Showing posts with label Joel Lamangan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joel Lamangan. Show all posts

August 25, 2015

Felix Manalo Teaser Trailer Impressions: A Biopic of Iglesia Ni Cristo's Founder

Felix Manalo is a 2015 biographical drama and historical film by Viva Films under the direction of Joel Lamangan which stars Dennis Trillo (playing the role of Felix Manalo) and Bela Padilla slated for an October 7, 2015 theatrical release. Let's check out what this 2015 biopic of one of the country's most prominent religious leader has in store for movie goers?

Felix Manalo 2015 movie trailer impressions Historical Drama Biographical film trailer review pinoy movie blogger

Felix Manalo
Plot / Synopsis

FELIX MANALO is an epic historical biographical film dramatizing the life of Felix Yzagun Manalo, the first Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC). Manalo is regarded by the members of the INC as the last prophet of God and restorer of the true church, whom they called, Sugo (Tagalog, "messenger" or "envoy").

Source: Youtube


Watch Felix Manalo Official Teaser Trailer here:


UPDATE
You can check out the full trailer for Felix Manalo here:
Watch Felix Manalo Official FULL Trailer here:





Felix Manalo Official Trailer Impression
Felix Manalo Film Trailer Review

Felix Manalo 2015 Historical Drama Biopic Dennis Trillo playing as Ka Felix Manalo of Iglesia ni Cristo walking away from the Roman Catholic Faith to found Iglesia ni Cristo

So what is there to say about the Felix Manalo movie teaser trailer? Well it is two-minute long clip of what I assume is the full trailer of the Felix Manalo 2015 biopic. So instead of actual lines that could give us a preview of how the writing is like in the film, we are instead presented with the film's potential good musical scoring. Guess it is a thing with teaser trailers for biopics whiich can also be observed with the Kid Kulafu (Manny Pacquiao Biopic) teaser trailer when it was first released.

Felix Manalo 2015 Historical Drama Biographical movie about the founder of Iglesia ni Cristo where Dennis Trillo plays Ka Felix Manalo of INC

The Felix Manalo Biopic teaser trailer looks excellently shot. One can immediately say that the biographical film of one of the most influential religious leaders of the Philippines has a good production value. The biopic is also a period piece that gives us sneak peak on what life is like in the late 1800 to early 1900 here in Philippines; of the struggle of "Ka Felix" in founding a religion in a Roman Catholic dominated (in terms of religion) country like the Philippines. I for one am particularly interested to see this film out of curiosity of the life of the religious leader and how they are able to execute the 1900 Philippine setting. If I were to nitpick, one observation I noticed when it comes to Philippine produced period pieces is that the costumes are too neat and clean. It is like most costumes are straight out of a Filipiniana contemporary tailoring shop which can sometimes draw one out of the supposedly 1900 period. In addition, this biopic walks a very risky and thin line as it tends to get more criticism from both the believer and non-believer of the religious organization: (1) Criticism from the non-believers as they might not be open for it and may very well call this as a propaganda or agenda; (2) Criticism from the believers in terms that they might not like how their beloved leader will be portrayed, or how the film will take some liberties from the actual history of their leader. On the latter, I think the piece is well researched and I don't think well-known celebrities who happens to be also Iglesia ni Cristo members would take part in something that will give shame to either their church or its leaders. Viva Films is actually gambling and hoping for the best with this biopic. The only question now is will it sell in the box office?

Felix Manalo 2015 Historical Drama Biographical Film from Viva Films Title Card directed by Joel Lamangan starring Dennis Trillo and Bela Padilla

How about you guys? What do you think about the biopic of 'Ka Felix' (known to his church)? Can you set aside your religious difference just to see a film that tells the story of someone who goes against your very same church? If you are a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, what do you think of Dennis Trillo in playing the role of Felix Manalo? Share your thoughts about the Felix Manalo teaser trailer in the comments section below:
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April 26, 2015

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?.

You're Place or Mine 2015 movie trailer impressions romantic film trailer review pinoy movie blogger

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.

Andi Eigenmann as Haley Saavedra and Bret Jackson as Clay Russel Sandoval in the movie Adaptation of Wattpad Author Turning Japanese Hit Selling Novel About a One Night Stand and Arrange Marriages

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.

Viva Films 2015 Romantic Film Based from Wattpad Best-selling Author Turning Japanese

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.

Andre Paras and Andi Eigenmann in Viva Films 2015 Romantic Film You're Place or MineYoutube star Donnalyn Bartolome in Viva Films 2015 Romantic Film You're Place or Mine

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?

You're Place or Mine 2015 Viva Films romantic film directed by Joel Lamangan starring Andi Eigenmann, Andre Paras, Bret Jackson, Donnalyn Bartolome based from the Wattpad novel by turning_japanese

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:
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May 3, 2012

The Mommy Returns Trailer Impressions: A "Regal" "Comedy" about a Mother's Love Beyond the Grave

The Mommy Returns is a 2012 comedy film from Regal Films under the direction of Joel Lamangan and screenplay by Senedy H. Que. The Regal comedy slated for a May 9, 2012 nationwide theatrical release stars Pokwang, Gabby Concepcion, Ruffa Gutierez, Kiray Celis, Gerald Pesigan, Jillian Ward, and John Lapus. Let's take a look at the very first "regal" "comedy" for the merry month of May.

The Mommy Returns 2012 trailer impressions comedy film trailer review pinoy movie blogger


The Mommy Returns
Plot / Synopsis

"THE MOMMY RETURNS" is a family comedy-horror movie about a mother, Ruby (POKWANG) who dies right on the day of her 25th wedding anniversary with gorgeous husband, William (GABBY CONCEPCION). With her untimely death, she is temporarily trapped in PURGA (short for Purgatory) with its guardian, Dyoga (JOHN LAPUS, ang diyosa ng purga) and the pesky Manny, the chicken pet of San Pedro.

Enter CATHERINE (RUFFA GUTTIEREZ) - a younger, fresher, and much, much prettier woman who comes into the life of William. When she threatens to take Ruby's place as mother to her three beloved children (KIRAY, GERALD PESIGAN and JILLIAN WARD), hell (er, purgatory) breaks loose as Ruby escapes back to earth as a ghost to scare and drive Catherine out of the family she left behind!

What follows is a riot of scary antics and tactics that will prove that "hell hath no fury like a dead woman," especially if she is a mother who can't leave her children behind!

Watch The Mommy Returns Official trailer here:



The Mommy Returns Official Trailer Impression
The Mommy Returns Film Trailer Review

Some things need to change in order to survive. Adapt or perish. Well I was somewhat hopeful that Regal Films would change some things on how they create or even market movies. Sadly they are still using the same technique like they did back in the "olden" years of the 90's.

A simple trailer can make or break a film, sadly it breaks The Mommy Returns for me. I have always been adamant about how trailers should be like: a peek at the story without spoiling the entire film featuring some highlights but not every scene. The ultimate tease to keep the mind guessing, entertained and curious. Well it is really hard to pull when it comes to comedy as it can usually be pretty subjective. If you are a fan of Pokwang or her brand of humor then this film... is for you...?

The Mommy Returns 2012 comedy from regal films Kiray, Gerald and Jillian as the children of a ghost Pokwang


Let me take a crack at it. A mother met an unfortunate early demise, escape limbo, and eventually found herself back in the physical realm and will stop at nothing to ruin the new marriage of her still living husband with this role model of a mother. The kids are completely against at their new stepmother who just want to win them over but am having a hard time doing so because of the "supernatural" forces involve. Guess where this film is heading? Well the film does feature a poltergeist making the life of her replacement a living hell, so there might be a surprising end to this, but even I am having a hard time that "that" particular scenario would happen. This predictability alongside with no real humor on the trailer (for me that is) is obviously more than enough to know what my verdict for this film is. Do yourself a favor and try putting your one hundred plus pesos into something more worthy.

The Mommy Returns 2012 comedy title from Regal Entertainment, Inc starring Pokwang, Ruffa, Gabby, Jillian, Kiray, Gerald, and Sweet Lapus


What about you guys? What do you think about this May comedy film? Share your thoughts about The Mommy Returns in the comments section below:
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