REEL DEAL: Imagine You and Me REVIEW

It was always clamored by fans of AlDub to have their own movie, though they started with My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore, the MMFF movie was created for the Vic and Aiai team up with the addition of Alden and Maine as they became the biggest discovery of the noontime show. After several concepts presented, they were given the scripts to Imagine You and Me. Along with that are tickets to Italy which they will be filming the movie.

The concept of overseas love stories is not new to us, but they wanted to be as close to their theme with the romance of Romeo and Juliet. Filmed in the picturesque city of Como, is the not the usual cities we know but it does have that charm perfect to set up a love story. Imagine You And Me showed what AlDub stands for and we can connect to it.

There are also a lot of actors and cameos which appeared in the movie, and one of the stand out among them are Irma Adlawan and Jasmine Curtis-Smith. Commendable performances for comedy also includes Cai Cortez and Cacai Bautista which provided really hilarious moments alongside Maine. 

It has an interesting mix of light and heavy scenes which I would say is a roller coaster of emotions. And truly they have delivered kilig moments with the character. Since this movie took a while for concepts and filming, it does show that these types of genre must never be rushed and always take perfect time (Tamang Panahon) for it to be effective and moving.

AlDub Celebrates One Year With Imagine You and Me

It is almost one year when we were introduced to Yaya Dub and Alden which many would never though would explode into a worldwide phenomenon that trended everyday and has conquered a lot of brands. We also remember that the hashtag #AlDubEBSaTamangPanahon trended as the most used hashtag in 24 hours as certified by twitter and the Guinness World Records.

This success also meant endorsements and more exposure for the couple which they said is really life changing for the both of them. Alden who has been a kapuso star and has been paired with Louise Delos Reyes and Marian Rivera and also had a stint in playing Jose Rizal for Illustrado, found himself in Eat Bulaga primarily to promote and dance met in a segment of Juan for All, All for One with Jose and Wally the Dubsmash Diva which is Yaya Dub. And you all know what happened next.

Kubot The Aswang Chronicles 2 REVIEW

This upcoming MMFF season, I am happy to see that GMA Films and Reality Entertainment has an entry for the Film Festival which gives another flavor among the recurring films which has left it saturated. Kubot The Aswang Chronicles 2 is a follow up to TikTik which was shown back in 2012. Starring Dingdong Dantes as Makoy, he ventures first to Pulapandan to get her pregnant girlfriend back which eventually led them into a big fight with the Tiktiks. And the conflict continues with another group of aswangs called the Kubot, aswangs who have very long hair which they use to envelop their prey and eat their insides.

We have always seen aswang in many ways in Philippine Cinema but we have yet to discover the diversity and the various aspects that they add to the Filipino society. And direk Erik Matti's concept of having a trilogy about them would help us know more about our own monsters which is not limited to tyanaks and Mananangals.

REEL DEAL: The Aswang Chronicles Continues With Kubot

We have waited enough and Direk Erik Matti and Dingdong Dantes has finally made Christmas complete with the entry of Agosto Dos and GMA Films for the second installment of the aswang series after Tiktik with Kubot The Aswang Chronicles 2.

The second movie will continue from where they left off after defeating the group of Tiktik which had a lot of action and unfortunate events. Though there were a lot of things to improve on for the first movie, they have made amends and applied that on the second movie. This time the action moves from the rural landscape into the urban city life. Makoy finds himself more involved with the Aswangs as another kind wants him and his family dead.

REEL DEAL: Marian and Richard’s “My Lady Boss” opens in cinemas today

Kapuso royalties Marian Rivera and Richard Gutierrez are starring in the romantic-comedy film, “My Lady Boss” which is showing in nationwide theatres beginning today, July 3.

The movie is about Evelyn (Marian Rivera), a tough self-made “lady boss” whose problems in love and at home makes her transform into a much-hated, grumpy monster in the workplace.  This remained so until she meets Zack (Richard Gutierrez), an easy-go-lucky employee who was forced into the workforce after all of his attempts at doing business failed because of his being irresponsible and his lack of experience.

Challenged by Evelyn’s toughness, Zack tries to “soften” her with his playboy tricks.  The lady boss fell victim to his ploy and eventually fell in love with him.  But love has no place in the corporate world and whether they like it or not, they will have to either hide it or risk their careers.  To make things even more complicated, Evelyn does not know that for Zack, their romance is just a casual, no-strings-attached affair.  This breaks Evelyn’s heart and piques Zack’s conscience.  In Zack’s discernment, however, he realizes that he has unwittingly fallen in love with his lady boss. But is it too late?

Mother Lily, Marian make peace after "misunderstanding"

After news reports on Wednesday (June 19) revealed a "misunderstanding" between Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde and Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, which had something to do with Regal's non-participation in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the two patched things up on Thursday, June 20, at the press conference of Marian's upcoming movie with Richard Gutierrez, "My Lady Boss."

In an interview, Marian said that she has a lot to thank Monteverde for and that without her support and help, she (Marian) would not have become the star that she is today. She maintained that whatever happened between her and the producer was just a "misunderstanding."

Later in the press conference Monteverde arrived and Marian welcomed her with a tight hug which lightened up the tensed atmosphere. 

Ramon Bautista takes ‘friend zone’ fever to the corporate world

Are you in love with your officemate – or worse – your boss?  Then you have a potentially big problem.  But don’t worry, comedian and TV host Ramon Bautista might have a solution to your predicament.

After his “Tales from the Friend Zone” video series became popular on video sharing website, YouTube, Bautista recently released a new video series tackling a different relationship issue.

While the first series dealt with problems that occur when courtship goes south and ends in an awkward state of being “just friends” or “friend zone,” the new web series deals with the woes of office romances.

Richard Gutierrez ‘wowed’ by Marian Rivera’s sexy magazine pictorial

Kapuso royalty Richard Gutierrez admits that he was stunned by how bold and sexy his leading lady Marian Rivera looked in her recent pictorial for a popular men’s magazine, which reportedly was a sold-out issue.  According to reports, the magazine’s publishers had to do a reprint of the issue to fill in the demand for copies.

According to Richard, he saw Marian’s photos even before copies of the magazine became available in stores.  He even quipped that he was one of those who stamped the final seal of approval for its publication.

“Sosy Problems" a must-see movie this Christmas

Heart, Solenn, Bianca, Rhian topbill GMA Films’ 2012 MMFF entry “Sosy Problems”

This Christmas, GMA Films will bring summer-level heat to the supposedly cool season as it ushers four lovely and gorgeous “sosy” ladies on to the big screen with “Sosy Problems,” its official entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The light comedy movie stars Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos with Kapuso hunk Aljur Abrenica.  

“Sosy Problems,” which opened in nationwide theatres today, December 25, is about four rich and famous ladies and their seemingly trivial, but nevertheless, hilarious sources of stress.

Their main problem, however, is that their favorite hangout place, The Polo Club, which reminds them of all the memories of their “firsts” in life – including their first kisses and love affairs – is in danger of being torn down and replaced with a mall that is not so much for the rich and famous: in other words, not a “sosy” mall.

The “sosy” ladies will do everything they can in order to stop the Polo Club owners from pursuing their plans, and they will risk everything -- even their poise and glamour – to achieve their goal.  In the end, out of desperation, they make a fool out of themselves -- and that’s the joke.

REEL DEAL: Sosy Problems REVIEW (MMFF Special)

For the MMFF, I am interested with something unique for the season and Sosy Problems was one of them. They might be mistakenly compared to another MMFF movie Desperadas which is also a band of girls.  But these girls are the super duper upper class ones with each having their own issues despite their wealth and social status.

The movie stars Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos as the wealthy and "sosyal" ladies. Also in the cast are Cherie Gil, Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon, Aljur Abrenica, Alden Richards, Mikael Daez, Tim Yap, and Ruffa Gutierrez.

Though it may show their rich and lavish lifestyle, it shows an exaggerated yet entertaining execution of their ignorance and struggles despite having everything. With the people around them also causing their dilemmas, their world gets crazier and crazier.

It features many life parodies of the rich and powerful. Like the instant Millionaires, Accused Politicians, Business Tycoons, and Beauty Rivalry. There is also a touch of ordinary people which balances the social struggles and at some point reminded me of very rich kids shown in reality shows and how they breakdown. It caters to both sexes, like for the girls is the ultimate "kikay barkada, BFF Forever!" one would want to have, and for the men, the beautiful and sexy ladies who charms everyone without going all out. I think Donya Angelica Santibanez will like the movie as she is also the "Sosy" Meme!

“Sosy Problems" a must-see movie this Christmas

GMA Films’ official entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival, “Sosy Problems,” opened in nationwide theatres (December 25) along with the rest of the entries in the annual festival. 

Directed by Andoy Ranay, the comedy film stars Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos with Aljur Abrenica.

Also starring in the movie are Mikael Daez as Santi, Alden Richards as Iñigo, classy character actress Cherie Gil as Martina, Mylene Dizon as Bernice, Mikey Bustos as Denmark, Tim Yap as Jamie Yap, Agot Isidro as Glory, Maritoni Fernandez as Dada, Johnny Revilla as Gabriel, Ricky Davao as Sebastian, Nova Villa as Lola Patria, Barbie Forteza as Becca, Kristoffer Martin as Israel with the special participation of Ruffa Gutierrez as Luca.

REEL DEAL: ‘Sosy Problems’: Comedy to the ‘sosiest’ level

Beginning today, Christmas Day, GMA Films will make moviegoers experience a holiday treat to the ‘sosiest’ level with “Sosy Problems,” its official entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The movie, which stars four of GMA Network’s hottest leading ladies: Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos with Kapuso hunk actor Aljur Abrenica, is set to deliver a different kind of comedy: one that is light and “sosy.”

“Sosy Problems” is anything but slapstick comedy, although one could dub it as ‘lipstick comedy’ in that aside from titillating the funny bones of fans of comedy films, it will surely whet the appetite of movie viewers who are interested in high life fashion. 

The movie tells about four rich, famous and gorgeous ladies who have one major problem: their favorite hangout place, The Polo Club, is in danger of being demolished and its owners are planning to build a not-so-sosy mall in its place.  The ladies will join forces and combine their resources in order to bring the demolition to a halt.  They will risk everything – even their poise and composure – to send their message across.  

REEL DEAL: Sosy Problems INTERVIEW

Here is the pocket interview with Solenn Heusaff, Rhian Ramos, and Bianca King held last December 18, 2012 talking about their MMFF movies "Sosy Problems."

Note: Heart Evangelista, who is also one of the lead stars of the movie, was not available for the pocket interview because she was dubbing her dialogues in the film.

Q: What are your characters in the movie?

 

SOLENN: “Ako dito si Margaux, I am half-Filipina and half-French.  Wala na akong dad and my mom is married to a French ambassador.  Super super yaman kami.  Actually, wala naman akong masyadong problema except that lagi lang akong in competition with my bestfriend, Claudia (Heart Evangelista).  Bukod sa amin, yung mga mommies din namin are competiting with each other.” 

RHIAN: “My character’s name is Lizzie, and she’s the richest in the group.  She’s very flashy; she’s never subtle.  She likes to flash her money around.  She’s also bossy.  Her problem is actually more of an internal problem.  Her friends and family just give up on her because she’s really a brat and she’s very annoying.  She finds herself by finally living a life of simplicity.  The funny part in it is that when you take someone who doesn’t know how to do what common people do and you put them in a situation where they have no choice, like Solenn in Survivor (laughs).”

REEL DEAL: Sosy Problems MMFF SPOTLIGHT

'It' girls rock the silver screen via GMA Films' Metro Manila Film Festival entry Sosy Problems 

On December 25, the country's hottest "it" girls Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos come together for Sosy Problems, the glossiest entry of GMA Films to this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Four girls, rich and famous, may have the most expensive pairs of shoes, high-end designer bags and the life that every girl wanted - but behind the glitz and glamour are the struggles and differences that they have to face.

In the story, Sosy girls' tambayan, The Polo Club, is in danger of being torn down. The new owners of the exclusive club want to build a "yaya mall" - which for the girls is not at all a Sosy plan.

Dingdong Dantes optimistic about the success of "Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles"

Kapuso primetime royalty Dingdong Dantes is very optimistic about the success of his upcoming horror film, "Tiktik: The Aswang Chronices," which will hit nationwide theatres last Wednesday, October 17.

The movie, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Erik Matti, is pioneering in its use of digital set extension via chroma key or "green screen" technology in all of its sequences.  The film, arguably the biggest horror film of 2012, is shot entirely in green screen and utilises a combination of live action footage and three-dimensional computer graphics (CG).

In his rounds of radio promotions for the film starting with GMA's flagship radio stations DZBB (AM) and Barangay LS 97.1 (FM), Dantes expressed pride for his film, which took more than a year to create.

REEL DEAL: Tiktik The Aswang Chronicles REVIEW

Yes there might have been thousands of aswangs movies made in Philippine Cinema, yet this one has made me excited for months as it was first revealed at summer Komikon with its comic launch. TIKTIK THE ASWANG CHRONICLES came with a different approach and a brand new technology that sets its apart from other local movies.

It was a powerhouse cast starring Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Joey Marquez, Ramon Bautista, and Janice De Belen for Team Astig (the anti-aswangs). With the situation in the family already in tension with Sonia (Lovi) being pregnant with Makoy (Dingdong) and tries to win her back. And it seems to be an unfair fight with almost a town of aswangs after the small family.

This is also Direk Erik Matti's latest offering after not having movies for quite some time. The movie took some time for it to be shot and post processed. But it was indeed worth the wait and worthy to have a sequel.

Producers reportedly spent close to P80M for "Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles"

During the press conference of the upcoming horror film "Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles" the producers of the film confirmed reports that they have apparently spent close to P80million for its production.  

Given the complexity of the film's effects, it is not unlikely that its total cost would reach close to the rumoured amount, explained the producers.  While the live action sequences were shot within just 28 days (still unusually longer than most local productions), the post-production stage took more than a year to complete.

Dingdong Dantes' guesting in DZBB and Barangay LS FM

Last Tuesday, October 9, kapuso leading man and lead star of the much talked-about horror film "Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles" dropped by the studios of GMA's flagship radio stations -- DZBB AM and Barangay LS 97.1 FM -- to promote his film. GMA Films is one of the five producers of "Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles." The Erik Matti movie will hit theaters beginning Wednesday, October 17.

REEL DEAL: Tiktik The Aswang Chrnicles SPOTLIGHT

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles is a horror adventure destined to be the benchmark by which films of its type will be judged   

Filmmaking is about taking risks, says Erik Matti, writer and director of the biggest horror adventure of 2012, Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles. What else would you call the movie’s astronomical budget, the decision to shoot it entirely on green screen and have a bad boy character as the film’s main protagonist?

The concept immediately appealed to lead actor Dingdong Dantes who is playing against type in this project. “Collaborating with Erik Matti and executive producer Dondon Monteverde allowed me to break out of the stereotype of my roles on TV and in the movies.”

REEL DEAL: Tiktik The Aswang Chronicles SNEAK PEEK

As a comic fan, I heard about the movie Tiktik The Aswang Chronicles way back in summer Komikon. And when I saw it there for the first time, I was really impressed. It brought Filipino Thriller Movies to a whole new level. We had the chace to take a sneak peek at the movie, with it meticulous production which actually took years in the making.

The movie made a lot of first with its production, and it starts with a very good plot. We know that there are a lot of aswang movies made in the past that we sometimes don't see nothing new with their story. But this one laid a great foundation with building the connection of the characters. Speaking of characters, Dingdong Dantes looks really cool in this movie as he does a lot of action and a unique approach to the character. Plus add heavyweight actors like Joey Marquez, Janice De Belen, Lovi Poe and Ramon Bautista just to name a few makes a unusual yet perfect combination of personalities to the story.