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: Event Cinemas George St‘s In The House sessions kicks some alien ass with the James Cameron blockbuster Aliens, we get criminal with Bad Santa 2, chow down with The Founder, and take a patriotic stroll with Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
In The House: Aliens
Where: Event Cinemas George St Sydney
When: Friday, November 25th at 7.00pm
Rating: M
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn
Synopsis: The planet from Alien (1979) has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, the rescue team has impressive firepower, but will it be enough?
Trailer:
https://youtu.be/Ot0cFGyWXN4
Why you should care: Duh! It’s Aliens. Any self-respecting sci-fi or indeed blockbuster action fan has to bow down in the presence of Ripley. It’s scary, it’s thrilling, even funny in parts, everything you could want on a Friday night. Get in line already!
Who should see it: Alien admirers
Get your tickets below
Bad Santa 2
Rating: MA15+
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Brett Kelly
Synopsis: BAD SANTA 2 returns Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as everyone’s favourite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is ‘the kid’ – chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity.
Trailer:
Why you should care: The original Bad Santa was a crack up and has become a feel-bad holiday classic. Will the sequel live up to that? Never bet against Billy Bob Thornton, who’s hangdog face and expert timing can sell even the silliest lines. Add in Kathy Bates, clearly having a ball as the criminally minded mum, and you’ve got the recipe for some Christmas magic.
Who should see it: Those with a holiday hangover already
The Founder
Rating: M
Starring: Michael Keaton, Patrick Wilson, Linda Cardellini
Synopsis: The story of McDonald’s founder, Ray Kroc.
Trailer:
Why you should care: Well this will make you think a bit while you’re chowing down on your next Big Mac. The little-known story of the founding of the biggest fast food chain in the world, it’s clear that it wasn’t all sunshine and Happy Meals. The stellar cast is headed up by the resurgent Michael Keaton, still riding his own “McConnaugh-ssance” after Birdman. He’s firmly in line for another nomination with this performance, tearing into the meat of a guy who’s ambition outstripped his morals.
Who should see it: Oscar watchers and hamburger hounds
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
Rating: MA15+
Starring: Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund, with Vin Diesel, and Steve Martin
Synopsis: 19-year-old private Billy Lynn (newcomer Joe Alwyn) who, along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing Iraq battle and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour. Through flashbacks, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of the Thanksgiving Day football game, the film reveals what really happened to the squad – contrasting the realities of the war with America’s perceptions.
Trailer:
Why you should care: A war film, based on a best-selling novel, directed by 2-time Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee – this is as close to Oscar bait as you can get! Lee is working some technical marvels here too, shooting the film at 120 frames per second (five times the norm). Unfortunately, Australian audiences won’t get to see that part of the experiment, but our version will still be incredibly high quality, bringing the horrors of war into sharp focus. Depending on how much war you can stomach, this might be a marvel.
Who should see it: Tech heads and patriots
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!