7 films to see on the week of March 1 — March 7, 2019
Kursk
THIS English-language French-Belgian biopic on the 2000 K-141 Kursk submarine disaster. During a naval exercise, there were explosions within the submarine that killed over a hundred Russian sailors. Directed by Thomas Vinterberg, the film stars Colin Firth, Lea Seydoux, August Diehl, Peter Simonischek, Max von Sydow, Matthias Schweighöfer, and Michael Nyqvist. “A competent, by-the-numbers action melodrama…,” writes Hollywood Reporter’s Keith Uhlich.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Escape Room
THIS psychological thriller follows six strangers who go to a mysterious building to play the escape room — a game where players need to solve a series of puzzles to win $10,000. The game turns into a nightmare as the four men and two women discover that each room is a trap that may lead to their deaths. Directed by Adam Robitel, the film stars Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis, Tyler Labine, and Nik Dodani. Empire’s Ian Freer writes, “It’s a handy crutch on which to support a scary, suspenseful flick in the vein of The Game, Cube or Saw, but unfortunately, playing for thrills rather than torture porn, Adam Robitel’s film gets about halfway in terms of delivering on the promise.” Rotten Tomatoes — the review aggregate site — gave the film a score of 47%.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Second Coming
A STEPMOTHER finds that the family she has married into is rather mysterious — especially since her stepdaughter seems to keep ties with her deceased mother. Directed by Jet Leyco, the film stars Jodi Sta. Maria and Marvin Agustin.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Familia Blondina
CINDY is the Pinay mother of three blonde Fil-Am children. When her American soldier husband dies, she returns to the Philippines together with her children and tries to make ends meet. Things take a different turn when she meets Tony Boy, a widower with two blonde children of his own. Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng, the film stars Karla Estrada, Jobert Austria, Kira Balinger, and Marco Gallo.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Monstrum
WHEN rumors of a vicious beast roaming Mount Inwangsan called Monstrum by the terrified masses begin to spread, fear turns into panic. Directed by Heo Jong-ho, the film stars Kim Myung-min, Kim In-kwon, and Hye-ri Lee. “Huh’s impatience to unveil his CG creation squanders any opportunity to build tension or palpable fear over the beast’s existence,” writes James Marsh of the South China Morning Post.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Stan & Ollie
TRYING to reconnect with their fans, Laurel & Hardy, one of the world’s great comedy teams, set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953 which becomes a hit, but as the duo become aware that they may be approaching their swan song, they try to rediscover just how much they mean to each other. Directed by Jon S. Baird, the film stars John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan. Sandra Hall of the Sydney Morning Herald writes: “It’s a film made with an enormous amount of care and affection. And Coogan and O’Reilly don’t just perform. They resurrect.” Rotten Tomatoes — the review aggregate site — gives the film a high score of 93%.
MTRCB Rating: PG
I Love You, LC!
DIRECTED by Dave Aguila and Dave Cecilio (who also wrote the script), and starring Jef Gaitan, Tommy Peñaflor, and Marlon Marcia, the film chronicles Patty’s journey through weight-loss and love.
MTRCB Rating: PG
