We list ‘em, you pick ‘em.
Grown ups
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris rock, and Salma Hayek
Director: Dennis Dugan
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 102 min
Synopsis: After their high school basketball coach passes away, five good friends and former teammates reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.
What We Think: Despite being totally dismissed by critics, the film was a big hit in the States. It is yet another Adam Sandler/Dennis Dugan collaboration, a collaboration that started with Happy Gilmore and went on for three more films before this one. All of them had one thing in common; they were low brow comedies that made a lot of money. So we are not talking you out of it, if it is your cup of tea, knock yourself out, but you have been warned!
Jonah Hex
Starring: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox, and Michael Fassbender
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Genre: Action, Drama, Western
Running Time: 81 min
Synopsis: The U.S. military makes a scarred bounty hunter with warrants on his own head an offer he cannot refuse: in exchange for his freedom, he must stop a terrorist who is ready to unleash Hell on Earth.
What We Think: See it only if you are into watching train-wrecks. The film is a big failure both critically and commercially, and about the only thing it has going for it is its short running time. We say wait for the DVD if you want to watch it; it should be out really soon anyway.
Perrier’s Bounty
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Jodie Whittaker
Director: Ian Fitzgibbon
Genre: Action, Crime, Comedy
Running Time: 88 min
Synopsis: A gangster named Perrier looks to exact his revenge on a trio of fugitives responsible for the accidental death of one of his cronies.
What We Think: Critics have mixed opinions about this Irish crime romp. That being said, with a cast this stellar, we can’t help but recommend it those who like to experiment with their cinema viewings (and sometimes be genuinely surprised by it).
Fake Identity
Starring: Val Kilmer, Izabella Miko, Valentine Pelka, and Julian Wadham
Director: Dennis Dimster
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Running Time: 104 min
Synopsis: In Chechnya, an American doctor takes a detour in life when he helps a mysterious woman escape from her would-be assailant.
What We Think: This is a straight to DVD B-movie, and the only reason this is getting a theatrical release here is because it has Val Kilmer’s name on it (but also because audiences here probably don’t known better). But you’ve read this and now you know, so rent the DVD and save your time and money.
When The Wind Blows
Starring: Peggy Ashcroft, John Mills, Robin Houston, and James Russell
Director: Jimmy T. Murakami
Genre: Animation, War, Drama
Running Time: 80 min
Synopsis: Based on Raymond Briggs’ book, When the Wind Blows is about Jim and Hilda Bloggs, a middle-class elderly British couple who, with the help of government-issued pamphlets, build a shelter and prepare for an impending nuclear attack, unaware that times and the nature of war have changed from their romantic memories of World War II.
What We Think: Playing only in Reel’s Picturehouse, this British animation was released in 1986, and it was described as grim, frightening and disturbing. It’s also left a strong impact on the viewers back then. We salute The Picturehouse for bringing such obscure films back to paying audiences and think it will be great for cinema lovers to check out.
Aisha
Starring: Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol, Ira Dubey, and Arunoday Singh
Director: Rajshri Ojha
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Running Time: 126 min
Synopsis: Aisha is a girl with a simple diktat – everyone’s business is her business. Arjun is a boy with even a simpler set of beliefs – Aisha should mind her own business. Caught in the Delhi upper class world with its own set of social rules, Aisha navigates her world with a great sense of style and even greater optimism, alongside her web of mishmash friends, and all Arjun wants to do is disentangle that web and get Aisha out of an impending sticky mess. Who will succeed and who will succumb?
What We Think: It is supposed to be Bollywood’s take on the classic Jane Austin’s Emma. The two leads are really charming and makes us curious about it. We say go for it.
El Dictator
Starring: Hassan Husni, Khaled Sarhan, Ezzat Abuawf, and Maya Nassry
Director: Ehab Lamai
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 95 min
Synopsis: A dictator takes over the ruling in Mambozia, a fictional land and rules is it with an iron fist. When his wife gives birth to twin boys and they eventually grow up, one of them becomes a corrupt prince who sells land to the highest bidder, while the second becomes a scandalous womanizer who embarrasses his father.
What We Think: Only if you are of the target audience and enjoy this kind of comedy. Otherwise stay away because nothing looks promising about it.