REVIEW: Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme

Title: Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme

Director: Joyce Bernal

Producer: Spring Films and Star Cinema

Distribution: Star Cinema

Date of premiere: June 13, 2012

The mistake I had while viewing this movie was expecting that it will be better than the original. This expectation colored my judgment, and doomed what could have been a very positive review.

Here's the thing: the first Kimmy Dora is still the better movie.

That Kimmy Dora worked because it was original, fresh, and surprising. With Kimmy Dora 2, you know what to expect somehow, so when these expectations are met, you're left looking for something more.

Kimmy Dora 2 also infused horror elements into the narrative. It is about a ghost that haunts the twins Kimmy and Dora, a ghost who goes on to steal the souls of the men in their lives. Little do they know that this ghost was the vengeful spirit of a Korean woman who was their father's long-lost sweetheart.

The horror elements were very well-made, and can stand against the best scenes in local horror movies. The problem is that these scenes do not seem to mix nicely with the comedy. 

Despite this, Kimmy Dora 2 is still a good enough movie that warrants going theater-watching. And it cannot be Kimmy Dora without memorable scenes, right? Listed below are my top 10. (Skip them if you don't wish to read spoilers.)

SPOILER ALERT, AGAIN. IN BIG RED LETTERS THIS TIME.

TOP 10 SCENES IN KIMMY DORA 2

10. The nicely-shot scenes of Korea are worth a second viewing.

9. Dora panics and asks their maid to drive a car for her. The maid does drives reeeeeeeeally slowly.

8. Dora drowns in the pool, and her boyfriend saves her.

7. Kimmy attacks her boyfriend with kisses.

6. Dora asks the stewardess what types of bread they have on the airplane. The stewardess plays along.

5. The exorcism headed by a midget used words from a dialect (was that Bisaya?), making it even more funnier. 

4. The blooper reel in the credits had some of the funniest moments.

3. An angry Kimmy pushes her secretary out of a moving car. The following day, the secretary is in the office, sitting on a wheelchair.

2. In a flashback, Kiray Celis plays a very desirable cheerleader, who attracts Ryan Bang (who was playing Kimmy and Dora's father).

1. Kimmy enters the venue of an event for her company, and finds that her dress matches the decor. She goes ballistic.

RATING: 3.5 stars out of 5
SUMMARY: This movie is a competent horror-comedy, but it pales in comparison to the first Kimmy Dora.

I love Bong Joon-Ho's The Host, but Memories of  Murder (2003) felt a little confused to me. 3.5/5

REVIEW: Boy Pick-Up: The Movie

Title: Boy Pick-Up: The Movie

Director: Dominic Zapata

Producer: Regal Films and GMA Films

Distribution: Regal Films and GMA Films

Date of premiere: June 6, 2012

I saw this movie on Thursday night, and it is only this Saturday morning when I can write this review. I left the theater so dumb-founded that I cannot form a coherent sentence.

First off, I think this movie has no redeeming factor whatsoever. The jokes are tasteless and unfunny. The cameos are a tad too much and annoying (Bong Revilla? Boy Abunda? Really?). The plot is too stupid, it's hard to watch.

The only times when you can laugh while watching this movie is to laugh at how stupid it is, and how much you wasted your time and money.

• At one point, a character gets abducted and killed, and we're supposed to laugh because he's dead? How tasteless can this joke be?
• Solenn Heussaff's role made her look stupid. I wish she chooses better roles next time. I don't see her putting this in her resume.
• Ogie and Solenn were on a date when Tim Yap appears under the table. What is he doing there, his head too close to Solenn's bosom?
• Why are we supposed to like Boy Pick-up's character when he's not even a tad likable? 
• Boy Pick-Up must be living in Andrew E.'s world, where men like him get exceptionally pretty women go crazy in their presence.
• Betong Sumaya is as annoying as ever. Why are they giving him breaks?
• The movie tried to infuse social commentary by showing scenes and scenes of poverty, but all these are not tackled deeply. I don't know why they even bothered.
• It's too predictable. Halfway to the movie my brother, who was with me, predicted that Dennis Trillo's characters gets to lose all his evil once Sarah Lahbati's makes up with him.
• It's overlong and went on and on and on. 

So what I'm saying is, watch this movie. Really, seriously. Yeah dude no lie.

RATING: 1 stars out of 5
SUMMARY: Worst movie I've seen this year so far.

(A more coherent review will be seen at PEP.ph)

Hick (Derick Martini, 2011) Lots of style, but utterly pointless. 3/5

REVIEW: Born To Love You

Title: Born To Love You

Director: Jerome Pobocan

Producer: Star Cinema and CineMedia

Distribution: Star Cinema

Date of premiere: May 30, 2012

I was ready to rail against this movie. I first saw its trailer in the premiere night for Every Breath U Take, and I instantly believed it will suck. For one, the story seemed generic. I also do not believe Angeline Quinto can pull off a movie, since she has no acting experience.

But this film won me over. 

The story is nothing special, but the storytelling made it stand out. It is coherent, and not a mash-up of plotlines. Unlike other movies of its type, the events do not stem from coincidence.

(Well, some events seem coincidential, but everything can be explained once the first twist is revealed.)

Angeline Quinto also gives a passable performance as a peppy tourist guide who wants to change the life of brooding and pessimistic Rex (Coco Martin). Angeline's acting is surprising, as she has not acted before. She deserves more projects soon.

The supporting cast also gives good performances, giving Angeline's performance a boost. Remarkable are Malou de Guzman, Al Tantay, Eula Valdez, and Albert Martinez. Jojit Lorenzo deserves a special mention.

So if you haven't seen this movie yet, go now and watch it. It deserves to be a hit, and to surpass Star Cinema's less acceptable releases (that grossed over 200M pesos). #rantover

RATING: 4 stars out of 5
SUMMARY: Better than most of Star Cinema's release this year (except Unofficially Yours).

(Another version of this movie review posted at PEP.ph)