2008 Cinema One Digital Film Festival Finalists

7 new digital films will compete in the 4th edition of Cinema One Digital Film Festival.

Cinema One Digital Filmfest is hailed as the prelude to the Cinemalaya featuring up and coming films that will create some noise in various movie award-giving bodies in the coming months. This year, the 7 films represent some of filmdom’s freshest, brightest talents in features that capture the flavors and attitudes of modern Philippine life.

The seven movies vying for the P1 million cash prize are:

1. Alon by Ron Bryant

2. Dose by Senedy Que

3. Kolorete by Ruelo Lozendo

4. Imburnal by Sherad Anthony Sanchez

5. Motorcycle by Jon Red

6. UPCAT by Roman Carlo Olivares

7. Yanggaw by Richard Somes

The 7 finalists will be screened on November 18 to 27, 2008 at IndieSine in Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas. The Awards Night will be held on November 28, 2008 at the ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater.

This year’s judges are award-winning director Brillante “Dante” Mendoza (Serbis, Kaleldo, Manoro), award-winning comedienne-actress Eugene Domingo (Pisay, ITALY), film and TV director Jeffrey Jeturian (Bridal Shower, Kubrador), and Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino members Lito Zulueta and Grace Javier Alfonso.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/01/2008-cinema-one-digital-film-festival-finalists/

Kolorete - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“Kolorete” is an insightful and colorful indie movie vying for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

Kolorete is written by Sherad Anthony Sanchez and directed by Ruello Lozendo. The cast of Kolorete includes Roeder Camanag, Angeli Bayani, Perry Dizon, Jean Judith Javier, Frank Garcia, Coreen Chan, Chiqui Xeres Burgos, Lawrence Roxas and Edgar Sandalo

Synopsis: In the Spanish period, a town prepares for a stage play to serve as a despedida for the Alcalde Mayor or Gobernadorcillo who was dismissed by the town’s friar. Adding to the controversy is the visit of a Filipina soprano who is suspected to be an entourage of the incoming Alcalde Mayor. Suspicions arise but the secrets are inevitably unraveled. Everyone is taken aback when the play is finally staged.

Kolorete will have an advance screening on November 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the FEU Auditorium and on
November 24 at the College of Saint Benilde Amphitheater, 1:00 p.m. Regular screening is on December 3-10 at the Robinsons IndieSine.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/kolorete-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/

UPCAT - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“UPCAT” is a coming of age film about dreams and self-discovery. It is one of the 7 finalists in this year’s Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

UPCAT is written by Alfred Geoffrey Reyes and directed by Roman Olivares. The cast includes Felix Roco, Joseph Roble, Hiyasmien Neri, Mark Gil, Bembol Roco, Malou Crisologo and Richard Cuan.

Synopsis: A coming-of-age light melodrama that centers around Lucas (Felix Roco) and best buddy Jaoquin (Joseph Roble), provincial lads who believe passing the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) is the passport to their dreams of a better future. However, Lucas is more concerned about winning the heart of his rich schoolmate Jane (Yas Neri).

UPCAT will have an advance screening on November 20 at the UP Film Center, 5pm and on November 25, at the Assumption College, 1:00 p.m. Regular screening will be on December 3-10 at the Robinsons IndieSine.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/upcat-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/

Alon - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“Alon” reels off its beautiful drama with a wave of emotions for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

Alon is written and directed by Ron Bryant. It stars Mark Gil, Eula Valdez and Charee Pineda.

Synopsis: Vanni (Charee Pineda), a 17-year-old girl, spends her vacation in a seaside village. While looking for her lost puppy, she sees Fiel (Mark Gil), a lonesome 50-year-old man. Vanni decides to hang out in the man’s house and a fondness develops between them. However, he has an ailing wife afflicted with cancer.

It will have an advance screening on November 24 at the College of Saint Benilde Amphitheater at 6:00 p.m. and on November 25 at the Assumption College at 3:30 p.m.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/alon-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/

Imburnal - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“Imburnal” is another controversial finalist in this year’s Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

Imburnal is written and directed by Sherad Anthony Sanchez. The cast includes Brian Monterola, Jelieta Mariveles-Ruca, Allen Lumanog, Lawrence Garrido, Elvis Zerna, Dianne Zipagan, Maricel Rosello, Carmela de Guzman and Reyson Yap. Cinematography by John Torres, Joel Geolamen and Mark Limbaga.

Synopsis: This is a tale of manhood about to erode two pubescent males. While always hanging out in the crevasses of Punta Dumalog to escape poverty, Rabat (Brian Monterola) and Allen (Allen Lumanod) also find solace, dent their friendship and shape their orientations in life.

Imburnal was rated X by the MTRCB. It recently won the Lino Brocka Grand Prize, at the Digital Lokal category of the 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival.

It will have an advance screening on November 20 at the UP Film Center, 9 pm (director’s cut). Regular screenings will be on December 3-10 at the Robinsons IndieSine.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/imburnal-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/

Dose - Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival

“Dose” is a controversial gay-themed movie vying for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

“Dose” is a film written and directed by Senedy Que. It stars Brussels Best Actor Yul Servo, Emilio Garcia, Irma Adlawan, Fritz Chavez and Allesandra de Rossi.

Synopsis: When a friendly acquaintance develops into an unlikely closeness between a curious 12-year-old boy named Edy (Fritz Arvhie Chavez) and a lonely gardener Danny (Yul Servo), the line that defines love and friendship, passion and trust inevitably intersects.

Dose is set to premiere on November 20 at the UP Film Center at 7pm. It will have a regular screening on December 3 to 10 at Robinsons IndieSine.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/dose-cinema-one-originals-digital-film-festival/

Motorcyle - Cinema One Originals Digital Filmfest

Motorcyle is one of the 7 finalists for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival starring Jason Abalos.

Motorcyle is an entry by Jon Red with screenplay by Karlo de Guzman. The cast of Motorcycle includes Urian Best Actor Jason Abalos, Nonie Buencamino, Kat Alano, Sharmaine Centenera, Lovely Rivero, Jao Mapa, Soliman Cruz, Jojit Lorenzo and Lance Raymundo.

Synopsis: A tale of self-discovery, centered around a young man who journeys to Vigan, Ilocos Norte. Instead his trip becomes a sojourn that will unlock his real identity and the secrets of his family. He goes on this road trip onboard his motorcycle as a favor to his father.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/20/motorcyle-cinema-one-originals-digital-filmfest/

‘My Only U’ Hits P62.2 Million in 2 Weeks

The latest James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, topped Philippine Box Office last weekend while Star Cinema’s “My Only You” earned P62.2 Million on its 2nd week run.

My Only You is currently at no. 10 in the list of biggest pinoy movies for 2008, just right after Mag-Ingat Ka Sa Kulam which ended its run with a gross of P64.26 million. The Vhong Navarro-Toni Gonzaga movie is currently on track to surpass My Big Love’s (which also starred Toni Gonzaga) P68 million and Supahpapalicious‘ (which also starred Vhong Navarro) P66.98 million.

My Only U received a grade of “B” from the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Philippine Box Office
(November 5-9, 2008)

1. Quantum of Solace - P53.63 M
2. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - P30.37 M
3. My Only U - P15.34 M
4. High School Musical 2: Senior Year - P3.29 M
5. Max Payne - P581,446.03
6. City of Ember - P504,860.00
7. The House Bunny - P272,947.63
8. Body of Lies - P208,750.58
9. Eagle Eye - P165,315.96
10. Tropic Thunder - P66,008.86

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/11/11/my-only-u-hits-p622-million-in-2-weeks/

Mag-ingat Ka Sa Kulam Hits P64.2 M in Two Weeks

The Regal Films horror movie “Mag-ingat Ka Sa Kulam” starring Judy Ann Santos and Dennis Trillo earned P64,261,522.00 on its first 2 weeks of screening.

“Kulam” has been the no. 1 movie in the Philippines for 2 consecutive weeks since it opened last October 1 beating Hollywood movies like Eagle Eye, Body of Lies, Tropic Thunder, Mirrors and Bangkok Dangerous. It registered an opening weekend gross of P43,360,883.00, the year’s 6th highest for a local film.

Top 10 Opening Weekend Gross for Pinoy Films in 2008
(as of October 2008)

1. For the First Time (Aug. 25-29) - P78,966,833.66
2. Caregiver (May 28-June 1) - P62,852,844.56
3. A Very Special Love (July 30 to Aug. 3) - P58,440,333.16
4. My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend (Feb. 13-17) - P45,834,201.35
5. Dobol Trobol (Aug. 13-17) - P44,672,115.60
6. Mag-ingat Ka Sa Kulam (October 1-5) - P43,360,883.00
7. When Love Begins (April 30-May 4) - P40,757,517.52
8. My Big Love (Feb. 27-March 2) - P30,763,209.40
9. My Monster Mom (July 2-6) - P16,157,096.73
10. Manay Po 2: Overload (April 16-20) - P14,346,933.50

GMA Films’ I.T.A.L.Y. marked its 4th week of screening with a total gross of P22,173,261.00. On the other hand, Star Cinema’s “For the First Time” starring KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez ended its run with a final gross of P134,695,005.00, the 3rd biggest local movie of the year after A Very Special Love and Caregiver. “For the First Time” is currently the 5th top-grossing movie in Philippine Box-office for 2008 if we are to include Hollywood films in contention.

As of October 20, 2008:

Top 5 movies in Philippine Box-office for 2008:

1. A Very Special Love (Star Cinema/Viva Films) - P180.00 million
2. Iron Man (Paramount) - P174.18 million
3. The Dark Knight (Warner Brothers) - P159.14 million
4. Caregiver (Star Cinema) - P139.54 million
5. For The First Time (Star Cinema) - P134.70 million

Here are the Top 5 Local movies for 2008 so far:

1. A Very Special Love (Star Cinema/Viva Films) - P180.00 million
2. Caregiver (Star Cinema) - P139.54 million
3. For The First Time (Star Cinema) - P134.70 million
4. My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend (GMA Films/Regal Films) - P101.26 million
5. Dobol Trobol Get Redi 2 Rambol - P90.51 million
(Octoarts Films)

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/10/24/mag-ingat-ka-sa-kulam-hits-p642-m-in-two-weeks/

Top Grossing Pinoy Movies for 2008 - October Update

Find out the 10 pinoy movies this year that dominated the local box-office as of October 2008.

The 10 Highest-Grossing Pinoy Films for 2008 so far:

1. A VERY SPECIAL LOVE - P179.23 million
(Star Cinema/Viva Films)

2. CAREGIVER - P139.54 million
(Star Cinema)

3. FOR THE FIRST TIME - P134.7 million
(Star Cinema)

4. MY BESTFRIEND’S GIRLFRIEND - P101.24million
(GMA Films/Regal Films)

5. DOBOL TROBOL GET REDI 2 RAMBOL - P90.51 million
(Octoarts Films)

6. WHEN LOVE BEGINS - P89.38 million
(Star Cinema/Viva Films)

7. MY BIG LOVE - P68 million
(Star Cinema)

8. SUPAHPAPALICIOUS - P66.98 million
(Star Cinema)

9. MAG-INGAT KA SA KULAM - P64.26 million *
(Regal Films)

10. MANAY PO 2: OVERLOAD - P30.4 million
(Regal Films)

* not yet final, still screening in theaters

With the upcoming movies like My Only U, One True Love, Land Down Under and the Metro Manila Film Festival entries, this list could very much change.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/10/24/top-grossing-pinoy-movies-for-2008-october-update/

Metro Manila Film Festival 2008 Official Entries

8 movies are selected this year as official entries to the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival as announced by Julie Borje, chair of the Selection Committee.

1. Dayo
Cutting Edge Productions
Director: Robert Quilao

2. Baler
(Viva Films)

3. Desperadas 2
(Regal Films)

4. Shake, Rattle and Roll X
(Regal Films)

5. Magkaibigan
(Maverick Films)

6. One Night Only
(Canary Films)

7. Escaleras and Ungasis (20 years After)
OctoArts Films

8. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat
(Star Cinema)

Unlike last year, all movies this year will be screened simultaneously as one batch during the 10-day run. It was the first time in 34 years that an animation movie is one of the official entries of the filmfest. Cutting Edge Production’s “Dayo” is one of the selected films this year.

This year, official entries were chosen on the basis of the following criteria: Story, creativity, innovativeness, global appeal, commercial viability, Filipino cultural/historical value, and the production outfit, capacity to produce the film in time for the December filmfest.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/07/01/metro-manila-film-festival-2008-official-entries/