One of the year’s highest acclaimed films is finally coming our way, plus it’s gonna be a busy Diwali weekend at the movies. So keep reading.
The Farewell
Directed by: Lulu Wang
With: Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, and Shuzhen Zhao
What is it about: A Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies.
Heads Up: One of this year’s highest acclaimed film, The Farewell is a bittersweet family dramedy based on true events in the director’s life. Our own Faizan Rashid was a fan, giving it ★★★★☆. In his review he wrote: “I may not be Chinese or an American, but as a person of decidedly Eastern values living in a country that’s not really my own, I found much of Billi’s outsider dilemma very relatable. This ability to make the personal seem universal makes The Farewell uniquely rarefied“. This is the film of the week for me, and I would highly recommend seeing it.
Housefull 4
Directed by: Farhad Samji
With: Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde and Kriti Kharbanda.
What is it about: In 1419 Sitamgarh, 3 couples are parted away due to an evil conspiracy. 600 hundred years later in 2019 in London, the couples’s reincarnations meet again but this time each one of them is marrying the wrong person. How they come to realize about their true love is what forms the crux of the story.
Heads Up: The 4th installment in one of Bollywood’s most commercially successful franchises. The two original stars Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh who starred in all previous three installments are joined by Bobby Deol. These films are co-written and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala who knows how to assemble crowd-pleasing commercial successes, and many of them are with Akshay Kumar (Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jaan-E-Mann, Heyy Babyy, Kambakkht Ishq). By its 4th installment you should know whether this one is for you or not.
Made in China
Directed by: Mikhil Musale
With: Rajkummar Rao, Amyra Dastur, Paresh Rawal, and Boman Irani
What is it about: Story of Failed Gujarati Businessman, who jumps into unknown world of China to get once in a life time business idea, which will change his life.
Heads Up: A fish out of water comedy starring one of the best Indian young actors? Sign me up for this one.
Saand Ki Aankh
Directed by: Tushar Hiranandani
With: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Prakash Jha
What is it about: Both over the age of 60, Chandro Tomar and Prakashi Tomar inspire other women in India when they demonstrate their expert sharpshooting skills.
Heads Up: This biographical drama is produced by Anurag Kashyap, one India’s leading filmmakers, and stars two proven young actresses. This is an uplifting story of two women who became icons and role models in their rural impoverished communities. I would say give it a look.
Countdown
Directed by: Justin Dec
With: Elizabeth Lail, Charlie McDermott, Anne Winters, and Peter Facinelli
What is it about: When a nurse downloads an app that claims to predict the moment a person will die, it tells her she only has three days to live. With the clock ticking and a figure haunting her, she must find a way to save her life before time runs out.
Heads Up: This horror thriller has a high concept that reminds me of early 2000s films such as The Ring, Final Destination, and Stay Alive, only less interesting. I think this is going to join the rank of forgettable horror flicks, but of the two horror films we are offered this weekend, I would rather see this one.
Mary
Directed by: Michael Goi
With: Gary Oldman, Emily Mortimer, Jennifer Esposito, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo
What is it about: A family looking to start a charter-boat business buys a ship that holds terrifying secrets once out on isolated waters.With the clock ticking and a figure haunting her, she must find a way to save her life before time runs out.
Heads Up: Despite having two excellent actors as the leads, this supernatural horror film looks dead in the water (pun intended). I’d say don’t ride in this sinking boat.
Killerman
Directed by: Malik Bader
With: Liam Hemsworth, Emory Cohen, Diane Guerrero, and Suraj Sharma
What is it about: Moe Diamond is a New York City money launderer who wakes up with no memory and millions of dollars in stolen cash and drugs. He must soon scour the streets in search of answers while trying to dodge a crew of violent and crooked cops.
Heads Up: This film looks and sound like an 80s B-action movie, and I think it’s intentionally so. Liam Hemsworth never really made an impression as a leading man outside The Hunger Games franchise, so unless you have nothing to do and you just want to be in an air-conditioned room to pass the time, I would say skip this one.
