Maid in Malacañang (2022)

After 3 years in the pandemic. I did not expect my first movie in the cinema would be this controversial film, Maid in Malacañang by Darryl Yap.

This review is solely based on my thoughts and opinion of how the film is made, a comparison of characters to the people they were based on, and the overall feel of the movie as a viewer.

Disclaimer: I wasn’t able to watch the first 20 minutes of the movie because I went out to buy drinks. I wasn’t all that keen on watching the movie as well because, what else is there to know? Besides, I only watched the film because of my Mom and her friend, Ate Sylvia. It was a treat for them from me and a bonding experience for us.

These are my random thoughts about the movie:

• The movie felt theatrical or should I say raw? or maybe amateur-ish? It’s like a theatre play filmed on location instead of on stage.
• Cristine Reyes was apt to play the character of Imee Marcos. She was able to show the feisty woman Imee is in real life, or what she shows to the public. I just can’t imagine Imee Marcos in her though, like, looks-wise.
• Ruffa Gutierrez as Imelda Marcos was the most fitting character. I could not think of any other actress to portray her. Ruffa did her best to be soft spoken as how the real Imelda is, but her glam demeanor was enough for me in portraying Imelda. I almost loved her scene inside her shoe closet but I think it was under delivered. I mean, it wasn’t Imeldific enough thinking how extravagant and glamorous the real Imelda was.
• I could not see President Ferdinand Marcos Sr in Cesar Montano.
• You’d see various portraits of the real Marcoses in the background and I think that was necessary to remind the viewer that we’re watching about the family.
• Diego Loyzaga was so-so in playing BongBong Marcos. Can’t say much about his portrayal because I know most of it is made up to make it seem like he did a lot.
• I understand the confrontation scene between father and son was supposed to be intense, but it was one of the scenes that made it theatrical. I didn’t know where to focus plus I was distracted that the camera man’s reflection was seen for a split second. I could be wrong but that’s what I think I saw when I watched it.
• Ella Cruz can cry good. However, I also cannot see Irene Marcos in her, plus she doesn’t exude the class that Irene Marcos does.
• The three maids Biday, Lucy and Santa portrayed by Beverly Salviejo, Elizabeth Oropesa and Karla Estrada were good performers as expected. They were able to give the light side of the movie.
• I guess it’s a Darryl Yap trademark where the actors are deliberate when delivering their lines. Like, they will enunciate out loud in what should be conversational scenes. I guess it’s to give emphasis on the dialogue and the emotions. I say this basing it from the Vincentiments videos I tried watching in YouTube. I’m not entirely fond of that, just saying. I liked his movie Jowable, though, with Kim Molina.
• My favorite part would be the scene where they were about to leave the palace. I’m talking about the scene execution, the beat of the background music, and the montage of clips.
• Direk Darryl Yap has a potential in making films in the horror genre. I hope he delves into that.

I guess that’s that. I’ll rate this movie 3/5.

OPM – Original Pinoy Movies

Here’s my take on the recent Filipino Movies I’ve seen on Netflix.

 

Lola Igna

It is about a Great-grandmother who’s having some kind of existential crisis for outliving most people in her life. She then meets her great grandson from her estranged grand daughter (Meryll Soriano) while her other grand daughter (Maria Isabel Lopez) takes advantage of her fame by selling merchandise commemorating Lola Igna.

The movie just shows us something we’re all quite aware of, seeking our purpose in life. In this case, Lola Igna is quite accomplished at that given her age, not knowing there’s more she could do. The semi-twist was nicely executed which made it worth watching until the end.

It’s a good 4/5 rating for me.

Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap

This is about a group of muggers who consistently fail with their mugging skills. I love everything about this, the cast especially. It really pays when the actors have theater backgrounds. Also with the inclusion of Paolo Contis, their dynamics were just impeccable!

I kinda wish there’d be another movie with the same cast or with additional cast with a different plot, something more musical too would be nice since most of them can sing. Some anecdotes may be improved but I’m hands down with the cast and how the story was carried out especially when all of their plans and stories get entangled.

I like the story of friendship, where they’re all like all-for-one, one-for-all. Also how Paolo’s character realized that not all muggers are bad as a person but he just had to do what he had to do.

I also like the lesson or realization where Pepe’s character tries so hard to make his Father (Pen Medina) proud of him not knowing that his Father’s been proud of him eversince. It’s a common case with Parent-Child relationships. I just like how in this movie, it’s about being the top mugger in their area, which is hilarious.

It’s pretty deserving of a 5/5 rate for it’s fresh comedy and perfect casting.

Untrue

It is a Psychological-Thriller starring Xian Lim and Cristine Reyes. The story revolves around a He said-She said kind of story. I’m glad that film makers are exploring these kinds of genre. Goes to show how much potential Filipino film makers have.

Acting and location-wise were superb as well as how the twist was executed. I’m just not too keen on the suspenseful blue tint filter for ambiance. It’s too giving. I understand the artistic sense and mood it wants to portray but for me, the movie sure could be dark and all but it shant be THAT depressing. Just let the actors and cinematography do the talking. Cristine Reyes’ red hair was pretty much giving off the vibe of who’s really the bad guy. SPOILER ALERT!

If it weren’t for the blue tint, I’d just be admiring her haircolor and be like “oooohhh I see what you did there” in the end. Coz from the start I’m already like, there’s gotta be something behind that red hair.

4/5 for the concept, location and acting

Pamilya Ordinaryo

A couple of destitute teenage parents who get by with snatching and mugging people gets their baby stolen by a transgender. It shows how a mother would search high and low to find her child however possible. As with the father, it was understandable that he’d get upset for the mother’s negligence.

I’m all support for indie films but I do hope we get rid of the super shaky camera effect. Yes I understand the raw-ness it’s trying to achieve but all I’m saying is that there’s a more creative way in executing it without inducing dizziness.

Other foreign films use the shaky camera effect too but not to the point that it’ll make you dizzy. They even use the shaky or handheld effect when there’s dialogue going on and not just when following the subject.

I give this film 3/4

Through Night and Day

A movie about an engaged couple who went to a trip to Iceland. During the trip they discover differences between them that lead to them breaking up, while still in Iceland.

In the long run, the guy, Ben(Paolo Contis) finds someone new while Jen (Alex DeRossi) finds out she’s been suffering from a brain tumor all this time which kind of justified her mood swings during their Iceland trip. Ben learns about this and makes it up to her by staying beside her until her last breath during her favorite time of the day, sunset.

As cliche, unrealistic and overrated as the plot may seem, what’s new here is the pairing of Paolo and Alex. I love that they were thought to be paired up in a movie like this. It’s fresh to watch, not to mention Iceland of course. Alex’s acting prowess is a no brainer but I’m really glad that Paolo Contis is getting the spotlight he long deserved. Since his Ang TV days, you could tell how much acting potential he has. This showcased his dramatic side, which is what I always wanted to see.

Story-wise = 3/5 but casting and acting is 5/5!

 

Pinoy Sunday (2009)

This movie stars Bayani Agbayani and Epy Quizon with Meryll Soriano and Alessandra De Rossi directed by Malaysian director Ho Wi Ding.

It is overall a light hearted and chill kinda movie. Chill in a way that it’s allowed to be boring but still funny.

Boring because the movie circles around the two men’s loneliness as OFWs in Taiwan. Typical storylines where one searches for love but gets rejected and the other one struggles with his relationship in Taiwan while having a family back home.

It’s funny because of how Epi and Bayani portrayed their characters, plus the adventures and mishaps they went though in one full day because of a couch they stole/took from a local couple.

It was shown way back in 2009 and honestly, I have never heard of it until it showed up on Netflix. I think it’s pretty underrated at this point. I do hope more viewers support movies like this. Let’s stay away from love stories and politically driven plots for now and just look at life’s loneliness with humor.

I’d give this 4/5.

THAT’S IT FOLKS!