What the trailers say about the 8 MMFF entries

The Metro Manila Film Festival opens today, 25 December, in cinemas. Without checking the synopses, I watched the trailers of the eight competing films to see which ones might pique my interest.

So, here's an MMFF guide to myself. Based only on the trailers, I labeled the ones I will definitely watch ("yes") or skip ("no"), or might check out ("maybe").

Of course, you can't tell if a movie is good just by its trailer, but it gives a preview and an idea of what you might experience. Movie tickets are not cheap— and time is a luxury I can't always afford. So trailers, or teasers, if you will, are important.

'Deleter'

Neat, sophisticated monochromatic color grading, punctuated with elements of vivid red — a signature cinematographic style of the director, Mikhail Red. There's graphic violence and ghostly, monstrous elements.

But the real horror here is the jarring, sing-song voice tone of the police chief seeking help from Nadine Lustre's character.

A second trailer is released and it's gimmicky. After about a minute, it's cut off by an error message: "This video has been deleted." It's either the makers realized the first trailer is too disturbing (a man shoots himself) or because the sing-song voice is ruining the entire feel of the clip.

I have outgrown the horror genre since the late 1990s, but the cinematography is kind of drawing me in. Maybe.

'Family Matters'

The trailer opens with a dreamy look and melodramatic music, which initially turns me off. But then the acting snapshots look great (no sing-song voices), so I am hooked. The shouting match at the dining table scene, where Noel Trinidad screams that he's a failure? I am tearing up. I love the realism of this drama and its aim to depict a realistically imperfect family with very old parents. Yes.

'Labyu with An Accent'

Rom-com. Poor boy/rich girl. Some Chippendale-like scenes. Seems fun and fast-paced, but has a stagey, forced feel of a movie that tries hard to appeal to the masses — to the point of incorporating cartoon and comedy sound effects. But Coco Martin and Jodie Sta. Maria, though they lack chemistry, are competent actors. Maybe.

'Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told'

Based on real events, feels earnest, and Edu Manzano's performance is compelling. Yes.

View official trailer here.

'My Father, Myself'

Joel Lamangan's May-December homosexual love story has incestuous feels , based on the longer version of the trailer (the trailer below is the short teaser).  Incest is not my cup of tea, even if it's the Woody Allen kind — in a way that those involved are not blood relatives. Terrible performances (too many sing-song voices and "acting" feels), not to mention lots of histrionics. No.

'My Teacher'

Starring Toni Gonzaga, directed by husband Paul Soriano. It feels monotonous, and Joey de Leon's hair color is distracting. Does not make much of an impact, but there's a slightly intriguing element. Maybe.

'Nanahimik ang Gabi'

A sexy, violent chamber piece starring Ian Veneracion, Heaven Peralejo, and Mon Confiado. Boring trailer. No.

'Partners in Crime'

Finishing the trailer alone is a punishing experience. Feels too self-aware, too, as it opens with Vice Ganda crying out, "I'm back to make everybody happy!" No.