An allegorical tale of the co-existence between human and monster, The Shape of Water confirms that director Guillermo Del Toro’s hands on magic realism is masterful, and his breakthrough with 2006’s Pan’s Labyrinth was not a fluke. Set in the outbreak of the Cold War, The Shape of Water follows the life of Elisa EspositoContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: The Shape of Water (2017)”
Author Archives: Dennis Buckly
MOVIE REVIEW: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Led by a powerhouse ensemble of somber yet sharp performances, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a testament that a masterful screenplay, heartfelt performances and a director who respects the simplistic veracity of the narrative’s premise is all that it takes to produce a classic. The film follows the story of Mildred Hayes (McDormand) whoContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)”
MOVIE REVIEW: Lady Bird (2017)
A cliché-free exploration on the emotional expedition called adolescence, Lady Bird is a tender, colorful and intimate coming-of-age film from the directorial debut of Greta Gerwig. The 1980s had The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles; the 1990s had Dead Poets Society; the 2000s had Juno; 2010s had The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Boyhood, andContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: Lady Bird (2017)”
MOVIE REVIEW: I, Tonya (2017)
Dark, stylish and quirky — Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya is perhaps the biggest and most pleasant surprise of 2017. Based on a true story, I Tonya follows the story of Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) whose career as an athlete collided with the biggest scandal in the world of figure skating, as herContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: I, Tonya (2017)”
MOVIE REVIEW: Deadma Walking (2017)
Led by the powerhouse performances of Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman, Deadma Walking (Julius Alfonso, 2017) is a campy feast of a well-arched gag-laughter/tear-jerker that embraces its B-movie elements, producing a very original comedy classic. Based on the 2016 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature winning screenplay, and hemmed by the directorial debutContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: Deadma Walking (2017)”
MOVIE REVIEW: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Boasting an all-star international cast, Murder on the Orient Express (Branagh, 2017) slays with a luminous and stylish production, but somehow gets derailed away from the audience due to its wobbly writing, lackluster direction and haphazard editing. Based on the Agatha Christie a.k.a. Queen of Mystery’s famous novel of the same name, Murder on theContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)”
MOVIE REVIEW: Justice League (2017)
Despite faring as one of the weaker superhero films of the year, Zack Snyder’s Justice League proves to be one of the better films of the DC franchise after the ill-stricken Suicide Squad (Ayer, 2016) and underwhelming Batman v Superman (Snyder, 2016). Shortly after the death of Clark Kent/Superman (Henry Cavill), Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck)Continue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: Justice League (2017)”
MOVIE REVIEW: 4 Days (2017)
Adolfo Alix Jr.’s LGBT-themed 4 Days may be imperfect, but it’s exactly the reason why it reflects the authenticity of a flawed and complicated relationship between two lovers whose love screams for the need to be freed. Set in the campus of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, 4 Days follows the story ofContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: 4 Days (2017)”
SPOTLIGHT: An inside look at actor-singer Mikoy Morales
For the past few years of trying out different forms of acting, every part is added to my perspective. It’s one big craft, and it adjusts to its medium. For me, acting should be expressed in all forms you can. — Mikoy Morales He might be one of those new faces we’re just starting toContinue reading “SPOTLIGHT: An inside look at actor-singer Mikoy Morales”
MOVIE REVIEW: Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 (2017) perfectly captures the mood and atmosphere of a post-apocalyptic, dystopian environment — including the fact that dystopia is as tedious, mundane and trepid as the film is. Blade Runner 2049 is a collision of its underwhelming narrative, and its gorgeous production design — perhaps, a practical vision on whatContinue reading “MOVIE REVIEW: Blade Runner 2049 (2017)”