Murder on the Orient Express
THE FILM adaptation of Agatha Christie鈥檚 thriller focuses on 13 strangers who are all suspects in a murder. Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is tasked to solve the case. Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in the film, along with Tom Bateman, Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, Josh Gad, and Penelope Cruz. Empire鈥檚 Will Lawrence remarks, 鈥淭here are strong emotions on display, the film exploring collective and individual senses of grief and loss, and there are many fine performances.鈥 MTRCB Rating: PG
Wonder
BASED on R.J. Palacio鈥檚 New York Times best-selling novel of the same title, Wonder tells the story of August Pullman who was born with a facial deformity. Entering school for the first time as a fifth-grader after being home-schooled, he is challenged to interact with other kids and stand up to bullies. Directed by Stephen Chbosky, it stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Izabela Vidovic, Mandy Patinkin, and Daveed Diggs. Rolling Stone鈥檚 Peter Travers writes, 鈥淭hough Auggie stays at the center of the plot, Chbosky lets each character claim his or her own section of the film. The varied perspectives give dimension to a story that could have hammered away relentlessly at the same theme.鈥 MTRCB Rating: PG
Daddy鈥檚 Home 2
STEPDADS Dusty and Brad collaborate to celebrate the holidays with their kids but things might just turn chaotic when Dusty鈥檚 old-school and macho father and Brad鈥檚 ultra-affectionate and emotional dad arrive unexpectedly. Directed by Sean Anders, the film stars Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Mel Gibson, and John Lithgow. Variety鈥檚 Owen Gleiberman remarks, 鈥淵ou will feel good, for half a minute. The same way that you鈥檒l chuckle, for a moment. That鈥檚 what happens when a Hollywood comedy is a Christmas present that鈥檚 all package.鈥 MTRCB Rating: PG
Midnight Runners
AFTER two Korean National Police University students witness a kidnapping, they team up to investigate. Directed by Kim Joo-hwan, the film stars Kang Ha-neul, Park Ha-sun, and Park Seo-joon. James Marsh of the South China Morning Post writes, 鈥Midnight Runners manages to be critical of the police, without demonizing the entire force. It also tackles some pressing social issues, without making grown men cry about it.鈥 MTRCB Rating: PG
Barbi D鈥 Wonderwall Beki!
A CLOSETED gay working as a bodyguard, Billy Bayagan tries to prove his worth to his family of strict and conservative policemen. Directed by Tony Y. Reyes, it stars Paolo Ballesteros, Joey de Leon, Joey Marquez, Benjie Paras, Bianca Umali, Ejay Falcon, and Kim Domingo. MTRCB Rating: PG
Unexpectedly Yours
PATTY and Cocoy reunite after 30 years when start to organize their high school reunion. Cocoy and his nephew, Jason try to woo Patty and her daughter, Yanni. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, it stars Sharon Cuneta, Robin Padilla, Julia Barretto, and Joshua Garcia. MTRCB Rating: PG
