Category Archives: Movies

Is ‘Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir’ Worth Watching?

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The plan of turning San Pedro Calungsod’s short but meaningful life on the big screen has been going on for years. I remember seeing a photo of another actor who is the original choice to play the coveted role. It would be impossible nowadays for mainstream film outfits to shell out money for such project (it’s all about the money, honey). Gone are the days when Filipino moviegoers could expect to an inspirational film for Christmas or Holy Week.

Fr. Diego San Vitores (Christian Vazquez) and Pedro Calungsod (Rocco Nacino)dro-Calungsod1

Fr. Diego de  San Vitores (Christian Vazquez) and Pedro Calungsod (Rocco Nacino)

We all know that Metro Manila Film Festival is for the family and most would prefer to watch the feel-good films. Watch this film as it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices of San Pedro Calungsod. It will serve as an inspiration to the youth and we need films like this especially after all the challenges our country have gone through the past months.

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Movie Review: When The Love is Gone

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Gabby Concepcion’s return in the Philippine entertainment scene was a big deal way back. Why? Aside from his matinee idol status in the 80’s, his personal life is also controversial. The public were eager to know what happened to him after he turned his back from fame. For anyone who is bankable and interesting, leaving showbusiness is a big deal.

Scenes of Cristine Reyes as Cassie in "When the Love is Gone"

Scenes of Cristine Reyes as Cassie in “When the Love is Gone”

His showbiz comeback is considered successful. He is an in-demand teleserye actor and is even paired with leading ladies that are close to his daughter’s age. There were rumours before that his movie comeback will be via the remake of the 80’s film “Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi”. What happened was he and daughter KC Concepcion starred in a movie for Father’s Day. I am not sure if they met the expected box-office gross, but the movie wasn’t as markable as the producers wished.

Cristine Reyes is one of the hottest stars in the biz. Just like Gabby, she is bankable and controversial. She entered showbiz via Starstruck and for a time, she was just known as “Ara Mina’s Little Sister”. When she turned 18, she embraced her sexiness and began accepting daring roles. When she moved to ABS-CBN from GMA, she played the title role in Eva Fonda and that’s where her talent was seen by the masses. There was a time wherein she was crowned as box-office queen with Anne Curtis when they did “No Other Woman“, where she played as the legal wife.

This time, Cristine Reyes is the mistress. And what a fierce mistress she is!

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Movie Review: GAYDAR

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Paano kung lahat ng lalaki na nagugustuhan mo ay bakla pala?

Gumagana ba ang Gaydar mo?

Gumagana ba ang Gaydar mo?

Sounds familiar? Well, I was once a girl who tend to fall for closet gay men. You cannot blame me. Most gay men that I met in the past are good-looking, responsible and talented. The ideal straight men are either in a relationship or married. What to do?

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VYLIe87fxc&w=420&h=315]

GAYDAR is a romantic-comedy film under the direction of Alvin Yapan, who is known for directing the award-winning Cinemalaya films Ang Panggagahasa ni Fe and Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa. I think Gaydar is his most ‘mainstream’ and ‘fun’ film to date. The lead character in the movie is Tina played by Pauleen Luna. I’m glad that finally this Eat Bulaga mainstay is given a lead role in a comedy film. I loved her performance as Giselle Sanchez in GMA News TV’s Wagas.

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Movie Review: The Bride and The Lover

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Last Wednesday, Maki and I met up in Trinoma Cinema to catch the first screening of ‘The Bride and The Lover’. It is the only Filipino Film on the line-up of films launched that day. It is the newest movie from Regal Films starring Lovi Poe, Paulo Avelino and Jennylyn Mercado.

The Three Victims of Love

The Three Victims of Love

Prior to entering the cinema, I have instilled certain ‘expectations’. Joel Lamangan is one of the most-respected directors in Philippine Cinema and he concentrated in political-themed films on the past few years. It is a breather to finally see him do semi-funny film again. I was looking forward to the dialogues since it is penned by Rody Vera, who is responsible for the screenplay of Cinemalaya favorites NINO and REquieme.

Now let’s proceed to my expectations on the cast members: Paulo Avelino recently won awards for his portrayal as Nathan in ‘Walang Hanggan’ and in the indie film ‘Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa’. Lovi Poe is quite controversial these days because of her supposed ‘network transfer’. Is she staying with GMA-7 or is she moving to TV5? Or is she signing up with ABS-CBN? She also garnered nominations for her portrayal in Thy Womb and Legacy. This movie also serves as Jennylyn Mercado’s comeback project with Regal Films. She starred in a number of teeny-bopper films and the fans are eager to see if she can handle such role.

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80’s Boy Band BROS: Will the former pop stars be famous… again?

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It’s time for me to feature a boy band that won the hearts of young girls worldwide in the late 80’s. I would like to reintroduce – BROS.

80's Boy Band BROS: Craig Logan, Matt and Luke Goss

80’s Boy Band BROS: Craig Logan, Matt and Luke Goss

I rediscovered Bros through a documentary about British pop. The original Bros line-up includes Matt Goss (lead vocals), Luke Goss (drums) and Craig Logan (bass). Matt and Luke are identical twins and Craig is their high school friend.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOJ8JKZlFZY&w=420&h=315]

I remember stumbling to their music video for ‘When Will I Be Famous?’ as a kid (again, thanks to MTV Classics!). I even thought the lead singer is a woman (try to watch the music video :P). The Bros mania is considered short, but phenomenal in the 80’s. Young girls loved them and mothers consider them as ideal sons.

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On The Movie Set: The Bride and the Lover

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I received an invitation from Regal Films’ PR Head to join them on the last shooting day of ‘The Bride and the Lover’, an upcoming sexy-comedy film under the direction of Joel Lamangan and screenplay by Rody Vera. It stars the in-demand Kapamilya leading man Paulo Avelino and Kapuso leading ladies Jennylyn Mercado and Lovi Poe.

The Boys of 'The Bride and the Lover': Alex Castro, Joem Bascon, Hayden Kho and Paulo Avelino. (Photo grabbed from Alex Castro's IG)

The Boys of ‘The Bride and the Lover’: Alex Castro, Joem Bascon, Hayden Kho and Paulo Avelino. (Photo grabbed from Alex Castro’s IG)

I met up with Mr. Jun Lalin and the rest of the media writers at the lobby area of Imperial Palace Suites. The location of the last shooting day is in Fernwood Gardens. I remember this one incident wherein we got lost when we had to attend a wedding reception there many years ago.

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‘A Moment in Time’ with Coco Martin and Julia Montes

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Star Cinema is the rom-com giant of the Philippine movie industry. They were able to produce a number of patterned films that make hopeless romantics like me get kilig while sitting inside the cinema.

'A Moment in Time' Coco Martin and Julia Montes

Coco Martin and Julia Montes spreading the kilig in the LRT

I was able to catch the movie ‘A Moment in Time‘ with my friend Maki earlier. ABS-CBN’s Walang Hanggan is undeniably the most successful teleserye of 2012. It’s about time to test the box-office  movie charisma of the Coco Martin and Julia Montes loveteam! If I remember it right, the original target showing date of A Moment in Time is somewhere between March and April. The third John Lloyd-Sarah film is not yet finished that’s why the producers decided to screen the Coco-Julia film for the love month.

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In Nomine Matris (In The Name of The Mother): On Flamenco and Struggles of Women

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“Dance is like a song. You have to mean every word and let it flow.” – Enrique Lagdameo, In Nomine Matris

More than two years ago, I received an invitation from Ida Tiongson to watch a Flamenco show in Makati. I haven’t seen a live Flamenco presentation before that’s why I immediately said yes. Let’s just say that I went home with big appreciation to those who are passionate in doing what they love to do. Let’s admit it: Only a few can dance Flamenco today and the chance to watch a show is quite rare nowadays.

In The Name of the Mother: Ava and Mara expressing their emotions through Flamenco

When I heard that Will Fredo is scheduled to make a film about Flamenco dancers, I find his vision to be ‘too ambitious’. Making a full-length movie takes too much effort and hardwork, but with a good support system and talented people, a dream project is doable.

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Sosy Problems – Understanding the Super Duper Upper Class

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Last night, Hannah and I met up to watch ‘Sosy Problems‘, GMA Films’ official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. It stars my favorite Kapuso stars namely Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos under the direction of Andoy Ranay.

 

Don’t Panic, It’s Organic!

Honestly, I am not expecting Sosy Problems to be in the Top 3 of the top-grossing films for this year’s MMFF. It is fun to see it on the line-up because I love chick flicks, although I can say that some of the Filipino films released in the previous years with the same genre failed big time. Let’s just say that the casting for this movie is perfect because the four lead stars are known for being ‘sosyal’ in real-life. No need to exert much effort. Some mainstream film companies tend to adjust the script for the sake of the artist the producer wants to cast.

The cinema lobby is filled with ‘upper class teenagers’ when I lined up for tickets. Target Market. Check.

 

First of all, let me complain about the trailer. The first trailer uploaded online doesn’t give justice to the film. I don’t see the point of using Gwen Stefani’s ‘Luxurious’ The song is louder than the audio. Boop Boop. Not right. They could’ve used one of Solenn’s songs instead.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcmhEQsJ6cI&w=420&h=315]

Sosy Problems shows kaartehan, but with a heart. I’ll try to present it in the best way I can through the lead characters:

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MMFF New Wave 2012: Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom from Chains)

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It is already a ritual for Filipino moviegoers to go to the nearest cinema to catch a movie included at the Metro Manila Film Festival. The line-up is comprised of mainstream films from different genres. Most of these films want to attract the younger audience. It is also a perfect opportunity to bond with the family.

Two years ago, the Metro Manila Film Festival Committee launched the ‘New Wave’ section, wherein five independent films get the chance to showcase their works a week before Christmas Day. Last year, the movie Pintakasi won the Best Indie Film Award.

Matteo Guidicelli in Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom from Chains)

For this year, MMFF New Wave presents five independent films from different genres. I was able to catch two yesterday: In Nomine Matris (In The Name of the Mother) by Will Fredo and Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom From Chains) by Michael Angelo Dagnalan. I went to Glorietta 4 after our Family lunch reunion just to watch these two films. How I wish they allot more screenings in other cinemas like what they do for the mainstream line-up.

First, let me share my thoughts on Michael Angelo Dagnalan’s Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom From Chains).

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