Erik Matti's BuyBust (2018) Graded A by the Film Ratings Board/Cinema Evaluation Board

This is a poster for BuyBust. The poster art copyright is believed to belong to the distributor of the item promoted, Viva Films, the publisher of the item promoted or the graphic artist.


Finally!  The much anticipated movie is now showing in theatres nationwide.  It is also a Cinemalaya entry, and I think there will be a gala night on Saturday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.


The actors did not disappoint.  Anne Curtis did not overact and she was very convincing.  Dad said there were scenes that were too lengthy that if they cut it short, they would be more effective.

There were scenes that if you think about it are very gory.  That's the harsh reality of life. 

Inside the rest room the women were talking about Buy Bust like it was in a dystopian setting, like a Zombie Apocalypse or something.

The people inside the theatre, including us, likened the people from Gracia ni Maria to the walking dead.

When the people from Gracia ni Maria started attacking the DEA operatives, they really looked and seemed like Zombies.  People from the audience were actually saying, "Para silang mga Zombie, ano?" 

Others were comparing this movie to the Die Hard series, Rambo, and the like, where there is a person who is left alone standing(a man or a woman or a member of the LGBT) except for the fact that this particular buy bust case, is like so many cases worldwide.  

Matti and Santamaria's collaboration shows the sordid reality that we could not pretend that it does not exist. It's a vicious cycle.  A lot of people want to do things for the greater good, but a lot of people stand in their way.

This is a movie about corruption, graft, coverups, filth, greed, and all bad things you want to think of.

It is about a good thing or things gone bad.  The intention is good, but there are lot of people who take advantage of others that the purpose is lost along the way. 

#WarOnDrugs

There is no little or big role.  Each one is important, even the bit players.

Here are some members of the cast the excelled, at least in our eyes:

ALEX CALLEJA, I think, got his biggest break here as a serious actor(with some humor on the side), but someone behind us thought he was Jose Manalo.

BRANDON VERA, our pride and joy...well, he's an international Mixed Martial Artist, and he has been competing since 2002, so he has already made a name for himself in that field.  Still, it is refreshing to know that he can act too.

VICTOR NERI is the team leader of the unit, and he did a mighty good job.  

LAO RODRIGUEZ was mistaken for Art Acuña, and I almost did so as well, but I knew there were differences.  Anyways, he was good, especially during one annoying confrontation.

MARA LOPEZ plays Agent Santos.  She's definitely more than just her mother's daughter.  She could act...she could even be fierce if she wanted to.

JOROSS GAMBOA was naturally annoying here. His character went bonkers, and he did it quite well.

ARJO ATAYDE sort of deglamorized himself here, making like a man of many hats.

AJ MUHLACH is truly making a name for himself.

NONIE BUENCAMINO is versatile.

ANNE CURTIS is a chameleon.  They did not make a mistake in choosing her to play Manigan. 

#AVeryBraveMovie

Thank you so much for your time.

8 Reasons Why "BuyBust" Is More Than Just a Great Action Movie

Written(story) and Directed by Erik Matti


Screenplay by Anton Santamaria and
Erik Matti

ALL OF THEM DESERVE TO BE PRAISED, including the unnamed:
  1. Anne Curtis as Nina Manigan
  2. Brandon Vera as Rico Yatco
  3. Victor Neri as Bernie Lacson
  4. Arjo Atayde as Biggie Chen
  5. Nonie Buencamino as Detective Alvarez
  6. Lao Rodriguez as Detective Dela Cruz
  7. Alex Calleja as Teban
  8. Levi Ignacio as Chongki
  9. Ricky Pascua as Solomon
  10. Joross Gamboa as Manok
  11. Sheenly Gener as Lacson(Bernie's wife and partner)
  12. Mara Lopez as Santos
  13. AJ Muhlach
  14. Tarek El Tayech
  15. Maddie Martinez
  16. Nafa Hilario 
  17. Ian Ignacio
  18. Mikey Alcaraz




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