Thoughts on "The Trial"

I have been feeling under the weather the last 2 weekends but I insisted that we go out and watch "The Trial". I even bought tickets ahead of time so the boys wouldn't back out (haha!). They both didn't have a clue what the movie was about, but I knew that it was a heavy drama (so I brought a lot of tissue!).

"The Trial" is one of the most intense films I've watched. The topics at hand were pretty heavy - developmentally challenged adults, rape, unconventional family, divorce, death etc. The story was beautifully crafted. Sweetie said that he noticed no one got up to step out during the movie (2 hours+!). Each scene unfolded a part of the story and you really need to pay attention to each segment because it ties up to something else in the story. There was no wasted minute in the whole film. I also liked the fact that the plot was unpredictable.

The actors in the film played their roles superbly and consistently. Each character was well thought-out and each of the actors were given a chance to show the depth of the role they were playing. They all made the pain they were going through felt (that's why you should bring a pack of tissues when you watch).

"The Trial" is a must watch movie. Be warned though, the light moments interspersed isn't really enough to erase the pain that each character shares in the movie. You'll be crying long after you watch the film.

John Lloyd is Apollo

Dear John Lloyd,

I now forgive you for spamming my mail because your character's name in your movie, "The Amnesia Girl" is Apollo.

<3
Aileen



Was it perhaps inspired by this?



I know, I know it was probably just a coincidence, but allow me to dream. Kilig!

Teehee :-)

=============

Update:

Waiiiiiiit a minute... Toni Gonzaga's character name is Irene!


Irene Apollo


Aileen Apolo


Coincidence much?

I Won John Lloyd Cruz, I Mean... a Phone

I have a confession to make. John Lloyd Cruz has been my crush for the longest time and I have watched most (if not all) of his movies and telenovelas. I also watch ASAP every Sunday whenever I'm home to see his antics with the other Kanto Boys.

We were destined to meet I tell you (haha!). I have had to pass on several invitations to meet him in the past because I either had meetings or the event was out of the way, but I knew that someday I'd finally see him in the flesh. Good thing my dear friend, Juned, reminded me and Sweetie about the event today. Things just fell into place since Sweetie and I were scheduled to go to Quezon City.

So you can just imagine how excited I was about the event. I immediately stood up to take John Lloyd's photos when he arrived (so I can show them off to my Mom and her amigas). Kim Chiu, Cherry Mobile's newest endorser soon followed and after awhile they announced the raffle. I was taken by surprise when John Lloyd said, "And the first winner is... Aileen... Apolo... de Jesus!"

And so this is what transpired when I got my bearings and went onstage to claim my prize. John Lloyd even joked that the phone didn't have a battery and charger. So sweet and charming!



Anyway, the chance to have my photo taken with him felt like the grand prize! Hahaha.

Thank you for brightening up my day Cherry Mobile, John Lloyd and Kim. =)

T2 (the Movie)

When the trailer of T2 first came out on TV I knew I had to watch the movie. I like watching local movies, especially suspense/horror ones that have a good story. I felt that T2 had the right elements like Feng Shui, Sukob and Sigaw. 

And I was right.

Don't expect T2 to make you scream while watching it, but it will keep you awake at night because the story behind it is realistic. The fact that some scenes were shot at the "Emme" in Quezon and the Camarines Sur going to Samar made me squirm in my seat. That's because the road is very familiar to me and I've heard a lot of hair-raising stories about the area. The story also incorporates a lot of local folklore about enkantos and other things that we usually just hear from our yayas, lolo, lolas and titas. 

I used to write horror stories back in college and T2 definitely had a good number of twists, not only story-wise but through it's cast as well! I was pleased that they kept secret who were part of the whole cast because it was a very pleasant surprise. I won't say who it is because that would spoil the surprise. Anyway, I loved every single character in the movie and they were all relevant and played their parts perfectly. 

Psst! Psst! I hope I won't hear that later when I go to sleep.

Here's the trailer of the movie -

T2 (Tenement 2)

Artists: Maricel Soriano, Mika dela Cruz, Eric Fructoso, Derek Ramsay, Tetchie Agbayani, Camille Prats, K Brosas, Mon Confiado

Directed by: Chito Rono

Movie Review: A Very Special Love

I had very high expectations with the John Lloyd Cruz-Sarah Geronimo tandem for "A Very Special Love". The movie trailer started showing about a month before it opened in theaters and seeing it made me excited to watch the movie.

Okay, okay I admit now... I've watched most (if not all!) of John Lloyd's movies! He's just simply CUTE!

`nuff said!

Kidding...

So today I had Sweetie and Miguel accompany me to watch the movie and I was not disappointed. I loved the movie because:

1. It was fast-paced
2. There were no boring moments
3. Perfect mix of the funnies and drama
4. There was resolution (that's where Monster Mom failed big time!)
5. NAKAKAKILIG!

A friend of mine found it corny and cheesy, well it does have the usual Pinoy-kilig-movie formula, but I must say that the story-line was refreshing, creative and light. It's a feel-good movie that will definitely lift your spirits and make you gush over the leading man (fan po ito ni John Lloyd!).

The Llody-Sarah tandem works not only because they have natural chemistry, but also because it's not pilit. They each have their own following and are established artists. The characters they portrayed simply fit and they obviously had fun doing the movie.

I had so much fun this afternoon and I'm happy to report too that my kid laughed along with everyone else (I had to bribe him to come watch with us). I laughed a lot too and cried along with the characters during the sad fez moments (and shhhhh I was very kilig too!).

So, just sit back, relax and watch "A Very Special Love".