Picks for the 97th Oscars
It’s been said that awards are losing their luster, if not their significance altogether. The consensus has to do with the results reflecting that of a biased elite, rather than the general public. For me, it’s just a matter of … Continue reading Picks for the 97th Oscars
From Acclaim to Atrocity: The Curious Trajectory of “Emilia Pérez”
The praise was never universal from the get-go, notwithstanding the initial accolades and the fact it’s now the most Oscar-nominated non-English film in history. For one, it angered the trans community, the very group it wanted to champion, by depicting … Continue reading From Acclaim to Atrocity: The Curious Trajectory of “Emilia Pérez”
“A Complete Unknown”: Not Completely A Fresh Dylan Story, But Still Works
When it comes to commonly-tackled subjects, there’s always the question of what sets one apart. There was never a shortage of Bob Dylan films. In fact, they’ve been churning out documentaries since the start of his fabled career. The earliest … Continue reading “A Complete Unknown”: Not Completely A Fresh Dylan Story, But Still Works
THIS IS 40: Belated Bliss
I wasn’t sure my social battery could still sustain such a gathering. All I knew was there were people I wanted to see again. I spent the actual birthday weeks ago with immediate family and the remaining hours with Carla, … Continue reading THIS IS 40: Belated Bliss
“The Monkey” Sustains Perkins’ Scare Streak
Come to think of it, Osgood Perkins II has always been low-key horror royalty. His father, Anthony Perkins, is forever etched in memory as Norman Bates from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960). In fact, Oz’s first role was in the 1983 … Continue reading “The Monkey” Sustains Perkins’ Scare Streak
Mundane Mortality in “The Room Next Door”
At 75, Pedro Almodóvar just keeps outdoing himself, and to think he already managed to film Parallel Mothers at the thick of COVID-19. In late 2024, he released his first book, a short story anthology entitled “The Last Dream”. The … Continue reading Mundane Mortality in “The Room Next Door”
Captain America: Brave New World, Ambivalent New Lead
Avengers: End Game already made it clear that Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) was due to take over. It even took the entirety of 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to provide further build-up. That’s where we met Joaquin Torres … Continue reading Captain America: Brave New World, Ambivalent New Lead
The Weeknd’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow”: A Redemptive Finale-Of-Sorts
Hell seemingly froze over when The Weeknd took the stage that night. Last we checked, he was done with The Grammys, after 2020’s After Hours failed to score a single nod. That prompted the Ethiopian-born Canadian to never again submit … Continue reading The Weeknd’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow”: A Redemptive Finale-Of-Sorts
The Luminescence of “All We Imagine as Light”
It’s not a Bollywood production, but a co-production among five countries. India’s on board, of course. It joined forces with France, with Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands also chipping in. Yet, despite all the acclaim and the splash it made … Continue reading The Luminescence of “All We Imagine as Light”
“A Real Pain” is a Real, Low-Key Tearjerker
You’d think you’re up for another Odd Couple reboot once the airport banter begins. But, truth be told, Jesse Eisenberg’s sophomore turn is anything but. He was always a multi-hyphenate. Since his widely-panned turn as Lex Luthor, the actor has … Continue reading “A Real Pain” is a Real, Low-Key Tearjerker
Disillusioned Damsel: A Review of Sean Baker’s “Anora”
As a filmmaker, Sean Baker always had a knack for the unthinkable. 10 years ago, he shot the entirety of Tangerine with three smartphones, a creative decision which surely raised purist eyebrows then. But, nevertheless, it was revolutionary, despite the … Continue reading Disillusioned Damsel: A Review of Sean Baker’s “Anora”
My Monthly Dig: “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” by Chappell Roan
If she wasn’t a New Artist, she would have left empty-handed. That was the implication with Sabrina Carpenter besting her in the Pop categories and Kendrick Lamar nabbing Record and Song of the Year. But even then, it was an … Continue reading My Monthly Dig: “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” by Chappell Roan
Highlights from the 67th Grammys
The Grammys once again came and went. From Kanye West parading his wife in the Empress’ New Clothes to Trevor Noah amping up the vitriol in his fifth return as host, here are the highlights from the 67th ceremonies, culled … Continue reading Highlights from the 67th Grammys
So, This is 40.
Much has been said about Pluto in Aquarius pushing us out of our comfort zones.From what I’ve been told, the transition started last November and will remain that way for at least 20 more years. Come to think of it, … Continue reading So, This is 40.
Make Mine Mystival
I’ll skip how I ended up there that day on the grounds that it’ll sound quite convoluted (and creepy). Let’s just say it had to do with a dear friend who passed away last September, and a good-natured woman I … Continue reading Make Mine Mystival
Hong Kong, My Incidental Healer
I’ve conceded that retail therapy would always make it to the plan. It’s impossible not to in a place like this, where shopping constitutes its lifeblood. True enough, with no stringent itinerary, we found ourselves Lantau-bound once again, this time … Continue reading Hong Kong, My Incidental Healer
HK After a Decade, Part 2: Mid-Day at the Midlands
It’s been more than three decades since Chungking Expresswas released. Even before this trip came into plan, I’d been thinking of visiting Wong Kar-wai’s filming locations(the readily accessible ones, at least). Alas, we didn’t really have the luxury of time … Continue reading HK After a Decade, Part 2: Mid-Day at the Midlands
HK After a Decade, Part 1: Discovering Discovery Bay
We start with this curious parallel. It was on January 23, 2015 when I arrived in Hong Kong with Marga. We were stationed in Yau Ma Tai, Kowloon for a five-day stay, one highlighted by a visit to Ngong Ping … Continue reading HK After a Decade, Part 1: Discovering Discovery Bay
Sessenta Horas em Macau, Part 5: Taipa and Cotai Send-Off
Crossing over to Taipa took longer than expected, considering how close A-Ma Temple was to the sea. I guess it boiled down to the bus’s route. The one we boarded still had to take detours up North. Luckily, traffic wasn’t … Continue reading Sessenta Horas em Macau, Part 5: Taipa and Cotai Send-Off
Sessenta Horas em Macau, Part 4: A-Ma in the A.M.
The initial plan was to visit A-Ma Temple the day before. There was something emblematic about starting the tour in a spot so ancient, it even pre-dates the colony. It was a promising sequence. But then, given the proximity of … Continue reading Sessenta Horas em Macau, Part 4: A-Ma in the A.M.
Planet Chuckie 