We list’em, you pick’em.
Toy Story 3 (3D)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Michael Keaton
Director: Lee Unkrich
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Running Time: 103 Min
Synopsis: Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, they join Barbie’s Ken, and other toys to plan their great escape.
What We Think: This is Pixar’s 11th consecutive blockbuster, which in itself is an amazing feat. It is also one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed films of 2010. A Must see for everyone, and we mean everyone! Our critic Faizan Rashid Says: “A week after having seen it, I still can’t quite place where Toy Story 3 ranks amongst the others, but what I do know is that I can’t quite stop thinking about how stellar and emotionally satisfying it was.”
Knight and Day
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, and Viola Davis
Director: James Mangold
Genre: Action, Comedy
Running Time: 110 Min
Synopsis: An action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust.
What We Think: We think this film might turn out to be decent summer flick that pleases the crowds. It looks like a zany, fast paced, well directed action comedy with the emphasis on the FUN element. Say what you will about Tom Cruise’s off-screen personality, but he has been a solid and reliable star for the past two decades. Add to the mix what seems like good on screen chemistry with Cameron Diaz, and a director of good repute and you have yourself a winning formula.
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
Starring: Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, James Brolin, David Koechner, and Ed Helms
Director: Neal Brennan
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 89 Min
Synopsis: In a desperate attempt to save his rapidly failing used car dealership, Ben Selleck hires a crack team of “car mercenaries” to ramp up sales during the Fourth of July weekend.
What We Think: Despite being a critical and a commercial failure (a misfire according to many), there is something intriguing about it. If you like to see TV funny men like Piven (Entourage), Helms and Koechner (The Office), on the big screen, then this might just be your kind of comedy.
I Hate Luv Storys
Starring: Imran Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sammir Dattani, and Samir Soni
Director: Punit Malhotra
Genre: Romance
Running Time: 135 Min
Synopsis: I Hate Luv Storys is an ironic love story that takes place on a Bollywood movie set. The movie revolves around an unlikely love triangle which includes a film director, an assistant to the director, and production designer for the fictional film.
What We Think: Let’s just get this out of the way – we HATE the title. Bollywood has a history of botching up English words to try to seem cute of edgy, and it hardly ever works. That being said, the two main leads, Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor, look appealing together. We can only hope this this film replicates the cuteness and charm of Khan’s debut Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na.
Aaz Asshab (Best Friends)
Starring: Ahmed El-Sadaani, Ahmed Falukas, and Soma
Director: Ahmed Sammeer Farag
Genre: Romance, Drama
Running Time: 97 Min
Synopsis: A group of old friends has its members separated for different reasons, but a common friend’s wedding serves as a reunion where things start to unfold.
What We Think: It doesn’t look half as bad as the last couple of week’s Arabic releases, but that’s just a backhanded compliment. We still can’t recommend it to anyone outside of its target audience (you know who you are!).