In a span of two months I have collected the best movies I watched which unfortunately (most) have not seen the light of day in Philippine theaters. I am definitely sure they are way better than most of the Metro Manila Film Festival entries; they all display a high degree of craft and aesthetic ingenuity. The following are the 7+ raters of #EthysMovieReview and #NindotKaayo.
1. Whiplash: A jazzy musical score, a drummer, and an intense acting; 9/10.
2. Philomena: Brave, funny, and powerful true story of a mother searching for her son with a surprise beautiful ending. 8.5/10.
3. Citizen Four : A glimpse of the life of Edward Snowden and his impact on modern civil liberties; 8.5/10.
4. Selma : Humanizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; 8/10.
5. Pride: Pride as in gay pride. It is not about what you are but it is about what you do with your privileges and gifts that make people respect you. A very inspiring true story; 8/10.
6. Boyhood: Another Richard Linklater’s breakthrough that is 12 years in the making of the time lapsed life of a boy who was brilliantly acted by Ellar Coltrane; 8/10.
7. The Hundred Foot Journey: Unrealistic but the passion and tension is very real. The food are very too, as pretty as France; 7.5/10.
8. The Theory of Everything: The story of the heart of the world’s greatest mind, Stephen Hawking; 7/10.
9. Million Dollar Arm: Tour India in search for the best pitch. A feel good true story of baseball’s best players. Predictable but keeps you entertained; 7:10.
10. Lilting: Quite and sometimes hilarious due to cultural differences. Language barrier is not an impediment to understanding the people around you. Love and acceptance are best served when they are not in words; 7/10.
#NindotKaayo 