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On Homeland.
At the time of writing, Homeland is airing its second season, just a few days after the fourth episode, and it demands to be written because that particular episode, wittingly called “New Car Smell,”...
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Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay (Antoinette Jadaone, 2011)
Written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone Cast: Lilia Cuntapay, Geraldine Villamil, Joel Sarracho, Bella Mercado Several months ago, at an awards ceremony that ended up highlighting not only the...
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Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim (Arnel Mardoquio, 2012)
Written and directed by Arnel Mardoquio Cast: Fe Virtudazo-Hyde, Glorypearl Dy, Irish Karl Monsanto, Perry Dizon In many ways Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim is Arnel Mardoquio’s first...
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Palitan (Ato Bautista, 2012)
Written by Shugo Praico Directed by Ato Bautista Cast: Alex Vincent Medina, Mara Lopez, Mon Confiado What’s very disgusting about Palitan is the cycle of abuse it creates, that after taking advantage...
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Alagwa (Ian Loreños, 2012)
Written and directed by Ian Loreños Cast: Jericho Rosales, Bugoy Cariño, Leo Martinez, Carmen Soo The best parts of Alagwa are those that linger on the relationship between the father and his son,...
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Anak Araw (Gym Lumbera, 2012)
Written and directed by Gym Lumbera Cast: Jay de la Vega Anak Araw is the first of Gym Lumbera’s two movies to be screened this year, and should one be inclined to look for something out of the...
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Mariposa sa Hawla ng Gabi (Richard Somes, 2012)
Written and directed by Richard Somes Cast: Erich Gonzales, Mark Gil, Alfred Vargas Mariposa sa Hawla ng Gabi has the makings of a fine action movie, but along the way it is hindered by its tireless...
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Mamay Umeng (Dwein Baltazar, 2012)
Written and directed by Dwein Baltazar Cast: Gerry Adeva, Sue Prado, Crizzalyn Enriquez, Ramona Revilla Many writers have pointed out the beauty and subtlety of Mamay Umeng, and without a doubt Dwein...
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For future reference: The Top Filipino Films of 2011
Old habits die hard, and one of them turns out to be one year late. 1. LAWAS KAN PINABLI, Christopher Gozum 2. BIG BOY, Shireen Seno 3. TUNDONG MAGILIW, Jewel Maranan 4. ISDA, Adolfo Alix, Jr. 5....
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Let Us Compare Mythologies: The Top Filipino Films of 2012
In the introduction to his first collection of writings, Anthony Lane asserts that “the primary task of the critic is the recreation of texture—not telling moviegoers what they should see, which is...
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*Pop* Goes My Heart: The Top Tracks of 2012
Without further ado, here are the 25 songs that made the previous year sunnier and happier, the 25 songs between “Gangnam Style” and “Pusong Bato” that ruled the airwaves and the Internet, the 25...
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We Yell Like Hell to the Heavens: The Top Albums of 2012
Well, look who made a belated list. 2012 didn’t pass like a breeze. The days came in with unbearable force and slowness, a torturous year when I begged nights to end as soon as they started. Only...
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Joel Torre: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
It must have been one of those rainy afternoons in September when I had the chance to speak with Joel Torre in his house in Mandaluyong. The interview took less than an hour, excluding the photo...
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Rochel (Matt Baguinon, 2013)
Written by Pol Singson Directed by Matt Baguinon Produced at the Franco-German-Filipino 2012 Documentary Workshop In the morning of Feb. 29 last year, a dead body was found in a private lot in...
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Aberya (Christian Linaban, 2012)
Written by Christian Linaban and Ara Chawdhury Directed by Christian Linaban Cast: Will Devaughn, Mercedes Cabral, Iwa Moto, Nicholas Varela Aberya can be faulted for nursing a wealth of clichés and...
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It Takes A Man and A Woman (Cathy Garcia-Molina, 2013)
L is for Laida or for Looking back? * Written by Carmi Raymundo Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina Cast: John Lloyd Cruz, Sarah Geronimo, Isabelle Daza, Matet de Leon, Joross Gamboa, Gio Alvarez Today it...
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Transit (Hannah Espia, 2013)
Written by Giancarlo Abrahan and Hannah Espia Directed by Hannah Espia Cast: Irma Adlawan, Ping Medina, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Mercedes Cabral, Marc Justine Alvarez It is rather unreasonable to pass...
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Purok 7 (Carlo Obispo, 2013)
Written and directed by Carlo Obispo Cast: Krystle Valentino, Miggs Cuaderno, Arnold Reyes, Angeli Bayani, Julian Trono Madness is present in Purok 7 but it does not manifest completely. It is...
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Porno (Adolfo Alix, Jr., 2013)
Written by Ralston Jover Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. Cast: Carlo Aquino, Angel Aquino, Yul Servo, Rosanna Roces, Bembol Roco The bulk of Adolfo Alix’s features in the past few years is marked by a...
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Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bakal (Mes de Guzman, 2013)
Written and directed by Mes de Guzman Cast: Jess Evardone, John Paul Escobedo, Abdul John Candelario In the uneven terrain of Philippine cinema, dominated by films that require committee endorsements...
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