Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines

My Top 5 Favorite Movies

Movies Popcorn

One of my readers specifically asked for movie recommendations. I totally forgot about it but I hope this makes up for it. I included in this list only those that shook me to the core and those that I absolutely would watch over and over again.

So here are my top 5 favorite movies:

1. Qiyamah

Qiyamah Moro movie poster
Director: Gutierrez Mangansakan II
Writer: Gutierrez Mangansakan II (scriptwriter)
Stars: Bein Ali Unayan, Mayka B. Lintongan, Dax Alejandro 

This movie is the most memorable movie I have watched. It made me feel things that I have not felt before. The fear I felt when I watched this has got me ugly-crying.

I remember clearly that time I watched Qiyamah. That time, there was a cinematheque in Marawi City funded by Film Development Council of the Philippines. I was friends with the Cinematheque management and they were kind enough to let me view the movie with my best friend Jo.

Imagine the two of us in the dark movie house, watching a movie that told a story of the end of the world in black and white, what it would look like in a rural area in Mindanao. It was a spiritual experience. The two of us cried our hearts out.

2. The Prestige

The Prestige 2006 movie Hugh Jackman
The Prestige is a total mind f*ck movie. It is about two magicians that have a personal grudge against each other, trying to outsmart each other. After a tragic accident, they engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion whilst sacrificing everything they have to outwit the other. The twists and turns of this movie kept me on edge. It was so stressful to watch. But man, was it so good! I was never able to guess what's coming yet every clue was there, out in the open, all along.

I won't spoil any more about the plot, I say, just watch it in HD preferably,  take note of the details, and see if you can dodge the curveball. I guarantee you won't be able to predict the ending.

The Prestige movie poster
Director: Christopher Nolan
Writers: Jonathan Nolan (screenplay), Christopher Nolan (screenplay)
Stars: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson

3. Bajirao Mastani

Bajirao Mastani 2015 movie Deepika Padukone
I am a fan of Bollywood movies especially those that showcase the grandeur of the culture of the diverse people of India. A lot of the Bollywood movies I've seen are a little corny if you know what I mean. There is no subtlety when it comes to Bollywood, that's my impression. 

Bajirao Mastani is my absolute favorite Bollywood movie because of how aesthetically pleasing it is. The set, the costume, are all done to perfection. Unlike other Bollywood movies that explode in a riot of saturated colors, Bajirao Mastani is tamed and muted. 

Bajirao Mastani is about the romance between the Maratha general, Baji Rao I, who is already married, and Mastani, princess of Bundelkhand.

Another reason why I love this movie is that of two shallow reasons: I am in love with Deepika's face and I regularly listen to the song numbers in this movie. In my opinion, the song and dance numbers here are one of the best out there. 
Bajirao Mastani poster
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Writers: Nagnath S. Inamdar (novel), Sanjay Leela Bhansali 
Stars: Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone


4. 
Curse of the Golden Flower

Curse of Golden Flowere movie
During China's Tang dynasty, the Emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. His wife has an affair with his eldest son while she plots with her biological son to overthrow the Emperor. 

I love this movie on so many levels. The plot is layered. The grandiosity of the sets and the rich colors play off the tension in the strained familial ties. I love how despite the lavishness of the palace, it made me feel like it is oppressive and stuffy like it's choking me. 
Curse of Golden Flower movie poster
Director: Yimou Zhang
Writers: Zhi-Hong Bian, Yu Cao (play) 
Stars: Yun-Fat Chow, Li Gong, Jay Chou 


5. Elizabeth The Gold Age


Elizabeth The Golden Age movie scene


Cate Blanchett may have been Queen Elizabeth herself resurrected as she did justice the character of one of the world's greatest leaders--Queen Elizabeth I of. The feminist in me screams yes girl to this movie.  

The Golden Age is a sequel to an earlier movie starred by the same actress. This installment focuses on the war between Spain and England when Spain denuded its forests to build a great Armada. It is also about how the queen endures multiple crises late in her reign including court intrigues, an assassination plot, and romantic disappointments.

I got a high from watching a woman take charge and win a war--especially a single woman who doesn't need a man. Before girl power was a thing, Elizabeth was 'it'.
Elizabeth Golden Age movie poster
Director: Shekhar Kapur
Writers: William Nicholson, Michael Hirst
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush

Comment down below if you've watched these films and if you have movie recommendations for me. :)


Comments

  1. Happy and surprised to see Bajirao Mastani in the list of ur top 5 favorite movies. :)

    As u wrote, the set, the costume, are all done to perfection to Bajirao Mastani along with the main reason of ur love with Deepika's face. :))

    By the bye, did u watch the Bollywood movie Kahaani? It's a story of a pregnant woman's (Vidya Balan) efforts to find her missing husband and it was released in 2012. I can give u more recommendations of nice Bollywood movies ( free of charge) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes please! I need more Bollywood movie recommendations. I have seen Mughal E Azam, Lagaan, Three Idiots, Veer, Pyar Impossible, Jodha Akbar, and some romcoms that I can't remember the titles.

      Delete
    2. Sure :)

      I'm starting with 2016, '17 Bollywood movies :))

      1. Dangal
      2. Neerja
      3. Airlift
      4. Pink
      5. Lipstick under my Burkha
      6. Baahubali 1: The beginning
      7. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
      8. Raees

      ( It's not in an order of good/ best movies. I just wrote them randomly )

      I'll put other years' good ones later :))

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. These all really are great movies and amazing reviews too, I must say everyone should go and watch this movie in the theater to have a good print and have a great time too. Great share

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment