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.