MOVIE REVIEW | Reel Royalty: Ranking the Best MMFF Pictures of Their Respective Years

MMFF, inaugurated in 1975, marked the epoch when luminaries such as Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos ascended to the status of national icons as fervent fandoms burgeoned. The zenith of competition unfolded in 1978, a night etched in history for its fiercely contested awards, notably featuring the iconic duel between Nora and Vilma. This rivalry transcended the realms of accolades and box office triumphs, spilling over into the palpable tension of physical altercations among their ardent supporters in cinema lobbies.

The ensuing decade, the 1980s, witnessed a more audacious and experimental cinematic landscape, epitomized by groundbreaking films like "Himala" and "Bulaklak sa City Jail." Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos continued their enthralling rivalry, captivating award ceremonies with their formidable films. A noteworthy clash occurred in 1981, with Nora Aunor ("Rock and Roll") and Vilma Santos ("Karma") standing as the sole nominees for Best Actress; ultimately, Vilma Santos emerged victorious. The following year, Nora Aunor clinched the Best Actress accolade for "Himala."

The 1990s ushered in a wave of socially relevant films, delving into authentic narratives of personal struggles and portraying historical luminaries such as Jose Rizal. In the 2000s, the cinematic landscape shifted towards mass appeal, with films eschewing social commentary in favor of humor and fantasy, catering to a broader audience.

Here's our curated selection of the finest MMFF pictures, each declared winners in their respective year, meticulously ranked

MOVIE REVIEW | Bridge of Spies (2015)

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Just done watching "Bridge of Spies" and boy, I never thought that the US-Russo Cold War was so severe back then, Americans and Russians were so sensitive about issues of espionage. This Steven Spielberg movie was such an eye opener. I also like how it touched on the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the mounting of the Berlin Wall and the Euro-Russo relationship.

MOVIE REVIEW | Brooklyn (2015)

Brooklyn (2015)

Did I like the film? I'd say yes, but it would have been more compelling as an Oscars nominee if it had a different ending rather than the lead actors having a happy ending. Because in real life, there is no happy ending.

MOVIE REVIEW | Room (2015)

Room (2015)

If you are into light melodramatic themes- Room is the one for you. ‪#‎Room‬

MOVIE REVIEW | Oscars Best Picture In The Last 10 Years

Oscars Best Picture In The Last 10 Years

All right, I'm supposed to be heading outside now. But my guts just told me to put up this entry. True, Academy Awards does not contribute much to improving the lives of people, let's say of Africa nor does it solve wars in the gulf region.

MOVIE REVIEW | Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

This movie is one action packed stuff... but behind the gory scenes, I can't help but apply a Feminist reading especially at the end when 'redemption' comes at the turn of tables whereby the mothers have now full control of the water. Does it make a strong feminist message? Not so. Because it was still Max who saved the day.

MOVIE REVIEW | The Martian (2015)

The Martian (2015)

What I did find really gratifying in the movie is the light treatment. The narrative does not overcomplicate the human struggle to be left alone in a foreign land. As with the case of "Cast Away", the audience is given a chance to witness how the lone character would manage to survive. And he did survive. It was entertaining at the same time because there were songs culled from pop culture which is so easy to relate to. That strategy is so brilliant it works in movies like "Guardians of the Galaxy" & "X-Men: Days of Future Past".

MOVIE REVIEW | The Big Short (2015)

The Big Short (2015)

In the beginning, you'll wonder how come this movie has been nominated for best picture. To be honest, I thought I would fall asleep. The development of the story was really a challenge since it deals with highly technical mortgaging issues. To an average viewer, it was difficult to follow the narrative and how the link among the main characters are connected. The voice over narration did help a little but it was really confusing at the start.