12 YEARS A SLAVE
Dir: Steve McQueen (2013). USA, UK. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch. MTRCB R-13.
Hot tip: Bring lots of Kleenex tissues because this film will surely make you cry. Also, don’t expect lots of Brad Pitt moments despite the fact that his production house Plan B produced the said film.
Based on: An 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup titled Twelve Years a Slave.
Synopsis: An African American born free named Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) gets kidnapped in New York and lives as a slave for 12 years.
Why see it: Aside from the fact that it was named Best Picture at the recently concluded Academy Awards, we heard Lupita Nyong’O’s performance that netted her Best Supporting Actress award was something you should see for yourself!
300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE
Dir: Noam Murro (2014). USA. Sulluvan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Ben Turner. MTRCB R-16
Hot tip: If you’re a huge Gerard Butler fan who loved the first movie, hide your disappointment because King Leonidas will have very little to do with the new installment though it was initially written with him on a reprised role. Well, it just “wasn’t really his thing.”
Based on: The awesome pages of Greek history and Greece’s second invasion in the land of Persia.
Synopsis: After the fall of Leonidas in 300, Athen admiral Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) forms an ally with Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) of Sparta to finally avenge and fight for the empire.
Why see it: The MTRCB ratings says it all. It’s not just an epic film loaded with state of the art graphics, it’s also a bloody movie for the brave popcorn warriors!
MR. PEABODY AND SHERMAN
Dir: Rob Minkoff (2014). USA. Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Stephen Colbert. MTRCB G.
Hot tip: Bring your know-it-all kid with you and try to have fun! It’s a movie for kids, for crying out loud.
Based on: Mr. Peabody from Peabody’s Improbably History, a segment on the 1950s show Rocky and the Bullwinkle Show.
Synopsis: Mr. Peabody (Ty Burrell), the smartest dog in the world, journeys with his adopted kid, Sherman (Max Charles) after his classmate Penny (Ariel Winter) uses the WABAC machine to go back in time and relive history. Why see it: It’s a fun family movie that will not only teach your kid values, but will also help you understand world history a little better. Let’s admit it, you probably fell asleep during AP classes back in high school!
OPEN GRAVE
Dir: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego (2013). USA. Sharito Copley, Thomas Kretschmann, Josie Ho. MTRCB R-13.
Hot tip: This isn’t just a horror or thriller film. You have to get your popcorn ready for the ultimately awesome plot twist! Also, DON’T look at the Wikipedia page!
Based on: The possibly scary, unknown future.
Synopsis: A man (Sharlto Copley) wakes up in the middle of an open grave without any memory. He finds a group of people who also didn’t know who they were and as they recollect their identities, they soon find a hair-raising truth about the state of the world they were in.
Why see it: By watching the trailer, you’d probably would’ve guessed what’s in this movie already (even if yuo didn’t peek into the Wiki page). If you’re into The Walking Dead and other post apocalyptic movies and stuff, you’ll probably like what writers Eddie and Chris Borey has in store for you. Another proof that you would enjoy this is the fact that it was listed in the Blood List 2009, an unofficial list of the most terrifyingly unproduced horror scripts ever.
THE BATES HAUNTING
Dir: Byron Turk (2012). USA. Jean Louise O’Sullivan, Dante Zucca, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn. MTRCB R-16.
Hot tip: Let’s just keep this between: We think the movie is haunted too. Did you know that three actors have died before the movie was even released? One of them was JackAss crew member Ryan Dunn who died in a car crash while filming the movie.
Based on: The real life Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania which is a well-known Halloween attraction site. Synopsis: Agnes Rickover (Jean Louise O’Sullivan) decides to work at The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride to investigate a year after witnessing the horrific death of her best friend Lily Hanson (Aleksandra Svetlichnaya) while acting for the show. What she finds is a lot more horrifying deaths hidden inside the walls of the ride.
Why see it: If you like blood baths and scary movies, this is the best movie to spend your easy money on. It’s got dead people, blood and… Well, more blood.
