Reviews

“1917” offers a unique and immersive take on war films

The second the camera started moving slowly—drawing back from a shot of the blue sky, revealing two young soldiers taking a rest on grassy ground—it was clear that we’re in for a ride.It kept on going. Slowly, at first. Making…

“Cats” has one good thing going for it: its singers

Surely we’d expect to have at least one prominent musical artist to be featured in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Cats, which is why seeing American Idol alum and Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella previously in trailers…

“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…

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…

“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…

“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,…

“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…

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…

“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…

“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…