Four films get ‘A’ grade
“LIGO na U, Lapit na Me”
The Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) gave “My Neighbor’s Wife” a “B” rating, saying the filmmaker “motivated all his actors to perform [at] their finest,” board chair Christine Dayrit reported on Tuesday.
An “A” rating qualifies a film for a 100-percent tax rebate, while a “B” rating, 60 percent.
“Jun Lana [directed] his own script competently,” a CEB member commented. Observed a reviewer, “It is technically polished and beautifully photographed. Lovi Poe and Dennis Trillo [deliver] outstanding performances.” The movie, produced by Regal Entertainment, also features Carla Abellana and Jake Cuenca.
The CEB, which reviews and grades the quality of movies scheduled for public viewing, has given an “A” grade to four films and “B” to another four in the past two months, Dayrit said.
Graded “A” are the drama films “Thelma” by Paul Soriano and “Paglipad ng Anghel” by Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.; and the comedy flicks “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” by Marlon Rivera and “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” by Jade Castro.
Mark Reyes’ “Tween Academy (Class of 2012),” Jerry Lopez Sineneng’s “Way Back Home,” Erick Salud’s “Ligo na U, Lapit na Me” and Jose Javier Reyes’ “Wedding Tayo Wedding Hindi” all got a “B”.
The CEB, formed in 2003, is under the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), headed by Briccio Santos.
‘Thelma’
CEB reviewers described “Thelma,” produced by Time Horizon Pictures and distributed by Star Cinema, as “very well put together” and lead actor Maja Salvador, “convincing as the dedicated athlete.”
One reviewer said director Soriano “[turned] a simple… plot into a great, quiet film.”
‘Paglipad ng Anghel’
The board members said “Anghel,” a Buruka Films production, “is well-executed and enhanced by strong performances.” They noted that director Del Mundo “wears his three hats—director, writer and producer—successfully.” They all declared actor Sid Lucero “excellent.”
‘Septic Tank’
The board said director Rivera and writer/producer Chris Martinez delivered a “one-of-a-kind, rather rare film.” The movie is a coproduction of Quantum Films and Straight Shooters Media.
Lead actress Eugene Domingo got rave reviews: “She is scintillating.” Actors JM de Guzman, Kean Cipriano and Cai Cortez were cited as having “no self-consciousness.”
‘Zombadings’
“ZOMBADINGS”
“Zombadings,” produced by Origin8Media, is “thoroughly entertaining,” said one reviewer.
Director Castro was congratulated for an “original concept.” Lead actor Mart Escudero got the highest marks: “Thoroughly convincing in both straight and gay roles, without making either role a caricature.”
‘Tween Academy’
Most of the members praised the “technical polish” of “Tween Academy” and said Mark Reyes “expressed the voice of today’s youth.” The movie was coproduced by GMA Films and SM Development Corp.
‘Way Back Home’
“Director Sineneng [turns] a hackneyed plot into a refreshingly wholesome movie,” said a reviewer of the Star Cinema production. The CEB members agreed that actors Julia Montes and Kathryn Bernardo acquitted themselves well.
‘Ligo na U, Lapit na Me’
Director Salud was praised for “showing a capable grasp and handling of material, capturing well the angst and foibles of post-modern love on our campuses today.”
“(Edgar Allan) Guzman deserves his festival trophy,” another noted. “(Mercedes) Cabral [confirms] the depth we always knew she had.”
‘Wedding Tayo’
The coproduction of Star Cinema and OctoArts Films, is “well crafted with a generous dose of humor done in (Joey) Reyes’ inimitable style,” some board members said.
“Toni Gonzaga… carries the movie superbly and the rest of the cast support her ably,” a reviewer added. “Eugene Domingo [delivers] another effortless performance.”
