"Suspiria" Movie Review : A Different Kind Of Animal

In this remake of the 1977 horror classic, young American dancer Susie Bannion arrives in 1970s Berlin to audition for the world-renowned Helena Markos Dance Co. When she vaults to the role of lead dancer, the woman she replaces breaks down and accuses the company's female directors of witchcraft. Meanwhile, an inquisitive psychotherapist and a member of the troupe uncover dark and sinister secrets as they probe the depths of the studio's hidden underground chambers. "Suspiria" stars Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, Angela Winkler, Ingrid Caven, Elena Fokina, Sylvie Testud, Renée Soutendijk, Christine LeBoutte, Fabrizia Sacchi, Małgosia Bela, Jessica Harper, and Chloë Grace Moretz, written by David Kajganich, and directed by Luca Guadagnino.

To be honest, it is quite difficult to surpass or at least meet the levels set by the original film. The 1977 horror film is one of those masterpiece that still holds up and can still scare audiences even when viewed today. Somehow, I became a fan of the film. I fell in love with the film's over-the-top campiness, playful and imaginative deaths, the stunning visuals, the colorful characters and yes, the aweful accents. All of these things became the main reason why I adore the original "Suspiria", prompting me to watch the rest of the trilogy (Inferno, Mother of Tears) by Dario Argento.

But after watching this remake, I can say that this update on the Dario Argento classic is undeniably a different kind of animal. Unlike the first one which echoes Italian Giallo and traditional American slashers, this reboot isn't focused on blood or body count. Instead, it's focused on building up it's atmosphere. There are many changes in the story (the setting is moved to 1977 Berlin). Of course, it still follows the same backbone of the original with a new girl entering the dance group and the strange things that happen around her after. But as the story moves along, you will realize that this is not your typical remake as it takes a life of its own and transforms into a different creature. The ending will truly surprise you because it far more twisted than what you're expecting. Then, there's that death scene of a dancer being twisted around a dance studio that is as gorgeous as it is sickening to watch.

Chloe Grace Moretz was amazing as always, even though she wasn't given enough screen time. Mia Goth also did a great job in her role. And kudos to Dakota Johnson for being an effective protagonist. It was such a delight watching her perform around with those weird yet beautiful dances. Tilda Swinton shines as  Madame Blanc. Her restrained but eerie portrayal of the character adds a chilling touch to the film. Plus did I already mention that she's playing two other roles here in this movie?

As with the visuals, gone are the colorful palette. Instead, every frame is dark, dull and dreary. Also, a lot may complain about the film's excessively long running time at 2 hours and 32 minutes which may be a bit of a drag for some. Despite that, the story itself was pretty entertaining enough for me to keep me up.

Luca Guadagnino's "Suspiria" remake may have an excessively long running time, but its fresh spin on the 1977 Dario Argento classic will keep you entranced. It's repulsive and gorgeous at the same time.
To quote Sara Simms (Mia Goth): "It's addicting. That's the word for it."

Rating: 9/ 10

"Suspiria" is now showing in Philippine cinemas starting Oct. 31, 2018 from OctoArts Films International.

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RAWR Awards 2018 is all-set at Le Rêve on November 14

MANILA, Philippines— LionHearTV.net brings back #RAWRAwards2018 on November 14, Wednesday, 6pm at Le Rêve Pool Party Venue and Events Place. The annual award-giving body is backed up by the Filipino blogging community, particularly the entertainment blogs spearheaded by the aforementioned site.

A total of 25 awards are at stake in this year’s RAWR Awards. Dubbed as a spectacle of entertainment celebrities; apart from a 250-strong support from the new media practitioners (bloggers) across the country, PR groups are all in support as well as the respective fans of the listed nominees. The awards are grouped under three major categories—Lion, Cub and Pride. See list of categories and the corresponding nominees: CUB

Bibo Award The award clearly indicates being active or maybe the brightest child star the public has come to endear with. The recipient of the award has this innocence that can be described as ‘breath of fresh air’; he or she has shown dedication at work despite his or her young age.

Nominees are Xia Vigor (The Kids Choice), Baeby Baste (Eat Bulaga), Chunsa Jung (Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Edition), Elia Ilano (Sana Dalawa Ang Puso), Leanne Bautista (The Cure), Yuan Francisco (Victor Magtanggol), Justin James Quilantang (Playhouse) and Sofia Pablo (Onanay). Favorite Bida Bida means the lead—it can refer to either the star on a television show or in a film. The Favorite Bida of is someone who gave a remarkable performance. Though being a protagonist back then are the victims and who allow the antagonist to just abuse him or her; today, the Bida knows how to fight and still earn the sympathy of the audience.

Nominees are Coco Martin (FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano), Kathryn Bernardo (La Luna Sangre), Enrique Gil (Bagani), Alden Richards (Victor Magtanggol), Barbie Forteza (Inday Will Always Love You), Erich Gonzales (The Blood Sisters), Marian Rivera (Super Ma’am), and Bianca Umali (Kambal Karibal). Favorite Kontrabida Any Bida will not be as effective and convincing if his or her kontrabida fails to deliver. The said award is given to the antagonist who made the audience hate them because of the guts and he or she can steal the spotlight from the lead if given the chance. With many bankable artists turn into the villains they are now, one can only be hailed as the Ultimate Kontrabida.

Nominees are Kyline Alcantara (Kambal Karibal), Gladys Reyes (Inday Will Always Love You), Jhong Hilario (FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano), Ryan Eigenmann (Bagani), Richard Gutierrez (La Luna Sangre), Katrina Halili (The Stepdaughters), John Estrada (Victor Magtanggol), and Gabby Eigenmann (Contessa). Beshie ng Taon In any story, he or she is the sidekick, the supporter who cheers for the Bida. Oftentimes, he or she is overlooked and taken for granted, but because of his or her contribution to tell and complete a story—he or she gives the lead a special support system and because of that—he or she deserves that recognition, too.

Nominees are Zaijan Jaranilla (Bagani), Pauline Mendoza (Kambal Karibal), Joross Gamboa (La Luna Sangre), Super Tekla (Inday Will Always Love You), Darren Espanto (The How’s of Us), Dion Ignacio (Victor Magtanggol), Karla, MC, Lassy, Wacky Kiray (Gandarrapido), and Mark Neumann (I Love You Hater). The Great Comeback Stars are born, but not all are able to have that longevity in the industry. Seldom for those who shunned away from the limelight are given another chance to shine; there are a few or one who is able to reclaim his or her status as a celebrity. The said star may have been missed truly by his or her fans or the public as a whole and still able to score a smashing comeback.

Nominees are JM de Guzman, Kristine Hermosa, Manolo Pedrosa, Aga Muhlach, Kylie Padilla, Jolo Revilla, Maricel Soriano and Mark Anthony Fernandez. Movie ng Taon From September 2017 to September this year, movies have created abuzz not just because of its topnotch performance, its storytelling but it has somehow caught the attention both the moviegoers and the critics. Every year, the local and international film industry offer materials that created such a stir and even break box-office records as well.

Nominees are The Hows of Us, Miss Granny, Sid & Aya, Liway, Signal Rock, Buy Bust, Never Not Love You, and Loving in Tandem. Bet na Bet na Teleserye Each year, the quality of our TV shows or series have become more competitive, innovative and impressive. Plots get deeper or crazier and the artists become better. Truly, these shows are testaments of how great Filipino artistry is.

Nominees are FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Inday Will Always Love You, The Blood Sisters, The Good Son, La Luna Sangre, Bagani, Ika-6 Na Utos, and Kambal Karibal Hugot Song of the Year Songs reflect the heart and the soul of an artist and it affect the listeners. This is a song that made the public define a particular emotion—it can be joy, sorrow or pain. That song is something that most people have that LSS or last song syndrome or can be an anthem for the whole year round.

Nominees are Tagpuan by Moira dela Torre (Kasal), Nadarang by Shanti Dope, Di na Muli by Janine Tenoso (Sid & Aya), Isa Pang Araw by Sarah Geronimo (Miss Granny), Sana by Marion Aunor (Never Not Love You), Mundo by IV of Spades, Lumang Tugtugin by Inigo Pascual, and Right There by James Reid Pak na Pak na Comedian Most people say that doing drama or action or engaging in a sexy act is difficult to attain, however, making people laugh is even a hard task. Laughter is one of the best medicines there is and someone has to have that timing and the knack of throwing the right jokes and still enjoy the humor.

Nominees are Vice Ganda, Angelica Panganiban, Michael V., Super Tekla, Vhong Navarro, Paolo Ballesteros, Maine Mendoza and Karla Estrada. Favorite Newbie Spotlighting the freshest face[s] or maybe those who just ventured into the entertainment circuit is one of the most exciting parts in this award-body. He or she has impressed the public or the eyes of scrutinizing critics. Though new, the star has made a good mark and was given that stamp of approval and predicted to have a promising future in the industry.

Nominees are Jacque 'Ate Girl' Gonzaga, Janine Berdin, Juliana Parizcova Segovia, Charlie Dizon, Donny Pangilinan, Shanti Dope, Angelina Cruz, and Pauline Mendoza. LION Love Team of the Year This is presented to the tandem that is most-loved by our dear LionhearTV Cubs. It is a pair that has captivated the hearts of many. Not only do they make their fans believe in love, but they also set a good example for their followers and to the younger generation as well. They are two individuals that people can look up to on-and-off cam.

Nominees are JoshLia, KathNiel, LizQuen, JaDine, MayWard, DerBie, DonKiss, and JuanBie tandems. Actor of the Year The recognition is given to an outstanding male star. He stood out from the rest of nominees for the said category. He has shown versatility and impressive performance for his craft; set a standard. He effectively portrayed the role or the character assigned to him and has affected a great audience, as well.

Nominees are Coco Martin (FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano), Joshua Garcia (The Good Son), Dingdong Dantes (Sid & Aya), Alden Richards (Ala-Ala), Daniel Padilla (The How’s Of Us), Christian Bables (Signal Rock), JM de Guzman (PHR Presents Araw-Gabi), and Paulo Avelino (Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral). Actress of the Year This is to salute the exceptional performance of an actress. She broke all the norms. She is a woman of both substance and talent, her character has empowered the female populace. The award spotlights how the female artist has debunked the double standards of Filipino on women and has proven that women can take big roles, too.

Nominees are Sunshine Dizon (Ika-6 Na Utos), Glaiza de Castro (Liway), Aiai Delas Alas (School Service), Bela Padilla (St. Gallen), Sarah Geronimo (Miss Granny), Anne Curtis (Buybust), Erich Gonzales (The Blood Sisters), and Kathryn Bernardo (The Hows of Us). Favorite Performer The award is for the artist who nailed both singing and dancing as well. He or she is a true ‘performer’ all-through-and-through and has owned the stage; outdone the strong competition he or she had to face. The award signifies versatility.

Nominees are Sarah Geronimo (This 15 Me), Jona (PRIMA Jona), Morissette Amon (Morissette is Made), Anne Curtis (Anne Kulit), Maja Salvador (Maja on Stage), Alden Richards (Adrenaline Rush), Martin Nievera-Ogie Alcasid-Regine Velasquez-Erik Santos (#PAMORE), and KZ Tandingan (SUPREME). Favorite TV host The Favorite TV Host is the face of the any show that any audience get to enjoy watching whether on a weekday or on a weekend basis. Some might say that this is the easiest job in the industry, but one cannot make the viewers crave for more without the gab for words and the confidence to carry a show. With his or her charm and commendable skills, this host is truly a topnotch.

Nominees are Boy Abunda (Tonight With Boy Abunda), Vice Ganda (Gandang Gabi Vice), Karla Estrada-Melai Cantiveros-Jolina Magdangal (Magandang Buhay), Willie Revillame (Wowowin), JoWaPao (Eat Bulaga – Sugod Bahay), Eugene Domingo (Celebrity Bluff), Robi Domingo-Kim Chiu (Star Hunt), and Luis Manzano (I Can See Your Voice). Favorite Radio DJ He is the person and the favorite voice on the radio waves. Despite the fact that they can only be heard, but some radio stations have already managed to combine audio-visual altogether like broadcasting on TV or on the Net—his or her intended audience can now see how he or she does his or her job. But that voice does not remain a voice but it has a great responsibility to create an impact as well.

Nominees are Papa Jackson (Energy FM 106.7), DJ Jhai Ho (MOR 101.9), Papa Dudut (Barangay LS 97.1), Nicole Hyala-Chris Tsuper (Love Radio 90.7), DJ Chacha (MOR 101.9), Slick Rick-Toni Tony-Sam YG (Magic 89.9), Papa Obet (Barangay LS 97.1), and Kuya Chico (Energy FM 106.7). News Personality of the Year (Female and Male) The chosen news personality female and male has done a great job in the field of journalism. He or she has weathered through all the issues thrown at him or her. Apart from that, he or she has showcased the passion and that brand of dedication and determination to deliver newsworthy and noteworthy stories to the public.

Nominees for Female are Jessica Soho, Bernadette Sembrano, Vicky Morales, Kara David, Mel Tiangco, Korina Sanchez, Karen Davila, and Gretchen Fullido.

Nominees for Male are Noli de Castro, Atom Araullo, Ted Failon, Jeff Canoy, Migs Bustos, Julius Babao, Mike Enriquez, and Ivan Mayrina. Digital Influencer of the Year He or she mirrors the image of being the most sought-after online influencer as of today. With the rise of digital content creators, the competition immediately became tighter; but there’s only one who emerged and gained the trust of the Netizens. He or she plays a big role in advancing and being a responsible online user via social media platforms.

Nominees are Lloyd Cadena, Alex Gonzaga, Ethel Booba, Kimpoy Feliciano, Alodia Gosiengfiao, JaMill, Wil Dasovich, and Ranz Kyle-Niana. Breakthrough Artist of the Year Not necessarily a newcomer, but he or she is an artist, a personality that rocked the entertainment scene with such a sterling performance and perhaps an achievement that impressed many. It is a matter of leaving a great impact for the Filipino audience to see what he or she can still offer, positively.

Nominees are Tony Labrusca, Kyline Alcantara, Joao Constancia, Devon Seron, Pia Wurtzbach, Nash Aguas, Gwen Zamora, and Therese Malvar. Favorite Group Aside from individual awards, this category recognizes the best group in the entertainment circuit has. There may be people who shine individually, but surely there is joy to watch a group that does such feat equally.

Nominees are Hashtags, 4th Impact, TOP, MNL 48, JBK One Up, BoybandPH, and Ex Battalion. The Advocate The award recognizes the celebrity whose advocacy has made a difference in the community. That the efforts he or she has put in are not just mere publicity, but all for the good of humanity and leave and impart the people with that sense of humility and unity to support a particular cause.

Nominees are Angel Locsin (Red Cross), MayWard (ELM Tree Foundation), Anne Curtis (UNICEF), Catriona Gray (Young Focus), Alden Richards (Habitat) Kathryn Bernardo (Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines), Pia Wurtzbach (UN AIDS), and Dingdong Dantes (YES Pinoy). PRIDE Fan Club of the Year Fans are the most precious people, celebrities could have. They are the real reason why a star is born and continue to make it big because of their support. They devote time and effort for their idols, but only the responsible ones last.

Nominees are Popsters, Darrenatics, KathNiel, MayWard, JaDine, LizQuen, Kapuso Brigade, and DonKiss. TV Station of the Year The way to success is steep, even the roads going there is rough and bumpy at times. Competitions between stations will forever be fierce; each one trying to outwit, outdone any efforts or initiatives for the ratings’ sake. But at the end of the day, only the one who succeeded in impressing the public with an outstanding branding, quality of output, good public relations and even better service do matter the most.

Nominees are ABS-CBN, PTV4, TV5, GMA Network, CNN Philippines, UNTV, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, and GMA News TV. Radio Station of the Year Even if the digital platform may have somehow overtaken the radio, still the industry refuses to bend but continue to innovate and strive to put up a good fight and be updated or still stay significant over the years. Nothing beats the spontaneity of listening to the radio. Whether inside the office or at the comfort of your own room or even driving or even walking, radio is still and will always stay as a good companion.

Nominees are MOR 101.9, Love Radio 90.7, YES FM, DWRX Monster Radio 93.1 5, DZMM 630, Barangay LS 97.1, DZBB, and News FM 92.3. The award seeks to recognize local talents in the entertainment industry, build stronger ties with relevant and like-minded partners, and utilize this as a venue to express LionHearTV.net’s gratitude to everyone who supported the site since its first time to go online. #RAWRawards2018 would not be made possible without the support of its partners—PLDT Smart and Le Rêve as well as special thanks to the following Lalamove Philippines, Home Credit Philippines, Brother Philippines, CAT PR, Voyager Innovations, CID Communication, Jollibee, Mode Devi, Starbucks Philippines, Akrotiri, Copperazo, Fuentes Manila, and DOJO PR. To vote for the nominees in their respective categories, log on to www.lionheartv.net/rawrawards2018 . Voting is ongoing and will end on November 4, 11:59PM.

Movies For Millennials is an official media partner of LionhearTV's RAWR Awards 2018.

C1 Originals 2018 Movie Reviews: Paglisan, Pang-MMK & A Short History Of A Few Bad Things

Here's the second part of my reviews for this year's Cinema One Originals competition films.

In Carl Joseph Papa's animated musical drama "Paglisan", we follow Crisanto and Dolores (Ian Veneracion and Eula Valdez) whose marriage is going through a rough patch. Going through a marital crisis, a couple’s marriage is tested when Crisanto is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease as Dolores sinks deeper into depression. "Paglisan" tells the story of how a married couple attempt to survive together through fading memories and fleeting identities. "Paglisan" also features the voices of Khalil Ramos and Junjun Quintana.

Though I must say that the rough animation (that gradually deteriorates by the end of the film maybe a representation of Crisanto's mental state as his disease takes over his mind ) was a bit distracting at first, I eventually fell it love with the entirety of the movie with its deeply moving story, fully realized characters and it's great musical numbers. I especially loved that "Do ReMi" moment where they sang "I Can" frok the 1996 movie. Ian Veneracion and Eula Valdez were both amazing as Crisanto and Dolores. Despite only hearing their voices, they managed to make us feel the pain and frustrations of their characters. Khalil Ramos and Junjun Quintana were great additions to the cast as they play the adorable couple Ian and Paul.

The only thing I could wish for would be a live action version of the film with the same cast. That would really awesome.

Rating: 9/ 10

John Lapuz makes his directorial debut with "Pang-MMK", a parody of the ABS CBN anthology. The story, which was even inspired by an actual episode from the show, follows Janus the legitimate son, who was given the stressful responsibility to take care of his father’s funeral. With the presence of a senator, constant phone calls from his mother (who was in the United States), and the conflict between his scandalous sister and his father’s mistress; the funeral became dramatic, chaotic, and hilarious. Pang MMK is about one’s strength of character, overcoming adversities, and facing them head strong. It stars Neil Coleta, Nikki Valdez, Zeppi Boromeo, Ricky Davao and Cherry Pie Picache with special participation from Ms. Charo Santos Concio.

"Pang-MMK" turns out to be one of the funniest local comedies I've seen in recent memory. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments. Some are so hysterically funny that I had to stop myself from laughing so loud inside the cinema. John Lapuz' script and direction were all on point. He really knows his way through the comedy genre. Neil Coleta and Nikki Valdez did a wonderful job in portraying the brother and sister star of the show. Nikki Valdez was especially hilarious in that "Family Room" scene. I just loved it. Period.

Rating: 9/ 10

Keith Deligero's "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" follows Felix (played by Victor Neri), a troubled detective who struggles to solve a series of grisly killings, while a deep conspiracy works to keep the truth just out of his reach. Set in the southern Philippine city of Cebu, the film revolves around his investigation of the killings, and the shocking discovery he is about to find out.
I was quite surprised right from the first few minutes of the film because it wasn't what I was expecting. Or maybe I didn't have any expectations at all given the fact that I haven't seen a Keith Deligero film before. Nevertheless,  "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" caught my heart from start to finish. From it's screenplay, cinematography and cast, the film is definitely one of the stand outs of the festival.

The screenplay (a mix of Bisaya, Tagalog and English dialect) by Paul Grant and Keith Deligero injects a lot of wit and humor into their tightly-written mystery. I was really shocked when it revealed it's mind-blowing twist. It reminded me so much of Shane Black's "The Nice Guys". The screenplay of "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" is undeniably one of the best from local cinema this year, along with Chito Rono's "Signal Rock". Jay Gonzaga was so fun to watch as Felix' partner in the investigation. Victor Neri was incredible as the lead. Publio Briones stood out with his portrayal of Ouano, Felix' boss.

 "A Short History Of A Few Bad Things" is a fun, engrossing and highly entertaining take on the classic crime mystery genre. It's an impressive piece of cinema that is definitely not to be missed. One of the best from this year's festival.

Rating: 10/ 10

C1 Originals 2018 Movie Reviews: Never Tear Us Apart, Bagyong Bheverlynn & Hospicio

Here's the first part of my reviews for this year's Cinema One Originals competition films.

Never Tear Us Apart : Engrossing Ambiguity

Whammy Alcazaren's "Never Tear Us Apart" starring Meryll Soriano, Jasmin Curtis-Smith & Ricky Davao is probably the weirdest entry in this year's competition.

It follows Q (Ricky Davao) an aging spy in search of a monster known as The Shadow – a rumored darkness fabricated by the media as a murderer with a grudge against promiscuous women. His wife, M (Meryll Soriano), spends most of her time doing house chores and staring at their television in their mountain top mansion. Alex, their son, is your typical boy at the verge of maturity experimenting both sexually and emotionally. Things head south for the family when The Shadow impregnates M and Q meets a mysterious woman hiding a killer secret.

Though it may sound too simple , it's actually more complicated than that. It's quite hard to figure out what is the actual story in this movie, which adds up to it's ambiguity. You'll end up asking yourself what the hell did I just watched long after the credits roll. But admittedly, I was entranced by the film's intricacy and outlandishness that I never had the urge to leave the cinema at any point. I was too curious and engrossed with everything in the film.

Shot entirely on iPhones, the film's unusual aspect ratio adds a feeling of voyeurism to it. It's as if we're secretly watching through this open door projected onto the screen the whole time. It was definitely a unique viewing experience.

Rating: 7/ 10

"Bagyong Bheverlynn" : Old School Laughs

"Bagyong Bheverlynn", directed by Charliebebs Gohetia, starring Rufa Mae Quinto, Edgar Allan Guzman, Angelina Kanapi, Barbie Capacio, Jude Matthew Sevilla & Juan Miguel Severo. This out-of-this-world comedy follows a woman named Bheverlynn (played by Rufa Mae Quinto) left brokenhearted by her break-up with her ex-boyfriend (Edgar Allan Guzman). As she continue to spend every waking moment of her life sulking miserably, a tropical typhoon with the same like hers appears out of nowhere, wreaking havoc all over the country. Soon, Bhe realizes that it is her hugot that is feeding the storm and that she is the only one who can stop it from destroying the world

"Bagyong Bheverlynn"felt like those comedy films I've watched when I was a kid back in the early 2000s. It has a nice and interesting premise to start with. The execution was quirky and silly. The problem was that the way they put it all together was a bit incoherent, causing the final product to feel patchy. Yes, the jokes doesn't work all time. But the humor is there. I actually laughed a couple of times while watching.

The biggest asset of the film is it's lead star, Rufa Mae Quinto. There's something endearing with her that even though everything else in the film is not working anymore, she can still keep your attention with her unique comic approach. You'll never get tired of watching her, proving her capabilities as one of the best comedienne of the industry.


Rating: 7/ 10

"Hospicio" : Drug Me To Hell

Bobby Bonifacio's horror flick "Hospicio" features Loisa Andalio in her first starring role in a movie. She plays Leslie, a budding 20-something artist who is grieving over her sister who's in a coma after what seems to be a drug-related incident. With great guilt, Leslie is forced by her parents to go to a rehabilitation facility to recover from her drug dependency. As Leslie stays longer, she gets to uncover even more mysteries and secrets. She would later realize that the promised change is actually more sinister than it seems, and she has to do something before it’s too late. The film also stars Ana Abad Santos, MM Gigante, Elle Ramirez, Mary Joy Apostol, Kurt Kendrick, Manny Castañeda, Aurora Yumul, Francis Mata.

Bobby Bonifacio's film plays like a social commentary on today's society, from issues like drugs to EJK. It tackles themes like hypocrisy and self-righteousness, on who's to decide whether a guilty person gets to live or die. The cast did a great job, especially Ana Abad Santos with her fun portrayal of the mysterious head of the institution. Elle Ramirez also stood out with her hilarious but effective performance as Maris, the resident whore. Loisa Andalio also surprised me with her unexpected turn as Leslie.

I love the film's twist, though I already sensed it coming during the first hour. They could have pushed to make it more darker and disturbing given its concept. What really I love the most about "Hospicio" is its effective mix of shocks and laughs. It's reminds me a lot of Sam Raimi's "Drag Me To Hell". Though it's not that very scary, it's the type of horror film that is fun and entertaining to watch.


Rating: 9/ 10

Cinema One Originals 2018 "Ma" Movie Review: Fairytale Gone Wrong

This year marks my third year watching Cinema One Originals and  I'm lucky because the first film that I was able to catch was Kenneth Lim Dagatan's "Ma", an IWant original movie. Although not being part of the official entries for this year's roster of films (it was screened in advanced as part of the festival), "Ma" is one of those films that will surely leave a mark and will generate some buzz.

"Ma" stars Anna Luna, Kyle Espiritu, Alessandra Malonzo and Enzo Osorio with Kate Alejandrino, Glydel Mecado and Rafa Sigiuon Reyna. It follows a trio of siblings, played by Kyle Espiritu, Alessandra Malonzo and Enzo Osorio who desperately tries to recover their mother (Mercado) from death through the help of a mysterious being in the form of an enchanted, talking bush inside a cave in the woods. Their paths will cross with a pregnant woman named Cecil (Anna Luna) who is still mourning for the death of her husband. Their paths will lead them to a dark and deadly conclusion as they finally come face to face with the evil force that has been manipulating their fates to its own bidding.

"Ma" starts off slow, as it introduces two separate storylines, one following the children's encounter with the mysterious creature in the cave and the other, focusing on Cecil as her mind slowly breaks down due to guilt and sadness over her husband's suicide. There is a consistent bode of tragedy all over the film from start to finish, adding up to the dreadful atmosphere that lingers at every scene. Director Dagatan managed to maintain that somber and creepy tone all throughout the movie. Unlike most films today which rely on cheap scares, he focuses on keeping that unsettling feeling that never lets you go even if the story already moved on to the next scene. That feeling that makes you worry for some unknown reason that it leaves you paranoid. The cast also helped a lot in maintaining that atmosphere. Glydel Mercado and Kate Alejandrino also deserves some praise for their effective performances. Anna Luna is commendable for her believable portrayal of a woman ridden with guilt. The three child actors, Kyle Espiritu, Alessandra Malonzo and Enzo Osorio were all amazing revelations. Kyle in particular, deserves some praise for his terrifying performance reminiscent of Rhed Bustamante's Anghela in "Seklusyon".

It's almost like a fairytale. Somehow, you start to root for the children after all the tragedies and heartbreaks they've had. But this feeling will be tested once the film hits the third and final act. This is where things get very brutal and bloody. The film goes for the jugular with its grizzly and graphic scenes that makes Erik Matti's "Buy Bust" look tamer. It doesn't even shy away from showing its gratuitous violence and gore.

Kenneth Lim Dagatan's "Ma" is a fairytale gone wrong... very, very wrong. It's a slow burn piece of brutal and unrelenting horror. It's fucking good.

Rating: 10/ 10

"Para Sa Broken Hearted" Movie Review: Just Damn Too Perfect

"Para Sa Broken Hearted" stars Shy Carlos, Louise Delos Reyes, Marco Gumabao, Sam Concepcion and Yassi Pressman.

Back in 2015, Viva Films adapted one of the best-selling novels of online celebrity and author Marcelo Santos III. The film was "Para Sa Hopeless Romantic" starring Nadine Lustre, James Reid, Julia Barretto, Inigo Pascual and Shy Carlos. The film stayed a bit far from the format of it's original source material and wasn't really a big hit. This year, Viva Films adapts the sequel of the book, with Shy Carlos as the only cast member returning for her character.

"Para Sa Broken Hearted" stars Shy Carlos, Louise Delos Reyes, Marco Gumabao, Sam Concepcion and Yassi Pressman. The film is directed by Digo Ricio, it is produced by Viva Films and Sari Sari Films. The film follows three intersecting stories of five individuals who got hurt by love, led by Jackie (Shy Carlos) who decided to go to Baguio to stay at her aunt for a while after her break-up with her ex-boyfriend RJ (Marco Gumabao). She meets Kath (Louise Delos Reyes) who is also trying to move on from a heartbreak after she fell for a mysterious guy named Alex (Sam Concepcion). On the other hand, Alex is also trying to recover from his past relationship with Shalee (Yassi Pressman). Each story tackles the pain of heartbreak, acceptance, moving on and the courage to learn to love again.

Being a fan of the two books by Marcelo Santos III, I must say that this film exceeded all of my expectations. Although the movie adaptation of the first book was average, this movie nailed it. It perfectly captured the pain and sadness of the original source material. The way it depicted the emotional euphoria that one feels when they're in love was very creative and very close to what we imagine in real life. The lines are very organic and realistic. The way they told the stories through segments (which is what the first film failed to do) really reflected the novel, although you don't necessary need to read both books as this film was designed to act as a standalone film.

The film was also visually stunning at every frame. I love it's use of colorful lights to set up the tone. I know a lot of films have been using this neon colored scheme shit on lighting, but this one worked for the film. The fantasy inspired sequences, from the musical type moments, the talking ceiling, the space walk and even those very small details like the slow motion sequences while Alex and Kath were talking in a restaurant was very creative and genius. The film kinda looked like a scrapbook that came to life with it's gorgeous visuals. Not to mention the film's beautiful soundtrack which adds more punches to the tone and atmosphere of each scene.

Shy Carlos, who was the only actor to reprise her role as Jackie from the first movie, was amazing. Marco Gumabao was also very effective as RJ. He was perfect as her partner because they looked good together onscreen. Sam Concepcion and Louise delos Reyes were both good choices for Alex and Kath. They were able to display their acting prowess thru their characters. Their performance was outstanding. Yassi Pressman did not fail us with her heartbreaking portrayal of Shalee.

To sum it all up, this movie adaptation of Marcelo Santos III's best selling novel managed to surpass my expectations. They gave us a film that pays respect to it's original source material. They've done it in all the right ways, which is a rare and unbelievable feat. In simple words, it's just damn too perfect.

Rating: 10/ 10