The Healing (2012) Movie Review

The Healing is a 2012 supernatural horror film from ABS-CBN Productions, Inc. (Star Cinema) directed by Chito Roño starring Vilma Santos, Vilma Santos, Kim Chiu, Janice de Belen, Pokwang, Robert Arevalo, and Martin del Rosario. Check out Pinoy Movie Blogger's spoiler-free movie review of The Healing

The Healing
Synopsis

A news about the miraculous works of a faith healer spread like wildfire attracting the attention of people suffering from various illnesses coming from all walks of life. All of a sudden, the faith healer stopped her "healing" sessions, but was forced by a group of patients. But at the same time, disturbing and mysterious incidents start to unleash. Will the secret behind the faith healing's deadly curse finally be revealed or will it finally consume each victim?

The Healing Movie Review
The Healing (2012) Film Review

Being a fan of anything horror, once saw that The Healing was now in theaters I didn't have second thoughts and immediately bought a ticket. Thanks to The Healing film trailer, I can say the film piqued my interest. So did the film met my expectation? Will it meet yours?

I gave my initial impressions and predicted what The Healing's story might possibly be, but sadly it wasn't that close enough. The curse that befell each of the unfortunate patients who insisted of still being healed amidst the healer's "unstable" condition is not related to her recharging of her powers as I mentionded in my trailer impressions but something a lot more sinister... and I will end it at that. This is a spoiler-free movie review of the Healing anyways. When this plot point is revealed however, it is only a matter of time before you start patching up the pieces. You might have a glimpse of the ending already. Luckily The Healing movie trailer didn't spoil this opportunity to discover this plot point which have been some of my complaints in most Filipino film trailers and synopsis as of the recent.

The cast delivers a believable performance in The Healing. For a horror film, it sure has some good humor on it. The humor usually comes from Seth's (Vilma Santos) father Mang Odong (Robert Arevalo). But never forget that this is a horror film, you when you least expect it the film delivers this sucker punch jump scare. The Healing has a good number of jump scares which you can either love or hate. I personally prefer the more psychological and creeping form of scare when it comes to horror films. Don't get me wrong, The Healing has these creepy elements as well. The scares in the Healing are okay which have been generally enhanced by CG-effects. The effects of these malignant entities that haunts the patients are pretty impressive which is quite surprising actually. It made me remember how much I like other Asian horror films. It is far from perfection though. There are still some moments when the CGI-effects fail. This ranges from the unbelievable to the laughable. I believe that amidst having supernatural elements, a horror film should still be grounded to some basic logic and rules of reality. For those who are planning to see it, try to watch out for scenes that primarily focus on Alma (Pokwang) and Kakay (Abby Bautista). This maybe because they are working with a child, but I believe the visual effects department is at fault for not being able to portray a more realistic gore and special effects, and then there is that moment with Pokwang which think is a flaw in logic. Normal people don't just go that way. The film also has some weird thing about colors. Can you spot them all?

As for the ending (don't worry spoiler-free remember?) it is relatively okay. It doesn't have that stupid and irritating twist ending ala Segunda Mano. The Healing gave a good ending for a supernatural horror film. I just don't think that the last part was necessary.

The Verdict for The Healing (2012) Film

Star Cinema's The Healing is a good horror film which has some pretty suspenseful and creepy moments. The incorporation of CG-effects has mostly done wonders to enhance the creepy moments in this 2012 horror film, with a some few missed ones in some of its CGI-heavy moments.

The Healing is worth the time, money, and effort. The film is more of a suspense than a horror in the latter part of the film which is not bad which doesn't diminish how the story progressed. Pinoy Movie Blogger gives The Healing (2012) an 8 out of 10 (4/10) film review rating.

Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme Trailer Impressions: The Go Dong Hae's are Back with a Sequel to the Successful Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme

Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme is a 2012 comedy film from Star Cinema and Spring Films under the direction of Joyce Bernal, story by Chris Martinez which stars Eugene Domingo reprising her signature roles as the Go Dong Hae sisters: Kimmy Go Dong Hae and Dora Go dong Hae, Ariel Ureta as Lusito Go dong Hae, along with Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo, Miriam Quaimbao, Mura, Ryan Bang, and Alodia Gosiengfiao. Let's check out this sequel to 2009's Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme and see what we think about Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme official film trailer here at Pinoy Movie Blogger.

Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme
Plot / Synopsis

The Go Dong Haes are back! Kimmy and Dora (both played by Eugene Domingo) are identical twins with greatly different personalities. As told in the first film Kimmy dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme, Kimmy is the smart, dictatorial type while Dora is the slow, dumb-wit sister. However, they end up being close to each other and appreciated the love as sisters.

Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme focuses before the birth of the twins. It was a set-up arranged marriage for their father Don Luisito Go Dong Hae played by Ariel Ureta to a lady with Korean descent. Go Dong Hae refuses to mary and chose Kimmy and Dora's mother as her wife. In the present, an unexpected ghost is surfacing the family's lives and they found out that the Korean lady that is supposed to be married by their father was already dead and they need to quest for the tranquility of their lives by travelling all the way to South Korea.

Watch Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme Official trailer here:



Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme Official Trailer Impression
Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme Film Trailer Review

There hasn't been that many newer comedy films that made me really laugh and 2009's Kimmy Dora was one of those selected few. It provided something fresh and something intelligent. It was a break from the regular and tiring mindless slapstick humor and social stereotyping that most Filipino comedy films have become. Now we have the sequel to Kimmy Dora Kambal sa Kiyeme (2009)...

While the first movie focus on the transition of Kimmy from being the villainous socialite to a less villainous socialite accepting her dim-witted and somewhat retarded sister whom she got separated at birth, Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme picks up and rewinds a bit. The humor shown in the trailers are pretty funny which made me more curious as to what more is in store for us. Well, it looks like Kimmy has not really lost her tyranny after going through her experiences and finding love in the first film. Dora on the other hand is still the same old dim-witted sister but now beloved and "accepted" by her sister, Kimmy. Eugene Domingo will once again prove her prowess in acting with playing these two different roles. I for one am pretty excited for this film, a comedy that seems to be right my alley... smart, fresh, and a little bit twisted. I just hope that it leaves up or exceed people's expectations and the hype.

How about you guys? What can you say about the last Kimmy Dora film? How about the trailer for its sequel? Share your thoughts about Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme official movie trailer in the comments section below:

Every Breath U Take Cinema Teaser Trailer Impressions: Piolo's Back on Star Cinema's 19th Anniversary Rom-Com Film

Every Breath U Take is a romantic comedy film from Star Cinema under the direction of Mae Czarina Cruz which stars Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban. The film deemed by Star Cinema as "COM-ROM" (Comedy-Romance) will have a May 16, 2012 nationwide release. Let's check out the cinema teaser trailer for Every Breath U Take.

Every Breath U Take
Plot / Synopsis

Every Breath U Take follows the story of a womanizing bachelor who doesn't believe in love and a woman desperate to find one. When their paths meet, romance ensued.

Star Cinema's first COM-ROM offering on its 19th Anniversary! EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE starring Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban coming to theaters on May 16, 2012.

Watch Every Breath U Take Official trailer here:



Every Breath U Take Teaser Trailer Impression
Every Breath U Take Cinema Teaser Film Trailer Review

Star Cinema, the home of Filipino romantic films, romantic comedies or comedy romance will be celebrating it's 19th Anniversary with the return of Star Cinema's leading man and hearthrob Piolo Pascual teaming up with Angelica Panganiban on Every breath U Take. Another romantic comedy film that can elicit the feeling of "kilig" (twitterpatted) to romantic comedy (Star Cinema) film fans.

Well what can't be said about Star Cinema romantic films, that it is going to be a blockbuster success just like it has always been in the past. It is going to be your standard romantic comedy that person first falls in love with another person, then the opposite person falls in love with that person, but then some conflict arises which may affect their relationship but in the end love will come through and live happily ever after. If by any chance this film doesn't use that formula, let me be struck by lightning and not cease to exist in the blogosphere Hahahaha. Even with all of the cliche I mentioned, women or couples who love their chick flicks will definitely see this, not to mention Star cinema or Piolo Pascual fans. I personally find Angelica's character charming in this teaser, let's just wait for the official trailer that will tell the inevitable conflict that will be (and always) present on such film genre.

How about you guys? What do you think about the return of the controversial Piolo Pascual in the genre that made him popular? Share your thoughts on Every Breath U Take cinema teaser trailer in the comments section below:

Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang Trailer Impressions: A Happily Ever After Gone Awfully Wrong

Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang is a 2012 horror movie from Star Cinema, Reality Entertainment and Skylight Films, under the direction of Richard Somes which stars Derek Ramsay and Erich Gonzales. The film is slated for a March 14, 2012 release. The first Star Cinema horror film for 2012 uses the Philippine folklore monster Aswang as its main theme. Let's check out the official movie trailer for Corazon: Ang unang Aswang here:

RPG: Metanoia (2010) Movie Review

Another first in Philippines film history, RPG: Metanoia is the first full length Philippine animated film presented in 3D. With more than two years in the making, a Grade A from Cinema Evaluation Board, a first animated film presented in 3-D, does RPG Metanoia live up to its hype or is it or not? Find out more about on this spoiler-free RPG: Metanoia Pinoy Movie Blogger Review.



RPG: Metanoia Movie Review
Pinoy Movie Blogger Reviews

RPG: Metanoia starts slow and when I say slow, I mean the very beginning of the film featured constant dropping of frame rate which is by the way in "3-D". Though it can affect the viewing experience, it doesn't take too much away from the overall experience. It is still watchable, if not enjoyable. I maybe nitpicking a bit because of the countless excellent Hollywood 3-D films I have seen in the past, but knowing that this is a first in Philippine cinema then I guess it will do. But this should definitely be not an issue next time film studios and distributors! I still managed to oversee such lack of polish and look for other waiting treasures from this seemingly long delayed (to be made) discovered treasure chest.

RPG: Metanoia has good musical scoring and this has been recognized by the Metro Manila Film Festival as it won the Best Sound Recording in the highly acclaimed awards night. Some voice acting may feel a bit unnatural like that of Vhong Navarro's real world character, if only he has maintained that consistency both offline and on. Most of the voice acting grows up on you especially those of Zaijan Jaranilla, Mika Dela Cruz, Aaron Junatas, Basty Alcances, Aga Muhlach, and Eugene Domingo.

The first Filipino animated film presented in 3-D starts out slow. So slow that it seems like there is no exciting plot to follow and just a bunch of kids with wild imaginations. Luckily I was wrong as the film introduces an odd plot which affect not just the characters and their online roleplaying games, but the whole world in general. Pretty clever if I may add, but also very good. Nice character development with some cheesy and over the top dialogue. I just can't seem to relate with kids saying "Astig" everytime they can. The film is very Filipino as you will be in a treat seeing classic Filipino past time games in RPG: Metanoia.

I can't help but to review the RPG: Metanoia as a gamer. There are things that I like and don't like about the animated film. Being an avid RPG or MMORPG fan, there seems to have some headache inducing concepts going around the Metanoia universe like why does a player have a need to save his file in an Online Role-Playing Game? It is already online so it means that every transaction and quest a gamer do should automatically be saved. I think MMORPG gamers would also noticed this mistake in concepts. What I do like about the the role-playing game world of Metanoia on the other hand is the new concepts that has slowly been integrated to various mmorpgs nowadays, highly customizable characters. So customizable that the in-game characters looks exactly like their real world counterparts, or it is just the film playing tricks on us as the world of Metanoia is seen in the eyes of these "Astigin" group of kids... and adults.

I was able to watch most of the scenes without the 3-D glasses. I even favor watching it without them if not for some scenes which really demands the 3-D peripherals. One would often get a clue when to wear the 3-D glasses and that is everytime the animation frame rate drops. RPG: Metanoia is not really 3-D, but rather a pseudo-3D a.k.a. 2.5D. It may still be the first full length CGI Filipino film but not a full length 3-D one. One can really noticed that it is really a first of its kind here in the Philippines because of the constant frame rate drop everytime the animation goes into 3-D.

RPG: Metanoia Official Full Trailer
Movie Related Videos

Nico's (Zaijan Jaranilla) hundrum daily existence simply cannot compete with the fantasy life he leads in the world's most popular MMORPG—METANOIA, as the swashbuckling vagabond Zero, together with his friends: the spiritist Mang Ernie (Jairus Aquino), renegade chi-master K'mao, apprentice weapon-smith Sumpak (Aaron Junatas), folk hero Ahdonis (Basty Alcances) and the beast master Cassandra (Mika Dela Cruz), they explore Metanoia's vast virtual landscape in search of untold on-line fortune and glory!

When a malevolent force surfaces and threatens to consume everything they hold dear, the fate of two worlds fall upon the shoulder of one very unlikely champion. One who must first find way to burst out of his shell and discover the true hero within-before it's too late.

PMB Recommendations for RPG: Metanoia
The Verdict

RPG: Metanoia is a nice and decent animated film for the whole family. Though it lacks the necessary polish, it doesn't greatly deter its shortcomings from the overall viewing experience. An animated film which brings you back to the age of innocence. For a game about online video game, it can be the most anti-video game film one can ever watch. Tow hy was I able to come up with such statements? Well you just have to find it out for yourself by watching the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival entry RPG: Metanoia.

Pinoy Movie Blogger gives RPG: Metanoia (2010) Movie a two point five out of five yoyos: