Four films (and more), February 2025
a mix of local and international titles for the month of love
I was lowkey dreading writing this because I hadn’t fulfilled my (own) promise of watching A Complete Unknown1, but with all the things on my plate these past couple of days until now (renewing my residence permit2, flying 18+ hours home, wearing my big sister hat the past two days), I realized I should cut myself some slack—and that’s to say, I’ll be watching Timmy in his Bob Dylan era later today as I’m on my day off.
The idea of watching four new films every month felt defeating for February as it was the shortest month of the year, but somehow as I checked my Letterboxd profile and organized the flow of this essay, I ended up (actually) watching new ones; albeit some were just in the background as I finished up one task after another.
Here’s four—okay, actually five—films I watched in February, with a little context on where I watched, why I wanted to watch, and who I watched it with. Opinions are my own; and there may be some spoilers!
The Squid and The Whale | ★★★
Where I watched: on my monitor, in my room, while packing mail for work
Why I watched: Jesse Eisenberg hyperfixation; written and directed by Noah Baumbach (of Marriage Story and Frances Ha fame, and in recent times: co-wrote Barbie with his partner and one of my favorite directors, Greta Gerwig)
Who I watched it with: just me
What I think: It’s one of those melancholic movies I can watch and feel grounded in reality (aka my kind of genre). Set in Brooklyn in 1986, it follows two brothers navigating their parents' divorce.
I found it really profound, and the writing was spot on (okay, that sounds more pretentious than I meant). It tackles a heavy topic with a certain mundanity I appreciated, intertwined with animal symbolism that had me diving into video essays just to unpack.
TIL it was shot on a Super 16mm camera, mostly handheld—which gave it that true-to-life, realistic feel. Loved the 80s setting, as always—there’s something about films without smartphones or modern tech that I really enjoy.
Got 2 Believe | ★★★
Where I watched: in the living room while (still) packing mail, after dinner
Why I watched: I’ve been told this is one of the most quintessential Filipino rom-coms and yet I’ve never watched it; also fun fact: my second name Claudine was named after Claudine Barretto (according to my mother)
Who I watched it with: just me
What I think: It’s good! I mean, I’m not surprised—director Olivia Lamasan is one of the GOATs when it comes to Filipino films. Rico Yan (RIP 🥺) and Claudine Barretto made the cutest love team, and this enemies-to-lovers and opposites attract trope truly worked in the favor of the story. I’d rewatch this again to relive the 2000s era and for a feel-good Filipino film.
My only comment is lol on the titas being so judgy when the main character is 25 years old and still single, and shaming her for it. Clearly this part didn’t age well. Also me looking at 32 year old me like: 👁️👄👁️ (just kidding I’m past that phase of judging myself already, it’ll come when it comes 😤)
Sunshine | ★★★★
Where I watched: Miriam Makeba Auditorium, HKW, Berlin
Why I watched: Berlinale season, and I’ve seen this trailer since September 2024 as it was premiered at TIFF if I’m not mistaken—I just wanted to find a way to watch it so I’m glad this all worked out timing and location-wise
Who I watched it with: Filipino friends
What I think: First time watching a Berlinale film and it’s by my fave Filipino director, Antoinette Jadaone (of OTWOL3 fame; but for me: Alone/Together and That Thing Called Tadhana).
Important and powerful storytelling about a taboo topic in the Philippines (that needs to be brought up more in media, imo), great balance of heavy drama and sprinkles of humor and an emotional journey into the main character’s inner struggles and point of view. Maris Racal’s performance was so good!
I truly hope this will be released in Philippine cinemas 🤞🏼 congratulations to the Sunshine team for winning Crystal Bear for Best Film at Berlinale 2025 🐻
Fun fact: Direk Tonet Jadaone and I met in 2015 briefly for a TEDx event4 held in UP Manila—we were both speakers5!
The Gorge | ★★★
Where I watched: in the living room on a sunny Saturday afternoon
Why I watched: I saw this clip on Instagram, sent it to Gabs, and was like, “Anya has a new movie? Let’s watch? Also: KILIG???6” pretty much that’s how I found out this existed lol
Who I watched it with: Gabs, of course (my film buddy)
What I think: Why is everyone hating on this movie?
I obviously have no care for the action parts, but the tension and (literal) division between the two characters makes the plot even more compelling. For the most part, these two actors are brilliant, gorgeous, and very talented, so it was no question it would come to a 3-star rating for me.
There were definitely a lot of kicking my feet from me and Gabs watching this (I squealed when the MMC handed the flowers to FMC okay I am shallow but I am also…just a girl), and the funny transition between something so romantic and then action-packed…definitely suited for those who like a variety of genres in one film.
I have to say, I like single genre films, but a mix is always a nice switch-up. I think growing up watching Filipino media trained me to enjoy the juxtaposition of heavy and light scenes (remember when I went into a Can’t Buy Me Love hyperfixation last year?). I’d definitely rewatch this in a heartbeat.
PS: Catch the homages to Whiplash and The Queen’s Gambit—so cute!
PPS: These two are adorable pls
Sing Sing | ★★★.5
Where I watched: on the plane from Doha to Manila
Why I watched: one of my film buddies, Wes, mentioned this to me! Also, A24.
Who I watched it with: just me
What I think: I don’t want to come up with a solid conclusion because I was watching this half asleep and unable to follow it thoroughly, but I love how heartfelt the story is. Stay until the end to see the *actual* footage and I think that was the cherry on top of the film (I watched until the credits rolled).
Tangent, but relevant: I loved this video of Karsten Runquist on what makes a good airplane movie. Also, for some reason I thought of Orange is the New Black because prison (this was wild; I never got to finish the series).
Taking a moment to list the films I’ve rewatched last February, which seemed to have a pattern since it was love month, after all:
To All the Boys (1, 2, 3) - favorite teen romance movie forever (the kilig is top tier)
(500) Days of Summer - favorite rom-com (is it a comedy though?), this film showed me how messy and imperfect relationships are (also: COMMUNICATION IS KEY, not delulu)
Flipped - favorite coming of age / young love story arc (tied with Moonrise Kingdom) set in the 60s (also: this is a she fell first but he fell harder trope and it is so so so cute/wholesome and also, frustrating lol)
Always Be My Maybe - favorite modern rom-com and yes we love an Asian-American representation in one of my favorite cities, San Francisco (and NY!)
Sing Street - the most underrated music / coming of age film, this deserves its own essay which I’ve started working on. In the meantime, the soundtrack slaps:
Overall, I think this mix of films and how I spaced them out were good. I dialed down on TV watching as well. Somehow I just want to zone out after days on end being online and having to be chronically on my screen as part of my job.
Okay, brb while I decide whether to rewatch Lady Bird, watch A Complete Unknown and stay locked in for 2 full hours (and a half, I presume?), or start the newest season of The White Lotus.
What films did you watch in February?
I told myself I’d catch it in February (and didn’t), but I wanted 2 full hours of focus because this felt like one of those films (and I had no time at all)
Previous essay: Dear Berlin 💌
On the Wings of Love, one of the biggest teleseryes in the Philippines 10 (!) years ago, starring James Reid and Nadine Lustre
a Filipino word (with no direct English translation) which refers to a feeling of exhilaration or elation caused by an exciting or romantic experience
Hi achi abbey, I downloaded this app bcoz of u, ur love for films, and ur creative writing ❤️😍
My husband and I went to see Vertigo in theaters. I enjoyed the first half and then the second half felt like an absolute slog.