Opening Day
Ex With Benefits
Directed by Gino M. Santos; stars Derek Ramsay, Coleen Garcia, Meg Imperial, Rayver Cruz
Estranged lovers meet again after a decade and they struggle with past resentments. Ramsay recalls that he worked well with Garcia and the shoot for the sizzling love scenes went smoothly. “It is about one’s personal journey,” relates Garcia. “It is not about a casual fling, but about love,” explains Santos.
Transporter 4: Refueled
Directed by Camille Delamarre; stars Ed Skrein, Ray Stevenson, Gabriella Wright
Mercenary gets involved in a bank heist with a femme fatale and they must elude a Russian gangster. Commonsensemedia.com remarks: “Expect plenty of violence, action-packed car chases … salty language.” Gaurav’s Movie Reviews notes: “Movie’s budget is also looking low, which makes it a less interesting affair.”
Before We Go
Directed by Chris Evans; stars Alice Eve, Chris Evans, Emma Fitzpatrick, John Collum
Stuck in New York, strangers spend the night getting to know each other. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooner describes it as an “actor-driven exercise [that’s] modest … a vanity project.” The Playlist’s Kevin Jagernauth concedes: “Making a good film requires more than simply aping … better movies.” Exclusively in Ayala Cinemas.
Roaring Currents
Directed by Han-min Kim; stars Min-sik Choi, Syeong-yong Ryeu, Jung-hyun Lee
Admired admiral traps 300 Japanese ships and defeats the enemies with only 13 battleships. Los Angeles Times’ Martin Tsai quips: “The sea battles are absolutely epic … realistic and thrilling.” Film Journal International’s David Noh agrees: “This epic-in-every-way impresses through its sheer mass and volume.” Exclusively in SM Cinemas.
Harbinger Down
Directed by Alec Gillis; stars Lance Henriksen, Camille Balsamo, Matt Winston
Grad students dredge up space debris that unleash mutant creatures. Nerdist’s Scott Weinberger thinks it’s “simplistic and obvious, but … does a fine job emulating late ’80s monster movies we love.” We Got This Covered’s Matt Donato points out: It “brings the monstrous goods … yet struggles to tell a coherent story.”
Little Ghost
Directed by Alain Gsponer; stars Jonas Holdenrieder, Emily Kusche, Herbert Knaup
Playful spirit leaves his castle home and embarks on a grand adventure. Christiancinema.com calls it “a spook-tacular tale … entertaining family movie.” Newly Swissed’s Mohan Mani concurs: “A treat from beginning to end … never too dark, but always funny and charming. Bring the kids.”
Demonic
Directed by Will Canon; stars Nicole Petty, Daniel Maclagan, Tom Savini, Maria Bello
A cop and a psychologist investigate the death of teeners who attempted to summon spirits. Horror-asylum.com’s Phil Davies Brown commends its “brilliant, gritty visual style … [that’s] achieved through talent and style.’” Slasherama.com says it’s “expensive-looking … . There’s a reasonable amount of gore on display.”
Sinister 2
Directed by Ciaran Foy; stars Shannyn Sossamon, James Ransone, Lea Coco
Stern mom and her twin sons move into a rural home that’s cursed by evil. Variety’s Andrew Barker asserts: “Anyone who found the original a cut above the average … will likely be … disappointed if not downright insulted.” New York Times’ Andy Webster comments: “Substitutes pedestrian plotting … for the original’s restraint.”
