Limelight

Imagine this: A mysterious woman is discovered inside a gray duffel bag in New York City’s famous Times Square. She is totally naked, save for hundreds of intricate tattoos. More strangely, she doesn’t remember who she is or how she got there. 

Review by Alvin I. Dacanay On paper, the idea was intriguing: a multiracial group of United Kingdom-based theater actors is touring the world and performing Hamlet—one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and certainly his most oft-quoted—as close as to how it was staged at The Globe Theatre during his time. No microphones and fancy lighting. No elaborate costumes and sets. …

After it premiered in the Classics section of the Cannes Film Festival in May and shown at the World Premieres Film Festival Philippines (WPFFP) in June, the newly restored version of Lino Brocka’s classic film Inisang will be screened as part of the Revivals section of the 53rd New York Film Festival (NYFF) at the famed Film Society of Lincoln …

Review by Jake Coyle / The Associated Press Not since Saigon in the 1970s has an American operation in Southeast Asia been as ill-conceived as No Escape, a taut, well-made and entirely dubious thriller. 

Twenty-three films from 18 countries, including a recent Academy Award winner and a Golden Globe nominee, are set to entertain audiences as part of the 18th edition of the Cine Europa film festival, which unreels from September 10 to 20 at Shangri-La Plaza’s Shang Cineplex in Mandaluyong City. 

The world’s most popular culinary competition finally comes to the Philippines, and the rest of Asia, when MasterChef Asia premieres on the Lifetime cable channel on September 3 at 9 p.m. 

Review by Sandy Cohen / The Associated Press The idea of the high-tech, emotionless supersoldier is so popular in movies, it’s practically a convention. The Terminator and Bourne franchises, and even last year’s animated Big Hero 6, imagine characters programmed to kill and the would-be world destroyers who want to control them. 

Los Angeles—At 75, Lily Tomlin is loving the roles coming her way, but not necessarily the spotlight. 

Review by Lindsey Bahr / The Associated Press It’s not until the climax of The Man From U.N.C.L.E., a colorful, Cold War-era spy thriller, that its main failing becomes clear: The plot doesn’t matter.

Twelve films from nine countries, including an Academy Award winner and two short comedies by one of Japan’s finest filmmakers, will be screened for free at the Ninth International Silent Film Festival in Manila, to be held at Shangri-La Plaza’s Shang Cineplex in Mandaluyong City from August 27 to 30.