A family adventure film, a literary adaptation, and more than a couple of horror films. Keep reading to know more.
The Call of the Wild
Directed by: Chris Sanders
With: Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, and Bradley Whitford
What is it about: A domesticated St. Bernard/Scotch Collie dog named Buck is stolen from his Santa Clara, California home and sold to freight haulers in Yukon. Crossing paths with a man named John Thornton, the two embark on an adventure where Buck finds his true place in the world
Heads Up: This family adventure film is based on the novel from 1903 by Jack London, which was adapted for the big screen before in 1935. The biggest knock against the film might be relying on CGI to create our protagonist dog instead of working with real animals, that said, this is a big budget adventure family film from a dying breed that we don’t see a lot lately (although we had Dolittle not long ago, but that turned out to be a dud). I would say, since the reviews are mostly positive, this one might be a good pick to watch with your family on a Saturday afternoon.
Emma
Directed by: Autumn de Wilde
With: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Josh O’Connor, Miranda Hart, and Bill Nighy.
What is it about: In 1800s England, a well meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.
Heads Up: The newest adaptation for the beloved Jane Austen‘s novel has been getting rave reviews from critics, who think this is one of the better versions. If you love the source material, or maybe have an affinity for its beloved modern adaptation Clueless from the 90s, then you should check this one out.
Brahms: The Boy II
Directed by: William Brent Bell
With: Katie Holmes, Owain Yeoman, and Christopher Convery
What is it about: After a family moves into the Heelshire Mansion, their young son soon makes friends with a life-like doll called Brahms.
Heads Up: 2016’s The Boy was a small horror film that was a commercial success (for its budget) even if it was panned by critics. Since then, it enjoyed some cult status among horror fans, so a sequel was all-but-inevitable. The director is back with a whole new cast lead bt Katie Holmes. If you enjoyed the first one, I don’t see why you would not like this one.
Color Out of Space
Directed by: Richard Stanley
With: Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, and Madeleine Arthur
What is it about: A secluded farm is struck by a strange meteorite which has apocalyptic consequences for the family living there and possibly the world.
Heads Up: Based on the short story The Colour Out of Space by H. P. Lovecraft, this Sci-Fi horror from the director Richard Stanley who wrote The Island of Dr. Moreau, the producers of Mandy, and starring Nicholas Cage. This should not work, but the reviews are very strong saying that it’s “a welcome return for director Richard Stanley, Color Out of Space mixes tart B-movie pulp with visually alluring Lovecraftian horror and a dash of gonzo Nicolas“
After Midnight
Directed by: Jeremy Gardner, Christian Stella
With: Jeremy Gardner, Brea Grant, and Justin Benson
What is it about: When his girlfriend suddenly disappears, leaving a cryptic note as her only explanation, Hank’s comfortable life and his sanity begin to crack. Then, from the woods surrounding his house, something terrible starts trying to break in.
Heads Up: This low-budget horror film is also one of the best reviewed films of this weekend, praising it for being “part creature feature, part romance, After Midnight somehow manages to combine its disparate ingredients and come up with something special“. That said, it’s already out on VOD platforms, so you don’t really need to see it in cinema, unless you prefer to.
Bhoot – P1 : The Haunted Ship
Directed by: Bhanu Pratap Singh
With: Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, and Ashutosh Rana
What is it about: When a shipping officer tries to break through the mystery of the unmanned ship which came ashore Mumbai base, he encounters demons of his past and of the ship.
Heads Up: The first of what is meant to be a new horror franchise (generically called Bhoot as if it’s the law to call all Bollywood horror films that). The trailer checks all cliches of any haunted place film you’ve ever seen, but it does look slick and well made. Check it out if you have nothing better to do.
