The weather might be cold outside, but the heat is dialed all the way up this January, and this weekend is no different. Keep reading to know more.
The Gentlemen
Directed by: Guy Richie
With: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant
What is it about: A British drug lord tries to sell off his highly profitable empire to a dynasty of Oklahoma billionaires.
Heads Up: Guy Richie is returning to his roots and making a London-based fast-paced gangster movie ala Look, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. The cast is stellar, and the reviews are very good. Give this one your time.
Just Mercy
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
With: Michael B. Jordan Jamie Foxx, Tim Blake Nelson, and Brie Larson
What is it about: World-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson works to free a wrongly condemned death row prisoner.
Heads Up: This social justice court drama is based on a true story, and it garnered great reviews praising its subject and performances from its lead actors that we know can be very good. I’d say go for it.
The Last Full Measure
Directed by: Todd Robinson
With: Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, and Samuel L. Jackson
What is it about: Thirty-four years after his death, Airman William H. Pitsenbarger, Jr. (“Pits”) is awarded the nation’s highest military honor, for his actions on the battlefield.
Heads Up: Although it boasts a fantastic all-star cast, I am not sure it has anything new to say (based on the trailer and its synopsis) as it reminds of Courage Under Fire from the 90s, a film I enjoyed then forgot about back in the days. This looks like a perfectly watchable film, but there are plenty of better films one should prioritize, so you might wanna put this one on hold for later perhaps when it comes out for home viewing.
The Turning
Directed by: Floria Sigismondi
With: Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard and Brooklynn Prince
What is it about: A young governess is hired by a man who has become responsible for his young nephew and niece after the deaths of their parents. A modern take on Henry James’ novella “The Turn of the Screw”.
Heads Up: Even a day before release, there are no reviews out yet. And this usually signals a bad movie. But a look beyond the surface suggests this may actually be worth considering: the director has made one other movie 10 years ago (The Runaways), which was well received. Since then she has directed acclaimed episodes of Marvel’s Daredevil, American Gods and The Handmaid’s Tale. The cast features two impressive actors, and it is based on a book widely recognized as the most analysed and ambiguous ghost story in the English language. Yup, this deserves some attention
Street Dancer 3D
Directed by: Remo D’Souza
With: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhu Deva, and Raghav Juyal
What is it about: Set in London, the film is about 2 rival dance groups from India and Pakistan, who’ve been competing against each other every time they meet, be it at a cafe or at an underground street battle, until they eventually realize that they stem from the same roots and have a common purpose to stand for their people from the Asian subcontinent.
Heads Up: The third film in a successful franchise starring two new-generation stars of Bollywood. The soundtrack is already a big hit in India, and it gives you an excuse to watch a proper 3D film. So I’d go have fun, especially if you like dance.
Panga
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
With: Kangana Ranaut, Jassi Gill, Richa Chadda, Neena Gupta
What is it about: Panga is inspired from the life of a national level Kabbadi player from India. It follows her triumphs, struggle and overcoming of stereotypes. It shows how important the love and support of your family is for you to be successful.
Heads Up: Love her or hate her, If you put her off-screen personality and politics aside, Kangana Ranaut is a talented actress with a strong screen presence. Panga‘s trailer further attests to this, and if you can get over any apprehensions towards her, this looks like a movie worth the time.
