It’s a crowded weekend at the multiplex, as the screens are buzzing with so many holiday season films that are vying for your consideration, and I must say it is a another strong week for new releases. So without further ado let’s see what’s in store for us at the movies:
In The Heart of The Sea
Directed by: Ron Howard
With: Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Glesson, and Ben Whishaw
Heads up: Based on the bestselling book that chronicles an 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home. This is a return of sort for Director Ron Howard, who is making his comeback to big commercial cinema, and he knows how to make entertaining films. In a 3 stars review, our own Lloyd Bayer wrote:”the camera work is kinetic and gripping with some immersive tracking shots of whales diving deep. It’s a pity though that the film itself isn’t nearly as ambitious as its source material“. If the trailer entice you the slightest, then you should go for it. It’s the kind of film that is made for big screen.
Macbeth
Directed by: Justin Kurzel
With: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and Paddy Considine
Heads up: Another adaptation the famous William Shakespeare play about Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland, who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself. The year of Fassbender continues, as he plays the titular role. This is the film to see this weekend.
The Lobster*
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
With: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Barden, Olivia Colman, and Ben Whishaw
Heads up: In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods. From the weird mind of Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos comes all kinds of strange ideas, and this fantasy, romantic comedy is one of those. This is aimed to the art-house crowd and not for general audience. So if you are one of those, here is a festival film to whet your appetite before DIFF.
Krampus
Directed by: Michael Dougherty
With: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, and Allison Tolman
Heads up: The story of a boy who ends up accidentally summoning a Christmas demon to his family home after having a bad Christmas. Based on the premise trailer, excellent cast, and most of all the writer/director Michael Daugherty (wrote X-2, Superman Returns, directed the under-seen horror gem Trick ‘r Treat), so based on all that, I would highly recommend watching it with a good crowd.
Bus 657
Directed by: Scott Mann
With: Robert De Niro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Dave Bautista
Heads up: The story of a father who is desperate to pay for his daughter’s medical expenses that he ends up hijacking a city bus with a coworker. The only reason we are even discussing this film is because of Robert De Niro. That said, it seems like a role he played for a paycheck. Couple it with the fact that its reviews are terrible, and that it is already out on VOD (Under the name Heist), I have no reason to recommend this film.
