My MMFF Re-Immersion (Part 1)
I wasn’t exactly the most immersed in MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) before. That changed in 2018, when I landed that social media manager stint in Solar Pictures. Two entries were under their distributorship then. There was the RC de … Continue reading My MMFF Re-Immersion (Part 1)
The (Non-)Deliverance of Scares
It’s not a remake of the 1972 John Boorman caper, as one might be led to believe, though it does aims to scare just the same. Yet apart from the gratuitous addition of the article “The”, there’s really a world … Continue reading The (Non-)Deliverance of Scares
Reunited Behind Bars: A Review of “Daughters”
It might as well be narrative; with how it poetically pinpoints every nuance and gently basks in the emotional highs and lows. We don’t always see this in documentaries. But rest assured, nobody’s acting. Everything you see here is real. … Continue reading Reunited Behind Bars: A Review of “Daughters”
30 Years a Pageant Geek
Whenever I’m asked about my pageant obsession, I tend to answer the “when” and not the “why”. See, I always dreaded the thought of having to rationalize a passion. But if I were to indulge, it all began in the … Continue reading 30 Years a Pageant Geek
Miss Supranational 2024: The Final Wishlist
For the first time since its 2016 inception, Mr. Supranational preceded its female counterpart. It’s a departure from previous years, when the former would follow the latter after 24 hours. No clear explanation was provided regarding the switch, but, whatever … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2024: The Final Wishlist
Miss Supranational 2024 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 8 to 10)
Before we proceed with the last three groups, let’s take a look at two active participants who didn’t take part in the Supra-Chat Challenge: CHILE – Vaihere Domingo. This medicine student grew up in Tahiti, and her Supra-Talent submission hinted … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2024 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 8 to 10)
Miss Supranational 2024 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 5 to 7)
GROUP 5 – Australia, Botswana, Czech Republic, Sierra Leone, Spain AUSTRALIA – Janaya Reimers. The Land Down Under placed six consecutive years since its 2013 debut but went on hiatus after missing the cut in 2019. It’s nice to see … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2024 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 5 to 7)
Miss Supranational 2024 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 1 to 4)
GROUP 1 – Canada, Denmark, Haiti, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, US Virgin Islands CANADA – Rachel Murgel. Since Siera Bearchell’s 2015 First Runner-Up finish, Canadians have generally settled with ranking within the 25th to 35th range. This children’s literacy ambassador … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2024 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 1 to 4)
Miss Supranational 2024: A Prelude
Build up for Miss Supranational 2024 pageant has been low-key special for Pinoy fans, as two titleholders visited the country over the past few months. It was late October when incumbent queen, Andrea Aguilera, graced the inaugural The Miss Philippines … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2024: A Prelude
AFI Top 100 Revisited (#76 to #73)
VIEWING DATES: November 27 to December 1, 2023 #76 – CITY LIGHTS (1931)D: Charlie ChaplinS: Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee, Harry Myers, Al Ernest Garcia Subtitled A Comedy Romance in Pantomime, Charlie Chaplin’s second entry is, therefore, the grandfather … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Revisited (#76 to #73)
AFI Top 100 Revisited: #77 – “American Graffiti”
VIEWING DATE: November 26, 2023 #77 – AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)D: George LucasS: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, Paul Le Mat, Mackenzie Phillips, Harrison Ford, Suzanne Somers It’s not the film that comes to mind … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Revisited: #77 – “American Graffiti”
AFI Top 100 Revisited (#83 to #78)
MARATHON DATES: November 20 to 25, 2023 #83 – PLATOON (1986)D: Oliver StoneS: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe After three decade-spanning directorial stints, Oliver Stone finally “arrived” with Platoon – his first of three Vietnam War movies. And in … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Revisited (#83 to #78)
AFI Top 100 Revisited: #84 – “Fargo”
VIEWING DATE: November 15, 2023 #84 – FARGO (1996) D: Joel and Ethan CoenS: Frances McDromand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Kristin Rudrud, John Carroll Lynch The tagline described it as a “homespun murder story”. But really, it’s … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Revisited: #84 – “Fargo”
AFI Top 100 Revisited (#93 to #85)
VIEWING DATES: November 6 to 14, 2023 #93 – THE APARTMENT (1960)D: Billy WilderS: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurry Shortcuts up the corporate ladder often lead to graver hurdles. That’s the moral lesson at hand in this offbeat classic. … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Revisited (#93 to #85)
AFI Top 100 Revisited: #94 – “Goodfellas”
VIEWING DATE: November 5, 2023 #94 – GOODFELLAS (1990)D: Martin ScorseseS: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Paul Sorvino, Lorraine Bracco It’s not that Martin Scorsese planned to go head-to-head with Francis Ford Coppola then. In the first place, … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Revisited: #94 – “Goodfellas”
AFI Top 100 Revisited (#100 to #95)
VIEWING DATES: October 30 to November 4, 2023 It’s been 25 years since I came across the AFI’s Top 100 Movies and started my collection; 16 since I binged the entries upon completion. Late last October, I decided to recreate … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Revisited (#100 to #95)
Highlights from the 96th Oscars
FOURTH TIME’S A CHARM. Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscars journey didn’t have the smoothest start. He was host when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway erroneously announced La La Land as Best Picture in 2017. He returned a year later, only for the … Continue reading Highlights from the 96th Oscars
71st Miss World: The Final Wishlist
In a few hours, the 71st Miss World will finally be crowned at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India. After three weeks of public appearances and pocket competitions, where early favorites faded and new ones emerged, here’s my … Continue reading 71st Miss World: The Final Wishlist
71st Miss World Candidate Round-Up: RED TEAM (Asia and Oceania)
AUSTRALIA – Kristen Wright. The Land Down Under is back after skipping the last edition, and this biomedical science student advanced in the Head to Head Challenge and Talent Fast Track. Signs are hinting at a fruitful return. BANGLADESH – … Continue reading 71st Miss World Candidate Round-Up: RED TEAM (Asia and Oceania)
71st Miss World Candidate Round-Up: BLUE TEAM (Europe)
BELGIUM – Kedist Deltour. Three years since her Miss Universe stint, her tragic back story continues to tug heartstrings. While her exclusion in Israel remains a heartbreaker, there’s a heavy chance this Ethiopian immigrant will finally, and rightfully, earn her … Continue reading 71st Miss World Candidate Round-Up: BLUE TEAM (Europe)
Planet Chuckie 