CBCP: Jologs ‘disturbing’

Disturbing.

This was the rating given to the movie "Jologs" by the Catholic Initiative for Enlightened Movie Appreciation (Cinema), the film review board of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The youth-oriented film starring Diether Ocampo, Patrick Garcia, Vhong Navarro, Onemig Bondoc, Dominic Ochoa, Assunta de Rossi, John Prats, Jodi Sta. Maria, Julia Clarete, Baron Geisler and Michelle Bayle and directed by Gilbert Perez was also given an average technical assessment by Cinema.

"In the midst of the laughter of the amused audience, we hope that the filmmakers would realize that the protagonists’ way of solving their problems is not at all morally acceptable," Cinema said in its review.

Cinema cited one of the scenes, in which Ruben (John Prats) steals from his congressman-father to survive a life of impoverishment. Ruben is the bastard son of the congressman, who has neglected him and gives him only a measly allowance.

Chona (Michelle Bayle) is a pregnant entertainer in Japan who returns to the Philippines to deliver her child. One year after giving birth, Chona returns to Japan to work because she sees that the income to be had there is much better.

Another scene cited by Cinema is one in which Fay (Jodi Sta. Maria) and Dino (Patrick Garcia) are caught having premarital sex by Dino’s father. Dino’s father, instead of being upset at catching his son and Fay in flagrante delicto, is glad to see the couple having sex because this proves that his son was not a homosexual.

In another review, Cinema gave the Mel Gibson starrer, "Signs," a moral assessment of "acceptable" and an above average technical assessment.

"Director M. Night Shyamalan — known for "Wide Awake," "Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable" — seems to be living up to his reputation as a ‘modern-day (Alfred) Hitchcock’ and the ‘next (Steven) Spielberg’," Cinema said.

Cinema said that despite the occasional use of transition devices and visual effects, this film proves that basic camera movement and shot composition are still effective means of achieving cinematic brilliance.

It described Shymalan’s latest opus as unique and heartwarming, making the viewers feel something, even if they really don’t notice it onscreen.

Cinema called Shymalan a master of suspense, as he excels in creating tension in the viewer through the extraordinary use of ordinary thinks — such as a butcher’s knife used as a mirror, shadows suggesting a hostile presence behind the door, half-filled drinking glasses left lying around everywhere.

"Gibson’s performance is convincing in its intensity, matched by those of (Joaquin) Phoenix and the children Morgan (Rory Culkin) and Bo (Abigail Breslin). Altogether, they contribute to the deftly woven emotional tapestry that enhances the expression of the film’s message," Cinema said.

Cinema said that, like a pilot who sees through rough weather, the film asks us "What do we do? Do we see unusual phenomena as an obstacle and a threat? Or do we see it as a miracle and opportunity that would challenge us to climb above the dark clouds?"

"Nothing in this world is pure coincidence. Everything has a purpose, no matter how inconsequential it may seem," Cinema said.

The CBCP film review body said moviegoers expecting an "ET" story in "Signs" will be in for a surprise. They said the film is not about aliens, but about a man’s struggle with faith, about his anger toward a God who has hurt him."

"The value of ‘Signs’ is in its positive message — it shows that despite the despair that gnaws at a man who has turned his back on God, God is still God and can cause miracles to happen. Even if man gives up on God, God does not give up on man," Cinema said.

The Jean-Claude Van Damme action movie "Derailed" got a Cinema rating of morally acceptable and technically average.

"Like most action pictures, this one does not have much to say. However, a plus for it is the fact that it has no vulgar humor or graphic sex," Cinema said.

Cinema said that "Derailed" also shows that no matter how highly placed the offender is, "the long arm of the law will surely get him. No matter how carefully planned and concealed an evil act is, it will be brought to light and due punishment will be imposed."

The film, often compared to Arnold Schwarzenneger’s "True Lies" and Steven Seagal’s "Under Siege 2," is a high-voltage action picture that had generated high expectations, Cinema said.

Loaded with dangerous stunts, car crashes, impressive special effects, firefights and martial arts duels, "Derailed" does not fail to thrill Van Damme’s die hard fans, Cinema said.

"However," Cinema added, "to other viewers who may be satiated by the dearth of action pictures using the tried (and tested) formula for this genre, this movie may seem trite."