JR's Movie Reviews - EERIE

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EERIE

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"The Pinnacle of Philippine Horror"

Eerie /ˈirē/ defined as being strange and frightening. In the case of this film, it acts as both the atmosphere of where the story takes place and somewhat the name of the ghost which the story revolves around with. We are brought inside an exclusive Catholic academy for girls where a series of mysterious attempted suicides are bound to happen. Patricia, a non-"sister" guidance counselor, investigates the deaths through communication and experiences with the supernatural. Her curiosity brings her close to death but makes her discover the most unsettling explanation to everything. What I liked about this movie is how it made me speechless with an ending so unexpected building through a chilling story. It didn't rely on jumpscares but it drives frights from the situations that aren't so typical but also unexpected. You know that everytime night falls, there is something ought to happen. As the movie's viewer, we are torn between the dogmatic and the psychological. We question beliefs of the church while emanating the real diseases of depression and anxiety that are in need of crucial attention.

Mikhail Red is that damn amazing with creating thrillers; his recent “Birdshot” and “Neomanila” films are masterpieces on their own right. His first entry to horror, “Eerie”, is unarguably the best horror film to have spawned in Philippine cinema; it’s the Filipino film to beat this year. The cinematography is astounding, it matches Hollywood horror films aplenty due to how effective it captures the fright of the viewers at their most fragile. Bea Alonzo may be known for your romcom and drama flicks but step aside Kris Aquino we have our new scream queen. Bea’s acting in this film is beyond amazing. I love everything about her in this film; it might even be her best film to date. Charo Santos works effectively as a villain at the same time an empathetic character. Their combination is complimentary, likeable also hateable at times. This movie is truly scary but my love is through the film’s artistry, meaning and direction. The Philippines may not have its Alfred Hitchcock, Jordan Peele or Steven Spielberg but it has a Mikhail Red to be proud of. Eerie, and I emphasize this again, is the Best Philippine Horror Film to date.

JR's Movie Reviews - US

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US

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"The Duality of the Human Experience"

Jordan Peele may have earned a name alongside Hitchcock, Spielberg and Kubrick for crafting intense yet symbolic horror movies deserving of audience and acclaim. “Get Out” is one of my favorite horror movies and “Us” definitely I anticipated by the time it was announced. It didn’t fail expectations and delivered superbly. It’s definitely horror, no other genre attached. We are brought to a sun-soaked beachfront of California where Adelaide gets to see a duplicate of herself when she was still a child. Years later, her family faces their exact replications in an uprising to conquer the United States. The tethers, a symbolism of human duality between good and evil, are scary and their every move is creepy enough to create a new monster in movies. It took real effort to portray characters of differing nature, one bothersome the other your typical human. Stand out would definitely be Lupita Nyong’o’s anxious Adelaide and well-trained Red. That scene where they chase each other in the end was for me the creepiest. Else, the music at the beginning and a disturbing version of “I Got 5 On It” gave me the goosebumps when no horror was yet on the onset of happening. As a horror movie fan, I definitely had fun checking out the many references, as well, in this film as what is expected of Jordan Peele. Untether yourself from reality with this new horror masterpiece.

JR's Movie Reviews - THE FAVOURITE

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THE FAVOURITE

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"An Exuberance of Treachery and Jealousy"

No other historical and biographical and comedy film comes close to this film right here. It's one of the most absurd yet unique pieces of cinematic comedies in recent memory. We go back to 18th Century Britain when the country is at war with France. The country then is being led by an uncapable and irresponsible Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) who have frequent mood swings and the inarguable urge for food and sex. While the Queen struggles to balance emotions and leadership, her two aides, Sarah (Rachel Weisz) and Abigail (Emma Stone), fight over to be "that favourite" of the queen, a possible successor to her no heir apparent reign. We engage in their love and hate escapades making us feel dumbfounded by the time the credits roll. With amazing costume and production design, "The Favourite" stands out as one of the most exudingly elaborate I have seen. It's extravagant yet beautiful. I got even hooked to Vivaldi after watching this movie. This is the kind of comedy I like and revere, not much slapstick but more on the dark and satire.

JR's Movie Reviews - CAPTAIN MARVEL

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CAPTAIN MARVEL

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (8.0 out of 10, Satisfactory)

"Hope After The Infinity War"

Believe me, when I say, that you have to watch this before bracing ourselves for the Endgame. It sets the tone for what's in store for the future movie as we understand Captain Marvel, her origins and how strong she really is. Set in the 1990s, we see how airpilot Carol Danvers get transformed to the superhero she was destined to be. We see Nick Fury understand her powers too which sets up his Avengers Initiative after getting engaged with aliens and the unthinkable. This movie suffers a sluggish start that might bore viewers from the lack of action but the last half starting from the train scene until it's end are more than enough to enjoy with. I felt teary-eyed though seeing the Stan Lee tribute they made at the beginning of this movie and again when we see his cameo within the movie. As we follow the story of Captain Marvel and Carol Danvers, we see another character, Maria Rambeau that might be forgotten by some by was actually pivotal since she exemplified the formidable spirit of women of color too, a definite Avenger too (if possible). I know, who wouldn't forget the surprise Goose, how he ingested the Tesseract and also damaged Fury's Eye; that you have to also anticipate in this movie. My only question with learning about Captain Marvel was why only now when we could have called her from the very beginning?

JR's Movie Reviews - HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD

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HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (9.0 out of 10, Impressive)

"Training Hardest, Leading and Letting Go"

It all ends with a blast. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is definitely a fitting end to a beloved animated franchise. We bid farewell to both Hiccup and Toothless as they decide to part ways to lead their own individual kingdoms but not without a challenge along the way, a villain who has the thirst for dragon's blood. As Hiccup and Astrid ties the knot, stay tuned for the Light Fury that would fill you with awe and goosebumps. We would eventually discover what is "The Hidden World", what it is and what it looks like. It's a very beautiful mystery that again fuels goosebumps. Await some scenes as well that are throwbacks to the past two films. The animation, as like the last film, improved even the slightest detail and background are too well designed. This movie is not without morals for kids who have grown to be inspired by the first film. It's sad to say goodbye though but all must come to an end. Their story indeed changed the world forever.

JR's Movie Reviews - HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2

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HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2

Year of Release: 2014

JR's Rating:  (9.5 out of 10, Impressive)

"Train Harder, Bravery, Love and Sacrifice"

Tomorrow would be my review for HTTYD 3; today, How To Train Your Dragon 2. The second outing in this marvelous animated franchise brings us family love and also a powerful villain at its center. While Hiccup would finally meet his overly amazing mother, devastation would struck them when the villain would kill a character we loved from the first film. We finally see responsibility taking a toll on the main character especially when the yearn for leadership is high. The stakes are high for Hiccup when everybody looks up to him. When man finally got the trust of dragon, how would they face it when an alpha beast gets into the mix. I have to say though, I prefer the first film over this since the experience of awe when seeing the dragons for the first time wasn't already there; however, this film gave me some sadder moments due to a villain which was absent from the first film. The animation was improved and definitely over the top in this second film. Facial hair, environment textures and also water and ice are some of those that I am really impressed. If you pay attention to each scene, attention to detail was placed to moving pieces behind the talking or conversing characters that are to enjoy as well. If you loved the first film, you have to watch this as well.

JR's Movie Reviews - HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

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HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Year of Release: 2010

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"Train Hard, Prove Everybody Wrong"

Before I even do my review for HTTYD 3, I just have to give my insights on its two preceding movies; so first, How To Train Your Dragon. Proving everybody wrong is just the hardest challenge any person must face. The traditional mindset prevails even in a slowly changing society as they have to be contested against updated yet better ones. How To Train Your Dragon explores a story unlike no other where such is expressed in a tale of dragon and man both at odds with one another. A nobody named Hiccup, the son of the village's chieftain, is set to do the unthinkable, tame and take control of a dragon when none was able to do it. With too many dragons and characters to explore, we engage ourselves in a quest to find the truth and discover who the real enemy is. How To Train Your Dragon is a remarkable feat in animation providing a creative and awe-inspiring tale that still resonates from the first time you'll watch it. The graphics and it's attention to detail are some of what I praise in this future classic. It remains a personal favorite that I highly suggest kid or all those young at heart to see. It's indeed a masterclass in animation that is indicative of sequels that are destined to succeed.