Foreign films dominate the silver screen this weekend as Hollywood brings inspiration, drama, and comedy to life. Olympic legend Jesse Owens meets Nazi leader Adolph Hitler, then destroys the Aryan myth in the 1936 Olympics. The mystery of the resurrection of Jesus is told through the eyes of non-believers tasked to solve the world’s greatest miracle, while spirits and ghosts terrorize a family in Salem in the 1630s.
Enjoy the movies this weekend – I always do!
Neerja (2016)
(NR) 122 min – Drama
Director: Ram Madhvani
Stars: Shabana Azmi, Sonam Kapoor, Shekhar Ravjiani, Yogendra Tikku
The hijacking of Pan Am flight 73 in 1986 comes to the silver screen in this touching real life drama, as a courageous flight attendant, Neerja, sacrifices her life to save her fellow passengers from their deaths at 30,000 feet. Imagine ‘Passenger 57’ set in a foreign language, and you have ‘Neeja.’ [watch trailer]
Embrace of the Serpent (2015)
(NR) 125 min – Adventure | Drama
Director: Ciro Guerra
Stars: Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet, Antonio Bolivar, Brionne Davis
This Academy Award nominee film tells the tale of the last survivors of an Amazon tribe who spend 40 years in search of a plant that has amazing healing powers. Again, this foreign sub-titled drama will delight and entertain. [watch trailer]
Race (2016)
PG-13) Biography
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Stars: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Eli Goree, Shanice Banton
At the height of the Nazi Germany’s rise to power in 1936, American star Jesse Owens competes in the international Olympics, proving to the world and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler that heart and courage trump bigotry and hate every time. If you’re inspired by true life courage and greatness, ‘Race’ is the film that will lift you up. [watch trailer]
Busco Novio Para Mi Mujer (2016)
(PG-13) Comedy
Director: Enrique Begne
Stars: Sandra Echeverría, Arath de la Torre, Jesús Ochoa, Alejandro Cuétara
Imagine a ‘Ben Stiller and Zac Efron like characters’ in a foreign film, as they scheme to help friend find a way out of his unhappy marriage. The boys find a male gigolo to sweep the wife off her feet, and their fool proof plan reveals they are the fools. This is a light and well written script that is pleasing to the eye and soul. [watch trailer]
Risen (2016)
PG-13)107 min – Adventure
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Stars: Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, María Botto, Cliff Curtis
Set in the time of Jesus, ‘Risen’ tells the biblical story of what occurred weeks after the crucifixion. It took powerful men to murder the Son of God; see how a non-believer works to solve the mystery of the miracle, and prevent Jerusalem from being torn asunder.[watch trailer]
The Witch (2015)
(R) 90 min – Horror
Director: Robert Eggers
Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Julian Richings
Set in the 1630s, a family is nearly destroyed by black magic and witchcraft. If you like to watch a movie with your hands covering your eyes, you will want to see this movie. [watch trailer]
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