Acclaimed by US media as a sci-fi action film with "the most spectacular visual effects in recent years and deeper humanistic exploration than 'The Hunger Games'," 'Ender's Game' is released nationwide this week. The film is set in a not-so-distant future where a hostile alien species known as the Formics, or "Buggers," threatens to invade Earth. Were it not for the heroic Commander Mazer Rackham (played by Ben Kingsley) of the "International Fleet," humanity would have already been wiped out. To prepare for the Buggers’ second attack, Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford) of the International Fleet begins recruiting and training elite children, hoping to mold a new savior after Mazer. Among them is Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy yet tactically gifted child who is chosen and sent to the off-world "Battle School" base to undergo a series of intense trainings to lead his fellow soldiers—humanity’s future rests in their hands.
'Ender's Game' is released nationwide this week. (Image provided by CatchPlay)
Director Gavin Hood initially worried about whether he could fully convey the world depicted by the original novel’s author. He said, "Making a film requires three key elements: compelling characters, a good story, and stunning visuals—especially for such an epic movie, the scale must be grand to truly capture the spirit of the source material." Harrison Ford, who plays Colonel Graff of the International Fleet in this adaptation of a best-selling novel that has endured for 30 years, said, "This film has many thought-provoking themes and messages, but it’s not preachy. Ultimately, 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, added, "'Ender's Game' is adapted from a classic novel almost everyone has read, and the director did an excellent job staying true to the essence of the book." Asa Butterfield, who plays the lead character Ender, said, "Ender is a reluctant hero thrust into greatness. He is capable, intelligent, morally grounded, able to discern right from wrong and lead others. It’s a timeless theme that I believe will resonate with many audiences."
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
Save My Poor English
English Vinglish
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Justin Goes on a Mission
Justin & the Knights of Valour
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Release Date: 2013-12-20
Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
Director: Krishnd
Cast: Shri Devi, Madhoo, Priya Anand, Adil Hussain
Shashi (played by Shri Devi) is a traditional Indian housewife—beautiful, charming, great at making desserts. On the surface, she seems to have a happy life, but her poor English skills are a major flaw. Her daughter often mocks her, and even her husband Satish (Adil Hussain) avoids discussing business matters with her, leaving Shashi feeling hurt and lacking confidence.
One day, Shashi receives a call from her sister Manu, who invites the family to New York for her daughter Meera’s wedding. Excited but anxious about her broken English, Shashi decides to go ahead alone to help with the preparations. On her first day, she embarrasses herself at a café by failing to order food. Humiliated and upset, she resolves to improve her English and secretly enrolls in a four-week crash course while keeping it hidden from her family.
Through hard work and courage, Shashi goes from being too afraid to speak English to confidently communicating with classmates. Her grace and determination even attract the romantic attention of a French classmate (Madhoo). This trip to New York transforms Shashi from an insecure, traditional housewife into a confident and joyful modern woman, earning newfound respect from her daughter and husband. She doesn’t just rescue her poor English—she restores mutual respect in her family.
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Release Date: 2013-12-20
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Director: Manuel Sierra
Cast: Freddie Highmore ('The Spiderwick Chronicles'), Saoirse Ronan ('The Lovely Bones'), Antonio Banderas ('Shrek'), Mark Strong ('Sherlock Holmes')
This is an adventure story about friendship, honor, and courage. Justin is a boy who dreams of becoming a knight, living in a kingdom where laws rule and knights have been banished. His father, the Queen’s chief counsel, wants Justin to follow in his footsteps and become a distinguished lawyer. Seeking guidance, Justin learns from his grandmother that his grandfather was a noble knight who protected the king—until both were betrayed and killed by Sir Haraud.
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New York, New York
Frances Ha
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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
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Release Date: 2013-12-20
Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes
Director: Noah Baumbach ('Frances Ha')
Cast: Greta Gerwig ('Romeo and Juliet in Yonkers')
A quirky girl named Frances lives in a Manhattan brownstone with her best friend Sophie. Approaching thirty, she still works odd jobs in a dance troupe but refuses to let go of her youthful spirit, living an untamed 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, Frances faces a “separation storm” as she grapples with reality. This film’s captivating 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 vibrancy of the French New Wave, lightly sketching out a post-youth coming-of-age story for the millennial generation.
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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*)
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Before Sunset (人约巴黎)
Adieu Paris
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The Council of Shrewsbury (清须会议)
The Kiyosu Conference
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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*)
An unexpected encounter is life’s most ingenious twist of fate.
Two parallel lines soaring through the sky suddenly intersect in the deepest way.
A successful German novelist, deeply in love with a Parisian architect, rushes to the airport upon hearing that her boyfriend has been in a serious accident—only to realize she forgot her credit card and can’t pay for her flight to Paris. After begging fails, she fumes at the check-in counter. A German businessman, Frank, queuing behind her, sees he’ll miss a crucial merger deal and offers to pay for her ticket. They end up on the same flight to Paris.
Frank, a banker dealing in international mergers, goes about his business after they arrive, but both soon find themselves in unexpectedly tangled situations. The novelist reaches the hospital only to find a French woman claiming to be her boyfriend’s wife beside his bed—yet she allows her to approach. 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, the two lose everything at the peak of their existence. Fate brings them together again at a German airport, then lets them bond in Paris, sparking a whimsical and romantic cross-cultural love story as they rediscover the infinite possibilities of love and life.
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Release Date: 2013-12-27
Runtime: Not provided
Director: Koki Mitani (*The Kiyosu Conference*)
Cast: Koji Yakusho, Tadanobu Asano, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Yusuke Iseya, Miho Kanno, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Ayame Goriki, Toshiyuki Nishida, Amami Yuki, Yo Oizumi, Kyoko Fukada
A battle of wits spanning ancient and modern times is about to erupt.
With laughter and surprises, comedy master Koki Mitani crafts an unprecedented period entertainment epic.
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