6 films to see on the week of October 28-November 4, 2016
Ouija: Origin of Evil
A sequel which is quite popular with the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, who gave it an aggregate score of 80%, Ouija: Origin of Evil follows woman who makes her living putting on sham seances. Then she gets a new prop for her act and ends up summoning something real. Directed by Mike Flanagan, it stars Elizabeth Reaser, Henry Thomas, and Kate Siegel. “Ouija giddily zips between haunted house thriller, exorcism drama and skillful period piece, all wrapped up in a neat and terrifying little bow,” writes Kate Erbland of indieWIRE. “Deliciously creepy, thanks largely to a terrific performance by the youngest of its stars,” says the New York Times’ Neil Genzlinger.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Eyes
THE creepiness starts out in this Japanese horror movie when a mysterious letter “F” starts to be written on doorplates in a condominium building. Then mysterious incidents consistently occur around a high school student living in the building. Directed by Yôhei Fukuda, it stars Marika Ito.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Satanic
Four friends take a tour of sites with Satanic history, and end up running into something truly evil. Directed by Jeffrey Hunt, it stars Justin Chon, Marc Barnes, and Sarah Hyland. “Satanic is a ‘What Not To Do’ handbook for aspiring horror filmmakers, and then some,” writes Matt Donato of We Got This Covered.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Robinson Crusoe: The Wild Life
In this animated feature, the idyllic life of a bunch of animals on a remote tropical island is interrupted by the arrival of a human being. “Kids might be amused, but adults will find the jokes weak, the narrative bleak and little to pass the time between animal chase scenes,” writes Raakhee Mirchandani of the New York Daily News. “There’s always a lot to look at. The script is so-so, but the total lack of snark and cynicism in the film is refreshing,” writes Sheila O’Malley for RogerEbert.com.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Wild Oats
Due to a clerical error, a recently widowed woman receives a massive Social Security check. She and her best friend decide to use that money on the trip of a lifetime. Directed by Andy Tennant, the film stars Shirley MacLaine, Jacki Weaver, Demi Moore, and Jessica Lange. “A well-intentioned comedy starring good, extremely likeable veteran actors, all of whom deserve a much sharper screenplay,” writes John Lui of The Straits Times.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Doctor Strange
The latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Strange follows a brilliant surgeon who loses the use of his hands in an accident. He then travels to the Far East and finds a new life as a sorcerer. Directed by Scott Derrickson, it stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, and Tilda Swinton. The film is quite popular with the critics. Brian Truitt of USA Today said: “A kaleidoscope of weirdness and innovative visual effects successfully introduce the newest Marvel superhero.” Alonso Duralde of TheWrap writes: “This funny, freaky adventure reminds us of how effective VFX can be when they’ve got some imagination behind them.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
THE PHILIPPINES has maintained its status as the best country in Asia and the Pacific and seventh in the world in terms of gender equality despite a marginal drop in overall score, the World Economic Forum said in its latest report. Read the full story.
ECONOMIC growth will likely be uninterrupted by political “noise” generated by President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s outbursts, since this has so far left reforms unscathed, Nomura Global Research said in an Oct. 20 report. Read the full story.
THE FISCAL balance swung in August to its first surplus in five months, according to data released yesterday by the Treasury bureau that also showed revenue growth nearly double that of public spending. Read the full story.
