Opening This Week - January 6 - Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper

THE BUZZ: Sony has linked both Underworld and Resident Evil finales so closely, we’re surprised they aren’t releasing them as some sort of special double feature. So as we say farewell to both the death dealer Selene and her sister from another franchise, the rebellious Umbrella Corporation experiment, Alice, we hope to see more action heroines who can live up to their respective successes. Though we also expect either story to be spun off or rebooted within the next few years as well.

THE BUZZ: With the holidays behind us, this is a time when some of the most heralded movies of the past year start to look for some breathing room and find their respective audiences. Director J.A. Bayona’s escapist fantasy has enraptured audiences since its festival run commenced back in the fall, and with no real direct competition at the box office this month, it could become the top pick for a family night out.

THE BUZZ: At this point in his career it seems as though Ken Loach has little use for subtlety or gesture when it comes to his films; instead, his broad statements have bolstered his profile as one of the most politically minded directors in the world. I, Daniel Blake uses a relatable storytelling device, the neurotic relationship we tend to have with personal health care benefits, to take aim at Britain’s ruling Conservative party. To help melt your heart, there’s a three-legged dog named Shae at the center of the story, too.

The Ardennes (2015) – [Limited]

Certificate Unrated 96 min – Drama

Metascore: 44/100 (7 reviews)

A brutal home-jacking goes hopelessly wrong. Dave, one of the two robbers, manages to run off, leaving his brother Kenneth behind. Four years later, Kenneth is released from prison and much has changed. Dave has his life back on track and is trying to help Kenneth however possible, but is witnessing how the highly strung Kenneth tries to win back his ex-girlfriend Sylvie.

Director:

Robin Pront

Stars:

Kevin Janssens, Jeroen Perceval, Veerle Baetens, Jan Bijvoet

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THE BUZZ: I’ve heard mixed reviews for the story itself but most everyone who has seen this coal-black family drama says it’s a promising feature debut from director Robin Pront. The script was more than enough to entice Bullhead producer Bart Van Langendonck into backing the project, which will be a selling point for U.S. audiences. – Arno

THE BUZZ: As Jackie Chan’s loyal U.S. fan base already knows, just because we don’t see him in English-language buddy movies these days doesn’t mean he’s not keeping incredibly busy; in fact, Railroad Tigers marks his third film with director Ding Sheng in the last six years. Meanwhile, another Chan movie, Skiptrace, enjoyed a $60 million dollar opening weekend in China last spring, on its way to a $135 million worldwide haul despite registering as a mere blip in the U.S. Railroad Tigers didn’t perform as well in China but it was certainly a hit, and we credit Chan with being way ahead of the game when it comes to career longevity.

In Theaters Now – Box Office Top Ten

Sing (2016)

Certificate PG 108 min – Animation | Comedy | Drama | Family | Music

7.3/10

Metascore: 60/100 (32 reviews)

In a city of humanoid animals, a hustling theater impresario’s attempt to save his theater with a singing competition becomes grander than he anticipates even as its finalists’ find that their lives will never be the same.

Directors:

Christophe Lourdelet | Garth Jennings

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane,Scarlett Johansson

Box Office:

Weekend: $35.26M, Gross: $180.00M

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Passengers (2016)

Certificate PG-13 116 min – Adventure | Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

7.1/10

Metascore: 41/100 (48 reviews)

A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chambers. As a result, two passengers are awakened 90 years early.