So many releases this weekend as the exhibitors are throwing everything at the wall to see what might stick. There are a few of them are worth your while though, so keep reading.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day 3D
Directed by: James Cameron
With: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong and Robert Patrick
What is it about? James Cameron’s epic action, sci-fi masterpiece starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in his most iconic role, has been converted in immersive 3D by Cameron himself. First hitting screens in 1991 with groundbreaking special effects, the 3D version will take the seminal blockbuster to the next level of effects and into the 21st century for the next generation of fans.
Heads Up: Come with me if you want to live. Finally, a chance for many of us who never watched T2 in the cinema to experience it in all its glory! T2 is not only one of the best movies ever made, it is arguably the most watched film for anyone who grew up (or was a grown-up) in the 80s & 90s. I’ll Be Back. Besides the fact that the movie is being re-released in 3D, the movie has received a new transfer and clean-up, which means a stunning movie in a stunning clarity. There is no doubt what should be your #1 pick this week. Hasta la vista, baby!
It
Directed by: Andy Muschietti
With: Jaeden Lieberher, Bill Skarsgård and Finn Wolfhard
What is it about? In Derry, Maine, seven friends come face-to-face with a shape shifter, who takes the form of an evil clown who targets children.
Heads Up: Stephen King’s most popular novel gets a new big-screen treatment, with a big budget and a major studio release. Now that usually is not a good sign for horror movies, which tend to be best when low-budget inventive. But the trailers are promising and the early reviews have high praise for the kids central to the story. It’s a safe bet to watch It this week, especially if you are a fan of horror or/and Stephen King.
My Cousin Rachel
Directed by: Roger Michell
With: Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen and Pierfrancesco Favino
What is it about? A dark romance, MY COUSIN RACHEL tells the story of a young Englishman who plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.
Heads Up: In light of the top two picks at the cinemas this weekend, My Cousin Rachel makes an apt alternate-programming. For those who don’t prefer action or horror, and especially for those looking for a date movie, here you have a romantic-mystery-drama that should keep you satisfied.
Tulip Fever
Directed by: Justin Chadwick
With: Alicia Vikander, Dane DeHaan and Jack O’Connell
What is it about? An artist falls for a young married woman while he’s commissioned to paint her portrait during the Tulip mania of 17th century Amsterdam.
Heads Up: This period romance has quite the unfavourable reviews. Even with Alicia Vikander as the star, there’s not much here worth recommending, especially with My Cousin Rachel out on the same weekend.
Daddy
Directed by: Ashim Ahluwalia
With: Arjun Rampal and Aishwarya Rajesh
What is it about? From the rough streets and back alleys of Central Mumbai comes the sensational true story of Arun Gawli.
Heads Up: Ashim Ahluwalia is a director worth looking out for. Daddy is his foray into semi-commercial territory, with Arjun Rampal likely banking the rest of his career on this movie. The trailer promises a gritty gangster movie the likes of which RGV excelled in during his peak days (the Satya vibes are quite apparent). I’d wager this should be worth a trip to the cinemas, especially if you are not looking for a song-and-dance Bollywood movie.
Poster Boys
Directed by: Shreyas Talpade
With: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Shreyas Talpade and Samiksha Bhatnagar
What is it about? POSTER BOYS is a story inspired by a real life incident of three ordinary people who, to their surprise, find their picture on a poster promoting vasectomy. The film talks about how the three start getting ridiculed in their village due to this error and how this error changes their lives around. After getting humiliated from their family members and people around them they go on a mission to prove that they are the victims of the system.
Heads Up: Shreyas Talpade is actually directing this movie?! And what is with the deformed poster? If the poster of a movie titled Poster Boys isn’t worth looking at, what would you guess about the movie itself? It is sad though to see the talent of Sunny Deol wasted on such fare due to his inability to stay with the times. Avoid this movie to retain some respect for the National Award winning actor.
Patti Cake$
Directed by: Geremy Jasper
With: Danielle Macdonald, Bridget Everett, Siddharth Dhananjay and Cathy Moriarty
What is it about? Fed up with life in her New Jersey hometown, Patricia Dombrowski, aka Patti Cake$, hopes to follow in the footsteps of her idol and hit the road to achieve stardom as a rapper. With help from her best friend, a mysterious musician and her loving grandmother, Patti leads the charge against an army of haters, unpaid bills and the broken dreams that are holding her back.
Heads Up: This weekend’s DIFF365 release, this movie has won multiple awards at multiple festivals. For those who usually stay away from “artsy festival-type dramas”, this light-hearted American movie could be a safe way to foray into alternative cinema.
