Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut “Booksmart” is as smart as it is hilarious. Meanwhile the Shakespearian centric “All is True” would probably have the Bard rolling in his grave (this is in spite of it’s cast of Shakespeare experts).
It’s easy to compare “Booksmart” to “Superbad” (in part because Beanie Feldstein is Jonah Hill’s sister) but this coming of age comedy does a great job of capturing realistic female friendships, and is actually funny to boot. It stars Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Billie Lourd, Skyler Gisondo, Lisa Kudrow, Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Williams, Will Forte, and Mason Gooding.
Meanwhile Kenneth Branagh directs (and stars in) a Shakespeare biopic – instead of starring in a Shakespeare play/movie. Unfortunately his love for Shakespeare doesn’t make the content particularly compelling and the film is more of a bad family drama than something worthy of ol’ Billy Shakes. Branagh, Dame Judi Dench, and Sir Ian McKellen star.