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puedeba2004
Reviews
Batad: Sa paang palay (2006)
A really extraordinary film
I had the pleasure of seeing Batad at the Phuket Film Festival last year and got to meet the director, art director, etc. I learned that this film was made in an extremely remote area under great difficulty and for practically no money, which makes its quality and appeal even more extraordinary. It was truly a labor of love. Of course none of that matters. What matters is what we see realized on the screen. and what we see there is quite wonderful. I'm just a white American guy, visiting the film festival as a tourist and I was just as moved by this story of people eking out a living in this remote and backward area as was my Filipino partner who accompanied me to this film. The universality of the film's theme resonated with both of us. It was quite unforgettable and even now we talk about the film and how it affected us.
Cavite (2005)
An ordinary guy is trapped in a web of intrigue as he tries to save his mother and sister who have been kidnapped by terrorists.
"Cavite" proves that if the story is good enough, technical excellence is unimportant. Filmed on video with a crew of two, and no budget whatsoever, Cavite is a gripping, roller coaster of a ride. Called to the Philippines, a completely Americanized, young Filipino-American discovers that his mother and sister have been kidnapped. A cellphone planted in his backpack rings and he learns they are held by terrorists and he must follow every direction he is given or they will be killed. Guided by the terrorist's voice on a cellphone, what follows is a tense voyage through the underbelly of Cavite, a city in the Philippines. Although this is at its soul a thriller, by focusing on stark images of third-world poverty, the film cleverly illustrates why terrorist acts have appeal for many. Like all classic thrillers the stakes get higher and higher and the tension grows as the story moves on to its inevitable climax. Although some critics have indicated that they thought the lead actor was lacking in ability I found exactly the opposite -- he is the perfect "everyman," trapped in a situation not of his making. This is great storytelling. I saw this movie twice and recommend it highly.
Mano po (2002)
It may be just a soap opera, but WOW what a soap opera!
The first Mano Po film (there are 3, so far) is considered by many to be a uniquely Filipino story, of interest mostly to Filipinos. To that I say, nonsense. I'm a white American, grandchild of immigrants to America, and I found much to identify with. Plus, the elements of the story that were strange to me were absolutely fascinating in the way they illuminated the Chinese/Filipino experience of one family in the Philippines. It is well shot and exceptionally well written. Okay, it's been justly criticized as being "just a soap opera." But So what? "Gone With The Wind" can also be called a soap opera, but it is well worth seeing again and again. I liked Mano Po so much I bought it on DVD and have viewed it several times. However, remember this is Mano Po 1. It is superior to the sequels. I recommend it highly.