Another busy weekend at the multiplexes, but it is one of the best. It has not one but 3 quality Hollywood films, and a very promising Bollywood romantic drama. It is a good kind of dilemma when you can’t decide which film to watch because there are all good.
Bridge of Spies
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
With: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, and Amy Ryan
Heads up: During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers. In his 4 ½ stars review our own Faizan Rashid wrote:”The film is a master class in combining elements of the thriller genre with good old-fashioned drama, held together by a warm tale of friendship and mutual respect”. So do I recommend this film? Of course, highly!
Creed
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
With: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson
Heads up: The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed. This a spin-off the Rocky franchise where Rocky is the sidekick. Our critics attended the press screening and came raving about it. Lloyd Bayer, in his 4 ½ stars review, wrote: “Creed is much more than just the seventh installment in the Rocky film franchise. As a no-holds-barred sports drama, this is every bit an exceptional crowd pleaser with a lot of heart, plenty of amusing jabs to the ribs, and an unexpected but emotional haymaker to the gut. And a lot more“. Filmphoria critic Shariq Madani tweeted: “Such a heartfelt film, great fights and fluid storytelling. Rocky fans will love it even more, but it is for everybody“, so I am recommending it too!
Miss You Already
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
With: Toni Collette, Drew Barrymore, and Dominic Cooper
Heads up: The friendship between two life-long girlfriends is put to the test when one starts a family and the other falls ill. One of many good reasons to watch this is Toni Collette, who is such a marvelous actress that makes every role she plays memorable. We know that Creed is catering for the male moviegoers, and as a counter-programming, this one is a tear-jerking drama that’ll play well with the ladies.
Tamasha
Directed by: Imtiaz Ali
With: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, and Javed Sheikh
Heads up: A Bollywood romantic drama about 2 tourists who meet in the island of Corsica and decide to play pretend during their stay; lying to each other by faking new identities, only to discover that they fall in love. So… did they fall in love with each other, or with the characters they were playing? This is a very intriguing premise, and the two leads Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor are one of the most successful duo in recent years. Add to that Imtiaz Ali a director who has made some of the most popular Bollywood romantic films of recent years like Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, and Rockstar, and you have yourself a surefire winner.
