Boobirt Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Calum Hutton It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

movies-by-db What an awesome and engaging movie experience this is. It's not only a fine piece of storytelling, it's done with such superb style and aesthetic, not many films I've seen in this genre can rival it. The visual flair of a John Woo-, or Pang brothers movie mixed with intricate "Departed" like storytelling. It just oozes absolute cool. "Bangkok Dangerous"(the original) comes to mind and also "Fulltime Killer" by Johnnie To.But it's so much more then that. Besides a complete aesthetic pleasure it brings a "true story" based yarn that is so unbelievably cool it has to be true. Portrayed amazingly by all involved but particularly by the aging hit-man and the young tenacious detective. You really need to keep your eyes and ears open as the story constantly switches sides, sometimes at break neck speeds, sometimes at a nail bitingly suspenseful snails pace, as it unfolds to a satisfying ending. I am not going to reveal any details, the synopsis should do just fine, just step in and take the ride.Another thing that needs to be mentioned is the soundtrack. Really cool!! Maybe not always fitting the mood, but really modern classic cool.It's a completely different film from the other recently released great Philipinne film "Metro manila" but it's at least as engrossing. I hope these two treasures are a sign of more to come from the Philipinnes for I will most definitely be waiting and watching 9/10

Tom Dooley Mario is a hit-man and he is getting on in years so has a 'back up' man and that comes in the shape of the much younger Daniel. The thing is they are also both inmates in a not so high security Filipino prison. They work for a mysterious – if ruthless – Madame called Thelma and she works for whoever has the cash to pay for these exclusive services.They get day release or rather night release to go do their thing. We also have their back stories of how they ended up where they are and what is going on outside the prison confines. No crime story would be complete without some cops – and we have them in spades; they, though, are mainly the sort that fit into the convenient pigeon hole marked 'corrupt'. Enter suave good looking cop Francis Coronel who is 'connected' and he ends up paired with an ageing Sergeant whose career has entered a cul-de sac, but they actually want results.Now this is a full on thriller with action where needed and performances that evince the gritty realism that some crime films can only dream of. The film has an air of poverty versus wealth running throughout and the corrupt seem to be only separated from the poor by degrees of honesty and bank account balances. To say this is a brilliantly accomplished film is an understatement. In Tagalog and English this is one for those who appreciate World cinema and like their films to be as unflinching as real life can, sadly, be.

alvinpoliran On the job is one of those unique movie I've seen from Philippines, I consider this a masterpiece. It's imaging the true scene happening right now in the country.After watching this, I already know how cruel is the underground activities in the country, on the job really did a great job in revealing the true nature of underground crime in the country.It is very fulfilling because of the fact that you can learn from this movie, whether to help or not to help is the main reason I find this movie on the job fulfilling.I also like the mixed drama, romance of course and the twist at the end, sometimes the same scene happened in real life and also the action is not quite substandard, they did a good job in making it to the higher level, at first I did not expect that this movie is from Philippines. Later on, I manage to give a WOW on this one, great job on the job.

Mek Torres On The Job has some intriguing stuff, it's a story about four lives connected in one conspiracy behind the law. What's going on is as many as its moral ambiguities. It is a heavy story, but it consistently delivers thanks to the people who are involved. The craft is excellent for giving an absorbing quality with pure tension. The stellar cast brings plenty of life within the characters. Beyond the surfaces, the film is already fascinating itself, but it's a very ambitious picture. OTJ is a rare modern Filipino film that has an actual engaging story to tell in a brilliantly slick and exhilarating way.The subjects of the film are the realities of crime and moral ambiguity. Even though the lead character's motivation is good, it won't make his job look any less terrible. It never glosses anything about what they do and that's the interesting part. There are no actual heroes and a dirty work will always be a dirty work, which provides absolute danger within the surface. The film is best at tension, every set piece is like a ticking bomb, it gets louder and louder until it fires to an unpredictable shock, then more action. It's amazing stuff. When there's no blood and gunshots, the film explores the characters. They are in fact not bad people after all. They have their own problems and only do those things to provide for their loved ones, though there's a fear that they might bring their work into their personal lives, but that just makes it human.Tatang is mostly ruthless, but Joel Torre gives all the humanity which balances the character's depth and criminal side. Gerald Anderson shines remarkably. His greatest feat is the arrogance he brings, makes his character feel more threatening. Piolo Pascual surprisingly has something beyond his typical charms. My favorite among is Joey Marquez, who gives the cop a natural rage and fear that can be relatable and somehow enjoyable to watch.The film never depicts Metro Manila as pleasant, it's like hell on earth where violence may happen anytime in the city. Well it is in fact one of the rotten places of the country. Other than that, the film has most the best things in a classic crime thriller: noir feel, anxiety filled action, twisted dark humor, and a cinematography that glamors around the filth. Director Erik Matti keeps everything interesting and magnetic.OTJ is a great surprise among the local blockbusters today. We don't usually get a well made Filipino movie like this nowadays unless it's an independent film. Otherwise, it's a compellingly grim crime drama that may possibly stuck in your mind in a while. Personally, I think this is the best film I've seen this year so far. Since it's not really the greatest ever, I think this is what we need. It has a lot of what's missing in most modern blockbusters. It also has the craftsmanship and down-to-earth performances that would impact more to the audience. With all the merits, OTJ is easily recommendable.