West Side Story

The musical West side story is very popular that until now, it is being staged in different countries in the world. Inspired by William shakespeare's novel, this modern Romeo and Juliet broadway musical turned film will leave you with a last song syndrome.

West side story has a relatable plot no matter from what generation you are. Although the case is not common in the Philippines, the theme about love is very inviting especially to the young.

I believe that the main challenge for West side story is the casting. Aside from the fact that producers have to find people who can really sing, they need people who could also act and look fit to their roles. I think that they're very successful with the casting because everyone was effective in portraying the different characters in the film. All the dances and numbers are good and the lip syncing is pulled off by the actors pretty well. The melodies are beautiful and romantic beyond compare. The principal dance numbers are all terrific.

One thing about this movie is that you won't be bored. This movie is also unique that it succeeds not through the leads but through the incredible supporting cast whose powerful screen presence makes this movie work well.

Truly, West Side Story is one of the greatest movie musicals in the history of Hollywood.

Minsang Lang Sila Bata

There are a lot of documentary films today centered on the issue of poverty involving children in the country, but Minsan Lang sila Bata was one of the first documentaries that showed this harsh reality. Perhaps, this is the reason why some people who have seen the documentary regard it as the best docu they've seen so far.

The theme of Minsan Lang sila Bata which is Child labor is not new to us. Child laborers are present everywhere and each one has a story to tell. The directors of Minsan Lang sila Bata compiled these stories and presented them as raw and as natural as possible.

What's great about this film is that children were not only from one place. For one, two kids from Cebu were shot scraping off fat from animals while kids from Ormoc plant and weed in sugar haciendas. This gives us a bigger picture of reality from all over the country.

Being forced to work in slaughterhouses, sugarcane fields and ports, children had to sacrifice school just to be able to put food in their table. They had to endure not only this but also heavy sacks of cement and scorching heat of the sun. If you're asking where the parents of these kids are, and if they are doing their part as providers of family, the documentary also showed this angle of the story.

After researching about the film, I found out that it was produced by a small crew. It was operated by a two-woman team who did the research, camera, sound, script and all the other work.

It was a great decision to make the shots black and white as it adds a dramatic effect on the docu.

Pride and Prejudice

Having been based on a very popular novel, people expected a lot from the adaptation of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Amazingly, it didn't disappoint.

Pride and Prejudice which tells a story of five unmarried daughters of the Bennet's, was a novel and film about manners. It centers however on Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter who's studious and Mr. Darcy, a proud rich man.

It is true to the spirit of the novel as the characters and the scenes were chosen well and acted upon in detail. Although there may be slight differences in the book and the movie, it still has preserved the idea and the major parts of the story. It is impossible not to fall in love with the main characters.

The photography, the art direction and the spectacular supporting cast was able to make the film whole and memorable. The chemistry between the two leads makes viewers giddy especially as the romance heats up.

Some of those who have read the book and watched the movie is disappointed by how this was made, but others was impressed by the portrayal of the casts and the interpretation of the story.

This is a truly timeless story and this film will hopefully be remembered, celebrated and praised for breathing life into it with such passion.

Little Miss Sunshine

One day, seven-year-old Olive receives the good news that she qualified for 'Little Miss Sunshine' beauty contest in California. Because her parents Sheryl and Richard are on a tight budget, the only way for Olive to get there is to have everybody in the family join the trip together in their old yellow Volkswagen Microbus.

The 2006 comedy-drama road film Little Miss Sunshine was able to win critical acclaim and awards for nothing.

Being a movie about family, Little Miss Sunshine appealed to the young and old movie goers. Although the film was only produced with a limited budget,  the well-written story about a dysfunctional family's struggle did the trick, making this not your ordinary road movie.

The portrayal of Abigail Breslin as Olive and Steve Carell as Frank, the gay brother of Sheryl, was very impressive as they both added a different kind of humor in the story. The other characters also gave charm and warmth in the funny journey of Little Miss Sunshine.

Overall, this is a typical example of a movie that touches a part of us as sons, daughters, brothers and parents in our families. It's moving us and inspiring us while also making us smile in every turn.

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros revolves around effeminate 12-year-old Maxi who struggles to keep his family’s secret hidden from police officer Victor whom he is attracted to.

When the coming of age film was released in 2005, it became a major hit getting praises even from those who are not big fans of independent films. Perhaps, its popularity can be credited to not only the characters but to the overall presentation of the film. 

Even if the whole set up was great, if the characters are not fit to their roles, the film wouldn’t be as successful as it would be. With the portrayal of Nathan Lopez as Maxi, he was able to effectively show a girl in a boy’s body. Almost all things that you can imagine in a young gay were shown in Maxi’s character including the facial expressions and gestures. On the other hand, Maxi’s father and brothers were equally convincing. 

Knowing that the film was produced with minimal cost, it was reasonable that everything was done as simple as it can get. So, scenes were obviously shot on the actual time as there are no expensive lights to serve as artificial lights in the evening. Nevertheless, the simplicity of everything adds drama to the film. 

Although Ang Pagdadalaga is similar in a lot of ways to other indie films, its theme about family is something many of us can relate to and be interested in. It also touches poverty, justice, love and sexuality which, if combined properly, can lure people into watching the film.

Overall, the blossoming of Maximo Oliveros is an impressive film that could capture the interest of whoever likes a perfect mix of everything observable today.