You can smell the testosterone in the air in most of this weekend’s releases, as so many macho men are taking over. Keep reading to know more.
Sicario: Day of the Solado
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
With: Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro, and Isabela Moner
What is it about? The drug war on the US-Mexico border has escalated as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. To fight the war, federal agent Matt Graver re-teams with the mercurial Alejandro.
Heads Up: It is inevitable that the sequel to the highly acclaimed Sicario wouldn’t live up to the original, which also was helmed by one of the best directors working today: Denis Villeneuve. That said, the reviews are still quite favourable, so if you keep your expectations in check I think you would enjoy this one as well. Plus, it is hard to ignore when you have Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro in one movie.
Book Club
Directed by: Bill Holderman
With: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, and Andy Garcia
What is it about? Four lifelong friends have their lives forever changed after reading 50 Shades of Grey in their monthly book club.
Heads Up: This comedy is the only film this week that is geared toward the female audience. Even though its reviews are middling, it still managed to be a mid-level hit in the US, and for me, the four leads are its strongest asset. I’d say why not?
Escape Plan 2: Hades
Directed by: Steven C. Miller
With: Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, 50 Cent, and Xiaoming Huang
What is it about? Ray Breslin manages an elite team of security specialists trained in the art of breaking people out of the world’s most impenetrable prisons. When his most trusted operative, Shu Ren, is kidnapped and disappears inside the most elaborate prison ever built, entirely computerized and constantly changing shape, Ray must track him down with the help of some of his former friends.
Heads Up: The sequel to 2013’s Escape Plan returns with only Sly and no Arnold. The synopsis and trailer promise an awesome over the top B action movie, so sign me up.
Sanju
Directed by: Rajkumar Hirani
With: Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Paresh Rawal
What is it about? a biopic of the controversial life of actor Sanjay Dutt: his film career, jail sentence, and personal life.
Heads Up: Since the first trailer hit the web a few months ago, this film shot to the top of every list of most anticipated Bollywood films of the year. The transformation of Ranbir Kapoor is just unbelievable. Couple that with the fact director Rajkumar Hirani (Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 idiots, PK) is yet to make a film that is not a mega success with critics and the audience, and you would know why this is my first pick of the week
