English Only, Please! Surely!

I don't usually watch MMFF movies, in fact, I can't remember the last time I watched one. Ten years ago, I would resent the festival as it would not let me watch my Lord of the Ring series until January. However, the recent years has shown an influx of quality movies. Though I was only able to watch one this year, it was definitely worth the P500 that I had to shell out.

Century City Mall Premiere

Since my husband refused to accompany me, I made plans with a friend to watch it at a mall that I haven't been before--Century City Mall. 
It's an upscale mall found in the middle of Makati's red light district--Kalayaan corner Makati Avenue. First time I saw a Pandora store and it also has Uniqlo and Cotton On--even TWG!

After having lunch at a Japanese restaurant, we found out that the movie is showing at the mall's premier cinema which costs P500 per ticket. It comes with unli popcorn and a 16oz drink. We were very pleased also with the seats as they were very comfy recliners. There as I was posing in the empty theater (we got the first showing and we were the first people inside the theater).

 

I first knew about the film after seeing the trailer above in my FB feed. I was charmed by the actors and the dialogue so I knew I had to watch it.

Even if the story might be familiar to some, I like the way it was presented. Julian (Derek Ramsey) searched online for a tutor to help him translate a hate letter into Tagalog and after an extensive search found Tere (Jennelyn Mercado). Apparently, Julian's Filipino girlfriend left him and he wants to get back at her by following her to the Philippines and telling her how he felt in Filipino. Tere is also a stupid person when it comes to love as she lets herself be used by an ex-BF who continues to cheat on her.


Jennelyn Mercado's acting was very real (she somehow reminds me of Sarah Geronimo when she first acted with John Lloyd Cruz). Mercado's take on Tere Madlangscay was very likeable and you will identify with her and her stupidity when it comes to love. 

Derek Ramsey is his usual charming self. His character's attempt to speak Tagalog was very delightful. I'm glad he didn't have to do some pa-cute stuff and he acted his age. Though you would have to suspend your disbelief on how one can spend $1000 to ask someone to teach him tagalog. Julian must indeed be heartbroken over his ex-gf.

My only complaint was that most of the laughter-inducing dialogues were featured in the trailer. It's a movie that won't make you fall off your seats laughing (like what Kimmy Dora did to me), but you'll definitely feel good afterwards and won't make you feel that you were robbed.

Oh and they featured the song below in the movie. One of the best songs in my 90's childhood. It's my LSS up to now.

Ice Ice, Baby!

I've heard a lot about this animation by Disney that I bugged my husband for us to watch it. When we were able to do so, the first few minutes into the movie made me clap with glee. The little girl in me really let it go.

I grew up watching Disney cartoons. I could still remember the years when they came out with Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin one after the other and they featured the best songs from the Disney catalog ever. This movie, for the first time in forever, made me sing Disney songs once again. In fact, I've already downloaded from Itunes the whole album and have played the songs repeatedly that it has bordered to annoying (for my cubicle-mates that is).

The clip above is from the Let It Go sequence which left me amazed and impressed. Too bad we weren't watching in Imax because this would've been awesome in a very large screen.



This other clip which features another great song from the movie, For the First Time in Forever made me want to cry afterwards. The soaring ending and the pure voice of Kristen Bell really killed it.

Though I have a minor issue about the story (Anna basically grew up alone so why is she suddenly looking for "The One". I would want to think that she might be a bit dysfunctional in the romance department considering her limited interaction with the opposite sex), it did not deter me from enjoying this movie. I'm suddenly a little girl again and I so welcome the feeling.

It's interesting to note that the composer behind these wonderful songs is the same one that did Book of Mormon and Avenue Q (which both won Best Musical at the Tony's--2011 and 2004 respectively), Robert Lopez. And the guy who voiced Olaf the Snowman is none other but Josh Gad -- who played Andrew Cunningham in The Book of Mormon.

For those who wants to feel young and good again, go watch "Frozen". Not like the title, you'll feel warm all over afterwards.

Harry Potter

Okay, I'm such a fangirl. I can't wait for the movie to come out next week and for the book to come out of the 21st. I already persuaded Leo to reserve tickets at the Imax theater although we only got tickets for the 21st/22nd. Tickets for this coming weekend is already sold out. The version showing in MOA IMax has the last 20 minutes in 3d. Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!

I wish Transformers has an Imax version. I was literally blown out of my seat when we watched it at Greenbelt 3. Like a typical Michael Bay film, there were a lot of explosions. As GB3's THX is really good, you could literally feel your chair shaking everytime something explodes onscreen.

Anyway, back to Harry Potter. I also just finished watching Harry Potter 4 on DVD and I can't wait how HP5 the movie will turn out. Looking forward to a lot of things--the confrontation of Voldemort and Harry Potter in the end for one.

As for the book, I don't think I'll be able to sleep once I get the copy. I'll no doubt stay awake all night going through it. I really wonder who's going to die.

PS. Leo's defense will be on Wed, July 11. As a requirement for his MBA degree, he needs to defend his STRAMA paper. Buti pa siya, tapos na. I hope to go back to school by January next year.