New Movies Opening This Weekend in Philly: “The Past” and “Gimme Shelter”

Our weekly roundup of the new movies opening this weekend in Philadelphia. This week, only two: Ashgar Farhadi’s The Past and Gimme Shelter starring Vanessa Hudgens and Rosario Dawson. 

THE PAST: If you’re going to see a new movie this weekend make it Ashgar Farhadi’s follow-up to 2012’s critically acclaimed A Separation. From Indiewire: “After four years apart, Ahmad returns to his wife Marie in Paris in order to progress their divorce. During his brief stay, he cannot help noticing the strained relationship between Marie and her daughter Lucie. As he attempts to improve matters between mother and daughter Ahmad unwittingly lifts the lid on a long buried secret.” Indiewire gives it an A-, as does Philadelphia City Paper, and it gets a 96-percent critic review on Rotten Tomatoes. Our summation? Go see it, but you could wait till it comes on DVD. (Ritz Five)

Starring:  Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim, Ali Mosaffa, Pauline Burlet, Elyes Aguis, Jeanne Jestin, Sabrina Ouazani, Babak Karmi, Valeria Cavalli

Director: Asghar Farhadi

GIMME SHELTER: From IMDB: “A pregnant teenager (played by Vanessa Hudgens) flees her abusive mother in search of her father, only to be rejected by her dad and forced to survive on the streets until a compassionate stranger offers a hopeful alternative.” The SF Gate calls it a “trying time for teen, audience.” Rotten Tomatoes gives it a stinky 18 percent. Our summation? Don’t do it. (UA Riverview, AMC Plymouth Meeting Mall and UA King of Prussia)

Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, Brendan Fraser

Director: Ron Krauss