My Favorite Movies I’ve watched in 2025
I’ve watched a lot of media this year so i have a separate post for tv shows or series.
1. Kisapmata / In Just The Wink Of An Eye (1981)
I’ve been craving for an authentic horror this year (coz i want to feel something) and realized that this movie has been sitting on my watchlist for so long. It took me years to find courage to watch this because i know that this is based on a true story. It’s scary not just because it was real, but because of the direction from Mike De Leon, the acting especially from Vic Silayan and the meticulous production design. Everything was so unsettling and it really defines what horror is. ▶️ Youtube
My favorite things in one movie: Music, History and Vampires. Vampirism being used as a metaphor for Culture appropriation is such a genius idea with flawless execution. It has all the perfect ingredients for a brave masterpiece. I cannot describe enough how great the storytelling is, but i guarantee that your brain, heart and soul will be satisfied. ▶️ HBO Max
I was anxious the whole time watching as i was fully immersed. I felt like i was the character who was going through all of it. That’s how great the actress and the movie overall. I don’t remember fully, but i have seen and read contents that discussed about abortion and i can say that this film has the most perfect articulation of women’s struggles in relates to not just abortion, but also motherhood, family, relationship, finance, religion, healthcare, ambition and society. ▶️ Netflix
4. Kwentong Barbero / Barber’s Tales (2013)
This should be listed on the best feminist films in the world. Women’s roles in uprising especially during Martial Law is often overlooked. I already know Eugene Domingo can do drama (most comedians do), but the depth of the character was really made for her. Bonus: WLW. ▶️ Netflix
5. One Of Them Days (2025)
Chaotic, stressful and hilarious! I remember watching this in public so I couldn't laugh out loud, but there’s a lot of gasp and facepalm. They also gathered the funniest people you can imagine. I was cursing at SZA’s character the whole time that i felt my blood pressure’s going up. Crazyyyyyy. ▶️ Netflix
This is why I always come back to Japanese movies and series. They make the most creative concepts that unlock your brain. It felt like paying a fun puzzle. ▶️ Tubi / Loklok
Watched it in the cinema (it was actually late last year but it didn't make my 2024 annual list) and i cried the whole second half. Some people didn't like it and said it was predictable, but i don’t think it was meant to be a full blown mystery. It didn't pretend to be too subtle to cater to "film connoisseurs". It is simple and directed to the masses. ▶️ Netflix
Ok, a little spoiler: It's lowkey gay. I didn't even expect them to be that cute. I watched it coz i just want to see women in sports as motivation and ended up rooting for them to get married. ▶️ Netflix / Disney+
9. Kontrabida Academy (2025)
Was so excited to watch this coz the concept is very fun and camp. It is led by the great Barbie Forteza and Eugene Domingo and directed by Jun Lana. And it did not disappoint! It has 'The good place' feels. Philippines should make more conceptual comedies like this. ▶️ Netflix
10. Kakabakaba Ka Ba? / Does Your Heart Beat Faster? (1980)
The same person who directed Kisapmata. This man is versatile. The whole film was an eye candy with that color grading + gorgeous main cast. The editing and the film score were also ahead of its time. ▶️ Youtube
11. Young Woman And The Sea (2024)
There's really a magic when Disney makes an inspirational biographic film (not to be a capitalist bootlicker) and i know not every detail was real and yeah dramatized yada yada, but it was heartwarming to watch. ▶️ Disney+
12. Balota / Ballot (2024)
Just like ‘Green Bones’, it's “In your face”, but in a good way. Sometimes, when we are desperate to educate the masses, it's not bad to spoonfeed. And the ending was super realistic and eye-opening. ▶️ Netflix
I am really glad that Philippine cinema has the Bayaniverse (Just like MCU, but for our national heroes and martyrs) coz our educational system here is not good enough for our citizens to be deeply informed about our history and its lessons. ▶️ Netflix
14. Bullet Train Explosion (2025)
I hesitated watching this coz disaster movies are really not my thing, but i like this one specifically because the problem solving, politics, moral dilemma and coordination are not far from reality knowing it's depicted in a country that actually makes technological solutions for their citizens. ▶️ Netflix
15. Mondays: See You This Week (2022)
Similar to ‘River’. I just can't get enough of these kinds of movies and i hope they make more. This one in particular succeeded in showing how robotic the routine of japanese workers through the loop concept. ▶️ Loklok
16. Misteryo Sa Tuwa / Joyful Mystery (1984)
Content warning: R scene near the ending and also everything was mostly gore. It's really creepy and disturbing when the premise is based on reality. I don't know if it's labeled horror, but for me, the lengths humans will go through for greed is scary enough. ▶️ Youtube
Yeah, another women in sports movie. Cliché, but sometimes, you need to be crazy and delusional if you want to be successful and break boundaries. ▶️ Netflix
18. Queen Of Walking (2016)
What if you have a chronic car sickness so you have no choice, but to walk anywhere??? Women in sports, but like the unusual category. ▶️ Prime
19. Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings (2011)
At first, you would think it's a typical pinoy gay movie that only makes fun of gays knowing that it was created in early 2010s, but it actually makes fun of toxic masculinity and homophobia instead. So much lessons here and it had the balance of camp and subtilty. ▶️ Netflix
