5 films to see on the week of May 13-20, 2016
The Angry Birds Movie
In this 3-D animated movie based on the popular game app, a bird who is made an outcast because of anger issues must save his home from a gang of invading pigs. Directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis, it features the voices of Jason Sudeikis, Maya Rudolph, Josh Gad, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Peter Dinklage. Writes TheWrap’s Alonso Duralde, “Let’s be clear, then: The Angry Birds Movie isn’t pointless because it’s based on an app. It’s pointless because it’s pointless.” Time Out’s Tom Huddleston calls it “A brash, sarcastic just-about-family-friendly adventure.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
Equals
A science fiction tale of an emotionless utopia where two people fall in love when they regain their feelings thanks to a mysterious disease. Directed by Drake Doremus, the film stars Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. Alonso Duralde of TheWrap says the film “Feels cobbled together from George Orwell, THX-1138, The Giver, perfume commercials and the Apple Store. Heck, before this thing’s over, Parker even steals one of Shakespeare’s better-known end-of-Act-II plot twists.” The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney puts it succinctly — “The future looks pretty but dull.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
Ip Man 3
Popular with the critics on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, which gave the movie an 82% “fresh” rating, Ip Man 3, continues the adventures of kung fu Master Ip (played by Donnie Yen) who is called upon to save his city from a ruthless gangster. The film, directed by Wilson Yip, also stars Lynn Hung, and Zhang Jin. and Mike Tyson. Michael Rechtshaffen of the Los Angeles Times writes: “Ip Man 3, set in Hong Kong circa 1959, combines the customary, inventively choreographed action with an unexpected emotional depth, proving as hard to resist as its entertaining predecessors.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
My Candidate
At the tail end of the political season comes a movie that revolves around an election. Derek Ramsay stars as a reluctant senatorial candidate who enlists the held of an image consultant. Directed by Quark Henares, the film also stars Shaina Magdayao and Iza Calzado.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Precious Cargo
Bruce Willis plays a crime boss, who hunts down a thief played by Claire Forlani after a botched heist. To win back his trust, she recruits her ex-lover for another robbery, but then it all goes to to hell in a handbasket. Directed by Max Adams. Bruce Kirkland of the Toronto Sun writes: “The stupid plot, dismal dialogue, moral turpitude and dispiriting torpor of this movie makes watching it utterly pointless.”
MTRCB Rating: R-16
