23.09.06. Location: Mall of Asia. Big deal, yeah. Twas my first time to land on the biggest of Mr. Sy's. Anwei, speaking of firsts, twas also my first time to watch three films in a row. Kain lang ng lunch ang pahinga. Though the third movie that I've seen had me gone to Rob Galleria coz you know, SM is adhering to its no-R18 film policy. Crap.
First stop.
The Breed
Director: Nick Mastandrea
Executive Producer: Wes Craven
Cast: Michelle Rodriguez, Taryn Manning, Oliver Hudson, Eric Lively, Hill Harper
This depicts how man's bestfriend could be considered his worst nightmare. This is a story of five young friends who vacationed on a peaceful deserted island only to discover that they were surrounded by genetically altered, intelligent, and dying-for-meat dogs.
Okay. Am not really into dogs so I don't care if I found out that our dog named Gino would turn to be like that. Scary, huh? Kidding. Anyway, twas unlike any other horror-thriller film where you could easily decipher the next scene ergo, you could ready yourself that this scene is going to be scary. It's different, am tellin you. You could imagine how dogs could be as voracious that even their breed, they eat. Dead meat you'll really become. The fact that I am a horror-movie enthusiast was the reason why I wanted to see the film. And my Php120 bucks was all worth it. After all, it's all worth the shocks afetr Sukob.
Enter to Mall of Asia's Centerstage right after.
Next stop:
Step Up
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dawan
Director: Anne Fletcher
This is a story of romance, friendship, and second chances. Tyler (Channing Tatum) was the usual delinquent teener while Nora (Jenna Dawan) was the one with bigger dreams. Common plot, really. Story evolved how Tyler dealt with life's ups and downs as he and his two other Black friends learnt to deal with it. Tyler was subject to a community service program because he's caught of destroying Maryland School of Arts facilities, where, of course, he met Nora. She hopes of getting into one of the Ivy League's school through her passion in dancing. She's preparing for the competition when her partner had an injury. And as predicted, here comes her savior Tyler to the rescue. There they learnt to live by each other's differences. The guy's a hiphop, the girl's a ballet dancer/instructor. To cut it short, she was noticed and he got her. End.
Twas a feel-good movie, though it lacked one factor that I looked for in the first place: more and more dance moves. Twas quite frustrating that they missed that on this film. Compare Save the Last Dance (Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas) and you'll get my point.
Enough to comfort me from shock gotten from the first flick.
***
And we felt hungry. By the way, I was with my workmates Kat, Punch, Harold, Sean, Ernest, and Nandz. (Kat, kaw lang pala ang thorn among the roses =p ) Anyway, we ate at Chef D Angelo and their chicken was terrible. Lam mo yung ilang beses nang ininit tapos ise-serve sa'yo. Argh. Pero dahil naglilihi ako sa chicken, napagtiisan ko na rin. Pero sabi ko na 'di na 'ko babalikan 'yung Chef D Angelo na yun.
Anyway, after eating, Kat, Ernest, and Menandro decided to go home. But I was still energetic that I wanted to watch another. Pero syempre yung gusto kong panoorin e hindi palabas sa SM kasi nga (grrr) stick to no to R18 films nga sila. Eh sa gusto ko so hanap kami ng ibang sinehan. Rob Galleria came to mind bukod sa mas malapit na 'to pauwi. Hehehehe.
Third stop:
Twilight Dancers
Director: Mel Chionglo
Scriptwriter: Ricky Lee
Cast: Tyron Perez, Allen Dizon, Cherry Pie Picache, Ana Capri
Another typical story of macho dancers surrounded by greed, exploit, abuse, power, slavery, and betrayal. Dwight (Tyron Perez) is working in between romance and commerce. He could have been an addict or a stray if not for his rescuer, Alfred (Allen Dizon), the club's former main star, who asked him to enter into the business of flesh-selling. Then Dwight met boytoy-hugnry Madame Loca (Cherry Pie Picache) where he's subject to slavery for the rest of his life, unless he dies, or killed.
Though there was an attempt to incorporate social relevance by picturing street children sniffing rugby, I still find it lame. Sorry. Of course the whole movie is "socially relevant" so to speak, but hey, it's not new. The only new were the leads but it's just the same, old melody. I felt that it lacks substance considering that it's Ricky Lee. Well, I may not be in the position to say so. But the film is really impotent. I don't know if it's a good thing that it's an entry to the Toronto Film Fest. But honestly, after watching the film, I blurted' Ano raw yung story?" Poor Tyron, reel and real deal.
Any comments, suggestions, violent reactions, just type PAUL (space) ON and send to 2366. Malay n'yo may sumagot. =)
***
Credits given to whom they're due; taken from various sites. Thanks!