Why do we have a sequel to Gladiator? Nostalgia. The film industry has been riding the tremendous rise of nostalgia since the start of the post-pandemic world. From reviving the early 2000s fashion trend to electing questionable but charismatic populist leaders, people are now clinging to the ideal picture of
Author: Roy Narra
Roy Narra is a film reviewer, a lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, and a producer at Cignal channels One News and One PH. His staple movie snacks are coffee (in cinema) and Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream chips (at home).
Film Review: ‘Outside’ (2024)
Ang dami kong naririnig na hindi nila nagustuhan ang Outside dahil kulang daw sa zombies at puro drama lang. Unfair naman ‘yun. May ambisyon si Carlo Ledesma na gamitin ang zombies sa pag-highlight ng generational trauma, machismo, at toxic loyalty sa kultura ng mga Pilipinong pamilya. Kung titignan natin ang
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Review: Filipinos to find charm in sequel of American cinema classic
The story of Betelgeuse and the Deetz family is so foreign to the usual Filipinos, including me. I had never heard of Beetlejuice until I looked for recommended horror films on Google. Upon watching, however, a Filipino viewer would find commonalities and comfort in the American-centric story: afterlife, ghosts, slapstick
‘And So It Begins’ Review: What do we do next?
In one of And So It Begins subplots, historian, columnist, and former president Noynoy Aquino’s official Manolo Quezon III was talking to singer and anti-Marcos activist Leah Navarro about the rise of the Marcoses in a restaurant that looks like it sells Filipino food that costs thrice the price of
Inside Out 2: Isa Pa, With More Feelings
Contains minor spoilers. “Holy sh*t. Is this really for kids?” I thought while watching Anxiety (Maya Hawke in a captivating voiceover performance) spins out of control, forming a chaotic orange whirlpool while desperately ensuring that Riley (Kensington Tallman) will make a good impression at a crucial game at the hockey
Review: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Whether you’re a huge fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise or a casual moviegoer, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a good, safe choice to watch in the cinema. It ticks all the boxes of a good, escapist American blockbuster film while continuing the excitement and
‘Anak Ka Ng Ina Mo’ (Your Mother’s Son Review): Political Intrigue and Personal Turmoil in Jun Lana’s Erotic Thriller
Jun Lana’s latest sexy, disturbing, and cunning film Anak Ka ng Ina Mo (Your Mother’s Son) is a series of tug of war: son versus visitor, love versus taboo, individualism versus collectivism, and the director’s intention of establishing a subtle yet sharp political commentary versus his tendency to focus on
Safe Havens or Stifled Stories? Examining ‘Rewind’ and Filipino Film Conventions | Opinion
With Rewind being the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time now, what does that say about the Filipino audience? First, we are still hooked on loveteams and romantic films. Second, Star Cinema has a firm grasp of the audience’s emotional needs in watching films. Third, Filipinos will spend their hard-earned
‘Priscilla’ review: An intimate journey in achieving agency
In almost two hours of Sofia Coppola’s latest film Priscilla, the titular character (Cailee Spaeney) had a visually and emotionally intricate journey in looking and establishing her agency, seeking her identity beyond being the woman placed and living in the shadow of the King of Rock and Roll, husband Elvis
All of Us Strangers: Power of Queer Love
Roy Narra writes about ‘All of Us Strangers’, Andrew Haigh’s heart-shattering adaptation of Taichi Yamada’s novel, Strangers. Spoilers are present in this review. Is it better to be labeled as a gay man than being a queer? In Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers, Adam (Andrew Scott, in his career-best
Napoleon (2023) review: Phoenix doesn’t fall short in Scott’s latest (stretched) epic
Roy Narra reviews Ridley Scott’s latest epic ‘Napoleon’ starring Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role and Vanessa Kirby as his wife Josephine. Showing in PH cinemas this November 29. Spoilers are present in this review. Aside from the numerous epic war battles he led for France and, let’s be real,
Five Breakups and a Romance (2023) review
This review contains minor spoilers “You wouldn’t like me in the Philippines,” fashion designer Justine (Julia Montes) told medical student Lance (Alden Richards) in front of the picturesque Singapore at night. They were sobering up after drinking in a nearby bar, talking about Einstein’s quantum entanglement and living in another
Gen V Premiere: Shock Value Overshadows Substance
Roy Narra writes about Prime Video’s latest series, Gen V. Will it be a good enough follow up to its parent series, ‘The Boys’? Welcome to Godolkin University (God U. Get it?)! The best and brightest students coming from different backgrounds have superpowers and they may hone and use them
Third World Romance review: Love in the midst of hardship
As a middle-class worker in Metro Manila, I find it funny that I paid around P370 to watch the talented Dwein Baltazar’s fifth film Third World Romance starring real-life couple Carlo Aquino and Charlie Dizon. To save money, I walked 1.5 kilometers from my day job in Mandaluyong to SM
Queer Rom-Com Magic: ‘Red, White, and Royal Blue’ review
From When Harry Met Sally to Crazy Rich Asians, the world of romantic comedy films serve as escapism to women and queer audiences. Once condemned by critics, the cheesiness and predictability of the genre are the qualities celebrated by its target audience. So it’s fortunate to report that Amazon Prime’s
Marupok AF review: Twisted truths and tangled tales
Don’t be fooled by the rambunctious laughter and collective groan Marupok AF (Where is the Lie?) produced when it kickstarted Cinemalaya 19 at the Philippine International Convention Center last Friday, August 4. Quark Henares’ latest project, an adaptation of the unbelievably crazy and scandalous viral Twitter thread in 2020, knows
Cinemalaya 2023 Round-up! (Part 1)
Roy Narra reviews five of the ten Feature Films in this year’s Cinemalaya 2023. Read about ‘Huling Palabas’, ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’, ‘Gitling’, ‘Maria’ and ‘When This is All Over’. Editor’s note: this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival was held at a new venue. While the main venue (Cultural Center of the Philippines)
About Us But Not About Us (2023), a Summer MMFF review
Two men dining in a restaurant in BGC and talking for 90 minutes sounds perfect for a stage play but not for the big screen. But in the inaugural Summer MMFF Best Picture About Us But Not About Us, director Jun Lana and his team made an intense, intriguing, and
HERE COMES THE GROOM (2023), a Summer MMFF review
The 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival would not be complete without a lighthearted, fun, campy comedy film, and Chris Martinez’ Here Comes the Groom fills in that slot thanks to its ensemble cast. The sequel to the 2010 commercial and critical hit Here Comes the Bride, The Groom uses
‘Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko’ (2023), a Summer MMFF review
Editor’s Note: this review contains minor spoilers. At its deepest core, Yung Libro sa Napanood Ko has the sincerest intention to not just create the Filipino fantasy of being in a K-Drama setup but to also tackle and explore love, intuition, and trauma. The film’s director and writer Bela Padilla
Film Review: “Triangle of Sadness” (2022)
There is nothing new with Ruben Östlund’s latest black comedy, anti-one percent film Triangle of Sadness and that has been the main concern of some critics about the film. With the rise of anti-capitalist films and TV series lately, the latest Palme d’Or winner is a critique of capitalism and
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022) Review
Is ‘Wakanda Forever‘ a strong enough sequel to the 2018 powerhouse film that made a strong statement for the African community? How can the most powerful film studio in the world immortalize the legacy of one of its promising actors who left the world too soon? Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Review: Everything, Everywhere All At Once
Removing the scientific jargon and overwhelming explanations, the concept of multiverse is simple, at least in the literary and audiovisual art: There’s a parallel universe where you have a different career, friends, partner, and destiny. Such a thought-provoking premise that could exploit a storyteller’s imagination, however, recently became banal. Ironically,
Film Review: CODA
CODA is this year’s Oscar-winning film. Guest contributor Roy Narra strings together what a non-CODA (child of deaf adult) audience feels about this film. Ruby Rossi is not a popular girl in high school, a familiar setting in films wherein mean girls rule the hallways and bully the film’s protagonist.
