OPENING THIS WEEK:
‘T-Bird at Ako,’ ‘Finally Found Someone’
Finally Found Someone
Directed by Theodore Boborol; stars John Lloyd Cruz, Sarah Geronimo, Christian Bables, Tetchie Agbayani
Jilted bride charms her runaway groom’s publicist. Boborol admits that he was initially “intimidated” to work with big stars. “But they are pros and very grounded. They never made me feel like a newbie,” he recalls. “I was excited to direct them because it has been four years since they last acted onscreen together.”
Aftermath
Directed by Elliott Lester; stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maggie Grace, Scott McNairy
Two strangers are bound together by a tragic plane crash. New Yorker’s Anthony Lane thinks “it slackens and then rushes, and the time frames feel out of joint.” Daily Express’ Henry Fitzherbert notes: “Arnie seems up to the task… but it remains merely a curiosity in the action legend’s increasingly patchy CV.”
Atomic Blonde
Directed by David Leitch; stars Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman
Spy is tasked to bring down an evil espionage ring. ComingSoon.net’s Joshua Starnes says it “offers up a heady mix of modern action and ’80s
throwback… doesn’t amount to much, but is nice to look at.” Vanity Fair’s Joanna Robinson points out: “Theron has once again crashed the action-hero boys’ club.”
Cars 3
Directed by Brian Fee; with the voices of Owen Wilson, Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion
Legendary race car returns to the sport with the help of an eager technician. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman thinks “it’s touching in a pleasingly formulaic, pass-the-torch way.” Village Voice’s Alan Scherstuhl describes it as a “thoughtful, thrilling finale [that] complicates and improves much of the film that it caps.”
31
Directed by Rob Zombie; stars Sheri Moon Zombie, Elizabeth Daily, Malcolm McDowell, Meg Foster
Maniacs kidnap and torture five carnies who are forced to play a violent game. Filmlink Australia’s Anthony O’Connor sums it up as “bloody and noisy and super stylish.” Los Angeles Times’ Noel Murray agrees: It “promises hardcore horror and scuzzy atmosphere… Even on autopilot, [it] hits hard and leaves a stain.”
Shot Caller
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh; stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Omari Hardwick, Lake Bell Prison turns a wealthy businessman into a stoic, ruthless gangster. Hollywood Reporter’s Stephen Farber remarks: It “may cover little new ground, but navigates familiar terrain with considerable skill.” Nerdist’s Luke Y. Thompson relates that the lead star and director “are practically [in] a platonic love connection.”
Black Butterfly
Directed by Brian Goodman; stars Antonio Banderas, Piper Perabo, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Reclusive writer takes in a drifter who then engages the host in a brutal game of one-upmanship. Blu-ray.com’s Brian Orndorf asserts: “Likely to divide the audience with its twists and turns, but it’s rarely dull.” MovieFreak.com’s Sarah Michelle Fetters quips: It’s “a strong, if still somewhat vexing, thriller.”
T-Bird at Ako
Directed by Danny Zialcita; stars Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Tommy Abuel, Dindo Fernando
Closeted lawyer defends a sexy dancer who’s accused of murder. Aunor hails Zialcita “as the only filmmaker who can make” this 1982 drama. “We should thank the people who restored this film,” Aunor states. “One of my favorites,” Santos enthuses. “A classic, beautiful story. Hope millennials watch it.” Opens Friday.