The Weekend Update 7/14/17
Hey everyone, we are back with this week's Weekend Update! There 3 films getting wide releases this week and as always you can purchase tickets through Fandango by clicking on the pictures associated with each movie. Let's dive into this.
War for the Planet of the Apes
APES! TOGETHER! STRONG! The conclusion to what is arguably looking to be one of the greatest trilogies of all time is finally hitting movie screens this week and if early reviews are any indication, the series is definitely going out on a high note.
Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson). After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both of their species and the future of the planet.
As I mentioned before, this Apes prequel trilogy has been nothing short of a masterpiece and I expect nothing less for the final installment directed by Matt Reeves once again. War is looking to be a heavy and emotional character drama that pits Caesar against all formidable odds in order to protect and preserve Ape-kind. Andy Serkis delivered an Oscar caliber performance in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and if we are to believe early reviews, outdoes himself in War. Here's hoping the academy FINALLY gives this man the recognition he deserves. In my mind, there is no difference between what they do with motion capture and covering an actor/actress in prosthetic makeup. All in all, Apes is once again looking to be one of the highlights of the summer movie season and I will definitely be heading out to the cinemas this evening to experience it.
The Big Sick
Next on our list is a film that has been getting an nothing but enormous amounts of buzz and positivity. Some of you may have had the opportunity to see this one as it's coming off of a limited release, but now the rest of us can rush out and see just what everyone is talking about.
Kumail is a Pakistani comic who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father.
Before all of the critical praise, I honestly had never seen a single trailer or mention of this film, but now I am absolutely DYING to see it. Focusing on the real life story of how Pakistani comedian and star of HBO's Silicon Valley Kumail Nanjiani met his wife. It's a romantic comedy that is sure to have more than a few laughs, a lot of heart and tell an emotional and inspiring story. This one is sure to be nice counter-programming to the bombast of blockbusters that occupy the summer months. I for one can't wait to check this out and who knows, maybe come awards season we'll see it get a few nods.
Wish Upon
The last film releasing this week is one for all you horror fans out there...or maybe not. The trailers haven't looked to great for this picture, but if you're absolutely craving some for of horror film then maybe this will be one for you.
Jonathan Shannon (Ryan Phillippe) gives his 17-year-old daughter Clare (Joey King) an old music box that promises to grant its owner seven wishes. Skeptical at first, Clare becomes seduced by its dark powers when her life starts to radically improve with each wish. Everything seems perfect until she realizes that every wish she makes causes the people who are closest to her to die in violent and elaborate ways.
I truly have no interest in catching this one. The story seems fairly generic, offers up nothing new or exciting and, from a marketing standpoint, the trailers have not looked good. When films such as The Conjuring, Lights Out, Ouija: Origin of Evil and the upcoming Annabelle Creation seem to be changing the game in terms of the horror genre, why settle for mediocrity such as this. If you're looking for some cheap jump scares and a little taste of horror, then consider giving it a shot, but this is most likely going to be one to skip.
That's it! Those are the movies hitting theaters this week. Sound off in the comments, which film are you looking forward to most and if you have seen one of these, what did you think? Thanks for checking out The Weekend Update, catch you next week!