i posted this on the Panday message board on the IMDb.
this is really funny... and pathetic at the same time.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479336/usercomments
read my review on PBB, then read the other guy's review which is directly in answer to mine. bakit ba yung mga ABS fanatics eh feeling nila kinakawawa sila, kesyo panalo na daw ang GMA sa ratings eh mas lalo pa daw sila dina-down. tapos isa daw ako sa mga pinadala ng GMA para siraan ang ABS. meron din naman feeling nila kaya daw bumagsak sa ratings ang ABS is because of bad publicity and evil business tactics daw... eh mas matindi pa nga yung tyranny ni freddie garcia sa ABS noon ah!
di pa yata nila nababasa yung critisismo ko sa encantadia... bah, andami yatang nagalit sakin mga taga GMA dahil dun ah.
honestly, i pity these ABS freaks. di sila sport.
Insulting the Pinoy Entertainment Industry since 2005.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Somebody reacted...
...to my review. I just love it when that happens. Here she is:
I disagree with you Review, 9 December 2005
I strongly disagree with your review regarding Pinoy Big Brother. I think you are too shallow that you were not able to analyze what Pinoy Big Brother TV show is. You did not even asked the PBB management what is the objectives of the Big Brother.
For me, PBB is just a reflection of our attitude or character. It is a mirror where we can see our good and bad attitude. If you just watch them talking, you can say that it is just a trash. Its just like watching those neighborhood in slum areas or gossiping government employees. But look at the tasks, there are so many values you can learn every time they have tasks.
Your review is to shallow, can you please look deeper. I will not consider you a credible movie/TV reviewer. Or you are just one of those people sent by the other network to destroy ABS-CBN. I know they are afraid of ABS-CBN.
This is my answer:
Firstly, thank you for reacting. I just love it when somebody does. Unfortunately, you attacked one-sidedly, which meant that you made a review without giving me a chance to counter your flattery. I will do it here in my blog.
I strongly disagree with your review regarding Pinoy Big Brother. I think you are too shallow that you were not able to analyze what Pinoy Big Brother TV show is. You did not even asked the PBB management what is the objectives of the Big Brother.
You think I should ask the production team of PBB what they were trying to do on TV? Then if anybody was not able to understand what this PBB crap is all about, then they should not have bothered to make this show in the first place! As far as shallowness goes, I think i've explained my side on this all too well. I suggest you read my critique again.
For me, PBB is just a reflection of our attitude or character. It is a mirror where we can see our good and bad attitude.
However, it also teaches voyeurism to it's viewers, especially to the not-so-bright ones. Like you.
If you just watch them talking, you can say that it is just a trash. Its just like watching those neighborhood in slum areas or gossiping government employees. But look at the tasks, there are so many values you can learn every time they have tasks.
May I know which tasks you are talking about? Was it the one about burning the clothes? Was it about eating with the extra-large spoon and forks? I believe these tasks were put in there so as to make the program more interesting. The program itself is too boring anyway.
I will not consider you a credible movie/TV reviewer. Or you are just one of those people sent by the other network to destroy ABS-CBN. I know they are afraid of ABS-CBN.
To each his own, dude. but if you're going to make statements like these, you'd better back it up with evidence. Which words of mine made me incredible? If I was sent by ABS, could you back this up? Of course you can't! You are nothing but a bitter fan bacause you can't face facts... Facts hurt.
I disagree with you Review, 9 December 2005
I strongly disagree with your review regarding Pinoy Big Brother. I think you are too shallow that you were not able to analyze what Pinoy Big Brother TV show is. You did not even asked the PBB management what is the objectives of the Big Brother.
For me, PBB is just a reflection of our attitude or character. It is a mirror where we can see our good and bad attitude. If you just watch them talking, you can say that it is just a trash. Its just like watching those neighborhood in slum areas or gossiping government employees. But look at the tasks, there are so many values you can learn every time they have tasks.
Your review is to shallow, can you please look deeper. I will not consider you a credible movie/TV reviewer. Or you are just one of those people sent by the other network to destroy ABS-CBN. I know they are afraid of ABS-CBN.
This is my answer:
Firstly, thank you for reacting. I just love it when somebody does. Unfortunately, you attacked one-sidedly, which meant that you made a review without giving me a chance to counter your flattery. I will do it here in my blog.
I strongly disagree with your review regarding Pinoy Big Brother. I think you are too shallow that you were not able to analyze what Pinoy Big Brother TV show is. You did not even asked the PBB management what is the objectives of the Big Brother.
You think I should ask the production team of PBB what they were trying to do on TV? Then if anybody was not able to understand what this PBB crap is all about, then they should not have bothered to make this show in the first place! As far as shallowness goes, I think i've explained my side on this all too well. I suggest you read my critique again.
For me, PBB is just a reflection of our attitude or character. It is a mirror where we can see our good and bad attitude.
However, it also teaches voyeurism to it's viewers, especially to the not-so-bright ones. Like you.
If you just watch them talking, you can say that it is just a trash. Its just like watching those neighborhood in slum areas or gossiping government employees. But look at the tasks, there are so many values you can learn every time they have tasks.
May I know which tasks you are talking about? Was it the one about burning the clothes? Was it about eating with the extra-large spoon and forks? I believe these tasks were put in there so as to make the program more interesting. The program itself is too boring anyway.
I will not consider you a credible movie/TV reviewer. Or you are just one of those people sent by the other network to destroy ABS-CBN. I know they are afraid of ABS-CBN.
To each his own, dude. but if you're going to make statements like these, you'd better back it up with evidence. Which words of mine made me incredible? If I was sent by ABS, could you back this up? Of course you can't! You are nothing but a bitter fan bacause you can't face facts... Facts hurt.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Etheria: IT’S NOT A PREQUEL (subtitled: a very big plot hole before it even begins!)
The essence of a ‘prequel’, as George Lucas brilliantly put it, is creating a back-story to the original; and Georgie never failed to do so with his beloved Star Wars series, which we all know that he created episodes 4, 5, 6 by the late 70’s and creating the first three episodes many years after. Even George had a bit of a hard time explaining the origins of the universes, how Darth Vader came to be, etc. And even after all of the hard work and difficulties he had to face creating the ‘prequels’ and making sure that every little detail is explained for continuity, there are many SW fans who love the originals and still dislike the new movies.
I recently watched the Mel & Joey special on the new fantasy soap opera GMA cooked up for its audience, which is Etheria, and I must say, instead of being excited about this supposed ‘prequel’ to the already confusing Encantadia, I simply sighed and shook my head in dismay. Firstly, the network finished their top-rating fantasy show open ended with a lot of questions still unanswered; and since watching a soap opera (whether it be a regular soap or superserye or fantaserye or whatever) is a complete waste of my precious time, I decided not to bother with it anymore.
Secondly, during the whole Mel & Joey episode, I kept on hearing the word ‘prequel’ from the new show’s directors and writers: ‘It’s a prequel’. ‘Prequel this’. ‘Prequel that.’ However, from what I learned from the episode, the story of Etheria will evolve around the four annoying bickering sisters of Encantadia traveling back in time, involving themselves in the affairs of past events. So is it a prequel? Believe me when I say that IT IS NOT.
A prequel is a back-story to the real events surrounding the original. Supposedly, what happens in this prequel should affect the sequel, and not the other way around. Confused already? You should be, because it really is hard to understand.
Let me put it this way: Let’s say Star Wars episodes 4, 5, 6. in order to make a prequel, they have to make episodes 1, 2, 3, right? Ok; supposing episodes 1, 2, 3 is in the making, should Luke Skywalker and Han Solo appear in episodes 1, 2, 3? Should the three of them (including Princess Leia) ride on a time machine and go back in time to meddle in the affairs of the Galactic Senate and the old Jedi Council? Clearly, Luke, Han, and Leia are very enigmatic characters, it would be such a waste in they will only sit back and watch the whole thing evolve before their eyes. Knowing Luke and Han, I’m sure they will be able to prevent the fall of Anakin Skywalker and the decline of the Old Republic. So, if ever episodes 1, 2, 3, were about Luke, Han, and Leia going back in time to prevent the rise of the empire, then the original episodes 4, 5, 6 would not have happened in the first place! That would mean that this supposed ‘prequel’ is not a prequel at all but rather a continuation of the original story.
As far as I can understand, Etheria was a kingdom in the past of the timeline of Encantadia. If ever Etheria was a prequel, it should concentrate upon the stories before the events on Encantadia. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The four fairy sisters of Encantadia will get to travel back in time to meddle in the events of their past. This is really funny… Because in the first place, if the Encantadia sisters did have time-travelling capabilities, why the heck didn’t they just go back in time and prevent the whole thing before it happened? They just wasted the lives of those that died in their war. The fairies are not exactly very bright, are they? This is precisely the reason why the time-travel gimmick was never a good idea for a plot twist.
Confused? Everybody should be, because those who cannot see such foolishness are foolish themselves. It is another marketing ploy to keep the high ratings intact.
Though I have lost faith in the storytelling abilities of the GMA writers, I am still crossing my fingers that the producers of the show would find a way to get their maze-confusing storylines back on track.
And don’t worry, GMA is still eons and eons away from the ‘Panday’ bull crap.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Filipino entertainment gimmicks that look and sound strangely familiar…
I never watch TV seriously anymore; and there are two valuable reasons for it. First, the TV set on my room is broken. Even after a few punches and kicks to the side, the screen is still top-scrolling rapidly. My TV, I believe, is beyond repair.
Second, the things that I see on TV are just disgusting. It kind of reminds me of that famous saying that I keep on hearing all the time: “Ang mga Pilipino mahilig manggaya” (Filipinos love to imitate). And, being true to this saying, the mind of the entertainment creative writer does not fail to deliver the goods in proving this saying correct.
For starters, let me give a few simple examples:
1. Anybody ever heard of the Pinoy Big Brother theme sung by that Brit-loving Filipino band Oranges and Lemons? I don’t particularly CARE about who wrote the lyrics, but I do CARE about who wrote the tune. The words to the song ‘Pinoy Ako’” are original, but the tune was shamelessly copied from 80’s new wave band CARE’s song entitled ‘Chandeliers’. Get this: the members can even hold their head up high and tell everyone that they did not copy the tune, and was only merely ‘inspired’. Looky here, kids: there’s a big difference between inspiration and plagiarism. You think we’re that stupid, eh?
2. Ever since ‘Encantadia-mania’ hit the country, master plagiarizers ABS-CBN itched to create a series to emulate the hit-making soap opera of their enemy channel. As fast as a meteor hitting earth, the network quickly bought the rights to Fernando Poe Jr.’s trademark movie ‘Panday’ to be transformed into a soap opera. Oh, and they did not lack in pride in bragging about the show: a cinema-like atmosphere, endless fantasy battles, a different kind of animation, etcetera, etcetera. What did we get? Really cheesy CGI effects and a cliché fantasy plot-driver: the main hero enters a new dimension through the pages of his beloved comics. Oh wait, they copied this from A-ha’s music video for their song ‘Take On Me’ where the heroine lady enters the comics to meet with the handsome singer. Laughable isn’t it? Watch out for a more detailed critique on this later on.
3. Oh, and I will definitely not let ‘Encantadia’ go too easily. There was this one time where Sunshine Dizon’s character caught the betrayal of a comrade, and in order to get her revenge, she had to ‘punish’ the friend. What does she do? She watches ‘Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back’ and borrows Vader’s Carbon Freeze Chamber which he used on Han Solo. With exact effects, mind you, on Sunshine’s Judas friend: a sculpted screaming face in agony and two hands with palms outward: exactly like what happened to Han Solo on ESB. I do believe they borrowed the same sculpture of Harrison Ford to use in that show.
4. Anybody seen the teaser TV spot for Mulawin the Movie? You know, where that feather dancing in the sky that got sliced by a sword flipped in the air? Now, watch the opening sequence to Final Fantasy VIII and you’ll see the same thing: A feather from Rinoa’s wing, after disappearing in the sky, will transform into the gunblade. The gunblade flips exactly like the one you saw on the teaser trailer for Mulawin.
Yes, it’s true. They do think we’re idiots. However this time, we’re flipping the cards on them.
Second, the things that I see on TV are just disgusting. It kind of reminds me of that famous saying that I keep on hearing all the time: “Ang mga Pilipino mahilig manggaya” (Filipinos love to imitate). And, being true to this saying, the mind of the entertainment creative writer does not fail to deliver the goods in proving this saying correct.
For starters, let me give a few simple examples:
1. Anybody ever heard of the Pinoy Big Brother theme sung by that Brit-loving Filipino band Oranges and Lemons? I don’t particularly CARE about who wrote the lyrics, but I do CARE about who wrote the tune. The words to the song ‘Pinoy Ako’” are original, but the tune was shamelessly copied from 80’s new wave band CARE’s song entitled ‘Chandeliers’. Get this: the members can even hold their head up high and tell everyone that they did not copy the tune, and was only merely ‘inspired’. Looky here, kids: there’s a big difference between inspiration and plagiarism. You think we’re that stupid, eh?
2. Ever since ‘Encantadia-mania’ hit the country, master plagiarizers ABS-CBN itched to create a series to emulate the hit-making soap opera of their enemy channel. As fast as a meteor hitting earth, the network quickly bought the rights to Fernando Poe Jr.’s trademark movie ‘Panday’ to be transformed into a soap opera. Oh, and they did not lack in pride in bragging about the show: a cinema-like atmosphere, endless fantasy battles, a different kind of animation, etcetera, etcetera. What did we get? Really cheesy CGI effects and a cliché fantasy plot-driver: the main hero enters a new dimension through the pages of his beloved comics. Oh wait, they copied this from A-ha’s music video for their song ‘Take On Me’ where the heroine lady enters the comics to meet with the handsome singer. Laughable isn’t it? Watch out for a more detailed critique on this later on.
3. Oh, and I will definitely not let ‘Encantadia’ go too easily. There was this one time where Sunshine Dizon’s character caught the betrayal of a comrade, and in order to get her revenge, she had to ‘punish’ the friend. What does she do? She watches ‘Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back’ and borrows Vader’s Carbon Freeze Chamber which he used on Han Solo. With exact effects, mind you, on Sunshine’s Judas friend: a sculpted screaming face in agony and two hands with palms outward: exactly like what happened to Han Solo on ESB. I do believe they borrowed the same sculpture of Harrison Ford to use in that show.
4. Anybody seen the teaser TV spot for Mulawin the Movie? You know, where that feather dancing in the sky that got sliced by a sword flipped in the air? Now, watch the opening sequence to Final Fantasy VIII and you’ll see the same thing: A feather from Rinoa’s wing, after disappearing in the sky, will transform into the gunblade. The gunblade flips exactly like the one you saw on the teaser trailer for Mulawin.
Yes, it’s true. They do think we’re idiots. However this time, we’re flipping the cards on them.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
My Review of 'Pinoy Big Brother'
the entry for Pinoy big Brother is not yet up at the IMDb, so I will be posting my review for your eyes only, folks!
Pinoy Big Brother: Foreign garbage in our midst
I can honestly say that Pinoy Big Brother is very comparable to the old Japanese and Korean buses that we see on EDSA: those rolling heaps of junk that barely worked, but are just another country’s hand me down ready to give in anytime. I say this because of the allegedly ingenious Filipino TV writer’s mind once again failed to come up with something fresh and profound for the viewers and instead, just copied a crap foreign reality show premise.
Like I said, the reality show PBB is something new to the Philippines, but it is in no way new to the other greater nations around us. In fact, the Big Brother reality show is so famous it has spawned infamy; with legions of haters around the world. And who can blame them? Firstly, reality shows are just glorified, commercial documentaries; or rather a “poor guy’s documentary” wherein networks market upon how people react to certain extreme situations, expecting viewers to relate to the ‘contestants’ transforming their shallow feelings into instant TV ratings and cash in the process. Unfortunately, many are still taken in, but the real ‘reality’ will sink into their brains in no time.
Now, looking at PBB in the simplest perspective: what did I get from watching the reality show? Two things: (1) a chance to play someone important like a peeping tom to a group of people, and (2) watch them excitingly talk to each other and eat and sleep and take a bath, like ordinary people do. “Ooooh! Look! They’re talking to each other! How exciting!” Yeeesh. My point is, how shallow can anybody get? This is truly a brand new low in Philippine TV programming.
Do you remember that jeepney sticker that goes: “Smart people talk about ideas; stupid people talk about other people”? PBB is exactly that and much more! Not only can the viewer get to talk about other people, the viewer gets to see them get naked and take a bath as well!
Congratulations to the network. Once again, they discovered a new market using other people’s faults and miseries. Congratulations also for glorifying the ‘peeping Tom’ and introducing to our great nation a different kind of sexual perversion.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
My Review of 'Qpids'
'Qpids' is what you get when you cross 'That's Entertainment' with 'Starstruck' and winding it down to a brain-numbing shallowness of a reality show.
Don't get me wrong, but 'Qpids' is big: to the hyper-teenage girl group that is. 'Qpids' is a "love-team" search, to say the least. Eight pairs battle it out through stupid love games and quizzes, and in the end, a boy and a girl win it out as the best love-team of them all. The show market upon the 'kilig' factor, and what else would the lovestruck teenager bite but the shallowness and emptiness of blind puppy love.
If that is the case, we also have this program to thank for leading our teenage children astray.
And that's it. No more, no less. The little girls might love it, but to the rest of us who's looking for a bit more thinking, sophistication, and wisdom from our television, we should look somewhere else... Somewhere really really far.
Don't get me wrong, but 'Qpids' is big: to the hyper-teenage girl group that is. 'Qpids' is a "love-team" search, to say the least. Eight pairs battle it out through stupid love games and quizzes, and in the end, a boy and a girl win it out as the best love-team of them all. The show market upon the 'kilig' factor, and what else would the lovestruck teenager bite but the shallowness and emptiness of blind puppy love.
If that is the case, we also have this program to thank for leading our teenage children astray.
And that's it. No more, no less. The little girls might love it, but to the rest of us who's looking for a bit more thinking, sophistication, and wisdom from our television, we should look somewhere else... Somewhere really really far.
Monday, June 20, 2005
My Review of 'Kampanerang Kuba'
"Kampanerang Kuba" (2005)
Fantasy... and insanely laughable, 19 June 2005
As a self-proclaimed TV and movie critic I decided to give 'Kampanerang Kuba', a chance, much like all the other Philippine movie and TV shows I reviewed. I wasn't disappointed: It was so insanely shallow and mind-numbing I was literally on the floor laughing my brains out. Truly I have never laughed so hard in my life, and what made this soap opera so funny is that the makers never meant it to be that way.
'Kampanerang Kuba' is a TV remake of the popular Vilma Santos movie, Whoever thought that remaking corn-and-camp 60's movies into TV soap opera musicals must absolutely be out of their minds. This time around, "Paris Hilton of the Philippines" Anne Curtis stars as the Quasimodo--or rather--Quasimoda character who, by magical and fantastical reasons, is transformed into a pretty girl and thirsty for revenge against those pretty boy jocks who did not take her out to prom night.
I was laughing my brains out because the show is just fantastically terrible it was laughable. It wasn't as bad as, say, 'Manos: the Hands of Fate', but comparable to classic BAD movies of Ed Wood. It wasn't a bit funny on the supposed funny scenes, but it was a Hell of a lot of fun during the campy scenes: Do you want to know where our hunchback heroine came from? FROM THE ENCHANTED LAND OF THE SINGING HUNCHBACKS! Yes, somehow, somewhere, there's an alternate magical land where everyone is an equally beautiful hunchback with a beautiful singing voice. How crazy can you get?
Next, The immortal soapish elements are present in here, making KK look like the cast of 'Pangako Sa Yo'playing dress-up. Yes, It's very early to make fun of this terrible show, but this is the same feeling as knowing a film will definitely suck even after just a few minutes of viewing it. KK is so terrible and repetitive, it will make you gouge your eyes out.
The only nicer elements of KK is that of the performance of soap legends of Jean Garcia and 'Ms. Powers' herself Eula Valdez. However, even with the insertion of these two power players (which we've seen before in 'Pangako Sa Yo'), the two of them cannot redeem this titanic production. The rest of the cast would make you feel like they're doing it for the payroll.
This being said, somebody ought to ban fantaseryes, telefantasyas, and all of it's incarnations. Somebody should start a revolution.
Fantasy... and insanely laughable, 19 June 2005
As a self-proclaimed TV and movie critic I decided to give 'Kampanerang Kuba', a chance, much like all the other Philippine movie and TV shows I reviewed. I wasn't disappointed: It was so insanely shallow and mind-numbing I was literally on the floor laughing my brains out. Truly I have never laughed so hard in my life, and what made this soap opera so funny is that the makers never meant it to be that way.
'Kampanerang Kuba' is a TV remake of the popular Vilma Santos movie, Whoever thought that remaking corn-and-camp 60's movies into TV soap opera musicals must absolutely be out of their minds. This time around, "Paris Hilton of the Philippines" Anne Curtis stars as the Quasimodo--or rather--Quasimoda character who, by magical and fantastical reasons, is transformed into a pretty girl and thirsty for revenge against those pretty boy jocks who did not take her out to prom night.
I was laughing my brains out because the show is just fantastically terrible it was laughable. It wasn't as bad as, say, 'Manos: the Hands of Fate', but comparable to classic BAD movies of Ed Wood. It wasn't a bit funny on the supposed funny scenes, but it was a Hell of a lot of fun during the campy scenes: Do you want to know where our hunchback heroine came from? FROM THE ENCHANTED LAND OF THE SINGING HUNCHBACKS! Yes, somehow, somewhere, there's an alternate magical land where everyone is an equally beautiful hunchback with a beautiful singing voice. How crazy can you get?
Next, The immortal soapish elements are present in here, making KK look like the cast of 'Pangako Sa Yo'playing dress-up. Yes, It's very early to make fun of this terrible show, but this is the same feeling as knowing a film will definitely suck even after just a few minutes of viewing it. KK is so terrible and repetitive, it will make you gouge your eyes out.
The only nicer elements of KK is that of the performance of soap legends of Jean Garcia and 'Ms. Powers' herself Eula Valdez. However, even with the insertion of these two power players (which we've seen before in 'Pangako Sa Yo'), the two of them cannot redeem this titanic production. The rest of the cast would make you feel like they're doing it for the payroll.
This being said, somebody ought to ban fantaseryes, telefantasyas, and all of it's incarnations. Somebody should start a revolution.
Monday, June 13, 2005
another review of 'Encantadia' which is very much anti-me
Here's a review of MY REVIEW from imdb.com. I'm a wee flattered, actually.
Encantadia: The Copycat?, 10 June 2005
Author: pyrhum from Philippines
Hell no!
Yes, they have admitted that they have LOTR to thank for; because without the said film, they wouldn't know how to create a show in epic proportions.
Yes, this show is the most top-rated show on Philippine Television today. One of the reasons is that they have learned how to create lavish costumes, dreamy settings, and out of this world animatronic characters.But this doesn't mean they copied LOTR! I mean, the story itself is different! LOTR's story involves a nobody carrying the world over his shoulders and ends up saving it in the end. While in Encantadia, it is partly the story of four sisters torn apart by one of the sister's greed; and partly the story of a young fairy princess brought to the mortal realm where she suffers tremendously.
The story of Encantadia merely tells what is happening in our country right now. Not that our country is rich, in contrast, it clearly states how difficult it is to live in this country (or the world for that matter). I know it may seem a bit gloomy, but that's the reality. Life is difficult. But living life, is a job. Especially, if you have no one. All you can do is work hard, and hope for a better tomorrow. This is what Encantadia wants to show us: "perseverance is the key to survival". Yes, i admit that an epic quest has yet to be shown. But there is more to a story than an epic scene! What matters more in a story is the HEART a writer puts in it. Like with LOTR, Tolkien gave his heart out in his novel. Likewise with the writers of Encantadia. Unlike in LOTR where the hero needs to travel away from his homeland in order to create a story, Encantadia has its story right there its lands, that's why there is no need to travel to distant places!
According to one opinion, Encantadia lacks the mythology that LOTR had. But why would Encantadia need a mythology, when Encantadia itself is the beginning of the mythology?! Unlike LOTR, Encantadia doesn't need a mythology to stand up on it's own. It has itself to stand up on. And regarding its viewers being unintelligent. Well, i beg to differ! We may not know what 'The Silmarillion' is. But hey, do you know the world of Encantadia? As what my teacher said, a true genius knows that he knows everything and nothing at the same time. Don't call yourself intelligent when you're not! Encantadia is pure Filipino excellence, that's why Filipinos like me love them. Unlike you.
I will be answering this guy's flattering farts one by one in a short while.
Encantadia: The Copycat?, 10 June 2005
Author: pyrhum from Philippines
Hell no!
Yes, they have admitted that they have LOTR to thank for; because without the said film, they wouldn't know how to create a show in epic proportions.
Yes, this show is the most top-rated show on Philippine Television today. One of the reasons is that they have learned how to create lavish costumes, dreamy settings, and out of this world animatronic characters.But this doesn't mean they copied LOTR! I mean, the story itself is different! LOTR's story involves a nobody carrying the world over his shoulders and ends up saving it in the end. While in Encantadia, it is partly the story of four sisters torn apart by one of the sister's greed; and partly the story of a young fairy princess brought to the mortal realm where she suffers tremendously.
The story of Encantadia merely tells what is happening in our country right now. Not that our country is rich, in contrast, it clearly states how difficult it is to live in this country (or the world for that matter). I know it may seem a bit gloomy, but that's the reality. Life is difficult. But living life, is a job. Especially, if you have no one. All you can do is work hard, and hope for a better tomorrow. This is what Encantadia wants to show us: "perseverance is the key to survival". Yes, i admit that an epic quest has yet to be shown. But there is more to a story than an epic scene! What matters more in a story is the HEART a writer puts in it. Like with LOTR, Tolkien gave his heart out in his novel. Likewise with the writers of Encantadia. Unlike in LOTR where the hero needs to travel away from his homeland in order to create a story, Encantadia has its story right there its lands, that's why there is no need to travel to distant places!
According to one opinion, Encantadia lacks the mythology that LOTR had. But why would Encantadia need a mythology, when Encantadia itself is the beginning of the mythology?! Unlike LOTR, Encantadia doesn't need a mythology to stand up on it's own. It has itself to stand up on. And regarding its viewers being unintelligent. Well, i beg to differ! We may not know what 'The Silmarillion' is. But hey, do you know the world of Encantadia? As what my teacher said, a true genius knows that he knows everything and nothing at the same time. Don't call yourself intelligent when you're not! Encantadia is pure Filipino excellence, that's why Filipinos like me love them. Unlike you.
I will be answering this guy's flattering farts one by one in a short while.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Intelligent Viewership and the Prime Time Soap Opera Format
Is there such a thing as 'Intelligent Viewership' on Philippine TV?Apparently not.
I was never a big fan of the soap opera format wherein the actors and makers of the show slave almost daily to create a daily cliffhanger TV show which does not have a solid, central theme. Usually it's just a glorified Cinderella story, a fantasized Cinderella story, or an action Cinderella story. If not, it's revenge, revenge, revenge. I can name eight soap operas with revenge as the central storyline. Hell! There's even a soap opera called 'Ganti'! Who am I kidding?
The point of the above paragraph is, the makers of the show slave for days over a show which do not offer any intelligent benefits. The soaps are what is called in the industry as 'One-shots': One time fad, tommorw easily forgotten.
Commercial garbage such as 'Encantadia', Kampanerang Kuba', 'Darna', and all the other fantasy-themed soap opera were created solely to reap the benefits brought about by the adverts. So, who cares for uplifting the viewing experience of the everyday Filipino? NO-ONE! as long as the dough keeps rolling in, who cares about what the kids watch on TV.
SO maybe it's also semi-justifiable to say that Philippine TV is a big contributor to the 'idiot factor' of kids nowadays.
I was never a big fan of the soap opera format wherein the actors and makers of the show slave almost daily to create a daily cliffhanger TV show which does not have a solid, central theme. Usually it's just a glorified Cinderella story, a fantasized Cinderella story, or an action Cinderella story. If not, it's revenge, revenge, revenge. I can name eight soap operas with revenge as the central storyline. Hell! There's even a soap opera called 'Ganti'! Who am I kidding?
The point of the above paragraph is, the makers of the show slave for days over a show which do not offer any intelligent benefits. The soaps are what is called in the industry as 'One-shots': One time fad, tommorw easily forgotten.
Commercial garbage such as 'Encantadia', Kampanerang Kuba', 'Darna', and all the other fantasy-themed soap opera were created solely to reap the benefits brought about by the adverts. So, who cares for uplifting the viewing experience of the everyday Filipino? NO-ONE! as long as the dough keeps rolling in, who cares about what the kids watch on TV.
SO maybe it's also semi-justifiable to say that Philippine TV is a big contributor to the 'idiot factor' of kids nowadays.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
more TV reviews soon
I'm listing a few other TV programs I would like to formally review and 'tsugi'. In the meantime here are my few thoughts on the following programs.
'Quizon Avenue'
Nothing new. 'Quizon' is absolutely outdated after classic gag shows 'Bubble Gang' and improvisation champion 'Nuts Entertainment'. I laughed exactly 2 times on a whole show... You've got to hand it to Don Pepot, the guy can really make one laugh.
'Goin' Bulilit'
Clever. Nobody thought kids can still pull ratings. Too bad they were dethroned by copycat show 'Bubble Gang Jr.'
'Kampanerang Kuba'
Welcome to the enchanted land of singing hunchbacks! I was laughing at this scene of the pilot episode so much i nearly sh*t myself. I will surely write a comprehensive critique on this show.
'Bubble Gang Jr.'
Really unnecessary. Goes to show when you can't beat 'em, photocopy 'em! Regardless, I believe 'BGJr' comes up with funnier jokes than 'Goin' Bulilit'.
More reviews soon!
'Quizon Avenue'
Nothing new. 'Quizon' is absolutely outdated after classic gag shows 'Bubble Gang' and improvisation champion 'Nuts Entertainment'. I laughed exactly 2 times on a whole show... You've got to hand it to Don Pepot, the guy can really make one laugh.
'Goin' Bulilit'
Clever. Nobody thought kids can still pull ratings. Too bad they were dethroned by copycat show 'Bubble Gang Jr.'
'Kampanerang Kuba'
Welcome to the enchanted land of singing hunchbacks! I was laughing at this scene of the pilot episode so much i nearly sh*t myself. I will surely write a comprehensive critique on this show.
'Bubble Gang Jr.'
Really unnecessary. Goes to show when you can't beat 'em, photocopy 'em! Regardless, I believe 'BGJr' comes up with funnier jokes than 'Goin' Bulilit'.
More reviews soon!
Sunday, June 05, 2005
New Review: "Bahay mo ba 'to"
"Bahay mo ba 'to" (2004)
simple, ingenious sitcom premise, 5 June 2005
Who would've thought that an ingeniously simple sitcom premise would turn out to be a prime time top-rater? 'Bahay Mo Ba 'To' is the story of a house divided--literally--between two quarreling siblings whose families and neighbors are caught in the middle of punchline crossfire. 'Bahay' stars comedy veterans Tessie Tomas and Ronaldo Valdez as the warring siblings, and Wendell Ramos, Mike Nacua, and Sunshine Dizon as their children. The supporting cast include Sherilyn Reyes, Gladys Reyes, Tiya Pusit, and Francine Prieto whose character is hopelessly in love with Kempee de Leon's gay character Harold.
What made 'Bahay' a hit was its humble story premise which reflects everyday Filipino lives. Let's face it, sibling rivalry is very common among families, and having great comedians like Tessie and Ronaldo making fun of it helps ease the problems away. Not to mention the comic exchanges of Francine and Kempee, the sitcom is a winner among Filipino households.
'Bahay' makes a revolution on Philippine prime time sitcoms because of it's premise: it's so simple and effective one has to think why oh why on earth no one ever thought of it before.
Kudos to the brilliant minds who conceptualized 'Bahay', for they are now reaping the benefits.
simple, ingenious sitcom premise, 5 June 2005
Who would've thought that an ingeniously simple sitcom premise would turn out to be a prime time top-rater? 'Bahay Mo Ba 'To' is the story of a house divided--literally--between two quarreling siblings whose families and neighbors are caught in the middle of punchline crossfire. 'Bahay' stars comedy veterans Tessie Tomas and Ronaldo Valdez as the warring siblings, and Wendell Ramos, Mike Nacua, and Sunshine Dizon as their children. The supporting cast include Sherilyn Reyes, Gladys Reyes, Tiya Pusit, and Francine Prieto whose character is hopelessly in love with Kempee de Leon's gay character Harold.
What made 'Bahay' a hit was its humble story premise which reflects everyday Filipino lives. Let's face it, sibling rivalry is very common among families, and having great comedians like Tessie and Ronaldo making fun of it helps ease the problems away. Not to mention the comic exchanges of Francine and Kempee, the sitcom is a winner among Filipino households.
'Bahay' makes a revolution on Philippine prime time sitcoms because of it's premise: it's so simple and effective one has to think why oh why on earth no one ever thought of it before.
Kudos to the brilliant minds who conceptualized 'Bahay', for they are now reaping the benefits.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
My reviews so far...
Here's a list of my movie/TV review available for everyone:
"Encantadia" (2005) 31 May 2005
"Darna" (2005) 11 April 2005
"Eat bulaga" (1979) 30 March 2005
"John & Marsha" (1973) 30 March 2005
"Saang sulok ng langit" (2005) 30 March 2005
"Krystala" (2004) 30 March 2005
"TGIS" (1995) 30 March 2005
"Palibhasa lalake" (1991) 30 March 2005
"Super Laff-In" (1996) 29 March 2005
"Gimik" (1996) 29 March 2005
"Kamao: Matira ang matibay" (2005) 28 March 2005
"Bubble Gang" (1995) 13 March 2005
"Yes, Yes Show!" (2004) 8 March 2005
"Bora" (2005) 8 March 2005
"Mulawin" (2004) 6 March 2005
"Starstruck" (2003) 10 November 2004
"Star Circle Quest" (2004) 10 November 2004
"Marina" (2004) 27 June 2004
All My Life (2004) 10 June 2004
Mano po 2: My home (2003) 18 January 2004
"Liberated (2003) 18 December 2003
"Magandang tanghali bayan MTB" (1998) 13 November 2003
"Rizal sa Dapitan (1997) 2 November 2003
"Home Along da Riles" (1992) 1 November 2003
Bagets (1984) 12 September 2003
Scorpio Nights (1985) 8 September 2003
Maynila: Sa mga kuko ng liwanag (1975) 8 October 2002
"Kay tagal kang hinintay" (2002) 4 October 2002
Please do not hesitate to click on the link to my IMDb reviews onthe right. Also, e-mail me on innocentyears@yahoo.co.uk for your complaints.
Cheers!
"Encantadia" (2005) 31 May 2005
"Darna" (2005) 11 April 2005
"Eat bulaga" (1979) 30 March 2005
"John & Marsha" (1973) 30 March 2005
"Saang sulok ng langit" (2005) 30 March 2005
"Krystala" (2004) 30 March 2005
"TGIS" (1995) 30 March 2005
"Palibhasa lalake" (1991) 30 March 2005
"Super Laff-In" (1996) 29 March 2005
"Gimik" (1996) 29 March 2005
"Kamao: Matira ang matibay" (2005) 28 March 2005
"Bubble Gang" (1995) 13 March 2005
"Yes, Yes Show!" (2004) 8 March 2005
"Bora" (2005) 8 March 2005
"Mulawin" (2004) 6 March 2005
"Starstruck" (2003) 10 November 2004
"Star Circle Quest" (2004) 10 November 2004
"Marina" (2004) 27 June 2004
All My Life (2004) 10 June 2004
Mano po 2: My home (2003) 18 January 2004
"Liberated (2003) 18 December 2003
"Magandang tanghali bayan MTB" (1998) 13 November 2003
"Rizal sa Dapitan (1997) 2 November 2003
"Home Along da Riles" (1992) 1 November 2003
Bagets (1984) 12 September 2003
Scorpio Nights (1985) 8 September 2003
Maynila: Sa mga kuko ng liwanag (1975) 8 October 2002
"Kay tagal kang hinintay" (2002) 4 October 2002
Please do not hesitate to click on the link to my IMDb reviews onthe right. Also, e-mail me on innocentyears@yahoo.co.uk for your complaints.
Cheers!
Welcome, one and all!
The purpose of this blog is to criticize the Philippine entartainment insdustry... And I mean harshly criticizing anything and everything that's wrong with the industry: from stupid storylines to laughable dialogue and special effects.
Let's face it: Film and TV are very powerful media. Of course, we know that power corrupts... That is why our mission is to make sure that these people do not use this power for their own greedy ends.
Oh, wait... Too late for that.
Feel free to click on the link to my movie and TV reviews on the right side of the screen. I would like to extend my thank you to IMDb.com for providing me the space to write my reviews.
Cheers!
Let's face it: Film and TV are very powerful media. Of course, we know that power corrupts... That is why our mission is to make sure that these people do not use this power for their own greedy ends.
Oh, wait... Too late for that.
Feel free to click on the link to my movie and TV reviews on the right side of the screen. I would like to extend my thank you to IMDb.com for providing me the space to write my reviews.
Cheers!
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