Manila in the Claws of Light

Manila in the Claws of Light (Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag) (1975)

Runtime: 125 minutes

Directed by: Lino Brocka

Starring: Rafael Roco, Jr., Lou Salvador, Jr.,  Tommy Abuel, Jojo Abela, Hilda Koronel

From: Cinema Artists 

Last night was another instance of me clearing off more space from the DVR; this TCM recording was made way back in January, yet because I’m me it took 4 months to finally push “play.” Also, there are even older recordings on the DVR that probably will sit there for awhile until the mood arises…

Ultimately, it was seeing a mutual’s glowing review that finally gave me the push. Julio is a young man from a rural area who moves to Manila to track down his missing girlfriend. A mysterious woman recruited his lady, you see. Julio experiences hardship-he’s broke after a mugging so work in miserable construction jobs are required just to afford food. Julio thankfully meets good folk who are only “lower-class” when it comes to social strata and how much money they possess.

The journey was a compelling one, seeing various people attempting to survive in tough conditions. One only succeeds because… well, I was not expecting to see the term MAN-WHORE in the subtitles, but it’s true. Without revealing too much, they even had 70’s downbeat cinema in The Philippines. I’m not sure how this film was released in the country during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos-who controlled the country’s cinema-when a pessimistic view of life in Manila was presented, but viewers around the world since 1975 benefitted from this decision.

An intriguing story that was never dull despite the length of over 2 hours, a unique yet befitting score from Max Jocson, and quality performances from the cast-especially Rafael Roco, Jr. as Julio-makes this an easy recommend for those seeking more in World Cinema.

Other reviewers have noted that the finale is reminiscent of one in a famous film that came out not that long after this released in The Philippines. As Manila was based on an old Filipino novel and what I know of how the other film was written… “coincidence” and “people have similar stories of those in marginalized communities” is my verdict. Thankfully, Scorsese’s World Cinema Foundation was one of the entities responsible for restoring this masterpiece; the blurb at the beginning noted how rough the film’s original camera negative was. The restoration was flawless, especially given its condition.

One last detail: given the serious tone of the movie, one moment of levity brightened the mood, at least for me. In the final act, during a scene where an important bit of information is revealed, I was happily surprised when right beforehand, a popular 60’s pop song-cheery & upbeat-played on the jukebox. I’ll be disappointed if even Gen Z wasn’t familiar with the tune.

 

Monolith

Monolith (2022)

Runtime: 94 minutes

Directed by: Matt Vesely

Starring: Mostly, it's just Lily Sullivan on screen, along with random voices from different actors

From: Many different Australian companies

Here's an interesting minimalist sci-fi picture that's been compared to a release from two months ago, for obvious reasons: 

For those that loved Undertone… my review for that film is one of the most popular I’ve ever written (thanks, everyone) due to my seeing it a few days before wide release. A mutual left a comment comparing Undertone to Monolith, a movie I don’t recall ever hearing about before. This person did not specifically recommend I see the film, yet their high praise was enticing. It’s only ambivalence on my part that Monolith wasn’t tackled much sooner; after all, an entirely separate Letterboxd mutual compared the two movies in their review.

The comparisons are understandable; both are mainly methodically-paced one-handers set entirely in a expansive house w/ a troubled young woman who hosts a supernatural podcast. They receive an anonymous e-mail about something otherworldly; there are other moments, but spoilers. Unlike Undertone, this is about an unnamed journalist mired in scandal-the e-mail in question concerns a mysterious object. It wasn’t long before I realized what the title “Monolith” meant, and which director they were inspired by. The obviously illusion to at least one other film from the director did tickle me pink.

Unlike Undertone, the movie isn’t predicated on sound design, nor is it focused on being unsettling & scary. Heck, the movie is centered on sci-fi instead of horror. Monolith attempts to say more about various topics I of course better not spoil. How successful the film is at its mission can be argued; personally, I never fully warmed up to the lead, although that was by design. That’s not a criticism of Lily Sullivan, of Evil Dead Rise fame. My opinion is more on the character; she did a very good job.

Perhaps my recommending the film for those that felt disappointed-or downright hated-Undertone is the better lede. The ambition and its themes might speak to you deeply. While not a home run-and like w/ Undertone, its finale won't work for everyone.

Monolith can still be classified as “good”; for some, the cerebral approach will work even better for them. Undoubtedly, the attempt to create something in the genre that is thoughtful and requires speculation from the viewer is appreciated when the large majority of science fiction in the 21st century is full of bombast & spectacle.

Born to Kill

Born to Kill (1947)

Runtime: 92 minutes

Directed by: Robert Wise

Starring: Lawrence Tierney, Claire Trevor, Walter Slezak, Phillip Terry, Audrey Long, Elisha Cook, Jr.

From: RKO

Would you believe that this is my first film noir since Noirvember last year? That’s right, a bit under six months ago. For the number that I’ve viewed since 2014 (now at 90!), this was a grievous mistake. As there still are worthwhile movies like this in the genre to check out, those shouldn’t be viewed so infrequently.

Born to Kill (a great title; it’s based on a novel titled Deadlier than the Male, not to be confused with the 60’s British crime film) focuses on San Francisco socialite Helen who moves to Reno, Nevada to get a divorce. What misfortune then that she crosses paths with Sam Wild; he IS the type to shoot a man just to watch him die… Sam murders his dame Laury Palmer-I don’t know if that’s where Lynch got the name; it’d be great if that’s the case-and another man. Sam and Helen become pals, despite their lack of knowledge that Helen discovered the bodies of Laury and that man. 

A loud hysterical alcoholic who runs a boardinghouse that Laury lived in (what a performance from Esther Howard) hires rotund detective Walter Slezak to solve the crime. Lawrence Tierney portrayed Wilde; a shame that it was alcohol which prevented his career from matching his talent. His performance was quite memorable although arguably, Claire Trevor as Helen was the best performance—good thing, as this is an uncommon noir where the focus is on a woman. While Helen has a fiancé, what a problem for her that her sister has fallen for Sam.

The film had memorable characters-including one portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr. in a role suited for him as Sam’s buddy in a relationship that might hint at something more-and was well-directed by Robert Wise. What’s most memorable is that the movie was bold for the time, subverting several expectations and being so salacious for 1947, several locations banned it. Tierney’s legal problems at the time + a lawyer attempting to use a 12-year-old boy’s watching this movie 3 weeks beforehand as an excuse for the boy’s murder of a 7-year-old did not help its reputation.

In 2026, the film’s dark nature (even compared to other noirs) and abundance of sleazy, amoral characters plays quite well. Shoutout to the rest of the cast, including the likes of Phillip Terry & Audrey Long; they also assisted w/ making this a memorable picture.

 

Dynamite

Dynamite (1929)

Runtime: 127 minutes

Directed by: Cecil B. DeMille

Starring: Conrad Nagel, Kay Johnson, Charles Bickford, Julia Faye, Joel McCrea

From: MGM

Dynamite was incredibly creaky, but as it’s Cecil B. DeMille so the movie was still a blast. I’ve seen some oddball early “talkie” movies from DeMille-others were stranger but that’s not to downplay the peculiarities of Dynamite.

I’ll note this for those interested in the cinema of the late 20’s through the 30’s. Early yesterday evening I found a 4K upload of Dynamite on a YouTube channel-hopefully that can easily be found via search-featuring many 4K streams of films even I hadn’t heard of but the assumption is that those films won’t be as obscure to them & in fact, they might find something that’s on their watchlist. 

Right after we see coal miner HAGON DERK be sentenced to hang-much to the consternation of his younger sister, still a girl-we are met with rich socialite Kay Johnson being told she HAS to marry to inherit her grandfather’s fortune, per the terms of his will. She is an independent woman (which unfortunately is treated badly by the movie due to some beliefs that thankfully are long out of date) and besides, she is engaged to a dude… who is already married to another lady.

The rest won’t be a detailed synopsis. You’ll probably surmise how Derk first met Cynthia Crothers. Instead, I’ll mention brief snippets. 

There’s the likes of: 

* A booze-fueled party among snobby rich people best described as a bacchanal. Note that of course this was still the era of Prohibition. The drinks are so spicy, literal steam is shown coming from the glasses.

* Catty dialogue between two ladies.

* A talking parrot.

* Bath salts… no, not the drugs you find in Florida!

* There’s an actual canary in the coal mine.

* The realization from me that a Three Stooges short (In the Sweet Pie and Pie, from ‘41) was heavily “inspired” by the main plot thread from Dynamite. Unlike this film, that one has a pie fight which served as a classic conclusion.

* Of course, the socialite doesn’t even have one clue, re: the simple act of cooking a meal. For comedy’s sake, I’d love to see any of the Kardashian/Jenner offspring attempt to prepare a meal.

* The third act does go in some bold directions, and there’s a heroic sacrifice. 

While there are better DeMille films from even this era, Cecil’s first talkie was still a melodrama (albeit one that was and did feel long at a bit over 2 hours) that featured memorable moments, especially during the final act. In the upcoming years, I’ll view more work from DeMille; it’s about time I see at least one of his silents. He made many of those & I know at least a few have survived/are not difficult to track down.

Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat II (2026)

65% on Rotten Tomatoes (out of 153 reviews)

Runtime: 116 minutes

Directed by: Simon McQuoid

Starring: Several returning characters, plus the likes of Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Martyn Ford

From: New Line Cinema

“The best Mortal Kombat theatrical film” isn't the highest hurdle to clear yet as a casual fan who pumped some quarters into the arcade machine a few times as a kid and played some of the games at home-and never saw any of the animated movies-I believe this to be the case. That is despite II possessing more than one modern movie-making sin-this was not a flawless victory-including yes, language. Those moments left me shaking my head like a disappointed parent!

Despite this and more universal complaints such as “lighting” and “color grading”, II was still a pretty good time. There is a tournament which does tie in w/ end-of-the-world stakes, which was a better way to utilize a multitude of different characters than the terrible Mortal Kombat: Annihilation did... surprisingly, viewing the two 90's films beforehand was a wise idea. This film's Shao Kahn was FAR better than the dork character in Annihilation.

The film had several subplots that coincided w/ the main thread of young warrior Katana, captured by Kahn as a child after he conquered her world & killed the rest of her royal family. The tournament will determine if Kahn will enter “Earth Realm” and destroy our world. Several characters from the first return, including Cole Young. However, the highlight for me: Karl Urban as Johnny F'ing Cage. The martial artist turned faded washed-up Hollywood action star was a loser at first-before he went on a Hero's Journey.

The film had interesting settings, a cool score, action that typically satisfied, and perhaps most importantly for franchise fans: OOT gory fatalities that were amazingly gruesome. For those that were like me and never saw the 2021 reboot after the initial theatrical experience and relied on the good old Wikipedia Refresher, a few flashbacks occurred which helped the viewer recall key points from the first that would be relevant again in the sequel.

What a relief it is that a modern theatrical film which generally has had a good reception is one where I liked it as much as the general consensus, if not a little more. I've heard conflicting reports, re: the box office returns so far & if they're “disappointing.” Hopefully there are future installments, with any luck ones that are as entertaining as II was.

Mortal Kombat Annihilation

Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997)

Runtime: 95 agonizing minutes

Directed by: John R. Leonetti

Starring: Robin Shou, Talisa Soto, James Remar, Sandra Hess, Brian Thompson

From: New Line Cinema

This was as bad as I always heard! Movies I suspect will be poor aren’t viewed as often as they were in the past; they at least make even OK to fine motion pictures look better in comparison. The 1995 Mortal Kombat-for example-was far more enjoyable than Annihilation.

The story is the biggest Achilles’ Heel; it is utter bollocks that is an illogical mess, changes franchise lore, shoehorns in all the characters from Mortal Kombat 3 in the most inelegant way possible, contains putrid dialogue, and is not an enjoyable motion picture to partake in as a result. The replacements for the cast (only Robin Shou and Talisa Soto returned) are fine, I suppose… the plot is just impossible to give a darn about. Another fatal flaw: the villains are 1/100 as intimidating or memorable as Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in the first movie.

Without a doubt, the CG and how horribly it has aged could be roasted by me as well—how visually-unpleasant those effects were even took me aback. At the same time, other movies around the time had a similar issue and many people at the time likely would have done better if the technology of the time and budget would have better matched their ambition… plus, if rumors mentioned on sites like Reddit and a random Letterboxd reviewer are anything to go by-of course, I can’t confirm or deny these allegations-the CG was rushed & unfinished! If true, those involved w/ that aspect will be looked at by me w/ a less-critical eye.

Mortal Kombat Annihilation was so unsatisfying as a motion picture, the viewer never received another live-action theatrical film until about quarter-century later. Yeah, it’s neat that they filmed in different exotic locations (such as the country of Jordan) and the period soundtrack was cool. However, that was not enough for this awful film, featuring a hogwash story concerning “the merging of two realms” that featured stakes best described as “feeling inconsequential.” No matter my opinion of Mortal Kombat II, the quality of the finished product will be superior to that of Annihilation.

 

Mortal Kombat (The Original)

Mortal Kombat (1995)

Runtime: 101 minutes

Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring: Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, Brigitte Wilson-Sampras, Christopher Lambert, Talisa Soto, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

From: New Line Cinema

Yes, this is prep for me checking out Mortal Kombat II sometime in the next few days. I have played some of the games on console, put some quarters in the arcade machine, and saw the 2021 MK; a die-hard fan is not a category I belong in. That’s why this is a first-time viewing.

Even I can admit the threadbare plot, the CG which at least is funny-bad, and goofy moments shoehorned in. Filmmaking in general has changed so much in the three decades since release that I can praise PAUL W.S. ANDERSON for filming on real sets, lighting and using the proper color in scenes, editing, the filming of the action scenes, blocking, & visually stunning images, yet that’s the state we’re at now. Of course, filming in scenic Thailand was a feast for the eyes.

The 1995 Mortal Kombat is silly nonsense where the martial arts ain’t always spectacular-to say the least-yet to the film’s credit they still presented much of what the viewer wanted: the recognizable characters interacting with each other as they fight in a big tournament. The PG-13 rating is the big detail that will hang in the craw of many, although considering that as a kid I remember how HUGE the controversy was concerning the OOT gore of the fatalities in the game, not presenting those in the movie I reckon was the right decision for the time. Otherwise, they said “the lines” and featured trademark moments from each fighter.

It was always nice seeing the likes of Christopher Lambert (or CHRISTOPHE LAMBEAR, to present how his name is pronounced); arguably, Robin Shou and undoubtedly Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa-a belated RIP to him-were the highlights. Also delightful was the period score and soundtrack, especially the techno theme that’s still iconic today.

Heaven knows the movie isn’t immune to valid criticism. At the same time, those that even have some familiarity w/ the property might be charmed by the film. Me, I can appreciate that the lead was a Pacific Rim Asian man born in Hong Kong, the statuesque Brigitte Wilson-Sampras did her own stunts, and Linden Ashby as the egotistical Johnny Cage learned practiced some martial arts disciplines for the part. I’m sure the movie looks even better when compared w/ Mortal Kombat: Annihilation…