Movies opening today (Sept. 16, 2015)

Taklub

Directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza; stars Nora Aunor, Julio Diaz, Lou Veloso, Romalito Mallari

Lives of typhoon survivors intersect in post-“Yolanda” Tacloban. The Hollywood Reporter’s Clarence Tsui relates: “Overall controlled performances from the veterans… propel the film.” Variety’s Maggie Lee remarks: It “avoids a moralizing political stance… consequences of devastation… speak for themselves.”

Silong

Directed by Jeffrey Hidalgo, Roy Sevilla Ho; stars Piolo Pascual, Rhian Ramos, Guji Lorenzana

Despondent doctor saves battered woman with a mysterious past. Pascual recalls that the directors “were open to suggestions.” Ramos recounts: “It was something different… a nerve-wracking experience. I discovered a lot about myself as an actor.” Inquirer.net sums it up as a “refreshing take on romantic thrillers.”

Everest

Directed by Baltasar Kormakur; stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley, Jason Clarke

In 1996, an expedition to the world’s highest peak ends in tragedy. Entertainment Weekly’s Chris Nashawaty says its “dizzying climbing scenes and vertiginous moments … give it its heart-quickening power.” Little White Lies’ David Jenkins calls it a “big, brassy ’70s-style disaster movie which wears its clichés lightly.”

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon; stars Olivia Cooke, Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Connie Briton

Mom forces awkward teener to hang out with cancer-stricken classmate. Chicago Sun-Times’ Richard Roeper asserts that it’s “grounded in reality, [but] has just enough whimsy and soars to the stars.” New York Times’ AO Scott describes it as “touching and small, but also thoughtful and assured in a way that lingers.”

Pay the Ghost

Directed by Uli Edel; stars Nicolas Cage, Sarah Wayne Callies, Lyriq Bent, Sofia Well

Eerie and horrifying images haunt the father of a kid who vanished while trick or treating. Cinemablend’s Mike Reyes thinks it’s a “compelling, heart-pounding thriller… [with] the makings of a crazy time at the movies.” Digitalspy’s Justin Harp agrees: It’s “legitimately spooky… sure to freak you out.”

From the Dark

Directed by Conor McMahon; stars Niamh Algar, Stephen Cromwell, Ged Murray, Gerry O’Brien

Friends are trapped in an isolated cabin, where a blood-thirsty predator stalks them. We Got This Covered’s Matt Donato quips: It’s “an economical creature feature… pretty trivial.” Filmireland.net’s Richard Drumm differs: “Not too many surprises, but the clear enthusiasm everyone had for the project is up there onscreen.”

Assassination

Directed by Choi Dong-hun; stars Ha Jung-hoo, Lee Jung-jae, Cho Jin-woong, Jun Ji-hyun

Resistance plans a jailbreak for the hitman who can kill an officer in Japanese-occupied Korea. Los Angeles Times’ Michael Rechtshaffen raves: “Keeps the unapologetically mainstream but twisty story moving along.” Film School Rejects’ Rob Hunter concurs: “Delivers beautifully crafted action sequences.”

Ghostline

Directed by Dean Whitney; stars Rachel Alig, Zack Gold, Pia Thrasher

Young couple gets harassed by a crazy caller who claims to be the poor guy’s ex-girlfriend. Horrorsociety.com comments that it’s a “chilling tale.” Horrordomain.com notes: It “aims to tap into some of our creepy fears.”

American Ultra

Directed by Nima Norizadeh; stars Kristen Stewart, Jessie Eisenberg, Topher Grace, Tony Hale

Small-town stoner turns out to be a deadly, highly skilled sleeper agent. New Yorker’s Richard Brody comments: “Plays… violence like visual guitar riffs, and approaches the martial-arts set pieces with underlined wit.” USA Today’s Brian Truitt opines: “It exists to entertain in its own oddball universe, munchies optional.”