I Miss You Like Crazy

Cast: John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Maricar Reyes, Noel Trinidad, Tirso Cruz III; Director: Cathy Garcia-Molina; Producer/ Distributor: Star Cinema ; Running Time:125 minutes; Location: Manila, Malaysia; Genre: Drama, Romance

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 2.5
Rating: For viewers ages 14 and above

Si Allan (John Lloyd Cruz) ay nagta-trabaho bilang account executive sa isang bangko na pag-aari ng mga magulang ng kasintahan niyang si Daphne (Maricar Reyes). Sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng halos lahat ng bagay sa buhay, tila may hinahanap-hanap pa rin siya. Magbabago ang lahat nang makilala niya si Mia (Bea Alonzo) sa isang kakatwang eksena sa Pasig Ferry. Sapagkat simple at masayahin si Mia, pawang may kakaiba agad na mararamdaman si Allan dito. Isang araw ay muling magku-krus ang kanilang landas at sila ay magkakausap at magkakasama nang matagal. Lalong mahuhulog ang loob nila sa isa’t-isa. Ngunit mayroong problema sa parte ni Allan, hindi magawang iwan ni Allan si Daphne dahil kaakibat rin nito ang pagtalikod sa magandang buhay na kanyang matagal na pinagsumikapan at pinangarap. Nang hindi piliin ni Allan si Mia, ay bumalik ang huli sa Malaysia kung saan siya nagtatrabaho bilang hotel receptionist. Makalipas ang ilang taon ay hahanapin at susundan ni Allan si Mia sa Malaysia ngunit si Mia ay may iba ng mahal at malapit na ring ikasal sa isang Malay. Magkatuluyan pa kaya silang dalawa?

Maganda ang daloy ng kuwento ng Miss You Like Crazy. Kahit pa sabihing alam na ng manonood ang kahahantungan ng kuwento, nagawa pa rin nitong papaniwaling ilihis sa inaasahan at pahirapan ang dalawang pangunahing tauhan na magkatuluyan. Iyon nga lang, sadyang may mga elemento sa pelikula na nagbibgay-dahilan para asahan na nang manonood ang katapusan nito. Sa kabila pa rin nito’y matagumpay ang pelikula sa pagbibigay ng bagong-bihis sa isang kuwentong pag-ibig ng dalawang taong nagkahiwalay, kapwa nabigo at kapwa nahirapan sa pagpili at sa bandang huli’y tadhana pa rin ang nagpasiya sa kanilang kapalaran. Hindi matatawaran ang husay sa pag-arte nila Cruz at Alonzo. Maging si Reyes ay lutang ang kahusayan kahit pa kung tutuusin, siya’y baguhan sa larangan ng pag-arte. Maganda ang kuha ng kamera na nagpakita at nagdala sa manonood sa ilang magandang lugar sa Malyasia. Marami ring makabuluhang linyang magpapa-isip at magpapakilig sa manonood.

Patungkol sa isang wagas na pagmamahalang nagkatagpo sa isang maling panahon ang pelikula. Ipinakita kung paanong ang tunay na pag-ibig ay nahihirapang gumawa ng desisyon dahil sa takot nilang makasakit ng damdamnin ng iba. Ang dalisay na pag-ibig nga naman ay nagsasakripisyo at nagpaparaya. Ipinakita sa kuwento na maaring magmahalan ang dalawang tao kahit pa hindi pa sila gaanong magkakilala. Hindi ito gaanong makatotohanan at maaring magbigay ng maling pananaw sa manonood ukol sa pag-ibig. Lumutang nang husto ang konsepto ng mabilisang pagmamahalan at pag-asa sa tadhana ang kuwento. Mga mahika sa pag-ibig na maaring totoo lamang sa iilan. Higit na nakababahala rin ang pagpapakita ng relasyong sekswal ng mga tauhan sa labas ng kasal. Pawang ang mga ito’y katanggap-tanggap na sa lipunan at hindi na pinagtatalunan kung tama o mali. Nakababala ang pelikula sa aspetong ito. Pero ilan sa mga mabubuting aral sa pelikula ay ang pagpapakitang ang tunay na pagmamahal ay matiyagang naghihintay at sa pag-aasawa, ang kinakailangan ay parehas ang pagmamahal at respeto ng dalawang tao sa isa’t-isa. Ipinakita rin sa pelikula ang pagrespeto sa relihiyon at paniniwala ng isang tao. Gayunpaman, dahil sa ilang maseselang tema sa pelikula, nararapat lamang ito sa manonood na may gulang 14 pataas.

Edge of Darkness

ASSESSMENT ONLY

Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, Shawn Roberts; Director: Martin Campbell; Producers: Graham King, Michael Wearing; Screenwriters: William Monahan, Andrew Bovell; Music: Howard Shore; Editor: Stuart Baird; Genre: Horror/ Suspense/ Drama; Cinematography: Phil Meheux; Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures; Location: Massachusetts, USA Running Time: 117 min.;

Technical Assessment: 4
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above

BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS

CASINO ROYALE filmmaker Martin Campbell director directs a remake of his own BBC miniseries with this thriller. Mel Gibson stars as Thomas Craven, a man who has spent year as a detective in Boston. When his own daughter is killed near the door of his home, Craven realizes that her death is only one piece of a puzzle filled with corruption and conspiracy, and it falls to him to discover who is behind the crime.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS: Film is too violent for children and teenagers.

Invictus

ASSESSMENT ONLY

Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Clint Eastwood; Director: Clint Eastwood; Producers: Lori McCreary, Robert Lorenz, Mace Neufeld; Screenwriters: Anthony Peckham; Genre: Drama/biographical protrait; Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures; Location: South Africa; Running Time: 135 min.;

Technical Assessment: 4
Moral Assessment: 4
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS

The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nations remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. (Warner Bros.)

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Cast: Logan Lerman, Kevin McKidd, Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Maria Olsen; Director: Chris Columbus; Screenplay: Joe Stillman, Rick Riordan; Producer/ Distributor: 20th Century Fox ; Running Time:125 minutes; Location: USA; Genre: Fantasy

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 3
Rating: For viewers ages 13 and below with parental guidance

Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) is a young man dealing with various issues at home and school. He and his mother (Catherine Keener) live with an abusive stepfather. Percy’s Dyslexia and ADHD make schooling even harder for him. In one field trip to a Greek history museum, Percy is attacked by his substitute teacher (Maria Olsen) who turns into a monstrous winged creature. Shocked and confused, his real identity is then revealed to him – that he is the son of a Greek god Poseidon and is accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt so his uncle Hades (rival of his father), and his mignons are after him. Upon learning this, Percy is sent off to a safe retreat in the woods to meet and train with other children who are also offspring of a Greek god and human parent. While training swordsmanship and other skills for future battle, Percy finds out that his uncle Hades is holding his mother in the underworld. Percy sneaks out of the camp together with Annabeth (Melina Kanakaredes), daughter of Athena and Grover (Brandon T. Jackson), his protector, to rescue his mother and at the same time prove his innocence that he did not steal the lightning bolt that must be returned to Zeus to prevent the brewing war among the Olympians which poses imminent threat and danger to both the mortal and immortal worlds.

Another film adaptation of a novel, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief reminds the audience of the Harry Potter series. Sadly though, the film pales in comparison in terms of depth and magnitude. Although the film has its strengths that rely heavily on the Greek mythology accent in storytelling, it falls short in terms of cohesiveness and characterization. It will not also help if an audience is not knowledgeable of the Greek history and literature. But then, the visual effects are a spectacle and a real delight especially for young viewers. The script is apparently shallow but perhaps, it is the film’s way of reaching out to its audience. There is drama, humor and youth sensibilities combined that make the feature an effective venue for teen entertainment.

Greek gods and goddesses represent people’s aspiration for fame, fortune and power. For the longest time, the Greek mythology is believed to have inspired and influence many in terms of having concrete images and portrayals of God. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is able to provide these images on a positive tone. The offspring of a Greek god and human parent are born good and the voice of conscience they hear are actually the voice of their parent gods. This portrayal metaphorically represents God, whose voice we often hear but most of the time, fail to recognize. The said voice leads the main characters towards the right path and corrects decisions. The world of casino depicted in the film represents the hell of the worldly society. Alluring, enticing and without any trace of suffering, but all these are nothing but superficial traps leading to misery. Hell is seen as the destruction of human kind where despair, hopelessness and sin prevail. The antagonist in the story wants the destruction of Olympians so that he would be heir to the throne and rule the universe. Such hunger and greed for power, and disrespect of authorities never succeed. Ultimately, in the battle between good and evil, the former remains victorious. And this is possible only because, the good took action, recognized his innate power and goodness, and never allowed evil to succeed. There is a certain degree of violence and sexual innuendos in the film, although in context, that makes it appropriate only to audiences 13 years old and below with parental guidance.

Couples Retreat

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristen Bell; Direction: Peter Billingsley; Screenplay: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Dana Fox; Producer: Scott Stuber; Music: A.R. Rahman; Genre: Romantic Comedy; Distributor: Universal Pictures; Location: South Pacific; Running Time: 107 minutes;

Technical Assessment : 2.5
Moral Assessment : 2.5
CINEMA Rating : For mature viewers 18 and above

Four couples fly to a Southern Pacific island named Eden to have a fun-filled holiday under the pretense of attending a couples’ therapy retreat facilitated by famous Frenchman Marcel (Jean Reno). The couples include typical husband and wife Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman) who are having problems with their teenaged daughter; high school sweethearts Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristen Davis) who are in the brink of separating; childless couple Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) who initiated the retreat and recently divorced Shane (Faizon Love) and his girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk). On the island, the group is ushered to Eden West and drilled with rules and policies, including the mandatory attendance in the couples’ therapy sections. Realizing the amenities of the resort, the couples agree to put up with a few hours of couples session. Fortunately, the unusual therapy sessions proved to be valuable as couples learned underlying issues of their relationship and an accidental trip to Eden East, the part of the island delegated for the singles, make them realize the love and commitment they still have for their spouses.

COUPLES’ RETREAT falls flat both in its attempt to be romantic and funny. The script is predictable, mediocre and sloppy although it does develop fairly well. With this kind of script, it is hard to decide whether the performances are wasted or are just unimaginative by themselves. It even falls flat visually despite its efforts to show the charm of Bora Bora. Despite the feel good ending, the movie fails to latch on the viewers’ hearts to become memorable. There are some good funny moments and a few tender scenes but overall it lacks that certain spice to become brilliant. A few months from now, even those who watch the movie will forget they did watch it.

Marriage is not just a piece of paper after a ceremony but a lifelong commitment celebrating true love. Couples Retreat reminds us about the value of keeping that commitment and exerting all efforts to keep the love alive between spouses. However, the methods invoked to bring out these themes, obviously just played out for comedy, are not credible alternative for real values rooted in spirituality. Young adults may be misled to think that humor is enough to repair a relationship.
There are several disturbing situations in the film including an adulterous relationship, rear nudity and jokes with sexual undertones and crude language. The movie better suited for mature adults.