'STARTING OVER AGAIN': A MOVIE AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

This movie can be easily described in two words: “very relatable.” 

And most of those who have seen this blockbuster movie would agree. Star Cinema’s Starting Over Again has successfully portrayed love in its different phases: falling in love, being in a relationship, breaking up, letting go, and moving on--- which everyone can relate to. These stages of love were all narrated in a very creative story telling that did not seem to be predictable nor contrived. The story was intricately woven, which did not give any hanging questions but gave its viewers something to think about.  

The movie was brilliantly portrayed by Ginny (Toni Gonzaga), Marco (Piolo Pascual), and Patty (Iza Calzado), although everyone knows that the film is dominated by Ginny’s character. She ultimately represents the emotions of anyone who has ever been in love: passionate, hopeful, fearful, confused, desperate, and most of all crazy. And her depictions of such emotions captured in this film have made us all cringe, laugh, blush and cry---- as we all, at some point, see ourselves in her.  

 

There were several memorable scenes in the movie that made the audience feel like riding in an emotional roller coaster. The solo “bed scene” of Ginny made us all squirm in our seats. The hilarious “love scene” of Ginny and Marco made us all laugh our hearts out. The impressive “confrontation scene” between Ginny and Patty made us respect the poise of the “perfect girlfriend” and loathe the desperation of the “other woman.” The poignant “goodbye scene” between Ginny and Marco also made every one of us realize that we can never ‘unlove’ a person, but we can always love that person in a different way.

  

from starcinema.abs-cbn.com

The movie is definitely an exceptional romantic comedy that not only entertained, but also enlightened the audience. It is a very holistic take on love that portrays the romantic and cheesy side of it, but also depicts the hard trials and its painful realities. It presented not only the romantic possibilities of a second chance, but also underscored the valuable gift of a final closure. Overall, it is an ingenious movie that made everyone of us reflect on the mistakes and lessons of our romantic experiences, and yet allowed us to be comforted with the thought of PSP--- that “past is past.”   

 

 The movie’s blockbuster success can be credited to its creative story- telling and its boldness not to succumb to the conventional “happy endings” that are typical of Filipino rom-coms. Credit goes to Director Olivia Lamasan and the production staff for creating a very intelligent movie that does not bore, idiotize, or turn off the Filipino audience with none of the unnecessary cheesiness and corny spiels prevalent in most local films. Hopefully, the movie’s record-breaking performance at the box office should motivate the local film industry to produce similar quality movies that affirms the increasing maturity and discerning tastes of the Filipinos. 

However, the movie is not without its Pinoy clichés and commercial formula present in most local rom-com flicks. To those who have seen a lot of these films, these questions are almost always asked: 

Why do these movies need to be titled after a song? 

Why do rom-com flicks employ so many “friends” for their lead characters who are not given enough exposure and substantive roles except as comic relief?

Why does it have to be mostly the female protagonists who have to go through a lot (humiliating and embarrassing situations) for love? (Think Sarah Geronimo with her movies with John Lloyd Cruz). 

And why do these flicks have to end in a “happy ending”? 

Apparently, it is hard to do away with this tried and tested blueprint for local rom-com films. Though admittedly, Starting Over Again provided a happy ending with a different and unexpected twist. It may be a very surprising ending but it actually revealed a lot of realizations for exciting possibilities and presented a semblance of reality. Nonetheless, it satisfied the Filipino audience’s expectation of a light-hearted finale to a simple yet complicated love story.   

Yet despite its theatrics and clichés, the movie appealed to a wider audience and reached out even to the elitist crowd. It also helped that Star Cinema aggressively advertised the movie and released it in time for Valentine’s day. Its efforts surely created so much buzz  for the movie that cinemas were still full even after the Valentine weekend. Ultimately, it all boils down to the film’s romantic appeal and its “relatability” to the Filipino audience that made everyone of us feel that, no matter where we are in our lives, we always have a chance to “start over again.”

 

 

 

 

"WE GOT THE LOVE": A REVIEW OF THE 'REUNION'

              Smooth, soulful and full of passion…

            These must be the reasons behind the crowd-drawing power of The Circus Band and the New Minstrels. And I have to agree, based on the throngs of people who braved the notorious traffic in the metro to watch their pre-Valentine/ reunion concert on 13 February 2014 at the PICC Plenary Hall.  

            It was definitely a 3-hour nostalgic event celebrating the boisterous seventies. The artists were undoubtedly the reason behind the crowd’s excitement. This reunion concert of the Circus Band (Hajji Alejandro, Pat Castillo, Jacqui Magno, Tillie Moreno, and Basil Valdez,) and the New Minstrels (Joey Albert, Chad Borja, Ray-An Fuentes, Ding Mercado, Louie Reyes, and Eugene Villaluz) can be considered a dream come true for the audience, especially for those who missed their “Greatest Hits Reunion” concert in September 2013.

            Not surprisingly, the artists kept the people laughing the whole night as they made fun of themselves and their age. Of course, the mostly-mature” crowd (the 40-70 year olds) laughed out loud as they giddily relate to the artists’ balding hair, menopause, and hot flashes. As senior artists frequently say, they definitely took their professional and personal lives to a higher level---- higher cholesterol, higher uric acid, and higher blood sugar. Yet despite their wrinkles, flabs, and all, they all kept their swagger, humor, and passion to share their “long-missed” melodies with an appreciative audience.   

 

Promo Poster taken from concertsinmanila.com

            Aside from the artists, their songs were indeed the highlight of the show. It was the OPM hits of the 70s that made the crowd reminisce the innocence of their chirpy youth.  Hajji Alejandro’s “Panakip Butas” kept the men smiling as they sing along. Joey Albert’s emotional rendition of “Tell Me” made the women sentimental as they reflect on their past broken hearts. Ding Mercado’s “See You There” felt unfamiliar but it lifted everyone’s spirits with its sweet and comforting tune. Basil Valdez’ signature songs “Ngayon at Kailanman” satisfied the people’s expectations, while his “Gulong ng Palad” made the oldies recall the first telenovela on Philippine television.

            What gave me the shivers though was hearing Tillie Moreno and Ray-Ann Fuente’s famous duet “Umagang Kay Ganda.” This was truly a popular yet meaningful song that I still get to hear on TV and on the radio, especially when feeling that Pinoy reflective mood. But it was only the first time that I got to listen to the artists singing the song. And it was even more special realizing that it would take years for the song to be sung live again.     

            The concert also paid tribute to the popular Motown Sound and the roaring divas of the past decades. The men honored “Stevie Wonder” with a medley of his greatest hits. The ladies kept the audience dancing with their rendition of songs by Donna Summer, Barbara Streisand, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross, and Abba.     

            The show undoubtedly delivered what was expected of it--- vocal harmony, funny antics, light entertainment, and reflections of the good old days. I was impressed by the artists’ rendition of the songs they were known for, still delivered effortlessly and with more passion and conviction, which ultimately point to their professional maturity and life experiences.

            Although during the show, my only reservation was the realization that the Circus Band and the New Minstrels were show bands known for their renditions of America’s popular tunes of their era. So it was no surprise that each band rendered US top 40 hits of the 70s during the concert. No wonder the audience merely knew the signature songs of the artists as individuals or duets, and not so much the original songs they performed as a group. This is quite a pity considering that they all blend together with a heavenly harmony and a perfect pitch that must be highlighted with original compositions for each band.

            Overall, the concert however proved that these celebrated Filipino artists from the Circus Band and the New Minstrels not only “got the love” but they still “got the groove.”  

WORST OF THE PHILIPPINES, BEST OF THE FILIPINOS

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