“Thy Womb” – Directed by Dante Mendoza, this has won international awards in Venice and Brisbane. It stars Nora Aunor as Shaleha, a barren Tausug midwife in Tawi-Tawi looking for a young woman willing to give a child to her husband, Bembol Roco. Also stars Lovi Poe as the surrogate wife. Offers beautiful scenery and Ate Guy’s award-winning performance.
“Shake, Rattle & Roll 14” – This is different from all the previous Shake trilogies as all the episodes are helmed by just one director, Chito Rono. And thanks to his fine direction this is the first Shake movie to get an A rating. The first episode, “Pamana”, stars Herbert Bautista, Janice de Belen, Arlene Muhlach, Empress Schuck, Ivan Dorschner and kiddie star Gerald Pesigan as inheritors of an old house that turns out to be haunted by the terrifying characters created by their late ancestor who’s a writer of horror novels. The second episode, “Unwanted”, stars Lovi Poe, Vhong Navarro, Eula Caballero and Albie Casino as mallgoers who get trapped in a mall invaded by aliens. The last episode, “Lost Command”, is about a squad of soldiers led by Dennis Trillo, Paulo Avelino, JC Tiuseco and Martin Escudero who encounter zombie soldiers led by Ronnie Lazaro and Roi Vinzon in the forest.
“El Presidente” – Directed by Mark Meily, this chronicles the life of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and the birth of First Philippine Republic. Shows important events in our history like the controversial election at the Tejeros Convention, the Pact of Biak na Bato, the Treaty of Paris, the executions of Andres Bonifacio and Gen. Antonio Luna, the writing of the Philippine Constitution, the making of the Philippine Flag and the National Anthem. Stars Jeorge ER Estregan in the title role, Nora Aunor as the second wife, Christopher de Leon as Gen. Antonio Luna, Cesar Montano as Supremo Andres Bonifacio and Cristine Reyes as the first wife.
“One More Try” – Directed by Ruel Bayani, it stars Angel Locsin as a single mom whose son is afflicted with leukemia so she asked the boy’s dad, Dingdong Dantes, now married to Angelica Panganiban, to go to bed with her again so they can have another child who’d provide bone marrow transplant for the dying boy. Also stars Zanjoe Marudo as Angel’s new boyfriend. Bayani said the story is original but it’s basic plot about a woman borrowing someone else’s husband for her sick child has already been used in “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” with Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel and the late Dindo Fernado. The bone marrow factor has also been used in the 2008 Chinese drama “In Love We Trust” directed by Wan Xiaoshuai that won the Silver Bear in the Berlin Filmfest. The difference is that in the Chinese film, the protagonists are a divorced couple who have both remarried. Copying an story idea is nothing new. The important thing is how it is treated anew by the later version.
These are the rest of the entries: “The Strangers” – Directed by Lawrence Fajardo, this is a horror-thriller about a family (Cherry Pie Picache and Johnny Revilla as the parents, Julia Montes and Enrique Gil as their children) who go on a trip to a town called Murcia and strange things start happening to them and their companions. Also stars Janice de Belen, Nico Antonio, Enchong Dee, Jaime Fabregas and JM de Guzman.
“Sisterakas” – Directed by Wenn Deramas, this is a comedy about warring half-siblings Ai Ai de las Alas and Vice Ganda and their arch enemy, Kris Aquino. Also stars the teen love team of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, plus child star Xyriel Manabat.
“Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si AKO” – Directed by Tony Reyes, this is a sequel to the 2010 movie and brings back Bong Revilla as Agimat and Vic Sotto as Enteng. Bong now marries Sam Pinto while Vic is still married to Gwen Zamora. The AKO in the title is Judy Ann Santos as Angeline Kalikasan Orteza who works with an environmental group called AKO (Alagang Kalikasan Organization). Together, they help fight the enemies called Pusitos (alien pusits) who invade our planet. Also stars Aiza Seguerra, John Lapus, Oyo Sotto, Jolo Revilla, Jose and Wally, child stars Jillian Ward and Ryza Mae Dizon.
“Sosy Problems” – Directed by Andoy Ranay, this is a hilarious satire on the foibles and lifestyles of the “sosyal” members of the upper class in our society, starring Heart Evangelista, Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King, Aljur Abrenica, Mikael Daez, Alden Richards, Robert Arevalo, Ricky Davao, Cherie Gil, Barbie Forteza, Kristoffer Martin, Agot Isidro, Nova Villa and Mylene Dizon in a ribtickling scene-stealing role.
Showbiz pundits predict that the No. 1 spot would be occupied by either “Sisterakas”, a comedy, or “Agimat, Enteng”, an action-adventure fantasy-comedy that target kid viewers. The next slots are predicted to go to “Shake, Rattle & Roll 14” (a franchise film that has its pre-sold market) or “One More Try” (an intriguing drama with elements of sex). We hope Ate Guy’s entry will do well because of the acclaim it got. She really needs a box office hit to prove she still has pulling power at the tills. Hopefully the awards she won abroad will help to attract more viewers, especially those looking for more serious meaningful film fare.
Another movie that should be supported by the public is “El Presidente”, a big-budgeted costume epic about one of the most important turning points in out history, the Philippine Revolution.
Happy viewing and Merry Christmas, everyone!
