We are surprised to see that September is featuring so many big releases, as it’s traditionally a dumping ground for delayed films, but not this year. So many big films are being released and this weekend is no exception, so let’s check them out.
Kingsman : The Golden Circle
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
With: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Halle Berry, Elton John, Channing Tatum, and Jeff Bridges
What is it about? When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.
Heads Up: The first Kingsman was a load of fun that caught everyone by surprise. This one is praised for upping the ante with even more craziness but criticized for the lack of originality, which most sequels suffer from. I still think it would be a fun ride in the cinemas.
The Lego Ninjago Movie
Directed by: Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, Bob Logan
With: Justin Theroux , Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, and Fred Armisen
What is it about? Six young ninjas Lloyd, Jay, Kai, Cole, Zane and Nya are tasked with defending their island home, called Ninjago. By night, they’re gifted warriors, using their skills and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters. By day, they’re ordinary teens struggling against their greatest enemy: high school.
Heads Up: The second spinoff from The Lego Movie that we get this year. The trailer has some funny jokes, but I would not exactly rush to the theatre to see it.
Stronger
Directed by: David Gordon Green
With: Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, and Miranda Richardson
What is it about? Stronger is the inspiring real life story of Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to become a symbol of hope following the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Heads Up: Despite the sappy trailer, reviews are very strong for this film that is based on a bestselling biography, and Jake Gyllenhaal seems to provide yet another strong performance. I’d say: why not?
Unlocked
Directed by: Michael Apted
With: Noomi Rapace, Orlando Bloom, John Malkovich, Michael Douglas, and Toni Collette
What is it about? A CIA interrogator is lured into a ruse that puts London at risk of a biological attack.
Heads Up: A spy thriller with an all-star cast, but sadly the reviews are terrible. I am still curious to check it out, but I will keep that in mind when it is available for home viewing.
Prevenge
Directed by: Alice Lowe
With: Alice Lowe, Gemma Whelan, Kate Dickie, and Jo Hartley
What is it about? Widow Ruth is seven months pregnant when, believing herself to be guided by her unborn baby, she embarks on a homicidal rampage, dispatching anyone who stands in her way.
Heads Up: This horror comedy has garnered amazing reviews and it seems like a great film to watch at a midnight screening with a good crowd.
Bhoomi
Directed by: Omung Kumar
With: Sanjay Dutt, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sidhant Gupta
What is it about? A father is seeking revenge for his daughter after something terrible happens which takes away all the happiness of this small yet happy family.
Heads Up: Sanjay Dutt’s comeback film in a somewhat familiar role. If you miss the big guy, then go see it, just don’t expect anything new or revelatory
Haseena Parkar
Directed by: Apoorva Lakhia
With: Shraddha Kapoor, Ankur Bhatia, and Siddhant Kapoor
What is it about? This is the story of the slightly-less-notorious sister of notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
Heads Up: Apoorva Lakhia’s previous movie (Zanjeer, the remkae) is one of the worst movies out of mainstream Bollywood in recent times. But prior to that, Lakhia has made some watchable pseudo-gritty movies (Shootout at Lokhandwala, Mission Istanbul). This seems to be aiming for the same safe spot that Lakhia was successful with earlier. While there is no reason to want to watch Shraddha Kapoor in a lead role, this is the first mainstream Bombay-Gangster genre movie with a female lead. I’d wager the odds are in favour of the movie being above-average, especially if you keep your expectations at par.
