The cost of a job – a review of OTJ
OTJ is a Reality Entertainment and Star Cinema production but it is far from feel-good. It takes one away on thrilling chase-and-shoot scenes across gritty Metro Manila, but its connect to the country’s social political reality is a punch in the gut. OTJ is the film for those wondering why the Philippines is what it is; why, for a democracy, we’re only furthered treaded on by the mishaps of actors turned politicians, how one woman can singlehandedly get away with pocketing billions of pesos of public funds in 10 years.
The reviews have remarked on its remarkable allusion to current events, so I won’t dwell too much on that, so I’ll just leave you with this damning quote from their politiko-villain, General Pacheco (played by Leo Martinez),
“Do you think the president, the lawmakers are running this country? Kung wala kaming mga pulis at militar, matagal nang walang demokrasya. Now we are running this country. Join us. And then maybe one day you will have your revenge…”
(Do you think the president, the lawmakers are running this country? If there were no police and military, there would be no democracy. Now we are running this country. Join us. And then maybe one day you will have your revenge.)
How much longer do we settle with the lesser evil in the hopes that our country will get better?
Disclaimer: while I am personally associated with one of the crew members of the movie, the opinions in this blog entry are entirely my own and do not reflect or represent Reality, Star, or any other authorized body. This is just me doing my part in promoting great Filipino cinema.
Catch OTJ at local cinemas near you. Click here for schedules. For those based in North America, OTJ is distributed by WellGo USA and is set to tour there in late September and October. Watch out for schedules in your local district.
Now Showing on EDSA
Sometimes, the EDSA bus works. Most of the time, I prefer taking the bus over dealing with the spawns of Satan that are 90% of Metro Manila Taxi drivers. The bus will stop where it says it will (coding permitting). It does not haggle. It drives through the traffic. And when I need it, it will get me from Boni to Fairview for under 50 bucks, with GMA7 or a movie playing.
When it’s not GMA7 programming, the usual movies shown on the bus range from Death Race 2 or whatever movie that has Jason Statham, Vin Diesel, or The Rock. Local movies range from old FPJ films or some Star Cinema romance.
Sometimes, you might even catch gay softcore films, which I did, on one Philcoa bus. It was surreal, watching Detective Donald Strackey reminisce one hot night in the barracks onscreen while everyone else in the bus went about their business. Then again, maybe the world would be a better place if it really was like that — taking it as it is.
I also caught Endhiran, boasted to be the most expensive Bollywood film ever made. Even without subtitles it was clearly a mish-mash of The Matrix Reloaded, Robocop, and Bicentennial Man, with Bollywood numbers of course.
Caught any interesting movies during your commute?
Les Miserables the Movie
I was supposed to write a sympathetic review of Les Miserables the movie, until I realized that they lowered most of the musical numbers by one key.
Save your money, watch the anniversary concert tributes instead. No use watching a musical adaptation that has to adjust 80% of its score to suit that one Hollywood actor who can’t hit his notes.
Hear it for yourself.
Movie version of ‘One Day More’
10th Anniversary concert performance of ‘One Day More’
And here’s ‘Stars’ as performed by those who did it better than Russel Crowe.
Stars as sung by Philip Quast
Stars as sung by The Decepticons’ Soundwave
Don’t hack it till you’ve seen it: MMFF 2012
Movies watched: Shake, Rattle, and Roll: The Invasion, Thy Womb, and Sisterakas.
There are many things wrong with the Philippine movie industry, but it’s not fair to dismiss ANY and ALL Pinoy films as exceptionally awful. I am personally not a big fan of the concept of the Metro Manila Filmfest but I appreciate the attempt. Let’s just hope that the reforms currently explored by small and big film companies alike make way so we won’t need an MMFF to get Pinoys to watch their own.
The lesson learned with MMFF 2012: sometimes, there’s a good reason why ticket sales soar with some titles, but don’t with others. Big studios may smudge the numbers for the press, but audience lines don’t lie. It’s not always artistically founded but it represents a need that moviemakers may want to consider when taking on their next project.
Reviews after the cut.
Continue reading “Don’t hack it till you’ve seen it: MMFF 2012”
Don't hack it till you've seen it: MMFF 2012
Movies watched: Shake, Rattle, and Roll: The Invasion, Thy Womb, and Sisterakas.
There are many things wrong with the Philippine movie industry, but it’s not fair to dismiss ANY and ALL Pinoy films as exceptionally awful. I am personally not a big fan of the concept of the Metro Manila Filmfest but I appreciate the attempt. Let’s just hope that the reforms currently explored by small and big film companies alike make way so we won’t need an MMFF to get Pinoys to watch their own.
The lesson learned with MMFF 2012: sometimes, there’s a good reason why ticket sales soar with some titles, but don’t with others. Big studios may smudge the numbers for the press, but audience lines don’t lie. It’s not always artistically founded but it represents a need that moviemakers may want to consider when taking on their next project.
Reviews after the cut.
Continue reading “Don't hack it till you've seen it: MMFF 2012”