misstinapie

Spoilers ahead. Mallari holds a lot of promise. It's said that he predates Jack the Ripper, the most famous serial killer in the world. While Severino Mallari is not as known he's infamous for being the first (documented) serial killer in the PH.  I really wished the writers have stopped there. They could have literally wrote an entire film with that simple premise but they had to do so many things at once the severity of his crimes have then taken a back seat. There's so many elements in the film that it felt like they wanted to throw everything in the pot to cater to different demographics all at once.  Subtlety would have saved Mallari in my opinion. There are expositions that are kind of OK not to explain, like calling themselves travelers and then eventually it was astral projection even if they can take some things? I didn't know you can astral project blankets and videotapes. They needed to show things in some, and probably not pay too much attention to things th...

Coming off from the Split sequel we are now on the *hopefully* final conclusion to the Unbreakable sequel. Both predecessors have done very well on it's own right and made viewers hyped when it was revealed that they were all set on the same universe. On the onset we already expect that Bruce will be the hero among the two villains so the movie had to focus on him but instead we would rarely see our caped vigilante. The movie's spotlight is on the superb acting of James Mccavoy as The Hoarde and maybe a few bits here and there for our titular character, Mr. Glass/Elijah Price who got all of them signature twists Shyamalan is known for, the ones where we don't gasp anymore.  We also get a lot of screentime with our supporting actors one of each for our superhumans. Yes even our supposed villains. Expect none of your traditional comic scenarios, there would be no team up of misfits nor a champion beating all odds. The ending reminded me so much of Cabin in the Woods...

If there's one beloved country in the world, it has got to be Japan. Just look at all those language tutorials being taught by Western people and say it isn't so. There is not one thing in (almost) anyone's life that is not from or originated from Japan (probably next to China) so this type of movie would not be short in audience me and bf included. - Disappointments - TO SUB OR NOT TO SUB Maybe they've thought majority of the viewers aren't used to having subs so they've opted English to their actors. No one cared how the letter R is hard for them nor how their intonation would sound so forced. THE MISSING TATOO GUY In the poster you get to see 4 people, Keanu (Kai), The Witch, The Demon and The Savage. All but one had an ample amount of time on screen. The tatoo guy had a very simple line that no one would ever care about. He's just there and could easily pass off as an extra. Why add him in the poster at all? Maybe when he was paid by the ho...

Rating: ★★ Category: Movies Genre: Kids & Family I never heard of this movie until the three of us (me and my sisters) was inside the movie house. The whole time I was sitting there I had a conversation in my head that wanted to kick myself for not even trying out the two other more popular movies currently on in spite of one having a bad review (Airbender) and the other greeted with a small number of audience (Salt). How can I not be? Seeing Fraser with his beer belly and badly made CGI animals who react with old school facial expressions, it's like seeing an imitation of violent cartoons who did nothing in an entire episode other than to hit each other with the stupidest of things. Good heavens they spared us having ACME explosives. On top of that they also recycled too many scenes that it's ridiculously obvious that they are either in short of budget or just subliminally telling us to do the 3 Rs. And due to that a sane movie goer might miss a few good lines that somehow...

Rating: ★ Category: Movies Genre: Mystery & Suspense I rarely watch slasher films and call me a sissy if you want but this is exactly the type that would not make me wish for a fastforward button. It isn't scary at all nor was it as gory as I wanted. You can see how much they are trying hard to convince you that the story is so worth it but even I can formulate what they did up to their 'twist'. Some actors are even boring to watch. And if anyone even tries to make a part two, puhlease. I'm hoping they start with changing the actor line-up first. Maybe it will up their act no matter how mediocre the story they'd come up next. Image from: http://www.cultreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/my-bloody-val-dvdart.jpg

Rating: ★★ Category: Movies Genre: Action & Adventure My first impression was, looks like Battle Royale, sounds like Battle Royale. BR 2 anyway, only this time they aren't students but assassins. After that part, the survival of the fittest theme I am sure we are tired of already. Early this month I even saw something like that too, only I didn't catch the title. Then there is also DOA and a hundred other titles. Blood bath check, huge explosions check, morally challenged assasin check, and wait is that Boone (Ian Somerhalder)? Not a strong recommend but you ought to check this just once. Maybe you'll get something from it. I didn't. Not that much anyway

Rating: ★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Horror What the hell Jack Nicholson stop scaring me! And that sound effect, argh!! I am shivering in fright already! I can't even stop punching the pause button whenever I'm on the verge of giving up on watching, (which I did multiple times. I even stalled by watching a few Flashforwards on the side just to keep my breathing to a level) and what a relief it was when it was over. And if you don't get scared at how maniacal Nicholson did his act here I don't know who else you need to be. In my own judgement the story alone isn't really that grand anymore because there are so many dozens of the type but this has got to be much more realistic on how normal people usually behave in signs of danger. Normally we just run right? It isn't like most movies who have bad guys live no matter how many times you stab them with a knife, or a normal housewife suddenly being able to tackle them in the first place. And how it ended, loved it. Yo...

Rating: ★ Category: Movies Genre: Romantic Comedy Another book turned movie failure. I loved the books because the author made it so that women who read it can relate to how weird our thoughts are and how it runs in so many directions at a given situation yet here I am contemplating on how is it that Luke Brandon, the lead guy looks so frail contrary to his book description, how Tarky is waaaay more handsome than Luke and Alicia didn't look like what I thought of Alicia like the rest in the whole cast!! I can forgive they fast forward to some stuff but actually changing the whole setup?? This is just so wrong! Luke isn't supposed to be in Successful Saving, Becky should and neither should Alicia be in a different magazine and is a...a...model??? I did read that they have merged two books into one but this is just so way out of what I expected. I hope you are happy now whoever script writer you are. You just ruined my day.

Rating: ★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Action & Adventure I may not be a certified film critic but this I really find a masterpiece and I believe to be really effective beyond it's time. This has been shown years before another Chan-Wu collaboration I know of (Shinjuku Incident) and the chemistry between the two emphasize the brilliant actors that they are. One of the things most people who rely on mainstream really miss this kind of stuff, like Chan does not only do comedy Kung Fu, but he can do drama on screen too. A movie with a very good trailer (I forgot which movie I've seen it with) this has exceeded beyond what I expected. They may have teased me with too many iconic scenes but they have reserved a whole lot seeing the movie in those two hours. Makes you believe Asian movies can do better than most international ones we are all accustomed to

Rating: ★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy Since docu-movies are a rave nowadays, here's another of the kind only that they get to reenact some scenes, making the docu part seem more 'authentic' looking, add to that the Jovovich speech both at the beginning and at the end. Sister got it right on the most apt description-- disturbing. To me it really is even if it's all screams and more screams. Never thought that would give me goosebumps. And I think they were quite effective in generating a dilemma in the viewer in whether to believe it or not. I haven't watched too many abduction films but this is surely one I'd remember.

Rating: ★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Romantic Comedy Another Asian comedy/love story in my hard drive (I promised this year I'd finish all the films I got from officemates no matter how it is, I haven't even finished Iron Man yet) starring Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs Trilogy) and Sammi Cheng (My Left Eye Sees Ghosts), both I liked acting. For an overview, to us Pinoys it's like the Sam and Toni movie where Sam was a fat guy (I don't know much more than what I've seen in trailers) but here on Love On A Diet, both of them are fatsos. There are a lot of scenes that are really hilarious, like with the part where Cheng was trying to commit suicide but fails to do so and sad parts as well, the best is by the near end of the film where Lau's character got to chanting 'It's worth it' on his sacrifice for her. Also notable is that it's pacing forbids boredom at all. they've made sure that they don't sugarcoat everything like most love ...

Rating: ★ Category: Movies Genre: Kids & Family Note: Ok, BEFORE you raise your eyebrows on why I watched this, please take notice of the DATE. Yeap. My birthday. And the reason behind for why WE chose this does not need to be explained. Let me give you a hint: 'a lot of available seats'. No one knows when this would stop. I remembered I watched the first one (oh Ma!) and the gist of the story hasn't deviated that much from the original. It that's what they did from 2-6 I'm beginning to think the writers are splicing up formulas over and over in hopes that no one would notice. They'd also made use of actors from previous installments. Only Zsa Zsa I found effective. I don't exactly like her but whenever she portrays a Chinese it's convincing. But if she'd play that role to a million other Mano Po installments it's going to be tiring. If the first movie you feel like it's some Monteverde tribute to the Chinese commun...

Rating: ★ Category: Movies Genre: Kids & Family I wasn't thinking of anything when I decided to watch this on Star Movies. I was hoping that since Lawrence is around I should at least watch it. It was a bit funny, but usually with the part of the pig. The plot isn't even new and having watched movies with Dads having a hard time letting go of their kids made this quite boring compared to the rest. They even went as far as adding outrageous scenes, the top in the list is that sky diving part. And that part where Raven was doing a song number? Argh. It wasn't even catchy. Not a recommend, but not that annoying either. Either way, I don't think this is something worth remembering at all.

Rating: ★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Romance What was mysterious with XiaoYu was obvious from the start. If a viewer would not have guessed that there is something wrong with her character, they would not have been completely paying attention with the hints laid all throughout. A love story that was almost tragic, it is a break from all the tragic one-of-the-character-dies endings we are so used to watch. But even if I wasn't any surprised with the twist, I'm a Lost fan afterall (hey that's already a spoiler), I think that at least what they've done is a wise deviation from an idea that has been used for so many times already. At least we can all see the effort. And one more thing. Has anyone noticed how most characters in films of our neighboring countries here in Asia are musical prodigies? And most of which are geniuses in piano?

Rating: ★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Romance After being happy with portrayal of Eric Tsang, the amiable Sam on Infernal affairs trilogy, here he is again, playing the role of Jumboball, the friend of the protagonist, Onion (Richie Ren). A love story (yes, a love story believe it or not) between a blind and mute patient (Onion) and of Miss Autumn (Cecilia Cheung), a nurse. Both are in love with each other but even before they get to have the chance to have them known, Onion dies in an accident.The story goes on with Onion having a chance of 5 days stay on earth so he'd be able to see her once again. In his given days, he gets to meet probably the two most important people back when he was alive, Jumboball who used to make him salty lemon seven while he (Onion) gives him a massage. Later on, this is the last indicator that he (Jumboball) gets to know that right before in his eyes is Onion only not who he used to 'see'. And obviously he meets Autumn (who dare ...

Rating: ★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Foreign One of the things that I was a bit worried about was it looked old already. But I think a sign of a really good movie is when it surpasses time and is still something worthwhile to watch something like this. Even without the flashy cars and gadgets, this is still as adrenaline pumping as it gets. I was even having a hard time on who I should be having a crush on (something out of the movie but I have a need to mention), whether it would be one of my oldest crushes Edison Chen, or now, Andy Lau or Tony Leung who is freakingly similar to someone I liked back from college. Knowing that there are 3 installments of Infernal I thought I'd be seeing Leung's character on the next ones but seeing now that he's (well sorry for spoiling you) dead by the end I can't imagine how the other ones would be like. But yeah. I loved it. I'd say it beat out a lot of cop movies from Hollywood just by mere screenplay. And wow. Wh...

Rating: ★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Foreign Ahahaha! Finally. RPI was being difficult the past times when there is a movie I'm itching to watch (remember Slumdog Millionaire and Star Trek) and fail to do so because they had it on for just a week or even less because they tend to take it off their list on most unusual days. And then there is this, finally not a victim of their stupid decisions. As I've shown on my list of movies way back then, I'm more of a Li fan (well not exactly. I just have a crush on him so I'm more biased haha). Chan is, well as I've observed, most appealing to those who are onto antics and comicky moves. So on this film I know I wouldn't want to miss to see some side to his acting most of us aren't aware of. Plus, it's a Japanese-Chinese rivalry movie AGAIN. Why won't I be tempted? This is the first movie I've seen where the Chinese are on Japanese soil, most often as I've seen shown on my bus trips i...

Rating: ★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Romantic Comedy P2, Dan, P2, Dan. Obviously I'd choose Dan (I think this was on HBO, Star Movies had P2). As much as I enjoy murder films, I just can't get the hang of watching slasher films or anything that ignites pathos, I’m more interested in the murder mystery type or just those that are on the killer’s side. I just can’t take too much adrenaline rush. Another reason I’ve seen Dan is obviously because of Carell. I never would have thought that this was a romantic movie (I’m a bit allergic) but I stayed anyway because it wasn’t hardcore ‘I-love-you-forever-and-ever’ type of story. What was interesting was that I kind of relate to the character he portrays, someone reserved and unpopular. I don’t even need to mention that he’s a writer. It wasn’t exactly the cheesy type of film you’d reminisce over and over with your beloved but it was some issue I don’t know if I was in the situation I don’t know if I can live with. Ending...

Rating: ★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Mystery & Suspense I was wrong with what I expected here twice. Once was when I thought that this must be another inspirational flick about some sort of sickness the rest of us aren't aware of (e.g. Lorenzo's Oil, A Beautiful Mind). A few minutes later, when the focus was on the couple played by Alba and Christensen, I thought I was tricked of watching a love story. Then much later, I found out I just hit jackpot. What they did with the movie was really, in my opinion unexpected. I didn't know that they would swerve to that 'conspiracy' direction and when they did, it was subtle and it was enough to have my senses wake up and say 'Woow'. There wasn't too much drama incorporated though, but it was the plot that got me all grinning when it was all revealed. But to those paying attention, obviously you'd get hints at some parts which was conspicously arranged so you'd never guess till later. With this...

Rating: ★★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Mystery & Suspense Another film people around me kept on saying it wasn’t worth seeing. Why?! Have I seen a different version? For me it really is good. It’s just a bit unfair they don’t see the beauty of it. I was actually hoping that the reason why they (most of whom who didn’t like it were males) was seeing Depp in a musical. I’ve watched prior that Burton wanted the actors to use their own voices (something our ‘artistas’ would never do even with a gun on their heads and when they have the nerve to you’d wishing you had a gun pointed at your head) and I think that their dedication towards their craft really shows (I really like Carter’s voice. It’s so cute!!!). I don’t know it with you guys but there is something really engrossing in stories set on such time line, all the corsets, murky sewers, soot all over London and the pale skin. It just seems so riveting. Not to mention the accent too. The wickedness of the characters...