Insider
EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Form, Message, and Argumentation of Thop Nazareno’s ‘Edward’
Leo Balante | May 21, 2020

In a historic first, movie critics group Young Critics Circle Film Desk hailed Thop Nazareno’s ‘Edward’ as the best film of 2019. This serves as the first time in the group’s 30-year-tradition to announce their annual citations online, given the pressing situation brought by the global pandemic. But more than just a film that talks about the harsh realities of the country’s healthcare system, we talked to the YCC and the film’s director on why ‘Edward’ is worth the second look.

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Radar
Amid Renewed Interest for Film in Quarantine, Award-winning Cinemalaya Director Calls for Support Through Legitimate Means
Leo Balante | April 29, 2020

Twitter was swept today with an alarming trending topic that involves 2019 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry, Fuccbois, written and directed by award-winning director Eduardo Roy, Jr.

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Screening Room
FIRST LOOK: Ryan Murphy Welcomes You To Dreamland in New Netflix Original ‘Hollywood’
Leo Balante | April 24, 2020

Multi-awarded creator, producer, screenwriter, and director Ryan Murphy, behind some of the most watched and most provocative series in recent years, Glee, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, Pose, among others, leads the charge, yet again, with a new limited series Hollywood that frames an insider look into the ups and downs of the glitzy world of show business, coming to Netflix this May 1, 2020.

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Insider
‘John Denver Trending’: Inside the Cause, Success, and the Continuing Journey of the Cinematic Masterpiece
Leo Balante | April 23, 2020

The most awarded film of the 2019 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, John Denver Trending, is getting a national release via the streaming platform iWant starting this Saturday, April 25.

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Cover Story
The Big Bang Manifesto: For These ‘Dead Kids’, The Future is No Child’s Play
Leo Balante | February 17, 2020

On Karl Marx, 20:20, ‘El Fili’, and raw sienna bags. The Philippines scored big with an unprecedented industry milestone. Right at the tail-end of 2019, ‘Dead Kids’ became the first locally-made film ever to be licensed and released by streaming powerhouse, Netflix. The hype is good and beautiful. But after the film’s explosive thrust in the global scene, the fan frenzy, and the critical acclaim, what’s left is the inimitable display of acting prowess from the film’s lead cast, Kelvin Miranda, Vance Larena, Gabby Padilla, Khalil Ramos, and Jan Silverio. ‘Dead Kids’, after all, has been seen not just as a source of Filipino pride, but a potent harbinger of the rise of the future of Philippine entertainment.

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Featured
Bong Joon Ho, ‘Parasite’ Make Global Cinematic History with Game-Changing Oscars Wins
Leo Balante | February 10, 2020

Parasite today, made cinematic history after sweeping major category wins at the 2020 Academy Awards, that ultimately got attendees at the Dolby Theater and the rest of the world leaping to their feet–celebrating unprecedented victories in the Academy’s 92-year history.

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Featured
Will ‘Parasite’ Make Oscars History with a Best Picture Win?
Leo Balante | February 8, 2020

We are just hours away from seeing this year’s Oscars race come to an end and it has boiled down to two of 2019’s most talked about front runners to bring their campaigns to a glorious finish today, February 9, at the most anticipated awards show in the world.

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Featured
Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019: Rediscovering the Self in Andoy Ranay’s ‘Open’
Leo Balante | September 20, 2019

Black Sheep’s romance drama, Open, stars Arci Munoz and JC Santos in a compelling narrative of a modern-day relationship. A review of Andoy Ranay’s entry for the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

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Featured
Review: Finding Good Company in Upstart Production’s Staging of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”
Leo Balante | September 19, 2019

‘Company’, the 1970 Broadway classic by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth makes its way back in Manila through Upstart Productions. Here’s the full review.

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Cover Story
James Reid, Narez La Fuego, and The Island City Manifesto
Leo Balante | September 6, 2019

James Reid continues his stride in not just celebrating but elevating the local music scene with the continuing success of artist collective, Careless Music Manila. With Narez La Fuego joining this cause, we talk to the young creative powerhouses as they flex their musical geniuses and break ground for Island City PH, a multimedia platform by artists, for artists.

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