5 films to see on the week of September 4-11, 2015.
Chasing the Devil
IN THIS “found footage” horror movie, a man who cannot accept that his sister committed suicide, joins a team of paranormal investigators to delve deeper into the circumstances around her death — and discover an evil presence. Directed by Mark Haber, it stars Tim Phillipps, Vivan Dugre, and Chris Yule. “Although Chasing the Devil is very similar to the films in the Paranormal Activity franchise, it sets itself apart from the other copies by having a well-written script and good performances by an able cast, who come across as genuine. In fact, the acting is one of this films highlights, which really helped sell this story of demon possession,” writes INFLUX magazine’s Nav Qateel.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Before We Go
THE DIRECTORIAL DEBUT of Chris Evans (Captain America), the film follows two strangers stuck in New York City for the night who start as acquaintances and quickly become each other’s trusted confidants when a night of unexpected adventure forces them to confront their fears and take control of their lives. It stars Evans, Alice Eve, Emma Fitzpatrick, and Scott Evans. “A nice-looking package will only get you so far, and the insubstantiality of this actor-driven exercise makes it seem simultaneously modest and a vanity project,” writes David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Harbinger Down
WHEN A GROUP of grad students on a on a fishing trawler studying the effects of global warming in the Bering Sea dredges up a thawed piece of Soviet space wreckage, they find themselves dealing with aggressively mutating organisms, who were locked in ice for three decades. Directed by Alec Gillis, it stars Lance Henriksen, Camille Balsamo, and Michael Estime. Variety’s Joe Leydon writes that the film “Ranks somewhere between self-consciously cheesy SyFy Channel fare and better-than-average direct-to-video product.”
The Little Ghost
IN THIS GERMAN-animated children’s film, the titular Little Ghost lives in the castle overlooking a small town and awakens for precisely one hour after the clock strikes midnight. A child makes friends with him and the adventure starts. Directed by Alain Gsponer. ‘No scares, mild peril’ can be found in the film, notes Brian Costello of Common Sense Media. The Cleveland Movie Blog’s Bob Ignizio notes that ‘unlike most American family films, there’s no effort at all made to pander to the grown-ups.’
Ex With Benefits
DEREK RAMSAY and Coleen Garcia play a couple who break up then meet again years later, both juggling successful careers — he is a doctor, and she is a med rep. Things get complicated when they realize that old feelings aren’t completely extinguished. This Star Cinema and Viva Pictures film is directed by Gino M. Santos.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
