Opening Today: Taken 3, Zombie Apocalypse …
Edsa Woolworth
Directed by John-D Lazatin; stars Pokwang, Stephen Spohn, Lee O’Brian, Ricci Chan, Lee Robin Salazar
A Filipino woman finds herself in a modern, international family, after her mother marries an American. Lazatin, who also directed Pokwang in 2011’s “A Mother’s Story,” says that the comedienne is a “dependable” performer. “Viewers easily identify with her characters who inject humor even in the most dire situations.”
Taken 3
Directed by Olivier Megaton; stars Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Jannsen, Forest Whitaker
Retired operative goes on the lam after being framed for the murder of his ex-wife. Variety’s Maggie Lee calls this “third installment … a mind-numbing, crash-bang misfire.” Screen International’s Mark Adams relates: “Pretty mild … and packed with rather familiar chase scenes, but there are still some action sequences that deliver.”
Before I Go to Sleep
Directed by Rowan Joffe; stars Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Anne-Marie Duff
A woman, whose illness leaves her with no memory of the previous day, begins to suspect her husband. Entertainment Weekly’s Kyle Anderson describes it as a “well-constructed mystery full of pitch-black turns that deflate by the end.” New York Post’s Kyle Smith quips: “Not quite as twisty as promised; less a pretzel than a Cheez Curl.”
Zombie Apocalypse
Directed by Jarret Tarnol; stars Reece Thompson, Rebekah Brandes, Brent Tarnol, George Lopez
Boy pursues dream girl, but a car crash and undead epidemic get in the way. Listal.com compares it to “‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Warm Bodies’ … mixes genres: road trip, zombies, coming-of-age.” Zombieeducationalliance.com notes: “There are flashes of something charming … but ending prevents it from achieving greatness.”
