Opening This Week
Da Possessed
Directed by Joyce Bernal; stars Vhong Navarro, Solenn Heussaff, Joey Marquez, John Lapus, Joy Viado, Beverly Salviejo
A landscape artist disturbs the grave of three murder victims who proceed to haunt him. The spirits also take over the poor geek’s body, ruining his chances with a lovely client. As luck would have it, his beloved’s dad is responsible for the death of the restless ghosts. Navarro recalls he was spooked by one scene where Marquez had to maul him. It hit too close to home, he said, “But I trusted my director.” Opens Saturday.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Directed by Wes Anderson; stars Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, F. Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody, Saoirse Ronan, Jude Law
Hotel concierge and his trusted lobby boy get entangled in all sorts of shenanigans. USA Today’s Claudia Puig calls it a “mature, intricately layered visual delight.” Entertainment Weekly’s Owen Gleiberman agrees: “A marvelous contraption, a wheels-within-wheels thriller.” Time Out London’s David Calhoun describes it as a “shaggy-dog … yarn [that] offers laughs and energy.” Opens Saturday.
Transcendence
Directed by Wally Pfister; stars Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman, Kate Mara, Cole Hauser
Dying scientist saves his consciousness in a sentient machine with frightening results. Screenrant.com’s Sandy Schaefer sums it up as “grave and unnerving … a promising spin on the premise.” Commonsensemedia.com relates: “Expect dark themes along with action, violence.” Guardian’s Ben Child thinks it “looks good, tantalizing … [but] leaves me feeling a significant sense of déjà vu.” Opens Saturday.
Heaven is for Real
Directed by Randall Wallace; stars Greg Kinnear, Connor Corum, Kelly Reilly, Thomas Haden Church, Margo Martindale
A young boy recovers from his near-death experience with memories of the after-life. Businessweek.com’s Bilge Ebiri reports: It “works best when sensitively exploring a devout community torn apart by the great unknown.” Christian Post’s Alex Murashko explains: It’s “about our humanness … our own questions [about] life and the life-after.” Examiner.com’s Paula Parker exclaims: It’s “compelling yet bothersome.” Opens Saturday.
The Love Punch
Directed by Joel Hopkins; stars Emma Thompson, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, Tuppence Middleton, Louise Bourgoin
Divorced couple and pals hatch a plan to steal the jewel of the crook who conned them. The Hollywood Reporter’s Boyd von Hoeij remarks: “Hit-and-miss … but the heist is nimbly plotted and credible.” Daily Telegraph’s Tim Robey says it’s “indulgeable.” Screen Daily’s Mark Adams calls it “a middle-of-the-road comedy aimed … at the middle-aged middle classes … blithely silly.” Opens Saturday.
A Haunted House 2
Directed by Michael Tiddes; stars Marlon Wayans, Jaime Pressly, Gabriel Iglesias, Essence Atkins, Ashley Rickards
After losing his ex, man moves with new girlfriend in a dream house that turns into a nightmare. Movieinsider.com states that “the original has earned over $40 million.” Entertainment.ie concurs: The first part was made with “$2.5 million … the sequel makes financial sense.” Bloody-disgusting.com notes: It “spoofs … ‘Paranormal Activity 4,’ ‘Sinister,’ ‘Possession,’ ‘The Conjuring.’” Opens Saturday.
Hunter X Hunter
Directed by Yuzo Sato; with the voices of Miyuki Sawashiro, Megumi Han, Mariya Ise, Keiji Fujiwara, Daisuke Namikawa
Kurapika and his gang hunt down the Phantom Troupe that massacred their clan.
Kawaiikekechan.tumblr.com raves: “Graphics are mainly great. Nice plot twists.” Nihonreview.com praises it as “a good-looking movie, though it doesn’t match up with the TV series.” Orendsrange.com comments: “Although there are problems with the music and action scenes, it’s enjoyable to watch.” Opens Saturday.
