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The Resident (2011)
8/10
Leads well chosen
6 February 2011
Hillary is a young doctor seeking an apartment. She inquires at one, but likes neither price nor the view. She goes to see another, but it's not ready for habitation, as the landlord is renovating. The room is draped in plastic, and all of the walls are being redone.

Asking the rental price for this apparently spacious New York apartment, she finds it surprisingly low. While she is looking, one of the drawbacks appears: the sound of a train passing, which, while not oppressively loud, does indeed drown out normal levels of sound. Perhaps this could mask other sounds at some point.

She falls for the landlord, a handsome chap, in a big way. This seems to be a reaction to a rebound from a relationship gone sour just prior to the beginning of the story. However, as this budding relationship evolves into passion, something does not seem quite right.

I found this to be a quite entertaining story, with very subtle details, and told in a different manner. It won't be the greatest movie you've ever seen, but is certainly entertaining, and moves along briskly. Pay attention to details: the answers are there.
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Lola (I) (2009)
9/10
Loving Grandmothers with hard lives
18 November 2010
A grandson is stabbed to death for a cell-phone; the killer is also a grandson. These grandmothers have very hard lives: one of them trying to find cash for a funeral, while the other doing all she can to raise cash to free her grandson.

This film is much deeper than most Filipino offerings, especially due to superb performances by veteran actresses Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio. These ladies exhibit so such grace, humanity, and empathy for their characters, that you can easily discern the love they have for their families. But unlike television grandmothers, they are not all smiles and sweetness. Ms. Linda's character is also impatient and especially grouchy with her preteen grandchildren.

This is a very realistic look at the lives of those who barely get by, and insight into the Filipino culture.

This was a moving and beautiful film. I recommend it highly.
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