4 films to see on the week of March 31-April 7, 2017

Carrie Pilby

Carrie Pilby is a genius who graduated Harvard at 18 but struggles to make sense of the world as it relates to morality, relationships, sex, and leaving her apartment. Her therapist then gives her a checklist of goals to achieve, each of which brings her closer to the understanding that just like books, humans can’t be judged by their covers. Directed by Susan Johnson, the comedy stars Bel Powley, Gabriel Byrne, and Nathan Lane. Hollywood Reporter’s Leslie Felperin finds the film “A well-intentioned but imperfect young-adult-skewing comedy-drama.”

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Ghost in the Shell

The live-action version of the Japanese anime film, Scarlett Johansson plays Major, a cyber-enhanced human created to be the perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. But just as she is to take on new terrorists who have mind-control, she learns she has been lied to and will stop at nothing to recover her past. Directed by Rupert Sanders, the film also stars Michael Pitt and Takeshi Kitano. Hollywood Reporter’s Jordan Mintzer writes: “A heavily computer-generated enterprise with more body than brains, more visuals than ideas, as if the original movie’s hard drive had been wiped clean of all that was dark, poetic and mystifying.” More positive was the assessment of Variety’s Guy Lodge: “Led by a resolute Scarlett Johansson, Rupert Sanders’ pulse-quickening, formally stunning live-action take on the manga classic both honors and streamlines its source.”

MTRCB Rating: PG

Revenger (aka The Assignment)

Hitman Frank Kitchen (Michelle Rodriguez) is given a lethal assignment, but after being double-crossed, he discovers he’s not the man he thought he was — he’s been surgically altered and now has the body of a woman. Seeking vengeance, Frank heads for a showdown with the person (Sigourney Weaver) who transformed him. Directed by Walter Hill, it also stars Tony Shalhoub and Anthony LaPaglia. Variety’s Dennis Harvey writes that the film “[g]racelessly mashes together hardboiled crime-melodrama cliches and an unintentionally funny ‘Oh no! I’m a chick now!!’ gender-change narrative hook.”

MTRCB Rating: R-16

Northern Lights: A Journey To Love

The carefree life of a Filipino immigrant in Alaska changes suddenly when he needs to take care of his estranged son whom he left behind in the Philippines. As he struggles to become a father, he then crosses paths with a quirky Filipina who is in Alaska searching for her mother. Directed by Dondon S. Santos, this Star Cinema release features Piolo Pascual, Raikko Mateo, and Yen Santos.MTRCB Rating: PG

Hiwaga: Ang Paglalakbay sa Liwanag ng Buhay

Charged by diwatas to protect a special necklace, a mystic has to leave her children to continue her mission. Directed by Ricojohn Amparao, the film stars Anne Catherine Cubelo, Jiane Abalos, and John McEarl.

MTRCB Rating: PG

Smurfs: The Lost Village

A mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on a race through the Forbidden Forest to find a lost village before the evil wizard does. Voiced by Demi Lovato, Joe Manganiello, and Mandy Patinkin, it is directed by Kelly Asbury. Alonso Duralde of TheWrap writes: “It’s significant that two female writers have taken a character who’s mainly just existed to be cute and seductive and turned her into a full-fledged member of this universe.”

MTRCB Rating: G