Playing this week: Paranormal activity, Padilla action, more

MANILA, Philippines – New attractions in cinemas on the week of January 29 are set to have viewers on the edge of their seat with adrenaline-pumping combat and spine-tingling horror. Humor and romance are in store for those in need of a feel good fix.

Take your pick from this week’s line-up:

That Awkward Moment

In this romantic comedy, 3 best friends Jason (Zac Efron), Daniel (Miles Teller), and Mikey (Michael B. Jordan), are faced with the complications of relationships and dating. With Mikey recovering from a break-up, Jason and Daniel make a pact to remain single in support of their friend. But the awkward encounters begin soon after, when they are each faced with the decision of staying true to their pact, or of giving in to romance.

The film has so far earned a rating 40% from Rotten Tomatoes, however 94% of over 16,000 users are looking forward to seeing the film.

According to an early review by IGN, a good romantic comedy from the male perspective has long been overdue, but That Awkward Moment, unfortunately isn’t it. IGN placed the film in the middle of brillance and mediocrity.

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer, based on French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, is set in the future where an anti-global warming experiment goes awry, creating a second ice age and killing nearly all life on earth. The remaining survivors travel around the globe inside a humongous train, where a class system has unfortunately developed. With the poor living in sub-human conditions at the back, and the elite comfortably riding in the front, a revolution rises.

The sci-fi film serves as South Korean director Bong Jon-ho’s English directoral debut and stars Hollywood stars Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton.

According to Vulture, the film has earned raves in France and South Korea, where it has already been released. A review by Variety is all praises for the film, which it described as “an enormously ambitious, visually stunning and richly satisfying futuristic epic.”

Meanwhile, 100% of over 1,000 users on Rotten Tomatoes are itching to see the film.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

Do you fear the marked ones?

The 5th installment of the worldwide horror film franchise travels to a Latino community in Oxnard, California, where teenager Jesse (Andrew Jacobs) and his friends mess with the wrong kind. After the death of Jesse’s neighbor sparks the group’s curiosity, they investigate the deceased woman’s apartment where they find blood stains, witchcraft paraphernalia, and Jesse’s photos.

The next day, Jesse wakes up with a bite mark on his arm, unaware of what evil awaits them in the near future.

The film was marked rotten by critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, earning 37% from reviewers and 44% from the audience.

RogerEbert.com noted that the franchise’s “tired and lazy found footage style” brings forth many inconsistencies, but that there was still much left for fans to enjoy. However, the entertaining and somewhat amusing chemistry between the two lead actors (Andrew Jacobs and Jorge Diaz) save the film.

Sa Ngalan ng Ama Ina at mga Anak

Sa Ngalan ng Ama Ina at mga Anak stars several members of one of the country’s prominent actors. Robin Padilla, along with his wife Mariel Rodriguez, his daughter Kylie, his niece Bela, and his nephews Daniel, Matt, and RJ, stars in an action film based on the real-life story of Ongkoy, leader of infamous vigilante group Kuratong Baleleng.

Set in the ’70s, Robin plays the patriotic leader dubbed as the “Robin Hood” of Ozamis in Mindanao. Ongkoy’s tale has lived on even after his death, due to hearsay that his body has not decomposed even after 20 years of being buried.

According to Pep.ph, Robin clarified that the Kuratong Baleleng group must not be confused with crime syndicate Kuratong Baleleng gang. The film tells the story of the group known for fighting for the rights of the impoverished.

According to ABS-CBN, the film is a joint project by Star Cinema and Robin’s RCP Productions.

– Rappler.com