This week in theaters we have two new wide releases, the action sequel "Underworld: Blood Wars" starring Kate Beckinsale and the fantasy drama "A Monster Calls". Also, the Oscar hopeful biopic "Hidden Figures" expands nationwide this weekend. In limited release, Jackie Chan fans should check out the action comedy "Railroad Tigers".
Synopses, details, critical reception, trailers, clips and more after the jump.
UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS
Official Synopsis
The next installment in the blockbuster franchise, UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS follows Vampire death dealer, Selene (Kate Beckinsale) as she fends off brutal attacks from both the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. With her only allies, David (Theo James) and his father Thomas (Charles Dance), she must stop the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Film Details
- Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, Charles Dance, James Faulkner, Bradley James
- Director: Anna Foerster
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Running Time: 91 min.
- Rating: R for strong bloody violence, and some sexuality
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 10% (2 fresh, 18 rotten, score: 4.0/10)
- Metacritic: N/A
"Underworld: Blood Wars" is exactly what it's meant to be. A cheesy action film designed to wring millions of dollars out of its fans and leave the rest indifferent. The "Underworld" franchise has never been known for anything other than its flashy action and leather-clad heroine. Don't expect anything new from this one.
A MONSTER CALLS
Official Synopsis
A visually spectacular drama from director J.A. Bayona ("The Impossible"). 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall), dealing with his mother's (Felicity Jones) illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother (Sigourney Weaver), and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth. Toby Kebbell plays Conor's father, and Liam Neeson stars in performance-capture and voiceover as the nocturnally visiting Monster of the title.
Film Details
- Starring: Lewis MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Liam Neeson, Toby Kebbell
- Director: J.A. Bayona
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy
- Running Time: 108 min.
- Rating: PG-13 for thematic content and some scary image
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 87% (141 fresh, 21 rotten, score: 7.6/10)
- Metacritic: 76 out of 100 (32 positive, 6 mixed, 1 negative).
A Monster Calls" is a mature fantasy drama that conjures powerful emotions while balancing the darker themes and fairy tale elements exceptionally well. However, I wouldn't recommend taking your kids to see it. This isn't "The BFG".
HIDDEN FIGURES
Official Synopsis
HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)-brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.
Film Details
- Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell
- Director: Theodore Melfi
- Genre: Drama
- Running Time: 127 min.
- Rating: PG for thematic elements and some language
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 92% (97 fresh, 9 rotten, score: 7.6/10)
- Metacritic: 74 out of 100 (32 positive, 8 mixed, 0 negative).
"Hidden Figures" is a competent biopic that chronicles an overlooked, but significant moment in American history. The film itself doesn't really break new ground, sticking too closely to the feel-good formula of inspirational films, but it manages to overcome most of its problems with the help of its three incredibly talented leading ladies.
RAILROAD TIGERS
Official Synopsis
In this action-comedy caper harkening back to Jackie Chan's classic Hong Kong films, a railroad worker (Chan) and his ragtag group of freedom fighters find themselves on the wrong side of the tracks when they decide to ambush a heavily armed military train filled with desperately needed provisions. Unarmed and outnumbered, they must fight back against an entire army using only their wits, in a series of a dazzling set pieces and action scenes rivaling anything seen on the big screen.
Film Details
- Starring: Kai Wang, Jaycee Chan, Zitao Huang, Alan Ng, Darren Wang
- Director: Ding Sheng
- Genre: Action, Comedy, War
- Running Time: 124 min.
- Rating: Not Rated
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 36% (5 fresh, 9 rotten, score: 5.3/10)
- Metacritic: 48 out of 100 (2 positive, 6 mixed, 1 negative).
It's Jackie Chan and his amazing fight choreography that make "Railroad Tigers" passable entertainment, as the rest is a tonal mess burdened by a disjointed plot.
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