James Gildo Patron

Favorite films

  • Parasite
  • Come and See
  • Close
  • The Celebration

All
  • Seen

    ★★★½

  • Ex Ex Lovers

    ★★½

  • The Ugly Stepsister

    ★★★½

  • Việt and Nam

    ★★★½

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The Substance

2024

★★★★★ Liked Watched

A new testament from the horror alley to never underestimate its core. The Substance will go down as one of the unapologetic, bold, and eerily resonating films of the 20th century; in an age where an existence without societal standard of youth and beauty is beyond humiliation, and striving for perfection is always a must.

Fargeat, in her sophomore feature film dares to showcase a brutal look of self-hatred, and how its vulnerable spot pierces through your soul. The narrative…

The Count of Monte Cristo

2024

★★★★½ Liked Watched

At first, I was heavily reluctant to give this a perfect score but it progressed in a different lane — proving me wrong.

Do not be deceived by its length. Delaporte and de La Patellière’s adaptation of ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ only feels like an hour. It is a cinematic triumph of 2024!

It breathes new life into Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale of betrayal, vengeance, and justice. It captures the grandeur and depth while adapting to the new audience.…

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Seen

2023

★★★½ Liked Watched

Damn. In this digital age, this screams pain — highlighting the conveniences and miscommunications in just a short time here is quite clever.

This is also applicable with friendships, in general. And yeah, I’m gonna say it: She’s just so me 😩!

***
Short film. Not included in 2023 ranking.

Ex Ex Lovers

2025

★★½ Watched

You got to give it to the bittersweet ending they delivered.

Other than that, it screams formulaic 90’s Filipino romance flick, embellished with modern takes on slangs and thought pieces that floats on the surface. This is far from complex — simply cheesy, entertaining, and sometimes funny.

I miss Jolens and Marvin on the big screen though! TikTok sort of ruined my brain, however. Because what do you mean when they played Tameme, I thought of this video right away 😭?!

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Sinners

2025

★★★★ Liked Watched

The hype is actually real! 

Behind the Sinners’ bold and enthralling fusion of Western horror-drama and music, is Coogler’s unrelenting direction to a narrative that swings in the middle of being overstuffed and meticulously arranged. Obviously, Coogler’s vision and precision won, delivering a cinematic masterpiece of the year.

The visual storytelling is just electric, effortlessly stripping itself away from the typical vampire tales that are only straight up grim and gory. The one sequence from the club is noteworthy —…

Young Hearts

2024

★★★★ Liked Watched

I the first time I liked a guy at school. I was 9 years old in my fifth grade. His name is Carlo.

And on my first year in high school, there’s this guy named Jeffrey. Growing up in a heteronormative culture, liking someone who has the same sex as you could be alienating and lonely.

To experience young love is something that you’ll bring forever as you grow up. And stories like this need to be told so…