The FPJ Experience: Ang Dalubhasa (2000)

Saturday (several years ago)... 

Naglalakbay kami papuntang Tayabas, Quezon.. katabi ko ang auntie ko.... ang haaaaaaaaabaaa haba ng lakbay, muntik ng maubos ang battery ng mp3 ko, at nawala na rin ang antok ko,  hindi parin kami nakakarating sa paroroonan namin... 

pasulyap sulyap ako sa pelikula na pinapalabas sa bus... ayan may bagong dvd na inilagay si Manong Konduktor.. 

Oh gosh.... Pelikula ni Fernando Poe Jr...... Ang Dalubhasa (i-click ang link para sa buong pelikula)
sigh.... at ako'y tuminging muli sa bintana, binibilang ang mga buko at puno ng saging na dumaraan..... pero panaka-naka rin akong sumusulyap sa telebisyon, dahil kahit mahilig akong tumingin sa mga puno aba eh nagsasawa din ako sa libo-libong buko sa paningin ko.. at heto na nga hindi ko na namalayan na nakatutok na pala akong nanonood at nasabayan ko na ang kwento at inaabangan ng paunti-unti ang mga eksena.....

.... At ayan na ang climax! Sagupaan ni FPJ at ang kalaban niya na pumatay sa kanyang pamilya..... Wala ng bala si Kontrabida.... na-corner na siya ni FPJ.... 

talagang ramdam ko na ang excitement.... napansin ko din si Auntie Ming na nakatingala sa TV, naka-kunot ang noo, parang nagbo-board exam kung makapag-focus. Nakalimutan niya ang mahilo-hilo at masuka-sukang pakiramdam dahil sa biyahe na inirereklamo niya bago mag-umpisa ang pelikula...

ayan na... tinutok na ni FPJ ang baril na may kasamang dialogue na "Walong taon, apat na buwan, tatlong araw hinintay ko ang oras na ito"... ng biglang "PIYUNG!" ... Umeksena ang isang goon ni Kontrabida, nabaril si FPJ!! Tumalsik ang baril niya palapit kay Kontrabida! OMG!!!

Curse of the Demon (1957)

Original Title (UK): Night of the Demon 

("In the United States, the film was released as Curse of the Demon. According to Charles Bennett, the title was changed as the studio didn't want it confused with the similarly titled story of The Night of the Iguana" - Wiki)

Director:  Jacques Tourneur ("I Walked with a Zombie", "Cat People")

Starring:  Dana Andrews (Dr. John Holden), Peggy Cummins (Joanna Harrington), Niall MacGinnis (Julian Karswell)

Taglines: 

"Terrifying!! All the Dark Forces of Black Magic ... Hurled Against a Man And a Woman Who Dare To Scoff!"

"Who will be the next in line to defy the curse?"

Go to this link for the full movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9L4Mkbp58o

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What makes old movies a pleasure to watch in this modern age of CGI sfx and blood-pumping non-stop scares and action in movies? It's because old movies make up for their technical shortcomings with an engaging & intelligent plot, a good script, solid acting, and well-planned shots/photography. Add in a touch of vintage cinematography, physical effects, and musical score -- and we're in for a fun ride.

Curse of the Demon has all that.

Movie 43 (2013)

Director: Different directors/writers for each storylines

Starring: All-star ensemble cast (just look at the poster)

Taglines: 

"The biggest cast ever assembled for the most outrageous comedy ever made."

"Comedy. Exposed."

Plot Summary: There is no plot.

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I watched this expecting something that is in the category of "worst movies ever made" basing from reviews and ratings I have read, and even though it has a current rating of 4% (critics) & 30% (audience) in Rotten Tomatoes, I'm a bit ashamed that I don't think it's that bad (of course, I agree it's one of 2013's worst movies. But there are far worse comedies ever made, in my opinion). Yes the humor in this film ranges from offensive to downright nasty, but once you let go of your righteous indignation, I think it's quite enjoyable. Now, before you brand me as a mindless dumb ass with no taste in movies for saying I've enjoyed this one, stop right there and let me explain :)

Dementia 13 (1963)

UK Title: The Haunted and the Hunted

Director: Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now)

Writers: Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Hill

Starring: Luana Anders (Louise Haloran), William Campbell (Richard Haloran), Bart Patton (Billy Haloran), Eithne Dunne (Lady Haloran), Patrick Magee (Dr. Caleb)

Taglines:
"You Must Pass the "D-13" Test To Prepare You for the Horrifying Experience of Dementia 13. If You Fail the Test...You Will Be Asked to Leave the Theater!" 

"The Most Terrifying Screen Experience Of Your Life! A Brand New Concept in Motion Picture Shock! A Thrilling New Creation of Terror Thru Sight and Sound, Filmed Entirely in the Shock-Packed Process of Dementia 13!"

Plot Summary:
Although Coppola had been involved in at least two nudie films previously, Dementia 13 served as his first mainstream, "legitimate" directorial effort. 
The plot follows a scheming young woman who, after having inadvertently caused the heart attack death of her husband, attempts to have herself written into her rich mother-in-law's will. She pays a surprise visit to her late husband's family castle inIreland, but her plans become interrupted by an axe-wielding lunatic who begins to stalk and murderously hack away at members of the family. - Wikipedia

Go to this link for the full movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgpBuvMQ7GY


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Before anything else, I have to say that this poster is a bit distracting. The woman looks like she's wearing a weird top hat and she reminded me of The Cat in the Hat. And that tagline - i thought I was reading a flyer/poster for some guidance counselling or psych drugs.. Call our HOTLINE numbers and operators listed below!!!

Anyway, considering that this is a low-budget film, with a draft idea written overnight with Psycho as the model in mind, and a final script made in a few days, - the result is surprisingly good.  Dialogue is a bit stilted, and the plot is simple, the "big reveal" is not surprising, but Francis Coppola has managed to use everything to his advantage. Castle Haloran is a perfect setting for the gothic ambience of the film, shots were done in such a way that maximized the creepiness of the surroundings/props, and for a movie that's from the 60's it has a good dose of violence and blood and shows its lead actress in her undergarments.

The story is simple yet eerie and dark, the characters are interesting to watch especially Lady Haloran, Louise, and Dr. Caleb, and the horror scenes are chilling and effective without being campy. What surprised me a bit is the lack of red herring in the plot, I guessed who the killer was really early on and I kept thinking that it's too easy, that I will be proven wrong. But there was no surprise twist. The result of a rushed script.

But underneath the seeming simplicity of the plot and the stilted dialogue, lies a chilling story of a family plagued with an unspeakable horror and tragedy mingled with, as the title suggested, dementia. I really like the camera angles, the play on shadows/darkness, the dark looming facade of the castle, the perfectly placed "scares", the right amount of violence which I'm sure made the audience from that era cringe, and the tension-building musical score. 

The Verdict: 

This film is by no means along the level of Psycho, but it is relevant in its own way as this marks the debut of Coppola, and it's refreshing to see his take on a low-budget horror film and observe his techniques early in his career. He took the gothic, risque, and psychological elements of Psycho and put in his own flavor - the result is a cult classic horror movie that is still worth watching today especially if you are a fan of the horror genre or of Coppola.

My Rating: 3.5/5 =D  

What is your favorite Francis Coppola film?

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The Raid: Redemption (2011)

Original Title: "Serbuan Maut"

Director/Writer: Gareth Evans

Starring: Iko Uwais (Rama), Joe Taslim (Jaka), Donny Alamsyah (Andi), Yayan Ruhian (Mad Dog), Ray Sahetapy (Tama)

Taglines:  
"1 Ruthless Crime Lord, 20 Elite Cops, 30 Floors of Chaos"
"When there's nowhere left to run or hide... you fight or die."

Plot Summary: "A SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs." - IMDb

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This movie is awesome.

I never thought that an Indonesian movie could make me feel so satisfied with what I saw. O_O Watching the non-stop action inside a dilapidated building, cramped hallways, inside the rooms, even in an elevator, - up close and fast-paced gives you the feeling that you're in there. It has everything, from gunplay to knife fights, eye-gouging, and a lot of martial arts action.

QUICKIES: Orphan, Rosemary's Baby, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Bad Teacher

My quick reviews of these four films.