Another busy weekend with so many big releases. We have 3 Oscar nominated films, a British gangster drama, an Emirati dystopian drama, and a Bollywood lavish war romance. So let’s check them out.
Manchester By The Sea
Directed by: Kenneth Lonergan
With: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges, and Kyle Chandler
What is it about? An uncle is asked to take care of his teenage nephew after the boy’s father dies.
Heads Up: This film is nominated for 6 Oscars and considered one of the best films of the year by many critics. You definitely need to see this one, but you should bring a tissue box with you in case it gets too dusty in the theatre.
Hidden Figures
Directed by: Theodore Melfi
With: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, and Kevin Costner
What is it about? The story of a team of African-American women mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the US space program.
Heads Up: This inspirational based on a true story film is nominated for 3 Oscars including a Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress nomination for Octavia Spencer. Is it a must see? Maybe not, but it certainly deserves a consideration.
Loving
Directed by: Jeff Nichols
With: Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, and Will Dalton
What is it about? The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, whose challenge of their anti-miscegenation arrest for their marriage in Virginia led to a legal battle that would end at the US Supreme Court.
Heads Up: From acclaimed director Jeff Nichols, this drama based on real story has been embraced by critics and even received an Oscar nod for newcomer Ruth Negga who is nominated for Best Lead Actress. That said, the film is already available for rent, so if you are overwhelmed by the sheer number of films that are out this weekend, you may consider watching it in the comfort of your home instead.
The Worthy
Directed by: Ali F. Mostafa
With: Ali Suliman, Maisa Abd Elhadi, and Mahmoud Al Atrash
What is it about? After the vast majority of the world’s water supply is lethally contaminated, a small group of survivors who have taken refuge near a rare clean water source are thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse and must defend their lives from infiltrators who aren’t what they seem.
Heads Up: Ali F. Mostafa 2009’s directorial debut City of Life was met positively from audience and critics, and this time he is coming back with a dystopian drama which got good reviews as well. Our own Lloyd Bayer watched it during DIFF2016, and in his 3-star review he wrote: “The Worthy may feel familiar to the post-apocalyptic canon but it’s still a commendable effort and a leap forward in Arab cinema“.
Rangoon
Directed by: Vishal Bhardwaj
With: Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan
What is it about? A beautiful film star finds herself caught up in a love triangle after she is taken from the film sets of 1944 Bollywood to the jungles of the India-Burma border where she must entertain the English and Indian troops.
Heads Up: Vishal Bhardwaj is one of the greatest directors working in Bollywood today (or ever). This film looks lavish and amazing with a terrific cast, so yes I am all in!
Trespass Against Us
Directed by: Adam Smith
With: Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, and Lyndsey Marshal
What is it about? A man looks to find a way to escape the criminal ways of his outlaw family.
Heads Up: I can’t believe I am gonna say this about a film starring Michael Fassbender, but given its mediocre reviews, and the fact that it was released for VOD upon its theatrical release, skip this in cinema and watch it in the comfort of your home.
