For this weekend new releases, we have an Oscar front-runner, the swansong of a legend, a Nic Cage movie, and more. So keep reading:
First Man
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
With: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, and Corey Stoll
What is it about? A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Heads Up? The follow-up film by Oscar-winning director of La-La Land Damien Chazelle is a biopic that is (so far) one of the front-runners of the awards season. Reviews are glowing praising its look, storytelling, and cast. Watch this on the biggest screen possible.
Note: First Man was shot partially on IMAX. To best appreciate it, watch it on one of the 5 IMAX screens of UAE (NOVO Ibn Battuta & Festival City, VOX Mall of the Emirates & Mirdif City Centre, Cinema City Zero 6) .
The Old Man & The Gun
Directed by: David Lowery
With: Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, and Sissy Spacek
What is it about? Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker and his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public.
Heads Up? Robert Redford announced that he is retiring from acting and that this film is his swansong, and it seems as if he is going out with a bang. In his 4½ stars review, our own Faizan Rashid wrote: “With effortless charm, breezy natural humour and a whole load of charisma, The Old Man and the Gun provides Robert Redford the ideal opportunity to bow out of the Hollywood limelight with grace and dignity“
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
Directed by: Ari Sandel
With: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Madison Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Caleel Harris, and Ken Jeong
What is it about? Two young friends find a magic book that brings a ventriloquist’s dummy to life.
Heads Up? The Sequel to 2015’s hit Goosebumps comes out around Halloween time as horror comedy that can be seen by the whole family. The reviews are way weaker than the original film, and Jack Black is said to have only a small uncredited part in this one. That said, I do think the young ones will enjoy it, so take them if you are out of other options.
Mandy
Directed by: Panos Cosmatos
With: Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, and Linus Roache
What is it about? Mandy is set in the primal wilderness of 1983 where Red Miller, a broken and haunted man, hunts an unhinged religious sect who slaughtered the love of his life.
Heads Up? I was looking forward to seeing this as it came highly praised by most of critics, and while I found it stylish and distinctive-looking, I ultimately was let down by it. For me it was a pretentious schlock and a waste of my time.
Note: If you do decide to watch it at the cinemas, be aware that important portions of it will be potentially censored.
Namaste England
Directed by: Vipul Amrutlal Shah
With: Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, and Shreya Mehta
What is it about? story of Jasmeet and Param, whose love story traces along different places from Punjab to Dhaka to Paris to Brussels to finally London.
Heads Up? Another globetrotting Bollywood rom-com (oh, how original!) with an illegal immigration subplot. This is billed as a sequel of the 2007’s hit Namastey London, but it really is more of a remake. I’m indifferent to this film if I’m being honest, so I would say go for it if either of the leads appeal to you.
