Baligtaran (2024)
When a Film Becomes a Hashtag Some films remember their audiences in extreme ways — on street corners, on WhatsApp, in memes, and even in how we dress. Baligtaran (2024) was one of those rare stories that made people talk, laugh, argue, and imitate characters as if they were old friends. It wasn’t merely a […]
Donselya (2024)
A Woman’s Name, A Hidden Burden: Iris’s Journey in Donselya Iris, the 18-year-old character central to Donselya, marries widower Joaquin in a marriage of financial convenience. However, this marriage is underpinned with a deceit, as Iris convinces Joaquin that she is a virgin. When the truth surfaces, the honeymoon period quickly devolves into an emotional […]
Undergrads
A Glimpse Into ‘Undergrads’: More Than Just a College Tale Undergrads by Andrew Zuckerman (2022) is a reflection on friendship, identity, and the overall challenges involved in the transitioning to the ‘real world’ post college. The film follows a group of friends, during the last weekend before their graduation, highlighting the personal challenges each of […]
Salsa Ni L
The Aftermath of ‘Salsa Ni L’: A Glimpse into the Lives of Its Cast The characters in Salsa Ni L lead intriguing lives resembling the sultry world of dance and desire they perform. But what do the cast members do once the filming is done? What do the actors do while they are not performing? […]
The Change-Up
When Life Swaps Places: The Story That Sparked Curiosity The Change-Up, directed by David Dobkin, came out in 2011 as a bold, adult-oriented comedy exploring the chaos of “what if life were someone else’s?” The film portrays Dave (Jason Bateman), a responsible family man and a lawyer, and Mitch (Ryan Reynolds), a free-spirited, commitment-phobic actor. […]
Sex Drive
A Comedy of Awkwardness and Identity Sex Drive (2008), directed by Sean Anders, is a teen road-trip comedy that follows Ian Lafferty (Josh Zuckerman), a high school senior who embarks on a cross-country journey to lose his virginity to an online acquaintance. Accompanied by his friends Lance (Clark Duke) and Felicia (Amanda Crew), the trio […]
Maharot
The Allure of the Trailer: A Precursor to A Complicated Romance The official trailer of Maharot attracted the audiences for its unadorned account of the complexities of love. Joni’s worldly experience paired with Tantan’s innocence suggested the beginning of a multi-layered emotional story. The trailer’s powerful images and heartbreaking phrases incited fans to discuss and […]
Sabel Is Still Young
Sabel Is Still Young stirred a storm before its release. The film’s provocative title and gritty premise promised a raw, unfiltered exploration of trauma and vengeance. Directed by Reynold Giba, it was marketed as a Filipino revenge thriller that would push boundaries. The buzz was palpable, with trailers showcasing intense sequences and a haunting score, […]
No Strings Attached
Love Without Labels: The Story of No Strings Attached and Its Real-Life Reflections In 2011, when No Strings Attached was released, it was classified as yet another Hollywood romantic comedy. Light and breezy on the surface, it was, however, poorly received as the first romantic comedy of the season. Underneath the light-scripted, witty lines and […]
American Pie: Beta House
Back to Campus with Beta House When American Pie: Beta House was released in 2007, the American Pie franchise was already a staple in popular culture. The original trilogy set the tone for teen comedies in the late ’90s and early 2000s, while the spin-offs were aimed at a direct-to-DVD audience with a taste for […]