Just got out of Gateway Cinemas this afternoon after watching eco-horror movie THE CARETAKERS. Like what I mentioned during the premiere night, the video quality of this movie is something to be proud of. It was like watching something off Hollywood. I think they intend to showcase this outside the country because of the extensive use of Taglish and very intricate captions, something I didn't expect.
Much of the things happened in the home where Lydia lives (the caretaker) played by Dimples Romana. They prepped it for selling as it is a bit old and dilapidated. But the house certainly came with other things they didn't know existed.
Aside from the scary stuff, it's full of family issues, The teen and child stars are to be lauded in this film, pretty good actors despite their age as some of them have been in the industry for years.
Iza Calzado's character Audrey gets into a situation where she needs to choose, make decisions for her and their family. They also made the story delve into folklore, real estate, and the repercussions of bothering things in the house, and the surrounding areas.
The journey of their family through the challenges of the situation they are in would take time. Let them take you through that story, and make you be assured that it will be alright. Or will it? I watched it twice just to make sure, it really has its merits. I bet this will be a series, it looks justified to have one.
Let these two fine actresses make you feel the fright, the love for family that this story presents. This is produced by Rein Entertainment and released by Regal Films.
If you want a really good thriller and scare this month, you should take your family and friends to the cinemas and watch THE CARETAKERS.
This is a film masterfully crafted for the silver screen by Director Shugo Praico. After watching it in SM North Edsa - The Block last night, I would agree with the R13 rating because for starters, it's pretty intense, has quite a few twists as expected, and would require a more mature audience because of scenes apt for that age. I'd reckon comparing it with Regal Entertainment's Shake Rattle and Roll series but with a fresher, grander pov, but still does those scare and revenge plots quite good.
It also gives a lot of importance to musical scoring, something this film has definitely done remarkably well because the surprises in the story would require that, and make you feel a bit invested with Iza Calzado and Dimples Romana's characters. Which reminds me, this certainly screams masterclass because 2 of the most formidable actresses in the country are doing these interesting characters. It's like 2 geniuses working on one project, and to do something extreme like this would show their range, unquestionable, done like pros. The cinematography is also something to be lauded. It felt like a Hollywood film inside the cinemas. The color grading is amazing and you can feel how they took time editing this film to make sure you're seeing something good in theaters.
Ms. Iza says "This is horror of course, but in hindsight, it's a story of mothers who would want to fight for their rights in owning the lot. Horror was used as a tool to tell that story. Though this has a huge back story, of the one who owns the lot on paper, or the ones that took care of the property for years. Are they really after the home, or are they just making sure the next generations would still see it. Working with her, it was super easy. Our co stars, the production, it was light and easy on set because I love learning from people. As a mother, as a business woman, I admire her on so many levels because she's smart. On set, you won't have to think about it, our energy levels are the same, I can depend on her and that makes part of the work done. She's not there to overshadow other artists, it was a very good dance. Production was also A+, we were spoiled and made everything easy. We even had coffee, fruits, food handy. I've always loved that concept where you go to work and just relax in the same way. The shoot was efficient, you have producers and staff that does their job fast. There was no lack of preparation, we finished it in 8 days. We even had delays but did it super fast. It's also a zero waste production, it was a great experience. The ecological aspect of the film is also seen in the way they made it. We hope this would also translate in what people would learn from the movie."
Dimples added "After watching the film, being in the real estate industry gave me somewhat an advantage to do this character. My husband and I invest heavily in that industry and when this story was presented to me, it wasn't far from what I think of land and its use. It could nurture, or destroy you. It made me think about how owning a title doesn't necessarily mean you are the rightful one to own a property. It makes you think in a bigger picture, and how we are all just property managers in one way or form. Over time, you get to think a lot about ownership even if you lease or sell the property to another person. This is not just horror but has so many underlying stories in it. Philippine cinema is evolving, and stories won't seem to be what it is on paper. This is the first movie I'm doing with Iza and I hope people see how special it is. We don't usually have projects because we often get the same character, but she guested in one project. Working with her is bliss, I know it would be fun but didn't realize it would be THIS FUN. When we are working on set, we usually see it as relief, but we're both moms and we see how we get to do a lot on set rather than just the things we do at home. She's one of the reasons why I see motherhood as a noble profession, I was doing teleseryes left and right, but working with her was intentional, but super easy because of her. She's like family. It was a very good experience, so many firsts, and hope you will see that in the film."
We also got to talk to the other cast members particularly Marco Masa, Jake and Jessica Taylor about their experience being in the film. Jake and Jessica are famous on YouTube and on Facebook, and this was a first for them. Marco on the other hand is quite seasoned despite his age and shared how he was so glad to be included in this project (he's been in a few on his own, and super thankful for the numerous projects he's in). Other stars like Inka Magnaye, Ashley Sarmiento, Althea Ruedas, Erika Clemente, Erin Rose Espiritu completes the cast. Listen in!
This is a movie that's entertaining, will teach you about the value of family, love, having responsibilities and taking ownership. This will be out on theaters tomorrow so if you have time to go to cinemas, this should be on your list. It will be on over 100 theaters and is under Regal Entertainment and Rein Entertainment.
This is one scary place... and makes you ask who the rightful owner is!
I've had the pleasure of watching Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz's recent MMFF 2024 film "MY FUTURE YOU" which won Seth "Breakthrough Performance for an Actor" and a nomination for Best Actor in the film festival. Star Magic recently put the SPOTLIGHT on him after the win and he told us how he felt right after that win because he told us it didn't really sink in til he went home and celebrated with his family. Seth felt it wasn't just his win, but a huge win for his dreams, and his family.
Seth told us how he was very eager to make this count especially since projects of this magnitude doesn't come so often. When they were making it, he talked to Francine about its importance and they knew they had to return the trust being given to them by the production because it was the perfect vehicle to showcase their acting strengths. It was initially set to premiere during the 3rd quarter of 2024, but then it got moved twice, then was sent to the 50th MMFF. Regal told them that this was going to be just something they'd send to the committee with a prayer, til they saw it being announced as one of the finalists in the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival.
He even drove back home to tell his folks, Francine told him about it. And when they did the whole promotion thing for the movie, he wasn't ready about how BIG it is.
Here's the whole interview with him a few days ago, super thanks Seth for being so nice that day!
Seth says "In all the things I do, I am really too shy. I don't know how I do it when I'm in front of the camera especially when I do roles that are really important to me. When I do it, I try to toughen up because I'm my own critic. I just do my best, and when people see it, that's me. I really mix in my persona, I don't remove myself from scenes. I just tell myself that I need to do it, like self motivation. I am happy to do it even if I'm not in my best look in the studios, I just show my truth."
He adds "I've got so many actors I'd want to work with. I'd like drama, to have a bad boy flick, action or something like that. Still a hero but challenging, a different take to a character. I'd like to do that in a different project. I'd want to learn about it first because I know it is difficult to do that."
This isn't the last time you'll be seeing Seth because from the looks of it, he's going to have a few more projects this 2025 especially because of his recent win. He also is open to do projects with other stars, even if they won't be working with each other because he finds it limiting for Francine if the pairing is going to hold them back. But don't fret, because they still are eager to also work with each other (he says he's full tank). Who wouldn't want to see that!
Make sure you follow him and Star Magic's social channels because I'm sure they've got something up their sleeves! (TV series Nobody, shooting soon!).
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