Scott Cooper’s foray into directing and producing one of the biggest exposés of the century will surely have a few bumps along the road. First, it is a difficult task alone to direct an adaptation based on factual evidence. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be the exact composite
Category: Reviews
Beasts of No Nation
Sun, why are you shining in this world? I am wanting to catch you in my hands, to squeeze you until you cannot shine no more. That way, everything is always dark, and nobody’s ever having to see all the terrible things that are happening here. ~ These lines are
Etiquette for Mistresses
In an alternate world, one conceived by Chito S. Roño out of Julie Yap Daza’s bestseller, Kris Aquino rules a kind of an exclusive clique. I realize this doesn’t sound surprising at all—this is just Kris being Kris—but the world in which her prude restaurateur Georgina exists is less ideal
Resureksyon
Any hint of country idyll is lost at the very opening of Borgy Torre’s Resureksyon. In its first ten or so minutes, the film introduces the monster born from within its rural milieu: an impoverished woman (Isabelle Daza), emboldened by the promise of a better life working abroad, decides to
The Martian
For a movie that’s basically about being stranded, all alone, in a desolate planet where everything can kill you, The Martian, ironically leaves its audience very alive and inspired largely due to its beautiful and exciting setting, greatly charismatic lead performance, and its overall hopeful story about humanity. Written by Drew Goddard (The Cabin in
The Green Inferno
Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel) seems to relish at the idea of keeping viewers’ wanderlust at bay. Whether it’s the deep south, eastern Europe, or the Amazon jungle; the be all and end all of his movies are pretty much the same – stay where you are because the world is full
TIFF REVIEW: ‘Demolition’, ‘Son of Saul’
Toronto is on full blast on the Day 1 of Toronto International Film Festival 2015 with world premieres, guest appearances, promotions, advertising as tourists and film aficionados flock from the different parts of the globe. Two very good films happened to be screened: one brought humor to the audience and the
Ex with Benefits
A man in his early 20s arrives at the emergency room for a chief complaint of abdominal pain. As the surgical clerk posted at the triage station, you ask further details and palpate the abdomen. Noting diffuse abdominal pain with non-localized tenderness, among other unremarkable findings, the resident-on-duty advises to
No Escape
The latest from John Erick Dowdle, the master behind the Quarantine franchise and last year’s hit As Above, So Below is back with the latest political action thriller, No Escape. This movie stars Owen Wilson and Lake Bell (who are venturing into new ground as they are well-known doing comedies
Heneral Luna
Amidst pacing problems, Heneral Luna manages to tell a compelling story – allegorical and timely to present day – supported by a fantastic script, an impassioned score, and inspired cinematography. At first glance, one might mistake Heneral Luna as your run-of-the-mill historical biopic that showcases a hero of yore whose bravery and passion unite
The Vatican Tapes
We snag exorcism films time and again—like toiletries from hotels. Post-The Exorcist, the sub-genre maintains only a shy list of films that actually carry weight: Scott Derrickson ponders on the subject in his 2005 quasi-doc The Exorcism of Emily Rose; and Adam Robitel furthers the conversation on exorcism with an elderly woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s showing signs of
Trainwreck
Judd Apatow’s latest flick delivers laughs, tears and often engaging anti-romantic banter. Needless to say, an eye-turning performance from comedienne (and co-creator) Amy Schumer. Trainwreck is almost arguably any millennial’s description of a phase in their lives. In the movie we see Schumer play Amy, a “work hard, play hard”
Silong
To be among the fortunate few to see Silong in August 14th as Cinemalaya’s closing film – tense days followed as I continue to abridge the experience. There is this distinctive atmosphere of muddle, consternation, and abysmal expectation of how the film looks like or how this review will echo. Silong is shrouded
Taklub
[highlight color=#939393 ]This review tackles a few scenes from the film in detail. Tread lightly if you haven’t seen the film. Mild spoilers ahead![/highlight] There’s a different speculation towards Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s new film that can only be summed up in one word, one that film buffs and his fans
Apasol
Peace. Tranquility. Contentment. Heartbreak. A muddle of all these fashions the unparalleled feeling that engulfs someone, observing the relentless receding tide, the fiery blends of red, oranges and yellow, and the underlying heartbeat of farewells and promises. This is how Ryanne Murcia’s Apasol breathes the salty air of leave-takings, love and uncertainties.
Kyel
There are no clocks in hell according to Frank Ferguson Jr.’s unnamed druggie, who we only know through his (possibly drug-induced) fits of rage and breakdowns. The dark room where this scrawny persona holes in doesn’t have clocks, either; but if need be the space looks just the part. We find
The Gift
Don’t let its seemingly formulaic premise deceive you, The Gift plays with convention to deliver a smart, suspenseful, and expertly-crafted psychological thriller. The Gift starts out like pretty much any well-off-couple-moves-into-a-new-house-and-get-a-stalker story. Simon and Robyn (played by Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall respectively) move to Los Angeles because of a fancy new job
Inside Out
Inside Out opens in Philippine cinemas this August 19 nationwide.
Redlights
Playing like a tense thriller reminiscent of the films of Michael Mann, Redlights plays up its atmosphere of uneasiness – that feeling that’s something’s up but you just can’t put your finger on what it is – to deliver a suspenseful look into the seedy underbelly of Cebu. Written and directed
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
With a resume of movies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; Snatch; and the Robert Downey Jr.-lead Sherlock Holmes series; director Guy Ritchie‘s name has become synonymous to sleek, stylish, hyper-kinetic action containing quick wit and smart plotting. Unfortunately, it is this last part, “smart plotting,” that the Man from U.N.C.L.E. lacks. Telling the
Wawa
If you come in to Angelie Mae Macalanda’s short film Wawa, expect anything but the myth of Bernardo Carpio enduring two mountains apart or the enkantada who entrances unsuspecting male tourists. The heart of the film, while it dwells in darkness, is something far more familiar to us—perhaps all too vividly—than folklore. Its
Pusong Bato
When you are told that the premise of the film you are about to watch revolves around a has-been starlet who falls in love with a rock – yes, that unassuming, solidified piece of merged minerals you find everywhere – you can either cringe at its ridiculousness, or be excited
Papetir
Beneath Papetir‘s exterior of outdated editing and its just basic lack of directorial style, lies glimmers of an interesting premise not fully utilized. Papetir is the story of King (played by real-life puppeteer Ruther Urquia), a children’s party ventriloquist, who during one of his shows gets derailed mid-skit as he confronts his
Sanctissima
Sanctissima is easily the best amongst the the other short films it screened alongside with, as part of Cinemalaya’s Shorts A block. This is not to say that the short is perfect. The film has many good points as it delivers its promise of very Filipino barrio-set horror. Its flaws
Coming Home
Established on an enthralling trustworthy backdrop of Mao-era communism where exhibiting of industrial, banking and commercial nationalization is perceptible. Swathed with political milieu and narrating the dealings of Cultural Revolution. Coming Home depicts a tear-jerking spectacle of everyday lives in the midst of crisis where essential principles are under siege. The
