Third World Cinema Club

Poor Things has 11 nominations for tonight's 96th Academy Awards! Ica, Karen and Cess are back for this year's Women's Month edition. And girl, they've got a lot to say about Emma Stone's jaw-dropping *wink wink* controversial performance and what could be an Oscar's sweep for her second tandem with Yorgos Lanthimos. Caution Warning: Spoilers are present in this episode. As of writing, Poor Things has won Best Make-Up and Best Costume. The 96th Academy Awards can be streamed live here. Poor Things is a 2023 film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known mostly for his shock-value, absurdist films that go for the unconventional narratives. This film is written by Tony McNamara, adapted from the 1992 novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray. It stars Emma Stone (who also co-produces), Margaret Qualley, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott and Jerrod Carmichael. It does feature a kakaibang Emma Stone, in her most daring role yet! Same with Mark Ruffalo who deviates from the good guy to Duncan's, errrrr, well you gotta see it on Disney+ as well. We talk about how the film impacts us as women and the conversations it gathers about our own agencies in sex, careers, and the choices we take in how we live in a less patriarchal society. Watch the trailer here. We also wrote a detailed review from each one here. Do let us know as well what you've thought of this episode!

It's MEAN GIRLS day! Yes, on Wednesdays we wear pink and we launch a new episode about the *iconique* adaptation of the musical version of the OG film that premiered 20 years ago! Join Cess, Karen, and Ica as they talk about what's new, who to look out for, and what stands out in this latest adaptation. TBH we send love and kudos to Tina Fey herself for releasing a fresh new take on her classic work. Mean Girls, 2024 is directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. Story by Tina Fey, Nell Benjamin, Rosalind Wiseman. Starring Renee Rapp, Angourie Rice, Auli'l Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Avantika Vandanapu, Christopher Briney, Tina Fey, and even a cameo appearance by Ashley Park (from the musical) and of course, Lindsay Lohan herself. Too many cameos appear here too so catch it now in PH cinemas nationwide! Check out the trailer here. Minor spoilers are present in this episode. A few technical glitches hence the background music AND a temporary music at the start but do let us know if the background music works for you. Do check out other episode from the Women's edition here.

Is A Very Good Girl a very good film indeed? Jim is back! He joins John to review one of Philippine Cinema's highest grossing films of 2023 and Star Cinema's 30th anniversary offfering. Cess takes the moderator's seat once again as she finishes some write-ups daw ha ha ha. Be prepared for some spoilers in this episode. Also, the gang tries their very best not to make this an hour's length episode so keep us in the background as always and promise di kayo mag-sasawa sa episode na ito. Ha ha ha. Nagandahan ba kami sa performance ni Kathryn? Sino ang outstanding sa pelikulang ito? Is this a great revenge film? 'A Very Good Girl' is directed by Petersen Vargas starring Dolly de Leon, Kathryn Bernardo, Kaori Oinuma, Chie Filomeno, and Donna Cariaga. Promise, there are some noteworthy comments towards the two lead's performances but... there is a but. Pakinggan niyo nalang yung episode. As a companion piece, read John Tawasil's review of the film here. It's still in cinemas we hope, and is currently on its Hollywood premieres so... feel free to listen to this episode wherever you listen your podcasts to. Watch the trailer here.

Cinemalaya 2023, you've been great! Handa na ba kayo para sa bonus track ng Friday group? It's here! The deluxe edition of part 2 of our Cinemalaya 2023 episode featuring 80s-90s babies ng Society of Filipino Film Reviews! Totoo ba na Vivamax is the standard na for filmmaking? Paano nga ba kami napapadpad sa Vivamax discussion kada may episode recording? Massponsoran na ba kami ng Mandaue Foam or Uratex sa aming next episode? Or sa next year's Cinemalaya, masakit pa rin ba sa pwet? Mas masarap nga ba ang food ng this year's Cinemalaya host? Lahat ng ebas at kung anu-ano pang naganap sa late-night bonus track with the Society of Filipino Film Reviewers at si Cess na muntik na ma-cancel dear Lord. This episode had a longer discussion on the films and was recorded live on Facebook! Watch it here: Thank you for listening to this episode. Feel free to share your thoughts and comments on the Q&A for this episode, or tag us on X, IG, Facebook, and Tiktok.

The second part of our Cinemalaya 2023 episode is here! This time we're putting the focus on the other five films that we and our colleagues from the Society of Filipino Film Reviewers have reviewed! Babala: ang views and opinions ng bawat isa sa episode na ito ay STRICTLY their own. Hindi po ito nagrerepresenta kung anuman ang Third World Cinema Club. Oke? The five films tackled here are: Rookie Tether As If It's True Huling Palabas Bulawan Nga Usa (Golden Deer) You can also watch the live version of this through our Facebook page here: https://fb.watch/mKxHaMHBb3/ We'd like to thank our colleagues from the SFFR for joining us in this episode: Ronald Cruz, Nico Quejano, Jun Mendoza, ang suki ng TWCC na si Manuel Pangaruy, Jay-r Trinidad, at ang founder ng SFFR/Pinoy Rebyu na si Skilty Labastilla. Listen to this episode now and let us know what your thoughts are by tagging us on IG, Twitter, Tiktok, FB and many more! (Wala pa po kaming threads sorry). Magkikita kita ulit kami soon and magrerecord ng live! Dahil Third World kami, nagtitipid pa ng pang meet-up. We thank you for your utmost support.

Parental Advisory: This episode might contain expletives, particularly on some back pains that cannot be avoided during this year's Cinemalaya 2023 at its new venue, the PICC. But goddamn what a beautiful venue! Anyway in this bonus track, the Wednesday group bare it all... from foot fetishes to pseudo-film reviewers and their rating systems. We bare it all... somewhat, in this track. Listen first to our part 1 review before listening to this bonus track. We also tried our best to discuss about Founder's Donuts, as well as the guests' favorite Cinemalaya 2023 film that was not featured in this list. Stay tuned as we talk about Part 2 featuring the Friday group with the members of the Society of Filipino Film Reviewers.

Well hello, we're back for real! That was two months worth of just wondering what we could come up next and it does seem fitting for us to release an episode on The One and only Cinemalaya, ain't it so? In this episode, we are joined by our colleagues from the Society of Filipino Film Reviewers! These select members aka "The Wednesday Group" are Roy Narra, Ralph Regis, Christine Lim Magpile, Den Lebantino, Paul Emmanuel, and Vinson Gabato. All reviews and opinions of each members and guests are solely theirs and do not represent Third World Cinema Club in any way. OK? This episode was recorded live! Watch it here: Cess moderates this episode because, as usual, hindi nanaman siya nakapanood. Char! The films reviewed are: Maria Ang Duyan ng Magiting Gitling When This is All Over Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing) Stay tuned for the bonus episode where we talk about what needs to be talked about this year's film festival!

We're back! kinda. The gang talk about a movie from a franchise that holds a special significance: Creed III, the directorial debut of Michael B. Jordan and the next (last?) installment of the Creed spinoff franchise/trilogy. This episode is quite special as we got together during the premiere! With the exception of Tristan and Raffy who are both handling their careers at this point. Don't worry may career pa naman sina Cess, Jim, John, and a very rare DJ Ramones who specifically requested this comeback in the cinemas! We previously recorded an episode of Creed II here Notes: Spoilers are present in this episode. In case you live in a rock and have no idea that Michael B. Jordan did direct Creed III, read it here. Watch the trailer here

Ten Little Mistresses' costume designer and head-dress designer Jaylo Conanan and Jaydee Jasa joins us in this episode! Discover the art of costume design in film and TV with our Behind the Screen Series featuring the true "star" of this film. WARNING: Spoilers are present in this episode. Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie as we delve into the creative process behind crafting the stunning costumes that brought the characters to life. How did they conceptualize each "mistress" and thank goodness they finally showcased Eugene Domingo's true blue eyes. From the initial concept to the final product, Jaylo Conanan and Jaydee Jasa share their insights on the challenges and inspirations that guided their work. Don't miss this captivating conversation with two talented designers on the art of costume design in film. Bonus: The two talk about how they are able to "maximize" the budget with their work They also teach in De La Salle - Benilde so do check it out! They're current work in Peta's "Walang Aray" can still be watched at the time of this recording onstage here. Special thanks to Jerald Uy and the rest of Prime Video PH for making this happen. Listen to this episode now in full and don't forget to watch the film! Download it here

It's time for some QCinema Reviews! John, Jim and Princess talk about two films that will be screening in the upcoming QCinema film festival. Notes: This episode contains spoilers. QCinema will be screening at various cinemas on Nov 18-26, 2022. Films Discussed: Corsage (Marie Kreutzer, 2022) Return to Seoul (Davy Chou, 2022) For more info, visit https://qcinema.ph/

The 2022 edition of Binisaya has just ended! John and Jim talk about 5 films from the festival in this short but sweet episode. Films Discussed: The Headhunter's Daughter The Day it Snowed in the Philippines A Man Trembles Sorry, I Didn't Mean to Pry The Misfit

The gang comes back to talk about what they've watched recently. Notes: Spoilers are present in this episode.

#PauNine fans, you have been blessed. First you've heard our reviews (look up episode 139 if you haven't), now it's time to talk to the two leads of Prime Cruz's latest film, Ngayon Kaya! Carrying the moniker #PauNine , Paulo Avelino and Janine Gutierrez team up for the first time on the big screen (their very first pairing was actually for Dwein Baltazar's Marry Me Marry You on iWant.ph). We talk about many things you haven't heard of about them: which films got their interest in acting, which performances they wished they got for, their "what ifs", their college anthems, and many more. They also joined us in listing down their recently watched films so be sure to listen til the end. P.S. The gift of "not asking" what many of their fans wanted to know lead us to having them reveal something towards the end. Do check out our written review of the film here. Also, here's a link to the song "Pahintulot" originally by Shirebound and Busking. Do tag us in your socials and share this episode with the hashtag #PauNineOnTWCC Notes: This episode contains spoilers for the film. Ngayon Kaya is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

We were able to catch an advance screening of Prime Cruz's Ngayon Kaya, a film at least two years in the making! John, Princess and Jim give their thoughts on the film in this mini-sized episode of Third World Cinema Club. What did they think of the #PauNine tandem? What music remind you of your college years? Ano kaya yung sa kanila? Enjoy yet another fun discussion on Philippine cinema with the gang. Also, watch out for our exclusive interview with the film's lead stars Janine Gutierrez and Paulo Avelino on the next episode. About the film Ngayon Kaya tells the story of AM and Harold, two college friends who meet again in a common friend's wedding. We then see the next few scenes unfold their history as friends and as almost lovers are then revealed. Will they, or won't they? This also marks as the first time since the pandemic that the three have met in person! So there's definitely a lot of laughs, a lot of chikkas involved in the outtakes of this episode, and a lot of references on music and some of Prime and Jen's previous films. This film is now showing in cinemas near you so go catch it! Use the hashtag #NgayonKayaOnTWCC when listening to this episode and tag us on your socials! Do share your thoughts with us on what you thought of this episode and give us a 5-star review if you can on Spotify. Notes: This podcast contains spoilers at around the 15 minute mark. It's recommended that you see the movie first before listening to this episode. Read our written review via Film Police Reviews here This episode is also on Apple Podcasts! Please give us a review or rate our episodes para alam namin kung may tama na ba kami. Hahaha.

Pasensya na sa delay! After a very busy April for us all here at Third World Cinema Club, it's time we release the third of our WOMEN'S MONTH SPECIAL and without bias we present a film from friends of the pod, Dwein Baltazar but in this time, as seen through the eyes of our female guests Karen and Ica and Cess. As her pick for women's month, Cess has discussed the film with the gang before but in this episode she talks about how the women see what Aileen wants them to see as a fellow woman. Spoilers are definitely present in this episode. A few things to think about that are also present in this podcast: The name/word "Ai leen" has a different meaning in Japanese, as Ica says. Is the film how the female gaze should be made? Sino ba ang hindi na LSS sa Ikaw Pa Rin ni Ted Ito? These three definitely were in full LSS mode. Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus is directed by Dwein Baltazar, who has directed several other films such as Oda sa Wala, the series Marry Me, Marry You, and Hello, Stranger: The Movie. We love her so much we just wanted to introduce her to our newly founded girl friends. :) You can still watch the film via the FDCP Channel. You just need to sign up for a membership to gain full access to the film. P.S. This episode was recorded in the last few days of March pero sobrang busy talaga namin. Sorry! Listen to the episode now in full here:

Nadine Lustre's first film since Indak is a thriller from Yam Laranas about a couple who win a large sum of money. Actually getting that money is another story. Film archivist and NCCA member Ronald Rios joins us as we talk about Vivamax's Greed. Notes Spoilers are present in this episode.

The product of a special 24 hour "shootout" where filmmakers make a film in 24 hours based on a theme, Indelible is an anthology film compiling these works, with a theme both timely and appropriate to the election season. In this special collaboration of Third World Cinema club with Binisaya, we talk to the filmmakers responsible for making Indelible possible. You can watch this film at this year's Cinemata presentation, at https://cinemata.org/ Notes: This episode contains some spoilers. This is the audio version of this conversation. The video version can now be watched here:

Cess, Ica, and Karen are back for Part Two of our Women's Month Special featuring Karen Mae's pick: the ever-changing, ever-so-relevant, ever-so-important HARLEY QUINN in her appearances in film and in the media. The character first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series in September of 1992 (episode titled "Joker's Favor") as Mr. J's mischievous sidekick. Despite her actual name as Dr. Harleen Quinzell, she's mostly known in both the animated series and comics as Harley Quinn, donning a clown costume in red, black and white, and is usually sexualized or depicted as the Joker's love-struck assistant. Flashforward to 2016's Suicide Squad and we find her catapulted into fame, but with that fame comes realizations of how Harley Quinn can evolve into something more relatable than just being a one-dimensional character who can wear decently accessible clothes and still kick ass. Listen to the three talk about Harley Quinn *the character* in the awful Suicide Squad (2016),to how she fully evolves into the right persona in Birds of Prey (2020) and how she sustains her #MeToo-approved story-arch in The Suicide Squad (2021). This topic was chosen by Karen Mae and her love for the character as a 90s kid/tita who grew up loving the character. Spoilers are definitely present in this podcast. Especially a spill on how Harley Quinn has evolved in the comics too. We dedicate this episode to all women who are victims of abuse, to fight for their right to live, their will to live, and to find the courage to leave their abusers. Stay tuned again this coming week for the last part of our Women's month special wherein the three talk about Dwein Baltazar's Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus and Turning Red as Cess's pick.

For this year's Women's Month special, our very own Princess Kinoc has invited two of Philippine pop-culture's female writers: Karen Mae de Vera and Marica Hontiveros-Cheng to talk about three films or topics on Women in Film every week of March. For the first of this series, Ica selects Mad Max: Fury Road as the first film they tackle on feminism and more. Most of the perspectives online about the film were either written by men or seen through the eyes of men. Listen to this episode now as they talk about it in women's perspectives, and how it was a gender-bending breakthrough on how female characters should be written. Spoilers are present in this podcast, as well as some political commentary on how patriarchy still exists in our country so please be wary. Here's us wishing there were more female characters written in their true essence the same way as Furiosa's and the wives in this film. You can still watch Mad Max: Fury Road on HBO! Share with us your thoughts on this episode now. About this series' co-hosts: Marica "Ica" Hontiveros-Cheng, is a freelance writer and team lead for a BPO company. She is also an avid cosplayer, she writes consistently about local music, movies, everything pop culture and is one half of the blog Team PCheng. Her voice as a woman makes her contribution to what you need to know about our local music and pop-culture scene opens up a different kind of perspective. Read more of her writing here. Karen Mae de Vera, host extraordinaire, and contributing writer for a number of publications such as Kidzone, Esquire, Cosmo.ph and Rappler, and many more. Her plethora of articles range from pop-culture to what women does and want in general, which makes her articulated on the moods and methods of how women are depicted in cinema and in pop-culture. Follow her on Instagram here. Princess is one of the hosts for Third World Cinema Club. Aside from writing for Film Police Reviews, she has published articles in publications such as the New Durian Cinema and UP's Pelikula Journal. Stay tuned next week as we talk about Karen's pick: the two Harlequinns

Matt Reeves' The Batman debuts in Philippine Cinemas and it's an interesting take to say the least. Join Tristan, Princess, Jim and DJ as they talk about the caped crusader's latest outing. Notes: Spoilers for The Batman are present in this episode. Feel free to compare the best version of the Bat