Many releases are coming our way this weekend, but unfortunately, there is just one that I am excited about. Let’s just check them all out anyway.
Inferno
Directed by: Ron Howard
With: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Ben Foster, and Irrfan Khan
What is it about? When Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks, and together they must race across Europe against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.
Heads Up: Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are back to the bestselling Dan Brown‘s series after the commercial success of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. Even though the books are smash hits, I found the previous two big screen aforementioned translations dull and not particularly good. That said, if you liked these films, I don’t see why you you wouldn’t like this one as well.
Café Society
Directed by: Woody Allen
With: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Steve Carell, and Blake Lively
What is it about? In the 1930’s, a young Bronx native moves to Hollywood, where he falls in love with the secretary of his powerful uncle, an agent to the stars. After returning to New York, he is swept up in the vibrant world of high society nightclub life.
Heads Up: The latest film from Woody Allen was received with mainly positive reviews, but none were exactly rapturous in their praise. So if you are a fan of Woody then maybe this is up your alley. I don’t see it appealing to others much.
I.T.
Directed by: John Moore
With: Pierce Brosnan, James Frecheville, Anna Friel, and Michael Nyqvist
What is it about? Mike Regan has everything he could ever want, a beautiful family and a top of the line smart house. The company he owns is on the verge of changing flight leasing forever. That is, until the relationship with his closest advisor turns nasty, to the point where his teenage daughter is being stalked and his family is under attack through every technological facet of their lives.
Heads Up: I would not go as far as recommending this film, which has a dismal 12% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but this film looks laughably bad, it might actually be entertaining.
Desierto
Directed by: Jonás Cuarón
With: Gael García Bernal, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Alondra Hidalgo
What is it about? A group of people trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States encounter a man who has taken border patrol duties into his own racist hands.
Heads Up: Jonás Cuarón is the son of Alfonso Cuarón who directed the brilliant short film Aningaaq which was a companion to Gravity, a film also he co-wrote with his father, so obviously he is talented. Our critic Shariq watched it at the Dubai International Film Festival last year. In his 4-star review, he summarizes: “Desierto is a thrilling movie, well-shot and edited for excitement. It sets the stakes so high, there is always a sense of imminent danger for *any* character.” Hence, please watch!
The Duel
Directed by: Kieran Darcy-Smith
With: Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Alice Braga
What is it about? A Texas Ranger investigates a series of unexplained deaths in a town called Helena.
Heads Up: Not for the lack of trying, but despite the many chances given to Liam Hemsworth to make him a big star, it ain’t happening. That is why despite featuring the great Woody Harrelson as the bad guy, this film, judging by its lead, the reviews, the trailer, and the fact it’s already available for rental, is hard to recommend.
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
Directed by: Steve Carr
With: Griffin Gluck, Lauren Graham, and Adam Pally
What is it about? Imaginative quiet teenager Rafe Katchadorian is tired of his middle school’s obsession with the rules at the expense of any and all creativity. Desperate to shake things up, Rafe and his best friends have come up with a plan: break every single rule in the school and let the students run wild.
Heads Up: Even though I can relate to the title (middle school *is* the worst), nothing good yet came from the director of Dr. Dolittle 2, Daddy’s Day Care, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop, so I’d say pass!
