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MOVIE REVIEW

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No jump scares, just unsettling atmosphere in ‘Backrooms’

by Januar Junior Aguja - June 8, 2026 - 12:00am

Whether you understand the lore of “The Backrooms” phenomenon or not, A24’s latest horror flick guarantees that audiences will be unsettled by its claustrophobic atmosphere.

Star Wars’ ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ stumbles in transition to big screen

by Januar Junior Aguja - May 26, 2026 - 12:00am

In 2019, “Star Wars” ended its sequel trilogy with “The Rise of Skywalker” to a disappointing reception. Around the same time, the franchise debuted its first live-action series, “The...

‘The Loved One’: The defining Filipino film of the 2020s?

by Januar Junior Aguja - February 25, 2026 - 12:00am

We recall our past better when we look back at memories scattered in fragments.

‘Wuthering Heights’ is an edgy, guilty pleasure

by Januar Junior Aguja - February 17, 2026 - 12:00am

I thought I had no prior knowledge of what “Wuthering Heights” is all about when I watched Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Cathy and Heathcliff. During the first act, however, I realized that I had...

‘Rental Family’ makes pretending feel real

by Januar Junior Aguja - January 28, 2026 - 12:00am

Can you establish genuine connections while playing make-believe?

‘The Housemaid’, ‘The Bone Temple’ kick off 2026 with cinematic thrills

by Januar Junior Aguja - January 21, 2026 - 12:00am

2026 is starting with a suspenseful tone as two R-16 films released in Philippine theaters, “The Housemaid” and “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”, deliver the intense vibes that audiences...

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is technologically impressive with a few blemishes

by Januar Junior Aguja - December 21, 2025 - 12:00am

With the latest two “Avatar” films shot back-to-back, audiences didn’t have to wait another decade for the third entry in James Cameron’s billion-dollar franchise — a fitting move, as...

‘KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie’ makes solid case for a potential franchise

by Januar Junior Aguja - December 12, 2025 - 12:00am

Even with a bigger budget and a grander scale fit for a cinematic experience, “KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie” at its core feels like another thought-provoking episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s...

‘Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario’ is a comedy thriller on community displacement

by Januar Junior Aguja - December 5, 2025 - 12:00am

Despite its title, the Happy Homes tenement – owned by Diane Hilario (played by Angeline Quinto), her ex Chris (Luis Alandy), and his father (Teroy Guzman) – is far from joyful, as one tragedy after another...

‘Wicked: For Good’: Satisfying finale to musical saga — minus Dorothy

by Januar Junior Aguja - November 25, 2025 - 12:00am

If the first act of “Wicked” is about choices, the second act is about consequences.

A double feature in ‘Die My Love’ and ‘Bugonia’

by Januar Junior Aguja - November 14, 2025 - 12:00am

It was an Oscar-worthy double feature for cinephiles in the Philippines when “Die My Love” and “Bugonia” were released November 5 in cinemas.

Capitalism as comedy in ‘No Other Choice’

by Januar Junior Aguja - November 2, 2025 - 12:00am

The film’s title, “No Other Choice,” is uttered by various characters throughout its two-hour runtime.

A fitting finale, ‘Quezon’ shows how heroes can turn into villains

by Januar Junior Aguja - October 21, 2025 - 12:00am

Manuel Quezon will be remembered for his quote: “I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans.

‘Tron: Ares’ Is Best Enjoyed as a Popcorn Flick Than a Profound Film About AI

by Januar Junior Aguja - October 12, 2025 - 12:00am

It took 15 years for Disney to release a follow-up to 2010’s “Tron: Legacy,” and 28 years before that to release the 1982 original starring Jeff Bridges.

Andres-Ashtine chemistry blooms in ‘Minamahal’

by Januar Junior Aguja - October 5, 2025 - 12:00am

Whether or not you’ve seen the hit Viva One series “Ang Mutya ng Section E,” there’s no denying the chemistry between Andres Muhlach and Ashtine Olviga as their onscreen spark has already...

Bela-JC chemistry remains strong in ‘100 Awit Para Kay Stella’

by Januar Junior Aguja - September 24, 2025 - 12:00am

It took eight years for viewers to find out if Fidel (JC Santos) would finally say the things he always wanted to tell Stella (Bela Padilla). But if you’re expecting this possible finale to the “Para...

Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson are hilarious in ‘The Naked Gun’

by Januar Junior Aguja - August 29, 2025 - 12:00am

In his nearly five-decade career as an actor, Liam Neeson takes on his most daring role yet: being a funny guy, and he has Pamela Anderson by his side in this comedic pursuit.

‘Freakier Friday’ delivers heartfelt story beyond the nostalgia

by Januar Junior Aguja - August 14, 2025 - 12:00am

In a hamster wheel of reboots and legacy sequels, the 2025 follow-up to 2003’s “Freaky Friday” could have easily been pure nostalgia bait with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan returning as the...

Barbie Forteza shines in slow-burn psych thriller ‘P77’

by Januar Junior Aguja - August 2, 2025 - 12:00am

Some things to consider before entering the hellish nightmare that Barbie Forteza endures in “P77”: the plot is quite character-driven, and it may require viewers to extend their patience for its slow-paced...

Smarts over brawn drive ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’

by Januar Junior Aguja - July 31, 2025 - 12:00am

After an unreleased ’90s version, two so-so adaptations in the 2000s, and a disastrous 2015 reboot, it seems like the fourth time is the charm as the Fantastic Four finally makes their highly anticipated entry...

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