critique on Feng Shui

I just finished watching Feng Shui with my mom. Not only was it worth money but it was worth the time as well. Me and my mom had a date. Nothing like going out with your mom, they always pay.. hehe (im only kidding, i pay for our meals sometimes). This film with Kris Aquino, though that was what made me think twice of watching it, was a sure sign that filipino films CAN be more than bomba. Not only was the trailer enticing with it's haunting "may uwi si mommy" song, but the movie itself proved to be a great suspense film.

It practiced what i call the "jaws effect". I took it from the movie "Jaws". Here, the villain (the shark for those who dont know) wasn't shown immediately in the film. Mostly, shots were taken in the shark's point of view, seeing the fear in it's prey's eyes. This gave it a deeper level of fear with the audience-- knowing who was going to get killed next but you couldn't do anything about it. In a way, you feel more connected with whats happening. Same applies to the film Feng Shui. You have a feeling of anticipation, of worry, fear, excitement all wrapped up into one. In an instant you'll be scared and actually not know what's going to happen, or if you do, you'd be wishing it won't happen at all. Then you scream. Along with the others beside you. I would admit there are some parts of the story that felt a bit exagerrated... the fengshui expert for one... they could have gotten another guy...that actor has been stereotyped as an old wise man for such a long time (iniba lang yung nationality). The mistress. Please, she got boracay written on her skin! They could have scrubbed her well first before shooting her. Her skin was peeling off and you can see patches of uneven skin tone. and she was ugly. Well thats beside the point. Make-up was... well, mediocre. It wasn't the "pulbos effect" but it still could merit some enhancements, like maintaining its quality 'til the end of the movie.

Technically, from starting credits, i was already impressed. The lenses they used in the start added a nice touch, and the quality and tone of the film made me think that this was surely edited elsewhere. The shots taken were great, it wasn't cluttered that it looked annoying and would make you nauseous but it gave that "busy feel" of what i percieved to be filipinos inclination to mysticism even though they believe that they are true to their being Christians. Lightings were good, sudden shift of camera angles enhanced scenes. Plainly put, it was orchestrated well.

Whoever wrote this film was good. It was twist upon twist, a good confirmation of what you were expecting... and at the same time what you didn't expect.

I'm no professional, but this among other local films like Muro Ami is what gives hope to our current film industry. More and more younger directors share their fresh talents to this industry, and we must thank God for them.

You gotta watch this film, preferrably with your friends or your moms... but at least i know what ill be getting my friends for christmas... hehehe

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.