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Philippine Showbiz Today
January 8 - 21, 2019
Jan. 22-Feb.7, 2015
The Predator (PG) ****
Hide and Kill!
Hide and seek is a classic kid’s game. Add an alien who’s not quite of
the E.T. mould and odds are good something bad may happen. Something
evil comes your way in The Predator. Even the name sounds haunting
as 20th Century- Fox goes all in with this thriller now freaking folks out
in the comfort (?) of their own homes in DVD and Blu-ray across B.C.
Worth the wait is this unbelievable journey that effectively
continues the chills served up in the original Predator a la Arnold. Mr.
Schwarzenegger and fans alike should be behind the vision put forth by
new director Shane Black. Sparkling dialogue and interesting characters
serve the story well as we first see an alien encounter some soldiers and
years later that space thing comes back to Earth on its own mission.
Snatch and grab take on a whole new meaning as it’s the army versus
the alien who somehow has gotten even more powerful than before.
Slick humour further ramps up the fun as the space angle and the
special effects perfectly mesh with the pacing in this terrifying journey.
Danger lurks everywhere and with way out stunts audiences are put
directly in the line of fire. Add on crazed scientists and freaky military
type officials who may have their own secret agendas and you have
lots of things going on and coming at you so better stay clear. Oh and
let’s not forget one crazed alien killing machine who may be no match
for us mere mortal earthlings. Game on!●
Shoplifters (PG) **
Takers!
Said to be Japan’s entry as Best Foreign Language Film at this
year’s Oscars Shoplifters comes your way. Currently on screen at The
International Village Cinemas and select Cineplex cites across B.C.
This Mongrel Media release clearly raises the bar on petty thefts.
All in the family characterizes the way a mother and father
deal with life and eking out an existence. Raise your children well
is what most parents hope for with ideally the kids following in
Their elder’s footsteps. Only the family in This movie makes their
living by stealing at local grocery stores and convenience shops.
Despite the unseemly nature of how they live mom and pop
do actually have a social conscience as exemplified when they
“rescue” a child apparently in distress. At the heart of this two hour
movie are the internally relationships between the parents and their
daughter and son Along with a doting grandmother and new arrival.
Good acting that is rather relaxed sort of obscures the overly long
length of this film. Finally things liven up near the film’s end when the
long arm of the law makes an appearance. Up until then some viewers
may have been left on auto pilot as things move along at a rather overly
glacial pace. Made with English subtitles. Here the acting is uniformly
good, the subject matter interesting and the setting many will be able
to relate to. Shoplifters also benefits from a soothing score.●