Rating: ««« Out of 4

Running Time: 141 min.

We’ve all seen plenty of movies about astronauts encountering danger on other worlds, but The Martian is a bit different. Instead of aliens, it strands its lead on the red planet and forces him to endure the elements. Call it a sci-fi survivalist tale, if you like.

The story begins on Mars, where a NASA crew are conducting scientific experiments. When an unexpected sandstorm hits, the group is forced to evacuate. Unfortunately, botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is hit and wounded by a flying antenna. Thinking him dead, the crew leaves. Watney soon wakes up to find himself alone on Mars with little oxygen or food and no means of...

Rating: ««« out of 4

Running Time: 121 min.

While there have been plenty of movies over the past few years depicting drug cartels, Sicario stands apart from the vast majority and adds several new wrinkles to the formula. It paints a more detailed and complicated picture of a disturbing situation, and asks serious questions about the tactics and methods used by its characters.

Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is an idealistic FBI agent asked to volunteer as part of a special task force out to capture an unnamed figure in the Mexican drug trade. Hoping to make a bigger difference in the escalating trafficking battle, she dives in, but finds her superiors secretive and unwilling to elaborate...

Rating: «« out of 4

Running Time: 122 min.

Ever considered a perilous trek up the highest mountain on Earth? Everest may certainly dissuade any thoughts with a cold, harsh re-creation of what is perhaps the mountain’s most infamous tragedy. As disaster films go, it features some great visuals and several tense moments. Yet it occasionally suffers from a lack of focus on a central role. While the events as depicted are harrowing, the storytelling leaves some emotional distance between the viewer and the characters.

Based on the ill-fated 1996 excursion to the summit peak, the plot follows two commercial tour groups that assist adventure seekers up Everest. The focus is on...

It’s yet another busy week with tons of releases both new and old that should pique anyone’s interest. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

Big New Releases!

Alleluia - An introverted nurse falls for a charming womanizer in this French/Belgian thriller. She’s soon convinced into helping the man target and murder wealthy, single woman, and stealing their goods. Inspired on the real life “Lonely Hearts Killers” of the 1940s, plenty of graphic violence ensues. Notices were very good for this picture - it was described by most as disturbing and not for the faint of heart, but beautifully shot and compelling is its...