Opening today
Pepe Herrera (left) and Ritz Azul in “The Hopeful Romantic”
The Hopeful Romantic
Directed by Topel Lee; stars Pepe Herrera, Ritz Azul, Jenine Desiderio, Vangie Labalan
Thirtysomething virgin falls for a wily, worldly mistress. Lee recounts that “it was fun working with Pepe and Ritz. They suggested lots of jokes. That was why I didn’t have a hard time on the set.” He recalls that the duo’s laughter was contagious. “We came up with different hilarious scenarios for the audience.”
Myrtle Sarrosa (left) and Lassy Marquez in “Wonder Bra”
Wonder Bra
Directed by Joven Tan; stars Myrtle Sarrosa, Cacai Bautista, Lassy Marquez, Zeus Collins, Gina Pareño
Simple lass becomes a sexy superheroine when she dons a bra given by an elderly idol. Sarrosa, who’s into cosplaying, is glad to finally bag a superhero role. “I get to fly in this movie. I’m grateful to Direk Joven for making my dream come true,” she quips. Tan describes this comic romp as “very chill, but it has a heart.”
“The Predator”
The Predator
Directed by Shane Black; stars Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay
Disgruntled science teacher joins a ragtag band of ex-soldiers in fighting the most lethal creatures in the universe. Hollywood Reporter’s Jordan Mintzer asserts: “So cleverly over-the-top that it’s easy and pleasurable enough to watch.” Variety’s Dennis Harvey thinks it’s “an exhaustingly energetic mess … cluttered.”
Anna Kendrick in “A Simple Favor”
A Simple Favor
Directed by Paul Feig; stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Jean Smart
Mommy blogger investigates the sudden disappearance of her best buddy. Commonsensemedia.org notes: “Expect some dark humor in this crime story … and plenty of twists and turns.” indieWire’s Kate Erbland agrees: “Twisty new thriller … looks to be pulling liberally from the ‘Gone Girl’ idea box.”
Wheely
Directed by Yusry bin Abdul Halim; with the voices of Zizan Razak, Johan, Lisa Surihani
A taxi named Wheely wants to be king of the road, but he must protect his dream girl from baddies. Rojakdaily.com reports that it’s “partly inspired by the Disney film ‘Cars,’ but its cast is wholly Malaysian.” Rafzantomomi remarks: “Interesting and there are lots of humor … Overall, it’s entertaining and exciting.”
Alex Neustaedter in “A.X.L.”
A.X.L.
Directed by Oliver Daly; stars Alex Neustaedter, Becky G, Eric Etebari, Alex MacNicoll
Kid befriends robotic war dog created to protect soldiers. Crooked Marquee’s Eric D. Snider sums it up as “a wholesome adventure … an inoffensive trifle.” Blu-ray.com’s Brian Orndorf hails it as “an ode to Amblin Entertainment’s efforts in the 1980s … that detailed the cuddly relationship between man and machine.”
Final Score
Directed by Scott Mann; stars Dave Bautista, Pierce Brosnan, Ray Stevenson, Lara Peake
Former military man slugs it out with terrorists who dared kidnap his niece. The Sun’s Jamie East relates: “Offers nothing in the way of originality or social commentary, it’s just big, fun, brash, noisy.” Time Out’s Alex Godfrey exclaims: “Bautista goes full Van Damme in a ‘Sudden Death’-alike action movie.”
