The Weekend Update 7/21/17
Another week, another Weekend Update! During this Comic-Con week we see the release of two tentpole films in Christopher Nolan's WWII Epic Dunkirk and Luc Besson's Sci-Fi adventure Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets. As always, you can purchase tickets in advance through Fandango by simply clicking the picture associated with each movie.
Dunkirk
Purchase tickets to Dunkirk here!
Christopher Nolan directing a war film? It sounds too good to be true, but one of the most talented directors working in Hollywood today is dipping his hands into history to bring us the telling of the "Miracle at Dunkirk."
In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.
Nolan is one of the few directors working today whose name alone will draw in a crowd. He has directed some of the boldest and most original films of the past 17 years including Inception, Interstellar and of course The Dark Knight Trilogy. With each picture, he finds a way to reinvent the respective genre and if the trailers for Dunkirk are any indication, the audience is in for a WWII spectacle unlike anything they've ever seen before. This is most certainly an experience that must be witnessed on the largest screen possible. Definitely get your tickets for an IMAX screening or, if you're lucky enough, 70mm IMAX screening!
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Purchase tickets to Valerian here!
It appears we have two directors this week whose name alone attracts a crowd. Luc Besson is finally bringing to the big screen an adaption for one of the most influential graphic novels in his life, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevigne) work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe.
This is sure to be an interesting one. The trailers have shown us a vast sci-fi spectacle filled with new worlds and alien races to likes we've never seen before. Naturally, the CG and technical aspects of the film look incredibly impressive, but, as evident from Michael Bay, that doesn't always equate to a good movie. Many early reviews have been mixed to positive, praising Besson for his vision and realization of the world, but knocking him for some cringeworthy dialogue and wooden performances. Still, I remain intrigued as the movie strikes me as an almost live-action adaptation of the popular video game series Mass Effect and if nothing else, could be a fun summer blockbuster. If you love sci-fi and are looking for a grand spectacle, this might be one for you. I'm truly curious as to how the box office shakes out with this one.
That will do it for this week's Weekend Update! Be sure to let us know what films you're most interested in seeing this weekend and if you have seen one of these two, be sure to tell us your thoughts in the comments below.