Alex Boncayao Brigade (film)

Last updated

Alex Boncayao Brigade
Directed byJoey del Rosario
Written by Tony A. Calvento
Produced byRicky Salonga
Starring
CinematographyBhal Dauz
Edited byAugusto Salvador
Music byVehnee Saturno
Production
company
Olympia Pictures
Distributed byOlympia Pictures
Release date
  • January 18, 1989 (1989-01-18)
CountryPhilippines
Language Filipino

Alex Boncayao Brigade is a 1989 action film directed by Joey del Rosario. The film stars Ronnie Ricketts, Mia Prats, George Estregan Jr., Richard Bonnin and Marco Polo, alongside Dave Brodett, Val Iglesias, Nick Romano, Bomber Moran, and Dexter Doria. It is about the titular communist militant group (otherwise known as the Sparrow Unit) that functions as the urban guerrilla unit of the New People's Army. Produced by Olympia Pictures, the film was released on January 18, 1989. [1]

Contents

Critic Lav Diaz expressed that the film was "nothing extraordinary".

Cast

Release

Alex Boncayao Brigade was released on January 18, 1989. [2] [3]

Critical response

Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard , considered the film to be "nothing extraordinary", with a standard "Ka" (communist) story and ordinary, albeit numerous, action scenes. He criticized, however, the "corny" speech towards the end of the film. [4]

See also

Other depictions of the Alex Boncayao Brigade (Sparrow Unit) in film:

Related Research Articles

<i>Target: Sparrow Unit</i> 1987 Filipino film

Target: Sparrow Unit is a 1987 Filipino action film directed by Ben "M7" Yalung. It stars Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., Ronnie Ricketts, Debbie Miller, Sonny Parsons, Dick Israel, King Gutierrez and E.R. Ejercito.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Boncayao Brigade</span> 1984–2000 urban assassination unit of the Philippine New Peoples Army

The Alex Boncayao Brigade was the urban assassination unit of the New People's Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Organized in 1984, the unit broke away from the New People's Army as a consequence of a split in ideology during the 1990s. In 1997, the Alex Boncayao Brigade allied itself with the Revolutionary Proletarian Army, the armed wing of the Revolutionary Workers' Party.

<i>Afuang: Bounty Hunter</i> Philippine action film

Afuang: Bounty Hunter is a 1988 Philippine biographical action film directed by Mike Relon Makiling. The film stars Phillip Salvador as the title role. The film is based on the life of Abner Afuang, a former police officer who was a Pagsanjan mayor by the time the film was released.

<i>Exit Point</i> Philippine action film

Exit Point is a 2019 Filipino Action film starring Ronnie Ricketts, who also serves as the film co-writer and director under the name Ronn Rick. It also stars Jackielou Blanco, Alvin Anson, Raechelle Ricketts, Edgar Mande, Renzo Cruz, Jerico Estregan, and Joachim Idinye. The film was released by Viva Films on February 20, 2019.

Ambush is a 1988 Filipino action film directed by Francis 'Jun' Posadas and written by Jerry O. Tirazona. It stars Ronnie Ricketts, Dick Israel, Sonny Parsons, E.R. Ejercito, Leo Lazaro, Bobby Zshornack, and Beverly Vergel. The film depicts an armed struggle between the New People's Army's Sparrow Unit and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Produced by Regent Films, Ambush was released in theaters on July 13, 1988.

Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle, also known as simply Starzan, is a 1989 Filipino comedy film directed by Tony Y. Reyes, written by Reyes and Joey de Leon, and starring de Leon as the titular character. It also stars Zsa Zsa Padilla, Panchito Alba, Tina Paner, Cris Villanueva, Cynthia Patag, and Rene Requiestas. The film is a parody of the Edgar Rice Burroughs character Tarzan.

Pepeng Kuryente: Man with a Thousand Volts is a 1988 Filipino science fiction action film written and directed by Jose Yandóc and starring Ramon Revilla as the titular character. Also starring are Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Dante Rivero, Marissa Delgado, Ramon Zamora, Melissa Mendez, Gwen Avila, Alicia Alonzo, Cecille "Dabiana" Iñigo, Baldo Marro, King Gutierrez, Rodolfo Boy Garcia, Palito and George Estregan Jr. Produced by Imus Productions, Pepeng Kuryente was released on November 16, 1988. Critic Lav Diaz gave the film a negative review, criticizing its lack of direction, slow pace, superfluous scenes, and constant product placement.

Patrolman is a 1988 Filipino action film directed by Cesar SB. Abella and starring stuntman Baldo Marro as the titular patrolman. It also stars Melissa Mendez, Sunshine, Raoul Aragonn, Dick Israel, Zandro Zamora, Arwin Rogelio, and Odette Khan. Based on a true story, the film is about a dedicated and honest policeman who becomes a target of the New People's Army's Sparrow Unit. The film was produced by El Niño Films and released on December 25, 1988, as part of the 14th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Sgt. Ernesto 'Boy' Ybañez: Tirtir Gang, or simply Tirtir Gang, is a 1988 Philippine action film co-written and directed by Willy Milan. The film stars Sonny Parsons as the titular character. Produced by Double M Films International, the film was released on July 28, 1988.

<i>Sheman: Mistress of the Universe</i> 1988 superhero comedy film starring Joey de Leon

Sheman: Mistress of the Universe is a 1988 Filipino fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Tony Reyes and starring Joey de Leon as the titular character, alongside Panchito, Ruffa Gutierrez, Dennis Da Silva, Erik Cayetano, Mylene Gonzales, Paquito Diaz, Ruel Vernal, Timmy Cruz, Palito, and Rene Requiestas. It parodies both the film Masters of the Universe and the character Panday as portrayed by Fernando Poe Jr.

Kapag Napagod ang Puso is a 1988 Filipino romantic drama film directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes and starring Christopher de Leon, Snooky Serna, Gloria Romero, Lito Pimentel, Julio Diaz, Rez Cortez, Anjo Yllana, Caridad Sanchez, and Gil de Leon. Produced by VH Films, it was released in June 1988.

Target... Maganto is a 1988 Filipino action film based on the life of Lt. Col. Romeo Maganto of the Western Police District in Manila. Directed by Leonardo L. Garcia, the film stars Ronnie Ricketts as the eponymous police commander, alongside Charlie Davao, Monica Herrera, Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Nick Romano, Renato del Prado, Bing Davao and Aurora Salve. It is the first film to be made about Maganto's life; later films include Leon ng Maynila (1991) and The Legend: Tomagan (2003). Produced by GVM Productions, the film was released on April 8, 1988.

<i>Boy Recto</i> Philippine action film

Boy Recto is a 1992 Philippine action film directed by Jett C. Espiritu. The film stars Ronnie Ricketts in the title role.

Walang Panginoon is a 1989 Philippine political action drama film written and directed by Mauro Gia Samonte. The film stars Jestoni Alarcon, Rita Avila, Robert Arevalo and Joonee Gamboa.

Eagle Squad is a 1989 Philippine action film co-written and directed by Jose N. Carreon. The film stars Edu Manzano, Ricky Davao, Julio Diaz, Robin Padilla, George Estregan Jr., Monsour del Rosario, Nick Martel and Jinggoy Estrada.

Hesus, Rebolusyonaryo is a 2002 Philippine science fiction drama film written and directed by Lav Diaz and starring Mark Anthony Fernandez as the title role. The film did not perform well at the box office.

Urban Terrorist is a 1988 Filipino action film directed by Dante Javier and starring Mark Gil, Ronnie Ricketts, Vivian Foz, Tom Olivar, Kristel Romero, Dick Israel, E.R. Ejercito, Dhouglas Veron, Juan Rodrigo, and Charlie Davao. Produced by South Cotabato Films, the film was released on April 22, 1988. Critic Lav Diaz panned the film, criticizing its direction, writing, cinematography, editing, and anachronistic elements.

Ang Anino ni Asedillo is a 1988 Filipino period action film directed by Bert Mendoza and Jose M. Dagumboy. A sequel to the 1971 biographical film Asedillo, it stars Conrad Poe, Dante Rivero, George Estregan, Philip Gamboa, Carlos Salazar, Zandro Zamora, Beverly Vergel, Guia Guizon, and Farrah Floro; Fernando Poe Jr. is featured in archival footage from the previous film. Produced by D'Camp Films International, the film was released on June 1, 1988. Critic Lav Diaz gave the film a negative review, criticizing its direction, writing, production design, technical qualities, and action scenes.

Lost Command is a 1988 Filipino action film directed by Ben "M7" Yalung, written by Tony A. Calvento, and starring Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., Paquito Diaz, Lala Montelibano, Jenny Lyn, Dave Brodett, Baldo Marro, Robert Talabis, Lolit Solis, King Gutierrez, E. R. Ejercito. Produced by Cine Suerte, the film was released in May 1988.

Kumander Dante is a 1988 Filipino biographical action film about the co-founder of the New People's Army, the militant arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Bernabe "Kumander Dante" Buscayno. Produced and directed by Ben "M7" Yalung from a screenplay by Ricky Lee, the film stars Phillip Salvador as the titular rebel, alongside Laarni Enriquez, Paquito Diaz, Charlie Davao, Robert Talabis, Bing Davao, Bomber Moran, King Gutierrez, E. R. Ejercito, and Ruben Rustia; Buscayno himself provides the narration. The film was produced by Cine Suerte and was released on September 1, 1988.

References

  1. Tiongson, Nicanor (2010). The Urian Anthology: 1989–1989. University of the Philippines Press. p. 496. Retrieved May 25, 2022 via Google Books.
  2. "Movie Guide". Manila Standard . Manila Standard News, Inc. January 18, 1989. p. 16. Retrieved November 27, 2020. ABC CINEMA-A...........Alex Buncayao [sic]
  3. "Movie Guide". Manila Standard . Manila Standard News, Inc. January 17, 1989. p. 15. Retrieved November 27, 2020. ABC CINEMA-A.......Walang Panginoon
  4. Diaz, Lav (January 22, 1989). "Sa daigdig ng mga Ka". Manila Standard (in Filipino). Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 16. Retrieved November 27, 2020. Walang ekstraordinaryo, karaniwan lang itong kuwentong Ka. [...] Malaking hakhakhak dito yaong korning pagtatalumpati ng pelikula sa huli