Reversals of fortune
PADIILLA. His character’s rich and mighty family in “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” has bitten the dust.
Do great minds run in the same channels, or are TV scriptwriters just running really dry? These days, similar or even identical plot twists are a dime a dozen on TV drama series.
The plotting fad this month is for once rich and mighty characters to bite the dust—and literally get thrown out of their fabulous mansions! For instance, on the concluding “Marimar,” the bida’s really nasty tormentor, played by Jaclyn Jose, is kicked out with her daughter (Lauren Young) and mayordoma (Candy Pangilinan) late at night, and has finally learned to eat humble pie!
On “Pangako Sa’Yo,” Daniel Padilla doesn’t play a villain, but he too has had to cope with his family’s abrupt financial reversals, and is starting to clamber up from the absolute pits, again.
—And, don’t look now, but even Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) and her troika of lolas on “Eat Bulaga’s” popular kalyeserye have been “sheriffed” out of their mansion, and now live in a cheap dump, courtesy of Alden’s Lola Babah—who still wants him to marry, not Yaya, but Cindy, the tall and zaftig Russian of her choice!
Yes, we know it’s just a temporary reversal of fortune that will be ironed out real soon, and is being resorted to just to extend the daytime series, at least until after the Metro Manila Film Festival. Alden and Maine costar with Vic Sotto and Ai Ai delas Alas in an official entry in the film fest, so it had to be plugged daily on “EB” to be able to achieve its goal of becoming the festival’s top blockbuster.
Still, at least three drama series with the same plot twist is a bit much, don’t you think? Well, blame not just the all-written-out scriptwriters, but also undemanding, uncomplaining and all-accepting televiewers for the sullen sameness and glaring lack of creativity and variety. It serves us right, huh?
Best-loved Christmas movies
“The Bishop’s Wife,” 1948—A beleaguered bishop (David Niven) prays for divine intervention to finance a new church. Other stars include Cary Grant and Loretta Young.
“A Midnight Clear,” 1992—This holiday film is beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted. It’s an antiwar drama set in the Adriennes Forest in France in December 1944, and topbills Ethan Hawke and Gary Sinise.
“A Christmas Carol,” 1951—Perhaps the most faithful film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic—and Alastair Sim’s portrayal of Scrooge is spot-on.
“A Christmas Story,” 1983—In a small town in the 1940s, 9-year-old Ralphie wants a special present for Christmas—a BB gun!
“Die Hard,” 1988—It’s Christmastime in LA, and an employees’ party is in progress on the 30th floor of a corporation’s office building—when the partygoers are taken hostage by terrorists! Stars include Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman.
“Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” 1983—In a Japanese prisoners of war camp, an unexpectedly eventful Christmas Eve has an impact on both prisoners and guards (starring David Bowie).
“Joyeaux Noel,” 2005—In World War II, Scottish, French and German soldiers put down their weapons and agree on a ceasefire.
“The Polar Express,” 2004—Performance-capture animation starring Tom Hanks in multiple roles, including narrator, train conductor—and Santa Claus!
“The Holiday,” 2006—Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz swap houses for Christmas—and meet Jack Black and Jude Law, respectively.
“Reindeer Games,” 2000—Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise and Charlize Theron star in this festive heist movie.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 2000—Dr. Seuss’ fable about a misanthropic creature (Jim Carrey) who plots to steal Christmas gifts from a small town’s residents.
