MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Topakk - Solid action from start to end

I miss this kind of action where you can feel the pain of every punch, kick, and blow. And the action and tension is evenly distributed throughout the film and they don't feel like a stageplay action but solid performance that should make me feel if it was real or not. Yet I do believe that they worked hard for those scenes.

Topakk is the only 2024 MMFF entry to have two ratings of R-16 and R-18 depending on the cinema, though the one I watched was the R-18 version but if I would rate it, it can pass as R-16 because it was not too gory unlike films of the same action genre. I guess the rating might be about the mental health problems of Miguel (Arjo) which would be his PTSD.

Though the story is anchored on the Drug trade  and the usual stories, they did make an effort to build up Miguel's story now as a security guard and his encounter with the siblings Weng (Julia) and Bogs (Kokoy). The action was chaotic yet good, though a little dark because of the location and time, still works and also add some thrill for those scenes.

Prime Video Announces Premiere Date and Debuts Official Trailer for Cattleya Killer

Series adaptation of classic ‘90s Filipino film Sa Aking Mga Kamay to debut on Prime Video June 1

The series marks the first local series collaboration between Prime Video and ABS-CBN

Prime Video today announced the premiere date of Cattleya Killer, an Amazon Exclusive crime-thriller series, and debuted the official trailer. The six-episode series, produced by ABS-CBN International Production and Nathan Studios, is based on a classic ‘90s Filipino film, Sa Aking Mga Kamay (In My Own Hands), and will be available on Prime Video on June 1 in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other selected territories. The series marks the first series collaboration between Prime Video and ABS-CBN, further promoting Filipino talents and stories to the world.

Cattleya Killer stars Arjo Atayde, the winner of Best Actor at the 2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards, along with Jake Cuenca, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jane Oineza, Ria Atayde, Ricky Davao, Nonie Buencamino, and Christopher de Leon.

Arjo Atayde Explores New New Genres With Love and Comedy

From his big break with FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano as Joaquin, Arjo Atayde’s roles were usually linked to action and drama. He is the antagonist in Erik Matti’s “Buybust,” and now channels a mentally challenged man in “The General’s Daughter. But he also reinvented himself this year with new projects totally different from antagonistic characters.

A mission to find one’s true identity in ABS-CBN series “The General’s Daughter”

Angel Locsin gets caught in the middle of the battle between two nemeses that will change her life and identity in the action-drama series “The General’s Daughter”, seen outside the Philippines via TFC

ABS-CBN opens the year with the much-awaited union of generations of grand slam actors in the upcoming series “The General’s Daughter”, which is seen in most countries outside the Philippines via The Filipino Channel (TFC), with its pilot episode streaming via TFC Online (www.TFC.tv) on January 21.

International Reviews Are Out! Arjo Atayde Got Thumbs Up From Film Critics!

Reviews of Buybust are out! Arjo Atayde’s character in the film is lauded by film critics. Along with the praise for the film in the New York Asian Film Festival. 

Given his acting prowess with drama and action, he is surely the man for the job. His bloody and gritty look here tells us there will be a lot of blood and violence. He also looks very different from his previous roles with a blonde hair and sinister appeal. Can this also lead to a possible Hollywood role in the future? These things already makes us more excited when Buybust is now showing in cinemas nationwide with Internationals screenings also available (schedules posted on Buybust facebook page).

Buybust -Violently Amazing Filipino Action Film

This took years to finish and now showing in theaters after so many factors that delayed the film's completion. But indeed, quality cannot be rushed. This is what Buybust aims to prove that Filipino action films are indeed works of art, sweat, blood, tears, and fractures. Leading the star-studded cast is Anne Curtis who plays Nina Manigan which already breaks the stereotype that men can only be the lead in an action movie.

Literally a buybust operation, the team of a special drug enforcement unit goes into the belly of the beast to capture a big fish drug lord named Biggie Chen. The team goes inside and found themselves in a labyrinth of shanties, poverty, drugs, and gang-infested "community".  They get caught in a race to either catch the prized criminal o just get out alive.

I have to point out some characters who stood out among the sea of stars here. First was Victor Neri who played Bernie Lacson who leads the team in the operation and really showed his nature as an action star. Next is Brandon Vera, who plays Rico Yatco, he is known to be an MMA fighter but also did well on acting and even had a great chemistry with Anne (not romantic though). Arjo Atayde sheds his charming image to become Biggie Chen who is ruthless and fierce and even looks very different from the roles he played before. And of course, Anne Curtis, who has shown a lot of dedication and work for this film. She gets bloodied and bruised and experienced almost every kind of pain in this film. It was indeed proved her versatility and power to give justice to her character.