Considering we are in the middle of the summer season, the releases of this weekend are surprisingly diverse. Keep reading:
Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge
Directed by: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
With: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Javier Bardem
What is it about? Captain Jack Sparrow finds the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, the terrifying Captain Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle, determined to kill every pirate at sea…including him. Captain Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, a powerful artifact that bestows upon its possessor total control over the seas.
Heads Up: What started as a fun adventure film based on a Disney ride, became a convoluted money making franchise with ever diminishing returns. That said, this is the embodiment of silly summer tent-pole film, so if that’s what you are looking for, then by all means. But don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Gifted
Directed by: Marc Webb
With: Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Jenny Slate, and Octavia Spencer
What is it about? Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, is drawn into a custody battle with his mother.
Heads Up: Marc Webb wowed the critics with his debut (500) Days of Summer, but then he went on to direct the The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 which were disappointing. Now he is back with a smaller film with Captain America himself Chris Evans. The film fared modestly with critics and audiences, so if you are already sick and tired of summer franchises, here is your counter-programming.
Berlin Syndrome
Directed by: Cate Shortlandb
With: Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt, Lucie Aron
What is it about? A passionate holiday romance leads to an obsessive relationship, when an Australian photojournalist wakes one morning in a Berlin apartment and is unable to leave.
Heads Up: Berlin Syndrome comes from a less-known director who has made award-winning female-centric movies. Her latest movie too has garnered good reviews, including a nomination at Sundance this year. For those who like movies a step away from the beaten path, give this one a look.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Directed by: David Bowers
With: Alicia Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, Jason Drucker, and Charlie Wright
What is it about? A Heffley family road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course thanks to Greg’s newest scheme to get to a video gaming convention.
Heads Up: The fourth in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series based on the children’s book franchise is likely to be received similarly as the ones before it (mildly successful with lukewarm middling reviews). This is a harmless family film, so if you have kids, then they might enjoy it.
