This weekend we have an all-star remake of one of the most beloved crime novels of the 20th century, an Oscar-bait, and a Bollywood film. So keep reading.
Murder on the Orient Express
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
With: Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley
What is it about? A lavish train ride unfolds into a stylish & suspenseful mystery. From the novel by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells of thirteen stranded strangers & one man’s race to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again.
Heads Up: The most famous novel by Agatha Christie of a murder and 12 suspects is adapted once again for the big screen by director Kenneth Branagh who is also playing the role of Hercule Poirot, the beloved eccentric detective. The reviews are mostly positive, but our in-house critics disliked it. In his 2/5 stars review our own Lloyd Bayer wrote: “Like the bloodied victim, something dies very early in the film. And that’s before the story starts juggling the remaining 12 suspects into the 12 agonizing labours of Hercules. Or was it Hercule? Either way, Agatha would be aghast“.
Thank You For Your Service
Directed by: Jason Hall
With: Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, and Keisha Castle-Hughes
What is it about? A group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq struggle to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.
Heads Up: From first time director Jason Hall, this tale of the struggle of returning veterans has been embraced critically with praises to its leading actor Miles Teller who might be a contender come award season. That’s said, it is not a film that I would rush to watch in cinema.
On Wings Of Eagle
Directed by: Stephen Shin, Michael Parker
With: Joseph Fiennes, Shawn Dou, and Richard Sanderson
What is it about? Eric Liddell – Scotch gold medalist and one of Scotland’s greatest athletes – returns to war-torn China.
Heads Up: The story of this great athlete was depicted in the Oscar winning Chariots of Fire. While this film is focusing on his life post-olympics, from the trailer this looks schmoltze and melodramatic, and the available reviews are generally unfavorable. I’d say skip it.
Escape Room
Directed by: Will Wernick
With: Evan Williams, Annabelle Stephenson, Elisabeth Hower
What is it about? Six friends test their intelligence in a game that takes a dark turn.
Heads Up: A direct-to-video cheap horror that is a mix between Saw and The Game. Watch it at home if you must.
Qarib Qarib Singlle
Directed by: Tanuja Chandra
With: Irrfan Khan, Parvathy, and Bajrangbali Singh
What is it about? Yogi and Parvathy, who have polar opposite personalities and sensibilities, meet via a online dating app. This encounter turns into so much more when the two travel to Rishikesh.
Heads Up: This Rom-Com has a tired premise of two mismatched people falling in love while travelling, but what elevates it for my taste is its lead actor Irrfan Khan who makes everything better just by his sheer presence. I am mildly interested.
