REEL DEAL: Honor Thy Father REVIEW

If there would that would stand out this year for the Metro Manila Film Festival is the inclusion of the film HONOR THY FATHER by Erik Matti. The film was also produced by its lead actor John Lloyd Cruz. The announcement of the film to be included in this year's roster was made in late October which surprised the public, and also gave a shorter time for marketing compared to the other entries.

Honor Thy Father is unique by showing a spectrum of fathers in matriarchal inclined Filipino film industry. But mothers also play a great part on this movie that intensifies the scenes. It has also been ages since we seen a film made in the North, as we see not the tourist sites but the mountains, the mines, and the terrains that gives us a new feeling.

Honor Thy Father comes as a relief to film goers who prefer serous and meticulous movies that targets real social issues and would definitely make an impact in for the festival. But despite the great reviews it got with earlier screenings as a feature film in Cinema One Original Festival, the film cries fouls with initially the limited cinemas and some are pulling out the film to give the slot to the popular films. There is also the controversy with the disqualification from the Best Picture Award because of "non-disclosure" that did not comply to the regulation of the festival.

Despite the movie being disqualified in the best picture race, it bagged awards in the Festival for Best Original Song, Best Make-Up Artist (Ryan Panaligan & Erika Racela), Best Supporting Actor (Tirso Cruz III) Best Child Performer (Krystal Brimmer), and Best Director (Erik Matti). But due to the controversy, Erik Matti did not go to the awards night but sent a representative to read his statement as his acceptance speech.

"The Finest Hours" Depicts Greatest Boat Rescue in US History‏

A heroic action-thriller, Disney's “The Finest Hours” is based on the extraordinary true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history in the U.S. Presented in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D, the film transports audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale.

Directed by Craig Gillespie, “The Finest Hours” stars Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” films); Academy Award®-nominee Casey Affleck (“Interstellar”); Ben Foster (“3:10 to Yuma”); Holliday Grainger (“Cinderella”); John Ortiz (“Silver Linings Playbook”); and Eric Bana (“Lone Survivor”).

“EDDIE THE EAGLE” Trailer Reveal

Eddie never gives up and likes to prove his detractors wrong. Sounds universally familiar?  Just like the unbreakable focus and determination of the recently crowned Ms. Universe 2015, Philippines’ Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach comes an inspiring story based on true events in “Eddie The Eagle” starring Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton. 

From the producers of the blockbuster action movie “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” the feel-good story of “Eddie The Eagle” is about Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Egerton), a courageous yet unlikely British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even as his family and the entire nation initially counted him out.  Persistently trying to perfect his skill with the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach, portrayed by Hugh Jackman, Eddie eventually wins the hearts of sports fans round the globe when he performed a historic feat at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.  A loveable underdog with a never-say-die attitude will rise in “Eddie The Eagle” when it opens in cinemas this April 2016. 

From 20th Century Fox, check out “Eddie The Eagle” trailers here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=622lX4lXDKs , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tqn5XBax5g

REEL DEAL: Star Wars The Force Awakens REVIEW

This has been the most awaited movie of the year, and many have high hopes and expectation for the film. As the Star Wars franchise made a mark in pop culture and has been part of many generations who have seen it, collected toys and merchandise, games, and even had cosplays of it. 

To start a whole new films that follows the timeline after the original trilogy which stars Mark Hamil, Harrisson Ford and Carrie Fisher. As a lapse of over 30 years, lot has changed in the galaxy far far away. With a new kind of evil that rose from the previous empire, a new villain Kylo Ren emerges to seek the destruction of the rebels.

There also comes the characters of Poe (Isaac), Rey (Ridley), and Finn (Boyega) who will start a new path and will also be connected with the Resistance. It will be refreshing to see Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker for this one. But let us not forget that there are also the droids C3PO, R2D2, and the new favorite BB8.

Up And Coming Talented Young Actor Josh Green Stars As Mischievous Brother-To-Be-In “ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS 4: THE ROAD CHIP”

The Chipmunks we know and love, Alvin, Theodore and Simon embark on a journey across the U.S. and for the first time, they’re on a mission to keep their family together in the fourth installment of the hugely successful family adventure franchise in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.”

In their latest adventure, through a series of misunderstandings, Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami…and dump them.  They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother, Miles, played by Josh Green.

The idea of Dave tying the knot doesn’t thrill the boys; in fact, they fear it’ll uproot their lives – and maybe uproot them from Dave’s home!  Further complicating matters is Sam’s (Dave’s special friend played by Kimberly Willams-Paisley) teenage son, Miles (Green), who has an instant dislike of the Chipmunks.

Share the Holiday Cheer With SM Bears Of Joy!

The spirit of giving continues this Christmas with another year of SM Foundation's SM Bears of Joy. This will be the great opportunity to share the joy and blessing we received this year. Available on all SM Malls, the SM Bears of Joy are available for only P200 in which you get two bears!

One bear is for you to cuddle, and the other one is for sharing to a child in need who will definitely appreciate your act of kindness. It is really the most meaningful gift you can get, and the child, this season!

Young Adult Novel "The 5th Wave" Takes Battle to the Big Screen‏

A powerhouse cast led by Chloë Grace Moretz (“If I Stay”), Nick Robinson (Jurassic World”), Ron Livingston (“The Conjuring”), Alex Roe (upcoming “Rings”), and Liev Schreiber (“Salt”) stars in Columbia Pictures’ adaptation of Rick Yancey’s bestselling novel “The 5th Wave,” the first book in his planned trilogy.

In the film, four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie (Moretz) is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal 5th wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope – if she can only trust him.

Yancey’s book was published in 2013 to critical and popular acclaim, with over 20 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list. The second book in the trilogy, The Infinite Sea, met with similar acclaim and success, with the third book, The Last Star, set for release next year.