popcorn-ready-films

[popcorn-ready-films]

For Your Height Only (1981) vs Sabotage (1966)

Both action and exploitation-packed, Agent Double 00 (For Your Height Only) and Agent Tony Falcon (Sabotage) goes through life-threatening adventures with their unbelievable gadgets!

[As usual, Spoiler Warning!]

For Your Height Only (1981) is an action-comedy film directed by Eddie Nicart that features Weng Weng who is notorious for his lack of stature. 

Sabotage (1966) is also an action-adventure film directed by Eddie Garcia which stars Tony Ferrer, this being one of the films he is most known for!  

Among the list of exploitation films in my options, I found these two very synonymous with each other but also different, therefore the perfect subjects for a comparison analysis. As we would in a Venn Diagram, I will now illustrate their unique characteristics and the elements they have in common.

For their similarities, I believe this easily sums it up:

The James Bond Obsession

Or so I’d like to call it. The action scenes that were so obviously patterned from a James Bond movie, all but executed cheaply yet still wins the audience’s attention just alright. The trademark moves of the action stars, the damsel in distress and the sidechicks (honestly, just the surplus of beautiful women in the films), the whole network of villains (often syndicates), and the fake first deaths or near death experiences of the protagonists. For context, the first James Bond film was released a bit before these movies (Based from my research, the movie entitled Dr. No was released on the year 1962).

Special Mention: The impossible GADGETS that are unbelievably very convenient are also very important comedic elements that both films seem to share.

Where they differ:

1. The Ending

Let’s state the obvious first. While Double 00′s love interest dies tragically in the end, Agent Tony manages to go back to his love interest safe and sound. This actually came as quite the surprise for me as I didn’t expect a tragic ending from For Your Height Only, a parody film.

While Sabotage had a similar sense of humor with For your height only, as well as themes in women portrayal, it had the a more classic blockbuster plot following the conflict, climax, resolution and happy ending template of a story. Perhaps in a sense, this element relates to the next characteristic.

2. The Plot Twist

 For Your Height Only’s biggest plot twist was the revelation of Mr. Giant, the main antagonist in the film who was apparently of the same stature as our 3 and 1/2 feet Agent, Double 00. While this plot twist obviously became a humorous turn out of events that draws out laughter from the audience, Sabotage’s plot unfolded more straightforwardly. The exploitation on the actors’ physical appearance in this film (For Your Height Only) gained them this advantage over Sabotage, who’s main exploitation theme focused more on women which will be further elaborated in the next element.

3. Interactions with Women

While they similarly had the tropes like the temptress, the damsel in distress, and generally just sexually objectified women that the characters meet even briefly in their respective films, the main point of each scene, the point that draws out reactions from the audience, are entirely different. In Sabotage, the flirtation and objectifying of women become the entertainment while in For Your Height Only, it’s the fact that the protagonist is short and yet nobody seems to mind that is highlighted.

4. The Protagonists

The biggest and most obvious element that made a huge difference in the general execution and humor of the film was the difference of the protagonists. The main characters of both films are your typical Mary Sues, with the plot armor, overpowered, conveniently lucky and everything. What makes it different is their fourth wall effects, the underlying humor in them that only the audience gets but the characters seem oblivious too. Yes, once again I’m talking about Agent Double 00′s height. While Agent Tony Falcon seems to be your typical Mary Sue, Double 00 would pass as a satire of his.

Which film did I enjoy more?

While this isn’t my usual genre or cup of tea, I did enjoy analyzing the film as I watched it: noticing the little details and tropes used and how action films insert humorous scenes mid-action scene to keep them dynamic and entertaining. I learned a lot about the structure of action stories. Although if I had to choose, I think I enjoyed For Your Height Only more than Sabotage (perhaps because I’m on the shorter side of the spectrum too). In my opinion, the humor and satire in For Your Height Only works better than the bland Mary Sue in Sabotage. I have to add though that as a fan of tragedy and tragic endings, Sabotage’s classic happy ending is more preferable to me than the anti-climatic death of Agent Double 00′s love interest.  

#foryourheightonly #sabotage1966 #filmanalysis

[popcorn-ready-films]

Batch ‘81 (1982)

It would probably be too uncomfortable to eat anything while watching this so I wouldn’t recommend this as a popcorn-ready film. Although, I still encourage you to view this masterpiece as it deservingly got the attention it has garnered.

This controversial film, especially during its time, was one of Mike De Leon’s greatest works; one that mocked the very disturbing truth of fraternity systems and perhaps even one that indirectly reflected something that was very real to the whole nation, to the Filipinos of that time. 

If I had to summarize the entire experience of the Main Character, Sid Lucero, I think the best word would be fascism. The blatant manipulation and glorification of masochism all throughout this initiation and how he himself concludes into such a character that accepts such a contemptible system makes him quite the tragic character of a dystopian setting.

Before I delve in further into the movie, I would like to give a moment and appreciate this movie poster.

It very accurately posed the main character in to who he has been in the entirety of the film, blind. notice how he wasn’t even handcuffed. He CHOSE to not see the reality he is enduring. At first, I wanted to give his character the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps it’s his own way of coping through the indignity of it all. However, as the story progressed and as I saw it conclude, I realized that there were other factors that come into play here. Brainwashing There’s a lot to take in from this. Their warped idealization of brotherhood and friendship all rooted from this peer-pressured mindset they were fed by their so-called “Masters” in the fraternity. The misplaced idea of respect was simply an illusion that covers the absolute authoritarian play imposed through fear; the fleeting concept of reward and punishment.

Among all those scenes, I think the best one that portrayed this Peer-Pressuring was the Birthday Party.

In this scene, some have been thinking of quitting and giving up on the fraternity however Sid continues to encourage them by making them think how all of their suffering so far would have gone to waste if they back out now. He makes them endure by comforting them with the idea of the benefits they’d attain should they survive through the initiation and become a full-fledged member. How they downplay the suffering and indignity of their activities was also very disturbing. As seen in this electrocution scene where they almost killed an aspiring member, I believe that at this point everyone was questioning the fraternity. It was mischievously countered by glorifying his decision of choosing to stay despite the hardships. A very uncomfortable round of applause took place, initiated by Sid himself, making everyone think that it was a very noble act to choose the fraternity.

In this same scene, we discover that it was not only peer-pressure that keeps them in this fraternity but family tradition as this almost-electrocuted member discloses how his father beats him into returning to the fraternity. This was what Sid and the others applauded him for. What’s more is that this whole scene was set-up to earn the neophytes’(the fraternity applicants) full trust, which they (the masters) have successfully enforced. It was viciously smart. Very manipulative.

Now take note of the words I emphasized in bold font. They quite fit under the regime this all took place in: The Marcos Regime. Let me reiterate how fascist all these events were, both in this movie and during that real time for the Filipinos. One of the reasons why it sparked controversy was that it was debatably also a reflection of their society at the time.

The thing that was most unsettling to me was that even after Sid’s friends’ deaths, the very moments that should have proven to him how the fraternity did not have the power to protect them, Sid still falls into the same system and continues the cycle, reducing their deaths into a “Sayang hindi nila naabutan ito”. It was frustrating to see how the main character did not learn from anything throughout the movie despite witnessing how his friends lost their life. He could only then say that they were brothers now that he has passed the initiation as if they didn’t share enough bonds to recognize what they had as friendship. Now he was the only one still alive to enjoy the role of being a Master, yet that’s when he could only tell himself that they’re brothers.  

Does that then mean that you could only be true friends if you’ve shared great humiliation, indignity and injustice together? Is such a bond worth turning a blind eye towards blatant abuse for? 

The movie really displays the unethical philosophy of brotherhood that they had back in the day and challenges humanity’s breaking point into realizing how much they’ve romanticized their suffering. Fraternities may now be illegal, but the movie still stays relevant especially now during the election season. Let’s be unlike Sid Lucero and learn from history. Let’s not fall into the hands of Fascism and stay intolerable of such absolute authoritarian rulings. 

#batch ‘81 #mike de leon #movie review

[popcorn-ready-films]

Buding, Ang Babayi nga Naglutaw ( A Short Film )

This Mystery-Horror Short Film is actually a heartbreaking tale of an unfulfilled dream.

[Spoiler Warning!]

I feel like its just a MUST to give props to the team for shooting this film in a provincial environment with a script in dialect as it really set the mood of the story. Filipinos, especially those in our provinces, have a rich lore of the supernatural in our culture but what piqued my interest in this is how the film made use of it to symbolize something deeper and more mundane.

In terms of technicality, I applaud the team’s work on the audio and the visual elements because they really kept me at the edge of my seat, eyes half-covered though never really looking away. My brain cells were actively working on trying to make things out as the story unfolds and the characters share their perspectives which really tells a lot about how effective the sequencing of events were and how well-paced the plot was as a result. The second time I watched this, now knowing that there were no jump scares, I had this grand realization that this was not exactly about the supernatural but more of a motherly angst reinterpreted as a folklore.

Let’s breakdown my theory:

1. The FLOWERS, the Candles

The flowers were dead giveaways that this film is related to motherhood. The one we see in the film are Chrysanthemums, often called “mums” and are often associated with funerals and grave decorations or just generally, death.

Paired with lit candles as she was witnessed to be seen with, it implies strongly that there is a younger one who is dead that the woman seems to be grieving about. Someone she wants to connect to spiritually.

2. The Conversation

This part just confirms the first one on the list: there was an unborn baby. The young one that the woman was grieving about. The motherhood she was deprived of. This conversation took place a week before she was reportedly seen floating on top of the bed.

This scene where they talk about the things they would’ve wanted to teach their baby, this conversation about their dreams for their little one, was shown after the husband was asked by the officer if he was ever a good husband, to which the officer replies, “It seems to me that you are the one floating.”

FORESHADOWING?? THEME-STATED?? It’s the latter for me.

3. She ran away weeping, leaving the flowers and candles behind.

This was moments before she was seen floating. Let’s review what we had so far. The flowers imply motherhood and death, candles imply grieving, offering, spiritual connection. Buding, the woman whose plot circles around, left these behind to float. At the second of our list, floating could imply dreaming in this film. Is she unable to accept the fact that she lost her baby? Is she dreaming of becoming a mother again? 

So far, from all that I’ve gathered, I would say that the short-film could simply be an eerie reflection of a bereaved mother’s emotions on her miscarriage. Although, I must drop the scene which still overthrows everything I’ve built to make sense of the film:

This is the reaction of the officer after having confirmed the stories of those who have witnessed the supernatural phenomenon. What could be behind that smile? Is it a smile of utter disbelief? Surprised? Or perhaps something more sinister?

#Buding Ang Babayi nga Naglutaw #Short film review #short film #filipino film

[popcorn-ready-films]

Hoodwinked! (2005)

Little Red Riding Hood fights for justice but the big bad wolf is... innocent?! And her grandma is keeping secrets?!

[Spoiler Warning!] 

The fairytale of little red riding hood had several interpretations as much as it had several versions. Some say it has symbolisms of a girl transitioning through womanhood, some that it was a reminder for children not to talk to strangers. And much like its fellow siblings from the Grimm brothers, the story had several adaptations and spin-offs, all exploring in great variety the characters, the plot, and even its symbolisms. Among the assorted lot of movies that has ever included the fairytale, I believe that it was most creatively explored by the 2005 movie, Hoodwinked. 

Reimagined into a more modernized setting of investigation to figure out the bad guy, the animated film brilliantly integrated mystery and comedy in this family-oriented movie! It was interesting to see the characters reinterpreted into such that they have their own stories through their own point of views and how it all unfolds to a hidden antagonist, the real sweets recipe thief, the bunny.

I have to note how they made use of its naturally symbolic characters in the fairytale and put it to the animated film’s advantage, wisely teaching one of the most important values to its target audience, the kids, which is to not judge a book by its cover. Notice how they used the sly looking wolf as a diligent employee, a sweets-making grandma into a daredevil, a big clumsy man into a precious cinnamon roll of a dreamer, and the unassuming and naturally friendly neighborhood bunny as the plot twist antagonist.

Other than that obvious surprise element, I think Red Riding Hood’s strong and assertive character contributes a lot to the overall mood of the plot. Story-wise, it has proven itself quite the literary masterpiece however  many have complained about the animation of the movie because of its evident difference compared to those from bigger names. In that regard, let’s look at the things most have overlooked, the things they did right:

1. Red is Blue

We simply cannot overlook this witty part of the movie, not only lyrically, but in visual terms. Notice how the scenes gradually unfold from well-saturated colors to blue during this iconic scene of betrayal:

Notice how the picture above, a scene before the betrayal, is obviously more vivid in color scheme in comparison to the one below where the colors have started to saturate lesser, a part of the scene where she learns of her grandmother’s lies.

Eventually gradating fully to blue as she wallows in the emotions below, leaving the red hood that she’s always been identified with, an identity given to her by her grandmother:

2. Nostalgic Scenes

The warm palette of the reminiscing scenes cover the intended tone exactly as it fits. No further explanation is needed.

3. The Suspicions

It was brilliant how in every story, they managed to express who they found suspicious by having different suspicious looking characters as we go through each of their povs! See this for example, in red and grandma’s perspective, where the wolf was suspicious:

Meanwhile, in wolf’s perspective:

He was also finding out the truth for his story.

4. Lastly, the goat yodeling through the roller coaster ride.

Please, this was the epitome of pacing. Plus, its so catchy. 

I could feel the thrill of the ride because of how he gradually starts speeding up his song. The audio and the visuals worked so well together, I who was simply watching it, also felt the pressure of riding it.

Welp, I guess you already know by now that this movie is definitely a popcorn-ready film for me! Definitely something you could let your kid watch to make babysitting a little easier on you! Now go give this movie some more love! It’s been underrated for so long *insert crying face*. 

Anyways, that is the end of this week’s post from Popcorn-ready Films! Peace out!

#hoodwinked #red riding hood #book to movie #fairytale #movie adaptation #movie review

[popcorn-ready-films]

Ladri Di Biciclette / Bicycle Thieves (1948)

This bicycle is worth more than what you expect.

[Spoiler Warning!]

The Italian movie, Ladri Di Biciclette, was a 1948 movie adaptation of Luigi Bartolini’s book which shares the same name as the movie. The film has earned itself several awards under the direction of Vittorio De Sica, acknowledging the movie as one of the best foreign films out there.  While black and white films aren’t the usual go to movie of today’s age, the story stays relevant especially now during these very trying times.

What amazed me about this movie is how it unfolded the story of an average man simply trying to find his bicycle to finding Neorealism. Set in post-war Rome, the film reflects the economic struggles of the working class dramatically as much as it was real. I applaud the movie for setting that as clear as crystal from the first few scenes, establishing the common ordeals of the characters and the environment they live in by showing the lack of job opportunities and the discontented but desperate characters.

Ricci, a man of working class and a father of two, was a character that was driven by needs and therefore had no choice but to act as he has acted throughout the movie. This is most evident when he lands himself a job where a bicycle is required. He and his wife, Maria, sells their bedsheets to buy back the bicycle he once auctioned off in desperation. However, he had it stolen on his first day of the job as he turns around for a bit to put up the posters on the wall. One of the most frustrating scenes in this movie was when he filed  a complaint where he was told that the most this complaint could do is provide evidence against the culprit once he finds it in a shop. 

While that itself was a struggle, the obstacles were really highlighted as they were looking for the bicycle. Walking home soaked in the rain, following the only lead he had through the Church, and the massive difference Bruno, Ricci’s son who was with him through the search, saw in himself in comparison to the other kids in the restaurant as well as when they calculated their daily expenses as they ate. What more is the fact that when he saw the thief, he still couldn’t find the bicycle with him therefore could not press further charges against him as he was the sole witness without evidence and the boy he accused had a clean record and had attracted a crowd who believed in his innocence.  The bicycle was worth their lives. Not only Ricci’s but the whole family’s.  

This led to a heartbreaking ending to the movie where even Ricci had attempted bicycle theft, his story of being pushed to the edge all witnessed by his son Bruno. When the system couldn’t do anything to help him, not even protect them, this pushed him into the cycle of theft and that was the curse of their poverty. It was a realistic tragedy that still applies today especially in a country such as ours (Philippines). Should we replace the bicycle in this movie as a laptop perhaps, it would perfectly put our current stories into context and serve quite the eye-opener. 

My verdict, therefore, of this movie, is that it’s definitely a popcorn-ready film. Once the reality in it sinks in, you might also need some of your comfort foods and a friend to rant with.  

#ladri di biciclette #bicycle thieves #movie review