Metro Manila Film Festival 2006

Movie is an art form. It’s like putting the different art forms all together and showing it to the general public at a cheaper price and easier way to understand. I always wait for the showing of the Metro Manila Film Festival movie entries in theaters nationwide simply because I want to see on national television how the market would react. Of course, there’s the long queue, madness at the cinema, inappropriate shouting whenever the movie characters kiss or just about to be caught by the villains and the hysteria to put themselves in front of the camera to scream “this is the movie of the year”- which would be shown during TV commercials.

The awards night is another thing. It’s the time for celebrities to flaunt what they got- any part of the body that protrudes, flashy gowns, gigantic mass of hair and they’re celebrity dates. It’s also the time and an excuse for the press people to scrutinize the so-called stars.

I haven’t seen any of the movies. I would just wait for the VCD release and rent the movies during my free time. How do I choose a movie to watch? It all depends on the storyline, trailer and poster. I could be that shallow.

If I were one of the lucky press people who were given movie passes, my first five choices would be (according to order) Ligalig, Gua Ai Di, KKK, Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 and Enteng Kabisote 3.

I would watch Ligalig not only because there’s a steamy scene between Buboy and Gwen Garci (hello, it was deleted, I’ll just wait for the director’s cut to be released few months from now) but because I believe it’s a really good movie-so good that a Hollywood director would like to re-make the movie. Well, I’ve always liked Cesar Montano movies. He’s one of those people who strive to make the movie industry rise again. I felt bad that it didn’t bag the Best Picture award.

Gua Ai Di would be the only Mano Po movie that I’d ever watch. Seriously. I’m so tired of the plot of the previous Mano Po movies- very heavy and dramatic. At least this one brings the lighter side of a Sino-Filipino love affair.

Of course Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo should be in my list because my idol Judy Ann Santos won best actress for that movie. It’s the first time I’ve heard a comedy get the best actress award.

I’m a Shake, Rattle and Roll fan since I was a kid. I’ve seen the earlier installations that featured our beloved Aiza Seguerra and Manilyn Reynes. That’s the kind of Pinoy movie I don’t miss the most- corny and predictable. However, things change and movie making evolves. Now they’re trying to imitate how other Asian countries scare the heck out of the audience.

Would you believe that Enteng Kabisote 3 won the Best Picture award? I protest. Seriously. How did it happen? It’s because of one criterion worth 40%, the movie should be commercially viable.  Enteng Kabisote is the top grosser, while Ligalig is placed second to the last. Come on! Money over artistry? Now, it’s Enteng Kabisote who’s being placed in an awkward position instead of the judges, panels and board members of the MMFF. I have nothing against this movie. You should know that I watched Okay Ka Fairy Ko when I was a kid; I also saw parts 1 and 2 of the OKFK movie and the previous Enteng Kabisote movies.

P.S. Before I say goodbye, Pops and Zsa Zsa don’t look cool in their costumes. The whole movie looks like a latex/fetish/voyeur/homosexual party. Of course, it’s just my opinion. The kids look at them as superheroes. So be it.