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,
Category: Reviews
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,
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the Godfather II of all Sega-related films
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a far more entertaining film than the first, but with its lack of world-building in this sequel means we probably have to lower our expectations on the third. Remember when you had to trick your older brother so you could play Sonic the Hedgehog all
Fran Kranz’s Mass (2021) and its exploration on grief and longing
Mass is Mae Malaya’s first entry as a film critic for Film Police Reviews. The film is currently streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime The circumstances around the globe today, despite our slow recovery from the pandemic, did not stop other forms of catastrophic loss to flourish. Harassment, war, state-sponsored
Film review: Windfall (2022)
Netflix film “Windfall” gathers a set of characters in this sleepy suspense film, reviewed by Ela Bicera. Windfall as defined by Merriam-Webster, is something (could be leaves or fruits) blown down by the wind. Windfall is considered a blessing, a sudden luck or advantage for whomever receives it. Every character
How “Turning Red” offers a distinct narrative on puberty
Princess Kinoc writes about “Turning Red”, a new Disney animated picture directed by Domee Shi, with voices from Sandra Oh as Ming Lee and Rosalie Chiang as Mei-Mei. It is unusual for a Disney movie to show us how the real things happen in real life. While there is no
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.
“Death of Nintendo” and the joys of 90s nostalgia
“Death of Nintendo” is Ela Bicera’s first Raya Martin film and her first contribution to FPR as a film critic. Death of Nintendo (2020) is a coming-of-age film that shows 90’s teenage nostalgia. I’m not sure if this is based on Director Raya Martin’s own story or if he’s basing
A bunch of Filipino films in 2021 that weren’t so good you just might read this
Present Confusion’s John Tawasil and his Annual List of Filipino Films is presented in two parts: this first one somewhat reveals what you didn’t reallly miss out on in 2021 and since he’s the only one of us who has seen most feature-length films, we present you his list here.
Gensan Punch offers more than your average boxing movie
Brillante Mendoza is back in ‘Gensan Punch’ and he’s understood the assignment really well. There’s a longing, lingering effect on Brillante Mendoza’s films that will continue to haunt you. It’s probably the social realism, the commentary on poverty and Philippine politics and his use of brutal scenes that complete his
Vivian Hsu returns to PH screens with HBO Asia’s “Who’s By Your Side
“Who’s By Your Side” debuts with two episodes starting this Sunday, October 3. Filipino Fans of Chinese dramas can stream the HBO Asia original series – Who’s By Your Side – exclusively on HBO GO from Sunday, October 3 at 9pm.Simultaneously available on the HBO channel, the Taiwanese series premieres
These Filipino Artists have collaborated with Netflix for La Casa de Papel (Money Heist)’s final heist through Paper Art
The artists have featured some of the notable locations featured on Money Heist (and on the title card) such as the Royal Mint of Spain and more. The end of this heist is coming! To celebrate the final part of La Casa De Papel, Netflix has teamed up with four
MOVIE REVIEW: Dito at Doon (2021)
The anxiety riled in JP Habac’s “Here and There” (Dito at Doon) is more than just the “will-they, won’t-they” aspect between two strangers, but the uncertainty of when the pandemic will be over. We did an episode with the cast and crew of Here and There/ Dito at Doon! Watch
REVIEW: Memories of Forgetting (2021)
In Jay Altarejos’ Memories of Forgetting, a romance is soon rekindled, but a secret must first be discussed. “Our memories fragile, our lifetime is very brief, everything happens so fast that we don’t have time to understand the relationship of events.” – mula sa pelikulang “The House of the Spirits”
I’ve seen #TheSnyderCut and…
I liked it. For a non-comicbook reader like myself, I advise you to watch the following DC films in this exact order: Suicide Squad, Man of Steel, Batman vs Superman, Shazam, and the 2017 cut of Justice League before watching #TheSnyderCut. Mild spoilers and opinions that might bruise you are
Soltero (The Bachelor)
Isa sa mga naging proyekto ng Experimental Cinema of the Philippines noong dekada ’80 ang Soltero (The Bachelor). Tanyag ang ECP noon sa mga dekalidad na pelikulang nilikha nila kahit pa bilang lamang ang mga ito. Kabilang ang Himala, Misteryo sa Tuwa, Soltero at Oro, Plata, Mata. Pinagbibidahan ni Jay
The latest music video from Ben&Ben might just convert us into KathNiel fans
The music video featuring KathNiel for “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay” is giving us some cinematic chills, too! Hi. Princess Kinoc here. Editor-in-chief for Film Police Reviews. I have a confession to make, I’ve never been a fan of KathNiel. But wait! Before you all KathNiel fans throw stones at
“Endless Love” three-episode premiere review: A senseless drama to pass off time
ETCerye launches Endless Love over the weekend but I know I’ve already seen this in local teleseryes before. Strong warning: Spoilers ahead Kara Sevda (whose loose translation in English is Dark Love) is a 2015 turkish drama series that tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers whose fates are tested
Jim Paranal on Present Confusion
Jim Paranal of Jimelikula atbp., shares his thoughts on the 15-year old Present Confusion, as part of our first-ever “Review of a Review” series. Our review of a review series serves to promote other film blogs out there that contribute to the betterment of Film Criticism. Should you want us
The Best of Present Confusion
Our first ever “Review of a Review” focuses the best parts of one of the longest Filipino film blogs, ever. Tuesday, April 5, 2005. At a time when a blog meant that one must own an online journal where thoughts flourished more than a cream-themed IG. If one must own
