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Its been a big year for Cinemalaya 2019 and this year’s winners reflect not only artistry and talent but also a sign of the times. The Philippines’ most prestigious film festival feted the best of best during last night’s awards ceremonies and crowned John Denver Trending, a film about a young boy who fell victim to bullying because of a viral video as the Best Full Length Feature among the 10 entries.
Director Theodore Boborol and Firestarters Production really made an impact with ISKA. It involves audiences in an an emotional journey and makes them feel like helpless bystanders as a series of injustice is paraded in front of their eyes. The film was a challenge to the audience, indeed.
All in all, Pandanggo sa Hukay was a spot-on depiction the real evil — people who prey on the weak for personal gain. A system that fails to bring them to justice, just because they have become a normal part of the societal structure. And the fact that what happened to Elena could happen to anyone is a nightmare that one would not wish on one’s worst enemy. Tragic.
In this sense, Belle Douleur manages to hook audiences into its main message. Love wasn’t perfect. And sometimes, you have to have the courage to make sacrifices for the one you love. Belle Douleur was a beautiful journey, and it was, true to its title, a beautiful pain.
All in all, Eerie felt like a waste of time and good opportunity, to be completely honest. There was a chance to improve up the ante on the Pinoy horror genre given that there was the combination of talent, budget and marketing for it but instead, filmmakers chose to play safe and deliver a sub-par version of an old concept. It was all style and no substance, plain and simple.
Cinemalaya season is upon us once again and with it, comes an opportunity for film afficionados to check out the brightest gems of independent cinema with entries that challenge convention […]
The Cultural Center of the Philippines recently held a press conference to usher in the finalists to Cinemalaya 2019’s full length category. But one thing I realized as I attended the prestigious independent film festival several years back is that it was a gem for short films too.
All in all, JoKoy Comin’ in Hot was an entertaining way to spend an hour of your time. You have to brace yourself for the more brutal jokes but if you’re down with it, you can even learn a lesson or two — Cooking Rice the Asian Way and Fix Your Credit. These life lessons does wonders for your lovelife, says this comedian and he might be on to something.
I would have to say that Ulan will not be a film for everybody. Its success or failure is relative to the audience’s taste. One thing is for sure, though. Its an unforgettable film that challenges convention and its one brave movie for going against the norm.
Perhaps, one of the best parts of the movie for me was the message of humility and sincerity. The Bonifacios had deep-seated issues but they also knew when to acknowledge their shortcomings. At the center of this movie is family and love and this film successfully inspired families to make their own peace and acknowledge their own imperfections as well. Great job to the entire team. Each member was a star in their own right.
I love how Patay na si Hesus toyed with my emotions for the film’s entire run. Just when I was feeling like a tear was about to fall, something hilarious happens and vice versa. It’s a unique gem of indie cinema because it was obvious that writers Raymond Lee and Fatrick Tabada, as well as director Victor Villanueva, put a lot of thought and effort into creating a quality film that relates to the audience on a personal level and tugs at the heartstrings like this one.
No matter the case, I think Baconaua would have been a better film if it did not focus too much on making its message a big mystery to solve for its audience. While it carried out the artistic side of the film, I believe that the really good movies are those that manage to find the balance between art and entertainment and one that reaches all types of audience. Call me uncultured but this is me #justsaying.
At first glance, Camp Sawi is yet another movie that jumps into the #hugot bandwagon and taps into the psyche of women who have suffered from heartbreak. I must admit […]
Team OTWOL (On the Wings of Love) released the final trailer for the last three weeks of the show and my heart just shattered into millions of tiny pieces. After […]
Let me tell you, as I write this review, my eyes are still swollen from all the crying I did after seeing this two hour long comedy-drama film starring no […]
Mel (Jodi Sta. Maria) is an optimistic single mom with a crush on her heartbroken boss Eric (Ian Veneracion). Anya is a down on her luck high school achiever who […]
