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
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
‘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
‘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
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
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
‘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
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
‘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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
‘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
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
“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
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
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
