Wednesday, November 29, 2006 'Flags of Our Father' opens at Gaisano Mall
A TEARJERKER film starting Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, an Oscar potential war drama, and a family Christmas sequel take center stage in this week's new movie releases at the theaters of Gaisano Mall of Davao.
Opening Wednesday are Inang Yaya, Flags of Our Fathers, and Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.
Inang Yaya
Maricel plays Norma, the title character who is the nanny to the young Louise (played by Erika Oreta), the daughter of upper middle-class couple played by Zoren Legaspi and Sunshine Cruz.
Although she loves her daughter Ruby (Tala Santos) so much, Norma has no choice but to leave her child under the care of her grandmother (Marita Zobel).
She has to do this because she needs the money she earns as a yaya.
But a problem arises when Norma's mom died. She had no choice but to bring Ruby to live with her. The parents of Louise were kind enough to have mother and daughter stay with them.
As days go by, Louise's family plans to migrate to the US and asks her to go with them. But this means leaving Ruby behind.
Directed by Pablo Biglang-awa Jr. and Veronica Velasco, Inang Yaya is rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board.
Flags Of Our Fathers
Clint Eastwood has crafted a bold and meticulous epic in this World War II action drama.
In February 1945, one of the fiercest battles of the Pacific occurs on the tiny island of Iwo Jima.
Thousands of Marines attack the stronghold maintained by thousands of Japanese, and the slaughter on both sides is horrific.
Early in the battle, an American flag is raised atop the high point, Mount Suribachi, and a photograph of the raising becomes an American cause celebre.
As a powerful inspiration to war-sick Americans, the photo becomes a symbol of the Allied cause. The three surviving flag raisers, Rene Gagnon, John Bradley, and Ira Hayes, are whisked back to civilization to help raise funds for the war effort.
But the accolades for heroism heaped upon the three men are at odds with their own personal realizations that thousands of real heroes lie dead on Iwo Jima, and that their own contributions to the fight are only symbolic and not deserving of the singling out they are experiencing.
Each of the three must come to terms with the honors, exploitation, and grief that they face simply for being in a photograph.
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos at the North Pole in the third part of this family comedy franchise.
Tim Allen reprises his role of Scott Calvin -- AKA Santa -- as he juggles a full house of family and the mischievous Jack Frost (Martin Short), who is trying to take over the "big guy's" holiday.
At the risk of giving away the secret location of the North Pole, Scott invites his in-laws (Ann-Margret & Alan Arkin) to share in the holiday festivities, and upcoming birth of baby Claus with expectant wife, Carol, -- AKA Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell).
Along for the adventure are Scott's extended family, son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), ex-wife Laura Miller (Wendy Crewson), her husband, Neil Miller (Judge Reinhold) and their daughter, Lucy (Liliana Mumy) who, together with head elf Curtis (Spencer Breslin), foil Jack Frost's crafty scheme to control the North Pole. The Santa Clause 3 is a colorful jumble.
