I adored the (commendable) bits of magical realism steeped in Pinoy folklore. Sadly, the rest of it was a confused, tropes-filled mess with a very questionable central message.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Month: June 2019
AMERICAN PSYCHO (Mary Harron, 2000)
When Patrick Bateman (a superb Christian Bale) rattled off his morning routine in full pornographic detail (“In the shower, I use a water-activated gel cleanser, then a honey-almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub”), I realized that he should be considered the father of influencers.
Rating: ★★★★☆
VICE (Adam McKay, 2018)
I’ve seen funnier political skits on SNL.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
US (Jordan Peele, 2019)
Lupita Nyong’o and Elisabeth Moss should go forth and multiply. Such incredible actresses.
Rating: ★★★★☆
HOT GIRLS WANTED (Jill Bauer, Ronna Gradus, 2015)
I checked if I had Bartholin’s cyst and I didn’t even have a vagina.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (Tom Ford, 2016)
Ghosting is the best revenge.
Rating: ★★★★☆
ROCKETMAN (Dexter Fletcher, 2019)
It’s Elton John’s Moulin Rouge where his songs ultimately ended up as love letters to himself. I was completely healed by that Goodbye Yellow Brick Road sequence (thank you Camile Velasco for introducing me to this great song).
This was Taron Egerton’s best performance to date and I literally cried every single time he welled up onscreen. My only problem was that he still looked cute even with that ridiculous-looking wig and receding hairline.
Most Pinoys would probably feel bad that Skyline Pigeon’s not performed here, but I was more disappointed that Daniel only merited one line.
“I just hope you realize you’re choosing a life of being alone forever. You’ll never be loved properly.” Not true, not true at all. I know that every gay kid will soon be singing how wonderful life is (now) you’re in the world.
Rating: ★★★★★
CHILD’S PLAY (Lars Klevberg, 2019)
I dunno it seemed to me that Chucky just wanted to serve some vigilante justice so he could play with his best friend.
He’s gone totally soft and officially dropped down my list of favorite horror movie villains.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
THE SOCIAL NETWORK (David Fincher, 2010)
“As if every thought that tumbles through your head was so clever it would be a crime for it not to be shared.”
Yep, definitely Facebook.
Rating: ★★★★★
MORAL (Marilou Diaz-Abaya, 1982)
Fearless women portrayed by fearless actresses directed by a fearless female filmmaker.
Rating: ★★★★★
