3 films to see on the week of December 13 — December 20, 2018
Aquaman
BASED on the DC comics, this is the origin story of half-man, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman. With the discovery of his true identity, Arthur is challenged to fight to be king. Directed by James Wan, the film stars Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, and Dolph Lundgren. Forbes’ Scott Mendelson writes, “This is the kind of movie that opens with a surprisingly moving father/son moment even as said father/son has just murdered a dozen innocent people. This kicks off a dynamite action beat as ‘the Aquaman’ just unleashes holy hell on a bunch of pirates. It’s a claustrophobic and punishing smackdown that utilizes the various moving parts and architectural variables of a submarine to its choreographical advantage. It also offers Aquaman at his most Justice League Unlimited-level bad-ass.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
Ben is Back
WHEN a 19-year-old drug addict returns to his family’s home unexpectedly on Christmas Eve, his mother, Holly, welcomes him but is worried about her son staying clean. Holly’s motherly love is tested within the next 24 hours as she tries to keep him safe. Directed by Peter Hedges, the film stars Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, and Alexandra Park. The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee writes, “There are good intentions and good performances here, but they’re squandered in a movie that isn’t quite sure what it should be and how far it should go.”
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
IN THIS animated feature film, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales unexpectedly develops powers after a bite from a radioactive spider in the subway. It transforms him into a spider-man. He meets Peter Parker (the original Spider-Man) and realizes that many others have what he thought were unique powers. Miles uses his new skills to defeat the madman Kingpin who opens portals to other universes. Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, the film features the voices of Shameik More, Jake Johnson XVI, Hailee Steinfeld, and Mahershala Ali. www.rogerebert.com’s Christy Lemire writes, “It would seem like an impossible feat, but somehow, directors Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman have breathed thrilling new life into the comic book movie. The way they play with tone, form and texture is constantly inventive and giddily alive.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
