The Ugly Truth

Cast: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, ; Director: Robert Luketic; Producers: Kimberly di Bonaventura, Gary Lucchesi, Deborah Jelin Newmyer, Steven Reuther, Tom Rosenbeg, Kirsten Smith; Screenwriters: Nicole Eastman, Karen McCullah Lutz; Music: Aaron Zigman; Editor: Lisa Zeno Churgin; Genre: Romantic Comedy; Cinematography: Russell Carpenter; Distributor: Columbia Pictures; Location: Los Angeles, California; Running Time: 95 min.;

Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 1.5
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above

Abby Ritcher (Katherine Heigl) is an award-winning producer of a morning show whose ratings are slowly dropping. Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler) is crude host of a late night talk show entitle the Ugly Truth. Abbey is a conservative control freak who can’t get a man to date her after their first dinner. Mike is a cynical chauvinist who thinks women try to hard when men are only after sex. After a heated argument on-air, Abbey and Mike are forcibly teamed up when he is hired by her boss to spice up the ratings of her program. As expected, the two clash at every occasion as Abby finds Mike vulgar and disgusting while Mike thinks Abby is uptight and domineering. However, Mike does spruce up the ratings, salvages the relationship of his married anchors and proves to make the right decision so Abby can get her neighbour Colin (Eric Winter) interested in her. Thing take another twist when both realize they have feelings for each other and share a passionate kiss. But the ugly truth is the relationship cannot work.

The ugly truth about The Ugly Truth is that is tries so hard to be original and funny but ends up being a poor deconstruction of When Harry Met Sally. The scenes rely on crude sex jokes for laughs and fail to elicit genuine tickles and brilliant comedy. The story is predictable and offers nothing new to keep the audience watching after the first 30 minutes. Romance does not surface with Heigl and Butler’s non-existent chemistry and their flat and unsympathetic performances. Even the hot air balloon chroma looks crude and old. The only thing memorable about the movie is the choices of contemporary music.

The movie tries to intellectualize men-women differences and relationships. It has hoped to say two important things. One, that no matter how cruel fate has been, there is always a window for happiness if one dares to jump into the moment. Two that a relationship can never be based on concepts and theories and that true love begins when one accepts the other for who she really is. However, all it achieves is to be a collection of offensive uncensored sex jokes and bad language. Not only has the movie trivialized man-women interaction and reduced relationship as an excused to be licentious, it also portrays men as shallow and insensitive primates. The movie is not suitable for young impressionable teenagers and a waste of time for the adults.

Nandito Ako..... Nagmamahal Sa'yo

Cast: Kris Bernal, Aljur Abrenica, Baron Geisler, Ana Capri, Julio Diaz, Lloyd Samartino, Valeen Montenegro; Director: Maryo J. delos Reyes; Screenwriter: Jake Tordesillas; Genre: Drama; Distributor: Regal Films; Location: Manila and Bohol; Running Time: 105 min.;

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

Si Tata (Aljur Abrenica) ay mag-isang pinalaki ng kanyang ina (Ana Capri) sa Quiapo. Dahil sa hirap ng kanilang buhay ay mapipilitan ang ina ni Tata na kumapit sa patalim nang lingid sa kanyang kaalaman. Masasangkot ito sa ilegal na bentahan ng droga at mapipilitan itakas ang pera bunsod ng malubhang karamdaman. Ang lahat ng ito ay hindi malalaman ni Tata hanggang marating nilang mag-ina ang Bohol, ang lugar ng kanyang hindi nakilalang ama. Ipapakilala si Tata sa kanyang ama (Lloyd Samartino) ngunit hindi siya nito agad na matatanggap lalo pa't mayroon na itong pamilya at ang nag-iisa niyang anak na si Prince (Baron Geisler) ay abala sa kanyang kasal. Nang malaman ni Prince ang tungkol kay Tata ay tatanggapin niya ito sa kundisyong magpapa-DNA test muna. Gayunpaman, magiging maayos naman ang pakitungo nila kay Tata. Ngunit makikilala ni Tata ang pakakasalan ni Prince na si Steph (Kris Bernal) at siya'y mabibighani dito. Sapagkat abala sa maraming bagay si Prince, maiiwan madalas si Steph kay Tata at silang dalawa'y magkakalapit. Dahil dito'y magsisimulang malito si Steph sa kanyang nararamdaman kay Prince at hindi nito malaman kung itutuloy pa niya ang pagpapakasal.

Bagama't kung tutuusin ay gasgas na ang kuwentong inihain ng pelikula, nagawa pa rin nitong bigyan ng bagong bihis ang lumang istorya sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay nito sa dalawang magkaibang lugar – ang magulo't masalimuot na Quiapo at ang matulain at payapang Bohol. Ito rin ang dalawang lugar na nag-uugnay sa dalawang pangunahing tauhan. Maganda ang mga kuha sa Bohol at talaga namang nakabibighani at mapapaibig ang sinumang makakapunta rito. Sayang nga lang at hindi gaanong napagyabong sa kuwento ang pag-iibigan ng dalawang pangunahing tauhan at hindi rin gaanong naging napakabigat ang tatsulok na pag-ibig dahil halata at pilit na ginawang bagay sina Tata at Steph at si Prince ay naging pawang panggulo lamang. Samakatuwid ay pawang wala naman talagang dapat pagpilian si Steph sa simulang-simula pa. Labas tuloy ay sadyang mahina ang kanyang karakter pagdating sa pamimili at pagdedesisyon. Kakatwa rin ang ilang mga linya na sa halip na lumabas na madrama ay nagiging katawa-tawa. Isang malaking kahinaan ng pelikula ang kalamlaman ng pag-arte ng dalawang panghunahing tauhan. Wala tuloy epekto ang daloy ng emosyon dahil hindi nila ito naipakita at naipadama ng maayos.

Dalisay ang kuwentong pag-ibig na ipinakita sa pelikula. Kitang pinahahalagahan nito ang pagkakabuklod ng pamilyang Pilipino, lehitimo man o hindi ang anak ay dapat bigyang ng pantay na suporta at pagmamahal. Nakatutuwang makita na bagama't lumaki sa isang magulong lugar na tulad ng Quaipo ay nagawang palakihin ng kanyang ina si Tata na may pananampalataya at takot sa Diyos. Si Steph naman na lumaki sa karangyaan ay pinalaking nanalig sa Diyos at mapagpakumbaba. Nakababahala nga lang ang ginawang pagkapit sa patalim ng ina ni Tata upang makapunta lamang sila ng Bohol at masiguro ang pagsuporta ng ama nito sa kanyang pag-aaral. Maaari naman itong unawin sa kadahilanang nauubusan na rin siya ng panahon dahil siya ay may karamdaman na. Yun nga lang, bakit sa bandang huli'y mas nagtagumpay pa rin ang masasamang loob sa halip na sila ay maparusahan? Bagama't kita sa mga mata ni Tata ang pagnanasa kay Steph sa unang araw pa lamang ng kanilang pagkikita ay pilit niyang pinigilan ito at hindi siya gumawa ng anumang hakbang na ikasisira ng kanilang pagkakaibigan at pati na rin sa relasyon niya sa kanyang kapatid sa ama. Marahil ay kapalaran na ang sadyang nagtutulak sa dalawa kung kaya't sila'y naging magkalapit at tunay nga namang mas karapat-dapat sila sa isa't-isa. Pinakita rin ang kabanalan ng sakramento ng kasal na hindi dapat ipinipilit ayon lamang sa kagustuhan ng ibang tao. Ang sakramentong ito ay iginagalang at dapat na pinagbubuhusan ng malalim na pagpapasya hanggang sa pinakahuling sandali.

Pandorum

ASSESSMENT ONLY
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster, Cam Gigandet, Antje Traue; Director: Christrian Alvart; Producers: ; Screenwriter: Travis MIlloy; Music: Michl Britsch; Editor: Philipp Stahl, Yvonne VAldez; Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy; Cinematography: Wedigo von Schultzendorff ; Distributor: Cinestar; Location: Berlin, Germany; Running Time: 110 min.;

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

BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS

It tells the terrifying story of two crew members stranded on a spacecraft who quickly realize they are not alone. Two astronauts awaken in a hyper-sleep chamber aboard a seemingly abandoned spacecraft. Its pitch black, they are disoriented, and the only sound is a low rumble and creak from the belly of the spacecraft. They can't remember anything – who are they, what is their mission? The only way out of the chamber is a dark and narrow airshaft. Corporal Bower (Foster), the younger of the two, crawls inside, while the other, Lt. Payton (Quaid), stays behind for guidance on a radio transmitter. As Bower ventures deeper and deeper into the ship, he begins to uncover a terrifying reality. Slowly the spacecraft's shocking and deadly secrets come unraveled, and the astronauts realize that the survival of mankind hinges on their actions.

Horsemen

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ziyi Zhang, Lou Taylor Pucci, Clifton Collins, Patrick Fugit; Director: ; Producers: Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, Andrew Form; Screenwriter: Dave Callaham; Music: Jan A.P. Kaczmarek; Editor: Jim May, Todd E. Miller; Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Cinematography: Eric Broms; Distributor: Lions Gate Films; Location: USA; Running Time: 110 min.;

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

Aiden Breslin (Dennis Quaid) is a workaholic detective who specializes in forensic dentistry. He buries himself in his work in order to fill in the void left by the death of his wife after she lost her battle with cancer. In the process, Breslin has become an uncaring and detached father to his two sons and is more concerned with the mystery behind a series of killings rooted in the Biblical Prophesy of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. As he is lead from one murder to another and draws closer to solving the puzzle, he realizes the shocking connection between himself, the four cases and the family he has abandoned.

HORSEMEN begins with a story about four psychologically imbalanced people impersonating the symbols of death and destruction in Revelations and ends to become a frustrating mellow drama about the victims of social indifference and parental desertion. The director’s attempt to force feed the message to his audience turns to be a muddled series of carnage scenes and lecture about not neglecting our loved ones. The camerawork is not tight enough to deliver effective tension filled moments. The post production works are decent but not outstanding. And for a mystery-thriller, it fails to achieve that “edge of your seat” experience for the audience.

Is work priority over family? The obvious and expected answer is “no”, however, there are instances when this is easier said than done. In these times, when most families have both parents working to support the needs of their children, it is almost easy to rationalize that the time spend away from the home is actually time sacrifice to build the home. But is it really worth it? The movie reminds us that parents need to care for their children physically and emotionally. Nothing can ever replace the time one spends with them to share memories, lessons and experiences. However, this message is drown in the series of senseless killings, gruesome violence, offensive scenes and language.

Yaya & Angelina; The Spoiled Brat Movie

Cast: Ogie Alcasid, Michael V., Iza Calzado, Aiko Melendez, Jomari Yllana, Leo Martinez, Roxanne Guinoo, Sheena Halili, Victor Aliwalas; Director: Mike Tuviera; Producers: Jose Mari Abacan, Ogie Alcasid, Mike Tuviera, Michael V.; Screenwriters: Ogie Alcasid, Michael V., Uro Q. dela Cruz; Genre: Comedy; Distributor: GMA Films; Location: Manila; Running Time: 100 min.;

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

Bagama't may angking talino ay labis naman ang kapilyahan ni Angelina (Ogie Alcacid) kung kaya't walang tumatagal ditong yaya. Matapos ang pagkuha ng ilang mga yaya para kay Angelina, tanging si Yaya Rosalinda (Michael V.) lamang ang makakatagal sa kakulitan ng alaga. Sa umpisa'y maayos ang pakikisama ni Angelina kay Yaya Rosalinda, ngunit hindi magtatagal ay magiging sunod-sunod na rin ang kapilyahang gagawin nito sa yaya hanggang sa dumating ang araw na mapilitan rin ang mga magulang ni Angelina na palayasin si Yaya Rosalinda. Ngunit isang araw ay kakailanganin ni Angelina ang tulong ng yaya nang ito ay makidnap ng mga teroristang gustong patayin ang bibisitang Dukesa ng Wellington. Makaligtas kaya sila at magkaayos pa kaya silang dalawa?

Kahanga-hanga ang talino ng dalawang pangunahing tauhan na sina Michael V. at Ogie Alcacid na mga mismong nakaisip ng karakter ni Yaya at Angelina. Mula sa mumunting mga kuwentong mag-yaya na sumikat sa telebisyon ay nagawang pelikula na ang kanilang mga likhang tauhan. Nakakaaliw silang makita sa sinehan lalo pa't kilala na ang kanilang tambalan. Maayos at manlinaw ang kuha ng kamera at mahusay maging ang pagkakaganap ng mga pangalawang tauhan. May mga mangilan-ngilan ding nakakatawang eksena. Ngunit pawang nasayang ang pelikula dahil hindi nito napalawig ang kuwento at relasyon ng mag-yaya. Tulad sa palabas sa telebisyon, nanatili itong mababaw na walang hinangad kundi ang magpatawa. Hindi naghangad man lang ang pelikula na maglahad ng mas malalim at mas makabuluhang kuwento maliban sa pagpapatawa. Marami pa sanang pwedeng gawin sa kuwento ngunit nakuntento na lamang silang manatili sa manipis na hibla ng kwentong mag-yaya.

Bagama't lumaking spoiled brat at may kapilyahan, kitang dalisay naman ang puso ni Angelina. May taglay man siyang kakulitan, hindi naman niya sinasadya ang mga nagagawang pananakit. May ilang eksena nga lang na nakakababahala tulad ng mga pagsabog at pananadyang pananakot at pagpapahiya sa kanyang mga yaya. Hindi ito dapat tularan ng mga bata at dapat silang magabayan sa panonood. Higit na kahanga-hanga si Yaya Rosalinda na nanatili ang malasakit sa- alaga sa kabila ng kakulitan at kapilyahan nito. Hindi sumusuko si Yaya Rosalinda sa alaga kahit pa hindi niya ito kadugo. Bagay na mahirap hanapin sa mga kasambahay at yaya sa kasalukuyang panahon. Ang nabuong relasyon sa mag-yaya ay dapat magsilbing halimbawa na wala sa dugo ang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit, bagkus ito ay kusang tumutubo basta't mayroon pagmamahal at mahabang pang-unawa ang mga higit na nakakatanda. Hindi rin magtatagumpay kailanman ang kasamaan sa kabutihan. Kahit pa walang armas, ay nagawa nila Yaya at Angelina na labanan ang mga armadong terorista sa masama nitong binabalak.

Whiteout

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Tom Skerritt; Director: Dominic Sena; Producers: Susan ; Screenwriters: Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes; Music: John Frizzell; Genre: Horror/ Suspense; Distributor: Warner Bros.; Location: Antartica; Running Time: 100 min.;

Technical Assessment: 2.5
Moral Assessment: 2
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 18 and above

US Marshall Carrie Stetco Kate Beckinsale) arrives in Antarctica for her assignment to investigate a dead body of a geologist that is found on the ice. Giving her moral support to fulfill the mission is Dr John Fury (Tom Skerritt), her friend in the area. Soon after she arrives at the conclusion on the crime of murder that causes the dead body, she realizes that the murderer is on the loose and also after her life because of her responsibility to the case. Being used to the situation as a law enforcer, Carrie is determined to pursue the investigation and to pin down the killer especially with the discovery of series of killing in Antarctica. In the course of her ordeal, she meets UN Consultant, Robert Pryce (Gabriel Macht) who is equally interested in the case of the murdered geologist. Eventually, both of them become the target of the mysterious killer.

Whiteout is a treat of scenic view of snowy Antarctica. The cinematography is so good with appropriate lighting and compliments of sounds and musical score. However, if the abovementioned aspects of the film are commendable, the overall story is a dismal. The plot is poorly developed with hardly notice of denouement. There is high frequency of unnecessary or prolonged scenes like exposure of dead bodies, intense violent killings, chasing scenes in snow storms, and even the amputation of fingers. The film was concluded with the discovery of a surprise killer and likely with the viewer's question 'how could that be?

The film shows that a responsible officer tasked to do a mission must have the focus and the commitment to fulfill her duty in all circumstances. For a film to feature a woman in her strength at par with man is a positive notion. However, density of senseless killings and casual exposures of dead bodies that is rampant during the entire run of the film have overtaken the reference to a strong woman. Instead, it shows how a doctor who is supposed to save lives can manipulate a crime, disregard trust in friendship, and make up stories in exchange of wealth. Dead human bodies are not respected rather used for crime (i.e keeper of diamonds or precious stones) if not totally ignored.

Sorority Row

Cast: Briana Evigan, Leah Pipes, Rumer Willis, Jamie Chung, Margo Harshman, Audrina Patridge, Caroline D’Amore, Carrie Fisher; Director: Stewart Hendler; Producers: Darrin Holender, Mike Karz; Screenwriters: Josh Stolberg, Pete Goldfinger; Music: Lucian Piane; Editor: Elliot Greenberg; Genre: Horror/ Thriller; Cinematography: Ken Seng; Distributor: Summit Enter; Location: USA; Running Time: 100 min.;

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

Theta Pi is a sorority house run by Mrs. Crenshaw (Carrie Fisher) where the girls led by Jessica (Leah Pipes) often hold wild parties. When Megan (Audrina Patridge) discovers her boyfriend Garret (Matt O”leary) cheating on her, she decides break off and exact revenge with the help of her sisters. So during their sorority’s Pledge Week, Megan connives with her sisters to pull a prank on Garret. They convince him to drug Megan so he can freely bed her and later on Megan would pretend die from overdose. Unfortunately, Garret believes he has really killed Megan and proceeds to impale her with a tire iron. The shocked and panicked sisters are convinced by Jessica to pretend Megan went missing at the party and lead the girls to dump the body and swear them to secrecy. Eight months later during their graduation party, the sisters receive text messages from Megan’s cell phone. Soon after, a hooded tire-iron-wielding slasher in graduation gown brutally kills all those involved in the cover up one after the other.

As in any slasher film, Sorority Row, a bad remake of House on Sorority Row, features semi-clad big-chested girls engaged in wild parties and bad company running stupidly from an amazingly clever killer who can single handedly slaughter dozens of people one after the other. There are bright moments when the film tries to break of from its formula, particularly the witty one-liners and sense of humor, making the viewers sympathize with the characters and actually care for their safety. Other than this, the movie is nothing more than a bloody body count and how many creative scenes the director can use for each murder. The plot development and the revelation of the killer is disappointingly brainless, the performances are shallow and the creative direction is mediocre.

Ironically, SORORITY ROW’s Theta Pi emphasizes trust, respect, honor, secrecy and solidarity as its core values. Values which in reality are merely lip service to protect themselves. The characters do not even care to look after a friend - so much so for sisterhood. At the end, secrecy is the only value that counts to cover up for a crime. The characters are ill-mannered, promiscuous and rude.

The movie contains gratuitous nudity, gore and violence, rough and vulgar language and absolutely no redeeming quality to be worth anyone’s time and money.

In My Life

Cast: Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano, John Lloyd Cruz, Dimples Romana, Paw Diaz; Director: Olivia M. Lamasan; Producer: Charo Santos; Screenwriters: Olive Lamasan, Raymond Lee, Senedy Que; Genre: Drama; Distributor: Star Cine Production; Location: Manila/ New York; Running Time: 120 min.;

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

Si Shirley (Vilma Santos) ay isang tumatandang public school librarian na matagal nang hiwalay sa asawa at mag-isang itinaguyod ang tatlong anak. Nang pinipilit siya ng kanyang anak na si Dang (Dimples Romana) na ibenta ang compound dahil balak nitong mag-migrate sa ibang bansa kasama ang buong pamilya, labis siyang nagdamdam. Kaya't nagdesisyon si Shirley na puntahan ang anak niyang si Mark (Luis Manzano) na nasa New York para magbakasyon. Sa pag-aakalang wala nang babalikan sa Pilipinas, susubukan ni Shirley na magsimula ng panibagong buhay doon. Dahil dito'y mapipilitan si Shirley na makipisan sa anak na may kinakasamang boyfriend na si Noel (John Lloyd Cruz). Bagama't pawang tanggap ni Shirley ang pagiging bakla ng anak, hindi niya gaanong matanggap si Noel. Subalit dahil parating abala sa trabaho si Mark, si Noel ang parating maiiwang tumingin at mag-asikaso kay Shirley. Magkaayos kaya silang dalawa at mahanap kaya ni Shirley ang panibagong buhay sa New York sa gitna ng lumalala niyang relasyon sa mga anak?

Matino ang produksiyon ng In My Life at naging mas makinang dahil karamihan sa mga eksena ay kinunan pa sa New York. Halatang pinagbuhusan ng talino't galing ang kabuuan ng pelikula. Hindi matatawaran ang husay ni Vilma Santos sa pagganap at hindi rin nagpahuli dito si John Lloyd Cruz. Si Luis Manzano na bagama't hindi pa kasinghusay ay nagawa naman nang maayos ang kanyang karakter. Nakababahala lang na pawang hindi gaanong nagamit ang kalugaran ng kuwento na halos naging palamuti lang. Ang mga kuwentong nakakabit sa New York ay hindi naman talaga nagpaiting sa tunay na kuwento ng pelikula. Sa madaling salita, kahit ilipat ang kuwento sa ibang kalugaran ay hindi pa rin magbabago ang takbo nito. Ang naging resulta tuloy ay napakaraming maliliit na kuwentong nakasanga sa pinakapuso ng pelikula na sa halip na makatulong sa pagpapayabong ng istorya ay nagpapaligaw sa nais nitong patunguhan. Naging pilit tuloy ang ilang eksena kung ikukumpara sa kabuuan. Salamat na lamang sa napakahusay na pagganap ng mga tauhan, sa malinis na sinematograpiya, sa magandang komposisyon ng mga eksena kaya't maituturing pa ring kaaya-aya ang In My Life.

Kahanga-hanga ang tauhan na si Shirley. Bagama't marami siyang pagkukulang at talaga namang hindi perpekto, nagawa naman niyang isakripisyo ang sariling kaligayahan alang-alang sa kinabukasan ng mga anak. Naging mahigpit at malupit man siya paminsan-minsan, ang mga ito'y hindi naman niya sinasadya. At sa bandang huli'y natuto siyang umamin sa mga pagkakamali at namayani pa rin ang pagmamahal at pagpapatawad. Marami nga lang nakakabahalang moral sa pelikula tulad ng relasyong homosekswal na nagsasama ang dalawang lalaki na pawang mag-asawa. Ipinakitang ito'y katanggap-tanggap at wala ni ano mang sinabi sa kuwento na ang ganitong relasyon ay hindi tama. Halatang nag-ingat din ang pelikula na huwag gawing sobrang lantaran ang mga eksena ng lambingan sa pagitan ng dalawang lalaki na naging maganda naman ang kinalabasan. Talamak din sa Amerika ang pagkapit sa patalim ng ating mga kababayan na nagpapakasal para lamang maging US citizen at makapagtrabaho doon ng legal. Hindi naman sinasabi ng pelikula na ito ay tama, ngunit sadyang ito ang natatanging paraan upang maging maayos ang kalagayan ng ilang Pilipinong naninirahan doon ng walang papel o illegal. Sa kuwento ng pelikula, nagamit ang aspetong ito upang makatulong kay Noel at upang gumaan din ang pakiramdam ni Shirley. Lalo tuloy naging nakababahala na naging katanggap-tanggap na talaga ang “marriage for convenience” sa ating mga kababayan. Higit pa rito'y kung paanong nagkakawatak-watak ang isang pamilya sa pagnanais ng mas malaking kita sa pangingibang-bayan. Dahil sa mga aspetong ito ay nararapat lamang ang pelikula sa mga manonood na may edad 14 pataas.

Manghuhula

Cast: Eula Valdez, Glaiza de Castro, Emilio Garcia, Chanda Romero, Pinky Amador, Bella Flores, Adreinne Babiera; Director: Paolo Herras; Producers: Marc Licaros, Joseph David Santos; Screenwriters: Paolo Herras, Marlon Rivera; Music: Isha; Editor: Dempster Samarista; Genre: Drama; Cinematography: Rodolfo Aves, Jr., Marissa Floirendo Distributor: Alessandro Productions; Location: Manila; Running Time: 105 min.;

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

Si Messina (Eula Valdez) ay nagmula sa pamilya ng manghuhula. Kilalang manghuhula ang kanyang ina (Chanda Romero) sa kanilang lugar na kung saan panghuhula ang pangunahing ikinabubuhay ng mga tao. Tinakasan ni Messina ang kanilang lugar dahil binansagan siyang salot nang minsang mahulaan niya ang isang kamatayan at ito ay nagkatotoo. Iniwan niya ang kanyang anak na si Claire (Glaiza de Castro) dahil hindi niya ito maisama. Magbabalik si Messina sa kanilang lugar nang malaman niya na namatay ang kanyang ina sa hindi pa alam na kadahilanan. Kasabay ng pag-aalam ni Messina ng dahilan ng kamatayan ng kanyang ina ay pilit naman niyang itatakas si Claire sa mundo ng panghuhula na kanilang kinagisnan. Ngunit hindi sila papayagan ng sindikato ni Jacob (Emilio Garcia) na siyang nagpapatakbo sa negosyo ng panghuhula. Marami raw iniwang utang ang ina ni Messina at dapat itong pagbayaran ni Claire sa pamamagitan rin ng panghuhula. Magawa pa kayang itakas ni Messina si Claire gayong nahumaling na rin ito sa mundo ng panghuhula?

Isang naiibang kuwento ang pelikula na tumatalakay sa isang mundong bihira o hindi pa masyadong alam ng nakararami. Hindi pangkaraniwan ang paksang nais talakayin ng Ang Manghuhula kung kaya't sa kabuuan ng pelikula'y mas maraming tanong kaysa sagot ang mananatili sa isip ng manonood. Palaisipan kung paanong naging isang sindikato ang dapat sana'y di pangkaraniwang kakayahan ng panghuhula na hindi pa rin batid kung biyaya o sumpa. Hindi gaanong malinaw ang takbo ng kuwento at hindi rin malinaw kung saan ito patutungo. Hanggang sa huli'y hindi masabi kung narating ba ng pelikula ang nais nitong marating. Mahusay naman ang mga nagsiganap sa pangunguna ni Valdez ngunit pawang maraming butas at kulang sa pelikula na hindi napunan ng husay ng mga tauhan. Bagama't maliwanag ang nais makuha ng pangunahing tauhan, hindi naman malinaw kung ano ba talaga ang problema at ang ugat na pinanggagalingan nito. Sayang at pawang maraming nais sabihin ang pelikula ngunit nanatili ang lahat sa isipan ng may likha nito at hindi nagamit ang biswal na midyum ng pelikula.

Maituturing nga bang biyaya o sumpa ang kakayahang malaman ang hinaharap? Maliwanag ang turo ng simbahan ukol dito na bagama't sa simula pa lamang ng kasaysayan ay may mga propeta nang nagpapahayag ng hinaharap, hindi pa rin nararapat isa-alang-alang ng tao ang kanyang buhay sa manghuhula. Ang gawin itong isang negosyo ay mas higit na masama lalo pa't nauuwi ito sa panloloko. Ito naman ay naipakita ng pelikula at hindi nito kinukunsinte ang mga maling gawa. Nakakabahala nga lang kung paanong ituring ng anak na si Claire ang kanyang ina na halos pawang wala na siyang paggalang dito. Nakakalito rin kung paano at bakit pilit na inaako ni Claire ang papel ng isang manghuhula gayong alam naman niya ang kapahamakang idudulot nito sa kanya. Ang pinakanakakabahala sa lahat ay kung paanong binigyang kapangyarihan ng pelikula ang mga barahang gamit sa panghuhula na halos maging instrumento ito ng kaguluhan at patayan sa kanilang lugar. Nakakabahala rin ang madalas na pagpapakita ng mga imahe at santo na simbolo ng pananampalatayang katoliko na pawang nais ipahiwatig ang pagiging paganong Katoliko ng mga Plilipino. Dahil sa mabigat nitong tema, nararapat lamang ang pelikula sa mga manonood na may edad 14 pataas.

I Love You Beth Cooper

Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack T. Carpenter, Lauren London, Alan Ruck, Cynthia Stevenson; Director: Chris Columbus; Producers: Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan; Screenwriter: Larry Doyle; Music: Christophe Beck; Editor: Peter Honess; Genre: Romantic Comedy; Cinematography: Phil Abraham; Distributor: 20th Century Fox; Location: USA; Running Time: 102 min.;

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

Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) is graduating from high school and he delivers his valedictory speech. Unfortunately, he uses this oration to profess his secret love for head cheerleader Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere). His confession as well as other things he says does not sit well with Beth’s cocaine-sniffing ROTC boyfriend Kevin (Shawn Roberts). Meanwhile, charmed and flattered Beth decides to attend Denis’ party, together with friends Cammy and Treece, and gives him the night of his life. Denis and Rich, the only other guest of the party, try hard to entertain the girls but end up running away from a vindictive Kevin. On the run, Denis discovers that Beth isn’t the girl he thought she was.

On the one hand, I Love You Beth Cooper includes a strong and charming cast who embodies high school’s hormones quite well. There is some believable chemistry between he leads and support that you can almost sympathize with their sentiments and motives. Almost... because it gets there but never moves any further. On the other hand, the movie is flat and tedious. The script is senseless and fails to get the right tone and struggles between being gross comedy and sugary sweet teen romance. The scenes are tedious and boring and develops poorly.

I Love You Beth Cooper starts off as another teen-inspired romance but dangerously moves to show freewheeling sexual attitudes and choices that even adults will be repulsed. The line of morality seems to have shifted too far as characters ignore values and engage in offensive behaviours, willingly, Even parents of the characters cannot be role models. The heroes of the movie get drunk, trivialize drug addiction, engage in pre-marital sex, “threesomes”, nudity (though shot off screen), homosexuality, violence and bad behaviours. The theme of teen romance is overshadowed by toilet humor and sex jokes. Language is vulgar and crass. The movie is not worth one’s hard earned money and time.