Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
By Bernadette Faustine C. Balao
The Philippine independent film industry has slowly etched its way into the artistic sensibilities of many Filipinos.
With its realist approach to filmmaking, “indie movies” provide relief for moviegoers who have grown weary of the fantasy-driven films of mainstream cinema.
While it is practically wrong to say that the indie scene revived Philippine cinema (big production movies, such as the recently released My Big Love, continue to rake in the big bucks), it is but logical to conclude that indie movies introduce diversity and critical filmmaking to Philippine cinema.
Independent films unofficially went mainstream with the success of the 2006 movie, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.
Aureaus Solito’s film about a 12-year old gay who is torn between his devotion to his family and his infatuation with a handsome cop not only garnered several awards and nominations from both local and foreign award-giving bodies, but it also fared well enough in the box office to be part of the Filipino popular culture (nearly everybody who has ever been to a movie house knows who Maximo Oliveros is).
With a measly budget of less than a million pesos, the film relied heavily on the story and its unflinching realism.
Solito made most of the meager resources that he had and what he ended up was a gripping and painfully familiar picture of the Filipino masses.
Michiko Yamamoto’s screenplay could have been powerful enough to have propelled the movie into a level greater than it had already attained but disappointing acting had prevented the movie’s ascension into perfection.
JR Valentin disappoints with his lackluster performance as the handsome cop, Victor. He fails to express any believable emotion through his dialogue.
Although newcomer Nathan Lopez impressed most of Maximo’s audience, his tempered performance still disappoints. His acting was one of those “almost-there-but-not-quite” cases which frustrate some to no end.
Nevertheless, Maximo, with its good musical score, editing and cinematography is still a milestone in independent filmmaking.
Scent of a Woman
By Monica Eunice Santiago
Tango: "If you make a mistake, you just tango on."
When you come to experience an extremely boring and gimmick-less Friday midnight and you’ve had three cups of coffee for the past 12 hours, that may be a great opportunity for you to discover that you are missing a marvelous old film dated 16 years back in your poor life.
Initially, you may feel like changing the disc, especially if you have this “impression” about films shot in a “country-style” setting. And with its music that gives this “emotional mood”, you might think it is just some dramatic crap that wouldn’t make you laugh. But then comes the younger Chris O'Donell, looking like a huggable kid with a double chin. And later on, the Al Pacino, whose first few lines will convince you that you should stay with these two characters for the next two hours or so.
One way or another, each of us needs a break. And in the award-winning movie Scent of a Woman, Thanksgiving weekend is the chance for visually impaired military man, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade to travel and woo women.
The film, being a drama, comprises neither of special effects nor any sort of animation. A remake of 1974 Italian film Scent of a Woman, it mirrors the culture of Italy during such period. It was also very effective in entertaining and educating viewers, being an awardee of Golden Globe Awards.
The cinematography was very remarkable - with the correct placement and movement of the camera, the lighting that seems to be always sunny yet exuding this “nostalgic” feeling, and the classic color, it may seem to the viewer that he is actually part of the story. The clothing of the characters was effective in showing what kind of roles they portray. The pace of the story was neither fast nor slow – it was dramatic, and a bit poetic in a way that you have to comprehend their actions. The twist of events was unexpected, intensifying the feeling of suspense among the viewers.
The interplay of the two opposite characters was also very remarkable. Both portrayals were very realistic, and the conflict only appears as you go along – you can’t just make a wild guess because of the sudden twist of events.
Charlie, an unprivileged hardworking student who won a scholarship in a private school, scans the bulletin board in one of the institution's hallways one day, sees a job and knew he needed it. Next thing he knew, he was being ill-manneredly spoken to by the apparently blind and retired kernel named Frank. Charlie realizes he doesn't want the job but then he pitied the begging kernel's family who were badly in need of a vacation...big problem, nobody's going to look after the grumpy blind man. And so he took the job.
What Charlie didn't see coming is that they're flying to New York City on his first day of work, and take note, first class. Also, staying in a five-star hotel, and eating in a restaurant serving $24 hamburger never crossed his mind. Not to mention, being driven by a limo in a city where bicycle is but a word.
Eventually, Charlie learns about the bitterness of Frank. Although he speaks ill-manneredly, Charlie believed he isn't at all a bad man.
Frank never ran out of words of wisdom hidden beneath his shitty language. He also seems to have never run out of passion for women, his profession, and life. As a matter of fact, he even taught a completely beautiful stranger how to tango.
Everything was fine, and relationship between the two characters is getting deeper everyday. That is until unexpected events occur and a twist of characters emerges.
"You screwed up, so what?" Charlie said. "Everybody does."
P.S. I Love You
By Jessica Bajet
Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank) is beautiful, smart and married to the love of her life- a passionate, funny and impetuous Irishman named Gerry (Gerard Butler). So when Gerry’s life was taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the only one who is no longer there. Nobody knows holly better than Gerry. So it’s a good thing he planned ahead.
Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, no only through her grief but in rediscovering herself. Te first message arrives on Holly’s 30th birthday in the form of a cake and, to her utter shock, a tape recording from Gerry, who proceeds to order her to get out and “celebrate herself.” In the weeks and months that follow, more letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off the same way: p.s. I love you.
Holly’s mother (Kathy Bates) and best friends, Denise (Lisa Kudrow) and Sharon (Gina Gershon), begin to worry that Gerry’s letters are keeping Holly tied to the past, but in fact, each letter is pushing her further into a new future.
With Gerry’s words as her guide, Holly embarks on a touching, exciting and often hilarious journey of rediscovery in a story about marriage, friendship, and how a love so strong can turn the finality of death into a new beginning for life.
On the 26th of December 2007, Warner Brothers Cinema released a romantic comedy film starring Million dollar baby star Hillary Swank and 300 star Gerard Butler. The film was directed by Richard LaGravenese.
As the elements of film are concerned, P.S. I love you was able to capture the captivating approach of film fundamentals. Its story focuses on a certain subject treated romantically and gives importance to past and future depiction of the events. The well-weaved plot and script helped the story to accomplish coherence.
The film’s overall pace and rhythm must be credited to Richard LaGravenese, the director. His collaboration with the rest of the film designers achieved an appropriate and interesting visualization of the plot plus the very romantic soundtrack which added to the surprisingly no-expense-spared package of the film.
We movie-goers pre-test our taste buds by taking a closer look on trailers or posters advertising the next picture. We get captivated by photos and captured clips which are all the subject being taken cared of by cinematographers. The photo itself of P.S I love you poster melted down the hearts of the young and those who are in dire inspiration for love: with the concoction of the naturalness of romantic performance of the lead actors, the film had been of great success.
The share of romantic juices on depicting the actor’s oneness in their characters, heartfelt script lines, and close to reality highlights of the film paved its way to success.
