There's no failure on experiencing quality films that invested so much on story, direction and acting. In fact, the more should you be proud of spending time and money on one when it was made and produced by your own countrymen. Filipino films has never died down. It is presently bustling with imagination and aesthetics that are just amazing.
This list may have just started last year but Filipino films are on a roll especially independent ones that I just have it be continued and already be part as yearly tradition with my Movies of the Year and Music Videos of the Year lists. It's rare for me to list dramas and romance on the top of the list as usually I place those that are commercially successful and critically acclaimed at the same time at the top. But for the first time ever in my yearly movies list, drama would dominate my list and a romance film would notch the highest spot. Never Not Love You is for me, the best film of the year, as it seems to be the movie needed right now for this millenial generation of toxic and speedy relationships. Both Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino and the Metro Manila Film Festival would each have two entries this year, down from three each last year which only gave room for two non-festival movies. Now, we have half the list be with non-festival films where one is accessible online through Netflix. Now, I end my introduction. Here are my picks for the 10 Filipino movies that defined 2018:
Summary of the List:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Intro | Methodology | Records | Data Sources | Photo Credits
JR's FILIPINO MOVIES OF THE YEAR - 2018 METHODOLOGY:
- Films included in the list must be directed, produced, written and starred majorly by Filipinos.
- The list took into consideration those Filipinos movies premiered or released between 25 December 2017 to 24 December 2018 through a wide domestic release.
- Movies that are screened for a limited audience or movies that lack accessibility for a regular Filipino movie viewer even outside of Metro Manila are excluded from the list. Movies released through online streaming platforms (except those released on Netflix) were also excluded from the list.
- Movies from the Metro Manila Film Festival of 2017 were taken into consideration since majority of their release frame took place in the year of 2018. Movies, however, from the Metro Manila Film Festival of 2018 are yet to be included for next year's list.
- No movie remasters in HD or IMAX were included in the list (such movies had already been premiered in the past).
JR's Filipino Movies of the Year - 2018
| Rank |
Movies of the Year
|
Movie Genre | Month of Release | JR's Score |
| 1 | Romance | Mar 2018 | 10.0 | |
| 2 | Drama | Aug 2018 (PPP) | 10.0 | |
| 3 | Drama | Dec 2017 (MMFF) | 10.0 | |
| 4 | Comedy | Aug 2018 (PPP) | 10.0 | |
| 5 | Action | Aug 2018 | 9.8 | |
| 6 | Biography | Sept 2018 | 9.5 | |
| 7 | Musical | Dec 2017 (MMFF) | 9.4 | |
| 8 | Drama | Jan 2018 | 9.4 |
#1
|
NEVER NOT LOVE YOU
(March 2018) |
JR's Score:
(10/10)
"OUTSTANDING"
|
Movie Genre:
|
Romance
|
Director/s:
|
Antoinette Jadaone
|
Writer/s:
|
Antoinette Jadaone
|
Producers / Distributors:
|
Viva Films, Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects
|
MTRCB Rating:
|
PG
|
Total Running Time:
|
1 hour, 40 minutes
|
Cast Overview:
|
James Reid, Nadine Lustre
|
"A Glimpse At Young Millenial Love"
I just have to place this film on top. Never have I seen a too much relatable Filipino film targeted at the millenial generation until now. "Never Not Love You" exemplifies the realities of toxic and speedy relationships currently existent in today's society. Long-distance relationships and pursuance of own individual careers are just a few issues that this film handled with care and diligence. James Reid and Nadine Lustre may have made their best film with this one and I hope they make more like this. Better yet, Philippine cinema makes use of real life scenarios than cheesy ones. Antoinette Jadaone's use of environment and colorful lighting are also worth the commendation.
*watched on 29 November 2018
Read JR's Full Review of Never Not Love You:
...review coming out soon...
