"Twinless" is the best film I've seen this year at @siffnews.bsky.social. Loved hearing director/writer/co-star James Sweeney at Q&A, who impressively created a cohesive whole between funny, cringe, sad, sweet, yearn. And Dylan O'Brien, all of him, in twin roles, proves that he's a star

Spent a terrific day at the Members Opening Weekend of the @aiww.bsky.social exhibition at @seattleartmuseum.bsky.social, the largest ever US retrospective of his work. Amazing, overwhelming, relevant.

Quite a movie week for me, including one of my most anticipated films of 2025! #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched @letterboxd.social
I'm Still Here
Sugarcane
The Black Box Diaries
Mickey 17

Just came from an advanced screening of #Mickey17, Bong Joon-Ho's first movie after winning tons of Oscars for "Parasite". I enjoyed it a lot; there were some significant deviations from the book; a lot is broad and loud and showy. Great genre film, more "Snowpiercer" than "Memories of Murder".

Majestically heartbreaking and essential, "I'm Still Here" poses the question how do you live with hope and resoluteness under an authoritarian regime? Fernanda Torres is monumental, with the interrogation scene an acting masterclass. Reminded me of my childhood in 1980s Manila under martial law.

Catching up on the Oscar-nominated films #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched

Stunned by Marianne Jean-Baptiste's blistering, agonizing, vociferous, tragi-comic performance in "Hard Truths". Jean-Baptiste gave the best performance of 2024, bar none. Mike Leigh paints a compassionate frame around her, though, so even in the middle of Pansy's vitriol there is luminance.

Everything in "Bona" still felt fresh and contemporary: from the tour de force direction and cinematography of the opening religious procession, to the vivid portrayal of Manila slum life, to the hypocrisy and delusions of Filipino social interactions, to the naturalistic but potent performances

Saw the stunning, Cannes-premiered 4K restoration of Lino Brocka's "Bona" (1980), an essential classic of Philippine Cinema, last night @siffnews.bsky.social. The film is still powerful and relevant in its commentary on the role and treatment of women in the Philippines. Nora Aunor was incredible.

My annual 10 Best Films of the Year. What an abundance of cinematic riches.

Have been sauntering around the Asia Pacific the past week and a half. First Taipei which deeply captivates me, then hometown Manila exploring modern Filipino cuisine, now a first time visit to Kuala Lumpur.

I wasn't in love with "Wicked" as a stage musical, but the movie is glorious, joyful, majestic, hopeful, the movie we needed after the horrible events of November 2024. Jon M Chu brilliantly uses cinematic tools such as cinematography and VFX to open up the play. Loved it @siffnews.bsky.social!

Here now. Also on Threads and Instagram. Interested in food, restaurants, travel, film, theater, Broadway musicals, pop culture, literature, everything Filipino and the Philippines.