How to Be a Latin Lover

Weekend Movies: Vicious Circle

Last week’s five dud movies have nothing on this weekend’s new releases. ‘The Fate of the Furious’ is bound to take them down as well. A wildcard Blumhouse picture just might be the best bet.

STX’s new thriller ‘The Circle‘ stars Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. Studio execs are likely hoping for older audiences to show up because of Hank’s long-running success, and younger audiences to turn out because it stars Belle. Looking like a remake of 2001’s ‘Antitrust’ (groan), it tells the story of a tech-loving millennial who gets hired by a major company only to learn of their unethical and criminal true nature. John Boyega co-stars. STX played its cards oddly with this one. The movie didn’t screen for press, aside from selected screener links. This marks the first time I’ve ever heard of a studio sending screener links for a major release.

The weekend’s second wide release is ‘How to Be a Latin Lover‘, a Spanish/English comedy surprisingly directed by Ken Marino. ‘Instructions Not Included’ star Eugenio Derbez stars as a man who becomes newly single after his 25-year marriage ends. When he takes residence with his sister, he starts to discover himself again and create new relationships. The big cast includes Salma Hayek, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Michael Cera, Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, Rob Riggle, Raquel Welch and ‘Gifted’ star Mckenna Grace.

The Jason Blum-produced movies ‘Split’, ‘Get Out’ and ‘The Belko Experiment’ won me over this year, so I’m excited to see his less-advertised new movie that’s out in limited release. ‘Sleight‘ appears to be a mix of ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘Chronicle’ – but with a big trick up its sleeve. From no-name filmmakers and actors, the micro-budget R-rated movie tells the story of an inner city youngster who knows magic exceptionally well. When his parents pass away, he starts selling drug to keep himself and his younger sister afloat, but when things head south, his sister is kidnapped and our leading man must use his magic to bring her back. ‘Sleight’ certainly has potential to suck, but with Blum’s recent track record, I’m hoping for something good.

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