This weekend we have the release of two Oscar nominees, two failed Oscar baits and one broad comedy. Let’s check them out:
Fences
Directed by: Denzel Washington
With: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Stephen Henderson
What is it about? A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.
Heads Up: Denzel Washington‘s third directorial film (adapted from a Tony Award winning play with the same name) is nominated for 4 Oscars including one for him and one for the great Viola Davis. It is one of the best reviewed films of the year, so of course it’s a must see.
Florence Foster Jenkins
Directed by: Stephen Frears
With: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, and Simon Helberg
What is it about? The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.
Heads Up: This comedy based on real life characters has won the audience and critics and received two Oscar nominations including one for Meryl Streep (naturally!). However, even with all the accolade, the film has been available for home viewing for a while, so there is no need to see it on big screen.
Fist Fight
Directed by: Richie Keen
With: Ice Cube, Charlie Day, and Tracy Morgan
What is it about? When one school teacher gets the other fired, he is challenged to an after-school fight.
Heads Up: This is one of them Ice Cube “odd-couple” comedies. Charlie Day is funny and it has a cast of great comedians in supporting roles, and is an R-rated comedy. so I’d say why not.
Gold
Directed by: Stephen Gaghan
With: Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramírez, and Bryce Dallas Howard
What is it about? Kenny Wells, a prospector desperate for a lucky break, teams up with a similarly eager geologist and sets off on a journey to find gold in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia.
Heads Up: There is a respectable cast and director in this film, but the movie just didn’t click with the audience or the critics when it was released earlier this year in the US. I’d say catch up with it on home viewing later.
The Last Face
Directed by: Sean Penn
With: Charlize Theron, Javier Bardem, and Adèle Exarchopoulos
What is it about? A director of an international aid agency in Africa meets a relief aid doctor amidst a political/social revolution, and together face tough choices surrounding humanitarianism and life through civil unrest.
Heads Up: Reading the plot summary and watching the trailer made me want to punch this film in the face, and it seems that the critics agree with me. I say it is a hard pass for me.
