#Y, the afterthought

- Reviewing #Y is giving your own interpretation of the film.  Here was a multi-dimensional film that can attack the viewer from various angles and at different levels.

- We saw the film without know much about it except the synopsis from the Cinemalaya guide.  The trailer looked like an Avicii MTV, so we got nothing from that too.

- One can read Gino Santos's #Y in many ways.  First, it could be an analysis of Miles, diagnosed with schizophrenia and mild bipolar disorder.  Manifestations in the film were not explicit. In fact, many missed the omnipresent Big Brother Mike, who was there in the hospital, in his room, in all the parties, and even when Miles was on the ledge.  Mike, almost similarly clad with "brother" Miles in most of his scenes, was both caring and carefree, admitting in one scene that he was also high.  Apart from Miles, no one really paid attention to Mike.  His parents did not even acknowledge him on the dinner table.  And, wow, what must yaya be thinking when she was cleaning the room of Miles, and he was talking to Mike.

- Secondly, it could be a statement on the impact of the fast-paced lives to Generation Y.  The upper class Millenials depicted in the film were living in YOLO mode.  Their access to practically anything and everything allows them to do whatever they want, now.  Maybe that includes suicide.

- Regardless of how you interpret the film, it was brilliantly crafted.  The screenplay was smart. Many criticized the film for romanticizing the suicide.  Maybe they are right, but maybe they also miss the point.  The first sequence about Miles's 5 encounter with death was darkly hilarious, especially his thought process on how to execute his suicide.

- The 1-liner social commentaries on society, fads, and trends were incredibly witty rather than preachy

- Many of the film's themes were not specific to Millenials. There had been a lot of films about sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  But the glaring difference here is social media, and how information can spread like wild fire instantaneously.  Most importantly, we particularly liked how their "Social Media Image" was depicted as very important to this generation.  "Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila (What will others say?)?", has a wider meaning in the age of social media.  So we appreciated the presentation of the GenY psychology in terms of how they greatly value their image.

- Editing and camera work were complimentary and were critical elements in a film that depicts the fast paced millenial generation.  They always seem "busy", of important things or non-important things, who is to judge?

- Commendable Ensemble.   And we said this, before the 5-some of Miles, Janna, Lia, Ping and Abby were given a special citation by Cinemalaya.  We were surprised that Elmo Magalona could carry a complex film with a perfect balance of youth and maturity with his portrayal.  Colleen Garcia was a revelation.  Chynna Ortaleza was the conscience of the movie through her endearing portrayal.

Rating: 9/10.

We just learned that #Y will have regular screening in October.

Dagitab, filling the void

image from cinemalaya.org

We loved Dagitab.  We thought it was the Best Film in CinemalayaX, in any category.  We were mesmerized by the script and fascinated by the direction.

The screenplay was poetry, and so were the visuals.  We wanted to collate all the quotes from the film.  We wish we could get a copy of Gab's short story.

Can you help us please construct the quotes?   What did we miss?  What did we misquote?

**************************************


“I won't ruin you.  I love you… Pero frankly wala akong pake. You’re just another void… Soon you’ll be irrelevant.”

"They leave a void.  And you carry that void with you."  

“You don’t move on. You just become a bigger person until the void doesn’t feel as big.

“Alam mo, kung pagod ka na, hindi mo naman kailangang umalis. Kailangan mo lang magpahinga.”

"She was somewhere between family and stranger"

"...We might live more extraordinarily if we were more normal."

"I imagine we had to meet halfway between April and June. As if we had to dance between rainfall and summer."

"To the new blood, may you feed us old vampires with new life."

"Some things you love and they're yours forever.  It is not about letting go or moving on, because they never really leave."

"Maybe we have failed because we have dropped out of life"

(written on the board) DEADLINES
"Sometimes we just need someone to tell us.  Game Over"

"Minsan may mga bagay kang hinihintay na hindi mo alam kung may hinihintay ka pa.  Pero naghihintay ka pa rin."



Here is Tuloy Pa Rin by Labuyo

Cinemalaya X Separation AnXiety, Luyong restaurant, Mariquina OST

We were having CinemalayaX Separation Anxiety so decided to watch Mariquina the 2nd time.  As expected, the GB3 screening was packed.  Here are our observations:

1. We like this audience.  They clapped when Madame Imelda Marcos appeared on screen.    And clapped again at the Shoemart scene as the shoebox was being lowered from the ceiling hole.

2.  Ricky Davao was eating Lumpiang Shanghai, right before his Mariquina river jump.  At their graduation celebration at Luyong restaurant, they ordered Lumpiang Shanghai, Fried Rice and Fried Chicken.   During the scene where Leonor was about to leave her family, (again at the same Chinese restaurant), it was the teenage Imelda who ordered the food - Lumpiang Shanghai, Fried Rice, and ChopSuey.

3.  There is a Luyong restaurant in Mariquina!   here is the link:

http://www.luyong.ph/

4.  The OST of Mariquina is brilliant.  It took us a while to find a link, so are quite happy when we found it.  Here it is ...but please do not download (we are not sure if you can download from soundcloud, but if you can please do not)

https://soundcloud.com/jerrold-tarog/sets/music-from-the-film-mariquina

5.  Here is Best Supporting Actress Barbie from the infamous SM Shoemart Scene.  This is the only award won by Mariquina

image from entertainment.inquirer.net

Cinemalaya X Winners, Prediction, Reaction

Usually, the anxiety is about the nominees, not in Cinemalaya X.  In a tension-filled awards night, the filmmakers did not stay silent over the recent furor on the Youtube upload of 2012 & 2013 Cinemalaya films.   But the awards night has to go on.  Here are the winners, our reaction and how well we did against our prediction.

Best Poster Design: Justin Besana for Asintado

We actually classified this in our "Crazy awards", together with Best Hero, Best Villain, Best Diva - you know those type of fun awards.  So we were surprised that there really was Best Poster.  We actually chose the poster for Short Film Lola, and Asintado was our   runner-up.  A little bit disappointed that Short Films were excluded from this category.  Nevertheless, we are OK with the Asintado win.  

SHORT FILM

Best Screenplay - Kevin Ang Tan, Lola

Our prediction was Paolo O'Hara for Nakabibinging Katahimikan.  But we also love Lola, so we are totally fine with this win.

Best Director - Kevin Ang Tan, Lola

Yes, we got this right.

Best Film - Asan si Lolo Me

We predicted Nakabibinging Katahimikan, as this is usually the type of short film that wins Cinemalaya.  But we are find with Asan si Lolo Me, a film which the whole family can watch and could get different insights.  This does not happen very often.  

Special Jury Prize - The Ordinary Things We Do

How we got this right, nobody knows.  But we are really happy that we did.

Audience Choice – Lola

We also got this one right, primarily based on the audience reaction when the movie was shown at GB3.

Our score for SHORTS:  3/5.  Not bad.  

************************

NEW BREED CATEGORY

Best Sound - Children's Show

We got this right.  In our minds, nothing comes even close.  Maybe Bwaya, but a distant 2nd place.

Best Musical Score - Erwin Fajardo, Bwaya

This was a shocker for us.  We thought either Dagitab's mystical music or K'Na the Dreamweaver's indigenous music would win.  Or maybe even Mariquina.  We actually could not remember the score for Bwaya, so we might need to watch this again to appreciate.

Best Editing - Gerone Centena, Children's Show

We got this right.  We were impressed by Children's Show's fast pace and how the fights become more interesting and not exploiting.

Best Production Design - Toym Imao, K'na, the Dreamweaver

There was no doubt in this category, so we got this one too.  Maybe the easiest to predict.

Best Cinematography - Neil Daza, Bwaya

We are happy that we correctly predicted this, and we are happy that Neil Daza received a well-deserved recognition.  To us, the script is not fully-developed, but the shots were purely majestic.  Our favorite scene was the aerial shot where 3 boats converged to the place where Rowena's body was found.

Best Screenplay - Giancarlo Abrahan, Dagitab

With intelligent lines, brilliant settings, we loved Dagitab's screenplay and correctly picked this Giancarlo Abrahan masterpiece.  We will work to compile all of the quotable quotes from the films - there are just so many!

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Miggs Cuaderno, Children's Show

Whoever got this right, must be the ballsiest prediction!  We loved Miggs Cuaderno in Children's Show.  Our only problem is that we were smitten by Dante Rivero's restrained performance in 1st ko si 3rd.  We would have never thought that his Alejandro was the lead role in the film.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Barbie Forteza, Mariquina

We loved Barbie's performance as the teenage Imelda in Mariquina.  We should have followed our gut in predicting her, given it was Jasmine Curtis Smith last year for Transit.  We were just obsessed with Bing Pimentel's Tita Tess.

Best Performance by a Lead Actor - Dante Rivero, 1st Ko Si 3rd

Wow.  This was a shocker for us.  We loved Dante Rivero's Alejandro as we discussed above.  We thought his portrayal was intelligent. Does he know about 3rd? Is he really happy with his marriage? 

However, we thought Ricky Davao was a lock in this category.  Our question, had we known Dante Rivero will be classified as Lead Actor, would we have unanimously picked Ricky Davao?  We don't know the answer, especially now that the awardee has been named.

Best Performance by a Lead Actress -Eula Valdez, Dagitab

Yes Yes Yes!  We picked Eula Valdez's Issey despite the strong challenge from Angeli Bayani's Divina, Nova Villa's Corazon and Mylene Dizon's Imelda.  

Special citation for Ensemble Acting - #Y

We were pleasantly surprised on how the 5 major stars in the film delivered.  So we are fine with this special citation for Miles, Janna, Lia, Ping, and Abby.

Special Jury Prize - K'na, the Dreamweaver

We got this one right too.

Best Director - Giancarlo Abrahan, Dagitab

Abrahan deserved the award, and we deserve our correct prediction.

NETPAC Award: Bwaya

We did not have a prediction for this award.  But we were surprised that this award was not given to K'Na the Dreamweaver.

Audience Choice Award: Sundalong Kanin

We did not have a prediction for this award.  But this was a surprise.  When we saw Sundalong Kanin, we were impressed but pleasantly surprised with the turnout.  Equally surprised with the audience reaction after the film.  We loved the film, and thought that the final scenes must have left very strong connections with the audience, inspiring them to vote for this film.

Best Film - Bwaya

What?!?  We also loved Bwaya, but not that much.  At least not for Best Film.  We were impressed by the cinematograpy, the acting and maybe 70% of the script.  But we thought the film was unsure on how to pursue the documentary aspect, so we found it short.

There you go, the winners and our reaction.  Our saddest concern, after everything that's happened and one camp calling each other names, will there be a Cinemalaya next year?

Cinemalaya X Awards Prediction

Despite the current furor over the YouTube upload of past Cinemalaya films, we are still excited about the awards night tonight.

Here is a summary of our predictions in the Short Film and New Breed Category:


SHORT FILM CATEGORY

Best Screenplay
Our Prediction: Nakabibinging Katahimikan

Best Director
Our Prediction: Kevin Ang for Lola

Best Short Film
Our Prediction: Nakabibinging Katahimikan

Best Short Film Special Jury Prize
Our Prediction:  Indayog ng Nayatamak

Best Short Film Audience Award
Our Prediction: Lola


NEW BREED CATEGORY

Supporting Actor
OUR PREDICTION: Marc Abaya - Sundalong Kanin

Supporting Actress
OUR PREDICTION: Bing Pimentel - Mariquina

Actor
OUR PREDICTION: Ricky Davao - Mariquina

Actress
OUR PREDICTION: Angeli Bayani - Bwaya

Best Screenplay
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina

Best Cinematography
OUR PREDICTION: Bwaya

Best Sound
OUR PREDICTION: Children's Show

Best Musical Score
OUR PREDICTION: Dagitab

Best Editing
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina

Best Production Design
OUR PREDICTION: K'Na the Dreamweaver

Best Director
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina

Best Film
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina

Just based on the hype and feedback from the audience, we are predicting a big win for Mariquina tonight.  By now, you know we are not big fans of Mariquina, so instead we are also handing out our own Cinemalaya X awards lol.


**********************************
If we were to choose the winners...


OUR OWN AWARDS SHORT FILM CATEGORY

Best Screenplay
Our Pick: Nakabibinging Katahimikan

Best Director
Our Pick: Paolo O'Hara for Nakabibinging Katahimikan

Best Short Film
Our Pick:  Nakabibinging Katahimikan

Best Short Film Special Jury Prize
Our Pick: The Ordinary Things We Do

Best Short Film Audience Award
Our Pick:  Lola


OUR OWN AWARDS NEW BREED CATEGORY

Supporting Actor
OUR PICK: Dante Rivero - 1st ko si 3rd

Supporting Actress
OUR PICK:  Bing Pimentel - Mariquina

Actor
OUR PICK:  Ricky Davao - Mariquina

Actress
OUR PICK:  Eula Valdez - Dagitab

Best Screenplay
OUR PICK:  Dagitab

Best Cinematography
OUR PICK:  Bwaya

Best Sound
OUR PICK:  Children's Show

Best Musical Score
OUR PICK: K'Na the Dreamweaver

Best Editing
OUR PICK: Children's Show

Best Production Design
OUR PICK: K'Na the Dreamweaver

Best Director
OUR PICK: Dagitab

Best Film
OUR PICK: Dagitab

We loved many films in this year's Cinemalaya X, but Dagitab stands out the most for us.  The only we wish we are wrong about our predictions is of course when Cinemalaya conforms to our picks.

Tomorrow, we will check our predictions against the winners.

Cinemalaya X - Shorts, Acting Picks and Predictions

Tomorrow, Sunday August 10 is the Cinemalaya X Awards Night.  Last Year, Sana Dati and Ekstra were Best Film winners.  Ate Vi was a shoo-in for the Best Acress award in the Director's Showcase category.  The biggest surprise last year in the Director's Showcase categories is that none was chosen for Best Actor.  The New Breed Category has always been a very tight race for every award.  Will there be surprises this year again?

We only saw 3 of the 5 entries in the Director's Showcase, so we can't pick our winners.  But based on news, it sounds like it would be Nora Aunor and Dennis Trillo.  For the Supporting Categories, I had been hearing Rosanna Roces and Dante Rivero.  Again I have not seen The Janitor, so I don't know.

Here are our picks and predictions for the Short Film and Acting Categories

SHORT FILM CATEGORY

Best Screenplay
Our Pick: Nakabibinging Katahimikan
Our Prediction: Nakabibinging Katahimikan

Best Director
Our Pick: Paolo O'Hara for Nakabibinging Katahimikan
Our Prediction: Kevin Ang for Lola
Note:  Cinemalaya seems to have a socialist view in the Short Film Category.  The past 3 years, they have not awarded the director of the winning Short Film. They tend to spread the wealth so to speak.

Best Short Film
Our Pick:  Nakabibinging Katahimikan
Our Prediction: Nakabibinging Katahimikan

Best Short Film Special Jury Prize
Our Pick: The Ordinary Things We Do
Our Prediction:  Indayog ng Nayatamak

Best Short Film Audience Award
Our Pick:  Lola
Our Prediction: Lola


NEW BREED CATEGORY
Cinemalaya does not traditionally list down nominees for each categories.  What we did was list down all the performances we liked from the 10 films in the New Breed Category:  #Y, 1st ko si 3rd, Bwaya, Children's Show, Dagitab, K'Na the Dreamweaver, Mariquina,  Ronda, S6parados, Sundalong Kanin.  From there, deliberate on who we thought deserved the awards the most.


Supporting Actor
Dante Rivero - 1st ko si 3rd
Miggs Cuaderno - Children's Show
Martin del Rosario- Dagitab
Marc Abaya - Sundalong Kanin

OUR PICK: Dante Rivero - 1st ko si 3rd
OUR PREDICTION: Marc Abaya - Sundalong Kanin
DARK HORSE: Allen Dizon - Children's Show

Note:  we do not mind Marc Abaya winning this year.  His usual over the top performance actually made sense in Sundalong Kanin, but we appreciated the intelligent restrained acting of Dante Rivero.  He made his presence felt in the limited scene that he appeared.  His characterization made  it difficult for the audience to dislike him, even if technically he is the villain in the movie.  We did not like Allen Dizon in Children's Show.  We thought it was one-dimensional.  But we have a feeling that if Cinemalaya would not choose Marc, they would pick Allen.


Supporting Actress
Coleen Garcia - #Y
Gloria Sevilla - Children's Show
Bing Pimentel - Mariquina
Barbie Forteza - Mariquina
Perla Bautista - Ronda
Melissa Mendez - S6parados

OUR PICK:  Bing Pimentel - Mariquina
OUR PREDICTION: Bing Pimentel - Mariquina
DARK HORSE: Barbie Forteza - Mariquina

This category is always interesting every year.  This year, based on how we read it, it seems the 3 ladies of Mariquina are in for the tightest race.  Many critics already hailed Che Ramos as their pick for Best Supporting Actress.  We did not like her performance, it was too subtle for us.  It was too subtle, we actually forgot about her.  We could not remember her performance, and we did not care about her character, either.  On the other hand, we are in the Bing Pimentel bandwagon.  We liked Tita Tess when she was in her 40's and meddling with the family business.  We also liked her when she was in her 60's attending the wake of Romeo Guevarra.  It will be a shocker if Barbie Forteza wins, but we also liked her performance.

Actor
Elmo Magalona - #Y
Karl Medina - Bwaya
Buboy Villar - Children's Show
Nonie Buencamino - Dagitab
Ricky Davao - Mariquina
Victor Neri - S6parados

OUR PICK:  Ricky Davao - Mariquina
OUR PREDICTION: Ricky Davao - Mariquina
DARK HORSE:  Nonie Buencamino - Dagitab

Based on either of those 2 scenes from Mariquina, we thought Ricky Davao would be the winner - 1) at the Chinese restaurant, while eating fried rice and lumpiang shanghai, Romeo Guevarra tells her daughter not to ask about her mother anymore and just continue eating or 2) while eavesdropping on the phone conversation between the young Imelda and her mother in Hawaii.  Yes, we were also impressed by Elmo of #Y and Buboy of Children's Show, both practically carrying the whole film with their asserting presence.  However, apart from Nonie Buencamino's scintillating performance in Dagitab, we don't see anyone pulling an upset over Ricky.

Actress
Nova Villa - 1st ko si 3rd
Angeli Bayani - Bwaya
Eula Valdez - Dagitab
Mara Lopez - K'Na the Dreamweaver
Mylene Dizon - Mariquina
AiAi delas Alas - Ronda

OUR PICK:  Eula Valdez - Dagitab
OUR PREDICTION: Angeli Bayani - Bwaya
DARK HORSE:  Mylene Dizon - Mariquina

In an ideal world, Nova Villa will win all the awards.  Can we give her a special award this year?  Indie Goddess, Star of the Filmfest or anything please?  We love Nova Villa and we love her 100x after watching 1st ko si 3rd.

Eula Valdez's Issey was very complex.  She was strong but fragile at the same time.  There are internal struggles you can sense when she rides a vehicle or when she smokes a cigarette.  Her line reading were compelling especially during the scene when she was explaining being bigger than the void.  And the scene where she was all-white having her picture taken in the studio.  Brilliant!

However, we think Angeli Bayani will win.  She is on a roll, winning Urian not 2 months ago, plus multiple international accolades from indie films.  She is likewise brilliant in Bwaya.  The scene when she learned of what happened to her daughter, wow, an acting master class.

We also loved Mylene Dizon.  I am not sure if Judy Ann was able to pull that kind of acting.  One can argue that portraying despair, or hatred, or shock.  Those are relatively easy.  Mylene's Imelda had to portray apathy.  Very tough indeed.

Usual cliche, we will be happy whoever among the four wins.  But this time we really mean it.  Any of the 4 could win.

Who is your pick?

**************************************************

NEW BREED CATEGORY Technical Awards

Best Screenplay
OUR PICK:  Dagitab
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina
DARK HORSE:  Sundalong Kanin


Best Cinematography
OUR PICK:  Bwaya
OUR PREDICTION: Bwaya
DARK HORSE:  Children's Show


Best Sound
OUR PICK:  Children's Show
OUR PREDICTION: Children's Show
DARK HORSE: Bwaya

Best Musical Score
OUR PICK: K'Na the Dreamweaver
OUR PREDICTION: Dagitab
DARK HORSE:  Children's Show

Best Editing
OUR PICK: Children's Show
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina
DARK HORSE: #Y

Best Production Design
OUR PICK: K'Na the Dreamweaver
OUR PREDICTION: K'Na the Dreamweaver
DARK HORSE: Mariquina

Best Director
OUR PICK: Dagitab
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina
DARK HORSE: Children's Show


Best Film
OUR PICK: Dagitab
OUR PREDICTION: Mariquina
DARK HORSE: Sundalong Kanin

My Cinemalaya X, Favorite Scenes, Crazy Awards

* Aptly, my Cinemalaya X started and ended with Short Films.  I had to stop at 13 full-length films and 10 short films.  After heavy disappointments with films from the Director Showcase, I had to stop at 3 films, before my impression of the filmfest drastically change.  The first three New Breed films we saw were either disappointments or borderline tragedy.  But as we saw more films, we were relieved to see original and actually exceptional films


**  Celebrity Sightings:  Tessie Tomas (so astig, she watches almost everyday and sometimes 3 films a day), Nonie and Sharmaine Buencamino, Rafa Sigioun-Reyna, Cris Villongco, R.A. Rivera, Carlos Sigioun-Reyna, Paulo Avelino, Tommy Abuel, Audie Gemora, Marvin Agustin, Marc Abaya, KC Concepcion, Robert Ortega,  Ricky Davao, Angel Aquino, Maria Isabel Lopez, Althea Varga

*** Starting Wednesday, most screenings were packed.  We were thoroughly impressed with the turnout but also the demographics.  There were the usual artistes, the students but we also saw many office workers and to our surprise the #Y group are also audiences this year.

**** We are still deliberating on our predictions and picks for tomorrow's awards night.  For now, we will hand out our annual crazy awards.  But we first start with our favorite scenes from each of the movies we saw.  This is also for us, sort of a retrospect to remember CinemalayaX.

FAVORITE SCENES

Dagitab - Issey and Gab lie on the sand with the sea tides calmly playing along,and in the background,  "...as if we had to dance somewhere in between rainfall and summer"

K'Na the Dreamweaver - K'Na accepts Silaw's love amidst a sea of red abaca strands, then rain starts to fall

Bwaya - aerial shot of 3 boats converging to find the location of the Bwaya

Mariquina - young Imelda asking about her mother, as his father shed a tear while eating fried rice and lumpiang shanghai at their favorite Chinese restaurant

Hari ng Tondo - Emil sees Anna for the first time

Hustisya - Biring offers letters and money in exchange of acceptance at the Manila City Hall

#Y - In montage format, Miles explains the different ways to commit suicide

Sundalong Kanin - Benny raises his rifle but refuses to shoot the Japanese captain, instead choosing to get the chocolates

Children's Show - Using kitchen utensils, Jun stabs his father to death

1st ko si 3rd - Corazon learning Facebook and chatting with 3rd with words "funny" and "beautiful"  highlighted

and now for the Crazy Awards...


****************************************************************************
Best Cinemalaya X Trailer

Runner-up: K'Na the Dreamweaver

Best Cinemalaya X Trailer Winner - Bwaya

Best Poster

Runners-up: Asintado & The Ordinary Things We Do

Best Cinemalaya X Poster - Lola

********************************************************************

Best Villain:

Runners-up

Allen Dizon as Johnny in Children's Show

Rosanna Roces as Madame Vivian in Hustisya

image from mymovieworld-collman0304.blogspot.com

Best Villain

Marc Abaya as Tonyo in Sundalong Kanin

image from taralets.com

******************************************************************

Best Hero

Runners-up

Buboy Villar as Jun in Children's Show

image from philstar.com

Isaac Tangonan as Benny in Sundalong Kanin

image from thepulse.ph

WINNER FOR BEST HERO 

Erlinda Villalobos as Lola in Lola

image from judebfood.wordpress.com

***********************************************************

BEST DIVA 

 Ricky Davao as Marcel in S6parados

image from entertainment.inquirer.net

Coleen Garcia as Janna in #Y

image from whotalking.com

and the BEST DIVA WINNER is

Bing Pimentel as Tita Tess in Mariquina

image from facebook/mariquina

****************************************************************

There you go.  Thank you for sharing the crazy with us.   Watch out for our predictions for this year's Cinemalaya Awards

Cinemalaya X Day 7 - Sundalong Kanin

Sundalong Kanin

A film set during the Japanese occupation, viewed from the eyes of children is in itself unique.  What started as fun and playful make-believe soldier games, slowly escalates into more grim realities of war. 

Highlights:  

- Much of the film's screenplay relied on the journey of 4 friends, Nitoy, Benny, Carding and Badong. What a formidable ensemble of 4 young actors who carried the whole 90 minutes of the film

- Kudos to Marc Abaya whose often over the top performances found deeper meaning with his Tonyo

- At first, I did not recognize Art Acuna.  Then it dawned on us on how brilliant an actor he really is.  He was a Japanese soldier speaking (what it seemed) flawless Japanese, and with Japanese mannerisms.  Unbelievable Art Acuna. 

- Editing provided a fast pace but at the same time letting the viewers feel a tension is about to happen

- Beautiful camera shots complimented with thoughtful production design brings the audience to an innocent pre-war rural village that transformed into an anxiety-filled community where neighbors and friends became spies and enemies overnight

- Solid storytelling that gives each act of revenge a deeper background 

Lowlights:

- Was there Tag-lish in the 40's?  For every "bagabag" and "lisan", there was "mag-evacuate?"   Hmmm "mag-evacuate", during the Japanese occupation.   Not a big deal indeed especially considering the ambition of the film.  It was just distracting.

Subject for discussion:

- There could be a lot of argument about how realistic the scenes are.  4 kids can kill a japanese solider while the soldier was sleeping.  OK that sounds realistic, given the kids are teenagers already or as how Marc Abaya's Tonyo would put it, "May bulbol na mga yan".  (They have pubic hair already)

4 kids spying for Filipino guerillas, plotting revenge and in the process killing one of their own.  Just sounds too much.  Plus these 4 kids seem always omnipresent, wherever the action is they are there.  So it does give a "Superbook" or "Flying House" vibe.

Rating: 7/10.

Cinemalaya X Day 7 - Shorts B

We started our Cinemalaya X with Shorts, so we are ending it with Shorts.

*******************************

Indayog ng Nayatamak

Highlights:

- A high-brow artistic expression showcasing the internal creative process of making art

- A commentary on the relationship between the artist and the subject, and how in the creative process the subject can overpower the artist

- Visual effects displayed the slow process of engendering art

- Solid performances from the 2 major artists

Lowlights:

- Within the first 2 minutes, you already knew what was going to happen in the end

- The movements complex, and you already know that was going to happen, you start to hope something different happens.  No.

Rating: 6/10

Lola

Highlights:
- Editing, Cinematography and Sound successfully set a difficult tone, so the suspense while forthcoming indeed made sense and was respectful of the audience's intellect
- Creative and well-thought characters.  Christmas as setting also made the difference
- Erlinda Villabolos shines, even given the very demanding expectations of her performance.  Astig (tough) but at the same time endearing.  Her lola is the heroine of Cinemalaya X

Rating: 9/10

Ina-Tay

Highlights and Lowlights:
- There was a huge Sound problem with the film.  The very beginning was too loud, that majority of the audience were covering their ears during the first few minutes of the film (as the film had subtitles).  The volume became more suitable after a while, but then intermittently became louder and louder again.
- The dialogues could have been the major selling point of the money, as it was witty and catchy, but the sound problem throughout the film made dramatic moments comedic, and comedic moments became cartoonish and a farce
- The film could have been a good satirical commentary on gender roles.
- Here is an example on how 1 technical element could damage the whole film.  I wish I could watch the film with better sound, but I have to rate it based on what I experienced

Rating: 3/10

Nakabibinging Kadiliman

Highlights:
- A very creative representation of familial relationships, interdepencies, love, and routine
- It was wonderful to see how characters navigate through life given the physical limitations
- Screenplay and Editing were powerful in conveying routine, change in emotions, transformation
- Sheenly Gener delivers a brilliant performance
- Paolo O' Hara will get another Cinemalaya trophy

Rating: 10/10

Eyeball

Highlights and Lowlights:
- I did not get how this film could be in Cinemalaya.  It had a Wow Mali vibe all throughout the movie.  And sometimes Wow Mali is fun.
- How predictable!  Within the first minute of their conversation at the carinderia, the only thing you are not sure of is whether it will be a gun or a knife.  Oh a Gun.  Will it be short range or concealed.  Oh short range.
- It was difficult to relate to a character like that, a one-dimensional asshole that is both annoying and arrogant.  So you know this well end tragically.
- What a waste, reference to Social Media could have been the major differentiating factor of the film.  Rather, it just made it more confusing

Rating: 1/10

Cinemalaya X Day 6 - #Y

image from cinemalaya.org 

- Here is a multi-dimensional film that can attack the viewer from various angles and at different levels.  A more thorough review will be out after the festival to discuss the treatise and interpretations, as even highlights could contain spoilers.  Could be the most polarizing of the films given salient events can be read with different interpretations - philosophical, psychological, social
- Visuals and camera work that not only created scenes but raw emotions
- Music and Sound that served as another character
- The 1-liner social commentaries on society, fads, and trends were incredibly witty rather than preachy
- Commendable Ensemble.   Elmo Magalona carries the whole film with a perfect balance of youth and maturity with his portrayal.  Colleen Garcia was a revelation.  Chynna Ortaleza was the conscience of the movie through her endearing portrayal

(A more thorough review will come out in a few days)  Rating: 9/10.

Cinemalaya X Day 6 - Children's Show

Highlights:
- A very solid screenplay that is poignant and witty
- Editing that enables disturbing and powerful critical fight scenes
- Musical Score that helped define the right cadence of emotion throughout the film
- Well-developed characterization of protagonists that allow the audience to root for them no matter how flawed and damaged their characters or actions may be
- Miggs Cuaderno delivered witty 1-liners with ease while portraying a complex array of emotions.  Buboy Villar delivered a gritty multi-layered performance
- Just the right amount of crazy with scenes involving groans, voices and birds

Lowlights:
- Sound that was sometimes too loud, sometimes too soft
- You long too fully understand the rationale in the father's character and actions

A true gem of Cinemalaya.  Rating:  8/10.

Cinemalaya X Day 5 - S6parados

image from cinemalaya.org

Highlights:

- Unlike others, I thought there was ambition in S6parados.  The attempt to weave 6 stories through incidental circumstances is not a bad idea
- Victor Neri's portrayal is heartfelt
- Melissa Mendez shines in the scene where she lets go of Marcel

Lowlights:
- Like the others, I thought the execution was murky, flawed and out-of-focus.  While the intersection of some stories made sense, the others felt too forced
- Suffered from incomplete development of character for the audience to relate to many of the characters.  Maybe this is the risk of having too many central characters, all of whom are portrayed by big stars.  Were they compelled to be given sufficient screen time?
- Some conflict resolution took as long as half the length of the movie, yet the others instantly thru shock factor, one after another.  Towards the end, numbness.  And the resolutions became questionable as they no longer made sense
- What a waste of talent and screen time for Ricky Davao, whose character is not fully-developed.  Cannot blame Anjo Yllana, Alfred Vargas, Diana Zubiri for their forgettable performances - there was not much to work on
- The choice of music seemed to add more confusion and discomfort rather than reinforcing emotions.  And like many other elements, the music was overworked and overplayed
- After the movie, I said "A bad Star Cinema movie", which is probably the worst description of a Cinemalaya movie I have ever seen

Rating: 3/10

Cinemalaya X Day 5 - 1st ko si 3rd

Again, detailed review and discussion points will be out after the festival.  For now, here are highlights and lowlights...

Highlights:
- the first 45 minutes of the movie provided a delightful experience.  Charming, humorous, and at the same time respectful of the audience's intellect
- film's pace provided perfect rhythm for quick-witted humor
- move over Mercedes Cabral, Nova Villa is the goddess of Cinemalaya X.  Her portrayal of Corazon is a thoughtful departure from the popular sitcom characters she has created.  Her charming performance carries the movie throughout.  And the scene where she was alone in the car after her first date, simply touching
- the slow-mo scene at the cafe and the FB "funny" and "beautiful" scenes actually worked
- what an endearing and rational performance from Dante Rivero
- also, there is strong screen presence from the young 3rd and Corazon, eliciting swoons from the audience every time they appear
- based on crowd turn-out and reaction, this might be the darkhorse for the Audience Award in the New Breed Category

Lowlights:
- while some of the flashback scene worked, it felt overused towards the end.  The MTV flashback  not only cheapened the otherwise intelligent sense of humor of the film, it likewise distracted the audience from the fluidity of the narrative.  all of a sudden, the movie became uninterestingly slow-paced
- the scene between BFFs portrayed by Nova Villa and Ruby Ruiz seemed overworked and gave a righteous, pulpiteering feel onto it, in the process completely contradicting an otherwise smart beginning of the movie
- the much-awaited scene seemed anti-climactic
- the movie had a huge promise at the start, only to stumble in the middle and self-destruct towards the end.  One good thing is that it was on its way back, but was too late

Rating: 5/10

4 Days of CInemalaya X

4 Days of Cinemalaya X, 11 films(including shorts), and 8 popcorn tubs after...

*  Started to become worried that the films this year are less intriguing compared to last year.  Have been mostly underwhelmed even by those touted as contenders for the top awards.  Maybe I chose to watch the wrong films first.

**  So far, celebrity sightings include:  Tessie Tomas (so astig, she watches almost everyday and sometimes 3 films a day), Nonie and Sharmaine Buencamino, Rafa Sigioun-Reyna, Cris Villongco, R.A. Rivera, Carlos Sigioun-Reyna, Paulo Avelino, Tommy Abuel, Audie Gemora, Marvin Agustin, Marc Abaya.

*** Impressed on the turnout in this year's Cinemalaya.  Even the 1:30pm screening are mostly full.  While the expected "required" students flock to the screenings, several cineastes in office attire  are present in multiple screenings as well.  Also delighted to see more senior citizens watching the films this year.

**** Here are my rankings of the 11 films so far
1. Dagitab (New Breed)
2. The Ordinary Things We Do (Shorts A)
3. Nasan si Lolo Me (Shorts A)
4. K'Na the Dreamweaver (New Breed)
5. Bwaya (New Breed)
6. Hustisya (Director's Showcase)
7. Mariquina (New Breed)
8.  Coming Home (Shorts A)
9. Hari ng Tondo (Director's Showcase)
10. Mga Ligaw na Paru-Paro (Shorts A)
11. Tiya Bening (Shorts A)

***** Commendable Performances

Nora Aunor - Hustisya
Rosanna Roces - Hustisya
Chynna Ortaleza - Hustisya
Eula Valdes - Dagitab
Nonie Buencamino - Dagitab
Martin del Rosario - Dagitab
Robert Arevalo - Hari ng Tondo
Mara Lopez - K'Na the Dreamweaver
Nonie Buencamino - K'Na the Dreamweaver
Angeli Bayani - Bwaya
Alex Medina - Bwaya
Mylene Dizon - Mariquina
Barbie Forteza - Mariquina
Ricky Davao - Mariquina
Bing Pimentel - Mariquina


**** Notable Technical Merit

Screenplay - Hustisya
Editing - Hustisya
Screenplay - Dagitab
Cinematography - Dagitab
Sound - Dagitab
Music - Hari ng Tondo
Editing - Hari ng Tondo
Costume Design - K'Na the Dreamweaver
Cinematography - K'Na the Dreamweaver
Sound - K'Na the Dreamweaver
Production Design -  K'Na the Dreamweaver
Cinematography - Bwaya
Sound - Bwaya
Production Design -  Bwaya
Editing - Bwaya
Screenplay - Mariquina
Cinematography - Mariquina
Production Design -  Mariquina

Cinemalaya X Day 4 - Hustisya

Cinemalaya X Day Review - Hustisya

image from cinemalaya.org

Highlights
- Nothing short of exceptional subdued acting from Nora Aunor
- Ambitious film that aims to tackle very complex social issues
- The screenplay makes you cheer for the anti-hero protagonist despite her flaws and faults
- Rosanna Roces leaves an indelible performance, that voice remains in your head even a few scenes after. Reliable performance from Chynna Ortaleza
- Biring offering letters and money to the city of Manila so she will be accepted - that was visually poetic
- The first 30 minutes of the film will lock you in through strong visuals, relatable characters and a highly-interesting premise
- Some attempts at satire actually worked
- Biring's unforgettable laugh at the film's end

Lowlights
- The same ambition may have led to a confused storyline that wanted to touch on everything, and in some cases all at the same time
- Several non-relatable characters who were either too serious(attorney) or too corny (ringlord), in the process detaching the viewer from the logic of the treatise
- Unfocused direction that undermines the fluidity of story development

Rating: 6/10

Cinemalaya X Day 4 Review - Dagitab

Highlights:
- Intelligent, insightful, and thought-provoking screenplay.  After watching Hari Ng Tondo, here in Dagitab we felt respected.
- Unforgettable lyrical scene where Issey and student, Gab lay on the beach and the waves come by
- Lines were poetic and unforgettable.  I imagine this will be quoted and RTed a lot "We had to meet somewhere between teenager and 45.  As if we had to dance between rainfall and summer."   And another line was "Kapag pagod ka na, kailangan mo lang magpahinga, di mo kailangang umalis"
- Full development of character enables the viewer to respect their flaws and absurdity
- Eula Valdes renders a very complex characterization of a woman that is both manic and melancholic.  Her all-white studio pictorial summarizes how brilliant an actress she is in this film
- Nonie Buencamino and Martin del Rosario both deliver solid performances

Lowlights:
- Felt like it was 15 minutes too long.  Though I understood later that the film was originally 3-hours long.
- Other viewers might be thrown off by Jimmy's passion over supernatural elements

Rating:  9/10

Cinemalaya X Day 4 - Hari ng Tondo

image from cinemalaya.org

Highlights:
- Editing.  The film's ability to jog between comedic and dramatic rhythm is allowed by masterful editing
- Robert Arevalo is in his fighting form
- LSS-inducing Sige Lang ng Sige, and how relevant it is to the film
- The director and the actor watching the film with us

Lowlights:
- Attempts to humor that mostly fell flat.  There were times when we felt insulted after a series of mistimed jokes
- While some twists are unpredictable, they seem illogical
- Questionable development of salient characters like the daughter and the son of the "Hari ng Tondo"
- Was the film trying to generate a few cheap laughs from personal disabilities?  Did not work for me, though a part of the audience were laughing
- Can criticize the actors for seemingly lack of vibe, but as most of the characters seem one-dimensional, it all points to the screenplay.  There was very limited attempt to develop the characters of the antagonists, so many of their actions seem arbitrary. (What happened to the son and daughter who seem like they are only after the money of their father and not care for him at all).  The problem with arbitrary, is that everything that follow now seem illogical
- It was just disappointing, because the plot had a lot of potential

Rating:  4/10