Crazy Good Movie

I saw the poster on our way out after watching Mission Impossible last month and told Rich: "Okay, that's a DVD material." Meaning, we just watch the movie when it comes out in bluray around 3 months after its movie theatre release.

Then I learned that Kris Aquino is in the cast.

As a Filipino living in Melbourne, I relish my Pinoy moments. I smile whenever I hear local dialects spoken on my trams, trains and even on the street. I never interrupt but I just listen and feel homesick. Sometimes "Are you Filipino" is a question I ask people who resemble my kababayans. Even camouflaged with thick make up and coloured lenses, as soon as they speak - I'd know. Nine out of Ten - a joyful YES to my q is the answer. One and only one in my 18 years in Melbourne, someone said, avoiding eye contact: "My mom is." So is your dad, mate. So is your dad.

I am Pinoy. I am a proud Pinoy-Aussie. And being proud means supporting Pinoy artists in a Hollywood movie even when it is just a cameo.

I admit I want to watch it in cinemas because Kris is there. The hype was strong on this one. So! On the 3rd day of its release in Australia, Rich and I watched it at Highpoint Hoyts. We love watching movies together. I go w him to his dude flicks so he comes to my rom-coms. :-)

It was a cold, wintry Saturday. The weather ignored the memo that it should be Spring the next day. We rugged up and went to watch early to avoid traffic and the throngs of crazy Asian movie-goers like me. :-)

The start of the movie gave me goose bumps. The entire movie captures the universal longing of being accepted. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments, tender and sweet scenes, roller coaster of emotions - even angst. It is a very relatable movie. I love it. I love it, I even cried at some scenes.

Kevin Kwan did a great job. I am in awe of how he pieced it all together in that book. The chaotic drama and the hard names flowed seamlessly. :-) (*applause*) Palakpakan.

Kris only had a couple of minutes exposure. I would have loved to see more of her. Long ago, she helped campaign for my father. That was a lifetime ago but that's my only recollection of us meeting in person. She is not a favourite actress but in the movie, I could not get enough of her and wanted to say: "Come back, Kris!" As would any Pinoys all over the world. I hope that they will cast her again on the next ones since this movie is a part of a trilogy. Princess Intan could offer loan to Nick if that helps w the plot! Paging Jon Chu!

Please watch Crazy Rich Asians. It is very good. I heard the first week was when we Asians went on full force, but the 2nd week and the 3rd - all other nationalities followed and enjoyed the movie. It is still going strong and knocked down big Hollywood productions.

“These character interactions depict a common experience for young Asian women entering a new family, that “every female in your family feels like they own you”. This hold that parents have on their children is a specifically Asian thing. It presents itself in really aggressive ways sometimes, but it comes from a place of deep devotion.” - Adele Lim CRA scriptwriter

To some who said it is Over The Top. I think this is a muted version of crazy rich Asians. I am a living witness that they are more extravagant, much more arrogant, more problematic and more hilarious than the movie.

About time we are represented without bones breaking, flying kicks and subtitles - although this one does kick ass. We deserve the exposure.

Everyone from the top - producers, cast, crew, down to the lowly water boy if ever there was one. To everybody involved with the production of CRA, please take a bow.