Letting it all out in the movies

SEATTLE – Going to the movies and wandering off with our imagination is absolute therapy. We temporarily step out of the real world and focus on someone else’s character for a couple of hours.

Everytime I feel things are not going the way I want them to, I usually take time off to step in one of the nearest theaters.

I’ve been away these last couple of months and have been taking a lot of time off for myself to be ready for 2007.

Besides getting my articles done, I’ve recharged myself emotionally. I feel like I’ve got a new plate on my table.

I was a ballet dancer at some point in time, but I never really was a big fan of musicals. It never failed to put me to sleep before it ends.

However, two thumbs up is what I give to the musical movie Dreamgirls, where Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and other actors portray a very distinct character every one of us can relate to.

The film was released last Christmas Day. So far, it has won Best Picture in the American Film Institute 2006, while Jennifer won the Breakthrough Performance By An Actress in both Los Angeles Film Critics Association 2006 and New York Film Critics Online 2006.

She also won the Best Supporting Actress award from the Washington DC Film Critics Association 2006. The film has been nominated for many other awards.

There is no doubt Jennifer deserved to take these awards home. She plays Effie White, one of the Dreamettes members.

Effie is the lead singer, while Deena Jones (Beyoncé) and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) were her back-up singers.

Effie is an overweight young lady with an incredible voice. The three travel to New York, along with songwriter C.C. White (Effie’s brother) to compete in a talent show at Apollo Theatre. Here, they meet Curtis Taylor Jr., an ambitious manager played by Foxx. He comes up with different plans and tactics to bring the girls closer to their dreams.

He then introduces the trio to superstar James "Thunder" Early (Murphy) who starts them off doing back-up.

Curtis, in desperation to make money and sell records, changes the trio’s image. He hopes to attract a "white" audience and replaces Effie with Deena Jones.

Although this created a lot of problems in the group, Curtis manages to bring fame to the group and give them a much larger audience.

The story has many twists. But the bottom line is, at the end of the movie, we learn to appreciate the little things in life and realize that money, fame and adulation won’t bring the happiness we need.

I will not be surprised if the movie receives more awards, just like Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, which won Second Best Picture in the 32nd Metro Manila Film Festival.

We are all very thankful for all the support you have given us. Judy Ann Santos definitely deserves the Best Actress award.

I’ve always looked up to her ever since her Mara Clara days, and I couldn’t be thankful enough for working with her in this film.

She has a good heart and is truly a wonderful person. Congratulations, Juday!

It’s not surprising that direk Joey Reyes won Best Director for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo. He is a brilliant director.

I would also like to congratulate Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz. Cesar brought home the Best Actor trophy for Ligalig.

These two are great as a team. They have done well in producing and directing movies over the past years. I will never forget the chance they gave me to be part of Panaghoy Sa Suba. Congratulations to all of you!

Incidentally, Jan. 17 is the playdate of Agent X44, the movie that will make your stomach hurt from laughing.

Directed by Joyce Bernal, Agent X44 stars Vhong Navarro, Cassandra Ponti, Mariel Rodriguez, Uma Khouny, Mura, Jeffrey Quizon and myself. Please watch it and you will never regret it.

Have a great Sunday!