There’s no place like movie settings

THE setting of a movie scene, according to a professor of American literature, is the third important element of storytelling, right after the characters and the plot. For us, sentimentalists and film buffs, where a movie has been shot is essentially the only visually tangible thing we can go to and feel whatever vibe we have for it.

Often we see actors seemingly detaching themselves from the beloved characters they’re known for. An Oscar winner may accept the award, say, fully bearded and sporting long hair, while the character that actually led them to the trophy is shaved and bald.

Unless it’s a movie set disassembled after the shoot, the place where an iconic movie scene was shot will likely provide goosebumps to movie fans. That was my experience when I was brought to the site of the iconic house that served as the main setting of the 2018 Netflix movie Bird Box

The house located in Old Town Monrovia (in California), with its identifi- able front stairs and moody look, is where the characters of Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich, the film’s most popular faces, quarantined themselves along with other interesting figures to survive, albeit temporarily, the menace happening outside. After standing in front of the Bird Box safe house, and having my picture taken there, I re-streamed the movie and excitedly waited for that opening chaotic scene to unfold. I was awed realizing I just passed by the street where the sister of Bullock’s character sees the thing causing the mayhem and which leads to her numbing demise. The spot had become a tourist attraction after the success of the film, with netizens posting pictures or videos of themselves with blindfolds in various ways to mimic the blindfolded protagonists, A few months back, I was driven to a spot where an iconic scene from the original Back To The Future movie featuring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd was shot. That clip where the DeLorean time machine first got tested and which resulted in Marty McFly being transported to November 5, 1955, by circumstance was shot in the premises of Puente Hills Mall (City of Industry, CA), renamed Twin Pines Mall for the movie.

Writer Ed Cunningham stated that “there’s something quite glamorous about seeing somewhere you know in a Hollywood blockbuster.”

He thinks that people would want to put themselves in the shoes of a famous character while in the very spot where he or she is seen in the movie.

In my case, it’s more of elevating the world presented in a movie, and more importantly the meaning of the film, by paying homage to its setting. Whatever happens in a movie is forever attached to the setting where it takes place. Regardless if it’s fiction or based on a real story, it becomes a certain spot’s created version of reality. So that house used in Bird Box is no longer just a house like any other in that area of Monrovia, but the epicenter of a post-apocalyptic world existing in the movie, or in the novel where it was adapted from. One time late last year, I was in Los Angeles visiting a family friend who surprised me by revealing that a few steps from their place lies the site of the diner featured in the opening scene of the Antoine Fuqua-directed Training Day starring Denzel Washington, in his Academy Awardwinning performance, and Ethan Hawke, in a role you would root for. A new establishment now occupies the lot, but knowing it was there where Alonzo Harris and Jake Hoyt first met in the film made me smile. I was on some solid ground!

In every fine film, there is a place that the art of cinema puts a stamp on and turns what is otherwise commonplace into some mystical, magical spot.

Contis portrays a struggling producer, while Gamboa takes on the role of an ardent director. Together, they embark on a hilarious and exhilarating journey to create their magnum opus, defying obstacles and encountering unexpected twists along the way.

From MAVX Productions Inc., Ang Pangarap Kong Oskars is an extraordinary comedy directed by Jules Katanyag. It follows the story of two ambitious dreamers who are determined to create their magnum opus and leave a lasting impact on the industry, they face a major roadblock: the lack of a sufficient budget.

However, fortune smiles upon them as they encounter an unexpected twist of fate. Seizing this opportunity, the duo conceives a bold concept that might just save their project from failure. They decide to cast actual "aswangs," mythical creatures from Filipino folklore, as the lead characters in their movie.

Armed with nothing but their wits, tenacity, and a camera, our protagonists embark on an unexplored realm, filled with both excitement and anxiety. As they traverse through the bizarre and uncanny, hilarious mishaps unfold, creating a tapestry of sidesplitting moments that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Ang Pangarap Kong Oskars celebrates the power of imagination, camaraderie, and the unwavering spirit of pursuing one's dreams. With Paolo and Joross's impeccable comedic timing and undeniable chemistry, the film appeals to viewers from all walks of life.

The movie boasts an original premise, a brilliant cast, and superb storytelling, making it a potential cinematic classic. From start to finish, Ang Pangarap Kong Oskars guarantees to keep spectators laughing, interested, and fully engaged in each scenario.

Ang Pangarap Kong Oskars is now showing in cinemas.

Old Town Monrovia, California that is featured in the famed 2018 Netflix

GMA’s romance anthology series I Can

See You, is now available for streaming on Amazon Freevee. This allows viewers in the U.S. to indulge in a captivating lineup of unique stories brought to life by their favorite Kapuso stars. The series presents a collection of heartfelt and engaging stories, each featuring different Kapuso stars in lead roles.

Its first installment, Love on the Balcony, captured the hearts of audiences with its compelling narratives and stellar performances. It features a story of a videographer, Iñigo (Alden Richards), as he searches for his ideal girl. An incident with his drone and a medical frontliner, Lea (Jasmine Cur-