Review: 'Pee Mak' more funny than scary

Pee Mak comes home from the battlefield with his four soldier friends, namely Puak (with the winged victory hairstyle), Ter (with the glasses), Shin (with the bun) and Aey (with the mustache). They are met by his beautiful wife Nak with their newborn baby boy.

However, it does not take long for his four friends to notice something strange about Nak. And this leads to a merry comedy of errors and terrors, Thai style.

Being in a foreign language and set in the past, I am sure a lot of the nuances have been lost in translation. However, visual horror and slapstick comedy is universal. While "Pee Mak" is also a horror film, the more commercial and memorable aspect of this film is actually its comedy. The horror takes a back seat to the comedy here.

You just simply have to watch and enjoy those hilarious sequences of the silly gang at the dinner table, playing charades, in the haunted house of the amusement park, the boat on the river and in the Buddhist temple with the monk! These scenes were laugh-out-loud funny beyond words! Don't miss those extra scenes during the end credits as well.

A deglamorized Thai/German actor/model Mario Maurer (as Mak) and the four actors playing his zany friends indeed have great comic chemistry and timing together. They were such a delight playing cartoonish nincompoops and stupid idiots as they were terrorized by the ghostly presence around them.

Thai/Belgian actress/model Daveeka Hoorne also has her dramatic moments as Nak, as her character was mainly the straight man of this farce. I am sure she had a difficult time keeping a straight face in front of all that ridiculous foolishness around her.

I think the only other Thai movie I have seen before was the thrilling and haunting horror film "Shutter" (2004). After I watched "Pee Mak," I discovered that these two films were actually directed by the same man, Banjong Pisanthanakun. "Shutter" was his directorial debut; "Pee Mak" is his latest and biggest hit. Now I think I want to check out Pisanthanakun's other films.

I am sure Filipino film fans will have a good time watching "Pee Mak." The inane comedy/horror genre is also very popular here, and the slapstick faces and routines will be familiar. I am sure we can even think up of specific local comedians who can play these crazy roles.

What "Pee Mak" adds is the exotic Thai cultural setting that gives it that unique mystic feel that adds to the eerie nature of the basic story. This is more fun than scary. Very entertaining! 7/10.

This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vice Ganda film meant for John Lapus?

MANILA, Philippines -- The role of Vice Ganda in an upcoming comedy film co-starring Maricel Soriano was originally intended for John Lapus, the former "The Buzz" host said.

"Sa tanong kung sa akin ba talaga ang project na 'Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy' — yes, para sa akin talaga 'yon," Lapus was quoted as saying by entertainment news site Philippine Entertainment Portal.



According to Lapus, he had been preparing to take on the lead role in the Viva Films project when he was informed of the decision to tap Vice Ganda to star in the movie instead.

Lapus said the concept of the movie, which centers on quadruplets, entailed a long process of preparation, including losing weight and attending a one-on-one workshop with award-winning actress Eugene Domingo.

"Since solo launching movie ko ‘yan, nakiusap kami ng Star Magic sa Viva Films kung puwede paghandaan ko naman muna. Gusto din kasi ni Direk Wenn (Deramas) na magpapayat ako," he said.

The gay comedian said he also had other projects to attend at the time -- including the first movie of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla as a "love team," and the Kapamilya series "Kahit Konting Pagtingin".

"Gusto ko rin sana kasi pag ginawa ko ang Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy, 'yun lang ang ginagawa ko para maka-concentrate ako sa iisa lang... Ang maganda naman, pumayag ang Viva sa request namin ng Star Magic," he said.

However, Lapus said that while he was still busy preparing for the role, Deramas already had to start work on his next project after "Kahit Puso'y Masugatan". Filming for "Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy" will reportedly start this month.

According to Lapus, this was the reason why Vice Ganda was given his role in "Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy".

Lapus said Deramas had informed him of the replacement, and assured him that another project will be developed for him.

"Siyempre, wala naman akong magagawa since hindi pa ako mentally and physically prepared for ['Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy']... Eh, need na nga niyang (Deramas) mag-shooting talaga. Eh ako naman, magpi-prepare pa," Lapus said.

For the 39-year-old comedian, Vice Ganda's being chosen to replace him in the role is still reason to celebrate. He said he is happy that the "It's Showtime" host was given the project.

“Trabaho ‘yan. Walang personalan diyan. Masaya nga ako at sa kanya napunta 'yung project. Kasi 'yung role, pwede naman sa babae or lalaking artista since quadruplets nga. Dahil sa bakla ibinigay, it means na tagumpay na naman ito ng sangkabaklaan," Lapus said.

“Mabuhay ang mga bakla! Support ako diyan nang bongga! Alam ko na kakayanin ni Vice ‘yan," he said.

In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News, Vice Ganda expressed excitement over the "dream-come-true" project. "Pinangarap ko 'to, pinagdasal ko 'tong pelikulang ito, kaya gagalingan ko," he said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Vilma 'shocked' by Vice Ganda's 'Darna'

MANILA, Philippines -- Having portrayed Darna herself, veteran actress and politician Vilma Santos said she was awed by comedian Vice Ganda's take on the iconic Pinay superheroine in the hit comedy film "This Guy's In Love With You Mare."


 "Talagang na-shock ako, nandoon po ako [sa pelikula], naka-Darna. Naka-Darna po ako doon. Congratulations, ang galing," Santos told ABS-CBN News after the premiere screening of the hit comedy flick.

The Wenn Deramas film, which premiered in theaters October 10, features a scene where Vice Ganda mimics Darna as she was portrayed by Santos in the 1970's.

"Sobrang enjoy, grabe, hindi nawala 'yung ngiti sa labi ko, atsaka 'yung enjoyment," said Santos, whose son, actor-host Luis Manzano, also stars in the film.

"But I guess ang pinaka-importante, may meaning po. Hindi po ito basta comedy. May redeeming factor, may message na gusto iparating," she added.

In "This Guy," Vice Ganda plays Lester, a gay man who feigns romantic interest in Gemma (Toni Gonzaga), to take revenge on her for "stealing" his boyfriend Mike (Manzano).

According to Star Cinema, the comedy flick earned an estimated P23 million on its first day in theaters alone.

"This Guy's in Love with You Mare" is Deramas' follow-up to the all-time highest-grossing local film "The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin," which also starred Vice Ganda.

source: abs-cbnnews.com