As Stree 2 continues to dominate the box office, a string of Hollywood movies are set to hit the theatres on August 23. From psychological horror to the much-anticipated return of a popular franchise, or the re-release of a Bollywood classic, this week’s theatrical releases promise a bucket-load of entertainment.
Alien: Romulus (English)
Directed by: Fede Álvarez
Cast: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu
The Xenomorphs return to the screen for the first time after 2017. Alien: Romulus is the seventh instalment in the legendary sci-fi horror franchise and takes place between the events of Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel, Aliens.
Alien: Romulus follows a group of young space colonists who stumble upon a derelict space station in one of the darkest regions of the galaxy. What they discover is the stuff of nightmares: Xenomorphs, the deadliest creatures in the universe, waiting to unleash terror. The film delves into themes of isolation, fear and the dangers of unchecked corporate greed.
Blink Twice (English)
Directed by: Zoë Kravitz
Cast: Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Simon Rex, Alia Shawkat and Christian Slater
Blink Twice is Big Little Lies actress Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut. The story revolves around cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie), who receives an invitation to a tech billionaire’s private island. Slater King (Channing Tatum), the billionaire, welcomes Frida and her best friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) to a world of luxury, offering them fine wine, gourmet dishes and designer drugs. At first, they can hardly believe their luck but as the days blur into one long, indulgent haze, they begin to notice that even the most luxurious private island has secrets hidden within its lush surroundings. Frida sets out to uncover those before it’s too late.
Harold and the Purple Crayon (English)
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha
Cast: Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery, Jemaine Clement, Tanya Reynolds, Alfred Molina and Zooey Deschanel
Harold and the Purple Crayon is a fantasy comedy film that continues the story of the 1955 children’s book by Crockett Johnson. Combining live action and animation, the film follows Harold (Zachary Levi), who has the ability to bring his drawings to life with a magical purple crayon. As a grown-up, Harold leaves his book world to search for the ‘old man’ he believes is his father, encountering various challenges in the real world. Joined by his animated friends Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds), Harold navigates a series of adventures that involve new friendships, a search for identity and a face-off with a villainous librarian (Jemaine Clement).
Fakt Purusho Maate (Gujarati)
Directed by: Jay Bodas and Parth Trivedi
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Yash Soni, Darshan Jariwala and Esha Kansara
A sequel to the 2022 hit Fakt Mahilao Maate, Fakt Purusho Maate brings Amitabh Bachchan back to the big screen in the role of God. At the centre of this story is Purshottam (Darshan Jariwala), who returns from the afterlife to meddle in his grandson Brijesh’s (Yash Soni) love life. Chaos ensues as Purshottam’s traditional ideas clash with the modern values of Brijesh and his fiancée (Esha Kansara).
Maine Pyaar Kiya Re-Release (Hindi)
Directed by: Sooraj Barjatya
Cast: Salman Khan, Bhagyashree, Alok Nath, Mohnish Bahl, Reema Lagoo, Rajeev Verma
Salman Khan-and-Bhagyashree-starrer romantic drama Maine Pyaar Kiya is making a grand return to the big screen across 35 locations nationwide, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the movie. Helmed by Sooraj Barjatya, the film became a cornerstone of Bollywood romance, introducing audiences to the heartwarming love story between Prem (Salman Khan) and Suman (Bhagyashree).
