SAN LAZARO

If the opening sequence tells you how the movie will turn out, it would have been a Tim Burton-esque horror-comedy flick. But as lovely and haunting the opening sequence is, the film varied in its story. This is no light-hearted horror comedy fare like the usual Pinoy horror film, the story is simple but it is given a dark turn by the characters. Each has his own story to tell and every time the characters close their eyes and relive their memories, the story gets darker.  The film can be funny at the most unexpected moments, like that instance when Wincy Aquino Ong’s character was asked to give his laptop as payment for his rent but he reasoned out, “Ibibigay ko na ang atay ko, wag lang yung laptop ko”; a sentiment shared by most people nowadays. I did not whether to laugh or cry when Ramon Bautista’s character admitted he was Captain Barbell, he is quite funny without even trying but he fits his strong man character quite well.  Nicco Manalo was brilliant, he can play two different personalities and still look sincere doing it. I loved how this film has Ely Buendia as the cool older brother detective! This is the type of film that will make you lie awake at night thinking of the strangeness of human nature. It can be deceptive but hides something deeper and darker and spew evil when it comes out, they used the demon as the manifestation of this darkness and the characters get their reckoning. It was not only Biboy who was exorcised of his demon but Siegfred and Lemuel also exorcised their personal demons throughout the journey to San Lazaro.  Kudos to the filmmakers, it was brilliant and diverse! More Pinoy films should go out there and try other blends of horror films, not just the usual cheesy scream fest. 

The secret in their eyes

• "A man can change anything: his face, his family, his girlfriend, his religion, his God. But there's something a man can change. A man can't change his passion" Sandoval
• Ricardo Morales: If you keep going over the past, you're going to end up with a thousand pasts and no future. 

• I promise to write about this movie someday but now I have to watch Community!!!