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Kasal
Directed by Joselito Altarejos; stars Arnold Reyes, Oliver Aquino, Rita Avila, Maureen Mauricio
The love affair of a gay filmmaker and a closeted lawyer is tested when they attend a weekend wedding. Pinoy Rebyu’s Skilty Labastilla describes it as “a brutally honest depiction of a relationship in crisis.” Lilok Pelikula’s Richard Bolisay says it is “driven by a desire to approach things [with] a sober perspective.”
Unbroken
Directed by Angelina Jolie; stars Jack O’Connell, Domnhall Gleeson, Miyavi
Olympian athlete, who becomes a prisoner of war, survives the harsh conditions in a Japanese concentration camp. Time magazine’s Richard Corliss remarks: “Jolie has made a solid movie … truly worth the wait.” Wall Street Journal’s Joe Morgenstern differs: “[This] tale of endurance … takes endurance to sit through.”
The Last Five Years
Directed by Richard LaGravenese; stars Anna Kendrick, Jeremy Jordan, Meg Hudson
Gifted novelist and struggling actress fall in love, get married, grow apart and separate. Village Voice’s Alan Scherstuhi hails the musical as “robust entertainment, often stirring, sad, funny.” Variety’s Peter Debruge thinks the director “reinforces the material’s internal logic with unfussy direction … heartbreaking.”
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Directed by Matthew Vaughn; stars Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Hamill
Secret spy organization recruits street kid to train for fight against evil genius. Los Angeles Times’ Betsy Sharkey points out: “If you can forgive the failings, [it] serves up its share of entertaining froth.” Philadelphia Inquirer’s Tirdad Derakhshani quips: “Tries so hard to be a clever, deconstructive meta-tale.”
Dragon Blade
Directed by Daniel Lee; stars Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Choi Si-won
Chinese commander joins forces with Roman general against a power-hungry tyrant. Screenrant.com’s Sarah Moran: “If you think [Chan, Cusack, Brody] are the strangest trio … in an action film, you aren’t alone.” Cinemablend’s Eric Eisenberg rants: “Over-dramatic screaming … stilted dialogue.”