THE MONUMENTS MEN
Dir: George Clooney (2014). USA, Germany. George Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman. MTRCB PG.
Hot tip: Stay for the credits! This may not be a Marvel movie but you probably would want to see photos of the real Monuments Men with the art pieces they saved during the World War II.
Based on: Robert M. Edsel’s The Monument’s Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History.
Synopsis: Seven men are tasked by US President Franklin D Roosevelt to retrieve and protect stolen art from the Nazis for the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program.
Why see it: Aside from the fact that the film has an all-star cast which includes its very awesome director, George Clooney (who also co-produced and co-written the film), The Monuments Men is something to look forward to watching because of its many cultural references. From Picasso to Michaelangelo to da Vinci. Also, George Clooney’s father, Nick Clooney, did a cameo for the movie!
BASEMENT
Dir: Topel Lee (2014). Philippines. Betong Sumaya, Aljur Abrenica, Dion Ignacio, Chynna Ortaleza. MTRCB R-13.
Hot tip: If you’re thinking of a new Valentine’s Day gimmick for your date, take her to the cinemas to watch Topel Lee’s horror flick. She’ll be screaming and hiding in your tight embrace faster than you can spell “tiyansing”.
Based on: The fact that old basements are just freaking creepy.
Synopsis: An unlikely group gets stuck in a basement parking for one night. As the night goes on several people die and the group started fearing for their lives after finding out that they were not the only ones stuck in the basement.
Why see it: Come on, ANTM Cycle 18 winner Sophie Sumner turned up to watch the movie (though we bet she didn’t understand a thing). Maybe you should too!
STARTING OVER AGAIN
Dir: Olivia M. Lamasan (2014). Philippines. Toni Gonzaga, Piolo Pascual, Iza Calzado. MTRCB PG.
Hot tip: Get your Joy and Kleenex boxes ready. Director Oliva M. Lamasan says this filim is a “roller caster of emotions”. This is one tandem we’ve all been waiting for since Sprite.
Based on: We’re guessing it was based on Natalie Cole’s heartbreak song of 1989.
Synopsis: Marco Villanueva (Piolo Pascual) and Ginny Gonzales (Toni Gonzaga) had it going well before they suddenly broke up. Years after, they find themselves working along with each other and realizing they might still have something for each other.
Why see it: If you’re alone this Valentine’s Day, here’s a good excuse to cry and be happy that you’re single — no more heartbreaks and no boyfriends no force into watching a rom-com with you!
VAMPIRE ACADEMY
Dir: Mark Waters (2014). USA, UK, Romania. Zoey Dutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky. MTRCB R-13.
Hot tip: Don’t expect too much out of this film, especially if you’re not a huge YA fan (or are not in the “young adult” category at all). We recommend reading the book first so, you know, you have an idea what to expect.
Based on: Richelle Mead’s bestselling vampire series of the same title.
Synopsis: Rose Hathaway (Zoey Dutch) is a half vampire-half human girl who comes back to St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and Moroi (the good vampires) princess Lissa Dragomir (Lucy Fry) to fight the threat of Strogoi (the bad vampires).
Why see it: If you liked Mean Girls (which BTW was also directed by Mark Waters) and Twiilight, this is probably something you’ll enjoy.
ENDLESS LOVE
Dir: Shana Feste (2014). USA. Alex Pettyfer, Gabriela Wilde, Bruce Greenwood. MTRCB R-13.
Hot tip: If you’re a girl, try not to drool over most-of-the-time naked Alex Pettyfer. Get loads of popcorn to satisfy your hunger instead.
Based on: A book of the same name by Scott Spencer and a 1981 film adaptation directed by Franco Zeffirelli.
Synopsis: David Axelrod (Alex Pettyfer) and Jade Butterfield (Gabriella Wilde) falls in love fast after meeting in school and pretty soon they find themselves in a whirlwind of romance as Jade’s parents try to break them apart for good.
Why see it: There is no shortage of skin on this movie — especially of Alex Pettyfer. When asked what his definition is of “endless love” is he says “It’s chemical”. That’s probably everything you need to know about the film in two words.
KHUMBA
Dir: Anthony Silverston (2013). South Africa. Jake T. Austin, Liam Neeson, Steve Buscemi. MTRCB G.
Hot tip: If you think your kid is being bullied for being a nerd or a geek or just different at school, go take them to the cinemas this week and help them cope with it the fun way.
Based on: The super colorful wildlife of South Africa.
Synopsis: Khumba (voiced by Wizards of Waverly Place star Jake T. Austin), is a half-striped zebra looking for a place in his superstitiously full-striped herd. When droughts came to their home, the herd blames hiim for being a curse and pushes him away forcing him to survive in the wild where he meets new friends and finds a new home.
Why see it: There’s a lot to learn from this 3D family film. For one, your kids can finally find an ally in Khumba who learned that his difference can actually be his strength.
WINTER’S TALE
Dir: Akiva Goldsman (2014). USA. Colin Farrell, Matt Bomer, Jessica Brown Findlay, Russel Crowe. MTRCB PG.
Hot tip: Brace yourself for possible crying moments on this film. It’s not just a tear-jerker love story, it’s also a tale of miracles — a combination that’ll surely melt your heart. Based on: Mark Helprin’s 1983 novel of the same name.
Synopsis: Colin Farrell plays Peter Lake, a thief who falls in love with a dying girl named Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay). We finds out through Irish gangster Pearly Soames (Russel Crowe) that he has the power to reincarnate and sets out to save Beverly no matter what it takes.
Why see it: Although we would have been happy to see Tim Hiddleston as Peter (he auditioned for the role but wasn’t selected), we think the story is definitely worth the tickets. It may be a bit of a make or break for director Akiva Goldsman who debuts in the feature film category which makes it all the more exciting to watch. In fact, there were reports that Martin Scorsese once purchased the filming rights for the film but bailed out because he thought the book was “unfilmable”.
