My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore

Many fans and netizens have already concluded that this movie would be 2015 MMFF’s Top-Grosser, merely due to the fact that it features the phenomenal “Kalyeserye” loveteam of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. Despite the highly competitive casting of other MMFF entries and the cutting-edge technologies they used, Aldub fans still believe that this movie of Bossing Vic Sotto is the one to beat when it comes to Box Office results. It would not even be a surprise if “My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore” would get to win the Best Picture award.

This romantic comedy flick is mainly about the story of Vito (Vic Sotto) and Cora (Ai Ai delas Alas) who started out as bitter business rivals of each other, but eventually got into an unexpected romantic relationship. Along with their unlikely love story is the blossoming of the romantic relationship between Dondi (Alden Richards), Cora’s nephew, and Anna (Maine Mendoza), Vito’s daughter. Included also to the movie’s cast are Arlene Muhlach, Valeen Montenegro, Ryan Yllana, and Sancho Vito delas Alas. Additionally, some of Eat Bulaga’s dabarkads such as Joey de Leon, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, and Ryzza Mae Dizon, have special appearance in the movie.

“My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore” was directed by Jose Javier Reyes who also did the screenplay. It is actually a combined project of production companies APT Entertainment, GMA Films, M-Zet Productions, MEDA Productions, and OctoArts Films. This rom-com film will be released in theaters on December 2015 as one of the 8 contenders of the upcoming 41st Metro Manila Film Festival. Also, it was later on confirmed that the movie will also be released internationally, particularly in San Francisc o, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Melbourne. Producers are very confident that this project would be able to reach tremendous success that the contending MMFF entries could barely match with.

Beauty and the Bestie

After his blockbuster MMFF movies “Sisterakas” (2012), “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” (2013), and “Praybeyt Benjamin” (2014) with award-winning Director Wenn V. Deramas, phenomenal star Vice Ganda once again hits the silver screen in the coming Christmas Day in one of Star Cinema’s entries for this year “Beauty and the Bestie”. This time, he is teaming up with the country’s Primetime King and prominent action-drama actor, Coco Martin as he gets into another comic action set up.

Other than the fresh tandem of Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, what’s so enticing in this movie is the inclusion of the country’s current hottest love team, Jadine. Perhaps, that fact alone already gives a good match with the other MMFF entry “My Bebe Love (#Kiligpamore)”, which features the tandem of giant stars Vic Sotto and Ai Ai de Alas Alas along with the country’s first-ever “Kalyeserye” superstars Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. Indeed the movie that includes the notable loveteam of James Reid and Nadine Lustre is among the most anticipated in this year’s filmfest to be the top-grosser and potential Best Picture winner. Just remember the tremendous success they got in their previous movie projects “Diary ng Panget”, “Talk Back and You’re Dead”, and “Para Sa Hopeless Romantic”.

In “Beauty and the Bestie”, the two lead stars will be portraying the role of best friends got separated for some time but then reunited by a mission. James Reid’s and Nadine Lustre's characters will be the respective siblings of the said best friends. Overall, the movie is jam-packed with humorous lines added with “kilig” scenes and guns-and-bullets action stunts. Along with the other MMFF entries, “Beauty and the Bestie” will be released on December 25, 2015. It would be a good movie choice if you prefer to have lots of laughter in this coming Christmas Day.

All You Need Is Pag-Ibig

Following up to the undeniable success of her latest movie “Etiquette for Mistresses”, the Queen of Talk, Kris Aquino, now comes with another Metro Manila Film Festival entry, “All You Need Is Pag-Ibig”. In this movie, she teams up with last year’s MMFF Best Actor Derek Ramsey and they are joined by other brilliant stars of Philippine show business, including Nova Villa, Ronaldo Valdez, Ian Veneracion, Jodi Sta. Maria, Xian Lim, and Kim Chiu. Plus, child stars Bimby Aquino Yap, Julia Concio, and Talia Concio are part of the film’s cast as well.

Originally, Herbert Bautista was set to be Kris Aquino’s leading man, but due to some conflicts, he backed out and was replaced by Derek Ramsey. This project is actually one of Star Cinema’s two film entries (the other entry is “Beauty and the Bestie”) for this year’s filmfest. It is also Bimby Aquino Yap’s third movie, following to “My Little Bossings” (2013) and “Praybeyt Benjamin 2” (2014) – both are MMFF entries during their respective release date.

As the title suggests, “All You Need is Pag-ibig” is primarily a love story that comes in different form. This movie is classified as romantic comedy, the movie genre that the loveteam Kimxi (Kim Chiu and Xian Lim) has been notable for. Adding to the kilig factor is the first ever movie team up of Ian Veneracion and Jodi Sta. Maria who are currently playing the role of the real love interest of each other’s character in ABS-CBN’s primetime TV drama series, “Pangako Sa ‘Yo”.

Along with the seven other film entries for the upcoming MMFF, “All You Need is Pag-ibig” will be released in theaters nationwide on December 25, 2015. But the important question is, will this exciting rom-com film be able to beat or at least match the success that “My Bebe Love: #Kiligpamore” would about to receive?

#WalangForever

Being last year’s MMFF Best Actress, Jennylyn Mercado is definitely among the most anticipated superstars to lead in a 2015 filmfest entry. Many fans and critics are now very eager to see if she will make it again this time and also if her movie will be able to make it as big as “English Only, Please” did or even better.

With one of today’s most celebrated drama actors and musical performers Jericho Rosales, “#WalangForever” puts Jennylyn Mercado once again at the center stage of a rom-com setup. This MMFF movie entry has a very enticing and notable trailer. It is something to watch out for on December 25th, whether you believe or not that there is such thing as ‘eternal love’. Produced by Quantum Films with Director Dan Villegas, this romantic comedy film features a love story that reflects some of the sad realities of a lovers’ relationship. Jennylyn’s character, who is a well-known rom-com writer, in this movie is very interesting and surely, many ladies out there can easily relate to her.

Joining the said superstars in this 2015 MMFF entry are Ms. Lorna Tolentino, Matet de Leon, Sofia Andres, Julian Estrada, Jerald Napoles, Nico Antonio, Pepe Herrera, Cai Cortez, Kim Molina, Juan Miguel Severo, and Sebastian Castro. Intense acting performances of Jennylyn and Jericho with them are highly anticipated as well, especially with Ms. Lorna Tolentino.

Supposedly, it was announced earlier this year that the male lead role will be given to JM de Guzman, the “That Thing Called Tadhana” starrer. Because of the fact that his movie and “English Only, Please” were among last year’s most notable rom-com films, many fans were already excited for “#WalangForever”. However, due to the tight schedule of JM de Guzman, it was decided that he would be replaced by Jericho Rosales, who just finished his latest TV drama series “Bridges of Love”.

Nilalang

Is there any guy who knows Maria Ozawa would dare to miss this 2015 MMFF entry? Cesar Montano is so much blessed to get to work with the said phenomenal Japanese celebrity and perhaps, a lot of other Filipino actors wish to have taken his place instead. This movie project is truly something that happens once in a blue moon only and it actually took a lot of planning and negotiations before the producers finally had this film pushed through. In fact, it was Robin Padilla who was first announced to star in this movie as the leading man of Maria Ozawa, but he eventually backed out due to his wife’s delicate pregnancy.

“Nilalang”, also titled as “Sonzai-sha, is basically an action-packed horror-suspense movie that is all about the quest against a mysterious creature that eats human flesh and does something brutal with the victim’s dead body as part of a ritual. It also tackles something about anomalies among Philippine cops with the Japanese Yakuza. The movie was produced by Haunted Tower Pictures, WeLovePost, Parallax Studios, and VIVA Films. It was directed and written by Pedring Lopez.

Meg Imperial, one of the most promising Viva princesses, holds also a significant role in this special horror-suspense action film. She will be portraying the role of a lady cop who will participate in the mission that would solve the mystery behind the heinous serial killings in Manila. Meanwhile, included to the rest of the cast of “Nilalang” are Yam Concepcion, Aubrey Miles, Cholo Barretto, Dido de la Paz, and Kiko Matos. In addition to the exciting fight scenes and state-of-the-art special effects, the movie also features a 3-minute kissing scene between the lead stars Cesar Montano and Maria Ozawa. This is definitely something to watch out for. “Nilalang” will be released in theaters nationwide on December 25, along with the seven other MMFF entries for the year 2015.

Haunted Mansion

Don’t worry that there’s no “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” franchise this year, because there are actually three horror films competing for this upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). One of these is “Haunted Mansion”, which is anticipated to be the perfect choice for people who are game for a lot of screams and frightening moments. What do this movie has to offer that differentiates it from its contenders “Nilalang” and “Buy Now, Die Later” in the horror genre?

First, it is highly expected to be really scary as it features supernatural entities that are thought to have remained as urban legends only. Even its theatrical movie poster is scary enough to warn people that the film is something that will make you scream your lungs out loud. Another thing that differentiates this movie from the other two MMFF horror entries is its well-written script and storyline that are both essential in letting the viewers know what the movie is all about in the most creative way possible. Third thing is that it has simple, yet realistic enough CGI effects and prosthetics that make even little details add up to the weird and creepy atmosphere in many scenes of this horror-suspense movie.

“Haunted Mansion” is the debut movie of three of the country’s most promising teen stars Jerome Ponce, Marlo Mortel, and Janella Salvador. Produced and distributed by Regal Entertainment, this film also stars Sharlene San Pedro, Devon Seron, Ingrid dela Paz, Eliza Pineda, Iza Calzado, LJ Reyes, Paolo Contis, Janie de Belen, Dominic Ochoa, Lilet, Joem Bascon, Allan Paule, Phytos Ramirez, Archie Adamos, Paulo Gumabao, Sue Prado, Vangie Labalan, and Arlene Muhlach. It was directed and written by Jun Lana and is set to start hitting the big screens in different parts of the country with lots of frightening screams on December 25, 2015.

Honor Thy Father

What would you expect in a movie directed and written by Erik Matti? Of course, it’s nothing but excellence and surprise. Truly, the said man of art is reputable for producing fresh and intriguing suspense-thriller movies. How much more now that his latest masterpiece for the 2015 MMFF features one of this generation’s most highly regarded dramatic actor, John Lloyd Cruz?

Screened in this year’s Toronto International Film Festival – Contemporary World section, Erik Matti’s “Honor Thy Father” is set to be released on December 25 in the country as one of the official entries of the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival. Other than John Lloyd Cruz, the movie also stars Tirso Cruz III, Dan Fernandez, Meryll Soriano, Yayo Aguila, Khalil Ramos, Krystal Brimner, Dalin Sarmiento, Perla Bautista, Lander Vera Perez, Boom Labrusca, and William Martinez. There are so many things to watch out for in this movie. This is absolutely set apart from the rest of this year’s MMFF entries, knowing the fact that it is an indie film mastered by a man who does not settle for filmmaking stereotypes

This is the first time for John Lloyd to take the lead role in an indie film, and so it’s indeed a much-awaited film of the year. Actually it’s the reason why he had his hair shaved off. In an interview, he confidently stated that he is willing to put some of his movie/TV projects and product endorsements at risk just to pursue something different in his career.

If you are sick and tired of the love story clichés or senseless comic acts, or ridiculous horror stereotypes, then this is the perfect choice for something worth watching this coming Christmas Day. The movie is intended to be an eye-opener on things that are actually happening in today’s society. Thus, it is truly an MMFF masterpiece wise moviegoers should never miss.

Buy Now, Die Later

Another interesting Filipino horror film is about to be launched in the big screens. Directed by Randolf Longjas and written by Allan Habon, “Buy Now, Die Later” is undoubtedly one of the 2015 MMFF entries with the highest potential of winning the major awards. This exciting horror movie may be somewhat similar to the late 90s film series “Wishmaster”, it still has a lot of definitely shocking and terrifying scenes to watch out for.

Leading the powerhouse cast of “Buy Now, Die Later” are Vhong Navarro, TJ Trinidad, Rayver Cruz, Alex Gonzaga, Lotlot de Leon, and Janine Gutierrez. The movie’s plot basically revolves around the story of five persons who, for some reasons, decided to accept an offer that will fulfill their personal or lustful desires in exchange of their soul. Nothing but superb acting performances blended with cutting edge CGI effects, and many other excellent film elements are expected in this MMFF horror entry. Upon seeing the full trailer on TV and several social media platforms, many avid fans of scary films and fans of the said lead stars have already expecting a whole new level of filmmaking excellence in this movie genre.

This year’s MMFF is indeed stuffed with very promising film entries and of course, horror movies are among the main competitors. To some, the absence of a “Shake, Rattle, & Roll” entry may be sad news but to others, it is good news, believing that it’s better to see full-length horror movies like “Buy Now, Die Later” than to watch another set of 3 short-length films joined together as a franchise of the hall-of-famer horror trilogy. One thing’s for sure on December 25th – it would be a healthy competition this year for MMFF. Gone are the days where obviously senseless and lousy movies get to join in this film festival.