FILM REVIEWS: blessings from the bloggers

Concurring with the critical acclaim among international reviewers, the local blogosphere is starting to get the upbeat drift in time for the commercial release of 'Thy Womb' at the Metro Manila Film Festival on December 25th. Read the raves:

Originality Beyond the Ordinary. "Ito ay isang obrang orihinal at napapanahon. Pilipinong-pilipino ang tema. Samo’t saring pasabog ang matutunghayan sa bawat eksena na ngayon mo pa lang makikita sa pinilakang-tabing.

Walang halong pag-iimbot, talaga namang magaling ang pagkakahabi ng pelikula, ibang atake ang mga shots at framing ni direk Brillante dito, at higit sa lahat sa bumubuo nito nanag-isip ng husto kung papano maikukwento ang isang ordinaryong buhay na uukit sa puso at isipan ng manonood. Walang dudang magaling si Nora Aunor--litaw na litaw ang pagiging natural nito at ang ibang mga bidang kasama dito ay may kanya-kanyang eksenang dapat abangan..." -- Pinoy Movie Blog (Click the link to read the full article.)

Full of artistry, lyricism, and passion. "Mendoza gifts you with a visual feast and an exotic cultural experience... The entire cast delivers impressive performances, but it's Nora Aunor's performance, which won her the Bisato d'Oro Award in the 69th Venice Film Fest, that was the most potent and captivating; her presence strong, her eyes and subtle expressions speak volumes, holding your rapt attention, all complemented by Bembol Roco's equally natural and believable performance. Mendoza is a passionate filmmaker. A real artist. He paints stories with hyperreal and surreal strokes. And he's a poet, depicting realities with his visual metaphors  And he's an advocate. He wants to expose you to places and events that you can only speculate about, delivering facts but also incorporating symbols to give you your own personal interpretation.  An important movie to watch.  A poetic and romantic work of art. It will give the Filipino audience a foreign experience in our own land, and will provide marital drama that will intrigue even the most mainstream-loving audience." -- Films and Events Check (Click the link to read the full article.)

 Ascendancy of Ingenuity. "Brillante is a genius in telling a story to his audience by using metaphors. It is one film that will always make Mendoza climb up a notch-higher in his filmmaking stature. If Lino Brocka gave Nora Aunor ‘Bona,' Ishmael Bernal gave ‘Himala,’ Mendoza gave ‘Thy Womb’ to the Superstar. For me, this is Nora Aunor’s another ‘Himala.’" -- The Modern Scribe (Click the link to read the full article.)

Fusion of Intellect and Emotion. "No one creates an impact like the Superstar Nora Aunor: every movement she does is so crisp and her eyes are so rich in emotion (must-watched scene: Shaleha and Bangas-An lovemaking) that as a viewer, you'll be left magnetized by her raw and engaging performance. Bembol Roco's performance was also remarkable. Overall, Mendoza has once again provided us with an intellectually well-thought-out work of art that stresses selfless love amidst a selfish world. And 'Thy Womb' is an important Filipino film accompanied by breathtaking acting that leaves a big-time emotional punch." -- Chikkaness Avenue (Click the link to read the full article.)

Bounty of Irony and Beauty. "A very poignant film of which frame by frame provides an exciting surprise for the audience. And though the film is focused on her character, it is not but a wonderful work of art about a wife and her unconditional love, about a minority’s space in a beautiful town in the conflict-associated Mindanao, about life’s ironic truths, and about everything beautiful regarding the seldom-tackled Badjao-Muslim culture despite difficult situations." -- Ely's Planet (Click the link to read the full article.)