




Director: Terrence Malick
Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain.
The Tree Of Life which won this years’ Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival aptly closes the 16th French Film Festival in Manila yesterday, and from the looks of it the film may garner varied reactions from its Manila audience come opening day.
The film is about the meaning of life from the main perspective of one family with Brad Pitt playing the dominating but loving father, his passive wife played by Jessica Chastain and their three little boys.
Technically, the film boasts of an enormous greatness from its cinematography, musical score and its wonderful shots but I was almost at a loss of words seeing all the imagery used by Malick to convey the beginning of everything. It was eye-catching but then I find all the symbolisms way too many that it almost drowned the film.
Its direct dialogues to the audience were almost religious and felt quite empty at times since most of the images were distracting, though, in a pleasant way.
Sean Penn, whom I truly admire, got lost in this film. Why is he there in the first place? I thought that Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain worked it big time together with their effective and relatable portrayals along with the boys. I love how realistic their scenes were.
I’m afraid though, that the film’s too abstract narrative was too high of an art that it may jeopardize its connection to the audience. I asked myself, did I enjoy watching it? The answer was not a certain yes or no but I have polarizing feelings towards it. I love that all the “family” scenes were all inspired and very heartwarming but the surrealist approach that the director is inserting every now and then was a bit too much for my taste. I feel that this film would be considered by some as a snooze fest flick like the Hurt Locker but it will actually force you to watch its entirety with the film’s almost magical presentation.
Rating: 6/10
*On a more personal note, I was able to relate with the kids here. It kinda reminds me of my Dad and how I hated him when I was very young when he cheated on my Mom. Although, there's a totally different circumstances --I totally felt that nostalgic painful feeling of my own experiences especially during the dinner scene when Brad Pitt suddenly got mad with his middle child. Don't get me wrong though, all is forgiven. My Mom passed away last year and my dad was left all alone now (not literally though) -ofcourse he's with us. It's just that, that almost vague feeling of loneliness will overtake your soul with all the images and the grandiose of the musical score of the film.
This review was posted at the Pinoy Exchange Official Movie Reviews where I regularly contribute. Please visit the site to read more film reviews!
-paddylast
Cinema: Gateway Cineplex 3 – P190
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Julie Walters

I was never truly a big fan of this franchise but I am always fascinated to watch each movie. I have never even read the books so I rely solely on IMDB, Wikipedia and the movies itself of course.
I have seen the part one of the Deathly Hollows last year but I fell asleep halfway thru the movie. For some reason, I just slept and woke up during the credits. A big epic fail for me, I know.
This time though, Harry Potter’s final film left a big impression on me that I am now considering on finally reading the books! This finale was perfectly created to leave something for its fans that would truly stay with them forever.

Harry, Ron and Hermionie were all so grown up here that you feel so attached to them watching them grow over the years that you feel like crying when the end credits started rolling.
The visuals are exemplary, the score – we all know how uniquely good it was and of course, the actors are simply superb.
This film though gave a very special homage to Severus Snape who had been one of the villains of this movie series from the start but his character was the perfect example of true redemption! His scenes really made me cry.

Director: James Wan
Starring: Rose Byrne, Patrick Wilson, Barbara Hershey
Insidious is about a boy who succumbs into an unexplainable comatose which leads to supernatural events involving the devil himself.
You can easily tell the similarity of its style to Paranormal Activity, though less canted in shots. That being said, it was mostly the shots that made the film scary. It was a bit slow-paced but I love how subtle each scene was presented in the first half of the film.
Rose Byrne was amazing as usual but the rest of the cast were such a waste. The evil “lurkers” acted much better than the rest of them. Patrick Wilson always reminds me of a one dimensional theater actor.
It actually felt like I was watching two different films forcibly joined together with all the dream sequences of Rose Byrne and Barbara Hershey and the idea of having spirit questors to fight off the evil spirits.
The latter part of the film started to become unbearable but I opted to finish it hoping that the film could redeem itself and fortunately, it did. The last few scenes were scary and give you that creepy feeling as if someone’s about to get you while you sleep.
If you are into the supernatural horror genre, you should go and watch it but do not expect it to be that good for it may disappoint you big time.
My rating is 6/10
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Robinson Galleria, Cinema 7 P171
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring : Reese Whiterspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz
I actually have not read the book version of this film so prior to watching this film; I do not have the slightest idea about it. I just thought that its trailer look promising and I love the leading actors in it.
Water for Elephants is about the young Cornell Veterinary undergrad Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) who found himself in the midst of the Circus world as the inhouse veterinarian and fell in love with Marlena (Reese Whiterspoon) , the wife of the circus’s owner August (Christoph Waltz) who gave him special treatment but is greed for money and is cruel to his crew.
Jacob and Marlena had the same passion for animals and their love ensues until August suspect them having an affair. The two escape by jumping off the circus's train but August easily discovered them. Marlena appeared in her last show as August’s wife and Benzini’s Circus star attraction when that fateful fight ensues that would change hers and Jacob’s life forever.

I thought Christoph Waltz was amazing as the villain August and was very much effective as the cruel Circus head master. His acting here reminds me of his award- winning Col. Hans Landa portrayal in Inglorious Basterds. He’s got that subtle darkness in him that lures you to hate him terribly. Pattinson was rather disconnected into this film. I didn’t feel enough emotion from him, there was too -much “Edward Cullen-ish” in his acting which isn’t good at all. Reese on the other hand kinda disappoint as the circus’ star attraction. For a short period of time, how could someone be so inlove with a perfect stranger???? Moreover, there was no chemistry between Reese and Robert at all. I also thought that the dialogues were a bit off.
However, the cinematography and the musical score are to die for. The scenery are exquisitely shot and the music was perfectly rendered. It thought the whole film was trying to be melancholic but failed into that category and leaves the audience into deep thinking – what the heck was that???!!!!
I’ll give it a 5/10 ratings.
- paddylast

Cinema: Gateway Cineplex 3 / P181 May 1, 2011
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman,Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings
I am not a big fan of any Marvel characters or any Nordic myths, which means I don’t have the brightest idea about Thor. I just know that he is the God of Thunder from word of mouth. Upon seeing the film’s trailer, I’d say that I was quite impressed by it and was excited to catch the film in the cinema.
Last Sunday, I was finally able to catch it and true enough, it didn’t disappoint me one bit. The film was basically about Thor who is vanished by his Father from his kingdom to teach him a lesson –from then one, events took place to regain what he had lost.
The film was actually a typical superhero film for me. There’s the hero, his love interest, the goody-goody thing that he does and of course, the bad guys. Chris Hemsworth in my opinion was perfect for the role. He was very charming and looks great. Whilst Natalie Portman maybe a great addition to the cast as the Scientist Jane Foster, I find her character excessively flirty and not being there at all. Darcy, her assistant had stolen the scenes from her by delivering the humor of the film along with the lead character, Thor.
The best part about the film is its visuals. I daresay that it’s the best film I’ve seen this year so far - for this technical aspect alone. It has the perfect formula of a good film. Okay lines, kinda great characters and stunning visual effects. One will be able to understand and enjoy it thoroughly.
I’ll give it a 9.5/10 ratings.

Director – Daniel Barnz
Starring – Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Mary Kate Olsen, Neil Patrick Harris
Sucker Punch and I Am Number Four, both films unanimously lured me to watch this film starred by Vanessa Hudgens and newcomer Alex Pettyfer. It is the modern re-telling of the classic Beauty and the Beast, which tells the story of Kyle Kingston (Alex Pettyfer), an arrogant young man who thinks that he, could get anything because he was blessed with good looks. After humiliating his classmate Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) who is actually a witch, she casted a spell to disfigure him. The only cure is for him to find love in about a year or he would stay that way forever.
The film was actually the biggest disappointment for me this year so far in terms of the storyline. It didn’t quite work for me because it was very much predictable and was badly written. Every scene felt forced and there was no chemistry at all between Hudgens and Pettyfer. I thought Vanessa’s performance here was a far cry from her performance in Bandslam that I considered her best performance to date. I almost wished that she played Kendra and Mary Kate played her character. Neil Patrick Harris who played Kyle’s blind tutor seemed off to even be part of the film. Another actor could have played it better in my opinion.
The score was actually impressive but other than that, it lacks everything that you’ll be looking for a worthwhile film to spend your money into. It was a film that you may enjoy if you’re a big fan of its actors but as for the rest, it’ll just be a good two (almost) hours that you shouldn’t be wasting.

On DVD
Director: Matt Reeves
Based On: Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Starring: Chloe Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee
This film is about a bullied boy who befriends a new girl in his neighborhood. She encourages him to fight back to his bullies and he discovered that she’s no ordinary girl – she’s a young vampire lusting for blood and is looking for a new companion.
This film was actually one of my must-watch films on my list. I love Chloe Moretz playing the young vampire, Abby. I thought she’s fantastic as the young and lonely vampire. You can feel her sadness and that vicious persona in her eyes.
The boy, Kodi Smit-McPhee was as good delivering a superb performance, which is rather a reminiscent of his performance in The Road.
I love that the film is not predictable and went more violent in comparison to the original Swedish version. There is such a subtlety in the film that lures you into watching its entirety. It’s a great remake that can stand on its own without the merit of the first one. My rating for this film is 9/10 for giving me the creep that I’m expecting from it.
-paddylast

On DVD
Director: Angel Gracia
Starring: Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Wilmer Valderrama, Nicholas D’Agosto, Kuno Becker
This riches to rags film is a re-imagining of Jane Austen’s Sense And Sensibility. Siblings Norah and Mary were orphaned by their father and are left with almost nothing but their belongings. Their estranged stepbrother bought their house and they and had no other choice but to live with their Aunt in a Mexican Town at East Los Angeles.
There, they needed to adjust with their new lifestyle. Learn their culture and discover a whole lot more about love and family.
I actually enjoyed watching this film. Camilla Belle who played Norah was definitely the star of the film. Both leads are not Oscar Material and dialogues are a bit awkward and lame but they pretty much complimented each other.
It was a feel good and a very ordinary film that will leave you smiling right after watching it.
I would give it a 7/10 Ratings.
-paddylast
What do you think?
I'm so proud that Pop Queen Britney Spears has proven once again that she's one of the most powerful and legendary acts in the music industry in all of history by securing her sixth number one album through the critically acclaimed FEMME FATALE. This made Spears the only female artist in history to have six albums debuts at number one! Now that's what you call a LEGEND.
Out of all her albums, this one would challenge the BLACKOUT album as one of her best to date -- record-wise.
My favorite tracks off the album are:
How I Roll - This is my number 1 favorite. It kinda reminds me of Brave New Girl but way better! I love how you can dance with it and do the dougie! LOL
Till The World Ends - The video was just released today and I uber loved it. It's basically I'm A Slave 4 U 2.0 but the beat of this song is just crazy!!! Thank you Ke$ha for writing this for the Queen.
Big Fat Bass - This party perfection beat penned and produced by Will.I.Am has got to come out as a single. It's techno-electropop vibe is too addictive, you should all listen to it!

Hold It Against Me - I love that she chose this as her first single. When I first listened to it, I'm like --oh my, watch out wannabes' Britney is coming after you.

Criminal - This song kinda brings me back to the past. I love its lyrics and how sexy the sound is. "Mama I'm inlove with a criminal" -- how can you go wrong with this line??
Overall, I just have to paraphrase what Britney said about this album --it's definitely her best album to date!!!!
I posted like a week ago about the Grand Album Launch that we'll ba having here in Manila for the FEMME FATALE Album. I just haven't collected all the pictures but I will be posting it late this month. Better late than never right?
Anyhoo, let me promote the Pinoys Heart Britney Page guys. If you're a Pinoy Britney Fan or a simply a Britney Fan, like our page on Facebook. Pinoys Heart Britney and follow us on Twitter here PHB
I'm hoping against hope that Britney will include Manila on her tour!!! Pleaseeee!!!!
-paddylast
