(REVIEW) UNINVITED: Desire To See An Unconventional VILMA SANTOS

Going inside the Gateway Mall theater this afternoon, I had super high expectations for this particular movie... not just because of the caliber of actresses in it, but how production and distribution has been done internationally with Mentorque Productions, Project 8 Projects and released via Warner Brothers (which you probably don't get on an ordinary day). There must be certain standards met, and from the looks of it, they've done it quite well. The film has excellent cinematography, camera angles, and story line that's very efficient. They didnt' get too comfortable adding unnecessary scenes (which is a plus on my books). Add to that the excellent music score and sound effects too.

UNINVITED has Ms. Vilma Santos, Aga Mulach and our generation's President Nadine Lustre. Obviously I'm a huge fan of their previous work and since they are presenting this in MMFF 2024, I want a different flavor from them because when they discussed this during the Mediacon a few weeks ago, they promised a worthy story (with them in it) that would keep us glued on the screen for a few hours (which they did). For starters, Ms. Vilma actually pitched this whole concept. Aside from directly being involved behind the cam, she's pronounced how this was actually a dream role for her. It was hard not to spoil a few things, but she shared that you could start by imagining all of these happening in one day.

When Nadine Lustre walked into the picture, she presented herself as a feisty, gutsy daughter of a very evil man. Partly fed up, she's a no holds barred, unapologetic lady, forced to please folks. She also takes comfort and refuge with other people. Aga Mulach which we often see as a goody two shoes guy on screen will join the dark side and make you squirm. Think of all the evil things a person could do and he's probably done it, making you hate him the moment he walks up on stage on his birthday. Ms. Vilma on the other hand plays Eva Candelaria, let's keep it a bit mysterious on what she's doing at the mansion. Slowly, her presence exudes power, purpose, commanding at times, but what danger lurks behind this persona? What caused her to be this way?

I could say right after I watched the film, Vilma Santos might just have tipped the scale for the Best Actress trophy with this entry. You could feel how vulnerable and deeply caring she is at times, ultimately, being a mother to her only daughter Lily. But remember, Ms. Vilma mentioned how she's never done something like this before... so if you expect a twist of some sort in the story, please, believe her. This is exactly this movie's biggest selling point, worthy of the amount you'll spend in the movies this Christmas season. This excellently made film certainly had people in the cinema rooting for her, literally screaming for her to go forward at times which I find cute since most of the folks in the front seat were seniors, and they were not holding back, getting involved in UNINVITED's story.

 

Mentorque Production's very own Bryan Dy went on to greet those who watched the film right after the screening. He didn't want the opportunity to pass to personally thank folks who supported them from day 1.

What do I think about the film? UNINVITED definitely needs to be seen by you, me and everybody else. This is just one of the few projects that Ms. Vilma Santos would make (she seldom does because of her public service work). She's iconic, no question, and did a great job despite the challenges of making this film. This is also a treat to the Vilmanians out there, you'll surely love every bit of it. This has a few flaws, but pretty cosmetic (just some which would have been done differently, creative decisions). If you're a fan of President Nadine Lustre, you would also be glad to see her here. It's not normal to see her do the dialogues she's done in UNINVITED, plus the interaction with the Star for All Seasons was also quite satisfying. Though you'll actually be loving Aga Mulach and his face, you'll hate him because of how you're going to be severely affected by his deeds. I'd give this a great 4/5 cows 🐮🐮🐮🐮.

Make sure you watch UNINVITED on theaters today, and also the other entries that are part of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 as they celebrate their 50th year! 

PS. Stay for the credits! This is also R13 which I think is a very lax decision (so go watch it if you can teens!).

UNINVITED Throws Biggest MMFF Entry Launch with NADINE LUSTRE, VILMA SANTOS and AGA MULACH

If there's something to tell about this movie aside the stars, it's the sheer scale of it. This is HUGE, and I couldn't wrap my head around why they've done it this way, but with Nadine Lustre, Ms. Vilma Santos and Aga Mulach in the cast, this kind of welcome is needed for their movie UNINVITED.

It was grand, it was fitting, because the story involved a Filipino billionaire. The story is also very dark as depicted on the trailer they released. This is going to be an acting piece for the three lead actors and honestly, I wouldn't want to be a juror for MMFF 2024 because from the looks of it, they'll be having a headache with first, having actresses with phenomenal awards battle it out for Best Actress. Two, seeing Aga do evil roles, something unlike his very sunny personality. That's just the tip of the iceberg though.

They revealed the official poster at the start of the event!

This is the huge stage, have I used huge a lot in this article? Yes I know.

Ms. Vilma Santos told the media "There's nobody else, no other name to play his role, it was only Aga Mulach. When he called me, he only asked if I'd accept the project, asked if it was true, and I immediately told him to accept it because otherwise, I'd be returning the candles for being Ninang to him and Charlene Gonzales. I wanted him to accept it so I could beat him up (she kids). When I head also that Nadine agreed with the project, I was already asking for shooting dates, with all honesty, I was mostly excited about it. Then I learned the huge cast that will also be with us, even if I felt bad in several shooting days, I knew I had to go through with it because I was with them all. I am inspired and in love with them."
 
Aga quipped "People were asking me why I'd be calling her, and they didn't know we often talk like that because we're really that close. The only question I asked was if she was game to do it, she didn't even had to talk more because I've been waiting for it the whole time. I'm just so happy this happened. It comes in threes, and out of the stuff we did, I'm very proud of this one! I'm quite excited too. When I heard Nadine was in the cast, I thought she was going to be a love interest, but production told me she will be my daughter (he kids), I was relieved!"

Nadine divulged a few things about her character and said "About similarities, I think we're polar opposites. Nicole is kind of extreme, she's rich, she does all the bad things, she's a foul mouth, she's got lots of hatred towards her father and the situation. I on the other hand am a more chill person, and the relationship I have with my father isn't the same either. The only thing I think that is similar is that we're both feisty. Our scenes are very heavy, but Kuya Aga does these adlibs that are not on script and we laugh about it after the scenes. But it feels different when you are working with a person of his caliber. Our scenes are going to be triggering, his personality is totally different in real life."

Here's the rest of the press conference on video:

Producer Bryan Dy responded to my question about being so passionate doing HUGE projects like these and he said "I'm actually very fortunate to be in this position. This is the part that you would never have to hold back, because with this kind of cast and story, if we let go of the chance, we probably wouldn't have something like this happen in our lifetime. One reason is, going to cinemas actually is expensive, so you want to really make sure that every peso cinema goers spend is worth it. With this cast, with the people working behind the camera, we think they're the best and we believe the Filipinos deserve it. And, we're not yet done, we're just starting! It is a dream project, and I've seen Ms. Vilma Santos in different roles when I was growing up, she didn't act on this film, she was more of a collaborator. She is very important for the entire film because she was assisting all the actors, they don't even go home anymore even if their scenes were done because they stayed to make sure this film has something to give. This is important and fulfilling for me. All our earnings from past projects, we rolled over here and even gave more. We're sure that we won't disappoint you with this film."

If the stars won't be the sole reason to see this film, you've got the story, the production value, and the anticipation of how great actors do it on screen should. 

Can't wait to see it in December!

A Journey of Grief, Acceptance and Relationships with Cinemalaya's KONO BASHO

 

 

When I first looked at the entries for Cinemalaya this year, I took interest in this one. It was just fate when we had to take the trip down south to watch KONO BASHO, produced by Project8 and Mentorque Productions, written and Directed by Jaime Pacena II. One that talks about grief, acceptance, building or re-building relationships.

Kono Basho literally means "This Place". The story is about two sisters who met during their biological father's funeral in Rikuzentakata, a city in Northern Japan. For those who don't know, this city has been ravaged by the huge earthquake and tsunami that hit the Iwate prefecture in 2011. In a sense, they really haven't fully built things like how they were, but are now experiencing something even more tragic... plus the feeling of awkwardness because the sisters really didn't know much about each other.

Ella is Filipino via her Mom with her Japanese Father, whilst Reina is born to a Japanese mother (one that was kind and understanding). Friction between them was quite a lot, young women that were both damaged by their past, circumstances and distance. Rikuzentakata might have symbolized what they went through in the story, they both lost their Dad, with unequal memories of him because Ella never experienced life with him.

This starts their journey together, in a partly civil, kind, but definitely torn in a lot of ways. It's great how the director never forced the conversation in Filipino or Japanese. It felt natural, and fitting. You could feel their pain, their longing for love, and how much they wanted to find it from other people, and hopefully, with each other.

This has depression and all the things related to it. They also gave a glimpse of kintsugi, an art form of pottery where they use gold to put broken pieces together. It symbolized how fragile they were. They will take you in on that story, where you continue to hope if they'd be able to fix it. It shows their spirit, their community, and how you could move on from heartbreaking parts of your life. 

Gabby Padilla isn't new to the business, and she showed how one could carry intellectual and emotional conversations like a light switch. You could say much of the conversation revolved and evolved around her, but it was done with intricacy, understandable diction, as she played an educator in the film. We asked her about her experience shooting the film especially since there's a language difference the actors had to endure. Her previous films actually helped!

As for the level of distraught you'll get from the film, Director Jaime Pacena said that they actually had a different treatment. You'll learn more about it as you watch the film. Even if the topic was so serious, it still felt quite refreshing to the eyes because the views there, were all just amazing! This is also the comeback film of Dan Villegas, one of the finest cinematographers in the country. 

While the Japanese cast (especially the Mother and Reina) performed quite remarkably in this film (I've seen their previous projects and even shows on NHK), Gabby was up there with them. If you've got the opportunity to catch this film while Cinemalaya is still there, you should. I think they're planning to have this released internationally, and by the looks of it... they're certainly qualified. Those wide indoor and outdoor shots, photography alone, is crazy good.

Congratulations to the men and women who made this film, you should definitely have this be exhibited in festivals elsewhere!

Mallari's PIOLO PASCUAL, JC SANTOS Might Bag MMFF 2023 Acting Awards

It's Christmas Day and what better way to enjoy it but by watching MMFF 2023 entries at SM North EDSA. The streets there were pretty weird as there was no traffic. I had a hunch that people may have not flocked to cinemas, and as soon as I alighted from the car, the mall was full to the brim.

The lines were crazy, there were people in the actual ticket booth (about 20), but right across was the actual line (because SM prepared seating for them) and it was almost 50-100 people, even more as the day progressed. For those who would want to watch movies, I would suggest you get tickets online so you don't have to line up.

I've watched a few entries already, but the recent good reviews about the film MALLARI just got me interested in seeing it. Piolo Pascual in the lead role was a given. I wouldn't want the reviews to influence me, but reading how they've described this as a technically excellent made film right at the get go, I had to be extra observant on how they executed it. His role was a little difficult because he had to play a Mallari from 3 different generations. One is from the Spanish times, the other would be in the 40's, and the modern one too. Piolo's ability to do the 3 different personas was something he had to really prepare for so watchers could differentiate them from the other. Aside from that, they had to also scare people in the theaters, and you'll get attempts right from the very beginning of the film. Piolo Pascual's character is pivotal. He's the anchor wherein much of the journey through time happens, but you have to watch out for several characters that are also going to be involved in the conflicts introduced in this film.

When the movie started, they stopped a few minutes in because PIOLO PASCUAL went in the actual theater!

 

It would be happy to note that JC Santos' performance here was just AMAZING. When you look at him throw lines and tremble in various scenes, you can feel him across the screen. We don't want to spoil things, but just look at him every time he's on frame as each little nuance and appearance would matter. Their story structure is interesting because you wouldn't have to be a scientist to know what would happen if they suddenly get their timelines intertwined. Yes, there will be time travel involved but unlike cars on Back 2 the Future, they had a special way of doing it. Aside from that, you'll have bouts of ghouls, monsters, and legendary beings from Filipino folklore. The story after all is based on real events, but mighty glad to see a rich interpretation of it.

It's not all horror, not all drama, it delves on family, revenge, the tendency to wreak fear with different kinds of people. They put this together quite nicely. I even felt proud seeing Warner Brothers in the opening credits, I'm sure they see something special in Mentorque's entry in MMFF 2023. Now it's your chance to see this in cinemas. Don't just stay at home and do nothing, grab your friends, your family and try MALLARI out for size.

There's a huge reason why it's getting sold out in cinemas yesterday. The story is interesting, and with Piolo and JC's superior performance, it'll be a tough one to battle out with the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. 

They might just get it.  

The film also stars Janella Salvador, Elisse Joson and Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz. They will be great contenders as well.

Go watch them all!

PIOLO PASCUAL for Historical Horror Flick "MALLARI"

The Philippines' most coveted leading man and muti-awarded actor Piolo Pascual is going to be portraying a role of a s3rial kill3r set in different timelines in Mentorque Productions "MALLARI". This is based on a true story of Juan Severino Mallari, a Catholic Priest who has taken the lives of supposed 57 individuals in the small town of Magalang, Pampanga. They'll be mixing in some fiction showcasing World War 2 and 2023 and tell how these in some way are connected, a scary premise which Piolo wanted to do since it is quite far from characters he has been reprising in previous movie projects. 

He initially said no to this movie because of the mere fact that it will be physically and mentally exhausting to do 3 roles in 3 different times plus the work required for prosthetics wouldn't be pleasing each shooting day. 

Producer Bryan Diamante of Mentorque Productions says "This is a dream project, Mallari is very challenging but I'm excited to bring this to the big screen. I strived to create films that bring the imaginations to movies, and I'm glad to be able to work with a heavily awarded director Derick Cabrido, and writer Enrico Santos. Thank you very much Mr. Piolo Pascual for accepting this project. Join us in creating a proudly Filipino production and concept."

Director Derick Cabrido has won several accolades in New York film festivals (medals in different years) and has worked in different documentaries, short films, indie films and full length ones that he's released in film festivals in different parts of the world. 

Piolo says "It's a relief that you don't have to think about results or box office because of the platforms, but we have a plan for the film. My being in the cinema, my only role is do your best, I don't have to think about commercial success, it's something that I am looking forward to do, I have these chances and I am thankful to do Mallari. I am grateful, when it happens, it happens. Initially I said no,  but in the same day I said yes, I just have to do what I have to do. I grew up in a Catholic family, school, and I respect them  everyday and in church. I wanted to become one when I was 18, attended Prex back in the day to have an easy life. They told me I need to study, I had a few attempts but ended up as an artista. Father's day was also special, my son was there and gave me an infinity necklace, he spent the day with me and we are doing projects together. He's a very talented young man, he's evolving, becoming a total performer, composed a few songs and I listened to it all day. We have a few dates in July for a concert. And hope a dance showdown happens in the last quarter of this year."

Today was just the contract signing and they plan to do a separate announcement for the cast which they have already chosen. Stay tuned for that and the actual movie which they plan to be part of the coming Metro Manila Film Festival this coming holidays 2023.