“Malcolm & Marie”: Defies Restrictions, Goes Overboard
It’s not that the workaround can still be considered novel, since many studios have followed suit. But just the same, it warrants the distinction. Malcolm & Marie is among the first American films to be conceptualized, produced, and completed entirely … Continue reading “Malcolm & Marie”: Defies Restrictions, Goes Overboard
FilmFest Log: We Are One, Days 7 -10
ICE CREAM AND THE SOUND OF RAINDROPS (Feature/Tokyo International Film Festival). When their staging of Simon Stephens’ “Morning” gets shelved, a young theater troupe continues with rehearsals and starts internalizing their characters in real life. This one-take wonder feels like … Continue reading FilmFest Log: We Are One, Days 7 -10
FilmFest Log: We Are One, Days 4-6
TICKET OF NO RETURN (Feature/Berlin International Film Festival). Anyone who’s seen, or has attempted to see, Holy Motors might be inclined to check out this underrated 1979 classic, the first of German director Ulrike Ottinger‘s Berlin Trilogy. It follows a lonely and enigmatic woman, known only … Continue reading FilmFest Log: We Are One, Days 4-6
FilmFest Log: We Are One, Days 1-3
With the world still on hold, many industries are still struggling to regain their footing. Among the hardest hit sectors is the film industry, with cinemas closing worldwide and slews of freelancers losing projects, if not their jobs entirely. Inevitably, … Continue reading FilmFest Log: We Are One, Days 1-3
“The Invisible Man”: A potent feminist update
The idea was to bring back the Universal Classic Monsters. To be exact: reintroduce the landmark horror series to a contemporary audience by creating an updated cinematic universe. Think MCU or DCEU, but with spooks. And, why not? The original … Continue reading “The Invisible Man”: A potent feminist update
Sonic Outruns Initial Backlash
Sonic the Hedgehog D: Jeff Fowler S: Ben Schwartz (voice), James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter Even when Sega’s flagship series was in its heyday, a movie adaptation was already in the pipeline. But when the teaser for Sonic the … Continue reading Sonic Outruns Initial Backlash
“Dullittle” is more like it.
D: Stephen Gaghan S: Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, Jessie Buckley If animals could talk to producers, they’d probably gripe. Why even give Hugh Lofting’s beloved vet the big screen treatment again? None of the previous outings ever worked. There’s … Continue reading “Dullittle” is more like it.
Sinulog 2020, Part 3: Grand Parade in Mango Avenue
Considering I had one too many rounds in Mandaue the previous night, I was up curiously early – not early enough to witness the fluvial procession, but still early enough to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. It was the third Sunday … Continue reading Sinulog 2020, Part 3: Grand Parade in Mango Avenue
Sinulog 2020, Part 2: Lunch in Caw-Oy
The first and last time the Yaps took us to Caw-Oy was back in 2002. It was a Good Friday, and I remember it igniting a petty spiritual quandary: if I enjoy seafood more than meat, is it still considered … Continue reading Sinulog 2020, Part 2: Lunch in Caw-Oy
Sinulog 2020, Part 1: Sutukil Before Sundown
Much as the first two instances barely count, this was going to be my third Sinulog. My qualms regarding the previous two stem from the fact that they were work-related. In both instances, I didn’t really have ample time to do … Continue reading Sinulog 2020, Part 1: Sutukil Before Sundown
In the Name of Lah, Part 3: Kampong Glam Detour
With Or Without You blasted on Jad’s Spotify as we prepped for the day. Not like we needed the reminder, but it did set the appropriate mood for the hours that followed. It was the day of U2‘s concert – … Continue reading In the Name of Lah, Part 3: Kampong Glam Detour
In The Name of Lah, Part 2: Marina Bay Meet-Ups
It was our only window to reconnect with locally-based friends, so we streamlined our meet-ups at The Shoppes. Jaja went off to see a high-school friend, while the rest of us met with college orgmates. Ace and JK never met … Continue reading In The Name of Lah, Part 2: Marina Bay Meet-Ups
In the Name of Lah, Part 1: Bok Bok, B*tches
We thought it was the crack of dawn. But, then, we were reminded not to undermine the body clock-negating capacity of a windowless room. As we stepped out, we were disoriented by the sunlight as it pierced through the hallway … Continue reading In the Name of Lah, Part 1: Bok Bok, B*tches
My Decade in 100 Snaps (Part 5 of 5)
My Decade in 100 Snaps (Part 4 of 5)
My Decade in 100 Snaps (Part 3 of 5)
My Decade in 100 Snaps (Part 2 of 5)
My Decade in 100 Snaps (Part 1 of 5)
“The Lion King” Remake: Zoological Accuracy at the Expense of Wonder
D: Jon Favreau S: Donald Glover, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, Chiwitel Efiojor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen It’s not that the story was ever unworthy of retelling. After all, the musical amassed legions of new fans and is now the third … Continue reading “The Lion King” Remake: Zoological Accuracy at the Expense of Wonder
Scandinavia, Day 1: Drive-By Copenhagen
It’s not very common for any Europe first-timer, among my peers at least, to have Scandinavia as the first stop. So when the opportunity presented itself earlier this year, I knew I had to grab it. True enough, the moment I stepped out of the plane that morning, it wasn’t just my first step in a country; it was also my first step in a continent. The last time I first set foot in a continent other than my own was when I visited my Dad in Chicago at age three. It felt surreal replicating that milestone thirty years later. And this was quite possibly the most fun I ever had hanging out with a group of dentists. That one, I’ll explain in a few…
Planet Chuckie 