THE GOOD LIAR movie review

What started from a good relationship turns out to be a well-crafted swindling act in The Good Liar. Two amazing actors, Ian McKellen plays as Roy Courtnay and Helen Mirren as Betty McLeish begin as two lovable characters and their true selves reveal as the story unfolds.

Both started to be very lovable but when Roy shifts as a conman dealing with millions of money, you'll hate him very much and feel bad about Betty. His antics are very well planned and he can get away with it flawlessly.

Ian McKellen as Roy Courtnay

Meanwhile Helen Mirren gets to have your affection effectively and she'll draw you to be concerned of her character, Betty.

Helen Mirren as Betty McLeish

As the story goes along, the scenes are becoming predictable but exciting with hidden twists. You cannot really much distinguish which character is telling the truth as the title suggests. A good eye and playful mind will applaud this wonderfully written screenplay about truth and deception.

The Good Liar is now showing in the Philippines, distributed by Warner Bros. Philippines.

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LAST CHRISTMAS movie review

Written by Emma Thompson and directed by Paul Feig, Last Christmas gives a positive vibe on George Michael's song with the same title featuring Emilia Clarke (Kate) and Henry Golding (Tom).

After a series of unfortunate events in Kate's life working as an elf in a Christmas store, Kate meets Tom that gives a turn on events that seems too good to be true. I think a lot of people did not notice "Tom and Kate" tandem in this one but well-played, Emma.

Henry Golding (Tom) and Emilia Clarke (Kate) in Last Christmas

Aside from the songs of George Michael, you would not expect the twist that really has a "heart" in it. Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding are okay but you'll love Michelle Yeoh and Emma Thompson more. Especially when you see Michelle Yeoh play a different character from the serious ones she had in Crouching Tiger and Crazy Rich Asian. (This makes a reunion for Henry Golding and Michelle Yeoh from the successful CRA movie)

Michelle Yeoh

Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke

For George Michael fans, you'll be served with many hits like, of course, Last Christmas, Freedom and more. I think that his songs fit well in the soundtrack of this film.

There are also many types of love covered in this movie. Last Christmas reminds us that there are no boundaries and labels when it comes to love and kindness and it doesn't also limits us to share goodwill in this time of the year.

#LastChristmas opens November 27 in the Philippines. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

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THE TWO POPES movie review

Habemus Papam! A phrase that keep the Catholic Church rejoicing for centuries and continuing the faith in the Doctne. Fortunately, Netflix made an extraordinary movie that talks about the relationship of the two leaders of the Church in our time. Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce play Popes Benedict XVI and Francis in The Two Popes that will start streaming in Netflix on December 20.

When I saw the trailer, I noticed that they resemble pretty much of the two popes. And what's more interesting is that we had a deeper look into controversial events that involved Ratzinger and Bergoglio.

The Two Popes gives us a peek of the conclave as we've never seen it before. The selection process involved politics and more importantly, the virtues of Christianity has been looked in scrutiny. At least, for me I can say that we have a great pope in Pope Francis right now who ushers in modernization and reform in the Catholic Church with his ideals.

Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Bergoglio in conclave (The Two Popes)

This also reminds us that they are not divine and they've shown their pure human and funny sides. Being a pope has given them so much pressure to preserve the faith of 1 billion Catholics around the world and that we should also continue to pray for them to have the wisdom and faith to lead us to holiness.

Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins as Cardinal Bergoglio and Pope Benedict XVI in the summer residence (The Two Popes)

The exchange of dialogue between the two moves me and it preaches to you to be spread kindness. One line is so powerful, "Mercy is a dynamite that destroys walls." To give you the full context of this statement, you need to watch the whole conversation that is written very beautifully. The Two Popes contains great lines from two great actors about the great relationship of two great persons.

The Two Popes will be streaming exclusively on Netflix starting December 20.

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DOCTOR SLEEP movie review

I actually watched Stanley Kubrick's The Shining first in time to prepare for the next chapter, Stephen King's Doctor Sleep. I must say that this was way more exciting, not really much of a horror movie but a psychological thriller that you can enjoy. I think that it made The Shining a prerequisite for you to understand more about this movie.

Providing that much reference to The Shining, it can stand on its own, less the overused symmetrical shots from the movie but still paid good tribute that you can connect the dots in Doctor Sleep. Here, they call "the shining" as "magic" and this provides new vision of a person's death or spirits.

Ewan McGregor as Danny Torrance

Ewan McGregor, who plays Dan Torrance, started off as a wasted individual, whom you'll suspect that he really had a trauma within almost 40 years after "The Shining." But he takes you on an adventure on how he endures a new phase of his life while still "shining."

Doctor Sleep opens in cinemas in the Philippines starting November 7 from Warner Bros. Pictures. #DoctorSleepMovie

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5 Movies... 1 terrifying week for Sine Sindak 2 at SM Cinemas

5 horror flicks from Crystalsky Multimedia Inc will be playing from October 23 - 29, 2019 as Sine Sindak returns to SM Cinema in time for Halloween. Horror aficionados will experience this limited-time for PHP 120 for a single screening and PHP199 for unlimited pass everyday.

Watch these five movies for your fright fix. A preview of Deadsight was held last night at the Director's Club which I really love their new La-Z Boy chairs. Deadsight is about a partially blind man and a pregnant officer work together to escape their town through swarms of the living dead. In my opinion, this looks like Bird Box, A Quiet Place and Resident Evil rolled into one. This has been more drama than a horror flick.
A holiday romance gone wrong, Evil’s Curse is the story of a young backpacker falls in love with a girl who is possessed by demons.

Doorlock is a creepy story about a woman’s escape and struggle from a stalker.

In The Only Mom, a family moves into a haunted colonial-house and finds their lives turning upside down.

An alienated and awkward high school girl finds her sinister alter-ego in the mirror in Look Away. I am really looking forward to this as the trailer gives a very freaky identity switch.

 
 To amplify your scary cravings, an interactive Horror House in partnership with Asylum Manila from October 19 to November 3. A special promo is also offered via the GrabPay App. Single-movie tickets can be availed through GrabPay for only P99.

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LINGUA FRANCA - more to life of a transwoman

QCinema 2019 offers Lingua Franca, a journey in the life of an undocumented transwoman in the US - featuring Isabel Sandoval as producer, director and the lead actor (as Olivia) for the said movie.

More than just the usual LGBT-themed movies nowadays, Lingua Franca was able to represent not just the LGBT community but also taking us along in her struggles under the political landscape and its effects to undocumented immigrants. Her story mirrors each Filipino's lives and makes us immersed in their emotions and how they wrestle life in search of greener pastures.

Aside from the green card that many immigrants are longing for in the US, Olivia had her share of ups and downs in love and job working as a caregiver to another elder immigrant.
 Lingua Franca is one of the international entries in the QCinema Film Festival 2019 and showing from Oct 13-22 2019 in leading cinemas within Quezon City.

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BABAE AT BARIL

Cignal Entertainment hosts the Rae Red's directorial debut film Babae at Baril featuring Janine Gutierrez in the lead role. The film was an official entry to the 2019 QCinema Festival competing with other full lengths and docus from here and abroad.

Cast and Creative Team with Cignal Entertainment Execs for Babae at Baril

At first I thought that it was as an action-packed film, as we have been missing these kind of movies from the 70s to the early 90s. But instead, Babae at Baril had been more of a mirror of life's situations as experienced by a simple department store saleslady who somehow "acquired" new "powers" by a gun. Janine's take on the role is quite believable -- her innocence and retaliation to those who wronged her made her appear very strong and empowered. She showed that every lady should be able to defend themselves and be very vigilant.

I also liked how the put out a backstory on the gun. How an object could transform a person with just a trigger. This has put very theatrical concepts with a few dialogues that is presented good in the film.

Babae at Baril is an official entry to the QCinema International Film Festival 2019. Playing in major cinemas around QC from October 13-22, 2019. Cast includes Felix Roco, Alan Paule, Elijah Canlas, JC Santos, and Sky Teotico with special participation of Ruby Ruiz and Archie Adamos.

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