Here to take a look at the films coming out in wide and limited release this coming weekend. I’ll give you my thoughts to help you decide what’s worth checking out.
- 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi – About the security team that defended the US compound under attack in Benghazi, Libya in 2012.
Directed by Michael Bay (Transformers, Pain & Gain)
Starring John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, James Badge Dale, David Denman
I kind of wish this had more of a Bad Boys vibe although I suppose that would be pretty inappropriate given the story. Still it’s getting the Michael Bay treatment as it is, unlike a more somber treatment like something Kathryn Bigelow might do. One thing is for sure, it has to be better than American Sniper. I do hope this pushes up the stock on John Krasinski though. If he had breakout similar to Chris Pratt I would be all about it. - Ride Along 2 – The future brothers-in-law take on a drug ring in Atlanta.
Directed by Tim Story (Ride Along, Think Like A Man)
Starring Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter, Benjamin Bratt, Olivia Munn, Ken Jeong
Having never seen the first, I can’t say I’m excited about this sequel. I have no real qualms with it existing, but it doesn’t seem worth the price of admission when you can catch it on cable in a few months. There’s no denying Kevin Hart and Ice Cube have been a roll in the box office the last few years, so if this performs (which I think it will) I can see another of these heading out to theaters in another couple years. Just because we don’t need it, doesn’t mean it won’t make a lot of money. - Norm of the North – A polar bear moves to New York City. Yep.
Directed by Trevor Wall (directorial debut!)
Starring Rob Schneider, Heather Graham, Ken Jeong, Bill Nighy
If I am not going to spend my money on the best animation movies being made by Pixar, there’s no dice I’m going out for a fifth rate piece like this. If you have kids, I’m sure they’ll like it because kids like anything.
- Band of Robbers – A modern reimagination of Mark Twain’s classic literary characters.
Directed by Aaron Nee & Adam Nee (The Last Romantic)
Starring Kyle Gallner, Adam Nee, Matthew Gray Gubler, Hannibal Buress, Melissa Benoist
Well, this looks fun. It’s definitely got an offbeat style and tone to it, which I’m all about. It’s got the guy from Veronica Mars and the guy from Drunk History and the guy from Criminal Minds and the titular Supergirl and the guy from Broad City (not to mention hilarious stand up). I like how they’re spinning the Twain characters, even not being super familiar with their original context. I’m sure if you are it would play even better. I definitely hope to see this at some point.
Available on demand and in select theaters.
