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
Category: Reviews
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
Cinemalaya 2023 Round Up! (Part 2)
Cinemalaya 2023 films are in for special screenings across the country through FDCP’s Cinematheques. Check out the schedule for your local cinematheque here. As If It’s TrueSocial media has irrevocably changed the idea of privacy, whether it still exists as we add more and more of ourselves to a curated
The Enigma of ‘Mask Girl’: Unveiling Identity in a World of Suspense
“Mask Girl” is directed by Kim Yong-Hoon. Now streaming on Netflix. Netflix’s latest addition, “Mask Girl,” takes us on a journey of self-discovery as it asks the compelling question, “Who are you?” This query echoes throughout the narrative, adding a layer of mystery to the unfolding drama. Unlike the typical
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
Creed III Review: A Knockout Debut from Michael B. Jordan
Creed III is one helluva knockout debut. Says John Tawasil in this review. The best sports movies aren’t actually about sports, but about how sports brings out the best and the worst in us, using it as a means to examine the human condition. 1976’s Rocky is one of the
The Last of Us Episode 1 Review: After the End
Historically, the zombie genre has always been used to hold up a mirror to humanity and show us what we are capable of doing, all our light and darkness, when our society is pushed to the very limit. Few, if any, video games capture that essence as well as Naughty
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
![This ‘Joyland’ review examines the parallels of the characters living in a [societal] box](https://www.filmpolicereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Joyland-1170x603.png)
This ‘Joyland’ review examines the parallels of the characters living in a [societal] box
Joyland, as shown in the film, is an amusement park located in Lahore, Pakistan. It seems that anything is possible inside Joyland. The rides are thrilling, you can have fun, and freedom is alive and felt. But amusement parks are walled, and it requires payment to get in. Unfortunately in
Aftersun (2022)
We spend a lot of time recording good old memories for us to hold on to for a long time, but revisiting them in a different phase of our lives may give us a new perspective. Each time you see it, the moment is still true, but the truth it
We’re sad you missed it, but here’s a review on “Security Academy” (2022)
We didn’t have a press release for the film, so we made up our own poster. To be a security guard is one of the most underappreciated and overlooked jobs in the country. Often made to work long hours for insultingly low pay (on average around 15,000 pesos a month,
“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
in10city! QCinema’s 2022 Edition is Guaranteed Intense
in10city, QCinema International Film Festival’s 10th edition, powers up 2022 with another impressive lineup which includes films sourced from the most prestigious festival from all around the world. Bookending the festival is the much-awaited screening of two acclaimed European films with notable performances by Filipino thespians. The Palme d’Or-winning class
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,
PeliKULAYa 2022 dispatches: Short film competition
In its third year, Pelikulaya, the international LGBTQIA+ film festival organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), holds a hybrid format. Coinciding with the Pride Month celebration, the festival offers a slate of local arthouse films and internationally acclaimed titles, such as Ishmael Bernal’s Manila by Night,
Ngayon Kaya (2022): Timing is Everything
In “Ngayon Kaya” Paulo Avelino and Janine Gutierrez offer low-key charming performances on the big screen, while Prime Cruz’s direction of Jen Chuaunsu’s musically delectable time-travelling script juggles the idea of reality getting in the way of romance. Caution, major spoilers ahead. Music, when used as a device in films,
Rise, Roar, Revolt (RRR): A Period Bromance for the Ages
You might have heard some buzz regarding RRR in certain social media circles, about how both westerners and non-westerners alike have been blown away, or how theaters showing the film are still going gangbusters even though it came out a few months ago. Since the rest of this review is
Top Gun: Maverick review, a thrilling celebration of cinematic experience
Who knew that a film about flying fighter jets can bring people together and make everyone feel good? This is certainly not a simple nostalgia film anymore. Top Gun: Maverick (2022) is about how Pete “Maverick” Mitchell was ordered back to teach the new generation of the Top Gun graduates
The Apartment (1960), an epitome of New Hollywood’s romcom greatness
It’s funny how a single key to a one-bedroom unit can be an accessoria for relationships, and job opportunities to unfold. Billy Wilder’s The Apartment (1960) easily became one of my favorite first-watches this year, thanks to Richard who shared this masterpiece to our class in Advance Film Theory and
“Secrets of Dumbledore” review: Where did the beasts go?
“Should you agree to do what I ask, you’ll have to trust me, even when every instinct tells you not to.” -Albus Dumbledore Just like what the quote says, this is what the film, the creators and the production company are asking you before seeing the film. Fantastic Beasts: Secrets
‘Heartstopper’ review: A wholesome, full-on teen drama
It’s almost impossible to get on Twitter right now without coming across a tweet about Heartstopper, the latest TV series offered by Netflix. Since it dropped on the streaming site last April 22, the show has been receiving rave reviews and a Euphoria-like craze online, complete with memes and fancams,
