This weekend Disney’s The Lion King is roaring its way to yet another world domination by Disney, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only game in town. So keep reading.
The Lion King
Directed by: Jon Favreau
With: Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and James Earl Jones
What is it about: After the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery.
Heads Up: Disney’s third remake of a classic cartoon this year (after Dumbo, and Aladdin) is bound to be the biggest of them all. With its all-star cast and ambitious photo-realistic CGI visuals, by all accounts it looks stunning. That said, the original cartoon is nothing short of a masterpiece, and if you strip this off all the bells and whistles, you would see that it’s just another repackaging of something we bought and enjoyed a long time ago. I’m of course a part of the problem, because naturally I will go and watch it in its opening weekend, but you should at least try to resist.
Midsommar
Directed by: Ari Aster
With: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, and Vilhelm Blomgren
What is it about: A couple travels to Sweden to visit a rural hometown’s fabled mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.
Heads Up: Director Ari Aster‘s follow-up to his brilliant debut feature film (2018’s Hereditary) is almost as revered. This horror mystery is hailed as “Ambitious, impressively crafted, and above all unsettling, Midsommar further proves writer-director Ari Aster is a horror auteur to be reckoned with“. That said, this one will be censored just like Hereditary, so while I am dying to see it, I think I might just wait for its home viewing release.
The Kid
Directed by: Vincent D’Onofrio
With: Ethan Hawke, Dane DeHaan, Jake Schur, and Chris Pratt
What is it about: The story of a young boy who witnesses Billy the Kid’s encounter with Sheriff Pat Garrett.
Heads Up: Vincent D’Onofrio is a well known actor, but here he is directing his second feature film which is a western drama. Despite its impressive cast, this one was received tepidly by critics and it is already out on VOD platforms, so I don’t see the need to watch it on the big screen.
The Sonata
Directed by: Andrew Desmond
With: Freya Tingley, Simon Abkarian, James Faulkner, and Rutger Hauer,
What is it about? A young violinist unravels her long lost father’s past, triggering dark forces that reach beyond her imagination.
Heads Up: Another horror mystery set in Europe, only this one has a lower-profile than Midsommar. This is another film that I would be perfectly fine watching in the comfort of my home, so I’m on the fence on this one.
Finding Steve McQueen
Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson
With: Travis Fimmel, Rachael Taylor, William Fichtner, and Forest Whitaker
What is it about? In 1972, a gang of close-knit thieves from Youngstown, Ohio attempt to steal $30 million in illegal contributions and blackmail money from President Richard Nixon’s secret fund.
Heads Up: This looks like a throwback fun crime thriller. Travis Fimmel is well known for his starring role in TV’s Vikings so he might attract the fans of that show. For me William Fichtner and Forest Whitaker are the main draw, but I don’t think I’m curious enough to buy a ticket to watch it.
