Review of UNANG TIKIM: Lesbian Loving

August 16, 2024

Yuna (Angeli Khang) works as a waitress in a coffee shop under her boss Nico (Matt Francisco) who had a crush on her. However, she was in a serious romantic relationship with photographer Becca (Robb Guinto), who frequently had Yuna pose for her. Becca was well-to-do, and was in process of migrating to the US. Meanwhile, Yuna had to contend with her gambler mother Tess (Susan Africa) who had leech for a boyfriend (Junebert Cantila).

This is the very first theatrical release by Vivamax since they started its online streaming app in 2021. It is directed by Roman Perez Jr., one of the most prolific directors on Vivamax, and starred Angeli Khang and Robb Guinto, two of the most popular breakout sexy stars who started off in Vivamax. It would be interesting how this move works as Vivamax now tries to broaden its reach beyond the app. 

The story and screenplay by Marianne Maddawat was about a couple, both on their first serious romantic relationship, who had a bad breakup, and then meet up again after several years to reevaluate their lost love. This plot had definitely been done before, just in various different contexts. In thoese cases, it's just the style of the director and the charisma and chemistry of the lead stars which would spell the difference. 

Director Roman Perez Jr. is known for his bombastic directorial style combining gritty and generous doses of sex and violence in Vivamax films like "Pamasahe,' "Kamadora" or "Litsoneras." Here, violence was limited screaming catfights between Yuna and Becca. The sex scenes, both lesbian and hetero, were surprisingly toned down even in the R-18 cut. The MTRCB still held sway for cinematic releases, unlike in streaming.

Tall and svelte, Angeli Khang's innocent face belied her carnal urges, which went both ways. Robb Guinto fits the role of rich, sophisticated Becca to a T, the more dominant partner in their relationship. Matt Francisco had shown promise in "Haliparot," but he is underused and rather emasculated here as Nico. They were able to cast veteran actress Susan Africa as Yuna's mother, you wish she had more to do. 5/10. 

Review of UN/HAPPY FOR YOU: Fix by Failing

August 16, 2024

It was the 2018 Maharang Festival in Naga City. The program host was asking the audience for contestants to vie for Chili King and Queen. Tourist from Manila Zy Angeles (Julia Barretto) was very enthusiastically volunteering herself, but the host wanted her to have a male partner. Zy just grabbed the cute local guy beside her Juancho Trinidad (Joshua Garcia), and pulled him to the stage with her. They won the title. 

Presently, Juancho is the chef of their family-owned Casa Rosa restaurant, specializing in Bicolano cuisine. He was now planning to opening a branch in Manila. Zy is now a writer for an American publication based in New York City. She was assigned to Naga to write an article about Bicolano cuisine. Juancho and Zy, who had been lovers until 2 years ago, run into each other. Juancho invited her to Casa Rosa, and Zy agreed.

The story and screenplay was written by Kookai Labayen and Crystal San Miguel, with additional dialogues from Simon Lloyd Arciaga and Jen Chuaunsu. The cutesy rom-com parts may feel clichéd, but those angsty dramatic lines during arguments can hit very hard. We have all been in arguments with people we love, but it's different when we are the third party hearing valid points from both sides of the fence 

At first, we see the story of their bad breakup from Juancho's point of view, so we side with him initially and consider Zy as the bad guy.  When we finally get to hear Zy's side of the story, only then do we see the full picture. We are obsessed about staying together no matter what, but sometimes we have to step back to recognize that the relationship can already be toxic. Should this be fixed, or should they just let go?

Director Petersen Vargas is very well-versed with rom-coms, and he handled this one expertly. Now on their sixth film together, JoshLia looked great, with an electric romantic chemistry as a screen couple, from heatedly eating spicy delicacies to catching crablets on a rowboat. Individually, they can deliver those dramatic arguments and monologues in a way that could move audiences to tears. Surely, a crowd-pleaser! 7/10. 

Netflix: Review of LOLO AND THE KID: Conman Comrades

August 12, 2024

One day, a wealthy childless couple saw a homeless young boy Kid (Euwenn Mikael) and an older man, his Lolo (Joel Torre), seated together on the sidewalk across their house. The couple invited them into their house, and they got to know each other better. They eventually asked Lolo if he would agree for them to adopt Kid as their own son. Lolo reluctantly agreed and left Kid behind, protesting in tears.

Such melodrama is the substance of many Filipino drama films in the past, so you'd think this new film will be going down the same clichéd paths. However, even before the opening credits came on, everything turned out to a just one big con job. The charming grandpa-cute kid grifting partners take advantage of lonely people longing for a child to steal items they could sell to have cash for the next few days.

Given the twisted sense of morality of the story, writer-director Benedict Mique had to play a tricky game of balancing the genuine loving bond between Lolo and Kid, with the fact that Lolo was in fact exploiting Kid's cuteness to steal valuable items from their hapless victims. We are supposed to root for them to stay partners forever, yet we also know that it was very wrong for Lolo to bring up Kid into a life of crime. 

Mique pulls this off thanks to the natural talent, charisma and chemistry of this two lead stars, the ever-reliable character actor Joel Torre and the MMFF 2023 boy-wonder of "Firefly", Euwann Mikael. Furthermore, Mique kept things light and funny, including those scenes with Lolo's favorite fence Taba (David Shouder). Lolo had a wholesome routine of amusement park and karaoke bar after each caper, nothing dark nor sleazy.

We were never shown any aftermath of their crimes for their victims, even if they were portrayed by name actors, like Meryll Soriano, Joem Bascon, Iza Calzado, Markki Stroem, Nico Antonio. While the film wasn't really about them, it felt cold that they just dropped out, never to be heard from again. I was hoping that these characters could've been revisited in passing before the film ended,  but that didn't happen.

As one of the main highlights of their modus operandi, whenever Kid would turn up the waterworks, the audience is moved to tears. Towards the end of the film, the grownup Kid is already played by JK Labajo in a perfect bit of casting. Yes, we knew they'd get to sing "Through the Years" together again. But by then, we care enough about the partners that tears automatically well up at that bittersweet moment.  7/10. 

Cinemalaya 2024: Review of GULAY LANG, MANONG: Cannabis Concoction

August 11, 2024

After one unfortunate day at his vegetable farm, Manong Pilo (Perry Dizon) was introduced by his childish grandson Ricky (BJ Lacson) to his new friend Razer (Ranzel Magpantay), a person with dwarfism who was the right-hand man of a hugaholic marijuana cultivator who went by the catchy codename "Haring Damo" (Dong Abay) and owned a cute little puppy he called Pechay.

Meanwhile, SPO2 Ariel Lacson (Cedrick Juan) was a young officer of the police department in Region 2. He was the son of a decorated police officer Antonio Lacson (Arrian Labios), who retired after contracting a neurological condition. Ariel liked publicity, so he volunteered for TV interviews, always making sure that his face and statement delivery were perfect for the camera. 

This quirky film, written and directed by BC Amparado, was advocating for the legalization of marijuana, particularly for medical reasons. There was even a lecture about the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) components of cannabis. THC produces a high, while CBD does not. One needs to cross strains to achieve about an 18% CBD to make the leaf ideal for medical use.  

It was rather tricky for Amparado to balance the benevolent effect of cannabis with the fact that marijuana is still considered illegal in our country. It was also tricky for him to balance his serious intent with the funnier aspects of getting stoned with weed. Viewers enjoyed laughing at those shaky visual effects and drawling speech patterns which signified that the character was high.

Cedrick Juan tries some comedy this time after his career resurgence last year, but his highlight was still a dramatic scene with his father. The standouts in the supporting cast were definitely Ranzel Magpantay as the energetic Razer and Dong Abay as the lovable Haring Damo. Lui Manansala showed a different persona as Sen. Vivian Delmar, who "looooved" farmers. The impact of Perry Dizon as the titular Manong was rather subdued compared to the rest of the wacky cast. 6/10. 

Cinemalaya 2024: Review of THE HEARING: Defending the Deaf

August 8, 2024

The family of Dante (Nor Domingo) and Madonna (Mylene Dizon) Umali resided in a remote island community. Dante operated a boat service to ferry people from the mainland to the island and back. Aside from being a housewife, Madonna was an active member of the church women's group. Their eldest son, Lucas (Enzo Osorio), was a deaf-mute, while the youngest, Tomas (Ruslan Jacob Asumbrado), had no congenital disabilities. 

One day, Fr. Mejor Lahay (Rom Factolerin) was brought to the island to say Mass. The kids were told by their elders to help bring the gifts for Fr. Mejor to the house of barangay captain Berto (Neil Tolentino). On their way home, Madonna noted that Lucas was not his usual self. He stopped in the middle of the road and began to cry. Madonna knew something was wrong, and tried her best to persuade Lucas to tell her what happened to him.

This film, written by Honeylyn Joy Alipio and directed by Law Fajardo, had two advocacies that it wanted to push. First is awareness about the deaf community, and second was about the sexual abuse of children. While the title "The Hearing"  probably referred to the judicial process where the judge hears witness testimonies, it could also refer to the auditory sense which Lucas lacked -- both of which were integral parts of this film.

Unlike other mothers in typical Filipino melodramas, Mylene Dizon played the distraught Madonna in a most restrained manner.  Nor Domingo provided solid support as Madonna's husband. I don't know if Enzo Osorio is a real deaf-mute boy or not, but his silent yet intense portrayal of Lucas was truly moving and riveting. That tense scene when Lucas was being grilled by cold defense lawyer Atty. Satparam (Atty. Francisco Salvador) was outstanding.

It was very interesting to see how the deaf were being treated within our criminal justice system. Having two sign language translators interpret and relay the deaf witness's answer to every question by the lawyers and investigators in order to assure accuracy and impartiality seems to be such a tedious process, yet the defense still attacked this process relentlessly to create a sense of reasonable doubt. I don't think I saw this in "Anatomy of a Fall" or any other movie before.

Fajardo's style of storytelling immersed us in the silent world Lucas lived in, seeing people and things in his 12 year-old point of view. We see how shaky and unsettling he saw the world to be. While we can see that he did not hear what the people around him were saying, I wish Fajardo could somehow have let us in on whether Lucas understood what was going on or not. I do not recall a scene where Lucas acknowledged his parents' concern for his well-being.

Curiously, Alipio and Fajardo chose to intertwine the domestic issues of one of the sign language translators into the story. Maya (Ina Feleo) was a SPED teacher who was occasionally called on by the courts to translate if there were deaf witnesses. At home, she endured her oppressive, brutish husband Joseph (Mark Dionisio). Of course, Feleo was excellent, but the connection between her problems with Lucas's case could feel rather tenuous. 8/10

Cinemalaya 2024: Review of BALOTA: Educating the Electorate

August 7, 2024

Emmy Cortez (Marian Rivera) was a dedicated public school teacher. She had a teenage son Enzo (Will Ashley). Her best friend was her cousin Melissa (Sue Prado), who was the mother of Enzo's best buddy Jimbo (Raheel Bhyria). It was election season, and in their town, the two candidates for mayor -- incumbent mayor Elena Hidalgo (Mae Paner) and her rival Giancarlo Edraline (Gardo Versoza) -- were going full tilt ahead with their campaigns. 

On election day, Emmy served as one of the poll officials in their local precinct, and it went on generally without incident. When the ballot box was about to be delivered to the governor, Emmy volunteered for the job, and was accompanied by her crush Teacher Waks (Myke Salomon). Before they left, the ballot box was handcuffed to Emmy's wrist as per tradition. What was supposed to have been a routine errand did not happen according to plan.

With "Balota," writer-director Kip Oebanda boldly followed up the heavily-political footsteps of his only previous Cinemalaya entry -- "Liway" (2018). There were already moments of violence at the start, with hitman Migs (Nico Antonio) doing his bloody jobs. Later, we see Emmy's ordeal while chained to the ballot box, which was certainly dead serious. Oebanda judiciously inserted comic moments to break the tension, from playing FLAMES to jingle showdowns. 

Several other people make Emmy's neighborhood a more interesting to live in. Cross-dressing gay guys Babe (Sassa Gurl) and Erhmengard (Esmyr Ranollo) provide colorful LGBT rainbow. Beat partners Pastor (Joel Saracho) and Morales (Royce Cabrera) were in sharp good cop - bad cop contrast. Anita (Donna Cariaga) led a picket line to demand justice for her late husband who died along with 12 other co-workers several years back.

As expected, Marian Rivera was the star of the whole show and she literally went through the entire gamut of emotions her. In drama, she drew the audience into her precarious plight that put her family in danger, and her difficult dilemma about who she can trust. In comedy, Rivera's Emmy can be sassy when she argued, or girly with her crush, and the audience enthusiastically laughed at all her zingers, from beginning to end. 

Marian Rivera lends her superstar power to attract the fickle Filipino moviegoers to watch a film with an important advocacy to push. Year after year, Filipino citizens go through various elections of public officials. More frequent than not, the winners were those with the biggest bribes or the best name recall, and not the most capable nor the most honest. This film tells us to stop this ridiculous circus now, and vote seriously with only patriotism in mind. 8/10. 

Cinemalaya 2024: Review of TUMANDOK: Imperative Indigenous Issues

August 6, 2024

Chieftain (Felipe Ganancial) was the leader of their indigenous Tumandok tribe who lived in the mountain village of Banaya. His eldest son Dino (Jimboy Sangher) became a soldier, but his 18 year-old daughter En-en (Jenaica Sangher) remained to assist him. One day, a little boy named Kikim was hit by a stray bullet in the leg while playing in the cornfield. He was just the latest victim of shootings which had been plaguing their village recently. 

This film written and directed by real-life couple Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay was a virtual immersion in the difficult lives of indigenous people living in mountain villages. The cast were all Ati tribespeople, who spoke in their native tongue of Inati. Being non-professional actors, this cast gave the film authenticity and sincerity in its advocacy to shed light on the pressing issues surrounding the Tumandok in reality. 

It was not enough that they lived in poverty, or that they walk a very far distance to reach the city. Now, safety is also a concern, as tribesmen have been killed or injured by shootings. They tried to reach out to politicians for help, but all they get is lip service, but no action. That whole part about the Mayor Emmanuel Lerona (Jay Trenas) was frustrating -- from his scrolling his phone during the dance program to his ignoring of an appointed meeting. 

Fiction segued into fact as documentary segment brought awareness to the case of nine Tumandok leaders who had been gunned down in cold blood. The filmmakers bravely implicate the Philippine Military in their death. The encroachment of lowlanders into the ancestral lands of indigenous people is a topic that had been discussed in several indie films before, particularly how natives were duped into signing documents they did not read.

Even as the film showed the natives moving out of their lands out of fear for their lives, the character of En-en provided hope for the future for these proud people. This young woman had vision and dedication to preserve their community with a five-year working plan. Even if she had to stop formal education after her high school graduation, she knew that their people were not born to beg, and she was willing to lead their cause like her father did. 7/10. 

Cinemalaya 2024: Review of LOVE CHILD: Adulting with Autism

August 6, 2024

Pre-law student Ayla (Jane Oineza) and aspiring filmmaker Paolo (RK Bagatsing) were college sweethearts. When Ayla had an unplanned pregnancy, they both stopped their studies to prove to their families that they can fend for themselves and their baby. Unfortunately, their son Kali (John Tyrron Ramos) was not yet talking at 4 years of age. It was only then that they consulted a doctor who confirmed that Kali had autism spectrum disorder. 

Ayla and Pao decided to move to Bacolod, accepting the offer of Ayla's retired aunt to live in her house free of charge. Enrolling Kali in the SPED program of a public school at first, they thought they had things all figured out. However, when inadequacies of the first school forced them to move Kali to a private school for special children, they began to experience the extreme strain on their limited incomes and their day-to-day lives. 

When it was revealed in the first scene that this film was going to be about raising an autistic child, you already knew by then that this was going to be a tearjerker -- and indeed it was. Raising a special child is a tremendous responsibility for any parent, even the best of them, ?They can experience insecurities about their inadequacies, and may want to give up, especially those who do not have an extended family to depend on for assistance.

This film is only the second feature film co-written and directed by Jonathan Jurilla. Above the weepy melodrama expected from this theme, the script, co-written with Arden Rod Condez and Ayu Martinez, expounded on prohibitive prices for the best SPED schools and one-on-one therapists. Too bad the story only started when Kali was four. It would have been more educational if much earlier signs were recognized and addressed (even as flashbacks). 

Oineza and Bagatsing had a realistic, refreshing chemistry between them, as partners who were cooperating towards the same noble goal. Oineza was at her best when Anya was getting insecure as she watched Kali following his shadow teacher (Marianel Tan) more, instead of her.  Bagatsing's Pao bravely kept a smile on his face, unmindful of the sacrifices he had gone through. His tearful scene at the Christmas party hit me hard. 7/10.  

Cinemalaya 2024: Review of KONO BASHO: Sisterly Sensitivities

August 5, 2024

When her father Emman passed away, his estranged daughter Ella (Gabby Padilla) went over from the Philippines to Japan to pay her respects. She was brought by her aunt Maita (Sheryl Ichikawa) and her husband Sada (Satoshi Nikaido) to meet the second wife Atsuko (Reiko Kataoka) and her half-sister Reina (Arisa Nakano). Things were frosty at first between the half-sisters, especially when lawyer Nishi (Sho Yakumaru) read out their late father's will. 

Gabby Pineda is back after her acclaimed performance in "Gitling" from Cinemalaya last year, where she played the translator of a Japanese film director. Nihongo plays another significant role in her new Cinemalaya film this year. This whole film was set in Japan, so everyone else was speaking in Japanese, except Pineda's Ella. This language barrier further accentuated the isolation that her character felt in the midst of a new family whom she just met.

As Pineda portrayed Ella, she came across as very cold on the big screen. As a viewer, it was difficult for me to connect emotionally with Ella, especially with that American accent she was speaking English with, which further made her character feel more inaccessible. By being aloof with Reina, Ella was trying her best to project strength and independence, and Pineda succeeded to make that bitterly and disdainfully clear. 

Playing opposite Pineda is young Japanese actress Arisa Nakano, in her feature film follow-up after playing the lead character's niece in Wim Wenders's Oscar-nominated film "Perfect Days" (2023). Her Reina was more deeply affected by her father's death, owing to a traumatic experience they both shared in the past. Nakano was able to make us feel Reina's pain that she had been bottling up.  Her breakdown scene with the paints was heartbreaking.

Writer-director Jaime Pacana II crafted a beautiful Japanese aesthetic for his feature film debut. Those scenes outside the Iwate Tsunami Memorial in Rikuzentakata were suffused with zen balance and symmetry, in contrast with the devastating 2011 disaster the museum (and this film) commemorated. Pacena included a subplot about a pregnancy which felt contrived at first, but he was able to turn it around and make it work in the end. 7/10.  

Cinemalaya 2024: Review of KANTIL: Secrets of the Shell

August 5, 2024

Mrs. Emilia Buhisan (Sue Prado) was a disgraced ex-teacher who now led the poor seaside community of Trabungko. The residents were facing relocation because their land was being repossessed by the powerful Del Castro family, led by current councilor Saturnino "Kabayan" de Castro (Raul Arellano) and his brother Jeremy (Tads Obach). Kabayan's son Eliong (Andre Miguel) was now being groomed to follow his father's political footsteps. 

One day while out at sea, fisherman Cai (Perry Dizon) found a strange big black rock-like shell caught in his net.  When he brought it back to his wife Marietta (Fe Gingging Hyde), they consulted Mrs. Buhisan about it. She sent her trusted aide Inday Sisi (Ram Botero) and local beauty Vicenta (Alyssa Saliling) to investigate. Was this strange item actually the legendary stone of the mythic serpent Trabungko, from which their village got its name? 

This film written and directed by Joshua Caesar Medroso tackled many themes at the same time. Aside from political corruption, power tripping and social injustice in rural communities, there was also a doomed LGBT romance in there, two familiar themes for Cinemalaya films. The film pushed the limits of the PG rating by opening with scene of a sexual nature between two men, and then showed several scenes of brutal murders to boot.

Medroso then brought in a supernatural angle into the story with the Trabungko stone, which he supplied with a history, while still keeping its nature and power a mystery. The title was the Bisaya word for "trench," referring to the location where this curious item was found. It would have been good if they showed how the shell worked its magic, but alas, I guess there wasn't enough time nor budget for special effects to bring this phenomenon on the big screen. 

In one key scene in the beginning of the film, a character was murdered one night and his dead body was thrown in the sea. The next morning when the body was found, the usual changes noted for a corpse soaked overnight were not noted. There would at least have been visible effects of prolonged soaking in water on his skin.  This detail was a major plot hole for me because of all the things that happened next to this dead man. 

Leading this ensemble cast was Sue Prado, who was consistent in her realistic portrayals of flawed protagonists. Her Ms. Buhisan could actually be a reformed version of her predatory character in "Your Mother's Son" (2023). Raul Arellano and Tads Obach were chilling as corrupt politicians. Andre Miguel's Eliong seethed with the angst of a conflicted teenager. Edmund Telmo stoically played Eliong's lover Paleng who underwent a mysterious upheaval in his existence which he never asked for.  6/10. 

Review of HOW TO SLAY A NEPO BABY: Social Satire with Scares

August 1, 2024

One day, political scion Cass (Barbie Imperial) invited her group of spoiled rich kids for a trip to Sagada. They include CEO-to-be Ada (Sue Ramirez), depression-beset vegan Bella (Chaye Mogg), muscle-bound sex addict J (Naia Ching), and substance addict twins Kel (Ralph Gomez) and Sho (Phi Gomez). Much to the kids' annoyance, they will be chaperoned by Cass's strict and old-fashioned gay nanny Yayo (Phi Palmos).

At first, Alpha Habon's screenplay seemed to be a satiric take against the lifestyle of the privileged children of the  rich and famous parents. We see the deplorable way they dealt with the working class around them. With their limitless cash reserves, they believe that they can buy anything out or pay anything off. If money cannot do the talking, they would resort to threats and blackmail unafraid, knowing that their powerful parents would bail them out.  

However, during their first night in Sagada, something happened that took things to a sharp chilling turn. Its darkly comic tone then became darkly horrific. When they visited Yayo's home village Lunti, the atmosphere was unsettling from the get-go. Children with ominous shrill shrieking and voodoo-like rituals . Cass and pals could have skedaddled out of there right there and then, but of course, they stayed so we could have a movie. 

While Ada was a slimy and manipulative queen bee, quirky Sue Ramirez had the charm to pull this character off without totally turning you off against her.  Barbie Imperial's Cass was so wishy-washy, it is with her that audiences may feel more annoyed. The others had nothing much to do except be dumb jocks who can't feel the danger even if it was screaming at their faces. As the "gracious" host Yayo, Phi Palmos was an MVP in the ensemble. Characters like caretaker Gil (JC Gallano) and healer Inayon (Sue Prado) complicate the plot. 

Director Rod Marmol ("Cuddle Weather," "The Cheating Game") helms a true horror for the first time. He did creditably most of the way, but faltered at the ending, with a jarring jump in action where a chunk of the climax skipped making things worse. With all those pastel flowers he used in the Lunti, Ari Aster's "Midsommar" (2019) seemed to be on his mind. To earn a less-restrictive R-13 rating, all of the cuss words were obviously skipped. 6/10.