I was mulling making several anti-Valentine's posts. The first of which is a playlist of sorta angry and bitter movies for the single ladies (and gentlemen). I listed down movies. Drafted several other movie playlists and I ended up with this: my Anti-Valentines Movie Marathon Playlist. Not necessarily for single ladies. Definitely not just for the sad and bitter. But for anybody who simply wants to enjoy a good movie marathon. I have watched most of these more than once in the past. And majority of these I have re-watched in the past few weeks just to be sure these movies fit into what I consider as "Anti-Valentines Movies." What is an Anti-Valentines Movie Marathon? Most of these are my favorites. Other than me loving each one, I carefully chose every movie to make sure it fits my anti-Valentine's sentiments. First, most of the movies in my list are female-driven or have female leads. Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth I (1993)Screengrab from Hollywood Reporter: LINK Second, these films do not have romance or romantic relationships as a major plot point. Mind you, the leads are not necessarily loveless or single . Just that their love relationships are not at the center…
Tag: filipino films
Edward
Finally, I got the chance to watch Cinemalaya in cinemas. Thank you, Cinemalaya and Ayala Malls for that. I watched 5 of the feature films of Cinemalaya 2019. And each one was special and memorable. Of the 5 I watched, Thop Nazareno's Edward is the film that really stood out. Lucky you, you can watch Edward in cinemas nationwide starting Wednesday, October 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_DjfJgVLWw Edward will be screened in cinemas nationwide starting October 2. Edward is perhaps the best coming of age film I watched in recent years. I went in without any expectations. To be honest, I watched it because there was hype around the movie. I read that it was good and the screening time was convenient. Other than the blurb on the Cinemalaya brochure, I did not know anything about it. A public hospital serves as a witness to a young boy's rite of passage when he is stuck to take care of his ailing father.- Cinemalaya Site, link I expected a gritty, sad film. Heart-wrenching. What I watched was heart-warming. Feel good. Funny. Thrilling. And yes, sad at times. With a little bit of kilig. It was not a rollercoaster of emotions, as one would say.…
Birdshot | Film by Mikhail Red and TBA Studios
Birdshot is definitely a must-watch film. Thought-provoking, timely, and excellently crafted.
Oro by Alvin Yapan [MMFF 2016]
I'm not a movie reviewer but I think it would be a great disservice to everybody if I don't promote this film. I went inside the cinema with high expectations. After all, Sir Alvin Yapan is one of my most favorite professors of all time. And for the first time, one of his films is showing in local cinemas. So yey! Oro, Dugo ang Kinang ng Ginto Kahit na sobrang taas ng expectations ko, I was blown away and greatly overwhelmed by Oro. Ang ganda ng storya. Thought-provoking and cringe-inducing siya. At sa totoo lang gusto ko talaga ihagis yung phone ko sa silver screen. Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit. Ang bigat ng pakiramdam habang nanonood ako at kapag naaalala ko yung pelikula. At lalo akong naiinis kapag naalala kong based on true events ang kwento. 😠Ang galing ng actors. Iba! They deserve the Best Ensemble Award. At siyempre, Irma Adlawan IS Irma Adlawan. Subtle pero powerful. Sobrang saludo ako kay Kapitana, both the character and the real life Kapitana. Mabuhay kayo! Irma Adlawan as Kapitana in Oro Gustong-gusto ko rin sila Joem Bascon (bukod sa crush ko siya matagal na) dahil ang galing niya talaga pati yung mga actors na…
Ang Sipyat
I was fortunate to have been part of the jury of the 6th Mindanao Film Fest. And together with film historian Teddy Co of the NCCA and local filmmaker Rudolph Alama, I watched, critiqued, and chose the best among the field of contenders. It was an enjoyable task, but very much taxing. I liked one of the films very much. It was, in fact, my personal favorite. (Obviously, I was outvoted. Hehe!) The film is Director Ronald Gary Bautista's Ang Sipyat which he made in collaboration with his brother and student Leo Jeorge Bautista under the production outfit Studio Beta. The film won Best in Sound in the 6th MFF and was a strong contender in most categories. Ang Sipyat (The Error) is the story of a famed thief who made the mistake of victimizing a girl. His victim, it turns out, has two siblings who are skilled in martial arts. The story seems simple enough. Shallow, in fact. But upon watching the film, as cliche as it sounds, there is more to it than the summary says. The story has a slight but not off putting twist. Can't tell you more coz it would spoil the fun of watching…