finally, I thought this flixter is all about hollywood movie. But I guess this site really accept all kinds of movie genre and languages!..
in this movie?? new and original plot line and Kris Aquino had managed to portray her role.
It's not really a horror movie that will keep you awake at night. But there's a generous dose of startling sound effects and scenes though which keeps you at the edge of your seat.
One of those few Filipino films that has a very new and original plotline. Although the story revolved around Chinese superstitions, a lot of Filipinos would relate to the horror of what happens to the characters in the film. Kris Aquino has always annoys me with her acting but surprisingly, she was good on this one.
A woman accidentally picked up a Feng Shui mirror on the bus. At first it brings luck to the family but there's always a trade off of misfurtunate event from anyone else but herself. Eventually the mirror tricks her getting into even bigger and deadier "luck and wealth."
I don't regularly watch Tagalog movies as I was really becoming skeptical of our local films (except for the ones that come out in December for the film fest). I was quite intrigued about the hype that preceeded the showing of Chito Rono's 'Feng Shui'. People said it was really scary. They said Kris Aquino's acting has definitely improved and was on full display in this movie.
"Okay, why don't I check it out."
So, I go to the theater to watch it.
25 seconds into the film I was already getting goose-bumps and the eeriely strange feeling that I was gonna like this flick! And I did!
I've never been a fan of the horror genre--deemed it was too corny and nonesensical.
I started getting to like the genre when I saw M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Sixth Sense', which was then followed by the really cool Gore Verbinski-version of 'The Ring'. 'Feng Shui' treaded on the same path.
What really held my attention to the film were 3 things:
1)Chito Rono's script -- though it has a lot of similarities to it's horror predecessors, it does it's best to be 'creative' (the animal representing your year of birth determines how you die) and uses Filipino superstitious beliefs to make the story more accessible to the audiences. I was mystifyed with the whole good-luck-bad-luck-relationship and how it plays well into the story.
2)the directing -- Rono did a great job here. the story is well-paced. the shots are very professional. the effects were definitely on par with (maybe even better than) those of other Asian scary movies.
3)Kris Aquino's acting -- I wasn't a fan of hers until she showed audiences her improved acting in 'Mano Po' and 'Mano Po 2: My Home'. Here, she goes two notches higher. I know she still has a few more rough edges left, but she has really come a long way from her first appearance on TV (on an episode of an anthology series with Gabby Concepcion). She now knows how to look really scared and make you believe it--for the most part, that is.
Overall, I think 'Feng Shui' is not only a good showcase of Kris' enhanced acting chops but also a glaring evidence that the Filipino cinema still has a few tricks up its sleeve!
Tell me not to do any feng shui or buy any feng sui stuff. A mysterious object that if hung on the outside of the house would bring good fortune, brings tragedy and horror instead.
It's not really a horror movie that will keep you awake at night. But there's a generous dose of startling sound effects and scenes though which keeps you at the edge of your seat.
MCT:September 15, 2008
MCT:August 15, 2008
MCT:August 3, 2008
MCT:March 17, 2008
