The definition of the word ‘satire’ has evolved from being a legitimate genre of literature to a now undervalued niche category in our Thought Catalog-driven world. At one point, the word meant “calling somebody an asshole.” That is, if Urban Dictionary is to be trusted. Bob Ong is a good
Category: Theatrical Release
Honor Thy Father
When I think about Christmas, the first memories that surge through me are that of family, simbang gabi, warm bonds, and that of all things good and right in the world —even just for one day. Well Honor Thy Father, which opened Christmas Day as part of the Metro Manila Film Fest 2015,
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
NOTE: In my best effort, this review is spoiler-free. Want your viewing experience untainted? This is not the review you’re looking for. *Jedi wisik ng kamay* For geeks who are feeling a bit anxious about Star Wars: The Force Awakens, let’s set things straight, the movie is not disappointing (not
Kakabakaba Ka Ba?
This film could not have been made today, at least not without public backlash and definitely not by a major studio. This was my immediate reaction right after I saw the restored and remastered version of Mike De Leon’s Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, which was, in 1980, a last-ditch attempt at
Sicario
After seeing Sicario, I had a few questions running through my head: Is it really that bad in Juarez? Should Emily Blunt play Captain Marvel? When did Benicio Del Toro transform into Mexican Brad Pitt? How can we live in a world where Roger Deakins hasn’t won an Academy Award
Apocalypse Child
From its sun-kissed cinematography of Baler to its opening monologue on myths, Apocalypse Child takes no shame in driving to the audience its theme of escape, and it is in dwelling in this longing to get away — to stick by the uncertain rather than to confront realties — that character
Black Mass
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
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
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”
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
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.
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
Modern Robin Hoods are ‘Plastic’
From the shelves of Julian Gilbey (A Lonely Place to Die) comes a conspicuous and clever movie about a gang of 20-year olds, dazzling bad-boy frolics with sprinkle of action sets the extreme robbery of their lives. “Plastic”, a film with “Ocean’s Eleven meets Italian Job” formula but with laughable
‘Attack on Titan’ to devour Philippine box-office
As the last stronghold of mortality defends its loss from the mind-numbing naked giants who eats people to exist; Hajime Isayama’s famous manga-anime “Shingeki no Kyojin” is set to devour box office records as it invades the Philippines. Notably known as “Attack on Titan” is a big hit in Japan
Fantastic Four
Warning: Mild (as in, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo-level mild) spoilers ahead. The best way to describe Fantastic Four is that it’s like reading 2/3 of a good book then going to Wikipedia to see how the last 1/3 ends. The movie spends a lot of time building up their characters in the first two acts,
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
After nearly three years since its stellar Ghost Protocol, the Mission: Impossible franchise comes back with its latest, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, and the stakes are never the higher, both for the franchise, and its lead super agent, Ethan Hunt, played by the indefatigable and unstoppable Tom Cruise. For
Mr Holmes (2015)
MR. HOLMES opens to a soft, glowing view of the English countryside rather than the gloomy mood of Baker Street in London from where the popular detective resides. The film is based on a novel by Mitch Cullin called ‘A Slight Trick of the Mind’ eighty-eight years after Sherlock’s final
