5 films to see on the week of October 16-23, 2015
Regression
SET IN MINNESOTA in 1990, the film follows Detective Bruce Kenner (Ethan Hawke) who investigates the case of young Angela (Emma Watson), who accuses her father, John Gray (David Dencik), of an unspeakable crime. When John unexpectedly and without recollection admits guilt, renowned psychologist Dr. Raines (David Thewlis) is brought in to help him relive his memories and what they discover unmasks a horrifying nationwide mystery. Written and directed by Alejandro Amenabar (Abre tus Ojos, The Sea Inside, The Others). Variety’s Guy Lodge writes: “This allegedly fact-based tale of Satanic suspicions in small-town Minnesota is potboiler material at best, threatening far twistier terrors than those it predictably delivers.”
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Crimson Peak
GUILLERMO DEL TORO wrote (with Matthew Robbins) and directed this horror film about an aspiring author, who, as she runs away from her past, agrees to marry a mysterious stranger, and is brought to a house that seems to have a life of its own. The film stars Charlie Hunnam, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, and Mia Wasikowska. It has earned mixed reviews. Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter writes: “[It’s] certainly unequaled in its field for the beauty of its camerawork, sets, costumes and effects. But it’s also conventionally plotted and not surprising or scary at all.”
MTRCB Rating: R-16
As The Gods Will
A JAPANESE horror film in which high school students must fight for their survival as they are suddenly put into deadly versions of children’s games. Directed by Takashi Miike, it stars Sota Fukushi, Hirona Yamazaki, and Kamiki Ryunosuke. “Just an excuse for more splatter from a director who, as always, knows his target audience,” writes Jay Weissberg of Variety.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Bridge of Spies
PRODUCED and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen (plus Matt Charman), this Tom Hanks starrer is set at the height of the Cold War. Hanks plays an American lawyer who has to defend a Russian spy in court, and finds himself embroiled in a tricky diplomatic situation. “A crackling Cold War espionage thriller that thrums with suspense and fleet precision,” says Entertainment Weekly’s Chris Nashawaty. The reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes give this film a grade of 89%.
MTRCB Rating: PG
The Prenup
JUN ROBLES LANA directs this Regal Film production starring Jennylyn Mercado and Sam Milby abut two Pinoys who fall in love in New York. They’re all set to get married back in the Philippines, but the guy’s rich parents are suspicious of the girl’s intentions and insist on a prenuptial agreement.
MTRCB Rating: PG
