misterphilippines Reviews

Magnifico (2003)

A revolutionary film for Philippine cinema!

[10/10 · 30 June 2006]

Unfortunately, I never got the chance to watch this film in Germany when it won its awards at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004. I only had the chance to watch it when I came back to the Philippines and I never really expected what impact it would have on me.

First, it is obvious that Miss Yamamoto is a gifted screenplay writer and director de los Reyes will bring it far in his respective field if he will continue his great contributions for Philippine cinema. Maginifico is really an enlightment and inspiration towards the development of Filipino films. This is what the dying entertainment industry needs right now.

The story and the sound effects were good, the music really fitted very well to the setting. The beginning scenes of the story weren't really captivating at all so one needed patience to get attracted to its plot. The scenes are simple but they become touching once the story gears to an end. In this film, no character has to wail or shout to catch viewers' emotions, the reality and frankness of the film was so direct and impressive that the story simply forces you to cry at some point. I never really cry at movies, even Hollywood tear-jerkers have no effect on me. This one has just awaken so much truth and reality in the Philippine society of poverty and innocence of a child, it really is heartrending.

One thing that could have been improved are the visual qualities of the film, they are really not compatible to global standards. And there were too many scenes at the story that were really out of topic etc. but otherwise, this film really is a knockout. It is a great contribution to the local film industry and films like these with high quality deserve good production and not only support for the commercial mainstream in the Philippines but also in cinemas worldwide. It can really par with many Hollywood masterpieces.

Filipinas (2003)

VERY PROMISING!

[31 October 2004]

So far, one of the best Philippine movies of this millennium! There is no other movie that depicts the life of a typical Filipino clan and portrays the Philippine economy better than Filipinas. In my opinion, this was the right movie that deserved the Metro Manila Film Festival 2003 Best Picture Award. A realistic drama that touches right from the very beginning. Even the introduction is already touching. Even the title alone is excellent. Also the soundtrack song of the movie sang by Sarah Geronimo's powerful voice is also excellent. Great plot, great scripts and superior acting! The matriarch of the family played her role very well and not to mention, Maricel Soriano(Yolanda), the main character, is really touching and ground-breaking. One of the most captivating actresses I've ever encountered. This is a great start to kick off the reformation of Filipino films in the 21st century. This film is somewhat very nationalistic, even though it has nothing to do with national pride at all. It is a dedication to the lives of the average Filipino family and pays tribute to the importance of a family. I predicted that this film would not click internationally since it would have been too complicated to understand for the international audience who know nothing about the lower class Filipino way of life. Full of struggles and very promising, it beams up the pride of every Filipino. It will be impossible that this movie would not win a person's heart who knows what the current situation of Filipino life. This film is highly recommended to drama lovers.

A Change of Heart (2000)

VERY HEARTWARMING!

[31 October 2004]

I find the story very simple but classic. From the very beginning, it shows the sceneries of a provincial town. In a colonial church, the matriarch of the family (Gloria Romero) sits and prays with her rosary, while one of her grand daughters sing in the choir and her other grand daughter sits beside her. This beginning of the story reminded me of my grandmother in the province when she was still alive. The theme of this movie is how a family should stay together even in hard times. this film is about a clan broken up in different directions and the only element that connects them all is the matriarch of the family who becomes ill. Her sickness: Altsheimer, memory loss. The clan summons up in the ancestral house and there, they have to decide whether they should brake up as a family or not. A very inspiring film, I was amazed by the acting of Gloria Romero, Edu Manzano and Jericho Rosales. Shaina Magdayao played her role as a young innocent child very well. It is amazing how Miss Gloria Romero can still play an excellent role despite her age. I recommend this to people who love to watch heartwarming and family-oriented movies.

Ang tanging ina (2003)

Very Notable!

[31 October 2004]

The greatest thing about this film is the message of making teenagers understand the importance of a mother and what they have to go through to raise their own children. At least you will learn something here. Ai Ai delas Alas played her role really well here. Probably her best film. She really deserved winning best actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2003. All her twelve children were also excellent: Jiro Manio, Heart Evangelista, Carlo Aquino and Nikki Valdez were excellent. Also her homosexual son did a great job playing his role. It is a comedy combined with emotional scenes. This keeps the story from being boring. I would of course recommend this to everybody who like drama and comedy combined in one.

The Seventies (2002)

MASTERFULLY MADE!

[31 October 2004]

I admire the director of this movie for being able to make a dramatic film based on a ground-breaking novel. It really pays tribute to the Philippines' Martial Law history. I really felt the seventies in this film. Too bad, this one didn't qualify for an Oscar Award in 2002. But it doesn't matter at all. This is really and excellent film. Vilma Santos once again acted like a superior actress who kbows no bounds. Christopher de Leon was okay. All their children did a good job acting. I also admire the make up designers of the movie who made everything fit to the seventies: the house, the furniture, the clothes, the hairstyle, the fashion and etc. I also liked the ending as well and the soundtrack song. It was really touching.People who like based-on-history films should really watch this one.

Gagamboy (2004)

Great Romance,although low quality budget on film

[31 October 2004]

It is obvious that this film is nothing really special. Typically Filipino. I only liked Vhong Navarro's flirting with the beautiful and sexy actress Aubrey Miles. That's all. The plot is okay. They've played their role as lovers really well. Llana(Aubrey Miles) being a humble beauty goddess and Junie/Gagamboy (Vhong navarro) being shy but helpful and honest, grabs the attention of the audience. The surroudings are very typical to a typical Philippine city slum area. I find it unique that the plot takes place there. In this film, people will learn about how one should be confident of showing one's true self without hiding what one really is. Also, people should not underestimate others on their abilities and what they look like. I think this was the actual message of the film. Once again, Vhong Navarro played his role very well here. I recommend this to people who like simple but satisfying films.

Jeannie, bakit ngayon ka lang? (2002)

Simple but touching!

[31 October 2004]

Oh goodness, bad quality films that are superb are really rare. Juddy Ann Santos as the main character Jeannie has dona a touching job. The song Bakit Ngayon Lang? is one of my favorite songs and the plot of the story is what I've imagine every time I heard it. Badong(Robin Padilla) has loved Emma(Tanya Garcia) ever since but she has always rejected him. But knowing Jeannie for a longer time makes him develop feelings for her. Although he notices at the very end that he loves her more than anyone else. Robin Padilla who is usually as action star plays the role as a non-confident man, while drama star Juddy Ann Santos plays a genie from a bottle. Very good flirting and acting. It will either make laugh or cry at the end. I recommend this for people who are confused with love and are looking for the right person.

Milan (2004)

Very informing!

[31 October 2004]

Here, people will understand the life of the many Filipino migrant workers of Italy.

It is a love story of a young man named Lino (Piolo Pascual)who comes to Milan,Italy so find his missing wife whom he terribly misses. In order to do this, he joins a large group of illegal Filipinos who manage to escape to Italy through the Swiss border. Arriving in Milan, he meets a young Filipina domestic helper who passes for a beautiful Italian woman named Jenny(Claudine Barretto) and asks for her help. Through her, he gets to know the way of life in Italy as a Filipino migrant worker and the discriminations he has to face from the society of discriminating Italians and Italo-Filipinos, although he fails finding his wife. As he gets used to this, he falls in love with Jenny and together they experience the sweetness of life. But as time goes by, troubles occur and they have to decide whether they really belong to each other or not.

This story, although not very masterfully made, has a beautiful and romantic plot. Dedicated to the masses of Filipino workers in Italy, this is what I can call a classic related to the Filipino migrant worker. A must see for modern Filipino romance movie lovers.

Gagamboy (2004)

Low quality film:Simple but somewhat satisfying!

[31 October 2004]

It is obvious that this film is nothing really special. Typically Filipino. I only liked Vhong Navarro's flirting with the beautiful and sexy actress Aubrey Miles. That's all. The plot is okay. They've played their role as lovers really well. Llana(Aubrey Miles) being a humble beauty goddess and Junie/Gagamboy (Vhong Navarro) being shy but helpful and honest, grabs the attention of the audience. The surroundings are very typical to a typical Philippine city slum area. I find it unique that the plot takes place there. In this film, people will learn about how one should be confident of showing one's true self without hiding what one really is. Also, people should not underestimate others on their abilities and what they look like. I think this was the actual message of the film. Once again, Vhong Navarro played his role very well here. I recommend this movie to people who like simple but satisfying films.

Crying Ladies (2003)

A Unique Heritage Film but nothing really special at all!

[31 October 2004]

I watched this film in Germany. Looking at the cover alone, I thought it would be a drama but people told me, it was suppose to be a comedy with interludes of emotional scenes. As I watched the introduction, I already noticed that this film had at least high quality production. And even the entering music was great. Another good thing was that the visual scene of the entire movie was very clear, compared to most Filipino movies. Well, it's because good quality equipments were used in this film. One thing I liked the most about this film are the sound effects. Those were the only elements that gave feeling and justice to the acting if the casts. I found the crying of the mourners very corny. The whole plot of the story, I really don't know what to say. Nothing really special. It didn't touch me at all. But the cast played their roles very well. Also the written script was good. Many people hated it and found it corny. But I have to admit that it was somewhat heart-warming. I also noticed after watching the movie that this film pays tribute to the Philippines' Filipino-Chinese heritage and I know that cultural movies do well internationally, which actually was true. For the average Filipino movie, I do not think this one is really anything special. I also don' understand why many people love this film so much. But it is weird that I find it unique in a way. Maybe it's because this film is a refreshment for Philippine cinema. I highly recommend this movie to people who are interested in foreign customs and cultures. I'm sure it will be an eye opener!