It seems that the local movie industry needs a big time catching up as of the past 6 months more or less 15 Pinoy movies have only been shown in the cinemas. It causes a big-time anxiety to all the moviegoers and the people behind the film business because the numbers have never improved since the last 5 years. Could this be the darkest decade of the Philippine Cinema?
So far, three films had surpassed the P100 Million mark this year. The movie reunion of Bea and John Lloyd via Miss You Like Crazy and Marian and Dingdong in You to Me are Everything prove that romance films are still the most watched genre in the Philippine local cinemas. Completing the big three is Chris Martinez’s comedy flick “Here Comes the Bride”.
There are six more months to go before the year ends and on the positive note, there are quite a number of films in store for us from our local movie makers. Showing this 3rd quarter are Cinco, Mamarazzi, and Hating Kapatid. “Cinco” is Star Cinema’s horror offering this July 14 that stars Mariel Rodriguez, Pokwang, ASAP Giggerboys and Maja Salvador in 5 different episodes. “Mamarazzi”(Regal Films) is a drama-comedy film that features Kapuso and Kapamilya stars headed by Eugene Domingo and Diether Ocampo. Box-office Queens Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo will test their Box office prowess together starting July 21st with their first movie team up under Viva films entitled “Hating Kapatid.” Main cast includes Luis Manzano, JC de Vera, Gina Pareño, Vice Ganda and Cherry Pie Picache.
Viva Films has also started to shoot some movies but the play dates have not been announced yet. On their third team up, Regine Velasquez and Aga Muhlach have started filming “Of All the Things” under the direction of Joyce Bernal. Anne Curtis, Richard Guttierez and Claudine Baretto, on the other hand are almost done with “In Your Eyes a joint production of Viva GMA films. Vice Ganda in his first starring role will reprise Roderick Paulate’s character in a 1988 comedy hit, “Petrang Kabayo”
Regal Films has already publicized their upcoming horror film “White House” to be directed by Topel Lee and the remake of Maricel Soriano’s “Super Inday” to be topbilled by Marian Rivera. Super Inday is one Mother Lily’s entries to the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival. A remake of 1980′s sexy comedy flick Temptation Island will feature kapamilya and kapuso stars Andi Eigenman, Katrina Halili and Carla Abellana together in one project.
Star Cinema has a promising line up of movies this year. Grand slam best actress Lorna Tolentino has started filming her first film in 3 years after Katas ng Saudi in 2007 via ‘Sa’yo Lamang’, a family drama that will surely touched hearts of many like any other Star Cinema family drama films in the past. The most awaited movie team up of Robin Padilla and Toni Gonzaga is happening soon through “Promise Me” (tentative title). It’s going to be a romantic comedy to be directed by Joyce Bernal. Ai- Ai delas Alas is set to battle against the surprising collaboration of Bong Revilla and Vic Sotto (“Ang Agimat ni Enteng”) in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival with the 5th spin off of her Ina Series entitled “Ang Tanging Ina Mo Rin (Last na ‘to).
Other films that will compete in the 2010 Metro Manila Film festival are: PMG, animated feature from Star Cinema, Dalaw, a suspense thriller, Cine Media, Rosario, a biopic by Cinema Buhay, starring Dennis Trillo, Jennylyn Mercado, and Sid Lucero, Father Jejemon, a drama comedy by RVQ Productions starring the King of Comedy Dolphy, Shake, Rattle and Roll XII, a horror-suspense by Regal Entertainment and Ana Salamangka from Reality Entertainment.
Art films fanatics should go to the Cultural Center of the Philippines from July 9-18 for the 2-week screening of the 10 finalists for the 6th Cinemalaya. The finalists are: Halaw by Sheron Dayoc; Limbunan by Gutierrez Mangansakan II; Mayohan by Dan Villegas and Paul Sta. Ana; Magkakapatid by Kim Homer C. Garcia; Rekrut by Danny Añonuevo; Sampaguita by Francis Xavier Pasion; Sheika by Arnel Mardoquio; Si Techie, si Teknoboy at si Juana by Art Katipunan; Siya ang Mayor Ko (Vox Populi)” by Dennis N. Marasigan; and The Leaving by Ian-Dean S. Loreños.
Looking at the number of films that were already shown and yet to be shown in the next six months; it seems that 2010 is not going to be any better than the last 10 years in terms of quantity in movie production for the local film industry. 30-40 mainstream and independent movies a year is a proof of a declining movie business considering the hundreds of films shown every year during the 60’s and the 70’s. Our movie industry needs our support so we must watch local movies more or as often as we watch foreign flicks. We have talented directors and writers that can be at par with the foreign ones. Despite of the decline in quantity, our filmmakers continue to increase the quality of Pinoy movies.
Tags: Ai-Ai delas Alas, andy eigenman, bong revilla, carla abellana, cinco, cinemalaya, Eugene Domingo, HAting kapatid, Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Maja Salvador, MAmarazzi, Marian Rivera, mariel rodriguez, MMFF, Petrang Kabayo, pinoy box office, Pokwang, Regal Films, robi domingo, Robin Padilla, Sarah Geronimo, Star Cinema, super inday, Toni Gonzaga, Vic Sotto, Vice ganda, Viva Films
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