Hey movie pals!

There’s still time to catch some great films at the Philadelphia Film Festival! MJ’s Best Boy and Old Sport have compiled a list of some flicks you don’t want to miss and a few that are on their radar for the weekend.

If you go to a screening, let us know what you think by tweeting @Moviejawn

See you at the movies!

On Body and Soul (Hungary - 116 minutes) A beautiful love story about two individuals that fall in love in the most unexpected place…their dreams. Superb performances, great story, and probably one of our favorite flicks from the fest. Read the full review from MJ’s Best Boy, here.

Next showing: Saturday, October 28, 7:00pm at Ritz East

Alaska is A Drag (USA – 107 minutes) Leo is living in Alaska with his sister, working a mundane job at a fish processing plant with dreams of becoming the next drag superstar. Living a life of constantly looking over his shoulder and fighting back to survive. He catches the eye of a local boxing coach. The script isn’t perfect, but the characters portrayed in this story are important. The film manages to break down the walls of stereotypical ideas many most likely have. Someone can be a beauty queen and a tough guy, you don’t have to choose.

Next showing: Saturday, October 28, 9:00pm at Ritz Five

Animated Shorts Program (R – Various - 81 minutes) is a collection of ten shorts from seven different countries. These shorts range from Kaputt, a sad documentary about prison labor, to The Burden, a whimsically bizarre piece featuring fish in bath robes singing about their reasons for living at an extended-stay hotel. While I didn't love every short presented here, most were pretty enjoyable and  they all had something positive to offer. The only downside was the sound for Victor and Isolina was uncomfortably loud and I actually covered my ears throughout. Hopefully that will be tweaked for Sunday’s screening.

Next Showing: Sunday, October 29th, 4:30pm at Ritz East

Thoroughbreds (USA – 92 minutes) An intense thriller about two girls who plot a murder in suburban Connecticut. This flick features stellar performances from Anya Taylor-Joy (The VVITCH), Olivia cooke (Me, And Earl, And The Dying Girl) and Anton Yelchin (Green Room, Star Trek). Considering this is writer/director Cory Finley’s feature directorial debut, you will most likely agree this guy has a promising career ahead of him. Read the full review from MJ’s Best Boy, here.

Next showing: Sunday, October 29, 4:40pm at Ritz East

Have a Nice Day (R - China - 77 minutes) is the second animated feature from director Jian Liu. It was billed as a Coen Brothers styled animated film, but I see this as a case of over-hyping. The film would better be described as a standard late nineties crime thriller, but animated. Many people's lives intertwine as they all try to get their hands on a large bag of money. Much of the drawing in the film is very nice, but the animation itself is pretty lackluster. Two big highlights were a trippy song and dance number and few moments of serenity as we watch waves in the ocean, but neither scene really fit the rest of the film. Recommended for fans of world animation and crime thrillers.

Next Showing: Sunday, October 29, 8:40pm at Ritz East

MJ’s Weekend Viewing Plans:

Souvenir (France – 90 minutes) You had us at: Isabelle Huppert. She plays a former song contest winner that has long been forgotten and now plots her comeback with a new-found love interest…a young aspiring boxer. We are intrigued.

Next Showing: Saturday, October 28, 3:00pm at Ritz East

At The Drive In (USA – 80 minutes) A documentary about the one of the raddest places on earth: The Mahoning Drive In. The MJ crew wouldn’t miss this one for the world.

Next Showing: Sunday, October 29, 2:15pm at Ritz Five

Mobile Homes (USA – 104 minute) Imogen Poots (Green Room, 28 Weeks Later) stars in this film about a young mother who drifts from one place to another, with her trashy boyfriend and young son. The family survives living one con at a time.

Next showing: Sunday, October, 29, 9:30pm at Ritz East