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Film
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In-depth critiques of Philippine and world cinema — from festival darlings to mainstream releases.

A

Review · 2023

'Autobiography' Review: Embrace the Lies, or Else

The arrival of one man can make a rural town feel smaller than it should. Retired general Purna returns to start his mayoral campaign — and with him comes a suffocating authoritarian dread.

January 2023Indonesian
O

Review · 2023

'The Ordinaries' Review: The Ultimate Manifestation of "Main Character Energy"

An extraordinary attempt to break conventional cinema. Contrary to its title, The Ordinaries is a film that dazzles.

February 2023German
A

Review · 2022

Aftersun: The Quiet Desperation of Bringing Someone Back to Life

Aftersun not only underlines parental mystery but articulates the quiet desperation of bringing someone back to life — not in flesh, but in mental fabric.

2022British
C

Review · 2022

Crimes of the Future: Wallowing in the Dirt of Humanity

A dark and messy film. It wallows in the dirt of humanity and is unafraid of what it finds — Cronenberg at his most uncompromising.

2022Cronenberg
L

Review · 2022

Sundance 2022: 'Leonor Will Never Die' — A Love Letter to Filipino Cinema

Marika Ramirez Escobar establishes her style and storytelling prowess. Her love for film oozes throughout — a joyous tribute to Filipino action cinema.

February 2022Philippine
D

Review · 2022

Decision to Leave: Park Chan-wook Never Fails to Deliver

Decision to Leave is one of the best films of its year, and Park Chan-wook continues to prove that he is a revered auteur at the height of his powers.

TIFF 2022Korean
F

Review · 2022

Sundance 2022: 'Fresh' — A Fun and Horrifying Take on the Dangers of Dating

Campy, entertaining, stomach-churning, funny, and charming. An impressive first feature from director Mimi Cave, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan.

Sundance 2022Horror
P

Review · 2021

'The Power of the Dog': Desire is a Double-Edged Sword

In Jane Campion's masterwork, desire doesn't win the game — it changes it entirely. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a career-defining performance.

2021Jane Campion
N

Review · 2021

Nasaan Ka Man: Horrors Within Cycles and Secrets

A Philippine horror film that digs into the cycles of family trauma with a slow-burn dread that lingers long after the credits roll.

2021Philippine
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