Weekend movie picks: Hugh Jackman reinvents Robin Hood, a teen romance arrives

As the summer movie season officially winds down, the focus shifts from blockbuster titles to smaller films seeking to capture audience attention. This week's recommendations include a gritty reimagining of Robin Hood and a Russian melodrama.

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The story examines how power can be used for good or evil.

A24, known for films like "Hereditary" and "Midsommar," presents a new take on the Robin Hood legend, starring Hugh Jackman as an aging, world-weary outlaw. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film explores the darker, more realistic aspects of life in the 13th century, moving away from the traditional portrayal of Robin Hood as a cheerful thief. Jackman, who previously played Wolverine, described the film as one that "will say more things outside of the dialogues, than in them." Bill Skarsgård co-stars as a rough "Little John." The film was shot in the Irish countryside, utilizing its landscapes for various sequences.

Director Sarnoski stated his intention was to create a version of Robin Hood "most faithful and honest to the harshness of life in the century he lived." This contrasts with previous cinematic interpretations by actors like Kevin Costner, Taron Egerton, and Russell Crowe, who often depicted a more romanticized figure.

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We have this idea of Robin Hood dancing in the forest with his merry men, but life back then wasn't like that. I asked myself: what would be the most faithful and honest version of Robin Hood to the harshness of life in the century he lived?

The second recommendation is a Russian melodrama based on Anna Jane's novel. The story follows a young school entrant who hires a bully to pose as her boyfriend. The situation escalates when the fake relationship becomes real, but external factors complicate their lives. The film has reportedly resonated with audiences in its home country, with praise for the chemistry between its leads.

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This is a film that will say more things outside of the dialogues, than in them.