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To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

directed by: Beeban Kidron (USA)

written by: Douglas Carter Beane

duration: 1 hours and 45 minutes

Noxeema Jackson and Vida Boheme tied winning the New York's "Drag Queen of the Year". They win a trip to Hollywood to compete to the bigger "Drag Queen of America" pageant. Before they depart, they met the amateur "drag princess" Chi-Chi Rodriguez. They cash in their plane tickets to buy a convertible and embark on a road trip. While on the road, they are pulled over by a police officer who hurls racial slur and tries to violate Vida. While fleeing, their car broke down and end up stranded in a small town.

This is progressive if we're looking back in the 90s whose common depiction of "people who are in drag" were from "Silence of the Lambs". It's tame and limited when it comes to understanding and showing about queer language and identities. Nevertheless, a refereshing introduction to queer stories.

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It Was Just an Accident is a Palme D'or 2025 winner

Getty Images

It Was Just an Accident (2025)

directed by: Jafar Panahi (IRN)

written by: Jafar Panahi

A man named Vahid believes he has recognized the officer who once tortured him in prison and ruined his life. Driven by vengeance, he abducts the man with the intent to bury him alive. But as doubt creeps in about the man's true identity, Vahid seeks out fellow former prisoners for confirmation. The group rides night and day with their captive, each haunted by past trauma and now forced to confront a moral dilemma: Is this truly the man who tormented them? And if so, does that justify what they are about to do?

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Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)

directed by: Zach Lipovsky, Adam Stein (USA)

written by: Guy Busick, Lori Evans Taylor; based on a story developed by them and Jon Watts; series creator Jeffrey Reddick

release date: May 18 2025 (Cannes)

Stefani, a college student is failing her grades after being plagued by nightmares. She sees visions of a deadly accident in 1968 that is linked to her distant dying grandmother. After getting an answer from her grandmother Iris, she learned that Death is coming for her family. As she grapples with the truth and finding ways to help her family, Death is now on the move.

The movie is a treat for fans of the franchise, a balance between a few laughs and callbacks. The build-up is fine and definitely gave iconic scenes.

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Magellan (2025)

directed by: Lav Diaz (PH)

written by: Lav Diaz

release date: May 18 2025 (Cannes)

Teaser released for awaited Lav Diaz' film starring Gael García Bernal, starring as the Portuguese explorer. The film is split into two feature films, with Magellan being the first while the second one will feature his wife Beatrice. The film will premiere in this year's Cannes Film Festival.

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The Long Walk (2025)

directed by: Francis Lawrence (USA)

written by: JT Mollner, based on The Long Walk by Stephen King (Richard Bachman)

release date: September 12, 2025 (USA)

In a totalitarian regime, young men joined an annual, televised contest where they are forced to walk on a long road on foot until only one of them is the last one alive. The film stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang.

One of my favorite Stephen King novels is finally being adapted for the screen. I remember hearing about plans for this project back when the first Hunger Games movie was a hit, so it's been a long time coming.

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Honey, Don't (2025)

directed by: Ethan Coen (USA/UK)

written by: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke

release date: May 2025 (Cannes); August 22, 2025 (USA)

The film focuses on a private investigator (Margaret Qualley) who is tasked to check up on a cult leader (Chris Evans) who may be involved in a mysterious crime. She will also meet a mysterious prison officer (Aubrey Plaza) who had been smitten with her.

The film will also be shown in the Midnight Screenings section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Love the color grading and lighting in this one. I am also excited when I found out Ari Wegner is the cinematographer here (she worked in The Power of the Dog and Zola). Also wlw mystery, yes!

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First Poster: Spike Lee's HIGHEST 2 LOWEST starring Denzel Washington

Teaser will drop tomorrow

Edit: Spike Lee dropped the trailer on his Instagram lmao

Watch the teaser here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee)

Highest 2 Lowest (2025)

directed by: Spike Lee (USA)

written by: William Alan Fox, based on High and Low by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Ryūzō Kikushima, Eijiro Hisaita; based on King's Ransom by Evan Hunter

release date: August 22, 2025 - theatrical release (USA); September 5, 2025 - Apple TV+

Spike Lee returns with a neo-noir crime thriller film starring Denzel Washington in the modern reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's High and Low (personal fave) which is loosely based on the 1959 novel King's Ransom by Ed McBain (Evan Hunter). The original plot is about a wealthy shoe company owner who faced a difficult moral choice when kidnappers mistakenly kidnap his chauffeur's son.

Lee's version will explore the themes of wealth disparity and ethics through a distinctly American lens. Washington takes on the role of a powerful music mogul who confront impossible choices amid chaos and personal reckoning.

The film also marks the acting debut of A$AP Rocky.

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QCinema introduces 2025 QCShorts filmmakers

Scan the qr code to learn more about the six projects selected for the 2025 QCshorts program.

QCinema International Film Festival will be held on November 14-23, 2025. See you there!

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Ricky Davao (1961-2025)

The Philippine entertainment industry mourns the loss of another beloved icon with the passing of Ricky Davao, who died this week at the age of 63. Widely regarded as one of the most versatile and compelling actors, Davao displayed unwavering dedication to the craft that has inspired countless artists and captivated generations of Filipino viewers.

He was consistently praised by critics and audiences alike for the emotional depth and authenticity he brought to every role and performance he gave which transcends across film, television, and theater.

To honor his memory, here are some of Ricky Davao's iconic films:

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I want a Sinners (2025) screenplay book. There I said it.

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ABS-CBN Film Restoration is shutting down after 14 years of celebrating Philippine Cinema

Filipino cinephiles were heartbroken by the recent news that one of the country’s premier film restoration and preservation initiatives has officially ceased operations as of March and will shut down indefinitely.

Leo Katigbak, head of ABS-CBN’s Film Restoration Group shared a bittersweet farewell on his social media, marking their 14-year journey and extending gratitude to the team's effort in preserving and celebrating the nation's cinematic heritage.

In 2020, ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal was denied, disrupting many of its projects including its acclaimed film restoration efforts. Despite severe downsizing that year, the team continued to restore and release important works such as Markova: Comfort Gay (2000), Ibong Adarna (1941), and Badjao (1956) among other significant titles. Their final restored title this year was Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak (1987), which starred the legendary Nora Aunor. As Katigbak noted, there was something almost poetic about this choice. After all, the very first film they restored was Himala, which also featured Aunor, who sadly passed away recently.

Launched in 2011, the "Sagip Pelikula" project aimed to digitally restore and remaster select Filipino films from the ABS-CBN archives. According to Katigbak, the initiative successfully scanned, enhanced, restored more than 240 films, some dating as far back as 1939 and reintroduced them to new generations of viewers.

The group may be gone for now but their legacy lives on. Their YouTube channel remains active, showcasing behind-the-scenes content and insights into their restoration process.

ABS-CBN Film Restoration YouTube

Restored films are also available for viewing via

ABS-CBN Star Cinema's YouTube channel

Read Mr. Leo Katigbak's social media post:

See you again and Thank you, ABS-CBN Film Restoration!

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Weapons (2025)

directed by: Zach Cregger (USA)

written by: Zach Cregger

release date: August 8, 2025 (USA)

One night in a town called Maybrook, several children mysteriously disappered at exactly 2:17 AM except for one child. A wave of panic spreads in the community. The parents blame a teacher named Ms. Grady as the vanished children were all in her class.

It has that mysterious, folklore vibe like the tale of the Pied Piper and I’m excited to see where it goes, much like the thrill watching The Barbarian

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The Smashing Machine (2025)

directed by: Benny Safdie (USA)

written by: Benny Safdie

release date: October 3, 2025 (USA)

Dwayne Johnson makes a dramatic comeback portraying former MMA/UFC champion Mark Kerr aka "The Smashing Machine". The film shows the intense ups and downs of the former champion, events surrounding his career and his relationship with then-wife Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt).

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Now You See Me: Now You Don't (2025)

directed by: Ruben Fleischer (USA)

written by:  Seth Grahame-Smith, Michael Lesslie, Paul Wernick Rhett Reese; story by Eric Warren Singer based on the characters of Boaz Yakin, Edward Ricourt

release date: November 14, 2025 (USA)

They’ve finally made it the title. The Horsemen are back, and the stakes are higher than ever. This time, they face off against a global crime organization while dealing with their issues. Joining their new magic trick are three ambitious aspiring magicians, eager to prove themselves on the world stage.

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Sinners (2025)

directed by: Ryan Coogler (USA)

written by: Ryan Coogler

duration: 2 hours and 18 minutes

Set in 1930's, fraternal twin brothers and World War I veterans, Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) returns in Mississipi after working from Chicago. The twins set up a juke joint and recruit their friends and family including their cousin Sammie, an aspiring guitarist whose father is a pastor and warns him about his passion. Unbeknowst to them, a supernatural spirit is enticed by their growing joy.

The best film I've seen this year. I'm typing this without spoiling you guys and just to tell you this movie is phenomenal. I love the the 2nd act. Visual and music is alive. What a cinematic experience. Congratulations to Ryan Coogler and to the cast and crew!

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Fountain of Youth (2025)

directed by: Guy Ritchie (USA)

written by: James Vanderbilt

release date: May 23, 2025 (USA)

A heist action adventure movie is set to be released on Apple TV+. It stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman playing as estranged siblings who goes on an adventure to find the famed Fountain of Youth.

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13 Lakes (2004)

directed by: James Benning (USA)

Non-narrative, experimental, documentary

This week, I'm challenging myself to watch five movies from the National Film Registry. The first one I chose is 13 Lakes.

A meditative film, 13 Lakes consists of static, long-duration shots of thirteen lakes across the United States. It emphasizes contemplation and challenges the viewer's patience. The film also revels in an intimate reflection on our natural world, which feels especially fitting since we just celebrated Earth Day this week.

Interestingly, director James Benning also created a film titled Ten Skies, which, as you might guess, features shots of the sky.

Shot on 16mm film, 13 Lakes had its world premiere at the Vienna International Film Festival on October 20, 2004. In 2014, it was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.