Pink Halo–Halo shows how war in Mindanao affects a child’s innocence. It is a film by Joselito Altarejos, director of “Ang Lalaki sa Parola”, and starring Allen Dizon, Angeli Bayani, Dexter Doria, Mark Fabillar and Paolo Constantino.

Pink Halo–Halo is the first Philippine movie shot entirely in Masbateño language.

Synopsis:

Natoy, like any other child, finds joy and excitement in the simplest of things, especially eating halo-halo filled with pink gelatin and red sago. Things change suddenly when, as he is watching television, a news report about the ongoing war in Mindanao shows footage of a badly wounded soldier waiting for rescue . That soldier almost bleeding to death is his father, Corporal Lino Bolante.

That report starts his journey as he and his mother Sonia wait for help that comes too late. As far away as the war, this story does not just show how the war in Mindanao robs a child of his innocence, but also shows the shadows of the wars that Filipino homes confront everyday.

Watch the trailer here:

Pink Halo-Halo – Cinemalaya 2010 originally appeared on Starmometer on June 19, 2010.

Starring in the movie are Dennis Torres, Kim Allen, Miko Laurel, Dustin Jose, Rob Da Silva, Joemhel Montero, Lawrence Manalo, Jersey Manalo and Bryan Alarva. Also starring are Jessica Arsolon, Amy Turno, and Lito Luna. Directed by Hedji Calagui and produced by Cody Entertainment Production, Lagpas opens in selected theaters on June 23, 2010.

PLOT: On the day of Roy’s Birthday, an unexpected event happens in the lives of the people in his house. Unbeknownst to Diego, a hunk gay waiter, Roy, a student, is the only key to the truths surrounding the lies and deceits in the house. Drugs and hidden motives involving Diego and Sandro, a callboy and student, will be revealed which eventually lead to the death of the latter. Upon knowing that Diego’s life is in danger, Orlando, a band member in love with Diego, postpones his intentions of taking his life in order to help the one he loves. Orlando saves Diego from certain death, but sadly, all is too late. Orlando is weakening and is dying of AIDS. Regardless of the time given to them, Diego and Orlando use the precious remaining time to show their love for each other.

Character posters:

Teaser:

‘Lagpas’ – Movie Posters and Trailer originally appeared on Starmometer on June 1, 2010.

Boylets stars newcomers Joeffrey Javier, Charles Delgado, Rusty Adonis and Francis Sienes.

Boylets is about teenage Krys who is from a middle class family and his bunch of out of school friends who pass the time stealing copper electric wires and steel, betting cash in online computer games and doing sexual services to gay patrons. Krys’ best friend Joef is the leader of the pack and he is turning eighteen and is leaving the next day. Krys tries to control Joef’s last day and birthday celebration as he attempts to stop him from his plans. But will Krys be able to stop the guy he likes from leaving?

The film is showing on October 14, 2009 in selected theaters: Robinsons Galleria, Remar-Cubao, Isetann-Recto, and soon to be shown in Cebu and Davao.

VIDEO LINK: Boylets – Trailer (NSFW!)

‘Boylets’ Opens in Selected Cinemas originally appeared on Starmometer on October 8, 2009.

From the makers of “Walang Kawala” and “Heavenly Bodies” come another film that tackles men’s issues with a gay twist. The film is directed by Joel Lamangan and produced by Manny Valera. It is topbilled by the frontal nudity king Marco Morales and newcomer Jay Dizon. Also starring in the movie are Mhyco Aquino, Miggy Valdez, Sherwin Ordoñez, Jao Mapa and Niña Jose.

Synopsis: Five young men land job contracts as entertainers in Japan and form a new hip-hop dance group called Dreamguyz. Guided by their gay manager Didi (Jao Mapa), they spend the next few months before their trip bonding as friends who share a common dream of finding greener pastures in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Michael worked as a dancer in Japan when he was still a minor, using a fictitious name and a forged passport. He makes sure his recruiter doesn’t find out he’s not a first-timer to Japan like the rest of the guys. Benjo seeks to escape a cruel stepfather and find his missing older brother, a musician turned illegal alien in Japan. Alvin is Didi’s lover, who openly expresses his affections for his benefactor while hoping to make his own money in Japan.

The two members who share choreographic duties, Jake and Rico, quickly develop a secret romance. Problem is, Jake lives with his devoted girlfriend Jenny (Niña Jose), who supports him financially. On top of his romantic quandary, Jake is soon discovered to have a heart ailment, jeopardizing his chances of joining the group’s trip to Japan.

As a former Japayuki himself, Didi knows a stint in Japan hardly guarantees a financial windfall for the group. So he enlists the members in a networking company that has been giving him ample dividends. Unfortunately, the company collapses without warning. It ruins Didi and threatens to dissolve not just his relationship with Alvin but the group itself. Violence erupts on the eve of their trip, which could shatter the dreams of the Dreamguyz.

VIDEO LINK: I Love Dreamguyz – Trailer

It’s Raining Men in Joel Lamangan’s ‘I Love Dreamguyz’ originally appeared on Starmometer on October 6, 2009.

Pipo (Ang Batang Pro), a film about hustlers (hence the word “pro” which means “prostitute” or “professional sex worker”), is directed by Alejandro “Bong” Ramos (Butas). Supporting cast includes Michelle Estevez, Mystica, Karle Estrada and Lorraine Lopez.

The first daring role of Tyrone Perez was a macho dancer in the sexy drama “Twilight Dancers” in 2006. The Starstruck talent is now back in another sexy role, this time as a male prostitute.

According to the Leo Films, the producer of the said indie movie, Tyrone has an orgy scene with co-stars Marco Morales and Michelle Estevez.

VIDEO LINK: Pipo (Ang Batang Pro) – Trailer

Tyrone Perez Topbills ‘Pipo (Ang Batang Pro)’ originally appeared on Starmometer on September 24, 2009.

Ang Manghuhula is a film by Paolo Alessandro Herras (Rekados, Lambanog) starring Eula Valdez in the lead role.

SYNOPSIS: An outcast and failed fortuneteller (Eula Valdes) returns home to save her daughter (Glaiza De Castro) from a fate she herself escaped – the town’s next fortuneteller; a fate handed down from mother (Chanda Romero) to daughter. She finds her daughter caught in debt and the squabble of a petty syndicate (Emilio Garcia, Pinky Amador) running a band of fortunetellers (Bella Flores) for the unwary, desperate answer-seekers. The only way to save her daughter is to embrace a gift she has vowed to give up; the ability to see the future no matter how bleak and inescapable.

The film, which is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is coming to selected cinemas on 09-09-09 (September 9, 2009).

Official Website: http://ap2407.com.ph

VIDEO LINK: Ang Manghuhula – Movie Preview and Trailer

‘Ang Manghuhula’ is Graded A by CEB originally appeared on Starmometer on August 26, 2009.

Auraeus Solito, acclaimed director of Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2006), and Tuli (2007), will be showcasing his latest movie Boy tonight, July 24, at the Cinemalaya Film Festival in CCP.

The movie is competing for the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) award.

SYNOPSIS: One evening, young budding poet (Adam) observes lip-synching drag-queens and dancing rent-boys (macho dancers) in a gay bar. The poet finds himself attracted to Aries, who comes from a poorer part of town. Selling his comic books so as to be able to afford the macho dancer for one night, Adam’s character buys Aries at the bar and brings him home for the New Year.

Sparks fly while celebratory fireworks go off outside the house and the boys forge a fragile connection that neither of them is certain will last. Boy is a coming-of-age tale of a sensitive boy who arrives at his first lesson about love and who learns to grow confidently into his own sexuality.

VIDEO LINK: Boy – Trailer

Auraeus Solito’s ‘Boy’ Debuts at Cinemalaya Cinco originally appeared on Starmometer on July 24, 2009.

Synopsis:

Based on a true story, Last Supper No. 3 is a humorous look at the circuitous path our legal system takes to justice. Assistant Production Designer Wilson Nañawa is tasked to look for a Last Supper to use as a prop for a TV commercial. He finds three, but loses the one owned by Gareth Pugeda. What happens next changes Wilson forever as he spends the next two years entangled in bureaucracy and red tape facing estafa and serious physical injury charges. How will this ordinary man fare against a system he knows nothing about? Will justice prevail for Wilson? Or will he be imprisoned for the loss of Last Supper No. 3?

Starring Joey Paras, Jojit Lorenzo, JM de Guzman, Beverly Salviejo, Debraliz Valesoto, Dante Balois, Ness Roque, Andoy Ranay, Cecile Torre, Marlon Hofer, Rommel Lunan, Malou Crisologo, Mark Meily, Bernard Laxa, Maricel Soriano, Alex Tiglao, Gina Lumauig, Kalila Aguilos, Jason Moss, Rita Iringan, Ale-Liza Lorena, Ronli Vergel de Dios and Ricky Davao.

Last Supper No. 3 is written by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel based on the story by Winston Villanueva Acuyong. It is directed by Veronica B. Velasco.

VIDEO LINK: Last Supper No. 3 – Trailer

Screening Schedule:

July 18, Saturday 3:30 p.m. (Tangahalang Huseng Batute)

July 19, Sunday 3:30 p.m. (CCP Little Theatre)

July 21, Tuesday 3:30 p.m. (CCP Main Theater)

July 22, Wednesday 3:30 p.m. (CCP MKP Hall)

July 23, Thursday 9:00 p.m. (CCP MKP Hall)

July 24, Friday 6:15 p.m. (Tangahalang Huseng Batute)

July 25, Saturday 9:00 p.m. (CCP Main Theater)

Last Supper No. 3 – Cinemalaya Cinco Finalist originally appeared on Starmometer on July 12, 2009.

Starring Felix Roco, Zyrus Desamparado, Daniel Medrana, Eda Nolan, Bayang Barrios, Jim Libiran, and Celso Ad Castillo. The films is written, produced and directed by Pepe Diokno.

Synopsis: Richard (Felix Roco) and Raymond (Daniel Medrana) are two teenage brothers. Richard is the leader of his gang, “Bagong Buwan,” while Raymond is just being inducted into rival gang, “Batang Dilim.” Complications at a deadly midnight engkwentro (square-off), when Raymond is given the task of killing his older brother.

Meanwhile, the City Death Squad lurks the streets. This real-life vigilante group is allegedly backed by the city mayor (Celso Ad Castillo) and responsible for many unsolved murders of teen gangsters. Today, they are hunting down Richard. Will they take the younger brother, too?

VIDEO LINK: Engkwentro – Full Trailer

Engkwentro – Cinemalaya Cinco Finalist originally appeared on Starmometer on July 12, 2009.

Dinig Sana Kita is a touching love story between a Deaf boy who loves to dance and a troubled rocker girl who abuses her hearing. One lives in the world of solitude and silence, the other in noise and fear. Crossing paths in a Baguio camp that mixes Deaf and hearing kids, both find that they have more in common with each other including a love for music.

The movie is one of the 10 finalists in the 2009 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which runs from July 17 to 26 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

Starring in the movie are Zoe Sandejas, Robert Seña, Lorenzo Mara, Mica Torre, Adrianna Agcaoili, Cherrie Velarde-Mactal and Romalito Mallari. It is written and directed by Mike Sandejas.

VIDEO LINK: Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said) – Trailer

Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said) – Cinemalaya 2009 Finalist originally appeared on Starmometer on July 2, 2009.

Little Boy Big Boy stars Paolo Rivero, Douglas Robinson and Renz Valerio. Written by Lex Bonife and Directed by Joselito Altarejos, the film is produced by Digital Viva and BEYONDtheBOX Inc.

VIDEO LINK: Little Boy Big Boy Trailer

Little Boy Big Boy – Movie Preview originally appeared on Starmometer on June 19, 2009.

The controversial religious movie starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus was also the highest grossing non-English language film and the most successful R-rated film in the United States. It is based on Catholic accounts of the arrest, trial, torture, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, events commonly known as “The Passion”.

The Passion of the Christ earned $370,270,943 in the US and $611,899,420 worldwide making it the top-grossing indie film of all time.

Here are the Top 10 Most Successful Indie Movies to date. Take note that most of them are award winners, too.

Top 10 Grossing Indie Films of All Time

1. The Passion of the Christ (2004) – $370,270,943
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) – $241,437,427
3. Juno (2007) – $143,492,840
4. The Blair Witch Project (1999) – $140,530,114
5. Good Will Hunting (1997) – $138,339,411
6. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – $128,067,808
7. Farenheit 9/11 (2003) – $119,078,393
8. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
9. Pulp Fiction (1994) – $105,110,572
10. Shakespeare in Love (1998) – $100,241,322

The Top 10 Grossing Indie Films of All Time originally appeared on Starmometer on March 26, 2009.