giopotes Reviews

Teeth (I) (2007)

A horror film that can cut right through you!

[9/10 · 3 April 2010]

Who says vagina dentata isn't an interesting subject?

Teeth is a horror comedy about the myth of vaginal "teeth". Theatrical trailers said that it made men squeal - a similar way Fatal Attraction 20 years ago was received. It's great to see a horror movie this brilliant at the same time funny and gross.

Three penises and four fingers were cut in the story but it was clear in the film that no man was harmed in the making of the movie. I like Teeth not because of those cutting-edge (hahaha) scenes but because it's a movie that made men check out their wives, mistresses and girlfriends and see if they have teeth in their vaginas. It's good to see an original intelligent horror movie made at the time where stupid remakes and gornography destroy the entire horror genre.

I like the horrifyingly funny script (Tobey's sexually frustrated declaration "I HAVEN'T EVEN JERKED OFF SINCE EASTER!" was a real teenage example of reasons to have sex) and the simple but unique direction by Lichtenstein.

Teeth isn't as serious as the screamer Fatal Attraction but it does manage to scare men... leave them jerking off rather than having sex. But maybe Teeth is also a gory example of STDs and AIDS.

A horror film that can cut right through you!

Till There Was You (2003)

Memorable Dialogue and a better Judy Ann Santos

[8/10 · 30 March 2010]

Among the long line of Piolo-Juday rom-coms, Till There was You is arguably the best.

With witty dialogue, Till There Was You stands out among other Filipino rom-coms because it is fresh, enjoyable and has an array of fabulous supporting actors from a reliable but semi-rebellious Matet de Leon to a cute Eliza Pineda. Piolo Pascual seems miscast, playing a smarter version of himself. Anyway, the film is effective in evoking laughs, at the same time show off sentimentality that is not over-the-top. Above all, Till There Was You benefits from a strong, spunky and funny turn from Judy Ann Santos who portrayed a clever and ambitious twentysomething. She is off to give better performances but I guess she could always look back at herself here and give it a warm smile.

Daybreak (I) (2008)

the best Tagalog gay film to come in years!

[9/10 · 30 March 2010]

The first gay movie I've seen as a whole, this indie film classic touched me to the very bottom of my heart.

Daybreak is a simple film about love... well in a Brokeback kind of way.

Pediatrician William (Paolo Rivero) is planning on going to Australia and before he flies to the great down under, he invites local tour guide/boatman JP (Coco Martin, still sizzling hot from the success of Masahista and Tambolista) to his home in Tagaytay. 24 hours in one roof, the two men remind themselves of how they met. From here we learn that they had a relationship. A call from a girlfriend begins the bitter moments of the film but is eased by dancing waltz (a nod to Hong Kong's Happy Together). The evening ends with steamy lovemaking that would be their last. By morning, William packs his stuff, drives off and contemplates whether he will leave an asleep, butt naked JP for his girlfriend or just stay in bed... feeling warmth with the sad boy who's so much into him.

yes, the first and last thing to love in this film is its cinematography... Footage of pine trees, Taal volcano at the distance, the foggy swimming pool, the close up waltz... It is icy cold and perfect for the sad story of love and decision.

And the other star missing goes to how Cabangon's "Nagiisa, Wala ka na" broke my heart. :( At first a mysterious clinking windpipe score, it went on to become a heart wrenching soundtrack. "palubog nanaman ang ilaw..." okay, so I'll mention the heartbreaking waltz again. When the two men were slowly dancing, this song plays in the background... HAAAAY. I felt really bad... it's the only scene in the film where I wanted to cry. When you see that scene, the music will haunt you.

Anyway, Alix's task here isn't very hard. He has only two actors to work with. But wait a minute, the film has sex scenes. And his actors were both men!

I admire how Alix managed to direct the lengthy sex scenes perfectly. Aside from these steamy scenes, he also managed to make the gay film a respectable drama. No person will ever make fun of this movie because it has great emotion. I mean look at that poor Coco Martin climbing the stairs while William says "I love you" to his girlfriend. And look at that Paolo Rivero driving away and crying (who to choose? Melissa or JP? Heart or Mind?). Won't that touch you? Hey, there's a kicker. What about the waltz where Cabangon's song tickers in the background? AHHHHHH! I just love it!... and like Ebert to Ghost World in 2001, I want to hug Daybreak (or just Coco Martin)! :)

Coco Martin... His performance, flirty... trying to get the other man's attention, reminds me of Jake Gyllenhaal's Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain. He seduces William in a simple admiration of his cooking and the icy cinematography was melted by their lengthy love scenes. Actually he didn't seduce William alone. He seduced the whole audience. He's a sad guy who's left behind in the cold and foggy night.

Thus, the film is great. It has to be watched multiple times. Aside from the homo eroticism in it, I loved its sad emotion. Frankly, I watched it because I wanted to see Coco Martin's performance. From that day on, he became my favorite actor. Every weekend, I watch Komiks' Tiny Tony (where he plays an antagonist named Joaquin). I'm starting a Coco Martin collection! haha.

Promote Filipino cinema!

Jologs (2002)

You can hardly tell why the title is Jologs... but maybe it just tells us to look and see it... and then conclude that life really is "jologs".

[10/10 · 30 March 2010]

If you're gonna ask me which Pinoy flicks are the most astig, it would be Jologs, Jologs, Jologs and that, um, that film where Vhong Navarro tries to kill himself by BUMPING a bus? Oh yeah... that's Jologs, too!

Jologs tells the story of a graduating student (Prats) who steals money and gets karate chops from a babysitting cousin (Clarete) who refused the proposal of her now ex-bf (a stunning and hilarious and brilliant Navarro) who can't celebrate his best friend's (Garcia) birthday whose girl is quiet and won't have sex with him (a terrific turn also from Sta. Maria) because she has great faith in God and she goes to this Bible study with a you-thought-he's-hot guy (Ochoa) who tags along an attracted motor-mouthed street smart classmate (the scene-stealing exciting sexy and never better de Rossi) who likes to order coffee in a café owned by a violent homophobic (Bondoc) who almost killed a drag queen who stole his car (a very gay and very good Geisler) and beats up his soft-hearted security guard (Ochoa) who's emotional because his girlfriend (Bayle) left him for Japan. Then there's Judy Ann and Piolo fighting for a couple of coins, Camille and Heart looking for a jeep, Bentong winning Game ka na ba?, a hot actor (dunno his name) playing conductor, another hottie getting a baby in the airport and another one riding a taxi. Yup, that's the star-studded film called Jologs.

Numerous subjects fill this movie. There's the homophobia, the other family of your dad, the religious groups (described here as "Alayb, alayb") who think you can be better by joining them, poverty, talks of sex (counselor versus best friend), broken hearts, broken dreams... but it's really just a flick about life and how small our world really is.

Movie buffs compare this film to PTA's Magnolia or Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, but this one is lighter and very Pinoy. Gilbert Perez's direction is very notable and very flawless... as well as the editing and the cinematography. The characters, of course, reflect each Filipino human being. We are all connected... nobody can move without the other, nobody's an island. We learn many things from Trespeces's frank, witty and very very funny script.

It's hard to single out the best performance among the very human bunch but I'd say Vhong, Assunta, Sta. Maria and Geisler are the film's best performances.

Vhong Navarro gives his greatest performance here as the suicidal, heartbroken and hopeless lover who'd stop at nothing to win a "yes" from his darling's lips. He would have been a box office king in later films... but here, he raised humor, intelligence and wit to the highest point.

I'd say I was amazed at Jodi Sta. Maria's portrayal of a young angelic religious college girl who's unsure if she's gonna have sex with her boy friend or just leave him swooning. She plays either rebellious or nice girl teenagers in the past but her college girl here really caught me. It's even funny (that bathroom scene and the one with the counselor).

Geisler is a terrific actor... and gay men are his frequent roles (watch Jay last year and the MMK episode where he gets anally-raped). Here, he's a drag queen who gets kidnapped by a sadistic homophobic gang that tried to kill him. Geisler acted it very well that I thought he's really gay.

Assunta won critical attention with the sexy drama Hubog (where she starred in with her li'l sis Alessandra) but she won hearts with Jologs. Here. she plays a motor- mouthed street smart who's attracted to a decent young man. She was brought to a worship group so that she, according to him, will be changed for the better. de Rossi tweaked religious groups with her very long and loud speech (she's right, if you hate her, hate her... you can't change her!). Her segment is the funniest. She uses the dorky hairdo of an extra as her ashtray, she drinks coffee with John Prats' spit, she prays Angel of God as a prayer before meals (the funniest!) and, damn, those witty lines! She's really using "pakshet" as her official bad word.

Plus that song... the very meaningful Next in Line fits its movie. It became a hit after this. I really wanted it for our graduation song... we ended up singing Journey

You can hardly tell why the title is Jologs... but maybe it just tells us to look and see it... and then conclude that life really is "jologs". It also shows how God views his colorful creatures. How He created us for each other. I recommend this to everyone. I JUST LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE IT!

Service (2008)

Mendoza will pour in more of these pretty dirty stuff and guide us to an ending that doesn't seem like a real conclusion. We feel as if we just entered a tunnel of filth.

[7/10 · 30 March 2010]

"I love you..."

The opening sequence of Brillante Mendoza's Serbis sets it all: the sex, the troubles, the creepy old cinema. And soon Mendoza will pour in more of these pretty dirty stuff and guide us to an ending that doesn't seem like a real conclusion. We feel as if we just entered a tunnel of filth and a cold shower would help.

Serbis is about a family living in an aging movie house. This cinema is their living and the family will bend their backs just to save it. In the middle, each member encounters conflicts that will test them. The grandmother hopes for a chance of winning a case against her own husband, the sons fight over a shirt, a female worker discovers her pregnancy, the mother trying to control everything and the youngest child witnessing it all. Everyone's got problems and Serbis tells us how they solved it in their own ways. In short, there is no plot... just conflicts and characters to be explored.

This Palme d'Or nominee is perhaps one of the darkest Filipino films ever made. Aside from that, it also showed off one of the best performances of a cast in the history of Filipino cinema. A list that boasted the sexy indie actors Gina Pareño, Jaclyn Jose, Coco Martin, Kristoffer King, Mercedes Cabral, Julio Diaz and Roxanne Jordan will really make Filipinos want to see it. What's most noteworthy is the camera-work. Serbis, along with 2007's Tirador, has Brillante Mendoza's most stunning imagery.

Serbis is a film that feels real, despite being undercooked and unfinished. Rarely do I see such a movie from my country's breezy show business. I'm very hungry for more.

Kasal, kasali, kasalo (2006)

Kasal Kasali Kasalo is that type of movie where you can find a life, no matter how simple, that's so happy and fun.

[10/10 · 30 March 2010]

My second favorite Filipino movie (Jologs first, Crying Ladies third) and the best of 2006. I've seen Kasal in theatres before the New Year and i never missed seeing it in Cinema One or special showings in ABS later on.

The movie is divided into three segments (according to the three words in the title) that show how Angie (BOOM! A surprisingly mature, funny and excellent Judy Ann Santos) and Jed (an equally superb Ryan Agoncillo) survived marriage life, family issues and interruptions, pregnancy and a sexy Barbie doll mistress (Palermo). That's just about it. So why is it such a hit?

Well maybe because in this very simple film, we can find colorful non-stereotypical characters in a very common situation. In the core of the film, we are introduced to the opposing families. Angie's bototay-making tough-as-nails politician mama Belita (BAAAAAANG! a scene stealing, lauded and exceptionally hilarious Gina Pareno) approves of Angie's choices, as well as her witty and equally tough pop (Soliman Cruz) and his other family (Cheena and -HAHAHAHAHA- Bronson) and the whole family. But Ged's sophisticated drama queen mom Charito (a fascinating turn from Gloria Diaz) doesn't approve because she dislikes the lifestyle of Angie's clan. So they just wed secretly and surprised their circle of friends (also a great ensemble of Vargas, Alano, Ramsay, Villaruz) and the two families. We also meet Mariel (Palermo), Jed's hot and quietly wild mistress who gets lectured by Angie in one of the funniest restaurant scenes in Philippine cinema.

Jose Javier Reyes gathered great picks for the ensemble cast, wrote a hilarious and humane script, gets all the juice in his cast and just sat back while accolades kept on rolling in his bag. He proves us again that he's one of the greatest Pinoy directors around (not to mention writer).

I'm giving praise to the wonderful ensemble in their beautiful depiction of family, friends and Filipinos. Incredibly terrific and very very VERY rare.

The editing and music are also terrific and flawless. The reworking of Yeng's Hawak Kamay becomes ear candy in this movie.

Most of you recognize and root for Bronson, but there's more caricature in this film.

Judy Ann Santos is already claimed as one of the greatest actresses today but I was totally impressed here. She plays a real tough woman who stresses her feelings, stands for her rights and knows what is right from wrong. But at the same time, she's funny, daring and intelligent. Santos plays Angie with wit and confidence that when she's out, I'm mostly stunned.

Soliman Cruz also gives a fine performance as the tough cookie dad. In his drinking scene with preggy Angie, you can see how he's been, what he's done and how much he doubts everything. And Cruz acts these sentiments that dads out there could cry for him, too.

Of course, I'll have to mention -DRUM ROLE PLEASE- Gina Pareno! 2007 was surely her year. She won the FAMAS and MMFF award for Best Supporting Actress for this film and later on, a Best Actress nod from Gawad Urian for her silent portrayal of a bet collector in Kubrador. She totally deserves the accolades, especially here. If Angie is a real woman, well her mother sure is, too! Belita is a toughy, exciting and hilarious mama who wants her children to be in good hands. She's handled mamas way back, but Pareno plays this woman no other Pinay has ever done before. Pareno would stick with this character later on, in the hit TV show Tayong Dalawa two years later.

I'd see Kasal again anytime and i would totally feel happy when i get to see it again. Kasal Kasali Kasalo is that type of movie where you can find a life, no matter how simple, that's so happy and fun.

Jay (2008)

Was it all an act?

[9/10 · 30 March 2010]

Here's a kind of film I've been dying to see... and Coco Martin is in it.

This peculiar docudrama is about two gay Jays - one of them just died (or was it all a show? strange story...) and the other one is a reporter telling the former's story. We are taken to the story of the dead guy's loved ones with much emphasis on the stories of his mother (Salanga) and his timid ex-boyfriend (Martin). The whole film turns out to be a presentation of reporter Jay's (Geisler) research of the story and lust for accomplishment.

Expecting a typical gay film with a sappy formula, the film turned out to be an often funny satire of the Filipino media. Baron's subtle portrayal puts on screen how the monsters of the press truly interact. The mother of the deceased falls victim to the reporter's desire to finish his meaty subject. This is apparent during the retaking of her crying-in-the-morgue scene. Meanwhile, Jay contains frank dialogue, odd editing sequences, a rich and charming performance from Coco Martin and a completely ravishing turn from Baron Geisler. I've never seen anything like it before.

But the film also made me scratch my head when I saw the ending... was it all just the finished project of Jay? Was it all an act?

Whatever. I suggest you guys watch this brilliant film.

My Only Ü (2008)

films have flaws, but my only u is a GOOD film

[8/10 · 12 April 2009]

BONG: ano'ng Tagalog ng six? MANG RAUL: anim. BONG: eh... ng sex?

directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina starring Vhong Navarro, Toni Gonzaga, Benjie Paras, Dennis Padilla, Arlene Muhlach, Janus del Prado, Kitkat, Empoy Marquez, Beauty

Although Jologs (2002) proved Vhong Navarro as a real actor, My Only Ü (a movie made in celebration of Star Cinema's 15th Anniversary) contributed more impressions to me.

My Only Ü is a romantic comedy-drama and arguably one of Star Cinema's best. Unlike Vhong's caricature films D' Anothers (2005), Agent X44 (2006) or Supapahlicious (2007), this one's serious. It has a well-crafted screenplay (that would remind you of classic Hollywood romance) and the story never left its characters despite of the millions of jokes and funny acts shown.

The film starts with Winona Aunor (Gonzaga) walking towards the end of a roof. People in the apartment (a friendly neighborhood like in Gagamboy) witness this and each have their own reactions: she will jump, mamamatay na ehh or she won't because she will still live for two days.

It's Winona's family curse: to die before reaching the age of 25. And in the story, Winona's 25th birthday is not until two days.

Bong Garvilla (Navarro) to the rescue. Winona lives after her 25th birthday and starts new goals - including a job in Japan.

But there's another twist. According to their dead local doctor (Paras, still very comedic), Winona has an illness called lupus. Bong is the only one who knows this and he didn't tell it to anyone. He just protects Winona in every way he can to let her survive and he does everything just to keep her from getting to Japan.

Winona learns about this eventually and she blames Bong for hiding it all from her. Bong was hospitalized after tiring days of looking after Winona and here's another twist - it's not Winona who has a disease, it's Bong.

In the (tragic or happy?) ending, the two died in a car accident.

Things to see and love in this film are plenty: Vhong Navarro giving Winona a planner, Winona's finger jokes imitated by Navarro and Paras, Janus del Prado's ngongo, Kitkat and Empoy as a quarreling couple, Arlene Muhlach's portrayal of a poor mother with many children, Padilla's words of wisdom as a father, the friendly neighborhood you'd wish to have, Kasama kang Tumanda by Toni Gonzaga, cameos of Zanjoe Marudo and John Lloyd Cruz, the hilariously frank screenplay, Cathy Garcia-Molina's direction and the whole movie itself.

What I loved most is Vhong Navarro's sad but creative and funny Bong Garvilla. I can smell a Gawad Urian Nomination again. People loved him in his Jologs character as a suicidal hopeless-romantic. If they won't love him again here, they're numb. I also love Toni Gonzaga's tired-of-the-help Winona, who's pinched every morning by her blind dad (Padilla) just to let the people know she's alive.

What about the brilliant supporting cast? No one in that background dares to steal the movie from the romantic leads. In stead they became the rainbow... colorful, pretty and different from each other.

BONG: anEEEm!