STACK July 2016 Issue 141

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2014's Ride Along reminded us of Lethal Weapon –
and, later Mel Gibson politics notwithstanding, that’s
a compliment. The teaming of Kevin Hart’s full-on
freneticism as wannabe cop Ben with the supremely
chilled Ice Cube as actual cop James, clicked. Obviously
they’re back, and with new police recruit Ben about to
tie the knot with Angela – who is, of course, James’s
sister – the two are getting along slightly better. Well,
James hasn’t yet popped a cap in Ben’s backside! The
two road trip it to Miami – Ben trying to prove that he’s
detective material, James trying to disprove it – to take down a crime
boss. It’s a complicated case though, made more so by the arrival of
fugitive hacker AJ (Ken Jeong). Yes, they’ve gone more specific this
time and targeted that Pesci Lethal Weapon 4 – and quite well, too. AF
The brothers-in-law are back.
RIDE ALONG 2
Release Date: 07/07/16 Format:
ack in 2002, it hit like a tummy upset after overindulging
n saganaki. Like that glorious cheesy treat, Nia Vardalos’
y Big Fat Greek Wedding was, well, a wonderfully
heesy treat – and remains arguably the most joyous
m-com ever. It was a huge act to follow, which partly
xplains the 14 years between grappas. Still, it’s given
oula (Vardalos) and Ian (John Corbett) time to have a
aughter, Paris, who’s now teenaged and discovering the
numerable ups and downs of being Greek. Meanwhile,
the couple have their issues, from the travel agency
closing through to coping with Paris’s impending escape to college. But the
latest wedding is down to a forgetful priest – Toula’s parents Gus and Maria
aren’t actually married! Cue BIG preparations. Get ready to shout “Opa!”
and smash some plates, but do eat that yummy saganaki off them first. AF
People change. Greeks don't.
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2
Release Date: 07/07/16 Format:
A cautionary tale for the digital age – Stephen King style.
When a mysterious pulse turns cellphone users into
enraged zombies, the scene is set for a post-apocalyptic
horror-thriller with a difference. The movie version
of King's 2006 novel finally arrives after 10 years in
development hell, with director Tod Williams (Paranormal
Activity 2) at the helm and stars John Cusack and
Samuel L. Jackson reuniting for their second King film
together, following 1408. Better late than never – in the
decade since its publication Cell has become even more
topical and timely. King's screenplay (with Adam Alleca) offers a horror
metaphor for the gestalt-like nature of the online world, and the extent
to which smartphone fixation continues to zombify and control society.
Don't text, check Facebook or take calls while watching. SH
When everyone is connected no one is safe.
CELL
Release Date: 14/07/16 Format:
17th century New England, a Puritan family are
nished from their village to a remote farm on the
ge of an ominous looking forest. Isolation is the
st of their concerns when their newborn baby is
ysteriously snatched, corn crops rot, goat's milk
ns bloody, and suspicion of witchcraft falls upon
e oldest daughter. An authentic and nightmarish
scent into the olde worlde, complete with archaic
guage and meticulous attention to period detail,
e Witch is a slow burner that doesn't depend on
cheap scares to raise hackles. A palpable sense of dread radiates
from every frame – even a rabbit can appear sinister. This disturbing
look at religious fervour and the gradual disintegration of a family is
an early contender for the year's best horror film. SH
A New England folktale.
THE WITCH
Release Date: 14/07/16 Format:
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