My Yearend Roundup: RANKING THE BEST VIVAMAX FILMS OF 2022

December 30, 2022

Since it debuted in January 2021 up to the whole of this year, streaming app Vivamax practically kept the Filipino film industry active by coming up with one new Filipino film every Friday. Most of them may be silly comedies or exploitative erotica, but we have to give Vivamax credit for its efforts of keeping Filipino actors, directors, writers and film crews active. Now that theatrical films are making a comeback, looking forward for Vivamax to come up with and tell better quality, more substantial stories in their films.  

I've seen all the Vivamax films released this year (from "Siklo" to "Bugso") and this is how I would rank them according to my impressions and ratings upon viewing. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

15. SECRETS by Jose Javier Reyes (My Full Review) 

14. SELINA'S GOLD by Mac Alejandre (My Full Review) 

13. BULA by Bobby Bonifacio (My Full Review) 

12. THE ESCORT WIFE by Paul Alexei Basinillo (My Full Review) 

11. SITIO DIABLO by Roman Perez, Jr. (My Full Review) 

HERE ARE MY 10 HIGHEST-RATED VIVAMAX FILMS OF 2022

10. ADARNA GANG by Jon Red (My Full Review) 

Director John Red took the story of "Ibong Adarna" out from the classical royal courts of Berbania and transported it to the world of a modern-day drug gang. It was an interesting concept to be sure, and his cast was impressive. As Adriana, Colleen Garcia went from sweet and loving to vengeful and angry. . As Valeriana, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino dominated the screen as she does the stage. 

9. LAMPAS LANGIT by Jeffrey Hidalgo (My Full Review) 

This film directed by Jeffrey Hidalgo was about two writers. Veteran screenwriter Racquel Villavicencio filled it up with pithy lines about writing as a career. Senior writer Arman Fuentes-Diaz is easily the most interesting character in this film, and Ricky Davao certainly squeezed the most out of his role, and even brought the best out of his co-stars Baron Geisler, Chloe Jenna and Christine Bermas.

8. IKAW LANG ANG MAHAL by Richard Somes (My Full Review) 

The film by Richard Somes gave viewers an immersive experience of what it is like to be involved in a vibrant art community, especially with veteran actors Joel Torre and Ronnie Lazaro there with all the quirks of artist personalities. Zanjoe Marudo further proved his dependability in dramatic roles, and he clicked with Kylie Versoza as a romantic couple. As she was sensitively convincing as a fragile serious artist, this was Versoza's best performance as an actress to date.

7. KITTY K7 by Joy Aquino (My Full Review) 

It may sound ironic, but this Vivamax film starring Rose Van Ginkel as a camgirl actually delivers a strong female empowerment message about loving herself first, before worrying about how others think. It was no wonder that the creative team behind this well-made film is also confidently female, led by director Joy Aquino, writer Pam Miras, DP Kara Moreno, editor Chrisel Desuasido, and production designers Rochelle Jan Crisostomo and Carmela Danao.

6. HABANGBUHAY by Real S. Florido (My Full Review) 

Running for almost two hours, director Real S. Florido took his time to tell a familiar story, with writers Jon Versoza and Paolo Valconcha including all the usual twists. Cinematographer Lee Briones-Meily did some great work with those beautifully-shot scenes about their camping trip on Mt. Tala. Those scenes when Elise Joson and McCoy de Leon were seen together even though there were apart in reality were very well-done.

5. GREED by Yam Laranas (My Full Review) 

With its over-the-top climax and bizarre ending, writer-director Yam Laranas showed how even just the mere prospect of gaining a huge amount of money in a lottery can pit even the best of friends against each other, and transform the kindest and most religious of people into monsters. Nadine Lustre and Epi Quizon can look forward to acting nominations for their impassioned performances.

4. 366 by Bela Padilla (My Full Review) 

Bela Padilla makes her debut as a feature film director with this film. Her vision was very artistic and poetic, and, with the help of cinematographer Pao Orendain, she was able to execute some memorable scenes. The most remarkable one for me was that with the camera rotating around a static June in the foreground while the blurred background was moving in blurred fast-forward behind her.  

3. SIKLO by Roman Perez Jr. (My Full Review)

This film directed by Roman Perez Jr. actually had a strong story and a well-thought-out screenplay with wicked and twisted plotting by Ronald Perez. Having one of ubiquitous motorcycle delivery boys as a protagonist was an inspired idea. When Vince Rillon friskily frolicked with those sexy women onscreen, this was fantasy-fulfillment for all the ordinary Joes in the audience who thought they'd never get a chance. 

2. RELYEBO by Crisanto Aquino (My Full Review)  

The way director Crisanto Aquino set up, blocked and shot the conversations between Sean de Guzman and Christine Bermas was remarkably filled with dramatic tension and emotional connection. Their best scene together happened at the very end of the movie, beautifully shot in a verdant field at the foot of Mt. Makiling. In that tear-jerking scene, you can clearly see that they had really become very good actors. 

1. REROUTE by Law Fajardo (My Full Review) 

Musician Dan (Sid Lucero) and his girlfriend bank manager Trina (Cindy Miranda) were on their way to visit Dan's hometown town of Morinda. However, there was a roadblock on the main highway because of a military operation, so they were forced to take a long detour and got lost. Desperate, they asked help from a former soldier Gemo (John Arcilla) who walked out from the woods.

Director Law Fajardo told this suspenseful story (with screenplay by his "Mahjong Nights" collaborator Byron Bryant) in elegant black and white, with director of photography Joshua A. Reyles. Scenes in dark cramped places or those shrouded with fog were lit so well that we can always see what was going on. Those dramatic long range shots and overhead drone shots had excellent cinematic aesthetic sense.