It is a week before Valentines Day and if you’re observant enough, things are starting to warm up. This week’s movie playlist is no exception, by the way. Who wouldn’t get warm and fuzzy with the coffee shop romance film, “Meet Me in St. Gallen” with Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino? Want more proof? Read on.
If that isn’t enough, what about “Fifty Shades Freed” starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan? Not to mention “Samson,” which is one of the most alluded stories of all time, especially when you mention “Delilah.” (Songs were practically written because of that name.) Then when it comes to the darker side of what others call love, “I, Tonya” may give some perspective. It hits hard on the what-not-to-do’s in any relationship. So, with these featured films, getting all lovey-dovey is more than a piece of cake.
Movie Mix February 7: Warming Up Just Like Hot Choco
“Meet Me in St. Gallen” is a story about Celeste (Bela Padilla) and Jesse (Carlo Aquino). When they both meet in a coffee shop, they first realize that their names are similar to “Celeste and Jesse Forever” – the American rom-com film in 2012 that stars Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg. Things get a bit out of hand on that same night, in a sort-of good way and they go their separate ways the next day. After some years, they find themselves in the very same spot they first met. And yes, lest we forget, the best thing about this film is that its setting is at St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Anastasia “Ana” Rose Steele-Grey and Christian Grey return in “Fifty Shades Freed.” After CEO Christian Grey proposes to Anastasia in “Fifty Shades Darker,” they both tie the knot and realize that a lot of adjustment is needed as a wife and as a husband. Anastasia learns the challenge of living a luxurious lifestyle as well as her husband’s predominant tendencies. It gets a bit more complicated when a certain Jack Hyde calls Ana telling her that he has kidnapped Mia Grey and wants a ransom of $5 million.
“Samson” reminds cinema buffs of the importance of faith in relationships and in a person’s life. The biblical drama film centers on how untamed ambitions of one’s youth could lead to tragedy. The desire for vengeance and having to deal with a Philistine seductress are only a few things Samson had to face. In the end, his imprisonment leads to victory through his faith in God. Taylor James plays the role of Samson while Caitlin Leahy is Delilah.
The highly-acclaimed biographical film “I, Tonya” tells the story of the first female figure skater Tonya Harding who completed two triple axel jumps in a competition. Such feat brought her much success, but unfortunately, Tonya was linked to the controversial attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan in 1994 after her husband “intervenes” to keep her on top. The film zeroes in on Tonya’s dark past – one of abuse and loss of self-esteem despite the successes. Margot Robbie plays Tonya Harding and is also one of the producers of the said film. Her performance got her nominated for Best Actress in the 90th Academy Awards. Other nominations include Best Supporting Actress (Allison Janney as Harding’s mother), and Best Editing. Aside from the Academy Awards, “I, Tonya” garnered awards at the 75th Golden Globe Awards, the 24th Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the 71st British Academy Awards.