If you’re a fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s works, then Universal Pictures’ VIY: The Spirit of Evil will definitely be your cup of tea. This dark fantasy film based on a Nikolai Gogol story of the same name will be opening this week in theatres in Manila starting October 22.

The movie was produced by Russian Film Group and Marins Group and stars Jason Flemyng from the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The production was set in 17^th century Eastern Europe in a small town in Ukraine allegedly plagued by an evil spirit called Viy who has the ability to murder and takes the soul of his victim with just a gaze of his many eyes.

Jason Flemying plays the part of cartographer Jonathan Greene and the story of his arrival and stay at the small village, where he meets several characters that all played a part in the mystery surrounding the myths about Viy and the unexplained things happening in the village.

The film was shot in Prague and became a certified hit when it was released in Russia earlier this year taking in $17 million on its first week.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, the movie will be shown starting October 22 in 3D in select theatres in Metro Manila and in 2D movie houses nationwide. Those who will watch the movie will also get a chance to win an iPhone 6 via the film’s Facebook competition.

To be eligible for the prize, participants simply need to writer their name and signature on their movie ticket (the side where the movie title is visible) and then take a selfie with their ticket and post it on the movie’s official Facebook page. Users must like the page and click the “Watch and Win iPhone 6 promo logo” for the next steps and for them to enter their complete details.

There will be three winners of an iPhone 6 unit, which will be drawn on October 25, 28, and 31. Winners will be announced on different communication channels including the VIY Facebook page, the Futuretainment Facebook page, the Futuretainment Instagram page (@futureupdate) and of course the winners’ registered emails.

Do note that participants can only enter once during the entire promo.

Last week, a couple of Filipinos made an impression at the recently concluded Asian Film Awards held at the Dancing Water Theatre in Macau, China.

For starters, our very own Eugene Domingo stood alongside some of Asia’s cinematic superstars as she was one of the presenters during the event. And on top of that, she was also nominated for a best actress award for her role in Barber’s Tales. And although the award for best actress was snagged by Zhang Ziyi for the film The Grandmaster, Eugene Domingo joined the audience in congratulating Ziyi’s win.

The Filipino-related film Ilo Ilo’s Yeo Yann Yann also took the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the said film. The movie is based on the story of a Singaporean family’s relationship with a Filipina maid, played by Filipina actress Angeli Bayani.

The Complete Awards list are as follows:

• Lifetime Achievement: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
• Best Film: The Grandmaster
• Best Director: Wong Kar-wai, The Grandmaster
• Best Actor: Irrfan Khan, The Lunchbox
• Best Actress: Zhang Ziyi, The Grandmaster
• Best Newcomer: Jiang Shuying, So Young
• Best Supporting Actor: Huang Bo, No Man’s Land
• Best supporting actress: Yeo Yann Yann, Ilo Ilo
• Best Screenwriter: Ritesh Batra, The Lunchbox
• Best Cinematographer: Philippe Le Sourd, The Grandmaster
• Best Production Designer: William Chang Suk Ping, Alfred Yau Wai Ming, The Grandmaster
• Best Composer: Nathaniel Mechaly, Umebayashi Shigeru, The Grandmaster
• Best Editor: Shin Min-kyung, Cold Eyes
• Best Visual Effects: Jung Sung-jin, Mr Go
• Best Costume designer: William Chang Suk Ping, The Grandmaster

Action movies have long been part of the movie industry. However, in recent years, there have been a number of action films that feature women as lead roles. These so-called Femme Fatales have grown in number since the women of the original Charlie’s Angels blew the crowd with their jumps, punches and high kicks. Moreover, the roles reserved for these feisty women are no longer that or heroines but also as villains, secret agents and assassins.

Here are some of the fiercest women in Hollywood that can really literally kick some a$s and have long fascinated Filipino audiences.

Angelina Jolie – Angelina Jolie has starred in numerous action packed roles in the past few years including the movie adaptation of the hit video game series, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the Russian assassin in Evelyn Salt in SALT, and of course in the 2005 romantic comedy action film with real life husband Brad Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Jennifer Garner – Jennifer Garner’s another Hollywood star with femme fatale roles. Her first was in the TV series Alias, which gave her a name as a sultry yet deadly secret agent. She then moved to the big screen with her roles in other action movies like Elektra and Daredevil.

Zoe Saldana – Zoe Saldana might not be as bright a star as Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Garner but she was exceptionally awesome in the 2011 action film – Colombiana as Cataleya Restrepo. In the movie, she plays a professional assassin torn between doing her job and her family.

Lucy Lawless – She’s Xena the warrior princess and became very popular in the 90s with her famous battle cry.  She also appeard in other TV series like Battlestar Galactica, Spartacus: Vengeance, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. And on top of that, she also has a career in singing and in theatre.

Maggie Q – Margaret Denise Quigley more populary known as Maggie Q plays the lead role in CW’s espionage drama thriller series Nikita. Aside from her starring role in Nikita, Maggie Q has also appeared in several action packed films like Naked Weapon, Mission: Impossible III and Live Free or Die Hard. She has also appeared in the video game franchise Need for Speed, specifically in the Need for Speed: Undercover game.

 




Milla Jovovich - Another famous name in the field of kick-butt women is American model and actress Milla Jovovich. Her most famous femme fatale role would be her character as Alice in the highly successful Resident Evil movie franchise. Aside from being an actress, Jovovich is also a recording artist and a fashion designer.

Kate Beckinsale  - Kate Beckinsale is an English actress who have starred in different movies from different genres. She has appeared on comedy and drama roles alongside other notable actors such as John Cusack, Adam Sandler and Ben Afleck to name a few. Moreover, she has played a number of heroine roles in various titles including Van Helsing and Total Recall. Her most famous femme fatale role was her character as Selene in the Underworld movie series.

All souls day is just a few calendar boxes away, and in line with common Filipino tradition, this is usually the time of the year when people commemorate their friends and relatives who have passed away. This is also that one time of the year where people try to scare each other with scary stories as they believe that the spirits from the other plane come to visit the living and entities from the supernatural world make their presence felt.

Whether true or not, this scare-or-be-scared mentality has long been with us and has long been a withstanding trademark of the traditional Filipino celebration of All Souls day thanks of course to our rich folklores filled with stories about mythical creatures, monsters and beings that have been passed down from generation to generation.

And in today’s post, we’ve listed some of the most popular mythical creatures and beings that most Pinoys (if not all) have come to fear and at times used as tools in their scare tactics.

NUNO SA PUNSO

Nuno sa punso is a dwarf-like being known to live in anthills and termite mounds in the Philippines. The Nuno sa punso is usually interchanged with the duwende but unlike the latter, this being is described as having a grumpy and easily-angered demeanor, especially if its home is disturbed.

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The Nuno sa punso is believed to have the power to curse anyone who disturbs its home inflicting swelling or pain on any part of the body of the trespasser, cause the person to vomit blood or urinate black liquid. In order to avoid being cursed by the nuno, a person is advised to say “tabi tabi po” before passing a place inhabited by this creature.

MANANANGGAL

The manananggal is a mythical creature that has the ability to separate its torso into two parts. The upper part of the body would usually grow bat-like wings and allow it to fly and search for unwary victims. It is often depicted as a female who takes the form of a normal human being by day but transforms at night.

When the body of the manananggal has been separated, it is believed that by sprinkling salt or smearing crushed garlic into its lower torso would prevent the upper body from reconnecting and therefore will eventually cause the demise of the manananggal.

ENGKANTO/DIWATA

Engkanto are environmental spirits that have the ability to appear in human form. They often are depicted as beautiful beings with fair complexion, high-bridge noses and other god/goddess like physical features. Most are believed to dwell in natural land and water features like large rock formations, rivers, lakes, etc.

Roderick Paulate in Engkanto (1992)

Engkantos and Diwatas are most commonly known for their malignant effects to humans, causing harm and misfortunes to those who have wronged them and bringing wealth and riches to those who they favor. These beings also sometimes lead travellers astray in forests and mountains and even kidnapping them if they find a liking to that person.

KAPRE

Kapres are the Philippines’ tree demon characterized by a tall stature, brown skin covered with hair and a long beard. They are usually depicted in traditional folklore as a giant figure atop a tree smoking a tobacco pipe. They are believed to dwell in big trees like acacias, mangoes and balete and is said to wear a bahag.

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Unlike other creatures in Philippine folklore, the Kapre is not generally known to be malevolent. Although they are said to play pranks on people, usually making people forget where they are, confusing people or leading them astray in the forest.

MAMBABARANG

The mambabarang is the Filipino version of a sorcerer. It is commonly associated with the mangkukulam and has the ability to instruct insects and other animals to enter the body of its victim through any bodily orifice such as the nose, mouth, ears, anus or any dermal breaks such as open wounds.

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To be able to counter the mambabarang, a victim would usually need to employ the services of an albularyo or a faith healer.

SIRENA/KATAW/SIYOKOY

The Bantay tubig (merpeople/merfolk) are divided into three distinct groups – the sirena, the kataw and the siyokoy.

Ella Cruz as Aryana (2012) - Source

Sirena is the Filipino term for mermaids. They are depicted as creatures having the upper torso of a woman and having a tail of a fish. The male counterpart of the sirena is called a kataw. Another sea creature popular in Pinoy folklore is the Siyokoy which is usually depicted as green-skinned humanoids with bodies covered with scales, webbed hands and feet and having scales in some parts of their body.

TIKBALANG

The tikbalang is a creature with the head and feet of a horse and the upper torso of a man. They are said to play tricks on humans often leading them astray in forests and mountains. They are also said to have the power to shape shift and cause hallucinations. There are also stories that depict the tikbalang travelling at night and raping female mortals who would then give birth to more tikbalang.

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There are also stories that talk about how to tame a tikbalang by acquiring one of the creatures sharp spines located in its mane. It is said that those who obtains one of these spines can use the spine as a talisman in order to keep the tikbalang as his servant.

TIYANAK

The tiyanak is a vampire-like creature that takes the form of a baby. There are many stories about the origin of the Tiyanak but the most widely accepted is the one spread by Christian catechism which explains that tiyanak are babies who died before receiving baptism rites or those who died through abortion.

In recent times, the tiyanak has been a very popular creature depicted in movies like in the Shake, Rattle and Roll movie series. The term “ang anak ni Janice” was a result of the movie depicting the tiyanak as the child of TV actress Janice De Belen.

ASWANG

Last but definitely not the least is the Aswang. The Aswang is probably the most featured mythological creature in this list. It is a creature with vampire-like characteristics that is said to eat human flesh and can shape shift into animals at night. They enjoy eating unborn fetuses and small children, with a specific liking to livers and hearts.

Erich Gonzales in Corazon Ang Unang Aswang (2012)

So, which creature is the stuff of your nightmares? Tell us by leaving a comment below. Also, please do follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus. You can also subscribe to our RSS feeds for the freshest and newest Filipino Lifestyle stories.

Fairy tales have been an integral part of every Filipino’s childhood. For some people, they use fairy tales as a means to lull their children to sleep, while for some, they use it as bonding moments for their kids. But in either case, fairy tales are undoubtedly the best examples of literary masterpieces that showcase imagination, creativity and inspiration.

It’s no wonder why movie makers nowadays create modern adaptations of these timeless classics. Here are a few past, present and upcoming movie titles that were based on fairy tales we all know and love.

Beastly (2011)

Set in modern-day New York City, Beastly is a retelling of the famous fairy tale The Beauty and the Beast and stars Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingbury and Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy Taylor. The story of the movie revolved around a wealthy, arrogant and narcissistic boy who has no respect for his classmates. Kyle then plays a prank on one of the school’s outcast, Kendra Hilferty by inviting her to a party but then humiliating her in front of everyone.

Unknown to everyone, Kendra was actually a witch in disguise. After her humiliation, Kendra then curses Kyle to make him as ugly as his soul and the only way to undo the curse is for him to find true love within a year. Fortunately, Lindy Taylor comes to the rescue and through a series of coincidences the two develop mutual feelings of love for each other. And before the movie ends, the curse was lifted and they lived happily ever after.

Directed by Daniel Barnz and written by Alex Flinn (novel).

Red Riding Hood (2011)

The story of Red Riding Hood is about a young woman named Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) who lives in the village of Daggerhorn, a small village plagued by a werewolf. Unlike the original Red riding hood fairy tale, the movie is laced with adult themed concepts such as adultery, deception and betrayal.

But the major twist of the movie is about the relationship between Valerie and the werewolf who happens to be his father. His father was supposedly curse to become a werewolf and now plans to make Valerie one as well. But Valerie refuses to become a werewolf and ends up killing her own father together with his lover Peter (Shiloh Fernandez).

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke and written by David Johnson.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Snow White and the Huntsman is a fantasy film based on the German Fairy Tale – Snow White. The film features a star-studded cast, the likes of Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron. Unlike the first two movies mentioned above, Snow White and the Huntsman comes really close to the fairy tale in which it was based from, only darker.

The film follows almost the same story line as the fairy tale but with darker and stronger characters. The movie doesn’t depict Snow White as a harmless and fair lady, but a female warrior ready to fight to end the reign of the evil queen. However, unlike the original Snow White, this version didn’t follow the true love’s kiss method of reviving the princess. The evil queen wasn’t also killed by the prince. Instead, Snow white woke up through a non-romantic kiss from the huntsman while the queen was slain not by the prince but by Snow White herself.

Directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Evan Daugherty.

Hansel and Gretel : Witch Hunters (2013)

Hansel and Gretel : Witch Hunters is an upcoming action comedy-horror film based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale entitled Hansel and Gretel. The plot of the movie follows siblings Hansel and Gretel, 15 years after their traumatic experience in a witch’s gingerbread house for children.

Fifteen years later, the two become expert witch hunters, dedicated to exterminating witches. For this reason, the Mayor of Augsburg (a small town found south-west of Bavaria, Germany) to rid the town and the neighboring forest of a witch who plans to sacrifice all the children of the village at the witches’ gathering during the Blood Moon night.

The movie will star Jeremy Renner as Hansel, Gemma Arterton as Gretel and Famke Janssen as Muriel. The movie is scheduled to release on January 11, 2013 and will be directed by Tommy Wirkola and written by D.W. Harper and Tommy Wirkola.

Maleficent (2014)

Maleficent is an upcoming film based on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. However, unlike the fairy tale, the movie focuses on the story of Princess Aurora in the eyes of the evil witch Maleficent. Its crew started filming on June 18, 2012 with Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora.

The film will be directed by Robert Stromberg and is written by Paul Dini and Richard Zanuck and is scheduled to be released on March 14, 2014.

And there you have it, five movie titles that prove the greatness of fairy tales as a medium of entertainment and that great works of art transcends time and are simply timeless.