Directed by Gino M. Santos; stars Elmo Magalona, Sophie Albert, Chynna Ortaleza, Kit Thompson
Teenager contemplates suicide as he recalls his seemingly meaningless existence. Death of traditional cinema blog’s Macky Macarayan relates: “The message got lost in a stream of confusion.” Lilok Pelikula’s Richard Bolisay agrees: “Should have known better than … [to make] suicide feel trivial and frivolous.” Opens today.
Iceman
Directed by Wing-cheong Law; stars Donnie Yen, Eva Huang, Simon Yam, Wang Baoqiang
Ming Dynasty warriors get defrosted 400 years later to resume animosity in modern times. New York Times’ Andy Webster calls it a “delirious blend of over-the-top wire work and comedy.” Village Voice’s Ernest Hardy thinks “athletically gifted Yen is overshadowed by largely mediocre CGI.” Opens today.
The Pyramid
Directed by Gergory Levasseur; stars Ashley Hinshaw, Denis O’Hare, James Buckley, Christa-Marie Nicola
Archaeologists get trapped in a newly exhumed, labyrinthine pyramid. Washington Post’s Chris Nashawaty describes it as “ludicrous yet mildy likable horror film.” Variety’s Guy Lodge raves: “Exclamation-point scares are planted and executed with grinning, squelching gusto.” Opens today.
The Room
Directed by David Shin; stars Ayumi Ito, Shugo Oshinari, Shogen
Paranoid, isolated girl suspects her spooky apartment is haunted. Japanphilly.org sums it up as a “found-footage style psycho-shocker.” IMDb.com reviewer Mark Schilling notes: “Quasi-documentary … the story, which unfolds almost entirely in two rooms, is as bare bones as it gets.” Opens today.
Paranormal Island
Directed by Marty Murray; stars Briana Evigan, Lance Henriksen, Ben Elliot, Sarah Karges
Rowdy college kids’ dream job of bartending becomes a nightmare. Shocktillyoudrop.com’s Ryan Turek exclaims: “It stars Briana Evigan, so there is an upside.” 28dayslateranalysis.com remarks: “A trip to this island is a journey to hell … promises looming terror.” Opens today.
Frozen: Singalong Edition
Directed by Jennifer Lee; with the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff
Princess and mountain man team up to save the kingdom from an eternal winter. The Telegraph’s Kat Brown says: “A thousand people singing ‘Let It Go’? A moment of pure, sparkly joy.” Radio Times’ Ben Dowell concurs: “Sounds like hell? Wonderfully raucous and a lot of fun.” Opens today.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Directed by Peter Jackson; stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Elijah Wood
Dwarves, elves and men must join forces or suffer under the great enemy Sauron. The Hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy asserts: “Lives up to its mayhem potential … an out-and-out war film, with gobs of trimmings.” Screen International’s Tim Grierson lauds “final chapter … [as] robustly entertaining, occasionally affecting.” Opens Friday.