TOP TEN FILIPINO FILMS OF 2014

Twenty-fourteen is a great year for the Philippine movie industry. Even if there are a ton of mehs along the way, good films were recognized and Pinoy filmmakers won awards. Disclaimer: I didn't use the term "Best" for I'm not an expert in film criticism. To start this, I have to mention some movies that didn’t make it in the top ten but became noteworthy parts of the past year.

MULA SA KUNG ANO ANG NOON (Lav Diaz)

-          One thing for me is sure: It’s better than Norte. The portrayal of what the Filipino community is before the Marcos era is a captivating feature. However, I missed the first hour of this film when it screened in the Mall of Asia so I can’t put it in my top ten. Thanks for the movie poster and I wish for a nationwide release this year.

ESPRIT DE CORPS (Kanakan-Balintagos)

-          You’d know that I’m quite a homophobe when it comes to watching sensual man-to-man films in the big screen if you have read my review @ http://themoviebud.blogspot.com/2014/11/esprit-de-corps_16.html. This was the first and it was an experience.

ABNKKBSNPLAKO?! THE MOVIE (Mark Meily)

-          Wasted my money in the theatre and saw it a lot of times at home, but I still kinda liked it. Even if I can’t consider it as a good film, it remained as a guilty pleasure… mostly because of Meg Imperial. Check out the longest review I made @ http://e-revs.blogspot.com/2014/02/abnkkbsnplako-movie.html

SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL XV: ULAM (Jerrold Tarog)

-          The two other stories are okay but this segment is more powerful than some in the list below. Its narration is spot-on and the simplistic horror worked on me. Full review @ http://themoviebud.blogspot.com/2014/12/shake-rattle-roll-xv.html

ASINTADO (Luisito Ignacio)

-          Few movies have I seen this year but I guarantee that it’s one of the worst shits of 2014.

Now, for the Top Ten Filipino Films of 2014

#Y (Gino Santos)

-          Most people are full of vanity and self-esteem is becoming a primary need for teenagers nowadays. It’s a good observation of the #generation. I haven’t seen the alternate end that was released in the commercial run but I strongly feel that the original was better. Highly comparable to Iñarritu’s Birdman.

HARI NG TONDO (Carlos Siguion-Reyna)

-          Buoyant and crowd-pleasing. Too bad that not everyone saw it. Vic Sotto should see and learn from it because I strongly feel that his movies will work with this style of comedy. That “Sige Lang Nang Sige” song is so memorable even if I last heard it five months ago. Please upload the full song.

THE JANITOR (Michael Tuviera)

-          Three words to describe this: Grand Theft Auto. Story is a little uneven but everything is very entertaining. Nicco Manalo’s torture moments are unforgettable and cringe-worthy. MiniReviews for this, Asintado and Hari ng Tondo @ http://e-revs.blogspot.com/2014/08/cinemalaya-2014-directors-showcase.html

VIOLATOR (Eduardo Dayao)

-          Hell yeah! The Cinema One Originals FilmFest Winner for 2014 is effectively eerie and thought-provoking. It puts you in a bizarre yet cynically realistic world. Some good old-fashioned apocalyptic porn. Full review @ http://themoviebud.blogspot.com/2014/11/violator.html

NORTE, HANGGANAN NG KASAYSAYAN (Lav Diaz)

-          My second Lav Diaz experience is both uplifting and upsetting. Uplifting in a way that this film showcases top-caliber acting from its ensemble, stylish production and heartfelt story of redemption, self-destruction and the aftermath of martial law. Upsetting because its last act is quite predictable.

*INTERMISSION NUMBER*

ENGLISH ONLY, PLEASE (Dan Villegas)

-          Films that unify critics and the mainstream audience are always my favorite. One can simply forget the beautiful actors and see themselves through these characters because of the Villegas-Jadaone collaboration. A sleeper-hit and a wake-up call for everyone who thinks that the Pinoy romcom is done. Full review @ http://themoviebud.blogspot.com/2014/12/english-only-please.html

KUBOT: THE ASWANG CHRONICLES 2 (Erik Matti)

-          This proves that with a witty script, charismatic actors and bad-ass moments, the Filipino mainstream can outdo Hollywood blockbusters today. Full review @ http://themoviebud.blogspot.com/2014/12/kubot-aswang-chronicles-2.html

THAT THING CALLED TADHANA (Antoinette Jadaone)

-          Wonderful sceneries, relatable script and an outstanding performance from Angelica Panganiban makes this promotional guide to Sagada wonderful and full of kilig. Read my full review @ http://themoviebud.blogspot.com/2014/11/that-thing-called-tadhana.html to see why you shouldn’t miss it this February 4.

SUNDALONG KANIN (Janice O’Hara)

-          To be honest, I liked it more than my favorite Pinoy film of 2014 the first time I saw them. As I watched them again, my interest went lower, but the tears still flowed from my eyes as I saw how these kids lost their innocence and became victims of this visceral period. MiniReview for this, #Y and the following film @ http://e-revs.blogspot.com/2014/08/cinemalaya-2014-new-breed-marathon.html

and my favorite Filipino film of 2014 is...

DAGITAB (Giancarlo Abrahan)

-          Outstanding, memorable and affecting. It soared high and became my favorite Filipino film of 2014 simply because of its message that punched through my soul. We never forget the things we love. They just leave a void that doesn’t feel as big as we become bigger persons. Years will come and I might remember less by then, but I won’t entirely forget these films because of this blog and other fragments that will lead my memory to them.

Follow me @ https://twitter.com/emiLegendary | http://erevs.wordpress.com | http://emzreviews.tumblr.com  or add me on FB @ https://www.facebook.com/emilegendary.

Thanks for reading the reviews and for being part of another awesome year. Let’s support and promote the good Philippine movies. Catch my Top Twenty Foreign (mostly Hollywood) Films of 2014 list before the Academy Awards. J