“Malamaya” could have been really good
It’s quite difficult to not compare Malamaya to Belle Douleur because both feature middle-aged women involved in a May-December affair. And halfway through the movie another reason became evident: it was not as good as the other one. And that is a little bit disappointing because the movie could have been really good. Sunshine Cruz makes a comeback as […]
High expectations, low pay-offs for “ANi”
Out of all the entries in this year’s festival, Ani has the most promise. It might be due to the fact that this futuristic themed movie could revolutionize the local movie industry because of its use of CGI. Or it might be because the people behind it have hyped it so much. Coming out of the theater […]
“Pandanggo sa Hukay” did right by getting Iza Calzado
Sometimes, all it takes is a good performance to salvage a not-so-good movie. In the case for Sheryl Andes’ Pandanggo sa Hukay, having Iza Calzado as the lead is the best thing going for it. I had high hopes for the movie. Its premise (a midwife braving the odds to make it to an important interview) […]
“Belle Douleur” is a charming love letter
When director Joji Alonso said during the gala night of her Cinemalaya entry, Belle Douleur, that it was time to do something for herself, we felt the movie was going to feel like a carefully written love letter. While watching Belle Douleur, you can feel the precision and conscientiousness in every scene, dialogue, and the little details. […]
“Tabon” is not done baking
Xian Lim’s directorial debut, Tabon, was brimming with potential and could have been an addition to Cinemalaya’s roster of impressive thriller flicks. But it felt like it’s taken out of the oven way early. A lack of proper build up seemed to have kept its potential concealed, pretty much like its title’s supposed meaning. There was […]
Infectious charm lightens the dreary themes in “Edward”
Coming-of-age stories are always fun to watch especially if they mirror experiences we’ve all gone through. Thop Nazareno’s Edward is captivating simply because it’s a story we can all relate to because it’s set here. Unlike Boyhood or Lady Bird, there’s a sense of a little disconnect they are not like us; their experiences vaguely resemble ours. Edward, on the […]
“Fuccbois” brims with bold performances
There is something a little bit misleading about Fuccbois, if you take its title quite literally. Judging from the way things eventually turned out, one would have a slightly different perspective on the fuccbois in the spotlight. Eduardo Roy Jr.’s Fuccbois is about two young boys, Ace (Royce Cabrera) and Miko (Kokoy De Santos), with big dreams of […]
“John Denver Trending” is excruciating to watch
It doesn’t take much to anger people these days. In this socially connected world where everyone feels entitled to pry into the lives of other people, it’s so easy to lose sight of the difference between the perception of truth and the actual truth. John Denver Trending, by Arden Rod Condez, perfectly mirrors this ugly […]
WATCH: Cinemalaya 2019 short features
‘WAG MO ‘KONG KAUSAPIN (PLEASE STOP TALKING) by Josef DielleGacutan A father attempts to repair his relationship with his estranged son, but a mysterious figure stands to make things difficult for him. DISCONNECTION NOTICE by Glenn Lowell Averia Living away from home, Paul struggles to shoulder the responsibilities of the eldest sibling while reconnecting with […]
Here’s a quick look at the full-length entries for Cinemalaya 2019
ANI (THE HARVEST) Kim Zuniga and Sandro Del Rosario An orphaned boy and his malfunctioning robot go on a journey to save his sick grandfather. BELLE DOULEUR Joji V. Alonso A woman in her 40s gets a fresh start with the help of a young lover and eventually finds out that despite love, there are […]