NORBYGRAM: January 2018

ALL OF YOU (2017): A FILM REVIEW

Imagine the pressure for both Jennylyn Mercado and Direk Dan Villegas to outperform their two previous collaborations 'English Only, Please' and 'Walang Forever' which definitely brought their names to new heights. I thought their 2017 offering, 'All Of You' was meant to join this parade. It turns out, however, that it can't be compared directly with the other two films because 'All Of You' is not a rom-com flick. It's a rom-dram, a romantic drama. There's nothing comedic about it - no funny punchlines, no comic reliefs, no ticklish scenes. And that's exactly why I think you need to watch this film. While others say that this us generic, dare I say this just levelled the playing field of Filipino romantic drama films.

The tested chemistry of Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay was first proven in their 2014 MMFF breakout hit 'English Only, Please'. I know people who have not watched 'All Of You' or its trailer may fear that the tandem will only give the same feels the way they did in EOP, I feared this too. But I'm so glad that All Of You was too far from what I expected.

Don't expect to giggle the way we all did when we saw Jennylyn acting quirky in her previous roles. Don't also expect to laugh the way we did when Derek's character made funny mistakes in EOP. 'All Of You' is a serious film. It is uncomplicated. It has no twists and turns. It feels like the story in this movie is also the story of someone you know. This is probably why some people say 'All of You' is generic or boring. It does not try to stand out by infusing plot elements that people will be talking about. But just because the story is safe doesn't mean it is unwatchable. Sometimes I guess we need to see an everyday story echoed on the big screen without imaginative complications. All Of You is one of those films - raw but enjoyable.

Jennylyn just doesn't get it wrong when it comes to her characters especially those conceived by Dan Villegas. Her portrayal of Gabbi here sure feels like something we have seen before (especially if you notice that she is left-handed lol) in her previous movies when she gets serious or troubled. In All of You, you'll see her as more mature, more effortless. Derek on the other hand is given all the spotlight to shine as Gab in this movie. It's funny how we all might have stereotyped him as the macho actor whose swagger precedes his character on films but in All Of You, he shows more emotions than what we have seen of him. It surprised me that Derek could make me feel his anger that way. This film definitely has Derek-centered scenes of authenticity that are Best Actor-worthy.

I still believe however that if this film cast another set of leads, the formula would not have worked. I know Jericho Rosales was intended to play the male lead but I'm betting that this wouldn't have been as effective if it were him. The formula worked because our expectations of fun and lightness for both actors were countered by an unsolicited sober tone and issues of millennial couple life we already know about.

We finally have a romantic drama film that involves characters that don't conform to usual Filipino cinematic romance conflicts - no third parties, no infidelities, no imminent deaths. All of You is perhaps the realest, most honest and to some extent, the most relatable MMFF entry this year.

It may be easy to forget the plot of All Of You after you watch it but it's going to be hard to forget that this film did it first.

RATING: 8/10

xxx

@callmenorby

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ANG LARAWAN (2017): A FILM REVIEW

2:35:00 PM

'Ang Larawan' is such a beautiful mystery. It's like a house made of several select bricks that are the best among the bests. But the thing is, everything that builds it up may be perfect but the house itself isn't. It's missing something - a layer or a depth no one may be brave enough to point out.

Of course, technicalities were used in choosing the Best Picture for this year's Metro Manila Film Fest and that's how things should be. Ang Larawan won Best Picture because it has everything that award should be looking for - the most powerful ensemble cast we might not be able to see again for a long time in a Filipino musical on the big screen, a production design that feels so carefully and patiently crafted it takes us back to the glory of pre-World War II Manila and to some extent, a ground-breaking impact since it made the whole country realize that Filipinos still have the capabilities to make movies of this caliber and artistic dedication. However, on a personal note, I wish Ang Larawan wasn't all-focused on its grandeur because I feel like the narrative was compromised when the opportunity was given. It lacked spontaneity. That may be forgiven if it was staged on a theater but it was on the big screen.

Every performance in Ang Larawan will be iconic in terms of its probable impact to contemporary Filipino Film, Art and Literature. It's not going to be surprising if people will continue to rave about the performance of each of the cast of the ensemble. The only debatable performance perhaps is that of Paulo Avelino but I could say he did a pretty good job in the movie. There's Rachel Alejandro who couldn't be more perfect for her role. And there's Joana Ampil. This girl is a force of nature. She's Ang Larawan's biggest and brightest star whose voice, facial expressions and presence are hard to forget. Everyone who finishes watching the film would hand her the Best Actress award even without watching the other entries. The rest of the cast deserve all the recognition for their talent. They were all probably handpicked and their art has bloomed in full in this film.

On top of the magnificent performances, it's hard not to mention how Ang Larawan turned out as grand as it is because of the ingenuity of the Libretto and Screenplay of Rolando Tinio and a legendary musical scoring of not less than The Ryan Cayabyab himself. A combination of the arts of these two allows Ang Larawan to build up the viewers emotions and play with them through every single line spoken or note sung by each of the characters. One doesn't even need to be patient, I guess, to revel in the singing in each scene. The production design is complimented by an outstanding cinematography. It's an amazing feeling to be transported back to Intramuros circa 1940s. And Ang Larawan does that effectively.

It's sad though that even if I clapped after the movie ended, something inside me demanded more. Not more songs, not more lines. But probably more layer in the narrative that I feel was too respectful of its original source material. Ang Larawan is an extravaganza but I personally feel like the storytelling could have been better by adding some scenes perhaps or more confrontations. I keep on thinking that the original material may have struggled with this too. Because it was staged and musical plays are meant to be delighted as a stage, a whole package, a large picture. But for a movie, the director has an opportunity to add layer by zooming into faces, and transition through images and emotions for more depth. Yet I feel like Ang Larawan did not grab the opportunity to do that.

My issue is with the resolutions and conflicts in the plot. There are many lovely themes - women empowerment, art versus commerce, fight between being idealistic and being pragmatic, family values and even national identity struggles. But it seems Ang Larawan, at least the film, doesn't weave tightly each conflict to its resolutions. You may be delighted with everything it offers but it makes you ask questions the film does not have strength to answer.

Nonetheless, my personal issues on the storytelling of Ang Larawan shouldn't be a reason for me to say not to watch this film. This film is a national pride inspired, made, composed and finished by national prides.

Please go and watch Ang Larawan. it's going to give you another pleasure of being a Filipino. It's hard to find that in MMFF films nowadays.

RATING: 8.5/10

xxx

@callmenorby

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DEADMA WALKING (2017): A FILM REVIEW

Deadma walking film review 2:32:00 PM

The only reason I could think of if you don't compare Deadma Walking with Die Beautiful is that either you haven't seen Die Beautiful or the trailer of Deadma Walking skipped your 2017. It could also be both (that's just so sad) if no one has been brave enough around you to tell you that there is a need to watch these two films. In terms of overall quality, Deadma Walking doesn't beat the package of Die Beautiful. Let's have that established. But if you single out a criterion in which you judge these films based on how they affect you emotionally, it's probable that you'll remember Deadma Walking more as the one which made you teary-eyed without expecting it to.

We've heard about the overall plot. Two gay best friends tackle deaths and funerals and how to make them fabulous. This feels so 2016 all over again, that Paolo Ballesteros and Christian Bables tandem on the big screen. This is the same thought I had when I first watched the trailer of Deadma Walking. I was afraid people would expect it to be better than its fresh predecessor but only to end up underwhelming. It indeed did not shine critically the way Die Beautiful did last year. But while Deadma walking struggled to tie all its pieces to be an excellent cinematic effort, it proved to be more emotionally connecting. We love Die Beautiful because it greatly pays tribute to how we should better appreciate a gay person who struggles in our society. That however isn't what Deadma Walking's approach. You will love it because it will focus on things you should always take care of - family, friends and YOURSELF.

There are imperfections in Deadma Walking that are blatant enough you probably would point them out every now and then as the movie progresses. There are absurd plot elements that you'd definitely think unnecessary for the film - the inclusion of that sometimes-alienating Eugene Domingo cameo, flashbacks that try too hard to be humorous, punch lines which viewers are forced to laugh at, and a heavy drama scene premised on something that would only work with children, among other things.

But all these may be forgiven when the film starts bringing not just one but two plot twists then end up spraying some why-is-this-suddenly-so-heavy feels.

There are no other acting performances that are relevant enough to be discussed apart from those of the two lead roles. I have heard people say that Joross' performance here was weak, overshadowed by Edgar Allan's (EA) despite the latter only playing a supporting role. I think Joross Gamboa's character John couldn't be the Paolo Ballesteros' Trish to Christian Bables' Barbs because the character itself couldn't be any gayer than what could be comedically allowed. Joross plays a gay guy here who is successful, well-off and somewhat conservative. His character is restricting, sometimes one would feel like Joross is the one that prohibits the film to be fully vibrant. He plays someone with a serious-leaning personality in this film. That changes the overall tone significantly.

But the darkness that consumes Joross' character is offset by the vibrance that Edgar Allan Guzman's character Mark exudes. You can't help but notice how remarkable EA's performance in this film. People adore Christian Bables' performance in Die Beautiful because it was his first relevant performance as a gay man that we'd seen. He was new then and that unfamiliarity worked well with audiences. On the other hand, we have seen EA before in roles on TV and some movies. But in Deadma Walking, he appears on-screen like he has been doing gay roles since day 1. His natural and effective acting would make people want to see him on future roles as a gay person. And his last night's acting award nod was a respect to his stellar performance.

Deadma Walking's screenplay won 2nd prize in Palanca Awards for Dulang Pampelikula in 2016 so I was expecting it would get the Best screenplay but it didn't. I'd like to think that it is a reminder that there are flaws in Deadma Walking.

But these flaws, as I have said, don't materially abate the impact the film would have on the viewers as the credits start rolling.

Deadma Walking is one of the better films in this year's MMFF. Why choose purely comedy without an impact when you can have a comedy full of heart?

RATING: 8/10

xxx

@callmenorby

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SIARGAO (2017): A FILM REVIEW

2:30:00 PM

Have you noticed how travel videos have become extra popular these days that people refuse to go to islands without their drones and the self-imposed need to upload a same-day edit? This is probably the bandwagon that Direk Paul Soriano had intentions of jumping on when he made the film 'Siargao'. So I understand why others complain that 'Siargao' feels more like a travelogue than a narrative film. But let's face it too, not every movie is for everybody. 'Siargao' is not for everybody, I must say.

I feel like it was not the best idea for Siargao to come out this Christmas and be in the MMFF lineup because I don't think it's the kind of movie that people will be talking about unless the subject matter of the discussions is limited to cinematography. I've watched many recent Filipino films that promote tourism of various places but I must say Siargao's cinematography is EXPENSIVE. The cinematography is so elegant that those who have not been to Siargao will elevate the island in their bucket list and those who have been there would think about going back. Sadly, apart from the cinematography and its OPM Indie Band-friendly soundtrack, nothing else seems outstanding in 'Siargao'. I'd be surprised if it wins awards outside the cinematography department.

I personally disagree with people who say that Siargao is a bad movie because the conflict in the plot is not heavy enough for a theatrical output. I wouldn't say it's a bad movie. But I could say that if I were to compare it to similar Filipino movies I have watched, the others are better. If we were to tag this as a surfing movie, 'Apocalypse Child' is so much better because the stakes are heavier and the audience is taken deeper emotionally. If we were to tag this as a travel-to-fix-or-mend-broken-hearts-in-couple-of-days film, 'I'm Drunk I Love You' is so much better because the characters let their souls out for the viewers to get a tighter grasp on the dialogues. Siargao on the other hand may seem conservative in terms of how the characters reveal their thoughts and emotions based on the screenplay. For others, it may be alienating but a part of me acknowledges that there's something poetic about this film's inhibition to share direct emotional connection. Perhaps it's the plot's basic liability. But it could be a subtle strength if you ponder on it differently.

As I think about how some people complain about the plot, it goes without saying that the actors couldn't show more than what they were required to. The musical Jericho in this film is better than the musical Paulo Avelino in I'm Drunk but the emotional Jericho is miles behind Paulo's Dio. His character in the movie has this hesitant vibe which he probably never fights off fully, not until the ending. Erich is too perfect for her role as Laura in this film. It's funny that people would see so much resemblance with her role and her real life, one would say "Effortless talaga sa kanya dapat 'to." And she proved here why she is Tanduay's 2018 Calendar girl (lol).

While Enchong Dee is a valuable addition to the film, let us all give the highest acting accolades to Jasmine Curtis-Smith. This woman has been unbelievably suited for every role she is getting in her films. Even in Siargao where she is on a supporting role, she steals the spotlight. If I were to make a movie, I wouldn't be certain who to cast as leads but I'm pretty sure I want Jasmine on it.

It'd be fine if people don't watch Siargao anymore due to time or budget constraints this MMFF (pare-pareho lang tayong di afford lahat mga bes) or because it's been pulled out. But if you'd feel extra poetic and would wanna go into a thematic debate over the decision made by Jericho's character at the end of the movie, watch it when it's available. And come back here for a lengthy discussion.

Rating: 7.5/10

xxx

@callmenorby

#Siargao #SiargaoMovie #SiargaoMMFF #MMFF2017AwardsNight

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BAD GENIUS (2017): A FILM REVIEW

2:28:00 PM

If there is one thing I am quite certain of when it comes to Bad Genius, it is the fact that no matter what type of student you have been (academic, non-academic, straight A's or asa-sa-katabi-during exams, name it all), this is probably the first film in modern pop culture that will make you enjoy watching people take exams. Read that again. Lol.

If exams stop your brain, this film is gonna stop your heart.

Bad Genius is a breath of fresh in so many levels. For starters, let us recognize the fact that it's probably a rarity because it's a talked-about film from Thailand but it isn't a love story or a horror. It's a heist thriller about students cheating on exams! If that doesn't sound interesting enough for you as a premise, then it's probably why people are highly entertained - they did not expect it to come out that way.

I couldn't find a part of the movie that I would consider unbelievable, which makes things both funny and low-key mind-blowing. Humor is placed all throughout the movie. There are very relatable characters which people who despise social inequalities may find inspiring. It's basically a movie about what's wrong in common societies, especially education systems, as viewed through the eyes of high schoolers whose sense of morality and conduct is what the movie-goers would be either comfortable or uncomfortable with depending on their personal values.

Acting is outstanding especially the female lead who, by the way, is a model and Bad Genius is her feature film debut (petmalu si Ate Girl in the movie and as a person basically. Haha). Cinematography is above average and it's the scoring that's definitely gonna control your heartbeats when you watch on the big screen.

Here's to wishing Philippines also produce a film with quality production and wider audience reach! Our 'high cinema' indie films have quality production but suntok-sa-buwan it seems for our Indie's to appeal to audiences as young as 13 years old. Let us delight with Bad Genius and learn many things. Thailand is a neighbor after all.

Go na to your nearest cinemas. Even if we all know that "scholarship students are the bomb", you don't have to be a genius to enjoy Bad Genius.

Xoxo,

@callmenorby

P.S.

May student discount yung film. 150 lang ata pag studyante. A concept! Haha

#BadGenius

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LOVE YOU TO THE STARS AND BACK (2017): A FILM REVIEW

2:12:00 PM

Had this film been written and directed by another person as well as starred by a different set of leads, there's a pretty good chance that I wouldn't have forgiven its premise. But since I understand that it's crafted by Antoinette Jadaone and it features Joshua and Julia, everything just fits perfectly the way it should be.

If you think about it, "Love You To The Stars and Back" bears the same signatures Jadaone wrote all over "That Thing Called Tadhana" - narratives whose majority of events falls inside a 24 to 48-hour time frame, a guy and a girl meeting at a chance encounter, and conversations to convince audience that it is possible for love to spring in this short amount of time. But this is the same premise that could alienate viewers. Gaano nga ba ka-posible na ang dalawang taong bago lang nagkakilala ay mahuhulog nang bonggang bongga sa isa't isa?

For Love You To The Stars and Back, the answer which even the most critical of audiences have relied on, is 'Minsan, kailangan mo lang maniwala.'

Fans of JaDine, KathNiel, LizQuen and other love teams (if there are others that are relevant, lol) may be angered by this statement but JoshLia is the most talented pair in this generation in terms of acting. I never watched a scene with Julia Barretto in it and told myself that she wasn't giving it justice. Girl always delivers. She is a brilliant actress who surprisingly adapts perfectly to roles given to her. Joshua, on the other hand, deserves Best Actor awards as early as now. What I think works perfectly well for him is that people who give him roles know that he could pull it off and he studies his characters in great depths so he plays them as if he isn't acting just to act. He's just on another level. Not cringe-worthy, not rehearsed, not forced.

Make no mistake about this movie because while its trailer seems to be a feel-good kind of experience, the full-length one is gonna make your heart heavy before it attempts to rip it out of your chest. (Oo, natraydor ako sa bigat ng pelikula. Kahit yung katabi ko nafeel kong sobrang na-stress din dahil sa bigat ng pinagdadaanan ng mga character.) HAHAHA. It's gonna make you giggle, laugh, cloud your eyes and let you hagulgol if you allow yourself to. LoL.

Some movies are praised because they depict encounters and events that are very close to real life. This movie is not one of those.

But there are movies about special chances and events that may occur rarely to special people with complicated lives that they want to make simple. This is one of those.

And it's an excellent one.

Xoxo,

@callmenorby

Photo courtesy by: Star Cinema

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BIRDSHOT (2017): A FILM REVIEW

2:09:00 PM

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100 TULA PARA KAY STELLA (2017): A FILM REVIEW

2:05:00 PM

Some people online are condemning the director of 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Jason Paul Laxamana, because of his staunch and relentless support for this admin's War On Drugs. People say his movie should be boycotted. While it's undisputable that Laxamana's Indie works have been extremely brilliant, unfortunately the boycott isn't necessary. People will realize 100 Tula Para Kay Stella isn't outstanding. You may love the main characters but apart from them, nothing else in the movie is redeeming.

This is the first Bella Padilla film I watched so I don't have a baseline (lol). But she was natural and amazing in this film. She embodied a tired female lead effortlessly. Kitang kita mo sa kanya na pagod na pagod na sya sa life and that's what her character was all about. JC Santos on the other hand is a hard-working actor. I think he's brilliant. I can feel how he prepared for the role and his character, Fidel, is probably the most valuable asset for this movie. He is convincing and his tears (especially at the final scene) gave off too many rushing emotions.

You can't help but compare how a film about a "feels" love story should fare when you have 'I'm Drunk, I Love You' and 'Kita Kita' coming before this. Add to that pressure the fact that 'Mercury Is Mine', '2 Cool 2 Be 4Gotten', & 'Babagwa' - all critics' Indie faves are under Laxamana's belt. These films have remarkable storytelling and weren't convoluted. I'd like to believe that 100 Tula Para Kay Stella had technical or timing problems when they filmed it but there's a part of me that also thinks the plot wasn't stable enough for a full-length movie. Many movies go on a roller-coaster ride and are still enjoyable but for 100 Tula's case, only the beginning and end were entertaining.

The rest of the movie was either cringe-worthy (push nyo pa singing career ni Fidel, ugh haha), too rehearsed (e.g. Yung Ulan scene nina Von and Stella) or unnecessary. I know I should feel bad because there was a point in the movie just before the end that I wanted to go out of the cinema and just go home. HAHAHAHA. It was that bad. Good thing, the ending came to redeem the whole mess. Still it wasn't enough.

If you guys are running out of time to watch #PistaNgPelikulangPilipino2017, I suggest not to prioritize this. I've seen better. We've seen better.

Xoxo,

@callmenorby

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KITA KITA (2017): A FILM REVIEW

1:55:00 PM

I don't think I'm already over Cielo (Alessandra de Rossi) in 'Sakaling Hindi Makarating' riding a motorcycle at the end of the movie, promising to come home, so when I saw Lea (still Alessandra de Rossi) riding a bike on her way to work at the opening scene of 'Kita Kita', a part of me was already won over by the mere sight of the female lead. And as the movie ended, 'Kita Kita' did not just win my heart, it also captured my occasionally-poetic soul, definitely not something a rom-com normally does to me. Or does a rom-com even do that? Capture souls?

Meron akong isang libo't isang comments about Kita Kita, to the point na di ko na alam ano ang pinaka-importante. Haha.

Si Empoy, he's a revelation! I can't get enough of the fact that he has somehow shattered our male lead stereotype. Jericho, John Lloyd, Piolo, James Reid, who? Hindi naman si Empoy matangkad, ma-appeal, yung buhok nga nya naka-pomade pa, tapos the bigote. Sinong male lead ba nakabigote in his optimal state sa isang Pinoy rom-com flick? Pero si Empoy, being the comedian we all know he is, kuminang, effective, and at a surprising extent, nagpakilig effortlessly. All the million Filipino jaws dropped collectively. Boom! Pwede pala ganun.

Yung story. Di naman ground-breaking yung story, if you dig deeper into the plot. We have seen many of the plot's elements from various Korean, Japanese, American films and Young Adult romance novels. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a Wattpad story that is largely similar to the film's plot. Personally, I would recognize the fact that there are parts of the movie that aren't perfect, could have been replaced or could have been better. But all this almost didn't matter at all. Forgivable given that rom-coms are made with escapist intentions. Even before 'Kita Kita' asked for an apology (because of the somewhat creepy STALKER element of the plot? Lol), we have already forgiven it.

Si Alex, the Alessandra de Rossi. The underrated Alessandra de Rossi, whose previous roles in the entertainment industry were all either dark or troubled, was cast as a light-hearted female lead who is expected to smile, laugh, giggle and act lovable as Lea in the film. Another revelation. Boom, si Alex, pwede pala. Kathryn, Nadine, Liza, Sarah G, who? Lol. But seriously, if I liked Alessandra de Rossi before for her film efforts, call me obsessed right now. She is too real on-cam and off-cam that I don't think she is capable of a bad angle or a bad take while filming. All emotions people feel after watching Kita Kita, remember, the film is centered on her point of view.

You will never hear 'Two Less Lonely People In The World' the same way again after watching the movie. Even if you hear the original version by Air Supply, you'll always look for KZ Tandingan's and you'll always remember Lea and Tonyo. The moment the whole song started playing and it showed a slideshow of different nostalgic places in Sapporo with Lea blindfolding herself, I had two things:

1. Goosebumps all over my body as I found that extremely, extremely poetic (I mean, come on, isn't that what they call Panata? Sobrang malalim yung gesture my head exploded into a hundred IG caption materials.)

2. Immediate want to travel to Sapporo, Japan (films like this always tend to promote places for Tourism effectively).

I know showing na ngayon yung movie nina Sarah at John Lloyd but if you haven't watched Kita Kita yet, unahin niyo na. If you won't enjoy it, then you don't deserve watching rom-coms at all. Lol

XOXO,

@callmenorby

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ALL OF YOU (2017): A FILM REVIEW

ANG LARAWAN (2017): A FILM REVIEW

DEADMA WALKING (2017): A FILM REVIEW

SIARGAO (2017): A FILM REVIEW

BAD GENIUS (2017): A FILM REVIEW

LOVE YOU TO THE STARS AND BACK (2017): A FILM REVIEW

BIRDSHOT (2017): A FILM REVIEW

100 TULA PARA KAY STELLA (2017): A FILM REVIEW

KITA KITA (2017): A FILM REVIEW

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