My 69th Miss Universe Wish List
So, it has come to this: a toss-up among the early frontrunner, the preliminary competition showstopper, and the bold luminary. These are my Top 3 picks for the Mouawad crown. Three countries each vying for its third win. Here’s how … Continue reading My 69th Miss Universe Wish List
69th Miss Universe Initial Impressions: The Americas and the Caribbean
Only two nations from the previous edition are skipping this year: The island of St. Lucia and the US Virgin Islands. And how ironic for the latter, considering its proximity to Florida. With 29 delegates, it’s not just the most … Continue reading 69th Miss Universe Initial Impressions: The Americas and the Caribbean
69th Miss Universe Initial Impressions: Europe
Despite ending its title drought five years ago thanks to Iris Mittanaere, this continent has noticeably been underperforming. And with the Continental Format no longer in place, the prospects of this region has seemingly grown even dimmer as they face … Continue reading 69th Miss Universe Initial Impressions: Europe
69th Miss Universe Initial Impressions: Asia and Africa
Yes, I know they’re doing away with the Continental Format this year. Nonetheless, I’m reviewing this year’s candidates by region. This is the group which benefitted most from that format during its brief three-year run. This year, however, this group … Continue reading 69th Miss Universe Initial Impressions: Asia and Africa
“Things Heard and Seen” in a Tepid Horror
Much as it bodes well to see Amanda Seyfried in a new movie soon after her Oscar run, herein lies the gamble. Anything that follows her career-defining turn in Mank is bound to pale in comparison. And that’s exactly what … Continue reading “Things Heard and Seen” in a Tepid Horror
“Concrete Cowboy” is Compelling Counterculture Yarn
It’s only natural for fans of Stranger Things to wonder what the kids have been up to, especially with Season Four still languishing in the Upside Down. Well, obviously, they’re no longer kids. So, it remains to be seen how … Continue reading “Concrete Cowboy” is Compelling Counterculture Yarn
Highlights from the 93rd Oscars
PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, PERSONIFIED. Regina King nailed her description of newbie feature director Emerald Fennell as a “Promising Young Woman”. That, of course, is the title of Fennell’s film, which would win Best Original Screenplay minutes later. And in a … Continue reading Highlights from the 93rd Oscars
My Oscars 2021 Wish List, Part Two
BEST SOUNDGreyhoundMankNews of the WorldSoulSound of Metal In case you missed it, the Sound categories are merged again this year. Last time that happened was 1981, with The Empire Strikes Back winning the award. 40 years later, it’s interesting to … Continue reading My Oscars 2021 Wish List, Part Two
My Oscars 2021 Wish List, Part One
After a two-month delay, which resulted to the eligibility period being stretched up to February, the Oscars is finally pushing through. This year’s ceremony promises to feel different for reasons we all know by now, especially with Steven Soderbergh (himself … Continue reading My Oscars 2021 Wish List, Part One
“The Father” Thrives in Disjointed Nuance
There’s a reason Florian Zeller wanted only Anthony Hopkins for the part. Had it gone another way, this film wouldn’t even exist. And it goes beyond the protagonist also being named Anthony and also being born one day shy of … Continue reading “The Father” Thrives in Disjointed Nuance
“Moxie”: Muddled Woke-ness
The word “moxie” is synonymous to spunk, courage, and strength of character. It is for that reason it became the title of a 2015 chick-lit novel by Jennifer Mathieu. That book was only a moderate hit. But that was enough … Continue reading “Moxie”: Muddled Woke-ness
“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
