've got other priorities but when you're bored on a Friday night, you can check this flick. Its not enough to keep you from sleeping, and it might dose you to sleep, but its a fun watch.

 

[clayton-12]

Darna vs the Planet Women (Armando Garces, 1975) For the uninitiated, Narda is a pure-hearted girl who lives with her grandmother and kid brother Ding, with the power to transform into a bikini-clad flying superheroine whenever the day or world needs saving. At the hands of Garces, a director who apparently made 142 movies in a career that lasted more than two decades, this is .. well, I’m not sure if it’s really corny cheese, or really cheesy corn. The production values and set design are nowhere near as high-tech and sophisticated as 1960’s Doctor Who episodes, and the plot is paper thin, but there are a few nice touches - like Darna’s fiancé Ramon being as sharp as a hammer but oh-so-handsome, but really the only reason to watch is for the gorgeously cheeky Vilma Santos’s turn as our Darna.

 

[plsletitrain]

I Love You To Death (2016)- Now let's try to see Philippines' attempt at a horror-romance-comedy genre. We all know South Korea owns the rom-com genre, but this one's quite good. Well, quite good during the first part, that is. The ending was very very weak. In fact, we went "dahell????" during the end scenes.

Story is about Gwen (Kiray Celis) who's desperate to find the one man who will love her, like, literally to love her till death they part. Tonton (Enchong Dee) is her childhood classmate who had a crush on her when they were still small but they got separated during their growing up years. Tonton mysteriously appears after Gwen wishes for her man. He immediately proposes marriage upon seeing her. Wedding preparations were made but the character of Tonton is still mysteriously introduced, especially on why he seems absent during daytime and appears only at night time, or how some side characters (who knew him to be dead) goes ballistic upon seeing him alive.

These parts were really funny. Kiray Celis, who acts the "ugly face" role well, is really funny during her lovey scenes with Enchong. The supporting cast is weak, with the exception of Christian Bables, who played Paolo Ballesteros' bestfriend in Die Beautiful. I've never doubted his capacity, but seeing Christian in his supporting role and still owning the scene despite the presence of a much more famous actor as Enchong Dee makes me think of the saying that there are no small roles, only small actors. Or something like that.

Now the ending was ridiculous. Just be warned that when you thought it would end that way, it didn't. And the very cliched, cheesy plot twist of I loved her all my llife I'll die for her was funnily exemplified here. And sadly, I don't think they intended it to be funny that way. When they throw jokes or funny faces, that's funny. But when the ending was a ridiculous and weak thought-out, that's another type of funny.

 

[clayton-12]

At its best, The Woman in the Septic Tank (Marlon Rivera, 2011) is hilarious and incisive. Three film school grads, trying to get their first feature off the ground, spend as much time arguing over whether the finished product will take Cannes or the Academy by storm as they do trying to work out whether they’re actually making a docudrama or a musical. The film-within-the-film is a pretty grim tale of a mother of seven forced to pimp one her children to a pedophile in order to feed the others, and for most of the running time, the film subtly skewers some of the inherent hypocrisies in upper middle class social conscience. Eugene Domingo was great as a caricature of herself, but I thought the show really was stolen by Cai Cortez in her non-speaking role that was effectively a Greek chorus. Unfortunately, the film becomes less subtle and more self-conscious toward the end, and ends abruptly - rather than outstaying its welcome, there almost seems to be a third act missing.

 

[plsletitrain]

At its best, The Woman in the Septic Tank (Marlon Rivera, 2011) is hilarious and incisive. Three film school grads, trying to get their first feature off the ground, spend as much time arguing over whether the finished product will take Cannes or the Academy by storm as they do trying to work out whether they’re actually making a docudrama or a musical. The film-within-the-film is a pretty grim tale of a mother of seven forced to pimp one her children to a pedophile in order to feed the others, and for most of the running time, the film subtly skewers some of the inherent hypocrisies in upper middle class social conscience. Eugene Domingo was great as a caricature of herself, but I thought the show really was stolen by Cai Cortez in her non-speaking role that was effectively a Greek chorus. Unfortunately, the film becomes less subtle and more self-conscious toward the end, and ends abruptly - rather than outstaying its welcome, there almost seems to be a third act missing.

........and I don't how to start my review. lol. I was ready to write a thousand words about this then I re-read your review and you pretty much summed it up in lesser words.

There are some movies that could go by unwatched. This is NOT one of them. Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is a must-see for any cinema lover or just a casual watcher. It unmasks the other alternative reality with which indie makers are thought-out to be. The filmmakers here aren't for the art. They're for the awards. And in their process of brainstorming, the film presents alternative scenarios to show these ideas. The scenes are funny by itself, especially during that time when they were arguing on who to get for the "poor maternal woman that pimps out her child" look. They invited Cherry Pie Picache, Mercedes Cabral, and THE Eugene Domingo, all of whom are regular clients of the indie world.

All through out, the film was an enjoyable watch. My favorite role is Arthur Poongbato--the lucky Director who has bagged international awards to whom they envy and label as arrogant. Its the first time I've seen the actor who played it but if his performance showed anything, he could very well start bagging roles already because he sure has potential. Just one thing I need to get off the chest: Im starting to get annoyed when actors do the Western expressions such as fuck, etc. etc. If you've seen the film you'll find this after they met with Arthur Poongbato and they cursed him to hell. I had so many eyerolls on that scene. Other than that, the movie is pure comedy with a touch of socialistic propaganda.

Highly Highly Recommended.

Edit: I think this movie deserves a spot in the best Philippine movies of all-time list.

 

[clayton-12]

Just one thing I need to get off the chest: Im starting to get annoyed when actors do the Western expressions

After your comments on That Thing Called Tadhana, I should have put out a 'Taglish Alert' warning for you - but I think here it the pretentious hipster-speak of the characters was meant to be, like the characters themselves, at least a little annoying.

 

[plsletitrain]

After your comments on That Thing Called Tadhana, I should have put out a 'Taglish Alert' warning for you - but I think here it the pretentious hipster-speak of the characters was meant to be, like the characters themselves, at least a little annoying.

Coincidentally, That Thing starred JM De Guzman, who's also in Ang Babae.

In honor of That Thing Called Tadhana, I'll watch That Thing Called Tanga Na.

 

[plsletitrain]

That Thing Called Tanga Na (2016)-Save yourself the trouble and don't watch this. I've seen everything of the movies they label as "trash" and entering into 6 minutes of the film, I knew I was in for it. I am sure I don't have to finish the film to give an informed review of it. I mean, what do you get if Eric Quizon, Kean Cipriano, and Billy Crawford--all of whom act awful in a gay role? They even added newcomer Martin Escudero who was another awful-doing-gay and it was just unacceptable. And wait there's more, Angeline Quinto! For why does she keep on getting acting roles, she should just seriously stick to singing! I didn't know Joel Lamangan already spews this stuff. Unbelievable.

 

[clayton-12]

Save yourself the trouble and don't watch this

lol ... I was going to respond to your previous post with "Errrm, good luck with that", now I wish I had.
Well, that's six minutes of your life you'll never get back.

 

[clayton-12]

if I had to choose a sub (for Angel as Darna), Pia Wurtzbach would probably do justice

Liza Soberano would be good too but I'm afraid she's not just into wearing that bikini.

... and in some kind of spooky coincidence, it turns out that Liza not only gets to play Darna, but she also gets to play Pia !

 

[plsletitrain]

Hahahaha yeah, so let's not lose hope clayton, I'm getting the feeling we will see Vice Ganda as Darna in our TV screens. Ha!

And what do we know, our beloved Erik Matti cursed at the President's supporters on twitter.

At least he didn't use fuck, or shit. At least its still Filipino-themed, even with cursing. lol He said P**ang Ina nyo!

 

[clayton-12]

Hayzzz ... I ain't gonna make the mistake of discussing Filipino politics with Filipinos. Anymore.

 

[plsletitrain]

*facepalm* Yeah, we're an overzealous bunch. You have to sort out the people you discuss it with, otherwise you'll just get a strawman argument that ends with a P**ang ina mo remark. Hehe.