We list’em, you pick’em.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Dakota Fanning
Director: David Slade
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Thriller
Running Time: 124 Min
Synopsis: In the third film in the Twilight Series, torn between the love she feels for Edward and the strong friendship between her and Jacob, Bella tries to make peace between the two “men” in her life. Meanwhile, there are new dangers lurking around the corners: Seattle is stalked by mass murderers beyond humanity. Who’s behind this, and what connection does it have with Bella?
What We Think: Does it really matter? Teen and tweens are going gaga over this film, currently breaking all sorts of box-office records in the US and abroad. That being said, this film has gotten better reviews than its predecessors,; which still isn’t enough for us to recommend it to anyone beyond its target audience.
The Young Victoria
Starring: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, and Miranda Richardson
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Genre: History, Drama, Romance
Running Time: 105 Min
Synopsis: A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria’s rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.
What We Think: If you like British period flicks, then certainly go for it. Also, Emily Blunt received a great deal of praise for her performance in this film. As a summer flick, it only works as counter programming.
Harry Brown
Starring: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, David Bradley, and Jack O’Connell
Director: Daniel Barber
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Running Time: 103 Min
Synopsis: An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend’s murder by doling out his own form of justice.
What We Think: Michael Caine as a bad-ass? Nuff said! If you like your aging vigilante revenge film, ala Gran Torino, then don’t miss this!
Women in Trouble
Starring: Carla Gugino, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Adrianne Palicki, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Brolin, and Marley Shelton
Director: Sebastian Gutierrez
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 92 Min
Synopsis: A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly disparate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, etc. All of them with one crucial thing in common: trouble.
What We Think: Showing only in Reel Cinema’s Picturehouse at the Dubai Mall, this is an ensemble comedy that didn’t sit well with the critics. But, if you like films with interwoven stories that have a large cast, you might want to check it out.
Milenge Milenge
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Satish Shah, and Kirron Kher
Director: Satish Kaushik
Genre: Romance
Running Time: 150 Min
Synopsis: Priya is a pure romantic at heart girl who has an image of her would be life partner, whom she expects would be a teetotaler and honest man. Amit is the type of guy who is totally opposite of what Priya wants from her life partner. Their world collides when Amit by chance lays his hands on Priya’s personal diary and learns of her likes and dislikes. He poses as her dream mate by giving her a totally different picture of himself.
What We Think: This film had a troubled and delayed production. It was filmed in 2004 and is being released now, never a good sign. Reading the synopsis for the film tells you that this film has been done a million times before. We don’t expect it to be as good as Jab We Met, the two leads’ last film together. So we are hesitant to recommend it to anyone.
Bedoun Raqaba (Uncensored)
Starring: Ahmed Fahmi, Maria, Ola Ghanem, and Dolly Shaheen
Director: Hany Gerges Fawzi
Genre: Drama, Romance
Running Time: 101 Min
Synopsis: A group of youth including a rich womanizer who is falling in love with a school girl, a lesbian, two addicts, and a religious man, secretly meet in a Cairo apartment so they can live uncensored.
What We Think: Egyptian filmmakers sometimes confuse controversial and daring with sensual and exploitative. This film, which pretends to push the boundaries but without providing a good story to back it up, was panned by viewers and critics alike. The reviews and word-of-mouth is really bad, whether it was the writing, acting, or direction. We highly recommend you avoid it!