This week in theaters it's a battle between Marvel, DreakmWorks and Mel Gibson. The MCU just got weirder with the addition of "Doctor Strange", a mixture of wizardry and psychedelia starring Benedict Cumberbatch, while DreamWorks tries to find its next "Shrek" with the happy-go-lucky adventure "Trolls". Gibson returns at the helm of his new faith-based (sort of) World War II drama "Hacksaw Ridge", which is based on one of the most insanely fascinating true stories you'll ever hear about.
In limited release, check out another biopic, Jeff Nichols' "Loving", the true story of the courage and commitment of an interracial couple who fought all the way to the Supreme Court in 1967 for the right to marry.
In limited release, check out another biopic, Jeff Nichols' "Loving", the true story of the courage and commitment of an interracial couple who fought all the way to the Supreme Court in 1967 for the right to marry.
Synopses, details, critical reception, trailers, clips and more after the jump.
DOCTOR STRANGE
Official Synopsis
A disgraced former surgeon named Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes a powerful sorcerer under the tutelage of a mystic known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor co-star in this entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister).
Film Details
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Scott Adkins
- Director: Scott Derrickson
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Running Time: 115 min.
- Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 90% (196 fresh, 21 rotten, score: 7.3/10)
- Metacritic: 72 out of 100 (40 positive, 7 mixed, 2 negative).
"Doctor Strange" is another worthwhile addition to the MCU, although it brings nothing new or entirely original to the table apart from some spectacularly mind-bending visuals. The lead is charismatic, the origin story is satisfying, and the villain is as lackluster as any of Marvel's cinematic baddies. For better or worse, the film achieves what it aims for and adds another cool superhero to franchise's roster.
HACKSAW RIDGE
Official Synopsis
HACKSAW RIDGE is the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss [Andrew Garfield] who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. As an army medic, he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. Doss was the first conscientious objector to ever earn the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Film Details
- Starring: Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Richard Roxburgh
- Director: Mel Gibson
- Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
- Running Time: 131 min.
- Rating: R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence including grisly bloody images
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 87% (116 fresh, 18 rotten, score: 7.2/10)
- Metacritic: 71 out of 100 (37 positive, 7 mixed, 0 negative).
"Hacksaw Ridge" benefits greatly from its incredible true story, but it could have been just another by-the-numbers biopic in the hands of a less assured director. Gibson lends the film his intense passion for themes related to faith and courage in the face of an impossible situation, and finds a near-perfect balance between his trademark appetite for graphic violence and the story's pacifist message, thus offering the perfect tribute for its protagonist.
TROLLS
Official Synopsis
DreamWorks Animation's TROLLS is an irreverent comedy extravaganza with incredible music! From the genius creators of SHREK, TROLLS stars Anna Kendrick as Poppy, the optimistic leader of the Trolls, and her polar opposite, Branch, played by Justin Timberlake. Together, this unlikely pair of Trolls must embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the only world they've ever known.
Film Details
- Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Gwen Stefani, Icona Pop
- Director: Walt Dohrn, Mike Mitchell
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Running Time: 92 min.
- Rating: PG for some mild rude humor
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 74% (73 fresh, 26 rotten, score: 6.2/10)
- Metacritic: 56 out of 100 (14 positive, 12 mixed, 5 negative).
Despite being hyped as being made by the creators of "Shrek", the new Dreamworks animated feature "Trolls" is not even close to becoming the new "Shrek". Nevertheless, it's simple, light fun for the kids, filled with syrupy pop music and colorful adventures. It's literally begging you to like it.
LOVING
Official Synopsis
From acclaimed writer/director Jeff Nichols, Loving celebrates the real-life courage and commitment of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving (portrayed by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), who married and then spent the next nine years fighting for the right to live as a family in their hometown. Their civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia, went all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 1967 reaffirmed the very foundation of the right to marry - and their love story has become an inspiration to couples ever since.
Film Details
- Starring: Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton, Terri Abney, Alano Miller
- Director: Jeff Nichols
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- Running Time: 123 min.
- Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements
Critical Reception
- Rottentomatoes: 89% (74 fresh, 9 rotten, score: 7.5/10)
- Metacritic: 77 out of 100 (25 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative).
"Loving" is a powerful biopic that never takes the heavy-handed approach to telling its painful story, allowing the performances and historical drama to emotionally resonate with the viewer as naturally as possible.
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