Dementia (2014)

Dementia is a horror movie and a psychological movie at the same time but is also a travel movie. Mara Fabre played by superstar Nora Aunor (first time I saw her played in a horror movie) was diagnosed with dementia and to help her recover, her closest kin Elaine (Bing Loyzaga) along with her husband Rommel (Yul Servo) and daughter Rachel (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) relocated to their ancestral house in a remote place of Batanes where an evil apparition starts and secret mystery is unlock that eventually plays and confuses Mara’s recollection between memories, illusions and realities. I didn’t know that Nora Aunor can also be good in a horror movie as we all know she is a great drama actress. But in Dementia, Aunor’s acting is reveting, powerful and superb! Even with few words to utter because of the nature of her character, Aunor delivered a stellar performance a dementia patient. And those dramatic beholding eyes of her were used effectively to convey drama and emotion particularly in face close-up scene that proves that Aunor is really one great actress. Among the supporting cast, Chynna Ortaleza and Bing Loyzaga were memorable. While Jasmine Curtis-Smith needs a few more polishes but she decently delivered her act well. 

Dementia rely its horror effects on reality effects rather using computer-generated effects to convey an effective horror film is which is good since it gave the movie a reality grip. But the most effective element used to give it a real horror theme was the place locations of Batanes. The vast spaces and lonely sceneries of Batanes gives a feel of isolation and fear of what one might see from beyond the vast spaces of a place. Even the house used to be the set of the ancestral house was creepy and dark enough to give scares and tension. Batanes was used immensely as a backdrop to create horror, fear and mystery to Dementia. But I cannot also help but admire the beauty of Batanes which makes Dementia a subtly travel movie. But for some, Dementia might not be enough to be a scream-fest flick or horror movie to fear which I think the reason might be mysterious story of the film which overshadows the horror theme. Yet Dementia for me is successful for being a psychological movie because it makes me think and analyze the mystery that it presented throughout the film even after the credits rolled out.

Going Popcorn Review: 4/5 Popcorns

That Thing Called Tadhana (2015)

This is one of the best independent Filipino movies that I’ve watch! Why? It’s a simple romance movie but with a brilliant concept, script, acting and story that you don’t need to be in Rome or Netherlands to prove that this movie big enough for mainstream. Don’t expect too much in it in terms of casts and background. Remember, this is an indie film - minimal casts and production but rich in story and concept. The story is unique and differs from the usual mainstream romance movie that we have watched before. It’s like reading a life lesson book about pains of broken heart, moving on and letting go. Many of the scenes were symbolic in connection about the story of the arrow and the heart being told in the movie which a lot of us will surely pick a lot of lessons in love life.

Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman were brilliant as the main casts of the movie. The throw of lines is very reality based (including no holds barred bad words!) and the acting is superbly realistic as if it happens in real life! They don’t only have a good on-screen chemistry but they have good jive of romance act as well as comic act which was convincing and made me laugh. Seeing them again in a movie together will be much waited especially if it has this kind of great story movie project.

That Thing Called Tadhana has a wonderful story that’s why it was a hit to the public even though it was an indie film. I hope more valuable film like this will be produce in the future. But surely this film will be forever memorable because it has taught us lessons that love shouldn’t be hope for a gust of a wind like destiny, if you love someone, do an action, and go for it. 

 Going Popcorn Review: 5/5 Popcorns

Mga Mumunting Lihim (2012)

This is one of the movies that I highly recommend because anyone who’s in a circle of friends can relate much to it. But I think anyone can relate to it, not just girls but also gents. This indie film of Jose Javier Reyes was very real-life based story about trust, white lies, pains of envy, hidden truths and broken promises in friendship. The story of the film itself is the star and glory of the movie that makes it one of the best movies I’ve watched in Philippine cinema! This is probably because the story happens in real life and I can relate so much to it. I bet everyone who has friends can relate to it! Another thing that made it a great film was the natural delivery of the lines backed by the most talented actresses of the cast. The lines and scripts weren’t too trying hard to convince you and makes you think that it was delivered the way it is in real life as the topic is very much happening in real world. Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen and Agot Isidro were all brilliant and were all given enough exposure to shine their moments in the film. No wonder they all share winning the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress trophy in the 2012 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Calzado’s last scene was the most memorable scene of the movie, if not her last line was. Others might find it boring and confusing because it involves a lot of dialogues rather than action and series of flashbacks but you’ll get through it once you get the gist of the story especially the climax of the movie. 

 

The film also lightens us on how a dying person deals with her knowledge of it – a view to her perspective, pain, fear and reflection. Mga Mumunting Lihim makes you examine your real experiences in friendship especially in white lies, secrets and jealousy but also makes you feel good that there’s a reason behind it – good or bad. And despite of pains and unspoken secrets in friendship, the film emphasizes that all the things that will remain unchanged is the great camaraderie and love that was already established and strengthen by true friendship.

Going Popcorn Review: 5/5 Popcorns