IN TIME

CAST:Amanda Seyfried, Justin Timberlake, Johnny Galecki, Matt Bomer, Olivia Wilde, Vincent Kartheiser;DIRECTOR:Andrew Niccol;WRITER:Andrew Niccol;FILM PRODUCER:Amy Israel, Eric Newman, Kristel Laiblin, Marc Abraham;GENRE:Crime/Gangster / Sci-fi / Thriller;RUNNING TIME:110 minutes

Technical Assessment:  3.5
Moral Assessment:  2.5
Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

It is 2061.  People have been genetically altered to stop aging at 25 and then to live one more year.  Unless they can trade—buy or sell, spend or earn—the time they have left to live, they will be timed off at age 26.  Time is their only currency; they pay for daily needs with the time they have; and they earn time as payment for their work.  One could die betting his entire time in a casino; one could also win a thousand years or more by gambling.  Twenty-eight year-old Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) lives an ordinary hand-to-mouth existence with his mother Rachel Salas (Olivia Wilde) in the ghetto where people die everyday for lack of opportunities to extend their life.  One night Will saves the life of a 105-year old rich man Henry Hamilton (Matt Bomer) who is tired of living anyway and so transfers his remaining 106 years to Will while he’s asleep.  With over a century to spend, Will decides to see how the rich in another time zone live.  There he beats the casino dealer, the 95-year-old time-lending businessman Philippe Weis (Vincent Kartheiser), father of 27-year-old Sylvia Weis (Amanda Seyfried), and there starts a mad gamble for time.

It is an intriguing premise that In Time offers, teasing the imagination to create scenarios of immortality.  There may be many loopholes in the filming but these are more than compensated by the fascinating ideas peddled by writer-director Andrew Niccol.  It is engaging, to say the least, as one possibility follows another in the ways time is used as currency.  The time that remains of a person’s life is measured in 13 digits representing years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds that flash like a luminous digital clock on the forearm.  For instance, a bus ride could cost you two hours; a cup of coffee, four hours; a fancy car, 59 years, and so on.  But you could live to a million years if you’re a shrewd time-lender like Weis, or a ruthless robber who at gunpoint steal time from people.  How does time pass hands?  Simply by arm-to-arm contact.  Your life practically ticks away by the second; once you reach 13 zeroes, you’re gone.

This is sci-fi that you can take seriously for the subject matter is not science per se but mortality and the human desire to be immortal.  The message is underscored in the dialogue between ghetto boy Will Salas and the centenarian from the opulent side of the fence Henry Hamilton.  What would you do if you were in Hamilton’s shoes?  Is it all right to give your time to time-thieves if you think you’ve seen it all and wouldn’t want to live longer?  Is it okay to rob the rich in order to give to the poor?  If you had the choice would you want to live forever?  The most profound character in In Time,Henry Hamilton, says in effect: “There comes time when you tell yourself it’s enough… your body doesn’t age (he’s been 25 for 80 years) but your mind does, and that’s tiring… everybody wants to be immortal but to be immortal you must die…”  In Timewill fascinate young and old alike but you’ll get the full benefit if you close your eyes to its flaws and stay sober  while enjoying it.

Haunted 3D

CAST:Krishna Bhatt, Mimoh Chakraborty, Twinkle Bajpai;DIRECTOR:Vikram Bhatt
GENRE: Horror;LOCATION: Malaysia;RUNNING TIME:140 minutes

Technical Assessment:  3
Moral Assessment:  3
Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

Rehan (Mimoh Charaborty), an  MBA graduate of Harvard University, is sent by his Dad to negotiate for the sale of the family-acquired property. It is a  century old house called Glen Manor. On his arrival at the site, he learns about the series of mysterious deaths of which the people associate with presence of evil spirits in the old house. When he experiences strange happenings in the house  by himself, he thinks it is smart to give what people say about the house the benefit of the doubt. He starts to trace back the real story about the house. He finds out through a mysterious letter written by a certain Meera (Twinkle Bajpal) about the incidents in the house 80 years ago. Further, he learns from a strange guy that the mysterious screams and evil happenings are caused by two spirits ---  the evil one who imprisoned the other spirit in the house. The house can only be freed from haunting if the link between the two spirit will be unlocked.

 "Haunted 3D" has an interesting storyline out of creative imagination of linking past to the present. The subplots provide continuity to connect the elements of time, risks and love interest. The production design created a good setting for the overall theme of the film. The musical score and camera angles and effects are commendable. Whilst sound effects effectively established scary and suspense in the scenes, it is a bit loud and the screams can be annoying at some point. The good story and effects saved the weakness in the acting. Somehow the director can be credited in transforming the lead actors into lovable characters. Overall, the film Haunted 3D can keep the viewer hooked for its entire run of over two hours.

The film is about courage to know the truth out of a mystery, decision to take the risk, saving life and spirit, recognizing the supreme power of God over evil, putting heart in what you do, falling in love and sacrificing. The lead character shows both courage and humility when he takes the risk of journeying toward unlocking the mystery at the same time seeking advice from people whom he thought can help. Although the story is obviously a fiction, the film offers lessons inspired by positive values. However, the 2-hour run can be stressful for young viewers. 

ASWANG

CAST: Lovi Poe, Paulo Avelino, Albie Casino, Juliane Ward, Bembol Roco, Precious Lara Quigaman, Mark Abaya ;DIRECTOR: Jerrold Tarog; STORY AND SCREENPLAY: Jerrold Tarog, Aloy Adlawan;PRODUCER: Regal Films;GENRE: Horror; LOCATION: Manila, Pampanga; RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3

Moral Assessment: 2.5

Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

Si Daniel (Paulo Avelino) ay isang hired killer na kasamang inutusang patayin ang isang pamilya. Ngunit hahayaan niyang makatakas and dalawang batang anak (Albie Casino at Julianne Ward)  ng kanilang pinaslang. Dahil dito’y kakailanganin nilang hanapin at sundan ang dalawang bata. Mapapadpad ang dalawang bata sa isang probinsiya na pinamamahayan pala ng mga nakakatakot na aswang na kung tawagin ay Ab-wak. Ang isa sa mga uri nila na si Hasmin (Lovi Poe) ay may kabutihang taglay at hindi na niya nais pa ang ginagawa ng mga uri nila. Ipagtatanggol niya ang dalawang bata at ililigtas sa kapahamakan at kalaunan ay makikilala din niya si Daniel at kapwa sila mabibighani sa isa’t-isa. Ngunit nasa panganib ang buhay nilang lahat dahil si Hasmin ay nakatakda nang ipakasal sa nuno ng mga aswang upang higit pang mapalakas ang pwersa ng kanilang lahi. Makatakas pa kaya silang lahat gayong higit ang kapangyarihan nito kaysa mga tao?

Isang pelikulang naglayong magpakita ng maraming elemento at aspeto ng buhay ang pelikulang Aswang. Nagawa nitong ilahad ang sanga-sangang kuwento ng iba’t-ibang tauhan. Malinis sa kabuuan ng pelikula lalo na kung ang pagututuunan ng pansin ay ang kuha ng kamera at special effects. Naging kapani-paniwala ang lahat dahil masusi nitong iningatan ang maraming detalye. Mahusay din ang tunog at musika. Ang mga nagsiganap ay pawang magagaling din. Simple ang kanilang naging atake sa pag-arte upang mapalutang ang daloy ng kuwento. Nagkulang lang marahil ang pelikula sa pananakot. Para sa isang pelikulang katakutan, hindi gaanong makapanindig balahibo ang mga eksena sa pelikula. Ngunit ang pinakamahalaga’y naghain naman ito ng isang bagong kwentong aswang.

Ang aswang sa pelikula ay hindi lamang ang mga aswang na nilalang kundi pati na rin ang mga taong parang  o daig pa ang aswang kung pumatay ng kapwa-tao. Hindi tuloy malaman ng mga manonood kung kanino ba tataya…sa mga halimaw ba na nangangain ng tao o sa mga mamamatay-tao? Pinalabas ng pelikula na kung tutuusin ay mas may pusong tao pa ang mga halimaw kaysa sa mga tao kung minsan. Sa ipinakitang kabutihan ni Hasmin sa kabila ng kanyang pagiging aswang ay maaring maging insipirasyon sa sinumang nag-aakalang ang kanilang kasalanan ay walang kapatawaran at hindi na sila maaring magbago ng buhay. Ang pagbabagong-buhay ang siyang hinahangad ng dalawang pangunahing tauhan. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng pangyayari sa pelikula, natupad kaya nila ito? Paano paninindigan ng mga aswang na maari silang mabuhay ng walang sinasaktan o pinapatay kung ito ang natural sa lahi nila? Napahamak si Daniel sa paglalagay ng batas sa kanyang mga kamay ngunit hindi malinaw at maigting na makikita ang  kanyang pagsisisi bagama’t basa sa kanyang mga mata na di niya nais ang kanyang ginagawa. Ganun din si Hasmin na naninindigang hindi siya magkakalat ng lagim. Nanatiling dalisay ang kanilang hangarin ngunit hindi maitatangging ginamit pa rin nila ang kani-kanilang kapangyarihang itim upang puksain ang mga kaaway. Sa bandang huli, sila’y pawang mga bayani pa ng mga bata sa pelikula. Nakababahala ito ng bahagya at nararapat na maipaliwanag sa mga batang manonood.

I don't know how she does it

CAST: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Seth Meyers, Kelsey Grammer, Christina Hendricks, Jane Curtin;DIRECTOR:Douglas McGrath;Writer:Aline Brosh McKenna;GENRE:Comedy;RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes

Moral assessment: 3.5
Technical assessment: 3
Rating: Viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Kate is a successful finance executive who haggles time between career and family and survives it to the amazement of people around her. A partnership with New York based businessman Jack makes her career shines even more and signals no stopping for her. But the job that requires her to do quick frequent travels always compromises her promises to her children particularly with her seven year old daughter. Good for her that her understanding husband Richard is always at a rescue to make up for her. How long can this set-up work?

A novel adaptation, 'I Don't Know How She Does It' offers an unconventional story of a woman who is constantly in cramming mode but well-loved by family and admired by colleagues. The character of Jack is a big twist in a rather predictable story. It adds spice when viewers wonder whether the business partnership will mutually go beyond. The interview and narration inserts help in understanding the characters. At some point the editing struggles to establish the with of settings in Boston and in New York. But acting is good and so are the musical scoring. The film has good cinematography and compositions. 

The reason why Kate can do things in her plate is because she is a woman who is typically dedicated to her family and providing for them. But most of all she has supportive people around her. It appears that everybody loves her except herself. The tolerance of the husband is commendable. Burn out is a tendency for very busy people. The family is a blessing and therefore should not be a source of setback rather an inspiration for a person to move forward. At the time of confusion, the support of the family is important.

Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa

CAST: Jean Garcia, Rocco Nacino, Paulo Avelino DIRECTOR: Alvin Yapan.  SCREENPLAY: Alvin Yapan; GENRE: Drama; LOCATION: Manila; RUNNING TIME:100 minutes

Technical Assessment: 4

Moral Assessment: 2.5

Rating: For Viewers 14 years and above

Si Marlon (Paulo Avelino) ay may lihim na pagtingin sa kanyang guro sa Literatura na si Karen (Jean Garcia). Nang minsang subukin niya ito, malalaman niyang si Karen pala ay nagtuturo rin ng sayaw sa isang maliit na dance studio. Sa kagustuhang mapansin ng kanyang guro (na hindi niya magawa sa klase dahil hindi niya lubos na nauunawaan ang mga pinag-uusapang tula sa klase), maiisipan niyang mag-enroll sa dance class ni Karen. Ngunit upang makapag-pakitang gilas pa, magpapaturo muna siya sa kaklaseng si Dennis (Rocco Nacino) na nagtatrabaho naman kay Karen bilang assistant choreographer. Dito magsisimulang mabuo ang masalimuot na relasyon ng tatlo sa saliw ng sining ng tula, musika at sayaw.

Isang matapang na produksiyon ang Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa sa pagsusubok nito na isapelikula at pag-isahin ang iba’t-ibang sining upang makabuo ng obra na tatangkilin ng masang manonood. Sa simula’y tila dinadala ang manonood sa silid-aralan upang aralin at pag-usapan ang layon at anumang nais ipahiwatig ng iba’t-ibang tula na hango sa mga panulat ng ilang kilalang babaeng makata. Matagumpay na naihatid ng pelikula ang mensahe, gaano man ito kalalim at ka-komplikado. Simple ang kuwento ngunit pinaigting ito ng pag-iisang dibdib ng tula, sayaw at arte. Lumutang din ang husay ng mga tauhan na bagama’t bilang ang dayalogo ay mas marami namang sinabi ang mga mata nila at galaw. Dahil sa kanilang kahusayan, naiparating ang mensahe sa gitna ng mga patlang at katahimikan. Sa pagnanais nitong pasayawin sa indayog ng kuwento ang mga manonood, nagawa nitong dalhin sila sa direksiyon na kung saan hindi lamang basta manonood ang mga manonood kundi mapag-iisip din.

Sa kabila ng masining na pagkakagawa ng pelikula ay hindi maitatangging ang kalakip na mensahe nito ay ang pagsasabing ang sining ay likas na “amoral” o walang kinikilalang moral o imoral. Nakatutok ito sa estitiko, sa emosyon at hindi naka-angkla sa kung ano pa mang pagpapahalaga bukod sa pagpapahalaga sa kinikilala nilang “sining”. Ngunit maari pa ring maituring na katanggap-tanggap ang pelikula dahil nagawa nitong ihain ang mensahe ng hindi kinikiliti ang sensibilidad ng manonood. Hindi rin nito minamaliit ang lawak ng pang-unawa ng madla. Hindi ito nagpakita ng anumang kalaswaan sa kabila ng tema ng sekswalidad na ninais nitong talakayin. Hindi rin pinalangoy ng pelikula sa pagkakasala ang mga tauhan, bagkus, ang mga ito’y ginawa pa ring mga tauhang nag-iisip, marunong magnilay at tulad sa tunay na buhay, itinatawid ang mga suliranin at sumasayaw ng naaayon sa tugtugin. Kung minsa’y kontra-tiyempo, ngunit nagagawa pa ring itama ang mali. Binigyang dignidad ng pelikula ang karangalan ng isang guro, pati na rin ng mga makata, mga artista at mga mananayaw…sayang nga lang at hindi malinaw ang lugar ng Diyos na siyang tunay na may likha ng lahat ng sining at Siyang nagbibigay ng talento na nararapat lamang gamitin sa kabutihan at sa ikakalaganap ng Kanyang pagmamahal.