Acclaimed by American media as having "the most spectacular special effects in recent years and deeper humanistic themes than 'The Hunger Games'," the sci-fi action film "Ender's Game" is released nationwide this week. The story is set in a future world where a hostile alien race known as the Formics intends to invade Earth. Were it not for the heroic Commander Mazer Rackham (played by Ben Kingsley) of the "International Fleet," humanity would have already perished. To prepare for the Formics' second attack, Colonel Graff (played by Harrison Ford) of the International Fleet begins recruiting and training elite children, hoping to create a new savior after Mazer Rackham. Among them is Ender Wiggin (played by Asa Butterfield), a shy yet tactically gifted child prodigy who is chosen and sent to the Battle School base in outer space. There, he undergoes a series of rigorous trainings to lead his fellow soldiers, with the future of Earth and humanity resting in their hands.
![](\"/pic/20200314/e1d1dac77a8165e706b9e395e0143c21.jpg\")
"Ender's Game" is released nationwide this week. (Image provided by CatchPlay)
Directed by Gavin Hood, the filmmaker initially worried about fully capturing the depth of the original novel’s universe. He said, "A film needs three key elements: compelling characters, a strong story, and stunning visuals. Especially for a film of this scale, the action must be grand to truly convey the spirit of the source material." Harrison Ford, who plays Colonel Graff of the International Fleet, commented on starring in an adaptation of a bestselling novel that has endured for 30 years: "This film has many thought-provoking themes, but it doesn’t preach. In the end, it encourages both adults and children to reflect on our responsibility to this planet and what war really means." Ben Kingsley, who portrays the legendary character, said, "'Ender's Game' is adapted from a classic novel almost everyone has read. The director did an incredible job staying true to the essence of the book." Asa Butterfield, who plays the protagonist Ender Wiggin, added, "Ender is a reluctant hero. He is capable, intelligent, morally grounded, and able to discern right from wrong and lead others. It's a theme that transcends generations, and I believe it will resonate with many viewers."
Ender's Game
Ender's Game
Release Date: 2013-12-20
Duration: 1 hour 54 minutes
Director: Gavin Hood; Cast: Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Hailee Steinfeld
Help with Broken English
English Vinglish
![\"\"](\"http://www.mook.com.tw/images/upload/ckeditor/article/images/20131220_18504262.jpg\") |
Justin’s Mission
Justin & the Knights of Valour
![\"\"](\"http://www.mook.com.tw/images/upload/ckeditor/article/images/20131220_1853228.jpg\") |
|
|
Release Date: 2013-12-20
Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
Director: Grace Sind
Cast: Shridevi, Madhurima, Priya Anand, Adil Hussain
Shashi (played by Shridevi) is a traditional Indian housewife—beautiful, charming, and great at making sweets. Though she seems to have a happy life, her poor English skills are a major weakness. Her daughter often teases her, and even her husband Satish (played by Adil Hussain) avoids discussing work with her, leaving Shashi feeling hurt and insecure.
One day, Shashi receives a call from her sister Manu, who invites the whole family to New York for her daughter Meera’s wedding. While excited, Shashi worries about whether her broken English can handle life there. To help with the wedding preparations, Shashi goes ahead alone. On her first day, she embarrasses herself at a café by struggling to order food. Feeling ashamed and upset, she resolves to improve her English and secretly enrolls in a four-week crash course in conversational English without telling her family.
Through hard work and courage, Shashi gradually goes from being too scared to speak to confidently communicating with classmates in English. Her grace and beauty even attract the attention of a French classmate (played by Madhurima), sparking a subtle romance. This trip to New York transforms Shashi from an insecure, traditional housewife into a confident and joyful modern woman. Both her daughter and husband begin to see her in a new light—not only does she overcome her language barrier, but she also helps her family rediscover mutual respect.
|
Release Date: 2013-12-20
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Director: Manuel Sicilia
Cast: Freddie Highmore ("The Spiderwick Chronicles"), Saoirse Ronan ("The Lovely Bones"), Antonio Banderas ("Shrek" series), Mark Strong ("Sherlock Holmes")
This is an adventure story about friendship, honor, and courage. Justin is a boy who dreams of becoming a knight in a kingdom where laws dominate and knights have been banished. His father is the Queen’s top lawyer and wants Justin to follow in his footsteps as an outstanding attorney. Seeking guidance, Justin’s grandmother tells him about his grandfather—a noble knight who protected the king—until both were betrayed and killed by Sir Heraclio.
|
New York, I Love You
Frances Ha
![\"\"](\"http://www.mook.com.tw/images/upload/ckeditor/article/images/20131220_18571286.jpg\") |
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
![\"\"](\"http://www.mook.com.tw/images/upload/ckeditor/article/images/20131220_18583942.jpg\") |
|
|
Release Date: 2013-12-20
Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes
Director: Noah Baumbach ("Frances Ha")
Cast: Greta Gerwig ("Romeo + Juliet")
Quirky girl Francie lives in a Manhattan brownstone with her best friend Sophie. Approaching thirty, she still takes odd jobs at a dance troupe but refuses to let go of her youthful spirit, living an unrestrained bohemian life in New York. When Sophie decides to move out to live with her boyfriend and gradually steps onto the path of marriage and family, Francie faces a "separation storm" as she wrestles with reality. This film’s charming black-and-white cinematography and brisk romantic comedy rhythm not only pay homage to Woody Allen’s Manhattan but also carry a touch of the nimble spirit of the French New Wave, lightly brushing a post-youth coming-of-age story for the millennial generation.
|
Release Date: 2013-12-24
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
Director: Ben Stiller
Cast: Ben Stiller (Night at the Museum), Sean Penn (Milk), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids)
|
The Night Is Young (Man at Paris)
Adieu Paris
![\"\"](\"http://www.mook.com.tw/images/upload/ckeditor/article/images/20131220_19002918.jpg\") |
The Council of Shizuoka
The Kiyosu Conference
![\"\"](\"http://www.mook.com.tw/images/upload/ckeditor/article/images/20131220_19021652.jpg\") |
|
|
Release Date: 2013-12-24
Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
Director: Not provided
Cast: Jessica Schwarz (Perfume), Heiner Lauterbach (The Monster of Lake Lochness), Gérard Jugnot (The Chorus), Jean-Yves Berteloot (The Da Vinci Code), Sandrine Bonnaire (The Lightkeeper's Wife)
Unexpected encounters are life’s most magical opportunities.
Two parallel lines soaring through the sky suddenly intersect in the most profound way.
A successful German novelist, in love with a Parisian architect, rushes to the airport upon hearing over the phone that her boyfriend has been in a serious car accident—only to realize she forgot her credit card and can’t pay for the flight to Paris. After begging to no avail, she fumes at the check-in counter. A German businessman, Frank, queuing behind her, sees he might miss a crucial merger deal and offers to pay for her ticket. The two end up on the same flight to Paris.
Frank, a banker dealing in international mergers, and the novelist go their separate ways upon arrival, each facing unexpected twists. The writer reaches the hospital only to find a French woman claiming to be her boyfriend’s wife beside his bed—but allows her to approach him. Meanwhile, Frank’s merger deal for a Swiss investment group hits trouble, threatening a banking crisis, and he leaves Paris in dismay.
Once living perfect lives, they both lose everything at life’s brightest moment. Fate brings them together again at a German airport, then lets them bond in Paris, composing a whimsical and romantic cross-cultural love story once more—and rediscovering the infinite possibilities of love and life.
|
Release Date: 2013-12-27
Runtime: Not provided
Director: Kōki Mitani (The Magic Hour)
Cast: Koji Yakusho, Tadanobu Asano, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Yusuke Iseya, Miho Kanno, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Ayame Goriki, Toshiyuki Nishida, Kirin Kiki, Yo Oizumi, Kyoko Fukada
A battle of wits spanning ancient and modern times is about to erupt.
A comedy-packed plot full of laughter and surprises—blockbuster comedy director Kōki Mitani presents an unprecedented historical entertainment epic.
|