Princess Kinoc reviews ‘Mallari’, a fictional account of the first documented Filipino serial killer of the same name. The film is part of this year’s MMFF 2023. The first documented Filipino serial killer is a priest. If that sentence has not brought a weight of thought in your mind today,
Author: Princess Kinoc
Small and still terrible at writing
‘Firefly’ film review: beyond expectations in this hidden gem from MMFF 2023
In this review of the film ‘Firefly’, Princess Kinoc writes about Zig Dulay’s adaptation of Anj Atienza’s short story, of the same name. An entry in this year’s MMFF 2023. Firefly, to me, is undoubtedly one of the best films I have seen so far in this year’s MMFF line-up.
‘Perfect Days’ is Wim Wenders and Koji Yakusho’s most important work
Princess Kinoc reviews Wim Wenders’ ‘Perfect Days’, under the Screen International section of QCinema 2023. Some spoilers may be present in this review. I have an immense bias towards films that are quiet and would rather show than tell. Wim Wenders is no stranger to depicting how observational we can
Toubab (2021) review: Laughing through labels
Fake it ‘til you make it. Nowadays, it’s no longer uncanny to talk about issues of homophobia and racism in comedies and so in Florian Dietrich’s attempt to discuss these in a lighthearted manner in his 2021 film Toubab seems commendable enough. That is until we get towards the third
The Ordinaries (2022) review: ‘Lights, Camera, Revolution’
‘The Ordinaries’ is one of seven films featured in this year’s Kinofest 2023, the German Film Festival. Sophie Linnenbaum’s satiric film takes meta-cinema with social commentaries that is one of the more lighter, entertaining films in this year’s festival. There’s something about Sophie Linnenbaum’s debut film that takes your breath
Republic of Silence (2021) review: Unveiling the heart of the Syrian conflict through personal perspectives
‘Republic of Silence’ is a powerful documentary that shows the Syrian conflict through personal perspectives gathered by Diana El Jairoudi and fellow activists for twelve years. Read more of our review here and watch the film at this year’s KinoFest 2023 at Gateway Cinemas. To say that Republic of Silence
A glimpse beyond the corset: ‘Sisi and I’ review
Not to confuse you with the 2022 film Corset, ‘Sisi und Ich’ (Sisi and I) offers a different perspective of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as ‘Sisi’ to her legion of fans. In this film, mixed with female-led grunge and 70s underground tunes, we see Sisi’s worldview through the
Unearthing family secrets: a review of ‘Hao Are You’
‘Hao Are You’ is a moving documentary on the history of the Vietnam war and how it coincides with the traumas a family has experienced even post-war. Dispatches from our coverage of this year’s KinoFest 2023. What does it mean to be a stranger in your own family? This is
‘Sonne und Beton’ (Sun and Concrete) is not your ordinary teen movie – a review
Sun and Concrete is a film that’s loosely based on the life of comedian-podcaster Felix Lobrecht. This film might remind you of some films in the past that tackle our youth in slum areas in the country and how they manage to survive. There’s something about Sonne und Beton (Sun
Elaha (2023) review: Challenging Norms, Redefining Autonomy
Elaha is a film that tackles more about the ‘female gaze’, but the incredulous ways women’s sexuality has been re-written in history by men. Princess Kinoc reviews this film that is currently a part of the German Film Festival. The first time I heard about the word hymen, I was
Emerging Talents Shine: QCinema Unwraps the 2023 Asian Next Wave Competitors
QCinema International Film Festival announces the titles competing in this year’s Asian Next Wave Competition — its premiere launching pad for Asia’s most promising filmmakers. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as QCinema announces this year’s Asian Next Wave competitors. All eight feature film directorial debuts vie for
Lonely Glory (2022) review: the cost of success is a lonely pursuit
In ‘Lonely Glory’, Keitaro Sakon explores the inner turmoil of a twenty-something woman named Haruka, in her ambitious pursuit of success. Princess Kinoc reviews this film from this year’s Japanese Film Festival In the eyes of Haruka and everyone else, she is very good at her job. She knows it.
‘What If’ review: Off-key, fails to strike the right chords
‘What If?’ or “Paano Na” is confusing in itself that you might think I’m pertaining to the Marvel series, the 2013 film starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, but it is not. Directed by Emmanuel “Manny” Palo, produced by Viva Films and A World of Our Own. The Netflix drama
The Enigma of ‘Mask Girl’: Unveiling Identity in a World of Suspense
“Mask Girl” is directed by Kim Yong-Hoon. Now streaming on Netflix. Netflix’s latest addition, “Mask Girl,” takes us on a journey of self-discovery as it asks the compelling question, “Who are you?” This query echoes throughout the narrative, adding a layer of mystery to the unfolding drama. Unlike the typical
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is finally coming in July
Taylor Swift made the announcement in one of her “Eras Tour” concerts in her hometown of Nashville. As a recovering Swiftie, the last album of hers I fully listened to was “Speak Now”. As Tay-tay was 21 in 2010, I was 20. I didn’t really have the similar romantic explorations
Hi Barbie! Hi Ken! Meet the characters of “BARBIE” in their own posters here:
Lahat na ba nakapag-BARBIE template? Here’s the characters of BARBIE in their very own posters similar to what went viral this week with everyone’s own version of the Barbie template. To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on
Ngayon Kaya (2022): Timing is Everything
In “Ngayon Kaya” Paulo Avelino and Janine Gutierrez offer low-key charming performances on the big screen, while Prime Cruz’s direction of Jen Chuaunsu’s musically delectable time-travelling script juggles the idea of reality getting in the way of romance. Caution, major spoilers ahead. Music, when used as a device in films,
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the Godfather II of all Sega-related films
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a far more entertaining film than the first, but with its lack of world-building in this sequel means we probably have to lower our expectations on the third. Remember when you had to trick your older brother so you could play Sonic the Hedgehog all
How “Turning Red” offers a distinct narrative on puberty
Princess Kinoc writes about “Turning Red”, a new Disney animated picture directed by Domee Shi, with voices from Sandra Oh as Ming Lee and Rosalie Chiang as Mei-Mei. It is unusual for a Disney movie to show us how the real things happen in real life. While there is no
Gensan Punch offers more than your average boxing movie
Brillante Mendoza is back in ‘Gensan Punch’ and he’s understood the assignment really well. There’s a longing, lingering effect on Brillante Mendoza’s films that will continue to haunt you. It’s probably the social realism, the commentary on poverty and Philippine politics and his use of brutal scenes that complete his
MOVIE REVIEW: Dito at Doon (2021)
The anxiety riled in JP Habac’s “Here and There” (Dito at Doon) is more than just the “will-they, won’t-they” aspect between two strangers, but the uncertainty of when the pandemic will be over. We did an episode with the cast and crew of Here and There/ Dito at Doon! Watch
I’ve seen #TheSnyderCut and…
I liked it. For a non-comicbook reader like myself, I advise you to watch the following DC films in this exact order: Suicide Squad, Man of Steel, Batman vs Superman, Shazam, and the 2017 cut of Justice League before watching #TheSnyderCut. Mild spoilers and opinions that might bruise you are
These are the many Hollywood film posters about mental health that have handled it with care
Mental Health disorders is not a joke. Film posters have existed primarily to persuade audiences to watch a film. Oftentimes crafted to include a scene, or the leading characters to endorse the film, most movie posters are crafted as marketing and promotional materials, and are also created as a collector’s
The latest music video from Ben&Ben might just convert us into KathNiel fans
The music video featuring KathNiel for “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay” is giving us some cinematic chills, too! Hi. Princess Kinoc here. Editor-in-chief for Film Police Reviews. I have a confession to make, I’ve never been a fan of KathNiel. But wait! Before you all KathNiel fans throw stones at
‘Echoserang Frog’ the video essay is my favorite Present Confusion entry
In our last tribute to Present Confusion’s 15th year, Princess Kinoc writes about John Tawasil’s video essay on Joven Tan’s hidden masterpiece on metacinema. In John Tawasil’s video essay of Joven Tan’s Echoserang Frog, he removes the elusive filmmaker from the guise of how bad his films are made, and
