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marcusfrommars
Reviews
El Presidente (2012)
It's actually quite simple
If you consider yourself a history buff and "know" that what's portrayed isn't what really happened, all you have to remember is that the movie was based on Emilio Aguinaldo's memoirs. So don't bother waiting for anything that would glorify Emilio's enemies, or for anything that would show them in good light. Heck, don't be surprised if they were omitted from the movie altogether!
If you're going to yak about inaccuracies regarding guns, ammo, mustaches, haircuts, language, or even the sneakers that can be seen on a few shots, you have to remember that Filipino movie production don't rank in any Top 100 or Top 200 (maybe even larger) list of prop-making accuracy. They could have put an M16 in the huge fight scenes and no one would probably be the wiser--unless you watch it on DVD and you hit PAUSE in the right moment, of course. But hey, consider them Easter eggs.
If you're going to complain about inaccuracies in location, you have to remember that the movie outfits in the Philippines don't have huge studios where they can fake all sorts of scenery. They have to rely on outdoor locations that are "believable" approximations.
So! Taking all of the above for granted, the movie itself has its merits, if at least to get Emilio Aguinaldo's side of history. And the actors all did their parts quite well. You have to ignore the bit players who broke the fourth wall, obviously.
Let me tell you something I really liked, though. That Spanish lisp! It reminds me of Spanish class which I really hated back then. I sthill hate learning it to thith day! Harharhar
Double Barrel (2017)
Watcher beware
The dialog is somehow close to how people in such areas commonly use (with a few exaggerations regarding nationalism and missing the all-too-common swagger), and the story itself has some basis on what's been happening ever since the drug war started. The problem is the sub-par acting of the main characters. Hats off to Dindo Arroyo and Mon Confiado, who were the only ones who lived up to the their characters, with a few other uncredited bit players.
If you're going to watch this, focus on the story and not on the acting.
Zoolander 2 (2016)
It looks like you do learn something after 15 years
Possible spoilers ahead.
Derek is now more intelligent (or perhaps less stupid) and Hansel is more aware of other people (or less narcissistic). That's probably why this doesn't have the same charm that the first movie had. I mean, I was expecting something like "vobacoobly" instead of "vocabulary". Because their characters evolved--if we can call it that--then it's acceptable that there's a lot less funny exchanges between Derek and Hansel. A lot of the jokes are predictable as well, so it somehow spoils things.
Is this worth watching? If you're just looking to pass the time or try to find all the celebrities who are in the movie or you're not too nitpicky about details (from story to how real the locations look), then I think you'll somehow enjoy this. That's why I'm giving this 6.5 stars.
Meet the Spartans (2008)
There's a reason why I broke the DVD I borrowed back in 2010.
And that was from a video store! I know that such places should never have existed considering the prevalence of piracy when this was released, but there were. So, just to maximize what I could use on my viewership points, I took this one out of the shelf. I did not like it then, so I broke it and just told the store guy that my kid accidentally sat on it. I paid a not-so-hefty-fine, so that should be okay.
Fast forward to today (2020). I have been doing a DVD exchange with my friend to pass the time during this pandemic, and this was one of the things he sent me. This one won't be part of the return package. if it turns out be one of his guilty pleasures, i'd gladly pay back.
Numb3rs: Power (2008)
too much pushing, perhaps?
I can understand police methodology about pushing potential witnesses into identifying someone just so there would be a lead to follow. but being a show built on using math as a means to identify--and later apprehend--suspects, a character, albeit a guest one at the at, pushing the victims or suspects goes beyond the premise of the show. The main characters could have done just as well without a rape" specialist, even if real world situations would have required consultation with such an expert. No one would have noticed the difference.
The Alienist (2018)
TV series first, book later
The release between the book and the TV show is 24 years, despite various reports of negotiations between film companies and the author through the years. That those initial talks didn't pan out is not surprising, and I think no one can blame Mr. Carr for rejecting them (at least that's what I'm aware of). After all, erm...wait. If I continue along that vein, it might ruin things.
If you HAVE NOT read the book yet--or if you have forgotten how the story goes--good. Watch the TV series and you'll likely enjoy it. But if you can remember significant parts of the story, you'll probably be disappointed. I'm talking about only the story, of course. We don't really today's technology to turn this into a good movie or TV show, as long as the story itself gets proper treatment.