This is a very busy January weekend with new releases. There are a few noteworthy films that deserves you attention, and we’ll tell you all about it, so keep reading:
Patriot’s Day
Directed by: Peter Berg
With: Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, J.K. Simmons, and Michelle Monaghan
What is it about? An account of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis’s actions in the events leading up to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the aftermath, which includes the city-wide manhunt to find the terrorists behind it.
Heads Up: Mark Wahlberg seems to be the new muse of director Peter Berg as they have worked together in the latter’s last three films (Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, and now Patriot’s Day), and all of them were received positively critically and commercially. Filmphoria critic Lloyd Bayer reviewed this film favorably and gave it 3.5/5. In his review he wrote: “Patriots Day feels more like a straightforward docudrama than mere entertainment for the masses. The solemn epilogue more than drives that message home; and along with it an emotional wallop on how tragedy can bring out the best in a community.“
A Monster Call
Directed by: J.A. Bayona
With: Lewis MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, and Liam Neeson
What is it about? A boy seeks the help of a tree monster to cope with his single mom’s terminal illness.
Heads Up: Spanish director J.A. Bayona‘s previous two films are the horror film The Orphanage and Tsunami drama The Impossible, and both of these films were highly acclaimed. This one is also being hailed as a very good movie that has popped in many critics best of year lists. I am really looking forward to see this and I think you too should watch it.
Into The Forest
Directed by: Patricia Rozema
With: Ellen Page, Evan Rachel Wood, Max Minghella
What is it about? After a massive power outage, two sisters learn to survive on their own in their isolated woodland home.
Heads Up: Based on a bestselling novel, this post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror is lead by two excellent young actresses and garnered very good reviews. Even though it’s available for purchase on VOD, but I think it worth a theatrical viewing as well.
The Windmill Massacre
Directed by: Nick Jongerius
With: Patrick Baladi, Ben Batt, Charlotte Beaumont, and Noah Taylor
What is it about? A group of unsuspecting tourists awaken a mysterious evil while on a trip through the Dutch countryside.
Heads Up: It’s hailed as Jeepers Creepers meets Friday the 13th, and I suspect it will not be as memorable as either. Anyway, it’s out on VOD platforms, so there is no rush to watch it in the cinemas.
OK Jaanu
Directed by: Shaad Ali
With: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, and Naseeruddin Shah
What is it about? Adi and Tara move to Mumbai to pursue their dreams. A chance meeting sparks off a heady, no strings attached romance until their careers pull them apart. Will ambition prevail over matters of the heart?
Heads Up: Two appealing lead actors but a very very very tired premise. The songs though sound good (music by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Gulzar) and it looks like a well-shot film. That said, unless you are a diehard rom-com avid, I wouldn’t bother with this one.
