The first week of April isn’t eventful, despite the number of releases that are coming out this weekend. So let’s go through the slate of new releases to see if any of them is worth your while, shall we?
Going in Style
Directed by: Zach Braff
With: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, and Ann-Margret
What is it about? Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, three lifelong pals risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.
Heads Up: Zach Braff was best known for playing Dr. Dorian in the beloved medical comedy Scrubs, but he has also directed two movies before: Garden State, which was a success, and Wish I Was Here, which was not. This remake of the 1979 caper comedy has an impressive all-star cast of seasoned actors, and I think the only reason to see the film would be to watch them.
Aftermath
Directed by: Elliott Lester
With: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Scoot McNairy, Maggie Grace, and Kevin Zegers
What is it about? Two strangers’ lives become inextricably bound together after a devastating plane crash.
Heads Up: This drama is based on true events about two planes that crashed over the south of Germany back in 2002, but this fictionalized version relocates it to the US. I love me some rugged old Arnie drama, but the film is gonna be day-and-date released in cinema and VOD, so I don’t see why you should bother with seeing it in the cinema when you can rent it at home this weekend.
Salt and Fire
Directed by: Werner Herzog
With: Michael Shannon, Gael García Bernal, Veronica Ferres, and Anita Briem
What is it about? A scientist blames the head of a large company for an ecological disaster in South America. But when a volcano begins to show signs of erupting, they must unite to avoid a disaster.
Heads Up: 74 year old Werner Herzog is a prolific filmmaker, but as of late his documentaries are more impressive than his narrative films. Despite the generally bad reviews this film has received, one thing I know is that this film will be visually interesting. I don’t know about you, but I would rather watch a noble failure in cinema than yet another run-of-the-mill product.
Mahbas (Solitaire)
Directed by: Sophie Boutros
With: Julia Kassar, Ali El Khalil, Bassam Koussa, Nadine Khoury, and Betty Taoutel
What is it about? 20 years past the Lebanese-Syrian war, Thérèse hasn’t gotten over her brother’s death by a Syrian bomb. Today her only daughter is getting engaged. Only when the suitor and his parents are at her doorstep does she discover that they are Syrian.
Heads Up: This Arabic language comedy is a cross between Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and Meet The Fockers. It was screened in DIFF2016 and now you get the chance to see it in wide release.
