Movie watch: Enjoy your weekend with 'Heroine'

Published Thursday, September 20, 2012

By Sneha May Francis

It’s a packed weekend ahead at the cinemas, with a collection of varied genres that should keep, almost, everyone entertained.

There’s the much-anticipated ‘Heroine’ that makes a rather, solo entry from Bollywood. By the looks of it, director Madhur Bhandarkar has packaged it just right, to get him a packed first weekend. Its future, however, might not be as hunky-dory.

There’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s racy ‘Premium Rush’ that’s got a lot of positive buzz around it. Barring a few dud performances from the supporting cast, this one’s a safe bet for a thrilling ride.

Animated fun drama ‘The Illusionauts’ appears to be a fairly inoffensive pick, but whether it will win top honours among the animation ranks is debatable.

Also, there’s ‘The perks of being a wall flower’ that’s a beautiful adaption of a popular 1990s novel. Although the verdict on this one is pretty divided, we suggest it’s not such a bad idea to give it a go!

Among the ones that can be skipped, it’s ‘Hit & Run’, which despite evoking a lot of interest due to the pairing of real-life couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, is unable to keep up with its trippy image for too long.

There’s ‘Bait’ that showcases Jamie Foxx in the lead and some interesting performances, but its formulaic story pulls it a few places down on our must-see list.

Legendary Robert De Niro is back in yet cop drama, and this time he’s got rapper 50Cent to keep company. With a negative report card from the critics, ‘Freelancers’ might still be OK for a DVD viewing later on.

What does, however, pose as a complete let-down is the Meryl Streep-Tommy Lee Jones starrer ‘Hope Springs’. It’s something that can be safely reserved for a viewing on the telly.

Heroine

Genre: Drama

Director: Madhur Bhandarkar

Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Randeep Hooda and Arjun Rampal

The story: A female superstar struggles through the trials and tribulations of being a Bollywood actress.

Premium Rush

Genre: Action

Director: David Koepp

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon and Dania Ramirez

The story: In Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Freelancers

Genre: Action

Director: Jessey Terrero

Cast: 50Cent, Robert De Niro and Forest Whitaker

The story: The son of a slain NYPD officer joins the force, where he falls in with his father's former partner and a team of rogue cops.

The Illusionauts

Genre: Animation

Director: Eduardo Sculdt

Cast: Kathy Borland, Abraham Vurnbrand

The story: A group of kids with special powers and their trusted dog are sent back in time restore the artist Leonardo Da Vinci's place in history that the mad President and Minister of Cultural Affairs are trying to erase.

The perks of being a wall flower

Genre: Drama

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Cast: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller

The story: An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.

Bait

Genre: Thriller

Director: Kimble Rendall

Cast: Phoebe Tonkins, Xavier Samuel and Julian McMahon

The story: A freak tsunami traps shoppers at a coastal Australian supermarket inside the building - along with a 12-foot Great White Shark.

Hit and Run

Genre: Action

Director: David Palmer, Dax Shepard

Cast: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell and Bradley Cooper

The story: Hit and Run is a comedy about a young couple (Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard) that risks it all when they leave their small town life and embark on a road trip that may lead them towards the opportunity of a lifetime.

Hope Springs

Genre: Drama

Director: David Frankel

Cast: Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones

The story: After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counseling session to work on their relationship.

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