How To Be Yours Movie Review: A Great Filipino Romantic Film from Star Cinema

Let me just say that in this movie review of How to Be Yours by Star Cinema, my reservation and cynicism in the romantic movie genre of Filipino films were completely taken away. So I watched it last night in a modestly occupied cinema and I really loved the film. This is a rare film where I get to fully understand each character arc and motives throughout the runtime. I definitely recommend it for you to watch and enjoy. I am not kidding, I literally got home feeling happy and believe in love again and in the romantic Filipino movies.

A Scene from How To Be Yours; Star Cinema, Gerald Anderson, Bea Alonzo

Spectacularly played by Bea Alonzo as Anj and Gerald Anderson as Niño whom pretty much started off the movie with the familiar tropes of every Filipino cheesy rom-com movie, this one did not veer much from what we are expecting. Yet, for all its storyline and ingenious structure, the focus is on both the main character and the development of their relationship. The story itself is character motivated and the gravity of the story is how much it is reflective of our everyday choices. Career and having an intimate relationship with someone is both a tough choice to bear, but hey, this is their story and we cannot judge their actions if it is right or wrong.

Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo; How To Be Yours Star Cinema

This would be a no spoiler review and basing on the run of the movie, I was definitely hooked and started to care about the character, especially on how realistic and natural their chemistry was. There were scenes that played out like a commercial photo shoot but, the grandeur of emotion you would feel is real and not just shoved down on your viewing style. They act as if, we as moviegoers take a glance on their relationship and reflect on how would we be dealing in case some of it happens to us. Yes, there are tears and the director, Dan Villegas expertly crafted the emotion by not inserting background score and you can hear the actors talking without any distraction. The supporting cast was not doing much except for being just the observer and point guard to stir more realization between the lovers.

How To Be Yours knows its target audience and they would surely be satisfied with how it unfolds. Forget about the cliché and formulaic events sans death, disease, third party or drama tropes that are unnecessary and unbelievable. This is truly one of the best made Filipino romantic films I have seen for the year. Do not miss this and watch while it is still available. I hope we get more of this type of films as they are presenting the story in a way that everyone would go home and ponder what the hell is going on with our lives. Are we just there for the relationship or we just need more of what we already have? Emptiness is painful by the way. Hugot pa more!

The Conjuring 2: Movie Review; It Is Way Scarier and I Love It

After James Wan turned down a big deal to direct Fast 8 scheduled to be released next year, he came back to his roots of film-making - horror. The Conjuring 2 stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, a couple trying to help a family in Enfield, London believed to be haunted by a dark vicious spirit. The film begins with the Warren attempting to find out what really happened at the murder in the infamous Amityville Haunting. Going into details as to the how the film progresses throughout its more than 2 hours runtime, I never get bored and I am satisfied with my craving for real suspense and sheer tension that every horror fan should feel whenever they are watching a Horror Movie.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Famiga - The Conjuring 2: Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros.

James Wan is a master of tense-filled imagery and clashing expectations of what would happen before your preconceived notion of what was supposed to happen. The cinematography playing with your sense of dread and subconsciously building images that isn't there or going to happen just really played you well. Then comes the performances from the characters. They are not acting per se, but it is like you are following what is going on with them and you feel helpless and emphatic on what is going on with them. Skepticism and endless questioning whether they are for real is just as painful and frustrating. The Conjuring 2 is effective and an absolute thrill ride because it would not stop on playing with you. Yep it is somewhat formulaic but the execution is all that matters. The movie give itself justice and nothing more.


One scene that stands out for me was when Janet (played by Madison Wolfe - and I do hope they consider acting in horror movies nowadays because she is just brilliant), totally embodied the weary, tired and totally helpless, hopeless and rock-bottom individual. She was having a conversation with Lorraine on a swing and she just blew me away.


As the movie build-up, more scares are coming up and boy the theatre gets wild with shouting, using their phone as a distraction and lots of guys enjoying their time being held by their girlfriend or boyfriend if there are. Well my lady friend was hiding in me all throughout but hey, the thrill is she's scared.


The Conjuring 2 is really for every horror fans looking for a breather on gory, violent and misogynistic approach nowadays on this genre. So, thanks James Wan for another installment of the movie and I would definitely watch The Conjuring later. You should check this out with a lot of friends and feel happy when the movie is over because, yeah, who would have though a horror movie could be fun. Am I right?

Warcraft Film Review: The Warcraft Movie is Awesome; As Said by My Brothers and My Dad and Why I Kind of Agree With It

First of all, I am not saying Warcraft has the chops or recognition in rank of prestige acting, story telling and clear connection to the general audience. My whole family watched it on 3D because some dumb theatres still can't show the film in IMAX for whatever reason. As the film started, well you know, the people whispering knows what is going on and whatever place, name or character form of characters that are popping out of the screen. So to say, my brothers are all gamers of the movie adaptation and I have tried playing it once and I totally sucked at it so I stopped and moved on. My dad can't stop to enjoy it because he only wants a movie with a lot of action scenes whatever the story or whatever is happening as long as the screen shows fight scenes and explosions.


Not that I am complaining, I have a very high expectation for this film because of Duncan Jones whom directed the movie Source Code which I think I have watched at least 10 more times. That film is so good that when I followed the development of this film, all I can say is that, this adaptation is worth the wait and all I can say is that, I would treat my entire family with this one. Then, before I hit the theatres, I read for reviews and they are scathing like hell. Well, I still have to see it and keep my promise to my brother although I am kind of veering not to see it anymore.

Durotan played by Toby Kebbel; Image Courtesy of Universal

One thing I can truly say is that, if I would chose, this is way better than the last Transformers movie and other video game adaptations like Dwayne Johnsons' "Doom" which is cool enough but not with this one. I really had fun with this and now I totally would defend this film because, Mr. Jones tried his best to integrate the film in a way that even non-players would understand it at once. The film is done and it is irreversible if critics would say he should have done this and that. If that is the case, then why don't this critics went on the storyboard and then tried to fix the story if they wanted to be pleased. Huh, sorry but I really like the film. My friends would tell me Gods of Egypt is great but I would be a total 360 degrees with them and say "Hell no! That is the worst!"


This film has true gamers at its core and yet, to please all of them has to be a lot of burden for the creative team. They have done it well but not well enough to be appreciated by the general audience like "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" series. But hey, those are literary masterpieces and the writing is there already with all the story cohesion, subtle commentaries and general appreciation from all.


Video game movie adaptation is the worst idea to be put into in a film because not all are gamers and the complicated storylines, interweaving character development and a lot of aspect are all considered unlike for book adaptations, where it is all linear and the story is already set. Correct me if I am wrong with my assumption and I would gladly hear it.


Suffice to say, for whatever reason, this film deserves another look and a second chance for a sequel because maybe that would sort out the curse of video game adaptation (I am looking forward to you too, Assassins Creed.) So go to the theatres showing this and raise a clan for them to appreciate this. Now I sound pitiful. Seriously, I love this film to have a sequel and yeah, the actors need to improve on their role, like seriously, I can't root for anyone of you, except for the baby with the Moises story-like arc.

2016 TV Upfront (ABC, NBC, Fox, The CW) then Why We Should Be Excited About It!

ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS together with CW are now gearing up for new shows to appease their target advertisers bringing new content and original programming for the audiences to enjoy.


For a start, I would be collecting information and latest news for my pick on the upcoming fall TV shows that would surely put us on our couches again.


Follow this blog for more posts and updates.

This is Us; New NBC Show to Be Excited About

Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia; "This Is Us"; Image Copyright of NBC

This Is Us New Series Trailer




After setting a record of 15 million views on Facebook, let the positivity begin. Why am I excited on this one, because of Mandy Moore and it has been a long time since I saw her on TV. If I remember correctly, that was when she checked in for an episode arc on Grey's anatomy where later she just died after barely escaping to be shot by the grieving killer on the cliff-hanging season.




So setting the record straight, the series was created by Dan Fogelman (writer for my favorite movie Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.) The series focuses on ensemble of cast which have the same birthday. At first, it said it was a dramedy but I think it would tag along the drama territory once the episodes are coming in.




What I like about the concept of this series is that, it kind of implies a lighter tone for upcoming dramas wherein it would not have to be gritty and cynic in order to be a great one. Just let us enjoy the greatness of life.




I would definitely wait for this one and make it a habit to check out for recap. Yeah, I would do recaps for this show.