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Post by anajasdel on Oct 3, 2005 9:46:07 GMT 8
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Post by anajasdel on Oct 3, 2005 9:46:29 GMT 8
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Post by mhie on Oct 4, 2005 8:49:08 GMT 8
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Aga displays fine thespic form in romantic tearjerker
AGA MUHLACH DISPLAYS fine thespic insight and range in Rory Quintos’ mawkish but well-told and vividly photographed romantic drama about two brothers, Raffy and Andrew (Muhlach and JOHN LLOYD Cruz, respectively), working in Dubai, who are bound together by a painful past and strengthened by a common childhood dream: To seek a better life in snow-bound Canada.
Raffy, a charming lothario with a soft spot for his beleaguered kababayans in that Middle-Eastern capital, is pleased to finally be reunited with his brother, whom he hasn’t seen in nine years.
Andrew sees his current employment as a way to raise money to finally go to Canada. Unknown to him, however, Raffy’s priorities in life have since changed. Suddenly, the siblings’ happy reunion is threatened when Andrew meets and falls in love with Faye (Claudine Barretto), who turns out to be one of Raffy’s jilted girlfriends.
On the rebound, Faye grudgingly returns Andrew’s amorous attentions, but she soon acknowledges that shaking Andrew out of her system is easier said than done.
The dilemma escalates further when Raffy realizes that he’s still in love with Faye, who’s gotten herself pregnant out of wedlock -- a moral transgression punishable by death in Dubai!
Quintos’ film, though not without flaws, boasts of picture-perfect cinematography (caramel-colored sand dunes, sleepy-eyed camels, awesome architecture), and side stories about overseas Filipino workers who are haunted by their seemingly insurmountable problems back home.
And telling social commentaries trickle in with biting pertinence as they underscore the local government’s inability to provide well-paying jobs for its people.
Despite its glossy production values and the picturesque Arabian landscape, “Dubai” successfully dodges the travelogue route.
Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t fully realize its noble intentions, and wavers by setting up scenes that are obviously engineered to weave together its narrative implausibilities -- a storytellling tack that diminishes its emotional kick. For one, the difficulties that Raffy has been through don’t justify his cavalier and blasé attitude toward women.
What Quintos successfully showcases is Aga’s admirable control of his thespic facility -- a skill that enables the actor to make his character’s motivations, strengths and weaknesses understandable and sympathetic. Barretto and Cruz don’t do so badly themselves, but beside Muhlach, they’re simply out of their league!
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Post by mhie on Oct 4, 2005 8:52:08 GMT 8
MANILA BULLETIN
Oct. 1, 2005
‘Dubai,’ another feather to Direk Rory Quintos
The Aga Muhlach-Claudine Barretto movie "Dubai," which is doing very well at the box-office, we heard, after its star-sudded and well-attended premiere last Tuesday, is definitely another feather to the colorful cap of its director, Ms. Rory B. Quintos.
Like in her past movies, Rory once more tugs at the emotions of filmgoers and fans with "Dubai," Star Cinema’s latest offering and which is considered a casting coup of sort. Starring with Aga and Claudine is emerging dramatic actor JOHN LLOYD Cruz.
This is Rory’s directorial comeback to the big screen. It is recalled that two years ago, her now classic "Kailangan Kita" topped the charts. The movie teamed up for the first time Aga and Claudine and it took everyone to scenic spots in Bicol. This time, the brilliant lady director takes moviegoers to Dubai and its many landmarks that become perfect backdrop to the lives and loves of three people (Aga, Claudine and JOHN LLOYD) and how they connect with one another.
The success of "Dubai" has enhanced Direk Rory’s reputation as director of blockbuster movies, which is an understatement of course. Among the movies that left an indelible mark in the hearts of moviegoers were "Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay" (which displayed the loyalty of the heart for who you really love), "Ipaglaban Mo, The Movie 2," which showed the inner power of the oppressed), "Paano ang Puso Ko" (which stated inevitable compromises the heart is willing to face in the name of love) and "Basta’t Kasama Kita" (which proved wealth hardly matters against love).
With "Dubai," two brothers with solid bonding becomes tested when a woman comes between them. The movie explains what a Filipino heart and mind can do, even endure, when love slithers into the lonesome. "In these hard times, we all look for something to give us inspiration. Make us feel good. Drive us to move on with resilience."
And if "Dubai" is set to make another landmark movie, it’s because it is a Rory B. Quintos and Star Cinema’s fulfillment of a promise — a movie about the lives of Filipinos.
Rory attributes her success to Malou Santos, one of the bigwigs in Star Cinema. She gave her all the good breaks, she said. "I was at the right place at the right time with the right people," she said.
She also wants to do a digital movie, she said, challenged by the new technology. But her one big dream remains to be a movie that will star two of the country’s biggest stars, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.
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Post by mhie on Oct 4, 2005 8:53:04 GMT 8
The Philippine Star
By Philip Cu-Unjieng
10/04/2005
What price must OFWs pay?
Film review: Dubai[/size][/b] Back in the mid-’60s, the Rolling Stones were the ultimate Bad-boy band, known for their kick-ass, blues-inspired rock ’n roll. This was in contrast to the gentler pop sensibilities of the Beatles. So everyone was taken by surprise when the Stones came up with one of the gentlest classic ballads of the decade, As Tears Go By. Here they were, the avowed "devils" of rock, singing about grown men crying. This image, and the ready pun on the title of Star Cinema’s latest offering, stuck in my mind as I began to write this review. As expected, on one level, Dubai is a paean to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The nobility of the quest, the hardships that are endured, the camaraderie engendered within the transplanted Filipino community – these are all held to the light and given due recognition. But Dubai is successful in that it never loses sight of what it is in essence – a film, a dramatic vehicle meant to entertain and to produce catharsis. And it is in this regard that the turbulence and fragility of human emotions (whether suppressed or ultimately exposed) bestow the film its special quality, giving us the repeated spectacle of grown men nobly crying. Director Rory Quintos has assembled a cast that knows how to mine the audience’s vein of compassion and sympathy. Aga Muhlach and JOHN LLOYD Cruz are doe-eyed brothers Raffy and Andrew, and the luminous Claudine Barretto is Faye. Raffy is already stationed in Dubai as the film begins, working for a forwarding company. The opening credits and musical score introduce us to Raffy with a deceptive upbeat feel of a desert "road film." For a moment, one could even imagine this is the wandering TNT Filipino driving towards Las Vegas rather than the Middle East, until the camel on the road (as opposed to our carabao) brings us back to the reality of Raffy’s situation. He then proceeds to the airport to pick up his younger brother Andrew, who has come to Dubai to work for a resort hotel. With a couple of days on hand to explore Dubai before his work commences, Andrew bumps into Faye (Claudine) who works for an amusement park. She’s on her cellphone, obviously talking to a guy giving her "heartache." Andrew is smitten, and no prize for guessing who was on the phone with Faye. Coincidence is the gift of dramatic invention! Thus, the stage is set for the very human drama that unfolds. At the onset, Raffy is portrayed as a nonchalant womanizer, yet blessed with a heart of gold, helping all the other OFWs he comes into contact with. Raffy is ever ready to part with his hard-earned money when any Tom, Dick or Harry comes with his or her sob story. This frustrates Andrew, who views Dubai as a mere detour on the siblings’ road to Canada. Ever since they were boys, Canada has been etched in their minds as that dream destination; where reunited, true fortune awaits the two brothers. The elements of the plotline are not unique in themselves. They could form the core of any teleserye or drama series we view locally. It’s the competence with which Direk Rory handles the material ,and how the three main characters go through their paces, that make Dubai a pleasure to view. The fact that they are in Dubai also impinges in ways that are unique. An example of this is how, when Faye gets pregnant, the pressing issue is not whether to keep the child or to marry, but how to get out of Dubai as quickly as possible. Apparently, as an unmarried OFW, her pregnancy, when detected, would get her imprisoned. Direk Rory handles this shooting on location excellently. Early on in the film we do get the standard travelogue film element. This is achieved with the excuse of Faye showing Andrew around Dubai. But as opposed to other Filipino films shot on location that can never stop reminding you of where they are, and what they’ve spent to get there, Dubai quickly becomes mere backdrop for the ensuing drama. It is an integral part of the drama, but never overshadowing the lives of the protagonists. Even the "big picture" message of the film–the nobility of the OFW - is limited to the speech-making Raffy indulges in at a wedding reception. It is to the credit of the screenplay of Ricky Lee and Shaira Salvador that this "smaller picture" holds sway throughout the film, giving more credence to the "big" message when it does come. The cinematography is consistently good throughout; more than I can say for the sound. I‘m not sure if it was the particular reel I got to watch; but early on, the quality of sound was a little muffled. Fortunately, this improved as the film progressed. Aga is excellent as Raffy. His facial expressions carrying more "dialogue" than words could express. This is especially true as time and time again, Raffy will mouth out that it’s over between him and Faye, and yet his eyes and the way he’ll look at Faye betray him. Claudine has played this role umpteenth times, but her "martyr to love" persona takes on new dimensions when a steely, determined side rears its head as she makes her hard decisions. JOHN LLOYD is a revelation, holding his own in his scenes with Aga, and proving he is also up there when it comes to grown men crying without looking silly or stupid, and remaining sympathetic. The film is a tribute to the diaspora of the working Filipino; and how it is linked to the survival of our economy over the last couple of decades. Individually, the OFW is motivated to provide for his family, ready with self-sacrifice in the pursuit of making life better for his relations back home. But as a sociological phenomenon, the OFW is the face of the Philippines in whatever country you may find him or her. The bonds of family, the Catholic values, the bayanihan spirit, the veneer of hypocrisy, and the habit of "saving face": these all form part of the deep-rooted ethnicity that is uniquely Filipino. It may mutate or evolve depending on the social situation or context, but there will always be something that makes the pagka-Filipino shine through. Dubai the film, and all the tears that flow, is a reflection of the glittering prize and aspiration that compels us to improve on our lot. Rated B by the Cinema Evaluation Board, it is a worthy addition to the roster of films that explore how OFW’s have become such an integral part of our contemporary history.
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Post by ELEAU on Oct 5, 2005 3:52:14 GMT 8
Grabe ang mga reviews ha .... ang hahaba!  Thanks for posting them Ana and Mhie.  |
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Post by anajasdel on Oct 5, 2005 13:26:50 GMT 8
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Post by mhie on Oct 5, 2005 14:29:59 GMT 8
ABANTE TONITE
JERRY OLEA
OCT. 5, 2005.
Ayon sa Star Cinema, naka-P60M ang pelikulang Dubai sa unang limang araw ng pagpapalabas nito sa mahigit 100 sinehan sa bansa.
"If you have a good story, a good cast and a good setting which is new to Filipino fans, you have a winner," sabi ni Malou Santos, managing director ng Star Cinema.
"The movie industry is not dying. It merely needs a shot-in-the-arm."
Palabas din ang Dubai sa Hawaii San Francisco, Saipan, Guam, Milan, Vienna at Canada.
Bida sa pelikulang Dubai sina Aga Muhlach, Claudine Barretto at JOHN LLOYD Cruz.
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Post by mhie on Oct 10, 2005 9:26:28 GMT 8
TATTLE
Nel Alejandrino
People's Tonight
Oct. 10, 2005.
Tomorrow ang alis ng major cast ng Dubai patungong Dubai for the premiere of the movie in question. Aga Muhlach, Claudine Barretto and JOHN LLOYD Cruz are all leaving with happy smiles in their faces. Dubai is, no doubt, a blockbuster. Naka-almost P100M na kinita ang pelikula since it opened nearly two weeks ago.
What adds to the cast happiness is the fact na maganda ang reviews na inaani ng pelikula. Bihira nga naman ang pelikulang kumikita na sa takilya, favorable pa ang hatol di lang ng manonood, kung hindi nga mga critic.
Eight out of 10 na nakapanood ng movie ang nagsabing di niya napigilan ang lumuha habang pinanonood ang Dubai. Talagang nakaka-antig damdamin daw ang mga kesena, lalo na those involving Aga and JOHN LLOYD, who played brothers in Dubai. And the woman who come between the brothers, Claudine proved she is now ready for all kinds of role.
Sayang at di yata makakasama si direk Rory Quintos for the premiere fo her masterpiece na matawag, both in Dubai. Abu Dhabbi and London. Nakatakda kasi siyang umalis with her mom for a pilgrimage in Jerusalem.
In that case, direk Rory, ipagdasal mong lalo pang kumita ang Dubai.
Congratulations nga pala for a job well-done.
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Post by mhie on Oct 10, 2005 9:51:14 GMT 8
The Philippine Star 10/10/2005
Star Cinema’s Dubai: P60-M gross in 5 days
Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos was right all along when she said that she didn’t believe that the local movie industry is dying or dead.
"Make a good movie and they will come," said Malou.
Her latest brainchild, Dubai, has proven her right, as also did two other previous Star Cinema movies – Anak starring Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto and Milan also starring Claudine and Piolo Pascual – done in the tradition of Dubai – that is, shot abroad and depicting the plight OFWs against a "romance" background.
Anak was filmed in Hong Kong and Milan in Milan, Italy.
Starring Aga Muhlach, Claudine Barretto and JOHN LLOYD Cruz, Dubai is breaking box-office records since it opened in more than 100 theaters nationwide lsat Sept. 28. In five days alone, Dubai grossed close to P60M.
The movie, scripted by Ricky Lee and Sahira Mella-Salvador, and directed by Rory Quintos is about two brothers (Aga and JOHN LLOYD) whose otherwise contented life in Dubai is challenged when Claudine comes into the picture.
"I knew that if you had a good story, a good cast and a good setting which is new to Filipino movie fans," added Malou, "you have a winner."
"The movie industry is not dying," repeated Malou, "It merely needs a shot-in-the-arm."
Malou, together with Aga, Claudine and JOHN LLOYD, will leave tomorrow for the premiere of Dubai in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and London. The group will be away for 10 days.
Dubai is simultaneously being shown in Hawaii, San Francisco, Saipan, Guam, Milan (Italy), Vienna (Austria) and Canada.
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Thanks for posting them Ana and Mhie. 
