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Take a Ride on the Crazy Train: a review of ‘Bullet Train’

I’m not exactly sure what I just saw but I sure as hell had a good time watching it. ‘Bullet Train’ is a flippant action comedy that works on a very stylized, hyper-real world of assassins and very self-aware filmmaking. Director David Leitch throws away character development for a zany, ultra-violent madcap caper of five (or was it six? There are so many in this movie!) assassins with different missions aboard one bullet train in Japan, who discover that their missions are all interconnected.

Taking the lead is Brad Pitt as Ladybug, who has just come out of hiatus to do a “simple job” and is trying to find a new approach to life through the help of a therapist. He discusses all of this with his handler, Maria (voiced by Sandra Bullock). It’s interesting that the lead is a mercenary who has come back to the field as he tries to philosophize and rationalize his actions, whether it’s stealing, assaulting, or even killing the various occupants in the train.

Brad Pitt is in fine form here, oozing with charisma and a dazzling display of physical strength and agility (online, it says he did 95% of his own stunts). He gives the audience someone to root for as each new assassin that is introduced just seems crazier than the last one.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry are a pair who has to deliver the son of a Russian gangster and some stolen cash to the final destination of the train in Kyoto. They are a verbose duo, who are as ruthless as they are unintentionally funny. Their dialogue can get a bit much and slow things down at the start but as the action begins to build momentum, everything gets used in the end.

Photo: Columbia Pictures

Andrew Koji is a forlorn father, who takes the train to find and kill the man who pushed his son off a building but gets entangled with Joey King’s The Prince, a schoolgirl with a dark past of her own. Koji is an arresting actor and feels under-utilised here, considering the film opens with his story. His character’s struggle would seem one that is likely to bring audiences in but it’s too heavy for the light and comedic tone of the film so it takes a step back as Leitch and screenwriter Zak Olkewicz opts to take the gags and the action.

Also in the film are Bad Bunny, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman, Zazie Beetz, and some surprising cameos that are fun and just add to the formalist aesthetic of the film. Everyone seems to be having fun here and it makes the whole thing enjoyable even if the film doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Photo: Columbia Pictures

There’s no real character arc that’s happening in the movie. Much like Ladybug’s musings, ruminating about fate and coincidence, the film plays out like a farce with no real-world associations. It’s not a satire or a social commentary. It’s not a battle between good and bad. It’s just bad people doing bad things and in what could be a really fun way depending on what you consider fun in movies.

It’s clever both visually and in its scripting. The film jumps into flashbacks to deepen the history of these characters but only when needed and not set up methodically so as to create a sense of build-up. The scenes cut to the next moment where the tension can rise or when we can get the most laughs.

There are 16 cars in the bullet train but the only way for these characters to move is forward or backward, which means there are no places to run or hide. In this way, all the five groups of killers are going to collide at some point and it just gets crazier and crazier as it goes along; all the way to a grand finish that feels like they threw everything and the kitchen sink at us for full effect.

Photo: Columbia Pictures

And while ‘Bullet Train’ is narratively thin, it’s a hell of a fun ride. At some point, you realise no one is safe, you can’t take anything seriously, pleasantly surprised by the sudden cameos, and so forth. It’s a kind of irreverence that feels at home in a crazy world where nothing really matters. Maybe five years ago it would have been disappointing as I search for some sort of meaning but now, I’m very much welcome to this sort of insanity on screen.

Now I’m really curious about the novel that the film is based on by Kotaro Isaka.

My Rating:

––

Bullet Train opens in cinemas nationwide on August 10, Wednesday.

ALSO READ:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry are the Twin Assassins in “Bullet Train”
Former Stunt Double of Brad Pitt Now Directs “Bullet Train”

August 8, 2022
Cinemalaya to Pay Tribute to Outstanding Cinemalaya Artists

Cinemalaya 2022 will honor the legacy of the late artists Benji Garcia, Flor Salanga, Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez, Joseph Israel Laban, and Eduardo Roy Jr. at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival on August 5-14, 2022.

The works of the filmmakers – BATAD: Sa Paang Palay, JAY, Lasponggols, Cuchera, and Pamilya Ordinaryowill be screened respectively from August 9 to August 13, 2022, at 12:45 p.m. at CCP’s Tanghalang Manuel Conde (TMC) for free.

Benji Garcia was known for traversing the worlds of theater and film – production, on stage, backstage, on camera, and off camera. He completed his Communication Arts degree at Ateneo de Manila University in 1979 and then took a film course at the London International Film School in 1980.

His feature film, BATAD: Sa Paang Palaywon four Cinemalaya awards in 2006 for Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Special Jury Prize. It also won the Golden Screen Awards with Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Production Design, and Best Musical Score.

Flor Salanga, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Golden Screen 2009 awards and nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Gawad Urian 2009, was an audition master of Cinemalaya Film Festival from 2005 to 2019. She completed her Master’s Thesis for her MA degree in Theater Arts at the University of the Philippines.

She played the role of Luzviminda Mercado in the featured film, JAY, which was directed by the late Francis Xavier Pasion. Jay won Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Editing in Cinemalaya and the Special Mention award at Bangkok International Film Festival in 2008. It also received the Audience Award at the 2009 Black Movie Film Festival.

Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez, 2016 Best Director at the Madrid International Film Festival and 2012 FDCP Grand Festival Prize awardee, was known as a pioneer of sorts in local film festivals. He came from a family of writers – both from the father’s and mother’s side. In 1999, he got a slot in the 11th Scriptwriting Workshop given by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricardo Lee, who then became his primary mentor.

He was among the 1st batch of filmmakers in the first Cinemalaya in 2005 wherein he submitted Lasponggols, the featured film. It was his directorial film debut, a black comedy that showcases the oft-ignored people in a mainstream movie set. Lasponggols was screened at the 2005 Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland and in the 2006 New York Imaginasian Film Festival.

Joseph Israel Laban was a filmmaker, documentarist, and Creative Consultant for GMA Network’s Front Row and Reporter’s Notebook. He finished his Creative Writing degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman and studied at New York University (NYU) under a Fullbright Scholarship for his master’s in Journalism with a focus on News and Documentary.

His feature film, Cuchera won Best Film in the New Breed category in Cinemalaya 2011. It was screened in international film festivals in Toronto, Stockholm, Belgrade, and Cleveland in 2011 and 2012.

Eduardo Roy Jr. started as a soap opera writer in ABS-CBN until his persistence paid off as a director with his film, Bahay Bata being named as Best Film in the New Breed category in Cinemalaya 2011. He was a mass communication student from New Era University in Quezon City.

Eduardo’s featured film, Pamilya Ordinaryowon Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Editing, and NETPAC Award in Cinemalaya 2016. It received the Asia Pacific Screen Award, Special Mention award in New Asian Cinema at the Five Flavours Asian Film Festival, and Best Director award from the Hanoi festival. The film was then added on Netflix to its Filipino Movies & TV list in 2020 which garnered the number 1 spot for weeks.

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has supported and promoted the production of Filipino full feature independent films and short films. Many of these films have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals. Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers including full feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.

For more information on the 18th Cinemalaya Film Festival screening schedules and other offerings, check out the CCP website www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and Cinemalaya social media sites on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

August 6, 2022
A Dream I Don’t Want to Wake From: a review of Netflix series ‘The Sandman’

I read the complete ‘Sandman’ graphic novels over fifteen years ago and it is one of my favourite graphic novel collections I’ve encountered. It’s literary. It’s profound. It’s magical. Neil Gaiman’s imagination is boundless and the art by Sam Keith and Mike Drigenberg was so different from the superhero comic books that I collected in the 90s. It was mature and elevated my opinion of comic books back in the late 90s.

For ‘The Sandman’ to finally be adapted into a television series was something I was nervous about. I’m glad to hear that Neil Gaiman was part of the creative team behind the show, which means that any of the changes would be approved by the writer of the source material. This is as important as the immense world-building that Gaiman did for the series.

There are quite a lot of notable changes – some characters have been gender-swapped, some are portrayed by actors of color, the show is set in the present-day whereas the graphic novels were set in the late 80s, and the like – but it never feels like a ploy for relevance nor does it take away from the story. In fact, it adds nuance and inserts additional layers into the work that I don’t remember from having read the series many years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83ClbRPRDXU

‘The Sandman’ is the story about an otherworldly being known as Dream or Morpheus or The Sandman. He is one of the seven Endless, immortal beings that are in charge of aspects of the universe. Dream is the lord of the sleeping world and king of dreams and nightmares. The first season of ‘The Sandman’ adapts the first two volumes ‘Preludes and Nocturnes’ and ‘The Doll’s House’ wherein Dream is imprisoned in the mortal world by a magician with the hopes of catching Death, Dream’s sister. While Dream is imprisoned, the dreaming world begins to fall apart and Dream must get out and restore the dreaming world to protect the waking world.

The rich world of ‘The Sandman’ is given a glossy, CGI-heavy treatment that departs from the book’s visuals in a drastic way. It took me about three episodes to get used to the bright, crisp visuals of the Netflix show. Sam Keith and Mike Drigenberg’s art style was something I’d describe as dirty, messy, and very dark. It was so well-suited to the material and such a great departure from the superhero comics that were so in vogue at the time.

The clean CGI of the show goes the opposite of that and so it took me a while to sync into this new look. The original art underscored the darkness of the material, but the refined visuals contrasted the heaviness of the show and it’s great because Dream is not an easy character to connect with.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Dream is an immortal being of immense power. He’s rigid and cold. He’s fascinating to watch because he’s so far removed from humanity and while it reads well in the comics, in the show, it can be a little off-putting. Tom Sturridge does a brilliant portrayal of this. He has the signature pout and that blank expression that betrays nothing. He carries all the gravitas and majesty that Dream should have and it’s mesmerizing.

But Dream is not an easy person to like and so the lush visuals and glossy treatment help humanize the world that Dream moves through and the characters that he interacts with creating a nice dynamic for him to play off of. The other characters keep him interesting until later on through the show when you begin to invest in him because you can finally understand what he must be going through.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

And that’s what is brilliant about this show. Dream is in charge of all our hopes and fantasies and our fears. As Dream sets out to restore the dream world back to its former glory, the show becomes a deep dive into some of the driving forces of the human race. It is a dissection of how we react and deal with the things that we want and the things we are afraid of and how different these things are for each person – whether human or otherworldly.

‘The Sandman’ is not a superhero television show. It’s a fantastical drama that delves more into philosophy and a study of human nature and other high concepts. It can be slow at times for people who are not keen on detailed and careful world-building. Being faithful to the books and with Neil Gaiman developing the show alongside David S. Goyer and Allen Heinberg, the show is more a showcase of the limitless imagination of Gaiman and how the world that he has built works. There’s not a lot of action. Instead its meditations on power, responsibility, mortality, and humanity.

To keep things interesting, the show is filled with magical moments and captivating characters. Other than Dream, the show is filled with memorable characters that populate this rich fantasy world. Of the many slight changes to the source material, three notable characters are played by women: Lucienne (Lucian in the books) is played by Vivienne Acheampong, Lucifer Morningstar is played by Gwendoline Christie (of ‘Game of Thrones’ fame), and Johanna Constantine (originally John Constantine in the books) played by Jenna Coleman.

All three actresses do memorable performances, with Coleman really capturing Constantine’s swagger and bravado and Christie adding quiet, otherworldly confidence to her portrayal of Lucifer but it is Acheampong who adds the most to the gender swap role. By turning Lucian into Lucienne, it creates a really interesting new layer into the relationship between Dream and his librarian. There is a warmth and a beating heart that the show needs in their interactions that might not have been there should they have kept Lucian as he was in the books.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

There is such a strong understanding of how much needs to change for the television version of this story. There is an awareness of the demands a viewing audience would have over the material versus a reading audience and I feel that this was addressed through the filmmaking of ‘The Sandman.’ The story is intact but the modernization of the material addresses real-world issues. As a fan of the original material, I’m enjoying the adjustments and marveling at how watching this show is bringing me back to the same wonder of reading the graphic novels but also opening my eyes to things I wasn’t aware of fifteen years ago.

I’m very happy with this adaptation and I can’t wait for the second season. This is not for those who are looking for something easy and light to watch. This is a show that will take its time to establish the vast and rich world of Dream and the Endless and it’s going to get even more dense and complicated as the show continues. I hope it continues. This is a dream I don’t want to wake up from.

My Rating:

––

The Sandman debuts globally on Netflix on August 5, Friday.

ALSO READ:
‘The Sandman’ Announces August 5 Release, Mark Hamill’s Character
WATCH: ‘The Sandman’ Main Trailer and Official Key Art Debut

August 5, 2022
Love Slime? Gootopia is the Newest Attraction You Need to Visit in Manila!
A new attraction rises in SM Mall of Asia! Gootopia is a new indoor playground on the 3rd floor of the South Entertainment Mall that brings both kids and adults a slime-tastic adventure.

In the Weird and Wonderful World of Gootopia, you can make your own slime, play games, get slimed, take IG-worthy snaps, and so much more! Below are the obstacles and other attractions you can check out when you visit Gootopia:
- Slime Face
- Balloon Blaster
- Goolectic
- Goonado
- Boom Boxer
- Human Bowling Ball
- Slime Spy
- Slime Pool
- Slime Lab
- Goozooka
- Slime Dunk
Photo: Gootopia on Facebook

Photo: Gootopia on Facebook

Photo: Gootopia on Facebook

Photo: Gootopia on Facebook

Photo: Gootopia on Facebook

Gootopia is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. The online rate is P699 while the walk-in rate is P799. Book your tickets now on www.gootopia.com.
August 5, 2022
Award-winning Environmental Documentary Comes Home To Close Cinemalaya 2022

The award-winning documentary feature, “Delikado,” which draws focus on environmental crusaders who risk their lives protecting the rainforests of Palawan will finally have its Philippine premiere.

The 96-minute enviro-thriller docu directed by journalist Karl Malakunas will be screened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) on Aug. 13 at 3:30 p.m. It will be among the closing films of the 18th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

Nieves Rosento on the campaign trail in the May 2019 elections

In “Delikado,” Malakunas takes viewers to one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations—Palawan. But the former Manila bureau chief of Agence France Presse shies away from the tropical paradise angle and instead shines the light on environmental defenders who are fighting to preserve their natural resources from big developers, politicians, illegal loggers and others who threaten the Philippines’ “last ecological frontier.”

The film follows Robert “Bobby” Chan, lawyer and executive director of the Palawan NGO Network Inc. (PNNI), former El Nido mayor Nieves Rosento and land defender Efren “Tata” Balladares.

Tata Balladares rests on a fallen tree while searching for illegal loggers in forests of southern Palawan, Rizal, Palawan – April, 2018. Photo by Karl Malakunas

Another film participant was “Kap” Ruben Arzaga, one of the volunteer leaders, who was shot dead in an anti-logging operation in 2017.

The film gets up close and personal with some of the environmental crusaders in a country that has been named one of the most dangerous places in Asia for land defenders. Environmental group Global Witness has named the Philippines as such for eight years, with a record of 29 killings of people who were protecting their lands and ecosystems in 2021 alone.

Bobby Chan stands in front of chainsaws at PNNI HQ

“These land defenders are on the frontlines of mankind’s efforts to save the planet from the worst impacts of climate change. I felt the strength and courage of Bobby, Nieves, Tata and other land defenders featured in ‘Delikado’ could be a source of inspiration as we search for hope in our fight to restrain climate change,” Malakunas said in a statement.

He added: “I filmed ‘Delikado’ with the intention of it being an intimate thriller about the lives of the land defenders, to ensure that audiences feel an emotional connection with the characters while learning about extremely compelling social and environmental issues.”

Malakunas and the rest of the team want “Delikado” to leave viewers with lasting impact—the kind that would propel them to take meaningful action against those who threaten the environment and fight for climate change. They also aim to help communities and organizations fighting for their lands raise funds.

“Delikado” is a collaboration of award-winning filmmakers, among them two-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker Marty Syjuco (producer), “Give Up Tomorrow” director Michael Collins (producer, editor and writer), broadcast journalist and Storytellers International Inc. cofounder Kara Magsano-Alikpala (producer) and award-winning cinematographer Tom Bannigan ACS (director of photography).

The docu premiered in April this year at the Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival, and has since made rounds in festivals abroad, including Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York, CAAMFest in San Francisco, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and Take One Action in Scotland.

A review from CineEuropa.Org read that “the documentary has an intense feeling of urgency and immediacy” while showing how the idyllic groups of islands are not just property, but also a home to the communities.

“Delikado” has also received various recognitions, like Sustainable Future Award and Audience Award: Best Documentary #2 at the Sydney Film Festival; Special Jury Prize: Best Documentary Feature at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; and Special Mention: Best International Feature at Doc Edge, New Zealand. The film was also featured at Sheffield Docfest, Human Rights Watch Film Festival, and MountainFilm.

It will also be screened from August 11 to 13 at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Visit delikadofilm.com or https://www.facebook.com/DelikadoFilm for details. For advance ticket purchase, go to https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/event/cinemalaya-18-philippine-independent-film-festival-2022

August 5, 2022
McDonald’s makes your favorite burgers Fresh N Tasty, just the way you like it

Burgers are undeniably on top of everyone’s not-so-guilty pleasures. And why not – the savory goodness of beef patties or chicken fillets paired with oozing cheese and hefty buns are just too satisfying to ignore.

And while we enjoy the filling taste that burgers provide, McDonald’s is here to give us the food fixes we never knew we needed through Fresh ‘N Tasty Burgers – your favorite McDonald’s burgers now with slices of zesty tomato and refreshing lettuce!

You heard that right – there’s more to love in the McDonald’s burgers you already love and enjoy! Have a more delectable dining experience with Fresh ‘N Tasty Burgers as McDonald’s now offers tomatoes and lettuce to the classic favorites Burger McDo, Cheesy Burger McDo, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Double Cheeseburger, and Quarter Pounder with Cheese!

Fresh ‘N Tasty Burgers are now available at your nearest McDonald’s branch via Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru, and McDelivery. Be sure to follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on everything #McDoFreshNTasty and McDonald’s!

August 5, 2022
WATCH: Maya Hawke & Camila Mendes ‘Do Revenge’ in First Teaser for YA Film

Maya Hawke of Stranger Things and Camila Mendes of Riverdale are teaming up in the upcoming Netflix film Do Revenge.

In its first teaser, we get to see Mendes as the queen bee Drea encouraging Hawke’s Eleanor to exact revenge on their enemies. Watch the teaser trailer of Do Revenge below:

Described as a “subverted Hitchcock-ian dark comedy,” the film follows the unlikely team-up of the former school queen bee and an awkward transfer student. Drea’s Alpha it-girl status in school goes up in flames after her sex tape gets leaked to the whole school, seemingly by her boyfriend Max. Meanwhile, Eleanor is furious to find out that she has to attend school with her old bully, Carissa. After encountering each other, Drea and Eleanor struck a deal to get back at their tormentors.

Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, Do Revenge also stars Austin Abrams, Ava Capri, Rish Shah, Talia Ryder, Jonathan Daviss, Maia Reficco, Paris Berelc, Alisha Boe, and Sophie Turner. The film is set for release on September 16.

August 5, 2022
Four New Mouthwatering Desserts to Celebrate M Bakery’s 4th Anniversary

Since opening its world-renowned bakery in BGC in 2018, M Bakery has provided freshly-baked classic American desserts to discerning Filipino foodies. In just four years, M Bakery has established itself as a dessert staple for Filipino celebrations and day-to-day sweet-tooth indulgences.

M Bakery brought a taste of New York to Manila, selling over a million units of its bestsellers such as the signature cupcakes and world-famous banana pudding. M Bakery attributes its success in Manila to its old-fashioned philosophy of “baking from scratch, in small batches, and using only the finest ingredients.” This winning formula, coupled with local creativity, produced exclusive Pinoy flavors such as the ube cupcakes, calamansi cheesecake, and Chocnut Banana Pudding alongside signature New York faves like the Carrie vanilla cupcake, blueberry jamboree and banana pudding.

M Bakery now has two branches, BGC and Rockwell Powerplant Mall, and continues to expand its dessert menu to delight its loyal customers.

To mark its fourth anniversary this August, M Bakery introduces four new dessert creations as its way of saying “thank you” to its loyal fans. Let’s start with not one, but two new featured pudding flavors as M Bakery’s Flavors of the Month!

Orange Cream Soda Pudding

Orange Cream Soda Pudding

Bursting with refreshing orange flavors (and bits) in every bite.

Introducing M Bakery’s Orange Cream Soda Pudding, the perfect sweet and tangy dessert combining orange juice, vanilla wafers and mandarin oranges with their famous vanilla pudding.

Replacing bananas this time with zesty and sweet mandarin oranges, this unique twist to the best-selling pudding is a surefire hit that will remind you of orange-flavored popsicles.

This spectacular dessert can be enjoyed in different sizes: small (PhP 165), medium (PhP 315), large (PhP 505). You may also place an advance order for party bowls: small party bowl serves eight (PhP 2,200) and large party bowl serves 20 (PhP 3,250).

S’mores Banana Pudding

S’mores Banana Pudding

Who wouldn’t want s’mores of these desserts?

M Bakery takes s’mores to another level, creating a new campfire-worthy treat: The S’mores Banana Pudding. Chocolate pudding is layered with graham crackers, marshmallow fluff, marshmallows, bananas and, just to sweeten the deal a bit more, a generous serving of chocolate chips! It’s gooey, melty and chocolatey.

It is available for the whole month of August and comes in three sizes: small (PhP 155), medium (PhP 305), large (PhP 395). You may also place an advance order for party bowls: small party bowl serves 8 (PhP 2,200) and large party bowl serves 20 (PhP 3,250).

Banana Pudding Cookie

Banana Pudding Cookie

M Bakery transforms its iconic banana pudding into a new dessert: the Banana Pudding Cookie.

This handmade cookie has all the taste of the cult-favorite banana pudding, packed with white chocolate chips, vanilla wafers, and M Bakery’s famous Banana Pudding mix.

Enjoy it on its own or paired with banana pudding. It also goes well with M Bakery’s freshly-brewed coffee. Each Banana Pudding Cookie sells at PhP 120 apiece.

Fully Loaded Icebox Pie

Double down on that chocolate fixation with M Bakery’s brand-new icebox pie. This decadent cool treat makes use of two of your favorite chocolate candy bars: the crunchy classic Kitkat and the creamy melt-in-your mouth Milky Way.

Truly loaded for dessert lovers, this chocolatey double fudge brownie crust is layered with slightly tangy cream cheese filling, rich fudge icing and topped with all the fixings anyone can dream of – whipped cream, caramel drizzle, mini chocolate chips, chopped Kit Kat bars, and chunks of Milky Way bars.

Place an advance order for the 9-inch pie size (PhP 2,200) or drop by the store to avail of the bar (PhP 395).

Four Lucky Winners

What’s a celebration without a few treats, right? Visit M Bakery’s social media pages to watch out for the 4^th anniversary promo announcement on August 21, Sunday. A total of four lucky winners (because hey, it’s their fourth birthday here) from Instagram and Facebook will be selected on September 22 and will win 4,000-peso gift cards and limited-edition M Bakery scented candles inspired by its bestselling desserts.

Drop by the main store at Lower Ground, Unit #23 5^th Avenue corner 28^th Street, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Bonifacio Global City or call (+632) 847-9829 or (+63) 917-633-1718 to get your baked treats, join an icing class, or to place your advance orders.

You may also visit M Bakery at the 2^nd floor of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City or call +639178221262 to place your advance orders. You may also find M Bakery on GrabFood, Food Panda and Pick.A.Roo. To learn more about M Bakery’s products and treats, follow M Bakery on Facebook or Instagram.

August 4, 2022
Cinemalaya’s Retrospective Shorts to Showcase Films from 2020 and 2021

After two (2) consecutive years of online streaming, Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival returns to onsite screenings and offers the Retrospective Shorts section on August 7, 9, 10, and 12 at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

The Retrospective Shorts section gives a chance for audiences to rewatch and relive the stories of the 16th (2020) and 17th (2021) edition Cinemalaya entries at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Award winners Tokwifi (Star) by Carla Pulido Ocampo, Pabasa Kan Pasyon by Hubert Tibi, and Quing Lalam Ning Aldo (Under The Sun) by Reeden Fajardo are slated on August 7 at 9:00 pm, and August 9 at 3:00 pm; along with the finalists Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert (The Broken Vinyl Record) by Janina Gacosta and Cheska Marfori, and Fatigued by James Robin Mayo.

Tokwifi was hailed as the Best Short Film of the 16th edition of Cinemalaya, as well as the most honored film for bagging two (2) awards, including the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (NETPAC) Jury Prize. Delving into the world of a Bontok Igorot man and a trapped 1950s showbiz star in television, Tokwifi explored love amidst glaring contrast between the traditional and modern beliefs of the characters.

Living Things by Martika Ramirez Escobar, and Ang Pagpakalma Sa Unos (To Calm the Pig Inside) by Joanna Vasquez Arong which were awarded Best Direction, and Special Jury Prize, respectively in 2020, will be showing on August 9 at 6:15 pm, and August 10 at 9:00 PM; along with Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss by Sonny Calvento, The Slums by Jan Andrei Cobey, Utwas (Arise) by Richard Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay.

Bagging Audience Choice Award, Special Jury Prize, NETPAC Jury Prize during Cinemalaya 2021, An Sadit na Planeta (The Little Planet) by Arjanmar H. Rebeta is among the films showing on August 9 at 9:00 pm, and August 10 at 3:30 pm; along with Maski Papano (I Mask Go On) by Che Tagyamon and Glenn Barit, Crossing by Marc Misa, Kawatan sa Salog (A Toy in the River) by Alphie Velasco, Looking for Rafflesias And Other Fleeting Things by James Fajardo, Out of Body by Enrico Po, and Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Lola Mayumi by Shiri De Leon.

Cinemalaya 2021 Best Short Film, Beauty Queen by Myra Aquino, will be showing on August 10 at 6:15 pm, and August 12 at 9:00 pm, along with Namnama En Lolang (Grandmother’s Hope) by Jonnie Lyn P. Dasalla, Kids on Fire by Kyle Nieva, Ate OG by Kevin Mayuga, The Dust In Your Place by David Olson, and Ang Mga Nawalang Pag-asa at Panlasa (The Lost Hopes and Flavors) by Kevin Jay Ayson and Mark Moneda.

Directed by Myra Aquino, Beauty Queen delved into the life of a beauty queen-turned soldier during World War II. It bagged the coveted balanghai trophy “for its overall technical and artistic excellence, its fine ensemble acting, and its bold storytelling into an eclectic chapter in Philippine history.”

The Retrospective Shorts is part of the 18th edition of Cinemalaya which will happen from August 5 to August 14, 2022.

For more information about Retrospective Shorts sets, visit the CCP and Cinemalaya websites. Follow the CCP and Cinemalaya official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

August 4, 2022
Cinemalaya 18 Breaks Through the Noise with Talkback Sessions

With the return of the Philippines’ most-anticipated independent film festival’s on-site screenings, Cinemalaya 18 features eight-day talkback sessions with the directors of the films in competition, from August 3 to August 13, 2022.

The Talkback sessions provide a great opportunity for the audience to acquire deeper insights about the film they have watched through an interactive discussion with the filmmakers themselves.

The following is the schedule for the Talkback sessions for the competition films (full-length films and short features), which will primarily take place at the CCP Cinemalaya Tent and the Main Gallery.

There are three planned at chosen malls, particularly Megamall, Glorietta, and TriNoma:

On AUGUST 6, 5:30 PM, director Rainerio C. Yamson II is slated for a discussion of his film Angkas (The Backride) to be held at the Cinemalaya Tent. Angkas tells the story of two estranged friends mending their broken past as they embark on a journey while riding a habal-habal to fetch the corpse of their deceased pal. At 6:30 PM in the same venue, Bakit Di Mo Sabihin (Tell Her) director Real S. Florido is open for conversation on his unique film. The aforementioned film is about a deaf couple who discovers that what is separating them is not their inability to communicate verbally or audibly.

On AUGUST 7, 5:30 PM, get a chance to hear director Ronald Espinosa Batallones as he talks about his film Batsoy, which will take place at the Cinemalaya Tent. The story of Batsoy is about two young brothers who start on a fantastical adventure to satisfy their intense and delectable hunger for batsoy. Later at 8:30 PM, director Roman S. Perez Jr. is set to talk about his film Kaluskos (Rustles) at the same venue. His film follows the story of a single mother who is in the midst of a custody dispute discovers something under her daughter’s bed that will make her doubt whether she truly loves the child.

On AUGUST 8, 5:30 PM, director Sheenly Gener’s talkback for Bula sa Langit (Trigger) is slated at the CCP Main Gallery. Her film tells the story of a young soldier who returns home after surviving a siege to fight in a new conflict. On the other hand, the talkback for Shorts A is slated for 8:30 PM at the Cinemalaya Tent. Shorts A comprises six films namely: Roundtrip to Happiness directed by Claudia Fernando, Mata Kang Busay (Vision of The Falls) directed by Niño B. Maldecir, Ampangabagat Nin Talakba Ha Likol (It’s Raining Frogs Outside) directed by Maria Estela Paiso, Kwits (Quits) directed by Raz de la Torre, Mga Handum Nga Nasulat sa Baras (The Dreams That Are Written On The Sand) directed by Arlie Sweet Sumagsay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico, and City of Flowers directed by Xeph Suarez.

On AUGUST 9, 5:30 PM, director Carlo Obispo talks about his film The Baseball Player at the Cinemalaya Tent. The story of the aforementioned film is about a Moro child soldier who dreams of becoming a baseball player in the midst of an all-out war. The talkback for Shorts B follows at 8:30 PM in the same venue. Shorts B is composed of six films including: Si Oddie directed by Maria Kydlee Torato, Duwa-Duwa (The Play) directed by Nena Jane Achacoso, Distance directed by Dexter Paul De Jesus, Dikit directed by Gabriela Serrano, See you, George! directed by Mark Moneda, and Black Rainbow directed by Zig Dulay.

On AUGUST 10, 6:30 PM, director Christian Paolo Lat will talk about his film Ginhawa (Solace) at Megamall. His film tells the story of an aspiring boxer who gets punched by the harsh reality of the sport as he fights his way through the top. At 8:00 PM, Glorietta, director TM Malones expounds on his film Kargo (Cargo). The film follows the story of a woman who finally exacts retribution on the person who killed her whole family in order to free herself from the heavy burden of her past.

On AUGUST 11, 5:30 PM, 12 Weeks is open for discussion with its director Anna Isabelle Matutina at the CCP Main Gallery. Her film tackles the struggles of a single, 40-year-old woman as she is pushed to deal with the thoughts of motherhood. Following at the same venue is another talkback for Ginhawa (Solace) at 8:30 PM with director Christian Paolo Lat. At 3:30 PM, TriNoma, directors Cynthia and Milo Paz are expected to have a discourse on their film Retirada (The Retiree). The film will tell the story of a retired government official’s new hobby which causes existential crisis and financial difficulties.

On AUGUST 12, 8:30 PM, director Ma-an Asuncion will talk to the audience about her film Blue Room at the Cinemalaya Tent. The film follows the members of a progressive rock band who must decide whether to choose freedom or to stick up for their principles.

On AUGUST 13, 3:00 PM, Kargo (Cargo) is scheduled for another discussion with TM Malones at the Cinemalaya Tent. Following at 8:30 PM, the last talkback is with directors Cynthia and Milo Paz for their film Retirada (The Retiree).

In its 18th edition, the theme Breaking Through The Noise reflects the idea that Cinemalaya 2022 is alive and returning to in-house showing of various films and is looking forward to a brighter future. Its key visual, especially the eyeball, expresses the thought of continuity and relevance of independent cinema today.

For more information, visit the CCP (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and Cinemalaya (https://cinemalaya.org/) websites. Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for latest updates.

August 4, 2022