You Can Fly, Dumbo!

When I was in high school, my parents would rather want us inside our house, watching DVDs than playing outside. Somehow, I understood them because it would be difficult to look over for my young brothers who enjoyed hanging out with their friends.

I am familiar with most of Disney's characters, thanks to the DVDs that my brothers would watch for a couple of times and books that my Father would bring home from work. Probably, one of the most loved Disney characters ever created was Dumbo. Honestly, I read the book a couple of times when I was young but I only seen a glimpsed of the animated movie.

That's why when I got a chance to watch the live action in advance; I didn't hesitate to be one of the lucky people! It happened at SM Aura, Cinema One last March 25.  

Thank you 99.5 Play FM for the free movie tickets!

It was the first time to attend the red carpet screening at Aura and leaving my phone at the counter because gadgets were not allowed inside the cinema house.

I was very happy that my vlogger foodie friend, Miss Aileen joined me.

We had free popcorn and soda plus got to have a photo op with former radio jock and PBB Celebrity housemate, Jinri Park. I saw Elise Joson too but we weren’t able to have a photo with her.

Here now is my take with the movie and I won't compare it to the book.

1. Florida, 1919

Photo from FlickFilosopher.com

 
The beginning of the film took place here where a struggling circus team was making a tent for their performance. The owner Max Medici (Danny De Vito), I remembered him from the Matilda, another great children's movie that I watched. Visiting a circus was the best entertainment so Max chose performers whom he believed was unique and had captivating talent. He brought the very pregnant Dumbo whom he thought would add more spice on their show. I actually like the setting of the film, it was nostalgic to see.

2. The kids and the Flying Elephant
Parker Farrier the eldest was like Marie Curie who is smart and believes in scientific explanation. The youngest kid, Hobbins Farrier is a happy boy and the one who brought the feather.

Photo from Ars Technica

These two kids discovered that Dumbo could fly and taught compassion to the cute elephant.

3.  Colin Farrell and Eva Green
I could not remember Colin's character from the book but I liked how heroic he was as Holt Farrier, a former circus star who returned with a missing left hand.

Photo from He Does Things

He was indeed a brave soldier and a hard working Father to his children. Whenever I see Eva, I would always expect that she is a villain.

Photo from USA Today

She played as Collette Marchant, a superb aerial artist who truly showcased astonishing and heart pumping acrobatic moves.

4. DreamLand

Photo from Collider

 
It was definitely a place of modern technology. I liked the vision of Tim Burton with this theme park because it was creative, well-done and visually pleasing.

5. Dumbo's mission

Photo from IGN Africa

 
This adorable baby only wanted to be back to his mother. My heart torn into pieces when Jumbo had to be carried away, leaving the teary Dumbo behind. Yet, he got strength and inspiration from the Holt’s children that he could fly and be reunited with his mother.

PerksBeWithYou's rating: 9/10 (They were a few dull scenes but the film pulled it off at the end)

Photo from Entertainment Weekly

Dumbo is now showing nationwide!

Ulan: Not the Typical Filipino Film

When I saw Ulan's trailer a month ago, I was very excited to watch it. I saw an Urban Fantasy Romance that is something close to my heart. I promised myself that I will have to see it on the first day of screening.

But the Universe had a different plan! I couldn't believe that I got to witness it on its red carpet premiere night! Thank you Viva Films and Cinema Bravo!

 

It happened last March 11 at Sm Megamall, Cinema 1. It was my first time to attend a local advance screening and seeing the lead actors: Nadine Lustre (she is really pretty in person) and Marco Gumabao (very handsome). 

It was very memorable. Sadly, Carlo Aquino was not there.

Here are the reasons why Ulan should watch on its first day of showing (March 13):

1. Nadine Lustre

 

Photo from Andrei Suleik

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of this feisty and talented lady but seeing her as Maya Landicho, I was amazed. Her character was different from the movies and shows that I've seen. I somehow saw myself in Maya who was lonely and was looking for someone to love and accept her.

2. Flashbacks

Photo from Cinema Bravo.com

Some people hate scenes going back to the past because most of the times they could not catch up or it would bring confusion to them. I actually like flashbacks every now and then.  

The flashback scenes were properly executed like Maya's Grandma who shaped her imagination with superstitious beliefs like tikbalang getting married under the rain and offering eggs to stop the rain.

3. Self-Love

Photo from Manila Standard

This film showed different kinds of love: family, work and the opposite sex. However, I believed that the most important thing that Ulan wanted to impart was self-love. Maya could give her love to men that passed on her life. She didn't care if she could get love from them or not. Yet, she forgot to love herself. She became desperate to find that person who can accept and love her in return.

4. Carlo Aquino

Photo from Pelikula Mania

He is indeed a great actor and I absolutely praised him more as he portrayed Peter Buendia. Carlo has very expressive eyes that even without saying, one could really feel his emotions. The back story about Peter in the movie was a surprise, I was speechless.

5. Ending

Photo from Pelikula Mania

After the film rolled, everyone in the cinema was waiting. Was that the end? I even heard someone commenting that she could not sleep because somehow the ending was hanging for her and another one kept on babbling that he didn't understand the last scene.

I love the ending. It was the perfect way to finish the movie and it achieved the lesson that it needed to leave to the mind and heart of the audience.

Photo from Daily Tribune

Ulan is visually pleasing and has the most satisfying ending for a Fantasy Romance film that I've seen so far. The cinematography was great, the wardrobes and the setting complemented to each other and the story was unique and beyond expectation. You have to check out the symbolism and representations of the young Maya to the grown-up Maya.

My tweet (re-tweeted by Viva Films)

Another tweet re-tweeted

Now, eveytime I think of Ulan (rain) it would be very different. 

PerksBeWithYou's rating: 10/10 (I will be watching the movie again because once is not enough!)