SIGNIS Statement: Angels and Demons

(Rome, May 11, 2009) Just what everyone has been waiting for: a film of a Dan Brown novel!

However, with the report of a review in L'Osservatore Romano after the film's premiere in Rome saying that the film was commercial and entertaining and that Ron Howard had made an effective thriller (although the review also suggested a mind game while watching the film, to pick the inaccuracies!), it means that a lot of the heat should have gone out of any controversy. SIGNIS Cinema Desk would certainly endorse the reviewer's conclusion that the film is 'two hours of harmless entertainment' and not a danger to the church.

Had there been no Da Vinci Code novel, film or controversy, then Angels and Demons would have probably been reviewed as a blockbuster doomsday, murder mystery thriller with a Vatican setting (looking rather authentic), discussions about the church and science with the Catholic Church treated quite respectfully. (References to persecution of scientists in the 16th and 17th centuries was sometimes inquisitorial – and is documented; prison was not easy for Galileo.) There are speculations about the secret society of scientists, The Illuminati, who seem to be a Masonic equivalent.

Angels and Demons was written some years before The Da Vinci Code and is a better written book though it is an 'airport novel', a page-turner. As with many historical novels (and Shakespeare himself was not above creating 'historical' scenarios that were inventive rather than factual), the author takes imaginative license with characters, events, and hypotheses: what if...? But Angels and Demons has a character who seems to do a 180 degree turn in character and behaviour which makes the psychological realism of the book rather absurd. In the film, there is less depth of explaining this character and so the revelation tends to be a cinema twist which, however preposterous, is somewhat more credible, at least in terms of the far-fetched plot itself.

While Ron Howard did not have permissions to film in the Vatican , the sets of the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's interiors, the Vatican Archives look quite convincing and were commented on favourably by the L'Osservatore Romano reviewer.

The scenes of the CERNS reactor are very impressive.

The key point about Angels and Demons is its church subject: church and science, past conflicts, the present challenge, a feature of recent Vatican discussions about evolution and creationism, the meeting of science and religion rather than antagonism. Not a difficult subject when one thinks of Galileo and Pope John Paul's apology in 2000. Which means that the central issues are not as threatening or offensive as the hypothesis of The Da Vinci Code with its relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene and their descendants.

The day before the preview of Angels and Demons in London , channel 5 screened The Body which came and went several years ago without too much angst or even discussion. Antonio Banderas portrayed a Jesuit from Rome going to Jerusalem to examine bones discovered in what might have been Jesus' tomb and which would threaten a traditional understanding of the resurrection. There are plenty of novels and films which raise such issues by way of interest and entertainment but are not put forward as theology.

The controversy about The Da Vinci Code, book and film, certainly got people going all around the world, given the number of books sold and the multi-millions of readers. The Opus Dei connection also contributed to some of the furore.

However, this time, with only science and the church (and issues of anti-matter and its potential for mass destruction in the wrong hands) and the Vatican itself calling in Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) to solve the problems, the potential for argument is limited. As with the screenplay for The Da Vinci Code, lines have been inserted more favourable to the church. Langdon reminds the Vatican that, despite the previous controversy, they have called him in this time. There are respectful lines concerning faith and non-belief – and a final request to Langdon from Cardinal Strauss that he write gently about the church!

One of the issues facing the conclave in the film is the 'Church in the Modern World' vis-a-vis science, with the dialogue for the meeting of ideas of science and theology or extremist attitudes towards religion capitulating to science and so destroying the church – the point being that this kind of fanatic stance can become a cause, righteously crusading with violence against those who hold more moderate views – leading to what could be labelled 'ecclesiastical terrorism'.

A key issue prior to the release of the film has been the raising of controversy about the film, sight unseen, a protest that undermines the protesters' credibility.

Any controversy and protest about a film is a challenge for the church to look at how it responds. The Vatican comments from Fr Federico Lombardi deflected some heat with offhand humour (that he would say something if the film-makers took out 1000 10 year subscriptions to L'Osservatore!). However, several Italian papers began making comments about Vatican officials possibly criticising the film some months earlier. This made headlines in the media that the Vatican would object or was objecting. And publicists must have been offering prayers of thanksgiving that these rumours were doing some of their job for them.

But, in the Catholic world, the main protest has come from William Donohue, president of the Catholic League in the United States . As he did with The Da Vinci Code and The Golden Compass, he issued lists of errors in the book and said that they were to insult the church. It was alleged that he had a Canadian priest contact, not wearing clerical dress, on the set of Angels and Demons who reported that director Ron Howard and members of the production were verbally anti-Catholic. On the basis of this, spurred by an Indian journalist who is linked with the Catholic League, processions of protest were held in India and Taiwan . Many of the errors and alleged insults to the church in the Catholic League list are not in the film.

Ron Howard's publicist (or Howard himself) came up with some smart repartee, that William Donohue must be a man of faith because 'he believes without seeing'. And that Donohue and himself were in agreement – that Angels and Demons was fiction. There were some acrid comments reported from the producers about the Vatican prohibiting filming in the Vatican and parts of Rome but there were also many quotes from Tom Hanks and Ron Howard that the film was not anti-Catholic and that the Vatican would enjoy it (as has seemed to be the case from the review). The Donohue one-liner was that Howard was 'delusional'

This kind of thing (which may not go much further because of the L'Osservatore favourable comments) indicates that there is a profound difference in responding to a film, or anything that is challenging, from an 'education' point of view which leads to dialogue rather than a 'crusading' point of view which leads to two-sided polemic with antagonists rather enjoying the experience of battle in crusade. Dialogue can lead somewhere. Polemic leads nowhere but simply confirms antagonists in their positions and stances and introduces the hurling of invective which in no way mirrors the charity and peace of Christ.

The (good) news is that Dan Brown has completed another conspiracy novel, The Lost Code, due for publication and optioned for filming!



ANGELS AND DEMONS: A REVIEW by Fr. Peter Malone



May to August in the northern hemisphere spring and summer is a time for almost weekly release of blockbusters with huge budgets, action and effects and potential for high grosses at the box office. 2009 has seen Wolverine, Star Trek, followed by Angels and Demons, with Night at the Museum 2, Transformers 2 and Terminator Salvation in the offing.

Here is a doomsday plot, murder mystery, action thriller with a cast led by Tom Hanks as symbologist Robert Langdon and Ewan McGregor as the Vatican Camerlengo and an international cast portraying scientists, police, bishops and cardinals.

Angels and Demons, unlike the film of The Da Vinci Code, is fast-paced, the L'Osservatore Romano review referring to Ron Howard's dynamic direction. It also used the word 'commercial' as well as noting that it was 'harmless entertainment' and not a danger to the Church.

In fact, the film treats the church quite interestingly, scenes behind a conclave and inside the conclave, fine sets of the Sistine Chapel, the interiors of St Peter's, Castel San Angelo, the Vatican Necropolis, the Swiss Guards centre, the Vatican archives and several churches with art by Bernini. The film won't harm tourism to Rome or to the Vatican . Probably, the contrary.

The issue is science and religion. There are some very impressive scenes of CERN in Switzerland where the Big Bang was re-created in 2008. Dan Brown, writing years earlier, posited this explosion and the formation of anti-matter which is then used as a terrorist threat in Rome . Arguments are put forward about the church's record in persecuting scientists in past centuries, especially Galileo (true) with some inquisitorial interrogations and tortures. The material about the Illuminati, the underground society of scientists has some foundation but was not as extensive as speculated on here – a kind of Masonic brotherhood of scientists. (They appeared in the first Lara Croft film without anybody taking to controversy.)

One of the issues facing the conclave in the film is the Church in the Modern World vis-a-vis science, with the dialogue for the meeting of ideas of science and theology or extremist attitudes towards religion capitulating to science and so destroying the church – the point being that this kind of fanatic stance can become a cause, righteously crusading with violence against those who hold more moderate views – leading to what could be labelled 'ecclesiastical terrorism'.


Oh, the tale has so many plot-holes (with the action moving so fast you don't quite have time to follow through on them) that they don't bear thinking about – so, either one sits irritated at the inaccuracies about dates and historical figures and driven up the wall by the lack of coherence in the course of events or, as one does, offer a willing suspension of disbelief and enjoy the action for what it is, a lavishly-mounted, pot-boiling thriller.

Duplicity

Cast: Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti, Dan Daily; Director: Tony Gilroy; Producers: Laura Bickford, Jennifer Fox, Kerry Orent; Screenwriter: Tony Gilroy; Music: James Newton Howard; Editor: John Gilroy; Genre: Drama/ Romance; Cinematography: Robert Elswit; Distributor: Universal Pictures; Location: several North America and Europe; Running Time: 125 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 2
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above

The film opens in slow motion as two corporate honchos brawl in the tarmac after they descend from their respective private jets with their staff watching in horror. Then we return to 2003, when smooth-talking M15 agent charmer Ray Koval (Clive Owen) meets sassy CIA operative Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts) in a consulate party in Dubai. Instantly attracted, they begin flirting with each other until they share a passionate night. However, the next morning Claire drugs Ray and steals the Egyptian documents they were both assigned to look for. Fast forward 5 years after in the US, the two, this time working for the same multinational company as intelligence operatives, cross paths and are teamed together for an assignment much to Claire’s disgust. Or is it so? After a series of flashbacks and flash forwards, as the audience is taken to a jet setting tour around the world, we realize that Claire and Owen have been meeting for years and are now planning a scheme to double cross their employers, steal the secret formula and make a few millions before leaving the spy game. But first, they have to overcome their trust issue before learning to work together.

The biggest achievement of the movie is overcoming the difficulty of non-linear story telling which is both confusing and hard to follow while being clever and amusing. Duplicity relies on cerebral work instead of muscle power. Needless to say, the violence of the film is in the script and words rather than in actual fighting and blood shedding. The cinematography and production design are dramatic as they transform and gloss every single scene regardless if it is in an Italian hotel suite or dingy spy headquarters or the bland corporate office. Owen and Roberts deliver powerful performances but do not quite achieve an intense chemistry to make their long standing love affair believable. The witty complicated plot is washed down by a pathetic and weak ending. Over-all the movie is entertaining and worthwhile albeit a little problematical with the story telling.

Duplicity raises the issue of trust and loyalty. Self-interest and greed seem to be the main motivation of the characters that it becomes hard to have faith in the very person they love.

Again, pre-marital sex is tolerated and glamorized.

But the most disturbing issue with Duplicity is the glorification of crime and presentation of criminals as funny, charming, loveable characters you root for. As it lessens the impact of the misdeed, it may deliver the wrong message especially to young viewers.

Litsonero

Cast: Paolo Contis, Karylle, Maricel Laxa, Michael de Mesa, Jun Urbano, Joanne Quintas, Gerard Pizzaras; Director: Lore Reyes; Producers: ; Screenwriter: Lore Reyes; Genre: Drama; Distributor: APT Entertainment; Location: Rizal Province, Macau; Running Time: 110 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Si Fidel (Paolo Contis) ay kakatapos pa lamang ng kursong Culinary Arts sa isang prestihiyosong paaralan sa Europa at nagtatrabaho bilang assistant chef sa Macau nang usigin siya ng kanyang Inay Viring (Maricel Laxa) na magbalik sa kanilang probinsiya para sa anibersaryo ng kamatayan ng kanyang ama. Sa kanyang pagbabalik, tatambad kay Fidel ang mabibigat na responsibilidad na iniaatang sa kanya ng kanyang pamilya katulad ng mga pagkakautang at mga gulo na kinasasangkutan ng mga kapatid. Ngunit ang pinakamatinding pasanin ni Fidel ay ang akusasyon ng kanyang Uncle Pinoy (Michael de Mesa) na hindi na siya Pilipino at pilit niyang tinatakasan ang kanyang pinagmulan. Upang pabulaanan ito, hahamunin siya ng kanyang tiyuhin na magluto ng isang masarap at tunay na litsong Pilipino kung hindi ay hindi na siya makababalik sa Macau at mamamasukan siya sa kanyang Unlce Pinoy ng isang taon. Tatanggapin ni Fidel ang hamon at siya’y mag-aaral ng paggawa ng litson kay Mang Carding (Jun Urbano ) na kilala sa kanilang lugar bilang pinakamasuhay sa paggawa ng litson. Makikilala ni Fidel ang apo ni Mang Carding na si Carmel (Karylle) at siya’y mapapaibig dito habang kakaharapin naman niya ang patong-patong na problema ng kanyang pamilya. Manalo kaya si Fidel sa hamon sa gitna ng maraming balakid na kanyang kakaharapin?

Bagama’t simple ang kuwento ay masasabing may kalidad ang pelikulang Litsonero. Maliwanag ang sentro ng pelikula na patungkol sa isang kilalang tradisyong Pilipino- ang litson. Payak ang pagkakagawa ng pelikula ngunit malaman ang konsepto at pagkakasulat. Walang masyadong kadramahan at pagkukunwari ang mga tauhan. Ang mapapanood ay pawang mga natural na karakter na hindi pinilit bigyan ng masyadong komplikasyon. Yun nga lang, may ilang tauhan na pawang napabayaan ang kuwento at hindi nabigyang lalim ang daloy ng damdamin. Sa biglang-tingin, wari ng manonood ay walang bigat ang kuwento ng Litsonero ngunit kung pakasusuriin, may matinong mensaheng nais ipahitid ito. Wala namang itulak kabigin ang malinis na sinematograpiya at mahusay na pagkakaganap ng mga artista. Maayos din ang editing at musika. Nagawa ng pelikulang ipadama ang nararapat na larawan ng isang simpleng komunidad kasabay ng paghahambing nito sa isang moderno at maunlad na dayuhang siyudad ng Macau.

Maganda ang mensaheng hatid ng Litsonero. Pinahahalagahan ng kuwento ang pagiging makabayan at ang hindi paglimot sa pinagmulan. Ang pagbuo ng pamilya at pangarap ay maihahalintulad sa pagluluto ng isang putahe na tulad ng litson - masalimuot, maraming sangkap at kinakailangang pagbuhusan ng tiyaga, pagod at panahon. Ipinakita ng karakter ni Fidel na ang pagiging Pilipino ay hindi kung nasaan kang lugar kundi ang pananatili ng kamalayan sa puso at isipan. Sagana rin sa pangangaral ng kabutihang-asal ang ina ni Fidel na si Viring na ipinakitang higit na mahalaga ang presensiya ng anak kaysa sa kikitain at ipapadala nitong pera. Sa panahon ngayon na pawang walang mahalaga sa ibang tao kundi ang pera, ipinakita ng Litsonero na marami pang mas mahalaga sa buhay tulad ng pamilya, pagkakaibigan, pagmamahal sa tinubuang bayan, pagtanaw ng utang na loob at wagas na pag-ibig. May kurot na mensahe rin ang pelikula ukol sa kalagayan ng mga babae sa lipunan. Marapat lamang gabayan ang mga batang manonood ukol sa ilang maseselang paksa tulad ng maagang pagbubuntis, pangangalunya at pakikipagtalik sa labas ng kasal.

Angels and Demons

Cast: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Stellan Skarsgard, Pierfrancesco, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Armin Mueller-Stahl; Director: Ron Howard; Producers: John Calley, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard; Screenwriters: David Koepp, Akiva Goldsman; Music: Hans Zimmer; Editor: Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill; Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Mystery; Cinematography: Salvatore Totino; Distributor: Columbia Pictures; Location: California, USA; Running Time: 138 min;

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above

The pope has just died and the Cardinals are gathered to elect a successor when four cardinals—the favorites as the next pope—are kidnapped. A note from the Illuminati, an ancient secret society that is perhaps taking revenge on the Church for past persecutions, threatens to kill the four cardinals, one every hour from 8 to 11 PM. It also says a bomb made of anti-matter, hidden in the bowels of the Vatican, will explode when it runs out of battery at midnight Only Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) can decipher the Illuminati riddle, so the Vatican through an emissary summons him to solve the mystery and save the Vatican estate from total annihilation. Langdon gains a partner in the race against time, the Italian scientist Vittoria Vetro (Ayelet Zurer) who had inadvertently created the anti-matter in a CERN laboratory in Geneva. The two win the cooperation of the Camerlengo Fr. Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor), and then the hunt begins, despite the lukewarm welcome by probable papal successor Cardinal Strauss (Armin Mueller-Stahl) and chief of Vatican security Commander Richter (Stellan Skarsgard).

Having been denied the privilege to film in the Vatican, director Ron Howard resorted to creating their own sets, and they are great repros of the original, especially the Sistine Chapel. Those who have seen the real thing or who have a trained eye would know that these locales are just Hollywood sets, but the ordinary moviegoer would feel lucky to pay the price of admission (160 pesos) to go on a virtual pilgrimage to the Holy See, tour the Vatican archives, penetrate the Conclave during a papal election, and set foot on the ground where St. Peter is buried. Of course, Angels and Demons is a historical novel, not history, so you don’t turn to the movie to find the truth; nonetheless, it offers a reasonable facsimile of the trappings of Catholicism. While the plot has enough fire in it, the intensity varies from actor to actor. Tom Hanks is more disappointing than dispassionate here, and the Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer is like lukewarm coffee, tasty but unappetizing. Ewan McGregor as the angel-faced Camerlengo steals the thunder from Hanks, but has to try harder in order not to be outdone by the Cardinal Strauss of Armin Mueller-Stahl. Credit goes to the writers for the thought-provoking dialogue. The musical score is effective and the cinematography is great, but it doesn’t seem right that the Langdon and Vetro characters too effortlessly read or intuit the clues leading to the anti-matter vial’s hiding place, depriving the story of much needed tension and texture.

Contrary to the allegations of the suspicious, Angels and Demons—according to the review done by L’Osservatore Romano, the official newspaper of the Vatican—is “commercial… harmless entertainment”. CINEMA agrees. Just like the Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons is a plain detective story, a murder thriller which just happens to involve Church men as victims. It is worth watching for the relatively positive image of the Church that it ultimately projects. If you must watch it, prepare not to nitpick about Dan Brown’s historical hooey— instead pay attention to the dialogue, you are certain to pick out lines that may even increase your faith in men of the cloth. And on hindsight, you may even realize that in spite of man’s folly and infidelity, God does make Himself present in the conclave.

IP Man

Cast: Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Siu-Wong Fan, Ka Tung Lam; Director: Wilson Yip; Producer: Raymond Wong; Screenwriter: Edmond Wong; Music: Kenji Kawai; Editor: Cheung Ka-Fai; Distributor: Innoform Media; Location: China; Running Time: 105 min;

Technical Assessment: 4
Moral Assessment: 3.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Wushu (chinese martial arts) Grandmaster Ip Man (Donnie Yen) is highly regarded in Foshan for his passion, discipline and fighting skills. Other martial arts masters seek training under him that they can transfer to their students in martial arts schools which Foshan is known for. Ip Man belongs to a rich family who hardly says no to people asking for help including those who want to learn wushu from him which is to opposition of his wife. When the Japanese occupation comes to China, the people Foshan and the property of Ip Man are not spared. The people succumb to hunger and cruelty of Japanese soldiers claiming lives including friends of Ip Man. During this difficult situation, the Japanese officers witness Ip Man's fighting ability and think he can be an asset to them.

"Ip Man" is a well-crafted semi-biographic film with combined fictions for cinematic effects and actual facts about the life of Mr Yip Man, a known personality in the field of Chinese martial arts and the highly regarded teacher of world's famous late martial artist Bruce Lee. The film successfully makes the viewers admire Yip Man as a person. All the actors effectively delivered their portrayal of their characters especially Donnie as Ip Man. The treatment of the story including choreography of fighting scenes, friendship and siblings’ drama, and cinematic effects showing gruesome war are commendable. Lights, sounds, music, and overall production design have likewise contributed in making the film more interesting and entertaining for viewers.

The film conveys that as the saying goes like 'great power', possessing skills and talents like martial arts also come with great responsibility. Responsible people use them at the right time and opportunity. But this is not easy because most of the time there will be opportunity to challenge the person's ability and discipline. A person true to his principle and ability will find a way to continue beyond any circumstances. But over and above the cliche of the saying about great power, the film also shows that material things can perish but not the friendship and value of family. As a person who showed love for his family, friends, and country is rewarded by kind remembering of the good deeds and contribution to society. "Ip Man" is a film worth viewing, however due to some scenes showing brutal killings children age 13 and below should be accompanied by adult.

BFF Best Friends Forever

Cast: Sharon Cuneta, Ai-Ai de las Alas, John Estrada, Gina Pareño, Chokoleit; Director: Wenn V. Deramas; Producer: Tess Fuentes; Screenwriter: Mel Mendoza-del Rosario; Music: Jessie Lasaten; Editor: Marya Ignacio; Genre: Comedy Drama; Cinematography: Sherman Philip So; Distributor: Star Cinema Production; Location: Manila, Philippines; Running Time: 105 min.;

Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Malaki ang suspetsa ni Honey (Sharon Cuneta) na nambababae ang kanyang asawang si Tim (John Estrada). Bagamat ilang ulit na niyang nahuhuling may kasamang iba, hindi niya matiyak kung sinu ang babae nito. Sa pagnanasang maiayos ang kanilang pagsasama, isasama siya ng kanyang nanay (Gina Pareño) sa gym upang magpapayat. Makikilala naman ni Honey ang isang dalagang inang dance instructress na si Frances (Ai-ai delas Alas). Magkakapalagayan sila nang loob hanggang maging matalik silang magkaibigan, Madalas ibida ni Frances ang kanyang nobyong si TJ kay Honey at nagbibigay pa ang huli ng mga payo upang mapadali ang pag-aayang magpakasal ng lalaki. Samantala, tinutulungan naman ni Frances si Honey upang maayos ang pagsasama nilang mag-asawa. Lingid sa kanilang kaalaman, iisa si Tim ang TJ. Masusubok ang pagkakaibigan ng dalawa sa sandaling magkabistuhan na iisa ang lalaking kanilang minamahal.

May tangkang maging kakaiba at orihinal ng pelikula subalit sa bandang huli panay slapsticks pa rin ang istilo ng pagpapatawa at hindi naka base sa diyalogo o sitwasyon. Marami rin eksena ang hindi na kailangan at nagsilbing pampahaba lang. Katulad ng nakagawian ng mga mediocre na pelikula, may mga susulpot sulpot na tauhan at subplots na pinagbubuhusan pa ng pansin bagamat malayo at Hindi mapagtatakpang ang kakulangan ng pelikula kahit dalawang bigating pangalan pa sa industriya ang kanilang ginamit. Sayang lamang ang husay ni Cuneta at delas Alas dahil walang lalim ang mga tauhang ibinigay sa kanila. Burara ang produksyon, kung mapapansin ang eksena ni Estrada nang palayasin siya ni Cuneta at natulog siya sa kanyang talyer, makikitang nakakabit sa pintuan ang “Miss AI-ai” at “J. Estrada”. Hindi man lamang napansin o ginawanan ng paraan ng cinematographer o direktor o editor. Bagkus, dahil marahil kakapirasong pagkakamali ay pinagbayaan na lamang. Sayang ang pera at panahong ugugugol sa isang pelikulang walang pagnanasang maging maayos at pipikitan na lamang ang mga pagkakamali. ­­

Ang BFF (Bestfriends Forever) ay tungkol sa pagkakaibigan. Sinasabi ng pelikula na mas matimbang ang pagkakaibigan kaysa sa dagok ng pagtataksil. Likas sa tunay na magkaibigan ang umunawa, magparaya at magpatawad.

Sa kabilang dako, negatibo at mababa ang pagtingin ng BFF sa kababaihan. Sa pelikula ang mga babae ay lokohin (si France na ilang lalake na ang pinagkatiwalaan), tanga (ang anak ni France na pumayag perhan ng pamilya ng boyfriend), utu-uto (ang anak ni Honey na gawa ng gawa ng project ng crush niya), walang tiwala sa sarili (si Honey na hindi man lamang kayang kumprontahin ang asawa) at nakadepende sa lalake ang kaligayahan. Bagamat isang komedya, malupit at hindi pa rin magandang halimbawa ang larawan ng kababaihan sa pelikula.

Star Trek

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood; Director: J.J. Abrams; Producers: J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof; Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman; Music: Michael Giacchino; Editor: Maryann Brandon, Mary Jo Markey; Genre: ; Cinematography: Daniel Mindel; Distributor: Paramount Pictures; Location: Bakersfield, California, USA; Running Time: 126 min;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

It’s the 23rd century. The spaceship helmed by Capt. Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood) is under attack by the formidable Narada spaceship under Capt. Nero (Eric Bana). Pike’s son, James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) is about to be born as his mother is being evacuated from the besieged ship. As a young boy, Kirk is shown maniacally driving (without license, of course) a car to the Grand Canyon, outspeeding a flying traffic cop and almost plunging to his death. He climbs up the ledge, hardly unnerved. He is suspended by the Academy for a few years and in due time smuggled into the starship Enterprise. Here he continues to swagger around, gets the hots for the sultry but sensible Uhura (Zoe Saldana), and soon after appoints himself as Captain after his nearly fatal encounter with Spock (Zachary Quinto). Kirk gets the ship, but Spock wins his woman, so who’s the real winner? That is not resolved until Kirk and Spock put their heads together to save their ship from Nero the destroyer.

This 27-year old Star Trek series has many fans younger than itself. That’s because its producers have learned to adapt so that Star Trek may evolve and keep up with the times. You’ll like this 11th Start Trek movie, too, if you’re young at heart, which means even as a Senior Citizen card holder you’re still open to such things as warps, starships, time travel and black hole idiosyncracies. You’re also young at heart if you think movies are fun and do not bleed yourself dry looking for logic at every turn. Star Trek tries to strike a balance between then and now, old and new, courtly and cool. Pine as Kirk the hero is reminiscent of the 50s’ James Dean, a rabble-rouser without a cause; Quinto as Spock the other hero resurrects the refined and principled gentleman that girls fall for. Star Trek supports its story with a nifty script and good character development, and tries to inject a little naughtiness and humor in order to be more palatable at the box office.

What lessons may be learned from a movie with characters evocative of Noah’s Ark but using starships? One, Star Trek science is not to be taken as plausible—you’ll flunk Science class if you believe in it. Two, recognize the implausible and the impossible as entertainment—for instance, enjoy the sight of the spaceship Narada emerging from the Black Hole looking like a mutated cockroach magnified a quintillion times—harmless in spite of its size. Three, to win a woman, it’s better for a man to have gentle manners than cockiness and a strong libido. Four, no matter where humans find themselves in time and space, man-woman love will live on in the human heart, as the song “As Time Goes By” says, “You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss…” Five, in times of danger, even spacewalkers still call on God—as when Capt. Pike utters upon seeing the the “giant cockroach” Narada threatening his spaceship: “Oh my God….!”

Wolverine

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Will I Am, Lynn Collins; Director: Gavin Wood; Producers: Hugh Jackman, John Palermo, Lauren Schuler Donner, Ralph Winter; Screenwriters: David Benioff, Skip Woods; Music: Harry Gregson-Williams; Editor: Nicolas de Toth, Megan Gill; Genre: Action/ Fantasy/ Sci-Fi; Cinematography: Donald McAlpine; Distributor: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation; Location: Otago, New Zealand; Running Time: 107 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

In 1845 Logan and Victor (played as adults by Hugh Jackman and Live Schreiber) are shown as mutant half-brothers. Witnessing the murder of his father in their own home, the boy Logan discovers the deadly blades sprouting out of his knuckles and in his rage uses them for the first time, killing his father’s assassin. To dodge the murder charge, the two boys go on the run. Their closeness is demonstrated over the years as they fight side by side in the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam. Booted out of the army in Vietnam, Logan and Victor are recruited into an elite team going on a secret operation led by army honcho Gen. William Stryker (Danny Huston). In Nigeria, however, Logan gets repulsed by the by Stryker’s atrocious methods and breaks away to lead the quiet and hidden life of a logger living with his lover Kayla (Lynn Collins). He is nonetheless found by Stryker who recruits him anew for a clandestine plan to create a Mutant of Mutants who will have all mutant powers. Meanwhile, Victor feels betrayed and abandoned by Logan and now turns into Logan’s enemy.

The action sequences in Wolverine are entertaining to watch. Like with all fantasy/sci-fi movies, if you wish to get your money’s worth, you need to suspend disbelief and to just savor the joy ride. Never mind if the movie doesn’t explain how the human body can manufacture steel blades that heed the command of anger. (Oh, we forget he’s a mutant.) If they can spread the technology it could come handy in the kitchen where you may want to chop firewood, or in the garden—to trim the hedges. But Wolverine is more sophisticated than that so this contraption is used to slice a helicopter’s rotor blades. Movie buffs who go for this genre will be thrilled to watch the adventures of this superhero; who cares about logic when what you seek is nonstop fantastic action? On the more serious side of movie making, Hugh Jackman serves as the redeeming factor of Wolverine: despite the fact that he is basically a tool in the action sequences, he takes his role seriously, as though he believed it could be real. That’s good for an actor, especially since the muscleman Jackman enjoys the support of countless female fans like the ones we sat next to in the theatre who would giggle, swoon, sigh, squeal or squeak every time the camera focuses on the actor’s physique.

We wonder, why the title? A wolverine is not a wolf, and Logan is not a werewolf. A wolverine, according to Encarta, is a “strong, dark-furred, usually solitary carnivore of the weasel family…” That harmless? Hmmm, maybe because “wolverine” just sounds nice. As we said, forget about logic. Anyway, the only saving grace CINEMA sees in yet another superhero is: this one refuses to be brutal without a cause. Now, that’s something. He would not work for a megalomaniac because he cannot stomach hurting innocent people—human beings who are simply counted as “collateral damage” by warmongering world powers. Despite his good heart, however, Logan/Wolverine registers as a pathetic idealist who is simply overpowered by evil elements around him. Superheroes need their memory, too, so what happens when they lose it?

Major Movie Star

Cast: Jessica Simpson, Vivica Fox, Cheri Oteri, Steve Guttenberg; Director: Steve Miner; Producers: Avi Lerner, Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, George Furla, Joe Simpson; Screenwriters: April Blair, Holly Sorensen; Music: Dennis Smith; Editor: Nathan Easterling; Genre: Comedy; Cinematography: Patrick Cady; Distributor: Millennium Films; Location: ; Running Time: 95 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Megan Valentine (Jessica Simpson) is a pampered but naive Hollywood actress who feels stuck in the roles she is given to play. She discovers one day that she is bankrupt, with her estate wiped off by her boyfriend. Totally clueless, she drives aimlessly until she meets an accident which she survives anyhow. Carless and homeless she sleeps outside a US Army recruiting office where she is found by a handsome guy in uniform. Since her loss (of property, bank accounts, etc.) has jolted her into taking a deeper look at her life, she applies to become a soldier, thinking she would then be taken seriously from now on. But life in a boot camp proves too tough for this silver-screen babe; she calls her agent to bail her out of the army but it’s too late. She has signed a binding contract which would constitute a crime to breach.

With a poster showing a glam blonde in military uniform Major Movie Star evokes images of an old Goldie Hawn starrer, Private Benjamin, but the former is not a clone of the latter. Private Benjamin carries a social message laced with humor; Major Movie Star is thick candy floss containing a message of personal transformation inside. It’s a relief to see that while Major Movie Star’s message is noteworthy, it doesn’t come across as heavy, preachy, or angst-laden, thanks to the over-all light-and-fluffy treatment of the whole story. It has light romance and lightweight entertainment, but offers a peep into how soldiers are trained. It is predictable, and with adaptability actress Simpson displays, she just might become—given the right roles—a major movie star in real life.

Somewhere along the 95-minutes of watching Major Movie Star, you could get the feeling that it could be propaganda for the US Army. Although not exactly a class-B potboiler, Major Movie Star seems almost too positive about army recruitment, focusing on wholesome (army) characters or experiences and watering down the nastier elements of training camp life. Nonetheless it tries to say that there are values worth training (or dying) for, like love of country, respect for authority, self-discipline, determination, duty-before-pleasure, maturity, firmness of character, etc. It may be a good movie to examine by young people entering adulthood and beginning to appreciate the value of self-respect. At least, girls can be helped to realize that if they want to be taken seriously, they should reconsider dumping their “hot blonde” or shampoo-model looks and cultivating their more lasting assets.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Cast: Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey, Brekin Meyer, Michael Douglas; Director: Mark Waters; Producers: Brad Epstein, Jonathan Shestack, Marcus Viscidi; Screenwriters: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore; Music: Rolfe Kent; Editor: Bruce Green; Genre: Romantic Comedy; Cinematography: Daryn Okada; Distributor: New Line Cinema; Location: USA; Running Time: 100 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Connor Mead (McConaughey) is a famous and successful fashion photographer with commitment-phobia who treats women as a temporary source of entertainment. He discards women as fast as he flashes his camera ,immediately after sleeping with them. He attends the weekend wedding ceremonies of his younger Paul (Meyer) to discourage him of being perpetually tied to one woman. He almost succeeds in ruining the wedding as he flirts with the bride’s mother. On the eve of the wedding, his late uncle and mentor Uncle Wayne (Douglas), another womanizer, visits him and sends three ghosts to warn him to change his ways before it is too late. The ghost of girlfriend past (Emma Stone) is the 16 year old girl with whom Conner first slept after his childhood crush Jenny (Garner) was charmed by another man. He is shown all the women he played along with as well as his short lived relationship with Jenny a few years after graduation. The ghost of girlfriend present is Connor’s assistant (Noureen Dewulf) who shows him what the wedding guests, including Jenny, really think of him. The ghost of girlfriend future (Olga Maliouk) shows Connor’s funeral and Jenny’s wedding to another man. Now Connor must find a way to redeem his reputation and win the love of his life before it’s too late.

The movie is cute and enjoyable if you have nothing to do on a lazy afternoon. The Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol formula provides a new flavor to the usual “boy meets ex-girlfriend; boy discovers she is the one, boy tries to win ex-girlfriend before she marries another”. There are enough crisp and clever dialogues to save the film from becoming and over-romantic movie. The acting is so-so, but then again the characters do not require much from McConaughey or Garner except to be charming and agreeable. Douglas portrays a hilarious ghost who comes back to warn his protégée of the wrong he has taught. Overall the technical aspect is satisfactory while the creative part is a little bit lacking.

The Ghost of Girlfriends Past is full of sexual innuendos. Premarital sex is glamorized and accepted as part of the lifestyle of the successful, and marriage is portrayed worthless and restricting. The women in the film are shallow, pathetic and have a low self-worth as they consent to Connor degrading them again after they have been cruelly dumped. Connor’s moral awakening in the end does not make up for all his negative attitude.

Padre de Pamilya

Cast: Ariel Rivera, Cedric Jose, Isabella de Leon, Jacklyn Jose, Meila Romero, Tessie Tomas; Director: Cesar E. Buendia; Producer: Olivia de Jesus; Screenwriter: Cesar E. Buendia; Music: Peejay Basto, Nonoy Dadivas; Editor: Che Villafores ; Genre: Drama; Cinematography: Aristotle Licuanan; Distributor: ; Location: Philippines; Running Time: 95 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 2
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Iginagapang ni Joselito (Ariel) ang kanyang pamilya mula sa kakarampot niyang suweldo bilang kawani ng gobyerno sa tanggapan ng munisipyo. Pinangungunahan niya bilang ama ang sama-samang pananalangin at pagpapasalamat sa Dyos ng pamilya. Sa kabila ng maselang isyu ng "graft and corruption" sa kanilang opisina ay sinisikap niyang manindigan sa kanyang prinsipyo ng matapat na paglilingkod. Ipinagmamalaki siya ng kanyang anak dahil dito. Subalit ikinayayamot naman ng kanyang asawang si Maggie (Jacklyn) ang prinsipyong ito dahil sa kakapusan ng pera sa pamilya. Hanggang kailan mapapangatawan ni Joselito ang sitwasyong ito samantalang nakaumang lamang ang mga pagkakataon na mairaos ang pangangailangan ng pamilya at maging masagana?

Payak ngunit malalim ang kuwento ng "Padre de Familia". Sagana ito sa simbolismo na binigyang buhay ng mahusay na pagganap ng mga tauhan. Epektibo ang pelikula sa paggising ng kamalayan at pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na makapag-isip ang manonood ng kaniya-kaniyang sitwasyon. Hindi nakapagtataka na makapag-udyok ito ng iba't ibang damdamin tulad ng galit, kawalan pag-asa, o mas positibong pananaw na kumilos para sa pagbabago ng lipunan at magsimula sa anumang paraan na akma sa kanilang sitwasyon. Bagamat "typecast" ang komikong karakter ni Tessie Tomas bilang mayor ay nakadagdag ito sa paghahatid ng aliw at mensahe ng pelikula. Sa kabuuan ay simple lamang produksyon, ang ibang aspetong teknikal ng pelikula ay naisalba ng makabuluhang kuwento at mahusay na pagganap ng mga aktor lalo na sina Ariel Rivera, Jacklyn Jose at Tessie Tomas.

Ang katiwalian ay isang talamak na sakit ng lipunan at ang taong nangangailangan ay maaaring mahawa at malugmok sa sakit na ito. Nakababahala ang mensaheng ito ng pelikula ngunit dapat harapin at pagnilayan ng mga manonood upang sila'y hindi maging biktima ng ganitong sitwasyon. Hindi naman maituturing na "between life and death" ang pangangailan ng anak ng computer na naging dahilan ng ama upang pumatol sa suhol. Nawa ay magsilbi itong aral sa mga anak na humihiling ng higit sa kayang ibigay ng kanilang magulang. Ang isang taong naninidigan sa katapatan ay dapat suportahan sa halip na udyukan lalo na ng pamilya. Hindi dahilan ang maliit na suweldo upang maging tiwaling kawani sa halip ay dapat bigyan ng dignidad ang hanapbuhay. Bagamat nagwakas ang pelikula sa nakababahalang pagyakap ng pamilya sa kasaganaan na nagmula sa maruming sistema, ay dapat bigyan-pansin ang tila naghuhumiyaw na tingin ng anak na nais humalagpos sa nakasadlakan nilang putik. Maaaring sa sulok ng mga mata ng kabataan ngayon ay may gayon din pagtingin. Huwag sana natin silang biguin sa pagnanais na umahon at makapagsimula muli.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Cast: Frances McDormand; Amy Adams, Tom Payne, Mark Strong, Lee Pace, Shirley Henderson; Director: Bharat Nalluri; Producers: Nellie Bellflower, Stephen Garrett; Screenwriters: David Maggi, Simon Beaufoy; Music: Paul Englishby; Editor: Barne Pilling; Genre: ; Cinematography: John de Borman ; Distributor: Viva Films; Location: London; Running Time: 90 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances MsDomand) has just been fired from her 4th job as a governess and she finds herself jobless and desperate on a bench in a London train station because of her rigid moral views. The day progresses and she encounters one bad luck after another that she finally she decides to pose as the applicant sent by her previous employer to an American social climber Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams). Unfortunately, the position as Delysia’s social secretary compromises her morals as the former uses her sexuality to attain success. Amidst the backdrop of the 2nd World War, Ms. Pettigrew and Delysia become friends as each opens a new world to the other.

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is delightfully entertaining. Dormand and Adams deliver outstanding portrayals of an uptight and cloistered woman exposed for the first time to the world and a social climber with deep secrets. The comedy is powerful and leaves you thinking hard after the nervous laughter. The production design and music ingenuously delivers the feel and elements of circa pre-war era. Over-all, Nalluri succeeds in delivering an honest movie with a strong moral lesson without being preachy or corny.

The movie makes one very strong statement: morality cannot be compromised. We often hear people saying certain principles and ways are “already too old-fashioned” or are “no longer applicable in modern times”. And in order to have fun or be successful, certain lines are crossed without batting an eyelash. The movie proves otherwise. Although people need to adapt to ways of change and experience, the line of morality remains. While it is not prohibited to have fun and enjoy life, or to be assertive to achieve success, all must be done in a way that is proper, modest and good. At the end of the day, one finds true love and happiness when she remains true to herself and to what she believes in.

Parents should caution their very young children against watching because of some partial nudity and the tolerance of promiscuity and premarital sex.

Fuschia

Cast: Gloria Romero, Robert Arrevalo, Eddie Garcia, Armida Siguion Reyna, Gina Alajar, Iza Calzado, Tony Mabesa; Director: Joel Lamangan; Producer: Antonio P. Tuviera; Screenwriters: Joel Lamangan, Ricky Lee; Music: Vanda Guzman; Editor: Marya Ignacio; Genre: Drama; Cinematography: Carlos Montano; Distributor: APT Production; Location: Philippines; Running Time: 95 min.;

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


BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS

An elderly woman causes a scandal in a small community when she takes in her terminally ill first husband while still living with her current partner. But even as gossip surrounds her, she begins to find the strength within herself to speak out against the town's corrupt mayor.


OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF THE FILM:

How a woman courageously handles marital infidelity of her spouse enables her to speak out the truth against injustice and corruption in local government.

Boses

Technical Assessment: 4
Moral Assessment: 4
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Boses is a tale of compassion, strength of the human spirit and the redeeming power of music. It tells the story of Onyok, a 7-year-old victim of child abuse in the hands of his father. Rendered mute by a physical trauma that damaged his larynx, Onyok (Julian Duque), who lives with his father in a countryside village, is rescued by police and taken to a shelter for battered children owned and run by the kindly Amanda (Cherry Pie Picache). His speech disability aggravated by the psychological burden of being kept away from his cruel father makes Onyok despondent. One day, seeing the other children taunting a man who lives in a house near the shelter, Onyok becomes curious, especially as he later on hears violin music coming from the house. He soon discovers that the man is the violinist Ariel (Coke Bolipata), the brother of Amanda who has abandoned his career as a concert violinist in Manila to live as a recluse, apparently in grief and guilt over the death of his woman. Onyok’s fascination with violin music leads him to investigate around Ariel’s house when it is empty. Sensing the boy’s interest, Ariel in time subtly manages to encourage Onyok to try the violin, and soon discerns a prodigy in the timid boy. A friendship very gently blossoms between the recluse and the battered child, until the boy is ripe for a recital to be witnessed by his father.




Boses is more than just a movie; it is a film that communicates its message to the soul using the soul’s language: music. And not just “muzak” as often used by cinematic potboilers, but music issuing from the bowels of the violin in the fullness of its range—from playful to plaintive. Boses is a rarity in the Philippine cinema industry which tends to churn out movies catering to popular taste. It has an educational value in the sense that the violin—a prominent instrument of classical music with which only privileged Filipinos are familiar—becomes an indispensable part of the film. First, although the film is about child abuse, the protagonists happen to be violinists, thus, the ubiquitous presence of the violin in it. Second, the musical score cleverly utilizes violin music which complements and enhances the emotional facet of the film. Third, the two lead actors are real life violinists, therefore their performance is not faked, but rather a unique privilege for the viewer who enjoys a bonus concert along with the movie. Boses also brings to the fore the serene charm of the countryside as it uses open spaces—seashores and fields—as backdrop for the clandestine violin lessons between violin master and prodigy.





Considering that the majority of the cast are first-time cinematic actors, Boses comes across as a credible reflection of real life issues, such as child abuse, and to a lesser extent, man’s inability to cope with his own weaknesses—as exemplified by the alcoholic abusive father and the reclusive violinist. The abusive father takes out his frustrations on a helpless child; the reclusive violinist punishes himself by wallowing in sorrow and remorse. But the innate good in man is also highlighted in the character of Amanda who deals with her brother, the victim-children, and the violent father with great patience, empathy and compassion. Boses should be seen and enjoyed by as many people as possible, especially the young and those who have anything to do with the young, whether they are teachers, lawmakers, law enforcers, media people, guidance counselors, social workers, religious educators, or plain parents.

The Haunting in Connecticut

Cast: Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Elias Koteas, Amanda Crew, Martin Donovan, Sophi Knight, Ty Wood, EriK J. Berg; Director: Peter Cornwell; Producers: Paul Brooks, Daniel Farrands, Wendy Rhoads, Andrew Trapan; Screenwriters: Adam Simon, Tim Metcalfe; Music: Robert J. Kral; Editor: Tom Elkins; Genre: Horror-Suspense; Cinematography: Adam Swica; Distributor: Lionsgate Films; Location: USA; Running Time: 105 min.;

Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Sara Campbell (Virginia Madsen), a doting wife and mother with her husband Peter (Martin Donovan), a recovering alcoholic decide to buy an old and almost dilapidated house in Connecticut, despite its “past” to be nearer the hospital where their teenage son Matt (Kyle Gallner) is receiving an experimental treatment for cancer. As soon as they move in, Matt decides to use the basement as his bedroom and at once starts having creepy visions. The family dismisses these strange hallucinations as effects of his sickness and the treatment and decides to remain in the house. When Matt’s cousin Wendy (Amanda Crew) realizes that the visions the boy Matt has been seeing are the same ones in the old pictures she found, they decide to investigate further. Eventually they find out that the house had been a funeral parlor with people conducting séances and the participants dying except for the owner’s son Jonah (Erik J. Berg) who has mysteriously vanished. Matt realizes that the spirits of the dead people are still living and hunting the house and he must try to put them at peace.

One good thing about The Hunting In Connecticut is skillful sound engineering. The sound effects have been tediously and meticulously applied to create a convincing scary atmosphere. Other than this, the movie is cliché and flat. The performances are unrealistic and weak, the storyline develops predictably and the script follows an old and tired formula. The spiritual points of view become confusing with frequent references to the Bible and to God interspersed with occult beliefs. The strong Christian references in the movie are watered down by the equally strong pagan practices. Disturbingly, this has become the custom of some Catholics. Today, you will see people who combine their faith practices with pagan beliefs or compromise their Gospel values when convenient – for instance commitment to the spouse can be abandoned and justified one has fallen in love with someone else.

As in any horror movie, spirits are portrayed as violent and revengeful. The movie contains several gory scenes that may offend the sensitivities of most viewers. Parents need to guide their children when watching.

17 Again

Cast: Zac Efron, Lelie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenbeg, Sterling Knight, Matthew Perry, Melora Hardin, AllisonMiller; Director: Burr Steers; Producers: Jennifer Barrette, Adam Shankman; Screenwriter: Jason Filardi; Music: Rolfe Kent; Editor: Padraic McKinley; Genre: Romance/Comedy; Cinematography: Tim Suhrstedt; Distributor: New Line Cinema; Location: Los Angeles, California, USA; Running Time: 100 min.;

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

Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) is experiencing what a lot of people call midlife crisis. His wife Scarlet (Leslie Mann) is suing for divorce, his children are aloof and indifferent to him and his most awaited promotion is given to someone else. Everything has gone awry since that memorable year in high school when he was 17, the year he was the idolized hero and golden boy of basketball with a promising future, what with all the scholarship offers to college. Now feeling at his lowest, Mike meets an old janitor who has not forgotten his exploits. Telling the janitor about his regrets over his mistakes, he wistfully wishes he were 17 again. Magically, Mike is plunged into a whirling vortex from which he emerges with his body at 17. Teenage Mike (Zac Efron) moves in with his best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon) who poses as Mike’s father when the transformed Mike enrolls at the high school. Though Mike inhabits his teenage body he has the same wife and children. He also retains the wisdom he has gained through his experiences. He helps his insecure son Alex (Sterling Knight) and his daughter Maggie (Michelle Trachtenberg) overcome their teenage problems and guides them so they do not commit the same mistakes he made. His wife thinks it weird that Mike looks like her husband when he was a teenager. She is attracted to him, though she thinks it’s wrong, she being the mother of Alex who considers the teenaged Mike his best friend. Mike is still very much in love with his wife but he can’t explain just yet why it’s not wrong for them to fall in love again. What’s in store for them?

Hitting the number one spot in the U.S. box office chart after its opening day take of $24.5 million, 17 Again, the latest Zac Efron movie is said to outdo at the tills all of his other successful movies, including the High School Musical. This, in spite of the fact that here, the heartthrob does not have his usual equally popular partner, Vanessa Hudgens to put across with sweet chemistry that enviable romance which makes the idealistic young and the not-so-young swoon with delight. In 17 Again, Zac has only a brief scene with a teenage sweetheart and in the rest of the film, is paired with a lead, old enough to be his mother. The photography and the movie are not much to rave about, yet the movie has somehow clicked. Could it be the plot then? A story about body switches is not new in the movies and it challenges our credubility. But if, when going to the movies, the moviegoer is ready for even some strange possibilities, then probably a light film like 17 Again can be pleasantly entertaining especially when it is a bit more surprising than others. It has its own kind of humor like the first dinner date between Mike’s best friend, the weird millionaire Ned and the frosty principal Jane Masterson (Melora Hardin) who can inspire true love in this man whose greatest happiness before meeting her was to flaunt Darth Vader’s light saber, Now older, with a new adult persona and sensibility, Zac Efron has retained his boyish charm and is the film’s main magnet. Outgrowing his juvenile performances, he exudes more confidence and does adequately in important scenes.

Unlike most teenage movies, 17 Again has a lot of values that can give moviegoers especially young ones, some food for thought. We have met some people like the middle-aged Mike O’Donnell. Someone who blames others for his failures. In the movie, Mike blames his wife Scarlet because he thinks the teenager pregnancy of Scarlet caused him to lose his equanimity, his games as a basketball star and eventually his college scholarship and promising future. Harping on that, he has been living in the gloried past and what would have been and not doing enough in the present to succeed. The result: failure in different aspects of his life including his failure as a husband and a father. But the good thing in the end is his realization that he wants to change if given another chance. Another positive value is the correct idea regarding sex, espoused by the “17-again” Mike. The health class teacher in the film wants to teach “safe sex” with the use of condoms, like many misguided teachers today. Mike contradicts this by advocating abstinence from sex until marriage. He is speaking from experienced. He does not want others to commit his mistakes. He is especially concerned about his own children. And he gives his daughter very good advice after he finds her weeping because she is “dumped” by her boyfriend for not consenting to have sex with him. Mike tells her she will come across many such men who are undeserving of her but eventually she will meet someone who will appreciate her for her true worth as a person and not as a sex object. There is, however, something dismaying in the way the teenaged girls are portrayed. All of them appear wild, sex-crazed and sex-starved. Even Mike’s daughter seduces him, though unsuccessfully. Three teenaged girls proposition him angling for sex, saying he does not have to remember their names. Is this a true picture of teenaged girls in high school? We hope not. This is an American film. Good forbid that our local teenagers will imitate unthinkingly what they see on the screen.

Crank High Voltage

Cast: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Efren Ramirez, Bai Ling, David Carradine, Reno Wilson, Joseph Julian Soria, Dwight Yoakam; Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor; Producers: Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Skip Williamson, Richard S. Wright; Screenwriters: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor; Music: Mike Patton; Editor: Marc Jakubowicz, Fernando Villena; Genre: Action/ Adventure; Cinematography: Brandon Trost; Distributor: Lionsgate; Location: US; Running Time: 85 min.;

Technical Assessment: 2
Moral Assessment: 1
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above

In Crank's prequel, Chev Chelios (Statham), the unstoppable hitman, survives a freefall from a helicopter. Now, he is kidnapped by some Asian gangsters who want to take his vital organs. His heart is replaced with a plastic, battery-powered machine. After three months, Chelios wakes up and upon learning that they’re taking away his other organs, he escapes. He soon learns he must keep the batteries managing his artificial heart charged while Doc Miles (Dwight Yoakam) tries to figure out a way to put the real one back in. Desperate to find his literally stolen heart, Chelios searches Los Angeles, running into old girlfriend Eve (Amy Smart), insane prostitute Ria (Bai Ling), and various criminal types. All clues and paths lead to a Chinese gang leader named Poon Dong (David Carradine). Chelios must get his heart from Dong before the battery of his artificial heart runs out of power.

This second installment (hopefully the last) of Crank series has nothing new to offer but its usual lousy filmmaking they call non-conventional and postmodern, trash aesthetics. Surely all these are but excuses and cover-ups for an otherwise sloppy and slapstick comedic style of storytelling. The post-structural combination of cartoons and live action could’ve been promising but the shallow premise, with all its shock value, just does not work to create an impressive and compelling movie. Crank High Voltage may be a real parody that should not be taken seriously; however, as with any other films of the same genre, there must be a real message intended for the audience to learn, or to be enlightened or inspired by. Unfortunately, Crank High Voltage does not in any way achieve any of these. Even the entertainment value of the film falls flat in most scenes.

The entire premise of Crank High Voltage is an absurd and lewd depiction of underground city living. The ultra realistic violence, lots of nudity and profanities, and stereotypical portrayals of Asians which are all out of context make the film morally abhorrent. Chelios’ fight for life could’ve been commendable but his very character and means of getting back his vital organ and thus, getting back at all his enemies, is beyond human forgiveness. The film has no saving grace. It tells the audience how dark and bad the world has become with the advent of technology. No single character or incident in the film portrays goodness. Each scene or character is maliciously done to tickle the audience’s wild and naughty imagination. The blood and gore in the film’s many scenes coupled with racial discrimination, outright disrespect for elders and authorities, and tolerance of scandalous behavior are totally disgusting, not to mention silly and depressing. CINEMA finds the movie appropriate for mature audience only.

Dragonball Evolution

Cast: Justin Chatwin, YUn-Fat Chow, Emmy Rossum, Jamie Chung, James Marster, Joon Park, Randall Duk Kim; Director: James Wong; Producer: Stephen Chow; Screenwriters: Ben Ramsey, Akira Toriyama; Music: Brian Tyler; Editor: Matt Friedman, Chris G. Willingham; Genre: Action; Cinematography: Robert McLachlan; Distributor: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation; Location: Los Angeles, USA; Running Time: 85 min.;

Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Two thousand years after Piccolo (James Marsters) is imprisoned when he attempted to destroy the Earth, he escapes and begins to search for the 7 dragonballs that will enable him to summon the Shen Long dragon and make a wish to finally conquer Earth. In his search, he kills Gohan (Randall Duk Kim), grandfather of 18 year old martial arts master Goku (Justin Chatwin). Meanwhile, Goku seeks out an old family friend Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat) so he can unlock the secret of the dragonball and defeat Piccolo and save the Earth before the solar eclipse happens.

Dragonball Evolution is a film remake of anime TV series of the 90s. However, despite using real characters and hi end CGIs, the film falls short compared to the original cartoon. The movie is filled with tacky actions sequences, ghastly performances and below average direction. The slow-mo technique to emphasize or style an action sequence becomes tedious and corny. Another problem area is the characterization. The translation from anime to big screen real life comes to nothing with mediocre acting and weak dialogue. Fans of the original TV anime will be disappointed and first timers will be bored.

The heart of the movie is about “searching” – a search for the talismans, a search for victory, a search for one’s true character, a search for heroes and saviors. Life is a continuous journey to search and discover and to realize one’s worth and mission.
The movie’s fight sequences become more violent and destructive after it was translated to real life action. Parents should take precaution in allowing their young children to watch the movie unsupervised and unguided.

T2

Cast: Maricel Soriano, Mika dela Cruz, Derek Ramsay, Eric Fructuoso, Tetchie Agbayani, Camille Pratts, K. Brosas, Mon Confiado; Director: Chito S. Roño; Producer: Tess V. Fuentes; Screenwriters: Chito S. Roño, Aloy Adlawan; Editor: Manet A. Dayrit; Genre: Horror; Cinematography: Eli Balce; Distributor: Star Cinema Prductions; Location: Philippines; Running Time: 100 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Si Clair (Maricel Soriano) ay isang ulilang lubos na may-ari ng isang travel agency at volunteer sa Buklod Pamilya Foundation na naglalayong bigyan ng tahanan at pamilya ang mga batang ulila. Nagdaraan sa matinding pagsubok ang pagsasama ni Clair at ng asawa nitong si Jeremy (Derek Ramsay). Malaking problema nila na sila ay hindi nabiyayaan ng anak. Laking gulat ni Clair nang isang araw ay sabihin ni Jeremy na gusto nito ng trial separation. Dahil nais makaiwas at makalimot ni Clair sa problema ay nagboluntaryo siyang ihatid ang isang ulila sa pamilyang mag-aampon sa kanya sa Samar kasama ang driver na si Elias (Eric Fructuoso). Pabalik ng Maynila ay makakaranas ng kakaiba sina Clair at Elias katulad na lamang ng pagkakaharang ng kalyeng kanilang dinaraanan. Dahil dito’y maaantala ang kanilang pag-uwi at mapapadpad sila sa isang bahay-ampunan. Dito nila makikilala si Angeli (Mika dela Cruz) na isa na ring ulila. Aakalain ng mga madre sa bahay-ampunan na sinadya nila Clair ang pagpunta sa kanila upang sunduin si Angeli at ihatid sa kanyang Auntie sa Maynila. Gulat man ay pumayag na rin si Clair. Sa bahay-ampunan pa lang ay marami ng makikita at mararanasang kakaiba si Clair ngunit hindi siya nagsuspetsa ng anuman. Pauwi ay marami ring mangyayari sa kanila kasama si Angeli. Mga bagay na hindi maipaliwag. Pagdating sa Maynila ay matutunton nila ang lugar na pagdadalhan nila kay Angeli. Ito ang Tenement 2. Dito na malalaman ni Clair ang tunay na paliwanag sa lahat ng kakaibang karanasan niya kasama si Angeli.

Maraming bagong elemento na mapapanood sa T2. Halatang pinagbuhusan ng hustong pananaliksik ang tungkol sa mga engkanto, bagay na madalas lamang naririnig at nalalaman sa mga kuwento ngunit hindi lubusang nauunawaan. Pati ang special effects ay halatang ginastusan at pinagtuunan ng masusing pansin. Maayos at malinaw ang direksiyon na nais tahakin ng kuwento. Magagaling ang lahat ng mga tauhan at talaga namang nakakadala ang karamihan ng eksena. Yun nga lang ay nagkulang sa gulat at takot ang pelikula na nararapat sana sa isang pelikulang katakutan. Pawang kulang sa hagod ang pananakot at pawang hindi gaanong epektibo ang paraang panggulat ng pelikula. Nasapawaan ng drama ang dapat sana’y nakakatakot na kwento. Pero kung susumahin ay matagumpay naman ito sa pagbibigay ng biswal na interpretasyon sa isang mundong nanatili lamang sa guni-guni ng karamihan.

Ipinakita sa T2 ang dalawang klase ng mundo. Ang mundo ng mga tao, na puno ng pagmamahal ngunit puno rin ng paghihirap at pasakit, at ang mundo ng mga engkanto na pawang walang paghihirap at walang hangganan ang kaligayahan ngunit isa palang balatkayo lamang. Madalas ay nakasisilaw ang kagandahan, ang yaman at karangyaan. Pero sinasabi ng pelikula na hindi ito ang mahalaga kundi ang pagmamahal at mga kaakibat pang emosyon at mga relasyon na parte ng pagiging tao. Puno man ng sakit ang buhay ng tao ay namamayani pa rin dito ang pagmamahal. Ito ang wala sa mundo ng mga engkanto. Kahanga-hanga kung paanong ipinakita ng pelikula na kayang talunin ng liwanag ang kapangyarihang itim. Si Clair ay larawan ng isang babaeng malakas na sa gitna ng kanyang kahinaan at kalungkutan ay nagmamalasakit pa rin sa kapakanan ng iba maging ito ay hindi niya kaano-ano. Ipinakita rin sa pelikula na ang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit ay wala sa dugo. Ito ay nasa pagnanais na magbahagi ng biyaya ng buong puso. Masigasig man ang kapangyarihang itim, hindi pa rin nito magagawang talunin ang mas makapangyarihang kabutihan at dalisay na pagmamahal.

Slumdog Millionaire

Cast: Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance;; Director: Danny Boyle; Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy; Location: India; Running Time: 120 mins.


Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 2
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai who works as a tea maker in a call center, is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the entire country watching, he is just one question away from winning a total of 20-million rupees on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" But when the show breaks for a night, the show’s producer and host Prem Kumar (Anil Kapoor) calls a police to arrest Jamal on suspicion of cheating; how could a slumdog know so much? To prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother, Salim (Madhur Mittal) grew up, of their adventures together on the streets, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika (Freida Pinto), the girl he loved and lost, and found again. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to almost each of the game show's questions. Convinced with his story, the police inspector and show’s producer allow Jamal to return to the game show for the final 20-million rupees question. Will he be able to become the biggest winner of the game show? But little did the audience know they are up for a bigger surprise on Jamal’s real reason for joining the game show.

Slumdog Millionaire is a hybrid of Hollywood and Bollywood filmmaking. The stylistic, fast-paced direction and fresh approach to a worn-out rags-to-riches story receives the nod of critics and of the Oscars’ jury, winning the most coveted Best Picture. India’s slum area is captured in picturesque detail juxtaposing the rising technological skyscrapers depicting both poverty and progress and the price its citizens have to pay to cope with changes. The film takes the audience into another part of the world rarely seen in mainstream Hollywood films without being culturally myopic and politically incorrect. It is able to depict realities of Eastern, Third World poverty through a Western lens. Although the film specifies an ethnicity, the heart and soul of the story remains to be universal- eternal love, familial concerns, poverty, money and power. All these make the Slumdog Millionaire a real winner not just with critics but with the regular audience as well.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? For sure everyone does. But apparently, the films protagonist depicts a character whose real wealth does not depend on money. Jamal never desired to become a millionaire for money’s sake although fate brought him there. What is really compelling and commendable in the movie is Jamal’s pureness of heart and undaunted values amidst the slums, despite his dark past. It only goes to show that more than the events itself, a man’s reaction to such events in his or her life, whether good or bad, determines his or her character. Jamal has all the reasons to blame his country, his family, his neighborhood and his fate for all his miseries but he never did. In spite of all the hardships he went through in life, he never pitied himself and he never allowed miseries to defeat him. Most of all, despite of poverty, he never really desired millions of money, rather, he desired in his heart to find his one and only love. Such love remains to be his purpose and ultimate desire. Slumdog Millionaire tells the audience that amidst the darkness, there is awaits a light and people should never stop dreaming. Everyone has a right to dream big and hope springs eternal even in slums. And the real wealth of everyone is not money but significant relationships where one is able to share love. In this time and age where everyone is busy looking for fame and fortune, here is a movie that tells the audience time and again, that real fortune lies in the heart that loves truly and trusts deeply.

Some scenes of violence, physical and suggestive sexual abuse may not be suitable for the very young audience so CINEMA sees the movie fit for audiences 14 and above

Race to Witch Mountain

ASSESSMENT ONLY
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Anna Sophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino; Director: Andy Fickman; Producer: Andrew Gunn; Screenwriters: Andy Fickman, Mark Bomback, Matt Lopez; Music: Trevor Rabin; Genre: Sci-Fiction, Action/Adventure; Distributor: Walt Disney; Location: USA;

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS

Johnson plays Jack Bruno, a surly former felon who is trying to stay out of trouble by driving a cab in Las Vegas and who embarks upon the adventure of a lifetime when two teens appear in his taxi and need a ride to (seemingly) the middle of nowhere. He quickly realizes that the mysterious siblings, Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig), are far from average—especially when they are pursued by a villain wearing a high-tech suit of armor. With the help of Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino), the two travel to Witch Mountain, a secret government outpost in the Nevada desert, with the hopes of evading their pursuers and sending Sara and Seth home—and saving Earth in the process. This latest installment in the Witch Mountain series comes more than 30 years after the release of the first two films, ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and RETURN TO WITCH MOUNTAIN. Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann, who played siblings Tia and Tony in the original films, appear in small but pivotal roles as waitress and a sheriff. Johnson makes Bruno likable, even though the character barely likes himself. Robb and Ludwig are well cast as the earnest siblings who hold the fate of the world in their hands. Chase scenes abound and special effects that highlight the teens' special powers are prevalent, but the film remains kind-friendly.

Fast and Furious

ASSESSMENT ONLY
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriquez, Jordana Brewster ; Director: Justin Lin; Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Michelle Fottrell; Screenwriter: Chris Morgan; Music: Bryan Tyler; Genre: Action/Adventure;; Distributor: Universal Pictures; Location: Los Angeles, USA, Panama, Mexico; Running Time: 107 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS

Van Diesel and Paul Walker re-team for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed –FAST AND FURIOUS. Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle Rodriquez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor through the Mexican desert in the new high-octane action-thriller. When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Torette (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner (Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to out maneuver him. And from convoy heist to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

Monsters vs Aliens

"ASSESSMENT ONLY"
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen; Director: Conrad Vernon, Rob Letterman; Produces: Lisa Stewart; Screenwriters: Rob Letterman, Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky, Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger; Music: Henry Jackman; Editor: Joyce Arrastia, Eric Dapkewicz; Genre: Science Fiction; Distributor: Dreamworks; Running Time: 95 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance


BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS

MONSTER VS ALIENS tells the story of a group so-called “monsters,” such as Susan Murphy (voiced by Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon). As a girl, she's struck by a meteorite and grows very, very tall in a big hurry. She is taken to a secret Army base, where she is kept with a group of other unusual subjects such as Dr. Cockroach (voiced by “House” star Hugh Laurie) and B.O.B., a large, blue blob with one eye and a mouth, who's nearly as dumb as Doc Cockroach is smart, but who's always ready to help. That's important, because the planet has been threatened by Gallxhan (hilariously voiced by The Office's Rainn Wilson) and all other attempts to deter him and his forces have failed. The monsters are the last hope to rescue humanity.

They Wait

Cast: Jaime King, Terry Chen; Director: Ernie Barbarash; Producer: Andrew Koster; Screenwriters: Trevor Markwart, Carl Bessay, Doug Taylor; Music: Hal Beckett; Editor: Lisa Robison; Genre: Horror; Cinematography: Gregory Middleton; Distributor: Brightlight Pictures; Location: Canada; Running Time: 89 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above

After three years of stay in Shanghai China, couple Jason (Terry Chen) and Sarah (Jaime King) along with their son Sammy (Regan Oey) return to Canada for the funeral of Jason's uncle. The timing of the travel coincides with the Chinese festival of Ghost Month where it is believed that during this time ghost’s turn to demons if no offerings and sacrifices are made. Soon after their arrival, many strange occurrences happen which include Sarah and Sammy seeing ghosts, and worst when Sammy became mysteriously ill. When modern medicine fails, Sarah desperately turns to a Chinese pharmacist (Henry O) who tells her that her son is likely in a death grip by a disturbed ghost of a Chinese teenager and Sarah may lose him forever by end of Ghost Month festival if she will not subject herself to a dangerous ritual that will bring peace to the angry ghost. Will Sarah submit herself to the ritual and save her dying son?

They Wait offers a good package of horror film that has an interesting plot and compliments of acting, sound effects, and production design. The visual effects are likewise commendable for being effective in jolting the viewers without being destructive. The combined Western and Asian setting blend well for overall theme of the movie. There were scenes that were bit slow and dragging like when the child was being haunted and during the funeral wake with camera panning on the guests. But in general, scenes were well-coordinated and keep up to the interest of the viewers. Technically, the film has above average quality that pays off the time and money of the viewers.

The film gives emphasis on the importance of respect for the dead for peace of their souls and those who are living. Otherwise mysterious thing can happen and poses danger to life like what the family in the film has experienced. Similarly, life is precious and should be protected. Any dark secret specifically against life will come out no matter how long it takes and those responsible will pay for it. Whilst the overall theme of the film is horror and overpowering evil ghosts in the context of Chinese culture, it also highlights one great love of a mother to a child. A mother did not have second thought of risking her life to save the life of her son. A husband who is equally concerned to his child listens to the plead of the wife and trusts and supports her all the way. On the whole, "They Wait" is a positive film projecting values of respect, love, peace, faith and justice. However, scenes may be too scary for children, CINEMA recommends to viewers age 14 and above.

Pasang Krus

Cast: Rosanna Roces, Ketchup Eusebio, Joross Gamboa, Jao Mapa, Empress Shuck, BJ Morales, Christian Burke; Director: Neal “Buboy” Tan; Screenwriter: Neal “Buboy” Tan;; Music: ; Editor: Rocky Ko; Genre: Drama; Distributor: JPE Inc.; Location: Isabela and Manila; Running Time: 100 min.;

Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Masasangkot sa isang sigalot sa lupain sa Isabela at mapapatay ang asawa ni Hermina (Rosanna Roces). Bago pa man isunod si Hermina at ang kanilang apat na anak ay tatakas na ang mga ito. Susubukan ni Hermina na humingi ng tulong sa mga pulis ngunit ang mga ito’y pawang kasabwat din ng mga pumatay sa kanyang asawa. Dahil wala nang mapuntahan, magtatatakbo na lamang siya karay ang mga anak. Sa pagmamadali’y mahihiwalay ang kanyang panganay. Mapapadpad si Hermina, kasama ang tatlo na lamang na anak, sa isang masukal na lugar sa Maynila at mapapahiwalay din ang tanging anak na babae. Sapagkat nagdadalang-tao, isisilang ni Hermina ang isang sanggol na lalaki sa kalye hanggang sa may magmagandang-loob na tumulong sa kanila at bigyan ng matutuluyan. Hindi na nahanap pa ni Hermina ang dalawa pa niyang anak. Pilit niyang itinawid at mapalaking mag-isa ang tatlong anak na lalaki. Makalipas ang halos 15 taon, ang mga anak niya’y kanyang naging pasang krus. Ang isa ay nakulong dahil napatay nito ang asawa. Ang isa nama’y naging snatcher at kidnapper, at ang bunso niya’y nagtulak ng droga. Kaakibat ng marami pang dalahin sa buhay, kahirapan at kawalang-katarungan, paano nga ba papasanin ng isang ina ang napakabigat niyang krus?

Isang tunay na melodrama at tearjerker ang pelikula. Sa layunin nitong antigin at kurutin ang puso ng mga manonood ay matagumpay ito. Matagal na panahon na ring walang tunay na melodramang pelikula ang naipapalabas. Ang Pasang Krus ay walang pagkukunwari sa aspetong ito. Nahaluan lamang ng kaunting makabagong paraan ng paglalahad ng kuwento, ngunit kung susumahin ay tipikal na dramang Pilipino ang pelikula na nagsubok muling isalamin ang tunay na mukha ng kahirapan at kabulukan ng lipunan. Mahusay si Roces bilang isang ina na puno ng pasakit sa buhay. Dama ang kanyang sinseridad sa bawat eksena. Maging ang mga nagisaganap bilang mga anak niya’y mahuhusay din. Maaring may sablay sa ilang tauhan, ngunit maari naman itong palagpasin. May mga tanong at ilang butas din sa kuwento ngunit maari na rin itong patawarin hangga’t hindi naman nakakasira sa kabuuan. Mahusay ang musikang ginamit na talaga namang nakatulong sa pagpapaigting ng angkop na damdamin.

Hindi kasalanan ang maging mahirap. Kadalasa’y nagbubulag-bulagan ang karamihan sa nagususmigaw na katotohanang marami sa ating lipunan ang biktima ng masamang kapalaran at kawalan ng oportunidad. Ang mga mahihirap na madalas na ginagamit ng mga pulitiko sa eleksiyon ay sila rin nilang binabale-wala. Ang buhay ni Hermina ay isa lamang sa maraming kuwento ng kahirapan. Nagsubok naman si Hermina na palakihin ng maayos ang mga anak at hindi nito kinukunsinti ang mga mali nilang gawa, ngunit sadyang mas malakas ang pwersa ng barkada at lansangan kaysa sa kanya kung kaya’t ang mga ito’y naligaw pa rin ng landas. Ito ay talaga namang nangyayari. Ang naging sandata lamang ni Hermina ay pagmamahal, pananampalataya at pagdarasal. Sa simula’y parang mali na patuloy niyang suportahan ang mga anak na naligaw ng landas ngunit sadyang walang ina na magnanais ng masama para sa kanyang anak. Patuloy namang nagsusubok ang mga tulad niya na magkaroon ng maayos na buhay at maituwid ang landas ng mga anak, yun nga lang, sadyang malupit ang lipunan sa gaya niyang walang edukasyon at walang lakas. Sa tulad ni Hermina na ignorante sa maraming bagay, kahanga-hanga pa rin na nanatili siyang matatag at dalisay. Sa dami nga naman ng dagok sa buhay at sa bigat ng pasang krus, at kawalan ng makakapitan, talaga namang sa Diyos mo na lamang iaalay ang lahat. Sa bandang huli’y sinasabi ng pelikula na may pag-asa kahit pa ang lahat ay nagsasabing wala na. Na mayroong Diyos na dumirinig sa ating panalangin at ang pagpapakasakit at pagtitiis ay may kapalit na biyaya.

Ace Ventura

Cast: Josh Flitter, Ann Cussack, Emma Lockhart; Director: David M. Evans; Producer: James C. Robinson; Screenwriters: David M. Evans, Jeff Sank; Music: Laura Karpman; Editor: Danny Saphire; Genre: Adventure; Cinematography: Mark Irwin; Distributor: Warner Bros.; Location: Florida, USA; Running Time: 90 min.;

Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Ace Ventura Jr. (Josh Flitter) is exceptionally obsessed with animals, much to the displeasure of his widowed mother (Ann Cussack). When a series of missing lost pets strike his neighborhood, Ace Jr. is immediately drawn to solve the cases but his mother repeatedly warns him to stay off the animals lest he ends up like his father. But when his mother is arrested for allegedly kidnapping the baby panda in the zoo where she works, Ace, with the help of his grandfather (Ralph Waite), his nerd friend A-Plus (Austin Rogers) and his crush Laura (Emma Lockhart) follows his father’s footsteps as a pet detective to rescue the animals and save his mother from imprisonment.

Ace Ventura without Jim Carrey is like pizza without cheese. It just falls flat and tasteless. The Carrey-inspired acting of Flitter leaves much to be desired and just can not take off high enough for the movie to be memorable. The movie’s greatest mistake is young Ventura’s attempt to take on the mannerism of Carrey. Even with a good enough plot and respectable directions, the movie is still dull and forgettable.

A child will do anything for his parent. This is the movie’s strongest positive message. And we commend how the movie suggests that Ace Jr.’s primary motivation is for his mother.

However, some of Ace Jr. imitated and his girl schoolmate’s behavior border on being rude arrogant smart-aleck that may be by young viewers. Regardless of the times, talks and scenes about crushes and puppy love should not be emphasized for young children in movies. It is recommended that parents accompany their grade schoolers, and not allow their younger children to watch the film.