PEP REVIEW: Villa Estrella gives a spine-chilling movie experience
Saturday, July 4, 2009 02:35 PM
Photography: Noel Orsal
Maja Salvador (in photo) and Ronnie Lazaro lend intensity and subtlety to their roles in the Star Cinema film Villa Estrella. This horror film about a haunted resort is directed by Rico Ilarde.
Formulaic horror
films are a dime a dozen. With the wealth of choices we have today,
does Villa Estrella stand a chance to get noticed?
Although more
modest compared to earlier Star Cinema horror flicks such as Feng
Shui and Sukob, Villa Estrella brings something new to
the table—a non-generic concept that challenges mainstream cinema.
It is not a perfect film by all means. But with some polishing on the
storyline and a tighter script, Villa Estrella could be in the same league as
Yam Laranas' Sigaw.
Anna's (Shaina
Magdayao) inexplicable bouts with nightmares are getting worse. In her
dreams, she sees a girl drowning in the murky waters. But she is clueless
on what these nightmares mean until an old flame (Jake Cuenca as Alex)
takes her to Villa Estrella, a dilapidated resort that his family plans
to renovate. Upon seeing Anna, the resort's kooky caretaker (Ronnie
Lazaro as Mang Gusting) instantly recognizes her, but Anna says she
has never been in Villa Estrella before. As Anna enters the gates of
Villa Estrella, secrets are unearthed and restless souls avenge themselves.
Effective horror
films start with a skin-crawling concept. For example, an innocent little
girl being possessed by a malevolent spirit in The Exorcist or
a cursed videotape that claims the life of those who see it in The
Ring.
In Villa Estrella, the dirty swimming pool serves as
a channel of exchange that connects our world with the afterlife. The mystery of the murky waters coupled with the atmospheric direction from Rico Maria Ilarde (Altar, Sa Ilalim ng Cogon) makes this feature a spine-chilling movie
experience.
The movie is
also blessed with a strong cast, lead by Shaina Magdayao and Jake Cuenca,
who were pretty solid in their portrayals. While supporting players
like Empoy Marquez and Rubi Rubi provide some comic relief. But it is
Maja Salvador and Ronnie Lazaro who deliver compelling performances
filled with both nuance and bravura. It is the kind of portrayal that
requires intensity and subtlety. And on those grounds, both actors were
effective.
Although above
par in mainstream standards, Villa Estrella could definitely use
some help in ironing out some storyline inconsistencies as well as breaking
away from some horror filmmaking traditions like the inclusion of a
clairvoyant (a staple in every horror film) and a monster that belongs
to the Shake, Rattle, and Roll world.
It is good
to know that a mainstream studio like Star Cinema is recognizing diversity
and is learning to be bold with its filmmaking choices. They are now
altering their worn-out formulas to adapt to the shifting tastes of
moviegoers. If Villa Estrella marks a change in the mainstream
filmmaking landscape, then I believe something good is about to come.
PEP PROMO. Ten lucky PEPsters have the chance to win 2 tickets of the movie Villa Estrella, which is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
Click HERE to join the online raffle, which will run until July 8, 2009.
Get showbiz news anytime, anywhere on your mobile! Just key in PEP ON and send to 4627. Available to all Sun, Globe, and Smart subscribers.
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