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| Gabo Walang Patawad Kung Pumatay |
Gabo... is a typical Filipino action picture in that it follows a conventional formula dominated by macho fight scenes and even bigger, endless battle sequences. In Gabo... Samonte demonstrated some very admirable qualities of an important filmmaker. He has a keen grasp of the film medium, he is a good storyteller and has a mastery of the action drama genre and is able to stage provocative, fast-paced fight stunts. Samonte is also successful in eliciting good character scenes from his actors. There are several outstanding performances in this film. Unfortunately, very few teenage wannabes possess the winning combination of maturity, good looks and intelligence of Gabby Concepcion who is able to combine sensitivity and mature insight in the handling of his role. Patrick de la Rosa's blow torch school of acting blows away any actor who cannot match his shotgun attack on character roles. His fancy acting nuances as Honey Boy Cervantes is usually expected from lead actors and not from supporting players. Ruel Vernal's forceful performance of petty henchman Bogart is full of sincerity, conviction and a powerful projection of inner menace. Eddie Arenas' inherent overacting in his role of crime lord Don Leon Cervantes was successfully handled by having his back turned to the camera most of the time. Rudolph Yaptinchay is better because he has learned to relax even under pressure and sweetens his performance with subtle humor and unspoken asides which color his role of Ogie, the informant. Aiko Melendez is able to transform her decorative role as Meanne, Sgt. Gabo's younger sister into an interesting character study despite her distracting assets. Donita Rose effectively portrays gutsy journalist Daniela Jones making her décolletage act out of fear, not submission. Her milky complexion is enough to make any male salivate. Samonte utilizes the production design to give texture to his scenes. He also pays attention to nuances that create character like making Honey Boy dress impeccably thus motivating his superiority over Sgt. Gabo. It is refreshing to see an enjoyable action movie with a fairly realistic storyline, good performances, enough thrills and suspense.
Written And Directed By: Mauro Gia Samonte
Director Of Photography: Sergio Lobo
Musical Director: Mike Loanzon
Film Editor: Rudy Tabo-Tabo
Production Designer: Jess Aguilar
Produced By: Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date: July 11, 1991
4:23 AM
I remember Samonte as a prolific director of Seiko Films' ST movies. I didn't know that he also directed action movies. Also, Gabby seems to be too polished to be a convincing action hero but based from your review, it seems to work. I should check out this movie.
4:29 AM
Hi Jojo!
I remember this one. I saw it on t.v. but quite forgot the whole plot. I did remember more the trailer where the voiceover keeps on saying "Gabo...Boga....Gabo..."
The main selling point of the movie during the promotion was the torture scene of Gabby hehe..
5:09 AM
Samonte started as a screenwriter, Ron... Some of the films he wrote were Daluyong At Habagat, Burlesk Queen and Pagputi Ng Uwak, Pag-Itim Ng Tagak.
He directed many of Seiko's ST films in the 90's but also tried his hand at action movies and Sgt. Gabo was one of those entertaining action films. I never thought that Gabby would be an effective action star but he somehow managed to pull it off. Many actors jumped at the chance to star in an action-packed movie but only a handful found success in their transition namely Phillip Salvador, Ricky Davao and believe it or not, Jestoni Alarcon.
Gabby on the other hand did a couple more action flicks that wasn't as successful at the box office as Sgt. Gabo so he went back to doing what he does best - drama.
5:11 AM
I never saw the trailer of the movie, Dennis. Maybe some of my old Regal videos might have it. I'm interested to hear that voiceover...
Did they cut the torture scene when it was shown on TV?
1:47 AM
I like watching old tagalog trailers din Jojo. Whenever we rent beta tapes nu'n, may previews muna before the actual movie. Pinapanood ko pa ng buo at hindi fina-fastforward. Ala sine hehe..
Alam ko cut 'yun lalo sa torture scene saka marami na ring cuts kahit walang maselan na eksena ang pinapalabas dahil 2-hour lang running time. Marunong pang sumunod kahit papa'no sa alloted running time ang mga tv stations noon.
4:36 AM
Same here Dennis. The only problem I have is when the video companies make up their own trailers. Ginagawa yan ng Trigon sa mga releases nila. I much prefer it kung yung original theatrical trailer ang isinasama nila.
For sure putol yung torture scene sa movie at ilang violent scenes. Nagtataka ako kung bakit kailangan pang dumaan sa MTRCB ang mga pelikulang ipinapalabas sa cable, I would understand kung broadcast TV. Sabagay, yung mga DVD releases nga kailangan pang ipa-approve, cable movies pa kaya?
9:04 AM
Akala ko original trailer ang ginagamit sa Trigon. I love those original trailers talaga kaya natuwa ako nu'ng isama sa Platinum Edition ng Viva ang actual theatrical trailer ng Saan Darating Ang Umaga sa dvd? Not so great 'yung docu-tribute nila kay Nida na parang gawa pangvideo wedding ang dating.
Hindi ko rin maintidihan bakit kailangan nga.
5:29 PM
Hindi lahat original theatrical trailer ang ginagamit which I prefer. Meron din akong 2 disc-DVD ng Saan Darating pero ang nakita ko sa Astro Plus ay one-disc lang. Mabuti at kasama yung features.
Sana they would show cable shows and movies na walang cut para naman sulit ang ibinabayad every month.
8:12 AM
Later on na lang nagreleased ang Viva ng one-disc. Buti nakabili rin ako ng Platinum edition nila at hindi ko pa alam na 2-disc pala. One of the best dvd released ng Viva despite the less satisfactory featurette.
Salamtat uli Jojo!
8:42 PM
So the original release were 2-disc sets... Baka naman nagtipid na sila later at pinagkasya na lang nila sa isang dual-layer disc.
12:05 PM
Ganu'n na nga. The same thing with Bagets Platinum that were later released as the usual barebone dvd. Although I saw one dati na nagreleased ang Viva ng Bagets Box Set. Bagets and Bagets 2 in one. I like the mala-neon green na packaging and with just the iconic title lang ang nasa cover pero I don't know if its only just movies o may kasamang features. Tinanong ko ang mga saleslady particularly ang nagha-handle ng Viva video releases, hindi rin alam so I passed na lang.
4:37 PM
That's my biggest complaint sa mga salesperson sa stores like Astro Plus. Karamihan sa kanila, hindi alam ang mga itinitinda nila. Mas bilib pa ako sa mga nasa Quiapo kasi pag tinanong mo sila kung Cinema One copy ang isang title, alam nila agad and when you test it sa portable DVD player, they really are. Hindi mo na kukuwestiyunin ang kaalaman nila when it comes to the DVD's they sell...
2:03 AM
Hay talaga Jojo. I would rather check each titles sa sarili ko. Minsan mali pa ang pagkakalagay ng titles sa bawat section.
2:51 AM
Ang napansin ko lang sa mga video stores, napakalaki ng indie films section nila comprised of mostly gay-themed straight-to-video releases...
2:41 PM
I also hate shopping in astro plus. Walang alam sa movies ang mga sales ladies. Minsan kapag naghahanap pa ako ng lumang titles, aalaskahin ka pa. They only know mostly star cinema releases.
2:42 PM
Hindi ko pa na try bumili ng pinoy DVD Sa quiapo.
11:12 AM
Ay totoo, there's a huge section na puro gay-themed indies. Had to admit na awkward tumingin sa section na 'yun dahil sobrang katabi rin ang mga ibang tagalog films na 'yun naman talaga ang tinitingnan mo. Malaki rin ang nakakaing space ng mga pinoy tv series on dvd.
3:08 PM
What do you mean by "blow torch school of acting?"
4:30 PM
Totoong medyo awkward mag-browse but since it's there why not hehe...
I'm really not interested in pinoy TV series pero binili ko ang lahat ng volumes ng John En Marsha. Di lang ako sure kung nabanggit ko sa 'yo.
4:32 PM
It's the kind of acting na madalas ginagawa ni Johnny Delgado whenever he plays a villain role lalo na sa mga action movies. Ganon din ang ginawa ni Patrick dela Rosa with his performance in the film with a slight difference from Johnny's which made him quite effective in playing his role sa movie.
2:39 AM
May market din kasi sa ganu'ng klaseng videos. Isa pa direct-to-video kaya mas tipid lalo kesa ipalabas pa sa sine.
You mentioned it before sa isang community. John En Marsha lang naman yata ang worth bilhin sa tv shows on dvd.
6:34 AM
Pansin ko nga na marami rin ang either nagba-browse o bumibili talaga ng mga DVD's. Halos karamihan naman ng mga ganong klaseng pelikula dapat straight-to-video talaga dahil nakakapanghinayang panoorin sa sine at masyadong mahal ang bayad...
10:15 AM
I agree.
6:51 PM
Thanks Dennis!