MMFF 2024 REVIEW: The Kingdom - Alternative World, Same Problems

Finally, there is the concept of an alternative Philippines used as plot for a movie, though seems ambitious, is a promising way to diversify the stories we do with our films. Cinema is a great way to express these theories and make them into a good entertainment material, that is why I would say that The Kingdom starring Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual is groundbreaking and my most anticipated film for the Metro Manila Film Festival.

With the premise of having an alternative Philippines that was never colonized and continued up to the modern day really is an interesting thought. Though that there will still be some influences but not as integrated by being under the colonial powers.

The Kingdom brings me to love our rich culture which we can tell in a new light. It has the best in production value even down to the smallest details, and if you are a history and culture nerd, you will definitely geek out. One of the most interesting "what if" stories of the country yet will also face similar conflicts and struggles. The Kingdom of Kalayaan prevails but deceit and an unjust system remains.

MMFF 2024 REVIEW: And the Breadwinner Is... All Of Us

Vice Ganda is back for the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival with And the Breadwinner Is... directed by Jun Lana and features an ensemble of great actors from the Kapamilya network showing their impact and importance to the Philippine entertainment industry. And it was one of the most talked about movie before the festival with the combination of Vice Ganda as the unkabogable star and groundbreaking movie direction of Jun Lana.

The first half of the film feels more of a fan service which caters to fans of Vice Ganda's comedy which I do enjoy pero it pulls away the moment to let the movie shine on its own.

Pero they have their own shining moment with the family drama especially that family confrontation scene. It was a Pinoy family reality. Masakit ang sumbatan, and at some point we all had that moment with our own families.

MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Espantaho - Old School But Not That Cool

We grew up with Chito S. Roño horror films which has defined cinematic experience and culture through the years, and for the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival, he does deserve a spot for the 50th edition of the festival. Howver with this film Espantaho starring Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino and Chanda Romero, we might have expected too much because of the hype and the number of cinemas it got overall.

Espantaho translates to scarecrow which would be the mysterious entity that will haunt the characters with its mystical ways. The plot actually follows more on the tradition of the Pasiyam (nine-day novena for the dead) which what brought the characters together. The pinoy grieving and funeral culture did stand out as many traditions and customs were observed which can relate to the viewers. However, the plot got lost with the mix of the horror elements and the Pasiyam timeline. 

You can observe that Chito S. Roño signature for his horror films, which I loved and made me look for easter eggs hidden, but being too familiar will also make you bored because of the predictability of the movie. The lore of the pestilence had potential to strike fear but felt short and it was also confusing that there is a lack of sadness and grief when the characters lost her children then shifts emotions like nothing happened. The movie screams Feng Shui and The Healing which I both love but feels like a copycat of those films.

MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital - The best Pinoy found footage to date

MMFF Horror is either a hit or miss for me, but was pleasantly surprised with this film which I believe maybe the longest title for a MMFF horror (ever?) So lets abbreviate this into TKH for this post. 

Set in Taiwan, where a group of celebrities and content creators goes on a ghost hunting in an abandoned hospital where numerous explorers are found dead and cursed. I like they go by their real names which I find kinda meta though I hope it will not also affect them in real life.

The plot may not be new, but the direction and effects were really good. Something that I really wanted to see in a Pinoy horror flick. It may not go full all-out blood and gore but went hard with the suspense and horror quality.

This is what I would recommend if people would ask for a great Pinoy horror movie that does not feel underbugeted. As the cast are also playing themselves, they are too and their works are used as a reference in some of the scenes capitalizing on the fans and haters to build up their own characters for TKH.

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.

MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Hold Me Close - Romance In Japan

Completing my 10 entries of 2024 MMFF with HOLD ME CLOSE starring Carlo Aquino and Julia Barretto, directed by Jason Paul Laxamana. The film is one of romance entries for this year which promises to bring a different kind of love story from the usual. And it does so, but not really what I expected and felt.

The story is about Woody who traveled around the world searching for the perfect home. His latest move was in Japan, where he met Lynlyn and her siblings who are making a living by selling squid. Lynlyn is revealed to have an ability to know if that person could bring joy or pain just by touching them. This ability would also lead to some trouble but will also bring Woody into their lives. At first, there was no reading if it was positive or negative however it will eventually change, as they get to know more about each other. 

Set in my favorite country of Japan, her story and ability are linked with the culture and supernatural entities of the country. Though it can also be adapted to any place with that situation, yet the Japanese aesthetic just made it better but not the story. The actors are great with the performances however it suffers from the lack of establishing connection and emotion. 

MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Uninvited - Thrilling Gatecrashing

Among the entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, UNINVITED is the one that the most of my attention with the interesting plot and star-studded cast. Especially when you bring in Nadine Lustre, Aga Muhlach, and the star for all seasons, Vilma Santos into a movie that brings out a different side of them is really something to watch out for.

Uninvited is Mentorque Productions entry to the 2024 MMFF from their successful film last year 'Mallari'. Now taking things further, they wanted to make a statement with something lavish and outrageous with this movie. From the trailers, we already saw a very feisty Nadine, a ruthless Aga, and a vengeful Vilma. From those characters, I was already sold to watch the film.

Aga plays Guilly Vega, a wealthy billionaire who throws an extravagant birthday party with his wife and daughter Nicole (Nadine) along with his partners who were part of underground illegal activities, Vilma is Lilia Capistrano / Eva Candelaria, a mother seeking revenge for the death of her daughter caused by Gully. 

MMFF 2024 REVIEW: My Future You - Past or Future, It's Time for Kilig

For the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, it would not be complete without an entry from Regal Entertainment, which is a key institution with Pinoy entertainment. This year was also a sad year for them with the passing of their Matriarch, Mother Lily Monteverde. Though her legacy continues with their entry for this year, MY FUTURE YOU.

This was one of the last project Mother Lily greenlit before she passed, giving tremendous faith and opportunity to the two lead stars Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz. This dramatic comedy brings two strangers Lex (Seth) and Karen (Francine) meeting online during a comet event. As the two become closer, they soon realized that they live in two different periods. This opens up opportunities for them to change their past and futures which brings them to affect their lives in good and bad ways.

When the teaser and trailer was introduced months ago, many have pointed out the similarities with the Japanese anime film Kimi No Nawa (Your Name) given that it also has the two-time period romantic plot plus the shooting star (or Comet) is seen as the key visual for their marketing materials. However, after watching, I did see the differences yet found it has more similarities with the anime Steins; Gate because of the time period interventions leading to changes in the future.

MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Green Bones - How Do We Measure Goodness?

In anticipation for the celebration of the Metro Manila Film Festival, we got to see the special advanced screening of Green Bones by GMA Pictures. From the success of their last year's entry Firefly, this probably gave them the inspiration to submit a new entry for this year's MMFF which is now on its golden anniversary.

Written by National Artist Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza, and directed by Zig Dulay, Green Bones is a suspenseful drama which stars Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid.

It tells the story of Dom (Trillo) who is convicted with the murder of his sister and niece living in a penal colony where Xavier (Madrid) enters as a new prison officer driven with hatred to criminals, especially murderers like Dom. Dom is known in the island for being helpful and has a good track record that can lead to his parole. However, this does not sit well with Xavier and keeps a watchful eye on what are Dom's true intentions.