Manila Kingpin: The Story of Asiong Salonga (Tikoy Aguiluz)

PLOT by reelworld:

In the slums of Tondo, Asiong Salonga is feared and respected by people. He is a notorious leader of a gang that vows to take care of all the people specially the poor under his claimed territory which is Tondo. But unfortunately, There are also other gangs who wants to claim Tondo for their own, specially the gang of Totoy Golem - the rival of Asiong Salonga.

CRITICISM:

Story- Ipinakita lamang ang tunay na mukha ng pagiging isang mahirap na Pilipino, ipinakita nito ang realidad na buhay sa kalsada ng Tondo. Ako man ay minsang nanirahan doon kaya alam ko na may totoong mga ganitong pangyayari. Gusto ko ang istorya nito at kahanga-hanga dahil maganda at tama ang pagkakalapat ng istorya mas makatotohanan kaysa ibang mga pelikula. 

Cinematography- Ang pagkuha sa pelikula ay masasabing gaya ng isang independent film, dahil ginawa itong kakaiba kaysa natural na pagkuha ng camera. Di naman ito babad sa mga shots at maganda naman ang ilan sa mga angulo nito. 

Acting- Sa pag-arte ng mga artista, ay di masyado magaling, tila nagbabasa ang mga ito sa pagsambit ng mga linya lalo na si Carla Abellana. Bagaman may dating sa mga action scenes ang mga artista dito lalo ang bida nito di parin gaanong kapanipaniwala ang kabuoan ng kanilang mga pag-arte. 

Sounds- Dahil sa sound effects nito o paglapat ng mga musika, naipakita ang scenery ng makalumang panahon na spat lamang upang magbigay buhay sa buong pelikula.

Sa huli, hindi man ako tagahanga ng action films, nagustohan ko ang istorya nito.

Segunda Mano (Joyce Bernal)

PLOT by wikipedia:

As the film begins, we see Owen (Rico Blanco) and Mariella (Angelica Panganiban) are fighting in a car by a lake. It appears that Owen has left his wife to be with Mariella, and is angry that Mariella is not willing to make the same sacrifice. The fight turns violent, and Owen has hit Mariella through the car window. Mariella tries to escape from the car, and the scene cuts to flashback.

We see Mariella telling her husband, Ivan (Dingdong Dantes), that her best friend, Samantha needs company and she drives off into the night. Later that evening, their daughter Angel (Sofia Villarama) comes to Ivan looking for her mother, and Ivan tells Angel that her mother has gone away.There is a car that passes by in the area where a bloody Mariella is looking for help, in the middle of a rainstorm. The driver and his passenger are singing Christmas carols in the car, Mariella knows she is dead.

Mabel (Kris Aquino) owns an antique store. She is the only child of her mother, Adela (Helen Gamboa). It is revealed that Mabel’s only sibling, Marie , was lost in an accident when they were children. Of late, Marie’s ghost haunts their home on the anniversary of her loss. Adela and Mabel visit a fortune teller, Manang Letty, to try to communicate with Marie, but fail.One rainy day, Ivan meets Mabel as he splashes her with water from his car, and he offers to take her to her antique store. Over time, they begin to develop a relationship.

One year later, Ivan proposes, even though his annulment from Mariella is not yet over. Ivan takes Mabel to his home where Angel greets her icily.

The house helper cannot help but compare Mabel and Mariella, and this makes Ivan angry. As Ivan apologizes in the car and proposes, Angel interrupts as Mabel and Ivan kiss. It begins to rain, drenching Angel. Mabel takes a cab home and passes through the lake where we last see Mariella. Mariella haunts the cab, appearing inside the cab as well.While discussing their relationship in a restaurant, Samantha spots Ivan, who notes that she has returned from New York. Samantha is dressed up to the nines, and as she expresses her interest in Ivan, Mabel becomes insecure. Meanwhile, Mabel’s attempts at winning Angel’s heart continues to be rebuffed.

On some poor, but well meaning advice from Mabel’s best friend, Anna (Bangs Garcia), Mabel buys Mariella’s red bag at Anna’s store in a fit of retail therapy. Anna’s boyfriend, Dindo (Jhong Hilario), a security guard at the mall of Anna’s store, offers to help Mabel but instead sees an apparition of Mabel.

Later that evening, Mariella makes her presence felt through her bag at Ivan’s home. Angel wonders why Mabel has Mariella’s bag and demands an explanation. Mabel scans through Mariella’s pictures, noticing a black car that Ivan gave to Mariella as a gift. Shortly after, she sees an apparition of Mariella through the window. At a loss at what to do, Anna suggests more retail therapy. As Mabel tries on a dress, Mariella makes her presence felt to Mabel inside the dressing room. Before Mabel could get out of her dress, Dindo calls Anna and Mabel to review CCTV footage that shows Mariella passing through a solid wooden door and following Mabel. Upon closer inspection, Mabel notices that the dress she tried on earlier, which she is still wearing, is the same dress as that on Mariella in her apparitions. Freaked out, the bag and the dress go into the trash bin at the mall entrance.

Samantha has been trying to seduce Ivan, after hinting at a one night stand on the date Mariella disappeared, but Ivan refuses her advances. Samantha tells Ivan that she knows about Mariella’s indiscretions with Owen, but that gets no response. Anna, who is now taking Mabel home, freaks out when she sees Mariella, the bag, and her dress, suddenly appear in the back seat of her car. She stops the car and leaves the items by the opposite roadside. At the same time, Samantha “jumps” out her window after seeing Mariella in her apartment. Ivan refuses to believe Mariella is dead. They fight over Mariella’s death after Mabel lets Ivan know that she has been seeing Mariella’s ghost. Mabel has brought a CD containing the footage. Mabel confronts Ivan, who still insists Mariella abandoned him and Angel. Mabel wonders why Ivan never bothered to look for Mariella in the United States.

Sometime later, Angel and Mabel reconcile, after Mabel rushes to her side at hospital. While this is happening, Marie haunts Adela. Mariella’s bag and dress appear at door just as Mabel goes home. While tending to Angel later that evening, the maid lets slip that she knows Mariella has died.

It is revealed later that Ivan witnessed his father (Ian Veneracion) commit suicide after seeing his lover (Erika Padilla) cheat on his father. It appears that Ivan is not over this trauma.

Mabel and Anna turn to Manang Letty for advice, the bags having reappeared at their side. At a séance with Scooby-Doo like position switching. Mabel is told Mariella’s soul has been released, from its trap, and only way to set her soul free is to leave the bag in church. Mabel prays to God for assistance, leaves bag in church while with Ivan. They are told that only people without a conscience cannot see spirits.

An old lady who has been sleeping inside the church sees the bag and gets it. As she walks out of the church, the bag starts bleeding, and we see a hand grab the old lady by the neck.

Marie’s picture cracks as Mabel and Ivan reconcile at her home. Adela (Helen Gamboa) realizes that Mabel has been left in the cold from her affections, and they reconcile. Anna suggests Mabel bring Ivan to Manang Letty. In the meantime, police find Samantha’s body just as Mabel and Anna drive by. Ivan is called by police as a person of interest. Dindo, who just also happens to be taking his rounds on a bicycle nearby, threatens Ivan with harm if Mariella were to visit her vengeance on Mabel.

At the antique shop, Dindo tries to convince Mabel to leave Ivan, saying he is there to protect Mabel from Mariella. As Dindo leaves, Mabel notices that a dresser is vibrating. A large mirror on the dresser shatters after a Mariella apparition, and Mabel is drenched. Dindo, who is now doing his rounds, sees an apparition of Mariella going up the escalator, and is killed as he slides the wrong way down the escalator. At the wake, the appearance of Dindo’s many children by another woman turns Anna’s grief into anger, but has Mabel thinking Mariella is out to kill everyone who helps her as well. Mabel confronts Ivan, who thinks Mabel is leaving him for Dindo. Ivan turns violent, and Mabel ends the relationship. Mabel still worries about Angel, however.

Trying to shake off the past, Anna buys Mariella’s car. Mabel seizes the keys to drive the car to Ivan and show him proof of her haunting, Mariella takes control of the car and the car disappears from the mall parking lot. Mariella takes Mabel to the lake and reveals that it is Ivan who assaulted her at the beginning of the film, not Owen, kills Mariella and has the car, with Mariella run over the edge and into the bottom of the lake.

As the apparition ends, Ivan calls, and tells Mabel that Adela is with him. She drives over to Ivan’s home to save her mother.

In the meantime, it is revealed that Ivan killed Owen, Mariella, Dindo, and Samantha. Mariella’s apparition appeared to Dindo and Samantha just before Ivan was to kill them.

Ivan catches Mabel and Adela as they try to escape, and assaults Adela just as Mabel escapes to a bathroom. Ivan is about to stab Adela as Mabel catches Ivan in time and they fight. Ivan overpowers Mabel and he throws her limp body onto the pool. As Adela lies gravely injured, Marie appears to Adela, and morphs into Mariella. On the home CCTV, Ivan notices Mariella bringing Mabel to safety, and Mabel recovers just in time to knock Ivan into the pool. In the pool, Mariella grabs Ivan, taking him to the pool drain to drown.

The epilogue shows the remains of the car are found by the river, and Adela expresses relief at learning that Marie had led a good life until she met Ivan, and is comforted by knowing that her soul is at peace.

At dinner sometime later, Ivan’s ghost begins to haunt Mabel, and the screen cuts to black.

CRITICISM:

Story - Mahusay ang pagkakagawa ng istorya nito kaysa kung papaano ito naipakita sa publiko, Gusto ko ang kabuoan ng istorya at kung paano ito nagkaroon ng pagikot ng istorya sa huli. Isa ito sa mga magagandang istoryang dapat ipagmalaki ng mga Pilipino. Kung sa istorya lamang ay gusto ko ang pelikulang ito.

Acting - Isa rin ito sa mga hinahangaan ko sa pelikula, magaling ang pag-arte ni Dingdong Dantes (kaya siguro nanalo siya bilang best actor), gusto ko rin naman ang pag-arte ni Kris Aquino na kahit papaano ay nagiimprove na kaysa sa mga una, pang- horror films talaga siya gaya noon sa Feng Shui na gusto ko rin ang pag-arte niya.

Cinematography - Sa pelikulang ito nakikita na nagiimprove na ang mga camera shots ng pelikulang Pilipino dahil sa variations ng mga shots nito na nakakatulong upang maging nakakatakot ang scenery. Bagaman di pa ganoon kagaling, nakikita ang malaking pagbabago ng pelikula noon sa ngayon.

Sounds - Sakto lamang ang sound effects na ginamit sa pelikulang ito na nakakatulong sa pagiging horrifying pa ng scene. Gusto ko ang kabuoan ng musical scoring nito.

Sa kabuoan di man kasing ganda ng mga banyagang pelikula, maari naring ipagmalaki ang pelikulang Pilipino na maari ring makapagpatakot at makapagpakaba sa bawat Pilipino.

3 Idiots (Rajkumar Irani)

"It's not that 3 Idiots is a flawless work of art. But it is a vital, inspiring and life-revising work of contemporary art with some heart imbued into every part. In a country where students are driven to suicide by their impossible curriculum, 3 Idiots provides hope. Maybe cinema can't save lives. But cinema, sure as hell, can make you feel life is worth living. 3 Idiots does just that, and much more. The director takes the definition of entertainment into directions of social comment without assuming that he knows best."- Subhash K. Jha (film critic and author of The Essential Guide to Bollywood)

PLOT SUMMARY by wikipedia:

Farhan Quresh (R. Madhavan), Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi), Ranchoddas Shamaldas Chanchad "Rancho" (Aamir Khan) are three engineering students who share a room in the residence of Imperial College of Engineering (ICE). Farhan is studying engineering to pursue his father's wishes over his own wish — to become a wildlife photographer. Raju is studying to raise his family's fortunes. On the other hand, Rancho pursues the study of engineering for his passion in machines and devices. Rancho believes that the success in studying is not achieved by solely memorizing the materials and definitions given by the textbooks or professors, but by understanding and applying the concepts. However, this different approach is sneered by the faculties, including the dean of the college, Professor Viru "Virus" Shahastrabuddhe (Boman Irani). In contrast, Virus' favourite student, Chatur "Silencer" Ramalingam, (Omi Vaidya) believes in mindless memorizing over understanding, in order to reach his goals of corporate and social status. Meanwhile, Rancho falls in love with Virus' medical student daughter Pia (Kareena Kapoor) when he, Raju and Farhan accidentally crash her sister's wedding banquet in attempt to obtain a free meal, which infuriates Virus. Virus labels Rancho and his friends as "idiots" and attempts to break up Rancho's friendship with Farhan and Raju. Things further escalate when the three friends, who were drunk, broke into Virus' house at night to allow Rancho to propose Pia, and urinated on the front door before running away. The next day, Virus threatens to rusticate Raju unless he squeals on Rancho. Not wanting to betray his friend or let down his family, Raju attempts suicide by jumping out of the window and ending up paralysed. Following his recovery, Raju discards his fear of the future and takes a frank approach in an interview for a corporate job, while Farhan decides to convince his parents to allow him to pursue his love of photography with a Hungarian photographer. When Virus discovers that Raju successfully obtained an offer, he plans to prevent Raju from getting the job by writing an exam that will fail Raju. When Pia learns his plan, she decides to help Rancho and Farhan by providing them with the keys to her father's office. However, Virus catches them and expels them on the spot. Pia angrily confronts him, revealing that his son, Pia's brother, committed suicide when he could not get into ICE, like Virus demanded, even though he had no interest in Engineering. At the same time, Pia's pregnant older sister Mona (Mona Singh) goes into labour. A heavy storm cuts all power and floods the streets, making it impossible for the ambulance to reach Mona, and Pia is stuck at her hospital, where she had fleed. Over phone and webcam, she instructs Rancho to deliver the baby in the college common room via VOIP. After the baby is apparently stillborn, Rancho resuscitates the baby by leading the students in saying "All is well." Virus reconciles with Rancho and his friends, and allows them to stay for their final exams.

Their story is framed as intermittent flashbacks from the present day, ten years after Chatur bet to become more successful than Rancho. Having lost contact with Rancho, who disappeared during the graduation party and went into seclusion, after five years, Raju and Farhan begin a journey to find him. They are joined by Chatur, now a wealthy and successful businessman, who joins them, brazenly confident that he has surpassed Rancho and also looking to seal a deal with a famous scientist and prospective business associate named Phunsukh Wangdu. When they find Rancho's house in Shimla, they find a completely different Rancho (Jaaved Jaffrey). From him they come to know that their friend was a destitute servant boy "Chhote" who loved learning, while he, the real Rancho, disliked study. After seeing the boy's intelligence, the family agreed to let the servant boy study in Rancho's place instead of labouring. In return, the real Rancho would pocket the qualifications and after graduating, the servant boy will cease all contact. The real Rancho reveals that Chhote is now a school-teacher in Ladakh. At the same time, they find out that without Rancho, Pia decided to marry the same price-obsessed banker that Rancho initially talked her into dumping, and they go to rescue her from the wedding.

Raju and Farhan find Pia and arrive in Rancho’s school. Pia and the fake Rancho rekindle their love, while Chatur mocks Rancho for becoming a school teacher. He asks Rancho to sign on a "Declaration of Defeat" document. When Rancho's friends ask what his real name is, he reveals that he is actually Phunsukh Wangdu himself. Chatur finds out about this and is horrified; he accepts his defeat and pleads his case with Phunsukh to establish the business relationship he was after.

CRITICS:

Story

I'm giving the story a 10 out of 10. The story is not just a comedic type of Bollywood film but also an inspirational film that will fickle the heart of every person existing in the world. 3 idiots is full of lessons about the struggles in life, the true journey and how we'll make it worthwhile. Maybe in some matters it is not realistic, like the scene wherein Raju applies for a job and still get hired after saying that he will not change his attitude no matter what. But It inspires me so much, especially for those people, who lose hope in their life. Students can relate to the 3 idiots, the movie made me cry, laugh and even hope for a new beginning.

"All is well" is not a fiction, yes it will not solve your problem but you will have all the courage to face it. People in the world needs to be positive enough to face challenges in life. The movie thought us to strive hard and make the seems to be impossible things into reality.

Production Design

Makeup. If you watch the film 3 idiots you might think that the makeups they used are as simple as that. I've researched that Aamir Khan is already 45 years old in the film 3 IDIOTS, yet he did look like a college student so as with the other actors.

The last part is obviously just a "set" or a "studio", but otherwise it's just a very least thing I've observed. Props and the scenery are according to place. It may not be as perfect as the other films but because of the story, we can already forget the shortcomings of the film makers.

Musical/Audio

As a Bollywood film, they would always have musicals in the film. The song "Give me some sunshine, give me some rain" really fits into its place. "Zoobidoobidoobidoo" makes you dance and leave you the Last song syndrome until the next day. I love their musical scoring.

Acting

I also commend their actors for their amazing portrayals. Omi Vaidya or Chatur "The Silencer" in the film, will make you laugh hard with the fart speech, and you'll feel the grief he has in the conversation with Rancho and Farhan. Rancho's crying moments will also make you burst into tears, they can somehow touch your heart on the way these actors act. I also love Pia for looking like so in love with Rancho, this will make you shudder in a moment (Somehow lacks in the last part, with Rancho and Pia's intimacy but it's still fine because of the conservative culture). Prof. Virus is also a great villain.

All in all I love how they act, because they can relay their feelings to the viewers. It seems that you feel how the character feels.

Editing

Editing may not be as smooth as other films but with all the flashbacks and effects on the musicals, I loved the film.

I have to many thoughts to share but the very thing I know is that, 3 IDIOTS is a must watch film that will never make you fed up in watching and being inspired all over and over again.

-KRT

Himala (Ishmael Bernal)

Walang humpay na pananampalataya at paniniwala ng mga Pilipino sa mga himala at tila imposibleng mga bagay, ganito ipinakita ang kulturang di nagigiba sa pelikulang "Himala"

PLOT by wikipilipinas:

Sa Cupang, isang maliit na bayan sa probinsya, dinaranas ng mga taong naninirahan doon ang tagtuyot kung kaya naman pinaniniwalaan nilang isinumpa ang kanilang lugar nang itaboy nila ang isang maysakit na tao ilang taon na ang nakararaan.

Si Elsa, dalagang nakatira roon, ay nakita ang Mahal na Birhen sa tuktok ng isang burol. Noong una'y walang naniniwala sa kanya. At kahit ang kanyang ina-inahan ay pinagalitan pa siya sa kanyang pagkukuwento. Ngunit ilang araw matapos noon, nagsimula na siyang magpagaling ng mga residente ng Cupang. Tinulungan siya ng kanyang matagal nang kaibigang si Chayong, at isa pang taga-roon na nagngangalang Sepa.

Dahil doon, pumunta na ang maraming tao sa Cupang, maging mga dayuhan, para bumisita sa tinawag na nilang "Elsa's Shrine". Kasabay nito, nagsimula na rin ang kasakiman. Ang ilang mga residente ng Cupang ay nag-umpisang magtayo ng iba't ibang negosyo para lamang kumita ng maraming pera mula sa mga turista.

Si Orlie, isang taong gumagawa ng pelikula, ay pumunta sa bayan para imbestigahan ang nagaganap na kaguluhan at higit sa lahat, si Elsa. Si Nimia, isa pang kaibigan ni Elsa mula pagkabata, na ngayo'y isa nang bayarang babae ay dumating mula sa isang madilim na kahapon sa Maynila. Umuwi siya sa Cupang para magtayo ng cabaret para sa mga turista. Ngunit ilang araw pagkatapos, kinailangan nitong magsara dahil samga reklamo ng ilang mga residente.Sina Elsa at Chayong naman, na patuloy pa ring umaakyat sa burol para manalangin sa Mahal na Birhen, ay nagahasa ng dalawang hindi makilalang lalaki. Ang hindi alam ng marami, nakunan ito ng kamera ni Orlie.

Nagkaroon naman ng epidemya ng kolera sa Cupang, at maraming mga bata ang namatay. Apektado maging ang mga anak ni Sepa. At kahit na nagpunta si Elsa para dasalan at pagalingin ang dalawang ito, namatay pa rin sila. Noong gabi ding iyon, nagbigti si Chayong nang dahil sa panggagahasang ginawa sa kanya. Matapos ang lahat ng pangyayari, sinisi ni Elsa ang kanyang sarili.

Unti-unti na ring nag-aalisan ang mga turista dahil sa mga pagkamatay na nangyayari at dahil na rin sa pagpatay sa mayamang Intsik na dumayo rin para kay Elsa. Nang inakala ng lahat na minalas na naman ang kanilang bayan, kumalat ang balitang nagdadalantao si Elsa. Dahil sa hindi alam ng mga tao na nabuntis siya dahil nagahasa, tinawag nila itong "Immaculada Concepcion".

Kasabay noon, biglang umulan matapos ang pagkatagal-tagal na panahon. Kung kaya naman tuluyan nang inisip na ng mga tao na nagbalik na muli ang himala sa kanilang bayan at tinanggal na ang sumpang ibinigay sa kanilang bayan. Matapos ang lahat, ipinatawag ni Elsa ang lahat na magtipon-tipon sa burol na kanyang pinupuntahan. Dito'y inamin niyang walang mga himala, walang nagpakitang Mahal na Birhen at walang mga pangitain. Sinabi niyang ang tao ang siyang gumagawa ng mga diyos, himala, sumpa at kung anu-ano pa. Hindi pa siya natatapos magsalita nang biglang may bumaril sa kanya sa harap ng napakaraming mga tao.

Kaya nagkagulo ang lahat at nagtakbuhan sa iba't ibang direksyon. Ang mga matatanda at mga maysakit naman ay nadaganan ng mga taong nagmamadaling lumayo. Namatay si Elsa na katabi ang kanyang ina ngunit dinala ang kanyang katawan patungong ospital. Si Sepa naman na patuloy na naniniwala sa kanya, ay namuno sa lahat ng mga taong naroon pa rin na magdasal ng Aba Ginoong Maria habang nakaluhod paakyat muli sa burol.

CRITICISM:

Definitely, maganda ang pag-arte ng mga artista sa pelikulang "Himala", magaling talaga si guy sa pag-arte niya sa role niya dito. Maaring babad ang mga kuha dito dahil ang tagal lumipat ng frame, pero nadala naman ito ng pag-arte nila at ng istorya kung saan pinapakita ang walang patumanggang pananampalataya at paniniwala ng Pilipino sa himala. 

Kung sa visual ay di ko gusto ang pelikulang ito, nguni't kung sa pagpoportray o characterization at sa kabuoang istorya ay napakaganda nito. Mula sa trauma ng magkaibigan sa pagkakarape at sa mga mamayang gustong mapagaling lahat at sa mga namatay na mga tao ay naipakitang parang reality ang mga ito.

Ang isang gusto ko rin sa pelikulang ito ay ang scenery at production design nito, dahil makikita na ang Cupang ay isang lugar na talagang mahirap at natural lang na tila maniwala ang mga tao sa kung anumang himala para maiahon sila rito. Ang tila disyertong lugar na di nauulanan ay mahusay na naipakita sa pelikulang "Himala". 

Maaaring may kulang sa kabuoan ng pelikulang ito, pero sigurado na dapat purihin ang gumawa ng istorya nito (Ricky Lee) at ang director nito (Ishmael Bernal)

-KRT

Let Me In (Matt Reeves)

Let me in directed by Matt Reeves is another story of blood sucker vampires and how dramatic can their fictional life become. It shows how this type of monster can be so possessive to a certain person.

PLOT SUMMARY by wikipedia:

In 1983 Los Alamos, New Mexico, a police detective (Elias Koteas) enters the hospital room of a disfigured man and tries to question him about a recent murder for which he is a suspect. The detective concludes by telling the suspect that he will catch whoever else he is in league with; the detective is then called to take a phone call outside the room by the desk nurse and is told that the man's daughter is downstairs. While he is on the phone, a scream is heard, and the detective finds the suspect has fallen out of the window to his death.

Flashback two weeks earlier, Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is an unhappy and lonely 12-year-old boy, who is neglected by his divorcing parents, and continually harassed at school by bullies. One evening, when Owen is alone in the courtyard of his apartment complex he is approached by a girl named Abby (Chloë Grace Moretz) who has moved into the apartment next door. Abby tells Owen that they cannot be friends, but regardless Abby and Owen grow closer, seeing each other at night in the courtyard, and start communicating by Morse code through the walls of their apartments. At school the main bully, Kenny (Dylan Minnette), scars Owen with an antenna rod; when Abby finds out about this she tells him to defend himself and she will help him if needed.

Meanwhile, Abby's "father", Thomas (Richard Jenkins), occasionally goes out to kill local residents in order to acquire blood for the vampiric Abby. During his first murder, he accidentally spills the blood and returns home empty handed; a furious Abby leaves the apartment and then kills and feeds on a jogger who lives in their neighborhood. Abby continues developing her relationship with Owen. One night, Thomas hides in the back of a high school student’s car in order to later subdue him, but the student picks up a passenger, completely altering Thomas's plans. While the driver stops at a gas station, Thomas subdues the passenger, and tries to flee. He crashes the car in a nearby ditch and becomes trapped inside. Thomas douses his face with acid so that his connection to Abby will not be discovered. He is taken to the hospital; when Abby learned this from a radio broadcast, she climbs up outside his window to see him. Thomas leans forward to offer his throat to Abby, who drinks his blood. Thomas passes out and falls to his death. The detective later gradually learns of Thomas's connection to Abby.

The next day on a school outing to a local frozen pond in a park Kenny threatens to push Owen into an ice hole. Owen defends himself with a metal pole splitting Kenny's ear. Also while at the park, a body is discovered under the ice. Later, Owen takes Abby to an abandoned area of their apartment complex where he cuts his finger to make a blood pact with her. Abby is drawn to the blood falling to the ground; she licks it up and Owen sees her vampiric form for the first time, but instead of attacking Owen, Abby runs away and attacks Virginia (Sasha Barrese), a woman in the complex park. Owen then confronts Abby at her apartment where Abby admits that she is a vampire. Owen also discovers that Thomas was not her father, but a man (Thomas) she has known since he (Thomas) was a boy, and, horrified, immediately leaves. Abby instinctively tries to block his way, but eventually lets him go, shouting after him "I told you we couldn't be friends!" Meanwhile at the hospital, Virginia transforms into a vampire, but when a nurse draws the curtains, the daylight causes her to burst into flames, killing them both.

Abby visits one night while Owen's mother (Cara Buono) is away. Owen opens the door for her and she tells him he needs to invite her in. He asks her why, so she enters without an invitation, which causes her to bleed heavily until he verbally acquiesces. The next morning, the detective finds Abby asleep in the bathtub, but Owen startles him, allowing Abby to grab him from behind. Abby kills the detective and starts to feed off him. Later, she is seen leaving in a taxi.

During an evening gym class, Kenny, his older brother Jimmy (Brett Del Buono), and their friends start a fire outside to distract authorities and clear out the swimming pool. Jimmy tells Owen that if he can hold his breath underwater for three minutes, then he will cut Owen's cheek; if Owen cannot, Jimmy will poke out one of Owen's eyes. As Owen is held underwater, chaos ensues as Abby slaughters the four bullies. Abby and Owen then make their escape.

Later, Owen travels on a train with Abby in a chest beside him. They tap out brief messages to each other in Morse code as the film ends.

CRITICISM:

Cinematography and Special Effects- The camera shots and positions are commendable, everything is according to place and timing. In scary or suspense moments the eye of the camera helps in making the scenery scary enough for the audience, and also the amazing filters and exposure effects make it even more scary and dark. I personally love the scene wherein Abby pretend to be a pauper to a man inside a big cave or a tunnel and she became the worst nightmare of the man who pitied on her. I love the effects of the fast moving Abby. 

Story- The story is one of the most unexpected story I've ever heard, it is like a combination of the movie "The Orphan" and the movies of the blood sucking monsters. But it has a different twist about love, affection, greediness and a never ending story of an immortal vampire. What I like about the story is twist of it, that she is not a real 12 year old after all.

Editing- Flashbacks are one of the highlights of the story, wherein a viewer shouldn't miss a single moment of the film to fully understand the whole and chronological order of it.

Production Design- The setting of the story is commendable for it's lighting and it's scary scenery as well as the prosthetic and props they've used. It is somehow realistic with all this production design.

What I don't like with the story is that this is purely about the BUBOG (meaning is in Kisapmata article) of every characters, without any light moments and very dramatic. Maybe it will be better if there are more light moments for the characters and more background of the characters to make it clearer. It didn't leave me any prints or mark in my heart to make this story remembered.

-KRT

Kisapmata (Mike de Leon)

Ang KISAPMATA ay isa sa mga obra maestra ni Mike de Leon, hango mula sa tunay na buhay ng isang tila perpektong pamilya at mga magulang na walang ibang hangad kundi ang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng unica hija nito.

PLOT SUMMARY by wikipilipinas:

Si Dadong Carandang (Silayan), isang retiradong opisyal na pulis, ay napakahigpit sa kanyang anak na si Mila (Santos), na hindi siya pinapayagan ng kanyang ama na tumanggap ng mga sinumang manliligaw. Bagama't nagalit sa pahayag ni Mila ng kanyang pagbubuntis, pinayagan ni Dadong na magpakasal siya kay Noel Manalansan (Ilagan). Nakiusap si Dadong kina Mila at Noel na magpalipas ang bagong mag-asawa sa bahay ng mga Carandang, sa dahilang maysakit si Aling Dely (Solis), ina ni Mila. May pagkakataon na ginabi nang uwi si Noel, kaya't pinagsarhan ito ng pinto ni Dadong. Galit siyang tumungo kinabukasan sa bahay ng mga Carandang subali't sa takot din kay Dadong ay umalis na lamang siya na hindi kasama si Mila, na napilitang pumirmi. Sinubukan ni Noel na tumawag kay Mila nguni't ang kanyang mga pagsusumikap ay binigo ng kanyang biyenan. Nagbalak si Mila na tumakas subali't pinigilan siya ng kanyang ina. Sinumbat ni Mila na siya ay inuulit-ulit na ginagahasa ng kanyang ama. Sa huli, nilinglang ni Mila si Dadong at nagtagumpay sa pagtakas.

Nagwala si Dadong sa bahay ng mga Manalansan dahil sa pagaakala na itinago ng mga ito ang anak na si Mila. Umuwi siyang nagpupuyos sa galit dahil nagtanan ang mag-asawa. Nagbanta siya na papatayin niya ang kanyang asawa na si Dely kung hindi niya ibabalik si Mila. Takot na takot na nakiusap si Dely sa ama ni Noel na kausapin si Noel na bumalik sa kanilang tahanan. Dahil sa humihingi ng paumanhin si Dadong (na tila may paglilinglang) ay napapayag ang ama ni Noel na pabalikin ang bagong kasal sa Maynila. Nang bumalik sina Mila at Noel sa bahay ng mga Manalansan, pinilit muli ni Dadong na umuwi na sa kanila ang mag-asawa, nagsasabing ang kanyang ina ay muling nagkasakit. Umuwi si Mila kasama si Noel, nguni't upang mag-impaki lamang ng kanyang mga gamit. Nakiusap si Dadong sa kanyang anak na manatiling tumahan, subali't nagpasiya na siya na iiwan na niya ang tahanan. Nagdili-dili, na may malamig na kawalaan ng pag-asa, nilabas ang baril at pinatay niya ang kanyang asawa, si Noel, si Mila at ang huli, ang kanyang sarili.

ANG PAGSUSURI:

Kung mayroong isang bagay na kamangha-mangha sa paggawa ng pelikulang ito ay ang paglalagay sa big screen ng isang istoryang hango sa isang tunay na pangyayari sa Zapote Street. Sa tunay na pangyayari, kitang-kita ang ugali ng ama sa pamilya at kung paanong kinakatakutan ito ng lahat ng miembro; ito nama'y nailapat nila ng mabuti sa pelikula kung saan makikita ang otoridad ni Dadong sa pamilya Carandang. Masusing naipakita rito ang takot na nasa puso ng mag-ina sa ama. Kahanga-hanga ang mga artistang gumanap sa "Kisapmata", dahil makikita na tila totoo ang kanilang mga pag-arte na tipong madadala ka sa mga pangyayari at ikaw mismo ay matatakot para sa mga karakter nito.

Bilang manonood ng pelikulang ito, parang dinadala kami sa mundo sa Zapote Street o sa mundo ng Kisapmata, kung saan ang puso naming manonood ay may kaba na nananatili at takot sa ama ni Mila na si Dadong. Tila naiiwan ang aming mga puso pagkatapos mapanood ito at magkahalong lungkot at takot ang nadama sa huling gabi o sa pagpatay sa buong sangbahayan ng Carandang.

Kung sa istorya at sa magagaling na mga tagapagganap, ay wala akong anumang masasabi. Tangi kong alam ay magaling sila. Pero maari kung ipapakita ang pelikulang ipinalabas noong dekada 80 ngayong panahon ay masasabing out of tune na ito dahil, di gaanong smooth ang mga teknikal nito. Pero anu't ano pa man, ang "Kisapmata" ay isang bagay na nararapat ipagmalaki ng mga Pilipino. Puno ng simboliko ang palabas na kaylangan ng masusing panonood at pagkilatis.

Bawat karakter ay may BUBOG (Shattered glass-these are physical, mental and emotional wounds that never heal, these are wounds that will remain, wounds forever, and as you age it will become deeper and stronger and it becomes a part of your identity; as a person, like a scar in the cheek or a birthmark in the ear, it is a dialogue between what the environment has implanted deep within you and what you want to reveal about yourself to others) sa pelikula, malinaw na naipakita ang kanilang mga bubog na hindi mawawala sa kahit anong pelikula mapalokal o internasyonal.

I commend the director and the story because of making your heart pump up to the last moment of the Carandang Family.

-KRT