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
Category: Theatrical Release
‘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
A Review of Look Back: Searching for Completeness
I’ve always liked making stuff – drawing, writing, what have you – even though I’m not exactly the best at it. There have been so many times in my life where I wanted to share that process of making things with someone else, as I think sharing one’s art is
‘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
Review: Deadpool and Wolverine
When Marvel Comics neared bankruptcy in the late nineties, it sold the movie rights to some of its characters in order to stay afloat. While that would save the company from going under, it would then undergo massive success by establishing a cinematic universe of its own. The problem now
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
‘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
‘Rewind’ review: the Divine twist is a flawed redemption
John (Dingdong Dantes) is a businessman who is always on the go, to the detriment of his relationships with his loving wife Mary (Marian Rivera) and his son Austin (Jordan Lim.) It all comes to a head when several unfortunate events befall John, leading to a car accident that takes
‘Broken Hearts Trip’ review: Taken For a Ride
John Tawasil reviews Lem Lorca’s ‘Broken Hearts Trip’, one of the ten entries in this year’s MMFF 2023 Broken Hearts Trip opens with auditions for the titular reality show, where three “judgers” (Tart Carlos, Jacklyn Jose and Christian Bables) try to weed out contestants based on their sad stories. Many contestants
GomBurZa MMFF 2023 review: Martyrs Among Us
What makes a martyr? Is it what they did in life that turns them into one? Is it what they stand for? Or is it something in between that makes them what they are? This story needs no spoiler warning because even if we don’t know the specific details, we
‘Firefly’ film review: beyond expectations in this hidden gem from MMFF 2023
In this review of the film ‘Firefly’, Princess Kinoc writes about Zig Dulay’s adaptation of Anj Atienza’s short story, of the same name. An entry in this year’s MMFF 2023. Firefly, to me, is undoubtedly one of the best films I have seen so far in this year’s MMFF line-up.
‘Mutt’ review: a raw portrait of transitions and relationships
Mutt is a drama directed by Vuk Lungulov-Klotz that features the journey of Feña as he transitions into a man. Ela Bicera reviews this film that was part of the QCinema International Film Festival 2023. Spoilers are present. While Transitioning is a life-changing experience, it also comes with doubts, fears
‘Foe’ (2023) review: love’s final frontier we’d already seen before
Ela Bicera reviews ‘Foe’, the science fiction thriller starring Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal, directed by Garth Davis. This film premiered at the QCinema International Film Festival 2023. Spoilers are present in this review. “Till death, do us part” is the promise we say to the love of our lives
‘Essential Truths of the Lake’ (Mga Saligan ng Katotohanan ng Lawa), isang pag-susuri | a QCinema review
Sa rebyu’ng ito ni Engelbert Rafferty, kaniya’ng sinuri ang pagka-hango ng pelikula ni Lav Diaz sa ekstra-hudisyal na pagpatay noong pamumuno ng dating presidente na si Rodrigo Duterte, at sa mga naiwang ala-ala ng pamilya ng mga biktima. Umiikot ang mga kamay ng oras sa bawat segundong tumatakbo. Sa loob
‘City of Wind’ Unravels Mongolian Mysticism | QCinema review
Engelbert Rafferty reviews Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir’s debut film ‘City of Wind’. It premiered in this year’s QCinema as part of the ‘New Horizons’ section. Spoilers are present in this review. In the last day of February 2006, renowned Mongolian shamanism figure Sarangerel Odigon passed away at age 43, which we can
Faithful Frames: a review of ‘Divine Factory’ and the spiritual significance of The Sleeping St. Joseph
There is a holy item that was mostly talked about in the entire film, which is called “The Sleeping St. Joseph”. According to the Holy story, Joseph had some doubts of being with Mary when she was pregnant, and the lord came into his dreams while he’s asleep, entrusting the
Solids by the Seashore (2023) review: the tides of liberation
John Tawasil writes about Patiparn Boontarig‘s ‘Solids By The Seashore’. The film is part of the Asian Next Wave competition at the QCinema International Film Festival 2023. Shati (Ilada Pitsuwan) works in an art gallery in a quiet seaside town. We first see her putting on a hijab as part
‘Women from Rote Island’ (2023) review: female resiliency at its finest
Ela Bicera writes about Jeremias Nyangoen’s debut film which tackles the abuse that Women from Rote Island experience, and their resiliency to fight back. Spoilers are present in this review. Rote Island is one of the many islands located in Indonesia, known as a great surfing location with amazing coral
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
‘Perfect Days’ is Wim Wenders and Koji Yakusho’s most important work
Princess Kinoc reviews Wim Wenders’ ‘Perfect Days’, under the Screen International section of QCinema 2023. Some spoilers may be present in this review. I have an immense bias towards films that are quiet and would rather show than tell. Wim Wenders is no stranger to depicting how observational we can
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,
Poor Things (2023) review: Unfolding the catharsis in self-discovery, pleasure, and choice
Poor Things (2023) is the official opening film of QCinema 2023.
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
