Movie of the Week | As I Lay Dying
Dir: James Franco (2013). USA. James Franco, Tim Blake Nelson, Beth Grant. MTRCB R-16.
If you’re into culture and literature like us here at Coconuts Manila, you’ll probably be as excited as we are for this one. Oscar-nominated actor James Franco sets another big mark for his filmmaking career with As I Lay Dying which opens in Philippine theaters today. First seen at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, the film was adapted from William Faulkner’s 1930 tour de force which promises heavy family drama. It revolves around the Bundren family who journeys to fulfill the matriarch’s dying wish to be buried in a faraway town and the trials they had to face — both externally and internally — along the way. The film stars James Franco as Darl Bundren, who also directed and adapted the novel into screenplay.
Slumber Party
Dir: Emmanuel dela Cruz (2012). Philippines. RK Bagatsing, Markki Stroem, Archie Alemania. MTRCB R13.
Perhaps the most fun you will have in the cinema this year. Slumber Party is the story of a trio of gay friends, with varying degrees of fabulosity, who decide to throw, well, a slumber party specifically to keep vigil on how the Philippine candidate will fare in the Miss Universe pageant. As the evening unfolds, a stranger will try to break into the house and all hell breaks loose. Delightful, surprising performances from everyone, but most especially from a guy named Niño Muhlach.
Call Center Girl
Dir: Don Cuaresma (2013). Philippines. Pokwang, Jessy Mendiola, Enchong Dee. MTRCB PG.
If you’re looking for something light to watch this weekend, your best bet is Star Cinema and Skylight Films’ Call Center Girl. Pokwang is Terry, a loving mother who finds herself employed in the same call center as her haughty daughter Regina, played by Jessy Mendiola. Also a part of Star Cinema’s 20th anniversary offering, Call Center Girl opens today so make sure to keep your jaws unhinged for some heavy laughing.
Frozen
Dir: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee (2013). USA. Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel. MTRCB G.
We have two new additions to our list of Disney princesses list, ladies (and gentlemen, if you’re a shameless princes and princesses fan). Surf’s Up director Chris Buck comes back to the big screen with Wreck-It Ralph writer Jennifer Lee to bring this magical icy story to life. Frozen centers on Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) and her quest to find her sister Elsa (Idina Menzel) who brought a non-stop blizzard to the kingdom of Arendelle, after her powers go out of hand. She tows a mountain man named Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and a snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad) into the journey to find the Snow Queen Elsa and stop the endless winter in the Kingdom. The film opens today in all Ayala Malls in the metro.
Free Birds
Dir: Jimmy Hayward (2013). USA. Woody Harrelson, Owen Wilson, Dan Fogler, Amy Poehler. MTRCB G.
We may not have Thanksgiving here in the Philippines but that won’t stop us from wanting turkey this week! Free Birds is an action-packed comedy animation from Relativity Media that will take you back in time to witness the first Thanksgiving. This is not just any other time machine trip though, because Reggie the Turkey (Owen Wilson) along with Turkeys Liberation Front President Jake (Woody Harrelson) plans to team up and save the rest of the birds by changing history. What’s more “feather” raising about this movie is that it has Amy Poehler and George Takei in it too!
Still Showing: Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Dir: Francis Lawrence (2013). USA. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth. MTRCB PG.
Suzanne Collin’s bestselling young adult fiction is still showing in all Manila theaters this week so if you haven’t seen it yet, you better make a run for the cinemas. Catching Fire stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, who steps back to the arena for the Quarter Quell with her fellow tribute and pretend fiance Peeta Melark, played by Josh Hutcherson. Fresh from their 74th Hunger Games victory, the two leaves District 12 once again to fight past victors and survive President Snow’s trap by igniting a revolution in Panem.
Thor: The Dark World
Dir: Alan Taylor (2013). USA. Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, KatDennings. MTRCB R-16.
Game of Thrones director Alan Taylor continues to wow Pinoy Marvel fans with Thor: The Dark World. Reprising his role as Thor, Chris Hemsworth teams up once again with Natalie Portman who plays Jane Foster, Thor’s human love interest, to save the world from impending chaos in the hands of the dark elf Malekith (Christopher Eccleston). To save the Earth and Asgard from Malekith’s revenge, Thor also enlists the help of his adoptive brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who was imprisoned after trying to take over the world on The Avengers movie. You can catch the last showing of Thor in all Ayala Malls and a few SM Cinema branches in Manila. Tip: Do not leave until the credits stop rolling.
