My Metro Manila Filmfest Forecast

The Metro Manila Film Festival is not exactly a film festival to gauge the finest in Philippine Cinema. And many of you know that I have often expressed my disgust over it. But I do acknowledge the fact that this festival allows the local studios to showcase their films without the interfering competition with Hollywood films for a week or so.

The MMFF may not exactly be a source for great movies. But now and then there are indeed gems worth seeing. Many of them, you can already crap just by seeing the trailer. But others may look like they just have lousy marketing trailers that defy the filmmaker's intention.

I believe that sometimes we do need a gauge or a forecast to tell which movies do deserve some level of trust. I made my own forecast of films for this coming MMFF, in order to share it with others who may appreciate it as well... [hit the jump to continue]

Vin Diesel Reveals that Fast And Furious 7 is set for April 2015 Release

Following the death of Paul Walker, the future of Fast & Furious 7 has been uncertain, as the film was partway through production when Walker died tragically in a car accident late last month. Production has since been halted, but today, Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel has shared the new release date for the seventh film in the thrilling racing/action franchise, along with a photo of himself and Walker in the last scene they shot together [hit the jump to continue]

Korean Revenge Movie "I Saw The Devil" Set for an English-Language Remake

Adi Shankar and Spencer Silna’s 1984 Private Defense Contractors has acquired English language remake rights to 2010 South Korean Kim Jee Woon (The Good, The Bad, The Weirdand A Tale of Two Sisters) helmed revenge thriller I SAW THE DEVIL, which is widely regarded as the most violent and elaborate revenge story ever told onscreen. Rather than just finding the criminal, killing him, and ending the story, I SAW THE DEVIL asks the question “what if the hero becomes the criminal?” Focusing on the characters rather than the mystery of finding the criminal, I SAW THE DEVIL details the journey of vengeance beyond all realms of sanity. The realistic and brutal violence is one of the most explicit displays of violence ever seen on film. [hit the jump to continue]

The Nine Finalists for the Academy Awards' Best Foreign Film have been picked

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has unveiled its list of the nine films that are eligible for the Best Foreign Language Oscar. And sorry to say that the Philippine's entry entitled "Transit" and two other entries which has some Filipino theme (Singapore's entry is entitled "Iloilo" and UK's entry is entitled "Metro Manila") did not make it to the final nine as well. [hit the jump to continue]

Action Sequence and Character will be deleted from upcoming "X-Men: Days of Future Past"

X-Men: Days of Future Past is expected to be one mega-superhero-movie that will cross-over Bryan Singer's X-Men universe and its prequel universe from X-Men: First Class. And it is expected to be big and dense. With such a production, it would not be surprising that there would be more than enough scenes and even action sequences which will end up at the cutting floor. There is going to be one action sequence which will be deleted from the movie, and as an effect, one main character will have to be excluded from the movie. That character which we wont be seeing in the next X-Men movie is Rogue. Yes, Anna Paquin will not be included in the movie; but her scene will most probably be included in the deleted scenes from the blue-ray and dvd of the movie when it will come out. [hit the jump to continue]

Paul Rudd is Marvel's Ant-Man

For several months now, there has been much speculation on who will be the lead to play the lead character in Marvel’s “Ant-Man”... now it's official: Paul Rudd will be the one to don the costume of the Avenger superhero; The Ant-Man. Months ago the candidates who were lined up for consideration were Simon Pegg, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Paul Rudd himself. Even back then, we though Rudd was the best choice (Pegg was too comedy, while JGL was too ...pop). Anyway, JGL now has the (DC Vertigo) Sandman role and Pegg is still a funny comedian, so, everybody happy. Paul Rudd is perfect for Ant-Man, the Marvel superhero who has the ability to shrink into the size of an ant, and also grow into the size of a giant.

"Ant-Man" will be the first movie to immediately kick-off Marvel's phase three. Phase two ends with “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015 and "Ant-Man" immediately arrives on theaters July 31, 2015. [hit the jump to continue]

Francis M's music immortalized in MMFF entry "Kaleidoscope World"

The music of Pinoy Hip-Hop Icon Francis Magalona will be immortalized in a movie that will be an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival showing this December 25, 2013 - January 8, 2014 in all MMFF Participating Theaters Nationwide.

KALEIDOSCOPE WORLD is a Hip-Hop Musical film that follows the story of a poor boy, Lando (Sef Cadayona), and a rich girl (Yassi Pressman), who fall in love after meeting during auditions for a local dance crew set to compete in an international contest. The movie features a whole lot of prominent artists from the Philippine hip-hop scene. From dance crews, to rappers, and bands that define the scene. This will surely be a promising movie, especially to fans of FrancisM's legacy and lovers of musicals as well. [hit the jump to continue]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt picked to star and direct SANDMAN

SANDMAN was one of those comic book/graphic novel materials that are considered as too sacred to be adapted into a movie. Now, it seems that the plans for a movie adaptation will finally be initialized. David Goyer (Man of Steel) pitched an idea for the adaptation that WB is keen on, and they are looking at Joseph Gordon-Levitt to not only star and produce, but also direct the film. [hit the jump to continue]

Peter O’Toole passes away at 81

Farewell to The Lawrence of Arabia
Irish-born stage and screen actor Peter O’Toole, who became an international star in the title role of David Lean’s Oscar-winning epic “Lawrence of Arabia,” died on Saturday at age 81. He was being treated at London's Wellington hospital after a long illness, his agent added.

“His family are very appreciative and completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us, during this unhappy time,” his daughter Katherine O’Toole said in a statement on Sunday. “Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.” [hit the jump to continue]

The "Khaleesi" Emilia Clarke Set to play Sarah Connor in the Terminator reboot

It looks like Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) has won out for the role of Sarah Connor in Skydance/Annapurna Pictures/Paramount’s Terminator reboot.  The decision was down to Clarke and Brie Larson (Short Term 12) as to who would play the character made famous by Linda Hamilton’s badass performance in the original films.  Clarke would play the mother to John Connor, a hero of the human revolution against the machines; Jason Clarke is currently in talks for the role. (Hey, at least they already have a last name in common.)  Due to the near-twenty-year age difference between the two Clarkes, there’s likely a time-travel element to the reboot, which is set for release July 1, 2015. [Hit the jump to continue]

The CineKas1manwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival Screening Schedule

Some of you may have already known about the upcoming CineKasimanwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival and Ilonggo Filmmakers Conference which will be kicking off with the Film Fest from December 10 to 14, 2013. Below is the schedule of screenings which can guide you through the festival. The venues will be at The FDCP Iloilo Cinematheque (which is located at Solis Street, Iloilo City), the SM City Iloilo Cinemas, and the UPV Cinematheque (located inside the UPV Complex). The Festival is meant to showcase movies and short films that are all made by Ilonggos Filmmakers, not only will it be focusing on Iloilo filmmakers, but any films coming from the rest of the Panay Islands as well. This will be a festival that will celebrate the Ilonggo Cinema Art Scene, and will be a venue for the mainstream audiences to be exposed to Ilonggo films. In addition, all festival proceeds will go to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda through the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center’s Relief Operations and Rehabilitation Projects in Western Visayas.

December 10, 2013 TUESDAY

10:00 AM
Short Films by Nick Deocampo [director in attendance] with Q&A - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Iloilo Campus)
1:30 PM
GUGMA SA PANAHON SANG BAKUNAWA by Peter Solis Nery - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
Ang Tanan May Guin-Halinan, First-time Student Shorts by WVSU Students - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
BEADWORKS by Ronny Poblacion [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
7:00 PM
Opening Film: CROSS CURRENTS: JOURNEY TO ASIAN ENVIRONMENTS by Nick Deocampo [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)

December 11, 2013 WEDNESDAY

10:00 AM
BUKLOG OF THE SUBANEN (Docu Work in Progress) + Short Films by Elvert Dela Cruz Bañares [director in attendance] with Lecture - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
DIIN KAMO PADULONG? Short Film Program for Children - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
Short Films from Guimbal, Iloilo - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
7:00 PM
LOCAL GIRLS by Ned Trespeces [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)

December 12, 2013 THURSDAY

10:00 AM
Short Films from Guimbal, Iloilo [collective filmmakers in focus] - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
Balikan Ta Ang Mga Damgo, The CINE ILONGGO Films, Short Film Program - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
DAGYANG by Joenar Pueblo [director in attendance] - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)

December 13, 2013 FRIDAY

10:00 AM
MGA KWENTONG HINDI PARISUKAT + Short Film Program - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
PUREZA by Jay Abello [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
3:30 PM
BRUTUS: ANG PAGLALAKBAY by Tara Illenberger - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
3:30 PM
Mga Matayog Nga Pantasya, Mga Matuod Nga Istorya, Short Film Program, Experimental & Documentary Shorts - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
6:00 PM
MOO-MOO-AN SA BIYERNES ATRESE! MAGHALONG! HORROR SHORT FILM PROGRAM - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)

December 14, 2013 SATURDAY

10:00 AM
BAYI SA APARADOR and TAMAWO, Short Films by Peque Gallaga & Lore Reyes [directors in attendance] with Q&A - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
MGA KWENTONG HINDI PARISUKAT + Short Film Program - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
ANG MGA ASWANG by JR Macahilas [director in attendance] - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
SALVI: ANG PAGPADAYON by TM Malones [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
7:00 PM
Closing Film: SONATA by Peque Gallaga & Lore Reyes [directors in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)

Disney now has Rights to Indiana Jones

Indy 5 looks like it's indeed going to get made. The legal entanglement that was the Indiana Jones franchise has now been untangled.  When Disney purchased Lucasfilm, there was a question of how future Indiana Jones films would proceed since Paramount released the first four movies.  Today, Disney announced that it has reached an arrangement with Paramount regarding the franchise.  Under the new deal, Disney has acquired distribution and marketing rights to all future Indiana Jones films along with its current ownership of the rights that it secured when it purchased Lucasfilm.  [Hit the jump to continue]

Writer-Producer Simon Kinberg Confirms Possible X-Men and Fantastic Four Crossover

Simon Kinberg and his Genre Films banner have signed a new three-year first-look deal at 20th Century Fox, and with this deal, Kinberg confirms his intentions to cross-over his cinematic Fantastic Four world and the X-Men world, merging both worlds to create a Marvel-style movie universes. We here at Syowing reported last October Kinberg's involvement in Fox's own Marvel universe and how he hints on creating his own superhero-crossover universe. [hit the jump to continue]

Two-time Oscar nominee David Magee to Pen Screenplay for the Fourth Narnia film

Life of Pi writer David Magee has been tapped to adapt The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair, which is being produced by The C.S. Lewis Co. and The Mark Gordon Co.

"I have always loved The Chronicles of Narnia, and I endlessly imagined myself finding my own passage into Narnia someday," Magee said. "All these years later, I'm getting to fulfill that wish just a little bit by writing the film adaptation of The Silver Chair and could not be more excited about it." [hit the jump to continue]

X-Men to face Apocalypse in 2016

While the rest of the net was busy with either talking about the Wonder Woman casting and/or the trailers and teasers for the new Spider-man movie, director Bryan Singer has tweeted today that X-Men: Apocalypse would be coming, with a follow-up tweet from another account saying that the X-Men: Days of Future Past sequel would be opening on May 27, 2016. No further elaboration on the issue followed, just the dropping of this news. But it is one big blast of a news coming from a simple tweet. [hit the jump to continue]

Lou Ferrigno says there will be a New Hulk Movie after Avengers 2

With the highly-anticipated 2015 sequel to the Humongous Marvel movie series; The Avengers: Age of Ultron, surely we will again see Mark Ruffalo's Incredible Hulk smash some spectacular greatness onscreen. And with Ruffalo tied down to a six-movie deal - including the two aforementioned Avengers movies - it's surely only a matter of time before Hulk gets another solo movie. [hit the jump to continue]

CineKasimanwa Campus Tour Day 4: Bantayan Beach Resort, Guimbal, Iloilo

Day 4 for the Campus Tour of the CineKasimanwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival and Ilonggo Filmmakers Conference's Campus Tour will continue the Interaction with Guimbal Filmmakers and the Guimbal I-Film Society scheduled for all Guimbal Filmmakers as the "Collective Filmmakers in Focus" of the first edition of CineKas1manwa. There will be a discussion on grassroots filmmaking; promotion of local languages in regional filmmaker; pushing for regional themes and stories for future full-length films and the CineRehiyon project of the Committee on Cinema of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. This event will take place today December 5, 2013 5:30 PM at the Bantayan Beach Resort, Guimbal, Iloilo.

This Film Festival and Filmmaker's Conference is meant to expose and develop the art of cinema in Western Visayas and its filmmaking community. This week, the festival begins with a Campus tour which will cover several schools, and be a guest (for free) in Film Aesthetics, Film Production, TV Production and Humanities subjects/classes in different schools and universities in Iloilo City and be involved in their current activities and to promote the Panay Islands Film Festival 2013.

[to read more about the CineKasimanwa Filmfest, CLICK HERE, or check out their facebook page: www.facebook.com/cinekasimanwa]

Gal Gadot cast as Wonder Woman, Callan Mulvey for Villain Role in Batman/Superman Movie

Fast and Furious hottie Gal Gadot has been cast as Wonder Woman for the upcoming Batman/Superman movie. On the other hand, Callan Mulvey has also been cast in the same movie for a villain role which has not yet been named (Could it be Lex Luthor? Bizarro? The Parasite? Darkseid?).[hit the jump to continue]

CineKasimanwa Campus Tour Day 3: Bantayan Beach Resort, Guimbal, Iloilo

Today is the third day of the CineKasimanwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival and Ilonggo Filmmakers Conference's Campus Tour. There will be an Interaction with Guimbal Filmmakers and the Guimbal I-Film Society scheduled for all Guimbal Filmmakers as the "Collective Filmmakers in Focus" of the first edition of CineKas1manwa. There will be a discussion on grassroots filmmaking; promotion of local languages in regional filmmaker; pushing for regional themes and stories for future full-length films and the CineRehiyon project of the Committee on Cinema of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. This event will take place today December 4, 2013 5:30 PM at the Bantayan Beach Resort, Guimbal, Iloilo.

This Film Festival and Filmmaker's Conference is meant to expose and develop the art of cinema in Western Visayas and its filmmaking community. This week, the festival begins with a Campus tour which will cover several schools, and be a guest (for free) in Film Aesthetics, Film Production, TV Production and Humanities subjects/classes in different schools and universities in Iloilo City and be involved in their current activities and to promote the Panay Islands Film Festival 2013.

[to read more about the CineKasimanwa Filmfest, CLICK HERE, or check out their facebook page: www.facebook.com/cinekasimanwa]

ILO ILO Premieres in Iloilo, Opens in Philippine Cinemas this Week

ILO ILO COMES HOME
by Reymundo Salao

The Singaporean movie "Ilo ilo" may have its official home in Singapore, because this is a Singaporean movie directed by Singaporean director Anthony Chen. But at its emotional core, we Ilonggos can acknowledge a certain connection, a certain emotional link with the movie, and we consider this film's premiere here in Iloilo as a "Coming Home"event.

The highly acclaimed and multi-awarded Singaporean drama film entitled "Ilo ilo" had its Philippine premiere in SM City Iloilo Cinema last Sunday December 1, 2013. The premiere was also a fundraising event for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Northern Iloilo. And the event was really successful and jampacked. "Ilo ilo" officially opens its regular run in Philippine cinemas December 4, 2013.
[hit the jump to continue]

Fast and Furious 7 Production May Be Scrapped and Start Over in Wake of Paul Walker's Death

When actor Paul Walker tragically died this past weekend, it put the production of James Wan's Fast and Furious 7 in a difficult place. The movie is currently only halfway through production, and Walker's character, Brian O'Conner, plays a crucial role in the plot. Surely the filmmakers and folks over at Universal Pictures have been meeting over the last few days to figure out exactly how to move forward, and while many options are being weighed, according to sources at The Wrap one possibility is that the production will scrap everything that has been done so far and start from scratch. [hit the jump to continue]

CineKasimanwa Campus Tour Day 2: West Visayas State University and St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary

Today is the second day of the CineKasimanwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival and Ilonggo Filmmakers Conference's Campus Tour. This Film Festival and Filmmaker's Conference is meant to expose and develop the art of cinema in Western Visayas and its filmmaking community. This week, the festival begins with a Campus tour which will cover several schools, and be a guest (for free) in Film Aesthetics, Film Production, TV Production and Humanities subjects/classes in different schools and universities in Iloilo City and be involved in their current activities and to promote the Panay Islands Film Festival 2013.

Here is the schedule for today, DECEMBER 3, 2013:
10 am - WEST VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY - College of Communication (under Prof. Menchie Robles, Dean, College of Communication)
1 pm - ST. VINCENT FERRER SEMINARY, Jaro, Iloilo City (under Rev. Fr. Domingo Alimajen, Principal & Dean)

[to read more about the CineKasimanwa Filmfest, CLICK HERE, or check out their facebook page: www.facebook.com/cinekasimanwa]

Lupin the Third set for live-action adaptation

After several decades, Lupin the Third is coming to the big screen once again in a live-action adaptation set for release next year. Kitamura Ryuhei, who also directed the 2003 assassin adventure AZUMI, is set to direct. Oguri Shun will star in the title role as Lupin III, the grandson of legendary gentleman thief Arsène Lupin from French novelist Maurice LeBlancs series of novels. [hit the jump to continue]

CineKasimanwa Campus Tour today visits Iloilo National High School and West Visayas State University

Today marks, basically, the first day of the CineKasimanwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival and Ilonggo Filmmakers Conference. This Film Festival and Filmmaker's Conference is meant to expose and develop the art of cinema in Western Visayas and its filmmaking community. This week, the festival starts with a Campus tour which will cover several schools, and be a guest (for free) in Film Aesthetics, Film Production, TV Production and Humanities subjects/classes in different schools and universities in Iloilo City and be involved in their current activities and to promote the Panay Islands Film Festival 2013.

Here is the schedule for today, DECEMBER 2, 2013:
2pm to 3pm - Promo Tour, Iloilo National High School
4pm to 6pm - Class under Prof. Menchie Robles, West Visayas State University, College of Communication
Filmmaker Guests: Atty. Joenar Pueblo (Dagyang) / Elvert de la Cruz Bañares (Buklog of the Subanen)
The program will be moderated by Ruth Borja-Pequierda

[to read more about the CineKasimanwa Filmfest, CLICK HERE, or check out their facebook page: www.facebook.com/cinekasimanwa]

Actor Paul Walker dies of Car Accident

Shocking and tragic news to end November; Actor Paul Walker has died in a car accident Saturday afternoon (US time, November 30, 2013). He was 40. Walker was a passenger in a friend's 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and both were attending a charity event for his organization, Reach Out Worldwide, in the community of Valencia in Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of Hollywood. The website for the charity said the Saturday event was intended to benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
[hit the jump to read more, details of the accident, Walker's career]

Salvi, Sonata, Several Other Pinoy Films to have Screening in the US-Based FACINE Film Festival

The renowned Ilonggo movie SALVI: ANG PAGPADAYON is set to have a screening in the U.S. with the 20th Annual Filipino American Cine Festival, also known as the FACINE BENTE which runs from December 9 to 14, 2013. The Festival will be screening a whole lot of other quality Pinoy movies as well such as PUREZA, THE STORY OF NEGROS SUGAR, and Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes' SONATA. The venue of the event will be at the Bindlestiff Studio, 185 Sixth Street, San Francisco, California.

The Filipino Arts & Cinema, International or FACINE, a nonprofit media arts organization, is committed to develop and promote Filipino American media arts and advance the interests of cinemas from the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora.
[Check out details of the Festival at their Website. CLICK HERE]