This weekend is all about the Avengers, so all other major releases will be out of the way for a couple of weeks. That said, there is another little charming movie opening too if you aren’t into or can’t secure tickets for the big event. Let’s see what’s in store.
Avengers: Infinity War
Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
With: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Josh Brolin
What is it about? The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.
Heads Up: The 19th film in the MCU and 3rd Avengers movie is coming on the heel of Black Panther, which itself was a cultural phenomenon and one of the most successful movies of all time. The first Avengers was a game changer when it comes to comic book films, but its followup Avengers: Age of Ultron is not remembered as fondly. This film, however, has a massive buzz going for it with good reviews to match that, and our critic Faizan Rashid is a fan. In his ★★★★☆ review, he wrote: “Avengers Infinity War astonishingly achieves its bold promise and does exactly what a crossover comic would – delivering an astounding conclusion designed to forever shake things up, leave jaws on the floor and get everyone talking about it till at least next year when the sequel to this comes out. Mission Accomplished“.
Finding Your Feet
Directed by: Richard Loncraine
With: Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, and Joanna Lumley
What is it about? On the eve of retirement a middle class, judgmental snob discovers her husband has been having an affair with her best friend and is forced into exile with her bohemian sister who lives on an impoverished inner-city council estate.
Heads Up: This charming little British film is the counter-programming for the behemoth that is Avengers: Infinity War, in case you are one of the three people who are not going to watch that film. The cast is all seasoned British thespians, in the mold of Calendar Girls, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. So you should consider catching up with it anyway.
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales
Directed by: Patrick Imbert, Benjamin Renner
With: Guillaume Bouchède, Jules Bienvenu, and Kamel Abdessadok
What is it about? Whoever thinks that the countryside is calm and peaceful is mistaken. In it we find especially agitated animals, a Fox that thinks it is a chicken, a Rabbit that acts like a stork, and a Duck who wants to replace Father Christmas. If you want to take a vacation, keep driving past this place.
Heads Up: The trailer for this hand-drawn French animation film made my morning. It’s so charming and the jokes are so funny that it jumped onto my to-do-list even though I just found out of its existence. Take your kids and enjoy it. Take them today!
Here Comes the Grump
Directed by: Andrés Couturier
With: Lily Collins, Toby Kebbell, and Ian McShane
What is it about? Balloon kingdoms, dopey police dragons, and happy wizards are exactly how Terry remembered his Grandmother’s whacky fairy tales. Except they are real and it’s definitely not as ‘cheerful.’
Heads Up: Unlike the other animated film released this weekend, this looks as stale and devoid of charm and wet as they get. Avoid.
