6 films to see on the week of July 26 — August 1, 2019
Yesterday
AFTER a freak bus accident, a struggling musician realizes that the Beatles have never existed in the world he wakes up to. He then starts to introduce the Bealtes’ oeuvre to the world. Directed by Danny Boyle, the film stars Jimesh Patel, Lily James, Joel Fry, and Kate McKinnon. The New Yorker’s Richard Brody writes, “Yesterday is a movie built to gratify critics by praising what they can do: fight against cultural oblivion. The movie crystallizes the feeling that an obscure or forgotten body of work is the most important art in the world, and that it’s one’s personal mission to bring it the attention and the love that it deserves. Those who can’t do, curate.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
Isabelle
A COUPLE moves to New England with the goal of starting a family. However, their plans are shattered when an evil spirit threatens their lives. Directed by Robert Heydon, the film stars Amanda Crew, Adam Brody, and Zoe Belkin. Variety’s Peter Debruge writes, “Movies like Isabelle require a certain amount of explaining, but mostly, they rely on an elaborate system of rules and conventions established by all the films that have come before, providing a kind of shorthand for the real business at hand…” Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 0% rating.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Midsommar (Midsummer)
AN American couple’s relationship is on the brink of falling apart. After a family tragedy, the mourning woman invites herself to join the festivities of the midsommar festival in a remote Swedish village. But it turns into a nightmare once the villagers reveal their terrifying agenda. Directed by Ari Aster, the film stars Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor. Tomlis Laffly of www.rogerebert.com writes, “The filmmaker fidgets with that peculiar breathlessness once again throughout Midsommar, a terrifically juicy, apocalyptic cinematic sacrament that dances around a fruitless relationship in dizzying circles.”
MTRCB Rating: R-18
Pan de Salawal
AGUY, a homeless young girl, travels around the country to cure the sick with her healing powers. She befriends Sal, a lonely baker suffering from chronic kidney disease which she is unable to heal. When Sal’s condition worsens, Aguy is left to make a heartbreaking sacrifice. Directed by Che Espiritu, the film stars Bodjie Pascua, Miel Espinosa, and Madeleine Nicolas.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Family History
COMMEDIAN Michael V. returns to the big screen with a comedy-drama about the value of family, life, and marriage. The film is directed by and stars Michael V., who shares the big screen with Dawn Zulueta.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Cinderella: The Enchanted Beginning
AFTER HER father’s death, Cinderella Perrault is mistreated by her stepmother and two stepsisters. Everything changes when she meets the handsome Adam Windsor. Her stepmother feels threatened when she finds out that Adam is in love with Cinderella. Directed by Steven Salfado, the film stars Lauren Perez, Maria Gray, and Adrian De Armas.
MTRCB Rating: PG
