This overly crowded August weekend is serving us a truly diverse slate of films. Keep reading to know more.
The Kitchen
Directed by: Andrea Berloff
With: Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, and Domhnall Gleeson
What is it about: The wives of New York gangsters in Hell’s Kitchen in the 1970s continue to operate their husbands’ rackets after they’re locked up in prison.
Heads Up: An all-star female cast is leading the action crime drama based on a comic book mini-series. This has similar vibes to last year’s Widows only more 70’s and pulpy, and I was very intrigued, until the reviews started pouring in and they are overwhelmingly negative. It’s a shame cause I was counting on this one to be good.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Directed by: Simon Curtis
With: Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia, and Amanda Seyfried
What is it about: A dog named Enzo recalls the life lessons he has learned from his race car driving owner, Denny.
Heads Up: The talking dogs trend continue this year after A Dog’s Way Home and A Dog’s Journey. These are usually harmless and sappy family films, so if you wanna take your animal loving kids, I don’t see why not.
Angry Birds 2
Directed by: Thurop Van Orman
With: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones, Bill Hader, and Nicki Minaj
What is it about? The flightless birds and scheming green pigs take their beef to the next level.
Heads Up: 2016’s Angry Bird was a dreary film, but apparently it made enough money to justify a sequel. However, the reviews for the sequel are surprisingly good, so if my three years old demanded to see this one, I am not gonna be unhappy. After all, she is the boss of me.
Night Hunter
Directed by: David Raymond
With: Henry Cavill, Ben Kingsley, Alexandra Daddario, Minka Kelly, and Stanley Tucci
What is it about: A weathered Lieutenant, his police force, and a local vigilante are all caught up in a dangerous scheme involving a recently arrested, troubled man who’s linked to years of female abductions and murders.
Heads Up: This action thriller is boosting a truly impressive cast. It looks like a 90s film for better or worse. I am curious but not entirely sold.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Directed by: André Øvredal
With: Zoe Margaret Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush, and Dean Norris
What is it about: A group of teens face their fears in order to save their lives.
Heads Up: This horror film is produced by Guillermo del Toro who also wrote its screenplay. This is giving me Jeepers Creepers vibes. I am in the bag for such a film, even if it ended up to be less than great.
Jabariya Jodi
Directed by: Prashant Singh
With: Sidharth Malhotra, Parineeti Chopra, and Aparshakti Khurana
What is it about: A thug helps kidnap grooms in order to avoid paying out dowries for their upcoming marriage.
Heads Up: A romantic comedy that tackles kidnapping as a thing to laugh about? This sounds icky to me, but having an anti-hero as protagonist only to be redeemed by a love of a woman is a story as old as cinema. Sidharth Malhotra is kinda bland as a leading man, Parineeti Chopra, on the other hand, has proven herself as a charismatic starlet. I think you better wait for a good word of mouth before committing to this one.
