New On Screen: July

The Gray Man

Out 22 July, Netflix

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas

A former CIA operative, known as Sierra Six, is the deadly freelance assassin called “the Gray Man” (Gosling), whose identity is shrouded in mystery. The hunter soon becomes the hunted. After Six accidentally discovers some dark secrets surrounding the agency, his former colleague Lloyd (Evans) places a bounty on his head. This sets off a frantic manhunt as the Gray Man has to outmanoeuvre Lloyd and a string of international assassins, all of whom will stop at nothing to apprehend him, dead or alive.

Ryan Gosling: Ab-solutely fabulous

A former child star, the Canadian heartthrob is known for playing romantic leads, for taking on challenging independent roles and for his washboard abs.

There is a scene in the 2011 romantic comedy, Crazy, Stupid, Love, where Ryan Gosling takes off his shirt to show off his sculpted torso.

To underscore just how ridiculously hunky Gosling appears, his scene partner Emma Stone blurts out, “Seriously? It’s like you’re Photoshopped!”

A former member of the Disney Channel’s The Mickey Mouse Club in the early 1990s, alongside fellow future stars Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, Gosling is arguably the most accomplished actor among his peers.

The former child actor has been nominated for the Academy Award twice, for his excellent performances in the films Half Nelson and La La Land, in which he sings and reunites with Stone. The film, though acclaimed, was announced erroneously as the Best Picture winner at the 2017 Oscars.

Gosling first gained widespread notice after starring in The Notebook (2004) opposite Rachel McAdams. In the film, which has since been rated as one of the greatest romances of all time, they play star-crossed lovers who overcome the odds to be together.

Some of his other notable films include Fracture (2007), Drive (2011), Gangster Squad (2013) and The Big Short (2015).

Now 41, married to actress Eva Mendes, and a father to their two daughters, Gosling has found further success post-La La Land with recent leading roles in Blade Runner 2049 and First Man, where he plays astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Gosling can next be seen in the streaming thriller The Gray Man, as an assassin being hunted down by other professional killers, and is currently filming the upcoming Barbie movie, where he and his famous abs will be seen in the role of Ken opposite Margot Robbie.

Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank

Out in cinemas 21 July (available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Michael Cera, Rickey Gervais, Samuel L Jackson

Hank (Cera) is a hapless beagle who wishes to become a samurai. When he finds himself in a village full of cats, which the nefarious villain Ika Chu (Gervais) wishes to destroy, he is an unlikely candidate to become the villagers’ next town samurai and protector. The problem with the underdog Hank is that he doesn’t know the first thing about being a hero. But, with the mentorship of his sensei Jimbo (Jackson), he undergoes some serious training to learn his craft and help his cat companions overcome their feline foe.

SAFRA members enjoy daily discounted movie tickets at Shaw Theatres from $7.50 (U.P. Up to $14.50). For more info, go to www.safra.sg/promotions/shaw-theatres

Bullet Train

Out in cinemas 4 August (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Joey King 

What do you call a professional killer who is plagued by bad luck? In this movie, you call him Ladybug (Pitt), a moniker given to him by his handler, Maria Beetle (Bullock). His mission seems simple enough: grab a briefcase on a bullet train heading from Tokyo to Kyoto. While finding the briefcase is not a problem, despite his best efforts, Ladybug finds getting off the train not at all easy. Not when he has a series of other assassins constantly appearing on the train and trying to kill him and/or steal the case from him.

Stars: Matt Hookings, Russell Crowe, Ray Winstone

Based on a true story, this film charts the rise and fall of the youngest bare-knuckle boxing world champion in 18th century England. Born a pauper, Jem Belcher (Hookings) struggles to make a living and decides to follow in the footsteps of his ex-boxer grandfather (Crowe) and become a prizefighter. Due to his natural talent, and the astute guidance of his trainer (Winstone), he achieves his goal of becoming a champion before the age of 21. However, a tragic accident would threaten his career and his life.