Set in a remote rural town during the reign (specifically after the declaration of Martial Law) of former President Ferdinand Marcos, Mga Kuwentong Barbero (Barber’s Tales), directed by Jun Robles Lana told different stories beautifully embroidered into a simple delicate handkerchief.
WARNING: SPOILERS AFTER THE JUMP
Congratulations to The Janitor for winning 5 Directors Showcase awards. The technical nods are well-deserved, and Nicco Manalo‘s performance as the witness is compelling.
Best Sound – The Janitor
Best Editing – Tara Illenberger, The Janitor
Best Screenplay – Aloy Adlawan and Michael Tuviera, The Janitor
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Nicco Manalo, The Janitor
Best Director – Michael Tuviera, The Janitor
Directed by Joselito Altarejos, Kasal, the film about the life of a gay couple and the trails they face, won the Directors Showcase Best Film.
Best Musical Score – Richard Gonzales, Kasal
Best Production Design – Harley Alcasid, Kasal
Best Cinematography – Mycko David, Kasal
Best Film – Kasal
For the New Breed category, Bwaya, the story of a mother dealing with her daughter’s disappearance said to be caused by a crocodile attack, won Best Film.
Check out the full list of winners here.
The Janitor, directed by Michael Tuviera, is about Crisanto Espina, masterfully played by Dennis Trillo, a cop on suspension that cleans out the suspects in a crime inspired by true events that happened in 2008. Like most films inspired by true stories, it offers a disturbing perspective or two of the truth behind the shocking crime that’s said to be the bloodiest bank robbery in the country.
This thriller and suspense action Cinemalaya entry has a way of creeping up on you in how it unfolds each page of the story. Even if we, the viewers think we know what would happen next, it continued to surprise and keep us on the edges of our seats hoping for Dennis Trillo to get out of the film alive.
Catch The Janitor and all the other Cinemalaya entries up to August 10, 2014 in the Cultural Center of the Philippines and select Ayala malls in Metro Manila.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCSKS3iurdk
Last night, due to heavy traffic, I randomly watched Diary ng Panget without any expectations at all. I just knew that this was an adaptation of a published online novel with the same title. (I was not really a big fan of the book but I blame my demographic.)
Nadine Lustre shines as Eya a.k.a. Panget, a scholar in the posh Willford University. She works part-time at her aunt’s carinderia, where she meets Chad (Andre Paras), “the ideal guy” who is desperately in love with Lorraine (Yassi Pressman). Lorraine is a nice young British-Filipino girl (with a bad British accent, kidding!) that eventually becomes Eya’s bestfriend. Lory is in love with Cross (James Reid), ”the monster heartthrob”, a typical rebel with unresolved childhood issues. He hides his vulnerability by being mean and just generally destructive.
To cope with her financial needs, Eya finds another job. Unknowingly, she applies and is hired as Cross’ personal maid. Immediately, she experiences first hand how monstrous Cross is. The challenge does not stop there. People start to notice that they know each other and they seem “close”. Girls crushing on Cross start to wonder if they are an item (an odd one for that matter) or not. Cross takes this to his advantage to further mess with Eya, by telling everyone that he and Eya are indeed in a relationship.
How will Lory feel about this?
If Chad loves Lory and Lory loves Cross. Who does Cross love? Find out if there’s a happy ending for our resident Panget, Eya.
Diary ng Panget is still showing. Give the movie a chance and watch it. Trust me. You will not regret it.
Judging from its past releases, Star Cinema has been slowly becoming more and more radical in its films’ themes and story lines. It is slowly distancing from forgettable romantic comedies titled with love songs and brainless comedies.
At least for me, the paradigm shift started with My Amnesia Girl. My Amnesia Girl’s trailer has promised a story that is supposed to be familiar and in parallel with the plot of similar films like 50 First Dates or A Moment to Remember (Korean). However, like what is done in Kim Chiu and Xian Lim‘s second film, Star Cinema plays with the viewers’ expectations and shifts them in an at least less predictable perspective. It’s the same formula but just a different equation.
Bride for Rent introduces Kim Chiu as Raquelita Dela Cruz a.k.a. Rocky, 24 years old from Sampaloc, Manila. She is your typical cinematic breadwinner with a big family, a big heart and an over-the-top bubbly personality. She sidelines as a direct seller of bras and make-up and a commercial model. Xian Lim, however, plays a spoiled Lola‘s boy with commitment issues caused by childhood emotional baggages. Rocco also has a trust fund (yet to be received unless he’s married at the age of 25), which basically is the reason why the two opposite characters will meet.
WARNING: SPOILERS AFTER THE JUMP