Movie Reviews on Metro Manila Film Festival 2011

Filipinos are basically moviegoers; always topping the Asian survey of being tagged as movie buff of the region.

Aside from patronizing Hollywood movies and Asian movies circulating in the country, local movie productions and producers are always saving the best for last as December comes each year.

That's why, Metro Manila Film Festival will always be part of year-ending event in the Philippines as it features the best of movies that fanatics are craving during the Christmas season.

Aside from going to church to thank the Lord for the year's bounty, islanders will always be mesmerized by the unique 'highs' that those movies will bring to every member of the family that will be part of the mob that will watch those anticipated local productions.

For the year 2011, the 37th installment of the movie festival will feature movies both in the mainstream and indie (independent) categories.

The following movies are declared as the official films-to-watch by the moviegoers.

1. Enteng ng Ina Mo - a collaboration of a fantasy-action-packed and family adventure of the season, featuring seasoned thespians in comedy, Vic Sotto and Ai-ai de las Alas.
2. My Househusband (Ikaw Na!) - starring the reel-to-real couple, Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.
3. Ang Panday 2 - starring action star-turned-senator Bong Revilla on its second installment on the adventure of this famous legendary smith.
4. Segunda Mano - produced and starred by the former Presidential daughter/television host Kris Aquino, showcasing the mystery and horror of buying secondhand dresses, bags and accessories. A horror flick to watch for, so, they say.
5. Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 - a horror trilogy that will always give us goosebumps and chills plus the screams once you see it.
6. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - a drama entry starring seasoned protagonists Gabby Concepcion and Maricel Soriano plus handful of young stars.
7. Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story - a movie filmed in black and white retelling the true-to-life bio of the so-called Robinhood of Tondo, Manila.

If I will single out as to what movie should win this year, I will cast my vote on the Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.

My personal biases go for this story that shaped the lives of the residents of Tondo, Manila as the character of Nicasio "Asiong" Salonga helped the impoverished people of his place to have a decent kind of living condition.

A notorious gang leader with a golden heart, Asiong was dubbed as the Robinhood of Tondo, gaining that moniker from a legendary western character that also inspired others to help the needy even though it will mean robbing banks or the rich people of the society.

By the way, seasoned cinematographer Tikoy Aguiluz served as the man at the helm of this flick which stars Mayor Jeorge Estregan, who's also the producer of the film.

For production value, as in visual effects, I would have my thumbs up for Ang Panday 2 of Senator Bong Revilla who also starred it. Digital enhancements for special effects will surely dominate this movie as new characters will ignite the new installment of this adventure film.

Horror flicks will always scare moviegoers but they'll also crave for it. Shake, Rattle and Roll on its 13th installment brings another scream-to-the-top trilogy. Segunda Mano will give it a run for the moviegoers money.

I don't know if a drama flick like Yesterday,Today and Tomorrow will bring revenue at the tills but it will bring honor to the thespians involved.

I would rather watch a comedy offering, like Enteng ng Ina Mo (plus its fantasy-adventure scenes) and a homebody husband in the movie, My Househusband (Ikaw Na!)

Copyright & Reviewed by travel_man1971 as of December 21, 2011.

Low-budgeted movies produced by independent filmmakers were staged and exhibited as early as December 17-21 in order for the early movie patrons to have a feel of the Philippine movie highlights come the 25th day of the month, the Christmas day.

14 independent films were produced this year, full length and short films highlighting the production of different colleges in Manila and nearby universities outside the city.

Full Length Category

• Haruo - by Adolf Alix

• Ritwal - by Yeng Grande

• Dyagwar - by Ogie Diaz and Sid Pascua

• Pintakasi - by Imee Marcos and Nelson Caguila

Student Shorts

• Payaso - La Salle Lipa

• Adivino - Asia Pacific Film Institute

• Sanayan lang ang Pagpatay - Ateneo de Naga University

• Biyahe ni Barbie - De La salle-College of Saint Benilde

• Oras - International Academy of Film and Television, Cebu

• Mate - Colegio de San Juan de Letran

• I See Everything - Southville International School

• Bagong Ligo - Mapua M.A.S.

• Speechless - Miriam College

• Ulan - Pixel Arts, La Consolacion College

A group of film jurors will select Best Independent Feature and Best Student Short Film during the MMFF Annual Awards Night at the New World Resort Hotel on December 28, 2011. That will be three days after the official showing of the main movie entries of the festival.

More and more awards are being given, aside from the characters' categories (best performances) and the technical values of each film.

Additional prize will also be given by the Quezon City Gender and Development Office for the Most Gender-Sensitive Film. I don't actually perceive its importance but I will guess, it's for the values given by the portrayal of each character in a film.