QCinema International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for #QCShorts 2024. The festival is offering six production grants, each valued at P350,000, to support emerging filmmakers. Deadline is on February 25, 2024, 11:59 PM.
All Filipino citizens aged 18 and above are qualified to submit their narrative fiction, animation, or experimental entries, with a maximum total running time (TRT) of 20 minutes, including opening and closing credits.
The final film output must have its world premiere in this year’s edition of QCinema. In addition to screenings during QCinema 2024, both theatrical and online, QCinema reserves the right to screen the film after the festival, with prior notice to the proponent.
Rights to the final film output belong to the proponent.
Applicants must submit two PDF files: a full script in standard screenwriting format and a full deck containing the logline, short synopsis (maximum of 3 paragraphs), long synopsis (maximum 1-page concept treatment), director’s statement, director’s profile, producer’s profile, producer’s statement, sample works (project details with link/s, including access credentials for password-protected files), proposed cast and crew, line item budget (pre-production, actual production and postproduction costs), financial plan, and timeline of production.
Only one entry per proponent (either the director or producer) is allowed.
Filmmaker proponents and co-financiers must abide by QCinema festival rules, guidelines, deadlines, and contracts. In case of violations, QCinema reserves the right to disqualify the filmmaker or proponent and forfeit the entire grant.
The festival also reminds everyone to adhere to health and safety protocols. QCinema will not be liable for any untoward incidents during production. Also, use of original literary sources, music materials, and film footage must have proper clearance from its respective copyright owners before it can be used in the final film output
The cast and crew of Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween- Destiny went all out in physical effort and production for the film. One third of the entire two-parter is shot on what producer Shota Okada declares as, “The largest set in the history of Japanese cinema”.He’s also proud of the reproduction rate of the adaptation from the original work. The large junkyard set is where the pivotal war between the Tokyo Manji gang and the Valhalla gang will commence.
The dialogue of the film is done almost entirely on set as well, as action director Yuta Morokaji wants to show off how the emotions of the characters play against the sharpness of the actions. He says, “There’s almost no dubbing”. The culmination of their work is filmed on the large junkyard set, which was scorching during the daytime. The cast and the staff jokingly claimed they were “hanging from wires and doing all-out action in the sauna.”
“Agrylle,” the newest creation from director Matthew Vaughn (known for hits like “Kingsman” and “Kick-Ass”), is set to take the cinema world by storm. Get ready to be introduced to a cast of characters that are as diverse and intriguing as they are dynamic. Whether it’s the enigmatic secret agent Argylle or the shy yet best-selling author Elly Conway, there’s someone for every movie lover in this razor-sharp, reality-bending thriller.
In “Agrylle,” Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World” franchise) is Elly Conway, the reclusive author of a series of best-selling espionage novels, whose idea of bliss is a night at home with her computer and her cat, Alfie. But when the plots of Elly’s fictional books – which center on secret agent Argylle and his mission to unravel a global spy syndicate – begin to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, quiet evenings at home become a thing of the past. Accompanied by Aidan, a cat-allergic spy played by Oscar® winner Sam Rockwell (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), Elly (carrying Alfie in her backpack) races across the world to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between Elly’s fictional world and her real one begins to blur.
Ahead of the film’s opening on January 31, get to know Elly, Aidan and the rest of the characters of “Agrylle.” Take it from John Cena, who plays one of the book characters in the film. “I don’t think audiences are only looking for bigger and brasher,” Cena says. “I think they also need purpose, narrative and characters to invest in, and ‘Argylle’ has this stuff in spades.”
Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard)
Imagine living a quiet life, only for it to be upended by your own creations. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Elly Conway, novelist by day, cat mom by night. She lives a quiet life with an unhealthy obsession with her written characters. Elly is a recluse who lives in a world of her own making, until an agent named Aidan approaches her on a train, informs her that she is the target of a nefarious spy organization known as The Division, and Elly is thrust into a dangerous, glamorous, global race against the clock to unlock a mystery trapped inside her own head and save her own life. “As a 40-year-old woman, it’s not every day you get a part like this sent your way,” says Howard. “It feels like a small miracle, so empowering and satisfying and fun. It is the best script I have ever read and the best part I have ever gotten to play.”
Aidan (Sam Rockwell)
In every way that Elly Conway’s imaginary secret agent, Argylle (played by Henry Cavill), is smooth and confident, real-life secret agent Aidan is a bit rough around the edges. “Elly and Aidan meet on a train, where he looks like an unlikely passenger to be holding a first-class ticket,” says Vaughn. “You wouldn’t immediately peg Sam Rockwell as a spy, and that’s precisely the essence of a spy. In films like ‘Kingsman’ or ‘James Bond,’ spies are typically impeccably dressed, but in our movie, Sam’s character deliberately goes against that norm. He is the kind of spy who is meant to blend in seamlessly by not standing out.”
Ritter (Bryan Cranston)
The leader of a sinister rogue spy organization known as The Division, Ritter is desperate to keep his secrets hidden. Devious and dangerous, Ritter wants to know just what it is that Elly Conway knows and how she knows it – even if she doesn’t. “I’ve been a huge fan of Cranston’s ever since I first saw him in ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’” says Vaughn. “Then ‘Breaking Bad’ came along, and I could not believe it was the same guy. Bryan is a rare talent who can master drama like no other and tackle comedy with the same finesse. There is no genre or character he could not handle.”
Ruth (Catherine O’Hara)
Elly Conway’s long-suffering mother and de facto book editor, Ruth is proud of her daughter’s success, but worries about Elly’s obsessive devotion to her fictional world. “Every twenty pages another anvil drops,” O’Hara says of the film’s script, written by Jason Fuchs. “It’s really exciting, and I couldn’t stop reading.”
Alfred Solomon (Samuel L. Jackson)
Alfred Solomon is the former deputy director of the CIA, now living in exile, shunned from the spy world. “Alfred is kind of the master behind the screen,” Jackson says.
Saba Al-Badr (Sofia Boutella)
In the real world of Elly’s and Aidan’s race around the globe to protect Elly from The Division, Saba Al-Badr is the mysterious “Keeper of Secrets,” who resides in a fortress-like palace.
Alfie (Chip, real-life cat of supermodel Claudia Vaughn [née Schiffer])
Alfie is Elly Conway’s cat and her closest friend. She never leaves home without him, so when Aidan drags Elly on a life-or-death race around the globe – with Elly’s future and the future of the world hanging in the balance – Alfie is also hanging on Elly’s back, in a feline-couture backpack with a domed viewing window. “I drew inspiration from my kids, who had me watch a Taylor Swift documentary featuring Taylor wearing a cat pack,” shares Vaughn. “I made a mental note to use it in the future.”
Argylle (Henry Cavill)
Handsome, charming, with a flattop haircut, Argylle is, as imagined by Elly Conway in her novels, a world-class spy who will stop at nothing to bring justice to those who deserve it. He is the epitome of espionage cool. “I felt Henry could give me all the classic spy stuff,” says Vaughn. “He can give me a wink; he can do all the things I want from a spy.” Agrees John Cena, who also plays a spy in the film, “Henry has everything you want from a leading man,” says Cena. “Poise, charisma, professionalism. The man is just a flat-out stud.”
Legrange (Dua Lipa)
Elegant, beguiling, lethal and Argylle’s nemesis, Legrange is an international terrorist, working for the highest bidder. “The role needed someone instantly recognizable and glamorous,” says Vaughn. “My kids introduced me to Dua Lipa through her music and then I saw her on a chat show… she looked glamorous and exactly like what we were looking for in the role.”
Wyatt (John Cena)
Serving as the self-described “muscle,” Wyatt is the best-friend and main accomplice to agent Argylle. “John reached out to me expressing his interest in any role that might be right for him in my films,” Vaughn shares. “You often hear that in Hollywood, but with John, it was genuine. I offered him a small part, just a two-week commitment, and he enthusiastically said yes.”
Keira (Ariana DeBose)
In Elly Conway’s imaginary world of the Argylle novels, Keira is a field tech who often teams up with agent Argylle and Wyatt – usually to bail them out of trouble. “It’s one of those pinch-me moments,” DeBose says of sharing the screen with the film’s all-star cast. “I’m honored to be even a small part of this universe.”
Opening in cinemas January 31, “Agrylle,” an Apple Original Films presentation, in association with MARV, a Cloudy production, is distributed by Universal Pictures. #ArgylleMoviePH
“Lisa Frankenstein,” penned by Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody, is all set to breathe new life into cinemas this February. This unique blend of teen horror-comedy and coming-of-age romance, starring Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, and Liza Soberano, offers a fresh and sardonic twist on Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic, tells the story of Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton), an awkward 17-year-old trying to adjust to a new school and a new life after her mother’s death and her father’s hasty remarriage. Despite the unwavering support offered by her plucky cheerleader step-sister Taffy (Liza Soberano), Lisa only finds solace in the abandoned cemetery near her house, where she tends to the grave of a young man who died in 1837 – and whose corpse she unwittingly reanimates (Cole Sprouse). Feeling obligated to help the poor soul regain his humanity, Lisa embarks on a quest to breathe new life into her long-dead new companion. All she needs to succeed are some freshly harvested body parts and Taffy’s broken tanning bed.
“I have always toyed with themes of transformation and reinvention,” says screenwriter Diablo Cody, who catapulted onto the Hollywood stage with 2007’s “Juno,” for which she won the Academy Award, BAFTA and Critics’ Choice Award for best original screenplay.
Diablo Cody’s Visionary Storytelling
Cody’s unique take on the Frankenstein narrative is infused with her signature wit and insight. “In everything I write, someone is going through a dramatic change, whether it’s becoming possessed by a demon or dealing with a new stage of life,” continues Cody, who is also known for penning the acclaimed film “Young Adult,” starring Charlize Theron, and the Megan Fox-led cult-classic “Jennifer’s Body.” “The question I’m always asking is: are we the same person after a profound change? How many parts can we swap or replace before we’re a totally new entity? This movie is a pretty literal interpretation of that!” Cody muses, exploring themes of identity and transformation in her darkly comedic style.
Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse in ‘Lisa Frankenstein‘ | Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
A Nod to the Classics
Inspiration for “Lisa Frankenstein” partly stems from John Hughes’ “Weird Science,” with Cody aiming to create a female-centered narrative within a similar framework. The 1980s setting adds an extra layer of nostalgic charm to the film. “The idea of using a tanning bed as the power source [to bring the dead back to life] was hilarious to me,” Cody says. Inspired by another off-beat spin on Frankenstein mythology, the 1985 John Hughes film “Weird Science,” Cody set her own take on the story in the 1980s. “In that film, two teenage boys literally design their dream woman, animate her with electricity and watch in awe as she improves their lives,” she says. “I always thought it would be fun to see a female-centered take on that story.”
Playing the all-important role of Lisa Swallows is Kathryn Newton (“Pokémon: Detective Pikachu,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”), who shares that one of the biggest influences for her portrayal was Gene Wilder’s performance in “Young Frankenstein” (1974). “Gene Wilder was an incredible actor who was able to master that in-between of playing a character that’s so over-the-top, but still grounded and pulling the audience in,” Newton says.
Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse in ‘Lisa Frankenstein‘ | Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
For Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”), playing the creature reanimated by Lisa was the role of a lifetime, even though it meant having to act beneath layers of prosthetic makeup that had to be applied for hours each day and portraying the character primarily through moans, grunts and gestures. “His inability to speak was what really excited me, just technically, and I knew it would be a heavy physical role,” Sprouse says. “For me, it was an attempt to reach some more universal physical language about how we perceive emotions through gesture, through movement, which was fun.”
Beyond the Stereotypical
Liza Soberano joins the cast as Taffy, Lisa’s step-sister, bringing depth and complexity to what could have been a standard “mean popular girl” role. Cody ensures that each character, including Taffy, is multifaceted and dynamic, moving beyond clichés. “Taffy is my favorite character,” shares Cody. “She’s a beacon of positivity, and even when she’s unwittingly condescending or tone deaf, her intentions are always kind. She’s more protective of Lisa than anyone else in the film, other than the Creature. Lisa resents Taffy because she’s effortlessly beautiful and popular, but Lisa eventually comes to realize that her ire is misdirected. I felt that having Taffy be a standard ‘mean popular girl’ would be uninteresting. Most of the queen bees I’ve known were more complex than that.”
Liza Soberano and Kathryn Newton in ‘Lisa Frankenstein‘ | Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
“I had an instant connection with her,” says Filipina actress Liza Soberano (“My Ex and Whys,” “Alone/Together,” “Trese”) of Taffy, her first Hollywood film role. “She’s such a fun character to play.”
A Unique Blend of Horror, Comedy, and Romance
Directed by Zelda Williams and distributed by Universal Pictures International, “Lisa Frankenstein” is set to be the quirkiest undead horror romance of the year. Mark your calendars for February 7 and prepare for a Valentine’s Day filled with laughter, gore, and unexpected twists in this unique cinematic experience.
“Lisa Frankenstein” promises to be a delightful departure from the typical Valentine’s Day fare, offering audiences a blend of horror, comedy, and romance. With its talented cast and creative storytelling, this film is poised to be a standout addition to the 2024 cinematic landscape. #LisaFrankensteinPH
In “Migration,” the Mallard family is led by dad Mack (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani), who is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, and mom Pam (Elizabeth Banks), who prefers to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and duckling daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal)—the whole wide world. When a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam seizes the opportunity and persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.
Find out what some reviewers are saying about the movie!
Says Deadline, “It is the kind of animated entertainment that all ages will find something to like, and in terms of the creative talent involved it is a breath of fresh air in the genre.”
“Benjamin Renner’s new comedy ‘Migration’ offers a winning combination of a charming narrative and distinctive animation style,” says The Hollywood Reporter.
“It’s breezy and lighthearted but manages to hit a bullseye when it comes to the type of stories we need this season,” Collider shares.
Of the film’s animation, the Los Angeles Times says, “Where many animated productions sport a plastic sheen, ‘Migration’s’ textured look conveys a less-manufactured touch. There are lovely vistas taken in from the air. The hue palette is more muted than the usual candy-colored explosions. The light feels gentler with mellower shadows. We’re often in the magic hours of dusk or dawn. In the distance, the haze blurs to an almost watercolor effect.”
“Illumination soars to creative new heights with a hilarious CGI adventure that’s beautifully animated. Migration delivers a feast for the eyes that tickles your funny bone with wonderful character dynamics,” says MovieWeb.
“Migration,” from Universal Pictures International, is now showing nationwide. #MigrationMoviePh
Are you ready for your weekly dose of cinematic excitement? As a new week begins, get ready to indulge in a set of cinematic wonders set to unfold on the big screen. Whether you’re in the mood for some drama, a bit of fantasy, a romantic comedy, or an action-packed thriller, there’s something for everyone hitting the big screens. Let’s jump right in and explore the new movies opening this week!
Now, let’s take a sneak peek at what’s premiering this week:
2023 • PG • 1 hr 39 mins DRAMA, FANTASY BUY TICKETS
Imagine a world where the skies rain destruction. “Acid Rain” takes us into a dystopian reality where France grapples with a devastating climate catastrophe. Amidst this chaos, a girl and her divorced parents must unite to confront the relentless downpour of acid rain. It’s a gripping tale of survival and resilience, offering a poignant commentary on environmental issues. Prepare to be moved and challenged by this powerful drama.
Get ready to laugh and fall in love with “Anyone But You.” After a fiery first date, Bea and Ben’s sizzling chemistry takes an unexpected turn at a destination wedding in Australia. In a comedic twist of fate, they end up pretending to be a couple. Will this ruse rekindle their initial spark, or will it lead to more hilarious misadventures? This rom-com is sure to leave you with a smile.
2023 • G • 1 hr 23 mins ACTION, ADVENTURE, ANIMATION, COMEDY, FAMILY BUY TICKETS
“Migration” is a delightful animated journey that follows the Mallard family as they embark on an extraordinary road trip. Inspired by a migrating duck family, they travel from New England to New York City and then to the sunny shores of Jamaica. This family-friendly film is filled with laughs, adventure, and heartwarming moments. It’s a perfect choice for a fun family movie outing!
In “Raging Grace,” an undocumented Filipina immigrant lands a life-altering job as a careworker for an old man, hoping to secure a better future for her and her daughter. But a harrowing discovery threatens to unravel everything she’s worked for. This film masterfully blends drama, horror, and thriller elements to tell a story that is both emotionally charged and unnervingly suspenseful.
2023 • PG • 1 hr 48 mins COMEDY, DRAMA BUY TICKETS
“Roadtrip” is a poignant yet comedic tale of five friends who embark on a journey to attend the wake of a friend. This film promises to be a touching exploration of friendship, loss, and the memories that bind people together. Expect a blend of laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments.
2023 • R-13 • 1 hr 30 mins ACTION, CRIME, DRAMA BUY TICKETS
The action-packed “Tokyo Revengers 2 Part 1: Bloody Halloween – Destiny” brings us back into the thrilling world of Takemichi as he time travels once more to save Hinata. This time, the stakes are even higher as he must alter a key event involving the formation of the Tokyo Manjikai Gang to prevent a tragic incident. It’s a gripping story of determination, friendship, and fate, set against the backdrop of Tokyo’s gritty underworld. Fans of the series, brace yourselves for an intense and emotional roller coaster!
FAN FAVORITES STILL SHOWING
Meanwhile, don’t forget to catch up on some of the movies that are still captivating audiences in theaters. Here’s a list of fan favorites that are still showing in cinemas:
That’s a wrap for this week’s new movie releases. So, don’t wait! Secure your tickets, grab your popcorn, and immerse yourself in the excitement of these new releases. As always, we recommend booking your tickets in advance to avoid missing out on these must-see releases. Stay tuned for next week’s movie updates, and happy watching!
As 2024 heats up, get ready to be swept off your feet by the charming ensemble of Anyone But You. Directed by Will Gluck, this romantic comedy brings together a stellar cast, including Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria) and Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick), who share an inside look at their journey in bringing their characters to life. Sweeney and Powell play romantic enemies Bea and Ben, respectively, who have to put aside their personal vendettas and pretend to be a head-over-heels couple in order to keep the peace at Bea’s sister’s wedding. The film also stars Alexandra Shipp, Darren Barnet, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown, Charlee Fraser, Joe Davidson and GaTa.
Buffing Up for the Big Screen
Glen Powell, known for his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” dives into the unexpected challenge of baring it all in “Anyone But You.” As Ben, he shares, “I didn’t realize how naked I would be [in the movie].” “I knew it was a rom-com, which meant I should stay away from the beer for a bit. But I didn’t expect to be this naked, this often. I kept weights and resistance bands in my trailer that I would break out on certain days, just to keep everything looking good.” To tackle the rom-com physique, Powell traded his beer for weights and resistance bands, creating an impromptu gym in his trailer. Who knew a rom-com could double as a fitness challenge?
From Tasmania to Sydney: A Workout in Kmart
Joe Davidson, playing the boyfriend vying for attention, faced a unique challenge. Just out of Tasmania, he received a call for an audition with Gluck in Sydney. The catch? He needed to be “big and strong.” Davidson, in a classic underdog move, concocted a quick workout in a Kmart. “It said specifically in the email that Beau must be big and strong, and I’d just spent a few weeks in Tasmania traveling around, so I wasn’t in peak physical condition at all,” recalls Davidson. “I headed up to Sydney and went into a Kmart, grabbed two dumbbells, and started a little workout. I did sit-ups, and everyone was like, ‘What’s this guy doing?’ I did a 30 min Kmart workout, then headed in for my audition.” Dumbbells, sit-ups, and a 30-minute Kmart workout later, he strutted into the audition. Talk about turning Tasmania travels into an impromptu workout routine!
Polyglot Pete: GaTa’s Multifaceted Prep
GaTa, the actor/rapper from “Dave,” delves into his role as Ben’s lively best friend, Pete. Gluck’s challenge led GaTa to learn Mandarin, Arabic, and the art of driving on the “wrong” side of Australian roads. “What attracted me to playing Pete was that he is lively in spirit and cultured,” GaTa says. “I had a lot of preparation, and shout out to Will Gluck for challenging and pushing me as an actor. I learned Mandarin and Arabic, and how to drive on the wrong side of the road in Australia. It was dope to be able to put those into my repertoire.” A shout-out to Gluck for pushing GaTa’s boundaries and adding these unexpected skills to his repertoire. Who knew a rom-com could turn into a language and driving lesson?
Onscreen Chemistry and Sisterly Bonds
Hadley Robinson (Little Women, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), playing Bea’s sister Halle, found her inspiration in her onscreen sibling, Alexandra Shipp’s Claudia. Their characters’ connection onscreen mirrored the camaraderie off-screen. Robinson gushes about Shipp’s infectious energy and readiness, creating a chemistry that resonated both in front of and behind the camera. “Alex made me smile every time I looked at her,” says Robinson. “She showed up with this great energy, always ready to go. Every single day at pickup, she’d stick her head out of the car window and say: ‘Let’s go, let’s do it!’ Halle and Claudia’s relationship is sweet and very special, and we have good chemistry.” Who wouldn’t want a co-star like that?
Rom-Com Wisdom from the Veterans
The younger cast members had the privilege of learning from rom-com legends Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths, who portray the parents, Leo and Innie. To set the mood, the cast gathered for a rom-com marathon, including the ’90s classic “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” Powell recalls Mulroney’s sage advice: “After we watched it as a cast,” recalls Powell, “Dermot looked at me and said, ‘Take this job seriously and take every moment seriously, because the beauty of being in a rom-com is, you represent love to people. Don’t take that lightly, because if you can represent love to people in movies, that’s the most beautiful thing you can do.”
Behind-the-Scenes Boss: Sydney Sweeney
Executive producer Sydney Sweeney took charge not only in front of the camera but also behind the scenes. Her preparations included curating the perfect team, convincing Gluck and Powell to join the project. Sweeney highlights Gluck’s quirky brilliance and Powell’s multifaceted charm, “I was really, really excited to work on this project with him… He is so quirky in his own way. I love it.” A boss move from a leading lady who knows what it takes to make a rom-com shine. Of Powell, she says, “Glen is handsome, charming, funny, talented, and thoughtful. He’s also an incredibly loyal friend and a true pro.”
Anyone But You, distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, opens in cinemas January 17. #AnyoneButYou
When watching a Studio Ghibli, you are somewhat assured of stunning visuals and a fantastical story filled with inherent symbolisms. Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned Japanese filmmaker is back after ten years with ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in the era of the Pacific War. While the film is magical and mysterious, there is a heavy, pervasive sadness that grounds this movie, as the story keeps at its center the main’s character sense of loss and grief for their dead mother. It is the beating heart of this lusciously drawn animated feature.
‘The Boy and the Heron’ is the story of Mahito, who loses his mother during a fire in the middle of the Pacific War. He then moves to the countryside with his father and his new wife, Natsuko, the younger sister of Mahito’s mother. As the young boy copes with his new environment – a large home the size of a castle, bullies at school, a host of nosy, elderly women helping around the house – Mahito struggles resolving his feelings for Natsuko, who is pregnant with his soon-to-be-sibling, and the grief he still carries for his mother.
It is at his most vulnerable when Mahito discovers that the heron living near the grounds is inviting him to explore an abandoned, locked up tower in the woods. At first, the heron is mysterious and mystical, capable of speech and other fancy tricks. But later, it takes on a more sinister approach, and even revealing human teeth. When Mahito finally gives in to the lure, in efforts to find Natsuko, who has gone missing in the woods, he finds himself in a fantasy world where birds can take human form and speak, where the oceans are cursed, and beings who command fire exist.
There are quite a few parallelisms found in ‘The Boy and the Heron’ with Hayao Myazaki’s life – the loss of his mother, the point-of-view of a world filled with strife and conflict, amongst others – that there is a heaviness to the film that keeps the tone dark and melancholic, despite the sheer beauty of the film’s visuals. The film is not without its share of whimsy, including cute characters like a warawara, that can float into the sky by inhaling deeply. The film is also filled with birds of various breeds and when they flock around a character, that character is filled with bird poop. It has no real effect on the plot but it’s just a sense of visual whimsy that pulls against the sadness that anchors this film.
Because what is truly pushing the story forward is Mahito’s grief for his mother but also his determination to reconcile his emotions with Natsuko. More than his relationship with the heron, who becomes his guide in the fantasy world, it’s his relationship with both Natsuko and the fire being, Lady Himi, that sets the tender and beating heart of this film.
What is great about ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ aside from the sheer beauty of its design and art is how the story does not dawdle or feel like it needs to explain itself to the audience. There are things that happen in the film that are never justified nor picked apart and it is perfectly fine. The connection between the fantasy world and the real world is tenuous and unexplored but it is also not a necessity to know. There is a confidence in the world and world building of Hayao Miyazaki that allows you to just accept what is given narratively and you just take it because it makes sense.
Practically a legend, the renowned filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki still manages to dazzle and impress even in his latest outing. ‘The Boy and the Heron’ is a film that will leave you breathless with wonder and invites you to marvel at the power of creativity and dreams. The score by Joe Hisaishi is splendid and creates incredible melodies that can sometimes contrast a scene, creating a rich texture to the story as it unfolds. It is surprising at every turn and while it has an air of sadness and weight, it never wallows in it. It manages for whimsy and even humor while still delivering a lovely adventure that crosses time and space. Studio Ghibli has, since 1985, delivered gorgeous, animated movies that inspired and marveled audiences from around the globe and ‘The Boy and the Heron’ is just another continuation of that legacy. There are threats that this film may be Hayao Miyazaki’s last, and if it were, what a way to go.
We’re making fetch happen again! Mean Girls is the homecoming queen of the US box office with an estimated opening weekend gross of US$30.5-million, enough to slay the competition for the No.1 spot. The teen movie will debut in Philippine cinemas on February 7.
A refreshing musical take based on the 2004 hit classic, Mean Girls arrived at the top supported by a slew of positive reviews, earning a Certified Fresh rating over at Rotten Tomatoes.
The New York Times praises the film in its review, writing,“[I]ts charms and ingratiating likability remain intact,” as The Washington Posts likewise approves, “There’s lots of fun to be had, in a show that rhymes nonplussed with calcu-lust. And yet, like its predecessors, this Mean Girls has bite.”
IGN commends Tina Fey on the newest adaptation of the film, “If there’s anything that the third iteration of Mean Girls should teach us, it’s this: “In Tina Fey We Trust.” It’s the rare talent who can take their own beloved adaptation of a nonfiction bestseller, turn it into a successful Broadway musical, and then translate that back to screen as its own thing.”
Finally, Chicago Tribune raves, “It embraces, with trace elements of sincerity, the juicy, comic extremes of mean-girldom.”
About Mean Girls:
From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
Mean Girls is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures International. Connect with #MeanGirls and tag @paramountpicsph
Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
There’s an old-school, unseriousness that permeates throughout David Ayer’s ‘The Beekeeper.’ Even the premise feels like a tongue-in-cheek semi-parody of over-the-top action films of the past: a retired agent of a top-secret organization called The Beekeepers is now living a quiet life as an actual beekeeper, who decides to take revenge on the corporation that runs a phishing scam who terrorized his neighbor. After the neighbor commits suicide after losing all her money, Adam Clay, the aforementioned Beekeeper, goes on the hunt to “protect the hive,” as a metaphor for all of society.
The film is chock-full of dialogue that mentions bees, and even the police and FBI, who are chasing after Adam Clay through his explosive (he commits arson several times) path to vengeance, are reading about bees to understand their suspect, blurt out facts and trivia about the insect. Twenty minutes into the film and I’ve learned way more about bees than I have about Adam Clay, our film’s sort of protagonist.
I say “sort of protagonist” because while Adam Clay is the reason why we have a plot in the first place – it is his revenge-laden crusade that is driving this story – as played by Jason Statham, he is character with no real discernable character arc. He is just a force of nature in this film, capable of taking down any force that gets in his way, so much so, that it becomes comical in the ways that he is better than everyone in this movie. In fact, only one person offers up himself as a challenge to Clay and this person just shows up in the end (with no real backstory of his own).
So while Statham is the film’s central figure and the character the title of the film is based on, the one with any real actual story is the FBI agent who is chasing after him, Agent Verona Parker (Emmy Raver-Lampman), who is also the daughter of Adam Clay’s neighbor and the victim of the phishing scam. While she is after Clay to stop his relentless rampage, she is doing it half-heartedly because, in her mind, what he is doing is right – getting back at the people who hurt and steal from innocent people, whom the authorities can’t seem to catch. How she feels about Clay and his actions is the story’s real tension but, it never is really explored fully. This isn’t that kind of film.
It has extensive fight sequences (all showing how unstoppable a force Adam Clay is) and that’s its main selling point. It has big explosions and lots of gun fights and martial arts fights but not enough to cover its lack of any real story, which may not be the point of the film anyway.
What was fun to watch, though, was Josh Hutcherson’s committed turn as the ultra-wealthy owner of the company that handles the phishing group that Adam Clay has now targeted. Hutcherson’s Derek Danforth is heavily Gen-Z coded, with his use of the lingo, and his affinity to new age practices while keeping his business light and informal. It definitely has an air of parody, making fun of this archetype of young, Gen-Z bosses and Hutcherson leans so far into it that he’s obviously having so much fun playing the bad guy and it makes watching him so enjoyable.
The other character that contributes the story in the film is Danforth’s mother, played by Gemma Redgrave, who is shown in short bursts in the first act and at the start of the second act but it’s when the film reaches its zenith when her true position is revealed, that puts into play the high stakes the film was secretly holding close to its chest but also how crazy and over-the-top the film is willing to go for this story.For those who love no-brainer, big and explosive action sequences, then ‘The Beekeeper’ is for you. It’s a strange beast as there are some actors who take the film too seriously (Statham, Raver-Lampman) while others are just having fun and chewing up the scenery (Hutcherson and Jeremy Irons and Minnie Driver, who are also having lots of fun in their semi-villain roles) and so the effect is somewhat jarring. But it’s kind of silly and would have been more effective if everyone just went onboard with it.
My Rating:
The Beekeeper is now showing. Check screening times and buy tickets here.
