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This week, there are FOUR new films out for you to choose from, led by Uncut Gems. Here are the titles, with more info below:Uncut Gems
Chhapaak
1917
Seberg
Uncut Gems is set in the diamond district of New York City, where Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic New York City jeweler is always on the lookout for the next big score. When he makes a series of high-stakes bets which could lead to the windfall of a lifetime, he must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides, in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.
This looks great from the trailer, but I’m particularly looking forward to this because director brothers Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie made the recent, brilliant Good Time, with Benny Safdie and Robert Pattinson in the leading roles.
And I’d normally avoid an Adam Sandler movie, but when he makes a drama, such as Punch-Drunk Love, he can really excel.
Uncut Gems is out today in the cinema, but released on Netflix on January 31st.
Also stars: Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, The Weeknd, Idina Menzel, Keith Stanfield, Eric Bogosian
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
Chhapaak tells of the trials and triumphs of Malti, an acid attack survivor. From the investigation of the attack to the court proceedings, the medical treatment to the emotional healing. Chhapaak is the story of the unquashable human spirit.
I hadn’t heard of this film before now, but acid attacks are horrific, and this looks an incredible movie.
Director: Meghna Gulzar
Stars: Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey, Madhurjeet Sarghi
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
1917 has a feel of Saving Private Ryan about it, as the soldiers are tasked with delivering a message to stop a situation which would lead to 1600 men dying… including the brother of one of the soldiers.
Directed by Sam Mendes (loved Jarhead and American Beauty; hated Road To Perdition, Skyfall and Spectre), I hope it’s good, but it’ll be difficult to top Dunkirk as a modern period war movie.
Either way, it has a great cast including Richard Madden, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Teresa Mahoney, Daniel Mays, Adrian Scarborough, Justin Edwards and Pride‘s George MacKay (above).
1917 is clearly going for Oscar glory, given that it’s been released in awards season.
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Maybe!
Seberg… Jean Seberg… yeah, me neither.
Inspired by real events about the French New Wave darling and Breathless star, Jean Seberg, who in the late 1960s was targeted by Hoover’s FBI, because of her political and romantic involvement with civil rights activist Hakim Jamal.
Looks very meh, even with Kristen Stewart in the lead role.
Director: Benedict Andrews
Writers: Joe Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse
Also stars: Margaret Qualley, Zazie Beetz, Vince Vaughn, Jack O’Connell, Anthony Mackie, Stephen Root, Jade Pettyjohn, Colm Meaney
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.