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Santiago! (1970)
A rare Brocka / FPJ collaboration
In the backdrop of World War II, Filipino soldiers blow up a schoolhouse, believing it to be occupied by Japanese soldiers. Gonzalo (played by FPJ) discovers that the occupants are actually old men, women, and children. Overwhelmed with guilt, he cares for a survivor named Cristina (Koronel) and escapes. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, the impact runs deep. Gonzalo entrusts Cristina's well-being to Lydia (Roa) and her family, who has a longstanding relationship with known guerilla Celso (Rivero). Concerned about Cristina's recovery Gonzalo has no time for love but tensions loom anyhow between the three.
Lino Brocka, known for his gritty dramas, takes a departure from his usual work with this period film set during World War II. Starring an icon of action cinema, Santiago!, still delves into themes of hardship, vengeance, and redemption. The fiery schoolhouse scenes are visually captivating and a site to behold. However, overall, the film remains an average melodrama without pushing any boundaries.
Ang mangliligpit (1968)
Too Tame an Assasin
This is a Filipino action drama set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. The film revolved around Alex (Fernando Poe Jr.), a guerrilla assassin tasked with eliminating Filipino collaborators and sympathizers with the Japanese forces.
Mangliligpit translates to a variety of words but can be gently directly translated to one who cleans up or keeps something tidy vis-a-vis getting rid of someone. Alex, can be said as having poor judgment as an assassin. He visits a female friend en route to a mission. As an able bodied man, he is profiled by local authorities as a guerilla and gets picked up. From here a series of events unfold that blindsides the guerrillas and places Alex at a crossroad.
Shot in black and white this movie has a fairly uneven pace with usually good performances from its leads. FPJ being already a bonafide action star shows a little bit of range. Battle scenes were quite lacking and clearly inadequate on historical fact.
Fans of war movies could be disappointed. FPJ does what he does but less action chops. This is a wasted potential of a very interesting topic of assassins during the second world war.
Sabado Nights (1995)
Steamy leads but lacking
Three women living together in an apartment shares a bond of hanging out during Saturday Nights but their individual lives are so much different.
There is Mindy, the liberated bi-sexual who searches for someone to impregnate her to fulfill her life. Rina, the promiscuous saleslady that couldn't be satisfied with only one boyfriend. Lastly, Sheila a dedicated daughter with financial problems that prefers Mr. Rich.
The movie tackles try to be relevant by tackling social issues such as gender, the scare of STD and long and winding pressures of norms of marriage and starting a family.
What you see are a series of scenes that really does not connect all three characters and somewhat comes off pretentious and probably lost interest until you get to the steamy parts (in where it doesn't so much).
If you are familiar with Philippine cinema you quite expect what would be the ending and it some part its predictable but thankfully didn't end with the characters getting married happily after.
The movie had potential in showing mid nineties social issues or the what the date scene was back then but I am not sure if this was made as a vehicle for sexy stars Raymundo and Parton as their scenes were more steamy than Pilapil. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone rather to fans of these actresses.
Vo Sinh Dai Chien (2021)
The Best of the Best meets Karate Kid.
Battle of the Fists is a decent martial arts movie with a lots of bits of pieces of comedy and drama.
If you happen to watch a lot of 80s and 90s movies that centralizes on the new kid on the block then a lot of the movies themes and tropes are a tad too familiar and somewhat cliched.
What is new though is an introduction to Vietnamese martial arts and an a love interest with some Anya Taylor Joy features.
Overall, the fight scenes were somewhat average for a martial arts film and could have been better. The movie is light fare and entertaining if you don't mind some melodrama bits and a predictable ending.
Beast of the Yellow Night (1971)
Ashley does evil!
When the prince of darkness is portrayed by Vic Diaz you should listen.
Langdon/Rogers (Ashley) however did not. Growing a conscience after getting a new lease in life he tries to be a better person, but the catch is he could not as he ends up with gastro and facial hair problems.
Scripted by Romero, each line was executed cleanly. Too clean to be a horror movie.
Watch this of you are Diaz fan. He is clean shaven with several costume changes. Wish we had a series of Leopoldo Salcedo movies as an Inspector and Eddie Garcia as his partner. I would watch that.
Beast of Blood (1970)
More Blood
Dr Bill Foster returns after leaving the island after nearly a year. The locals have moved to another location, but it seems the same just like the last movie.
With a reporter in tow, Dr Foster tries to obtain more information regarding the green blooded monstrosity that Dr. Lorca has created. The dame but of course gets in heaps in trouble in what expectedly is the alive and well Mad Doctor.
Truly the script is written masterfully to dull you. Even the great Eddie Garcia could not save the diabolical ways the movie was supposed to be. Ashley with his on-screen lack of presence really was in there for the steamy scenes.
What can go wrong when the Doctor's right-hand man is now a medical professional in the making? Pure illogical fun.
Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968)
Not so Mad
John Ashley returns now as Dr Bill Foster. A totally new character but the same island. Here we find a new cast of characters now dealing with mysterious creatures that bleed green.
We are introduced to Dr. Lorca, which draws heavily from Dr Moreau, wearing sunglasses at any time of the day and speaking discreetly to loyal assistant. The character though was not that mad but truly cunning, ingenious, and determined to opposite of Dr. Foster's cheap charm and lack of machismo.
Script could not be better as the way it was acted out, local actors did so better than the lead Ashley. The violence, gore could not match what they come up these days but true to its exploitative way nudity was plenty.
If Ronald Remy could only go over the top, then truly he can be mad as the title says. Alas, the story really lacked the horror substance just limited to algae creatures hacking and ripping.
Brides of Blood (1968)
Welcome to Blood Island!
A trio of a doctor, his wife and a friend visits Blood Island for research but finds more than they bargained for.
Welcomed but cautioned by the locals, Dr. Phil senses something different in the air. An eerie feeling from the women as they draw lots for an unknown reason. Also, in the island is a plantation owner in where the pathway to his house is filled with banana trees with unusually mutated branches.
The first half of the movie really was enthralling, mysterious and interesting to say at least. When the second half rolls and all the cards are revealed, we find every scene as expected it to be. Gore and screams.
As a Filipino, I have never had the chance to watch Mario Montenegro's movies and here he is quite convincing as an American that have lived as a local.
This is the best of the lot of Blood Island movies.
Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017)
CSI of the cloth.
Two Jesuit priests tackles an improbable case of solving a serial killer in the slums of a garbage town.
It was very well made. Dialogue was impeccable. Some would say to quote from the film "unnatural" but entirely plausible from the time period it was supposed to be shot in.
So rare for Philippine cinema to have a slow procedural film about a serial killer investigated nonetheless by expert forensic priests. There would be some shade thrown to undying issues of the church, but it never did tackle why this pair of CSI priests operate. There some dabbling on social commentary but in the end focuses solely on the mystery at hand.
Running nearly two hours long, the first half was very much episodic like and then finishes with a second half of knowing what will happen but eventually being discontented of an ending to justify the whole movie.
Little & Big Weapon (1990)
Not another 90's action comedy Filipino film.
From the title itself, this film was a loose parody of the popular Lethal Weapon movie and as expected two leads are wielding a little (38 revolver) and a big (Magnum 357) gun.
Joey De Leon is Mel Bigson and Rene Requiestas is Sam Flower. Together they form an unexpected duo from their respective organizations DB (Detective Bureau) and CIA (Cebu Intelligence Agency) to battle crime headed by an organization named B.O.O.B.S. Headed by Madame Butterfly (Agbayani) and supported by a litany of creatively named henchmen such as Dick Crazy, Fred Chicken and Big Spider.
Some gags would be outdated and a lot of dialogue often predictable albeit some small laughs here and there. If you are big fan of comedy especially the tandem of De Leon/Requiestas then you should not miss watching this one.
Birdshot (2016)
Flew high, but not too high.
Birdshot is a story of small-town politics, policing and a girl coming of age.
Most people wouldn't know that the film was set around late 80s to early 90s because of the evident lack of technology. However, one can also not notice it because of the countryside (provincial) setting. The film undecidedly wants to identify as a pseudo political and social commentary flick to a youth's struggle. Despite that every scene fills a part of a whole and eventually ends predictably.
It was long ago that I started watching this and got halfway through. Now viewing it again from the start, I do see it merits and how I should watch more Filipino films. It could have ended with a more subtle and stronger final scene but predictably found itself just uncovering most who have guessed early in the film.
Wong ga jin si (1986)
Title don't do justice on how these characters fought
After foiling an escape and hijacking, three people are targeted for vengeance. It is a very straight forward action revenge movie in where the antagonists find a way to really do wipe out budding heroes. Teaming up are the Inspector (Yeoh), the other a retiring Japanese cop (Sanada) and a chatty sky marshal (Wong).
The action scenes were great, and the back story was tight for our villains but really it was agonizing to see Wong charm his way on every scene. There were excessive glass breaking but that is normal when you watched these HK action flicks in the 80s.
It could have been a grittier flick if Wong was a levelheaded character. Villains were superbly flawed but resilient. Sanada and Yeoh were about to peak and absolutely smashed their fight scenes.
6 donne per l'assassino (1964)
Murder in Fashion
When one model gets murdered, a tale of who done it shakes the people of a fashion house.
It was a good first half but once the police get a little work it settles on a cover up who done it.
This was my first Bava film and would be quite interesting to watch more from him and Italian cinema during this decade.
Uchu kara no messeji (1978)
Ripped but not too much.
An invaded nation with nothing to lose sends out their princess looking for the eight that would help them in their quest to defeat their conquerors.
There were a lot of unnecessary scenes that made no sense. The characters were all over the place that I couldn't take it seriously to root for them. I watched the English version so couldn't really appreciate the Japanese cast especially Chiba, Hanada and Shihomi. Watch out for the familiar John Williams tune any time the seeds are present.
I liked it but couldn't give justice to a higher rating. It is a fun movie in where a lot of references to Star Wars albeit fell short on proving it has more to give. It perfectly reminded me of those Sentai shows I grew up watching.
Daniel Bartolo ng Sapang Bato (1982)
not John Wick but it works
A man with a shady past, take matters into his own hands to settle a score when pushed to his limits.
Daniel Bartolo (FPJ) is living a quiet life with his wife in which according to him, he has neglected for a long time. This peaceful living though is disturbed by an old man from a nearby town seeking help from Bartolo. His granddaughter has been taken by the plantation owner's son and to his distress wields power in their small town. Bartolo respectfully declines and although torn chose to be with his wife. With a twist of fate, the same old man perishes and with a dying wish to have his granddaughter returned safely. Finally mustering to take the responsibility, Bartolo confronts the plantation owner and his henchmen. From this confrontation the story develops and delve into the further human emotion.
Not enough drama and not enough action, this film is a light revenge flick that really does not give justice to the rough and gritty performance from FPJ. It features a cast of characters stereotyped throughout cinema history and particularly Filipino cinema.
This is the first time that I have completely watched in an FPJ movie in full. For those who is not familiar with him, he happens to be "The King" of Philippine Cinema because of his countless movies playing different leads in mostly action movies. With his vast filmography available online one must try to catch any especially this one.
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Is this the best Eastwood Western?
Many say that The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was Eastwood's best Western film, well I since have not watch it yet, this movie would remain as the best.
Josey Wales is a vengeance movie in which the lead character wants to avenge his family's death however in return for his troubles acquire a unique bond with different people that he could consider his new family.
First is with an old Indian, Lone Waite (brilliantly played by George), which has a natural sense of humor around Wales, ( "I didn't surrender, but they took my horse and made him surrender. They have him pulling a wagon up in Kansas I bet. "). Second is Little Moonlight, the squaw that he saved from an attempted abuse, third is the dog, and lastly the Settlers from Kansas, Laure Lee and Grandma Sarah which he saved from some Comancheros; traders. With this ensemble, Wales start being comfortable and remembers his anguish towards the loss of his family.
Although supposed to be a dark and sad revenge flick, The Outlaw Josey Wales, has mix elements of action, drama and a little bit of funny dialogue. Eastwood removes the glimmer of Western and pasted his rough and desolate vision of the time period. It also showed the negative effects of war and how it affected the people that are just caught up in the battle.
If you want a straight out shooter this is not the movie for you although western action would still be incorporated but for me this movie is all about peace of mind of a man who once lost it all.
Bodigâdo Kiba (1973)
Should have been better
I watched the American version of this movie from the latest 6-Disc DVD release of a Sonny Chiba collection bought from the US. It was dubbed in English, and without any subtitles.
The movie starts out in New York nonetheless, the first scene was typical setting for a hit. The next scene would be totally unrelated to the whole movie, it was a discussion on how would Chiba and Bruce Lee compare as actioned out by two actors trying hard to imitate them.
The gritty rough face of Chiba here is I think a trademark from all his films, his dubbed voice however was not as tough as it Chiba would sound like. I think Americans wanted to release the movie with another movie to make it a Grindhouse feature presentation. As like Grindhouse movies, it has violence, nudity and terrible sequence of scenes that sometimes are overlong, or not important at all.
The Bodyguard had an interesting plot to work with, however it did not deliver, the scenes were below par, the lines were cheesy, and the action was disappointing for a Chiba film. This would not be the one I would recommend to a person just starting to watch Sonny Chiba's movies. I was good enough to rate with a 5/10 despite the movie's weak showing.
Geonchugmuhan yugmyeongagcheui bimil (1998)
Another Korean Movie
The Mystery of the Cube has an interesting plot but the execution in the movie didn't deliver.
Four people are drawn to a man's peculiar knowledge of a popular poet. Inside the poet's work lies a mystery and the group thoroughly excavates information about the past. When a member of their group dies afterward uploading a fictional tale of the poet on the internet, they now race to find out the truth before they will be hit next.
This movie is a typical and rather interesting mystery in sacks of historical facts and hearsay. The English subtitles confused me because it didn't clear some things when the plot was thickening.
Overall it was worth wasting your time for an hour and forty minutes.
Boriului yeoreum (2003)
Good Family Movie
I actually didn't caught the first 5 to 10 minutes of the movie because I was surfing for something good on TV. I forgot that it was movie time on the Arirang Channel.
The first scenes that I saw we're a bunch of kids having conversation about soccer so from them on it build up a back story until the end.
Father Shin is the chief priest in a small community with two nuns assisting him on the task of taking care of the parish and the kids which I presume are orphans. On the other side of the coin is the Monk who coaches a bunch of kids in playing soccer. (Spoiler) They tossed, twisted, and kicked after a friendly match and of course the superior team won. ( I wouldn't tell which one).
The bottom line is this movie promotes kind hearted friendship, teamwork, and soccer. With other issues mixed in the movie like the usual bullying and heckling of kids. Its a great feel good movie for the family.
Debiruman (2004)
Not that devilish
I'm being generous by giving this movie a 4 out of 10.
It may have a cool trailer but the movie was a total letdown. I was hoping to watch a good Japanese movie based on an Anime/Manga. The story to begin with was not very interesting. Our hero or for this movie a martyr is a high school teenager with a weird best friend. Clinging from just a short flashback their friendship was slightly established. From there on the bad storyline became worse. Is it a fight between good or evil creatures or evil humans flagging down helpless demons from the another world.
Its a roller coaster of a movie folks. Fight scenes were very limited and not that stunning CGI work was present in the first place. It had at least an hour of wasted scenes that didn't do anything to the movie or story anyhow. Devilman is not a film that can be enjoyed at all.
Its slow, boring at times and the only time I was half-awake was looking at the pretty Miki lead which suffered the funniest character (SPOILER) "death" I've seen in years.
If you time to waste surely you can watch it.
Casshern (2004)
Live Action Anime
Visually stunning and tremendously a feast for the eyes Casshern delivers on the effects side but backtracks on plot holes and bad editing (utterly overlong just like a lot of Asian movies).
Potentially good opening scenes for a science fiction slash anime film, the story really did not riled me up until the protagonist got his supersuit. Being a fan of Japanese movies and a lot of Anime I see this film as one that could gone to ala Matrix fame if they made it better.
Acting was fair, the story jumps scene to scene and to add exaggerations from the Anime genre was unbelievable dramatic cuts for each action scene. It was a whirlwind of a plot and in the end a realization of the protagonist (Tetsuya) what he really needs to do for the world.
If this was an Anime film I would loved it more but sad to say it didn't deliver.
MythBusters: Jaws Special (2005)
Shark Attack
So you think you've known all the facts straight on the movie Jaws? Think again. Adam and Jamie try to bust 5 Myths from the movie and you'll find it disappointing why you didn't know that before you watch the flick. Can a shark break a steel cage? Can a shark breakthrough a hole in a boat? Can it pull three barrels underwater for a long time? Can it pull the boat itself? and of course can a scuba tank blow up when shot at? From San Francisco to the Bahamas. From Bruce to a Shark Ram. Don't forget the MTV. And the show doesn't end without exploding something! All these myths would be tried and tested by our wackiest special effects duo with the help of their beloved friend Buster of course! Must see for all those Jaws' fans.
Sseommeotaim (2001)
Good Remake
This movie is apparently a tribute or a remake of the Filipino movie Scorpio Nights. The original directed by Peque Gallaga that have reached cult status.
Many of the film aspects were originally retained like the protagonists and supporting characters, scenes with some variation from the original and location/setting of the house is alike but only in a different country and also the character's story arc were different.
The main character was silent, reserved and a bit mysterious. Compared with the lead from Scorpio Night that was more stoic and not lively. The supporting characters or the neighbors here has only a minor role unlike the original which can be a representation of the society back then.
Overall it was a good remake and it has great perspective in varying certain scenes but the ending was so-so.
Alyas Batman en Robin (1991)
Best parody of Batman and Robin
Well for one thing, this movie is not weird. It has the Filipino blend of comedy. Meaning it would be wacky, tons of slapstick, hilarious dialogue and of course a song or dance scene. This spoof of the popular Batman and Robin characters never let me down for a knee slapper. The costumes are poor imitations from the old Batman television series.
Joey De Leon's antics as Batman and his real life son as Robin was nothing but classic Filipino comedy.
Joker was the best villain in the movie. The laugh of his was immortalized by the late Rene Requiestas. While Tiyo Paenguin was played by one of the Philippines' top comedians, Panchito. The tandem works well and the on screen performance is nothing but short of laughs.
However corny or cheesy the movie gets, Filipino's comedic innovation is at its worst and best.
Oro, Plata, Mata (1982)
a masterpiece
Oro, Plata, Mata is one of the best films directed by Peque Gallaga. It is considered as one of the films that most likely to be a masterpiece in the Philippines.
It tells the story of a family who is scared to be involved in the war and decided to go to the woods in which they have created huts and rooms for their family but as the longer they stay there the nearer they get to danger.
Acting and directing were superb and originally the movie's running time was 5 hours so they are a lot of scenes cut to shorten it. I would recommend this film to people starting to appreciate Asian or Filipino movies from the 80's because it is a landmark in film making history.