Movie Review: You Changed My Life (2009)

The tandem of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz returns for the sequel to the very successful A Very Special Love, and I think Filipino Cinema has found its romantic-comedy franchise for the next couple of years.

You Changed My Life is a nice follow-up to an equally great romantic comedy and I'm not exaggerating when I say that this film is the best local release of the year so far. (*cough* When I Met U Love Me Again *cough*)The film builds on what made the first one enjoyable: good balance of romantic and comedic moments, good dynamics between the lead and supporting characters, plus a plausible contemporary story.

In the film, it happens shortly after Laida (Sarah Geronimo) and her boss Miggy (John Lloyd Cruz) have become a couple officially. They start off smoothly, but things get a little dicey when Miggy gets assigned to lead their family's manufacturing business located in the outskirts of the city and Laida gets assigned to an account management where she goes out and meets clients. The obstacle the couple face is the lack of time they spend with each other due to their focus in their respective careers. It's not really earth-shattering by any stretch, but I think a lot of couples face that issue, thus making the story very familiar.

A few nitpicks: the story slips down to first gear when it laboriously focuses on the "lack of time" issue between Laida and Miggy, plus Laida's "crazy in love" shtick gets stretched to the hilt. But these hiccups are very small compared to the film's positives. Expect a great date movie that's locally made with You Changed My Life.


Rating: 3.5/5


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Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

He's Just Not That Into You could be the "Crash" of romantic comedies-- it weaves different stories, but overlaps loosely and the stories have a good message to share.

The film features a star-studded ensemble cast of Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ben Affleck, Justin Long, Kevin Connolly, and Bradley Cooper. As you can see, it's a rather long list, so not all the stars are given adequate attention and character development. The film does drop hints on the personalities of the characters, so if you're not familiar with North American culture (especially the dating culture), you may find the film a little too "alien".

The film is based on the best-selling book with the same title and is sort of a "Dating For Dummies" for the uninitiated on how both men and women handle dating. The film looks at the situation primarily from a female perspective and it doesn't really hide its spots as a chick flick. But I'm sure that some guys will enjoy the film.

He's Just Not That Into You is a nice date movie-- great for a Girls' Night Out or movie date for couples. I highly recommend it if you're a fan of American sitcoms like Friends or How I Met Your Mother.


Rating: 3.5/5


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81st Academy Awards Winners: How did my predictions fare?

In my last post, I made some predictions for the major awards for the 81st Academy Awards, and I did pretty so-so:

BEST PICTURE (OK!)

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
  
• “Milk” (Focus Features)
  
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
  
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTOR (NOT OK! I predicted Mickey Rourke)

• Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
  
• Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
  
• Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
  
• Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  
• Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTRESS (It was a toss-up between Meryl Street & Kate Winslet, but I went with the former)

• Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
  
• Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
  
• Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
  
• Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (OK!)

• Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
  
• Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
  
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
  
• Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (I thought Penelope was just fine in the film, but I was wrong)

• Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
  
• Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  
• Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST DIRECTOR (OK!)

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
  
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
  
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
  
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
  
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE (OK!)

• “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
  
• “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
  
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY (OK!)

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
  
• “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
  
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
  
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
  
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (OK!)

• “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
  
• “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
  
• “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
  
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
  
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
  

Based on my predictions, I got it 6/9 for a 67% success rate in predicting the winners for the 81st Academy Awards. It's not bad, but it could be better. :)

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My 81st Academy Awards Predictions

With the 81st Academy Awards a few days away, I'd like to chime in on my predictions of the winners for the major awards (my predictions are in bold):


BEST PICTURE

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
  
• “Milk” (Focus Features)
  
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
  
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTOR

• Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
  
• Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
  
• Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
  
• Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  
• Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTRESS

• Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
  
• Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
  
• Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
  
•  Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
  

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
  
• Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
  
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
  
• Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
  
• Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
  
• Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
  
• Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST DIRECTOR

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
  
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
  
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
  
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
  
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

• “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
  
• “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
  
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
  
• “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
  
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
  
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
  
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

• “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
  
• “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
  
• “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
  
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
  
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
  

Based on my predictions, it will be an awards night dominated by Slumdog Millionaire and Doubt.


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Movie Review: When I Met U (2009)

Five months after their initial pairing in For the First Time, Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion team up again for this season's Valentine's Day romance-fest When I Met U.

Right off the bat, this film is superior compared to their first pairing, but that isn't saying much-- For the First Time was such a mediocre film that it was one of my lowest rated films for 2008. When I Met U is in good hands under director Joel Lamangan's helm. I personally think he was able to draw out a lot of acting from the two good-looking lead stars, he was even able to make me believe for a second that KC was a simple-minded girl that spoke bad English. The chemistry between KC & Richard has definitely improved.

However, it is in the story department that the film's biggest flaw lies: The story is not entirely bad, but it just tries to do so much. So much that there are several subplots and scenes that could have been left out in the cutting room. The film clocks in at almost two hours and I think everyone will feel the length of the movie towards the middle.

When I Met U is a leap to where Richard & KC was a few months ago. But the long and belabored melodrama just ruins it for me.


Rating: 2/5


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Movie Review: Seven Pounds

It's that time of the year when we're due for a Will Smith drama. No wise-cracking comedy featuring one of the most likable on-screen actors, but a pained performance from Will Smith.

Unfortunately, Seven Pounds is soooo depressing that it became a frustating watch for me.

The story is about the quest for redemption of an IRS agent named Ben Thomas (Will Smith). He selects seven strangers whom he will share his "gifts." The drama lies in his path to reaching out to the seven people (which includes characters played by Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson) and the romantic angle between Smith and Dawson. I never really sympathized with Smith's character because at the back of my mind, I never saw the sincerity of the generosity in the character.

The film starts very slow as it does not reveal what Ben was really intending to do until the middle of the film. I guess that was what director Gabriele Muccino wanted to achieve-- a sense of discovery and understanding why Ben was doing what he was doing. The movie uses flashbacks so that the viewers can piece together the story. The story unravels towards the end when Ben reveals his big secret.

Over-all, Seven Pounds is depressing and dull-- two adjectives you don't want to describe a Will Smith movie.


Rating: 2.5/5


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Movie Review: Doubt (2008)

Doubt is a powerful drama carried by the superb performances of the actors.

Not convinced? Four members of the cast have been nominated in three acting categories in the 2009 Oscars:  Meryl Streep (Best Actress), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Actor), Amy Adams (Best Supporting Actress), and Viola Adams (Best Supporting Actress).

The story is direct to the point: A parish priest is suspected by the head nun and principal of the parish school of inappropriate relations with an altar boy. The high-tension drama is pushed forward by the belief (or suspicion) of Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep) that Father Brendan Flynn (Hoffman), despite the lack of physical evidence. The beauty of the relatively simple story is that you, as a viewer, will ponder for the most part of the movie which character to believe, as if you were part of a jury.

The film is serious and heavy, thus if you are planning on watching this film, bring your critical thinking into the theater. Doubt is a must see for serious film buffs.


Rating: 4.5/5


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Movie Review: Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)

Surprisingly, I found Beverly Hills Chihuahua a very enjoyable movie. It is one of those movies that turn out waaaay better than the trailers or the previews suggest.

Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Cheech Martin, Edward James Olmos, and a whole roster of talented Latino actors lent their voices to dogs who come to the aid of Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore), an upscale pet who found herself lost in Mexico. The voice acting matches very well with the animation, that's why the humor is very effective. (Never mind if the story is average).

The film is a classic "Fish out of Water" story where a rich person's sassy pet (Imagine Reese Witherspoon's character in Legally Blond, but with four feet and big ears) is lost in an unfamiliar land, which ironically is where her heritage is rooted. I think people of all ages will be able to sympathize with Chloe the dog, as well as root for the rag tag pack of dogs trying to get Chloe home.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua is great family entertainment worthy of the Disney label.


Rating: 3.5/5


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Movie Review: Australia (2008)

Sweeping scenery, epic scale and a romance to boot. That's what Australia is all about.

This is the second movie about the Land Down Under I've seen in the last couple of weeks (the first being a Filipino romantic drama), and what I'm getting is that Australia is a land of cowboys, big ranches, and the sprawling outback. However, Baz Luhrmann's epic film as very "classic" feel to it.

Perhaps it's the fact that the film's story is set in the late 1930's and early 1940's, just before the second World War. Speaking of the story, it's essentially two movies in one (well, with a running time of almost three hours, that's like sitting in a theater watching two movies)-- but draws so much from the classic films that it doesn't feel all original. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman give strong performances, and David Wenham is very effective as the villain.

I don't doubt that Luhrmann wanted to create the definitive movie about Australia for the whole world, and he takes the route that seem cater to the better majority of the global audience. Australia is an entertaining, but long movie that will show you the beauty of the Land Down Under.


Rating: 3.5/5


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