Opening Today: ‘Billionaire Boys Club’ /
Jacqueline Comes Home
Directed by Yvonne Peach Caparas; stars Donnalyn Bartolome, Meg Imperial, Alma Moreno, Joel Torre
Stalkers abduct two sisters, who vanish without a trace. Newbie director was aided by her father, Carlo J. Caparas, in shooting in Cebu where the flick’s real-life story, a sensational criminal case, actually took place in the 1990s. She recounts that her late mother, actress-producer Donna Villa, wanted her to direct this movie.
MAMMAMIA! Here WEGO Again
Directed by Ol Parker; stars Meryl Streep, Cher, Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper
Bride recalls her mom’s own journey as she prepares for motherhood. Commonsensemedia relates: “Sunkissed sequel promises more music, romance for teens … a fun summer movie.” New York Times’ Bruce Fretts remarks: “Of course, the real star of the … franchise is Abba, the Swedish pop super group.”
Billionaire Boys Club
Directed by James Cox; stars Ansel Elgort, Taron Egerton, Emma Roberts, Suki Waterhouse Wealthy kids establish a get-rich-quick scam that claims the life of a con artist. indieWire’s Jenna Marotta opines: “Like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘ The Wizard of Lies,’ it dissects financial schemes.” Slashfilm’s Ethan Anderton agrees: It “looks like ‘Diet Wolf of Wall Street’ … [it’s] a remake of a 1987 TV movie.”
The Ninth Passenger
Directed by Ian Pfaff; stars Jesse Metcalfe, Alexia Fast, Timothy V. Murphy, Corey Large
Teeners embark on a yacht ride to an island where a mysterious creature awaits. Dreadcentral reports that its producers have promised to deliver an “entertaining film with great characters and a great twist at the end.” Bloody Disgusting quips: “The mystery of the preview is … we don’t catch a single glimpse of the monster.”
Wildling
Directed by Fritz Böhm; stars Liv Tyler, Bel Powley, Brad Dourif, James LeGros
Cop protects a teenage girl who has a terrifying secret. Entertainment Weekly’s Leah Greenblatt calls it “a clever, sharp-fanged mélange of classic midnight horror and modern indie ingenuity.” Film Inquiry’s Alex Arabian concurs: It’s “a phenomenal, original horror film that transcends the genre.”
Inside
Directed by Miguel Angel Vivas; stars Rachel Nichols, Laura Harring, Andrea Tivadar
Pregnant woman must fend off a virago who wants to snatch her unborn child. Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck explains: “Despite its tense storyline … [it] somehow manages to be remarkably devoid of suspense.” Culture Crypt exclaims: “Stripping out the slaughter isn’t the issue. Replacing it with routine is.”
Virtual Revolution
Directed by Guy-Roger Duvert; stars Mike Dopud, Jane Badler, Jochen Hägele, Kaya Blocksage
Ex-cop searches for terrorists behind a computer virus that kills virtual reality users. Film Pulse’s Adam Patterson notes: It “draws heavily from Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’ in its visual style.” Cryptic Rock’s Adam D. Johnson asserts: It “doesn’t hit the right notes as a meditation on themes it wants to explore.”