REVIEW: CULION - Ensemble Of Emotions From The Colony

As one of the entries for the MMFF 2019, Culion banks on the rich history, stories, and the people which made it a worthy film to be shared this Christmas season. Written by Ricky Lee and directed by Alvin Yapan , Culion goes back to the days where the cure for leprosy is still being discovered and seclusion of lepers remains its only treatment.

The island colony has completely eradicated the disease and now wants the world to know that people can now visit them and get to know their history. There is even a museum about the town and also beautiful mountains and sea views as it is part of the province of Palawan.

The story of Culion in The Commonwealth era are already an ensemble of stories from the patients, government officials, clergy, and Sano (unaffected residents). Being a national institution it also brought in people from different regions in the Philippines, which makes it colorful linguistically.

My 2 Mommies Brings In The "Momshie" in Mother's Day

Mothers have been a common sight in Pinoy movies, and they always have a featured film for mother's Day. This year, they made a interesting change with My 2 Mommies starring Paolo Ballesteros, Solen Heussaff, Joem Bascon and Maricel Soriano. The movie brings another gay role for Paolo in which one gave him an acting award.

This new film may be an alternative approach from the usual mother-children stories which we might have outgrown now. However, this new film is out to make a statement of LGBT parents, that motherhood is not exclusively for women but also parents who embraced motherhood in all its forms. Paolo here is Manu, openly gay and partnered, finds out he has a son from a friend who is now 7 years old.

REEL DEAL: Heneral Luna REVIEW

We has seen a lot of historical films of heroes and some were good but there are some who are too commercial and lost its touch, but Heneral Luna is something I consider a great work of art in film. We have already countless number of films about Bonifacio and Rizal, but do we mind to see the other heroes who played a major part in the road to independence? 

That is where we see Antonio Luna who is the general of the armed forces of the Philippines. The brother of the famed painter Juan Luna, and also one of the key personalities in the liberation from Spain (which is short-lived with the arrival of the Americans). He was portrayed with all sides, being the brave general of war but also a hot-headed leader which led many to despise him.

Heneral Luna went into a lot of disputes with his stand, he does not want to be under the Americans and wants to unify and strengthen the army of the republic. John Arcilla played the part effectively and with also an ensemble cast that brought conspiracy and betrayal in different ways. It is also a shout out to the present time with the mentality and situation looks familiar to the present state of the country.

REEL DEAL MMFF 2013: Boy Golden REVIEW

Action movies are making a comeback to the Philippine movie industry, and they are making waves and revolutionizing Pinoy action films are made. With the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) being the most anticipated movie extravaganza in the Philippines, it is also a great time to showcase this genre to compete among comedy and horror films. For this year 2013, one of the action films included here is Boy Golden: The Arturo Porcuna Story.

Directed by Chito Rono, and led by Manila Kingpin, El Presidente star and Laguna Governor Jorge "ER"  Ejercito and KC Concepcion, it narrates the life of the infamous gangster Arturo "Boy Golden" Porcuna during the 1960's (which is similar to ER's last film about Asiong Salonga). 

Being a period film makes it more complicated and detail-oriented, they managed to pull this off make an impression. And that was the struggle back in their previous films, however they learn from their past mistakes and made a lot of improvements for this film. There is also a odd style of lighting technique used for the film which I can describe as "psychedelic" but makes its distinction as not the average type of film.

Fight and gang scenes are the most interesting part of the movie with practically everyone involved in one way or another. Who would thought that gangland Manila was this brutal and chaotic. So far, the only recommendation for improvement would be the special effects, it is decent but might need to be more refined.

Another interesting thing in Boy Golden is the "loveteam" of KC and ER. It may be an unlikely pair for some, but it can be seen as more of "partners in crime" than a romantic tandem. well it is a gangster movie anyway and not a chick flick.

Boy Golden Cast Raid Glorietta For Their Mall Tour

One of the to-watch films for the Metro Manila Film Festival is "Boy Golden: The Arturo Pocurna Story" makes their mall tour before the opening of the MMFF in theaters. The cast led by KC Concepcion, John Estrada, and Buboy Villar takes the spotlight in one of busiest malls in the metro to meet and greet fans and mall goers to watch Boy Golden.

Though ER Ejercito may not be at the mall show, it got a lot of attention with its trailer and some singing acts made by Buboy Villar and KC. Buboy shares that his role is a gay teenager, a huge change from being a child sidekick in his previous projects. John Estrada is also a crowd favorite as he emerges and throws posters and shirts to the crowd. John plays the antagonist  in the movie and also can be considered as his "comeback" as he is very seldom seen doing movies  especially action films.

REAL DEAL MMFF 2013: Boy Golden

Another MMFF entry we love to see this season is Boy Golden : The Arturo Porcuna Story by Screema Concept and Viva Films. Led by ER Ejercito (from Asiong Salonga and El Presidente), and KC Concepcion, the movie is set in the 60's gangland Manila. Drected by Chito Rono.

ER will play the gangster Arturo “Boy Golden” Porcuna whle KC plays Marla Dee. This action-packed movie brings the feel of the old city and the gang wars which happened back then. John Estrada, Baron Giesler, Eddie Garcia, Leo Martinez, John Hillaro, Joem Bascon, John Lapuz, Gloria Sevilla, Roi Vinzon, Dick Israel, Buboy Villar, Dexter Doria and Mon Confiado are also casted for this film where most of them also worked with the past 2 films of ER Ejercito.

A movie of many first for many of the stars, like the partnership of KC and ER, KC's action film leading role. The success of Manila Kingpin and El Presidente paved the way for the anticipation for another action-filled ER movie.

REEL DEAL Movies and Television: Nasaan ka Elisa? Spotlight

From an international hit from Telemundo and has been adapted by many countries and now here on Philippine TV through ABS CBN. Nasan Ka Elisa? Based from the Chilean series ¿Dónde está Elisa? Elisa, (Melissa Ricks) is the rich heir of Altamiras, Mariano (Albert Martinez) and Dana (Agot Isidro). A perfect daughter in the eyes of her parents but also have a secret unknown to them. One night, after Mariano's party, Elisa insists with her father that she be allowed to go out with her younger sister, Cristine (Isabella De Leon) and her cousins, Santi (Franco Daza) and Eduardo (Aldred Gatchalian). They go to a local club where a party is being held. The three, except Elisa, soon get drunk. When Dana and Vivian (Mickey Ferriols) come to pick them up, they see that they are drunk and find out that Elisa is now missing.

REEL DEAL Movies and Television: The Adventures of Pureza Queen of the Riles

The Adventures of Pureza

Queen of the Riles

Presscon

We can't help to  love  MELASON (Melai Cantiveros and Jason Fransisco) even outside the big brother  house. They have been household names ever since. I consider Melai as my favorite big winner for PBB. They have indeed come a long way now, aside from their regular shows like banana split Happy Yipee Yehey and other shows like Wansapanatym's "Inday Bote"  they both have leveled-up into a making their first Movie together: “The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles”!

The newest comedy offering from Star Cinema with Sine Screen, Melai and Jason takes the limelight this time as major lead stars like Joem Bascon, Nico Antonio Martin Del Rosrio, Bekimon, Bianca Manalo with Special Participation of Pokwang and Ms. Gina Pareno. In fact, the Prinsesa ng Masa, Melai, gets the title role no less in what could be the birth of another ace comedienne. And the whole country couldn’t be any happier…