A Quiet Place (2018)
Genre: Horror
Director: John Krasinski
Starring: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward, Leon Russom
Duration: 90 minutes
Class: 15
KRS Releasing Ltd

The horror film by actor John Krasinski is based on a story by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck who co-wrote the screenplay with Krasinski.

It is set in 2020, when the earth has been overrun by sightless, extraterrestrial creatures with extremely sensitive hearing. The Abbott family – made of husband Lee (Krasinksi), wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt, who is Krasinski’s real-life wife), deaf daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds), sons Marcus (Noah Jupe) and Beau (Cade Woodward) – hunt for supplies while remaining as silent as possible and communicating through American sign language.

A year after Beau dies after attracting one of the creatures with a space shuttle toy, Evelyn is in the final stages of pregnancy when she drops a family portrait and alerts a creature.

The film received rave reviews, with critics particularly praising Krasinski’s direction.

Jeffrey Anderson of Common Sense Media wrote: “This gripping, clever monster movie is one of those rare genre treats that seizes on a simple, unique idea and executes it so perfectly and concisely that it elicits satisfying squeals of delight.”

Owen Gleiberman of Variety was almost equally impressed. He described the film as  “a  tautly original genre-bending exercise, technically sleek and accomplished, with some vivid, scary moments, though it’s a little too in love with the stoned logic of its own premise.”

Sandy Schaefer of Screen Rant commented: “A Quiet Place lives up to the ambitious challenge that it sets for itself, taking audiences on a compelling and suspenseful journey along the way.”

And the critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “A Quiet Place artfully plays on elemental fears with a ruthlessly intelligent creature feature that’s as original as it is scary – and establishes director John Krasinski as a rising talent.”

The film, which had a production budget of $17 million, soared past estimates at the box office to gross $50.3 million on its US opening last weekend.

Ratings
IMDB: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Empire: 4 stars

From left, Gideon Adlon, Kathryn Newton and Geraldine Viswanathan just want to have fun in Blockers.

Blockers (2018)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Kay Cannon
Starring: Leslie Mann, Kathryn Newton, John Cena, Geraldine Viswanathan, Ike Barinholtz, Gideon Adlon, Miles Robbins
Duration: 102 minutes
Class: 15
KRS Releasing Ltd

US screenwriter, producer and actress Kay Cannon (Pitch Perfect, 30 Rock, New Girl) makes her directorial debut with this sex comedy.

The plot follows three high school seniors – Julie (Kathryn Newton), Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Sam (Gideon Adlon) – who make a pact to lose their virginity on prom night.

Their overprotective parents Lisa (Leslie Mann), Mitchell (John Cena) and Hunter (Ike Barinholtz)  flip out when they find out about their daughters’ plans and soon join forces for a wild and chaotic attempt to stop the girls from sealing the deal.

The film garnered very good reviews, with some critics elevating the film as being more than just a teen sex comedy.

Ann Hornday of the Washington Post wrote: “As a burlesque of parental angst and sex panic, Blockers possesses sharply observed moments of inspired lunacy.”

Owen Gleiberman of Variety commented: “Blockers isn’t really about these girls losing their virginity. It’s about how they seize control of their destinies, one triumphantly lewd zinger at a time.”

And Olly Richards of Empire said: “As both teen comedy and mid-life crisis comedy it’s terrific. It feels honest and modern in a genre that so very often uses  gross-outs to cover old-fashioned morals.”

The $21 million budget film grossed $21.4 million on its US debut last weekend.

Ratings
IMDB: 6.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
Empire: 4 stars

Patrick Schwarzenegger and Bella Thorne play star-crossed lovers in Midnight Sun.

Midnight Sun (2018)
Genre: Romance
Director: Scott Speer
Starring: Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob Riggie, Quinn Shephard
Duration: 91 minutes
Class: 12A
KRS Releasing Ltd

Based on a 2006 Japanese film of the same name, the tearjerker is about 17-year-old Katie Price (Bella Thorne), who is sheltered at home since childhood with a rare genetic condition –  a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight.

With only her father Jack (Rob Riggle) for company, Katie’s world opens up after dark when she ventures outside to play her guitar. One night, her dreams come true when she’s noticed and asked out by her longtime crush Charlie (Patrick Schwarzenegger – Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son), whom she’s secretly watched from her bedroom window for years.

Critics lambasted the movie, saying that it’s just another teen movie that is very contrived.

Teo Bugbee of the New York Times said the film “suffocates its sentimental script, portraying passion without wonder, sacrifice without ecstasy” and Michael Ordona of Common Sense Media wrote that “the  virtues of this star-crossed teen romance can’t quite overcome its contrivances”.

The film, which was released on March 8, grossed $17.5 million so far worldwide.

Ratings
IMDB: 6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 17%
Empire: N/A