Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 : My Pre-Festival Thoughts on the Magic 8 entries

We're just days away from the biggest film festival of the country, the Metro Manila Film Festival. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the festival is now on it's 43rd year. The first four film entries of the festival were announced on June 30, 2017 by using the script submission method while the last four official entries were announced on November 17, 2017, completing the Magic 8. So before the festival kicks in, here's my pre-festival thoughts on the 8 entries of this year's Metro Manila Film Festival.

All of You (Romance, Comedy). Starring Jennylyn Mercado, Derek Ramsay; produced by Quantum Films, MJM Productions; directed by Dan Villegas. Three years after their first project together as a loveteam (English Only, Please, 2014), Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay are back to bring kilig to audiences this Christmas with their latest entry, under the helm of box-office director Dan Villegas (How to be Yours, Always be my Maybe). I loved English Only, Please and I'm a big fan of director Dan, plus I am also a follower of Jennylyn Mercado's recent romance flicks so this film is definitely on my list. The trailer of the film beings back all the EOP feels three years ago and I am looking forward to what their latest team-up movie has to offer.

Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad (Action, Comedy). Starring Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla, Pia Wurtzbach; produced by Star Cinema, Viva Films; directed by Joyce Bernal. So apparently, the organizers of this year's MMFF reintroduced the controversial "commercial appeal/viability" which was previously criticized  because it was alleged that the reintroduction of these old rules was made to to prioritize box-office success over quality films and to accommodate the big mainstream studios that were mostly left out last year. And so obviously, the past MMFF's box-office winners are also back on the scene, led by Vice Ganda. I don't have anything against him. To be honest, I loved his past films with Wenn Deramas (Sisterakas in 2012 and Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy in 2013 are two of my most favorite Filipino films of all time). But his other films these past couple of years were a bit disappointing. Despite that, it's been a tradition of mine to watch his film every MMFF so I am still looking forward to this one (especially because of Pia Wurtzbach).

Meant to Beh (Family, Comedy) starring Vic Sotto, Dawn Zulueta with JC Santos, Daniel Matsunaga, Sue Ramirez, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid,  Andrea Torres and Baby Baste; produced by OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment; directed by Chris Martinez. I'm gonna be honest with you- I'm not a fan of Vic Sotto. I guess the kind of comedy he's making is just not my type. But with very talented actors and actresses like JC Santos, Sue Ramirez and Ms. Dawn Zulueta in the cast, I am very willing to open my arms to embrace this one and give it a shot.

Ang Panday (Action, Fantasy) starring Coco Martin; produced by CCM Productions, Star Cinema, Viva Films; directed by Rodel Nacianceno. A reboot of the classic adventure featuring the late Fernando Poe Jr., this fantasy flick is helmed by Coco Martin himself, marking his directorial debut. And with his experience of working with the country's renowned directors before like Brillante Mendoza, I am curious as to how his first project as a director would be like. Plus, my mom has already made up her mind to watch this film with the whole family on Christmas Day, so it's definitely on my list.

Deadma Walking (Comedy, Drama, Musical) starring Joross Gamboa, Edgar Allan Guzman; produced by T-Rex Entertainment; directed by Julius Alfonso. Aside from the entries of Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto and Coco Martin, this musical dramedy is one of the film fest entries that has been making a hype on social media with it's out-of-this-world story. The concept of the film: a terminally ill gay man decides to fakes his own death to attend his own wake to hear his friend's views on him. Based on the acclaimed screenplay (Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature 2016 second prize winner), the film is one of my top contenders for the festival's Best Picture category. This one's actually on the top of my list of films to see this Christmas.

Haunted Forest (Horror, Thriller) starring Jane Oineza, Jameson Blake, Maris Racal and Jon Lucas; produced by Regal Entertainment; directed by Ian Loreños. Being a big fan of horror movies, this one's definitely on my list. This year's horror movie princess Jane Oineza (of Bloody Crayons) lead the cast of this upcoming horror film from Regal films. I'm not sure if this is a sort-of thematic sequel to 2015's Haunted Mansion but based on the trailer, this movie looks very promising. Aside from Jane Oineza, we also get to see Jameson Blake in his first foray into horror. Plus, we also get to watch Maris Racal and Jon Lucas in their first movie together.

Siargao (Romance, Drama) starring Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales, Jasmine Curtis-Smith; produced by Ten17 Productions; directed by Paul Soriano. A romantic drama set in the surfing island of Siargao is defintely the perfect movie to heat up everyone's Christmas. I've seen Paul Soriano's work before (Kid Kulafu) and I must say that he is pretty impressive. It's also great to see Jericho Rosales back on the big screen, plus he is joined by two of the most talented actresses of the country, Erich Gonzales and Jasmin Curtis. This movie kinda gives me the Apocalypse Child feels and I'd love to give it a try.

Ang Larawan (Musical) Starring Rachel Alejandro, Paulo Avelino, Joanna Ampil; produced by Culturtain Musicat Productions; directed by Loy Arcenas. An adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s revered play “A Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino." One of my most anticipated films in the festival, Ang Larawan had it's debut last October in Japan as part of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival. It has received rave reviews since then, with Variety critic Richard Kuipers calling it "a handsomely produced big-screen adaptation"... "impeccably performed and crisply photographed"... and "clearly made with the utmost love and care". This is another one of my top contenders for this year's Best Picture. From it's powerful cast (a crooning Paulo Avelino, anyone?) to it's rich technical detail and fabulous musical numbers, Ang Larawan is definitely the festival's must see.

So, which movie are you planning to watch this Christmas? What's your top pick for this year's Metro Manila Film Festival? Share your thoughts and leave a comment down below!