With so much grabbing for your attention and dollars these days, it’s easy to miss when the latest releases are heading to a cinema near you. So come back every week as we here at So, Is It Any Good? preview the new movies hitting screens, and give you the lowdown on what to watch this weekend
This weekend, there’s two real life stories with Patriots Day and Gold bringing star wattage and edge of your seat excitement. If you’re looking for quiet and a bit more sombre, Manchester By The Sea arrives with 8 Oscar nominations and stellar critics notices in tow. Here’s what to watch!
Patriots Day
Rating: M
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin Bacon, J.K Simmons
Synopsis: An account of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis’s actions in the events leading up to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the aftermath, which includes the city-wide manhunt to find the terrorists behind it.
Trailer:
Why you should care: Director Pete Berg and star Wahlberg team up for yet another intense drama based on true events, after Lone Survivor and last year’s Deepwater Horizon. This one has been a bit better received in the US, and at one stage it was even in the Oscar conversation, although that ended up going nowhere. If you’re a sucker for real life stories on film, and love a bit of good guys vs. bad guys as well, then this is definitely the movie to see this week.
Who should see it: Patriots
Gold
Rating: M
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Bryce Dallas Howard, Edgar Ramirez
Synopsis: An unlikely pair venture to the Indonesian jungle in search of gold.
Trailer:
Why you should care: No, this isn’t the sequel to Fool’s Gold that nobody asked for (thanks God!). This one looks like what happened to McConaughey’s Wolf Of Wall Street character after the coke ran out and he got fat and bald. Another “inspired by true events” tale, this looks a bit fun in a Wolf kind of way, but with a distracting comb-over and less qualludes. You never know, you could strike it rich and it could be a winner.
Who should see it: Gold diggers
Manchester By The Sea
Rating: M
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler
Synopsis: An uncle is forced to take care of his teenage nephew after the boy’s father dies.
OUR VERDICT
Trailer:
Why you should care: Nominated for 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Actor, Supporting Actress, and Supporting Actor, you know going in that this is gonna deliver the goods. The cast is top notch, including exciting newcomer Lucas Hedges, and stands as career best work from Casey Affleck. Kenneth Lonnergan is a master at these seemingly small stories that pack a massive emotional wallop, so stock up on the tissues before you go in, my gut says you’ll need them.
Who should see it: Dramatics
So, what’s getting your hard earned dollars? Are you in it for the action or the prestige? Hit us up in the comments and let us know what you’ve watched, and if it’s any good!