Another packed weekend with so many big releases, but action films fans are in for a treat or two this weekend, so keep reading.
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
Directed by: S.S. Rajamouli
With: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty
What is it about? When Shiva, the son of Bahubali, learns about his heritage, he begins to look for answers. His story is juxtaposed with past events that unfolded in the Mahishmati Kingdom.
Heads Up: Why Katappa killed Baahubali? If you are one of those that has waited impatiently for the answer to this question, this is one of the biggest cinema weekends this year. Even with all the other releases, the biggest release by screen-count this weekend is this sequel to the 2015 Indian mega-blockbuster. Baahubali 2 releases in no less than 4 languages (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi) and on the largest screens (all the IMAX and MAX screens of the country). If you haven’t been caught up in the frenzy yet, get on with it!
The Circle
Directed by: James Ponsoldt
With: Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega, and Bill Paxton
What is it about? A woman lands a dream job at a powerful tech company called the Circle, only to uncover a nefarious agenda that will affect the lives of her friends, family and that of humanity.
Heads Up: Based on a bestselling book, this film has an excellent cast (this is the late Bill Paxton‘s last cinematic role) and a promising young director (End of The Tour, The Spectacular Now) but the problem is that there is very little buzz surrounding the film. If you are a fan of the book, then you might want to go and see the film, else I advise you to wait and see the response from critics and audience.
Free Fire
Directed by: Ben Wheatley
With: Sharlto Copley, Armie Hammer, Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, and Jack Reynor
What is it about? Set in Boston in 1978, a meeting in a deserted warehouse between two gangs turns into a shootout and a game of survival.
Heads Up: Here is the critical consensus about the film: “Free Fire aims squarely for genre thrills, and hits its target repeatedly and with great gusto – albeit with something less than pure cinematic grace“. I am all for a 90 minutes film of pure mindless action, are you?
The Lost City of Z
Directed by: James Gray
With: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, and Tom Holland
What is it about? The true story of British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett, who disappeared while searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.
Heads Up: James Grey is known for making dramas that are set in New York City (The Yard, Two Lovers, The Immigrant), but this time he is doing an old fashion adventure period piece that is set mainly in South America and London. Critics are raving about how good is this film, and it’s the kind of films that are better experienced in cinema, so I encourage you to check it out.
Headshot
Directed by: Kimo Stamboel, Timo Tjahjanto
With: Iko Uwais, Chelsea Islan, and Sunny Pang
What is it about? When young man washes ashore suffering from amnesia and a serious head injury, he finds out shortly that his past is coming back to haunt him, and violence ensues. Sweet, sweet violence.
Heads Up: If you are a fan of the Indonesian action films The Raid: Redemption and The Raid 2, I have news for you, its star is back with a new crazy martial art action film. If you are a fan of the genre then this one is a must see!
The Promise
Directed by: Terry George
With: Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale, Charlotte Le Bon, and Jean Reno
What is it about? A middle-aged carpenter who requires state welfare after suffering a heart attack is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario.
Heads Up: Director Terry George (Hotel Rwanda), is tackling yet another genocide (Armenian during WWI which is highly contested by the Turkey but widely acknowledged by the West). Unfortunately, this film is getting mostly negative critical reception. Despite the great cast, I am not fully on-board with this one.
