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, James McAvoy gets Split in M. Night Shyamalan’s latest, Ben Affleck tries to Live By Night, Milla Jovovich fights the final chapter in the Resident Evil franchise, and walk in the Moonlight with a potential Oscar winner. Here’s what to watch!
Split
Rating: M
Starring: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sterling K. Brown
Synopsis: Kevin, a man with at least 23 different personalities, is compelled to abduct three teenage girls. As they are held captive, a final personality – “The Beast” – begins to materialize.
OUR VERDICT: FOR & AGAINST
Trailer:
Why you should care: Shyamalan is hit and miss, but his last low budget creep fest The Visit delivered the goods, so if he’s on a bit of a streak that could be good news for moviegoers. McAvoy is always worth watching, and it’s cool to see him take a different kind of role. Our reviewers sat on both sides of the fence, but if the trailer piques your interest, you could be in for a wild ride.
Who should see it: People with personality… or personalities
Live By Night
Rating: MA15+
Starring: Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Elle Fanning
Synopsis: A story set in the Prohibition Era and centered around a group of individuals and their dealings in the world of organized crime.
OUR VERDICT
Trailer:
Why you should care: From Oscar-winning writer, to forgettable himbo actor, to award-winning writer/director, it’s been an interesting ride for Ben Affleck. Since Gone Baby Gone, I’ve found him to be a much more interesting director than an actor, so as soon as new movie arrives bearing his Directed By credit, I tend to take notice. Live By Night takes him a new direction, a period piece, but with the same DNA that made The Town so enjoyable, so if the story is there, this could be a winner.
Who should see it: Original gangsters
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Rating: MA15+
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Ruby Rose, Ali Larter
Synopsis: Following the events of “Resident Evil: Retribution”, Project Alice is forced to race against time as the villainous Red Queen attempts to destroy the final remnants of humanity.
OUR VERDICT
Trailer:
Why you should care: This is one of those franchises that kind of sneaks up on you. I’m not sure anyone was really clamouring for a new installment, but here we are 6 films later and we’ve finally reached The Final Chapter… until the inevitable reboot. If you liked any of the previous 5 movies, this might be worth a watch, otherwise there’s more interesting options on offer.
Who should see it: Completists
Moonlight
Rating: M
Starring: Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monae, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome
Synopsis: The tender, heartbreaking story of a young man’s struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love, while grappling with his own sexuality.
OUR VERDICT
Trailer:
Why you should care: A touching story, told well and acted beautifully. So says most of the critics’ notices, including our own, and the Oscar nominations followed (it’s up for 8 in all). By the looks of the trailer it doesn’t look like easy viewing, so if you’re in a turn-off-your-brain kinda movie then look elsewhere. But if you’re up for a provoking and emotional experience, then this is amongst the best you’ll see.
Who should see it: Oscar watchers and indie buffs
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!