Popcorn Movie Mix Sept 20: Kingsman The Golden Circle, American Assassin, American Made, Mother!, I Found My love In Santa Fe, Loving In Tandem, Plus More

September is about to end and there are still too many movies to watch! (Such a dilemma!) This week’s movie mix may be enough reason for you to take a leave from work or declare a holiday for yourself specially with “Kingsman The Golden Circle, “American Assassin,” “American Made,” “Mother!,” “Security,” “I Found My Love in Santa Fe,” “Loving in Tandem,” and “Respeto.”

The films this week are an interesting mix of plots and genres. Of course all of the movies are certified must-watch films, but there are those that stand out a bit more like the thought provoking  psychological horror film “Mother!” starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, and highly acclaimed Philippine independent film, “Respeto” starring Pinoy hip hop artist Abra. Nonetheless, the movie mix promises a riveting movie experience.

Movie Mix September 20: First-Rate Popcorn Worthy Films

“Mother!” is disturbing. It is about The Poet (Javier Bardem) and his wife, The Mother (Jennifer Lawrence) who have their quiet lives disturbed by a couple (Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer) and their children. The Mother was not in favor of such visit at the very beginning but then because she loves The Poet, she succumbed to it. The problem is, The Mother gets paranoid at all the goings on in their house specially after a fight between the guest couple’s children that ends in a funeral. This is then followed by the arrival of even more people who happen to be The Poet’s followers. Angered by what was happening, The Mother berates her husband but in the end, the two make up and get passionate. When The Mother announces she is pregnant, The Poet is inspired to continue writing. Soon enough, he publishes his work, but once again the nightmares begin. With all the hellish uninvited guests, the house deteriorates and so does the Mother’s state of mind. After she gives birth, The Poet’s fans take the child from them and become brutally violent leaving the child lifeless. Devastated, The Mother gets into a fit of rage deciding to take matters into her own hands. “Mother!” was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 74th Venice International Film Festival in September 5, 2017. It has garnered mixed reviews, much praise included.

“Respeto” garners respect from the film community. “Respeto” celebrates the world of underground Pinoy hip-hop through the life of Hendrix who dreams of hip-hop greatness. What is in his way is a life of crime and poverty, but things start turning around when he meets Doc – an old poet from the times of martial law. The movie stars Abra, Dido de la Paz, Kate Alejandrino, Chai Fonacier, Ybes Bagadiong, Brian Arda, Thea Yrastorza, and Nor Domingo. The film is directed by Treb Monteras II and written by Njel de Mesa and Treb Monteras himself.

The American counterparts of the Kingsman are revealed in “Kingsman The Golden Circle.” After the Kingsman’s headquarters are destroyed, they find out that they have never been the only elite spy organization in existence. To put down a common enemy, the Kingsman have to work together with the Statesman, their American counterparts. Actors Pedro Pascal, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, and Jeff Bridges are the Statesman while Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Michael Gambon, Elton John, Mark Strong and Sophie Cookson return as the Kingsman. Julianne Moore is Poppy Adams, the notorious criminal mastermind associated with “The Golden Circle,” which is a secret New World Order organization.

A young CIA black ops recruit works with a Cold War veteran to stop a nuke launch. Dylan O’brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Shiva Negar, and Taylor Kitsch star in the action thriller directed by Michael Cuesta. It tells the story of how counterterrorism agent, Mitch Rapp, does all he can to prevent another world war.  “American Assassin” is one of fifteen novels written by Vince Vlynn. Every single one of the books have been number one New York Times best-sellers.

Tom Cruise stars as a former TWA pilot turned drug smuggler Barry Seal in “American Made.” This American biographical film is directed by Doug Liman and written by Gary Spinelli. The plot revolves around a Trans World Airlines pilot who became a drug smuggler for the Medellin Cartel (1980’s). He makes a deal with the US government to serve as an informant for the DEA to avoid imprisonment.

Antonio Banderas is a security guard who protects an 11-year-old girl witness in “Security.” Antonio Banderas is “Eddie” a former Marine Captain going through rough times but gets a job as a mall cop. While going about his routine, he sees a US Marshall convoy ambushed by armed mercenaries. He then discovers that the convoy has Jamie (Katherine de la Rocha), an 11-year-old girl who is a trial witness. Gabriella Wright, Ben Kingsley, Liam McIntyre, Shari Watson, Chad Lindberg, Jiro Wang, and Cung Le star in the film alongside Banderas.

Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber star in Pinoy romcom “Loving in Tandem.” This movie directed by Giselle Andres marks the housemates’ first movie together. It is about a young lady named “Shine” (Maymay) who is as happy-go-lucky as the breeze and will do anything and everything for her family. She is, however, a hopeless romantic. When she meets the Fil-Am rebel Luke (Edward), she starts thinking if he is her Prince Charming.

“I Found My Heart in Santa Fe” stars the real-life couple Roxanne Barcelo and Will Devaughn. What is special about this film is that the supporting cast are all from Santa Fe, Bantayan Island in Cebu. The film, is thereby loved because it puts Cebu in the limelight for its beauty and for its talented actors. The romantic comedy is about Victor (Devaughn) who is in search of Filomena, his mother (Joan Gay Nepangue, native of Santa Fe). As the story unfolds Victor finds, not only his mother, but his true love in Jennifer (Barcelo), a resort owner. Barcelo’s three friends are portrayed by Reymund Batiancila, Kaitlyn Majetich, and Annabelle Anderson who are all from Santa Fe.