#OnTheBigScreen: Brad's Status, Molly's Game and The Commuter

Brad’s Status

A trip to Boston with his college-bound son triggers a crisis of confidence for Brad Sloan (a terrific performance by Ben Stiller) as he reassesses his own life choices in a bittersweet comedy.

Writer-director Mike White creates stories filled with seemingly ordinary people whose lives take unexpected turns. His latest film, Brad’s Status is an intelligent and poignant exploration of the human condition. It will intrigue, amuse and unnerve its audience with a sympathetic, warts-and-all portrait of a man who thinks he wants it all — if he can ever figure out what it is.

Molly’s Game

Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) is a young, charismatic Olympic-hopeful skier who was forced to abandon athletics after a devastating injury. With law school on hold, Molly takes a summer job that introduces her to a new endeavour requiring similar discipline and drive: running the world’s most exclusive high-stakes underground poker game.

This crime drama was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin in his directorial debut, based upon the memoir Molly’s Game: From Hollywood’s Elite to Wall Street’s Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker by Molly Bloom.

The Commuter

Insurance salesman Michael is on his daily commute home, which quickly becomes anything but routine. After being contacted by a mysterious stranger, Michael is forced to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on the train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realises a deadly plan is unfolding, and he is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy that carries life and death stakes for everyone on the train.

This action thriller was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a screenplay by Byron Willinger, Philip de Blasi, and Ryan Engle. The film stars Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Jonathan Banks, Elizabeth McGovern, and Sam Neill.

Read more about these latest releases: www.writingstudio.co.za