Tag: Aftersun

  • New Movies This Week: ‘It Lives Inside,’ ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ ‘Aftersun,’ and more!

    Lights, camera, action! Get ready for another exciting week of cinematic thrills as we unveil the latest movies gracing the silver screen. Whether you’re a fan of heart-pounding action, spine-tingling mysteries, or heartwarming tales, there’s something extraordinary waiting for you at the box office. This week’s premieres feature the pulse-pounding adventure of ‘It Lives Inside’, the epic mutant mayhem of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’, the poignant journey of self-discovery in ‘Aftersun’, the intense drama of ‘Close’, the enigmatic allure of ‘Corsage’, the hair-raising chills of ‘Devils’, the gripping retribution in ‘Retribution’, the emotional journey of ‘Return to Seoul’, and the romantic vibes of ‘Wish You Were the One’. So, grab your popcorn and let’s step into a world of cinematic adventure!

    IT LIVES INSIDE

    2023 • R-13 • 1 hr 39 mins
    DRAMA, HORROR, THRILLER

    A horror film that will have you triple-checking your locks at night, “It Lives Inside” is not for the faint-hearted. Sam is desperate to fit in at school, rejecting her Indian culture and family to be like everyone else. When a mythological demonic spirit latches onto her former best friend, she must come to terms with her heritage in order to defeat it.  

    TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM

    2023 • PG • 1 hr 40 mins
    ACTION, ANIMATION, COMEDY
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    Already creating a wave of excitement among fans and critics alike, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” brings our beloved turtles to the big screen once again. This time, the turtle brothers are on a mission to win the hearts of New Yorkers, while battling a mysterious crime syndicate. Vibrant, exciting, and with a GenZ twist, this is one animated spectacle you don’t want to miss.

    AFTERSUN

    2023 • R-13 • 1 hr 41 mins
    DRAMA
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    Set against the backdrop of a picturesque summer setting, “Aftersun” is a poignant drama that explores the complexities of love and loss. With an ensemble cast delivering powerful performances, this film promises to be a touching tale that might just require a box of tissues on standby.

    CLOSE

    2023 • PG • 1 hr 44 mins
    DRAMA
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    Two thirteen-year-olds have always shared an unbreakable bond, but their closeness is tested when their relationship faces scrutiny from their peers. “Close” offers an emotionally transformative and unforgettable portrayal of the delicate balance between friendship and love, the complexities of identity and independence, and the journey through heartbreak towards healing.

    CORSAGE

    2023 • R-13 • 1 hr 54 mins
    DRAMA, HISTORY
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    In “Corsage,” the film beautifully captures the dilemmas of Empress Elisabeth of Austria as she nears her 40th birthday. Amid societal pressures and the looming label of being seen as an older woman, she grapples with her royal duties and the constraints of strict ceremony. Desperate to break free and protect her legacy, Empress Elisabeth crafts a rebellious plan against her public image. This film is not just a story of royalty but a poignant exploration of identity, age, and legacy. A must-watch for those who value personal journeys set against grand backdrops.

    DEVILS

    2023 • R-16 • 1 hr 45 mins
    CRIME, HORROR, THRILLER
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    https://youtu.be/teJyUHZuSRU

    In “Devils,” the lines between the hunter and the hunted blur treacherously. Homicide detective Jae-hwan is driven by a burning vendetta: avenging his colleague and brother-in-law, who fell victim to a serial murderer. But when Jae-hwan finally corners the elusive killer, Jin-hyeok, a startling accident throws them into chaos. Waking up in the hospital, Jae-hwan is faced with a horrifying truth – he now inhabits the body of the very murderer he sought to bring down. Trapped in a twisted fate, he embarks on a relentless quest not only to reclaim his identity but also to safeguard his family. “Devils” unravels a chilling tale of revenge, identity, and the relentless pursuit of justice, even when faced with impossible odds.

    RETRIBUTION

    2023 • PG • 1 hr 30 mins
    ACTION, THRILLER
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    In a world where justice and vengeance often blur lines, “Retribution” is a gripping tale of a man seeking revenge for his family. Intense, dark, and emotionally charged, this film is bound to resonate with those who love gritty dramas.

    RETURN TO SEOUL

    2023 • PG • 1 hr 59 mins
    DRAMA
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    In “Return to Seoul,” Davy Chou crafts a poignant tale of self-discovery set against the vibrant backdrop of South Korea. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a 25-year-old French woman, journeying back to her birthplace after being adopted by a French family. As she embarks on the deeply personal quest to find her biological parents, unexpected twists await. Garnering international praise, Chou’s cinematic masterpiece has been celebrated at esteemed film festivals, from the Asia Pacific Screen Awards to the Athens International Film Festival. Its resonant themes and compelling storytelling also earned it the coveted Jury Prize at the 10th QCinema International Film Festival. “Return to Seoul” isn’t just a geographical voyage; it’s a heartrending exploration of identity, heritage, and the ties that bind.

    WISH YOU WERE THE ONE

    2023 • PG • 1 hrs 49 mins
    DRAMA
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    https://youtu.be/bd79PbR7g2c

    Love, longing, and a hint of nostalgia encapsulate the essence of “Wish You Were the One.” This romantic drama delves into the depths of heartbreak, second chances, and the timeless quest for true love.

    FAN FAVORITES STILL SHOWING

    Some fan favorites are still holding strong, providing cinema lovers with a plethora of choices. If you haven’t had the chance to watch them, fan favorites are still being screened. Head to our site for movie details, trailers, articles, screening times, and the ever-convenient option to buy tickets directly.

    BLUE BEETLE

    2023 • PG • 2 hrs 7 mins
    ACTION, SCIENCE FICTION
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    THE LITTLE MERMAID: SING-ALONG VERSION

    2023 • G • 2 hrs 15 mins
    ADVENTURE, FAMILY, FANTASY, ROMANCE, MUSICAL
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    THE MOON

    2023 • PG • 2 hrs 9 mins
    ACTION, DRAMA, SCIENCE FICTION
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    THIRD WORLD ROMANCE

    2023 • PG • 1 hr 52 mins
    ROMANCE
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    MEG 2: THE TRENCH

    2023 • PG • 1 hr 55 mins
    ACTION, HORROR, SCIENCE FICTION
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    TALK TO ME

    2023 • R-13 • 1 hr 34 mins
    HORROR, THRILLER
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    BARBIE

    2023 • PG • 1 hr 53 mins
    COMEDY
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    OPPENHEIMER

    2023 • R-16 • 3 hrs
    BIOGRAPHY, DRAMA, HISTORY
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    MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE

    2023 • PG • 2 hrs 44 mins
    ACTION, ADVENTURE, THRILLER
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    There you have it, movie buffs! So, what’s it going to be? A splash with mermaids, a rollercoaster of emotions in space, or a heart-stopping ghostly encounter? This week’s lineup offers a diverse range of cinematic treats to suit every taste. Don’t miss your chance to catch these must-see flicks while they’re still showing. Have a great time at the movies!

  • MOVIE REVIEW: Movies as Memoir: a review of ‘Aftersun’

    Written and directed by Charlotte Wells, ‘Aftersun’ is her feature-length film debut and weaves a story that she calls “emotionally autobiographical.” She uses the language of film to recreate memories (while talking to other critics, it was mentioned that the film is not unlike Alfonso Cuaron’s ‘Roma’ or even Celine Song’s ‘Past Lives’). Told in a non-linear narrative structure and occupying two timelines and one figurative one, ‘Aftersun’ grapples with the strained relationship between a father, who may be suffering from depression, and his eleven-year-old daughter on a holiday in Turkey during the late 90s.

    Aftersun PH Poster Large

    Told in varying formats, the film unfolds through moments of this pivotal holiday between Sophie and her father Calum and then interspersed with footage taken from a video camera that either Sophie or Calum uses to record parts of their trip. Later, we discover that Calum has separated from Sophie’s mother and is in-between jobs. There is a lot of love and affection between the two but there’s a chasm that’s between them as well – an unspeakable and unamiable thing that also hinders them from completely being there for each other.

    While the movie seems innocent enough, there is always an element of danger hanging on every scene. While Sophie is well documented by the camera – she’s always in full view, her face and every gesture and reaction she makes is open for us to see – it is Calum who never seems to be in focus. He’s almost either turned away from the camera or is never at the center of the frame. It feels as if he’s always just at the periphery. He tries to be close to Sophie but also can’t completely connect. The camera will linger on Sophie but not so much with Calum.

    Aftersun IMG 1272

    The dangers come also in different forms. Sophie also befriends older English teens who are also vacationing in Turkey. She forms a friendship with another boy her age while playing arcade games, while from the teens, she watches them as they flirt with each other, drink, and talk about sex. Sophie is growing up and while there’s nothing in the filmmaking that highlights this danger – not the camera angles or the musical score – it is evident and always looming. Wells knows exactly what each scene could potentially lead to and she lays it out there, even if she doesn’t do anything with it. It’s always there inhabiting and permeating each moment of Sophie’s very observant nature, capturing and processing every thing she’s seeing.

    So much so, that while she doesn’t exactly understand what her father is going through – this was the 90s, of course, so any discussion on mental health was veyr minimal and not at all prevalent amongst the younger generation – she sees it and this is another element of danger. From Calum’s inability to connect and bridge distances, in scenes where you feel like it is the last time you will see him, like in the way he walks into the darkness while getting drunk one night, or the way that he swims deeper into the ocean trying to rescue a diving mask. Charlotte Wells never says it, never names the monster, but deep down inside, just from the performances and the way naturalistic way Wells sets up a scene, it’s there.

    What elevates the material even more is the exquisite performances by Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio. The bond between the two actors is palpable and makes each moment seem more real. Their banter and their little fights throughout this trip makes the relationship authentic and true. It’s why the emotional weight of the finale is so strong even if Wells chooses to never define anything so clearly.

    Aftersun IMG 1273

    When the film’s main timeline intersects with the future timeline, the older Sophie finding the video camera and you realise she’s remembering this holiday she had with her father, the story reaches full circles, and more questions open up that deserves our scrutiny and thoughts.

    ‘Aftersun’ is not an easy movie to take in. It’s every bit as funny and painful as any trip down memory lane. It carries with it unresolved feelings and unanswered questions. It’s about love sometimes not being enough and settles and lingers in the gray areas that are formed when dealing with people undergoing a hardship we don’t understand. The film makes full use of the medium of film and deservedly received some of the highest praise when it was released last year.

    My Rating:

    stars 5 0




    AFTERSUN is opens August 23. Check the screening times and buy your tickets here.