ANi (2019) Cinemalaya Movie Trailer Impressions: A Filipino Sci-Fi Coming-of-Age Film About a Journey of a Boy and His Robot

ANi is a 2019 a coming-of-age science fiction film and an official Cinemalaya 2019 finalist with a screenplay by Toni Zuñiga, Kim Zuñiga, and Sandro Del Rosario; under the direction of Kim Zuñiga and Sandro Del Rosario starring Ricky Davao, Zyren Dela Cruz, Miguel Valdes, and Anna Luna; and is slated for a limited Philippine theatrical release from August 2-13, 2019 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Let's check out what this 2019 Cinemalaya film festival entry about a Filipino sci-fi film about a boy with his malfunctioning robot here at Pinoy Movie Blogger.


ANi (The Harvest)
Plot / Synopsis

When his grandfather falls ill, an orphaned boy and his malfunctioning robot embark on a quest to look for magical grains that he believes will save the old man’s life.

Source: Cinemalaya

Watch the ANi Official trailer here:





ANi (The Harvest) Official Trailer Impression
ANi (The Harvest) Film Trailer Review


What can be said about the ANi (2019) official movie trailer for Cinemalaya 2019? Well, Ani feels fresh to me; not in the context of what we've seen so far in mainstream Filipino films. We just don't get something done seriously and competently. The technology is already there but companies just don't want to invest in something outside horror and romantic films. And even if they do, it isn't a guarantee that the visual effects are going to be visually appealing amidst the many months of preparation and post-production. Well, luckily Ani seems to break this mold. There are some good studios backing up the film, so that helps boost it up a notch. Of course, all will be for naught, if the narrative and performance will fall behind. The ANi trailer is good so far and intriguing at best. ANi isn't categorized as a straight-up horror but more of a coming-of-age science fiction film, but we can sense a looming dread in this film from its trailer; of a dystopian society run by warbots (war robots).





This is the hook of Ani. What are these "warbots" in this dystopian society? And the premise tells that the film will follow a boy and his malfunctioning robot to find a magical grain. How can a magical grain cure the life of his old man? What part do these warbots play in society and why are the ordinary people seem to both be afraid and hostile towards them? This raises more questions that hopefully will be resolved as the film unfolds. While some of the performance from the trailer is questionable (I'm looking at you scene where kids are beating what seems to the main robot or the kid protagonist), hopefully, it won't detract what seems to be an interesting premise. As a big fan of horror, fantasy and sci-fi, Ani is one of my most anticipated film for the Cinemalaya 2019.


How about you guys? What do you think about this 2019 Cinemalaya sci-fi coming-of-age film festival entry about a dystopian future possibly ruled by war robots? What are similar films like this that you have seen and liked in the past (internationally)? How do you like that it uses another local dialect instead of the safe Filipino (Tagalog) language? Will you be seeing this 2019 Cinemalaya official film festival finalist on its limited theatrical run in the Cultural Center of the Philippines from August 2 to 13, 2019? Share your thoughts and opinion about ANi (2019) in the comments section below and let's talk about it.

Your Place or Mine? Trailer Impressions: Wattpad Story Adapted Romantic Film Starring Andi Eigenmann, Bret Jackson, and Andre Paras

Your Place or Mine? is a Viva Filma romantic film adapted from the hit selling Wattpad novel written by "Turning Japanese" (turning_japanese) under the direction of Joel Lamangan which stars Andi Eigenmann, Bret Jackson, and Andre Paras slated for an April 29, 2015 nationwide theatrical release. Let's check out this latest hit Wattpad novel adapted into the big screen with You're Place or Mine?.


Your Place or Mine?
Plot / Synopsis

With the growing popularity of novels being adapted for the big screen every year and after the success of the bestsellers turned blockbuster movies “Diary ng Panget” and “Talk Back and You’re Dead,” VIVAFilms is proud to release another popular Wattpad story entitled, “YOUR PLACE OR MINE?” Written by Turning Japanese, with 13.7 million reads.

“YOUR PLACE OR MINE?” stars VIVA Princess Andi Eigenmann and newest heartthrob Bret Jackson, together with Diary ng Panget’s Andre Paras. The film is directed by Mr. Joel Lamangan .

“YOUR PLACE OR MINE?” is a coming-of-age romance movie that features the crazy love story of HALEY SAAVEDRA, a 19 year old girl taking up BS Psychology, who gets drunk in a bar and sleeps with a guy who’s a complete stranger to her. This man who comes from a rich family is CLAY RUSSELL SANDOVAL, a soccer star player from the same school where Haley studies.


They see each other again unexpectedly inside the school, recollecting the details of what really happened on that night. Their actions show that they both enjoy the night and still desire for more.

Watch Your Place or Mine? Official trailer here:


Your Place or Mine? Official Trailer Impression
Your Place or Mine? Film Trailer Review

Viva Films has outdone themselves again with this trailer for their Wattpad adapted romantic film. Don't you just "love" it when a trailer leaves little to the imagination? Guess they are marketing this to the Wattpad fans who already knew the ending of the film because the trailer "never" hinted it.


What is there to say about Your Place or Mine? official movie trailer? From the trailer alone we can say that there is a lot punching and slapping, arranged marriages which still somehow works in this politically correct society (probably explained why she needed to wed the person), a "friendzoned" guy who becomes somewhat a threat and may becomes a third party to the initial pair, and some PG-13 love scenes. Guess this is the source of the "kilig factor" of the Wattpad novel and its film adaptation to its teenage (at heart) targeted demographic. Interesting as of the time bing local television channel TV5 has a romance television show featuring Wattpad stories with "Wattpad Presents". Guess "You're Place or Mine?"'s adult theme (of one night stand) and this being a best-selling novel is not covered by the usually tween-friendly television programming of the local networks.


Times are truly changing as romantic films (and films in general) have now become more and more gutsy with their presentation and themes. More skin and more love scenes is the future of movies as if that indicates that film studios (and writers) are taking their audience seriously and treating them like mature and rational individuals. There is nothing wrong with it as it gives creators more space to add more twist to recycled movie story and themes. It somehow deviate from the rich guy-poor girl or vice versa theme. Unfortunately Viva Films lack or marketing with the titles they produce (unlike that of Star Cinema) and the film's sexy imagery can somehow affect the sales of this film. We'll see how this film will perform. Will it be a sleeper hit or simply another mediocre romantic film left to obscurity?


How about you guys, what do you think about this film adaptation of Wattpad's bestselling author Turning Japanese (turning_japanese)' novel? Are you big Wattpad reader? What is your best Wattpad stories? How does You're Place or Mine compare to other stories you've read? What Wattpad story is better in your opinion? Share your thoughts about Your Place or Mine? official movie trailer in the comments section below:

The Karate Kid (2010) Movie Review

The Karate Kid is a remake of the 1986 movie of the same title. The only difference is that it isn't really Karate but Kung Fu. Want to learn more about the film and the trailer? Check out the movie trailer and some interesting screenshots here at The Karate Kid - East Meets West All Over Again



Karate Kid Movie Review
Pinoy Movie Blogger Reviews

To start off, our country the Philippines is one of the few selected countries that have been chosen to first screen the 2010 Karate Kid movie. So yours truly will give you a sneak peak and recommendations for the movie so don't you not worry as like any reviews PMB has done in the past, this is a Karate Kid 2010 spoiler-free movie review.

The Karate Kid 2010 movie can be called one of those few good movie remakes that could be as blockbuster, if not beat its predecessor in terms of blockbuster sales. Though the issue of a remake actually beating the original film is highly debatable.

I do not know if it is just the audio set up of the cinema where we watched the Karate Kid premiere, or could it be on the actual film itself but the first few parts and some noticeable parts of the film has some really poor background music. I do hope that the experience we had here in the Philippine on the Karate Kid premiere was just a cinema audio problem and not the actual film itself, because if it is then it would definitely raise some eyebrows for having such poorly rendered or edited background music. With that issue being on question as of the moment, I will focus on some other aspects of the film.

One thing I also notice that there are some parts which also lacks the necessary subtitles which you will eventually find out when you watch the movie. It isn't really that big of a problem but if only they have completely subbed all the Chinese conversations then it would really complete the experience. I wished that they also subtitled Mr. Han (Jackie Chan)'s "special moment" on the film... Man! his English was so fast on that very dramatic moment, it seems like he is eating his (English) lines which became very hard to comprehend most of the word that he is saying to Dre (Jaden Smith). That is one particular scene which plays a key role on understanding one of the main character, but for me... sad to say it failed.

The Karate Kid remake doesn't really create a particular feeling of nostalgia in the film which is also a good thing, rather it creates an almost completely different film from it. If they only named it Kung Fu Kid and just included a small line "inspired by the Karate Kid", then it would not really be compared that much or rather not too many would notice (specially the younger audience) the similarities to the old movie which has a different martial art discipline theme included on the core of the movie.

As usual the action scenes were really good, as expected on a Karate Kid remake and Jackie Chan movie. I somehow feel that there is also a subliminal message that tends to promote the tourism of China, but its all fine to me. You will appreciate the scenic spots shown in the film as well, believe me... you will. Though the film has some very cheesy (probably cliche) moments near the final end of the film (ahem, "recovery"), which you will only know once you've seen it yourself, it doesn't really make the pull down the whole movie but rather it became the critical and decisive moment on the remake. Did I got you too pep up to see it for yourself or what?

The Karate Kid is a very heart warming and feel good family movie. Come on, who doesn't want to watch a good movie about a bullied kid who's seemingly weak at first but would later transformed into this strong-willed powerful "karate" kid. This has always been one of the many the elements of The Karate Kid movies which was also adapted by the its 2010 remake. Unlike other movie remakes, The Karate Kid did not fall on the movie remake pitfall (or curse) of copying in every noticeable bits and pieces of the originals. Rather than being an homage or a tribute it turns out to be a lack of creativity and does not really give justice or rebirth of the title... other remakes just recently did. It took good elements of the classic film franchise and took a different yet interesting route from there to create a good entertaining remake for the family.

The Karate Kid Cast Interviews
Movie Related Videos



Jackie Chan Interview: The Karate Kid



Jaden Smith Interview: The Karate Kid

PMB Recommendation
The Verdict

The Karate Kid 2010 movie tells about life, hope, and achieving greater heights once we put our minds and body to it. A remake which is not really a remake, rather is loosely based or inspired by the classic coming of age-drama film of the same title which stars Pat Morita as the ever dependent mentor. With an additional mix of humor, The Karate Kid is definitely a complete package for the while family which includes elements of action, comedy, drama, self-discovery, friendship, and many more. The Karate Kid is best viewed on the big screen together with your family, I watched mine together with my (action movie fan) father and he is all praise for it.

Pinoy Movie Blogger gives The Karate Kid (2010) Movie a three out of five jackets: