The last weekend of the year has some high profile big releases, so let’s check them out.
The Greatest Showman
Directed by: Michael Gracey
With: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, and Rebecca Ferguson
What is it about? Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
Heads Up: The lukewarm critical and audience reception this film received might have something to do with its perceived focus on putting a dazzling show with little work on fleshing out the complexity of its characters. That said, if you are interested in watching this film at some point, this is the kind of film that is better watched in a theatre instead of home.
Hostiles
Directed by: Scott Cooper
With: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, and Ben Foster
What is it about? In 1892, a legendary Army captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory.
Heads Up: Director Scott Cooper‘s previous films (Crazy Heart, Black Mass, and a Filmphoria favorite Out of The Furnace) has garnered respect in general, and Hostiles was the opening film for DIFF2017. The reviews are mostly positive as the critics praise the visuals and central performances which trumps the problems with its uneven story. I would say go for it.
Pitch Perfect 3
Directed by: Trish Sie
With: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, and Hailee Steinfeld
What is it about? Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.
Heads Up: I am one of many people who really enjoyed the first two films, but I did not see the possibility for the story to keep going, at least not with the original Bellas, and it seems the critics agree with that as this film has got lousy reviews, unlike its predecessors. I’d say wait for it to come out on home viewing if you wanna see it.
Crooked House
Directed by: Gilles Paquet-Brenner
With: Glen Close, Max Irons, Christina Hendricks, Gillian Anderson, and Terence Stamp
What is it about? In Agatha Christie‘s most twisted tale, a spy-turned-private-detective is lured by his former lover to catch her grandfather’s murderer before Scotland Yard exposes dark family secrets.
Heads Up: The resurgence of Agatha Christie adaptations continues after the commercial success of Murder on The Orient Express, we did not have to wait for long for a new one to come out. I was not crazy about Murder on The Orient Express as a film because it did not add anything of value to the beloved story, but I am looking forward to seeing this one, which has an even darker and more twisted story, and an all-star cast. I would say give it a go especially if you are a fan of Agatha Christie‘s work.
Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars
Directed by: Lili Fini Zanuck
With: Eric Clapton
What is it about? A look at the life and work of guitarist Eric Clapton, told by those who have known him best, including BB King, Jimi Hendrix, and George Harrison.
Heads Up: DIFF365 presents this documentary about the legendary musician Eric Clapton which will be showing exclusively in one VOX screen in Mall of Emirates for a limited time, so if you are a fan of his or love biographical documentaries, then don’t wait for long.
