Nilalang Trailer Impressions: 2015 MMFF Action Horror Film Featuring Maria Ozawa and Cesar Montano

Nilalang is an action horror film from welovepost, Parallax Studios, Viva Films, and Haunted Tower Pictures, Inc.; and is an official entry to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival this 2015 under the direction of Pedring Lopez which stars Cesar Montano, Maria Ozawa, Meg Imperial, Yam Concepcion, Cholo Barretto, Dido de la Paz, and Kiko Matos slated for a December 25, 2015 theatrical release. Let's check out what this 2015 MMFF entry featuring Maria Ozawa and Cesar Montano has to offer.


Nilalang
Plot / Synopsis

Nilalang tells the story of Tony (played by Cesar Montano), an NBI agent investigating a series of rapes and killings that counts, among them, Tony’s girlfriend. With his co-agent, Jane, they follow leads that take them to a meeting with Miyuki (Maria Ozawa), the daughter of Mr. Kazudo who is an elder member of the Yakuza. Together, they come face-to-face with an enemy that transcends time; and leaves a trail of mindless, cold-blooded crime at its wake.

Watch Nilalang Official trailer here:
Nilalang 2015 MMFF Film entry Official movie trailer






Nilalang Official Nilalang Trailer Impression
Nilalang 2015 MMFF Film Trailer Review


So what can we say about the Nilalang official trailer? Well besides the obvious fact that it is an action horror film official MMFF 2015 entry featuring Maria Ozawa on it, Nilalang is a breathe of fresh air in a sense that we haven't seen that many local action horror films that has this kind of cinematography and actually be what it says it would; a high-octane action film. Well, we don't say that there aren't any. There aren't that many as much as RomComs do. The films usually featuring E.R. Ejercito are a good example of these contemporary action films, but they give more of a special kind of vibe to it; a vibe of a more biographical or artistic tone to in, than action.


Let me commend the marketers for Nilalang as they've released the official trailer for Nilalang this October which will be enough time to help create enough buzz and discussion for this film. The early worm catches the worm, right? This is film marketing done right. The Nilalang trailer shows the "wonderful" script used in the film like "Hindi matatapos, kung warang tatapos" and nope that wasn't a typo. It puzzles me as to why should the Japanese characters use Filipino when conversing with each other or when they address Cesar Montano to whom is shown to have a certain degree of proficiency in the Japanese language. It just feels pretentious or fake at best. Another observation is that shot with Maria Ozawa shooting like crazy as I find it rather weak. As the film portray her at being a bad ass, that scene was sure made her like a clueless member of Yakuza who can't handle a gun. Hopefully the film will not be riddled so much by the things we can observed in the trailer as it may negatively affect it. Don't give me started with Nilalang's title card. We get it, the film features Japanese and Filipino talent and settings, no need to pound it in with a Japanese-themed font. Try thinking about this, a high octane Japanese film with partnership between Japan and the Philippines,and the film title has a Filipino salakot (traditional wide-brimmed hat from the Philippines) just to make sure that there are Filipinos in the film. Isn't that a bit redundant? Amidst such nitpicks, Nilalang has somewhat piqued my curiosity as I want to find out what kind of monster is this Zahagur, the film refer to its villain.


How about you guys? What do you think of this 41st Metro Manila Film Festival entry starring Cesar Montano and Maria Ozawa? Are you more hopeful about the list of movies that made it to 2015 MMFF? Will you be seeing this action horror film starring the popular Maria Ozawa? Share your thoughts and opinion about the Nilalang official movie trailer in the comments section below:

Ex with Benefits Trailer Impressions: Coleen Garcia First Lead Role with Derek Ramsay in a Sexy Romantic Film

Ex with Benefits is a 2015 romantic film from Star Cinema and Viva Films under the direction of Gino Santos which stars Derek Ramsay, Coleen Garcia, and Meg Imperial slated for a September 2, 2015 theatrical release. Let's check out what this adult-themed movie that centers about former lovers reigniting the flames of the past has in store for us here.


Ex with Benefits
Plot / Synopsis

“EX with Benefits” follows the story of former lovers, 35-year-old Adam Castrances (Derek Ramsay) and 28-year-old Arkisha Aragon (Coleen Garcia). Adam and Arki went to school together and had a promising relationship until Arki suddenly left Adam without a word. Since then, Adam regards Arki as his “TOTGA” – The One That Got Away. They finally cross paths years after their breakup. And, there's something they can't get enough of - "benefits." However, just as everything is getting back on track, the secrets of the past will resurface, forcing Adam and Arki to discover if exes could really give each other a second chance or not. What if the love EXpires, but the fun EXtends? Will they be able to heal the pain from the past?

Resource: Star Cinema Official Page

Watch Ex with Benefits Official trailer here:






Ex with Benefits Official Trailer Impression
Ex with Benefits Film Trailer Review


So what is there to say about the Ex with Benefits trailer? Well besides the eye candies who are Derek Ramsay, coleen Garcia, and Meg Imperial sharing the same screen, it is your standard adult-themed romantic film. By now, it has become a norm that film studios are spewing up adult-themed film after the other. Just replace the previous ones with newer and much sexier faces, and there you have your "new" movie. While initially refreshing, it slowly gets exhausting as it now replaces and starts saturating the market. One evil replacing another, but I am digressing with this political commentary. Let's go back.


Ex with Benefits seems familiar to those who are aware of the "existence of Hollywood" as not long ago there is a 2011 Hollywood romantic comedy entitled "Friends with Benefits". I am not saying that it rips it off and glad they didn't. It is already "controversial" in its current state as some of the professional working in the medical profession thinks that it paints them in a bad light. Films has always been a reflection of society and if there is smoke, there is probably fire. Does one isolated case or a fictional movie affect a certain profession? It is like that one Philippine statesman who filed a bill that would prevent the entertainment industry from depicting men in power like politicians and police as villains or antagonists. A bill that is trivial at best, just like the controversy that seems to be surrounding this movie which I believe may very well be made up (for promotion). Well, if you are a fan of the "unconventional" romantic films with a PG-13 love scenes and fresh faces, then Ex with Benefits is probably right up your alley.


How about you guys? What do you think of Coleen Garcia's first lead role? Do you think that such films that features one specific profession can negatively paint the people working on such industry? Will you be watching or curious about the film? Share your thoughts and impressions on the Ex with Benefits trailer in the comments section below:

Chain Mail Trailer Impressions: Horror Comes via Chain E-mail

Chain Mail is a Viva Films horror film written and directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. which stars Meg Imperial, Shy Carlos, AJ Muhlach, Rose Van Ginkel, Caleb Santos, and Nadine Lustre slated for a July 22, 2015 theatrical release. Let's check out what this latest horror film from Viva Films has to offer.


Chain Mail
Plot / Synopsis

A usual chain mail is forwarded to a group of people. Some pass it while others ignore. One dies and is followed by series of sudden and unexplainable deaths of others. Soon after, a revelation begins to unfold, the chain mail is cursed and so she has to find the origin and mystery behind to stop the misfortunes it may cause to anyone who fails to pass it before another life perish again. Sandra also suspects Anne is behind the tragic incidents that happened to their friends. Will she break the curse before it’s too late or will she become one of the victims?

Resource: Official Youtube Trailer

Watch Chain Mail Official trailer here:






Chain Mail Official Trailer Impression
Chain Mail Film Trailer Review

So what is there to say about the Chain Mail official trailer? Let's start with the positives. On what we can observe from the trailer, the film uses some creepy practical effects and costumes for its featured demons which could also work against the Filipino horror flick. So that's basically what I can observe list down for the positives. Now down with the negatives...


First, the premise. Chain letters via e-mails, really? This is the best premise that Viva green lit and the writer (and director) can come up in 2016? Guess, pass Philippine and international (mostly Asian) horror film titles and television horror shows have already been forgotten that they used this uninspired cliched theme again. Add in Nadine Lustre into the mix and you already have something that horror film goers will flock, right Viva? I guess anything for the "newer" generation of film going audience then. There is also something to be said on showing the demon featured in the film. While I mentioned that it is a positive of this trailer, it also works against it because the shock value is no longer there. The trailer so lamely showed what the demon looks like along with scenes on which very much cashes in to jump scares where the monster will be. This is what I don't like in trailers in general. That it tells and shows so much about the film that when you actually see the film, you already are aware of what is going to happen. Well there is always the mystery of what this demon and how would it be defeated, but how can you take a demon who takes it sweet time composing an e-mail to spread its evil via e-mail on which if you succeed you will be blessed and if not you will die? Who still believe in chain letters, messages, and e-mails nowadays anyways? The true horror is on how did those chain text (SMS) message about you winning a raffle promo which you or the people around you never participated on arrived in your phone and expect you to fall for it. That's the true horror that we can observe in today's society but that's not worth turning into a Filipino horror movie. Let's just stick with the tried and tested formula then, a film studio and screen writers might conclude. :D


So how about you? What do you think of the demon shown in this trailer? Is the trailer scary enough for you and actually convince you to even spend a few pesos on it? Are you even a fan of Filipino horror films? What is your favorite horror film? Share your thoughts and opinion about the Chain Mail official trailer in the comments section below: