A Scandal in CineMalaya & How the Indie Film Industry is being Corrupted

by Reymundo Salao

Controversy is burning up in the Indie Film Scene when Cinemalaya Festival’s Monitoring Head Robbie Tan disqualified the film entry “MNL 143” from the list of the 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival New Breed category finalists, after the film’s director Emerson Reyes did not heed the advice of Tan with regards to the casting of the movie.

Reyes wanted to cast Allan Paule and Joy Viado on the lead role for the movie; on the other hand, Robbie Tan allegedly wanted Reyes to cast semi-retired actors Victor Neri and Francine Prieto instead. Reyes and his producer Abrogena stood their ground and did not compromise, reckoning that the material was written specifically for both Paule and Viado, and that it was part of his vision as the filmmaker. [CLICK HERE READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY RICK GALLARDO]

You may be familiar of who Robbie Tan is; he is the owner of Seiko Films, a film production company which has produced a gazillion awful movies that have contributed to the reason why Pinoy movies are generally regarded as “buki”, “bakya” or simply; lousy.

This kind of sh1t always happens when dealing with local mainstream TV and movie producers. It doesn’t matter if you are Martin Scorsese, as long as you are working with a producer of a Tagalog mainstream TV and movie production, your movie will be just as awful as a metaphorical rugby for an unhealthy masa audience.

‘Yanggaw’ director explores the Aswang origin with “Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang”

“Yanggaw” director Richard V. Somes’ new movie is entitled “CORAZON: ANG UNANG ASWANG”

Nobody can deny the success of the indie movie “YANGGAW” and how it grew into this phenomenon that has spread throughout the modern media culture of us Ilonggos and Negrenses. Its director Richard V. Somes is back with an appetite for flesh and blood, with a movie that tells his (own version of the) origin of where the Aswangs came from. It’s entitled: “CORAZON: ANG UNANG ASWANG” and it stars Erich Gonzales and Derek Ramsay.

Press releases reveal that the film is said to also be a period love story set in the time of the Japanese rule. The director, Richard Somes says that the idea of the concept was created in 2008 after he finished his first horror full-length script, Yanggaw. Early production of the movie began on May 2011, and the official release of the movie is set on March 14, 2012 in the Philippines. Unlike "Yanggaw", this movie is produced by Star Cinema, and it will have a general wide release nationwide.
[CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE OTHER POSTERS & A TRAILER AFTER THE JUMP]

THE BOURNE LEGACY poster & first teaser trailer has been released online

The first teaser poster and the first official teaser trailer for THE BOURNE LEGACY have recently been released online.

Filming for THE BOURNE LEGACY may still be going on in Metro Manila, Philippines, but the early teaser poster for the movie, and an early teaser trailer has already hit the net.

THE BOURNE LEGACY is the fourth film to the Bourne series which began with THE BOURNE IDENTITY (2002), then THE BOURNE SUPREMACY (2004) and THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (2007). THE BOURNE LEGACY is considered a spin-off to the original series because it will not feature the main character of the first three movies, Jason Bourne. It will, however, be set in the same universe of the first three movies, and will feature many of the characters of the first three movies as well.
[READ MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCTION DETAILS & SEE THE TRAILER AFTER THE JUMP]

Matthew Vaughn returns to direct the X-MEN FIRST CLASS Sequel

Matthew Vaughn is back to direct the X-MEN FIRST CLASS Sequel, with Bryan Singer as Producer. Fox has just closed a deal with Matthew Vaughn to direct the sequel and Bryan Singer back as producer, with Simon Kinberg writing the script. It was inevitable that this sequel would be made, since Fox has had already stated that it envisions X-Men: First Class as the first film of a new trilogy.

One of the best action-sci-fi movies of 2011 was X-MEN FIRST CLASS. It was the movie that really resurrected the X-Men franchise from the ugly damage caused by the lousy "X-Men 3: The Last Stand" and the phenomenally lousier "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" X-MEN FIRST CLASS made the X-Men movies cool again, and made people realize that there are still so many great X-Men stories out there to be recreated on film.

It would be safe to assume that James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender would be returning as Professor Xavier and Erik "Magneto" Lensherr, that goes for the rest of the cast too. I would particularly want to see Rose Byrne again as Moira Mactaggert. But I am so curious if Wolverine's cameo in 'First Class' would bring him into a bigger role for the second movie. I say Not Yet. 'First Class' proved that it could be a success even without Wolverine around (the first three X-Men movies directed by Bryan Singer, seemed to have over-exposed Wolverine's role in the X-Men movies anyway). But if ever he does get to appear on a bigger role, let's just hope it's gonna be more faithful to the comics; brooding, silent, ruthless, almost villainous.

The Sineng Pambansa Film Festival Screening Schedule

Last year, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in cooperation with the Iloilo City Government held the very first Sineng Pambansa (National Cinema) Film Festival here in Iloilo City. This was to be the first of what is expected to be an annual event which celebrates quality films of the country. For three days, the program was able to show a number of quality Filipino indie films that have been critically-acclaimed and award-winning in the international scene . This festivals does indeed upgrade the level of film appreciation among the mainstream, and create a consciousness of what truly is quality cinema.

Now, the Second Sineng Pambansa Iloilo Film Festival is set on January 18 to 20, 2012. It will once again showcase the best in quality cinema. This festival is bent to revitalize both local filmmakers and local audiences by introducing trends and directions in cinema, through nationwide screening of Filipino films.

Admission is FREE, however, there will be tickets so as to control the number of people that go in and out of theaters. You may get the tickets for free at the Iloilo City Tourism office, Iloilo City Mayor's Office, from Mr Joeboy Agriam, FDCP Iloilo Cinematheque at B @ C Square Bldg., Iznart -Solis Street, Sm Cinema 2 & 3. There will also be a team going around schools to distribute.

SM City Cinema will once again be the host for this film festival, and the schedules of screening are as follows:

The Ilonggo Short Film Competition '2012

ILONGGO FILMLOVERS AND FILMMAKERS are in for a treat because one of the events included in this year's Sineng Pambansa Iloilo Film Festival is an Ilonggo Short Film Competition. The competition is divided into two divisions:  The Academic Division and the Municipal Division.  Entries shall follow the theme: “Ang Ilonggo.”

•    Director should be at least 16 years old and must have not joined any major film competition.
•     Director should be from the City or Province of Iloilo. For non-Ilonggos, participants must have at least one (1) year of residency in Iloilo City or Province of Iloilo.
•     Any Digital Camera may be used (including cell phone).
•    The video should be 3-10 minutes long (including OBB/CBB).
•    Use of copyrighted music is prohibited, unless allowed by the owner of the material.
•    Nudity, foul language, slur on religious belief, or any other form of offensive content shall likewise be prohibited.
•    Film may be in native tongue or dialect but must have readable English subtitles.
•    All entries should be submitted in DVD format.
•    Deadline for submission of entries and stints will be January 12, 2012. Entries should be submitted to:
Atty. Dan Cartagena,
FDCP Local Coordinator
Cartagena & Associates, Jamerlan Building, Iznart Street, Iloilo City.
09394519045; 09179898661

Announcement of the finalists will be on January 18, 2012.  All finalists will be competing in the Film Festival on January 20, 2012 at SM City Cinema. The Jury will be composed of Filmmakers and the FDCP. Awards Night will be on January 21, 2012. Cash Prizes for each division are as follows:

a. Best Film - P35,000
b. 1st Runner-up - 20,000
c. 2nd Runner-up - 10,000

The Sineng Pambansa 2012

SINENG PAMBANSA RETURNS TO ILOILO THIS JANUARY
The Second Sineng Pambansa Iloilo Film Festival is set on January 18 to 20, 2012. Last November 28, 2011, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and USec Briccio Santos of the Film Development Council of the Philippines has already signed an agreement for the conduct of the upcoming festival. It will once again showcase the best in quality cinema. This festival is bent to revitalize both local filmmakers and local audiences by introducing trends and directions in cinema, through nationwide screening of Filipino films. See you in the theaters on January 18 to January 20, 2012!!!

Samurai X is being made into a live-action movie [updated Dec. 17, 2011: the teaser trailer has now been released]

SAMURAI X, or RUROUNI KENSHIN is being made into a movie. It is currently in production, and will have its Japanese release date on August 2012. The plan is to release the film internationally and eventually make a series.
[updated 17 December 2011. WATCH THE TRAILER at the end of the ARTICLE]

It was, and actually still is, one of the most popular anime series that was widely loved in the Philippines around the early 2000s was SAMURAI X, originally titled RUROUNI KENSHIN. This anime series which is set in feudal Japan (Specifically, the Meiji Period), about a former skilled assassin who has sworn to never kill again, instead, use his fighting skills to help people and do good. This TV series is based upon the manga (comics) series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. There were also OVAs (Original Video Animations, usually they equate into full-length movies) of Rurouni Kenshin namely "Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal" which is a very seriously-toned story about Kenshin's past as an assassin, how he got his X mark, and how he was led to a path of redemption. And the other was "Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection" which tells the story of an older Kenshin and how we witness his full redemption and the bittersweet end of his days. 

RUROUNI KENSHIN is being adapted into a live-action film, with Warner Brothers Pictures Japan producing. The cast features Satou Takeru (Kamen Rider Den-O, Beck) in the lead, Takei Emi as Kamiya Kaoru (or simply Kori, in the english-dubbed TV series) with Keishi Otomo (Ryomaden) directing. Production stills have recently been released.

Other members of the cast include:

Aoki Munetaka as Kenshin's ass-kicking buddy Sanosuke Sagara

Aoi Yuu as the alluring & oftentimes teasing Megumi Takani

Kikkawa Kouji will play the villainous assassin Udou Jine, or as the dubbed series would call him Jenai

and, Veteran TV actor Eguchi Yosuke will portray the former Shinsengumi Captain, turned government agent, Saitou Hajime or as in the dubbed series, simply Sato

updated 17 December 2011. The teaser trailer has now been released. CHECK IT OUT...

Immortals postpone Philippine Invasion to December 7! And What's Showing this Week

D1PUTA! December 7 na NAMAN???!!!

Looks like the IMMORTALS have once again postponed their Philippine invasion YET AGAIN. December 7, 2011 is the new release date of the Tarsem Singh movie about Theseus, the Minotaur, and the War of the Titans. The Philippines was not included in IMMORTALS' original international release date (November 11, 2011), and was pushed to November 30 (READ THE EARLIER REPORT HERE), which was a bad move to do to a country that is one of the biggest Hollywood-patronizing countries in the world, and also the biggest torrent active countries, at the same time. It's easily a calculated guess to assume that the large numbers of potential box office numbers the movie could have gained, if it was released on the film's original international release date, are already lost to those who have already watched it online.
In its place, the Bonifacio Holiday week was greeted with 2 other great movies. 

One is THE ROAD, which is directed by Yam Laranas, one of the every few excellent directors working in Tagalong mainstream cinema. The ROAD is a horror ghost story about a haunted road and the horrifying killings that occurred there years before. Read the full article about The Road and Yam Laranas here.

The other movie opening this week is THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN which is directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Peter Jackson, and written by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish. This movie is based upon the classic European comic book series set during a largely realistic 20th century (set around the 1940s), the hero of the series is Tintin, a young Belgian reporter. He is aided in his adventures from the beginning by his faithful fox terrier dog Snowy. The Adventures of Tintin is like a combination of Hardy Boys and Indiana Jones. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN has had its UK release back in October 2011. It is set to be released in the US on December 21, 2011. And is now showing here in Iloilo and Philippine theaters this week.

The Bourne Legacy, to shoot in Manila, with Jeremy Renner on its crosshairs

The Bourne series continue on "The Bourne Legacy" with Jeremy Renner on the lead, and to be set in Manila

The Bourne movies, based upon the Bourne books from master spy novelist Robert Ludlum, that starred Matt Damon and directed by Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass are probably one of the best and most spectacular espionage movies ever made. All three movies "Bourne Identity", "Bourne Supremacy", and "Bourne Ultimatum" was a great trilogy that had a relatively decent apparent ending.

Or so we thought it ended there. In January 2010, Matt Damon said that there would "probably be a prequel of some kind with another actor and another director before we do another one just because I think we're probably another five years away from doing it." The Bourne series shall continue with "The Bourne Legacy", but Matt Damon will not be the central character of this sequel; it will be a different character, and Jeremy Renner would be this main character in the movie. Although, it's a different character, it will be a story that will be set around the continuity of the first three movies.

The 2011 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

The Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2011 was held last November 12, 2011 at the RCBC Plaza, Makati City. And it was the movie "Ka Oryang" which won the award for Best Picture and Best Director for Sari Lluch Dalena. Ka Oryang is about the suffering and the hardships of a woman who was a victim of torture during the Martial Law Era. It also won Best Cinematography for Neil Daza and Kiri Dalena.

On the other hand, the movie which bagged the most awards (including the Audience Choice Award, Special Jury Prize, Best Screenplay for Antoinette Jadaone) was "Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay". This semi-documentary chronicles the career of Lilia Cuntapay, the veteran actress who has appeared in countless local movies and TV appearances playing the almost same roles of aswang, yaya, or creepy old lady. She also won the award for Best Actress on the festival (shared the Best Actress award with Maricar Reyes for "Anatomiya ng Korupsyon").

The 2011 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

The Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2011 was held last November 12, 2011 at the RCBC Plaza, Makati City. And it was the movie "Ka Oryang" which won the award for Best Picture and Best Director for Sari Lluch Dalena. Ka Oryang is about the suffering and the hardships of a woman who was a victim of torture during the Martial Law Era. It also won Best Cinematography for Neil Daza and Kiri Dalena.

On the other hand, the movie which bagged the most awards (including the Audience Choice Award, Special Jury Prize, Best Screenplay for Antoinette Jadaone) was "Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay". This semi-documentary chronicles the career of Lilia Cuntapay, the veteran actress who has appeared in countless local movies and TV appearances playing the almost same roles of aswang, yaya, or creepy old lady. She also won the award for Best Actress on the festival (shared the Best Actress award with Maricar Reyes for "Anatomiya ng Korupsyon").

DOCTOR WHO to hit the big screen, Harry Potter director to helm it

DOCTOR WHO to regenerate into the silver screen
by Reymundo Salao

Unbeknownst to many, it is actually the longest running sci-fi TV series and the most successful science fiction series of all time, in terms of its overall broadcast ratings, DVD and book sales, iTunes traffic, and "illegal downloads". Many of you may probably think that Star Wars and Star Trek hold that title. Well, it's actually being held by a British TV series that many of you may not be too familiar with: DOCTOR WHO.

DOCTOR WHO is about to be made into a movie, and BBC is eyeing director David Yates to helm its adaptation. Yates has directed the last four Harry Potter movies which were well-made enough to make the entire Harry Potter film series arguably become the most successful film saga since Star Wars.

Yam Laranas is back with "The Road"

Yam Laranas returns with the movie "The Road". The cast includes Jacklyn Jose, John Regala, Marvin Agustin, Allan Paule, Barbie Forteza, Carmina Villaroel, Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad, Alden Richards, Wendell Ramos, and with Laranas writing the screenplay alongside Aloy Adlawan, this project has the markings of what should have been the proper follow-up to Laranas' first hit "Sigaw"

The story goes: when three teens disappeared in an abandoned road, the investigation to search for them led to the reopening of a twelve-year-old case. And as the investigation grew further, deep into deep dark secrets, it is revealed that the road is haunted by a brutal crime that occured almost thirty years ago.

"The Road" is set to be released this November 30, 2011.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Check Out the Trailer for THE ROAD:

Samurai Jack is what (Immortal's director) Tarsem Singh wants to direct

Tarsem Singh's IMMORTALS (no relation to the Angel Locisn, John Lloyd TV series) has been recently released internationally. And during recent interview, he revealed that he is very interested in creating a live-action version of Genndy Tartakovsky's 'Samurai Jack.' The series, which follows a samurai from feudal Japan thrust into the future by a demon and forced to find a way to return to his own time. Singh admitted that while he's not a big fan of what he calls "comic strip films," he loves the pacing and the animation of 'Samurai Jack.' He's gone so far as to publicly request that Cartoon Network execs give him a call.

Tarsem Singh, with his extremely stylized visual style (he also directed "The Cell" which starred Jennifer Lopez, and "The Fall"), is a perfect director which may be more than capable of recapturing the bizarre and utterly cool universe of Samurai Jack. Oh, how I wish the great actor and voice talent Mako was still alive to do his voice of Aku, or at least the narration of the movie, just like he did in the animated TV series.

A live-action version of Samurai Jack was actually set up at New Line in the early 2000s, with Brett Ratner attached to direct and produce, but THANK GOD, that did not materialize (since 'Jack is such a great concept only to be given to a hack like Ratner) and the rights have since reverted back to Cartoon Network.

Tarsem is currently in post-production on his movie "Mirror, Mirror" which is his take on the Snow White story (which is destined to rival "Snow White and the Huntsman"). "Mirror, Mirror" is set to be released in March 2012, while "Immortals" is set to have its Philippine release this November 2011.

source: THR