Rustom's a smash in 'Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah'

I have so far seen four of the nine movies entered in the Metro Manila Film Festival which opens on Christmas day. The latest two I screened were "Matakot Ka Sa Karma" and "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo."

"Matakot Ka Sa Karma" is a horror film starring Gretchen Barretto, Rica Peralejo and Angelica Panganiban. It's a trilogy written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes.

Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The whole movie revolves around the occult powers of antique objects like beds and closets.

I'm sure the kids will enjoy getting spooked out of their seats by "Matakot Ka Sa Karma."

"Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo" on the other hand is a rib-tickler starring real and reel sweethearts Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. They're portraying the couple Angie and Jed who fall in love the first time they meet, despite the wide gap in their social standing. They plan to marry after just four months and that's when their problems begin.

Juday comes from a family in Cabanatuan. Ryan's family owns a successful publishing house. Ryan's parents, played by Ariel Ureta and Gloria Diaz, had wanted him to work in the States, but his intention to marry Juday screwed things up.

I was so impressed by Gina Pareño who plays Juday's mom and whose brash character shocked Ryan's parents.

Gina fits to a T the role of a barangay kagawad who makes longganisa to make ends meet.

Gloria Diaz matches antics with Gina and the two are responsible for some of the film's most hilarious moments.

But it's the chemistry of Juday and Ryan that makes the movie take off. It's so obvious that the two are very much in love.

The Cinema Evaluation Board gave "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo" an A rating. Jose Javier Reyes also directed. I do believe Direk Joey is more at home doing a feel-good film than a horror one. Hopefully I will get to review all nine filmfest movies.

* * *

Juliana Palermo seems to be a frequent flyer to the US. She just arrived from the States two weeks ago. Now she's flown back to the US to spend the holidays there. "It's the first time I'll be experiencing a white Christmas," July told me when she called a day before she left.

July seems to be inspired nowadays, and I'm not surprised. She's found a new friend after she was linked to Mon Confiado who has since reconciled with Ynez Veneracion. I don't see any reason why July should feel low. She has a string of projects that kept her busy, the latest being "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo."

She's in the Kasalo episode with a short but vital role. She's the one who comes between Juday and Ryan and spices up the plot.

When July returns she'll be promoting Agent 44 of Star Cinema starring Bong Navarro.

* * *

I'm sure the judges at the Metro filmfest would have a hard time determining whether to nominate Rustom Padilla as best actor or best actress! Rustom's a smash as Ada in Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah.

Depressed after being left by her man, Ada ends up in the province with her friend Didi (played by Chokoleit) and sister (played by Pauleen Luna) While bathing one day Ada gets struck by a stone with the name Zaturnnah inscribed on it. Didi thinks the stone has powers that could turn an ordinary mortal into a superhero. True enough, when Ada swallows the stone, she turns into Zsa Zsa.

Rustom is perfect as the alter ego of Zsa Zsa Padilla. Pops Fernandez plays the villain in the movie.

"Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah" will give "Enteng Kabisote" a run for the money.

"Enteng" is Regal Films' entry and is directed by Joel Lamangan.

The Cinema Evaluation Board gave "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah" an A rating.

* * *

Happy holidays and happy movie viewing to all the readers of The Freeman!