TV: SHOW, DON'T TELL: X-MEN '97'S MASTERY OF SUBTLE STORYTELLING

Discover why X-Men '97 is reviving the superhero genre with its masterful blend of drama, complex characters, and exceptional storytelling in our latest review

Read More
FILM: WIM WENDERS’ PERFECT DAYS AND PUBLIC TOILETS: THE UNSEEN SPLENDOR OF SIMPLICITY

Step into the serene world of Wim Wenders’ 'Perfect Days,' where Koji Yakusho's portrayal of a Tokyo toilet cleaner transcends the mundane, inviting viewers to find magic in the minutiae of everyday life.

Read More
FILM: QUIZ LADY ANSWERS SOME LIFE QUESTIONS

Dive into the quirky world of "QUIZ LADY" on Hulu, where Jessica Yu's creation turns the spotlight on embracing our oddities through the laugh-filled yet touching journey of sisters Jenny and Anne. Starring Sandra Oh and Awkwafina, this film isn't just about finding laughter in the chaos of life—it's a heartfelt exploration of family, fame, and finding oneself amidst the madness.

Read More
FILM: SURREAL STRUGGLES: 'PROBLEMISTA' EXPLORES IMMIGRANT IDENTITY THROUGH ART

Opinion piece on Julio Torres’ directorial debut- PROBLEMISTA, a surreal, magic realism piece (written, directed and acted by him) is definitely not for everyone, and that’s okay. Some may get it, some won’t, and that’s the beauty of it.

Read More
FILM: POOR THINGS- WE’RE ALL FLAWED, EXPERIMENTING, PEOPLE AND IT’S TOTALLY OKAY

Yorgos Lanthimos' 2023 film "poor things" tells us that life is not just black and white, but rather layers and spectrums of colors in various hues and saturations. It's a memorable, surreal sensory feat- it's visually enticing and appealing, sonically engaging (the sound design, omg), emotionally captivating and mentally challenging the audience to think and reflect on a lot of the themes presented in this film.

Read More
SHORT FILM: WHEN YOU LEFT ME ON THE BOULEVARD'S POIGNANT STORYTELLING ON WEED, BOYS AND KARAOKE

Kayla Abuda Galang's 2023 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Grand Jury Prize award-winning film "When You Left Me On That Boulevard" takes the audience directly in the heart of most Filipino-American family holiday gatherings

Read More
MUSIC: I WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH RENEÉ RAPP

In an age where anyone can upload their music to YouTube or Soundcloud, the pop genre is oversaturated with choices, and it's easy for a voice to get lost. Reneé Rapp, however, demands to be heard. The reason why I believe Rapp stands out from the pack as an honest and true voice of Gen-Z is the nature of her lyrics. They curl with anger. The words themselves seethe and bite. She pulls no punches. Rapp isn’t trying to placate older generations with politeness and acceptance of the shit show we were all born into; she is fucking pissed.

Read More
FILM: RANDALL PARK'S 'SHORTCOMINGS': ON FLAWED CHARACTERS AND ETHICAL DILEMMAS

Shortcomings" delves into the rich tapestry of Asian American experiences, offering a thought-provoking exploration of identity, relationships, and the complex nuances within the community. With standout performances from Justin H. Min and Sherry Cola, Randall Park's directorial debut delivers a candid and impactful cinematic journey that challenges stereotypes and leaves audiences pondering the uncharted territories of human nature.

Read More
FILM: FROM CRUSHES TO CHAOS: 'BOTTOMS' TACKLES HIGH SCHOOL HEAD-ON

"Bottoms" is a riotous coming-of-age comedy that follows PJ and Josie, two lesbian best friends on a quest to win over their high school crushes. As they stumble into a plan to gain popularity, their journey is filled with laughter, chaos, and a series of wild adventures that redefine teenage desires and bring a fresh twist to the classic high school comedy genre.

Read More
TV: BEYONCÉ-INSPIRED 'SWARM': A DARK JOURNEY INTO THE MIND OF A STAN TURNED KILLER

This Amazon Prime video gem, tucked away from the usual mainstream buzz, was an absolute wild ride! At the heart of "SWARM" is Andrea "Dre" Greene, brought to life with sheer brilliance by Dominique Fishback. Her portrayal is like a siren's call that draws you into this eerie world of obsession and mayhem. You'll find yourself strangely addicted to this show, and yes, I must confess, I became a stan for Dominique. I became stan watching a stan-turned-murderer.

Read More
FILM: JOYRIDE DELIVERS AN UNHINGED, UNAPOLOGETIC, COMEDY WITH PURE JOY AT ITS CORE

JOYRIDE (written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Teresa Hsiao, Adele Lim), Directed by Adele Lim) is a heart-warming, raunchy, unapologetic ride of a film about self-discovery, community, identity and friendships.  

Read More
TV: AMERICAN BORN CHINESE: NAVIGATING MYTHICAL BATTLES AND ADOLESCENT STRUGGLES

Step into the vibrant world American Born Chinese, an action-packed comedy series created by Kelvin Yu exclusively for Disney+. Bursting with martial-arts sequences, fantastical elements, and a heartfelt coming-of-age narrative, the show invites viewers to join tenth-grader Jin Wang on his journey to find his place in a world where multiple cultures collide.

Read More
TV: FROM ROAD RAGE TO EMOTIONAL MAZE: EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF NETFLIX'S “BEEF"

Experience the captivating world of Netflix's BEEF, a masterful work by Lee Sung Jin and an exceptional cast. With its layers of entanglements and parallel lives, this raw and dynamic series takes you on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride. From stellar performances to stunning visuals, BEEF is an emotionally charged tale that demands your attention.

Read More
THEATER: JODIE COMER COMMANDS THE STAGE ON BROADWAY’S PRIMA FACIE

Discover why Prima Facie, a one-actor, intermission-less Broadway play left me utterly amazed by Jodie Comer's mesmerizing performance as Tessa, a barrister defending sexual predators turned victim, making it an unforgettable experience worth witnessing, even drawing the attention of influential figures like Hillary Clinton, leaving a profound impact that rekindles the spiritual experience of being in an audience.

Read More
GAMING: FINAL FANTASY XVI DEMO- OF MAGIC IN MATURITY

The Final Fantasy franchise has come a long way since the title’s first launch in 1987. It was able to adapt through the times- continuously testing the power and the bounds of any technological advancements as they hone various ways to share different themes and narratives around adventure, friendships, love, magic and more.

Read More
FILM: WE HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT SANCTUARY

As soon as the film started, director Zachary Wigon immediately took the audience in medias res with our characters Hal and Rebecca in Neon’s romantic dark comedy SANCTUARY. Hal (Christopher Abbott), an uber wealthy man is confined in a room with several layers with his dominatrix, Rebecca (played by Margaret Qualley) where verbal and psychological sports and volleyball of lines happened a lot. 

Read More
FILM: LOUIS-DREYFUS IS BACK IN FORM WITH HOLOFCENER'S YOU HURT MY FEELINGS

We all lie. We lie so we don’t hurt people’s feelings, or we lie so we can protect ourselves from the repercussions of the truth. You Hurt My Feelings explores what happens when you find out you’ve been lied to by the person you trust the most.

Read More