Best of Filipino Films 2006

Best Filipino Films of 2006
Mental Pornography

Year 2006 is yet a continuum of the glorious independent cinema which
proliferated last 2005. The unprecendented success of Ang Pagdadalaga
ni Maximo Oliveros has kept the dice rolling, with a lot of good
movies produced (indepently produced, correction) last year. Sad to
say, these independent, low-budget but quality films have still shared
a little audience.

As a yearender, I have compiled a list of six best movies of 2006.
Indie flicks have dominated my list, but I'm not saying that all
mainstream flicks are purely blah. In fact, I have commended a
MetroManila Film Festival entry which surpassed my expectations. By
the way, the list is just a product of my opinion so if you have any
disagreements, don't be afraid to tell me, but that will not make me
change the movies in my list. Enjoy!

KUBRADOR
Directed by Jeffrey Jetturian
w/ Gina Pareno

Set in the slums, "Kubrador" follows the life of Amy (Gina Pareno) as
she traverses along the labyrinth of houses and narrow pathways,
collecting her neighbors' bets for the next draw of jueteng, an
illegal numbers game here in the Philippines. The storytelling is
fresh, veering us away the usual preachy way of discussing jueteng. It
neither romanticizes nor understates the role of jueteng in the
Philippine environment but it simply projects to our minds its nature.
The camera movements are very notable, dizzyingly metaphorical. The
story structure is also one of a kind, though disorienting at first,
but actually whimsical at second observation. My best picture for 2006

COMPOUND
Directed by Will Fredo
w/ John Arcilla, Jake Macapagal

Probably one of the most psychotic local films I've ever seen for a
long time, "Compound" directs our senses to a location wherein we
could magnify the vast society we are interacting with. Brutal and
honest, we will find ourselves guessing what will happen next,
surmising that it's another cliche, just to get knocked out and
discover a totally different story. Note the superb acting of John
Arcilla as the almost insane Virgilio, and Jake Macapagal, the
homosexual tenant in the compound. Showing at Robinson's Galleria Feb.
7 to 13 2007.

KASAL KASALI KASALO
Directed by Jose Javier Reyes
w/ Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, Gina Pareno

Jose Javier Reyes' redeemed himself this time, treating a simple old
story of married life with a different twist. Whatever that twist is,
I still can't figure it until this time. Maybe it's the superbly
written script (very witty!) , or the magnificent acting spiels of
Judy Ann Santos as Angie and Gina Pareno as her mother. I need not
look down on other casts because they are all good nonetheless.
There's nothing really different about the film, but there is
something in it which will made you recall that it's a very good film.
Whatever the magic ingredient is, maybe it's magical just for being
magical's sake. The only mainstream flick of 2006 which I can
recommend, this is also a redeeming product of Star Cinema since its
release of Dekada '70 last 2002. Extended showing in selected theater.

TODO TODO TEROS
Directed by: John Torres
w/ Bughaw, Earl Drilon, Olga Aliseichyk, Regiben Romana

Todo Todo Teros made me utter, "What does it suppose to mean?!?" a
couple of times while it is being projected in the screen, but a
puzzle solver's perspective would properly connect each single piece
to a very well-made story. Perfectly experimental, the whole film was
shot even before the script was written. The idea of terrorism
reverberates around the film's premise, as the concept connects with
family, love, country, self and art.

DONSOL
Directed by: Adolfo Alix Jr.
w/ Angel Aquino, Sid Lucero

Breathtaking. One word for Donsol's cinematography. I even have to
question myself a number of times how could a digital camera be able
to capture excellently such magical images of blue skies, tourist
spots and underwater environments alongside with the swimming
butandings (whalesharks) . The sceneries incredibly wonderfully
juxtapose to a developing love story between Teresa (Angel Aquino), a
breast cancer survivor, and Daniel (Sid Lucero) a Butanding
Interaction Officer.

SQUATTERPUNK (ISKWATERPANGK)
Directed by: Khavn dela Cruz

Let's travel back to the silent era. Make sure you have your beers and
two-hour supply of cigarettes with you as you follow the life of a boy
in the urban squatter's area, with The Brockas as the live
accompanying music. Yup, it is a silent film and it's a challenge to
bring back the style once again. Imagine yourself watching a two-hour
music video. But despite the band's enigmatic and loud music drowning
the film is a very ironic message which will stab your heart.

Check this out Best Filipino Films of 2006 by David Corpuz

http://demented-online.blogspot.com/2007/01/best-filipino-films-of-2006.html