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Entertainment => Film & TV Talk => Pinoy Entertainment => Topic started by: llanesmark777 on Aug 06, 2004 at 10:18 PM
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December is already near!!! Yes maybe Christmas time once again. But it's MMF 2004 again. Unfortunately!!! ill name some of the official film fest entires
Mano Po 3: Another one?! Not again!!! Masyado nawili.
Que Sera Sera
Enteng Kabisote: Vic Sotto
Lastikman: Not Vic Sotto
Ais**te Imasu 1941: by Joel Lamangan
Sigaw: by Yam Laranas
Bulong: Spirit of the glass dir by Jose Javier Reyes
Panaghoy sa Suba "Moans from the River" Dir. Cesar Montano
If im not mistaken there are 9 official entries.
3 of them were directed by Joel Lamangan.
No entry for Unitel Pictures: Affraid?
No entries from Star Cinema
No entry for Violett films
No entry for Seiko films
No enrty for Dir. Maryo J. Delos Reyes
3 films for Joel Lamangan. Yeah right another mainstream for sure!!! Kikita yung pelikula niya for sure dahil sa promotion or publicity at star studed kasi. Classic pinoy films pa din. And films from Violett Films and Unitel Pictures lang for me so far ang nakakagawa ng maganda sa ngayon.
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I hope there are films that none mainstream 2 films from Violett films did not make it. Atleast 1. Are they affraid of the one who make Magnifico? Are they affraid of Maryo J. Delos Reyes work?! >:(
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There are reports that Vilma Santos will do Mano Po 3 for Regal Films after rejecting Peque Gallaga's....Lipa Miracles.
Regal is cashing on MP just like following the footsteps of Coppola's Godfather saga. ;D
Bro will there be any Jeffrey Jeturian flicks?
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There are reports that Vilma Santos will do Mano Po 3 for Regal Films after rejecting Peque Gallaga's....Lipa Miracles.
Regal is cashing on MP just like following the footsteps of Coppola's Godfather saga. ;D
Bro will there be any Jeffrey Jeturian flicks?
If im not mistaken they rejected jeffrey jeturian. I know dapat meron sya. iread it yesterday. ang alam ko di nakapasok. :( Vilma Santos rather choose Joel Lamangan over Peque Gallaga's Lipa Miracle. Parang di sya Mayor dun a. Peace!!! thanks :)
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I was disappointed for Vilma Santos bro just like you. Imagine choosing inept Lamangan over Peque. :(
The age role was the problem according to the report. I thought she can do anything....
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I was disappointed for Vilma Santos bro just like you. Imagine choosing inept Lamangan over Peque. :(
The age role was the problem according to the report. I thought she can do anything....
You are right!!! Ewan ko ba kung bakit madami ang gusto sa mga Pelikula ni Lamangan. Parepareho lang naman ng concept.
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You are right!!! Ewan ko ba kung bakit madami ang gusto sa mga Pelikula ni Lamangan. Parepareho lang naman ng concept.
personally what infuriates me about the MMFF is the fact that they allowed Mother Lily to once again have two entries Que Sera Sera for Regal & Mano Po 3 under MAQ Productions. this is preposterous... why not include Jeturian's Pagsapit Ng Dilim instead of three Lamangan movies.
frankly the only Lamangan movie that i liked was Bakit May Kahapon Pa? i didn't even care for The Flor Contemplacion Story & Sidhi which were all Nora Aunor movies although i watched them all but never really liked them. i think Joel Lamangan is overrated... well that's my personal opinion.
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Films did not qualify are:
Pagkagat ng Dilim
Bikini Open
Minsan Pa
Lihim STAR CINEMA
Black Eye by:Maryo J. Delos Reyes VIOLETT FILMS
Guardiya de Honor by: Mel Chonglo VIOLETT FILMS
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personally what infuriates me about the MMFF is the fact that they allowed Mother Lily to once again have two entries Que Sera Sera for Regal & Mano Po 3 under MAQ Productions. this is preposterous... why not include Jeturian's Pagsapit Ng Dilim instead of three Lamangan movies.
frankly the only Lamangan movie that i liked was Bakit May Kahapon Pa? i didn't even care for The Flor Contemplacion Story & Sidhi which were all Nora Aunor movies although i watched them all but never really liked them. i think Joel Lamangan is overrated... well that's my personal opinion.
A report in the papers stated that the MMFF's rules were violated wherein there are 4 movies that are all linked to Mother Lily. MAQ and Regal are obviously Lily, but there are two films whose movie companies are reportedly "controlled" by Lily.
If the report is true, Mother Lily has a monopoly or unfair quad.
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A report in the papers stated that the MMFF's rules were violated wherein there are 4 movies that are all linked to Mother Lily. MAQ and Regal are obviously Lily, but there are two films whose movie companies are reportedly "controlled" by Lily.
If the report is true, Mother Lily has a monopoly or unfair quad.
i read it immediately after my post... it's true that Mother Lily has four entries this coming MMFF that's why Vic del Rosario is very upset. talk about monopoly... although Mother Lily's camp stated that Basfilms & Mega Vision are not really affialiated with Regal but of course once we get to see the movie one of the producers would be a Monteverde.
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One of the few things I liked about that movie, the other being Jaime Fabregas as the defense lawyer (his Spanish was better than Cesar Montano's).
Noel, how about Peque as Monsignor Nozaleda? Maybe I should make a thread on Directors turned actors.
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I've taken the liberty of taking all your "Joel Lamangan" posts and made a separate topic. Sorry for being a such a stickler for the rules guys. I just want to make it easy for people in the future to find information in the topic that it's supposed to be in.
I've also renamed the topic title to say MMFFP to differentiate this festival from the other MMFF festival.
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Noel, how about Peque as Monsignor Nozaleda? Maybe I should make a thread on Directors turned actors.
Hm. I don't really remember him there, but Peque's a terrific actor too. He was very good in one episode of that 1886 series where he played a monk or priest. And of course, he's great, heartbreaking even, in Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos.
I wouldn't say I prefer him as an actor (he, after all, did Scorpio Nights) but I'd say he has a fallback job in case he doesn't want to direct anymore.
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Hm. I don't really remember him there, but Peque's a terrific actor too. He was very good in one episode of that 1886 series where he played a monk or priest. And of course, he's great, heartbreaking even, in Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos.
I wouldn't say I prefer him as an actor (he, after all, did Scorpio Nights) but I'd say he has a fallback job in case he doesn't want to direct anymore.
i agree with Noel that Peque was very good in Tatlong Taon... he also did a good job in Jose Rizal. as a matter of fact there were a lot of directors who acted in it like Chito Rono & Joel Lamangan even Jeffrey Jeturian.
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i agree with Noel that Peque was very good in Tatlong Taon... he also did a good job in Jose Rizal. as a matter of fact there were a lot of directors who acted in it like Chito Rono & Joel Lamangan even Jeffrey Jeturian.
I didn't notice Jeffrey there...Jo.
What was his part?
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I didn't notice Jeffrey there...Jo.
What was his part?
he was one of the guests during the big party scene... nando'n din si Chito Rono.
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Sayang....this MMFF could have salvaged what has been a very dismal year for Filipino cinema. It is already August and so far less than 30 Pinoy films have been shown.
Just imagine what this festival could have been with the following rejected films:
HEREMIAS to be directed by Lav Diaz
Pagkagat ng Dilim by Jeffrey Jetturian
Bikini Open by Jeffrey Jetturian (apparently SM Cinemas have made this policy of not showing R-18 films)
Black Eye written by Michiko Yamamoto and to be directed by Mary J. delos Reyes
Minsan Pa by Jeffrey Jetturian
Star Walker to be directed by Peque Gallaga
Guardia de Honor written by Ricky Lee and to be directed by Mel Chionglo
Once Upon A Life by Gil Portes (i'm not a fan of his but this film stars Ricky Davao, Angel Aquino and Raymond Bagatsing)
Full House to be directed by Albert Martinez (it would be interesting to see what he can do, we have very few actors who have made it big as directors akin to the likes of perhaps Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and even Mel Gibson)
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Sayang....this MMFF could have salvaged what has been a very dismal year for Filipino cinema. It is already August and so far less than 30 Pinoy films have been shown.
Just imagine what this festival could have been with the following rejected films:
HEREMIAS to be directed by Lav Diaz
Pagkagat ng Dilim by Jeffrey Jetturian
Bikini Open by Jeffrey Jetturian (apparently SM Cinemas have made this policy of not showing R-18 films)
Black Eye written by Michiko Yamamoto and to be directed by Mary J. delos Reyes
Minsan Pa by Jeffrey Jetturian
Star Walker to be directed by Peque Gallaga
Guardia de Honor written by Ricky Lee and to be directed by Mel Chionglo
Once Upon A Life by Gil Portes (i'm not a fan of his but this film stars Ricky Davao, Angel Aquino and Raymond Bagatsing)
Full House to be directed by Albert Martinez (it would be interesting to see what he can do, we have very few actors who have made it big as directors akin to the likes of perhaps Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and even Mel Gibson)
It could have been the 2nd Golden Age of MMFF if these entries were accepted....looks like it will just be a Joel Lamangan Film Festival. :P
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he was one of the guests during the big party scene... nando'n din si Chito Rono.
I remember chito, enigmatic chinoy smile and all. don't remember jeff, guess he didn't make an impression...
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I remember chito, enigmatic chinoy smile and all. don't remember jeff, guess he didn't make an impression...
it was more of a walk on part... you can hardly notice him.
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THE 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival executive committee is investigating the complaint that four of the final eight movies in the lineup of the December festival are produced by Lily Monteverde.
"You can rest assured that this issue will be decided judiciously and fairly by the Execom at the soonest possible time," Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando, who is also chair of the festival's executive committee, said in a letter to MLR Films producer Jojie Alonso.
Fernando said the committee has written Monteverde about the investigation and has asked for a reply.
Alonso had said four of the movies in the final festival lineup-"Mano Po 3," "Aicrape Imasu 1941," "Que Sera Sera," "Sigaw"-are "productions of the Monteverde group." "Que Sera Sera" was identified as a production of Regal Entertainment and "Sigaw" of MegaVision.
The other finalists are Viva's "Lastikman," OctoArts' "Enteng Kabisote," "Bulong" from OctoArts satellite company Canary Films, and Cesar Montano's "Panaghoy sa Suba."
'Unwise, impractical'
Alonso last week filed a complaint with the MMDA, saying the members of the MMFF executive committee "appear" to have adjusted rules and regulations "to favor certain producers over others." She cited what she called violations of the rules on deadline and casting, among others.
MLR Films had submitted "Minsan Pa," starring Jomari Yllana and Ara Mina, which did not qualify for the year-end festival.
Alonso said, "We still hope that Chairman Fernando will take action and nullify the entire selection process so as not to make the MMDA a party to this injustice."
In his letter to Alonso, Fernando pointed out that more movie producers couldn't have submitted entries to the film festival if the deadline had not been extended from the original July 1 to July 10, then to July
25.
Fernando said "it would have been unwise and impractical not to" move the deadline because, after the second deadline extension, "there were only 10 screenplays from which we could choose eight best screenplays."
'Hypocrisy'
Only three screenplays ("Minsan Pa," "Sa Pagkagat ng Dilim" and "Panaghoy sa Suba") had been submitted by July 1, according to the executive committee.
This prompted the committee to move the deadline to July 10, on which seven other entries were submitted.
But the deadline was moved again, this time to July 23. A final total of 27 screenplays were gathered.
MLR Films submitted its entry last June 23.
Fernando said in his letter that keeping other movie companies from presenting their screenplays "could have negated one of the main purposes of the festival, which is to encourage as many producers as possible to submit their film projects."
Alonso called Fernando's explanation "hypocrisy of the highest order."
"Not only is it an affront to the intelligence of the viewing public," Alonso said in a statement sent to Inquirer Entertainment, "it tramples, insults and downgrades the work(s) of the writer(s) of the 10 submitted screenplays."
Juday cleared
In his letter, Fernando also cleared Judy Ann Santos of violating festival rules and regulation for appearing in two entries-MAQ Films' "Mano Po 3" and BasFilm Productions' "Aicrape Imasu 1941."
Fernando explained that the festival rules allow an actor who is the lead star in one festival entry to appear in another entry in a supporting role.
"Please be informed that the lead actress of 'Mano Po 3' is Vilma Santos, and therefore all other actresses therein are considered supporting stars," Fernando pointed out in his letter.
"If Judy Ann Santos was mentioned as a lead star of 'Mano Po 3' it could have been an honest mistake by the production company."
MLR Films' "Minsan Pa," written by award-winning scriptwriter Armando "Bing" Lao, also features Marianne de la Riva, Tirso Cruz III, and Christian Vasquez.
In an interview with Inquirer Entertainment on the set of "Minsan Pa" at the Basilica de Sto. Ni?o in Cebu City last Friday, Alonso said she is carefully studying the points that Fernando raised in his letter.
"I asked Bing (Lao) to do research and explain to me the responsibilities of a lead actress as opposed to a supporting actress," said Alonso. "He gave me a rundown.
"Because I am a lawyer, I want to fully understand my case," Alonso added. "I don't want to come out as someone who is merely sour-grapping."
Perpetuating irregularities
Alonso said "the MMDA executive committee has miserably failed to address the scarred integrity of the selection process. To simply continue as if everything was in order, without resolving the problem, is tantamount to perpetuating the irregularities, wittingly or unwittingly."
Alonso filed her complaint after movie producers Vic del Rosario, Violet Sevilla, Tony Gloria and director Joey Javier Reyes aired their disappointment over the film festival executive committee's selection of the final eight movies.
"I'm not in a position to criticize the executive committee," Reyes had told Inquirer Entertainment in an earlier interview. "I don't exactly know how they choose the Magic 8. What I feel sad about is that it's as if the film fest is veering away from its goal of saving the dying local movie industry.
"She cannot deny that she has four entries," Del Rosario had said of Monteverde. "The whole industry knows she has four film festival entries, and that's very unfair to the other producers."
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It could have been the 2nd Golden Age of MMFF if these entries were accepted....looks like it will just be a Joel Lamangan Film Festival. :P
Can i add?, Joel Lamangan and Lily Montiverde film festival :)
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I've also renamed the topic title to say MMFFP to differentiate this festival from the other MMFF festival.
Yes, I know!!! Its some kind of an error while im typing the topic!! And i cant change it anymore!!! Sorry for that "Im just human". :P
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Sigaw maybe one of the best films this year. Or only the best in MMFF 2004. :) Another asian horror perhaps!
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Lav Diaz always call MMFF as Festival of Idiots. ;D
Behn Cervantes call it PESTE BAL. ;D
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Lav Diaz always call MMFF as Festival of Idiots. ;D
Behn Cervantes call it PESTE BAL. ;D
;D
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Having an award from MMFF is not a basis of a good film. Urian will be. MMFF is biased
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Having an award from MMFF is not a basis of a good film. Urian will be. MMFF is biased
And yet this are only within the soil of poor taste of pinoys... pabongga effect etc...
bottomline..they are nominating low class quality films
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Having an award from MMFF is not a basis of a good film. Urian will be. MMFF is biased
agree except for Ishmael Bernal's HIMALA which in my book remains the best performance by an actress in Phil. Cinema .....
still MMFF produced such classic gems like Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon, Brutal, Moral, Insiang, Kung Mangarap kat Magising, Jose Rizal, Himala.....
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Famas for me so far is good in giving such awards!!! But my friend told me that it is also biased. Films won an award international are the best basis of a good filipino film these days.
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Let's guess what movies this year's entries have ripped off:
Sigaw ripped off Dark Water
So..Happy Together ripped off The Next Best Thing
Mano Po 3 is just a rehash of Mano Po 1 & 2, which are just rehashes of The Joy Luck Club
Lastikman lifted a lot of elements from the Spider-Man movies
Aicrape Imasu looks like M Butterfly.
Anything else?
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Are we even going to bother watching anything this year?
Man... a strong stance should really be made by filmmakers and audiences to boycott the festival. It stands for and represents so many things wrong with Philippine Cinema.
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I'm all for boycotting the festival. God bless DVDs.
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I'm all for boycotting the festival. God bless DVDs.
Me too dude! :) Thank God really for DVDs. Altough its expensive. but its worth naman to watch good films on your own home theater. Rather than paying 70 pesos or 150 pesos in a film that is not worth to watch. Better luck next time Film Producers and Directors. The festival is fine for ordinary movie goers. If im going to watch any of them. My personal rating for sure is 2 out of 5. The movie trailers were spoilers :D
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Out of curiosity, has anyone seen Lav Diaz's comments about the MMFF, and Cesar Montano's comments about Lav?
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I read Lav Diaz' comment on MMFF.....he called it THE FESTIVAL OF IDIOTS and Behn Cervantes also has the same predicament calling it PESTE BAL.
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From what I've heard-- and maybe someone can verify this-- Cesar Montano said, regarding Lav's comments, "Wag niyong pasinin yan. Bigay mo ng pabili ng queso de bola. Wala lang pambili ng queso de bola yan."
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I haven't heard that comment by Cesar Montano commentary. It seems Lav Diaz really needs a hit movie.
Out of topic has he settle his dispute with Mother Lily regarding
Hesus Rebolusyonaryo? He was not paid with that movie prompting him to sue the Regal Matriarch.
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I thought it was a pretty stupid remark by Cesar Montano. It would be of some validity if Lav had an inclination toward wanting mainstream appeal or was making films for the sake of money. He wants his work to be seen, of course, but the emphasis on that sentence is on his-- meaning not compromising his vision for his work.
As far as I know keating, he hasn't gotten paid the rest of his salary from Mother/Regal.
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After much consideration, I have finally decided to go watch Cesar Montano's Bisaya flick. Other than that, maybe I'll watch Spirit of the Glass.
Originally, I'm supposed to boycott next week's MMFF since the fest is already hit with big scandals since months ago. Why support producers who got involved (Mother Lily and Joel Lamangan and their movies anyones???) in such scandals that rocked the entire industry into a pile of dust? Why would Mother Lily and Lamangan deserve our time and money knowing how unfair they really are respecitvely?
I won't be watching Mano Po 3, the conclusion to Mother Lily's "Godfather saga of the Philippines".
Mother Lily and Lamangan should both retire in my opinion.
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From what I've heard-- and maybe someone can verify this-- Cesar Montano said, regarding Lav's comments, "Wag niyong pasinin yan. Bigay mo ng pabili ng queso de bola. Wala lang pambili ng queso de bola yan."
Don't pay attention to Montano. He's been hanging around the meat market so long all the gay festival programmers know about Ishmael Bernal's former boy-toy.
"Yes, Jose Rizal. It's a film. Starring Cesar Montano. Yes, that Cesar..."
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I thought it was a pretty stupid remark by Cesar Montano. It would be of some validity if Lav had an inclination toward wanting mainstream appeal or was making films for the sake of money. He wants his work to be seen, of course, but the emphasis on that sentence is on his-- meaning not compromising his vision for his work.
As far as I know keating, he hasn't gotten paid the rest of his salary from Mother/Regal.
yeah....hindi raw kasi pang-commercial yung HESUS REBOLUSYONARYO Mother told Lav Diaz. It lasted only two days in the theatres.
So the next day Lav came face to face with Mother's battery of lawyers.....how sad because it was the Regal Matriarch also who gave him break via KRIMINAL NG BARYO CONCEPCION.
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Note: If you agree and choose to participate in the boycott, email your name to: [email protected]
WHY I WON'T WATCH ANY FILMS IN THE METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL
It has long been said that Philippine Cinema is on its death-bed. This statement is incorrect. The Philippine film industry, not Cinema as a whole, is; and rightly so. Hundreds of millions of pesos are wasted by the Film Industry investing in works that can not hold a candle to smaller, independent productions, both long (Lav Diaz's towering achievements: the 5-hour "Batang West Side" and the 11-hour "Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino," which has screened in New York and Toronto, and will also be travelling to Rotterdam and Goteborg) and short (Sherad Anthony Sanchez's 11-minute "Apple," a powerful, moving elegy on the loss of youth and innocence through child-prostitution, premiering in Rotterdam this January alongside "Ebolusyon" and works by Khavn Dela Cruz and Rox Lee) that are invested with passion and made with purpose.
Earlier this year I wrote I an article about the Metro Manila Film Festival for Indiefilipino.com (http://film.indiefilipino.com/item.php?id=118), lamenting not just the lack of desire to show quality films, but also the ridiculous selection process of the "festival". Said article can be read at the end of this email.
This year's festival is an even bigger mockery than the last, with 4 of the 8 participating films being produced or co-produced by Regal Films head Mother Lily and 3 films being directed by Joel Lamangan.
How is that for pushing for a progressive diverse cinema?
The Philippine Film Industry is on its death-bed...the Metro Manila Film Festival is holding the last nail to seal its coffin. The audience holds the hammer.
If you want to see the best of what Philippine Cinema has to offer, if you want stand up for the choice of better movies, better values, and a better cinema, do not watch any of the films in the Metro Manila Film Festival. I certainly won't.
P.S.
The Breakfast Show on Studio 23 will be airing a special episode dedicated to Philippine Independent Cinema in 2004, 6:30-8:00am this Friday December 31.
If you would like to see and hear from the filmmakers behind some of the best and most interesting works in Philippine Cinema in 2004, tune-in. Featured guests are Khavn Dela Cruz ("Ang Pamilyang Kumakain ng Lupa"), John Torres ("Salat" and "Tawid Gutom"), Pam Miras ("Blood Bank"), Lav Diaz ("Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino"), Rox Lee ("Romeo Must Rock"), "Bunso" by Ditsi Carolino (film discussed, filmmaker not present), Mes De Guzman ("Diliman") and Raya Martin ("The Island at the End of the World").
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[taken from Indiefilipino.com (http://film.indiefilipino.com/item.php?id=118)]
REINVIGORATING PHILIPPINE CINEMA
The Possibilities of the Metro Manila Film Festival
by Alexis Tioseco
Alexis Tioseco writes about the inanity that is the Metro Manila Film Festival, and suggests ways in which to improve the farce
Audiences and industry folk alike have long been preaching the death of Philippine cinema. We gaze back fondly through sepia shades and smile at the glory of our past, shake and scratch our heads lamenting over our pathetic present, and blink and miss opportunities to improve our future.
The Metro Manila Film Festival is a great idea to support the local film industry. It reserves the time of year when most people are able to enjoy days of leisure, and allows only locally-produced films to be shown in commercial theaters. At the same time, it stages a "Film Festival," a term that carries with it the connotation of presenting films of a higher-than-normal quality, and supposedly highlights our best works, bestowing them with awards and showcasing them: allowing the films to humor, move, teach, challenge, identify with and unite the county in a celebration of art and the best of what the Filipino is capable of.
The Metro Manila Film Festival is a great idea to support the local film industry.
Unfortunately, it is only an idea.
As it exists today, the Metro Manila Film Festival accomplishes all of the above-- reserves the Christmas season for a display of local works, stages a "Film Festival," and gives out awards. What is lacking, however-- sorely, painfully, sadly-- is the driving desire to show quality films.
The decision of whether a film will or will not be accepted into the Metro Manila Film Festival is made all the way back in July, usually before even a single frame of film for ANY of the projects to be considered has been shot.
If shooting of the film has not yet begun, how then, one might ask, are the films chosen? Based on the script?
If the script has been written, yes.
But what if, as of July, there is no script-- as was the case with Regal Films entry Mano Po 2?
Why, no matter, simply submit an outline of the plot.
And if there is no plot yet?
Umm... a list of the cast will be fine.
And if the entire cast has not yet been confirmed?
A proposed list will do just as well.
Are you beginning to see the inanity of it all?
What would happen, if, say, the announced director of a project drops out, and the submitted script; the script that the selection committee read and was the basis for the film's inclusion (and ranking) in the festival, is completely re-written? This was the case with one of 2003's MMFF entries, Captain Barbell: Quark Henares dropped out as director, and the original script written by Lyndon Santos and Ramon De Veyra that was approved by the Metro Manila Film Fest was re-written by RJ Nuevas beyond any semblance of its former self.
Would not this illicit a second look by the selection committee? Would it not warrant an investigation into whether the film still merited its slot (and ranking) in the festival?
As this year's festival's selection committee made apparent: No. Captain Barbell stayed in the festival without so much as a peep or raised eyebrow from the selection committee, nor, heaven forbid, a read-through of the new script or preview of the film beforehand.
What exactly is the criterion for the selection of films into the MMFF? Director Joey Romero, a member of the screening committee, broke it down in a December 13 article that appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer: creativity and style, 50 %; commercial viability, 30%; and exemplifying Filipino culture and history, 20%.
EXCUSE ME?!
Before anything else, let us remember that the selection committee makes their choices, at most, based on the script. Sometimes, as has been outlined above, the decision is made based on much less than that. Disregarding the idiocy of the film's script being the final arbiter of its inclusion in a Film Festival, let alone a script that is often radically changed before, during, and after shooting, but to judge a film's CREATIVITY AND STYLE, or COMMERCIAL VIABILITY, based on its script?! A film is not the equivalent of a book of prose-- audiences don't read it; they see and hear it, and creativity and style in the written form don't necessarily translate to creativity and style on the big screen.
The MMFF is a great idea to support the local film industry. But in order to turn that idea into a reality, some serious changes need to be made.
Imagine a December festival done properly: one that, for example, chose to bring back the best films of the past year, chosen after viewing the finished film, not the cast list, not the plot, not the first draft of the script. Imagine a festival that awarded the acclaimed but overlooked films of the past year, such as Maryo J. Delos Reyes's Magnifico, Quark Henares's Keka, Mario O'Hara's Babae sa Breakwater, or even Lav Diaz's Singapore and Brussels Film Festival Best Film awardee Batang West Side of 2 years ago (a film that has received awards and been screened in numerous prestigious film festivals abroad, but which until now has never seen a commercial release in the Philippines), and re-released and re-introduced them to local audiences.
Imagine a festival that dared to do something as radical yet practical as encourage and promote our young and courageous independent filmmakers, artists like Khavn Dela Cruz, RA Rivera, Ditsi Carolino, Ramona Diaz, Sari and Kiri Dalena, and Raymond and Jon Red (to name but a few), by showing their works theatrically, either before a film or in combination as a feature in itself, introducing them to Philippine audiences.
What if, perhaps, 2 or 3 classic films were chosen each year to be shown during the festival, to re-introduce to Philippine audiences young and old the important works of our cultural history?
What we would have, then, is a breeding ground for the education of our audience towards our cinema's past, a display of the absolute best of its present, and a harvest of the seeds of its future.
Having a festival where a prime consideration for a film's acceptance or rejection is its "commercial viability," is utterly ridiculous. Without getting into the argument over the selection committee's mystical methodology for determining a work's "commercial viability" (based simply on the reading of a cast list, plot, or even script) it is safe to say that this should not even be of concern to the festival organizers. Choosing the best possible films should be their main concern, as making the best possible films should be the concern of the filmmakers. The audience is there-- the responsibility in a festival such as this does not lie in showing them what we believe they want to see, but simply showing the absolute best of what we have to offer.
The Metro Manila Festival is a good idea for a way to support the local film industry. But without a drastic overhaul in regard to its implementation, it will remain simply an idea.
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Alexis Tioseco awaits the death of Philippine Cinema with optimism.
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Good article, comm (okay, I've read and liked it before), but flaws and all, you do agree that we have great, world-class talent here, and films, don't you? I know your stance, but I'd like to have it out loud on this here thread...
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Good article, comm (okay, I've read and liked it before), but flaws and all, you do agree that we have great, world-class talent here, and films, don't you? I know your stance, but I'd like to have it out loud on this here thread...
Loud and clear-- from Lav Diaz to Mario O'Hara to Quark Henares to Ditsi Carolino to Khavn Dela Cruz to RA Rivera to Rox Lee to Sherad Anthony Sanchez (Quark's student in fact, made a great short titled "Apple") to Raya Martin to ...
the list goes on. We're not short on talent. We're short on funding and exposure.
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Thanks for going on record, comm.
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Not a problem sir. Sent you an e-mail btw.
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Controversy again?!?!?
Can't we have an MMFF without someone bitching? I think we should just scrap the entire thing since only one or two movies are any good and the rest are all either the same old boring crap or laughingly insipid aping of Hollywood blockbusters.
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Here's what I saw today from the festival... mini-reviews to arrive soon.
Sigaw - Yam Laranas ***/*****
Panaghoy sa Suba - Cesar Montano *1/2/*****
Aicrape Imasu - Joel Lamangan **/*****
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Those three stars are honestly likely to be the most you're going to give anything in this festival. And I'm pretty sure that was a fairly generous rating.
It's really about time we take a stand and not put up with this bs every year. You asked Klaus Weasley-- "Controversy again?!?!? Can't we have an MMFF without someone b**ching?", the answer is-- yes. When we scrap the whole current selection process and reformat the f-cker. Honestly now, how much longer can we put up with this? It's ridiculous. By design, the MMFF is a great way to support locally produced works-- takes place during the years biggest holiday, implements a complete blackout on foreign films, has government support, and holds a "film festival" and an awarding ceremony. Imagine how much good could be done if they actually chose to show good works... if they actually cared to exhibit the best of what our cinema has to offer... it would go so far in cultivating a mature, discerning, and appreciative audience... it would go far to contribute to the upliftment of our cinema. Instead we have this... recycled sh-t, 4 movies from Mother Lily, 3 directed by Joel Lamangan, and honestly no works that we can proudly claim to be important.
Tell me you're satisfied. Tell me you don't want change.
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But aren't you all the least bit curious who will win best float? ;D
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Modified and added to my previous post-- http://www.pinoydvd.com/board/index.php?topic=25963.msg423572#msg423572
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I guess I shall never learn for today, I saw two more festival entries, and it looks like commentary's prediction is coming true.
Enteng Kabisote - */*****
Mano Po 3: My Love - **/*****
reviews will come when I've seen everything. Hopefully, I'll survive the festival.
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If you want to join in the MMFF debate---
http://www.livejournal.com/users/_fiction_/32036.html
http://www.livejournal.com/users/_fiction_/32324.html
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Note: If you agree and choose to participate in the boycott, email your name to: [email protected]
WHY I WON'T WATCH ANY FILMS IN THE METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL
It has long been said that Philippine Cinema is on its death-bed. This statement is incorrect. The Philippine film industry, not Cinema as a whole, is; and rightly so. Hundreds of millions of pesos are wasted by the Film Industry investing in works that can not hold a candle to smaller, independent productions, both long (Lav Diaz's towering achievements: the 5-hour "Batang West Side" and the 11-hour "Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino," which has screened in New York and Toronto, and will also be travelling to Rotterdam and Goteborg) and short (Sherad Anthony Sanchez's 11-minute "Apple," a powerful, moving elegy on the loss of youth and innocence through child-prostitution, premiering in Rotterdam this January alongside "Ebolusyon" and works by Khavn Dela Cruz and Rox Lee) that are invested with passion and made with purpose.
Earlier this year I wrote I an article about the Metro Manila Film Festival for Indiefilipino.com (http://film.indiefilipino.com/item.php?id=118), lamenting not just the lack of desire to show quality films, but also the ridiculous selection process of the "festival". Said article can be read at the end of this email.
This year's festival is an even bigger mockery than the last, with 4 of the 8 participating films being produced or co-produced by Regal Films head Mother Lily and 3 films being directed by Joel Lamangan.
How is that for pushing for a progressive diverse cinema?
The Philippine Film Industry is on its death-bed...the Metro Manila Film Festival is holding the last nail to seal its coffin. The audience holds the hammer.
If you want to see the best of what Philippine Cinema has to offer, if you want stand up for the choice of better movies, better values, and a better cinema, do not watch any of the films in the Metro Manila Film Festival. I certainly won't.
OK, so let me get this straight -- is your "movement" saying that the likes of Lav Diaz, Khavn Dela Cruz, et. al. better filmmakers than the likes of Joel Lamangan, Cesar Montano, etc.? Isn't that a little self righteous? How do you gauge "good" movies anyway? Just a question...
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OK, so let me get this straight -- is your "movement" saying that the likes of Lav Diaz, Khavn Dela Cruz, et. al. better filmmakers than the likes of Joel Lamangan, Cesar Montano, etc.? Isn't that a little self righteous? How do you gauge "good" movies anyway? Just a question...
Sighting the work of Lav Diaz and Sherad Sanchez such as I did was a personal note on two good films that I saw this year. I am not gauging specifically the works of this years MMFF, I am not judging the individual films, I am criticizing the system that is in place. In the longer article (which follows your quote), my reasons for doing so are clearly outlined.
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OK, so let me get this straight -- is your "movement" saying that the likes of Lav Diaz, Khavn Dela Cruz, et. al. better filmmakers than the likes of Joel Lamangan, Cesar Montano, etc.? Isn't that a little self righteous?
Not part of the movement, but what's so self-righteous about that? It's not his self he's being righteous about, and it pretty much seems to be readily apparent--I mean, Huling Birhen sa Lupa? Mano Po? Setting aside the fact that they're melodramas, not very well told, they don't have the cinematic and narrative innovations Lav used in, well Batang West Side, for example.
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Got this "boycott" email from Khavn Dela Cruz himself and it's funny how every now and then a bunch of young filmmakers come out and proclaim themselves as "saviors of philippine cinema" when sadly they are not. Let's take the case of the mowelfund people -- Nick Deocampo, Yam Laranas or Robert Quebral, indies turned commercial directors, tell me, have they changed Philippine Cinema? ;)
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Got this "boycott" email from Khavn Dela Cruz himself and it's funny how every now and then a bunch of young filmmakers come out and proclaim themselves as "saviors of philippine cinema" when sadly they are not. Let's take the case of the mowelfund people -- Nick Deocampo, Yam Laranas or Robert Quebral, indies turned commercial directors, tell me, have they changed Philippine Cinema? ;)
Now this is a different discussion altogether.
I don't know about Nick or Yam, but I've certainly never heard Khavn (who I work with on the .MOV International Digital Film Festival) or Robert talk about being saviors of Philippine Cinema. Khavn thinks the idea of people talking revolutions or about "saving" Philippine Cinema are silly. I interviewed Robert Quebral once before Sex Drive came out and he was very humble and spoke openly saying not to have high expectations from the film. I watched it and didn't like it very much. And neither did I cite Mowelfund in anything I wrote.
I don't think I change is going to happen overnight. I think it's silly for anyone to believe that it will. But I think a reformatting of the largest and most supported display of local works is a good start. Is there something that you don't agree with there, rdj?
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WHY I WON'T WATCH ANY FILMS IN THE METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL
It is such waste!!! Why im not watching the films on MMFF. Its a mainstream film festival. Its Regal films, Its Joel Lamangan films. Poor industry.. Its politics around the films that is included. read my first post on this thread. there are films that are not included in MMFF that deserves more than 3 Regal films entry that all of them from Joel Lamangan. More practice and use your brains film makers. Better luck next time. I rather watch again and again on my dvd collection. that is worth to watch rather tham wasting my money on such stupid films from MMFF.
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The audience holds the hammer.
I agree with everything you said, commentary. But this is something I've stuck with , albeit relucatantly, because I don't really want to believe it myself.
An overhaul of the selection process might do small wonders in the long run. But outside of the MMFF, which is a captive audience (and therefore the perfect time to throw spanners in the moviegoers' works) , will the the audience really be there? Are there really a lot more of us who clamor for something more than a Joel Lamangan melodrama? Or are we just a minority, forever outnumbered? I mean, I think I'm one of those who wants more out of my movies, specially the local ones, but even I managed to miss Minsan Pa and failed to watch Ebolusyon even if some guys here at Pinoy offered to reserve me tickets. Would anybody less inclined than me even bother? Much as I loved Keka I saw it in a near-empty theater laughing by myself. Producers are the culprits, mostly, I agree but maybe they're onto something when they pander? Can an upgrade in our movies really do the trick and pry the average moviegoers' attention spans away from Spiderman 3 or Bridget Jones' Slumbook or Oceans 87?
I know that paints a rather bleak picture and may come off as contemptuous of the audience and I apologize if it in any way comes off offensive, but I'm both curious and confused - - - curious mostly to find out what some of you guys think. I mean , maybe it's not Philippine cinema that needs saving, but the average Philippine moviegoer. In a few years time - - - maybe sooner if we aren't already - - - we'd be worse than the average American moviegoer. ;D
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we did it before and we can do it again, given the right leadership. I am boycotting the festival to contribute to the slow yet gradual (quite optimistic) awakening of both the film producer and moviegoer.
caveat emptor. producers only smell the money so it's not all their fault if they keep churning out formulaic films; but, if the government becomes more selective for the festival, it may jumpstart the renewal of our cinema.
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I'm going to save Philippine cinema (http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons/18.gif)
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it's funny how every now and then a bunch of young filmmakers come out and proclaim themselves as "saviors of philippine cinema" when sadly they are not.
People who do great things don't seem all that impressive at first. Let's kick Marcos out; let's defeat the Spaniards and set up the first democracy in Asia; let's do a ten-hour film. You have to talk big to start anything.
These kids have as much right to try save Philippine cinema as anyone else. I say, give em a chance.
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I guess I shall never learn for today, I saw two more festival entries, and it looks like commentary's prediction is coming true.
Enteng Kabisote - */*****
Mano Po 3: My Love - **/*****
reviews will come when I've seen everything. Hopefully, I'll survive the festival.
Yes, I made the mistake of watching Enteng Kabisote and ended up laughing at myself. But the sight of Joey de Leon in red spandex was hilarious. The blue graded scenes looked nice. That's it.
It's a film recklessly put together like yesterday's leftovers because the producers were hungry for dough. 4 year olds might like it.
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I guess I shall never learn for today, I saw two more festival entries, and it looks like commentary's prediction is coming true.
Enteng Kabisote - */*****
Mano Po 3: My Love - **/*****
reviews will come when I've seen everything. Hopefully, I'll survive the festival.
A poor festival really!!! Better luck next time film makers. :)
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Make the festival less political.
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"Let Philippine Cinema die so that it would resurrect again!"
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I saw Sigaw a few days ago. It was such a missed opportunity because the cinematography was great (although they could have cut down on the dutch tilts) but it needed much tighter editing. They should have shortened a lot of the shots leading up to the scares and cut out a lot of the scenes that overexplained the story. Each shot felt just a second too long and each scene felt just a shot too much. Sobra-sobra yung pinapakita nila so hindi na ganung ka-effective as horror. And I think the building would have seemed even more menacing if they didn't dirty it up that much. Masyadong naging obvious. They basically show the origins of the hauntings three times! So by the end there's no mystery anymore. For one thing, I'd have cut out or at least drastically trimmed Ronni Lazaro's long exposition scene. Parang wala silang natutunan sa ibang Asian horror films that "less is more". Sayang talaga kasi all it needed was maybe at least one more pass in the editing room and it could have been much scarier. Siguro minadali.
And the fact that this MMFF has three Joel Lamangan films makes it the least respectable line-up ever.
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From Philippine Star
It was a night of sharing, with the veterans sharing victory with newcomers.
What a night it was! The 2004 Metro Filmfest’s Gabi ng Parangal, held Wednesday night (Dec. 29) at the Aliw Theater was as star-studded as the Dec. 24 Parade of Stars that ushered in the 10-day movie event ending on Jan. 3, 2005. The parade started near White Plains in Quezon City and dispersed at the CCP Complex in Pasay City.
Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon’s win as Best Actress and Best Actor for Mano Po 3: My Love, their 24th movie together, came as no surprise. It was expected. The two veterans shared top honors with newcomers Dennis Trillo, Best Supporting Actor (for his role as a "Comfort Gay" in Aicrape Imasu 1941); and Rebecca Lusterio (for Panaghoy sa Suba), her second, the first being for Muro-Ami.
Although a multi-awarded veteran as an actor, Cesar Montano is a relative "newcomer" as far as directing is concerned. He got the Best Director trophy for Panaghoy sa Suba over such worthies as Joel Lamangan (Mano Po 3, So Happy Together and Aicrape Imasu) and Joey Javier Reyes (Spirit of the Glass).
The Metro Filmfest is dedicated to FPJ who was given a Posthumous Award, received by his siblings Elizabeth Poe and Conrad Poe.
The 10-day event came at a time when the whole world is wrapped in gloom, what with the demise of Da King and disasters happening all over. But as the showbiz line goes: The show must go on, come what may, come hell or high water.
The awards night is calculated to drastically affect the box-office ranking of the eight official entries.
As of Dec. 29 (fifth day of the Metro Filmfest), here’s the ranking (nationwide):
1. Enteng Kabisote — P62.8M
2. Spirit of the Glass — P23.2M
3. So Happy Together — P23M
4. Mano Po 3: My Love — P19M
5. Lastikman — P16M
6. Sigaw — P14.2M
7. Panaghoy sa Suba — P7.5M
8. Aicrape Imasu 1941 — P7.3M The Honor Roll
• Best Actress — Vilma Santos (Mano Po 3)
• Best Actor — Christopher De Leon (Mano Po 3)
• Best Picture — Mano Po 3
• Second Best Picture — Panaghoy sa Suba
• Third Best Picture — Aicrape Imasu 1941
• Best Director — Cesar Montano (Panaghoy sa Suba)
• Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award — Panaghoy sa Suba
• Best Supporting Actress — Rebecca Lusterio (Panaghoy sa Suba)
• Best Supporting Actor — Dennis Trillo (Aicrape Imasu 1941)
• Best Child Performer — Ella Guevarra (Sigaw)
• Best Film Editor — Manet Dayrit (Sigaw)
• Best Cinematography — Ely Cruz (Panaghoy sa Suba)
• Best Theme Song — Pagbigyan ang Puso Ko — Universal Records (Mano Po 3)
• Best Sound Recording — Arnold Reodica/Albert Michael Idioma (Sigaw)
• Best Musical Score — Nonong Buencamino (Panaghoy sa Suba)
• Best Screenplay — Cris Vertido (Panaghoy sa Suba)
• Best Original Story — Joel Lamangan, Roy Iglesias, Lily Monteverde and Roselle Monteverde-Teo (Mano Po 3)
• Best Production Design — Rodel Cruz (Mano Po 3)
• Best Make Up Artist — Alex Vicencio (Enteng Kabisote)
• Best Visual Effects — Fel Rodolfo Jr. — Roadrunner (Lastikman)
• Best Float — Mano Po 3
• Second Best Float — Aicrape Imasu 1941
• Third Best Float — Enteng Kabisote
• Quezon City Special Award for Most Gender-Sensitive Film — Aicrape Imasu 1941
• Male Star of the Night — Christopher De Leon
• Female Star of the Night — Vilma Santos
• Special Award — Atty. Espiridion Laxa
• Posthumous Award — Fernando Poe Jr.
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Thanks for the box-office figures. I'm going to see Sigaw and
Panaghoy sa Suba to help them earn more. Both films are riskier and revolutionary: what the industry needs to rejuvenate!
Happy 2005!
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Has anyone who've seen Dark Water confirm my belief that Sigaw is merely a rip off of the Japanese movie?
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Has anyone who've seen Dark Water confirm my belief that Sigaw is merely a rip off of the Japanese movie?
Well, almost every film in the genre is a complete rip off of something else. Almost all Asian horror film ghosts are complete rip-offs of Sadako from Ringu. Horror setpieces are slmost always variations of the same old technique. True, Sigaw might have horror setpieces that could have originated from Dark Water but to say it's a complete rip off of one movie alone is unfair. The themes are different. The plot structure is also different. The characters have different motivations.
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The Cure I'd say is a real original, with no debt to Ringu.
Of Filipino films...uh, Halimaw sa Banga and Manananggal in Manila come to mind.
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The Cure I'd say is a real original, with no debt to Ringu.
And Kairo(Pulse) , not to mention Charisma, for that matter, although Seance was a Seance on a Wet Afternoon riff.
If there's anyone who has any right to rip Ringu off anyway, it's Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Damn thing's partially his anyway.
Glad to hear Sigaw ain't a rip-off. I plan to see it. Only liked one Yam movie so far (the Richard-Regine one, of all things ::) ) but we do need more directors like him. If these guys don't get the chance, the industry will one day be made up of nothing but Joel Lamangan and Tony Y. Reyes movies. ;D
Enteng Kabisote is raking it in biggest of them all, eh? Altman was right. We give the audience too much credit, they're the fault why our movies are bad.
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The Cure I'd say is a real original, with no debt to Ringu.
Of Filipino films...uh, Halimaw sa Banga and Manananggal in Manila come to mind.
True... that's a real original.
Glad to hear Sigaw ain't a rip-off. I plan to see it. Only liked one Yam movie so far (the Richard-Regine one, of all things ) but we do need more directors like him. If these guys don't get the chance, the industry will one day be made up of nothing but Joel Lamangan and Tony Y. Reyes movies.
Well, it's not a total rip-off but it's not original either. There are plenty of problems too like offputting scenes of overdramatization and an overemphasization of the exposition. Moreover, Laranas doesn't know how to tell a good story. There are big plotholes, and obvious plot points. However, it's still better than most of the crap from MMFF so give it a try.
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If there's anyone who has any right to rip Ringu off anyway, it's Kiyoshi Kurosawa. d**n thing's partially his anyway.
dern straight.
Only liked one Yam movie so far (the Richard-Regine one, of all things
mebbe cuz he didn't write it. Yah, liked that too...
but we do need more directors like him
Suppose there's room for someone like him. He needs a good writer, is all--lav, or bing lao, or quark.
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Haven't seen Sigaw, though I've seen Laranas' Hibla. Nothing's good in the movie even Rica Peralejo and Maui Taylor's oversized fake busts.
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Sigaw's final turnout is not decided entirely by Yam. The plotholes may have been due to anxious producers, actors or anybody else involved in its production.
I didn't like that Regine-Richard romantic comedy story-wise; but, to its credit, the film made Manila romantic and glamorous. It rivalled the romanticization of Paris by Jeunet in Amelie. That was hardly accomplished by Lamangan when he ripped off the same scene in Mano Po 1. He even got the same actor: Gomez, as if he didn't want to be obvious.
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MMFF has three Joel Lamangan films makes it the least respectable line-up ever.
Di pa din siya nanalo ng Best Director. Kasi di naman siya magaling eh. Asa lng siyasa mga writers. Promotion ng pelikula. Big Stars para kumita yung film. And Mayabang!!!
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agree except for Ishmael Bernal's HIMALA which in my book remains the best performance by an actress in Phil. Cinema .....
still MMFF produced such classic gems like Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon, Brutal, Moral, Insiang, Kung Mangarap kat Magising, Jose Rizal, Himala.....
nagsimula lang namang "bumagsak" ang quality ng Metro Manila Film Festival nu'ng nagsimulang hawakan ito directly ng mga mayors and ng MMDA. imagine, ang chairman ng board of jurors for this year ay asawa ni Bayani Fernando na mayor ng Marikina -- ano naman ang kinalaman niya sa pagre-rate o pag-judge ng movies? nu'ng panahong namamayagpag ang festival, ang mga hurado at namamalakad ay galing mismo sa industriya at sa mga artistic instituions katulad ng CCP. ang chairman ng board of jurors nu'ng time ng Himala ay si Dean Lucresia Kasilag.
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Sana naman bago gumawa ng Pelikula ang mga directors at producers ng pelikula manood muna sila ng mga classic films na foreign and international films din. Lagi din naman sila nangagaya diba? Bakit di nalang muna sila manood ng mga classic at international. "para naman matuto" sila. Tapos sasabihin ng mga director ibang concept ng pelikula ang ginawa nila. tsk tsk! >:( Ang hirap kasi sa mga producer na yan tulad ni mother Lily puro balik ng pera ang iniisip. Why not make a film na makikilala abroad na maganda ang concept ng pelikula and kung alam nila na kikita sila. Eh puro pera lang ang iniisip niyan. 3 entries in mmff? im sure di nakabawi sa gastos ang regal niyan. Tinalo pa ng Enteng Kabisote. Magisip-isip ka naman Mother Lily.
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Here now are the nationwide grosses (from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1) of the eight official entries in the 2004 Metro Filmfest which officially ends today:
1. Enteng Kabisote ...................... P83.6M
2. So Happy Together ..................P32.1M
3. Spirit of the Glass ................... P30.9M
4. Mano Po 3 .............................. P27.5M
5. Lastikman ............................... P21.1M
6. Sigaw ...................................... P18.6M
7. Panaghoy sa Suba ...................P10.9M
8. Aicrape Imasu 1941 ................. P10.1M
Talagang nakatawa. Mano Po 1 grossed almost P68 million in 2002 MMFF. Isang movie lang yun.
And this year, it took Regal 4 movies to make P88.3 million.
Yet Enteng Kabisote alone almost matched the combined gross of Regal's 4 entries.
And Mano Po 3 is officially the lowest grossing chapter of Mother Lily's most personal saga.
I think Mother Lily has to retire from producing.
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Here now are the nationwide grosses (from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1) of the eight official entries in the 2004 Metro Filmfest which officially ends today:
1. Enteng Kabisote ...................... P83.6M
2. So Happy Together ..................P32.1M
3. Spirit of the Glass ................... P30.9M
4. Mano Po 3 .............................. P27.5M
5. Lastikman ............................... P21.1M
6. Sigaw ...................................... P18.6M
7. Panaghoy sa Suba ...................P10.9M
8. Ais**te Imasu 1941 ................. P10.1M
Talagang nakatawa. Mano Po 1 grossed almost P68 million in 2002 MMFF. Isang movie lang yun.
And this year, it took Regal 4 movies to make P88.3 million.
Yet Enteng Kabisote alone almost matched the combined gross of Regal's 4 entries.
And Mano Po 3 is officially the lowest grossing chapter of Mother Lily's most personal saga.
I think Mother Lily has to retire from producing.
Enteng Kabisote is truly an enchanted movie, raking in megabucks even though its not... fun to watch. And i'm being very kind. Sure, I like TVJ but this one's uninspired. Well,I guess one man's junk is another man's treasure. Just munchies for the kiddies.
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I thought i just escape or broke my promise that not to watch any regal films entry to MMFF. But i proved myself wrong. I just watch Sigaw by Yam Laranas. Maybe because i like his cinematography and editing. Well siyempre Yam Laranas yan. But Sigaw is from Regal also. Sigaw for me its not scary!!! The scoring that makes me scare or nakakagulat. But montage on the past and present is good. I hope some ordinary film viewers noticed that. Or should i say naiintindihan nila yung takbo ng story. Or sanay lang ako maybe manood ng Asian Horror films. Twist sometimes. Some viewers i heard their reactions after viewing the film that Sigaw is not good!!! Well i hope they really learned on watching films on how to appreciate a good or bad film like Sigaw. Or they get confused on the entire story because of the montage style on past and present.
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I was able to watch three films from the festival.
Sigaw -- Technically great movie. Don't scrutinise too much or the holes will show.
Spirit of the Glass -- We walked out after a 15 minutes. There's nothing to it. It's dull and the actors in it were annoying.
Panaghoy sa Suba. -- Well meaning movie. Too predictable and melodramatic. It's like that summary of all WWII-themed Pinoy movies. But I do admire it's use of a local dialect. Too bad I didn't have the patience to finish the movie. We left halfway through it.
I skipped all the Lamangan movies this time around. I've learned from previous mistakes.
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LA Times declares ‘Sigaw’ a ‘stunner’
First posted 09:58pm (Mla time) Oct 15, 2005
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A2-4 of the October 16, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
LOS ANGELES—YAM LARANAS’ “SIGAW (The Echo)” is off to a screaming good start at the fifth annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival and Screenplay Competition which runs here until Oct. 23.
Los Angeles Times’ film reviewer Kevin Thomas declared the thriller of Laranas, who is now represented by a Hollywood talent agent, as “a real stunner.”
In a capsule review, Thomas said the Richard Gutierrez-Angel Locsin starrer was also a “stylish chiller.”
He added: “Laranas, a master at creating an ominous atmosphere, builds to an exceptionally rigorous, satisfying conclusion. ‘The Echo’ could easily become a cult film.”
“The Echo,” which won several awards in the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival, including a Best Child Performer award for Janella Denise Guevara, will be shown on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. at the Universal Studios Cinemas, 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City.
Ruben Nepales, LA Correspondent
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Vertigo Ent. hears 'Echo' from 'Sigaw'
Vertigo Entertainment will produce "The Echo," a remake of the acclaimed Filipino thriller "Sigaw." Yam Laranas, who co-wrote and directed "Sigaw," will direct the movie, being written by Eric Bernt.
The story revolves around a young ex-con who moves into an old apartment building, only to learn his neighbor is an abusive police officer who savagely beats his wife and daughter. When the ex-con tries to intervene, he becomes trapped in a curse.
Vertigo plans to move quickly with the film, eyeing a March 19 start date.
Vertigo's Roy Lee and Doug Davison will produce with Shintaro Shimosawa and Tyler Mitchell.
The rights were acquired from Regal Films of the Philippines.
The film is being fully financed by venture capitalist Robert Hoff through his new company RightOff Entertainment. Hoff, who fully finances the U.S. Olympic ski team, has been a general partner at Crosspoint Venture Partners since 1983, and was honored this year by the Los Angeles Venture Assn. with a Lifetime Achievement award. He serves as exec producer.
Bernt, repped by Endeavor, recently wrote "The Hitcher" remake for Rogue and Platinum Dunes. He also will serve as an exec producer.
Laranas is repped by ICM.
Vertigo, behind the remake franchises of "The Ring" and "The Grudge" film series, is basking in the glow of the success of Martin Scorsese's "The Departed." The company is in production on "The Strangers" for Universal, "Sassy Girl" for Gold Circle and "Addicted" for the Yari Film Group. Vertigo's next release will be the Nicole Kidman-starrer "The Invasion," scheduled to open Aug. 17.