This weekend is so busy with so many releases, and even after being selective, I will feature a whooping 6 films in this article. So without further ado, let’s check them out.
Beauty and The Beast
Directed by: Bill Condon
With: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, and Emma Thompson
What is it about? An adaptation of the Disney fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love.
Heads Up: This adaptation to the very beloved animated classic is described by critics as a faithful retelling that honors its beloved source material. Disney has been successful so far in adapting its animation film to live-action (Maleficient, Cinderella, The Jungle Book) and the cast is brilliant, so take the family and enjoy it all together. But remember to (re)watch the original animated classic at home first!
Sleepless
Directed by: Baran bo Odar
With: Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney, and T.I.
What is it about? A cop with a connection to the criminal underworld scours a nightclub in search of his kidnapped son.
Heads Up: This a remake for a French crime thriller from 2013 with the same name. Unfortunately this one failed to capture commercial or critical success. I say avoid.
The Belko Experiment
Directed by: Greg McLean
With: Adria Arjona, Michael Rooker, Abraham Benrubi, and Tony Goldwyn
What is it about? In a twisted social experiment, 80 Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company’s intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed.
Heads Up: This is a gory horror film in the vein of Saw and Hostel. So if you have the stomach for it, it actually has decent reviews for a horror film.
Trapped
Directed by: Vikramaditya Motwane
With: Rajkummar Rao, Geetanjali Thapa, and Khushboo Upadhyay
What is it about? A man gets stuck in an empty high rise without food, water or electricity.
Heads Up: Motwane is a director who has won a lot of respect from Bollywood critics and cinephiles for his past two films (Udaan, Lootera). This movie played at the MAMI festival last year, and has also won massive praise and following among the few who have watched it, even for Rajkumar Rao’s singular performance. You should definitely check this out!
Before I Fall
Directed by: Ry Russo-Young
With: Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage, and Cynthy Wu
What is it about? February 12 is just another day in Sam’s charmed life until it turns out to be her last. Stuck reliving her last day over one inexplicable week, Sam untangles the mystery around her death and discovers everything she’s in danger of losing.
Heads Up: This is a YA version of a day repeating itself over and over again ala Groundhog Day and Edge of Tomorrow. The reviews are decent, but I think it will face a stiff competition from Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. It might be better to wait for its release on video.
