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.
This weekend, a quartet of releases for all demographics as Hotel Transylvania 2, Creed, Love The Coopers and By The Sea head into theatres.
Hotel Transylvania 2
Rating: M
Starring: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, David Spade, Fran Drescher Andy Samberg, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, Mel Brooks
Synopsis: Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania… Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire.
Trailer:
Why you should be interested: If you’ve got kids of a certain age, you’re probably already aware of this and are lining up to see it this weekend (or at the very least, dropping them off at the theatre). For those that don’t have kids, I’m not sure that there’s much in this for you, besides a lot of obvious jokes and Adam Sandler doing an obnoxious “accent”. Pixar it ain’t.
Who should see it: Little vampires in training
Creed
Rating: M
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
Synopsis: A story that finds Rocky Balboa acting as a trainer and mentor to the grandson of his fellow boxing alumni, Apollo Creed.
Trailer:
Why you should be interested: It’s been almost 40 years since the first Rocky, and after 6 sequels of varying quality, they’ve decided to flip the script a bit and put Rocky in the trainer’s seat, letting a new fighter take centre stage. And when that new fighter is played by Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station), there’s a reason to sit up and take notice. The trailer is slick and promises a lot of grit, some life lessons, and maybe a montage if we’re lucky.
Who should see it: Boxing buffs and Rocky fans
Love The Coopers
Rating: PG
Starring: Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Marisa Tomei
Synopsis: In this hilarious and heart-warming comedy, the holiday season brings joy, laughter and chaos when the Cooper family gathers for their annual Christmas celebration.
Trailer:
Why you should be interested: Tis the season, and the influx of Christmas themed movies is upon us. This looks like a bit of harmless fun, and has a great cast, so probably not the worst way to spend a couple hours getting in the Christmas mood. Probably not destined to become a Christmas classic though, so if you’re on the fence, maybe just watch Home Alone or Scrooged instead.
Who should see it: Yuletide diehards
By The Sea
Rating: MA15+
Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Pitt, Mélanie Laurent
Synopsis: Set in France during the mid-1970s, Vanessa, a former dancer, and her husband Roland, an American writer, travel the country together. They seem to be growing apart, but when they linger in one quiet, seaside town they begin to draw close to some of its more vibrant inhabitants, such as a local bar/café-keeper and a hotel owner.
Trailer:
Why you should be interested: Angelina Jolie writes and directs this study of a marriage falling apart, starring herself and her husband, Brad Pitt. Besides the obvious tabloid baiting going on, this seems to be a real throwback movie to the kinds of star driven prestige dramas they used to churn out in the days of Hepburn and Tracey. Expect a lot of heavy emotions, and a lot of gorgeous scenery. This is definitely one for the arthouse crowd though.
Who should see it: Brangelina obsessives
So, who’s getting your hard earned dollars this weekend? Hit us up in the comments and let us know what you’ve watched, and if it’s any good!