Chum Bucky (2026)

01/06/2026

THE BIRTH OF A NEW SPECIES

Now I understand why Colony received a seven-minute standing ovation at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Director Yeon Sang-ho delivers another thrilling entry into the zombie genre with an inventive and clever twist. From the very beginning, I believe the film will have the audience enthralled. In fact, it generated the loudest crowd reactions I've heard at a screening this year.

What sets Colony apart is the way it reimagines the zombie threat. Rather than being mindless creatures driven solely by hunger, these zombies gradually transform into something ruthless. Their behavior resembles an ant colony's networking system, operating through a form of collective intelligence that constantly adapts and grows. It's a refreshing concept that shakes up the familiar zombie formula and gives the film a unique identity.

This evolution of the infected also changes how the survivors must confront them. Instead of relying solely on brute force, they are forced to think systematically to outsmart an enemy controlled by a higher power. The main antagonist is remarkably cunning, making it more interesting and unpredictable. Combined with nonstop action, dynamic camera work, and solid practical effects, you can expect an adrenaline-fueled experience.

On the other hand, some of the supporting characters' background stories could have been presented better for emotional impact. However, the performances from Gianna Jun and Ji Chang-wook were really exciting.

Overall, Colony is an exhilarating and highly entertaining zombie thriller, arguably the best since Train to Busan. I especially enjoyed it because much of the story unfolds in a confined shopping mall setting, which amplifies the claustrophobic tension. Trust me, you won't want to miss its crowd-pleasing moments. Definitely deserves to be watched in a packed cinema.

Colony is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!

Thank you so much for the invite, Pioneer Movie Hub, Viewers' Choice Philippines, Robinsons Movieworld, and Monster RX93.1!

26/05/2026

YOU'VE BEEN MARKED /// DON'T EVER STOP 🚐

"People don't take trips. Trips take people."

As freeing and dreamlike as van life may seem, you never really know what danger could be waiting around the next corner. Passenger hooked me with its eerie road-trip premise and had me on edge from the start. I still remember watching the trailer a few months ago and being legitimately spooked out by it.

The film follows Maddie and Tyler, played by Lou Llobell and Jacob Scipio, a couple who quit their jobs to live life on the road. Their chemistry feels natural, making it easy to invest in their journey as they become targets of the mysterious entity known as The Passenger.

Once the threat is introduced, it does a solid job of maintaining tension and making you wonder who or what is lurking nearby. The well-timed jumpscares got me more than once, even when I could see them coming. However, the story doesn't explore the lore behind the creature as deeply as it could have. It relies heavily on the shock factor and chilling atmosphere, while some of the characters' decisions get frustrating after their grisly discoveries. Despite being warned not to stop driving at night, it takes them far too long to follow that advice.

Nevertheless, there are several standout moments. The parking lot and projector sequences are effectively executed, while the nocturnal cinematography, reflections, and flashing lights create an unsettling visual experience. Director André Øvredal delivers memorable set pieces, and a few gruesome scenes made me worry for the protagonists. The Passenger itself is an intimidating presence, cleverly appearing wherever the couple goes and constantly driving them crazy.

All in all, Passenger serves early 2000s scare elements that I dig a lot. Even though it leans on familiar supernatural horror tropes, includes a bit too much exposition, and tones down some of its terror in the second half, I was still drawn into the mystery. The concept is intriguing, straight-up creepy, and it captures the feeling of being trapped on an endless midnight drive. Passenger left me anxious and a little more cautious about what might happen on the road after dark.

Passenger OPENS TOMORROW in cinemas nationwide!

Thank you so much for the invite, Paramount Pictures!

24/05/2026

THIS IS THE WAY ⭐

As my first introduction to the Star Wars franchise, The Mandalorian and Grogu works well as a standalone film. I never felt lost or pressured to catch up on the previous seasons and connected series, even though I still plan to watch them. The first act immediately grabbed my attention, feeling like James Bond saving his kid in outer space, especially whenever Mando delivered those cold one-liners. It set up an exciting quest and made me eager to see where the story would go.

Unfortunately, after that promising start, the film loses some momentum. Aside from the thrilling gladiator arena sequence, many of the following scenes are stale. I kept waiting for a stronger emotional payoff, but when it finally arrived near the end, it did not hit as hard as I hoped. The story also splits its focus, with the first half centered mostly on The Mandalorian and the latter shifting toward Grogu. While I appreciated both character journeys, the transition is too slow, and I think their arcs could have been developed more simultaneously.

That said, the father-son dynamic between the two remains the heart of the film. The message of "the old protect the young, and the young protect the old" shines throughout. Pedro Pascal's distinctive voice work as Din Djarin is excellent, and credit also goes to his stunt doubles for bringing Mando's intense action scenes to life. His solo battles are so badass. Meanwhile, Grogu is just the cutest thing ever! On the downside, Jeremy Allen White's Rotta the Hutt suffers from shallow writing, and the space gangster villains don't feel like real threats.

Ultimately, I still had a blast experiencing this universe for the first time. It's the first Star Wars film since 2019, but to me, it plays more like a supersized episode or perhaps a series finale. I did enjoy its unique western-inspired space adventure on a spectacular IMAX scale, but the cinematic narrative just fell short. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to seeing them run it back and watching Mando and Grogu fight together again on their next mission in a galaxy far, far away.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!

Thank you so much for the invite, reelcinemaph, Star Wars, Walt Disney Studios, and SM Cinema!

22/05/2026

THE END OF THE LINE IS NEAR 🚄

Right off the bat, everything that transpired in Speed Demon was all over the place. But, I'm not gonna lie, I was technically entertained mostly for the wrong reasons. When I first saw the trailer, I already thought the concept looked goofy and more fitting for a short film, and unfortunately, the movie itself did little to change my mind. It follows the usual exorcism formula, but the constant crazy twists make the experience feel messy rather than thrilling. The priest and nun suddenly get transported into a dark, demented space, while later scenes unexpectedly turn the nun into some kind of supernatural action hero. By the ending, the film completely descends into "what is even happening?" territory.

Despite that, I'd say some parts were still interesting. A few jumpscares actually worked, while many absurd sequences became unintentionally hilarious. The possessed passengers and their confrontations with the demon often felt ridiculous. It also didn't help that the demon barely appeared, simply transferring from one person to another. The movie introduces the Asmodeus figure hidden inside a mysterious box brought onto the train, but never explains why the girlfriend gave it to her partner in the first place, leaving a major plot hole unanswered.

The cast at least makes the film somewhat watchable. Most of the characters were likable, although the acting overall was inconsistent. I appreciated that it surprisingly touched on the subject of women's rights within the church. Katie Cassidy gave the strongest performance, while William H. Macy sadly had a very limited role despite being one of the reasons I was initially interested in the film.

Speed Demon may not deliver the horror or adrenaline rush it promises, suffering from illogical storytelling, weak CGI, and bizarre creative decisions. Still, its unpredictability and over-the-top madness are oddly entertaining. If you enjoy chaotic movies that constantly leave you wondering what will happen next, you might still have fun with this wild ride.

Speed Demon is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!

Thank you so much for the invite, Pioneer Movie Hub and SM Cinema!

20/05/2026

BAWI BAWI? LABAN LABAN!

Napakahusay! Grabe, mapapaiyak ka talaga. Another masterclass from Direk Irene Emma Villamor, together with the powerhouse lead cast of Jodi Sta. Maria, Jane Oineza, Sanya Lopez, and Loisa Andalio.

Midnight Girls vividly shows the harsh reality that many Filipina entertainers in Japan have to endure just to build a better future for themselves and their loved ones. Their experiences will feel painfully familiar to fellow OFWs, while also tackling how society continues to place stigma and expectations on women. It's a classic OFW story, but it also has a unique take because every character is so nuanced that you understand and empathize with their decisions, while the ways they navigate life's obstacles are deeply moving and hit close to home.

The four-woman ensemble absolutely nailed their parts. Kudos as well for including the testimonies of former Filipina entertainers, which served as an eye-opener on how difficult it is to earn a living in the Philippines and the quiet sacrifices people make overseas, away from home and family, just to provide for their needs.

Poignantly written and deeply representative, Midnight Girls captures the everyday struggle to work, live, and survive while delivering powerful social commentary. Aside from that, it also presents the longing between families separated by distance, as both continue to hold on to hope even when they already feel tired and as if they are throwing their lives away. We definitely need more films like this, mga siz! At sabi nga nila, hindi tayo pinalaki ng SexBomb para lang bumawi. LABAN! LABAN!

Midnight Girls is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!

Lunchbox PH Warner Bros. Pictures

15/05/2026

GET OVER HERE. IT'S SHOWTIME! 😎

Bring in some Kompetition! The moment the tournament officially kicked in, Mortal Kombat II instantly captured that chaotic arcade-style energy where dream matchups between fan-favorite characters finally happened on screen. It felt like stepping directly into the game itself, especially with the practical sets and stylized arenas that made every battle visually immersive for longtime fans of the franchise.

The action is easily the movie's strongest weapon. Compared to the 2021 reboot, this is a massive improvement to the point that the first film almost played like a setup trailer for this one. Some rivalries returned here, but they were executed with far more intensity and better choreography. The fatality sequences were brutal, satisfying, and magnificently staged, especially with how each fighter's signature moves were showcased. Kung Lao vs. Liu Kang was the standout fight for me, and I still cannot recover from how badass that was.

Narratively, though, I wanted deeper lore and stronger emotional weight. Adeline Rudolph's Kitana emerged as the most compelling storywise and was one of the central figures this time around. Karl Urban's Johnny Cage effortlessly racked up the aura points with all the cool tricks up his sleeve, but I definitely needed more screen time for him. And justice for Cole Young for being sidelined despite leading the previous movie as an original character. The other fighters should've had more spotlight too.

Overall, Mortal Kombat II is victorious when it comes to the violent Earthrealm vs. Outworld mayhem we crave for. It thrives on fights, catchphrases, and game references even if some dialogue did not deliver well. These guys can honestly keep fighting forever and I would still watch. I hope to see more fighters in the next one! Also, petition to make Citizen Cage 2! 🕶️

Mortal Kombat II is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!

Warner Bros. Pictures Mortal Kombat

13/05/2026

SHEEP JUST MADE ME CRY 🐏🔍

Yooo! What in the Knives Out is this? A murder mystery investigated by sheep already sounds bizarre enough to sell me instantly as someone biased toward solving crime mysteries, but I still wondered how the hell they were actually going to pull it off. So I touched grass and watched it, and boy oh boy, this movie is such a sleeper hit. The Sheep Detectives made me laugh, think hard, and surprisingly even cry with how sentimental it turned out to be.

The film balances its clever whodunnit mystery with themes of loss, grief, and memory so naturally that it never loses its charm. It's a wholesome story that knows exactly how to poke your heart at the right moments. The script and ex*****on are so fluid that even the simplest signs and gestures feel powerful. Also, the mystery subversion fooled me completely because I guessed the wrong culprit. However, it could have explored each suspect's motives and connection to the case a little more, but no worries because everything still ties together satisfyingly in the end.

Hugh Jackman leads this star-studded cast as George Hardy, the shepherd of the sheep, and I'd say everyone fits their roles wonderfully. I love how both the humans and sheep handled their respective investigations because the case became more intriguing and entertaining. Meanwhile, the important lessons that shaped the growth of the characters, especially the adorable flock of sheep, are something I think people of all ages can relate to and reflect on.

The Sheep Detectives is officially part of my comfort movie collection, and I honestly will not forget it anytime soon. I adore films that remind us how kindness is one of the best things we can give to others and ourselves. Director Kyle Balda deserves props for seamlessly mixing the whimsical fun with the emotional core while keeping the film engaging from the get-go. The witty puns in this are absolutely funny. Anyways, I still think the maid did it, Ka-Buckies. Haha!

The Sheep Detectives is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!

Columbia Pictures Philippines The Sheep Detectives

11/05/2026

Review by Kenneth Teston

WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU

Hokum is a gothic folk-horror film directed by Damian McCarthy, starring Adam Scott as a cynical author who travels to a remote Irish hotel to scatter his parents' ashes. As he grapples with his own trauma, he finds himself entangled in the mystery of a missing woman and chilling rumors of a witch haunting the hotel's honeymoon suite.

After the movie, I was left with more questions than answers. There were so many holes in the plot that made me wonder if I was just dense or if they were indeed never justified.

The storyline also had a very slow buildup that the first two-thirds of the movie felt so bland and dry — a stark contrast to the edge-of-your-seat final part of the movie (which lasted about 15 minutes or so).

To be fair, the jump scares and creepy scenes were legitimate and genuinely effective at times. However, there were even humorous instances within the movie that I figured were attempts to regain the audience's fading interest, but instead came across as off-putting. Still, the film managed to end on a suspenseful note that delivered some solid thrills.

Hokum is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!

Thank you so much for the invite, Pioneer Movie Hub and Viewers' Choice Philippines!

Huge thanks to my brother Kenneth for repping Chum Bucky at the advance screening!

NEON

Chum Bucky

01/06/2026

26/05/2026

24/05/2026

22/05/2026

20/05/2026

15/05/2026

13/05/2026

11/05/2026

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