Thursday, July 21, 2011

Cinemalaya 2011


Ang Babae sa Septic Tank
Category New Breed (in competition) Director Marlon Rivera Cast Eugene Domingo, JM de Guzman, Kean Cipriano Plot A parody of independent filmmaking in the Philippines Essential actress The goddess has landed. Eugene Domingo shows tyros how it's done. Scene-stealer None, Eugene slayed them all. Verdict Next to Zombadings, it's the most commercially viable film in the festival.


Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa
Category New Breed (in competition) Director Alvin Yapan Cast Jean Garcia, Paulo Avelino, Rocco Nacino Plot Love made more poignant by dance and poetry Verdict Notable for cinematographer Arvin Viola's heartbreaking images, Sayaw is visually engaging.

Niño
Category New Breed (in competition) Director Loy Arcenas Cast Fides Cuyugan Asensio, Shamaine Buencamino, Tony Mabesa Plot Family members bicker and grudges resurface when the patriarch of the house suffers from a stroke. Memorable scene The dinner confronatation sequence (can of worms is an understatement) Scene-stealer Actor Joaquin Valdez's Reinhard is a scorcher. Verdict Strong contender for Best Picture

Cuchera
Category New Breed (in competition) Director Joseph Isarel Laban Cast Maria Isabel Lopez, Simon Ibarra, Paolo Rivero Plot A night in the life of novice drug mules Shock value High. Full frontal? Check. Drugs? Check. Okra as a lubricant? Check. Verdict Riveting, but the ending feels rushed

Bisperas
Category Directors Showcase (in competition) Director Jeffrey Jeturian Cast Tirso Cruz III, Raquel Villavicencio, Julia Clarete Plot A family unravels as wounds open and grudges resurface on Christmas eve. Scene-stealer Julia Clarete shines in a role that fits her like second skin. Verdict Tight editing and good ensemble acting make it worthwhile.

Busong
Category Directors Showcase (in competition) Director Auraeus Solito Cast Alessandra de Rossi, Clifford Bañagale, Dax Alejandro Plot Four tales of death and rebirth interweave seamlessly in Palawan. What's the 411? The first of a planned trilogy, Busong is Solito's most personal movie yet. Verdict Inspired, lyrical and technically accomplished; one of the year's most relevant films

Boundary
Category NETPAC (in competition) Director Benito Bautista Cast Ronnie Lazaro, Raymond Bagatsing, Edwin Pamanian Plot A night in the life of a cabbie and the passenger that changed his life Essential actor Raymond Bagatsing shines, but it's Ronnie Lazaro who brings the house down. Verdict The festival's must-watch movie

Gayuma
Category NETPAC (in competition) Director Alvin Yapan Cast Mercedes Cabral, Kalil Almonte Plot A girl's affection for the village sacristan is tested by faith and circumstance. What's the 411? Made on a shoestring budget, Gayuma is Alvin Yapan's ode to his roots. Memorable scene Delfin (Kalil Almonte) fleeing from a floating, talking Sto. Niño Verdict Bad acting and jerky camera movements ruin an otherwise unique, interesting movie.


Paglipad ng Anghel
Category Special Screening (out of competition) Director Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr. Cast Sid Lucero, LJ Moreno, Christian Vasquez Plot After helping an elderly, angel wings grow on the back of a young man. Acting revelation Sid Lucero whips up a storm as a man in doubt. Verdict Far from perfect, but charming nonetheless.

Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington
Category Closing film (out of competition) Director Jade Castro Cast Mart Escudero, Janice de Belen, Eugene Domingo Plot A gay themed zombie flick with a twist Essential actor Mart Escudero gives a career-defining performance as Remington, a hapless boy on the verge of gaydom. Verdict A blockbuster in the making. Insanely funny.

7 comments:

the scud said...

my thoughts:

- Both Sayaw and Senior Year are great.
- I didn't like Pisay. Too senti for my taste. Hehe.
- Bisperas was so-so. Mas magandang ensemble yung Nino, which critics are saying is the best of the New Breeds. I don't agree. Haha.

Sa CCP ka ba nanood?

Anonymous said...

Sayaw was great, while Senior Year is one of 2010's best films, local or not.

Visual Velocity said...

the scud: Sa mga napanood ko, I like Sayaw the best, followed by Bisperas and Nino. Yeah, sa CCP ako nanood. Nakaka-pagod mag commute. :P

Will: I hope they release Sayaw in DVD. I'd like to watch it again. And again. And again.

the scud said...

i didn't like bisperas as much as busong or isda for director's showcase. did you watch patikul?

Visual Velocity said...

the scud: Nagustuhan ko yung Bisperas, although, yun nga, maraming may ayaw, hehe.

Nope, hindi ko napanood yung Patikul. Pati yung Isda. Gusto ko nga sanang manood ng Amok at Ligo na U sa UP, kaya lang basag pa katawan ko hanggang ngayon. Nakaka-pagod mag commute sa CCP, tapos nung Sabado, past 1am na natapos yung screening ng Zombadings. :P

Paano ka naka-nood sa FEU ng Sayaw ng Daliwang Kaliwang Paa? By invitation lang ba yun? Wala akong nakitang announcement sa dyaryo.

Raft3r said...

kayo ni scud ang naaalala ko tuwing may cinemalaya

Visual Velocity said...

Raft3r: We're like Batman and Robin when it comes to Cinemalaya — we click. :P