Bulawan Nga Usa (2023) Movie Trailer Impressions: A Cinemalaya 2023 Film Festival Entry About a Mythical Golden Deer that Grants Wishes

Bulawan Nga Usa, directly translates from Cebuano to Golden Dear, is a drama film under the direction and screenplay of Kenneth De La Cruz; starring Matthews Espinosa, John Niel Paguntalan, CJ Pagayon, Filemon Capanang, Babbeth Fuentes Vargas, Tara Rose Molina, GC Castro, Lolita Madrid, Krystoffer Ays Grabato, and Sharon Idione. Bulawan Nga Usa is an official entry to the 19th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and slated for limited release from August 4 to 13 at the Philippine International Convention Center. Let's check out what this 2023 Cinemalaya film entry in Cebuano about self-discovery has in store for us here at Pinoy Movie Blogger.



Bulawan Nga Usa (Golden Dear)
Plot / Synopsis



After Makoy's dear grandfather passed away, he sets off on a captivating adventure to a magical mountain. His goal is to find the fabled golden deer that can make wishes come true. Along the way, Makoy becomes friends with a lively mountain boy who accompanies him in the pursuit of the legendary creature and finding himself.

Watch Bulawan Nga Usa Official trailer here:


Bulawan Nga Usa Official Trailer Impression
Golden Dear Cinemalaya Film Trailer Review



What can be said about the Bulawan Nga Usa (2023) official movie trailer? I always genuinely find it fresh to see Filipino films featuring other local Filipino dialect (besides Tagalog) gets featured in local and international film festivals to get more eyes on it. Bulawan Nga Usa or Golden Dear is a Cebuano film about self-discovery something that many of us can relate to. Based from the trailer, it shows the close ties of a young boy towards his grandfather that introduce him to the legend or myth of the wish granting golden deer.



It would be quite interesting if the film would take a somewhat supernatural turn. I can only speculate that it won't and it simply would just be one's journey to discover one's purpose in life through recollection and reflection of what his life has been at the film's point; and how his grandfather inspired him. The film also shows a more simple life at the province, having a good loving male figure to look up to, and dealing with grief upon losing that role model. But of course, this is just my personal opinion, and this is what makes the Golden Dear 2023 Cinemalaya entry a curious title. It just teases you to discover the film along with the film's premise. I personally am curious as to how the film will unfold.

How about you guys? What do you think about this 2023 drama film featuring Matthews Espinosa and John Niel Paguntalan? Does this film feel fresh to you or not? Have you seen any recent Filipino film that features our own local/provincial dialect outside Tagalog? Will you be seeing this 19th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry during its screening week from August 4 to 13 at the Philippine International Convention Center? Share your thoughts and opinion about Bulawan Nga Usa (2023) in the comments section below and let's talk about it.

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) Movie Review

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles is a 2012 Filipino horror-comedy film produced by GMA Films, Reality Entertainment, and Agosto Dos, under the direction of Erik Matti starring Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Joey Marquez, Janice De Belen, Ramon Bautista, Roi Vinzon, LJ Reyes, Mike Gayoso, and Rina Reyes. Does this horror film shot entirely in green screen meet the hype that it established? Check out our spoiler-free Pinoy Movie Blogger's review on Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles.

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles
Synopsis

Makoy (Dingdong Dantes) will do whatever it takes to get back his girlfriend Sonia (Lovi Poe), who's pregnant with their child. Macoy made the long trip to Sonia's hometown in the province but got immediately rejected by Sonia's mother Fely (Janice De Belen). Makoy has never been one to give up. With the help of Sonia's father Nestor (Joey Marquez) and his ever-dependable helper Bart (Ramon Bautista), Makoy stays in town to surprise Sonia on her birthday. Unfortunately, Makoy gets into trouble with a group of weird townsfolk who to little did they know are the dreaded Philippine folkloric monster the "tiktik"(s). As soon as they overhear that Macoy's wife is pregnant these weird townsfolk got literally hungry for revenge. Will Makoy finally get his act together, protect Sonia and their baby, and once and for all prove himself worthy of their love? Not only that but can they all survive the ruthless attack of these man eating monsters?

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles Movie Review
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) Film Review

The "aswang" is one of the most used horror icon in Philippine cinema. As someone who grew up and favoring horror films, I can say that I've mostly seen them all. So what is left for there to do with the aswangs? The answer a modern take on the traditional Aswangs.

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles has so much hyped built into it. I can say that this horror film from GMA Films is successful in generating buzz in both online and traditional scene which transcended to actual ticket or box office sales. Filipino produced films specially under the horror genre are not specifically known for quality when it comes to computer generated special effects, so I can't be blamed for initially being skeptical about this film. I have this vision... a feeling if you must say that "Filipino films can still do it!" or "they can pull off the same effect that most quality Hollywood films has done" is what kicked in and the reason why I succumbed to the hype created by Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles. I said to myself "I will watch this second Aswang film. It must not be as bad as Corazon. I hope I am not wrong this time". So did it lived up to its hype?

Right from the start, I think I know I was expecting but still gave it a try. Tiktik has that same old usual storyline and a below to average CG effects. There were times when the aswangs both on their human and monstrous forms looks somehow real, but mostly they look really amateur seen only from television fantasy-themed soaps. The fact that it also throws logic out of the window by making these monsters instantly combust ala "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" vampires turn to dust at the mere exposure or when attacked by the items that they are weak to is another reason why I stopped taking the film seriously. The fact that the whole film was shot mostly in green screen could be also be the reason why it mostly took me out of the scenes in the film. It activated that "spot the lame special effects" reflex I have when watching films. It was probably my film critic instincts but I eventually set it aside once I started accepting these known factors. Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles was not a straight on horror film, well not what I was expecting anyways. Tiktik was more of a comedy than a horror. Tiktik used a mixed of some atmospheric background music and modern rock music.

While the film was not the finest example of what a Filipino special effects studio can do, Tiktik made up for the performance and witty script it used. The performance of the actors were decent and entertaining. Joey Marquez and Ramon Bautista took the theater by storm with their hilarious moments in the film. I usually have this deductive reflex when watching movies and if they follow that personal deduction down to a tooth, then the film receives an automatic deduction for being "that" predictable. There was this one scene foreshadowing Ramon Bautista's character Bart which made me think of what he was, but as the film went on the film proved me wrong. Thus, one point for Slitherin, I mean Tiktik! The exposition as to why Bart was like (or looks like) that brought a smile to my face. Also most of the scenes with Ramon, Joey and Dingdong were mostly entertaining. The end didn't also make much sense. The final confrontation might have ended faster only if they utilized what they had at that moment, but NOOOooo they have to proceed with that "epic" finish where I also spot the green on the film's green screen. Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles decided to go over the top with logic that blurred logic and made it entertaining amidst ethe flaws of the visual effects technology it used that ranged from a subpar to a decent level.

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) Official Theatrical Movie Trailer


The Verdict for Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) Film

Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles is not a straight on horror film that a horror film fan is looking for, but a good mix of comedy and suspense. One of the criteria for a horror film to be good is the believability and it being grounded to reality that Tiktik disregard in some ways to give way to a more entertaining take on a theme that has been used over and over in Philippine horror cinema. Tiktik has more laughs than creep out moments. It pays tribute to the classic Filipino horror films which originally have way more sinister plot and believable gorey practical effects than what Tiktik had with its green screen special effects. Do yourself a favor and watch Tiktik: the Aswang Chronicles while it is still in theaters or if you missed it out, then grab the film with various special features that goes with it when it gets release on home video format in the near future.

Pinoy Movie Blogger gives Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012) a 7 out of 10 (7/10) film review rating.

Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang (2012) Movie Review

Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang is a 2012 Filipino horror-drama film produced by Star Cinema, Reality Entertainment and Skylight Films, under the direction of Richard Somes. Does this first horror film from Star Cinema meet the hype that it established? Check out the spoiler-free Pinoy Movie Blogger's review on Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang.

Clash of the Titans (2010) Movie Review

Clash of the Titan is another movie adaptation based from the classic Greek mythology of Perseus. There are a couple of differences regarding its original mythology (books) and the 1981 Clash of the Titans, so Pinoy Movie Blogger will approach this in a completely fresh perspective to cater to the modern Filipino viewers.




Clash of the Titans (2010) Movie Synopsis, Poster and Trailer

Clash of the Titan Movie Review
Pinoy Movie Blogger Reviews

Clash of the Titans is a 2010 retelling of the Greek mythology hero Perseus and when I say retelling then do not expect it to be as loyal as the 1981 stop motion movie version (if you have watched the movie back in the days). Overall, the movie was completely rendered in 3D as I once in a while remove my 3D glasses to take a peek. The emerging and the rampage of the glorious beast, the Kraken was probably one of the best 3D moments of the film. Well, the acting was just okay but definitely needed a bit more umph to it.

Another one of those epic adventure movie about one man against the Gods. A quest of godly proportions. Well, it can not (or can it?) be blamed on the writers since the movie was loosely based from the popular Perseus Greek mythology itself so expect a some very traditional lines like (if you'll excuse me) "Let's get that bitch!"... whut the? Yup, you got that right "bitch" and "hell" have been used in this movie of epic and ancient Greece setting which made me scratch my head. Besides these two inappropriate words incorporated in the movie, I have also noticed a lack of smooth transition from some scenes.

Seeing it in 3D, I think it delivered some nice 3D moments but there are somethings missing. When the "Woah" factor from the audience came from a pre-movie trailer about owls rather than the actual movie itself (or maybe my fellow movie audience were just too silent about expressing their awe regarding the movie), then you can't help but think that the effectiveness of the movie falls short in some strange ways. The probable reason behind this might be because of the 3D rendering of the movie in just a short span of time, and for what? Just because 3D is the latest "hype".

PMB Recommendation
The Verdict

Clash of the Titans is one of those movies that is better seen on the big screen (or better yet in full 3D or Digital cinema). The movie is definitely not a reboot of the 1981 Clash of the Titans, but a new one which was inspired of that and the book. Through flashy graphics, beautiful women, and a classic storyline the movie has overshadowed its shortcomings to some extent.

Pinoy Movie Blogger give the clash of the Titans (2010) Movie a three out of five Medusa heads: