MMFF 2024 Roundup

Metro Manila Film Festival

In the order I watched them:

Espantaho

Watch Espantaho if you find pleasure in seeing actresses serve tears, rage, and intense acting all at once. It's well-acted, though we've seen Juday, LT, and Chanda Romero perform even better in other roles. Watch it for the horror and you'll likely be disappointed. It follows the horror formula that Chito Roño thrived on during the 2000s with films like Feng Shui, Sukob, T2, and, if we must include it, even The Healing. Sadly, it's outdated and not at all terrifying. At points it's even unintentionally funny. If it's trying to be camp, then it's quite vanilla in its attempt. There's also a lack of emotional connection in many of its death scenes. The supporting characters' deaths elicit no grief, with mourning reserved only for the main character.

And the Breadwinner Is...

So much hype surrounding And the Breadwinner Is... as it's a fusion of Jun Lana's indie sensibilities and Vice Ganda's mainstream appeal. There's also anticipation regarding what's been said about Vice performing in a heavy drama. The film lives up to the hype. It's as heavy as it can be, and it's not without surprises, which include a mashup of Vice's previous film characters. If you look at it as a whole, it's really just a simple story. The film was created for Vice, with the timely theme of a breadwinner in mind. Together, they've made the character Bambi, and to an extent Vice, a saint and a hero, which is very much deserved. The ensemble is good. The movie as a whole is really just fine.

Isang Himala

Frankly, the music is not that memorable :( , which doesn't help the film, especially for a musical in this climate. I appreciate the use of film as a medium to elevate the stage production, though I can't help but think that it could have done even more. It's limited, but it did well. Still, much credit should be given to Pepe Diokno and his team. This is a challenging musical to adapt, and they did what they could. There are powerful moments, especially the ending, but it's Himala - it would be a failure if the message alone wasn't conveyed. The performances are great.

Uninvited

Always fun to see Vilma Santos be vengeful in movies. If there's one thing I loved about this film, it's that it reminded me of her other (and superior) revenge film, Ikaw Lang, her collaboration with another MMFF director, Chito Rono. What it also reminded me of is how good Aga Muhlach actually is at acting. I thought he was superb, as were the rest of the cast. It's also the most well-made of the bunch. It's simple, no fat, and there are no over-the-top scenes, even when most revenge films call for them. I find this to be its weakness too. However, it's hard to say there's not much to it when what is shown is actually heavy, serious, and brutal. Ate Vi's Mystic River.

The Kingdom

Very impressive to see a Filipino film dissect an alternate universe where the Philippines was never colonized by any other countries. It even confidently declares in its very first scene, before the title card appears, that we wouldn't allow any foreign ships to fire water cannons at us in our own territory. This serves as a great introduction to a very gaggy film, filled with politics, twists and turns, and even epic storylines. It's probably the most fun I've had among the six films I've seen because not only is it engaging, but it's also a film we haven't seen before. Sure, the political aspect is a rehash of other power-chasing themed films, but then again, those films are rehashes of any other film of the same kind. Highly recommended.

Green Bones

Green Bones has a strong Kore-eda influence, making it a great introductory film for Philippine viewers who are unfamiliar with the Japanese filmmaker. It's an earnest film that encourages viewers to take a closer look at its flawed characters, connect with them, and empathize. While the theme may be too familiar to those who have seen many of Kore-eda's works, Green Bones is good enough to be discussed alongside the Japanese director's filmography. A bold claim, but same themes naman eh. However, the standout aspect of this film is its revolt disguised as a parable. Not a surprise because Ricky Lee is one of the screenwriters. The film serves as a critique of our society, yet it is portrayed with a tender and compassionate touch. Lots of sunsets, a cat, a tree of hope, frowns-turned-smiles, and sinners trying to be good. A massive improvement from Zig Dulay's previous MMFF film, Firefly.

My Ranking (so far):

1. Green Bones

2. Isang Himala

3. The Kingdom

4. Uninvited

5. And the Breadwinner Is…

6. Espantaho

'Killers of the Flower Moon' - Love Crosses Paths with Greed in Martin Scorsese's Multilayered Epic About the Osage

In the 20th century, oil brought wealth to the tribe of the Osage who's considered as some of the richest community in the world overnight. These Native Americans instantly attracted the whites who exploited, manipulated, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to a massacre.

Based on a true story and told through the fascinating romance between Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), Killers of the Flower Moon is an epic western crime film, where love crosses paths with greed. A deadly sin disturbingly portrayed by Robert de Niro as a greedy cattle farm owner, William Hale, who considers himself an ally of the Osage despite his cruel intentions.

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures PH

Killers of the Flower Moon is a harrowing story about the deaths of the Osage tribe, but the power dynamics between Burkhart and his uncle, and Burkhart's love story with Mollie, are also what keeps it chillingly fascinating. It is in a way a character study of how humans are blinded by greed, and how love blinds wisdom. Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro are a powerhouse of a trio. All acted their soul off with DiCaprio showing certain mannerisms that's reminiscent of Marlon Brando in The Godfather.

Martin Scorsese on the other hand has proven to be a solid storyteller from time to time, but he's got some new tricks up his sleeve on how he started and ended this 3-hour saga in a way that feels proper on how to tell a harrowing story about a tribe he doesn't belong to. He's playful, he's risky, but his usual simple and straightforward storytelling make this a breeze to watch.

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Killers of the Flower Moon opens in cinemas nationwide, October 18. 

A Hellish Pre-Halloween Horror Unleashes in David Gordon Green's 'The Exorcist: Believer'

Experience the terror earlier with its midnight screenings nationwide (also on its opening day Oct. 4)!

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures International Ph

One of the scariest and most iconic horror films ever made The Exorcist is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. From its veins, is a new chapter that would summon new nightmares in Blumhouse's 'The Exorcist: Believer'. Directed by Halloween ressurector David Gordon Green.

“The Exorcist: Believer” opens October 4. Terror starts to strike at the midnight screenings on its opening day at your favorite theaters!

Follow Universal Pictures Ph on Facebook and Instagram pages. #TheExorcistBelieverPh

Ayala Malls Cinemas x FDCP Presents World Cinema Festival

Featuring a slate of critically-acclaimed films across the globe--Charlotte Wells' Aftersun, Vicky Krieps-starred Corsage, Cannes Grand Jury Prize winner Close, and 2022 QCinema-showcased Return to Soul.

Ayala Malls continue to recognize and celebrate the arts and culture in the country and strive to provide its cinema lovers with a rare moviegoing experiences through exclusive offerings such as these critically acclaimed films that we can only look forward to at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

FDCP, on the other hand, extends its advocacy to deliver a rich cinematic experience for the Filipino audience, bringing a rare lineup of films that would be more accessible for moviegoers.

Here's hoping that moviegoers would enjoy this rare yet accessible cinema showcase in hopes to expand the experience and knowledge that Filipinos usually see in our local cinemas.

Book your tickets at any of your favorite Ayala Malls Cinemas -  Manila Bay Cinema, Greenbelt 3, Trinoma, Solenad, Capitol Central, Central Bloc, Centrio Cinema, Abreeza and Harbor Point.  Admission prices at P250 in Metro Manila and P200 in provinces.

Follow Ayala Malls Cinemas on Facebook for more of the latest updates. 

'Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' - A Gripping and Ageless Mission Impossible

Feels like forever since a movie, with almost a 3-hr runtime for that matter, gripped me in the cinemas from start to finish. Whether I am just busier than usual or it's just the quality of movies (doubtful), it feels like it no longer matters because the tandem of Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie delivers yet another awesome Mission Impossible in Dead Reckoning Part One. In which the stunts and action set pieces still feel exhilarating even if Cruise has been cheating death movie after movie after movie. We're still reeling from Cruise's stunts in Maverick yet there's no sign of stopping for him. Seems like the more he ages, the more he wants to outdo what he's done in his previous films. We are not complaining. 

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

For this instalment, the nemesis is as timely as what all of us online people seem to be reading everywhere--an AI called The Entity which aims to have total control of all the information on Earth. A dangerous tool greedy corporates want to acquire. Even timelier, the film opens with an accident underwater set in a Russian submarine. Ethan, along with his team, are tasked to save the world from this Machiavellian Entity by getting hold of the key that controls this AI. As you know, things are always almost impossible in these movies so even if we know that everything will be a success, the action packed journey in between is what matters. And boy it did. With several obstacles, one being Hayley Atwell's Grace, a paid thief that gave Ethan a run for his mission and Esai Morales' Gabriel, Ethan's new adversary also in search for the dangerous key. Hayley Atwell is a great new leading lady in the upcoming MI movies. Her fun and flirty dynamic with Tom Cruise is fun to watch. Also helps that the audience couldn't always tell if she's to be trusted or not.

Much has been said about the stunts, the story, the stars, and the new characters, what Mission Impossible also always delivers is utilizing spectacular landmarks. In this movie, the streets of Rome, the rusty ancient cityscape of Venice, and the lush green landscape of Austrian Alps were utilized well for edge of your seat sequences. The Austrian one is a personal favorite.

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Rated PG, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One opens in PH cinemas July 12.