The summer heat continues in the Middle East, and so does a weekend packed with releases!
Hell Or High Water
Directed by: David Mackenzie
With: Chris Pine, Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster
What is it about? A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family farm in West Texas.
Heads Up: The movie is at a whopping 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, after over a hundred reviews. A western heist with three solid actors, with such great review should be a no-brainer decision: just watch it!
Blood Father
Directed by: Jean-François Richet
With: Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna, and William H. Macy
What is it about? An ex-con reunites with his estranged wayward 16-year old daughter to protect her from drug dealers who are trying to kill her.
Heads Up: The trailer may have set this up as another movie Liam Neeson has become popular for (think Taken and its clones), a formula that is being emulated by many past-their-prime leading men. But Mel Gibson man; he’s the original Mad Max! Thankfully, the movie is getting wonderful reviews, with particular praise for Mel Gibson, and his *return* to form. Oh yeah, bring it on!
The Infiltrator
Directed by: Brad Furman
With: Bryan Cranston, John Leguizamo, and Diane Kruger
What is it about? A U.S. Customs official uncovers a money laundering scheme involving Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Heads Up: “Fine performances, and some very tense moments aside, The Infiltrator fails to offer anything new“, concludes Faizan in his 2½ star review. Watch it if you aren’t able to catch a better movie at the cinemas, or wait for the home video release (if you must).
Morgan
Directed by: Luke Scott
With: Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Paul Giamatti
What is it about? A corporate risk-management consultant has to decide and determine whether or not to terminate an artificial being’s life that was made in a laboratory environment
Heads Up: Ridley Scott’s son makes his directorial debut with Morgan, but don’t let that sway you — it is no measure of this movie’s quality. The cast is strong enough and the trailer is intriguing (even if reminiscent of last year’s Ex Machina). Wait for the early word, before deciding. Unless you like to take on the unknown. In which case, do let us know what you think of it!
Southside With You
Directed by: Richard Tanne
With: Tika Sumpter, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Parker Sawyers
What is it about? Chronicles the summer 1989 afternoon when the future President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago South Side.
Heads Up: The date movie for the weekend, Southside With You is short (84mins only), and about a real-life romance that the world has seen in its mature days. Get or find your significant other and go for it, couple seats et al.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Directed by: Travis Knight
With: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, and Matthew McConaughey
What is it about? A young boy named Kubo must locate a magical suit of armor worn by his late father in order to defeat a vengeful spirit from the past.
Heads Up: From Laika Studio that gave us in the before Coraline and ParaNorman comes this stop-motion animation that is being hailed as the best animation film of the year. It looks fantastic so I am pumped to see it. Highly recommended!!
Hands of Stone
Directed by: Jonathan Jakubowicz
With: Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramírez, and Usher Raymond
What is it about? Follows the life of Roberto Duran, who made his professional debut in 1968 as a 16-year-old and retired in 2002 at age 50. In June 1980, he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard to capture the WBC welterweight title but shocked the boxing world by returning to his corner in the November rematch, saying ‘no mas’ (no more)
Heads Up: A boxer past his prime, with Robert de Niro as his trainer. The movie looks like a cliche, and based on reviews, it is nothing more. With the number of choices this weekend, don’t even bother.
Kickboxer: Vengeance
Directed by: John Stockwell
With: Dave Bautista, Gina Carano, Jean-Claude van Damme
What is it about? A kick boxer is out to avenge his brother.
Heads Up: This is *not* a Van Damme movie, so don’t go in expecting 80s era entertainment. JCVD plays a mentor to the lead. Therefore, the movie is strictly for those who enjoy the genre. Even then, on home video only.
Akira
Directed by: A.R. Murugadoss
With: Sonakshi Sinha, Anurag Kashyap, Konkona Sen Sharma, Mithun Chakraborty
What is it about? An action thriller about a college girl Akira, who has grown up with the ideals of being self-reliant. Her life spirals out of control when she becomes unwittingly involved in a crime involving four corrupt police officers.
Heads Up: Sonakshi Sinha (besides Lootera), has dug her own career grave with singularly repetitious roles. She’s trying to claw her way out with this action-thriller where she plays the protagonist. Considering this is from AR Murugadoss, the director of well-received hits Ghajini and Holiday, the movie may be worth your time and money. But I seriously doubt Ms Sinha’s ability to pull this off. Wait for the word on the street before taking the plunge into this week’s Bollywood release.
