Andrea Brillantes in “The Ghosting”
The Ghosting
Directed by Joey de Guzman; stars Khalil Ramos, Andrea Brillantes
A young woman has strange encounters, which may be connected to some mysterious deaths and an apparition.
The title, according to Ramos, doesn’t refer to the contemporary word that implies abandonment; instead, it implies a haunting. At the launch, he described the film as “along the lines of ‘The Shining’ or ‘The Conjuring.’”
Adam Brody in “Ready or Not”
Ready or Not
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett; stars Samara Weaving, Andie MacDowell, Adam Brody
A bride joins her husband’s family in a bizarre and violent game of survival.
NPR’s Glen Weldon thinks that the film is “fast and fun. Weaving’s pretty spectacular, and the finale is as cheerfully hokey as one can hope for.”
Detroit News’ Adam Graham is unimpressed: “‘Ready or Not’ attempts to critique the super rich and the anxieties of marriage, but winds up drowning in its own pool of blood.”
“Weathering with You”
Weathering with You
Directed by Makoto Shinkai; features the voices of Kotaro Daigo, Nana Mori, Kana Hanazawa
A teenage boy runs away to Tokyo and meets a girl who seems capable of manipulating the weather.
According to Cinema Escapist’s Richard Yu, the animated movie “is a dire warning to humanity on the future of our world if we don’t take drastic actions to reduce our impact on the environment.”
South China Morning Post’s James Marsh says, “The animation … combines almost photorealistic scenery and backgrounds with dazzling splashes of light and color.”
Brad Pitt (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Directed by Quentin Tarantino; stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie
A TV actor and his longtime stunt double are struggling in Hollywood, and are about to experience a life-altering ordeal.
Los Angeles Times’ Kenneth Turan opines that it “strikes a chord that is distinctly elegiac and unexpectedly emotional, especially coming from [Tarantino].”
Salon’s Matthew Rozsa says, “It feels like Tarantino is so wrapped up in indulging in his own filmmaking style that he loses sight of what made his best movies work.”
Above the Shadows
Directed by Claudia Myers; stars Olivia Thirlby, Megan Fox, Alan Ritchson
A woman literally fades to invisibility, but one person, a disgraced mixed martial arts fighter, can see her.
Los Angeles Times’ Noel Murray says, “Thirlby gives a good performance … But the more Holly comes into view, the blander her character becomes.”
AWFJ Women on Films’ Cate Marquis advises, “You just have to go with it, but ‘Above the Shadows’ will reward you for that journey.”
Upin & Ipin:
The Lone Gibbon Kris
Directed by Adam Bin Amiruddin, Syed Nurfaiz Khalid bin Syed Ibrahim, Ahmad Razuri bin Roseli; features the voices of Asyiela Putri Bt Azhar, Fakhrul Razi Ibrahim
Young twin brothers discover a mystical object, which transports them to a kingdom threatened by a mighty villain.
According to reports, the film cost nearly 20 million Malaysian ringgit, and is the latest big-screen offering inspired by the popular animated TV series. It was screened in Malaysia for two months.