The Trial (2014)

Contrary to the circulating news that The Trial copies the storyline of a Korean tearjerker film, Miracle in Cell No.7, I dare them to watch this movie first before judging because neither storyline nor characters was copied by this movie. The Trial runs on its own class of among drama films and shows a different and interesting story that before you know, it is better than the Korean movie it was alleged copied to. What stands-out in The Trial is the storyline it presents to the watchers. It goes on a different twist of dramatic revelations with a court trial setting while at the same time it never fails to show the painful situation and emotion of the characters involve in the conflict of the story. And that pulls the grip on the drama theme of the movie. Some watchers may find it annoying the running course of the movie because it often jumps back and forth on flashbacks scenes against the current scenes. Each actors and actresses, major or supporting have their shinning own moment in the movie. Each of them was given enough sequences to fully explain and act their characters. John Lloyd Cruz, Gretchen Barretto Sylvia Sanchez and Vivian Velez were unforgettable in this movie. The Trial is an emotionally compelling family drama movie and it imparts a lesson about the important roles of family in our lives.  

Going Popcorn Review: 4/5 Popcorns

English Only, Please (2014)

A romance and drama movie that joined in 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival about a Filipino-American guy looking a perfect Filipino translator to deliver a speech to someone he’s being following that cause him a heart break. English Only, Please has a good premise and light comedy to tell but I find it a shallow story and conflict isn’t much of a concern. It tells about tragedy in love life of the two main characters played by Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay who in their own merits delivered the best performance to justify their roles. I think their notable performance was the main salvation of the film from being panned. The story is being swallowed by the lead actors performance which I think is good but bad for the overall review of the film because it means the story of the movie is forgettable. But despite of hard swallowing of its story, English Only Please deliver a good lesson on knowing the right term of Filipino language and knowing when you are becoming a fool because of love.  

 

Going Popcorn Review: 2.5/5 Popcorns

Big Hero 6 (2014)

I initially have hesitation in watching this animated film about robots because it is an animated superhero cartoon catered to kids. But taking the risk on watching it, I found Big Hero 6 as a feel-good movie with a beautiful story to tell about caring, brotherhood and camaraderie. Baymax was so adorable! He was a very useful robot if he is truly alive. Imagine a robot who can detect your feelings and helps you how to mend it, something that a real robot that we think is not capable of doing since it is a not a human person. I like the adventure-filled action sequences that were exciting and adrenaline inducing sequences. I like the story about brotherhood and giving importance on the value of friendship and camaraderie. So Big Hero 6 is not just for kids at heart but also for adults who can be kids at heart.

Going Popcorn Rating: 3.5/5 Popcorns

Starting Over Again (2014)

Starting Over Again is a heart warming comedy and romance movie about hoping for second chances in relationship and the challenges in moving on from its consequences. It’s also a movie for hopeless romantic person because they can relate a lot to it. Though I don’t like much Toni Gonzaga’s as an actress, her character seems to be perfect for her as a maturing character. Learning and finally accepting the love that has been is already a close chapter of her love life was a mature lesson that her character imparts in this movie. Piolo Pascual is outstanding as usual in his acting craft and Iza Calzado being a secondary cast is so good in her role that she’s so noticeable and unforgettable in this movie. Calzado’s character as Patty de Guia was the mature and the opposite of Toni’s shallow character as Ginny Gonzales. I think her role deserve a larger part in the story. Though, watchers may find it has a shallow love story to tell, Starting Over Again from the title itself teaches us to be mature in love – that is acceptance is one of the keys to move on in life.

Going Popcorn Review: 3.5/5 Popcorn

Antichrist (2009)

One may see it as an art film and the others sees it as one of the most disturbing films of all time. Judgement of what is the purpose of this movie will vary as it caters to specific group of movie watchers, but if you are curious to see this experimental thriller film by Lars Von Trier, I recommend proceeding with caution. Antichrist is a horror thriller film but the horror it has is not about demonic possession or devil entity that will ruin the lives of the protagonist because its title is likely to suggest and connotes a movie about it. But the film rely its horror theme in its tension-filled atmosphere, mysterious story, shocking revelations and dark background settings. You wouldn’t be scared here by a ghost or demon like in exorcist movies but you will be scared on how depression state can affect your psychological being and further lead you to become an “antichrist”. With emotions of grief, pain and despair as implied feelings in the movie, Antichrist is demonstrated in this movie as a feeling of severe depression, severe enough to make you feel the feeling of being an antichrist. If this will be a full psychological movie, then Antichrist is highly recommended to analyze. 

It has scenes that will disturb you, but the curiosity of finding out the revelation and mystery of the movie will keep you glued to watching it. Great performances by the lead actors and actress but I have issues with its ending which is quite hard to understand and the open-ended way may not satisfy the watchers. The film competed in 2009 Cannes Film Festival. 

Going Popcorn Review: 3/5 Popcorns