Celebrate Two Decades of Philippine independent cinema with ‘Cinemalaya Bente: Loob, Lalim, Lakas’ from August 2-11, showcasing compelling films and diverse voices at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Twenty years into navigating the cinematic imagination, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival sets sail once more from August 2 to 11, guided by the Filipino people’s inner constellation, imagery, and creativity.

Embracing the theme “Cinemalaya Bente: Loob, Lalim, Lakas,” the pioneering independent film festival returns with 10 compelling full-length and 10 captivating short films in competition. For its 20th edition, Cinemalaya promises top-tier visual storytelling that ignites imaginations while amplifying diverse voices in cinema.

Full-Length Films in Competition:

ALIPATO AT MUOG by JL Burgos
AN ERRAND by Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta
TUMANDOK by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico
BALOTA by Kip Oebanda
GULAY LANG MANONG (NO MORE THAN VEGGIES) by BC Amparado
KANTIL (TRENCH) by Joshua Caesar Medroso
KONO BASHO by Jaime Pacena II
LOVE CHILD by Jonathan Jurilla
THE HEARING by Lawrence Fajardo and Honee Alipio
THE WEDDING DANCE by Julius Lumiqued

Short Feature Films in Competition:

ABOGBAYBAY by P.R. Monencillo Patindol
ALL THIS WASTED SPACE by Cris Bringas
AMBOT WALA KO KABALO UNSAY I-TITLE INI by Rey Anthony Villaverde
CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE by Sam Manasca
I WAS WALKING ON THE STREETS OF CHINATOWN by Ryan Capili
MAMA by Alexandra Brizuela
MARIPOSA by Melanie Faye Tampos
PAMALANDONG SA DANOW (REFLECTION IN THE MARSH) by Breech Asher Harani
PRIMETIME MOTHER by Sonny Calvento
THE RED TRAILS (AN BAGA SA DALAN) by Mariel Ritchie Jolejole and Roniño Dolim

A New Venue for a Continuing Legacy

Amidst the ongoing rehabilitation of the CCP Main Building, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. proudly bring this cinematic feast to Ayala Malls Manila Bay. For over two decades, Ayala Malls has steadfastly supported CCP and Cinemalaya as a valued partner.

During its 10-day run, Cinemalaya films in competition and exhibitions will be screened at Cinema 2, Cinema 8, Cinema 9, and Cinema 10. These screenings secure a safe space for independent filmmakers to tell their stories and share perspectives on issues shaping the nation, while propelling the Philippine cinema industry to new heights.

For more information, visit the CCP website and the Cinemalaya website. Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages and other social media accounts on X, Instagram, and TikTok.

(ROHN ROMULO)

A group of fearless storm chasers risk their lives to face one of nature’s most terrifying forces in “Twisters.” The epic disaster film arrives in Philippine cinemas on July 17, but movie-goers can get their tickets now ahead of everyone else by logging in at www.twisters.com.ph.

Watch the brand new trailer here: https://youtu.be/ORAgIWnn5QQ

To join the audience in the thrill ride of the year, let’s meet the tornado wranglers:

Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), is the charismatic leader of the pack. A former rodeo star, Tyler found fame on social media as a viral “extreme meteorologist,” seeking thrills chasing intense storms across the country.

Once passionate about trying to predict, chase, and tame tornadoes, Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones) settles for a life behind the desk to escape the failure of her pursuit. When opportunity presents itself with an anomalous extreme storm, a shot at redemption, and a second chance for adventure, is revealed to her.

Javi (Anthony Ramos) is similarly haunted by the tragedy that befell Kate’s crew. He re-enters Kate’s life as an entrepreneur, developing technology that aims to study tornadoes in an attempt to tame them.

Joining the crew is Boone (Brandon Perea), who is part of Tyler’s squad as the videographer, capturing their escapades for social media. Lily (Sasha Lane), is also part of the crew as their drone-toting scouter.

Meet the tornado wranglers in this featurette: https://youtu.be/yC9p_MbfVs0

Watch them chase the most extreme storms nature has to offer as “Twisters” crashes into Philippine cinemas on July 17.

Credit: “Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.”

(ROHN ROMULO)

IT is worth noting that an appearance from Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner/Hulk has been rumored and possibly teased for quite some time.

The first potential clue came from Netflix’s The Adam Project in 2022 which starred both Ruffalo and Ryan Reynolds, while also being directed by Deadpool & Wolverine’s director Shawn Levy.

The movie features a key Easter egg with stickers of both Deadpool and the Hulk, which many have taken as a possible tease that the MCU’s Hulk might make an appearance in the upcoming Deadpool movie.

Additionally, there have been a couple of nods to the Hulk in Deadpool & Wolverine’s trailers.

In trailers for Deadpool & Wolverine, both Wade and Logan are featured in the Void and interacting in a room with the same bed Hulk slept in when he was fighting as one of the Grandmaster’s galactic gladiators in Thor: Ragnarok.

This was a period in which the Hulk had refused to let Bruce Banner take control of their body ever since the events of Age of Ultron, resulting in greater growth for the Hulk who’d gained some improved language skills. The Hulk has essentially chosen to stay in control, choosing to enjoy fame as the Grandmaster’s favored champion on Sakaar.

As such, the bed in Deadpool & Wolverine could very well be a tease that a variant of “Gladiator Hulk” was at some point pruned by the TVA. This would have resulted in an alternate timeline apart from the main Earth-616 reality where Hulk ends up in the Void, rather than joining forces with Thor and facing Hela ahead of his return to Earth in Avengers: Infinity War. Additionally, a version of the Hulk living in the Void could prove to be a potent set of circumstances, one that could potentially transform Banner/Hulk into the darkest version of themselves from the comics: The Maestro.

In the original comics, The Maestro was a version of the Hulk from an alternate dystopian future where the world had been ravaged by nuclear warfare, resulting in Banner being one of the last few superhumans left as his body had simply absorbed the radiation, though at the cost of much of his sanity.

A combination of Bruce’s intelligence while still being controlled by the Hulk’s darker and more aggressive impulses, Hulk becomes the Maestro, seeking to rule what remains. He’s also had encounters with Old Man Logan, a future version of Wolverine who survived in his own dark alternate future timeline.

To that end, one could see the MCU swapping out this original dystopian future from the comics with the wasteland that is the Void.

At any rate, it would certainly be exciting to see any version of the Hulk making an appearance in the MCU’s upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine.

(Source: screenrant.com)

(ROHN ROMULO)

Discover the thrilling conclusion of the hit crime thriller, “My Home Hero The Movie,” streaming exclusively on Disney+ from July 12. Starring Kuranosuke Sasaki and Asuka Saito.

Prepare for an unforgettable ride as “My Home Hero The Movie” debuts on Disney+ this July 12. This highly anticipated film is the dramatic conclusion to the serialized adaptation of the hit manga series that has left audiences on the edge of their seats.

After briefly topping Japan’s box office, “My Home Hero The Movie” returns to the gripping world of the original series. Fans will be thrilled to see their favorite characters, portrayed by the original actors, with the addition of an expanded cast.

Based on the popular Kodansha manga, the original series follows the unassuming businessman Tetsuo Tosu. In a desperate bid to protect his daughter, Tetsuo murders her abusive boyfriend and cleverly evades imprisonment. Using his extensive knowledge from mystery novels, Tetsuo navigates the dangers posed by both the police and the local gang leader, Kyoichi Majima.

Set seven years after the series finale, “My Home Hero The Movie” begins with a landslide uncovering the hidden body of the daughter’s boyfriend. This discovery provides fresh evidence for a new investigation led by none other than Tetsuo’s daughter, Detective Reika Tosu. As the police and local gangsters close in, Tetsuo must once again use his wits to stay ahead. Will he manage to evade capture once more, or will justice finally catch up with him?

The movie stars: Kuranosuke Sasaki as Tetsuo Tosu, Asuka Saito as Detective Reika Tosu, Tae Kimura as Kasen Tosu, Kyohei Takahashi as Kyoichi Majima

Joining them are renowned voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda, Ryubi Miyase, Danshun Tatekawa, Toshiyuki Itakura, Shunsuke Daito, Shou Nishigaki, and Shunya Kaneko, bringing even more depth to this thrilling narrative.

Mark your calendars and get ready to stream the thrilling conclusion of this saga from July 12, exclusively on Disney+. “My Home Hero The Movie” promises to deliver suspense, intrigue, and a powerful storyline that fans won’t want to miss.

(ROHN ROMULO)

AFTER his starring in the sci-fi saga The OA, and his big-screen breakout in Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed horror film Nope, Brandon Perea chases storms along with Tyler Owen (Glen Powell) as Boone in Twisters. A modern chapter to the 1991 blockbuster, Twister, the new epic adventure follows a group of storm chasers as they try to predict and possibly tame one of nature’s most destructive forces.

Watch Perea and the rest of the cast in the “A Look Inside” featurette: https://youtu.be/tDo9QnmBaEM

Boone and the rest of Owen’s squad hail from Arkansas, and the group of adrenaline junkies are in it for the thrills. “They’re a diverse group of fun and crazy hooligans who work efficiently together, but there’s a higher purpose in what they do,” Perea says. “They’re cool because everyone’s just being their genuine honest self, no false fronts. Their goal is to help people and have fun while doing it, and as they reveal themselves to the audience, they will earn everyone’s respect.”

Perea and the cast found inspiration for the vibe of their fun-loving, rag-tag group from the original Twister character, Dusty, played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. “I know that I’m talking about one of the greatest actors of all time,” Perea says. “Hopefully I can bring even just a pinkie-nail amount of that fun-kooky energy he brought to the film.”

Director Lee Isaac Chung also wanted to pay tribute to Hoffman by imbuing some of Dusty’s aesthetic onto Boone. “I also wanted to pay respect to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was so beloved in Twister, for playing this quirky, thrill-seeking character, Dusty, and whose spirit can be seen in the storm wranglers,” Chung says. “Perhaps the most explicit of those homages are on Boone, Tyler’s right-hand man and hype beast, played by Brandon Perea, who rocks some tie-dye, and on Lily, played by Sasha Lane, the group’s free-spirited drone flyer, whose pants have swatches of floral fabric, all nods to Dusty’s wardrobe prints.”

Catch Boone and the gang as they wrangle tornadoes in Twisters, crashing through Philippine cinemas on July 17.
Credit: “Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.”

(ROHN ROMULO)

Whether it’s a catchy upbeat tune like “Happy” or a positively mellow song like “Just A Cloud Away,” the “Despicable Me” franchise has produced some of the most beloved music for animated films.

The musical themes for the different characters are just as memorable because, in the world of “Despicable Me 4,” the music plays a vital role in interweaving the narrative with equal parts mischief and heart.

Grammy Award-winning composer Heitor Pereira, the creative force behind the “Despicable Me” films’ iconic musical scores, adopts a character-centric approach to his compositions. “Believe it or not, I wait until every new character sings their melodies to me,” Pereira says. “I hear their music through the tones of their voices, the rhythm of their dialogue, their extreme personalities, and how they interact with all the other characters in the story. When you write for one character, you have to think about all the others – it is how this melody can coexist and interact with the melodies of everybody else. Animation can be very intricate. My job is still to make it sound like the music was born along with it!”

Pereira’s collaboration with Grammy Award-winner and Oscar® nominee Pharrell Williams has been instrumental in shaping the musical identity of the franchise. Williams’s original songs, including “Despicable Me,” “Happy,” and “Just A Cloud Away,” among many others, have become emblematic of the “Despicable Me” brand.

“In the first movie, we worked very closely together,” Pereira recalls. “Hans Zimmer introduced me to him and asked me if I would do an arrangement of the girls’ theme. I put my heart into it, showed it to them the next morning, and I got a gig and a new musical friend! He came to my studio many, many times, and we had a lot of fun. Since then, he writes his great songs, and I write the score. Even though I write the new themes for the new characters, Pharrell’s original themes are still there – as I pointed out, the girls’ theme, or Gru’s theme, which we ended up collaborating on, and I wrote the Minions’ theme. But, like him, I come from pop music, so my love for songs never goes away. I just see the score as a massive song! In doing that, Pharrell is ever-present.”

“Despicable Me 4” will feature a new original song from Williams, which reflects the double life that Gru leads in the film. “Gru is trying to live in peace in American suburbia, yet has to uproot his family to go on the run from his new enemies,” Williams says. “His family starts to catch on despite his efforts to hide the danger. The song is about struggling with keeping his identity as a secret agent despite wanting to be honest with his family.”

Williams’s partnership with Illumination and Pereira has enriched the “Despicable Me” franchise’s musical landscape. “Our goal is to connect with humans, building on themes and situations that resonate with most people,” Williams says. “We try to do it vividly and harmoniously. I remain a student and learn so much from Heitor every time we collaborate. He is a genius composer, a creatively articulate guitar player, a shining Brazilian talent.”

In “Despicable Me 4,” Gru’s (Steve Carell) life is turned upside down with the arrival of his and Lucy’s (Kristen Wiig) new baby, expanding his role to a father of four and a dedicated AVL agent. While on a mission with the fan-favorite minions, Gru comes face to face with the villain Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.

Packed with non-stop action and filled with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, “Despicable Me 4” is now showing in cinemas nationwide. #DespicableMe4PH

(ROHN ROMULO)

“This movie is so much fun and, in my opinion, smart and big,” says Channing Tatum of his new comedy drama Fly Me to the Moon. “And mounting a movie of this size is kind of like shooting a rocket to the moon.”

Fly Me to the Moon is a stylish, multi-faceted comedy drama with a hint of romance set against the high-stakes backdrop of NASA’s historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Scarlett Johansson, who also produces the film, plays marketing maven Kelly Jones, tasked by the White House to stage a fake moon landing as back-up – and this mission does not sit well with launch director Cole Davis, played by Tatum. Of the story, Tatum says, “It was unlike any script that I’ve been reading lately. It’s a movie you don’t see get made anymore. It has an older tone, but it does feel modern. When I met with Greg Berlanti, the director, I thought we were going to do this very, like, pastiche sort of tone, like His Girl Friday or something like that, but he was like, ‘No, definitely I want it to be you guys and really play with it.’ He really wanted us to improv a little as well, and that kind of made it a little bit more modern and not so rigid. It just has a really strange tone that I really loved, and set in a big, epic setting of our history in time in America.”

One of the film’s strengths is the chemistry between its two leads, Johansson and Tatum. “Cole was a very good pilot and he always wanted to go to the moon, that’s why he came to NASA,” says Tatum about his character. “Turns out he had a medical condition that wouldn’t let him go, and now he’s going to take it upon himself to basically get all his friends that are pilots themselves [to the moon]. They’re very close and he’s going to be responsible for coaching them to get to the moon. At the time, it was really, really bad. They were not winning this race, and he was feeling the pressure. And then a saving grace angel comes in and gets him the money that he actually needs to be able to do this but kind of against his will.

Speaking more about Johansson’s marketing maven character Kelly, Tatum says, “She definitely comes in and mixes things up in a man’s world. She just comes in like a bowling ball and just starts wrecking things –”

“ – or fixing things, I would say,” Johansson playfully interjects.

“ – wrecking them and then putting them back together in a better way, is what I was going for,” admits Tatum with a laugh.

Besides Johansson and Tatum, the film also stars Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano and Jim Rash, who play characters that are just as memorable. Johansson, who, as one of the producers had a hand in choosing the director, gives credit to Greg Berlanti, whose previous credits include Love, Simon and DC’s Arrowverse. “Greg is such a champion for all of the characters,” says Johansson. “He really loves actors and performance so much, and celebrates comedy and nuance.”

Like Tatum, Johansson was also very impressed with the film’s story. “It’s so unusual these days that a film is offered in theaters that has an original story, and has this kind of scope,” she says. “It’s a big movie but the story itself is very intimate, it’s like a character piece that’s in this massive, huge set piece. To me, getting to experience that in the fullest, watching it on the screen with an audience and get carried away, there’s a certain kind of nostalgia, a kind of magic to that tone of film that is not common now. So being able to experience that in theaters is like a wonderful night out.”

Will they make it or fake it? Find out when Fly Me to the Moon, also starring Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano and Jim Rash, opens in cinemas July 10. Distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, #FlyMeToTheMoon @columbiapicph (Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”)

(ROHN ROMULO)

Glen Powell has always had an interest in joining the disaster thrill-ride, “Twisters,” since he caught wind of it. He’d been keeping close tabs on the project while working with Joseph Kosinski for “Top Gun: Maverick,” as Kosinski was developing the story for “Twisters.” “Joe told me what an exciting movie this was going to be, with all these vivid characters, including a certain wild tornado-chasing cowboy, and all these amazing action sequences with different tornadoes,” Powell says.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/qxxgOTQKpck

The opportunity arose as he was working on another film, Powell recalls. “I was filming ‘Anyone But You’ in Australia when I got a call asking if I’d be interested in ‘Twisters’ and whether I would be open to doing a chemistry read with Daisy, who was already cast,” he says.

Director Lee Isaac Chung thinks Powell is perfect for playing the charming rodeo star-turned-viral stormchaser. “Glen is so charismatic, interesting, and funny, you end up loving him even when he’s playing characters like Tyler who are cocky and big showboats,” Chung says. “But he’s also an extraordinary actor with great depth and he’s so good at letting that seep through and reveal itself almost effortlessly, without forcing it,” Chung explains.

What sealed the deal was an episode of the morning show Today that revealed another side of the veteran actor. “Glen was on ‘Today’ with his parents, talking about his parents and their impact on his life, and I saw this layer of him that I wanted for this character, someone with real heart,” Chung says. “I knew then I wanted him on board.”

Powell also drew inspiration from another personal connection: the late Bill Paxton, who starred in the original ‘Twister’ film. Powell and Paxton worked together on the 2013 western “Red Wing.” “When I was first getting to know Bill, the two movies I talked with him the most about were Apollo 13 and ‘Twister’, both of which pushed the limits of practical effects and visual effects and required a lot from their actors in terms of research,” Powell says. “Bill helped me understand what it takes to make characters like Tyler feel grounded and real, but also cool and fun and interesting, all at the same time. I thought about Bill Paxton often while making ‘Twisters.’ It’s an impossible task to follow in his footsteps. But I hope people can see a little bit of his light emanating through the movie.”

All this experience and research led Powell to find the real strength in his character. “I wanted to start out with my character presenting as exactly the guy you think he is, this self-promoting adrenaline junkie,” Powell says. “But then you realize there’s real depth to him. His team of storm chasers seem like this traveling circus of thrill seekers, but they share this complicated fascination with the unexplainable phenomenon that are tornadoes. They seem to have a casual, devil-may-care attitude, but they’re no dummies. They have deep respect for the awesome power of tornadoes and care about the people affected by the destruction they cause. They’re a band of misfits that have grown into a family that works together and takes care of each other … and those they find on their way.”

Catch heart-racing action as “Twisters” storms across Philippine cinemas on July 17.

Credit: “Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.”

(ROHN ROMULO)

IT’S been seven years since the last “Despicable Me” movie graced theaters. So, what has everyone’s favorite villain-turned Anti-Villain League (AVL) agent been up to?

In this eagerly awaited “Despicable Me 4,” Gru (Steve Carell) faces a whirlwind of changes. With the arrival of his and Lucy’s (Kristen Wiig) new baby, Gru’s life expands into that of a father of four and a committed AVL agent. While on a mission with the fan-favorite Minions, Gru encounters the villain Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, forcing the family to go on the run.

Let’s dive into the new characters making waves in “Despicable Me 4”

Maxime Le Mal, voiced by Emmy winner Will Ferrell (“Anchorman,” “The Lego Movie”), is Gru’s high school nemesis. After Gru embarrasses Maxime by having him arrested at their class reunion for Lycee Pas Bon School of Villainy, Maxime’s grudge turns into an all-consuming vendetta. Escaping from prison, he relentlessly pursues Gru and his family, determined to settle the score.

Ferrell relished the chance to clash with Steve Carell’s Gru. “Who wouldn’t want to be part of the ‘Despicable Me’ universe?” Ferrell remarks. “Maxime is a blend of suave sophistication and deep-seated insecurity, creating a villain you love to hate, but also kinda feel sorry for. It was incredibly fun to explore that balance.”

Valentina, voiced by Emmy nominee Sofía Vergara (“Modern Family”), was the most popular femme fatale at Lycee Pas Bon School of Villainy and is now Maxime’s girlfriend and pilot of his giant ship. “I was drawn to Valentina’s confidence and allure,” Vergara shares. “She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, no matter the obstacles. Finding her fierce determination and softer, vulnerable moments was a creative challenge I enjoyed.”

To protect Gru from Le Mal’s wrath, the AVL relocates Gru and his family to the quaint town of Mayflower under new identities. Poppy Prescott, voiced by Joey King (“Bullet Train,” “The Kissing Booth”), is Gru’s new teenage neighbor with dreams of becoming a supervillain. Obsessed with all things villainous, Poppy blackmails Gru into helping her pull a heist at Lycee Pas Bon School of Villainy.

King loved the voice-over freedom. “I adore playing Poppy! Adding a cute little lisp made her even more fun and memorable. It’s all about unleashing creativity without worrying about appearances.”

Perry Prescott, voiced by Emmy winner Stephen Colbert (“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”), is Poppy’s father and Gru’s new neighbor. As the face of Prescott Motors, Perry exudes confidence with a touch of arrogance. “Perry is loosely based on every ’80s teen comedy villain,” Colbert jokes. “I channeled my own pretentiousness to bring Perry to life.”

Patsy Prescott, played by Chloe Fineman (“Saturday Night Live”), is Perry’s wife and Poppy’s mother. As a Mayflower socialite, Patsy balances suburban charm with sophistication. “Patsy is a delightful character with layers of complexity,” Fineman explains. “Exploring her dynamic with her husband and her role in the community was fascinating.”

Back at AVL Headquarters, some Minions receive a super serum, transforming into the world’s newest chaotic superheroes: the Mega Minions (all voiced by Pierre Coffin, the Minions’ co-creator). Mega Dave boasts super strength, Mega Tim stretches over a mile long, Mega Mel unleashes a powerful laser blast, Mega Gus can fly, and Mega Jerry becomes an indestructible boulder.

Director Chris Renaud states, “Their powers are rooted in classic superhero tropes for instant recognition. We crafted a narrative arc that allowed them moments of unexpected heroism.”

Packed with non-stop action and Illumination’s signature subversive humor, “Despicable Me 4” opens in Philippine cinemas today, July 3. #DespicableMe4PH

(ROHN ROMULO)

A Quiet Place: Day One sets the biggest opening weekend in the history of the franchise, with a global tally of $98.5M. The film is also making noise locally as the 2nd biggest opening weekend in the Philippines for 2024.

Watch the newest trailer here: https://youtu.be/kshP9EQX-Ss

Set in one of the loudest cities on Earth, the third installment of the A Quiet Place franchise takes audiences back to the day the world went quiet, putting the city of New York on a standstill against hostile creatures that attack anything that makes noise.

IGN praises A Quiet Place: Day One, as the best in the series, writing “It’s impressive just how great A Quiet Place: Day One is. Not that the first two Quiet Place movies weren’t good – they’re both strong films in their own right. But this spinoff/prequel to those earlier films introduces new characters in a new setting that successfully elevates both the tension and the emotional impact of John Krasinski’s nearly dialogue-free horror films. The result is the series’ best movie to date.”

The Guardian affirms the strength and impact of the film, lauding the cast and choice of setting. “It could be the idea of setting the Quiet Place prequel in New York, one of the noisiest places on Earth. Or perhaps it’s because the intimate, taut horror premise of the first two pictures is beefed up with some robust city-smashing disaster movie muscle. Maybe it’s the casting of the always excellent Lupita Nyong’o in a textured and complex role – she plays Sam, a poet and a terminal cancer patient who just wants to live a little before she dies. All of this combines to ramp up the impact of A Quiet Place: Day One considerably, compared with its immediate predecessor.”

The Los Angeles Times notes the unique premise of the film. “It’s a refreshing, near-radical concept to build a studio film around, and as Sam sets off, a tote bag on her arm and her black-and-white support cat Frodo beside her, you may be reminded of that other woman-and-feline survival story, Alien, stripped to the bone,” they write.

Don’t miss out on the spine-tingling thrills as A Quiet Place: Day One is now showing in Philippine cinemas.

(ROHN ROMULO)