Unlike last weekend, this weekend is packed with so many big releases: a thriller starring Ben Affleck, a family comedy, 2 horror films for Halloween, and 2 big Diwali releases from two of Bollywood’s biggest heavy hitters. So let’s check them out:
The Accountant
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
With: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, and J.K. Simmons
What is it about? As a math savant uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities and the body count starts to rise.
Heads Up: Director Gavin O’Connor is credited with a few critically acclaimed films (Warrior, Miracle), but not The Accountant though, which was received with mixed reviews even though it is doing decent business in the US box-office. It seems the main complaint about it is the sparsity of action, as many described it as messy and boring. So if you are going to it expecting a straight up high adrenaline wall-to-wall thriller, then this one is not for you. I still am curious about it nevertheless.
Ouija: Origin of Evil
Directed by: Mike Flanagan
With: Henry Thomas, Doug Jones, Elizabeth Reaser, and Annalise Basso
What is it about? In 1965 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her two daughters add a new stunt to bolster their seance scam business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When the youngest daughter is overtaken by a merciless spirit, the family confronts unthinkable fears to save her and send her possessor back to the other side.
Heads Up: The first Ouija Film received a dismal critical beating, but it was a box-office hit anyway. This one (which is a prequel) on the other hand enjoyed terrific critical reception and had decent opening weekend in the US box-office. Based on director Mike Flanagan previous terrific record with horror films (Oculus, Hush), I am looking forward to seeing this one and would recommend you see it too.
Boo! A Madea Halloween
Directed by: Tyler Perry
With: Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, and Patrice Lovely
What is it about? Madea winds up in the middle of mayhem when she spends a haunted Halloween fending off killers, paranormal poltergeists, ghosts, ghouls and zombies while keeping a watchful eye on a group of misbehaving teens.
Heads Up: It is a Madea film, so if you are a fan of this series of films, then you’d enjoy this film too. Otherwise, safe it for when it comes out on home viewing.
The Great Gilly Hopkins
Directed by: Stephen Herek
With: Sophie Nélisse, Kathy Bates, and Glenn Close
What is it about? 12-year-old wisecracking Gilly Hopkins finds herself shuffled from foster home to foster home until she meets Maime Trotter.
Heads Up: This film is aimed for young audience, as it’s based on a bestselling YA book. It received decent reviews, but not good enough for me to recommend it to general cinephiles. So if you have young ones take them to it.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Directed by: Karan Johar
With: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
What is it about? A story about unrequited love – the shapes it takes, the ways it changes us and the exhilarating and often heartbreaking ride it takes us on. It is the journey of three characters, Ayan, Alizeh and Saba, as their lives intertwine and they navigate life, love and heartbreak.
Heads Up: It’s director Karan Johar‘s first film in 3 years. He has a certain formula that he mastered to please the crowds, and by now you should know whether his formula works for you or not. There shall be beautiful people, there shall be beautiful sets, there shall be sappy beautiful chart-topping music, there shall be a few cameos from big stars, and there shall be nothing new or surprising when it comes to plot, story, or dialogue.
Shivaay
Directed by: Ajay Devgn
With: Ajay Devgn, Erika Kaar, and Abigail Eames
What is it about? Shivaay is a Himalayan mountaineer who is an innocent everyman and yet is capable of transforming into destroyer when he needs to protect his family.
Heads Up: Ajay Devgn takes on Karan Johar this Diwali with a movie that is of the action-genre, I think? I have absolutely no idea what to make of this movie from the promos, and that is bad. It generates no curiosity at all, the music hasn’t made the slightest impression, and even most weekly-Bollywood-wacthers will be hard-pressed when asked who’s directing this or who else is in it (besides Devgn). I’m just waiting for a bad review titled “ShiWHY?!”
