Category Archives: Movies

Independent Film Festivals in the Philippines: A Quick Guide for cinephiles

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Manila is now popular as a megacity that is ideal for cinephiles. Although it usually show Pinoy romantic comedies and Hollywood blockbusters, movie-goers today embrace the introduction of independent film festivals which showcase originally made Filipino films.As a matter of fact, it’s no secret that many film buffs from around the world visit the Philippines just to watch local films which help boost Philippine tourism in that aspect. Many luxury hotels and even budget inns in Manila, especially the ones near Cultural Center of the Philippines or Quezon City, get full bookings during the festival duration. Patron of the arts are willing to spend just to take part in these inspiring gatherings!

Film lovers gather once a year in the Cultural Center of the Philippines to support their favorite Cinemalaya entries

Film lovers gather once a year in the Cultural Center of the Philippines to support their favorite Cinemalaya entries

The annual hosting of local film festivals made Metro Manila popular among film makers and film watchers hailing from various parts of the globe. Now, refer to the following list of independent film festivals in the Philippines for a quick guide on what to expect in the indie film industry!

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MMFF 2015 Movie Review: Honor Thy Father starring John Lloyd Cruz

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Honor Thy Father is the most controversial entry featured at the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival. I remember being upset when I found out this John Lloyd Cruz starer and the historical women empowerment movie Lakambini led by Lovi Poe didn’t make it to the final cut announced last June.

HTF-JLC3

MMFF Awards bagged by ‘Honor Thy Father’ team

Hermano Puli backed out last October due to the lack of budget and by the time Honor Thy Father was offered a slot, the film was already screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and slated to be the opening film of CinemaOne Originals 2015. I read some press releases about that and clearly, the people behind MMFF 2015 are fully aware of the arrangements. The sudden disqualification of Honor Thy Father for the Best Picture award a day before the awards night remains a mystery.

Anyway, I’m not writing this post to update everyone with this ongoing issue (can’t keep my mouth shut) as I’m a Pinoy movie fan. I cannot say this is my personal favorite among the 8 entries, but it does deserve a recognition. This is also a ‘test’ on whether Pinoy moviegoers are open to supporting such theme.

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MMFF 2015 Movie Review: All You Need is Pag-Ibig

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If you’re looking for a movie that both kids and adults will enjoy this holiday season, I highly recommend that you watch “All You Need is Pag-Ibig”. The star-studded cast of this movie will remind you the different types of love, which doesn’t only revolve in the romantic love.

Powerful Cast of 'All You Need Is Pag-Ibig'

Powerful Cast of ‘All You Need Is Pag-Ibig’

Under the direction of Hugot Queen Antoinette Jadaone and screenplay by Yoshke Dimen (You’re My Boss), I can say that the characters of the movie perfectly depicts the present struggles of modern pinoys experience and all the elements you’re looking for in a feel-good mainstream film is here.

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MMFF 2015 Movie Review: Nilalang (Entity) starring Cesar Montano and Maria Ozawa

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NILALANG is the first Metro Manila Film Festival entry I’ve seen this year during its premiere night at the SM Megamall Cinema 10. It was a quick invitation but I do admit now that the main motivation to watch the movie is to see the famous Maria Ozawa in the flesh. I mean, why not? It’s about time to discover if the Japanese AV superstar can act without the need of stripping off her clothes.

Nilalang (Entity) Official Movie Poster starring Cesaar Montano, Meg Imperial, Yam Concepcion and Maria Ozawa

Nilalang (Entity) Official Movie Poster starring Cesaar Montano, Meg Imperial, Yam Concepcion and Maria Ozawa

The movie starts with an impressive flashback and opening credits. From there, the audience automatically knows that the people behind this project are good in terms of visuals as the quality is top-notch. It will make you feel proud that a Filipino film can compete with its Asian neighbors in making such movies.

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15 Movies That Will Always Stay With You

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There is an ongoing meme on Facebook wherein you have to list down 15 Movies That Will Always Stay With You. Some friends tagged me, but I chose to just write a blog entry about it since this supposedly personal blog of mine is inactive. Thank you Renz for the idea!

KEKA-KISS

Jason and Keka

This is for Jeman, Darwin and Andrew 🙂 Eto na…

15. PHILOMENA

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3QP8foCvg&w=560&h=315]
– An unlikely bond formed between a woman in her 60’s searching for her missing son and a journalist who needs to come up with a good story in order to regain the trust of the publishers. Based on a true story, this movie tells that even the ‘holy’ ones can lie and commit a sin.

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Movie Review: Somebody to Love

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Last Thursday, I did a bit of Pinoy movie marathon. I haven’t blogged about my Cinemalaya 2014 experience and even a review of other movies I’ve seen this year. I may have imposed a travel ban supposedly to save up, but I end up spending money on watching movies and I don’t regret it.

Somebody to Love Movie Poster

Somebody to Love Movie Poster

Somebody to Love is a star-studded romantic-comedy film under Regal Films. The main reason why I went to the cinema is the director. I’m a big fan of Jose Javier Reyes’ chick flicks and I consider ‘One Night Only’ as an underrated film.

The movie takes place in a span of one week. It’s a story of different people looking for love.

Iza Calzado as Marga Castro

Iza Calzado as Marga Castro

Iza Calzado as Marga Castro is my favorite in the movie. Her character reminds me of two celebrities who wouldn’t keep still unless they make it in the headlines 😉  Iza was able to portray her role with such grace yet you can see her desperation for fame and exposure too. It’s fun to watch her in this type of role. A stand-alone Marga Castro movie soon, please?

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Movie Review: Maybe This Time (Coco Martin and Sarah Geronimo)

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Star Cinema is definitely the main source of Pinoy RomComs with English titles inspired by old songs revived by a local singer. Like its title and theme song, the concept of ‘Maybe This Time’ is not new. There’s the probinsyano meets kolehiyala angle where the two end up falling for each other only to be separated by someone’s intervention. Years later, they meet again. Maybe this time they’ll be a couple once and for all… Maybe This Time.

 

Two old friends meet again..

Two old friends meet again..

 

Ate Lenny is a big Coco Martin fan that’s why I’ve decided to treat her for a movie night on the first night of showing. This better be good!

Maybe-This-Time-Ticket

I didn’t expect much from this movie, which is a good thing. We all know that Sarah Geronimo is the RomCom Queen of Philippine Movies (sorry Toni Gonzaga!) and we just love her antics. Coco Martin is a respected teleserye actor, but his timing in comedy is yet to be tested.

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Movie Review: So It’s You

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First attempt: Originally planned to watch the movie in Manila alone when one of my friends convinced me to watch ‘Last Vegas’ instead so we can go to the cinema together when we’re both available.

One of my favorite moments in the movie. Sana ako na lang si Carla :))

One of my favorite moments in the movie. Sana ako na lang si Carla :))

Second Attempt: My friend Ruby and I were already in Robinson’s Pangasinan when the lady at the cinema told me that Cinema 1 encountered a technical glitch and that the movie won’t be shown that day. I even asked if they can move the film to Cinema 2, 3 or 4, but they couldn’t do it since Spiderman, Godzilla and a horror film had moviegoers on it already.

I was a bit frustrated because I really want to watch it. I am not a super duper big fan of any of the cast members, but the trailer is just too cool! I want to watch a romance-comedy and Jun Lana is one of my favorite directors, whether that’s a mainstream or indie movie project.

Third Attempt: Spent the weekend in Davao for the Davao Food Appreciation Tour. I was pleased when I saw ‘So It’s You’ on the list of movies shown at SM Lanang Premier. The gang decided to watch ‘The Other Woman’ on Monday night and I was determined to watch ‘So It’s You’ on Tuesday afternoon before my flight back to Manila.  What is dedication? Haha!

So there. I bought my ticket and went straight to a vacant seat.

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Why ‘Diary ng Panget’ is worth-watching

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Viva Films is doing something good lately. Aside from their usual collaboration with Star Cinema (Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo movies), they’re busy buying film rights to Pinoy best-selling novels. A few months ago, Bob Ong’s ABNKKBSNPLko?! was shown in cinemas nationwide. It reminded me of school days particularly high school. Although I have issues with the cast selection, I can say that the movie version was done well. Hirap kaya nun!

James Reid, why do you have such strong onscreen presence?

James Reid, why do you have such strong onscreen presence?

The Wattpad hit turned best-selling teen series ‘Diary ng Panget’ by HaveYouSeenThisGirl is the newest movie from Viva Films. It stars ‘newbies’ Nadine Lustre, James Reid, Yassi Pressman and Andre Paras with the help of Candy Pangilinan, Mitch Valdez and Gabby Concepcion.

When Viva Films announced their intentions of producing a movie version of ‘Diary ng Panget’, I got curious. Much more when I found out that it is written by a teenager. Lucky girl!

I bought a copy of the first book and yeah, I was entertained with its crazy antics.

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MMFF 2013: Why ‘10,000’ Hours Deserves All The Attention

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The action-drama 10,000 Hours bagged 14 trophies from the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival 2013 Awards Night. From the story to the technical aspects of the film, 10,000 Hours offers something new to the moviegoers (at least for the MMFF season).

10,000 Hours Movie Poster

10,000 Hours Movie Poster

My grandfather and I watched the movie. His curiosity about the Amsterdam scenes and the positive reviews he read convinced him to go to the cinema.

Robin Padilla is known as the ‘Bad Boy of Philippine Movies’ and as a kid, I remember watching his movies (hello, Baby Ama!) and he often starred in action flicks with pretty leading ladies to support him. He went to jail and got out as a changed man. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he widely embraced by his fans on his showbiz comeback and had done a number of sitcoms and action series on the major networks.

He had a number of movie attempts the past years, but it didn’t do well in the box-office. The theme of his films are good, but there was something lacking in the execution. He needed a project which will regain the interest of the new generation to Pinoy action films.

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