VMX: Mini-Reviews of KOLEKTOR, MALAGKIT, ELEVATOR LADY

March 21, 2025

KOLEKTOR

Director, Writer, DOP, Editor, Music, Sound: Carlo Alvarez

Jessie (Nico Locco) took the ladies he dates to the restaurant where his stepfather Bernard (Emil Sandoval) was the chef. He had failed dates with department store salesgirl Dawn (Candy Veloso) and the frankly aggressive Anika (Salome Salvi). However, when he dated Eula (Aiko Garcia), he felt something different about her. Was this love? However, like the previous girls, he still brought her to his house. Will she share the fate of the others?

Filmmaker Carlo Alvarez did a lot of work on this project as listed above, but it was in the sonic aspects -- sound and music -- that he excelled more. Nico Locco has improved in his portrayals of men with disturbed psyches. However, that over-the-top terrible tattoo of his mother's name around his neck should not have been used at all as it was so distractingly bad. Casting Emil Sandoval is already predictable that he was going to be bad news. 4/10 

MALAGKIT

Director: Bobby Bonifacio, Jr.

Writer: John Raphael Gonzaga

In preparation for marriage, rich kid Mindy (Ashley Lopez) convinced her fiance Renald (Ace Toledo) to join her on an immersion experience to live among the poor. She decided to stay at the countryside hut of her former nanny Che (Lea Bernabe), where she lived with her husband and Mindy's former driver Aldrus (VJ Vera). Mindy helped Che cook her native delicacies, Renald joined Aldrus to sell them to neighbors, and the discovery began. 

From the get-go, the immersion gimmick that served as the basis of this film was admittedly absurd. You can probably guess that there was going to be a swapping of partners, but the swap that transpired was quite surprising, and led to interesting character conflicts. However, as he did in his previous films, director Bobby Bonifacio Jr. took the absurdity of this premise and pushed it to its limits, all the while keeping his tongue-in-cheek. 6/10

ELEVATOR LADY

Director: Rodante Y. Pajemna, Jr.

Writer: Maya Diaz

18 year-old Kat (Aliya Raymundo) was a senior high school student who moonlighted as a elevator girl in a posh condominium building. As a side racket, she would engage some male residents with her sexual favors. New tenant Jay (Albie Casino) just moved into the penthouse unit, and not long after, he was also one of Kat's loyal customers. One day, a crippled lady confined to a wheelchair moved into the penthouse. She was Mimi (Vern Kaye), Jay's wife.

In the long list of occupations VMX has turned into prostitutes in the past three years, this has got to be one of the most unbelievable. They want us to believe that the elevator girl can just put her elevator on hold for an indefinite time enough to satisfy her customer.  The Mimi angle of the story was a good one, despite the acting limitations of the actresses. However, that red herring to involve fellow elevator girl Mariz (Zsazsa Zobel) was totally illogical. 5/10

Review of SNOW WHITE: A Progressive Princess

March 20, 2025

The newborn baby princess was named Snow White. After her mother the Queen died, the King remarried. His new Queen took control of the kingdom when the King failed to return after a battle. She was a vain woman who wanted her Magic Mirror to confirm that she was always the fairest one of all. One day, the Mirror declared that Snow White, who by now had turned from a child to a young lady, was the now the fairest. The Queen could not accept it.

This was how the story of Snow White began. It is a tale familiar to almost every child, particularly those who grew up under the spell of Disney animated films. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" (1937) was the very first full-length animated feature film by Walt Disney, the original innovator of adapting fairy tales into animation. With its box office take adjusted for inflation, it is still in the list of the Top Highest-Grossing Animated Films of All Time. 

This new live-action version of Snow White certainly had a very rough start. The controversy started when Latina singer-actress Rachel Zegler was cast in the title role. Purists insisted that Snow White got her name because her skin was "white as snow." It did not help that Zegler also tactlessly called the original film "extremely dated." Rude netizens also made fun of Zegler's appearance in comparison to Gal Gadot's regally beauteous Queen. 

Changes were evident from the very start. The new princess was named Snow White because she was born in a stranded carriage during a snow storm. There was no Prince here, instead we have Jonathan (Andrew Burnap) was a rebel who was "loyal to the King," who lived in the forest with his own band of seven cohorts. After she woke up from true love's kiss, this new Snow White proved to be a progressive princess who changed how the fairy tale ended. 

We hear reinterpretations of its old songs "Heigh-ho" and "Whistle While You Work" by the dwarves. However, there was no more "I'm Wishing," "One Note," and notably "Someday My Prince Will Come" here. Instead, there were a number of new songs all written by the song writing team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. So in case you think you are hearing strains from "The Greatest Showman" songs in them like I did, that is why.

This live-action version looked very good from a technical point of view, with award-worthy art direction, costume designs, and visual effects (generally). The CGI Seven Dwarves were not really as bad as originally imagined, but I can't help seeing familiar faces in them, like Tommy Lee Jones for Grumpy, or Alfred E. Neumann of MAD Magazine in Dopey. The forest animals were very cute furry furballs, as Disney had already perfected in their previous live-actions.

Far from being the biggest liability of this "Snow White," Rachel Zegler was actually one of its saving graces. Her singing voice was so strong and soaring, so breathtaking especially in her showstopping "Wishing on a Wish". Andrew Burnap may look like a more generic Jonathan Bailey, but his singing was also very good, particularly in his comical solo "Princess Problems." Their love duet "A Hand for a Hand" had good harmonic blending in its arrangement.

Now Gal Gadot is another matter. There is no arguing her beauty, as she was radiant from her introductory scene. Only very few can pull off the Evil Queen's iconic crown, gowns and cloak like she did. I can even forgive her campy approach to playing evil. However, when it came time for her first solo song number that had mediocre singing and even worse "dancing," if you can call it that. Gadot really betrayed the limits of her acting ability here. 

The word "fair" gets bandied about a lot throughout this film. Of course, the original context was in the Evil Queen's obsession to be the fairest (the most beautiful, or the whitest) of them all. She exemplified this in her solo song "All is Fair" where she declared that "Beauty is power." However, for this new progressive Snow White, fair means "equal sharing," and in her anthem "Snow White Returns," she aspired to be "someone fearless, someone fair." 7/10

Review of NOVOCAINE: Painless Physical Punishment

March 19, 2025

Since he was a child, Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) has been diagnosed with a rare neurologic condition called CIPA or congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis. Because of this, Nathan's parents had been very overprotective with him, not even allowing to eat solid food for fear that he could already be chewing his tongue off without him feeling it. He had been an easy target for bullies in school, who called him the nickname of "Novocaine."

Presently, Nathan is working as the assistant manager of a bank in San Diego. He had grown up to be so much of an introvert. After work, he went straight home and did not have any friends. The only other person with who he had any interaction was Roscoe (Jacob Batalon), the guy he played online games with, whom he had not met in person.  When his pretty co-worker crush Sherry (Amber Midthunder) invited him out, he got very flustered. 

Jack Quaid is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. I first knew him from his breakthrough role in the series "The Boys" (2019) as Hughie Campbell, the most sensible, most techie member of the vigilante team.  His role as Nathan Caine has shades of Hughie as well because of his inexperience when it comes to fights and violence. His Nathan is dorky and delightful even in the face of danger, the perfect action-comedy hero. 

Ray Nicholson, who plays Simon, a crazy goon who had no qualms about killing people, the main antagonist. He has the crazy eyes of his more famous father Jack Nicholson, but too bad his character here is one-dimensional evil, so did not really showcase much range. It was so much fun to see Jacob Batalon beyond being Peter Parker's best friend. He definitely stole every scene he was in, well, being Nathan Caine's best friend. 

With violent bank robbers holding their bank up, writer Lars Jacobson threw Nathan into an adventure that was going to put him into so many painful situations that he will never feel. Directorial team of Dan Berk and Robert Olsen concocted a series of grimace-inducing injuries to be inflicted on Nathan which he may not feel, but we definitely will feel them on his behalf. Of course, they seem to have forgotten that painful or not, injuries are still injuries. 7/10 

Cinepanalo 2025: Review of TIGKILIWI: Helping for Healing

March 18, 2025

When their mother passed away in the lean season, Marlin (Gabbie Padilla) was forced to work for a supermarket in the city under her boss Dave (Nathan Sotto). Unfortunately, she had to leave her much younger brother Tata (JP Larroder) alone at home. Tata was very curious about Nay Pansay (Ruby Ruiz), their mysterious neighbor with a blind eye, scarred face and usually dressed in black, who was rumored to be a witch who ate kids up. 

Among the people in Tata's neighborhood were: drunk pervert Poldo (Ian T. Laczi) who frequently abused his autistic son Pol (Jeffrey Jiruma), the obese homeless woman at the church nicknamed Diutay (Sunshine Teodoro), and young farmer Jordan (John Renz Javier) who had a crush on Marlin. Visitors from the city include the chatty genius Atty. Maya (Ruby Rosa Baldevarona) and her driver Nono (Ramjun Clemente Valasote). 

Tara Illenberger wrote (in delightfully lilting Hiligaynon) and directed this film about provincial life through the eyes of its precocious child protagonist Tata (or Jose Domingo Jr. if his sister was angry). The first few times Tata found himself in Nay Pansay's house, Illenberger uses crazy camera angles and movements, enhanced by the dissonant music and sound effects, to put us all into exactly how scared and jumpy Tata was at those times.  

The winsome natural performance of JP Larroder as Tata carried this film. He had an innate comic timing that made his funny lines land. Some humor was subtle, like how Tata suddenly dropped phrases like "cross my heart" and "this is it" from out of the blue. Larroder had the ability to cry on cue with a sincerity that makes you want to cry along. Deservedly, he is a cinch to win Best Child Performer, but kudos for also being a contender in Best Actor.

Surrounding Larroder was an ensemble of actors who clearly enjoyed working together. Ruby Ruiz relished doing scary Nay Pansay with her baleful stares and mad cackling laughter, but she also shone in her dramatic highlight, when she told her sad family history. Even if Marlin was a supporting role, Gabby Padilla continues her brand of subdued excellence. Veteran Sunshine Teodoro and neophytes Jeffrey Jiruma and Ian T. Laczi made the most of what is probably the meatiest role in their filmographies so far.

This film is really at its best when it focused on Tata and his unconditional desire to help other people and healing them with his efforts. However, it can be upsetting when Illenberger turned her attention to R-rated adult issues like adultery, prostitution, sexual assault, and violent retaliation. While these scenes may ground the film into realism, I felt these scenes were very jarring to the innocent childlike vibe the film started with. 7/10

Cinepanalo 2025: Review of FLEETING: Making Memories in Mati

March 17, 2025

When online marketer Gemini "Gem" Santos (Janella Salvador) turned 25, she decided to take a solo trip to Mati via Davao Airport. She was picked up at the airport by her hotel's co-owner JC David (RK Bagatsing), who noted that Gem was very preoccupied with her gadgets, still busy at work even in the car. JC promised Gem that she will fall in love with life in Mati so much that she would definitely be extending her planned stay longer. 

JC's Kalipay Cafe had a prime beach side location, but it had no wifi because JC wanted his customers to slow down and enjoy their time there. He managed his cafe with his friend Kid (Peter Mendijar) and employee Joy (Alora Sasam). To drum up sales, Gem helped promote Kalipay's special "sikwate" drink together with JC's easygoing charm (and abs) which worked very well. However, they did not know that Gem had another reason why she was in Mati.

For her feature directorial debut, Director Catsi Catalan told a very mainstream love story between two contrasting personalities -- one hectic and frenetic, the other slow and laidback. Like all other rom-coms, awkward first meeting first, daily interactions next, eventually blossom into love. They are 10 years apart in real life, but Salvador's Gem and Bagatsing's JC had a thrilling chemistry between them. Will they end up together or not?

For me, the most memorable aspect was how Gem fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a pilot. We were briefed that she had to complete 40 flight hours, at P10,000 per hour. I never knew that new pilots were doused with a pail of water before being given their wings. After graduation, if Gem wanted to pursue becoming a commercial pilot, she needed to complete 150 flight hours more, which may be earned with a cadetship program. 

The other thing I would credit this film for would be its tempting introduction of Mati, the capital city of Davao Oriental, as a vibrant beach and surfing destination for tourists, especially for locals. It also made us want to go try out their special chocolate drink called "sikwate," made from carabao's milk and tablea. From there, it also gave us information about the cocoa bean industry based in the area and the process of preparing the beans for use. 7/10

Cinepanalo 2025: Review of JOURNEYMAN: Life Lessons from Lousy Losses

March 16, 2025

Angelo Heresano (JC Santos) lived in the slums of the city with his wife Sunshine (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) and their daughter Cherry (Darlyn Izabelle Salang). Angelo's main occupation was boxing, but he made extra cash by working menial tasks at the fish market. Angelo needed to make more money because Cherry was very sickly in constant need to medical attention. On top of that, Angelo also decided to enrol Cherry in a private school. 

Angelo earned the monicker "El Maso" for his way of hammering his opponent down with his signature series of hard-hitting fast punches. He had already been sent abroad once, several years ago, to fight in Mexico, but he, unfortunately, did not win. However, his handler Dondon (Raffy Tejada) got him into shady deals with a certain Boss Chang (Emmanuel dela Cruz), where he would earn more cash only if he agreed to throw his matches on purpose. 

There is something about boxing that makes it a very popular subject for dramatic films. Philippine world champion Manny Pacquiao had inspired two such films, "Pacquiao the Movie" (Joel Lamangan, 2006) and "Kid Kulafu" (Paul Soriano, 2015). In fact, the feature film debut of director Christian Paolo Lat was also a boxing movie -- "Ginhawa" (2022) about a poor aspiring boxer from the province Anton who tries his luck in the big city. 

"Journeyman" was practically a continuation of "Ginhawa". Angelo also moved to Manila to try his luck as a boxer. Unfortunately, poverty forced him to swallow his pride to keep losing his matches in order to make a little more money. That irony came to a head when he knew that his idol Gerry Penalosa would be watching him fight the Japanese champion Kato. Will he still fold for the sure P50K payoff, or will he show off what he was really capable to do?

JC Santos gave his 100% in his gritty, sweaty portrayal of Angelo as failed boxer and family man, in a realistically painful physical and emotional performance. His siomai-eating scene at the end (reminiscent of Jaclyn Jose's iconic fishball scene in "Ma Rosa") was absolutely heart-crushing. Santos' Angelo also bared his soul when his long-suffering wife Sunshine broke down and expressed her "what-ifs" at the hospital, and in those conversations with Nay Rosario (Ruby Ruiz), his adopted mother at the fishport. 

Co-writer and director Christian Paolo Lat obviously had passion for this story about the sad reality of fixed fights in the underbelly of the boxing world. He co-directed this film with his brother and cinematographer Dominic Lat, who was somehow able to make the polluted waterway beside the fishport look good. The way the brothers executed the boxing scenes delivered the expected excitement and human drama. The cameos of two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa also gave the film an additional punch. 8/10

Cinepanalo 2025: Review of OLSEN'S DAY: A Troubling Twist

March 15, 2025

Olsen (Khalil Ramos) lived in Dagupan City with his elderly mother with dementia Agnes (Sherry Lara). He has been working as a researcher in a local news station in the city for eight years, with no promotion in sight. One November 1, he was asked by his boss to deliver a box of VHS tapes to their branch in Quezon City. There was no company service car to take him, so he had to drive his own car to do the job. 

Riding along with Olsen that trip was a talkative middle-aged man named Tony (Romnick Sarmenta) and his shy 10 year-old son who did not talk much named Tonton (Xander Nuda). Throughout the long drive, Tony and Olsen talked about mostly about their families. Tony talked about having Tonton at the late age of 50 and raising him on his own. Reluctant at first, Olsen opened up about his issues with his own father.

Khalil Ramos can really play these young men with angst very well, since teenage Felix in "2 Cool 2 be 4gotten" (2016), all the way to 30 year-old Olsen in this latest one now. Romnick Sarmenta experienced a resurgence in his career since his award-winning turn in "About Us But Not About Us" (2022), which was also another one long filmed conversation in one setting between two people like this one. It was their star chemistry that carried the film over.

In the first hour, this seemed to be a typical road movie where two strangers get to know each other better since all they did was talk during the car trip. It seemed pretty straight-forward from the time they left Dagupan, until Olsen dropped off his passengers in a hospital near Cubao. You'd think that was over right there, but it turned out to be just the start of the main meat of the film, what this story was really all about.

You can feel that co-writer and director JP Habac had a personal stake in this film, and it felt like a labor of love. It would have worked well if one does not give the twist much thought and just accept it as it happened. However, this type of thought-provoking twist does make you want to dissect what those scenes meant, especially in relation to how the characters acted in the first hour. Let's just say it was not executed as cleanly as "The Sixth Sense." 6/10.  

Cinepanalo 2025: Review of SALUM: Paternal Pressures

March 14, 2025

Kosko (Allen Dizon) and his daughter Arya (Christine Mary Demaisip) lived on the northern part of Gigantes Islands, in the municipality of Carles, province of Iloilo. Kosko's wife had left them behind to go work in Japan, where she already had another family. Like his neighbors, Kosko made a living free diving into the sea to gather scallops to sell to the market. Arya joins him in these dives and she was getting the knack of this job herself. 

Arya was about to celebrate her 13th birthday, and her one wish was to have a cellphone of her own, but Kosko was short of funds. Kosko mainly depended on his former high school classmate Marco (Nathan Sotto), now a businessman who bought all the shellfish that Kosko caught. However, when Marco stopped coming over, rumors began to circulate that he found a valuable pearl in one of the clams that Kosko caught for him.

Since "Magkakabaung" (2014), Allen Dizon has been recognized as Best Actor in several local and international indie film festivals, and he continues to be one of the most active lead actors in the indie circuit today. His Kosko was driven mad by the pressures of being a good father and provider to his daughter, and you can see that psychological transition gradually progress in his facial expressions. Those scenes of Kosko feverishly shucking scallops and clams to search for an elusive pearl had an intensity reminiscent of Toshiro Mifune. 

Christine Mary Demaisip was one of the three child actors in Tara Illenberger's "High Tide" (2017), which also had a story about poverty, island life and shellfish, as well as TM Malones as cinematographer. Demaisip was singled out as a nominee for Best Child Performer at the Star Awards that year. From a girl picking up clams in low tide in her first film, Demaisip now dons the rounded flippers (called "yapak") herself to actually dive for scallops. She is a natural actress, effortlessly able to deliver deep emotion even in her quiet scenes. 

Co-writer, cinematographer and director TM Malones told us this potently-dramatic father-daughter story with picturesque Gigantes Island as backdrop. He was able to effectively build up the compounding series of circumstances that weighed in on Kosko's sanity -- from his ex-wife's looming threat for taking Arya away, to the gnawing thought that his friend Marco hit the jackpot from one of the clams he sold him, plus how the government regulations for marine protection was regulating how he earned his living. 8/10

Review of MICKEY 17: Exploits of an Expendable

March 14, 2025

Deep in debt, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) and his friend Timo (Steven Yeun) escape their loan shark by joining the crew of a spacecraft leaving Earth to go to explore the planet Niflheim for colonization. Mickey was hired as an "Expendable," a human lab rat for scientific experiments to be done in the new planet. Whenever Mickey died, the human 3D printer will print out a new one of him, with his previous memories restored. 

The title of the film refers to the fact that the main character was already the 17th version of Mickey. When they had to develop vaccines to survive in Niflheim, the first 16 Mickeys have come and gone. One day, expedition leader Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo) ordered Mickey to capture a dangerous-looking creature they called "creepers." This mission had an unexpected outcome that shook up Mickey's life more than it already was.

Playing several versions of Mickey gave Robert Pattinson a unique opportunity to play many different characters even if his name stayed the same, in terms of behavior and even voice inflections. With those hilarious facial contortions as Kenneth Marshall, Mark Ruffalo practically giving a spoof about a certain American politician with his larger-than-life personality and his obtuse controversial political orders and policies. Steven Yuen's Timo was underused.

The ensemble of female supporting characters here is very strong. Marshall's wife Ylfa (Toni Collette) was the true power behind the tyrant, literally dictating the things her husband says. Mickey's girlfriend, security agent Nasha (Naomi Ackie) was an excellent fighter as well as a lover, and frank about whatever she wants done. Scientist Kai (Anamaria Vartolome) knew her value of her skills in the new planet and knew how to speak her mind. 

  

This story was set in 2054, just a little less than 30 years into our future. With computers and AI getting more and more powerful and sophisticated, it is really not that far-fetched that human 3D printing may actually be a reality. Writer-director Bong Joon-ho adapted Edward Ashton's 2022 sci-fi novel "Mickey7" to tell us a serious cautionary tale of cutting-edge technology capable to devalue human life, and told it entertainingly well. 8/10

Review of LILIM: Ominous Orphanage

March 13, 2025

It was the year 1983 somewhere in Northern Luzon. Issa (Heaven Peralejo) took her younger brother Tomas (Skywalker David) and drove away from their house after she killed their abusive father. When she stopped midway along her route, Tomas suddenly ran out of the car and into the forested area beside the road. Issa failed to catch up with him and just ran around the forest shouting his name, until she came upon a grand old house in a clearing.

The house turned out to be an orphanage run by eight nuns, led by Sister Marga (Ms. Eula Valdez). The nuns took Tomas in when they saw him wandering outside their premises. All the wards in the house were boys, who all had their hairs cut very short to prevent lice. Sister Marga allowed Issa to stay with them in exchange for doing her share of the household chores. Not long after, Issa began to notice eerie things about the house and the nuns.

Director Mikhail Red has a fondness for making horror films, including "Eerie" (2019), "Block Z" (2020), "Deleter" (2022) and "Nokturno" (2024). "Lilim" uses a lot of typically Filipino style horror tropes, like dark old house in a remote forest, mysterious nuns, scary masks, and ill-timed showers in the middle of the night. It relied so much on jump scares which had someone suddenly break the silence with a loud shout to startle viewers. 

The neophyte young actors playing the orphans were actually good, as showed dedication by having their hair practically shaved off. Skywalker David was convincing as the conflicted and confused Tomas. Dwayne James Bialoglovski played Prinsipe, the alpha bully of the group. John Ventura played Nilo, the friendly boy who tried to stand up for Tomas. VMX prince Gold Aceron was still able to pass for a boy, playing mute, autistic Gabriel. 

The behavior of Sister Marga, and the other nuns, Helena (Ryza Cenon), Trining (Nicole Omillo), Josephine (Phoebe Walker) felt off right away, even before that scene when Trining was forced to walk on the shards of a broken porcelain statue in her bare feet. Several scenes, like Helena's crying infant and Sister Marga's final action, had no logical explanation at all. The history of their congregation -- the titular Lilim -- would have been interesting to know.

Heaven Peralejo did well acting-wise, with the role given to her, the lines she had to say and the things she had to do. The beginning of her character arc was shocking, as we first saw her after she just killed her father with no backstory. It was just so unfortunate about the choice of dress she was given to wear for the entire final act. Her dark beige outfit with the puffed sleeves and ruffled accents on the skirt was distractingly ugly to the point of laughable. 5/10

VMX: Mini-Reviews of ONLINE SELLING, TOKYO NIGHTS, WALKER

March 11, 2025

ONLINE SELLING

Director: Jaq

Writer: E.R. Castro, Jaq Raveza Carlos

Issa (Arah Alonzo) and her friend Osang (Aria Bench) live-sell various items on their online channel. When they deliver the items to the buyers at their convenient, and then offer them more happy "services" on the side to make more money.  Osang's ex-boyfriend Jugs (Marc Capilador) wants her to stop live selling and get serious with him. Meanwhile, Issa had a surprise reunion with Alvin (Andrew Gan), her crush since high school, who was now a cop. 

This is VMX's latest in a series of films where the protagonists use their occupations as fronts for prostitution in order to get ahead. I did feel that this was done tongue-in-cheek, so the premise of offering extra-service with the delivery can be funny, even if it was exploitative in principle. Another comic factor here is Aria Bench, who knew she was not as pretty of face than Arah Alonzo, so she did well to push her sense of humor up front. 4/10

TOKYO NIGHTS

Director: Joey Cruz Manalang

Writer: Joey Cruz Manalang

Newlyweds Kara (Alessandra Cruz) and Max (Benz Sangalang) had their honeymoon in Tokyo, Japan. One rainy day while walking in the streets, they met Kara's ex-boyfriend Marvin (Mark Nino), who now goes by the name of Kenji, who worked as a "man for hire." Kenji spent the whole day taking the couple around. He even spent the night at their honeymoon suite. The next day, Kenji's girlfriend Tanya (Arneth Watanabe) suddenly showed up.

The foursome story was not exactly new, but director Manalang added more extras to make things more interesting. He took us around Tokyo using frenetic camera work. Newbies Nino and Watanabe are likely Tokyo-based Filipinos, so a lot of their lines were in Japanese, which was dope. Each of the four main actors had scenes where someone was interviewing them about love and relationships, and these were well-written.  4/10

WALKER

Director: Lawrence Fajardo

Writer: Jim Flores

When she moved to Manila, Alex Bernabe (Robb Guinto) worked as a "walker" (euphemism for prostitute). One day, she received a call from Sgt. Manjares (Mark Dionisio) that her old friend Mara Conrado (Stephanie Raz) had been found murdered. She dropped everything and went to Angeles, Pampanga where Mara worked as a walker. Mara's tabloid journalist boyfriend Joel Desiderio (Vince Rillon) helped her investigate the crime. 

This was a crime drama story set in the underbelly of Angeles City. Joel told Alex that he needs her help to get necessary evidence in order to identify the last customer of Mara. Then when it reached the reveal, it was totally illogical. In hindsight, why was Joel asking her to do this? Why were the perpetrators nervous about what she was doing? Anyhow, good thing this film had Naths Everett's offbeat turn as Mara's pimp Zandra to pull it up a bit.  3/10. 

Review of NE ZHA 2: Deciding vs. Destiny

March 10, 2025

In the first film "Ne Zha" (2019), the Chaos Pearl had been divided by the Supreme Lord into its two contrasting components. Ne Zha was the Demon Orb reincarnated as the third son of Li Jing and Lady Yin of Chentang Pass, trained by immortal deity Taiyi. Ao Bing was the son of the Dragon King, arising from the Spirit Pearl stolen by rival deity Shen Gongbao.  Three years later, Ne Zha and Ao Bing met and became friends, but were soon forced to face off in battle.

This sequel began with Taiyi using up his Sacred Lotus to restore the spirits of Ne Zha and Ao Bing into three-dimensional bodies. To complete the process, the two needed to complete the three trials of the Immortal Wuliang in order to restore the Sacred Lotus. Meanwhile, Dragon King Ao Guang released the three other Dragon Kings to attack Chentang Pass. Later, Shen Gaobang learned who was really behind his father's death for a major twist. 

I watched the sequel without having seen the first film first. So of course, I spent the first half hour was spent trying to figure out which of the multiple characters was who in the story. Eventually, I was able to figure things out somehow, and got through to the rest of the film thoroughly entertained. However, I would still advise that you try to watch the first film first to familiarize with the characters and settings for better appreciation. 

Those who have seen the first film would already know Ne Zha, his parents, Ao Bing, Tai Yi, and Shen Gaobang. We only see dragon form of Ao Bing's father in the first film, but we now also see his human form here. Based on looks, you can surmise who are the good guys and the bad. However, what was very interesting about this story was that every character was nuanced, each with their own flaws, capable of doing both good things and bad. 

The most amazing part of this 2-1/2 hour epic was its spectacular animation style. Everything in the first film was given a major glow up -- from the action, to the funny, to the magical. Every character, major or minor or even background extras, were all given meticulous attention to detail in their face, bodies and costumes. The last three winners of the Oscar Best Animated Feature had not been Disney films, looks like this one may follow suit next year. 9/10

Netflix: Review of SOSYAL CLIMBERS: Scamming to Survive

March 7, 2025

Jessa Baluarte (Maris Racal) was a real estate agent.  Ray Cruz (Anthony Jennings) was a financial adviser / insurance salesman. Soon after they met, they hit it off very well, and soon began to lived together. Everything was going on fine until one day, one of their investments went south, and they realize that they have been scammed. They were now millions of pesos in debt to everyone in their condo building they had sold that investment to.  

At that same time, Jessa was trying to sell a big piece of land in an exclusive subdivision, so she asked Ray to clean the house with her. Their rich neighbors the Montecillos (Carmi Martin and Bart Guingona) thought that they were the new owners, so went over to welcome them. Quick-thinking Jessa thought that they could use this situation to earn back cash. She introduced themselves as wealthy married couple, Penelope and Kiefer Regalado. 

In the past two films I had seen Maris Racal in -- "Marupok AF" and "And the Breadwinner Is..." -- her characters had been scammers. In this one, Racal plays one yet again, this time as a resourceful salesman who with a golden tongue which can spin the most elaborate lies right off the cuff. She can play a rascal, yes, but one with a winsome charm that makes you easily forgive her shenanigans when she batted her "repentant" puppy-dog eyes at you.  

This role of Rey is the biggest lead role in the career of Anthony Jennings. Recently, his career is closely tied up with Maris Racal in both film ("Breadwinner") and TV ("Incognito"), and they did have good chemistry together, despite what scandal the tabloids reported. Jennings' Kiefer had earnest scenes with art dealer Mr. Tecson (Ricky Davao), where he was able to stretch his acting range out of the rom-com mode. Too bad that he had more silly scenes to do.

Co-writer-director Jason Paul Laxamana wanted us to take such a big suspension of disbelief that these two amateur con-men were able to fool an entire village of gullible multi-millionaires just like that. I know that what they did should have consequences, but I wish they did not totally forget Rey's talent in visual arts. That talent was a legit way out, we hoped Rey would still be able to use. Sadly, Laxamana did not bring it up anymore at the very end. 4/10

Review of IN THY NAME: A Modern-day Martyrdom

March 6, 2025

One day in year 2000, Abu Sayyaf forces led by Khaddafy Janjalani (JC de Vera) and Abu Sabaya (Mon Confiado) attacked the campuses of two schools in Tumahumbong and Sinangkapan in the province of Basilan. They kidnapped 50 teachers and students and took them as prisoners in their jungle hideouts in Camp Abdujarak and Punoh Muhadji, to be released only when the government acceded to the rebels' demands. 

One of the hostages was Catholic priest Fr. Rhoel Gallardo (McCoy de Leon), the chaplain of the Claret School of Tumahumbong, working with Principal Rey Rubio (Soliman Cruz). Fr. Gallardo hailed from Castillejos, Zambales, the son of Dominador (Richard Cuan) and Raquel (Ana Abad Santos) Gallardo. For fearlessly speaking out for physical and spiritual needs of his fellow hostages, Gallardo was subjected to intense physical torture in captivity.

This film depicts yet another tragic episode in the long-running conflict between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao. The film opens with a disclaimer -- "The film does not intend to create conflict between Christians and Muslims." They support that by stating that the actions of Abu Sayyaf do not reflect on Muslims as a whole. There was even a line by a Muslim politician in the film who expressed that Abu Sayyaf went against Muslim tenets.

They really needed to clear this up right up front because the Abu Sayyaf leaders here were just so diabolical. With Mon Confiado portraying him, Abu Sabaya was depicted as a sadistic man who acted on his perversions. JC de Vera portrayed Khadaffy Janjalani as a rabid Muslim fanatic who hated all Christians for claiming Mindanao. That scene where he punished Fr. Gallardo for saying Mass showed a terrifying aspect of de Vera we have not seen before. 

As Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, McCoy de Leon looked like he went through hell in this film, from his first scene leading a prayer in the San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church, to his final scene, lifeless on the forest floor with unrecognizable face swollen with bruises. We only knew De Leon mostly for his Hashtag dancing and his rom-com movies, so the range he showed in this film was beyond any dramatic effort we have seen from him before, and we respect that. 

Opening this film on the first day of Lent somehow portends the decision of co-writer, director (and Mayor of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte) Ceasar Soriano  to treat the depiction of Gallardo's final days under his Abu Sayyaf captors as Jesus Christ's Way of the Cross under the Romans. In case we miss the metaphor, his mother in Castillejos even had a Pieta statue on their altar to pray to. This overtly hagiographic treatment may be inspired by the news that Fr. Gallardo's martyrdom is being submitted for consideration for sainthood. 

Recognizable character actors played hostages, like Alex Medina, Elora Espano, Ynez Veneracion, Aya Fernandez, Kenken Nuyad. John Estrada cameoed as BGen Narciso Abaya. Gold Aceron cameoed as Fr. Rhoel's autistic brother Dong. Soldiers who were awarded for their bravery in this rescue mission, like 2Lt Herbert Dilag (Jerome Ponce) and 1Lt Andrew Bacala (Yves Flores), were featured. It was rather alarming to see that the gunfire in the final shootout seem so indiscriminate, hitting more hostages than we'd like to see.  7/10

 

Review of THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG: Female Freedom

March 6, 2025

Lawyer Iman (Missagh Zareh) and his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) lived in an apartment in Teheran with their two daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). Recently, there have been a lot of unrest at the universities as women were demonstrating about societal restrictions on their freedom, beginning with the hijab. Najmeh supported the traditional religious view about this issue and advised her daughters accordingly. 

Iranian filmmaker Mohammed Rasoulof completed this film while in exile in Germany where he escaped upon learning that he was put under arrest for undertaking this project which was very critical of the current regime.  It had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, where it received a special citation from the jury. It eventually made the final shortlist of nominees for the Best International Film for the Oscars 2025. 

This film was divided into two parts. The first part showed the awakening of Iman and Najmeh's daughters to social realities. They had a comfortable life, well-provided by their father, and cared for by their mother. However, when Rezvan became friends with activist Sadaf (Niousha Akhshi), she began to question the ultra-conservative practices imposed especially on women. She even answered back when confronting her parents.

The second part was a more intimate portrait of the conflict within the central family. It all started when Iman's government-issued handgun went missing while in their house. Confirmation of this loss would lead to the destruction of Iman's career, now only one step away from being appointed as a judge. This led to Iman's increasing paranoia about the women of his family whom he used to trust -- a metaphor of the national condition.

The lives of everyone involved in making this controversial movie had turned upside-down since this film was released against the objections of their government. Between the fictional scenes, Rasoulof inserted bootleg phone videos of actual street demonstrations, showing the world that this film was depicting events happening in reality. With this technique, the tension and danger we feel for Najmeh and daughters felt doubled. 8/10

Review of FLOW: A Cat in Crisis

March 5, 2025

A dark grey cat was running through a forest, when suddenly there was a sudden surge of water creating a major flood. The cat survive this initial gush of water, but they soon realized that the water level was continuing to go up higher and higher. The cat was luckily able to climb into an old sailboat, where there was a capybara on board. They was soon joined by a ring-tailed lemur, a yellow Labrador Retriever, and an injured secretarybird. 

This motley crew of animals find each other on their own version of Noah's Ark, and learn to live and help each other through their odyssey into uncertainty. Consistent with its suspicious nature, our cat is always very wary of the other animals, but they were all instinctively generous towards him. He would later reciprocate with his talent for fishing.  As for how they steered the boat, we can excuse that creative license. 

Director Gints Zilbalodis did not give us exactly what the circumstances were on earth when this major flood happened. When we saw an empty house with drawings and statues of cats and the boats, we knew there used to be humans living in that area. However, we never see any human being, living or otherwise, at all.  We surmise something apocalyptic happened that wiped humans out, but Zilbalodis did not dwell on what that disaster was. 

Our protagonist cat was very smart and brave, but also a lucky one -- blessed with nine lives. Zilbalodis did not avoid very dark moments, such that scary scene when the cat was left behind in the water while the sailboat was sailing further away from him. That scene made our heart sink and tears well up, as the color of the water became darker and darker. Another tough scene to watch was a duel of the secretary birds and the turbulent storm.

The yellow lab dog was easily the scene stealer, since many viewers would be amused with its delightful habits. We feel for the lemur when other animals mess with his basket of treasures, like the ball and the mirror. It was a pleasant surprise to see the capybara being as cute and huggable as it was. Being a sub-Saharan species of predatory bird, the majestic secretarybirds are not well-known to local viewers, so it was good to see them in action. 

This film has earned Best Animated Feature in both the Golden Globe Awards, the Oscar Awards and various critics awards, winning over mainstream favorites like Dreamworks' "The Wild Robot" and Disney's "Inside Out 2." Thanks to these high-profile awards, this animated indie film with no dialog from Latvia is being shown in Philippine movie houses.  This should encourage our local animators to strive for more excellence in this field. 9/10. 

Review of SING SING: Prison Playhouse

February 27, 2025

The Sing Sing Correctional Facility was a maximum-security prison for men in the state of New York. Since 1996, there was an ongoing non-profit organization there called "Rehabilitation Through the Arts" (RTA), which aimed to provide inmates an outlet for their artistic talents.  Inmate John "Divine G" Whitfield (Colman Domingo) was one of the founding members of the theater group and was their star playwright and actor. 

One day, a disruptive inmate calling himself "Divine Eye" (Clarence Maclin) became a member of RTA in time for their next stage performance, to be written and directed by Brent Buell (Paul Raci). Divine G and Divine Eye did not get off on the right foot at first because of disagreements about the nature of their new production. However, after a series of  tough confrontations, they eventually became the best of friends. 

This film is based on a true story documented in a 2005 article about the RTA published in Esquire Magazine entitled "The Sing Sing Folies" written by John H. Richardson, and director Brent Buell's script entitled "Breaking the Mummy's Code," his original comedy play written specifically for RTA about an Egyptian boy who encountered cowboys, Robin Hood and Hamlet, whose creative process and original staging in 2005 was recreated for the film. 

This film earned three Oscar nominations. First was for its Best Adapted Screenplay, which was actually quite good  to be able to integrate the story of RTA's advocacy, and link it to the production of  their first comedic project. The real Divine G Whitfield one of those co-writers nominated. Second was for Best Original Song, entitled "Like A Bird" by Abraham Alexander & Adrian Quesada, a catchy inspirational tune we hear over the closing credits. 

Its most high profile nomination was for Colman Domingo for Best Actor, playing the role of Divine G Whitfield, a man who was arguing for his innocence but was not able to get a good break. He was one of the original members of RTA which he used as an outlet for his artistic talents. Domingo has been acting since the 1990s, but he finally hit mainstream renown when he was nominated for a Best Actor last year for "Rustin" (2023). 

At the BAFTA,  Domingo's co-star Clarence Maclin was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. This was remarkable because Maclin was actually an inmate of Sing Sing, sentenced 17 years for robbery.  In fact, practically the whole cast was composed of RTA alumni (and therefore all former inmates in Sing Sing). It was not apparent at all that Maclin and all these guys were not professional actors in their first film -- very impressive! 8/10

Ranking This Year's OSCAR BEST PICTURE NOMINEES (2025) & MY OSCAR BETS

March 2, 2025

With the Oscar Awards coming on March 11, 2024, Monday morning (Manila time) live streaming on the Disney+ app, it is time for me now to make my fearless Oscar predictions.   

(My Oscar predictions of previous years were posted on these links: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013).

Here is how I would rank this year's 10 nominees for Oscar Best Picture based on my own personal opinions when I first saw them (not based on probability that I think they will win):

1. DUNE PART 2 (MY FULL REVIEW)

The technical merits of this sequel maintains the high standards of cinematography (Greig Fraser), film editing (Joe Walker) and musical score (Hans Zimmer) set in the first film. The scenes featuring the sandworms were excellently executed, from the exhilarating first time Paul rode the giant grandfather worm Shai Hulud, or that scene where the Maker Keeper (Alison Halstead) demonstrates how to extract the Water of Life from a teenage worm. 9/10

2. A COMPLETE UNKNOWN (MY FULL REVIEW)

Coming from "Dune 2" and "Wonka," Chalamet displayed more range as an actor here as Bob Dylan. Aside from nailing the dramatic moments, it was doubly amazing how he got Bob's spoken voice, distinctive speak-sing style, even his guitar playing. His versions of classics "The Times They Are a-Changing" and "Like a Rolling Stone" (where the title phrase came from) were impeccable. He actually has a good chance of winning the Best Actor Oscar. 9/10

3. WICKED (MY FULL REVIEW)

Director Jon M. Chu grasped the ambitious scale of this production by the horns and succeeding, despite some issues with pace. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande knocked their roles out of the park, in both singing and acting-wise. Nods in production design, costume design, hair and makeup, visual effects and sound are in the bag -- as exemplified in complex numbers like "Dancing Through Life," "Popular" and, of course, "Defying Gravity." 9/10

4. CONCLAVE (MY FULL REVIEW)

Director Edward Berger ("All Quiet on the Western Front") had a sure handle on telling this complex story based on Robert Harris' 2016 novel, as secrets sprout out on after the other, affecting the votes at every thrilling turn, although that final twist was a bit too bizarre. Berger and cinematographer Stephane Fontaine also took time capturing silent beautiful images of random cardinals, nuns and locations from various angles, enhancing artistic cachet. 8/10.

5. THE SUBSTANCE (MY FULL REVIEW)

Demi Moore gave a brave fearless portrayal of fading star Elisabeth, in a role so wild and out of  her comfort zone. Elisabeth was a physically-tough and emotionally-taxing character which can earn Moore an Oscar nomination for Best Actress (and even win, like Elisabeth did). Fargeat really went all out crazy for this, in the process also paying tribute to horror classics, like "Freaks," "The Shining," and "Carrie." 8/10

6. I'M STILL HERE (MY FULL REVIEW)

Fernanda Torres's performance as Eunice Paiva is deservedly the centerpiece of this film. Her Eunice was a pillar of restraint and dignity in the face of the disappearance of her husband.  Torres made us feel Eunice's stress and anxieties as she made tough financial decisions, without resorting to cliched melodrama. For a 2014 scene, Eunice was played by Torres's real-life mother Fernanda Montenegro (who also received an Oscar nomination for her work in "Central Station"). 8/10

7.  ANORA (MY FULL REVIEW)

Anora is a difficult role for Mikey Morrison in the physical sense (both comedy and skin exposure), especially in Act 1 and 2. However, that quiet ending was her stellar highlight despite being downbeat and static in the confines of a car. The Zacharovs were basically one-dimensional caricatures, but, the goons, especially those played by Karaguilan and Borisov, did make a very strong and memorable impressions the way their characters turned out.  7/10

8. THE BRUTALIST(MY FULL REVIEW)

The title word "Brutalist" refers to the architectural style that Toth espoused. This style was no-frills and non-nostalgic, with simple straight lines, angular shapes, minimalist constructions, unpainted or monochrome colors. This likely also referred to the brutality Toth had experienced during World War 2 and in America, worse at the hands of people whom he thought were his friends and benefactors. The Vista Vision cinematography, musical score, and production design of this film also reflected this imposing and heavy spirit. 7/10

9. NICKEL BOYS (MY FULL REVIEW)

The story of racial inequality during the 1960s is certainly not a new one. However, the way director and co-writer Ross distinguished his films from other films about the civil rights movement was the unique way he told this story cinematically with alternate shifting first-person points of view -- at first from Elwood, then later Turner, then third person, and so forth. It was remarkable how we only see Elwood's face about 35 minutes into the film! 7/10

10. EMILIA PEREZ (MY FULL REVIEW)

While the decision of a male crime boss to transform into a trans-female philanthropist makes an interesting story, it seemed too simplistic in its portrayal of the complex process. Audiard's decision to make this story a musical was very bizarre. The breathy singing was not very good, the songs and tunes were not particularly memorable. Anyhow, Zoe Saldana was solid as lawyer Rita, who also sang the most critical song "El Mal" about political corruption. 6/10

FEARLESS FORECAST:

Which of the nominees do I think WILL win (NOT who I WANT to win):

Best Picture: Anora

Other Nominees: The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave*, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, Wicked

Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)

Other Nominees: Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), James Mangold (A Complete Unknown), Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)

Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)

Other Nominees: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Best Actress: Demi Moore (The Substance)

Other Nominees: Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here), Mikey Madison (Anora) 

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Other Nominees: Yura Borisov, Anora,  Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown, Guy Pearce, The Brutalist, Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice

Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Other Nominees: Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)

Writing (Original Screenplay): A Real Pain

Other Nominees: Anora, The Brutalist, September 5,The Substance

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Conclave 

Other Nominees: A Complete Unknown, Emilia Pérez, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing

Animated Feature Film: The Wild Robot

Other Nominees: Flow, Inside Out 2, Memoir of a Snail, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Production Design: Wicked

Other Nominees: The Brutalist, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Nosferatu

Costume Design: Wicked

Other Nominees: A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Gladiator II, Nosferatu 

Cinematography: The Brutalist

Other Nominees: Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, Maria, Nosferatu

Film Editing: Conclave

Other Nominees: Anora, The Brutalist, Emilia Pérez, Wicked

Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance

Other Nominees: A Different Man, Emilia Pérez, Nosferatu, Wicked

Sound: Dune: Part Two

Other Nominees: A Complete Unknown, Emilia Pérez, Wicked, The Wild Robot

Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two

Other Nominees: Alien: Romulus, Better Man, , Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Wicked

Music (Original Song): “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez

Other Nominees: “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight, “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez, “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late, “Like A Bird” from Sing Sing*

Music (Original Score): The Brutalist

Other Nominees: Conclave, Emilia Pérez, Wicked, The Wild Robot

Documentary Feature Film: No Other Land

Other Nominees: Black Box Diaries, Porcelain War, Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, Sugarcane

International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)

Other Nominees: The Girl With the Needle (Denmark), Emilia Pérez (France), The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany), Flow (Latvia)

Animated Short Film: Magic Candies

Other Nominees: Beautiful Men, In the Shadow of the Cypress, Wander to Wonder, Yuck!

Documentary Short Film: The Only Girl in the Orchestra

Other Nominees: Death by Numbers, I Am Ready, Warden, Incident, Instruments of a Beating Heart

Live Action Short Film: A Lien

Other Nominees: Anuja, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger,The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent