CBCP calls Gamitan ‘morally disturbing’

There is no moral lesson in the film "Gamitan" starring sexy actress Maui Taylor.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) film review body, Catholic Initiative for Enlightened Movie Appreciation (Cinema), said "Gamitan" is morally disturbing.

In its review of the movie, Cinema said the film appears to be a story about four characters who are insane rather than a film that conveys moral lessons to the youth.

Cinema also gave the movie a technical assessment of below average.

While there may be some moral lessons from the sex flick, Cinema said these lessons were not conveyed to the movie-goers — particularly the male viewers. Cinema said only the movie’s titillating scenes were retained by its viewers.

Cinema said the movie, written and directed by Palanca awardee Quark Henares, should be seen by viewers aged 18 years and older.

Just like any other sex film, the main characters in the story engage in several bed scenes. The movie stars Taylor, Patricia Javier, Wendell Ramos and Jordan Herrera of the "Rexona Boys."

According to Cinema, the story focused more on how to expose more flesh rather than the other aspects of the movie’s plot.

The CBCP film review board also said the production staff who worked on the movie were meticulous in doing the lighting, sound effects and cinematography of the bed scenes. In this way, the movie was able to render in detail the sexual encounters among the youth.

However, Cinema said that when some scenes were shot in the school setting of the film, moviegoers were confused: "They were at all at a loss on what and how such incidents occurred."

Furthermore, the CBCP movie review board said the yells and screams of the characters just irritated moviegoers.

While Cinema assessed the direction of the movie as passable, the Catholic film review body said Henares failed in the characterization of the actors and actresses, though Ramos’ and Herrera’s acting were noticeable towards the end of the movie.

Cinema also said the fates that struck the film’s characters in the aftermath of a simple game were detestable. Cinema also said the plot of "Gamitan" seemed to have been copied from the American film "Cruel Intentions."

The Catholic film review body also said Henares failed to convey his messages clearly through the film.

The lessons Henares tried, but failed, to convey, Cinema said include the following: "(The value of the) virginity of a woman; the meaning of sex; cleanliness of the soul; responsibilities in life and manhood." These things, Cinema said, are important to the mature audience as well as to the youth. The movie also failed to show the influence a peer group or a family member can have over an individual.

In another film review, Cinema also rated the Vin Diesel starrer "xXx (Triple X)" morally disturbing, but said it was technically "above average."

"xXx clearly targets the young viewers, for it apparently avoids too much blood and violence, notwithstanding its cool packaging, although the plot actually calls for it. But one can never overlook the vulgar language, some nudity and (the) devilish portrayal of hard-core rock music. The title itself may even suggest a level of obscenity," Cinema said.

The film’s greatest impact, Cinema said is not made with its visuals – rather "xXx" is implicitly racist, stereotyping Russians as evil and Americans as saviors of the world.

Despite this, Cinema does have some good words for "xXx": "The film still has its usual moral to boot – good will always triumph against evil and anyone is capable of doing good for the world if given that chance."

"xXx" is a James Bond-type movie packed in the cool gloss of MTV’s X-Games, though "xXx" turns out to be the antithesis of James Bond because it lacks the slick charm and dry British humor that is the hallmark of every James Bond movie.

"Vin Diesel may be effective for his commanding screen presence, but he could be just another (Sylvester) Stallone or (Arnold) Schwarzenegger, for he lacks depth and charisma fit for a hero," Cinema said, after rating the movie for viewers aged 14 and above.

Such violent video games as the types played on Playstation, MTV’s X-Games and the PC game Counter-Strike are disturbing enough in the way they affect the morals of the youth, Cinema said. These games, if adapted to movie form for viewing by a wider audience are even worse, Cinema said.

The movie "More Ants in the Pants" directed by Granz Henman, meanwhile, was classed by Cinema as morally abhorrent and technically below average. The movie is a sequel of "Ants in the Pants."

Cinema said the last 85 minutes of "More Ants in the Pants" contains a long string of various sexual situations – of very coarse and gross humor – that a teenage boy or two could get into when he is in a hurry to obtain sexual experience and pleasure.

"The story, directing and editing make it appear that the film (had) been put together without much planning," Cinema said.

Mature viewers will observe that "More Ants in the Pants" transmits the general idea that sexual tendencies should not be allowed to run free and uncontrolled, despite the explicit visuals, Cinema said.