This weekend at the multiplexes is very busy with major releases across the different genres. We have a spy-comedy, an action, a TV to film adaptation, a horror sequel, and Bollywood comedy.
Spy
Directed By: Paul Feig
With: Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, and Jason Statham
Heads Up: Melissa McCarthy teams up with her Bridesmaid Director Paul Feig again, this time playing a mild-mannered CIA analyst who goes undercover as a spy to stop a deadly arms dealer. This film is universally praised by critics, including our Faizan Rashid, who in his review credits it for “a winning combination of sometimes violent, over the top action (ala 21 Jump Street) and situational gags“. We highly recommend that you check it out, even if you are not into her particular brand of humour — Jason Statham playing it straight in an out-and-out comedy is not something you’ll want to miss.
Entourage
Directed by: Doug Ellin
With: Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara, and Jeremy Piven
Heads Up: The film version of the popular HBO show about a movie star and his entourage. It’s an unnecessary adaptation for a show that overstayed its welcome in the first place, so unless you are a dude who really loved the show, we say there are plenty more better choices to watch this weekend.
Survivor
Directed by: James McTeigue
With: Milla Jovovich, Pierce Brosnan, and Dylan McDermott
Heads Up: The story of a female intelligence officer who is trying to prevent a large scale terrorist attack on New York. Despite its known cast, Survivor has been universally panned by all critics, including our own Lloyd Bayer. His review states you will be “…let down by poor execution, lazy scripting and wooden performances”.
Insidious: Chapter 3
Directed by: Leigh Whannell
With: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, and Angus Sampson
Heads Up: A prequel for the events of the first two films, Insidious 3 gives us the backstory of a gifted psychic who tries to help a little girl haunted by supernatural beings. This one is cashing on the moderate success of the franchise. So if you are a fan of the original &/or the sequel, this will be more of the same. Our resident critic Lloyd Bayer reviews it with 3 stars: “While the first film is still the best, Insidious: Chapter 3 stands out on its own with as many reasons to laugh as there is to cover in fright.”
Dil Dhadakne Do
Directed by: Zoya Akhtar
With: Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma
Heads Up: Director Zoya Akhtar is a gifted director with a penchant for well-written characters and their relationships. She follows up Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara with another star-studded film about a dysfunctional rich Punjabi family that decides to go on a cruise ship holiday. Though the movie has the shine of opulent Bollywood productions, expect a solid character(s)-driven drama.
