Film Logs: November

218. Buenas Noches, Espana
Rating: 1/5

Psychedelic, trippy, nauseating, deafening, and unwatchable. Proof that some experiments may be harmful to you.


219. Horrible Bosses
Rating: 3.5/5

Solid premise. It's every employee's ultimate fantasy. It's great how the film captured the mania and fun of it all.


220. The Adventures of Pureza
Rating: 1/5

Is it destined to be a cult classic? Or is it just plain bad?


221. Midnight in Paris
Rating: 4/5

This charming Woody Allen feature is an ode to the arts and to the City of Lights.


222. In Time
Rating: 2/5

It started out with an interesting concept, but the writers failed to create a thrilling story out of it.


223. Monte Carlo
Rating: 1/5

Ths is too bland and too sanitized to appeal to anyone above the age of 12.


224. Retreat
Rating: 3.5/5

More of a character study than an apocalyptic film. Great performances from Thandie Newton, Jamie Bell, and Cillian Murphy.


225. The Kid With A Bike
Rating: 4/5

A masterclass in drama. My first Dardennes and it didn't disappoint. Poignant, yet unsentimental.


226. The Silent House
Rating: 2/5

This Uruguayan single-shot horror film is all style and no substance. I can forgive the occasional lull, but the stupefying twist is just too much.


227. The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence)
Rating: 2/5

I have high tolerance for gore and grotesqueries, so I really don't have any problem with violence and all that shit (pun intended). The Human Centipede II is sloppily made with little accompanying narrative. I can get more satisfaction watching a snuff film than this mess.


228. Another Earth
Rating: 4/5

This low-key indie sci-fi boasts of a perfect mix of pathos and mystery. The discovery of Earth Two serves as the backdrop for a painful love story. This is Mike Cahill's follow-up to his heartwarming debut King of California. Cahill's confident direction and Brit Marling's mesmerizing lead performance will take you to sci-fi wonderland.


229. Quattro Hong Kong 2
Rating: 1/5

I could think of better ways to utilize the talents of Brillante Mendoza, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Stanley Kwan, and Ho Yuhang.


230. Pina (3D)
Rating: 4/5

This is how you pay tribute in style. Easily the best dance film and best 3D film of the year.


231. Toomelah
Rating: 2/5

If you want an aboriginal drama, watch Samson & Delilah instead.


232. Ka Oryang
Rating: 3/5

It's well intentioned, beautifully shot, but somewhat empty. So what separates it from Joel Lamangan's over-the-top political dramas? I really don't know.


233. My Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4/5

This Cebuano romcom took me by surprise. It is random, over-the-top, but utterly charming.


234. Six Degress of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay
Rating: 4.5/5

Lilia Cuntapay, the most popular extra in Philippine showbiz, finally gets her first lead role. Genius concept. It's amazing how the director seamlessly interspersed reality and fiction. Lilia Cuntapay is comedy gold. But the film also managed to pull some heart strings as well. Another proof that Cinema One Originals produce kick-ass movies. MUST-SEE!


235. Big Boy
Rating: 1/5

If barrio kids in the 40s/50s were already making home videos, it will look like this. Through the use of Super 8 cameras, director Shireen Seno gives us a whiff of nostalgia. She captured the brittle and unreliable nature of memories. But the style easily wears off, what started out as a novel experiment becomes an arduous experience. When the film ended, we were all in awe... dumbfounded... either we were hypnotized or we were collectively contemplating on asking for a refund.


236. Boundary
Rating: 4/5

Great script. Direction can be tighter. Ominous musical score. And once again, Ronnie Lazaro shines.


237. Friends With Benefits
Rating: 3.5/5

Better than your average romcom but still not at par with Crazy, Stupid, Love which gets my vote for romcom of the year.


238. Life In A Day
Rating: 3.5/5

The filmmakers were able to cull interesting snippets. But collectively, it missed the impact it was aiming for. I hate the ending monologue!


239. The Help
Rating: 3.5/5

Palatable to general audiences, but lacks the extra oomph to make it compelling. Great turns from the ensemble cast especially Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer, and Viola Davis.


240. 50/50
Rating: 4/5

I was in the mood to cry and JGL made me cry. I was in the mood to laugh and Seth Rogen made me laugh. His annoying character isn't too annoying this time. Noteworthy to mention Anjelica Huston and Anna Kendrick as well.


241. Like Crazy
Rating: 4/5

This year's Blue Valentine. Like Crazy captures the determination and fickleness of love.


242. Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon
Rating: 2/5

I really don't get the love for Maricar Reyes. She was better in her Star Cinema romcoms. In this movie, she's too stiff. Or maybe it is the entire film that is stiff.

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