The Eid is over, but there are still plenty of big releases to come to a screen near you, guaranteeing that you will find a film for your taste for weeks to come. This weekend we have two big action comedies, a bank heist thriller, and a racially insensitive Egyptian film. Let’s check them out.
Ghostbusters
Directed by: Paul Feig
With: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones
What is it about? 30 years after Ghostbusters took the world by storm, the beloved franchise makes its long-awaited return. Director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today.
Heads Up: This reboot of the 80s classic has been facing a vicious campaign against it ever since it was announced with an all female cast, mainly from “male-rights” crusaders. It’s hard to overlook the misogyny in this campaign, which as a man makes me ashamed of my kind. This film could turn out to be bad, but that should be decided after seeing the film, not before. Luckily the initial reviews are more positive than negative. Paul Feig has given us three hits in a row with his leading lady Melissa McCarthy, and the all female cast is stellar. Even if you were turned off by the bad trailer, I think this film deserves a look.
Central Intelligence
Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
With: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Danielle Nicolet
What is it about? After he reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage.
Heads Up: It’s a Kevin Hart film and he is not everybody’s favorite cup of tea, but it co-star Dwayne The-Rock Johnson who might as well be the coolest most charismatic man on earth. I would give it a shot.
Marauders
Directed by: Steven C. Miller
With: Christopher Meloni, Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista, and Adrian Grenier
What is it about? When a bank is hit by a brutal heist, all evidence points to the owner and his high-powered clients. But as a group of FBI agents dig deeper into the case – and the deadly heists continue – it becomes clear that a larger conspiracy is at play.
Heads Up: Bruce Willis‘s carrier lately is taking a shift toward playing the nefarious type antagonists in small action thrillers like this one. I don’t think this warrants a theatrical viewing, just wait till it’s on TV if you want to watch it.
Hell In India
Directed by: Moataz El Tony
With: Mohamed Emam, Yasmine Sabry, Bayomi Fouadو and Ahmed Fathy
What is it about? The Egyptian ambassador gets kidnapped in India. A request is sent to Egypt to send their Defense Team to rescue the Ambassador. There is a mix-up with the codes and instead the Egyptian Military Band is sent to India. What happens in India and how these misfits rescue the Ambassador is the crux of the story.
Heads Up: Despite a funny premise, the trailer shows outdated-culturally-insensitive-borderline-racist-depiction of India, with stereotypical cheap jokes, primitive tribes, and a gorilla (which you can’t find in India FYI). The film is already a huge hit in Egypt, and it’s poised to be so in the UAE market among the Arabic speaking residents and tourists. As for the rest of population, I’d say this looks like a silly silly movie, so if you aren’t easily offended, it might be just the so-bad-it’s-good type of film.
