ML (2018) - Martial Law Sins Alive And Ready To Torture

Part of this year's Cinemalaya, ML written and directed by Benedict Mique Jr. brings a timely reminder of the dark days of Martial Law in the new era. With many of the millennials have not experienced the period, thoughts are divided if they see it as good or bad. 

Tony Labrusca plays Carlo who is has a views Martial Law was not as bad. However, he pursues to look for someone who lived though those days and eventually went to the home of Colonel De La Cruz. He is mistaken for a rebel and was captured and detained in his basement. 

His friends Pat and Jace were also looking for him and was also led to the Colonel's house and was also captured. There the various types of torture was conducted to have them speak up. The gruesome and morbid ways of torture were based on real life experiences of Martial Law victims according to Benedict.

One would really feel uncomfortable with the things done to them. Though we have heard of police brutality for interrogation, the things they have been through were so messed up yet necessary to deliver the message of how scary living during those times.

Now after Cinemalaya, ML is ready for its nationwide release through Solar Pictures. Starring Eddie Garcia, Tony Labrusca, Liane Valentino, and Henz Villaraiz and will be showing on November 7, 2018. 

Deliberation time kids! 

Show summary: Torture-All-You-Can

Quotable quote: "Nasaan ang Valkyrie?" - Colonel Dela Cruz

Technical Effects: 4 out of 5 stars (Props to not hosing down torture scenes which taunts the cringe and get the people feel the pain)

Plot: 3 out of 5 stars (The story may seem to have a simple plot but mirrors society where the sins of the past were never been served to justice)

Acting and Actors: 3 out of 5 stars (Eddie Garcia may have played all type of soldiers in the past, yet embraces a retired colonel with a masochist fetish) 

Pros:  torture scenes, lighting, social relevance
Cons: eerie sounds, limited screen time for more type of torture

Music and Soundtracks:  3 out for 5 stars (Though sounds give thrill to it, I guess it was too much that might be too close to being a horror flick) 

Overall: Rating 4.0 out of 5 stars (Shockingly necessary for our generation to know, not for the faint of heart but really gets the message across)