This weekend has only a few new releases. We will highlight two huge films; a Disney family extravaganza from Hollywood, and SRK latest action film from Bollywood. We also will discuss a sci-fi thriller with a star-studded cast, so let’s check them out.
The Jungle Book
Directed by: Jon Favreau
With: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, and Idris Elba
Heads up: The man-cub Mowgli flees the jungle after a threat from the tiger Shere Khan. Guided by Bagheera the panther and the bear Baloo, Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery, though he also meets creatures who don’t have his best interests at heart. Disney is remaking this classic story that was made to an animated film almost 50 years ago. Most of us either read the beloved book, watched the film, or the TV animated series at some point in our childhood. That is why the filmmakers and Disney had an uphill battle to begin with, which it seems they won. Reviews are universally favorable, including our own Lloyd Bayer‘s 4/5 stars review. In it he wrote : “Forget about your worries, the new Jungle Book is packed with Mother Nature’s recipes, and that’s the bare necessities to enjoying this film“. So take your family and connect with them with a beloved classic story revisited for the millennial generation. Note that film is also shown in a Hindi version in some screens.
Criminal
Directed by: Ariel Vromen
With: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gal Gadot
Heads up: In a last-ditch effort to stop a diabolical plot, a dead CIA operative’s memories, secrets, and skills are implanted into a death-row inmate in hopes the he will complete the operative’s mission. The film has a killer cast (no pun intended), the premise is very intriguing, the trailer has some amazing looking set-pieces. That said, the reviews are very terrible across the board blaming the directorial choices, but I would rather watch such a film than a bland middle of the road one, so I’m curious.
Fan
Directed by: Maneesh Sharma
With: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, and Mariola Jaworska
Heads up: Gaurav, a huge fan of movie star Aryan Khanna, heads to Mumbai in order to wish his God a happy birthday. When things don’t go according to plan, Gaurav’s obsession with Aryan crosses the line. I am not a hater of SRK, but this film looks like a disaster. SRK took good care of himself, but he is in his 50s playing the movie star and the 20somthing fan with a little help from CGI technology. It looks fake, and is very indulgent, not to mention the recycled star/obsessed fan story that has been told again and again. This is just another vanity project for its star that I’m gonna avoid, even though I know it will be a smash hit.
