Even before its’ nationwide release on November 30, GMA Films’ horror movie “The Road” has already sparked the interest of foreign movie critics/enthusiasts specializing in films of this genre. Here are some of the quotes:
“Stunning cinematography and sound design combine to create a truly unsettling atmosphere” Todd Brown, editor-in-chief Twitch Film
“A beautifully shot, twisted supernatural tale with incredible FX and great scares!” Brad Miska, Editor-in-Chief Bloody Disgusting
“Creepy to the extreme. It gets under your skin and stays there.” Jason Bene, KillerFilm.com
About the trailer above, here’s more from Todd Brown of twitchfilm.com :
“We ran the first teaser for The Road a while back, much impressed by the visuals and mood of the piece. And now Laranas has released the full trailer for the film, a bit of work that still keeps plot details to a minimum while showing off the pictures gorgeous cinematography and incredibly creepy tone, that tone greatly enhanced by the use of music and sound design from Let The Right One In composer Johan Söderqvist. Laranas is clearly on top form here.”
And regarding the movie poster above, JoBlo.com (Arrow in the Head) and Jared Pacheco have this to say:
“NEW ONE-SHEET FOR GENRE FLICK THE ROAD SCORES ITSELF A ROTTING CORPSE!”
“It seems there’s a Filipino genre flick that’s been getting some attention as of late that has somehow been flying under our radar. Well I’m about to change that. The project I’m getting at is a supernatural romp called THE ROAD and it’s coming our way from director Yam Laranas.”
Here’s the plot of “The Road”:
A twelve year old cold case is reopened when three teens are missing in an abandoned road. In the course of the investigation, deeper and gruesome stories of abduction and murders are discovered. After more than two decades, the secrets of the haunted road may finally be revealed.
If I have interested you so far, then mark the date – November 30 – when “The Road” will open all throughout the Philippines.
“The Road” is directed by internationally-acclaimed director Yam Laranas (“The Echo”) and stars Carmina Villarroel, Marvin Agustin, Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad, Barbie Forteza, Ynna Asistio, Derrick Monasterio, Lexi Fernandez, Alden Richards, Louise Delos Reyes and Renz Valerio.
You can follow the movie on Twitter @TheRoadGMAFilms
In the next two months, two local films of the horror genre will be released nationwide and they look very interesting enough. I’m a fan of scary movies, aside from the fact that the two directors – Jerrold Tarog and Yam Laranas – have proven themselves more than competent to come up with works that can make your skin crawl. Check them out.
courtesy of regalcinema
Jerrold Tarog caught my attention when he directed the “Punerarya” (Funeral Parlor) episode of Shake Rattle & Roll 12. He gave the same a look and feel that sent shivers to my bones. This time around, he came up with a remake that thrives in a rustic macabre setting which lends more authenticity to the folkloric origins of the flesh-eating creatures called “Aswang“. I’m excited to watch this one. Watch the teaser trailer above and you’ll see what I mean.
“Aswang” is presented by Regal Entertainment, Inc. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, it stars Lovi Poe, Paulo Avelino, Jillian Ward, Marc Abaya, Nina Jose, Precious Lara Quigaman and introducing Albie Casino. It opens October, 2011.
courtesy of pinoymovieblog
On the other hand, Yam Laranas has been churning out mostly horror flicks ever since he started making a name for himself in the biz. In fact, he remade one of his earlier works – 2004’s “Sigaw” (Scream) – into a (straight-to-video) Hollywood production that starred Jesse Bradford and local actress Iza Calzado. His latest offering is “The Road”, an intriguing ghost story that delivers less of the gore and more of the build-up scare tactics – all rolled into an excellently-photographed production that makes me want to watch the whole thing.
The Road is presented by GMA Films and director Yam Laranas. It stars Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad, Carmina Villarroel, Marvin Agustin, Barbie Forteza, Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes, Derrick Monasterio, Lexie Fernandez and Ynna Asistio. It opens November, 2011.
Support Filipino Films. Let’s all watch “Aswang” and The Road. I’m pretty sure we won’t be disappointed. 😉
“Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” (The Dance of Two Left Feet)
directed by Alvin Yapan, starring Jean Garcia, Paulo Avelino and Rocco Nacino
courtesy of VYACProd
“Busong” (Palawan Fate)
directed by Auraeus Solito, starring Alessandra de Rossi and Clifford Banagale
courtesy of cinephiliade
“Patikul“ (the word refers to a poor municipality in Sulu)
directed by Joel Lamangan, starring Marvin Agustin, Glaiza de Castro, Ciara Sotto, Allen Dizon, Angeli Nicole Sanoy
courtesy of drmwvrjohn
“Isda“ (Fable of the Fish)
directed by Adolf Alix Jr., starring Cherry Pie Picache, Angel Aquino, Bembol Roco, Evelyn Vargas and Anita Linda
courtesy of bicyclepix
“Immanuel”
directed by Gabriel “Gio” Puyat, starring Ping Medina
courtesy of akosipuyat
Here’s the Official Press Release of Cinemalaya 2011 which will run from July 15-24, 2011:
Thirty one new digital films compete in 2011 Cinemalaya
Thirty one new digital films will compete in the 2011 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in Manila from July 15 to 24, 2011. Now on its seventh year, Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc. It is an all-digital film festival that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. Cinemalaya’s main competition categories are the New Breed full feature category and the Short Feature category featuring works by new directors. The Directors Showcase is a competition for works by established directors.
Nine films will compete in the New Breed full length feature category; ten in the Short feature category and four in the Directors Showcase. Competing in the New Breed category are: Amok (Amok) by Lawrence Fajardo; Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank) by Chris Martinez; Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (The Dance of Two Left Feet) by Alemberg Ang and Alvin Yapan; Baby Factory by Eduardo W. Roy, Jr. and Jerome Zamora; Cuchera by Joseph Israel M. Laban and Janice O’Hara; I-libings: Your Loss, Our Luck (E-funerals) by Rommel Andreo Sales; Ligo na U, Lapit Na Me by Noel Ferrer, Jerry Gracio and Erick Salud; Niño by Loy Arcenas; and Teoriya (Father’s Way) by Alistaire Christian E. Chan.
The nine finalists of the New Breed Full Length Feature category each received a P500,000 seed grant from the Cinemalaya Foundation as investment for the production. The Best Full Length Feature Film will receive a prize of P200,000 and the Balanghai Trophy. The New Breed Full Length feature category is open to Filipino filmmakers who have not yet directed more than three full feature films.
The ten finalists in the Short Feature category are: Oliver’s Apartment by Misha Balangue, Hanapbuhay (Source of Living) by Henry Frejas, Un Diutay Mundo(one Small World) by Ana Carlyn V. Lim, Immanuel by Gabriel “Gio” Puyat, Hazardby Mikhail Red, Walang Katapusang Kwarto (An Endless Room) by Emerson Reyes, Debut by Pamela Llanes Reyes, Samarito (Smaritan) by Rafael L. Santos,Every Other Time by Gino M. Santos, and Nino Bonito by Rommel “Milo” Tolentino. The winner of the Short Feature Category will receive a prize of P100,000.00 and the Balanghai trophy.
The four finalists in the Directors Showcase are: Bisperas (Eve) by Jeffrey Jeturian; Busong (Palawan Fate) by Auraeus Solito; Isda (Fable of the Fish) by Adolfo Alix Jr. and Patikul by Joel C. Lamangan. The finalists of the Directors showcase each received a P500,000 seed grant from the Cinemalaya Foundation. The Best Film in the Directors Showcase will receive a prize of P300,000 and the Balanghai Trophy. The Directors Showcase is open to full length feature works by Filipino directors who have directed at least three full-length commercial feature films.
For the first time, this year’s Cinemalaya Festival will include a section called Focus Asia that will feature eight independent works by Asian directors. Other sections of the Cinemalaya are the NETPAC Philippine Premieres with eight competing films, Ani (a harvest of the best Filipino Indie Films of the past year), Kids Treats (indie films for children) and Midnight Specials (indie films with adult themes). Cinemalaya will also organize the Cinemalaya Film Congress and other film related events such as the Sine Taktakan (forum with 2011 Cinemalaya filmmakers), lectures and exhibits.
The Festival will be held in seven venues at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City. The opening ceremony is slated on July 15, 6:00 pm followed by the festival opening film at the CCP main theater. The Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held on July 24, 7:00 pm at the same venue.
So start saving up some money now for the popularly-priced tickets! Let’s all support the internationally-renowned local indies which have brought honors to the country for many years now. 😉
Tonight starts the newest teleserye of GMA-7 that revolves around the beautiful, wonderful, intriguing and dramatic world of beauty pageants, and it is aptly titled “Beauty Queen“. It is about three ladies – Maita (Iza), Rebecca (Maggie) and Dorcas (Katrina) – who, separately, have different stories to tell about how they ended up competing for the (fictional) beauty title of Bb. Isla Pilipinas 2010 – detailing the tears, heartaches, and obstacles they had to go through in order to achieve their childhood dreams.
Watch the HQ teaser/trailer below:
video courtesy of YouTube/raffmano
As of this writing, the participation of Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Venus Raj in the said drama series is still uncertain. It appears that Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) has not given the go-signal for her entry into the world of TV acting. Nevertheless, “Beauty Queen” is sure to be a hit because this is the first time that a full-blown series will be devoted to one of the Filipinos’ biggest passions – beauty pageants.
The three ladies above will be joined by a powerhouse cast led by Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, TJ Trinidad, Marvin Agustin, Elizabeth Oropesa, Luis Alandy, Carmi Martin, Bembol Roco, Juan Rodrigo, Marky Lopez, Ricci Chan, Bubbles Paraiso, Victor Aliwalas, Tomas Gonzales and many more. Directed by Joel Lamangan, the series will air weeknights on GMA-7’s Telebabad primetime block @9:45PM right after Ilumina.
Things are getting brighter and brighter for Miss Unverse 2010 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj. She recently made a courtesy call to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim where she was formally given the Key to Manila, aside from being declared as the city’s Adopted Daughter – a well-deserved accolade indeed. Here’s the press release from GMANews.TV:
Venus Raj now an adopted daughter of Manila
The Manila government has passed a resolution declaring Miss Universe fourth runner-up Ma. Venus Raj as an adopted daughter of the city.
The resolution was principally co-authored by councilors Josie Siscar and Niño dela Cruz.
Raj on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Alfredo Lim who, along with other city officials and councilors, welcomed her warmly.
City hall employees also joined in welcoming the statuesque beauty queen from Bicol.
Among those who welcomed Raj were former Miss International Gemma Cruz-Araneta, who now heads the city’s tourism and cultural affairs bureau; city legal officer lawyer Renato dela Cruz; and Lim’s chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman.
Siscar, Dela Cruz, lawyer Bimbo Quintos XVI and Ian Nieva joined other city hall officials in presenting the resolution declaring Raj as an adopted daughter of Manila.
Lim also presented Raj a key to the city and expressed pride over her achievements. “For the hearts of many Filipinos, Raj is our Miss Universe,” he said in a statement.
Raj, for her part, expressed her gratitude to the city officials for affording her warm welcome. She also welcomed the privileges afforded to her by the city. – KBK, GMANews.TV
What’s more, Venus is now a Certified Kapuso Talent. She will make her debut acting project as part of the upcoming GMA-7 primetime teleserye (beautyserye if you will) “The Beauty Queen” where she will be featured alongside lead actress Iza Calzado and supporting players Gloria Diaz (Miss Universe 1969), Maggie Wilson (Bb. Pilipinas-World 2007), Katrina Halili, Marvin Agustin and TJ Trinidad.
This primetime series will start airing next month, replacing Endless Love which wraps up by early October.
Venus is really going great guns nowadays, long after her Miss Universe achievement! 😉
GMA-7 recently launched their landmark production of “Lupang Hinirang“, the Philippine National Anthem which currently signs in and signs off their daily broadcast. This will also be officially used in all SM Cinemas nationwide.
The video highlights the different historical points in the country’s history that led to where we are right now. It assembles the biggest and the brightest talents of GMA-7 portraying roles such as Lapu-Lapu (Aljur Abrenica), Gregorio del Pilar (Dingdong Dantes), Manuel L. Quezon (Richard Guetierrez), Emilio Aguinaldo (Dennis Trillo), Andres Bonifacio (Mark Anthony Fernandez), Dr. Jose Rizal (Marvin Agustin), People Power nun (Marian Rivera), Gomburza (Paolo Paraiso, Victor Aliwalas & Bodie Cruz), the women who created the first Philippine flag (Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos & Bea Benene), Filipino-American War heroes (TJ Trinidad, JC Tiuseco, Dion Ignacio & Enzo Pineda) and many more!
“Lupang Hinirang,” which runs for two and a half minutes, is directed by Paul Ticzon, who says it took his team 10 months of meticulous research and preparation to shoot the vignettes.
Personally, I feel proud(er) of being a Filipino everytime I watch the same.
Excellent job, Kapuso network!
By the way, today is a non-working holiday throughout the Philippines due to the end of Ramadan. Another long weekend ahead! Enjoy! 😉
Today, at exactly 11:45AM, GMA-7’s new Sunday musical-variety show makes its premiere. Party Pilipinas, which replaces the long-running SOP, has been heavily anticipated for the past few weeks now. Aside from having all the network’s top and upcoming stars hosting and/or appearing in the show, many other artists and performers have been signed up to spice things up.
Here is the OST of Party Pilipinas’ dance theme:
video/audio courtesy of YouTube/djtwoTV
SOP’s original quartet of hosts – Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Jaya and Janno Gibbs – will continue to anchor the show. They will be joined by Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Heart Evangelista, Carla Abellana, Jay-R, Kyla, Carla Abellana, Raymond Gutierrez, new kapuso talent Mark Bautista, Marvin Agustin, Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos, Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Mark Herras, Kris Lawrence, Ynna Assistio, La Diva, Joshua Dionisio, Barbie Forteza, Jhake Vargas, Steven Silva, Sarah Lahbati, Diva Montelaba, Enzo Pineda, Rocco Nacino, the Starsruck V Avengers, Miguel Escueta, POP Girls, the newly-formed Party Pilipinas Dance Crew, new Pinoy boyband XLR8 and a lot more. The network even hired internationally-renowned dance choreographer Ruben Monet to handle all the dancers’ moves in the same. Meanwhile, popular Korean boy band U-Kiss will make their first appearance on Philippine TV via Party Pilipinas.
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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