6 films to see on the week of October 11 — October 17, 2019
High Strung Free Dance
A YOUNG choreographer offers two promising artists — a dancer and a pianist — the break of a lifetime by hiring them for New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But then romance gets in the way. Directed by Michael Damian, the film stars Thomas Doherty, Harry Jarvis, Juliet Doherty, and Jane Seymour. Hollywood Reporter’s John DeFore says the film is “bland even by this genre’s low standards.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
Mary
A STRUGGLING captain impulsively buys an abandoned ship at an auction, believing it would be his family’s way to prosperity. But during its maiden voyage, strange events terrorize the family at sea. Directed by Michael Goi, the film stars Gary Oldman, Emily Mortimer, Stefanie Scott, Jennifer Esposito, and Owen Teague. The Wrap’s William Bibbiani writes: “The whole film plays like an extended non sequitur.”
MTRCB Rating: R-13
The Wedding Year
AN ASPIRING photographer and an aspiring chef explore their first year as a married couple as their relationship is put to the test. Directed by Robert Luketic, the film stars Sarah Hyland and Tyler James Williams. Claudia Puig of FilmWeek (KPCC — NPR Los Angeles) writes: “A slight romantic comedy… It does feel like we’ve seen this before, but the [the stars] do have nice romantic chemistry.”
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Gemini Man
A HITMAN faces off with a younger clone of himself. Directed by Ang Lee, the film stars Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Clive Owen. The Hollywood Reporter’s Stephen Dalton writes, “Behind its high-tech visual gimmicky, Gemini Man is a dumb, depthless, undemanding fanboy pleaser which plants Smith dangerously close to Liam Neeson and Nicolas Cage in the mid-life action-man league.” Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 33% rating.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Black Lipstick
IKAY, who suffers from vitiligo, is bullied for her uneven skin color. She then discovers magic lipstick which evens out her skin tone. She then decides to lead a double life as an influencer named Jessie. Directed by Julius Ruslin Alfonso, the film stars Kylie Alcantara, Manolo Pedrosa, and Kate Valdez.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Pandanggo sa Hukay
DIRECTED by Sheryl Rose M. Andes and starring Iza Calzado, the film follows a midwife who prepares for her application to work in Saudi Arabia. On the evening before her final interview, she is abducted and finds herself in unfamiliar territory.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
