Showing posts with label International Debut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Debut. Show all posts

May 7, 2017

Bliss (2017) Trailer Impressions: A Dark Journey Down the Rabbit Hole of a Broken Actress

Bliss is a psychological thriller from Artikulo Uno Productions under the direction and screenplay by Jerrold Tarog starring Iza Calzado, TJ Trinidad, Ian Veneracion, Shamaine Buencamino, Audie Gemora, and Adrienne Vergara with a May 10, 2017 theatrical release. Let's check out what this R-18 psychological thriller from the same makers of Heneral Luna has to offer.

Bliss 2017 Filipino movie trailer impressions psychological thriller film trailer review Pinoy Movie Blogger

Bliss
Plot / Synopsis

Spoiler Warning: Detailed Plot Synopsis courtesy of Referenced Source Material. Read at your own risk.

Bliss revolves around the character of Jane Ciego (Iza Calzado), an actress on the verge of burnout. This prompts her to produce a film to boost her chances of winning an award but which only results in her literal downfall. That's because Jane figures in an accident in the middle of a 30-hour shoot. The accident has left her paralyzed and she becomes "trapped" inside a house with her husband, Carlo (TJ Trinidad) and a nurse, Lilibeth (Adrienne Vergara).

She wakes up everyday to the same scene, looking up at a smoke detector. Carlo would serve her breakfast, leaving only after asking her to sign a check to buy equipment for a restaurant.

All throughout the film, Jane would hear voices and other noise inside the big house. She would often follow the sound, only to wake up as if she was dreaming.

Bliss 2017 Filipino psychological thriller featuring Iza Calzado as Jane Ciego, Shamaine Buencamino, and Audie Gemora

While Jane is trapped inside the house, the other characters go about their business. There’s Lexter Palao (Audie Gemora), the director of Jane’s film, who hopes that she gets better so she can promote her film. There’s also Jane’s mother (Shamaine Buencamino), who also wishes the same thing so she can go on living the life of a stage mother.

The film also shows the backstory of Rose, a nurse wanted by authorities for sexually molesting her patient. It turns out that Rose was in the same audition as Jane when they were younger, but failed to make it into showbiz. She became a nurse, and a fan of Jane.

At some point in Jane’s repetitive life, she becomes confused whether she is living her life or dreaming of a scene from her movie. Her husband Carlo turns into Joshua (Ian Veneracion), and she becomes Abigail. Jane’s sanity begins to crumble as the horrors pile up in a symphony of blood, tears and madness. What was supposed to be a simple dream for Jane soon becomes an endless nightmare.


Source: ABS-CBN News


Watch Bliss Official trailers here:









Bliss Official Trailer Impression
Bliss Film Trailer Review

Bliss 2017 Philippine psychological thriller film from Artikulo Uno Productions with Iza Calzado winning the Yakushi Pearl Award in the 2017 Osaka Asian Film Festival

What can be said about Bliss (2017) official movie trailer? Well, Bliss official movie trailer has piqued my interest. We really don't have that many Filipino film titles that falls under the psychological thriller genre, so when something like this comes along, it probably is worth taking a closer look. Does it automatically indicate quality? Well, not really but for what Bliss trailer has showcase it seems to be so. Oh, don't take my word for it, take the recognition given to Iza Calzado with the Yakushi Pearl Award in the 2017 Osaka Asian Film Festival as a testament. All seems well, right? Not quite yet as their next big obstacle is the MTRCB and its initial X-Rating classification.

Bliss 2017 Filipino psychological thriller movie from Artikulo Uno Productions directed by Jerrold Tarog from Heneral Luna controversy when MTRCB initially slap an X-rating

One of the biggest newsmaker and free "unintentional" (?) publicity for this film is when it was initially given by the MTRCB with an X-Rating for scenes featuring prolonged frontal nudity, excessive violence, and masturbation (More info here), but later on got an R-18 rating after submitting their appeal to the ancient conservative prudes at the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. Who knows, maybe those initially "controversial" and "alarming" scenes (recognized by an international Film festival) from the film were left on the cutting floor as according to the specifications of the moral and conservative connoisseur of the MTRCB lead by MTRCB chairperson Rachel Arenas and their shining board members. Should I name them, well that is already overkill on the roadkill already. Well, in a land of conservative Catholics filled to the brim with Star Cinema romantic movies, it was probably really so scandalous to include blood and "gratuitous" scene that should never be seen or done by adults... NOT! Hahaha but I digress, we are already making so much commentary on a matter of taste and moral righteousness of the MTRCB that we have forgotten about the film that can only be compared to a "little Hollywood film" called Mulholland Drive from 2001.

Bliss 2017 psychological thriller Filipino film from the director and studio of Heneral Luna

I was really invested and was like asking so many questions about the trailer. We have already ruled out the supernatural element as its genre doesn't indicate it as so, all we have left now is a thought-provoking film. Who dunnit, why, and how will it end? Although most of the identity of the characters have been showcased in the Bliss movie trailer. It was really only became clear when you read its synopsis which might be a spoiler in itself and thus why I included a small spoiler warning in the Plot/Synopsis section of this movie trailer impression for 2017's Bliss. Its either an official PR material from the Bliss production team of ABS-CBN (official source of the plot) that overdid it. But I am not complaining that much...call it a minor nitpick. My curiosity was piqued and will be checking Bliss once it hits the theaters on MAy 10 .

Bliss 2017 Filipino movie title card from Artikulo Uno Productions directed by Jerrold Tarog starring Iza Calzado, TJ Trinidad, Ian Veneracion, Shamaine Buencamino, Audie Gemora, and Adrienne Vergara showing on May 10, 2017

How about you guys? What do you think about this seemingly controversial (at first) and internationally recognized film? What are your thoughts about MTRCB ratings and what probably have been cut in the R-18 version of the film? Do you think the adult Filipino movie going audience are not prepared to see such adult themes on the big screen as what the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board is somewhat implying? Share your thoughts and opinion about Bliss (2017) official movie trailer in the comments section below and let's discuss about it.
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December 4, 2016

Die Beautiful Trailer Impressions: Paolo Ballesteros Internationally Acclaimed and Award-Winning Film is an Official Entry to the 2016 MMFF

Die Beautiful 2016 comedy drama film from The IdeaFirst Company and Octobertrain Films and is an official entry to the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival this 2016 under the direction of Jun Robles Lana and production by Perci Intalan featuring Paolo Ballesteros slated for a December 25, 2016 nationwide theatrical release. Die Beautiful had its premiere internationally at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 27, 2016 wherein Paolo Ballesteros won the Best Actor Award and "Die Bautiful" winning the Audience Award. Let's check out what this internationally acclaimed film featuring Paolo Ballesteros comedy drama film has to offer.

Die Beautiful 2016 movie trailer impressions 42nd mmff comedy drama film trailer review Pinoy Movie Blogger

Die Beautiful
Plot / Synopsis

"Tricia" (Paolo ballesteros) is like to join beauty competitions but has zero luck as she is not that bright to make it to the final question and answer portion but her resolved is doe not waver. Die Beautiful walks us through the life of Tricia and celebrate her life as a contest addict regular, friend, family person, a lover, and a mother until her inevitable end.

Watch Die Beautiful Official trailer here:





Die Beautiful Official Trailer Impression
Die Beautiful Film Trailer Review

Die Beautiful 2016 official metro manila film festival 2016 entry starring Paolo Ballesteros who won the best actor in the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival 2016

What can be said about Die Beautiful official movie trailer? I can finally say that we finally have a decent comedy entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival as for the rest of us, the annual MMFF has been a thriving place for the repetitive dumb and loud humor, while still considered humor it is not really revolutionizing the genre or influencing people. Heck, most of the MMFF comedy entries of the past have their morals put to question with the rest of the content of these "films" or the "morals" are shove down everyone's throats with little to no subtlety. What the Die Beautiful trailer can show us that there can be a generic loud gay comedy stereotype but with an actual heart, character and plot progression, and an understanding on the life of a minority group in our generally "conservative" Filipino society.

Die Beautiful 2016 official metro manila film festival 2016 entry starring Paolo Ballesteros Die Beautiful debuted on the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival

It is quite refreshing to see a Metro Manila Film Festival that has no Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto film in the comedy genre. This 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival we have "Die Beautiful" mainly starring Paolo Ballesteros and "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough" with Eugne Domingo as replacement which for a majority of film critiques is a breathe of fresh air. Change has not only come to the country with its new President, but for the annual film festival as well. Let us just see if the people behind the MMFF can keep their strict and higher requirements for passing entries, or if Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda will make entries in accordance to that stricter rules, and for once in their comedic careers would make a funny yet revolutionary or thought provoking comedies. One thing is for sure, Die Beautiful is one entry wherein I can say confidently say will restore the faith back to the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Die Beautiful 2016 comedy drama film from The IdeaFirst Company and Octobertrain Films official entry to the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival directed by Jun Robles Lana featuring Paolo Ballesteros showing on December 25, 2016

How about you guys? What do you think about this 2016 award winning recognized internationally starring Paolo Ballesteros? What do you think about the concept of the film wherein right from the start you know the inevitable faith of the protagonist? What do you think about Die Beautiful being in the official entries to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival? Share your thoughts and opinion about Die Beautiful in the comments section below and let's discuss about it.
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September 5, 2012

Thy Womb (Sinapupunan) Trailer Impressions: Brillante Mendoza's International Film Fest Entry Thy Womb Starring Philippine's Superstar Nora Aunor

Thy Womb with an alternative Filipino title of Sinapupunan is a 2012 drama film written by Henry Burgos and directed by Brillante Mendoza which stars Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco, Lovi Poe, and Mercedes Cabral. Thy Womb is produced by the Center Stage Productions and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and will make an international film debut to compete for the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice International Film Festival. Mendoza's Thy Womb has also been invited to the Toronto International Film Festival in September and the Busan International Film Festival in October. There is no exact date as to when will the film be released on nationwide theaters, but hopefully a news will soon be available for it. Let's check out this latest film featuring the superstar, Miss Nora Aunor.

Thy Womb 2012 movie trailer impressions sinapupunan drama film trailer review pinoy movie blogger

Thy Womb
Plot / Synopsis

The film is about a Badjao midwife coping with the irony of her own infertility amid the deprivations of her gypsy community in Tawi-Tawi. A saga of island life stuck between the devil of passion and the deep blue sea of tradition.

Source: Wikipedia


Watch Thy Womb Official trailer here:


Thy Womb Official Trailer Impression
Sinapupunan Film Trailer Review

Thy Womb looks and feels like it is the ideal film for intelligent movie goers, film critics, and alike. When you attached the name of 2009's Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza and a theme contrary to what most Filipino films studios have been spewing and force feeding us through out the years, there might be this initial hostility or alien reception towards this film from the average Filipino film goer. Hopefully it transcends my seemingly ridiculous analysis. Well in any case, this is one movie I personally would want to see. The theme is very much fresh. I've always wondered how would other cultural groups would handle the everyday struggled or special challenges of a Christian Filipino, and so here is one. In an industry that is overly saturated with horror, comedy, and countless romantic films, a drama film like Thy Womb which features the lives of Filipinos who live under a different culture is a welcome thing on my book.

Thy Womb 2012 film entry of Brillante Mendoza with nora aunor, bembol roco, and mercedes cabral for the 2012 69th Venice International Film Festiva

I believe that this trailer is just to inform the Filipinos that Thy Womb is competing for an international Film Festival, so we have to cheer for them, okay? Well that might be effective, but the trailer would be more nicer if they just dropped the voice-over or simply focus on what the film will mostly tackle. Well, this was also included in the trailer, but the introduction of the some of the artists involved in the film is not really that necessary... not unless the movie goers are really oblivious of who Lovi Poe is. Hopefully the trailer would be updated once they've decide to release the film locally. The cinematography looks superb! Tawi-Tawi looks stunning and picturesque in this trailer alone, what more on the actual film. There is also no doubt that the actors lead by Miss Aunor will be on their best feet to lead the film into bagging home the Golden Lion, and they should. This is not just some local December film festival that they want to win over, but some thing on a much higher level and caliber. With organizations like the Center Stage Productions and the Film Development Council of the Philippines backing it up, there is really this high expectation from this film. Hopefully we can soon see Thy Womb on the local big screen.

Thy Womb 2012 international film debut written by Henry Burgos directed by Brillante Mendoza which stars Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco, Lovi Poe, and Mercedes Cabral

How about you guys, what do you think of the film's main theme? How about the plot and the actors in it? Share your thoughts about Thy Womb's official trailer in the comments section below:
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