As predicted, Salman Khan’s new film, Sultan, has smashed box office records and is yet another hit for Khan who has attained a level of invincibility that is unmatched in Bollywood. Meanwhile local cinema is buzzing, not necessarily because of the heist film Sawal 700 Crore Dollar Ka but because of a bevy of upcoming films that have the potential to add more colour and character to the ever-expanding film palette.
The Founder tells the story of Ray Kroc and how he transformed McDonald’s fast food chain into a billion dollar empire.
CinemaScope
From Panama Papers to Tomb Raider reboot, a quick look at cinema stories that merit attention.
As predicted, Salman Khan’s new film, Sultan, has smashed box office records and is yet another hit for Khan who has attained a level of invincibility that is unmatched in Bollywood. Meanwhile local cinema is buzzing, not necessarily because of the heist film Sawal 700 Crore Dollar Ka but because of a bevy of upcoming films that have the potential to add more colour and character to the ever-expanding film palette.
Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se, Anjum Shehzad’s Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai, Azfar Jafri’s Janaan, Nabeel Qureshi’s Actor in Law and Wajahat Rauf’s Lahore Sey Aagay are some of the most anticipated films of the year 2016 and will hopefully resonate with the audience upon release.
But while we wait for these films and some others to release and make their mark, here are some other interesting cinema stories from Hollywood and beyond.
Though sequels and superhero films make the most noise, there are other films that look equally inviting. One such option is Michael Keaton-starrer The Founder, which comes out next month. What can only be described as art imitating life, the film will see Keaton essaying the role of Ray Kroc, a man credited for taking the “McDonald’s brand to the level we know its at today”. Yup, it’s a biographical look at the man who acquired the company and made it a global icon.
Among literary adaptations that matter is Stephen King’s The Dark Tower which will feature Matthew McConaughey as an evil sorcerer and Luther star Idris Elba as the Gunslinger. Can you say score?
Also making news this week is director Steven Soderbergh whose self-imposed retirement from films it seems is over. Having directed several issue-based films, the acclaimed director has turned his attention to the controversial story of Panama Papers. Alongside longtime collaborator Scott Z. Burns, Soderbergh, who is currently busy prepping to direct heist film Logan Lucky with Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig, will produce the film and could step into director’s shoes should the need arise.
Of course, this isn’t the only film to release in 2016 that will draw its narrative from a real-life event. Tom Hank’s upcoming Clint Eastwood film, Sully is based on the Hudson River plane landing that took place in 2009 while Deepwater Horizon chronicles the tale of the BP oil spill. Oliver Stone’s Snowden, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is about Edward Snowden’s NSA leaks, circa 2013.
Moving away from gritty reality, another iconic comeback worth mentioning is that of Tomb Raider. After Angelina Jolie starred in two films, the film franchise wrapped up but a new film based on the popular video game is finally in the offing. The series will go back to the beginning and see Lara Croft embarking on her very first adventure. Alicia Vikander will star in the film which aims to release next year. Given the many, many male-driven films, it will be a pleasant change to see a woman in an adventure-caper such as Tomb Raider.
Of course, no story in Hollywood is complete without some sort of superhero story and this one is essentially about DC Comics. After months of speculation, it has now been made clear that Zack Snyder will continue to retain control of the Justice League universe despite the fact that he made an intolerable mess out of the Batman/Superman saga that released earlier this year.
This brings us to the final story of the week which is about Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. An adaptation of the book is finally underway with Mathew McConaughey and Idris Elba signed on to play antagonist and protagonist respectively. While Elba will play the Gunslinger, McConaughey is essaying the role of Randall Flagg, an evil sorcerer and has been seen shooting around New York in black hair, eerie vibe and all. If the images are anything to go by (and they are), this film will be worth watching.
