‘A Love Story’ Tops 26th Luna Awards

The “local academy awards”, Luna of the Film Academy of the Philippines, released their winners for movies shown in 2007.

Here is the complete list of winners in the 26th Luna Awards:

Best Picture:
A Love Story (Star Cinema)

Best Director:
Maryo J. de los Reyes (A Love Story)

Best Actor:
Paolo Contis (Banal)

Best Actress:
Maricel Soriano (Bahay Kubo)

Best Supporting Actor:
Dante Rivero (A Love Story)

Best Supporting Actress:
Angelica Panganiban (A Love Story)

Best Screenplay:
Vanessa R. Valdez (A Love Story)

Best Cinematography:
Renato de Vera (Ataul for Rent)

Best Editing:
Jess Navarro (Silip)

Best Production Design:
Rodell Cruz (Resiklo)

Best Sound:
Ditoy Aguila (Ouija)

Best Musical Score:
Carmina Reyes Cuya (Ouija)

Golden Reel Award:
Former President Joseph Estrada

The Manuel de Leon Award:
Cirio Santiago (producer-director)

FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award:
Ms. Boots Anson-Roa (actress)

Lamberto Avellana Award (posthumous):
Juanito Clemente (sound engineer)

The Film Academy of the Philippines will hand out the awards on January 26, 2009.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/11/a-love-story-tops-26th-luna-awards/

You Change My Life - A Very Special Love Sequel

Due to the success of the Viva Films and Star Cinema co-production “A Very Special Love” which is the no. 1 movie in the country for 2008, they are filming the sequel entitled “You Change My Life.”

“You Change My Life” is the title of Miggy’s (John Lloyd Cruz) love song for Laida (Sarah Geronimo) in A Very Special Love. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, they are now half-way through the filming of “You Change My Life.”

The original movie - A Very Special Love - earned a whopping P179.23 million at the box-office making it the no. 1 film in the Philippines for the whole year of 2008, even trumping Hollywood films like Iron Man and Twilight. Can they do it again this 2009?

“Wish ko lang po na hindi man nito ma-surpass ang A Very Special Love, mapantayan man lang nito ang kinita ng una naming movie ni John Lloyd,” Sarah’s reaction about the pressure of making the sequel.

A different angle is expected in the story of “You Change My Life”. The couple will be facing their individual problems and a third party will challenge their romantic affair. Playing the third wheel is young actor/dancer Rayver Cruz.

It will be recalled that Rayver is currently being linked to the pop princess. Rayver even guested in Sarah’s ‘The Next One’ concert in Araneta Coliseum last November 8, 2008.

In reaction to this news, Rayver simply said, “Di pa ako nag-i-start pero nakakatuwa naman kung kasali nga. Ang tambalan nila [Sarah and John Lloyd], sobrang lupit. Isang malaking karangalan na mapasama ka dun sa mismong movie nila.”

You Change My Life is set to premiere on February 25, 2009 in theaters nationwide.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/12/you-change-my-life-a-very-special-love-sequel/

‘Serbis’ to be Shown in the US

International award-winning movie “Serbis” (Service) by Brillante Mendoza (Slingshot, The Masseur, Summer Heat, Foster Child) is showing in selected theaters in the US on January 16, 2009. Check out the US poster and trailer of Serbis after the jump.

Rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America, Serbis is being distributed in the US by Regent Releasing.

Synopsis
Filipino director Brillante Mendoza brings a frank, gritty immediacy to SERBIS, a multi-character, day-in-the-life portrait of a family-run movie house in the Philippines. Only this isn’t your… Filipino director Brillante Mendoza brings a frank, gritty immediacy to SERBIS, a multi-character, day-in-the-life portrait of a family-run movie house in the Philippines. Only this isn’t your typical movie house. It’s actually a downtrodden venue that shows graphic double features and allows the clientele to make their own sexual connections in the dark shadows. Today is a very important day, for Nanay Flor, the family matriarch, is going to discover if she won a years-in-the-making bigamy case against her husband. Meanwhile, her children are involved in dramatic situations of their own. Alan has just learned troubling news about his girlfriend, and Nayda is married but attracted to her cousin Ronald. As the day develops and the verdict comes down, the Pinedas struggle to focus on the daily tasks associated with the theater, even as their own personal conflicts threaten to overwhelm them. Shot on video, SERBIS recalls films from the Dogme 95 movement. Mendoza and screenwriter Armando Lao have clearly constructed these dramatic situations, yet they are shot on consumer video with such energy that the film often feels like a documentary. Mendoza pulls no punches, showing multiple scenes of behind-the-scenes sexuality that are even more graphic than the X-rated behavior unfolding on the cavernous theater’s silver screen. SERBIS provides a realistic, unflinching glimpse into this hyper-sexualized world.

Serbis (Service) stars Coco Martin (The Masseur), Jacklyn Jose (Consol), Kristoffer King, Julio Diaz, Dan Alvaro and Gina Pareño (The Collector).

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT SERBIS:

“Slightly more evolved from a narrative perspective than his previous feature Tirador (Slingshot), Serbis (Service) is another overwhelmingly tactile experience that should further cement the prolific filmmaker’s reputation.” - John P. McCarthy (Boxoffice Magazine)

“Raw and Uncompromising.” - New York Film Festival

“Bristling Sexuality, both gay and straight.” - The Hollywood Reported

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/11/serbis-to-be-shown-in-the-us/

2008 MMFF Final Box-Office Rankings

Star Cinema’s Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat sets a new box-office record at the conclusion of the 2-week run of the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Here are the final box-office ranking of the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival:

Week 1, December 25 - 31, 2008:
1. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat - P102.5M
2. Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After - P72.6M
3. Shake, Rattle & Roll X - P45.7M
4. Desperadas 2 - P27.3M
5. Baler - P24.5M
6. One Night Only - P5.7M
7. Dayo - P4.1M
8. Magkaibigan- P1.6M

Week 2, January 01 - 07, 2009:
1. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat - P68.5M
2. Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After - P34.4M
3. Shake, Rattle & Roll X - P22.3M
4. Desperadas 2 - P22.0M
5. Baler - P11.3M
6. One Night Only - P4.8M
7. Dayo - P1.5M
8. Magkaibigan- P0.5M

Over-All Gross Receipt
December 25, 2008 - January 07, 2009:

1. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat - P171.0M *
2. Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After - P107.0M *
3. Shake, Rattle & Roll X - P68.0M
4. Desperadas 2 - P49.3M
5. Baler - P35.8M
6. One Night Only - P10.5M
7. Dayo - P5.6M
8. Magkaibigan- P2.1M

* Now showing on its 3rd week

As of January 7, 2009, MMFF overall earnings is P449.3 million, surpassing the 2007 and 2006 final earnings of 380.3M and 414.5M respectively.

Source: National Cinema Association of the Philippines
http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/10/2008-mmff-final-box-office-rankings/

Love Me Again (Land Down Under) Movie Poster

Here’s the official movie poster of the Star Cinema film “Love Me Again” (Land Down Under) starring Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin:



Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/09/love-me-again-land-down-under-movie-poster/

6th Gawad Tanglaw for Movies - 2008 Winners

Gawad TANGLAW (Gawad Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw) announced this year's winners in the movie category.

Here is the partial list of winners of 6th Gawad TANGLAW:

Best Actresses:
Anita Linda for Adela
Judy Ann Santos for Ploning

Best Actors:
John Estrada for Caregiver
Baron Geisler for Jay

Best Supporting Actress:
Boots Anson-Roa for Lovebirds

Best Supporting Actor:
Emilio Garcia for Walang Kawala

Best Directors:
Dante Nico Garcia
Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil
Chris Martinez

Best Pictures:
Ploning
Boses
100

Presidential Jury Award for Film Excellence:
Brillante Mendoza

Gawad Tanglaw ng Pelikulang Pilipino:
Robbie Tan of Seiko Films

Gawad TANGLAW is composed of film critics, scholars, historians, and professors of humanities. The awards night is happening in March 2009.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/08/6th-gawad-tanglaw-for-movies-2008-winners/

‘A Very Special Love’, ‘Twilight’ Dominate Our 2008 People’s Choice for Movies

Check out the complete results of our 2008 People’s Choice Poll for Movies.

Please take note that the purpose of this poll is to pulse the most POPULAR movies and movie actors/director for 2008. It does not represent the BEST of 2008 as the title of each category starts with the word “FAVORITE.”

With more than 1,000 respondents for each category, i think we got the right results for each category as the box-office gross of these movies co-relates with the choices.

“A Very Special Love” was the no. 1 pinoy movie for 2008 while “Twilight”, on the other hand, was the no. 1 Hollywood film for the same year.

FAVORITE MOVIE OF THE YEAR
1. A Very Special Love - 60%
2. My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend - 18%
3. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat - 14%
4. For the First Time - 4%
5. Caregiver - 4%

FAVORITE MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR
1. John Lloyd Cruz (A Very Special Love) - 72%
2. Dingdong Dantes (One True Love) - 16%
3. Richard Gutierrez (For the First Time) - 6%
4. Sam Milby (My Big Love) - 6%

FAVORITE MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
1. Sarah Geronimo (A Very Special Love) - 63%
2. Marian Rivera (One True Love) - 21%
3. KC Concepcion (For the First Time) - 8%
4. Toni Gonzaga (My Big Love) - 8%

FAVORITE INDIE FILM OF THE YEAR
1. Ploning - 66%
2. 100 - 17%
3. Serbis - 12%
4. Jay - 5%

FAVORITE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
1. Cathy Garcia-Molina (A Very Special Love) - 65%
2. Joyce Bernal (For the First Time) - 17%
3. Wenn Deramas (Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat) - 12%
4. Chris Martinez (100) - 3%

FAVORITE HOLLYWOOD MOVIE OF THE YEAR
1. Twilight - 66%
2. The Dark Knight - 14%
3. Kung Fu Panda - 13%
4. Iron Man - 7%

FAVORITE HOLLWOOD ACTOR OF THE YEAR
1. Robert Pattison (Twilight) - 46%
2. Zac Efron (High School Musical 3) - 29%
3. Keanu Reeves (The Day the Earth Stood Still) - 14%
4. Shia LaBeouf (Indiana Jones 4, Eagle Eye) - 11%

FAVORITE HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
1. Kristen Stewart (Twilight) - 35%
2. Angelina Jolie (Wanted) - 32%
3. Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical 3) - 24%
4. Cameron Diaz (What Happens in Vegas) - 8%

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/08/a-very-special-love-twilight-dominate-our-2008-peoples-choice-for-movies/

Cinemalaya 2009 Finalists Bared

The Top 10 finalists for the 2009 Cinemalaya Film Festival are the following:

24K by Ana Agabin

Ang Nerseri (The Nursery) by Vic Acedillo, Jr.

Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin Yapan

Astig (Mga Batang Kalye) by GB Sampedro

Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros

Dinig Sana Kita by Mike Sandejas

Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno

Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel

Mangatyanan (The Blood Trail) by Jerrold Tarog

Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco

Each finalists will receive P500,000.00 as seed investments. The 10 films will be screened on July 17-26, 2009 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The winning entry will be announced on July 26, 2009 and will receive an additional P200,000.00 cash incentive.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/09/cinemalaya-2009-finalists-bared/

Rufa Mae Quinto stars in Status: Single

Sexy comedienne Rufa Mae Quino stars in Viva Film’s pre-Valentine comedy movie, “Status: Single.”

In this upcoming comedy flick, Rufa Mae plays a conservative woman who dresses provocatively and is actively looking for her lifelong partner. “Status: Single is about a woman with a never-ending quest to find true love. Virgin ang role ko dun at naka-date ako ng iba’t ibang klase ng lalaki.” said Rufa Mae.

Its cast includes Mylene Dizon, Desiree del Valle, Angelu de Leon, Paolo Contis, Alfred Vargas, Rafael Rosell, Mark Bautista, and Jon Avila. Opens in theaters on January 28 and is directed by Jose Javier Reyes.

Source: http://www.mukamo.com/rufa-mae-quinto-status-single/

31st GAWAD URIAN Nominees

THE MANUNURI ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the society of respected film critics, has announced the nominees for the 31st annual Gawad Urian for excellence in filmmaking.

Independent digital features dominate the best picture race: “Confessional” (Creative Programs, Inc. through Cinema One Originals and Oddfield Productions), “Endo” (UFO Pictures Production), “Foster Child” (Seiko Films), “Death in the Land of Encantos” (Sine Olivia Pilipinas), “Tirador” (Centerstage Productions), and “Tribu” (8 Glasses Productions).

“Confessional” is about a neophyte documentary filmmaker and the explosive confession of a provincial mayor. Jerrold Tarog, its director, is nominated for best director (along with co-director Ruel Dahis), as well as best actor, screenplay (aka Ramon Ukit), editing (aka Pats R. Ranyo), and sound. Publio Briones III, who plays the mayor, is nominated for best supporting actor.

“Endo,” about the personal and economic struggles of a contractual worker in the retail industry, is also nominated for best actor (Jason Abalos), actress (Ina Feleo), director (Jade Francis Castro), supporting actress (Alcris Galura), screenplay (Castro, Michiko Yamamoto, Raymond Lee), and production design (Jhek Cogama).

“Foster Child,” about a surrogate mother to a boy set to be adopted abroad, is also nominated for best actress (Cherry Pie Picache), director (Brillante Mendoza), supporting actress (Eugene Domingo), supporting actor (Jiro Manio), screenplay (Joel Jover and Ralston Jover), production design (Benjamin Padero), cinematography (Odyssey Flores), and sound (Emmanuelle Clemente and Arnold Reodica).

Brillante Mendoza is also nominated for best director for “Tirador,” about petty criminal syndicates around Quiapo. Aside from best picture and director, the movie is also nominated for supporting actor (Kristoffer King and Benjamin Fileo), supporting actress (Angela Ruiz), screenplay (Ralston Jover), production design (Harley Alcasid and Deans Habal), cinematography (Mendoza, Jeffrey de la Cruz, Gary Tria and Julius Villanueva), music (Teresa Barrozo), and sound (Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia).

“Death in the Land of the Encantos,” about how people try to pick up the pieces after a devastating typhoon much like the one that hit Bicol in 2006, is also nominated for best actor (Roeder Camanag), direction and screenplay (Lav Diaz), and production design (Diaz again and Dante Perez).

“Tribu,” about Tondo rasta-street gangs, is also nominated for best director and screenplay (Jim Libiran), actor (O.G. Sacred), supporting actress (Malou Crisologo), production design (Armi Cacanindin), editing (Lawrence Ang), music (Francis de Veyra), and sound (Ditoy Aguila).

World-renowned Filipino filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, whose internationally award-winning 1977 film, “Mababangong Bangungot” (Perfumed Nightmare) earned acclaim from Francis Ford Coppola and Werner Herzog, will receive the Natatanging Gawad, the critics’ lifetime achievement award.

Winners will be announced during colorful formal ceremonies next month to be produced by APT Productions.

The Manunuri is chaired by Mike Rapatan of the communications department of De la Salle University.

Members are Nicanor Tiongson, former artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board; Bienvenido Lumbera, 1993 Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate; Gigi Alfonso, chancellor of the UP Open University; Mario Hernando, Sunday Malaya editor; columnist and television personality Butch Francisco; Roland Tolentino, professor of the UP College of Mass Communications; and Lito Zulueta, Inquirer editor and professor at the University of Santo Tomas.

Complete list of nominees:

PICTURE: Confessional (Creative Programs, Inc. thru Cinema One Originals and Oddfield Productions), Endo (UFO Pictures Production), Foster Child (Seiko Films), Death in the Land of Encantos (Sine Olivia Pilipinas), Tirador (Centerstage Productions), Tribu (8 Glasses Productions)

DIRECTOR: Adolfo Alix Jr. (Tambolista), Jade Francis Castro (Endo), Lav Diaz (Death in the Land of Encantos), Jim Libiran (Tribu), Brillante Mendoza (Foster Child and Tirador), Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Dahis Antipuesto (Confessional), Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos (Selda)

SCREENPLAY: Jade Castro, Michiko Yamamoto, Raymond Lee (Endo), Lav Diaz (Death in the Land of Encantos), Joel Jover and Ralston Jover (Foster Child), Ralston Jover (Tirador), Jim Libiran (Tribu), Jose Javier Reyes (Katas ng Saudi), Ave Regina S. Tayag (Tambolista), Ramon Ukit (aka Jerrold Tarog) (Confessional)

ACTRESS: Glaiza de Castro (Still Life), Ina Feleo (Endo), Cherry Pie Picache (Foster Child), Judy Ann Santos (Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo), Lorna Tolentino (Katas ng Saudi)

ACTOR: Jason Abalos (Endo), Jerrold Tarog (Confessional), Roeder Camanag (Death in the Land of Encantos), Jinggoy Estrada (Katas ng Saudi), Sid Lucero (Selda), Jiro Manio (Tambolista), Romnick Sarmenta (Prinsesa), O. G. Sacred (Tribu)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Malou Crisologo (Tribu), Eugene Domingo (Foster Child), Anita Linda (Tambolista), Liza Lorena (Katas ng Saudi), Ara Mina (Selda), Angela Ruiz (Tirador)

SUPPORTING ACTOR: Publio Briones III (Confessional), Benjamin Fileo (Tirador), Alcris Galura (Endo), Emilio Garcia (Selda), Sid Lucero (Tambolista), Jiro Manio (Foster Child), Coco Martin (Tambolista)

PRODUCTION DESIGN: Harley Alcasid and Deans Habal (Tirador), Armi Cacanindin (Tribu), Jhek Cogama (Endo), Lav Diaz and Dante Perez (Death in the Land of Encantos), Martin Masadao, Regie Regalado, Dante Garcia, and Endi "Hai" Balbuena (Pisay), Benjamin Padero (Foster Child), Danny Red (Selda), Baba Velasco and Vilma Velasco (Maling Akala)

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Rodolfo Aves Jr. (Kadin), Albert Banzon (Tambolista), Albert Banzon (Tribu), Jeffrey dela Cruz, Brillante Mendoza, Gary Tria and Julius Villanueva (Tirador), Odyssey Flores (Foster Child), Odyssey Flores (Selda), Larry Manda (Maling Akala), Dan Villegas (Still Life)

EDITING: Lawrence Ang (Tribu), Aleks Castaneda (Tambolista), Ray Defante Gibraltar (When Timawa Meets Delgado), Charliebebs Gohetia (Foster Child), Pats R. Ranyo (aka Jerrold Tarog) (Confessional)

MUSIC: Teresa Barrozo (Tirador), Vince de Jesus (Pisay), Francis de Veyra (Tribu), Khavn dela Cruz (Tambolista), Danny Gil (Maling Akala)

SOUND: Ditoy Aguila (Tambolista), Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia (Tirador), Emanuelle Clemente and Arnold Reodica (Foster Child), Mark Laccay (Tribu), Jerrold Tarog (Confessional)

SHORT FILM: Nominees be announced later.

Source: http://www.manunuri.com/

Aurora: A Double X-Rated Indie Film

Aurora, the Rosanna Roces comeback movie, has been slapped twice with an “X” rating by the MTRCB. Watch the trailer and decide for yourself if it’s an artfilm or porn.

The reviewers from the Movie Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB ruled twice saying that the controversial rape scenes in the movie are not fit for public viewing. Director Adolfo Alix, Jr., on the other hand, stands by his cut of the film and is currently appealing the decision to Malacañang.

Alix, who also wrote the script for Aurora, was known for critically-acclaimed indie films such as Tambolista, Donsol (RP’s entry to the 2006 Oscars), Batanes and Adela.

Aurora stars Sid Lucero, Kristofer King, Angeli Bayani and Rosanna Roces. The film explores an intimate portrait of a captor and a captive as they both struggle to survive in the depths of a jungle.

A social worker named Aurora (Rosanna Roces) is kidnapped by members of the Lost Command. After a military raid in the middle of the night, she gets lost in the forest. She walks aimlessly in the thick forest, hoping to find her way out to freedom. She is found by Fadi (Sid Lucero), one of her captors. Aurora tries every way in order to run away. Will she see the break of dawn alive?

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/07/aurora-a-double-x-rated-indie-film/

Star Cinema And Viva Films: Working Girls

Anne, Angelica, Cristine, Toni at Kristine sa remake ng Working Girls
NALAMAN namin kay Viva Films Boss Vic del Rosario na sa January 29, 2009 na ang playdate ng Civil Status: Single, kung saan bida si Rufa Mae Quinto at kapareha ang sangkatutak na lalaki.

Sa press naman nalaman ni Boss Vic na interesado ang sexy comedienne na i-remake ang Working Girls.

Sa isa sa mga presscon ng Metro Manila filmfest entry na Desperadas 2, naikuwento ni Rufa Mae ang kagustuhang gawin uli ang movie ni Ishmael Bernal.

Kaya lang, nag-usap na pala si Boss Vic at ang Star Cinema at ire-remake nila ang nabanggit na pelikula. In fact, napili na ang cast.

Excited nga si Boss Vic sa cast na kinabibilangan nina Anne Curtis, Angelica Panganiban, Cristine Reyes, Toni Gonzaga at Kristine Hermosa.

Sa February na raw ang start ng shooting at director na lang yata ang kulang.

Nabanggit din ni Boss Vic na balak i-remake ng Star Cinema ang Bagets, pero mauuna sa TV bago ang pelikula.

Kumporme rito ang producer, dahil after 25 years, kailangan daw muling mapanood ang pelikula with a new cast.

Source: http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?s=8fdcc6974577a1c2e9c9846a83b8947c&t=378011