10 September 2018

JR's Movie Reviews - THE NUN

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The Nun
THE NUN
Year of Release: 2018

JR's Rating:  (6.9 out of 10, Average)

"The Defiler, The Profane, The Marquis of Snakes"

It's desecrating and definitely scary. The Nun doesn't disappoint with jumpscares a plenty to haunt you and well-written backstory about the demonic nun from hell. Note, however, this movie is fun if you're up to be horrified but some terrible camerawork doesn't make it really an amazing movie.

Valak is that terrifying demonic nun from hell everyone is talking about. She's profane. She's a defiler. She's the marquis of snakes. Valak is up to spread evil, corrupting people's minds and making them commit the unholy. Going back half a century ago, we visit an abbey in Romania where word of suicide of a nun happened. Sister Irene and Father Burke investigate about the strange occurence to eventually discover about the dark history of a demon summoned many years back. Together with a villager, Maurice, they must face this demon Valak and ultimately condemn her back to hell.

Fans of The Conjuring series really anticipated the film featuring the nun from the second film. It sh*t the pants out of everyone for how terrifying it was. The same goes with this film. There are too many jumpscares to brace yourself, it won't really disappoint you from that reason alone. Two worth mentioning are the ones involving Maurice in the cemetery and Irene happening to see Valak at a mirror. Believe me when I say that all horrific scenes are well acted in an environment which also seem to be a character of its own. The actors and the setting alone are already saving graces. I wouldn't say that this film is a horror gem, however, due to some terrible camerawork that seem to be amateur-ish in taking (the ones that involve running / shaky cam). Also some jumpscares involving Valak doesn't look fine due to not so good editing. The story makes slight sense though as what we expect for continuity with the franchise.

I'm still creeped out by Valak, but despite of that, she's definitely worth a sequel or two of her own.

#TheNun #Valak #TheConjuringUniverse #Horror
#2018Movies #MovieReviews #JRMovieReviews

Watched at: SM Cinemas - Manila (08 September 2018)

Image Reference: Female First UK

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Time Published: 10 September 2018 (8:00 PM)

07 September 2018

JR's Movie Reviews - GOYO: ANG BATANG HENERAL

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Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral
GOYO: ANG BATANG HENERAL
Year of Release: 2018

JR's Rating:  (9.5 out of 10, Impressive)

"Retelling of Philippine History:
A Question of What Really Makes A Hero"

Duty, Dignity and Sacrifice - three words that describe what it takes to be a hero worth honor and admiration. Anybody can indeed be a hero in their own right; but the distinction will be the willingness to die in defense for the country. The serious question the movie imposes and even history is, did Goyo, our country's supposed youngest general, die a martyr in defense for our country or die to protect Aguinaldo.

Goyo (Gen. Gregorio del Pilar) worked with the late Heneral Luna in his strategic defense of Bulacan against the Americans. Fast forward after the great general's death, Goyo is assigned by President Aguinaldo as the head of Pangasinan under his revolutionary government. It's here where he struggles to balance private life with responsibility, comfort over leadership. With all those charm and good looks, Goyo never fails to capture a girl's heart in every district he gets to visit or assigned to. It was, however, in Pangasinan that an eventual love would spark a change in his ways. With the entry of the Americans in the Philippines, Goyo would lead the army to an exodus towards the highlands to evade potential capture and defeat at the hands of the Americans. It's at Mt. Tirad Pass where he will have his last stand against the Americans.

Going back to the question of the martyrdom of Gen. del Pilar or Goyo, he may have looked like he was in it to protect Aguinaldo and his family but it was undeniable that he worked in defense of our country against the Americans (well in fact even the Spanish way before). It was just that probably, Aguinaldo was his symbol of the country's republic, his demise would mean the ultimate end of what they have been fighting for all along. Too sad though that Goyo fought under the wrong leader who seems to care more of which and whom is loyal to him.

Goyo's bravery will forever be is priceless and very deserving of honor and admiration to this modern generation of youth. You wouldn't name the home of our country's military school as Fort Del Pilar if he never embodied the Philippine army's motto,  Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.

Going to the movie, the movie stayed true to the time it was set in. While we started to see Heneral Luna in Bulacan, we came to learn more of Pangasinan and the culture it comes with it. It's where most of what we see in the movie come to happen. Moving forward, what caught my attention the most though is how beautifully presented the highlands specifically Tirad Pass was. That for me filled me with awe until the battle that would eventually occur there.

It really takes humongous amounts of guts and ambition to follow up a legendary film such as Heneral Luna. Heneral Luna though remains for me the better film of the two due to the influence it has on me after watching it, my empathy for Heneral Luna and his story is very different by how I felt with Goyo and his story in this film. Goyo though stands as a must watch if you're into having a more analytical and critical view of the titular hero. The portrayal by Paulo Avelino is just fitting due to his charm and justice on playing the role. Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral was for me a more personal story towards Goyo than it is towards history.

Watched at: SM Cinemas - Manila (05 September 2018)

#Goyo #ArtikuloUno
#2018Movies #MovieReviews #JRMovieReviews

Image Reference: Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (Official Facebook Page)

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Time Published: 07 September 2018 (8:30 PM)

JR's Movie Reviews - HENERAL LUNA

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Heneral Luna
HENERAL LUNA
Year of Release: 2015

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"Retelling of Philippine History: 
A Question of What Really Makes A Patriot"

The marking of a true patriot is his most sincere and most committed love and dedication for the country. No force or  entity will ever have those aspirations and principles be pulled down. A strong conviction will most successfully execute all of what is believed to be right and beneficial to the country. Gen. Antonio Luna is definitely a patriot, all the more dignified by this masterpiece of Jerrold Tarog.

Heneral Luna is truly one aggressive, vicious hell of a guy all the more made stronger by the defense of Article One, "Any person who refuses to follow orders dictated by the General-in-Chief of the Philippine Army will be immediately shot without trial." Being that General-in-Chief, Heneral Luna has that one goal of uniting all Filipino troops to fight off the Americans ending their desire of colonizing the Philippines. Heneral Luna dreams of an American-free Republic, fully independent to lead and decide for itself. It was ironic though, in the end, that Heneral Luna would have his most tragic demise at the hands of his own countrymen. The selfish interests of our country's first President, Emilio Aguinaldo, and his men will eventually have Heneral Luna suffer the same treacherous fate as Bonifacio's. Heneral Luna's plans would have undeniably changed the course of our country's history for the good or even for the better, if and only if he would have fulfilled and executed it.

Heneral Luna is very much worthy of admiration for his fierce and truly brilliant leadership of the army. He modernized the military's way of thinking then in hopes of winning against the Americans. Heneral Luna never dreamt of anything more ambitious than the best of interests for our country. We may see him as "brusko" or "siga" but that wouldn't change how much respect he greatly deserves for being a patriot willing to die for his own motherland. His story is worth the inspiration in fighting the most corrupt and traitorous system of the Philippine government.

The movie, Heneral Luna, gave life to the titular character that we only came to know on history classes and books overshadowed by the familiarity of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. The movie gave due justice to how admirable this man really is for believing and never giving up on a principle that isn't for his own but for his country. The portrayal by John Arcilla was the best I've ever seen in any Filipino film proving great movies need not mainstream actors but those with great talent and heart for the character he is playing in. Together with its ensemble cast, Heneral Luna is at the echelons of what really makes the best acting in movies.

I do believe that this movie sparked the eventual rise of Filipino films that justify "quality over quantity." As films post-Heneral Luna are more Filipino dignifying and worthy to be proud of than those films pre-Heneral Luna. In fact, Heneral Luna sparked interest amongst the Filipino's, especially of the youth, towards independent films of historical (and artistic) significance over those which are purely for the laughs and entertainment. Never have I seen such an amazing film made by a Filipino. With the best sets of actors, cinematography, story-telling, and morals, Heneral Luna will stand as the best film (historical or not) ever made in this modern age of Philippine cinema, ambitious and grand in the most glorifying sense.

#HeneralLuna #ArtikuloUno
#2015Movies #MovieReviews #JRMovieReviews

Image Reference: Behance

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Time Published: 04 September 2018 (8:00 PM)

03 September 2018

JR's Movie Reviews - BIRDSHOT

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Birdshot
BIRDSHOT
Year of Release: 2017

JR's Rating:   (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"Facing the Consequence of Killing a Majestic National Symbol"

It pains me having not watched this treasure from last year's Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino but thank God for Netflix as I was finally able to watch it. Birdshot is the first Filipino film released worldwide on and by Netflix and it deserves to be as it too is a National Symbol that deserves to be witnessed by those who are into cinematic masterpieces. This film is definitely something to be proud of being made as a Filipino.

Birdshot revolves around the consequences of a young girl's (Maya) shooting a Philippine Eagle, the country's National Bird, at a sanctuary near their home. Police officers, Domingo and Mendoza, was assigned by the police to handle the investigation of such case abandoning another sensational case which the officer Domingo was hoping to engage some time with. Initially a way to prove to Maya's father she could stand on her own, the death of the eagle sparked the break down of her family. Birdshot exposes the environmental crises, corruption and police brutality still existing in this country we live in.

(Trivia: Before the Philippine Eagle was declared as our country's National Bird, The Red Maya held that distinctive title. Nice play there by Birdshot.)

The Philippine Eagle is just the most majestic out of all our country's symbols. The movie made me fell in love with the creature who is now struggling for its survival due to deforestation at various areas. It's only hope are sanctuaries (like in the movie) where it can strive for food and shelter.

Going on another spectrum, while the country is still faced with the horror of drugs and rape, we can't hide the more dangerous crimes of corruption and police brutality still prevalent due to it's exposure on news and especially social media. There is still time to work for change just like what Domingo did but it takes huge amount of courage as threats come with it along the way. Hope is always there and we can always be heroes to the most degraded and outcasted in our society.

The movie boasts terrific acting performances by John Arcilla and Mary Joy Apostol. The movie also takes pride with its numerous well taken shots that are just picturesque and awe-inspiring, the one involving the Philippine Eagle is my favorite. The movie risks showing no holds barred violence, and yet they are masterfully and realistically executed. I may have only mentioned a few symbolisms (such as the Maya reference, and the ideas of corruption and environmental denudation), but there are more than meets the eye for the average movie viewer. Mikhail Red is a director to look forward to and Birdshot is one of the best Filipino movies in this modern age of filmmaking, a masterpiece in its own right.

Watched on: Netflix (30 August 2018)

#Birdshot #PistaNgPelikulangPilipino
#2017Movies #MovieReviews #JRMovieReviews

Image Reference: Birdshot (Official Facebook Page)

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Time Published: 03 September 2018 (8:00 PM)
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