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Entertainment => Film & TV Talk => Pinoy Entertainment => Topic started by: keating on Nov 23, 2004 at 07:38 PM

Title: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 23, 2004 at 07:38 PM: After Feng Shui comes another horror flick megged by Erik Matti from the company that gave us TIYANAK. The title is so ominous that I don't want to happen to my loved ones.
Title: hey all!
Post by: quark on Nov 24, 2004 at 12:32 PM: long time no see. i miss you guys. anyway, i'm posting something erik sent me about pasiyam, for anyone who's interested. i think they want to hit the college/net-surfing/AB market with this one since it actually is an independent production made in HD that's marketed through REGAL. so check the movie out! it'll be interesting to see what erik matti can come up with without the outside pressure from studios...

+by the way the file he sent me kinda had typographical glitches and was a block. i was able to segment everything but the typos remain. sorry.+

DirectorÕs Notes and Reflections Ð Pa-SiyamErik MattiNovember 5, 2004 (11:00 pm - 3:30 am)Ortigas Center, Pasig City

OUR OWN SWEAT AND BLOOD
About selling the movie, I want it to go the ÒexploitativeÓ route but in a more sincere and honest way. It's like "we are poor but passionate about movies" kinda thing. I want people to know that out of our own sweat and blood, we came up with this small movie. ItÕs our response in the face of what they say is a Òdying movie industry.Ó The concept is fresh and original. ItÕs not a rip-off of a Japanese horror movie or an American movie. What keeps the Filipino movies in the theaters now is the group of working class people who, after work, want to watch a movie. ItÕs not the masa who watches Filipino movies anymore. HOW PA-SIYAM WAS BORNE
I'll tell you first how the story of Pa-Siyam was borneÉ After going through the international film festivals through Prosti and Gagamboy, I saw how people abroad like the festival programmers, the journalists, and the viewersÉ I saw how they think about Filipino movies.When you hear what journalists and critics have to say about Filipino movies, manliliit ka. They (programmers) are scared to get Filipino movies because we are famous for homosexual movies. All other Asian countries are getting noticed globally but the Philippines.Serious Asian movie fanatics have this to say about Filipino movies: the reason why Filipino movies are strong in markets like Toronto is because they think of our films as novelty films. For example, if you want to see a house that doesnÕt look like a house, go see a Third World Filipino movie, if you want male dancers rubbing oil on their bodies, watch a Pinoy movie.I was in Italy for the exhibition of Gagamboy. And after looking at the other movies there, I thought, ÔSiyet, i have to do something fresh and universal too!Ó. Looking at the Korean or Chinese movies makes you get jealous of their work. Their movies are true to their cultures but with a very strong universal theme that holds their stories.ThatÕs when I started cooking the idea about the story of two people separating in two weeks time. The lead actress, the wife, says to her husband, ÔIÕm leaving you. IÕm just waiting for the closing of the school yearÉÕ So itÕs a study of how two people separate. I asked Cherry Pie Picache and Joel Torre, if they would do it for free sa akin? I told them most of the scenes would be improvisational. And they agreed! They said, ÔSige!Ó I was supposed to do the movie out of my own money. Naikuwento ko kay Dondon that I wanted to do this movie out of my own money. Nakalimutan ko rin because I got busy. IÕm still finishing the outline of the movie actually. And then Dondon asked me, ÔDi ba gagawa tayo ng movie sa company natin?Õ That's when we started working. At first, we wanted to do a movie about a hitman na may sex and violence. The story is a very Pinoy set-up of a hitman. The premise was it's difficult to catch these hitmen and the reason is because they're always hired from prison. After they're done with the job, they go back to prison. So you keep looking for them but you can't find them because they are already in prison.We didn't pursue that concept because SM came up with the Ôno R-18Õ policy. So we said, letÕs just do a horror movie.I've always wanted to do a horror movie. Dondon and I even had a concept before entitled Feng Shui about the unluckiest house and presented that to Mother. We sat down with Roy Iglesias for the story. But Mother did not push through with the project. Sabi niya, ÔAyokong gawin ang movie about Feng Shui na horror. Magagalit ang mga Instik sa akin diyan!Õ So nawala iyong Feng Shui idea. And then we heard Star Cinema was doing a Feng Shui movie.

HORROR WITH CERTAIN LIMITATIONS
So we decided that the movie would be a horror movie. Before we started writing the script, we had to think of a story that would work around certain limitations. First was that the movie had to be shot within a short period of time. Second it would be shot on high-definition (HD) or digital video (DV) format. I really wanted the mini-DV format but HD was more accessible cost-wise. Third, we had to assemble actors and staff who would agree to be paid later on. Noong nabanggit ko kay Don-don iyong project about the improvisational movie on a couple separating, akala niya that it would be done under our company, Reality Entertainment. I originally intended to produce the project myself because it is a very personal movie but then when I thought about it, it would really be wiser to produce the movie under Reality Entertainment and make a more commercial project. In that way, there would be less risk on my part financially. What I am saying is, if i do my personal movie, it's a concept that's harder to sell. But then if someone else other than my self is also in the project, then I would be forced to work hard to make it work commercially rather than come up with a personal movie like Lav Diaz' long masterpieces that even if not released theatrically, ok lang sa kanya as long as he was able to do it. And if the movie becomes successful, then we could go and do other projects under a similar set-up. Then, I can do the movies that I really want to do. Back to the script, we decided that the story should be universal but truly Pinoy. When I say universal, it's such that even if you're from Timbuktu, you would still know what the filmmakers are talking about.

TWISTS UPON TWISTS UPON TWISTS!
So the first premise we thought of was about a closely-knit family of which the mother dies. ThereÕs a belief that if you donÕt embalm the dead, the dead comes back. So because this family loves the mother so much, the surviving members didnÕt want to embalm her. And then she comes back and they were happy. Then bad things begin to happen. Yon pala, the father is also brought back from the graveÉ We didnÕt pursue this first story because it sounded it was kinda forcing it through. It was difficult to complete the plotline without making it contrived.And then we thought of the Pa-Siyam angle. ItÕs partly inspired by the Da Vinci CodeÉ you think the story is this and then Ð boom! ItÕs not what you thought it was! ItÕs twists upon twists upon twists! The audience keeps guessing all the time whatÕs going to happen. More than being a horror movie, there is a strong mystery angle to the story. A horror movie with a whodunnit angle.Pa-Siyam is my first horror movie. IÕve always wanted to do a horror movie. IÕve done horror for television, Kagat ng Dilim which was even ahead of Nginig and Wag Kukurap by four years. And it's only now that they are starting to copy the format. Making a horror movie is a risk. It needs careful manipulation of the audience. Careful in the sense that if you go overboard on the horror scenes in the wanting to scare your audience to death para sulit ang bayad nila, then you'll overdo the horror and leaves you open to resorting to cheap tricks. The risk is that, as filmmakers, we want it horrifying but we donÕt also want any of the cheap tricks like strong music to jolt the audience or a hand grabs your protagonist 'yon pala kapatid niya. i want a classic horror movie that's based on a truly horror story and not just a bag of so many horror tricks that if you take those out and look into the story, you'll find out na hindi pala talaga siya horror. Complicated. It is a complicated genre to handle because you have to be constantly ahead of your audience but you shouldn't be fooling them too much to be condascending towards them thereby alienating them.

THE SCARIEST HORROR MOVIE
The scariest movie I ever saw was RosemaryÕs Baby. That's a horror movie that doesn't manipulate the audience with cheap tricks. ItÕs about a childless young couple who meets an old couple and then suddenly their lives improveÉ The wife becomes pregnant. The husband whoÕs a struggling actor suddenly gets a big break. Good things suddenly happen to them, itÕs so eerie. So the story of Pa-Siyam is about a mother who dies. Previously, she was left in the care of the caretakers Ð an old married couple and their daughter. One day, she was found dead by the caretakers. So the children were informed and they come back to the province to bury the mother. The eldest child, who is played by Roderick, returns from Saudi Arabia. So the children bury their mother, after which most of them want to leave. Roderick tells his siblings, ÔNo, IÕm stayingÉ The least we could do is to pray for our mother.Õ Eventually, the others also decide to stay. They have the pa-siyam which is nine days of novena prayer for the soul of the departed. And then strange things start to happenÉ

SUNTOK SA BUWAN NA MAPAPAYAG NAMIN SI RODERICK
The cast was assembled when the story was already written. Suntok sa buwan na mapapayag namin si Roderick. We thought he wouldnÕt accept the project. But when I pitched to story to him over dinner, he said, ÔIÕll do it.Õ He particularly loved the family angle of the movie. It is famous in showbiz circles that Kuya Dick is very close to his mom.Cherry Pie became part of Pa-Siyam because of the talk we had when I told her about the first project, the one about two people separating. But we also had to talk to her manager Ed Instrella; we pitched to him the entire movie. Yul Ð IÕve always wanted to work with him. We sold the idea to YulÕs manager Maryo J. delos Reyes who let Yul do the project for us. Pa-Siyam is seen as an ensemble movie. There are no bigger roles. All the characters are equally important. TheyÕre working together for one goal. IMPROVISATION ON THE SETItÕs a very story-driven horror movie. ItÕs all improv sa set. Everyone helped each other develop the outcome of the scene. This movie could not have been done if we did not deal with good actors.IÕve never done a movie in nine days. With the short shooting period, I had to device a way to fast track shooting so i can do a lot of scenes in a day. Since our HD camera comes with a steadicam package, I decided to shoot most of the scenes in one long shot. And on HD, dahil tape lang siya, I can shoot ten minute sequences with no cuts. Except of course on the horror sequences where it needed more camera coverages. That's why I wanted a cast na magaling. Walang tanga or bopol. Otherwise, if i shoot with an ensemble cast and there is one actor that's not good, I'll constantly be retaking long takes and that poses a problem with the tight shooting schedule. And somehow, inspired din ang mga actors namin sa set e kaya ang sarap ng shooting.This movie is not unreal or fantastic. ItÕs very grounded to real, human drama. The theme is very universal. ItÕs about family, taking care of parents and uncovering family secrets. Walang horror for horrorÕs sake; all the horror you see is tied up in the end to the horror story.A MOVIE THAT IS CLOSE TO MY HEARTAfter Mano Po 2, I swore that I will never make a movie that is not close to my heart. Pa-Siyam is very meaningful to me because itÕs a story that I decided to work on. It may not be autobiographical but it is a genre I'd like to try my hand on.I think the only way for the Filipino film industry to survive is to go global. There is no future if we continue to make films only for the Philippine market. Filipino filmmakers should be challenge to do movies without looking down on the audience which is what our major studios are constantly asking our filmmakers to do in their movies. They always presume that the audience will have to be spoon fed every information in the story. I love movies that interacts with the audience. That makes the audience think and feel alongside the movie as it unfolds in the movie screen. I really think that everybody should go global. If weÕre stuck in our own market, the market is simply too small and too Hollywood oriented for our stuff to make financially and critically. WeÕre not trying to come up with an experimental movie. I don't do art house movies. I want my movies to be enjoyed by as many people as possible. I don't want to do movies that only my mother can appreciate because she has to as a sensitive parent. With the million and 1 horror movies that has been done, we tried so much to come up with something fresh and original. We are offering the audience our ÔsmallÕ film. If the Filipino market embraces Pa-Siyam, it could be a start of a new wave of Filipino movies. In our own little way, we would like to bring the Filipino movies globally. Of course, if it appeals to everyone (which I am almost definite, it will)We are pleading, we are making a call to the audience. If youÕre sick and tired of seeing the same kind of Filipino movies, here is something new. * * * * * * *
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: indie boi on Nov 24, 2004 at 12:43 PM: Sounds really interesting. I'm surely gonna watch this.

I love reading a director's notes -- thanks for posting this Quark!
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 24, 2004 at 12:54 PM: The poster looks so very creepy...... :o :o :o.....baka this is much better than Feng Shui....hey indie boi.... Kris Aquino is not in the cast..... ;D

thanks for posting Quark...... :)

Let's support this film if we really want good quality movies! Theatrical runs start on December 1. If we can afford dvds why not shell out P100 bucks for this flick?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Quitacet on Nov 24, 2004 at 01:30 PM: I became interested in this film after reading the Director's Notes. I was expecting it to be "just another " Asian horror flick. NOw I have a very good reason to watch this.

I just hope that When they release this in DVD, it would be AWS. Plus an interview with the director as a special feature would be great.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: quark on Nov 24, 2004 at 01:51 PM: ei no prob! suddenly i miss pinoydvd and i only found out about the grand eb now. deamn! next time then 8) i'm excited to watch the movie as well.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Nov 24, 2004 at 03:57 PM: Hmmm.. papanuurin ko siguro ito. I did watch Feng Shui. Although the movie was better than other Filipino scary movies I've seen, marami pa ring inconsistencies yung Feng Shui plus sana hindi na nila hinaluan ng side plot about Jay Manalo cheating - pampagulo lang..

Hopefully, this movie would be better... ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 24, 2004 at 07:14 PM: Will the movie looks grainy because it was shot on HD? This is Erik Matti's first foray in horror genre.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Nov 25, 2004 at 09:53 AM: Quote from: keating on Nov 23, 2004 at 07:38 PM
After Feng Shui comes another horror flick megged by Erik Matti .

Erik Matti?! Well good luck!!! talagang nakakatakot yan for sure!!! ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: wedge on Nov 26, 2004 at 01:07 PM: Very promising. Will try to watch this if I can.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 26, 2004 at 01:12 PM: The film opens next week already ahead of the coming MMFF. The cast looks promising Cherrie Pie Picache, Ana Capri, Yul Servo, Roderick Paulate.

Speaking of Roderick its been a long time since he act on the big screen except for those gay roles that he done in the past.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: wedge on Nov 26, 2004 at 01:13 PM: Next week?! Oh siyet...
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: RMN on Nov 26, 2004 at 01:35 PM: I didn't bother to catch FEng Shui on purpose. Should I bother with this one? ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 26, 2004 at 05:32 PM: It's highly recommended by Quark RMN....so why not give it a try? :)
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: aikigrappler on Nov 27, 2004 at 07:52 AM: Yon pala meaning ng Pa Siyam, 9 days of novena for the dead.Di ko alam yon. :) I didn't know there was a superstitious belief that if you don't embalm the body it comes back after nine days of novena.

Is this the movie in the news where several apparitions were caught on tape?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 27, 2004 at 10:15 PM: When it comes to not embalming the dead.....Stephen King's PET SEMATARY comes to my mind but instead of people.....pets come back to haunt you.... :o

Not really sure elf if this is the movie in the news where several apparitions were seen....even the trailer I haven't seen it......man.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Nov 30, 2004 at 09:50 AM: Feng Shui started it all. Filipino horrors at this time. Trying to get even if other asian horrors. Thanks for the effort!!! I hope its another good horror film. (Pa Siyam)
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Nov 30, 2004 at 10:00 AM: Quote from: llanesmark777 on Nov 30, 2004 at 09:50 AM
Feng Shui started it all.

Horror films have been a staple since the '30s. There were Eddie Romero and Gerry de Leon's '60s Blood Island films and de Leon's Terror is a Man. But I suppose Feng Shui can be considered to have started a recent trend (tho what about Bahay ni Lola?)
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: X44 on Nov 30, 2004 at 10:25 AM: You can trace the recent "trend" back to Spirit Warriors. About time, too. Pinoys seem to have, theoretically at least, a knack for the genre. And it took us a good while to jump on the Asian Horror bandwagon. Horror shouldn't be a "trend", though. Several good ones every year 'til the end of the world is a healthy minimum. Maybe Rico Ilarde can get into the action. Didn't much like Feng Shui, though. Had its moments and much promise but little else. Pasiyam looks like it rocks, though. Seeing this one, for sure.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 30, 2004 at 12:40 PM: The movie opens tomorrow.....I do hope it can find audience so that the horror genre which is missing for so long on the silver screen will continue to flourish.

We only have a handful of horror flicks.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Nov 30, 2004 at 01:59 PM: Well, we can't beat the Japanese or Koreans for creep and subtlety; and unless Eddie Romero starts working again, we can't beat them--or the Americans--for gore. Spirit Warrior's blend of fantasy and comedy might be our best bet, particularly the mix Rono achieved in Spirit Warriors 2. That movie I liked.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 01, 2004 at 07:54 AM: I'm not familiar Noel regarding Eddie Romero's films in horror genre except for Kamakalawa which I think blends fantasy and adventure......

The horror genre was revived after Regal Films cashed on the Shake Rattle and Roll series after the hugely succesful TIYANAK.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: X44 on Dec 01, 2004 at 02:16 PM: Quote from: Noel_Vera on Nov 30, 2004 at 01:59 PM
Well, we can't beat the Japanese or Koreans for creep and subtlety

You think this sensibility is ingrained in the Japs/Koreans, Noel, or are our horror filmmakers just not trying or aiming for it? I used to think that Pinoys are, by nature , hysterical and hyperbolic and I agree that Jap imagination is far more warped than ours will be, but isn't the slow burn creepiness a trope we can adopt? Or do the producers veto such approaches , even despite the success of Asian horror here?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Dec 01, 2004 at 02:28 PM: I think it's partly a cultural thing, X. We're an emotionally simple people, with a very short written history and much influencing by the Spaniards (who aren't known for being reserved) and Americans, among others. We like extremes.

That said, we do have filmmakers who can match the Japanese, if they so choose--Raymond Red, Lav Diaz, Mike de Leon (who's done a few films that can arguably be called horror). In fact, Nakata trained here in the Philippines, and I've always maintained that Itim influenced his Ringu.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: X44 on Dec 01, 2004 at 02:42 PM: I was thinking of Itim actually as a prime example - - -and I did hear about Nakata training here, and working on Itim itself if I'm not mistaken. Don't really know how the audiences back then reacted to its subtlety, though. Far as I remember, I've never seen it repeated locally , least not in the horror genre.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: indie boi on Dec 01, 2004 at 03:02 PM: Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara was also a subtle approach to horror -- from what little I can remember (I really need to watch that film again). I do agree though that the taut suspense of De Leon's Itim has never been repeated.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 01, 2004 at 03:15 PM: Quote from: indie boi on Dec 01, 2004 at 03:02 PM
Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara was also a subtle approach to horror -- from what little I can remember (I really need to watch that film again). I do agree though that the taut suspense of De Leon's Itim has never been repeated.

There's the creepy suspense feeling in ITIM whenever I watched it and I can't describe that feeling the first time I watched it.....you can actually smell the creepiness of Mike De Leon in that flick.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Dec 01, 2004 at 04:40 PM: sir keating would you know why this film was not released as part of the film festival sa holiday season? This would've been a contender... ???
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: oggsmoggs on Dec 01, 2004 at 05:11 PM: Pa-Siyam - Erik Matti

Matti's most recent film after the highly enjoyable Spider-man spoof Gagamboy is Pa-Siyam, a rather uneven yet still interesting atmospheric horror effort. After the death of their mother who died in a state of insanity, her four children, who hasn't visited the ancestral house since their mother's loss of sanity, try to find out the real reason of their mother's death while remaining in the house for nine days, in accordance with the Filipino tradition of praying for the dead nine days straight after the death of the loved one. Familial mysteries are slowly revealed including previous scandals and the rather horrific treatment their mother have experienced in the house. Matti, who I think is more of a visual director rather than a narrative director, gropes with the material he is given. He struggles with this more complex narrative as compared to the whimsy playfulness of Gagamboy which is pretty much straightforward. Pa-Siyam is the second Filipino film that would incorporate the recent bandwagon of Asian horror films that rely on the audience's patience rather than their senses to generate scares. The first film, Feng Shui was quite unsuccessful because of a pitiful plot and a scare-generating tactic that is too lame and blatant for comfort. Pa-Siyam is a lot more atmospheric. The house, a rustic ancestral one, is used quite efficiently to provide for ample scares and chills. Whatever shock technique Matti uses does not feel cheap mainly because of J. A. Tadena (cinematographer)'s more creative visual eye, as compared to the plain and generic visuals of mainstream Feng Shui. The acting is considerably okay, with a few exceptions of greatness, and to a greater degree, mediocrity. Pa-Siyam is a welcome Filipino horror film as it is intelligent, seemingly genuine, and well-made. Tha story, although not really presented well and is sometimes boggled down by numerous scenes of revelation, is good enough for my tastes. ***/*****
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 01, 2004 at 10:24 PM: Spoilers alert......

The film is brilliant, terrifying and chilling. As a former protege of Peque Gallaga, Erik Matti's visuals are excellent throughout (he must have inherited/learned from the master filmmaker), nice movie shot on HD format. I have second thoughts whenever a movie is shot on this format but it looks perfect and blends well with the movie's cinematography and lighting. The craftmanship and technical aspects are all outstanding and polished.

I like the opening scene where Roderick Paulate arrives at the house.....the eerie atmosphere where you can experience from beginning to end..... which Feng Shui lacks......and the long lush close-ups of the other cast whenever a scary part will happen. I left the theater with the background musical score still haunting me...and surprise applause were heard inside the cinema in Sm North Edsa before the closing credits which only means that Filipino audience are improving finally.......!

The plot is more excellent than Feng Shui and the only flaw I think IMO is the monologue by the ispiritista which I found dragging narrating the reason why the old woman haunts her own children and the past that happened.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 02, 2004 at 08:12 AM: Quote from: jeckjeck on Dec 01, 2004 at 04:40 PM
sir keating would you know why this film was not released as part of the film festival sa holiday season? This would've been a contender... ???

This will not be a contender jeckjeck since MMFF now is called the FESTIVAL OF IDIOTS or PESTE BAL. ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: wedge on Dec 02, 2004 at 03:54 PM: Quote from: Noel_Vera on Dec 01, 2004 at 02:28 PM
I think it's partly a cultural thing, X. We're an emotionally simple people, with a very short written history and much influencing by the Spaniards (who aren't known for being reserved) and Americans, among others. We like extremes.

That said, we do have filmmakers who can match the Japanese, if they so choose--Raymond Red, Lav Diaz, Mike de Leon (who's done a few films that can arguably be called horror). In fact, Nakata trained here in the Philippines, and I've always maintained that Itim influenced his Ringu.

Hm, how extreme can we get, Noel? More of Miike or Kim Ki-duk?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Dec 02, 2004 at 04:16 PM: Pa Siyam has the advantage compared to the films that are included in MMFF. Movie goers or avid filipino viewers will see the film for sure. Walang kaagaw ang Pa Siyam or walang kasabay gasino sa week ng film showing. That's the advantage of films that are not included in MMFF. Kaya naman madami naman ang nanonood ng mga films sa MMFF kasi "no choice" na ang mga movie goers. I rather see Pa Siyam this week. Then 2046 by Wong Kar Wai next week?! Kung ipapalabas na siya sa Dec. 8. :D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Dec 02, 2004 at 04:35 PM: Quote from: wedge on Dec 02, 2004 at 03:54 PM

Hm, how extreme can we get, Noel? More of Miike or Kim Ki-duk?

Maybe not as explicit as that, but you'd be surprised how close we can get. Gallaga came pretty close with Oro, Plata, Mata; O'Hara was sexually explicit (tho that's the producer's doing) in Bed Sins. What else--I don't think Miike's done anything like the climax of Scorpio Nights yet. We were pretty extreme in the '80s.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: xage on Dec 03, 2004 at 09:19 AM: Quote from: Noel_Vera on Nov 30, 2004 at 01:59 PM
Well, we can't beat the Japanese or Koreans for creep and subtlety; and unless Eddie Romero starts working again

Cheesy B-movies and not creep movies this Romero dude does.. its a laughing matter how he stars john ashley in his films

Meroon pala na-kicreepan sa romero flicks... ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Dec 03, 2004 at 01:46 PM: Quote from: xage on Dec 03, 2004 at 09:19 AM

Cheesy B-movies and not creep movies this Romero dude does.. its a laughing matter how he stars john ashley in his films

Meroon pala na-kicreepan sa romero flicks... ;D

C'mon, spread your cheeks wider!
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: oggsmoggs on Dec 05, 2004 at 11:05 AM: Saw this again last night with some friends... I liked it even more.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 05, 2004 at 11:37 AM: What do you think oggs the flaw of the movie? The improvisational acting was good but I found the woman's monologue so long and dragging. The flashback scene could have been inserted there instead of that monologue.

But on over all aspects the film is eerie from the first opening scene to the final shot of the movie.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: X44 on Dec 05, 2004 at 12:22 PM: Quote from: keating on Dec 05, 2004 at 11:37 AM
What do you think oggs the flaw of the movie? The improvisational acting was good but I found the woman's monologue so long and dragging. The flashback scene could have been inserted there instead of that monologue.

Did you mean the espiritista, keating?

Ako naman, I agree it was kind of dragging at first but as soon as I got into its rhythm , I kind of liked that whole long scene. It's one of my favorite scenes from the movie, in fact. The monotonous gibberish was actually crucial bits of information about the characters, which was ultimately what the whole movie turned out to be about, but by having it all expressed in almost confused fragments with no visual aid, they seemed darker, more ambiguous and mysterious - - -the burial of the cat, the sex between the younger brother and the maid's daughter, the well with the babies, the carving of the name on the tree, the black wedding. I found myself concentrating more and doing a lot of imagining in my head. The flashbacks near the end, showing what the dead mother went through before she died, were interesting visually but sort of took away from what I was imagining happened to her, based on the first few nights', um, events.

If we must compare. . .Feng Shui seems less of an Asian Horror clone than it is a Shyamalan Knockoff Clone and delights is laying out every single plot strand for the audience to nibble on, which is probably why it went over well. Most people don't relish ambiguity and don't really like to mull things opver. Pasiyam is more Asian in its restraint, in its embrace of the slow burn, and very Val Lewton in the way it relies on suggestion more than actually showing everything, which is what Americans are so so fond of. That espiritista monologue is one example. Another is that almost incidental (though I don't think it is) shot of Roderick's back which tells you but doesn't really tell you something about his backstory.

It also hurdles the fatal mistake every so-so horror movie commits (including Feng Shui and Joey Reyes' unremittingly dull Malikmata) , there's something else going on between and besides the scares. And there's a lot going on in this one, some of which- - - like what was his mother's beef with Roderick's character (liked his Blair Witch scene near the end , where he "talks" to the ghost) - - - are even more interesting than the ghost story.

I liked it. Visually, it's wonderful. And that house was a godsend. Man, what a terrific location. It's practically a character in itself, which is how it should be with gothic horror movies.

What I didn't much like was the ending. SPOILER WARNING

The ghost talking (and the so-so makeup) just took away from it being scary and the revelation , because of the gimmicy twist upon twist that preceded it, didn't feel revelatory anymore. And it felt severely truncated. Like it should've gone on for at least another ten minutes.

SPOILER WARNING

But the set piece near the climax, that eighth(?) night where every one of them gets haunted, that was scary and beautiful.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: oggsmoggs on Dec 05, 2004 at 02:08 PM: I agree wholeheartedly with X44's comment...

At first, I found the espiritista's longwinded exposition offputting, but upon second viewing, I was amazed by how Matti masterfully put into screen what could've been a major drag. The long takes, enunciated by the excellent musical score (I'm pretty much biased since it is my friend who did the musical score) pretty much turned the scene from pitiful to powerful.

That eight night was very very very good... it didn't scare in a way that we all anticipate (you know, shocks and jolts) but it certainly creeps... The house is also one of the better used locations I've seen in Philippine cinema... While most directors would just rent any house (probably a mansion or a shanty or whatever), the house in Pa-Siyam pretty much sums up the whole horror factor of the film.

I thought Roderick Paulate was a miscast... but he does well. The acting overall, was quite good (even Aubrey Miles who I think carried her scenes well).

Keating, I think the major flaw of the film is that it has too many expositions. The espiritista's character is also too easy and unmotivated (conscience? give me a break... that espiritista only appeared in the family's life after the mother's death so why so concerned?). Also, I think the audience thinks faster than the film moves. In the end, I've already figured everything out and the film is only 75% done.

However, all those are forgivable... mainly because of that beautiful ending, again highly improved by that beautiful choral requiem chant (composed by Von de Guzman, who deserves more breaks than composing for the Mano Po series). Come to think of it, I think Filipino filmmakers are finally breaking out of the tradition of providing safe endings (especially after seeing this and Minsan Pa).

Also, after the hilarious Gagamboy and this, I think Erik Matti is developing quite well...
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: X44 on Dec 05, 2004 at 03:28 PM: Quote from: oggsmoggs on Dec 05, 2004 at 02:08 PM
Keating, I think the major flaw of the film is that it has too many expositions. The espiritista's character is also too easy and unmotivated (conscience? give me a break... that espiritista only appeared in the family's life after the mother's death so why so concerned?).

It's a nit on my part, of course, but I agree. There also seemed to be something rich and untapped about the espiritista character. Much as I liked her monologue, I couldn't help feeling she was some kind of deus ex machina, that perennial horror movie trope of the convenient occultist friend/stranger/neighbor who wanders in and lays down the law- - - much like the Ilonah Jean character in Feng Shui. She very well might be, Matti just did a good job of tweaking her a bit. But, it would've been wonderfully insane if she had more to do with the evil goings-on or something as wild.

Quote from: oggsmoggs on Dec 05, 2004 at 02:08 PM
However, all those are forgivable... mainly because of that beautiful ending, again highly improved by that beautiful choral requiem chant (composed by Von de Guzman, who deserves more breaks than composing for the Mano Po series). Come to think of it, I think Filipino filmmakers are finally breaking out of the tradition of providing safe endings (especially after seeing this and Minsan Pa).

My beef with the revelation scene near the end notwithstanding, that final frame before the fade out I quite liked. Often , horror movies (American and Filipino specially) wrap everything up in a neat little bow. The horror is often of an interloper nature that gets quelled near the end and the status quo is restored. This isn't one of those. The horror may well be over , but at a price, and everybody is permanently scarred. And we're not given room to breathe after. The movie just ends. Neat.

The most vocal reaction I heard when I watched it at SM Megamall was a violent "Walang kwenta." , which makes me think that whenever we say the reason Filipino films are bad is the audience, maybe, just maybe, we're not underestimating the audience at all.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 05, 2004 at 04:34 PM: Thanks for all the inputs X44, oggsmoggs. Yeah that monologue by the espiritista seems to be a lift from a stage or a theatrical performance that I found dragging. I'll watch again the film tomorrow together with my colleagues from the office so that I can appreciate it even more.

The house itself was a revelation! Beautifully shot and photographed! The moment I saw the opening scene of Roderick Paulate in long tracking shot going inside the house I knew it! I'm really in for a very nice treat and PA SIYAM did justice for that!!!

I cant say even more X.....that character of the espiritista was some kind of deus ex machina just like Angie Ferro's character in Chito Rono's bland remake of Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara and I wholeheartedly agree with you about this. Same with Ilonah Jean's character in FENG SHUI.

Agree with oggs regarding the ending and the apperance finally of the dead mother its beautiful, haunting powered by that musical score! When the old woman saw Jaime Fabregas a spine chilling came over me just like when my late father make paramdam a few days ago.

And oh my cousin who is a long time movie buff..finally told me.....PA SIYAM can now match Celso Ad castillo's original PATAYIN SA SINDAK SI BARBARA.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Swiss Knife on Dec 06, 2004 at 08:40 AM: It was a good film but I must admit that I liked Feng Shui better. The first few scenes were kind of dragging but Roderick's opening scene really got to me. The setting would really give you the creeps as well as the musical score. There is a lesson learned from this film. Its a must see for those who have left their parents behind. :)
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 06, 2004 at 12:08 PM: What could be the significance of the book or is it the Bible that Roderick always hold before and after going to sleep in his room?

The old house I think was shot on location in Pampanga.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: oggsmoggs on Dec 06, 2004 at 12:14 PM: Quote from: keating on Dec 06, 2004 at 12:08 PM
What could be the significance of the book or is it the Bible that Roderick always hold before and after going to sleep in his room?

The old house I think was shot on location in Pampanga.

I think the bible's major purpose was so that it won't look implausible for Paulate's character to immediately recognize the bible quote written in the walls.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 06, 2004 at 12:20 PM: Quote from: oggsmoggs on Dec 06, 2004 at 12:14 PM

I think the bible's major purpose was so that it won't look implausible for Paulate's character to immediately recognize the bible quote written in the walls.

Thanks oggs.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: wedge on Dec 06, 2004 at 01:52 PM: Dang...

From what I've read in your posts guys, I think this film's good (I'll consider `great' to be the next best adjective to good).

Sigh. Do you know when's the dvd or the vcd coming out? hehe ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 06, 2004 at 03:56 PM: Just wait wedge maybe this film will make rounds of festival in the U.S. and if not, I'll send a dvd for you. ;)
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Dec 06, 2004 at 09:31 PM: Finally just saw Pa Siyam. I remember Erik Matti's favorite movie is Rosemary's Baby by Roman Polanski. A classic horror. The film is long. At first i did not like it because its dragging. But the film is a character build up. So does Pa Siyam. Not like other asian horrors that are fast pace story. Scare on your seats all through out the film. from the title itself Pa Siyam, the scene was done through out the luksa or during the 9 days of death. Most of the film is dark, It was done inside the old house. There are some errors in the film. One is the continuity of the scene when Rodderick talks to Aubrey Miles on the bed. The kumot naka balot sa katawan ni Aubrey, hanggang leeg. You'll notice that pag naka tapat yung shot kay Rodderick. On the reverse angle same scene also if you'll notice nakababa na. And i dont like the acting of espiritista, over acting sa pagkakakwento ng nangyari sa buhay ng namatay. And nung tinatawag niya yung kaluluwa ng namatay para makausap. My God over acting pa din. Its very obvious naman na yung mga anak ang may kasalanan ng lahat kaya namatay yung nanay nila. Bakit kailangan gumanti. Remember Rodderick is all alone the room asking his mom. Na bakit siya kailangan mag malupit sa kanya. Maybe siguro kaya pinabayaan. And i dont like when their talks to her children, Nakipagusap ng matagal na parang hindi multo. Parang buhay, And kailangan pa niya kunin si Aubrey Miles?! Ang masasabi ko lang sa Nanay nila na namatay. She is selfish!!! busy lang siguro yung mga anak niya kaya siya pinabayaan. And kasalanan ba ng mga anak yun? Di pa din siguro. Me nagaalaga pa naman kaya lang para nga lang binaboy bago namatay. And remember, Di ba nabaliw yung nanay? Hanggang sa Pagkamatay at Pagmumulto. BALIW PA DIN YUNG INA!!! Okey sana yung concept pero ayoko yung paghihiganti ng multo. Parang napaka babaw.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Dec 06, 2004 at 09:35 PM: Quote from: keating on Dec 06, 2004 at 12:08 PM
The old house I think was shot on location in Pampanga.

If im not mistaken the house is famillar. Its located in San Juan. Sorry Keating di ko nagustuhan yung film.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: wedge on Dec 06, 2004 at 09:39 PM: Oh. So now, it's got mixed reviews. As I've said before, films are acquired taste. The only thing different is how you put your tongue in it.

Still, will find a way to see it.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: dorian_gray on Dec 07, 2004 at 12:53 AM: Spoilers...

I love this film a lot and I think it does not resemble any of the Asian horror films today. There are two things that stood out in the film--the house and the ending. Grabe--I never thought a Filipino would dare end his film that way. It was very effective. Medyo kabisado ko na yung bahay dahil maayos talaga ang pagkak-shoot sa kanya.

Two items in the film that I hated: Aubrey Miles and Yul Servo. I think a stunningly beautiful actress is not needed as Ruth. Medyo distracting ang boobs niya dahil nakatayo kahit nakahiga (it should be hard to notice for me because I am gay). At puwede bang maturuan si Yul kung paano ang madulas sa hagdan?--para lang siyang umupo kasi.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 07, 2004 at 08:22 AM: Just saw it again for the second time around yesterday. And I liked it even more. It does not resemble any Jap horror flicks since only four people died in the movie. And I think Aubrey MIles is commendable here ditto with the ensemble cast headed by Roderick Paulate.

There maybe few loopholes and flaws in between but this is still a groundbreaking flick in the history of Philippine cinema.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Dec 07, 2004 at 04:00 PM: Keating ill just call you about this Pa Siyam matter.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: oggsmoggs on Dec 07, 2004 at 04:51 PM: I did find the whole concept troublesome at first. However, when you think about... it makes the picture even more interesting. Although it may look thematically incoherent at first, the whole mother vengeance theme of the film further explored areas in Filipino familial psychology. The ever present bond between mother and children, when does it really end? The whole psychological aspect of the film, although it could be confusing since it seems to be contradicting itself, is actually one source of excitement. I loved it how the children and the mother would be blaming each other for their respective fates, but in the end, they were still together... it's as if our Filipino culture of close family ties contradict the basic ideas of human psychology. Matti also gives an effort to explore the whole household help phenomenon in the Philippines. I mean, logic would only dictate to an already suffering family to leave the lunatic mom alone in the house since she's not even part of the family and the children do not give enough money for them to take care of her... but that whole "katulong" phenomenon somehow pushes the caretakers' family, probably out of pity, duty or loyalty to still take care of the mother, even if it is against their wishes... The contradicting themes of the story actually improve on the film. Some people may consider them loopholes, but for me, it's more of a realistic picture of these uniquely Filipino social phenomena.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Dec 07, 2004 at 07:09 PM: In short oggs, the film is Pinoy na Pinoy. The custom of praying for the dead for nine days after the burial is one of our cultural phenomenon.

I wish that the dead mother was seen in the coffin as Paulate approches their house. It would be more creepy. I thought at first no people were paying respect to the dead person on that opening scene.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Dec 09, 2004 at 02:20 PM: Family values a care for your mom or any part of your family is important on this film. I think this is waht Pa Siyam is all about. But there still a lot of loopholes in the film. But in the theme of the story of Parent and children relationship?! Now i learned my lesson.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: xage on Dec 10, 2004 at 03:35 AM: Quote from: keating on Dec 06, 2004 at 03:56 PM
Just wait wedge maybe this film will make rounds of festival in the U.S. and if not, I'll send a dvd for you. ;)

I havent seen the film yet.. but from the manner he posted it.. "maybe"?

well on my end .. I see it as another go down the drain of forgetness after a few months..
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Phobos on Dec 10, 2004 at 03:14 PM: Quote from: xage on Dec 10, 2004 at 03:35 AM
well on my end .. I see it as another go down the drain of forgetness after a few months..

xage:

Although we encourage everyone to post their own opinions on whatever topics they may feel strongly about, I'm going have to step in at this point before this thing gets out of hand again. In light of recent events, I would like to ask you to refrain from posting your opinions or speculations regarding Filipino films, at least for those that you haven't actually seen.

Thank you.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Dec 10, 2004 at 03:22 PM: Thanks, phobos. Appreciate your sanity.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: llanesmark777 on Dec 12, 2004 at 04:31 PM: Quote from: xage on Dec 10, 2004 at 03:35 AM

I havent seen the film yet.. but from the manner he posted it.. "maybe"?

well on my end .. I see it as another go down the drain of forgetness after a few months..

In addition for the record xage. forget what to send dvd of Pa Siyam on Wedge? I don't think so Keating and Wedge, Reauven Malter and I were good friends. We share what we have. Not pirated!!!
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: RitchieNolasco on Dec 22, 2004 at 04:13 PM: Pa Siyam is good, just watched it yesterday. It's not perfect though, but nobody can really expect a perfect film. I'm just surprised how direk Erik Matti told the story and scared the audience. Definitely, this is a much better movie than the garbage that is Mano Po 2: My Home.

Now if only the bitch Aubrey Miles could get kicked out to orbit from the movie. I hope she lands face first on the moon. Hahaha!
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Sep 05, 2005 at 07:11 PM: The vcd is out already, one of the most underrated flicks in Philippine Cinema. Watch it and give it a try. The visuals of Matti are well-done and the ensemble acting is good.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jdv1229 on Sep 10, 2005 at 09:21 AM: i just saw Pa Siyam on dvd. this is actually the only Pinoy horror film that me gave me goosebumps. the movie is way better than Feng Shui and a couple of notches higher than Sigaw. i was impressed with Roderick Paulate's acting in the film... the camera work by JA Tadena was impressive and the music by Von de Guzman gave me chills. not to give anything away, i was blown away by the flashback on what really happened to the mother near the end of the film. i was amazed. theis is truly one of Erik Matti's better films alongside Prosti.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: dorian_gray on Sep 10, 2005 at 11:39 PM: How is the quality of the DVD? Does it have special features?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jdv1229 on Sep 11, 2005 at 01:52 AM: the quality i guess is much better than the vcd... as for special features unfortunately it has none, only trailers to future regal video releases. i wish Erik Matti recorded a commentary track just like in the Mano Po 2 dvd... it would've been more interesting listening to his thoughts in making Pa Siyam.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Sep 17, 2005 at 12:47 PM: Well, well, well, well, well...this was actually good.

I wonder what happened. Is it that for his umpteenth production Matti actually hunkered down and tried to tell a story properly? Or is it that he takes horror more seriously? Or that the genre doesn't short-circuit his instincts as much as sex does, so that he doesn't attempt anything ridiculous the way he does in his sex movies? Or is it that the writer Dwight Gaston ironed out the screenplay, made it proceed logically and coherently, and made each character actually come alive, with recognizably human and reasonable motivations (I remember Ekis with its moronic kidnap gang, and Prosti with its fantasyland whorehouse)?

Matti's style is chaste here--he doesn't go for the San Miguel beer commercial look, he doesn't splash the screen with colors. Mood is understated, and, ohmigod, the man uses silence to enhance the tension! He's actually learned something!

And the story actually develops! It comes to a point! And the point itself actually adds to the horror!

Would like to pause here and say I'm glad Roderick Paulate finally got a vehicle worthy enough (somewhat) to showcase his talent. He's always been an excellent actor, often appearing in less-than-excellent productions. If this was a hit, and if it helped Paulate's career, he only deserves it, and much more. Also, Yul seems to be developing, little by little, growing out of the probinsyano persona he developed in Batang West Side and Laman.

It's not perfect (SPOILERS). The waking up in the morning to find something nasty on one's bedsheets started to get old, about halfway in. You wonder: what on earth was the point of bringing Jaime Fabregas into the picture, and whether or not the mother blames him too (And if so, why? He has no control over her life)? You also wonder: what was the point of revealing she has a loveless marriage if nothing was going to come out of it? Worst of all, you think--is that it? They get a rap on their knuckles, and can leave peacefully forever (the ending, incidentally, reduces all the carefully built characters into mere spectators)? Sans one of them, of course, but after years of suffering, you'd think she'd maybe trap them in the house and give them the same spa-treatment-from-hell that she received as well. Ah well.

And small complaint: if that's what it's all about, shouldn't they not say that's what it might be all about? The subject pops up in conversation early in the picture, so the revelation becomes less of a surprise.

(END SPOILERS)

One of the better recent horror films (I'm actually using the term film! On a Matti picture!), Filipino and otherwise, to come out, and one of the better Filipino films I've seen recently (not that I've seen all that many...), and easily the best Matti I've ever seen (actually the first Matti I've actually liked).

Miracles, do happen, after all.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: oggsmoggs on Sep 18, 2005 at 09:43 AM: I'm glad you liked it, Noel... True, one of the better horror films that came out recently. What do you think about Yam Laranas' Sigaw?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Sep 18, 2005 at 10:17 AM: Haven't seen it. Yam did that Richard Gomez-Regine Velasquez romantic comedy from a Mel Mendoza script, didn't he? Then he's done something decent too...
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: dorian_gray on Sep 18, 2005 at 11:56 PM: I saw this on Cinema One and it is widescreen. I guess the DVD is also WS.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jdv1229 on Sep 19, 2005 at 12:44 AM: Quote from: dorian_gray on Sep 18, 2005 at 11:56 PM
I saw this on Cinema One and it is widescreen. I guess the DVD is also WS.

the dvd is also widescreen... unfortunately it lacked the 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio which was included in the dvd of Sigaw.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Sep 19, 2005 at 05:43 PM: Unfortunately it didn't last 9 days on the theatres when it came out, Noel. Paulate showed his talent here aside from his comic ability on those gender-bender films that comprise his filmography starting from HIGH SCHOOL CIRCA 65.

The improvisational acting helped in the over-all aspect of the film plus the eerily to the closing credits musical score by Von de Guzman.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Oct 03, 2005 at 10:48 AM: It's not a great horror film--I don't think it measures up to Gerry de Leon's eerie Terror is a Man or his Blood of a Vampire (which have de Leon's inimitable visual style) or O'Hara's Halimaw sa Banga (which has a more interesting dramatic story, involving better-realized characters), or even Bernal's Pridyider (which is that rarity, comic horror), or Mike de Leon's well-done Itim or great Kisapmata (if you can call Kisapmata horror--but I do). It'll do till something better comes along.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Oct 04, 2005 at 05:56 PM: I still have to see those Gerry de Leon's horror flicks. PRIDYIDER is a cult classic, ITIM combines horror and madness right before your very eyes, psychological horror that grows in you. Agree with O'hara's HALIMAW SA BANGA, its more highly effective and character driven than Gallaga's TIYANAK.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Oct 04, 2005 at 11:46 PM: I don't look for what's scary anymore--scary you can do with shock cuts and some very loud THX speakers. What I look for in horror is a good story and characters that are maintained within the framework of the conventions of horror, coupled hopefully with something more--a sense of the innate beauty of horror, the poetry of perversion. That way you're not scared or maybe not even startled per se, but you do bring something away with you.

Like a visit to the whorehouse--it stays inside you, festering. ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Oct 05, 2005 at 01:22 AM: I cant seem to find any dvd copy of this at stores... does anyone know where I can get one?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jdv1229 on Oct 05, 2005 at 06:31 AM: Quote from: jeckjeck on Oct 05, 2005 at 01:22 AM
I cant seem to find any dvd copy of this at stores... does anyone know where I can get one?

try ordering at www.regalfilms.com
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jekoy on Oct 24, 2005 at 03:54 AM: i believe that this would be work better as a psychogical horror thriller than a pure horror movie. in the first place, who would be scared with a dead relative esp your own mother? but then, in the end's twist, twas heart wrenching and psychologically disturbing!

http://itsallaboutmovies.blogspot.com/2005/09/on-video-pa-siyam-rp-2004.html
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: Noel_Vera on Oct 24, 2005 at 06:03 AM: I don't care if I had sex with her, if she died and is still talking to me, I'd be plenty unsettled.

Hey--that sounds like a sequel... ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: demented_angel on Oct 26, 2005 at 04:19 PM: i watched unang hirit earlier and they said that they will be doing a hollywood version of this film...they were quite impressed with the movie and it even won best in musical direction in the awards
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Oct 26, 2005 at 04:23 PM: Finally got myself a dvd of this... Found it at Astro Festival Mall for P450... Timing for Halloween ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Oct 26, 2005 at 04:27 PM: Is it barebone, jeckjeck? ???
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Oct 26, 2005 at 04:35 PM: will check it out later sa house sir... nothing is stated at the back as far as features go... there are pics and the short write up but no features...

weird lang because the dvd has a bar code complete with UPC... it also has Regal's US address aside from it's Philippine address... may FBI Warning pa... ???
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Oct 26, 2005 at 04:39 PM: Thanks, man.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Oct 26, 2005 at 11:26 PM: here are the scanned front and back images of the actual dvd, keating...

(http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/3558/pasiyam5vw.jpg) (http://img428.imageshack.us/img428/8818/pasiyamb5al.jpg)
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jekoy on Oct 27, 2005 at 12:15 AM: Quote from: demented_angel on Oct 26, 2005 at 04:19 PM
i watched unang hirit earlier and they said that they will be doing a hollywood version of this film...they were quite impressed with the movie and it even won best in musical direction in the awards

Pa-Siyam ba ang nanalo? Ang sabi naman sa news sa ch2, galing daw sa Sigaw ung musical scoring?
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: demented_angel on Oct 27, 2005 at 07:11 AM: Quote from: jekoy on Oct 27, 2005 at 12:15 AM
Pa-Siyam ba ang nanalo? Ang sabi naman sa news sa ch2, galing daw sa Sigaw ung musical scoring?

awww, im sorry SIGAW won best in musical score and they will be doing a hollywood version of the film, sorry bout that :-\ :-\ :-\, wrong thread....may "S" kasi ang pa siyam...whahaha! ;D
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: indie boi on Oct 27, 2005 at 08:37 AM: It will be hard to make a hollywood version of Pa-siyam because the concept of the nine-day mourning period is only endemic to traditionally catholic countries. The exposition to explain the concept may take quite a while and even then most US viewers may still not get it -- they're not one for subtleties and nuances. For us just mention the word "Pa-siyam" and it already evokes a feeling of loss, sadness and, at least for me since I was a kid - a supernatural foreboding. Translate the title to Nine Days and the hillbilly US audience may think the movie is just 9 1/2 Weeks for those who ejaculate prematurely.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Oct 27, 2005 at 08:48 AM: They may also think 9 days of Midnight Mass culminating on Christmas Eve. But come to think of it, its a fleeting moment that Hollywood will have their own version of PA SIYAM.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: marj on Oct 31, 2005 at 04:29 AM: According to the CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA, a novena is a term for "continuous praying of a formula for personal devotion, either on nine consecutive days or once a week for nine weeks". Pa-siyam, as we know it, is actually a novena for the dead. The midnight masses from December 16 to 24 compose the Christmas novena.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Nov 02, 2005 at 02:05 AM: finally got to watch this on dvd... Overall I liked the movie. It is a whole lot better than Feng Shui. I liked the acting by most of the cast - the acting was very natural. It also set a very creepy atmosphere. The film had dull muted colors bordering on sepia which really contributed to the dark mood. The story itself was very good. It was very easy to relate to and understand. I did mention in an other thread that I liked 75% of the movie. The 25% I didn't really like was made up of:

1) the anti-climactic ending - When the mom appeared and started talking to them, the movie lost the eeriness it built up. It was excessive spoon feeding to explain all the events which the espritista already narrated. Also, if she was out for revenge, why take Aubrey Miles's character which was the only child she really loved? Didn't really add up.

2) the esperitista - Her acting was overly theatrical as compared to the rest of the cast. I am willing to bet the actress who portrayed her has a lot of stage experience.

3) the miscasting of Aubrey Miles - Casting Aubrey Miles as a retarded/mentally-challenged person was a major dumb ass decision. I mean who would believe that she is retarded when she has immaculately plucked eyebrows, perfectly lipsticked lips, and breasts that were obviously surgically enhanced? I mean, if they needed someone beautiful to play Ruth, at least "unpretty" her down a bit for the role. Her acting did not help as she played being retarded by the numbers.

BUT even with the 25%, I still really enjoyed the movie with my wife. The PQ was good (8/10) and the SQ was also okay but I wish they gave it a 5.1 Audio treatment rather than just a Dolby 2.0 (7/10).
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 02, 2005 at 01:27 PM: Nice, nice observations jeckjeck. Even the ending boggs down when the mother appeared to her children. Much better if she didn't appeared so that the suspense will continue to build up till the finale. The esperitista's monologue holds the key to the film's secrets but still a little bit dragging.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: jeckjeck on Nov 02, 2005 at 01:34 PM: Quote from: keating on Nov 02, 2005 at 01:27 PM
Nice, nice observations jeckjeck. Even the ending boggs down when the mother appeared to her children. Much better if she didn't appeared so that the suspense will continue to build up till the finale. The esperitista's monologue holds the key to the film's secrets but still a little bit dragging.

thanks Ron... even the death of the caretaker's family wasn't really maximized after it was revealed... maybe they should've just left one of them alive to fully confess their cruelty rather than have a very solid looking unscary spirit do it...
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: keating on Nov 03, 2005 at 05:17 PM: The ensemble cast was good, man. And Aubrey showed some good performance also. The music at the end of the film still haunt me till now just like in Mike de Leon's ITIM.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: X44 on Nov 18, 2005 at 12:05 PM: Quote from: jeckjeck on Nov 02, 2005 at 02:05 AM
1) the anti-climactic ending - When the mom appeared and started talking to them, the movie lost the eeriness it built up. It was excessive spoon feeding to explain all the events which the espritista already narrated. Also, if she was out for revenge, why take Aubrey Miles's character which was the only child she really loved? Didn't really add up.

My only nit with the movie, too. I don't know it this was a kowtow to spoonfeeding the audience or a lapse of . . . ehem . . . judgment on Erik Matti's part.

Otherwise, cool movie.
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: riverfan on Aug 02, 2006 at 05:15 PM: pa-heads up po kung saan merong Pa-Siyam DVD?

Ihanks in advance, only seen vcd copies of this. :)
Title: Re: PA SIYAM
Post by: riverfan on Oct 02, 2006 at 08:41 AM: Finally bought a copy at astro southmall. havent seen yet. ;D

maybe later,