Review: One (Wholesome)Night Only

One Night Only

Aside from Iskul Bukol, JG and I also saw One Night Only during the Holiday break. And like him, we were both surprised and agreed that we liked it better than the T.V. & J. reunion flick. However, let me make it clear that I only liked it a little, again, more than I liked Iskul Bukol, or at least not as much as JG liked it.

 

 

 I liked the movie (a little), because the story was good. Basically, it’s about a group of people that are all connected to each other. The story evolves in the events of the day, where they all end up going to the same motel. Let me see if I can get the connection:

So Diana wanted to sleep with John who was seeing Valerie; whose the friend of Jennilyn who was with lesbian Manilyn, who manages Assunta, whom is being seduced by Paolo, who is loathed by Ogie that is the friend of Chocolate who is hairdresser of Ricky’s wife who wants to bed Katrina who is a good friend of Diana.  

I liked it because it was fast paced and the situations they found themselves in were a little interesting. I liked it because it wasn’t slapstick; it didn’t end with a corny moral of the story, and it doesn’t tackle Pinoy clichés like poverty or anyone suddenly finding out that they are someone’s long lost love child.

What I didn’t like about the movie was that I found myself mislead. First off, It casted stars who claimed to be ready to go daring (e.g. Jennilyn Mercado, and Diana Zubiri who was the reason JG wanted to see in the first place), and that it was supposed to be something for the older movie goers. But as JG explained, the MMFF only allows films that are rated PG, thus what was supposed to be a sexy comedy, turned out to be nothing but a cleavage festival.

I’m not saying there should have been breast exposures, or pumping scenes; but it wouldn’t have hurt it showed a little bit of torrid kissing and some green dialogues; some effort to at least challenge its adult target market.  I thought that the movie dived too deep below the rated PG line, that it turned out be too elementary for a grown-up like me. Yes, the plot was funny and unique, all I’m saying it that, you went that far, might as well push it a little further and make it smarter. If you can’t pull it off with artsy bed scenes then at least challenge my brain with the dialogue. Joey de Leon was able to pull it off in Iskul Bukol (“I want be an Eskimo. Es, es, es…”), and many who saw that film were kids.

Also, on a Sociological perspective (yes, deep…), had they tried to make the script a little wittier, then the characters, especially the lead roles, would’ve had a little more dignity in them. I believe the movie wanted to show the modern Pinay who are as casual with their sexuality as men, but because of the basic dialogues, they all just became easy, ditsy, and promiscuous; instead of liberated and open-minded.

sex comedy?

In summary, I enjoyed the film, but not that much. It was unique, the idea was good, and the flow of the story was well executed. Maybe with a little more intellectual banter, or had it at least did prove to be daring as they publicized it to be, perhaps I would’ve liked it a lot. Close but no cigar.

 

 

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Favorite Overheard Quote/Conversations  of the Day:

One girl was decribing a friend she was going to set-up with her guy friend;

“Ano sya, pinaghalong Ara Mina at Jean Garcia.”

I don’t think that is a good combination, don’t you? Let’s just hope she nice or smart…

Iskul Bukol: The Reunion That Was Not

T.V.& J.

I was actually excited when I first heard about the Iskul Bukol Reunion flick a few weeks before Christmas. I rarely go to the cinemas to watch local films; I must admit that I am one of the many who does not have very high appreciation to our movies as much as I do with Hollywood films. I usually just go depending on who’s staring, or who I’m watching it with; otherwise I watch it on TV or “borrow” (not buy) a CD. But I must admit that I’m a sucker for our local producer’s weak attempt towards romantic stories, no matter how corny they are. So Christmas day, JG and I went to see it.

 

 

Anyway, Iskul Bukol really psyched me because it’s been a long time since T.V. & J. got together for a movie. More than expecting it to be funny, it’s a kind of a thing that will bring together the three generations that grew up on their films and Eat Bulaga. I thought the movie was going to be like the original TV show. I already expected them to add on new faces aside from the original members (since it did say it was a reunion), including the trios three children. I guess it was for added audience market that want to see if Carlene Aguilar can act, or for those who has a crush on Ryan Agoncillo (who by the way didn’t say a word in the movie).

To be honest I was looking forward to them bringing back a lot of the Pinoy comedic clichés. Like the slapstick opening where they’d somehow end up hijacking a cariton, and creating havoc on a busy street sending joggers, sobeteros, and pregnant women flying off the streets to avoid them. Or where they’d have a big beach outing where everyone is invited and they’d do a dance number to the tune of the film’s title. And who could forget how they’d join forces to rescue the leading ladies that were kidnapped; armed only with dos-por-dos against the goon’s armalite (sic) because the police always arrives late.

But, to my disappointment, I didn’t like it. Yes, the scenes that had the Escalera brothers (topped with Jimmy Santos) in it were hilarious; but the parts with Vic Sotto and his Indiana Jones adventures were really tiring. My theory is that they wanted to insert parts were children and people who we like to call mababaw ang kaligayahan can relate to in the movie, thus the Enteng Kabisote inspired parts, when it should be about a reunion. Sure there was a reunion, five minutes of it, which reminded me of skits we did in my Values Education class in high school. And to think, all that publicity about bailing Richie the Horsey out for the film, when he only said two lines in one scene.

At least the scenes on the Escalera brothers were there to save it. I have no words to describe it, except that I think that only true Pinoys can get the humor Tito and Joey brought to the film. If you saw the movie, then I hope you know what I mean. I also thought that Jimmy Santos was great in the movie, especially his “Hapon” running jokes.

So if you haven’t seen Iskul Bukol and you’re a fan of the Tito, Vic and Joey; I suggest that you just watch it on DVD I’m sure you’ll easily find it in Quiapo. Or wait for GMA to show it in a year or so on TV; they wouldn’t bleep anything because the bleeped parts are part of the joke. It’s still in theaters but don’t waste your 170php. If you like the Okay Ka Fairy Ko franchise, then go see it, but if you’re after the rare chance to see TV&J back in action, you won’t get your money’s worth. I know I didn’t.