6 films to see on the week of February 8 — February 14, 2019
Alita: Battle Angel
THE STORY follows Alita who awakens in the year 2536 with no memory of her past. A compassionate doctor helps her navigate her new life in Iron City. It is only when corrupt forces run after her that she begins to discover clues to her past. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the film stars Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, and Jennifer Connelly. Entertainment Weekly’s Darren Franich writes, “Calling this movie junk does a disservice to the authenticity of trash.” Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 59% rating.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Green Book
A BOUNCER from an Italian-American neighborhood is hired to drive a world-class black concert pianist on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South. As they travel, they rely on The Green Book to ensure the places they go to are safe for African-Americans. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film stars Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Don Stark, and Linda Cardellini. Empire’s John Nugent writes, “There are legitimate concerns that Green Book settles for lazy tropes about white saviors, but the central humanistic message is important, necessary and correct, and the fact that what could be a stiff, awards-hungry ‘message movie’ is in fact a crowdpleasing slice of mainstream entertainment means that message can reach audiences in all corners.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
Headlock (a.k.a. Against the Clock)
A FORMER CIA operative becomes determined to seek the truth about what happened to her husband, a CIA agent who was seriously injured during a mission. Directed by Mark Polish, the film stars Justin Bartha, Andy Garcia, Dianna Agron, and Mark Polish. Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times says, “[W]hile this movie is pretty incomprehensible, it’s at least memorable.”
MTRCB Rating: R-13
The Knight of Shadows: Between Yin and Yang
WITH a lawman protege and friendly monsters, a demon hunter tracks down beasts that travel to the human world. Directed by Vash Yan Jia, the movie stars Jackie Chan, Elane Zhong, Ethan Juan, and Lin Peng. Jasmine Lim of Singapore’s The New Paper writes, “Chan oozes an easy, effortless, impish charm, reminding us why he remains a firm family favorite.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
A Dog’s Way Home
A DOG who gets separated from her owner travels 400 miles to return to the safety and security of her home. Along the way, she makes new friends to whom she brings comfort and joy. Directed by Charles Martin Smith, the film stars Ashley Judd, Edward James Olmos, Alexandra Ship, Wes Studi, Barry Watson, and Chris Bauer. The film has gathered mixed reviews — its Rotten Tomatoes score is 58%. Tomris Laffly of RogerEbert.com called it “A good dog movie with its heart in the right place,” while TheWrap’s Yolanda Machado said it “is a joyless jaunt that offers an adorable canine star and not much else.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
Snow Flower (Yuki no Hana)
MIYUKI only has a year to live. After receiving her prognosis, she meets a kind stranger named Yusuke in the wintertime in Tokyo. When they meet again after six months, Yusuke is in need of financial assistance and Miyuki offers a deal — to be her boyfriend for a month in exchange for one million yen. Directed by Kojiro Hashimoto, the movie stars Hiroomi Tosaka and Ayami Nakajo.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Elise
BERT and Elise were childhood sweethearts. When they unexpectedly reunite after many years, Bert realizes that he is still in love with Elise. Directed by Joel Ferrer, the film stars Enchong Dee and Janine Gutierrez
MTRCB Rating: PG
Hanggang Kailan?
DONNIE and Kath go on a trip to celebrate their second anniversary. But when Kath overhears a phone call between Donnie and someone else, the trip they are currently enjoying might be their last. Directed by Bona Fajardo, the movie stars Louise delos Reyes and Xian Lim.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
