Mutt is a drama directed by Vuk Lungulov-Klotz that features the journey of Feña as he transitions into a man. Ela Bicera reviews this film that was part of the QCinema International Film Festival 2023. Spoilers are present. While Transitioning is a life-changing experience, it also comes with doubts, fears
Category: Features
‘City of Wind’ Unravels Mongolian Mysticism | QCinema review
Engelbert Rafferty reviews Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir’s debut film ‘City of Wind’. It premiered in this year’s QCinema as part of the ‘New Horizons’ section. Spoilers are present in this review. In the last day of February 2006, renowned Mongolian shamanism figure Sarangerel Odigon passed away at age 43, which we can
Faithful Frames: a review of ‘Divine Factory’ and the spiritual significance of The Sleeping St. Joseph
There is a holy item that was mostly talked about in the entire film, which is called “The Sleeping St. Joseph”. According to the Holy story, Joseph had some doubts of being with Mary when she was pregnant, and the lord came into his dreams while he’s asleep, entrusting the
‘Women from Rote Island’ (2023) review: female resiliency at its finest
Ela Bicera writes about Jeremias Nyangoen’s debut film which tackles the abuse that Women from Rote Island experience, and their resiliency to fight back. Spoilers are present in this review. Rote Island is one of the many islands located in Indonesia, known as a great surfing location with amazing coral
‘Napoleon’ star Joaquin Phoenix says he was drawn by the character’s complexities
When Ridley Scott saw Joaquin Phoenix’s Academy Award®-winning performance in Joker, the director was reminded of their collaboration on Gladiator, and he knew that Phoenix would be perfect for the titular role in his new film Napoleon: “I saw him and it all came flooding back – how we worked on Gladiator, and what
All of Us Strangers: Power of Queer Love
Roy Narra writes about ‘All of Us Strangers’, Andrew Haigh’s heart-shattering adaptation of Taichi Yamada’s novel, Strangers. Spoilers are present in this review. Is it better to be labeled as a gay man than being a queer? In Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers, Adam (Andrew Scott, in his career-best
Tiger Stripes review: Malaysian body-horror succeeds in its depiction of growing up
This is Engelbert Rafferty’s return to Film Police Reviews! He writes about Amanda Nell Eu’s directorial debut, ‘Tiger Stripes’. The film is also the recipient of the Pylon Award for Asian Next Wave Best Picture and Best Director in this year’s QCinema International Film Festival. The Philippines and Malaysia are
‘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
Mark your calendars, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is bigger than the first.
“‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is worldbuilding and visual storytelling at its zenith”, says it’s producer. In PH cinemas this December 20. James Wan, the director whose work not only include the first Aquaman film, but he also directed The Conjuring movies, Insidious, and some Saw movies. And now he’s
Timothée Chalamet talks about the wonderful world in ‘Wonka’ in this featurette
Timothée Chalamet is proud to be a part of “Wonka.” All the singing and dancing aside, Chalamet, who plays the beloved chocolatier in the film, is most proud of being part of “a joyous movie, that is about bringing a light into a world that is in desperate need of
Poor Things (2023) review: Unfolding the catharsis in self-discovery, pleasure, and choice
Poor Things (2023) is the official opening film of QCinema 2023.
QCinema Launches Elevated Documentary Section
For its 11th edition, QCinema introduces QCDox, the official documentary program of the QCinema International Film Festival. Though the festival has exhibited documentaries before, QCDox is a stronger commitment to bringing more attention to the possibilities of the form. In line with this, QCinema has put together a lineup of
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ (2023) review
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of David Grann’s novel of the same name. Ela Bicera reviews the film and offers a different perspective on how proper representation is of utmost importance in telling the stories of an oppressed nation like the Osage tribe’s. “Can you find
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
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
Did You Know that ‘The Equalizer 3’ is Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua’s fifth collaboration together?
The Equalizer 3 is now showing in PH cinemas nationwide! The only other filmmaker to have worked with Denzel Washington five times would have to be the late-Tony Scott. Denzel Washington says there are many reasons why he looks forward to reteaming with Antoine Fuqua. “His spiritual maturity, his collaboration,
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
KP7ARAN: Kino Punch is looking for film works, film criticisms, photographs and essays for their 7th edition
Kino Punch: Suriin ang pagbasa sa kasaysayan at kinabukasan ng sine! Deadline of submissions is extended until April 26, 2023. UP Cinema’s seventh installment of their official film magazine “KINO PUNCH: KP7ARAN” with the theme of Divination and Future Reading extends their ongoing call for submissions, moving the deadline from
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
The true star of ‘Ten Little Mistresses’: the costumes! A special featurette on Jaylo Cunanan and Jaydee Josa
For us, the true star of Prime Video’s Ten Little Mistresses is the fashion! Which is why we’re glad that Prime Video has chosen to send us this featurette of the film that talks about the behind-the-scenes- look of the work of costume designer Jay Lorenz Conanan, headpiece and wig artist
From ‘A Quiet Place’ to ’65’: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods writes and directs futuristic action-thriller
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods previously triumphed as part of the writing team of A Quiet Place, which took audiences by storm in 2018. Now, the tandem writes and directs Columbia Pictures’ new futuristic action-thriller 65, starring Adam Driver. “Horror, suspense, action, adventure – that’s the sweet spot for us,” says Beck. “And
Michael B. Jordan makes his directorial debut in “Creed III”
In Warner Bros. Pictures’ action-packed boxing movie “Creed III,” Adonis Creed is brought to life for the third time by star Michael B. Jordan, who stepped behind the camera to direct and produce the film. He states, “I had a clear vision of what I wanted the story to be,
TBA Studios brings Brendan Fraser’s comeback movie “The Whale” to PH cinemas
Brendan Fraser earned a touching 6-minute standing ovation during The Whale‘s premiere at the 79th Venice Film Festival. The highly anticipated and much talked-about drama, “The Whale” starring Brendan Fraser, is coming to the Philippines this February 22. Academy Award-winning director, Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan”, “Mother!”), helms what critics have
BRAD PITT, A SILENT MOVIE STAR AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME IN “BABYLON”
Academy Award-winner Brad Pitt stars as Jack Conrad, a silver screen icon navigating the tumultuous transformation of cinema in Paramount Pictures’ critically acclaimed epic, Babylon. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, the film traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in