The Road

CAST: Rhian Ramos, Carmina Villaroel, Barbie Forteza, Marvin Agustin, TJ Trinidad, Jacklyn Jose, Louise delos Reyes; DIRECTOR: Yam Laranas; SCREENPLAY:  Aloy Adlawan and Yam Laranas; PRODUCER: GMA Films; GENRE: Horror; LOCATION: Phiippines; RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment: 3

Cinema Rating: For viewers 13 and below with parental guidance

Nahahati ang pelikula sa tatlong dekada ng magkakaugnay na pangyayari sa isang abandonadong daan sa karimlan. Taong 2008, iniimbestigahan ng pulis na si Luis (TJ Trinidad) ang misteryosong pagkawala ng dalawang dalagang teen-ager na umuugnay sa isang aksidente na nangyari sa parehong lugar. Taong 1998 naman, dalawang babae (Rhian Ramos at Louise delos Reyes) ang  nasiraan ng sasakyan sa parehong kalsada at sila’y sapilitang ipiniit ng isang lalaki (Alden Richards) sa isang bahay na nasa gitna ng kawalan. Dito, sila ay parehong mamamatay. Taong 1988 naman ay may isang batang lalaki na pawang ikinulong ng kanyang mga magulang (Carmina Villaroel at Marvin Agustin) sa bahay sa kani-kanilang dahilan. Masasaksihan ng bata ang ilang karumal-dumal na krimen na magaganap sa kanilang bahay na nakatayo sa ngayo’y abandonado nang daan.

Mahusay ang pagkakagawa ng pelikulang The Road. Hindi ito karaniwang pelikulang katakutan na walang ginawa kundi ang takutin lamang ang manonood. Sa totoo pa nga pawang hindi naman pananakot ang naging kabuuan ng pelikula. Walang gaanong gulat at makapanindig balahibong mga eksena ngunit madadala ka ng mga pinag-isipang anggulo, galaw ng camera, editing, kulay, at higit sa lahat, sa husay ng mga nagsipagganap at kakaibang isitilo ng paglalahad ng kwento. Nagawa nitong pag-isipin ang manonood at tingnan ng may kakaibang lalim kung bakit nangyayari ang ilang krimen. Kitang-kita ang mapanuring mata ng director sa pag-atake nito sa bawat eksena ng tatlong magkakaiba ngunit magkakaugnay na kuwento. Yun nga lang, may ilang butas pa rin sa kuwento na sadyang mahirap tanggapin at ngunit maari naman itong palagpasin gawa ng kabuuan nitong kahusayan.

Sinasabi ng The Road na may mga pangyayari sa ating lipunan na di naaayon sa batas ng kalikasan at batas ng Diyos. Ngunit kadalasan di’y nagiging biktima ang tao ng mga bagay na wala siyang kontrol at kung minsa’y ganun nga lang talaga. Laganap ang kawalang-katarungan dahil sa kagagawan ng iilan. Ang pinakamatinding aral ng pelikula ay may patungkol sa pamilya. Ang pamilya ang naging ugat nang lahat ng kaguluhan at krimen sa pelikula. Ang kawalan ng tunay na pagmamahal sa loob ng tahanan at ang lalim ng sugat na idinudulot nito ay maaring magbunga sa malabis na kasamaan. Kitang-kita ang tindi ng epektong nagagawa ng kaguluhan at kasamaan na namamayani sa isang tahanan. Ang sugat na idinudulot ng matinding pagkawala, pagkamuhi at malabis na kalungkutan ay kadalasang mahirap nang paghilumin at nag-iiwan ito paminsan ng mga suliranin tulad ng problema sa pag-iisip gaya ng nilahad sa pelikula. Mabuting gabayan ang mga batang manonood upang mapaintindi sa kanila kung kahalaga ang pagmamahalan sa isang pamilya.

Pirate Brothers

CAST: Verdy Bhawanta, Ronin Shou, Marcio Fernando Da Silva, Karina Nadila, Andrew Lincoln Suleiman; DIRECTOR: Asun Mawardi; WRITER: Asun Mawardi, Matthew Ryan Fischer; LOCATION: Indonesia; GENRE: Action; RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

Technical Assessment: 2
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 14 years and above

Young orphans Verdy (Verdy Bhawanta) and Sunny (Ronin Shou) meet and live at an orphanage as brothers who agree to protect each other’s for as long as they live.  But they go separate ways when a rich family adopts Verdy. The two surrogate brothers lose contact since separation but they keep a sign of bond on their wrists to remember each other and remain hopeful to see each other again. Years later their paths indeed cross again, this time in an odd situation.  Verdy is the subject of a kidnapping that has been orchestrated by a trusted employee of a big company owned by his adaptive family.  He is kidnapped on the day he proposes to his girlfriend Melanie (Karina Nadila) aboard a private speedboat. It turns out that one of the abductors is Sunny. They recognize each other because of the wristbands they are wearing. However, the long awaited moment becomes a disappointment for Verdy. But Sunny sees the opportunity to fulfill the promise to protect his brother and so he does everything to let Verdy go minus Melanie who has been on the hands of Sunny's gang mates.  Verdy takes it all against Sunny even the latter confesses that he is not really part of the kidnap gang but a police undercover doing surveillance on the business of Verdy's adoptive family.  Amidst this situation, will light still shed for the pirate brothers?

"Pirate Brothers" is primarily an action film with some elements of drama. It has a touching story about orphans, parting, longing and reconciliation. But as expected from an action, it highlighted the fighting and chasing scenes. To the credit of the Director and those behind the stunt movements, the film offers good choreography without the usual death defying stunts and blasting’s. The techniques applied in fighting scenes saved the poor acting. But the delivery of English lines are commendable as well as the shift from Bahasa language.  The production design does not contribute much. The music score has struggled to establish continuity. Overall, there is much to be desired in the technical aspect of the film.

The film defies the cliché "promises are made to be broken". Whilst it initially injected revenge in the character of Sunny, the film gets away with it as the story progresses. It focuses on valued brotherhood relationship and fulfillment of both personal and official mission to fight crime and pin down criminals to give justice to their victims. The  "Pirate Brothers" conveys the hopeful message about becoming somebody doing contribution to society despite  humble beginnings like coming from orphanage. The film may be rich in positive values presented in subtle ways,  it is still violent for the most part that devalues life. 

Happy Feet Two

CAST: Elijah Wood, Ava Acres, Hank Azaria, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Alecia Moore, Sofia Vergara, Hugo Weaving, Johnny A. Sanchez. DIRECTOR: George Miller. WRITER: Gary Eck, George Miller, Paul Livingston, Warren Coleman.   PRODUCER: George Miller. GENRE: Animation/Family; RELEASED BY: Warner Bros. Pictures; RUNNING TIME: 100 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment     : 3.5

Cinema Rating          : For viewers of all ages

In Happy Feet  2006, we met Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood), a unique tap-dancing member of a flock of soul-singing emperor penguins.  Now in Happy Feet 2, we meet Mumble’s fluffy little son Erik (voiced by Ava Acres) whose feet do not seem to be that happy.  Erik’s attempt at tap-dancing ends in a flop, and the whole flock laughs at him.  Despite his father’s reassurance that he’ll someday find his very own way—not necessarily tap-dancing—to express his deepest feelings, Erik wants to get away from it all.  Nursing his wounded pride, Erik, consoled by two young friends Atticus and Bo, take an aimless walk and stumble upon Mumble’s old buddy Ramon (Robin Williams).  Their walk takes them to the home of another group of penguins, the Adelies.  When Mumble and his mate Gloria (voiced by Alecia Moore) realize that their Erik and his tiny friends are missing, Mumble shuffles off to begin his search.  Found, Erik refuses to go home with his father.  Meanwhile, a huge iceberg calves off and slams into the emperor penguins’ bay and traps the birds there.  It would now take those outside—Mumble, the three little ones, and Ramon—to stage the rescue.

As before, the penguins are cute, especially up close when the littlest one could melt anyone’s heart.  That is, anyone’s but that of the elephant seal, Bryan the Beachmaster (voiced by Richard Carter), who, after having been saved from sure death by a penguin, refuses to…. (well…spoiler stopped).   Happy Feet 2 offers much by way of animation so that the viewer may simply overlook certain  CGI flaws in favor of the infectious music and the song and dance numbers.  After all, you go watch Happy Feet 2 fully aware that it’s aimed primarily at a GP audience.  

Its being a “kids’ movie”, however, doesn’t stop Happy Feet 2 from talking to adults as well, although most of the time the message would sail over the heads of its juvenile viewers.  We’re referring to lines spoken by characters on sexual themes outside of the central father-and-son issue.  For instance, Bill (voiced by Brad Pitt) the krill’s obvious affection for his best friend Will (voiced by Matt Damon).  Bill suggests that he and will start “a little swarm of our own” to which Will readily quips, “We’re both males!”  Bill pleads to Will, “have me as partner…” and whatever he leaves unsaid is picked up by the songs Wake me up before you go-go and Never gonna give you up.  So Will eventually allows Bill to stay, but not without warning him first, “But no hanky-panky!”  Soon, however, Will himself says it’s time to part ways—and that was after they get startled and Bill jumps on Will’s back.  Get it?

Another instance is when the shortie Ramon woos the shapely Carmen (voiced by Sofia Vergara), she derides him, “I’d never have an egg with you…you’re too short…!”  (Since when did successful procreation depend on the height of the partners?  Get it?)

Another?  When a male penguin brings fish for Mumble’s mate Gloria to eat, their beaks touch rather suggestively.  Some songs are also suggestive although—perhaps in order to win the GP rating—some words are replaced, as in the song Sexy Back, where “Get your sexy on” becomes “Get your fluffy on”.  Speaking of “fluff”—it is also used in place of another “f” word, as in “What the fluff!” and "Take your little fur ball and fluff off."  It seems the racy elements are “penguinized” to protect the innocence of the innocent.

This fabulous movie is chock-full of pointers for the philosophically-inclined.  A krill tired of running away from hungry whales separates from the swarm to find the truth about his existence.  Sven (voiced by Hank Azaria) the “flying penguin” sounds every bit like a motivational speaker as he roots for positive thinking and tells the wide-eyed Erik, "If you want it, you must will it. If you will it, it will be yours." 

But more than anything else, Happy Feet 2 is a story about fathering, teaching by example, and greatness in ordinariness.  The last is so movingly delivered in “Erik’s opera”, part of which follows:

Although he's just an ordinary penguin
My daddy taught me
You don't have to be colossal
To be a great heart
You don't have to fly
To be awesome
My hero, my father!

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

CAST: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattison, Taylor Lautner; DIRECTION: Bill Condon; SCREENPLAY: Melissa Rosenberg; STORY: Stephanie Meyer; CINEMATOGRAPHY: Guillermo Navarro; EDITING: Virginia Katz; PRODUCER: Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt, Stephanie Meyer; MUSIC: Cartner Burwell; LOCATION: Seatle / Brazil; GENRE: Drama Fantasy; DISTRIBUTOR: Summit Entertainment; RUNNING TIME: 153 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3

Moral Assessment     : 3.5

Cinema Rating          : For viewers 14 years old

Breaking Dawn stays true to the novel and brings it to life with such intensity. The movie centers on Edward (Robert Pattison) and Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) first year’s marriage. After a dreamy wedding and honeymoon, the newly wed face the horror of Bella’s unexpected pregnancy. Unknowing what the unborn child will become, Edward decides to have the pregnancy terminate but Bella, whose motherly instincts have awakened, clings on to her child with the help of Rosalie (Nikki Reed), the only Cullen member who prefers her mortality. Bella’s pregnancy has compromised her health and nutrition much to the consternation of Jacob (Taylor Lautner). But these are not the only issues the Cullens must deal with since Sam (Chaske Spencer) has decided that Bella’s child is more of a treat to humanity and ordered his pack to attack the Cullens.

Breaking Dawn offers several breathe taking sequences: the wedding which is staged with such subtle class and poetic romance; the scenic landscapes of Isle Esme and even the Cullen’s house. One of the best scenes interpreting the book is when Jacob refuses to succumb to Sam and finally finds his Alpha voice. Storywise, it does stay true to Meyer’s work and incorporates as much details as possible.  Sadly though, it lacks the factor which made Twilight, both the novel and at least the 1st and 3rd movies. For one, it had too much songs and MTV-moments for a vampire movie. Edward ‘s character lost its mystery and the conflict did not have the same intensity to deliver the needed suspense. The original indie feel was lost as it transformed into a glossy run-of-the-mill love story. Technically, Breaking Dawn delivers - with magnificent CGI effects used in Bella’s deteriorating physique, better acting from Stewart and Laurent and good editing. Still, as segue to the conclusion of the Twilight Saga, it falls short of expectations.

Breaking Dawn brings strong messages on anti-abortion, marriage and family.

We see how Bella fights for the life of her unborn child despite the circumstances that dictates otherwise. How often do woman find themselves in the same predicament and readily succumb to abortion at the first sign of physical, emotional, social and financial discomfort or difficulty. Bella’s determination and sacrifice serves as an inspiration for mothers-to-be having apprehensions on their pregnancy.

Family bonds are highly valued and respected in the film - the Cullens take care of each other while the Quileute tribe fight side by side to protect their people.  The importance of family is mentioned several times in the dialogue.

And finally, Breaking Dawn can be commended for putting premium on the sanctity of marriage and its consummation. The marriage act sequences are intense but not graphic. Although It could have been shortened as most viewers would have already read the book and are familiar with the events.

Because of certain themes and delicate scenes in the story, the movie is better recommended for older teenagers with adult guidance.

THERE BE DRAGONS

CAST: Charlie Cox, Wes Bentley, Dougray Scott, Unax Ugalde,Olga Kurylenko, Pablo Lapadula, Golshifteh Farahani, Rusty Lemorande, Ana Torrent, Alfonso Bassave; DIRECTOR: Roland Joffé; WRITER: Roland Joffé; GENRE: Drama;

RUNNING TIME: 117 minutes

Technical Assessment:  3.5

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

There be dragons is the story of London-based investigative journalist Robert Torres (Dougray Scott), who visits Spain to research a book about Josemaría Escrivá (Charlie Cox), the controversial founder of Opus Dei. But, Robert hits a wall, both professionally and personally, when his most promising source—his own father, Manolo Torres (Wes Bentley)—turns out to be his least cooperative one. Robert begins to unearth his father’s toxic secrets when he learns that Manolo was not only born in the same Spanish town as Josemaría, but that they were childhood friends and attended the same seminary. The two men take radically different paths in life, with Josemaría dedicating his life to his faith while Manolo is swept into the brutal and tumultuous Spanish Civil War.  Manolo descends into a dangerous and jealous obsession when the beautiful Hungarian revolutionary Ildiko (Olga Kurylenko) doesn’t return his affections and instead gives herself to the courageous military leader, Oriol (Rodrigo Santoro).  As Robert continues to unearth the secrets of Josemaría’s life and Manolo’s mysterious anger, their overlapping journeys are revealed with the truths and sorrows of their past choices, which compels Manolo to confront his own secret with one last opportunity of forgiveness.

With such a star-studded cast and crew, there is no reason There be dragons cannot pull off a memorable film.  It is written and directed by two-time Academy Award-nominee Roland Joffé (The Mission, The Killing Fields, City of Joy) and stars Charlie Cox (Stardust, Casanova), Wes Bentley (American Beauty, Ghost Rider), Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Max Payne), Emmy Award-winning actor Derek Jacobi (Gladiator, The Golden Compass), Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible II, Ever After) and Rodrigo Santoro (300, Che).  Its art director is Academy Award-winner Eugenio Zanetti (Restoration, What Dreams May Come), its costume designer is Academy Award®-winner Yvonne Blake (What Dreams May Come), and its makeup designer is Academy Award-winner Michele Burke (Quest for Fire, Dracula).  It is superbly edited by no less than Academy Award-nominee Richard Nord (The Fugitive), and photo-directed by Gabriel Beristain (Caravaggio).  Whew!

In case you are wondering if this is another kung fu movie, take heart.   The title There be dragons is borrowed from the words supposedly found on medieval maps indicating unexplored territory, Hic sunt dracones, which refers to the experiences in life which cause people to suffer and to react in different ways.  Only by acknowledging and dealing with those “dragons”, director Joffé suggests, can we escape the cycle of vengeance and dehumanization which so marked the twentieth century and still marks today’s world.  Says Joffé: “I think that’s what Josemaría was teaching, again and again, to people going through anguishing experiences: to connect to the humanity not only of those who are suffering but also of those who are causing them to suffer.  But just in case the mention of “Josemaria Escriva” scares you away, know that this is not a movie to proselytize its audience.  It is a polished work of art, a professionally crafted epic tale of revolutionaries and saints in a time of civil war; a story of love and heroism amid jealousy, hatred and violence; and a heartbreaking drama about the power of forgiveness to break the chains of the past.